《The Empress Livestream》 Chapter 1 - Bandits in Hejian Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji. General of the Federal Forces. Female. Former Leading General of Corps Seven. Why former? Because she died on the battlefield. A sudden death that she remembered very wellit had happened too quickly for her to prepare for it. Deafening blasts had rung in her ears. The world had been stained crimson. Then her vision had darkened. An inexplicable chill had overwhelmed her soul. Yet, an unexpected death had its merits. Before she could feel any pain, she had already lost consciousness. Jiang Pengji used to think she would die of a better cause, and she somehow felt sorry for herself. Still, dying without the slightest sense of pain was a blessing for many soldiers. What surprised her, as an atheist who embraced science, was that sentience remained after dying. Jiang Pengji now felt intense agonynot before death but after itand she did not know what to think about the whole situation. The anguish was so acute that, although she usually wouldnt even frown at her own injury, she now almost howled out loud. The pain persisted along with the dizziness it caused. It was an unforgettable sensation, as if she were being squashed into a cramped box with someone squeezing the little space tighter and tighter. It felt like the relentless pressure would only cease when she was finally compacted to the size of a palm. All at once, the excruciating pain exceeded its maximum level, and something banged against her head. That hurt! Jiang Pengji involuntarily huddled herself into a ball. The agony in her brain decidedly surpassed that in her arms and legs so that she couldnt think about anything apart from the tortured sensations of ruptures and tears. Scorching hot! She had hardly gotten used to the blasting in her mind when blazing heat enfolded her entirely out of nowhere. It was as if she were immersed in a boundless sea of flames that threatened to evaporate all the water in her body. Where am I? As the question appeared in her mind, Jiang Pengji was eager to open her eyes to observe her surroundings. Had she fallen to Hell? Contrary to her intentions, her eyelids seemed to contain thousands of pounds of lead. However hard she tried, her eyes did not open to admit even the thinnest beam of light. Dazed out of consciousness, Jiang Pengji thought she could hear the indistinct voice of a computer. Ding. Court Intrigue Stream is reanalyzing host. Start scanning for analysis. Scanning progress: one percent The cold voice of the machine was getting closer and closer, drawing more of her attention to its words. Scanning progress: 23 percent, 27 percent, 36 percent, 42 percent, 51 What is that? Jiang Pengji struggled to focus, wanting to know who was speaking. But the speaker seemed to ignore her and continued reporting. Ding. Scanning of host completed. Verifying binding Binding Further verifying identity of host. Please wait a moment Verifying Verification complete. Ding! At the sharp sound, Jiang Pengji broke out in a cold sweat. She felt as if her mind was thrust into black mist, unable to think even though it wanted to. The peculiar electronic voice continued to announce at its own pace, neither too quickly nor too slowly: Name: Jiang Pengji Gender: Female Age: 41 Background: Unknown (Temporary) Strength: Fighting (Temporary), Intelligence (Temporary), Others (Temporary) Attribute: Unknown (Temporary). As she heard her own name and age, she regained much of her consciousness, and the voice in her ears sounded less distant. Starting Soul Fusion. Progress: 0.1 percent. Ding. Host accumulated insufficient points, Soul Fusion paused. Current progress: 0.3 percent. System: Liu Lanting (Jiang Pengji), Aide 007 of Court Intrigue Stream is at your service. After that, everything fell into silence, as if the voice had never been there. Before Jiang Pengji could figure out the situation, something brushed her cheek like wind, bringing all her faded senses together. Then she began to feel the earth shake. As time went by, it developed from a slight movement to heavy jolting. Creak. The only sounds she could discern were wood creaking and then some repressed sobbing. Is somebody there? With great effort, she attempted to open her eyes. The darkness gradually turned into a blur. The new vision did not last long, however. The large amount of energy required to move her eyelids soon exhausted her, and the heavy lids once again shut. Lanting, Lanting Wake up Look at me I am Waner Jiang Pengji did not suspect that the woman was addressing her. She was just concerned that the weeping lady was grabbing her shoulders and shaking them, inflicting cutting pain on her already foggy, fatigued head. With her limited strength Jiang Pengji said, Stop Stop it I am dizzy You are making me feel sick Perhaps her voice was too low and could not be heard by anyone except herself, but the unpleasant shaker intent on crying did not halt. Jiang Pengji tried to push those merciless hands away, but her arms felt as cumbersome as a thousand pounds of gold. Even an insignificant lift of a finger would sap all her energy. Eventually, she gave up and decided to endure the annoying sobbing by adjusting her own breathing. Now that she was too weak to object to the womans shaking, the only option she had was to tolerate it. She might feel better if she became accustomed to the sickening sobbing. It appeared that Jiang Pengji was not the only one bothered by the blubbering, since another person also expressed distaste. Such irritating weeping and crying! Bah! The coarse man was also the driver of the carriage. He spat and then forcefully whipped the horse. Bumping along the rugged mountains roads, the vehicle almost fell into pieces. The grumbling of the man, however, not only failed to quiet the sobbing but also struck more fear into the girl and made the noise even louder. Irked, the man raised his whip and violently lashed the beaded curtain of the cart several times, causing the beads and bells to jingle randomly and the noble ladies to panic and pale. Silent! Or I will whip you to death right away! Speeding on the roads were also two other carriages that were not far from one another. If the environment were unfamiliar to them, driving in such a reckless manner would probably have resulted in both the people and the carts perishing. But the drivers knew the trails like the back of their hands, so the ride and its perils were nothing to them. The sophisticated carriages under their command charged like the wind. Speak gently. It was not easy to take these pretties. All of them are well-known fair ladies in Hejian County. We are too lucky to see any one of them, not to mention having them all now. Chapter 2 - Nobility in Trouble Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Whats wrong with a beautiful and delicate woman? Ha! asked the other coachman as he whipped the horse before him. An uncultured man like you cant appreciate how beautiful a pitiful woman is. A few sobs from a weak girl can be beautiful. But a man crying? Id punch him! In a world where beauty was deemed an art form, a beautiful girl could bawl her eyes out and onlookers would still marvel at the sight. But imagine a 170 centimeters tall, muscular man sobbing and whining. Anyone who witnessed that spectacle would be inclined to deliver a swift slap to him. Who allowed you to cry? Youre right, boss. Didnt someone once say that even a ghost would act lecherously if he could have a girl in each arm? The gruff man with a long sword sheathed at his waist guffawed. His loud laughter rang in Jiang Pengjis ears. We brothers wont have to die and become ghosts to have a girl in each arm! We can live freely every day! he added. After that the sound of loud laughter, tinted with lust and evil, echoed along the mountain trail. These seven burly men were bandits from the mountains near Hejian Country. They were outlaws who pillaged, plundered, and committed every crime imaginable. When they heard the news about a group of gorgeous girls who were out with their maids and had few guards, they acted. It was as if the heavens had heard their woes of lonely nights and bestowed this gift to warm their beds. The bandits had felt a chill run down their spines when they discovered the family crest on the carriages, however. It seemed as though the girls were from a noble family that one could not afford to offend. But the thought of those noble girls with their pale faces writhing in pleasure under them was enough incentive for the bandits. They had fought hard for their spoils. Boss. Theres a sickly one in there. I suggest we kill him and then dump his body. Itd be unlucky if he died on us while traveling, said a bandit with a bad limp. He pointed into the carriage. Look at that weakling. Uglier than those beauties. Three breathtaking young girls clad in silk and satin sat huddled in the carriage. Although they were still fairly young, their beauty exceeded that of average people. A young boy clad in green lay in the carriage. The jade clasp holding his black hair was missing. A high fever had knocked him unconscious, and upon closer inspection, it was clear that the boys face was elegant. His collar was slightly loosened and revealed a yellow undergarment and two small bumps on his chest. It was obvious that the boy was actually a girl. The bearded boss of the bandits let loose a laugh. So a female, eh? Keep her. We still have other brothers in the stockade. How do you expect these few girls to go around with all of us? In the past, even a female mosquito was rare Except for Leader Four, who has a woman to warm his bed? Jiang Pengjis heart almost stopped when she heard the commotion outside the carriage. Sister Jingxian Brother Lanting wont wake up What should we do? a young voice sobbed near Jiang Pengji. It should have been an unfamiliar voice, yet information about the sobbing girl flashed through her mind. Youre like a clay buddha crossing a river, and youre worrying about others? Wei Jingxian pursed her pale lips and clutched her handkerchief until her fingers turned red. Worry about yourself! she exclaimed unkindly. The exclamation caused the teary-eyed girl to bow her head in fear, never daring to make eye contact with Wei Jingxian again. Everyone in the Hejian County knew about the betrothal between the Weis eldest daughter and the Lius second son that had been arranged ever since the children were babies. The pair grew up as playmates before they became sweethearts. Now that she found out that her fianc was really a woman, the proud Wei Jingxian could hardly remain calm. If it werent for the bandits, would it have taken her until their wedding night to find out her husband-to-bes real gender? The embarrassment her fake husband had caused was far worse than whatever fate the unscrupulous bandits brought. Wei Jingxians voice was unfamiliar to Jiang Pengji, yet her name flashed through Jiang Pengjis mind. Wei Jingxian Jiang Pengji thought dazedly. So shes my fiance Wait! The sudden outburst in her own mind almost caused her to jump to her feet. What fiance? With that thought in mind, Jiang Pengji tried sorting through her thoughts and discovered many strange and foreign memories. The owner of the memories was a boy. Or rather, a girl masquerading as a boy by the name of Liu Lanting. Whats going on? Her own mind was flooded by different memories from this stranger. Before she could figure everything out, the rickety carriage came to a stop. Shhhh! Stop! You wenches! Get out! Dont make me come in there! The family crest on the carriage stood out, and with the number of missing nobles, Hejian County would be on high alert. All the servants and family needed to do was to follow the carriage tracks, and they would soon be discovered. The bandits could not afford even to leave their footprints behind if they wanted to live, so they were changing to a different mode of transportation. Boss. Eh How about us enjoying two of them first? Some of the bandits stared shamelessly as the girls climbed out of the carriage. One of them even licked his dry lips with an expression of lustful hunger. Who could resist the thought of having a little romp in the wilderness with a noble beauty? The girl being eyed by the bandit looked as though she was about to die of shame and anger. If she could, she would have hidden herself so that no one would ever be able to find her again. The bandits boss stopped in his tracks before raising his huge palm to smack his underling. Whats the hurry? We can enjoy them one by one once were back home. If you play now, you might get caught with your pants round your ankles, he laughed. The underling licked his split lip as he glared at the girls. The kidnapping had been easy, but it came at a price. They had attacked with over 20 men, and now they were returning with only seven. The bandits could only persevere because their boss had spoken. However, as they jostled and shoved the girls, some of them groped the girls. At that moment, the bandit with the bad limp carried the semi-conscious Jiang Pengji out of the carriage, all the while complaining. Unbeknownst to all, the seemingly unconscious Liu Lanting opened her eyes a little before closing them. System! Jiang Pengji called out in her mind. A clean transparent panel appeared before her minds eye. Name: Jiang Pengji (Liu Xi, Lanting, AKA Liu Lanting. Base Strength: 5. Strength Fusion +30). Sex: Female (Masquerading as male. Replacing her late elder brother, Liu Lanting). Age: 41 (12). Born on the third year of the Tianwu Flower Festival. Born: Hejian County. Liu familys second son (eldest daughter). Fiance: Wei familys second eldest daughter, Wei Jingxian. Abilities: Six Arts of Rites (Elementary), Combat (Expert), Analysis (tentative), and Others (tentative). Attributes: Charisma (hidden: 21), Appearance (75). Channel: Stream (Sufficient Points. Yet to unlock.) Streamer Lv. 1. Jiang Pengji was a woman from the future, an era where information and entertainment were readily available at ones fingertips. She immediately understood the importance of this foreign being in her mind. How should I address you? she thought. Chapter 3 - Court Intrigue Stream Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji kept her eyes closed. She had long since regained her senses. But since she could not move her arms and legs, she could not protect herself by fighting. Therefore, after quickly observing her surroundings, she decided not to show that she was awake. That way, she could recover her strength without being noticed. The electronic synthesized voice of the System spoke with unnatural pauses. I am Aide 007, your attendant on Court Intrigue Stream. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows a little bit. There are memories in my head that do not belong to me Are those some of your tricks? No one would wake up with delight if they found foreign recollections implanted in their own mind. Memories were one of a persons most private possessions. Meddling in others memories was no different from flirting with pure and innocent maidens! The System went silent for a moment and then tried its best to fulfill its responsibility to answer queries. Please do not panic, my host. What you mentioned are the memories of the person whose body you are occupying now. You may regard them as plug-ins that can help you in a game. They will allow you to understand the social background, thus aiding you in becoming accustomed to this environment. However displeased Jiang Pengji was, she knew she could not act however she wanted by arguing with the System, especially when it remained uncertain whether the System was a friend or an enemy. I remember that I died At last, she resolved to change the subject and seek answers for her confused mind. Transforming from the Leading General of Corps Seven into a feeble teenage girl and traveling back to what seemed like an ancient time was not something that even a strong woman like Jiang Pengji could digest easily. Was it so hard to let her just die and end the story? What an insane System this was, depriving a dead person from the peace she ought to have! The System must have been desperate! How else could one explain its disrespect for the deceased by using souls for its own advantage? Savages! That was all Jiang Pengji could think regarding the ancient world. It appeared that the System could hear her thoughts because it instantly tried to clarify: These are only coincidences. You are mistaken, my host. Choosing whichever soul it liked was out of the Systems control. Jiang Pengjis spirit would not have been selected if she had not been powerful or if she had not come to the gap between space. These were simply inexplicable coincidences. After hearing its explanation, Jiang Pengji knitted her brows slightly. It was not pleasant to have her thoughts peeped on and captured. You call yourself the System? Yes. Multidimension Court Intrigue Stream in full. You are the only host I am serving, replied the System in a business-like manner. Your duty as a host is to start livestreaming broadcast so that the audience can see how you advance from a royal lady to the prestigious Queen! A livestreamon how to become the Queen? If Jiang Pengji had not kept her eyes shut, she would have widened them out of astonishment. What on earth was the System talking about? The Systems words could not elicit even the slightest interest in her. That is all? Court intrigue? Becoming the Queen? What was the purpose of having such a System? Still, the System read her mind and, feeling despised by Jiang Pengji, replied with dignity. Do not consider me as those ordinary livestreaming systems. I am multidimensional! Please take note of that word! It is crucial! Our audience will include people from different dimensions. As you reach a higher Streamer Level, you will be qualified to play live in many dimensions, which will then be unlocked. For example, if you, my host, are able to broadcast in the Dimension of Immortality Cultivation, satisfied viewers can reward you with panaceas, rare herbs and treasures, spirit beasts, and ways to immortality Jiang Pengji thought for a while. After taking both pros and cons into account, she refused firmly. I am not convinced No kidding! If the livestream were viewed by her Corps Seven buddies in the dimension of her homeland, they would definitely mock her forever! The System once again fell into silence. Jiang Pengji was the most thorny host it had ever encountered. Or, perhaps, she was just a fool. What it had mentioned was attractive enough! Its host must be dumb, or maybe she could not comprehend very well! It was a multidimensional livestreaming system! That meant a distinctive inter-dimensional transaction platform, which enabled one to obtain objects as rewards from viewers in various dimensions. What a profitable business! If a host could connect to the Dimension of Immortality Cultivation and gain spirit beasts or learn the ways to cultivate immortal powers, he or she may even succeed in attaining immortality and everlasting youth. Those would be priceless gifts, the unattainable wishes of many. All its previous hosts had grasped the opportunity with both hands. Those girls were much more willing to go live and complete their tasks every day. That was beyond satisfactory for the System, since it did not need to remind them of their jobs. Unluckily, after all those happy days, the System now faced a bothersome host for the first time. Its vexation with the arrangement could hardly be described. Despite its discontent, the System would not be able to part with Jiang Pengji in the near future due to the completed binding process. So no matter how reluctant the System was, it had to rely on the problematic host. It would do everything it could to make her accept the task. The System analyzed numerous possibilities and finally offered the strongest lure it could think of. My host, if you consent to making a live broadcast, I will help you get rid of your current plight. In addition, if you reach the highest Streamer Level, you can make a wish. Ha! Jiang Pengji said coldy. You clever System can indeed spot my weakness! The latter condition is nothing to me, but the former does sound appealing. Those bandits had, no doubt, killed a lot before. One could easily imagine what they would do to the pretty ladies. For an instant, the System was unable to reply. It assumed the second offer would be more intriguing to most people because that was directly related to their own benefits. If Jiang Pengji achieved the highest level, it would be effortless for her even to travel to the past and rewrite history! But that was not what mattered most at the moment. As long as Jiang Pengji agreed to start her broadcast, they could take their time to negotiate the details afterward. Does this mean that you consent to making a livestream, my host? Feeling the urgency of the situation, Jiang Pengji replied, I will undertake the responsibility upon one conditionI need to recover as soon as possible. My host, your assistance will be necessary then. Only by going live and attracting a viewership can I gain the energy to quicken your recovery. As its name indicated, the Court Intrigue Stream derived its power from livestreams. Its energy was already used up after melding Jiang Pengjis soul into her current body. Without broadcasts, there would be no audience, hence no popularity. And that would seriously undermine the value of the Systems existence! The System accepted her requirement because it believed that making a little investment in the beginning would bring substantial return in the long run if she accumulated more popularity later on. Jiang Pengji did not trust the weird System and therefore maintained her distant and indifferent attitude. But she also acknowledged that the System she distrusted was the only aid she could currently ask for. So she took a deep breath and prayed that the broadcast would never reach her motherland in order to spare her all the embarrassment that would follow. I agree to start my livestream! Chapter 4 - The Bandits’ Den Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had endured countless battles and had seen enough deaths to last her a few lifetimes. She would not have agreed to the System just to save herself. She did not mind death, but who could bear to witness those gorgeous ladies being sullied? She was supposed to be dead, and yet there she was, talking to the System. Every word she uttered left a bitter aftertaste. System: Agreed to the terms of the Streamers Contract Searching for a dimension to connect to Validating coordinates Streaming! Suddenly, static sounded while a loading symbol spun a few times in the middle of the transparent panel. Then, the panel revealed a live stream of the situation from all angles. Jiang Pengji saw herself through the stream, carried by a burly man before he dropped her unceremoniously on the ground. Jiang Pengji gritted her teeth. How dare he drop me. If I dont teach these bandits a lesson, theyll think Im a pushover. The enslaved noble girls had been forced into a musty smelling shack after an arduous trek up the mountain trail. Each girl was quiet as they hung their heads in despair, listening to the lecherous laughter outside. They were well aware that once the bandits packing away their gear, there would be no chance of escape. Jiang Pengji counted the seconds that ticked by until finally, a single white question mark floated across the screen. A viewer had entered the stream! System! The System kept true to its word. If it got even one viewer, it would aid Jiang Pengji in adapting to her new body. It was powerless without the viewer. If the System had been forthcoming, however, it would have let her know that the current number of viewers were far too few for it to do anything more. If Jiang Pengji were to fail here, the end would still be the same. But of course, it had confidence in Jiang Pengji because of the attribute Strength Fusion +30. Strength Fusion, the digitization of a souls strength from their previous life fused into the current host body, would always be a hosts best asset. The System took a quick peek at Jiang Pengjis Soul Fusion. Only a measly 0.3 percent fusion. But the highlight was the 30 points of Strength Fusion! The host body, Liu Lanting, only had five points for Strength as a non-combatant but Jiang Pengji was a veteran in combat! The System did a quick calculation of Jiang Pengjis Strength stats from her previous life. It definitely exceeded the systems expectations. Those numbers Wow! Adding the base and fusion stats would give Jiang Pengji a Strength of 35 points, which was equivalent to that of a grown man from that era. That would mark Jiang Pengji as a dangerous woman. However, if her streams popularity were on the rise, she would eventually have to cave to the System Regardless, the odds are in Jiang Pengjis favor. She previously led a bloody and battle-weary life; how could she not be able to fight? With her 35 points and combat experience, getting rid of those bandits should be childs play. Then again, it might be improper to start the stream off with bloodshed But it would be unique in its own way Maybe that would attract more viewers? The System pondered over its next course of action. Or maybe we can have a unique Queen The System always did what it said it would do, and it did not take long for Jiang Pengji to feel less stiffness in her foreign body Nevertheless, the body was ultimately someone elses, so the System did not expect much. Jiang Pengji moved her body a little. The results were more than satisfactory, and she let out a small sigh of relief. To ensure that there would be no fuss or struggles, the bandits had tied all the girls hands behind their backseven an unconscious girl was no exception. Jiang Pengji opened her eyes and sat up before she scrunched her brows and moved her wrists. The rabbit-like girl from before was the first to notice Jiang Pengjis actions. She could not hide her relief, and her eyes welled up with tears. Brother Lanting Big sister Youreyoure finally awake Thank goodness Jiang Pengji turned towards the voice. Based on the information downloaded from Liu Lantings memories, she and the girl were fairly close. Hm. Im awake. Jiang Pengji smiled consolingly. She was never shy with her expressions when it came to beautiful girls. The moment was lost when they were interrupted by a cold sound. Wei Jingxian sat against a corner with her hands tied behind her. She harrumphed and said, Whats the point of waking up now? You just became a burden. Her tone was sharp yet anxious. If Jiang Pengji had remained unconscious, the bandits might have ignored her And that could have been their chance to get help. But Wei Jingxian pursed her lips and hid her thoughts. As red stained her cheeks, she gave Jiang Pengji a look that was not quite a smile. Then suddenly, her face became pale again as she harrumphed before turning to face the wall. Jiang Pengji watched her display with interest. She was a sucker for such a personality, especially since Wei Jingxian was a classic little beauty. Her life was pretty simple, with little interest in anything except for pretty girls. If she could keep one trait of her former life, it would be her love for beautiful girls! At that moment, a string of white question marks flew across the screen. The viewer had yet to make sense of what was happening. The viewer had probably stayed for the room full of adorable girls, despite his or her confusion. The rabbit-like girl looked at Jiang Pengji with hesitation before turning her attention to the sulking Wei Jingxian. What a dilemma. At that moment, Jiang Pengji twisted her wrists again. The rabbit-like girl noticed her movement and sadly said, Brother Lanting, even though youre actually a sister, Im still too used to calling you that But those bandits tied our hands really tight and its impossible to remove Jiang Pengji mentally rolled her eyes. If she could not break out of this simple bond, how would she have taken over as the head of the Corps Seven? A child could easily break out of these bonds. She did not immediately remove the ropes once she had loosened them. She left them attached to her wrists and tried to console the other girl. Waner, dont be afraid. Your brothers here. Dry chuckles resounded in the shack, as though they were ridiculing her for overestimating herself and still calling herself brother. Jiang Pengji did not mind the ridiculeshe understood that it was born out of the helplessness of the situation. The eleven-year-old Shangguan Wan, still too young and delicate in Jiang Pengjis eyes, needed to be consoled. ButIm still scared Im scared she sobbed. Shangguan Wan was the youngest of the Shangguan family. She had been doted upon and raised carefully all her life. What would she know of suffering? Her hair had been specially done up into two adorable rings, which now lay in a mess, for a poetry event. Just looking at the state she was in would tug on anyones heartstrings. Jiang Pengji moved over to the younger girl and smiled. Hey What do you say I chase these bad guys away? Chapter 5 - She Who Sees All (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Not only did Penjis words fail to comfort Shangguan Wan, but they made her cry even louder. Everyone near them scorned Jiang Pengji in a low voice for overestimating her capabilities. For them, Liu Lanting was doubtlessly a power level five, meaning she was absolutely among the weakest of all. If she were as strong as she claimed to be, she would not have passed out after being caught by the intimidating bandits. With a glance at the ladies, Jiang Pengji could tell what they were thinking. But she could make no defense for herself or complain because the body she was occupying had indeed been a power level five before it had melded with her soul. The kidnappers were almost finished hiding their tracks. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes to ponder what to do. Feebleness inconvenienced her. If she were in her former body, she would not have bothered to think at all. She would have broken the door with a violent kick and struck down anyone who got in her way with her bare hands. She had not trained her combat skills for nothing. The atmosphere of the dim shanty was oppressive. No one made a sound. The single viewer was probably the most perplexed of all. After a while, the viewer curiously sent three messages, and this time they contained more than merely question marks. Toudu Feiqiu: Uh May I ask What is your livestream about? He had watched for quite a long time, yet he caught nothing informative except for a few exchanges between people in ancient Chinese costumes. Still, he had to admit that the girls in the house were surprisingly adorable, and that they would be astonishingly charming when they grew up. Jiang Pengji did not open her eyes as she continued contemplating. The System, which noticed what had happened, provided her with an immediate reminder: You can deliver messages with your mental power. Host V: Our main mission is to become the Queen, while the current minor quest is to save these girls If we fail, you may see a real time video of all the girls, including myself, being gang raped by the men outside. System: No host would ever speak as rashly as she did. There was a message of a string of ellipses in white font. Obviously, the viewer was shocked by the violent and obscene comment from the host. Toudu Feiqiu: God bless the host in fulfilling the minor task. By the way, the mentioned consequence of failure cannot be played here due to censorship. He was embarrassed. But at the same time, he did not believe what she said. Jiang Pengji lifted her brow and asked the System, There is censorship on inappropriate content? We play directly via the network of dimensions, so local policies are not applicable to our broadcasts, replied the System proudly. Surely, the Multidimension Court Intrigue System involved content unsuitable for children. Think about the women in court. Each of them would do whatever they could to strive for a higher position, even if that meant inflicting misery on others. While the System thought about the court ladies plots, Jiang Pengjis thought about something completely different. She was used to bloodshed, so a high level of violence was usually acceptable for her. It would be no exaggeration to say that some scenes that were ordinary to her eyes would terrify the audience. The court intrigue that the System expected, and even her rising from an imperial consort to becoming the Queen, were not what she had promised! It was true that she had agreed to livestream, but what she would do on the show had not been restricted. In fact, Jiang Pengji, who loved resorting to physical strength, was cleverer than many supposed she was. Members of Corps Seven who had a taste of her abilities knew how tricky she could be. As the three were interacting, Jiang Pengji heard intense footsteps coming from a distance. She could tell by counting the steps that half of the outlaws were approaching. The others were perhaps keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings, or maybe they were just waiting for their turn. After all, the small potatoes had to wait for the second round. The head of their group, Leader One, opened the door. Ha ha! Enjoy yourselves, my brothers! These are the most precious beauties in Hejian! If we were in town, those who took one glance at them would most likely be driven away by their attendants! As Leader One laughed loudly, he grabbed the hair of a random noble girl and pulled her toward his bosom. The preys shoulders became stiff, her body trembling violently. Although the forceful hold of her hair was painful, she didnt dare scream, fearing that would provoke more demeaning acts. Therefore, she bit her lips, looking frightened and humiliated. Leader One was too busy indulging in his own pleasure to care about the little changes in the girls eyes. But Jiang Pengji noticed them. As she turned her gaze, she saw other influential members of the bandits ready to pick from the pretties. She must act now. Otherwise, a few minutes later there would be considerably improper scenes. So she raised her eyebrow and stood up at once. Her figure, which was not overly feminine, was filled with playfulness as she called for a halt. Wait a moment! She was not loud, but her voice was distinctive enough among the coarse voices of men. What? Leader One stopped and looked at the disheveled Jiang Pengji. With contempt he said, Do you want to change places with her? We would have great time together! By then, the young girl in his arms looked ghastly pale, and her eyes were filled with agony. Jiang Pengji examined the bandit for some time then unexpectedly replied, Change place with her? Not even in your dreams! Let go of her, or you will never know who assaulted your lover and prompted her death! Everyone was bewildered. At that moment, there were puzzled kidnappers on one side and noble ladies on the other, who would rather die than satisfy the desires of the gang. For the ladies, the reputation and interests of their families were of the utmost importance and superseded the value of their own lives. Giving the outlaws what they wanted would cost more than their virginities because of the shadow that would be cast over both themselves and their houses. If the incident were made public, it was not difficult to predict that their uninvolved cousins would also be detested. The only solution to protect themselves and their families was to take courage and end their own lives. However, distracted by Jiang Pengjis move, the girls forgot what they had intended. What is going on? They looked blankly at one another, not having guessed Jiang Pengjis plan. Heh heh What the h*ll are you talking about? Our leader is the most powerful man one can ever imagine. Who would dare to touch even one hair on his lovers head? an unsuspecting junior bandit said in the hope of flattering his leader. What he and the rest did not anticipate was the emotional explosion of the normally composed Leader One, as if someone had been feeding him bombs. Chapter 6 - She Who Sees All (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What did you say? The bandit boss took a single step forward and made a grab for Jiang Pengjis collar. She spun on a heel and dodged him. I dislike grabby people. The bandit boss was dumbfounded. He suppressed his feelings and snarled, revealing yellow teeth. Paired with his beard, he looked like a demon from hell. Who are you and what do you know? Who I am is not important. You wouldnt have heard of me even if I told you. All you need to understand is that I know more than you do. The boss leveled a cold, calculating gaze on Jiang Pengji. It did not escape her notice that he was out for her bloodhe even had a hand on the hilt of his sword. I know you killed in a moment of anguish when your beloved killed herself out of shame. You were about to receive the brand that marks you a killer, but you escaped during the transportation. You then stole away to Hejian County where you called the wilderness your home. Am I right? The other bandits were stupefied, while the captured nobility were captivated by her actions. They had all forgotten about their situation for a moment. Just What is going on right now? System: Da*n it. How does she know all this? The System did not provide her with this information. As a multidimensional livestreaming system, its features were not limited to what it had revealed to Jiang Pengji. It had plans to slowly reveal all its functions at a later time. If Jiang Pengji wanted information, all she had to do was obey and stream, not refuse or threaten the System. It had been planning to dangle its features and information to her like a carrot on a stick. Jiang Pengji could have used currency and paid the System in exchange for information. Even so, there was information that not even money could buy. And that included the bandit bosss history. But the System was without the resources Jiang Pengji needed at that moment. Even if it wanted to lend her its aid, it was still limited, which was why it could not understand how she managed to get the information on the bosss tragic past. The bandit glared at her before throwing his head back in laughter. What nonsense Your mother. You havent seen her in long time, Jiang Pengji continued. You call yourself filial, and yet, after your escape, you havent gone back to see her once. This is your take on filial piety? The bosss laughter died in his throat as his smile froze. At last, he gritted his teeth and expressed his rage. Oh? Are you planning to kill me? Are you going to swipe at me like a cat that had its tail stepped on? What else can you do? Abuse a poor, weak girl? If you do that, how could you face your beloved? Before her death, she was so willing to marry you. Silence settled over the shack like a blanket. No one dared to breathe or give in to their curiosity to glance at the fuming bandit. One daring underling tried to sneakily grope one of the girls and nearly got his nose shaved off when his boss drew his sword. Not caring in the slightest about his fearful underling, the boss coldly demanded, Who? Who told you? Jiang Pengji laughed as if she were a cold-hearted queen upon her throne. This is how you ask for a favor? Youre my prisoner! If you dont tell me, Ill let my boys have their fun with all of you! the bandit boss yelled, his temper getting the better of him. Seemingly unaffected by the threat, Jiang Pengji chuckled. Her hands were still tied and she was at their mercy, but she behaved as though it was the other way around. What are you laughing at? the bandit boss demanded uneasily. That beloved of yours. When she was forced upon, it was the same situation as it is right now. Jiang Pengjis reputation as a devil preceded the Corps Seven. She was well known for not just for her combat ability but also for her sharp tongue. High combat ability + brusque and biting remarks = Human killing machine. If she were in a good mood, the enemy might die with his whole body intact. Bad mood? He would be wishing for death to come quicker. Once she had spoken, the bandit boss had to fight hard to suppress his anger. He pushed one of the girls into Jiang Pengjis arms. The girl fell against her and blushed. If you dare lie to me, I will sell you to a brothel after Im done with you, he threatened in a low voice. Lie? Have I once lied since I have spoken? If they were all lies, would you have stood there without moving? Jiang Pengji gave a contemptuous smile. Even with her long black hair across her shoulders, she was alluring to the girls. She had a bad girl appeal that was really not that badan appeal that captivated their attention and played with their heartstrings. Even Wei Jingxian, who was steadily ignoring her, quietly turned around. Her gaze was veiled in concern, bafflement, and suspicion. I did what you want me to do Now, tell me who did it! Who caused Xinniang to die! The boss gripped his hair, and an expression of agony was etched on his face. None of the onlookers dared to make any movement, save for Jiang Pengji who sneered at him. She just died a few years ago and you forgot her name? Her names Xinniang? The boss froze and his eyes turned red. His beloveds name was not Xinniang; his actions were an act. He wanted so badly to believe Jiang Pengji, but he was suspicious of her. He had said a false name in the hopes of tripping her up to reveal her act. Alright He rubbed his face and took a deep breath. Tell me which b*stards killed Moniang, and I promise you, you will leave this place safely. No one will dare touch you! I reject your offer. It is not enough for such important information. What do you want then? he asked. He quickly looked at all the girls in the shack. How greedy So you want all the girls here He tsked when he realized what Jiang Pengji wanted. It is totally up to you, of course. If you dont believe me, you can always reject me. Youre also welcome to try forcing the information out of me. A rebellious expression was set upon Jiang Pengjis face, showing how unafraid of the circumstances she was. She let her gaze fall on all the bandits in the room before letting out a cold hmph. In that second, everyone felt as though a carpet had been ripped from beneath their feet. Who was really at the disadvantage here? Boss Even though some of the bandits were influenced by Jiang Pengji, the rest still held some semblance of respect for their leader. The bandits had kidnapped the daughters of Hejian nobility. Would the county let them off so easily? They were as good as dead men. Would it not be such a waste to die before enjoying their spoils? Chapter 7 - She Who Sees All (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shut up! For the bandit boss, finding the one who had caused Moniangs death was the most critical task. I agree! But there was no such thing as loyalty to their leaders for the brutal outlaws. Thus, when the boss neglected the interests of the whole group, some started to consider killing him for their moments with the ladies. After all, they had no lovers, and the tricks of Jiang Pengji would not work on them. As Leader Two made the decision, light flickered in his eyes. Suddenly, Jiang Pengji asked him, Do you want to find your kidnapped son? She then turned her captivating eyes on another man. Do you not want to know how many of your brothers have been sleeping with your wife? There was silence in the room. After hearing her, those who had decided to disobey suspended their plan. Unlike the secret past of Leader One, a lot of them knew that Leader Two had lost his child when he was young. They also knew that he was not able to reproduce after that, even though his essential body part was still there. Having no son was almost the same as losing that body part altogether because the kidnapped son was his one and only child. It was needless to say how important his son was! As for the guys sleeping with Leader Fours wife Heh! Those who heard about the rumors were trying to stifle their grins. All the brothers, except a few idiots and the husband himself, knew about the married womans misbehavior. Some, after learning about the misconduct, even started to visit her themselves. However, their smirking soon ceased. Despite Leader Fours indifference towards his wife, he was very possessive of her. If all her affairs were revealed, it could cost many lives. The bandits thus grew unsettled for their own reasons. Still, nobody stopped Jiang Pengji; if they did, it might make them look guilty. All they could do was hope that what she said were merely random guesses. But how strange it was that she could spot their weaknesses purely by chance! If you want to know Jiang Pengji looked around, perceiving their v ous pressions. With no effort, she freed her hands from the ropes in front of the outlaws and then gave a dazzling smile and spoke in a low voice. Come one at a time. There is no hurry. Despite her young age, Jiang Pengji was not intimidated by the besiegement. Her eyes were clear, showing her confidence. The group observed her clothing. Only a young nobleman (or noblewoman, in her case) would dress the way she did. There was no way she could have gathered information about them, ordinary people, beforehand. How, then, could she possibly know about their pasts? They shared the same conjecture in their minds at once: Was the girl capable of mind-reading or some mysterious foresight? It reminded them of the hearsay about a revered Confucian scholar in Dongqing DynastyMaster Yuanjing, also known as He who sees all. Apart from being well educated, Master Yuanjing was said to possess the power of connecting different spheres of time, thus being able to tell ones past life, present time, and life after death. The credibility of Jiang Pengjis assertions seemed to increase as they remembered Master Yuanjing. The outlaws, especially Leaders Two and Four, were more inclined to listen further to confirm the validity of her words. Or maybe they were impelled to believe her because she could point out their weakness with such preciseness so that not even one of her statements was wrong. Leader Two desired to find his son, while the Leader Four could not bear another man touching his wife. By then, the System somehow understood Jiang Pengjis plan. She was trying to buy time for herself and the families of the kidnapped noble ladies, who might already have received the news. At the same time, she was aiming high She wanted to kill with the others swords. The System was thrilled by its host. Provided her maximum power and intelligence, who would doubt her ability to defeat the others and become the Queen? Before they were able to make sense of the situation, the ladies were led out of the crowded, dark shack. The bandits still had lustful thoughts, but they were restraining themselves. Their gazes were still that of disgust, but it was much better than what had happened a while ago. Wei Jingxian secretly pulled Jiang Pengjis sleeve, looking at her with perplexity and vigilance. Who Jiang Pengji was a little surprised. Did she sense something unusual about her? She then looked down to meet the maidens eyes with sincerity and determination in hers. Gently, she said, Jinger, I can protect you the way I did under the pear blossom tree. Wei Jingxian used to be a restless child. She had once escaped from her attendants and climbed up a pear blossom tree. Later, after realizing it was too dangerous to get back to the ground, she wept for a long time among the leaves and branches. In the end, it was Liu Lanting who found and comforted her, promising that he would catch her as she jumped. What followed was the three-month rehabilitation of the meager boy, whose arms and body were injured after catching the falling, chubby girl. That was a secret they kept together. Not even their closest attendants knew about the incident. Wei Jingxian was no longer suspicious about her identity and instead showed her worry. This time, it is not that simple I will do anything for you, Jinger, no matter how difficult it will be, replied Jiang Pengji solemnly. Let the five great mountains be the witness of my promise. They know I am a trustworthy man. This is no casual flattery. Noticing that Wei Jingxians hair had become untidy from the chaos, Jiang Pengji tucked the strands behind her ear and fixed the hairpins and ornaments back to their right position. Her thoughtful act brought a blush to Wei Jingxians cheeks, but the reminder of Jiang Pengjis real gender soon struck her and caused a heartache. Even though she was not in love with Liu Lanting, she was not reluctant to marry him. She had even pictured their life together since she was little. The parents in both families were pleased with their early settled marriage agreement, and she, too, had expected a husband who would treat her with due respect, if not bring her true happiness. Her imagination, however, changed to ridicule. A trustworthy man? You are not even a man! Still, deep down, Wei Jingxian was somehow consoled. Jiang Pengji, observant of her emotions, smiled. If it suits you, my dear. The response left a crack in Wei Jingxians pretense of calm and indifference, and she said with embarrassment, How can you Did Liu Lanting resolve to put away the mask she used to wear, along with her disguise as a male? Easy Jiang Pengji blocked her from speaking further with a gesture and looked at her with assurance. Do you not trust me? Wei Jingxian didnt know how to answer. Frankly speaking, she would have believed her a bit more had she not passed out from fear earlier. The facilities in the bandits village were basic and mostly worn out. A few cottages were scattered over the land, and their sizes varied. Hidden deep in the countryside, the place was no different from their ordinary counterparts, aside from the hulking, menacing, scary-looking gang, which made their identities conspicuous. Jiang Pengji checked the kidnappers, particularly Leaders One, Two, and Four. The junior members, too, became cautious, turning away from Jiang Pengjis eyes. They sneakily glanced at the beauties only when she was not looking. Out of the tiny, shabby house, the ladies were brought to a small hall in which a crude wooden plaque hung. Can I have a private talk with you in the back hall, one by one? Jiang Pengji looked at the outlaws mysteriously. Her lips were slightly curved as if she were smiling. Then she hinted, If I speak here in front of everybody, some may try to hide their wrongs by killing. You experienced bandits and I are fine with bloodshed, but the sweet ladies must not be frightened. She looked caringly at the girls and stopped for a second when her eyes met Wei Jingxians. The young ladies noticed and became uneasy, but no one made a sound. If the speaker was not Liu Lanting, some of them might have been overwhelmed by humiliation. But it was Liu Lanting, who, they knew, was a girl. So they must not overreact, or others would consider them vulnerable and unreasonable. Wei Jingxian, whose face reddened by the special attention, also quickly composed herself. Again, one should keep in mind, Liu Lanting was genuinely, indisputably, and absolutely a girl! Chapter 8 - She Who Sees All (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Alone in the back? You sure have guts! Haha! I respect that Please, he said, gesturing toward the door. Even though he could be barbaric, compared to his underlings, he almost seemed like a scholarly gentleman. He and Jiang Pengji sized each other up. The bandit boss took a good look at Jiang Pengji and then glanced at the girls who were hiding behind her. There was something off about Pengji. All the captured nobility were girls; why, then, did she act like a gentleman? Lanting Wei Jingxians heart raced as she realized Pengji was about to talk to the boss bandit alone. It was a dangerous move for Jiang Pengji. Although the girls reputation had been tarnished from the moment they were kidnapped, they had yet to be harmed in any way. But entering a room alone with the leader of the bandits? That was a different story. Dont worry. Ill be back. Jiang Pengji gave Wei Jingxian a wink. Her playful demeanor piqued the others interests. The room in the back of the shack was even simpler than the one in the front. Jiang Pengji sat in a chair that was obviously meant for the boss. She crossed her legs and turned to face him. Before the bandit boss could threaten that the girls would live through hellish days, Jiang Pengji took charge in bartering an agreement. Lets get straight to the point. The girls are with a pack of wolves, and I want to return quickly. Though she felt hurried, it was not evident from her posture. I dont trust your underlings. The boss stood to the side, his eyes gleaming with urgency. Moniang was always on his mind, for she was a burden he was not willing to put down. He had always wanted to know who had caused her death, and now that Jiang Pengji was offering him some sense of hope, he was not planning on being patient. The killer is actually close to you. You just havent noticed. There was a teapot by her side on the table. She stole a glance at the teacup and spotted black stains on it. Suddenly, she did not feel thirsty. The bandit boss was no idiot. He suspected that Jiang Pengji might be trying to start internal conflict within the bandits in order to break them apart. He might have had enough brains to lead a band of misfits, but now he was up against Jiang Pengji. There was no chance of him winning. She was the most scathing devil on Corps Seven. No secret remained hidden after she spoke. Officers under her rule were terrified of making eye contact with her for fear of being stripped bare by her sharp gaze. I know youre suspicious. You think Im trying to make you kill each other. Tsk! I say what I have to. Its up to you if you want to believe me. Jiang Pengji inwardly hmphed. This body was too weak. She could break out of the bandits place and save herself, but the noble girls would be killed during the confusion. A perfectionist like her could not accept that outcome. The killer is from the same village as you. He limps, and his back is a little crooked. While you were out hunting, he brought a few guys with him and forced themselves on Moniang. They even threatened her not to say anything. Moniang loved you deeply. She could not bear the guilt and shame, and thats why she chose to end her life. Any suspicions about Jiang Pengji lying flew out the window when the boss heard her words. He truly believed her. None of the other bandits knew that he and the limping man came from the same village. Theyd give each other a nod in greeting whenever they saw each other, and they took care of each other, but they never did anything that revealed they were from the same hometown. After Jiang Pengji revealed such a fact, how could he not believe her? If you still dont believe me, you can strip off his clothes and look at his back. Moniang was a strong-willed one. During the rape, she put up her best fight and left some scars on his back. Ultimately, however, she was still a weak woman The bandit boss turned on his heel and left the room wielding his sword. Not long afterward, Jiang Pengji heard the the noble ladies screaming. The stench of blood filled the air, and Jiang Pengji smiled before she called out, Next! System: Although the System was incapable of feelings, it felt as if it were about to explode. Leader Two was the next to enter the room. His guarded gaze met Jiang Pengjis. The bandit boss had grabbed one of his unremarkable underlings. With red eyes and a crazed look, he had torn at the underlings clothes, unsettling the onlookers. The underling had begged for his life, which only provoked the boss, so he drew his sword and cut off the underlings head. Your son went missing when he was still very little Jiang Pengji continued, seemingly unaffected by the screams. Just smelling the spilled blood was enough for her to know that she had accomplished her first goal. Do you want to see him? Of course! Leader Twos eyes brightened at the prospect of seeing his son. He was not a respectable man; he had committed all sorts of crimes and created trouble wherever he went. When he had money, he had splurged on lifes pleasures. He had spent most of his days sleeping in brothels and fooling around with the girls there. Once he ran out of money, he would return home and get more from his parents. Later on in his life, he had married a woman from his village who was rumored to bring bad luck. Two years later, they had a chubby son together. Even with a child, he did not change his lifestyle and instead continued in his frivolous ways. One day, a powerful man ordered his men to roughen him up. They delivered two swift kicks to his groin, causing him to faint from the pain. A physician was able to help him, but he had already suffered permanent damage. He would not be able to have any more children. After learning that he could no longer have children, his mind went to his only son. He vowed that from then on, he would pay close attention to the child. If he were to lose the child, he would not have any descendants who would pay their respects to him when he passed. Even under his careful watch, however, his son went missing when he was four years old. No matter how hard they searched, they could not find him. His wife cried until she went blind. Tsk! Your son was unlucky, Jiang Pengji sighed as she shook her head. That year had a bad drought that brought in a poor harvest Yet you and your wife were able to raise your son so that he was healthy and chubby. Your actions attracted the wrong attention. Before she had even finished speaking, Leader Twos eyes turned red. He collapsed on the floor, overwhelmed by the force of his own memories. The drought had been terrible that year. Most people could not afford rice and had to chew on grass or bark to fill their bellies. Some people even kidnapped children to satiate their hunger. Back then, to ensure the survival of his own family, he too had committed the unthinkable act of capturing children to feed his family. Recalling the memory, the man kneeled before Jiang Pengji. His face was wet with tears as he begged her. Tell me, living deity Please tell me which ruthless bastard. Did this to my son He was my lifeline She lowered her gaze and calmly replied, Since youre begging me, I cant say no. The ones who ate your son are from the same village as you. Theyre also in the same line of business as you Im sure you can conduct your own investigation. The System asked, Arent you planning on making themkill each other? Why not just reveal the bandits names? She had mentioned that the perpetrators were from the same villagebut what if he really returned to the village? Idiot! Jiang Pengji snickered in her mind. Im not a god. How would I know whos from the same village as him? System: $%$#$#@@@ If you had no idea, what nonsense are you saying? Chapter 9 - She Who Sees All (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji licked her dry lips. Leader Two was a Hejian local, and so were some other bandits. It is highly possible that some of them came from the same village because people who are similar tend to gather in the same area Moreover, the limited transportation in this era can ascertain that most of the kidnappers were from the same or nearby villages because traveling to farther places would have taken too long. Do you not think so? Though she had misled Leader Two to make him suspicious towards those who were from the same area, she firmly believed that her inference was correct. If Leader Two went to prove his guess, it would certainly spark an argument and result in a physical fight among the ill-tempered, simple-minded men. She had never asserted that his son was taken by a member of the gang. Who could blame her if one member struck another? Oh, right. Wait a moment. Jiang Pengji stood up to stop the bandit before he went to interrogate his brothers. I am worried about the pretty ladies out there, so I will not speak to Leader Four directly. You will tell him this. She then vividly described the looks and personalities of several outlaws without saying their names. And lastly we must not leave you out, the second leader. Her grin sent a chill through Leader Twos body. I will let you decide whether to tell him everything. By doing so, she was showing that she was innocent in anything that might take place later on. After all, all she had done was tell the truth. If she had spoken directly to Leader Four, it would have been obvious that she was trying to cause trouble. Her indifference strengthened the validity of her words. Leader Two had thought he was lucky before Jiang Pengji had named him as one of the men who had slept with Leader Fours wife. Not anymore. He even suspected that she had been watching when he visited the wife. Now, Jiang Pengji had sown all the seeds. She just needed to wait for the right time to harvest them. Wei Jingxian and Shangguan Wan surrounded her after she returned from the back room. Only after seeing her unaffected manner and appearance did they sigh in relief. I am alright. The bandits are now probably too busy dealing with their own business to notice us. Most of the bandits had left to settle their matters, leaving only a few men to keep an eye on the ladies. They promised to let us go Shangguan Wan held her arms loosely around Jiang Pengji disappointedly. But the men at the door There is no doubt they will break their promise! Lanting, what should we do? Now that she knew Liu Lanting was actually a lady, she felt more comfortable around her. Even before learning Lantings true gender, Shangguan Wan had already developed a good opinion of him. She had wished her illegitimate brothers were as gentle as him, instead of constantly being hostile towards her under their masks of innocence. However, Liu Lanting had always kept a distance from other girls because of his engagement to Wei Jingxian. Shangguan Wan had therefore been frustrated. Although she was young, she was clever enough to know that people would point their fingers at her if she had approached Liu Lanting in a friendly manner, even if he was just a brother to her. Now that she knew Liu Lanting was actually a sister in disguise, she was allowed to be as friendly as she wanted. Not even the most disrespectful attendant could punish her for embracing another sophisticated girl. In addition to the fact that Shangguan Wan was a legitimate child, she possessed an adorable childishness that distinguished her from the other overly submissive girls and made her a favorite amongst her elder relatives. She could easily bring smiles to their faces and keep them happy. Wei Jingxian opened her eyes wide after seeing Shangguan Wan hug Liu Lanting. Men and women should always keep a proper distance. Besides, Liu Lanting was supposed to marry her! Had Shangguan Wan forgotten her manners? Yet as soon as she saw Jiang Pengjis indulgent smile, her lips tightened with so much effort that her chest ached. Right. Liu Lanting was a female. I have never believed their promises. Do you think they are as reliable as I am? Jiang Pengji imitated the way Liu Lanting spoke. I was just buying time. What! Shangguan Wan widened her eyes and covered her mouth in both hands, fearing the bandits outside would eavesdrop on their conversation. She continued anxiously, What if they have not stopped their plan? We are still in danger! Who said that? I will get you out of trouble in a blink. Jiang Pengji lightly pinched the girls soft cheeks, which were plump and delicate with a little baby fat. What a delight! She then removed a jade hairpin from Shangguan Wans hair. I will borrow this. The little ladys face turned red, and she hid behind Wei Jingxian. In a tender tone, she chided, Now I know how dissolute you are. Crossing her arms, Jiang Pengji smiled mischieviously. You can stay here, then, while I take Jinger to leave with me. Embarrassed by her unexpected teasing, Wei Jingxian tried to give her a reproachful look to warn her to hold her tongue. Unluckily, Jiang Pengji seemed to ignore it so that her discontent seemed more like shyness in others eyes. Such a look would be dazzling to any man, and the only male who captured the scene did indeed feel blood rushing inside his body. The person was not a bandit, but the stream viewer, Toudu Feiqiu. He had watched the show quietly until then, but now he rewarded the host with 520 lollipops to show his support. Toudu Feiqiu: I cannot believe my eyes. I almost fell off my desk because of that girl Frowning, Jiang Pengji asked the System, What are these? 520 lollipops? What the heck did that mean? The electric synthesized voice replied excitedly, Rewards! Our first rewards! Express your gratitude to our audience! The thrilled System could hardly produce a complete sentence. Each viewer could bring one point of popularity each day, no matter how many times he or she entered the channel. Rewards were special because their values counted towards the popularity accumulation. For example, one lollipop cost 0.1 Stream Coin, which equaled 0.1 point of popularity. Gaining 520 lollipops meant they accumulated 52 points. Half was for the host, and the other was for the System. Gratitude? replied Jiang Pengji with contempt, raising her eyebrow. Are you infected with a virus? Uh, it is a matter of courtesy The System soon remembered how violent its host could be and regretted what it had said. She was way too independent and decisive. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes at its excuse. You are just brown nosing. But because their conversation had taken place in secret, Toudu Feiqiu knew nothing about it. Chapter 10 - She Who Sees All (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji reigned in her playfulness and turned serious as she looked upon the nobility in the shack who treated her as if she were their pillar of support. Be patient. Once the time is right, we can leave, and those bandits will start an internal strife She started playing with the hair accessory Shangguan Wan handed to her. Dissatisfaction started to show on her face. This was not a gold or silver hair stick but one made of high quality jade. Even if she were not knowledgeable about the value of precious stones, she would know that this jade was not cheap. The jade felt warm and smooth in her hands. It would look adorable if it were used in a hairstyle. The hard work and detail that the master craftsman had put into this were evident. This jade hair stick was expensive; however, it was just not as sharp as a metal one. Shangguan Wan sat down beside her and rested her chin in her palms. You like this hair stick, Brother Lanting? No. Jiang Pengji looked at the girl and truthfully said, It cant kill a person. It isnt sharp enough. Shangguan Wans face turned pale as she remembered the beheading of the bandit that happened not too long ago. It was hard for her to reconcile the respectable Liu Lanting with this cold-hearted person before her. Brother Lanting, when you do cut off someones head, dont let me see it, she replied in a hushed tone. Jiang Pengji felt like laughing. She rolled her eyes before she cheekily replied, How can I use this to cut a person? At most I can stab them in the throat She pretended to stab someone, which scared the rabbit-like Shangguan Wan. She jumped and quickly ran off to hide behind Wei Jingxian. The other girls, except the two familiar with Liu Lanting, sat far from them now that they had escaped danger. Some of the girls started tidying their clothes and hair. None of them initiated any conversation. They hardly knew Liu Lanting, making it it difficult to initiate any small talk. This is for you. Waners hair stick cant even hurt anyone Wei Jingxian had no idea what to feel for Jiang Pengji. But because both of them were in the same disastrous situation, it felt like they shared the same fate. She handed over a palm-sized dagger inlaid with gold, silver, and gemstones. Jiang Pengji accepted the dagger with a small thanks. She did not ask why Wei Jingxian carried a dagger with her, though she knew that Wei Jingxian had planned to end her life with this dagger. How would a noble lady like her withstand the humiliation? Tsk! Women of the past were all just like that, choosing death over a tarnished reputation. Jiang Pengji looked at the beautifully embellished dagger. She felt a sense of frustration that she could not place. She felt somewhat reassured by the fact that the dagger was sharp. It should be time now. You take Waner to the room in the back and wait. Itll be bloody, and Im worried you girls cant handle it The daggers blade gave off a faint cold glow as it reflected the candles light. The dagger also had a slight sweet smell The blade was coated in poison! Wei Jingxian pursed her lips, and her voice was much gentler when she said, You be careful. The sky was dark outside. She could guess what Jiang Pengji was about to do and also how dangerous it would be. The bandits were doing just what Jiang Pengji had predicted. They had started an internal conflict and were killing each other. The boss bandit had finally sought revenge for his loved one, and the burden in his heart was lifted. At that moment, all he needed was some time to himself. Yet, none of his underlings understood his unspoken feelings and started yapping away. They were noisier than 500 ducks. Their words were all the same: do not let the beauties go. They were bandits. There was no need for them to keep their promise. Leaders Two and Four were baffled at the development of the events. Leader Two had killed two men who were behaving oddly and were from the same hometown as him. Are you crazy, second boss! No one predicted that the quarrel would have led to slaughter. I am not crazy. They ate my son. They deserve to die. Leader Two had not believed what Jiang Pengji told him. But upon questioning the bandits, they had started behaving oddly. His suspicions grew as they stuttered their replies. During their exchange, he had killed them in a fit of rage. Leader Four had rushed forward to stop him, but Leader Two pushed him away. Leader Two had angrily said, Youre defending them? No wonder your wife cheated on you so many times. You deserved it! Did you know these two slept with your wife? Silence fell over the shack and no one dared a peek at the Leader Fours expression. Leader Twos state was still unstable as he paced in a circle, pointing at a few bandits. Him, him, and him! These men slept with your wife. Arent you angry? Are you a man? These two men ended my line. Whats wrong with killing them? My poor son He died such a horrible death The men who were singled out took a step back in fear, their faces pale with fright. Their guilty reactions were telling, and Leader Four turned pale with anger. Somewhere else, Jiang Pengji held her hand tight against a bandits mouth as she slit his throat with the dagger. Blood spurted out, and the bandit collapsed without even making a gurgle. Cloaked in darkness, her movements were soundless. She used a technique that made her breathing quiet in the silent night and reduced her sense of existence. Thankfully, this new body was not fond of fragrances or powders. If it were, she would have been discovered immediately. The System thought Jiang Pengji was overthinking things. These bandits might have been strong and brave when it came to killing, but if they were really that powerful, they would have found some other way to survive. Why would they hide in the wilderness and only attack when they needed to survive? The System was an unfeeling entity. It did not have any opinions about Jiang Pengjis killing, but the System did think this was too cruel for the livestream. But we have a viewer right now! What was supposed to be an ordinary ancient Chinese romance is now a horror flick. What the heck? Jiang Pengji wore mask of indifference as she assassinated the bandits one by one. Her movements were quick and efficient, and her methods were that of a true professional. A slit to the throat swiftly ended the bandits lives without even a grunt. Even when they were aware that someone was behind them, they could barely blink before their lives ended. Toudu Feiqiu grit his teeth and shivered, though his eyes never left the streaming screen. It felt as if he were doused in cold water; goosebumps covered his skin. His back was soaked in cold sweat, and it felt as though someone would slit his throat from behind at any moment. This was most definitely a restricted level stream. The content was too bloody and gory. How was it approved? He should report it! Chapter 11 - She Who Sees All (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji was not used to having an audience. Furthermore, the Systems hypocritical attitude increased her dislike of the livestream, and she decided not to refrain herself for the broadcast. Let the people stay or leave the channel. She couldnt care less. She was once the general of Corps Seven, and she would not bend to anyone for some stupid rewards. The System better leave her alone! Despite the young body she currently occupied, she demonstrated incredible strength. Within a second, another bandit fell to the ground. Despite the sound and scent of the splashing blood, she could not draw attention to the killings before her plan was fully carried out. It was impossible to clean up everything in such a short time. She swiftly wrapped the wounds of the dead with pieces of her cloak that she had prepared earlier, and she moved the corpses into a dark corner. Soon many more bandits lost their lives until there were only a few left. Many of the lamps had gone out. As she looked at the remaining lights, Jiang Pengji curved her plump lips cruelly. Her dagger was stained with blood, and it reflected the light with the same coldness. The scent of blood seemed to be everywhere. Jiang Pengji looked like the grim reaper, even though the soul who had previously occupied this body was meek and harmless. The System tried to sound calm and friendly. My host, what did you do in your past life? With such combat power and skills, she should cooperate with other Systems to become an Empress! She could even rule the world! I thought you knew everything My former profession was, of course, harvesting peoples lives! Her answer was like a thrilling wind, sending chills to both the System and Toudu Feiqiu, who, despite his fear, could not resist watching the video. Creak. The unlocked door opened wide.As soon as Jiang Pengji entered, she smelled a pungent bloody scent and saw the floor covered with corpses. Without diverting her gaze, she walked inside and lifted her feet when her way was blocked by a disconnected arm. Her footprints were stained with the warm blood that soaked through her shoes. Apparently, you are more brainless than I thought. The bandits who were still alive lay on stools or tables, battered and exhausted. Leaders Two and Four were among them. Rage had taken over control of their egos, driving them to kill madly. Leader Four had been the most extreme. Leader Two had not prevented him from chasing those who had visited his wife. Those who attempted to calm him down were accidentally injured and had gradually lost their patience. They revealed more secrets, including Leader Twos own misconduct. And the result was in front of Jiang Pengji. The survivors could no longer fight. As they rested, however, they continued to be vigilant of anyone who might resume attacking. Chilly wind rushed in as the door opened, cooling their exasperated minds. Instead of seeing Leader One, whom they had expected, they heard Jiang Pengji. When their eyes met hers, their faces turned dreadfully pale. Her words, the scene They quickly recognized this was a trap. Furiously, a bandit sitting beside a stool widened his eyes. He would have jumped up to slay the young girl had he not spent all his energy. You deceitful, wicked woman! Mind your tongue! The mans heartbeat stopped in a second. Jiang Pengji pulled her dagger out with a skillful turn in her wrist, and the blade sped toward the throat of another outlaw who tried to scream for help. Thud! The weapon flew through his neck and cut into the wooden pillar behind. For her, it would have been a piece of cake to kill the bandits even before the fight. Now it was even easier. Only two bandits remained, and both were terrified. One yelled for help, and the other crawled backwards as he howled and shook his head. Fear crept into every corner of his mind, and he could not control himself. He urinated in his pants, leaving wet traces on the floor. Please forgive me I do not want to die I really do not want to Forgive me, please He shrieked as if she were Death itself, hunting him for the lives he had taken. Are you begging me? Jiang Pengji scowled unfeelingly. But what is the point? I am not letting you go now. This time, she spared her dagger and used her hands instead. With little effort, she held his throat, raised his body, and broke his neck with her fingers. Small streams of blood filled his eyes, nostrils, ears, and mouth; his eyeballs nearly fell out of its sockets. Jiang Pengji snorted coldly at the struggling man, and then she sat in bandit bosss seat. The System and the audience didnt dare to make a noise. Three two one! She counted in her head as the heavy, hurried footsteps approached. Leader One rushed into the room and was petrified when he saw all the bodies. His eyes met Jiang Pengjis, and he watched her play casually with a dagger on his leather-covered seat. You know what I abhor the most? Humiliating ladies and robbing other peoples properties! You should have known this was coming when you first laid eyes on me. Did you lie to me? The faces of the corpses, especially those that were filled with agony and struggle, shocked Leader One so much that his reaction was almost physical. He retreated back a few steps. Tsk! He felt like a girl in a romance novel, unable to react after finding out her lover had been unfaithful. Jiang Pengji made no reply. She just lifted the corners of her mouth. Leader One soon regained his wits. The muscles in both of his arms inflated, and the blood vessels on his forehead bulged. He was furious at the sight of the crimson that stained the entire place. Drawing a blade from his waist, he knew he must take revenge. Brains are awesome. I wish you had one. As Jiang Pengji readily avoided his blade, the hem of her blue clothes seemed to dance elegantly along with her movements. She then bent her elbow to give him a sharp blow. As soon as her elbow touched his chest, Leader One lost all sensation. In the few seconds that followed, the only sounds were that of a heavy body falling onto the ground and the cracking of broken bones. Now that she felt her mission was complete, Jiang Pengji was pleased. She stepped on Leader Ones chest and looked down at him. Stay still. The bandit boss used all his energy to lift his head. Blood flowed from his throat to his mouth and finally ran over half his face. He still did not understand how she had made him believe her. How did she know about Moniang? That was the only thing that really mattered as he lay dying. Chapter 12 - She Who Sees All (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He was trying to say something, but his words were so incomprehensible that Jiang Pengji could not understand. System: The System wanted to know how Jiang Pengji knew all the information to trick the bandits too. She lifted her head and looked out the door. The night was still young. Im a pretty merciful person, and since you asked, Ill tell you so that you can die in peace. System: What brought this sudden change of heart? You have a pouch tied to your belt, and inside there is a handkerchief. Based on the pouchs needlework and age, its obvious that it is not for a man, which means that the owner was a young lady. You value the pouch. Sometimes you would subconsciously pinch or touch it. Even after you changed your clothes, youd still bring the pouch and handkerchief Since you care about it so much, the owner of this pouch must be very important to you. Jiang Pengji lazily lay across the main seat with one arm on an armrest. Your face has the markings of branded punishment, even with that beard. Seems like Im the only one with eyesight good enough to notice that. The rest seem to be blind. Even when shes faking it, she still tries to get in a few jabs, the System thought. That tattoo clearly shows the province that you were supposed to serve your sentence in. Yet, as a banished criminal, youre now in Hejian County Its easy to deduce that youre an escaped convict who hasnt been home in a long time. If an exiled convict were to escape and then got caught, they would be beaten to death. Taking a breath, she continued, When you look at that pouch, your expression is pained and reluctant with a little bit of guilt. It seemed safe to conclude that the lady is no longer alive, and her death was not of natural causes. One lie and it turned out I was right. System: No Moniang could have died of other causes Jiang Pengji mentally rolled her eyes and replied to the System, When something happens to someone and then later the same situation arises, they react to it strongly in the exact same way. This is a type of subconscious reaction This was why the bandit boss reacted violently when one of the bandits said he wanted to have a round with the girls when they were forced into the carriages. System: Who would have thought of that About being from the same hometown Jiang Pengji smiled, revealing a row of pearly whites. When I mentioned Moniangs death and I said that I knew who the killer was, his reaction was obvious. He was guilty. It was a reaction that showed he was afraid of being found out. Under what circumstances would someone react like that? Surely, he knew how Moniang died and who killed her. If he were a witness and yet didnt tell you Due to his guilty conscience, the moment his boss questioned him, the bandit with the bad limp started getting anxious. His reactions were enough for the boss to brand him as Moniangs killer. Even if he were to deny it, it was too late. When she saw the way the boss reacted to any mention of Moniang, Jiang Pengji had bet that he would not give the other bandit time to explain himself. That impatience had killed the other bandit, and her lie had not been exposed. And about how I knew that his back would have scars? Hes not a tidy dresser, and I saw the scars. That bandit was unlucky because he had to carry Jiang Pengji from the carriage. His back had scars that looked like scratches, or they were left behind by sharp objects. They could have been left behind by that event but the struggle would have had to be pretty violent. She had no idea how he got those scars, but they served their purpose in her trickery. Jiang Pengji had earned her reputation as Corps Sevens devil not only because of her combat prowess but also because of her uncanny observational skills. No one wanted to walk around their superior and have her know immediately what they ate and drank that morning. Did they sleep alone the night before, or did they have any weird sleeping habits? Did they cheat on their partners? None of them wanted that information to be known. Jiang Pengji was the reason why Corps Seven got their best results during appearance checks. As for Leader Twos son, I saw a row of childrens shoes in front of a shack that had been hung up to dry when you brought us here. They should have been for a child of about four or five years. There was a pair with worn soles that had clearly been washed. That meant that it had been worn before, while the other pairs had clean, untouched soles. She was so amused that she smiled when she said, Your second leader was as lecherous as the others, and yet he remembered to keep those shoes Tsk tsk. Surely there was something there? So I figured he had a son. The child could have been kidnapped or sold or eaten by wild animals, but Jiang Pengjis aim was internal strife, so of course she chose the most brutal option. The more Leader Two loved his child and the more brutal the childs death was, the more he would not be able to control his emotions. In Liu Lantings memories, there was a two-year drought. She decided to use that as the cause since it was believable for starving people to kidnap children, and it would be a good provocation. Once she had the facts to base her trickery on, it was up to her creativity. It did not matter if her analyses were inaccurate. Her eyes and posture radiated confidence, and that was enough to make her listeners trust her words. The reactions from her victims had made it easy for her to guess and spin her tales. When the bandit boss had said that his beloveds name was Xin Niang, his breathing did not change much. Jiang Pengji then deduced that he was trying to trick her, and a small test revealed the truth. That was how skillful she was in lying and trickery. She was so comfortable in her position that she had even yawned and stretched. Leader Four was the easiest. This village has traces that a woman lives here. Out of all of you, Leader Four dresses the best. Or should I say that he has someone to care for him. But with his actions and lecherous behavior, their relationship was probably almost nonexistent. And about how I know the woman had slept with the others Jiang Pengji rolled her shoulders, indifferent to the explicit words that she spewed. First, heres a nest of bandits full of virile grown men. You have no morals, ethics, or any other worldly views. You do not have enough women here, and when you guys have an itch to scratch, what do you do? Settle it on your own or help each other out? Yet it so happens that Leader Four has a woman The atmosphere around here feels awkward but harmonious System: Host, I think your views are bleak and you urgently need to experience a harem fight to save your soul. How about finding an emperor for a breath of fresh air? Facing the System, Jiang Pengji had only two words: Get out! Chapter 13 - My Host, You Are Breaking the Rules (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As the saying goes, Your brothers wife is your best lay. The secret relationships of Leader Fours wife were not surprising at all. It made perfect sense to her that the married woman would accept visitors into her room while her husband was away. Later, she mentioned it boldly in front of the bandits, and some of them responded with a slight uneasiness as she expected. That was her evidence, and she took note of the characteristics of those people. In addition, she concluded from her observations that Leader Four was very bad-tempered, so it was possible that he habitually abused his wife. Men, especially members of a gang, were sometimes complicated. They wanted other women, but they couldnt bear to have anyone touching theirs. There was no way a mindless, possessive outlaw would stand his very brothers insulting him in such a way. Therefore, she knew how probable a physical fight among them would be. Impulse was a demon. One should either keep his brain in his head or control his temper. Alright, that is all. You can rest in peace now and have fun with your brothers in hell. The System commented sarcastically, How kind it is of you, to let him rest in peace! You are wrong. I wasted time explaining because he should know how his own stupidity killed him. For heavens sake! Just let him die! My host, will you really not consider a romantic relationship with a dashingly powerful king so as to rectify your mindset and values with pure love? From intentionally misleading to making daring assertions, she had used every piece of intelligence available to her, and she had made a detailed plan. The seeds had been sown very early, indicating that she had planned to eradicate the bandits from the moment she woke up. Their cooperation, which had begun only several hours ago, showed Jiang Pengjis personal traits and capabilities. And the System was worried. Its host furrowed her brows impatiently. Shut up! Or you will see me killing the king someday. The independent, noisy System in her mind irritated her. The System immediately went silent. Then, Toudu Feiqiu, the only viewer who had been quietly watching her for a long time, sent a bullet screen. Toudu Feiqiu: My host, your strategies were way too dangerous, were they not? If one carefully considered her tactics, one could easily spot the logical weaknesses in what she had said. And if the kidnappers had found out she was lying, she would have been the miserable one instead. But when the viewer remembered how she had killed all those bandits in her broadcast, his hands on his keyboard trembled. Host V: Bold assumptions and careful inspections are the essence of logical inferences. Besides, most of the assertions were not based on my own guesses, but on what those dumb bandits said. As for the danger you mentioned I know the thrill that comes with a game. Isnt it too boring if we are always 100 percent correct? For her, every gamble was like walking on a thin wire high up in the air. The risks of falling from heaven to hell in the next second brought her extreme excitement, and she loved that feeling. Host V: To make others believe in you without any suspicion, you must first believe in your own lies. As you are watching them, they too are keeping an eye on you. Any mistake could allow them to take the upper hand and lure you into their trap. Jiang Pengji had once met a comrade who was very keen on spooky logic games. Playing with him resulted in her first and only defeat because her friend had misled her. After that, she reflected on the experience, recognized her errors, and learned from them. The System was once again speechless. It seemed its host had an inappropriate mindset. Was she really suitable for court intrigue among women? Similarly, Toudu Feiqiu could not respond because he felt as though he were being lectured by an experienced deceiver. Before she left, Jiang Pengji left another wound on the leaders body to ensure that he was dead. She then left the crimson room for something far more important. The apprehensive noble girls had gathered in the back hall. Wei Jingxian and Shangguan Wan, who were close friends, consoled each other during the endless waiting. Liu Liu Xi, what have you done? The only sound they could hear was the wind blowing. Other noises, including the bandits footsteps and their offensive words, seemed to have vanished altogether. Still, they were too afraid to walk out of the door. Fatigued, they had remained where they were until Liu Lanting came in like a savior. They sighed with relief at the assurance that they were safe. However, before they could weep with ease, Liu Lanting suggested that they leave the back hall. This place is too crowded. Let us move to somewhere more spacious and take a rest after the long day. The System sensed something unusual. I have an ominous feeling What do you want from them? Leading the girls, Jiang Pengji kept her head low to hide her smile in the darkness of the night. She praised the computer for its judgment. Not bad. You know me better this time. Before long, the System noticed that they were heading to the room where the bloody fight had taken place. If it had a face, it would have expressed as much disbelief and disapproval it could have mustered. The young ladies, despite their doubts and fear, followed Liu Lanting because she had saved them. Without a clue of what was going to happen, they looked at the girls clothes, which were stained with blood. She looked intimidating, so no one rejected her proposal. But they would regret it soon. Before entering the dim place, they were shocked by the strong scent of blood. And when some girls accidentally stepped on some severed body parts and slipped on the floor, they could not help but scream. Others started sobbing. Creak. Jiang Pengji shut the door. She lit the oil lamps one by one so they could see clearly what was in the room. The shrieking became even louder. Anyone passing the village would have thought the sounds were from howling spirits. Jiang Pengji searched for Wei Jingxian and Shangguan Wan. Their faces were pale but calm. The noises persisted. When they had finally ceased, Jiang Pengji, who was playing with the dagger again, looked at the ladies indifferently. After roughly tidying her clothes and hair, she said, You know what I want, no doubt. We are all clever people. I guess there is no need to speak further. She had scanned through Liu Lantings memories and therefore understood that being a female would bring her trouble in the outside world. People in this era were more demanding of women, and there were personal reasons that prompted Liu Lanting to hide her real gender. To make sure that things would not be complicated, she decided to take advantage of the present situation and make a deal with them. Are you threatening us? asked one of the ladies, aghast. Obviously. Jiang Pengji admitted this without shame and then grinned. Does this seems like flirting to you? The noble girls could hardly believe it, and they were so shocked that they could almost be pitied. The System could hardly bear the scene. It was a landslide victory for its host. It felt deeply sorry for the girls. For heavens sake! Leave the girls alone! Plot against the women in palace, but not them! Chapter 14 - My Host, You Are Breaking the Rules (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio But Im not threatening everyone. Only Jinger and Waner stayed true to me, unlike you girls While I was in a bloody battle, you were here plotting my demise! Youre repaying my kindness with enmity! These noble girls were in their teenage years, and each was more innocent than the next. How could their plotting win against Jiang Pengji? If these inexperienced girls could hide their plotting from Jiang Pengji, Corps Seven should kill themselves. Even though their plotting was a little adorable, Jiang Pengji did not hesitate when she made her threats. The noble girls turned pale upon hearing Jiang Pengjis words, and their weak bodies shivered in fear. If you do that youll get retribution! one of the girls called out. To her, Liu Lanting and the bandits were different. Liu Lanting would not dare to do what the bandits would have done. That girl spoke with her own noble status in mind. If it were the real Liu Lanting, however, she probably would have held her tongue. Even if there was any friction between the noble families, they would have acted as though everything were fine. Calling others out on their behavior was considered barbaric. Jiang Pengji was not one to do the same. Retribution? Tsk. This reminds me. She placed a finger to her lips and thought for a long moment. If you were to take any revenge, do you think I would roll over and let you trample over me? Theres one thing I need you girls to be clear about. To the outsiders, you are girls of nobility, and Im a nobles son. While you learn from your family, Im outside learning the ways of Confucius and Mencius. The scheming that you are taught in boudoirs are nothing but embarrassing ploys made by children. Do you think such childs play would work against me? The girls paled. It was like a slap in the face to all rich and powerful noble girls. How dare you insult us The other girl was so enraged that she nearly broke her well-groomed nails. Youre wrong. Youve been asking to be disrespected from the beginning. Jiang Pengji laughed as she spun the dagger in her hand. Shangguan Wan blushed and secretly tugged on Wei Jingxians sleeve before she said softly, It feels like Brother Lanting is larger than life. Wei Jingxian sighed before she said unkindly, Her words were a slap to all the noble girls, you little love-struck fool. Sticking out her tongue, Shangguan Wan turned her body. Waner and Brother Lanting both have small chests Wei Jingxian: All you girls need to do is shut up and keep this a secret. If my identity is revealed Jiang Pengji sighed as she looked at the dagger and languidly continued, A group of noble girls in a bandits den. Spent a night Shameless! thought the group of girls. Jiang Pengjis words dealt a heavy blow to the girls, and one even fainted. Even though they had faced the bandits, the nobles had never faced anything that had angered them so much. Liu! Xi! The System could not bear it anymore: Shouldnt you show more pity for these beauties? Jiang Pengji gave a cold hmph. Although I do have a fetish for pitiful, pretty faces, that is just an interest of mine. Im calm and collected when I need to be. And because Im calm and collected, I will not act on impulse. System: Oh yeah, calm and collected. Did you know that your views and integrity are highly questionable? Ill let you choose. If you keep the secret, Ill be your witness. I did kill all the bandits. And since theyre all dead, Im your best alibi. Your reputation will remain untarnished. For these girls, their reputations and their families honor was worth far more than their own lives. The other choice is She made a cutting motion at her throat. I can do it. In these mountains, there are many bandits. If I could only save Jinger and Waner, Im sure no one would blame me. It was a common trend in that era for men to powder their faces and perfume themselves, especially in Hejian County. Jiang Pengjis current body was obviously frail. If she could protect herself and save two others, it would be considered an enormous feat. The room was silent, and no one dared to breathe too loudly or let out a sob. These girls were brought up by their families, but that did not mean they were unintelligent or submissive. There were some noble girls who were brave enough to study and had knowledge comparable to that of a scholar. What Jiang Pengji had said was not meant to insult, but rather to provoke them. After a long while, one of the girls spoke up. As long as we keep your secret, youll help us? Jiang Pengjis words and actions seemed to cause the girls to be on their guards. The options that Jiang Pengji provided were simple, and the girls all knew which one benefited them. However, one of the girls wanted the last jab. She taunted, Your suggestion is the best right now, so of course wed agree. However, if your true identity were kept hidden, would you really still plan to marry Wei Jingxian? Oh ho. Was she trying to instigate something? It was a weak attempt, but it could still spark something. Jiang Pengji lifted a brow and was impressed by the noble who suddenly grew a spine. Based on the current situation, the other girl had delivered her provocation at the right time. But they were not aware that Jiang Pengjis combat prowess, sharp-tongue, and flirting were top notch. Why did all the ladies in Corps Seven refuse to marry anyone unless it was Jiang Pengji? Why were there more single guys whenever she was around? Tsk! They deserved it since their flirting skills were not comparable to hers. Wei Jingxian shot Jiang Pengji a complicated look that Pengji returned with a smile. Jiang Pengji then made her promise. If shes willing to marry me and we become a couple in this life, I will do anything for her. If she wants the sky or if she wants to become the empress, I will fight and make sure she gets what she deserves. If she has other thoughts about the marriage, I will uphold her decision. If she chooses to back out of the marriage and tarnish my reputation, I will bear this burden alone As long as shes willing to grow old with me. Wei Jingxians cheeks turned red with embarrassment and anger. You looked so decent in the past, but now The more you speak, I see there is not a single decent bone in you. Unless what Waner said is true that once you reveal your secret, you no longer need to hide your true personality. You want to take me as your wife But that doesnt mean I would agree to it. The nobles: Theres a time and place for flirting, alright? System: My dear host, I must say, flirting like that If she cant get married, you have to take responsibility! Why flirt if the aim isnt to get married? Jiang Pengji innocently asked Wei Jingxian, If Im the one at fault for hiding this secret from you for so long, shouldnt I be doing all this for you? And at that moment, she replied to the System, Of course Ill take responsibility. System: No, wait! If she did not reveal her true identity, how was she to participate in a harem fight?! Chapter 15 - My Host, You Are Breaking the Rules (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The System was highly dissatisfied with its shameless, brutal host. She would probably turn the kings consorts into her own! It could easily picture Jiang Pengji in the Queens costume lying in the court ladies bosoms. She would have her legs massaged by one beauty while being fed grapes by another. The king would hide in the corner like a coward, biting a handkerchief to hide his sobbing The System stopped thinking further and said, No. How can you enter the palace and get involved in court intrigue if you continue pretending to be a man? Jiang Pengji thought for a moment and then asked, How important is court intrigue? I am the Court Intrigue Stream. That is the highlight of this channel! I need popularity or all you need to know is that the consequences could be disastrous. It then fell into silence. The host asked, So it is a requirement? Definitely! The computer was resolute. It found its overly independent host to be irritating. But me being a male will not be a stumbling block. What did she mean? She wanted to be a lesbian with the pretty ladies and gay with the king? Oh no! She was breaking the rules! Jiang Pengji frowned with impatience and loathing at the Systems boundless annoyance. She had been born over 10,000 years after this period, and she knew how pathetic females could be during this era. There was no way the System could force her into becoming like one of those miserable creatures. If that was the price she had to pay for an afterlife, she would rather break her own neck in a moment than play court intrigue as the System expected. In these ancient times, even women in the highest positions had to grovel submissively to the man who possessed the court and territory. She didnt even envy the Queen. After contemplating, she said, System The computer trembled at her voice. I know nothing about your plan, but I know there is no such thing as a free lunch. You may want something from me, and I cant do anything to change that right now. But I will not let you decide my fate. The System remained silent, but she continued, I can help you gain the popularity you need, but that is all. We can be partners. However, do not tell me what to do, and do not cross my line. Jiang Pengji was absolutely the most thorny, willful, and obstinate host it had ever met. Moreover, she was smart and violent and had a set of values that were completely different from others. The System was thus determined to never find a similar host in the future. What it needed were local girls from the same era who would comply submissively. Forcing me to do something that I hate is something I abhor, in addition to offending ladies and robbing other people. If the System ever bothered her again about court intrigue, she would give it an unforgettable lesson. The computer went quiet as if it had never existed. After a few moments, the electronically synthesized voice, in a tone like that of a disappointed child, said, I I did not mean it Helping my host win over others in court is what I was made for If my host does not like that, she should at least make a good livestream Unmoved, she scowled and said, Do not try to sound adorable. It just makes me sick. F*ck! Just let her stay single for the rest of her life! Though Jiang Pengji was speaking to the System, in the eyes of the noble girls, it looked as though she was just resting on the main seat with her arms crossed. They bitterly held their gazes above the floor so they wouldnt have to look at the dead bodies. Since most of the furniture was occupied by corpses, they could not find a proper place to rest. Although the foreign habit of sitting on stools and chairs had recently become more popular in Dongqing, the stubborn nobles insisted on following the traditional practice of sitting on the ground. However, sitting on this blood-soaked floor was out of the question. The burning oil lamps were very weak and looked as though they would go out in the next second. Although it was the season for plants to flourish and flowers to blossom, the night could be quite chilly. The cold, in addition to the tiredness and hunger after such a fearsome day, was torture for them. They needed to find somewhere to rest. Finally, some brave girls tried to move the corpses on the furniture to the ground, despite their goosebumps and tears. All of this was temporary, after all. Their families would find them tomorrow. Despite their effort to minimize their noise, it was too loud for Jiang Pengji. However, she quickly regained her good mood and spirit. This can keep you warm. I will move the corpses outside and go find something to eat. She handed the leather on her seat to Wei Jingxian and the other ladies. This is not exquisitely made, so it has a strong smell and may not be soft enough. But it can be useful for now. I will also look for wood later, so we can make a fire to keep us warm. She was usually tender towards pretty girls when there were no conflicts. She could relieve their bitterness a bit. There was no need to torment them. Humph! Who needs your fake compassion! mumbled a girl from the Wan family, who had spoken out against her earlier. Dissolutely, Jiang Pengji shrugged. Your houses would blame me for mistreating their precious flowers. Shameless! Who was she trying to deceive after she had mercilessly threatened them not long ago? No, I am just being capricious. That is proof for us being the same gender; capriciousness is a universal female quality. She did not mind mocking herself when it could help her retaliate. It is very likely that beasts, especially wolves and boars, are coming out for food. Stay here and wait for my return. I will find something to eat. She then dragged two bodies, one in each hand, and moved them outside. This was a night the girls would never forget; they would not forget a single detail, not even when all their hair turned gray. Jiang Pengji re-entered the room, this time with firewood. She piled it by a wall and set up a fire. She reminded them to add wood to the fire without burning down the house. Wait. Wei Jingxian noticed that all she was wearing were her undergarments and a thin coat. Do you need something more to put on? Jiang Pengji chuckled. Is Jinger going to take off her dress in order to keep me warm? Wei Jingxian frowned with embarrassment as she chided, The bears should take this rash person away. That would save us a lot of trouble. The reply did not satisfy Pengji, and she decided that the girls must not be pleased either. So she paused her steps at the door, turned to everyone, and gave them a grin. Chapter 16 - My Host, You Are Breaking the Rules (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Okay, if our families havent found us by tomorrow morning, Ill bring everyone down. Lock the doors and dont open for anyone. Maybe some spirits of the dead will be curious and want to come take a look The temperature in the room seemed to plunge until it was frigidly cold. Some of the girls started screaming after they heard the languid way that Jiang Pengji had said those words. The screams lifted Jiang Pengjis spirits, and her lips crept upward in a smile. Even though theyre quite conniving, theyre still pretty cute sometimes. System: Im aware that your views are skewed, but right now, I think youre pretty evil too. The System believed that Jiang Pengji had made the noble girls hate her for life. Those girls had been raised to be very refined in their behavior, but Jiang Pengji had caused them to lose their tempers quite a few times. It would be odd if they did not hold a grudge. When youre a little cheeky and mischievous, youre actually more loveable, Jiang Pengji said, giving the System a look that said, You dont understand. System: Youre so sure everyone is masochistic? The clouds were covering the moon that night. It was so dark that you could not even see how many fingers you held up. Despite the poor visibility, Jiang Pengji did not mind because her night vision had always been pretty good. Her current body was slightly short sighted, but the 0.3% fusion still made the bodys eyesight better than most humans. Jiang Pengji felt at home in the dark. With her keen senses and hunting experience, it would not be long before she caught something. She found a bow and arrows in the village and tested the weapon. The bow was roughly made and the string was loose. It was hardly useable. Shhhhhh Jiang Pengji did not even aim before she drew three arrows. The bow string was pulled back so tautly that the bow itself bended. She released her hold without hesitation. Even though the arrows did not sound as though they had hit any targets, she did catch something. Snakes from the past are pretty cute though really small. I think its only worth two bites Jiang Pengji was being sincere when she said that the snake was adorable. Snakes from her era were big enough to bring down a grass hut. At that moment, four different comments scrolled down on the streams screen. In addition to Toudu Qiufei, the fearful viewer who still refused to leave, there were three new IDs. They had probably joined the channel by accident. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Its so dark. Cant see anything. Is the streamer in? Loushang Wo Nanyou: The channels summary looks interesting Wujiang Zhacai Ye: This channel is so quiet New streamer? Toudu Qiufei: Yeah. Its a channel for thrill seekers and lovers of horror The new viewers were confused. The channels name suggested that they would be watching a harem fight. What did that have to do with horror? Because she was alone, Jiang Pengji asked aloud, Its too dark to see? The System immediately turned on the infrared streaming to allow the viewers to see her hunting. The viewers could not yet see her face; instead, they saw a close up of her killing the venomous snake. Each movement she made was clean and efficient. She carefully kept the fangs and venom sac after she removing them. The System poked Jiang Pengji: You promised to stream Sometimes youll need to speak and interact with your audience She was in a good mood, and the Systems request did not seem unreasonable, so she went with it. Right now were streaming on how to hunt for food Jiang Pengji sighed. She could pretend she was teaching the new recruits of Corp Seven how to hunt and cook. After all, she was once an instructor and therefore had experience teaching. In my hands is a rare beauty Hoodwinked audience: The time gap between this era and the one she came from was very wide. Her knowledge of the animals from her own era was of little use here, but she could still deduce certain things. For instance, she could talk about this snakes venom and even its habitat. Although Im removing its fangs, Id rather talk about how to use it as food. The meat is fresh Privately, the System curled into a ball in grief. It was a harem fight streaming system. Not a power struggle channel, not a survival channel, or a gourmet channel! Before she could talk about how to determine the snakes age or the quality of its meat, Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and drew her bow and arrow again. A big one The girls sure have good luck She laughed as the System felt like crying. Jiang Pengjis scripted stream style was boring, but her appearance was better than average If her late-night audience was bored, they could just stay in the channel and watch her. The night was a good one for hunting, and she quickly found the hiding places of her prey. Half an hour later, she began to carry her spoils back to the den. Although the bandits were dead, the den was still dangerous. Hungry predators could make their way down the mountains in search of food, or strangers could stumble upon the place by accident. Those girls were timid, and she could not be at ease when she knew they were alone. Jiang Pengji quickened her steps and hurried back with a few good kilos of prey. She never once slowed down her speed. Unbeknownst to her, the girls were just complaining about how they were currently going through hell. The days events had taken a lot out of them. Each girl was pale with fatigue. They had a fire going, and some of the girls were silent. They did not know what to talk about. A noble girls average day was refined and elegant. A few close friends could talk about the latest popular powders, perfumes, or silks. They could also talk about the popular street poet or bard. And if they had nothing to talk about, they could play poetry games A day would have passed just like that. However, they were so tired and hungry that their bellies had begun hurting. If they were cold, they could huddle for warmth. But hunger, on the other hand, could not be satiated by any actions A girl around Shangguan Wans age pouted as her belly rumbled unrefinedly. So hungry Wan Xiuer quietly consoled the other girl. Liu Xi should be back soon from hunting. Just be patient. But she bullies people Before Jiang Pengji left, she had scared everyone. Any sound now frightened the girls because they thought it might be a ghost. Shangguan Wan was so bored that she picked up a twig and doodled near the fire. Upon hearing what the other girl had said, she lifted her head and retorted, Hmph! When youre hungry, you think of Brother Lanting? Why dont you think about how late it is or how dangerous it is outside? Wei Jingxian tugged on Shangguan Wans sleeve to stop her from provoking the others. Everyone was stuck in the same situation now. But once they were back to their normal lives, anyone who still harbored a grudge could try their hand at revenge then. Chapter 17 - Strangers at Night (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The girl blushed and mumbled, Howhow dangerous can it be! Shangguan Wan could easily please others with her sweet remarks, but she could also be sassy. Hmph! If you truly think so, why dont you go outside? Grab some firewood from the pile near the door! It is not very far away. The young lady spoke no more. She was too scared to go there. Noticing their conflict, Wan Xiuer tried to ease the tension. Make compromises, okay? We are all frightened today, and everyone is starving. I will go fetch some wood. The noble ladies had kept adding wood into the fire, even when it was unnecessary. The fuel in the room was now almost gone just a quarter of an hour after Jiang Pengji had left. The fire would soon go out if no one got more wood. A heavy piece of wood barred the door. With the help of another girl, Wan Xiuer moved the bolt away, pushed the door open with both hands, and closed it, leaving it unlocked for her return. The biting wind outside was a stark contrast from the warmth indoors. She shivered for a while in her thin spring dress. Repressing the fear in her heart, she found some logs in the darkness and picked up some heavy ones. The moment she stood up with the wood in her arms, however, she spotted a few blurry shadows hovering by entrance of the village. She froze from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head, and she probably would have fainted had she not seen so many horrifying scenes that day. Still, she could not move her legs. In panic, she bit the tip of her tongue, and the pain slightly released her from the nervousness and fright. She held the firewood tightly to avoid making any noise that would attract the ghosts attention. When she re-entered the room, the noble girls noticed her pale face and her chattering teeth. She hurriedly gave the wood to the nearest person, and before that lady could ask why, she shut the door with all her strength. Quickly quickly bolt the door! I saw spirits out there! She almost broke into tears. The exhausted girls hastily acted, and together they placed the hefty wood behind the door. Spirits? So what Liu Lanting said is true Their hearts pounded as they remembered her mischief before she left. What she said about the bandits is that not true? And she killed them, did she not? Those must be their phantoms! Should we put out the fire? It is too bright! Arent ghosts afraid of light? What if the fire could stop them from transcending through the walls? They now all wished Jiang Pengji were there, despite their dissatisfaction with the way she had treated them earlier. Then their nightmares came true. The shadows approached and could be seen through the paper window panes. They knew they must keep quiet, and the wimps bit their hands to hide their screams. In fact, on the other side of the door, the people they thought were phantoms were in a greater predicament than they were. We are lucky to find a village in this remote area. Before seeking a physician, let us take your Fourth Langjun there so he can take a rest. In that era, langjun was a common address that showed respect toward men who had high social statuses, and it was also used among friends and family members. These people appeared disheveled; the ornaments for their tied-up hair were in a disarray. Blood was on the blades they carried, and some of the men were injured. Small villages like this likely didnt have physicians. Even if they did, they probably would not be as skillful as they desired. Yet the team must try their luck in their current plight. They had been lost in the forest for two days, and a group was chasing after them. What was worse, their Fourth Langjun had caught a serious cold and had fainted due to high fever. But when they reached the entrance, they sensed something unusual. Check if this place is safe. We will stay here in the meantime. Among the various houses, there was only one with light, and it was uncommonly bright. The surroundings were also too quiet. There wasnt even the sound of chickens or dogs. At that time, it was very common for villagers to keep dogs for hunting, and there was no way the animals would not bark when strangers approached. The teenager who gave the orders analyzed these observations speedily. Before long, the two guards returned with unexpected, appalling information. Feng Langjun, this seemed to have been a place for bandits, but all of them were killed less than two hours ago. Their lives were taken by someone very powerful in a neat and precise manner. The young man tightened his lips and looked at Fourth Langjun. He asked, Is there anyone inside the main house? There are quite a lot of people Is it another gang? Licking his pale, cracked lips, Feng Langjun decided without hesitation. Knock on the door, but do not alarm them. The guard complied immediately. When the noble ladies heard the knocks in the middle of the night, they readied themselves by the door, prepared to confront any forces that attempted to open it. Raising their fists, they cried for Jiang Pengji in their minds. When the guard received no response, he turned to Feng Langjun and knocked again when Langjun gestured for him to do so. This time, a strange voice answered. It was a coarse female voice. Who is that? A spirit? Wei Jingxian said in an unnatural voice, struggling to compose herself as she imitated the way Jiang Pengji tricked the bandits. As soon as she spoke, the group outside identified her disguise. They had seen much in the world and concluded that the speaker was likely harmless. We are living people, for sure, and we beg your pardon for our intrusion. Feng Langjun slowly released his furrowed brows. We are a team of merchants that have accidentally entered the forest and lost our bearings. Worse, our master hurt himself and is now suffering a high temperature. Could you please allow us to settle here? Men? The ladies looked at one another and then shook their heads at Wei Jingxian. They must not let them in! She replied, My husband has left to hunt, and only my friends and I are in the house. It is already late at night, and we must keep our proper distance from male visitors. My husband will return soon. To avoid misunderstanding, please seek shelter somewhere else. We would appreciate it very much. Feng Langjun raised his brow and again tightened his lips. Light flickered in his eyes as he pondered. On the other side, Shangguan Wan asked Wei Jingxian, Do you think you can scare them away? If they are really merchants, they must have seen a lot during their business travels to different places. I said Lanting is coming back, and if they have noticed the corpses and know how powerful she is, they will leave. Or at least they will not open the door by force. Shangguan Wan was stunned. The other girls seemed to have guessed her plan and confirmed that their conjecture was right. Puzzled, Wei Jingxian looked at Shangguan Wan. What is the matter? Chapter 18 - Strangers at Night (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A bandit lair littered with corpses that showed the killers quick and brutal efficiency A young girl in the house who claimed that her husband would be returning soon Was this a hint that her husband had murdered all those bandits? Had he just been threatened by a little girl? After much thought, Feng Langjun replied, If thats the case, I shouldnt bother the missus. Its just that its not easy to travel in the dark, and we have been lost in the forest for two days. We have lost some belongings and a few good fighters. If we were to resume our journey now Wei Jingxian clenched her jaw. He refuses to go and wants to stay? It was imperative to delay him. Maybe Lanting is already on her way back. Within a split second, she decided. She changed her voice and then replied, In that case, you may stay. Even though it was an area filled with dead bandits, it was still better than camping in the woods. The guards did not mind staying outside. They gathered firewood and built a firepit before realizing that they did not have any fire starters. They had lost their flint, and their fire starters were wet Unless they tried to drill the wood by hand, they would not have any fire They looked at the shack and saw light emanating from behind the paper windows. If they were to ask for a light, they would not be rejected right? Madam, can we borrow a light? Wei Jingxian pursed her lips. Theyre still not leaving? If they had guards, she would not have minded answering the door. But they were a house full of weak girls. They were already severely frightened by the days events, and any sound startled them. Why would they dare open the door for a stranger? Even if the men were not dangerous, they would not have opened the door for the sake of their innocence and reputations. My husband will be back soon. Could you wait for a little while longer? If my husband were to return while you were in the house, I would be in trouble. Wei Jingxian squeezed her eyes shut. Why is she still not back yet? Feng Lanjun crossed his arms and gave a small smile. He said, An unmarried girl calling a man her husband. Arent you worried about your reputation? Wei Jingxian sucked in a deep, cold breath before covering her mouth with both hands. Oh no! Ive been caught! Feng Langjun squinted his eyes and waved a hand. His guards got ready to break in. Elsewhere, Jiang Pengji was returning from her hunt. Her calm expression did not last long before it was replaced with a serious look. System: Whats wrong? There are other footprints and theyre still new. They werent left behind by the bandits This group is headed for the bandits lair. The ground has blood on it, so someone in the group is hurt. The wound is probably not fatal. Based on the footprints, these people arent in good condition There are six sets of footprints, but there should be seven people Jinger and the others are still at the shack Oh no I need to get back quickly. Jiang Pengjis gaze hardened as a string of texts appeared in her mind. She quickened her steps. Lancu Yu Buzhe: Are you mistaken, streamer? Six sets of footprints but seven people? One of the sets is average-sized, and I dont think hes fat. But the tracks are quite deep, so that means theyre carrying someone. I think there are two people who are injured in the arm area, and another who is injured in the leg area Wujiang Zhacai Ye: Am I the only one here who thinks the streamer is really cute? But tonight is really dark and I know you have excellent eyesight since you spent a half-hour showing that to us But you just looked at the footprints and deduced that? Toudu Feiqiu: This streamer is pretty awesome. Whatever she says, goes Trust me. I saw it happen. Theres nothing to brag about. I state what I see. Jiang Pengji rushed back and took a moment to reply to her audience. When she got closer to the village, she saw a group of seven standing outside the shack where the girls were. As she ran, she drew her bow. Shhh If I were you guys, I wouldnt do whatever youre trying to do. If you dont want to die, leave the house now! Before the guards could get near the door, an arrow brushed past their noses and lodged itself in the doorframe. Feng Langjuns expression froze as Jiang Pengji drew the second arrow. She gave a cold smile and said, If you dont do what I say, the next arrow will hit that man in the back. Do it now and leave! The guards positions revealed that the man who was being carried and the skinny teenager were important. Inside the shack, the girls were close to tears. Jinger, are you girls okay? Did they try anything? Wei Jingxians throat itched from changing her voice earlier. She coughed a little before she loudly replied, Lanting, the man outside did not try anything. He just wanted to borrow a light, and I havent replied. Jiang Pengji let out a cold hmph. It seemed like no one had answered, so they had decided to try and break in. Upon hearing Wei Jingxians response, Feng Langjuns head started hurting. This was a rather sudden turn of events. He faced Jiang Pengji and put his hands together in greeting. He apologetically said, This is truly a misunderstanding. We didnt mean to upset your wife. Its just that we wanted to borrow a light for the night. We hope your wife didnt misunderstand. Lies! Who could trust a group of oddly dressed men with swords who came knocking in the middle of the night? Anyone would be on their guard. If you wanted to borrow a light, the other houses would have flint or fire starters. You could have found them yourselves instead of scaring my wife, Jiang Pengji replied sarcastically as he climbed up. Jiang Pengji was a sight. In one hand, she held her bow and arrows, and in the other, she held a wild hog from which a string of dead snakes hung. Feng Langjun took in her appearance under the shacks light before raising an eyebrow. Husband? Jiang Pengji analyzed the teenager and concluded that he was probably intelligent with a combat ability comparable to that of Liu Lanting. So, he was not much of a fighter and was no threat. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. She was aware that the Feng Langjun had guessed her true gender and was mocking her with his remark. Jiang Pengji smirked before mocking him in return. You have a beautiful face, Mister. Obviously not fake, but you havent bathed in seven days because you were being chased. Seems like these few days have been hectic. I have some rare perfume that has a tantalizing scent. You should at least perfume or wash yourself before coming back. Feng Langjun: Arent the people of Hejian County supposed to be friendly and gracious? The loyal guards drew their swords as Jiang Pengji ridiculed their master, but Feng Langjun lifted a hand to stop them. Dont be rude. All of you step down. It was easy to tell by looking at her clothes that she was not the child of a farmer or a hunter. But he wondered why she was running around at night. He also thought it was curious that she was so good at hunting. Maybe they could discuss that later. Jiang Pengji, however, was not interested in his actions. She stood by the shacks door and knocked. Jinger, its me. Go to the firepit and get a light out for me. Feng Langjun brought his hands together and said, Thanks Jiang Pengji smirked. Dont thank me too early. Im only getting a light to boil some water for the food. Chapter 19 - Strangers at Night (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After all, her disguise as a male did not change her caring, feminine heart. Feng Langjun was content with his conclusion, and without being invited, he went near the bonfire that Jiang Pengji set up. The guards had thoughtfully made a simple, temporary bed for their Fourth Langjun. These were no common merchants. The ground was too cold for the ill Langjun, so he was settled as close to the source of warmth as possible. Jiang Pengji snorted coldly as Feng Langjun came closer. She hoped that the anorexic-looking teenager was smarter than the bandits. With curiosity and bewilderment, the Langjun asked, May I know your name? My family name is Liu. Deftly, she removed the unwanted parts of the sizeable boar. Although she was very careful, dirt and blood still splashed all over her clothes. The smell of raw flesh and organs would be unbearable for any langjun or lady born in a well-off household. Feng Langjun knitted his eyebrows at the awful scent and ordered two guards to help her. I can recall a Liu family in Hejian having a langjun at your age. Would that be you? Why ask when you already know the answer? Jiang Pengji was occupied and did not want to continue their conversation. Since the dagger Wei Jingxian gave her had poison on it, it could not be used for cooking. Luckily, they had found all kinds of kitchenware in the small village, along with some spices. As a result, the livestream had switched its theme from surviving in the wild to cooking in the mountain. The System had long given up its futile protests. I know Langjun was clever enough to know what he should do at the moment. Her words were unexpected. Funny. Was she warning him to hold his tongue? So he was being threatened by a noble girl who deceived everyone by pretending to be a man? The number of viewers in the channel gradually increased to ten. Sometimes, Jiang Pengji responded to their bullet screens. She constructed a rough barbecue stand, quickly cut the bamboos into skewers, and fastened the clean meat with the sticks. The atmosphere in the channel was changing. She even taught the audience how to make snake soup. Malisu de Ai: (laughcry) I thought there would be court intrigue! Am I in the right channel? Toudu Feiqiu: Am I the only one who noticed that the skinny, cute boy is super confused? Lancui Yu Buzhe: Looks delicious I am here because I cannot sleep Now I regret it. Wujiang Zhacai Ye: Everyone there is like, wtf?! (happy face) Nong Haoshuai: (drooling face) Wow, see the guards body? And the teen is goodlooking too! Jiang Pengji decided to reply to the last comment. Host V: Remember they have not taken showers for seven days, so do not drool over mud and blood. The audience fell into silence for some time and then some clapped. Although she was arrogant, Jiang Pengji could be considerate. She did not overcook the meat, and because she knew that the ladies were not used to strong flavors, she added only a little spice to the food. Then she knocked on the door. Jinger, open the door and take this in. Before you eat, heat it again over the fire in the house. Wei Jingxian removed the wooden bolt and opened the door a crack. Not even a corner of her dress showed. The other girls took their portions from Wei Jingxian, noticing that they had been given the best parts of the boar. The smell was appealing, and the meat was not too fatty. Where have you been? You smell terrible! asked Wei Jingxian. Of course. I came back with a boar. Maybe I will take a shower later There will also be snake soup. That will keep you warm and prevent illness. You see, we already have an ill boy lying with us here. The merchants were upset, but they continued their chatter. Oh, right. He caught a cold. How is he? Not dying in the near future. All he needs is care and rest, especially after running from a group that was trying to kill them. Keeping him warm by the fire will help him recover. Anyway, why should they care about the others business? The girls ate carefully, minding their manners even though they were starving. The food was hot, and it tasted exceptional. Perhaps it was just an effect of their hunger, for such indelicate dishes definitely would have been frowned upon by their families and even themselves during their former days. Jiang Pengji assumed the pretty ladies were unaccustomed to oily food, so she cooked another soup with only a few slices of ginger and some dried mushrooms that she had found in the bandits kitchen. Lastly, she added spring onion to the soup. She also thoroughly washed the clay bowls that the outlaws had used before ladling the soup into them. The System, despite its dissatisfaction, muttered, Still, my host can be attentive like a kind, devoted wife. Its hope re-kindled. Look at her! She could make a good wife indeed, managing to hunt and cook for a household! Only for cute ladies. I am still impatient towards others. Well Boys can be cute too. But they are of the wrong sex. You are the one of the wrong sex, okay? The meat she left for herself was mostly rough because she had saved the better parts for the girls. Her portion was ready soon, and she chewed it without caring much about the texture or taste. The viewers could make no response as they witnessed a 12-year-old girl acting like such a good boyfriend. This prompted one of them, perhaps a girl, to chide her partner. Kuai Nazhi Huli: See how sweet she is! What about you? What is the point of having you? @Quanmin Nanshen As the host bit her food, she lifted the corners of her lips at the bullet screen and said to the System, This reminds me of the days in Corps Seven when all the men became single, thanks to me Wherever she was, girls found her more attractive and reliable than men. The men would then be left to live with whatever consolation they could find for themselves. Chapter 20 - Set off at Daybreak (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji did not enter the shack to rest. Instead, she chose to stay outside to stand guard. Staying out for one night would not tax her current body, and she would also be able to watch the newcomers. She also presumed that if she stood guard, the girls would at least be able to rest well that night. Jiang Pengji hugged her knees as she sat near the firepit. She occasionally added firewood to keep the fire going. Why are you staring at me? She raised an eyebrow towards Feng Langjun before smiling. Even though he was caught red-handed, Feng Langjun remained calm and returned the smile. Im just curious How did you end up in such a place? Jiang Pengji tsked softly as she stabbed at the fire with a stick. She gave a slight smile and replied, Cant you tell that this is a bandit village? Weve obviously been kidnapped. Why else would we be here if we have soft beds with our names written on them back home? Who would come here for a midnight stroll? Feng Langjun choked a little. If they truly were kidnapped, how did all the bandits die? This This is unexpected. Bandits are ruthless How did you kill all of them? They were strong blockheads. All I had to do was sow some discord, and they started hacking at each other, Jiang Pengji replied nonchalantly. Her simplified explanation only served to confuse Feng Lanjun, but it also made him want to get to the bottom of everything that had happened. My guards examined the bandits and reported that there were signs they had fought with each other. We didnt realize it was all part of your scheme. Sowing discord was not difficult, but trying to get a bunch of bandits to put aside their lust for even a moment had been quite a feat. There were also bodies that had died in a different way. Someone had slit their throats from behind, but they had not bled much. If it had not been for the bodies cold temperatures, one could think they were simply sleeping. If a few words were all it took to cause gang members to turn on each other, bandits would not be running rampant in Hejian County. But if what Jiang Pengji had said was true, then this Liu Langjun was not one to be trifled with. Feng Langjun took this newfound knowledge about the girl to heart. Scheme? Did I even need to scheme against those blockheads? All I did was sow discord. Said a few words and they started killing themselves. Such stupidity. Feng Langjun looked at Jiang Pengjis slightly dirty face and asked, What did you say to them? Jiang Pengji was bored just sitting around, and Feng Langjun was insistent with his questions, so she didnt mind explaining everything. After her explanation, Feng Langjun had an odd look on his face. They were killed by their own stupidity. The rest who werent were killed by me, Jiang Pengji continued flippantly. Feng Langjun gave Jiang Pengji a complicated expression. He leaned forward and cupped his hands. Liu Langjun is quick-witted, and Im humbled by my own inferiority. That goes without saying. Although theres no need for me to brag, Jiang Pengji replied, startling the other boy with her directness. Feng Langjun stared into the crackling fire and pointed at himself. In an unfriendly tone, he asked, Then what can Liu Langjun see about me? Jiang Pengji did not understand why he was provoking her when they seemed to be having a pretty good moment. As she tried to guess his motives, a string of messages scrolled across the stream screen and dispelled her doubts. Toudu Feiqiu: #laughcry I say, this kids adorable and has a haughty, charming personality. Malisu de Ai: #laughcry +1 Hey streamer, you were too truthful, and he mistook it as a provocation. Please feel sorry for him. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Feel sorry +2. Wujiang Zhacai Ye: Feel sorry +3. Jiang Pengji realized just then how her words had caused the misunderstanding. In that era, a person had to be humble. Even if someone wanted to show off or be angry, they still had to remain calm and collected. Otherwise, people would think that you were overestimating your own abilities. Even though the situation was caused by a cultural difference, Jiang Pengji had no intention of remedying it. Instead, she took a good look at the boy. She hummed a little and then calmly replied, Even though youre still young, you have a firm resolution. You can be unscrupulous when you want to attain your goal. The other boy waited for a while. When he did not hear anything more, he was a little disappointed. Thats all? It was a simple opinion that could be used for anyone. Jiang Pengji smirked. Toudu Feiqiu: I have a feeling shes about to unleash something. Hang on to your hats! Jiang Pengji suddenly asked, So, how much of that dog meat did you eat? The boy flinched before turning to face her incredulously. What What are you saying? You have a dog. It should come up to around your shin. Its loyal to you, and you love it. He was shocked, and it showed, but Jiang Pengji continued. Youre not the eldest in your family. Even though your elders favor you, youre hindered by a capable older brother and an intelligent younger brother. Youre easily overlooked. You brought your dog out with you, but due to some unforeseen circumstance, you had to kill it to satisfy your hunger Nearby, some guards tried to eavesdrop. They were eager to hear some gossip about Feng Langjun. You also love incense. You perfumed your clothes every day to hide the smell of the dog. Even though you love your dog, you could still bear to kill it to satiate your hunger. Is this not You can be unscrupulous when you want to attain your goal? Jiang Pengji smiled. She did not have to be so detailed; it was like pouring salt on a wound. His face went from green to red before settling on deathly pale. I admire your ability to deduce all that How could you tell? Its just a simple observation. If you scrutinize, you can see all the clues, Jiang Pengji replied without a single shred of modesty. System: One day you will be whacked to death, and I wont be surprised. Having such an infuriating host was not what the System would have chosen. Definitely not! Feng Langjun gave a bitter laugh. He had not experienced Hejian Countys legendarily sweet-tempered girls. However, he generally found girls to be more malicious and prone to bearing grudges than men. Jiang Pengji continued cooking over the fire before she turned to face the boy. Do you have any clean clothes I could borrow? This startled Feng Langjun. He blushed and quietly asked, Arent you afraid of tarnishing your reputation, Liu Langjun? Borrowing clothes from a strange man was a bold move in that era because it would certainly ruin her reputation. Chapter 21 - Set off at Daybreak (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji did not mind at all. We are men who have become acquaintances after a chat. All I ask is to borrow your clothes, and I will return them to you soon after I reach home. My servants must not see me looking indecent when they find me tomorrow. Her collar had been cut when Liu Lanting protected Wei Jingxian from a bandits attack, before her soul was replaced by Jiang Pengjis. Fortunately, she had no serious injuries, but the piece of cloth she had used to flatten her breasts was loose, and her male hairpin was gone. Anyone looking at her could easily tell she was a girl. But it was nothing for a boy to borrow clothes from his male friend after a chaotic situation. The teenager certainly understood her reasoning, but his ears still became red. As an educated man, he must care for her reputation, despite her indifference. For this journey, his parents had ordered servants to prepare various sets of new clothing for him. While some had been lost as they escaped, they were able to keep the others. He told a guard to bring her a clean set from the clothes that had never been worn. She thought his outfits would fit her because they were both thin, and he was only slightly taller. Jiang Pengji thanked him for his help. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Oh my god! Is the host going to take a shower before us? Toudu Feiqiu: Probably not. Maybe she is ending the livestream. Of course, she would keep her privacy. Host V: It has been a long broadcast for today. Subscribe to this channel and there will be notifications when my next livestream is on. Shortly afterwards, she told the System to end the livestream. Making a live video is not that hard. However, she still felt weird about being watched all the time. The System wanted to sigh. Please do not call that a livestream That was far from what I expected It should have known from the minute they met that its career was over. It could foresee no popularity for this channel. The bandit village in the woods was quiet and still. Hejian, however, was shocked by the kidnapping. Each family of the missing girls had sent servants to the mountain to search for their ladies at midnight. The province chief had been informed of the news as he was getting ready to sleep, and he had anxiously mobilized soldiers before his servants could finish tying up his hair or changing his clothes. No kidding. A small province like Hejian accommodated eminent families, including those of the noble ladies. None of the houses would let him get away if any suffering came upon on their precious children. The families wanted to hide the news, for it would no doubt harm the reputations of both the girls and the houses. No one could hope they were still pure after being taken by a gang for the night. However, no matter how hard the households tried, the news spread rapidly in the town as if it had wings. Time passed, yet the ladies were not recovered. Not even a bandit was found. Hope sank and died when the first beam of daylight shone upon the earth. The loss of virginity before marriage was a heavy blow to all of them. After this incident, the best husbands they would be able find for their daughters would be illegal sons from less significant families or the legal offspring of commoners. Furthermore, the spouses and their families would, for sure, despise the brides and mistreat them for what had happened. Noble ladies who could not bear these consequences would shave their heads to become nuns. For the rest of their lives, their flickering oil lamps and the ancient Buddha would keep them company. As the sun rose, the servants were frustrated, for they had searched for the whole night. To minimize delay, they hadnt dared to close their eyes when they were tired or take a sip of water when they were thirsty. Their stomachs ached due to hunger, and their legs were too swollen to take another step. Morning dew and fog in the forest soaked their clothes. Sigh! Our lady has been missing for a whole day. I wonder how she is now, said one of them in a low voice as they continued looking for clues. Our old lady almost passed out at the news. Discussion about the prestigious lady was strictly forbidden before, but things had changed during the night. How do you think she can be? The best we can hope is that she is alive. What the kidnappers did to her The servant who first spoke disagreed. After a night in the bandits place I would say it is better to die. Hush! Mind your tongue or it will be cut if our masters know what you said! The speaker stopped him from saying more, but he seemed to share the same thought as his companion. Hey, wait. See the smoke? It must be the bandits place! The two servants widened their eyes. They were uncertain whether their guess was correct, but after finding nothing all night, they were willing to take a look. Even if it were not a bandit village, there might still be some inhabitants who could shed some light on where their ladies were. Besides, in Hejian, most mountains were steep. They needed someone to guide their way before they got lost. At the same time, the noble girls were cleaning their faces with the hot water that Jiang Pengji had heated for them, and they went to tidy their clothes and hair. Feng Langjun looked at his guards, who had collected every piece of wood they could find and were adding them to the fire. He said half-jokingly, It is clever to attract servants with smoke, but I wish my guards could have slept last night. Pengji spoke as if they were close friends. Do you not want to get out of here after losing your bearings for several days? The servants are coming for us, not you, Huaiyu. The skinny teenager was called Feng Jin but also Feng Huaiyu. The inefficiency of the servants search displeased Jiang Pengji. She wondered where they had been the whole night! If they hadnt burnt logs to make the signal, would they have arrived after their hair turned grey? She had considered leaving with the ladies, but that would have been very time-consuming, and the stakes were high. Although she could protect herself from the aggressive beasts in the forest, it would have been difficult to take care of so many girls at the same time. In addition, walking on the steep and slippery roads would be torture for the young ladies. It was still early in the morning. She asked the pretty ladies to help each other with their hairdos. They must be look as dignified as they had always been. Chapter 22 - Set off at Daybreak (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Jingxian and the other girls understood the reason for Jiang Pengjis request. If their families had found the girls listless with their clothes in disarray, they would surely jump to conclusions. Even if their chastity were still intact, people would still gossip. Jiang Pengji looked far out into the horizon and suddenly said, They finally found us Eh Lanting, how can you tell? With the brightening sky, Feng Jin could finally see what Jiang Pengji looked like. He had to say that he was lucky he managed to see through her disguise. She still looked quite delicate after cleaning, tying her hair, and changing into a fresh set of clothes, but she had a refined, albeit sickly, boyish look to her. The bird over there looks alarmed And its making its way towards us. It might belong to one of the search parties. Though Jiang Pengji replied with conviction, she still felt a little off. If it were her old self, she would have been able to see even the people moving in the distance. And if she had tools, she would have been able to see even farther out. Sadly, Liu Lantings body was not like her old one, so she could only see the search bird. So my guards and I should hide? Feng Jin asked after thinking carefully. They were a group of seven men. Even if Jiang Pengji was a man and had stayed outside to guard, Feng Jin and the rest were outsiders. If someone were to point that out, the girls reputations would be ruined. Jiang Pengji gave it some thought before nodding. I had not thought of that. Sorry to inconvenience you. Her mood turned sour as she thought about the oddity of this era. Where are you from? After Feng Jin and his group hid, Jiang Pengji appeared before the search party and questioned them. The party was tired and hungry after a night of searching. A plump middle-aged man was the partys leader. He wiped sweat off his brow and did his best to recognize her. You are? Liu Langjun! Everyone knew that the Liu familys second son, Liu Lanting, was with the missing girls. He stared in shock at the boy before him. Was this not the Liu familys young master who had gone missing for a day and night? Im the Weis head servant the plump man replied as he wiped his brow. His eyes were red from fatigue. He had finally found one of the missing people and was about to cry from relief. Our young mistress and you were captured by bandits Langjun The Weis head servant was so excited that he nearly grabbed Jiang Pengjis hands Oh, its Jingers family. Dont worry, shes fine. Jiang Pengji smiled. This, this Langjun Please dont make light of the situation The head servant did not seem to believe her. Come with me. Jinger and the rest are safe, albeit a little shocked from the events. Theyll need to rest for a few days once we return. Jiang Pengji looked at the tired search party and held her tongue. She was tempted to insult them. The Weis head servant should know about Liu Lanting and Wei Jingxians betrothal, and thus be able to recognize Liu Lanting immediately. The situation felt odd to Jiang Pengji I was afraid that you wouldnt be able to find us, so I burnt a whole days worth of fire. I just saw the search bird and figured you were coming. Even though they had spent so much effort searching for them, it was hard to say that they were successful because it had taken them a full night and a day. Jinger and the other families girls are in that house Please send the maids in. Jiang Pengji looked indifferent as she stepped into the bandits village, but the head servant nearly fell over from shock. Jiang Pengji had enlisted the help of Feng Jins guards to drag the bandits bodies out into the open for the sake of making an impact. They had haphazardly piled them together to create a dramatic effect. Liu, Liu LangjunThis, thisall The head servant collapsed from fright and was rendered speechless. He turned his frightful gaze to the quiet Liu Lanting. Was it possible that his familys eldest mistress was actually dead and the Liu Langjun before him was actually a ghost? Maybe they had turned into vengeful spirits overnight and killed all the bandits? Those bandits got what they deserved. Jiang Pengji did not turn around at first, but she did after noticing that the footsteps behind her had stopped. Whats with the expression? The head servant started bawling on the floor. Liu Langjun You died an unjust death Jiang Pengi thought, I dont really get how brains work in the old days System: They were misled and jumped to conclusions in their fright. Nobody had a glimmer of hope for the kidnapped girls. Even if the search party could find them, everyone expected that the girls would already be dead. Some of the families had even started preparing for the funerals. But now the search party found Jiang Pengji unscathed, and the bandits den was piled with dead bodies. Who would not be surprised by this discovery? Wei Jingxian heard her head servants familiar voice from the shack and cried from relief. Its my head servant. Theyve finally found us. Hmph. A bunch of useless people. If Brother Lanting had not spent the night tending to the fire, when would they have found us? Shangguan Wan pouted angrily. Probably when were dead What are you talking about? And who taught you to be so rude? Wei Jingxian said. Its inauspicious. After a while, the other families search parties finally found them. After seeing the pile of dead bandits, they all reacted in the same way. Even though the sun was high in the sky and they were dressed warmly, they still felt an inexplicable chill in their bones. Jiang Pengji had waited half a day for all the other families to find them. Even the governor of Hejian County had made his way to them, yet Liu Lantings family didnt come That was odd. This Arent all these bandits to be executed? The governor wiped his sweat and panted from his trek. When he saw the bodies, he involuntarily shivered. If not for the person holding him up, he would have collapsed from shock and exhaustion. Jiang Pengji put her hands together in greeting and replied, When we were kidnapped yesterday, I thought of ways to escape. I then instigated a fight amongst the bandits. While they were distracted, I killed them to protect the girls. The governor was at first doubtful when Jiang Pengji said that she had killed all those bandits, but then he began feeling frightened. He frowned before beckoning her closer. Start from the beginning. Chapter 23 - Set off at Daybreak (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The governor was not dumb. If the girls reputations were to remain pure, they would need to confirm that the girls had not been harmed in front of everyone. Jiang Pengji seemed to have exaggerated her capabilities, but her story was not impossible. After describing the whole incident again, people began to believe her. No one could doubt her after they saw all the young ladies standing there, tired but unharmed. The governor was relieved and had a high opinion of Jiang Pengji now, for she had saved his career and his life. If anything had happened to the girls, their families likely would have demanded severe punishment; they might even have had him killed for his failure. After all, what had taken place was the worst thing that could have happened under an officials administration. His eyes flickered when he noticed that Jiang Pengji was left behind after all the ladies had gotten on their handheld carts to set off for home. Liu Xi, my good nephew, will you leave with me? One is prone to get lost in the deep forest without a guide. He called her nephew, hoping to gain her trust. After a quick consideration, Jiang Pengji nodded at his invitation, accepting him as her new uncle. Feng Jin and his group had secretly left after the ladies departure. Now all she needed to worry about was herself. How could her family not send a single servant to look for their langjun? Due to the steep slopes, they had to leave the mountain first in handheld carts and then change to carriages when they reached flat roads. Jiang Pengji was bored during the ride and asked the System to start a livestream. She hoped to chat with the audience. However, there were no viewers that day, which was normal for a new channel. In fact, she had been lucky to gain a few points of popularity the day before. The ride in the governors personal carriage was way better than the one with the bandits. Apart from some occasional jolts, the journey was comfortable. Although the official was not as observant as Jiang Pengji, he had become very wise in the ways of the world after dealing with bureaucrats for years. As he watched her sitting quietly, he was reminded of her solitude in the bandit village. My good nephew, are you wondering why no servants came for you? Jiang Pengji collected her thoughts and then searched through Liu Lantings memories, frowning. Maybe they are too busy preparing for my fathers return. She was, in fact, annoyed at Liu Lantings household affairs. If someone disliked Lanting, this could be a great opportunity to let him go missing forever while her father, Master Liu was away. Liu Lantings mother was from an esteemed house in Langye Province and had always been dear to Master Liu. She had given birth to a legitimate son in their second year of their marriage, but the child died before two years passed. In their fourth year of marriage, the lady gave birth to Liu Lanting and his twin sister, and the two were deemed as blissful gifts. After the death of their first son, the couple took care of their twin son and daughter with all their attention. Unfortunately, the son died when he was four because a careless servant had failed to notice that he was drowning. The parents then switched the identities of the children and claimed that it was their daughter who had drowned, not their son. After that, the mothers health deteriorated quickly, and she passed away within half a year. Jiang Pengji thought what had happened next was incomprehensible: To take care of Liu Lanting and to maintain a close relationship with his deceased wifes family, Master Liu had married his deceased wifes illegitimate sister. But what was the logic behind that decision? Why would he want to marry his sister-in-law? Was the phrase now Your brothers wife is your best lay and so is your wifes sister? To be fair to the stepmother, she was fairly kind to Liu Lanting. She was anxious about the wellbeing of her stepson and treated him as if were her own child. Even Jiang Pengji, as an outsider, could tell that her caring heart was not fake. She was an impeccable mother according to the standards of that time. When Liu Lanting studied, she supported him but also gave him enough personal space. Sometimes she made him nourishing meals and instructed the attendants to satisfy his needs whenever possible. When the weather became cooler, she made arrangements to keep Lanting healthy. The tiresome one in the household was a concubine called Madam Hu. As Master Lius cousin, Madam Hu had also been born in a respectable household. Her decision to become a mistress was scorned and opposed because she could have married another man as a proper wife. The stepmother had always been weak, however, and her condition had worsened since last winter. Since she showed no sign of recovery and she was seldom conscious, the power to manage the household was handed over to the imperious Madam Hu. After considering the facts, Jiang Pengji was not surprised that no one came for her. Maybe later she would even see a coffin they had prepared for her. Nothing was impossible. Jiang Pengji touched her forehead. The governor, after seeing her reaction, now understood that things were complicated in her family. The flabby official smiled warmly, as if they were close acquaintances. Would you mind if I accompanied you home? My housekeeper has declined all visitors today because of the kidnapping, but since the case is settled now, I have nothing to do on my day off. I thank you for it, she said, bowing. His company would save her much trouble. Meanwhile, the System was getting more and more excited. My host, before entering the court, you can try out house intrigue! Make a good start, and you will win half the battle! It hoped that competing in the family would change Jiang Pengjis distaste for court intrigue. Her opponents could vary at different stages. They could range from illegal children and their parents to the concubines family or to problematic relatives, if she had a bad luck. She could even help her stepmother confront Madam Hu. The System guessed that its host would resort to violence at some point. Tedious. Her response irked the computer, but it refrained itself by taking deep breaths. Tell me, then, what you think is interesting. The lady and Madam Hu She stopped for a second. They are both pretties. Got it. Oh my god, Master Liu! Your son is coming for your women! Chapter 24 - Unbelievable World (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Even though Hejian County was small, many prestigious families lived there. Liu Lantings family hailed from the Sixteen Kingdoms of Five Non-Han people. Although they were not an illustrious family, they still had a three-hundred-year-old history. Recently, the number of their family members had dwindled so much that the Liu name was now almost unheard of. Except for Liu Lantings father, who was an officer outside of their county, the rest of the family held simple positions. Some of them even went into hiding while other more notorious family members were exiled. From an outsiders point of view, the Liu familys reputation seemed to be going downhill. But Jiang Pengji thought the family was smart. They took things easily and were strict with their childrens education. Although Liu Lantings father was from the main family, he was not the eldest son and was therefore not allowed to inherit the family. Even without the disorderly relatives, however, the Lius still had many people in their family. Lantings father had spent many years working outside of the county. His second wife, Liu Lantings stepmother, had requested to stay behind in Hejian County to care for Lanting. Most scholars were located in Dongqings Hejian, Langye, and Qiongning counties, but Lantings father did not want to settle down in Heijan County because he had heard that it was a risky place. The place was inhospitable and lacked any knowledgeable tutors. People wondered why Madam Hu did not follow Lantings father. She occasionally gave Lanting some trouble by being sarcastic to her and by giving her a bad attitude, but she never went overboard. When Lantings father left home for work, they moved out of the familys main home and built a three-in-one house nearby. The courtyard was not as large as the one in the main house, but the house itself was more spacious. Liu Lantings house was located on San Songshu Street. Jiang Pengji lifted the carriage curtains and saw that the entrance to the Liu mansion was quiet. I dont dare intrude The governor smiled as a page boy quickly hopped off the carriage, knocked on the mansions doors, and informed the family of their sons return. If you have any problems with your studies, feel free to look for me. I may not be as insightful as your father, but I can still help with some things. Jiang Pengji nodded her thanks. Even though a governor had authority over a county, that still depended on the province. Hejian County was actually too small to be considered a county, but its people just wanted it to be known as one because it was a special place for them. The governors, therefore, were nothing more than low-ranking officers. In small places like Hejian County, the governors job was pretty much set for life. He was trying to be close to Jiang Pengji because her help with the bandits had further secured his position. Jiang Pengji suddenly heard the Liu servants ecstatic voice. Second Langjun, youve returned Jiang Pengji had expected to come home to white banners and maybe even her own coffin. However, there was nothing but the sight of the quiet and empty courtyard It was highly unusual. What happened while I was away? The servant was elated to see her; in fact, he looked as if he were looking at his savior. Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the servant and noticed many things. This servant had spent the previous night with a prostitute, and he smelled like alcohol, which meant that he had not gone out to search for Liu Lanting. His fingers were stained with rouge, which showed that he had visited another prostitute Tsk! This man was not honest. The servant had no idea that Jiang Pengji knew where he slept last night or that he had just gone to a gambling den and won some money. She was contemplating whether she should change his job or fire him. Second Langjun, youre finally back. The lady and Madam Hu fainted when they received the news that had you been captured by bandits. The physician was by the ladys side the whole time, but the worst of her illness came last night Then Madam Hu fell ill right after she woke up, and she sent all the servants into the mountains to look for you. Right now the family lacks a leader, and the master is not in If something were to happen to you The servant wrung his hands as he spoke. He seemed glad, yet his gaze refused to meet Jiang Pengjis. It was as though he had something to hide. Jiang Pengji looked away and dispelled the information she had gathered from her mind. She interrupted the servants ramblings and asked, All the servants went to look for me yesterday? Yes. Only the maids were left behind to look after the two mistresses, the servant replied. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. Including you? The servant did not realize that she had set a trap. He smacked his own chest as a show of loyalty and said, Second Langjun, what are you saying? Im loyal to you! After hearing that you had been captured, who wouldnt be worried? Naturally, I How was the prostitute last night? Jiang Pengji interrupted. And remember to hide your face when you decide to gamble. The servant crumbled to the floor in shock. Go find the head servant for your punishment. If I catch you again, Ill sell you to the slave trader! Jiang Pengji gave a cold hmph. She hated these poor acts. Did he think she was some three-year-old? That servant was shocked and speechless as he knelt there. Just then, the head servant rushed out. Second Langjun. Master Liu had not returned home for many years, yet the mansion had not run itself into the ground. That was definitely due to this head servants hard work. Jiang Pengji studied the old head servant and decided she liked what she saw. Im back. Hows mother? When he saw that Jiang Pengji was alive and well, he started tearing up. He was a well-behaved person, but he was so relieved to see Lanting that he ran over to greet her. The ladys condition has worsened, Im afraid Jiang Pengji frowned. Lets talk while we walk. Mothers illness has gotten that bad? According to Liu Lantings memories, her stepmother had been well the day before, even if she was still sick. At the Flower Festival that took place half a month ago, which was also Liu Lantings birthday, she had made Lanting a bowl of longevity noodles. The head servants eyes widened when he realized that Jiang Pengji was wearing the clothes of a stranger, but he did not mention anything. Instead, he buried his doubts. Yesterday, a maid-in-training misunderstood the situation and reported that you had died in the bandits hands. The lady fainted on the spot and lost her breath quite a few times. Madam Hu was also horrified and sent all the servants to look for you Not long after that, third Langjun fell and cracked his head in the courtyard while he was playing with the maids The familys three masters and mistresses had succumbed to sickness or injury in such a short period of time. The head servant needed to keep looking for physicians. Jiang Pengji stopped in her tracks. She felt as if she were missing something Chapter 25 - Unbelievable World (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio According to Liu Lantings memories, she seldom asked about family matters because she only focused on studying and reading. Their current house, although not spacious, was divided into three main parts. Each had a specific function, such as admitting visitors or accommodating the ladies. The house had already been bought before Master Liu left for his official duty. The Lius territory was based in another territory that was a little closer to their relatives. They had needed to live near their family because the women would have been pitied and mocked if the Master had left his wife and the other ladies without the protection of an adult man. However, the family chose to settle somewhere that was a little further away so that the ladies could seek help from their relatives if they were in need, but they could also remain undisturbed if they were fine. Still, it was safe to assume there were not many guards or servants for such a small house. They might not have realized that she had been kidnapped because both of the ladies were ill. The naughty illegal son had also injured his head, so they needed to give him medical treatment quickly in order to save his life. Jiang Pengji felt her head ache. I was only kidnapped. It is no big deal. I escaped from the simple-minded bandits and came back with the province chief. She explained briefly and then remembered the servant at the entrance. I will take a look at my mother. Meanwhile, gather those who searched for me last night. I will have a word with them. It seemed more likely that Madam Hu did order someone to look for her. Since most of the servants were too busy taking care of their other masters, however, only few of them were assigned to the mountain. Because it too dangerous to save their langjun from the outlaws, however, the servants had given up the task and sought their own entertainment instead . The man who visited his mistress was one of them. She could tell how undisciplined they were. Jiang Pengji snorted cooly as she reached her conclusion. Despite having a high status, the family had gradually, but not unexpectedly, lost control of their servants after they moved away from their relatives. Master Lius absence and the lack of other male masters to monitor the servants simply made things worse. It was now common for servants to disobey orders. The nobles residence was unlike what she had imagined. It was quiet and isolated rather than cheerful. Female attendants were scarcely seen, which was peculiar for the home of a legal son like Master Liu, who belonged to a prominent family. Since Jiang Pengji was also the stepmothers nephew, their relationship was supposed to be intimate, so she could enter her chamber freely. The sky was clear with a blazing sun. However, the room was dark and filled with the strong odor of herbal medicine. After passing the folding screens, Jiang Pengji was able to take a closer look at the indoor furnishings. The objects were far too basic for a noble lady like her. On the dressing table were some old jewelry boxes that had outdated designs. Beside a copper mirror lay a sophisticated hair clip decorated with butterfly shapes. Jiang Pengji paused for a second when she saw the hair clip and then turned her gaze to the furniture. The pale stepmother was in the bed, and she appeared older than what Liu Lanting had remembered. It might have been because of her grey hair, the dark circles under her eyes, and her sickly countenance. Jiang Pengji took the bowl of medicine from an attendant and kneeled beside the bed to feed her. Lanting The lady looked at her with kindness and sincerity, though her gaze seemed to see right through Jiang Pengjis disguise. Tears swelled up in her eyes as they met Jiang Pengjis. She was on the brink of death, and she felt blessed to see her stepchild once again. It is me. I am back. Jiang Pengji smiled warmly. Yet the inky black medicine distracted her with its strange scent. It was unimaginable that ancient people could make such unpalatable potion. Was it intended to cure or kill? Yesterday said the stepmother, looking at her softly with reminiscence. Her voice was weak as if it would fade away in a blink. With difficulty, she panted and then continued slowly, I was told that you perished How could I bear it? Later, I saw my sister at the Bridge of No Return in the nether world As a matter of fact, Liu Lanting is dead, Jiang Pengji thought to herself. Her hand went behind the ladys neck and thin shoulders, and Pengji pulled her toward her bosom. With her aid, the lady sat straight so that she would not choke when she swallowed the medicine. Hush Finish the medicine and get some sleep. The stepmothers neck was splattered with red spots from laying down for such a long time. To prevent them from becoming bedsores, Jiang Pengji discreetly asked the attendants for warm water. She cleaned the ladys body and ordered the bedsheets to be changed. She also tried to improve the air circulation indoors to create the best environment for recovery. After she had cooled the bitter medicine, the lady drank it. Her dark eyebrows furrowed. When Jiang Pengji saw her expression and the debris of herbs left in the container, she could imagine the revolting taste in her mouth. She told the attendant, Bring more candied fruit to my mother. I wonder how many bitter medicines were added Liu Lanting had not been close to this woman because she thought her stepmothers caring deeds were hypocritical, and Lanting disliked how often her stepmother asked about her health. More than anything, she despised her stepmother for taking the title and position of her mother. Even so, Lanting had hidden her feelings and wore a friendly mask in front of everyone. If she hadnt, Jiang Pengjis consideration would have looked suspicious. My son Did they hurt you last night? Her sight remained blurry, but she could now speak with more energy. No. How could those fools hurt me? When the attendant returned with new bedsheets, Jiang Pengji wrapped the stepmother up with the blanket and carried the lady in her arms. The stepmother exclaimed. Mother, do not worry. I will hold you firmly. Let them bring you a hand warmer after they change the sheets. The lady replied, My child, you are becoming more and more like my sister Tell my what happened last night. I will tell you everything. Jiang Pengji observed her and suddenly lifted the corners of her lips. Repeating a story usually made her impatient because it could no longer bring her excitement. But since this lady was an ancient beauty, she did not mind illustrating her powerful image once more. The story was intriguing. Afterward, the lady examined Jiang Pengjis demeanor and gestured to the attendants that they should leave. Lanting How did she pass away? she asked with the same warmth in her smile. When noticed Jiang Pengjis calmness, she added, Are you not afraid? Jiang Pengji shook her head. I suppose I am the last to be afraid of it. You are an honest child, she said. You could continue your lie, and I could pretend as if my child were still here. Jiang Pengji disagreed. There is no point of lying. I thought about keeping the secret before I came in. But as soon as I saw your gaze, I knew that would be in vain. Liu Lanting and I are different people, even though I am in her body now. Pretending to be her would only exhaust myself and create fake situation for both me and you. Chapter 26 - Unbelievable World (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How could the stepmother not be familiar with the son she had raised for so many years? According to Liu Lantings memories, the stepmother had been a girl of many talents in Langye Province before she married into their family. Her status was closer to that of a commoner, so she had to remain modest most of the time She seemed to be gazing somewhere far away. I saw Lanting and her brother and my sister on the Bridge of No Return in the nether world The stepmother stopped breathing a few times, and the people around her thought she was dead. Even the physician thought so until he found a weak pulse. The maids who were caring for her felt like their emotions were on a rollercoaster ride. Big sister said that I have good luck hoped that I could I could come back to live my life in ease and comfort and that I shouldnt cling to the past Jiang Pengji was not superstitious, but the stepmothers words intrigued her. And then? So, I came back I want to see who took over Lantings body what you are like, the stepmother replied seriously. Jiang Pengji awkwardly replied, Youll leave after looking? The stepmother did not give a straight answer and instead replied, After I saw I realized that you are very similar to big sister It felt like I saw my big sister again so similar The real Lanting Even the behavior is exactly the same I think big sisters words before her death came true Before her death? Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrow before pulling the blanket around the stepmother. You can enjoy the rest of your life in comfort. The System was expecting some sparks to fly or some other kind of altercation to happen. What the heck is this? My dear host. Can you explain to me what just happened? The omnipotent System felt as though it was quickly becoming useless. Is it so hard to understand? That lady knew that I wasnt Liu Lanting from the moment I entered. But since I reminded her of her sister, she decided not to die and instead shes going to live her life in comfort. The System was dumbfounded. Ha? Why did she accept you so quickly? Shes not going to drown her or burn her? The System remembered that it once had a rather dimwitted host who had been treated like a demon and burned alive. Her sister was probably not from this era. When I entered her room, I saw some traces of an era that was closer to mine. I think she accepted me so quickly because her sister might be similar to me. I need to look for other clues Jiang Pengji meant that her sister may have been from the science and technology era that came after this current feudalistic era. After a short while, Jiang Pengji suddenly asked the System, My adorable System, am I your first host in this world? The System paused for a moment. Nope. But my previous host had no relations to Liu Lantings mother Whats wrong? I thought I came into an untouched, ancient era. But you told me that this world could be a filter. I want to give you a poor rating The stepmothers sister, Liu Lantings mother, could be from another era. Jiang Pengji lost the energy to be angry. As far as she knew, the ancient people had not been able to create metal spring-shaped hairpins And yet there was one placed on the stepmothers dressing table. Of course it was possible that the hairpin belonged to someone else, but based on the information that Jiang Pengji had so far, she thought it was highly likely that Liu Lantings mother was from a different era. Erm This is actually pretty common. Whenever a System opens a multidimensional stream, there is a tear in the dimension for a short while. After all, if the System only streamed household disputes, it would be too boring. Having other elements spiced things up. Jiang Pengji immediately thought of something. Hang on a moment. When I started streaming and getting responses from the audience, I noticed something. Their dimension seemed like it was from a more technologically advanced era that was similar to mine In other words Was a new inhabitant from another era brought into this world after that first stream started? System: .. Youre feeling guilty, Jiang Pengji said. Im afraid that youll give me a bad review the System replied pitifully. As a System, it felt that it no longer had any privacy of its own now that Jiang Pengji was its host. Jiang Pengji kept quiet. No one knew if she believed the Systems words. System: Since the stepmother didnt reveal your identity in front of everyone, that means youre safe, right? Something like that If I can pass off as Liu Lanting, Ill continue doing so. If not, I can still use my real identity. The world was huge. Who would care if she was not who she claimed to be? In this era, the residence registration system was not advanced, so it would be easy for Jiang Pengji to start fresh somewhere far away. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and said, She and I had an agreement. I can safely use Liu Lantings identity and not worry about anything. Agreement? The System checked through the chat logs. When did Jiang Pengji and the stepmother make an agreement? Jiang Pengji heartlessly replied, Im sure that when you do die, itll be because of your own stupidity. System: $%#%####@ Jiang Pengji only knew some simple remedies to fix common medical ailments, but the stepmothers illness was not one of them. That had to be left to the physician. Have all the servants been rounded up? Jiang Pengji asked the head servant. She was one to bear grudges, and she liked to take her revenge as soon as possible. It was time to tidy up the Liu residence. When the head servant was younger, he had been Master Lius page boy before being promoted to head servant. He had helped look after both generations of the Liu family and had garnered respect from others. He did not let this get to his head but instead worked even harder for the Lius. The head servant followed behind Jiang Pengji and replied, I had them gathered in the yard outside. Hm, go call for the slave trader after this, and choose a few capable servants. If you cant find capable ones, inform my eldest uncle. Jiang Pengji was no stranger to slavery. Back in her own world in which wars were common, the Intergalactic Warfare Statute allowed prisoners of war to be used as slaves. Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the servants and asked, Theyre all here? The head servant had no inkling of what was going on, but he nodded. All the servants who were sent out to search for you are here. Tell the slave trader that were selling them. All of them are dishonest. All the servants who had been gathered thought that Jiang Pengji was about to reward them for their search efforts, and they were hiding their excitement and glee. They did not expect to hear those cold words coming from her This bookworm who was never aware of his surroundings wanted to sell them to the slave trader? The head servant hesitated for a moment before he loyally replied, I understand. Wait! A few of the servants yelled out and groveled. Some of us may not have yielded the results, but we put in the effort. We spent a day and a night searching for you Why are you selling us now that youre back? Chapter 27 - My Host Can’t Be that Violent (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You ask for a reason? Jiang Pengji looked at the kneeling man. First, you harassed the ladies attendants and tried to compel them by force. Second, as a dishonest servant, you took money from the family for your own personal entertainment. Third who permitted you to enter the kitchen adjoining the ladies chambers? The servants face whitened as she spoke, and his eyes reflected his worry. The housekeeper expressed his concern. Second Langjun, you mean Furthermore, you were on some mistresss bed last night instead of searching for me in the mountain, werent you? You and your fellows went to brothels together and had a wonderful night, eh? How convenient it is for you to lie for one another! Jiang Pengji frowned with dismay and told the housekeeper, Rummage through their dwellings to see if they have kept our fortune. If you find evidence, do not bother selling them to the slavery market. Send them directly to the local affair office. Second Langjun! We must not be maligned in such a manner unless you can prove your words! The man who panicked soon composed himself and said, My parents have served the masters most devotedly, maintaining the reputation of the house And your parents should be praised for it. But that has nothing to do with your sly nature. Oh! By the way, you reminded me of one thing. She addressed the housekeeper: Check if his parents hands are clean. We must not keep cheating servants in this house. The old man was puzzled by Jiang Pengjis strong determination, for Liu Lanting had always been gentle and timid. Still, he obeyed loyally. The servants grew worried. They could not believe that Liu Lanting was being so reckless. She would have gotten rid of them at once, but she had not forgotten the ancient teachings about respecting ones parents. All the servants and attendants in the house had been selected by Master Liu, and he was returning within a couple days. At that time, filial piety was of the utmost importance. The Langjun would never be a disrespectful son and jeopardize his career by dismissing them. The thought eased their minds. The System lost its speech as it watched her imprudent actions. Wait a minute, my host You need support for the accusations, or else others will form negative opinions about you. The normal routine for house intrigue began with the protagonist confronting the devious servants with her wit; then she defeated them all in the end by showing her proof and explaining her logical inferences. That was the way its other hosts usually won. On the contrary, Jiang Pengji had shortened what could have been a dramatic story spanning over ten chapters into a few plain sentences that she had just articulated. Could she be more professional at house intrigue? Are you kidding me? What I see is the evidence. If the others doubt me, it is because they are all blind. I will not waste any time telling them where to look. Was she verbally bullying it again? Fine! Besides, these are merely servants. On what grounds can they demand proof from me? Tell me, who is the master of this houseCthe servants or me? Indisputable. Then she laughed coldly. The outsiders cannot say a word against what the housekeeper will find. That will be the proof of bribery or deceit that they demand. By punishing these men, I am also warning the others Do not lie to me, or they will die. You get it? The computer felt a chill in its back. I think I am one of those being warned Jiang Pengji trusted the housekeeper to perform his duty flawlessly, so she stopped thinking about the servants and turned to order hot water and new clothing from the servants. She should change back to her own clothes before the clothes she had borrowed from Feng Jin caught unnecessary attention. The System praised her satirically: I have never met another host with as strong an adaptability as you. She thought what she had done was sensible and reasonable. I should wisely utilize the advantages this new identity brings in order to save myself some trouble. It was no fault to make use of the influence that Liu Lantings body gave her. Liu Lantings garments were more lavish, with more exquisite patterns and embroideries, than the ones she had borrowed. The complicated pieces, however, were also harder to put on. She asked the attendants to pick the plainest set. Two of the girls wrapped and flattened her breasts, and then they put the costume on her layer by layer. My host, it seems people in this house know Liu Lanting is a girl All her servants are female, and no boy is assigned to study or spend leisure time with her. The System was perplexed. I wonder why she pretends to be her brother. Not all of them know. Or the noble ladies would not have been so surprised when they found out her real gender. So only a few know? asked the System. That is right. Her closest attendants, the housekeeper, and the stepmother know. They will certainly keep the secret. Others may not do the same if they knew; they might gossip or tell people for their own purposes. It would be impossible for Liu Lanting to hide the truth without help. Even though Jiang Pengji ordered the attendants to leave her as she bathed, she would not be able to get dressed without their assistance. She wished the designs of Lantings clothes were easier. I, too, want to figure out why she swapped identities with her brother. Let us see if anyone knows why. Since it was a trend to add a fragrance to ones garments, she wore a perfume that had a soothing scent. She thought everything would be done after the layers of clothing were fixed on her. Afterwards, however, the attendants placed jade ornaments and aromatic sachets on her waist. Although she assumed that it would cling annoyingly to her as she walked, she tolerated it. After that, another girl came in and showed her a tray of silk flowers to put in her hair. Ugh You can put these away. She refused to put colorful flowers on her head. From Liu Lantings memories, she knew that wearing perfume and flowers was considered fashionable during that period, but she could not bear to put an eye-catching flower in her male hairstyle. There is one more thing I need Jiang Pengji thought for a moment and then took a sandalwood fan that was decorated with an image of bamboo, the symbol of perseverance and determination. Now, do I not look dazzling? When the attendants left, she pretended to pull a sword out of its sheath and observed her blurry reflection in the copper mirror. In the next second, she opened the fan fully. This is how TV dramas present people from the ancient times. A devastating young man, capturing the hearts of both sexes with a smile. The System sighed. Both sexes are now prey to her. All of a sudden, a bullet screen shot through the interface. Hahahaha Chapter 28 - My Host Can’t Be That Violent (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio User3216: I saw a post rec and popped over. The insanely awesome streamer is such a cute girl hahaha. UserRey11: Post rec +1. Saw what she just did My hearts still beating quickly. Ailisi Baobei: Eh, did the streamer really kill a lot of people? Jiang Pengji had no idea what was going on and took a look at the streams chat log. She discovered that the channel had a sudden influx of viewers right after she had changed her clothes, and the numbers were steadily increasing. Even now, there was a System notification about a new viewer entering the channel. System. Whats going on? Jiang Pengji was confused. The stream that she had started yesterday only had 10 viewers. The System was equally confused by the sudden influx of viewers, but it was a step ahead of Jiang Pengji. It conducted a series of checks and found the answer within a few seconds. Some of the viewers from yesterday recorded the stream and posted it to a social platform in their world called Duniang Tieba. All these viewers are here because of that post. The System was speechless because of the growing number of viewers. A viewer had commented that he wanted to take a closer look at the antiques, so Jiang Pengji poked at the bronze mirror in her hands as she communicated with the System. So its like free advertising for our channel? These people are here because they saw the post. Yeah The System would frown if it could. It did not tell its host that it was supposed to have employed various tasks to shape her into what it wanted, which was a fighter from the olden days. It would have rewarded her when she finished the tasks. Based on the difficulty of the tasks, the channel might even have been recommended by popular social platforms in the multidimension. When the host expended energy and effort to stream, the System invested little effort but reaped the lions share of the benefits. Those were the Systems regulations, and it could not change them even if it wanted to. If viewers recommended the channel, its popularity increased. Jiang Pengji seemed to accept the explanation. I guess the person who posted it wrote that the streams gimmicks are killing, hunting, and food? Most people love to watch those things, so its not surprising that we attracted this much attention The System remained silent. The streams chat was filled with viewers who were asking if the bandit massacre from the night before was real. Others were suspicious. Aiaiaiai: An expert took a look at the video and said that there were no signs of editing Zhubo Shi Pianzi: Its fake. If she killed so many people, how come she hasnt been arrested? Bieqiang Wo Erlou: Its already stated that its a multidimensional stream about disputes. In the olden days, killing bandits was considered heroic. Jiucai Feicai: Wonder which filming studio did this. The set looks familiar and fake at the same time You can stop trying to fool people now. Only an idiot would believe in multidimensional streaming. All of you here for the show can go back. Best to quit the channel and keep your brain cells. User1438: Dont you guys find it weird? You can find this channel on any streaming platform User334: I just went to test it out. It works! You can find this channel via Xiongmao, Kaoyu, and even YX. This is creepy User3356: This streamer is nuts. Probably for the sake of fame. Didnt the news report about some streamer from awhile ago who said that they came from the past? Then it was proven that it was all fake? One look at this channel, and you can tell its the same. So fake! User3838: For the sake of fame+1. All these plastic surgery girls For the sake of fame, theyll look for rich husbands, sleep with them, strip, pant into the mic, or stream themselves having sex with men Theyll do whatever it takes as long as they get money. Disgusting. User5567: For the sake of fame+N. Shes so ugly. As long as a woman is willing to spread her legs, theyll become streamers. The reputation for women is sullied by these people. I dare predict that when this streamer is famous, she will pander to the whims of those rich men. User9873: For the sake of fame+N. I bet two cents that her underage look suits some perverts. Jiang Pengji had not set any chat restrictions, which was why there were all sorts of comments. Most of the comments were suspicious while the rest were scolding and insulting. It was her first time seeing such a chaotic scene. Do you want to restrict the user level and number of comments in the chat? Although the System was elated by the number of viewers, it was worried that the toxic comments might affect Jiang Pengji. If Jiang Pengji stopped streaming, the System would cry if it could. The comments flew across the screen rapidly, but Jiang Pengji was able to read them all. Some of the insults were interesting, and she filed them away for future use. Why should we restrict them? Its quite interesting Jiang Pengji said. System: The System had forgotten that its host was not normal. This level of negativity was not enough to faze her, and she was good at holding grudges. Those viewers who had pissed her off would not know what was coming to them. Let them scold. Frankly speaking, its my first time seeing such creative insults. Jiang Pengji laughed. I thought my subordinates in Corps Seven were hooligans. Looks like theyve met their match. To Jiang Pengji, insulting someone required skill. A wise person could insult someone without using a single vulgar word and still deliver the best results. People who insulted others by cursing someones ancestors or descendants were distasteful. If I were a scholar, I would probably write an essay on The Olden Day People and Their Accomplishments.'' Jiang Pengji did not look irritated, and she didnt show any indication that she was going to bother with the viewers. The viewers who were hurling abuse at her were getting more explicit in their insults. It was embarrassing to watch. It made her wonder who were they embarrassing: themselves or the intergalactic people? Were you expecting me to scold back? Jiang Pengji preferred settling things with her fists rather than with her mouth But of course, if the situation was nonviolent, then she would verbally provoke and abuse. The System presumed that if it were a living entity, Jiang Pengji would have strangled it to death. No. But I think you should still set some restrictions, the System decided. If the viewers accounts were restricted, they could still create new accounts and return for another round of insults. That was another way of gaining some popularity. Jiang Pengji quickly guessed what the System was up to. I cant believe that this little bit of activity is enough for you. I worry for your future. Anyway, wait a while. The best is yet to come. The System hesitated Something was not right. Dont tell me You plan to rip apart your own viewers? I want you to rip apart your stepmother, fathers concubine, siblings, relatives, and elders, not your own viewers! Jiang Pengji looked astonished and asked, Why would I do that? Do I look like someone who would do that? Chapter 29 - My Host Can’t Be That Violent (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengjis words were like used tissues that were thrown away. The debate on the screen grew more intense as some viewers defended the host while others made some intolerable criticisms. The fierce dispute, however, did not affect Jiang Pengji one bit. She even managed to spot with her sharp eyes some comments that said she should observe ancient furniture more closely. As a legitimate son, Liu Lanting had all kinds of resources from the family that were available to him. The study room usually belonged exclusively to her because Master Liu was rarely in the house, and her only illegitimate brother had to ask for her permission to borrow books. In that era, the difference between being legitimate and illegitimate was very significant. For some eminent houses, the status of illegitimate children was even lower than the status of servants. That was why she didnt need to show much concern about her brother bumping his head. A simple inquiry would be enough. No one assumed there was any kind of intimacy between the siblings. In the eastern yards sizeable study room, there were piles of bamboo manuscripts and bound books made out of bamboo paper on the shelves. Although Jiang Pengji did not know much about calligraphy, she could tell that the handwriting on the documents was done by a skilled artist. Books were indicators of a houses influence. The amount of bamboo paper, the most expensive kind from that time, the Liu family owned reflected their affluence. Then a bullet screen grabbed her attention. Yongyuan de Tiankong: An unneglectable bug. What dynasty is this? Has paper been invented yet? Paper? That reminded Jiang Pengji, and she felt the book once again with her thumb and pointing finger. It was much smoother than she expected. It was still rough according to her standards, but in this period, paper was more expensive than even gold because it was a new invention. According to Liu Lantings memories, other nobles used paper that was much coarser than this. Jiang Pengji smiled with surprise and curiosity. It seemed the house really was an unusual place. The number of viewers soared to almost a 1,000. Perhaps it was because of the active commentary in the channel, which was undoubtedly satisfactory for the System. Jiang Pengji could picture it smiling. Before long, an attendant called from outside the study room. Second Langjun, Madam Hu would like to see you. Madam Hu? Jiang Pengji frowned as she wondered why. The System was extremely thrilled. Oh my god! I am ready to record your first meeting! What an encounter this will be! Do not expect too much. It is probably about the servants. I want to talk to her too. Placing the books back onto the shelves, she walked to the door and told the attendant, Lead the way. We must not keep Madam Hu waiting. At that moment, some new bullet screens shot through the interface. Sheiren bu Xizao: [Laughed.] What the heck is Second Langjun? In what dynasty will they call that? I thought she said Second Langshen, the TV character, you know? Sheiren bu Xijiao: Haha, same here! I thought of the actor Da Biaoges noodle-like hair. Jiang Pengji was confused. Second Langshen was a name from an ancient myth, so she knew about him. But who was Da Biaoge with his noodle-like hair? Murui Huakai: Host, where do you find these ancient beauties? They are so elegant and much more breathtaking than the wax figures in museums! Can you zoom closer and find a better angle? Please, please, please! The request troubled Jiang Pengji. It just so happened that the attendant missed a step and lost her balance. She fell down as her body inclined forward. Without hesitation, Jiang Pengji took a few steps and quickly came up beside the girl. Watch out. While holding her slim waist with one hand and her thin, round shoulders with the other, Jiang Pengji turned smoothly to help both of them balance. Be careful next time. You may fall or even sprain your ankle. She freed her hands as soon as they regained their balance. Instead of scolding her, she expressed gentle care. Thank you Second Langjun. The attendant could barely utter a word because she had not expected the kind help, and she curtseyed at her. The quarreling bullet screens were soon covered by more comments. Murui Huakai: Screenshotted some pictures of the pretty girl for my PC and mobile wallpaper. That was so sweet. You are so lucky to hold her in your arms! Yongyuan de Tiankong: So sweet! I wish I were the host! Toudu Feiqiu: Haha, the girls response is not surprising at all! Bieqiang wo Erlou: This reminds me of all my girly fantasies! Host, can we be friends? It is nothing. Let us go to Madam Hu. I wonder why she asked for me. The attendant had always been impudent to Liu Lanting, but what had just happened made her feel different. She moved her head slightly towards Lanting. Second Langjun, the head servant and his family are complaining to Madam Hu, claiming that you abused them. Toudu Feiqiu: Wow, I dare say she is captivated by the hosts manly acts. Jiang Pengji wanted to smile too. Host V: Cute ladies should be handled with care. I cannot bear the sight of them frowning at pain. This caused another wave of bullet screens that said agree, wow, and so sweet to overtake the other comments. The comments, combined with the information that the attendant had given, put Jiang Pengji in a good mood. There were always suitable candidates that she could use to send a warning to the others, like the head servants family in this case. Toudu Feiqiu: Why do I have the feeling that the host is pulling the big gun? On the other side, Madam Hu, who had just started feeling better, wondered why Liu Lanting would be unhappy with her. If she could remember, it could explain why Lanting was giving her trouble before her father returned. Madame Hu took a sip of tea as she sat. Her face was white from being ill. The head servant was kneeling and crying before her with his family, eager to prove their loyalty for the Lius. They had carried out every instruction from their masters without delay. Additionally, they had given up the prospect of a better life by leaving the Lius territory with Master Liu, despite receiving opposition from his legitimate brother. They were devoted servants, and they never imagined that the young, rash Second Langjun would cast them away for some minor mistake, especially when he didnt have any proof. Chapter 30 - My Host Can’t Be That Violent (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio All these years, the couple had worked hard for the Liu family for the sake of their son. They had begged the head servant to create a position for him so he could slowly climb the ranks. They did not expect that the second Langjun would return and slander them. Furthermore, he had the insolence to suspect their loyalty! The head servant had not even stopped him but instead allowed him to continue. That was why the couple was complaining to Madam Hu. They hoped that she could do something for them. They did not mention outright how badly Jiang Pengji was behaving in case their plan backfired. Even though Madam Hu was a concubine, she still oversaw some matters in the Liu residence. With so much authority, why was she leaving all the decision-making to the second son? But if they bullied the second Langjun, it would be disrespectful to her. The couples dislike of the second Langjun was one thing, but they could not disrespect a Liu family member. That was why the couple only hinted at Liu Lantings wrongdoing. The couple had followed Master Liu since they were young. When Master Liu left for work, he left them behind to continue serving the Liu family. They were like Master Lius representatives in the household. But the second Langjuns actions made it seem as though he did not respect his father! The people had always observed the importance of filial piety from the Daxia dynasty to the Five Dynasties. It was especially important for officials families to demonstrate filial piety. A filial person might not become an official, but an unfilial one would definitely not be allowed into court. Upon hearing the couples complaint about Liu Lanting, Madam Hus expression turned serious as she straightened her posture. Now that the couples woes were being taken seriously, they began calming down. You sure know quite a bit Madam Hu sipped her tea. She did not have any makeup on, and her face looked plain. She lacked her usual dazzling beauty and imposing aura. Now, she wore an air of laziness and boredom. Sensing their opportunity, the couple tried to gain favor with the madam. Master Liu and Madam Hu sympathizes with us servants. Weve been working here for years, and the master has treated us kindly. But now it feels like weve been so badly wronged Madam Hus expression shifted, and she raised a well groomed brow. I am but a low concubine. I cant be compared to the late lady and the other lady in the east wing. The couple continued. Dont say that, madam. Back then, all the elders knew who the real childhood lovers were! The heavens created the perfect match And if the late lady hadnt sunk her claws in The husband bowed his head as he spoke. Madam Hu held an intricately embroidered silk fan before her face, and it shielded her from his depressed expression. A maid knelt outside the door and quietly called, Madam Hu, the second Langjun is here. Madam Hu subconsciously gripped the table by her side and said, Show him in. Because Madam Hu was Master Lius concubine, Jiang Pengji could not enter her room whenever she liked as she had done with her stepmother. Thankfully, Madam Hu and Liu Lanting had never interacted much. Therefore, it was unlikely that Madam Hu would discover Jiang Pengjis real identity. The maid opened the door, and Jiang Pengji headed straight for Madam Hus right side. Then she sat down and said, You were looking for me? Now she could clearly see Madam Hus appearance. Even for someone who had seen many beautiful girls, Jiang Pengji was rendered speechless for a moment by Madam Hus beauty. The madam did not have the look of a well-bred lady, which was highly sought-after in this era, but she was Jiang Pengjis type. She was enticing but not seductive, and she was very remarkable. She gave off a mature vibe that enchanted onlookers but also made her seem unapproachable. Her brows were well-groomed, and they made her look healthy. She had a mole under her right eye, and her eyes were half-lidded. Her lashes were thick, long, and slightly curled. To make a long description short, this lady was mature, beautiful, and had the air of royalty. Her beauty was something that young girls could not fake. Regardless of whatever era it was, if Jiang Pengji had been rendered speechless by Madam Hus beauty, then the audiences would be too. Yongyuan de Tiankong: Aaaaahhhh. What a pretty lady lick, lick, lick. Mums asking why my phone screen is so wet. Murui Huakai: Shes so gorgeous. I have a new lock screen image. Bieqiang Wo Erlou: Streamer! When I saw your dads concubine, I decided. Youre now my friend! User3216: Ahh. Pretty lady, Ive already spoiled a phone and computer with my licking. #perv. UserRey11: Thank you to that poster for educating us on this channel. This channel has so many pretty girls! It healed my face blindness! The streams screen was suddenly bursting with comments. Jiang Pengji did not pay much attention to the comments, but with her memory, she would remember even the smallest details. The System did not need to look at her to know that she was now much happier and more relaxed. System: I dont care if you flirt with girls. But this is a harem fight for a boy-girl romance. I do not support a side story between female lovers. Ill cry! Jiang Pengji mentally rolled her eyes. The System was cuter when it remained quiet. Everyone loves beauty, and this is just my hobby. What gave you the impression that I love girls? As Jiang Pengji chatted with the system, Madam Hu made a brief, hoarse sound. Where are you looking at? Actually, the languid Madam Hu had lost her focus for a moment too. Of course the madams momentary lapse was not because of Jiang Pengjis looks, but rather the way she walked. When Madam Hu first saw Jiang Pengjis silhouette through the translucent silk fan, she thought he was like an enemy stalking his way towards her. She hid her lapse of focus before anyone could notice, and Jiang Pengji had not been looking at her when it happened. Jiang Pengji gave her a warm smile and replied sweetly, Of course Im looking at you. Its been a while since we last saw each other. Those who were listening were bewildered. She was the Liu households son. What was she doing trying to seduce her fathers concubine? Jiang Pengji had dared to flirt with Madam Hu, but Madam Hu was aware of Liu Lantings true gender. Chapter 31 - My Host Can’t Be That Violent (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How strange it was that Madam Hu hadnt told anyone about her real identity, even though she knew about it! Because they only saw each other a few times a year, she and Liu Lanting were not particularly close. Although Madam Hu had never deliberately wronged Lanting, she was indifferent and never spoke more than 10 lines to her. Madame Hu had kept the secret, though, so perhaps she did not dislike Lanting as much as Lanting had thought. Madam Hu was curious after receiving the unexpected answer. Then what are your observations? Madam, you never seem to age with time. The years only added to your beauty in the same way that time enriches the taste of wine. Upon hearing Lantings reply, some gasped. Oh my god, you do not speak to your family member in that manner! they thought. Gripping a handkerchief shyly, Madam Hu laughed softly. Langjun, you almost made me believe in your sweet compliment. Any compliment for your beauty is truth, as it is manifest and unmistakable. Immersed in their conversation, they neglected the head servants family. Suddenly, Madam Hu asked Lanting what she thought about the mole near her eye. Without knowing why she had asked, Jiang Pengji spoke her mind. Half of your attractiveness is attributed to the mole. The room fell silent. She wondered if she had said something wrong. A viewer who knew about fortune telling explained through a bullet screen. Fengshui Xiansheng Gaotu: Host, that is a taboo. A mole near the eye symbolizes evil fortune that will affect her husband and son. Moreover, it suggests a possibility that she will be disloyal to her spouse. But Madam Hu gave Lanting a gorgeous smile. What an adorable flattery! You speak like your mother. Her mother? Did they know each other? It appeared as though their relationship was not as tense as others thought! As Jiang Pengji sat in contemplation, Madan Hu leaned on a table beside her and directed her gaze at the servants behind the folding screens. They say you ordered the housekeeper to send their son to the local affair office and that you also seized their valuables without permission. Is that true? As she changed the subject, Madam Hus countenance became cold again. It was as if the woman Lanting had just been speaking to was a different person. Jiang Pengji sat up straight. Yes. Are they here to bother you with the matter? You should have thought twice about it beforehand. Sending away your fathers old servants could be considered inappropriate. Her words seemed to ease the worries of the head servants family, and their faces expressed agreement. Should I be constrained by unfaithful servants? Just because my father trusts them does not mean they can make mistakes without paying the consequences. Madam Hu, what do you think is a better image for the family: being restrained by servants or discarding dishonest people from the house? In Hejian, the latter would be seen as a result of the housekeepers incapable monitoring, but the former could bring mockery to the family because it would show that their own servants did not respect them. Madam Hu lifted the corners of her lips. Inferior as these people are, we must follow the rules and present our evidence. Jiang Pengji was not used to this way of dealing with problems, and she took a deep breath. Where she came from, anyone who dared to ask her for proof would have been silenced by her violence. The servants had used up all her patience. If they had come for a more severe punishment, their hope would be fulfilled soon. Apparently, selling them to remote places was not enough to teach them a lesson. Housekeeper, look for a girl in the inner yards kitchen. I have no idea what she looks like, but it is very likely that she has asked for sick leave today. If she has not, she is probably working with low energy and unable to concentrate. Her description puzzled everyone except the head servants son. Jiang Pengji was the only one who noticed his quivering legs and tightly gripped hands. She looked at him with malice and snorted lightly. They asked for proof, so she would show them proof. And then she would give them the most severe punishment they deserved. As the housekeeper exited the room, Jiang Pengji slowly opened her fan, closed it, and then opened it again. On her face was a bloodthirsty smile. Inexplicably, no one sent a single bullet screen. The number of viewers had risen to almost 1,500, and over 300 of them had subscribed to the channel. Since subscribers received notifications every time her livestream started, they could become regular viewers who would help her accumulate popularity. The System was overjoyed by the subscriptions. Soon, the housekeeper returned. Behind him was a maid in a rough grey dress. Langjun, I have found the girl. He then kneeled and moved forward on his knees until he could whisper to Jiang Pengji. She was trying to commit suicide when we found her. Jiang Pengji though for a second and then asked Madam Hu, May I borrow your attendants? Certainly. Madam Hu was interested in her plan. However, what Jiang Pengji said afterwards incensed her. Check her body to find marks caused by a recent sexual assault Madam Hu interrupted Jiang Pengis order. The sound of her slamming a table resounded throughout the room. That is ridiculous! Jiang Pengjis instructions and the loud sound terrified the servant. After observing the servants reaction, people gulped as they realized what had happened, even though no evidence had been presented yet. A servant from the outer yard and a maid from the kitchen of the inner yard! No man except for the masters were allowed to enter the inner yard. The housekeeper himself was only allowed to enter when there were important issues, and even then, his actions were always be monitored and the time of his visits were restricted. Madam Hu sent servants to search for me yesterday, but these deceitful men went to brothels and gambling houses instead. After they returned at midnight, some snuck into the inner yard and assaulted the maids who were on duty The inner yard accommodates my mother, Madam Hu, and other sisters, and these people threatened their security! They should have never been tasked with saving Liu Lanting. After all they had done you still think I should not discard them, Madam Hu? The accusations startled the head servant and his wife, and a chill ran through their bodies as they saw their son panic. No, that maid She seduced me! I am innocent the servant immediately denied. He then reached the kneeling girl and pushed her away, as if that could conceal his wrongdoings. He would never risk his life and admit the crime! Ha! I suppose you entered the inner court for your mother. She was on duty, and you were going to ask for money so that you could go to the gambling house again, is that correct? Chapter 32 - My Host Can’t be That Violent (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji stood up and glared at the servant. You used your parents position in the Liu manor to get the night patrol to let you into the inner yard. You saw the night maid, knocked her out, and had your way with her! Underneath your sleeves there are the marks that she left behind in her struggle. How do you explain that? That servant took a step back and held onto his arms tightly. In that era, if a servant dared to force himself on anyone, the punishment would be carried out by the family. They could even be beaten to death. When the head servant brought the maid over, her condition was worse than what Jiang Pengji had imagined. The couple had not known what trouble their son had caused. He would most definitely be held down and beaten to death. The servants gaze turned feral when he saw his parents expressions. He looked around as he came to terms with what he had done and the punishment that awaited him. In a fit of rage, he yelled, Ill kill you! Jiang Pengji dodged him with ease, and the whole room plunged into chaos. No one expected him to attack his own master. When Jiang Pengji evaded him, he changed his target to Madam Hu. She was the perfect target because she was still weak and ill. Unfortunately for him, Jiang Pengji had predicted his moves. She opened her sandalwood fan and slapped it against his face. She then delivered a swift kick to the back of his knees, easily toppling him. She folded her fan and smacked him with it. She must have used all her strength; the force of the blow made him fall to the floor. A large welt started to swell from his temple to his nose, and one of his eyes began streaming with bloody tears. My fan is dirty. She threw the bloodstained fan on the floor next to the quivering mess that was wailing in pain. Finally, Jiang Pengji had the other servants restrain the servants parents. The room was dead silent, and even the streams screen was devoid of any comments. You searched their house right? Jiang Pengji asked the head servant. How much did they take from us? Deliver them to the magistrates office as per the law, but first make them drink the poison that will cause them to become mute. As for their son Jiang Pengji chuckled. Gather all the servants. Well let everyone know what it means to be beaten to death! According to the law, the moment the couple arrived at the magistrates office, they were as good as dead because the punishment for them would be death. The couple knew too much about the Liu family. If they did not drink the poison that would make them mute, they would not be allowed to leave. The tension in the room was so thick that it felt suffocating, but the head servant was used to it. He calmly replied, Langjun, we have completed the investigation. The head servant was embarrassed to find that the couple had been stealing so much from right under his nose. Langjun has really grown up. He can settle these matters and still remain calm. You must be startled. Jiang Pengji turned her attention to Madam Hu. Please remember to consult a physician and get a medication to calm your nerves. Madam Hu was startled by the turn of events. But she quickly regained her composure, and she brought her attention back to the silhouette on her silk fan. Jiang Pengjis voice quickly brought her back to reality. She lost interest in the situation and gave a low hum in reply before letting the maids escort her back to her room. The streams screen was now bursting with activity. The comments showed the viewers disbelief and suspicions. Some viewers even reprimanded Jiang Pengji for being too ruthless The more they commented, the more obvious it was that the viewers believed that the stream was real. Weisuo Yuwei: I truly believe that the host has gone back in time But as a modern person, where are your morals? You just destroyed a persons sight and now you want to beat him to death in front of everyone? Its too cruel! Most of the comments were similar in nature. They felt that Jiang Pengji was too cold and cruel. She smirked inwardly and let the System make her own font bold and large for the stream. Host V: Who said Im modern or from the same era as you? They wanted her to adhere to the morals and ethics set by their era? Jiang Pengji? The one who had been in an intergalactic war for 30 years and claimed the lives of millions? She had her own way of doing thingsas long as no one crossed her. And if they did? Too bad for them. Host V: Let me introduce myself. I am Jiang Pengji. Regimental Commander of Corps Seven of the Intergalactic Federation, General First Class. I may have been appointed Supreme Commander after my death. If I were to calculate my time based on your world, I would be someone from 10-20 thousand years after your time. She was tapping the ground rhythmically with her wooden clogs. Host V: This era is not the peaceful one youre used to. There are no human rights here. What you saw here will only become more common in the future. You and I are from two different generations. Meeting on this channel was fate. If youre curious and want to stay, I welcome you with open arms. If youre not happy, you can leave anytime. System: This was the worst host the System ever had, and she was probably the most self-important streamer the viewers had ever seen. The System was pissed. What you just did You will make everyone leave in anger. Jiang Pengji smirked and confidently declared, Dont worry. They wont. Well have more viewers. The System did not understand, and Jiang Pengji was too lazy to explain. A streamer from a few thousand years into the future was thrown into the past that had taken place a few thousand years ago? How could this not be a trick? the viewers thought. The System quickly regained its composure after it found that the number of viewers was reaching 2,000. Soon it would reach the 2,500 benchmark But why had no one given Jiang Pengji any lollipops? How old are you? Jiang Pengji took a red wooden plank from one of the servants and walked towards the maid who had been attacked by the servant. The maid wanted to hide, and if someone were not watching her, she would have taken her own life. Thirteen this year. Though the maid was 13, she looked like she was 15 or 16. Jiang Pengji handed the wooden plank over to the girl. The maid looked at it with confusion and fear. Jiang Pengji knelt down to her eye level and held the girls chin. Hes all tied up, and he cant move. You can hit him until he dies. If hes not dead when youre done, Ill let him live! The other servants had no idea what was happening, but when they Jiang Pengjis words, they all let out a collective gasp. Jiang Pengji did not care about the servants. She coldly asked the maid, Will you do it? The maids breaths were quick and shallow. Her eyes filled with hatred as she looked at the wooden plank in Jiang Pengjis hand. Suddenly she became composed. Thank you, Langjun! Chapter 33 - A Pixelated Chapter Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji laughed coldly as she looked at all the servants. Stay here and keep watch until he dies. Meanwhile, look nowhere else. And anyone who dares to say a word about what happened shall be beaten to death in the same way as this man. I will not point out those of you who were absent without permission yesterday, but they should ask for punishment later from the housekeeper. If they thought that having no adult man in the house gave them the freedom to disobey orders, they had better change their minds now after witnessing what had happened to the servant. The housekeeper sighed and reminded her in a low voice, Second Langjun, would this not be too An educated family like the Lius emphasized manners, forgiveness, and non-violence. The Langjun should leave the bloody punishment to the servants and avoid the scene. But as he thought of Liu Lantings mother, Lantings decision appeared more reasonable than he had originally thought. Perhaps the deceased lady had bequeathed her decisiveness to her daughter. Playing with her fan, Jiang Pengji replied slowly, By doing so, we can save the girl. Our maids are not forlorn orphans on the street. They are girls who have the right to condemn those who have mistreated them. I know you have spared no effort in running our household, but one is prone to make mistakes as he ages and his energy fades, especially when the Master is seldom present. How can we make sure the servants are all as loyal as you? Actions must be taken to intimidate them and also to remind them that the inner yard is strictly a private area. The head servants son liked to boast about himself. It was highly possible that he, while drunk, would someday tell others about how he had abused a maid in the inner yard. Bad news traveled fast. If the whole province knew about the incident, it would ruin all the females reputations in the house. Therefore, the man had to die. Still, the housekeeper was worried about her. People in Hejian would hear that the Second Langjun in the Liu family was a cruel teenager. The sun was mild, and it was a cool day. Yet the chill that the servants felt while watching the beating had nothing to do with the weather. The maid, so meager and tiny, raised the stick with all her power and hit the man again and again. When the servant tried to escape, she chased after him and beat him in his weakest parts. The repeated wham resonated in everyones hearts. There were also viewers behind the screen who could not bear the sight. Some who had a lower tolerance for bloodshed almost vomited. But the number of viewers continued to rise until it hit 3,000, and there were still quite a lot of people who were waiting to enter the channel. A level one host like Jiang Pengji could admit no more than 3,000 viewers. To expand the quota, she would have to ask the System to raise her host level by using her points of popularity. Proceeding to Level Two cost 100,000 points, however, and she only had 1,532 at the moment. The housekeeper felt ashamed. I must have disappointed my master. Second Langjun, your reputation If he had noticed the servants behavior earlier and taken preventative measures, his Langjun would not have needed to solve the problem in such an extreme way. Jiang Pengji was not worried at all. It does not matter. Instead of criticizing me, people may even approve of my resolution to correct the servants. In fact, the noble families would be more concerned if she had not handled the situation in such a manner. If Lanting failed to intimidate his own servants or was affected by their unreasonable demands and claims, the noble families would doubt whether their daughters had actually been protected during the kidnapping. It took more than an hour for the head servants son to die. Those in the room and those behind the screen watched the entire process. The floor was tinted with blood and was scattered with the white remains of his brain, pieces of broken bones, and bits of muscle. No one uttered a sound. Then a few servants felt warmth running down their thighs. They had urinated out of fear. They had all made mistakes and were afraid of dying in the same way. The audience felt that their moral values were different from those of the host. Jiang Pengji leisurely walked in her wooden sandals and took the stick from the maid. Jiang Pengji held her hands as if nothing had happened and comforted her. Bathe later with the medicine prepared for you, or you will be unable to move your hands tomorrow. Look at these hands! They are slim and weak, yet they can take revenge for their master, can they not? Remember what happened just now, and do the same to those who mistreat you in the future. You must live to release your hate not die to hide the harm that others have done to you. Maids in our house should have the power to fight back. All this time, the girl had been running on her anger and agitation, but her feelings vanished as soon as she heard Jiang Pengjis words. She fell on the ground and cried silently as her shoulders trembled. Sighing gently, Jiang Pengji had the corpse cleared away and investigated the other servants one by one. In the western inner yard, Madam Hu, who had just woken up from a nap, was surprised by her attendants report. Second Langjun had the servant beaten to death? As she sat up straight, the attendant swiftly moved a table near her so that she could lean on it comfortably. And she allowed the maid to do it? Recalling the scene, the attendant shivered. Yes. The girl took the stick from our Langjun. It was unbelievable that a girl who was shorter than the stick could kill a man with it. Madam Hu did not feel the same. It was predictable. Women will do anything to avenge themselves and their loved ones. Submissiveness is not all we have. We can also be fueled by extreme hate She also added, Our Langjuns temperament is more similar to her mothers than her fathers. When Master Liu was young, he was the most handsome boy. He had a mild temper and a pleasing manner that lifted everyones spirits. However, his heart was sometimes dark and cunning like ink, though outwardly he looked as white as snow. He tended to resolve problems with words because he was reluctant to make any unnecessary physical moves. Liu Lantings mother, however, did not hide her arrogance. Unlike the other noble ladies, she could be fiery, though she always maintained the elegance of nobility. Additionally, no one ever understood the peculiar items she loved to make during her leisure times. The daughter seemed to have both of her parents qualities. She had a face that resembled her father and a violent temperament like her mother. And she is cleverer than her mother. Madam Hu sipped her tea. Without Master Liu to clean up her messes, Liu Lanting had become more independent than her mother. The attendant remained confused. Madam, will the incident not affect Langjuns name? Madam Hu smiled coolly. As a legitimate son of our house, she can deviate from the rules set for ordinary girls. As the saying goes, Shrewdness and courage make a man. It disgusts me to see timid langjuns who wear makeup and flowers and take drugs all day. Chapter 34 - Family School of the Lius (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The maid had not dared to say anything. Though she had served the madam for many years, she still did not know the madams temperament. It would be inaccurate to say that the madam loved Liu Lanting, for she always kept her distance from him Liu Lanting was the late ladys only son, so it made sense why Madam Hu didnt particularly like him. After all, she had become Master Lius concubine through much of her own effort and cunning. But it would also be inaccurate to say that Madam Hu hated the second Langjun. The madam had continued managing the late ladys textile workshops after she passed away, and there was a steady increase in profits under her supervision. But the madam did not try to claim the earnings as her own She was just managing the businesses until the second Langjun could take over. Additionally, when she heard the news that the second Langjun had been kidnapped, she fainted from worry. If the maid were to be honest, she really had no idea what was going on in the Liu house. Madam Hus maid did not understand the inner workings of the Liu household and neither did Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji had planned to lock herself away in the study room and browse through all the books to get a better understanding of this era. With her excellent memory, she should be able to get a hold of things quickly. Although the study was filled with books, most were actually made from heavy bamboo slips. She had not been reading for long when a maid by the name of Taxue quietly informed her that she was delivering that months supplies. Supplies? Jiang Pengji searched Liu Lantings memories and faintly understood that the maid was referring to pocket money. But when she took a good look at the items that were being placed in her room, she realized that she had misunderstood. The supplies that the maid brought were not coins. They were actually supplies for a student: calligraphy tools, cloth for making clothes, fur, boxes of incense, fancy stationery, and five hundred sheets of paper made from young bamboo Jiang Pengji was astounded that Liu Lanting could easily get five hundred sheets of paper per month in an era where paper was more expensive than gold. This months paper feels different, Jiang Pengji observed. According to the workshop owner, the paper craftsman made some tweaks to improve the quality of the paper. The texture is now smoother to the touch, Taxue said. Jiang Pengji went over to the shelf and felt the older books. The new papers were much better. But that was not what was on her mind. Paper-making was new in this era. The paper from this era was usually poor quality, and not many people were able to use it. It was rare to be able to afford good paper, and its value was more than gold. Jiang Pengji found something in Liu Lantings memories. The children from another family only had about 50 pages of poor quality paper, but even that was considered extravagant because most people still wrote on bamboo slips. Yet Liu Lanting could afford to write on the best quality paper? Unless A plan started to form in Jiang Pengjis mind. It must not be easy for the workshop to make paper. And to send 500 sheets to the house every month seems excessive. Taxue didnt know that she was being tested, so she replied, The late lady left the workshop to you. As long as you need paper, the workshop will deliver it to you Even if that means they cant sell to anyone else. Why should you cut down on your usage for the benefit of others? Paper workshop As expected Jiang Pengjis head throbbed. Taxue glanced at Jiang Pengji and inwardly sighed in relief when she saw that the Langjuns expression was still relaxed. Everyone in the house knew that the Langjun had sentenced a servant to death. In the past, Liu Lanting did not have much of a presence in the house. His personality was weak and garnered no respect. But the new Liu Lanting was a man of his word, and none of the servants would dare to cross him now. The workshops owner had delivered the papers for that month two days earlier. He had also given her something as a small favor, hoping that she would say something good about him to Liu Lanting. The owner had a lucrative post and did not want to lose the job. The workshop was only average-sized, so it had its limits when it came to producing paper. The amount of paper the noble families consumed every year was immeasurable. Merchants and nobles had to fight to place their orders. If they were even a moment too late, they would not be able to get paper, no matter how much money they offered. Therefore, it was common to bribe the owner in order to get the amount of paper they wanted for that year. It looks like the owner gave you something nice in order to say good things about him. Jiang Pengji looked at Taxues right sleeve where she hid her hand. The maid paled. Being a woman isnt easy Dont worry. As long as the owner doesnt go overboard with his favors, you can keep them. My maids deserve preferential treatment. If you truly did not want her to worry, the System silently rebutted, You wouldnt be so direct with your words. Jiang Pengji had gotten the information she wanted. She was pretty sure the identity of Liu Lantings mother was suspicious. Yongyuan de Tiankong: Hahaha Why does it feel like there are other time travelers besides the host? Murui Huakai: Eh? Really? Maybe the host can have a historical reconnection with her family. User3216: The one above is too naive. There is no knowing what is in a mans heart. It might not be productive to connect with her family. Host, be careful that you dont get backstabbed. UserRey11: Why do I feel like theres another time traveler? Youd be considered merciful if you dont stab the other time traveler first. #picksnose Toudu Feiqiu: Agree @Rey11. Streamer combat power max. As Jiang Pengji thought and read the comments for clues, Taxues voice sounded in her ears. Are you still going to the family school tomorrow? Taxue tidied up the study supplies and sorted them into their different storage boxes. Master Wei sent a messenger yesterday. He still hasnt fully recovered from his cold and needs three to five days more days of rest. He doesnt want to spread the cold to you. Liu Lantings private tutor had already taken a three-day leave for his cold, and he still had not recovered. Family school? Jiang Pengji frowned and sifted through Liu Lantings memories. It seemed like a normal school for children. But in her memories, Liu Lanting hated going there. She had spent most of her time with a private tutor in the house. Jiang Pengji had originally not planned on going to the lessons, but the stream had quite a few comments requesting to see how schools in the olden days worked. She swallowed and replied, Ill go tomorrow. Its been a while since Ive been there, and I have no idea what its like now. Taxue, ask the head servant to prepare some money and give it for Master Wei for his cold. Chapter 35 - Family School of the Liu’s Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Education was costly in every era. Although the Liu family was respected, not all of its members were wealthy enough to afford schooling for their children. Some of them could hardly cover the cost even after reducing their daily expenses to the bare minimum. The more children they had, the heavier their burden became. They spent most of their income on daily necessities, so they did not have much left over to pay for their childrens school fees. The Liu family therefore established a family school to provide education for the children in the family. It also helped to alleviate the financial difficulties and improve the quality of life for poorer Liu members. The whole family contributed to the teachers salaries, and the children received two free meals, which they could take home if they did not finish them. Additionally, each student was given a set of materials every month, which included clean calligraphy brushes, new ink sticks, and bamboo slips. Ordinary people, however, had fewer opportunities to obtain a quality education, and this prevented them from becoming officials and prospering in their career paths. The poor families could hardly afford schooling, but noble and eminent families like the Lius distributed much of their fortune and resources to education. By nurturing the children in their family, the children felt a greater sense of loyalty towards the house, and they in turn would be more likely to contribute to the schooling needs of later generations. The rise and continuity of a polished family depended on this cycle. With Liu Lantings knowledge, it was not difficult for Jiang Pengji to recognize ancient characters and read. However, writing was a huge problem. Why cant all these brushes and clothing be more user-friendly? She focused on her hand, yet she could not handle the brush at all! After several attempts that had resulted in weird drawings, she threw the brush away and burned what she had written. Now that they finally found her shortcoming, the audience seized the chance to laugh at her. Bullet screens blocked her sight. Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: (smirking face) When a window is opened, a door is closed. Mofashaonu Afeng: You can beg me to teach you, he-he! Host V: No way! I should not have agreed to go to the bloody family school! mumbled Jiang Pengji. Noticing the noise, Taxue came to the entrance and asked, Second Langjun, how may I help you? Oh, I am fine. I just dropped a brush. She tightened her lips and stared at the brush on the floor. The viewers pleasure at her misfortune persisted, and she sighed, bent over, and picked up the brush. One of the viewers copied and pasted a long paragraph about how to use a calligraphy brush. Jiang Pengji frowned, trying to apply the viewers tips in combination with Liu Lantings skills. She imitated Liu Lantings writing again with trembling hands. Although she could access Liu Lantings memories, they were only supplementary aids that did not affect her own temperament or mood. Therefore, she acted on her own will most of the time and was obviously a different person from the Liu Lanting others had known. Those who had been close to her would easily be able to tell the difference. She did not bother to save the bamboo paper; it was the most abundant material in the room. Every month, Liu Lanting had been able to use up to 50 pieces out of the 500 sheets she was given. The unused paper had gradually accumulated to a few boxes as time. Writing with the soft brush was challenging at first, for it demanded concentration and attention to detail. One careless move from a finger could ruin the entire character. After practicing how to delicately control her arms and fingers, however, Jiang Pengji began to get better at it. Soon she was imitating Liu Lantings writing. She had been able to practice using Liu Lantings memories, but the audience was still awed by her rapid progress. She was such a quick learner; she could quit her job of hosting livestreams if she wanted! Some who had practiced calligraphy for years often spoke about how arduous their learning was and how their arms and wrists became swollen because of it. The viewers thought that the speed at which Jiang Penji learned calligraphy was unbelievable. After understanding how to produce good calligraphy, Jiang Pengji developed a habit of consistent practice. She would look at the sky to see what time it was, and then she would move a heap of bamboo slips and cut paper on the desk so she could copy characters. Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: I am not illiterate, but I cannot figure out what the host is writing Pijing Zhanji: I recognize a bit. She is copying The Analects by Confucius Books were luxuries in ancient times. Apparently, the hosts family is very wealthy and has a high social status. That is why they can afford to have a copy of The Analects. Suddenly, Jiang Pengji rejoined the chat as she was writing. Host V: Yes, the family is quite well off. If they had they been commoners, my show would have been about teaching you how to kill with your bare hands or how to survive in the mountains. Jianluo Zhenshanhe: (Laughed.) I can understand the latter part, but what about the killing? Host V: This is an ancient period in which many bandits hide outside Hejian, although the province itself is a relatively safe place. The outlaws rob merchants who are passing by. Without doubt, women who travel alone also fall prey to them. That was why she had decided to end the bandits lives. If they had changed locations, she would have died at the village. Why ask them for mercy when they considered the ladies as nothing but tools to satisfy their desire? What would have been the point of pleading? Her mind and hands were the only things that saved her in that situation. Host V: There were only two options. One: I could have given them what they wanted and perhaps lived a little longer if I had a baby, who would also have become an outlaw when he grew up. Two: I could hold up a blade and prevent the misery from the beginning. Her brush stopped for a second and then touched the sheet with its tip. Her demeanor softened. Host V: I know you may find some scenes unacceptable, but you are just outsiders who choose to watch the video as you wish. As a participant of this world, I had no choice. The audience could quit the channel anytime, but she had to rely on herself to survive. Pleasing the viewers was never her priority. After copying the contents of the bamboo slip rolls, Jiang Pengji was ready to try out Liu Lantings other skills. That was when the System, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke to her. My Host, do you need speedy learning? Chapter 36 - A Different Streaming Mode Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Speed learning? Jiang Pengji frowned. System: Its like a skill book that allows you to learn something fast. The System Mall has just gone live. Jiang Pengji saw a few blinking icons on the side of the large stream screen. She had been wary of the System and therefore had not tried exploring the different features and functions. When she opened the Mall, it switched over to a new interface that displayed different item icons: Chinese lute, chess, book, painting, embroidery, tailoring, the art of tea, swordsmanship, kitchen skills, legwork, horsemanship Each skill had four additional tags after it: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master. Each level required different amounts of popularity; the highest Master level required a huge volume of viewers! Fortunately, the Beginner level only required 1,000 popularity points. With what she had earned so far, she could redeem one Beginner level skill. Jiang Pengji frowned. If she redeemed those skills, would that mean she would be a beginner at them? System: I saw that you were having difficulty learning the old ways, so I used my own funds to open the System Mall function for you. If the System had a face, Jiang Pengji was sure it would be looking smug. I see you have been coveting my accounts popularity points. Jiang Pengji laughed in spite of herself. The System could not deny it. The popularity points were like real gold and silver to it. After looking at the range of tempting items, Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and closed the Mall window. I think calligraphy is interesting. I should practice it. You can continue envying my accounts popularity points. System: !$%# I should keep the points for a rainy day instead of spending them now. I might need to use the points for something even better in the future, Jiang Pengji replied. The System hmphed. You dont have to be so frugal. As long as you stream every day and have 3,000 or more viewers, you can earn at least 1,500 points. That could buy one skill book. You dont have to go through such trouble just to learn. And if you get a really rich viewer, you could quickly earn even more points. Jiang Pengji totally saw through the System. Youre still trying to lure me with promises. You want me to stream, but the number of viewers seems to be at a limit of 3,000 Hey, dont tell me I need to increase that limit with points Youre wise, the System exclaimed excitedly. A rank one streamer needs 10,000 points to reach rank two. If Jiang Pengjis streamer rank was higher, her channel would allow more viewers to watch, and that would mean more popularity. Jiang Pengji secretly rubbed her brows. This Systems methods are too complicated. I can only use points to increase my rank? Not really, the System replied after some careful thought. Theres another method. But it depends on some factors. As a perfect dimensional streaming system, it contained a variety of interesting functions and features in addition to streaming. Jiang Pengji was intrigued. Whats the other method? The System has four different streaming modes. One is freestyle, which is what youre doing now. You stream whatever you want. The second type is interaction. You create a poll and let the audience vote for the content they want to watch. After your stream, you can receive gold, silver, or bronze chests based on your audiences satisfaction. You get random rewards when you open a chest, and one of those rewards is a card that allows you to raise your rank for free. Jiang Pengji nodded her head, signifying to the System that it should continue with its explanation. The third is also interaction, but the audience chooses and starts a poll on the type of stream they want to watch. The content has to be entertaining, but it has to adhere to the rules The rewards are random, and you can also get a rank card from the chests. The last one is a specific stream mode. A rich audience sets the stream content. After youre done streaming, youll get the reward that the audience has set and a gold chest. The System sounded like it was about to drool. You can delete the last one that lacks moral integrity. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. The System replied, Who said that it lacks integrity? My previous host loved that mode. Obviously Im not your previous host. Jiang Pengji sneered. You cant be sure that you wont like it. Why not try it out first? The System was trying to bargain. I think a really rich person would like that kind of spending Start a task every day and give out some money like bait Using this method to train the host into the type they like Tell me, how is this different from training a dog? The System was stuck. Its host was about to flip out, and it hurriedly tried to salvage the situation. My darling host, please dont be angry! These modes were preset before my time, and Im just informing you about them. And these modes require your agreement too! We wont force you if you dont want to! The System felt like crying. It was so unlucky to have such a troublesome host. Anything could set her off, and she was always scowling The System wanted human rights and fair treatment! Jiang Pengji and the System had only been in contact for two days, but the System felt like two years had passed. How am I to survive this! Whatever the System was thinking, Jiang Pengji was too lazy to care. She went to sleep had a good, dreamless rest. The next day, Jiang Pengji started streaming as she rode the horse carriage to school. The channel gradually filled up with viewers. Most of the viewers followed the channel, so they received notifications the moment she started streaming. Host V: Morning, everyone (*^__^*) After Jiang Pengji sent her morning greeting, the viewers returned with their various greetings from their timezones. Without further ado, she started asking the viewers for their suggestions. Host V: What sort of content do you want to watch? Toudu Feiqiu: You should learn the Chinese lute, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Let me follow you and learn something Then I can go show off a little. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: How about reading? I wonder what the stories from the olden days are like. Will there be stories about overbearing scholars falling in love with me, or overbearing young masters falling in love with me, or overbearing teachers falling in love with me? I dont mind those hahaha. Fenhai Kuangqu: Visit brothels, have a drinking party with some female entertainers, and enjoy your time with a famous courtesan. And then with the girlshehehe Jiang Pengji: Did that last young man know how dangerous his thoughts were? But Jiang Pengji quite liked that suggestion. Chapter 37 - Large Mosquitos in Spring Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Liu family school was very different from what Jiang Pengji had imagined. There were no more than 30 pupils, and their ages ranged from three to 15. It reminded her of her own school life. Dazhuangzu Furen: This is what schools looked like during the ancient times? The conditions seem poor, and there are not many children. I wonder what the teacher is like. Fenhai Kuangju: This was the best they had at that time. The cost of education was exorbitant because of low literacy rates and an insufficient number of instructors. The family school provided most things that one could hope for in that era. After all, the main expenditures were covered by the house. The costs of teachers and learning materials were unaffordable for most people. Jiang Pengji sat down and took out paper that Taxue and Xunmei, close attendants of hers, had cut to a suitable size. As she prepared ink on her desk before the teacher arrived, the other pupils wasted no time fixing what they done the day before. Mofashaonu Afeng: Haha. It feels like students in every century need to study by themselves before class in the morning. Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: That is right! It is no different from us. Jiang Pengji attracted attention from the other students. She chose to sit in the back of the room even though the best seats were in the front row. Her materials were also different from the other students. While they used heavy, bulky rolls of bamboo slips, she wrote on bamboo paper that was scarce and pricey. It agitated the children to see her bad handwriting ruining the lavish paper. At last someone spoke all of their thoughts. Ha-ha, Cousin Xi! I have not seen you in a year! Yet your calligraphy is as ugly as its always been. Jiang Pengji looked up at the speaker who was casting a shadow over her desk. It was her cousin, the legitimate son of Master Lius illegitimate younger brother. She understood now from Liu Lantings memories why she never liked the family school. She would feel the same if she had experienced the unhappy events that took place there. Liu Lanting had stayed in the family school until she was eight years old; after that, she began learning at home. Between the ages of four to eight, Lanting became more and more introverted. Her fear of interacting with others deepened, and she could not look at others without uncertainty and anxiety because of the bullying that had happened at family school. It seemed as though the kids were born with an instinct to flatter their superiors and bully the weak. Liu Lanting was an easy target because of her small figure and shyness. Her cheeks blushed when she talked to others, and her timidity assured the bullies that she would not dare tell anyone what they did to her. Although they belonged to the same house, some children from poorer backgrounds envied the variety of her clothes and the quality of her writing supplies, and they took their jealousy out on her. They bullied her by mocking and excluding her from their circle of friends. But because Liu Lanting was too young at that time, she did not understand their sneers and taunts. Her unaffected manner irritated her peers, and the situation gradually worsened. At first they took away her tools. Then they began verbally insulting her, saying that she would be abandoned as soon as her stepmother had her own children. In the end there was violence, which involved pushing Liu Lanting into a pond near the school, causing her to injure her forehead. When her stepmother learned about the incident, she hurried to the school and criticized the teachers and parents. To express her disappointment at the family, she withdrew all the subsidies that she had given for purchasing brushes and ink sticks. The quality materials had been ordered from a shop that had become her property when she married Master Liu. To regain the benefits, the parents of the bullies visited Liu Lantings house to express their apologies. Jiang Pengji thought that being poor or ignorant was never an excuse to hurt others. After searching through Lantings memories, she recognized the cousin who had approached her. He was one of the bullies, and Liu Lanting only saw him at festivals such as the one on the New Year. And what did just he say? Was he laughing at her handwriting? Toudu Feiqiu: (Laughed.) Host, how do you feel about your writing being mocked? Baihe Saigao: She must be thinking, you dumb ass! I have just practiced for a few hours, what about you?'' Jiang Pengji glimpsed at the livestream interface, which made it seem like she was ignoring the cousin. To retaliate, he sat in front of her with his legs placed comfortably straight before him. This was a very disrespectful way to sit during the ancient times. He was excited about humiliating his Cousin Xi again. He added, You should have work hard at home with your teacher. Read more, play less. How angry will your father be when he sees your handwriting and finds out you have neglected your studies! She examined him and then replied slowly, I will be fine. My father may even praise me after visiting you, for judgment is often the result of comparison. Huh? What did she mean? Both the cousin and the audience were perplexed. My cousin, she continued slowly. Mosquitoes in the third month are not that large. Mosquitoes? The cousin did not understand until his eyes followed Jiang Pengjis gaze. His face immediately reddened, and he awkwardly pulled up his collar as he gawked at her with anger and embarrassment. I bet your companion loves your handsome face, she said mischievously. You had better ask for sick leave if you are not feeling well today. It is not polite to move your thighs restlessly as you sit, let alone to sit with your legs straight. As she finished her sentence, the instructor arrived. The cousin was too surprised to change his pose on the floor, and the sight incensed the teacher, who almost blew away his beard out of indignation. You impudent fool! Ma Master? Jiang Pengji took out her bamboo slip rolls as if nothing had happened. Sometimes she browsed through the bullet screens during the lesson. Baihe Saigao: Can somebody explain what happened just now? All I saw was the teen coming to mock the host, and then he was lectured by the master Wow, I never imagined that ancient scholars would have such a sharp tongue! Chapter 38 - Most Likely the Wrong Gender Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio That was not the only stumped viewer. Soon there were many comments with expletives flying across the screen. Jiang Pengji inwardly laughed when she saw the comments. That teacher was infamous for being strict. The fussy, elderly teacher was all about courtesy and postures. If your sitting posture was even slightly off, he would correct it. For the cousin, who was considered an adult in this era, to have behaved so poorly was an abomination. It was not just the olden days in which ones posture and image was important. Even in the modern or the future world, a child would be reprimanded by his elders if he were caught being undignified. Toudu Feiqiu: Hahaha I got it. That kid probably experienced something last night, and the host let him go home to rest. Well, he did experience something. But his night had not been spent with a girl, but with a respectable man. Jiang Pengji was very sensitive to smells. When her cousin was near, she detected another persons scent on him. He must have been intimate with this person for a long time. She recognized the other persons scent on him. It belonged to the page boy who served him. His throat also had a small hickey, and he was walking a little funny Jiang Pengji tsked with emotion. Kids from the olden days were so much more open-minded. Wutian: I got it! This was totally what I just said. An experienced gay guy preying on the younger ones hahaha. Jiang Pengji laughed as she read the dirty comments. Bawo De Pao Nalai: Eh, if its just a joke thats ok. If its real, that feels gross. Jiang Pengji was pretty open-minded when it came to homosexuality. In her world, same-sex marriage was legal. Host V: Its not gross. In this time and age, its a sort of beautiful bro-mance. Its common to see a man with a concubine and gay partner in his arms while they talk about their romance or poetry. Jiang Pengji had searched through Liu Lantings memories and found that this was true for the time period she was in. Men thought that being fair and slim was beautiful. It was normal for men to apply makeup and wear bright colors. In some extreme cases, men would not leave their rooms without applying makeup. Bawo De Pao Nalai: But In this world, once youre of age, you have to marry. If men ended up being gay Would they not get married? In the modern era, it was common for gay men to have wives. If a wife found out about her husbands secret, she could just divorce him. But that couldnt happen in the olden days, could it? Even if the wife felt disgusted, she would have to tolerate it for the rest of her life. Jiang Pengji had never thought about this problem before. In her mind, there was no such concept as marriage. She rolled her eyes and thought of a good reply for her viewers. Host V: No matter how dainty and pretty a guy is, their gender is still wrong for me. No interest there. Silence Then a System message indicated that Baihe Saigao had given her 520 Hearts. Hearts and Lollipops had the same value; the only difference was their icons. Toudu Feiqiu: Im fired up! I love this frank and savage side of you. A System message indicated that Toudu Feiqiu gave Jiang Pengji 520 Hearts. Within mere moments, the number of System messages about Hearts and Lollipops flooded the screen. Jiang Pengji: Jiang Pengji felt like there was a generation gap between her and the people from the olden days, and she also felt a gap between herself and the viewers. Had she said something that triggered her audience? She was quite dumbfounded by the sudden number of virtual gifts. The System hid its excitement and poked Jiang Pengji. Do you see now? See what? Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. You need to be relatable to your audience in order to get gifts. Once a viewer starts gifting you, the others will follow So do you want me to be your ghost user? I can occasionally give you rewards and get the ball rolling. Jiang Pengji rejected the Systems offer with vehemence. No. The System was pissed. When will its host be a proper streamer? These were all methods used by other streamers, and they did not consider it fraudulent. It was a small investment on the Systems part in exchange for more benefits. Why would Jiang Pengji reject that? No matter how talented a streamer was, they would still need some help to create hype. How else would the rich viewers learn of the streamers existence? If it were not for ghost viewers creating hype and splurging on the streamer, how would any streamer have rich viewers? The ghost viewers splurged by giving the streamer Hearts and Lollipops, which caused other viewers to be competitive and give more rewards to the streamer. As Jiang Pengji chatted with the System, she was caught by the teacher. Liu Xi, repeat what I had just said. The elderly teacher wore a strict expression. If it were anybody else, he would have reprimanded the student for not paying attention. But he did not have the heart to do that to Liu Lanting. Lanting was currently the talk of Hejian, the one who had been kidnapped by bandits two days ago. Jiang Pengji stood up and recited everything the teacher had said. The elderly scholar stroked his beard happily. He asked, So, what are your views on this? There are some people who were born to study, but Jiang Pengji had a perfect memory with top-notch analytical skills. When she memorized something, she could understand it at the same time. The other students had high expectations of Liu Lanting, Liu Shes only son. The literary work the elderly scholar had just been talking about was called The Three Noble Families North of Xinjiang: Reconciliation Through Enticement, or Strike Back by Terrorizing?. It was written by one of the renowned scholars of the time. The content of the essay was interesting and had nothing to do with romance. The main topic was about the hidden danger in Dongxings northern borders. The author of the literary work felt that the three noble families and Dongxing had suffered many losses. The borders had taken the worst of the hit. People there had no means of livelihood, and they were exhausted. The three families were currently talking about peace, and they were hinting that they would marry their daughters into Dongxing. Why not take advantage of the situation? If Dongxing accepted the peace treaty, both parties could finally cease the battles and let their people rest. However, a peace treaty could only be agreed upon when one side was defeated. We arent from the same place; therefore our ideology would be different. The three families are greedy. Would that go away with such small favors? Without a real victor, who would want to have talks about peace? Jiang Pengji gave a sardonic smile and continued, Dongxing and the three families have been in a deadlock at the borders for a few years without a real victor. If there are any plans to agree on a peace treaty, what would come of the sacrifices that were made in the battle? This is a bad strategy that would only help the enemy and damage ourselves. And that renowned scholar who dared talk about the peace treaty should be punished. The elderly scholars gentle expression swiftly turned stiff. He did not expect Jiang Pengji to criticize the renowned scholars work. The other students became restless. They were just discussing that essay and had mildly given their own views. No one was partial to advocating for war, but they were not partial to the peace treaty either. All the students had their own reasons for their views, but none had dared to pick a side. Chapter 39 - My History Lessons Can’t Help Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji picked up a bamboo slip roll as though she had not seen the disapproval on the instructors face and quickly scanned through it. I read an interesting story yesterday. It was about how Master Yuanjing rode to the distant northern border eight years ago on his own to defend three of our cities there. The story reminded the teacher of something, and his face whitened. Bang! She threw the roll on the floor and spoke loudly. Peace? There will be no peace with the tribes before we get our three cities back! Have you all forgotten how they annexed six of our places on the border 12 years ago? They killed a hundred million civilians just as Dongqing lost its former king. The beginning of our current kings reign created an unstable political situation, and that was a golden opportunity for enemies to invade our territories. The three-year war slaughtered numerous soldiers, and none of the six cities were won back. To come up with a ceasefire, our court had to surrender three more cities. We also became a subordinate nation to barbarians and had to offer valuables annually to show our respect and loyalty.'' The patriotic scholars would remember the humiliating past throughout their entire lives. Many of them had even risked their lives to change the kings mind about accepting the conditions. In the end, Master Yuanjing convinced the tribes and gained back three cities from their hand. We do not know how he did it, but it was with great effort. And have you forgotten how people in the other three cities are still under the rule of the savages? They are called lambs with two legs and the cheapest beings out of their nine social ranks! The three cities were the reason for the continuous disputes between Dongqing and the three tribes over the years. If we agree to peace now, we will never get the three cities back. Who does that scholar think he is? And he talked about giving up the territories with his meaningless, stupid words! Peace? There would be no peace before they took back what belonged to them. What was more ridiculous was the writers belief that a Dongqing princess could teach the savages about manners and benevolence if she married one of their leaders. Why didnt he try it out first by sending away one of his own daughters? Sacrifice was necessary for such a lofty mission, wasnt it? Well, another important factor was the four major ethnic groups in the south. Yesterday she had learned from the map in the study room that Dongqing, one of the five kingdoms, was in a complicated location. Because it bordered three tribes in the north and four in the south, the court had to crush the barbarians as soon as possible. Otherwise, those aggressive creatures, who were resilient like bugs, would quickly regain their strength. Eradicating them then would be almost impossible. We must not give them the chance to recover by agreeing to a ceasefire. That will only increase our threat. Imagine when the northern and southern groups form an alliance to attack us That would be checkmate, no doubt! Nonsense! The four southern tribes are too busy fighting with the kingdom Nansheng to declare war on us! You mean the present war? Jiang Pengji smiled at the chap who disagreed. Nansheng will lose before long. The five main kingdoms at that time were Dongqing in the east, Nansheng in the south, Xiqiang in the west, Beiyuan in the north, and Zhongzhao in the middle. Dongqing was mediocre, but Nansheng had won a number of battles against the fourth southern tribes during the last two months. But that would not last long. Dazhuangzhu Furen: Urgh! My history lessons cannot help! This era does not exist in our history! Quer: I thought I knew something about the period. Sad. Baoyibao Jugaogao: This is probably a dimension with an alternate history. We can see some similar traits. Chanshiguan: Anyway, things are not the same now. But being in an unknown time is more exciting, right? Or else we would all be able to tell what happens next. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Am I the only one who is intrigued by the mysterious Master Yuanji? Ha! Why are you so sure about Nanshengs defeat? Although the Nansheng kingdom was not allies with Dongqing, the savages in the south were their common enemies. Nansheng and Donqing both originated from one of the earliest civilizations in the world, and the area where their ancestors came from was now part of Zhongzhao. Because there are too many foolish men like you. Jiang Pengji kept her back straight the entire time. When she lifted her chin and lowered her eyelids a bit, she intimidated people as if she were an empress looking down on her subjects. Let us see. Nansheng can withstand no longer than two months. And its defeat would cost more than conceding three cities and sending away a princess. Despite her timidity, Liu Lanting had always hated the restraints that her gender imposed on her. She loved to read about the world and its politics. Sometimes she even disguised herself so she could enter taverns, where the exchanging of news and hearsay was most active, so she could keep herself updated. From Lantings memories, Jiang Pengji understood that Nansheng was in danger. She became more certain of this after looking at the map by chance and reading over Liu Lantings notes that she had written down every time she returned from the taverns. But in Jiang Pengjis opinion, Dongqing was also heading towards a dangerous situation. According to the information that Liu Lanting had collected, a peace agreement would result in a disastrous military defeat within 10 years. Jiang Pengji bent to pick up the roll on the floor and dissolutely wiped away the dust on it. At first the master was mad at her response because she had shown no respect for the eminent scholar. If her direct, displeasing criticisms were heard elsewhere, the scholars supporters would make her pay the price once she entered the bureaucracy. Still, her confidence changed his mind because they saw eye to eye. He was a learned man with dignity, and he refused to bend to the barbarians. He would not tolerate his civilized mother kingdom to do so either. The other pupils were awed by her speech, but the teacher felt his head aching and sighed heavily. This was the son of Liu She, and he was as thorny as his father. You have a sensible cousin. What a pity that most officials support a ceasefire. Our Majesty had the same stance; he was planning to attain peace by arranging a marriage between the second prince and a princess of the tribes. Outside the room, Feng Jin, who was dressed in white and green clothes, witnessed what was happening with mixed feelings. Lanting used to be mild. It seems like the kidnapping has changed him a lot! He is making his thoughts explicit, said Liu Heng. Liu Heng was Liu Lantings elder cousin and the eldest legitimate son of Master Lius brother. I hope Lanting and I can have a chat. Feng Jin could hardly believe Liu Lanting was really a girl. No problem. I will introduce you to each other later. It would be wonderful if his cousin became acquaintances with his friend. Feng Jin thanked him, but he became uneasy when he remembered the night at the bandit village. Still, they shared similar political views, and that excited him a bit. He wondered if she would be surprised at his identity. Grinning, he said meaningfully, Yaozhi, you may not know it, but your cousin is full of surprises. Chapter 40 - This is Brain Retardation. It Can’t be Cured. Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji stumbled upon Liu Heng and Huai Yu talking in such an intimate way that she felt she could not interrupt them. The scene would have made her suspect their relationship if she not already observed that this was normal for them. She would have thought this era was so open that all of its inhabitants were gay. Jiang Pengji sat quietly and watched from the afar. Lanting, I want to introduce someone to you. Liu Heng had always cared for his younger cousin, and this was the best opportunity to introduce his close friend to Lanting. Heng, theres no need to introduce us. I know him. Huai Yu is a mischievous person. Jiang Pengji studied Feng Jin. They had not seen each other for two days, and Feng Jin looked pretty good after he cleaning up. Why are you fooling my honest cousin? Huai Yu? Liu Heng stared at them in a daze. Huai Yu was Feng Jins familiar name. Did they know each other well enough to use their familiar names? Feng Jin blinked innocently. Clearly it was Yaozhi who didnt give me the time to tell him that I know you. How is that my fault? Liu Heng: Feng Jin set down his tea and anxiously asked, Lets reminisce about the past another day I heard what you said, and it intrigued me. What you said was reasonable. Which prince do you think the royals in northern Xinjiang are interested in? Jing Pengji was already bored of the topic because it was so obvious. The first prince is the crowned prince. That emperor isnt stupid enough to marry the prince with a wife of a different race. Moreover, there is no shortage in women in the Eastern Palace. Anyone could become his wife Even if the princess from the north of Xinjiang was very capable, she would be bound by the marriage and would not be able to pull any tricks if she married the crowned prince. Secondly, the third princes mother is from the prominent Feng family. Having a pure bloodline is important to them. Do you think they would accept their son marrying a foreigner and having mixed-blood grandchildren? Jiang Pengji studied Feng Jin, who felt goosebumps on his skin. Lastly, according to rumors, the fourth princes mother died an unnatural death, and he was not treated kindly by the palace people. The emperor is on guard against him. If the prince were to marry the princess and gain support from his in-laws, do you think the emperor would feel at ease? Feng Jin nodded his head as he listened. What Jiang Pengji was saying was similar to what his father had said. But the way they said it was a little different. Thats why Jiang Pengji looked at her fingers and smiled. The second prince is the best candidate. The emperor is quite fond of him, he was born from a merchant family, and he doesnt have many relations in the court. The second prince was perfect from the perspectives of both Dongqings emperor and the royals of northern Xinjiang. The second prince was a stupid musclehead who had hay in his head instead of brains. He was rash and impatient. And without the support of any important people, he would be the easiest to control. The perfect husband! Feng Jin: Feng Jins father had said the second prince was uncultured, even though he considered himself special. Jiang Pengji thought the second prince was worthless and unlikeable. Even though both of their views were stylistically different, their conclusion was the same. The second could not be placed into power. He would be practically abandoned by the court. As he thought of his father, Feng Jin could not help but ask another question. Lanting, if you were the king of northern Xinjiang, what would you do? Jiang Pengji blinked before her lips curled upward. Feng Jin felt the unease in his heart grow. If I were the king, Id happily sleep with the Donqings concubines, have a taste of the Han girls, and then send my ambitious daughter into the second princes palace And, by the way, the princess would still be considered an empress Then I would sow discord and control that brainless second prince Jiang Pengji could not be bothered with phrasing her words carefully. When she was in school, she had barely passed her history culture classes. The second prince is pretty interesting. But you cant blame his parents for his stupidity. If hes easy to control, he could become a sharp blade for you to use. Isnt it Dongqings custom to take the crown by killing off your own brothers and father? Also, the second prince was never on good terms with the court on the northern border. All the other side needs to do is to incite some confusion Heh, the emperor has been eyeing the the northern borders too. Hes already planned to get rid of the military there once theyve outlived their usefulness Once they started the peace treaty, Dongqing would no longer have to worry about the northern borders. But the garrison post located there with more than half of Dongqings military would be in danger. Dongqing needed a cautious and wise ruler. But its current ruler was only cautious. If he discarded the ones they had outlived their usefulness, they would die or live a life worse than if they had died. The moment a problem arises in the north borders garrison, the royals in Xinjiang will turn against them. By then, I think the princess will have accomplished her goals by setting the second prince against the emperor. Or maybe she will have completed some other tricks she has up her sleeves Jiang Pengji had not shown the Dongqing emperor any respect with her words. She had even implied that he had killed his own brothers and father. After the chaotic battle of the Sixteen Kingdoms of Five Non-Han people, Daxia had ruled over all before it was split into five countries. The emperors authority had been questioned many times as the other clans had grown stronger in power. And now, the scholars had the freedom to speak their minds. Jiang Pengjis words would have cost her head if she were in any other previous dynasty. In the current one, however, she would merely be scolded by people on the street. Therefore, Liu Heng and Feng Jin only slightly frowned when Jiang Pengji criticized the palace. Feng Jin sighed after listening to her. My father had the same thoughts. If they did sign the peace treaty, it would be a small price if scholars had to denounce the word and brush. He is afraid that northern Xinjiang could use the emperor to do their dirty work and remove the garrison in the northern border It was important to note that in Dongqing, literacy was worshipped while military combat was suppressed. Dongqings first emperor came into power because the military rebelled against the court. Dongqing was terrified of the military. They exalted scholars in each generation, and thus, the military might grew weaker The military currently stationed in the northern borders were the last good men. If they were to be sabotaged by their own people, well This is brain retardation. There is no cure for it, Jiang Pengji said seriously. Whats that? Feng Jin asked, just as seriously. The stream screen became flooded with comments. Wufa Wutian: Ohhhhh. Brain retardation means born stupid. Cant be cured. Hahahaha. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: Hahaha Those words. If you put them into a TV drama, you can probably annihilate nine clans with it. I cant believe the cousin and pretty-boy-Feng are so calm. Especially the cousin. He had this expression like he wanted to drag his disgraceful brat home. And then you were blind to it all and just continued. LMAO I got a screenshot. New emote! Chapter 41 - Master Yuanjing Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji thought for a while and then answered mysteriously, That is a chronic brain disease that is almost impossible to cure. After a moment of confusion, Feng Jin remembered what was previously said, and he realized that she was joking. In that period, the courts influence was weakening because the power of the eminent houses was expanding. But she should not have spoken of the king in that manner. Feng Jin lectured her solemnly, even though he wasnt that much older than her. You are still young, so no one will criticize you for what you just said. But you must hold your tongue from now on because your words could be used against you in court. Liu Heng shared the same opinion. His cousins imprudence worried him terribly. Since Feng Jin had already lectured Liu Lanting, however, he could save his own rebuke that he had planned to give Lanting when they arrived home. Jiang Pengji simply smiled. She did not care because she never thought about becoming an official. Later, Feng Jin tested her learning progress with some questions. Since the questions were not too difficult, she could answer most of them with Liu Lantings knowledge. Feng Jin then changed the subject and turned to Liu Heng. No offense But the family school, despite its fair education, is not good enough for Lanting. He must further his learning elsewhere. Though a huge amount of resources had been allocated to the family school, the fruit of the long-term investment would not ripen until years later. The school had been set up primarily to relieve the burdens of the poorer family members, and it was only adequate in providing elementary education. Those who aspired to receive higher educations had to seek other masters. Jiang Pengji said, I do not usually come here. I have lessons at home with another learned master. Unfortunately, I have not absorbed much of what he taught me. You must have spotted my slow progress. After listening to their conversation, Liu Heng agreed with Feng Jin. He had always thought his cousin was clever, even if he was shy. It was a pity that he did not like interacting with others. Even though Lantings current performance was not sharp, that had nothing to do with his intelligence; it was because of his early experiences at family school and the incompetence of his present master at home. Feng Jin asked, And who is teaching you at home? Before Jiang Pengji could respond, Liu Heng replied, It is Wei Yuan, also known as Wei Gongcao. According to Liu Lantings memories, Master Wei Yuan was very demanding and would scold her for the smallest mistakes. Therefore, the girl was quite intimidated by him. I see. No wonder. Feng Jin seemed to understand. A teenager like him was not unfamiliar with the famous scholars of the time, especially someone like Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan had fired his boss and left the court simply because he had refused to make compromises in certain matters. It had been very peculiar. Shaking his head, Feng Jin spoke his mind. I do not doubt the competence of Master Wei Yuan, but Lanting is not an ideal pupil for him. I would suggest finding another teacher. After spending a night with Jiang Pengji, he could tell that she would not be not satisfied with what she had and would definitely strive for more. Learning with the stubborn, harsh Wei Yuan could lead to future conflicts if neither of them were willing to compromise, and this was very likely, given both of their tempers. If Wei Yuan could fire his superior without hesitation, then he could definitely dismiss Liu Lanting, who was merely his pupil. Seek another teacher? Liu Heng found his friends advice impractical. There was a popular saying that said A teacher for a day is no different from a father for a lifetime. Jiang Pengji, on the other hand, showed neither agreement nor disagreement. Feng Jin smiled and added, Since Master Yuanjing is teaching in Langye, Lanting may go if he wants to. Master Yuanjing! Liu Hengs expression changed from surprise to excitement. Huaiyu, is that true? Jiang Pengji listened as she scanned through everything she knew about the master. Master Yuanjing was a respected scholar in Dongqing, who was gifted in every aspect, and he was a dream lover for girls throughout the five kingdoms. It was said that strange phenomenons in nature accompanied his birth, which was a sign that he was extraordinary. It was also rumored that he later he met an immortal who gave him intelligence and strengthened his body. Before the age of 20, he was already well-versed in the study in the sky and the earth, and he was also knowledgeable in divination, music, chess, calligraphy, and drawing. Composing poems and proses was a piece of cake to him. Additionally, he was an expert in agriculture, business, and the military. No one was more accomplished than him. His victory of persuading the northern tribes to return three cities to Dongqing eight years ago was what brought him worldwide fame. He had a sharp tongue that had inflicted serious mental torture on the foreign delegate, and the victim died a few days after returning home. Jiang Pengji made no response, and Liu Heng felt anxious for his cousin. I know Lanting is smart, but he is so young! Besides, his education is lagging behind others because of the four years he wasted in family school. Even though he is learning from Master Wei Yuan, he is still behind his peers. I am afraid his performance is not outstanding enough to become Master Yuanjings pupil. There was only one Master Yuanjing, but the line of people who wanted to be his followers could extend from eastern Dongqing to western Xichang. The competition must be so fierce! How could his weak, little cousin outshine the other mad fans? Although Liu Heng liked Liu Lanting very much, he knew he should not put high expectations on him. Yet he could not help envisioning how Lanting could benefit from the great master if he was able to stand out from the rest of the candidates. Feng Jin, who knew more than Liu Lanting or Liu Heng, turned his gaze to Jiang Pengji. Others may not succeed, but Lanting will no doubt be admitted as soon as the master learns of his family background. Even if he is not accepted as a pupil, he will be allowed to join the lessons. Is he a friend of my parents? Liu Lanting had never heard about that. Feng Jin had learned it by chance from his father. He and your mother met before. The rumor was that Master Yuanjing had been destitute when he was young. He had been born into an impoverished family of commoners, and he almost had to quit his studies because his family could not afford to pay for his schooling. One day during a snowy winter, however, he met Liu Shes wife, and she offered him financial assistance. No one could explain why the master accepted her money after he had rejected other peoples assistance. They knew that it was not out of romantic feelings because Master Yuanjing was a 22-year-old young man at the time, and Liu Lantings mother was just a six-year-old girl. I must say your mother was visionary. She had one condition in exchange for her help: that Master Yuanjing must teach her own children when he became famous someday. How strange it was that a six-year-old child would speak to a man in that way! Chapter 42 - Liu She Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin thought the situation was amusing, but for Jiang Pengji, it was something else. Liu Lantings mother was more fascinating than she had originally imagined. Jiang Pengji was not the only one who thought so. The streams viewers were creative with their theories. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: Could your mother be a time traveler too? She knew that Master Yuanjing would be famous, and she made some investments first. Thats why she provided help in his time of need. Wufa Wutian: This theory is pretty broad. But if it were me, I would totally hit on Master Yuanjing Bairi Zuomeng: Can you not be this disgusting? We just heard the introduction. Master Yuanjing was 20 years old, and the hosts mother was six or seven, right? Shitang Dafan Ayi: Hahaha Dont you think its pretty cute to see a team with an older guy and a cute girl? Jiang Pengji read the comments and could not help but sympathize with Liu Lantings father. Lanting, what do you think? Feng Jin turned and faced Jiang Pengji. Ill have to wait for father to return and talk to him about it. I still cant make decisions on my own yet, Jiang Pengji replied tactfully. Feng Jin did not try to force her. It was just a suggestion. If she decided not to go, he could not do anything about it. Chanshiguan: Will you go? Jiang Pengji knitted her eyebrows together and took a gulp of tea. An indescribable taste spread in her mouth, and she pursed her lips a little before setting the cup down. Host V: Of course Im going. The north of Xinjiang is growing stronger, and I have no idea how long can Dongqings peace last. It would be better if I prepared in advance. Even if the audience had no idea what she had meant, based on Jiang Pengjis style, it was definitely something meaningful. Meanwhile, somewhere in Hejian County, a simple carriage flew across the public road. Master, once weve passed this road, we will be in Hejian. With our current speed, we should be home in four hours. A man, who was simply dressed and looked like a scholar, pushed aside the carriages curtains and looked out. The cool wind was blowing in his face. The man had bright eyes and strong eyebrows. He looked handsome, but he was unnaturally pale, though his cheeks had some redness to them. He had bags underneath his eyes. His blue outfit made him look thin and weak, as though a strong gust could blow him over. He gripped a letter in his hands, and his fingers were white. It was obvious that he was anxious. When he had received the letter from home two days ago, he nearly fainted after reading it. When he finally calmed down, he ordered his guards to carry most of his belongings and to make their way back at their own pace. He and his housekeeper, however, packed lightly and rushed out on the public road. The journey would normally take five days, but he ordered his carriage to get home within a day and a half. I wonder if Lanting is safe If anything were to happen to her, how could I face Ah Min? He coughed. Liu She released the curtain and coughed again, and his face went red with the exertion. Second Langjun is lucky, and the heavens will protect him, the housekeeper said. The housekeeper was Liu Shes page boy before he was promoted. He understood the Liu family well. Liu She dropped his head and looked at the letter that was crushed in his hands. He felt as if he had been at deaths door when he received the unpleasant news. He did not dare imagine what had happened to his daughter. But if Lanting were dead, he would probably follow in her footsteps. Liu She had not brought anything with him except for his fatigue. Thankfully, the guard at the door was an old man who recognized him and let him in. If the house had changed the guards, he might have been mistaken for a poor beggar and been chased off. Once Liu She stepped foot into the manor, he rushed to the stepmothers room. The room was filled with the stench of medicine, and he could not help but knit his eyebrows. Dont get up. You arent well. Just lay down and talk, he said, stopping the second lady from attempting to sit up. Brother-in-law, shouldnt it have taken a few more days to get back? The stepmother did not listen to him and sat up. She adjusted herself into a more comfortable position. Youre back early for Lanting? Liu She said, I rushed back the moment I received the letter. How dare those bandits Hows Lanting? The stepmother shook her head and smiled wanly. Her voice was consoling as she spoke. Youre always so calm and collected until it comes to Lanting. Have you seen any hint of a funeral? Of course our Lanting is well. Her teacher is sick, but we should not let that impede her studies. She has gone to school this morning. There is still an hour left before shes done with school. Liu She thought about the trek in the house to the ladys room. The house was bleak and lonely, but there had not been a single white banner. He had not noticed that in his anxiety and worry. If Lanting were dead, the whole manor would have been in mourning. I was careless. Liu Shes frown finally smoothed out, his body relaxed, and he let out a small smile. But this time was really dangerous. Talk to her about how dangerous it was. Even if she has the smarts and guts If she were careless, she might not have survived And how would my sister rest in peace if that had happened? the stepmother said worriedly. Liu She hurriedly asked what had happened, and the stepmother repeated what she had heard from Jiang Pengji. The more he listened, the brighter the masters eyes got. Ill talk to Lanting when she gets back. Liu She started to sound more cheerful, and he smiled a little bit more. No one would be able to tell that he had looked like a wax figure earlier, devoid of any emotion. The stepmother noticed his change and clenched her fists. She suppressed the stabbing pain in her chest. She studied his appearance before laughing. Are you going to see Lanting with those dusty clothes and tired face? Liu She looked anxious, and the lady used a silk handkerchief to hide her mischievous smile. You should go wash up before Lanting returns. She always said her father was handsome when he was younger and that he always got attention from the ladies when he left home If she saw you like that Liu She always lost to his sister-in-laws glib tongue. He let out a bitter laugh and said, Youre this sick And instead of resting, youre joking? Alright, rest well. Ill return to the main house and clean up before Lanting gets home and is disappointed at my appearance. The stepmother loosened her fists only when Liu Shes silhouette was no longer within her sight. Chapter 43 - ‘Son’ Meets Father Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Help me lie down. The stepmother coughed with a bitter smile and rested with the attendants aid. The girl showed her discontent. My lord should have stayed longer here! You, my lady, have been most devoted to the family and are always attentive to our Second Langjun. His strong attachment to my sister never died. Our marriage is the most I can ask of him I must not expect too much. She had accepted her fate. Her brother-in-law had agreed to marry her just to save her from difficulty and to give her peace. Yet sometimes she could not help but feel agitated by the difference in his attitude toward her compared to his attitude toward her deceased sister. She had told herself a thousand times that she should be thankful, not jealous. But still was it so hard to give her his love, even just a little, after all those years of treating Liu Lanting as her own child? The attendant did not understand what the stepmother meant because she had only worked in the house for a few years. The one in western yard Does she know about the Masters arrival? The stepmother was very ill. Although she had regained her hope in life, she needed great care in order to recover. After thinking for a moment, the attendant replied, I suppose so, my lady. I wonder if my lord will stay over at Madam Hus tonight That would be a blow to her. He was usually rational enough to prevent such misdeeds, but maybe he had lost self-control this time. And what could the sick lady do to change his mind? The stepmother shared the same concern, yet she was dismayed by her attendant. She scolded, Have I spoiled you so that you have forgotten the rules? The master is never the subject of your gossips! Frightened, the girl kneeled to beg for forgiveness. The sight seemed to suffocate the stepmother, so she gestured for her to leave. She rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes, and then she turned to lay on her side. Go kneel outside and think about what you have said. The master is far stricter than me. If he knew about your words, the lightest punishment you could hope for is to be sold to the slave market. As Liu She returned to the main yard, he felt much more comfortable. He had changed into clean clothes and had taken a medicine that would prevent sickness. He then moved about in the living room, unable to read a word from the bamboo slips that were in his hand. Nighttime approached slowly, and he glanced at the entrance more and more frequently like an impulsive young man. He was no longer the Master Liu whom others perceived as calm and shrewd. He waited for so long that he began to wonder if his daughter had lost her way home like his deceased wife often did. Finally, when he turned his gaze for the thirty-third time, a servant brought in a notice. My lord, Second Langjun is waiting in the adjoining room. Go! Go lead him in! Liu Shes heart skipped a beat, and he hid the roll of bamboo slips. He must not make his child think that he was going to test her learning progress. This was what Jiang Pengji saw as she reached the living room: a man sitting straight in the masters position, dressed in a white, elegant costume with silver embroidery. On his shoulders was a black coat, which appeared to be slightly too large for him. His pallid hands were in good shape and were resting at ease on his knees. The moment she entered, his eyes brightened. Jiang Pengji bowed near him. Meanwhile, she was making conclusions from her observations. The wet hair and neat clothing showed that he had taken a bath soon after arriving home. When his eyes met hers, there were unnatural muscle movements in his face, and he moved his hands nervously without noticing. It seemed as though he was anxious about their first meeting His clothing, though it was not worn out, was obviously made a long time ago. That kind of textile was no longer fashionable, and some of its parts had pilled. The size did not fit him as well. The wealthy family could surely afford to make new costumes for the master. He must have kept this outfit for other reasons; it most likely had special meaning for him. Additionally, the mans nails were cut tidily and were healthily pink, so he was hygienic and maintained a healthy lifestyle. On his left hand he wore a wedding ring that did not belong to this era, which proved that Liu Lantings mother had come from the future. He always kept the ring with him, and he took good care of it and habitually rubbed its surface. That explained why the carved patterns on the rings shiny, smooth surface were slightly faded and why he had a mark on his finger. Moreover, he had kept his distance from females, for his scent was not mingled with others. His back was straight and stiff, his cheeks were overly red, and his breath was abnormal. Was he sick? After making these conjectures, Jiang Pengji looked down without any intention of starting a conversation. Liu She also didnt know what to say. The silence persisted for a while until he abruptly said, Lanting, come and sit beside me. You have grown much over these years She could sense the uneasiness in his voice. He was undoubtedly eager to talk with her. This surprised Jiang Pengji. So her dad was really nervous about seeing her! She ignored the drooling faces from her livestream audience and sat down next to Liu She, though she kept a distance of about three steps. She felt obliged to start conversation now after seeing Liu Shes eagerness to speak with her. Father, it appears you have a high temperature. Is it because of the long journey? Have you sent for a physician? Liu She nodded. The fever had caused his dry lips to peel and crack. His mouth trembled for a while, and he was unable to utter a word. He looked at her without turning his gaze and wished time could pass slower. At last, when he could no longer contain himself, he placed his hand on her head and gently touched her hair. I am fine. I have just taken the medicine that was prescribed by the physician, he answered. At the same time, the System interface filled with even more drooling faces. Dazhuangzu Furen: Oh my god! Host, can I be your stepmom? I graduated from college, and I can do laundry, cook dinner, and play computer games with my feet! Shitang Dafan Ayi: I am desperate. I thought ancient people are all ugly and coarse, but all I can see is a house full of beauties. The weak father is definitely my favorite! Zhiai Meinan: That is too much for me. My heartbeat is still abnormally quick after that touch on the head! Yisheng Fangdangbuji Zhiailian: Host, I wonder if your daddy has an eight-pack. Being good-looking was of great importance in all eras. Host V: I regret to say it, but his shape is probably not much better than a skeletons. Chapter 44 - Father’s Style Is Weird Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She was tall and skinny. Jiang Pengji had excellent observational skills. She could tell that Liu She had lost weight because he was wearing an outfit that was a few sizes too big. After looking at a set of footprints, Jiang Pengji could tell whether that person was a male or female. She simply looked at the size of the foot and how deep the imprint was She could even guess their height and size based on that information. Father, you have lost weight. Now that youre back, you have to eat properly, Jiang Pengji said with a dissatisfied tone. Liu She was pleasantly surprised, and he was so elated that he had no idea what to say. His hands, which were folded in his lap, shook slightly. He didnt know where to place them. LanLanting, you remember what I looked like? After Liu Lantings twin brother died, her mother became ill. Then Liu She left Hejian County to work somewhere that was far and dangerous. After much consideration, he chose not to bring Lanting with him and was therefore only able to visit her twice during those years he was away. Liu She and Liu Lanting had not seen each other for many years. Jiang Pengji shook her head and replied, Just by looking at your clothes, I can tell that youve been wearing them for a few years. It hangs off you as if its too big. Isnt that a sign that youve lost weight? So that was how she knew Liu Shes happy mood was slightly dampened, but he quickly became happy again. His daughter had paid such careful attention to his details, and that showed that she cared. Your mother didnt like needlework. After marrying me, she only made these few clothes Liu She replied gently. It seemed like Lantings father really had loved her mother. But as she thought about the house, Jiang Pengji quickly dismissed that thought. Men from the olden days did not share her morals. Now that youre back, will you be staying for long? Jiang Pengji could tell that Liu She was not healthy. In addition to the burden that he carried in his heart, most of his health seemed to be affected by his work. If he continued working in his condition, it would not be a surprise if he collapsed from exhaustion. That was why Jiang Pengji always preferred to balance work and rest. Even though she could not bring herself to treat Liu She as if he were her own father, Jiang Pengji was still using Liu Lantings body. She should still care for him a little, but It was up to him if he would listen to her or not. She would not force him. It sounded like his daughter was carefully asking him to stay. Liu She was unexpectedly moved. I came back because I have some things to settle here. Ill be staying for three months or so. Once everything is settled, Ill have to go to the capital If all goes well, I will be free and can stay home to enjoy my life as a rich man. Liu Shes reply was not what Jiang Pengji expected. This person wanted to retire? Youre still young and have just reached your prime. Its a bit soon to retire, right? In this era, there was no actual retirement age for officials. They literally worked until they dropped. Liu She was still young and had turned thirty not too long ago. His career should be on the rise To retire now would be suicide. Liu She thought for a moment until he understood what Jiang Pengji meant. The emperor does not care about the opinions of his subjects or scholars. He wants the peace treaty with the royals of northern Xinjiang. If that were to happen, it may end in a disaster. We should leave while we still can Ive always wanted a free and unfettered life to watch you grow up But the current state of affairs would not be peaceful. It would be the opposite. There will be internal strife, fighting, and scheming for power And now that you have grown and will soon be of age, I want to spend time with you. Liu She gave a bitter smile. Would his daughter understand what was happening? Youre worried that the emperor wishes to discard the northern borders through the peace treaty, thereby plunging us into chaos? Jiang Pengjis words shocked Liu She. He had not expected his daughter to have any views about the situation. But he had brought his daughter up as a boy, sending her to school and allowing her to be taught. She was also the child of him and Ah Min; both the mother and daughter were smart. Furthermore, his daughters background was far from ordinary. Indeed. The royals have had their greedy sights set on Dongqing for many years. The emperor neglects court administration with each passing day. He is no longer as wise as he was when he was younger. If he rejects the peace treaty, he would have to rely on the northern borders government. Right now, the emperor is displeased with the government and had been toying with the idea of withdrawing the military leadership If the peace treaty is established, the emperor can withdraw the military and get rid of the government at the same time. Liu She shook his head in disappointment. It was not that no one could foresee the dangers of such an arrangement. Rather, the emperor was stubborn. Their warnings of danger had fallen on deaf ears. They fear the governments power because they think that what happened to their ancestors will also happen to them, Liu She scoffed. Dongqing was originally formed by rebelling slaves. The slaves had started out as horsekeepers. When an opportunity appeared, they steadily rose in ranks and power. Then the slaves in the military engineered a coup and took over the royal throne. As their descendant, the new emperor naturally feared any military might. Jiang Pengji smirked inwardly. She thought of herself as an outsider and was therefore not afraid to criticize the royal court She had not expected Liu Lantings father to be even more ruthless. He had criticized the emperors ancestors. In the olden days, criticizing a familys foundation and bloodline was considered one of the worst insults. She could tell that Liu Lantings father was not blindly devoted to the emperor and that he had quite a rebellious streak. If the northern border were to fall, does Dongqing have any other military might that could protect it against the royals? Jiang Pengji asked. If there were, the emperor would not have relied on the garrison in the north. He would have dissolved the government there and tried to take control of the borders, Liu She sneered. On one hand, the emperor was clinging on to the government in the northern border. On the other hand, he wanted to withdraw their military leadership. If thats the case, when the northern government falls, the emperor will promote high-ranking officers to replace the northern government. They will guard only the strategic locations Then the south and north of Xinjiang would cooperate at the same time, and they would be an overwhelming force to deal with. Dongqing Fighting in wars was Jiang Pengjis old occupation. Even though they were two different eras and the weapons were different, wars remained the same. And Jiang Pengji was knew how to fight in war. Dongqing had no other combat power except for the northern government. It was obvious how much the royal court had suppressed the military. If its chaos, then so be it If things were to turn out like what you said, then Dongqings era is nearing its end! The bold and treacherous outburst from Liu She did not match his refined scholarly look. I was thinking that maybe Dongqing can still be saved Dongqing was in an era where communication was backwards and slow. It would not be as easy to destroy a country. Back in her era, if she wanted to destroy a country in the early afternoon, it would be destroyed by nightfall. A simpleton who doesnt know what is wrong will die. Theres no cure for that, Liu She smiled. Jiang Pengji: Toudu Feiqui: I finally understand your expression! Hahaha! Its definitely sh*t!'' Chapter 45 - Modern Parent in Feudal Times Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji found her new dad to be not bad at all. Your handwriting is much better than your mothers. It is more like mine. Liu She was no different from other parents in the feudal times. He believed that checking his childs progress was a way to strengthen their bond. But after looking at Jiang Pengjis writing, he could hardly refrain himself from expressing any negative emotion. At last he said, Nice drawing. He didnt need to force himself. Calling it a drawing was sarcastic enough. The method he was using to deepen their relationship was a headache for Jiang Pengji. Just as Jiang Pengji was finding an excuse to end the session, Liu She prepared ink, picked up a brush, and wrote characters. Even she, who was not keen on calligraphy, could tell that his writing was exceptional. In fact, Liu She was one of the well-known calligraphers in Hejian. His handwriting was considered refreshing, tender, and dignified. He used both the shape of the character and the meaning of the word in his presentation. His calligraphy had become more elegant and discreet after his years in the bureaucracy as he himself became less impulsive. Handwriting can show a lot about a person, and is far more eye-catching than a flowery composition. Then Liu She wrote Liu Xi on a bamboo sheet and placed it next to Jiang Pengjis drawing. She compared the two while analyzing his pose and strength and tried to apply her knowledge. Liu She said seriously, After all, girls focus on the handwriting first. Then they concentrate on the meaning in a love letter. Jiang Pengji coughed to hide her laugh. Liu She laughed too. You may have guessed it. Gu Min used to dislike my handwriting. She said that she would not have read through my ugly characters, no matter how pleasing the content was, if we had not been old acquaintances. Dazhuangzu Furen: Good job, Hosts mom! Hence a modern parent in the feudal world! Zhiai Meinan: I thought he would be punishing the host solemnly. Instead, they are talking about how to writing a good love letter. This is so cute! Lancui Yubuzhe: But the host is a girl right? Toudu Feiqiu: I must remind you that she can be more charming than most men. Ha-ha! Liu Shes joke made the atmosphere more relaxed. That is why you improved your handwriting? Liu She did not consider the question to be improper. Yes. No one cared about why I did it. Their only concern was the result. Afterwards he asked about her recent reading habits and opinions in order to understand her more. I copied The Analects yesterday to learn more words, but I do not like the book much. I find Strategies in War more interesting. Liu She agreed. The Analects is not my cup of tea either. You are still young, and the teachings may make you too timid. While your homework may require you to know about the book, you do not need to read more than youre required to at this stage. Leave it until you have grown up. By then you will have your own set of values, and you will be able to reflect on your personal experience as you study the book. He was an unusual parent, indeed! Liu Lantings mother must have changed him a lot. Confucianism was regarded as the national teaching at that time, and The Analects was the most significant piece of literature. The importance of the book only diminished recently when the former dynasty was overthrown, and other schools began to flourish during the hundred years of war. There were a hundred of these schools in the five kingdoms, and they were all scattered across the territory of the previous Xia dynasty. As a Dongqing official, Liu She had been born in an environment where Confucianism was highly valued. Yet he did not seem afraid to criticize the teaching with his child. She would have been shocked by such a father if she had grown up in this era. With Liu Lantings mediocre academic performance, Jiang Pengji was unable to answer most of the questions he asked. His questions were much deeper and more complicated than what Feng Jin had asked in the morning. Lancui Yubuzhe: He-he! I can foresee the host being punished severely. Yet the audience was disappointed. To act like Liu Lanting, Jiang Pengji pretended to feel shameful and sad. Sorry, Father. But Liu She was in no way angry or disappointed. To him, Lantings personal opinion was more important than how many passages she had memorized. Everyone could do the latter, more or less, but not many people could express their own thoughts. His daughter was better at that than most of her peers. It does not matter. You are such a clever girl. He tenderly touched her head. You will improve later. When he was a child, he was not an outstanding pupil either. He found the teachings difficult to remember, and he could never organize his thoughts well enough to express them clearly in front of his master and father. He hoped his daughter could be happier than he had been as a child. Actions speak louder than words. This is especially true when you become an official in charge of a place. Everything you learn is to serve your people. Do not misplace your emphasis on impractical studies. It was another modern thought, and it captured the hearts of many viewers. Dusk fell as their conversation continued. Reluctant to end their time together, Liu She said, Lanting, time to go to bed. Come with me to the monastery tomorrow morning. We must thank the Buddha for blessing you. To the monastery? Jiang Pengji asked, But what about family school? Oh, never mind that! The kids are not all well-tempered, and the conditions are not as good as what I can provide you with. I will teach you myself. He explained, After your twin brother passed away, Gu Min was weak, but she went to the monastery to beg for your safety. She asked the Buddha to help you survive a fatal threat that would happen when you were 12. Now that the threat is over, we must thank the Buddha on your mothers behalf and visit Master Liaochen. Jiang Pengjis heart became cold. A fatal threat Do you mean the kidnapping? I suppose so. His eyes dimmed. Father, you know, dont you? She did not expect this, for Liu She had left Liu Lanting when she was only a few years old, and they had not seen each other since. He would not know her as her stepmother did, so how did he spot the difference? Could he really tell because of their blood ties? But Liu She simply touched her hair again. Do not worry. I have prepared for this from before you are born. Huh? What was he talking about? Chapter 46 - A Destructive but Fragile Life Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The temple was located on the summit of one of Hejian Countys mountains. 999 winding steps were carved from the foot of the mountain all the way up to the temple. Jiang Pengji saw devout worshippers holding baskets of candles and other offerings on her trek up. Jiang Pengji was not superstitious, but she could appreciate the scenery as she hiked up the mountain. It was a sight to behold. Water streamed through the brooks, and old trees reached for the skies. The sky got brighter with the morning sun, and the mist covering the mountains was bathed in a reddish glow. With the faint chanting and bell tolls, the scenery brought peace to everyone who saw its beauty. Even Jiang Pengji, who did not believe in gods or demons, felt more relaxed. The rhythmic sounds of her wooden clogs striking against the stone steps was soothing to her ears, too. Liu She was wearing a brand-new navy blue outfit. The size fitted him much better, but the robes showed how emaciated he had become. Each strand of his black hair had been carefully combed back in an updo. He had cleaned his face and looked more refreshed. His nails had been carefully trimmed, and he had perfumed himself with incense. He wore a solemn expression that showed how important it was for him to fulfill his wifes vows. Jiang Pengji carried a basket that the head servant had packed. In it were some slender sticks of incense, candles, lamp oil, paper money, and fruits for the offering. She secretly calculated the baskets weight and noticed that it was off. There was probably some real money in the basket as well. Your two brothers passed away prematurely due to illness. Your mother, Gu Min, climbed these steps and prayed her way to the temple, earnestly requesting that the gods have pity Even with their leisurely pace and Liu Shes even breathing, it was obvious that his body was still weak from the fever. They had only climbed the first third of the mountain when sweat began to break out on his forehead. He had taken medicine the night before, and his fever had broken, but his body had yet to fully recover. His lips were pale. Father, didnt you say that mother was frail? Why did you let her come? She should have gone to the physician to get better instead of praying to the gods. Jiang Pengji did not understand why Liu Lantings mother had been so superstitious. Indeed. Physicians are trained to cure most illnesses. What would praying to the gods do? If prayers helped, your two brothers would still be alive. Gu Min was never the superstitious type. But When youre stuck in a corner, youd even seek help from demons. As long as theres a glimmer of hope, you would reach out and grasp on tightly, Liu She said, seemingly lost in a memory. Gu Min had said a prayer for every step leading up to the temple, yet that did not save the two boys. The loss of her children had resulted in the decline of her health How was that not a punishment to him? Liu She had not been able to convince his wife to stop. All he could do was stay by her side. He hated that he did not know anything about medicine; he hated that he could not cure her illness. Thankfully, youre still alive. Were here today to fulfill the vow. I hope your mother and brothers can see this. Pray that they watch over your health and happiness. Jiang Pengji was silent as she held onto the basket. She was not Liu Lanting. Father, you know that I am not Heh, you are the daughter Gu Min always wanted Dont think too much about it. Liu She seemed to have understood something, and he now took two steps at a time as though it were effortless. As long as youre alive and healthy, she will feel at ease in the other world. Jiang Pengji watched Liu Shes back. She did not understand what was going on, but she had a feeling his words had an underlying meaning. Liu She, Jiang Pengji, and the old head servant had started the trek up to the temple before the sun rose. By the time the sun was high in the sky, the trio, with aching feet, finally reached the summit and the temple. The temple was surrounded by a verdant forest. Flowers and vines clustered around the fading walls of the temple, and the dark blue of the central pillar prevented the temple from looking ancient and dusty. The temple bathed in the warm glow of the suns rays as the sounds of birds and temple bells resounded in the forest. The temple was not large, and it stood on the top of the mountain. It looked like it was watching over the world. This temple was built before the Sixteen Kingdoms when Buddhism was flourishing, and there were many other temples Liu She explained briefly as he brought Jiang Pengji into the temples main hall. Then he bowed to a middle-aged monk. Is Great Master Liaochen around? The monk returned the bow. He wore grey robes, and his appearance was humble and pious. The Great Master is already waiting for you two in the side halls meditation room. Please follow me. Already bored, Jiang Pengji observed her surroundings. The main hall was filled with quite a number of worshippers of all ages and genders, making the old temple look lively. While she was lost in her thoughts, she heard Liu She calling for her. After passing through a veranda, Jiang Pengji found herself in front of a meditation room. Before she even stepped foot into the room, she heard an old monk speaking to Liu She. It has been seven years. I trust you have been well since we parted? All is well, Liu She replied blandly. If you have resentment in your heart, presumably you would not be well. Jiang Pengji smirked inwardly. The old monks words were provocative. Since you are aware of everything, why are you even asking? Liu Shes tone was filled with resentment. When Jiang Pengji entered the room, the old monk asked, This girl is the daughter of you and your late wife? He lifted his head to look at her before hurriedly bowing back down. His fingers sped up over the prayer beads. Buddhism is a place of quiet. Why have you come? Jiang Pengji didnt understand the situation, though she felt a slight chill in her heart. It was as though the monk had been seen right through her, and she was displeased. The stream had started early in the morning, so most of the viewers joined just in time to see this exchange. One of the viewers made a comment. Feiqiu Qiyu Huanying Nin: Lemme tell ya: As a time-traveler, there will be universal laws. One of those laws says that there will always be an evil monk! Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. She had no idea what the universal laws were, but she agreed that the monk in front of her was definitely evil. Of course Im here with my father to fulfill the vow. Why else would I waste my time and effort climbing a mountain to come here? I could be sleeping in in this excellent weather, Jiang Pengji replied with bewilderment. She sat down on the praying mat next to Liu She. Her words were disrespectful, but the prestigious monk was not angry. Instead, he gave her a benevolent smile. Fragile yet destructive. A glimpse of supremacy. Massacred many, yet going too far is just as bad as not going far enough, the old monk said calmly. When this young master stepped into the temple, we were stifled with the stench of blood. If vicious tendencies rubbed off on the temple steps, perhaps Chapter 47 - Unusual Monk Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What? Jiang Pengji did not understand a word. Why couldnt ancient people speak more straightforwardly? Meanwhile, Master Liaochen provided a load of clues for the livestream viewers, and the interface was soon filled with comments. Jingming Wonanshen: Did the monk just hint that the host will become a king? Xuebi Xinfeiyang: Has the channel changed its theme? I thought this was about court intrigue against other women. Nide Yida: Oh my god! Will this end up in our host killing the king and becoming a ruling queen like Empress Wu? What a complicated story that would be! Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: What the heck? That would be a snake against court setting. Im talking about that game, you know? Jiang Pengji could not respond. Empress Wu? Snake? What did it have to do with the court? A viewer explained as though he had heard her thoughts. Kele Leyile: Congratulations! You have eaten Beauty X. Level up! You have eaten Beauty Y. Level up again! Consort Z is dead. You are now on Level Three. The Queen and those under her are all gone. You have reached a higher level! As Jiang Pengji engaged in another dimension, Liu She said indignantly, Master Liaochen, you told us The monk made a hand gesture to show respect and repeated some Buddhist sayings. Finally he replied, Things did not go as expected. Your daughter is from a most peculiar background, so it is better that we tell her now. Otherwise, she may take the wrong steps later due to the lack of warnings. I understand your worry for her, but this is for the best. Fed up with their riddles, she ventured to ask, May I know what you mean by the air of emperor? I can make a guess from the literal meaning, but would I be mistaken? Liu She confirmed her guess without much expression on his face as Master Liaochen smiled. My little lady, dignified and ambitious as you are, you are not born to submit. Liu She stared at him angrily, but the old man turned his prayer beads and added, Am I right? Jiang Pengji was silent. She wondered where this unusual monk came from. Other monks would tell her to give up the blade and become a peaceful follower of Buddha. On the contrary, he was encouraging her to pick up the weapon boldly. He was an unusual monk among his people. Before she answered, Master Liaochen turned to her father. May I have some private words with your daughter? You may like to visit the adjoining space, where the afterlife stones of your beloved wife and two sons are resting. After a moment of hesitation, Liu She stood up with dissatisfaction. Before he left, he placed his hand on Jiang Pengjis head again as an attempt to comfort her. When his footsteps could no longer be heard and there were only two of them, Jiang Pengji frowned impatiently. Master Liaochen, on the other hand, carried more warmth in his smile. Your mother was about your age when I met her 29 years ago. Did you know her? This drew her interest to the topic. I do. She came to ask for an afterlife stone for a girl called Gu Min. Jiang Pengji almost crushed the cup in hand; Gu Min was the name of her mother. Are you quite sure? It makes no sense! She carefully observed the old monk. She was nothing like the others. Her soul was on the brink of leaving the corpse, and I could sense the air of death around her. He spoke like an aged person recalling the past with a friend. The child had died in early June, and her features were lifeless. Yet Gu Min came to me, and I saw a living girl. To Jiang Pengji, the room seemed to become colder. He knew who she really was. There was no doubt about that. He said, Gu Min had heard about me and begged me to continue her life. She kneeled on the steps on the hill and bowed to me. I should not have saved her, for it would defy destiny to help a soul seize another persons body. But she was also blessed with happiness in life, and my mind was changed by her sincere plea Jiang Pengji interrupted with certainty. They say the followers of Buddha do not lie, but you just lied to me. Master Liaochen paused and sighed. He met her eyes for a long time. I wish not to say too much. Hmph! I simply do not believe your excuse. If it is so easy to further ones life, those kings and emperors who pursue immortality would have succeeded a long time ago. I say that you agreed only because her fate was already written, and it was in favor of her wishes. She grinned at him, her teeth shining white. I suppose you did it because all thisC the girl dying of an accident and my mothers possession of her bodyCwere meant to be, were they not? Instead of being provoked, as she expected, the master plainly admitted it. You are a wise girl, indeed! Everything in life is meant to be. The child was doomed to leave her body early, your mother was destined to stay in the corpse, and you, too, my young lady, were meant to become Liu Lanting. He resumed turning his beads. Then Jiang Pengji heard the System, which had been silent for a long time. Aw, boring stuff. But its host did not feel the same. Perhaps he wants me to figure out something. For example? How do I know? We are on different channels. I dont get him, she answered, half-joking. Well, what a disappointment. After rubbing her forehead, Jiang Pengji directly raised her question. I am not interested in history. I just want to know how you and my mom deceived my dad and his second wife. Other ancient people would have had me chopped into pieces and burned if they realized the corpse was possessed by another soul. But my parents did not. Why? Liu She and the stepmother had been keeping the secret from her, but she could find the clues for herself. She stated, It is a dead body that I am occupying. The moment I woke up in this world, Liu Lanting was gone forever. It confused and irked her that her parents treated her as if nothing had changed. She had thought they were trying to create a fake world in which their child was still alive, but she realized now that the monk was the key to finding out the truth. I have deceived no one. You are Liu Lanting and are destined to become Liu Lanting. I never lie. She retorted, Yet another lie! Chapter 48 - Bed All the Officers Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was no point in getting so worked up over it. Jiang Pengji rested her chin in a palm and stared at the old monk, waiting for him to speak. This is your mothers will, the old monk said as his fingers moved over the prayer beads. Your mother had lost two sons that year and requested that I look at all of the childrens fates. None of them had an emperors life, yet your mother was sure that Liu Shes daughter would become a sovereign ruler. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. If Liu Lantings mother had been that sure, did that mean that she was a time-traveler who knew this eras history? My ability was limited, so I got a friend to help. Finally, we managed to foresee that Liu She is indeed destined to be the father of an emperor. But that daughter had yet to arrive. Then before your mother died, she seemed to have realized something and asked for my help The monk laughed and continued. Your mother did not care that she might be treated like a demon and burned alive. She told your father about her true identity and how she came about. She used to have two souls in one body, but due to some misfortune, one of the souls was lost. Being her daughter, you may face the same fate Two souls in a body? Jiang Pengjis hands trembled, and some tea spilled over the sides of the cup. Was that why the stepmother and Liu She believed that the real Liu Lanting was now dead due to some misfortune? If this is not the case, animosity will grow between you and your father, and a quarrel may happen, the monk continued with an amiable smile. Furthermore, your mother was sure that you are her real daughter. There is no doubt about that. But why was she so sure that Lantings death would happen when she was twelve years old? Jiang Pengji had her suspicions, and she wanted confirmation. When your mother birthed you and your twin brother, she saw that both of you were smart and normal. She secretly asked me if your body had been taken over by someone else. She stated explicitly that your body should be soulless and stupid until you turn twelve Jiang Pengji crossed her arms as she thought about all the clues. According to the information she had gathered, this mother of hers was definitely a time-traveler who knew this eras history, History must have stated that this female ruler was famous and that she would be stupid, unfeeling, and unreasonable when she was younger. Perhaps the history books had even stated that this female ruler would not get along with her father. However, time and space was a complicated thing. Her mother may have known the future, but her actions had affected the course of history. According to the old monks words, her mother had been held back by her knowledge of this eras history and was therefore unable to live freely. How can fate be predestined? If I fight for the throne, thatll be because I want to do it and not because fate forced me to do it. The future holds countless possibilities. Not just one. Ones course of action decides their fate. When has it ever been the other way around? Jiang Pengji shook her head in displeasure. This is of no interest to me. But I do have to thank you for helping me. Two souls in one body was nonsensical. But for these ancient people, it was much easier to just accept the theory so they wouldnt have to understand it. Dont thank me. The monk shook his head. Youre thorough in your thoughts and reasoning. Fate is a profound thing, and it is not unchangeable. Maybe now that you know your fate, you wont lose the throne by making any wrong decisions Jiang Pengji replied obstinately, If I want the throne in the future, then the throne will belong to me. I will kill all who stand in my way. After her declaration, the stream screen started filling with flowers. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Hahaha, I love this hosts bad*ss image. Hahaha. Nide Yida: Yup. Theres this refreshing feeling about her. Kele Leyile: Bring me a 40m long sword! Im looking forward to watching the host have a harem fight. If she kills the emperor, she can still be a ruler and sleep with the men and their wives. The screen quickly began filling with dirty comments. Ouhuang Saigao: If its gonna be a harem fight, might as well just rear a dog? Whats the point of sleeping with the emperor? Disgusting. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: A harem fight to become the ruler doesnt sound challenging. What concubine can withstand the hosts slap? How about vying for supremacy, bedding all the officers, and leaving some sexual stuff in history? Yanling Shi: Hahaha, bed all the officers +1 Shangle Nazhi Ji: Bed all the officers +2 As she looked at the screen, Jiang Pengjis expression changed. She began an idle chat with her audience. Host V: Eh, even if I want to do that, it would be with the officers wives. I love girls. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: Eh, this host will be over sooner or later. Yanling Shi: Eh, this host will be over sooner or later +1. Jiang Pengji lost her smile. She had just been joking. She did like girls, but her sexual orientation was normal. Jiang Pengji left the meditation room in a slightly better mood and entered the side hall. She found Liu She kneeling on a praying mat in the midst of a prayer. She looked at the memorial tablets in front of her. Beside Gu Mins tablet were two others for Liu Lantings brothers. Next to those, there was a newer but blank tablet. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized who it was for. The tablet was empty because writing the name of someone who was still living was bad luck. She lit a few incense sticks. Should I change my name? Jiang Pengji asked. The memorial tablet was empty and desolate looking. It was probably difficult for Liu She to see it. Theres no harm in having a new name. Liu She sighed before sticking the incense sticks into a pot. His gaze looked complicated and nostalgic at the same time. I thought Gu Min and I would have a bunch of kids. So we prepared more than ten names Boys, girls It was a pity that they only used two names. The twins had shared the same name. Ive been wondering why you brought me up as my brother. If it were some period drama, Jiang Pengji would not have been surprised if her mother had brought her up as a boy in order to keep her place as the first lady. But there was no need for the disguise because most of the lords and ladies in the Liu manor already knew her true identity. Liu She replied, A daughter would not live as freely as a son. Your mother suffered from learning all the rules and etiquette of being a girl when she was very young. She was right when she said that letting you live as your brother would allow you to be free. Nothing else matters as long as youre happy. If Liu Xi were the surviving son, would he still be alive now? Liu She sighed as he entertained some depressing thoughts. As for descendants, there would be ways to achieve that when Jiang Pengji got older. There was no need for Jiang Pengji to worry about her familys future. Liu She and Gu Min had already spent the first half of their lives working hard to ensure that Liu Lanting could enjoy herself. Gu Min had spent years getting her husband accustomed to the idea of time-travelers. As a result, he was more accepting, and his thinking was more progressive. Chapter 49 - Feng Jin? Humph! Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Then What about her engagement to Wei Jingxian? Perceiving her confusion, Liu She recalled the past and was upset by the memories. The lady of the Wei family proposed the arrangement. We accepted it only because our relationship with their house has always been close. But when we lost your brother, Gu Min wanted to end the engagement. The Wei lady declined, however, and she said that we should leave the engagement until the children grew up. Jiang Pengji could hardly comprehend. Why did she reject that? Wouldnt it be worse for their reputations if they broke off the engagement when they were older? It would be equally awful if people knew that Wei Jingxians spouse, who had been arranged from birth, died. People would think that she brought bad luck. Huh? This was another case in which she was unable to understand the logic of ancient people. That must be an exaggeration. Jinger was only three or four years old at that time! How could people think that that? But then she reflected on the superstition of that time. If a girl was rumored to bring misfortune to her husband, that could have fatal effects on her marriage prospects. Well Your brother drowned the day after we exchanged tokens of the agreement. Sometimes Liu She could not help but to blame his sons death on Wei Jingxian. Still, the sensible part of him knew the girl was innocent. Maybe his son was simply an unlucky child, and he was an unlucky father. Jiang Pengji did not speak. She pitied Wei Jingxian because the untimely accident had coincided with the agreement. In the monastery, they offered money to Buddha as a symbol of respect. Then they said a prayer for continual blessing before leaving. Liu She handed Jiang Pengji a brand new pair of straw sandals, which he had obtained from the housekeeper. He placed them at her feet. The slope is steep and can be slippery. It is better to wear these than your wooden sandals. The new sandals was surprisingly soft and comfortable. She smiled. Father, you have had some unhappy experiences walking here, havent you? She could tell by his considerate preparation of the sandals. Liu She neglected her teasing and explained with overloading tenderness. It was your mother. She had a bad fall on the steps that almost left a scar on her face. The sun was setting, drawing tall shadows of them on the ground. Liu She suddenly sighed at the sight. I am really getting old. If I were still young, I could have carried you on my back. He knew well that his health was deteriorating. Years before, Gu Min had urged him to train his body with the exercises that she suggested. Even though he found the movements ridiculous, he complied, and his health did improve a lot. Now, however, he could do no more than climb a hill with his daughter. Lanting was becoming an adult, and carrying her would require more energy than he currently possessed. He would not take the risk of them falling down the hill together. I would not mind carrying you, though, she said. Liu She gave her a smile and touched her head again. Liu Lanting was raised as a boy, but that did not mean that she was stronger than other girls. As Liu She thought about this, he intentionally forgot what his second wife had told him earlier about his daughter defeating a bunch of bandits on her own. Their walk was relaxed, and the two chatted and joked the entire time. It was a warm picture under the evening sky. As their conversation turned to Lantings study, Jiang Pengji remembered Master Yuanjings institution. Observing her fathers expression, she asked, A friend told me that my mother was acquainted with Master Yuanjing. Is that true? Which friend? Only a few old men know this, and it is very unlikely that you would call them your friends. He was calm as usual. Your mother helped Master Yuanjing financially when she was little, and we all met from time to time when Amin was alive. Feng Jin told me. He thought Master Wei Yuan was not a suitable teacher for me, and he recommended that I visit Master Yuanjing in Langye. Perhaps if I became his pupil, it would help me in my studies Before she could finish, Liu She, who had been attentive to each word, abruptly stopped in his steps. His expression was unnaturally repressed. Who, did you say? She soon realized that he was talking about her friend. Oh! It was Feng Jin. The one also known as Huaiyu? The thoughts that arose in his mind irked him. That is him Is everything alright? She suspected that it would be like a dramatic television show; perhaps the Fengs were political rivals of her father. But Liu She did not seem like he would be narrow-minded enough to dislike a competitors entire family. Hmph! He is a simpleton! Do not get too close to him. Being civil is enough. He was now the composed Master Liu again, as if he were a different person from the one who had just been frowning with dismay. Jiang Pengji took note of his attitude. He would not make such comments without reason, especially about a teenager who was much younger than him. They took several more steps and then Liu She asked, How do you and Feng Huaiyu know each other? She told the story briefly. It happened on the third of March, when the girls and I were kidnapped. Feng Jin and his companions were being chased by somebody. They found the bandit village and sought accommodation there, which is how we met. There were some misunderstandings on both sides, but they were all settled afterwards. And what do you think of his temperament? Liu She asked, hiding his emotions with calmness. If he had asked for Feng Jins capability, she would have complimented him. But if she had to comment on his temperament then most of her opinions would be negative. He is decisive, smooth, and observant. But at the same time, hell take any cold-hearted measure to achieve his goal, as long as it is necessary. Decisiveness and resolution make a man. Those who are too thoughtful of others are prone to die early. So was that a praise for Feng Jin? You may visit Master Yuanjing in Langye if you wish to. In the former dynasty, children at your age would leave home to learn in various cities while traveling. I am glad you are studious, but it would be unwise to declare your background. Master Yuanjing has a strange temper and will not be moved by your connection to Gu Min. Besides, you are as intelligent as his other pupils. I am confident about that. He then changed the topic to avoid mentioning Feng Jin again. In Jiang Pengjis eyes, Liu She was as enigmatic as a woman. Their journey downhill took less time and effort than their ascending climb. Before long, they saw their carriage. After getting in the cart, Liu She contemplated for a moment and then asked, Lanting, has Master Liaochen told you everything? Yes. Everything I need to know, I suppose, she replied. Then what are your thoughts about that fate of yours? It is too early to talk about that. Still, if I choose to do it someday, I must strive for victory. Jiang Pengji would not submit to a brainless leader when she herself could sit on the kings throne. Though she seldom started chaos, she was not afraid of being involved in a whirlpool of mess. Her father closed his eyes. Very nice. And from now on, talk about it to no one else. We must keep the secret to ourselves. Chapter 50 - Obtain the Popular Sentiment Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Who could predict what the future truly held? Jiang Pengji loved battles, but she was not a bloodthirsty person. As long as no one provoked her, she would not find fault with anyone. As for what the old monk had said about her becoming a sovereign ruler, that would depend on the situation. Jiang Pengji was not one to create trouble, but she was not one to shy away from it, either. Jiang Pengjis feelings were as calm as the setting sun outside the carriage, but Liu She was far from feeling calm. When they returned to the manor, Liu She sent Jiang Pengji to check on her stepmother. He returned to the main wing and told his maids, Stay outside the room and dont allow anyone inside. Tell Lanting, too, when he stops by. The two beautiful maids nodded submissively. Without looking twice at them, Liu She quickly entered the room that he and Gu Min had once shared. According to the customs of the era, the first lady usually stayed in the east wing. Liu She and Gu Min, however, were close and had shared a room. The room looked the same as it had before his wife passed away. Liu She surveyed the room quickly and then walked towards a corner. He carefully moved some boxes aside and used his jade hairpin to carve into the floor a few times. He followed the carved lines and moved a brick, exposing the hollow space underneath it. There were a few copper boxes with gilded gold and silver decorations. Each box was locked, but he had the key. He opened one of the boxes and carefully removed a neatly folded silk cloth. The cloth was filled with words. Liu She quickly read the words on the cloth, and his expression turned dark and gloomy. He stayed in the same position until the maids outside informed him that Jiang Pengji had arrived to pay her respects. He reluctantly folded the silk cloth and returned everything back to the way it had been. Liu She cleared his expression and smoothed out the creases in his outfit before leaving the room into the main courtyard. He told Jiang Pengji that she did not need to go to the family school anymore. Since Wei Gongcao was still sick, Liu She would tutor her for the time being. He took the bamboo slip and book from Jiang Pengji and flipped through them. This is what youve been reading? It was a book called Military Strategies and half a scroll of The Analects of Confucius. Liu She had studied with these same materials, and many of the pages even had his own annotations in them. He noticed that Jiang Pengji had made new annotations in the scrolls. It seemed like his daughter preferred Military Strategies over The Analects of Confucius. She had written her notes, opinions, and even some hypothetical strategies in Military Strategies. The other book, however Liu She and Jiang Pengji both disliked The Analects of Confucius. The more they read it, the worse their headaches got. These words are meant to deceive unintelligent people He closed the bamboo scrolls and placed them aside before carefully looking through Jiang Pengjis annotations in Military Strategies. Jiang Pengji came to the conclusion that Liu She was a weirdo in this era, a peculiar and elegant weirdo who somehow managed to look normal. This is the age of the scholars. Is it even okay for him to say that about the sage? Even if this had happened in her era of advanced technology and huge territories, it would still be considered weird. Jiang Pengji curiously said, The sovereign ruler is like a boat; the commoners are like water. The water can hold up a boat, but it can also sink it. So the commoners are more important than the ruler. Dont tell me even that is false? Liu She shook his head. No, dont say false. Say too perfect.'' He knew that his daughter was not ordinary, but she was still inexperienced. Gu Min had always said that 12-year-old children were very young. They still needed guidance and should not be overindulged or left to study on their own. 12 was the best age to mold people. Once they were past that age, their ideologies became fixed and hard to change. His daughter did not like The Analects of Confucius. Liu She could tell because she had only made a few annotations in it. But that did not mean they should completely ignore it. He believed the saying If someone were to follow half of the analects of Confucius, they could could rule the world. But one needed to learn them smartly and selectively. For emperors, learning the analects trained their temperament. It also gave them wisdom on when to control or win the peoples hearts, and it also taught them how to observe the the peoples will There were many advantages to learning the analects. Liu She had spent his years away as a governor. The land he governed had flourished under his rule.The country had gone through tremendous changes, and everyone had been affected, from the impoverished to the rich and powerful. He could even tell which children would become successful. And he was worried that Jiang Pengji would turn crooked due to her curiosity and arrogance. The sages words are to restrain a nobleman, not a vile man. You dont have to read too deeply into those overly vague words. Just take a look. If Liu She said those words in public, the old-fashioned scholars would have condemned him for treason and heresy. Although this has some semblance of truth: If you have the support of the people, you can rule the world.'' Was Dongqing not the same? The previous emperor had been absurd. He had committed patricide to ascend to the throne. He was gullible, indulged in little pleasures, led a promiscuous life, and practiced cronyism But that was not all: He had even toyed with his uncles wife and then killed his uncle. The current emperors history was even more interesting. He had killed his elder brother and seized his brothers wife, along with his ministers wife. He was slack in government affairs, and he idled his time away by seeking entertainment. He was arrogant and tyrannical, decrepit and idiotic, patronizing and crafty. He indulged his aides and persecuted the worthy generals The court was corrupt. The officials embezzled and rotted the foundations of Dongqing. They brought false charges against innocent people With such an emperor, Dongqing was doomed. The nobles of northern Xinjiang and its government would be the last straw to break the camels back. Without a peace treaty, Dongqing could still survive for another few years. Then when it became time for the crown prince to take over, he might be a worthy emperor and could probably save Dongqing. But if they went ahead with the peace treaty and invited the wolves into a herd of sheep Well, that would be hard to say. There was turmoil, and that was why Liu She believed the Great Master Liaochen. Jiang Pengji watched the the smiling Liu She. His words were serious and in no way a jest. I will remember what you have said. Jiang Pengji mentally rolled her eyes. Liu She was trying to admonish her. There was a huge generation gap between this current era and the era she was from. This era was socially and culturally very different from the one she knew. Liu Shes advice had been helpful, but she still needed time to understand everything he had said. Chapter 51 - To Become a King Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She kept his back straight as he sat. He said leisurely, The support of the people is crucial if you want to become a king. This is well-illustrated in history; look at all the kings who were overthrown because they abused the commoners. Our former king is an example. After a snort of contempt, he briefly went through the kings deeds and supported his opinion with examples. The way he explained it was lively and convincing. It is true that family influence and military strength are essential components of taking over a kingdom, but all of these things are based on the peoples support. Although he was born into a respected family, Liu She had a feeling that his family and other noble families would lose their importance in the near future. Still, their current impact in court was enormous, and all political decisions were made in their favor. The previous king had tension with the big families, and this contributed to his defeat. However, the more important factor in his demise was the fact that he had disappointed the commoners. As a result, Prince Gongshun in Hejian encountered little resistance when his troops marched to Yangcheng and placed their swords at the kings throat. Prince Gongshun, named Wuma Jin, was the man who presently ruled over the kingdom. He and the former king were brothers, but that did not help the hostility that existed between them. The new kings first order when he came into power, despite strong opposition from the officials, was to execute the overthrown leader. In doing so, he hoped to console the distressed people, and he prayed to the gods to grant them the long desired rain for their dry land. Jiang Pengji had heard about this before. She found it similar to the world she came from, where nobles and other influential families enjoyed unreasonable privileges and often changed the federal governments policies. Still, the houses were kept in check by the real mastersCthe civilians. They constituted the majority population, and their support was critical to the families. Likewise, the eminent houses in the ancient period could not withstand the peoples betrayal. It was foolish for an upper-class man to believe that he could achieve his purposes through the strength of his noble circle alone. Liu She looked at Lantin lovingly. His eyes were as dark and bright as clear spring water. As my only child, you have grown up under our protection, so I will not blame you for not knowing about the outside world. The kingdom appears to be prosperous, but deep down it is bleeding with corruption and extravagance. The words peoples heart are simple enough, but if you want to write them with satisfactory presentation, you need skills. He held a brush with his pallid fingers and moved firmly, putting down the two words on a bamboo sheet. It requires determination and a well thought out plan. Writing is the easy part, though. The challenging part is putting the plan into practice. Jiang Pengjis gaze filled with exquisite sentiments. Father, you mean Liu She tossed a bamboo slip roll away. See with your eyes, and feel with your heart. This will help you comprehend the books you have read. You will then understand the high cost of living, the commoners genuine need, their agricultural business, and their hopelessness in selling their children because of destitution. Learning their needs was the first step towards helping them. And if she was incapable of this, she would never gain their support. What was worse, if the people did not support her, they may even stop her on her path to the kings throne. She must avoid that from happening. Yet his words raised a question in Jiang Pengjis mind: Why was Liu Lanting his only child? What about her illegitimate brothers and sisters in the backyard? The flickering candlelight added weight to her fathers distinct speech, as if the syllables were coated with poison. Jiang Pengji realized how dangerous their conversation was. Lanting, would you like to hear what I saw while I was in office? He cleverly paused to let her think about it. What he was about to mention was related to being a popular leader and a successful official. One must learn about the peoples demands in order to fulfill them with ones power. Whether Jiang Pengji wanted to become a bureaucrat or as a king depended upon her ambition, but whatever her focus was, it did not matter. His teaching would be useful in either case. Jiang Pengji concentrated. For sure. So Liu She, with his calm and cool voice, described the various things he had witnessed as a local officer. The subjects ranged from trivial disputes to cold-blooded plots between wives and mistresses. He also spoke of incidents that happened on commoners streets to fierce competitions in court, many of which were complicated and intense. Every area had its own local leaders. Liu She ruled a province as a foreigner. There was one time when he was almost stripped of all his official powers because he was unaware of the local gentrys design. Since then, he employed every necessary measure to tighten his control over the area. As Madam Hu described, his heart could be as dark as ink, even though his appearance looked innocent. He did not avoid dishonest methods, as long as they were useful. The households of the gentry had their dark secrets. Their hands were stained with blood, and their legal spouses were never happy about the mistresses or the illegitimate children. All Liu She needed to do was to observe them like a hunting snake and patiently wait for the right time to attack. His narration was vivid and humorous, and it contradicted the appearance of his integrity. Jiang Pengji admitted that he roused her interest in the world outside, and she began to form a new impression about the ancient times. She answered seriously, I understand what you mean, father. Very well. He touched her hair again. Afterward, he took out a jewelry box and placed it beside him. He opened it and picked up a thin booklet laying inside. You are now twelve and will become an adult two years later. You will then form your own family and start your career Jiang Pengji could not help finding that hilarious. Was she supposed to start all that at the age of 14? In her former world, she was in her thirties and still a student at higher institution. People here would no doubt consider her a senior pupil. What is this? She carefully opened the booklet but was unable to comprehend the content. The first list of what your mother left for you. These will become yours when you get married. And the second list is what I have added over the years. He smiled. Of course, your marriage can wait. I have made new arrangements, and you can have them all before your wedding day. In fact, he had never considered that she might get married. If he had, he would not have swapped her identity with her twin brothers. Even Jiang Pengji, who was unfamiliar about with this era, could understand her fortune was considerable, given the long list in the booklet. When her sight fell on the last entries that listed farmland and businesses in grain production and horse breeding, she raised her eyebrows with surprise. Chapter 52 - Raise a Private Army? Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If they were to raise a flag and revolt, they would win. They had the resources and a head start. And if they were to convert all of their resources into money, they might have more than what was in the royal treasury. It really made Jiang Pengji wonder how Liu She had accumulated this much wealth without anyone noticing. Jiang Pengji quickly stamped out what she really thought. Even though she had only taken a quick glance, those words were imprinted into her mind. It was a pity that she still didnt know the value of the items in this era. She did not fully understand what the recorded contents meant. Marriage? With Jinger? The Wei family has other plans, and their daughters personality does not suit you. They will probably come forward to cancel the arranged marriage. They need to protect her reputation, so theyll try to make you look bad, Liu She said with a cold smirk. He had foreseen the Weis plans. They had kept the arranged marriage to prevent Wei Jinxian from having the reputation of a husband killer. But the two families obviously could not allow their daughters to marry each other. Even though the arranged marriage had been Liu Shes plan, the Weis were not happy about it. That was why they brought up their plan to dissolve the arranged marriage. After all, in this situation, the girl is always in the disadvantage. I dont actually mind. Jiang Pengji was not surprised. The Weis had kept the arranged marriage agreement even though they knew that Liu Lanting was a girl. That meant that the Weis were either dumb, or they had ulterior motives, or there was something wrong with their daughter. Liu She calmly hid his trembling hands inside his sleeves. If Jiang Pengji were a man, Liu She would have thought his son was magnanimous and open-minded. But Jiang Pengji was a girl. What she had just said sounded weird. He lifted his eyes and said, Heh, my sons honor is not that easy to bring down. I wont let them take advantage of you. It was an arranged marriage that had been created when Liu Lanting and Wei Jingxian were young, and it would be broken just when they became of age. The mans side was supposed to bear the consequences. But how could Liu She possibly be happy about that? Liu She was not picky, but he hated doing anything that would be remotely disadvantageous to him or his family. Jiang Pengji: She secretly poked the System and said, I think this father is a little two-faced. System: Before you say that about other people, you should take a good look at yourself! Even though they were not technically related, Jiang Pengjis style was very similar to Liu Shes. Who wouldnt think they were actually father and daughter? Liu She lightly coughed, and the rims of his eyes turned red. Under the wavering candlelight, he looked listless and weak. A few days ago, you dismissed some guards? Jiang Pengji was practicing her calligraphy, and she felt as though she was improving under Liu Shes tutelage. She stopped writing and looked at him. Yes. They were treacherous and irresponsible. I had the old head servant sell them away. Liu She was not trying to scold her. Though our mansion is small, we still need enough guards. Head out with the head servant tomorrow and get some good guards. Then come back and write out some rules and regulations for me. Write whatever comes to your mind, and be as detailed as possible. He paused and then continued, These recent years saw some natural and man-made calamities. Bandits run amok, and Hejian County is not be as peaceful as it once was. If you hadnt been so quick-witted during your kidnapping, you may not have made it out alive. Fortunately, the manor has some surplus grain. If youre interested, you can use it to raise your own unit to defend yourself Unit? Jiang Pengjis eyebrows almost shot up to her hairline. Based off of Liu Lantings memories, a unit was the equivalent of owning a private army; they were like guards or servants who protected the manor and master. Having a private unit was not limited to just the influential and privileged scholar-officials. Even a village scholar could have one. Living in Heijan was currently unstable and dangerous. The current political state was unstable because the imperial power had restrained the countys military power. Now one could be robbed, kidnapped, or even killed by bandits if they did not have some protection. Of course, regular people just viewed the private units as guards. But for Jiang Pengji, they were the equivalent of a private army! Even though people think youre a boy, you should still have some guards around to protect you. Liu She sighed as he removed a folded piece of paper from his sleeve. He carefully unfolded it and passed it to her. Have a look at this, and prepare for the rainy days. Jiang Pengji quickly glanced at the paper. She immediately understood Liu Shes intention. The content on the paper was simple. The emperor was interested in the peace treaty and wanted the second prince to marry the princess from northern Xinjiang. But this decision had yet to be made public. Jiang Pengji wondered how Liu She had access to this information. Normally, the lady of the house purchased the servants. A man like Jiang Pengji would normally not be involved. But since Liu She had ordered it, neither the stepmother nor Madam Hu could disagree. The next day, the old head servant brought over two books. The master said that all arrangements will be left to you for today. Jiang Pengji took the books and had a quick look. She asked, Is this a record of the servants weve had over the past years? She noticed that the Lius way of record keeping was vastly different from others; It was more meticulous, and they used a table format. The records listed the servants monetary value, name, and histories. Some servants had even been bought as a family. The records also stated the servants current positions and what they were good at. Jiang Pengji flipped through the book, filing all the information away in her memory. This table format had been created by the first lady to keep track of the servants. It was much easier to understand at a glance. The old servant was solemn. He replied, Yes, this is the records for all the servants. Two books. One was used, but the other was brand new. She did not even need to think in order to understand what the new one was for. In that case, lets follow the old regulations and head out to this slave shop to have a look. Jiang Pengji had no idea how many slave shops there were in Hejian County. But it would be easier to check out the familiar one first because the chances of being conned there would be lower. Usually, the slave trader would bring the servants to the manor. From there, the first lady would pick the ones she wanted. But this was a test for Jiang Pengji that had been set by Liu She. After thinking about their conversation from last night, Jiang Pengji decided to head out. She could learn about the prices of the servants. Instead of listening to what others had to say, it would be easier to experience it herself. Chapter 53 - Picking Servants (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After hearing Jiang Pengjis answer, the old housekeeper had a relieved smile on his wrinkled face. He had been worried that his inexperienced Langjun would mess up. What concerned him the most was not the potential material loss of the house, which would be nothing at all to the family, but the impact on the relationship between the junior master and father. After all, the housekeeper had been part of Second Langjuns life ever since she was an infant, and he hoped the father and son could build an intimate bond. After changing into a plain set of clothes, Jiang Pengji got onto a carriage and rolled up the curtain from time to time to look outside. Soon she started the livestream and noticed that 3,000 viewers had been waiting a long time for the broadcast. It was a pity that her stream did not allow for a larger audience. 3,000 was the quota for a level-one host; to expand her viewership, she would have to spend a huge amount of popularity points to move on to the next level. But she was determined to save her popularity points for other purposes and would not use them just to move on to a higher level. She was playing with her sandalwood fan when she looked up and saw several comments on the screen. Ouhuang Saigao: Im startled. I saw the host just when I suspected the show would be blank for the whole day. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Why is the image shaking? Baigui Yexing: Obviously she is in a cart, okay? Yimi Yangguang: Carriages were only available for the rich during that time. It seems the hosts family is quite wealthy. The cart is probably like a Maserati in our dimension, eh? The carriage was well-equipped with a desk, writing supplies, and snacks. She could also lean on a table whenever she felt tired or sleepy during the long ride. But the most unique feature of the carriage was its rather advanced design that reduced jolts on the journey. She had not seen such a design before, but its effect was significant. This reminded her of the butterfly hair clip that she had found in the stepmothers chamber. Apparently, the spring had been added on by Liu Lantings mother. It made perfect sense, therefore, that she would also add springs to the carriages to minimize bumps and make the ride more comfortable. Wojiu Bibi: Host, you are still as handsome as ever! I love you! The audience could see Jiang Pengji in a long, forest-green silk robe that had fine embroidery patterns of blissful clouds on her sleeves and collar. A piece of white jade was tied to her waist. She opened and closed her fan leisurely, sometimes tapping her palm. Toudu Feiqiu: Are you going to family school? Host V: No. A bunch of people were cast away, so I need to pick new servants from the slave shop. But wasnt that human trafficking? Although the viewers had read about it in novels and understood that this kind of trade was completely normal during the ancient times, they still felt strange watching it on a live show. But no one was going to criticize Jiang Pengji. Liu Lantings body was so weak that her back began to ache after sitting with her legs bent. As Jiang Pengji leaned against the table, she thought about writing a letter to Liu She. Before long, the housekeeper drew close to the cart and reported in a low voice, Second Langjun, we have arrived. Among the many officially approved slave shops, this shop was the most credible one near their house. Jiang Pengji closed her fan and glanced at the plaque that hung above the entrance. One can hardly tell this is a place that trades humans. As she walked in, she found it interesting that the interior looked no different from any other business. She spoke softly to the housekeeper. The place is much tidier than I expected. The old man stood straight as he replied seriously, There are various kinds of slave shops. The one Langjun imagined is probably the worst kind that obtains slaves by kidnapping or by forcing households to sell their family members. Our family would never purchase slaves from such backgrounds. Besides, he would not dare to take Jiang Pengji to the bad shops, for he feared that the merchants would take advantage of his innocent junior master or disrespect him. I get it. Shops with an official approval are usually more high end, said Jiang Pengji as she smiled. Generally, esteemed houses like the Lius would simply order the housekeeper to inform the shop about what they needed. Only masters of less well-off families visited the shop themselves. Thus, when the elderly shop keeper heard that Liu Langjun himself had arrived, she could not believe her ears. Her doubts disappeared when her eyes saw the housekeeper, and she approached them with a warm welcome. Good morning! May I help you? The shopkeeper was a stout, large old woman with chunky cheeks. She wore a crimson silk flower in her hair along with several shiny gold ornaments. One could feel her eagerness to show off from the moment she appeared. On the contrary, the meager, tall housekeeper beside her looked like a bamboo stick.He lifted his grey eyebrow. We have come for business. Go greet my master! As the manager of all the Lius household matters, the old man knew everyone related to his work, including the shopkeeper. The womans grin froze for a second before it widened as she faced Jiang Pengji. The Liu family was not the most influential family in Hejian, but their second family branch was unusually affluent. They had various businesses ranging from a well-known bamboo paper workshop to some popular publishers and book shops, and they also owned wine stores and diners. The shopkeeper was overjoyed by the arrival of a wealthy customer. Having traded slaves for years, she had encountered different kinds of people, and she knew how to boost sales through her keen observation and persuasive tactics. That was how she developed her shop. She quickly formed a plan and submissively led Jiang Pengji and the housekeeper to the guests seats, which were a few steps higher. She then kneeled in front of them to show her excessive flattery. Jiang Pengji once again opened her fan and told the trader, We are looking for boys or teenagers between the ages of ten and thirty. They must be healthy without disabilities, from a clear background, and without any criminal record. Since we are looking for guards and servants in the yards, we can pay more for those who know a bit of kungfu. The common practice was to choose adult men as guards because they would be able to protect the masters after some basic martial arts training. But she was recruiting her own troop, so younger men would be preferable. They would become more loyal as time went by, and they had greater potential to enhance their physical strength. Chapter 54 - Picking Servants (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Servants? The shopkeeper was dumbfounded. She subconsciously shifted her gaze towards the old head servant. This detail did not escape Jiang Pengji. She raised an eyebrow before tapping the closed fan against her palm. Problem? Hm? she asked coldly. Hostility immediately began flashing through her cold gaze, and everyone who fell under it felt suffocated. Even though this slave shop was officially recognized, the money that it earned was not clean. To stay in this business, one had to adapt and take advantage of any situation. The shopkeeper was definitely an exceptional person. How else could she have sustained her business for so long? But the shopkeeper found it hard to breathe under Jiang Pengjis penetrating gaze. She steeled her fat body as beads of sweat started oozing out. The silk flowers that were pinned in her hair shivered with her movements. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Excuse me? Youre streaming on how to pick servants today? Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: Hahaha Bedding all the officers now seems hopeful. Youre planning to raise your own army? Yimi Yangguang: But Im curious. Why would the trader react like that when the host said she wanted to buy servants? That was something Jiang Pengji wanted to know as well. But when she saw the head servants expression, she understood. Her lips curled up and she said, Dont bother showing me those from the Liu manor. The servants had been sold to this slave shop. Most rich and influential families used young servants who would grow up in the household because this would guarantee their loyalty. The way that Jiang Pengji was buying servants, however, not only made it difficult to guarantee the servants loyalty, but it also made it difficult to know the servants histories. Though the Liu family was not at the height of power and splendor, they still had centuries of history. Naturally, the slave trader was surprised that Jiang Pengji had personally made the trip to purchase some servants. The head servant motioned for the shopkeeper to bring some suitable servants over, causing her to finally come out of her stupor. The old lady was the best in the industry, and she was efficient. Within a moment, she gathered some servants. I have brought the servants. Theyre waiting in the courtyard, the old lady replied sweetly. Had it not been for her trembling, the old shopkeeper would have sounded more natural and less like she was trying to give someone diabetes with her sweet tone. This was truly strange. The shopkeeper had originally thought that this would just be a normal sale, and she was quite anxious to get it over with. She had not thought that she would feel so exposed by the boys gaze. Jiang Pengji smirked when she noticed the shopkeepers unnatural behavior. Ill go have a look now. If none of them are suitable, I will need to trouble you to bring the next batch, Jiang Pengji said as she got up. That goes without saying. There are no other slave shops better than mine in the whole of Hejian County. The old woman almost smacked her own chest in assurance. All the servants were waiting in the courtyard, and the shopkeeper eagerly led the way. She hinted, Langjun, are there others youre interested in? She had an ulterior motive. Imperial officials and even wealthy citizens also visited this shopkeeper for concubines, singers, dancers, chefs, or seamstresses. That was how she earned most of her income. Even though guards and page boys were pricey, not many people were looking to buy them. The head servant might have been old, but his ears were still sharp. When he heard her question, he nearly exploded. Jiang Pengji was also surprised. She raised an eyebrow and asked, What do you have here? The old shopkeeper perked up and began her selling tactics. Langjun, my shop may be small, but I pride myself in quality goods. Even those stars in Langlang Alley were from my shop. Top notch beauties! Langlang Alley was a red light district. Oh? Is that so? Jiang Pengji pretended to be excited as she ignored the head servants embarrassed cough. Ive heard of the girls in Langlang Alley. I heard that they are not only gorgeous but also fairly talented. I had wondered who groomed them. And that person is right before my eyes Head servant: Yimi Yangguang: I did not expect that! Even the slave trader is not immune to your flirtations. #laughcry When Jiang Pengji flattered someone, she loved looking straight into their eyes. The eyes were the windows to the soul, so it made people believe her every word. Even the old shopkeeper blushed at the flattery. Second Langjun the head servant murmured. Everyone loves beauty. If everyone could bring home a beautiful person to look at every day, wouldnt they be happy? Head servant: The head servant had a bad feeling Surely his second young master had not gone to Langlang Alley just to look at the beautiful women, right? As they were speaking, they reached the courtyard. The servants were lined up from the tallest to the shortest. Even though the servants were wearing roughly sewn hemp garments that had patches on them, their attitudes looked good. Their skin was clean, and they gave a good impression. It made sense why this slave shop flourished and did better than the others in Hejian County. Do you have records of these peoples histories? Jiang Pengji asked as she walked towards the servants. She swept her gaze over each of them as information about each individual trickled into her mind. As a slave trader, the old woman naturally had all the details about her products. The information was not complicated, but it had not been recorded in an orderly manner, so it was hard to understand at a glance. Jiang Pengji flipped through the pages quickly. To onlookers, it looked like she was using the book to fan herself. The shopkeeper was not pleased. She felt that Jiang Pengji would not select any good servants with her attitude. The old lady summoned up her courage and pointed at a tall and sturdy man. He was the strongest out of the group and had some fighting abilities. Langjun, what do you think of him? Hes diligent and honest. If it hadnt been for the famine that turned his home into a wasteland, which ultimately led to his parents deaths, he would not have sold himself to me for some money to bury them The old woman might be lacking a conscience, but she did not dare try to defraud Jiang Pengji. Under normal circumstances, the strong man would have been the best choice. But he was not what Jiang Pengji wanted. Heh, its alright. You can discard him, Jiang Pengji said without sparing him a glance. His parents deaths were caused by his laziness. Audience: Chapter 55 - Picking Servants (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The shopkeeper recommended a man who was heavily built, but Jiang Pengji could tell right away that the slave was weak. He had the appearance of strength, but this may have just been a characteristic that he had inherited from his parents. Jiang Pengji could easily defeat two men like him. A two-year famine in his hometown had not left many calluses on his fingers or tanned skin on his arms. He did not have the marks of diligent farming or hunting, so Jiang Pengji guessed that he was selling himself to the slave market for money to bury his dead parents. The moment she made her assumption, the man looked at her with shock and fear. The old woman didnt know how Jiang Pengji knew the mans history, but she was embarrassed. She could not afford to ruin the reputation of her business. She thought she could gain the Langjuns trust by recommending a strong slave, but she had not expected that the young master would reject her recommendation so directly. This one, too, is out of question. Even I do not frequent wine stores, brothels, or gambling houses the way he does. I doubt he will work at all. The shopkeeper nearly tore her handkerchief. That slave had been her second choice. He was a 21-year-old man, and he was healthy, literate, smart, and observant of the masters moods. The old woman thought he would be an ideal servant. How did the Langjun draw his conclusions? The shopkeeper herself did not know about the slaves habits! Jiang Pengji continued, This one has a bad ankle. It is evident when he walks fast. He cannot be our guard. The old woman became even more confused. She had made sure that the slaves had no diseases or disabilities. That had been her first priority. But she noticed that the man was diverting his gaze, so she believed that what Jiang Pengji had said was true. And this one likes to sexually harass little boys. We do not want such filth in our house. Jiang Pengji continued to disqualify several other candidates for various reasons. Everyone listened to her with widened eyes and open mouths. After that, Jiang Pengji observed those who stayed and ordered, Show me your right hand. People from this era were generally malnourished and unhealthy. She could not be too demanding. She must adjust her high standards and choose the least undesirable candidates from the group. She had just removed the problematic candidates in the first round, and she would use the second round to find those who had the most potential. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: Host, you can tell by feeling their bones? It was common in novels for masters to check the servants bones to determine their health. But how did it work? Jiang Pengji didnt know how to do this, but she could roughly discern the slaves bone structures by looking at their arms. In fact, her mind could analyze every living creature as a skeleton if she wanted to. Host V: I cannot. Although ones physical structure is an important factor, it is not the only one. And these people are in different stages of puberty, so their bodies and bones are still growing. That will affect my judgment. Apart from their physical potential, it is more important for warriors to have mental strength, which can sometimes bring about miracles. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: I see. How many of them will you choose? Host V: I value quality over quantity. I plan to nurture only a few guards. We can take our time and do this step by step. She had been reading Strategies in War and other books about the battlefield, and she had also asked Liu She about some details. Now she had a better understanding of wars in this period. Suppose there was a battle between two parties. Party A had an army with 200,000 soldiers, while Party B had 150,000 soldiers. If military strength was the only factor, most people would think Party A was more likely to win. In fact, a large army was not necessarily an advantage. Though there would be 350,000 men participating in the fight in total, in reality, only 50,000 soldiers would really make a difference. On the battlefield, the elite troops were the key to victory. Other soldiers were only there to make the scene grander. They simply held sharpened branches in their hands for weapons and wore rough, thin clothes to cover their bodies. But not even those who were lucky enough to wear leather would be protected against their opponents attacks. Once an elite troop gained half the victory, the other soldiers of the winning party would then charge to their equally weak enemies. Panicked, their opponents would run away, dissolving their orderly arrangement, and they would be defeated. In history, there were a number of instances when a smaller army won against the larger one. Jiang Pengji decided to make her troops elite, although their power and ability would be far from satisfactory according to the standards from her era. This, this, and this. Mark their names on the sheet. Finally, she picked 15 people. The majority were under the age of 15, and the rest were young men. Are these all I can get? Jiang Pengji seemed displeased and turned to the shopkeeper. I need more boys. The housekeeper was relieved that Jiang Pengji had selected the servants with such strict standards. He could see Master Lius traits in the Langjun. Meanwhile, the old woman hesitated. In her eyes, the little master was too mysterious. You may pick from the others, but they may not suit your requirements. Some of them have committed crimes before The slave market obtained its supply from numerous sources: those from a clean background who sold themselves to traders, those who were sold by relatives, servants who had been cast away by their original masters and criminals who had been condemned to become slaves as punishment. So there are criminals? Jiang Pengji thought for a while. She had stated that she didnt want criminals, but after viewing the disappointing selection in front of her, she wanted more options. Show them to me. This vexed the housekeeper. He must stop his Langjun from admitting dangerous people into the family mansion! Before he spoke, Jiang Pengji consoled him. I will just take a look. They may not be chosen in the end. Chapter 56 - Picking Servants (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If she were merely selecting a few servants to guard the residence, Jiang Pengji would definitely not have chosen any who had a criminal background. However, if it was for her private army Heh, that would depend. She had yet to encounter a situation that she could not handle. Jiang Pengji was a thrill seeker, and sometimes she was borderline crazy. In her old life, before she had become a regimental commander, her superiors had trouble training her. Her thrill-seeking personality gave them a headache, so they sent her for a consultation. In the end, the therapists almost tore their hair out in frustration. After all, it had not been easy to accept a stranger who could tell all their deepest, darkest secrets just by looking at them. Under the head servants sharp look, the old woman brought out the problematic servants. Most of them had shackles around their hands and feet. They were sold by the local authorities? Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the men. Half of them had tattoos on their faces, which were a sign of brand punishment. Some are family members of corrupt officers, and some are death row criminals. They lucked out and were released due to a general pardon. The shopkeepers stomach turned as she looked at the men lined up in front of them who had ill-intentioned expressions. She did want them out of her hands quickly, but if Jiang Pengji bought them only to have them rebel against her The Lius would definitely not let the shopkeeper get away with that. A general pardon? Jiang Pengji searched her memories and found that such an event had indeed happened. That year, to celebrate his favorite concubines birthday and also half a years worth of peace in Dongqing, the emperor gave a general pardon. It had happened around early February that year. Under the old head servants anxious gaze, Jiang Pengji paced a full circle before she stopped in front of a boy of around 16 or 17 years. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: Eh, he looks pretty good. He looks a little like this guy who became famous a while ago. Toudu Feiqiu: Eh, I wouldnt have noticed if you hadnt mentioned it. But this one looks more mature than the other one. More manly! In the olden days, a 13 or 14-year-old could start his own family and business. A 16 or 17-year-old usually had a bunch of kids, so they were often more mature. Jiang Pengji did not care about appearances unless it was about a females appearance. Lift your head. Jiang Pengji used her fan to lift the boys chin. The boy hated the insulting gesture and tried to resist, but his strength was no match for Jiang Pengji. Pity The boy had also received a brand punishment. There was a tattoo on his right cheek near his ear. The tattoo had not been properly cared for, so the wound had become infected. It was oozing pus and blood. Yimi Yangguang: Ahhh! From this angle, they really do look alike! His gaze is awesome! The audience was excited by the handsome lad and started gifting rows upon rows of Lollipops and Hearts. The boys narrow black eyes were bright. His thick and long lashes shivered a little. His glare was sharp, and those who fell under it felt like they were being stabbed. His lips were pale, cracked, and dry. His cheeks were flushed with fever. He had a slim neck, and his untidy collar exposed his collarbones. The old head servant silently turned his gaze elsewhere. The sight was too beautiful to behold. It is such a pity. Even if the wound heals, there will be an ugly scar left behind. The shopkeeper sighed regretfully. The current beauty trend was to be skinny and fair. Many noble people wore flowers in their hair or applied powder on their faces. The difference between being beautiful or ugly was very clear. The boy might be good looking, but most people would consider him to be just average looking. If his face had not been scarred or tattooed, he would be popular with the ladies if were sold as a herdsman. Langjun, please leave him in case he spreads his illness to you, the old servant reproached as he looked at Jiang Pengjis fan. Jiang Pengji smiled and withdrew her fan. Her eyes roamed over the other boy, and he glared at her like a young beast trapped in a cage. What did he do? Jiang Pengji asked the shopkeeper. The old woman thought for a moment. Hes from the next county over. His mother was out buying vegetables when she ended up in a nobles way. She was pushed and fell to the floor. Unfortunately, she hit her head and died on the spot. Once he found out about it, he sought revenge and killed a guard. Then he got caught. By law, the boy should have received the brand punishment, and he would have been exiled for 30 years. But the guards family had not been satisfied, so they pulled strings to ensure that the boy would receive the death penalty. He had killed a man. It was not surprising that the guards family wanted his life in return. But the boy had lucked out with the general pardon. Because his crime had been committed due to filial piety, the officials decided to pardon him. He had ended up as a slave and went through a few families before landing up in this slave traders hands. Hes not easy to train. How about looking at someone else? the slave trader carefully suggested. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips for a moment before she smiled. She opened her fan and laughed. Its alright. Ill take him! The head servant and shopkeeper were speechless. That was a quick decision! Its not easy to find someone who can read and has a brain these days. And for a few silver pieces? Quite a steal. The boy glared at Jiang Pengji. She could even hear him grinding his teeth in anger. Jiang Pengji smiled at him. She was lucky. However, the other boy was not. If it hadnt been for her, the boy would have tried to escape the slave shop that night. But an escape like that was just childs play in Jiang Pengjis eyes, and it had caught her interest. Whats his name? The old womans brain seemed to have short-circuited, and it took her a moment to regain herself. Hes called Xu Ke. Do you have a formal name? Jiang Pengji asked the boy. The other boy had practiced martial arts, but his fingers had calluses from holding a brush. It was easy to deduce that he had studied for a long time, and most scholars had formal names. Jiang Pengji still did not understand why names had to be so complicated. A name was a name; why would someone need to a formal name, too? The old woman could not answer Jiang Pengjis question, so she sneakily kicked Xu Ke. She glared at him and said, Langjun is asking you. Xu Ke pursed his lips as he seethed quietly. Chapter 57 - Xu Xiaoyu (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langjun, my other name is Xiaoyu, the teenager answered. He looked down to hide the anger and hatred in his eyes. Jiang Pengji asked sarcastically, Xiaoyu, have years of study made you dumb? I know you wanted to take revenge for your mother, but you should have calculated the risk. Your enemy is still alive, and you were arrested for murdering a servant. I am beginning to regret buying such a fool! Toudu Feiqiu: Hahaha, but a minute ago you said it was a bargain. Feiqiu Qiyu Huanying Nin: Ill tell you what, though. Time travelers usually find treasures in slave shops. Xu Ke can be one, eh? Dumb as he is, he could be a sweetheart Maybe he will become your husband in this world! Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Why not your wife? Jiang Pengji turned away from the boy who had abruptly raised his head. She gestured to the housekeeper to add him as her selection. After another round of strict selection, she picked another six people, including Xu Ke. In total, she chose 20 young men. Have you noted all their names? she asked the housekeeper. We will first settle them in one of our farmhouses and then make further arrangements after training them. Yes, my Langjun. The old man was reluctant, but he did not show his feelings on his lined face. Besides, Master Liu had instructed him to let the Langjun determine everything for today. All he could do was comply. Oh! We need two more adult women who are strong enough to cook meals for all the servants. Jiang Pengji took a few steps and then told the trader, I prefer diligent people who can keep secrets. You can skip the cunning ones. This perplexed the housekeeper. The Lius had enough female servants to meet their needs at their home, which was not particularly spacious. Why would she want two more stout women? Selling 22 slaves was a huge deal for the shop. Males cost more than females, and adult men were the most expensive. The two women would cost eight to nine weights of silver each. The shop was official, so Jiang Pengji just had to inform the local affair office about her purchase. But that would not take much time. Jiang Pengji obtained the slaves contracts after making her payment and then took away Xu Xiaoyus contract. Tell those in the farmhouse to keep a close eye on him. Do not let him run away. She tucked the sheet away in a safe place and added, Inform me immediately if you catch him at night. You know the punishment for letting him get away. Buying the slaves was only one of her tasks. Liu She was also testing her ability to settle and train the slaves. Additionally, he wanted to monitor her spending habits. To allocate resources properly, she needed to learn where to purchase equipment and how much everything should cost. This is similar to what Liu She made me do before. She sat in the carriage. There were paper and a brush on the desk. She opened the housekeepers booklet and noted the details of all the servants, including their names, backgrounds, and prices. The audience laughed at scene, which was a rare instance of the host being troubled. They can train on the vast land and farm for their food. A self-sufficient system can help make ends meet. In addition, we need to pay for their clothes and equipment each quarter. There should be rewards and punishments to encourage them to actively train on their own. She thought about these measures and then wrote them down on the bamboo sheets. At last, she was content with the paper that was now packed with characters. Her next task was to find out how much things generally cost so that she could minimize her expenditure. Afterward, she would need to implement a training program to transform those timid lambs into roaring lions. Their physical strength was currently terrible according to her former standards. Many of the popular training methods that she had used in her era would not work for these boys. Even after making adjustments, the basic training would still be a nightmare for the boys. With excitement flickering in her eyes, Jiang Pengji licked her lips. Challenges always boiled her blood and animated her. I cannot wait to start! Toudu Feiqiu: Why do I have an ominous feeling? The temperature fell the moment she smiled. Yimi Yangguang: You are not alone, man. I am shivering in the cold! Jiang Pengji suppressed her emotions after viewing the comments. Simple people often had strong intuitions. It was not yet mid-March, so night still came early. There was less entertainment in ancient times, so the poor often had dinner at dusk and went to bed soon afterward. The rich, however, lit candles for reading or watched traditional operas until meal time. The housekeeper urged Jiang Pengji to return home for dinner. The family only had dinner separately when Master Liu was not at home. Now that the master was back, the family would eat together. When she entered the living room, she was surprised to see Madam Hu sitting by Liu Shes left-hand side. The stepmother was too ill to join. Jiang Pengji quickly greeted her father and nodded at Madam Hu. Then the servants began to bring the dishes to the table. Are my brother and sister having dinner in their rooms? Jiang Pengji asked as the servants set up. It was important to remain silent while eating. Although this family was less strict than others, she still needed to observe the basic manners and speak either before or after the meal. Madam Hu dropped her gaze and observed the patterns on her dress. Liu She frowned without replying. In the end, it was Madam Hu who broke the silence. She smiled. Third Langjun injured his head, so he is having a separate meal that has been prepared according to the physicians instructions. He said that it would prevent a scar. As for your sister, she is too little and shy to dine with us. Master is always stern with her. We do not want to make her cry, do we? Chapter 58 - Xu Xiaoyu (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She did not speak during dinner, and he acted as if he did not hear Jiang Pengji and Madam Hus conversation. He solemnly finished his food. Jiiang Pengji had a bigger appetite than Liu Lanting. The cooks were talented; even though they did not have as many seasonings in this era, they still made delicious food. For Jiang Pengji, the food was even better because she usually ate bland pre-packed food. Liu She secretly observed Jiang Pengji. He noticed that when she ate, her eyes narrowed in satisfaction like a cat. He filed away her preferences and thought about having the kitchen make more of her favorite dishes. Madam Hu followed Liu She into the main wing. After Jiang Pengji left, she asked, Cousin, youre still keeping the two illegitimate ones in the backyard? Madam Hu lazily draped herself over the table that Liu She often used to practice his writing. What illegitimate ones? Where did you learn such words? Liu She frowned. A headache that had not been emerged in years suddenly returned when he saw the ladys posture. Sit up. What are you doing? Heh, at least I didnt call them b*stards. Madam Hu rested her chin in a palm and continued before Liu She lost his temper. Lanting doesnt know anything. Those two may be the sons of a concubine, but they and Lanting are still half-related. If sparks flew between them, would you be able to stop it? Liu She didnt seem bothered by Madam Hus words. But the ladys eyes were sharp, and she noticed that his hand holding the brush shook for a moment. If it were anybody else, they would not have noticed anything wrong. Liu She lifted his gaze and coldly said, That girl is smart. Madam Hu finally sat up. She said agreeably, Thats true. Its as if shes changed into a different person. In the past, she was as meek as a lamb. If she didnt have help from the east wing, even the servants could have controlled her. Now shes more like a baby tiger. Liu She was silent for a second before he agreed. Like father, like daughter. Madam Hu rolled her eyes ungracefully before she unexpectedly undermined him. More like she takes after you after you turned 12. Liu She: Madam Hu decided to pull the rug out from beneath his feet by bringing up his history. There was a playful gleam in her eyes. The elders in Hejian County knew how stupid Liu She was when he was a child. He had been dumb, bratty, and messy. Liu She was the second son of the formal wife, yet he seemed to bring disaster everywhere he went. Even the servants could not bear to look after him. It was frowned upon to even mention Liu She. But he had good taste. When he was four or five, he had set his sights on the second daughter from the Gu family of Langye Province, and they grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Both the Lius and Gus were well matched in terms of social status, but that was all they had in common. As a child, Gu Min was talented and bright. When she was six, she and the first lady took care of the household affairs. Whatever mess she handled always came out perfect and orderly. Liu She, on the other hand, was a different story. Many people thought that Liu She was not worthy of Gu Min. But Liu She had brazenly stuck by Gu Min. Had they not been children, there would definitely have been slanderous rumors. When Gu Min reached a marriageable age, Liu She begged his mother to ask the Gu family for her hand. But he was slapped in the face by reality. Gu Min could become a queen and a role model for all women And Liu She, from the second Liu generation, wanted to marry her? After Liu Shes marriage proposal was rejected, he started working hard. He knelt before the Gu manor and begged Gu Min to put off her betrothal for two years. He had knelt in the storm for a day and night and made a vow through his high fever. After that, Heijan County lost one brat but gained one more taciturn and ruthless scholar Liu She. As Madam Hu and Liu spoke, the old head servant asked to speak to the master. Liu She remembered what he had wanted to do and quickly had Madam Hu sit properly. He then said, Come in. The head servant was there to report on Jiang Pengjis progress for that day. In the beginning, all was well and Liu Shes expression had little changes. Liu She felt like a proud father. But when the servant mentioned that Jiang Pengji had used her fan to lift Xu Xiaoyus chin, Liu She turned solemn. Xu Ke? The one branded on the face Is that Zisang Countys Xu Xiaoyu? Liu She asked uncertainly. The old head servant was dumbfounded. He had only mentioned that the boy was called Xu Ke, but he had not mentioned his formal name or his history. How did the master know? Yes, the second Langjun took him and was even certain that he would try to escape in the middle of the night Liu She scoffed. Hes treacherous by nature. How could we train such a person? If Lanting said he will escape, then he will We dont have many guards on the ranch, so if he tries to escape in the night The head servant was confused. He said, Then based on what you think If Xu Xiaoyu really escaped during the night, he would be dragged back and beaten to death. In any case, Lanting brought him back. How can we even let him escape? Liu She suddenly smiled; it was a smile that brought shivers to everyone who saw it. It was a smile he used when he was planning something. Dispatch another team to guard the ranch. If he runs, break a leg. An injury that will take him 100 days to recover should make him better behaved. The old servant was stupefied. So they would not beat a runaway servant to death? Since when had his master been so chivalrous? Just as the old servant was about to leave, Liu She changed his mind and dumbfounded the servant even more. Forget it, Ill go visit this Xu Xiaoyu. Let Lanting know. That Xu Xiaoyu. Who is he? Madam Hu frowned. Liu She gave her a cold smile. A dog who would bite and cant be trained. Cant be trained? But at least he bites. Thats better than all bark and no bite. Her words had an underlying meaning. Liu She understood but did not react. Madam Hu waited for a moment before giving a cold hmph. She stood up and flung her sleeves before stalking off. Liu She sighed and mumbled to the empty room. Spoiled by Gu Min But her temper is still bad Chapter 59 - Xu Xiaoyu (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio At the farmhouse, which was located outside the town, Xu Ke and the other male slaves were assigned to three bedrooms. Each person was allocated a bed and a thin blanket. The stout women were given another room. Some of the elder boys had already become accustomed to their new household, and they silently lay on their beds like corpses and held the bedding in their arms. The young, impetuous Xu Ke would not give up as easily as they had. His hands gripped the blanket, and his eyes were as dark as the ocean at night. A teenager who was sleeping next to him turned and sighed when he saw Xu Ke sitting on the bed. Why dont you get some sleep? We should save energy for tomorrow. We have no idea what is waiting for us Xu Ke interrupted with a hoarse voice. I am fine. I have rested enough these past few days because I was sick, and I am not tired at all. Maybe I should go out for some fresh air to avoid disturbing you. Good night. He put the blanket aside and opened the door gently as he tightened his lips. The view outside was dark as ink, and the surroundings were almost silent. The only sounds he heard were the snoring from the rooms and the blowing of the wind. He felt hope rekindle in his heart. This would be his only chance to escape. Everyone was new to the Liu family, so they had not developed loyalty for their masters yet. If time went by, it would be more difficult for him to run away under the eyes of so many faithful servants. He had yearned for freedom since the day he was released from prison. During his time in the slave shop, he had been patiently waiting for his chance to escape. The slave shop had monitored its slaves strictly. Two teams of guards checked in on them every fifteen minutes, and other strong men were stationed in every corner. Although Xu Ke knew some kungfu, he was too weak to fight them. And if they caught him, they would beat him to death. On the contrary, the farmhouse was loosely watched. He had figured out the guards regular patrol routes and was prepared to run away that night. Jiang Pengji would come in the morning, but he would be gone by then. All he needed to do was sneak out to the forest and hide for a few days. After that, he would gain the freedom that he had pined for! Tempted by the thought, he swallowed. A fever was burning his throat. The boy shook his heavy head to keep his mind clear and awake. He tried to remember the directions he had observed when they came in the mule carts. If Heaven would allow me to take revenge! He discreetly crawled in the shadows until the farmhouse became distant. He stumbled toward the woods and saw a deep forest a mile away. He had enough time. The people on the farm would not notice that he was missing until four hours later. However, he felt his feverish heart cool, and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He could not account for the fear that he suddenly felt. He continued to walk farther, but his heart sank. The roaring wind hit his face, turning his cheeks ice cold, but that was nothing compared to his frozen heart. His body could feel no warmth. He had dropped from the heaven of freedom to the hell of reality. There were 12 armored men on horseback who were staring at him without making a sound. Xu Ke stared back blankly. Silence rang out in the night. Finally, a clip-clop broke the stillness, and a man came forward. Are you Xu Xiaoyu? Xu Ke hoped this was a mistake. Maybe he could still survive. Now, all he wanted was to go back to bed. But these people had come for him. This sparked courage in him, and he tidied his clothes before bowing. Yes, I am Xu Xiaoyu from Zisang. Well, well! We have waited for you for the whole night! Our master wants to see you. The man gestured for him to follow. He was not willing to speak further. Xu Ke wondered who they were taking him to. He knew there was no chance of escaping now. He had only two legs, and the men were on horseback. Besides, he was ill and feeble. There were a number of farmhouses in various sizes that were situated next to Heijan. After walking for some time, he could see candle lights, which indicated there was another village nearby. Xu Ke grimaced with emotion. The man who was leading him jumped off his horse and handed the reins to his companion. He spoke to the pale-faced Xu Ke. The master is waiting for you inside. You will go in alone. Be respectful. Xu Ke didnt know who wanted to see him. But the instant he opened the door, he smelled the warm air that was mixed with a mild fragrance. The scent reminded him of the teenager he had seen in the morning. Was it him, the wealthy Langjun who had bought him? But he soon realized his guess was wrong when he saw the silhouette on the folding screen. The person behind the screen was an adult, and the Langjun was no more than 13 years old. Come in, a husky voice said. Xu Ke hurriedly collected his thoughts and kneeled in front of the screen. Before he even took a breath, he could hear the rustling of the mans clothes as he stood up. He heard his steady footsteps approaching, and he brought the scent of his fragrance with him. So you are Xu Ke, Xu Xiaoyu. The man raised his chin as sharply as the Langjun had, but this time, the man used his fingers instead of a fan. The force caused him to draw a breath, and tears slid to the corners of his red eyes. Now he could observe the mans features. The candlelight was flickering behind the man. His eyes were as cold and cruel as a deadly snake. Xu Ke could tell that this man and the Langjun were from the same family because they resembled each other. This troubled Xu Ke. He was just an ordinary slave. What had prompted such an important man to look for him? Still, he answered with difficulty. Yes, master. That is me. The mans snake-like scrutiny swept away all thoughts from his mind, leaving only boundless fear in his heart. He didnt even feel the pain on his bruised chin. Chapter 60 - Xu Xiaoyu (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had a good nights rest and cleaned up under Taxue and Xunmeis attendance. Langjun, the head servant sent a messenger last night. He said that someone escaped the ranch but was caught and brought back. Taxue straightened Jiang Pengjis collar and then combed her hair into an updo. She fastened it with a simple yet intricately carved jade hair stick. In ancient times, people were very particular about their outfit, hair, and appearance. Jiang Pengji only knew how to tie a ponytail. She let her two maids fuss over her as she lazily cracked open her eyes. She asked, Escape? Is it Xu Ke? Sounds like him. Hes now waiting outside for you to deal with Xunmei replied evenly. Youre so gentle and sweet, unlike other men. You took him under your wing. What was he dissatisfied with? To think he would try running away Jiang Pengji listened quietly and did not utter a single word. Truthfully, she admired what Xu Ke had done. Fighting for his freedom showed how courageous he was. Unfortunately, in this era, the way she and Xu Ke thought was considered rebellious. But she could not afford to be treated as a fool because of Xu Ke, so she kept quiet and listened. She started streaming in her elegant and unrestrained style and then quietly ate breakfast. Of course, the food options in this era were limited, and the audience commented on the quality of her breakfast. Outside the study, Jiang Pengji came upon Xu Ke, who was tidily dressed. The wound on his face had been properly tended to and was wrapped up. Why are you here? Jiang Pengji asked. The master instructed me to follow you into your studies and to serve you. Xu Ke trembled with rage, and his words showed his reluctance, but his posture was still polite. It was very unlike the way he was the day before. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and looked away as she swiftly realized something. Her lips curved upwards. Due to her identity as a girl, Liu Lanting had never once had a pageboy. Taxue and Xunmei had been in charge of grinding ink and cutting paper. But now that Xu Ke was her pageboy, those tasks would fall to him. Xu Ke was shocked when he entered the study and saw rows of books, stacks of bamboo scrolls, and even some rare paper books. His gaze swept over all the book titles, and he forgot himself. The study room was much bigger than a commoners entire house. The books on the shelves were priceless! Xu Ke lost his anger the moment he saw the books. He was so excited that his hands trembled. Whats wrong? Jiang Pengjis gaze swept over Xu Ke, and then she sat down and pointed at a chest beside the writing desk. Cut the paper. The paper workshop produced large sheets of paper. Jiang Pengji usually had the paper cut into a suitable size for practicing her calligraphy or homework. But the paper was too small for her to work on for designing a plan. She needed bigger pieces to work on. Toudu Feiqiu: Its still early and the host has given us some eye candy. Though the gender is wrong, hes still very pleasing to the eyes. Laogong Bushi Laogong: Eh, isnt this the obstinate boy from yesterday? Jiang Pengji appeared to be practicing calligraphy, but she was actually reading the comments. The comments were from all those dirty viewers! Badao Zhongcai: Did some unspeakable ahem ahem happen yesterday? If not, how did this wolf boy turn into a sheep with just one night? You must have done something to this cutie! Jiang Pengji tsked inwardly. When had she done anything to him? Obviously, someone else had trained him. Mofashaonu Afeng: I didnt watch for two days. Has the host started her plan to create her harem? Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: The audience is stupefied while the young lad, Xu Ke, remains docile and as pretty as a painting The comments were getting racy, and some viewers even gave some Likes. Some commented that they wanted a live viewing of how to tantalize a man. Jiang Pengjis eyebrows nearly moved in amusement. The oblivious Xu Ke stood aside, totally unaware of what was going on in Jiang Pengjis mind. His fair hands held on to the bamboo paper; the texture of it made him blush. The paper was as soft as a maidens hands. His heart beat profusely as he stood there helplessly. This is bamboo paper? Xu Ke had studied under a scholar in Zisang County. As a commoner, he had been lucky to study. When would he ever have the opportunity to use paper that was worth more than its weight in gold? He had seen bamboo paper before, but it was incomparable to the box of expensive paper in front of him. The paper he had seen before was like an old womans wrinkled hands, but this paper was like the skin of a newborn baby. It was smooth, and he could not stop touching it. Jiang Pengji: Had she missed something? Why had she brought back a pervert with a fetish? Actually, Jiang Pengji did not want to keep Xu Ke by her side. She had planned to have him keep track of her accounts and help train the new servants. He would deal with the household matters, from training servants to handing out rewards and punishments. This was the beginning stage of her private army. But even though she had once been the commander of Corps Seven, this era and her own time were too different. She had to grope her way in the dark for many things. Jiang Pengji appreciated that gleam in Xu Kes eyes But apparently, her father misunderstood something. Due to his past years of insane work, Liu She had not led a regular life, and he was rarely able to sleep much. Jiang Pengji went over to Liu She to pay her respects and have a meal with him. She keenly observed that his dark circles under his eyes were much darker this morning. Father, you didnt sleep well? Jiang Pengji asked, even though she knew the reason. Liu She smiled, took a gulp of tea, and then said, Trained a wolf. Jiang Pengji: She knew his words were not false, and Jiang Pengji turned her face away. Jiang Pengji had no sympathy for Xu Ke. Hell probably have some sort of trauma for the rest of his life, she thought. Suddenly she thought of something that she needed to talk to Liu She about. She thought he had misunderstood by thinking that she wanted Xu Ke for his looks. Father, Xu Ke is still a man. Having him by my side seems inappropriate. Jiang Pengji was still a girl, and Xu Ke was as smart as Feng Jin. If she were not careful, there would be consequences. He was still bought with real gold and silver. Keep him as your pageboy for now. If hes not good enough, then well dismiss him, Liu She replied. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. Did his words have another meaning? I wanted to have him oversee the new servants training and be a bookkeeper. Liu She finally lifted his head to look at her. He frowned before he replied neutrally, Ill leave it to you. Chapter 61 - Gathering by Wan River (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Life in ancient times was tedious. If Liu She had not given her tasks to complete, Jiang Pengji would have been bored to death. She missed her thrilling old days. The System was disappointed. I thought you would pick up your skills from the previous world and become a fighting machine. Jiang Pengji explained her reasoning. This body is too weak for that kind of training. Besides, I do not want to cause suspicion. I have a plan for the right time, but that is not now. She did not forget what had happened at the bandit village, and she would not allow herself to feel that same feebleness again. Still, she understood that no matter how hard she tried, her training methods would not work on this body. At best, she could only hope to slightly increase her combat power. So she was not motivated to put in the effort for such little reward. She would rather play it safe. I do not think there are many who can be my match now. Am I wrong? Others thought of her as a thin, fragile boy. After all, given her size, how powerful could she be? They did not know the truth: she was stronger than most adult men. And with her extensive fighting experience, she was nothing less than a killing machine in human form. Her skills were enough to protect herself for now. As for the other matters, she had another plan. The System grunted. It is so boring to have a host like you! There is nothing for me to do! As the Court Intrigue Stream, it wanted to live stream beautiful women plotting against one another. But what was Jiang Pengji doing instead? You are quite useless, okay? the host retorted harshly, keeping a smile on her face. The System lengthened each syllable of its reply. I want to cry To others, it appeared as though Jiang Pengji was simply reading in the corridor. But her eyes were shining with mischief. Stunned by the scene, Xu Ke, who was standing near her, diverted his gaze. He sometimes found the Langjun as pretty as a girl. Still, he did not suspect that she really was a young lady. She was far too sly, arrogant, and shocking. Although Xu Ke was still unwilling to be her servant, he didnt dare let her know. He didnt fear Jiang Pengji, but he feared her father. Even after three days, he still had nightmares about those cold snake-like eyes. The memory sent chills throughout his body. Of course, he didnt know how ignorant he really was. Liu She could afflict mental torture, but Jiang Pengji could torment someone until he begged for death. Taxue, what is the matter? Jiang Pengji turned to the attendant at the corner. The attendant handed Jiang Pengji a sweet-smelling invitation card that had flowers on it. A gathering held by the Weis? There were two cards; one was formal, and the other was written in soft, elegant characters. The second card had been handwritten by Wei Jingxian. I am not interested. Jiang Pengji could fight or hunt, but she could not compose poetry. She loved science, especially mechanics, but she knew nothing about literature. Beat me or shut up was her motto. Liu Lanting had not been much better. Her works had often been criticized by her teacher as being unoriginal. Taxue had not expected Jiang Pengji to decline the invitation, and she could not respond for a moment. Xunmei, too, was confused. Langjun, the invitation was written by the Weis young lady herself. It could be offensive if you reject it It would cause embarrassment to her future wife. Jiang Pengji, knowing what her attendants meant to say, sighed as she looked at the sky. It was a clear day, suitable for outdoor activities. Xu Ke did not understand and mumbled in a low voice. Why didnt they inform us about this a few days earlier? This is a gathering, not a challenge to an enemy. Invitations were usually delivered two to three days before these kinds of events so that the guests would have sufficient time prepare. Yet the card stated that the event would be held later that day in the afternoon. Jiang Pengji did not care much about it. We men can never comprehend the ladies thoughts. We just try to accept what they do. She had offended most of the noble ladies during the kidnapping. They might try to grasp any opportunity to embarrass her. Xu Ke was speechless. Why did the Langjun say that? Jiang Pengji played with her fan and asked the attendants to prepare suitable clothes for the gathering. After tidying her hair and washing her face, she was ready to go. It is better to sleep in this kind of weather, she told the stream audience. Feel sleepy in the spring and tired in the autumn. Take a nap in summer, and slumber through the three-month winter. Sleeping is the best activity throughout the entire year. It is silly of me to waste time on poetry. She always appeared to be lazy. At the moment, however, her soft features made her look like a painting of a beautiful girl resting in the springtime. The venue was on the bank of the Wan River outside the town, which was not far away. Their carriage could reach the destination in about an hour at its normal pace. Apart from the driver, she brought only one attendant and Xu Ke, whose knowledge of literature was not outstanding either. But there was a reason for his company. Liu She seemed to pay extra attention to the young servant. The manner with which he tested his competence showed that Xu Ke was more than an ordinary servant to him; he was more like a pupil. Such a suggestion would be considered unbelievable in this era. It was impossible for a master to place so much trust and importance on a criminal slave who had a tattoo on his face, no matter how talented he was. Generally, the social status of a criminal slave was lower than even that of a common person. Still, when Jiang Pengji considered Liu Shes extraordinarily open mind, she knew it was not impossible. Even apart from Liu Shes attitude towards the servant, Jiang Pengji was attracted to Xu Ke after observing him for days. But there was certainly nothing romantic about her attraction. She simply believed that the teenager could be nurtured to become a helpful assistant. He possessed the ideal qualities for handling internal affairs. He was clever and could devise methods of coping with problems immediately. If she had met him in her former life, she would have recruited him to be her assistant, and he would have been responsible for piles of paperwork. His situation in these ancient times, however, was much worse. Since the boy could be hasty from time to time, Jiang Pengji would try to change his temper first. If he proved that he could be useful, she would continue training him. If not, she would need to make other arrangements for him. The four arrived at their destination during her contemplation. A large crew of alert servants was gathering near the guests carriages. Once bitten, twice shy. It seems the incident has cast its shadow over the families. Jiang Pengji descended from the carriage and walked toward the people. Her wooden sandals clopped against the pebbled ground. Chapter 62 - Gathering by Wan River (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In late March, the grass grew long, and the birds flew. The willows turned green, and flowers blossomed. The sky was blue. The pavilion by the Wan River was filled with people. A few older servants were serving fresh seasonal fruits. Pear blossoms were in full bloom, and the sight was breathtaking. More than 10 handsome, young Langjuns were seated in the pavilion, enjoying the snacks and fruits. The oldest Langjun was around 20, and the youngest was slightly older than 10. None of the males were around the same age, but they were all good-looking. Jiang Pengji watched the screen as it steadily filled with comments about the beautiful men. She secretly rolled her eyes. She did not understand her audiences tastes. These Langjuns were indeed beautiful. They were all wearing brightly colored outfits with flowers in their hair and powder on their faces. They were more beautiful than the flowers! To be blunt, though, it was more like a gathering of crossdressers! Jiang Pengji pissed off her audience with her comment, and they retaliated with comments that nearly obscured her vision. Everyone had their own tastes, and they liked beautiful, bookish, weak boys. A semi-transparent screen separated a few noble girls from the Langjuns. Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the girls and realized that she was familiar with more than half of them. These girls just had a dangerous adventure, and now they were out at this assembly. They sure were courageous. The girls noticed Jiang Pengji as well. Shangguan Wan was one of them, and her eyes practically lit up. She wanted to go up to Jiang Pengji. But in such a public location, everyone would think that Shangguan Wan was interested in her brother Lanting because no one knew Liu Lantings true identity. So Shangguan Wan froze before sitting back down unhappily. Jiang Pengji did not make her way over to the girls. Instead, she found a seat with the other Langjuns. Xu Ke and Taxue sat down behind her. She had arrived at the event 15 minutes late. The others were displeased by her tardiness. Instead of letting her explain herself, they chose to ignore her. Jiang Pengji did not care and instead picked a chilled fruit and bit into it. Coolness spread throughout her body. A poetry recitation contest with a few embroidered blockheads? What a waste of time. She might as well eat, drink, and have a short rest. Jiang Pengji was carefree about the event, but her audience was anxious. They were waiting for her to strike back at the other Langjuns with her amazing poetry. You came to the poetry event to eat, drink, and sleep? Thats such a disgrace to female time travelers! Host V: When I was studying, I never scored well in the liberal arts. So dont make things difficult for me. And these ancient ways of speaking might even stump my archaeology professor. Normally Im in the middle of training or fighting wars. Im a soldier of great physical prowess. A bunch of dumbfounded audiences: Thats not in the script! Lancui Yu Buzhe: Its alright. Well be your backup. Duniang and Gudie will help you. Mofashaonu Afeng: On the left, we have the Tang poetry. On the right, we have the Song Dynastys Yuan opera. On top, we have Li Bai looking after you. Below, we have the Du Ministry of works possessing us. Youre standing on the shoulders of poetry and literature giants. Even a dwarf could wipe the floor with these guys. Half a minute ago you guys were still licking the screen. Now you turn your backs on me? Jiang Pengji was rendered speechless by the comments. They had turned their backs on her faster than they could flip through a book! Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: My mouse is already on Duniangs search page. If you need any poetry, Ill search them for you. As she watched the rowdy audiences comments, Jiang Pengji began reflecting about herself. Was she too well-behaved these few days? Had the audience actually forgotten about her ruthlessness from before? Host V: Theres no such thing as being the best in poetry or the second best in martial arts. A poem would not be enough to subdue them. If I cheated, they would find out in minutes. Even if I managed to create a shockingly good poem, they wouldnt just stop at that. Then after that, what would we do? Moreover, this era was not just about poetry or words. Copying a poem would not work here. If one was caught copying or faking an identity in this era, one would receive a death sentence. The whole family would also be punished. For a noble family, it would destroy the rest of their lives. The audience who had been watching the stream for the past few days quieted down. Since Jiang Pengji would not participate in the poetry contest, the audience went back to staring at the beautiful boys. Before Jiang Pengji could rest in the quietness in her head, she heard someone call her name. She turned and said, What? Even the blind could tell that Jiang Pengji had been inattentive. After the chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms and the unification of the country, women were no longer restrained to ladies chambers. If Daxia split again one day and the society tended towards male chauvinism, women would most likely be bound by certain rules and laws. But for now, the rules for women were not as strict. The assembly of scholars was more like a mass blind date for males and females. Even if these Langjuns were not there for the ladies, they still wanted to show off like peacocks on display. All of them wanted to show off, yet one of them was a traitor. He was showing disinterest. Was Liu Lanting there to pick a quarrel? An observant viewer pointed out to Jiang Pengji that the other Langjuns face was nearly flushed with anger. She returned to her senses and said, I am not good at metrical composition. Im sorry to disappoint everyone. The rejection was very blunt. The atmosphere turned awkward. Just then, a clear voice sounded out from the side. Lanting is such a mischievous person. Its so hard to see you, Feng Jin said. Laughter was evident in his voice as he walked towards them from the pear trees. His skin was as white as snow, and his was face smooth and clear. His almond-shaped eyes narrowed in amusement as he showed off his graceful charm. Though everyone was drawn to Feng Jins appearance, Jiang Pengji did not care. Why are you still in Hejian? All: He just arrived, and youre chasing him out of Hejian County already? Feng Jin did not show any reaction to Jiang Pengjis words. Instead, he had a servant pull up a seat next to her. Feng Jin playfully replied, Lanting, your words wound me. Jiang Pengji scoffed. Before you say that, at least wipe off some of that powder from your body. A word of advice: Youre still young, dont overdo it. Feng Jin froze. When he finally understood what she meant, his fair cheeks flushed red, and he nearly lost his composure. Jiang Pengjis audience started laughing. Chapter 63 - Gathering by Wan River (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Dont overdo what? Lancui Yubuzhe: Hey boy, dont overdo it! The host knows what you are doing! Badao Zhongcai: Oops. I am too innocent to understand a word! Toudu Feiqiu: The joke is so embarrassing. I am turning blue. With red cheeks, Feng Jin lowered his voice. Lanting, how could you say that? I have done nothing! Jiang Pengji mocked him. You did not? Why? Do you need to consult a physician? It was like having yellow mud on his pants; no matter what he said, it would still look like sh*t. Who said he couldnt go to brothels for other reasons? Couldnt he simply watch the pretty ladies dance or listen to them singing? Jiang Pengji could always spoil his day. Feng Jin didnt complain but tried to calm himself down with tea. Then he noticed Xu Ke, who was standing close behind her with his face down. He asked, This is? Jiang Pengji replied, My new page boy. Hes proud but talented. He might become my righthand man someday. Strange! cried Feng Jin. He must be exceptional if he has your high opinion! Feng Jin had tasted Jiang Pengjis criticisms. She could detect every secret. Xu Ke must be extremely competent to have won her approval. Feng Jin couldnt help but compare himself to the servant. At the moment, he forgot a crucial factCthat Liu Lanting was actually a girl. Jiang Pengji glanced at him and took a sip of tea. Maybe but he is just my bookkeeper. The flavor of the ancient tea was so different from what she was used to. The various spices added an indescribable flavor to the drink. But even more terrible was the fact that she was beginning to get used to the taste after trying it several times. Feng Jin greeted some langjuns with a smile and a nod. Why dont you join them to write some poems? Feng Jin whispered in her ear. Jiang Pengji lifted her eyebrow. I do not challenge others strengths with my shortcomings. Feng Jin thought about her strong points and rubbed his forehead. She should not have come at all! But he attempted to cheer her up. You can ride a horse, play pitch-pot, or practice archery here. I bet you are good at those things. Everyone, including Feng Jin who came from Shangyang, knew that Liu She was a gifted scholar in Hejian. It was surprising that Liu Shes son was illiterate and could compose not a single work. Still, not everyone was a great writer. The childs talents could be different from the fathers. Really? Jiang Pengji looked around at the langjuns, who were like peacocks opening their tails. She scorned contemptuously. I have heard that male animals love to show females their charm in the spring. Your recommendations are too difficult for them. Let them sit here and play music, sing, or make disgusting poems as they like. Feng Jin should not have mentioned it. If they continued, they would not be able to leave the place safely without being punched. He shifted the topic to avoid provoking other people. Why did you come today? Unlike their usual gatherings, this was a matchmaking event. Jiang Pengji motioned toward the folding screen that had patterns of mountains and water on it. She answered with warmth in her words. Because Jinger is here. Others who heard her would have thought that the langjun had come for Wei Jingxian because he missed his future wife. Feng Jin, however, was special. He had not met Jiang Pengji until recently, but he already treated her like a close friend. He frowned. With a voice that was only audible between them, he asked, Arent the Weis discarding your marriage agreement? Huaiyu, have you forgotten? Jiang Pengji seemed to be joking. That bond was never meant to last long. Jinger is becoming an adult, so she should be married soon after her coming-of-age ceremony. There are not many suitable langjuns in Hejian. It is time for her to look for her match. Weddings during ancient times were settled at an early age. Wei Jingxian had to look for a desirable candidate before she became an adult. Otherwise, it would be too late. Feng Jin showed complex emotions as if he himself had been tricked. Arent you angry? She responded by rolling her eyes. Oh yes, she was a girl. But he viewed her as a brother. There is no reason for you to be here, especially as you have identified the purpose of this gathering. Although she was a fake langjun, the Weis should not have persuaded the young lady to cheat on him. Jiang Pengji said, The sun will not go down simply because I choose to sleep. I like Jinger, and a nice girl like her deserves a good husband. That is why I have come: to see what kind of langjuns her family is picking for her. Wei Jingxian could not fight her parents decision. Therefore, Jiang Pengjis liking for her had not diminished. And what are your conclusions? It was not Feng Jins habit to talk behind peoples backs, let alone to their faces. But Jiang Pengji had no problem with it. As she drank her tea, her eyes turned toward a man. This is a womanizer. The fragrant powder on his clothes belongs to three to four of his attendants, one of which has been pregnant for five months. Feng Jin had listened attentively until his eyes widened at her assertions. This guy leers at his brothers newly acquired bride. He must have dreamed about the wonderful time he had with her last night. That one likes men and is too cold toward women. Marrying him would be no different from choosing to be a widow. She continued gossiping with Feng Jin secretly. The one in pink with the flowers on his head is a pedophile and has a fetish for sexual violence. Tsk! His pretty face is ruined by a filthy heart. It will be a misfortune to marry him. As for the teenager in the black robe, he is honest, but he is not quick enough. The mild boy is often stubborn and overly careful. His father is dead, and his mother is authoritative. His bride would no doubt be mistreated. This candidate is also out. As she spoke, a young man in stone grey clothes appeared within their sight. His demeanor was as elegant as Feng Jins. Her companion grinned. How about him? What do you think of him? Not bad upon first sight, but he is not an ideal spouse after all. She sipped the tea and cleared her throat, which had become hoarse after whispering for a long time. His mother passed away when he was little. His family was well-off, but he was often neglected and abused at home, which made his mindset narrow and extreme. Still, he was good at containing his emotions like a hiding snake. But once he breaks free of his former restraints, people are likely to suffer from his real temper Chapter 64 - Gathering by Wan River (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jins eyes lit up. Other than that, is there anything else? Jiang Pengji smiled coldly. You both left the same place; how could you not know? He was hugging a few girls, and one was even feeding him. Such a free and unfettered life. To be blunt, he even went a few rounds before he showered and rushed over. Feng Jins cheeks started flushing red. Why was he such a masochist? He knew what Liu Lanting was like, yet he kept offering himself on a silver platter and letting her bully him. Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over the other Langjuns who were chatting and discussing poetry. No matter how pretty they were, in her eyes, they were weaklings. They were so weak that she felt disgusted by them. Jiang Pengji left her tea behind. Boring! Taxue, Xu Ke, with me! She got up and stalked off towards Wuma Jun. She did not notice the others awkward expressions. Wuma Jun had noticed Feng Jin chatting with an extraordinarily mannered boy from afar. It seemed like Feng Jin was having fun, so Wuma Jun headed over for a chat. He had not expected the other boys expression to turn cold and stalk off. The paranoid Wuma Jun could not help but overthink. Fengjin laughed and shook his head and covertly neutralized the situation. Lanting is not good at poetry. Looks like I pissed him off. Wuma Jun took a seat. His unhappiness was somewhat appeased, but he still thought about it. Whos that? The boy had stubbornly left him and Feng Jin behind to go over and chat with the noble girls It seemed like he was a capable person. Feng Jin laughed, though he was unaware of the unhappy gleam in the other boys eyes. Official Lius second son. In the whole of Dongqing, there was only one senior provincial official with the family name of Liu. And that was Hejians Liu She. Of course, Liu Shes position would not be a senior provincial official for long because he would be getting a promotion soon. Wuma Juns expression turned kind and even enthusiastic. Liu She was not in the imperial court, but his position was pretty high. No one in the imperial court would ever dare to overlook or ignore him. Liu Shes county had turned in a yearly tax that was comparable to two that of prefectures, and it was also Dongqings main source of food. Not everyone had the power to turn a poor county into such a prosperous one. Oh, so hes the Liu familys Langjun. But why did he leave? Wuma Jun asked suspiciously. Lanting has a passion for combat and seems to be interested in adventures. He doesnt have much patience for poetry, Feng Jin replied gently but helplessly. Hes only 12 this year. Still immature and impulsive. Wuma Jun understood Feng Jins personality. Feng Jin enjoyed talking about obscure topics, and he had probably offended Liu Lanting with a difficult topic. Wuma Jun finally smiled. He thought he understood the reason for Jiang Pengjis departure. Huaiyu, if you knew that Liu Langjun didnt like talking about those topics, couldnt you could have changed the topic? Why offend him? I heard that senior official Liu loves his son a lot, and hes also this years exam evaluator. Arent you worried? A scholar exam happened once every three years. Liu She was technically a senior provincial official, but he was more like an official in charge of a prefecture. That year, he had been specially promoted to oversee the exam. If he had offended Liu She, he better be careful. Senior official Liu is upright and honest, and he would pay attention to a childs ability. Which part of Dongqing didnt have officials who colluded with each other? Almost none. Only Liu She remained honest. When Liu She had first been sent to Xu County, everyone knew that he had been sabotaged. Xu County was as big as a prefecture, but it was poor and inhospitable. The locals were tough people, and the place was teeming with bandits. Scholars and officials alike exploited the locals for their own personal gain. The place became waterlogged every year, and natural disasters happened frequently. Nine senior provincial officials before Liu She had ended their careers because of Xu County. Everyone thought Liu She would be the tenth unlucky victim, and no one expected him to turn the tides. The current Xu County was still called a county, but it was now one of Dongqings richest prefectures. The food resources that it generated had ended two prefectures disastrous situation and even stabilized Dongqing. Who would dare to say that they had not heard of Liu She? Jiang Pengji had yet to realize her weird fathers importance. She had a headache over something else. Can someone take Shangguan Wan away from me! One moment she would say, Brother Lanting doesnt care about me, then the next moment she would say, Brother Lanting shouldnt pamper me as if Jiang Pengji was guilty of the most heinous crime. Then what do you want? Jiang Pengji thought she had made a dumb move. Why had she even come over? She could have just choked Feng Jin to death instead. Teach me how to ride a horse. The big one ones. I dont want a pony. Shangguan Wan pouted and begged as her braids swung around her face. So hard to please. How do you expect to ride a horse in your outfit? Jiang Pengji pressed a palm to her own forehead, but she understood Shangguan Wans good intentions. She was wise beyond her years. Even though she was still too young to attend the assembly, for Liu Lantings sake she had pestered her parents to allow her to attend. Shangguan Wan had seen through the Weis intentions and was trying to help Liu Lanting salvage the situation in front of everyone. I knew you would say that, and I came prepared, Shangguan Wan said, narrowing her eyes slyly. Jiang Pengji admired the little girl. Jiang Pengji was about to walk away when she froze. She turned around and faced Wei Jingxian. The other girls expression was complicated, remorseful, and embarrassed. Wei Jingxian, are you joining us? Her expression turned pale, and she shook her head. Shangguan Wan took the lead. Her clothes had been specially altered for the day, and they were perfect for horse riding. Brother Lanting, dont blame sister Wei Jingxian. She only got the news about this event last night. They brought Liu Lantings horse and walked to a place where everyone could see them but not hear them. Why would I blame her? The Weis invitation contained one of her own notes. Here, try getting up. Jiang Pengji stood on tiptoes and lightly stroked the horses neck. From the outside, it looked like she was trying to calm the horse down. But in actuality, she was threatening the horse because it had dared to raise its hooves. It should not throw any tantrums now. Liu Lanting and Shangguan Wan were just children, and the horse was a pure blooded breed from Xinjiang. It was powerful enough to throw two riders off its back, yet the legendarily untamable horse was as meek as a lamb. Too high I cant get up Shangguan Wan tried a few times, but she could not even get a foot into the stirrup. She frowned. Jiang Pengji noticed the situation, but she could not just carry the girl up. She glared at the horse and mentally hinted at it. Shangguan Wan saw Jiang Pengji gave a light pat to the horse, and it suddenly stooped down for her. Such a perceptive horse! Jiang Pengji smiled as she held onto the reins, and Shangguan Wan gripped the saddle. You can get up now. Chapter 65 - Gathering by Wan River (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shangguan Wan imitated the way Jiang Pengji had calmed the horse and patted its neck fondly. The animal had been born as a warrior horse in the north. It was white as snow, without a patch on its skin. Liu She had made great efforts to obtain it, but after being handed over to a power-level-five master, it had been relegated to pulling carriages. What a tragedy! Shangguan Wan sighed. I think you and Wei Jingxian are so suitable for each other. Jiang Pengji eyed her. Stop pretending. You know my brother died early, and I am Lanting the sister. The girl teased Jiang Pengji. But if I call you my sister in front of the others, would you answer? All of a sudden, the bullet screens began repeating a joke that she did not understand. Badao Zhongcai: Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you? Lancui Yubuzhe: Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you? Shitang Dafan Ayi: Lmao. You naughty monkey, will you answer if I call you? Monkeys were displayed all over the interface, and Jiang Pengji became stressed by her childish audience. Couldnt they do anything besides copying and pasting? Then she folded her arms and looked at Shangguan Wan like a dissolute man. I dare not, I am afraid. Now that she was on the horse, Shangguan Wan saw the langjuns starting another game in the distance. Are they playing pitch-pot and archery? Theres nothing exciting about a bunch of bony boys. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes with evident disdain. Her friend nodded to show agreement. That is right. Lanting is the best. Come on, I want to ride a few more rounds on the circuit. Instead of complying, Jiang Pengji led the horse to return to its stall. Shangguan Wan playfully hugged the horses neck to show her insistence. You are way too smart, mumbled Jiang Pengji. It wasnt until then that she remembered Shangguan Wans situation. In ancient times, girls were not strictly confined at home; they could attend gatherings as long as attendants were present. However, there were plenty of things they were forbidden to do, such as riding on large horses. Younger girls like Shangguan Wan lived under even more restraints. Even if she could ride, her family would only provide her with ponies. Shangguan Wan found the air fresher now that she was sitting on a tall horse, and she began to hum lively folk rhymes with a light heart. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji had no idea that Xu Ke was currently embarrassing some langjuns and causing trouble. Please take a look. On a desk lay a piece of paper. Xu Ke held a brush firmly, and his handwriting reflected resolution and a strong will. Nothing could hide his talent. What? Years of teaching prevented the silly langjuns from swearing in public. Feng Jin, who witnessed the entire incident, looked at the seemingly submissive yet unusually sharp Xu Ke. He then glanced at the tiny figure of Liu Lanting leading a horse in the distance and silently took a sip of tea. He better not get involved. The tension had started from the moment Shaungguan Wan invited Jiang Pengji to a ride. To leave space for the masters, Xu Ke and Taxue had stayed with the langjuns. Some of the langjuns parents had told them about the purpose of the event, so they wanted to see Liu Lantings attitude. They were disappointed when they realized that Liu Lanting was more indifferent than they had expected. And the truth was that Liu Lanting did not care much about the rest of them. What was more, he shamelessly admitted that he knew nothing about literature and refused to make poems with them. When they invited him to participate in other activities, he always responded with an unexcited look. Soon, the young men no longer approached him, and they were displeased that they could not make fun of him. But what could they do with such an incorrigible langjun? The next time they saw Liu Lanting, he was riding with the lady of Shangguan family. They would not let him get away so easily. His servants were still here, werent they? Xu Ke heard the rude remarks about his master, which were started in a low voice by a youngster who had been offended by Jiang Pengjis comments. Xu Ke did not know much about the affairs between the houses. But with his sensitivity and wit, he noticed the strange atmosphere, and it was not long before he realized that something was wrong. Some had said that Liu Lanting was too coarse to be the son of the well-educated Liu She. Someone who was illiterate should not be a langjun. Because the other langjuns had failed to ridicule Liu Lanting, they turned their attentions to Lantings servant. Contrary to their expectations, however, they only resulted in humiliating themselves. Every time they challenged Xu Kes poetry and literature, the outcome was like a slap in their faces. In his heart, Feng Jin expressed sympathy for them, and he turned his gaze away from the group. Books were scarce for ordinary people like Xu Ke. Every book that he did own, although they were too cheap for the langjuns, was rich in content. He would re-read it for half a year before looking for another book. Xu Ke was not well-learned, but he was gifted in creating refreshing poetry. The langjuns would have succeeded in humiliating him if they had tested him on writing argumentative essays or memorizing the teachings of great scholars. But they wanted to show off their romantic talent in poetry, which was Xu Kes strength. Feng Jin smiled. She is wise, eh? Do not challenge others strengths with your shortcomings.'' Xu Ke glanced at him, trying his best to compose himself. Soon, Wuma Jun smoothed out the situation with a smile and his distinct attitude. Langjuns, that wretched slave does not deserve your attention. What he has done is merely luck! Xu Kes eyes dimmed, and he clenched his fists tightly. His capabilities would never be able to change his inferior background. He was only a servant who must endure mistreatment. He would not be pitied if he someday irritated the nobles and was beaten to death as a result. Feng Jin observed the agony in Xu Kes heart. To his peers, he suggested, Anyway, poems alone cannot help strengthen our kingdom. It is just an entertainment to kill time. The weather is too nice for dwelling on poetry. What about riding or playing pitch-pot? Or perhaps fishing, too! Fish in this season must be active. He turned to Xu Ke and instructed mildly, You can leave us now. Ask Lanting if he would like to join. Wuma Jun glanced at Feng Jin, confused. Hold on. Just when Feng Jin thought the friction was over, the langjun in pink spoke. I am of the same mind. But I suppose that we are all fed up with the ordinary game of pitch-pot. Let us try out something new. I have heard that the northern barbarians often place objects on their servants heads and shoot them as targets. Feng Jin stiffened. He asked with a warning in his voice, Are you quite sure? Of course! It is just a pastime. Why dont we use this servant? Chapter 66 - I’m Impressed, My Host (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wuma Jun did not want to offend either side and chose to stay neutral. Feng Jin, on the other hand, was furious. Zheng Langjun took a kiwi from the food table. Xu Kes eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected things to turn out this way. Feng Jins gentle expression turned cold. There are women here. If you misfire your arrow, wouldnt you agitate their families? Rites, music, archery, charioteering, reading and writing, and arithmetic are the six arts a nobleman should know. Principles, morals, regulations, and serving the country are the essentials of a nobleman. Every Langjun here had to learn all this from a young age. You think I could not even control a small bow? He smiled. He was not old, but he had a sinister smile. Feng Jin thought back to Jiang Pengjis deduction about this Langjun, and he could not help but admire her grasp of Zheng Langjuns character. He took a deep breath and coaxed his expression back to its usual gentleness. He said, Langjun, have you forgotten that this is Lantings page boy? He belongs to the Lius. How could you overstep your boundary by punishing his servant? This is ungentlemanly. Please think thrice. Liu Lanting could kill a whole den of bandits; how would a benevolent family fare? Feng Jin was not just protecting Xu Ke. He was also trying to prevent any fights from happening. He did not understand why anyone would choose this particular time to offend Liu Lanting. Didnt they know that her father was the exam officer that year? One word from him would decide the fate of future scholars. Zheng Langjun gave a cold hmph. If something happens to this lowly servant, Ill buy eight or ten servants for Liu Lanting. Take out the bow and arrows Anyway, Liu Lanting comes from a strict, literary family, so they would not demand anything for the sake of one lowly servant Xu Ke had looked indignant, but now his hands trembled with rage. This group of parasites only knew how to enjoy all of lifes privileges without doing a stroke of work They were still young, yet they were ruthless. The limit is 50 steps. Get him to stand properly. Remember not to tremble, or I might miss. Zheng Langjun sounded immensely pleased. There were several guards protecting the assembly, and a white cloth covered the exterior to shield it against the wind and also to stop outsiders from snooping. Wei Jingxian wondered what was happening next door, so she summoned a maid to check on things. Then she found out what was happening. Wan Xiuer was sitting next to her, and she frowned. She asked, Shouldnt today be about poetry and works? Why has it turned out like this? A noble girl who was unaware of the truth gave a low laugh. She said, I heard that Zheng Langjun has been interested in Jingxian for a while now. Hes probably jealous. Wei Jingxian normally would have glared at whoever was creating such a ruckus. However, her mind was currently wandering, and it took a few pushes from Wan Xiuer to regain herself. Even if he is jealous, he still shouldnt publicly humiliate someone, Wan Xiuer said, bluntly expressing her displeasure. He should have left the page boy alone after he had lost to him in poetry. Instead, he had flown into a rage and was now using the page boy as an outlet to vent his anger. It was such a disgrace. Wan Xiuer summoned her maid over and quietly ordered her to get Liu Lanting to settle it. Wei Jingxian shot Wan Xiuer a look of relief. This assembly felt strange, and Wan Xiuer could not help but frown. On the other side of the assembly, Jiang Pengji was still walking her horse. Eh? Whats wrong now? Jiang Pengji lifted her eyes. This little brat still wants to ride? Her wooden clogs were wearing down from the stones beneath their feet. Brother Lanting, someone is running over and waving at me, Shangguan Wan said with doubt in her voice. Wave? Jiang Pengji frowned. Displeasure flashed through her before she said, Let me see. Jiang Pengji summoned some energy and lightly leaped onto the horses back. Shangguan Wan gave a startled cry. Hold the reins, Jiang Pengji said as the white horse suddenly raised its hooves and ran. The moment the horse stopped perfectly in front of the maid, she asked, Whats wrong? The maid bowed in greeting. She said, My mistress sent me to tell Langjun to hurry back. Without rhyme or reason Who knows what happened Jiang Pengji mumbled. Shangguan Wan let out a cry and then pointed at the empty spot in the assembly. She said, Brother Lanting, there! Why does the archery target look like a person? Archery target? Person? Jiang Pengji frowned and looked where Shangguan Wan was pointing. Shangguan Wans back was turned, so she did not see the ominous expression on Jiang Pengjis face. Brother Lanting? she asked when she did not hear a response. After a good while, Jiang Pengji said, Shangguan Wan, do you want to try archery? Her voice was soft and held a hint of devilishness. Jiang Pengji smirked, and anger flashed in her eyes. So theyve decided to come knocking? Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Pengji removed the bow and an arrow from the horses back. Hold on to the reins! she said, tightening her legs around the horses belly. The horse reared up and galloped towards the pavilion as Jiang Pengji calmly drew the arrow. The bow was pulled so tautly that the ends nearly touched each other. The bow needed one stone of draw weight; only a few adult men would have been capable of drawing it. One stone was the equivalent to around fifty kilograms, so it was impossible for a twelve-year-old to be able to use the bow. Back at the assembly, Xu Ke swallowed his anger and placed the kiwi on his head. He took 50 steps away from Zheng Langjun, who was still smiling. Zheng Langjun took a bow and arrow from his servant. He considered the weight of the bow and realized with delight that it was his usual training bow. To fully draw it, he would only need around half a stone of draw weight. When Feng Jin noticed that Zheng Langjun was aiming at Xu Kes heart, he was furious. He stepped forward and grabbed the hand holding the arrow. At that moment, an arrow sliced through the air, and its shockwave stung Feng Jins cheeks. It came at lightning speed and shot off Zheng Langjuns hair accessory, causing his hair to fall loosely around him. A loud thud sounded. Half of the arrow was embedded in a pear tree, and the other half trembled for a good while before it stopped. Who gave you permission to touch my servant! Chapter 67 - I’m Impressed, My Host! (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The stream audience was thrilled. Anjing Zhuanggebi: I am impressed, my host! Qinshihuang: Mom! That is her! She steals my heart but refuses to marry me! (Cry) This was a crazy channel with bizarre content and abnormal viewers. Jiang Pengji was glad she was not affected by them at the moment. Clop clop! Jiang Pengjis horse approached the young men like white lightning. The horses athletic, fine physique leaped over the wall of guards and landed precisely in front of the Zheng Bingjun. The horse impatiently kicked the sand and stones on the ground, and it blew hot air in the langjuns face. Jiang Pengji was on the horse, and rage was on her face. Zheng Bin looked at his disheveled hair and felt the aching skin on his head, and he furiously flung his sleeves behind him. You almost killed a man! Did I? Jiang Pengji squinted her eyes. One hand gripped the bow while the other supported a startled Shangguan Wan. Then she scorned, No, I never harm my fellow creatures. I saw you insulting my page boy while I was away, and I must let you have a taste of it, too! Jiang Pengji looked down at the overly girlish langjun. Her arrogance and indignation intimidated everyone around her. No one could meet her eyes except Feng Jin, who was suppressing his laughter with all his strength. He was finally at ease and released the teenager, whom he had been holding back. He needed to end this before she made a scene. But Jiang Pengji did not appreciate his assistance. She hopped from the horse and patted it, and then she leisurely walked to one side and stayed there. Shangguan Wan now realized what had happened and blushed with excitement. Zheng Langjun, you are taking the exam this year, arent you? She drew an arrow from the holder, gripped the shaft with one hand, and aimed precisely at the boys fragile face. I wonder what would happen if I drew a line on your face right now. Everyone was aghast. Was she going to start a fight? Contrary to the nerve-racking atmosphere at the gathering, the livestream viewers were relaxed and curious. Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: What exam? Mofashaonu Afeng: Probably like the imperial examination in our history. It was used to select bureaucrats. Feichang Meinu: Why am I excited by the upcoming scene of the host tormenting a teen? Were they over-thinking? She was just threatening to ruin his face. Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji shouldnt harm Zheng Bin, but he was afraid that any attempt to stop her would only provoke her to do it right away. Many rules of Dongqing originated from the former dynasty of Xia, and there were over a thousand detailed articles. The most common rule stated that anyone with a slave background, physical disability, obvious damage to appearance, or records of showing disrespect to his parents, shall not enter the court to serve the kingdom. You You cannot do this! Zheng Bin stepped back. His face was pale. Let us see, she replied coldly. As Zheng Bin took another step back, she took a step forward. Compared to Zheng Bins shaky movements, hers were bold and firm. A decent man would challenge me with integrity, but you abused my page boy instead. You have learned a lot over these years! Zheng Bin nervously swallowed as he felt the sharpness of the cold metal. His eyes did not leave the arrowhead for a second. The examination was coming, and he must not be rejected because of a wounded face! What do you want then? Zheng Bin was irritated and humiliated. Since when had Liu Lanting the timid lamb become so thorny? You love aiming at fruits on peoples heads, huh? Suddenly, Jiang Pengji raised the corners of her lips, and everyone knew there was a scheme behind it. Well, I like the game, too. You have also brought your own page boy, right? I will play with you, and it will be a fair game this time. The rules should be amended, or else others might say that I deliberately tried to injure your servant. That was too dangerous. Feng Jin tried to persuade her. Lanting, he is a fool, but you are not. Think about your career! If others in the town knew about her suggestion, they would deem her as a violent youngster. I am not stupid, of course. Jiang Pengji did not look at Feng Jin. Each of us will have three arrows. The first distance will be 50 steps, the second 70, and the third 100. The fruits will be our target. Is that clear? She kept a cruel smile on her face and continued to hold the arrow steadily. Before Zheng Bin could respond, she commanded Xu Ke. Take the kiwi. I will go first. Xu Ke had thought he could get rid of the role; he never suspected that his Langjun would make him do it, too. Still, he only hesitated a few seconds before obeying. As instructed, he placed the fruit on his head and walked until he counted 50 steps. Whoosh! Before he had even fixed his posture or noticed Jiang Pengjis move, Xu Ke heard the fruit being penetrated, and its juice splashed over his hair. When he realized what had just happened, his inconsiderate master ordered him again. 70 steps! Bloody hell! When did she aim? But now he felt confident in Jiang Pengji. The moment he took another kiwi from an attendant and stood 70 steps away from the crowd, an arrow sped exactly into the fruit. He had to admit that he had underestimated his langjun. Finally! 100 steps! The final distance was too challenging for most people because the fruit was too tiny to be seen from far away, and the light bows they used for practicing could not shoot arrows to such a long distance. The arrow would most likely drop midway from the force of the wind. But that was not a problem for Jiang Pengji. She would not miss her targets even if her eyes were closed. As for the bow Hers was a heavy bow. After some practice, she could even master a three-stone bow. Feng Jin knew about her abilities, but that did not stop him from worrying. What do they think this event is? It is most displeasing to see them competing against one another. Still, why is Liu Lanting acting so boldly today? The ladies who had not been kidnapped still thought Liu Lanting was the shy youngster he had always been. Wan Xiuer was among the eldest of them, and she was more mature in her response. After sipping her tea and drying her lips with a handkerchief, she faked a smile. She said, Perhaps it is because of his confidence in his archery skills. This is the only chance he has to fight back against the others. Jingxian, am I right? Chapter 68 - I’m Impressed, My Host (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Jingxian was not in any state of mind to talk, but since Wan Xiuer was talking to her, she had to be polite. She managed to hunt for food with that loose bow back then. Aiming at a piece of fruit 100 steps away will not be hard for her. I think Zheng Langjun will have his pride handed back to him, Wei Jingxian said. If she loses, it would not look good for her. But if she wins, no one will care about how this all started or ended. They will only remember Liu Lantings archery skills. Wei Jingxians words were really for Jiang Pengjis sake. If you dare humiliate me, I will step on your pride. As usual, Jiang Pengjis demeanor remained cool as she released her last arrow. Within the blink of an eye, a soft thud sounded as the arrow hit its target dead center. Everyone was speechless. Even Feng Jins eyes flashed with amazement. Your bow Feng Jin took the bow from Jiang Pengji. As he held it, he knew it was not an ordinary bow. He tried to draw it and was surprised by the draw weight. This is at least one stone, right? Hm, it is. But its lighter and still quite new. When I drew it fully, the bow felt like it wasnt happy with me. Jiang Pengji saw Feng Jins expression and silently voiced her thoughts in her head: Dont speak anymore. I want to be alone. One stone? Even an adult male would not be able to draw it to its full potential, yet Jiang Pengji had done so without breaking a sweat. The audience in the stream was dumbfounded. One stone of draw weight That was insanely awesome, right? Zhiai Tieguanyin: Although I have no idea whats going on, I still have to pretend that I get it. That host is insanely awesome. Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: Anyone good in history? Whats one stone? Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: #smug smile. That would depend on the timeline. One stone would typically be between 30 and 60 kilograms. Im not too sure about the hosts world, but based on that Feng boys expression, Im guessing its not something a normal 12-year-old boy could do. Jiang Pengji ignored the stream as the viewers discussed the exact measurements of one stone. She had not forgotten her goal. She smiled naturally as she faced Zheng Bin. She yelled, Now its your turn! It was impossible for Zheng Bin to stop now. If he were to reject the challenge or back off, he would be humiliated. He had taken his anger out on Liu Lantings servant; now, Liu Lanting was practically slapping him in the face because of it. Zheng Bin controlled his temper and ignored his page boys pleading gaze. He ordered the boy to stand 50 paces away with a kiwi on his head. Xu Ke had been calm and collected, but Zheng Bins page boy was obviously terrified. His legs trembled, and the kiwi on his head tottered. When he saw his young master raise his bow, his legs collapsed beneath him, and the front of his robes grew wet. He had peed himself in fright! Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows before she whistled. Then she gave the fuming Zheng Bin a wide smile that revealed her pearly white teeth. Boring. Im not playing anymore. Zhongyang Qunuan Kongtiao: Lemme say something Eh, running after showing off? That felt f*cking good! Jiang Pengji: Zheng Bin: Taxue and Xu Ke hurriedly took their places by her side as her horse proudly strutted behind her. Zheng Bin finally regained himself. He threw his bow to the floor in a fit of anger before he cried out, You boor! Feng Jin, who was quietly watching the spectacle, looked at the sky and then at the ground. He refused to look at Zheng Bin. Wuma Jun was flabbergasted. It took him a while before he uttered, Strange. When did the Liu family raise such a hooligan? There are many foolish young men out there. Once hes older, he will be better behaved. Feng Jins response explained the situation. It was a dispute between foolish young men who had been overcome by their emotions. Liu Lanting was defiant because it was a fad. In the Yangcheng County of Dongqing, it was fashionable to be wild. Some noble Langjuns even shed their clothes and streaked naked. Liu Lantings behavior was tame compared to that. Shangguan Wan had seen everything from her view on the horse. She did not like Zheng Bin and was elated to see what had happened to him. I didnt know that brother Lanting would hold a grudge. Shangguan Wan could not dismount by herself, so the horse walked toward Jiang Pengji. Hold a grudge? Shangguan Wan, youre wrong. Your Brother Lanting is straightforward and upright. I dont hold grudges. Jiang Pengji smiled. To anyone else, those words could have sounded shameless and arrogant. But before anyone could grumble about it, Jiang Pengji continued. Thats because I prefer to take my revenge immediately. Why should I waste effort trying to remember a grudge? Jiang Pengji reached up to help Shangguan Wan off the horse. Help me tell Wei Jingxian: none of the men here are suitable for her. Wei Jingxian came from a prestigious family. There was no need for her to rush out and inconvenience herself over marriage. In the olden days, marriage was for life. Women had to be careful about who they chose as their husbands. I understand, Shangguan Wan said. But she was a little unwilling to return to the other noble girls. I will tell Wei Jingxian when were alone. The annulment between Liu Lanting and Wei Jingxian had yet to be disclosed, and Shangguan Wan was just trying to cover it up. She might be young, but she was wise. Jiang Pengji turned around to deal with Xu Ke. Well talk when we get back, she said unhappily. Her face was devoid of any emotions. On the other side of the assembly, Wuma Juns curiosity about Jiang Pengji grew. His eyes sparkled when he looked at Jiang Pengji. He may be impulsive, but hes definitely promising. Huaiyu, introduce us? When Jiang Pengji noticed Feng Jin walking over with another person, she raised her eyebrows. Your brother? she said. Feng Jin flushed red. Lanting, dont jest. Have you forgotten him? When we were in the bandits den, you met him. Bandits den? When was that? Wuma Jun was at a loss. Jiang Pengji gave a small smile. Oh? Now that you mention it, I do remember. Wuma Juns eyelids twitched. He had no idea what they were talking about. That day, the fourth Langjun was suffering from a high fever and was unconscious. If you had not taken us in, he might have Feng Jins attitude was very relaxed, as though he was talking about the weather. I wanted to introduce you two at that time, but some situations arose, so we were delayed until now. Wuma Jun froze. Jiang Pengji was his benefactor? Chapter 69 - Fearless (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio But Wuma Jun was not upset because he believed their encounter at the bandits den could be something they could talk about with Officer Liu someday. I see. That night was too dark to observe his features. Is he fine now? Jiang Pengji said calmly. She was not particularly pleased with her new acquaintance. Wuma Jun joined his hands to salute. I am feeling much better since that day. It would be very nice if you would call me by my other name, Zhengze. Though she was unfamiliar with ancient practices, Jiang Pengji knew that only family members, teachers, seniors, and close friends could call each other by their other names. Proper names were usually used by everyone else to show respect. His excessive friendliness was suspicious. Jiang Pengji was not patient when she had to socialize, but she found Wuma Juns temperament to be better than she had expected. At one point, Wuma Jun brought up the incident with Zheng Bin. Zheng Langjun is not a generous person. Be aware of his tricks in the future. He will certainly take revenge on you for humiliating him. Lanting, you should avoid such troubles whenever possible. Jiang Pengji said disdainfully, So what? I have the dirt on him. The examination is around the corner, so any scandal could prevent him from entering the court. He wouldnt choose to cause a scene now. Wuma Jun wondered what dirt she had on Zheng Bin. The gathering ended on a sour note. The incensed Zheng Bin left immediately after the incident, and the other langjuns were no longer enthusiastic about showing off in front of the ladies. As the participants departed, Wei Jingxian uneasily twisted her handkerchief, and her delicate teeth bit into her rose red lips. Is that what she thinks? Shangguan Wan chuckled. As I said, Lanting is discreet and sensible and treats you like a dear sister. Why is it surprising that she wants you to be happily married? None of those langjuns who showed up today would have been an ideal match for you. After a soft sigh, Wei Jiangxian frowned and complained. Things would have been much simpler if she were a male. Wei Jingxian was fortunate to still be intact after she had been kidnapped by the bandits. Afterward, she had asked her parents over and over again to make sure that her marriage agreement was settled. She then attempted to ask her mother about Liu Lantings real gender, and she was shocked that her parents had known about the truth for a long time. They had refused to dissolve the marriage agreement when she was little in order to protect her image. Wei Jingxian had protested against the gathering tonight because her bond with Liu Lanting was still effective. Seeking another partner now would no doubt embarrass the whole Liu family. However, her father was determined to hold the gathering, and she could not fight his dominance. Her mother, on the other hand, consoled her. Do not worry. Your father informed the Lius beforehand in order to maintain our relationship. After all, Governor Liu has much influence on the court! News about Jiang Pengjis archery challenge had traveled fast. As she expected, people focused more on her archery skills than her arrogant challenge, so her reputation hadnt been affected much. Liu She was sitting up straight with a bamboo sheet before him. On the paper were Liu Lantings birth date and time. How was your day? asked the father teasingly. Jiang Pengji grumbled, Boring! Those langjuns moaned over little things like the weather. My mood was completely ruined. Liu She nearly laughed out loud. That is true. Gatherings like the one today are usually tedious. Yet I must remind you to be more prudent when dealing with people like Zheng Bin. I cannot imagine what would have happened if your archery skills were not as good as you thought. Jiang Pengji shrugged as she sat next to Liu She at the desk. Did he come with his family to cry in your face? Would Zheng Bin yell for help at home and bring his parents here to protest? I would toss him away if he did. The Zhengs would not trouble me with these matters. Liu She shook his head and shared his concern. You leave no grace for others, and that can be dangerous, especially when you do not have absolute control over what they can do afterward. Just learn to save some face for people. Do you understand? Save face for others, and they will save yours. This might have appeared to be advice telling her to treat others better, but there was, in fact, an implied meaning. As Liu She said, she should show others grace when she did not have absolute control over them. That meant that if she had the methods to restrain them, she could act freely as she wanted. Liu She didnt mind clearing up his daughters messes. He had done the same for his deceased wife. Yet his protection could not last forever. Who would watch over her after he passed away? Liu She decided he needed to correct her temper while he was still there. I know Zheng Bins good deeds, Jiang Pengji replied patiently. He is taking the examination to become an official. He must maintain a positive image of an upper-class langjun who is respectful to his parents, talented, and handsome. His reputation is the key to his success. If I had actually scarred him, he would have no chance of entering the court. Liu She was surprised. What do you know about him? One can hardly tell from his proper manners that he is a pedophile and is addicted to violence. He has killed quite a number of children, Jiang Pengji said with distaste. If Zheng Bin was already admitted to the court, the scandal would have merely brought him criticisms from the other bureaucrats. But he is sitting for the exam, and the test is demanding about the participants images, so She did not finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear enough. This roused Liu Shes curiosity. How do you know about his obsession? Jiang Pengji replied, Anyone with eyes can see it. Liu She touched his forehead and glanced at the sheet on the desk. He then asked abruptly, What about me? What can you tell about me right now? I recognize the scent on your clothes from the monastery. It can be found nowhere else because of a unique fragrance that makes it special. You are wearing the same clothing as yesterday. Although they are still clean, there are marks on the corners from the dew at night. I guess you visited Master Liaochen last night to deal with my marriage with Jinger? Chapter 70 - Fearless (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She listened quietly, and his expression was bland. He seemed prepared. So far youre not wrong. Anything else? You chose to deliberately mystify things. Like letting Master Liaochen have a look at my fortune and saying things like I cant marry within these few years or Ill be in mortal danger. Or that Im a wife-killer or some other excuse. That way, the Weis have an excuse to withdraw the betrothal, and both families get to keep their reputations. Using all the knowledge she had so far, Jiang Pengji thought this was the most logical conclusion. In the olden days, men could marry late. But according to Dongqings laws, if a girl was 18 and still unmarried, the girls family would need to pay double the amount of taxes! The Weis could not afford to do so, but they would be humiliated if they had to admit that. Liu Lanting could afford to wait, but Wei Jingxian could not. Master Liaochens ability was real. All the nobles in Hejian knew about him, and they knew that a monk didnt lie. His devout followers would believe everything he said because people in ancient times were very superstitious. Liu Shes expression turned helpless. Im your father, so I will protect you. But if other people knew about your abilities, they would scheme against you. His daughter was smarter than he had thought. She was also more confident and conceited, too. But a conceited person would always end up in disastrous situations. Jiang Pengjis eyes sparkled as though the fire of life burned behind them. An overwhelming suppression is so boring. If there are clashes here and there, then itll fire one up Liu She was speechless. He had not expected Jiang Pengji to give him such a response. Yet it made sense. What if youre at a disadvantage one day? Thatll be something to look forward to. I will reflect on it forever. Jiang Pengji smiled. Liu She gave a bitter smile. I had always wondered why Master Liaochen concluded that you would become an emperor one day. Girls are delicate and weak, and their temperaments are soft and gentle. But when I think about you, its not impossible His daughter was more manly than any men he knew. She was very unlike the rest of the Liu family. I think its better to spread the word about Master Liaochens predictions soon. Im worried that people will try to hurt Wei Jingxian. Liu She lifted his confused gaze. Based on Jiang Pengjis words, he would have thought the girl in front of him was a son. Youre quite protective of girls. Protecting girls is a virtue. Wei Jingxian deserves to be treated well. Jiang Pengjis tolerance for beautiful and outstanding women was very high as long as there were no confrontations. Liu She: It was a pity that she was not a son. If thats how you think, youll be disappointed, Liu She replied coldly. The Weis have their own plans. The most important thing when marrying a daughter off is the husbands looks and his scholarship. As long as the husband is not of a lower social standing, no one will care about what happens after the wedding. Many of these noble couples did not care about each other after the marriage. The women were practically left to rot in the rear wings. It was because of this that he and his late wife had decided to raise his daughter as a son. Liu She could not forget the scene all those years ago that had been seared into the back of his eyes. His wife had collapsed in the courtyard by the pond as she held their dead son. It looked as though she had lost her soul, but her eyes were filled with hatred. Who would not be filled with hatred? Which family are the Weis considering? Jiang Pengji frowned. Liu She replied with a question: Based on todays assembly, who do you think it is? She had to guess? Her conjectures were always based on clues. If she were to make a guess without any information, the chances of her getting it wrong were high. But since Liu She had narrowed it down to the assembly Within a split moment, all the Langjuns flashed through her memories. Wuma Jun? A second later, Jiang Pengji frowned and said, But hes not a suitable candidate. Compared to Wuma Jun, Feng Jin was the better choice. At least he was a real genius and a gentleman. Even if he were not affectionate toward his wife, he would still understand and respect her. He would not turn a blind eye to the schemes of other women who wanted the formal wifes position. Wuma Jun, on the other hand, was different. Leaving Wei Jingxian with such a frivolous man would be absurd. Haha! Liu Shes hands jerked. Wuma Jun is the emperors fourth son. Even if he is not one of his fathers favorites, he is still a prince. Jiang Pengji lazily lifted her eyes. She scornfully asked, Didnt they live in the stables and care for the generals horses just two or three generations ago? Jiang Pengji was neither a gossip nor was she prejudiced. She had flipped through Liu Lantings memories and knew that this era valued bloodlines and traditions. The Wuma family might be royalty now, but the rest of the noble families secretly scorned them. The crown prince had been born from the empress, who did not have an extraordinary background. She was only the second daughter from a small noble family. When the emperor had taken her as his empress, he was still a respectful and submissive monarch of Hejian. Most people thought the emperor and empress were well-matched. The second princes mother was from a merchant family. To curry favor the emperor, the family gave their daughter to him as a concubine. She had been determined and won over the emperors heart with her soft and gentle nature. She did her best to get pregnant with his child before he got tired of her, and she had a son. Madam Hongde was the third wife. Her son, the third prince, was not a crown prince. But of all the princes, he had the highest standing in the family because his mother was from the large and influential Feng family. The Fengs were Dongqings elites. The familys history dated back to almost a 1,000 years and had yet to suffer in any way since then. The family also had many talented people. The interesting thing about the third princes mother was that she was from the Feng family, but she was not from the main branch; she had been born from a concubine from the collateral branch family. The emperor had spent much effort in order to marry Madam Hongde. He wanted her to be the empress. However, the people would not respect him if he made her the empress, so she became his third wife. No matter how angry the Wuma royals were, they still had to placate the Fengs. Large families with long histories like the Fengs had deep-rooted influences everywhere. No one knew what would happen if they angered them. The fourth princes background was peculiar. There was not much information about him or his mother other than the fact that they were from the Wangs in Langya. No one believed the rumors and treated it as a joke. The second princes origin was the lowest; therefore, he was the perfect candidate for the peace treaty. He could be abandoned after he married the princess from northern Xinjiang. The fourth princes situation was special. He was a prince that the emperor disliked and he wanted to marry the Weis daughter? Chapter 71 - Fearless (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It is not possible now unless the Weis want Jinger to become a laughingstock. People would despise Jinger for simply marrying for wealth if the family of Wuma Juns mother is not the House of Wang in Langye. That would be as detestable as a noble house having their daughter marry a rich yet unrefined commoner for his fortune. Wuma Juns mother and Gu Min were called the Two Blossoms of Langye when they were young, so she is also a well-known and learned woman in Dongqing. Liu She did not confirm the rumors directly. The Weis may not think highly of Wuma and the royal family because they are inferior compared to the Wang house. Jiang Pengji sorted through her memories. Liu Lanting had never suspected that the rumors about the fourth princes birth were true. Although Jiang Pengji was unfamiliar with Wang family, she could tell they were as important as the Fengs. If his mother was as widely known as my mom, why would she agree to become an imperial consort? The king would have granted her a position second only to the queen. What would a lady from the House of Wang, who was as famous as Gu Min, receive? I dont know, but I am sure that Wuma Jun is the son of the Wang lady. That makes him a prince. Liu She smiled with hints. Though the eldest prince is next in line for the throne, his mothers family lacks importance in the kingdom. Our Majesty is suspicious of him and avoids teaching him about matters in the court. Do you think an heir like him is going to be the next king? But Dongqing was reaching its end, so who cared anyway? Still, Liu Shes clues led Jiang Pengji to a conclusion. Wuma Jun is the Kings preferred heir? If that was the case, it would not be unreasonable for Wei Jingxian to marry him. But Liu She shook his head. Not really. Our Majesty feels insecure about his fourth son and has made several attempts to curtail the Wangs power. But all of his attempts were in vain. The minds of intellectuals were too complicated for her. And why was her dad smiling so mischievously? Father, please explain everything to me. Use your brain. He said as he touched her hair. This reminded Jiang Pengji of a comment by her audience: It is so exciting to leave a riddle and then run away! As she suppressed her interest, she muttered, I do not really want to know, okay? Why should she trouble herself with a dying family? They would enter a new era soon no matter what. Instead, she ought to ponder on how she could save Wei Jingxian from the impending storm. Some stream viewers judged her attitude and said was too confident of herself. Perhaps Wuma Jun was an ideal husband, and perhaps he was a perfect match for Wei Jingxian. Their marriage was never the hosts business. Who did she think she was? She was not Wei Jingxians mom! Host V: Didnt Master Liaochen say I would fight for the kings seat someday? No one can tell when the game will start or how long Dongqing will survive. At that time, I will spare no effort in ending the dynasty. She would eradicate all royal members to prevent their revenge. That would make Wei Jingxian a young widower if she married Wuma Jun, and Jiang Pengji did not want to see her weep. For a moment, the audience lost their speech. At last, a bullet screen shot across the screen. Bufu Nilaidawoa: Host, you are thinking too much. Maybe the viewer was right, but the kingdom was heading toward chaos. That was unquestionable. Moreover, she knew herself. She had never been the submissive kind. Once a whirlpool began to form, she stopped following the rules and became part of the destructive force. She grabbed a brush and put down two words on the paper. Her dominating manner and strong resolution could be discerned from the handwriting even by those who had never learned calligraphy. That was not a result of her calligraphy practice, but of her intense emotions that were expressed through the characters. The moment she tossed the brush, she said with satisfaction, Xu Ke, hang this in the study room. After what had happened by Wan River, Xu Ke complied whenever possible to avoid punishment from the unpredictable langjun. Yet when he approached the sheet, confusion stopped him in his tracks. The writing was not artistic, but he could almost feel the bloodthirsty nature of his young master. The shapes were simple yet extraordinarily confident. Bewildered, Xu Ke mumbled, Mess around? The audience was unable to recognize the ancient characters, which were more complicated than their simplified language. The wild presentation by Jiang Pengji made the words even more unreadable. Bufu Nilaidawoa: Oh my god! What do you mean? Mess with what or who? Jinnianni Naocanlema: Of course with Zheng Bin or Wuma Jun. Zheng Bin will not stop after the previous slap in his face, and Wuma Jun wants to marry the hosts girl! Who could ever stand with that! Toudu Feiqiu: Every time the host acts so authoritatively, I feel a thrill over my body. Xiyan: DingYou have obtained a Card of Peremptory Emperor! Zhecao Youdu: Hahaha! Have you guys forgotten she is a girl? Sansasa: Still so manly! (Heart) Pindaokanni Juhuayoudu: Sigh. I want to have the host over me, then I will exclaim: do not stop! Days of interaction had not adapted Jiang Pengji fully to the strange audience. She poked the System and asked hesitantly, Has the evolution of the human brain not been completed in that dimension? What was so special about mess around? That had always been the motto of Corps Seven for hundreds of years since she established the unit. The System felt helpless. Stop verbally abusing your audience. You simply do not understand their culture. Chapter 72 - Strength Fusion (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Hang up those words, go kneel in the corridor for an hour, and reflect on what you have done. Just when Xu Ke thought he might get away with the incident, Jiang Pengji suddenly reprimanded him. He froze. Xu Ke was indignant as he held onto the paper, but his posture was still polite when he replied, Yes. Taxue, on the other hand, kept her calm. Xu Ke may have outshone those young masters at the assembly, but what was the point? Let today be a lesson to you. Dont think that you know everything. Youll cause trouble for the young master, Taxue said the moment she was beside Xu Ke. She raised her eyebrows and wore a stern expression. Any of those nobles at the assembly could easily ask for your life. Xu Ke pursed his lips and quietly rebutted, They were after Langjun. A pity they werent capable Were your actions truly to defend Langjuns honor, or were they for you to show off? Taxue frowned and coldly replied, You and I both know the real reason. Do you really need to find excuses? There were many ways to defend Langjun, yet you chose the worst possible one. If you werent trying to show off, that Zheng Langjun wouldnt have even bothered with a servant Xu Ke started feeling guilty under Taxues gaze. Taxue was right. He had two other perfect ways that would have defended Liu Lantings honor without embarrassing the other Langjuns. So why did he choose to do what he did? It was all because he could not accept his current status as a servant. He turned his head away from Taxues gaze. Since you think of yourself as a well-read noble and virtuous person, do you know what it means to die before letting your master be humiliated? Taxue replied vehemently. In the current era, wealthy families had the right to own their own private armies. That was why they had such high social statuses; they could even become a threat to the imperial court. Liu Lanting and the Lius may not have been much compared to the other distinguished families of Dongqing, but in Hejian County, they were pretty significant. Liu Shes name, however, was well-known throughout all of Dongqing. Even the emperor loved and dreaded him. Xu Ke had practically slapped all the nobles who were at the assembly. It was something Jiang Pengji would have been proud of, but it had caused some grudges. He had made the worst possible decision and had needed Jiang Pengjis help. If his young master had been anyone else, Xu Ke would definitely not be alive today. As he thought about his narrow escape, he turned pale, and the freshly bandaged wound started throbbing. Taxue and Xu Ke had their own opinions, but each was restrained by the eras common logic. Jiang Pengji had made Xu Ke kneel, but she felt that the punishment was not severe enough. She would need to control him better or else he would continue with his reckless behavior. Not all Langjuns were as courageous as her or had the ability to save the day. If Xu Ke were in Corps Seven, he would not be just kneeling for an hour. He would have had to face hell and endure a one-on-one training session with a devil commander. It would have ensured that he would always remember his mistake. Young men were prone to rash decisions, so they had to be controlled. Jiang Pengji closed the stream and was lost in her thoughts as she stared at the plan she had made. Those guards in the ranch can start their training early. I should give Xu Ke something to do to help him control that temper of his. Xu Ke was a diamond in the rough. If he could not control his temper, he would not shine later. And Jiang Pengji had plans for him to take over the bookkeeping. As she thought about what to do, she took a look at her stream accounts Popularity Points. The channel had been full over the past few days when she had been streaming. There were still people lining up for their turns to enter her channel. With the random Likes and accumulated Points, her account was looking pretty good. According to the agreement, the Points she had earned would need to be split evenly with the System. In the end, she had 10,034 Popularity Points. She studied the agreement that the System had given her. A level one streamers channel could have up to 3,000 viewers at any given time. If she wanted to increase that capacity, she would need to raise her streamer level. A level two streamers channel could have up to 10,000 viewers, but she would need to pay 10,000 Popularity Points. 10,000 might seem like a lot, but at the rate the stream was going, it would not be difficult to raise her channels level. The tough part would come after she leveled up. The difficulty would double as it progressed, and each level would need large amounts of Points. It was like feeding a bottomless pit. The mall was another problem. It contained many tempting offers and items. With such a System in her head, the word buy kept flashing through her mind. Any regular person probably wouldnt have been able to resist temptation, and they would have spent whatever Points they had. Other people might also try tactics like asking their viewers to spend more points in order to increase their channels capacities. But that was beneath her dignity. She lived by the principle that there was no such thing as a free lunch. All free lunches had strings attached to them. One should not lower their threshold. Its like an addiction. There will always be a second and third time. Jiang Pengji opened the profile and statistics screen and was rendered speechless by the information before her. Name: Jiang Pengji (Liu Xi, AKA Liu Lanting. Base Strength: 5. Strength Fusion +30). Sex: Female (Masquerading as male. Replacing her late elder brother, Liu Lanting). Age: 41 (12), Born in the third year of the Tianwu Flower Festival. Birth: Hejian County. Liu familys second son (eldest daughter). Fiance: Wei familys second eldest daughter, Wei Jingxian (betrothal canceled). Abilities: Six Arts of Rites (Elementary), Combat (Expert), Analysis (Expert), and others (tentative). Attributes: Charisma (hidden:25), Appearance (75). Channel: Stream (Unlocked), Streamer Lv. 1. The analysis statistic had changed from tentative to expert, and charisma had changed from 21 to 25. All this information was nothing to her. She was only interested in the Strength Fusion +30. People can only depend on themselves. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes and said, System. When you linked yourself to me, I heard an electronic voice talk about the fusion progress. Because the host did not have enough Points, the fusion stopped for a while, so the current fusion is only at 0.3% Yes, the System quickly replied. There were insufficient Points, so we could not finish the fusion process. Strength Fusion was the digitized fusion of a souls strength from their previous life into the current host body. Jiang Pengjis soul and strength would always be her best assets. The condition of Jiang Pengjis body from her previous life could not be expressed with numbers. So can I use my Points to continue the fusion? Jiang Pengji asked. Chapter 73 - Strength Fusion (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The System quickly identified her intention and strongly opposed her plan. Host, you are strong enough right now. It would be a waste to use the valuable points to increase your physical power! Jiang Pengjis strength in her previous life had certainly made her an unkillable monster, but what would be the point of it in the ancient world? Here, she could use the points on more practical skills and tools that could help her become a queen as the System wanted. Although Jiang Pengji had never agreed to its goal, the computer would not compromise simply because of her refusal to cooperate. However, the host was too stubborn to heed its advice. If she combined all her former power to this body The System thought of an image of her finger screwing a hole into the kings head. I will undergo the first upgrade soon. After that, more devices will be available in the shop. You can save the points for the products. They will help you adapt to this world so you can lead a more comfortable life. As a multidimensional system, it had more functions than Jiang Pengji knew about. If she decided to exhaust all her points on Strength Fusion at this time, she wouldnt be able to afford the commodities later when she needed them. Jiang Pengji recognized its concern but was not convinced. I am confident that I can cope with everything by myself. In her previous world, she had climbed the ladder from a common soldier to the Leading General. She did not need a System then, so why would she need it in this backward ancient time? She considered Strength Fusion a fair trade to obtain what belonged to her. Due to biological constraints, this body would never achieve even one percent of her former power if she didnt expand its potential. She had to increase its capacity before she could fill it with more strength. Tell me if I can gain back some of my previous strength. There is no use persuading me. The System knew it could not change her mind, so it replied reluctantly, Yes, you can, but the few points you have will only bring disappointing effects. Jiang Pengji didnt mind. She had assumed it would take an immeasurable amount of points to enhance Liu Lantings biological potential to match the strength of her previous body. But no matter how difficult that would be, she must try. Despite the Systems compliant attitude, she knew it wanted to direct her to the path it preferred. Some might think that the System played the leading role, but she understood now that they were more like equal partners in the livestream. Still, their relationship might change in the future. The System would not continue to urge her to start broadcasts and crave for popularity for nothing in return. Her bold presumption was that the computer could be upgraded with popularity. What would happen if the host remained merely where she had always been? Their choices were often in conflict. If they got into a big argument, she would need enough bargaining power to have her way. She had to get rid of her status quo as a power-level-five if she wanted to avoid becoming a puppet. Therefore, she was determined to acquire her former strength, despite all the hardship it might involve. Jiang Pengji looked down. I can accept that. We will go step by step, bit by bit. The System knew any attempts to change her mind would be in vain, so it performed her decision. As a virtual interface appeared in front of her, Jiang Pengji heard the computers electronic voice: Are you certain about spending 10,000 points on Strength Fusion? (A) Yes. (B) Let me think about it. Without a second thought, she confirmed her decision. The amount was immediately deducted from her account, leaving only 34 points. She waited a while but felt nothing special. Just when she was about to ask, acute pain shot from her feet to her brain, as if two giant nails had been inserted through her body. Her knees became jelly, and she almost fell onto the floor. That was just the beginning. Before she could take another breath, agony washed away all the colors in her face, leaving only ghastly white. Sweat the size of beans dropped from her forehead, and her lips were pale. Her blood vessels stuck out from her temples, and her eyes were almost falling out of its sockets. The red webs in her eyes made the scene even more horrifying. Every muscle in her body cramped violently. Jiang Pengjis heart skipped a beat when she noticed that she had difficulty breathing. She looked at her arms with a cold smile. The bony hands were shaking vigorously, and her fingers were shaped like claws. Every knuckle was arched. She was trembling like an afflicted beast. The paperweight on the desk accidentally fell to the ground and created an alarming noise. Xunmei, who was stationed outside, sensed the strange atmosphere in the room and softly inquired, Langjun, may I help you? Jiang Pengji struggled to take a deep breath, relieving the feeling of suffocation. A bite on the tip of her tongue brought pain and the scent of blood, which helped her regain control over her oral muscles. She made her voice normal. Oh, it is nothing. The paperweight fell down Xunmei, prepare warm water. I want to bath. Assured, Xunmei ordered the other servants to boil water for her young master. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengjis body was bending. She could barely breathe, and her face began to turn purple. It seemed like a decade before the process was over. Jiang Pengji had used up all her energy trying to suppress herself from making any noise, and she lay on the floor with her eyes closed. Her breathing was weak. It was only after ten minutes that she began to recover. By then, Xunmei had returned and reported from the other side of the door, Langjun, the bath is ready. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and struggled to stand up. She then rubbed her face with a sleeve to wipe off the sweat. Come in. The attendant carefully wrapped her dark hair with a towel to keep it dry. Jiang Pengjis tight white lips gradually turned pink with the aid of the hot steam. She pretended to rest with her eyes closed, but she conversed with the System. She was exhausted, and she could not even raise a finger. Chapter 74 - It’s Luck Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The System replied a little helplessly, I think you can guess the Strength Fusions essence. Jiang Pengji nodded. Even though she was exhausted, her mind was still awake due to her excitement. Gene optimization, she replied confidently. If Liu Lantings genes were predestined to give her a combat power of only 5, then after the fusion, that limit would be raised exponentially. Since you know all this, then you should know how big the risks are. You nearly died just now! The System was frantic. As a top-notch System, it had spent a long time with many different hosts. But none of them had been as stubborn as Jiang Pengji. When the other hosts experienced the painful fusion, they gave up. As long as they had Popularity Points, there was nothing they could not buy. Jiang Pengji smiled was not fearful. Of course it would hurt, but she was sure that she would not die from the pain. If she werent as capable as she was, she would have been dead a long time ago. Die? Nah. I think I feel pretty good now. The System had a bad feeling. Did that mean that she wanted to continue with the fusion? It was right. When Jiang Pengji was stubborn, nothing could persuade her otherwise. 10,000 points only gives 0.01% Jiang Pengji pushed aside the Stats window and saw that her Strength Fusion changed from +30 to +31. She was a little disappointed. If she had known that the difference would be so little, she would have waited until she had more Points. She had learned her mistake. The System chided, This is just the beginning. When your stats go beyond that of a normal human, the number of Points you will need will be far greater. And each time you start the fusion, the risks will increase as well. Based on the Systems calculations, it would not be easy for Jiang Pengji to raise her combat level beyond that of a normal human. I know this better than you. Jiang Pengji smiled. No one better understood every reaction and pain that came from the gene optimization process better than her. She had been a genetically enhanced soldier. For decades, she nearly died on the battlefield, and it was normal. To her, all the risks she took were worth the results she got. She looked at her palms coldly. Her thoughts were calm. Based on your current channel level, its impossible to gain that many Points, the System said. Level one streamers could only have up to 3,000 viewers in their channels. Even if Jiang Pengji streamed every day with her channel full each time, she would only earn 1,500 Points. The chances of receiving likes, gifts, or even gaining a rich viewer were low. The Points she would need for the second stage and even the stages of fusion after that would increase exponentially. Making preparations wont delay the work. If you raise your streamer level by one or two, you will be able to receive ten times more Points and viewers per day. The System could not understand its host. Why was she so stubborn? All she needed was a months worth of Points to increase her level. It was a pretty reasonable trade. The System thought that Jiang Pengji would refute its idea, so it was surprised when she agreed. Youre right. If I dont increase my level, I wont gain Points quickly. The System was elated. Jiang Pengji had finally listened to it. But its good mood did not last. System. Which do you think is better? The half interaction or the full interaction stream mode? Jiang Pengji asked. The half interaction means that I have control over the stream. The full interaction would please my audience, but its easy to go overboard Both stream modes were task types. The viewers gave ratings on whether they liked the task results or not. Then based on those ratings, the System generated gold, silver, or bronze chests. A chest granted random rewards; one of the rewards was a free level up card. If the System had a body, its face would be sulky. You plan to rely on your luck to raise your level? You have to believe in a smiling girls luck. Were normally lucky. Jiang Pengji gave a slight smile as her eyes danced with mirth. Pissed, the System rebutted, Arent you being too overconfident in your luck? The chance of getting that level up card from a chest was only one percent. The System wondered again what it had done to get such a host. My luck has always been pretty good. Jiang Pengji crossed her arms. Her damp hair hung loose and made her look kind. If my luck was that bad, how could I be here living another life after I had died? The System was quiet for a long while as it contemplated how its new host was so vastly different from its prior hosts. Huh, go ahead and be stubborn then, the System spat. An unlucky person will never know theyre destined to fail until they try. Jiang Pengji was not bothered by the Systems words. Instead, she provoked it. Trust me. Im very lucky. The System was angry, but it started feeling doubtful when it noticed her confidence. Could she really be that lucky? If she had no basis, she would not be confident enough to test her luck, right? The rarer the chest was, the better its rewards were. And the chances of getting that level up card would increase as well. If she could really get the best ratings from her viewers and discover the gold chest, she might be able to increase her level. When the System thought about what its leveled up host could bring, it felt better. It decided to be more optimistic and look at the long-term goals instead. Chapter 75 - What the Attendants Think (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After a relaxing bath, Jiang Pengji recovered from her exhaustion. She wore her plain house clothes and was sitting in front of a bronze mirror as Xunmei and Taxue combed her hair. She noticed that Xunmei was occupied by her own thoughts. Jiang Pengj asked gently, Xunmei, what is the matter? Xunmei was looking at her loose collar where the strips used to flatten her breasts were. Jiang Pengjis inquiry brought blushes to her cheeks, and she bit her lips as she hesitated. At last, she replied in a voice that was as weak as the buzzing of mosquitoes. Second Langjun, Xu Ke is still kneeling in the corridor. Would you please Before she could complete her sentence, Taxue glared at her, and Xunmei immediately stopped. Yet Xunmeis worry and fear were still evident in her face. Why is he still there? Jiang Pengji frowned. That meant Xu Ke had knelt outside for more than four hours. Taxue was not so empathetic toward the servant. She swiftly combed Jiang Pengjis long hair into a basic male hairstyle. It was loose and added a sense of freedom and indolence to the langjun. Xunmei is too kind. Xu Ke should kneel for the entire day as a punishment for his deed. Besides, no one asked him to stay. We should just leave him there as long as he likes. The attendant spoke with discontent and anger as if she were an exploding bomb. Taxue, you have a warm heart for me, eh? I thought you were as cold as ice and snow. I know why you are mad at Xu Ke, but for me, he is not an ordinary servant. Jiang Pengjis teasing turned the attendants face red. Taxue chided, Now that Langjun has grown up, he can hold his tongue no more! If I were an ignorant girl, I would have let you steal my heart! Since Jiang Pengji was not really a man, she had better mind her words with the ladies. Oh, do not worry about your heart! I will be careful of what I say next time. Jiang Pengji told Xunmei, Tell Xu Ke to take a rest. I will take him to the farmhouse tomorrow to meet the new servants. The chilly and humid weather will harm his knees. Seek prescription from a physician to make him warmer. Xunmeis face had been pale with nervousness until Jiang Pengji allowed Xu Ke to leave. She should have known that her Langjuns kind heart had never changed! Taxue, however, mumbled with disapproval. She is losing her mind! Her voice was too soft for others to hear, but Jiang Pengji had exceptional hearing. She looked at the attendant and asked, What has she done? I thought you were close friends. Taxue stopped for a moment and was silent with embarrassment. She hesitated but decided to tell Jiang Pengji everything. She bit her lips as her hands rubbed her handkerchief. Langjun, you are so kind, and you were raised as a boy. It is understandable why you could not guess what was on Xunmeis mind She is finding another person to follow. Is that so? Jiang Pengji was curious, and she lowered her voice. Is she in love with Xu Ke? The servant was 17, which was considered an appropriate age to start a family in ancient times. The tattoo on his face had not spoiled his pleasant appearance; instead, it made him look more mature in Jiang Pengjis eyes. Taxue was stunned by Jiang Pengjis response. She searched her face for any clues of her real feelings, but she quickly gave up. It is not love, my Langjun! She merely finds Xu Ke special because of the attention that you and the master give him. Xunmei and I have been the closest attendants to you, and our position has always been the highest among the servants. Later, when you become 20 years old, our responsibilities will be different. Her response began with anger but ended with shyness. She left some details out. She and Xunmei were among the few servants who knew about Liu Lantings gender. They had been selected by Liu She and the stepmother, and they were treated like daughters from well-off families. As the girls grew up, they gradually understood their ultimate mission. Liu Lanting would most likely continue her disguise after she became an adult. To help conceal the truth, the masters had decided that the attendants would become Liu Lantings concubines after she became 20 years old. Such an arrangement was a golden opportunity for the servants because it would grant them higher statuses in the house. Additionally, Liu Lanting was considerate and would protect them even if the proper wife mistreated them. If the Langjun were a man, the days of serving him as attendants would have helped them secure his care and love. However, they had been informed at an early age that Liu Lanting was a female. It was therefore not surprising that Xunmei longed for a happier marriage. Jiang Pengji was unfamiliar with the customs of ancient times, but she could understand Xunmeis attitude. She chuckled and intimately touched Taxues hair, who looked puzzled and indignant. Jiang Pengji teased her. Dont you want Xunmei to leave? You will become my one and only then. The color on Taxues face changed from pink to white. As soon as she realized Jiang Pengji was joking, she became further incensed. How could you tease me so? Do you think Im a selfish person? The silhouette of the angry girl under candlelight was lively and enchanting. Chapter 76 - What the Attendants Think (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji struggled to control her laughter. Eventually, she finally appeased Taxue. Ahem. I promise not to jest anymore. Jiang Pengji cleared her throat. Under Taxues watchful gaze, she gently continued, You and Xunmei grew up together. Theres no need to be hostile toward each other over something like this. I know youre outraged on my behalf, but both you and she are girls. I am, too. I can understand why Xunmei did what she did. Taxue was a smart girl, and she understood what Jiang Pengji was trying to say. Langjun Hush, let me finish. Jiang Pengji raised a hand to stop her from speaking. I know my parents plans. They made those arrangements so you girls would never reveal my secret. They also hoped that I would have good people to serve me for the rest of my life. But times have changed. Who knows what the future holds? To Jiang Pengji, it was a crime to let these two girls die of loneliness just so they would keep her secret. As long as she lived an honest and straightforward life, what was there for her to hide? She was proud of her gender and never once thought of it as a burden. Ive always treated you and Xunmei as family. If theres anyone you like, feel free to tell me. I will make the arrangements. Its tough being a girl when you dont have the freedom to act independently Jiang Pengji smiled. You are my maids, and I will protect you girls and allow you to do whatever you want. Ill talk to my father Before she even finished speaking, Taxues eyes turned red and fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She hugged Jiang Pengji before complaining into her neck. Langjun, you just promised not to flirt with me. How did a simple and pure friendship turn into something like this? The System gave a cold hmph and thought the future was starting to look bleak. Come now, wipe those tears. If I were a man, I would feel so sorry. Jiang Pengji laughed and used her sleeves to dab Taxues tears away. Does that mean youre not sorry now? Taxue rebutted. Thats not true. I would still be sorry. Just that the orientation is wrong, Jiang Pengji said meaningfully as she raised an eyebrow. Taxue froze, not understanding her words. But she quickly regained her senses and flushed. Jiang Pengjis expression returned to normal. Help me tell Xunmei before she gets in too deep. Xu Ke may be a good person, but he does not suit her. Her actions will not be enough to subdue him. When Taxue noticed that her Langjun was speaking seriously, she hurriedly collected herself. Langjun, arent you thinking too highly of him? Taxue asked unhappily. No matter what, Xu Ke was still a servant who had been bought by the Lius. His social standing was low, and he had a brand on his face. Xunmei, on the other hand, was a trusted maid for the young master. Her rank was just below that of the head servant. Xu Ke was unworthy of Xunmei. But even if Taxue didnt approve of Xunmeis feelings for Xu Ke, she wouldnt have done anything about it. However, Jiang Pengji made it seem like Xunmei was not worthy of Xu Ke. Jiang Pengji smiled helplessly and did not explain. Xu Ke seems simple and honest on the outside, but on the inside, hes egotistical and proud. Xunmei would suffer if she married him. If she had not insisted on buying Xu Ke from the slave trader, he might have successfully escaped the slave shop. If the times remained peaceful, Xu Ke would most likely not be able to achieve anything. His low status would be enough to put him through hell. In the next few years, however, chaos would descend And he might be able to take advantage of that time to make a name for himself. And if Jiang Pengji was pleased with him at that time Well, it was hard to say. You are so considerate for Xunmei, yet shes full of her own opinions! Taxue grumbled unhappily. Thats human nature, Jiang Pengji replied. Jiang Pengji did not care as long as her attendants did not piss her off or betray her. If they ever did, she would not be so pleasant. Outside, Xunmeis heart was in a turmoil of complicated feelings as she walked towards Xu Ke, who was still kneeling. Night had fallen, and the air was cold. She carried in her arms a simple cloak that she had sewn using cloth she had bought herself. The second Langjun allows you to get up now Xunmei said as she draped the cloak over Xu Ke. If you continue kneeling here, people might start saying that hes merciless and unable to sympathize with the servants. Xu Ke was numb from the cold night air, but he suddenly felt the warmth from the cloak. He looked up and made eye contact with Xunmeis gentle gaze. He could tell what she was thinking, and he quickly looked away. He was not stupid; he knew that Xunmei and Taxue had special statuses. In noble families, personal attendants were practically like a young masters concubines. Xu Kes lips were still numb from the cold. No, its my fault, and Im reflecting on it. Xunmei repeated what Jiang Pengji had said, and Xu Kes eyes flashed with emotions before he became calm. Langjuns method is good. Xu Ke sighed and smiled. The reasonable Taxue and the gentle Xunmei were always by Liu Lantings side. Taxue knocked sense into him while Xunmei showed him care and support. Additionally, there was Jiang Pengjis magnanimity. He certainly felt humble before them. Xu Ke staggered to his feet as he gathered the cloak around him. He put his hands together in front of him as a gesture of respect, and he thanked Xunmei. When Liu She heard what Jiang Pengji had done, it took him a while to collect his thoughts. Seems like the training program is redundant now Under the candlelight, Liu She pursed his lips and tried not to let a smile take over his face. Before he went to bed, he looked at the tablet that he had enshrined in his room. It looked like he was remembering something. Chapter 77 - Capricious Host Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Take a look at this. You can ask me if there is anything that is unclear. Jiang Pengji handed Xu Ke a thin booklet about the training program for servants. It was painstaking to make it as simple as possible, and it took her some days to have the arrangement settled. In the other world, she had been receiving training ever since she was little. The equipment was advanced, the plan readjusted regularly as her physical competence developed, and her meals were prepared according to strict nutritious standards to maximize the effects of the training. On the contrary, this time period was too backwards. There were no dietary supplements, specialized apparatuses, or suitable fields. Even the participants themselves were as meager as kids in where she came from. The booklet was the final work of her various amendments to the originally demanding scheme. Still, the easy tasks for her were harder in Xu Kes eyes, and he stood there in shock. What appalled him most was not her brilliant scheme and skills, but his own misled mind the day before. He had thought that perhaps his Langjun might have had a tender heart. Langjun, please discard the plan. There is no way the servants can withstand such torment The moment the words came out from his mouth, Xu Ke stopped, knowing that would be no good. His comment froze Jiang Pengjis movement for a second. Torment? The livestream audience thus watched the two stare blankly at each other. Toudu Feiqiu: (side-eye) What is the hosts plan? She scares the boy. Hongyan Yijiu: Hahaha! Host, should not he be stunned by your scheme, and become your super fan? Bufu Nilaidawoa: That is right! I was ready for that moment, but saw an embarrassing picture instead. Sigh. While Jiang Pengji was looking at Xu Ke, she was also looking at the mockery on the interface without much expression. As the viewers said, things became weird when Xu Ke did not react as expected. It is not so demanding, is it? She picked up the booklet that he dropped when he was startled. How will that be torture? Her complaint hinted to Xu Ke that he might have misunderstood his young master, so he tried to clarify, Langjun, the plan is perfectly fine for a gifted person like you, who is born with extraordinary strength. The new servants are all common people with mediocre capabilities, however, so it is better not to compare them with yourself. His compliment and explanation comforted Jiang Pengji a little. What do you think, then, will be suitable for them? she asked, wishing to improve. Her sincerity eased Xu Ke, and he inquired after a moment of hesitation, Langjun, why would you like to train them? You may have heard about the kidnapping that happened recently. I need guards to save me from similar situations in the future. While Dongqing appears to be peaceful, areas like Hejian are plagued with bandits. I must take action before others severe my head from my body. As soon as she finished, Xu Ke shook his head and pointed out, That is an excuse. You need not so many servants to protect the family. Around fifty men will do. Langjun, you have another secret goal, do you not? Like you said, it is a secret. Do you think I will spell it out? Her cunning reply was unexpected. The audience began to show empathy for Xu Ke. Bufu Nilaidawoa: The longest time Xu Ke has had in his life is the time when he stayed with our capricious Host. Shitang Dafan Ayi: It is okay, my boy. The host is mean, but I am not. Come to me, I will treat you well. Soon afterwards, Jiang Pengji heard notifications in the background. Shitang Dafan Ayi rewarded you with 1,314 pairs of blue and white underpants. A pair of pants cost 0.1 Stream Coin, the same as a lollipop and a heart. Badao Zhongcai: Do not trust that guy! Come to me! Another notification came in from Badao Zhongcai giving out rewards of 520 kidney apples. A kidney apples equaled one Stream Coin, so the viewer had given out 520 Coins! The two had triggered a wave of high-priced rewards, bombarding Jiang Pengji with ceaseless notifications, but her countenance was lacking expression, as usual. While the audience was pitying Xu Ke, the boys features were brightened by the intelligence he had just received. His eyes flickered like the stars. Langjun, I understand what you mean. I will not disappoint you! You will be in charge of the training, then. Jiang Pengji suspected the teenager had imagined too much about her intentions, but said nothing about it. We will set off at noon. I need a preliminary plan by that time. She had thought her plan could be carried out right away, but it appeared that her standards were still too high for people in the current world. Xu Ke was more aware of the servants need, so she would like to listen to his thoughts. I have mapped out a scale, and I think we should start from the easiest and add challenges step-by-step This caused Xu Ke to gasp. He could not picture how the suggestions in the booklet were elementary How intense was her original scheme? Was she trying to strain the men to death? That is a desirable strategy, Xu Ke replied, adding, A strong grown up can usually weigh one stone, but the new servants are either too young or too weak. We must alter the program for better outcomes. Chapter 78 - Delusional Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The guards who had potential were still too young, and the older ones were not healthy enough to keep up with the training. Jiang Pengji may not have had much in the Liu residence, but she had more than enough food to feed the new guards. Ive looked through the training manual. Even though its tough, itll still be good for the guards. Xu Ke was worried that Jiang Pengji would lose her temper, but as he carefully observed her, he saw that she did not react. He grew courageous and continued, The best army is not necessarily made up of strong men and weapons; rather, it has the most elite soldiers. Elite soldiers are strong and healthy, but more importantly, they are also serious and disciplined No matter how strong a soldier was, he was still only one man. But if 100 men acted as one unit, the results would be different. Jiang Pengjis training manual was shocking and impossible for most men to complete. However, Xu Ke realized that all of the training techniques emphasized discipline. Jiang Pengji nodded in approval as she listened to Xu Ke. He had performed better than she had expected. Indeed A few days ago, I read a book of folk stories. There was one about a valiant general from the previous dynasty. He was able to freely come and go in the upheaval. In the unmanned land, he was like a heroic deity. Even an army of 10,000 strong could not touch him. It sounded like a tall tale. Xu Ke was shocked speechless by Jiang Pengjis words. Even though she did not reveal much, he knew that she was talking about the general from the Xia dynasty who had campaigned across the country with the Great Ancestor, the founder of the dynasty. People even called the general the God of War! You dont believe me? Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow before she got up to retrieve the bow and arrows. She faced Xu Ke and continued, Why do you think that general was courageous? His enemies could have just been weak. In my opinion, he was a regular soldier who encountered some blockheads. If his enemies were that powerful, why would they allow a man to freely enter their land? Did the general have an army of good men that allowed him to infiltrate the enemy lines? Or did the general have a body of metal? No. His enemies were undisciplined and just a bunch of cowards who were afraid of death! How could an army of 10,000 strong lose to a single man? Even when Jiang Pengji was in Corps Seven, she could not say that she had left any battle unscathed. If she wanted a valiant general like the one in the folk story, she would have to find someone who was unafraid of death. The logical side of Xu Ke felt that what Jiang Pengji had said was too perfect and ridiculous. But when he thought about how 10,000 disciplined soldiers could move as a single person, he became fired up. Shitang Dafan Ayi: That kid needs some medicine! Badao Zhongcai: This host is toxic and is spreading her delusions. Shansasa: Eh, Xu Ke is now delusional? Why does it seem like his eyes are shining? Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: I dont care. I love this delusional host. Jiang Pengji peeked at the streams comments. Whatever passion she had felt was now extinguished, and she felt awkward. Her viewers were good at destroying the mood. She lifted a hand and smacked the hot-blooded Xu Ke. Where were we she said weakly. Xu Ke: What Jiang Pengji wanted was a fantasy in the current situation: strict obedience. Those two words would not be easy to achieve. The problem in this era was illiteracy; if the guards could not even read their orders, how would they be able to execute them? That battle from the folk story could have had up to 350,000 troops. But for a victory, only 50,000 troops would be needed. The remaining 300,000 soldiers were mainly there for the military experience and free meals. If their side was winning, everyone would rush up to overwhelm their enemies together. The moment they were on the losing side, however, they would turn and run. Even the 50,000 elites were nothing in Jiang Pengjis eyes. They fell short of valiance. During the upheaval, those elites may have been able to curb their fears of death and execute their orders, but that was unlikely. Most of the troops had probably used the confusion to escape and save their own lives. If the army lost, the first person to bear the brunt of the failure would be the commander, not the troops. Thats why the morale of the troops was of the utmost importance. Without it, the troops would start getting disorganized and would easily collapse with a single setback. They had to meet enemies with worse morale than them or else they would not win. If a group of disciplined villagers met a group of lawless soldiers, the villagers could win with ease. After their in-depth discussion, Xu Kes eyes were wide, and Jiang Pengjis were bright with passion. At first, Xu Ke had thought his young master was a weird man who only lusted after beautiful people. And after Jiang Pengji had saved him at the assembly, Xu Ke thought of her as extraordinary, unruly, and unconventional. After last night, however, he felt that Jiang Pengji was shrewd and in control of any situation, including a persons heart. His impression of her had changed yet again. If he still had any lingering displeasure about her, it was definitely gone now. Even an amateur like him knew that it was possible to train a small army under her leadership. As expected, Jiang Pengji was planning something big. Dongqing had yet to be tossed into turmoil, and she was already planning on something. Xu Ke bowed his head and listened carefully. He was sure that those hired guards were not here to protect the residence. And if that were the case, why would they need to learn discipline and army formations? Chapter 79 - My Langjun Is Pure and True (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke hated the upper class. They had killed his innocent mother, and they had almost killed him. After losing all his dignity by becoming a commodity in the slave market, he had planned to avenge his mother one day by gaining importance in the court. Then he would be able to make those dregs of society, who viewed commoners lives as nothing but grass, pay. Of course, that was his desperate and improbable imagination. The local gentry and nobles could kill him as if he were an ant. Besides, he had become a tattooed slave, and that crushed any glimmer of hope he had in becoming an official. But then a door opened in his life when he was bought by the strange Langjun, who was now walking in front of him. He thought the Langjun would be too arrogant to listen to others opinions, but to his surprise, he accepted his suggestions readily. The Langjun only heeded his advice because he found it helpful, but his open-mindedness surprised Xu Ke. He was certain that Jiang Pengji was like a seemingly lazy yet deadly tiger. Jiang Pengji was not like those other pretentious b*tches. She was pure and true! For instance, he had heard from other servants that the second branch of the Liu house was much more affluent than the other noble families. So why was the Langjun, the only legitimate son of Master Liu, so familiar with the prices of food at the market? His knowledge was the most up-to-date! Or maybe he simply had an excellent memory. But why was he haggling with the shopkeepers? Isnt that what peasants did? Jiang Pengji was so skillful at bargaining that Xu Ke widened his mouth and wondered if the family had become destitute. Stream viewers who were eating in front of the screen also dropped their food at the scene. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Host, is there anything you cannot do? My heart beats faster even when you are bargaining! Lancui Yu Buzhe: That is very down to earth. But my host, dont you see that the shopkeeper is going to cry? Wujiang Zhacai Ye: Hahaha! A victim of the host bully! Bufu Nilaidawoa: Sigh. I cannot imagine what would happen if the host lived in our dimension. I run a boutique, and I would probably have to sell at cost to myself for customers like the host. Though the viewers expressed sympathy for the shopkeeper, they enjoyed watching Jiang Pengji lowering the price lower and lower. But they were not the only audience. Xu Ke, too, was witnessing everything. Langjun, this is He was going to say too stingy, but he feared that would annoy her. Instead, he said, not good for your image. If others knew about this, they would criticize Jiang Pengji even if he had maintained his manner throughout the process. Jiang Pengji said indifferently, As if my image is not quite negative already. Who has not heard about the Lius dissolute son? The traders thought a young teen from a well-off family would be unaware about the price of food, so they raised the bill from one dollar to ten. We have money, but that does not make me an easy target. Does it? Chanshiguan: All I see are the traders becoming easy targets. All the viewers agreed. Xu Ke was speechless. What happened at Wan River brought Jiang Pengji some approval but also the reputation of being dissolute. However, the Langjun could not care less about what other people said, and he was not afraid of admitting it. Besides, how will they know my name? If they ask, I will simply say I am Xu Xiaoyu, the page boy of Liu Langjun. Her response caused Xu Ke to stumble. So he was not a page boy but a scapegoat? After the two walked around, Jiang Pengji asked, Have you got them all? Xu Ke nodded. His memory was not as strong as Jiang Pengjis, but it was good enough to remember what he observed. Very well. You are responsible for the new servants daily lives, so you should make an accounting book to keep all the records. You must also monitor their training progress. Anyone who does not obey must be punished as stated in our plan, and those who perform well should be given rewards. There are not many servants right now, so this should not be a challenging task. Jiang Pengji had bought Xu Ke for multiple posts. Xu Ke needed to keep the maintain the accounting book, manage internal affairs, and supervise the servants training. Liu She had given her absolute freedom to decide over these matters. But frankly, she had never needed anyone to tell her what to do. Before Xu Ke responded, she added, This is my training for you. You need experience if you want to manage the farmhouse and prevent dishonest servants from deceiving you. Purchasing food may appear simple, but it is complicated. Both the quality and quantity of the food could make a difference, and he must not be fooled by greedy servants. For a while, Xu Ke was too stunned to speak. He gazed at her longer than he should have. Jiang Pengji asked, What are you looking at? Jiang Pengji had changed his opinion about the upper class. He mildly replied, I never thought Langjun would be so familiar with these kinds of tasks. The Langjun had been raised as a precious child of the family. Then why did he know about the products in every shop and their corresponding prices even better than Xu Ke, who was once a commoner? Ha! You were going to say I am stingy. What changed your mind so soon? Chapter 80 - My Langjun is Pure and True (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio No matter how much Xu Ke tried to think back, he could not be sure if he had said something wrong. Embarrassed, he began apologizing. Why so formal? Jiang Pengji turned away. You didnt do anything wrong. Youre right that if word spreads, others would say Im stingy. Xu Ke was not wrong. But Jiang Pengji did not care about her reputation because she could not stop people from gossiping. I guess youre open-minded and optimistic, so you dont care what others say. Jiang Pengji was silent as she went to ask the System a question. System, I think theres a huge misunderstanding here. I am sure that I did not criticize him. System: Heh, this is the difference between a gentleman and a hooligan. Jiang Pengji: F*ck! Xu Ke noticed that his young master was not only savvy with matters of business, but she also had an eye for good woodwork. During their outing, Jiang Pengji had bought quite a bit of wood and tools. Was she planning on building something? Xu Ke had many ideas, but he did not voice them. He was quiet as they hit the road. He had a feeling that Jiang Pengji would not make him wait long before she revealed her plans to him. He sat outside the carriage and watched the scenery. When his eyes came upon a familiar sight, he froze. It had only been a few days, but it felt like a lifetime ago. They were passing by the field in which he had tried to escape but was instead caught by Liu She and his guards. He had become Liu Lantings page boy after that. They were still some distance away from the farm, but they could see smoke coming from the village. He could also see the silhouettes of farmers working the fields and children chasing each other. An old farmer sat at the entrance and smoked tobacco from a long-stemmed pipe. The scene looked peaceful. Jiang Pengji pulled aside the carriage curtains and looked out. The streams audience watched the scenery. Baba Biedawo: Feels like my old home. I remember when I was a kid, the village was was not very developed. When it was time to eat, every house would have smoke rising from it. When I saw the smoke, I knew its time to go back. Tonghuashun Yise: Yup, my old house was like that too. When I was a kid, there was no such thing as daycare. We were left to run around in the mountains alone. Now, my village only has old people. The younger ones have all gone out for work Rensha Wangka Shoucan: I grew up in a city. Ive had pork but have never seen a live pig. Once the topic about home came up, the screen filled with the audiences nostalgic comments about their childhood homes. Zuimengde Hashiqi: My village changed a lot. There are many factories now, and its much more developed, but the scenery isnt the same as it was when I was a kid. I cant see the clear blue skies anymore, and the fields are now filled with weeds. Jiang Pengji leaned against the small table in the carriage as she looked out the window, bored. She switched between watching the scenery and reading her viewers comments. The coachman rushed the horses and did his best to reduce the carriages rattling to minimize any potential motion sickness for the young master. After a little while, Xu Ke announced that they had arrived. Jiang Pengji regained her senses and got ready to leave the carriage. She dodged Xu Kes attempt to help her down and jumped off the carriage. In order to move easier, she had abandoned an expensive broad-sleeve outfit for a simpler one. She was sick of expensive and complicated clothes. Lets go. Jiang Pengji smiled and took the lead. When the children saw them approaching, they ran back towards their homes. Her audience started feeling nostalgic when they saw the farm. But Jiang Pengji grew up in an advanced city, so the farm was a new experience for her. Compared to the cold and unforgiving city she was used to, the farm seemed to give a sense of warmth. Jiang Pengjis guards were dressed simply like peasants so as not to draw attention to themselves. The village head had not seen Jiang Pengji before, but thankfully, their carriage carried the Liu emblem. The village head knew that the people in the carriage were from the main house. Once he realized who the boy in the simple clothes was, he was rendered speechless from fright. At ease. Im here to see those people I sent here a few days ago. No one tried to escape, right? Jiang Pengji shot Xu Ke a mocking gaze. He looked awkward. Even if Liu She had not brought his men to prevent Xu Ke from escaping, Jiang Pengji would still have caught him because she had also ordered some men to keep a lookout. The village head kneeled and answered her with fear. He was worried that he would offend this Langjun and bring trouble to the village. Dongqing looked peaceful, but corrupt officers ran amok. Many nobles exploited ordinary civilians, and their lives were tough. Not only did they have to bear the burden of exorbitant taxes, but they also had to deal with bandits, too. But this village was much more peaceful than others. The Lius were compassionate, and they had money and a good social standing. Bandits had to think twice before raiding this village, so the villagers lived in relative ease. If one of the villagers offended the young master, their remaining days would be hell on earth. About 20 people had been sent to the village. Other than Xu Ke, the others had remained there. The village head had not received any instructions, and he had not dared to make his own decisions. He had just ordered a few strong men to watch over the new men to prevent them from escaping. If there are none who have escaped, thats good. Go call them over, Jiang Pengji told the village head. The coming days will be tough on you, Jiang Pengji said to Xu Ke. Ill need you to stay here and watch over their training. First and foremost, you will need to set them on the right path. Then you can delegate work to those you can trust. Ill allow you to borrow some books from the residence during your stay here I wouldnt want you to fall behind in your studies. Xu Ke was still young, and he should not neglect his studies just because he had some work cut out for him. A good superior ought to give their subordinates time to advance themselves. Although Jiang Pengji did not show it, she thought that Xu Ke was the perfect person to be her assistant. Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke spent the afternoon discussing and editing the training manual. The manual was roughly done, and Xu Ke just had to execute it. If anything arose during the training, Xu Ke would come up with the appropriate measures to resolve the situation. Xu Ke blushed from the high expectations Jiang Pengji had placed upon his shoulders. Chapter 81 - My Langjun is Pure and True (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji knew her positions well in both worlds. She used to be the pillar of Corps Seven, the last resort of the soldiers, and the strongest faith they had in the unit. In other words, she was the mascot in peace and the alpha wolf in war. She handled all the matters pertaining to battles, but her subordinates took care of all the internal and external affairs. She did not pretend to be interested in other issues apart from fighting, which was her only strength. She had given Xu Ke a similar role to her subordinates, and she planned to leave everything to him until he encountered a problem that he could not handle. The two had designed a detailed program with specific flows and stages of training in order to maximize utility and add challenges for the servants. They would start with a shorter training time and simple exercise. Then they would demand harder tasks after the initial transitional period. When they were not training, the servants would assist the farmers in cultivating the land and growing crops. To increase their incentive, five servants would form a team led by a lance corporal, who would be chosen every month by the unit. The monthly wages of lance corporals would be five percent higher than the others. Additionally, they would hold contests between the teams, and the winning unit would receive an extra five percent in their monthly salaries. But Jiang Pengji still focused more on punishment than rewards. All of the teams progress would be inspected every month. Members of the worst team would have ten percent of their salary deducted, and their workload during the following two weeks would be ten percent more than the other teams. The punishment would be the same for the unit with the lowest overall rating. The lance corporals would be responsible for their men and would be punished alongside any of their members who breached the rules. If any lance corporal violated the rules, all of the teams would be punished. That way, lance corporals would be incentivized to monitor each other and their own team members. Though the lance corporals would hold more power than the members, they would also have to bear a larger share of the responsibilities. All soldiers, therefore, would be closely related as one large unit. As for the wages, Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke agreed on the amounts after considering factors like their overall expenditure. Soon, the housekeeper brought the young men in front of the them. They were in better spirits than they had been at the slave market. I did not purchase you to lead an easy life. Let us be straightforwardCfrom now on, you must listen to Xu Ke before you act. Anyone who causes trouble will receive severe punishment. Xu Ke? The servants knew who that was. Some of them secretly glanced at the teenager curiously. Xu Kes situation had been the worst among all of them. But after a few days, he had reappeared in decent clothing. His spirit seemed to have been lifted, and his figure was not as weak as it had been before. This roused envy in some of the men and hope in others. However, their daydream did not last long before Jiang Pengji extinguished the fire in their hearts. Xu Kes hands were trembling because of nervousness, gratefulness, and excitement. This was the beginning of his new life! But he concealed his emotions. I am a sensible master and will listen to reasonable voices. But if you know your words are not convincing, you better shut up before I tell you to. Jiang Pengji looked at every one of them with intimidating coldness in her eyes. She cued Xu Ke to explain the training plan. The servants were all joyous about the news that they would receive monthly wages, sufficient garments, and food. Life in Dongqing was difficult. Natural disasters and human error were forcing commoners into desperation. Although Hejian was prosperous, the roads of other poorer counties were full of people who died of hunger. Rampant bandits were also compelling commoners to migrate, resulting in empty residences in those areas. The servants had feared that Xu Kes escape would bring them all punishment, and they assumed that he would be beaten to death once he got caught. However, as they saw him standing in front of them in a better condition, they felt relieved to know that the Langjun was not as cruel as they had assumed. As for the training it would be nothing more than common exercise, right? Jiang Pengji perceived their thoughts and smiled coolly. Do you think our family will pay for useless guards? I have higher expectations than you think. Jiang Pengjis voice was not like other teenagers. It seemed to freeze the air and send chills all the way from the peoples feet up to their brains. Cold sweat soaked their backs, and dread occupied their minds. Wealthy places like Hejian are surrounded by outlaws in the nearby mountains. They rob households, and they will be your enemies when your training is over. You can spare effort in the coming months and be content with the outcome, but the bandits will not pity you for your weakness! Xu Ke looked up at her. That was not what they had planned to say, but the thin, young boy standing in front of him seemed to shine under the sun. He was not the only one dazzled by the sight. Jiang Pengjis fans in the channel began giving out presents ceaselessly. Toudu Feiqiu: Ahhhh! The host is my love! Pindaokanni Juhuayoudu: I want to have the host over me Oh, push harder Qie Niang: Stop it before the children learn from you! The System could not help but smirk. The rewards cleared away its discontent. Although it had a strange host, the content pleased the audience and attracted generous rewards. It guessed that it should not complain as long as the channel was gaining popularity. The servants were shocked by Jiang Pengjis speech. Then she warned scornfully, Neither my family nor I need worthless creatures at our place. You decide who survives three months laterCyou or the bandits. Jiang Pengji knew that wolves that had never killed could be more fragile than lambs that were used to attacks. She wanted an army of bloodthirsty wolves, not sheep that played simple tricks. She folded her arms, lifted her chin, and cast an eye on her people. Alright, are there any questions? Chapter 82 - My Langjun is Pure and True (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji was the smallest person compared to everyone else. Xu Ke looked at her and, for a distracted moment, he thought he saw a slim and powerful tiger in her placea tiger with a cold and calculating gaze that watched her prey as though she already knew the outcome of the situation. When he regained his senses, Jiang Pengji was still bathed in the sunlight. Her black hair reflected a halo of light around her head. A moment later, the others trembled in fear, and no one had the guts to oppose her. Jiang Pengjis lips lifted coldly, and her eyes curved with the smile. Since there are no objections, lets start. She threw her sandalwood fan towards Xu Ke, and he reached out to catch it. The familiar scent on the fan brought a shiver to his spine as he remembered Liu Shes cold and calculating gaze That interaction had traumatized him for life. Wait This was not the time to be afraid of a memory, for his young master had said start But start what? Was she referring to something in the manual? Before Xu Ke could make sense of her words, Jiang Pengji startled him. The first batch of team leaders will be picked by me to ensure fairness, Jiang Pengji said languidly as Xu Kes heart skipped a beat. Then she continued, I know some of you are planning to withdraw. Youre afraid that you will die in the hands of the bandits, but your service is with me. Thats why you wont dare to oppose me. But Ill give you all a chance now. If anyone can beat me in a fight, I will allow them to go free, and I will also give them a years worth of silver. Xu Ke was enraptured as he watched Jiang Pengji standing there under the sun with a smile on her lips and fire burning in her eyes. You can come at me one by one or as a group. You dont have to hold back! Everyone looked unsettled, and no one was still. No one had expected her to be this arrogant. All the new men were from poor families. They had worked the fields since they were young, so they were much stronger than any nobleman. Jiang Pengji may be the Lius precious son, and she may have had martial arts training, but she still looked weak and frail. It seemed impossible for her to take on a group of men. But if they could beat her, they would get back their freedom and still get a years worth of silver. It sounded too good to be true. The men started looking at each other, and their steps were hesitant. No one dared to attack first. Xu Ke, on the other hand, was anxious. He wanted to pull Jiang Pengji back, but he was afraid that he might offend her. But if he did nothing, she could really get hurt or even killed by the men. Jiang Pengji wore a predatory smile. Her expression was expectant, as though she was waiting for something to happen. Xu Ke froze on the spot and remembered the incident with the assembly of scholars. Jiang Pengji wore the same expression then, and her eyes had held some scorn. That was enough to tell him that these men were no match for her. The air filled with tension. All the new men felt as though they had a burden upon their shoulders, and they were strangely nervous. Their breathing quickened, and their backs were damp with sweat. It was as though they had been burdened by life itself. No one? Jiang Pengji was good at picking the right time to speak. The strongest and biggest man of the group stepped forward. He drew back his fist and aimed it straight at her face. Looks like someone has guts. Jiang Pengji laughed lightly. It was obvious that she didnt care about the fist that was coming her way. The village head was terrified for her, and Xu Ke looked away because he could not bear to watch. Her viewers held their breaths and gripped their fists. Some of the viewers started to grumble about the streams clear resolution. It looked like the fist was heading straight for them. The fearful viewers steeled themselves as they prepared to watch Jiang Pengji bleed. Most streamers loved to pull off death-defying stunts to increase their popularity. But no one expected Jiang Pengji to do that. The viewers who had seen Jiang Pengjis prowess in battle were not worried about her. They were excited to watch her shine in battle again. Good one! Instead of dodging, Jiang Pengji met the mans fist head on. She used her palm to block his fist and summoned her strength. Then she smacked off his fist and seized his arm with her other hand. She spun around and used his strength against him. To everyones surprise, she threw him aside easily. Her actions were simple because she did not want to damage the men she had paid for and wanted to train. All she wanted to do was convince them that they could not beat her. Corps Seven had a reputation of being war maniacs. Others called them troublemakers with very bad habits. Each year, new recruits to Corps Seven went through an orientation in which they had to fight the veterans. Young people were always arrogant and had to have some sense beaten into them before they became much easier to control. Jiang Pengji applied the same logic here. Those men had their own ideas, so they might not treat the training seriously. They needed to have their pride wounded a little. Jiang Pengji felt that it would be easier to give them all a good smacking now to prevent them from starting headaches later. In her opinion, there was nothing in the world that a few good hard whacks could not resolve. If there were, then just add a few more smacks. The first man who attacked sparked the others. Their hesitance dissipated, and they charged at her as one. How could they all lose to a young and frail noble boy? They were not trying to kill her; if they did, they would be sentenced to death. They were just trying to win. As long as they won, she would have to uphold her promise. Well, it was wishful thinking on their part. Chapter 83 - My Langjun is Pure and True (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The group could not even grasp a corner of Jiang Pengjis clothes, let alone threaten her. They had no discipline, no cooperation, and no tactic. They were like flies rushing in every direction, hindering each other instead of strengthening themselves as a team. Within the blink of an eye, Jiang Pengji defeated them all. Bodies fell on the floor one after the other, making heavy noises as they landed. Xu Ke squinted and saw Jiang Pengji in her plain garments walking leisurely about. Her movements were simple yet powerful like those of kungfu masters. You are the weakest men I have ever seen! You should just stay at home and finish your embroidery. That would be more suitable for you I cannot imagine leading you to the bandits! Jiang Pengji had been careful not injure any of them, but their pain would last a while before they could stand up again for another fight. She continued mocking them, causing the guys to blush out of shame. They felt that they were merely wasting food and polluting the environment with their existence. Look at you! Your legs are soft like noodles, and they bend in the wind. And why do you moan when you stumble and fall? Were you not fed earlier? Or perhaps you have used up all your energy on women or with your hand under the blanket at night. A moment of carelessness made the content too explicit for the ancient people. Xu Ke felt blood rushing up to his face. He observed Jiang Pengji as if he were scrutinizing an alien. How could a Langjun speak so coarsely? He was shocked while Jiang Pengji simply shrugged. Her jokes were nothing to her. The System, on the other hand, was blown away. Its happy mood was completely ruined. It should not have hoped for much from a host like Jiang Pengji. While the guards stared open-mouthed at her, the audience was thrilled. Pages of notifications in the background rolled through the interface. Viewer Badao Zhongcai rewarded 1,314 kidney apples. Viewer Bufu Nilaidawoa rewarded 11 x 520 blue and white underpants; viewer Rensha Wangka Shoucan rewarded 99 blue enchantress roses The most eye-catching notification was a giant firework that spread across the virtual interface and reached almost every corner of the space with its glistening effects. Viewer Qiongde Zhishengqian rewarded a luxury private yacht! Viewer Qiongde Zhishengqian rewarded a luxury private yacht! Viewer Qiongde Zhishengqian rewarded a luxury private yacht! The same line repeated itself nine times, which made the channel silent before it erupted with excited comments. Toudu Feiqiu: Oh my god! Nine yachts! That destitute man has nothing but money! Shitang Dafan Ayi: Rich guy, can we be friends? I can do whatever you want! Qie Niang: The audience group is small, but many viewers are loaded and dumb, haha! A yacht could bring 1,000 popularity points and cost 1,000 Stream Coins each, which equaled a thousand Renminbi in the audiences dimension. That meant the viewer who had just given out nine yachts had thrown 9,000 Renminbi into the channel! This might have been common for other hit stream broadcasts, it was unheard of for a new show like Jiang Pengjis. The host stopped for a moment but did not change her facial expression even after she noticed the accumulated popularity points in her account. Qiongde Zhishengqian: I like the Host, so I gave her some presents. The viewer acted as if the sum was nothing to him. Jiang Pengji laughed coldly and then ignored his bullet screen. As the yachts triggered fireworks in the channel, a mission was given to her in the background. Viewer Qiongde Zhishengqian knows a beauty like you can dance and sing most enchantingly. Therefore, he requests a delightful dance lasting no less than ten minutes. Mission rewards: nine luxury private helicopters. (A) Accept mission. (B) Reject. The value of a helicopter was the same as that of a yacht and would be calculated in terms of Stream Coins. This meant she could receive rewards, which would be worth 9,000 Coins if she satisfied the requirements and obtained a high rating from the viewer. Half of the sum would be given to the System, and the other half would belong to her. It surprised her that a viewer had already learned about the livestream modes and was offering lavish rewards before she had even decided the extent of her interaction with the audience. The Systems scream reached its highest pitch when Jiang Pengji declined the task without hesitation. The immediate deduction in the Coin deposits of their account seemed to hold its throat, and its voice stopped in a dramatic, ridiculous manner. Soon it began to moan. My Host, why did you do that! A casual dance would bring us 9,000 points! The incensed host interrupted, Shut the f*ck up! At the same time, she put on a notice on the interface. Host V: Thank you for your support. However, I must remind you that I do not accept specified content from the audience as it is against my principles. She then briefly explained the voting functions in the semi-interactive and fully interactive streaming modes. The free streaming mode at the moment was intriguing, but the audience was becoming bored of the content. Even Jiang Pengji found some days in ancient times boring, and some of the viewers were becoming tired of waiting pointlessly for something interesting to happen. They were losing enthusiasm about the free stream, although they still remained curious about it. Jiang Pengjis maintained her countenance as she interacted with her viewers, but the sensitive Xu Ke felt his Langjuns happy mood change suddenly into great displeasure. Is she upset because of the servants? Before he could draw a conclusion, however, Jiang Pengji approached him and took away her fan, which he was holding. Xu Ke, there is something I want to discuss with you tonight. These people are now under your supervision, and you will start their training tomorrow. The incompetent ones shall not be kept here to waste our food. The coldness accompanying her words caused the servants to drop their heads quietly. Xu Ke realized that his Langjun was really mad this time. Chapter 84 - The Teen Begins to Shine (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She was very trusting and indulgent with his daughter. Aside from her studies, he did not meddle much in her life. But he still wanted to know everything she was doing so he could help her if she ever needed it. However, Liu Shes worry was unnecessary. Jiang Pengji would not allow herself to suffer any losses. Xu Ke was busy that day. After making arrangements for the guards in the village, he returned to the main residence to have a discussion with Jiang Pengji. Before he could even enjoy a hot meal, however, he was summoned by Liu She. After his traumatizing night with Liu She, Xu Ke did not dare to omit any details of the afternoon. Xu Ke was eloquent and very detailed in his report. Liu She listened from his seat and looked as though he was enjoying every moment. Madam Hu smiled from behind the partition screen. The second Langjun is finally mature. Looks like my dear cousin can set your mind at ease now. Madam Hu had praised his daughter, but as her parent, Liu She could not express his own excitement. Even though he could not hide his smile, he still had to act humbly. But when Xu Ke told them that Jiang Pengji had said that she would lead the guards out to kill some bandits after the training, Madam Hu was so startled that she dropped her dessert back into its plate. Liu Shes eyes widened in astonishment. A gentleman never puts himself in danger. Why is the second Langjun so impulsive? Madam Hu asked in a severe tone. Liu She, on the other hand, didnt say anything, but complicated expressions flashed across his face. No one knew what he was truly thinking. Madam Hus anger did not even register in his mind. It was as though he were transported into another time. A few moments later, he gathered himself, and the color drained from his face. Lanting is no longer a three-year-old child. He knows what hes doing. Liu She interrupted Madam Hu as she ordered Xu Ke to change Jiang Pengjis mind. Liu Shes face showed his exhaustion, but his voice carried conviction. Maybe this is Heavens will. He returned to the main wing, where his shadow grew by the candlelight. Liu She spread out Dongqings territorial map on the long table. There were annotations on Xu County, the territory that Liu She governed. He stared at Xu County on the map for an hour. He gripped his fists so tightly that his fingernails left half-moon marks in his palms. After a while, he summoned the maid from outside. Bring Lanting over. In ancient times, people worked or moved when the sun was out. When the sun set, it was time to rest. Jiang Pengji was preparing for bed when she was summoned by her father. Lets go. Dont let father wait. She frowned, but she got up and put on the thick cloak that Taxue had brought. It was unclear if it was due to Liu Shes return or because it was spring, but the manor was beginning to look more lively. But now, the courtyard gave off a creepy vibe in the dark. When she reached the courtyard, she brought her hands together in greeting. Liu She gently said, Lanting come here. She immediately took a few steps toward the long table. She noticed her father staring at the map. It was a crudely drawn territory map. The territory sizes, mountainous ranges, and waterways were all messily scrawled. Lanting, can you guess which is the county I govern? Liu She pushed the lamp towards her so that she could see better. I left Hejian County all those years ago I wondered if you would hate me for it But I had to leave you behind. Jiang Pengji raised her head and looked at him suspiciously. She did not understand why Liu She was talking about this now. You governed here, Xu County, and the land is as big as a prefecture, Jiang Pengji said, replying to his former question. She was not Liu Lanting and could not give him an honest answer to his other remark. Liu She touched the crudely drawn Xu County on the map. Yes, Xu County Before I was appointed there, that land was the most uninhabitable in the Dongqing. The emperor had sent many officials there, and many died on their way there. Or they became governors there, but they were unable to flourish and make it back home. Xu County was poor, and the land had been infertile since before the start of the Daxia dynasty. The farms could not produce much food because of the decade-long drought. Most families could hardly survive, and most guards and servants ultimately became bandits. It was also normal for families to sell their children. Families who had the means fled Xu County. Any other place would be far better than staying in that piece of hell. Not only was the land infertile, but the rations that the imperial court had given went through corrupt officials. By the time the rations reached the commoners, there was hardly enough for them to eat. Once Daxia collapsed, Xu County came under Dongqings rule. Before Liu She assumed his role as governor of Xu County, there were many outstanding officials who had wanted to try and bring order to that land. None of them succeeded. Liu She was Xu Countys longest-serving senior provincial officer. The people there practically treated him as a god. What happened that caused you to be assigned to such a harsh area? Jiang Pengji frowned. Xu County was notorious for being hard to live in, and no one would willingly go there to become an official. The Lius might not be a top family in Dongqing, but they were not a small family, either. There should have been other options for Liu She. When you place a person in front of death, they will fight to live. It was my choice to go there. Choice? It was his choice to seek death? Or was it that Liu She was sure he could survive in Xu County? Or did he mean that someone had tried to sabotage him and cause Liu Shes death? To many people, Xu County is a place of death. But to me, it was a place that could become a paradise one day. Liu She sighed with regret as the memory of that year resurfaced. He had worn a hemp garment for mourning, and he could still recall his grief after Gu Mins funeral. He had packed Gu Mins memorial tablet and took off to go to Xu County. That year, he had lost two sons, and then his wife succumbed to illness. There was danger lurking outside the small Liu residence. Liu She was taking care of his remaining child but felt utterly lost. He had wanted to die. But Gu Min was right. Lanting and their enemies were still alive. He could not die yet. If he went to Xu County, there might be a way to survive! He forced the memory and pain from his face way and then pointed at Xu County. Since were free now, let me test you a bit. If you were me back then and had to go Xu County, what would have done to ensure your safety and still govern the land? Chapter 85 - The Teen Begins to Shine (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu Shes unexpected test roused Jiang Pengjis suspicions. She glanced at him as he kept his eyes shut. It seemed that her dad was hiding more secrets than she had assumed. Still, she could tell that he was hoping to prove something with her answer. I have studied the conditions in Xu, and I think it is not hard to survive there. Liu Lanting had limited memories of her father, but she had been eager to learn more about him. She had collected a considerable amount of books and information about Xu in the hopes of understanding the place that her father governed. People in Xu have less refined lifestyles and hate bureaucrats because they collaborate with the local gentry and exploit them. The county has a special custom of allowing officials sons to inherit their fathers posts, which makes the county like a small nation within Dongqing. Jiang Pengji never complicated things as long as simple solutions were available. Liu She examined her closely, and the doubts and uncertainty on his face gradually went away. What would you do then? I would lead 300 guards with ten carts of money and crops to eradicate the bandits before I officially took up the government post. She smiled, and her eyes shone with confidence under candle lights. Paperwork from the court will hardly intimidate the people. So the first thing I would do is demonstrate my military strength to make them think twice before acting against me. The name of a strong army is always consolidated by bloodshed. I would start with minor outlaws and accept genuine surrenders, but I would show no mercy toward any who resisted. If the situation required, I would not hesitate to execute them all. That way, I would build up my image of a cold-hearted and powerful force. No one would blame her for killing outlaws, and she could say that she was doing it to bring security to the area. At the same time, she would be able to recruit useful men to strengthen her party. If Liu She had done as she had said, the familys fortune could support him for a year or two. By then, the gentry and bandits would doubtlessly be too afraid to cause any more trouble in the region. To avoid alarming the king and the court, I would then order the surrendered bandits to continue living in the woods for some time. Meanwhile, they could help secretly monitor the gentry and officials. By doing so, they would be helping me to place Xu under my control. Those were merely her first thoughts; she had not come up with any detailed plans. Years of military life had made violence her instinctive solution to most problems. The only way to manage a treacherous place like Xu was to teach the opponents an unforgettable lesson with military power. Despite the wealth of Liu family, she also suggested a way to save money: to take supplies from their enemies. As she explained slowly, the light that was kindling in Liu Shes eyes glowed even brighter. She pretended not to notice and continued, Two factors caused Xu to become poor: human error and natural catastrophes. It is easy to deal with the former, but not with the latter. The weight in Liu Shes heart released as he smiled and said, But it seems my Lanting already knows how to tackle it. Draught is the main reason for the barren lands in Xu. The earth in the area is too dry for crops to grow. Jiang Pengjis finger moved around on the map. She added, Still, there is abundant water underneath. She had taken a look at the information that Liu Lanting had gathered. The girl was stubborn like her father, but she was troubled by the issues in Xu. She had not known what to do about the water and land. But that was not a problem for Jiang Pengji. Genetic soldiers like her had to accommodate to various types of battlefields, and they acquired every skill and piece of information relevant to battle. There was a time when she had to survive in the notorious Deadly Valley without any material aid. In the end, she was the only one out of 1,000 men who had survived. Deadly Valley was not made for human inhabitants because food, water, and even air were scarce. Her experience in Deadly Valley, along with the basic knowledge that she had learned at school and her observation of mountains and waters, helped her find a way to change Xu. She was even more certain after reading about the people and their customs in addition to learning about the geography of the area. Underground water alone could not save the whole county from draught. Her pallid finger pointed at a large river, the mother river of Dongqing. The dikes along it often broke and caused floods to neighboring regions. Xu was desperate for water while some places were ruined because of it. It was hard to tell which was worse, for the consequences of both were the same; people either died of thirst or of drowning. Disasters all year round made lives in Dongqing miserable. As soon as the underground water alleviated the drought, I would recruit civilians to develop a watercourse that would link a branch stream of the mother river to the streams in Xu. The main stream of the large river could not be used because it could cause flooding to Xu, and Liu She would be blamed for it. Working on branch streams was safer, closer, and more efficient. Liu She raised another question. This is a practical way, but the task would be too arduous and may even cost peoples lives. How would you compensate for their labor? Laborers who were recruited by the court usually received nothing in return. If there was also a high risk of losing their lives due to drowning or overwork, commoners would lack motivation in carrying out the project. Jiang Pengji considered it for a moment and then replied, That is easy. In addition to the wages, food, and clothing I would give them, I would also promise to help cultivate their lands after the project was finished. I would provide them with farming tools and cattle, and I would waive part of their taxes. Money and rewards would drive people to complete their tasks actively. After that, since the courts control over Xu was weak and many of its rules were ignored in the place, it would not be difficult to ask for a reduction or a waive of taxes for several years. The courts permission would seem like her kindness toward the people, which could also help her reputation. Liu She continued, But where would you get the huge sum of money for the project? Besides, those in the court would likely try to impeach you for recruiting locals without the kings order. Her suggestions would rouse skepticism about her loyalty for the kingdom. Chapter 86 - The Teen Begins to Shine (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji gave a slight smile and slyly replied, If a county governor truly loved his people, why wouldnt he pay out of his own pocket? The law does not punish the majority, and the imperial court could not save the masses. In the end, wasnt it the people who saved themselves? It would be easier to rob the rich than to help the poor. People create opportunities. If one were to build their achievements on their predecessors, eventually they would lose. Jiang Pengjis eyes flashed with interest. Those nobles are outrageously wealthy. How could they miss out on those events that benefit the people? Those nobles plundered the locals in order to benefit themselves. As for those who took the money and rations, thats easy. Xu County indeed had a yearly drought, but the people didnt need to go hungry. The imperial court had been sending money and rations and even reduced their taxes every year. The result? Natural calamities were terrifying, but human nature was the worst catastrophe. If the people had been united, they could have overcome any circumstance. However, it became a dog-eat-dog world, and the county had become the poorest in Dongqing. Before Dongqing, Daxia had been sending monetary support every year. That should have added up to quite a large sum. It should be easy to figure out who took the money. If those people refused to give back what they took, there are always other ways to get the money back. You could fake the accounts, or hire bandits to exterminate an entire family, or even conduct a search and confiscate. There is always a way. There is also nothing in this world that cant be solved with a sword. If there is, stab it a few more times! Jiang Pengjis eyes curved with her bloodthirsty smile. Of course, it was best to have evidence. But if there wasnt any, all they had to do was create some. In an emergency, even a gentleman could not be a stickler for the rules. If none of those methods worked, all Liu She had to do was publicize the situation. He would not even need to lift a finger to do anything. The masses would do the work for him. One could not govern Xu County in the style of a nobleman; one needed to be as ruthless as possible. If the people were vicious, you had to be more vicious. If they did not agree to your terms, then it was time to get physical. To do all this, your reputation must be popular with the masses, and the noble families must fear the military, or else it would be easy to harbor a grudge, Jiang Pengji said. For Liu She to have properly governed and fixed Xu County, he would have definitely angered the local tyrants because his methods impaired their profits. People kill over money, and it would have been natural to kill Liu She for their own profits. Its not easy to keep your life safe and still govern Xu County. Jiang Pengji licked her dry lips. How did you do it all those years ago? Exactly how you said it. Liu She smiled. Liu She had used the methods that Jiang Pengji mentioned. But he had not been as ruthless. Liu Shes methods for dealing with the nobles in Xu County had seemed cruel and caused a lot of problems. They had even given him the nickname the judge of hell behind his back. Yet when one compared his methods to Jiang Pengjis, one might think that his methods were kind. Even if Liu She was ruthless, he still allowed those nobles to enjoy their privileges and live. Jiang Pengjis method would have been to cut them off completely and leave them to die. Liu She cast a complicated gaze at Jiang Pengji. Even though his daughter did not have any murderous intent, her eyes were bright, and he was fairly sure that she was not joking. Lanting, Liu She sighed. You forgot something important. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow. She had thought of her methods at the last minute, so it was easy to miss something. She was interested in hearing what Liu She had to say. Father, please enlighten me. Liu She did not speak. Instead, he wrote two words on the table with his finger. Jiang Pengjis expression turned solemn immediately. Your methods would work. But have you thought about how your actions would offend all the nobles? In that era, insulting a prominent family was worse than insulting the emperor on the streets. A noble family had an immense amount of power. Jiang Pengjis methods could fix Xu County, but what would happen afterward? She would be the nobles common enemy. Furthermore, there are more and more talented people from these old families Liu She paused and turned around. Have you thought about what would happen to you if the nobles decided to cooperate against you? In that era, most resources were given to the nobles. They had control over large amounts of money, so their children were often much more talented than normal people. If she offended all the noble families, who would lend her aid? Jiang Pengjis expression was dark as she lifted her head to look at Liu She. What would you have done then? Jiang Pengji asked deliberately. I did not burn any bridges, Liu She replied. One could offend them, but not to the point where they would hold grudges. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips and replied a moment later. But keeping them is troublesome. Its easier to just get rid of them. Liu Shes gaze was complicated as he looked at Jiang Pengji. He sighed after a while. Lanting, I dont care what you think or do. Just think twice before you do anything. You have to think for yourself and your blood relatives. She was the Liu familys second son! Jiang Pengji replied, I understand. Liu She did not dare contemplate on whether or not Jiang Pengji had really understood his words. Chapter 87 - The Teen Begins to Shine (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Lets not continue this boring subject. Liu She ended the conversation before his daughter could become upset about it. But he had to confess that her response made him proud. She would become Empress Chen in the future, the first Empress of Jiang Dynasty! Different conjectures passed through his mind, though his countenance remained the same. Jiang Pengji frowned as she attempted to capture his thoughts. She said, Father, you should rest. Dont overthink things at home. If you say so. He listened and smiled. I want egg stew for a late-night snack. Jiang Pengji kept her face stiff to conceal her embarrassment. I cant cook. Liu Lanting did not even know where the kitchen was, and Jiang Pengji had grown up eating anything she could to survive. The only dishes she could make were barbecue and skewers. Ill make it then. And well have wine. A sip of wine could bring people closer, and both of them wanted to liven up the atmosphere after their previous discussion. Still, Jiang Pengji was puzzled. Why egg stew? Besides, was it really okay for an underage person like Liu Lanting to consume alcohol? Soon, she found the answers to all her doubts. Liu She wanted egg stew because it was the only dish he could cook by himself. As for the wine, they had pear blossom wine, which the family made every year and contained an almost neglectable amount of alcohol. Not even 20 bottles would make her drunk. Yet, a few bottles brought redness to Liu Shes cheeks. Jiang Pengji looked at the container in her hand and then at her dad. Was he tipsy because of this nearly non-alcoholic drink? She did not know that Gu Min had forbidden him from consuming alcohol or using tobacco due to concerns over his health. They only had a tiny cup of wine on their wedding night. Liu She usually had tea instead of wine at social events, but he began to take a few sips of wine after Gu Min passed away. Liu She had not been born with a high alcohol tolerance, and he had never trained himself to drink more. With his unhealthy body and his overwhelming workload in Xu, he was susceptible to the alcohol in the mild pear blossom wine. So when he drank to gain a moment of relief from reality, he would become drunk no matter what he had. More bottles of wine blurred Liu Shes consciousness and slightly reddened his eyes. The two rested in a corridor in the yard. Your mother loved pear blossoms and took care of them herself The wine is made from the flowers, and it became our guests favorite beverage We used to have a swing under this tree, and she would hold your eldest brother in her arms They would laugh so happily Pear blossoms were a symbol of separation, but Gu Min had insisted on growing them in their house, despite Liu Shes opposition. Liu She could barely hide his emotions, and tears ran down his face as he supported his head with one hand. Your brother he was only two when he passed away! Your mother was weak, and I did not want her health to deteriorate Four years later, we had your twin brother and you. But then he drowned before he even turned four. Ever since you two were born, your mother took care of every aspect of your lives. She prevented you from talking to strangers or walking close to water and stones Still, we could not save our child. As Liu She spoke, his eyes filled with despondency, madness, and hate. Lanting, women in the house may appear timid and gentle, but their hearts can be colder than that of snakes and scorpions! Do not underestimate them! As she listened, Jiang Pengji analyzed the information. The two brothers of Liu Lanting had been killed by a woman in the house. Liu She knew who it was, but he could not take revenge. Perhaps it was because she was too powerful. Liu She was restraining himself from avenging his loved ones. But what were the motives behind the plots? Did the woman kill them out of love for Liu She or jealousy of Gu Min? Jiang Pengji took a glance at her dad, who was much more mature and charming than the teenagers she had met. Yet if it had been a crime of passion, why hadnt she killed Gu Min directly? Instead, she had let her die of physical and mental suffering after the deaths of her children. Dizziness caused Liu She to squint his eyes. My daughter will not be like those short-sighted women, competing for one mans heart all her life. Jiang Pengji listened in silence. She had no intention of discussing anything with a drunk man. It should be the men competing for her instead! She almost choked and spewed out her wine. He should not encourage his daughter to cause misery to his fellow men. Feng Jin is pretty, but he is too stubborn and cold-hearted for you. He also has a wife and concubines at home. Jiang Pengji glanced at him. According to her own observations, Feng Jin was not married yet. Xu Xiaoyu is good looking too, but he is too rebellious and headstrong. Jiang Pengji thought her father cared too much about mens appearances. She waited for Liu She to continue, but he paused for a moment and turned abruptly to her with an intense gaze that flickered like fire. If she were a coward, she would have been scared by his sudden move. He looked at her with blurred focus. Lanting, what do you think about Cheng Youmo from Langye? He is a few years older than you, and he is temperate and discreet. Who is Cheng Youmo? His recommendation confused her. Yet given his comments on Feng Jin s and Xu Kes appearances, Cheng Youmo was no doubt another pretty boy. Whos that? Im not interested. Then maybe Han Wenbin from Langye? Young, handsome, clever, and principled. Was he trying to find a match for her? Jiang Pengji began to feel sympathetic for the guys he had mentioned. After all his suggestions were declined, Liu She sighed. Why dont you like them? Perhaps because they are not beautiful enough? Although she had never seen them before, she was certain those boys would not be stunning enough for her. Both Jiang Pengji and Liu She loved good looking people, and Jiang Pengji was even pickier than her father. Beautiful Liu She moved his head to one side as he scanned through a list of names in his mind. His selection for a son-in-law had begun when his child was little. There was no way he would let her leave the family for her husbands! He would never, never, never let that happen! Chapter 88 - Dominance Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If he could not get any men to marry into the family, Liu She would go with his original plan: Liu Lanting would take wives and concubines, but she would also secretly have a man to continue the family line. The future Emperor Jiang would be able to do whatever she wanted! Even if she had three husbands, no one would say anything about it. She would be the emperor, and she would not need to give a reason for anything. She should not lower herself to those men! Liu She continued with his recommendations and tried his best to get her to agree to one of his options. Pretty There is one. How about Langyes Wei Zixiao? Hes refined and charming and more beautiful than a woman. Its as if he was born from the gods Liu She raised his eyebrows at Jiang Pengji. If anyone else were to make such an expression, it would seem vulgar. But for Liu She, he looked elegant and could still make ones stomach fill with butterflies. Jiang Pengji laughed, embarrassed. Why are they all from Langye? As if there are no other men left but in Langye Province. It seemed as though her father was really drunk. Everyone knows that Hejian has the most beautiful people and scholars. Hejian is where all the beautiful noble ladies gather. Langye and Qiongning Counties are known for being the birthplaces of master politicians and renowned scholars Dongqing isnt the most insignificant of the five nations, though. If the other four nations thought Dongqing was insignificant, they wouldnt be trying to cultivate talented scholars. Liu She suddenly clapped his hands and laughed. Only an outstanding man deserves my precious and talented daughter. Gu Min had said that two smart people can have even smarter descendants. Jiang Pengji smiled and said nothing as she poured the liquor for herself and her father. Shortly afterward, Liu Shes breathing evened out. He had fallen asleep. The courtyards pear blossoms fluttered in the wind, and some fell on his head. And just like that, hes drunk. Jiang Pengji finished the leftover liquor and looked at the sky. She got up and picked up the sleeping Liu She. Even though he was a fully grown man, she could pick him up easily. She placed him on his bed and pulled the blankets up around him. Then she tucked in the corners. Under the candlelight, Liu Shes dark circles stood out. So skinny What happened that year to make him lose this much weight? Jiang Pengji frowned. When she carried him, it had felt like he was made of only bones. When she got up, she noticed something in the corner of the room. Was that Gu Mins memorial tablet? She froze before hurriedly leaving Liu Shes bedroom. She pulled the doors closed and checked to make sure the night air would not blow into the room. She pulled on her thick cloak and looked for the quickest route back to her wing. She had to cross through the courtyard. The corridors had lanterns, but the lighting was still poor. Along the way, she met a team of guards. The team had five men, and the leader of the team held the lantern. They stopped and bowed. Jiang Pengji hummed a reply and returned to her wing without a backward glance. This residence isnt small, and the secrets it holds are plentiful. Jiang Pengji smirked. In the dark, those dark eyes of hers seemed to glow in amusement. The next day, Liu She held his throbbing head as he pulled back his covers. He sighed and grumbled about how his body was starting to grow weak. To think that a few cups of the pear blossom liquor could get him drunk. He could not remember how he had even gotten back to his bed the night before. When he sat up, the maid outside his room heard him and asked, Master, are you awake? Yes. Im awake. Liu She laid back down. Once his headache was manageable, he sat back up again. After he checked his appearance and made sure nothing looked out of place, he called for the maid to enter. Liu She and Gu Min were married for a short few years, and they had also been childhood sweethearts. Most of his habits and customs had been influenced by his wife. The maid entered, and Liu Shes expression was indifferent when he took the towel from her. He used the warm water she had brought in to wash his face. His muddled mind was starting to become more alert. Liu She did not stink of alcohol because he had not drunk much. But he still changed into a perfumed outfit. Only Jiang Pengji would have been able to tell that he had anything to drink the night before. Once he looked presentable, Liu She checked the sky and gauged the time. Did Lanting come over this morning? He had slept well into the afternoon. No wonder his head hurt so badly. Too much sleep could tax the body. The second Langjun paid his respects this morning. But when he heard that you were still asleep, he told me not to wake you. Liu She was quiet, and a memory surfaced in his mind. He turned pale and resisted holding his head. His image as a father The maids eyes were cast downward, and she did not dare to look at Liu She. She stood a respectable distance from him and therefore did not see his warring emotions. He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. If the maid, especially a personal maid like her, was at any other family, she would have had another role when the lady of the house was not well. Personal maids had much higher ranks than regular maids. You may go. Let me have some peace by myself. He did need to be alone. He had been carried by his young daughter. As a father, his pride was in pieces. Once the maid left and shut the doors, Liu Shes expression grew weary as he grumbled to his wifes memorial tablet. Is this what you said would happen? Dominance? Outside the room, a few maids left quietly. One of the maids stood out because she was beautiful and had a bubbly personality. She was new and had not been with the Lius for even half a year. When one looked at her, he or she always felt more cheerful. Ah, Sister Tong, why hasnt the master gone to the rear wing since hes been back? Sister Tong was a maid from the main branch who was now serving Liu She. She was in her early twenties and did not wear any makeup. Her clothes were dark, and she gave off a gloomy attitude. Upon a first glance, one would think she was a married mother. Chapter 89 - The Charm of Maturity? Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The masters backyard is none of your business. Tong Sanniang scrutinized the young girl from head to toe with a stony look. The attendants face became pale, but she didnt dare to argue because the elder servant was second only to the housekeeper in managing the household affairs. She knew that the old housekeeper appreciated the elder servants abilities and decidedness. The girl replied, I am only worried about our master. After all, Xu is a terrible place to live and work. Leave the worries for our lady. Who do you think you are? Tong Sanniang looked at the girl with impatience and disdain. She had thought the attendant was an energetic and adorable girl, but she was disappointed by her silly mind and hopes. Before the attendant could find another excuse, Tong Sanniang said, I know whats on your mind, and I will not stop you from climbing into the masters bed if you insist. But here is my warning: if you want to live longer, you better get rid of the thought! She ended with an angry Humph! and quickly left. Her steps were light and steady. Why didnt the stupid girl understand the reason why all the attendants wore plain clothing, except in Second Langjuns yard? The family could afford exceptional clothing for its servants, but the servants never wore eye-catching colors. The master in the Liu family was not like those from other wealthy families. He would be swayed by the beauty of young women. Soon after the months of mourning for had Gu Min passed, the masters mother ordered some women who resembled the deceased wife to stay in his room. She had hoped it would encourage him to marry again and have more children. The woman who looked the most like Gu Min had been the first to act. She covered her body with a sheer blanket and went to the master. But before that, she had attempted to kill the Second Langjun, who had almost lost her life after days of severe illness. What had been the consequence? People said Liu She was bright like a full moon in a clear night. He seemed gentle and emotional, as if he could never be irked. Who would have guessed how hard his heart could be? He was furious that she had tried to resemble his wife, and he was incensed that she had harmed his child. He ordered his servants to slice off the skin from her face. He had her blanket ripped away from her, and he ordered that she be beaten until her naked boy became still on the floor in the main yard. That had happened when Tong Sanniang was little, and the scene had been in her nightmares until she grew up. Liu She would have been thought of as ruthless and barbarous if his mother had not blocked the news in time. After that, no one dared to seduce Liu She. Instead, they wore as little makeup as possible, put on the most modest clothes, and avoided looking at the masters face whenever possible. Preventing pretentious acts and gestures was the best way to ensure their safety. Tong Sanniangs contour became rigid, and her gaze was freezing cold. She left in a hurry and did not notice the third person who had captured the conversation. That was, of course, Jiang Pengji. She was sitting on a decorative stone in her comfortable peasant clothes. Her legs swung in the air as her eyes followed Tong Sanniangs footsteps with interest. Jiang Pengji had been trying to regain her strength through meditation in a quiet corner. Thanks to her rich experience with meditation in the past, she was able to focus without much effort, even though this was the first time she was doing it with Liu Lantings body. Spiritual power embraced her like transparent gauze and took her mind to another dimension. As a result, her senses became clearer. Strength Fusion not only increased her fighting power, but it also lifted her spirit and enabled her to start the mental training method from her era. It was called meditation, and it could prompt genes to mutate, thereby strengthening the body with new potential. The dialogue between the servants had been an unexpected gain. Liu She would be considered a young man in her former life, but in these ancient times, he was closer to the age of a grandfather. If the eldest brother of Liu Lanting had survived, he would have had children by now. Jiang Pengji looked with her spiritual senses at Tong Sanniangs diminishing shadow and then at the girls angry look. This brought a faint smile on her face. She hopped from the stone and returned to her yard. The first person she met was the discontented Taxue. Langjun, how could you leave the yard wearing this? It is not an appropriate garment for you. In Taxues bosom was a pine-green silk coat that was embroidered with sophisticated designs of clouds and pine leaves. She hurriedly put it on for Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji did not care. Clothes are made for people to wear, right? So all kinds of clothing are appropriate for me. Taxue did not lift her glance. This is for peasants, but you are a Langjun. Jiang Pengji knew that arguing would be in vain, so she put on the open-crotch pants that the attendant handed to her. Other parts of the outfit wrapped up every inch of her body. But since the coat was not tight, wind chilled her arms and reminded her that her bottom was not properly covered. She began to miss underpants from her era. Why couldnt Taxue prepare other pants for her? Didnt Liu Lantings mother, who had lived in this world for so many years, introduce the design of underpants to her family? Though she complained in her mind, she wore what Taxue gave her. The sleeves were still too loose to keep her warm. Then she asked the System to start a livestream, and her vision was instantly blocked by a full screen of bullet screens. Xuanzhuan Tiaoyue Wobizheyan: Finally! Its so hard to enter this channel! Qiangqiang Dongdong: Agree! I have waited for more than two hours for a glimpse of the host. Ribuluo: Tsk! I have waited for almost 20 hours! Chapter 90 - Rolling in Graves! Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Pangdahai: Bro, to be able to get in and watch this stream is already pretty good. Can you imagine a dorm room with eight people trying to watch the stream together on one screen? Paidaxing: But the hosts channel is super weird, right? Theres a capacity limit of only 3,000 people. Are there any rich people here? Can someone please give the host a few Imperial Thrones to boost her Popularity Points? Bufu Nilaidawoa: Even if shes gifted with Imperial Thrones, the channel is still too strange. The rules and regulations are very different from any other streaming app. Jiang Pengji read the complaints and discussions before she replied. Host V: Please be patient. Its part of my plan to increase the channels capacity. Jiang Pengji posted the rules for the different stream interaction modes into the chat. Host V: Right now, Im gathering suggestions for the full interaction mode. Feel free to suggest anything. I will then pick a few suggestions and open a poll. As for the other mode, I will start that when theres an opportunity. Most of the channel was filled with new viewers, so Jiang Pengji decided to fill them in on the different streaming modes. Pangdahai: I want to see the host visit a brothel. I heard that this channel has a lot of pretty girls. Jiang Pengjis viewers were very curious about brothels, and she thought this might be because the modern eras views on prostitution were far more ambiguous than the current era. After Pangdahai commented that he wanted the host to visit a brothel, the stream filled with comments from other viewers who shared the same sentiment. Paidaxing: Wait. I heard that the host is a girl. Are you guys crazy to let a girl into a brothel? If the host gets into any trouble in that sort of place, you will all be responsible! Youre a bunch of irresponsible people! Some viewers just wanted to start trouble, but there were also a few good souls. Other than Paidaxing, there was a small minority of viewers who supported his views. In ancient times, a girls reputation was very important. Even if nothing were to happen, if news of an underage girl visiting a brothel got out, her reputation would be tarnished. Jiang Pengji watched the commotion. She did want to visit a brothel since there was much eye candy there. But Liu She would probably not want his daughter visiting a brothel. Jiang Pengji watched the comments for a little longer before she turned her head and told Taxue, Call Xu Ke over. Xunmei, who was next to her, perked up at the mention of Xu Ke. Her gaze was full of longing as she looked at Jiang Pengji. Taxue was quite unwilling because she did not have a good impression of Xu Ke. When she saw Xunmeis reaction, she frowned but agreed before she left. Xu Kes room was not too far from Jiang Pengjis wing, and Taxue was an efficient maid. She quickly brought the other boy over. Lets go, Jiang Pengji said to Xu Ke. Jiang Pengji was worried that Xu Ke was not threatening enough to oversee the guards first training. Other than Jiang Pengjis carriage, there were two other carriages full of heavy items. What is it? Xu Ke asked when he saw the other two carriages. Proper training requires proper training tools. I got the seamstresses to sew up a few sandbags, but the material is too rough, so regular sand could leak out from it. So I got some dried clay to replace the sand, Jiang Pengji explained. Xu Ke cocked his head in contemplation. He thought about the plan she had drawn up and the amount of wood she had bought the day before. Is the wood from yesterday also for training purposes? Hm, Jiang Pengji hummed in agreement. The carpenters said theyd need ten to fifteen days to finish them. The only problem is whether they will be usable. If they arent, we will need to find better wood or another replacement. Xu Ke thought back about the plan before suddenly realizing something. I heard that the Lius wood workshop is one of the best in Hejian. The carpenters there are wonderfully talented and have years of experience. What did you request that would challenge their expertise? When have you ever seen a guard making his rounds empty-handed? Jiang Pengji side-eyed him. Xu Kes expression changed. Privately manufactured weapons? Of course not. Theyre just crossbows that Ive made some adjustments to. They can even be used for hunting. You reminded me that not everyone has the strength to draw a heavy bow. Even a strongman would not be able to draw a bow if he was weak with hunger. To be able to draw a bow, one needs years of training. This would take too much effort, and the results would not be promising. Even though Jiang Pengji was not explicit in her explanation, Xu Ke caught her meaning. She was hinting that these crossbows could be used by weaker people or even someone with poor eyesight. If such a weapon could exist, you would have to make sure you chose the right carpenters, or the secret could get out. Xu Ke seemed calm, but his mind was in turmoil Could such a weapon exist? Jiang Pengji nodded her head in agreement. In an era where technology was rudimentary at best, any weapons that were slightly more advanced gave them an advantage. Even if her ideas did not work, she could not let others use them. Im not a naive person. I would obviously get trustworthy people to work on my weapons. Manzui Gouliang: #laughcry. Dont bully the adorkable kid. Xu Ke looked very much like a celebrity from the viewers era, and they had an affectionately nicknamed him adorkable. Langjun is obviously not naive, Xu Ke replied solemnly. She was very reliable! Chapter 91 - Langjun, Don’t Forget Your Medicine (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio These people can be our first lance corporals. If they turn out to be incompetent, look for better candidates during the next selection. Xu Ke took the list and memorized the names on the sheet. Is it true that you will lead them to the bandits after their training? Jiang Pengjis countenance looked resolute. Of course. Did you think I was kidding? The pageboy shook his head. Anyone who had heard about Jiang Pengji would know that she would not joke about such matters. Thats not what I mean. Im just worried because the journey will be dangerous. The bandits mostly hide in the mountains, and we are unfamiliar with those roads. That gives our enemies the upper hand. He tried to be respectful as he expressed his concerns. Besides, the outlaws have nothing to fear, and they are much more violent than our men Even bold men became cowards when they faced men who were bolder than them. The inexperienced servants would likely be intimidated. After they kill once, they wont be scared to do it again. Xu Ke recognized her determination and stopped trying to dissuade her. Jiang Pengji glanced at Xu Ke. The boy was young and skinny, but he had killed before. The booklet listed the details of the servants training program. They would start with basic conditioning, which should not be too demanding on their bodies. Xu Ke gathered the servants, appointed the lance corporals, and assigned members to each team. No one dared to make a noise during the process; they were like chicks quietly waiting for their mother to give them tasks. Who would not be afraid of Jiang Pengji? As the servants remembered how she had defeated all of them, they could still feel pain where Jiang Pengji had hit them. They did not want to die here! The farm was simple with limited equipment, so the servants could only do a few types of exercises on the first day, and the exercises were nothing special to the audience. Lushui Yinfeng Zhoumian: Looks like our military training at school. Paidaxing: This is much more demanding. Our regimen consists of running, lining up and creating formations, but their program is designed to train real soldiers who can fight bandits. These guys may lose their lives in action. Pangdahai: I completed my training last month. It was much easier than this. Manzui Gouliang: Is this really helpful? I doubt it. Toudu Feiqiu: There must be more than this. I trust the Host. There was no way that Jiang Pengji had overlooked the problems that even the audience had noticed. Basic conditioning was the first step to strengthen the servants bodies, but it wouldnt make them a match for the bandits. They also needed to discipline themselves and begin to think like an army. Though they might be weak as individuals, they needed to learn to fight as a unit. Repeat the 10,000-meter run three times each day. Imagine you are an army rushing into a battlefield as back up; if you become exhausted on the run to the battle, you would be useless by the time you got there. After a 30-minute run in farmlands, the servants were panting vigorously, and their legs were too heavy to move another step. Xu Ke knew that none of the servants had reached Jiang Pengjis goal, and he observed her reaction. Although he agreed with her, he thought her expectations were too high. He attempted to speak on behalf of the servants. Langjun, this is their first day of training. If you give them more time, they will Xiaoyu, this has nothing to do with time. I know what you are going to say: people from the slave market are not as strong as farmers who have labored their entire lives. The slaves lived in hunger before, and therefore they have less strength than other people their age. You want me to understand them, but I will tell you that you are wrong. The root of the problem is they do not know how to run! The men had used up all their energy in the beginning. No wonder they could not finish 10,000 meters. She tried to explain to everyone. Long-distance running requires more than strength and endurance. Running without a strategy will only waste your energy. The best method is to maintain a regular breathing cycle. If you dont, you will get exhausted quickly. Regarding your form . . . I cannot believe some of you run with your arms swinging up to the sky! The sight was torture for Jiang Pengjis eyes. Once they entered the later stages of training that would include weight-bearing exercises, the servants would only need more energy. The only word that Jiang Pengji could use to describe them was yardbirds. The first day of her military training had been ten times more difficult than what they had done. She had completed her first training tasks without straining herself, but these men had fallen onto the ground. They were too weak! Now you know why you need to train before you confront the bandits. She stared at them coldly while Xu Ke remained silent. Xu Ke realized that she was not training them to be family guards. She was training them to be an unstoppable army. Speed was key to victory in battles. Missions that involved supporting allies and raiding enemies required them to run long distances. Her attitude once again reflected her ambition. Alright, stand up! You are lying around like panting dogs. Jiang Pengji made them stand up without the slightest bit of tenderness. She felt better when she saw that, despite their red faces, they were willing to continue exercising. When they reach the more advanced levels, get some younger members and let them lead the servants. This will reduce your workload, too. Xu Ke made a respectful hand gesture. Yes, Langjun. That would be very nice. Chapter 92 - Langjun, Don’t Forget Your Medicine (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Since they had just started, their training schedule had ten basic routines. There was stamina training in the morning, and they also had to run 10,000 meters three times a day. In the afternoon, they trained with spears and practiced basic maneuvers such as blocking, holding, spearing, and so on. Jiang Pengjis knowledge of primitive weapons was all due to her visits to the museums in her previous life. Her academy had also given a brief overview of the advancement of weapons throughout the different ages. Xu Ke considered the weight of the spear in his hands before suddenly thrusting it forward. He had a pretty good stance. You have some attitude in you. I couldnt tell before since you normally look as weak as a baby chicken. Xu Ke: Heh, so that was how his Langjun saw him? He quickly pulled the spear back and wore a sheepish expression. Excuse my poor stance. Jiang Pengji smiled and said nothing. She tapped the other spear at an angle, and it leaped into her hands. She asked, Want to loosen up a little? Xu Ke froze. By the time he understood what she was saying, her spear was already coming right at him. He instinctively brought his own spear up to block hers and found that she had not exerted much strength. It looked like she was just trying to pass the time. If that was the case, Xu Ke felt more confident. Please come at me! Jiang Pengjis viewers were floored by Xu Kes fighting ability. Every agile move he made was simple and efficient. The viewers had to change their initial assessment of him. They had thought Xu Ke was one of those weak and bookish scholars. The Confucian Six Arts covered not only etiquette, music, calligraphy, and mathematics, but it also covered archery and charioteering. Therefore, scholars knew some martial arts, though most only knew showy stances that were of no practical use. Xu Kes stance may or may not have been showy but to Jiang Pengji he was still weak. They sparred for roughly half an hour before Xu Ke began to grow fatigued. His arms felt heavy, and his palms were blistered from handling the rough spear. He was drenched in sweat and was beginning to feel dizzy. Jiang Pengji, on the other hand, looked totally fine. There was not even a hitch in her breath, and she had yet to break out a drop of sweat. Young man, you still need more training. Your arms are like limp noodles. Jiang Pengji laughed as she stabbed her spear into the ground. She made it look like she was cutting into tofu. Xu Ke did not take her words to heart. Im weak. Langjun is truly valiant. Xu Ke cupped his hands in respect as he gave her a bitter smile. He was better at using his brain than doing anything physical. He had nearly sprained his back from their fight. Youre still young, so you should train more. A weak body is more susceptible to illness. Im not someone who can stay still for long. If youre going to follow me, you better train up a bit more or else you might get tired. Jiang Pengji smiled. The brush can unite the people, but martial arts can unite the heavens. Just thinking about that gets me all fired up. Xiaoyu, if youre willing, you can train with these people. Jiang Pengji could tell that Xu Ke had some skill in combat. It would be such a waste to neglect it. I was young and ignorant when I spent my days fighting. But then I met my mentor, and he taught me how to read and write. Thats why Im very passionate about literature now. Every man dreamed about becoming a hero, someone who would stop the rich to aid the poor. Xu Ke was no exception. He had roamed about for a while before finally giving up the sword and picking up the brush. He had become a son his mother was proud of. It was a pity that the heavens had other plans. Xu Kes mother only enjoyed a few years of her sons filial piety before she died tragically. You were young and ignorant? You say that as though youre so much more mature now Jiang Pengji rebutted. Xu Ke: A viewer commented what he thought Xu Ke was thinking. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Young Xu Kes inner thoughts: Langjun, lemme tell you, if you continue doing that, youre gonna lose me. Jiang Pengji glanced at that comment before smiling at Xu Ke. Were you just thinking that you would throw a tantrum if I continued teasing you? Langjun, dont jest Xu Ke blushed and replied weakly. Actually, if you threw a little tantrum, I could pardon that. Having a little temper is pretty cute, Jiang Pengji replied solemnly. In her eyes, Xu Ke was still a teenager. It was something she could tolerate, and she felt that being a little stubborn was okay. Xu Ke remained silent. The Langjun was five or six years younger than him, but as his page boy, Xu Ke had no idea how to respond to his playful jests. Urgent! Help! Studies showed that a cornered rabbit would bite. A cornered Xu Ke could choke someone. Langjun, I think you should save your flattery for those girls in Langlang Alley. Xu Ke brought his hands up in a respectful gesture, turned around, and left with a fling of his sleeves. He could not lose his temper at Jiang Pengji, but he could take it out on the guards by giving them a more vigorous training. The more he understood the Lius, the more his image of nobility was shattered. Of course, he knew that not all nobility was like that. Only his weird young master. Tsk, if we were talking about looks, Langlang Alleys girls could not compare to Xiaoyu. Jiang Pengji grumbled loud enough for Xu Ke to hear. Xu Ke missed a step and rolled into the fields. Her viewers started feeling sorry for the boy. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Youre too evil. You wont even give this kind little Xu Ke a break. Hes so adorable. How could you bear to bully him? I have this urge to rush through the screen and hug him. Badao Zhongcai: I have not seen a more evil person than our host. Look at the poor kid! Youve scared him! Zhecao Youdu: People from the olden days are more naive. Careful though, before you fill him with grudges and turn him into something darker. Xiyan: Hahaha! I look forward to seeing the kid turn dark, and then battle it out with the host! Jiang Pengji ignored her viewers mocking and walked down the footpath between the paddy fields. She leaned down and lifted Xu Ke from the ground. He was surprised by her action, and he remained stiff. So careless. Youre lucky the footpath is low and well-trodden, so there are no large rocks. You might have broken a leg and scarred your face, Jiang Pengji said as she carried him on his back. Xu Ke regained himself. He had no idea where to place his hands. He felt drained. If you didnt tease me, I wouldnt have ended up like this, Xu Ke said bitingly. Chapter 93 - Langjun, Don’t Forget Your Medicine (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Am I wrong to praise you? Jiang Pengji said in a matter-of-fact way. You should be proud of my comment. I said that you are much better looking than most people. Xu Ke choked, and his pallid face turned purple. This was obviously a tease, right? I will take you to Langlang Alley someday, and you will know what I mean. Sigh, she had been misunderstood by her bookkeeper. She continued, Yet, I wonder whether you will have more fun with the girls or if they will have more fun with you. Xu wished she would stop mentioning Langlang Alley. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Girls with have fun with him, no doubt. Dont take him there! The audience agreed that the innocent Xu Ke would be scared by the crowd of excited women. The image provoked strong protest in the channel. Xiyan: Is the host going to brothels? Remember to send notifications before you start livestreaming that day! Jiang Pengji said that she would, not suspecting that she would ever go there under those circumstances. It is not a serious ankle sprain, and it will recover soon. She was not a doctor, but she had treated herself throughout many years of continuous injuries. Additionally, she had taken mandatory first-aid courses during military school in which she learned how to handle common injuries like a sprain. Has Langjun studied medicine? As he calmed down, his opinion of Jiang Pengji once again changed. He must have been blind to think that the Langjun was a lofty genius. Why had he ever thought that she would make a great emperor? Jiang Pengji lied flawlessly. Not really. I read some books during my leisure time, hoping to help my ill mother. Speaking of this, there is one thing you need to do. As a devoted servant, Xu Ke immediately collected his thoughts and concentrated on listening to her instructions. Yes? I can tell that the servants have spared no effort in their training, but they must rest properly. I dont want to cancel the training tomorrow because of their trembling legs. She had always been tired yet happy in her military institution because she had been given nutritious food that eased her muscles and lifted her spirit. She must also give her people in this era some way to relax. Xu Ke thought about the exhausted men who always wanted more food during mealtimes. He feared that they would be too hungry to continue training. He admitted that the exercise regimen demanded much energy. Is there any way we can help them? She answered, For sure. I will draw some diagrams for you, and you will let them follow my instructions. Her solution was to teach them the basic massage techniques that every student at her school had learned. This method was commonly used in primary military institutions by many students who could not afford the expensive meals. Jiang Pengj, who had shown immense potential, was one of the privileged few who had been able to eat the nutritious meals. Using ones spiritual power through massage could energize muscles, but this concept might not be believable to the ancient people. They might think that she was fooling them. She took some time to make her illustrations as clear as possible with notes, and then she handed the paper to Xu Ke. The servant studied it for a while, and his impression of Jiang Pengji became better. Thank you, my Langjun. Hm hes not that bad after all. Some stream viewers also took pictures or screenshots of the instructions because they were interested in trying out the massage techniques themselves. Xu Ke would stay at the farmhouse during the initial stages of training, but he was allowed to borrow books from Jiang Pengjis study room when he wanted. It was a liberty that not many servants enjoyed. Xu Ke felt that his ankle had gotten better, so he rose to walk Jiang Pengji out. Before she left, Jiang Pengji stopped and turned to the servant. Her look brought cold sweat to his back. Langjun, whats the matter? Remember, you are my pageboy now. Without an explicit reference, she said, Ill forgive you this time, but dont do it again from now on. At first, Xu Ke listened with confusion, but his face became pale the moment he understood what she was referring to. Dont be afraid. You can speak to him directly. He will understand. Jiang Pengji gave him a smile, and her fan closed as it hit her palm. That night, Xu Ke looked at the ink and brush on the desk with a bitter smile, and he started writing only after spending some time in thought. The bamboo sheets were provided to him every month along with his wages, ink, and brush. Humans suffer when the gods fight. I am the one who is being tortured in this case, as I stand between the father and the son. Still, Langjun is right Taking a firm stance would save him from the dilemma. After finishing the letter, he dried the ink over the candle fire and rolled the paper up. He then went to the corridor and ushered at the sky. A snow-white pigeon landed with a bamboo holder tied on its foot. Pigeon post originated in Zhongzhao and was then introduced to Dongqing. After years of development, it was common for well-off families to keep birds for communication. Coo coo. The sound notified Liu She of the mails arrival. He took out the roll and finished reading the note in a second. He softly chuckled. Oh, my dear child Chapter 94 - Son, Let’s Visit the Brothels (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Jiang Pengji returned to the Liu residence, the soft ping of a System notification sounded in her ears. System: My dear host, the results of your full interaction streaming mode poll is ready. Most voted for I want to visit the ancient brothels. Please complete this task within three days. It was an automated System message. Jiang Pengji took a quick glance at it before trashing it. As expected The viewers are more interested in this type of questionable content. Jiang Pengji was utterly disappointed with her viewers, and she had now lost the drive to continue streaming. Even if she did draw the card to raise her level, would that mean that instead of 3,000 lecherous viewers she would have 10,000? Actually, I want to see it too the System said quietly. Jiang Pengji: System, you are made up of numbers and have no physical body. Why do you want to go to a brothel? It was still early when Jiang Pengji returned to the residence. She headed for her own wing and began washing up. Even though she had not sweated much, her clothes were dirty from being in the fields. Langjun, youre a noble. If theres anything you need, just leave it to that blockhead Xu Ke. Why do you have to go there? Now look at you, so dusty Taxue nagged. Jiang Pengji knew that she should not argue. The best solution was to remain quiet. As expected, Taxue stopped nagging when she noticed Jiang Pengjis quiet demeanor. Elsewhere, Xu Ke suddenly grew courageous and planned something behind Jiang Pengjis back. Jiang Pengji solemnly ate dinner with Liu She and Madam Hu. She was in a good mood and had already eaten two bowls of rice. Her speed was fast yet elegant. The amount of food she had eaten was more than Liu She and Madam Hus meals combined, yet she finished at the same time as them. Lanting is still growing. I had the kitchens make two more meat dishes. Liu Shes appetite had always been poor, but when he saw his daughters satisfied expression, he managed to finish a bowl of rice without stopping. Madam Hu noticed the change in his eating habits and secretly rolled her eyes. She had given up trying to be as elegant as possible. Madam Hu did not want people to think that she mistreated Liu Lanting. Therefore, did not bother reminding Liu She that Lanting was his daughter, not his son. With the amount of food Jiang Pengji had eaten, she would be fat by the end of the year. But Jiang Pengji would never grow fat. Any food she ate would be turned into muscle. Jiang Pengji gave Liu She her respects after dinner and resumed her elegant posture. She tried to guess when Liu She would speak. She knew Liu She kept tabs on her through Xu Ke and that his intentions were purely out of concern for her well-being. Jiang Pengji quite enjoyed the care and concern he had shown her. But she knew that she could not enjoy it for much longer. If Liu Shes behavior did not change soon, one day it would be the stake that drove them apart. No matter how close people were, there still needed to be some distance between them, even amongst fathers and sons. Jiang Pengji had a strong personality. She could not tolerate other people ordering her around or trying to control her life. Even if Liu She tried to imprison her for a day, she would not stand for it. She could enjoy Liu Shes care once or twice, but she would likely fight with him if he continued. So to prevent the worst from happening, it would be wise to talk it out early. If Liu She wanted to know something, he could ask her directly. He did not need to go through another person. Liu She told her that he had gone through Xu Ke to understand her better, and he had not even blushed at his actions. The next thing he asked floored Jiang Pengji. Xu Ke said in his letter that youre curious about Langlang Alley? Jiang Pengji, Liu She, and Madam Hu often bonded after dessert because the atmosphere then was less formal than it was during dinner. Jiang Pengji: Eh? Madam Hu glared at Liu She. Her posture spoke volumes about how she would strangle him if he said anything more. I am curious Jiang Pengji admitted. She had plans to go check out the place tomorrow. Ahemwhy do you ask? It was obvious in Madam Hus expression that she wanted Liu She to restrain himself. He was talking about visiting brothels with his son in front of his mistress. Youre not young anymore, and there are some things you need to know. Liu She raised his brows at Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengjis tea went down the wrong pipe. Before she could start coughing, Madam Hu flipped over the table. The table and its contents clattered to the floor loudly. Liu She behaved as if nothing had happened and gave a sweet smile. You want to go too? Jiang Pengji: Liu had talked about visiting brothels in front of his mistress, and then he had asked her if she wanted to join them. Jiang Pengji wanted to bow down to his kickass attitude. Be careful tonight in case Gu Min comes to strangle you in your sleep. To think that you would lead Lanting astray Madam Hus face was flushed with anger, but Liu She was laughing instead. Hmph! Madam Hu flung her sleeves angrily and left the room hurriedly. Dont be too surprised by her temper there. Liu She regained himself, Its natural to be curious at your age. Instead of waiting for you to sneak out there and encounter any unfavorable situations, it would be easier if I brought you there. Once you have seen everything, you wont be curious anymore. Jiang Pengji: His reasons sounded very rational, but was there something amiss here? Why dont you dont seem surprised? Liu She had definitely visited brothels before! Was his love for Gu Min a lie? I was your age before. How could I not understand? Liu She replied happily, and his eyes were gentle. And the first time I visited a brothel, it was your mother who asked me to accompany her. Jiang Pengji: Chapter 95 - Son, Let’s Visit the Brothels (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She leisurely added, Brothels are places for yin and yang to unite. Whats so embarrassing about it? Curiosity about the opposite sex was common in teenagers. Instead of blocking it all at once, Liu Shes strategy was to reduce her interest little by little. Scolding her or preventing her from going to those places would only increase her rebelliousness. Jiang Pengji decided not to reply because she was scared that her father would hand her some erotic drawings to look at. That would be terrible. Had he forgotten that she was a daughter and not a son? Though she appeared calm, she complained to the System in her mind. I feel like this is a fake ancient time. Was Liu She really born during this period? The computer was silent. It had played a role in the arrival of Gu Min into this world. Im sick of putting off visiting Langlang Alley for another day. Lets start the fully interactive stream tonight. Less than two hours after the last livestream ended, her audience found the channel open again. This time, there was a poll for their ratings of the show on the side of the interface. The viewers glanced at the subtitle, which read, A Night in Ancient Brothels. They could not believe their eyes! Buding Bushi Buding: Oh my god! Cant believe what Im going to watch after waiting for such a long time! Because there was a limit on the number of viewers the channel allowed, many had watched her show from recordings on the Internet to catch up with the plot. Kongque Dongnanfei: Will there be restricted content? It will be banned. There was a host streaming about his night with a girl, and the channel was blocked as soon as they started. I heard that the guy was taken to the police station. Liangfeng Youxing: Come on, dont you know how special our host is? My relative who works on this livestream platform told me that this channel cannot be blocked because they cannot access its data. Its strange because we can find it on the web. Qiuyue Wubian: Heh-heh, in other words, we can enjoy the show. Dali Buyaoting: But the host is too young. Look at her shape. Shes flat like a pan. Nao: Stop it before the host gets angry. You know her. Besides, the host is a girl. What could she do in a common brothel? She would have gone to a male brothel if she is planning to do what your dirty minds are thinking about. Qumingzi Haonan: Cant you think of anything other than that? What are your minds made of? The show is about something much more meaningful. Many of Jiang Pengjs regular viewers missed the unexpected stream. Newcomers consisted of 90 percent of the audience, and there was more tension than usual. Jiang Pengji glimpsed at the interface and appeared indifferent. But they should have recognized who they were joking with. They were complete strangers to her, and she was a stranger to them. These were not jokes amongst friends; instead, they were disgusting guesses about her intentions. Xiyan: Am I the only one who noticed the hosts dad in the carriage? What? The audience was in awe. Whats happening? Langlang Alley was located on a street between a residential and commercial district in Hejian. It was far away from San Songshu Street, where the Lius lived. Jiang Pengji observed what was happening outside by pulling aside a corner of the carriage curtain. Red lanterns on both sides of the street lit up as the night went dark, brightening up the sky in another way. The mixed fragrances, however, upset Jiang Pengjis sensitive nose. Is this Langlang Alley? It seems crowded but fun. Unlike other kingdoms, Dongqing did not have a curfew. The nearby streets were popular spots to hang out at night. An enticing atmosphere surrounded them, but the scent ruined Jiang Pengjis enjoyment. As her eyes scanned through the faces on the road, she was disappointed by the shapes of the womens bodies. She needed a dislike button for the scene. Liu She sat straight, smiling gently. No, of course. Hm? He explained, Langlang Alley was built at the beginning of Xia Dynasty hundreds of years ago. Every complex here has four yards with twelve rooms. Back then, wealthy officials and nobles spent thousands of pounds of gold for a smile from a beauty. Although they are called brothels, they also offer other entertainment for guests, and they refuse to serve commoners with ordinary backgrounds. Thats very different from what I imagined. Jiang Pengji frowned. Liu She replied with contempt. Is it? Picking guests is their way of asking for more from customers. Once your offer satisfies them, they will give you what you want. Langlang Alley during the Xia Dynasty was very different. It bred a lot of well-known and accomplished women. Since Dongqing was founded, however, the Alley has become like a common brothel and encourages prostitution. As you can see, indecent common brothels and male brothels gather here to cater to the desire of civilians. The street may appear prosperous, but deep down it is corrupt. The carriage passed through the long street under the red lanterns and drove into a narrow alley. The air seemed to cool down and become fresher, bringing with a mild aroma that was as soft as smooth as dandelions. Here we are. Jiang Pengji sat up straight and read the carving on the wooden plaque that hung above the doors. Handan Yard. Should we go in? It was called a yard, but it was more like a house. The entrance was tidy, and the space was much larger than the Lius home. Liu She closed his eyes and changed his mind after a second. Lets go somewhere else. Why? Jiang Pengji asked what was on her viewers minds. You dont seem interested. The girls here are all learned and well-versed in art, so most of their guests come, not for that, but for the performance and wine. Women in deluxe brothels were mostly respected. Some were even treated like noble ladies in big houses. Only for wine and songs? Chapter 96 - Dont Lose Your Elegance (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She paused, and his expression turned odd. After a short while, he said, Men who love the pleasures of Langlang Alley usually come from well-off families. They often have a few wives and mistresses, yet they still come here. Why do you think? Its not because the ladies here are gorgeous. Its because they have talents. In ancient times, there were not many women who could read and speak well. A girl who was good with words and could understand people was even rarer. Many men did not have much in common with their wives at home, and they could hardly hold a conversation with them. Therefore, they visited Langlang Alley to find a close female friend in the brothels who they could have fun chatting about literary works with. Liu She thought this was reasonable, but when he had told Gu Min that, she had rebutted him. Mother was such an insightful lady, Jiang Pengji agreed. If thats the case, I guess Langlang Alleys atmosphere is much quieter. Why arent we headed there? You like excitement, and I dont think you would like it there, Liu She replied. Jiang Pengji: Buding Bushi Buding: Your dad understands you. Im giving your father a Like. Xiyan: Eh, the hosts dad is still quite cute. Whenever they interact, theres this peaceful feeling. Especially when her dad teases her. I can tell that the host has no energy to roast him. Zhaozhao Mumu: Hahaha! She has finally met her match! Nao: Wooaahhh. Ill bet a chili that the hosts thoughts right now is definitely sh*t'' Liu She picked a place called Yingchun Lou that was much bigger and had more guests. Liu She had left Hejian County for many years. Though no one remembered what he looked like, he was dressed elegantly and wore an intricately made leather cloak, so he was easy to spot in a crowd. The female brothel keeper noticed him and eagerly stepped forward to welcome them. Jiang Pengji could not help but be reminded of the slave trader. Please enter. The keeper waved a handkerchief that had fragrance wafting from it. Liu She frowned and took a step back, dodging the keepers purposeful hand. Find your brothels most beautiful girls and give us a private room. Dont be too noisy. Liu Shes cold expression let the keeper know that he was not here for fun. Then she noticed Jiang Pengji. She gave smiled radiantly when she realized that the Jiang Pengji was the one who was here for the girls. Dont worry. Everyone knows that our girls are the best. Our young Langjun here will have lots of fun. The keeper turned around and yelled to a skinny girl dressed in green to show the two guests to a private room. The brothel keeper looked to be around thirty years old. In that era, she was considered a middle-aged woman. As she walked away, she had a grace that no younger woman could mimic. Jiang Pengji could not tear her eyes away from the keeper. Liu She bowed his head as he studied Jiang Pengji. Something was not right. Jiang Pengji opened her sandalwood fan and used it to cover her face. Her eyes were curved up like crescent moons from her smile. That keeper The way she walks made me think of a word: Sashay.'' Liu Shes lips twitched before giving in and humming an agreement. He still felt like something was really not right. Please follow me. The girl in green looked to be around ten years old, but she seemed more mature because she had worked at the brothel for many years. There was lots of incessant chatter and other sounds that made Jiang Pengji frown. She quietly tried to suppress her senses and felt marginally better. The private room was not small. When the girl in green pushed open the doors, a simple yet elegant sight greeted them. A beautiful private room. Please prepare some light vegetables and two bottles of rice wine, Jiang Pengji ordered as she studied the room. She sat in front of a square table and leaned her body against a side table. Her posture was relaxed, and she looked like she was enjoying herself. By the way, do you have any girls who can sing? Buding Bushi Buding: Bet a chili that the host is definitely a veteran at this. Look at her fathers face. That hopeless expression. That viewer had accurately described Liu Shes thoughts. After seeing his daughter behave as though she knew what she was doing, he panicked. Was she already a frequent customer at this brothel? Liu Shes peace was broken. Jiang Pengji noticed Liu Shes expression and guessed his thoughts. She flipped a cup over on the table and poured herself some tea. Father, dont think too much. This is my first time here. Liu She: A cover-up only makes matters worse! Before they could talk about it, someone outside the doors announced that the girls had arrived. Enter! Jiang Pengji replied generously. At her reply, the doors opened to reveal two 17-year-old girls. They were clad in beautiful clothes that were made from expensive fabric. Behind them, there were four other girls carrying musical instruments. The first two walked straight towards Liu She and Jiang Pengji. One was charming and sweet, while the other was bright and bubbly. The other four were solemn and went to sit in a corner of the room. Host V: Do you guys want any songs? In a split second, the screen was filled with indecent song titles. Jiang Pengji glanced at one of the titles and turned to the other four girls. Do you know how to sing the Shibamo? Pu Liu She lost his composure and sprayed out half a mouthful of tea. The four girls looked toward one another as their faces turned red. Even though it was a place of pleasure, the girls were not accustomed to seeing men like Jiang Pengji and Liu She. They looked like honest men. Jiang Pengji was still young, and Liu She was in his prime and oozed manliness. Just looking at them caused the girls to blush. Singing such an indecent song in front of them felt wrong and shameful. Go serve him. I dont need anyone. Liu She quickly regained himself and tidied his appearance. He was still grimacing. He was sure that this was definitely not the first time his daughter had visited a brothel. He felt that he had failed as a father because he had not provided her with proper guidance. Chapter 97 - Don’t Lose Your Elegance (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Silently, Liu She reflected on his duty as a father and turned away from the pretty girl who was approaching him. Jiang Pengji laughed as she held her fan. Just kidding. Some relaxing songs will do. Jiang Pengji met her soft, inviting gaze as she lifted up the girls chin with her fan. Her eyes seemed to hold a lake in them; they were perfectly lively and tender. How could you be so rude to such a pretty girl? Jiang Pengji asked her father. You must have broken her heart by being so abrupt. Liu She looked at her with a clear message: What are you planning again? Liu She didnt know what to do after her careless manner in Yingchun Mansion. Luckily, Jiang Pengji had stopped joking before he really got mad. After all, someone had to pay for their night there. The audience was thrilled and showed their envy through their bullet screens. Jiang Pengji mischievously smiled, her teeth shining white. Liu She was shocked by the sight and felt compelled to believe the rumors about his daughter being a dissolute man. My fairy, whats the perfume youre wearing? I love it. The moment Liu She collected his thoughts, he found Jiang Pengji mingling with two girls as if she was their frequent visitor. The girl she addressed blushed, leaned against her, and placed her head on Jiang Pengjis neck. The intimate posture forced Liu She to look away again. The girls cheeks were red as if she were drunk, and she answered lightly, I make the fragrant powder by myself. To avoid skin allergies, the girls had learned to make their own cosmetics. Each of them had various skills, but inventing fragrances was the most common skill. Really? It is very special. Long-lasting and refreshing. A delight, indeed! Jiang Pengji carefully smelled it again, intrigued. This was evidence, for she had smelled this perfume somewhere before. Im glad you like it. Its my favorite, too, said the shy girl. She was little and not much taller than the young Liu Lanting. She lowered her head, leading Jiang Pengjis gaze seductively to the back of her pale neck. Buding Bushi Buding: This reminds me of a line: You look down as tenderly as a lily in the wind.'' Dali Buyaoting: Come on! Dont forget shes just a whore! She doesnt deserve to be compared to a lily. Nao: You are not much better. Shut up if youre watching. Xiyan: Agreed. You shouldnt be one to judge. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Think about the era shes in before you say your bullsh*t. Dali Buyaoting: Ha-ha. If you care so much about the hookers, why dont you ask the host to save them? Whats the point of arguing with me? I dont think Im wrong in calling them whores. They earn money by opening their legs. The host is a whore, too. Jiang Pengji was upset by the conflict, especially because the nonsense involved her. Qiuyue Wubian: Hustlers are all pretentious. What are you arguing about, anyway? The host hasnt said anything yet. Jiang Pengji decided to intervene before the audience said anything else. Host V: They are laborers working to earn a living. You may look down on their occupation, but they do it to survive in this world. Many people in this era had to sell their children for money or eat their neighbors children. I dont think theres any reason for you to detest them. We all have our own stories. You may not approve of them, but you should at least respect them. Jiang Pengji couldnt understand why prostitution was illegal in this era. In her world, prostitution had been legal for thousands of years. The federation had allowed prostitution because it believed that all humans had the right to decide what they wanted to with their own bodies. Therefore, Jiang Pengji could not understand why the viewers were arguing. As Jiang Pengji interacted with the channel, the pretty girl in her arms blinked. She was very young, but she possessed a mature kind of beauty. Her seductive gaze and plump lips would be sure to allure many. Does Langjun like the fragrance? Ive smelled it before and am surprised to find it again here. The smell is pleasant, but its not half as dazzling as you. I thought beauties like you only appear in dreams. On the other side, Liu She was having some vegetarian dishes. He did not drink in such places because he didnt want to get teased if he lost consciousness. If Jiang Pengji were his son, Liu She would have ended the night by handing him an erotic drawing and letting him pick a virgin for his first time. Although Liu She had been faithful to Gu Min, he would not have restrained his child from exploring with different women. But this was his daughter! Its not like she could do anything in the brothels anyway; after all, she was missing a key body part. The girl who had been rejected by Liu She held her handkerchief by her lips. She looked at Jiang Pengji with allure and chided, Has Langjun forgotten me? I thought I was the one being ignored. You are sitting so far away from me. Then what about now? The girl came closer until her forehead rested upon Jiang Pengjis shoulder. Now, Langjun cant say its my fault. True. Im overjoyed by the change. Liu She quietly looked at his daughter flirting with two other girls. Liu She didnt want to stick around to see how Jiang Pengjis interactions with the girls would progress. Then, he heard the procuress outside saying hurriedly, Langjun, Feng Jin and Wuma Jun are staying with other guests at the moment Chapter 98 - Dont Lose Your Elegance (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Not long later, a familiar voice carried over. Heh, you sneaky old woman. Ive given you so many silver pieces. You said that before I leave Hejian County, those two will only serve me? Just because I havent been here for a few days, you decided to let them serve others? Isnt that a slap to my face? Before the brothel keeper could reply, a clear voice sounded out and Liu Shes eyes brightened. Liu She and Jiang Pengji were the same: They had a face and voice fetish. Forget it, Zhengze. If you really want, we can always call two more girls. Why must it be them? When Jiang Pengji heard the familiar voice, her lips curled up in a smile. She cast a meaningful look at the girl leaning into her embrace. Tsk, what is this called? Fate! Toudu Feiqiu: Eh? Are my ears failing me? I thought I heard the Feng boys voice. Aiya Jiaoteng: Nope, I heard it too. I remember that Wuma Juns courtesy name is Zhengze Hes very close to that Feng Jin. Tsk, I can feel my heart shattering. Why is Feng Jin here? Jiang Pengji chanced a glance at Liu She to see if there were any changes to his expression. It seemed that even when he hated Feng Jin, he did not recognize the other boys voice. Outside, Wuma Jun was frowning and growing dissatisfied with Feng Jin. It was as though Feng Jin was born to oppose him. No matter what he said, Feng Jin would rebuke him and it was starting to piss him off. The more Feng Jin was against anything he did, the more he wanted to rebel. He pushed the other boy away, ignored the keepers pleading eyes, and barged into the room. The girls stopped playing their music immediately, while the four men stared at each other. One could almost hear a pin drop. Feng Jin: Wuma Jun: Jiang Pengji seemed to be unaffected and smiled. Why did you all stop? The girls quickly regained themselves and began their performance. At first, Jiang Pengji could not get used to their sickly sweet singing, but their voices started to grow on her. Even though Feng Jin and Wuma Jun did not recognize Liu She, they did recognize Jiang Pengji. It was Liu Shes only son, Liu Xi! That was awkward. Wuma Jun quickly brought his hands together in an apology. AhemI didnt know Liu Langjun was in here. I behaved rudely. Wuma Jun had wanted to win Jiang Pengji to his side, and now that he had created such a blunder, he had to quickly find a way to salvage the situation. Feng Jin, on the other hand, felt even more awkward and uneasy. His eyes did not deceive him, right? That kid with two girls in his embrace, smiling and teasing the girls that was Liu Xi? Feng Jin gave a grim smile and entered the room when Jiang Pengji beckoned him. Wuma Jun followed suit. Huaiyu, let me introduce you. Jiang Pengji called out Feng Jins courtesy name despite the awkwardness. Of course, the other boy did not realize what was wrong and was accustomed to her calling him by his courtesy name. He was still unaware of the status of the older man before him. Liu She: Feng Huaiyu heh heh Feng Jin listened to her, respectful attention covering his face. Then, when the next sentence came out of her mouth, he felt like a weight had settled upon his shoulders. This is my father. Feng Jin: Liu Xis father was Hejians Liu She, who was also Xu Countys governor, Liu Zhongqing? So Feng Jin solemnly turned to look at Liu She and found the other coldly watching him. The feeling that he got from being caught visiting a brothel by his friends father could be described with one phrase: Life was meaningless. Uncle Liu, Feng Jin summoned his courage and greeted Liu She. Jiang Pengji seemed to have not noticed anything amiss and continued. Father, this is the Feng Jin I mentioned before. Liu She took a sip of tea without a change in his expression or posture. He hummed his acknowledgement. Wuma Juns expression was a mix of happy, confusion, and fear. He had planned to get Liu Zhongqing on his side by visiting his residence with a generous gift. He had wanted to show off his generosity, literacy talent, and logical thinking; he had wanted to charm Liu She to his side and get his support in political affairs. The result? The location of their first meeting: Yingchun LouCCa brothel. The people involved: Liu She and his son. Although Dongqings bureaucracy was strict and did not allow their officials to be intimate with prostitutes, Liu Shes standing was different. They were in Hejian County, a mountainous region far from the emperor. No one could use the fact that he visited a brothel to oust him. If the fact that an official visited a brothel could be used to oust them from court, then Dongqing would be without any officials by then. This is Huaiyus good friend, Wuma Jun. His courtesy name is Zhengze. At that moment, the only one who could still happily enjoy herself was probably Jiang Pengji. She was the only girl having the time of her life, while the other three men were awkwardly looking at each other. Even the smooth talker, Feng Jin, remained quietly seated. His posture was ramrod straight, but in Jiang Pengjis eyes, he looked pitiful and fearful. When she turned her gaze to Liu She, he was exuding his imposing aura to intimidate the other boys. Huaiyu, do you want me to call a girl over? Jiang Pengji asked. Feng Jin glared at her. Are you trying to kill me? Huaiyu, have you settled down yet? Liu She asked in a manner akin to how an elder would talk to the younger generation. Feng Jin was on the verge of breaking out in a cold sweat. He was not afraid of Liu SheCChe was terrified that the news of him visiting a brothel would reach home. Even though he accompanied Wuma Jun and had not done anything outrageous, no one would believe him. Feng Jin brought his hands up in respect and said, Feng Jin is still young and hasnt formed a family yet. No engagement? Liu She asked, ignoring Wuma Jun. Feng Jin calmed down when Liu She asked that. It was as though he had something to say. No engagement. In Dongqing, an unengaged sixteen-year-old boy like Feng Jin was not uncommon. He was talented and had good looks, and it was still easy for him to get engaged before he turned twenty. On the other side, Jiang Pengji watched Liu She. She was worried that he would ask Feng Jin to marry into the Liu familyCCespecially since Liu Shes drunken words left an impression. I see. If I had a daughter, I would want to become relatives by marriage with Xiande. Chapter 99 - Don’t Lose Your Elegance (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin had an ominous feeling. Xiande was his fathers other name, and Feng Jin had heard about his acquaintance with Liu She. Feng Jin had been startled when he heard Liu She mention a daughter. Yet the clever boy soon understood that this was merely a vague reference. Liu She had no intention of revealing the secret about Liu Lantings sex. The only daughter he had at the moment was an illegitimate girl whose birth was too low to marry the second son of the Feng House. Feng Jin had been relieved that he wouldnt have to take a manly wife like Jiang Pengji. He did not have high expectations for his future bride. She didnt have to be well-learned or tender, but he just didnt want her to be violent. He didnt want to be battered at home! Uncle, thank you for the opinion. Though I wont have the privilege of marrying your daughter, I have the pleasure of befriending Lanting, who is like a brother to me. Xiande always praises you and your two brothers. He says you all have immeasurable potential. Id be glad if my son could learn a little from your talent. Liu She, however, could not keep the proud look off his face as he thought of Jiang Pengji. Feng Jin was not as sweet as his younger brother, but he was smooth enough to know how to reply. Uncle, you are too kind. My father has been much displeased with my foolishness and stubbornness. Lanting, on the contrary, is the one with the immeasurable potential. Even though I havent known him for long, I can already tell. You, my uncle, must know it very well. By berating himself and praising Jiang Pengji, Feng Jin hoped to please Liu She and prevent him from informing his father about his visit to Yingchun Mansion. Jiang Pengji lightly snorted as she observed Liu She and Feng Jin. She then turned to the uneasy Wuma Jun. Wuma Langjun, are you here for fun? Embarrassed, Wuma Jun had anticipated that Jiang Pengji would start a dialogue. Yet after hearing her question, he wished that she had just ignored him. What should he say? Saying yes would ruin Liu Shes first impression of him, but denying it would be even worse. A man should be brave in admitting his own actions. If he evaded trivial questions like this one, how would he show that he was capable of grander ambitions? But Wuma Jun diverted the subject. I came with Huaiyu. What about you, Lanting? What are you doing here? He quickly glanced at the two girls, annoyed. It was not that he treasured them, but he thought they should seek his permission before pleasing others. Just because the girls knew their new guest was the son of Officer Liu did not make things any better. He hid his feelings, but Jiang Pengji noticed. My father brought me here, she replied honestly. Hes afraid that others will persuade me to come, so he decided to bring me before someone else does. If something was forbidden, it would only make children want to rebel against their parents more. Bringing his daughter to Langlang Alley was Liu Shes way of satisfying her curiosity. Still, Wuma Jun could not understand the logic behind this. The Liu family could offer you any kind of women you want. What makes you want to visit such places yourself? In his opinion, Liu She should have had his wife seek an attendant with experience to guide Liu Lanting for his first time. Most normal parents would never take their sons to a brothel. Jiang Pengji grinned. Langjun, why dont you ask someone who knows better than I do? There are people richer and more influential than me, and their families can also fulfill their desires. Why are they addicted to Langlang Alley and seek pleasure here day and night? Wuma Juns expression froze. Meanwhile, the girl who was leaning on Jiang Pengji gently asked, What do you think, my Langjun? Thats simple. Flowers on the street are always prettier than those at home. Wives and concubines are doomed to be a mans possessions. Its not challenging to gain their attention. Women who dont belong to them, however, are outside their control, and therefore men want to pursue them. The smile on Jiang Pengjis face gradually faded away, and she looked at Wuma Jun with derision. He would have forgotten these girls completely within a month if they had waited solely for him. The only reason he was angry was because they were paying attention to someone else for a change. Am I right, Wuma Langjun? Liu She had kept an eye on the two and pretended to scold her. Nonsense! It actually makes sense, but not many accept it. Jiang Pengji then whispered in the girls ear, bringing pink flushes to her cheeks. Langjun, please follow me. Jiang Pengji straightened her sleeves as she turned to her father. Father, enjoy your night. Im leaving with the ladies. The three moved to the girls bedroom. Liu She was not the only one who was astonished. Feng Jin, too, was stunned. Were the three girls doing that together? As Feng Jin tried to compose himself, he secretly observed Liu She, who was a master at concealing his thoughts. Liu She would not have survived the court for so long if he wasnt good at disguising his feelings. But Feng Jin was still perplexed by Liu Shes ease. Didnt Officer Liu know about his childs real gender? Feng Jin felt his head begin to ache. If Liu She didnt know about Liu Lantings real gender, should he tell him the truth? Would it be improper to reveal Lantings secret? How would he even explain? He could not tell him that he had discovered Lantings gender during the night with the bandits when Feng Jin had noticed that Lanting was wearing womens underwear. If he spoke the truth, Liu She may punish him for ruining Lantings reputation by forcing him to marry her! That would be no different from killing himself! But if Liu She was aware of Lantings real gender, maybe he permitted his daughters behavior to maintain her fake image Chapter 100 - Dont Lose Your Elegance (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jins mind was in turmoil. Somewhere else, Jiang Pengj was in one of the girls chambers. She noticed that the room was decorated elegantly and warmly, with a hint of a teenage girl. Your body is not well. You should drink some sweet soup and have an early rest. Jiang Pengji smiled at the bubbly girl called Xiaer. Or should I get someone to send you some blood-building Wuhong soup? Eh? Xiaer had thought that Jiang Pengji had followed her to her room for pleasure; she was not expecting to hear those words from her. Even Chuner was surprised. You should be more aware when you have your period. Jiang Pengji smiled. For the next few days, take note not to drink any liquor or take in cooling foods. Period? The two girls looked at each other. After hearing what Jiang Pengji said, Xiaer noticed that her lower abdomen started to cramp and her lower body had some warm wetness. Within a split second, her blush turned pale and she had no idea how to react. Jiang Pengji had no idea how the girls in their era dealt with menstruation. I have no idea how you girls deal with this, so I thought it would be better to get you girls here instead. I think wed need to trouble lady Chuner to help her a bit. The stench of blood coming from Xiaers lower body became stronger and she flushed under Jiang Pengjis gaze. Girls working in brothels normally had irregular periods that caused them much unwanted awkwardness and embarrassment. Like Xiaer, her period was very irregular and when her cramps started, she was in so much pain that her limbs turned cold and even her molars hurt. Xiaer awkwardly tried to sit up straight, but any small movement caused her great pain. She began to panic, embarrassed. Jiang Pengji noticed the other two girls reactions and quickly sat behind the folding screen. Her new position blocked her audiences view. Aiya Jiaoteng: I thought the host would be having fun with the girls. I didnt expect that one of them was having her period _(:))_ Fanghuajiu: I want to confess When the host brought the girls out, I thought there would be some restricted stuff to watch. Even though this was not what I expected, it shows the hosts gentle side. I wish I had a boyfriend as gentle as her. Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai: Confession +1. Yixiao Qingcheng: I know laughing at this moment is a little much, but if the host were a guy, hed be depressed and frustrated right now. Youre gonna do it with a girl and then she has her period definitely depressing. There was a small tea table behind the folding screen, so Jiang Pengji poured herself a cup of tea. Host V: @Yixiao Qingcheng, Youre right. If I were a guy, such a situation would be depressing, but I do have another girl here. If there were only one girl, I could be inhuman and just stick it in Of course, such an action would be sick. Heh, a bunch of rookies trying to compete with her? Jiang Pengji calmly took another sip of tea while she watched her viewers go crazy in the comments. Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai: My dear host! I was not expecting you to be this sick! Rimu Xieyang: Wuwuuuu! Our lecherous host is now operating the train of perverseness. What do you guys hear? Toudu Feiqiu: The sound of a pervert! Shilian Zhenxian Lianmeng: I must be drunk. To think Im watching a female host trying to be a real hooligan _(:))_ Baigui Yexing: Hooligan? If my boyfriend could be like the hostCCno, at least 10% of how she isCCI would have sex with him everyday. You guys dont understand how cool that is! Jiang Pengji always complained that her channel was filled with perverts, but she had never thought that birds of a feather flocked together. A host like her attracted like-minded viewers. She passed the time by drinking her tea and reading the comments. Behind the folding screen, the soft rustling of cloth gradually grew quiet. Not long after that, the folding screen was slowly pulled away to reveal Xiaer in a new outfit, but her blush was still prominent on her cheeks. Langjun, my body is not up to it today. I dont think I can serve you well. Chuner hurriedly said, If Langjun doesnt mind me, then Jiang Pengji shook her head and the other girl paled. I think youre both mistaken. I did not mean that. Jiang Pengji gestured for the girls to sit with a gentle expression. To be able to look at you two is enough for me. If I had any ulterior motives, wouldnt the peace be broken? Its easy to get pleasure, but harder to find someone who understands. The two girls were still young; the brothel keeper had bought them when they were very young. She had trained them and they had spent a few years in their line of business. They had seen all sorts of people and they could tell whether or not someone was being truthful. In a world where one had to act to survive, the girls had it down pat. They would not be easily fooled into thinking a man really loved them. They had heard all sorts of sweet talk on a daily basis and had treated it as idle chatter. But Jiang Pengjis words made them believe her. When they regained themselves, they felt that something was amiss. The older Xiaer gave a grim smile and said, Im just a girl working in a brothel. Im not worthy of Langjuns praise. People say that beauty is on the inside, not the outside. But I think that beauty is in the heart. A beautiful face is given to one by their parents and no one can change that, but morals and ethics are something picked up later in life. Both ladies are well-versed in worldly affairs and are very sincere How is this not beautiful? Jiang Pengjis words were not just praises. She had said them based on her observations and facts. Brothel girls were normally raised there. Unless they were exceptionally beautiful or had potential, most of the girls were used as maids. At every turn, they were beaten and scolded. To be blunt, they were the lowest on the food chain. They had to tend to all sorts of customers and even tolerate it when they were taken advantage of. Some of the girls were even bullied by the prostitutes they served. If a girl was unlucky, she could even lose her life to some ruthless person. Jiang Pengji had a good nose. The maid who had served her and her father earlier had a medicinal scent to her. The girls steps were sure and stable, but her upper bodys balance was unnaturalCCmaybe the girl was injured and had applied some medicine. As Jiang Pengji was still unfamiliar with their eras medicines, she was unable to sniff out the medicines components. One of the scents smelled like an ingredient used in the Lius second ladys medicinal soup. The cost of that ingredient was not particularly high, but it was not something a maid could easily afford. If the brothel cared about the maids so much that they would let them use medication, then why would they allow their customers to hurt them? Something did not add up. If its not made by her, nor is it from the brothel Where did it come from? Jiang Pengji got her answer when she smelled the unique scent that Chuner had mixed on her own. When she arrived in the room, she had noticed a small wooden box that was not closed fully on a chest in the corner of the room. The mystery finally revealed more answers. Whether Jiang Pengji lent her a hand for charity or for empathy, to be able to lend aid to those in need was still kindness. Chapter 101 - Flower Thief (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langjuns words are so sweet. They will steal the hearts of many when you grow up. Xiaer covered her lips with a handkerchief. Even I am touched. Jiang Pengji could always differentiate between truth, lies, and jokes. Thats because words are divided into several levels. Jiang Pengji elaborated her theory. Mine come from the bottom of my heart, out of my love for treasures like you. Other men who intend to deceive you, however, will not move you one bit, no matter how flowery their speeches are. The two girls laughed. Jiang Pengjis answer was sweet like honey. Jiang Pengji said what she truly thought, and this touched the girls, even though they had heard lots of flattery before. Unlike other Langjuns, Jiang Pengji didnt pay attention to their backgrounds, and he was less proud in front of them. The two liked the way she praised herself half-jokingly. Xiaer agreed, Langjun is certainly the most honest man Ive ever met. Rimu Xieyang: Well, well! whats going on? Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai: I know what youre going to say. I would have dozens of girlfriends if I were the host. Jiang Pengji smiled as she sipped the tea Xiaer had prepared. The ingredients were not as fine as those from the Liu manor, but the girl still managed to make the taste delicate. The warmth slid through her throat down to her heart. Host V: @Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai, not really. Im single. Being good at flirting did not guarantee a partner. In her case, she had been close friends with many guys, but she had remained single for years. After all, not many people could bear her penetrating gaze. Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai: Sh*t, thats worse. Most viewers assumed girls in brothels were only capable of that, but Xiaer and Chuner demonstrated how accomplished they were. They were like ladies from great families. In an era of high illiteracy, they surprised them by talking about classics and showing their exquisite tastes for music. The audience was too amazed to speak. Host V: Those who despise these ladies are jokes themselves. These girls are much more learned than many of you. They have acquired knowledge and practiced repeatedly year after year to improve. Isnt that worth our respect? Why would anyone consider themselves better than these girls? Jiang Pengji felt the difference between her opinions and her viewers. Rimu Xieyang: Thats quite true. Were in different eras with distinct cultures. Its funny how some old novels imagine modern people time-traveling. And yet, ancient people in brothels can stun us, modern people. While some agreed with Jiang Pengji, others did not cease their opposition. Dali Buyaoting: This doesnt change the fact that they are whores. They gain money by being f*cked. By the way, why is the host so eager to defend them? Did you do the same for a living before? Even with a new body, your soul remains stained, b*tch! This comment did not remove Jiang Pengjis smile. She was ill-tempered, but she decided to ignore the comment before she scared Xiaer and Chuner with her sudden anger. She would make that guy shut up somehow. Time flies when we are with you. Xiaer took the medicine Jiang Pengji had given her, and she felt much better. Her pale face turned pink, and her eyes glittered like waves under the sun. Jiang Pengji heard the servants outside reporting the time and was ready to leave. May I come again? You know more than many of my peers. Jiang Pengji meant what she said. If the court admitted females as officials, you would probably be qualified. We could become colleagues then. She ended with a joke, but her praise was genuine. Xiaer was embarrassed, but she understood that she could never climb the social ladder. That must be a flattery, for we read only during our leisure time. And you, my Langjun, you must leave us someday when you form your own family. Rimu Xieyang: Even the girls in the brothels become shy because of the host. Qianqiu Yuebie Wujiang Zhacai: I finally realize why the host remains single. Because she wants everyone else to stay single like her! She opened girls eyes so they could not accept weaker and less thoughtful men. That must be her plan! Fanghuajiu: Host, can you mute the noisy Dali Buyaoting? Host V: Whats the point of refraining a dog from barking? That is the way he shows us how well-educated he is. That seemed true. You are too modest, Jiang Pengji told the girl. How do you know its not possible for you to work for the court? Xiaer and Chuner did not think much about it. It would have been possible for female officials to work for the court in the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms and at the beginning of Xia Dynasty. But since then, women had become much more constrained, and the situation was still worsening in the current era of five kingdoms. The worst was the most powerful kingdom, Zhongzhao. Women there were forbidden to show their faces to strangers or to remarry. They were required to obey their fathers as teenagers and then their husbands when they grew up. After their spouses passed away, they were expected to be devoted only to their sons. Ladies who walked on the street were criticized for their corrupt morals, and women were drowned as punishment if they were considered unfaithful. The ladies in Zhongzhao were even more suffocated than the girls in brothels were. Chapter 102 - Flower Thief (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langjun, that glib tongue of yours truly makes me happy. While they were talking, an old womans husky voice sounded outside the room. Jiang Pengji frowned when she heard the voice, and Chuner thought that Jiang Pengji was unhappy with her. At this time, who would still come bother us? Nothing had happened, but from an outsiders view, the two girls had entered the room with Jiang Pengji to serve her. Under normal circumstances, no one would have the sense to bother them. No one would want to scare their customers away. Xiaer got up and smiled sweetly. Langjun, dont worry. Ill go see whats wrong. After she finished speaking, she folded her sleeves and pushed open the doors. After that, the sound of Xiaers confused voice carried into the room. Xiaer re-entered the room after a while with a grim smile and sofly announced, That was the cleaning lady. She said that a girl escaped and the pimps have not caught her. Someone suspects that she may be hiding in one of the rooms. They plan on entering your room to check? Jiang Pengji frowned. If there was anyone else in the room, she would be aware. If we dont let them search the room, there will be some gossip later. Xiaer sighed. Because of her clean history, she was selected to serve her mysterious patron, Wuma Jun, and her days in the brothel since then were much better than the other girls. Due to that, she had angered the star courtesan of the brothel. She had her suspicions that that courtesan was trying to tarnish her reputation. The brothel keeper agreed to the search? Jiang Pengji raised her brows and sneered. Even though she knew Im in this room, she still sent someone here? Is she purposely trying to anger me? Im all right with this and I wont fuss over such a thing with an old brothel keeper, but you two will be at a disadvantage here. The two girls wore an awkward expression. Let that woman in. The both of you stay here and dont move. Dont let anyone bump into you, Jiang Pengji said happily. Once they were granted access, the cleaning woman and two men dressed in grey hemp clothes entered the room. They messed up the room in their search. The two girls started panicking as the noise from the search grew louder. Dont panic. Nothings wrong. After a long while, the noise died down and Jiang Pengji got up from behind the folding screen. She faced the humpbacked woman and asked, Have you found anyone? The old woman gave a slight bow and smiled. Her tanned face looked oily under the candlelight and she had a huge mole on the side of her lips. She gave off a wretched feeling when she said, We have bothered Langjun. We did not find anyone and Ill be leaving now. Jiang Pengji nodded her head in a gesture for her to leave with the pimps. This woman is exceedingly rude. To think she would mess up our room Chuner normally had the best temper, but when she saw how messy her dressing table was, she got angry. Her makeup was in a disarray and was touched by the others during their search. Some of her makeup was contaminated and she felt ill with disgust. Check if theres anything missing, Xiaer calmly replied. Mama always suspects us for secretly stashing away money. She might use this chance to let that old woman take away anything. Chuner did not dare get up to check as Jiang Pengji was still in the room. Dont worry, nothing is missing. Jiang Pengji smiled when she took a look around. But there is something else added in instead. Chuner blinked owlishly. Theres something else hidden here? Yes. Jiang Pengji circled the room twice and withdrew two green sachets from a place even the two girls were unaware of. Those sachets belong to which filthy man? Xiaer stepped forward to take a look then threw it aside when she felt that it was something disgusting. Thats not important. The content is much more interesting. Jiang Pengji opened the sachet and found a dried plant. She took it out and brought it to her nose for a sniff. She suddenly frowned and asked, Lady Chun, you know how to create your own cosmetics and medicine. Do you know what this is, or its drug effect? Before Chuner was sold to Yingchun Mansion, she was the daughter of a physician. Due to her fathers work, she slowly picked up some things along the way and was somewhat knowledgeable about medicines. She looked at Jiang Pengji and then moved forward to check the sachets contents. The items looked familiar. Dont smell it for too long. Its not good for you. Jiang Pengji lifted a hand to hold Chuners fair wrist. I have no idea what that medicine is, but it has some bewitching quality to it. If you smell it for too long, you will become dazed and your thoughts will become muddled. You wont be aware of your surroundings. When Chuner heard that, she threw the dried plant to the floor. She then suddenly thought of something and her face flushed with anger. Which shameless man brought this here? The girls here not only have to serve their patrons, but now those castrated men dare to take advantage of us? Chuner spat. Jiang Pengji finally understood what that dried plant was: It was this eras version of a date-rape drug. Xiaer grit her teeth and was obviously distressed when she said, Its definitely planted by those two pimps! Once a girl entered a brothel, their life was degraded by others. Sometimes, Chuner heard the other girls talk about how the pimps would bully them on the sly. Jiang Pengji smiled. Did the pimps really plant those drugs? Perhaps not. Host V: Seems like something interesting came up. Are you guys still sleepy? Do you want to watch something fun? Yimi Yangguang: Eh, what have you discovered? Yiqihua Sanqing: I watched until I was dumbfounded and the host is still trying to keep us guessing! Youre so mean! Hongjun Laozude Juhua: I have a feeling the host is up to no good. Count me in. Therell be no sleep for me tonight. Fangkai Naduo Juhua: The host is definitely up to something. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: Tsk. I think the host is killing that something. Jiang Pengji came to a decision when she noticed that her audience was getting rowdy. She turned to the two girls and said, You two should rest earlyCCespecially lady Xia. Be mindful these few days and keep away from cooling foods. When Im free, I will come back and bother you girls again. If you have any problems, you can come by the Liu residence to look for me. Fanghuajiu: I feel like these two girls are your type. Why arent you saving them from this place? Jiang Pengji noticed the comment and met Xiaers eyes. The other girl looked like she had something she wanted to say. Jiang Pengji then gave a slight nod and bid her leave. Why am I not saving them? Host V: Because I cant save them. There are many girls far more pitiful than them. If I saved every girl who was my type, how many would that be? To save them is not just bringing them away from this place You would still need to help them build their foundation and help them survive. To really save them is to change what brought them to their current circumstances. Maybe Jiang Pengji could do it. Fanghuajiu: Even though I dont really understand whats going on, I feel like youre really kind. Chapter 103 - Flower Thief (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Staring at the last comment, Jiang Pengji lost her speech for a second and then laughed. Host V: Youre the first to say Im a good person. They were the only ones who thought so since they were misled by the livestream, which was from her point of view. Very soon, they would see who she really was. Yimi Yangguang: Host, what do you want to show us? Jiang Pengji squinted. Her lips curved mysteriously as she opened her fan abruptly. Host V: @Dali Buyaoting, watch closely. Youll be glad we are not in the same dimension. Before the viewers could respond, she found her way to the backyard effortlessly. She swiftly snuck into a shadow by the wall and remained silent by controlling her breathing. The audience was still puzzled. She thought for a moment and then asked the System to turn on the infrared streaming mode because it was nighttime. From this angle, she could see the side doors of the backyard. There was a small decorative stone near them that blocked the lights at the door. Yimi Yangguang: This is what the backyard looks like. There are lots of people. Nao: I dont recognize any of them. Is the host looking for someone? Just as they began losing patience, the audience spotted three shadows moving around carefully. With the aid of the high-definition camera, they identified the three people; among them was the old woman who was leading the pimps to search Chuners room. The woman bent her back to talk to the other two, and they all seemed excited. Jiang Pengji coldly watched as the pimps looked around. Then they each took a tiny silver block from the woman. Though the blocks were dirty, they bit them hard with their back teeth to ensure the blocks were real. After exchanging glances, the pimps waved at the woman and left in different directions. The old woman wiped her hands on the corners of her rough clothes. With her back still bent, she moved toward a side door, opened it without making a noise, and finally walked to an alley that was next to the backyard. The audience still did not understand what had happened. Many attempted to guess from their observations. Qianshan Muxue: Are they splitting the money from the girls? Toudu Feiqiu: The Host will not let them get away so easily. Why else would she tag Dali Buyaoting? Think about how she punished the servants at home before I hope Dali Buyaoting wont panic, heh-heh! Most viewers that night were newcomers who had never entered the channel before, but they had seen recordings of Jiang Pengjis previous shows. They had even seen the bloodiest clip in which she had ordered a servant to be beaten to death, which was later blocked on the Internet. Dali Buyaoting: Come on, you b*tch! Im not scared at all! His comment failed to conceal his fear. The audience thought about what Jiang Pengji said: Youll be glad we are not in the same dimension Erm Was the host threatening her own audience again? Host V: Dont overestimate your importance. Dali Buyaoting thought too highly of himself. Not everyone who disgusted her was worth her attention. The crowd was seeking more clues from the video when Jiang Pengji followed the old woman into the alley. The host walked with ease as if she was strolling in a garden. The audience could hear a rustling of clothes, but the infrared camera allowed viewers to see what was going on. Yimi Yangguang: My god! You take us here to watch an old woman changing? We dont want to see her naked! The old woman continued to take off her thick garments, one piece after another. Soon, the audience detected something unusual. Wasnt she wearing too much? The clumsy woman with the curved back gradually became smaller. She then removed her wig, revealing her tightly tied-up hair underneath. Hold on a second That was no old woman! Qianshan Muxue: She disguised her face! Thats much more effective than plastic surgery. They had witnessed the transformation of the old woman into a bony, middle-aged man. He wiped off some oily, brown substance on his face and revealed his own skin. His jaw and mouth were shaped like that of a monkey, and his tiny, bright eyes reminded them of a mouse. Without the brown pigment on his face, it was obvious that he drank too much with the ladies. After tucking his costumes into a grey bag, he tidied his clothes, felt his heavy money pouch, and grinned greedily. Humming to himself as he stepped out of the alley, the man did not notice the cold eyes staring at him from the darkness. He headed to the front door of Yingchun Mansion. Jiang Pengji gave out a contemptuous laugh. The man turned around immediately and yelled, Whos there! No one answered. The man frowned. Maybe he had misheard. But the next moment, something fell from the sky onto his back, inflicting acute pain onto his neck before he could react. Jiang Pengji was a little disappointed after observing the man who had fainted so easily. It was just a small potato. She held his collar and tugged him back into the alley. Her eyebrows furrowed as she squatted down in front of the man. Her viewers didnt dare to disturb her. Before long, she took out a white handkerchief from the mans bosom. It was embroidered with a snow-white, delicate lily. It belonged to a young girl around eleven years old who was not yet married, and she had not lived in brothels. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes and then picked a packet that was hidden near his waist. Inside, there were seven perfectly round pearls of the same size. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: Does the host know whats under his clothes? Chapter 104 - Flower Thief (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji frowned as she looked at the things she had taken out of the mans pouch. When her gaze fell back on the man, it was filled with loathing. On the other side of the stream, her viewers wanted to climb through the screen to shake her. Stop stalling! Jiang Pengji was unaware of her viewers impatience and she undid the cord at the mans waist. She removed a hard bundle from his lapels and gave the item a squeeze. It felt like a small bamboo scroll. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: Host, host, host. Whats written on it? Mofashaonu Afeng: It looks like a list of names. I think I saw something. Hm I think its a record of who stays where and their ages But the super ugly handwriting at the bottom is hard to read. Did the host uncover some secret societys secret? Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: I envy knowledgeable people. I once learned about astronomy and geography, and was well-versed in poetry and literature. Its been four years since I graduated from college and now I feel like I cant read. _(:))_ I only recognized two words from that bamboo scroll. Im so sorry, my dear language teacher. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips and, right at that moment, the man started to regain consciousness. Before he could bring a hand to his neck, he realized a figure was squatting near him. He practically leapt two steps back. He then noticed the loose cord around his waist and, due to his retreat, his pants had fallen to his knees. His a** was on display and the cold night air caused him to shiver. The wretched man felt like crying. He thought that he had encountered a mugger trying to steal his money; he had not expected that the other person was after his body. It was so sudden that Jiang Pengjis viewers didnt have time to react before they were flashed by a pasty, white bottom. Nao: The host has really shown us something. Such a disturbing image. Qianshan Muxue: You really got me in trouble. My mum and I are watching the stream together and now Im kneeling on the floor. Jiang Pengji froze and her expression was disgusted. She lifted her leg and aimed a kick at the mans left buttock. He flew forwards and landed on his face. A few bruises and scrapes formed on his face from the uneven floor. The man grew angry with the way he was being treated. His fear was quelled by his anger and he rolled away to put some distance between him and his attacker. He had a tight grip on his pants while he spat out a mouthful of saliva. He then yelled out, Which blind idiot is trying to take advantage of my body? Jiang Pengji: She did not need to look at her streams comments to know that her viewers were laughing themselves silly. Heh, take advantage of you? Jiang Pengji felt utterly disgusted when she heard what he said. Goosebumps dotted her skin. When you look like that? The man had thought that he was up against a burly bandit or a criminal, but when he heard Jiang Pengjis voice emanating from the darkness, he froze. The clear timbre brought to mind a young boy with beautiful features. In that era, male homosexuality was the trend and male brothels fared better than their female counterparts. The man remembered the male prostitute that he had spent a night with. The boys body was lithe and supple, and the man found that better than any virgin girl he had ever had. The moment of lust suppressed all anger and fear he had. Yo, if its not a young Langjun. My bodys having a reaction from just your voice alone. The man found a rope and used it to hold his clothes together. Jiang Pengjis expression turned grim. The other mans night vision was not comparable to hers in the darkness. He could only make out blurry features, but Jiang Pengji could see his filthy expression clear as day. She was utterly disgusted. If you told me earlier that I would be playing with you now, you wouldnt of needed to get all forceful The man lost his fear when he realized how small and young Jiang Pengji sounded. He thought that he had the advantage based on his age and heightCCplus he had some things on his body. Those who dare try their hand with me are either dead, on their way to being dead, or have yet to be born. Jiang Pengji balled up the wig the man had used to disguise himself and thrusted it in his face. She then forcefully stuffed it into his mouth while bringing her knee up to his abdomen. The man went numb from the force and lost control of his limbs. Jiang Pengji knew where to hit to get the desired reaction. Even Liu Lanting, a weakling in Jiang Pengjis eyes, would have been able to subdue the man with the correct techniques. Disgusting. Jiang Pengji raised her foot and ruthlessly brought it down three inches below the mans navel. The indescribable pain she had just caused and the pain in his abdomen caused him to curl up into a ball. His eyes were wide open and bloodshot, but he could not scream due to the wig stuffed in his mouth. Nao: I just had a feeling that the host stepped on my crotch. There was sudden pain and I had to check on my boys to make sure they were still intact. Right now, the people around me think Im crazy. Pangdahai: Yours is nothing. Can you imagine my dorm? Eight men touching their crotches at the same time? Paidaxing: >_> I dont want to imagine you guys holding each others crotches Jiang Pengjis male viewers commented on how they felt the pain while the female viewers wondered if it was really that painful. Her channel had dissolved into a ball of chaos. There were some viewers complaining about her ruthless methods and how she had no worldly views. One of her viewers, Dali Buyaoting, berated her the most. How could a person living in a peaceful world understand Jiang Pengjis methods? If she attacked or killed someone, that was because she had to. Chapter 105 - Flower Thief (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I planned to end this quickly, but it seems that you want a taste of hell. Jiang Pengji lifted him easily by grasping his collar. And you wont be disappointed, she said with indifference. Agony caused his face to turn red then pale. He was in too much pain to comprehend her, or even to command his numb limbs. But I will save it for a moment until you tell me everything you can. Sharpness flashed in her eyes then vanished, leaving no trace of being there. Host V: I guess its my duty as a host to show my audience something other than usual daily life, so youre going to watch how we make people spill the truth. She was using forced interrogation methods in her former world. Some viewers were frightened yet curious, peeping through their fingers with their eyes. Everyone who had heard about forced interrogation would shiver at the words. As the Regimental Commander of Corps Seven, Jiang Pengji was more experienced in this critical procedure than other soldiers. Host V: I wont recommend you to apply it, as it can cost lives. Host V: If you use it someday, dont blame me for showing you this. She then wrapped her hands with two pieces of relatively clean cloth, using the man as teaching material to demonstrate professional forced interrogation. It appeared less bloody than the top ten gruesome tortures in Chinese history, but it was, in fact, more ruthless, as it crushed both a persons body and soul. Not even a well-trained, genetically enhanced soldier could withstand the whole process, let alone an ancient rascal with a frail mind. He began to lose consciousness not long after she started. Jiang Pengji took out flintstones to burn a handkerchief. Orange-red light brightened half of her face. Whats your name? Lin Shenggou. The mans eyes lost their focus. Since the wig in his mouth had been removed, saliva dropped from the corners of his lips onto his clothes. Some slid down his neck and onto his collarbones, sickening the neat freaks from the other dimension. Jiang Pengji scrutinized him. Youre not a local. Where are you from? Meng County in Cang His head dropped to the side, and his body shook violently from time to time. While he stared at the air blankly, his articulation was distinct. Cang Prefecture? Jiang Pengji scanned through Liu Lantings memories. Dongqing was divided into six prefectures and 21 counties. Cang was a prosperous region with its developed infrastructure that connected the north tribes and attracted foreign merchants for trades. Economic growth in Cang was one of the most rapid in the kingdom. Meng, its largest county, took a leading role in Cangs commercial development. There are a few accomplices. Who are they? Describe their appearance and tell me where they are. She asked the final question, which marked the impending end of the scoundrels life. As he replied, Jiang Pengjis expressions became as cold as frost. Nice answer. Ill let you die quickly. The man lay lifelessly. Jiang Pengji cleaned the scene as she was used to, then left the alley casually. At the end of the alley stood a person. His black garment swung slightly in the wind and moonlight poured down on his shape. Feng Jin waiting there was not a surprise. She approached him and mocked him before he spoke. You know youre too fragile for the cool weather. Its not my fault if you get sick tomorrow. Feng Jin took a deep breath to compose himself. Dark alleys, especially those in Langlang Alley, were common spots for crimes. A gang in Hejian loved to gather there, and they would not think twice before catching their prey. Feng Jin was afraid of gangsters hurting her, but as he remembered how Jiang Pengji murdered all bandits, he became more worried for the gangs instead. Jiang Pengji examined him from head to toe. Why didnt you stay indoors and enjoy the warm, sweet air? Its freezing here. I went out for some fresh air, but then met the girls who should be staying with you. I asked for you with concern, and knew about your sneaking out Lanting, havent you thought about the danger? Feng Jin stopped with a vexed, serious, yet gentle countenance. If his friend was a boy, the worst the gang could do was physical harm which would heal after some time. Jiang Pengji was a girl, however, whose reputation could be spoiled by any accident in a such place. Im not afraid. She snorted. And Im not the one to fear. Feng Jin paused for a second, then took a step closer and asked solemnly, What have you done? You can go inside and take a look if you dare. He hesitated, then lit a fire and walked in. After a while, he returned with his shock barely concealed. You did it? Either I killed him today, or he forced others to kill themselves in the future. It was no big deal for Jiang Pengji. Huaiyu, come with me and youll know why he had to die. Or maybe you can report it to the local affair office if you cant accept my deed. Feng Jin pressed his lips together. Although large houses were eminent in Dongqing, influencing the court in various ways, they were also constrained by laws. Besides, undermining others lives was too barbarous for educated langjuns. Still, Feng Jin refrained himself from speaking his mind and waited for the evidence she mentioned, hoping she would not disappoint him. Where are we going? he asked, following her. I wont let you get away unless you convince me. Her wooden slippers clopped against the ground, separating the narrow alley from the noisy, crowded world. To the Weis, where my teacher, Master Wei Yuan lives. Chapter 106 - Flower Thief (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Why are we heading to mister Wei Yuans place? Feng Jin asked. Huaiyu, what do you know of Cang Prefecture and Meng County? Jiang Pengji asked in response. Compared to Liu Lantings studies, Feng Jins was more open-minded. Cang Prefecture and Meng County? I know a little. What has that got to do with your previous problem? Feng Jin was about to turn into a questioning machine. Have you heard of any slanderous rumors from Cang Prefecture and Meng County? For example, some noble girls were disgraced and they have not found the culprit or something? Jiang Pengji was asking for something big and that had Feng Jin cycle through a myriad of expressions. Dont jest. A gentleman should not gossip, Feng Jin chided. If those words of yours were to spread, you would become the topic of gossip. A noble girls reputation is innocent. Even if something had happened to them, they would not allow such a rumor to spread. Feng Jin had wanted to say that such a thing would not have happened, but he quickly changed his opinion when he thought about what the noble girls in Hejian County had gone through. Youre right Jiang Pengjis steps faltered for a second before she picked up her pace. If such a thing were to happen, based on the current eras style, they would have chosen to keep things under wraps. Do you know something? Has it got anything to do with that man? Feng Jin took a few big strides and matched up to Jiang Pengjis pace. Youre still stalling? he asked when he thought about how they were headed to Wei Yuans residence. Feng Jin was a naturally curious fellow. Jiang Pengjis viewers commented that he would have a bright future ahead, as he had already voiced all their questions. Some of the viewers who had been with her for awhile knew that Jiang Pengji was good at analyzing any situation. They presumed that she had found something or she would not have attacked a stranger. The newer viewers, on the other hand, were dumbfounded. Pangdahai: The man who was beaten up by the host and the bamboo scroll found on his person; rumors of noble women in Cang Prefecture and Meng County that were disgraced; the hosts private tutor, Wei Yuan When you put all these clues together, it feels like something terrifying is happening right now. Paidaxing: Once you put it like that, I thought of something Could the hosts private tutor be a wolf in sheeps clothing? Nao: Tsk! What sort of analysis is this! Youre just spewing forth crazy ideas. If those are your assumptions, then mister Wei Yuan would be a victim. Wasnt he on a long sick leave? Maybe its related to this? The channel spiraled into a flurry of speculations based on the clues found. Jiang Pengji did not make any comment on whether any analysis was absurd or not. Wei Yuan was an old-fashioned and strict man. He was stern with his students and was never lenient with any student based on their age. Liu Lanting did not like going to the familys school, nor did she want to study at home. This was all due to Wei Yuan. Based on Liu Lantings memories, she respected her teacher, but he was strict and hard to get close to. He was quick to anger and would punish them with caning or writing lines. The sensitive Liu Lanting became introverted and whatever opinions she had, she would rather not voice them. Wei Yuan took three days of sick leave before the bandit incident. Then after that, he claimed that his illness had gotten worse and he took more days off. When Taxue reminded her, Jiang Pengji sent some guards over to the Weis residence with some gifts, but none of the guards were able to deliver them to him directly. Its rare that we get to visit my teacher and yet we have to use the side door'' The Weis residence was quite a distance from Langlang Alley. Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin took a long while to get there. By the time they had reached the residence, it was in the early hours of the morning. The sky was dark and the area was quiet, but the silence was shattered occasionally by a few dogs barking. If you wanted to visit, you should do it in the day Feng Jin watched as Jiang Pengji rolled up her sleeves to climb over the wall. His expression was complicated, but he did not dare raise his voice. He could only mutter, If you get caught Wei Yuan was famous for his strict personality. If a student were to scale a wall and land in his front yard, he might let them off. But if they landed in the backyard? They might be in trouble. Liu Lanting was fearless while Feng Jin just wanted to keep his reputation. A bad friend could ruin his life! Jiang Pengji stood still by the corner of a wall for awhile before she said, What are you afraid of? Come. Ill boost you up. Feng Jin: The two teens quietly stared at each other for awhile before Feng Jin sucked in a deep breath. I dont believe that youd be this nice. What are you up to now? Feng Jin gritted his teeth and he finally looked his age without his usual elegant poise. Climb over and youll know. Jiang Pengji laughed. Feng Jin sized her up while he grew wary. Then why dont you climb over first? Something was up. You get over first then Ill follow you. If I climbed over first, how are you planning to get up? A weakling like him should not act like he knew what to do in front of her. Feng Jin: He felt tired of having such an unreliable friend. With Feng Jins upbringing, he should not be fooling around with Jiang Pengji, but his heart was still a teenager who had to act mature in front of others. He needed breathing space and he admired Jiang Pengji. He was always eager to see what she was up to and always ended up being teased by her. Gritting his teeth, Feng Jin nodded his head. The Wei residence was simple and the walls were not built too high. Jiang Pengji bent her knees and laced her fingers together in a way that pushed Feng Jin over. In contrast to Jiang Pengjis decisive action, Feng Jin was more coy. He always forgot her real gender when she acted that cool. Feng Jin grumbled before he carefully gripped the uneven wall and kicked off his wooden clogs. He stepped on her laced fingers and was expecting the both of them to fall, but she was steady. He swore that he had never done anything that crazy in his entire life. All right, Im up. Its your turn. He laid on the top of the wall and looked down. He got dizzy from the height. Pu, Jiang Pengji burst out laughing while Feng Jins heart skipped a beat. Huaiyu, look on the other side of the wall. Is there a group of guards? Feng Jin: An unpleasant premonition flashed across his mind while he slowly peeked over the other side of the wall. The guards stared at him. Liu Xi! Feng Jin was furious. If he had to die with his friend, so be it. Jiang Pengjis channel erupted with laughter. Chapter 107 - Flower Thief (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio All right, I hear you. Be quiet before the whole neighborhood does, too. Feng Jin was almost furious when Jiang Pengji hopped up, stepped on a wall, then bounced to the top of it. Her companion was clinging, embarrassed, and looking at her as his body trembled. His gaze was like knives directed at her. It was a stain on his life that he foolishly believed that Jiang Pengji could be trusted for once! Feng Jin regretted his decisions and wished he could travel back in time to wake the na?ve him up. Master, we apologize for our intrusion. Huaiyu and I climbed in for a reason, Jiang Pengji explained with a smile, saving Feng Jin as she entered. On the side of the wall stood a couple of servants and a man in his thirties. His shape resembled a resolute pine tree; his clothing was plain; his beard was tidily cut and combed; and his dark eyes examined Jiang Pengji doubtfully. Any student climbing his teachers wall in the middle of such an alarming night would certainly be suspected. Still, Wei Yuan did not deem her the villain because of her young age. Besides, a wise man like him could tell his student was principled and would not commit that shameful crime. Lanting, you are pushing me down a cliff this time. Fei Jin sighed. His friend just ruined his good name in one night. Hush. Its nothing. She treated him like a child. Feng Jin rounded his eyes as if it was the first time he had really met Jiang Pengji. The girl bent her arms to show respect, and addressed Wei Yuan, Good evening, Master. Wei Yuan made an indignant Humph! and turned to the side, avoiding her gesture directly. He did not surmise Liu Xi as the guy he had been waiting for, but he remained incensed by her offensive act. From her conversation with the boy, she obviously spotted them behind the wall, yet did not care to be caught. It was unforgivable that she did it when she knew it was wrong. Feng Jin pulled his long sleeves and bowed solemnly before he managed to tidy himself up. Good evening, Master Wei. Im Feng Jin. We did not mean to be impolite. Please forgive us and allow Lanting to explain. Although Feng Jins heart was roaring for a one-on-one battle with Jiang Pengji, he knew that they must help each other compose Wei Yuan. Otherwise, both of them would suffer from his rage. Feng Jin Are you from the Feng family in Shangyang? Whats your relationship to Feng Xiande, the Secretary Chief? Since Feng was an uncommon surname; most people instantly related it to the house in Shangyang. Wei Yuan could tell from the teenagers luxurious garment and scarce accessories that he was from an affluent background. Feng Jin blushed, unable to decide how to reply. At last, the ashamed boy replied in a voice merely louder than mosquitoes, Yes, thats my family. The Secretary Chief is my father. The next second, rushing bullet screens covered Wei Yuans stiff face on the interface. Nao: Oh my god! What the hell is the Secretary Chiefs son doing in my backyard? Pangdahai: (Cry) How should I deal with the boy? Urgent! Hongjun Laozude Juhua: I may appear calm but my heart is burning with anxiety. How can I stay cool in front of this kid? I cant afford provoking his dad. Urgent! Some comments were in a different style. Mofashaonu Afeng: Behold him! The son of the Secretary Chief! How I wish to be him! Jiang Pengji felt that Wei Yuans current expression was the key to enjoying the jokes. She scanned through the bullet screens happily without showing her feelings on her countenance. Suddenly, a soft laugh attracted everyones attention. It was then that Jiang Pengji noticed a young man at about twenty standing next to Wei Yuan before the alerted servants. His features were arched, and his eyes were lifelessly black, sending chills to people he stared at. While his skin was rough and a dim yellow color, one must admit that he was born a handsome man, with perfect shades on his contour. Yet, his dry, chapped lips were like river banks enduring a persisting drought. What he was wearing was not of high quality. It was a little unfit and was turning white after repeated washing. The collar and sleeves were worn out, but his neat hair and energetic figure remedied for the flaws of his clothes. He was beyond twenty, single after his wife deceased. He was born in the north, probably in a town adjoining the northern tribes. His dad was a foreigner, while his mom was a gentle, caring local. Their marriage was unhappy; the dad had inflicted household violence. The young man was sometimes uncaring, and even merciless towards his enemies. He had murdered more than one man, which included his own father. The calluses on his palms and the minor curves of his fingers were results of the diligent practice of kungfu. The guy fought much better than Feng Jin, who was also a power-level-five. His socks and shoes were soaked with blood; his soles were injured. Still, he maintained his determined figure as if he could not feel at all. He was a man cruel to himself, and able to conceal whenever necessary. Jiang Pengji appreciated these merits. Meanwhile, the man was also scrutinizing Jiang Pengji. Some time later, he shook his head. He held his feather fan as he addressed Wei Yuan. Master Gongcao, its not him. Wei Yuan looked at the two sternly. The servants continued to besiege them, waiting for further instructions from the master. Master Wei agreed with the young man, but could not excuse his students imprudent visit. Master, were compelled to enter in this way because of exigency. They, however, could not convince the master. Jiang Pengji considered it a trivial problem, while Wei Yuan could, in no way, tolerate her appalling act. Imagine what people in town would say if they heard about the night! Both the teacher and the student would be mortified to face the rumors. No matter what vital intelligence she had, she should have pleaded for admission at the front door! That was what the stubborn scholar believed. All that time, Feng Jin diminished his role by becoming part of the background with his head dropped. He was innocent. Ha! Now, tell me your reason! Wei Yuan must listen her apologies in the end, for what she did was improper in any sense. The best excuse he could think of was her being too playful, and therefore she offended her teacher unintendedly. Chapter 108 - Flower Thief (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Even if his student were to apologize, he could not reject the apology. No matter how unhappy he was, he had to show Liu She some respect and just bear with it. He was currently on the verge on laughter from the situation, even though he was still pissed. Even so, he still had to listen to his students reasoning on why she decided to scale the walls in the middle of the night. Jiang Pengji was not at all fearful of what was to come. The young man holding a feather fan had a cold but interested gaze. He turned to Wei Yuan and said, Mister Gongcao, you should head over to the main hall and hear what this child has to say. Its best to dismiss your personal servants. I think this child would not disappoint you. Wei Yuan was surprised by what he heard, but quickly hid his expression. Come here. Dont rush, sir. Before I explain, may I be so bold to ask a favor? I hope you would agree to it, Jiang Pengji quickly answered. Speak! May I venture a request to see the womenfolk in your rear wing? Including the older female servants. Wei Yuan was furious with her actions. How dare she try to take advantage of him. If the young man had not asked him to listen to her first, he would have started scolding her. A twelve-year-old boy was almost an adult by that eras standard. Most would have settled down with a family of their own. Wei Yuan did not see Jiang Pengji as a child, but rather as a full grown man. A grown man scaling your wall in the middle of the night and saying that he wanted to see your womenfolk? Who would accept that lying down? One would have either chased them out of the place or sent them to one of the government office. The young man narrowed his eyes and studied Jiang Pengji from his peripherals. He had some inklings about her from his observation. Mister Gongcao should probably listen. I dont think this child is here to cause any trouble It may be for your good. Wei Yuan was fuming earlier but when the other man said that, his mood obviously changed. The change did not escape Jiang Pengji and Feng Jins eyes. Jiang Pengji had the young man figured out and he could not help the unnatural chill that went down his spine. Ill listen to Wenzheng, Wei Yuan spit out. Jiang Pengji smirked inwardly. It seemed like his sick leave was fake and that something was happening in the rear wing. Based on his personality, if he were to find something that belonged to another man in his concubines room, he would fly into a fit of rage. The sick leave he took was probably because he had yet to catch the culprit. Wei Yuan took big steps and led the way while Jiang Pengji followed him and ended up walking in line with the other young man. How should I address you? Jiang Pengji smiled at the other man. Feng Jin looked normal on the outside, but internally, he was rather pissed. He had not been given a chance to explain himself and now Jiang Pengji was chatting with a man who had foreign features. My name is Qiguan Rang. Jiang Pengji frowned. Even though she hated the current eras naming system, she was starting to get used to it and asked the other for his courtesy name. Langjun, what is your courtesy name? The young mans expression was still gloomy when he said, Our relationship is still not at the point that we can use our courtesy names. What he really meant was, I dont know you. Dont try to be friendly with me. Dont say that. If we have to get technical, youre my future half brother-in-law. Do you have to be so cold? Jiang Pengji smiled and lowered her voice. Lanting, you have a sister? Feng Jin asked curiously. After asking, Feng Jin remembered that Liu She did, indeed, have a daughter with a concubine. But her age should be no older than nine Feng Jin was confused while the young man was shocked into silence by her words. He could barely think of anything. You Jiang Pengji interrupted him and repeated her question, What is your courtesy name, sir? She was one to use all means necessary to get answers to her questions. The young man was speechless. In an instant, the young man collected himself and calmly said, Your sir had just called my name, did you not hear? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. Introducing yourself and having someone else call you is different. The other man sucked in a deep breath and felt sorry for Feng Jin. He could understand how the other felt when he was dealing with Jiang Pengji earlier. My name is Qiguan Rang. Courtesy name, Wenzheng. How do I address you? Liu Xi. That was it? The young man waited for a bit but did not hear anymore forthcoming from her. His expression changed and he suddenly remembered that Feng Jin had called her Lanting. That was probably Liu Xis courtesy name. Even though they had not interacted for long, the other male felt the urge to smack her a few times. Jiang Pengji looked at Wei Yuan, who had a complicated expression on his face. Wenzheng, youre wondering how I know that sir is looking for a prospective future son-in-law? Qiguan Rang nodded his head. He was dreadfully curious, as Wei Yuan had said that no one else knew about it. It was impossible for Jiang Pengji to know unless she had been listening through the walls. That was impossible! Jiang Pengji was about to open her mouth before she suddenly turned towards Feng Jin. The insolent should not hear this. Cover your ears. Now Feng Jin was speechless. He was innocent! He was curious, but since Jiang Pengji had said so, the issue probably only concerned Qiguan Rang. He brought his hands up to his ears and purposefully took a few steps back in case he accidentally heard some things. Upon seeing his pitiful appearance, Jiang Pengjis viewers were touched and started giving her likes. When she saw that, Jiang Pengji mentioned all the more that she wanted to bully the other boy. Wenzhengs timing at the Wei residence is not mere coincidence and to think you would get to hear some unpleasant news from an outsider, Jiang Pengji lowered her voice and told Qiguan Rang the next shocking news. This not only implicates mister Wei and his concubine, but also his two daughters. Even though the girls are fine, their reputations are ruined. Jiang Pengji then continued calmly, revealing some important information. Wenzheng, you were still young when you lost your wife and you were born in northern Xinjiang. Youre tough and do not care much about a girl having an unblemished reputationCCat least you do not value it as much as those nobles in Dongqing. After all that had happened, regardless if it was the elder or younger daughter, it would be hard for them to get married. If that had happened to a prestigious familys daughter, it would not be too tough for them to get married. They could marry a man whose social status was far beneath theirs, or one who had social status but was a good-for-nothing, or a hardworking man born from a concubine. In the worst case scenario, they could become nuns who would serve Buddha for the rest of their lives and be provided for by their families. Chapter 109 - Flower Thief (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Wei has recognized the difficulties but hopes his daughters can marry happily, so he decided to seek sons-in-law elsewhere. He has always appreciated your talents, and has thought about letting you take one of the ladies. He then became more certain after the incident occurred See? Im correct in calling you my soon-to-be brother-in-law. Qiguan Rang fell into silence. In his opinion, Liu Xis analysis was right, but it could not answer the questions troubling him. Jiang Pengji got closer and suggested mischievously, Its the eldest lady, right? He glimpsed at the teen, feeling himself ever more confused, then walked away quickly to escape from Jiang Pengjis curious inquiry. All he needed was peace at the moment. Shilian Zhenxian Lianmeng: Poor whats he called? Something-guan Rang? I guess he feels creepier and creepier as the host digs out his secrets. I dont know if @Dali Buyaoting is glad that the host is in another dimension, but I myself am relieved. The audience loved watching the host showcase her abilities only when they watched as outsiders. If they had encountered her in their dimension, they would most likely feel weird having someone reveal all their secrets in an instant. Secrets were supposed to be kept between the few people one trusted. Jiang Pengjis breach of the convention naturally roused others fear, prompting them to avoid the scary being. Lianai Baifenbai: I looked it up. His surname should be Qiguan. Qi-guan. Baigui Yexing: Whatever. We get it anyway. Toudu Feiqiu: I agree. Its no use thinking too much about it. Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: I love watching from the perspective of the host and experiencing her life. Cant imagine what would happen if we followed a dumb host. Zhubo Cemian Shangwo: Lol. Now I feel smarter myself. Zhubo Beimian Shangwo: Get your wit in Court Intrigue! She could never respond to her strange audience with strange IDs. While Feng Jin could not hear her dialogue with Qiguan Rang, he could guess from his reaction that she was threatening Qiguan Rang the way she had done to him before. Out of compassion for the fellow, Feng Jin complained to Jiang Pengji. You scared him. Really? she asked mysteriously. Then hes going to scream every day in the future. Laosiji Lianmeng: Who screams me? asks Every Day. Jiang Pengji: Feng Jin: He had an ominous feeling again. Wei Yuan unwillingly gathered the female masters in the house to the other side of a thin folding screen. Jiang Pengji shook her head and he was further displeased, so he ordered close attendants to lead them back. It then came to the female servants. Unlike the ladies, they could be examined face-to-face by other men, so Wei Yuan assembled them in a wide corridor. Male servants holding fire torches surrounded them and lit up every corner of the yard. Feng Jin kept quiet to avoid disturbing Jiang Pengjis observation. Qiguan Rang, on the other hand, was looking at Jiang Pengji closely for clues of her conclusions, but he was surprised. Jiang Pengji was different from peers her age, who would carelessly show hints of their thoughts however hard they tried to hide them. Qiguan Rang could spot no peculiarity in her reaction, but was further affirmed that she was full of secrets. As a result, he was astonished and intrigued. There were two legendary figures in Dongqing now: Master Yuanjing from Langye, who recovered three cities in the northern border; and Liu She from Hejian, who developed the dying county Xu into a booming area, demonstrating his competence which surpassed the greatest officials in the former Xia Dynasty. Liu Xi was Liu Shes son, and he had obviously inherited his fathers qualities. One could hardly explore the depth of their abilities. Lanting, have you got something? Qiguan Rang faked an unnatural smile. It must have been a long time since he last smiled, for the curve was stiff and odd. Certainly. Master, I hope this compensates for our wrong today. As soon as she said it, Jiang Pengji stood up and walked into the crowd. Her eyes turned to no one but a woman about thirty with brown complexion. Her forehead wrinkles and crows feet in the corners of her eyes made her appear older than she really was. With her shoulders bent slightly inwards, the woman stood there like any honest servant would. Her red fingertips indicated that she had been busy washing clothes with well water before she came to the corridor. The only thing special about her was her amiableness despite her ordinary features. Since that was not uncommon among people, however, it could not be Jiang Pengjis evidence. Qiguan Rang examined the woman, wondering why Jiang Pengji was approaching her. But hold on. A thought flashed in his mind, widening his eyes with shock. How could that be? And he immediately ordered, Catch her! When the woman first noticed Jiang Pengji walking towards her, she kept her head low, pretending to be a common servant who washed garments. Still, Jiang Pengjis treads seemed to be stepping on her nerves, and she was most alarmed when Jiang Pengji came within her reach. Qiguan Rangs command was like a firecracker exploding at her ears or, his ears, and he knew he could disguise no more. Dont let her escape! The man lost his directions and pushed a girl to Jiang Pengji to block her way. The others were stunned by the sudden change. It was nothing for Jiang Pengji, however, whose one hand held the waist of the screaming attendant as she turned with her and stood steadily on the ground, and her other hand flung her fan at the target. Ow! cried the man. Chapter 110 - Flower Thief (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It all happened in a split second. Before the crowd could come out of their stupor, they were plunged into another bout of chaos. Someone has died! an unknown person yelled and the gathering crowd took a step back, forming a large circle. What are you yelling about? Cant you see no one died! Jiang Pengji yelled and the crowd parted to let her through. The maid came to her senses. She felt a strong push and landed in a thin, yet strong, embrace. Her heart nearly stopped beating from fright. She shyly lifted her head and had a good look at Jiang Pengjis face. From her angle, Jiang Pengji had refined features that were almost like a ladys The maid came out of her stupor and quickly flew away from Jiang Pengji. Thank you for saving me, she said quietly. Its good that youre all right. Go take a rest with the others. Its best that you forget what had happened tonight. Jiang Pengji coldly looked at the servant clutching their bleeding neck on the floor. The maid was not bothered by all that and snuck a glance at Wei Yuan. Once she had received the approval from her master, she then left. The maid could not leave just because Jiang Pengji had said so, as she did not belong to the Lius. If she had done so, Wei Yuan would most likely be upset. This is a woman Wei Yuan kept the housekeeper closest to him and let the rest of the servants leave. Jiang Pengji noticed the fan she had thrown out and slit the servants throat. She bent down and picked it up, then used a handkerchief to wipe the blood from it. How could this be a woman? If you dont believe me, you can remove his clothes and check. Once Wei Yuan heard that, he nodded his head at his housekeeper to do so. Jiang Pengji lowered her gaze and watched from the sidelines, as though she was just another member of the audience. Her channels audience, on the other hand, was not that calm. They watched the housekeeper step forward and lift his sleeves, then he positioned his hand at the lower half of the servants body. He seemed to be making a squeezing motion through the servants clothes before he frowned and some semblance of fear could be seen from his expression. The streams resolution was so clear and the action so sudden that Jiang Pengjis audience forgot to comment in their stupor. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: (*/w*) My eyes First the host stepped on a mans crotch, and now an older person is fondling another mans crotch. Todays stream is too much. Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: I dont care about that. All I wanna know is How does it feel? Although the stream could get pretty raunchy, her viewers were worse. They had stopped censoring their words a long time ago. The silent System decided to inject its opinion. System: My dear host, if it was not for your channel being special, you would have been blocked a long time ago. The interdimensional internet was currently in the middle of ensuring quality and safe content. What Jiang Pengji streamed would have had her banned a long time ago. Do you think I can control what the audience says or types? As a System, you should have added mosaic or censored certain words. You did not do your job and what has that got to do with me? Jiang Pengji shirked responsibility. System: Her response was so reasonable that the System could not find a way to rebutt her. While Jiang Pengji was rebutting the system, the housekeeper had made his way back to Wei Yuan with a grim expression. He solemnly nodded his head. It was a man. Wei Yuan nearly fainted from anger when he received that response. He may not remember all his servants in the rear wing, but he knew that he would not let just anyone in as a servant. In other words, the one who bullied his mistress, made him a cuckold, and ruined his daughters reputation was the bastard lying on the floor before him. When he thought about how he found a mans clothes in his mistress room while he was resting, he was furious. What made him feel thoroughly discredited was that the scandal had reached the ears of someone who should not know. Qiguan Rang was a man Wei Yuan had chosen as his future son-in-law. The other man was poor and had led a rough life. His wife had passed away and Wei Yuan felt that letting his daughter marry that man was putting her at a disadvantage, but at least it was not disgraceful. He had observed the man for awhile and felt that he could be trusted. Since he was the future son-in-law, no matter how disgraceful the situation was, at least he was not an outsider. For the sake of his daughters, Wei Yuan could tolerate losing face for them. And it seemed like his student, Liu Xi, was in the know, too. Why else would she behave like that? Unless he had to get Liu Xi in as his son-in-law, too The most frustrating thing was that if Liu Xi had not scaled the wall, the woman would have escaped and they would not have found the culprit. Wei Yuan could not blame anyone, but to not blame anyone left a bitter aftertaste. Ones lifetime reputation was lost within a single night. When he thought of that, Wei Yuan slumped a little as though he had aged within those few moments. Even though Feng Jin did not know what was happening, based on Jiang Pengjis reaction and revelation, he could hazard a guess. When the the housekeeper confirmed that the servant was a man, he wished he was blind. He was really implicated into the scandal by his unreliable friend, Liu Xi. Even if he were to not breathe a word about this, Wei Yuan would probably bear a grudge against him. Once Feng Jin started moving, Wei Yuan noticed him. Wei Yuan was speechless. Oh, forgot about this one. Zhubo Cemian Shangwo: Even though I should not laugh at this critical moment, I still did. It feels like this Wei Yuan dudes mistress was raped and he was cuckolded? Zhubo Beimian Shangwo: I feel like laughing, too. But what I want to know most is what about his mistresses? Wei Yuan was an old-fashioned man. Even if his wives and concubines were innocent, he would still not be at peace in his heart. So what would happen to those women? Based on Qiguan Rang and Jiang Pengjis conversation, Wei Yuan treated his daughters well and was willing to plan their futures for them. Concubines, however, were not daughters, and it involved him being cuckolded. Would he even be that charitable? Chapter 111 - Flower Thief (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The viewers hoped that Jiang Pengji would save the innocent girls, so they showed their support in the comments and offered generous rewards. Jiang Pengji felt as complex as her audience did. How paradoxical they wereCCthey watched others misery with joy, yet showed genuine sympathy afterwards! She did not reply, but instead looked at Wei Yuan, who was probably overthinking her learning the whole story. Although she really did, she did not act like it. As she took a step forward, she kicked the dumpling aside with her wooden sandal, causing him to turn around. Then she asked mildly, Master, how should we deal with this man? By that time, Wei Yuan was on the brink of losing his self-control. Beat him to feed to the dogs! he said, before realizing that he had spoken too brutally. He would not report it to the officers, for that would spread the scandal across the town; he could not bear the humiliation. The servant was tied up and his mouth was blocked, but he heard their conversation and made noises to beg for mercy as he struggled on the floor. Thats a nice solution, Master. Jiang Pengji smiled, drawing the attention of Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang. Feng Jin quickly accepted her decision as he knew how relentless she could be, but Qiguan Rang was shocked and then intrigued. Did langjuns not always pretend to be generous and kind? The youngster, on the contrary, did not bother to hide his coldness, indifference, and bloodthirstiness. Still, Master, I must beg your pardon. I come for a word with this person. Please allow me to ask him some questions before he dies. Jiang Pengji bent next to Wei Yuan and explained to the confused teacher, My father and I visited Yingchun Mansion tonight, and I witnessed servants taking money from the girls staying with me. I didnt think much about it at first until I found something strange about the old female servant who led the others Wait a moment. What did Liu Xi just say? He said he went to brothels with his father Liu She? Both Wei Yuan and Qiguan Rang could not believe their ears. Who on earth would ever go to brothels with their parent? They did not understand. Jiang Pengji did not care about the image of Liu She. She continued, I was curious and followed her, and watched her change into a man at about thirty. He spotted me so I was forced to catch him, and learned some appalling news after some inquiry. Thats why I rushed to Masters home before it was too late. She made things short and skipped the bloody parts by calling forced interrogation some inquiry. Then, she handed Wei Yuan a thin roll of bamboo slips, which were obtained from the man in Langlang Alley. As far as I know, there are more than two people who snuck into others backyards by the same method to avoid arrest. These rascals are all from Meng County in Cang Prefecture and have arrived in Hejian recently. Jiang Pengji spoke in a manner assuring Wei Yuan that she knew nothing about his scandal. Everyone knew she was pretending, but that was better than tearing away all the veils. A quick scan through the roll brought silence to Wei Yuan. His anger was burning even more fiercely. These dregs! When he could refrain himself no longer, he hurled the roll with all his strength. Jiang Pengji stood like an obedient student, with no intention of picking it up. On the slips were records about the mans brilliant achievements: how he selected his prey, how he disguised himself as a female to enter the households of his targets, and how he patiently waited for the right time to take action. He also described the womens appearance, age, shape, and the smoothness of their skin, then concluded with his proud thoughts and his reflection on the pros and cons of the methods he used each time. In addition, he depicted how he threatened the victims to keep silent and forced them to satisfy his desire multiple times. Sometimes, he also sneered at how incapable their husbands were in comparison to himself. More shocking was the background of his prey. A third of them were single commoners or young widows from ordinary families, while the remaining were all concubines or unmarried daughters of local gentry or bureaucrats. Some were even from important houses in Meng. Wei Yuan even saw the names of his acquaintances. The ridiculous deeds in their backyards incensed Wei Yuan, while they also roused his sympathy. Fortunately, what happened at his home was not written down, or else he could never face his student without shame in the future. These men came from Meng, and are obviously experienced in committing such crimes. That could be inferred from their concise style of description and commentary. Qiguan Rang picked up the roll and read through it. Ensuring that Wei Yuan had calmed down, he pointed out, Master, it would be shocking if whats written on it is true. Jiang Pengji snorted. Not only shocking What can you see from the quality of these sophisticated bamboo slips? The handwriting, too, is the result of years of practice. Besides, these famous families in Meng are heavily guarded. How could the men circumvent the guards to approach the protected ladies? Wei Yuan spoke not a word while Qiguan Rang sat up straight, moving his feather fan as his dark eyes glittered. They all realized the substantial background of these people who designed to enter others backyards for prey. Or, at least, their mastermind was someone from an eminent house. Chapter 112 - Flower Thief (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I have an inkling, but since it is has not been verified, it is best not to say it. Qiguan Rang lowered his gaze and turned to face Jiang Pengji. Lanting decided to visit because you heard about what happened from that person. In that case, do you have any other clues? There is not. Jiang Pengji shook her head. If it wasnt for the fact that she could not get a definite number of people involved, she would not have needed to head over to the Wei residence in the middle of the night. The scoundrels were meticulous in their planning. The culprits had practically no relation to each other. If you trust me, please hand that person over to me. I will ensure that he even tells us his ancestors names. While Jiang Pengji spoke, she had a calm smile that made one feel chills down their spine. Qiguan Rang averted his gaze. No matter how angry Wei Yuan was, the situation had been settled. Rumors could even fly due to that. Wei Yuan may have been a Wei and been related to Wei Jingxian, but he was not as illustrious as her. He was only slightly better off than a poor and humble family. If it were a simple rapist, Wei Yuan could kill him off quietly. But the culprit may have been a part of something far more sinister and he could do nothing about it. Ill leave it to you. Interrogation by torture was something that Jiang Pengji was very familiar with; some of her viewers even had the luck to bear witness to her methods. She had no intention of letting others see her methods, as it may ruin Liu Xis reputation. I will take my leave now. If I get anything useful, I will report to you. Once she had finished saying that, she dragged the fallen man away, leaving Feng Jin with the other two men. Qiguan Rang watched her leave as suspicion flashed across his eyes. The feather fan in his hand tapped a rhythm on his knee. Liu Langjuns style is strange. Hes very different from how master Wei had described. Feng Jins mind was wandering, but when he heard Qiguan Rang, he quickly regained himself and faced the other man. Lanting may be out of the ordinary but I would not call him strange. Hes still a child, and at the age where his temperament is still unstable. He had met a misfortune and was traumatized. It would not be surprising that his temperament changed. Feng Jin gently cooked up some excuse for Jiang Pengji which caused the other to side eye him. Misfortune? Wei Yuan finally remembered that, due to his family situation, he had not gone to the Liu residence to tutor his student. He had not known about what had happened and was surprised that his usually quiet and reserved student felt like a stranger now. The Liu Xi from the past was fearful, but, at the same time, respectful towards him. The Liu Xi now was still respectful, but it felt like an act. Sir, youre not aware? A few days ago, Lanting and a few noble girls were kidnapped by some bandits. If not for Lantings quick wit, they would not have made it out alive. Its because of that incident that Lanting behaves like this now. Feng Jin did not know how Lanting was in the past and he would not pry. The Lanting he knew was the reckless and sly Jiang Pengji. I did not hear of this. Wei Yuans expression turned kinder and he wore a guilty expression. A teacher for a day was like a father for life. The words were not just for the students, but for any mentors, as well. Even if a student was dimwitted and slow, they were still taught and raised by him. He would have forged a bond with them and yet, due to his family situation, he had neglected Lantings well-being. Elsewhere, Jiang Pengji had successfully broken down the culprit. Her viewers reacted better, as they had prepared themselves for what was to come. Another reason for their reaction was that her actions of an eye for an eye resonated with them, as they felt that the man deserved what he got for raping all those poor women. In that era, a woman raped meant that she was ruined for the rest of her life. There was no need to be sorry for such a scoundrel. Even though Jiang Pengjis viewers would not try to suppress her, they could barely stand her actions. She was explaining her methods while she acted them out. It was way scarier than a horror movie. Her viewers were terrified, yet they could not bear to leave the channel. They decided to spam the comments in an effort to cover the screen. Wuliang Tianzun: High definition ahead! Comment barrage to cover the screen! May the great powers of the heavens resist this!!! Nao: Wealth, democracy, civilization, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendliness. Many viewers spammed whatever they could just to cover the screen and Jiang Pengji was forced to close the comments for the time being. Whats your name? Lin Zhuangzi. As there was a new clue, Jiang Pengji chose another line of questioning. Do you know where your other cronies are? While she asked, she searched through the mans clothes and found a small bag containing a roll of bamboo scroll. The contents listed were similar to the ones from beforeCCgirls from the nearby Meng County. The only difference was the names. When she reached the last bit, she saw some writing about the Wei residence. The man was not only after the Wei concubine in the rear wing, but also Wei Yuans two darling daughters. When she sifted through Liu Xis memories for who the daughters were, her expression turned sour and she glared at the man. She teared off the bamboo slat containing the information about the Weis and exerted some force to shatter it. She dropped the shards to the floor before kicking some soil from the ground to bury them. As Jiang Pengji continued with her interrogation, the other mans mental state started to waver and he was frothing at the mouth. His complexion turned pale and his breathing alternated between quick and slow. Jiang Pengji was aware that normal humans from that era could not survive such an interrogation; their physical and mental health could not bear the strain. Even in her own era, where mental health and recovery was very advanced, they were not able to heal the mind fully. She did not have much time left to grill the man, so she picked a few important questions to ask. Who is the mastermind behind all this? And why have all of you come to Hejian County? Chapter 113 - What a Surprise (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Although Qiguan Rang was born as a commoner, he had learned how to survive among the various influences in the northern border. His experience was much richer than teenagers like Feng Jin, whose thoughts were seldom put into practice. Feng Jin had considered Qiguan Rang a distant man that was difficult to befriend, but his opinion had changed after a brief conversation with him; he was excited by his wise remarks. Very quickly, Feng Jin addressed him as Wenzheng instead of Langjun. This proved how friendship between ancient men was often prompted by a skipped beat of the heart Ahem Wenzheng, you said youve got a guess. Whats it? Qiguan Rang tapped his fan on his knee and asked solemnly, Huaiyu, do you know the House of Meng in the county Meng? Feng Jin was confused. How was it related to the Mengs? But before he inquired, an appalling thought flashed in his mind, startling himself to the brink of losing his manner. How can you Qiguan Rang returned a cold smile, his eyes further darkened by irony and disdain. Feng Jins disbelief was expected, for the conjecture was a humiliation to every member of the upper-class. Their ancestors were brave, loyal warriors, but that guarantees nothing for their descendants, Qiguan Rang derided. When it comes to the Mengs Huaiyu, you may not have heard about it as you left Shangjing by that time and have seldom written to your family. Who were the Mengs? Their ancestor, Meng Jing, also called Meng Ziliang, played a crucial role in fighting for the Xia Dynasty. Praised by the first Xia emperor for being a white dragon, and given the name of the Legend of Warrior, Meng Jing was so revered that he was worshipped by families across the current five kingdoms. That commenced the prestigious status of the Meng family, which was not affected by the decline of the former dynasty and the division of its territories. Because of the house, the county in which it was based also changed its name to Meng. However, like what Qiguan Rang said, Meng Jins offspring were getting feebler and feebler each generation. They were never ashamed of their ridiculous conducts and always thought that they would be nothing compared to their ancestors reputation. It was true that a heros glory never lasted more than five generations. Feng Jin could guess what Qiguan Rang had implied: the culprit of the crimes in Meng and Hejian was from the Meng house. What do you mean? While Feng Jin understood many of his peers were foolish and shameless, he could barely believe Qiguan Rangs accusation against the great family. The county military chief of Meng and his army revolted and burned the place of the county chief. Qiguan Rang looked at Feng Jin, hinting. The military chief was always loyal to the Mengs. He hasnt stated a reason for his rebellion, but Ive found the names of his wife and daughter on the bamboo slips. Huaiyu, dont you think these are related? Feng Jins lips trembled, struggling to argue as he usually did, yet his mind was a buzzing mess. They are indeed. Jiang Pengjis voice interrupted Feng Jins effort. He turned and saw the thin girl rushing in wide steps and kneeled down abruptly. No one showed their discontent with her manner, for her fury was too explicit for them to mention anything. What did the scoundrel say? Qiguan Rang touched his fan with his palm. At the same time, Wei Yuan, like Feng Jin, had not recovered from the assertions of Qiguan Rang and Jiang Pengji. The four greatest houses in Dongqing were the Fengs in Shangyang, the Wangs in Langye, the Xies in Qiongning, and the Mengs in Cang. While the first three had a long history, their reputation was no match for that of the last, the family of the Legend of Warrior. How would the Mengs be related to the scandal in his backyard? Wei Yuan needed peace and time to digest. The man claimed that their leader is someone called Meng Liang. Huaiyu, have you heard about him? Feng Jin replied, Yes. A close friend of mine, Meng Heng, the eldest legitimate son of the Mengs, was the brother of Meng Liang. Still, how can that be? My friend is so well-mannered that one wont doubt how disciplined his family must be. The two became friends because of their similar social status and background. Jiang Pengji disagreed. Huaiyu, I think quite differently. However good your friend is, its irrelevant to his brother. Every child is a separate individual. Even though they receive the same education, what they absorb and put into practice can be distinct. This was indisputable to Feng Jin. According to the man I asked, Meng Liang was so spoiled from his own family that every female servant already fell prey to him when he reached eleven. Moreover, the boy is always looking for new targets, and is used to getting what he wants by force. While the viewers had witnessed her interrogation, they goggled at her inference. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: (Cry) The boy was so experienced at eleven, and Im still single. Guomin Laogong Diaozhatian: (Cry) Me too! Are there any cute girls for me? Zaixia Yeliangchen: I can never do it. Zaixia Zhaoritian: Me neither. Zaixia Longaotian: Me neither. Could her audience pay attention to the atmosphere and avoid making her laugh in such serious moments? After a cough, she resumed, Meng Liang also acquired the facial disguise skills from gangsters who he befriended. His soft features make his female disguise so vivid and real that not even his family can recognize him. With the aid of such techniques, Meng Liang gained the trust of many girls who later became his victims. Gradually, he became bored of the simple games and wanted to share the pleasure. He introduced the skills and procedures to his friends and they started a competition among themselves. From commoners to ladies at officials and merchants houses, they were excited by the perils and had stretched their hands further Chapter 114 - What a Surprise (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was a Chinese saying that if one wandered around a lot at night, they would naturally encounter ghosts. Meng Liang had fooled around so much that he naturally left traces of his deeds. It was a pity that, even though the Meng family was a huge name in the Cang Prefecture, they suppressed their own suffering. Any who dared to rise up against them were defeated, their families torn apart, and they had to bear the brunt of humiliation. With the familys overprotective ways and Meng Liang only receiving several lectures for misconduct, it was easy for him to go astray. That day, a military officer brought his wife and daughter to the Meng residence to celebrate the old masters birthday. Meng Liang lusted after the beautiful women and tried all means to get them. They were not ordinary women, so they saw through his schemes. He bore a grudge against them and used his fathers name to get the officer out of town under the guise of official business. Then, together with his cronies, they entered the officers residence to rape those women. The officers wife was still alive, but she had lost her mind when her daughter had passed away from the ordeal. The officer got news of his wife and daughters deaths when he returned three days later. The Meng family kept the deeds under wraps and dealt with the bodies on their own. Meng Liang was kept in the residence until everything blew over, then he was allowed out again. The officer found out about everything in the end. He torched his office and led an attack against the Mengs. His people were no match for the Mengs private army, however, and he was quickly defeated. He then fled to the mountains and had not been seen since. Yet, the issue was still far from over. Meng Liang may be the cause of this, but the Mengs had always suppressed the public and ripped off the merchants. The people in Cang Prefecture and Meng County were unhappy with that family. Meng Liangs family is protective of him and they decided to send him away from Meng County. Their plan was for him to hide in the capital until everything blew over. The family blames those friends of his, and said that they were the ones that led their son astray. But those friends of his had followed Meng Liang out of the prefecture Such a ridiculous Feng Jin was shocked speechless by what he heard. He had always thought he knew quite a bit about the inner workings of prominent old families, but Meng Liang helped shed more light into how the old families really worked. The Mengs are loyal and uprightCCof course they arent as strict as their old mastersCCbut they would not have such filth as their son! Wei Yuan was furious. When he thought of his daughter, he felt like puking blood. Meng Liang may be a bastard, but he still values his life and is a cunning one. To ensure that no one can reveal his identity, he made sure that these people of his have the least possible contact. That way, they wont know each others hiding place That was to say that, even if they had caught two people, it was impossible to apprehend them all. But This has its perks as well Jiang Pengji suddenly smiled. Wei Yuan looked at her. How could there be any perks in such a situation? Qiguan Rang suddenly thought of something and his eyes flashed. Indeed. The better his hiding spot, the easier it was to end his life. By then, the Mengs could not find out who killed him. Hejian County was vastly different from Meng County. It was surrounded by dense forests and mountains. It was not uncommon for people to lose their lives to the wild beasts. Feng Jin understood Jiang Pengji and Qiguan Rangs thinking. However, when he opened his mouth to speak, he quickly stopped and kept his opinion to himself. He was not close to either of the two men present and it was rude to voice critical opinions. As long as Jiang Pengji got her point across, it was enough. Im sorry to bother you tonight, sir. I will return tomorrow with some gifts as a token of apology. I hope you can forgive me for my rash behavior tonight, Jiang Pengji said while she flipped through Liu Lantings memories. Her meaning was clear: Its too late now. I shant bother you anymore, so Ill return home for my much needed rest. Hope youd agree to that. On the surface, she was apologizing, but internally, she was not apologetic at all. Wei Yuan saw through it and felt stifled by it. That nights events was too much for Wei Yuan to handle, thus he did not continue to pursue Jiang Pengjis insolence. Whats there to blame? Your actions have good intentions. Wei Yuan let Jiang Pengji off, but her viewers, on the other hand, were not so willing to let the older male off. Nao: Thats it? He doesnt seem like hes planning to do something about this? What the hell? Hongjun Laozude Juhua: So upset about this. Wei Yuan is the hosts mentor. I thought he was some awesome dude. Hes not fit to be the hosts mentor! His concubine was raped and hes just leaving it alone? Aidedi Lingling: Upset +1. At least the officer that burned his office had more guts. Zaixia Yeliangcheng: That man has no balls. If it was me, Id crack that Meng Liangs head open. Zaixia Longaotian: Hahaha Liangcheng, I admire you. Jiang Pengji calmly read the comments and pondered for a moment before she decided to comment. Host V: Even though I dont like Wei Yuans reaction, based on this eras style, I regret to inform you that hes already behaving pretty manly. Its not that he has yet to come to a decision, but rather, he cant voice it out in front of Feng Jin and I. Jiang Pengjis words quickly fired up her viewers. Aokesi Kongtiao: I may not have studied much, but Im pretty sure thats not manly. Jiang Pengji looked out the window, as she had no words. Based on Liu Lantings memories of Wei Yuan, it seemed that most of his anger was due to his daughters being frightened and his reputation being ruinedCCit was not because he was cuckolded by his concubine. Why? Simply because that culprit had seduced Wei Yuans cheap concubine. Cheap concubine, expensive concubine, and legal wife are three terms that bring different meaning to Dongqings men. Legal wife was the first woman they married, while expensive concubine was something akin to a mistress. They had some status in the family. A cheap concubine was mostly bought for fun. For example, if a close friend of Wei Yuans were to visit and stay over, he may send the cheap concubine over to serve and accompany his friend. Even in a rural area, the master of the house might even send a pregnant concubine to serve their guestsCCor even exchange concubines for fun. The cheap concubines had no standing and were deemed as walking products. If one were to touch them without permission, anyone would be pissed, but it would not be at a point where someone had to die. If Meng Liang had touched the military officers concubine instead of his wife, the officer would obviously be furious, but he would have tolerated it due to loyalty to the Mengs. In that situation, what was Wei Yuans concubine in his heart? Wei Yuan sought revenge for his daughter and not for that concubine, but the concubine knew in her heart that Meng Liang would soon be a dead man. Chapter 115 - What a Surprise (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin went in by climbing the wall, but left from the front door with a carriage lent by Wei Yuan. The journey was not quite pleasant, for the ride was not as steady as that in the Lius carriage and they bumped around vigorously on the road. Feng Jin sighed. I never imagined Meng Heng would have such a shameless legitimate brother. Does that change your opinion about your friend? she asked satirically, looking at him coolly. No. I just feel sorry for him. Feng Jin was sensitive to emotions, and comprehended the discontent of Jiang Pengji. He clarified, Lanting, you may not know it although Meng Heng is a legitimate son, his parents neglect his living so much that one may think he is a son from a minor branch of the family. I only learned about his birth by chance. As Jiang Pengji turned to look at him, he continued, In the coming exam, my friend can outshine many in terms of family background, education, temperaments, appearance, and skills, but his brothers misdeeds will certainly affect the comments about his discipline. Dongqing classified its bureaucrats into different levels according to birth, personal traits, physical appearance, knowledge, abilities and skills, and moral standards. In the preliminary exam framework, the latter three criteria weighed sixty percent of the total score, the other thirty percent, and the examiners impression ten percent. But then, under the influence of the houses, the criteria with heavier weight was birth, moral, and knowledge, constituting over sixty percent of the overall score. Examiners were also further empowered in score adjustment in order to act in the houses favor. Meng Hengs discipline could have reached the highest grade, but the impact of Meng Liang would drag his grade to the lowest. That was why Feng Jin was both shocked by the deeds of Meng Liang, and sympathetic towards Meng Heng. The consequence of a grade could be immense, for most candidates came from houses and important families. In the fierce competition, Meng Heng could have ranked top three, but he would be affected by his brother and receive a mediocre overall grade instead. Was not it a pity? The ancient people had a weak concept about individuals, and they would judge a person together with their family. It was foreseeable how severely Meng Heng would be affected due to his close blood tie with Meng Liang. Why are you so worried? What can an exam prove? As long as he is the legitimate son of the Mengs, who will really mistreat him? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. If you must find something to worry about, why dont you help me create an excuse for our leaving Yingchun Mansion without notifying my father? That sounded true. Exam results only decided the candidates first posts in the court. Although Meng Heng was ignored by his parents, he remained the next heir of the house and stood a high chance of prospering in the future. Jiang Pengji glimpsed at him and showed her disdain for Dongqing grew. The kingdom was already doomed by the control of the houses. The Mengs was only a spark that would start the fire which swallowed the whole kingdom. We can never deceive a man like Officer Liu. Feng Jin shook his head. He would rather be honest. Jiang Pengji snorted. Ive got an idea. What about I tell my father you took me to another brothel for the bidding of virgins? I didnt inform him because we left in a hurry and were afraid of his opposition. Feng Jin widened his eyes. What kind of friend she was! Lanting! His cheeks were reddened with anger. He had never been teased in that way. Im just kidding. Dont you trust me? Jiang Pengji acted as if her heart was broken. Feng Jin knew what not to respond. Sigh! How did they become friends? They say Liu She has a son dissolute in both action and speech. Im beginning to believe them. At least Im not too old to be dissolute. As if she could not discern his irony, she began to lecture him. Look at you! You are so young, but talk and act like an old man! Or are you a lady? Thats why you walk in such small and light steps and speak so gently. She meant to live as she willed throughout her life. Feng Jin could repress himself no longer and retorted, I am really too gentle and soft compared to a girl like you. The audience, who had been quietly enjoying their fight, found the scene very sweet. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Hahaha! At last Feng Jin begins to fight back! Jinnianni Naocanlema: Nonsense! What I see is the host spoiling Feng Jin and allowing him to say whatever he wants. Zaixia Yeliangchen: The manly host and the delicate Feng Jin are my favorite couple. Zaixia Longaotian: I agree. His counter-attack is just a tickle. Laosiji Lianmeng: Heh-heh, childhood sweethearts! I love the indulging smile on the hosts face. Pindaokanni Juhuayoudu: No way! I am the hosts true love. You dont know how much she loves me and how frequently. (shy) Witty as Jiang Pengji was, she often lost her words in front of her hyper audience. That was the first time Feng Jin had mentioned her sex. Huaiyu, Ive been wondering why you consider me a friend, even after you know about my gender. Feng Jin looked at her and said directly, I cant see anything female in you, except your appearance. In fact, he often forgot she was a girl and treated her like a male friend. Besides, they got along, and that was much more important than her gender. As the viewers laughed, Jiang Pengji raised her brow. Coarse wordings. Just for you. What was wrong with Feng Jin? Soon, she decided to be generous and forgive him. As for her audience, she had better leave them for her own sake. Chapter 116 - What a Surprise (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Speaking of, youre very similar to my youngest brother Feng Jin said while he moved aside the carriage curtains to look at the night sky. His expression turned warmer as though he thought of something, then he said, Youre both mischievous and enjoy teasing others. Jiang Pengji could not believe what she heard. Mischievous and teasing? I thought your family was strict and everyone was just like you. Lanting, didnt you say that everyone is born different? My brother may be from the same mother as I, but our temperaments are very different. Hes young and smart. Since hes young, hes doted on by the elders, and though hes naughty, he has yet to go overboard. The Fengs had Feng Jins older brother leading them, followed by Feng Jin. There was no burden or responsibility on the youngest. It was the norm for the elders to have high expectations of the eldest while the youngest got doted on. The most pitiful one was the middle child, Feng Jin. Although he was not totally ignored by the elders, when he was compared to either of his brothers, he did not receive much attention. Jiang Pengji shot a look in askance at Feng Jin when he mentioned his younger brother. I really couldnt tell you that you had a brother complex. What is brother complex?'' Feng Jin pondered over the term but could not make heads or tails of it. It means that the elder brother dotes on the younger one and youre very close, Jiang Pengji explained. When Feng Jin heard that, he had on a serious thinking face. Does that mean there is a sister complex or a sibling complex as well? The rough meaning is that siblings are very close to one another? Yes. Jiang Pengji nodded her head. Youre worth teaching. Feng Jin lost his smile. These phrases are interesting. Theyre simple to use and easy on the tongue. Is this a way of saying, Found only in Hejian?'' I heard it from some merchants. I have no idea where they came from, Jiang Pengji replied naturally. In that case, I think I have an older brother complex as well. Feng Jin smiled after some thought. Jiang Pengji chuckled. I knew you three brothers were close! Lanting, have you talked to officer Liu about going to Langye County? Jiang Pengji was not one to remain in one place for long. Hejian was not small, but it was not big, either. I told him. He agreed to let me go to Langye County under the condition that I need not mention my mothers name. Jiang Pengji rested her arm on the small table, while her right hand was balled into a fist. She rested her chin on her fist and had a very relaxed posture that Feng Jin could not bear to watch. Feng Jin had not understood why Liu She had set that condition, but after running that through his head a few times, he got it. Master Yuanjing was a famous teacher with a literary reputation. He would naturally care for Liu Lanting a little more due to his respect for the late Gu Min. But it was also because of that that he may not have the best impression of Liu Lanting. The latter was not lacking in any skills and, if she were to show off her knowledge and skills, Master Yuanjing could be impressed. It would definitely leave a better impression than popping up and saying that she was Gu Mins son. When do you intend to leave? Feng Jin asked. Jiang Pengji admittedly had not given it much thought. She was not too keen on making the trip to Langye County. Maybe in another two or three months. My father was in Xu County for many years and he rarely returns home. Its quite rare for him to stay home for three months. If I were to leave for studies now, I would not be able to spend much time with him. Anyway, I would still need mister Gongcaos approval for this. Half of what Jiang Pengji said was true. She had mainly said that as an excuse to Feng Jin. When your parents are around, you should not travel far for long. There will always be another time for travels. A child should be filial to their parents while they are around. Lantings way of thinking is filial, Feng Jin said as he thought of his own parents. If it were not for his brothers that were still home with his parents, he would not be at ease to travel so far. If Lanting were to leave for Langye County three months later, Im afraid wed be apart for a while. Youre leaving Hejian? Jiang Pengji turned to face him. Feng Jin nodded his head before adding, Definitely not within these next few days. When we leave depends on the fourth Langjun. Even though Wuma Jun was not doted on by the emperor, he was still a prince. Feng Jin still had to respect the others wishes. In that case, Im sure you still cant leave Hejian for a while. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and laughed. Jiang Pengji found speaking to smart people effortless, as Feng Jin understood her underlying meaning. Wuma Jun made it clear that he wanted Liu She on his side to support him in getting the throne. Xu County, under Liu Shes governing, had flourished and became Dongqings main source of food and income. In that era, food and people were the most important chips to fight a war. As long as they had food, there was no worry. If Wuma Jun had Liu She on his side, he would naturally have food and people supporting him. By then, if the emperor chose another heir, Wuma Jun could easily gather people to attack the capital and kick his brother off the throne. Internal strife and killing off their own fathers was practically tradition in the Dongqings imperial family. Only time would tell whether or not Wuma Jun had that ambition, but if he managed to win Liu She to his side, his foundation would be stable. Since ancient times, it was not easy to find talented people to serve under one personCCespecially for Wuma Jun, as he was the most obscure prince while Liu She was a high official with a reputation that preceded him. The prince had to put in more effort in trying to get Liu Shes support. That was why Jiang Pengji was sure that Feng Jin would still be in Hejian for a while. Since youre aware, then dont expose it. Feng Jin could not help but give a weak smile. As long as they were both aware, they did not need to expose anythingCCthat would make things awkward. While Jiang Pengji thought of Wuma Jun, she suddenly remembered something. Huaiyu, I remember you saying that you havent settled on an engagement yet? Feng Jin nodded his head and lost his smile. Why are you asking? Unless you want to play matchmaker? If it were any of the regular folk from that era, they would not be able to speak the next wordsCCbut Jiang Pengji was not raised by them. She looked straight at Feng Jin and spoke, Indeed, I do. Huaiyu is good husband material. Feng Jins smile froze for a moment before he started looking bashful. A childs marriage is decided by their parents. I cant decide this. If this is not played right, its considered an illegal trade, and things could get ugly. If Im not wrong, youre worried about the Wei maiden? Chapter 117 - What a Surprise (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji nodded to confirm his guess. Father said the Weis want Jinger to marry Wuma Jun Frankly, she will not be happy, and thats not what I want to see. Jiang Pengjis patience and love for cute girls made her concerned about Wei Jingxians happiness. Although Jiang Pengji had only met her twice, Liu Lanting treated her like a sister. Feng Jin was silent for a moment. He did not like Wuma Jun either, but he did not think that badly of him. What has Zhengze done? You seem to dislike him strongly. As if you appreciate him much. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. Jinger is like my sister. If you were me, would you want her to marry a guy like him? Feng Jin smiled. You have a sharp eye. Not many can tell I dislike him, not even Wuma Jun. Still, what makes you think Im an ideal match for the Wei lady? I know little about people in Dongqing, but I can tell youre a popular choice among families. Jiang Pengji meant what she said. Still, you are right. These are but my thoughts. It all depends on your parents, and its no use for me to think too much here. Feng Jin simply returned a smile. It was understandable for Jiang Pengji to mention that, for many of his schoolmates had recommended their sisters to him before, although he had rejected them all. He would not form his family before finding his position in the court and in the world. She may be worried about Wei Jingxian because of their friendship, but since the ladies parents were still alive and healthy, she had no say over the matter. Feng Jin turned to the side and recollected the few memories he had about Wei Jingxian. That was a clever girl. The one sitting next to him, however, was the cleverest he had ever encountered. It was a pity that Officer Liu had not the slightest intention of revealing her identity to the public. Yet, the name of Liu Xi would be ruined once people knew she was a female. He consoled his friend. Let things take their course. Thats all I can do. Jiang Pengji hated Feng Jins reply but understood that it would be unrealistic to demand women in the world to depend upon themselves. However, there were not many reliable men in ancient times. Everything about the era annoyed herCCespecially the inferiority of females. They continued their chat for some time before the carriage arrived at Yingchun Mansion. Instead of the Lius or Feng Jins accommodations, they decided to return there first. It was the middle of the night, but the roads were so bright that the people moving under candlelight appeared somehow unreal. When the two re-entered the room, Liu She was reading attentively at the table. Girls were singing tenderly in the background. Sitting next to him was Wuma Jun, whose delighted expressions showed how encouraged he was by his interaction with Liu She before their return. At last you come back. Liu She closed his book and looked up at Jiang Pengji. Hows that? Not bad. Their strange conversation almost wiped away the smile on Wuma Juns face. How would there be a father who cared so much about his sons experience in brothels? It may also affirm the rumors about Liu Shes close relationship with his legitimate son. Wuma Jun became interested in befriending Jiang Pengji. Feng Jin was relieved that Liu She asked nothing about them being missing, since his friend would make him the scapegoat without hesitation. Lets go home, then. Liu She stood up, his eyes moving from Jiang Pengji to Feng Jin. He frowned. If youre coming for some music next time, remember to tell your mother beforehand. Jiang Pengji answered yes. On the other side of her, Feng Jin could feel Liu She becoming more distant. Was he overthinking? Wuma Jun refrained himself from asking them to stay, for it would be ridiculous in such a place. So he saw the two leave and got into their carriage. Huaiyu, youre really close to Officer Lius son. I only wish I could meet him earlier. Feng Jin smiled. Its quite late, so Im leaving too. Are you staying here? Wuma Jun shook his head. He had come for fun, but he was then distracted by Liu She. As Liu She returned home and his interest in Chuner and Xiaer was gone, he decided he would rather rest. Ill leave with you. In the carriage, Liu She continued reading, but Jiang Pengji could tell he was simply attempting to hide his restlessness. Father, you may ask me anything you want. She grabbed a handful of snacks from a casket in the carriage and threw them into her mouth. Youve carried a question ever since I returned. It must be related to me. As she said it, there was no point in pretending further. He looked at her clothes, perplexed, and asked carefully, Well, you and Feng Huaiyu? Were friends. Why? She thought it was obvious that Feng Jin treated her like a brother and that she viewed him as a sister. But you Liu Shes brow knitted even more tightly. He wished the two had swapped their genders, so then he could ask, Have you two done some naughty things? But he was too embarrassed to say it in front of a daughter. Still, he underestimated Jiang Pengji, who immediately understood after seeing the dust and crumbled wall paint on her clothes. I didnt press Feng Jin against the wall, she explained matter-of-factly. He wished she had kept quiet. He became even more concerned than before. Chapter 118 - What a Surprise (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu Shes lips quivered as he felt helpless at his daughters explanation. He also noticed a frightening thought: He had thought that his daughter had done something unspeakable to Feng Jin and not the other way round Maybe It was due to the fact that his daughters clothes were cleaner than Feng Jins. The other boys clothes looked like he had been stepped on. Your explanation only serves to worry me more, Liu She replied helplessly. She could have just replied directly that nothing had happened. If nothing happened then thats all right. Youre still young so you dont need to rush anything. Of course, if something happened, you wouldnt need to panic, either. Jiang Pengji: Zaixia Yeliangchen: AwesomeCCmy father-in-law! Hes so open-minded! Is he really a guy from the ancient times? Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: The hosts dad had been trained by her time-traveling mum. Compared to our eras men, hes far superior. But I think hes too open-minded. _(:))_ Nao: I find her fathers reaction normal. He brought her up as a boy and, since shes more like a son, whats there to worried about? Shitang Dafan Ayi: I agree with the one above. If her dad has some prerequisites for her, that would mean that he was not prepared to raise her as a boy. It would be unfair and disgusting to raise her as a boy but still treat her like a daughter. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: That explanation makes sense and it feels like the hosts dad is really above us. If it were me, I would not raise her as a boy. I would still treat her like a daughter and worry about her being too manly. In actual fact, Jiang Pengjis viewers thought too highly of Liu She. He was not that open-minded, even though his behavior was. That was because he kept thinking of the future empress while he was dealing with his daughter. If she were to become empress, who had the ability to order her around? If one were to examine an emperor the way they did common women, that would be akin to trying to move a mountain. If one had to put it simply, it would be like eating an apple and finding a worm in it. Feng Jin and I went to visit master Wei. We scaled his wallsCCthats why we came back dirty. Jiang Pengji felt like laughing when she explained herself to Liu She to prevent him from thinking otherwise. Did she really look like an indecent person? Just when Liu She was about to feel relieved, his eyebrow twitched and he was startled. Scaled Wei Gongcaos walls? In the middle of the night? His daughter brought her companion to scale Wei Yuans walls? Yes. Didnt I leave with two girls? We encountered a problem. A man disguising himself as a woman snuck into the brothel with ill intentions. I exposed him, but I did not expect to uncover some plot. What plot? Liu She frowned. He knew Wei Yuans temperament well. If there was nothing and his daughter had scaled another mans walls, she would not make it out unscathed. A bunch of men were disguising themselves as women. They were from the Cang Prefecture and Meng County. The man I caught at Yingchun Mansion had clues pointing to mister Weis residence. I was worried something might happen to him, so I hurried over. When Liu She heard that, his expression turned milder. His daughter did all that for Wei Yuan? No matter how unhappy that stickler was, he would not blame her. Instead, he owed her a favor. And then? Did you catch anyone? So she went to the Weis. No wonder she was gone for so long. That place is far. I caught him. But theres more trouble now, Jiang Pengji skipped the part about Wei Yuans problem, as that was not for her to tell. Based on my interrogation, that bunchs mastermind is Meng Countys Meng familys son. When Liu She heard Meng family, his eyes flashed. Meng family? Yes. The man said that it was committed by a man named Meng Liang. When he was still in Meng County, he was undisciplined and out of control. He brought a group of men to rape a Meng Countys officers wife and daughter. He then caused the officer to become an outlaw and torch the provincial office Meng Liang was snuck out of Meng County by his family, and those friends of his followed for fear of death. They have come to Hejian. While she was explaining, she finished the snacks in her hand. Liu She was muddled by her explanation. Cang Prefecture, Meng County Something like that happened? You werent aware? Jiang Pengji asked, dumbfounded. Never heard of it. Liu She shook his head. He may not have heard of the incident, but he believed his daughter. Xu County was located far from Cang Prefecture and, in those days, communication was severely backwards. Whatever news he got was not accurate. Ever since he had returned home, he had only stayed in the residence and had not looked at any official documents. It was natural that he had not heard of anything out of the ordinary. Thats all right. Well dispatch someone to find out more. Liu She closed his eyes and his right fingers tapped out a rhythm on his knee. His expression was stiff, as though he was still hiding something. Jiang Pengji watched his expression and actions. She frowned. Something was not right. Before she could further analyze the situation, Liu She suddenly spoke up. Lanting, you need to learn a new phrase: See through, but do not reveal.'' Jiang Pengji awkwardly shifted her gaze away from him. She looked at her viewers votes. Although the rounds full interaction mode went off topic, Jiang Pengji did visit the Yingchun Mansion and even listened to some songs. It still adhered to the quests content, even though some other event cropped up later. All in all, it was a good stream. System, you can start calculating, Jiang Pengji told the System. After that, let them vote again. The quiet System tried playing dead for awhile, but when it came to patience, it was no match for Jiang Pengji. It dilly-dallied for a bit before it started up the calculations and the voting. The stream screen turned black and, for a few seconds, her viewers thought they had been attacked by a virus. Before they could react, options appeared on the screen. Chapter 119 - What a Surprise (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio System: Our Host Jiang Pengji has just finished her first fully interactive stream. Are you happy with the show? (A) Yes. (B) So-so. (C) Not really. Before the audience voted, Jiang Pengji added a bullet screen which embarrassed the System. She was really cunning! Host V: The higher your rate, the better my chances are of upgrading the channel! Getting to the next level will increase the viewer limit to ten thousand. If the results are not bad, then maybe Ill start interactive featured streams from time to time in the future to meet your curiosity and bring you novel experience. In other words, they had better choose option A if they wanted more interesting shows and an increased viewer quotaCCa higher host level for her would bring them a better experience. If they gave a low rate, she would remember it. Some mischievous viewers who intended to choose C thus changed their minds. The System said to Jiang Pengji, Host, I cant believe you just said that. Jiang Pengji gave a cold laugh and said, I am only utilizing everything I can. Do you have a problem with that? A shameless system and a shameless host. Arent we made for each other? She did not care much about her image. Her threatening and impatient tone irritated the System. Humph! How can you be so mean to me? I thought you liked me. Jiang Pengji said like a villain, I do. I like the way you feel helpless in front of me. What could it say to its host? The poll was soon over, and the System made the calculations within the blink of an eye. Among three thousand viewers, 2,973 expressed satisfaction, 26 rated so-so, and one said he was unhappy with the show. Jiang Pengji ignored the negative vote as she immediately discerned who voted that. Baiqiaokeli: Sorry Host. I love your show, but some scenes are really too frightening. Hope you wont mind that I chose so-so.'' Heimeiqui: Me too, but theres nothing to apologize for. I cant give a higher rate. She cant force us to. Those comments were followed by some similar ones. Instead of saying sorry, they tried to provoke her. But they would be disappointed, for Jiang Pengji couldnt care less. She did not even mind what the System thought about her, let alone people in another dimension who could only see her on a virtual screen. She would save herself the trouble. While she was scanning through the comments, she closed her eyes so that others would think she was merely taking a nap. The Systems voice appeared in her brain again. The result for our first fully interactive stream is excellent! Perhaps its because of what you said to the audience. There were 2,973 positive votes out of three thousand, which meant an astonishingly high rate of 99.1 percent! According to the livestream agreement, the host would receive a Gold Chest for a rate of 95 percent or above, a Silver Chest for that between 80 and 95, and a Bronze Chest for that between 60 and 80. No reward would be given for rates lower than 60 percent. Jiang Pengji received a Golden Chest. She was also pleased that 99.1 percent of her audience was happy with the show. Host V: Its quite late now. Lets end here today. Good night. As soon as the message was delivered, she shut the channel, and the Hosts online status changed from Streaming to Be Right Back. Following the electronic synthesized ding-ding sound was the computers notification about her receiving a reward packet which contained a Golden Chest. The System asked enthusiastically, Host, are you opening it now? Jiang Pengji would not fulfill its hope easily. Ill open it tomorrow. The System was expecting her to show off how lucky she was by opening the reward and drawing a free level up card. Her getting to a higher level would also benefit the System. Unfortunately, Jiang Pengji was not excited at all; she was determined to act against the computer. Whats the hurry? I can wait for a night. As if she could see its eager expression, she said slowly, I wont open it before the right time. Easy, System. The System retorted, Im not particularly concerned. Could not she show a little respect for it? As the carriage arrived, Jiang Pengji bowed to Liu She and bid him goodbye before she returned to her yard. The sun would rise two hours later, but the servants kept the lanterns lit throughout the night for her return. The door was not locked. Jiang Pengji entered and saw the sleepy Taxue and Xunmei each sitting on a pillar, wearing plain cloaks to keep themselves warm. Their heads dropped from time to time, as if they would fall asleep in the next second. Jiang Pengji could tell how long they had waited. Perceiving her return, the attendants rose to put a cloak on for her. The strong scent of fragrant powder could not escape their noises. Langjun, how many girls were with you? After they had entered the warm chamber, the grumpy Taxue could not help but complain. Xunmei glared at her, warning her to hold her tongue. Others would say she was disrespectful, which could result in omitting a meal the next day, or taking away her wage for that month and substituting her with another girl as the Langjuns close attendant. Jiang Pengji answered readily, A bunch of beauties, of course. Taxue could make no reply. Jiang Pengji always left the others unable to retort. If youre interested, maybe I can take you there next time. The attendant side-eyed her. Langjun, this must be a joke. No decent girls would ever visit those Before she finished, she suddenly remembered that they were of the same sex, which meant she had included the Langjun in her remarks. Thus the pale-faced girl knelt with panic. I beg your pardon, my Langjun! I was losing my mind! Chapter 120 - What a Surprise (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Get up. I did not give this much thought. A normal girl would not go to such a place in case something happened. So, if she wanted to go again, she could only go by herself. The Lius stewed their soup overnight, so if Taxue and Xunmei were to head over to the kitchen, they could get some soup for her. Jiang Pengji scrubbed down and removed all the powders from her body. Its still early. Why dont you go rest a bit? When its time, I will wake you up. Jiang Pengji had changed into her sleep clothes, but she shook her head and rejected Xunmeis suggestion. For a normal person, when it was time for bed, they would not be able to stay up late. But Jiang Pengji was different. She was a genetically modified soldier who had undergone many special trainingsCCone of which included how to rest ones body in the shortest time possible. Even a regular warrior from her time could go without sleep for three to five days. Im still not sleepy. Go bring some books over from the study. I want to take a look. When its bright out, I will go pay my respects to mother. Her mind was awake and her body was in tip-top condition. She did not need sleep. By the candlelight on the table, Jiang Pengji rested her chin in one hand and tapped a rhythm on the table with the other. Based on the map, Cang Prefecture was a land that any military would vie for. It was easy to defend, but hard to conquer. If one were to retreat there, they would rely on the lands natural environment as barriers. If they were to attack, they would make use of the water currents and harsh landscape. A normal army would find the land hard to conquer, and it was located between Dongqing and two other countries. Cang Prefecture had three natural barriers: a long cold winter, a deep river, and accomplished literary talents. Other than being a strategic point with natural barriers, Cang Prefectures waterway and roads were one of the more advanced ones. Regardless if they had to send food or troops, they were the best equipped. If one were to take over Cang Prefecture and overcome the natural barriers, it would be easy for them to win from then on. Jiang Pengji frowned as she studied the map and took note of Cang Prefectures importance. It did not make sense that the Mengs, who hailed from a military background, would not know of the prefectures importance. If they did and still let Meng Liang behave like that, inciting the wrath of the people, then she had no words for them. But then again, Meng Liang is fearless because he knows all the inside information the Mengs have. If we were to put it simply, its a son from a bad family pissing the public off. But if we were to be more explicit, he is killing them off Under normal circumstances, Meng Liangs situation would be suppressed and turned into something insignificant by the Mengs. Though the issue seemed small and would soon be forgotten, it could also lead to a chain reaction that would ultimately spell out their demise. It was such a pity that Jiang Pengji was in Hejian County and was not fully in the know of the Cang Prefecture. She could not make any further analysis of the situation. After studying the map of Dingwing for a long while, Jiang Pengji packed up. The sky had started to brighten and Taxue entered with the other maids. They brought in some tools for washing up and Jiang Pengji washed her face with the warmed water, waking her mind up a little more. Langjun, do you have any plans for today? Father should still be asleep for awhile. You let the housekeeper know I will be going out for awhile, so prepare the carriage. I should be back by noon. If father asks, tell him I went to the temple to visit Master Liaochen. If anyone from the farm comes looking, remember to take note of their message and Ill handle it when I return Jiang Pengji instructed quickly. The System was still very anxious about the gold chest. My dear host, why are you heading to the temple to look for that old monk? Jiang Pengji gave a mysterious smile and did not reply. The System would soon know of her plans, anyway. After climbing a thousand steps and reaching the temple, Jiang Pengji was not at all surprised that a monk was waiting for her arrival. The old monk may be strange, but he did have some power. Jiang Pengji pondered over when the monk knew that she would be arriving. She settled on the fact that it was probably when she was at the foot of the mountain. He did mention that her aura of death was so strong that it unsettled the temples air. Master Liaochen met her in the same meditation room. Jiang Pengji lacked any politeness when she went up and sat on the praying mat before him. You have come here for a reason? Master Liaochen asked while his fingers moved over the rosary. The last time you said I had some emperor aura. What do you see today? Was she here to provoke him behind Liu Shes back? Master Liaochen examined Jiang Pengjis face closely. Other than the emperor aura being more obvious than the last time, there was no other significant change. It seemed like he did not understand her true meaning. She had to be more straightforward. Hows my luck today? Master Liaochen was speechless. She came all the way there to ask him such nonsense? System: It kind of understood what its host was thinking. Master Liaochen deliberately said, Looking at your features, your aura is very good. There is no inauspicious influence and your luck is good. Even if there were any evil spirits trying to get close to her, they would stay far away from her due to the thick aura of death around her. Bystanders fear ghosts, but when it came to Jiang Pengji, the ghosts feared her. Oh. Thank you for your direction. Jiang Pengji brought her hands together and did an inaccurate buddhist gesture. Master Liaochen was dumbfounded as he watched. Even if he were a highly acclaimed monk, he would still grumble in the dark. What was the child up to? The System had guessed correctly. Jiang Pengji was using the monk as a human luck detector. Todays luck is perfect for opening a gold chest. System: What the heck! Since she was there, she was going to ask the question that had been bothering her for awhile. Master Liaochen, theres something I dont understand. Other than you, who could see the emperor aura, who else is there? Jiang Pengji thought it was an important question in case she would be attacked by others in the future. You should not worry about this, Master Liaochen consoled. The last time, I told you that if you do not have the interest, you would not become emperor. This is not absolute. Naturally, there are others like you with the emperor aura. Jiang Pengji frowned. What you mean is that, in the future, there may be others vying for supremacy and those with the emperor aura are not predetermined? The more likely they would become emperor, the stronger their aura is. So if my actions were preposterous and I lost the popular sentiment, I would not become emperor no matter how strong my aura is? And because of that, I would become the loser? Chapter 121 - Told You, It’s Luck Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Liaochen nodded. Yes, clever girl. Thats what I mean. Still, her air of emperor was the strongest he had ever met. His affirmation comforted Jiang Pengji. It seemed that the air was useless, for it could only be affected by humans, but it could assist no one. A hopeless king would not be saved by it, nor would a great emperor be led astray. Are you worried that someone can see the air like me and hurt you for it? All of a sudden, he laughed. Thats not likely. As far as I know, those with this ability are all indifferent to intervene. Some even live in deep woods to avoid the dust of this chaotic world. She could be assured that people would not try to change what was meant to be. It was most natural for the world to split after long union, and unify after long division. The wise understood any attempt to change the course would be in vain. More importantly, Master Liaochen could count them with one hand. They were so rare across the five kingdoms! How tiny a chance it would be for her to encounter them. Just DonqingCCthe smallest kingdomCCalone had six prefectures and 21 counties. No one knew how broad the world was, especially when they also considered the seemingly boundless territories of the foreign tribes. He believed she would be affected only when she encountered four to five of them. If she really did, she was definitely jinxed. Walking downhill was much faster than going up. Jiang Pengji soon reached the bottom of the hill, her slippers making noises the whole way. All right, we can open the chest now. She got into the carriage. The experienced driver started their journey home. The System could hardly verbalize its complaint. Im embarrassed to have you as my host. You traveled so long a distance just to ensure youre lucky enough today? No matter what it said, Jiang Pengji did as she willed and opened the digital packet containing the Golden Chest. Her finger then clicked on the virtual interface to confirm her option. The chest cracked and the pieces slowly floated into the air to form another shape. When the weak, golden beam faded away, she saw a gold, poker-sized card in front of her. The System was stunned. Wasnt the free level up card a rarity? Jiang Pengji took the card with a smile. The result was not surprising at all. See? I told you Im lucky. The System gave up arguing with her. Fine. Jiang Pengji chuckled silently. When she pressed the card harder, a dialogue box appeared. System: You are now a Level One host. You can reach Level Two by using this card. The channel will also expand to accommodate ten thousand viewers. Would you like to use the free level up card? (A) Yes. (B) No. Without a second thought, she chose A. Why save something she could get for free? The interface shut down as its frame glowed with faint gold and the background sound of crispy leaves. Everything fell into silence. System Announcement: Our Host, Jiang Pengji, has become a Level Two host. Viewer limit has increased to ten thousand. Congratulations! As the computer displayed a firework show, Jiang Pengji noticed the new patterns in her channel, which had no decoration before. The quota increased immediately. System, start a live, she said, and the System complied instantly. Audience members flowed in like water. Tuiyan Wanwu: At last! I was wondering if there would be any livestream today. Luckily Ive insisted in queuing. So is this the host? Shes much prettier in live than in screen recordings. With the aid of high-resolution cameras, they could closely observe Jiang Pengjis countenance. On the contrary to some weird-looking hosts, she did not need any special effects to capture their admiration. The newcomer knew he would not mistake the Host for others. Yiye Juhuacan: Sad. I couldnt get into the channel last night when the Host went to the brothels. I watched the video on forums with a broken heart Kele Leyile: It seems there are much more bullet screens today. Why? Have you guys practiced typing last night? They usually did not pay attention to the viewer number, but they could sense something strange about the amount of comments. Jiujiu Bashiyi: Oh my god! Why are there ten thousand viewers? The channel was finding fame in that dimension, attracting more and more viewers. The quota of three thousand had roused discontent among them because of the fierce competition for a place in the channel. But ten thousand? When did that happen? Host V: We can admit ten thousand people as weve reached Level Two. (Smiley) Her sudden cuteness prompted the old viewers to scream through the bullet screens, for her image had always been cool and brutal. Still, she rarely spent much time on and now was no exception. After a brief explanation, she resumed to her distant attitude, and quietly sat in the stable carriage. Liu She did not wake up until midday; his hair and nightwear were messy. Sitting on the bed, his had looked, confused, at the beams shining through the door chinks. His sharp senses were soon recovered. The attendants outside heard the rustling and asked softly, Master, may we help you? Liu She let them in. He tidied himself a little before the girls who had waited the whole morning entered. The daily procedures were carried out without a noise. Tong Sanniang and other attendants left immediately after collecting the garments to be washed. Chapter 122 - Nice Try, Kid (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Liu residence did not have many masters. They had Liu She, the second lady, Madam Hu, and Liu Lanting. Other than them, there were two other concubines and their children. The concubines kept to their rooms and hardly appeared in front of others. The few masters had even temperaments and would not increase the servants workload. The previous mistress had created a workflow for each servant, and, once they had completed their daily tasks, they had quite a few hours to themselves. Tong Sanniang was preparing to visit the embroidery workshop for some new threads when she passed by a group of servants and merchants whispering amongst themselves. What did you say happen in Cang Prefecture and Meng County? The new servants whispers were heard by her. At first, the new retainer looked pissed that they were heard, but when he noticed her, the main wings servant, he quickly put on a smile and brought his hands up in greeting. Maiden Tong. Tong Sanniang was around twenty years old and not married. Based on Dongqings laws, she would have to pay another portion of tax. Her elder brother and his wife found that embarrassing and had tried forcing her to get married. She agreed on the front, but went to find Madam Hu for help. She managed to convince Madam Hu that she would rather be an independent woman. She was the first in the whole of Liu residence to have Madam Hus support and thus, none of the other servants dared cross her. Tong Sanniangs expression was cold when she said, You were just talking about Cang Prefecture and Meng County. Whats going on? The merchants who caught her gaze felt overwhelmed and quickly bowed their heads. This, this they mumbled. Speak! A merchant spoke quickly while quaking, We are merchants traveling from Cang Prefecture and Meng County. Your residence had ordered some goods from our master, but on our way here, we were robbed. We came here to ask for some more time and forgiveness. We do not mean to waste your time, but now that Meng County is in turmoil, pillaging and plundering can be seen everywhere They were just regular traveling merchants, how could they resist a mobs robbing? The Liu residence may not be huge and the necessities they required were not be top notch. Every year, they would put in an order of large quantities and they were generous in their spending. They were a valued customer. The merchants did not expect to be robbed before they even left Meng County, and thus, could only visit their customer empty-handed and negotiate. After hearing that, Tong Sanniang was at a loss for words. If something happened in another county, she would not have lost her composure but this was Cang Prefectures Meng County! When did this happen? Tong Sanniang asked. The few merchants hung their heads and answered honestly. Meng County may be part of Cang Prefecture, but its very far from Hejian County. If we used the fastest speed, we would need at least half a month of traveling time. Such a thing happened in Meng County, but it had been awhile. How could Hejian not have heard of this? The merchants started to complain incessantly, pouring out all their heartfelt grievances. Maiden Tong, you have no idea. The Mengs suppressed the people and did not allow anyone to leave Meng County whenever they wished. They did not want such news to leave the county. Us merchants were obstructed when we tried to leave, too. It took us a while to get our official traveling documents and then we were robbed While they spoke, the sorry looking merchants quietly wiped at their eyes. The amount of goods that the Liu residence had ordered was enough to line their pockets for half a year. Now that the goods had been snatched by the mob, they would have no money. They nearly died on their way to the residence, too. If the Lius thought they had wasted their time and wanted them to compensate, their losses would be worse than not earning anything at all. Tong Sanniangs expression turned solemn and cold sweat formed in her palms. It seemed like she remembered something. I need to inform the master about this. You all follow one of the retainers to wash up and rest. Ill head over to the masters. If you have anything to say, you can tell him yourselves. Tong Sanniang visited Liu She and relayed what had happened. He was burning incense and practicing his words when she visited him. He was expressionless when he put down his brush. In that case, send them over. Ill ask them what happened. He found out that the Mengs private army had clamped down on the issue and thus did not allow the news to spread. The Mengs private army? Ha! Bloodlust flashed through Liu Shes eyes for a second You would even have such a day? ShhCC The horses let out a long neigh and the carriage slowed down before it stopped right in front of the Liu residences door. Jiang Pengji stepped out of the carriage, ignored the sedan that the coachman had brought, and jumped down. When she noticed an unknown carriage, she frowned and asked the gatekeeper, We have guests? The gatekeeper replied politely, Its a maiden from the late ladys home. Mothers side? Jiang Pengji raised her brows. I wonder who. As Liu She had to work in Xu County, the mistresses seldom left the residence. They hardly left Liu Shes side as well. Due to the second ladys health, she had not visited her family in Langye County and had only exchanged gifts with her family on new years day or other festivals. A wild animal was possessive of its own territory and would be aware of another animals tracks or smell. Jiang Pengji had not reached that point yet, but she did notice the tracks made by the unknown guest. It made her unhappy. Before she entered the house, she heard an adorable and sweet voice made by a young girl. The girl looked to be around thirteen or fourteen and wore pink robes. Her brows were painted and her skin was fair. She still had some baby fat that made her look even younger. A pair of bright eyes, a pert nose, and red lips made one think of peach blossoms under the spring sun. Tsk. Another adorable girl. Uncle, is this my younger cousin, Lanting? The girl turned and looked at Jiang Pengji while she asked Liu She in a spoiled tone. Jiang Pengji did not need to look at her streams comments to know that they were crying from the cuteness. Niyade Zhaosi: Ohhhhhhhh! Shes so cute! Even her voice is so sweet! A real lolita! Laosiji Lianmeng: I noticed that the hosts world has all the beautiful people. There doesnt seem to be many ugly people Ahhhh This is heaven for people with a face fetish. Jiang Pengji coldly studied the other girl. Host V: Whats so cute about a shit-stirring rod? Her viewers were dumbfounded. What did she mean? Chapter 123 - Nice Try, Kid (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What did she mean? She left it for the audience to guess. Jiang Pengji appeared indifferent, while Liu She wore a smile on his face. Yes, this is Lanting. The girl noticed that he did not introduce further and was embarrassed. Jiang Pengji sat down, pretending to be observing her tea, but was in fact secretly examining the girl and Liu She. There was not much to say about her cousin. Anyone with a sharp eye could spot the flaws in her seemingly brilliant disguise. Besides, Jiang Pengji could smell her exceptionally revolting scent. What was more interesting was Liu Shes reaction. He was maintaining an intimate smile towards the guest, but Jiang Pengji could feel the distance he was keeping. The way he looked at the teenagerCCwith the almost imperceptible movements of fingers and facial musclesCCindicated his abhorrence. Oh, even abhorrence could not fully describe his feelings. It was like finding a dishful of rotted animal corpses and excrement of various creatures during a New Years Eve dinner. That was how nauseous he felt. The cousin mentioned Jiang Pengji repeatedly, yet Liu She changed the subject every time to some meaningless chats as if the two were close relatives. At last, the girl stated the reason for her visit: She wished to see the lady. Instead of rejecting as Jiang Pengji had supposed, Liu She agreed without hesitation. She frowned and suggested to her father, Since the physicians said mothers illness can be affected by her moods, meeting someone from her maiden family may favor her recovery. Still, Im afraid my cousin might get lost at our home. Please let me lead her to mothers chamber. Liu She frowned, yet allowed it in silence. Why are you looking at me like that? Jiang Pengji turned to catch the cousins gaze as if she had seen it with the back of her head. The girl said shyly, Lanting, that must be a joke, for you are walking in front of me! Jiang Pengji nodded and the two continued to walk in silence. Her reaction surprised the audience, who thought she would try to befriend the cute girl. Houdandan: Grasp the chance to speak with her! Zhengmiangang: Feel like the host is waiting to pull out the big guns. Laosiji Lianmeng: As an old viewer here, I get what the host means. Theres something wrong with the girl. The comment, together with what Jiang Pengji had said earlier, formed an appalling picture in other viewers minds. Still, there were people who asked for a clearer answer. Chiputao Daotu Putaopi: Have you all got it? Im still puzzled Can anyone explain? But the others decided not to tell the innocent viewer about the dirty truth. Jiang Pengji was of the same mind. Host V: Youll understand when you grow up. Chiputao Daotu Putaopi: Eh? Host, you noticed me in the wave of bullet screens! Im so happy that you replied! They did not know she read every comment on the interface. The two were lucky, as the lady had just woken up and was feeling quite well. Hearing the message Jiang Pengji asked an attendant to bring, the lady was surprised, but then frowned. Help me to the dressing table. Sitting straight up and looking at the dim face in the bronze mirror, she let the attendants dress her hair and put makeup on her countenance. The sophisticated hairstyle was then decorated with two simple, yet elegant, hair pins, while the creased sleepwear was also changed to casual clothes with a fresh, clean aroma. Under the care of the nimble attendants, the fatigued lady soon appeared refined and dignified. This will do. Now, lets meet She paused, then smiled like a blooming peony, breathtakingly proud. Lets meet my niece! At that moment, the attendants suspected it was the imperious Madam Hu they were serving. But they dared not to speak their minds, and accompanied her more carefully. When Jiang Pengji entered, she saw the lady sitting on the main seat with a novel air. Jiang Pengji sighed. It was as she had suspected. Mother, Im glad youre feeling better today. As she said it, she tried to block the gaze between the cousin and the lady, but failed with her current short body at the age of twelve. The girl behind her was a head taller. This is? The lady nodded lovingly at Jiang Pengji, then looked at the d*mn familiar girl. Her facial expression was almost out of control, but she managed to retain her humor. Where did my child find this adorable young lady? Are you here for my permission to marry her? Well Jiang Pengji pretended to be a boring, stubborn boy, Mother, we must not harm the girls reputation. Didnt the attendant tell you that we have a guest from your maiden home? It was then that the lady glanced back at Jiang Pengji, hiding her smile under a handkerchief. Now that youve grown up, you wont let your aunt tell a joke, eh? She then observed the girl closely, acting as if she was recollecting. You look familiar. Whos your mother? How would she allow you to come to Hejian alone? The girl nervously rubbed her handkerchief, swallowed her reply while glimpsing at Jiang Pengji, and looked at the lady with repressed longing. What was going on? Jiang Pengji perceived everything and thought with irony. Was she hinting that Liu Lanting was an outsider who could not learn about their shared secret? Of course, Jiang Pengji could understand what the cousin suggested, but she decided not to comply. The atmosphere became strange as she insisted not to leave the girl and the lady alone. In the end, the lady asked Jiang Pengji to give them a private moment. Yet, she did not know Jiang Pengji, who could sense whatever happened within fifty meters around her, was paying close attention to their interaction to ensure the ladys safety. After confirming Jiang Pengji had stayed at a distance, the lady turned back to the teenager. Youve grown a lot. As soon as she finished, the girl knelt down abruptly, and moved towards her on her knees, sobbing. Mother, I miss you terribly! Shocked! The audience listened to the clear voice. Thats obviously a boy! Chapter 124 - Nice Try, Kid (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Mother? Son? The viewers were stunned. With the streaming Systems camera angles, even if the viewers did not have Jiang Pengjis abnormally sharp senses, they could still see everything that had happened in the house. They were all dumbfounded by the strange development. Niyade Zhaosi: That shocked me. Dont tell me this girl is the hosts bodys original owner? If that was not the original owner, why would they call the second lady mother? When the other viewers first read that logic, it made some sense. But after much thought, it became ridiculous. Laosiji Lianmeng: Puuu. This is not the time to worry about this, right? Didnt you hear that voice? Though the boys voice was still in the puberty period and it was hard to differentiate whether he was a male or female, if one were to listen carefully, they could still tell. The boys voice was most definitely male. Jiang Pengji had called him a shit-stirring rod and that was quite true since he did indeed have a rod. Some of her viewers expressed that they had been hurt by such a revelation. What was a boy pretending to be a girl for? The viewers felt as though they had managed to get the girl of their dreams after much work. Then, when the time finally came to do the deed, they realized that their dream girls lower half looked eerily similar to theirs. Life was bleak. Wannian Luolikong: Wheres the trust between people? Why are we trying to hurt each other? Shitang Dafan Ayi: Aww such a cutie is normally a boy. And I was right. (*/w*) Jiang Pengji: I thought I had to search the whole of Hejian. It seems like he delivered himself right to our doorstep. Jiang Pengji plucked a leaf, wiped it clean, and held it in her mouth. She looked sloppy and slovenly. What are you talking about? the System asked. Remember what happened last night? He is the mastermind were searching for. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. Hes Meng Liang!!! the System was so surprised that it added a few more exclamation marks. Is he trying to sneak into the Liu residence? I dont think thats his main goal, Jiang Pengji replied calmly. Instead of saying he snuck in, its more like he swaggered in. His goal should be to get us Lius to hide his identity. Dont forget, Meng Liang is being chased by the supposedly missing officer. That officer might be chasing him from the shadows and waiting for the opportunity to kill him. But How did you realize that hes Meng Liang? The System had thought that he was a real girl until he dropped his falsetto. Based on Jiang Pengjis reaction upon meeting him, she had seen through his disguise. If last nights events had not happened, her impression of Meng Liang would have been a man disguised as a woman with an indiscreet behavior. But since she had known he was Meng Liang, it was worthy of celebration that she had not killed him on sight. With your intelligence, I find it hard to explain, Jiang Pengji replied calmly. System: F*ck! Mother! I missed you Meng Liang could not stop crying. You have your parents doting on you. With me as your mother, how can I compare? the second ladys expression showed that she had seen through his act, but she still had some love for him. Meng Liang was secretly observing her and saw everything. Mother, youre saying that Im not filial and I should die? Meng Liang bit his lower lip. He looked at her with red eyes and stammered, You left father and the family, but have you thought about brother and me? How we suffered in the Meng residence? His words were like a sharp knife stabbing into the ladys heart. That cheap slave bewitched father and all these years she has been mistreating brother. She even brought in her own son, and now shes trying to get him in as one of the rightful heirs! The lady watched the boy kneel on the floor and grit his teeth as tears spilled from his eyes. She then coldly remarked, So you see everything. Mother! You have to save me! Meng Liang lifted his head. His face was wet with tears and he looked pitiful. If you decide to be a bystander, I will definitely die. Mother please save me. Im not afraid of death, I just dont want to die with a stain on my reputation. If I die, that woman will definitely not let brother off The lady lifted a hand to her head as it started throbbing. A man should not cry so easily. Look at you now, how different are you from a daughter? That slave sure had her way to raise you like thatCCneither masculine nor feminine. You knew she had ill intentions and yet you never controlled yourself? The ladys voice was strict, and her words scolding. Meng Liang looked like he was listening with respect, but he had balled his fists in his sleeves. What trouble did you cause this time? the lady asked. Mother, dont be angry. I didnt want it to turn out this way, Meng Liang quickly soothed her. I knew she was trying to put us brothers at a disadvantage, but Ive been putting on an act for so long that I cant tell which is the real me anymore But I swear to you, I never did all those heartless acts. I was framed by that woman. Shes trying to ruin me so that the child in her can have a seat in the family. Get to the point! The second ladys breathing was erratic and she looked as though she was about to faint from anger. Meng Liang stammered out everything that had happened in Meng County, but it was a different story from what had really happened. The officers wife and daughter are dead. That has nothing to do with me. Its obvious that shes trying to frame me. But, but because of the way I always behaved, everyone in the Meng residence believed it. That woman took advantage of the situation and made father denounce me as his son. Then, he even wanted to cane me to death If I did not dress up as a girl to flee the house, I would probably be dead When he said that, Meng Liang shivered as though he remembered being caned. Most of Jiang Pengjis viewers thought Meng Liang seemed pitiful. Chapter 125 - Nice Try, Kid (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wannian Luolikong: I pity Meng Liang. His parents divorced when he was little, and he grew up with a wicked stepmother who hoped to lead him astray. Hes not fully responsible for the misdeeds against Meng and Hejian. After all, how could a child without his mothers protection live in a complicated house like the Mengs? The stepmother is the culprit. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Hes crying so hard that I feel sad. He escaped home only by pretending to be a girl. His father almost killed him for the false accusations, and the military chief is chasing after him, too Hes just a kid. Pretty faces could always bring privileges. Hearing his account, many viewers changed their opinion about Meng Liang and expressed their sympathy. The remaining minority disagreed for the same reasons. Toudu Feiqiu: I shared your thoughts until I saw the hosts satirical smile. Based on my trust in the hosts IQ, Im certain that Meng Liang is not worth our pity. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Same here. Trust the host to avoid disappointment. Holding a leaf with her teeth and lips, Jiang Pengji read the comments while she was listening to the touching scene in the chamber. She collected information about the lady in her mind and formed a clear picture. The two inside ended their conversation peacefully. That night was a scarce occasion in which the lady came out for dinner with them. Madam Hu was absent, however, claiming to be sick. As the two rarely appeared at the table concurrently, some suspected that they were avoiding each other because of some conflict. Jiang Pengji quietly finished her portion of food, which was triple that of others. The attendants gave her much more grain and vegetables than usual each time, so it was like she had eaten a meal for five, given the tiny portion of all the others. Although Meng Liang was the ladys son, he did not belong to the family and had to leave the backyard soon after dinner. Father. Jiang Pengji was sitting at the desk to practice calligraphy. Under the instruction of Liu She, her handwriting had improved greatly. Yes? Liu She was not particularly enthusiastic about a chat that night. She put down the brush and inquired, Is Meng Liang really mothers son? He sighed and gave a complicated answer. They say he is. But not actually? she asked. Liu She paused. He did not want to tell her everything at once, so he tried to shift the focus. Is that important? If yes, Ill leave his corpse in one piece for my mother. If not, I wont bother to take care of his dead body. She usually would not cause trouble before others provoked her, but the existence of Meng Liang in her home alone annoyed her. Her first sentence grabbed Liu Shes attention, and he asked with disbelief, Youll kill Meng Liang even if he is your mothers child? Why not? Jiang Pengji was puzzled. The relationship wont lessen his guilt. Her response prompted Liu She to contemplate. True, the tie was irrelevant to the laws, yet it certainly concerned the ladys feelings. Didnt she take her mothers reaction into consideration? After sipping tea into her dry throat, Jiang Pengji continued, Besides, didnt father just admit that Meng Liang is not her son? Lets forget about the improbable conflicts in your mind. She would rather do something more meaningful. Liu She was embarrassed. Still, you dont have to be the one who punishes him. He could not understand why his daughter was so adamant about killing the boy. Was it for justice? See how spoiled Meng Liang is, and how the Mengs punished him after his wrongs in Cang? They secretly sent him to Shangjing for protection! This proves their determination in keeping him intact. Even our King has to rely on the Mengs to govern Cang and intimidate his rivals Do you truly think Meng Liang will be punished the way he ought to be? The boy was not at all afraidCCor else he would not have been interested in girls in Hejian during his escape. While he was seeking help from Liu She to avoid the military chief, he was probably also finding targets in the Liu family. All she said was indisputable, but it could not convince Liu She. Im not asking for these officialese reasons. I want to know what you think personally. Well, there are three reasons then. First, I tend to kill cockroaches that get into my house. Second, now that Meng Liang claims to be my cousin from Mothers maiden family, we can use this identity to save him or to kill him, both effortlessly. I dont want to miss the chance. How would a dead niece of the lady be related to Meng Liang? And the third reason? He suspected that was the key. Ha! Meng Liang is a scoundrel, but he can still be used to buy others support. That will be a bargain. The corners of her eyes curved as she suddenly laughed, making her look like a cunning merchant. Liu She sat silently. She was going to kill Meng Liang for the military chiefs support? Hm That would be a bargain, indeed! Still, would she not start a chaotic scene too soon? The kingdom was not yet overthrown. Liu She had misunderstood Jiang Pengji. Instead of messing around, Jiang Pengjis main objective was to recruit the military chief into her team because she appreciated his courage. If she could gratify him by killing Meng Liang, who was staying in her house at the moment, she may be able to recruit an experienced couch for her army. That would be a win-win situation. A good leader could change the practice of the whole troop. Although she was not clear about the military chiefs capabilities, she was confident in a person who could retreat safely after burning down the county chiefs place in Cang and declaring rebellion against the House of Meng. She could give him what the Mengs did not. It would be him and Xu Ke, with one leading her soldiers and the other keeping her books. What a perfect match that would be! She never worried about the mans refusing to serve in a small-scale army because when she wanted someone within her reach, that person had to stay. Chapter 126 - Nice Try, Kid (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio System: So, your plan is to use Meng Liang in exchange for that officers loyalty? Did you ask if Meng Liang is okay with that? Jiang Pengji tsked at the System before replying, Do I need to ask permission from someone who robs others of their lives? System: are you trying to play god! Ive always been one, Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and chuckled. System: Could she afford to be more shameless? The System was not the only one who thought Jiang Pengji was toying with someone elses lifeCCeven Liu She thought so, too. Normal people would be thinking of ways to get rid of Meng Liang, or to safeguard themselves in case they got into trouble because of him. But Jiang Pengji? Her first reaction was to use him as an exchange for anothers loyalty. Was that how she planned to become the Jiang Dynastys emperor? By ensuring that she had potential rivals working for her or locked away forever? Suddenly, Liu She thought the burden upon his shoulders felt heavier. Father, you dont approve? Jiang Pengji frowned and asked when she noticed Liu Shes silence. She thought back about their conversation and wondered if she missed out on any details. I dont disapprove, and I do support it. But Lanting Dont you think youre too apathetic? If you were to carry it out, Meng Liang is still your stepmothers son. If you were to kill him with your own hands, have you thought about how she would feel? Liu She had planned to be more tactful with his words, but what came out was more direct. Your mother treats you well, and you will kill her son as repayment? Jiang Pengji lowered her gaze. Liu Shes problem with it was something she had not thought about. People in the current era were all about bloodlines and familial relationships, but Jiang Pengji had not once thought about such a thing. She was an orphan left behind from the intergalactic war She had no memories of her own family. It was not that she had forgotten them, but rather, her memories were wiped. Almost all genetically enhanced soldiers went through the same process. Genetically enhanced soldiers were secretly raised by the federal government. They lived for the sake of victory and had absolute loyalty. They had no memories to weigh them down. During their upbringing, they were not allowed to have any memories. Jiang Pengji was one of the rare cases. Her memories were not completely wiped, so she could remember some things. But they were memories that she had from when she was three years old, and they were not happy memories. Indeed I forgot about this. But should I let him be because of my mothers relationship with him? Let him live while he continues raping and causing the deaths of many girls? I dont think I should get all twisted up thinking about this. If mother hates me because of Meng Liangs death Jiang Pengji paused and smiled. Thank you for your reminder, father. If Meng Liang has to die, he should die at anothers hands. Liu She was speechless. That sounded reasonable. Regardless if they had to be at a loss over what to do with Meng Liang, that boy still had to die. So what was the point of pondering over it? To Jiang Pengji, Meng Liang still had to die for his deeds. After a long while, Liu She let out a long sigh. If your mother heard this, she would be so sorry. YesCCsorry, not upset. Jiang Pengji knew Liu She meant her real mother, Gu Min, and not the second lady. Gu Min had once told Liu She that, according to historians, the Jiang Dynastys emperor had a mental illness. She was incapable of feeling any emotions. The sickness was so bad that it caused unrest within the imperial court That meant that Liu Lanting was already sick, but maybe she had yet to reach that level? When he thought of that, Liu She started feeling sorry for his daughter. He was a little happy in his heart that they had noticed her illness. The earlier she received treatment, the faster she would recover. He lifted a hand and patted Jiang Pengjis head. Its all right. Ill get a physician over one day. You should not hide your sickness. What sort of sickness is mental illness? Liu She had no idea. He would leave that to the professionals. Jiang Pengji was speechless. She had originally thought Liu She would feel some sort of animosity towards her, or that he would take precautions against her. But that did not happen. That Meng Liang is, indeed, a fake, but your mother does have a son, and that is Meng Liangs older brother, Meng Heng. If you ever get the chance to meet him, dont kill him. You should get along with him. Hes smart, Liu She warned. Was that a hint for her to win him to her side? Since Meng Liang is not mothers son, why is he doing this? Jiang Pengji asked without any expression. Even if he wanted to fake an identity, should he not be faking Meng Heng, not Meng Liang? Its a long story that involves the previous generation. Liu Shes expression turned sorrowful when he brought it up. Youre not young anymore, so you should at least know this before you get hoodwinked in the future. Jiang Pengji: Wait. That sounds strange? To make things easy for Jiang Pengji, Liu She changed his form of address to differentiate between Gu Min and the second lady. When your aunt was still waiting to be betrothed, her maiden name was Gu Zhen. Your mother and her had been very close ever since they were children. They were still very close even after marriage. Your aunt married the Meng familys Meng Zhan once she reached the marriageable age. Most men like the new and tire of the old. I misjudged Meng Zhan. To think he was a man with the heart of a beast The Meng Zhan you mentioned is the senior provincial official in Meng County? Jiang Pengji frowned while she listened to him. He doted on Meng Liang, which, in the end, forced his own subordinate to rebel and torch the office? Awesome. Yes, Liu Shes expression showed some disgust. Meng Zhan looks like a gentleman, but his methods are preposterous I will leave out some details In the end, your aunt gave birth to the eldest son for Meng Zhan, and not long after, she was pregnant again. But Meng Zhan suspected that the second was not his flesh and blood. Coincidentally, his favorite concubine was pregnant as well. That woman bewitched him and he actually allowed her to swap her child with your aunts. The concubines son is now your aunts son. Chapter 127 - The Root of Hate Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How did the lady confirm that Meng Liang was not her child? That was simple: While she was exhausted after giving birth, she heard some distant voices praising the infants beautiful, lucky features, especially the delicate, red, cherry-like mole between his brows. But when she saw him for the first time, she saw no mole between the eyebrows of the extremely thin and fragile baby. Two days after, she heard that the concubines child had died and was hastily buried That was a boy with a mole between his brows! The ladys suspicion was roused, and she then mentioned the incident before Meng Zhan to observe his reaction. However, their intimacy was long gone. All Meng Zhan gave her were scoldings and affronts, while he sometimes joined the concubine in mistreating her, stepping all over her dignity as the family leaders proper wife. The oppressive life, together with the lack of care after giving birth, caused serious illness to the ladyCCbut that was merely the start of the abuse. Convinced that her second child had another father, Meng Zhan hated her so much that she could hardly have a day that she could stay comfortably in her room. He would not kill her, for his methods of revenge were much more painful. Five to six years was enough to change the luxurious lady into something resembling a skeleton. Meng Zhan did not take her life, but she wished he would have stabbed her heart from the beginning. The first two years of their marriage were not bad, despite some little conflicts. Your mother and I also visited your aunt several times in Meng. Soon afterwards, your eldest brother had passed away and your mothers situation was worsening. We were too occupied for further visits. I was so wrong in trusting Meng Zhan! I didnt even notice that the gifts they sent us later were all prepared by someone else other than your aunt. After Gu Min gave birth to the twins, her spirits were lifted and she began to help manage the household again. It was then that she spotted some problems with the gifts from the Mengs. The clever lady immediately sent invitation cards to her sister, and resent them repeatedly after a while. Of course, none of them reached Gu Zhen. What a courteous house! We went to them in person and invited them to our house, but they never let us see your aunt. At first, Liu She found his wife overly anxious. After all, what could happen to Gu Zhen in Meng Zhans house? Meng Zhan was his closest friend! But things were far beyond his imagination. Unable to enter the house, Gu Min sought clues elsewhere. Finally, an old servant of Gu Zhen who had left the family told her what she knew. Meng Zhan seemed to be discontent with having a wife like Gu Zhen, and he was forcing her to give away the title. Of course, that would not bring her freedomCCa woman who was once his wife must remain in his house forever. The concubine threatened to torture your aunt as a human pig, throwing her into a pond of excrement after severe infliction. When Gu Min heard about this, she immediately rushed to the Mengs for a fight. We wouldnt have left safely if I didnt think of a plan at that time. Jiang Pengji tightened her lips. That must have caused a scene. Liu She said with contempt, We did more than that. The sick Gu Min started a fight in the house, and took the lady of the Meng family away in front of everyone to show them how cruel Meng Zhan was. He had tortured his wife, supposedly the most respected woman in the house, into someone they barely recognized. The Mengs were ashamed. Then, the indignant Gu Min asked Liu She to write a divorce letter for Gu Zhen. Some said they should not break apart anothers marriage. That was the biggest joke Gu Min had ever heard. Why should she let her sister be abused like a servant, when she could provide her with the comfortable life she deserved? The influential house blocked the spread of the scandal, but did not forget Gu Mins offense. Your aunt has long known that Meng Liang is the concubines child, not hers. But it seems that the Mengs and the boy think that she is still deceived. Otherwise, he will stay as far away from us, said Liu She as he smiled. Jiang Pengji chuckled too. This is our ladys mischief. How did she feel when the son of the woman she hated called herself mother and insulted his biological mom? She must be more agitated than pleased. Liu She sighed. After all, the Mengs are an eminent house, and they insisted that your aunt must return to receive punishment. At first, we had your mother confronting them. But after her decease, your aunt and I were left in a difficult situation. As time went by, insulting rumors spread about the divorced lady and the widower. At last, for various reasons, Liu She agreed to marry Gu Zhen. Still, she has been living in fear all these years. Thats why she has never fully recovered. Shes worried about Meng Heng, her eldest son. Jiang Pengji was certain. Liu She nodded. After losing the second child, Meng Heng is everything she cares for in the Meng family. I didnt imagine Meng Zhan could be so merciless towards his own kid Thats also his heir! Your aunt is constantly regretting her decisions, which worsens her conditions. She thought that if living with the Lius unhappily could provoke Meng Zhan less, then perhaps he would treat her son better. Thats also why she fakes kindness for Meng Liang, although she hates him so much? Thats right. No wonder Liu She said there must be more pain than pleasure. Liu She despised the family. The House of Meng is merely some coarse people with vulgar ancestors. And they call themselves a house, like us. By that time, the streaming interface was filled with shock and sympathy. Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: Life is so hard for ancient women. The ladys maiden family is not bad, but that couldnt save her from the Mengs. Yanling Shi: True. The Mengs are almost like local royalty, acting as they will. They dont care about losing a wife as there are thousands of girls waiting to marry Meng Zhan. Aiya Jiaoteng: Girls in our time can at least end their marriage when they want to. Its terrible how divorced women are left to drown as punishment in that dimension. Huatianxia Zhidaqi: Thats an extreme case maybe? I saw young girls on the street when the host was riding in a carriage, so I guess females are not all as constrained. Its just that the influential family thought they could do whatever they wanted to the lady. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: Social contribution is the key to social status. Females there will suffer more later, just like what happened in our history. The increasing demand of men for women will only makes things worse. Their opinions led Jiang Pengji to ponder. She hated that world so much so why didnt she change its rules altogether? Chapter 128 - The Second Lady’s Hate Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If one could go out with a bang and bring glory to their name, who would not do that? Jiang Pengji felt as though she did not belong to that world, as her life now was forced upon her by the System. Even so, she would not purposely seek death. The federal soldiers could die anytime, but they could not take their own lives or seek death. That was cowardly behavior. That was why she chose to live. She had planned to retire from war and take relaxing vacations. Who would not want to be happy during their vacations? Whatever pissed her off should be obliterated or changed into something she liked. Why should she force herself to get used to it? This world should change because of meCCnot me changing for it. Dont you agree, System? Jiang Pengji laughed. The system was quiet for a while before it rebutted, Youre not done playing God and youre now trying to be God? If the shoe fits. Jiang Pengji loved to watch the System try and rebut her. It was obvious that it could not stand her methods, but yet it could do nothing about it. It was so adorable. I dont want to talk to you anymore. Ill get a heart attack and have to return to the main system to be reconstructed. Jiang Pengji had a vague smile on her lips when she looked at the waterside pavilion in the courtyard. One wondered what she was thinking. Night fell and the days boisterous sounds slowly faded to a peaceful quiet. The second lady had a few days to recuperate and her complexion was much better. She had been sick for many years and had been taking medication nonstop. No one knew when she would recover fully. When she had to see her son in the day, she was in an emotional turmoil, and the effects reflected under her eyes. When she returned to her room, her illness took a turn for the worse and the maids had to quickly summon a physician over. You still dont like to take your medicine. Have some preserved fruits. Liu She entered the room and saw the lady covering her mouth and looking ready to puke. He quickly ordered the maids to bring some cuts of fruits preserved in sugar and honey for her. Only you know me so well to know that I dislike those bitter medicines. The second lady quietly accepted the box of preserves. No matter how well I know you is useless. Youll still need to take your medication or else how are you going to recover? Liu She smiled. Dont eat too much or your teeth will rot. You rarely visit me unless you have something you need to tell me. She ignored his advice and ate another few more preserves. Just tell me. Liu She sighed. The two of them were husband and wife in name, but they lacked any sort of relationship. They were more like siblings than a married couple. Whenever he saw her, he would think of those years when she was still a naive and sweet girl. When he thought of the chief culprit who caused her to lose her innocence, the usually calm and collected Liu She felt an itch to kill him. The Mengs are in trouble. Meng Zhans office has been torched and Meng County is filled with rebels. The Meng army is afraid that the news will spread and, instead of pacifying the crowd, they chose to use violence to suppress them. This is just making things worse If youre willing to help, this is the time. When the lady heard the news, she froze before she laughed so hard that she cried. Huh, I thought that child couldnt bear to see me living the life and came over to cause a scene. I cant believe that this happened. The lady laughed again. Didnt you say that youd rather dismantle a temple than ruin a marriage? Liu She shook his head. You bear grudges. When did I say that? When Ah Min was on her deathbed, the one who felt the most sorry was you. Youre my wifes sister, and now my wife. If I dont protect you, do you expect me to shield Meng Zhan? When he married her, he did not behave like a husband and had allowed her to live a life like a widow. That was his fault and he would remember it. The lady smiled and bowed her head. To hear you say that embarrasses me. If it werent for you, I wouldnt be enjoying my life as a Liu mistress. If we have to talk about owing, then I owe my life to you and my sister. My position belonged to my sister. When Liu She married her, he had a whole lot of other issues. His wife had died and he had married his wifes sister. That said sister was cast off by her own husband and her name was tarnished. Anyone who was not in the know would be wondering. The Mengs slandered her and Liu She by saying that they had been having an affair from the beginning. Liu She gave a grim smile. Was he really not responsible for anything? Meng Zhan was his schoolmate and a descendant of the upstanding and fearless wargod of the Daxia Dynasty, Meng Jing. Liu She had thought Meng Zhan was a good man and had thought that they knew each other well. In the end, he was greatly disappointed. The lady seemed to have seen through Liu Shes thoughts and sighed. If not for my sisters pity, I would have died by those peoples hands. Even though I have a father, my mothers position was low. In the Gu family, only sister cared for me. Gu Min was not that much older than her, but she practically raised the second lady. If it werent for my sister saving me from that well, would there be the Gu Zhen you see today? The first Gu mistress did not care about Gu Zhens marriage; it was Gu Min, who was already married, who helped her find a good husband. Out of all the good men, Gu Zhen was blind when she chose the worst one out of all of them. If she had not been impulsive and rebellious and had married the man her sister had chosen, she would be living her life peacefully now. But her current days were still good. She was satisfied with what she had now. She would look after her sisters only child and on behalf of her, enjoy the happiness that would bring. She had to recuperate and enjoy her better days. As for Meng Zhan? As what her sister had said, karma happened to those who deserved it. Times would change, and, one day, Meng Zhan would kneel before her feet like the worm he was. Gu Zhen gave a cold hmph when she thought of those years she had suffered. Chapter 129 - Meng Liang Can’t Wait To Die (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Gu Zhen wanted to make the Mengs pay the price for the humiliation she had suffered, for the recurring nightmares, for the agony of losing a child, and for her sister. They must have done something to Gu Min, or else how would she, living with all the privileges a lady deserved with a caring husband, pass away even earlier than her inflicted, tormented sibling? Gu Zhen Liu She sighed, unable to console his beloved wifes sister. You dont have to punish Meng Zhan for me. Its not that I have given up. I just dont want to bother you with that bastard. Hatred was burning in her eyes. Hes unworthy of your attention. But this is a golden chance to shake the Mengs from the root. We mustnt miss it. The lady made a Humph! and then side-eyed her brother-in-law. Dont pretend to be innocent and harmless. We all know what youre capable of. He could tell that was not a compliment. She spoke just like her sister, always praising with irony. Chances are few but we can wait. It will be worse if we cant kill the Mengs with one attack, as they will take revenge and ruin what youve achieved in Xu these years. We need to wait until we can stab them in their heart. Gu Zhen laughed coldly. She had already withstood years in hell; she could wait a few years longer. Liu She observed her for a moment before he sighed with relief. Im glad you think so. She glanced at him and chided, Do you think Im still an impulsive young girl? Im just worried, he murmured. He had offered her a shelter, but the stubborn lady insisted in defying everything the physicians said just to protect him from further rage of the Mengs. How would he be happy with her self-torture? He was truly glad that Gu Zhen had changed her mind, for he knew he could not help her in that regard. Good. From now on, listen to the physicians. All the expensive seafood is waiting for the healthy lady. I dont doubt that. Youre always so generous to me. She then asked, By the way, have you thought about how to deal with that Meng Liang? I cant bear that creature with inferior birth living with my sons title and name. After a moment of thought, Liu She mentioned Jiang Pengjis intentions. We can handle our own business. Gu Zhen was upset at first, yet soon understood the merits of Jiang Pengjis plan. Gu Zhen was clever, like her sister. That was what had attracted Meng Zhan at first sight and what made him decide to take the illegitimate lady as his wifeCCthe supposedly most privileged woman in the Meng house. Even after her maiden family changed her title to legitimate, however, her background was looked down by the Mengs. Her wit allowed her to realize what Liu She meant in his oblique suggestion. As a well-known scholar and official in Dongqing, Liu She would harm his reputation by designing a feeble youngster; allowing his son to do it would appear much better. Still, since the Mengs spread its influence in most corners of the kingdom, they must avoid hurting Meng Liang in the name of the Lius, or else the cost would be too high. Their conversation was placing Meng Liang nearer and nearer to death. Yet, their subject remained ignorant about the danger surrounding him. Mother was right: the Lius are all cowards. I can see how Liu Zhongqings anger was burning in his eyes, but he doesnt dare touch even a strand of my hair. What a useless man! I dont know why my father is so alert to him. The adorable girl was sprawled on the comfortable bed. He then turned his head and saw a set of tidily folded clothes, and he felt it with two fingers. Tst! He looked at it as if it was a piece of trash. These people are so poor! We only give these kinds of clothes to our servants. What does Liu Zhongqing mean by giving me this? The male servant, who pretended to be his female attendant, rushed to stop him from flinging the garments away. He persuaded him, My good Langjun, we all know our house is the best. This textile is cheap and was only fashionable three years ago, but thats all they have in a destitute place like Hejian! Even important families here struggle to afford basic clothing. Langjun, we must tolerate all of this until the incident in Meng is over, and Master and Lady will come to bring you home. Admitting what he said, Meng Liang clenched his teeth. He must accept what he was provided with in Hejian. Its all Meng Huns fault! Meng Liang thought that man was the only one to blame. He was but a servant of our house! How dare he throw his tantrum and irk my father! The servant tried his best to please his langjun. Thats right! Meng Hun is a silly man. Langjun must not be annoyed by him. As soon as our army eliminates his force, you could punish him however you like. Meng Hun was the guy who burned down the county chiefs place. He used to be a guard in the family, and was later promoted to the position of military chief because of his hard work and remarkable capabilities. If this was the beginning of Xia Dynasty, he couldnt complain even if we ordered all females in his family to serve us. Now, hes rebelling simply for his wife! Who does he think he is? The servant managed to calm Meng Liang down, yet his discontent persisted. The day before, he had snuck to the streets with his servant for some ladies and accidentally spotted Meng Hun. Not expecting him to be admitted to Hejian, the two returned in a panic. Meng Liang regretted calling his friends to join his game, which would leave traces in Hejian. He did not suppose Meng Hun would be so determined to chase after him. How angry the boy was at that moment! He almost got another girl! The two, who had just arrived at the Lius, decided to contact their guards as soon as they were settled. By then, they needed not to fear that man. The bunch of blazes alone would scare him away. Meng Liang was soothed by his thoughts, and found the clothing in his hands less ugly than before. Chapter 130 - Meng Liang Can’t Wait to Die (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Dont be angry, young master. Dont hurt your body or the mistress will be upset. Even I cant bear it. Meng Liang had a weird temperament and his methods were cruel. Many page boys and maids lost their lives to him. Only that page boy of his had yet to set him off. The other boy was adaptable and acted according to the situation; he was also good at buttering his young master. Meng Liangs mood quickly turned for the better by his page boys flattery. Now that they had arrived in the Liu residence and were not being watched by anyone from Meng County, Meng Liang started to feel anxious. Since he was eleven, he had never spent a day without a woman. When one was well-fed and not in any danger, they would naturally think of something pleasurable to do. Meng Liang started thinking about the lithe girls body from before. It was a pity that he had failed to sneak in. The page boy could see through Meng Liang and he suggested, Langjun, I heard that Liu Zhongqing used to be one of the handsomest in Hejian County when he was younger. His wives and concubines are naturally top notch. Even that Gu Zhen madam is such a beauty, is she not? Meng Liang was not Gu Zhens flesh and bloodCCthat was common knowledge amongst those who served him. Meng Liang hated his elder brother. That brother of his was talented and capable, and the elders in the family doted on him. They had even decided amongst themselves that he would be the heir. As for Meng Liang, he may be the son of the first wife, but his actions were over the top and he accomplished nothing in his studies. That was why whenever Meng Liang was drunk, he would insult Meng Heng and even reveal his true identity. That was also the reason why most of the maids and servants that served him were dead. Only his one page boy got Meng Liangs favor and kept his life. Meng Liangs gaze wavered as his page boys suggestion opened a new door for him. Even though Gu Zhen was not his real mother, in name she was. She was also his fathers first wife. The other boy saw that he wavered, but still acted aloof and decided to give him a push. You have no blood relation with that madam. Furthermore, I heard that Liu Zhongqing went to Xu County without any wives or concubines. That lady was left alone for many years. How could she bear the loneliness? As for her being the masters first wife Shes already married to Liu Zhongqing and thus has no relation to the Meng family. Even if she passes away, she would not be added to the Meng ancestral nameCCthe family books will not even mention her. Shes no longer the masters wife and shes not related to you So Meng Liang was persuaded by his page boy. When he thought of how Gu Zhen was once his fathers wife, a sense of excitement came over him. If youre still worried about that madam, I heard that Liu Zhongqing has a few beautiful concubines? If none of them are to your liking, I heard that he also has a daughter? Though shes born from a concubine and is no match for you You, slyboot, understand me so well, Meng Liang lifted a hand to stop his page boy and laughingly scolded him. The other boy bowed his head and smiled, but inwardly, he was relieved he survived. Even though he was sorry towards Liu She, if his young master were to still think about that young maiden he missed out on, and left the Lius protection to run into the Meng rebels, both him and his young master would lose their lives. His family was still in Meng County. If he let his young master die, his family would be dead, too. He did not wish to help commit villainy, but there were lives at stake here. If he served Meng Liang well, his family got to live. He was hoping the guards quickly found them so that they could leave the Liu residence soon. If they were unlucky and the womenfolk had been played with, he could not do anything. While he was thinking that, he helped Meng Liang change, then passed the clothes to one of the maids in charge of laundry. You! Come here! The page boy had spent quite some time searching for a cleaning maid. The maid heard the boy yelling for her and was startled. She timidly went up and gave a small bow in respect. The boy shoved the clothes at the maid and ordered, Go wash these clothes for Langjun and make sure theyre clean when you bring them back tomorrow. If they were still in Meng County, Meng Liang only wore his clothes once and threw them out at the end of the day. He would not have had them washed, nor would he have worn them a second time. The page boy knew that the Lius were incomparable to the Mengs, so they would not have that many clothes for Meng Liang to change into whenever he liked. The maid bowed her head and took the clothes while she shivered. It seemed that the page boy had thoroughly frightened her. When the other boy noticed her fear, he felt proud of himself. It was as though he was back at the Mengs where he had power to lord over others. A small place is really different. Even the servants lack backbone here. As long as one raised their voice, they would start shivering like a leaf in the wind, he belittled. The maid quickly left the place Meng Liang was staying in. She bypassed the garden and threw the clothes to the floor before stepping on them twice to vent her anger. When she remembered what was said to her, she started shaking and her eyes fell upon Jiang Pengjis wing. She bit her lip and picked up the clothes. She changed her direction and did not head for the laundry room. At that moment, Jiang Pengjis wing was preparing for bed. A few maids were whispering and watching the doors. I have something important that I would need to speak to Langjun about. Please help me notify him. At this time? Langjun is most likely asleep. If its not that urgent, you can speak to him tomorrow. The maid shook her head. She could still feel the fear in her body. The maid was originally from the kitchens before she was moved to be in charge of the guest rooms. It was originally a relaxing job, as the the Lius hardly had any guests over, or any who would spend the night. But today, they had one who thought highly of himself and startled her with their loud voice. This is very important and I hope you could accommodate me. The other maid sighed and said, Ill help you pass the message. But if you anger Langjun, youll have to deal with it. In actual fact, Jiang Pengji had already laid down to rest but was not asleep yet. When she heard the maid on night watch pass the message to her, she got up and pulled on a thick cloak. Send her in. The doors were pulled open and a simply dressed maid entered. Jiang Pengji instantly recognized her. Its you? Its already so late What is it that you have to report? She walked over towards the other girl. Chapter 131 - Ah Zhu? It’s Nongqin From Now On Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It was the servant who had killed her rapist when Jiang Pengji had first arrived in that world. She originally worked at the kitchen and was then assigned to the guest rooms for a lighter workload. The girl looked at Jiang Pengji, not knowing where to begin. The more panicked she was, the more difficult it was for her to utter the words, which made her even more anxious to speak. She thought the langjun would be angry for her wasting his time, but after Jiang Pengji observed her from head to toe, she calmed her gently. Take your time. Theres no hurry. Although rules in the Lius house were not very strict, servants were required to stay where they worked. Dry mud was scattered on the girls clothes, socks, and shoes. The soil was not from the gardens because the gardeners would keep the earth humid, and mud there was stickier and in larger pieces. In other words, the dirt was from the guest rooms. Their only visitors at the moment were Meng Liang and his servant. The clothing she was holding in her arms also belonged to Meng Liang. Her dress was tidy and her hair clean and dry, which meant she had not fixed them again before she saw her. While she was scared, she did not appear to be desperate or indignant, so she did not come because Meng Liang had done something to her. Then what did she want to tell her? The only reason she could think of was she had overheard something from Meng Liang and his servant. Jiang Pengji drew a conclusion within the blink of an eye and softened her voice further. You can tell me everything slowly. After a while, the servant finally composed herself a little, and stammered while repeating what she had heard. As she said it, Jiang Pengjis expressions did not change; it was as if she had expected it. After all, one could imagine what Meng Liang had said to shock the girl so much. When she finished, Jiang Pengji nodded. You can stay here tonight. The girls face turned pale as she remembered her mortifying past. Jiang Pengji clarified, The two in the guest room will hurt you if you stay there. Ill tell the housekeeper to arrange you to my yard tomorrow. Thank you for your timely caution. I didnt suspect they could be so insane! Ill not let them get away from this. Her arrangement brought the girl relief. Due to the unfortunate experience, she was more sensitive than most of her peers. Staying near Meng Liang any longer would demand great courage from her. Jiang Pengji offering to let her stay in her yard was like a promotionCCit significantly improved her working conditions. Wages for servants varied according to their positions. Those in Second Langjuns yard were given the most, which was more than double what the girl had been receiving. With an increased salary, she may even save herself some coins after sending money to her family. Thank you, Langjun. Jiang Pengji asked, Whats your name? Im Ah Zhu, replied the girl humbly. Jiang Pengji repeated the name, and thought for a moment before asking, Does it have a special meaning? Who gave you the name? Ah Zhu shook her head and replied, I didnt have a name before coming to this family. My name was given by an old servant in the kitchen who has been very kind to me. Lets call you something nicer, then. Jiang Pengji began to ponder names. She already had Taxue and Xunmei. What about Nongqin? The servant was illiterate, and knew not how to write the corresponding characters. Yet, she liked the name since it was given by Second Langjun. It sounded more beautiful than Ah Zhu. Jiang Pengji was not tired yet, and she began chatting with Nongqin. Did you always help with heavy work at home before you came here? Im very strong. Nongqin appeared thin, but she had more strength than most girls. Otherwise, she would not have managed to beat her abuser with a hefty, red-painted stick. That also meant, however, that she ate more than usual girls did. Jiang Pengji chuckled. Oh, being strong is very nice. Nongqin was shy of her compliment. Her parents often scolded her for eating too much. What was worse, her grandmother believed she would only bring misfortune to the family, and thus listened to a slave trader and sold her away. In that way, the family could not only gain from selling her, but also from her monthly wages at the Lius. Still, they never cared about her days as a servant. Jiang Pengji asked, Are you interested in practicing kungfu with me? If she was going to change the world, she would have to start with the people surrounding her. Who said females were inferior to males? While the girl had missed the best stage of acquiring basic skills, she was brave and strong, which were both essential qualities for Jiang Pengji. She was confident in her. Nongqin was surprised, yet nodded. Ever since Jiang Pengji had saved her, her life was hers. Yes, my Langjun! Jiang Pengji smiled with approval. Very good. Nongqin did not understand why she suddenly beamed, but was glad she could make her happy. Although Jiang Pengji had the power to assign a servant, she needed to inform the housekeeper about the change. When Taxue learned about it, her eyes widened. Langjun, you are teaching her kungfu personally? Ill teach her some techniques from time to time. That wont cost much time. Jiang Pengji smiled. Nongqin is a diligent girl. Xunmei was doing embroidery near them, and glanced at Jiang Pengji. Why would Langjun want a girl to learn such vulgar skills? she complained. Others would doubt if she could be submissive enough to her future mother and father-in-law and to her husband. Besides, would she be competent in raising courteous children? The girl must blame you for ruining her marriage then. Jiang Pengji said cooly, Why does she have to be submissive? And what does this have to do with nurturing her children? Before Xunmei replied, she remembered that they were of the same sex and realized that she had spoken too much. Its funny how people think being respectful equals being submissive. If a woman can live comfortably with the dignity she deserves at her maiden home, why should she obey others like a servant at her husbands house? Jiang Pengji snorted with an affected mood. Chapter 132 - The World’s Most Panicky System Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If she had to look down on herself, she could not blame others for hitting her when she was down. If she had a chance to restart, she would definitely tell the System no. Reliving in the ancient era was too horrifying and she would rather die in battle. She had not minded much of anything until she noticed a horrifying fact: The current eras people used the most ancient methods of allowing girls to get pregnant and carry children to term! Host V: The technology is so backwards here that if this was placed before the federal government, it could be considered a waste of resources and you could get charged. Her viewers noticed something was off about their host and it took a while for them to realize what she was talking about. Nao: Eh, women getting pregnant and giving birth This is normal? Why does it feel like the host is horrified by something new But the pregnant lady who just walked past her really had a big belly. I feel tired for her. Haiku Shitan: The ancient days did not have good medical technology. Childbirth was dangerous and any misstep could kill the mothers. It feels like every ancient women was an expert in abortion. Jiang Pengjis channel had people of all ages and sortsCCsome were mothers, too. Once the topic of childbirth and pregnancy was brought up, each mother had something to vent. While they were chatting, they suddenly realized Jiang Pengjis horror and wondered how the future people had children. Xinro Bingqing: The host didnt mention how her world had kids. Huoguo Mixian: EhIs the future full of test tube babies? Chun Lie: Test tube babies are plausible, but somehow it feels like its against the laws of nature and would incite some sort of civil rights and stuff? As Jiang Pengji talked about the childbirth of the ancient days, her viewers started guessing that from the era she was from, it was easy to have childrenCCor that women had less stress during their pregnancy. From Jiang Pengjis point of view, allowing a woman to bear a child for months before giving birth went against the federal governments manpower laws. If anyone dared do that in her world, they would definitely be charged and jailed. Host V: In my world, we would definitely not use such violent ways to have children. The efficiency is low, it wastes women manpower, and the number of children is bleak. Almost all women reject this inhumane way of having children. There were many wars in her era, and if they used the natural method of having children, women would spend most of their days giving birth as though they were a machine for churning out children. It was inhumane and against the law. No matter how unhappy Jiang Pengji was, she had to admit that each era had their own technology, culture, and way of being shaped by the society. Childbirth took up time and effort, and that was why women in the current era were normally confined to their own rooms. They could not set their own birthing values, and in time, their standing in society would drop. When she thought of that, she could not help but blame the System. This is all your fault. It went against her rights! Do you know how many people are lining up to be reborn? And you still blame me? If she did not feel deeply grateful for its actions, it did not care. But to blame it? You need to understand something. Rebirth or time-travel wont turn a pig into a human. Jiang Pengji smiled coldly. A smart and capable person can survive anywhere, and wont need your help. But a failure will be a failure at everything, unless you have a means to raise their intelligence level before they time-traveled. She was a general of the Federal Forces and had control over a tenth of the army. Other than the supreme commander, no one could order her to do anything. The Seven Corps were ranked the third in power, as she was ambitious and a victor. Even at her lowest point, death could still promote her. She had no doubts about her accomplishments in the history books. But the System suddenly stepped in and threw her into an ancient era where things were vastly different. She wanted to kill it. Youre unnecessary and an obstruction! The System felt wronged. It was the first time it had a host who disliked it and even called it an obstruction. It decided to upgrade itself so that she would stop belittling it. Host, if you continue attacking me like that, I will throw a tantrum! Its grievance could be heard through its robotic voice. I was planning to wait a few more days, but Ive decided. I will upgrade now. Upgrade? She had just performed a soul fusion and increased her channels level, now the System wanted to upgrade itself? Such a coincidence. System: A baby will eventually grow into an adult. As a System dedicated to serve you, I will have to grow with you so that you can enjoy more perks and clear quests with ease. Every host is different regardless of their identity, history, gender, personality, and even habits. A System was created to change accordingly and to not be rigid. It could not use the same method to serve all hosts. To establish rapport between a host and the System, it had to upgrade itself to provide better servicesCCespecially now that Jiang Pengji kept belittling it. If it did not upgrade and showed her how capable it was, then she was going to ignore its existence. It decided to let Jiang Pengji understand how important it was. To have it by her side was a powerful ally. Of course, some more functions will be unlocked with the upgrade and some settings will be changed based on your requirements Other than that, there will be regular updates to ensure that the system continues to run smoothly. Downloading patches is a must. Jiang Pengji nodded her head inwardly. I see. Then you should update and patch. Jiang Pengjis style and personality made one feel like going against her after spending some time together. By the way, how long do you need to update? The first time would not need much time, as there arent many resources to download. It should take about twelve hours. To ensure that I would not hold up your regular streaming, I would automatically start updating once you end your stream. I can have peace for only twelve hours? Jiang Pengji cocked a brow. System: leave! It cried itself into a ball. Chapter 133 - Wei Yuan Resigns (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had promised Wei Yuan the other day that she would visit to apologize again. While that was merely something she said to show respect, she must go as she had promised. Wei Yuan felt uncomfortable with her, but refrained himself from showing it. As a result, his face was stiff, despite his effort to soften his attitude. Jiang Pengji observed his complicated expression. Master, have you recovered from the cold? she asked, seemingly with concern. You look quite pale. Its nothing. Ive taken medicine and will soon get better. Wei Yuan touched his beard in an embarrassed manner. What troubled him was not a cold, but shame. The master had a different way of interpreting the intention of her visit. When the Lius had asked him to teach their langjun personally at their place, they offered him quality bunches of pork, which were common gifts for new teachers. In addition, he received considerable wages each month, valuable presents at festivals, and considerate greetings from time to time. The familys offer was one of the best in Hejian. However, Wei Yuan had affected the pupils progress recently by taking a long leave. Although he was compelled to do so due to mortifying reasons, he admitted it was unfair to his student. Therefore, he suspected Jiang Pengji was there to remind him of their lessons. The thought made Wei Yuan more restless. His face was burning with mortification. Jiang Pengji had learned about his scandal. Although she did not make it explicit, the wise master would not have ignorant hopes about her noticing nothing, which made it even harder for him to instruct this pupil. In no way could he bear to see her every day and be reminded of what had happened! While the student was bowing to him in a proper manner, she did not do it out of respect. What was more, her dark eyes glanced at him as if she could see everything in his mind. He felt like a naked person forced to the street. Wei Yuan knew he was overthinking but he could not help it. She knew what he tried so hard to hide. How could he maintain his intimidating image? He already wished to shun her, let alone when they had lessons again. The matter further complicated his feelings. As if she did not perceive his varying expressions, Jiang Pengji gently pushed her luxurious gift towards him. Master, Im sorry for not visiting you earlier. I hope youll recover soon. Please accept this as my apology. Wei Yuan had intended to decline it, yet he changed his mind as he remembered something, and let an attendant take it away. As you said yesterday, Zhongqing has come back. Jiang Pengji nodded. My father returned from Xu a few weeks ago, but he has been too exhausted after the journey to visit any of his acquaintances. He has always longed to learn from you. I shall be glad to help bring a message if you would pay us a visit. Wei Yuan sighed quietly. Liu Xi was, again, the student he had known before, like a distinct person from the sharp youngster in his backyard that night. Lets not disturb your father, he teased as he laughed. And I dont believe your father longs to learn from me, for he is the most knowledgeable man in Hejian. Oh Master, you are being humble. We know you specialize in different aspects. My fathers strength was helping civilians in Xu, while yours is studying at home to establish new academic perspectives. My father may be a better official, but you, Master, certainly have a lot my father could learn from, too. Jiang Pengji smiled, praising him matter-of-factly. Wei Yuan had to admit that the kidnapping had changed the pupil significantly from a boring, shy child to a worldly, wise teenager. Even a strict, stubborn scholar like him was pleased. However, her smooth answer also made him unable to utter the speech he had prepared. As he had been sick, he had planned to resign as her teacher and suggest Liu She to instruct her personally. Your father and son may spend more time with each other after years of separation was his excuse. However, if he mentioned switching after Jiang Pengjis flattery, it would appear that he was unfeeling and was determined to give her up. A struggle thus commenced in his mind. While Jiang Pengji observed with indifference, some viewers started to feel impatient. They did not enjoy the pointless chats between two ancient people. Xinro Bingqing: Boring. When can we watch something else? Although Wei Yuans appearance was not bad, he was not handsome, either. Jiang Pengji replied to their complaint playfully. Host V: Really? I find Wei Yuans psychological activities quite interesting. The audience: Was she kidding? They had stared at him all that time just to see an unchanged countenance. Where did she capture those activities? It was common for teachers to test the pupils during their meeting, and Wei Yuan was no exception. Understanding Liu Xis progress and talent, he raised relatively simple questions. After a while, he again touched his beard and sighed. Im glad you have worked hard these days. Your teaching has been truly inspiring. Wei Yuan returned a bitter smile and shook his head. Its because of your fathers help. That was no flattery. Liu Xi had been a timid pupil, seeming to have understood nothing, yet was too shy to ask or express her views. Sometimes when the Master scolded her for that, the child would drop her head as if she was going to cry, forcing Wei Yuan to soften his tone. Chapter 134 - Wei Yuan Resigns (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio But the change was obvious. She was more confident and had more pride. Wei Yuan was confused. It had only been ten days or more, and yet she had changed so much. But when he thought back about what Feng Jin had said the day before, he stopped being so suspicious. When someone had faced death, no matter how dimwitted they were, they would smarten up. Liu Lanting had undergone significant changes, and with her father teaching her, the changes would be obvious. Of course, no matter how Wei Yuan wracked his brains, he would not realize that his students soul was a different one. When Zhongqing was still young, he would always talk about teaching others. He had said that each person was different and a mentor should observe their students. A teacher should help their students grow. What they were weak at, we should help them, and what they were strong in, we should encourage them. From what Im seeing now, I am not as observant as your father. Wei Yuan had said that sincerely. His expression was embarrassed and real. He was being truthful. Jiang Pengji quickly restrained herself and had a different impression of Wei Yuan. She knew that if she did not have Liu Xis memories as her basis, she would have not passed Wei Yuans test. Liu Xis grades were not bad, and Wei Yuan did have a hand in it, but not all the credit belonged to him. Qiguan Rang sat quietly to the side and watched the other two interact. To be exact, he was observing Jiang Pengji. He felt that the boy was very interesting, as Jiang Pengji was obviously not a nice person, and yet she was trying her best to show that she was harmless. Interesting. Definitely interesting. When Jiang Pengji left, Wei Yuan still looked troubled while Qiguan Rang calmly drank tea. Once he was done watching his future father-in-law, he spoke up. Youre sad for Liu Lanting? Of course. If I were to continue teaching him, I might lead him astray. But if I wash my hands off of him Wei Yuan admitted. The last few words were mumbled. Whats so hard about this? You resigned and Liu Lanting will just have to look for another teacher. Qiguan Rang smiled. No. The Lius have treated me well. What I just did seems ungrateful. Wei Yuan shook his head. Qiguan Rang thought of something and smirked inwardly. His idea may be exactly what someone was hoping for. In that case He thought for a bit before suggesting, You have many friends. Surely you know of someone who could be Liu Lantings teacher? If you state your reason and that you couldnt bear to hinder Liu Lantings studies, then you could recommend a teacher that suits his temperament. By then, the Lius would not misunderstand you, and they might even praise you for being broad-minded. Wei Yuan considered Qiguan Rangs suggestion and a name flashed through his mind. Thats a good idea. I do have someone in mind, Wei Yuan said, but hesitated. No, no. That person may be suitable, but hes eccentric. With Lantings personality, if he went to him, he would suffer. Qiguan Rang was curious. Who would cause Wei Yuan to react this way? Who is it? Langyes Yuan Jing, Wei Yuan replied. In the educational world, Wei Yuan was one of the best teachers. If he were to recommend a teacher, he could not choose someone with a reputation lower than his, or it may seem like he was passing the responsibility off to someone else. He could only think of Yuan Jing when he thought of a teacher who was better than him, best suited for Liu Lantings personality and had ethics. Langyes master Yuan Jing? Qiguan Rang mumbled bewilderedly. Qiguan Rang admired two people in Dongqing: one was Hejians Liu She, and the other was Langyes Yuan Jing. Qiguan Rang was from a poor and humble family, and he was of mixed origins. There was no way he could just visit Liu She. As for Yuan Jing, he was a teacher well respected by all. There were some students who would pray to his longevity tablet before their exam, hoping for some sort of blessing. Wei Yuan nodded his head and said, Wei Yuan and I were schoolmates, and in recent years, we have been communicating. If I were to tell him everything that had happened, he might take Lanting under his wing for me. Even if Lanting could not study under Wei Yuan, at least he could study in one of Langyes academies. There are countless scholars taught by Yuan Jing in Langye. Any one of them teaching Lanting is better than him studying alone. When he thought of that, Wei Yuan felt relieved. If its Langyes master Yuan Jing, Im sure the Lius will be happy. Qiguan Rang gave a grim smile. Theres no one better than Yuan Jing in the whole of Dongqing and the five countries, Wei Yuan said. Yuan Jing had spent some years in northern Xinjiang debating; he contended for the three cities for Dongqing and won. Wei Yuan was nowhere near his level. Elsewhere, Jiang Pengji seemed to have known about that and was elated. Her viewers noticed and felt that she had a smile like that of a cat that caught the canary. Canghai Yishengxiao: Every time I see the hosts bright smile, I always feel like something bad is about to happen. Hongjun Laozude Juhua: Something bad? To be more exact, its bad for others, but good for the host. Since the stream had started, no one had yet to see Jiang Pengji suffer any losses. At most, she stumbled a few times, but they were all because she allowed it. Jiang Pengji hopped off the carriage and saw a magpie. A magpie. It seems like something good is about to happen. Lancui Yu Buzhe: Every time I see the host act mysterious, I find her to be a pain in the ass. The viewers had no idea what was she happy about and started grumbling. Dont rush. Youll find out in two days, Jiang Pengji replied calmly. She did not have much intention to head over to Langye for her studies. But since she had decided that she would become emperor, naturally she would need to make preparations. Go big or go home. Chapter 135 - Someone Stole Our Old Hen Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Lius could not request Wei Yuan to resign because that would be offensive, even though the Master had originally had the intention to do so. The best solution was to make Wei Yuan resign on his own initiative and write her a reference letter. It did not matter to whom he referred herCCshe was heading to Langye, anyway. The key was Wei Yuans being the one to mention his resignation, which would make for a win-win situation. Jiang Pengji had not thought about that before her visit, but she could tell his plan from his expression. The Master knew what he should do. As a kind teacher, he was genuinely concerned about his students future. In that era, many believed a teacher was like a pupils father, and they refused to alter the exclusive position of a master in a pupils heart. Therefore, even after some teachers had realized they could not handle their students, they would insist in continuing their lessons, not considering whether that would do more harm than good to the children. Wei Yuan was proud like his peers, yet he was also an honest man who would give his pupil what she really needed. Langye I hope it wont be a disappointment. Jiang Pengji opened her fan and leaned on a table with her eyes closed. A contrast to her seemingly leisure gesture was her busy brain. That world was distinct from where she had come from. Three keys to winning the throne were food supply, people, and territories. There were numerous ways to obtain food, such as getting it from defeated enemies. Controlling certain territories would not be too challenging, especially when wars in Dongqing started, which would happen within a few years. She had already decided which place to conquer first. The headache was the second point: the people. Their nurture was the most demanding, as it concerned more than the expansion of her army. The majority of soldiers could be recruited with food and wages and could be equipped with weapons and horses, and could then take part in battles after basic training. Absorbing military and administrative talent required more effort. Apart from the limited quality of human resources in that world that had high illiteracy, she had to gain respect from the most ambitiously talented in order to secure their loyalty. Jiang Pengji was confident in the last part, but she was troubled by the very first step. Where could she find satisfactory candidates? Tackling the problem thus became her priority. To her, people under her could never turn away from her. They could either work until they were too old to continue, or die in the battlefield for her, but they could in no way quit her team to serve another master. She admitted that she was not well-tempered. She hated betrayal, and anyone who attempted it must lose his life under her hands someday. Back in the days of Corps Seven, everyone knew her style. Apart from expertise in administration, she also needed generals to lead her soldiers. While ordinary soldiers were responsible for fighting fearlessly and cooperating in strategic forms, generals must be more than common, strong soldiers. They were the ones to swiftly map out comprehensive military strategies on the battlefield. Jiang Pengji would lower her requirements from those she had used in the other world, but the focus would not shift. The longer she contemplated, the more she realized what she had to do. Having fewer options of generals than administrative talent in her hand was another headache. She guessed the best host had to aim at becoming an empress. The audience saw her smile like a cunning wolf and she hopped from the carriage before the driver brought her a stool for alighting. Is Xu Ke here? she asked abruptly at the entrance. The servant was stunned. How did she know? Still, he bowed and replied, Yes. He has been waiting for a while. Something has probably happened. She laughed softly. Stay at your position. Dont let strangers come out! The servant was again perplexed. Why would there be strangers coming out instead of entering? But, like other servants, he was clever in guessing the Masters intentions. After thinking over her words again and again, he hit his forehead, finally figuring out it was her cousin from the ladys maiden family whom she was referring to. The servant said Xu Ke had waited for some time, yet he was not at all impatient when Jiang Pengji saw him. He was indulging himself among books. What happened in the farm village? She entered without greeting him, and sat directly in front of the desk. Xu Ke was concentrating on a book, and was a little startled. Still, he held the book firmly in his hands and put it back onto the shelf slowly, somehow reluctant, as if it was a treasure. He sat down again after tidying his appearance. He then shook his head and pulled a booklet out from his sleeve. It contained the records he kept, written in tiny characters merely bigger than flies. He did not want to waste the precious bamboo paper with larger handwriting. Jiang Pengji took it and glanced over it. The characters might be tiny, yet the records were all clear and detailed. It was proof of Xu Kes competence in managing internal affairs; all he needed was a partner. She then thought of the military chief hiding somewhere in Hejian, and pondered how to find him. Xu Ke asked softly, Langjun, what do you think? Jiang Pengji threw the booklet back to him and chided with a laugh, I cant believe you came for thieves in the village. Since Xu Ke concealed nothing with the figures; the problem with the records was transparent. He was responsible for utilizing the monthly subsidies from Liu family to shop for the mens daily necessities and ensuring the purchase was made at best prices. A glimpse was enough for Jiang Pengji to identify the strange change in stock. Apart from some grain and clothes, they had also lost an old hen, which was meant to be a bonus for the men some days later. Each would-be soldier was provided with several sets of clothing for every season when they commenced training, and would not need new sets within that short period of time. Additionally, the use of training material was unusual. Havent you caught him? She wanted to laugh out loud. She had considered various reasons for his visit, except that one. Xu Ke dropped his head and said solemnly, Yes, my clever Langjun. Oh, shut up! She could not help but laugh. Chapter 136 - You Want a Piece of Sh*t? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What happened? A burglar hit the farms and you have no idea what to do? You had to find me over something this small? Jiang Pengji felt disappointed that Xu Ke could not even handle the matter by himself. When Xu Ke noticed that Jiang Pengji was being serious, he quickly restrained his lazy expression. I thought you were still missing a leader, he replied. Jiang Pengji raised a brow at his words, but Xu Ke was not startled by her reaction. He continued, Your training manual may be good, but were still fumbling around. Why not hire someone who knows what to do? You and I are not versed in troop training, so why dont we hire an experienced soldier? So youre saying that the one who stole rations and chickens is an experienced soldier? Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. Yes, Im sure of it. He may even have an official title. Xu Ke nodded his head. Jiang Pengji: The coincidence was too much. She could wager a guess on who stole Xu Kes food rations, cloth, and chickens. But this group of people are wary. Its not easy to get close to them. If I didnt stay up and hide myself, I would not have seen them. If you would like to recruit them, I think you would need to wait for a while. Group? Not one person? Xu Ke nodded his head. More than one. Based on the footsteps and the conversation, there were more than ten and most were injured. If they were not injured, they would probably not have broken into the farms to steal. This just got interesting. Jiang Pengji had yet to see them, but based on Xu Kes words, she had confirmed their identity. She trusted Xu Ke. Why else would he come report to her instead of trying to capture the thieves? Even if the people were not who she thought, they still had some skills. Go find the accountant and get another ten taels from him, then buy a few kilos of meat and some medicine. Let them steal them if they want, but remember to make it clear to them that we know about their existence and we are showing graciousness. If gifting them with food and medication for a day was not enough, then she would give them that until they made a full recovery. Anyways, food and medicine did not cost much. Jiang Pengji would eventually get back what they owed her. It was a test. If they had honor and shame, they would naturally be ashamed of their actions. If they had no honor, then Jiang Pengji would change her tactics and her impression of them would be low. If it was just some rations, then the investment she made would be small, and if her plan was a success, the interest she would reap was much better. When Xu Ke heard what Jiang Pengji said, he was astonished. He thought he was shameless for scheming against others. He did not expect his own Langjun to be worse than him. When Jiang Pengji noticed his expression, she sighed. No one leaves a name when they perform a good deed. Either they are really good people, or they are brainless. Which type do you think I am? Xu Ke turned quiet. Jiang Pengjis scheming could not count as good intention, but she was not brainless either, and that could not count as no one leaves a name. She was obviously trying to make them owe her! Based on the current eras morals, Jiang Pengj was shameless. But Xu Ke liked that and he gave a beatific smile. Jiang Pengji fanned herself with her fan and suddenly said, Xiaoyu, you should smile more or itd be such a waste. Youre teasing me again. Xu Ke grumbled. She tsked. Last night, father brought me to Langlang Alley. Though we did not enter, we did visit a nearby brothel, Yingchun Mansion. We stayed there until late. Even though you dont want to admit it, youre still prettier than those girls by a hundred fold. Xu Ke: Her words held a lot of information. Ill bring you there when we have time, Jiang Pengji added while laughing. Why did Liu She suddenly bring her to a brothel? If someone told her it was not Xu Kes doing, Jiang Pengji would not believe them. She did enjoy herself the night before, so she could not blame Xu Ke entirely for setting a trap. Xu Kes expression was pitiful. He finally realized how evil his Langjun was. Other than laying there and letting her tease him, what else could he do? He hoped that his Langjun was not gay or lusted after men, or he would be terribly stressed. Even though the current eras trend was male homosexuality, there were still some who thumbed their noses at such a behaviorCCfor instance, Xu Ke. Jiang Pengji did not know what Xu Ke was really worried about. Even if she knew, she would not mind. Even if she was into male homosexuality, she would not go for someone so close to her. It was not an issue, but rather, it was against her principles. Jiang Pengji always made sure to draw a line between superiors and subordinates to prevent any slanders or rumors. She could not bear it if people started playing mind games. Xu Ke did not head over to find her just to tell her about the burglary, except that it was the most important. The manual you gave was really good. Those guys fared much better during the second days training. People who were not accustomed to exercising would naturally get sore muscles and aches, which would hinder the next days training. But Jiang Pengji left behind a manual on massages. The text and illustrations were excellent at explaining where they should concentrate on, and how much pressure to apply. Almost everyone mastered it. Xu Ke made the guards memorize the methods and apply them immediately. The results were more than satisfactory. Based on what the guards had said, they were originally sore and stiff, and could not even feel their limbs. But when they followed the massage manual, they started feeling heat pool into their arms and legs, then the soreness started to fade away. It was as comfortable as soaking in a hot bath. As for their reaction, Jiang Pengji was not surprised. The massage methods were taught in her military academy, as not everyone could handle the stress the trainings brought. Most of the regular soldiers relied on the massages to soothe their sore muscles. The massages had undergone many changes, therefore the ones Jiang Pengji taught were the most effective and safest. The massages were also capable of stimulating activity in the nerves. The effect would not be immediate, but after a couple of months, the body would grow stronger. Chapter 137 - You Want a Piece of Sh*t? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Ive read your messages. Everyone can do their best at the beginning, but not all can persevere to turn the training into their habit. Jiang Pengji was not as optimistic as Xu Ke. Those people were still fresh and had not developed the qualities of elite soldiers. Having led the sharpest forces in the previous world, Jiang Pengji had become demanding in selecting soldiers, and had never met one who could satisfy all her requirements throughout the few thousand years. As wars and people in the ancient time were distinct from those in the future, she knew she must lower her standards. Receiving no sign of satisfaction from Jiang Pengjis countenance, Xu Ke sighed. He was certain of his Langjuns ambitious goal, which had become more explicit after a night. Xu Ke wondered what had happened. You wouldnt be disappointed, promised the youngster. Jiang Pengji snorted. Why should I be? Before Xu Ke could reply, she continued, Theyre training to save themselves. The Mengs are going to start a storm in Cang, and an influx of affected civilians will be pouring into Hejian. They may even get here within half a month if they ride a horse. By that time, there will be more crimes. Our men are to deal with the bandits surrounding Hejian as well as those desperate commoners who have lost their minds. Her eyes were sharper and more determined than most experienced generals, which sent chills through Xu Kes body. As I said, we need no useless people, she said coldly. They hold their own future. Battles in ancient times were merely brutal for Jiang Pengji. Anyone who had seen the hell with mountains of corpses and seas of blood would share her view. Wars in the future were what she called cruel. Xu Ke was most concerned with her prediction about Cang. Do you mean the house in Meng County? Xu Ke gasped. They are the key to safeguarding our kingdom. How will they let this happen? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes with indifference. Who knows? Its none of my business. Xu Ke almost choked at her response. Although the royalty was losing popular sentiments and control over the houses, and they had failed to attract most scholars to serve in the court, they were, after all, the kings family in Dongqing. Liu She himself served the court. Was it fine for his Langjun to comment so directly? Before he reminded her, Jiang Pengji added, A commoner like me has no right to opine about national affairs. We should leave the matters to the officials in the court. Well, that sounded strange, but it somehow made sense. Xu Ke thought to himself, At least she had found herself an excuse. The youngster had considered himself rebellious until he met Jiang Pengji, who he believed was the boldest person he had ever encountered. Thats true. He managed to smile while repressing his complex feelings. After a moment of silence, he continued, If the Mengs have already taken action, civilians there are likely to reach Hejian in three months. There will at least be rumors about it. For sure. Communication then was backward, but three months were enough for the news to spread across the whole county. Xu Ke joined his hands to show respect. Then, Im afraid I must ask for your permission. For what? Just say it. Xu Ke was a little embarrassed. Even if the incident doesnt affect Hejian, it will certainly worry people in town. Prices of food and clothes will then rise significantly when commoners start to save more necessities for the uncertain future. At the moment, we purchase every ten days at a regular cost. But as prices soar, Im afraid we cant even afford food for three days with the same amount of money. Jiang Pengji looked at him. Was he suggesting piling up grain before others did? Possessing abundant grain was another key to strengthening themselves in that era. People could not live without food. Just as Xu Ke mentioned, rumors about Cang would lead to exorbitant food prices. Since the Lius could already foresee it, they could purchase at low prices and save the grain until they needed it. Had that incident taken place in the other world, Jiang Pengji would not mind making big money with Xu Kes method. She remembered that many remarkable figures in the future gained importance by selling armaments in this way, and they had gradually secured control over their territories. Still, after contemplation, Jiang Pengji gave up the plan. It was an excellent suggestion for making money, but she would not hurt the commoners, despite her dislike for ancient times. A true champion had to win by stepping on the strong rivals that they defeated, but not by abusing the weak. She had another idea about Xu Kes concern. Thats unfair to the civilians. Still, we need to buy more now for our village, said Jiang Pengji. You can ask for another sum from the housekeeper and tell him its my instruction. We only need food for the coming six months. Half a year was enough for the court to settle the mess, which the King would not allow to persist in a crucial region like Meng, nor would he allow it to spread to other areas. The restless commoners would not be competent of a nation-wide chaos, either. Xu Ke waited for a while to make sure Jiang Pengji had nothing to add, and he asked, Is there anything else that I might be of help with? She frowned. No. Just tell me what you think. I hate your hesitation. Xu Ke pointed out slowly, Its very kind of you not to take advantage of civilians, but other families would not be as considerate as you are. They own fertile lands, and their grain storage already far exceeds what their granaries can hold Jiang Pengji made a Tst! sound and said sarcastically, A sh*t is a sh*t no matter how many people are craving for it. Why should I join them? Erm, thats not what I mean. Xu Ke took a deep breath, trying his best to wipe her metaphor away from his brain. He could almost see a crowd grabbing excrements to put in their mouths while he himself was shouldering his way to get a portion. Very nice. That was a vivid metaphor with a smell. Chapter 138 - You Can’t Be More Unscrupulous (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio But your words reminded me. Jiang Pengji frowned, but as though she thought of something interesting, she smiled. A sage once said, Youre a bastard if you dont take advantage of opportunities presented before you. This is indeed a good opportunity. Xu Ke was so astonished. His lips parted slightly, and he was rendered speechless. Which sage said something so crass? He would be walloped the moment he left his house. Since Jiang Pengji had decided to become the emperor, every small investment she made would have to become profitable or even move mountains. As for that, she had some inkling on what to do. Based on Xu Kes principles, he would not encourage her to exploit the commoners. If he really had an idea, it would be to exploit the nobles That meant she would be trying to profit off other nobles. In a split second, a few noble families flashed through her mind. Tell me your plan. If I like it, Ill even consider using it. Jiang Pengji smiled. Her words provoked Xu Ke, but when her eyes flashed, he quickly abandoned all prejudiced thoughts. His Langjun had a weird temperament, but her personality and ability to make use of people was right up his alley. Just based on that ability, even if her personality was not strange, Xu Ke would still tolerate her. I apologize. But Ill need you to come closer. Xu Ke brought his hands up in respect. Oh? It seemed to be important since he wanted to whisper it into her ear. Jiang Pengji kept her smile and stepped forward. Xu Ke lowered his voice and said, I have something I dont understand. Where did you find out about the unrest in Meng County, and when do you think it would spread throughout Hejian and other nearby counties? Jiang Pengji pondered for a moment. I first heard it from Wenzheng. You dont know him, but hes very interesting. I think he heard it from some Meng merchants. According to him, the Mengs sent their army to put Meng County under a lockdown. They placed some of their troops in strategic locations in Cang Prefecture under the guise of trying to capture turncoats No matter how they tried to clamp down on the public, they could not delay or hold back traveling merchants. Most news about the different counties were spread by traveling merchants. Even if the Mengs tried to detain the merchants, they could not stop them from doing their business. Cang Prefecture was flourishing, and they could not afford to stop any traveling merchants from hawking their wares. The Mengs were afraid that once the traveling merchants left Cang Prefecture, they would spread the news to the other counties. Even so, the merchants would still think twice before doing so, as most of them feared the influence the Mengs had in Cang Prefecture. They would keep their mouths shut if they still wanted to profit from Cang Prefecture. There was a small minority of merchants who left Cang Prefecture after the incident. Is this information reliable? Xu Ke asked. Definitely. When she thought of Meng Liang and his servant in the Liu residence, Jiang Pengji gave a smile filled with bloodlust. Even if there was no evidence about the turmoil in Meng County, that pair of guests in the residence were the most reliable sources. The spring ploughing had not even ended for a month, and if this incident were to spread, we might have to wait until summer to plough the fields. That would mean harvesting in autumn The farms might not be able to make ends meet if thats the case. We should have used up about half of last years harvest. If the turmoil spreads, the public may become anxious and start hoarding provisions. Those greedy rice merchants would make use of this opportunity, too, Xu Ke muttered. If one had enough provisions, they would not panic. How would the common folk react if the turmoil in Meng County spread? One did not even need to think hard about it. Xu Ke could imagine how much the inflation for rice would go up. He had experienced it once before when he was a child. His mother had sewn clothes, done laundry, and even sold a few fields just to buy rice. The hard-earned money could not even buy twice the usual amount of rice. The price had gone up to five times its usual rate. The black-hearted merchants only cared about money, and they had not a single thought for the poor souls who could not afford rice. Dongqing had suffered from droughts and famines for years. Rice was in extreme shortage and those who could not afford it, dug up wild grass and tree roots to satiate their hunger. Xu Ke had spent a period of time wandering as a warrior. He had hoped to be a chivalrous warrior and had traveled to many places. He also saw many ghastly sights. Its common for merchants to gain from calamities, Jiang Pengji said. Its not surprising. Whats surprising is that youre trying to set a trap with nothing. Xu Ke was startled before admiration took over his face and he said, Set a trap with nothing? Langjuns use of words is interesting. If thats what youre planning, you would need some bags of rice for it to work, she replied calmly. Xu Kes eyes flashed. Though it does go against the gentlemans code, I swear to you that it will not hurt the commoners. Why are you swearing to me? Are you afraid I wont agree? Jiang Pengji laughed. I was still thinking that youd need to fix your temper before you and I clash. But now? It feels all right. Whatever you do, you should not be at a disadvantage. Setting a trap without nothing? I like that! Jiang Pengji had guessed what Xu Ke was planning. Such a scheme was childs play in her era. But in the current one, it was considered overboard and no one would dare try it. The people in the current era saw merchants as the lowest life form, and they would not even think about trying to plot against them. Xu Ke was starting to get into the groove of things and proved to her that he could take on the role of an accountant. He could manage internal affairs with ease. But Jiang Pengji awkwardly started, The most important thing isCCwhere do we find bags of rice? Xu Kes smile froze on his face. His idea was good and he had thought far ahead about profits and how to make use of the rice but he had forgotten the most basic requirement: the rice. Chapter 139 - You Can’t Be More Unscrupulous (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xinro Bingqing: So the plan dies at the very beginning? The audience was laughing at her, but Jiang Pengji was not annoyed. Instead, her lips curved cunningly. Langjun, have you thought of something? asked Xu Ke. He secretly hoped she would seek help from Liu She. Purchasing piles of grain would not be a problem for the affluent family. In his opinion, it was reasonable for her, the future master of the family, to ask for Liu Shes assistance. Everything of the Lius would belong to her sooner or later. The illegitimate son in the backyard could only inherit no more than ten percent of the familys wealth and some antiquity. Gaining Liu Shes approval would mean they were halfway to success. Im thinking that perhaps we can get something more out of nothing. Jiang Pengjis smile was neither too intimate nor distant. What would that mean? Xu Ke was confused. Toudu Feiqiu: I have goosebumps every time the host smiles like this. I feel like someones going to have bad luck. The viewer had followed her channel from the first day of her livestream and knew her very well. Her style was both decisive and discreet, and she never ended her enemies lives before confirming twice that she had taken every possible advantage of them. If they were still useful at the moment, she would keep them alive until their values were all used up. Jiang Pengji squinted. Xiaoyu, do you know where the culprit of the mess in Meng is hiding right now? Xu Ke could not see why that would matter. The Mengs are one of the wealthiest houses in Dongqing. I bet they wont mind saving their legitimate son with some grain. Xu Kes eyes widened, and he could only utter a complete sentence after a moment. You mean the Langjun is here? Jiang Pengji opened her fan to cover her smile when she added, He came to us yesterday. Is the plan to pretend to be kidnappers and threaten the Mengs? Thats too dangerous. What if Meng Liang reveals the truth when he returns home? Xu Ke shook his head with disapproval. But as soon as he paused, he thought of another possibility. The few days he had spent with his new master were enough to make him recognize a fact: Jiang Pengji would never leave potential risks. Silly boy! Do you think Im such a fool? Jiang Pengji asked with contempt. Of course I will ask Meng Liang to write the letter himself and have it delivered by his close servant. All we need to do is arrange for receiving the grain. As for Meng Liang Ha! He cannot live after what he has done in Cang and Hejian. The ancient people said only the dead could keep a secret, especially those with the corpse unfound. While that contradicted common sense in the future, where dead people could actually tell more than the living did, that remained true in that underdeveloped world. No one could blame her for murdering Meng Liang without evidence. Xu Ke spoke with difficulty, You mean after we use him, he will He made a hand to gesture cutting his neck. Jiang Pengji snorted. Ill do more than that. Xu Kes mind was blank. Why could not he understand? What then? he asked. Jiang Pengji shook, as if disappointed by her bookkeeper. Dont you know the basics of scheming? Our image must remain as pure as white lilies after gaining all the benefits. So the next step is to make people point their fingers at others instead of us. Before Xu Ke responded, the audience started a wave of bullet screens. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: Only the host can link pure lilies and unscrupulous schemes together. Zixun Zhentan Juanmaoer: Hi, Im new to the channel! Though Ive heard about Meng Liangs disgusting crimes, I cant help but feel a little sorry for his bad luck to be the hosts target. Shenjun Honglian: I agree. He wont even know why the host is going to do that to him. Jiang Pengji was no caring, kind girl, yet that was exactly what attracted her viewers, and she would design others for her own advantages. Still, her acts, which defied social conventions, brought the audience novelty and thrill. Naiyouwei Xiangguazi: (laughcry) Am I the only one who notices she said basics? Cant imagine the advanced skills. (pray for Hosts future rivals) Jiang Pengjis plan also caused a headache to the System, and it asked, What if you accidentally leave clues and they find out you are behind this? The host made an uncaring reply in her mind, We must find a way to get our food. The computer analyzed her expression and suggested hesitantly, Host, your dads very rich, right? And youve got a list of wedding gifts erm, personal properties. That includes plenty of food in granaries. Apart from that, she could buy grain from the System. Why did she choose the riskier way instead? Jiang Pengji explained, Ive decided to provoke the Mengs because of three reasons. First, Liu She and I are separate individuals. I dont want to use what he has saved throughout the years. Second, purchasing from you will rouse suspicion in Liu She. Just because Im his daughter doesnt mean he will trust me completely. The last reason is the most important oneCCI want to make things more interesting. Things that are easy to obtain feel less precious. I want to add extra value to my gain. In other words, she made the decision mostly for the stakes and the excitement in the process. All of that meant more to her than the results. Chapter 140 - Langjun, That’s Dangerous (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After speaking for so long, the System had yet to make a peep. Forget it. Why am I even telling you all this? You dont even understand the thrill and fun, Jiang Pengji replied dully. System: What crime had it committed to be paired with such a host? I feel that, even if I were to update to version 2.0 I still wouldnt be able to keep up with you. If you cant keep up, so be it. It would be more fun to bully you that way. System: You have finally revealed your true intentions The System was not the only one who couldnt keep up with herCCeven Xu Ke felt that she could only be understood by the abnormal. Why do you look so shocked? Jiang Pengji grumbled. The issue is settled for now. For the next few days, just do what you have to and dont look like youre fearing anything. As for those thieves, just do as I ordered. Xu Ke brought his hands together and gave his promise. If it were any other upstanding gentlemen besides Xu Ke, they would most likely have a bad impression of Jiang Pengji, and could not get used to her shameless methods. Xu Ke was an ordinary boy who had been wandering for a period. His mother died a tragic death, he was thrown into jail after seeking revenge, and he nearly died. Such circumstances had shaped him to be different from a normal person. As long as Jiang Pengji did not do anything that would harm him or his interests, backed herself into a corner, or dug her own grave, he would not do anything to stop her. At most, he would try to straighten things up for her. Xu Ke hated people like Meng LiangCCthose who enjoyed all the privileges without doing a stroke of work. If Xu Ke had to die to give the Langjun he was loyal to the best possible benefit, so be it. He would not think for Meng Liangs sake unless he had hurt his brain. Jiang Pengji looked as though she was concentrating on the bamboo scroll, but in actual fact, she was multitasking. A plan had quickly formed in her mind. System! The System, that had been feigning ignorance, quickly turned into a puppy wagging its tail when it heard her call it. What are your orders? Is there any limit to how many times I can host a quest? Is there a cooldown? If not, I want to start another quest. The System was astonished. When did its host become so proactive? There is no limit, but such quests are tiring and most hosts take breaks in between. If theres no time limit, thats good. The last interaction mode was set by the viewers via voting. This time, lets have a half interaction mode. I get to set the theme. If you want to upgrade yourself, you better do it within these next two days. I might need to stream for quite a while in that mode. Ive decided to upgrade myself after todays stream. It should take an estimated twelve hours and would not take up your time for streaming tomorrow. As for the stream mode, have you decided on your theme? Even though the System felt weird about its hosts sudden eagerness in streaming, it was programmed to be happy about it. After all, a host and their System came as a setCCthey succeed or failed together. I have a theme. You can put up a preview title and let the viewers know. Jiang Pengjis smile could only be described as demonic. The title will be, The Art of Finishing Off Meng Liang.'' System: Har? Are you sure? Just post the title and dont ask so much. I know what to do and I wont mess up the stream. Within a few moments, her viewers noticed a preview title rolling across the screen. [Preview of the next streamCCThe Art of Finishing Off Meng Liang. Please look forward to it!!!] Eh! In a split second, the screen was filled with comments. Chun Lie: Can I know if the next stream is tomorrow? If yes, Ill stay on the channel the whole day! Zhende Jiangshan Ruhua: Finishing off? Someones gonna die. I pitied Meng Liang for just a second. Koujiao Chifan: I know killing is not right, but when I saw that preview, I was so excited. Tangchao Lizi: Excited +1. But I want to know when the next stream is. Itll be easier for me to make plans to tune in. Even though the channel had been upgraded to hold ten thousand viewers, Jiang Pengji was so popular that, to tune into her stream, a viewer had to have the best internet connection and the fastest fingers to get in. If they knew the timing for the next stream, her viewers could get in to watch. Host V: I dont have the exact time yet. You guys can follow my channel and be notified the moment I start the stream. When they received the reminder, many viewers quickly clicked Follow. And just like that, Jiang Pengjis channel received another few thousand followers. System: Even though its host really hated streaming, she knew when to exploit opportunities. Once Jiang Pengji was done with Xu Ke, she studied for a bit more before summoning the housekeeper. She asked about the whereabouts of Meng Liang and his servant. The housekeeper seemed prepared and gave her all the details of their day. He had been the Lius housekeeper for decades! Of course he was prepared to watch them like a hawk and make the necessary reports. He knew about Meng Liangs situation, but as a servant, he could not say much. Regardless of whose child Meng Liang was, now that he was in the Liu residence, he should behave himself. Get someone to watch Meng Liang. Report everything to me, Jiang Pengji said. She paused for a moment before adding, Also, when the other servants are washing their clothes or cleaning their rooms, make sure theyre observant. See if they have these herbs on them Also, dont let them near the kitchens. While speaking, Jiang Pengji removed the sachets she got from Yingchun Mansion. The old housekeeper was experienced and knowledgeable; he should know what the herbs were for. This? The housekeeper looked at the obviously male sachets and could not help but think of the worst. Chapter 141 - Langjun, That’s Dangerous (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji made a contemptuous laugh. These dried herbs can affect ones consciousness. Adding them into burning censers or food can cause one to sweat abnormally, his heart beat faster, with a surge of lust blurring his consciousness. An overdose can be deadly It can stop ones heartbeat abruptly, and make him foam at the mouth and cramp. Her words alarmed her audience. The description sounded so much like that! Koujiao Chifan: Damn, isnt that opium poppy? Zhende Jiangshan Ruhua: Come on, it looks totally different. I study Chinese medicine and have never seen this. I guess its normal to see plants that dont exist in our dimension. Tangchao Lizi: Host, lets destroy it. It sounds scary. The housekeeper shared the same thought, and he looked at Jiang Pengji with shock and concern. Where had she obtained such drugs? Langjun, are we going to he trailed off and thought, add this into Meng Liangs meals? Before he finished, Jiang Pengji interrupted, I found this by chance, but its related to Meng Liang and I suspect he and his servant are taking it with them, too. Im worried about them putting it into the ladies censers or dishes. In fact, she had exaggerated the effects of the herbs. If it was used in a small amount, their scent could indeed help lift peoples spirit, while its refined extracts could cause the serious harm she mentioned. What was contained in the two packets had undergone elementary refinement. Together with the large dose, they could make one dizzy if placed in a stuffy room. That must have helped those rascals a lot in abusing the ladies. Although Jiang Pengji would not kill Meng Liang within that week, she would not let him hurt any other girls, eitherCCespecially after she had learned about his disgusting scheme towards her stepmother and other females in the family. It seemed Meng Liang could not wait to die, huh? If that was what he wanted, Jiang Pengji was glad to help after maximizing her own benefits from his death. The housekeeper promised indignantly, If those shameless creatures dare to use the herbs in our house, I will break their legs myself! This is the Lius in Hejian, not their house in Cang! Jiang Pengji hid her smile. They will leave a few days later. Meanwhile, please arrange more guards to the guest rooms Lets hope this is his last visit. The old man nodded solemnly. When his gaze dropped on the packets, he hesitated, and suggested carefully, Since these can be harmful, I should not let Langjun take them. Please allow me to burn them. Jiang Pengji shook her head, turning the packets over and over again in her palm. Her thin lips opened. I understand your concern, but I need them at the moment. I wont let them affect me. The housekeeper sighed. She was becoming more independent as she grew up. If you say so. Still, please remember your safety is of utmost importance. He had served the family for years and had watched the youngster grow up. Although Liu Xis birth and status were far superior, to him she was like his own grandchild, and he did not want to see her harmed or injured. Ill be careful. Dont worry. Jiang Pengji nodded. How would she make a trap for herself? Before she left, she suddenly remembered something. Oh, yesCCI want to learn about Xu Kes family. Maybe we can send his close relatives a little help. The old servant was surprised by her care for Xu Ke, but it was not surprising when he considered the similar way Master Liu treated him. Xu Ke would probably play a crucial role in the house in the future. Ill do as you said. Very nice. She added the last task because of Liu Shes reminder. Unlike where she had come from, it was a world where relationships were emphasized, especially those among family members. The ties between teachers and students, and the bonds among friends came only second to family. She had to be aware of the social practices here. Take her stepmother and Meng Liang as an exampleCCJiang Pengji thought Meng Liang must die regardless of his tie with the lady, because that would not compensate for his faults. However, the normal response in her eye would appear cold-hearted and even merciless to the ancient people. One may think she was insensitive to feelings, but the fact was the contrary. Thus, she immediately realized the importance of changing her mindset and thinking more about personal relationships when necessary. Xu Ke was her laboratory mouse. The housekeeper was much more efficient than most young servants, and he performed his tasks without delay. Langjun, this is what theyve hidden. As he pushed a sophisticated, thumbnail-sized blush palette towards her, his eyes were widened out of anger, and his breath was heavier than usual. Were it not for Jiang Pengji, no one would have suspected Meng Liang would bring such a filthy item to the family. They could not search their guests like guards in the palace did. I like the design. Jiang Pengji opened it. The fragrant of the pressed powder inside could be smelled from a distance. Smelling it for a while could make one feel hot and restless. She was going to touch the powder when the housekeeper stopped her hurriedly. Please be careful! Jiang Pengji grinned with ease. The small dose cant affect me. Chapter 142 - Langjun, That’s Dangerous (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The box was no bigger than a thumbnail and its contents were the herbs mentioned previously, grinded into fine powder. There was some medicine that promoted blood circulation added into the mix, too. The concoction would leave a person with a dry mouth, feverish skin, and delusional. It was a potent date rape drug. Tsk! Even though the current era was backwards in technology, it was still pretty advanced in such medicines. Jiang Pengji used a handkerchief to wipe off the powder that had gotten on her before closing the box. Thats all? The old housekeeper had a neutral expression and his eyes were bright. She could not help heaving a sigh of relief. Thinking back about what the page boy had said, his face turned bashful. Of course thats not all. There are some absurd things. I shant taint your ears and eyes with them. Also, as to not alert them to what we know, I did not ask. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and guessed the absurd things were probably some sex toys. Inform my father about this, too. He should know what to do. That Meng Liang must be scheming something to bring such things into our house, Jiang Pengji said while placing the box into her own money pouch. The housekeeper had reached out to take the box back, but froze midway. As Meng Liang had entered the Lius manor under the guise of the second ladys son, he could use filial piety as a means to dine with her. He watched the lady eat her food elegantly and his mouth went dry. She was once his fathers legal wife and his birth mother in name. The taboo in touching her brought much excitement to him, but as this was the Lius residence, he did not dare act rashly. Compared to using force, he preferred the half-willing and half-unwilling typeCCthat was more fun. When he thought of how, without anyones notice, the Liu mistress would become his woman, the scenario brought a smile to his face. The lady gazed at the girl coldly and her heart filled with loathing. What are you thinking, to be this happy? She put down her chopsticks as she lost her appetite at the sight of the other boy. Meng Liang quickly regained himself and stopped his straying thoughts before he politely replied, When I was in the Meng manor, I kept thinking about dining with you, just like this. I cant believe my dream finally came true Tsk. That glib tongue of his was very much like his fathers. Too bad no one knew what color his heart was. The lady felt disgusted, but her expression remained stoic. That must have been hard on you. Mothers healthier now. No matter what hardship I went through, it was all worth it. If they were truly mother and son, she would be so touched to hear that. But when she thought back about how he was from that concubine and used to replace her own son, she was furious. As her mood had turned sour, she found an excuse to kick Meng Liang out. Since he was trying to be a filial son, he did not dare object. Meng Liang could not vent his anger on the lady, so he took it out on his page boy. To be hit by you is my honor. The page boys cheeks were red and swollen from the slaps he received. If someone were to see this, they might misunderstand you and think that something was my fault. Please calm down. Once were inside, you can punish me until your hands hurt. Meng Liang harrumphed and entered the house. He sat down and gulped down two cups of tea. The boy understood Meng Liang well. He must have left empty-handed for him to behave in such a way. Such a cold-hearted woman. No wonder father hates her. When Meng Liang thought about how she muddled through her actions with him, he was furious. He was not even that filial with his own mother. That woman was so pretentious, and she even carelessly sent him away. It was a humiliation to him. Dont be angry. You were brought up by the master Its natural that you and her arent close, the page boy quickly consoled. Then what should I do? Shes on guard against me. She wont drink the porridge I sent and wont let me near her Based on what Ive seen, you should do this in a roundabout way. The lady lost her position and then married Liu Zhongqing. She treats his son well, which means she still has her maternal instincts. How about this? Try getting closer to Liu Langjun and befriend him. Her attitude towards you will be better when she sees that youre close to her stepson. Do you think that would work? Meng Liang lifted his head to look at the other boy. The page boy released a sigh of relief. If you dont try it, how would we know? If that doesnt work, you can still settle it with me any time. You are that ladys real son. No matter how cold she is on the outside, her heart should be with you. Furthermore, Liu Langjun is Liu Zhongqings first wifes son. If she were to have any children, their position would be lower than Liu Langjun. When he noticed Meng Liangs expression wavering, he quickly fanned the flames and added, Anyways, dont just think that the lady treats Liu Langjun well. We dont know if she hates him in her heart. Even if you and her arent close, at the end of the day, you two are blood related.'' Meng Liang pondered over it and found that reasonable. I will try it. If that doesnt work and is just a stupid suggestion, you better be careful. The page boy smiled, but in his heart, he was relieved. He thought he had averted a crisis, but he was unaware that he had walked right into one of Jiang Pengjis traps. She had set a few traps and was waiting for Meng Liang to step right in. The page boy, on the other hand, would be the tool to her plot before he would die quietly. That night, two or three shadows snuck into the farms. One of them noticed some stuff stacked neatly in the corner of the kitchen. He went forward to check and found a few pieces of bedding, some warm clothes, and some medicines for colds and wounds. The person was flustered. Officer, this Chapter 143 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The most muscular man among them wiped away the sweat on his face, which appeared horrifying with the dried blood and wounds that had not yet healed. The black and white in his eyes was distinct, adding determination and strong will to his features. They have left these for us They are not common villagers. Have they noticed us? What should we do now, chief? The men were compelled to steal for their sick or injured brothers who were on the verge of death. They hated what they were doing, but they had no other choice. To avoid suspicion, they only took a bit from each household every time. How would the villagers notice? Lets take these and leave. The chief began to collect the items. The villagers are helping us. Otherwise, we will be fighting with their guards now. Is that so? One of his companions was not quite certain. The military chief said, They might have guessed our plight from the few items we have taken, and so they decided to offer assistance. Just accept these and we will thank them someday when we can. They were at the wealthiest household they had ever seen with the largest storage of grain. The tenants there had lived with an abundant amount of food and clothes, and they could even save some money for themselves each monthall of which showed how generous their landlord was. On the contrarythe other tenants were meager, and the skin of their limbs cracked. The exploitation of gentry and local officials caused constant hunger and poverty in their families, and made personal savings for the tenants impossible. The other men were assured by the chief, whom they deeply trusted. When they returned with the large pack and opened it, they realized how considerate the owner was. There were quilted clothes for the chilly night, blankets, medicines that could save their lives, pieces of clean white cloth, and two bunches of pork belly wrapped in lotus leaves. A man weighed the meat with his hands; it was at least five catties. The chopped bones near the meat could be used to make a nutritious soup. Apart from those items, they also found two liters of rice, some earthenware, and a pot for boiling medicinal herbs. It all might be common, but it reflected the owners thoughtfulness. And this One of them with a sharp eye took something out of the folded blankets. It was two taels of silver pieces. Before they had left their motherland, they were merely ordinary items that every one of them could afford, but the drastic change had placed them into the predicament of hunger, illness, and wounds. The households aids were like charcoals offered in bitter winter. All the tough mens eyes were reddened with tears. Hurry upstew the meat, make the soup, boil the medicine! You all know what to do. The military chief, Meng Hun, was the first to recover from sadness, and he gave the blankets to the injured companions. The cave they were hiding in was humid and cold, and there were puddles on the earth. Although they had covered them with branches and grass, the conditions were not inducive to healing. Meng Hun could not describe his gratitude for the owner. With the medicine, white cloth, and blankets, his companions stood a greater chance of surviving. He could hardly bear the mornings when he woke up to see his brothers lying pale and lifeless. Even without spices, the fresh pork alone made a delicious meal. The people then had some hot pork bone soup and sticky congee, which seemed to warm up every inch of their bodies. It brought them back from hell to earth. It was until then that Meng Hun was fully at ease. He faked calmness in front of his soldiers, yet he shared their worries about poisons being added to the food. As it turned out, the farmhouse owner was really hoping to help them. Meng Hun began to feel ashamed of his suspicion. Chief, should we go ask about the household tomorrow? Ancient people could not accept others help without reciprocating. They had to thank the owner by any means that they could. Meng Hun gulped down the steaming congee and ground his teeth together. Of course. Im not well mannered, but I wont forget about reciprocity. Someday, after I have avenged my familys death, I will give the owner my life! Wanted by the Mengs, the chief understood that he must not get the household involved in their conflict. As he mentioned revenge, one of them clenched their teeth. Where is that d*mn cunning b*stard? Meng Hun was certain. Even though Meng Liang is going to escape to Shangjing, he wont stop his shameless deeds. Hejian is famous for its beauties. Now that no one is around to restrain him, he will definitely do something here before he leaves to another county. They would find Meng Liang as long as they kept a close eye. Some days before, he and three companions had found clues that proved Meng Liang was really in Hejian. The scene of his wifes and daughters desperate deaths reappeared in Meng Hun and agitated him. His fists clenched tight, and the blood vessels on his forehead became so visible that they seemed to penetrate his skin. He wanted to kill Meng Liang at that moment! He had been loyal to the Mengs ever since he had served them as a junior guard. He was willing to die for the house, and the hundreds of scars on his body were the best proof of his devotion. To protect the family, he had almost lost his life in a number of terrible fights. While he was not knowledgeable and could barely write and read, he had never forgotten about the basic principles of loyalty and integrity. To thank the care of the Mengs for his family, he was determined to serve them with his current life and, if possible, in his next life. What did the Mengs give him in return? His wife and daughter perished after Meng Liangs humiliation! Still, Meng Hun did not hate the Meng house; he only hated the culprit, Meng Liang. Chapter 144 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When he remembered all that his wife and daughter had gone through, and the despair he had felt at that time, a surge of fury and bloodlust overtook him. His fury affected the other men with him. The soup he was drinking quickly lost its flavor in the face of his fury. Well have our chance to take revenge against that little b*stard. Well kill him then hold a ceremony to appease your wife and daughters souls. A man to the side of him lifted his left hand and gave a heavy pat to Meng Huns shoulder. His right arm was injured and he had just cleaned his wound with some clean water before applying medicine to it. He had his arm in a white sling tied around his neck, which hindered his mobility. Your wife and daughter will bless us and ensure that we can help them seek revenge. The good will be rewarded. Another man hummed his agreement. He was not glib of tongue and was one to speak his mind. He was also terrible at consoling others. Meng Hun regained his senses from that pat on his shoulder. His expression was still solemn but he was no longer stewing in his rage and bloodlust. When the other men noticed his expression, they all looked worried. The huge man before them was their leader and he was also the one who saved them from the reapers scythe. He was struggling emotionally and yet, he still took care of them. In retrospect, what did the Mengs do? They owed their glory and wealth to their ancestors while the made their riches off of the hard work of the common folk! That was why when Meng Hun had clamped down on his own emotions and said, I want to revolt, these men followed him without any hesitation. Compared to the Mengs who relied on their ancestors wealth, the men had more faith in Meng Hun. The good will be rewarded? Meng Hun repeated tonelessly, as though he had lost his soul. He buried his blood-caked face into his good hand. If that were true, then why did his virtuous wife and quick-witted daughter have such misfortune befall them? Hidden away in the cave, the few men were silent as they pondered over their own thoughts. None dared to bother Meng Hun. Moonlight shrouded the farm and the air was still. Xu Ke could be considered the main houses confidant and he had good control over the farms. At night, he would light a lamp and note down various expenses and the daily training that took place. If he still had time after doing so, he would do some reading. That day, he was finished bookkeeping, but he did not pull out any bamboo scrolls to read. Instead, he put on his cloak and picked up the oil lamp on the table. He held a hand up to shield the flickering flame from the wind and walked towards the kitchen. He stepped closer towards the corner where he had piled the medicine and other items. The items were no longer there as expected; any footprints that would have been left behind were wiped clean. The gift seems small but the gesture isnt. I hope this gift can reach their hearts. Xu Ke paced around the place and smirked. He quickly lost his amusement when he thought, Tsk! Even so, this gift has cost us six or seven taels If he knew he would have spent more than half of what he had, he would have gotten more money from his Langjun. Xu Ke frowned and guarded the flickering flame while he made his way back to his room. Ordinary people would only get to eat meat during the new year. Those two packets of pork belly were expensive. Furthermore, Xu Ke had purposely made a trip down to the pharmacy to procure the medicine and white cloth. The medicine was effective and thus, costly. New bedding, warm clothes, ceramic tableware, and others added up to six or seven taels, too! He hoped his young master had not made a mistake. If the items were given away and did not manage to get the others loyalty Heh, Xu Ke thought that his sneaky young master would be hard to appease. By then, at whom would that anger be directed? Xu Ke closed the door to keep the cold out. He then moved the charcoal basin closer to himself to warm up his frozen, stiff fingers. Ill know their reaction tomorrow Xu Ke snorted. He then opened a bamboo scroll he had borrowed from Jiang Pengji and started reading. At times he would frown while he perused the scroll, while at other times, a look of dawning realization would take over his face. The next morning, the Lius gatekeeper yawned as he walked out of the gates. Coincidentally, a plain looking carriage was making its way towards him. A loud whistle sounded and the horses halted, effectively stopping the carriage in front of the residence doors. The gatekeeper rubbed his eyes sleepily and finally focused on the carriage emblem. It was their second Langjuns mentors, Wei Gongcao, carriage. Master Wei is really dedicated. Hes here to teach the Langjun after recovering from his illness, the gatekeeper thought while he sent someone to bring the housekeeper over. He quickly went forward to welcome the Langjuns master, yet the one who came out was not him, but a young man. The young man was tall and huge. His clothes were obviously brand new and the type worn by scholars. He wore a cloak and his hair was pulled up neatly into a knot. The young man looked to be a scholar based on the way he was dressed, but his posture and height was daunting. When the gatekeeper took a closer look, the mans features did not look like he was one from the Central Plains, but rather someone from the northern Xinjiang area. The man stepped on the stool the gatekeeper brought over before he turned around and held back the carriage curtains. The next man to exit was Wei Gongcao. Master Gongcao, weve arrived. Qiguan Rang still retained his stern and grave expression. It may be due to the suns rays, but the cold gaze he had seemed to soften marginally. Wei Gongcao lifted his head to look at the sky before he returned his gaze to the tightly shut doors. Only the side door was left ajar. When the servants saw Wei Yuan, they all thought that he was there to coach their second young master. None of them thought he was there to resign from his post. When Liu She heard the purpose of Wei Yuans visit, he was instantly awoken and he had on a solemn expression. My mischievous son has angered you? Even though Liu She had allowed Jiang Pengji to further her studies in Langye County, he was not expecting Wei Yuan to personally visit him and resign from his post. He pondered over what would have brought Wei Yuan over and a sense of uneasiness settled over him. He was afraid that Jiang Pengji did not know the weight of her words and had said something that may have upset the other man. If she had offended any other man, it would not have been a problem. The issue was that Wei Yuans reputation amongst scholars in Dongqing was second to none! If there were no other reasonable ways to appease him based on the current societal ways, then his daughters words would hold no weight. A teacher for a day was a father for a lifetime. Respecting ones teacher was akin to filial piety. Wei Yuan smiled and said, Zhongqing, be at ease. I have given this much thought and it has nothing to do with Lanting. Qiguan Rang did not have the social standing or the age to join the other two men in their conversation. He sat down behind Wei Yuan and submitted himself to be in the background. He did not expect Wei Yuan to bring him along to the Lius, but he knew in his heart. The older man thought of him as his future son-in-law, so that was why. The most unexpected part, however, was that his eight characters had yet to be announced and he was receiving such preferential treatment. Since it has nothing to do with Lantings mischief, then why are you resigning? Chapter 145 - How To Lend a Helping Hand (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She had noticed the youngster behind Wei Yuan at their arrival, and Wei Yuans intention was clear: he wanted to introduce the teenager to him so that he may look after him at the court in the future. Still, their subject at the moment was solely Wei Yuans resignation. Wei Yuan joked with a bitter smile, Liu Zhongqing, youre going to make me say it, arent you? You know your child and I cant get along, and it will do more harm than good if I continue teaching him. I figured out I should leave before you ask me to. Still Liu She was hesitant. What about Lantings study? Certainly, I hope all the best for him. After all, Ive taught him for some time. Wei Yuan took out a reference letter from his sleeve. The father opened it with confusion, and then appeared shocked. How can Lanting become Master Yuanjings pupil? The child is so plain! The teacher shook his head. He doesnt have to become Yuanjings pupil in order to learn from him. Weve all heard about the strange man and can tell Lantings temperaments will not suit his taste. I recommend the child go there because Langye is a place that accommodates the most talent in the kingdom. Its time for him to leave home and make friends in a new environment. While one-on-one teaching at home was desired for many families, Wei Yuan found Liu Lanting too shy and timid, and thought that he should go out to acquaint his peers. If he had come from the modern times, he would call Liu Lanting a couch potatotoo lazy to take a step outdoor. It would be the best if Yuanjing accepted the role of Jiang Pengjis master. If not, she could still read and socialize in Langye Academy. She needed friends and allies to survive in the court, especially when her father was an influential bureaucrat with many competitors. Those men would not show mercy to the feeble kid of their rival. Since Jiang Pengji would be confronted by her dads opponents, she had to expand her social network as soon as possible. These were all Wei Yuans concerns for Jiang Pengji. Liu She was of the same opinion. He was planning to visit Wei Yuan about his resignation if he had not come on his own initiative. Since he was there, however, it saved much trouble for Liu She, and he thought he should thank him for it. Gongcao, youve done a lot for my child. Liu She sighed as he carefully folded up the letter. Its been years since our last meet. Will you stay for lunch? Their friendship was a little more than a common acquaintance, although the two were not close friends. I cant say no to your invitations. Wei Yuan laughed and touched his beard. Liu Shes response was as he expected. Liu She raised and ordered for their meals. Then, as if he had just noticed the youngster next to Wei Yuan, he faked a surprise look and teased, Is this a member of your family? Qiguan Rang had stared at the ground quietly during their previous chat, and only gestured to show respect when Liu She mentioned him. Wei Yuan smiled. Not yet, but soon. Liu She immediately understood that the boy was his soon-to-be son-in-law, and he observed Qiguan Rang curiously. It was a youngster with a pleasing air. His elegance was not affected by his rough clothing. Liu She praised, I wonder where Gongcao met this exceptional young man! Wei Yuan was proud of his choice. Qiguan Rang, at the same time, held his hands into loose fists and remained silent. The usually composed teenager could barely conceal his nervousness in front of his idolhe was one of most popular figures in Dongqing at the time. Wei Yuan showed his humbleness for both Qiguan Rang and himself, so saying that was flattering. How should I call you? Liu She asked amiably. Wei Yuan let Qiguan Rang reply for himself. He had taken the youngster with him to meet Liu She so it would be better if the two could have a chat. Im Qiguan Rang. Good day, Officer Liu. Inexplicably, Liu She fell into silence, and then smiled. Where are you from? Shangyu at the northern border, replied the teenager. Liu She looked down solemnly, and his voice further softened. Do you have another name? Yes, its Wenzheng. Its given by my teacher. Liu She guessed that he needed peace for a moment. Qiguan Rang, also called Qiguan Wenzheng, was born in Shangyu. He had lost his wife at a young age That alone could not astonish Liu She. He also knew Qiguan Rang would become a cruel man who would burn the palace a few years later and order beheadings to all royalty in favor of the master he would serve. What was more, he was one of the few who could defeat the force of Empress Chen, Liu Xi, at the moment, with his unpredictable intrigues. Still, if that was everything he had learned, he would not lose his words. According to Gu Min, the future master of Qiguan Rang was susceptible to rumors. He had distrusted Qiguan Rang because of the rumors and had imprisoned him, and Qiguan Rang retaliated by designing the master in prison and forcing him into hopelessness. On the day that Empress Chen defeated the master, Qiguan Rang opened the town gate to receive her. He would then work for her. A wise man chooses the most competent master, like a bird picks the strongest branch to live on. My old master has deserted me. Now, Im his rival. Chapter 146 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Normally, a person that was so disloyal, hopped to different jobs so much, and always took advantage of their old boss would be cast aside by the people. Yet, Qiguan Rang was highly valued by the current emperor. Gu Min had said before that Qiguan Rang was widely despised in history regardless of if it was military matters or as the current emperors advisor. His relationship with other people was terrible and his rise in the ranks was all due to the current emperors protection. Liu She studied Qiguan Rang carefully, as though he was trying to look for something on his face. Gu Min had created a mystery about the future emperor before her death. The Great Ancestor of the future emperor never had an empress, and the harem was empty as well. History had also stated that the emperor did not have a male consort, and yet, they had a daughter. The imperial mausoleum had an unknown male body. This begged the question of who Jiang emperors father was. Based on what Gu Min had said, it seemed that the later ages had made all sorts of guesses and theories about the man by the emperors side. Qiguan Rang was among the top ten. The reason was that the current emperor trusted and protected him. It would have given him many benefits. He ended up dying a natural death, despite all the things he had done. As long as one was disloyal once, they would never be able to break that image of themselves. Many people found Qiguan Rang unloyal and would have tried to backstab him; yet, the current emperor had ordered everyone to shut up about it and it was written into history. The world is a big place. Other than me, who is worthy to be called the lord of justice? Qiguan Rang had once said that only a worthy lord deserved to rule, and the emperor had said that only she was worthy to be a lord. In other words, who would Qiguan Rang be loyal to other than her? Liu She ran that thought through his mind a few times and found nothing out of the ordinary. He calmly replied, Wenzheng? Thats a good name. Good his a**! Qiguan Rang did not live up to his courtesy name (based on what Gu Min had said). Where was the worthiness, compliance, remonstrate with ones superior, or even the upright reputation? Qiguan Rang had no idea about the turmoil going through Liu Shes mind. Be at ease. Gongcao and I are of the same rank, so you are my junior Liu She changed the topic. Lanting had mentioned to me that Gongcaos residence has a wonderful, younger man. I guess he meant Wenzheng. Even though the man Qiguan Rang idolized seemed to be amiable and approachable, he felt like something was amiss. He had some knowledge on things but Liu She had not tested or instructed him. The moment he met him, it was like Liu She had already seen through him. Liu Shes actions were sincere; it had not seemed as though he was feigning civility. Before Qiguan Rang could analyze things further, Liu She called the housekeeper over and asked what Jiang Pengji was doing. Wei Yuan was very pleased and quickly said, I still have some things to discuss with Zhongqing. Wenzheng, visit Lanting on my behalf. As for what the discussion was about, only Wei Yuan and Liu She knew. The current Dongqing was on the verge of collapse and there were still people leading befuddled lives. Wei Yuan was anxious and could only come to Liu She for some information. He had also wanted to check on Liu Shes connection to the Mengs. He still wanted revenge on Meng Liang. Youve met my father? Qiguan Rang followed the housekeeper to Jiang Pengjis study room. The moment he took a step in, he was floored by her lazy posture. She was leaning against a small desk and her hair was pulled back behind her head. She looked like she had just woken up. Beside her were stacks of books and bamboo scrolls haphazardly piled together. Yes. Qiguan Rang walked forward and sat near her. The two had met only twice, but they felt at ease with one another. Jiang Pengji straightened up and smiled. How was it? Qiguan Rang deliberately considered his words. Officer Liu is amiable. It doesnt feel as hard to approach him about what rumors have gone around. I heard about how he had changed Xu County, so I thought he would be invasive, obstinate, or have some bold visions, but hes actually very benevolent. And then? Jiang Pengji asked. Qiguan Rang smiled. I think he should have some aides who are swift and ruthless in their actions. Based on my observations, officer Liu is too kind-hearted to be able to change Xu County. He would need some ruthless aides to take charge. Both Qiguan Rang and Jiang Pengji were able to deduce how a person would react to a situation based on their temperament. Xu County was a tough place. It needed a ruthless governor to weed out the bad seeds for life to grow. Based on Liu Shes temperament, if he did not have any aides helping him, Jiang Pengji thought he would have chosen the more peaceful approach. Maybe. But I never heard about any aides from father, and he doesnt talk about work at home. Tell me, what did he talk to you about? What was his expression? Jiang Pengji made friends based on her instincts and judgement. Qiguan Rang was the same as her and thus, the two felt very at ease with each other. Because of that, Qiguan Rangs impression of Jiang Pengji was much better. He was quiet for awhile before he began to describe everything that had happened. That means that father was very satisfied and interested in you? Qiguan Rangs expression turned self-deprecating. He was very aware of his status. If Wei Yuan was not interested in having him as his son-in-law, he was just a regular folk from the border. Half of his blood was from the north of Xinjiang, which made his position in society awkward. When he was younger, he was ridiculed and despised for being a mixed blood. He did not see himself as a lower class citizen, so would not accept it if others saw him that way. Lanting, you overestimate me. Im just a regular folk, how could I get officer Liu to regard me favorably? Then do you mean to say that you think you arent worthy of anything? Jiang Pengji quickly replied. Qiguan Rang choked on her words and wanted to reach for his fan before he realized he did not bring it. Even if those words I said are supposed to be humble, I would not really think of myself as worthless. Then what are you worried about? Youre worthy, so why cant my father regard you favorably? Qiguan Rang was speechless. Chapter 147 - How To Lend a Helping Hand (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If the System were not upgrading, it would probably have complaint. She could not assume others to be arrogant like her! Qiguan Rang sighed before speaking his mind. I feel a little uneasy about Officer Lius high opinion. Jiang Pengji chuckled. Why? My father isnt going to have you as my sisters husband. Youre way too old for the nine-year-old. Dont over-think. He wont hurt you. That sounded right. Still, unlike Feng Jin, Qiguan Rang would not give up arguing with her. I wont be surprised at all if youre trapped someday for provoking others. He hated it when she teased him with marriage. Jiang Pengji widened her eyes. Humph! Theyll be like eggs hitting a rock then. Why? He was puzzled. Those who can argue with me cant beat me. Those who can beat me arent born yet. Just leave him alone! She then changed the subject. How will Master Wei deal with that? The referent was obvious. Qiguan Rang replied, Thats a thorny problem. As Meng Liang is involved, Master Gongcao alone can hardly confront the Mengs, who are determined to keep Meng Liang intact, unless His eyes turned and he made a low laugh. Unless we come up with a secret plan. Without his family, Meng Liang was just nobody. What do you think? Jiang Pengji inquired. Qiguan Rang thought for a moment and said, We dont know where the military chief is at the moment. Ive asked some merchants about him and can infer what he will do if hes still alive. After a pause, he continued, He will not let Meng Liang get away from his misdeeds. Now that he has betrayed the Mengs and set the county chiefs house on fire, he is probably hiding somewhere for a chance to murder Meng Liang. In other words, its very likely that he has also arrived in Hejian! Jiang Pengji listened attentively and smiled. Youre planning to kill Meng Liang with his sword? He admitted it. Master Gongcao could not fight the Mengs. They must think twice and refrain themselves from impulsive revenge for the stakes were too high. Otherwise, the eminent house would torment the family and make them pay the price. What they needed was a scheme that could both tackle Meng Liang and protect Wei Yuan. Jiang Pengji remarked, We are of the same mind, but I think we can do more. For example? She stood up and told him, Follow me and youll know. He thought she was taking him to her home but instead, the carriage headed to the countryside. Jiang Pengji said nothing on the journey. Qiguan Rang thus closed his eyes to take a nap. As they rode to the farm village, the bumping was increasingly vigorous, despite the refined design of the carriage. When they had arrived and the driver took out the stool for their alighting, Qiguan Rang finally raised his question, Lanting, what are we here for? Youll know soon. Ah, theyre already here. Look! She hopped to the ground as she usually did, while Qiguan Rang maintained his manner and got off with a step on the stool. His gaze followed the direction which her finger was pointing at, and spotted a dozen of people running towards them from the woods far away. Those men were soaked in sweat as if they could not feel the cool weather, their clothes stuck to their skin, roughly drawing their muscular body shape. Their lips were pale, and their cheeks covered with dripping beads of sweat. Qiguan Rang squinted and noticed the cotton pads on their shoulders, supporting a bamboo basket of appalling weight which could be imagined from their exhausted expressions, streams of sweat on their countenances and the deep footprints they left behind. Who are they? My soldiers. Her reply was brief. The men ran passed them with heavy panting yet none had diverted their gaze, as if they could not see them. Jiang Pengji continued, Dont you think theres someone missing? Qiguan Rang observed again. Wheres the leader He abruptly stopped and turned to Jiang Pengji. Theyre now more like abused prisoners than training soldiers, and they need an alpha wolf to gather them for real fights. You mean He gasped. What if this irritates the Mengs? Her intention was clear: she wanted to recruit the military chief. The idea shocked Qiguan Rang, who had always considered himself quite a bold young man. So what? Jiang Pengji shrugged. The Mengs are merely feeble people indulged in the good old days. Now that Dongqing is dying, what can they do? Qiguan Rang lost his speech. Although the same words had repeated in his minds thousands of times before, he never dared to say the doomed fate so blatantly. Jiang Pengji snorted. As far as I know, Nansheng is going to lose the battle with the four southern tribes. Since thats our neighboring kingdom, what do you think will happen to Dongqing when Nansheng is defeated and seeks help from us? Can our king, already troubled by other external and internal issues, withstand all these whirlpools and stay on his throne in the end? If the southern tribes ended the rule of Nansheng, Dongqing would be threatened by foreign forces in both the north and the south. In order to save Nansheng, the kingdom had no choice but to offer assistance. However, Dongqing had long been despising the military and upheld pure scholarly study instead. The only competent army at the moment was from the Count of Zhenbei, whom His Majesty was constantly alarmed at. Did Dongqing stand a chance to survive? Not really. Chapter 148 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If they were to be plunged into the midst of chaos and revolt, the Mengs were nothing more than just a prestigious family. They may have their own private army, but their numbers were limited. They had no prospective future generations to continue their line. The bit of military power that they had would allow them to survive the chaos. If they wanted to deal with her, however? That would be a joke! Qiguan Rang quickly regained himself and steeled himself for more shocking news to come. You can continue speaking. With your audacious personality, this should not be the end of it. My bookkeeper gave me an idea. Jiang Pengji gave a sweet smile that chilled Qiguan Rang to his core. What idea? Jiang Pengji quickly summarized what Xu Ke had planned. That is certainly a bold idea, but it could be implemented. The only problem is where we would get our rice from Jiang Pengji smiled. While we were having a headache over that, Meng Liang landed in our lap. Wouldnt it be such a waste if we let that slip away? When Xu Ke had reached that part of the plan. He was troubled by Jiang Pengji and had no idea what she was planning. Qiguan Rang, on the other hand, was clear. Because he could see her plan, he was dumbfounded by her actions. What youre trying to say is that you want to use Meng Liang in exchange for a large amount of rice, then let that officer kill him? You plan to inform the public that the officer is now in your hands, but you will let him secretly kill Meng Liang so that he will owe you and be the one responsible for his death? Such a thick-skinned individual! After profiting from this, theyre going to pull off the Im at a disadvantage look? Ah, you missed something. If the officer dies by my hand, I could still ask the Mengs to pay me. Qiguan Rang was speechless. Not only that, but she could use the rice she received to make the rich families with the rice pay. From the start of her plan to the finish, she would not need to fork out any cost; she would profit from it. Qiguan Rang was curious and asked, Why do you feel the need to inform me of something so important? Master Wei is getting you as his son-in-law, yet you have nothing of value on you. Of the three letters and six rites, which one are you getting? Qiguan Rang was silent for a beat before he replied, Lanting, youre planning to buy my loyalty? Was he that cheap? Telling him all that seemed to be buying his trust up front, but in actual fact, she was dragging him down with her. If the plan failed, he went down with her. If it was a success, then he would benefit a little from it. No matter how he thought about it, he didnt stand to gain much. Jiang Pengji lifted a hand with an aim to pat his shoulder, but she was short and could only reach his arm. The importance is not about the gifts, but rather the heart. The heart that wants anothers life? Qiguan Rang felt like crying but unexpectedly, he was all right with the plan. Liu Lantings personality was very much like his. Xu Ke received the order that Jiang Pengji wanted him over at the main residence and quickly rushed over. When he arrived, he saw his young master laughing and chatting with a young man. The latters expression was cold, but his expression seemed fond. Ke pays his respects to Langjun. Xu Ke brought his hands together in greeting and quietly studied Qiguan Rang. An odd gleam flashed through his eyes. Qiguan Rang noticed the thick dressing on Xu Kes face, covering the brand of punishment there. He frowned but said nothing. Wenzheng, this is my bookkeeper Xu Ke, Xu Xiaoyu. Hes currently handling the private squad matters. When he heard Xu Kes name, Qiguan Rang quickly kept a lid on his relaxed attitude. A bold one. Qiguan Rangs expression was stiff when his lips curled in amusement. He grew a sudden interest in Xu Ke. That sudden interest was instinct; it was like noticing a comrade. Even if Xu Ke was vastly different from him in personality, they would still get along well. Instead of concocting a scheme that was just and honorable, both he and Xu Ke preferred to go with the sinister and vicious route. This is my future brother-in-law Jiang Pengji stared at Qiguan Rang, and lowered his seniority. Hes also interesting. Xu Ke brought his hands up in greeting but secretly rolled his eyes. Every time his young master found someone interesting, that person was, most likely, vicious and ruthless. Birds of a feather flocked together. With Jiang Pengjis personality, she naturally attracted others like her. Did the group come again last night? Jiang Pengji asked Xu Ke in front of Qiguan Rang. Xu Ke snuck a glance at Qiguan Rang and noticed the latters unperturbed demeanor. They came in the late of the night. The took the things? Jiang Pengji smiled happily. Yes, they took them. Xu Ke nodded his head. Qiguan Rang calmly listened to the ruthless pairs conversation while feeling pity for the poor officer. Im going to change my clothes. Xiaoyu, entertain Wenzheng on my behalf. Jiang Pengji got up and went to her room to change into clothes that gave her more mobility. She was wearing layers of fabric that were complicated and elegant at the same time. They were too airy around the legs for her liking. Without Jiang Pengji around, Qiguan Rang openly studied Xu Ke. The latter was not afraid and they both made eye contact. Jiang Pengji quickly returned after changing. Even though the current era was very open-minded, the passionate gazes they had left her not knowing what to do. Ahem. A very fake cough broke them out of their hostile glares. Qiguan Rang turned and noticed Jiang Pengjis clothes. He raised a brow and asked, Thats what youre wearing? The clothes she had chosen were easy to move around in, but were made out of coarse cloth. They were the type typically worn by the poor or peasants. Jiang Pengji was from a prestigious family, so she should not be wearing peasant clothes. If she were seen by an elder, they would give her a severe dressing down. Arent clothes made to be worn? If its comfortable and made to be worn, then the clothes are valuable. If its just to be worn for the sake of looking good, and its a hassle to move about in them, then we might as well hang them up like a portrait. Why should we make ourselves uncomfortable? Jiang Pengji was indifferent. You arent some fastidious person. Would you actually be angry just because of what Im wearing? Qiguan Rang suddenly felt an urge to smack her. Why was she so good at spewing forth fallacious reasonings? Chapter 149 - How To Lend a Helping Hand (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What are those dumb people doing? Jiang Pengji turned to Xu Ke, who had already gotten used to her direct manner. The teenager looked at the sky for a rough guess of time. Probably taking a rest on the drill ground. They had their own drill ground next to the farms to facilitate training. Qiguan Rang followed the two and saw the men laying or sitting on the ground. The baskets of stones were placed in a corner. He could now tell each of them weighed around thirty catties. Common people could not run with such a burden on their backnot without having their shoulders injured. Stand up! Are you dying yet? Jiang Pengji took a wooden spear from a stand on one side. To Qiguan Rangs surprise, the men immediately crawled to stand up and queued up orderly. Their compliance is exceptional! he exclaimed, a little bewildered. Xu Ke explained after a low cough, Langjun once defeated them all on his own. Why else would they obey so readily? Qiguan Rang had never imagined that the short, thin boy could win all the strong men and make them fearful of him afterwards. What is he doing now? It was out of expectation that Jiang Pengji could also fight. Perhaps leading todays training. After all, the soldiers havent been fully accustomed to the practice. While Xu Ke had learned some kungfu before, the others had never received proper training, and they lacked even the basic skills of using different weapons. Jiang Pengji thus decided to instruct them once before she found a couch for them. Qiguan Rang was quiet. Now he knew why Jiang Pengji wanted the military chief to join her team. The drill ground was not extensive, yet it could accommodate around a hundred men. Since there were no more than twenty of them, they had abundant space for training. Jiang Pengji was demonstrating how to use a wooden spear. Although no one had taught her, the instinct of a genetically enhanced soldier enabled her to acquire the skills by herself and show the soldiers perfect examples. When your opponent blocks your spearhead, you turn your wrist like this to attack more quickly. You see Without warning, her spear pushed forward to a man near her, who instinctively blocked her spearhead with his weapon. Immediately, her spear drew a smooth curve, slid along the mans spear to the left side of his chest, and pointed at his heart. The metal did not touch his skin and the pain was almost negligible, yet the sharpness seemed to have passed through his clothes. The soldier loosened his spear out of fear. This is the agility you need during an attack. For defense, the body of the spear can bend to reduce the aggressive force. Thats why a spear can be used both for aggression and defense. So this is how you use a spear Jiang Pengji held her weapon, and raised her voice at the goggling crowd. What are you waiting for? Go find your wooden man and practice! There were more than twenty wooden men in the venue, each the same size of a real person. The packed straw fillings made it hard for weapons to penetrate. Tst! Jiang Pengji watched them for a while, and then tossed the spear with her fingers. The weapon darted at a wooden man and hit the middle of it, its long body cutting through the standing equipment. The heavy sound shocked everyone, but the spearhead remained unbroken. Her strict manner and powerful demonstration changed the mens attitude, and they spared no efforts in hitting the wooden men according to what Jiang Pengji had taught. Thats stomach! Dont you know where the heart is? She pulled out the still weapon on a wooden man and raised a mans arm with the spear body. Show no mercy to your enemy. They will have none for you! She continued to check their progress one by one and she corrected some of their postures. Your strength should come from your body, not your arm alone. Otherwise, your attack will be too weak. Or, if its forceful enough, your arms will lose strength soon. Im not asking you to practice for pretty postures. I just need you to learn how to kill in one attack. For this reason, she had the vital positions all marked on the wooden men. Abruptly, she turned to a soldier and hit his spear with hers. His weapon was cast to a distant, leaving the mans face pale and his shoulders shuddering. Pick it up and continue, she ordered in a cold voice. He ran to pick it up with his numbed hands. He had held his spear with all his strength, but Jiang Pengjis attack was like a mountain crushing him. His fingers and palm barely had any feeling, and the spear became as heavy as lead. Is this the Lanting I know? Qiguan Rangs eyes followed the movement of Jiang Pengji. She was no longer the lazy, nonchalant langjun he saw as they chatted, but a stern commander. Now Im beginning to understand why you need the military chief. The effect of having a couch was significant. I guess Langjun simply doesnt want to see them before they are trained up. Every time he sees them, he becomes so annoyed. This teen had better stop it before his honesty put him in danger. Jiang Pengji hurled her spear precisely into the weapon stand and told the men, Lance corporals, its your responsibility to monitor their training. No one can rest before they can perform what I just taught. Youre the first to be punished if any of your team members disobey my instructions. Understand? Qiguan Rang praised, No doubt Lanting will become a respectable military when he grows up. Jiang Pengji happened to hear him as she returned, and she beamed. Lets hope so. As the richest village in the region, every household led an enviable life. While their less fortunate peers were craving for food, children there could remain carefree. Ouch! A little boy was running with his friend when he bumped into a tall man. Im sorry. Have I hurt you? He heard a mature male voice ask with sincere concern. Chapter 150 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The child stopped crying and looked up at him pitifully before he burst into tears again. The child quickly got up and ran towards the other children. The child may have been young, but he was still fairly on guard against strangers. At that time, it was common for parents to sell their children due to the famine. It was also not uncommon to hear of others kidnapping children to sell to slave traders. There were a few families in the village, and everyone knew each other. A child would obviously be terrified when they saw a strange, dark-skinned, and bigger than a normal man around. Some of the children burst into tears and ran off, attracting much attention from the adults tending to the fields. To prevent any tragedies from befalling on their families, most of the adults would tell tales of unscrupulous slave traders kidnapping children or stories of wolves dragging off small children for food. Such stories had led the villages children to have a very high guard against outsiders and prevented them from wandering off too far. Two farmers ran over with hoes they were using when they heard the childrens cries. Get lost! What are you trying to do? Get away from the children, or Ill kill you! One of the farmers raised his hoe in a threatening manner while another held his in front of himself as a shield. This farm belongs to a person of high rank! If you dont want to die, then leave! The mans clothes were tattered, and in some places, large holes revealed his bronzed skin. He did not look like a good soul, and he had scared the children. The farmers immediately thought the worst of him. The man flushed and raised his hands in surrender. His face was black as though he had some ash or coal residue on him. N-no Im not a bad person Eh Im just passing through He inched towards the two farmers and that caused them to be more on guard against him. The man was much bigger than them and was obviously very fit. Even though he was dressed in rags, he still had an imposing figure. One of the farmers looked at the other and said, Since youre passing through, then leave now. The stranger wrung his hands together while he asked, C-can I have some water? Ive been on the road for a few days, and my sandals have broken. I havent eaten either Can you be so kind When they heard that, the farmers noticed that the strangers grass sandals had no soles and a few of his toes were sticking out. When the man saw them looking, he fidgeted uneasily, revealing some broken blisters. When they noticed how pitiful the man was and how he had shown no animosity, the farmers let their guard down. One of the farmers released a sigh of relief. As long as the stranger was not a bandit or a slave trader, everything was fine. The village was honest and unsophisticated. They had always been very hospitable towards travelers. Random strangers coming up to them for water was quite common. Your feet are covered in blisters. If you dont mind, you can wear mine, a farmer said while removing a clean pair from his person and handing them over to the man. Most of the farmers carried extra pairs on their person when they worked the fields as their work wore the grass sandals down. How, how could I the man bowed his hand in shame. He only accepted the sandals after the farmer had persuaded him. The sandals were obviously brand new. Thank you. The mans feet were large. When he put on the sandals, his feet covered the soles and even protruded out a little. Heh, this is nothing. The farmer smiled kindly. He set down his hoe before grabbing the child that was clinging to his pants. Please dont mind our reactions. There are too many cases of children being stolen these days. A while ago, we heard some neighboring farms lost three children. Thats why were so protective right now. The man did not seem to mind. Instead, he smiled and said, Its all right. With the world in such a state, one should be mindful of their child at all times. At least the children know to cry for the adults. In my village, you wouldnt know when a child has been taken. When the farmers heard that, their impression of the stranger changed for the better. It should be time for food. How about coming to my house to eat something? The farmer smacked his child lightly, his expression full of love. It seemed that the child who had knocked into the stranger was this farmers kid. Another farmer carried his hoe in one hand and in the other, he carried another child. As though they were herding sheep, the farmers quickly brought their children back home. Its hard to find such cheerful children these days The man sighed as he walked alongside the farmer. These days, its hard to keep the adults fed, much less the children. The farmer replied with a grim expression. Im lucky to work for such a good and generous family, or else I would not have survived either. The man did not continue the conversation and followed the farmer to his home. Once they had arrived, the latter yelled, Oi! Have you baked the millet pancake? Bring two over and boil some water. I know youre back. What are you yelling for? A woman dressed in clean, coarse hemp clothes walked out from one of the rooms while carrying two steaming pancakes. Give this man some hot water, the farmer said to his wife. Get some hot water in him to warm up. The man was about to say that cold water was fine with him, but the woman had already entered the kitchen. While she walked away, she nagged, Only you would want boiled water. You think our firewood is free? Didnt the mistress say drinking the water as it is is bad for the body? Why are you so obstinate when I just want you to boil some water Although the couple was bickering, it was obvious to anyone that they were showing affection for each other. Chapter 151 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Im sorry. Weve only got hot flatbread. The woman came out again, this time bringing a plateful of flatbread with minced meat on it. She then poured the dark- faced man a bowl of water. The man devoured the food, taking an occasional gulp from the earthenware. Ive been to lots of places before, but I have never seen a village as well-off as this. The plate was empty in a blink of the eye. The woman could tell he was still hungry, so she went inside for more food. Her husband was chewing when he replied, Were lucky to have a nice landlordor else wed be suffering like the others. The muscular man nodded and asked, as if casually, I wonder who your landlord is. He must be the kindest man in the world. Ive never met tenants who dont curse their landlord day and night. Haha! Ours is certainly different. You must have heard of her husbandthe provincial chief of Xu! Ever since the lady bought our village, I dare say there are hardly any tenants who live as happily as we do. We can even have meat every couple of days. Can you believe it? Before, we could only have it once a year at New Year the tenant recollected. The lady was the most kind-hearted. After her death, almost every household in the village had given her a place on the ancestor table, and they still showed respect to her three times a day. They say her husband is a generous man, too, the dark-faced man replied. His expression changed slightly, but it was hidden under the dirt on his countenance. And they are right! Master Liu and his family are the best masters in Dongqing They are very different from all the others who will only squeeze every coin out of us! Provincial chief of Xuthats Liu She, Liu Zhongqing! The mans hands clenched into tight fists while he said, I hope I could have a chance to meet them. The tenant replied without a second thought, Oh, the langjun is here today. If you His wife gave him a slap on the back of the head before he could finish. Hush! What if we offend the langjun? Is this the way you thank the lady? His wife frowned. Besides, what if our guest gets into trouble? Can you help then? She was concerned for both the langjun and their guest, worrying that the coarse man would be punished for scaring the precious teenager. It reminded her husband, who tittered at the man. The dark-faced man waved. Never mind. We shouldnt disturb the langjun. Still, the tenant was embarrassed. The next moment, they heard someone yelling outside the fence. Tiezhu, do you have a fishing rod? It was the housekeeper from the main village house. The tenant looked at him, puzzled. Yes. Why? The langjun has come to fish with his friends but we do not have any rods. Quickly, lend me yours! The tenant mumbled, I made them by myself. Wont they be too cheap for the langjun? The housekeeper was impatient. We wont steal your rods. Thats not what I meant! The tenant put down the beard he was chewing and grabbed a pile of equipment, including fishing nets and self-made baits. Should I go now? Of course! The housekeeper added, Also, find two men who can swim in case the langjun needs help. We are all doing farm work now. Where can I find people in such a short time? complained the tenant. The dark-faced man rubbed his hands uneasily and hesitantly suggested, May I go with you? I can swim and hold breath for a long time underwater. The housekeeper glanced at him, then at the tenant. No way. Hes too scary. Thats because Ive walked in the woods for some days. I can clean up myself. You see, our guest is an honest man. He has heard about the good deeds of our master and would like to see the langjun for once. Besides, I can find no one else at the moment. Please allow him to come with me. I promise not to let him frighten the langjun. The tenant helped persuade the housekeeper, who thought for a second. They really could not wait. At last he nodded, but repeated, Remember what youve said. Bring him a barrel of water. See the mud on his face! The dark-faced man thanked him. After he tidied up himself, they realized he was, in fact, a good-looking person. What can we catch in this season? Jiang Pengji was sitting on a folded stool, bored. She wondered why Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke liked to fish. Fishing in springtime is a delight! The fish are now fat, especially those in Hejian, Xu Ke said before thanking the tenant for his fishing rods. The tenant instantly shook his head to say it was nothing. You cant swim, right? Be careful not to fall into the water. She moved her stool. Ill leave you here to have fun. Youre leaving? Qiguan Rang asked, turning his head. Jiang Pengji touched her chin and pointed out, Staying longer wont help attract a fish to me. Qiguan Rang laughed. Anyone with patience could catch something in the end. He did not know that it was not an excuse. Fish were more sensitive than humans and they would swim away from her once they had detected her bloodthirsty air, however well she concealed it in front of people. The two remained at their positions. Their backs were as straight as ever. Jiang Pengji looked aside without the slightest interest and kicked a basket next to her. Suddenly, she looked up and met a gaze that had never turned away from her. Youre not from our village, she said. Her statement caused the dark-faced mans heart to skip a beat. He felt like she had read everything in his mind. But he composed himself quickly and pulled an honest grin. Im not. I met Tiezhu today and heard about his kind-hearted landlord, so Ive come along to see what he looks like. Youve seen me now. Do you think I look kind-hearted? After watching how she drove all the fish to her companions, could he say yes? The man decided to remain silent. Could she change a question? Chapter 152 - How to Lend a Helping Hand (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji lost her smile when the other man remained silent. She then quickly asked, Whats so hard about this question? The man quickly brought his hands up in respect and stuttered, No Im not good with words and never learned much. Im a rough person who has never met someone as kind as you. Im Im just nervous and cant find the right words to speak. While saying that, the man broke out in a cold sweat. He could not shake off the feeling that he had been seen through. Sit and chat with me, Jiang Pengji said while gesturing at the stool next to her. Its boring to stand around. Stools were convenient things that were introduced to the Central Plains by foreigners. It quickly became the norm to carry them around or have them in ones yard. If the common folk wanted to gossip with their neighbors, they could just break out the stools and chat for hours. The stools were not only portable, but they were small and cute, too. He looked at the small stool before looking at himself. The man gingerly sat down and used his legs to hold up most of his weight to prevent adding stress to the small furniture. He was so tense that it looked awkward. When she noticed his actions, Jiang Pengjis smile gained more radiance. When the man saw that, he nearly leapt up in fright. Dont be so tense. Didnt you say that Im like a living buddha? Would buddha hurt anyone? Due to her bodys age, Jiang Pengji had yet to hit puberty and her voice was still childish sounding, but she still made her voice gentler. Not only did the man not let his guard down, he was even more on guard against her. That could be owed to his warrior instinct. Langjun must be joking. Youre so adorable, how could you hurt anyone? The man was so nervous he stuttered a little and his back was covered in cold sweat. His hands even trembled a little. That may not be, Jiang Pengji said as she picked up a small stone. She then threw it at the water. The stone skipped across the waters surface before it sank. I heard from my father that I have a cousin in Meng County. He has feminine features and if he were to wear a girls clothes, he would be adorable and could enchant the crowd. Have you heard of him? The mans heart thudded in his chest and he had to keep a lid on his rage. He schooled his expression and gave a dry laugh. Im just a ruffian with no home. Anyone who sees me will cover their noses and steer clear. How could I have heard of any nobility business? Oh, so you havent heard? Thats a pity. I was thinking maybe one day youd get a chance to see him. Jiang Pengji shook her head in pity and her words caused the man to clench his fists. It was as though she was blind to the mans reactions. She continued skipping rocks across the waters with one hand, while the other was rested on her knees and under her chin. I originally thought his feminine looks were something that others just said. No matter how soft and gentle a man looked, theyd still be a man. But two days ago, I saw him. Hes more beautiful than any girls Ive ever seen. The man was plunged into an inner turmoil when he heard that. He was afraid Jiang Pengji would realize his identity, yet he was elated at knowing about Meng Liangs whereabouts. He was furious when he thought about his revenge But he quickly regained himself and kept a lid on his emotions. He was in Hejian County and the child before him was Liu Shes son. He could not do anything to him. Meng Liang was hiding in the Liu residence and that restricted his actions. If he were to be rash, he would drag his men down with him. Due to his conflicting emotions, his voice turned husky when he spoke. Im afraid Afraid of what? Jiang Pengji laughed and lifted a hand to pat the mans back. You were curious enough to come see me. Arent you curious about the real beauty? The man was dumbfounded. The two were talking quietly. Naturally Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke were unable to hear a single word from their fishing spot about twenty meters away, but that did not stop them from being able to deduce what their conversation was about. I feel sorry for that officer. Lanting is up to his usual mischief. Qiguan Rangs gaze was straight ahead, as though he were really focused on fishing. Xu Ke felt like rebutting, but Jiang Pengji was his master and she had a sharp hearing. Even with their distance, she might have heard him. How do you know that thats the officer Langjuns been searching for? Xu Ke asked without moving his lips much. His voice loud enough for only Qiguan Rang to hear. Even if thats not the officer, it has to be someone close to him. Why else would your Langjun smile like that He looks like a cat trying to act innocent with a mouse in its mouth Why would one show hospitality without a word or ulterior motive? They had to be a crook or bandit. Xu Ke was silent. Qiguan Rang was right. His young master hated doing things that had no meaning, as it wasted time. Once she showed an interest, that would mean that it would be time well spent because it benefited her. Other than that, you dont have any other opinions? Xu Ke asked. Even if Qiguan Rang was someone his young master had set her eyes upon, Xu Ke still wanted to get a feel of the other man himself. Qiguan Rang did not rise to Xu Kes provocation, but a flash of interest showed in his eyes. Have you not noticed that that man is now sitting next to Lanting? If that man were a real homeless man, would he have had the guts to sit next to a nobility? Even if Jiang Pengji allowed it, the common folk would be fearful and would have rejected doing so in case something untowards were to happen. Once Qiguan Rang pointed that out, Xu Ke quickly noticed that, too. The fishing rod jerked a little in his hands and the fish that were about to bite the bait quickly scattered. A moment later, Xu Ke glumly added more bait to the fishing rod before he continued their hushed conversation. I have to say that I do admire your observational skills. I finally understand why my Langjun is so interested in you. Qiguan Rang pursed his lips. I think when Lanting first saw him, he had already guessed that mans identity. Eh? Qiguan Rang sighed. Lantings eyes If theres nothing, dont make eye contact with him. He can see through everything. Chapter 153 - How To Lend A Helping Hand (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke raised his brows. It seems youre a victim, too. Qiguan Rang nodded. He still could not understand how Jiang Pengji knew so much about people at first glance. Yet, her conversation with the military chief shed light on it: the key was her keen observation. Xu Ke smiled. The good side is that people can rarely deceive the langjun. But his strength also renders him stubborn and rigid. A man overconfident in his own observation and judgement was often too arrogant to listen to opposition, which could be a problem for people who worked for him. There would be a deadlock when neither side could convince the other. Qiguan Rang contemplated before he lowered his voice. Arent you worried about your future then? Xu Ke replied, Well, its not too bad. Langjun is proud, but he is willing to accept reasonable opinions. He also seldom intervenes in work that hes not familiar with. Thats much better than those who think too highly of themselves and mess up everything in the end. After that, he added, Besides, even if he were one of those masters, I could not leave before getting my slave contract back. The best choice I have is to accept what has happened and avoid unnecessary troubles. The words slave contract surprised Qiguan Rang. He never suspected that Xu Ke had entered the Lius as a slave. Common slaves would not have his cultivated manner and competence. I was caught after an impulsive decision, and I was later bought by Langjun, Xu Ke explained with a gentle smile, which proved he was not really complaining. There was a time when I couldnt even sleep at night. Qiguan Rang frowned. What did Lanting do? Hes a bit strange, but he is a sensible person. Oh, its not Langjun, mumbled Xu Ke. Liu Shes snake-like eyes still appeared in his dreams from time to time. They were chatting softly and could not be heard outside the distance of a few steps away. Although Jiang Pengji could capture their words if she wanted to, she was concentrating on the dark-faced manthe disguised military chief, Meng Hun. Meng Hun was trying to talk about Meng Liang, yet she seemed not to have noticed and kept asking about his family and what he had seen on his journey there. All his attempts were in vain. At last, she looked at him sincerely. Ive never left Hejian. I wish I could walk on soils in all countries and see the boundless world like you! Her innocent passion reminded him of his daughter, who used to protest against the confinement at home; she wished to ride and fight like he did for their masters. He faked a smile and said bitterly, Life outside is desperate. People can hardly find food and water among deserted mountains and waters. You would miss home as soon as you leave it. But we have to try it once, right? Ill not let you put out the fire in me. She appeared unaffected. Besides, how upsetting can the journey be if I take enough guards with me? They will certainly protect me and provide me with the best. She then turned to him abruptly with glittering eyes. Youre as strong as my guards and much more experienced in traveling. Im sure you can guide us to the safest routes! As you dont have a family and are fleeing from war in your homeland, how about you stay at our home? Meng Huns lips trembled. It took a long time for him to utter an answer. I must not accept your generous offer. Im just an inferior being to your family. Ordinary commoners would say yes without hesitation, but Meng Hun had to decline her invitation. He did not want the Lius to get involved in his confrontation with the Mengs, especially after he had learned about the past between Liu She and Meng Zhan. Meng Liang must have entered the Lius under another identity, or else why would Liu She agree to let him stay? If Meng Liang died at the Lius house, the Mengs would definitely demand them to hand out Meng Hun and then make the innocent family pay the price. While Meng Hun had found Jiang Pengjis gaze slightly eerie, he formed a good impression for the amiable langjun who cared about the commoners living and would not complain about his current life like his peers did. Some spoiled children from the houses would even torture civilians and inflict females the way Meng Liang did. However, he was resolute to protect the Lius by keeping his distance. As he expected, the apparently well-tempered langjun did not feel offended, but sighed. If its your decision, I will not force you. The sun was setting when the two returned from fishing, each dragging a full basket. Meng Hun, who believed he had finished sounding Liu Xi out, suggested he should probably leave before dinner. He then received another pack of items, which included two sets of thick clothes, several pairs of cotton socks and large straw shoes, as well as dried food for the coming few days and some medicine for injuries. Jiang Pengjis excuse was, Ive noticed the blisters on your feet. Its better to heal them before they fester. Her gesture warmed Meng Huns heart and he accepted the considerate gift. Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke, who witnessed the whole scene, made a cool laugh. Na?ve! Liu Xi doesnt send gifts for no reason. Chapter 154 - Stubborn Jiang Pengji Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Youre not sending for guards to watch them? Xu Ke asked when Meng Hun was no longer in sight. Theres no need for that since he will return. Jiang Pengji was not worried, as Meng Liang was still hiding in the Liu residence. With Meng Huns current power, he could not just charge in with his men and kill that little b*stard. Oh? Qiguan Rang asked. Youre that confident? Why would Meng Hun act now and not after Meng Liang leaves your residence? Jiang Pengji snorted. First, the Lius and Mengs arent on friendly terms with each other. Even so, Meng Hun might have a small chance to kill him. If he waits, by then Meng Liang would be able to contact his people to protect him. How would they be able to kill Meng Liang if he had more men? Thats why now is the best chance. Qiguan Rang was speechless. He and Xu Ke exchanged a knowing look. Im more curious about how you knew that he was Meng Hun Qiguan Rang said bluntly. Jiang Pengji spared a glance at Qiguan Rang when she heard him. Isnt it obvious? Even though he disguised himself, he was so clumsy that he gave himself away many times. Gave himself away? Qiguan Rang asked. Could you enlighten us? Im not sure if you two noticed his hands. The webs between his thumbs and forefingers have thick calluses. You get that when youve been using a sword or some sort of weapon for a long time. His body is thick with muscles and that means he knows martial arts. He should be good at it. His clothes are in tatters and because of that, it showed his injuries. He had many cuts and some were quite deep. Based on those injuries, you could even guess the weapon that was used From that, you could also tell what his job is. Other than that, his feet were blistered and those blisters formed recently. His feet had calluses, but they were not as thick as how a homeless ruffians are. This meant that he had led a rough life for awhile where he could not afford shoes Not only that, but hes also literate. His right fingers have calluses from when he had to practice writing. If he had learned it young, his calluses would look different due to a childs body still growing and adapting. But his calluses showed that he did not learn to write when he was young. That means that he started learning when he was nineteen or twenty, when the body has stopped growing Jiang Pengji said that while sticking her own right hand out for the other two to study. Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke looked dumbfounded. They both stuck out their hands and compared. Their calluses did indeed look different. To ensure that the two understood her, Jiang Pengji had slowed down her speech and used simpler words for the description. Even so, the two were even more dumbfounded after listening to her and came to their own conclusion. Xu Ke was still very surprised and it took him a long while before he questioned her. Youre saying You already knew his identity just by looking at him? he nervously asked. Somewhat. Jiang Pengji rolled her shoulders. She was one of the elite soldiers. If she did not have that bit of observational skills, what good was she? Qiguan Rang lowered his lids and said, Whats there to be surprised about? I heard that master Yuan Jing in Langye County has some mysterious powers. He can tell your history by looking at your face and he can even predict your actions. When Xu Ke heard that, rumors of that mysterious scholar from Langye filled his mind. If his young master were to be put with that master Yuan Jing, would that not be horrifying? His young master would probably become a god or a demon Jiang Pengji secretly glared at Qiguan Rang. Her glare was sharp with warning. She still remembered that when she had left the elite soldiers to join the military and became a regular soldier, her observational ability was well-known amongst the rest. She was used to how people looked at her and avoided her out of fear. The sky was getting darker and it was time for Jiang Pengji to return to the main residence. Xu Ke still had to finish up his business in the farms and could not leave with her. When she entered the carriage, Jiang Pengji still had on a poker face. Qiguan Rang tsked and patted Xu Kes shoulder. Xu Ke was dumbfounded by Qiguan Rangs expression. Why was he looking at him with such pity in his eyes? Once the carriage started moving, Jiang Pengji coldly said, Next time, mind your own business. Qiguan Rang shook his head in disagreement. Lanting, thats wrong. Wrong? Jiang Pengjis expression turned sour when she recalled some unpleasant memories. You should know about the saying that a person on top should not stoop down to the level of a lower person? Jiang Pengji squinted at him and her expression was complicated. Continue. You cant be too stubborn and not listen to a word others say. You should encourage the free voicing of views but also not lose your own personality. If the lower people have different views, how would the master be able to make their decisions? If the people could not be close to their master, sooner or later, chaos would happen. To me, managing the country and managing your own home is the same. If you do not listen to your people, youll lose their respect. After saying that, Qiguan Rang asked, If Xiaoyu were to really fear you, would you leave it be? Jiang Pengji was silent while she mulled over what Liu She had said before. Lanting, you should learn how to control your people. You can see so many things and this is not something others have. Its your ability. You should make others respect you, not fear you. That little difference spells huge conclusions. Qiguan Rang did not mind if Jiang Pengji did not listen to what he had said. He had said what he wanted to. Xu Ke was still young and his words and actions were still be clumsy. It would be natural if he angered her. Jiang Pengji was stubborn and egoistic. She did not care about Xu Kes reaction, nor would she even tell him off. If their actions were to be left unchecked, Jiang Pengjis and Xu Kes relationship may have a huge rift between them in the future. These two are still so young! Chapter 155 - The System Upgraded (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rangs fingers were covered by his sleeves and tapping his knees. He leisurely closed his eyes as if he was taking a nap. Jiang Pengji had been annoyed, but after listening to him further, she began to reflect upon herself. As she contemplated, she suddenly recalled her teacher and senior, also the Leading General of Corps Seven, coming to her. The old general told her, You are not my only student, nor my favorite, either. Still, despite your ill temper, I understand you and chose you to be the next general. I trust that you can become an ideal successor. You are the only one who can do it. He had so much trust in her, but she disappointed him at last. Before that night, she could not understand why she failed. The tactics to rule she mumbled, starting to understand something. Perceiving her expressions, Qiguan Rang observed more attentively while he remained in his indifferent pose. Lanting, you should know what to hide and what to reveal. Even the closest relationships and the most loyal hearts cannot bear the weight of persisting secrets. Luckily, Xiaoyu seems unaware of your concealment this time. Xu Ke was perhaps too young or unsensitive in the aspect. It was understandable for Jiang Pengji to make such a mistake. Qiguan Rang appreciated her willingness to rectify herself. She was not the kind of langjuns who never heeded to advice. Xu Ke, too, was not a stubborn youngster that could not be changed. Although he had just forgotten his position and had said something wrong, he was clever enough to correct himself in time. Qiguan Rang believed he would play an indispensable role for Jiang Pengji when the two had got along for more time. Xu Ke would accumulate experience and grow into a mature, observant man. As for Jiang Pengji, Qiguan Rang found her attitude even better than he had assumed. Jiang Pengji looked at him. Why are you telling me this? He spoke the truth. I thought you needed it. Being a common officer did not require such skills, but he could see the ambitious soul underneath her harmless appearance. She would need his advice. After meeting various potential candidates, Qiguan Rang found Liu Xi the best option for his future career. She was witty and observant. She could be generous at one time and intimidating at another, depending on the circumstances. Still, the most crucial requirement was not fulfilled Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes, but replied, Thank you. Ill invite you to our home for dinner next time. Her smile was frozen by Qiguan Rangs response. He pointed out, Weve only met recently, but I know you wont invite me without a purpose. Since when had she become so uncreditable? Why was he so on guard? She did not know that it was because of the poor military chief. Yet, she admitted he was right to be alarmed. She did invite him for another reason. So she said, Well, its mainly to say thank you. Qiguan Rang lazily turned his eyes and gave her a look as if to say, I knew it. Then whats the minor objective? After a moment of hesitation, she mentioned her plan. Meng Liang is latching onto me for my mothers attention. Hes learned nothing all these years, but he is really good at leading people astray. Do you think I should fall into his trap? Her statement roused Qiguan Rangs sympathy for the teen. What do you think? Spoiled children like food, wine, women, or gambling. Cuisine and alcohol dont appeal to Meng Liang, but he wont say no to women and games. He wont take me to brothels because Mother will notice the fragrance, so Gambling houses are the most likely? Things will be much simpler then. How? Gambling houses are full of people from various backgrounds. Meng Hun wont miss the chance to kidnap Meng Liang. Qiguan Rang was silent for Meng Hun. He could already guess what would follow. Once Meng Liang brought her to gambling houses, where rumors flew, Meng Hun would learn about it quickly and attempt to kidnap Meng Liang. In return for her kindness, the military chief would let Jiang Pengji leave unharmed. When she returned home as if nothing had happened and then ordered a girl to leave in disguise as her cousin, no one could blame the Lius for Meng Liangs death. All fingers would be pointed at Meng Hun and his companions. She could then meet Meng Hun again with another identity and persuade him to make Meng Liang write a letter for grains from his house. As soon as they received the grain, Jiang Pengji would kill Meng Hun and his team and give them new identities. Meng Hun would be grateful for her help. In the end, the whole story would appear to be the military chief murdering Meng Liang, and the Lius would be irrelevant. How pure her image would remain! Others would respect her for fighting kidnappers and avenging Meng Liangs death, while Meng Hun would do anything for her after they were deemed safe. Everyone would be deceived! Qiguan Rang had never met someone as cunning as her, but her temperament suited his taste. He could already see how the poor Meng Liang would die in her scheme. I dont care if Meng Liang dies; whats important is the grain. How much do you think I should ask for? Before Qiguan Rang replied, she heard ticking sounds from the computer. System upgrade completed! Chapter 156 - The System Upgraded (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Systems happy voice sounded in her head, Hey! Did you miss me? Nope. Without you around, my ears finally got their much deserved break, Jiang Pengji replied. The System seemed to have become more thick-skinned and human-like after its upgrade. It was no longer like its past self where it would cry when Jiang Pengji rebutted it. After its upgrade, the System understood that it could not be separated from its host. Jiang Pengji may have a sharp tongue and disses its existence, but she still needed it. Without it, she would not be able to attain her goals. Jiang Pengji was multitasking. On one hand, she was talking to Qiguan Rang, but in her mind, she was asking the System, You said you needed twelve hours to upgrade. Why does it feel like it took almost twenty four hours? I was planning to resume my stream today. The System was evasive when it answered. I miscalculated the upgrade time. Thats why it took longer than expected. Jiang Pengji smiled in her mind and did not continue her line of questioning. Instead, she asked another question. You said you upgraded once, right? Youre not as useless as you were back then? Jiang Pengji asked without a care for the Systems feelings. Tell me what you upgraded. If youre still that useless, then its best if you go upgrade yourself a few more times. Time is not an issue. The System got upset after hearing that. Yesterday you ignored me, but today, youll be astonished by my capabilities! the System proudly declared. When Jiang Pengji heard the Systems proud declaration, she could almost see its smug expression. Oh? Tell me more. I want to know how much a useless System can improve with an upgrade. The System kept a lid on its emotions and pretended to clear its throat. In that case, please listen carefully. To be of better service to you, a more human-like patch has been installed in me. This will improve our communication. To boost your popularity, an easier viewability for your streams has been added. An immediate quest module has also been installed. Immediate quest module? Jiang Pengji showed her displeasure in her mind, but outwards, she showed no change. The System excitedly replied, The System will analyze your data and then create quests for you to complete. This allows you to be more immersed into this current era. You will, of course, get better rewards, too. Can I reject such quests? Jiang Pengji asked abruptly. No, you cant. These quests are automatically added into your quest list. Completing them only benefits you, the System quickly replied. Jiang Pengji huffed a cold laugh in her mind. Completing the quests only benefited her? What if she refused, or failed, the quests? Jiang Pengji hated being forced to do something by others. The System was much more sensitive to her feelings after the upgrade and it sensed that she was upset. You dont seem happy about such quests, the System carefully said. Why should I complete a quest forced upon me? What if the quest is against my principles? What if I reject the quest or fail it? Jiang Pengji fired her questions rapidly. What if I have no interest in the quest rewards? Who allowed you to make this decision? The System was speechless for a while. Please dont be so stubborn. This had been analyzed and the results are the most accurate. The rewards will be the most beneficial to you, too. As your System, my aim is to serve you. Whatever benefits you, benefits me as well. I hope you can understand. Jiang Pengji gave a cold snort. You can choose to give me the quests, but I decide if I want to do it. The System was silent before it sternly replied, Please dont be so stubborn. Completing the quests would benefit you in the future. I made many calculations to ensure that you would only benefit from this. There are no disadvantages I will not do them! Jiang Pengji said, dragging each word out. The System was silent for a long while before it spoke with the most severe of tones. If you are going to be stubborn about this, youll eventually regret it. Please know that all quests will have their risks and benefits. Completing them will reward you greatly. If you fail to complete them, or if you not do them, you will have to bear the consequences and punishments. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips and held her anger and murderous intent in check. Then so be it. You think Im someone who will take threats lying down? Jiang Pengji asked in anger. Even if the System panicked, it would be useless to say anything more as Jiang Pengji was all out to rebel against it. The more it wanted her to do something, the more unwilling she was. It seems my efforts are all in vain. You will regret this, the System replied angrily. It had thought that she would be elated at the news, which was why it had installed the immediate quest module. The quest rewards would have benefitted her in the long run and most hosts leapt with joy at the sight of the rewards. It had not taken into account that its host was as stubborn as a mule and would not be elated by such news. Im tired and will not be streaming today. Just be quiet. I have a headache. The System had not realized Jiang Pengjis real temperament and had tried to force her to bend to its will. Even her own teachers could not force her, much less a System from an unknown source. When Qiguan Rang noticed Jiang Pengjis sudden pallor, he quickly expressed his concern. Lanting, are you all right? The carriage is too bumpy and I have a headache, she replied lifelessly without opening her eyes. Bumpy? Qiguan Rang was dumbfounded. The Lius carriage was a much smoother ride compared to the Weis. The two stayed quiet for the remainder of the journey. By the time they had arrived back at the Liu residence, it was past dinner time. When Liu She and Wei Yuan noticed the other twos return, they stopped their conversation and expressed their delight. After a bit more conversation, Wei Yuan got up and bid Liu She farewell. He had attained his goal for the day and there was no need to overstay his welcome. Liu She got up to send the guests off while Jiang Pengji returned to her room. She did not even change her clothes before she settled into her bed. Before she nodded off, Nongqin called out timidly from outside the door. Langjun, someone wishes to see you. Jiang Pengji kicked off the covers with a sour expression. Meng Liang chose a bad time to visit. I guess he cant wait to die! Chapter 157 - You Want A Punch? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio While Qiguan Rang was leaving with Wei Yuan, the master inquired eagerly, Wenzheng, how do you find Lanting? The youngster looked at him, wondering what Liu She had said to prompt him to ask. The langjun is extraordinary, he replied and secretly studied Wei Yuans countenance. He can be a prominent official in a peaceful kingdom, or a powerful competitor for the throne in chaotic times. Wei Yuan paused and struggled in his heart. He eventually let out a long sigh. From what Liu Zhongqing just said, Im afraid our kingdom Unlike Jiang Pengji, he could not say out loud that Dongqing was dying. The houses are controlling the court, and the princes are incompetent. Nansheng is also losing its war with the southern tribes Although the Weis were not eminent, they led a relatively affluent life compared to other commoners. The dim future of Dongqing broke his heart, but he could do nothing to help. The five kingdoms had deemed themselves as the only legitimate rulers of the world, and they all understood that a war was inevitable for unification under one regime. However, Dongqing was not ready for the impending conflict. The court despised the military and upheld academic studies. Soldiers on the borders were exhausted by persistent battles with the northern tribes, and civilians in the region lived in destitution. Like a crippled horse, the kingdom would not survive the war. Besides, the relentless exploitation of the houses had provoked the commoners, and they turned their sentiments away from Dongqing. Even Xu under Liu Shes administration almost fell into the hands of the houses. Had it not been for Liu Shes rigid attitude of dragging the houses into the rough water if they insisted on having Xu, they would have succeeded. Wei Yuan knew Liu She. His heart could be cold towards his opponents, but he always preferred peace unless someone compelled him to be offensive. The master sighed again. Dongqing may survive if Nansheng wins the war No one would like to live in fire and bloodshed, with the uncertainty of if they would live to see another day. Qiguan Rang was less sentimental. Master Gongcao, division and unification take turns. The uncompromising attitudes of the five kingdoms has rendered a war unavoidable. Wei Yuan looked down. Qiguan Rangs words made sense, yet his heart was still aching for his kingdom and fellow people. Dongqing could have been saved if the houses had cared more about its reign and the civilians. But instead, they controlled the court as they willed, knowing the kingdoms future could not affect their influence and wealth. The patriotic teacher could only helplessly watch his fellow men flee from their hometowns. Qiguan Rang inquired, Master, why did you ask me about Lanting? Does Officer Liu have that ambition? Wei Yuan looked at him sternly. Hush! How can you say so? Lets decide later. Whether Liu She wanted the throne or not, their interests would not be harmed. Wei Yuan and Liu She were acquaintances. The youngster pondered in silence. Although Wei Yuan did not give a clear answer, he knew Liu Shes son alone would not bother to start a fight. Jiang Pengji was not born to obey. Neither of them spoke another word during the remaining part of the journey. Both immersed themselves in contemplation. At the same time, Jiang Pengji glared at Meng Liang with extreme impatience. The kid really knew the best timing to annoy her. Meng Liang, unaware of her mood, pretended to be a shy girl, yet his eyes betrayed him. The sight was like fuel to her anger, which almost prompted her to slap him in the face. The cousin appeared ever more disgusting after her conflict with the System. Why are you here? Although were still young, people may talk behind our backs for getting too close, Jiang Pengji said crossly. Still, the over-indulged child was not keen on observing others moods. On the contrary, he expected everyone, including Jiang Pengji, to flatter him like his family and servants always did. My cousin, do you dislike me? Ive only seen you once since Ive being staying here. Jiang Pengji took a deep breath. You are almost an adult. We must keep a distance from each other. Boring! Meng Liang secretly rolled his eyes. He replied, Still, we cousins can be slightly more intimate than common males and females are. Besides, Ive come to Hejian alone with only few servants. Ive got no one to talk to. What do you want then? Jiang Pengji was tired of speaking obliquely. It would only worsen her mood. Meng Liangs cheeks reddened when he asked in a low voice, Do you know where we can have fun? Tst! Jiang Pengji snorted in her mind. Theres nothing fun in this god d*mn, underdeveloped world! But she managed to reply in her usual manner, I can think of some places, but its not for girls. The experienced boy immediately understood. If he had not disguised as a girl, he would have taken Jiang Pengji to brothels without a second thought. But as he was a she, it would be inappropriate. He chided, You simply dont want to go out with me, do you? Or else why would you suggest those kind of places Jiang Pengji refrained herself from vomiting. At the same time, Meng Liang was irritated by her uncaring response. Every man would fall for his pretty face. Whats wrong with Liu Xi? Chapter 158 - You Want A Punch? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Liang wrung the handkerchief in his hands before speaking up with an embarrassed tone. I heard from some servants that Hejian doesnt have any night curfews and that the night life is quite rowdy Since Im here, I was thinking of having a look. But my aunts health is not good and my uncle is busy with work I was thinking of going alone If I meet any ruffians, will my reputation be at stake? Thats why Im here Jiang Pengji gave a cold smile. Since he had offered himself up on a silver platter, she was going to take full advantage of it. Furthermore, what noble girl would leave the house without a group of servants and maids protecting her? Unreasonable! But dear cousin, youre a girl. If youre seen with me Jiang Pengji replied awkwardly, Wont others talk and ruin your reputation? If youre really bored, you can get some of the maids to play with you in the yard. If you really want to go out, however Meng Liang grit his teeth. He did not expect Liu Xi to be a sanctimonious hypocrite. Liu Xi was obviously interested in going out, but she still pretended that she had to think about her cousins reputation. Meng Liang had planned to persuade the other, but he was feeling very frustrated. If he were back in Meng County, he would not even have to persuade anyone. They would be throwing themselves at his feet and begging to tag along. Yet, Liu Xi was putting on an act! When he thought of that, Meng Liang was resentful. He pushed half the blame to Liu Xi and the other half to his page boy. When he returned, he was going to kill his page boy for making the suggestion. How about this Jiang Pengji continued before Meng Liang could reply, If you really want to leave the residence, then why not disguise yourself as a boy? That way, no one could say anything when youre seen with me. If we meet anyone I know, Ill say youre my friend. Jiang Pengji acted like what she had suggested was for Meng Liangs own good. I dont think youre aware that I just ended my betrothal with a girl from the Wei family. If someone were to see me out with you, they would probably besmirch my reputation and say that I broke it off because I have someone else When Meng Liang heard that, he frowned as though he had heard the weirdest suggestion. Let him disguise as a man? What a preposterous idea his younger cousin had suggested! It was a pretty good suggestion from Liu Xis point of view. Not only did it protect his cousins reputation, but it also prevented any false rumors from being spread. It also freed her boredom. It was a good idea, but that would depend on Meng Liang. If Meng Liang were to revert back to his real clothes, Meng Hun might find out and catch up to them. But if he did not agree to the plan and missed his chance, he would not have any other excuses to drag Liu Xi out with him. Jiang Pengji watched him be at a loss for words before she said, I shouldnt have suggested that. Youre so beautiful that even if you were to disguise as a man, no one could tell the difference Its late. If there is nothing else, let one of my maids send you to your room. If it gets even darker, itll be hard to see and you might fall. Meng Liang quickly regained himself. Why was he so stupid? It would be too dark out for anyone to recognize him if he wore mens clothes. He could still put on some light makeup. Meng Hun was nothing but a lowly officer. He was like a dog serving his father and helping him with the horses. He had only seen Meng Liang a few times. Once he put on some makeup, and with the help of darkness, how would Meng Hun recognize him? When he realized that he was overthinking things and that he had allowed some insignificant slave threaten him, Meng Liang calmed down and hid his smile behind his handkerchief. Lanting, why are you so anxious? I havent left. I was just surprised by your bold suggestion. Jiang Pengji laughed and her next words were light and indulging. In that case, Xi will wait for you in the courtyard. Remember to let the maids help you put on some makeup to hide your beauty. That way, no one will recognize you. Meng Liang smiled with Jiang Pengjis words, but he turned solemn in his heart. If he were not so sure that Liu Xi was not aware of his true identity, he would wonder if he was actually poking fun at him for looking too effeminate. Meng Liang kept a lid on his anger and pasted a huge smile on his face before he quickly to his room. Nongqin was the new head of maids and she walked the other to the door. Once Meng Liang was no longer in sight, she quickly returned to Jiang Pengji with some fear in her eyes. Langjun Before Nongqin could finish, Jiang Pengji lazily leaned against a table and twirled a fan in her hands. Nongqin, go prepare a new set of page boy clothes. Yes! Nongqin swallowed back whatever concerns she wanted to voice. When she returned with the clothes, Jiang Pengji pointed at it with her fan and said, You wear it. Ah? Nongqin was dumbfounded. Lets head out tonight and watch a show. Jiang Pengjis smile was mysterious and Nongqin blushed when she saw that. Due to her head of maid status, Nongqin was allowed in on a secret: Her Langjun was a girl. When she had found out, she was rooted to the spot. But even with that knowledge, sometimes Nongqin would still feel flustered when she looked at Jiang Pengji. To her, no other men were as charming as her Langjun. Even when Jiang Pengji gave a mysterious smile filled with mischief, it was very enchanting. Nongqin quickly bound her chest with layers of cloth and put on the clothes. The clothes was a little big on her. She put on some darker makeup and changed the shape of her eyebrows. From afar, she looked like a delicate boy. Luckily you do not have any piercings, or else youd be found out immediately. Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over Nongqin and showed her satisfaction. Jiang Pengji chose to bring Nongqin out not because she was bias, but because, of all the maids, she was the only one without any ear piercings. She had actually planned to bring Xu Ke, but he was still over at the farms. Nongqin was speechless when she noticed that Jiang Pengji was planning to leave without any money. Langjun, please wait. Ill go prepare some money. How could one leave home without any money? Jiang Pengji snorted. Whats there to prepare? Someone is willing to spend money. If tonight is a success, we may even help you earn some betrothal gifts. Nongqin was dumbfounded again. Betrothal gifts? Chapter 159 - You Want A Punch? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In the end, Jiang Pengji brought ten taels of silver pieces. The amount was enough to alarm most commoners at pickpockets. Jiang Pengji found it adequate, too, but it was close to nothing for Meng Liang. Unlike the other four kingdoms, Dongqing had not imposed a curfew. The town gate was closed only at night. The streets were noisy. Vendors were yelling, selling handicrafts and cheap jewelry. The commodities were sophisticated despite their plain materials. Against the backdrop of the prosperous streets, there were young ladies walking, hiding their countenances behind thin veils. Their diminishing figures stunned Meng Liang, causing him to stop in the middle of the road. Jiang Pengji side-eyed him and teased, You act more like a man than I do now. Why are you staring at them like that? You are much prettier. Interrupted, Meng Liang frowned at her. He admitted that he was proud of his appearance, but he disliked it when others compared it to feminine contours. Jiang Pengjis words were like mockery to him, and, if they were in Cang, he would have smacked her on the face. Luckily, he managed to refrain himself and faked a smile when his hands secretly clenched into fists. Lanting, you shouldnt have said that, or else others would know Im a girl. Im just curious about beautiful ladies in Hejian. Jiang Pengji nodded with unshown scorn, turned to him, and said some flatteries that made Meng Liang feel better. She then stopped in front of a hawker. How much are these? The round-shaped flowers were made of rabbit hair and tinted with attractive colours. Similar handicrafts were hung next to the one she liked. Boys dont buy flowers. Meng Liang seized the opportunity to tease her back. Jiang Pengji said, Its for my attendants. I may use all my money on gifts for them like clothes and makeup Nongqin, try this on! It suits you. Nongqin blushed when she touched the flower and felt the warmth of her finger tips. Thank you. Oh, Ive forgotten that you cant wear it now. Maybe later. The girls hands froze, her face red like apples. She had also forgotten about her disguise as a male at the moment. Next to them, Meng Liang said, Tst! Is this what you give to ladies? Such cheap products? Attendants cant wear jewelry. She picked some other flowers, and then bought some blush palettes and pink lip balm. The colors were not too sharp so the girls could use them every day at the Lius house. My attendants are at their bloom. Its better we avoid luxurious items that will only make them appear older than they really are. After a long time of selection, almost every attendant had a small pile of gifts. Meanwhile, Meng Liang had lost his patience. His plan was to take Liu Xi to the gambling house. As soon as he became a punter, he would be too afraid to tell his parents, and Meng Liang would be the only person he could turn to. That way, Meng Liang could form a close relationship with Liu Xi, and at the same time ruin the langjuns future. I cant wait to see how Liu Xi wastes all his familys money! However, when Meng Liang watched Jiang Pengji pick girlish items, he wondered if his goal could ever be achieved. Why do you want to gamble? Jiang Pengji shook her head. What if someone offends you? There are all kinds of people in those places. Lets go somewhere else Meng Liang laughed at her innocent rejection. No worries! My servants say many langjuns frequent there, too! It wont be that bad. Cousin, please! Im so curious! No! Definitely! My mother wont forgive me if anything happens to you. Jiang Pengji rejected as if she was determined. Yet, Meng Liang would not give up easily. Eventually Jiang Pengji was persuaded to take him there for a glimpse, but the two agreed they would not stay there long. Nonqing was deeply concernedhow she wished to alert Second Langjun to Meng Liang!but she must swallow the words in front of the cousin and follow the two into a gambling house. Behind the curtains was a boisterous crowd of men shouting around tables. Their sleeves were rolled up, and some stepped on a bench to watch clearly. Big! It must be big! No way! It must be small! Nongqin shuddered at the constant roar. Im here. Jiang Pengji put her arm around the girls shoulders and gave her a comforting smile, which calmed her down. The place was spacious. The first floor alone consisted of around fifteen tables, each surrounded by more than twenty people. A receptionists eyes were brightened the moment he saw them. The teenagers assembled all features of easy prey: young, innocent faces, lavish clothing Good evening. How may I help you? The receptionist approached them, grinning. His teeth were yellow. Jiang Pengji took a step backward, gesturing to Meng Liang to leave, but the boy answered, Were here for fun. What do you have? Chapter 160 - You Want A Punch? (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Theres so much to play around with here. If you all are interested, I can tell you more, the servant replied. Go ahead, Meng Liang replied calmly. In his heart, however, he was elated. All right! Listen up! One-two dice roll, four-direction leaves, big-small pigsty war, chicken, duck, and quail fight the servant recited more than ten different play styles without stopping for a breath. Not playing! Jiang Pengji interrupted and turned to leave. The servant was dumbfounded and stopped reciting the plays. Since they had arrived at a gambling den, would Meng Liang just let her leave without playing? Lanting, since were here, lets play a bit before we go. Other than those outside, theres nothing else to play. Meng Liang smiled and rested a hand on Jiang Pengjis shoulder. Jiang Pengji frowned and her expression was impatient. She replied, You said you wanted to come in and take a look. Why are we playing? Gambling leads to an unhappy end for all. It is best to just listen and watch. I think you shouldnt be too curious about it. Meng Liang secretly rolled his eyes. All those who spoke of such teachings were just bumbling fools with no concept of fun. Meng Liang released his hold on her shoulder and pouted. But I dont want to leave, he whined. Meng Liang was sure that Jiang Pengji would not leave him, a weak girl, behind in the gambling den. In the end, Jiang Pengji stayed and that left Meng Liang with a sense of accomplishment. The servant was prepared to fleece them, but he was not so dumb as to rush them and had left them to sort themselves out. He may have looked sincere on the outside, but in his mind, he had already rolled his eyes at the two young masters. What sort of place was a gambling den? It was a place where people could strike it rich, and where one could lose their family fortune. It was also a place where others sold their children or pimped out their wives. Even the god of fortune would be stripped of his clothes in such a placeCCmuch less three children. There was a saying amongst gamblers: Enter as a lord; hit the tables as an old man; leave the den as a beggar. All the servant needed to do was entice the three to enter and they would be fleeced by the others. Meng Liang curiously approached a table and asked, How do you play this? The gamblers that had finished their round were in various stages of emotions: The winners were so excited that they were sweating buckets; the losers showed it in their expressions and postures; the ones who lost the most looked like they could not continue living. This table is playing big and small. The dice cup will have three pieces of dice. You bet whether the numbers are big or small, the servant said. The rules were simple and direct. Even amateurs without any experience in gambling would be able to play. Jiang Pengji gave a cursory glance at the dice cup in the dealers hand. There was no lid on the dice cup at that moment and she could see three dusty looking pieces of dice in the cup. She raised a brow and a small smile slowly curled up on her lips. If you bet on the numbers, then whats so hard about it? Exactly! This is the easiest to earn from, which is why so many people are playing it, the servant replied with a smile. Most gamblers thought that it would be easy to win from the game, as their chances were fifty-fifty. Once they start playing, however, was when they started losing. There were three pieces of dice. Four to ten points were considered small, while eleven to seventeen were big. If they got a three or an eighteen, that meant all three dice pieces got one and six respectively, so the dealer won. The payout was one to one. To Jiang Pengji, it was childs play. Lanting, what are you betting on? The dealer had shaken the dice cup and was accepting bets. Jiang Pengji insisted on being an upstanding citizen and refused to play, while Meng Liang had full confidence in his charm. After much pestering and coquettish acts from him, Jiang Pengji relented. They placed their betsCCone on big and the other on small. The dealer opened the dice cup and the results were clear. Jiang Pengj had lost her bet. Weve played. Can we leave now? Jiang Pengji grumbled unhappily. This doesnt count as having played. You lost a tael and youre happy that your money went to others? If youre not playing, Ill play. Youre not in need of money, anyway. Money cant buy me happiness. As long as Im having fun, who cares about the rest. Meng Liang refused to leave and played another two rounds. He won all of them. Most gamblers started to heckle them. Jiang Pengji looked calm, but she was tempted. The moment Meng Liang noticed that, he started fanning the flames. Standing around is boring, right? Play with me for awhile. Jiang Pengji used that as an excuse to sit down and play. Meng Liang couldnt tell whether she was playing because he asked her to, or if she was playing because she wanted to. Compared to Meng Liang, Jiang Pengji had the worst luck. She lost five times in a rowCCthat was five taels to the dealer. Nongqin watched on anxiously while she wondered what sort of people the men in the gambling den were. If one had money, they sucked up to them; once one had no money, they ignored them. Dont worry, my luck has always been good. Jiang Pengji played her last silver tael while she gave a mysterious smile. This shoddy play style was about luck to others. But for her? It was about whether she wanted to win. When Meng Liang noticed that she was in her element, he smirked and quickly grabbed his winnings before he moved to another table. Young master, are you still playing? the dealer asked. Of course. Jiang Pengji nonchalantly tossed the last tael to small. It was as though the wheel of luck had turned and Jiang Pengji was finally able to win. The result was small. The payout was one to one and she had two taels in her hands. She quickly tossed both taels towards small. Youre still betting on small? The dealer smiled. Most gamblers had placed their bets on big since the results had been small for eight rounds straight. Hmm. The dealer opened the dice cup: one, three, fourCCeight points. It was small again. Jiang Pengji had four taels. This round, all on big. Jiang Pengji placed all her taels on big. The dealer opened the dice cup: four, four, fiveCCthirteen points. It was big. Ill continue betting on big, Jiang Pengji said and left her winnings on big. Once the results were revealed, she won sixteen taels. Young master, your luck is good, the dealer replied stiffly, but he kept his smile. This is called good luck? Jiang Pengji thought happily. Once she really started gambling, even she was afraid of herself. Back in her old life, she would sometimes make her way down to the black markets casinos and close down a few shops. Due to her status, even when those casinos emptied their bank accounts because of her, they could not do anything to her. They all knew that if they did, she would kill those who opened or backed the casinos. She was that unruly. Chapter 161 - You Want A Punch? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio From going from a losing streak to winning many times in a row, Jiang Pengji had turned one tael into 256 taels. Nongqin was not the only one astonishedthe banker felt a cold sweat in his palms despite his composed expressions. The amount she won was sizeable for a medium-sized gambling house like the one they were in. Would you like to wager in this round? Jiang Pengji looked down. I was betting small, but Ill save it for the next round. Her reply confused Nongqin. If she had wanted to bet, she could continue. Other gamers heard and put their wagers on small. However, Jiang Pengji knew the banker would win that round anyway. The result was three sixesa rare triple. Gamers betting either big or small lost to the banker. Still, the house was not much pleased, because Jiang Pengji won the succeeding two rounds. She had lost five taels at the beginning, but gained 1,024 in the end! The banker could stay no longer. He felt like there were needles on his chair. After leaving with an excuse, he went to the second floor for his boss. If they continued to let Jiang Pengji win, they would lose all of their profits from the past few years. In order to make a profit, they used filthy methods. That was why many men had lost so much that they had to sell their children and wives in order to repay their debts. Behind the illusion of a fair game were tricks that the bankers were well-versed in. Dices, for instance, were specially made with an unbalanced weight so that they could control the results by feeling the delicate change of weight and adjusting them as they wanted. Large-scale gambling houses could even alter settled results secretly after the gamers had put their wagers. That would explain why losing was much more common than winning. Even for those who had luckily won for once, they would lose in the coming rounds. The routine of gambling houses was to let their targets win at the beginning when their bets were little, then win them back when they finally made heavy wagers. The bankers would then tell the gamers, Its all about luck. Maybe you can win next time! to lure their targets to continue. When the boss heard about what had happened, he rose from his chair. What? Didnt you use tricks? The banker explained hurriedly, I did! But that boy always avoids the tricks as if he knew about them beforehand I cant make triples each round, right? Or else everyone will sense that somethings wrong. The boss would not let Jiang Pengji win what should have belonged to him. If we cant win him here, when he leaves His hand gestured to cut his neck. They would do anything for money, especially for the huge sum that Jiang Pengji had obtained. His suggestion startled the banker, who pondered and added, We cant. It seems that the boy and his friend are from wealthy families. Hejian was a county that accommodated clusters of important houses. Teenagers with luxurious clothing were usually from families that the gambling house could not afford to provoke. The boss stomped his feet. What should we do then? After a moment of pause, the banker suggested, The boys got a friend whos playing at another table. That one seems unskilled. Should we win the money back from him? If they could do nothing to Jiang Pengji, why didnt they change their target? They could make his friend lose even more than what Jiang Pengji had won. Brilliant! The two men looked at each other and smirked. Brilliant indeed! Jiang Pengji closed her eyes for a while when the banker returned. They had already fallen into her trap. Those who schemed to trick her were always the ultimate losers. Lets resume the game. She smiled casually. The threat under the sweet appearance sent a chill through the bankers body and he almost lost grip of the dice cup. Her winning streak had thrilled the crowd, who were accustomed to losing and had never seen someone obtain over four thousand taels in one night. The glittering silver shone in front of them. Wont this be too heavy to carry? The banker calmed himself down and returned a smile. Langjun, are you betting this round? Unexpectedly, Jiang Pengji laughed. No! This is tedious! Then, she walked away, leaving the banker speechless. Nongqin hurriedly wrapped up the silver and held it in her arms. The weight made her feel like she was in a dream. The banker was going to invite them to stay when he heard Meng Liang banging the table near them. Oh, yes, thats where theyll win. It was then that Jiang Pengji realized that her cousin had gone to another table. Is everything fine? When she and Nongqing walked towards Meng Liang, the boys eyes were reddened with madness. Leave me alone! Meng Liang shouted at her, and then he pointed to the banker sitting at the desk. Another round! Jiang Pengji was not angry. Instead, she asked a gamer, What happened to my cousin? The gamer sniggered. Youd better stop him. Hes already lost more than six thousand. Even Jiang Pengji was surprised by the figure. Wow, Meng Liangs really generous. The game was to guess between odd numbers and even numbers. It appeared fairer than the one she had played, so how did Meng Liang lose so much? As she glanced at the dice cup, she found the answer to her question. Sigh! He cant even spot such poor tricks? Chapter 162 - You Want A Punch? (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji immediately shut up when she was yelled at. She watched coldly as Meng Liang continued to seek death. Who dared to go against him in Meng County? Even gambling dens in Meng County were the same. The bosses would try to appease him and he would always win quite a bit of money when he went. Because of that, Meng Liang thought of himself as a god of gamblingCCbut he was now at an impasse. They were in Hejian County, not Meng County. There was no one around to appease him. Nongqin hugged the money closer to her. When she heard the amount, she paled. Langjun, this If they continued losing, she would not be able to leave with her Langjun. Dont worry; this is a sham. Jiang Pengji snorted. How would she not know what the gambling den is planning? Or rather, that was what she had planned. Meng Liang lost while she won, and what was the inevitable connection? Meng Liang was the Mengs son. He always had the best, whether it came to food or clothes. His mother was Meng Zhans favorite concubine, and also the one who controlled the household. Naturally, he could have whatever he wanted. His monthly allowance had so much excess that it was frightening. His bets were always at least in the hundreds, and sometimes, they would even hit the thousands. No one dared to win against him. Even if they did, Meng Liang would bring his retainers with him to their house. He brought disasters with him wherever he went. For the current round, he had bet a thousand fine silver. Jiang Pengji gave a cold smile when the dealer smiled like a cat caught the canary. This Langjun here has accumulated a few thousand taels of debt. We are a small shop. If you cant pay after youre done, wont we be losing out? The dealer was putting on an act. He was trying to make it seem like he wanted Meng Liang to stop betting, but he was actually firing him up to play more. Meng Liang smiled slyly. The dealer didnt think he could afford it? What a laugh! How could they not know who he was? What are you blabbering about? Bet or no bet? Dont be snobbish. You think Ill try to take advantage of you over this bit of money? Meng Liang smacked the table in annoyance. If it were not for his expensive clothes and handsome looks, he would have looked like a city hooligan. The dealer did not even get angry with what Meng Liang had said. Instead, he smiled. Of course I can tell that your upbringing is different from ours. However, how would we know if you can produce real gold and silver? Youve been flapping your gums and we have not seen any silver from you. If you do win, we will be the ones giving you real silver. Meng Liang was furious. If he were still in Meng County, nobody would dare to treat him like that. Even though he was angry, Meng Liang truly did not have any fine silver on him. When he thought of that, he was even more infuriated. When the dealer saw that Meng Liang could not produce any money, he gave a cold sigh. If you dont have any money, then dont come in here pretending you are rich. This is a gambling shop, not a charity hall. You have to pay your debts with money, as is the principles of heaven and earth. Scram. If you have no money, just say so. Dont give me any fibs! After saying that, a few strong men in coarse hemp clothes surrounded Meng Liang. At that moment, Meng Liang was choking with rage from the dealers words. When he had lost continually, he had to put a lid on his emotions. Then the dealer provoked him with his words and obviously scorned him. How could a spoiled brat like Meng Liang withstand such a thing? In the past, he could kill the peasants who dared to go against him. Meng Liang was not known for being patient or tolerant. At that moment, Jiang Pengji figured that enough was enough and had stepped forward to try and stop him. In actual fact, she was fanning the flames. She appeared to be very troubled and charitable when she said, Cousin, dont fuss over the details with the common folk. Xi still has some taels Meng Liangs eyes were bloodshot with anger. He glared at her as though he was looking at his enemy. He lifted a hand and pushed her away. Do you know who am I? Peasants! If you dare touch me, then try it! Meng Liang was no longer able to remain logical from the provocations he was receiving on all sides. When the dealer heard his prideful words, he gave a cold sigh and ridiculed him. I dont care if your mother is a dragon or a tiger. Since youre here, you better obey our rules! You cant even bring out the money and you dare to create a scene! Meng Liang looked at the men closing in on him and yelled, Get lost peasants! I am a descendant of General Meng! You dare touch me? Meng Liangs face was flushed with anger when he slapped a guards hand away. Meng Zhan is my father! Got it! Jiang Pengji watched the scene unfold with a smile. Meng Liang had said the most important words. Who the hell is Meng Zhan? I have not heard of him! The dealer laughed while he pointed at Meng Liang. You brat, you still dare to say youre General Mengs descendant? You cant even afford your own bets and you claim to be his descendant? Grab him! Nongqin turned pale immediately as the strong men moved towards her and her Langjun. Crash! Before Nongqin could regain her senses, the man reaching towards her flew away with a strong hit. He crashed into the next table and the silver taels clattered to the floor. Everyone froze. What just happened? Jiang Pengji quickly drew her leg back and smirked. Dont bully my page boy. Hes still young. She had kicked the man. It had happened so fast that no one could react. What are you standing around for? Lets go! Jiang Pengji pulled a long fan from her sleeve and hit another mans face, drawing blood. Meng Liang quickly regained himself, but he did not want to leave just like that. If you peasants dare make a move, Ill send the Meng army for your hides! The people were dumbfounded by Jiang Pengjis actions but Meng Liang, the ignorant fool, worsened things with his provocations. None of the men cared if the three of them were nobility or notCCthey were now out for their blood. Jiang Pengji was skilled, and even with Nongqin hindered her movements, she could still take the men out easily. Due to her attire, however, she could not use much of her legs to fight and had to rely on her arms. Would anyone be able to stand up against her? Someone who had undergone special training? If things did not go her way, she could easily dislocate the others joints. When the gamblers on the first floor noticed the disturbance, they quickly grabbed the taels off the table and made their leave in the midst of the confusion. Other gamblers thought the same and within a second, the whole place turned chaotic. Jiang Pengji went to protect Nongqin; she did not really care about Meng Liang. Meng Liang came to his senses from the chaotic scene before him. His cheeks turned pale and he looked battered and exhausted. What made him uneasy was, when he was about to leave the place, Jiang Pengjis voice sounded in his ears. Chapter 163 - You Want A Punch? (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio She said, We cant run together or they will catch us all! Ill go that way. Take care, my cousin! Meng Liang did not stop running when he yelled outrageously, Youre using me as bait? Jiang Pengji chuckled. Meng Liang, my foolish cousin, just before your life ends, your brain finally works! What? Meng Liang gasped. They had run into a stinky dark alley. The moment he began to be alarmed, Jiang Pengji raised her hand and knocked on the back of his neck. The pain was instantly accompanied by darkness in Meng Liangs mind, where consciousness faded soon after it sensed acute pain on his throat. His body cramped. The abrupt change frightened Nongqin, although it was completely natural to Jiang Pengji. Langjun, are we leaving him here? The girl saw Jiang Pengji leave the fainted boy on the ground like a piece of rubbish, and she hesitated. She was not caring for him. What if others found out what they had done to Meng Liang? Thats right. Come on, lets run! Grab the silver tight. Ten percent of it will be your wedding gift! Nongqing looked at her blankly. Jiang Pengji shrugged. Nongqin was running too slowly, so she grabbed her arms and lifted her. Nongqin let out a brief shriek. With an arm around her shoulders and the other under her legs, Jiang Pengji was not slowed down a bit by the additional forty kilograms. She stomped at a wall, bounced to the top of another, and effortlessly hopped into the adjoining alley. All right. She released Nongqin when they had gotten rid of the people from the gambling house. A little exercise had sent the shadow in her mind away and she was smiling genuinely. She had considered letting Meng Liang live a few days more, but she changed her mind. It took a while for Nongqin to recover from shock. When she did, she turned to the langjuns silhouette in the darkness. Even after a run, not a bead of sweat could be seen on Jiang Pengjis forehead. She wasnt panting, either. Nongqin dropped her head with shame. She thought she was strong, but it turned out she could not even help the langjun, who had never done heavy housework before. Would Lady blame us for abandoning the guest? If he tells the gamers and guards to find us at the Lius Nongqin paused, her face pale. Jiang Pengji curved her lips. Well, I have the guest with me now! As for Meng Liang, he wont be able to speak or write for some time. She was skilled in dealing with problematic suspects. She was quite good at numbing their arms and stiffing their vocal cords temporarily. Meng Liangs little tricks were futile in front of her. Hearing her response, Nongqin looked around for the guest. There were only two of them, so where was the third person? The girl shivered at the thought. The weather was even colder than it had been. Well buy some ladies clothes for you, and youll become my cousin, explained Jiang Pengji. Nongqin finally understood, yet she was uncertain of the feasibility. Others have seen the guest before They could certainly tell the difference. Still, she would not refuse to comply with her orders. Before they could find a solution, Jiang Pengjis slightly better mood was once again ruined by the electronic notification in her mind. System: Automatic scanning starts. Searching for new missions Ding! Search completed. Generating mission Meng Liang, the son of Meng Zhan in Cang, is now facing fatal threats. Rescue him within two hours. Reward for completion: Small WaistIrresistible Shape. Punishment for failure: Level-Five Electric Shock! Jiang Pengjis clenched her teeth and gave a cold laugh. System, do you want a punch? The computer panicked. It wasnt me! The new mission plug-in generates missions automatically after its own calculation. Still, the result must be in your favor. Ive looked at the database and it shows that you will pay a huge cost for killing Meng Liang! Just do what the mission requires! Shut up! I dont believe a word! Jiang Pengji was indignant. Together with their earlier quarrel, she was further annoyed by the System. The System was also irked. Host, we are partners. You should respect me and cooperate with me. We computers always do better calculations, and we know the best thing to do now is to save Meng Liang. Believe it or not! I said shut up! If you ignore the mission, it will be deemed a failure two hours later. The electric shock will kill you! So what? This blocked all subsequent words from the computer. Meanwhile, Meng Liang was caught and tied up with ropes. Wherere the other two? The bosss face turned purple. He did not want the heavily indebted boy. He just wanted his money back! The muscular men dared not to answer. The other two kids seemed to have vanished in the blink of the eye! Until now, they had not figured out how they had gotten away. After all, the alley was blocked and there was no way to run. You useless people! Whats the point of keeping you? Even a dog can bite for me! Where are you waiting for? Go and find them! Chapter 164 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The men were yelled at, but they did not dare make a noise. That gambling den had been raking it in for a few years in Hejian County, and the boss was thought to have been controlling the gamblers luck. He had even destroyed families through gambling. Most gamblers had lost their fortunes, while some had even lost their minds. One could say that the gambling den was built upon the tears and the blood of gamblers. The boss had always played with other peoples lives, but now, he was played by a brat. Over four thousand silver taels! That amount was not something a commoner could earn even if they worked for their entire life. Facing their furious boss, one of the men courageously spoke up. Boss What do we do with the one we caught? Lock him up with the firewood! What were you expecting? Treat him like the god of fortune and pray to him? The boss was furious and wanted to smash Meng Liangs head in, but he held himself back. Elsewhere, Jiang Pengji brought Nongqin along with her to buy some girl clothes and a large hat that had some cloth hanging down from the brim to hide her face. Langjun, is this all right? Nongqin had not worn such high quality clothing before; she did not know how to react. She blushed and lowered her head. Its lacks a little, but it is the only adult-looking one that fits. In that era, there were no shops that made clothes. Most families went out and bought suitable fabric to sew into clothes by themselves. Some families even started from scratch by cultivating the raw materials and then processing them into fabric. After that, they would dye the different fabrics before they sewed them into clothes. Even so, there were still some places, such as large scale cloth makers, that sold ready made clothes. Cloth makers sold fabrics but they do take orders to turn the fabric into wearable outfits as well. Sometimes it was easier to hawk their wares to customers when they had a visual aid, so they would make and display clothes. The clothing was obviously for sale, but that was not the cloth makers main goal. Jiang Pengji brought Nongqin around the cloth shop and bought her an outfit made of better quality cloth, as it complemented her figure. She had Nongqin put on the hat and then bought another two bolts of better quality cloth for making her inner wear. She was planning to give them to Xunmei and Taxue. The Liu servants had their own rules when it came to clothing. Jiang Pengji was not trying to show favoritism with Nongqins clothes. They were out of necessity, and because of that, she decided to buy some for her other two maids in order for things to be fair. If she were to buy other pieces of fabric for them, they could not wear them out due to their restrictions, so she bought better cloth for their inner wear. That way, they would be comfortable. Lets go, Jiang Pengji said. Nongqin nodded and pulled on the cloth around her hat to hide her face. Host Will you really not consider? the System asked with trepidation. Jiang Pengji had calmed down from her rage and asked the System seriously, That immediate quest thing you added Can it be uninstalled? Dont give me such nonsensical quests. Even if you do, I wont do them. Im sorry, but that module can only be uninstalled in the next upgrade, the System replied pitifully. Which means that until your next upgrade, you will keep giving me these quests? The System watched her expression closely. When it noticed that she looked calm, it then replied with a faltering tone, I wont give any more quests. This module has a manual and the quests are given out accordingly. For example, if you encounter any important situation, the module will calculate the best result and path you should take, then set the quest. Once you complete it, you will be rewarded handsomely. If you fail or reject the quest, you will receive punishment in accordance to the reward Jiang Pengji was silent for a long while. Just when the System thought she was planning to ignore it, she spoke. System, tell me again. What System are you? I want to know the full name! The System was bewildered. What sort of stupid question was that? When it thought about her temper, it decided to answer, even though it knew that she would give it another dressing down. Multidimensional Court Intrigue Streaming System. Thats right. Youre a Multidimensional Court Intrigue Streaming System. Your quests should serve my main goal. What good was the reward, Small Waist, Irresistible Shape? Obviously its because men love small waists and its to be used for that Jiang Pengjis tone was calm. The System was suddenly on guard. I want to kill off those who dare to oppose me and become the emperor! I dont want to sleep with all the men to make them make me the emperor! Become the emperor and become the emperors woman could have the same meaning? Thats why you can shut up now! The System dared not make a noise. Jiang Pengji originally had no drive to do anything meaningful. Her drive to become the emperor was due to the System and the current eras people. She did not want others to change her and thus, she had to change the rest. As for the Systems level five electro punishment? Heh. Did it think that the elite soldier training was just a walk in the park? The punishment was ninety percent threat. As for the remaining ten percent? She was clear on that. Since Jiang Pengji knew what to expect, she was not afraid. The Systems intelligence was its own shortcoming. Intelligence was not something that it could gain through upgrading itself. As for the level five electric punishment? Jiang Pengjis eyes flashed and her lips curled up in a smirk. It was a golden opportunity. The elite soldiers had many training courses. The core of those courses was to use external forces to stimulate muscle growth. The Systems punishment would not be real electricity, as the human body was nowhere near the System or any electric sources. It would most likely be some sort of stimulation through the nerves that would run through the whole body like a level five electric shock. If that was the case, it was a good opportunity for her to train her body. Jiang Pengji brought Nongqin back to the Liu residence and sent her to Meng Liangs guest wing. For the next few days, youll have to stay here until everything dies down. Nongqin nodded her head and, at that moment, a sound from inside the room started to get closer to them. Langjun! Langjun, youre finally back! If you hadnt come back yet, I would have gone out to find The other stopped talking immediately and fearfully looked at the other two. Oh. It was Meng Liangs page boy, thinking that Meng Liang was back. When Jiang Pengji saw the page boy running towards them, she suddenly smiled. What a coincidence. I almost forgot about this one. Chapter 165 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The servant was far more observant than his langjun, and he immediately realized the approaching threat. He was like a jumping frog watching a snake darting at itself. Shaking his head and the uncomfortable image in it, he bowed to Jiang Pengji from a distance. It took great courage for him to ask, Second Langjun, would you know where my lady is? Jiang Pengji chuckled softly. Different from her usual, clear voice, the sound was deeper and freezing cold. Why dont you ask him yourself in hell? That was like a bomb exploding in his mind, followed by horror that was sent through his body. His legs became jelly and he fell down to the ground. Sharp pebbles cut his knees and caused bruises instantaneously. His thin lips trembled but could utter a word. At last, he took a deep breath and tried to kid himself. That must be a joke. I remember the lady leaving safe and sound! Slowly, he crawled up and took a small step backward. He had heard about the complicated past between the Mengs and the Lius. It was not impossible for Liu She to take revenge on them. The thought and extreme fear reddened his eyes. Why would I joke about it? I hate people who talk so much before they die. Jiang Pengji took a step forward. The servants nerves were tightened, and he instinctively turned to run. Perceiving his move, Nongqin intended to chase after him, but someone did it before her. The servant could only see a cloud of black mist near him when Jiang Pengjis slim fingers caught his throat. Her grip became tighter, and he was losing his breath. His struggle was violent: his hands were scratching hers in every way they could, and his feet kicked the floor strenuously. As time went by, his moves became weaker and weaker. The leaves rustled. The kicking stopped. His hands had not let go of Jiang Pengjis wrists. His widened eyes almost popped out of their sockets on his purple face; it was quickly losing the color of blood and began to resemble marble stones. Having witnessed his attempt and the loss of life in his eyes, Nongqin held her breath in the drastic drop of the surrounding temperature. The night was cold as ice. Are you afraid? Nongqin was unable to move, but she could heard Jiang Pengjis gentle voice. In response, she took a deep breath. The freezing air calmed her quivering, and she resumed her senses by biting the tip of her tongue. The girls eyes glowed with determination. Langjun, I do feel afraid now, but Ill be wont be afraid in the future. Good. Call the housekeeper to clear this. Ill assign an attendant to you. Remember to show your face to others these days to let them know our guest never left. Do you understand? Nongqin nodded hard as if that would help her overcome the fear. To their surprise, the housekeeper appeared unaffected when he perceived the corpse. The way his neck bent and cracked That must have been an unusual force. Nongqin had briefly explained to him before. He then led two trustworthy servants to the dead body, and saw clearly the afflicted youngster with his neck twisted in the light of fire. The girl was nervous. We We dont know who did this. Langjun and I heard something strange and came here, only to see this man lying lifelessly. What should we do now? The housekeeper waved at the two other servants, who had already tucked the body into a black, cloth bag. Someone will notice us even if we send him out secretly. Put him into an excrement barrel. That way, no one will find out. Their neighbors were families of a similar social status, and they could not risk being seen. Excrement barrels were the safest spot to hide a bodynobody would examine them closely. His composure and detailed thoughts roused admiration in Nongqin. She hoped to be as competent someday. It was not the first time that the System had witnessed Jiang Pengji kill someone, yet it had never been so shocked as it was at that moment. Unlike the bandits who lost their lives within a second, the stages the servant had gone through before he died were clear. The computer saw her break his neck bones with one bare hand! Finally, it managed to speak. I cant believe what youve done to an ordinary man. Jiang Pengji said coldly, This is a lesson for you. System: Dont think Ill let go of the feeble. Physical weakness wont limit this guy from hurting others. More than twenty people died directly or indirectly from his hands. I wont let him live to pose an uncontrollable threat. The System lowered its voice. Whatever. But what do you mean by a lesson for me?'' I dont know how your previous hosts were, but dont assume Im the same as them. Youve irked me several times. I hope todays mission is the last one ever imposed on me. The System had given up on arguing. I told you Its automatically generated and is out of my reach. You can decline it, and I cant force you. Okay? Jiang Pengji gave an ominous laugh. The System added, But youll have to receive the punishment, which Ive warned you about. Dont blame me if you cant survive the electric shock. It was two hours after she had received the mission. System: Mission failed. Punishment: Level-Five Electric Shock for three minutes. Please get ready. Chapter 166 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji listened to the countdown without a care in the world. Xunmei, if you hear anything from me tonight, dont investigate. Xunmei sat outside Jiang Pengjis door. Beside her was a pile of bedding that was used by the maids to keep warm on their night watch. When she heard Jiang Pengjis orders, she was surprised, but agreed. I understand. Please dont worry. The System was very humane and had given Jiang Pengji a three minute window to prepare herself. She cooly removed her outerwear and left herself clad in just her white innerwear. She sat on top of her bedding and calmly waited for the Systems punishment. Three, two, one! Exacting punishment! After the Systems countdown, a strange burst of power enveloped Jiang Pengji. Every part of her muscle felt like it was going through a blender. Jiang Pengji fell back on to the bedding from the immense pain. Her heartbeat accelerated and it felt as though it was about to beat out of her throat. Her blood ran white hot and felt like it was about to ooze out of her pores. Within two or three breaths, the area she was lying in was soaked with her sweat. The Systems punishment was on a different level from what she had gone through in her training. In terms of cruelty, the Systems punishment was normal compared to the federations training. When she compared the two against each other, however, she knew she would rather go through the training again. She had overestimated herself and forgotten that her current body was just an ordinary girl from the past. Liu Lanting had not gone through the training she had, and women from that era were obviously much weaker than the women from Jiang Pengjis own era. Such pain on Liu Lantings body was nothing to Jiang Pengjis old body. Even with Liu Lantings 31 Strength Fusion, her body was still that of a regular person. It could not be compared to even an elite soldier. Jiang Pengji was in an awkward position; her mental state was calm but she was physically drained. Her face was spasming a little from the pain and her lips were pulled into an odd smile that seemed taunting. She had no idea how the System graded its electric shocks, but after experiencing it for herself, she was clear headed. The level five shock was right on her bodys threshold. If it were a level six, she might die. When the punishment started, the System coldly observed Jiang Pengji. It was expecting her to beg for forgiveness. Why could she not cooperate with it? They would both benefit from it. As a System, it was sure that if it disregarded Jiang Pengjis temperament, there was nothing wrong with her. For a System, a foolish host was easy to control, but it was tiring as well since it would become the hosts nanny. It had to calculate every step for the host. Technically, every System craved a host who was smart and not easy to control. Jiang Pengji belonged to neither category. She was smart and adaptive with a drawback. She was egoistical and refused to be controlled or dictated by others. A host who refused to listen to the Systems calculations was worse than a brainless one. At that moment, Liu Lantings body was on the brink of collapse. If it were not for Jiang Pengjis consciousness and sheer stubbornness, her body might have done just that. An elite soldiers training depended on outside forces in order to stimulate their muscle growth. Heh. Even though the weird power surge caused her to suffer, the benefit she would gain later would be worth it. The System would not let her die. If she did, it would suffer heavy losses. If it did not want her to die, she would not suffer much. She knew what the System wanted to do with the punishment: listen to it and complete the quests, then she would not need to suffer. Heh! How unfortunate! Jiang Pengji was pigheaded! The System watched on coldly without a hint of anxiousness. Liu Xis body data was being monitored, and even though it was on the brink of collapse, it was still alive. Three minutes was not long, but the pain Jiang Pengji was going through right then felt like years. The first minute, Liu Xis data was in the red, which showed that the body was approaching dangerous levels. After that minute, the System was still not anxious and discovered that the red numbers had gradually lost their dangerous color. By the time it discovered that something was amiss, the red had turned to orange. It was still in the danger zone. Whats going on? The System was dumbfounded. Thirty seconds later, the orange turned yellow. The danger level dropped again! Before the System could figure out what was going on, the three minute punishment was up. Jiang Pengji starfished out on the bed and her chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath. Three minutes have passed? Jiang Pengjis voice was husky. The System lightly confirmed. Three minutes Thats disappointingly short The System thought Jiang Pengji was taunting it and could not help but say, Immediate quests are automatically sent out and not something I would purposely do. The time limit, number of quests, and even the content is not something I can control. Your taunts will only affect the Systems positivity, which would affect our future cooperation. Jiang Pengji was exhausted, but she had a radiant smile. Nope! I dont mean that! Jiang Pengjis smile grew brighter. What do you mean? Take a look at my stats. Jiang Pengji held in her laughter. Chapter 167 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The System immediately looked at Jiang Pengjis profile screen. Jiang Pengji licked her dry lips and mischievously added, Sigh! I wish that could be longer. Data about her had changed to: Name: Jiang Pengji (Liu Xi, AKA Liu Lanting. Base Strength: 12. Strength Fusion +39). Sex: Female (Masquerading as male. Replacing her late elder brother, Liu Lanting). Age: 41 (12). Born in the third year of the Tianwu Flower Festival. Birth: Hejian County. Liu familys second son (eldest daughter). Fiance: Wei familys second eldest daughter, Wei Jingxian (betrothal canceled). Abilities: Six Arts of Rites (Elementary), Combat (Expert), Analysis (Expert), and others (tentative). Attributes: Charisma (Hidden: 33), Appearance (75). Channel: Stream (Unlocked), Streamer Lv. 2. Compared to the initial setting, eight points had been added to Charisma although Appearance remained unchanged. She also became a Level-Two streamer because of the free level up card. What was preoccupying the System was Strength Fusion. Strength Fusion +39! The last time she used her Popularity for a Fusion, the number only increased from 30 to 31. Now, even Base Strength, which was supposed to be fixed, had expanded to 12! While the former property could be altered by blending her power in her former life, the latter was determined by the body of Liu Lanting. A stronger Base Strength allowed for more space for improvement in various aspects. That was why Jiang Pengji hoped the punishment could have been longer. System? she called out in the quiet room. What? She chuckled. She turned her body to one side and supported her head with an arm. Whens our next mission? The System was furious like a detonating bomb. Jiang Pengji! Enough! She replied, Oh no, Ive just tried it once! How will that be enough? Come on! See who will laugh till the end! The electric shock was like training for the genetically enhanced soldier, but it was not as exhausting as Strength Fusion. While her limbs were still numb, she felt both her mental and physical senses grow sharper. It reminded her of the days when she lived in a body far better than her current one. She wiped away the sweat on her face and took off her clothes to dry her skin a bit. The soaked garments were tossed into a basket for laundry and a clean set was put on. Xunmei. She cleared her throat, her voice still a little weak. The attendant answered from the other side of the door, Yes? How may I help you? I want a hot bath. Also, bring some hot tea and change the bed sheets. She was shivering as the cold wind blew on her sweaty body. Yes, my Langjun. Xunmeis reply was followed by the rustling sound of her getting out of her blanket to prepare what was requested. Immersing herself in warm water, Jiang Pengji had her long hair fixed with hairpins. It was Xunmeis turn to help Jiang Pengji that night. Ive bought something for you and Taxue and will give them to you tomorrow. Remember to wear them. I know youre afraid of other servants gossiping about you wearing ornaments and makeup, but dont let them affect you. Xunmei returned a tender smile. Thank you. Then, she looked at Jiang Pengji hesitantly. Is there a problem? The attendant bit her lips and said shyly, I was just wondering where Xu Ke has been these days. Jiang Pengji was silent for a second. She thought Xunmei had understood that she and Xu Ke would not make a happy couple. Her bookkeeper was too ambitious for a girl like her. Still, she would not intervene in their matter. If Xunmei could win his heart and Xu Ke agreed to marry her, she would certainly approve it. Xu Kes working outside. Embarrassment stiffed Xunmeis countenance. Her inquiry ceased. On the next day, Jiang Pengji meditated for a while in the morning, feeling the remarkable enhancement of her senses. After breakfast, a servant notified her of Qiguan Rangs arrival. An unexpected guest! she teased. I thought you wouldnt come without Master Wei. The youngsters birth was despised by many, as he was a commoner and a mix of two bloods. To avoid affronts, he rarely visited respected families on his own, even when they were the homes of his friends. At the moment, all of his attention was drawn to another matter and he ignored her joke. As soon as he sat down, he asked, Why did you act so impulsively? His question was of no surprise to Jiang Pengji. It happened to be the right time to do it. The Lius are uninvolved; Meng Liang has been caught; and Ive won some money. The corners of her eyes curved slightly as she smiled. Are rumors spreading in town? I think Meng Hun will know before the afternoon, so wed better wait for our rabbit tonight. The rabbit? Oh, rightCCthe unsuspecting Meng Hun, of course. Are you certain its tonight? He wont wait any longer. Meng Liangs guards are coming and will speed up when they hear about a kid called Meng Liang being captured in the gambling house. In fact, Meng Liang could have escaped yesterday if he had not left the guards behind while coming to Hejian. Meng Hun would waste no time. The longer he waited, the higher the chance that the guards could save Meng Liang. Qiguan Rang rubbed his forehead. It seems like youve got everything under control. Still, he remembered that they had agreed to come up with a plan in the coming days. Why did she act on her own just a few hours after the agreement? That was too capricious! Luckily, she had taken every detail into consideration and had prepared solutions for all potential problems. The act might have been sudden, yet the result was satisfactory. Maybe its not so bad after all, Qiguan Rang thought to himself. Jiang Pengji let out a cold laugh. When I want a duck roasted, it cant fly away. Chapter 168 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Quickly, or else itll really fly away. Qiguan Rang tapped his feather fan against his knee. His expression was solemn, as though he was pondering over something severe. If Meng Hun really goes for Meng Liang tonight, what are your plans? Or rather, what excuse was Jiang Pengji going to come up with in front of Meng Hun so as to not rouse any suspicions? Jiang Pengji was prepared. Meng Hun knows about Meng Liangs whereabouts. From his point of view, Meng Liang, and our relationship, are somewhat strained. Even so, I will use the excuse, My cousin is unruly and has snuck out on her own. She has not returned and the Lius are worried, so they sent people out to look for her and coincidentally met Meng Hun and his people. Hows that? She had used the excuse that she was trying to save Meng Hun, but in actual fact she was trying to capture him. That way, no one would suspect anything. When Qiguan Rang heard that, he pursed his lips. Sometimes he could not help but admire Jiang Pengjis shamelessness. He also felt a bit of pity for Meng Liang. The person before him was taking advantage of himCCand not just once. They were thoroughly squeezing him dry of his usefulness. Tonight is when the show will start. Wenzheng, do you wanna join in and watch? Ill save the best spot for you, Jiang Pengji said. Its all right. An old body like mine would not be able to take the excitement, Qiguan Rang rejected emotionlessly. He would much rather have peace and quiet over any sort of danger or excitement. Thats a pity, Jiang Pengji said as she brought the teacup to her lips. She then quietly told the System, Its about time. You can start the half interaction stream. Put up the title, The Art of Finishing Meng Liang.'' Jiang Pengji and the Systems interaction was stiff and awkward, but they still had to tolerate each other since they were stuck together. She was on guard against the System and watched its every move like a hawk. She wanted to ensure that she had control over the stream. The System had wanted to throw a tantrum, but its main job was to stream. If Jiang Pengji stopped streaming, its losses would be devastating. If it had beef with her, that was okay, but it could not bear to lose any points. That was why when Jiang Pengji said she wanted to start the half-interaction streaming mode, it quickly reacted and started the stream. The moment the channel was open, thousands of viewers poured in and started spamming her. Chun Lie: I was so worried! I waited so long yesterday and the host did not stream anything. I thought there wont be any more streams Ayan: Worried +1. I came over yesterday and waited, but the host didnt start streaming. I thought something happened and that was why she couldnt come online. Dashu Xiaobing: Although I was also worried, this channel has such a unique quality. Its a miracle in itself that she could even stream everyday. Maybe the host got into some situation and could not stream for awhile. Some viewers expressed their concerns, a few new viewers said their hellos, and the rest of the viewers expressed their shock at the streams title. The Art of Finishing Meng Liang. The channel had a capacity limit and the queue to enter and watch was long. Not everyone could keep up with the stream. Who was Meng Liang? Most of her viewers had no clue who he was. Xiao Yaojing: Whos this Meng Liang? Why does she wanna finish him? What did he do? Fengqi Tianlan: Isnt this channel about some court fight? Why is the punishment the gallows? I feel like watching this Whats the method of this killing? Is it bloody? Many of the new viewers expressed their doubts and confusion. There were quite a few old viewers who had followed her stream since she started and they quickly filled the newbies in about Meng Liang. Within a short moment, many who pitied Meng Liang said that he deserved to die. Naturally, there were others who disagreed. Tushuguan Daniang: Meng Liang is obviously in the wrong, but that doesnt mean the host has any right to kill him. He committed a crime and once those deeds of his are out in the open, he will surely be brought to justice. The hosts method is brutal and shes giving double standards! There were quite a few viewers who voiced similar opinions. She was not a law enforcer. Why was she taking matters into her own hands? Jiang Pengji ignored the viewers, as she was not interested in explaining or rebutting them. It was not that she could not win themCCit was because she did not want to argue with a bunch of fools. When had she mentioned that she was the good guy? Had she ever said that she was justice personified? What did enacting justice got to do with her? Killing Meng Liang was purely because he pissed her off and was an obstacle in her path. She was killing him for her own personal gain. Helping to rid the world of a public menace was mere coincidence. In the current era where people of higher social status could shirk responsibilities and where the law was not fair to the common folk, even if Meng Liang were to go overboard with his actions, he might still get away. As long as the Mengs were able to push the crime away, who would punish Meng LiangCCmuch less want his life? Zhende Jiangshan Ruhua: This host doesnt have any worldly views. If youre here for morals and ethics, youre in the wrong place. Jiang Pengji put up her mission but did not seem like she was planning to do it. She started practicing her words and writing, then went to find Qiguan Rang to analyze the current situation and listen to his opinions. Host V: The main dish starts tonight. Well kill when its dark. Right now is just credits. Zhende Jiangshan Ruhua: Awesome. What a long credit scene. I only want the main dish. Ayan: Main dish +1. Chun Lie: Main dish +2. No matter how many of her viewers begged to watch the main dish, Jiang Pengji did not budge. Not long after, night fell. Jiang Pengji turned off her stream for a moment and changed into a black outfit suited for sneaking around in the dark. She pulled on a black cloth and tied it around her face. Sir, are you sure the news is true? Didnt you say that little bastard is in the Liu residence? The one who said that sounded afraid. He was, though. He was worried that it was a trap set by Meng Liang. Meng Liang has been hiding in the Liu residence and we could not do anything. A flash of anger could be seen in Meng Huns eyes. Regardless if this is true or not, we still have to go and take a look. If we miss this opportunity, we may not have another chance to kill him. But sir, what if this is a trap? Is Meng Liang even that smart? Meng Hun snorted. Everyone: Oh, yeah. How could an idiot come up with an ambush attack? Chapter 169 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Liang was merely an idiot who fancied himself as great as his ancestor was. Everyone who had heard about him recognized that the truth was the opposite. If they assumed that Meng Liang would design to besiege them at the gambling house, they would be overestimating the boys mental competence. Still A man hesitated. Didnt you say Meng Liang has been at the Lius? The family must be looking for him right now, as they cant afford to upset the Mengs. Its possible that theyve already saved him. Meng Hun looked at the ground to contemplate. True. Thats why we must hasten. If we cant find him this time, well have to wait for another chance. He and some of his brothers had disguised themselves as ordinary civilians to search for Meng Liang in town. They had gone to the gambling house and inspected its inner structure while they were looking for the toilet. Ive heard that the gambling house usually keeps people at the firewood storage. Meng Liang is probably there! Here is a plan of this place. This is where firewood is stored The speaking man had been a scout for the Mengs army, and he was specialized in collecting intelligence on the front. To him, surveying a medium-scale gambling house was a piece of cake. Theyve got quite a lot of guards. We mustnt alarm them, or else it will be harder for us to leave Hejian tomorrow. One of them suggested, What about catching Meng Liang tonight? Meng Hun nodded. We wait until then. Meanwhile, lets keep a close eye in case someone else comes for Meng Liang. After dusk, the stuffy firewood storage fell into darkness. Meng Liangs arms were tied behind his back with a thick rope. The boy was lying on the ground, his body bent inwards for warmth. His long eyelashes were trembling as his breath shook. His frowning countenance with blue and purple bruises on it could win sympathy from many, although they knew that he was not a girl. Two guards were chatting at the door, one standing and the other sitting. Their conversation was about Meng Liang. Why doesnt he say something? One of them rubbed his arms in the chilly wind and spat at the wall. Our boss will do anything to get the money back. The other man explained, Well, he cant. Theres something wrong with his throat and arms so he cant even write. The spooky thing is, the physician said hes perfectly fine! Our boss was so mad at him earlier. They had only caught the boy who lost thousands of silver; they could not find his friend who had taken away more than four thousand. The gambling house had earned money bit by bit, sometimes by filthy methods. The boss had never supposed that someone would win away all of his profits after years of his diligent work. They had interrogated Meng Liang about where Jiang Pengji and Nongqin were, but the camp boy simply would not utter a word. They had thought he was dogged not to say it, and they beat him hard. But when they saw him cry and moan and kneel and kowtow as hard as he could, they started to believe that he really could not talk. The guard who spoke first said, I thought he was pretending. The other man rolled his eyes. Hes too weak to bear even a little pain! Soon after we began beating him, he cried like a pig being slaughtered and knelt immediately when we told him to. He wont have the determination to keep silent. You should see how he hugged our bosss legs and wailed like a girl! Didnt he say hes from the Mengs? Again, the man rolled his eyes. We all know how proud the langjuns are. Ordinary langjuns wouldnt kneel and beg like him, let alone those from the Mengs! So this is definitely a fake one. This guard missed what had happened in the day because of a nap at home. Suddenly, his companion smirked and draped the guards shoulders with his arm. For sure. See his pretty face? I think its more likely that hes from a male brothel. I wonder what will happen when the boss tells us to teach him a lesson. Heh-heh! That was what Meng Liang heard when he woke, and he clenched his teeth furiously. What will the boss do with him? Meng Liang heard the other guard reply, We wont keep him here for long; that would only waste our food. Well probably sell him to Southern Mansion to pay back the money he earned, and in a few years later hell be freed. Southern Mansion was a male brothel that bisexuals and gays frequented. Meng Liang nearly fainted again. His heart was burning with outrage. His mouth opened, but he could only produce hoarse hm-hm sounds; it was as if someone had wiped away his ability to articulate. Further irritated, he banged the floor with his elbow. A flame of hatred was flickering in his eyes. He hated the people in the gambling house only less than his hate for Liu Xi, the reason for all the torture he had gone through! During daytime, he had been slapped awake and interrogated violently. He had attempted to declare his prestigious birth, yet he could speak no words. It was as if he was born dumb. Worse still, he had lost his strength from elbows to fingers so he could not write. The impatient guards and the boss whacked him because of it. The spoiled child could not withstand the pain, and he soon begged the inferior beings in his eyes. He then did something more humiliating to please them, which he could not now recollect without feeling shame. Chapter 170 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji was well-versed in the art of concealmentCCespecially now that she was dressed in black and had her face covered. However, she was not there to save anyone, which was why she chose to scale a wall over into the gambling dens yard. Ziying Hua: The hosts handsome landing and wall scaling is awesome! Im giving a like! Its like watching one of those wuxia films. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Im looking forward to the host being able to use qinggong. Though its still cool, I think if she stick out both her arms, and do qinggong, then I think she could fly Ayan: @Shitang Dafan Ayi Thats not a person youre describing, right? Thats a bird, right? Laosiji Lianmeng: It feels like Im the only one that can see the hosts true motive. What motive? That was before Jiang Pengji scaled the wall. She did something on purpose and made it look like it was nothing. She could have entered without anyone noticing, but she still made sure to look around in a suspicious manner and even made to step out into the light for a short while in order to be noticed. Meng Huns men had been guarding the gambling dens entrance and exit for awhile. They were on their guard and definitely saw Jiang Pengji. Sh*t! Someone suspicious just went in! When Meng Hun realized it, a few of his men turned solemn. Thats someone from the Liu family, or was it Meng Liangs retainer? The Lius are a prestigious family in Hejian County. If they wanted to save someone, they would not be doing it so sneakily. All they needed was an excuse and they could enter. To do all this, it must be Meng Liangs retainer, Meng Hun said. Sir, should we still enter? one of his men asked. They had already sent someone in to check out the guards in the gambling den. The person they sent in would give them the signal when the opportunity to grab Meng Liang arose. Now that the shadow had entered the gambling den, however, would their scout and the shadow fight when they saw each other? Meng Hun hated Meng Liang to the core, and he would not let one of his men die for his cause. When he thought of that, Meng Huns expression turned solemn and he waved his hand. Lets go! Meng Huns stature was tall and large. He stretched an arm and easily grabbed the top of the wall, vaulting himself over. He took two running steps, took a few steps up the wall, then got his hand on the other side of the wall and flipped himself over. The other men did similar moves and quickly vaulted over. They were silent as they did that. Jiang Pengji hid herself in the shadows and watched them all enter the yard. Her lips curled up in a smile. Show time! Ziying Hua: #Starry eyed. Newbie here. Whos that tall leader? Shitang Dafan Ayi: Even though Im an old-timer here, I have no idea who that is, either. Laosiji Lianmeng: I tidied up this channels stream information, people, situations encountered, and have made a rough connection between characters. Based on the recent development, that person should be that unlucky officer. Ayan: Officer? The one that Meng Liang cuckold? Laosiji Lianmeng: Based on my analysis, it should be this person, but the host didnt stream yesterday, so she may have met new people. If so, this guy might be someone else. Meng Hun and his men quickly noticed something was wrong. The place was too quiet. Meng Hun was on his guard and he had a bad feeling. Did Meng Liang finally gain some brain cells and lure them there? Just when Meng Hun was preparing himself for the worst case scenario, two mounds of something caught his attention. The two mounds laid in the dark where they could be easily overlooked. Still alive, but the back of his neck suffered a heavy hit. He wont be awake for awhile. The scout received a signal from Meng Hun and went forward to investigate. He discovered that the two mounds were two guards from the gambling den. The back of their necks were bruised and it was obvious that someone had hit them pretty hard. Any harder and they would have died! Lets go! Meng Hun called. Where the guards were supposed to be was empty. Where had they gone to? Meng Hun and his men quickly discovered the rest of the unconscious guards. Their hearts turned cold at the sight. It seemed that they had met someone good. All the bruises are the same and the speed seems fast. It looks like it was done by the same person. All these ruffians dont seem like they managed to react before they fainted, one of his men said. To think that such a talent is working for the Mengs If it were the Mengs from the past, it would not have been surprising that they had someone that talented working for them. But the Mengs now? None of them were worthy. They had allowed Meng Liang to do as he pleased and he had caused the deaths of the officers wife and daughter! To have a son like Meng Liang, Meng Zhan was no better! As his father, he allowed Meng Liang to commit such crimes. He did not bother to teach his son a lesson, or even try to hide the deaths. If Meng Liang did not reveal it by accident, the officer would probably be still in the dark about his familys deaths. Stop. Meng Hun was not stupidly loyal, but he disliked belittling his old employers. A wall away, Jiang Pengji sat on the roof and listened to their conversation. Her eyes were filled with mirth. Below her, a guard guarding Meng Liang had been yawning away. One of the guards patted the yawning guards shoulder and mumbled, Watch over for me. Ill go take a nap. Go ahead. No one comes to such a place anyway. If the boss or someone comes by, Ill wake you. The gambling den had some prestige around it. Ruffians would not dare to stir up any trouble and the hired guards were mostly there to guard. They would sometimes be sent out to collect debts, but their job scope was pretty slack. Other than their boss coming to check on them, they could slack off when they were guarding things. After the two had stopped talking, they saw a black shadow flit past them. One of the guards rubbed his arms and his voice trembled when he asked, DidCCdid you see something? You, you saw too? A shadow? The others teeth chattered. When they realized they both saw the same thing, they suddenly felt like their legs had turned to jelly. Chapter 171 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Recalling their torture to their past captives, the guards could think of nothing save the ghosts that had lived in their hearts all these years. They panicked. In an instant, an acute pain fell on the back of their necks. The force seemed to run through their bodies and up to their eyes to block their sight. Before they could make any sound, their heavy eyelids closed. They could not tell exactly what had happened. Their bodies fell the moment they lost consciousness. Bang! Bang! The unconscious men hit the ground. Jiang Pengji was hanging on the roof upside down with her feet clinging to the edge. Then, her waist made some efforts to bring her entire body up, her hands tightly grasping the cornice. Her feet were free again. After a quiet jump, she was in front of the storage room. She kicked the fainted guards aside and broke the door altogether. Behind the door, Meng Liang bent further inwards on the floor as nervousness and fear rose to the extreme. Cold wind rushed in as the door was removed, causing him to have goosebumps. He shivered. With the aid of the dim moonlight, Meng Liang could see a shape other than the two guards. He thought with relief that it was his guard and resumed his usual insolence towards Jiang Pengji. He protested with angry hm-hm sounds. One could imagine what he meant to say with that outrageous glare. Jiang Pengji was once again the patient cousin. She looked at him with concern and was ready to loosen the ropes that tied his arms and legs when something forceful darted at her. The audience, who had noticed it immediately, alerted her. Dashu Xiaobing: Oh my god! Host, watch out! At the same time, Jiang Pengji had found an end of the rope. The blade almost reached her back when she made an abrupt turn to avoid it. The metal cut Meng Liangs arm instead. Urgh Meng Liang let out a grating moan. Meng Huns companions knew their leader very well after the battles they had fought together. Without a single word, they comprehended his cues and acted strategically. Meng Hun would occupy Jiang Pengji. Meanwhile, the others would take Meng Liang away. The viewers were furious. Yuyu Yecheng: This is unfair! Bufu Nilaidawoa: Careful, Host! I think theyre kidnapping Meng Liang. Liuyue Xiesandao: Come on! Give them a blow! I know youll win. If they could, they would have crawled into their computer screens to help. They were like ants killing an elephant. Meng Hun supposed Jiang Pengji was a guard of the Mengs. Thinking of his old master, he avoided fatal points on her body. He could not defeat Jiang Pengji, even with all his strength, so his consideration only placed him at a greater disadvantage. Jiang Pengji blocked his companions attempts several times while staving off Meng Huns attacks. Meng Liang, the reason for the fight, no longer wore arrogance and pride on his face. He was dropping his head as low as possible to protect himself. His arm was already injured and precious blood streamed out of it. He would punish the guard after they escaped. His family did not need a useless man that could not even protect him after he had been trained for years. He had no gratitude for the guard who was defending him with his own life, for everything was bought by the Mengs with the food and shelter they provided. What Meng Liang observed was that he failed to perform his duty. Now, the dear langjun of the house was hurt and the guard had to pay a high price for it. Meng Hun continued his fight with his opponent, who was wearing black clothes. However, his motions were too straightforward to parry Jiang Pengji, whose moves were light and unpredictable. There was no doubt that he could not defeat her without doing his best. Lets end this, Jiang Pengji thought to herself. Then, she grabbed a bunch of wood in the room and pretended to attack Meng Huns companions. The military chief instinctively stopped to protect his brothers. In the next second, he knew it would be no good. She struck his wrist. His arm was instantaneously insensible. Jiang Pengji took away his blade, locked his arms behind his back, and exerted overwhelming force on his shoulders so that he could not stand up. Freeze! Ill kill this man if any of you make a move! Jiang Pengji held the blade against Meng Huns neck. His companions had caught Meng Liang, but they immediately froze in their positions. How dare you! an apprehended man yelled. Ha! Those who can threaten me are either dead or not yet born. What makes you think I dare not? Despite her mask, her voice remained recognizable. Two people were shocked when she spoke: one was Meng Liang, and the other was Meng Hun. The former found out that she was no guard, while the latter gasped as he recollected whose voice it was. Jiang Pengji seemed to have noticed Meng Huns strange reaction and asked, Who are you? Meng Hun lowered his voice and told the other men, Nevermind me. Kill that bastard! No, we cannot do it. Im sorry, chief! To the men, even a thousand Meng Liangs were not worth hurting a strand of Meng Huns hair. It came to a standstill. At last, Jiang Pengji shook her head and sighed, trying to make peace before releasing Meng Hun. Why are you coming after my cousin? Im sure a young lady like her doesnt have strong enemies like you. Is there any misunderstanding? If there is, I, Liu Xi, can apologize for you to my cousin. Meng Hun frowned. That was really the langjun he had met the other day. He questioned, How would he be your cousin? Jiang Pengjis tone changed. How did you know about his gender? Are you the ones that my cousin said were chasing after him? So he escaped his homeland because of you? Chapter 172 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Those words Not only were her viewers and Meng Hun bewildered, but even Meng Liang was dumbfounded. Did he really say that? Meng Liang had indeed said that, but he said it to Gu Zhen, not Jiang Pengji. Regardless who he said it to, he did utter the words. Jiang Pengji was not lying. When Meng Hun heard that, he did not even suspect the authenticity of Jiang Pengjis words. Instead, he was sure that Meng liang was trying to twist the facts. He gave a radiant smile and forgot to mask his voice. You may be a living buddha, young master, but youve been hoodwinked by this little b*stard. When she heard the familiar voice, Jiang Pengji seemed to have remembered something. She used her hand to turn Meng Huns face and leaned in. A moment later, she appeared anguished. Why is it you? she questioned in a low voice. Meng Hun did not reply her. Instead, he questioned her. I have no idea how this b*stard spun the tale. Why would Meng Mou frame him? Wheres the evidence? Meng Mous wife and daughter died a horrible death and it was not done by him? How dare he alter the facts! Jiang Pengji looked at Meng Liang then at Meng Hun, whose face was filled with rage. She wore a complicated expression. Right then, footsteps could be heard approaching and everyone tensed. Jiang Pengji had no choice but to take a deep breath. We cant stay. Lets change our location first, she said stiffly. Even though she said that, she did not move the blade away from Meng Huns throat. Meng Huns men did not dare move an inch, either. Meng Liang may be dumb, but his instincts were pretty spot on. From one side, he had Meng Hun coming after him in a bid for revenge. On the other hand, he fell into Liu Xis trap. If he could talk or write, he would have revealed Liu Xis plans. Were safe here. No one will come for the time being. Now you lot have ample time to tell me the truth. I hate being lied to and betrayed, Jiang Pengji said coldly while she faced Meng Hun. Previously, I thought you were a pitiful man with nowhere to go. But now that I think about it, it was all just a ploy for you to get close to me and get the information you needed, right? She did not stream anything the day before and thus, her viewers were unaware of her superb acting skills. They began to console her. Ayam: Ah dont cry dont be sad. Obviously this man is too cunning. Shitang Dafan Ayi: The host is so pitiful. She got lied to Pat, pat dont be sad Xiyan: Yeah, dont be sad. We all support you! So let this person die. Other than the naive viewers that were new to the channel, there was another group of viewers who thought differently. Laosiji Lianmeng: Im telling you, the host is definitely taking advantage of people! Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Life is all but an act. After the last time, I dont trust the host anymore. Her viewers were all amped up by the development. Some saw through the act and knew what she was playing at, while most of her viewers still pitied her. Jiang Pengji happily accepted the pity and continued with her act. Meng Hun pursed his lips before bringing his hands together in respect. This is Meng Mous fault. I was not truthful with you, but this matter concerns my life and my mens lives, which is why I had to hide the truth. Its all right if I lose my life, but I cannot exact revenge! Jiang Pengji loosened her grip on the blade pointed at Meng Huns neck. Meng Hun felt that and was relieved. Liu Xi was skillful and a charitable softy. He would be taken advantage of. Jiang Pengji seemingly did not notice Meng Huns expression and asked, You said that my cousin hoodwinked me. What do you mean? Isnt the revolt in Meng County because of you? The chaos brought suffering to the people! Meng Huns heart ached at the thought. He had sought revenge for his family and did not think of the consequences. He brought his men to revolt against the Mengs and had burned down the office. He did not expect the Mengs to send out their army just to catch them! Meng Liang committed crimes while his family ripped off the common folk. The people were already simmering with anger over that. When the Meng army used the excuse that they were hunting for Meng Hun and his men to exploit the merchants and people, they had taken away many of the peoples fortunes, wives, and even daughters. The Meng army was no longer as glorious as the ones from General Mengs days. The current army was nothing but a bunch of thugs! Meng Huns revolt against the Mengs was just the snowball. The real kicker was the Meng household that led to the peoples revolt. Regardless of how it was said, the one who started it all was indeed Meng Hun. I may not know how glib this b*stards tongue is to hoodwink you, but I am definitely not someone that despicable. I have not done anything to let the Mengs down, and I have never once disappointed the people of Meng County, Meng Hun mumbled. Jiang Pengji shifted her gaze between Meng Liang and Meng Hun. Her gaze was flickering, as though she was pondering over their words. Meng Huns men heard about Jiang Pengji from him and they had a good impression of her, which was why they did not make any untowards movements. In that case, if what you said is true, then I want to know the whole story. Meng Hun secretly let out a sigh of relief and started from the beginning. The young master before him was not only kind, but fair as well. This matter started a few months ago. Meng Hun took in a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm. If he was not calm, he might just heck it all and strangle Meng Liang on the spot. He had his own plans. Meng Liang had to die, or else he would not be able to face his wife and daughter in hell. After killing Meng Liang, he planned to kill himself as his punishment. Liu Xi could then bring his head to the Mengs and explain everything. He hoped that it would be enough to help his men. He was fine with dying, but his men should not lose their lives over nothing. When he thought of that, Meng Hun finally managed to keep himself calm enough to explain everything to Jiang Pengji. Although Meng Hun was calm, his eyes were red and wet with tears. Jiang Pengjis viewers did not care about Meng Liang. One by one, they began to pity Meng Hun. Her viewers could tell that he was trying his best to hold it in. His hands were balled into tight fists until his fingertips turned white. His eyes showed ruthlessness. What was so tragic that it would cause a strong man like him to have such anguished tears? Chapter 173 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shitang Dafan Ayi: Sigh. No matter which dimension it is, good people dont always have happy endings. Laosiji Lianmeng: I cant believe what the Mengs did to the loyal man. Still, I appreciate Meng Huns act. Loyalty should not be blind. Xiyan: Host, can you help him? I feel so sorry for him. Liuyue Xiesandao: Same here. Reality is not a fairytale, but I still hope he can get what he deserves. Jiang Pengji was equally profoundly moved by the military chiefs account. Her eyes widened. How could that be? Meng Hun added, Merchants in Meng County can account for my words. While the Mengs and their army were blocking the news, I do believe in the courage of people for telling the truth. Even if they are too afraid to say it, you can ask about the reputation of the Mengs in the region. Jiang Pengji was hesitant. Finally, she decided. I sympathize with you, but the Meng house is one of the greatest in DongqingCCeven our King cant afford to provoke them, let alone me and my family! I mustnt let you kill Meng Liang, or else well all die at the hands of the house! Meng Hun listened with desperation. She continued, Still, I can let you go safely. Youll leave Hejian tomorrow morning as soon as the town gate opens, and youll never return to kill Meng Liang. Will you promise me that? Ill then pretend that nothing happened tonight. Her offer touched Meng Hun, who replied with a bitter smile. Langjun, you are generous, yet credulous. Arent you worried about yourself? Why should I be? she asked. Meng Hun exclaimed, Dont be deceived! Meng Liang never forgives, and he will remember every word Ive said tonight! Langjun, you may pretend that nothing has happened, but what about him? When he returns home and tells a distorted story to his family, they will certainly blame the Lius instead of thanking you. That was the most likely thing to happen, given Meng Liangs traits. As a result, Jiang Pengji struggled again. No, he he wouldnt do that to me. Are you sure? His tone was certain. Meng Liang was tense as he listened to the conversation. The people in front of him were determining his life, and he could neither run, fight, nor speak for himself. He did not know why Liu Xi had left him, but he would surely be dead if the youngster was persuaded. He made noise to attract her attention. Hush! A man noticed him and kicked his thigh as a warning. Meng Liang shrieked. Langjun, have you heard about the past conflicts between the Mengs and your family? They would have erased the Lius were it not for your fathers discreteness and decisiveness. Meng Hun would not let the na?ve langjun release his captive, and he thus blurted out, The Lius lady was once Meng Zhans wife! What? Jiang Pengji faked a natural, shocked expression and stumbled a step backwards. Nonsense! How dare you attack my mother! Meng Hun swore to heaven. If thats a lie, Ill be struck by bolts and tormented in hell! Jiang Pengji calmed herself down. Why did you say that? Meng Hun was not the type to exaggerate, so he told her the plain facts. If Im not mistaken, your mother is from the Gus in Langye. She married Meng Zhan at a young age, but Meng Zhan suspected that she was disloyal. As a result, he and his concubine constantly abused the lady and her son. A few years after their divorce, the lady remarried Officer Liu. The remarriage upset Meng Zhan so much that, when Meng Hun had served the house as a guard, he often heard the drunken master cursing the lady. Meng Zhan has never forgiven the lady. Imagine what would happen if Meng Liang returned to Cang and accused the Lius for helping me against the Mengs! Do you think they would spare your family? Unlike the common military, Meng Hun was more attentive and sensible. He seemed to have convinced Jiang Pengji, who tiredly rubbed her forehead. What should we do, then? Meng Hun tightened his lips and knelt down. He then bowed to her, his head knocking hard against the floor. Meng Liang must die! Theres no reason for saving him. Please, I plead for your mercy on me! Jiang Pengji turned to one side to avoid his bow, and then gave him a hand to help him stand up. Stand up straight like a man! Meng Huns companions wanted to help him up, too, but he rejected stubbornly. Ever since my wife and daughter left, vengeance has been my only drive for living. I must take that b*stards life today, even if that means I have to go to hell with him! Langjun, I know you are compassionate, and I wont put you at risk I beg you to let me kill Meng Liang! I will bear all the responsibility for his death! His entreaty roused Jiang Pengjis empathy. Before she replied, the man continued, By that time, you may cut off my head for the Mengs to prove the Lius innocence. The only thing I ask of is that you take care of these brothers of mine. When he finished, he again knocked his head on the floor. Jiang Pengji could feel the sounds echoing in her heart. She had already calculated everything that he had said. Yet, when the scene unfolded in front of her, she was more touched than she imagined she would beCCperhaps that was because of his sincerity. Stand up to speak to me! she repeated, that time more seriously. I must acknowledge the threat you mentioned. I cant place my family at risk for the Mengs revenge. Chapter 174 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (Ⅺ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Hun was delighted. So was that a yes? There seemed to be a but from Jiang Pengji. Just Are you willing to sacrifice your life for a scum bag like him? Meng Hun forced himself to smile. Do you know what it is to look upon human lives as if they were grass? My life is worthless, but it would be worth something if I could use it in exchange for Meng Liangs. Thousands of people want him dead but they have no clue who he isCCnot to mention if we kill him, we get revenge for your family. Jiang Pengji sighed and asked him, You can only stop letting it eat away at you after you kill him? Meng Hun nodded hard. Thats right; he has to die, or I will never give up chasing after him even if it means I turn into a ghost after I die. Meng Liang was desperate. He sat aside from them and he knew there was no way for him to get away. His had almost lost his voice from screaming constantly, but he still couldnt excuse himself. What had he done wrong? Which part had he done wrong? He was born to be the Mengs child, and he was born to be honored and spoiled with the great wealth that his family had. Why did it matter if two pariah were dead or not? There was a perfect word to describe his look at the moment, which he wouldnt learn even if he was about to be killed. Jiang Pengji sighed and said to him, Okay. Since you are so determined Meng Huns subordinates kneeled on the ground before Jiang Pengji after she finished her words. They begged her and said that each of them would like throw their own lives away for Meng Hun. It was a good deal if they would give their own lives away for Meng Liangs cheap life and, at the same time, save the rest of their people. Lang Jun, County Military Chief has to be alive. He has had such a tough life and he is needed by all our comrades. I can do this. I dont have parents or a family to take care of. Death would be an easy end since I have no cumbrance at all. Dont listen to him. It should be me and no one is fighting with me for this! All the viewers in the stream room were touched. If the viewers were in Meng Huns peoples shoes, they wouldnt want to give up their lives for himCCespecially since there was no blood bond between them. Laosiji Lianmeng: From our modern perspective, these people from an ancient society are not just stupidCCthey are ridiculous, too. They have an absolute sincerity that modern people dont possess, however. A decent man would die for his confidantCCit is not just empty talk. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: I am starting to resent the host. It feels like she schemes to exchange her fake righteousness for other peoples sincerity. Dahao Daguaziô: I feel the same way, since you brought it up. It feels like she is way too indifferent. Shanghaojia XiapiϺüϺƤ: Me too. Most of the viewers were feeling similarly, even though Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan didnt have the intention of leading them down that path. When people showed the resentment to a certain subject, there had to be someone that felt differently. Bufu Nilaidawoa: The host never has a bottom line and no one ever said that she was a good person But somehow you guys just learned that? Zhende Jiangshan Ruhu: It would be the real her, only if she is cold blooded. I would rather name that as rational than cold blooded. Only this type of person could adjust well and merge into any environment. She doesnt cause trouble to her surroundings, but the people who stand against her will have a bad run of things. Wanwan: Just keep your mouth shut. You can go for it if you think you are competent. Did she ever say that she was genuine and kind? Yiye Chengzhou: Even so, Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan didnt say it exactly wrong. She is trading her fake righteousness for other peoples sincerity. Why does it matter as long as she treats County Military Chief well, unlike Meng Zhan? The viewers were uncomfortable with the idea, but they had to admit that they didnt like the hypocritical, fake saints who played like they were innocent but had no principles. Every now and then, people expected to see a positive side of a person, especially on certain matters. They criticized whoever performed ruthlessly. It was the same with Jiang Pengji. What she had done was out of the masss expectations, so it naturally caused an aversion for others. Laosiji Lianmeng: Those who are looking for the white lotus who can keep stainless from the dust, you are in the wrong place. You might as well go watch the television shows. I have to remind you that the host is meant to do great things. You either take the realm or fall to be an outlaw as an experience in the long history. The way she chooses makes her either become the queen, or she will die. How bizarre would it be if a white lotus contended for hegemony? What other methods could she use if not her wisdom or scheming? Did she have to take advantage of her sexual privilege to please the people who could help her climb to the top? If that was so, they might as well watch some porn. Porn was high definition and there were even some close-up shots. It was joyful to watch the pretty girls in porn The host? She didnt have the hourglass figure. The bullet screen didnt impact Jiang Pengji much. She chose to neglect them because it was not necessary to make any explanations. Why would she give a d*mn about other peoples opinions if it was what she wanted to do? The room was full of voices of soldiers striving to die for Meng Hun. One of them even attempted to commit suicide. What the heck are you guys doing? Jiang Pengji quickly snatched the dagger from him and cast it far away from him. Suicide was the most annoying behavior to her. It was an entirely cowardly action, no matter what the initial purpose was. Everyone stand up. I have a solution to deal with this. You should feel shame about weeping and whining about killing yourselves! Jiang Pengji was not impressed and she had a furious look on her face. She really flipped out about it. The one who intended to take his own life was under the surveillance of the rest, just in case he tried to do something silly again. Nobody noticed the reprimand in her tone because their concentration was on the first sentence that she had said. She scolded them with anger. Im doing this just to save my familyCCit has nothing to do with you or the others. I just want my family to get out of this catastrophe in one whole piece. I dont give a d*mn about whoever wants to live or die. It is never my business, just dont do it in front of me! One of Meng Huns subordinates couldnt wait to ask, Did you come up with a good strategy, Langjun? Not really a good strategy, but it will still be wiser than yours. She seemed steadfast and said, Meng Liang is really not worthy of being alive considering all that he has done. I have no problem transferring him to you, and it will be entirely your decision if you want to take his life or torture him first. But it is not an easy case to keep all of you safe. The guy continued, We are all listening to you, Langjun. We will have to make sure that happens, no matter what it takes. Meng Hun had no chance to interrupt. Everyone was keeping their eyes on him just in case he decided to take his own life first. First of all, you are going to take the blame that you abducted and killed Meng Liang The same man was dazed and said with a sense of confusion, We are the ones that are going to kill him. Is there really anyone who wants to compete with us for the crime? Jiang Pengji was speechless. To be serious, boy, you were kind of cute. She ignored him and said, The Mengs will not be able to let the matter go as soon as they receive the message of Meng Liangs death. Meng Hun finally grasped the chance to speak. Meng Zhan has been suspecting the blood of First Langjun, but he wouldnt recognize him as the pure blood of the Mengs. He suggested multiple times the tendency that Meng Liang had to take domination of the lineage. If Meng Liang dies, the successor of the Mengs will land on First Langjun, which would be the worst scenario for Meng Zhan. There was a big chance that Meng Zhan would go nuts if Meng Liang was really dead. That is what I was about to say. She pursed her lips and said with a caution, I had a slight concern when I heard about the turmoil in Meng County, Cang Prefecture from Meng Liang. You know, Meng County in Cang Prefecture is rather close to Hejian County. Even the Mengs own military forces sealed the information about this, it will spread to Hejian County eventually Chapter 175 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Despite his concentration, Meng Hun could not understand what she meant. Jiang Pengji explained further, Lots of civilians in the surrounding counties have been robbing households in Hejian the past few years due to serious drought and famine in their hometowns. The news about rebellion in Cang will only encourage the mobs. Meng Hun began to understand. The mobs will act more recklessly in the chaos? She nodded, but then shook her head. Still, theres another concern. Meng Hun furrowed. Although he was more detail oriented than most of his companions, he was no match for the witty Jiang Pengji. Imagine what people will do when they hear about the rebellion, she hinted. As Meng Hun appeared to have understood her point, she continued, Food is always the priority for commoners. Its spring now, and the rumors will spread across Hejian by summer. By then, people will have consumed most of their crops from last year, but theres still a few months before this years harvest. What will happen if there are hearsays about Hejian becoming a battlefield? Meng Huns throat was dry and burning. He swallowed and replied with uncertainty, They will rush for grains in case battles affect their harvest. Sellers could then raise their prices for greater profits. When Meng Hun had left the county Meng, the price of grains was already five times higher than usual. Even so, there was a shortage for food. It was not surprising that merchants would maximize their profits with the aid of rumors. In the end, prices may even soar to thirty times higher! Dont forget the mobs in Hejian. Theyve got no food now, and they wont be able to afford any by that time. The result is a more frequent disturbance to the commoners. The picture stunned Meng Hun, who came from a poor family. He spent his childhood hungry and had witnessed many digging up grass and tree roots for food. Some who could find none would swallow white clay that tasted like rice, and they eventually died of digestive problems. There were even cruel scenes of people stealing children or chopping up their friends corpses for flesh. There was no peace for the dead. On their way to Hejian, Meng Hun and his brothers had spotted traces of mobs and bandits in the woods but they ignored them. At the moment, as Meng Hun related to them what Jiang Pengji had mentioned, he tightened his lips. Despite Hejians prosperous appearance, the surrounding forests posed considerable threats to the people. Even Meng Hun, who had quickly passed through the woods, had noticed more than one group of mobs. How many of them were actually hiding near Hejian? Because of the local soldiers, the mobs used to refrain themselves from hurting civilians. If they had heard about the rebellion in Meng, they would stop at nothing for grain, especially when the local guards were distracted by the rebellion. Meng Hun understood that the situation occurred partially because of him. His voice caught; his companions also fell into silence. They all had had the experience of living in destitution, and they felt sorry for the peoples misery. Jiang Pengji sighed. I have a plan that may help lower the price a little. Her words immediately drew Meng Huns attention. He looked up and gazed at her. It took awhile for him to compose himself before he could ask, Is there any way I can be of help? Jiang Pengji touched her forehead as if it was a thorny issue. I was thinking about my father. As you may know, he is the county chief of Xu. He relieved the draught with underground water and has cultivated farmland in the area. Now, Xu is well-developed and its annual crop yields an excess of what its people need. Meng Hun nodded with admiration. Ive heard merchants say that Xu used to be poverty stricken until Officer Liu became its chief. Since then, it has transformed into everyones dream homeland. He paused, then suggested hesitantly, I appreciate the idea of sharing fortunes in Xu with people in other regions, but Officer Liu may show an objection. Even if he agrees to provide aid, it would certainly cost your family an enormous sum to transfer the grains. It would also provide a chance for your fathers political rivals to criticize the expensive decision. Through lending a helping hand, the Lius would gain the peoples gratitude and support, and that was what would make bureaucrats, such as the county chief in Hejian, jealous. Jiang Pengji frowned. Ive thought about that, too, but I cant let that stop us. We must do something. Meng Hun could not think of a better way, either. She added, The crucial concern is the source of grains. Where can we find generous families with so much food? The houses will refuse to help. All the men furrowed at her question. They knew no house would help them. Soon, the youngster that Jiang Pengji found cute looked at Jiang Pengji with an expression of, Oh! I have an idea, and pointed at Meng Liang, who had not ceased moving about. The adorable teenager stammered, What what about him? Everyone gave him the same look: Are you kidding? They had not forgotten the culprit of the military chiefs misery. While the men did not understand, Jiang Pengji acted as if she understood what he meant but could not decide. Meng Hun observed her face and knew she had conceived another plan, so he said, Langjun, please tell us what you think. Well do whatever we can to help. Before Jiang Pengji replied, the young soldier explained hurriedly, Chief, the grains in the Mengs are turning old and rotting! Didnt you say the guards at the granaries always complain about mice and insects eating the excess food? Chapter 176 - The Art of Finishing Meng Liang (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Hun suddenly became aware of the solution and he understood why Jiang Pengji had become silent: The solution really was not moral. With that reminder, everyone came to the theory of her solution, which was to trade Meng Liang for grain. However, their County Military Chief needed to kill Meng Liang. If they traded him for grain, didnt they just spare the demon and make more trouble for themselves? I dont think it will work Are we really going to let him go? If we keep him hostage and request grain from the Mengs, he will bear a bigger grudge towards them, which could involve Langjun and County Military Chief. It would basically be impossible for us to take this son of a b*tchs life if we miss this shot. I dont want to let him go. Me, either. All the people gabbled about it, but they were on the same page. They were hesitant, too. Meng Hun was reluctant to accept the decision and he tightened his fist. Meng Liangs heart hammered and it felt like he was riding a roller coaster while he was listening to their conversation. At first, he felt assured that he was about to be killed, then the next second, he believed that there was a chance to live. According to my knowledge of Meng Hun, the chance of me being kept alive is fairly high. Hem! Just wait until I locate my entourage or I get back home I will slaughter every single one of the pariahs one by one. No! Im not going to show mercy to them. Instead, I will make them suffer first to ease my anger. After a while, Meng Hun let his fist loose. His palm was bleeding from his fingers sticking into it, but he wasnt even aware of that. Make him write the letter asking for grain! He ground his teeth and swallowed down the blood surged that had up in his throat. His eyes were red as he said, He will keep his life for now. We will still have a chance to capture him again Meng Liang almost laughed his head off after hearing his words. Jiang Pengji re-examined herself in introspect after everyones complaints Am I really that evil? Host V: Sinister Smile emoji. This group of guys is so upright and honest that it makes me feel guilty. The viewers started to realized that Meng Liang was not going to die, and that filled them with anger and disappointment. The moment they saw the bullet screen from Jiang Pengji, however, some sharp-minded ones swiftly lit a candle for Meng Liang. Yiye Chengzhou: Almost laughed my a** off. Im not going to deny that I was swindled by the host. I was so convinced that Meng Liang was not going to be killed. Laosiji Lianmeng: I must confessCCI humiliated my own ID. A heartless person like the host would never fail at something she promises. She did say she was going to make him die gracefully and that he would not live to see the sunrise of the next day. Woai Dashen Yunji: I was wrong about her. I should have stuck with the faith that she was never nice. Suiyue Zaizhijian Liushi: The host is such a villain. That poor Meng Liang probably still reckons that he has a big chance of staying alive. Aizhai Huohuo: A row of candles to memorialize Meng Liang for his death And at the same time, I feel truly sorry for the dignified and upright guys. Jiang Pengji was always good at her expression management. She kept a serious look as she picked up some ink and a brush from the other room. She said to Meng Liang, Start writing if you dont want want to have a rough timeCCand dont play games. Meng Liang disdained them and showed arrogance. He stared at Jiang Pengji with his malicious eyes. Once Im free, I will make Meng Liang and all his people pay. I will castrate every single one of them in order to deprive them of their right to be a man, and then I will dump them in the man whorehouse to force them to pick up low class johns. I will send them to hell after Im done torturing and taunting them. And this, Liu Xi, who is standing right in front of me, I will make sure his end will be a hundred times worse than the rest of them. And as for the Lius, his family will be buried with him. Meng Liang had been acting unscrupulously all along. Even though he was under restraint, he was somehow sure that Jiang Pengji didnt dare to put her hands on him. He didnt even try to hide his anger and the hatred in his eyes; he felt like it was going to burst out of his head. It seemed like he was going to jump on the others and take a chunk of meat out of them. Some of the crowd felt timid when they saw Meng Liangs reaction. You shall all wait for my revenge! Meng Liang swore in his mind. Jiang Pengji saw through him. She mocked him by giving him a glittering grin. Meng Liang grunted as he prepared to write, but when he was about to tell them his wrist went to sleep and he had issues writing, his powerless right hand came back to consciousness. He rubbed and twisted his hand gently. It felt like his hand again and like it was just an illusion before. He didnt have spare chance to think. He picked up the brush, tried to get used to the feeling of holding the brush, and started writing. It was undeniable that, regardless of Meng Liangs characters, his handwriting was rather spectacular. All the viewers in the stream room found that that fact was not acceptable. Woai Dashen Yunji: I will slap anyones face if he tells me that someones handwriting reflects that persons personality. That line held so much sarcasmCCas if it could prove Meng Liangs behavior and the way he conducted himself in the world. In short order, he finished the letter and stamped his name on the letter. The contents of the letter were concise and transparent; there were no obvious falsehoods or anything outstanding. He was overly confident and he felt assured that Jiang Pengji didnt have the guts to hurt him at all. What was the point of playing tricks with them if he knew nothing would be harmful to him? It was only several hundred dans of grain, and it was not comparable to the grain that rotted in the Mengs granary annually. Jiang Pengji sealed the ink on the bamboo slice with candle fire and then rolled it up after she double and triple checked it for anything underhanded. The County Military Chief seemed a bit lost, and his face was extremely pale compared to Jiang Pengjis satisfied face. No kiddingCChis foe was within reachable distance and it would be possible to strangle him to death with his bare hands, but he couldnt. How could he not be mad? However, the next words from Jiang Pengji shattered his dreams and made him fall from hell to heaven. Here we go. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Lets get down to the business. Meng Hun wasnt sure what she just said. Neither was Meng Liang. What? Did I hear that wrong? That was literally everyones thought. She looked at them, bewildered. As she waved the bamboo slices at them, she said, I only asked him to write a letter asking for grain, but I never promised to not get revenge. It is natural law to pay kindness back for kindness, and pay animosity back for animosity. Future trouble will be boundless if we spare his life. Peoples minds were mangled by the complex information. They were so baffled that they were going to have severe headaches. But Langjun, how are we going to get grain from the Mengs if Meng Liang is dead Jiang Pengji replied, Lets mail it and request them to ship the grain over. We kidnap the hostage for ransomCCthats the protocol, right? About Meng Liang It will be our own decision to keep him alive or not. They might have the probability of him being alive after we receive the grain, but if there is no grain, he is guaranteed dead. And it will be up to the Mengs if they want to give us the grain or not. How long would it take a man to fall from heaven to hell? The viewers counted for them. Based on how quickly the host spoke, it was about seven or eight seconds. Chapter 177 - System, You Are To Blame (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yiye Chengzhou: Poor Meng Liang! Ive screenshotted his expression for chat stickers. Aizhai Huohua: Unfortunate boy! Hes unable to react. The viewers were right. There was a time when Meng Liang had lost his ability to think and react. Although he was unable to speak, everyone could tell what he was furiously moaning at Jiang Pengji: This isnt what you said! Then, as if heaven had finally had mercy on him, he began to feel his tongue again. Niu Shi Yourrrre go a hell! His articulation was unclear, but it was enough for Meng Hun to understand. The military chiefs kick in his face caused his cheek to swell instantly, and Meng Liang could taste blood in his mouth. The other side of his face touched the ground and slid a distance on the rough surface. The boy had never been treated with such violence before, as he had always been the one expending force. Thus, he spat out his broken teeth and added, You beoble! Yourrrre all go a hell! How dare you speak to the langjun this way! Meng Liang, today Im avenging for my wife and daughter with your blood. You are the one whos going to hell! The man took a wide step forward and bunched Meng Liangs hair. He pulled the strands so hard he could have torn the skin off his head. Jiang Pengji held the bamboo slips in front of her curved lips. Her eyes were glittering like stars. Standing on the other side of the room, she moved her lips to speak to Meng Liang silently. Goodbye, Meng Liang! Yiye Chengzhou: Aww! How can the host be so cunning, so dangerous, yet so enticing at the same time? Mainuhaide Xiaohuachai: Her smile stole my breath! Shouxing Taidi: Ive been watching quietly behind the screen until the host smiled. It feels like Cupid has shot me with his golden arrow. Huxiang Shanghaiya: I have a boyfriend, but I think Im becoming a lesbian. Baigui Yexing: Thats nothing. Im becoming less gay because of her. While Jiang Pengjis fans were changing their sexual orientation for her, Meng Huns heart was pumping as the moment of his revenge had finally arrived. He was more bloodthirsty than usual, yet he managed to control himself from any barbaric acts. Killing him right away isnt enough, said some of his brothers. Meng Liang needed to have a taste of suffering before the end of his life. Meng Hun shook his head. Just because he has treated my family mercilessly doesnt mean we should follow what hes done. Besides, Im not killing him for pleasureCCno amount of torture to him can bring me happiness. His companions had always found him a sensible man. The current situation was no different. Still, I feel like we should do more. At least there should have been another kind of punishment. Meng Hun thought for a moment and then asked in a low voice, Do you think torture will make him feel remorse? The soldier shook his head. Everyone knew Meng Liang was incorrigible. Meng Hun fell into contemplation. At last he said, Meng Liang dreads death. Well kill him slowly by cutting his wrists and letting him feel his blood streaming out Ill watch the whole process. Jiang Pengji turned to leave the room. She was not interested in the scene of a loyal, honest man taking revenge with cruelty and slight madness. Ever since Jiang Pengji started her first semi-interactive stream, the System had refused to talk to her because of their previous argument. It could not keep quiet for long, however. Host Im scared of you. Jiang Pengji wore a smile. If that was true, it would not have irked her so many times. It was merely trying to throw her off guard so that it could control her the way it had done to the other hosts. Jiang Pengjis mood was worsened, and she said without changing her expressions, If youve ever met a villain thats not scary, then thats no villain at all. Although there were two houses between her and the storage room, she could still hear Meng Liangs petrified shrieks. In the next second, the unaffected Meng Hun said, Quiet! Jiang Pengji lazily leaned on a pillar. System, start the poll. System: Our Host, Jiang Pengji, has finished her first semi-interactive stream. Are you pleased with the show? (A) Yes (B) Not really (C) Not at all. That time, Jiang Pengji said nothing to the audience. She cared nothing about the result. Yet, there were a lot of viewers calling for positive votes for her. Those who had given a high rate before continued to choose (A), as they knew the result could affect her future shows. The outcome was much better than Jiang Pengji had expected: Out of ten thousand viewers, 9,235 expressed satisfaction, 622 chose Not really, while the remaining 143 disliked the stream. The overall rate was 92.35 percent, a few percentages lower than the last time, but still very high. Jiang Pengji could only obtain a Silver Chest. When she heard the notification, she immediately opened it. That time, she needed no consultation with Master Liaochen. Inside the chest was a card. Instead of a free level up card, she had drawn something with a sexy, naked woman on it, whose perfect shape could seduce any male in the world. Jiang Pengji: She was glad that the audience could not see her award, or else they would mock her again. She looked at the caption, which contained some censored, revealing words Chapter 178 - System, You Are To Blame (Ⅱ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio XX God Class WeaponCCit gives the owner a special vagina with a crooked, deep, and mysterious tunnel. Its something you deserve! No man can reject your charm! They will fall for you and become addicted. It will make you outstanding and men want to be your pet. The King will never leave you to work anymore. Jiang Pengji didnt know what to say. Neither did the System. Goooooo to hell!!!!! System. She wore a beaming smile on her face, but the words from her mouth were freezing. Youd better remember this. The System felt like it was being wronged. Was it my responsibility that Ouhuang had bad luck and drew a sucky card? However, as the mainline of a palace combat system, the card did match with her name of Ouhuang. The former hosts had to accumulate gigantic popularity and points in order to exchange the merchandise from the System mall. Jiang Pengji didnt spend a penny and got the most valuable card by randomly drawing a lucky lottery. Didnt it prove that she was extremely lucky? The System wasnt going to speak up, or else Jiang Pengji would certainly scold it. It knew that she would say it was whining and full of grievance. The System aimed to please her and said, Since the host doesnt like it, you can still sell it to the System mall. Jiang Pengji didnt even bother to open her eyes. Some words slipped out of her mouth which made the System frightened, but also gloat secretly. When did I ever say I didnt like it? She continued before the System had the chance to feel delighted, There might be some benefits in keeping it. Man is a species that owns no rational control of their body; only a few of them have slight self-control. The higher the rank they are at, the worse and more arrogant they are She could totally imagine what men with multiple women companions thought. Women should be spoiled when a man felt like it, but then they should cool them off for a while if they didnt want to be bothered. They were not going to hold a grudge, but instead, they would only conspire against each other and do anything they could to acquire the attention and affection of the man again. The women in the backyard fought furiously and brutally. But what on earth was the point? To own the man exclusively? Or for obtaining the husbands love? And they were willing to slay the fetuses conceived by other women without feeling guilty. They talked to each other with harsh aggression and acted jealous, which made them obnoxious and abominable. Or they just went after a life with fine, quality clothes and more extravagant food, and they would be elated when they had bunches of servants surrounding them. Jiang Pengji despised the twisted ethos in the current era. She felt sick of it every time when she thought of itCCwhat made her sick more was that the System reminded her of the fact all the time. What is palace combat exactly? Isnt it just a show of buffoons contesting the ownership and right of a mans particular organ? Her mind was tangled, and, on the other side, the System saw a chance in her words Is she interested in being involved in the court intrigue? Womens appearances and bodies were natural weapons in this world. To conquer the world was never a mental or physical toil for a woman. She only needed to take down the man who conquered the world. Even a superwoman had a weak face. They expected to be taken good care of and become the apple of someones eye. I wont even lay my eyes on these men. I would rather call them some animals that are okay with getting their nose dragged along by their own sexual desire than call them men. The reason why human beings are such sentient species is because of their boundless wisdom and rational thought, unlike animals that are guided by instinct. Human beings intelligence has assisted them in getting out of the restraint of the earth so they could travel to the universe, she said plainly as she continued playing with the sexually suggestive card in her hands. The System went into deep depression right after she finished her concept. Its lips were shivering and it said, So according to your standard, there shouldnt be any difference between men or women because they are all animals? Jiang Pengji sneered. We shouldnt be absolutely certain about itCCand not everyone is included, since there is always an exception. The System let out a short, dry laugh. I have a hunch that you are not going to marry anyone with all your conditions. Why did I choose such a rigorous and twisted individual from the whole mass of people as my host? It is such a riddle to myself. She gave it a causal response. Then I will be whoever I think the best. I will go for the best or nobody. Now it was Systems turn to be confused. If that was so, then shouldnt she loathe the card? Jiang Pengji saw through its confusion. I do feel sick about it. But there is one thing I have to admit: those people who are easily manipulated by their instincts are the easiest to cope with. This card is indeed evil, but if I give it to a lady with world class beauty as a gift, then there is hardly any man who could stay away from her appearance, body, and this fatal weapon. The tender, warm arms of the beauty is heros tomb, too. Honey traps had formidable force in the first place. With the assistance of the card, the impact would be multiplied many times. The System went silent. Jiang Pengji lifted her brows and spoke to the System with contempt, Did you almost believe that I was going to use it myself? The System had an embarrassed smile and tried to avoid the subject. If it said yes, it was almost guaranteed that Jiang Pengji would keep hammering away at it. The streaming room was closed. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes and finally enjoyed a peaceful, quiet moment of her own. Not long after, she smelled the strong scent of blood. She opened her eyes wide and made eye contact with Meng Hun. You killed him? And you made him pay? she asked. Meng Hun was sitting near her. His forehead still had dust from earlier when he was kowtowed. He seemed pale and unsteady. Jiang Pengji asked again, Is there anything you want to talk about with me? Meng Hun floundered and felt uncertain if he should talk to her. She knew exactly what was haunting him in his head from one glance. Your people can only stay alive if you are aliveCCyou are their leader. Meng Liang is already dead and you have sought your vengeance. What is your next step? If you want to ask me to cut off your head to make yourself accountable to the Mengs, you might as well save it. Suicide is a cowards behavior. Meng Hun seemed abashed. What else could he say since Jiang Pengji had spoken for him? I asked you before if you wanted to come to the Lius. Can I have your answer now? Jiang Pengji asked. I will only take yes or no. If it is a yes, I will take care of everything afterwards. The Mengs will have an abundant amount of messes to cover up soon. Meng Huns thick lips moved. A sense of struggle and overwhelming emotion showed on his face. It was less than a day since he had met her, but to tell the truth, his mind was shaken. Do you want to make a mark on history? Jiang Pengji leaned against a column. She stood on her left leg with her right leg crossed in front. She turned her head to ask him, her wrist resting on her right hip. His big eyes widened. He was not clear about what he heard. What did I hear? Make a mark on history? Was she talking about him? Meng Hun felt like he heard something out of his range. His mind told him he should cease listening, but his body said otherwise. While Jiang Pengji was querying him with no emotion, he felt the cold blood in his body warm up to a boil. Chapter 179 - We’ll Build an Empire (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Eternity is when people still know about you after hundreds of years. Theres not many who have achieved this throughout history. Ordinary people will be forgotten after some generations of their offspring. Do you want to be one of them, having your name washed away by the tides of time? Ancient people believed one should make the whole of their lives by making history. That was the appeal of Jiang Pengjis invitation. Meng Hun felt his heart pumping with strange excitement. He cleared his throat before tightening his dried lips. Langjun, what do you mean? Jiang Pengji beamed. Do you want a new master? I guess you wouldnt like hiding in the countryside for the rest of your life. Meng Hun was stunned. His round eyes stared at her with astonishment, uncertainty, and enthusiasm. Soon, he calmed his relentless heart and pondered the danger rationally. Arent you afraid of the Mengs? As I told you, Ill take care of that. The house wont live long. If we win, we will be the ones who write history. Then, you can reveal their scandals to generations of people. She continued to tempt him with a luring voice. People will praise you while they condemn the Mengs. Isnt it the best revenge? Better than everything he could think of! Having a vision of the future she painted, Meng Hun breathed heavily and swallowed. Yet, he was a sensible man, after all. Langjun, thats treason. Treason? she snorted and repeated in a peculiar tone. Meng Hun was further composed. He prevented his mind from being changed. Dont you think thats disloyalty? She shook her head with a smile and questioned, Disloyalty to whom? The court is corrupt, and our fellow people are desperate. Meng Hun, tell me franklyCCwho did you serve in Cang? The King of Dongqing or the Mengs? The last sentence hit his heart like a brick. He opened his mouth, speechless. You dont have to answer me. Isnt it clear enough when you continue to call me Langjun instead of Traitor? Meng Hun made not a sound. He dared not to meet her gaze. All that she had said was indisputable. The fake peace here will break quickly, continued Jiang Pengji with irony. Your old master, the Mengs, are turning civilians homes into battlefields and rousing their discontent. Her tone was leisurely, as usual. Apart from internal threats, the foreign tribes are also jeopardizing Dongqing. Under these circumstances, anyone who can save the people can be a candidate for the throne, and I am no exception. I dont believe in divine power. If monarchs are appointed by heaven, why would the Xia Dynasty be overthrown? As she made her ambition explicit, Meng Hun looked at her anxiously. Langjun, walls have ears! Jiang Pengji shrugged. No one else can eavesdrop on us. If I am so careless, theres no point in mentioning all of this to you. She was arrogant, but not in a foolish way. She would only reveal her plan when she had developed sufficient power to confront her rivals. Were she not confident in him, she would not have mentioned it to Meng Hun, either. Meng Hun had made his choice. Still, he wanted to ask, Langjun, I thank you for trusting me. But what if I leak the secret? He knew that was tricky and might annoy Jiang Pengji, but he was curious. Jiang Pengji glanced at him and asked in return, When you said you could die for your brothers, was that a lie? No, of course not! See? Thats why Im not worried. Jiang Pengji diverted her gaze and said in a light voice, If I have trusted the wrong person, itd be my own fault. Her answer moved Meng Hun. He had already regarded her as his new master. But then she added with a smile, If Ive made a mistake, Ill erase it immediately. Wait, somethings wrong here. Before he could think further, Jiang Pengji changed the subject. This is my familys property, so you can store Meng Liangs body in the cellar. The ice there can prevent it from rotting. She knew how the corpse would look; terror would be frozen on the pale countenance. Meng Liang needed to pray they would not meet in his afterlife. Well Shouldnt we burn it and throw the ashes somewhere instead? Meng Hun found it a waste of ice to store Meng Liangs body there. No. Jiang Pengji gave a low, dangerous laugh. Isnt it too cruel to his father if Meng Liangs ashes are disposed of like trash, or if his corpse rots with the insects? Meng Hun was silent. Wasnt it equally cruel for Meng Zhan to see his sons well-preserved, dead body? He began to realize other qualities in Jiang Pengji aside from the kindness she had shown him. That was not a surprise, for kindness alone would not prompt a person to aim at the throne. You also have to clean up the blood. Its getting warmer and the smell can attract flies and mosquitoes easily. Jiang Pengji suggested, You and your companions must use aliases and disguise your appearances. You may stay in the farm village temporarily. You mean village Ive been to? He smiled. Yes, but your stay wont be long. Jiang Pengji held her arms at her bosom. The dissolute posture was different from the usual elegance of langjuns. She said, Im planning to tackle the bandits near Hejian. Among them, reliable, competent men who are willing to join us can stay at the village for training. Those with corrupt morals must be eliminated. Ill do this before rumors about the Meng reach Hejian and cause further chaos. Chapter 180 - We’ll Build an Empire (Ⅱ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Suppress the bandits? Meng Hun found the idea incredible. The government would even put effort into assigning their military force to deal with the group of people that grew into a scourge of the area. It was unexpected that Langjun wanted to do it herself But where did they get enough force to do so? Umm, you dont have to worry about this. With the knowledge of how limited our own force is, I will be a hundred percent certain about it if I intend to do so. Jiang Pengji was not stupid. There was a high possibility that they would have many casualties, or even lose all their people, in trying to suppress the bandits. Since she brought it up, however, she had a reason, and an absolute certainty, of completing it. To be more frank, she was the kind of shrewd businesswoman who would avoid anything that was non beneficial to herself. Meng Hun was still puzzled about why the Langjun was so confident about playing hardball with bandits. She must have some last minute cards up her sleeve. It wasnt too long before he knew why. Jiang Pengji took a folded piece of palm size bamboo paper out of her sleeve and passed it to him. Open it up and you might have a clue as to why I dare to do it. Meng Hun followed her instructions and skimmed the paper up and down. Finally, he found the right angle to read it at. The former County Military Chief who had worked for the Mengs was so stunned that he nearly threw the paper out from his hands. He kept his sanity and succeeded in not doing it. Instead, he cautiously folded the paper as it used to be and acted like he was dealing with a precious treasure. It was absolutely a priceless treasure to Meng Hun, even though it seemed like just a piece of paper. This draft Meng Hun was a soldier who had played with knives and other weapons. He lacked literacy education, but he recognized enough characters and had read enough books to grasp what the draft was about. He had been in the position of being a County Military Chief; his perspective and experience was far beyond that of a normal soldier. He wasnt sure about what he was looking at until he scrutinized the tiny annotation on the border. He felt the beginnings of a great idea, which made his heart pump harder. After he was shown the draft, he felt sure that Jiang Pengji had trust and faith in him. He was no longer the County Military Chief for Meng County. Everyone had ups and downs in their life; he was at the lowest time in his life and he even thought about suicide. But who didnt want to make a contribution and a mark in history? What Jiang Pengji had mentioned was directed right at Meng Huns weak and itchy spot inside of him. He wasnt as aloof as the others and felt shame about the fact that he had been demoted from a County Military Chief to working for a kid. He never believed that someone as overqualified as himself would ever need to compromise so much just to do such a petty job. Jing Pengji was betting on her future by trusting him, but he was also betting on the master he swore loyalty to. Meng Hun was such a brave, ambitious, and broad-minded man. He was worth a thousand times more than some people in high positions with his merits, even though he was powerless. Who could be sure if an unknown guy would mark his name all over the country Meng Hun was singularly focused on the draft from Jiang Pengji, which was the crossbow design draft she had shown to Xu Ke earlier. Even an amateur like Xu Ke could see the value of the draft, so it would be weird if a professional military soldier like Meng Hun couldnt. We have made it? He tried to restrain his excitement to avoid showing his embarrassment. Jiang Pengji shook her head with pity. The craftsmen are still working on it. The crossbow is workable, but the material of making it is extremely particular. The ones with weak ductility wouldnt have enough force and would have less range than we expected. Meng Hun felt sorry about the fact, but he was not disappointed. The size of the crossbow is only half that of the usual ones. It is light and portable, which is a great match for a melee style battle. Meng Hun started to feel excited about the incredible possibilities after he learned about the content of the draft. He saw why she was very positive about taking the bandits down. It would take a quantity of time and energy to train a soldier to become a marksman who was able to take crack shots. The training would have a number of requirements on the persons visibility, arm strength, and their awareness of their surroundings. Every single aspect was critical. A soldier, who had been through all the painstaking training, that got an injury that caused issues with their arms or visibility on the battlefield would normally be abandoned. That also meant the all the cost of training him would be cast to the wind. But if the crossbow in the draft could be made, any ordinary soldier with slight training could become a marksmanCCor not a lot worse than a marksmanCCwithout using the same effort, energy, and cost. Whats more, how many marksmen could pierce a willow leaf with an arrow from the distance of a hundred paces in the world? As long as they had the crossbows, there would be an equivalent amount of marksmen proportional to the crossbows the craftsmen could make in a very short time. Considering the portability, the soldiers could easily carry it with enough food and arrows while shuttling back and forth in the jungle. The bandit members would be shot like grilles, even if they were not close. That explained why Langjun was so confident. Who knew how much they would need to pay just to suppress the bandits if it was someone else. But there was one thing he didnt understand The government couldnt care less about the banditsCCor it was more like they didnt have the energy. Why did Langjun want to be involved in that? Jiang Pengji thought about it and said to him, I could tell you Im a god in human form and its my obligation to clear out sinners if you want me to lie to you. But the truth is nothing close Meng Hun didnt know how he should respond to that. The truth is, it costs too much to establish your own army and Im utterly destitute with not a penny in my wallet. How could I afford to pay the young men to work for me? Meng Hun looked calm but there was something growing in his heart. She continued, Those people who turn to being bandits are mainly young men with issues. It would be unacceptable to deny all of them. Theres a good chance that at least some of them have good will. Meng Hun kept quiet. He bought the reason she gave him. Jiang Pengji had a face like she was joking, but all of a sudden she put her serious face on. The other critical reason is what I told you earlier. It would be stupid to wait for the bandits to gather and grow bigger. When messages of the chaos in Meng County, Cang Prefecture spread here, the bandit members will become restless. I would rather grasp the opportunity to alienate the bandits and break any common interest the different bandit groups have before we have to deal with unified and uncontrollable bandits. Meng Hun became solemn. Thanks to you for being insightful, Langjun. Jiang Pengji added, But it is true that Im poor. Meng Hun had a feeling he was on board with the wrong people. Meng Hun, the serious County Military Chief, scratched his head with a sense of confusion. Quickly, the sense of confusion dissipated as he suppressed it. He had to prove himself useful by doing something of merit after he began working for a new boss. He shouldnt question her; that was why he suppressed the weird feeling of confusion. Chapter 181 - We’ll Build an Empire (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji was particularly discreet about the earliest members of her team, and thus accompanied Meng Hun and his companions to the village. They had all disguised themselves as new servants of the Lius, and each held a valid identity document. It turned out that things were much simpler than Jiang Pengji had assumed. The guards at the town gate dared not to inspect the Lius carriage closely. The lucky ones might be approved of for their ethics if they demanded to check the houses carriages, while the others might be punished for wasting the upper classs time. The moment the guards perceived the Lius symbol on her carriage, they pulled a flattering smile and ushered her to proceed. They recognized all family symbols in Hejian, even those of less significant families, let alone the famous Lius. Jiang Pengji held no opposition to the convenience. Throughout the whole journey, she made no intentional touching speeches, nor express did she express any special care to the men. She only said casually, Ive prepared sufficient clothing and food for you to take a rest in the village. It must have been tough to track Meng Liang and capture him. Meng Hun was not as exhausted as she had supposed, yet he did not reject her kindness. Her care reminded him of the brothers who died of a lack of care after severe injuries. They had covered him during their escape from the Mengs forces. He had led them out of the Mengs territories, but was incapable even of providing them with a decent burial place. The bodies were rested rashly in the woods. Could Langjun do me a favor? He bowed at her solemnly. Jiang Pengji replied, As long as your request makes sense. Im not one of those masters who wont listen to his people. Meng Hun felt warmth in his heart and said, There are three other brothers of mine hiding in the woods at the moment. Are they injured? He answered, Theyre feeling better after we brought back what you had given us, but they are still too weak to move. If thats the case, we should bring them to the village as soon as youre settled. Its too dangerous for them to stay with the fierce animals in the forest. You shouldnt have left them there alone. Meng Hun was grateful and was regretting his earlier decision. He had suggested leaving someone behind to take care of them, but his stubborn companions insisted that he should take all the others with him for his safety. They all hoped he could succeed in taking revenge. Thank you, Langjun. That was nothing to Jiang Pengji, but it meant a lot for Meng Hun. Xiaoyu is currently in charge of the training, but youll take over it when we arrive. The arrangement made Meng Hun nervous. He did not know who Xiaoyu was, but he was certain that his interruption would appear offensive. Jiang Pengji noticed his worries and explained, Hell be more than glad. Theres a shortage of men lately so his workload has been doubled. Okay. He began to feel a little sorry for Xiaoyu. Was that labour exploitation? He could picture an honest man working diligently under the langjuns lashes. Its better to have you conduct the training. Hes not experienced in the area and has been working unduly hard on it. Jiang Pengji supported herself with the edge of the table. There were only she and Meng Hun in the cart, as the others were on another one. You two have met before. Hes quite friendly. Have we? Meng Hun tried to recall it but in vain. Jiang Pengji smiled. He was the one fishing with white cloth on his face. Meng Hun had a vague image about himCCit was a teenager. He supposed he could relax in front of a boy. Still, he knew too little. He would change his mind when he learned about Xu Kes powers over all financial and internal matters. He was the one determining all supplies for their living. The village was soon within their sight. Meng Hun sighed. He had never imagined himself re-entering with a new identity. When they saw Xu Ke, the youngster was ordering the servants, or future soldiers, to resume training. They appeared more energetic than beforeCCperhaps because they had adapted to the daily routine. Someone told Xu Ke that Langjun was here, and he immediately tidied his clothing and went to Jiang Pengji. His polite smile froze the moment his gaze met the muscular man behind her. What was he doing here again? Xiaoyu, let me introduce you, Jiang Pengji beckoned him. This is our new coach. His surname is Meng. Xu Ke: Is this a daydream? When did Meng Hun join? Despite his confused mind, Xu Ke did not lose his manner in greeting Meng Hun. The military chief returned a hand gesture. So at last she had a military head! Jiang Pengji was satisfied with the progress. Coach Meng, it would be great if we could discuss the training later. Xu Ke could not wait for Jiang Pengji to suggest a shift. Meng Hun was also surprised, and was somehow embarrassed. Jiang Pengji joked, Hey! Dont say it like Ive been abusing you! Xu Ke simply said, Military training is, after all, not my strength. Langjun would certainly benefit from the new arrangement. Chapter 182 - Please Stop (Ⅰ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke knew exactly what he was capable of. Everyone had a limited amount of energy, which meant he couldnt take care of every facet. Even if he could, it would consume an unimaginable amount of time and energy compared to ordinary people. The result would be too high cost and it was not worth it. Now that Meng Hun was there, it meant that he could finally get away with the complex, but subtle, affairs. He finally got to read books he had always been wanting to read. The Lius were never in the top rank of all the gentry clans, but they had a large collection of all types of booksCCthose were what Xu Ke pursued but never found. He cherished a book like a priceless treasure and dug into it eagerly over and over again. Now with the whole treasury placing right in front of him, he had to spend extra time to do other things that he was not excellent at. That gave him a broken heart. It would be easier if Meng Hun would take over some of the affairs and set him free. Xu Ke was more than happy and he didnt care much about being made fun of by Langjun. It was just puzzling for Xu Ke when Langjun took Meng Hun down. He was only aware that Langjun knew very well how to manipulate other peoples minds and emotions. But how did Meng Hun get deceived so easily when he had been through so much? Jiang Pengji glanced at Xu Ke while Meng Hun went to help his buddies settle. She said to him in a harsh tone, Why are you staring at me like a human trafficker? Xu Ke sighed. Your persuading skills are much better than any human traffickers. It has been only a short time and he already yields to you, Langjun Speed is the soldiers asset. You acted so swiftly that I didnt even have time to respond. He needed time to make some arrangements as the accountant for her. Meng Hun was the General Coach, so his living space had to be spacious. It didnt need to be deluxe, but it had to at least be neat and clean. The servants they bought not long ago were divided into several groups. They had groups they were familiar and comfortable with. Meng Huns buddies, who came out of nowhere, had to be settled appropriately. It wouldnt look good if they couldnt merge in well with the other troop members, or even if there was some friction. Besides, Xu Ke had to send people to prepare the basic bedding and clothing, as well as the dinner from the kitchen, for Meng Huns people. It was like a surprise raid of many people but with no warning. That made him feel like he was a housekeeper. However, what accountant wouldnt have to deal with these sophisticated and subtle trifles? Jiang Pengji twitched her lip. Listen to Xu Ke. It sounds like I did something bad to Meng Hun. This must be a destined coincidence. It is just like meeting you. The god led me to Meng Hun. Now it was Xu Kes turn to keep quiet. Even though quite some time had passed, the details of the day he met her were still like a fresh memory in his mind. He gazed at her begrudgingly and lowered his voice while talking to her, Since we have enticed Coach Meng to be on our team, then about that Meng Liang Right, we have received the letter from him. Jiang Pengji curled her lips. That Meng Liang He was d*mn lucky he chose the right womb before reincarnating. Otherwise, with that pig brain he has, who knows how he could survive for this long. Incredible IQ! Meng Liangs parents must be conscientious to work on giving birth to such a dumb son and put all their effort to raise him up like trash. Xu Ke asked, How much grain did he ask us for? Something like five hundred dans I guess He wrote the number himself, but I dont like it. How many people can we feed with only five hundred dans of grain? Jiang Pengji sneered. She was not a beggar. They would really be looking down on her if they believed it would satisfy her. Xu Ke also commented, Five hundred dans is for sure too little. Considering how wealthy the Mengs are, it wouldnt be outrage to ask for two thousand dans. Not to mention, the dispatch team for transporting the grain from Meng County to Hejian County will have a tremendous consumption of grain, too. During their conversation, they decided to raise the amount of grain they requested from five hundred to two thousand dans. How blatant they were! Just what method do you plan to use to deliver the letter to the Mengs, Langjun? Xu Ke picked up a brush and wrote a ransom letter from the kidnapper without using his dominant hand. The contents of the letter claimed that they had Meng Liang as a hostage and the Mengs had to follow their instructions to exchange grain for Meng Liang. They didnt want to take any money as a bribe, so the Mengs had to make sure to deliver the grain at the specified time after they received the letter. Of course, Meng Hun had to take the blame to be the kidnapper. Since he already split with his old boss, it wouldnt harm him more if he made the situation worse. Jiang Pengji heard this and chuckled. It is nothing hard. We dont have to send a messenger all the way to the Mengs place, we just need to drop these off in the wood shed in the gambling house. Xu Kes left hand nearly lost control of the brush. How could Langjun be so capable? She seems to know everything that makes my brain unnecessary. Im not happy. How could you be so sure about it, Langjun? Meng Hun got rid of the entourage and then blended into Hejian County. In another word, the entourage must have taken detours to look for Meng Hun. After they received the message that Meng Liang was locked in the gambling house and traveled to Hejian County, their schedule was delayed for another one or two days More importantly, there was no trace of Meng Liangs entourage last night, and my assumption is they will be arriving here today or tomorrow at the very latest. Nobody cared if they would be there one or two days lateCCthat was not the point. The point was the first stop the entourage would visit when they hit Hejian County was definitely the wood shed in the gambling house to pursue Meng Liangs track. Naturally, they would find the two letters in obvious spots. The entourage will choose not to take the letters back to the Mengs if they learn of Meng Liangs death. They might scatter to any random place to keep their lives because the Mengs will chase after them for being responsible. But the result will be entirely different if they are uncertain about Meng Liangs condition. Jiang Pengji continued in a leisurely, slow tone, When they see the ransom letter from the kidnappers, they will be convinced that the kidnappers will keep Meng Liang alive. They will trust in the the kidnappers greed and interest, and they will endeavour to shorten the time to deliver the letters back to Meng County, Cang Prefecture. They dont want to prolong the length of suffering for Meng Liang, but they might be credited with his rescue after they rescue Meng Liang from the kidnappers. There would be a significant difference between Meng Liang being dead or alive. If he was dead, the Mengs would make the entourage pay for it with their lives, regardless of if the cause of death was Meng Liang ditching the entourage himself or not. But if he was alive, the Mengs would still seek account from the entourage for the crime of incompetent protection. They will make it up to the entourage, however, considering what Meng Liang had done stupidly to himself. To be more frank, Jiang Pengji figured that the entourage would do everything they could to deliver the two letters safely to the Mengs. Xu Ke had nothing to say. Jiang Pengji couldnt help but laugh at him after seeing his hopeless face. She taunted him, I know why you asked so specifically. You were expecting me to get confused and ask for solutions from you, and you would tell me exactly what I just said to you, right? Okay, Langjun, you dont have to make it clear since you have seen through me. There will still be a chance for us to be friends. The friendship is not gone Chapter 183 - Please Stop (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengjis grin widened. Well Maybe next time. Huh! Xu Ke refused to respond. Having a clever langjun sometimes made him despondent, and he felt himself to be redundant. All of a sudden, she asked, Ive heard of your aunt. Shes living alone and you two are very close, right? Xu Ke was surprised. Yes. How did you know? I just want to learn more about you. Xu Ke was not convinced. She would not act without a purpose. Still, he replied, Thank you. My aunt has been living alone after her youngest son passed away. Shes not wealthy, and makes a living by sewing and washing clothes for others. Im obliged to her for helping rest my deceased mother and bring food to me when I was imprisoned I was planning to take her here later, but since Langjun has mentioned it, I would like to ask for your favor. That made the second favor Jiang Pengji had been asked for on the same day. I have no objection, but leave the journey to the servants. Dont let it distract your work. Besides, its too risky for you to travel to Zisang alone. Xu Kes and Meng Huns careful attitude prompted her to reflect. Why did they think I would say no? Had I not mentioned his aunt this time? Xu Ke would definitely wait a few months more before mentioning her. The youngster was unaware of her thoughts, but was thankful for her consideration. He had become a slave after being caught, and had pictured himself being affronted day and night since then. Yet, her friendly manner often made him forget about the gap between their statuses. Sometimes, he even thought he was still a free commonerCCthe only reminder of the shameful truth was the tattoo on his face, on which he rubbed medicine on every day. The two had not met for a happy reason, yet Jiang Pengjis manner of treating him made him glad for their encounter. Like traditional scholars, he could die for a master who understood him and sympathized with his past. Would Jiang Pengji be the master he had been looking for all these years? You can take your salaries for the coming months when you come to town next time. The elderly should take a rest at home instead of worrying about her living. Let a young man like you work harder instead. To Jiang Pengji, old people and young children were the weak who needed protection. After keeping the book for some time, the importance of fortune sank in. He could not afford a physician without the money, so he accepted her offer immediately. Just as he let out a relieved sigh, he noticed Jiang Pengjis pensive, puzzled expression. He wondered what could possibly challenge her, and he was excited to help. Langjun, is there any problem? asked the boy softly. Jiang Pengji side-eyed him. Theres a question in my mind, but Im beginning to know the answer. What is it? There are not many questions in this world that could trouble you. He yelled in his mind, Yes! This is my chance to show how capable I am! Its about you. She pointed at him, and he was immediately stunned. I assumed the only reward you needed for your work was extra benefits, but then my father told me that caring for your family is more likely to please you Why? Xu Ke stared blankly at her finger. How should he reply? Was she teasing him? He observed her countenance, yet found not the slightest sense of humor. After a pause, he chuckled. If he had been a modern person, he would have described her as cute. Still, Jiang Pengji was only twelve in appearance, so Xu Ke could comprehend her confusion. She would learn more as she gained more exposure to the world. This reward may not work on other people. Why? Remember what we gave Coach Meng before? The supplies were what he wanted the most at that time, and were, therefore, the best gift we could provide. As for me, Ive been considering inviting my aunt recently, but I have worried about all the arrangements that it involved. Your kind offer has solved this huge problem for me. He continued sincerely, All these things may be nothing to you, but they really mean a lot to Coach Meng and me. Like youve said, a considerate present is better than an expensive one. In fact, her thoughtful acts would be approved of by many. Yet, after hearing her question, Xu Ke could only sigh. He should have known! Jiang Pengji quickly understood what he meant, and nodded. I see. So the key was not how the ancient people thought about their blood ties, but about what they needed the most at that moment. Xu Ke looked at her. She would definitely apply the newly acquired knowledge in her future recruitment. Chapter 184 - Please Stop (Ⅲ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It resembled the wind blowing off the mist, and she found that many things started to clear after she walked out of a dead end. It was true that there was a gigantic gap distinguishing the people between the two eras, but human nature never changed. She indeed ran into a dead end. While she was thinking, Xu Ke grinned and jumped on the chance to make fun of her. Its rare that there is something you dont know about, Langjun. Jiang Pengji didnt feel offended. No one was perfect. Speaking of shortcomings, she was full of them and she wouldnt deny it. No one knows everything and no one is capable of doing everything. I had a lack of knowledge about it and misled myself onto the wrong path. It is totally normal. Jiang Pengji looked at Xu Ke with a pair of crystal clear eyes and said, Let me make another example. You have never stopped absorbing unknown knowledge dedicatedly, right? Xu Ke almost choked. Those were not entirely the same at all. He wouldnt have teased her like that if it wasnt for her being outstandingly knowledgeable. She seemed to know everything. It was rare that someone like her would admit her shortcomings and didnt mind others taunting her. That was the reason she was superior. Everyone had knowledge about the well-known prime minister who contributed to the founding of the country and also happened to be the teacher of Emperor GaoCCand everyone knew about how he was killed by Emperor Gao. That prime minister was simply dedicated to completing the commitment he made to the previous emperor, but his ending turned out to be him being killed brutally. The higher the position people were in, the less tolerance they had with others who focused on their weaknesses. Some people took it as a forthright admonition, while some took it as good, but harsh, advice. Either way, it was all up to the people who looked at it. If the master was the open-minded kind and was willing to listen to different voices, naturally he would take the advice wisely from his subordinates and rectify himself. On the contrary, if the master was narrow-minded and he had a hard time taking unpleasant words from others, even if he was not going to blast the person bringing up the advice, he would stab the person in the back. That would make everyone around him feel jittery How many people would actually swear their loyalty to him? That was why Xu Ke was impressed to see Jiang Pengji take it so easily. She didnt make a fuss about admitting her own weaknesses. Jiang Pengji had no feelings about Xu Ke being impressed about her, though. While they had been talking, Meng Hun had helped all of his people settle and his face beamed with delight. He went to see the rooms of his buddies. There was a dry and neat sleeping quarter and the bedding for each of them was comfortable and decent. They wouldnt feel damp or cold with their bedding. Meng Hun was rather satisfied with the arrangement. There were not too many of the tenant farmers in the cottage. Most of the rooms were vacant and they used the rooms as storage every now and then; they just had to do a little clean up and dry out the dampness in the room for people to move in. Xu Ke had also considered that there would be an increasing number of troops. That was why he made the arrangement to empty out an extra large size room, which was perfect for the current situation. Meng Hun would be able to move into a place that Xu Ke had ordered the servants to tidy for him ahead for that night. Thank you, Langjun. Meng Hun gave Jiang Pengji a proper salute right after he came to see her. He was stopped by Jiang Pengji before he knelt on the ground. This is what we are supposed to do. I have to at least guarantee your basic life supply since you chose to follow me, Jiang Pengji said blandly. She asked Meng Hun to be seated. About transferring the management of the troops You can talk to Xiao Yu about it. I will come to visit the cottage every now and then. You can always inform me about what supplies you are short of. The situation might become tense in a couple of days and you have to make sure to stay discreet. Meng Hun understood what Jiang Pengji meant about the tension. The Mengs were not going to keep calm when they learned about Meng Liang being abducted. Right. After I get back to the Lius place, I will send my servant girl here. Jiang Pengji said suddenly and it almost made Xu Ke choke from the tea he was drinking. Meng Hun freaked out. His face turned to red first and pale after. He faltered, Thanks for the good intention LangjunCCI really appreciate it. Its just I am not ready to accept any other women since my wife just passed away. Im not ready to make the commitment to someone else yet It was Jiang Pengjis turn to be puzzled. She looked at Meng Hun and turned to Xu Ke, and then her lips twitched. She scolded them. What dirty mind do you guys have? What dirty things were they thinking in their brains? Neither of them had quite grasped the meaning of dirty. Xu Ke felt like he was being wronged by Jiang Pengji. I didnt do or think anything. Jiang Pengji gave an explanation before they even opened their mouths. My servant girl will be here to practice martial arts. What else could it be? Meng Hun and Xu Ke were both in a daze and they lowered their heads together. It wasnt that embarrassing for Xu Ke, considering he knew well about what kind of person Langjun was. But Meng Hun couldnt help blaming himself for forgetting about the fact that Langjun was only a twelve-year-old boy. According to the rules in the gentry clans, he was still too young to have any experience in his bedroom. Meng Liang was an exception in that. He had the experience when he was only eleven and his precedent could not be the criterion to evaluate the other young clan members. He assumed that Langjun might have no clue how misleading those words he had just said were. There was a slight embarrassment between Meng Hun and Langjun. Meng Hun coughed with an awkwardness. He couldnt admit that he misunderstood and thought that Langjun intended to give his servant girl to him. It would still be wrong, however, to leave his servant girl in the cottage to be trained with the troops for martial arts. Jiang Pengji had her own plan. It wasnt that she didnt have time to coach Nongqin, it was more like she didnt have the patience to educate others. The basic physical training could be done with the troops for Nongqin. Meng Hun was a reliable person, so Nongqing wasnt going to be taken advantage of by others under his surveillance. Jiang Pengji herself would give some personal tutoring to Nongqing and it wouldnt be long before she could kick those power level fives a**es. Whoever even had the thought of taking advantage of her would have to be prepared to have their nuts squashed. That servant girl likes playing with knives and daggers. It is too boring for her to be trapped in the backyard all day long. I find it is beneficial for her if she is fond of doing martial arts, just in case she is bullied after she gets married to someone in the future. Jiang Pengji was being serious and she asked, So what do you guys think? Meng Hun and Xu Ke were both baffled. What else could they say? Langjun looked after his own servant girl out of concern and he was afraid of her being pushed around after she got married. A normal person would instil a proper theory that a woman should assist her husband and bring up her children. They would bring her to a girl and ask her to take some time to study needlework and female virtuousness instead of sending her to practice martial arts. What was the point of that? Using a fist to solve domestic disputes? Xu Ke acted like he had just stepped into a different dimension, but Meng Hun couldnt agree more. Langjuns idea is definitely brilliant. He had a daughter before she was killed in a cruel way. She would have been considered eligible to talk about marriage in some years if she could have grown to the age. As a father, the last thing he wanted to see was his own baby girl being bullied. That explained why he was supportive of Langjuns idea, even it was strange. Xu Ke was startled and stared at Meng Hun. He felt like he was an outsider and he was being excluded by the other two. But Xu Ke twisted his body anxiously and said, But it will be inconvenient for her to be in the troop and be surrounded by a whole group of guys. What if it ruins her innocent reputation? Jiang Pengji kept quiet but Meng Hun stood up for her. The former dynasty Xia had female generals that helped him found the country. Why is it an issue for a girl to practice martial arts? Xu Ke had no argument for that. Hed better just shut up. Chapter 185 - Please Stop (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The truth was, Meng Hun was not sure, either. In his opinion, female servants usually got married after they reached a certain age. Jiang Pengji was probably the first master to suggest that her servant should practice kungfu instead. What if she regretted it later? The man mentioned his concerns, but Jiang Pengji simply shook her head. No worries. Its actually a part of my plan to have girls acquire combat skills, she insisted, trying to persuade the ancient men with an acceptable excuse. Then she continued, From studying history, Ive drawn a funny conclusion. This intrigued Xu Ke, who instantly asked, What is it? She said, Women have always been considered subordinates of men, or even commodities. Their social status was the lowest before the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms. According to records, one king could keep up to thirty three thousand women in his palace. While thats certainly an exaggeration, we can still take a glimpse through it of the royalties selfish indulgence at that time. As a result, many male commoners were unable to find a wife for themselves, and thus, they started the practice of sharing a wife between brothers or between uncles and nephews. Xu Ke nodded. He had read the same book at the Lius. Before the Sixteen Kingdoms, the last Emperor of Xia used up the empires wealth for his personal enjoyment. Sixteen nobles then rebelled and declared themselves kings in their territories, which marked the beginning of centuries of war. Women were robbed and raped, and eaten in times of famine. Xu Ke knew that, too. The barbarous, ignorant acts had led to a ninety percent decrease in the total population, compared to that in the pre-war times. The number of civilians did not recovered until the Xia Dynasty. There were some well-known female generals during this period, said Jiang Pengji. Dont you see? Women can do much more than just giving birth and becoming food for starving men. Xu Ke nodded. Theyve contributed much to the growth of population. More than that, added Jiang Pengji. In the sixth year of the war, when the mobs were setting fire in Yu District and robbing households there, it was a woman named Changpu who killed their leader and cleared the rest of them. She is remembered for bringing peace to the regionCCnot for giving birth. Xu Ke recalled, As written in the books, Changpu never conceived, although she had a husband who treated her very well. Do you remember the passage in Eccentricities in Xia about a golden phoenix arriving in Mei County and the girl born that day was thus named Phoenix? That was a famous historic story in the current world and Xu Ke had no doubt heard about it. Do you mean the pillar of early Xia? The Count of Guannei, General Xu, the other legend along with General Meng. Jiang Pengji then mentioned other famous female figures before she concluded, Women are not necessarily weaker than men. Dont you think were imposing more and more restrictions on the other sex like people in the Sixteen Kingdoms did? They say that Zhongzhao are now promoting a book called Womens Caution, which advocates timidity, obedience, discreetness, fidelity, attention, repression, and prevention. You may want to read it for leisure. That was obviously a book for women. Why would he want to read that? I flipped through a copy before, and the only opinion I could think of was: the authors brain must have been kicked by donkeys. She snorted, and then continued, But then the merchants told me that it was written by the Queen in Zongzhao with the aim of educating women in the five kingdoms. As a result, there have been scholars suggesting to the Zhongzhao king that General Xu should be condemned by her shameless deeds of joining battles and that she should be deprived of her noble title. Xu Ke was shocked. How could they say that? General Xu was no less respectable than General Meng! The Xus could have become another Meng house if her offspring was as active in the court as the Mengs! Meng Hun touched his nose as the youngster mentioned his old master. General Xu and General Meng had been the heroes of the people, and both later became members of the five best known generals in Xia. There was a time when General Meng, who could not leave drinking even in the battlefields, almost made a fatal mistake. It was General Xu who led her force to assist him. Interestingly, General Xu was one of the most unpopular figures among the Mengs. She became the Count of Guannei only after her decease because the Emperor deemed the award inappropriate in the male-dominant court, and he was also unwilling to offend the Mengs. There are a great deal of scholars in Zhongzhao supporting the proposal. Jiang Pengji smiled sarcastically. Xia Dynasty would not have existed were it not for General Xu, who had won battles, territories, and peoples hearts for the empire. But what did they give her in return? Because of her gender, she could receive the title only after death, and now people are even trying to strip her of that pitiful name! Are we moving forward to a more open world, or are we declining back to the beginning of the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms? Xu Ke contemplated deeply. Jiang Pengji was right. In the past few years, even Dongqing, the most open-minded kingdom, was imposing more and more rules to females. Was it necessarily a good trend? He asked, Langjun, are you going to change this? Im starting from Nongqin, replied Jiang Pengji. Since Xia was established, the birth rate has recovered a little, but it has recently dropped again because of the ceaseless tension between the five kingdoms. Worse still, the Queen in Zhongzhao was strongly opposing re-marriage. Population growth therefore slowed down further. Still, how would others agree with Womens Caution and ask their families to read it? What had the kings been doing? They could have come up with ceasefires and encouraged agriculture and marriage, but instead, they had let the situation deteriorate until now. And those were the men whom the System had required her to entertain! Had it lost its mind? System: Hey! Ive said nothing! Stop involving the innocent computer! Chapter 186 - Please Stop (Ⅴ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke sighed. Dongqing Dynasty only had a Post-War Recovery Act for a short time, but because of some gentry clans exploitation and obstruction, it hadnt been implemented for very long. The current situation was that a lot of friction still existed between the counties, and the North and South Border had been eyeing the Dongqing Dynasty. The counties were at the precipice of war. People with insight shared the same opinion: that the world was going to devolve into chaos again after such a long period of peace. The Five Counties at loggerheads with each other at the present time were a repetition of the period history of The Sixteen Countries. Xu Ke felt powerless to change it. People in the current period were like rootless duckweed, floating around with nothing to rely on. A clear, young boys voice blew into his ears. His voice seemed to have the charm and ability to comfort and stabilize souls. The young men sacrifice their lives on the battlefield, and the women who are left behind have no power to keep themselves safe. It is very likely that they will be abducted by the barbarians from the Northern and Southern Borders. They will be going through all sorts of torture. Either they constantly give birth to kids, or they will be treated as a goat with two feet and get slaughtered for meat when they are short of food. Then your point is what, Langjun? Xu Ke admired the miracle women from the former dynasty wholeheartedly, even though he was a man. Because of his respect, it even influenced his choice of future wife. His mom had a great impact on him, too. That tough woman lost her husband when she was young, but she managed to raise Xu Ke all by herself. She lectured him on the principles of being a good man and created opportunities for him to get educated. She was as strong as weedsCCno matter how furious the wind blew over it and how many times it got stepped on by others, she was not going to give up. He couldnt imagine if he happened to marry a meek and restrained woman who cried over trifles and screamed from seeing mice and bugs. What was going to happen to his wife and children if he had a terrible accident? Who would they rely on? That was why he agreed to Jiang Pengjis theory, even though it sounded absurd. Xu Ke started to feel as though he had met the most brilliant master. However, soon after, he realized it was just an illusion that he was emotionally touched by her. Women can do great things, but then we stifle them like a caged bird and keep their wings just for decoration. Is their function only for exhibition and to be someones possessionCCjust for giving birth to children, assisting the husband, and educating their kids? And they dont have any value? Meng Hun didnt say a word, but he shook his head at that. Anyone who had a baby girl and raised their babies just to be another mans servant would definitely be unacceptable. Meng Hun said, As a father, I wouldnt be fond of the idea of my own blood being treated like a slave. Xu Ke was just a young boy without experience, but he found it was too difficult for him to accept that when he imagined his own future. Husbands and fathers were two totally different identities, so naturally they would have different perspectives. I dont think that is the point. The point is, it is such a waste of human resource! You basically raise a loser and you waste a large resource of combat force. Why do we divide the territories for men to fight in the battlefield and women hide in the kitchen and bedroom? Why dont we go fight together? Xu Ke and Meng Hun were speechless. That wasnt the way it was supposed to be. So, from the beginning until now, she had said a lot to prepare for the situation. She actually just meant to say it was a waste of force for women to stay at home. That was her real purposeCCto use women like men. Meng Hun coughed gently. He intended to say something to make it less awkward. Langjun is still too young to know many things. Enlighten me about what I dont really know. Jiang Pengji felt uncomfortable if they didnt follow the her script. The reason why women are mostly in the inner chamber is because they are different different from men. He vaguely gave her an explanation. How could he express to Langjun that the physical structure was different between men and women? They had women issues every month after they turned into a real woman and their bodies became more fragile. It would be nine months for women from when they became pregnant until their due time and they had to reduce their workload because of their body. It was like a step into hell for them to birth the children. Langjun was still a boy who had never experienced anything like that and it was going to be suggestive to him. This is awkward. Meng Hun peeked at Xu Ke. As a bookman who used words on daily basis, you should use your advantage and speak for me at least. Xu Ke looked around, but would not look at him. Jiang Pengji had nothing to say. The two men somehow believed that she was the clueless one. As a matter of fact, she sensed what they were implying from the mysterious lack of eye contact between them. They believed that the biological differences between men and women determined that men should dominated the exterior affairs and women could only take care of the chores? And with the development of society, the latters social status were somehow declining? It did make sense for the people from the ancient era, but it was completely nonsense to her. There isnt anything that cant be done in this world Jiang Pengji raised her head and said. Xu Ke and Meng Hun cut off their eye contact and both looked at her. They were unsure what that meant. Jiang Pengji didnt plan to explain it to them. This subject has gone too far. Anyway, Nongqin will be training with the troop in the cottage. And about the assignments for training, she doesnt have to get special treatment and no one gives her slack. You do whatever you need to do. I will make extra arrangements once she is ready for it. Jiang Pengji had the faith in herself that whoever took personal lessons with her wouldnt struggle with the power level fives. Meng Hun nodded, but he was still going to provide some protection. As a little girl, she would still take it differently than the coarse men. I dont have a problem with that. The servant girl who wants to learn some martial arts will always be helpful in that she could keep you safe at least, Langjun. The only issue I can think of would be that the troop members are mostly rude and rough men. They sometimes like to talk dirty to each other, so Im afraid that she will get upset about it. Meng Hun couldnt guarantee that he could avoid all situations like that entirely. Jiang Pengji didnt take it serious and said to him, It wont be a big deal. She could just punch those who cannot control their dirty mouths in the face and shatter several teeth of theirs. One doesnt try to make sense when they can fix it with fists. Fists make the most sense. Meng Hun ceased saying anything further. If it was his own subordinate, Meng Hun would for sure be criticizing him. But it was from Langjun, his boss. All right, do whatever you want! Xu Ke seemed to remember something after Meng Hun left to make some preparations. He abruptly questioned her. Is it only because you reckon its a waste of force? Thats why you want to put women to battle? Jiang Pengji sneakily smiled at him. You know me the best, Xiao Yu. Xu Ke knew it. All of the sudden, he lost the interest in hearing her out. He was concerned it was going to ruin his view of the world. But it was apparently too late. The average person values boys far more than girls. There is a tremendous amount of girls abandoned or eaten by wild animals after they are born. Even if they are raised to adults, they dont get fairly treated. There is a large portion of girls who are sold for cheap when the boys need money to get married or there are some family affairs, like building a house. Xu Ke assumed that was what she was about to say, but Jiang Pengji wanted him to keep listening. The same amount of money to pay for two girls would be barely enough for a man. We might have some money left from the budget. The whole point was that it was cheaper to use women. With the same funds, she could form two troops of women. Xu Ke seriously had nothing to say; it was just as he expected. There was no hope for him to live. Chapter 187 - People from the Meng’s (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Did Langjun write all this himself? Its brilliant! Meng Hun said as he flipped through Jiang Pengjis proposal about the soldiers training. Xu Ke then showed him her first draft with torment in his eyes. The excited man took a quick glimpse at it, fell into silence, and decided to put it aside. Coach Meng, please feel free to ask me if theres any problem. Meng Hun did not want to trouble Xu Ke any longer. He was relieved by Xu Kes peaceful tone throughout their conversation, and thus made a polite hand gesture to him. Thank you, Xiaoyu. He was starting to like the boy already. Although Xu Ke was completely unfamiliar with the military, he had made extra efforts in the designing the training. After his detailed explanation, Meng Hun had obtained most information they needed about the new force even before he officially met the soldiers. The two did not chat much, and talked only about their work. Even so, during their interactions, the talented Xu Ke had learned much about fighting battles. He was especially skilled in internal affairs and arrangements, and was therefore intrigued by the logistics of wars. It was true that food came before soldiers, for a well-thought out supply chain in a battle could determine the ultimate result of it. Obviously, Jiang Pengji wanted more than the victory of one fight. To assist her, Xu Ke knew he could not merely be a bookkeeper for a familyCCthat would not suit his own ambitions, either. He inquired to Meng Hun in that regard and the coach told him everything he knew. The grown up was not as educated as Xu Ke, yet his experience was equally as valuable as knowledge from books. As last, he recommended some relevant readings to him. They talked until dusk, had a simple dinner, and then parted ways for their respective duties. Meanwhile, in the gambling house, Jiang Pengji was wearing all black and hiding the two rolls of bamboo slips in the shades of the storage room. Here we go She smiled. Everything was under control. Her shadow vanished in the darkness of the night. That evening, the gambling house was busy as usual. Gamesters did not care about how much the boss had lost recently; all their attention was on the money in their pockets. Losing four thousand taels to Jiang Pengji was enough to make the boss faint on the spot. Soon, he heard about someone kidnapping the pretty captive in the storage room and injuring the guards on duty. At that moment, the boss thought he would die instantly at the news. Fortunately, he did not. The two blows were not enough to kill his enthusiasm in squeezing money out from other gamesters. As long as he opened the gambling house, hundreds of pieces of silver would be his. With that belief, he paid for the physician and medicine for his guards and called others to replace their shifts temporarily. Big! It must be big! No way! It has to be small! Men were roaring in the lobby. A banker was wearing a smile on his face, trying to conceal his nervousness. He opened the dice cup. Once again, it was three sixes. The banker won. A bunch of gamesters were irked, and shouted that the he was cheating. Not again! This is the third time tonight! Ive lost twenty taels already! The last turn was three ones, and this time it is three sixes. Who are you trying to fake? Give me back my money! I sold my land for it! The banker looked at them and despised them secretly. Every gambling house played tricks. Did they expect fair games there? As the crowd was getting out of control, he gestured some guards to hold their wooden sticks for intimidation. The angry gamesters gradually became quiet; they could not fight those men. The banker retained his composure. Its not our fault that you have bad luck. You cant yell just because youre not the ones who win. In fact, he was uncertain of what to do next. If he continued to make them lose, even the unsuspecting guest would know something was wrong. However, he had no choice. The boss had ordered them to win all silver crumbles from the gamesters and, unlike their past practice of winning little by little, they must win as much as possible. Just leave if it suits you. The banker shook his head. The people looked at one another, exchanged a look of, What if we win the next turn? and sat back around the table. The banker made a silent Tst! sound. Stupid people! The noise of angry moans and excited shrieks resumed until dawn. The sky was not fully bright. Dew was hanging on grass and leaves. The town gate was still locked, yet peasants were already waiting outside, preparing to sell their produce in the market. Creak. When the gate opened, the people quietly queued up, went through checks one by one, and entered the town. Clip-clop! Clip-clop! Horses were heard in the distance, while some peasants at the back were attentively counting the eggs in their baskets. They had collected them for days and had hurried to the market that morning, hoping to sell them for a good price. Stay clear! The peasants had taken a few steps aside when the horses approached, not supposing that they would run them over directly instead of turning away or stopping in front of the gate. Ouch! Help! My eggs! My eggs! Who stepped on me? That hurt! The horses ignored the crowd, leaving a mess behind. Chapter 188 - People from the Meng’s (Ⅱ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Those who flopped onto the ground were lucky enough to escape from death, while those with bad luck were trampled under horses hooves. Among them, a middle-aged woman was trampled over on her left breast, which dented after the sound of cracking bone. Blood rushed out from from her mouth and she was dead. The gate guards found the riot in the team, so they went forward to suppress as best they could. However, one man out of about twenty or thirty strong-armed men with knives sat on a horse and took out a token from his waist area. Were doing the Mengs business, who dares to stop us? Let us pass! Hey, here came the bad temper. The guards had seen many arrogant people, but they had never seen anyone who dared to say their real name after trampling people to death. Even if they were royal people, they still had to mind their behavior. Why were they so arrogant and rude? They were shameless. Stop! Stop them all! The lead guard was unhappy about the death of several people that had happened so early in the morning. If he just let the murderers leave, his position of being an inferior officer would be lost at one accusation. I have never heard of anyone whose last is Meng in Hejian County. Arrest them! However, before the gate guards got any closer, the man who had just trampled the woman to death whipped at one of the guards and smashed his eyeballs. We are the people of the Mengs from Meng County. Are you blind or something?! The Mengs? The same Meng that was regarded as the real emperor of Cang Prefecture in Dongqing Dynasty? The lead guard made a swift shift of his facial expression, then he finally squeezed out a smile. Oh, oh. I know that. I was too ignorant to know as to why you honorable people would come here! Breaking through the county gate due to a little disagreement and trampling people to death Did they see Hejian County as their Cang Prefecture?! Cut it out! Let us in. Otherwise, youll be dead for wasting our time! With a whip in the air, the gate guards were forced to step back, and a group of them went forward directly. Above the city gate, the soldiers had already strung their bows and were waiting for a command. The lead guard was stone-faced and signed for them not to shoot. If they are really the people of the Mengs, it would cause trouble if they hurt them. If they are not, they wouldnt have acted so arrogantly in a place like Hejian County! However, it is still necessary to send people to follow them. Who knows what they are going to do? The lead guard faced the people that had fallen in the pool of blood and heard the mourning and crying. He clenched his fist and resentfully thumped on the wall. Report this to the county chief first! Then send the wounded to the clinic. Record everyones losses and the names of the dead And send the records to the county chief to let him decide how to deal with it The Mengs of Cang Prefecture Theyve pushed it too far! It was early in the morning, but crying and mourning could be heard everywhere outside the county gate. Then came another scene. The violent group of people directly proceeded in the streets on their horses after entering the county. Fortunately, the open market had not started. There were not many people out in the streets, and the people passing by occasionally could dodge them easily. Do you know where the Fulai Gambling House is? The leading man of the group stopped in front of a passenger who had been awake for the whole night. The horses hoofs rose very high and almost landed on the passenger, which scared all his sleepiness away. It felt like he had just shaken hands with the death. Cold sweat wet his back and dripped down it like water drops. ICCICCI know At the threat of the horses hoofs, the passenger thudded to the ground on his butt. He was the gambler who had gambled the whole night in the Fulai Gambling House. At that moment, his eyes were bloodshot, his face yellow, his lips pale, and his eye circles dark. From a long distance, he looked more like he was floating in the air rather than walking. You know? Great! Lead us there, or you need to face our whips. The leader was delighted, and the strong men after him all looked relieved. They had never expected such a good luck. The first person they met happened to know the location of the Fulai Gambling House. Thinking of the long-lost Meng Liang, everyone could not help but feel distraught. Originally, they had not been willing to escort Meng Liang to the capital of the country in order to stay away from trouble. After all, Meng Liangs bed temper was well known. Besides, he was a prodigal. Once he met a person, man, or woman, beautiful or ugly, the person would never escape from his claws. The lucky ones would survive, but the unlucky ones would be tortured until they were dead! Many elders of the Meng clan felt unsatisfied with the masters desire to make him the successor. The Meng Family had been glorious. If it was given to a prodigal like Meng Liang, its glory would definitely ruin. With limited abilities, could he prop the family clan up? In contrast, the first Langjun who enjoyed a lesser sense of existence was much more supported by the people. Nevertheless, he had gone to the capital of the country for further education and he did not even come back once a year. He was almost completely disconnected from the Mengs subordinates, and he didnt even send letters to his family. Thinking about that, everyone understood Meng Zhans will a bit. A son who had no connections with him was less pleasing than a smooth-tongued, filial one like Meng Liang. However, it was strange to say that two sons born by the same mother drastically differentiated in personal qualities. The second langjun was a futureless prodigal, while the first langjun was highly cultured and steeped in propriety. It was said that he had won a good reputation in the capital and he would get a good score on this years examination. The leader withdrew his random thoughts, then told the gambler to lead the way. That gambler had no other choice but to do as he required. The knife hung over his belt was real. The whip rolled on his hand was soaked with dripping blood. He didnt want to ask for death. Right here? After several turns, the group of people stopped in front of a gambling house. The noise in the house could be clearly heard. Yes, yes this is the only gambling house called Fulai Well, your lord, can I go now? If he led the way for the others, he might be tipped. For this leader, however, he was just lucky to still being alive. After the gambler got the permission, he immediately turned around and ran away as if he was being chased by an evil ghost. Pooh, coward! Several servants that were following on horses sneered at the funny expressions and movements of fear. Shut up. Find the Langjun. The leader yelled at them, then got off from the horse, opened the portiere, and walked into the gambling house with his knife. About twenty or thirty strong-armed, tall, and burly men, rushed into the house equipped with knives. As soon as they entered the gambling lobby, the entire space became narrower than it had been. A sharp-eyed waiter in the gambling house noticed them first. He was shocked, for he knew they were not there for fun based on their outfits and aura Are they here for trouble? The waiter felt cold sweat oozing from his back. He walked forward to welcome them with a reluctant smile. Cut off this sh*t! I ask youCCdid you catch a young man several days ago? The waiters face suddenly turned stiff. Sweat broke out on his forehead. He replied vaguely, My dear guests, our gambling house is run by laws. We dont do illegal business, nor do we capture anyone. Chapter 189 - People from the Meng’s (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Humph! You think Ill believe it? I repeat: Are you keeping a young, good-looking teen here? The leader had seen a lot and would not be deceived. He swung his arm, breaking a gambling table with his lash and injuring a gamester standing in front of it. Blood was streaming down his clothes, which terrified all the others and caused them stand as far away as possible. Immediately, there was an empty space for the broken table and the moaning man. He was covering his waist, unable to stop the blood from flowing out of his body. Dont lie to me, or all of you will have a taste of my lash! Now, tell me: Is the boy here? It was then that the people observed his weapon more closely. It was two fingers thick, with numerous tiny, fine hooks hung along it and twenty shining blades at the tip. No wonder the man was bleeding so seriously! If the leader had added some force, he would have been dead in the blink of the eye. The receptionist was the closest to the leader. Seeing the red stained lash, he felt his arms and legs soften. I He tried to continue his lie, but his throat locked up when he met the leaders eyes. It was like death itself was clenching his neck. The crowd knew not what was happening, yet the other soldiers had blocked the door. They could only leave when the boy was found. To get themselves out of danger, one of them replied before the receptionist did. They did catch such a boy some days ago. They say hes gorgeous like a fairy, and his skin is as smooth as Before he finished, those next to him blocked his mouth. Silence prevailed in the lobby. Everyone could feel the deadly danger. Bang! Some of them could not withstand the atmosphere and fell onto their knees without sensing the pain. What they did not know was the equal amount of shock and fright in the intruders hearts. They were all adult men and understood what was implied in the gamesters description. All they could think of was the end of their own lives. Meng Liang was the favorite legitimate son of Meng Zhan, the present master of the house, and was supposed to be Meng Zhans successor. But these people How dare they do that to him! The leaders contours became as rigid as steel. There would be a rough storm after they saved the langjun. At the same time, the receptionist was also desperate. He finally believed Meng Liang about his background, and he knew there was no way the little gambling house could bear the outrage of a house. He trembled. That that boys long gone gone But the leader did not trust him. He had the picture of these people locking Meng Liang up in a dark, cramped room and doing all sorts of shameful acts to him. Thus, he made a sign to his soldiers, who quickly stationed themselves at all the exits of the place, blocking everyone from leaving. Look for Langjun! The command started their searchCCor, more appropriately, destruction. The leader remained in his place like a stone pillar. He folded his arms at his bosom, solemnly waiting for his people to bring back the teenager. While the receptionist panicked, the guards in the gambling house heard about the news and rushed to the hall with their wooden sticks. A Meng soldier drew his sword without a second thought. Splash!- The tables, gambling tools, and silver blocks on the floor became crimson. A guards arm was severed. His body was penetrated by the long blade and he hit the ground, which caused a loud noise. He was staring at the soldier with disbelief until he died. Theyre killing! The feeble gamesters vomited at the strong scent of blood, while the braver ones faces became as pale as newly painted white walls. Although those from the gambling house had considered themselves ruthless, they had never really taken the life of any. Now they had met a truly merciless team. While they were using sticks to strike, the men were holding swords to slaughter. The search was a long process. The soldiers returned gradually, none of them with a positive report. We We did mistakenly keep the langjun with us for some time, but he was rescued the night we caught him! the receptionist said, his legs shaking. He did not tell tell them that Meng Liang had been missing since only the second night, or else they would know what the gamester had said was true. No noble could endure such humiliation, and he would never admit it. After a while, other soldiers returned with similar reports: No one had found Meng Liang. The last one came back with two rolls of bamboo slips covered with dirt and dust. He found them from a firewood storage room. Leader, please take a look at this This soldier had interrogated two guards and learned that the potential commodities were stored with the firewood. He handed in the unopened rolls to the leader, who violently tore away the pieces of cloth tying them up and held them each with one hand. As he scanned through the lines on the slips, all the others held their breath and observed his tightening lips. Is the langjun still alive? The rolls did not give an explicit answer, but the kidnappers demand was clear. These people cant live. The leader did not bother to conceal his brutal determination. After his order, the soldiers drew out their swords and pointed them at the crowd. The receptionist, the gamesters, and everyone else from the gambling house gasped. What are they doing? Theyre going to kill us! One of them could stand it no longer. As soon as he began to run, his head was cut away from his corpse. When his blood scattered on the wall, all the others realized their similar fate: They had reached the last morning of their lives. Chapter 190 - People from the Meng’s (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What happened? After breakfast, Jiang Pengji sat still in meditation for a while. After she finished, she started streaming and said hello to the audience as she usually did. On the way to the study, she saw two middle-aged, female servants whispering by a rockery. One of them had tears on her cheeks and was seemingly frustrated. Jiang Pengjis five senses were really outstanding, which would sometimes bring her troubles. To cope with the drawback, Jiang Pengji always chose to suppress her five senses to a level that was still higher than that of an ordinary persons. From a long distance, she could only hear some fragmented words like county gate, death, and wounded. When the servants saw someone was coming, they looked panicked. They were supposed to be working, so shouldnt they be panicked if they were caught shirking? There were specific rules in the the Liu Mansion. After County Chief Liu had come back, he was even more strict with the servants. Shirking was one that had severe consequences. Dont be so flustered! Tell meCCwhat happened at the county gate? Jiang Pengji looked at the middle-aged woman who was so red-eyed from crying. I am not the kind of person who doesnt care about peoples feelings. If you have a reason for shirking, I will not blame any of you. The middle-aged woman hurriedly grabbed her sleeves and said painfully, This morning, my parents came here together. They didnt expect that a group of burly men on horses who called themselves the people of the Mengs from Cang Prefecture would kill ordinary people at the county gate. To protect my mother, my father got one leg broken by being trampled under a horses hoof Jiang Pengji suddenly turned serious. The audience in the live streaming room expressed their shock one after another. Mingyue Tianya: Gosh, did I hear that wrong? Armstrong: All things happened around the streamer recently seem to be relevant to the Mengs. Yiye Chengzhou: The Mengs have gone too far. Breaking through the county gate Have they gone crazy? Since your father has been injured, I assume you are worrying over him a lot and cant focus on your work. Go get an extra wage for this month and buy some food or medicine of highly nutritious value. Your fathers aged; he cant recover as quickly as younger people. The servant suddenly burst into tears, then expressed her very thanks to Jiang Pengji. After the servant had gone away, Jiang Pengji looked at the other news spreader with much coldness in her eyes. Come here. Tell me what happened at the county gate this morning, and make it more detailed. Jiang Pengji had already expected that Meng Liangs servants in charge of his safety would come, but she had never expected that they would come so fastCCand in such an arrogant way. They even hurtCCand killedCCordinary people. The woman who came to tell the news was a servant of the Liu Mansion, but she didnt live there. Normally, she worked in a relatively remote place in the outer court. With not much work to do, she had some time to spread the gossip when everything was done. She was considered the gossip spreader of the Liu Mansion. Although she was usually not in the spot that the incident occurred, she made the story so vivid at the advantage of her excellent storytelling skills. Are you sure that some people were killed? Jiang Pengji asked. A touch of death flashed in her eyes. Then, her impression on the Mengs turned worse. The servant got to the exciting partCCshe even made gestures with her two hands to illustrate the scene. Yes, there are more than a few people that died under the hoofs of their horses. A beautiful, young woman who was at the age for marriage intended to buy some red ribbons in the county with her mother. Who would have expected that to happen People say that the emperor of the Cang Prefecture, whose surname is Meng, doesnt even give a sh*t about the government officials. According to what happened this morning, it is true indeed. Jiang Pengji glared at her coldly, saying, How could you dare to say that? Are you not afraid of being killed? When the servant figured out what Jiang Pengji meant, she bowed for mercy and was covered in a cold sweat. Remember that trouble comes from peoples mouth. Your death alone may not matter, but dont get the whole Liu Mansion into trouble. Jiang Pengji waved her hand, signing her away. Since there is a reason, I will not blame you this time. Never leave your post without permission hereafter. In the live streaming room, the bullet messages flashed one after another. Some just said, Hahaha, while others were laughing faces. One Chestnut: The behavior of the streamer is a typical demonstration for the saying, While the magistrates are free to burn down houses, common people are not allowed to light lamps. She has even abused the royals of the Dongqi many times. When the servant said something bad of it, she gave her a lesson instead. Who knows how distressed the servant feels? One More Chestnut: Thats why shes called bossy! Two More Chestnuts: The only one streamer that is not annoying while being bossy. Sugar-fried Chestnuts: Nah Isnt the Mengs arrogance the focus for the time being? They broke through the county gate and even killed ordinary people. Apparently, only a few audience members loved to get the storyline directly. Most of the audience came to see the streamer. The Mengs Jiang Pengji could imagine the bloody chaos at the county gate this morning. In the future, the first thing to destroy is you! She suddenly opened her eyes and walked out of the Liu Mansion. Then, she got into a carriage and asked the driver to drive her to the Fulai Gambling House. Before she got any closer, a bloody smell had already drilled into her nose. Human blood varied slightly in smell from other blood. People of an extremely sensitive sense of smell could get a good deal of information by smell, such as the number of dead people, the length of time after death That was how excellent she had been in her previous life. In her current life, she would never be that excellent, for she did not receive much ability from the former her. However, judging by her rich experience, there were at least fifty people dead inside the house! Jiang Pengjis face turned much more serious. She said to the driver, Go ahead and see whats happening The driver drove the carriage forward. The door of the gambling house was surrounded by a group of people. Many soldiers in military uniform carried out bodies covered in white cloth one after another. The blood had not yet solidified, so it dripped down on the way out. The beholders were all scared silly at the sight of the horrible scene. Geez They are all dead Jiang Pengji clenched her fists. At that moment, she turned unprecedentedly cold. The System with her was even more eager to reduce her sense of existence to zero for fear of being remembered by Jiang Pengji Yep, I really cant bear the anger of this host. The almost frozen atmosphere didnt last very long. Jiang Pengji loosened her fists, then opened her crystal-like eyes. Go ask what happened. The driver got out of the carriage for inquiry. Jiang Pengji opened the curtain and saw the police officers carrying the bodies out constantly. One of the police officers held a large bag of bloody things. The blood stained the coarse cloth red, and it dripped down like a stream. What was inside might have been the broken parts of other corpses. In fact, the driver didnt have to ask the others because Jiang Pengji could piece together a complete picture according to what the onlookers were talking about. A group of burly men in heavy armor with knives on their waists and long whips in hands rushed into the gambling house. Then, after not a long while, the people inside were all dead. Hey Do you think the riot at the county gate and slaughter in the gambling house were done by the same group of people? someone asked in a very low voice, fearful of being targeted by the group of death gods. Yeah, definitely. Someone saw them rushing into the gambling house after they broke through the county gate Those evil killers should all be executed by justice Humph, too naive. They are the people of the Mengs from Cang Prefecture. Who could deal with them, even if they kill more people? Chapter 191 - People from the Meng’s (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Second Langjun, this is what Im told The driver whispered in a low voice so that no one else could overhear. After a while, Jiang Pengji asked, Theres no family symbols on this carriage, right? The driver replied, No. Ive prepared this carriage as you required. He did not understand her intentions, but he managed to find a plain one among the few carriages of the Lius which were designed for different occasions. Very well. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes and told the driver, Take me west of the town. No problem! He grabbed his lash. The horse leisurely headed towards their destination, avoiding the noisy crowds. While they were leaving, the guards from the Mengs continued to keep an eye on the gambling house. Their tea had long become cold; they hadnt taken a single sip of it during the hours of observation. The subordinates were sitting at positions that could best protect their leader, whose gaze was following the departing carriage. Suspiciously, he pointed at the carriage and asked a waiter at the diner, Whose carriage is that? The waiter tried his best to recognize it, but in vain. An ordinary carriage like that was affordable even to commoners. Without family symbols, one could not tell who it belonged to. As Hejian was home to countless houses and significant familiesCCwhich certainly possessed their own carriagesCCit was impossible for the waiter to remember half of their symbols, let alone their vehicles. Thus, he answered, Sir, thats the most common model in Hejian. I really cant tell whose that is. Since the men had changed, the waiter did not realize they were the ones who had committed shocking crimes in the town. Leader, what should we do? The leader could not decide either. Out of a strange feeling, he ordered a soldier to follow the carriage. Families that could afford a ride usually avoided bloody scenes. Why would that be an exception? Yet, the soldiers report that night seemed to prove him wrong. It doesnt look like Meng Huns carriage, said the man who had chased after the vehicle. He had followed it to various parts of the town. Then why did it stop at the gambling house? asked the leader. The subordinate thought for a moment, and suggested carefully, Maybe its just trying to avoid the crowd nearby? Oh, right. He had long forgotten about that. He was used to running people over on the street in Cang. Still, they were in Hejian, where the practice was not as common. Realizing he had asked a stupid question, the leaders mood was further worsened. What should we do now? Weve been here the whole day but have found no clues about where Meng Hun might be. While many of them assumed Meng Liang was unlikely to survive, the leader believed otherwise. So he said, We must go back and tell this to Master immediately. Some soldiers hesitated. What if Master blames the kidnapping on us? one of them asked, who then anxiously made a cutting-neck hand gesture. The leader shook his head. Im sure that Langjuns still alive. Meng Hun wouldnt have the courage to kill him and provoke the master. The same soldier listened attentively. Why? Thats simple. The leader opened the two rolls again and pointed at the part written by Meng Liang. Dont you see that the langjuns writing is tidy and at a casual speed? In other words, he was certain that he would face no fatal danger. Still, I cant believe the amount Meng Huns asked for! Two thousand stones! I wonder if his stomach can hold that much! Meng Huns demand was substantial, but the value was nothing compared to the langjuns life. Youre the cleverest man, Leader! The soldiers flattered him. Now, we must waste no time in sending these rolls. Even if the master will punish us for the kidnapping, he will also reward us generously for saving Langjun. Besides, he will understand that the Langjun has fallen into Mang Huns hands mostly because of his naughty secret from us. That would guarantee them light punishment and a prosperous career. What was more, they would receive a good amount of jewelry and silver. In fact, they had thought that they could complete the task sooner, assuming that Meng Hun would come quickly after hearing about their deeds in the gambling house. Hours had passed, most corpses had been cleared away, but the men in the diner had not seen Meng Hun. The leader ordered, All right. Lets go back to Cang. A strange voice spoke behind them. Good day, everyone. Well, it might not have occurred to you, but we Hejian guards wont let you get away so easily. The team turned to the speaker. Behind them were the guards of the Hejian County Chief, and they were not less muscular than the leader and his soldiers. Youve committed a serious crime in this town, you know. In a foreign environment, they had to follow foreign rules. After a standstill, the leader arrogantly replied, Tst! When we leave, I want the whole group of you to walk me out of town. His words irked the Hejian guards, who made all their efforts to resist the impulse to kill them on the spot. Lets see, answered a guard with a stiff face. They could hardly bear the imperious people from Cang! Chapter 192 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (Ⅰ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How powerful were the Mengs of Cang Prefecture in Dongqi Dynasty? The chief of Hejian County had only heard of that, but when he saw what was happening in front him, he was so mad that his blood started boiling! How could they call me a powerless county chief? How could they say that I am not capable of dealing with them because I am just a petty official? Theyve gone too far! Too far! The Mengs of Cang Prefecture have gone too far! The chief of Hejian County turned over the table out of anger. His proud flesh shook while he moved and his two beards were about to stand up. It was true that Hejian County was just a small-scale county according to the proportion of land area to populationCCbut it was a county, and no one could deny his position of county chief. How could a county chief bear the humiliation from the servants of the Mengs? The faces of the guards of the county chiefs mansion were also covered with anger. The leader snorted, raised his hand, and patted the shoulder of the guard leader, whispering in a low voice. I told you that you would escort me out the way you took me in. Why did you have to humiliate yourself? Lets go! The leader waved his hand, then twenty or thirty people swaggered out of the county chiefs mansion arrogantly. In the distance, Jiang Pengji opened the curtain aloofly, looking at the arrogant people who proceeded like winning cocks in silence. Although the audience in the live streaming room hadnt witnessed the whole thing, nor had they witnessed how arrogant they were in the chiefs mansion of Hejian County, many of them still said they wanted their heads to explore after they heard the words of the leader of the people! Ahhh: Streamer, I am so mad at them! How could they be so arrogant? That so-called leader is no more than a servant of the Mengs How could he be so arrogant? He could barely live to the second episode if he was in a television series. He is certainly asking for death! Yin Nizhe: (cold face) He not only lives to the second episode successfully, but he also walked out of the chiefs mansion alive. Yili Shabai: Alas, the ancient society is quite cruel. Power crushes people Suiyue Zaizhijian Liushi: That was annoying! Although I know that people in this ancient time were like grass, I didnt expect them to be so cheap. There were at least fifty or sixty bodies carried out of the gambling house! Fifty or sixty people died! Pianxian Diewu: Oh, I dont agree with you @Suiyue Zaizhijian Liushi. What you said about people being like grass is not right. Only common people were like grass. The lives of those with a high social status were valuable. It was totally silent in the live streaming room, for many audience members left when they were overwhelmed by the sense of oppression in front of the gambling house. Some audience members left and some new ones came in, so the number of audience members online stabilized at 10,000. Jiang Pengji looked at the scene coldly for a while and suddenly sent a message in the live streaming room. Streamer V: Are you afraid of blood? The audience in the streaming room was so bemused. Why did she suddenly raise such a question? Was it because her nerve reflex arc was too long? The next second, Jiang Pengji added another one. Streamer V: If you are not afraid, I will teach you the correct way of killing people. All of sudden, the entire streaming room was silent. No one sent any bullet comments for a while. But after a moment, her sight was overwhelmed by the compliments of the audience. Yiye Chengzhou: Daily brainwashing task: being conquered by our handsome streamer (completed 1/1) Pianxian Diewu: Youre awesome for you are so generous and unique! Yili Shabai: Do you need any equipment for legs? Ill buy you anything! The streaming room almost turned on fire, and Jiang Pengji had a sneer between her lips. Fight back if you were irritated! Those who chose to keep silent were cowards! Go back to the mansion first. The curtain was put down, and the driver swayed the whip slightly. It took no time to get to the Liu Mansion from the gambling house. Jiang Pengji directly sent someone to bring the horse from the stable to her. I have to go out for something. If my father asks about me, you tell him that I will come back before the county gate is locked. After taking the halter, Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and jumped onto the horses back easily. She took the shortcut to avoid the crowds and arrived at the county gate very smoothly. Seeing the anger in the face of several guards, Jiang Pengji thought secretly and whispered in a low voice, It looks like they havent gotten out of the county gate for a long time. It is not too late. The check at the gate didnt take a long time. Jiang Pengji quickly took the halter and rushed in the direction of the group of people. The war horse of the north borderline was pure white, well-shaped, good at a long distance attack, had long lasting endurance, and was a rare kind to get. It was almost the first time that Jiang Pengji had even ridden it. They must be ahead of me But the surrounding terrain is flat, so I will get exposed easily from a short distance I should detour to get ahead of them Seeing the messy and deep horseshoe prints on the ground, a sparkling light flashed in Jiang Pengjis eyes. She then held back the halter slightly, making the horse run in another direction. The group of people, nearly all twenty of them, would definitely not think of someone was following behind them and waiting for the best time to attack. One of the servants looked worried and asked the leader, What if our master blames us for misusing the name of the Mengs? How could you call it misusing? If the people of Hejian County didnt take so much time, we would have already arrived at the next station. The second langjun is not kidnapped by a group of bandits. Now time is everything, and the people of Hejian County should pay for the delay! Another servant responded, not the leader. He had profited for himself in the name of the Mengs many times. Shut up, all of you! We should get to the next stop as soon as possible. The leader tightened his lips and his was quite anxious. Since the leader made a command, no one dared to say anything. They just continued forward. Because of the delay, they couldnt get to the nearest station. The horses were exhausted and in an urgent need of a rest. The leader looked at the sky and raised his hand to wipe off the sweat from his forehead with his sleeves. He said, Rest in place. He sat on a small folding stool, sweating a lot. The others were also tired. They rushed to Hejian County ceaselessly through the night after they had received the news from Meng Liang, but they had still been late. Meng Liang had already been kidnapped away by Meng Hun. In order to send the letter back to Cang Prefecture as soon as possible, they had to proceed forward. In other words, they had not slept for one day and one night. They had intended to have a rest at the nearest station, so they could prepare sufficient food and water and feed the horses, but they still did not catch up. Boss, we have no water now, and weve run out of food If they had expected that, they would have gotten some food and water in Hejian County. Now they were in the center of wilderness, so they could not get supplies anywhere. Send three people to look for supplies. Lets rest for half an hour! Remember to not come back late. Hejian County was surrounded by many deep mountains, and various beasts lived there. Since they were all well-trained, it was very simple to hunt some small animals. Jiang Pengji was hiding nearby. She could clearly hear the conversations among them. The audience in the streaming room said that there was a sense of excitement before the storm broke out. Chapter 193 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Nice horses! Thatll make me a good fortune. As Jiang Pengjis eyes moved from the men to the twenty horses, she could not help but calculate their worth. They had been selected from the horse breeding fields of the MengsCCthe only one of the four greatest houses with a military backgroundCCand thus possessed the largest horse breeding farms in Dongqing. The convenient location of Cang as a commercial hub allowed the family to raise rare horses in the kingdom, such as those from the northern and southern tribes. After generations of hybrid and nurture, the quality of the production was now controlled at a high standard. The best were given to the major branch of the house and its army, while the remaining were sold in the market. The royalty in Dongqing had been purchasing horses from the tribes at exorbitant prices. There was a time when the King learned about the Mengs business and hinted at the family for their best horses in order to curtail national expenditure. In the end, however, the King only received a mediocre group and the blatant excuse that the top must belong to the Mengs and its soldiers. It incensed the King, who could do nothing but swallow the burning anger and fake an open-minded attitude towards the powerful house. Jiang Pengji had not thought of the horses before, but as she was reminded of them, and was aware of them losing their current owners soon, she decided that the animals were now hers. Well, she always made good use of her resources. Complaints from losers would not be entertained. The Mengs team had sent three experienced men to find food and water, while the others took rest in the area. Ive heard about outlaws in the region. Will the three get into trouble? One of them was worried. Ha! We are from the Mengs! Theres no way they cant fight some little robbers. Besides, who will come to us for trouble? They know theyre no match to us. The answer instilled the soldiers confidence. Even those in the other four kingdoms had heard about the courage and strength of the Mengs Army. They were the ones who had defended Dongqing for decades so that the King could indulge himself in beautiful women dancing and singing. But of course, Leader is the best among us. Not even Meng Hun can be compared to him, a soldier praised. As if hearing a cue, others immediately followed. The leader took his time in enjoying the wave of compliments before he furrowed, pretended dismay, and scolded them sternly. I told you to rest, not to gossip like ignorant women! It seems as though you dont need a break at all. As for Meng Hun Humph! Dont compare that traitor to me. Sorry, Leader. Its our fault. Meng Hun is just a hypocritic failure, said a soldier quickly. He had a face of an honest man, except that his eyes often rolled about as if he was constantly plotting against others. He was very adept at brown-nosing. In the next second, his companion added, Only the Count of Zhenbei is worth mentioning alongside of you. Still, theyve just lost another war in the north again. If the general had been you, Im certain the result would have been completely different. His words were like ice cubes in the summer: tremendously pleasant to the leader. The group had spent fifteen minutes in the conversation without noticing that the three that were sent out had been away for far too long. In fact, two of them never returned. Experienced as they were, they found the closest water source only after Jiang Pengji had reached it and hid for her prey. When the three approached, one of them exclaimed, There really is water here! How did you know? Shh. Lets fill the water bags. They were holding a number of leather-made containers, which would add considerable weight to their arms if they were all full. As they bowed at the stream, Jiang Pengji steadily held up her bow, drew two arrows from her back, and bent the bow into a full moon. Woosh! Woosh! The weapons dashed into the brains of two men, passed through them, and dropped to the ground. The remaining man had been attentively filling the water bags before he noticed the scarlet rushing into the flow. He turned to his partners, only to see the friends with whom he had been chatting with a moment ago were falling into the water. His eyes filled with disbelief. Enemies! The word flashed through his mind. The water bags plunged into the soil, adding moisture to the pebbles. The man grasped his blade and looked around in alarm. He had traced the origin of the arrows but could spot no one. How many people were there? Where were they? The harder he attempted to find an answer, the more cold sweat he could feel on his back. Yet, even after a long while, nothing happened. It was as if the arrows came from nowhere. The soldier looked at the corpses, nervously tightened his lips, and then stumbled to run away. Yiye Chengzhou: Oh my god! Host, why did you just let him go? Gumiemie: Host, you cant be merciful to your enemies. Hes going to alert everyone else, and you alone cant handle this. Muyu Qingfeng: Oh my god! I wish I could believe that the host could do this with her tiny figure. The twelve-year-old body appeared like a rabbit to the seven-feet-tall guys. The contrast concerned the audience. Jiang Pengji was not as worried. For sure, her target was more than two men, but she needed one to tell the story. Chapter 194 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (3) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Streamer V: Dont worry! Letting go of a fish allows more stupid fish to get hooked! She snorted, jumped down, and landed on a protruding trunk, then leaned to the left slightly. The enemies were out there, but Jiang pengji was hidden in the darkness. She took the initiative in her hand. Owing to the high mountains and deep woods of Hejian County, it was easy to find a good place to hide. Besides, Jiang Pengji knew how to shuttle through forests without leaving any trace. She was like a fish in the sea; it was easy and relaxing. Not good! Not good! Boss, enemy attack! The surviving follower rushed to the crowd in a panic, out of breath. His lips were pale, and he constantly yelled, Enemy attack! Two of our people just got killed! What? Enemy attack? Two people got killed? The leader abruptly stood up from the folding stool. He took two quick steps forward, approached the surviving follower, and shouted, What enemy? The follower gasped until he could finally speak clearly, then stated, I just fetched water with the other two people by a pond. Suddenly, two black figures flashed by and attacked us with arrows We accidentally treated it lightly. The other two got impaled through the head and now are dead! Dead? The leader glowered out of shock. Immediately afterward, a fiery anger overwhelmed him, for the people he had brought there had been killed, and it had to have been done by the bandits of Hejian County. This had to have been done by the bandits near the river. How dare they? And you just came back? The surviving follower cried and said, Boss, I also wanted to fight with the two animals and get revenge for them. But but, I had to keep myself safe to tell you the news! They couldnt die in vain. If someone else knew that members of our Meng family were killed by two bandits, it would humiliate our family. The leader listened to the follower, stone-faced. He clenched his fists and took out his whip abruptly. He was fully irritated! Those rabbles have gone too far! The leader gritted his teeth in anger. He then counted 20 people. Lets go get revenge for our brothers! Jiang Pengji stopped suppressing her five senses. After hearing the dialogue between them from a long distance, she couldnt help but smile. At the convenience of the System, the audience in the live streaming room could clearly hear the conversations as well, and suddenly, the screen was covered with tons of mocking faces. Gumiemie: Good imagination! He talks as if he really saw that! He didnt even know where the streamer was How could he declare that he saw two figures? Is it because the streamer shot two arrows at one time? Laughable logic! Laosiji Lianmeng: If the streamer shoot three arrows at one time, would they say that there were five people? Breeze-Like Words: He had to exaggerate the situation! If he didnt, how could he explain him being a coward? He almost peed his pants, and he left his brothers bodies there. Hes too young. If he had enough experience, he would have said that there was a group of bandits fighting him, but he finally managed to escape after a fierce fight due to his excellent martial art skills Dajia Yiqi Julizi: Hahaha, the comment of the people above really convinced me! Jiang Pengji was waiting in a pleasant mood. Although she was not used to using the bows and arrows of the ancient times, it worked the same way as sneak attacks did. She preferred shooting in different places while she moved to a fixed-point sniper. Bows and arrows couldnt be compared with sniper rifles, for the former had a lower speed and a less destructive power. Staying in one place would tell the enemy where she was. Streamer V: @Laosiji Lianmeng, I think your opinion can be adopted. Jiang Pengji pulled out three arrows from the arrow quiver and drew the bow to the limit. She stayed there motionless, her sharp eyes partially closed as she waited for the best time. Five people were left there to guard the horses and the luggage. They seemed to be standing in a loose pattern, but were actually on high alert. The surviving young man was left there. He had run around in a panic before, and he had accidentally fallen onto the ground two times. He looked extremely embarrassed. One of his companions tried to comfort him. Look at you! How could two bandits make you so scared? You see, our leader has already brought our people over. Once our leader wants to get revenge for our brothers, he will kill all the bandits of a whole village. The surviving follower was still trembling. He had mud on his forehead, and blood kept oozing out of his head and mixing with the mud. He reluctantly raised the corners of his mouth, but a black shadow blocked the sunlight off his head when he was about to thank that companion. The next second, a warm, heavy item fell on him. He was unprepared. Warm, scarlet red blood dripped on his face and almost into his eyes. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh Due to their standing pattern, Jiang Pengji couldnt shoot two arrows at one time. It was difficult to kill two people with one arrow, so she shot continuously at a very fast speed. Enemy enemy enemy attack! The follower raised his hand to push away the dead body of his companion who had been impaled through the brain. Brightness returned to his sight again; however, there were four more dead bodies of his other companions who had no time to react before they were killed. The horses quietly grazed nearby, not panicked at all. It seemed that the four arrows that had just taken their lives flew out of nowhere, without a trace of the murderer! Jiang Pengji, gratified, glanced at the expression of the almost collapsed follower. A sudden light flashed in her eyes, then she turned back to the previous pool. At that point, the leader had already led his people to the pool where the incident had just happened. Two bodies floated on the pool, lonely. The blood had dyed the waters surface red. The two arrows piercing their brains were still there. The leader turned black in the face, then let his people walk forward to gather the bodies. He raised his hand to pull out one of the arrows, regardless of the colorful liquid splashing on his body. He turned the arrow over, but he didnt see any special personal marks. It seems that they really were killed by bandits! The leader pondered for a moment and said, Go and check around to see if there are any traces of anyone The result was regrettable. It seemed that the two people who had attacked them were footless ghosts. No footprints or traces of human activity were left on the ground. The leader couldnt believe that, so he went to check for himself. But what they had said was the truth! At that point, some people couldnt help but whisper, He said that he saw two black shadows Maybe they are ghost shadows! Shut up. How could ghosts appear during the daytime? Although some people refuted that, everyone felt scared in their hearts. At that time, a cool breeze blew through the woods, which was horribly terrifying. Boss, there is no evidence found here, nor are there traces of bandits Do we still have to continue? The leader pinched an arrow, breaking it. Seemingly, he couldnt figure out how the enemies killed two people and left no traces. Ghosts? Oh, only stupid people would believe that. The leader didnt give up at first, but after another check, he had to go back. A total of 28 good horses are still in their original places. If we were robbed, we would lose so much Wait! The leader suddenly stopped his footsteps and shouted, Hell! Weve been lured away from our base on purpose! Chapter 195 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As soon as he spoke, an arrow penetrated the chest of a man who was standing far away from the leader. Urgh People looked at the man as his trembling hands touched his body. The force shook his heart and broke it into pieces. Blood flowed from the lying corpse to the soil. The dead mans eyes were so round, it was as if they were staring at a monster that had killed him. The scene sent chills down the others spines. Are there really ghosts around here? Youre all grown up men, and youre afraid of ghosts? shouted the leader to remind them of their common sense. He held up his blade, walked towards where the arrow came from, and cut down all the bushes in his way. Strangely, he could find no traces of living people. Where did the enemy shoot from? Before the leader could maintain his composed nature, there was another cry. Urgh! Another arrow shot through a soldiers bosom; the victim was on the opposite side of where the previous one died. The leader rushed to the spot. The soldier had already stopped breathing. He had been shot in the heart like the his companion had been. After examining the corpses, the leader could no longer repress his fury. He had been used to flattery ever since he served the MengsCChe had never been humiliated in such a way by a mysterious person. Stop fooling around! We wont be scared! He then spoke to his soldiers. Are you dumb? You know how to run when arrows are directed at you, dont you? And youre still standing in the same position? The men remembered to form a more organized array. They feared the leader more than the ghost. Perceiving their movements, Jiang Pengji moved to another place. Sigh! I want a greater challenge than these dumb men. She wore a cool smile. She gained the upper hand: They were exposed, but she was not. No matter how they distributed themselves, they could not avoid her unless they noticed the arrows before they were released. One of the clues was the air of death. It did exist, but it was difficult to identifyCCthat was why some people focused on training their instincts and sensitivity to air, such as a gaze from the others and the malicious air of death. The leader was capable of detecting the air of most attackers, but Jiang Pengji was an exception. Killing without being noticed was basic for genetically enhanced soldiers. As an experienced sniper who had completed her missions perfectly each time, she could hide her air completely to avoid being found. After all, that was the only way to survive in a world where citizens senses were all sharp like hers. The audience resumed their humorous atmosphere after the initial shock of bloodshed. Wanyue: (laughcry). It looks like an S-level player slaughtering newcomers in computer games. Aize Huahuo: What a scene! Zhongfei Zuoye Xingchen: I like it. I like seeing enemies fall after one attack. Jiang Pengji smiled at the team. Their new position would only accelerate their death. Host: Have you ever killed two birds with one stone? As soon as she said it, she released an arrow and changed positions without looking at the crowd. Whoosh! The people noticed the weapons approaching, but it was too late. Another two. Without looking back, she knew the casualty. The number of remaining soldiers was so small that they could not help but shiver. They had never seen a trace of the attacker, yet their companions were falling one after another. The leader was intact, as he was protected in the middle of the crowd. However, the two new victims were standing close to him and both fell onto his body. A bandit wouldnt be able to do this! He pushed away the corpses. While he was reluctant to give up, he understood that leaving the woods was the only way to survive. Is this the revenge of those in Hejian? suggested a subordinate. The leader said sarcastically, They dont have the courage. Who could it be, then? Were there really ghosts? The people began to withdraw. Jiang Pengji glanced at them, then at her arrows, and smiled mysteriously. They had taken a ride to the nether world, and there was no return. Shooting while moving was generally a piece of cake to her; the only challenge was to conceal herself during an attack. To the soldiers, the surroundings appeared more horrifying than ever. Uncertainty and death casted their shadows over their hearts. Clunk. A member in the back had his temples penetrated and his head nailed to a tree trunk. Stay calm! Withdraw! Noticing the sound, the leader knew another man had lost his life. Similar scenes repeated themselves. Jiang Pengji was like a local hunter: she kept a safe distance at the best position no matter how the panicked people ran. They were rats and she was the cat, crushing their sanity until she felt like taking their lives with one shot. The leader was on the brink of madness, and any attempt to hide his fear was in vain. He could tell neither where the arrows came from, nor who the next target was going to be. Their exposure in the thick forest placed them at a disadvantage. Chapter 196 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio No! Things couldnt go this way! Leaving the jungle and going out into an open space will prevent the enemy from attacking us, for that will leave the enemy with no shelter! Jiang Pengji wanted to tell the other party that those who were going to die were going to die eventually; she did not care much about where they died. The leader finally escaped the jungle, and only two of the twenty followers that he had led there survived. The closer they got to the jungle exit, the faster Jiang Pengji shot. As people got closer to the way out, they would slow downCCwhich was the best opportunity for her to attack them. However, when the leader led the two followers to the place where they had rested, four dead bodies lying in a pool of blood entered his sight! He became even more furious, which frightened the two followers. The previous survivor was the one who had gone to fetch water and survived before. Why? Four of the five people who were left all died Only this one survived? Two of the three people who had gone fetch water all died, and only this one survived? The unsuppressable anger drove the leader forward with great strides. He grabbed the collar of the first survivor furiously. Tell meCCdid you kill them all?! Tell me if you are the planted agent of the enemy! Did you lure us to that place on purpose? The leader glared at the survivor who had been frightened; he was light-headed and had sticky blood on his face. The audience in the live streaming room was speechless. Wait, why do things go so strangely? Why is this internal strife happening? Internal strifes fine But why does the leader suspect the poor, unlucky guy, who has been scared twice by the streamer, of being the planted agent? Fengzhi Liaoyuan: Hahaha, I feel sorry for the poor guy. He got scared twice by the streamer, and now suspected to be the murderer. Shuang Xiyang: I feel really sorry for the poor guy! Nope, I couldnt stop laughing. Is that leader an idiot? Laosiji Lianmeng: I bet on it! This is definitely a surprise that the streamer set to test the IQ of these people. It was no wonder that the audience in the live streaming room was so happyCCthe turnover was naturally a shock to everyone. Everyone had been brought by the leader. He knew everything about them, so none of them could be the traitor. Of course, that could be possible in extreme situations. Some people in the live streaming room ridiculed the leader, and naturally, some people held different opinions. Chestnuts Are Delicious: Am I the only one who thinks the leader reacted normally? He was scared by the streamer, then people around him started dying one after the other. Hes under an unimaginably enormous amount of pressure! In this case, he couldnt think as he usually does! Its normal that he would suspect the one under the most significant amount of suspicion, namely the previous survivor! If one were to put themselves in the leaders position, faced with an invisible enemy who kept killing one people at one timeCChow was he supposed to know if he was the next target? The fear of death haunted his heart, and death was chasing after him. Even those who had strong mental defenses would collapse under attacks of such frequency. However, from the perspective of God, the judgment of the leader was indeed ridiculous. At that point, the audience in the live streaming room fell silent and then agreed to the comment. They thought the streamer had a bad taste. Jiang Pengji smiled. Her worst was still on its way there. Tell me, did you kill them all?! Tell The leader grabbed the survivors collar and roared. At the same moment, Jiang Pengji steadily raised her bow, drew the bow to the limit, and aimed at the survivor. Swoosh! In the next moment, blood burst out of the survivors brain and fell on the leaders face. Seemingly, his neck was shackled with invisible, big hands, which stopped him from talking. This is in bad taste. Jiang Pengji snorted. The screen of the streaming room was covered with compliments to the streamer. Awesome, my streamer! Jiang Pengji was tired of killing the several people that were left. She raised her hand and put it to her lips, whistling. A neigh came with clops from afar. A white figure rushed out from the jungle vigorously. The other horses seemed to be summoned and ran towards the white horse. It was a total mess. Game over! Jiang Pengji took the arrow for the last time and shot at the two people by the leader at one time. She had said onceCCone messenger is enough! Lets go home! The white horse ran to her with joy. Jiang Pengji smiled, then ran forward and jumped on the horse. The pure-blooded, northern warhorse was indeed worthy of the name! At that time, the leader eventually saw who had attacked them. He was trying to pull the bow and shoot, but the thick, floating dirt blocked his sight. All he could see were the a**es of the horses and the little human figure that had turned into a dot in the distance Humph! The leader almost became insane. He smashed the arrows and bows to the ground. All twenty-seven followers had been killed! Who the hell is this? This person has gone too far! The leader gritted his teeth and said. The smell of blood spread in his mouth. The only thing he felt fortunate about was that his horse had a good relationship with him, and it didnt run away when all the other horses had been influenced by the white horse. Otherwise, he would have had to bear with his hunger and walk to the next station. One day Ill take revenge! Jiang Pengji didnt care about his revenge at all. She had kept him alive deliberately. If she didnt think that the leader could send news to the Mengs, then she would have killed him already. He could have shown his arrogance off to the Death God. Jiang Pengji hung the bow and put back the quiver. She sat on the horses back with ease and let the big, white horse walk around freely. The other horses followed the white horse obediently, for they had been conquered by the imposing manner of the white horse. Seems that you are the king of the horses. Seeing that, Jiang Pengji smiled and patted the horses neck. The white horse responded to her with a loud sniff. Its beautiful and smooth mane swept slightly on her wrists and made her a little itchy. You are such a proud girl. Yes, it was a mare, but its temper was more violent than any stallion. It kicked people whenever it wanted. Jiang Pengji carefully counted the number of horses that had followed themCCtwenty-seven. Streamer V: We really made a big profit. It seems that a proper robbery is good for my health. What is a proper robbery? Streamer, please have some dignity! The audience in the live streaming room said that they had never heard of a proper robbery. But, they had a preference for the ruleless behavior of Jiang Pengji. So had the audience been influenced by her values? Little girl, play with your friends. I will go take a foot bath, she said to her horse. Chapter 197 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji hopped from the horses back. The animal seemed to have understood her, and thus licked her face and went to the side to eat some grass. I wonder when we can have pears. Gazing at the pear trees on the banks of the Wan River, she took a deep breath, enjoying their sweet fragrance. There were no gatherings by the river, so she was the only person there with the group of horses. She walked closer to the water, kicked away her wooden slippers, took off her socks, and immersed her feet in the water. The soothing coolness brought peace to her nerves. She sighed, laid her arms on the pebbles to support herself with her body declined, and looked up at the sky. Shushu Zuiai Luoli: I cant resist the picture! Laosiji Lianmeng: What pretty feet! Liu Xi was raised in a comfortable environment. After a day of riding, running, and shooting, her skin began to swell and her feet trembled a little when they touched the water. That hurt. I should train more myself. Her toe drew circles on the surface of the water. After a whileCCwhen she began to feel betterCCshe was ready to leave, but she stopped at the sight of a youngster standing at a distance. He was about eighteen and in sapphire clothing. His face was smooth like porcelain. He had bright and round eyes, and elegantly thin, red lips. Others would like him at first sight, for his lips curved like he was constantly smiling. Yet, the corners of his lips were dropped with a sense of mild anger. That did not prevent the audience from screaming for the handsome face, however. LiuLianwei Niunai: Aww! I know the ancient times are cruel and dangerous, but I want a time travel so bad now just to see this boy every day! Koujiao Chifan: I dont understand. Dont they say ancient people are as ugly as eff? Why are the guys we see so pretty? Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: I love the host forever, but I wanted to crawl into the screen the moment I saw him. The bullet screens almost blocked Jiang Pengjis sight, and she had no choice but to filter a part of them. She then looked around to ensure no one else was near her. So the young man was staring at her Why? His cheeks were reddened with irritation, and his eyes complained about some unforgivable crime that she had just committed. But she had done nothing more than relax her feet and let twenty horses eat grass! Did the horses offend him? Just as Jiang Pengji was growing even more confused, a viewer gave her an idea. Aize Huahuo: Haha! Did he drink in the lower reaches? He seems quite mad. She looked at her feet, which were still in water, then at the flushed nature of his face. Was that her fault? Then, she put on her socks and her slippers and whistled. The white horse ran towards her, leading the other 27 horses. Their colors varied, but their figures were equally strong. Apparently, the white horse was their leader and they did not need Jiang Pengjis guide. Thats weird. Arent they a bit too smart? mumbled Jiang Pengji. She went onto the white horses back, glanced at the youngster who had not moved a step, and headed towards him. As she came near him, she made a hand gesture. How may I call you? The young man was tall, but still a head shorter than the horse. When the animal exhaled heavily in his face, he looked startled and took a step backwards. Jiang Pengji stopped the horse by tapping its back and continued, The style of your clothing Youre not from Hejian, are you? The teenager looked at her again, this time in a more complicated manner. After a moment of silence, he returned a hand gesture. Im from Langye. You may call me Han Yu. What about the other name? Knowing the ancient practice of having at least two names, Jiang Pengji asked in her mind, but then remembered that the other name could only be used by close friends and senior people. She looked down and asked, Im Liu Xi from Hejian. I noticed you looking at me back there. How may I help you? Her question made him furrow his brows further. Jiang Pengji made a silent chuckle in her mind while the audience complained about her teasing a beautiful boy. Han Yu could not think of an appropriate answer. He could not say that he had just drank downstream because his water bag was empty and he was too thirsty to wait until he arrived at the town. Should he be glad that the langjun was merely washing his feet, not excreting in the river? He dropped his head, feeling the disgust in his stomach when his eyes met her feet. Jiang Pengji added, Sorry. I know I should not do this in public, but my feet really hurt after a long journey Are my horses disturbing you? Han Yu calmed down. No Wait, are they war horses? His eyes widened. I dont know, but theyre certainly not bad. Jiang Pengji smiled and stroked the horses hair. In return, it licked her palm. Im taking White for a walk. I just led her to find some food and she brought back a group of friends. Im not any less surprised than you are! Han Yus eyes kindled and he looked at White. Her shape, legs, and eyes are beautiful! And her extraordinary, intimidating air! Is she from the north? Should be. Shes a gift from my father. He said she was picked from the royalty of the northern tribes, she replied. I know little about horses, but White is wonderful, indeed! She seems to understand my words and is particularly intimate with me. That was a lie. White hated her at first, and she would not submit herself were it not for Jiang Pengjis frightening air of death. Chapter 198 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (7) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Compared with the big white horse, the twenty-seven horses grabbed much more of Han Yus attention. The horses had been cultivated in the Mengs farm. Horses of such superior quality were especially and exclusively for the Mengs armies. The extra twenty-seven horses concerned him a lot. Han Yu asked, Do you know the owner of those horses? Jiang Pengji snorted. She had never asked for the names of the people she wanted to kill. There was no reason for that; they were going to die, anyway. She responded, I dont know. Do you know? Han Yu answered in a determined manner, They are the horses of the Mengs in Cang Prefecture. People of a relatively high status could only own horses of such superior quality, even in the Meng Family Youve got yourself into big trouble Jiang Pengji said inadvertently, Why? They are just cattle. How could they bring me death? Han Yu almost laughed, but all of sudden he turned serious again. Yes, and you will get your whole family into trouble! Could it be so severe? Sensing her disbelief, Han Yu explained the whole thing very seriously. You should believe me. A massacre happened once in Meng County, Cang Prefecture. Someone stole a horse from a subordinate of the Mengs, and finally, the thiefs whole family got involved and were killed under the random hooves. But I didnt steal the horses. They ran here with me voluntarily, Jiang Pengji said very seriously, But your words remind me of one thing: Keeping those horses will cause me trouble. I should sell them as soon as possible. Han Yu was speechless. Jiang Pengji sneered. According to your words, you regard me as a thief. Now that I have already been seen as a thief, I should actually be one. I should sell all those horses to win a big fortune. As for the Mengs, they have to find me first. Owing to the outstanding wisdom of Han Yu, he suddenly realized the significant change of Jiang Pengjis attitude towards him, so he apologized to her. Liu Langjun, you dont have to be so angry. I mentioned the massacre as an example only to tell you to think twice before doing anything. The Mengs are insanely rich and have various connections. Normal families cant be compared to them. I didnt mean to slander you as a thief Jiang Pengji slightly tightened her legs around the horses stomach and the big white horse took several steps forward. She said proudly, Its no big deal. Since I dare to accept those tricky little horses, I naturally have my reasons. Seeing that, Han Yu did not continue to persuade her. Jiang Pengji might have something to be proud of. It would be annoying for him to stop her. It was a chance acquaintance that started with misunderstandings, so they had nothing to talk about and left each other quickly. The audience in the streaming room felt it was a pity that they no longer had the chance to appreciate the charm of the handsome young man. To avoid encountering people who knew the horses again, Jiang Pengji simply took the shortcut and rode the white horse to the farm leisurely. Wow, such a big horse! Very tall! The children of the village had not seen so many horses before. A bunch of naughty children had come together out of curiosity. Everyone wanted to touch the horses hooves, but Jiang Pengji didnt allow them, for the warhorses all had a violent temper. If they irritated any horse by accident and got kicked, they would surely die. Lang, Langjun these Jiang Pengji jumped off the horse, saying, Xiaoyu, its good youre here! Tell Meng Hun to send people to lead the horses to our farm. Remember to tie them well. For Xu Ku, that was not the point! The point wasCChadnt Langjun been bearing her poverty and saving everything to an abnormal degree? So where did she get the money to buy so many horses? Even if Xu Ku didnt have a sound knowledge of horses, he still knew what was good and what was not. He didnt know how good the horses were, but just knowing that they were excellent was enough. So had she killed anyone or set a fire? How did she get so many good horses? For a moment, Xu Ke unexpectedly blurted out what he was thinking. Jiang Pengji stared at him with her head tilted, as if she was going to give him a good beating. Xu Ke became anxious. Unexpectedly, she just nodded very thoughtfully, and said, Xiaoyu is always the one who knows me well. Xu Ke was in total confusion. The audience in the live streaming room burst into waves of laughter. Although he lacked the outstanding charm of Han Yu, Xu Ke was still, no doubt, a handsome man. Langjun, did you go kill anyone and set fire Xu Ke did not know how to react. However, in the face of Jiang Pengjis smiling eyes, Xu Ke suddenly figured out something was wrong. I killed some people, but I didnt set a fire, Jiang Pengji said seriously, adding, Arson is a felony. The era that Jiang Pengji lived in was scarce of log resources. Only local, wealthy people could afford classic wood furniture. To protect the decreasing forest resources, some relevant regulations had been put forth by the government. Setting fire to the mountain was a felony that would bring the criminal the penalty of death. Hearing that, Xu Ke sighed with relief Nope, murder is not okay! At that time, he carefully counted the number of horses. There were twenty-seven horses! Twenty-seven? Thinking of that number and murder, he seemed to understand what had happened. I got the horses from the Mengs, so there was no cost. Jiang Pengji raised her hand and patted Xu Kes shoulder. However, the horses raised by the Mengs Horse Farm have all been specially marked. It is easy for those who know enough about horses to recognize them, so that will be a problem. Before Xu Ke could react, Jiang Pengji had made a decision. Sell them. Maybe we could win a lot of money. SellCCsell warhorses The general price of horses in the market flashed through Xu Kes mind. Horses used for transportation were not cheap; warhorses like those before him would be worth dozens of times more than the former. Would it be a pity that No matter, men always had certain characteristics that never changed. For example, men of the era that Jiang Pengji had lived in had a preference for mecha. Someone had even ridiculed that it was the true love of men. In the current era, men seemed to be the same, for they had a unique affection for good horses. Jiang Pengji said, Its okay to keep them, but I dont think its necessary. I killed the people of Mengs before and only left one to go back as a messenger If they know that those horses fell into my hands Xu Ke was shocked all of sudden and recovered in an instant. In the face of personal hobbies and real interests, he was still very rational. If that is the case, we should sell all those warhorses for a very low price. Keeping them will bring us trouble. He had already started calculating in his mind about how much money and food the warhorses would bring them. Well, I dont know where to sell them. We have to get help from professionals. Jiang Pengji smiled. The Mengs were a disaster for others, but they seemed to be a lucky star for her. The two thousand dans of grain, the twenty-seven warhorses, and Meng Hun were all costless pies for her that the Mengs took the road to ruin. Chapter 199 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji wanted all the horses that were sold to avoid the Mengs connecting her to Meng Liang. Xu Ke had begun to calculate the income when Meng Hun learned about it and put forward a contradictory proposal. Langjun, Im not sure if thats a good idea We would suffer a great loss. He licked his dry lips and watched the stout horses with enthusiasm. An ideal horse was, to him, a lifelong partner. Why dont we just hide them in the mountain for some time? Jiang Pengji focused on the second line. How great will the loss be? Meng Hun said, A horse of this standard is worth around 75 taels in the legal market, while the price may be half at illegal traders. Thats a lot! Thats the best price we could hope for. Some cut prices even further. Selling war horses is different than selling ordinary horses. A small injury in their bones could render the whole horse worthless. Traders purchase them for a cheap price and then sell them for a much higher price. Meng Hun sighed as he touched a ruby horse. Its muscles were tough, which was a dazzling indication of its potential and strength. Xu Ke pondered. The sum in return was far from satisfactory, yet keeping them was risky. People may find them even if they hid them in the woods. Jiang Pengji looked down and thought for a while. Well, lets listen to you, Coach Meng. Both ways are fine with me, but at least we can save some money if we leave them to our soldiers. Xu Ke asked, What if somebody discovers them? Jiang Pengji had already found a solution to the problem when she agreed with Meng Hun. Thats easy. Im planning to move our people with them later. But before we do, lets hide the animalsCCalthough the Mengs can, in fact, do nothing even if they know about them. She wore an innocent smile. After all, Im just a weak langjun. Isnt Meng Hun a more likely suspect for attacking and killing 27 soldiers? Xu Ke could barely keep the smile on his face. Meng Hun had already joined them. Shouldnt she treat him better? More astonishing was Meng Huns agreement. Thats trueCCeveryone would think so. Even if Langjun has practiced some kungfu, theres no way you could beat all the elites from the house. As for the horses, you could say they were bought from illegal traders. What could the Mengs do to you? The honest man laughed. Were Jiang Pengji from a plain background, the Mengs would not let her get away so easilyCCbut she was from the Lius. The house would not provoke the Lius for merely twenty horses. As long as she could explain, they would cease troubling her soon. So were all settled. The horses will be kept at the mountainside. Still, we need a skilled groom to look after our ill-tempered friends to avoid any unnecessary injury. As Jiang Pengji said it, Meng Huns smile deepened. He was thinking of his share among the horses. The ruby one was quite well. It was a handsome fellow with a temper that suited his taste. Xu Ke felt his head aching. Why was the Langjun acting so much like a bandit? He was certain that the Lius could provide her with everything she wanted, and that she only took things from the evil Mengs, but still Meng Hun was obviously influenced, too! Wasnt he too susceptible? While Xu Ke was taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Meng Hun called a servant to take the horses away. I guess the food for war horses is different? Meng Hun said, For sure. Its more expensive, as its of a higher quality. Xu Ke sighed. It seemed like they had taken a bunch of delicate guests home. Lets hope the Mengs see the bamboo rolls soon, or Langjun wont be able to afford the expenditure. As the bookkeeper, Xu Ke was clear that they could not leave the Lius financial support at the moment. He was waiting for the Mengs grain to feed the fifty men and 27 horses. Meng Hun: Apparently, they all took the behavior of their company. Feng Huaiyu, where have you been? Feng Jin was heading out for Jiang Pengji when he heard a familiar voice at the door. He lifted the curtain in his carriage and saw an old friend. Wenbin! Feng Jin got out of the carriage. His face was filled with the joy of meeting a close acquaintance. Why are you here? The two exchanged a polite gesture, and Feng Jin invited the young man in sapphire to enter. I was planning to attend the examination with you, but then your little brother told me that youve come to Hejian with Fourth Prince so Ive decided to come for you first. Hejian is not far from our destination, you know. And Ive finally met you here! The youngster beamed energetically, which set him apart from his usually reserved peers. Feng Jin returned a bitter laugh. Youve come in time. Please do me a favor. What happened? Han Yu raised his brow and teased. Are there ladies latching onto you again? The two had known each other since they were little, and thus a casual manner was allowed in their interaction. Feng Jin hit his shoulder. Nonsense! Is that what Master Yuanjing has taught you? Then, he whispered, The problem is, Fourth Prince likes frequenting brothels and he always takes me with him. I want to make it stop. Wow. Maybe he likes your pretty face, as well. Han Yu winkled at him. Feng Hun coughed and explained in a low voice, No! And Im really tired of the noisy environment. He knew refusing would not work because Wuma Juns invitation was too frequent. Foolish as he was, he would sense Feng Jins reluctance if he no longer went out with him. Chapter 200 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Han Yu raised his eyebrows slightly. So, what do you want me to do? he teased. He is not familiar with you. If he wants to drive you away, you just pretend to not understand what he means Wuma Jun went to brothels every three or five days to have fun with Liu She. Every time, he would bring Feng Jin with him. Now that Han Yu had come, he could find an excuse to get rid of him. You should just straightforwardly refuse him! What else could the incapable fourth prince do to you? Youll suffer if you keep being a yes man, Han Yu said in an unconcerned manner. Feng Jin was not valued much, but he was still the second son of the Fengs. If he was not willing to do anything, how could Wuma Jun force him? Fengjin smiled bitterly. As the old saying went: All things could change except a persons nature. If people wanted to change their nature, it would take a lot of effort. Wu Majun was indeed annoying, but Feng Jin didnt want to have any disputes with the fourth prince, so there was no need to make it ugly. Han Yu remained the same over the years. Feng Jin said, I havent seen you for a few years. I thought you were the student of Master Yuanjing. You must become soft-tempered. I never expected you to be so ill-tempered. You are similar to a friend I met recently. Maybe you two could be friends. Han Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, saying with a lot of interest, There are not many people who can win your appreciation. Not to mention a person whose temper was similar to Han Yus. That persons great. Thinking about Jiang Pengji, Feng Ji smiled even brighter. Han Yu was quite surprised by that. Gosh, is your friend a wonderful, genius girl? Is your friend actually your girlfriend? I see. You ask me to help you get rid of the fourth prince so we can meet your girlfriend? His smile was abnormally sweet. Hun Yu almost became blind after seeing that. Hearing that, Feng Jin smiled a bit helplessly. Although his friend was indeed a woman, she was not his girlfriend. He had no idea what Han Yu was thinking. Just my friend. It is not female, nor is it my girlfriend. You couldnt disgrace me because you have that kind of experience. I intended to introduce my friend to you. Now that I see that you have a big mouth, perhaps I shouldnt. Feng Jin and Han Yu had been friends since they had been little. They were like brothers, and they would occasionally make fun of each other. Oh, dont. Any person who is complimented by you must be a rare, young talent. I want to get to know him. Fen Jin stopped arguing with Han Yu, and said, If you came here later, Im afraid Ill have already gone to see Lanting. Uncontrollably, Han Yu became interested in Langting. He wanted to see if Lanting had any merits. As a student of Master Yuanjing, Han Yu had seen too many self-proclaimed genius young men. They said they worshiped Master Yuanjing, but so what? More was less. Only a few of them could actually gain appreciation from Han Yun. Han Yu said, It is not too late to visit him. After a slight hesitation, Feng Jin nodded. Okay. Because Han Yu wanted to go together, Feng Jin wrote a letter to inform Liu Lanting in advance. Otherwise, it would be rude to bring a stranger to a friends home directly. Unfortunately, the gatekeeper told Feng Jin that their langjun had been out for a while. Then did he tell you when he will be back? Feng Jin asked gently. The gatekeeper thought for a moment then said, Langjun only said that he would be back before the county gate has been locked. Before the county gate has been locked? Feng Jin looked at the sky. Obviously, he couldnt wait for him. In this case, please tell Langting that I came by. Thank you so much. The gatekeeper respectfully said, Youre welcome. Feng Langjun is the friend of our langjun, so its no big deal to do anything for you. Helplessly, Feng Jin went back to the carriage. Han Yu was playing with the jade pendant around his waist wearily with his fingers. Hes not home? Feng Jin nodded, then thought for a moment. He said, Since we have been here, we should go visit Yaozhi. Yaozhi? Another strange name. It seems that during the time when I was not here, Huaiyu has made a lot of friends that he gets along with quite well. When Feng Jin saw the confusion on his face, he explained, Yaozhi is a good friend of me whose real names Liu Heng. He is a cousin of Lanting. Han Yu responded, Now that I have nothing to do, I will go with you. Seeing his attitude, Feng Jin shook his head, smiling bitterly. With such a temper, Wenbin would suffer big losses if he encountered any setbacks in the future. About half an hour before the county gate got locked, Jiang Pengji rode the big white horse back to the Liu Mansion slowly. When she came back, she was told that Feng Jin had come for a visit. Huaiyu? Jiang Pengji asked. Did he say anything else? The gatekeeper thought for a moment and shook his head. No, Feng Langjun only told me to tell you that he came by. Okay, got it. Jiang Pengji assumed that it was just a normal visit. Feng Jin had nothing that he needed help with. But the gatekeeper hesitated. What? The gatekeeper stammered, The one who often goes with Feng Langjun came to visit Master Liu again. Jiang Pengji tried hard to make herself not to be jealous. What does often goes with Feng Jin mean? Sounds like theres a thing between them. You said that Wuma Jun came here today again? Since their last meeting in Yingchun Mansion, Wuma Jun had visited them at many, many times. Nevertheless, Jiang Pengji often went out, so they hadnt met each other. The gatekeeper answered embarrassedly, Yes, I heard from other servants that Wuma Jun seemingly intended to marry the second niangzi What? Proposed to marry the second niangzi? Jiang Pengji was bemused for a while, then she realized that in the Liu Mansion, there was still a sister of hers that she had never met before. However, this sister is not even nine years old yet! No, doesnt Wuma jun want to marry Jingxian? How did he suddenly change his mind and want to marry my sister? Or, does he want to marry both of them? Coldness flashed in her eyes all of sudden. She pressed her lips together, looking extremely unpleasant. After returning home, she went straight to see Liu She, who was in the middle of a document. Youre back. Liu She put the book in his hand aside, showing a smile on his tired face. Sit next to me. Jiang Pengji asked directly, What happened? If Liu She didnt give Wuma Jun any hint or mislead him, he could never think that there was still a daughter of a concubine in the Liu Mansion. For no reason, children of concubines did live in Liu Mansion, but people had no idea about that! Obviously, someone had deliberately told him. Liu She asked, What do you mean? There is a rumor among servants that Wuma Juns going to marry my second sister. Liu She said, This is not a rumor. It is true, for Ive already promised him. Jiang Pengji was furious. Lanting, Ive made an oath in front of your mothers grave, Liu She said, That I would not let the villains who had destroyed our family live well! But my second sister Liu She said with implied meaning, For your fathers whole life, Ive only loved your mother. Jiang Pengji instantly understood something. Are the sons and daughters of concubines in the Liu Mansion not my fathers children? But if that is the case She looked at Liu Shes face. Has he been cheated by all his concubines? Chapter 201 - Don’t Blubber, Losers (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Father, you mean my little sister? Jiang Pengji looked down to avoid hurting Liu Shes pride. Thats the story of my generation. Ill tell you everything when it comes to an end. Liu She stroked her hair and said softly, I dont want the dirty tricks to leave a mark in your heart. So you agreed to let my sister marry Wuma Jun in order to avenge my mother? asked Jiang Pengji. She then pondered, If that was the case, the little sister must have a special background. Yes, and this is crucial. Suddenly, Liu She smiled coldly, his eyes as dark as a freezing lake. My plan was to do it some years later, but since Wuma Jun has asked for it himself, I have no objection. I wonder how that person would react! The price must be paid for hurting Gu Min! Jiang Pengji asked, Whos that? Liu She avoided answering her and only said, I told you I dont want to get you involved. I know what your ambition should be. You have a much greater goal than I do. Let me take care of the revenge part while you fight for the land. But She suspected that Liu She was hiding some critical facts from her. If you really want to do something for your mother, promise me one thing. His body inclined and he whispered the words like an oath. You must be the one who wins the throne. Dont let anyone else to take what should belong to you. His words touched Jiang Pengjis heart. Liu She had never talked about it so blatantly, despite their last visit to Master Liaochen. She asked in an equally low voice, Will the one who hurt my mother be competing with me? Liu She did not know much about it and thus could not give a clear answer. All he could say was, I dont know, but nothing will go wrong as long as you become the Emperor. No matter what that person thinks, you will certainly win. But rememberwhat Ive said tonight must be kept a secret. Dont mention a word of it, even in your dreams. Looking at the solemn man, Jiang Pengji was influenced to treat the topic more seriously. Liu She added ironically, Thats merely a woman who gets what she wants by entertaining men. How can she be compared to you? A woman? Jiang Pengjis eyes widened a little. She thought they had been talking about a man. Liu She stopped talking about the subject. His daughter was too clever. The more he spoke, the more clues she would find about his past, and he did not want to reveal it at the moment. She was not strong enough to bear the weight of the story, and he would protect her until she became a powerful player of the game. He could wait; he had already waited for years. All his efforts would be worth it as long as he could see that womans corpse before he died. So your sister will get married, he said with cruelty. Jiang Pengji was not so caring as to speak for the mysterious sister. But didnt you say that Wuma Jun wants to marry Jingxian? Will he marry both? Liu She replied, Thats his own business. Neither your sister nor the daughter of the Weis will be his concubine, so he must pick his wife. If he marries your sister without canceling the agreement with the Weis, I dont think he would be able to walk out of Hejian. No house would tolerate an engaged man holding a marriage agreement with their legitimate daughter. Still, are the Weis fine with this? My tie with Jingxian ended, and then Wuma Jun changed his mind because of my sister. Although hes never made his intentions clear, a lot of people expect that he will propose to Jingxian in the near future. Liu She was surprised by her consideration. She never seemed to care about such matters. Thats no big deal. The Weis have never admitted the engagement either. They can just say the others are mistaken. He hinted, Besides, have you forgotten that they have found another ideal match for her? Its a youngster from a similarly eminent background who is much more promising. You mean Feng Jin? She could only think of her friend. Hes the second langjun from the Fengs, and his father is Dongqings Secretary Chief. On the contrary, Wuma Jun is the most unpopular prince in royalty, and he is, in fact, a somehow upsetting choice for the esteemed Weis. Jiang Pengji had not expected such a dramatic change. Can this happen? Why not? Liu She assured her. Marriage is about two families, and appropriate matches are always welcomed. The only problem is your friendship with Feng Jin. He may not like your past with Wei Jingxian. No one would be happy about marrying the ex-fiance of his friend. Although Feng Jin understood that nothing had happened between them, Liu She supposed he would be unhappy about it in some ways. What if Liu Xi visited Feng Jin in the future and met his wife? Wouldnt Feng Jin be cautious about Liu Xi? All Jiang Pengji could think was, Bullsh*t. In a time when being gay was significantly less common, what would people think about her and Wei Jingxian? Liu She did not know that Feng Jin had long ago learned about Jiang Pengjis gender. His worries may have taken place between other friends in a similar situation, but not between Feng Jin and her. Thus, Jiang Pengji said, Oh, dont worry. Huaiyu is different. Her concern was Wei Jingxians feelings. If the two were going to get married, she had to keep a safe distance from Feng Jin to avoid any misunderstandings. But at the moment, everything was still uncertain. Liu She agreed. Feng Huaiyu is impressive, indeed! Unfortunately, his family background meant that he would eventually become Jiang Pengjis rivalCCunless he could watch her compete for the throne without getting in her way. Chapter 202 - Yuanjing’s Fourth Disciple Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu Heng and Feng Jin were close friends. In the past, both often came together and talked extensively, exchanged ideas, or shared their political views with each other. There was now a new common topicCCLiu Hengs younger cousin, and Feng Jins good friend. They often talked about how Liu Lanting was as a person, etc. The former had some innate brotherly love, while the latter considerably admired Jiang Pengji. They hit it off from the start and could talk continuously. At first, Han Yu only listened out of boredom. After hearing more about her, however, he became curious about the Lanting they spoke of. Feng Jin mentioned that Han Yu was Master Yuanjings disciple. Liu Heng was in awe and looked at Han Yu with fervency. His younger cousin was going to Langye to study If he could identify what Master Yuanjing liked, it could come in handy later. With that motivation, Liu Heng indirectly made inquisitions. Han Yu held the corner of his mouth and briefly laughed. He looked purposefully at Feng Jin. Feng Jin forced a smile and reckoned that it was probably the brotherly love that Lanting had spoken about previously. Liu Heng had good intentions; he acted as if he did not see anything. I understand that you love your brother dearly, but the class is full. Im afraid no more students can be taken in. Han Yu regrettably shook his head and said, However, Langye academy is still welcoming. If Lanting goes to Langye in future, he can be my schoolmate. Presently, Feng Jin, who was watching from the side, was surprised. It is full already? Master Yuanjing painstakingly sought and found his fourth person? It was Liu Hengs turn to be confused. Why didnt he understand what the two were talking about? Feng Jin noticed that he was still confused and sighed helplessly. Yaozhi, you dont know the backstory. When Master Yuanjing regained control over the three cities, he went to discern the future when he returned to Langye county. It was determined that he would have four disciples in his lifetime. Over the years, Master took in three disciples I initially thought, based on Lantings talents, that he might be the fourth the Master was looking for. Unbeknownst to me, he has already found the fourth Those studying at Langye academy were counted as students under Yuanjing, but there would only ever be four close disciples. ThisCCthis Liu Hengs face was quite disappointed. Even though he belittled his younger cousin with his words, he was actually very proud of him. How could students and close disciples be the same? Master Yuanjing only gave lectures occasionally to the former, but to the latter, he taught without reservation. Ai. Liu Heng sighed. Trying to stay open-minded, he said, It is my luck if I gained, and my fate if I lost. It is not Lantings fate then. Only Huai Yu said just now that Master Yuanjing painstakingly sought for the disciple This is incomprehensible. He emphasised the words painstakingly sought. Based on Master Yuanjings reputation and talent, students from all over flocked to him. There were countless students who would rack their brains for a way to just see Master Yuanjing. If they wanted to be his disciples, incense would ascend at their ancestors grave. Was there a need for Master Yuanjing to painstakingly seek for anyone? Ridiculous! But, observing Feng Jin and Han Yus expression, he could not be sure. Han Yu said, I proposed Huai Yu as a potential disciple to the Master, but he said Huai Yu had another destiny in his life, and it was not fated. Master Yuanjing had a weird habit with his disciples. He required them to be intelligent, have a good temperament that sat well with him, and a mysterious fate that bound them together. It was exactly as Liu Heng thought: Master Yuanjing was known far and wide, so there were countless who wished to be his disciple. He had all the talents in the world to choose fromCChow was it possible that he couldnt find the disciple of his choice? Han Yu was prepared to try, but he had never expected Master Yuanjing to come to his house personally to take him in as his disciple. After he entered, he saw many who were praised by Master Yuanjing, but they failed at the last criteria: They had another destiny and were not fated to be his disciple. To hell with the master-disciple fate! If he refused to take in a disciple, then where does the master-disciple fate come from? With regards to the grievances, Master Yuanjing only smiled in silence but never explained. The first three disciples were found smoothly, then there was no news about the last one for many years. Perhaps he could not be found. Feng Jin was curious. Ignoring the fact that Master Yuanjing had weird criteria for his potential disciples, the lastCCthe fate between master and discipleCCwas even more ridiculous. Through that, it was obvious how important it was to the Master. He took in his first three disciples easily, but the last was rather hard to find. Feng Jin was genuinely curious. I wonder who this fourth person is. The last time Wen Bin wrote to me, he mentioned that Master Yuanjing was frustrated over choosing his disciples. Through this meeting, we were informed that a candidate had appeared I cannot help but be curious. Speaking of the fourth person, Han Yu himself was clueless. Until then, he had not understood the meaning behind the masters will. I mentioned to Huai Yu before about this person. Langye academy is full of young, talented individuals. The disciples the Master took in are the cream of the crop Only one person was an exception. Huai Yu knitted his brows briefly. The first time I came to Langye county, I thought that person had to be masters disciple. Later on I realised he was not. Moreover, he was not even a student of Langye academy, but Master specially allowed him to study there. Feng Jin thought it over and suddenly remembered something. The person youre speaking of is the one with an unlucky BaziCCthe one that will meet a difficult trial. What was with his unlucky Bazi and meeting a difficult trial? Han Yu nodded and said, That is the person. Feng Jin felt that it was weird. That person has been in Langye academy for seven or eight years If Master Yuanjing took him in earlier, he would have been an older disciple. What was his reason for not taking him in earlier? Regarding that issue, Han Yu asked his Master, who smiled with deep, underlying meaning. Timing! Han Yu said. The Master said the timing was not right before, but the fate is complete now. After Feng Jin heard, he had a helpless expression. Famous teachers had weird habits, but Master Yuanjing sure was talented. Liu Heng could not help but interrupt. He asked, After hearing so much, I still do not know who that lucky person is. Wei Ci. After Master took him in, he gave him his courtesy name. His spoken name is Zixiao, Han Yu replied. Wei Ci? Wei Zixiao? Liu Heng had never heard of him. He tried to recollect his memories, but he was unable to find traces of such a person. Then why say that he had an unlucky Bazi and would meet with a difficult trial? Liu Heng had a flaw: He had to ask if he didnt know, and if the doubt was not cleared, he would feel uneasy. Han Yus facial expression was stiff, as if he had trouble speaking. Liu Heng thought he was met with some difficulties. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly added, I was presumptuous. Please be understanding, Wen Bin. Han Yu shook his head and gently said, There is nothing to hold back, but saying this will give people around unnecessary fear and restrain towards Zixiao. Foolish people abound, fearful of ghosts and gods. One insignificant Bazi is enough to raise many controversies that have caused trouble to Zixiao. Thankfully, Wei Ci was lucky. If not, he might have been secretly strangled the moment he was born and thrown in the wilderness. Liu Heng heard the explanation and did not press further. Han Yu would tell him if he asked, but such a way of behaving was contrary to the ways of a gentleman. Liu Heng regretfully put his doubts away, and took the initiative to change the topic. The other two were also tactful, and the atmosphere was warm again. Chapter 203 - Seeking Death Wuma Jun Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Even Han Yu missed the chance to meet with the Liu Lanting, who was highly-praised by Fengjin. He still had a great impression of Liu Heng. So what now? Fourth Langjun is back? Feng Jin and Han Yu took the same ride back. They noticed a wagon ahead of theirs which happened to be the one Wuma had been in earlier when they lifted the curtain. Its a real coincidence to see Wen Bin and Jin get out of the wagon at the same time Obviously, Wuma Jun sensed them, too. He was not pleased when he noticed that another person was sitting in the wagon when Feng Jin stepped out of it. Wuma Jun had always found it intolerable to deal with Feng Jins family background. How dare he have such an extravagant life and he was not even part of the royal family? And how dare he be more capable and outstanding than Wuma Jun himself It seemed that Wuma Jun had been showing courtesy to Feng Jin, but he did not have much respect for him. However, all his frustrations began to fade away the moment Han Yu walked out of the wagon. He had such a flawless face and charming figure. Wuma Jun wore a little smile on his face and there was barely any trace to show that he had some disgust and indifference on him just a moment ago. It was a shameCCneither of Feng Jin nor Han Yu were easy to cope with. To be more frank, of the three, Wuma Jun had the lamest acting skills. The other two were definitely the best actors. Feng Jin didnt wait for Wuma Jun to approach them and he started introducing Han Yu to him after he made a salute to Wuma Jun. This is my good friend, Han, as his last name and Yu, his first name. He is Master Yuanjings best apprentice. He emphasized the Master Yuanjings best apprentice to imply that Wuma Jun had behaved shamelessly, as though he had never seen any beauties before. Fortunately, Wuma Jun was not entirely incorrigible. He chose to use a more restrained scheme to get close to him instead of just staring at him. He planned to pull back and regroup. Making a good connection was still of paramount importance. Males were not absolutely secure in the current gay, trendy period. Han Yu felt a sense of disgust and felt goose bumps spread across his arms when he saw Wuma Juns unexpected enthusiasm. He started to regret saying yes to Feng Jin all of a sudden. Apparently Wuma Jun had no preference between males or females. It would be dumb to dig a hole for himself to jump in. Han Yu came up with a new idea and wore a bit of a smirk on his face, which appeared as satisfaction to Wuma Jun from Han Yu. Han Yu had to say it was a big misunderstanding, and he felt sick because of it. Wuma Jun turned up his nose at Feng Jin; however, Wuma Jun didnt like to lose control of the other party in the conversation, so he asked about their schedules casually. Feng Jin grinned a little, and he responded without having any mistakes, even though Wuma Jun was trying to find a quarrel in a straw. What about Forth Langjun, is there any development with the Lius after you visited? Feng Jin looked through him easily. Wuma Jun was just barely concealing his excitement thanks to him still being a bit rational, otherwise, he would have already forgotten who he was. He must have encountered something nice. Since Wuma Jun had confirmed that Feng Jin was going to fall back on him, he wasnt really going to hold much back from Feng Jin. He mentioned that Liu She had cut him some slack and intended to betroth a girl to him even though it was only a daughter of his concubine. She had a wealthy father, with both money and properties. At the thought of Hu Jun, Wuma Juns heart started beating harder. He was already picturing the scene when Liu She helped him become the emperor. Feng Jin almost lost hold of his cup and spilled some tea after he heard Wuma Juns words. Wuma Jun and Han Yu were both rather startled about his reaction. It was normal for anyone to gaffe, but Feng Jin? Someone extremely nitpicky like Feng Jin? Incredible! Han Yu grinned a little and hid his suspicions. Was there any chance of an ulterior, sincere feeling between Feng Jin and the daughter of Lius? Or else, with Feng Jins decency, there was no way he would act so shaken. Wuma Jun was not aware of Feng Jins situation, and Feng Jin felt wronged about it, too. It was just a brain freeze for him and he almost believed that Liu She agreed to make Liu Xi marry someone else. Just imagining an unbearable person like Jiang Pengji married to Wuma Jun with her fake, girlish figure was already scary to him. He was spooked by his assumption so he had an inappropriate moment of weakness. He became conscious that he was talking about the daughter of the Lius concubine who was barely remembered. If its so, congratulations to Fourth Langjun to have your dream completed. You are going to win the beauty. Feng Jin had a bright smile and no forbearing displeasure on his face. Han Yu was baffled because he had been observing him secretly. However, what I have heard about this lady is that she is not even nine. And perhaps you have to bear a long, painstaking period of time until she will be at the right age. Wuma Jun knew very well about her age, but did it really matter? There was no need to mention that she was only nine years old. It would be a h*ll yes for him to marry her even if she was only nine months old. He was not qualified to draw Liu She in. Liu She was way too sneaky and played dumb the entire time Wuma Jun was probing. On the other hand, if he managed to become Liu Shes son-in-law, they would have to be allies naturally because of their in-law relationship. Liu She was not able to support someone other than him, even he was not going to be at Wuma Juns side. Whats more, that girl was Liu Shes only daughter. He would throw everything away to love and support her. Any average Emperors son didnt need to plan as dishonestly as Wuma Jun did, but who could blame him for being in such an embarrassing situation? No striving, no reversing for his whole life Why does that matter? I will just place her as someone to worship after I marry her. Indeed, it wouldnt affect Wuma Jun at all. He was going to marry her for her title as the daughter of Liu She, not for her as the person. He would worship her as a goddess once they were married. Nobody was capable of preventing him from being dissolute. Furthermore, it was still too early to talk about it, since she was not married to him yet. Feng Jin sneered under his cover when he saw Wuma Juns attitude. He was amazed by Jiang Pengjis insight of Wuma Juns true nature. Who would feel secure enough to give their daughters to him? In the last second, he reached a consensus to be in-laws with Liu She, and in the next second, he coveted Wen Bin. Wuma Jun was indeed despicable to h*ll. Wuma Jun showed interest toward Han Yu to have a meaningful conversation overnight with him. But, alas, Han Yu was much more learned than Wuma Jun in all aspects, including intelligence and literature. There were zero topics to talk about with Wuma Jun. Its odd that you were with him for multiple days and he didnt even touch your fingers, considering how horny he is. Han Yu had no common topic to share with Wuma Jun, but it was a completely different situation with Feng Jin. They squeezed into the same room just to continue their conversation. Feng Jin acted powerfully and responded, My appearance and figure are just like some beads in the plate. How can you compare beads with a graceful moon? Han Yu was speechless. These words were impossible from Feng Jin; the man he knew wouldnt say anything like that. It was never his style! Who could have possibly taught him to backstab but pretend to make compliments simultaneously? Jiang Pengji wouldnt take credit in being the mentor to turn Feng Jin to someone so mean. Han Yu was never going to show weakness. He teased Feng Jin and said, Why were you so frightened when you heard that Wuma Jun was going to get engaged to the daughter of Lius? Feng Jin played innocent and replied, When did that happen? Chapter 204 - The Hidden Chaos In Aristocratic Families Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Sensing that Feng Jin was about to deny it, Han Yu smirked and said, There is no point in playing dumb now. How can you pretend that nothing has happened? Feng Jin was very aware of his friends personality. He would dig the truth out of him, even it took him the whole night without sleep. After taking a second, Feng Jin came up with the perfect pretext. He calmly revealed, I encountered County Chief Liu a couple of days ago and I could tell that he was an amiable and generous elderly person. And can you believe that County Chief Liu would not see through him with his filthy, cunning mind? But how come he still made a promise to betroth his daughter of his concubine to Wuma Jun? I dont mean to be offensive, but wouldnt it be the same as burying your own blood relatives yourself? True, he was an easy counterfeit that even Han Yu and Feng Jin could look throughCChow could County Chief Liu not see that? It didnt make sense. Moreover, Feng Jin mentioned that County Chief Liu was a caring and family-oriented person What would make him cast his only daughters marriage behind? So, thats what shook you? He squinted at Feng Jin. He seemed still having doubts with Feng Jins lines. Feng Jin put his serious face on and scolded him. What else? The daughter of the Lius is not even nine years old, but I will be eligible to marry someone in less than two years. What bonds could I have with her? Besides, she has been raised up in purdah ever since she was born. She barely steps out of her room and hardly has a chance to see her own brother, Lanting. As a man who doesnt belong to the Lius, what kind of entanglement could I possibly have with her? The truth is that you are a typical playboy. It is just unacceptable to throw dirt on a girls innocent reputation from a noble familyCCeven for you. Han Yu lost interest with the topic and sat on the edge of the bed with a sense of disappointment. Han Yu changed the subject and questioned, If it is as what you say, then what explanation do you have for County Chief Lius behaviour? Feng Jin couldnt come to a conclusion, but he was relieved that he got away from Han Yus interrogation. Han Yu was not that easy to deceive. It would get nasty if there were any signs of lies visible in front of him. Feng Jin shook his head with confusion. Its not clear to me, either. County Chief Liu must have his own considerations. A kind and family-oriented man with an extremely sharp sense to judge and tremendous experience would have an issue with revealing such a lame disguise? It just didnt sound rightCCunless it had to be done in such a way. Han Yus face showed that he was interested. Feng Jin, however, found that he was hardly curious about it at all. It was Liu Shes family affair no matter if he wanted to seek someone to be his future son-in-law or not. It had zero to do with two outsiders that had no relevance to the family. Feng Jin read for a bit in the lamplight and felt ready to go to bed. Han Yu murmured with worry when Feng Jin just laid on the bed. I hope this has nothing to do with politics. County Chiefs tactics are kinda of spooky. Feng Jin found it funny and laughed. If it is not for politics, then why else would a big guy like County Chief Liu do it? Some personal grudges? If it was for personal grudges, then what sense did it make to agree to marry his daughter, who had been raised by himself, to Wuma Jun? Han Yu was bewitched, bothered, and bewildered. He had no clue about Liu Shes intentions. Never mind Thinking too much gives me a headache. Han Yu and Feng Jin caught up with the changes in their lives over the past few years and sighed about what had happened. Suddenly, Han Yu remembered and made a mention of Master Yuanjings worries. Master Yuanjing had been concerned about the current situation. Aristocratic families had their ascendancy prospered almost to a uncontrollable level and it would collapse eventually if nobody was going to take measures to fix it. It was a perfect topic for them to kill some time before bed. Feng Jin grinned. You mean, stop short of the precipice? How? It was not like no one oversaw it. The problem was that aristocratic families were not much different from a wagon set on a slopeCCthey were about to slide and uncontrollable. Only if the future dominator of the world is part of our aristocratic families will the prosperity continue. What if he is not? To say the least, he is an aristocratic member. But who will tolerate being restrained by other aristocratic families, especially if you are standing at the peak of world? Who will tolerate when you are the noblest person in the world, but you need to be a cut below them? What aristocratic families have done has pushed the bottom. Han Yus heart missed a beat. He never imagined that Feng Jin had such an ambitious mind. It was undebatable to what Feng Jin claimed, though. Wuma Jun seemed to be part of the royal family in the current Dongqing Dynasty. But as common knowledge, the four aristocratic families were behind Wuma in taking control of the realm. There were big people in a critical position in every single state, county, or town Which one didnt come from the aristocratic families? And how many of them on earth had a poor family background? Dongqing had been emphasizing literature and restricting the military, which led to the weak military force; they had lost the major portion of the force on the North Borderline battlefield. The remaining military forces had separate sponsors from different influents. There would be no orders from the emperorCCeven out of Shangyang PalaceCCif the aristocratic families said no to them. Didnt the royal family have scruples with the aristocratic families? They did! Of course they did! When the time of emperors alternated, the royal family had lost the advantage and been forced off their high horses through the numbers of years fighting against the aristocrats. Fortunately, aristocratic families were not unified; they had split interests and conflicts. Dongqing royal family kept their throne in a puzzled, weird balance somehow, yet they took some actions to retrieve power all the time. Feng Jin, who spotted the drawbacks easily as the son of the Fengs, was not average. It didnt cross my mind before until I came to Hejian County and met County Chief Liu. He helped to clear my mind and it felt like all the mist got blown away by the breeze. I can see the truth now. The chaos of Hu County was partially the call of the god, but you cannot deny the role that the people are playing in thisCCand the cause from people overweighs the cause from god. But why the hell did the other party of interest get involved? They found it troublesome and some of them even lost their lives for itCCbut not County Chief Liu. He stuck around to deal with the chaos and made a great contribution to turn Hu County into a better place. Only few people would like to dig into the significance of how and why he could do such a thing, while everyone else lionized him. They didnt want to find out, or they just simply didnt dare to? Liu She chose not to eliminate every last one of the gentry clans; however, they no longer had the easy life like they used to. They were frightened, remained wary, and tried not to cross the line to hold onto every single day of their life But, did he eliminate all the threats? Not really. County Chief Liu was nominated to be the General Evaluation Officer this time; it might indicate that there would be more transfers for him. If some transfers happen to take Hu County away from him even it looks like he gets promoted to be a governor do you have any idea how many people covet Hu County? Will you take a good guess if there was no more County Chief Liu, or if he passed away, or if someone else took his position, what could happen to Hu County? Han Yu knew the answer; the truth made him feel anxious and speechless. Hu County was just like a well taken care of little pet lamb: it was growing big, its wool was getting thick gradually, and it had numerous people casting their greedy eyes on it. Once County Chief Liu, the Shepard, had one mind-wandering moment or got pulled away, the fat, big lamb would have its wool shaved by some voracious predators. Predators with insight might still keep it for more wool, but the greedy, nasty ones who didnt have any patience might just kill it for good. Han Yu commented, County Chief Liu still looked out for gentry clans dignity, after all. He could have gone for overkill and gotten rid of all of them to eliminate all the threats. Reason told them that would be the most efficient way, but both Feng Jin and Han Yu were part of the people who were supposed to be eliminated. If they eventually had to cope with the same issue, they might have to do it the same way as Liu She had, or more gently. Han Yu frowned; apparently he was not impressed by this conversation. What made him more upset was that it was inevitable to him, after all. He could leave everything he had behind and bury himself in a hideaway place Then he would never be bothered by the battles and divisions. Was there a chance for him? Never! Chapter 205 - Rumor Has That He Is Beautiful Like A Girl (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin couldnt sleep with his tangled mind until midnight. He got out of the bed at his normal time. The next day, Feng Jin abruptly said to Wuma Jun, I assume we are not staying longer in Hejian County. Wuma Jun felt his heart stop for a second. He had no clue how Feng Jin saw through him. Was he that transparent? Wuma Juns entire purpose for being in Hejian County was to clutch for support from the aristocratic families. He had drawn Liu She, the one with most value, over to his side, but the other families could wait. It would be a better strategy to visit the Wangs in Langya instead of wasting time in Hejian County. I will just ask Fourth Langjun to spare me one more day for me to say my farewells to my friend Lanting. I want to tell him I will be looking forward a reunion in Langya some other day. Wuma was happy to see it happen naturally. In his mind, if Liu She was his father-in-law, then Jiang Pengji was naturally his brother-in-law. It would always be beneficial if his right-hand man built a good relationship with his future brother-in-law. Feng Jin and Han Yu both saw his emotions change and stared at him with scorn. It was not scary to be stupid; what was worse was if one was stupid and blind. From Wuma Juns words, they could tell that Wuma Jun somehow reckoned Feng Jin was his political aid or a subordinate that he could give orders to. That was just ridiculous. What features did Wuma Jun have to attract Feng Jin to surrender himself and promise to take an oath to Wuma Jun? Well, no one was going to break his illusion. Feng Jin and Han Yu just took off at the same time. One of the two was there to say goodbye and the other one was there to see the legendary Liu Lanting. They had good luck that time and caught Jiang Pengji at home just a bit before she was going to wander off to somewhere else. Han Yu was about to step on the stool to get out of the wagon and he caught the sight of a familiar figure standing next to Feng Jin and chatting with him. Han Yu felt as though a cat caught his tongue. He subconsciously skimmed over Jiang Pengjis feetCCthe feet with wooden clogs and soccer socks. Everything that had happened the day before seemed to flash before him again. Jiang Pengji spotted Han Yu way before he started staring at her. It had nothing to do with her sharp perception; instead, it was the fanatic enthusiasm in the stream room. Nongfu Shangquan Youdianxuan: AHHHHH, its the pretty boy from yesterday! I was so sorry that I missed the stream and had to go through the recorded stream video from Baidu. Now he is here! Im so excited! I want to shake hands with him His hands seem nice and tender. Jiang Pengji sniffed at the person who sent the bullet screen. We are streaming and you want to feel his hands with a screen in between? You dream it! Bian Huakai: Im not impressed! Steamer, please give him a close-up shot of this pretty boyCCa specialized, zoomed in, close up shot! I will screenshot it and use it as my wallpaper. You are planning to put him on the wall even if he is still alive? Jiang Pengji ridiculed the bullet screens one after one. Meanwhile, she took a glance at Han Yu and noticed that he was staring at her feet. Feishuagn Dianmo: Im the new cutie here. Rumor has it that the host can see through anyones underwear the moment she sees them. Well then do you know what his size is? And his measurements? His fingers are so pretty. It would be perfect if he could use them to play the piano. Jiang Pengji almost couldnt help but laugh when she read the bullet screen. She nearly forgot about his looks without the reminder. Host V: This young guy is indeed good looking, and rather endurable looking, too. But the fantasies might disappear if you just picture a scene where he takes off his pants to use the bathroomCCor whats worse, hes constipated. He might be suffering from that considering he has been having issues with his excessive internal heat. Audience: Jiang Pengji found that it was so self-entertaining to destroy others appreciation of beauty. Host V: As for his size, my personal feeling is that only those who have used it get to talk. He has been through an adults world too soon and has two concubines at his young age. He wouldnt be regarded as having a wrong style of his sex life, but he wouldnt be regarded as innocent according to your criteria in this world. Jiang Pengji went straight forward and exposed Han Yus personal life in the stream room. Everyone was still amazed by the eye candy and his exceptional aura, but they were mentally disrupted by the bullet screens from the host Host, why do you have to be this cruel? Whats the problem with them just appreciating and worshipping a pretty looking guy? Xiyan: Its so disturbing to visualize the scene when the pretty guy is suffering from constipation. Nongfu Shangquan Youdianxuan: The host is literally experienced at ruining peoples fantasies. Jiang Pengji had the freedom to poke fun and even tease audiences repulsively as long as she was in the stream room. But there was no chance that she would spill any words like that out in the real life. She wouldnt show mercy to him if she had a beef with him. It was obvious that Feng Jin knew Han Yu. To make fun of Han Yu would be rude with Feng Jin in the middle. Feng Jin recognized the quirky aura that surrounded them and concluded, Perhaps, you two have met? Jiang Pengji chuckled and talked to herself. Yeah, and we are not just acquaintances. Han Yu wore a grin himself. Its such a small world. I had the pleasure of meeting Liu Langjun right before I came to town yesterday, and we had a little talk. Feng Jin responded delightfully, It must be a predestined coincidence for you two. Jiang Pengji was thinking, Right, a fatal predestined coincidence! And its just a beginning. Surprises were just everywhere. Jiang Pengji was acting odd and she kept quiet when Feng Jin introduced Han Yus literary name. She had her eyes fixed on Han Yu and seemed like she was going to strip him and see through him. Han Yu got timid. He backed off a little subconsciously and asked her with discretion, Liu Langjun, am I dressed shabbily? No, you look decent. Jiang Pengji added after answering him, Do you happen to know someone named Cheng Youmo? It had never crossed her mind that the man her father tried to sell to her as her husband would be right here, standing right in front of her. Absolutely predestined coincidence! Han Yu was puzzled and asked, You have heard about Youmo? Instead of an answer, Jiang Pengji replied with another question. Then, there is such a person as Wei Zixiao? Han Yu started to find their conversation fishy. Where did you hear of those two if you have never met them? They were in my dream. I was in a fairyland and a gorgeous lady was bathing and burning incense. I was about to engage in some small talk when I overheard someone calling her Zixiao. She responded and called the other one Youmo. I then realized she was actually a he when I heard his voice. Jiang Pengjis vivid description almost deceived Han Yu and Feng Ji. It sounded like she had a genuine dream about it. The audience members in the stream rooms were not about to buy her bullsh*t. After all, they knew her too wellCCincluding her obnoxious behaviour. They wouldnt take the bait. Laosiji Lianmeng: I feel really sorry for clueless Feng Ji and Han Yu. They still dont realize that they have been played. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Me too. Who would call their own people by their full names? The major bug in her story was that she had mentioned Cheng You and Wei Zixiaos names accurately. How big of a chance was it that they would call out each others full names if she had only learned their names from a dream? It was very likely that she could know their first names, but their last names? Really? Of course, there was another bug. Chapter 206 - Rumor Has That He Is Beautiful Like A Girl (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio So to speak, you might have seen me in your dream, as well? Han Yu put a peaceful and kind smile on, but he had a sense of suspicion in his eyes Are you kidding me? Who would buy nonsense like that? That was correctCCthe other bug about the dream was that there was one more person involved: Han Yu. She started to inquire about Cheng Youmo and Wei Zixiao as soon as she learned about Ha Yus literary nameCConly if he paid enough attention. If the story did not lack in consistency, Han Yu was supposed to be in her dream or else she was just making it up. Han Yu was hoping that Jiang Pengyu would at least have felt some shame. He was surprised to see her continue her bogus story without feeling any shame. Yeah, I felt bad that it was too misty to see his face. There was only a blurry shape of the person and I believed it was only a dream. Its fabulous that its actually real. People in the stream room all gave her a thumbs up for her impressive acting skills. Jinqun Kanliangliang: I admire the hosts acting skills in general. She will get it in one take without any mistakes. She almost believes her lines no matter how ridiculous they are Life is like a drama: everything is all up to how well you perform. And she is for sure a good enough actress to strive for an Oscar Award. Qiufeng Sese: Those best actors and actresses of the Oscar Awards have no comparison to the host. They dont act 24/7 like the host. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Eh, she is making it so convincing. Its like she is telling the truth, even though I know she is lying. That makes my mind unsettled. The audience started to question their own judgementsCCnot to mention Han Yu, who didnt know much about her. Han Yus lip trembled and reacted rigidly. As you say, the encounter between you and I must be destiny. Jiang Pengji smoothly responded without taking a breath. Yeah, this predestined coincidence can turn to a beautiful legend. Feng Ji fell for it and he was astonished. Everyone is saying that what you dream at night reflects what hounds your mind in the daytime. Its amazing that Liuting Jun dreamed about it, considering you were born and raised in Hejian County, and you had no knowledge about these three peoples namesCCespecially Wei Zixiao, who just recently got his literary name. Your dream might be suggesting its fate. Perhaps you will have a chance to see those people from your dream when you visit Langya County. Han Yu was still holding doubts until Feng Jin pushed hard. It sounded illusional and dramatic, but it also sounded authentic with the background of the story. Jiang Pengjis original speech said that she was in a fairyland and a gorgeous lady was bathing and burning incense. She was about to engage in some small talk when she overheard someone calling her Zixiao. The gorgeous lady responded and called the other one Youmo. In another word, the background of the story was in a fairyland, and they were having a bath. Han Yu was not so eager to imagine Zixiao having a bath in the dream and what was he doing in the dream? It would be odd still because Liu Xi, as a male that was barely an adult, would not be able to see much that would be inappropriate except for shapes of people. There was heavy mist in his dreams. Jiang Pengji took advantage of the young age of his body because she knew people lowered their guard around kids. She started pushing harder. So this Youmo Word has circulated that he is person with a gentle temper, precaution, thoroughness, and a good heart. Is that for real? Han Yu spaced out for a moment and gave her a knee-jerk answer, Yes, Youmo is a reliable and meticulous person and he is very sweet to people around him. Master Yuanjing highly acclaims him. Han Yu just regained himself after his reply and he tried to confirm the dream talk from Jiang Pengji even more. How come? Cheng Youmo kept things low key in his life and left no impression on all of the students. Only a few of his good friends had any ideas about what kind of person he really was, but any strangers wouldnt know anything about himCCespecially Jiang Pengji, who was quite far removed from him. She knew extremely well about Youmos personality and she could even name Youmos big merits accurately. Apparently she had grounds to prove it. Han Yus curiosity increased with Jiang Pengjis dream. Han Yu was too busy to be bothered by the discomfort from earlier. About that Wei ZixiaoJiang Pengji gave a grim smile and asked, Is he really beautiful like a girl? Han Yu approached closer and waited for what she was about to say. It turned out that he was so startled by her words that he almost choked on his own saliva. That would be rude. Feng Jin was speechless, but he could not show any resentment towards Jiang Pengji. It did seem like she was just simply asking for an answer. Han Yu wondered, Didnt you say you could not see a face? Jiang Pengji had her Im innocent face on and explained, I didnt, but I have heard Wenbin tease him like this before. Words have it that he left his sachet behind on the street and it was picked up by a businessman one day. That businessman paid a matchmaker to propose to Wei Zixiao for him with the missing sachet If he wasnt extraordinarily beautiful when compared to an average women, then it shouldnt be too hard to tell his sex. Right? Jiang Pengji was the one who could lie through her teeth. More than half of the audience in streaming room even believed her bull. Nongfu Shanquan Youdiantian: Lol He must have an excessive amount mental trauma after being proposed to as a girl. Hanwo Daye: I have noticed that the guys in this world are all kinda gay after I continuously watched the stream for days. Advocating for being graceful as a guy seems to be trendy in that era Those guys with pretty feminine faces do cause confusion for others. It would be overly traumatizing. Han Yus pale cheeks appeared to blush and he seemed a bit stressed out. Im not going to answer that. I dont plan on getting burned when you two meet someday and you spill it out. He shook his head to the question and kept his mouth shut about it. However Han Yu continued, However, it is very likely that Zixiao has been through some incidents like that. Zixiao was not happy when everyone paid more attention to his appearance. He kept claiming that his body was a gift from his parents, but there was no talking back. Does it matter if it is pretty or ugly? Isnt it just a skeleton under the skin? Good looking girls were never secure in the current era, but that didnt mean that good looking guys were. A skeleton? Jiang Pengji chuckled with that theory. He sounds like a fun guy. Wouldnt it be fun? Looks were a major influence to someones political career in the current era. It could be a critical element to be evaluated if the person was qualified to start his careerCCbut it meant nothing to Wei Zixiao. Either he was never bugged by the issue, or he just played cool. He did have an insight if that was his genuine thought. Han Yu was aware that Jiang Pengji would set out for Langya in couples of months. He blurted out, Then we will be classmates by then. There is no rush for you to be in Langya County in a short time. You will not be late, even in three to four months. How so? Feng Jin asked. Han Yu continued, Dont tell me you forgot? All the apprentices who passed the initial evaluation will all leave for The Capital in three months. Teachers might go along and escort them depending on the quantities of students this year According to my knowledge, County Chief is the General Evaluation Officer this year. He will be heading that way as well. It would be mostly guaranteed that half of the students would be gone, especially the most essential Mater Jingyuan if she arrived as she had planned. She pondered a little and made up her mind. Then I can come along with my father to The Capital. And I will go with Mater Yuanjin and his people to Langya after the evaluation ends. Han Yu agreed. It doesnt sound bad. It can help you enrich your experience in The Capital. Chapter 207 - Farewell To A Good Friend Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji treated her friend Feng Ji and his friend to a dinner at her place. Audience members were getting bored since she behaved so well and stayed at home. It felt abnormal that the host was finally acting civilized and serious compared to her daily disturbing actions. It would be delectable if there were delicacies shown on the screen, even if they couldnt be reached by the audiences. However, the food dishes seemed too plain to excite the audiences appetite. Xie Huangdou: The era the host is in seems quite far behind in their food development. I lost my appetite just by looking at the food. Xiang Guazi: I was expecting some dazzling food like the ones in the animations that make you excited after just a taste. I must be overestimating the food now. Ma Shugao: Please at least try to not serve this shabby food to your guests if you cannot afford those special-made delicacies. Gai Jiaofan: A cheap meal from a shabby restaurant would be better than what the host serves to her guests. Jiang Pengji felt like she was being wronged because it was not within her reach. Its not bad to have food to serve. How dare I be fastidious about what we have? She liked that way better than when she took flavorless nutrient solution day after day. There were some tastes in it, at least. Nonstop complaints from the audience members in the stream rooms filled her ears. Most complains were about the food quality, the limited varieties, and the lack of spices in the food. How was a normal person able to eat? Clearly, as the normal people, Feng Jin and Han Yu found the Lius preparation of the food exceptional. Everyone was disgusted and urged the servants to get rid of the dishes. Jiang Pengji looked at Feng Jin and asked, When does Wuma Jun plan to take off? Han Yu had a flash of astonishment in his eyes. If his memory was correct, Feng Jin never talked about the purpose of his visit with Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji had somehow figured it out and was bidding farewell to him. It had happened multiple times to Feng Jin and he no longer felt shocked. Should be tomorrow, as we planned. Feng Ji understood too well about Wuma Juns intentions. He was so eager to find a shortcut to be successful and obtain the instant benefits. He had earned Liu Shes support, which meant that he had an unlimited food supply. At the current period of time, food supply was valued more than anything in the world. This privilege would help him be mentally settled and relaxed. If Wuma Jun happened to receive support from the Wangs in Langfang, and he convinced them to give him assistance in gaining access to the throne, then he would own the whole Dongqing Dynasty. Jiang Pengji spoke dismissively, This quickly? Wuma Langjun must have a short fuse to be so desperate to leave. For his life and future, it does make sense to be hot headed. Feng Jin could never forget how many assassins had gone after them on their way to Hejian County. He was not the only one who couldnt forgetCCWuma Jun couldnt either because his life was also at stake. He would end up dead if he was not going to fight for the throne. It was not questionable for Wuma Jun to have ideas like such as an emperors son. But what a shame that he was so narrow-minded. So what? What was going to happen after he seized the throne? The three ethnicities from the North Border would give up on invading Dongqing? The other four countries would cease their coveting of Dongqing? The most vital question was: Was Wuma Jun capable of suppressing those aristocratic families that were strengthening more and more to the point that, eventually, no one would be able to stop them? Supposedly not. Wuma Jun would not choose to go for the Wangs if he was that astute. Once the Wangs gave their support to Wuma Jun to take down the regime, Wuma Jun would turn into a puppet emperor automatically. There was no reason for the aristocratic families to restrain themselves. Dongqing had to bind the aristocratic families and prevent them from expanding uncontrollably if Dongqing planned to have longer years of existence. Feng Jin had no right to blurt that out and he could only bury the idea deep inside. Even though the separation was coming, it didnt affect either Feng Jin or Jiang Pengji much. They had never been the pretentious kind and they kept having fun. It would only be temporary, after all; it was not like separation forever with death. There would be less joy for the reunion, especially in another town, if there was no saying goodbye. On the way back, Han Yu took a glimpse of Feng Jin with slight concern. You are not happy. Feng Jin shut his eyes and said, The present circumstances are not optimistic I have no idea how many more times we can do things like this freely, like today Why? Han Yu didnt get Feng Jins frustration. Even if we end up being drawn into turmoil, it might be an opportunity for you to use your gifts and intelligence. That Liu Langjun is not average, either. Its very possible that you and him might mutually assist each other in the future. It would be a different story if they had different people to swear fealty to. Feng Jins lips shivered in response to Han Yus theory. Deep in his mind, he knew Han Yu and Jiang Pengji were the same. They were both the restless, enjoying making trouble type. The Dongqing royal family going downhill was the truth, but it hadnt run to its demise quite yet. The two of them were already picturing the chaos of the world, which was not nice to the royal family at all. All that glittered was not gold. It would be seen just like that in the aristocats eyes. All the fame and power would be gone in a second. The next day, Jiang Pengji had an early morning to send Feng Jin off at Fengyu Pavilion. The weather started to turn warm but there was some chilly breeze blowing through peoples clothes and it made some noise every now and then. She gazed at him and waved goodbye from afar. She began to feel sentimental. Who knows when we are going to meet next? And if they would still be friends, or if they would be opponents. Jiang Pengji set aside her emotions, put her fingers to her lips, and whistled for her horse. Dabai came running towards her. Lets go! She mounted the horse and grasped the reins in her hands. The wagon train became a distant dot and she couldnt see Feng Jin at all. Dabai neighed at her and cantered to the city gate. Ever since she intercepted and ambushed the assassins that belonged to the Mengs, she fell in love with the feeling of a galloping horse. Second Langjun, those craftsmen are here waiting for you. The porter affably went to take over her reins as soon as she got back. Jiang Pengji had an ugly and indifferent look until she heard that the craftsmen were there. Her eyes started to shine with excitement, which made others feel delighted. Those craftsmenCCwhere are they? Take me to see them. Feng Jin was her first friend since she had arrived in the current world; therefore, he meant a great deal to her. She felt gloomy about him leaving Hejian County even if she didnt talk about it or show it. Her emotions couldnt compare to the other important affairs she was dealing with. The porter smiled with squinting eyes and nodded at her. They are just waiting at the house. You dont need to rush. Jiang Pengji didnt listen to his words. She strode in and all the servants moved out of her way. She gave orders to the servants to save her time. Dont worry about bowing, just mind your own business. She noticed that the craftsmen in sackcloth had been sitting for a while. She opened the door swiftly, but not roughly. Cut the crap. Just tell me what stage we are at in completing the work on my crossbow. She took a seat and told the craftsmen to ignore the formalities. The craftsmen looked at each other and picked one of them to represent the group. We did it. A smile spread across her face. Her eyes were radiant and lit up the whole room. Chapter 210 Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Nongqin was not the only one shocked by her order; the rest of the guys remained quiet. All of a sudden, the stream went nuts, too. Xuanxiang Taishou: Host, dont scare us How is that even possible? Fengzhi Liaoyuan: I do believe some non-human like creep can make it happen. But its basically not possible for Nongqin. Han Yutong: I can see the scene of a soft girl turning into an iron man. The audience members in the stream room were trying to display the reasons to her as to why they didnt think there was a chance for her. It was not that they didnt have confidence in her, it was just unbelievable that it could happen. Meng Hun basically was sharing the same idea with the audience members. According to his eye measurements, it had to be at least two hundred feet from where Jiang Pengji was standing from the target. It had to be a one-hundred kilogramCCor heavierCCbow to have maybe been able to do it from that distance. A fifty-kilogram heavy bow would barely reach. But that was one hundred kilograms; it was much heavier than an adult male. How was it even possible for Nongqin to use a bow like that? Do you think you can do this? Jiang Pengji asked her. She hesitated until she heard Jiang Pengji. She seemed confident with her decision. I can do this for you, Langjun, as long as you give me instructions. Jiang Pengji grinned at her. Smart girl. Come, let me teach you. She unwrapped the white cloth, let it drop on the ground, and revealed the look of the crossbow. Meng Hun took a glance at it and then he couldnt move his eyes away. Jiang Pengji whispered to Nongqin and taught her the correct way to manipulate the crossbow. The recoil force is rather high, which means that the bottom half of your body has to be steady when you are using it to release the force. If the bottom half of your body wobbles and you somehow miss the accuracy, you are not just losing your target, you might get killed instead of killing your enemies. Jiang Pengjis voice was like a chilly breeze blown into peoples ears, which made everyone focus on her. There was a shock absorber damper set in the bow to moderate the instant impact from the launch as much as it could, but it would still be a struggle for Nongqin. You have enough time to aim at your target with the sighting device. You just need to balance your own body. Something that is more advanced about this crossbow than a regular bow is that you dont have to keep the same pose to aim at your target when you have your bow open. Jiang Pengji assisted Nongqin in adjusting the bow and her position. She encouraged her, Thats the right angle. A bolt shot out of the crossbow right after. Nongqin still took several steps backwards and fell on the ground from the fierce recoil force even though she was mentally prepared. The men around her uttered words of amazement; they were all startled. Thwack! Nongqin was lucky. She missed the center of the target, but she still shot the target, and the bolt made half of it shatter! The audience members were astounded by the fact. The distance was definitely more than two hundred feet. Not to mention, if an average person could aim at something at such a distance, they would be disheartened by the fact that they would have to have strong arms to make it happen. But a skinny, tiny woman did it, and she blew off the target while everyone watched. The bolt, instead of getting stuck in the target, just kept going for another twenty feet before it stabbed into the ground. Men Hun rushed forward and held the crossbow that Nongqin dropped in both of his hands as if it were a treasure. Nongqin was still dazed until she saw a neat, pretty hand with a smell of soap in front of her face. Get up. Nongqin bit her lips, hesitating before she grasped Jiang Pengjis hand and stood up forcibly. She quickly went to check the target and was amazed by the violent scene. Was it really her? Nongqin felt everything go blurry. She could even feel her own heartbeat, and she lifted her hands up in her face. Was it really her? People described a marksman that could pierce a willow leaf with an arrow from the distance of a hundred feet. She turned around. There was no way it was only a hundred feet between those two points. Meng Hun realized how scary the crossbow was from his previous experience being the General Coach and former captain of the Mengs army. He had seen crossbows before, but that one was exceptionally creepyCCmore so than any other he had seen before. It was very handy, in that most average people wouldnt have trouble carrying it. The low pull force could be used to latch the crossbow, which meant an incompetent girl like Nongqin could even use it. She just needed to lean her body back, put all the effort and strength into latching the crossbow, and then pull the trigger. A paddle crossbow needed combined forces from the users arms, feet, and lower back. The crossbow he was holding, however, was different from a paddle crossbow. It was more like an arm-stretched crossbow, considering its size and portability. What made Meng Hun more stunned was the recoil force was relatively low, but the shooting range was extremely long. While he was still indulging in his ecstasy, Jiang Pengji struck him with her dissatisfaction. Its not good enough Its still just a half-finished product. Meng Hun was puzzled. Was it still not good enough? He had no idea what Jiang Pengji was expecting. She had extremely sharp eyes. She observed some flaws that needed to be fixed with only one test. You want to equip every single soldier with a crossbow like this, Langjun? He was about to burst with excitement. He was dying to equipped with the crossbow, and he would certainly cherish it. Everyone else, especially Meng Huns subordinates, felt their hearts begin to pump harder with the idea, too. Jiang Pengji said in a calm tone, Its still a product in process and is being modified. I cannot guarantee that everyone gets a crossbow because of costs and the complex craftsmanship. I will only let the most experienced and excelled soldiers have them. And the rest She snatched the crossbow from Meng Hun and stretched her arms to open the crossbow like she had done it thousand times. Thwack! A target cracked from the center but Jiang Pengji stood still without any wobbling. She opened it again and reloaded. With a clear sound of cracking, another target shattered into pieces completely. Then Meng Hun noticed that she didnt aimCCor, she felt confident when she stared at the target before opening the crossbow, and she didnt have to aim! How crazy was her vision and accuracy? There is nothing you cannot achieve in this world. The reason you cannot yet achieve it is only because you dont know how. She put down the crossbow and had a beaming smile on her face. It made her surroundings dimmer somehow. Nongqin had a sudden passion, and she felt there was a strong urge flowing deep in her body. She wanted to become someone like the Langjun. There were no extra moves when Langjun opened the crossbow, and she stood straight like nothing would make her bend Right, Im a girl. But Langjun is a girl, too And she is even younger than me. Why can she do that but I cant? Nongqin knew that she really enjoyed it and felt free with her own life even though she had to face all the stressful and endless training at the moment. But she could not imagine going back to her old life. She refused to be a mundane person. She didnt want to marry some random guy by following her parents orders. She didnt want everything to be centered around a guy, children, and a kitchen for the rest of her life It is not life if you have to suffer and be numb and have boring, predictable days over and over again. She was all about the unstopped idea. No, thats not life! Chapter 211 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill or To Capture? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Nongqin firmly looked into Jiang Pengjis eyes and kneeled on the ground in front of her. Her shoulder was still bleeding and the blood stuck to her shirt. Im begging you to teach me, Langjun. Jiang Pengji gazed at her with a strange smile that made her very uncomfortable. After a while, Jiang Pengji finally opened her mouth. What do you think I can teach you? Nongqin paused for a second. She was not sure what Jiang Pengji meant. Jiang Pengji explained to her, You work hard and you have fortitude and ambitions. These qualities are more than enough to help you succeed. The only thing I can teach you is how you can maximize your advantages and enhance your physical ability. The rest will still be on yourself. The body structure of women lost when compared to men, but it didnt indicate that they were weak. In Jiang Pengjis world, the federal military consisted of fourteen corps. The head of each corp was the Supreme Conduct Officer who took direct orders from the Grand Marshal. Each corp had specific responsibilitiesCCfor instance, the Seventh Corp that Jiang Pengji led was the first line combat unit. In other words, the head of each corp was the man with the apex of power, with the exception of the Grand Marshal. There were eight female heads of the corps in her generation, overpassing the six male heads. Whoever obtained the most power deserved the ultimate respect; sex didnt matter. Who dared to say that the eight female heads were weaker than the male heads? In fact, Jiang Pengjis personal combat ability actually ranked in the top three of all the heads of the corps. Physical structure didnt make everything definite. Ones success depended on if they were motivated to become stronger. If someone outweighed you with their strength, you have to figure out how to react swifter than them. If someone is swifter than you, you have to figure out how to kill them with one strike. If someones total physical abilities beat you, then you must find another way around it, and you can learn some warcraft about how to lead your troops into battle. Stop focusing on your own shortcomings. In the meantime, stop making comparisons between your disadvantages and others advantages. That is just unnecessary. Every word from Jiang Pengji made Nongqins heart pump harder without her control. She could feel that there was a strange emotion starting to surface. Then Jiang Pengji said, Just get up. I should teach you at least something since youve asked. Nongqin stood up and her knees were covered with dirt. I will come to visit here for a bit everyday. It will be entirely up to you about what you can learn from me. Jiang Pengji pinched Nongqins limbs and talked to her with a serious look. Your muscles and bone structure are both in pretty good condition, which means that, potentially, you can improve. Have you tried a massage after training? The list Jiang Pengji provided wasnt just a piece of paper; it was designed to be used for students training in military school in order to help them perform to the best of their ability. Meanwhile, the massage would stimulate muscles and nerve activation and lessen the muscle fatigue from the previous day, which would increase the effect of the rapid training. With the accumulation of months of training, the massage could even trigger regrowth in the younger soldiers bodies and effectively strengthen them. Nongqin had a blush on her face and murmured, Yes, the General Coach gave orders to one of the female helpers in the cottage to massage me after he saw how much I suffered from the training. It was shameful to do the full body massage, but one had to admit that it worked. It felt like a hot bath after the massage when all of ones muscles were sore. She almost guaranteed that she was going to be too exhausted to get up the second day, which turned out she had a sound sleep and only a slight soreness in her limbs. That type of tiredness wasnt enough to affect her training the next day. Jiang Pengji gave a hint of a smile and appraised, Meng Hun was truly thoughtful in this case. You are dismissed to deal with your injury and get some medicine for yourself first. Nongqin responded with a yes that carried a sense of respect. There is a competition to choose the troop leaders in two weeks, isnt there? Jiang Pengji double checked the schedule that she had made earlier. There was indeed an election of a new troop leader every month. Meng Hun replied, Thats correct, Langjun. Nongqin will be in part of the competition. Make an announcement to make sure everyone knows that whoever loses to her will take over the laundry for the whole troop. Meng Hun opened his mouth in astonishment and asked, Nongqin certainly endeavours, but it will still be impossible for her to win Her size immediately put her at a disadvantage. Jiang Pengji said subtly, Doesnt mean she cannot win. No one knew better than her how to put someone to death in a moment. One could kill a person even if they were in an inferior position. Since she agreed to teach Nongqin, she might as well teach her something beneficial and useful. Meng Hun felt a chill and his subconscious told him there was something off about the situation. But he could not tell what it was. Cang Prefecture was one of the Six Prefectures and twenty one counties. The road for trading to the North Boardline was well-established, which created a tight connection with the North Boardline. There were goods exchanging from two places and it attracted a number of businessmen to travel there for business. That was how Cang Prefecture became a major prefecture in Dongqin and how the economy flourished. Therefore, the prosperity was long gone and only economic recession remained in Cang Prefecture. Rampant bandits robbed the businessmen every now and then and the old bustling street, which was normally full of street vendors disappeared for good. There were only some civilians that were dressed shabbily sitting along the street. Occasionally, the armed troops that were dressed in the Mengs uniforms would still patrol the street. They scammed the suspicious pedestrians one by one. Sometimes they swiped civilians possessions under the table and bullied them, and sometimes they detained those businessmens goods for extortion. The entrance of Cang Prefecture, especially some of checkpoints around Meng County, had military forces guarding them. As a result of the bandits notorious killing and robbing, the civilians had to leave their homes and they were held up at the entrance gate. They wandered around the town, dressed in ripped and old clothes. They all looked sallow and skinny, and there was only numbness on their faces. It seemed like they had lost their souls. Those sons of bitches A grey-haired, old beggar covered his face and sobbed in a corner where the soldiers could see him. He had a boney little kid in his arms. The kids face was pale and full of bruises. He had stopping breathing and his eyes were tightly closed. The kid was picked up by the old beggar on the street. He was raised from a toddler into a twelve year old boy. The old beggar had expected to rely on the boy for the rest of his life. Nobody could foresee that the boy would get beaten to death by a soldier of the Mengs because the boy dirtied his shoes by accident when he snuck out for food. People called them the guardian angels to protect Dongqin and their civilians They were truly demons from hell dressed up like human beings. What the heck did you just say, you old shit bag? A soldier with good hearing heard the man and he approached the old beggar, swearing. The old beggar went for broke and spit at the soldier. Im swearing at you, sons of bitches! Not long after, there was blood splashing on the roadCCanother dead body with some puncture wounds laid next to the little one. The other homeless civilians were used to the scenery and they acted like puppets. Their eyes were like they were made of wood; they didnt even move. Suddenly, there was the sound of a horse galloping from outside of the gates entrance. The strutting guards all of a sudden turned timid and adulate, like a rat that saw a cat. The man on the horse didnt regard the civilians in chaos and he flashed through the crowds. I have a critical message for County Chief, please notify him for me! The guys eyes on the horse were red and he had dusty grease on both his hair and his face. It was obvious that he had been on the road and tried to hasten his way there for days, which explained his nasty look. Chapter 212 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill or To Capture? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He tottered off the horse and almost collapsed on the ground. He was in a really wretched condition. He stuck his tongue out and licked his bottom lip to alleviate the stinging pain from his dry lips. His red eyes were wide open and he kneeled on the ground with his back straightened. He was preparing his lines to report to the County Chief while he was slowing his respiration. After a while, there were a bunch of footstep sounds coming from a distance. He pinched his thigh to get rid of his dazedness. His heartbeat was loud like a drum. He couldnt hear the people approaching. He had his head down and he took a peek at a shadow in greenish brown walking past him and seated at the seat of honor. There was a sense of fragrance left in the air. As the head of the Mengs clan, County Chief of the Meng County, regardless of what kind of turmoil Meng County had been through, Meng Zhan never quit the extravagant and exquisite lifestyle. A moment later, the man sitting on the honor seat asked, So Second Langjun already arrived at the Capital City? His voice was sedated, like his age, and his tone was genteel and mild and held a unique elegance. It sounded like he was reading poetry. The way he talked was trending in the recent years, which was fashionable among the gentry clans and aristocrats. It propelled the rest of the people to copy the tone to help them merge in. Some of them could not grasp the tone and they made it sound pretentious and very much like ducks quacking. That made other people suspect that they had a throat issue. But some of them had the privileged voice for the tone and they made it sound like the tone was originally from themselves. It was elegant if the tone was from them. The entourage leaders face went dim and he kowtowed to Meng Zhan harshly. The sound of him smashing his head on the ground was deep and the ground even shook. All of the entourage leaders blood rushed out of his face after he heard Meng Zhans question. He had his forehead against the ground and his fingers were shaking. Soon, his palms were soaked with his sweat, indicating how anxious he was. Please forgive my incapability. Im so sorry I couldnt complete the mission you assigned to me, Laoye Second Langjun was captured by that traitor Meng Hun Meng Zhan put on his aggressive face, and flung his tea cup at the entourage leaders forehead. The hot tea splashed all over his face. Second Langjun was captured by Meng Hun? He slightly opened his slender eyes wider and there was some cruelty in them. He asked the messenger in a bleak tone, I sent a whole team to protect Second Langjun and you still failed? Whats the point of keeping trash like you? The entourage leader, who was arrogant towards the normal civilians and even with He Jiang County Chief, suddenly felt like a cat had caught his tongue. As Meng Zhans entourage leader, he knew exactly what he was supposed to do. Speaking for himself was not going to save his a**, instead, it would provoke Meng Zhan more and get himself killed. There was a cut on his forehead and it wouldnt stop bleeding. His blood was mixed with the hot tea dripping off his face, but he was too scared to wipe it off. Meng Zhans temper started to cool after a bit. The entourage leader responded tremulously, Please ease your anger, Laoye. It wasnt that we didnt put all our effort to protect Second Langjun. The cause of this incident was still that sneaky and sinister Meng Hun and his troops. Meng Zhan didnt bother to believe his excuses and he kept talking straight. What does that ungrateful traitor want from us that he had to capture Meng Liang? There was a reason for him to be the head of the clan and the County Chief of Meng County. It was transparent for him to understand that they were aiming for something. The cowardly, cheap entourage leader was never going to come home if Meng Liang was already dead. He would flee for his life and be long gone. God bless your wisdom, Laoye. That traitor did ask for money and grain as ransom to keep Second Langjun as hostage. I was afraid that son of b*tch would mistreat Second Langjun, thats why I spurred on the horses to come back as soon as possible to notify you, Laoye. The trip cost me ten horses to get back in time. And then he took an object wrapped in a piece of silk and lifted it up above his head with both his hands respectfully. This is for you to examine, Laoye. Meng Zhan gave the servant next to him a look and she went to get the package for him. He took a careful look of the inside and noticed there were two letters inside. One of them was from Meng Liang, which was full of complacent and destain against Meng Huns actions. The other one was of unfamiliar handwriting. It briefly explained that Meng Zhan had to satisfy their requirements if he didnt want Meng Liang to be killed. Meng Liang only agreed to pay five hundreds dans for his ransom, but the other letter asked for two thousands dans Pariahs are greedy. Meng Zhan threw the letter aside. He hid how much he despised and scorned the contents of the letter. The head of the entourage swallowed and said, Are we really going to trade the grain with him Laoye? Meng Zhan leisurely answered as an arrogant expression spread across his face, Why not? The head of entourage was startled by the decision. It was only two thousand dans of grain anyway. Only those people from the slums would value it so much, Meng Hun said in a cold tone, Follow my orders and transfer three thousand dans of grain from the granary, and dispatch a team to transport the grain over. The key is to keep Second Langjun safe The moment he receives the grain, all the connections between us and Meng Hun will be gone. Just consider this is the last paycheck he gets from me. The head of entourage was totally lost. Three thousand dans of grain? All to Meng Hun? He had only asked for two thousand dans, even though he was being avaricious. Meng Zhan didnt bother to explain the reasons when he saw the head of entourages puzzled face. Where did Meng Hun betray the Mengs? Why did he set a fire and burn down the County Military Chiefs place? Why did he pursue Meng Liang and never stop trying to assassinate him? He had been constantly using the idea of getting revenge for the death of his wife and daughter, and he would like to give up killing Meng Liang for only two thousand dans of grain. What did that mean? It meant that the life and innocency of his wife and daughter was just worthy of two thousand dans of grainCCsuch a low price. If it was so, he might as well just show his generosity and consider it a donation to charity. Meng Hun sold his wife and daughter cheap; he would just give him a bit more. It seemed like some actions were honorable, but it was truly mockery and humiliation. These three thousand dans of grain was just a drop in the ocean. If Meng Hun was bold enough to accept the food, he would spread the words once Meng Liang was safe. Ever since then, the name of an upright man getting revenge for his wife and daughter would be replaced by a scandalous cheater. He had sold his wife and daughter just for some grain. Meng Zhans wife, who was sitting in the backyard, was rather frightened when she heard the news. But she was soon at peace in her mind. She twiddled a piece of dessert gracefully, but the words that came out of her were full of scorn. Pariahs are still pariahs and boneless. They would do anything just for a bite of food. He basically just sold his wife and daughter for cheap. If he knew this is what he would end up with, he wouldnt have done something as stupid as that. You lost your family, but it is never too late to have more. He lost his job position and his social status after the incident, then made my baby son suffer and my husband worry. Meng Huns wife and daughter were just part of the pariahs. How could they compare to the noble aristocrat Meng Liang? She didnt even blame the wife and daughter for destroying Meng Liangs reputation. AhTinCC Meng Hun sneezed and pinched the tip of his nose, which somehow caused everyone else to glance at him. You guys finish burying him He gave them the instructions tersely. I will go around and check on the other places. Chapter 213 - Bandit Suppressing, To Kill Or To Capture (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Hun looked around and made sure that all the personnel were on standby. Thus, he was satisfied and ready to respond to Jiang Pengji. As the saying goes, a gentleman should always predict potential danger and keep himself away from it. Why do you put yourself in danger instead? Xu Ke became more and more soft-tempered to his self-willed langjun, for he had never conquered her stubbornness. In a dark-colored, coarse-clothed short coat, Jiang Pengji was simply dressed, looking like an experienced fighter rather than a child from a noble family. She sat on the ground and looked at Xu Ke with a doubtful smile. Xiaoyu, your style is becoming more and more like a housekeepers. You know, Im not weak. If these little fellows that have never seen dead bodies before dont want to be trained, then I can kill out all the bandits in that village on my own. She uttered her ambition with confidence, but Xu Ke felt a headache coming on and had to persuade her in earnest. Your skill in martial arts is extraordinary, and I admire that a lot. But that doesnt mean you have to join the battle personally. All that you have to do is sit in the barracks and assume your commands. As the saying goes, Those children from wealthy families will never put their lives at risk Random punches would be able to kill an experienced martial arts master. The swords and knives would never mind whom they were stabbing. What if the desperados injured her? Jiang Pengji smiled and said, Dont try to persuade me with those theories. I understand your point, but I dont want to do that. As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Ke revealed his helplessness on his face. The audience in the live streaming room watched and burst into laughter. They felt sorry for Xu Ke! [Surao Chansheng]: Haha, I quickly grabbed a screenshot of Xu Kes expression. I think it can be matched with a sentence: Annoyance overload! What should I do? What could I do? Having a problematic boss like the streamer, Xu Ke must have been considering job-hopping. [Gongsun Siyun]: Nope, he wouldnt. Xu Kes contract of selling himself is still in the vicious streamers hands! He will oppress her for his whole life! [Dashu Xiaobing]: Selling himself? Alas, the malicious landlord! I will always support Xu Ke to rebel spiritually. [Paidaxing]: Spiritual support is useless! You can directly send her a bunch of gifts and hearts. Maybe if the streamer gets happy about that, she will not be so tricky for Xu Ke to deal with. Jiang Pengji had never asked for a reward, nor had she played any tricks on the audience. If the audience liked her performance, they would reward her voluntarily. If they didnt, they would watch the live stream in silence. Even so, the rewards kept increasing remarkably as time went by. The System had already got a bit dizzy out of joy when it looked at the rewards coming in like the tide. The more rewards Jiang Pengji received, the more points of popularity it could get. After all, the System and the streamer would share the rewards fifty percent each. It was a pity that Jiang Pengji did not adopt the customized tricks that it had offered her. Otherwise, the rewards could be dozens of times more than they were now! The System regretted that, but meanwhile, it kept drooling while it watched the steady stream of rewards. Jiang Pengji said to the System in her heart, You can open the semi-interactive streaming mode, and use the theme that we fixed. As soon as she finished, the System diligently followed her order. In the next second, the audience saw a subtitle across the bottom of the streaming room: Bandit Suppressing In Deep Mountain (1). Bandit Suppressing was the task theme of the semi-interactive streaming mode! Meeting Jiang Pengjis expectations, Meng Hun led his troops and got their training on the right track. The poor and unskilled troops had become more and more of a real army. The physical fitness of all the armies had improved in different degrees after a month of hard training. They were still much worse than the regular army; however, compared with the bandits in the village, they were stronger for sure. Langjun, you cant be so capricious Xu Ke had already forgotten how many times he had sighed because of Jiang Pengji. Its not the first time, and youd better get used to it. I cherish my life, and ordinary people cant hurt me. Jiang Pengji smiled and comforted him. You should have some confidence in me. If these bandits can scare me off, and all I do is look for blessings behind everyone, how can I make any accomplishments in the future? From now on, the scale will only get bigger However, Xu Ke was so broken even if was just a small fight How could he bear with the coming future? Even with many words to say, Xu Ke was still like a deflated balloon while he dealt with Jiang Pengji. He remained in silence. Just then, the tall and burly Meng Hun walked over and said to Jiang Pengji, Langjun, everything is ready. Hum, I know. After that, Jiang Pengji took two rolls of coarse cloth from his sleeve and spread them out. Among the two coarse cloths, the larger one was irregular in shape, on which was a geographical map drawn by carbon blocks. In addition to the rivers and mountains near Hejian County, there were many symbols with different meanings drawn on it. The symbols were thickly dotted and they dazzled people. This place will be our next target. I snuck into this place and roughly drew a picture of its geographical situation. After saying that, Jiang Pengji spread out another roll of coarse cloth, which was a map of the village and the distribution diagram of the armies at every checkpoint! Jiang Pengji had only noticed that he would take some people to go to suppress the bandits the day before. It was very urgent, for just packing up the food and necessary items would consume a lot of time. Meng Hun was also worried that his langjun would cause a mess and he intended to communicate with her privately. But, he had never expected her to be so well-prepared. Meng Hun stared at the detailed picture of the bandits village in a daze, trying to simulate the action tactics in his mind. Only Xu Ke focused. His face darkened and he asked, Langjun, you said that this was based on your exploration? Meng Hun rubbed his hands and said, This way of drawing is obvious and clear. If we use a scout as the pioneer Xu Ke hurriedly interrupted his words. This is not the point. The key point isCCwhen did Langjun sneak into the deep mountain and the bandits village alone for information? Wasnt that more dangerous than her confronting the enemies personally later? Meng Hun was shocked, for he suddenly understood why Xu Ke looked so serious. The picture on the rough cloth was painted by Jiang Pengji herself. What did that mean? That meant that she had gone deep into the mountain alone, and found out the strongholds one after another! In the face of the disapproval of Meng Yu and Xu Ke, Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes. She had not been alone, for there had been ten thousand audience members watching her the entire way in the streaming room. Besides, she had done that kind of pioneering work numerous times. Scouting the bandits village didnt mean that she ventured deep into it; she had her own way to do so. Jiang Pengji bluntly shifted the topic. We could discuss those things after the bandits are annihilated. Xiaoyu, look at me! I am as good as always, and things are not as dangerous as you think Chapter 214 - Bandit Suppressing, To Kill Or To Capture (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke said helplessly, What you said is right, but this still cannot erase the risk youve taken. Though you didnt get injured, it doesnt mean what youve done is totally safe. I only hope that you will never be that rash anymore. Look before you leap. Although it couldnt be said that he knew much about Jiang Pengji, he still knew that his langjun was so unmanageable and it was futile to dissuade her. If he didnt get to the bottom of it at the moment and let it pass, however, he would know the consequences without a doubt. I know! I know! No matter what I do in the future, I will definitely think twice before I act. All right? Jiang Pengji readily promised Xu Ke with her two fingers pointing to the sky that she would think twice in the future as long as he would stop chattering and let it pass. She was a typical kind of person who admitted her mistakes actively, while she never corrected them. Now, lets talk about the deployment first After a dry cough, Jiang Pengji promptly shifted the subject to avoid being caught out by Xu Ke. She didnt know how to deal with motherly people like him. Xu Ke sighed softly. He couldnt do anything, after all. Speaking of serious things, Xu Ke also turned severe. He carefully looked over the layout of the bandits village and came to a conclusion. The rambling layout indicates that these bandits are just a disorderly mob Actually, most of the bandits who lived in the mountains near Hejian County were disorganized and undisciplined. With brute force and superiority in numbers, they burned, killed, and looted wherever they went. Unlike them who risked their lives every day, the defenseless, ordinary people were no match for them naturally. Although Jiang Pengji had trained the small-scale troop for only one month, they were far better than the bandits concerning organization and discipline. All the armies had received preliminary systematic training, and there were some veterans brought by Meng Hun among them. Thus, even though they hadnt killed people before, their cooperation and efficiency would be better than the bandits. Jiang Pengji said, Thats why we start with this village. Let these rookies practice their skills, then they will not suffer from their hands trembling when they chop off peoples heads later. Xiaoyu, dont underestimate Hejian County by its size. Its a place where many undiscovered talents gather. Xu Ke focused all his mind on the deployment, and he sensed an implication in Jiang Pengjis words. Langjun, you mean? As the saying goes, to achieve a goal, one should start with the easiest part. For us, to suppress the bandits, we need to start with the weak ones. Only in this way can our troops strengthen up, Jiang Pengji said, It shares the same theory with killing the monsters for an upgrade in games. I have searched the nearby bandit sites. There are more than one hundred, with nearly one hundred thousand bandits. The reason why the troops of Hejian County havent eradicated such a huge hidden danger is that it is beyond their ability. Meng Hun was startled and responded, Over one hundred villages? With nearly one hundred thousand bandits How could the guards of Hejian County let such a huge hidden danger develop freely? That was incredible. Jiang Pengji pointed to the first rough cloth and said, Look at these mountains. The steep and lofty mountains, as well as the dense forests, provide a natural amulet for them. Ordinary people would be thankful if they didnt get lost, not to mention searching the terrain and finding the location of the bandit sites. Besides the complex terrain, another reason that the guards of Hejian County couldnt do anything with the bandits is that the bandits share a great deal of information and insist on the principle of mutual benefits. Once, the armies of Hejian County had been sent out to suppress the bandits, but only had found the bandits sites empty; they had all gone when they had gotten there. Moreover, relying on their excellent understanding of the terrain, the bandits had caused Hejian County great losses with ambushes several times. How could they be so rampant? Xu Ke looked over the brief drawings on the rough cloth carefully and said, If so, we cant let any one of the bandits flee. We should kill them out or capture all of them. Things will turn ticklish even one of them flee. Jiang Pengjis goal was not just to eradicate one bandit village; she intended to clean up all the bandits. Other dens would be alert to the danger if they accidentally let any bandits flee. Then it would be difficult to take the next step. Thats true. We cant underestimate any bandit villages even if they are still negligible now, Jiang Pengji said seriously, We can summon some of the bandits to surrender as appropriate, but put quality before quantity. Those bandits who are incorrigible or have committed felonies before should be killed without a doubt. There is no use to summon those kinds of people who will only bring down our troops. Meng Hun and Xu Ke felt a killing intent when Jiang Pengji said that they should be killed without a doubt. Xu Ke had already known Jiang Pengji s scheme for expanding the troops, so he only frowned at her actions without objection. Unlike him, Meng Hun raised a sense of heroism. He clenched his fists and praised Jiang Pengji. Langjun, you have an admirable breadth of mind. Peoples idea at that time was to kill the bandits that had been caught as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would become a potential danger, just like warming a snake in their bosom. But Jiang Pengji was willing to summon some of the bandits to surrender. Although it would be on a selective base, it was still regarded as an act of unnecessary mercy in the eyes of Meng Hun. The audience in the live stream room felt that their values were entirely different from those of the streamer and her two subordinates. Moshang Huakai Huanhuangui: I thought Meng Hun and Xu Ke misunderstood the streamer. It is not about mercy. She lacks both money and people, and thats why she chooses to suppress the bandits. Poor bandits! The bad luck just falls from the roof itself. Later, they will worry not only about their lives, but also about the destiny of working for the streamer for the rest of their lives. Laosiji Lianmeng: Whats horrible is not working for the streamer, but feeling grateful while working for her. Cuteness Overloaded: LOL. The above two comments are just osm! Breeze-Like Words: Hoo Hoo, thats not a big deal! After eradicating the bandits, everything rummaged by them will also belong to the streamer. To be honest, its not easy for the bandits to survive because the wealth they saved through periling plunders will be plundered by other people eventually. Jiang Pengji took a glance at the bullet screens in the live stream room and then went on talking about deployment with a bland expression. The so-called discussion was just her listening to Xu Ke as well as Meng Huns complement her. The action of suppressing the bandits was a practice not only for the troops but also for Xu Ke and Meng Hun. After all, Meng Hun was a former captain of his family. He had led forces, attended wars, and suppressed bandits, which equaled him as an experienced soldier. Compared with Meng Hun, Xu Ke was just a rookie. It was impossible to win a war without any experience, even if he was talented. According to Langjuns map, the bandits will be most likely try to escape from these three points. I suggest sending out three armies to ambush nearby these three points. Once any bandits escape, they could kill them directly with bows. Six bandits are patrolling near the entrance. We must kill them as quickly as possible to avoid alerting the other bandits Chapter 215 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill Or To Capture? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Jiang Pengji painted the general structure of the bandits village, she had also thought about it. Her speculation was basically the same as Xu Kes. This is feasible, but there are two lookout towers in the village. What would you do to approach it without alerting anyone? After a long while of pondering, Xu Ke pointed to one place and said, This village is built on the mountainside. Its blocked by a peak here, which makes it very hidden. It is difficult for ordinary people to find it. This is the most natural protecting barriers of this village, but it is also the fatal land of it. Today, the moonlight is clear, and the shadow is dark. If you lurk from here, the bandits on the lookout towers may not find that. The shadow cast down from the mountain peak was in the direction of the bandits village. After all, not everyone had an excellent night vision like Jiang Pengji. Whats more, did Langjun just command everyone to wear branches and weeds to blend with the surrounding environment? With the combination of night shadows and the covering method, experienced veterans couldnt find us in the deep woods and mountains, let alone those rabbles. After hearing that, Jiang Pengji took a look at Meng Hun, who then nodded to him to show his agreement with Xu Ke. They didnt know the surrounding environment as well as the local bandits, but they organized things well so that they still had advantages. After all, Xu Ke was good at internal affairs instead of mobilizing troops. Jiang Pengji asked him for his personal opinions in order to get various ideas and perspectives. The final decision maker was still her. The person who executed all her warrants was Meng Hun. She showed up on the battlefield purely to keep all things under her control. Each had its own duties by a clear division. One of Jiang Pengjis principles was, If you can do it, then do it. If you cant, let the other capable ones do it. And dont talk rubbish if youre not qualified. Meng Hun was apparently among the capable ones, so Jiang Pengji felt very confident in him. Although they didnt have sufficient soldiers, the scale of the bandits village they planned to destroy was not very big. As long as the troops mobilization was flawless, it wouldnt be hard for them to obtain the victory. What was hard was that Jiang Pengji wanted to capture the bandits alive and pick some absorbable ones from among them. If that was what she really wanted, then they couldnt exert their full powers to kill them all, or even maul them grievously. It would take them too much time to recover from injury. Jiang Pengji had to input extra energy and money, so it would also not be cost-effective from an investment perspective. Meng Hun seemed to be reckless, but in fact, he was very cautious. After comprehensive consideration, he had already figured out what to do next and how to do it. Ill go have a discussion with the lance corporals of all teams and instruct them about the surprise attack tonight. Meng Hun held his fist in the other hand, then took several steps back. Okay, back off. The size of the troop was still very small, so for the time being, five people would be counted as one team, which was convenient for training and mobilizing. In order to add pressure and motivation to the troops, Jiang Pengji had also formulated a series of rules and regulations when she had created the troop. For example, the examination for the selected lance corporals would be held once a month. Nongqin was one of the selected lance corporals. Several other lance corporals sat on one other side without prior consultation, trying to keep a distance from Nongqin. It was as if their calves would start cramping if they happened to make eye contacts with her. Just a few days ago, there had been an internal reshuffle of the troops. The only lance corporal who had been selected on the grounds of capability was Nongqin. That time, no one dared to gossip behind her back. Because she, in front of everyone, had passed all the examinations on the drill ground. No one had ever known that a girl who had been as common as the others and kept silent on normal days could be so ruthless while fighting! She had punched anywhere that was vulnerable on the other party. In terms of strength, she really couldnt compare with the strong males, but she moved quickly and out of peoples predictions. Many people had been pressed down and knelt to the ground with their hands crossed behind their backs before they had taken any reaction. An ignorant guy had tried to sexually harass her for she was just a helpless girl Who would have known that the guy had almost lost his penis? As men, they didnt know how it felt to have their breasts grabbed, but they were fully aware of how it felt to be kicked in the penis! That was really painful! They would curl up on the ground and they couldnt even straighten up their body! Fortunately, the guy had moved slowly, so he had failed to grab her breast. Otherwise, they all had had the reason to believe that Nongqin would definitely smash his penis by all means. It would have been just fine for him to harass the other girls Why had he chosen such a ferocious woman? Meng Hun told the detailed deployment to the lance corporals, About those Do you have any questions? Apart from Nongqin, the other people had been cultivated by Meng Hun. There was a tacit understanding among them, and Meng Hun also trusted their abilities. It was normal for them to win the competitions and be appointed as lance corporals, for they were, after all, experienced veteransCCmuch better than the family servants that Jiang Pengji had bought from a dentist. Other lance corporals shook their heads, indicating that they had no questions. Meng Hun felt satisfied secretly and then turned his eyes to Nongqin, who had been silent for a while. Do you have questions? Nongqin frowned and said, You mean that we should capture all the bandits alive, and try not to cause severe injuries to them? She couldnt imagine why they would keep the bandits alive. This is indeed the case. Meng Hun added, This is what Langjun wants. Now is the time when people are in urgent need Nongqin nodded and said, I understand that! We will act according to Langjuns intentions. Jiang Pengji had taught her an accelerated course mainly about the skills of assassination and surprise attacks. The central aim of the training was to exert miraculous effects. She had needed to let others acknowledge her ability in the shortest possible time, rather than have them deny her simply because she a woman. Nongqin might not be able to defeat someone in face-to-face confrontation, but she thought she could make a successful surprise attack. Meng Yidao said, If there is no disagreement, then the action will start at around ten oclock tonight. The guards at the gate and the two lookout towers of the bandits village changed regularly. According to the observation of Jiang Pengji, it shifted probably every four hours. The first shift after dinner was at around ten oclock at night. Since it was late at night, people would get sleepy and tired, and it would be hard to concentrate. It was just the right time for a surprise attack. Of course, in order to avoid the mental impoverishment of her own people, Jiang Pengji let them take a nap in advance to recover their energy. Wearing weeds and branches, the soldiers of the troop wouldnt be found in the daytime, let alone in the dark night. Jiang Pengji fiddled with the improved crossbow and had two arrows next to her. When the time came, she would immediately act and kill the two bandits on the lookout towers. Without the lookout towers, no one would be able to find the traces of the troops. Thus, to take the whole village wouldnt be a thing worth worrying about. After the preparation of necessary things, Jiang Pengji turned her head and saw Xu Ke looking up at the sky with a look of sadness and brightness. Are you crying? Xu Ke was dumbfounded, and stared at her with his bright eyes. He asked in a serious tone, What do you mean by that? Jiang Pengji thought about Laosijis comment on the bullet screen in the streaming room. In fact, she was also a member that was informed by him. Before that, she hadnt understood the meaning of looking up while crying. She turned very serious, and said, Looking up will let the tears flow backward. Xu Ke was speechless. It could be imagined that the audience in the streaming room bursted into laughter, for they had never expected that the ancient people would understand the pain of the non-mainstream youngsters in the modern era. Xu Ke was not clear about what she meant, but he also replied seriously, Langjun, youre kidding. Im just observing the astrology. Chapter 216 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill Or To Capture? (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Astrology? Is it fun seeing all the stars in the sky? So, what do you get from those? Things like astrology and divination were nonsense in Jiang Pengjis mind. Wasnt it fun to talk about ghosts and immortals with a woman who had been fighting and jumping from planet to planet? Xu Ke didnt know Jiang Pengjis thoughts. He said honestly, Im not good at astrology. So, I can only see that the Purple Star looks different today. Unlike children from royal families, he didnt have enough educational resources or books to read, nor did he have the opportunity to get an education from prestigious teachers. It could be said that during his stay of more than a month in the Liu Mansion, the number of books he had read was dozens, or even hundreds of times, more than before! How could the education of a student from a poor family be compared with that of the students from royal families? Xu Ke was not even a student from a poor family; he could only be regarded as a citizen of low status and penalty. The Purple Star looks different? What does that mean? Jiang Pengji looked up at the stars in the sky, unsure of what he was talking about. Xu Ke held his knees, raised his finger and pointed to a very bright star in the sky. He said, Langjun, lookCCthat is the Purple Star. Its color shifts from dark to bright. Theres a flickering star around it, namely a jinx star. Its flickering, which means there is a hidden danger around Ziwei Emperor. Jiang Pengji laughed and said, They are just a few stars! Those little stars have something to do with humans life and fate? Thats nonsense. Xu Ke was shocked by his words. Why did she always think differently from others? He tilted his head slightly out of shock, and saw his Langjun sitting next to him with her arms around her knees. Her side face looked a bit fuzzy because of the night, but the light in her eyes was extraordinarily bright in the dark. Jiang Pengji said in a gentle voice, For me, astrology has no basis. Those sparkling things are all celestial bodies. For example, the sun seems to be far away from us now, but it may get closer to us one day. Its hard to say You told me that the Purple Star symbols emperors. But now, the whole country has been divided into five parts with five different emperors. Xiaoyu, which emperor does the so-called Purple Star symbolize from your perspective? Xu Ke suddenly lost his tongue because of her question. After thinking for a long time, he said, I dont know why you think so! But astrology is not nonsense. Outsiders can only see the very superficial side, but the insiders can get into the point of things. As for the Purple Star for me, it only symbolizes one real emperor, for the others are fake. Jiang Pengji listened to him so severely that Xu Ke even thought she had been convinced. However, she abruptly giggled. She then tried very hard to keep from laughing, which made her look like she was in a bit of pain. Xiaoyu, this is the very first time that I find you a bit cute. Jiang Pengji laughed for a long time, which almost annoyed Xu Ke. He secretly gritted his teeth, suppressed his temper, and asked, Langjun, are you teasing me? No, no I never meant that. While she spoke, Jiang Yanji continued to laugh, which made her words unconvincing. After she had finished laughing, she said, The emperor will never be defined by a little star, nor will a humans fate. She believed that Master Liaochen could see the auspicious air of emperors, but not that the air could prove something. Even Master Liaochen had said that the auspicious air couldnt ensure her future fate of becoming an emperor. After all, those things were all imaginary. After a while, Jiang Pengji said, Xiaoyu, is it hard for children from poor families to get a good education? Xu Ke found her question both funny and annoying. Langjun, why do you still have to ask the question when you already known the answer? Jiang Pengji replied, Maybe, in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, anyone will be able to get a good education. It will no longer be the privilege of a small group of people. He didnt think she was going to say that, so he had no idea how to respond at first. Then he said with hope, If it happens one day, that will be a peaceful era that everyone yearns for. Laosiji Lianmeng: Ive already got the presentiment that this stream will last for a very long timeCCmaybe for a lifetime. I am a person who has no perseveranceCCperhaps I will give up after a month or twoCCbut for now I feel that I will continue to watch it, maybe for a lifetime. Its not for any other reason except that the streamer said, It will no longer be the privilege of a small group of people. I want to see that peaceful era. Pai Daxing: This proves once again that the streamer has a lot of positive energy, even though she also has abnormal values toward everything. Shitang Dafan Ayi: @Laosij Lianmeng, you obstinate people! Thats my confession to the streamer! Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Hey! 911? Theres a group of obstinate people who want to share the streamers love with me! Reward them with one strip of red cloth each to hang themselves! Yes, there will be. Jiang Pengji looked at the sky to reckon the time. But we have to go step by step! If we proceed too fast, we will get hurt one day. After all, Rome wasnt built in one day! To make the ambitious dream come true, we have to destroy the bandits village first. Xu Ke was confused. Laosiji Lianmeng: A pity for Xu Ke, as usual. Yaoyaoling Shushu: Pity+1! I always feel that the streamer likes to be a buzzkill and destroy the atmosphere when Xu Ke gets cheerful or tearful because of her words. What a bastard! Ordinary people would get cancer from the awkwardness. Tao Daniao: I believe that thats her disgusting love for Xu Ke. It was unknown if it was love, but it really was disgusting. Hey, put it on. Dont catch a cold. Jiang Pengji threw the cloak prepared by her maid to him and let him put it on. The temperature had risen, so many people had already put on their light, spring clothingCCas had Xu Ke; however, he still underestimated the coldness of the deep woods. The air, mixed with the dampness, was still a bit freezing. Xu Ke hesitated with the cloak in his hands for a long while, then he put it on. The lining of the cloak was sewn with rabbit fur. It was not heavy, but very warm. It suddenly blocked the dampness and cold air from his body, and his arms and legs stopped quivering. Langjun, are you not afraid of cold? Xu Ke asked. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, The temperature is not low at all. Why would I get cold? I am not a spoiled and fragile little boy. Xu Ke looked down at his tightly wrapped body, and then looked at his lightly and neatly dressed Langjun. He fell into silence suspiciously. No more talking. Its the time now. After her words, Meng Hun secretly led one team within the troop to hide in the shadows. They approached the entrance of the village with their bodies low. The leader of the team was to Nongqin. Jiang Pengji held a crossbow in one hand and a narrow in the other, revealing her fair-skinned wrists which looked extraordinarily tender under the cold moonlight. She easily drew the bow, aiming at one lookout tower nearly 300 meters away. Swoosh The arrow spurred out, and a slight break sounded. She put on another arrow as agilely as always. The arrows dashed forward one after the other, the time between them lasting only one second. The two bandits on the lookout towers were killed by arrows shot through their hearts. Their dead bodies were hung over the horizontal bar, their blood rushing out. At the same time, the team led by Nongqin started to act. In an instant, three corpses with remaining warmth were lying by the feet of Nongqin. She smiled at the her team members bashfully. She didnt want to kill people, but what she had learned were skills geared towards assassination. Thus, she could break the neck of a person within one second. The team members were speechless. Chapter 217 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill Or To Capture? (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Arrows were regarded as an order. A group of black figures snuck into the village from the doorway, hiding in the shadows like ghosts. Nongqin remained stone-faced, and her dark eyes were terribly ruthless. It was not her first time killing, and she acted calmly out of expectation. Her head was not fraught with fear or hesitation, but instead the voice of her Langjun when she taught her rang in her mind. Her mind more sober than it had ever been. She became calmer and calmer every time she brought another bandit to heaven. At that moment, she finally realized why Langjun said that some feelings were non transmissible by the language, and only by personal experience could she genuinely comprehend them. Her hands were stable, but her chest was burning with a scorching impulse. It felt as though it could spread all over the body and burn up all of her reason. She was no longer a degrading slave girl who was bullied by other servants. On the contraryCCher hands could now master the lives of others! Crack! The cracking of bones sounded in the silent night. She threw a dead bandit to the side, wasting no time on them anymore. Looking at her team members, she raised the corners of her mouth and made a signal to command an order. In that case, audible language exchanges would expose their position and alert the enemy. Due to the technological level of the current era, Jiang Pengji could not bring out any epoch-making communication equipment. She only used the simple sign language instructions that she had learned in military school and forced every member of the team to remember every gesture and command. Among her team members, some had teased Nongqin. But now, none of them dared to look down on her anymore. She was not a tiger woman, but a Raksasi! Without any big movements, she pulled on the necks of her enemies and twisted them off within the blink of an eye! Seeing that, her team members could not help but touch their own necks secretly, feeling a coldness on their backs. Their necks were of the same texture, but the movements of Nongqin brought them the feeling that the bandits necks were made of paper. She twisted them slightly, then with a crack, they were broken. Son of a b*tch Uh That girls tender-skinned. But we dont know when its our turn to have sex with her! Those bosses never restrain themselves. They have already killed several girls! Every time, we can only watch them enjoy the girls, but we cant even lay a finger on them A bandit loosened his waistband, pulled out his penis, then pissed on the grass. When he spoke, he squinted slightly in a daze. His breath reeked of booze and his large nose was red. His fellow snorted. They are the bosses. Who will enjoy the girls if they dont? You? Look at your reflection in your pool of urine Go away! When did I say that? The bandit released the stock in his bladder and his stomach finally felt comfortable. He shook in a hurry, intending to tighten his waistband. Living in such a barren place, we will die of boredom if we have no girls to have fun with Every time the bosses are playing, we can hear the sound everywhere in the village. But Im not even allowed to complain His fellow laughed at him. Hey! You can just say that you want girls! The other bandit spat. Poof, I want girls? Do you dare to say that you dont? The two bandits had a patrol mission, so they dared not sneak out for too long. The first bandit tied his belt and was about to go back. Wait! When he was about to leave, his fellow stopped him. He growled, If you want girls, go get one! Dont pull my hand! F*ck off! Seriously. You look thereCCis there anything there? After that, they took a look at each other. They felt a little uneasy feeling in their hearts, for they were afraid of the snakes or monsters hiding in the grass. Thinking about what they had done, they got even more terrified and their hands and feet got cold. There seems to be a person You go check! Is it a person? Before the bandit could react, his fellow pushed his back. He became imbalanced and fell into the grass. With the suffocating stink of urine on his face, his hands touched on a soft thing that had strange coolness to it. Ghost! The bandit was so scared that he forgot where he was and violently bounced off the ground, crawling in the opposite direction. The other bandit was also shocked. With his hands trembling, he threw out the flint in his hand. What are you yelling at?! The two bandits were almost frightened to death. When they intended to escape, one of their bosses came over because of all the commotion. There are ghosts, boss! There! Cold ghosts! The bandit in front of him was so frightened. His face, covered in urine, was fraught with fear, and he pointed to the grass with his shaking hand. What ghost?! The boss was a bit anxious after hearing the bandits words, but he didnt want to act against his identity of being a boss. He calmed down and yelled, Let me see whats in there! You trash. You even fear this. The boss plucked up and kicked the grass cluster. He really felt a massive thing in there, so he also got scared. When the boss kicked it, the heavy thing turned over, revealing a bloody face with its eyes wide open. It looked especially thrilling in the bleak moonlight! The person The person was actually dead with their eyes open, and their neck was strangely twisted! They were shocked by the look at first, and then they quickly realized who the person was Isnt that Er Gouzi who guards the gate? Holy sh*t! Its not a ghost! The village has been attacked! After the boss figured out the situation, he glared at them, and the veins on his face revealed his anger. Someone attacked the village? Now? The other two bandits also realized what was happening, but they were all too scared to stand on their feet. Crap! The boss yelled at them and then shouted to others while he ran around. Wake up! Someones attacking the village! Swish! A slight sound broke through the night.. An arrow went through the bosss neck from one side to another. The arrow was a flashing silver light in the dark night. Oh, a fish escapes from the net. A voice that was as cold as water came down from the roof. Jiang Pengji put down the crossbow in her hand and stood on the roof of a nearby house. The two frightened bandits watched their boss flop onto the ground with a bang after the blood rushed out from his neck. The smell of blood was strong. It all happened so fast that they had no time to react. After hearing the sound of the arrow, the two turned their stiffened necks towards the direction it came from. The attacker was standing in the moonlight, holding a strangely shaped crossbow in her hand. Her eyebrows seemed to have been frosted, as if they were terribly cold. Take these two back. Jiang Pengji glanced at the two scared bandits and said the soldiers arriving, Check again if there are any fish that escaped from the net. If they are obedient, dont kill them. If not, kill directly. It was a pleasant time for booty sharing. Chapter 218 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill Or To Capture (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Well, well, well, Xiaoyu, look at these bandits. Some of them were forced to become an outlaw, while others just wanted to lead a life of reaping without sowing, and looting other peoples fruit of labor. Many people worked hard to farm for a whole year, but what they gained couldnt be compared with what these bandits looted. The hall was filled with boxes. Jiang Pengji crossed her legs and bonelessly leaned on the chair in the middle of the hallway. She pointed her fair-skinned fingers at the opened boxes and banteringly glanced at the bandits whose hands were tied behind their backs. Xu Ke looked at the things in the boxes. The blue veins on his forehead throbbed for a while. He felt a little uneasy. Xu Ke was not that worried about the bandits; he just worried that his langjun would be so into suppressing the bandits and then get dizzy with success. Although he enjoyed doing it as well! Meng Hun sat on the chair that belonged to the second boss of the bandits village. Xu Ke was much politer compared to him. Meng Hun asked rudely, Langjun, what do you want to do with these people? Like this, or that? Meng Hun made two gestures of obvious meaning, and all the bandits trembled. Their legs quivered and tears dropped from their eyes. My lords, please spare my life. I was forced to join the bandits and I have never done the least bit of harm in my life before Bodhisattvas I have mouths to feed and diapers to change. I have to raise the whole family all by myself. How can my sixty-year-old mother and three-year-old suckling live without me? Im begging you I was forced to become one of them by the black-hearted man as well. Please forgive me, my lord For the purpose of living, these bandits pretended to be miserable one by one. Some of them kowtowed to beg for mercy, while others wanted to sell the dens secrets to earn their life. In order to get them moved, some told their miseries with tears dropping down their faces, which made the listeners feel so sad. However, Xu Ke looked at the people indifferently, while Meng Hun remained unconcerned no matter what the people were talking about or how they performed in front of them. As the real decision maker, Jiang Pengji looked at every one of them with a doubtful smile as if she was watching a monkey show. No need to deal with those people in a hurry now Jiang Pengji crossed her fingers, made herself looked like she was thinking, and turned to ask Xu Ke, Everything found in this den is here? How much food is there altogether? And how much money and silk? Xu Ke lowered his head and looked at the bamboo slip. There are about 300 dan of grain, then gold and silk worthy of 700 liang in total. It was just a probable accountCCthey did it in a rush after all. Further counting still needed to be done when they got back. Jiang Pengji replied with a smile, 300 dan of grain and 700 liang of silver It equals to a Langjuns allowance over several years Xu Ke rolled his eyes furtively. Jiang Pengjis monthly allowance in the Liu Mansion was not really much, for it was only several liang of silver. But considering all the things she used in daily lifeCCsnacks, brushes, inks, papers, ink stones, clothes, and silks, especially for the bamboo paper that was sold at a high price in the marketCCcould she still be regarded as a poor people? Lets pack things up and bring all of those back. Jiang Pengji smiled gently and waved her hand, sending an aura of a boss than the real bosses of the bandits. My fellows, you worked very hard today, and every one of you will be distributed with one liang of silver and one jin of pork. Our training is pretty tough and you deserve a good meal. Where did the rewards come from? It came from the supplies confiscated from the bandits. What was the total number of the soldiers in the troop? Just some little treats and rewards wouldnt cost too much. Instead, it would gain the trust of the soldiers and inspire their fighting spirit. Wasnt that a good deal? Besides, all the lance corporals will have one more share of rewards. Of course, the treatment should be different between normal soldiers and corporals to let them realize that only by training hard and getting a promotion could they get better treatment. Write all these things down. Xu Ke nodded while taking notes. Of course, Jiang Pengji wouldnt forget Xu Ke and Meng Hun. Each of them was awarded with ten liang of silver. In addition, Meng Hui was awarded with extra several pots of liquor and five jin of pork while Xu Ke was rewarded with extra several rolls of fine cloth and herbs of equal value. It was based on Meng Hun being single and not having any mouths to feed, while Xu Ke still took care of his aunt. In front of the bandits, Jiang Pengji looked so natural while she shared the booties that were looted and burgled by them as if she was not sharing other peoples money but hers Hmm, all of their possessions actually belonged to her now. She waved her hand. Xu Ke immediately understood what she meant and commanded some people to move the boxes to the open ground. Next came the time for dealing with the bandits. You you bandits! Just kill me if you want! The captured boss of the bandits had a gloomy look on his face. All of the audience in the streaming room: !!! The audience had been watching the stream happily, but then they were shocked by what the boss of the bandits had said while Jiang Pengji had been sharing the booties. Lanlian Junzi: Cool! Thats really awesome! Laosiji Lianmeng: LOL, streamer, did you hear that? What does that mean when a real bandit chieftain called you a bandit? Breeze-like Words: (Indifferent face) That means the streamer is a real boss in a bandit circle. The bandits had looted ordinary people and robbed the businessmen assiduously, and the streamer just took away all the possession of them in one time. Wasnt she the bandit of the bandits? Kill you if I want to? Jiang Pengji rubbed her hands and laughed. You have guts, then you go to hell. All the people were silent. They thought Jiang Pengji was supposed to admire the guys bravery, but they had never expected that she would have say things like that. In fact, you will be killed even if you didnt say that. Jiang Pengji broke his neck with a sneer. The blood dropped down from the bandits mouth and wet Jiangs hand. Nongqin hurriedly handed a handkerchief to Jiang Pengji. She took it over with her left hand and dropped the dead body to one side with the right hand. She cleaned the blood on her hands without a frown. Now, whos going to say just kill me? Huh? Who dares to say that to me? Her suffocating aura brought every bandit an illusion that he was the next to be killed. Its admirable for a capable man to be tough. But that scum wanted to challenge me. Who will be killed if hes not? Jiang Pengji twitched her mouth. The blood on her hands had been wiped off. She kept the handkerchief instead of throwing it away. She took a glance at the crowd, but no one dared to look at her directly. Everyone cherished his own lifeCCeven the bandits who risked their lives every day. Meng Hun followed Jiang Pengji while he held a knife. If Jiang Pengji frowned at anyone, they would cut off his head. Without any signs and precautions, Jiang Pengji had scared the bandits half-dead. Many of them even got incontinent; they felt a sudden wet and warmness in their pants. The scene was so silent. There was only the occasional sound of blood splashing and heads falling down to the ground. The audience in the streaming room was so scared that they forgot to send any bullet comments Not to mention the bandits on the spot, the audience who was only watching the scene started to tremble and sweat. Chapter 219 - Bandit Suppressing: To Kill or To Capture? (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You know why I want to kill them? Jiang Pengji stepped around them and sat on a chair. Her fingers were crossed and she wore an inscrutable look. They should be all killed. If we dont take their lives now, when should we? If people kept pigs for a longer time, they would get more pork. If we keep those people, what could they bring us? Jiang Pengji said, I hate three things in my life: One is betrayal, the second is rape, and the third is bullying. No matter who touches those three bottom lines, Ill show no mercy. Even if I cut their heads off, who could say anything bad about me? They are bandits They should have known that they could be killed at any time! But now, there is a way to keep you alive Jiang Pengji wouldnt have killed the bandits simply because of betrayal or bullying; the reason theyd be killed was because they must have raped women. Many bandits looked extremely pale when they realized that fact. They thought it over carefully. It seemed to be true that all the bandits that were alive had never touched the three bottom lines of Jiang Pengji regardless of their evil behaviors. They had never raped any girlsCCnot because they hadnt intended to, but because the bosses enjoyed every girl that came through. They were just minionsCCerrand boysCCand those fine, tender girls wouldnt survive until they got the opportunity to enjoy them. I know. There are no good people among you Jiang Pengji said again, instantly extinguishing the fluke thoughts that had just risen in the minds of the bandits. If I take you as my people, who knows if it will bring me harm? After all, you gathering together can cause some big trouble. What Jiang Pengji had said was actually a problem that Xu Wei was concerned about. Their team was too small to take all the bandits left, for things would get out of control if the bandits all revolted one day. Mans mind is unpredictable, after all. I dont believe any one word that you bandits utter. I am very upset now. Should I keep you all alive or kill you all to prevent future troubles? Jiang Pengji smiled with her white teeth revealed, making the bandits too frightened to speak. Xu Ke stepped out with an idea, saying, Langjun, if we kill them all, it will violate human morals. I have an idea Jiang Pengji said, Im listening. Xu Ke deliberately raised his voice. We should keep them alive for a month first. If they behave well, we should use them as our people and give them an opportunity to be good people. If not, we just sell them to human traffickers directly. Now people are living in misery. We shouldnt kill so many people. Selling them to human traffickers would at least bring them some money. Xu Ke knew quite well about the temperament of his langjun. She would never suffer any avoidable loss willingly. Although the bandits would be slaves then, at least they wouldnt killed. If they got luck, they might live a stable life in the future. Being alive was everything! Having be scared over and over again, the bandits had no intentions to revolt. Although they previously had those intentions, they didnt dare to show any trace of it. Jiang Pengji and her group of people never hesitated to kill people. They were like a group of bandits! Actually, they were more ruthless than bandits or robbers! Jiang Pengji nodded as she listened to Xu Ke. She seemed annoyed as she asked, But what if they secretly join together and cause us trouble? Xu Ke replied ruthlessly, Kill them! Frightened by his answer, the bandits couldnt help but quiver out of fear. Jiang Pengji smiled and immediately asked the bandits, Did you guys hear that? If you are willing to stay alive, we will let you. Lets see how things go after a month. If you behave well, you wont be killed. Otherwise, you will be sold to human traffickers. If you dare to join together and rise up secretly Haha, look at your fellows lying around you! After that, Jiang Pengji beat the handrail against her palm, and the wooden handrail shattered with a bang. The fluke thoughts and reluctance in the bandits hearts had been extinguished only by her words. The shadow of death would always haunt them. At that time, a soldier came and whispered to Nongqin and a hint of anger appeared in her face. Jiang Pengji noticed that and asked her, Whats wrong? Report! Theres a cellar in this village, which is full of children and women who have been taken. Cellar? Jiang Pengji landed her sight on the living bandits. She said coldly, What is that? Several bandits blushed. They wanted to answer her, but no words could come out of their mouths because of the previous fright and tension. A quick-minded bandit immediately kowtowed. We have nothing to do with the children and women in the cellar How could there be any rules or law in the bandits eyes? They grabbed everything they couldCCincluding money and people. The group of bandits were all male. They would have physiological needs, naturally, when they saw attractive girls. Jiang Pengji snorted and said, Lets go and check. Watch those people well. If anyone dares to struggle, kill them directly. With one word, she made those who wanted to ask for mercy scared, not daring to try anything. The air in the cellar was very turbid, and there was a lot of excrement in the corner, giving a violent stir in peoples stomach. Two haggard women and three timid, seven or eight-year-old girls were in there. The womens ragged clothing only covered their personal areas. The bruise on the exposed skin showed the violence and nightmare they had experienced. The audience in the live streaming room was still immersed in their previous fear. After seeing such a horrible situation, the audience sent their comments one after another. Those evil bandits should be killed a thousand times! As for the three children, they were so thin that the contour of their bones was visible. Their chins were sharp and their cheeks sunken. Their hair was dry and yellow, tangled together. No one could figure out how they had not been cleaned. They were like skeletons with particularly big eyes. Well Xu Ke had followed the soldier there and knew what had happened at a glance. He suddenly turned speechless, for he didnt know what to say. It was not a peaceful era at all. The prosperity on the surface covered the endless grievances and darkness. The women and children kept in the cellar were just an ignorable part of all the suffering people. Take these people back Jiang Pengjis voice seemed very gentle, but the women and the children shivered out of fear at the same time, as if she was going to kill them. Xu Ke asked, How should we deal with them If we bring them back? Let the two women cook and do the laundry for us. After all, were getting more and more people on our team. Thus, the training task will get heavier, and there will be no sufficient time for the soldiers to take care of themselves. Women are more considerate. They will help us. The two old women that we bought before couldnt get all things done. As for the children, lets just raise them Jiang Pengji said gently. Havent I told you that I wanted to build up a female team? They will be the female soldiers one day. Chapter 220 - Can Men Deliver Babies? Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji wouldnt keep lazy people in her troop; she did not have the mercy to do so. All her people needed to create some value for themselves or else they would be abandoned. Even though she had the intention to bring the women and children back, she would make them contribute their labor force to create some valuable work. After some speculation, Xu Ke said, At Langjuns disposal. Do we have enough food and money? Jiang Pengji asked. She did not expect much from the Liu Mansion. Apart from the initial startup capital, she managed to cover the rest of the expense by herself. Such as the money she won from the Fulai Gambling House. She left part of it to Nongqin and gave the rest to Xu Ke for the troops expenses. If he told her there was a lack of money, she might go and make another fortune in the gambling house. Xu Ke shook his head, saying, Yes. But you want more than that, so you have to make a good arrangement first to avoid any potential finance problems. There werent many people in the troop. Including the untamed bandits, there were just over 100 people, which wouldnt cost so much for daily life. Not to mention the loot they had grabbed earlier, the money Jiang Pengji had given was enough to support the troop for several years. However, his langjuns ambition wouldnt end there. It was troublesome that she didnt want a troop of only 100 people. As an accountant, Xu Ke naturally needed to arrange everything well and scrimp every penny. Jiang Pengji looked at Xu Ke up and down, arms folded to her chest, and said, Great, you look like a professional accountant now. Xu Ke didnt know whether he should laugh or cry. Langjun, can you just stop teasing me? To tell the truth, he used to think it wouldnt be hard to work as an accountantCCthat was, until he met his langjun. Whether it was easy or not was totally dependent on whether the boss was good at bringing trouble. They came back with fruitful results from suppressing the bandits. Jiang Qingji left a few people to guard the bandits and took them away in batches. The booties they had grabbed would be all shipped back. It was better for them to leave before it got dark. Otherwise, they might alert the bandits of other villages. There were too many bandits near Hejian County. If their actions were exposed, they would be alerted and it wouldnt be easy to suppress the other bandits the next time. Xiaoyu, you go back and see who else got injured. Give the wounded more rewards! Dont make them disappointed with us! On the way back, Jiang Pengji suddenly said, Being fair in handing out rewards and punishments will avoid the dissatisfaction of people and erase any potential dangers that might arise. Xu Ke nodded. Rest assured. I will settle everything. After a busy night, people of the troop went to sleep and rested in batches. Another group of people watched the bandits that were still tied so as to avoid troubles. The farm was large enough and there were many empty rooms. Xu Ke sent people to clean up the other two big rooms and to make a wide bed in each one. He gave each of the captured bandits a quilt. In order to prevent them from rioting, he also carefully scattered them amongst the people of the previous troop and divided them into different teams. With more people in the troop, the daily expenses became larger and Xu Ke got more trivial things to deal with. He got everything done by noon. He had seen the record method of the internal accounts and felt it was quite clear. Therefore, he just took that method on the account of the troop. The record of the account was clear and concise, so the method was useful. He counted the rewards that should be sent, speculating that he should go buy some pigs. Then, the voice of his aunt came from outside the house. Aunt, why are you here? Xu Ke put aside the things at hand and got up to open the door. Our master awarded me several bolts of cloth. I think they are of high quality, so Im here to measure you for some spring clothes. Xu Kes aunt was a very gentle woman, but she had calluses all over her two hands from years of hard work and bad sight from working nights. Needlework wouldnt be easy for her, but Xu Ke did not stop her. After all, it was the good intentions of the elder. How could he refuse? Plus, the farm life was too leisurely. if she didnt find something to do, it would be very boring all day long. Xu Ke welcomed her in. Why are you always thinking for me? You should also take care of yourself! Oh, Im too old to wear those beautiful clothes! Now that youre working with our young master, you should be decent. The aunt disapproved. You always wear the same clothes all year long. The others will think that the master treats you badly Xu Ke coughed a bit out of embarrassment. Auntie, I brought you here to enjoy your life. You should stop doing dirty, tough work! You should wear whatever you like and you dont have to save money for me! Now that Langjun has me in an important position, well live a better life in the future. The aunt glared at him and said, Who lives like you? Auntie, you dont have to save anything for me! Later, I will buy some housemaids for you and serve you as if youre the queen. Youre talking nonsense again! Dont say that! I dont need housemaids! Ill thank god if you can bring a girl back and marry her one day, his aunt said, putting her palms together. Xu Ke found it both funny and annoying. Its not a big deal. You dont have to worry about that! If I meet someone I like, I will definitely tell you and ask you to arrange the wedding for me. Xu Kes aunt was an enlightened and optimistic woman. Since Xu Ke had said that, she stopped hastening him. However, she still had to say something. People like us dont care about a girls background. If there is a great girl whos considerate to you, you should definitely marry her. Xu Ke just smiled with no certain answer. He didnt pay much attention to that. The first thing to do was deal with the things at hand and build up something for his whole life. In addition, his mother had just died. It was too soon to talk about his future marriage. System: End of the Semi-interactive Bandit Suppressing One! Dear audience, are you satisfied with that? A. Satisfied; B. Middle; C Not satisfied. Voting time came again! Only 85.32 percent of the audience chose A. A result under expectations. After all, not every audience member could accept her slaughtering multiple people. She was also unwilling to change her plan for the audience. The System had thought it would be okay to have 60 percent of them choosing A. It had never expected to gain the chance to open a silver treasure chest. Hearing the familiar sound of an email coming through, Jiang Pengji clicked it directly and chose to draw her luck. Another card. She pinched the card with her fingers and turned it over. On the card was a beautiful infant all cuddled up. After a clear sight of the words under it, she totally freaked out. Elixir of Easy PregnancyCCCongratulations on obtaining the chance to have a baby! One day, you will be picked as a concubine for the emperor, and you will win the love of the emperor. But, like flowers that will wither away, you will age and the emperor will stop loving you. However, if you have a baby, you will become the top of all the emperors concubines. Usage method: Eat before intercourse. Jiang Pengji snorted. Hey, SystemCCyoure trash! The System also almost exploded. Jiang Pengji! Thats enough! Im a court intrigue System! What else could I offer you other than this? Jiang Pengji snorted again and accepted the card. Can men deliver babies? System: As a court intrigue System, you dont even have the ability to deliver babies! And you still said that youre not trash! System: Wah it suddenly cried out. Chapter 221 - When Did Meng Liang Die? Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio System: What kind of System would have such a dirty thing? The System was so mad at its annoying host. Jiang Pengji only responded with a snort. The System isnt it dirty? It has something that could help women entice men to get interested in their bodiesCCthe Elixir of Easy Pregnancy that could help consolidate mens affections towards women. Haha, thats quite undirty. Just a typical whore who proclaims to be a virgin! Jiang Pengji glanced at the two cards in her backpack, pondering for a quite long while before she said, Speaking of which, it seems that you have not sent me any offhand triggered tasks for more than half a month Have you unloaded that section in secret? System sighed and answered, How is that possible? The section could only be unloaded when the next System upgrade has uploaded. As for the reason why there has been no triggered task for a long time To be frank, my host, you tell meCChow many times have you gone out over the past half month? Jiang Pengji had live a very boring life over the past half a month. She either went to the farm or read at home. How could the audience have fun watching her stream? Jiang Pengji pinched her chin, saying, Do you mean to say that, if I hang out a bit, maybe the tasks will be triggered? The System officially replied, In theory, that is the case. The so-called offhand triggered tasks are sent by the System according to the what the host has experienced and who the host knows. The more people you know, the more people you will meet, naturally the more the tasks will be triggered But my host, I suggest you let the nature take its course. Jiang Pengji felt it was very funny. Let nature take its course? Yes, I have just made an analysis. You have some thoughts that have deliberately opposed the System in your mind, which is not good for you. The first time the offhand task had been triggered, the host not only refused to accomplish it decisively, but also accepted the punishment calmly. Besides, afterwards, she had even longed for more According to the things above, the System was 90 percent sure that the host wanted to make trouble again. Dont be so hostile. At least we have a temporary partnership. We share the same destiny. What advantages could I get by fighting against you deliberately? Jiang Pengji threw up her hands, showing that she was really not malicious. The answer from the System was silence. Although its time spent with Jiang Pengji was not long, the System had already figured out that it could only believe half of what the host said. After a long time, the System spoke. I am very happy that you finally understand my good intentions. I will not hurt you. I hope we can get along well with each other in the future. The System and Jiang Pengji seemed to have reached an alliance and restored a harmonious state of coexistence. In fact, like two businessmen shaking hands and smiling to each other, they held a sharp knife to each others backs, waiting for a good time to stab. It was almost dinner time when Jiang Pengji returned to the Liu Mansion. She was told that Liu She was waiting for her in the study room as soon as she arrived. She wrinkled her eyebrows and said, Okay, Im going to see him right now. Why is Liu She waiting for me? Jiang Pengji speculated in her heart that it might have something to do with either suppressing the bandits the night before or with the news that might come from the Meng County in Cang Prefecture. With regard to the suppressing the bandits issue, she didnt deliberately conceal it from Liu She, although she hadnt taken the initiative to tell him. The farm was very well hidden from the outside, but there was not much concealment from Liu She. It was normal that he would find out. As soon as she arrived at the study room, she saw Liu She sitting there properly, a slight frown on his face as his fingers turned over pages of the book on the table. He was deeply absorbed. As usual, Jiang Pengji gave a salute first, then said, Father, is there anything you want me to do? Liu She raised his head and gesticulated for Jiang Pengji to sit next to him. You Liu She started talking, then paused suddenly, a bit of troubled. Did you get hurt? Jiang Pengji was quite sure that what Liu wanted to say before was definitely not that. She shook her head. No. Although those young men from royal families never put them in danger I know your temper very well. It is useless to persuade you by words. Liu She sighed softly, and immediately revealed a smile with a little pride. Most of the bandits are people of small tricks. They change easily and dont always keep their loyalty. As your father, I dont oppose your decision, but you have to be careful about people who may harm you. Jiang Pengji said, Of course I will. Our troop is short of people. It will be dangerous if we absorb more bandits than the original people of our troop. But Ive already killed all the troublemakers. Although the rest of them are still crafty and have done many evil things, they are easy to be control with threats. They wont be able to make a big deal together Liu She clenched his hands on his knees, then loosened them. Originally, he had thought his daughter would be ignorant and put a group of hidden dangers around her, which would result in her own harm. He had hurried to meet her and give her a warning after hearing the news, but he had never expected that she could be so ruthless. However, there are exceptions to everything. People are more complicated and changeable. Maybe sometimes I see things incorrectly, Jiang Pengji said with a gentle smile. Xiaoyu did a very good job. He separated the bandits we absorbed. If those bandits still dare to make trouble Jiang Pengji revealed a bloodthirsty smile. I will kill all of them. Apart from killing all of them, what else could she do to those who couldnt create value or contribute any labor? I could rest assured if you would change your perspective. Liu She sighed slightly, and his hanging heart slowly fell. He was not afraid of anything except his child being too merciful or too arrogant. She did big things well, but she got stuck in the small things. Father, you dont have to worry about me. I have my own speculations on those things. Liu She nodded and looked at her with hesitation. If that is the case, then do you have to go out these days? Suggestively, Liu She was asking her if she was still going to suppress the bandits. Jiang Pengji immediately realized what her father meant. No, I should digest all the bandits I took. What matters for an army is not the quantity, but the quality. With too many people, the quality will reduce out of expectation. The loss outweighs the gain. She intended to let the bandits take compulsory training for three or five days to see the result and then screen them one by one. Then, she would keep those of good quality. As for those of worse quality, she would directly sell them to the human traffickers or let them go to work in the farm. She never kept idle people. Seeing that Liu She had not left, she asked, Is there anything else you want to speak with me about, father? Liu She lowered his eyes and asked in a very low voice, When did you kill Meng Liang? Liu She was quite aware that his daughter was going to achieve anything she wanted, but he had never expected that she would kill Meng Liang. If that unlucky child didnt jump into his mind, he might have thought he was still alive. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, That guy has been dead since the day Coach Meng came here. Liu She: Chapter 222 - The Only One and the One Among the Others Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You dont know that, my father? Now that Liu She was very concerned about her, Jiang Pengji thought that nothing that happened around her could be hidden from him. Liu She shook his head. Since Jiang Pengji let Xu Ke convey her attitude to him, he stopped keeping his watchful eye on her. He had never expected his beloved daughter to have sent Meng Liang to hell already. Did that need to be done so soon? My father, you could be omniscient or omnipotent. How could you know everything? Liu She only felt an ache in his head. Since Meng Liang had been killed and what was done was done irreversibly, hed better think about how to tackle that nest. You used Meng Liangs death to draw Meng Hun in According to your temperament, the benefit you gained would be more than that. Are you going to blackmail the Mengs? Blackmail? Hey, thats harsh, but its an above board request. Jiang Pengji informed her father of part of her plan, which resulted in her fathers angry, yet helpless, stare. Didnt I give the bill to you? If you still lack money, you could withdraw more money from the accountant Liu She said with a little bit of tolerance. You are the only child of our family. All of my things will be yours one day Why do you have to separate things so clearly from me? To put it into a decent way, his daughter was capable of doing things. To put it in an ugly way, his daughter was aloof to him, which was the situation he wanted to see the least. Jiang Pengji was silent for a while. If it was in the past, she would have never cared to explain such an issue. But now she felt it a bit improper. You misunderstood me, my father. I never meant to separate things from you, I just dont want to get involved in royal families, Jiang Pengji said after a moment of hesitation. However, she was responded to with the shock in her fathers eyes this time. She added, Building things up from nothing will make the latter division easier. Xu Ke, Meng Hun, and Qiguan Rang all shared one thing in common: a low social status! That was not because she couldnt draw in those of high social status. In fact, she was able to recruit talent of high social status simply from the halo of her father. All she would have to do is raise up the flag of Liu Shes son. It was the so-called family advantage. But why wasnt she doing that? Because she didnt want to. If she did that, she would be passive later. Jiang Pengjis goal was apparent. To achieve that goal, she needed to develop a series of plans. Concerning the current general mood of society, she decisively gave up the more convenient road of taking advantage of her family. That indeed would bring her a lot of benefits at the starting phase, but what about the middle and ending stages? She wanted to cultivate her own troop and talents instead of appointing those who thought they were full of nobility and a good bloodline. Superficially, those royal families were showing off their surnames, bloodlines, and loyalty. However, in fact, they would give up all their pride, dignity, and steadfastness on special occasions for the benefit of their clan and own interests. They were like poisons wrapped in sugar coats. The initial sweet taste would fade away once the sugar coat melted. Poison was the only thing left. They looked tempting, yet they were lethal to swallow. The way she wanted to take would inevitably touch the most deadly interests of the familyCCeducation! Why were royal families royal families? Because they had money in their hands and grain in their granary. They monopolized education, made it a privilege of a small number of people, and indirectly monopolized the dynasty Every talented person came from the royal families, one generation after another After many generations, the officials of the regime would be bonded through bloodlines and marriages. When those people united, would there be any place for the emperor to have a say? How could the emperor do anything to them? Nope, they didnt mind firing the emperor. Jiang Pengji had been fed up with the ignorant era. If she went out and met 100 people, 99 of them would be illiterate. In addition to education and knowledge, another thing that was monopolized was land. Were the farmers in Dongqing not working hard? No, they were very hardworking; Jiang Pengji was very sure about that. They went out for work before daybreak and got back home with their hoes at sunset. They worked from morning to evening but had no grain left at the end of the year. If natural disasters happened, unfortunately, they couldnt eat a full meal all year round. Many people died of starvation. The wild, full of dead, starved bodies, was a horrible scene in the novel! It was hell! However, why didnt they have enough clothes to wear or enough food to eat if they were so diligent? Was that because of the barren land or the ruthless tax exploitation? The System criticized her for barely going out. But in fact, she tried to understand the era from books and the living conditions of the farmers as much as possible The more she realized, the more she found herself resolute about the road she would take. That road was very long, but she would try her best to plan and improve. Apparently, on the road she planned, royal family powers wouldnt be allowed to intervene at the starting phase. If they were to intervene, the development of the middle and later period would be more constrained. She wanted to promote education so that all children, regardless of their status, could read. Would the royal families be willing to let her? She wanted to reform the land system so that all the hardworking people got the reward they deserved. Would the royal families be willing to let her? All of her thoughts would move the most critical lifeblood of others. How could they not exhaust all their efforts to oppose her?! At that time, would the royal families listen to herCCor would she listen to the royal families? As the child of a royal family, her thoughts went against the will of her ancestors. She was a total weirdo! Why? After a long time, Liu She uttered the word between his trembling lips. Jiang Pengji asked plainly, Is there any difference between the only one and the one among the others? She was very clear that Liu She had the mental preparation for this reality because of her mothers influence. In that regard, Liu She was fully supportive of her to go and take that road. Therefore, she wanted to be honest with her father. The only one the one among the others Liu She was smart and instantly understood what she was referring to. What is the only one? It was the only one in history. What is the one among the others? It was one of the others alike. Jiang Pengjis words had given an obvious hint. She wanted to step on the interests of the royal families, to promote education, to reform the land system, and to enlighten the people For the people of royal families, which were a small part of all people, she was indeed hateful. But for all the people of the current and future eras, she might be the only one who had ever taken such a real such leap in history. The latecomers couldnt hold a candle to her! Jiang Pengji abruptly smiled and said with confidence, If you think Im unfilial, its not too late to do anything to me. She was still but a fledgling. If Liu She wanted to deal with her, would she be able to resist? Of course, if Liu Yu wanted to keep her around, he had that ability. Liu Yu was stunned, and the shock in his heart all turned into helplessness all. You know that I will not hurt you. If you have any fear of me, how could you say that to me? She was quite sure that her father wouldnt oppose her. She dared to speak to him openly and honestly. As a father, nothing can be more important than your mother, you, and your two brothers. Besides, even if the power of the royal families could be weakened, who else would harm the Lius that would be the noble families one day? Liu She was a wise man. The whole thing seemed tricky, but it would only win him favor. Chapter 223 - A Natural Profiteer Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Since they had already cut to the chase, it helped to pull the father and sons relationship tighter. They didnt have to keep secrets from each other on some items. Liu She went quiet for a while after he heard Jiang Pengjis plan and said in a low voice, I know about Meng Zhan. He is the extreme kind of narcissist, with a big ego. If you hold Meng Liang as hostage in exchange for grain, he wouldnt just give you the exact amount you ask forCChe might give you extra. You think there is no trap in here? For instance, he could mix fake rice with the real to mess around with usCCor he could set up an ambush with the dispatch team. Jiang Pengji was confused. She now believed that Meng Zhen was abnormal compared to average people. Liu She shook his head. 2,000 dans of grain is an enormous amount of money to any civilianCCeven to the gentry clan membersCCbut it is just a drop in the ocean for the Mengs. The family has an abundant financial foundation. It is an unimaginable load of their possession since they took the control of Cang Prefecture hundreds of years ago. Liu She continued while Jiang Pengji was pondering, Cang Prefecture is a place with a cast territory and a large population. Dont mention the Mengs in the previous dynastyCCjust in the last several decades the Mengs have entrenched in Cang Prefecture and they have ever since Dongqing was founded. The annual corruption of money and grain will be enough to sponsor an army of a strong hundred thousand. Therefore, Meng Zhen couldnt care less about the 2,000 dans of the grain. According to the knowledge of Meng Zhan, Liu She bet that he might give them an additional thousand dans of grain to make it three thousand dans just out of generosity. The chance that Meng Zhen messes around with the grain is almost zero if you use Meng Huns name to claim Meng Liang as hostage. Its very likely that he will send the finest and the freshest grain. It suddenly dawned on Jiang Pengji after she heard Liu Shes idea. So what you meant is Meng Zhen is not going to tamper with the grain? But instead, he will send the grain to declare that he has done everything he could to make it up to Meng Hun? But Meng Hun is just a hypocrite who sold his wife and daughter for quick cash. Thats right. There is an eighty or ninety percent chance he will do something despicable like that based on my knowledge of him. He is an expert on doing something gross like that, after all. People who knew someone the best could often be their worst enemy. Liu She cut off all connections with Meng Zhen, and so did the two families. But it was inevitable for them to have private conflicts. Liu She knew well enough about him. Meng Zhan was a snooty narcissist and he wouldnt interact with low class people like Meng Hun. He wouldnt waste his time and make his hands dirty. Jiang Pengji snickered. If it is true, then he is really rotten. If Meng Liang was still alive, and the Mengs traded him safely with 2,000 dans or a bit more of grain, Meng Hun would be guaranteed to be ridiculed and fall into disrepute. However, Meng Liang was already dead and she would teach him a lesson if the Mengs planned to disgust her in such a way. She hadnt expected, however, hat the Mengs were that filthy rich to make her jealous about their possessions. I should have asked for some thirty or fifty thousand dans of grain if I had known about their wealth. He is probably laughing at me for asking only 2,000 dans. Jiang Pengji was unpleasant and added, They wouldnt even blink for a couple ten thousand dans of grain because of how generous he is. Liu She almost choked on his own saliva. His daughter must have been a bandit member in her last life. 2,000 dans is already more than enough. You would not be able to handle it if there was more. Liu She said deeply, And dont take the Mengs for suckers. They dont care about this tiny amount of money, but it doesnt mean that they will keep their sanity if you push their buttons hard. 2,000 and 20,000 was not the same thing. The more wit, the less courage. It was perfect to use as a description of Jiang Pengji from what Liu She saw. Who would pick on the Mengs for no reason? She didnt just pick on the Mengs, but she killed Meng Liang and took Meng Hun, the one person who had beef with the Mengs. What kind of grudge did she have against the Mengs? Recalling what Gu Min had once said to him, he somehow understood why. It was her destiny to be a lifelong enemy of the Mengs. Jiang Pengji came up with a question. So if 2,000 dans of grain is just a piece of cake for the Mengs, does it mean the same to the other gentry clans? Liu She wasnt sure why she brought that up. He asked, Why are you asking? She said, My strategy is to suppress the boosting grain price with this 2,000 dans of grain temporarily You should know that there is a limited number of people who have a clue about what happened in Meng County, Cang Prefecture for now. Im afraid that Hejian County will take the hit as well when the news finally spreads. It was only half month trip from Hejian County to Meng County in Cang Prefecture. Once the news of civil commotion in Meng County arrived, the civilians of Hejian County would get panicky and it would be normal to see an increase of the grain price. Its almost certain that Hejian County will be affected. The 2,000 dans of grain will easily bring you triple or more interest. By taking this chance, however, just consider that it cost you nothing to obtain the grain from the Mengs. It is way too little if you want to use it to manipulate the grain price, though. After all, Liu She belonged to the current era and he was at the position of County Chief of Hu County. He oversaw the future more accurately than both Xu Ke and Jiang Pengji. Its not enough? Jiang Pengji was slightly shocked by the fact. One dan equalled fifty kilograms. One hundred catties was more sufficient to feedCCmore like stuffCCa family of four for around forty or fifty days. Frugal families could last longer if they matched other food with the grain. Hejian County was a small town with only twenty to thirty thousand civilians, not including the gentry clans. Most of the civilians had leftover grain saved from last year, but 2,000 dans of grain wouldnt be enough to balance the grain price? Liu She was aware of Jiang Pengjis miscalculation after he took a while to think. Most of the civilians take action to follow blindly only from hearsay. Liu She expounded the details to her. The reason why I mentioned that 2,000 dans of grain will not be enough is because those well-off families with some savings sometimes buy off yearly or more amounts of grain at once. According to your calculations, you counted on the basis of the monthly or two week amount. 2,000 dans is for sure enough for your calculation. Liu She sighed and said, You know, the food crisis would slacken until the harvest season if every single civilian purchased one or two months equivalent of grain. Even with the turmoil in Meng County, Cang Prefecture becoming more turbulent, it wouldnt influence our civilians that much. Unfortunately, the civilians dont think about that. It was an easy case for Jiang Pengji to make a bundle with the 2,000 dans of grain, but it was still a scarcity even with 10,000 dans if the purpose was to suppress the price. Jiang Pengji knitted her brows and tried to contemplate his theory. She regained her surety after being embarrassed. She didnt find it unacceptable that her plan was vetoed by Liu She. He definitely knew better about the current era than her. As a person who was born local, Liu She had more abundant life experience and a wiser insight than her. What about a purchase limit? Purchase limit? Jiang Pengji paused for a second and explained to him, The first several days when the rumor strikes us, the civilians must be on tenterhooks, which is going to cause looting. So our grain store brings five hundred or a thousand dans of grain to create a false impression that we have plenty of grain storage to settle people down. After that, we limit the purchase down to a hundred dans per day and restrain the weight of how much a purchaser can buy. That should be enough for us to stall for a month. Jiang Pengji couldnt find any reason to question the method, and she would like to listen to Liu Shes opinion. What do you think of it, father? Liu She was speechless His daughter was a natural profiteer! Chapter 224 - Reconciled Bandits Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 2,000 dans of grain was being used as 20,00 dans. What else could he expect? Liu She asked, It is not a bad idea to have a purchase limit everyday However, what if there are some civilians who purchase several days in a row repeatedly? The gist of Jiang Pengjis movement was to suppress the grain priceCCwhich meant that when the other grain stores marked up the price of their grain, as long as she maintained the usual price or even a bit higher, it would still be way lower than her competitors. Naturally, the civilians would choose to purchase from her. Most civilians would save every penny they could and they were meticulously particular about their budgets with their daily life expenses. Nobody was a reckless spendthrift in the current era. They were not going to starve to death. Most of the people were willing to wait a couple more days if postponing could help them buy cheaper food. Jiang Pengji gave him a gentle smile and answered, We need to stealthily publicize that the whole point of this grain store is for the sake of our peoples welfare. We only insist on increasing the price a tiny bit every time when everyone else asks an exorbitant price. With the condition of a limited purchase, if someone comes in for food on consecutive days, then there would be a big portion of other people who wont be able to get any As a result, the civilians would understand our intentions of trying to do the right thing. And there will be less stress for us, too. Liu She was flabbergasted by her theory. He never doubted that his baby girl was just naive and unsophisticated and she had no clue about the real world. He thought that was why she had the idea of suppressing the grain price with only 2,000 dans of grain. Her theory flipped his impression of her. She was unsophisticated, for sure; however, she was exceptionally astute and she knew how to draw inferences about other cases from one instance. He could simply point out the drawbacks of her theory and she could rectify it immediately Her flexibility and wisdom was worthy of admiration and appreciation, not to mention her other merits. If her plan went well, it would probably result in them they selling several thousands dans of grain and, at the same time, they would earn the civilians hearts in He Jian County. They would obtain a good reputation while they were making profits. The other grain stores would not challenge or raise their prices, considering the impact of the public voice. The grain price would automatically decline as long as they could sustain the situation until the harvest season. The civilians wouldnt have to worry about the famine. However But if it is so, we wont be able to make the profits we expected. Jiang Pengji shook her head, disappointed. She planned to sell the 2,000 dans of grain for the price equal to 10,000 dans so she could trick the gentry clans in Hejian County. It seemed like she could only bail on attempting the idea for now. She did not own enough chips to participate in the gamble. Liu She would be speechless if he happened to know exactly what she was thinking in her head. Just the plan alone would make her start a feud with a number of people in Hejian County. She clearly would lose her sanity if she wanted to drag the gentry clans into the mess. There was no difference between cutting off the source of someones wealth and murdering their parents. The clans schemed to clear out the grain stock in the granary and make a good profit with the perfect opportunity. With Jiang Pengji messed around with it, the share of the grain market for the coming month would be taken by her in Hejian County. That would be just shameless. Liu She was dumbfounded, but she was confident in Jiang Pengji and her capability. People with real skills could always achieve an unimaginably high level that an ordinary person couldnt compete with, no matter what an appalling situation they started with. Without a doubt, his baby girl was that type of person. Liu She grinned at her. We make the money out of the Mengs possessions, which are better than nothing. She wore a hidden smile on her lips and asked in a gentle, drawled tone, Are they really going to dispatch an extra thousand dans of grain? It didnt matter much to her, but it would still be amazing if they would be that generous for an additional thousand dans of grain. We shall just wait for the moment. Liu She laughed with her. I am not too lame to bet on the wrong horse even if I dont have sharp eyes like yours. The father and the son were tacit with each other and chose to ignore the Mengs possible reaction when they delivered the grain but only found Meng Liangs dead body. It must have been absolutely fabulous. The reality would slap the Mengs hard in the face if they still believed that they were using their own generosity to smash Meng Huns ego. Meng Hun was a hypocrite? No, he was not! He was a true man with a brain. He deceived the Mengs for several thousand dans of grain and slaughtered their baby boy for getting revenge on his wife and daughter. The Mengs attempted to trample on Meng Huns dignity, so Jiang Pengji would make the whole family live in hell. Everything went smoothly with the troops. Jiang Pengji got rid of the troublesome soldiers who easily created disturbances long ago. The remaining soldiers would not be bold enough to cause trouble with Meng Hun and Xu Kes supervision. Instead, they assimilated their life with the troops and they were getting used to it. What good was it to be bandits? They didnt reckon being bandits was something fancy and they shared the same attitude and ideas with people in the rest of the world. Being someone who made a living by committing crimes and making other people suffer was despicable. Who would choose to be a contemptible bandit member other than a normal, well-behaved civilian if you had ample food supply and decent clothes? The bandit members were sneering at the pity paycheck that the soldiers received at the beginning of every month. What could they do with that deficient money? It would be gone with just two meals How long could one keep it in their hands? But their minds changed when they learned that every single troop member was distributed seasonal clothes every season and their accommodations were completely covered by the master. The troop members had free will to manage their own paycheck and occasionally there would be some rewards The only downside of being in the troop was the toilsome training, but it was still much better than doing farm work. It was definitely superior to being a bandit member and having an unstable life and fluctuating paycheck. And they were tempted, envious, and furious because they found out the reward was almost entirely confiscated from their stockade! As bandit members, they barely had any savings. All their wealth was basically dominated by the upper echelon members. Bah, we were the ones holding the blades and sacrificing our lives for hard earned money, but the money all went to the upper echelon bosss pockets. And these people sell their lives for their master just like usCConly they get paid for it. But we can only watch them get rich. What the heck is up with that? They both gave their lives away. The only difference was the other troop members did it legitimately and they didnt. Of course they were being treated differently. So what do you want to do? You truly want to risk your life for this master? The bandit members gathered together and struggled to find their way out. After a while, the one who started all the complaints said, Im too afraid to be hungry again It doesnt matter who I work for, as long as I can be fed, get paid, and eventually be able to marry someone and have my own kids We watched those bosses luxuriate all year long and we were left out to put our lives in peril. We have done so many bad things against our good consciences and the result of it was that I didnt even see a female animal. He began to feel uncertain, which caused those who werent very secure about their minds to feel even less secure. I dont want to starve again And the master of the family treats his people really well. They have steamed bread with every meal and sometimes they are served with scallion bread They did mention that we would be sold to the slave traders one of them said while trembling. We all know how nasty those slave traders are We may as well strive to be chosen to be in the troop by the master. Right, what was the point of being bandits? They were already cast aside by society, and so were their kids and following generations. They would be menials forever. It could all change if they subjected themselves to the family and could change their identities to become good civilians. There was also a chance for them to be top dogs if they performed heroically and made contributions. Chapter 225 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji put her hands around her arms, leaned against a stake in the drill ground, and watched the soldiers do the painstaking training. Her eyebrows pulled up. I thought it was going to take you a whileCCat least ten or more daysCCto tame these bandits. I didnt expect for you to solve the problem with them in only a couple of days time, she said with Xu Ke with a smile. They are training dedicatedly. In order to avoid any possible threats, Xu Ke split the bandit members up and inserted them in with the original troops. But the ones who were training most industriously and had the veins on their foreheads popping out were all bandit members. The original troop members definitely were training hard, but it was an obvious difference when they were compared against the bandit members. It was rather a surprise to Jiang Pengji. In spite of some extremely atrocious ones, most of the bandit members are still just ordinary people. Their whole lifes purpose is to never worry about food and accommodation and to have a peaceful life with their families. If they ever had a chance to make a choice about their own life, they would have never taken the risk to be a bandit. I only displayed to them the benefits of being part of the troop. Anything else would be additional. Of course they wanted to stay, and they will endeavor to perform the best they can to help them stay in the troop. To be more straightforward, whoever fed them would be their mom. In that case, whoever provided them with a good life would be the master they would risk their life for. Xu Ke didnt have to waste his words to convince them. The only thing he did was make sure his old troop members leaked a little information about their current treatment. To the bandits, no good words would be stronger than genuine benefits. Jiang Pengji made an estimate about what time it was and instructed Xu Ke, Meng County should deliver the grain here in several days We need to do some prep work. Arrange some of our own people to guard at the borderline of Hejian County and Meng County and feel out the situation. Thats the priority. Xu Ke frowned with concern when he heard her words. He asked, How are we going to take over the grain when they drop it off? The Lius should not get involved in this just in case the Mengs suspect us. What if they will set up an ambush with their dispatched troops? Coach Meng will be at the scene If it is so, wont that be putting Coach Meng in a predicament? Jiang Pengji grinned at him. When have I ever said that I will send my own people to collect the grain? As a matter of fact, she had never planned to show up. The more flaws one exposed, the more their enemies would have on them. Then Whats your plan, Langjun? Xu Kes eyes blinked. He seemed to figure out her intentions. Bamboo slice. She pitched a slim bamboo slice between her fingers and it seemed like she had torn it from an old bamboo strip. We only need to give them straight orders step by step on the bamboo slices and direct them to operate. We give them specific locations for them to drop off the grain and lead them somewhere totally irrelevant. Then we transfer all the grain away once they are distracted by the other instructions. Xu Ke had a sense of hesitation. But 2,000 dans of grain isnt just some small package. We might have issues moving them all in a short time even if we assign the whole troop to do it. And what are we going to do if the Mengs realize that they are being tricked and come back to us? Jiang Pengji had a mysterious smile spread on her face. I have my plan, just wait for it. Xu Ke was speechless. There was a moment when he felt slightly dumbfounded. He was no longer sure if he was still her think tank. It felt that his role and Jiang Pengjis were completely reversed. Over the next few days, the weather gradually got warmer and most of the people put on their thin spring shirts. The good looking boys became trendy as well. They had fine makeup on, wore long shirts that expanded below their knees with wide sleeves, and stood against the breeze. The scene reminded others of people idolizing. Jiang Pengji could barely tolerate the current fashion trend. She insisted on keeping her face clean and her shirt plain. The first glance at her would make one almost believe that she was from a general family. But the texture of her clothes told the difference; it was indisputable that she was from a noble family. Jiang Pengji sat in a tea house beside the station closest to Hejian County. She paid the landlady of the tea house for a pot of tea. Lan Ting, the taste of the tea How do you put up with it? Qiguan Rang sat aside of her, took a glimpse at the clay-made tea bowl in her hands, and then at her. She was gulping back her tea. Qiguan Rang looked around their dingy, shabby surroundings and shook his head. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes at him. Its not going to cause any issues. Why cant I drink it? It was a huge contrast from the delicate tea they usually drank. The tea they had was particularly rough and there was a bitter, astringent aftertaste that diffused in ones mouth. But the tea house near the station was set for quenching the tourists thirst. One couldnt expect much by paying one penny for all they wanted. Qiguan Rang found it amusing when he tried to match Jiang Pengjis dress with her words. No one would recognize her as the son of Liu County Chief from Hu County even if she stood up and claimed to be. Different from her normal civilized, refined dress, she was in a full body, crude, cloth-made brown suit with two patches on the shoulders. She tied her hair high with a straw hair tie and her skin looked gloomier than usual Without her delicate looking and shining eyes, everyone would be convinced she was just a county boy. Qiguan Rang barely spotted her when she came to him with the Lius wagon. It is easy to start an extravagant life from poverty, but it is hard to get back to poor life from luxury. It seems like it doesnt affect you much. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows at him. Am I that finicky? Qiguan Rang coughed to end the conversation. Clearly Jiang Pengji didnt refer to herself being finicky; she was talking about him. He quickly changed the subject and looked far away with his hands covering his eyes. You told me there was going to be a good show Where is the show? Thick smoke could be seen in the distance the moment he stopped talking. He tensed and immediately grasped Jiang Pengjis intention. This That sucker really sent the cargo here. Qiguan Rang didnt make it clear, considering there were other people around them. He used a replacement reference for both of them to understand. Jiang Pengji glanced over to the location Qiguan Rang was looking. Her lip raised up with a smile. I dare you to bet with me if we caught a big fish or a small fish. Qiguan Rang inquired, How do you define big or small in this case? More than 2,000 dans is big, or otherwise. How is that? Qiguan Rang shook his feather fan right after and said, Im not betting with you. I never win in any bets. Jiang Pengji dragged him over for a good show at the right time. It was obvious that she had probed and gotten enough information about her opponent. What was the point of making a bet about how much grain they delivered with the knowledge that it was a dead game for him? She was confident with her victory no matter which side he bet on. Then what was the fun of the game? Boring! He was unshaken no matter how persuading Jiang Pengji was. He just kept swaying his feather fan. Chapter 226 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The dispatch team for the grain was enormous. There were approximately 200 guards dressed like sergeants aside from the team, and each guard was equipped with a flashing spike in order to keep those who would transport the big load of grain away in line. They had to evaluate their own capabilities of undertaking the robbery before putting it to action. A laborer of the dispatch team was soaked with sweat and was so exhausted that his face had turned dark red. They were overjoyed to see a tea house next to the station. Sergeant, everyone is worn out after such a long trip. Shall we take a break in the tea house and then keep going? The leader of the laborers approached and tried to negotiate with head of the guards of the dispatch team. No one was an iron man and after transporting the considerable amount of grain from Meng County, the laborers mental and physical powers were collapsing. The guards on the horses just played blind and they treated the cooks with whips when they had a hard time catching up. Fortunately, Hejian County was just in front of them. There was still going to be more than a half day trip before they arrived at their destination. There would certainly be casualties caused by exhaustion sooner or later if they kept going. The head of the guards of the dispatch team was the one Jiang Pengji had spared the life of. He was eager to make up for his fault by making contributions. Right after he took the mission of dispatching the grain, he squeezed the male laborers to the limit day and night and urged them to hurry along to save Meng Liangs life as soon as possible Day after day, his anxiety was growing and eating away at him. His fear of any changes because of the delay and his imperative mood blocked his ability to notice the tiredness of the laborers. He couldnt care less about them even if he had noticed. How could just a few laborers compare with the Second Langjun of the Mengs? Who was going to be responsible for anything going wrong with Meng Liang because they slacked on the way to pick him up? But his nerves were growing calmer since they were only a half day trip away from Hejian County. He was worn out, too. He just went with labor leaders request and passed the command that the whole dispatch team could rest for an hour. The labor leader felt blessed and yelled at his people at the end of the team as soon as he received permission. Make it quick. There is a tea house right in front of us. Everyone take a break and get yourself a cup of tea. The mass was suddenly motivated. The long dispatch team was like a caterpillar slowly crawling forward to the tea house. The tea house had been serving big caravans that traveled all over; it was common and easy for them. The landlady of the tea house put on her standard smile and greeted some guards that were walking into the tea house. The rest of the guards found some spare seating outside and rested. Jiang Pengji saw how fully occupied the boss was and she stood up with Qiguan Rangs terrified stare and wore an honest and kind smile. I can help you if you dont mind, landlady. I forgot to take money with me today The landlady surveyed her from head to toe and was very happy with the idea. She seemed to be enthusiastic to her and said, Sure. It happens to be very busy and we are short on people. You can start serving some cups of tea to the guards sitting outside of the house And dont be clumsy, or else youll have to compensate double or more times the loss. Jiang Pengji grinned at her and replied, Dont worry about this. I work in our own farm field everyday and I ensure you that I can do my job neatly. Any acerbic businessman would pick on her for her sitting in a tea house while not being able to afford a penny worth cup of tea. However, Jiang Pengji could tell that under that mean face, the landlady was truly a kind, warm-hearted person with a sense of acrimony. She was thoughtful and nice to her customers. Sometimes she would charge nothing to those tourists who had hard time paying for the bill. She would also make some ginger soup for people when it was freezing. Qiguan Rang was stunned and he watched Jiang Pengji carry a whole tray of tea cups out of the tea house and merge in with the dispatch team. She checked the cargo in the freight wagons and looked delighted. Her big smile made Qiguan Rang change his impression of her. Is this still the son of the Liu County Chief, Liu Xi? Everyone is buying that he is just a county boy for a farms family? While Qiguan Rang was still fascinated by her, she had already gained something useful. She served tea to some laborers, pretended to complain, and casually chatted with them. At the same time, she gained some valuable information from them. Of course, the laborers who slipped their lips to her were not aware of itCCespecially with those guards present. Hey, you are just a county boy. Why are you so curious about this? A guard finished off a cup of tea with one sipCCbut apparently it didnt help with his thirst, so he asked for another one from Jiang Pengji. Give me one more cup, Im drained out Another guard laughed. He just hasnt seen much of the world. It doesnt matter that he is showing curiosity. She wasnt poking at something essential, anyway. It wouldnt be harmful to give her answers. Jiang Pengji took the order smoothly. Two more cups. Just a moment. Qiguan Rangs eyes followed Jiang Pengji as she was busy working and moving swiftly around. He might mistake him as some boy craving money if he didnt know what she was planning. She really threw her ego away for the sake of obtaining information as a member of the gentry clan. He couldnt stop laughing about the fact. After only about an hour, the nonstop Jiang Pengji finally sat down and the dispatch team took off. You Why did you have to do this Qiguan Rang said to her, dumbfounded. I wouldnt be able to get near them if I didnt. She was thirsty after her heavy work. She finished a whole cup of tea and slowly felt like she was cooling off. She lowered her voice to Qiguan Rang. There is no problem with the grain, and instead of 2,000 dans, it is actually more than 3,000 dans! The Mengs are absolutely generous with us. Im just not sure if they will still be smiling in two days Qiguan Rang was astonished and raised his eyebrows. I only saw you wandering around in that group to talk to people. How can you guarantee that the grain is good without examining the cargo wagon guarded by those guards And you even learned the detailed numbers? Jiang Pengji answered, Thats easy. I measured the depth of the wheels sinking into the dirt. Grain and sand bags, even if they are the exact same size, dont weigh the same. I went to trick those laborers and I did an gross estimation of the total amount of grain with the team. She was multitasking even when she was busy serving. She added something more in a low voice, Of course, my whole purpose to get near them wasnt to check the grain Qiguan Rang was dazed. The purpose of approaching the dispatch team was not to get access to the grain? Then what was it for? His eyebrows were twisted together. He tried hard to remember her actions in the past hour and hoped to get to know her genius intention. Stopping thinking too much. I went to give a gift. It is not convenient and easily suspicious to do if it was any other timing Jiang Pengji kept sipping her tea and relaxing. She seemed as sneaky as a fox. Gave them a gift? Chapter 227 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The dispatch team set off after resting a bit in the tea house. Hejian County was just few miles ahead of them, which meant they just needed to sustain another half a day and they would be off of the strenuous mission Most of the laborers held to the idea and there was an unlimited power coming from their bodies. Finally, they arrived the county gate of Hejian County before sunset. The head of the guards couldnt gallop through the gate like he was used to with such a great quantity of people on their team. He could only be patient and wait for their turn to pass through. At that time, a smart looking laborer came over to him. Sergeant, does it mean that we complete the mission once we ship the grain into the town? The head of the guard rolled his eyes at him and said with fury, Who told you so? Just wait for the order and keep your nose out of it! If the laborers couldnt ask him about the plan, then who could they ask? Meng Hun should have known about them coming a long time ago, especially because they had drawn quite a lot attention with the scale of the dispatch team. He just had no idea what on earth the traitor was planning on doingCCand where, when and how they wanted to take over the grain. What he could only do at the moment was patiently wait for a person that represented Meng Hun so they could do the exchange of the ransom and hostage. While he was thinking, it was almost their turn to pass through the gate. He couldnt help but knit his brows when he looked up the lofty county gate. The security of the gate took shifts and the shift working at the present time was the same shift from the last time when he had gone through. The security guards of the gate didnt recognize them as the perpetrators of the County Gate Bloodbath Crime at the first glance, but they got suspicious when they focused their eyes on the dispatch team. One of the security guards came forward and inquired, Where are you guys from and what is the cargo in your wagons? Their sly eyes never stopped skimming over the laborers and the guards and they sneakily contemplated squeezing some juice out of them. They had done their job hundreds of times. Normally they just took advantage of people under the table and demanded that the civilians contribute some fees for showing respect to them. Civilians didnt want to get themselves into a brawl with the government. Even the security guards could hardly be reckoned as part of the government; it was not worth starting a battle with them. The civilians would rather eliminate any nuisances even if it would cost them money. The supervisors would turn a blind eye to their behavior as long as they didnt cross the line. Generally speaking, working as a gate security guard was a profitable job. A security guard swaggered forward to scrutinize the cargo in the wagons and pushed a laborer out of his way. That laborer was too afraid to say a single word and he only looked at the head of the guards. Something rather tough in the bag, eh? There is no one in charge here to give me a d*mn answer about what you guy have in the wagon? The gate security guard pressed a bag with his fingers. He basically had an assumption of what the bags contained, but he was just picking on them for the respect fee. He was not going to give up if the one in charge of the dispatch team was not willing to contribute to the fee. Then, he pulled the sword equipped on his waist out and stabbed a hole on the bag. I feel shaky about the cargo. We are going to open them all up for a deeper inspection. However, he was only half way through pulling his sword out of the bag when the shape of a whip snapped down on his arm. His arm was covered in his own blood. A piece of sh*t who doesnt know how to assess the situation. The head of the guards of the dispatch team wrapped up his whip and watched the guard roll on the ground in pain. The other civilians noticed something unusual happening and they were frightened that they would be involved in the result. Where did some degrading piece of sh*t like you get the permission to touch the grain dispatched by the Mengs? He scolded him and clucked at the horse gently. The horse started off and they were poised going through the gate. A laborer responsible for one of the wagons spotted something weird and he hauled the item out from under the grain bags. That was not there before. There was a black human head painted on the coarse cloth when he unfolded it. The laborer was spooked and he couldnt help but scream out. The scream clearly alerted the head of the guards. He tightened his brows and reproached him, What the h*ll are you screaming about? The laborer disregarded the rocks on the ground and kneeled down. Trembling, he handed the coarse cloth to the head of the guards. Ser sergeant, I didnt mean to disturb you. Its just this freaking thing The cloth on the laborers palms attracted the head of the guards attention. He spurred his horse to come forward, bent, and snatched the cloth from the laborer. His face went gloomy the moment he unfolded it. The laborer would be able to tell what the painting was about, but not him. The head on the cloth was doubtlessly the Second Langjun of the MengsMeng Liang. The painting wasnt detailed at all, but there were still obvious features retained on it for others to tell who the portrait was of. The head of the guards clenched his fists and scolded the laborer, Quickly, spit it out. Where did you find this? The gate security guard who had lost his one arm was still suffering from the pain. The laborer wouldnt dare to hide, so he could only tell the truth. Sergeant, I found it under the grain bags. But it wasnt there before. The grain bags? He muttered and jumped off the horse. He thrust the laborer away and walked straight to one of the cargo wagons. He examined the wagon carefully until he spotted another piece of same texture of coarse cloth like the last oneCCexcept there was no head painted on it. Instead, there were just some strange lines. He felt a chill instantly and shouted at his team, Everyone check your cargo wagon and search for anything suspicious. The gate security guards working their shift were irritated, while the head of guards was disturbed by his anxious feeling. All the security staff came closer to the guards and attempted to draw their swords. How dare you hurt people in public, you unruly people! The head of the guards sneered. I wont just hurt youCCI can even take your life. One more step and I will slaughter you all! All the guards for the dispatch team gathered around and pointed their spikes towards the gate security guards. There was a standoff for both parties for awhile. However, it was 20 or 30 gate security guards against over 200 guards attached to the dispatch team. In the meantime, there was one to three different shapes and sizes of coarse cloths being found in every single wagon. It was clear that some were torn from a whole piece of cloth into pieces randomly. Most of them had some strange lines, but some of them had lame, handwritten characters. The head of the guards face was cold. He put all the cloths together and it turned out to be a painting. There were some tiny words on the side of the painting. His expression turned unpleasant and his face was blue after he distinguished what the painting was about. You guys have been slacking. If you want Meng Liang alive, deliver the grain to the location. I wont wait for long. Written by the Mengs traitor, Meng Hun. How rampant his behavior was! The head of guards was almost desperate to tear the pieces of cloth apart, but he held off the impulse. The message was clear that Meng Hun needed grain and their patience was dying off. If they kept delaying, they might only find Meng Liangs dead body. And he wouldnt be alive if Meng Liang was dead. Chapter 228 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He forced himself to calm down and asked a subordinate to look for an experienced hunter who knew the mountains well in Hejian County to guide him. About going in town? Nevermind! The location on the painting was not in town, anyway. It would just be a waste of time. He needed to clarify one more thing before leaving town: How did Meng Huns people sneak all the coarse cloths in the wagons? He was not the only one that was puzzledCCthe laborers were, too. In order to keep the inventory accurate, they scrutinized the wagons whenever they stopped for breaks. Therefore, it was almost guaranteed that the last time, before they had time off, there were no strange cloths on the wagons. The head of the guards knew about it, but he didnt squander any time on it. Instead, he went through all the laborers on his dispatch team suspiciously. He asked, Does anyone remember who ever got close to the wagons? It was a baffling question to everyone. The group of laborers were downcast. Who could possibly remember such a small detail about who came near the wagons? One laborer was sharp-minded and he reminded the head of the guards, Could it have been when we were in the tea house? People came and went at a place like the tea house. No one would find it fishy if any average person had mingled in with the crowd. His theory was quickly proven wrong, however, when another laborer said, You cannot put us in the wrong. We were all resting beside the wagons when we were in the tea house. We didnt see anyone suspicious. These cloths just came out of nowhere. People in the current era were in awe of spiritual beings. They tended to use them for explanations of the unknown and mysterious incidents. The head of the guards was perturbed and scolded him, Stop the nonsense. There is no grounds to prove the existence of those spiritual beings. Think harder. Who could have done this? If no outsiders ever got close to the wagon, the only explanation of why the cloths were there was that they had a mole inside the dispatch team. After jumping to that conclusion, he held very steadfast to his hunch. The laborers all shook their heads when they heard about it. Someone did think of Jiang Pengji, but it wasnt reliable. She was not the only person who served themCCthe landlady and some other waiters came by as well. Compared to the latter two, Jiang Pengji was the last one who got near the wagons. How could she stuff the cloths into the wagons? The laborers all looked at each other and were tense. They were terrified that the head of guards would consider any of them the mole in the team. The head of guards skimmed through every single one of the laborers and tried to uncover the mole. At last, everyone seemed like the mole, but nobody seemed like it at the same time. He was out of ideas, but put it aside and got ready to ship the grain to the final destination. It was not difficult to find an experienced hunter. The hunter happily agreed to lead the way for them after he was promised to be paid well. It only left suffering for the laborers since it was not an option to transport the grain with the wagons on the steep mountain route. They could only leave all the wagons behind and carry the grain bags on their shoulders. They would have to pass the bags from one person to the next all the way up to the mountain like a human conveyor belt. It seemed that the joke on them was just starting because someone found another piece of bamboo cloth with some more words written on it. Good boys, but Im still disappointed with your speed. I couldnt wait longer, so I left first. As the punishment for being inefficient, you have to deliver the grain to this location. From the traitor of the Mengs Meng Hun. The head of the guards face darkened with anger the moment he saw the bamboo slice and the coarse cloth under it. A soldier came forward and checked with him, Boss, what should we do now? The head of the guards was breathing heavily and he was worn out. He didnt even have any cargo on his shoulders, but he was panting and covered with his own sweat after climbing the steep mountain with his heavy armor. What else could we do? Follow the instructions. They were concerned about the safety of the hostage, and because Meng Hun still had Meng Liang as his hostage, they were scared about what would happen if they didnt fulfill Meng Huns requests. They would be the ones crying when they found out about Meng Liangs death. They could only chose to be obedient in order to save the baby boys life. Luckily, the second location wasnt too far from their present place. The hunter told them it was only going to be another fifteen minutes or so. It was not bad this time, but Im gone again. It was fun to see you guys work out and I want to see more. Deliver the grain over here. From the traitor of the Mengs, Meng Hun. The head of the guards was mad and punched a tree trunk, which made a deep sound from the tree. The hunter took a look at the map and said in a horrified tone, Sergeant, we cannot go to this place. Why? the head of the guards asked chillingly. The hunter was shivering and almost burst into tears. He expected it to be a good and easy job, but it seemed like it was anything but. Sergeant, it is a bandit stockade. I took a peak from a distance when I was hunting before and it was full of animals who kill with no mercy If we are still going He hummed and hawed. The head of the guards sneered and said to him, Cut the crap. Just lead the way. It was only a bandit stockade. It was impossible that he wouldnt be able to settle them with his manpower. Only one thing still confused him: Why would Meng Hun guide them to deliver the grain to a bandit stockade? Could it be an ambush for them? He felt uneasy about the possibility, so he sent a soldier to investigate the real situation. Soon after, the soldier came back. There is no one in the bandit stockade. No one? Now it was the head of the guards turn to be puzzled. But he had not choice but to go for it. But I found something at the gate of the stockade. The scout bowed with his hands up. In his hands was another bamboo slice and a piece of coarse cloth. As soon as he pinned his eyes on it, the head of the guards anxiety grew bigger. He was too afraid to see some more tricks. He opened the cloth and saw something written by Meng Hun again. Unload the grain in the yard of the stockade. That son of b*tch Meng Liang is just at the location pinned on the map. Dont play tricks with me or he will die. From the traitor of the Mengs, Meng Hun. The head of the guards head finally cooled off and a sneaky smile spread on his face. Spineless b*stard. Coward! Meng Hun wouldnt bluff and play tricks if he was not afraid of the Mengs. Meng Hun was still too scared of getting surrounded and killed by his people when they exchanged the grain with the hostage. Spineless coward! The head of guards tittered and raised his hand. You guys deliver the grain to the location, and I need the rest of the people to go rescue Second Langjun with me. It indicated that Meng Huns lack of confidence was based on the cowards behavior. It would be to his credit if he could attack him off guard and take Meng Huns life for the Mengs. It was not part of his plan, but Meng Hun was really getting on his nerves. Yes, Sergeant! The soldiers were exhausted, but they still responded to the head of the guards with a passionate and loud voice. Chapter 229 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rang fanned himself furiously and said to Jiang Pengji, You are pure evil. You are really mistaken about me. When have I even been evil? And who can testify to that? Jiang Pengji tried to play innocent. Qiguan Rang almost choked when he heard her shameless statement, even though he believed he had seen weird things and people. Testify? I can do that, okay? The viewers felt bad for him. They tried to stop their laughter, but they failed. Ren Buyaolian Tianxia Wudi: Hahaha, I can testify for you. Check my ID if you dont believe me. Youdie Suimeng: I need to add something up. The host is already invincible, so it is transparent for us to tell if she is evil or not. Jimo Kongting: If I traveled to the hosts era and happened to be her opponent like we were in a tv show, my guess is that I wouldnt survive longer than three episodes. It had nothing to do with how lame she was; it was just because her opponent was too powerful. She was definitely evil for not just keeping the hostage the whole time and instead playing them as the fool. From the perspective of the viewers, those suckers expression wouldnt be shown on the screen. They could only assume what was going on in the outside world by listening to Jiang Pengji and Qiguan Rangs conversation. They put themselves in their shoes and most of the viewers were convinced that the sucker would be destroyed by her. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Three episodes? Someone is quite confident in his ability. I would only keep myself alive for like one episode. Bili Bili: Only one episode? You should feel sorry for your name. Sanzhi Songshu Lingshi: Wow. Why would you guys want the torture of standing against her? If I traveled to the same era as the host, I would be all over her as my rock and let her take me to kick a**. I already see a future, prosperous life for me where I am promoted to a high position, getting loads of paychecks, marrying a handsome, wealthy husband. I will finally be at the peak of my life. Jiang Pengji stared at the numerous comments on the bullet screen. There was something glittering in her eyes as she smiled. Qiguan Rangs sharp eyes caught her different emotions and he swung his fans even harder. You want proof for that? You are really I feel bad for Xiaoyu. Qiguan Rang rose his brows. He looked into her eyes and decided to say no more. How could Xu Ke cope with his bad temper? It was already fabulous that he couldnt care less about being shameful; his methods seemed like common sense with a little bit of petty hooliganism. Qiguan Rang admitted that he used ruses on othersCCbut compare to Jiang Pengji, he was a genuine angel. The dispatch team was beat and most of the laborers felt like they had lost half of their lives after manually carrying the grain bags up to the mountain and bustling around for the whole day. The guards of the dispatch team were less fatigued to engage in battle than the laborers. The elite troop slowly became a weary troop. The head of the guards would come back for an unexpected slaughtering with his two hundred elite soldiers and more than four hundred laborers, which was six times more than Jiang Pengjis troop. Qiguan Rang would never doubt who would be laughing until the last moment, however. Who else could it be except Liu Langting? Jiang Pengji discontinued the topic and instead, she kept her eyes on his fan. Are you feeling hot? Qiguan Rang, dazed by her quick change of subject, said, A little. The cellar is indeed sultry. But it wont be for too long. The cellar they were in was the one where the bandit members kept women and children. Jiang Pengji sent people to clean it up early in the morning and to dig it wider underground. It expanded the surroundings of the cellar to two or three times larger than its original size. The bandit members were not decent people, but they were really skillful at stashing stuff. It was a highly concealable cellar. They wouldnt find a spacious cellar under the bandit stockade if someone didnt stray from the entrance and have good luck. Jiang Pengji kept it for a purpose. Qiguan Rang paused his fanning for a second. Could he say that the reason why he felt so hot was partially because of the temperature in the cellar, but mainly because of his irritation of her? Jiang Pengjis expression changed abruptly and she whispered to him, Get ready; someone is coming in. Right after she said so, the door at the ceiling of the cellar slid open to reveal a small gap. The scout she sent for information was back to report her. Langjun, they are here. Qiguan Rang was impressed by the scene. He couldnt stop speculating at how good her hearing was for her to have perceived an enemy. Be ready and stick with the schedule. You two stay to protect Wen Zheng. Make sure he doesnt get killed, or you will get killed. She pointed at two big guys to stand out of the rank. They walked around to Qiguan Rangs back. The two of them were like door gods standing by. The rest of her troop hiding in the cellar climbed up the ladder in an orderly fashion. Each of them had a delicate crossbow on their back. Their crossbows were not identical to the half-finished crossbow she had tried before. It was only half the size of the first one and the shooting range was only about ninety feet. Three arrows could be notched at the same time and there was not too rough of a recoil force. It was totally practical to wrap it on ones arm, and it was the best for short distance combat. After the bandit stockade was conquered by Jiang Pengji, instead of leaving it to rot, her troops had been cleaned with caution. The number of their troops was barely more than a hundred. It was not too many people to make the cottage packed, but it was going to be debatable once she took down a few more bandit stockades and expanded the scale of the troop. She intended to recycle the waste to arrange a part of the troop in the bandit stockade in order to release the pressure of using a drill ground. On the other hand, the troop could keep their eyes on the other bandits. All the troop members were in position, dressed in black coarse cloth suit to blend in with the dark. It was hard to spot them even from a short distance, as the moonlight was dim. Jiang Pengji was extremely restrained with her discipline. Everyone in the troop had to be sure to execute orders and proclaim prohibition. There was going to be a terrible penalty following, no matter who disobeyed. In spite of the daily basic training, Meng Hun did brainwash the troop members repeatedly to accept the concept of following the order unconditionallyCCwith Jiang Pengjis permission, of course. The preliminary results were good, considering the bandit members who were enticed to behave well. They were in position at the scene. Jiang Pengjis senses were enhanced and she distinguished the steps. It was stupid to split their troop. The head of the guards took 150 soldiers to rescue Meng Liang and left the rest of the soldiers and laborers to deliver the grain. Wen Zheng couldnt help but tighten his brows. He said, Coach Meng will have a headache if he did plan everything. What do you mean? Even if our enemy was split to two groups, Coach Meng and his men will have trouble encountering either of the groups, Qiguan Rang said. What you are doing is not just messing around with themCCyou also are exposing your shortage of people. The man in charge of the dispatch team will naturally get made after he has been played a fool for so long. It does make sense that he separates his troops into two groups for saving Meng Liang and ambushing Coach Meng. And with Meng Huns manpower, would they be able to take the grain away from the 400 laborers and 50 elite soldiers? Even though they set up the trap before the dispatch team arrived, there would only be a slim chance for them to succeed. The head of the guards could easily strangle Meng Hun with his bare hands once he realized he was trapped and came back to outflank Meng Hun. It was a shame that they met the Jiang Pengji who happened to know nothing about common sense. It was their destiny to have a rough failure. Chapter 230 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You said that was normal people. Jiang Pengji grinned and showed off her teeth. She leaned her head to the side and said, Im never normal. Jiang Pengji didnt just take down the laborers and the elite soldiers in a short amount of timeCCshe also made sure all the grain was delivered to the right place. When the head of the guards wheeled around and headed back, he would find a second ambush waiting for him Being effective mattered the most in the war. Some power level five wanted to play tricks with her? Everyone followed her orders. Qiguan Rang kept fanning himself. Jiang Pengji asked him suddenly, When do you think is the best time to operate? The best chance will be after they completely ship all the grain naturally and send then a signal by extinguishing the torch. Jiang Pengji beamed at him. Okay, then we will listen to you for when to extinguish the torch for the signal. Then you will have to wait. Several thousand dans of grain would take quite some time to rearrange and pile up. I care more about the result than the process. Confronting an enemy a couple of times larger than her forces, Jiang Pengji chose to cope with it sedately instead of acting reckless. She was arrogant for sure, but it didnt mean that she didnt have a brain or patience. On the contrary, she was like the most tactful hunter. She could hide quietly and wait for her enemy to jump into her trap. She practiced patience for the purpose of capturing her prey. All the viewers kept quiet in the streaming room even though they could only see the laborers carrying grain. However, even though there was a screen and dimension in between them, the viewers felt the tension in the storm brewing into a crushing atmosphere. In the meantime, a viewer sent a bullet screen to ask a question. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Host, do you want to absorb these people to become your own? I do need some time to mentally prepare for that. What mental preparation did they need? The viewers who subscribed to the streaming room knew all about their host. She was decisive when she took peoples life, and the killing scene was not as fake as smearing some ketchup or squirting artificial blood like they did on television. The method she used to kill was terrifyingCCthere was splashing blood, crushed brains, and flying heads. It was truly dreadful. Some people had weak stomachs and automatically puked their guts out. They were traumatized by the streaming. Of course, there were plenty of viewers who strived really hard to squeeze into the streaming room, looking for that stimulation. It was not normal for an ordinary person to see a killing scene in a peaceful world. Jiang Pengji caught the bullet screen and responded to them. Host V: Kill! Alright, please cover your eyes, some viewers. Sergeant, what should we do now? The head of laborers, panting, asked the soldier who was in charge temporarily. He wiped his sweat on his pants after they finished transporting the grain. The soldier held the torch. He didnt find anything odd nearby when he searched around. Everyone feign retreat and put out your torch on our way there. We will sneak into the house and set up for the ambush. Thanks to the limited illumination range of the torch and human beings weak night visibility, it still seemed like a pall of darkness except for the light beams. They held the torches, but they didnt find any signs of ambush. Apparently their enemy could be hiding in a corner observing them secretly. As long as they faked the withdrawal, extinguished the torches, and stealthily went back to the bandit stockade, Meng Hun and his people could easily be caught unaware. It was good to imagine then take action. When everyone followed the instruction to put out the fire, the viewers were smart enough to shut their eyes. With the intense sound of strings snapping, numerous arrows penetrated the sky. The sergeant was overcome with a chill as he tried to figure out where the bizarre sound was coming from. His surroundings were saturated with a screeching noise. His heart pounded hard and right before he was about to scream out Enemy! as painful feeling shot through his arm, like it was pierced by a knife. He touched his arm without awareness. A slim arrow stuck through his arm. Ambush! Hadnt they scrutinized the surroundings and there was no trace of an enemy? All the thoughts flooded in his head, but clearly Jiang Pengji wasnt going to give him more time to think. Only two seconds after the first attack, they started the second round. The sound of arrows stabbing into flesh in the middle of the quiet night made people uneasy. The troops hiding in the dark indeed had trouble spotting their enemys location, but they didnt need to aim particularly. Instead, they just needed to shoot the arrows randomly into the place where they just put out the fire. It was normal that the people who shot randomly got killed by random arrows, and then those who survived without a scratch through the shooting were d*mn lucky. But they wouldnt survive again when they stabbed them from a short distance later on. Jiang Pengjis plan was specific. She was going to spare some soldiers lives and kick them back to Meng County, Cang Prefecture with Meng Liangs dead body. They gave Jiang Pengji the best chance to enact the attack by splitting their military force. She was part of the ambush. She opened the crossbow steadily and rapidly. All the viewers in the stream room could see her taking head shots through the camera. Every single arrow broke through targets eyebrows to the back of their heads. It was about ten rounds of attack back and forth and there was barely any sound coming out of them. Jiang Pengji gave the order emotionlessly. End the lives of those who are barely breathing. It wasnt their first time killing, but the troop members, even the original bandit members, were still shivering afterwards. They had never taken hundreds of lives that easily and it was like they were not slaughtering; they were just harvesting grain. They didnt back off, considering killing was part of their life. They stuck their heads out of their hiding spots. Some of them were looking for the surviving enemies and the rest of them quickly picked up the grain bags on their shoulders and carried them to the cellar one by one. The cellar wasnt too far for them to transfer all the grain in a short amount of time. Nongqin was one who looked for surviving enemies. Her hands were coated with sticky blood and she just snapped the enemies necks one after another with a calm countenance. She was so much like a demon that even the bandit members were too terrified to go near her. Shortly, the whole load of the grain was moved to its new destination. Jiang Pengji twitched her mouth. Nongqin, bring me a brush. She dipped the tip of the brush into the blood on the ground and roughly wrote some bloody words on a roll of coarse cloth. Those liars who fail to keep promises are the Mengs sons of b*tches. You intend to humiliate my wife and daughter even after their death and take advantage of me. You should really be ashamed about the despicable behavior for the sake of Master Meng in the previous destiny. Dont blame me for overdoing it considering what you have done to me. How can I forgive myself for my wife and daughters death if I dont kill Meng Liang? From the traitor of the Mengs, Meng Hun. After she finished, she ditched the brush and the let the cloth fall on Meng Liangs face. Meng Liangs dead body had been frozen in the ice cellar. Then, it was randomly discarded among the large quantity of dead bodies, wrapped in a rugged cloth. Jiang Pengji would squeeze the last bit of the value of him, even when he was dead. Lets go and intercept them one more time. Lets see who the real loser is! Meng Hun kept quiet. He clenched his jaw and it seemed like he was enduring the night in pain. At last, his eyes turned red and he finally released all the anger he had been holding. Qiguan Rang noticed that and he kept waving his fan. And he was thinking, Liu Langjun is really protective to her own people. Chapter 231 - Lost the Son as Well as the Grain (VII Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Bang! The head of the entourage stormed out and punched a tree trunk. He held two more coarse cloths in his other hand. Meng Hun pushes too far! He gnashed his teeth in anger. He was so sure that they were going to catch Meng Hun, but it turned out otherwise. Meng Hun was still playing with him and taunting him. Meng Huns only instruction was to make them go in circles and they seemed just like the monkeys in the zoo. I will definitely shred you to pieces when I catch you! The hunter guide stood aside, shivering. His back was covered with sweat. He felt remarkably chilly when the night breeze blew on him. So Sergeant, are we still going? he asked the head of the entourage with caution after he was done punching the tree. No, we are going back. He is just playing tricks to lure me away from our base. He plotted to transfer the grain while I was gone, but he would never imagine that I left our partial force to guard the grain. He really should have evaluated his capabilities before he eats grain, just in case he chokes. His eyes darkened and there was a creepy sense of malice in them. He knew without using his brain that if he were to keep following the instructions, then he would only find more and more of the irritating cloths. It was an obvious trick to pull him away from the grain. The point was to stall for more time so that they could move the grain. Lets get back and outflank Meng Hun! The head of the entourage gave the order. The exhausted soldiers had to put themselves together and continue on their way with their sore and aching legs. The hunter felt like he was in a haze. He was only hired to lead, and there was no way to understand what had happened to these people. He knew his job was just to lead the way and get paid, but he was not going to sign up for any missions like that anymore. It was a strenuous, but unappreciated, job. The hunter whinged in his mind and kept going through the woods at a steady pace. He was not weaker than any twenty-year-olds. As a veteran who had been hunting in the area for over thirty years, he could move back and forth freely even with his eyes blindfolded. He was clear about when and where he should put his feet and which methods would save him the most energy, but it didnt go that smoothly for the soldiers. The route Jiang Pengji picked seemed flat and with zero traps. There were some setups along the road, and it was an extremely tiring route. The hunter was used to it, and he didnt have a hard time with it. The soldiers pushed on with their journey during the night, and it was a dreadful terrain for people to walk on. They were worn out. The head of the entourage was flustered and exasperated in his desire to kill Meng Hun for payback, so he kept hastening his soldiers to catch up. A soldier panted and talked to the head of the entourage while he was jogging. No rush, sir. Meng Hun wouldnt predict that we are wheeling around and about to hit his back. No kidding. It would take at least about an hour for four hundred people to carry the amount of grain away, and they will be encumbered and not able to march fast. Even if we dont catch them red handed, we can still catch up with them. There is no need to be in such a hurry. We can take a small break. The head of the entourages face turned dark when he heard this, and he whipped that soldier. The soldier screeched. There was a long string of blood running from one side of his forehead to the other side of his chin. He took a blank step and fell backwards onto his back and rolled off the slope. There were only some deep sounds afterwards when he hit something, and it went silent instantly. The head of the entourage had no mercy for him. Instead, he spoke in a spooky tone. Speed is a soldiers asset. How could we miss this perfect chance because of some lame reasons? Meng Hun is as slippery as an eel. Who knows what setups he has? Whoever asks for rest will end up like him! The other soldiers all went mute, and no one dared to say a word. They lowered their heads and held their breath just in case they would get whipped if they made any noise by breathing too heavily. The head of the entourage said arrogantly, Since no one disapproves of this, then we will continue on our way to capture Meng Hun alive. That will grant us honor as long as we catch Meng Hun. I will ask for a reward from the County Chief, and you wont need to worry about your career. You guys will only have a prosperous career, life, and money. Wealth, pretty girls, and an elevated social status will chase after you. With that motivation, the soldiers cast their fear behind. A feeling of pride rose in their hearts. Not long after, the bandits stockade was within a reachable distance. There was light in the stockade as well. The head of the entourage couldnt stop from laughing. He pointed at the beam of light and said to his soldiers, That dumba** Meng Hun did plan to lure me out of my base to stall for more time. He just didnt expect me to keep some of our own force here to protect the grain. He seriously believed the grain is just like take out food. He has to exchange the grain for his life They were getting closer and closer, and he felt a surge in his heart when he sniffed blood in the air. He was full of excitement because he was convinced that it was the proof that Meng Hun was there and had tried a sneak raid. It was very likely that they were severely wounded and they fled. They were only one hundred meters away from the gate of the stockade when the hunter suddenly had a bad feeling; he felt like he was being targeted by some horrendous animals. His hunch had saved his life multiple times from danger, but it had never been that intense before He paused in his steps and quickly rolled over. The hunter felt as though both his hands and legs fell asleep. It felt like he would have already lost his life if he had rolled over one second later. His actions were out of blue, but it helped to wake up the head of the entourage from his self-satisfaction and extreme ecstasy. He put on his poker face. What the hell are you doing? A weird piercing sound came from above before he finished his inquiry. Some miserable shrieks came from the back of the troops. The exhausted soldiers went down one by one like harvesting rice, one sweep after another. The head of the entourage started to get frightened. It was darkness wherever he looked, and there was not even a shadow of his enemies. It seemed like all the arrows were coming out of nowhere. It was only three rounds of shooting and only around thirty out of the hundred of his soldiers that remained alive. The rest had all been shot like targets. The entourage was just as timid as a hare. The previous Master of the Mengs really should feel shame about his descendants continuing to use the useless entourage leader. Jiang Pengji sat on a branch. She was considering giving the head of the entourage some arrows for dessert, but she hadnt expected that he would be so heartless as to grab the dead bodies of his entourage and use them as a shield. All the random arrows slammed into the dead bodies instead of hurting him at all. It was rare that someone could be so useless. Qiguan Rang didnt have excellent night vision. He only understood that she was belittling her opponent. Jiang Pengji slapped the tree trunk, and it made a loud, harsh sound. Her troops heard the signal and cupped their hands on their mouths. They yelled, It is ridiculous that the previous Master of the Mengs was considered a hero! Qiguan Rangs heart suddenly dropped. He was spooked by the thunderously loud shout. It is a shame that his descendants are as timid as dogs. Qiguan Rang almost dropped his fan out of surprise. Was it really okay that they were mocking their enemies so obviously? At that moment, Qiguan Rang remembered the last coarse cloth that Jiang Pengji had left for her enemies. It had a statement that said that the Mengs were dogs. Qiguan Rang had nothing more to say about it. That could really make people mad, okay? He felt like his brain would explode for sure. There was a bullet screen that jumped out of the streaming room, and Jiang Pengjis eyes glittered with light. Everyone shoutsCCMengs Master slaughtered enemies for the safety of the civilians. His descendants lost the son as well as the grain! One generation is worse than the next one. Shame on your ancestors! Chapter 232 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The streaming room was full of talented people. It was Jiang Pengjis first time feeling as though the viewers in the streaming room were not entirely useless. At least they had the gift to make up swear words. Qiguan Rang was completely stunned about it. There was no way for him to know that a well-mannered, gentry clan member could swear so well. Even though it felt good for him as well, it was just hard to believe that Liu Xi was a gentry clan member. The gate opened a new world for Qiguan Rang. About a hundred of the troop members shouted simultaneously, which was echo infused from being around the mountains. The head of the entourage felt a spike of fear stab into his heart and he almost fainted. He looked at the dead bodies around him, which made him start to black out, tremble, and almost fall on the ground. The hunter sneakily crawled out of his hidden spot. He didnt have the guts to look around. His shirt was smeared with the soldiers blood and he could still feel the sticky and warm liquid on his hands. He freaked out and his face went pale. He rolled and crawled away on his hands and knees, desperate to keep his life. It was tempting pay for guiding the way for them, but it was not good enough for him to risk his life for it. It didnt make sense if he was wealthy after losing his life. He was determined that he was not going to take any jobs like that anymore. The head of the entourage was a person who cherished his own life. Staying in the bandit stockade would be a wiser idea than hanging around outside of it. At least there were buildings and shade in the stockade to protect him from the scary arrows. However, when he and surviving subordinates abandoned the dead bodies of their own troops and broke into the stockade ablazed with lights, they were even more terrored by the bloody scene inside. The dead bodies in the stockade were several times more than those outside, and each of the dead bodies had multiple arrows penetrating them. Some of the fatal wounds on the dead bodies were not from the arrows. Not even one of them survived, which proved that their lives were taken individually after the attack. The head of the entourage, who couldnt care less about peoples lives, got cold feet and went mute after he saw the scene. B boss, that looks to be the Second Langjun An injured soldier, trembling with fear, pointed at a blackened, dead body. What? What the soldier had said brought the head of the entourage abruptly to his senses. He scrambled over to the dead body. The body was extremely cold, stiff, and there was a rotten smell to it. It was only the face that was recognizable, so he knew who it was. The head of the entourage came to realize why Meng Hun and his people were shouting that his descendants had lost a son as well as the grain because Meng Liang was long gone before that night and the coldness of the dead body resembled the frozen meat in an icehouse. He dropped into a deeper desperation Based on the condition of the body, it wasnt hard to guess that Meng Liang wasnt killed recently. The head of the entourage blanked out from terror the moment he realized this. He felt a harsh stab of anger drive into his heartCChe felt so angry that he tasted blood in his mouth, but he suppressed it. It was not the only stimuli. B boss, the grain disappeared, too It was entirely vacant in the stockade. There wasnt a piece of grain left at all. The head of the entourage finally couldnt hold the blood in his mouth any longer. He puked it out after he heard the additional news. His eyes eyes rolled back and only showed the whites as he fell into a coma. How could he not be so furious that he puked blood? How could he not be so furious that he fell into a coma? Meng Liang was killed awhile ago, but Meng Hun deceived them by saying that Meng Liang was still alive. He snatched the Mengs grain and made up those humiliating words. He made sure that they were shouted loud so that no one would miss the fact that he murdered Meng Liang and deceived them for the Mengs grain. Meng Liang destroyed Meng Huns wife and daughter and Meng Hun finally got revenge. Meng Hun didnt just kill Meng Liang, he also took the three thousand dans of grain away from them and made the Mengs feel smug about it. Meanwhile, he just watched them as though he was watching a comedy show It was very likely that Meng Hun had laughed at the Mengs while they were being as stupid as pigs. They had truly lost the son as well as the grain. It was depressing earlier. But do you feel joyful now? Jiang Pengji was riding high. How could I not be? Meng Huns hands were shivering and he kneeled hard on the ground. He bowed to her with his massive body. From now on, you are just my second parent to help me be reborn. My life belongs to you. My whole lifes goal is to be busy doing whatever you ask. I wont hesitate to give up my life for you as long as you request it! Jiang Pengji schooled her smile and said something significant instead of helping him stand up. Remember your oath today. I hope nothing will change your loyalty no matter what happens to you. It was a great disguise for her to keep pretending to be a man, but it didnt mean she was going to keep the secret forever. There would be a day when she would tell the whole world that Liu Xi was a genuine woman, not the son of the Lius. The way people treated men and women was nothing similar. Even if both sexes did the same thing, men would very likely be praised, but women would be criticized. It would be as though a hen crowed in the morning. Jiang Pengji was extremely curious about Meng Huns attitude and if he would stay loyal to her after he learned about her secret. Meng Hun was steadfast about it and said, I will be struck by lightning and split into pieces if I infringe on my oath. Get up. Its rather cold on the ground. Jiang Pengji beamed with a grin as she brought Meng Hun to his feet. Its indeed joyful, but have you considered how we are going to cope with the consequences? Qiguan Rang watched them both. They were relaxed and pleased, but he had to dampen them with a fair warning. I have had my route of retreat since I planned this. We will only leave a small portion of the troops in the cottage and the rest we will disguise as bandits. We will still be working on suppressing the bandits under the table and absorbing some of the bandits as potential assets in order to expand our troop, Jiang Pengji said calmly. There are divided groups of bandits in Hejian County that even the government cant take measures against. But they make a perfect disguise for us to hide out in. The Mengs might deploy some troops in retaliation Qiguan Rang paused for a second when he mentioned this. Meng Hun was the one taking all the blame and retaliation from the Mengs. The Mengs would be looking for a trace of Meng Hun instead of picking on the bandits in Hejian County. They didnt have that good of a heart to make a contribution and gain credit from Hejian County Chief by doing the work for him. They do what they want to. But we are not so silly as to stay still after we make a blunder, Jiang Pengji responded indifferently. In a couple more days when the tension is lower, I plan to leak the information that Meng Hun has fled somewhere away from Hejian County to distract the Mengs attention. The Mengs are too busy to wipe their own a** from all the chaos in Meng County, Cang Prefecture. There is not enough force for them to deploy here to get revenge for his own son. It was already an eventful year. The Mengs still had messes that needed to be cleaned up. Where could they split extra forces? She would be departing Hejian County in around three months, anyway. She would be impressed if they could keep track of her. So we are just going to keep the grain in stock? Qiguan Rang asked. We will stock the grain in the cellar for now and I will assign some guards for surveillance. The most dangerous place is also the safest. Those dumba**es must have bought that Meng Hun and his people had transferred the grain, but they wont expect that we only moved it from above ground to underground. Jiang Pengjis eyes were incisive and she talked with acrimony, but no one found it obnoxious. Chapter 233 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Something serious just happened! The sun had just risen when the County Chief of the Hejian was woken up by his servant. The County Chief sat up, his eyes barely open. What are you yelling about Go back to sleep. I will go and check what has happened. His favorite concubine was disturbed by them as well and she pouted at the County Chief. Laoye, it isnt even dawn yet. Its very likely something happened. Naturally, the Hejian County Chief was upsetCCanyone who was woken up from a sound sleep would be. Not to mention someone like him, who had led a privileged life for many years. He was normally pretty grumpy when he got up in the mornings. He rolled out of bed, put his clothes on his shoulders, and left the room in a hurry. However, when he heard his servants report, his remaining sleepiness disappeared instantly. He was so frightened by the news that he nearly fell on the ground. WhatCCwhat are you saying? Say it again! Who is dead? The Hejian County Chiefs eyes were wide open and his face was full of astonishment. What happened last night? Be more specific! He spoke rapidly, as though he was telling a tongue twister, which was unlike his normal slow and easy speed. The Hejian County Chief grabbed the servants collar and pulled him toward himself. The servant was full of fear; his legs became soft and his whole body shivered. They were so close together that County Chiefs hot breath hit the servants face while he was speaking, which made the servant even more nervous. He faltered as he said the same thing he had told the County Chief, Laoye, something big occurred last night. Rumor has it that the son of the Mengs in Cang Prefecture was murdered. The Hejian County Chief was startled; he only hoped that he was stuck in a nightmare instead of standing there listening to bad news. Which one is the son of the Mengs in Cang Prefecture? If it was one of the branches of the Mengs in Hejian County, it wasnt that big of a deal. But he had a bad hunch about it His gut told him that the one who died was someone important in the Meng family. What is his identity? The servant took a deep breath and opened his mouth again. What I heard was the one who was murdered was the second son of the head of the Mengs. His name is Meng Liang. The second son! The name struck him like lightning. He froze, then lost the control of his legs and sat on the ground. Lao Laoye, are you okay? The servant was already scared, but he panicked when he the head of the family lost control. Help me stand up The Hejian County Chief grabbed the servants arm to support himself as he stood up. His head was blank for the moment. The only feeling he had was that it was really an unlucky year for him. He must have messed around with a god and that was why he was being punished. Otherwise, who could explain why the girl from a noble family almost got herself involved in an accident in Hejian County, and now the second son of the Mengs was murdered? Laoye, what should we do now? The servant still vividly remembered the scene where the head of an entourage broke into the town gate and slayed their citizens a month ago. He hadnt taken the Hejian County Chief seriously because of the name of the family he served. If the Mengs makes a fuss about it, Im afraid Even though Meng Liang wasnt killed by the Hejian County Chief, his murder occurred under his jurisdiction. It was highly probable that he would be blamed, for the Mengs would be furious about the incident. The Hejian County Chief brought himself back to reality. He tried to pull himself together and pretended to be calm. Why am I afraid? I didnt do anything wrong. The Mengs own people came to the Hejian County Chief without giving us any warning. He was the one who was killed, but I am the one taking the responsibility? Even though he said so, the Hejian County Chief didnt have much confidence that he wouldnt be involved. He needed to consult with someone else in such a circumstance. All of a sudden, he thought about Liu She. He made up his mind and shouted, Get the wagon ready. We are going for a trip to Liu Mansion. The servant quickly nodded and said, Im on it. He didnt go far before he turned back around to the County Chief. Sorry, I almost forgot to report another thing. The Hejian County Chief asked with anger, What else? Say it at once. The servant replied, The guard who protected the town gate reported that they found a trace of a suspicious grain dispatch team. The County Chief asked, Are you suggesting that the grain dispatch team murdered Meng Liang? Not really. A hunter came to the bureaucratic this morning to deliver important news. Apparently, the grain that the dispatch team was transporting was prepared by the Mengs as a ransom for Meng Liang. The ferocious murderers had the upper hand, however. They killed Meng Liang anyway, then deceived the Mengs into delivering the grain to them, anyway. The hunter claimed that there was a nasty fight last night in the mountain and most of the members of the dispatch team were killed by the murderers; there were only about thirty of them left alive. Now they are all in the bureaucratic. The servant reported the second thing to the County Chief without stopping for a breath. Hejian County Chief was stunned after he heard the news. The first piece of news made him frightened, but the second was more complicated. He had never liked the way the Mengs dealt with others, but he never expected that the killers would be so bold as to kill the person as well as take the grain. Hejian County Chief pondered this and changed his mind. Change of plans: Lets go to the bureaucratic first and then to Liu Mansion. Make sure you send a letter to Liu County Chief about our visit. It seemed like a usual, calm day but there was an undercurrent that was deeply affecting Dongqing Dynasty. The average citizen wouldnt have a clue, but the ones who received the information swiftly reacted. The ones who survived from the dispatch team were all part of the Mengs army, which meant they would keep their mouth shut without leaking a single word. They had miscalculated that there was a hunter who barely avoided dying in the fight, however. He didnt have the loyalty and his mouth was not as sealed as the rest. He gave out all the details of what had happened after he was faced with a bit of bribery and threats. Of course, he included two sentences to taunt the Mengs troops: It is ridiculous that the previous Master of the Mengs was a hero It is a shame that his descendants are as timid as dogs. And the other two sentences: Mengs master slaughtered enemies for the safety of his civilians. His descendants lost the son as well as the grain! Even a person who didnt have a brain understood why Meng Liang was murdered: They were trying to humiliate the Mengs. Everyone feared the power of the Mengs. There was never a single person who dared to say that, of course, but it didnt mean they didnt think it. As one of the four noble families in Dongqing Dynasty, it was pathetic that they were taunted by some murderers. Remembering that the Mengs master was such a hero, his descendants ended up dead and insulted in such a manner. It made people feel sorry for them. For a while, those two sentences spread in the streets like they had wings. People were always gossipy, no matter from what era they were from. The spirit to dig up a secret never changed. Before the Hejian County Chief came in for his visit, Liu She had heard several versions of the story and there was something complicated growing in his heart. Clearly he knew who was behind it, and he was fully prepared mentally. But it still shook him a little the moment he received the message. Help me out. If you tell me there is nothing I can get away with, the rampant Mengs will definitely not let me go. Hejian County Chief was so worried that he had blisters on his lips. Liu She shook his head and smiled at him. He elegantly made a cup of tea for the Hejian County Chief and leisurely spoke, There is nothing difficult to deal with. This Meng Langjun is one of the Mengs, thats for sure, but technically he is still a citizen without scholarly honor on him. He was killed in Hejian County, which was totally the fault of his own entourage for not guarding him well enough. The worst you could get from them is not managing your affairs well enough and letting the bandits cause trouble in your county. The only thing you need to do is catch the ones who are responsible for this in order to make up for the mistake you made. You suppress the people causing trouble and settle the citizens down. What else could the Mengs get from you? Chapter 234 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The County Chief thought it through and actually agreed to it. He was just a County Chief, so how could he maintain enough force to catch the bandits? It was difficult enough to pay the guards for the County Chiefs place. He sighed and said in shame, You dont know my situation. Even though I have the same title as you, there is no comparison between you and I. I dont actually have solid power in my hands, nor do I have any grain or military force. Im really incapable of suppressing the bandits in my jurisdiction, not to mention help my citizens have a safe and peaceful place to live in. I have all the intentions, but none of the power. Im literally out of solutions for these bandits. If I had the force and the grain, I wouldnt watch the bandits expand and harass my own citizens. He had the ambition to be a good County Chief and contribute to the welfare of his people, but unfortunately, Hejian County was a place with too many people in high positions. The so-called County Chief, who didnt have the true power, was only the puppet of people that were higher up. He would end up retiring early. He had considered collecting people to become a military force to suppress the bandits, but the bandits were already way too much of a threat to realistically defeat them. Liu She couldnt help but sigh. He was sympathetic for his classmate. After a while, there was hesitation on Liu Shes face. He said to Hejian County Chief, We have known each other a long timeCCwe are classmates. It would be cruel for me to watch you be condemned by the Mengs and do nothing. The only solution at the moment is to catch the bandit who killed the Meng Langjun. If you need people, why dont you suppress some bandits for your citizens and borrow some force from some families? It wont bring any harm to you, even if they can only provide some grain. The Hejian County Chief had an awkward look on his face after he heard Liu Shes idea. The solution could indeed help resolve the imminent difficulty, but he would be the one embarrassed. The families that Liu She was referring to were the other gentry clans in Hejian County. It sounded like he would be begging for help. Liu She noticed the hesitation on the County Chiefs face. He spoke with a strong sense of righteousness, I dont have a solid foundation of my own, but just a bit of pathetic possessions. Im not the one who can inherit the last name of the family, considering Im just the second branch of the family. What I can do is very limited but if you dont mind, Id like to provide you with a hundred servants to help you suppress the bandits. Gentry clans had big household and they owned had large numbers of servants. But there were principles and rules to forming a troop of servants, which meant there was a certain standard to stabilize the number of people within the troop. After all, it wouldnt be necessary to have too many people. The more they had, they more expenses they would have to pay. In a normal scenario, the Hejian County Chief wouldnt borrow many people from the other gentry clan families, except for those who had the funds and kept a private military. A hundred people was a tremendous number. It was very generous of him How could the Hejian County Chief not be touched? The last couple times there was an action to suppress the bandits, they only used the force of about one or two hundred people. Hejian County Chief made up his mind and flattened his brows. If it wasnt inappropriate under the current circumstances, he would have laughed out loud. That would be a big help for me! I owe you big timeCCno matter if we catch the guys who are responsible for this or not. Liu She burst into a big smile and said something about brotherhood out of courtesy. The Hejian County Chief naturally would return the favor after he took such a big favor from him. One hundred people meant that there was a hundred more mouths that needed to be fed. Liu She had provided the force, it would be outrageous to ask for grain as well. Therefore, he decided he would have to pay a visit to the other gentry clans and ask around to see if they could offer some support in the form of people, or even just a bit of grain. After all, to those gentry clans, people were more valuable than grain. It wouldnt be considered a big matter if it could be solved by offering some grain. Training the guards took a lot of energy, money, and resources. It would be a big loss if there were casualties in the people they lent out. Using grain to support him would be a better deal comparably. With Liu She taking the lead, the other gentry clans wouldnt act like cheapskates; they would at least spare some grain. It would be embarrassing for him, but it would be worth it if it could help him get through the crisis. The Hejian County Chief started to feel more comfortable when he thought of all that. The moment Jiang Pengji came back home after she dealt with the follow-ups, she got the message from the doorman that Liu She wanted to see her. Why do you want to see me, father? Jiang Pengji was puzzled. She wondered if he was going to berate her for the incident the night before. I found some suckers to take the blame for free. Jiang Pengji was confused. What suckers? Liu She smiled and picked up a cup of tea. He elaborated to her about the Hejian County Chiefs visit. You have at least a hundred people in your troop, right? If youd like to, we can lend your troop to the Hejian County Chief. He will be the one giving orders on the surface, but you will still be the secret commander. You guys can split the trophy and the praise for the bandits being caught. I can talk to the Hejian County Chief and offer him some alternatives. Jiang Pengji had been suppressing the bandits under the authoritys nose and she could absorb the transformable ones into her own troop. It was truly a good idea to expand the troop, but it was not legitimate. If they were traced back to them, it would be hard to explain. Liu She wanted to take the chance to make it legal and, in the process, they could give the Hejian County Chief a leg up. Of course, it was not appropriate for Liu She to make the decision for her, considering the one hundred people still belonged to her. If Jiang Pengji was unwilling to provide the troops, Liu She had decided he was going to deploy a hundred people from his own guards to the Hejian County Chief. Jiang Pengji was deep in thought and she couldnt deny that it was tempting. To make it legitimate was only one of the benefits; the other benefit was that the government would take on all the expenses for the troops during the operation to suppress the bandits. The Hejian County Chief would collect the grain from the other gentry clans to feed her troops and she wouldnt spend a penny. It was clear that the County Chief would get most of the credit, but she deserved more options for selecting the people in her troop from the captured banditsCCor even more benefits. To make it simple, she would use other peoples pocket money to maintain her own troop. Among all the gentry clans in Hejian County, more than enough of the clans had money and grain. Even though they could be cheapskates, they would give any amount away to maintain their reputation, which meant there was going to be considerable amounts of grain available. Jiang Pengji believed that there would be some leftovers after her troop had used some. Its of course a yes, considering the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages. The bandits near Hejian County have to be gone. We could only do it in the dark before, but now we can do it with a legitimate name and someone will pay for the expense. I would definitely regret not taking the deal. It was never easy to start from scratch. A person would normally only be aware of the costs of running a household when they were just in charge of taking care of the family. The troop was still a small size, but eventually it would expand into a large troop with a thousand or more people. She wouldnt be able to afford to keep her troops based on her possessions. What Liu She had suggested absolutely solved a future problem and saved a big portion of the expense for her. He pressed his lips together, trying to suppress his smile. But the gentle, delighted smile exposed his true feelings. Since you said yes, then I will give the County Chief a response tomorrow. Liu She paused for a second and then inquired in a low voice, About Meng Liang Have you finished all the follow-ups? Dont worry, father. Everything was done clean and neat, Jiang Pengji answered with certainty. They shared an eye contact. They both sensed the cunning nature in each others eyes. At that moment, the message of the second son of the Mengs was spreading quickly in the streets. And there was a sealed message that had leaked, telling of the civil chaos that the Mengs had been putting all their efforts on. Someone had noticed the change. Chapter 235 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Hejian County Chief abandoned his dignity and raised more than a thousand dans of grain, along with all sorts of weapons and other sundries. As he had expected initially, with the exception of Liu She, no one was willing to provide human force. They all chose to send him away with money. He thought the force Liu She had deployed was the elites he had been secretly supporting in Hu County. Hejian County Chief was rather confident that the suppressing bandits mission would be successful. He integrated all the items he had collected into an inventory and handed it to Liu She. He made it clear that he was never good at deploying and he hoped Liu She would spare some of his time and effort for it. No matter what, it was Liu Shes force. Liu She promised to lend it to him, but after all, the Hejian County Chief shouldnt take his job and point fingers. Liu She was not going to refuse the supplies. He took it after the Hejian County Chief continually urged, even though he had declined multiple times. He then immediately turned around and gave it to his daughter. Jiang Pengji had no comment. He only did some talking before tons of grain and goods came to them. She finally started to see how the second branch of the Lius was so wealthy. Liu She couldnt see her idea and implied to her, The County Chief is so on edge that he couldnt eat or sleep well. He is eager to see the guy who is responsible captured as soon as possible. Jiang Pengjis heart pumped. She knew exactly what he meant and nodded at him. Leave it to me, father. I know what Im doing. They would still suppress the bandits, but which ones she was going to suppress was entirely up to her. What she needed to do was hand them a pretty result. She assumed that the Hejian County Chief would be very grateful and he would think that Liu She was his best buddy and Liu Xi was a young hero. Anyway, the benefits from both supplies and reputation would go to them and the other people would still be pleased, even though they were being taken advantage of. Liu She urged her over and over again anxiously, The wood that stands out of the forest will be destroyed first; the dirt pile sticking out of the shore will be crushed first. The common people are averagely fatuousCCthats why people with good conduct and capabilities are most often the objects of jealousy and condemnation. I dont want you to go through this. Therefore, it will be necessary for you to hide your talent to avoid unnecessary conflicts with others. What matters the most is still the result. It would be stupid to play the role of a hero out of impulse to strive for a temporary victory. No one had knowledge of her future plans, but Liu She was fully aware of her ambition and talents. He had watched as his kid laid her fingers on the lifeblood of the Mengs, but she was still acting leisurely and carefree. Who else was capable of doing it if it wasnt her? She needed to develop firmly and steadily. She already had some foundation; her future would go smoothly. When she was fully prepared, she would only need one chance; she would get on to the top in a short time, then she would stun the world and shake the government court. Dont worry, father. Im not some brainless, boorish guy, Jiang Pengji replied with a smile. Liu She nodded, satisfied, then realized there were some slight mistakes in her words. She could not be a boorish guy. She was his baby girl. While Jiang Pengji was working intensively on preparing to suppress the bandits and catching the murderer who persecuted the Langjun of the Mengs, the head of the entourage of the Mengs headed back to Meng County, Cang Prefecture. He felt a deep depression as he took his twenty injured soldiers, as well as Meng Liangs coffin, back to the Meng County. They were all in white mourning clothes and lifted the white covers. They did the memorial ritual for Meng Liang, including throwing paper money and ringing a bell on their way back to the Meng County. Meng Liang had been dead for awhile. In order to prevent his body from decomposing and to keep the body in one piece, they rushed out to make a special coffin with a full load of ice inside. They did it in a hurry to ensure they could deliver Meng Liangs body back to his hometown before summertime. It was not an easy thing to hurry while carrying a coffin, however. The trip would only take them half a month if they rode their horses hard, but it took them a month and a half to arrive. A month and a half many things could have happened in that time. During that time, Jiang Pengji had expanded her troop to a thousand people by suppressing bandits and recruiting from the bandits. It was the result of her being particular about the candidates. It would be easily expanded to two thousand if she had loosened the criterion for selection. Over the last month and a half, they had conquered more than twenty bandit stockades and made them into her secret strongholds. She confiscated countless trophies from suppressing the bandits. She turned all the antiques, calligraphy, and painting masterpieces over to the authority, but kept the grain, cotton, and money for herself. The Hejian County Chief was well aware of why she did it, but he didnt say anything about it. In the current era, knowledge was priceless. Therefore, the value of the antiques, calligraphy, and paintings were worth much more than the grain. But that rule didnt work the same way for Jiang Pengji. She knew very well that the only way for her to survive in a world full of turmoil was to strengthen her power. The antiques, calligraphy, and paintings were just some mere worldly possessions that would come to her eventually. That was why those precious objects were only shabby papers in her eyes. She didnt feel bad about giving them away. The fact that she didnt care didnt mean other people would think the same. When the Hejian County Chief saw the all the possessions that Jiang Pengji handed in, he reckoned her as a too honest and a moral person, as she was suffering losses. Since he took advantage of the deal, he was left dealing with the captured bandit members and Liu She. The only pity was that they still couldnt catch the worst one, Meng Hun, who had slaughtered Meng Liang. But the County Chief felt soothed as soon as he thought about the other hidden dangers in the Hejian County area day by day. The Hejian County Chief harbored a certain sense of envy towards Liu She. Look at his elite soldiers and look at my own. The gap is way too huge, he thought. The former soldiers were serious when they talked with the bandit. They told him there would be a flood of blood. The latter could only watch the bandit chase after them and grow bigger. With the development of the troop, Meng Hun secluded him to the back and left the double work pressure to Xu Ke. Xu Ke was fully occupied to the point that he barely had time to breathe. If it wasnt for Qiguan Rang occasionally swinging by to lend him a hand, he would have been worn out already. When there was a moment he could take a break, he noticed his Langjuns troop had enlarged to a scale of a thousand people. 1,000 private soldiers meant nothing to a gentry clan that had some foundation. But considering how long the troop had been established and its current status, it was unbelievable how swiftly it had developed. Even though Xu Ke had been watching the whole process, he was surprised by it. You seem to have gotten a lot busier recently. Qiguan Rang and Wei Yuans daughters wedding was scheduled after August. It seemed quite far away, but the truth was it was barely enough time for them to go through the complex thousands of rituals required at that time. If Wei Yuan wasnt in a hurry to marry off his daughter, it could easily have consumed more than a year. Qiguan Rang was regarded as a soon-to-be groom. It was obvious that he was in a delightful mood. People were in high spirits when they were involved in happy events. There was no longer any gloom on his face. Im not as idle as you are Xu Ke said to him in a cold tone. He had recently increased his interactions with Qiguan Rang because of work. They had quite a bit of common interests and had built up a bit of a relationship between them. You and Master Gongcao put your bet on Langjun. Why havent you made a commitment with her yet? Jiang Pengji was secretly evolving her force at an increased speed, but there was no hidden perils like an unstable foundation. Xu Ke should have the most credit for helping tamp the foundation. However, everyone had a limited capability, as well as limited energy. When there were nearly a hundred people in the troop, he was in charge of the internal affairs and Meng Hun was in charge of the external affairs. Their cooperation helped to organize the troop into a good order. But now, Meng Hun could only hide himself from the public because of the sensitive timing, which meant his work was piling onto Xu Kes shoulders. In the current scenario, the size of the troop had extended ten times its initial size; naturally, the quantity of his work had increased more than ten times. There was only an increase in the quantity of the work, but no increase in his paycheck. What was more, he was the sole person for all the work; he had no one to share it with. He felt like he was going to start a rebellion. Chapter 236 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke was a sly person, so it was transparent to him that Qiguan Rang was very fond of his Langjun. Then why hasnt he joined the club yet? If he joined them, I can finally be set free from the heavy duty and I can shovel all the painstaking internal affairs to Qiguan Rang. Xu Ke already had dark circles under his eyes from staying up late day after day. A young man lacking in energy would make people misunderstand his personal lifestyle; theyd think he was some horny guy that kept himself occupied every night. Its not time yet. Qiguan Rang forced a fake smile but somehow it was his weak point that made his lips arch in a weird and stiff way. Time? Xu Ke pushed. Not even now? Being the icing on the cake was just as good as saving a life. The camaraderie to be on her side couldnt compare with what theyd have after she gained a firm foothold. Qiguan Rang took a glance at Xu Ke and said, Dongqing Dynasty still exists and the royal family still has some power. Its just not the time yet. We have to wait. Xu Ke went mute for a short moment. He started to comprehend what Qiguan Rang really meant. As long as Dongqing Dynasty was not doomed, there was no way for Jiang Pengji to be free and use her talent. The business was small so far, so Xu Ke would be able to manage it himself. It would be pointless for Qiguan Rang to join the gang, except if he could guarantee that Xu Ke would clock out on time and he would no longer be under an unbearable amount of stress from work. If it was so, Qiguan Rang made up his mind to wait a while until Jiang Pengji needed him. If it was someone else who had shown the intention of submitting it would be different, but he had been stalling for some reason. The person who wanted him would have already blown up on him. What made Qiguan Rang grateful was that Xu Ke was reserved, which was totally acceptable for Jiang Pengji, and he earned some support from her as well. That was a tacit agreement between him and Jiang Pengji. They were either teachers to each other or friends, which made it relaxing for them to cope with each other. Because of that, Qiguan Rang showed up every now and then to help Xu Ke with some of his work. Xu Ke gave him a dirty look and said in a depressed voice, I only hope that day will come sooner. Otherwise, he would have exhausted his last bit of energy in his office based on how the development of his Langjun had increased. His Langjun was playing the perfect role of a hands-off manager. Xu Ke almost choked on the words, Amateurs should keep their hands out of the professionals business. He kept his own hands clean. Qiguan Rang took a good look at Xu Ke and teased him, You are at the right age to have your own family. Why dont you spend some time and consider it? No matter how unable she is to talk reasonably, he wouldnt be that indifferent about his subordinates marriage life, right? It wouldnt be hard to convince her to give Xu Ke some days off if Xu Ke used the pretext of looking for a girl to marry and have babies with. Qiguan Rang had to admit that the other reason he hadnt given Jiang Pengji a positive answer was that he still planned to have some free time and he wasnt ready to be buried with work yet. Xu Ke had several changes in his expression after he heard this. Apparently the answer made him feel conflicted. This suggestion is truly He was about to say that there were some aspects of Qiguan Rang that very much resembled his Langjun. Jiang Pengji would tell him the exact same rhetoric if she had acknowledged how busy Xu Ke had been. ( Boxno vel. co m ) Somehow, all of a sudden, Xu Ke didnt want Qiguan Rang to work with them anytime soon. He was terrified to imagine what it would be like when Qiguan Rang ganged up with his Langjun. He probably would end up dead just from worrying about wiping their a**es. Qiguan Rang compressed his lips and said to Xu Ke, You dont have to be frustrated. There will be people with talents knocking on your door once everyone knows Liu Langjuns name. Xu Ke didnt feel any better after that. Until then? He probably would already have sacrificed his life for his work. Just because Jiang Pengji stuck with hands-off managing didnt mean she was clueless about her own matters. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: The host has been streaming a lot of shopping recently, which is kind of boring. Mainvhaide Xiaohuochai: #Chin Resting Emoji. Our host is not Konan in the Japanese animation. The incidents dont just happen wherever she goes. The documentary of suppressing the bandits the host streamed for us was thrilling at the beginning. But once you have watched enough, the stimulation fades away, as well. We just reckon it as if we are watching a cooking show while she is shopping and looking for delicacies. Almost a month and a half had passed, but the maximum limitation in the streaming room was still ten thousand people. She opened the stream every day and with the turnover of the people in the streaming, plus the many rewards she received, Jiang Pengji had accumulated 986,000 points. She wasnt far from breaking the record of one million. The System was coveting the points she had. It tried to persuade Jiang Pengji multiple times to rank up the level of her streaming room, but each time it got a cold no from her. It was so pissed, off but there was nothing it could do to force her. Toudu Feiqiu: In my opinion, it is not bad for a change of taste. Anyway, no matter what our host streams about, its fun. Beside, think about the piles and piles of work on Xu Kes desk. Wouldnt it be more boring than this if our host put all her attention into handling that? After he sent this bullet screen, there was a second of silence and then a series of laughter all over the screen to show sympathy to Xu Ke. Xilide Buxing: Xu Ke must be doomed to have an exploitative boss like our host. Koujiao Chifan: If she was my boss, I would strongly request all the benefits and a raise! Jiang Pengji was sitting in a noodle place on the street, slurping some tasteless noodles while she multitasked by peaking at the bullet screens. In the meantime, she eavesdropped on the customers conversations in the noodle place. She came up with a thought and put up a host bullet screen. Host V: Didnt I ask Taxue to pick up some new clothes for Xu Ke and his aunt earlier when I passed the clothing store? When she gave a gift to a person, she generally tried to gift them whatever they needed most. Jiang Pengji thought about all the possibilities and it appeared that Xu Ke was living in decent conditions and there were no necessities that he required. She went for the shortcut and asked her people to prepare some clothes, food, and money, wrap them up as one package, and deliver it to Xu Kes aunts place. It should be considered a raise, shouldnt it? Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: It sounds reasonable and Im sure Xu Ke is not going to argue about it. But you forgot the most important one: a holiday. It was not a bad deal to give him a raise, but it wouldnt make sense if he wouldnt have time to spend the money he earned because he was utterly occupied. He still deserved their sympathy. Jiang Pengji felt a bit embarrassed. Host V: The capable ones are always busy. Considering our current situation of a shortage of human resource, I will keep the record of his holidays and promise him a long one in the future. She made it sound sweet, but Xu Ke and the viewers in the streaming room didnt buy her bullsh*t. Xu Kes bosss daily activities were either wandering around for fun or suppressing bandits. How could Xu Ke not feel unbalanced as her subordinate? Jiang Pengji felt like she was wrong. It was absolutely true that she was fussing around suppressing the bandits, but she wouldnt admit that she had been wandering around for fun. She had a proper reason for hanging around on the streets every day. She paid three pennies for her noodles after she finished her meal and the other customers all left after her. She went back to her place and looked for the inventory that Xu Ke had made in the study room. All sorts of items were categorized with care, which made it simple and easy to check. She put the inventory down and picked up piece of bamboo made paper that was at one of the corners of the table. It had all sorts of data listed on it. Toudu Feiqiu: It has been several days since I last checked on the Host. What is our host looking at now? Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Perhaps the grain price in the recent days. It seems that the price has risen up to twice the price it was three days ago. The price is really scary. Chapter 237 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Geini Kange Baobei: @Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo, I dont worship anyone else but you. To be nice, the hosts handwriting is like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. To be honest, what the heck does she write that you could even understand? You are truly a genius. Jiang Pengjis handwriting was exactly like her carefree personality. There was a period of time when she had tried to copy Liu Xis good handwriting, but she stopped when she drew on the coarse cloth. She felt like she had found a new world and she could care less about her handwriting. She completely let go of her feelings when she was writing and her handwriting was for sure way worse than a wild scribble. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Im flattered. Toudu Feiqiu: If this is the record for the grain price in the past a couple days, does it mean that our host is starting her operation? In the streaming room in a different dimension, the viewers were always enthusiastic towards catching up with her, even though sometimes it was boring depending on what she was streaming. Especially after the streaming room had gained a reputation, more and more people believed in her and the viewers noticed that it was getting harder for them to enter the streaming room. Every single one of the spots in the streaming room was extremely difficult to obtain. People with a slow reaction speed would have trouble with it. What was worse was that the streaming was not allowed to be replayed. If any other viewers outside of the streaming room wanted to watch, they would have to wait until the next day to watch it on a third party website. Toudu Feiqiu: I consider myself one of the original viewers in this streaming room, but I never stopped for a second to catch up with the updates. He took notes about any big events or subtle trifles that happened and he had made a brochure about her life. The moment he heard the news about the grain price increasing, the first thing that popped into his head was the plan Jiang Pengji had for suppressing the grain price. His heart started to pump harder with excitement all of a sudden. Jiang Pengji shook her head. Its not time yet. In recent days, while she was wandering around along the streets, she stopped by all the tea houses, restaurants, and drinking places to listen to the citizens gossip about the recent incidents. What they had been talking about more and more was about the civil turmoil in the Meng County, Cang Prefecture. But the range of the information spreading was still limited, considering that it was not verified yet. If it was true news, how come the grain price had only doubled? Jiang Pengji muttered to them, Its still too early to implement my plan. The rumors are still brewing and it shall be some time before the real explosion of it. Then it will be time for the citizens to freak out and go crazy about buying food. The grain price wont be nearly as bad then as it is now. Some of them wouldnt buy a rumor without verifying it, but double the usual grain price made them hesitate. If Jiang Pengji decided to put her operation into action, the only result would be that the grain she had stocked in her own grain stores would be bought off by the other parties instead of the citizens. When the food crisis arrived, most of the citizens would have to suffer the pain of losing money, but they would still go for it. Therefore, she was not in a hurry. When the official government in Hejian County confirmed the rumors about the civil turmoil in Cang Prefecture, the citizens would find that the grain was too high for them to afford. That would be the time for her to start her plan. She took a look at the statistics report and it seemed that the result of the suppressing bandit operation had been a glorious victory. The money they confiscated was exchanged for grain. They brought the grain in from Zisang County at its normal market price and the accumulated amount was about 1,500 dans. Adding up the 3,000 dans they received from the Mengs and the other 1,300 dans that Hejian County Chief collected from the gentry clans, there would still be about 5,500 dans left after the quantity of grain they consumed in that period of time. That was way more than what she had expected. Taxue, let the butler know that I want to see the manager of the grain stores. Yes. The second branch of the Lius had all sorts of businesses. Half of the grain came from Gumin as property she had brought with her after she married Liu She, and the other half was from years of purchasing. There were three grain stores in Hejian County that belonged to the Lius, but they scattered into different places and had targeted different customers. The necessities like rice, woods, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea wouldnt be able to bring them the most profit, but they were in high demand and the quantity was normally tremendous. The annual profit was neither high nor low. They were in a difficult place now, as they stood to lose money along with the business as long as the managers followed the protocols. The three managers of the grain stores were panicking when they were summoned suddenly; they were terrified that they had done something wrong and they were about to be fired. Dont be nervous. I asked you to come here for some information. Jiang Pengji was seated at the head seat and asked one of the guys in a chilly tone, How has business been recently? The manager replied respectfully, It has just been all right. The citizens were anxious about the civil turmoil in Cang Prefecture, but it did help us sell grain. Other than that, is there anything else? The manager paused for a second and thought it through. Weve received some small portion purchases from the citizens, as well as some big ones. The big purchases he was talking about were, as a matter of fact, the intentional purchase in bulk from the other grain stores. Fortunately, the manager wasnt stupid. The grain price had been increasing so rapidly and it was totally justified for him to wait for a while and then sell them slowly after the grain price went up to the next level. It would be a guaranteed win for them with the grain price in its current situation. The only difference was how much profit they could make. Did you sell all of your grain? Jiang Pengji asked. The grain stores would always make sure to have some grain in stock in order to be able to continue with their transactions. The manager responded to her immediately, I wouldnt dare to do so. I always have to discuss this with the master. Jing Pengji nodded with satisfaction. We only need to keep our grain price matching our competitors in the next couple days. If the citizens ask for it, just sell it to them. But if someone ask for big purchases, it wont be necessary for you to come in to report it. Just say yes to them anyway. The three managers were uncertain about this. To them, it was clearly a perfect opportunity to make a profit. They were supposed to restrain their sales and they should wait until the grain price went up a bit more That would definitely allow for them to earn more. Jiang Pengji didnt attempt to explain. She only urged them indifferently, Just do what I say and I will give you other instructions at a later time. Every businessman was a profiteer; it was their instinct to pursue the interest only. It had never and would never change, no matter which era it was. The main purpose of her plan, however, had nothing to do with money, but instead it involved fame for Jiang Pengji. What she really wanted was both money and fame. It sounded impossible to the others, but she always grasped at a chance like what was placed in front of her. The three managers of the grain stores looked at each other. They didnt know what they could say about it because Jiang Pengji was the one in charge. Liu She wouldnt lay his hands on the domestic affairs in his family and Madam Hu never interfered with Jiang Pengjis actions. The second lady supported her without any conditions. The managers could only listen to her. Yes, they all answered at the same time. You guys can take off. Make sure to report to me when any other circumstances come up. The Mengs entourage finally arrived in Meng County, Cang Prefecture with Meng Liangs body. They carried in the coffin before the weather started to heat up. Hejian County was slightly shaking because of the civil turmoil in Cang Prefecture. Meng County was basically a dead place from a dreadful scene. There wasnt a single person anywhere and the streets were emptied out. The sun was hanging high in the sky, but people still felt the chill. The white funeral clothes floated in the air, being blown by the breeze, and there was some sough noises from them, which made the surroundings even more bleak. The County Chief Place had been burned down by Meng Hun, but it didnt affect Meng Zhan at all. He was not short of luxurious, big mansions. They came to the door of the Mengs Mansion. There were some soldiers on either side of the door standing guard. They remained cautious and kept their eyes on the streets. Chapter 238 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Who is that? The soldier saw the coffin on the wagon in the distance. He sensed their intention to approach them and he couldnt help but pull his sword out. He came towards them with a look of anger. He blocked their path and scolded them. This is the Mengs critical place. Shabby citizens like you had better get out of here before our master sees you. The head of the entourage rolled off the wagon, embarrassed, and started to cry. His head and waist were both wrapped with white cloth and he wore linen clothes for the funeral. He wore a big and messy bun. His eyes were bloodshot with big, dark bags underneath them. His face seemed to be covered with a layer of dirty grease, which made him look shaggy. I I have an emergency to report to Laoye. The Second Langjun is back! He cried while he was spoke. He kneeled on the ground and took his identity card out of his pocket with trembling fingers. Even though the soldier couldnt read, he recognized the card and his attitude completely flipped. What? The Second Langjun is back? The soldiers face changed immediately and he was about to adulate Meng Liang for a good impression until his eyes landed on the coffin in the wagon. A bad feeling spread from his back to the back of his head in a second and he felt his whole body go numb. Could could it be the Second Langjun, Meng Liang, was the one in the coffin? The assumption struck the soldier. Quickly respond to Laoye that the Second Langjuns body is back. Quickly! The head of the entourage didnt have the courage to face to the fury of Meng Zhan all by himself. He yelled at the soldier. The soldier was still in the shock from the news and he quickly turned around and rushed into the mansion, rather dazed. He was aware of what kind of anger the messenger would face. Meng Zhan was sitting in the waterside pavilion drinking with his friend. They sat face to face, talked about random subjects, and were having fun. That atmosphere didnt last long. The reckless servant made a loud noise when he came in and his rudeness upset Meng Zhan. The Mengs were one of the four noble families. The rules were so strict that even the lowest of servants had the best manners. It was hard to pick on them about their manners. Something that awkward, especially when they were hosting a guest, made Meng Liang feel shame, even though his friend didnt care much about it. Its very likely something happened. Why dont you ask them? His friend gave him a gentle smile. His peaceful eyes made people calm and at ease. Meng Zhan held onto his anger, pretended to be cool, and bowed to his friend. It is my fault that I didnt train my servants well. Im sorry to have embarrassed you. After that, he turned around and his face was dark as he walked towards the sloppy servant. Meng Zhan spoke impatiently and asked, Speak up. What has happened? The servant couldnt stop shaking and he lowered his body to the ground to make himself less visible. Then, Meng Liang noticed a strange soldier next to the servant. He appeared to be one of the guards of the Mengs from the way he was dressed. All of a sudden, the fury in Meng Zhan grew bigger. This is a place for me to treat my precious guest and even a guard who is taking care of the door can break in. If anyone else outside of this family sees this, how can they not laugh at us for being casual with the way we train our own servants? We cant even regulate them ourselves! However, before he was about to storm out, the soldier finished his report to him in a state of great terror. Lao Laoye. The Second Langjuns body just arrived. Meng Zhans brain went blank after hearing this. It was like a sudden stroke of thunder occurred next to his ears and he lost his hearing. After a long time, he regained his consciousness with a dumb face. He grabbed the soldiers collars and pulled him up. His rough motion alerted the guest sitting in the waterside pavilion. What are you saying? Whose body is back? Meng Zhans eyes wide open; it looked like his eyeballs were about to pop out. The manic look of him was an obvious contrast against his usual gentleman look. The soldier grew more and more anxious, but he replied to him subconsciously, The Second Langjuns body just arrived. The Second Langjun? Meng Zhan stepped backwards from the terror of the news and his body banged into a column in the aisle of the waterside pavilion. He lost all his strength. A group of servants was so frightened that they kneeled on the ground and kept their heads down. The friend who had been staying in the waterside pavilion overheard the noise in their direction. He went to stand up but he only saw Meng Zhans right hand covering his chest. The next thing he saw was Meng Zhan puking some blood, and then his eyes rolled back and he fell into the pond. His friend witnessed everything, but he looked puzzled. He froze in place. What on earth was happening? Meng Zhan puking blood and falling into the pond happened in a moment. Everyone was certain about what exactly happened; they even forgot to save him. It was the friend who came to the realization and ordered the servants to save the blacked out Meng Zhan from the pond. Meng Zhan woke up. Everything was familiar to him and his friend was sitting next to his bed, waiting for him to come back to consciousness. He remembered the news he heard before he passed out and rashly threw his blanket aside. Meng County Chief, the doctor just came to see you. His diagnosis is that you are overly shocked by the news and you need some time to rest. Out of the blue, Meng Zhan exploded and shoved his friend to the side. His eyes were full of resentment. Bring him over! Meng Liang was so furious that he nearly bit his own tongue, Who killed my Meng Liang? Meng Liang? His friend stood up with a sense of awkwardness. He was so shocked when he heard the name. Wasnt that the name of the Second Langjun of the Mengs? What happened to him? He watched Meng Zhan leave the room in a fit of rage. The startled face of his friend returned to normal. He organized his hat and clothes back to what they used to be and he wondered, Could it be something horrible happened to the Second Langjun of the Mengs? Remembering the young friend he accidently met before he came to Meng County, the man raised his brows. His eyes flashed with a sense of amusement. Did you predict an incident like this was ahead? He followed Meng Zhan and came to the hall where they had temporarily placed Meng Liangs coffin. All the servants were dressed in funeral white linen clothes and the decorations of the hall were modified, too. They had set the white cloth flag and burned some candles. It was clearly a scene of a mourning hall with the gigantic coffin in the middle of the room. The moment he walked in, he noticed the decomposing smell suffusing over the room. Meng Zhan had lost it. He pushed the top of the coffin aside. The body lying in it was decaying and it was covered in humongous maggots. They had used ice to freeze the body, but it had been three months since Meng Liang had died. The weather was growing warmer and there was no place to get any ice along the way back. It was absolutely normal that the body wouldnt be preserved and would be covered by maggots. The more pathetic the body looked, the more it struck Meng Zhan. He couldnt believe the one lying in the coffin was his son, but did vaguely look like Meng Liang under the face full of maggots. It was his son. Meng Zhan felt a pain in his throat and some blood ran out of his mouth when he saw it. The scene made people who saw panic again. His friend lifted his brows and he was about to take off. There was a fragrant scent he started to smell. A lady in luxurious dress put her whole body on the top of the coffin and began weeping in sorrow. People felt sympathetic for her when they saw her crying. Even with a thick layer of makeup, she didnt make a mess of her face after she cried. It was a skill for sure. The friend was confused when he heard the lady crying out the name of the Second Langjun in the coffin as her son. Wait a minute, isnt Meng Liangs biological mother the Second Lady of Liu She, the Hu County Chief? The friend heard this and his eyes widened. It felt like that he had overheard some incredible inside information. Chapter 239 - He Was So Angry That He Puked Blood (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The friend controlled his expression and tried to comfort him. Meng County Chief, Im very sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself. But a tragedy like losing a child couldnt be eased by some gentle comforting. Meng Zhan supported himself by putting his hands against the edge of the coffin. His fingers were obviously trembling and the tips of his fingers were turning white because he was holding onto the coffin too hard. His friend didnt say much after he saw his dark and furious face. He sighed and stepped aside. It was clear that Meng Zhan didnt need consolation at the moment. What he needed was an isolated space for him to calm down and ease the huge and unexpected strike. It didnt seem that Meng Zhan wanted to take time for that, however. The only thought he had now was to figure out who killed Meng Liang his fine boy. Sure he had some issues and had made some mistakes, but so what? The Mengs had been eminent since the country was founded. They had a solid foundation to help Meng Liang get away with any crimes that he had committed. If he knew Meng Liang would end up dead because he was sent to the Capital, Meng Zhan would have rather taken all the pressure and blame and kept him under his own protection. Now he had lost his life at a young age and his old father had to show up at his funeral! After all, Meng Zhan was a man. He had to act tougher than the concubines who were nearly crying their guts out. After several rounds of puking blood, his head, which was full of resentment, started to regain some reason. Bring them over. I need to know who was so bold to do something so cruel to my son! Meng Zhan could barely hold his tears back after he said that. There were blood vessels standing out on his forehead. He no longer had his normal gentle and refined posture; instead, he looked like he had aged another twenty years in a moment. His friend felt awkward, but it wouldnt be appropriate for him to leave. He was trying to remain expressionless and make himself invisible. Not soon after, the head of the entourage was flung in front of Meng Liangs coffin. He kneeled on the ground, his face, which had a thick beard, covered by his tears. The one who killed the Second Langjun is the bastard Meng Hun! He deceived you, Laoye The head of the entourage had an intense amount of anxiety in his heart and fear was eating at his mind. He was scared that Meng Zhan was going to pull out his sword and chop his head off. Meng Zhan sneered and his face was creepy and vicious. Tell me all the details! Meng Hun, hehe The friend saw his face and he couldnt stop wondering. It was his first time seeing another expression besides a genial smile on his face. He was surrounded by a morbid air, which made people feel unpleasant. It could be explained, however, as he had just lost his beloved son. The head of the entourage clenched his fists and tried to tell himself that it would be his only chance to decide if he would keep his life or not. He got his emotions ready and spoke the excuses that he had been preparing over the last month. He emphasized how treacherous Meng Liang was and he exaggerated the scene when he found Meng Liangs body. He described himself as a loyal retinue that was willing to sacrifice his own life for his master, but he could only seize Meng Liangs body because of his opponents craftiness. Laoye, you have to get revenge for the Second Langjun! the head of the entourage bowed to the ground and wailed. If it was any other situation, Meng Zhan would have kicked him right in his chest. But with the current situation, him pretending to be emotional about it might have somehow kept him alive. When we got the Second Langjuns dead body back, we noticed that the Second Langjun had been killed by blood loss They had drained all of his blood. Meng Zhans heart felt like it was being torn to pieces after he heard this. His right hand grasped hard on the left side of his chest. He clenched his teeth tight and his lips turned pale. It seemed that he was about to stop breathing and pass out again. Meng Zhan made it through and stayed conscious, but his eyes were extremely hard. Youre saying that they killed him by draining out all of his blood? He ground his teeth while he asked. That did explain why his body had no signs of blood. It was extraordinarily different from normal bodies, even though there were some parts that were decomposing. Yes! The head of the entourage nodded his head reluctantly and seemed like he was not able to control his tears. It was my fault that I couldnt keep the Second Langjun safe. Im begging you to give me a chance to seek revenge for him. I will take my own life after I accomplish my revenge. I promise to protect the Second Langjun in the world after death. Meng Zhan panted and his emotions were growing unstable again. His concubine quickly supported him by holding him up and helping him breathe. After a while, when the head of the entourage was almost guaranteed that it was a firm death for him, Meng Zhan started to speak. It was an amnesty for the head of the entourage, no doubt about it! Never mind. My son will be glad to know of your loyalty in the world after death. Meng Zhan wasnt content to say any word of that. His eyes landed on his friend. We will let them pay for my sons death! Neither the son of the Mengs or the name of the Mengs is allowed to be humiliated by those shams! If I cannot kill the guy who is responsible for this, then I will have too much shame to be even considered human. The head of the entourage suddenly remembered something and he decided to add to Meng Zhans fury. As Meng Zhans subordinate for a long time, the head of entourage knew very well about Meng Zhan. The only reason his life was spared was because there was an outsider present and it wouldnt be appropriate to expose his nature completely. He probably wouldnt end up well after the friend left. So, the head of the entourage played a trick. He pulled a blue, coarse cloth package from his sleeve and opened it up. Meng Zhan took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. He asked, What is this? The head of entourage replied, This is the iron evidence to prove how they humiliated the Mengs and fooled me. Meng Zhan snatched the package and read through all of the cloths. The more he read, the more his hands shook. He opened the biggest one, which had some scribbled characters written in blood. The blood was now dark and had a pungent smell. Meng Zhans concubine came forward to find out what it was on the cloths and she had to step back because of the intense smell. Those liars who fail to keep promises are the Mengs sons of b*tches. Meng Zhans face turned red the moment he saw the title. It was like someone had slapped his face a hundred times. You intend to humiliate my wife and daughter even after their deaths and take advantage of me. Meng Zhans heart missed a beat. He couldnt believe a dumba** like Meng Hun could see through his real intentions of the operation. His hands that were stretching the cloth out were trembling, but it didnt stop him from continuing to read. Dont blame me for overdoing it, considering what you have done to me. How can I forgive myself There was a harsh pain in Meng Zhans heart and the vessels on his forehead stood out even more. His headache was about to kill him and his whole world was spinning. He puked blood again. He slowly fell on the ground with a pale face; he barely heard the people screaming. The cloth dropped out of his nerveless hands. He puked blood a couple times in the span of one day. His constitution was greatly undermined, which determined that he would have a short lifespan. The friend quickly approached him to pick him up. He gently asked the servant to get a doctor. They then transferred Meng Zhan to his bedroom. Chapter 240 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I appreciate your help for my husband The friend stepped to the side to avoid Meng Zhans concubines bow. Judging from the gossip he had heard earlier, he had a sense that the name of the Mengs wasnt as filled with glory as it seemed. Saying that the concubines son was the son of the wifes was absolutely outrageous and disobeyed public morals. He had never heard about anything like that before. He didnt want to get near any of the mess at all. Meng County Chief will need some quiet time to rest after this. It will be absolutely not okay for him to get angry again; it would ruin his body. The doctor hadnt even stepped out of the Mengs mansion when he was recalled in a hurry. He rewrote a prescription and urged them to watch him over and over again. The friend took the chance and said goodbye to them. He was afraid he was going to overhear some explosive scandals if he stayed any longer. The Mengs were mourning Meng Liangs death. Everyone, including the Mengs military, was given the order to put on the funeral white cloth. What Meng Zhan did encountered obstructions naturally. He was scolded by the Mengs elders. Who was Meng Liang? A mere twenty-year-old wifes son. He was a wifes son to public knowledge. But some of the elders in the Mengs who had heard rumors never stopped questioning Meng Liangs identity. They always wondered whether or not he was the real wifes son. The Mengs were never so short of people that Meng Liang was the only option; they had more than enough candidates to carry on the Mengs name. A so-called wifes son was dead, but the whole Mengs military had to grieve him. Who did he think he was? Even the emperor of the Dongqing Dynasty might not be treated like that the day he passed away. What was more important was that they were at a critical time because the civil turmoil in Cang Prefecture was growing more and more nasty and out of control. Mobsters were everywhere. The Mengs military was a necessary power to handle such a matter. How could they waste their time on some stupid watch over for a kid? If they traced back of the origin of the civil turmoil, Meng Liang was the person responsible for it. If it wasnt for him acting too much like an a**hole that made public anger seethe, nobody would have put the Mengs in such a dilemma. It was not entirely bad for Meng Liang to be dead. His identity was questionable and he was never good for the family, anyway. If it wasnt for Meng Zhan spoiling Meng Liang without limitsCCwhere he would give Meng Liang whatever he asked for, even it was the moon or the starsCCand for him giving a cold shoulder to the genuine wifes son, the elders in the Mengs couldnt have cared less about Meng Liang. He was just a sheer dumba**. No matter how hard they worked to support him, him being alive was a waste of air and him being dead was a waste of a piece of land. But Meng Zhan seemed like he had his mind made up and he wasnt going to back down. The confrontation lasted for a while and there were several voices coming out from inside the Mengs military. The secret of the civil turmoil they had put a lot of effort into keeping somehow leaked to the masses. The citizens near the county smelled the news and they started to get anxious and worried about their own safety. The Mengs are truly committing sins. A wagon, plainly decorated, was parked on a mountain road. A guy in blue sitting in the wagon lifted the curtains. He stuck his head out of the window and saw the citizens in chaos. They were all dressed shabbily and they seemed sallow and emaciated. The scene reminded him a turbulent time. He couldnt stop sighing and he put his hand down. This guy was apparently the friend of Meng Zhan who had paid him a visit earlier. Laoye, are we heading to the Capital or? One of the members of the entourage had a shaky voice, full of concern and tension. There was only eleven of them, including the guy in blue, sitting in the wagon. With such a small amount of people, if they happened to encounter to a large group of mobsters, they would have difficulties keeping the guy in the wagon safe. The longer they lingered, the more dangerous it was. The guy sitting in the wagon remained silent for a bit before he made up his mind. No, let us head to Langye! He had some doubts that he felt an urgent need to verify with his young friend. The entourage didnt question his decision; he responded with a yes and took off. The wagon disappeared into the winding mountain roads. Master Yuanjing, look at what kind of students you have He had an illusion that someone was complaining to him. Because of the conflicts in the the Mengs military, the suppressing of the bandits became looser and the severe civil turmoil was growing in intensity. Hejian County, which was only half month trip away from Meng County, took the first hit. Jiang Pengji came home after a patrol of the streets. The information she collected recently didnt impress her at all. The viewers felt the cold aura around her on the other side of the screen. The playful bullet screens were only half as much as they used to be. The grain price is already the eight times more than it was before. And even so, the supply of grain is still barely caught up with the demand. Xu Ke jumped off the wagon in a rush and he strode hastily into Jiang Pengjis study room. He sat on his heels in front her. Langjun, now is the time. It would basically be impossible for them to increase the price when the grain price was out of their hands. What they would be facing was a group boycott from every grain store in Hejian County. The ones behind the grain business were gentry clans. It was formidable to stand against one or two gentry clans, but not when they unified. No rush Jian Pengji had no expression and it seemed that she was pondering something. Her reaction was on the verge of driving Xu Ke crazy. He could barely say a word. It wasnt the perfect time to play it cool. Im asking youCChave you found any refugees who have fled in the counties near us? There is nothing near Hejian County, but there is a number of refugees in Zisang County Zisang County wasnt far away from Hejian, but it was closer to Meng County, Cang Prefecture. It wouldnt be hard to believe that Zisang had the first group of refugees. Okay. Jiang Pengji banged her palm on the table and said to Xu Ke, Tell our grain stores to spread out advertisements all over Hejian County. Make sure every single citizen knows that three grain stores are going to buy a tremendous quantity of cheap grain. Advertisement? Xu Ke was confused. What is that? A way to make announcements over a wide area. We can hire several dozen young kids, or even gangsters, who are familiar with the county. We pay them with some money for shouting the news. Xu Kes eyes beamed. He truly wanted to give his master a like for the brilliant idea if it wasnt for the inappropriate circumstances. The majority of the citizens in the current era were illiterate, which meant that even if they posted an announcement on the gate it wouldnt work. Most people would still be ignorant about the news. If the young kids or the gangsters shouted the news around, however, it would be more efficient and the range of the advertising would be wider than simply posting the announcement somewhere. The key was that it wouldnt cost them much. Im on it. Xu Ke bowed to Jiang Pengji, quickly stood up, and prepared to head out. Hold up! Jiang Pengji yelled at him all of a sudden, stopping him from leaving. Before you get your hands on this, I need you to find out which grain store has the cheapest price at the moment. The price we set will always be twenty percent lower than the lowest! Xu Ke was stunned. We are not going to set a normal price? Jiang Pengji sneered at him. We only need to be a bit nicer than those black-hearted businessmen. We will then be considered the kind people. Do you understand? Xu Ke was still confused. It was nothing like what he had imagined before. Dont worry. This price is not going to stay that way for very long, Jiang Pengji said. Our price will only be twenty percent short. If they want to compete with us, they will have to decline their prices, and then we can decrease another twenty percent She never expected that when everyones prices would increase, but she kept hers low as usual. She didnt want her stores to be smashed for something that would get her the ultimate hatred. Chapter 241 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Jiang Pengji finally decided to take measurements, the price was already up to nine times higher than it used to be. The gentry clans had their own granary and they made sure they had a sufficient stock of grain so they didnt have to worry about any emergency situations. Instead, they could take advantage of the situation and sell the old grain that they had stocked in their granary for a long time for a high price. On the contrary, the citizens had limited savings and most of them were having a hard time feeding their families. The grain price was trending towards being ridiculously high. A great deal of people were haunted by it. Many women wandered by the doors of the grain stores just hoping the price of the grain would decrease a little, but every time they only got the news that the price had risen again. Eh, with the savings we have, if we dont purchase now, we wont even be able to afford a bucket of rice At least you can still buy rice. My man broke his leg a couple of days ago. We already spent all our money on his meds and I had to kill the only hen we used for eggs to make chicken soup for him. I have no idea how we are going to survive. What is really happening and how come the price of grain is so high? With this trend, my kids wont have anything to eat. Even a clever woman could not cook a meal without rice. No matter how capable and hardworking they were, the fact that they had no money and food meant the people in the family would have to starve. The grain stores were not a charity organization where they would decline the grain price out of the sympathy of the citizens poverty. Life is getting rougher everyday. A woman couldnt stop sighing and said, I was helping do the dishes for some money in the tea house at the town gate earlier and I overheard some soldiers discussing that there is some big turmoil in some county in Cang Prefecture. It is not too far away from our Hejian County. The short distance meant that the war could arrive there at any time and countless refugees would flee there. When it came to war, who wouldnt be scared? If their young boys or men were recruited into the military, there was a slim chance they would come back. About the refugees, when people were in a deep desperation, what crimes wouldnt they commit to survive? They might be more veracious than some of the robbing bandits. The women couldnt help but shake just thinking about the scenario. At least they still had a bit of savings for them to buy grain at the store. The poorer people could only dig for wild grass or peel tree bark for food. What they could eat was comparable to pig food. Do you want to check some other grain stores? Maybe some of them are cheaper. A woman with dark linen clothing carried a grocery basket. She hesitantly took a glance at the grain store not far from her. There were plenty of grain stores in town; there had to be one relatively cheaper than the others after they compared them. If I knew about this earlier, I would have gone for it It was too pricey at that time, but who would expect that price would just never stop increasing? Right? My man was saying that I was short of wisdom. He said this year was a good year for grain and the price would be way better than the past several years. He wouldnt let me buy any until there was a price drop. Now we are trapped in this situation and it is so much more expensive. I dont know how we are going to stay alive. The women walked together and chatted along the way. At that time, a kid dressed in coarse cloth with patches on his clothing ran around from the end of the street and shouted. A woman stopped the kid and asked him carefully, What did you just say? It seemed that he did not have time to be stopped by someone. He answered with a loud voice, The grain store in Gou Weiba Alley on Zhuque Street has the cheapest grain. Their average price is 20 percent cheaper than the others. How much is it exactly? The kid shook his head. I have no idea. The owner of the grain store only told me that they are 20 percent cheaper! He was still just a kid. Xu Ke knew it was impossible for them to remember the exact number, so he asked them to advertise with short statements. The women looked at each other. Should we go take a look? Saving a penny was better than nothingCCeven though it meant they had to travel halfway across town. Lets go take a look. Its not far from here anyway. After chatting for a bit, the women decided to go. In order to attract clients, Jiang Pengji divided three certain ranges for coverage of the three grain stores of hers based on their locations. The area one store covered radiated from the grain store and their mobile advertisements would emphasize that store. When the women arrived, there was a long queue in front of the grain store. Listening to the discussions of the other citizens, the price was still rather high, but it was truly much cheaper than the others. You get what you pay for. Is it possible that their grain has worms or they mix it with something else? The people with sharp ears could hear everyone elses discussion. People answered, Someone bought two buckets earlier. I took a look at it and it was definitely good rice! Only one citizen showed any concern about the quality of the grain in the store. Apparently they worried about it even more after they heard that. That would be weird. Everyone else is increasing their prices, but not them. Isnt such a person called a profiteer? A guy in the line was unpleasant with him and yelled, What do you know about? Do you have any idea who the owner of this store is? Its the well-known Hu County Chief. Rumor says that Hu County is a place where there is a humongous amount of grain that they let rot on the ground. Whats the problem of him selling the grain for cheap? You dont have to buy if you dont want to. Hey, you dont have to be so aggressive. How was I supposed to know that the owner of the store was the Liu County Chief? A normal citizen never heard the name Liu She; he was known to them as Hu County Chief. Everyones impression of him, though, was that he was a generous person with both money and grain. With the promotion of the advertisement, the queue was growing longer and longer. Some citizens feared that there was not enough grain left to sell. The manager stepped out of the store. He bowed to the queue and promised there was more than enough of their storage to sell. Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke sat in a wagon away from the masses. Xu Ke looked at the long queue and couldnt stop worrying. There were too many people buying grain and he was genuinely afraid that they didnt have enough in stock. The effect of the advertisement was surpassing his expectations. The numbers of people lining up was still growing. Jiang Pengji spotted his concern with one glance. She said to him blandly, The price of grain is still too high for the citizens. Most of them are watching the situation before they decide that they are not going to do a big purchase. Well be able to last a little longer with our storage of the grain. Right, did you prepare the people I asked you? Xu Ke clasped his hand on the other one in front of his chest and said, Yes, I have everything arranged, Langjun. Okay, when there are more and more citizens waiting, it will be the time for you to send those people out. The purpose of the operation for Jiang Pengji was to suppress the grain price instead of selling out the several thousand dans of her grain. She didnt simply tell Xu Ke to hire kids and gangsters to be the mobile advertisement to spread the news for them. She also told him to prepare some people to be their inside people blending into the masses. Those people were not to deceive the citizens into purchasing grain, but for shaking the managers in the other grain stores. Jiang Pengji was ready for a price battle. She faked a sign that she had bottomless stock for the first day. Of course the others grain stores would feel tense. How were they going to sell their grain at a high price if no one wanted to pay them a visit? Chapter 242 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There were several ways to improve competitiveness within business: product quality, service, and price. The citizens living in the current era only expected to keep themselves alive. High quality customer service meant nothing to them. What they aimed for was always to feed themselves with the least amount of money. Therefore, the grain stores could only choose to decrease their prices if they ever intended to compete with Jiang Pengji. Ultimately, however, it helped Jiang Pengji achieve her goal if they decreased their prices. Price battles were never fair. The one with the advantage could play harder while the competition grew more furious. The ones at a disadvantage could only let the others lead them by their noses. Her main goal had never been to make a profit, anyway. The rest of the grain stores would find that they were trapped in a deep hole if they kept competing with her. The inside people they had prepared were merely a way for them to mislead the rest of the grain stores. Yes, Xu Ke replied. Jiang Pengji pulled down the curtains of her wagon. She schooled her expression and asked him abruptly, Who do you think should take the pot for this incident? Xu Ke was confused. Pot? Whose fault is it? Jiang Pengji asked him once more. Clearly Xu Ke didnt get the meaning of pot. Xu Ke thought it through; he had a rather serious look. It was a test he had received from his Langjun. If he happened to have a terrible performance, it would affect his evaluation. After the period of time they had spent together, Xu Ke had learned one thing: His Langjun valued capability only from a person she wanted to use. If he left an incompetent impression on his Langjun, it was very likely he would never be valued. However, the question from his Langjun was too wide and vague. Xu Ke couldnt be sure of it. Is it hard to answer? Jiang Pengji asked. Xu Ke responded quickly, Im sorry that Im incapable, but I do have my modest opinion about it. From the surface, it should be the Mengs in Cang Prefecture. Its their fault the civil turmoil has impacted the daily life of the citizens in Hejian County. When I dig deeper, though, it does not seem as simple as that. Jiang Pengji didnt deny him. What else? she asked. Xu Ke ventured to answer, It might be the responsibility of the gentry clans. Jiang Pengjis eyes flew onto Xu Kes face. The viewers in the streaming room could see vividly that Xu Kes face was turning black. Zuizhan Baishegeng: Haha, quit doing that, host. You are scaring Xu Ke. Niupai Rousi Ximian: But Xu Ke was truly asking for it. Our host is part of the gentry clan and he dares to say that the gentry clans should take the blame. He is literally asking for punishment. Laosiji Lianmeng: #Chin Resting Emoji. That doesnt sound right. Our host is not fond of the gentry clans either, all right? This answer is too obscure, which is going to work for any random questions. What I want to know is something more detailed. You were saying it was gentry clans fault, and then what? Jiang Pengji wasnt offended by Xu Ke; she just was simply not satisfied with his answer. Xu Ke was just stunned; he didnt know what he could say. It is not an easy question for you, I have to admit. But why dont you think about why the grain price is increasing rapidly with no limit? Why couldnt the government take some measures to protect the interest of the citizens? It was nine times more expensive than the original price! It was like the grain stores have talked about it and they raised their prices as they wished. They increased the price one after another. They filled their wallets but left a number of citizens with no other choice but to starve. Xu Ke felt shame and said, The grain stores are mostly the belongings of the noble gentry clans. They have sufficient stock but there are no regulations to restrict them. What was more, the government officers were mostly from the gentry clans. Why would they turn against their own families? Jiang Pengji had a dirty look on her face. She wouldnt feel much better even if they got a good result from suppressing the grain price. If she wasnt in a good mood, no one else would be, either. Holding onto that idea, she resolved to take over the grain market of Hejian County within the next two months. If you were the Hejian County Chief, what would you do to save your citizens? Jiang Pengji threw another question at him. Xu Ke was bitter but he couldnt complain. Who didnt know that the Hejian County Chief was merely a puppet who didnt have the power or back-up? There was no way for him to hold down the rampant gentry clans with such a title. Whoever was in the position, even if he had the kindest heart in the world, could only act indifferent about it. But Xu Ke was not a normal person. He struggled to consider the question and he had a bold assumption. My Langjun never obeys the rules. He has a quick mind and he acts profligate and unrestrained. If it is so, why dont I try to change my method of thinking? I might have some different answers. An idea flashed through his head and he came up with a solution. If I was the Hejian County Chief with veracious gentry clans watching meCCif I had no power but a false title and I had no way to stop the grain price from growingCCthen why shouldnt I encourage the grain stores and businessmen to continue the increase of the price and make the price higher? The higher the better. Jiang Pengji had a beam of light in her eyes and there was a light smile on her lips. The viewers in the streaming room were all startled. Werent they talking about suppressing the grain price? Why did Xu Kes answer receive such approval from the host? Laosiji Lianmeng: I think I understand him. He is encouraging the grain price to a level that no one can afford so he can send people to do some advertising to the towns nearby in order to advocate for people in the grain business to ship more grain to Hejian County. Once there is a relatively large supply but the demands remain the same, the price will automatically decrease. Businessmen pursuing profit was a norm for any era. But this solution can only be used once. Jiang Pengji nodded at him with a content look, she was rather pleased by his answer. He was a person with talent that she took seriously, after all, and Jiang Pengji needed him to be more useful. She was in a desperate need of people with talent. Before she could find anyone who could assist her, her only hope was Xu Ke could become more competent. At the same time, Xu Ke felt a chill at his back and he had a bad hunch. The other grain stores had sent some customers to wander around their gates before. They were potential customers even though they were not going in for transactions. It had been half a day and those people had all disappeared. The managers of the grain stores who were getting ready to make a load of money were all bewildered. They sent their clerks to poke around and find out the reason. They received their response very soon. Who is acting so boldly? The manager of the grain store stormed out. It was exactly like snatching food from a tigers mouth. He went silent when his clerk told him who was behind the affront. It seemed like a competition between the grain stores. But if it went nasty, it was inevitable that the powers behind the stores would become involved. The clerk fretted and asked the manager, Manager, what should we do? D*mn, what can we do? Let it be for now. I need to go to the owners mansion first and report to the butler about the situation. Most of the managers of the grain stores in Hejian County made the same decision around the same time. Opening a grain store was a business that they wouldnt make a great fortune on, but it wasnt easy for them to lose money. Therefore, those gentry clans didnt put much effort into the business and left most of the affairs to the managers themselves. The managers came around, and they believed that it wouldnt harm them much if they were not going to make too much. It was not going to change the fact they were still making a profit out of it. They might as well decrease their prices to match Jiang Pengjis. But they didnt expect that Jiang Pengji would give an order to decline her prices by another twenty percent right after she heard the news. Chapter 243 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What the hell are the Lius doing? The manager of the grain storage slammed on the cabinet hard. His wrinkled face turned red with rage and the vessels on his forehead stood out. It felt like a flame of fury was stored in his chest. Who would refuse the chance to be more wealthy? There was the perfect chance right in front of his eyes and the Lius had to intervene. The clerk working in the store felt troubled because the store was quiet. He muttered to the owner, Boss, should we lower the price as well? If they didnt, they would have trouble selling the grain they had restocked. It would always be better to make some profit than nothing at all. The manager of the store was so pissed; he almost lost his temper. He truly didnt want to feel as though he was being led by others by the nose. No! He ground his teeth and said, Based on the Lius deep pocket behavior, they must have plenty of grain in stock that they are not scared to waste. What should we do if they keep reducing their price once we compromise? Even his master entrusted the business management to him, but if the store didnt make a satisfying profit every season, he would be the one condemned by his boss. Lets wait for awhile and see. I will send someone to find out the reality. ( Box novel.c om ) The manager of the grain store wandered back and forth with his hands crossed behind his back. It seemed like he was going to shatter the bricks on the ground. The clerk asked, So are we going to send someone to probe their grain storage? The manger almost couldnt help but laugh at the clerks stupidity. He sneered at the clerk. So who should I send to do it? You? The clerk shook his head hard. The granary was like a safe for the gentry clans to keep their wealth in because it was their daily food supply. If someone from outside got caught probing their granary, it would be the same as if they got caught poisoning their food in the kitchen. They might get away with it if they didnt get caught, but once they did, they would definitely offend the Lius and would be in a lot of trouble. The clerk scratched his head and asked for the managers advice. Boss, I know you are the wisest one Do you have any ideas? The manager looked at the deferential smile on the clerks face and gently stroked his beard. There was a complacency in his eyes. Move your ear closer. He whispered into the clerks ear and the clerks expressions changed from confusion to sudden understanding. The clerk was impressed by his sophistication. Brilliant! The clerk applauded hard to flatter him. You are really smart, boss. This is nothing. The manager felt his anger fade away and his mind eased, as well. There is no comparison between me and the Liu County Chief on managing the county and civilians. But about doing business, Liu County Chief is just a layman and he is barely qualified to use the tricks. If he did have a clue about business, he wouldnt make a mistake like using a rough strategy to have a constant grain price plunge. That was harmful to others, but not beneficial to himself. Business was business. Liu County Chief was no doubt a competent manager with statecraft, but he was merely an obtrusive, average man in all business aspects. It was simply that no one expected what the Lius grain stores did to acquire customers, which was decreasing the grain price, and no one expected that it had anything to do with Liu She. It wasnt because of their blindness that they couldnt tell. It was either that the old Liu Xi or the present Liu Xi with Jiang Pengjis soul had no interest in participating in those verses clubs. ( Box novel.c om ) The verses clubs were boring in many ways, but they were also the main method to advertise a person. It was a perfect place for anyone to display their talents and obtain fame for themselves. Who could possibly remember Liu Xi if he never presented himself for marketing? It was his personality that made the old Liu Xi choose not to do so, and Jiang Pengji just simply despised that kind of behavior. That was why everyone considered Liu She as the man in charge in the Lius second branch. Naturally they would go to him to resolve issues. Everyone bullied the weak and feared the strong. If they happened to be the weak one, then ninety-nine percent of them would be frightened, considering that Liu She was so hardcore. But if it was the other way round, Liu She was the meek one; he would get bullied for many reasons. They would bother him to death if they couldnt torture him to death. It didnt mean that they were afraid of the kid, even though they wouldnt dare to piss off the father. But if they actually did that, they would certainly take a lesson from it. The kid was apparently more aggressive than the father. The father would only make them suffer, but the kid would make them lose their lives. The clerk kept adulating his boss. You are absolutely right. I think so as well. No one is more experienced than you at making a profit. We will stay still first! The manager thumped his hand on the table and said, Lets see how much storage they have for them to splurge! Since Jiang Pengji had more grain than the expected number, they held off the limited purchase plan until the next day. Jiang Pengji examined the statistics on the desk, which was the price records of all thirty-one grain stores in Hejian County for the past couple days. Excepting the first price decrease, the rest of the grain stores seemed to come to an agreement. Instead of continuing to decrease the price to match the Lius, they automatically chose to neglect the Lius three grain stores. They just let their own stores be stable and they had no emotional fluctuation, even though no one walked into their stores. Jiang Pengji sneered after seeing that. They are still acting calmly, but that will be it If they chose to decrease the price to match hers immediately, they still had a chance to minimize their loss. She wouldnt spare mercy for with them anymore, considering how much they held to themselves. Early in the morning of the next day, Jiang Pengji asked Xu Ke to run an errand for her. You are sure about this Langjun? Xu Ke widened his eyes. Isnt it too wicked? Jiang Pengji had rolls of books in her hands. She knocked on the desk and yelled at him with a sense of impatience, You saw the grand scene yesterday. The civilians were for sure attracted by our store, but the price was still far above their expectations and barely anyone purchased any. It wasnt exactly like how she described. There was more than barely anyone, it just didnt reach the goal she had set and she was not pleased by the gross transactions. Xu Ke wasnt going to respond to that. With the price they posted the day before, it would be weird if the majority people would be able to afford it. Even though they had managed to do price drops twice for the Lius three stores, it was still out of the civilians affordable range. Most of the civilians were still waiting to see if there would be another price drop within a day. They wanted to see if it might be cheaper if they waited a bit longer. I have seen the documents that father provided about Hu County. It is a good year with sufficient rain and it is almost guaranteed to be a good harvest. The drought situation in Two Counties areas are improving, and the food crisis pressure will be less than it has been in past several years. That also means that the price of grain will be exceptionally low after the harvest season. Jiang Pengji put on her poker face and said to him, The sooner we trade the five thousand dans of grain in stock to real money before the harvest season, the better. If we purchase the grain at a low cost after the harvest season back and forth, that almost doubles or triples the total amount of grain we have had in the year. If we cannot clear out the stock before the season, that means that we are in the red. Even thought it was a business without any cost, who would go for a profit of a hundred over ten thousand? Jiang Pengji needed everything she could possible think of. She was broadening the sources of income and reducing expenditures as much as she could, and she was doing everything to exchange the five thousand dans of grain into the maximum gains. Xu Ke went silent. Is this the reason why you set up all the rest of the stores, Langjun? It is good and convincing. I have no comment about it. He somehow felt relief that his master never lost her initial purpose, which was to make the other gentry clans suffer. Chapter 244 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Not including the three grain stores that belong to the Lius, the rest of the twenty-eight grain stores in Hejian County, regardless of size, are all on the lookout after the price declined yesterday. It indicates that they already suspected us storing grain. If it is so, why dont we take measures to lure them into purchasing from us? Several thousand dans of grain was clearly a vital number for one grain store, but it would be just some small potatoes for twenty-eight stores to share. Jiang Pengji had made a budget detail by detail: She would save some for limited purchase and the rest would be sold at a high price to those suckers. Xu Ke felt a sense of loneliness because he was not playing an important role. His master was too capable for him to qualify as the masters assistant. But Will they do it? Xu Ke was a bit anxious about business, considering that it was still an unknown field for him. Jiang Pengji was not much better than him, either. She was a gene warrior in her last life and her life was filled with war relevant skills and knowledge that she had acquired. It was mostly about practical combat. Thankfully, she lived in an era with a high amount of information, so it wasnt hard for her to be imperceptibly influenced by what she constantly saw and heard. She was not an expert, but she could at least stick to the pattern of business she had seenCCnot to mention how easily she could suppress her competitors. The ancient era was a piece of cake for her. Of course they will. They are already investigating secretly even though we havent spread the rumor that we are short on stock. She was a layman about business, but she was definitely the top one in her field of setting up others for the maximum amount of profit. No matter if it was the ancient era or the era she was originally born into, she had never been a brainless and ruthless person as a general. On the contrary, she seemed dumb and sloppy, but she actually had a crystal clear mind just like most of her people. That was also why Jiang Pengji was chosen to be the head of the corps by her old boss. She was extraordinarily excellent compared to the rest of the candidates and she was naturally competent to be the leader. Ask the manager in the store to pay extra attention to every single purchasers face and features and the amount of grain they go for, she said. As I expected, the grain stores will send their own people to place an order from our store in order to test our storage. What you need to do is to spread the word with our shills we hired while our managers and clerks of the stores put on a show. Put on a show? What show? It would be a show where they secretly complained about the shortage of grain and the manager would inquire about what they should do next in their current situation. As long as the spies accidentally eavesdropped and delivered it to their boss, Jiang Pengjis goal would be achieved. Xu Ke sighed and said, Okay, Im on it. Okay, go. Xu Ke was fairly young still, but the methods in which he dealt with affairs was mostly reliable. That was why Jiang Pengji never worried much about assigning him missions. Just like what Jiang Pengji had expected, there were several citizens who came in to purchase a large quantity of grain after noon time. One of them even bought one dan. In any other circumstance, one dan would be affordable for anyone who had a bit of savings But one dan was a completely different concept now when the price of grain was increasing so rapidly. At dusk, a clerk who worked in the Lius grain store rushed into the store from the side door. He was too anxious to wipe the sweat off his face. He glanced at the manager with a worried face. It seemed that he had something he needed to report to the manager but he wouldnt cut straight to it considering there were other people around. The manager spotted him. He left his guest behind and whispered with his clerk in a corner. There was something that involved 1,900 dans and something about something was not enough. It was rather noisy in the store and the citizens were everywhere. It was not noticeable unless one paid extra attention. There happened to be some spies from the other stores that blended into the crowd. Are you sure about that? The spy responded, I am. I heard that their storage of the grain was less than 1,900 and it will not last much longer if they keep doing it like this. The spys manager heard the report, went silent for a bit, and made a decision. Except for the three grain stores, the rest of the twenty-eight stores were all depending on the opportunity in order to rake in a profit. They were so disturbed by the situation that all the customers went to their competitors store. Two stores were already ready to decrease their prices the next day. They were all thrilled about the news as soon as they heard it. 1,900 dans wouldnt be much for twenty-eight stores to split, but if they bought off the current grain storage that the Lius had, no one would get in their way for raising the price and it would still be profitable for them. The news of chaos in Cang Prefecture had become a popular topic. There was also the impact of refugees in Zisang County even Hejian County. It was the perfect chance for them to get rich and there were no second chances for them to do it again. It was definitely not acceptable that the Lius spoiled it. Just one word was needed at the moment: Buy. The third day, there was a mass of citizens who came for grain and swarmed the store. The purchasers who had a genuine intention but hadnt acted on it had made up their minds as well Rumor had it that the cheap grain from the Lius was almost sold out. If they didnt do it now, they would only be able to go for the unbelievable expensive one. It was very likely that they would starve themselves to death due to the ridiculous price. The third day was finally their peak day. The fourth day, the store closed before noon, even though they were doing great with the transactions. That verified the rumor that the Lius were short of grain. Liu County Chief is for sure a capable meritorious statesman, but he is clueless at doing business. It was just penny wise and pound foolish. A large group of people were laughing behind their backs. The Lius did make quite a bit of money in the last couple days, but that would be it. If they could have held out for a bit longer, they could have made five times more than they had made. The fifth day, all the stores seemed to come to a consensus: They increased their prices again. The price was what we made; it was your choice to buy our product or wait to die from starvation. However, they didnt see anyone they had expected. Instead, some managers almost died from heart attacks after they asked around. They were all expecting that the Lius would keep their stores shut from then on, but somehow, some citizens had found that they opened even earlier the past few days. What is this? The citizens stared at the board the store posted outside of the door and they were in deep confusion about it. This is limited purchase. A young man in a green outfit was standing in the middle of the mass, holding his fan in his hands. It was Qiguan Rang. What is limited purchase? There were ninety-nine illiterate people in one hundred; naturally they didnt have an idea about limited purchase. Average people still looked up to those people who had received an education. They got out of his way for him to see the board easily. He came forward and enunciated the content on the board, and he explained it in a comprehensive way for the citizens. The store is still open with one condition: Everyday, each person can only buy a certain amount of grain for four people for two days. They wont sell more than that in a day. Limited purchase? Nobody had ever heard or seen that sales method. Most citizens found it hard for them to understand. Didnt that mean that they had to come to the store every few days? Why didnt they sell it all at once? Why all the trouble? Chapter 245 - The Conflict Among the Grain Stores (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was cheap grain available, but with the bullsh*t of a limited purchase, most people loathed it and felt repelled by it. Hejiang County was not a big area, but it wasnt small, either. It was truly troublesome to come to the store just for one or two days worth of grain. You guys are almost out of the storage, right? Otherwise why would you prompt some limited purchase if you can make money? There was a male voice from inside the mass of people. He wore coarse clothes and his hair was tied up with a grass rope. There was nothing special about him. In the meantime, the citizens around the stores seemed to grasp his point and they were abuzz with speculation. Just admit that you dont have any more. Whats the point of this limited purchase? There are other stores in Hejiang besides you guys. Its no longer safe in the current situation. We come all the way here just for some grain What happens if we will encounter some bad guys and get ourselves in trouble? That resonated with what many people were considering. They became even more concerned about the limited purchase amount. Just for that pennys worth amount of grain, they would have to take the risk of their own safety to be at the store. Wasnt it harmful to the people? Exactly! Give us a definite word about if you actually have some stored or not. If you do, just make it quick. If you dont, we are not wasting our time on you. Wed rather go to the other stores just in case the price goes up again. Will you take the responsibility for our loss? These unscrupulous profiteers. You are not much cheaper than the others and you came up with some bullshit like this Is your grain still for sale or not? If not, we are leaving! There were some unfriendly, acrimonious voices coming out of the mass. Every single word was targeting the store and making the citizens uncertain. Qiguan Rang stood aside calmly. He had a sharper pair of ears than the rest of the people and he could tell that some of them were trying to make the citizens angry with the store, even if they didnt make it sound that way. The way they described it was more intense, but not malevolent. Instead of alienating, it was more like misleading the citizens and heating up the atmosphere. However, he didnt stand up to clarify the advantage of the limited purchase amount. He simply concentrated on the store with relish. He wanted to know what back up plans Liu Langjun had. The scene was turning ugly and most of the citizens were instigated to fury and became more tense. The manager pulled up his long outfit, stepped over the threshold, and bowed at the mass. His face was full of trepidation. The noise slowly cut off. Everybody, thanks to all of you looking after us on a daily basis, we can gain a foothold as a small business in Hejian County. The manager was obviously lying through his teeth, but he spoke words that the citizens bought. Their heated emotions eased a bit. Who doesnt know how to talk sweet? We would rather hear something more realistic. Do you have grain or not? I collected enough money for doing a large purchase, but now Im being told some bull about a limited purchase amount. You meant to cause us trouble, right? A voice came out of nowhere. It didnt sound like a nice voice. The manager still had the sweat on his forehead from his busy work earlier. He had a bitter smile when he said, What you just said was definitely immoral, my friends. This limited purchase is for the sake of everyone here. How could it be causing trouble? Of course we have grainCCa lot of it Then whats the point of this limited purchase amount? Are you still doing business or not? The manager didnt even finish his sentence when the same voice interrupted him again. Some people in the crowd started to sympathize for him. His attitude was rather modest and he kept a low profile, but he was cornered by some aggressive people. Of course we are still doing the business, but we are also implementing this limited purchase amount. He gave another bow with his both hands folded in front. He said in a serious tone, In this insecure world, who doesnt want their grain containers full? But we all saw the recent grain price change You know you are selling overpriced grain but you wont just lower it. Are you kidding? Qiguan Rang almost burst out in laughter when he heard the conversation back and forth between the manager and the aggressive client that Jiang Pengji had paid for the show. Liu Langjun was really an extraordinary person to come up with such a sneaky plan. The manager thumped his chest and shouted at the crowd, Its not like that. Who doesnt want to make money for business? The crowd was quiet. The manager was confident with his speech because he had rehearsed it multiples times earlier that day. Its just that we have our own morality. We despise the behavior, which is the same as looting a burning house. Why we are doing it anyway? It is truly because we have no other choice. Just think about it. If I keep the price low as usual, who would benefit the most? Would it be you citizens, or those who have the wicked intention of making your wealth by restocking more grain for later? Our store, including the other two stores that belong to the Lius, sold two thousand dans in one day. Two thousand dans? That was not bad transaction at all. Why would they still stick to the limited purchase amount even though they had quite a bit of storage? Some of the crowd was still in the haze, but some had already realized the reason. It was very likely that the major portion of the two thousand dans were bought off by people who intended to restock for themselves instead of the citizens in need. At this speed, in not more than a week, our storage will be empty The manager didnt sound confident about the time frame. It might not be a weekCCit would actually be incredible if it lasted more than three days. Our master wandered back and forth and he finally came up with an idea in order to ensure the real people got what they needed. And the price during the period of the limited purchase amount will be lower than the current price All the previous angry words were outweighed by, The price during the period of the limited purchase amount will be lower than the current price. The price in their store was indeed much pricier than the usual price, but it was still much lower than the stores that had increased their prices by about ten times more than usual. Most people wouldnt be able to afford it if they had to. Many people in the crowd were convinced by the theory. They were in favor with the store. The manager pushed a bit hard and made a loud statement, My friends, it is not an easy time for anyone at the moment, but God bless us that we are going to have a tiny harvest season this year. Im sure you guys will get your hands on harvesting in two to three months. This critical shortage of grain will be eased by that time and no one will be suffering from starvation any more. To be honest, we dont make as much as a small business, but its okay as long as it helps my friends make it through this rough time until the harvest season. It wont matter much to me if we are making the expected money or not, but at least I wont be beaten by my conscious. What do you guys say? Business is business. But I have my principles when I do business. Qiguan Rang raised his fan up to cover the smile on his lips. It was a gorgeous play by Liu Langjun. Using the limited purchase amount to suppress the grain price would normally get whoever used the trick killed. It did touch some certain peoples interests in a bad way. It was shame that Liu Langjun wouldnt end up like that because of his identity and his nobility. He was the first son of the second branch of the Lius. As long as Liu She was still alive, the gentry clans would always fear him. The limited purchase amount would make a big loss for the black-hearted profiteers who were determined to make a great profit. But so what? Anyone who wanted to harm Liu Xi had to go through Liu She. The business was flourishing still and the citizens came for the grain in droves. For them, even though they had to take an extra two or four hour trips to the store, everything would be worth it as long as they could get the cheap grain. This is real business. A large number of citizens could not help but be impressed and adme the Lius store, especially when they found out that the other stores increased their grain prices again. Langting gained both fame and wealth this time. Qiguan Rang enjoyed the show and got on the road to visit Jiang Pengji immediately after it was over. Chapter 246 - Streaming in a Different Map (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio She talked to him with a grin. I had all the advantages on my side this time. It was mostly luck that it was successful. Qiguan Rang nodded to agree with her. You were lucky this time. She would have had to go through some ups and downs to make her plan work if Liu She was out of the Lius place and working at Hu County. Not to mention she would have had to use some rough methods like assassination. There were more than enough other dirty methods to ruin a person without harming him in a normal business competition. The money grubber whose number one priority was revenge would have thousands of ways to taint her reputation. Even though Jiang Pengjis initial purpose was virtuous, she wouldnt be too overwhelmed to handle it if her opponents aimed at bullying her. The limited purchase amount wouldnt be able to be implemented. Overall, it was just that the citizens were too easy to fool. They merely had no judgement of their own and they were gullible. According to this trend, the grain price wont get higher than the price we set. Jiang Pengji took a sip of her tea and muttered, I only hope everything will go well and peaceful until the harvest season. We should prevent the citizens from starving from a large scale food crisis. But we will have to stay alert. The civil turmoil from Meng County, Cang Prefecture only had an impact on Hejian County and the area. It will be vexing when the refugees flee here and we have to come up a plan to help them relocate and settle. If they had no authority to restrain the flow of the refugees, it would cause a big security issue for the local government. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and grinned at him. Thats the Hejian County Chief and the gentry clans job. It wont be ours to worry about. Qiguan Rang paused for a second. Yeah, right. They were both just ordinary people without any official positions or influence. Why would they be bothered by some affair like that? Jiang Pengji continued, You should focus on your job of being a groom instead of being bothered by these troublesome affairs. Wei Niangzi is still rather young, you should look after her more. Thats for sure. Qiguan Rang had a gentle look on his face, which was in stark contrast to the serious face he had earlier. While Jiang Pengji was teasing and making fun of Qiguan Rang, he replied to her based on her questions. The streaming room was infused by a miserable and gloomy atmosphere. Why? Because their streamer was really a loose cannon. She had time traveled from the space age to the ancient era to be a streamer. It wouldnt be a problem for her to be considered a female time traveler. Following the script of normal time traveling fiction, any possible males around her with a decent enough look would have a special feeling towards her. There was only one man meant for her, but she could have rows and rows of pursuers lined up. There were only a few males who had appeared in the months of streaming, and there were even fewer good looking ones. And Qiguan Rang was going to get married! Wunao Zaguazia: Im happy. I thought Qiguan Rang and our host would be a couple. There is some chemistry between them Ahhhh, I cannot believe that Qiguan Rang is going to get married. It feels bad when you choose the wrong person to couple up with your host. Hei, Nide Yida: According to my memory, this is Qiguan Rangs second marriage, isnt it? Where do you see there is a chemistry between them two? Shitang Dafan Ayi: #Chin-resting emoji. Even though he is my type, the feeling of them being a couple is just wrong. There are personality similarities between the two of them, which can make them great friends. It wouldnt be harmful for them to just be friends that can tease each other Besides, our host is too young for him. Right, they didnt have an idea about their hosts age before she came to the ancient era. They were sure that she was only twelve now and that she would be thirteen next year. Chun Lie: The sentence for this crime starts at three years of jail time. The worst is the death penalty. Juge Lizi: If they could be together, Qiguan Rang would be damn lucky even if he has to serve three years of jail time. Even the death penalty would be worth it. Xinruo Bingqing: #Chin-resting emoji. The romantic relationship between a young girl and middle-aged man didnt sound bad to me though. But I would still choose a childhood sweetheart. Fengjin is still the best option. Jinian Dajiba: I prefer Xu Ke in this case. I wont find it weird that a loyal servant and his proud master could become a couple. Zai Juge Lizi: According to your theory, Han Yu is the perfect candidate. He and our host are the happy foes type. Jiang Pengjis biological father, Liu She, wasnt even worried about his baby girls marriage yet. All the viewers in the streaming room had already filtered through the various types of the men she had met and they were hoping to select her better half for her from that group of people. Laosiji Lianmeng: Why are you guys bothered by this? Its still unknown if our host is going to marry a guy or a girl. Every viewer was startled after he said that. They came to realization that it was unnecessary for them to worry about her based on her personality. Laosiji Lianmeng: In my opinion, none of these guys you talked about are a good match for our host. The first obstacle is age. They are all at least several years older than our host. Considering the custom that everyone gets married and has children early in the ancient times, when our host is finally eligible to be a bride, those guys will either already be married or they will be ready to get married for a second time after their first wife had passed away. Do you want our host to be a mistress or the second wife to a widower? His speech made people feel uncomfortable. The viewers felt sick just picturing the scene. Everyone had eyes on the streaming room and naturally they were aware of how excellent their host was. That also explained why there were a great number of people that subscribed to her and kept following her. It was mostly due to her charm. If such an excellent person ended up as someones mistress or second wife for a widower, it felt like a waste of a treasure. Laosiji Lianmeng: She is still too young to talk about having a romantic relationship with anyone. She has a long path to go in her whole life. There will always be more elites who will appear in her life in the future. Why are we narrowing it down to the limited characters she has at the present time? Qiguan Rang will only be her friend. There is no chance they will be together. Jiang Pengji normally didnt take the bullet screen very seriously, but she had to admit that what Laosiji Lianmeng said resonated in her heart. She spared some attention for the bullet screens while she was chatting with Qiguan Rang. So you are heading to the Capital with Liu County Chief shortly, right? Qiguan Rang brought up all of a sudden. He continued talking with regret, I was expecting to invite you to my wedding, but it seems like its not possible. Yeah, its time for me to leave. The Mengs will take action on investigating the whole thing once they realize they have been tricked. I claimed to be innocent and I didnt leave any traceable lead for them, but it doesnt mean that they are not going to suspect me as a person of interest. Jiang Pengji shook her head and kept going, Not just because of this, though. My father and Wei Yun both recommended me to a school in Langye County. I will be leaving here eventually but worry is not needed. Im guaranteeing you that your gift will be there even though I wont be at the wedding. It was getting intense and it was the time for her to lay low. Han Yu also mentioned that she wouldnt be able to have any progress if she hit the road to Langye County right away. Master Yuanjing was scheduled to take his students to the Capital for the evaluation, and Liu She happened to be the General Evaluation Officer. It was a perfect chance for Jiang Pengji to get into the Capital to visit Master Yuanjing. Qiguan Rang said to her with feeling, I dont know when I will see you next after this departure. Jiang Pengji beamed a grin at him. When I need you. They had a silent exchange of smiles. When the time came, it would be the real chance for Qiguan Rang to join the gang. She would need to collect more talented people before that. It couldnt be just Xu Ke himself to assist her; it would wear him out. Regardless of how angry the rest of the grain stores managers were, the grain price finally stabilized gradually after a series of promotions and people advocating for it. It was still pricier than usual, but it was affordable enough that the citizens could keep themselves alive. Under the surface of calmness and peace, Shangyang Palace received an expedited urgent letter and the whole Imperial Court was furious. Chapter 247 - Streaming in a Different Map (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How did you become like this after the morning conference, hubby? Feng Jins Mom left the living room promptly to welcome her husband as soon as she received the message that Feng Ren was back from the morning conference early. With just one glance, she knew that her husband must have taken some of the blame in the morning conference and she felt heartbroken. If he wasnt blamed for something, how else would he have some tea stains left on his forehead after he came back from the morning conference? He was always neat and well-dressed. Meng County, Cang Prefecture started having civil turmoil a couple months ago, but we just received a letter to report the situation today. It would be weird for the government to not be furious and to keep calm, Feng Ren said indifferently and took the handkerchief from his wife to wipe his face. He sighed. The civil turmoil is rather severe and we can hardly suppress it at the moment. The impact of the civil turmoil has spread to the Counties near Cang Prefecture. The citizens have lost their houses and the bandits activities are rampant. The three minorities in the North Border are asking for some outrageous things. The emperor was simply trying to let out his anger. Mrs Fengs face turned solemn and she sulked. You are the head of the secretariats. It was really not necessary to make it that ugly. How are you going to shock and awe your people? Whats more, the turmoil in Meng County, Cang Prefecture was never a secret. Every person who doesnt have vision or hearing issues has a basic idea about it, but the authorities just received knowledge of it. Now he is blaming you for his own faults? Feng Ren sneered. He wasnt fond of this emperors behavior. He knew his wife had a temper and her being so protective of him made him feel loved. He couldnt help but hold his wifes tender and well-maintained hands. Im fine. My sweet wife should not get irate either. My heart will be broken by seeing you harm your health from getting upset. Mrs. Feng gave Feng Ren a dirty look and whined while she pulled her hands out of his. Your kids are already old enough to form their own family, but you are still immature. How many years have we been together, but you still shine like the first time? It makes me seem like a person who is not appropriate. Feng Ren smile at her gently. He held his wifes hands and they walked back to the living room together. Mrs. Feng asked the servants to get the hot bath ready for Feng Ren so he could have a nice bath. He changed into his clean pajamas. Even though I said that the emperor wasnt happy because of the delayed message Feng Ren sat at the desk while his wife was busy embroidering a black plum blossom painting. But what the emperor did still hurt most of his staffs feelings. He indulges himself day and night in his palace, appreciating the singing and dancing performances, but he shows no interest in work As an emperor, who didnt want to wield power when they were awake but lay in the arms of a beautiful woman when they were asleep? The emperor of Dongqing Dynasty definitely stuck with the latter one. There were thousands of concubines in Zhengyang Palace and the emperor enacted a rule in his palace that not even one female was allowed to wear underwear to make it convenient for him to have fun anytime. Feng Ren kept his eyes focused on anything but the women every time when he was in the palace. He was too afraid to see something that would traumatize him. It would be much too outrageous if the emperor kept it that way. Whats more, the emperor liked to visit his staffs families. It was uncountable how many of his staff members wives he had played around with. His behavior was almost equivalently absurd to his biological brother, the last emperor, Qingyang Emperor. The times he attended the morning conference could be counted on two hands in one year. He was addicted to his indulgence in beautiful women. Feng Ren sometimes doubted f the emperors end would happen while he was on a girl having fun, considering how uncontrollable he was. Everyone knew about the fact that the aristocrats were in charge, but there was an obvious connection with the emperor disregarding politics and instead indulging in pleasure. The more powerful the aristocrats were, the more restrained the emperor was and the less of a feeling of sovereignty the emperor had. But since he was being restrained more by the aristocrats, he somehow had the tendency to give himself up to sexual pleasures more. He also paid less and less attention to his jobCCit was like he was no longer capable of doing it, which gave the aristocrats more power Therefore it became a vicious circle. He was ambitious, but resented political affairs. He wanted to take back his power from the aristocrats, but he didnt have the ability. What was he dreaming about? Dreaming about having an easy life as an emperor? The emperor in Dongqing Dynasty had nothing superior to his older brother except his breeding ability, which he could do with several women at the same time and he had more sons. Feng Ren was at ease even when he was summoned to the emperors office and got his face smashed by a cup of tea. He was still talking to his wife peacefully. Who cares about him! Mrs. Feng responded aloofly. It wasnt the first time he acted crazy Look at yourself, you have a cut on your forehead Let me use some medicine on you and youd better watch your diet just in case you scar afterwards. Except for the first emperor who had made some contributions and had ambition, the rest were all good-for-nothing. She didnt care if her husband was in a high position as the head of secretariats or not if he was essential to be there. Everyone said that the emperors were replaceable, but not the aristocrats. No matter what happened, the Fengs would be the Fengs all along and they wouldnt be affected by the change of emperors. Her husband wrote a couple of reports ahead of time to remind the emperor of the critical turmoil in Meng County, Cang Prefecture. However, the emperor was too busy to dote on his new girl. He didnt want to see Feng Rens face at all if it wasnt vital. The reports from two years ago were covered with dust, not to mention the latest ones. But now he was furious? What was the point of being furious now? Im worried about our son. He is with the Fourth Emperors son. Will they encounter some of the refugees along their way? Our children have good fortune, isnt that what you always say? How come you are acting so anxious only a few months after our son left? Mrs. Feng put her embroidery case aside and picked up a sealed letter from the table. We dont care enough about our son Feng Ren took the letter and saw it was from Liu She. Feng Ren sensed Feng Jins issues in recent years. It turned out to be too late to rectify his problems, considering that his personality had already formed. They didnt try to rectify it, either, just in case it was counterproductive. It was their fault for neglecting their middle child. The Second Langjun is at the right age to have his own family. Why should you worry too much about him What did Liu County Chief say in the letter? Feng Ren rapidly skimmed the letter. He lowered his head and smiled at his wife. You were just laughing at me for not being appropriate. Let me show you who is not appropriate. Look at this Liu County Chief who abandoned his job as a County Chief to be a matchmaker Mrs. Feng didnt shy away from the news. Instead, she picked up the letter and read it thoroughly. She had to admit that it was tempting. I have never heard about this first daughter of the Weis though Since Feng Jins older brother was already engaged, it was Feng Jins turn to consider the matter. Mrs. Feng had been looking into the eligible girls who might be qualified for him over the last six months and she was still deciding. It is just that we are still uncertain about this girls temperament and personality We can do a little investigating. She wouldnt be too shabby if she is the one Liu She recommends. Feng Ren continued, The Weis in County is decent enough to be matched with Feng Jin. If this girl has a good temper and personality and Feng Jin doesnt have a big issue with her, she should be our top choice on the list though. The Fengs were a noble aristocratic family with great fame. Feng Jins older brother was the first successor of the family, which meant his wife would be the woman in charge of the family affairs in the future. Naturally, they had to carefully select the perfect candidate. She had to have all the elements needed, including a high class birth, a noble and wealthy family background, wisdom, and a superior appearance. It would be a different story when they selected Feng Jins wife, considering his identity as the second son of the family. It had nothing to do with them being mean or biased towards Feng Jin. It was for the sake of the peace of the family that the two sister-in-laws should both work on domestic tranquility, instead of causing disputes over who should be in charge. Therefore, Feng Jins wife didnt have to have a high status. In that case, her temperament, wisdom, and morality mattered more. If it happened to be a sassy, tough, and ambitious girl who had the intentions to contest for possession of the family, that would cause a big problem for all of them. The root of the family needed to be steady and prosperous and it always depended on the family members harmonious relationships and beloved brotherhood. Chapter 248 - Streaming in a Different Map (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She and Feng Ren were friends because they were both men of virtue. They were close friends who talked about their ideals and made comments about the present political affairs. Their topics barely involved each others jobs. The friendship between the two of them and the pattern of how they dealt with each other was relaxing for Feng Ren. Naturally, they enjoyed spending quite a lot of time together. I have often heard from you that this Liu County Chief is a jerk, but now I buy it. Mrs. Feng smiled, folded the letter, and put it down. Even though the letter was enciphered, the contents of the letter were nothing secret at all. It was more about sharing their lives, confiding in the experiences that he had encountered in recent years, expressing the missing feelings that he had, and matchmaking for Feng Rens son. He mentioned in the letter that he was leaving for the Capital soon and he would like Feng Ren to help him look for accommodationsCChe did not want to be homeless and starving when he arrived. He wrote the letter in a hilarious and relaxing way and there was no trace that it was from the well-known Liu County Chief. It was more likely that it was from a naive teenage boy. He could be more of an ass than that. Feng Ren seemed to remember something and he quickly shut his mouth and continued vaguely, Anyway, you cannot judge a person from his appearance. A person can look decent, but be rather nasty deep inside of him. Feng Ren and his wife had been married for years and the love and affection had never faded away. They chatted for a bit more and went to dinner together. In the meantime, the news that the Head of the Secretariat was condemned by the emperor and that he had been smashed by a cup of tea spread to every single family swiftly like it had wings. The ones who didnt have a powerful family to back them up were terrified about their own safety and the powerful ones who had no fear of reproach were just watching. They all believed that Feng Ren would ask for several sick days after he was wronged and he would get upset about it. Who could expect that he would just come back and act like nothing had happened? Nothing was different with him except the scab on his forehead. But the shrewd and experienced staff who had insight sighed and groaned about the truth. Their emperor had really offended Feng Ren. What about the Head of the Secretariat? There were uncountable members of the Feng family in critical political positions Why would they care about a title of Head of the Secretariat? The emperor never stopped dreading for a second about Feng Ren and the Fengs behind his back, even though it appeared that he valued them extremely. In that scenario, who could expect that the Fengs would risk their lives for allegiance to his nation? Feng Ren didnt storm outCCnot because he had a good temper, but simply because it was not worth being mad about. As a result of the turmoil in Meng County, Cang Prefecture, the counties near Meng County took some impact of the turmoil as well. The citizens were destitute and suffering. There were people shabbily dressed along the road and a large quantity of refugees fled to other counties, which caused potential security hazards to the local people. The roving bandits took advantage of the crisis and committed crimes; they did all manners of evil. However, Hejian County was relatively weird in that it was peaceful in such a circumstance. Jiang Pengji took care of most of the bandits and recruited them into her troop selectively. Instead of turning them into a potential security hazard, their force was used to protect the peace in Hejiang County and the nearby area. It showed a calm and auspicious picture whilst the other places were still in disorder. The limited purchase went well. The other gentry clan members found out that the one in charge of the action belonged to the Lius, but they chose not to react with in anger; they were scared of the Lius. What was more, not soon after, the grain store under the Weis name adjusted their price of grain willingly and they promptly enacted the limited purchase policy with a low grain price to the citizens as well. They do know about returning a favor with a favor Liu She had a bland smile after he heard that. Jiang Pengji had a thought and asked, So you did help to match Jinger and Feng Jin? Liu She smacked his lips and responded, Or what? The Weis wouldnt cut to the point so easily if there wasnt such a great deal being offered to them for a good man. The Weis neither tried to hurt her when she was trapped in the dilemma nor offered to help save her from getting out of it when Jiang Pengji started the limited purchase policy. Now they were doing it to show friendship. No single person would buy that there was nothing going on under the table between the two families. I will reassure them that Jinger is to be married to Feng Jin, considering his noble moral characterCCif it is so. Jinger wont be mistreated. Jiang Pengji didnt think too much about it. What she was thinking was that it would be a hundred times better than Jinger marrying a scumbag like Wuma Jun. At least Feng Jins character was trustworthy. Liu She shook his head. He knew what a kind person his girl was. Under the current circumstance, it was the best option to make the marriage between Feng Jin and Wei Jingxian work. In the future, it was very likely his only little girl would be hurt, possibly twice It was too soon to say though. Who could predict their future? Liu She skipped the subject and said to Jiang Pengji, There is only one more month before the fall harvest season. I will be off to the capital to see the emperor. You can ask your aunt to start preparing the stuff you will have a use for during the trip. Its your first time leaving home for a trip and it wont be harmful to be well-prepared. Yes. Liu She continued, You should pick some people from your troop to guard you during the trip. The rest of the troops can settle in Hejian County. Jiang Pengjis troop had increased up to 1,500 people after her deliberate filtering. She was not going to take all the 1,500 people with her. Only about 50 of them would be taken on the trip that time and the rest would stay where they were. Jiang Pengji nodded. She had never planned to expose her force, anyway. The troop members capabilities were uneven and every single one of them would have to have special training to help polish them. She would do so even if Liu She didnt mention it. Dont worry, father. I have given Xu Ke the order to choose the applicable entourage for me and the rest of them stay in Hejian County. I asked Qiguan Rang to take care of them for now. Qiguan Rang had not officially joined the gang, but Jiang Pengji wasnt going to waste the human resources. Xu Ke had to be with her for the trip, which left Meng Hun himself. He still had trouble keeping a troop with over 1,000 people in order, considering it was not his strength to handle internal affairs. What was more, his identity was still rather sensitive in the current situation. It was necessary for him to avoid the Mengs, which meant, in most scenarios, he wouldnt be able to show his face in public. Fortunately, Qiguan Rang would be in Hejian County to take over some amount of Xu Kes work. She had no big worries left about her troop. Every aspect of the preparation had started, even though the trip would be in more than a month. It was a big deal to leave home for somewhere remote in the current era since it had undeveloped transportation and information sharing system. Jiang Pengji was used to streaming everyday. Her days had been monotonous and tedious. No one or anything fun had appeared in her life, either. Most of the streaming time was viewers entertaining themselves by sending bullet screens. Jiang Pengji occasionally worked on the job at hand and she killed her time by watching the bullet screens from the viewers. Time flew and the harvest season was just at the door. The grain fields were full of yellow grain and farm hands were working at every corner of the fields. The curtain of the limited purchase, which had lasted for two months, finally fell and the grain price went back to normal. The stress in everyones heart was finally released as well. All the citizens in the county, including the adults and children, wore a delighted and relieved smile. They could forget about the chaos still going on outside of Hejian County temporarily. The size of the troop basically stabilized at more or less than 1,500. The main mission in their daily life was to train, plus some occasional additional workCClike working in the fields. Since the civil turmoil wasnt productively suppressed, the citizens were still dealing with threats from the outside. The citizens were in a rush to harvest their grain just in case the grain they put a whole year of effort into would be destroyed because of their delayed work. The shortage of the workers made it hard to catch up. Jiang Pengji overheard some farm hands talking about it, so she discussed the matter with Xu Ke and they both agreed to rent out their troops for doing the farm work. They had the strength and stamina to do the labor work as long as they were well fed. Xu Ke was speechless at the beginning. He felt shame at knowing the Langjun, especially since he worked for the weirdo. What was more outrageous was that his Langjun was curious and wanted to try doing the farm work when he saw the farm hands busy in the field. Chapter 249 - Streaming in a Different Map (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio This is not okay, Langjun Xu Ke moved swiftly and intended to stop Jiang Pengji, who was about to help with the field work. Her noble, aristocratic identity wasnt his concern. He only worried that she was going to cause more trouble to the othersCCespecially in a scenario that everyone was already busy working their brains out. Jiang Pengji turned over and asked Xu Ke with confusion, Why are you stopping me? There are no monsters in the field. Meanwhile, the viewers all turned into mentors and began to coach her on how to do the work verbally. Even though she didnt have a clue earlier, she would be able to do it with their instructions. She felt like she was being looked down on by Xu Ke, especially while she had the guides. Xu Ke was speechless. He responded after a while, Your noble identity doesnt allow you to get dirt on yourself. It is just not appropriate. Jiang Pengji tilted her head, looked into his eyes with a weird look, and finally said, You dont make sense! Xu Kes face turned red with embarrassment. He waited a bit and said to her, It is rather busy already. Youd better stay away from this work so you dont make a larger mess. Jiang Pengji had nothing to say to him She was too bothered seeing the LOLs on the bullet screens. The viewers normally would feel bad for Xu Ke, but it was her turn to be sympathized with. Laosiji Lianmeng: Lol, we should hold a memorial service for this straightforward boy. He really has the guts to say it out loud. Zuizhan Baishegeng: I almost choked earlier when I was drinking. Xu Ke was asking for death. He shouldnt have said it out loud, even though that was exactly what he thought. The host had a nasty look for him. Xu Ke really needs to be careful just in case our host is going to get him in trouble. Mowu Huanxi: #Chin-resting emoji. Please follow the scripts, dude. He should be touched by her actions, as the script says by now. The host swallowed her pride and got down to do field work with you guys. It is her way to share joy with average citizens. This is a critical merit to be a wise master, but somehow he despised it. Yun QImiao: Who still remembers the origins of our host? Did she ever seen crops in her era? The viewers genuinely doubted that she could distinguish which were the seed-heads and which the were the straw. Jiang Pengji was shocked by the questions. Indeed, she had never seen real crops, but it was nothing different from the viewers who had never seen a running pig but they had all eaten pork. But they still shouldnt scorn her knowledge, okay? Host V: But you guys are giving me instructions by sending the bullet screens, arent you? Laosiji Liangmeng: We did Booble search for most of the information, but we have no idea if it will be useful or not. Jiang Pengji didnt know how to respond to that Nai Baobao: Im actually curious. The era our host is from still has agriculture, right? But is it all automatic for harvesting? Jiang Pengji stared at Xu Ke silently. No one was comprising. She squatted on the edge of the field with a gloomy mood and she watched the rest of them work while she held her chin in her hands. It appeared that she was defeated by Xu Ke; it was shown by the fact that she was chatting with the viewers. Host V: Do you know what the definition of a farmer is in my era? That means wealthy! The viewers were astonished by the idea and the bullet screen were covered by exclamation marks. How wealthy could one get by planting crops? Jiang Pengji pondered and she described the general concept of it for her viewers by using a metaphor. Host V: You have all seen the map of Dongqings territory, right? You guys have a basic understanding of the size of the country I assume. The viewers nodded to that. It was kind of hard to miss, especially since the map was hung on the wall of her study room. The country was estimated to be about one-sixth of the Hua Countrys territory or a bit more. The conclusion came from a data analyzing expert in the streaming room after he collected and analyzed the data of different aspects that the host provided. And then? Host V: The size of the country is equivalent to that of a medium or small sized farm, approximately. The viewers were startled by the metaphor. In other words, the realm that Dongqing Emperor dominated had no comparison to a small or medium sized farm owner. The viewers had nothing more to comment Laosiji Lianmeng: Im probably drunk and watched some fake stream. It has completely changed the concept of farm owner in my mind. Xiao Xiaogui: Me, too. Ive started to recognize that my identity as a rural citizen is valuable. Yueguang Baohe: Me, too. And as an urban citizen, I feel a sense of awkwardness. It was hard to imagine a farm that was as big as one-sixth of the Hua Country territory. However, how did one farmer take care of such a humongous farm? He should be able to, right? But it was still a scene the viewers couldnt picture. Laosiji Lianmeng: Hold on, I might have come up with something horrible. Our hosts era has big-a** farms that indicate that the earth is not good enough to fulfill the farm owners needs. Is it possible that there is an agricultural planet? In other words, the hosts era was fully interplanetary. It was very likely that there were many planets suitable for creatures to survive, just like most of the Star Trek novels. Some planets were to be used for agricultural purposes, which was how the farmers circled their farms and became filthy rich. With his reminder, all the viewers in the streaming room felt thrilled by the prospect. Jiang Pengji didnt get the point of why they were so thrilled. She was just sitting still, watching several farm hands gather and work with each other on one field. The viewers in the streaming room couldnt picture how the farm owners in her era managed huge farms that equalled to the size of Dongqing. They had never seen that with their eyes, and it was the same for her. Before she saw the harvesting scene, she had no clue how famers harvested their crops. Xu Ke felt slightly apprehensive when he noticed that Jiang Pengji was sitting quietly. He compromised and said to her, If you are really curious, you can ask one of the farm hands who is familiar with the work to assist and give you some guidance. These crops seem like nothing particular, but it could cause a strain of your lumbar muscles or bad injury on your hands and feet if you are not harvesting the right way Jiang Pengji looked at him, leaned her head to the side, and said, Then you go get me a farm hand. The viewers knew nothing, but they were copying and pasting the content they searched for from Booble. They were no better than her. Xu Ke had no choice but to stand up and find her an experienced farm hand. He was hoping that his master could stop making a fuss and back off when she encountered difficulties. Why dont we use tools? Jiang Pengji had limited knowledge about the ancient time. She had never ceased doing research about the information of the current era from either books or hearsay. Seeing was believing, however, and it was impossible to imagine something without seeing the real substance. The experienced farm hand replied to her with reverence and awe, To respond to you, Langjun, we do have tools but the tools are rare and priceyCCso are the farm cattle. Usually, three or four families would share the tools and the cattle. We have to take turns completing the harvesting work. But it is not unbearably slow if we are all experienced in doing it They relied more on human labor instead of the force of tools. Jiang Pengji took a glance at the direction the farm hand pointed out to her. She only spotted a primitive tool that a farmer was using, which made her frown. It was hard for her to believe that the method based on human force would work efficiently at all. Not to mention those big farm ownersCCeven those small farm owners were reluctant to assign a single person to harvest the crops in their farm because they knew he wouldnt get much progress, no matter how long they gave him. The truth was that agriculture was not mechanized enough in the current era, which led to an undeveloped stage in which only human labor could be used instead of any assistance from external force. Chapter 250 - Streaming in a Different Map (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I will do whatever you teach me, old gentleman. Jiang Pengji beamed as she rolled the bottom of her long outfit up to her knees and fixed it with a rope. She exposed her tender and slim legs to the public. She tied her big sleeves with an arm string for convenience. Xiao Xiaogui: This string for fixing the sleeves is very much like the one from Japan Laosiji Lianmeng: Panbo, AKA Arm Rope was not originally designed in Japan. As a matter of fact, the ancient people from Hua Country used a rope to fix their sleeves in order to avoid the inconvenience from the wide, baggy sleeves while they were doing farm work. No one wears wide-sleeved outfits anymore, so naturally you have never seen it. Okay, it was a good lecture to enrich their knowledge. Jiang Pengji fixed her sleeves with Xu Kes help. She stood next to the experienced farm hand, carefully listening to him about how to harvest the crops. The old farm hand had sufficient experience, considering that he had dealt with crops all his life. In spite of his age, his moves were as good as, or even slightly swifter than, the young guys, even though most of his hair had turned grey. At the same time, Xu Ke sharply sensed that his Langjun was acting weird. He started to wonder if his Langjun finally found that it was too hard for him? But what he saw completely blew away his expectations of his master. It was amazing that this Langjun, who was reckoned as being too feeble to do any labor and was unable to distinguish one kind of grain from another, was already able to start working after he observed the old farm hand doing it only once. The farm hand emphasized some matters he needed to be cautious about and he was doing a decent job. You have a good comprehension of this, Langjun. And you are much wiser than my grandson The old farm hand paid a high compliment to her out of joy, but he instantly realized that he had said something wrong. There was no comparison between his grandson and his Langjun. There was a big social status gap between the two. His grandson was very likely to starve to death if he didnt grasp the skill. On the other hand, Langjun would never be bothered by trifles like food and clothingCChe had no idea what crops looked like at all during his lifespan. The moment the farm hand realized that, he was so frightened that his face turned pale and he was about to kneel on the ground. However, Jiang Pengji wasnt upset about it. Instead, she grinned at him and talked to the farm hand with a gentle tone. It doesnt seem that difficult. There are some parts of the work that need special attention for specific strength and postures, otherwise your whole body will suffer in pain after a long time of work. The farm hand knew nothing about terms like postures and specific strength. All his experience came from an accumulated experience, repetition of the same work, and testing the best method himself during his entire life. Xu Ke stood beside the two and his face turned back to normal. Jiang Pengji had no awareness that she was possibly being offended. She kept working and mowed the rest of the grain. In about fifteen minutes, she sat on the edge of the field and swung her legs to rest. There was some sweat on her forehead. Do you want to take some medicine, Langjun? Xu Ke held a small brown bottle with some medicine that helped dissolve bruises and stop bleeding. Jiang Pengji looked at his hands holding the medicine and then looked at her own legs and the bottom of her feet, which were full of tiny cuts from the grain. She came to realize her own condition but she still shook her head. She pointed at a place next to her and asked Xu Ke to sit down. That farmer didnt mean to offend you, Langjun Xu Ke was extra sensitive to acknowledge others emotional changes. He had gradually increased his understanding of his master. It was obvious to him when she was not in a pleasant mood. He thought that the only reason that she was disturbed could be from the farm hand. But he was wrong. Jiang Pengji was not impeccable; she was capricious, reckless, arrogant, unbridled, and hard to deal with but those were common characteristics of all the gentry clan members. Jiang Pengji was still different from the rest of the gentry clan members in many ways. She would never harm weak and innocent people, not to mention that the old farm hand hadnt intended to say anything in malice. Are you pleading for mercy for him? Jiang Pengji couldnt help but laugh as she said, The premise to plead for mercy for someone has to be that you are aware of the whole story and the truth. It could turn into really nasty tension because of your pleading. And by the way, I wasnt upset about that Xu Ke seemed serious and said, But it is true that you are not happy, Langjun. Jiang Pengji had a smile and asked him instead, Then do you know why? Xu Ke was stunned. He began to doubt that it was a trick from his Langjun and that he was just making fun of him by pretending to be in a bad mood. Xu Ke blushed. He cupped his hands in front of his chest. Im not sure about the reason. I was hoping to be enlightened by you, Langjun. Jiang Pengji asked, Do you think I was stalling their process earlier when I was helping? Xu Ke was speechless She was targeting him! Jiang Pengji didnt wait for his response. I seem all right at the moment, but my body is sore and in pain. Doing farm work is not just simple physical work. If you dont know the process, your muscles will complain a lot and it wont be fun for the next a couple of days Xu Ke listened to her quietly and stared at the side of her face. To be honest, for him, Langjuns face was too delicate to be a mans. He was very much like a girl just from his appearance. But that was the current custom in the current era. Guys needed to use perfume, do makeup, and dress in flamboyant clothing before they went out. They were a bunch of glamorous, flaming guys. It was still normal that his Langjun had a pretty face. He was too young to be able to judge his sex from his face. It would be obvious for others to tell once he grew up. It was painstaking. Jiang Pengjis physical quality was considered garbage to her even though she was rather outstanding to her peers and among adult guys. Her body felt worn out only after fifteen minutes of working in the field. She felt that the loss outweighed the gain. The effort she put in was disproportionate to the outcome. Besides, it was only her thought. Everyone else was amazed by her high efficiency and comprehension. They didnt see her worse than any experienced farmers. There was a big generation gap between the two eras which caused the conflicted judgements. You dont have to work this hard, Langjun, Xu Ke said. She was different from the other farmers. The latter had their lives entirely dependant on the fields. In contrast, she could eat and dress well without doing anything. You would be wrong if that is what you think. She put her fingers in one hand against the fingers in the other hand and placed her elbow on her knees. I feel the same pain with these farmers after I did the field work myself. The work they industriously put into the farm for planting and maintaining doesnt match the products they earned in the harvest season. Xu Ke thought, There were more than enough unfair things that existed in the world. If we can popularize a more advanced tool for every single one of them, it will be less laborious for them to harvest one acre of crops successfully. They will still need to sweat, but the effects will be prominent, she muttered to herself. The idea she had in her mind would not be implemented in the current world. She had to compromise her idea to match with the current eras in some ways. My expectation is to get the work done in less than ten minutes instead of two hours for the old method. Xu Ke wondered if his Langjun had brain damage from working too hard earlier. I need to think about itCCand you are in charge here. Whoever slacks off will want to kill himself to get away from the training from the General Coach afterwards. It seemed like she had an idea and she quickly put on her clogs and left Xu Ke behind. Xu Ke wanted to say something, but instead he kept quiet. It was definitely awful to have his curiosity sparked, but even more that he was left without being told anything. He reached out his hand to attempt to stop his Langjun, but his Langjun took off too fast for him to catch up. Langjun was nearly flying even though he had clogs on. He walked between the fields like he was walking on flat ground. He just ran away and left Xu Ke dumbfounded where he stood. Chapter 251 - Streaming in a Different Map (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What are you drawing, Langjun? Taxue lifted her sleeve with one hand and milled an ink stick with the other hand. There was the smell of diffused ink in the air. Jiang Pengji took a brush, let it absorb some ink, and started writing on a paper made of bamboo. All the different width strings on the paper mangled up the drawing into a weird painting. No matter what angle Taxue looked at it, it didnt make sense to her at all. Something useful. Jiang Pengji stood up in the middle of her drawing and took a book from the bookshelf. She unfolded the book and read the contents carefully before she sat back down at her desk. She made some modifications to her sketch after her research. If it is doable, it might turn out to be a revolution for us. Jiang Pengjis purpose was to improve the current farm tools in order to enhance the work efficiency and reduce the human work. She wouldnt be qualified to do some mechanical designs or an energy core for carriers with her limited knowledge, but the difficulty level was much lower if she only designed some wooden mechanisms. Besides, she had bunch of viewers in the streaming room providing her with the latest references from their world. It wouldnt be extremely hard for her to improve the tools, but the real difficulty was that the tools she designed had to match the technology in the current era so that they could make the tools in the future. She needed to take account of the cost of making the tools and the maintenance of them afterwards. At least, the amount of time they took and cost shouldnt outweigh the possible resources the tools could save for them. Jiang Pengji kept working on the sketch and left Taxue lost in her confusion. As Liu Xis closest servant, she had some education. She had good handwriting, but that was all she could do. The paintings in this era were more about artistic expression than reality and most of the paintings were abstract. Taxue naturally wouldnt have a clue about a tridimensional sketch like Jiang Pengjis. It was very likely that no one else except Jiang Pengji and her viewers in the streaming room would recognize it. Since you say so, it must be very important. Taxue nodded at her and continued milling the ink for Jiang Pengji. After a short time, Jiang Pengji stopped what she was doing. Taxue lowered her voice and asked Jiang Pengji, Do you want to have a bath now, Langjun? Jiang Pengji had run back home right after she finished the farm work. There was some mud left on her legs and her sleeves because she had rolled her pants up for the field work. She had been soaked with hot sweat when she came back. If it wasnt for her face being recognized by the guard, she might have had trouble getting back into her own house. Just from her appearance, it wouldnt have been hard to believe that she worked as a farm hand for someone. Right, you go prepare some clean clothes for me. I just realized that it would have been uncomfortable if you didnt remind me. Jiang Pengji had never been a neat freak, considering that she had been a gene warrior in her last life. She had been through all sorts of nasty environments when she was working in the operations assigned by her boss. Not to mention her body covered in mud, it was also routine that she had the flesh and smashed organs of her enemies all over her body. It was simply that the conditions allowed her to treat herself well at the present time. She turned off the stream and had a bath. Jiang Pengji put on a light green outfit before sitting back at the table, her hair slightly wet. She turned the stream back on and put her attention back to the sketch she was working on earlier. She wore a frown at first, but it went away soon after with a feeling of relief. Why havent I seen Xunmei lately? Jiang Peng didnt stop revising on the paper with her one hand while she dried off her hair with a cloth in her other hand. Taxue continued milling the ink for her and said, Xunmei has been working night shifts recently. You went to sleep early so you didnt see her. Do you need her for something? Jiang Pengji responded to her with a positive yeah and she asked, I just remembered that I decided to go along with my father to the Capital soon. I was planning to take one of you with me. Its going to be exhausting during the long journey, especially for girls. So I was just wondering if you guys would like to go with me. Taxue burst into laughter. Its funny that you say so, Langjun. You forget about your own conditions. It wont be painstaking for me and Xunmei if it is not painstaking for you. We are both your servants; naturally we need to be wherever you are going to be. It wouldnt make sense if we were reluctant to go along. Xunmei would say the same to you, Im sure. Why do you only want to take one but leave the other one at home? Jiang Pengji shook her head and said simply, Im leaving home for further study, not for pleasure and enjoyment. It wont be necessary to have too many people taking care of me. Even so, you shouldnt mistreat yourself. Taxue looked at her with an expectation. Im going with you, Langjun. Jiang Pengji didnt agree right away; she needed to double check with Xunmei as well. As a result of suppressing a large group of the ferocious bandits, the harvest season in Hejian County was peaceful and smooth. It was overall a bountiful harvest year, and it turned out that they would have some stock of grain left, after all. Jiang Pengji asked Xu Ke to do an audit of the income from several thousand dans of grain before the harvest season and they would use the profit to acquire more grain for a cheap price. By doing that back and forth, they increased their fortune multiple times from the original 5,000 dans of grain. With the fortune, Jiang Pengji, a person who had started in poverty, had her wallet somewhat full. Xu Ke felt like a butler who was careful and meticulous with budgeting. He used his abacus proficiently, like using chopsticks, and split a penny in half for saving money. He believed that there were more usages of the money they obtained from the 5,000 dans of grain that were waiting for them to explore them He blamed his Langjun for pushing him so hard to be so particular. What Jiang Pengji flipped over the wall of her place in the middle of the night to avoid being caught before she left for the Capital. She managed to see Qiguan Rang with the same method; instead, it was Wei Yuns wall. Qiguan Rang thought it was almost guaranteed that he was being attacked by some random person at night. Once he realized it was just Jiang Pengji, he rearranged his clothes and took the sketch from Jiang Pengji, which had some weird shapes of objects on it. These are the farm tools after some modifications. Jiang Pengji took a sip of tea. But the reality is I still lack experience. Im afraid the real effect of the tools wont match the expectation, considering the sketch is drawn entirely based on my imagination. Im leaving this to you. I also talked to the craftsmen in the Lius earlier; you can discuss it with them in private. You guys can work on a plan for how to make it more functional and practical. Qiguan Rang was shocked while he listened to her. He went mute as soon as he remembered the crossbow. If you focus on working in this field, Langjun, you might have a chance to be a great designer, like the giants in the Mos. It was a shame that, even though Liu Xi had the gift, he never aimed at making a contribution in the field. He was targeting something bigger: the whole country. Jiang Pengji chose to ignore him. Make sure you keep it low key and dont leak the information. Qiguan Rang was born in the current era and he was aware of the importance of secrecy. He clasped his hands in front of his chest and promised her, I will take care of itCCjust leave it to me. Jiang Pengji said, Okay, thanks for doing everything. Qiguan Rang was a shrewd and paranoid person. He sensed something weird from her from the timing that she chose to come to him. She came to visit him by jumping over the wall in the middle of the nightCCthe night before she left for her trip. He asked her while he was putting the sketch away, Are you suspecting that you have a mole? Actually yeah It was out of Qiguan Rangs expectations that Jiang Pengji gave him a clear response to his question. But its not the main reason; its only one of them. The other reason is that its rather handy for us to do it while you are here in Hejian County. I wont be able to spare myself for this work because I will be staying in Langye. I know exactly who the mole is Only Im still not sure who is behind this and his purpose but isnt it fun? Jiang Pengji sneered and said, I will keep this mole with me for a while. I want to find out what else he has learned. Chapter 252 - Another Real Time, Triggering Task (1) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The second day before the dawn, four wagons pulled sneakily out of town with a fifty-member entourage. Even though there was only Liu She and his son, they prepared four wagons anyway. Liu She was in one of the wagons, Jiang Pengji took another one, some of their servants took one, and the last one was used for storing clothes, food, water, money, and other luggage so they wouldnt get cold. The entourages luggage was in that wagon, as well. They downsized the items they could have possibly taken with them over and over again. There would have been at least six wagons if they took everything the Second lady and Madam Hu had prepared for them. In a word, it was not easy to go for a long-term journey in an era where everything was extraordinarily undeveloped. The viewers were astonished by the size of the group and they all claimed that they were taught a lesson. Jun Muyi: It seems like people traveling in the TV shows keep things simple; they basically only take a female servant and a pageboy to drive the wagon for them. Apparently it was just a lie in the TV shows The extravagant travel patterns of our host are probably the accurate way in the ancient time. Jinghun Youlong: This is so they are attended on by a large number of followers and servants, which seems really cool. Our host got a great deal this time from her time traveling. Most of the viewers were envious about her and they would have loved to experience the deluxe treatment the host was experiencing. Of course, there were some rational ones among the viewers. Laosiji Liangmeng: How could you buy the acting in the TV shows? Do you have any idea how terrible transportation was in the ancient time? Im not just talking about the transportation methodsCCthe road conditions, too. You dont see courier stations everywhere along the road. It is rather common that you dont see any living creature for about five days on your trip. If you dont fully prepare with food and water, how would you survive in a place out in the middle of nowhere without any supply? A family with good finances naturally would take every aspect into consideration, including all the emergencies. People without such financial conditions, however, had no choice but to take small packages with barely enough food to keep them from starvation. They would have to be frugal and simple on their trip. They were very likely to encounter all sorts of dangers, as well as being slow. The ancient time was nothing like the modern society the viewers were familiar with. There were forests of high rises in modern life, which compacted the habitats for the wild animals to the maximum. People had heard about a species, but there was a chance that they had never seen it. It was a different story in the ancient time. Dangerous, wild animals ran around everywhere. It wasnt abnormal to see snakes in someones home. Maorongrong Degongji: Come on, are you a combustible bomb today? We are just simply showing envy Its not necessary for you to be this furious, all right? The bullets screen was full of hostility, but it didnt bother Jiang Pengji much. She dozed off, leaning her body on a side table. While they were still in Hejian County jurisdiction, how much the wagon was shaking was acceptable. But when it came close to the noon time, the wagon started to shake more and it felt like it was nearly out of the control. The viewers wondered if the wagon would shatter to pieces because it was shaking so badly. Jinghong Youlon: Im no longer envious of her. It would be bearable if it was just a short time But the bones of your body would fall apart after a while. Some of the viewers complained that how much the camera was shaking triggered their motion sickness. Their eyes hurt and they felt like vomiting after watching the stream for a while. Are we off the official road? Jiang Pengji lifted the curtains of her wagon and the scenery outside had changed into chilling autumn. Instead of being in the third wagon with the rest of the servants, Taxue sat beside Jiang Pengji in her wagon. According to my estimation of time, we should be off the official road. I have a cushion ready for you to sit on so that you wont feel the jouncing quite as much. Why was the traffic in such a lagged stage that it isolated one place from another place in the current era? Inferior transportation was one reason; another major reason was the dreadful roads. In spite of the official road having been taken care and modernized, there were no roads in many places. The wagons, which belonged to the Lius, had a relatively advanced shock mitigation system and they were suffering from the bumpy roads. There was no telling how bad it would have been for average wagons. Dont worry about it. Im going to ride the horse for a bit. Jiang Pengji had a strong physical quality, but the jolty wagon was too much for her to tolerate. It would be harder for the feeble people in the ancient time to take. Liu She was speechless when he saw Jiang Pengji on the big horse. Naughty girl. Be careful, he warned her, but he totally understood. It was definitely better to ride a horse than to sit in the wagon at the moment. He simply believed that his baby girl got off the wagon and chose to ride a horse as a result of suffering in the wagon too much. Yes, daddy. Jiang Pengji sat on the horse, following the troop tardily. The sun was hanging in the air and it radiated with a dazzling light that beamed directly on her, which made her warm. Traveling in the ancient time could be extremely inconvenient; however, thanks to Liu Shes sufficient travel experience, he was fully prepared with everything that one could imagine. Liu She opened his curtain and said to her, Lets stop and have a rest. We should eat something, as well. Sure, Jiang Pengji replied to him. She gave the order to the whole troop to rest for reorganization. She asked her own people to make sure to eat something before they left again. Are you sick, Xu Ke? You dont look good. Xu Kes pale face drew her attention as soon as he got off the wagon. His lips were deathly pale. Xu Ke felt like his body was about to shatter. The moment his feet landed on the ground, his legs went so soft that they could barely support him. While he was in such bad shape, his Langjuns ridiculing smile spread from ear to ear, which made him feel terribly ashamed. It took a while to straighten his back. Xu Ke put himself together, made a bow with hands folded in front, and smiled at Jiang Pengji. Only his smile was very reluctant. They just set the camp fire to boil water and cook some jerky. You go ahead and take a drink. If its too bumpy in the wagon, you can choose to ride a horse, as well. Jiang Pengji never questioned if Xu Ke was able to ride a horse or not, because the six-skills for men with merit were the must-master skills in the current era for people in school. Xu Ke clasped his hands in front of his chest and showed appreciation to Jiang Pengji. No worries. You asked for it. Jiang Pengji looked him from head to toe with a sense of taunting. She lowered her voice, saying, Xunmei went to see you yesterday, right? Ugh, you might get yourself some company along the way if you are not a piece of wood and you can sense what a girl is thinking. Xu Kes face went pale and turned red right after. He explained in a hurry, Dont take it wrong, Langjun. Xumei didnt In most gentry families, the personal female servants were the backups for the owners concubines. How could Xu Ke ever covet that? Why were you doing it in such a hurry? Jiang Pengji came closer to him and sneered. Xunmeis eyes were red when she came back. Xu Ke went mute. Jiang Penji continued, I treat her like my sister; I have no other thoughts about her at all, especially because Xunmei has her own ideas. She might not be pleased with the idea of being some big guys concubine and she likes you. Jiang Pengji knew she might as well say it straight. Her being so straightforward made Xu Ke lower his head more and more. Then what do you think? I said no to Xunmei Xu Kes voice was quiet, and he had blush on his cheeks. Honestly, Im not fond of her choice. You are not the best match for her. Xu Ke was nobody for now, but he had a bright future. Jiang Pengji had confidence in him, more than she had confidence in herself. The men who still kept their hearts for their love in the current era were scarce. There were plenty of men who abandoned their first wives and took concubines after they became wealthy or gained a high position on the pretext of carrying on their family line. Chapter 253 - Another Real Time, Triggering Task (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji leaned against the carriage, arms folded to her chest. Xu Ke felt uncomfortable, not knowing where to place his hands. However, that girl is quite silly and also quite obstinate. You know what she chose to stay in Hejian County for, dont you? Xu Ke remained silent out of shyness, having no idea how to respond. He hadnt known the reason why she chose to stay, but as soon as his langjun had said so, as smart as he was, he instantly understood. Xunmei stayed in Hejian County mostly to take care of his aunt. Xunmeis character, like her name, was indeed gentle and kind. Seems you understand that Jiang Pengji slapped him on the shoulder, giggling. If you like Xunmei, come and ask for my promise. If you dont like her, you had better make up your mind, so as not to waste that nice girls time Xu Ke smiled helplessly. His langjuns temperament was rather unexpected. The audience in the streaming room witnessed the whole scene. Many of them had been expecting Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke to get together, so they felt a sharp pain in their hearts. Streamer, youre not even a qualified time traveler, okay? Besides, when did Xunmei and Xu Ke hook up? I understand. Xu Ke bowed with hands folded in front of him. His head was low as always, which revealed his slightly red ears. After a moment of rest, the group of people had been engorged, so they set out once again. The area surrounding Hejian County was becoming more dangerous, for they had to face not only man-made dangers, but also natural dangers. The distance between stations was not fixed. Sometimes it would take half a day to march from one station to the next, while other times it would take three or four days. Luckily, the wagons were filled with rice and water, so the group of more than fifty people would not have to ration so strictly. Marching forwards continuously was very dull. After five or six days, even Xu Ke, who had been weak, was getting used to the bumpy carriage. Although pale as ever, he was better than he had been at the onset of the journey. By comparison, his adaptability was lower than that of Taxue, who was a courtyard girl. In such circumstances, the live streaming was boring as hell. Seeing the course of the ancient trip with their own eyes, they didnt envy Jiang Pengji for such a display of splendor. To them, it was a torture. Bingtang Ningmeng: I was quite envious at first, but now I have nothing left but heartache. I live on the prairie. Ive ridden horses before. I know how tiring it is to ride a horse for a long time and I can only imagine how bumpy it is to sit in a carriage Modern society is better. Tianxia Wudi: You all are staring at the streamer and the carriage. Am I the only one who feels bad for the bodyguards journeying on foot? I counted. Each of them has worn out seven or eight pairs of straw sandals. I saw a man sitting on the ground picking blisters on his feet while he was resting. Nide Yida: The commenter before me, youve answered my question. When I came into this streaming room, I was bewildered as to why the guards were carrying a bunch of straw sandals on their shoulders. I wondered if they had woven straw sandals to sell Now I know. It is just sad. Laosiji Lianmeng: I remember when I was in my senior year of high school. My school organized a hiking activity. The whole grade of students went up and down the hill on their feet for about twenty kilometers and many of them didnt regain their energy for a week. These guards have traveled far further in the past few days than we did hiking and they have taken turns watching at night. A group of people living in the wilderness its really tough. I know for myself, as long as I have a band card or a cell phone in my hands, and money in my bank account, I can take a trip whenever I wish. But in ancient times, that was almost impossible. I have already drank all the water in the water pouch. I wonder if there is a water source nearby Liu She took a bite of a dry, hard biscuit, getting not even the slightest taste. The water pouch in his hand was empty. The guards, seemingly relaxed, sat in twos and threes; all of them were alert to their surroundings. Ill send someone to look for water. Father, you should rest in the carriage. Jiang Pengji took his water pouch and ordered several guards that were in a relatively good state to find clean water. She was free to refuse if she wished, but due to her experience of surviving in the wild, she was the best fit to go with them. She could find the water faster, while avoiding the dangers that lurked in the woods. No one could ever judge her efficiency. Each person had several water pouches. If they could fill them all at one time, it might support them until they reached the next station. Jiang Pengji had a long knife attached to her waist. It was sharp and straight. If she were less beautiful and taller, she would look more handsome. She raised her hand to chop off the bushes around them and cleared a path. Theres a stream a half a mile ahead Jiang Pengji said resolutely. Its not winter yet, so snakes, rats, and ants are all active Before she finished her words, she jerked her wrist and held the black knife backhand. The sword went deep into the trunk behind one of the guards and scared him stiff. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried not to move a muscle. Her breath was a little heavy from too much walking. Its a poisonous snake. Then all the guards saw that the tip of the knife was stained with blood. A poisonous snake, which blended in with the tree trunk, had a triangular head and brown skin and was nailed to the tree trunk, twitching slowly. Had it not been for Jiang Pengjis swift action of killing it with the knife, its wide open teeth might have sunk deep into the guards neck. Be careful! Jiang Pengji withdrew the knife. Her expression was cold as always, but she also emitted an indescribable sense of security. After stumbling for half a mile, they heard the gurgling of a stream, as expected. The guards looked at her in awe and adoration. Go and get some water. Hurry up. Jiang Pengji stood on a boulder beside the stream, the added height making for better surveillance. She did not notice anything unusual. The guards heard her words, immediately took down the water pouches from their bodies, and squatted down beside the water to fill them. Sanzhi Songshu lingshi: The ancient water resources were not polluted. They look so clean. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Looking clean doesnt mean they were really clean. If you drink it straight, it may cause a diarrhea. Who knows how many microbes are in it? It can be infected Its safer to boil it before drinking Even without the warning of the audience, Jiang Pengji wouldnt have been that careless. In fact, every time she fetched water, she had someone put it in the pot and boil it, then put it back in the pouch. Langjun! While she was watching the bullet comments to kill time, one of the guards suddenly ran towards her with a bloody coat in his hands. Whats going on? Jiang Pengji looked at the bloody clothes that had been soaked in water, then grabbed it. It was a cloak of an adult man. It was made of an exquisite texture rather than the coarse cloth that common people used to make clothes. Where did you find it? she asked. The cloak had several sword cuts in it and was splattered with fresh blood. In other words, the owner of the cloak must have been killed not long ago and was not far away! Report: the clothes were floating down the river just as we were fetching the water. As Jiang Pengji looked at the cloak, her eyes flickered. The atmosphere in the streaming room became eerily silent. They all hoped that Jiang Pengji would go over and check it out, for she might save a life. But even without looking around, they knew that the owner of the bloody clothes must have encountered banditry, robbery, or an enemy, since the clothes were found in such deep woods. If Jiang Pengji went to check it out, she might be thrust into the path of danger. Kindness was a good quality, but it was not good to bring danger to strangers, or to those around you, because of it. That was unwise kindness! At that moment, Jiang Pengji heard the sound of the System that had been pretending to be deaf and dumb for a long time. [Cheng Cheng, a friend of Meng Zhan in Cang Prefecture, is now in the midst of an unknown crisis. Please save him in half an hour. Upon completion of the job, you will be rewarded with Full BreastsCCyou will be fair-skinned, have a high lift, and and be enticing while your dress is half-off. In case of failure, you will receive a sixth degree shock penalty! You are requested to consider carefully and carry out the task as soon as possible to prevent the target from dying.] Another real time, triggering task! Oh, it was a sixth degree shock penalty this time! Jiang Pengji was speechless. System, youve been f**king nice to me for several months Now you come out of nowhere and throw this trouble at me? Youre f**king naughty! Langjun, do you need me to go and have a look? the guard asked in a low voice, for fear that the noise would provoke the bandits. No need. You go and keep the others quiet. Dont be noticed by the bandits. We dont want to bring ourselves any trouble! With a cold expression, Jiang Pengji threw the bloody cloak on the ground and never spared it a second glance. It was obvious by a glance at her reaction what she had decided. Yes, at your disposal. It was better to deal with less than more. There were only a few who could really save others at their own risk. As the guards in charge of langjuns safety, they naturally didnt want any more unnecessary trouble. Some audience members in the streaming room were very anxious, typing hateful words for Jiang Pengjis coldness and ruthlessness. Others said that they could understand her decision rationally, but felt disappointed with her emotionally They wanted to see a streamer of justice, not some selfish and cold-hearted person. At that moment, the System emitted a sound. The System gnashed its teeth. Dont tell me youre going to say no again. If you dont listen to me, youll regret it. Jiang Pengji sniggered. Im not going to do the mission. What can you do about that? The System answered, Level six shock penalty! Are you not afraid to die? Are you going to let me die? Jiang Pengji asked. The System choked and said indignantly, You dont have to refuse the mission just to piss me off. Youre wrong. I cant save him just because hes Meng Zhans friend, Jiang Pengji responded coldly. System: No, I cant do this. This host is too hard to deal with! I know that she hates real time tasks, but does she have to oppose what Im saying so harshly? After about ten minutes, the guards had filled all the water pouches. Jiang Pengji said to them, Lets go! The System kept thwarting her in her mind. Jiang Pengji, arent you trying to save people? The audience is going to throw rotten eggs at you. As a streamer, you should create a positive image. If you dont save people today, youll lose your fans! Shut up! Jiang Pengji coldly spit out two words, looking very tough and indifferent. The System was infuriated, yet it was unable to persuade Jiang Pengji. It could only croon in anger. At that moment, the guards found that their langjun was leading them in another direction. Langjun we are going the wrong way. They werent headed back. Chapter 254 - Another Real Time, Triggering Task (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji stopped suddenly and tilted her head to the side. She said, You go the way I tell you to. The guard was kind of shocked but only dared to think, Could it be their Langjun was embarrassed about her lack of direction? What are you doing? Keep up! Jiang Pengji snorted and looked at him angrily. Mist was flowing into her eyes, making her look peculiarly tsundere. Of course, these people didnt know what tsundere meant, but Jiang Pengjis awkward reaction really won some peoples love by virtue of her cuteness. Yes! The guard quickly responded in a loud voice after he recovered from his shock. He then followed in Jiang Pengjis footsteps. The audience in the streaming room suddenly understood what might be going on. A speculation spread in their minds. Did the streamer change her mind? Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Streamer, although saving others from danger is a virtue, you should just do what you are capable of. Compared to a total stranger, I still think that the security of the streamer is more important. Even if you dont do anything, you are doing nothing wrong. Bingtang Ningmeng: +1. Streamer, you dont need to change your behavior because of other peoples opinions. Since you only have a few people around you, if you meet a group of bandits, you wont be able to save the others, and you probably will throw yourself into danger. Its not practical. Saving others came at a cost. Jiang Pengji and her people originally went out for water, so they didnt bring any lethal weapons at all. They were only a few people with weak weapons, so if the number of bandits was far greater than that of Jiang Pengjis people, they would be like sheep going into a tigers den. Nide Yida: Ugh, there are so many people who blackmail others by so-called morality. Will not saving others make the streamer a ruthless, unkind person? If she is in danger because she tries to save others, would you crawl out of the screen to save her? Streamer, be safe! The audience in the streaming room was quite ambivalent, and the stance was rather weak. Jiang Pengji clearly remembered an ID who lashed out at her for her coldness, but when she had done something that seemed like a sign of salvation, the ID went on to denounce those suspected of blackmailing through morality and completely forgot about the comments they been sent earlier. She sneered. She did not take any notice of the argument on the screen, no matter how radical it was. Laosiji Lianmeng: What are you arguing about? The streamer would never do something that didnt bring her any benefit. Dont you know that? In contrast to those who changed easily, the true, loyal audience members were more rational and always maintained their position. They might not watch the stream every day, but they really understood Jiang Pengjis character. Was she the kind of person who got carried away by emotion and acted on impulse? Apparently not. Although no one knew why she changed her mind at the last minute, one thing was for sure: Her reasons for saving people were definitely not related to what the audience was saying. If Jiang Pengji had been the kind of streamer who could easily be persuaded by the audience, she wouldnt have been worth the attention of so many devoted viewers. According to the comment of Laosiji Lianmeng, the only reason she would save someone was because the benefits of saving them were far greater than that of standing by and watching. Yes, Jiang Pengji was that snobbish. Keep up. Ill go first. After several leaps, Jiang Pengji deftly shook off the guards and stepped onto the boulders beside the waterfall, intending to jump up. The guards were dumbfounded. Was that what people called Qing Kung? One of them even tried to follow Jiang Pengji; however, the second he stepped on the first boulder with his right foot, he abruptly slipped and leaped forward as he fell, air whooshing quickly through his ears. His clothes were torn from the impact of the fall. Only then did the guards find that the boulders near the waterfall were slippery from water splashing on them. They couldnt even stand firm in straw sandalslet alone Jiang Pengji in wooden clogs. So how did she get up there? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and catch up with him. If something happens to Langjun, you will be dead for sure! At that moment, the exclamation of a guard drew them back from their shock. They had all been bandits before, but after days of intensive training and Xu Kes tireless brainwashing, they had become more obedient and loyal to Jiang Pengji. They behaved like regular soldiers, totally renewed. Jiang Pengji was skillful and couldnt climb up easily. Although they were less intelligent, they still could find their way up there. ****** Madame, madame you go first. Jump into the pool. Maybe theres still a chance to live Listen to me Go! Beneath the waterfall is a pool of water, and it is not high. If you jump off, maybe you could survive. Cheng Cheng gasped, and as he spoke, his wounds oozed a flow of fresh blood. Because of the loss of too much blood, his lips were already pale, and his face was stained with blood. Even in such an awkward situation, he was still as charming as ever. After the words, he then fumbled to pick up the sword lying beside him and stood up with the tip of his sword to the ground. If we die, we die together! How could I leave you here alone to face the wicked? The woman, who was in a green dress and standing next to Cheng Cheng, was kind of messy in her appearance. All the jewels on her head had already been lost during the stampede. She clasped her husbands hand and said, If you die here, how could I live alone? Cheng Cheng tried to persuade her again, but he thought of the wilderness. Even if she escaped from the murderers with her life, she would not have been able to survive in the dangerous woods. She could only hold his hand and have a tender heart. Okay She coughed. Having such a wife, what more could a husband want? Cheng Cheng took a deep breath and squeezed her fingers. With difficulty he said, Sweet, dont be afraid At that time, scattered footsteps echoed from all around, occasionally mixed with angry voices. Cheng Chengs heart pounded heavily at the sounds. The powerful bandits had already escaped the guards and come after them? They are here! They escaped so quickly! More than 40 bandits, each brandishing a bright and shiny knife, wore coarse linens stained with blood. They had very little injuries. Just kill them and bring the heads back. Why talk so much nonsense? Indistinctly, there was such a dialogue among several bandits, and Cheng Chengs heart was cold. How did the bandits have the ability to slay his hundred or so bodyguards with only 40 or 50 of them? What bandit would kill themCCnot rob themCCto cut off their heads and take them away? It was obviously no longer the case of bandits killing and stealing goods; they were people who were deliberately waiting there with the intention of taking their lives. Cheng Chengs wife was also a heroine, as she was bold and courageous. She reflected on the recent happenings and looked at her husband with a dignified expression. Cheng Cheng gritted his teeth as he withstood the pain and asked, Who sent you here? Although he knew it was impossible to get an answer, Cheng Cheng was still a bit upset. Chapter 255 - You All Could Come and Fight With Me. I’ll Lose If I Cross the Line Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Cheng Cheng was not a high-ranking official in the imperial court. He was no more than an ordinary official of a county, although he came from a good background. However, he detested the injustice in the imperial court, and he preferred to hang out in small places. No one was offended by him, for he behaved with great caution Who had actually employed assassins to take his life? Go to hell and ask the king there yourself! The leader of the bandits smiled with an evil intention as his eyes fell on the lady behind Cheng Cheng. Mrs. Cheng was in her early thirties. She had two sons and one daughter. With a very good understanding of life, she maintained her health and mentality properly. Without the temperament, she was just like a teenage girl. It was no wonder that the bandits had such evil intentions. They only needed to cut off Cheng Chengs head to complete their mission. How they dealt with other people didnt really matter at all. In order to catch Cheng Cheng, the bandits had kept watch in the wilderness for months. They hadnt even seen a female mosquito during those months They couldnt bear with their sexual lust. Cheng Cheng was a man, so naturally he could see what their intentions were. His fair-skinned face grew colder, then he felt an extreme pain in his wounds out of anger. Faced with dozens of pairs of evil eyes, Mrs. Cheng made her decision, raised her hand, and grabbed the sword from Cheng Cheng. My love, Ill kill myself! She was ready to commit suicide by cutting her throat. At that time, the bandits had also approached, and the situation had reached an irreparable level. Resentment filled the chest of Cheng Cheng. At that moment, all kinds of mixed emotions filled Cheng Chengs mind. The gentleness that defined him in the past had been broken If God could hold justice and he could escape from death, he was resolute to find who employed the bandits and smash the person! Bang! Mrs. Cheng intended to commit suicide, but her wrist was hit by a stone. The sword suddenly got out of her hands and was inserted into the ground. Hey, as bandits, you dont even know the rules? Huh? They were at an angle, so Cheng Cheng and his wife couldnt see who was speaking, but the bandits could. The person jumped from the rocks to stop Mrs. Cheng from killing herself, meanwhile kicking the closest bandit to the couple in the chin. Jiang Pengji kicked out half of the bandits teeth. Blood oozed from the bandits mouth, and his chin was deformed because of the blunt force. Although the bandit was not dead, his brain might have been damaged. Almost within a blink, the person grabbed one of the bandits hair, holding a knife backhand. The long knife cut the neck and blood spurted out. Cheng Cheng and his wife were dazed out of shock. When they calmed down, they saw a gentle young man in a robe, who was not even as tall as their daughter Upon seeing that, the joy they had felt was suddenly suppressed. My friend, these bandits are highly skilled in martial arts. You dont have to get yourself in trouble Before Cheng Cheng finished his words, the person gave the middle finger to the bandits with disdain, not even turning her head back. I will save this woman. You can deal with the man however you want. Cheng Cheng and his wife were dumbfounded and lost their words. The excited audience in the live streaming room were speechless. They sent out several colons. Who could that person be if it was not Jiang Pengji? Her proposal was very friendly, but how could those vicious bandits agree? Jiang Pengji had just almost kicked one of them to death, and with another already dead, they wouldnt let her go so easily. The System was bemused by Jiang Pengjis erratic behavior. Didnt you just say that you would not save them or accept the mission? Jiang Pengji didnt act like normal people, so the System was a bit dumbfounded. Jiang Pengji responded in her heart, I think his wife is very beautiful. Its a pity for her to die here. I dont care if the man dies. I will save the woman. If you still think that I am doing the mission, I could kill the man after I strike down the bandits. After that, you could say that I failed. System: It had no doubt that she would do that. The host would do just about anything to resist the System. Kill them all! The bandits looked at each other, anger flashing in their eyes. Go! Jiang Pengji sneered, one mouth corner raising. Blood was still dripping down along the long knife in her hand. They had asked for death so soon. The live streaming had lasted for a half a year, and the audience had already become familiar with Jiang Pengjis temperament. She would kill people if she wanted to. At this time, apart from those who were timid, many viewers felt excited about that After all, this was indeed kind behavior! The heroic complex in martial arts novels couldnt be accurately depicted on television dramas, but this was real. No one could act that well, no matter how high their acting skills were. You all could come and fight with me. Ill lose if I cross the line. Jiang Pengji was as arrogant as ever. After she finished speaking, several bandits rushed to her with knives high. Seeing that, Jiang Pengji blinked slightly. She stood firm but moved quickly. Although she seemed to be thin and weak, she moved quickly and had greater strength than any of the men did. She jumped back and forth, avoiding the attack of two knives, while at the same time catching the knives coming right to her. The bandits thought Jiang Pengji would have been killed by that. Nevertheless, the instant the knives banged together, they felt a deep pain in their hands. The macho men were shocked by the giant force. They violently stepped back and couldnt stand firm on their feet. Everything happened in such a short time frame that it was hard to follow. Such great strength! Jiang Pengji did not retreat but rushed forward. Her knife flew across the sky, leaving a beautiful, white shadow. At the same moment, a breeze-like coldness passed through peoples necks. The warmness of their bodies suddenly faded away and their view dimmed and spun. Nide Yida: Kill! Bingtang Ningmeng: Kill them! Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Another cut! Jimo Kongting: Still not dead! Jiang Pengji: Do you think that I am playing a game? Laosiji Lianmeng: Congratulations! The streamer is unbreakable! However, after a moment of fighting, Jiang Pengji had already seen through many things but still had more questions in her heart. They were not bandits at all It could said that they were not real bandits, but actually assassins trained by people. The couple behind her was their object. The man was called Cheng Cheng. Since he could make friends with Meng Zhan from Meng County, he was at least a noble. What puzzled her was the specialty of this man. Why could he be worth that scared the System? Why did the System want to kill him? Yes, the System was hiding its real goal. Even though she had spent half a year with it, Jiang Pengji still had no trust in the System. Although it issued a real-time, triggering task to save Cheng Cheng, in Jiang Pengjis view, its real purpose is to take his life. Jiang Pengji had resisted the System for a long time. Her dislike of the real-time tasks was deeply rooted in her heart. She boldly speculated that the System persuaded her to complete the task, but it actually wanted to cause her to rebel. It wanted her to deliberately do the opposite thing. To that end, the System had even taken out the punishment of a six-level electric shock as reward bait. The six-level electric shock was a punishment for others, but how could the System not know that it was the best reward for her? Chapter 256 - Double Kill Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In just one blink, Jiang Pengji had already taken off several heads without hesitation. The decisive and merciless look on her face shocked even the real assassins. They were no match to an opponent like Jiang Pengji, and they had the intention to withdraw because they wouldnt be able to fight against her. Without hesitation, their heads were separated from their bodies. There were dozens of dead bodies lying around Jiang Pengji. Without exception, they were all killed with only one strike. Some died from their throats being slashed open and others were decapitated. Their heads flew into the air and their blood splashed all over. Some of the heads were still partly attached to their necks; they werent going to come off entirely. Compared to the heavy losses of the assassins, Jiang Pengji didnt even have a scratch on her. There was sticky blood dripping from her blade nonstop. Lets go! What are you afraid of? Lets all go! one of the bandits yelled at the others furiously. But his accomplices didnt feel encouraged at all. Instead, they were more frightened. They paused their forward steps and took a step backward. Their faces were full of confusion and fright. They were nearly scared to death. No one wanted to risk coming near her, even though they still had the preponderance in people. Who would take the frontline? The ones who just did all became dead bodies lying on the ground. Their blood was still hot. The longer the stalemate they were in, the more scared they were. The big swords in their hands wouldnt bring them any sense of security at all. Watching them act in such a way, Jiang Pengji couldnt help but sneer at them. You bunch of guys are as timid as mice. If they left everything behind and focused on defeating her, she might take them seriously. She would even look up to them. After all, no matter how excellent her martial skills were, she wouldnt be able to dodge the swarm of blades coming towards her. However, they flashed their fear to her just after a few dozen of their accomplices had their heads cut off and they attempted to retreat. People like them would always be power level fives, even if they had the most advanced laser weapons in their hands instead of plain swords. Jiang Pengji wouldnt waste much time on slaughtering them. Just because they showed the desire to retreat didnt mean Jiang Pengji would do the same. She walked closer to her enemies by stomping hard against the ground. She shortened the distance between them quickly. In the bandits eyes, it seemed like Jiang Pengji took off from the spot she was at and moved right in front of their faces in a second. She was crazy fast. Ghost! A bandit was so terrified that he couldnt help but scream that out. Before he got the next word out, he felt something cold against his throat and the next second something hot surged out of the opening. His brain stopped and everything he saw faded and turned to grey. It was not a matched kill. But the one who had the advantage was not the bandits, who had the numbers, but Jiang Pengji, who was soaked with blood. Cheng Cheng and his wife were stunned where they were standing. They thought it was going to be a firm death for them, but it turned out they could be snatched from the jaws of death. Mrs. Cheng pressed her lips together and supported her injured husband on the side so they wouldnt get involved in the fight. Cheng Cheng didnt forget what Jiang Pengji said to him earlier. He grasped his wifes hands hard as thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind. Husband Mrs. Cheng looked up to her husband and inquired about his thoughts with her eyes. Dont worry. Lets wait a little longer. He tapped the back of her hands to ease her anxiety. While they were talking, Jiang Pengji had taken some more lives without hesitation. It seemed like she had taken a blood bath and it was impossible to tell the original color of her clothes. She was no different from a demon who stepped out of hell. This time, the bandits were truly scared to death. They couldnt control their legs. But they never forgot their mission. They didnt have to do harm to Jiang Pengji if they were not able to, but they could kill Cheng Cheng anyway. If they didnt, their families would be killed and the would never find their bodies. With that realization, they decided to work together to stall Jiang Pengji and send the others to finish off Cheng Cheng and his wife. Husband! Mrs. Cheng noticed the two people rushing out of the crowd. It was such an emergency that she had to stand up to block her husband. Everything happened so fast. Cheng Cheng saw them, but his wounds stopped him from avoiding the sword. His last bit of energy could only help him stand up. When he realized what was happening, he quickly reacted to shove the enemies away. The two swords were almost at his head. Cheng Cheng was so frightened and shouted, Wife! However, neither him nor his wife, who had her eyes closed were waiting for the pain, got the swords they expected. The huge swords stopped in the air and it seemed like there was a pause of time. The facial expressions on the two bandits faces paused at the moment of ecstasy. They saw that Cheng Cheng and his wife were dead, but it only turned out to be an illusion. I told you, just come and fight however you want. It will be my loss if you cant cross the line. Jiang Pengjis sword was no longer in her hands. It seemed like that the two pausing bandits lives were taken by the disappearing sword. Except the viewers in the streaming room, no one had any clue how she did that. The two bandits didnt stand abreast, or front and back. How did she finish them both with one strike? Jiang Pengji had her back to the two bandits and she had her hands tied up by the other enemies. How did she do that? Everyone was at an important juncture of life and death. They didnt have much time to pay attention to that. From their current perspective, they werent able to see the whole picture. But the viewers in the streaming saw what exactly had happened in that moment very clearly. Laosiji Lianmeng: Its so cool. I noticed that the sword curved when our host threw it. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Beautiful double kill! Da Zhuangzhu Furen: I screamed out just now. My roommate really worried about me for a second. Its so thrilling. Yueye Huangye: What our host just did made me fall in love with her. I really want to give you a whole pile of likes. The viewers gave her a series of likes and Jiang Pengji was nearly drowned by all kinds of rewards from her viewers. The System normally would have bugged her when she received such a big surge of rewards like that, but it remained weirdly silent like it didnt exist anymore. No one understood, but Jiang Pengji was well aware why it reacted like that. Kekou Kele: Wait up, our host doesnt have any weapon in her hands. What will she do??? This bullet screen stood out and the viewers who sent all the likes to Jiang Pengji quivered at the idea. Jiang Pengji had sneakily attacked the two bandits with her sword in order to save the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Cheng. She rescued Cheng Cheng and his wife from the dilemma but she trapped herself in a dead end. She no longer had possession of a weapon except for her own fists, while all the bandits surrounding her had big, sharp swords. Cheng Cheng put his arms around his wife in fear. He spotted Jiang Pengjis situation, moved his lips, but didnt say a word to remind her. Chapter 257 - Who is Cheng Cheng? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He was not some reckless person. He knew very well that if he reminded Jiang Pengji to be careful, it would remind the bandits as well and boost their confidence. The crazy nuts with big swords in their hands and a young boy with bare hands couldnt intimidate a person the same way. However, even without Cheng Chengs reminder, after a bit of pause, the bandits came to the same realization. They were furious, but they suddenly began to feel some ecstasy. Lets go all out! He is without a weapon! one of the bandits shouted and there was a flash of delight that appeared on their faces. It was the perfect chance! Their swords were craving blood! There was no direct connection between someone who was a power level five and someone with or without a weapon. Jiang Pengji could kill them easier if she had the sword. At least they didnt have to suffer from pain and torture when they were killed. But since she didnt have a sword with her, it would turn into a cruel torture for them. There were clean and the deep sounds of bones cracking; even Cheng Cheng and his wife could hear it clear out of range of the battle field. The viewers in the streaming room even heard the sound effects. The cutting-edge streaming equipment made them feel like they were present. When each one of the bandits had his hand broken, his fingers snapped, his legs cracked, or his neck snapped, the viewers in the streaming room couldnt help but shiver. It seemed like they could feel the pain the bandits felt and they were startled. Just because Jiang Pengji wasnt armed didnt mean she had lost her combat capabilities. On the contrary, unarmed combat was her strength. As a gene warrior, it was inevitable for her to train for unarmed combat. What made her upset was that she had edited the script of her combat motions hundreds of times in her mind, but her body was too weak to catch up with her mind. Her body condition was way too weak for her to be satisfied. Even though she wasnt pleased with her body, her combat motions were beyond incredible in the eyes of the viewers in the streaming room and the people watching. She was truly a warrior that no one could withstand. I wonder who this Langjun is He is such a valiant young man. Cheng Cheng twisted and felt his wound sting. The pain stung his nerves and he felt like there was a flame burning in his chest. Cheng Chengs wife sighed. They were in a situation that they could barely keep their lives and they were still puzzled by the young mans identity. Could he be a friend or a foe? Cheng Cheng saw his wife and noticed her worry. He closed his eyes slightly and shook his head at her, asking her not to worry. Jiang Pengji hadnt spoken nicely to them earlier, but if she held malice towards them, then she wouldnt have to taken the risk of death and still cast her weapon to rescue them. She could absolutely let them be killed by the bandits, for it would have been more convenient. Since she did rescue them, it proved that she had no intention of taking their lives. At the same time, there was a noise like the sound coming from the bottom of the waterfall. Cheng Cheng and his wife looked at each other, but they only found the anxiety on each others face. They looked over to where the noise came from and they saw several hands clinging onto the edge, and then some heads popped up. Cheng Cheng gripped his sword in his hands and hesitated about whether he should approach and stab them before they came up entirely. But what if the people were the young mans people instead of the members of the bandits? Cheng Cheng was still debating, but it nearly scared the guards, who took a painstaking effort to climb up, into letting go. Langjun! The guards who were struggling to climb earlier had gained a sudden burst of strengthCCthey were like Popeye when he ate spinach. They climbed up in a short time and drew out the swords that were hidden at their waist. They had attempted to save Jiang Pengji from the dirt hole, but they barely had a chance to perform considering how fierce and powerful their Langjun was. Ditching the last dead body on the ground, Jiang Pengji stood in the middle of the dead bodies with a cold face and looked at her guards quietly. Her guards, who were striving to climb up to this place, had nothing to say to her. There was somehow a sense of guilt visible on their faces. Their Langjun was at the frontline of the battle and his guards didnt assist him at all. It was absolutely humiliating. Take more training once we get back. Jiang Pengji stared at her guards for so long that they felt small. All the guards refused to make eye contact with her because of the guilt. How could they not feel guilty? It was not a lofty waterfall for them to climb over but it took them forever to arrive. Their speed was definitely unacceptable for Jiang Pengji. If she truly needed assistance from them, it would be very likely that she would have been a cold dead body right now. Therefore, all of them would need double or triple the amount of the training they had now. Her guards all expressed a bitter smile but no one dared to say no to her order. The guards clasped one hand in the other one in front of their chests and bowed at Jiang Pengji. Yes, Langjun. Jiang Pengji was happy with their reaction and she gave them an order with a milder tone. Clean up the scene and pack up the dead bodies. Make sure you dig a pit and burn them fully. The guards ground their teeth as they recognized how heartless their Langjun was. Why was she so heartless? There was a saying that fallen leaves returned to the roots. Ground burial was the proper and trendy way in the current era. If the dead body had a missing limb, he would be physically disabled when he went to his afterlife. They would feel shame upon seeing their ancestors with a missing body part. Therefore, they took a great value in the ground burial of a complete body. But Jiang Pengji decided their ending in their afterlife world with one simple order. These people wouldnt deserve to go to their afterlife world. But there was one problem Which was worse? Having their bodies exposed in the wild and devoured by the wild animals, or being dead without a single whole piece so they wouldnt be able to go to the afterlife world? Her guards were not going to argue with Jiang Pengji, so they followed her orders. After giving all the orders, Jiang Pengji finally had time to pay attention to Cheng Cheng and his wife. The guy was slim and tall. He had a mild and wise disposition. The first impression he gave to the other was that he was an approachable and amiable person. Jiang Pengji analyzed him from his hair to his toes and her eyes darkened. Cheng Cheng had an odd feeling; he felt like something was eating him. Jiang Pengji took a glance at the lady standing next to Cheng Cheng and asked one of the guards, Do you have meds on you? We should do something with this gentlemans wounds. They are not fatal, but they might cause trouble if we let him bleed out like this. Yes, I do. The guards naturally carried medicine with him. Thanks! Cheng Chengs wife took the medicine and bowed to Jiang Pengji to show appreciation. Jiang Pengji sat beside them, a cold look on her face. The others believed she was just pondering with a blank mind, but the truth was that she was checking the rewards she had received from the system. System: Congratulations to our host for accomplishing the offhand triggered task: rescuing Cheng Cheng. You will receive a reward from the SystemCCPretty boobs and an hourglass figure that makes your clothes better. Please claim your reward from the inbox. Arent you happy? she asked System silently. The System sent her some ellipsis dots. I behaved well this time and completed the mission you assigned to me. Jiang Pengji smiled but it wasnt genuine. The System responded to her, I really appreciate that you finally understand my good intentions. But the System went silent right after instead of being wordy and noisy as usual. Clearly, it was not happy. Jiang Pengji could picture the furious look of it. You want to trick me? It will be a long journey before you can do that! Chapter 258 - Who is Cheng Cheng? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Why would the System be pissed off? Maybe because Jiang Pengji didnt follow its script. It would be weird if it felt delighted, after all. She couldnt help laugh in her mind and she prepared to be more cautious and guarded towards the System. Jiang Pengji abruptly started talking and it was obvious that she was implying something. My coach used to tell me that when you come into an unavoidable confrontation with your enemy, the moment his malice aforethought appears, is also the moment he exposes his flaws to you. Malice aforethought is a type of subjective emotion. It will subconsciously expose the main motivation behind all the disguises. The System finally couldnt hold its anger anymore. It questioned with a furious tone, What do you mean? What I mean is, make sure you are not letting me see your tells when you attempt to trick me again, she responded without showing respect. System stayed quiet. It was like it had a constipation issue; it could barely spill a word out for a while. As a matter of fact, before Jiang Pengji condemned it, it had no clue where it had exposed its real purpose. There was nothing wrong with that offhand triggered task. It convinced Jiang Pengji to operate the mission as usual. The reward of pretty boobs for completing the mission was, as usual, the thing she complained about the most. The System would for sure have sacrificed a large amount of punishment if she had not accomplished her mission. Jiang Pengji would have won a great fortune if she had said no to the mission. However, she went off its script! Until then, the System hadnt realized what part it was wrong about. It was calculating and scheming, but it happened to forget how cunning and smart Jiang Pengji was. Just reading through the offhand triggered task description made her suspicious. Cheng Cheng, a friend of Meng Zhan from Meng County, Cang Prefecture is in the middle of an unknown crisis. Please save his life in half an hour. It didnt seem fishy just from the mission description, but there was a hidden trap behind it if she read it cautiously. Who was Cheng Cheng? The description from the System said he was a friend of Meng Zhan from Meng County, Cang Prefecture. The title of it seemed fine, but it was the point that made Jiang Pengji suspicious of it. Whoever was a friend of Meng Zhan had to be a member of gentry clan and it was very likely that he had a government position. Therefore, in a normal scenario, the accurate description should have been, A person from a gentry clan or a government officer from a place. But the System had added that he was a friend of Meng Zhan from Meng County. What was the relationship between Cheng Cheng and Meng Zhan that Cheng Cheng needed to put Meng Zhans name ahead of his? Thinking about the hatred between Jiang Pengji and Meng Zhan, it was hard to believe that she didnt just walk away right after she read the mission description. There was a sixth-level electric shock punishment if the mission turned out to be a failure, but her strength fusion would increase more than ten points. It would do her a world of good but no harm to turn down the missionCCand refusing to take the mission fit her style. The second reasonable doubt was that the mission was published after the appearance of the bloody clothes. From Jiang Pengjis personality, it was a big chance for her to immediately come to their rescue. She never feared trouble, but receiving the message from the System right at that time seemed like the mission was meant to push her towards a rescue. However, it was also likely that she could have lost the interest to do so with the push. There were too many doubts for her to not find it fishy. The System wanted to ignite itself after it understood how it had showed its tells. How could it keep playing the game with Jiang Pengji? It felt a stomachache and headache coming on. There was an urgent need for it to take a quiet break. After a bit of a rest, the System started to ease Jiang Pengji with some lame words, but it didnt work. As your partner, there is no reason for me to do any harm to you. Me setting you up is absolutely nonsense as well. Jiang Pengji grinned at it and asked, Dont you feel slightly guilty when you are saying this? The System tried to explain, but it was cut off by Jiang Pengji. It had to swallow its words back. Nevermind, I never expected you to devote yourself to me, anyway. I dont care about why you are doing this; it has nothing to do with me either. But I do hope you understand one thing: I, Jiang Pengji, am not some pushover that you can give orders to at your whim. Im also not anyones gun. I will not take someones life for anybodyCCeven you, System! She sneered at it. She wasnt going to cover up her rebellion. She had already ruined things with the System. It wouldnt make an difference to do it one more time. The System sent her some ellipsis dots. In the half a year of spending time with Jiang Pengji, it had a basic knowledge of her: The more excuses it made, the more resentment and caution she would exude. What was going to change if she resented it more? The Host and the System was simply a relationship that resembled the parasite and its host. Unless the parasite decided to leave, the host wouldnt be able to do anything about it. She accomplished the mission anyway; The System had achieved half of its goal. The System could only suck it up and comfort itself with that. It took a lesson this time and it would be extra careful next time. No one was perfect. That Jiang Pengji got away this time didnt mean she would never make mistakes. A person could be a thief all his life but that wouldnt guarantee that he would never be stolen from. Jiang Pengji believed that being dumb would be a physical disability that no medicine could cure. The System was someone with the physical disability. It failed this time, but it still expected to be successful next time It was a clear lose for the System in the confrontation because it basically kept its mouth shut. Jiang Pengji was now able to get to know Cheng Cheng and dig up his background. He was targeted by the System The System wanted him dead by Jiang Pengjis hands. In the meantime, Cheng Cheng had his wounds dealt with by his wifes assistance. His wounds stopped bleeding and she wrapped them with clean cotton gauze. He walked forward in front of Jiang Pengji with his wife supporting him. He bowed deeply to Jiang Pengji. My name is Cheng Cheng from Langye the Chengs. Thank you for saving me and my wife from this danger. His face was fairly pale, but it was hard to keep his eleganceCCespecially until he had addressed his wounds. Jiang Pengji bowed back to him. After she learned his background, she couldnt help but ask, Langye the Chengs? People with that had Cheng as a last name in Langye normally had some blood bond with the Cheng gentry clan. Judging by the material of their clothes and their dressing style, it wasnt hard to tell that they were from wealthy families. Thats right, Cheng Cheng said. Jiang Pengji asked, If you are from a big clan, why didnt you have any security during your journey? That is how you became the target of those ferocious bandits. You nearly got yourselves killed. Cheng Cheng had a puzzled look. He was also totally clueless about how he had become the target of these people. If it is not appropriate for me to ask, then I will quit asking. Cheng Cheng quickly replied, That has nothing to do with it. It is simply that I have no idea how I became the target. I claim to be a nice person and I treat people kindly in my daily life. I dont have many good friends, but I rarely have conflicts with others. I really dont know how I got myself into such trouble. I know the current world is in a state of unrest and turbulence. I did equip enough guards for me and my wifes safety, especially considering this time I took my wife with me. But they all lost their lives because of those atrocious bandits. If it wasnt for Jiang Pengji coming to their rescue, they would have been long gone. He wasnt afraid of death, but he would prefer to know why he was going to die. Jiang Pengji said to him, Villains happen to be the ones holding grudges the most. No matter how nice you have been dealing with them, they will remember their resentment with you without one second of negligence. Chapter 259 - Who is Cheng Cheng? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Cheng Cheng couldnt figure it out on his own until Jiang Pengji reminded him. Now he had someone he suspected. Jiang Pengji pretended to be indifferent. Have you thought of anyone? she asked Cheng Cheng casually after she noticed his face had changed. Cheng Cheng wasnt going to speak it out loud, even if it was indeed the person he was thinking. He was just suspicious, anyway. Jiang Pengji wasnt going to dig deeper. She turned to look at Cheng Chengs wife. They were both used to a luxurious and fine life. When was last time they had been in such a nasty condition? She asked a realistic question. Ive learned that most of your guards were killed by the bandits However, now we are in the middle of nowhere. The nearest tourist station is a couple days away. What do you plan to do? Cheng Cheng was injured and his wife had been treated so well that she had never done any chores at home. How were they going to survive in such a wild place? With Jiang Pengjis question, it was clear that Cheng Cheng was at a loss. Jiang Pengji continued before he could respond, If you dont mind, and you trust me enough, I will take you two to the nearest station to help you settle down. Then you guys can try to contact your family. You will still be in danger if you have no idea who you are dealing with. Cheng Cheng felt ashamed and thanked Jiang Pengji. If Jiang Pengji didnt offer to give them a ride, even though there were no more bandits going after them, they would have trouble keeping themselves alive. Compared to Cheng Chengs anxiousness, his wife seemed to be straightforward. She wasnt hiding her fondness for Jiang Pengji, especially when she saw what Jiang Pengji did for them. You have out of the ordinary skill and have an outstanding aura. Im just wondering What family do you belong to? The Lius in Hejian County. My first name is Xi. My father is Liu She. If you dont mind, you can call me Lanting. Cheng Cheng and his wife heard what she had said and they were both astonishedCCexcept, they were astonished about different things. Cheng Chengs wifes attention was on A young man with talent who happens to be the best candidate to be a son-in-law. You are Liu County Chiefs son? Liu She was the man that a number of young girls wasnt able to ignore when he was young. His story with his wife Gumin had become a legend. Cheng Chengs wife had never seen him, but she definitely had heard about him. It was unexpected that a talented man like Liu She had a son who was a master in martial arts. The bandits had nearly pushed them into a dead end but they turned out to be extremely fragile in front of this young boy. In only a short time, Cheng Chengs wife was thinking about something else. She had put the label of Good Son-in-law on Jiang Pengji. She believed that whoever had the luck to marry him would be extremely fortunate. It was a shame that her daughter was still too young to talk about marriage. Otherwise she would like to set a marriage with him. What Cheng Cheng focused on had nothing to do with Liu She. He simply paid attention to Liu Xi as an individual. Are you twenty yet? He didnt look like like he was in his twenties. He would be, at most, thirteen or so from his looks. Jiang Pengji was stunned and she realized why Cheng Cheng was asking. She explained to him, My literal name was left by my mother, who has already passed away. She prepared it for the time that I turned twenty. But my parents were deeply in love, so after my mom passed away, my father started using this name for me. If they had given her the name already, then they might as well just use it. It saved the trouble of giving her a nickname. Cheng Cheng was speechless. It was very abnormal, which sounded like something Liu She would have done. The blood on Jiang Pengji was mostly dried and the original pattern on her clothes was hard to see. Jiang Pengji gave the orders to her guards to protect Cheng Cheng and his wife, and then she went to an isolated place to clean up. It was not possible for her to wash off the blood from her body, but at least she could wipe off the blood on her face. You are truly good-looking. Im just curiousCCare you engaged with someone yet? The more Cheng Chengs wife looked at Jiang Pengji, the more satisfied she was with her. She had a refined look and elegant facial features, which were slightly girly, but it happened to be the definition of the pretty boys in the current trend. She couldnt stop trying to be a matchmaker for him. Jiang Pengji nodded and shook her head. I had one before. But Master Liaochen predicted that it would be better for me to not get married early or else it would do harm to me. In order not to waste the best time of the girl who I got engaged with, we had to call it off. Cheng Chengs wife heard this and quickly quit the idea of trying to make a match for him. She felt it was a shame for him. She didnt question the genuineness of Jiang Pengjis words at all. The marriages in the gentry clans were not games. If it wasnt for some inevitable reasons, no one would break off an engagement. The reason Jiang Pengji gave was undebatable. Cheng Cheng was deep in thought while he stared at Jiang Pengjis face until his wife sneakily pinched him. Her husband was used to be instructional. That would ruin a nice atmosphere if he started to lecture her. Cheng Cheng said to her with a bitter smile, You misunderstood me. I only found that this young friend looks so familiar to me. It feels like that we have seen each other somewhere before. If Lanting is Liu County Chiefs son, naturally he looks like his father. Why are you thinking about this? Cheng Cheng stopped speaking. The truth was he had never actually met Liu She. They both acknowledged each other but they had never met. The circle of the gentry clans was not too big but it was not too small. He had never met Liu She but they had common friends. They both had heard about each other from their mutual friends. Therefore, when Cheng Cheng claimed that Jiang Pengji looked familiar to him, it definitely wasnt because she looked like Liu She. He kept pondering and all of sudden he remembered that he took a glance at an unfinished painting from his young friend several months ago. It would have been Liu Xi if the girl in the painting was a bit younger. Her look was less mature and her eyes were more gentle. But Liu Xi was Liu Shes second wifes son and his daughter was kept in the isolated yard. Was it possible that the girl sleeping in the blooming flowers in my young friends painting is Gumin? It sounds scary, but it is not entirely impossible. My young friend is one of the best apprentices of Master Yuanjing. Master Yuanjing had some connection with Gumin when he was young. It is very likely that he learned about Gumins appearance from Master Yuanjing. Are you encountering some difficulties? Jiang Pengji led the way, holding a sword ahead of them. She tried to clear out a way through the bushes more thoroughly than before in order to make it easier for the injured people, like Cheng Cheng and his wife, to walk through. You dont look good. Cheng Cheng stayed silent. He wasnt sure if it was appropriate to tell the young guy in front of him that another young guy, who wasnt much older than him, could draw his mother very well. Nothing much. I was just wondering who was trying to put me to death Cheng Cheng used a reasonable excuse to cover it up. I have some speculations, but I dont think he would do something ferocious like that after I thought it through. That was what was eating away at him. Jiang Pengji wasnt questioning much, even though she could tell that Cheng Cheng wasnt being entirely honest with her. She wasnt going to dig hard since it was not her business. Langjun, you are finally back. Guards found some traces of fights nearby Xu Ke had seen their vague shadows coming out of the woods a far distance away, so he trotted forward. He quickly swallowed back what he was about to say when he saw their condition. His Langjun seemed to have had a blood bath after going to get some water They had been gone a long time for just going to get some water. He felt like he was missing out on a good show by only being away from the Langjun for one hour. Chapter 260 - Who is Cheng Cheng? (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke was still in shock but Jiang Pengji seemed much calmer. What trace of a fight? She passed over the water bags she was carrying to Xu Ke and told him, Give the orders to the guards to pick up some wood branches and set up a cooking pot to boil the water. Once it cools down we can pour it back into the water bags. The water in the brook is not guaranteed to be clean, so it would be better to boil it Xu Ke quickly picked up the water bags and he found two strange faces in Jiang Pengjis troop. Xu Ke responded, The guards who were looking for branches came back to report that there were several wagons ahead on the road that had no one in them. There are quite a few dead bodies laying next to them. They did an examination and found out there were some furious fights not long ago. Laoye was worried it was caused by bandits hiding in the woods. Xu Ke had gone to check the spot. During his examination, he came up with the conclusion that it was a very low chance that it could be bandits. It was more like an assassination ambush. He couldnt help but worry about his Langjun. He had felt very anxious. He was just about to take a team to search for her when Jiang Pengji came back covered in blood. If it wasnt in the middle of the day, Xu Ke nearly would have believed that Jiang Pengji was a ghost coming to see him after Jiang Pengji got killed. His heart was so close to stopping. It scared the crap out of him. Jiang Pengji came to realization right away after she heard this and said, That was Mr. Chengs troop. who was ambushed by bandits on their way. I happened to encounter them trapped in danger. I rescued them and fought the bandits. Xu Ke, prepare some food as well. She made it sound easy. It seemed like she didnt have any memory of being surrounded by almost fifty bandit members. Of course, Xu Ke was so misled that he bought her story that they were just some random bandits on the mountain. He didnt suspect much. His Langjun looked energetic; her cheeks were flushed and her eyes beamed with light. It was obvious that she was more than fine. According to his estimation, the one who was doomed was the bandits. Xu Ke was no longer panicking after he came to this conclusion. Yeah, Im on it. Xu Ke was used to being a butler, which normally meant he would do whatever Jiang Pengji told him to do. Right, tell Taxue to bring me a clean suit. I need to find a spot for a shower. It feels gross to have the blood sticking to my body. The viewers in the streaming room seethed with the news. It would be a real time, outdoors bathing show! For it to be a clich, there needed to be a dumba** that accidently walked past and saw her in the bath. From there, they would get to know each other more. It sounded sweet for a first meeting, but it was completely bogus. If Jiang Pengji didnt have a basic sense of precaution, she would have been dead a couple of times already. Taxue ran to her after she received the message. She stopped worrying after she saw Jiang Pengji was fine besides some scratches. Just give me a bit time; I will prepare some clothes. She took off after saying that and went to the clothes chamber in the wagon for a clean suit, some towels, and soap for bathing. Liu County Chief is here too? Cheng Cheng inquired after he noticed that Jiang Pengji finished what she was busy doing. Yeah. I was told that father is the General Evaluation Officer this year and he needs to be in the capital for taking care of general affairs. Cheng Cheng went quiet. Is there anything wrong? she asked. The expression on Cheng Chengs face seemed a bit off. Cheng Cheng kept silent but his face showed tangled emotions. He gave Jiang Pengji a bitter smile after a while. Rumor has it that Liu County Chief is profligate and unrestrained. I thought it was people who were jealous of him smearing dirt on his reputation intentionally, but it seems that they are not wrong about your father. The evaluation was imminent, but the General Evaluation Officer had just hit the road. Liu She went speechless. He heard that someone was talking dirt about him to his daughter the moment he arrived. Who had he messed with that had to ruin his reputation as a great father? He was an experienced person that had spent years in the government institution. He knew the philosophy of dealing with people with a smile very well. Therefore, he didnt care much about what Cheng Cheng had just said about him. Lanting, who are these two guests? Liu She came closer and took a clear look at the one who talked dirt about him. Even though he felt upset, his feeling disappeared after he took one glance at who had spoken. Cheng Cheng and his wife were for sure not in the best shape, but they still looked refined and elegant. Whoever saw them would find it was amazing that they were standing. Father She elaborated on how she had met them. It is a destined coincidence to meet each other. I made the decision to invite them along with us until we arrived at the next station. The purpose and background of the bandits are both still obscure. Im afraid their lives will be at stake if we leave them in the middle of nowhere. What do you think, father? Jiang Pengji found Liu Shes eyes were looking straight while she was talking. She couldnt help but frown. Apparently, the couple behind her did have some background, otherwise why would Liu She have a reaction like that? As a matter of fact, Cheng Cheng and his wife did have some connection with them, but just not right then. Liu She was a man who had been through a lot. He had met Feng Jin, Xu Ke, and even Qiguan Rang. It would be shocking for him to have also met Cheng Cheng. Its Cheng Wenfu. Nice to meet you. It was true that Liu She knew about Cheng Cheng, which was why he called Cheng Chengs literal name at their first meeting. Cheng Chengs face turned serious. They kept looking up and down at each other while they talked political correctness. They had never met each other before then, but through some mutual friends, they had some basic knowledge about each other. Now that they had met face to face, naturally they couldnt wait to take a careful look at each other and to see if they were actually as excellent as everyone else had said. Cheng Cheng was thinking that, but Liu She had some additional considerations. Because of his daughter and wife, Liu She knew some secrets that no one was aware of, which included Cheng Cheng. Cheng Cheng was merely an unknown officer in a small town and he had a relaxed and leisurely life with his wife. Not to mention the outside world, Cheng Cheng was just a nobody in the Chengs gentry clan. He acted modestly and kept a low profile. Except for a very few close friends who knew about him, the rest of the people all considered him an unambitious and idle person. That was only a part of what Liu She had learned The other part of Cheng Cheng, Liu She learned from his wife. Cheng Cheng was the first official historian who hosted and compiled the history of the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms, the Xia Dynasty and the sixty years before the Jiang Dynasty was founded. It consumed 35 years for him to repair numerous historical relics and ancient books. He created the new era of historical records. He was titled as the official who upheld astronomy and timekeeping and he was awarded posthumously. What was more important, according to a resentful description from Gumin, this talented person had led and made a relatively complete institution for recruiting with the support of Jiang Pengji, the first emperor of Jiang Dynasty. He determined the necessary curriculum for the students. Liu She wasnt sure why his wife would resent that so much, but it seemed to be understandable considering how much he hated to study when he was young. Teachers who pressed their students heads into their books were the worst ones. The first emperor of Jiang Dynasty was the founder of the country, but she didnt earn a good reputation for herself because of her female identity and roughshod actionsCCinstead, her good reputation came from fighting for the realm of the world. There were a great number of literates who condemned her in speeches and writings. Only, Cheng Cheng, who insisted on the integrity of being an official historian, persisted to tell the truth and remain neutral. His description of Empress Chen was subtle and objective. He never hid his appraisal of her and he wouldnt allow any denigration of her, which was why he wrote some books that retorted against the condemnation. His persistence had earned enough fondness towards him from Liu She and Gumin. Chapter 261 - Who is Cheng Cheng? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio According to Liu Shes wifes description of Cheng Cheng, he wasnt good at talking, but he was for sure good at writingCCespecially writing to condemn others. Liu She started to picture the scene with Cheng Cheng holding a book in one hand and a pen in the other hand, scolding his enemies to tears with his pen. It was so hilarious that he had to stop thinking about it just in case he started laughing out in front of Cheng Cheng. Liu She asked his people to take good care of Cheng Cheng and his wife, and to prepare food and hot water for them. They were not in perfect condition, but they tried to be as thoughtful as they could. Jiang Pengji took a group of guards to bury Liu Shes guards, as they lost their lives for Cheng Cheng and his wife, after all. They brought back several more wagons when they came back. She couldnt help her curiosity when she noticed that the wheel tracks were ingrained deep into the ground. Cheng Cheng was no longer in mortal danger and he was overjoyed when he saw that his wagons were sent back by Jiang Pengji. He walked into his wagon regardless of other people being present. He went through one box after another. He finally felt relieved when he found that all of his treasures were all in one piece. Cheng Chengs wife smiled with her mouth closed and teased him, You need to change your temperament or Liu County Chief and the Lanting are going to laugh at you. If these boxes of books were dumped along the road, they wouldnt be picked up by anyone except for you. You treat them as valuable as your life. The people who have no knowledge of them will wonder how valuable they are. Cheng Cheng wore a shamed face. He blushed from his wifes teasing. It was abnormal for him to take several wagons full of books along for a trip. Liu She spoke for Cheng Cheng out of his embarrassment. Liu She felt for Cheng Cheng about how difficult it was to read books in the current era. The wagons of bamboo slices were barely worth one liang of gold; they were just a small quantity of bamboo to start a campfire. To people with vision, however, they were pricelessCCso much so that no gold could compare with their value. Cheng Cheng smiled to his wife with a sense of complacency, which was funny. Considering Cheng Cheng was injured, he couldnt take any more suffering. The roads were bumpy, so Liu She deployed one of his own wagons for Cheng Cheng and his wife. The shock-absorbing system on their wagon was cutting-edge in the current era. Cheng Cheng and his wife didnt understand the reason for sparing a wagon for them until they got on the wagon and it started rolling. Then they felt the thoughtfulness and kindness of Liu She. When it was only Cheng Cheng and his wife, the wife changed the gauze and put more medicine on her husbands wounds. They causally discussed the bandits they encountered in the daytime. Do you have someone in mind? Cheng Chengs face fell and he said with a sense of disappointment, Eh, it will only be him if I ever offended anyone. Him? Cheng Chengs wife rolled her eyes. It seemed that she was taking a guess who that would be. Meng Zhan in Cang Prefecture Cheng Cheng said to her hesitantly. However, even though I do believe that Meng Zhan is not the same man that matches his reputation, he doesnt have to be this vicious. I simply heard about some scandals involving him It wasnt worth sending a whole troop to take my life. If it was Meng Zhan going after him because of the scandal where he replaced the wifes son with concubines son that he learned about on accident, there was no way he could step out of Cang Prefecture. Why would he wait for months after he had learned about it to come after him? Some scandals? What scandals? Cheng Chengs wife was confused. You are not a person with a big mouth She felt heartbroken seeing the injuries on his body. If she happened to know who was behind it, she wouldnt spare their life easily. Meng Zhan lost a second wifes son not long ago. On the surface, that son is from his wife, but the truth is, he is one of Meng Zhans concubines sons. He wasnt going to withhold the truth from his own wife. He didnt have the intention to let a second person know if it wasnt because of what had happened that day. Gossiping about others was never a behavior a gentleman with merits was supposed to engage in. Cheng Chengs wife only reacted to him with an Ah. She didnt think that would be the scandal. In an era that the wifes offspring and concubines offspring had clear boundaries, messing up the wifes offspring and concubines could be judged as lack of upbringing and lack of restrictions. It could be a big deal as well. They could be committing a crime, such as violating the regulations of family structure, which could implicate the whole family and make them despised and looked down on. With a noble family like the Mengs, the higher in the hierarchy they were, the more attention they drew. Naturally they received more serious results once their scandals were leaked. If it was like that, it was not entirely impossible that Meng Zhan would pay some assassins to kill Cheng Cheng. But Cheng Chengs wife shared the same opinion with Cheng Cheng that the chance of Meng Zhan being the murderer was very low. Think it through. It might be someone else Cheng Cheng sighed hard. He had no clue after he had thought hard. He set it aside for then. Their original plan was to separate after they arrived at the closest station, but Cheng Cheng and Liu She had very similar temperament and they had a good time talking to each other. Liu She eagerly invited them to travel along with them, which helped Cheng Cheng and his wife out of their current difficult situation. If they sent a letter to their family in the station and waited for their family to send some people over, it would take at least a couple of months. Are you interested in these books, Lanting? Even though they were on the road and the conditions were primitive, after a while of resting, Cheng Chengs wounds were fully recovered. Six Arts of Rites were the compulsory lessons for the literate elite in the current era. It wasnt strange for Cheng Cheng to know about riding horses and archery. He no longer wanted to be trapped in the wagon after he recovered. He wanted to get some fresh air and ride a horse until he found Jiang Pengji staring at his boxes. Yeah, I noticed that you have more of a collection than what my father has in his study room. The books in the current era were the possession of the gentry clans. The deeper the foundation of a family and the longer the history of the clans, the more incredible and diverse the book collections were. According to her knowledge during the period of time spent with Cheng Cheng, he was not from the main branch of the Chengs. But he owned the thousands of the books in the wagon, which was impressive. She had no idea where he collected the books from. If it was possible, Jiang Pengji wanted to make a copy of all of them. Books were the most important way to pass on the wisdom of humans. They played a necessary role if the civilization needed to evolve. Of course, it would be indispensable if they wanted to break the cultural monopoly of the gentry clan. Cheng Cheng wasnt aware of what Jiang Pengji was thinking, but he couldnt hide his pride after he heard about this from Jiang Pengji. He didnt brag, but some of the books in his collections were inclusive from some gentry clans, which had thousands of years of foundation. A small portion of these books belonged to the family collection. Some of them were just the remaining pages from ancient books that I searched for. I am more than willing to pay a visit if I overhear that some people have the precious ancient books. Cheng Cheng was vague about how he collected the books. The, more than willing to pay a visit implied that he was never really invited. After a long time, I have a pretty good collection of them. Cheng Chengs wife always complained to her husband that she was not the wife but a concubine that he married. These books in the boxes were the wife he went through all the rituals to marry. It was a joke, but it indicated how much Cheng Cheng cherished these books. Eh, the wars in the Period of the Sixteens Kingdoms made the citizens lose their families and lives in famine. There were countless precious, ancient books which went missing in the wars, too. My lifes purpose is to pass on these books to our descendants and retrace and repair the ancient books missing in the chaotic time so our descendants will have a chance to read them. Chapter 262 - A Win-Win Deal Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had never been a good student who talked about studying all the time. However, she awed and respected those who devoted their lives to education. From ancient to modern times, human history had been through many ups and downs. No matter how horrifying the wars they had gone through, they always quickly revived and rebuilt civilization on top of the remains from the wars. Besides the strong resilience for survival, they wanted to protect their civilizations. As long as the seeds still existed, it would eventually bloom into the most magnificent flowers, even on the remains. Jiang Pengji respected and yearned for the ambition that Cheng Cheng had. Civilization was never supposed to belong to one family or one clan. It was meant to be a wealth owned by the human species inclusively. Cheng Cheng didnt look that deep or that far into the future, but he had a broad reaching thought and he didnt only focus on the moment. He considered the heritage of the civilization, which proved that he was far better than most gentry clans who only kept the treasure to themselves. Jiang Pengji had a thought and asked, I just wonder if Uncle Cheng would be willing to sacrifice and lend some of the books to me so I can make a copy? Gentry clans took books as their lifeblood. They wouldnt lend the books easily if it wasnt to some close friendsCCnot to mention letting someone else make a copy. Cheng Cheng was generous, but he was also somewhat childish. He responded to her with a smile. Of course, yes, but you need to exchange my books with something. Cheng Cheng gently touched his well-shaped and trimmed beard and said to her, Bamboo slices are easy to get damp. They are too heavy, as well as hard to preserve. My heart hurts so much every single time when I find one or two of them have been eaten by worms. I heard there is something called paper, which is extremely valuable in Hejian County. If I can use paper to keep the copy of all my books, they would be handy and easy to store. And what I have learned is the workshop is your moms property from her marriage? Cheng Chengs wife, who was sitting in the wagon, overheard what nonsense her husband was talking. She was extremely pissed off. Dont listen to his crap. Those treasures he reckons on arent worth much at all. Cheng Chengs wife exposed Cheng Chengs truth without mercy and said to Jiang Pengji with shame, Let me know which one you like. You dont have to be bothered by what your Uncle Cheng said to you. Cheng Cheng couldnt help but blush. He intended to ask his wife to cut him some slack and not to embarrass him in front of a young kid. Jiang Pengji burst into laughter when she saw how the couple interacted with each other. The workshop is my mothers property from marriage. We produce a limited quantity of paper annually and most of them are reserved for some families. But if Uncle Cheng likes, I will make sure to tell my butler to save some and send them to your place. Cheng Cheng heard what she had said and quickly schooled his smile. He quickly explained to Jiang Pengji, Lanting, you are misunderstanding me. Im not serious, but it doesnt mean I dont have shame. There is no way for me to take advantage of a young kid. My original meaning was, if you want to make a copy with these books, you might as well make an extra copy for me. The cost of papers and ink will be counted at the market price. There are more and more of these books and Im getting older and older. I have no idea how much longer I will be able to take care of them. The bamboo slices were not just cumbersome, but also hard to maintain. They had high requirements for the environment to preserve them or they would grow mold or be eaten by worms. Each of the several tens of thousands of bamboo slices were rebound. The main reason was that they got damp and the characters became unclear. It would be inevitable to miss or miscopy some characters when they did the copying of the books. In order to keep the accuracy of the books, Cheng Cheng would verify between the original version and his copies over and over again. Then he asked his sons to do the proofreading for him until he was sure there were no mistakes at all, and then he would rebind them. It was a time consuming project. Ever since the innovation of bamboo paper, he had thought about replacing the bamboo slices with paper. However, the paper workshop stalled in trying to expand their business. The papers they produced every year were monopolized by several gentry clans. He never had a chance to make any orders at all. That was a real pain in the back. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and said with a smile to him, My handwriting is merely considered all right. It is okay for myself, but it will be displaying my slight skill before the expert. What about this? I will provide the ink and paper and I will bother you to make an extra copy for me? Paper and ink are free, just as a bit of bonus for you Cheng Cheng was so shocked that he basically blanked out for a second. A sachet flew towards her head before she completed her idea. She rapidly grabbed it to avoid being smashed by it. Thats rude. How dare you make such a joke to your Uncle Cheng? Liu Shes face seemed chilly. It was him who had cast the sachet at Jiang Pengji. Cheng Cheng waved his hands to deny it and made fun of Liu She afterwards. What are you angry about? Are you angry because your son almost made a bad deal? Even though Liu She had laid his hands off the business affairs of his family, he had an idea about how expensive the bamboo papers were. It wouldnt be a small amount of paper if they wanted to make a copy of the over 10,000 books. Of course, the majority of his books were the inclusive singular one. The value would be higher than the papers. Liu She said to him, You are misunderstanding me. These bamboo papers are not cheap in the market, but it really doesnt cost that much for our own people. It was just this kid messing around with you today. He dreamed about exchanging your whole collection just for several pieces of paper. I have never heard or seen any businessman as black-hearted as him. Cheng Cheng laughed out loud, gently touched his beard, and said to Jiang Pengji, Like father, like son. You do have a similar demeanor as your father. It was Liu Shes turn to be speechless. Now he believed that Cheng Cheng did have a talent for scolding others. Liu She just said Jiang Pengji was merely a profiteer, and now Cheng Cheng turned to make a comment about him being even more black-hearted. Who were the father and daughter in this case? Watching Cheng Cheng and his own daughter standing on one side, Liu She felt like he was being betrayed. Im so tired. Cheng Cheng gave a quick positive answer to Jiang Pengjis tease. All right, as long as you keep sufficient supply, I promise you a copy after I finish working on it. It is totally worth the bonus. Jiang Pengji blushed and she felt a bit of shame deep in her heart. Bamboo paper was extremely pricy to people who had no clue about it, but her own people were fully aware that it was worth nothing at all. She got to exchange over 10,000 books for some paper, which was definitely a profitable deal that no one was going to complain about. Now even Jiang Pengji felt shameless. Cheng Cheng took it with generosity and he had no hard feelings, which made her feel touched. As a matter of fact, Cheng Cheng was being shameful at the same time. He had the feeling that he had taken advantage of a young kid. He was not the type of person who would keep the valuables only to himself. He admitted that he cherished the books as much as his life, but he wouldnt turn down to a request from others to borrow and make a copy of the book. He only needed to make an extra copy so he could trade it for numerous priceless bamboo papers. That resolved the durability problem, which got rid of the worry. It seemed that both of them took a little bit of loss, but from another perspective, they both earned some benefits, as well. The value of some objects could not be measured with money. Thank you, Uncle Cheng. I promise you that I will take good care of them. Cheng Cheng grinned at her while he touched his beard. To a book lover, nothing else pleased him more than that promise. Chapter 263 - Your Own Fault for Doing Unnecessary Things (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After sitting in the wagon for a long time, Liu She finally had a chance to take a deep breath, ride on a horse, and relax his stiff and sore limbs. If he had not done so, he would not have been able to move any more. It will be just another half day before we enter town It has been quite a few years since last time I was here, but the Capital is as prosperous as usual. Even though turmoil was knocking on the door, the lofty Capital was sheer fantasy still. The thriving view made Liu She, who had been used to depression and dreadful scenes, feel uncomfortable. The royal family of Dongqing Dynasty didnt make much contribution, but they presented a false appearance of peace and prosperity. The incompetent and frail royal family wasnt able to keep their Shangyang Palace; instead, they let them burn it in a fire. Liu She had a headache the moment he remembered who the ringleader wasCCthe one who set the fire and caused the massacre of the Dongqing royal family. It was no one else but the advisor of Prince Changshou, Qiguan Rang. That was rightCCthe same Qiguan Rang. A counselor who was from a poor family, vicious, acted atrociously towards his enemies, and had no loyalty to anyone. Gu Min was not good at historyCCmost of the storylines she obtained were from television showsCCbut there were only three things in which Qiguan Rang left her with a deep impression about. First, he set the Shangyang Palace on fire and slaughtered the male members of Dongqing royal family. Second, he used ruses to defeat the Empress three times. Third, he set his old master up while he was in the jail and his trap made his old masters advantage collapse, which led to his old masters defeat. The day the Empress conquered the Capital was the same day he surrendered to the Empress. Everyone was asking for mercy for their old masters life, Prince Changshou, from the Empress. They all advocated to the Empress to lock the Prince Changshou up to build a good reputation for herself. The Empress asked for Qiguan Rangs opinion and he turned on his old master. He proposed to kill Prince Changshou for good to pluck up the evil by the roots. There was a motto from him in that incident: A wise bird selects its tree; a sagacious staff selects his master. Why do I have to remember our old bond after he betrayed me? What he said was as if Prince Changshou had cheated on him. Most people would weep and wail after they were cheated, but Qiguan Rang asked his whole family to pay for it with their lives. Liu She didnt know why, but he had a hunch that Qiguan Rang meeting his baby girl so early wasnt bad at all. Without Qiguan Rangs assistance, that spineless, irresolute Prince Changshou wouldnt be competent to do much of anything. When the sun was just above their heads; they finally saw the shape of the towering thirty-foot-tall city wall. Liu She was sinking into his own thoughts. At the same time, Cheng Cheng, who rode the horse parallel to Liu She, shaded his eyes. He made a sound and there was a light grin on his face. Do you see someone you know? Liu She looked in the direction that Cheng Chengs vision was aiming at. He saw a splendidly decorated wagon. The chiffon-made curtains flapped down and there was an obscure shadow in the wagon. There were hundreds of soldiers armed with long spikes and armor standing around the wagon. There were a couple more young men dressed in scholarly shirts with their hair tied up on top of their heads riding on the horses. It wasnt hard to guess what they were up to, judging from the bows and arrows strapped to their backs. It was very likely that some aristocrats were planning to go hunting so they could make connections with one another. That scenario had been rather frequent before the evaluation. It seems that they are going for an outing, or they are going to attend some parties for scholars. Do you want to go over and say hi? Cheng Cheng thought about it and shook his head. Not in a rush. We should get in town first. Liu She gave orders to the wagoner to drive along the side of the road, considering the intensive situation in the Capital. He wanted to avoid trouble and hitting any pedestrians. However, even though they werent looking for trouble, that didnt mean that trouble was not looking for them. Jiang Pengji turned the stream on early in the morning. The viewers rushed to the streaming room and they packed the room as soon as they received the message. Shangjing was the real ancient capital. The prosperity and extravagant style was nothing that Hejian County could even compare with. Jiang Pengji was mounted on White and it sauntered along slowly. It seemed like she was sightseeing, but she was actually chatting with her viewers. Bingtang Ningmeng: #Chin Rest Emoji. The moment I saw the wide paved brick road, I knew that our host was almost in Shangjing. Most roads in the ancient time were either dirt or gravel. The former became muddy and sticky after it rained and the latter one was always bumpy. A paved road like the one they were on with stone bricks of the same size would be a huge project; it would be costly, as well. If it wasnt the capital of a nation, like Shangjing, or a metropolitan city, it wouldnt be able to afford spacious roads like that. Koujiao Chifan: I want her to get in town as soon as possible so I can see the Lingxiao Palace in heaven, and the Shangyang Palace in the human life. I wonder how flourished it is, and if the scale of the palace could compare with our Forbidden City It is the original ancient palace. Laosiji Lianmeng: Come on, the Shangyang Palace is the place for the royal family. An ordinary person wouldnt even be able to get close to it, all right? They would, at most, take a look at the prosperity of Shangjing. There was very little chance that they could see the whole appearance of Shangyang Palace. Host V: When I take the realm of the nation, I will let you see whatever you want to see. The whole streaming room almost exploded when she said that. Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: Wow, do you get the sense that we are being spoiled infinitely by our host? Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Absolutely! Chun Lie: I almost fainted from being spoiled by her, okay? One Chestnut: I already fainted and Im so happy that I dont want to get up. I will need our hosts kiss to wake me up. Dawang Paiwo Laixunshan: That was really cheesy. Do you need someone who is obsessed with you to warm up your bed before you come in, host? Nide Yida: Piss off, you little goblins. Host was saying that to me, you evil people. The trip was no longer boring with the viewers teasing each other back and forth. It was interesting to have them tagging along. Jiang Pengji never was fond of the idea of streaming, but she was very fond of some of the angels in her streaming room. She lifted her lips into a slight smile but all of a sudden, she had a feeling that she was being watched by someone else. She quickly schooled her smile. Out of instinct, she reached for the bow that she had mounted on the side of the horse, notched an arrow on the bow rapidly, and fully drew the bow back. Bang! Liu She snapped to attention by the sudden motion. He turned quickly to see an arrow broken into pieces in the air; he watched it drop on the ground. His baby girl still kept her archery posture, and her face was chillingly sharp and her eyes darkened with malice. Liu She started to speak, Lan Before he could say anything else, she quicklyCCquicker than beforeCCdrew another arrow back and let it streak out from her bow like lightning. Piece of trash! Jiang Pengji stared at the guy who panicked after his hat was shot from his head by her arrow. He didnt mean to take her life, but he definitely had the intent to shame her. If it was so, she would pay somebody back with his own coin. It was absolutely his own fault for doing something unnecessary. There was a loud thwack as an arrow slammed into the frame of one of the wheels of the wagon. It alerted the guards and they were all terrified, as if they were confronted with a formidable enemy. Liu She was surprised at first until he saw the arrow break into pieces in the air. He felt fear afterwards and he almost couldnt control his anger. Cheng Cheng reacted a bit slower than the other two, but his face went dark as soon as he realized what just happened. They had no idea about the intended object of the arrowCCwhat they saw was that the arrow was aimed towards Jiang Pengji. They immediately jumped to the conclusion that someone had attempted to murder her. They both tacitly chose to ignore the arrow that Jiang Pengji shot. Chapter 264 - Your Own Fault for Doing Unnecessary Things (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Koujiao Chifan: F*** whichever a**hole sneakily attacked our host! Doesnt he know the consequences of pissing off our host? He will be torn apart alive! Tangchao Lizi: What just happened? It happened so fast that many viewers didnt see Jiang Pengji block the attack and at the same time, fight back. All the viewers were stunned by the incident. They wished that, in that scenario, the streaming could rewind just few seconds so they could find out exactly what had happened. Koujiao Chifan: An asshole attacked our host with an arrow. Thanks to our host being a super cool woman, she made his arrow explode by shooting it while it was still in the air. She paid him back with an arrow to his hat, which was damn cool After everyone was filled in, the streaming room focused their vision on the remains of the arrow, which was shattered into pieces. They also spotted the frightened guy who got his hat shot off his head by the arrow. He was panicking, sitting on the floor because his legs became powerless. He had nearly peed his pants. The viewers all applauded the host. Great job! There were tons of gifts and rewards sent by the viewers for her actions. Jiang Pengji saw that coming and temporarily shut down the notifications. The team was not just random people. The owner of that fancy wagon seemed to have a background, as well. His armed guards treated Jiang Pengji and her people as formidable enemies and they surrounded Jiang Pengji and her people, which was a surprise for Jiang Pengji and her troops. Jiang Pengjis troops werent some effeminate guys. They pulled out their knives and confronted the armed guards. It appeared that there would soon be blood. Cheng Chengs face was gloomy and he clasped his hands in front of chest, bowed to the people they were confronting, and spoke. What he said almost made Liu She scared to kneel on the ground. What is the point of doing this, Prince Changshou? What? Prince Changshou? Liu She was completely startled, but he didnt show it with any expression. He had his usual poker face, but his vision flew to the wagon every now and then. The passenger couldnt sit still when his identity was no longer concealed. The curtain of the wagon opened and a thirty-year-old face was exposed in front of them. Whats going on? he inquired of his entourage. It seemed like he was not aware of what had happened. There were two Langjuns who were having a competition to see who was a better marksman. They targeted an object a far distance away, but they didnt expect that some random citizens would be riding on their horses and could block the object. That citizen was so bold that he attacked one of the Langjuns and he even frightened you, my majesty The servant had a sharp and strident voice. Prince Changshou sneered and said to them in a chilling tone, It is a felony for a citizen to attack gentry clan members, which will sentence him and his entire family to the death penalty. Just a simple sentence weakened the life crisis that Jiang Pengji was in the middle of and instead brought her some groundless charges. In the meantime, a young man accompanying Prince Changshou heard a familiar voice. He turned around to track the voice and there was a pleasure on his face after he found out who had spoken. He bowed at Prince Changshou and said, My majesty, the one who was talking earlier is my nephew. Can you allow me to learn more about what happened before you make any decision? Prince Changshou wasnt impressed, considering that he was the one who almost had a heart attack when the arrow pierced his wheel. He had to suppress the dissatisfaction once he took a clear look at who was talking to him, however, and he put a slight smile on his terrified face. If he is your nephew, he must be an outstandingly talented person. Why dont we beckon him forward? Before Prince Changshou had finished his words, Cheng Jing excused himself to mount his horse. He galloped to Cheng Cheng and ordered the armed guards to put their weapons down. Everyone stop! Cheng Jing was relieved when he saw that Cheng Cheng was unharmed. Wenfu, It has been a long time. Liu She was shocked. The young man was barely in his twenties. Why did he say Cheng Chengs literary name straight? It seemed that Cheng Cheng was actually a few years older than him. It has been a couple of months since we separated in Langye. I guess it has been a long time. Let me introduce, Youmo, Cheng Cheng said. This is the Liu County Chief for Hujun, who also happens to be one of the most amazing people in Dongqing Dynasty. Now, are you excited to see this person youve heard so much about? Cheng Jing was dazed, as was Liu She. Jiang Pengji had no clue what to say about what was going on. So, what just happened? How did you guys have a conflict with Prince Changshous guards? Cheng Jing asked. Cheng Chengs face turned red when he brought the conversation up. Liu She had a worse look on his face, which concerned Cheng Jing. Let me explain Some guy was handsy and he attempted to shoot my head. I was nice enough that I only paid him back by shooting off his hat, which made him feel embarrassed. So what, now your Langjun wants to condemn me for something I didnt do wrong, regardless of the truth? Jiang Pengji approached Cheng Jing. She didnt have a good impression about Cheng Jing, the same person that Liu She had mentioned. Cheng Jing was ashamed. Therefore, when he faced Jiang Pengji, who was tough on him, he wasnt angry. Instead, he asked her a question politely. Can I ask who I am speaking with now? Liu She put on a false smile and responded, My only son. I wonder, what is the name of the man who had no control over his own hands? The dumba**es looked down on them by judging their clothing and decorations on the wagon. They took a chance on them after they had endured a rough trip and tried to make fun of them. If it was the normal business group, it was very likely that they would quietly take it and not complain about itCCbut it would be entirely different if they were dealing with Liu She. He emphasized the word only. Cheng Jin came to realization of how serious the incident was. You are mistaking me, young Langjun. Im not the type of person that would dig up the truth. Cheng Jing had a bitter smile and said to them, I was busy talking to my friends when this occurred. We were not paying attention to our surroundings. As soon as we realized what happened, this young Langjun had already shamed them Liu Shes son was nearly killed on the official road outside of Shangjing. Cheng Jing was scared to imagine the scene. It was his own d*mn fault he couldnt control his hands. This is not your business. I dont expect you to say some words for me, but I hope you are not doing that for them, either. Jiang Pengji wasnt on her high horse, but she wasnt going to back off easily. People got bullied if they were kind to everyone; a horse would be ridden if it didnt act wild. The law of the jungle was performed more direct in a society with an obvious hierarchy. If it had been anyone else except her, there was a big chance that they would have fallen off of their horse and been stepped on. White was a warrior horse of a pure and excellent breed, and it also had abundant training. Plus, Jiang Pengji was calm, which helped them avoid a tragedy. Cheng Jing nodded and agreed. Of course. Cheng Cheng turned his nose up and said with contempt, Prince Changshou? Cheng Jing reported to Prince Changshou about Liu She and his peoples identities. It was Prince Changshous turn to freak out. His bias was towards Liu She and his people. The guys who came along with him had pale facesCCespecially the two guys who actually shot the arrow. They could barely stand and their lips were completely white. They had no idea that some plainly dressed citizens were actually some important people. Your own fault that you couldnt control your hands! Your own fault that you couldnt control your hands! Your own fault that you couldnt control your hands! The two young men who shot the arrows just looked at their hands. They nearly shed a tear, regretting their guts out for what they had done recklessly. Who was the worst choice to challenge in Dongqing Dynasty? Liu She was definitely on the list of that. He happened to be the General Evaluation Officer that year. Were they still expecting a good score from him based on their performance after they were really close to killing his only son? To be more serious, Liu She only needed to use his brush pen to make some awful comments about them; their career would end there. Not to mention, if he didnt want to make a contribution to their career, it wouldnt even be possible for them to have a title without an actual position. Clearly, Liu She was never generous. When Prince Changshou sent a servant to invite him for a visit, Liu She merely gave him a grin and took off. He didnt even bother to glance at him. Chapter 265 - Your Own Fault for Doing Extra Things (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Are you spooked, Langting? On their way into town, Liu She and Cheng Cheng both scowled and the atmosphere around them was rather depressing. Each of them was angry and seemed to be bothered by some matters. Cheng Chengs wife learned about it and she asked Jiang Pengji to sit with her in the wagon instead of riding a horse. She finally felt relieved after she examined Jiang Pengji from head to toe; she wanted to ensure she wasnt hurt. Those gentry clan guys have really crossed the line. No one engraves the Saints edification on their mind. They just continue more and more unbridled under their familys shelter. Fortunately your archery skills are superb and Liu County Chief was there to back you upCCor else there would have been another crime right under the Emperors eyes. Cheng Chengs wife was quite indignant. She grasped Jiang Pengjis hands and said to her in a pitying tone, Look at you. You are so scared that your hands are freezing cold. Jiang Pengji seemed uncertain and grinned at Cheng Chengs wife. It seemed as though she was pretending to be tough, which made Cheng Chengs wife feel sorrier for her. Jiang Pengji chose to ignore the comments from the viewers applauding her for her acting skills. They claimed that she was so good at acting that she should be awarded an Oscar. After a while, she pulled her hands back subtly. She had a naturally cute and behaved look about her. She talked to Cheng Chengs wife in a low voice. Aunt, Im not scared. Its just how I was born You were born like this? You are still growing; you should still be hot-blooded. How are so cold all the time? Liu County Chief is a man, after all. He is not as thoughtful as a woman when it comes to raising a child, but this is a matter he should never take his eyes off of Cheng Chengs wife frowned. Apparently she wasnt pleased with Liu She. Men were always men. They took care of the breeding part, but they were negligent with the process of actually raising a child. The poor child lost his mother when he was young. Who could possibly be meticulous about looking after children beside their own mothers? Jiang Pengjis smile froze for a second, but it was so short that Cheng Chengs didnt catch it while she was nagging. Have you guys found a doctor to help you recuperate? Cheng Chengs wife asked. Before Jiang Pengji could answer, she continued, Dont think you are too young to care much about your own health. A man in a condition where his yin energy outweighs his yang energy will have issues carrying on their family blood. Liu County Chief only has one son. Naturally, you are the only hope for the family to pass on your family name. Jiang Pengji was speechless. I know a doctor with a good reputation whose expertise is health preservation. He is in Shangjing at the moment. I will take you to see him once we all settle down. You dont have to feel shame about this since you are young. You just go with it and let him help Cheng Chengs wife was a gentle and kind person, but once she started talking it was like she put a fetter on Jiang Pengji; however, there was nothing she could do about it. She occasionally gave her some responses besides nodding and saying yes. After a bit of time waiting outside of the town, their troop received permission to enter Shangjing. After they passed through the dark red town gate, the flourishing, ancient city was like a beauty with a veil; she finally agreed to lift a corner of the veil and show her stunningly gorgeous appearance. Liu She had sent a letter to Feng Ren a long time ago to inform him of his plan to stay at Feng Rens place for free accommodation and free food. Feng Ren knew Liu She very well and he wasnt going to refuse him. The moment they arrived in town, a butler with elaborate clothing approached them and inquired, Are you guys from the Lius with the Liu County Chief? Im Liu She. I remember you. You used to be the pageboy for Xiande. Judging from your clothing, you got promoted, right? Liu She got off the horse. He wouldnt hold his head high like the other gentry clans, even if he was facing a pageboy. The butler felt that it was a great privilege for him to be recognized by Liu She. He had been sent to wait for Liu She and his troop because he had met Liu She before. It was a surprise that he was recognized by Liu She, though. It had been several years since they met the last time. The butler was only a low rank servant at that time. The butlers face glowed with his smile and he treated Liu She with a more amiable attitude. My master directed us to get the accommodations ready for you and your troop ahead of time, Liu County Chief. Please come with me. If Hejian County was a small butler type, then Shangjin with its prosperity was like a lady from a respectable family who dressed in pretty clothes and wore pricey jewelry. She had supreme elegance and was drop dead gorgeous. She made people sink into her beauty. At first glance, the buildings were well-proportioned; the streets were neat and uniform. The businessmen came in and out dressed decently and you barely saw anyone in shabby clothing begging for food. It made you feel as though it was the way a city in the time of prosperity was supposed to be like But it only seemed like that. Jiang Pengji skimmed the surroundings. Her curiosity faded away and was replaced by some frustration. Lets go. I will ask about where Master Yuanjing is staying the night, and then I will take you with me to pay him a visit Liu She said. He didnt want let his baby girl go through everything on her own, but he did have the awareness that he couldnt be there helping her all the time. She needed to rely on herself eventually. If she could be Master Yuanjings student and make connections with young elites to collect resources for her future, at least she would have a good reputation for being a person with dignity. Jiang Pengji nodded. She had heard about Master Yuanjing from different sources and she would finally be able to see the talented person herself. Now she really wondered why he was considered extraordinary and eccentric. At the same time, Prince Changshou was giving his own people dirty looks the entire way as a result of being ignored by Liu She. The gentry clan man who caused the trouble was acting wary, as well. His face was unpleasant and it seemed like he was so depressed that he was likely to burst into tears the next second. Cheng Jing despised his manner. A man must dare to bear the responsibility of what he dared to do. He should be well-prepared for the consequence of getting himself in trouble if he had the courage to make fun of the citizens in the first place. They acted jaunty while they looked for distractions from teasing citizens, but they were on pins and needles after they realized they had messed with the wrong person. Their ugly behavior made people feel sick. Cheng Jing took a glimpse at the tarted up Langjun at the gathering. That was rightCCtarted up. There was nothing wrong about using that word. It had only been few years since the last time he had visited Shangjing and the customs had changed. Guys not only did light makeup, but they also plucked their brows, wore lipstick, and had blush on their cheeks. What was more, they deliberated the way they walked and girdled their waist tight. A man walked like a willow branch trembling in the wind and it seemed that they were weaker than a girl. If it wasnt for them overhearing that the General Evaluation Officer wasnt fond of feeble men, they would have been even gaudier than that. Cheng Jing had no common subjects with these people. Instead, he found a corner to have a cup of tea to help release his anger. He saw two Langjuns who were weeping in the distance; he felt that his eyes were almost poisoned by seeing them. Youmo, why are you sitting here alone? You are not going to join those guys? While he was in a deep depression, a fragrant scent swept over him and a young guy in a mint green outfit sat down next to him. This guy was tall and slim; his skin was fine like a china doll. He was prettier than a girl without wearing any makeup. He had a pair of bright eyes and his red lips contrasted against his white teeth. He was the definition of a pretty boy. Cheng Jing didnt even bother to look at him because it was easy for him to distinguish who it was by his voice. Doing what with them? Watching them already gave me a stomach ache. Now my stomach is still in pain Its your own fault that you never have your meals on time Han Yu snatched the fruit from in front of Cheng Jing and shoveled several into his mouth. The sourness flowed in his mouth; he spit it out and said, They served you this sour fruit. No wonder you have a stomach ache. Cheng Jing twitched his lips and took another sip of tea. Didnt you say you were not coming to the gathering? What has changed your mind? Chapter 266 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The host of the gathering was Prince Changshou, but he used the name of academic exchange for the students. The truth was, however, that he was collecting the potential talented elites for his own personal use. There was some indirect, personal relationship between Prince Changshou and the Chengs. Out of courtesy, Cheng Jin showed up at the gathering for the Chengs. Hang Yu never had to worry. Master had lost a game to Zi Xiao while they played chess. The bet of the game was that our master would have to take all the students to Jianshan Hot Spring to relax. They left me behind because I slept in. Han Yu was upset that he was the only one who didnt get to take advantage of his master. He had been abandoned ruthlessly just because he had slept in. Zi Xiaos chess has improved so homogeneously that he even won a game against master. Master Yuanjing was not legendary like the rumor said. But indeed, he was proficient in all aspects including instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He wasnt mastering anyone. It wasnt difficult for someone to be an expert in one thing, but it would be almost impossible to master all kinds of things considering everyone had only a limited amount of energy to study. There was no other explanation than he was gifted. Cheng Jing couldnt help but laugh out loud after he heard this. At the same time, he felt for him for being upset. Jishan Hot Spring was famous in Dongqing Dynasty. Many people chose it as the best place for holding gatherings, and naturally, it was a place of attraction for many students. What was more important was that it was some sort of a big deal that their master was taking his students to go to a hot spring for punishment. Han Yu was muttering beside him. Zi Xiaos chess is truly getting more superb. I had a game with him yesterday, but it felt like I was led by him all along. Im rather bored after I was left here alone. I figured that I might as well come to join you since you have no company. It is getting tedious for you, as well. Cheng Jing shook his head and disagreed. It would be better for you to spend some time in a whore house rather than being here. Prince Changshou was a benevolent and amiable person on the surface, but he was rather ambitious deep inside. He had targeted numbers of talented elites a long time ago. Han Yu was really in the wrong place, but he didnt expect that Hang Yu would give him a bitter face and complain to him. Go to a whore house For what? To let those girls try to tease me? He was not bragging, but not a single girl in the business was as good looking as he was. Cheng Jing had nothing to argue against his point. He had seen narcissistic men, but he could not stand that some could be non-stop narcissistic like Han Yu. Right, this is for you. Han Yu took a slice of bamboo out of his sleeve. What is this? Cheng Jing took it, looked it over, and noticed his masters handwriting on it, which said, The topic of the exam is decided. This is from our teacher. He said you would know when I give it to you. How would I know if you dont even have a clue? Han Yu answered him in a straightforward manner. Cheng Jin groped the characters on the bamboo slice with his fingers. An idea flashed in his mind and it enlightened him, but he didnt seem happy about it. Its a bit late, Cheng Jing said in shame. Han Yu was certain about his meaning and asked, So you do know what puzzle the master gave to you? If Im right He referred to the General Evaluation Officer this year, Liu County Chief. The last question of the evaluation was made by the General Evaluation Officer every year, but it was still up in the air since Liu She hadnt arrived in Shangjing yet. So Liu County Chief is in Shangjing now? They arrived about two hours ago. Cheng Jing gave Han Yu hints by using his eyes. You see the two Langjuns who cried so much that the tears messed up their faces over there? They were too dumb and did their best to offend Liu County Chief, and now they end up sobbing in the corner by themselves. Fortunately, they are not too dumb to not understand their situation now. Han Yu continued, I have met Liu County Chief before. He is not ruthlessly oppressive like the rumors say. He is considered a man with noble merits. He has a mild temperament and he is amiable and generous to the people around him, like you. What did those two people do to affront Liu County Chief? The evaluation was near at hand and they had already left a terrible impression on the General Evaluation Officer. They really should have been awarded for their courage. It was true that the General Evaluation Officer needed to be fair and unbiased towards everyone, but it was also a piece of cake for him to screw someone over if it was his own intention. That did explain why the two guys were wearing faces fit for a funeral; it was as though they were newly bereft of their parents. Their family background wasnt powerful enough to back them up in the first placeCCand their behavior against Liu She added to their failure. No one would have gone so far for self-destruction. They made fun of the citizens they saw, but it was impossible for them to guess that Liu County Chiefs Langjun, who didnt dress in fancy clothing, passed by them on the horse. They judged him as a random person who would suck it up and do nothing about their bullying and picked on him. They nearly killed him. Liu County Chief only had this one son How could he not be mad at them? Han Yu was flabbergasted for a bit and started to react. Hold on, who did you say they nearly killed? I didnt hear that wrong, right? Cheng Jin was rather dazed by Han Yus overreaction. He repeated for him, The son of Liu County Chief. Han Yu went quiet. Whats going on, Wen Bin? Cheng Jing couldnt help but ask. The son of Liu County Chief is the real fiend in this case. He is a hundred times harder to cope with than Liu County Chief. Han Yu had some goose bumps and explained to Cheng Jing, If Liu County Chief is the one you offend, he will give you a verbal warning, depending on the personal relationship he might have with you. His son, on the other hand, will destroy a person with some gentle tactics and you wont even notice it Cheng Jing was holding a question. He found it hard to believe. How come? From my observation of his manner, he is not the type of person who haggles over every ounce. Han Yu had thought same way before until he left Hejian County and he started to hear all kinds of hearsay about the Liu County Chiefs son. He heard about the trouble that he got himself into when he proposed the limited purchase amountCCeven under the pressure from the gentry clans. He was defying everyone else and he risked his life to challenge the gentry clans in Hejian County, but he kept himself alive. Han Yu refused to underestimate the Langjun of Liu County Chief. He double checked with Feng Jin afterwards and he received a positive answer from him to confirm that Liu Xi was the one who was behind it. It was not extraordinary to do things that crossed the line, but it would be called real talent if someone had a regular life after he crossed the line. Lets wait. Those two guys will strike a bad patch sometime soon. The best scenario is that they will just break some bones. Han Yu licked his lips like he was expecting a good show and his eyes were glittering with joy. Cheng Jing didnt know if it was him who misjudged Liu Xi, or it was Han Yu. Right, I almost forgot something important. Han Yu quickly adjusted his position and sat up. He just realized something critical he had to discuss with Cheng Jing. Liu Xi is here in Shangjing with his father to be an apprentice to our master. He is hoping that he will be enrolled by Langye Academy. As Liu County Chiefs style, they will be searching for the hint of our master once they settle down. We might still be able to catch up to see something fun if we take off now. Cheng Jing smiled and said, But master has claimed that he will only have four apprentices in all his life. He has had four already and there is no spare quota for anyone else. It might have been possible for him to be enrolled in the school, but it was no longer possible for him to be masters student. Their master had his principles to give his students. He didnt go for a persons intelligence, but he also sought for the destined coincident he could have with his students. Destined coincidence was something abstruse. Han Yu was eager for the ruckus and he said, Thats why it will be fun. This gathering is truly nothing but tedious. Its all about flattering each other and no one is being honest Instead of wasting our time here, we might as well go ahead to see the legendary Langjun. When are you going to alter your unpredictable temper? Cheng Jin was complaining to him, but he was tempted by the idea. He had put up with enough of the boring gathering. He would rather have a leisured drink in the hot spring, appreciate blossoming flowers through the mist, talk about poetry, and do some paintings than wasting his life here. Ji Shan Hot Spring? Jiang Pengji was looking forward to seeing her buddy Feng Jin, whom she hadnt seen for a long time. She was told that he had gone to Ji Shan Hot Spring for entertainment. I really couldnt tell that you were such a person, Feng Jin! Chapter 267 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I really couldnt tell that you were such a person, Master Yuanjing! When Liu She tracked down Master Yuanjings accommodations, he also learned that he had taken his students to Ji Shan Hot Spring and it would be a couple of days before they came back. Liu She wasnt impressed by failing to see Master Yuanjing. Does that mean that I have to wait for several days for him to come back? Liu She was in an infinite depression. Why? He couldnt really take his baby girl to the hot spring in order to apprentice Master Yuanjing, right? Even though the hot spring had separate pools for males and females, they were not in the same place. That was not the only reason. The ethos in the recent years was inclined to be conservative. Womens social status was decreasing rapidly. The discrimination towards women from the outside world, in a way, restricted their freedom. It also explained why, on such a freezing day, there were barely any women in the hot springCCmost were men. If there happened to be some women in the pool, most of them were from noble families and they had an entourage along with them in case there were any incidents. It would be some kind of a joke if Liu She took his baby girl to a hot spring designated for men just to look for Master Yuanjing. He was left with only one choice if they didnt pay a visit to the hot spring they were at presently: They would have to be patient and wait for them to leave the hot spring after they had enough fun. If Master Yuanjing is a true legend like everyone said, why didnt he oversee my coming for him? Why did he have to decide to go to some stupid hot spring at this time? That is real irritating. Liu She swore at Master Yuanjing in his mind for a bit, but he had to come up with a solution after all the moaning and whining. Before he came up with an idea, Feng Ren sent him an invitation to have some relaxing days in Ji Shan Hot Spring with him. He even had a perfect reason for it. The evaluation is at the door and all the young elites will be gathering in Shangjing. There will be all sorts of verse clubs and gatherings being held one after another. You have been sinking in your work all the time and you deserve some personal time. Ji Shan is one of the hot spots for people to have gatherings and we might as well release some of the stress from work during our stay here. He had said the purpose was to release stress; however, another purpose of the trip was an incognito inspection that would help them learn about the young elites in Dongqing Dynasty. Liu She compressed his lips and didnt say a word. He wondered how the Head of the Secretariat had so much time. Judging from Feng Rengs words about the Ji Shan Hot Spring, he was apparently one of their loyal customers. It sounded like he went to have a hot spring bath every other day. Looking at himself, Liu She was only the County Chief of Hu County. He had never ceased working for a second over the last few years. He worked days and nights without having a holiday at all in a year. He got paid as a County Chief, but the quantity of work matched that of an emperor. Feng Ren was standing at a high rank as the Head of the Secretariat, but he seemed to not be so occupied. After some struggling, Liu She was still going to ask his daughter her thoughts on the matter. She could make the choice if she wanted to go immediately or wait for a couple of days. But without a doubt, Jiang Pengjis answer was a definite yes. Why not? Jiang Pengji asked Liu She instead. Liu She moved his lips but he didnt know what to respond. Right, why not? But my girl, you are a girl! Liu She was shocked and he started to realize that his baby girl had a different ideology than him. As the result of distinctive geographical reasons, there were multiple hot springs in the northern part of DongqingCCespecially in Ji Shan Area, which was in Shangjing territory. The royal family built the Hot Spring Temporary Palace in Ji Shan in the previous dynasty and the next several emperors kept expanding the palace. The emperors highly praised hot springs. According to some official history records, hot springs had miraculous functions like increasing life expectancy, prolonging life, and curing any diseases which was why the majority of citizens gave it a respectful name like Spring of the gods. People followed the example of their superiors, and having a hot spring bath became an activity for the average people. No one could resist falling in love with the hot spring, no matter if he was an aristocrat or a citizen. After the fall weather hit, it would be extremely hard to pull them out of the hot spring. The world fell apart after the destruction of the Xia Dynasty. Dongqing founded the country and established the capital in Shangyang County, which was nowadays called Shangjin. Ji Shan had the advantage of the amount of hot springs, which happened to be near Shangjing. It was normally a two to four hour trip by wagon, which was rather convenient. The Dongqing royal family took advantage of the Xia Dynasty. They took over the temporary palace from the Xia Dynasty and did some renovations to make it their new palace. The former three emperors in Dongqing Dynasty were incompetent at their work and their lifes purpose was to seek the most possible pleasure. Therefore, they spared extra time and attention to the hot spring palace, which brought them joy. They had four tours to the palace in a year and their stay would be at least a month each time for the emperors. Each time was a big consumption of money and a burden to the citizens. Ji Shans layout of strata in the land decided that there were sufficient hot spring spots. The largest one belonged to the royal family, which was where the Hot Spring Palace was located. The rest of the spots were taken by the gentry clans and some wealthy businessmen. They built different sized hotels with hot springs and the guests they served were relatively different. The ones with money and power took the quality service, and the average citizens could still afford to experience the hot spring in a lower quality hot spring. Therefore, every freezing season of the year, there was a booming business in every hot spring hotel. Ji Shan Hot Spring was no longer a place for having a hot spring bath. After many years of development, it had been altered to be a place of interest centered around the hot spring. There was not only hot springs, but also a bar, tea house, food court, and vendors that sold all kinds of exquisite products. Besides all of that, it was a main place for young people to host gatherings and verse clubs. It was not rare to see some whore houses around for people to seek out some pleasure. It was a sleepless town. The Fengs wagon came from the foot of a mountain to the mountainside and it stopped in front of an extravagant house. They got off the wagon and noticed that there were well-decorated wagons parked around them, and most of the wagons had clan insignias on them. If it wasnt you leading me, I would have almost believed that we were at some noble familys place. There is no way for me to tell it is simply a hot spring hotel. The gentry clans who built the hot spring hotels were not out for the purpose of making profit. They simply built a place for their leisure and provided a place for their own people. The hot spring hotel in front of Liu She was many times bigger and more gorgeous than his own house. Luxurious! He couldnt think of another word to describe it. This one is under Prince Changshou. Rumor has it that he built this place with the design blueprint of his own place. Every evaluation month it will be open free to the young elites, and that is why it is the spot that most of the verse clubs and gatherings are held. It is fun to have a large group of people. I just want to show you and have some fun nights, as well. Liu She was speechless and Jiang Pengji burst into laughter standing behind him. She couldnt imagine that Feng Jin, who had an old head on young shoulders, would have such a funny father. Feng Ren made himself clear: He took them there just because of the luxury and delicacy of the hot spring hotel. What was more important was that it was free. Prince Changchou Liu She frowned. He doesnt even bother to hide his ambition considering he is winning talented people to his side by any means. Liu She put all his effort into managing Hu County all these years and he was negligent in regard to the different parties of the politics. He had learned from Gu Min that Prince Changshou was one of the contestants for the regime. But unfortunately, Gu Min was never good at commenting on history. What she remembered was that Prince Changshou was off the game very soon and he was nothing but a susceptible, terrified sucker. The only well-known advisor who worked for him was Qiguan Rang. The information she shared with him was biased and, subconsciously, he had the same thought that the Prince Changshou was just a piece of crap who didnt have spine or any capability. But now it seemed that at least he had ambition. Feng Ren coughed to bring Liu She back and said to him in a low voice, Lets get in first and talk about it. They planned to take advantage of someone, but they were being ungrateful towards him. They were not going to talk about him until they could take some actual benefit from him. They could criticize him as much as they want, but after they had the hot spring bath. Liu She didnt know how he should respond to him. I really couldnt tell that you were this type of person, Feng Ren! Chapter 268 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (III). Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Normal citizens having a hot spring bath was normally pretty casual, but that wasnt the case for the gentry clans; they were upscale about every single detail in order to show off their social status. Jiang Pengji was led to one of the courtyard houses by a female servant who worked in the hotel. The first step was to have a thorough shower and to burn incense smoke from her hair to her toes. Her hair was, of course, specially taken care of. About fifty perfumes were ground to powder and set in delicate makeup boxes for the guests. She refused the servants offer to help her clean up. Instead, she walked into a pool about four square meters in size and swiftly wet her hair and washed it. The bathing clothes for her were prepared and folded ahead of time and placed in a separate place. The material of the clothes was slick but not transparent. There was the slight scent of orchids on them. The cloth used to make the bathing clothes wouldnt be recycled and it was designed for one guest only. They would be burned right after the guest changed clothes. Not to mention the other costs, just that one aspect alone was tremendously high in cost. It was very extravagant. Jiang Pengji stepped out of the pool and gently wiped the water droplets off her body. First, she wrapped her breasts tight with a corset band and then put on the snow-white bathing clothes. She made a knot with the band for the bathing clothes at her waist. Fortunately, the ethos in the current era were still relatively conservative. Barely anyone had a hot spring bath in the nude. Otherwise, Jiang Pengji would see a bunch of shining, white human bodies. She was not shy, she just couldnt let her eyes suffer from seeing everyones extremely freaky body proportions. Even though it was just a hot spring hotel, it was still built based on the blueprint of Prince Changshous palace. Naturally, it was extraordinarily sumptuous. It wouldnt be hard to find the pavilion, terrace, porch, garret, veranda, library, and bedrooms based on the architecture. There were openly designed terraces next to hot spring pools so people could conveniently appreciate the view while they had a drink after their bath. There were various sizes of hot springs and each of them were separated by exquisite rock barriers, waterside pavilions, or just some pine trees, which kept peoples privacy but still kept it open. It was a special feeling when one was having a bath and looked up to see the sky; it made one feel like it could broaden their mind. There was dense, steamed air on the surface of the water. Music floated in the air, mixed with laughter and chatting. It sounded like people were frolicking and talking. In the blurry haze, there were shadows of people toasting to each other and it was just like a fairyland in a human world. Liu She and Feng Ren were ready a long time ago. One of them was soaking in the hot spring, dozing, and the other one was drinking tea; it seemed like they were discussing some important matters. Jiang Pengji came over to them, but Liu She told her to walk away. Im discussing some critical matters with the Head of the Secretariat. Can you go to another room? No joke. It was his daughter, not a son. Jiang Pengji agreed and let the female servant lead her away to a hot spring that was vacant. On her way to the hot spring, she spotted several guys in their twenties or younger who were wearing very fine makeup and lipstick. In the mist, their feminine steps made them look graceful. Not only that, but their clothes were intentionally designed to be baggy so they could show off their chests. She moved her eyes away and secretly turned on the stream. She shouldnt be the only one suffering; she was obligated to share her pain with her viewers. She gave herself a like for her action but the viewers in the streaming room were speechless. The original idea was that she was going to shut it down for a day. It was totally unexpected that she turned it on and the first scene they saw was that brutal. Laosiji Lianmeng: Host, are you ready to go down that path? They didnt mind seeing their host playing with the pretty boys, but they were not ready for the average looking guys with horrible figures. It was pure torture for them to see a group of guys like that. It was all about their faces and it was definitely ruthless for them. Dashu Xiaobing: Im going to be blind. You are so cruel, host. Could one imagine the scene? The viewers could see a twentyish, pig-like guy, whose height almost equaled his waist size. He was walking with a wobble and had orchid fingers. It was barely okay for him to show off his chest. Where were the abs and the mermaid line? Nowhere! What they saw was fuzzy chest hair, a bulging belly, and loads of fat, along with a retreating hairline. One Chest: I suddenly started to feel depressed after I saw this guys chest. Compared to mine, it is not fair for me to be a woman. My roommate laughs at me for having such a flat chest, which I had always denied before. But it seems that she wasnt wrong about my chest. I can only suck it up Tangchao Lizi: #Drooling. By the way, I dont think we have ever seen our hosts chest Jiang Pengji raised her brows and walked past the dude who had the nice tits without any expression. About her chest, it was hard to describe. When she saved Cheng Cheng, she received a reward from the System, which was, Pretty boobs and an hourglass figure that makes your clothes prettier. Jiang Pengji had given the System a hard refusal and it compromised by giving her a reward card instead of putting it on her. Of course she didnt use it. Liu Xi was only twelve and there were still four months before she turned thirteen. She was still too young to have a use for boobs! Please give me some drinks. She pushed the door, which could barely block anything, and entered the room. There was a small sized hot spring, about five square meters, centered in the room, a female celestial statue posed in a flying position standing in the middle of it. The palm of the statue and the corner of her clothes were both replaced by trays for people to put their drinks on. The female servant bowed at her and left the room. Jiang Pengji tested the temperature with her fingers first and then stuck her feet in the water and sat on the side of the hot spring. There were two fancy, stone lions on the side of the hot spring with trays on the top of their heads for the guests to put food on. The guests could enjoy sitting in the hot spring as they enjoyed their delicacies and the beautiful views around them. Jiang Pengji came from the future, but she had never accepted luxury like that even when she was the head of her own troop. The people in the current era really knew how to treat themselves well. They had a decent life based on their limited resources. The service in the hotel was thorough. Soon, two pretty, female servants came in one after one with some drinks on trays for her. They gently put them down after they received Jiang Pengjis permission; they didnt make any other sound the entire time. The door was still open and Jiang Pengji could see the scene at the waterside pavilion from her position. She pointed outside her area and asked one of the servants, Do you provide any special services beside hot spring baths? The female servant had a proper grin on her lips and she looked in the direction Jiang Pengji was pointing. Her face turned pale all of a sudden. The other servant was scared of her saying anything inappropriate; she quickly took over and said with a smile, If you want, Im more than willing to serve you too, Langjun. The female servants were filtered and particularly selected. There was specific criteria for their appearances, the way they talked, and their manners. In a place like a hot spring, even though they were properly dressed, it didnt mean it would slow down mens desire, especially in a scenario where they barely had any clothes on. Of course, they were all civilized people and they wouldnt use force with the girls. But it was inevitable for the girls to be teased and taken advantage of. The female servants were not much more innocent than the call girls in the whorehouses. Jiang Pengji lifted her lips. She wore a mysterious, frivolous smile. The girls werent certain about what Jiang Pengji meant and they thought the young man in front of them was asking them to provide a special servant. However, Jiang Pengji only took her feet out of the water. She picked up a bottle of alcohol and opened the seal on it. She lifted her head and drank the alcohol straight from the bottle. The alcohol poured into her mouth. Some of the alcohol dripped from her chin and slid down her neck. The two female servants were stunned at what they saw. They had never seen any Langjun drink so roughly. Jiang Pengji looked at them with a pair of clear eyes. Im drunk. It was finally time for her to cause trouble. The two female servants were completely clueless Chapter 269 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langjun, what is this? The servants came forward. Jiang Pengji had just finished the whole bottle of alcohol in front of them. Judging from her eyes, she seemed sober still, but the way she walked said otherwise. Her steps were soft, like she was walking on air, and her body wobbled while she paced, which was typical of a drunk. They werent sure if Jiang Pengji was truly drunk, but there was one thing they were 100 percent sure of: They wouldnt be keeping their lives much longer if the Langjun had any accidents. Without their surveillance, the Langjun would be very likely to fall into the pool and jeopardize his life. There was no way they would allow any incidents to happen while they were present. Jiang Pengji dodged their obstruction and quickly left her spot. She stared at one of the waterside pavilions not far from her. I gave no effort, and I found what I was looking for. She hadnt planned to search for the two guys; they came to her instead for their punishment. The two guys still had no awareness that they would be d*mned, and they were just acting casual and chatting together while they took advantage of a servant girl. It was an efficient way for them to ease the fear they had from earlier. The servant girl was shamed and furious, but she had no way of avoiding them. If you like, my brother, you can summon this girl tonight to help you relieve your bitter yearnings. At least she seems clean-cut. It does match with the fame of this hot spring hotel under Prince Changshou. It is not hard to tell with these pretty girls working here. The brother was definitely tempted, but he was trying to express less of his enthusiasm to avoid looking like he was some kind of a pervert who was eager to get laid. Im not sure if it is appropriate. It is not moral for me to take something that you are interested in. He had white, baggy clothes on him, and he purposely tied his waistband loose in order to show off most of his chest. From years of pampering, his skin was as tender as a girls, and his snow-white skin was instead, rosy red. He seemed languid with his brows down. Clearly his body was not in good condition because of his indulgence in alcohol and women. Well, dont fuss about this between you and me. Women are just like clothes, but my bros are like a part of my body. She is just a disposable woman who means nothing to me. You can take her anytime if you want He waved his hands dismissively. The old adage birds of a feather flock together was one dating rule that would never go out of style. The two guys shared exactly the same aura. Otherwise, they wouldnt have hung out so much. Since you say so, then Before he had a chance to respond, there was a distinctive smell of alcohol that diluted the fragrance of the female servantCCeven it wasnt that pungent. The young guys head rose. He was upset, but he only saw a young boy holding a bottle of alcohol in his hands and standing right in their way. Do you still remember who I am? Jiang Pengji squinted above the two guys heads with a weird smile. The tourists who were sitting around them sensed that something was not right, and they all paid extra attention to them. They were either curious or waiting for a show. The evaluation was near at hand, and no one wanted to get themselves involved in a mess. Interesting. Why should I know who the hell you are? One of the guys smiled with contempt. Of course he didnt recognize Jiang Pengji. He only considered her as some random tourist staying in the hot spring hotel. You dont? Jiang Pengji seemed tipsy and squinted her eyes. All of a sudden, she approached one of them. Stay away from me, you drunk. This is not some random hot spring hotel that is wide open to any customer, especially a despicable person like you. The young guy stepped back. He couldnt hide his aversion to her on his face. He found it was hard for him to get near Jiang Pengji because of the strong alcoholic smell coming from her. Jiang Pengji grinned, showing her white teeth, but her smile seemed evil and wanton. Just when the two guys were about to lose their last bit of patience, and they intended to shove Jiang Pengji away, a foot slammed into one of the guys faces. Ah The hot springs near the waterside pavilion broke into a sudden commotion. The people watched the whole thing: One of the young guys was kicked off the waterside pavilion by the drunk boy. He flipped into the hot spring after his face was kicked by the young guy. It was completely out of the blue. The young guys baggy clothes wouldnt stay on him anymore. His waistband came loose, and his clothes flew wide openCChis body was shown in front of the audience. The young man thrashed his way out but choked on the water because he was unprepared. What are you looking at? You are going in there, too! Jiang Pengji gave the other one a good kick and sent him into the hot spring as well before anyone realized what had happened. After another big splash, he ended up beside the first guy who went into the water. They thrashed around, trying to get up, but instead, they rolled together and tumbled. Ha dont they look like skinned frogs? Jiang Pengji laughed freely. She leaped over the fence of the waterside pavilion and stood on top of the rock divider that was placed next to the waterside pavilion. What are you looking at? Bring the drink over! Jiang Pengji turned over and yelled at the female servant, who was stunned. Bring my drink over here! The female servant came back from the shock of what she had seen, but her mind still wasnt clear. She followed her instructions without realizing the most accurate way to deal with this scenario was to settle Jiang Pengji down, which was going to help solve the dispute between the two parties. She definitely did not want to bring Jiang Pengji more alcohol; that would just make it worse. Who allowed you to stick your head out of the water, eh? Jiang Pengji wore a grin as she stepped her foot on one of the guys heads and kicked him back into the water. Her face was full of undisguised malice and displeasure. Who the hell are you? And how dare you Before he even finished his sentence, Jiang Pengji tread on his head again and sent him back into the hot spring. Water rushed into both his nose and mouth. Who am I? Jiang Pengji grabbed the bottle from the female servant and ripped the seal off of it. She took a big sip of alcohol from the bottle and stamped one of the guys heads swiftly into the water again. The audience, who was enjoying the show, started to become restless. No one had the courage to stop Jiang Pengji. The two guys were not small in size at all, but they had been kicked into the water like chickens by a young boy! Even though he took advantage of being unexpected, it was not hard to tell that he was a master of martial skills, especially with his legs. Judging by the young teens look, he was clearly more than tipsy, and he had probably blacked out. If they put themselves between the two to help resolve their issue, there was a good chance that theyd get kicked into the water as well because the young teen was out of control. They would want to kill themselves if they were mistreated like that. God is watching you. You apparently were born without a brain since you dont even remember who you messed with. And who gave you the confidence to threaten me here still? Jiang Pengji scolded them both with a sharp voice. Her eyes had an evil, foreboding twinkle. With her looking like that, no one wanted to help. They could only ask for help from the manager of the hot spring hotel. He help The two guys struggled to climb out of the hot spring, but unfortunately, they werent fast enough; Jiang Pengji kicked them back into the water over and over again. They felt like their brains were about to be kicked out of their heads. The more they asked for help, the more rampantly Jiang Pengji laughed at them. She was staring at them like she was staring at mice thrashing in boiling water. Someone said, This Langjun, a scholar prefers death to humiliation. They dont deserve humiliation like this no matter how much resentment you have towards them. Regardless of the fact that Jiang Pengji was drunk, just her insulting someone like that already pushed most peoples buttons. Jiang Pengji beamed at the guy who spoke, but scowled at the guy who was pleading for mercy. A scholar prefers death to humiliation? she repeated with sarcasm. I will also give you a piece of advice: Keep your mouth shut when you dont know the truth. What happened to the edification you learned? Im doing this today. Do you have a comment about it? Chapter 270 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (V) Chapter 270: Ji Shan Hot Spring (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After the hard retort from Jiang Pengji, the man who had tried to mediate seemed embarrassed and his face turned red. He didnt say anything more. Jiang Pengji turned around and sneered at the two guys who had just suffered from her malice and who were like drowned mice. Why didnt you guys predict what you were going to end up with when you almost got me killed in Shangjing earlier today? The two drowned mice who were holding enmity against her couldnt help but shiver when they heard Jiang Pengjis words. Their minds instantly became clear. They were so frightened that they stopped struggling. The audience around them originally detested Jiang Pengjis rampant behavior. After they heard what she said and compared it with the two guys guilty looks, most of people with brains came to the realization and they all pretended as though nothing had happened. It was obvious that the young, drunk teen had nearly lost his life and the people who were responsible for it were just those two guys. The young teen was just trying to get payback. The outsiders should have left their noses out of it and let them deal with their own dispute. Well, you guys do know to bully the weak and fear the strong, eh? Jiang Pengji took a mouthful of alcohol. The bottle was almost empty based on the way she had been drinking. Werent you rather tough in the daytime? How come you are so terrified now? Where are your spines? Where did your pride go? And where the hell did the guts that you had while looking for pleasure by risking my life go? They all got eaten by a dog or what? Piece of sh*t! Jiang Pengji was not even close to drunk. The fact was, she was quite sober, but she was just there to get them in trouble. It was just a good chance for her to release some pressure. The fact that it was Shangjin meant that there was no way she was going to take their lives. It was acceptable for her to humiliate the two of them in front of everyone, though. Imbeciles achieve their ambitions. At the moment, the area was deadly quiet. A clear voice spread from another direction but it made the atmosphere tenser. Jiang Pengji maintained the smile on her face but her eyes turned to the person who spoke. She asked him with a dangerous tone, Are you saying I am the imbecile for achieving my ambitions? The one who spoke was a twentyish young man. His skin was rosy red after having a hot spring bath. He had a jadelike, delicate face and dark eyes. His dark, cloudlike, long hair still had wet steam vaporizing off it and he let his hair down on the side. With the mist, his body seemed flimsy. The way you dealt with them wasnt despicable? He didnt show timidness toward Jiang Pengjis sneer. Instead, he scorned, According to what you just said, these two guys almost killed you by accident. If that was the case, why dont you just repay your grudge against them as a man with merit? Look at the way you are treating them. It is purely insulting to take advantage of being drunk. This is what I say is despicable behavior. To make it worse, he was saying that Jiang Pengji acted like a real snob. The viewers in the streaming room all chose to cease using the bullet screen for a bit. They were worried that Jiang Pengji was going to lose it and make the hot spring turn to a bloody pool in the next second. As a matter of fact, Jiang Pengji didnt lose it. She had a delightful smile on her face. She even stopped torturing the two guys. If Im the imbecile, then what are you? Are you simply a guy who criticizes others without being in their shoes, or you are someone flooded with saintly love? Jiang Pengji ditched the bottle casually into the hot spring. The splash of the bottle dropping into the water splattered all over the two guys faces. Im standing here humiliating them just because Im still alive. But would you speak for me at all if I wasnt able to dodge the arrow and perished instead? Jiang Pengji sneered. I know you wont be able to because Im nobody to you. Once Im dead, I will be dead for good. And how could a dead person compare with someone alive? So youd better shut your mouth if you want them alive, or I will slaughter them right here. The young mans face became red. It is completely chicanery You are just doing wrongdoings as you wish under your familys protection. Thats not right. It was them picking on random citizens by taking their lives with the protection of their families. The worst they would get if they killed some citizens would only be some condemnations. No one would uphold the justice for the innocent people anywhere, Jiang Pengji raised her voice abruptly. If you want to scold someone, it should be these two pieces of crap instead of me. You dont have to talk righteously to me. Im just simply getting my revenge on them. There is no comparison between a gentry clan member and a citizen. Jiang Pengji almost couldnt help but laugh at his ridiculous theory and she refuted him, Your brain must be soaked with water. The young man was shocked and he opened his eyes wide. He wasnt expecting that Jiang Pengji would swear him with some vulgar words like that. What was the difference from him being sworn at in his face? This Langjun said right, Zude. You shouldnt choose to be blind towards the true story because the citizens and gentry clans have a different social status. This Langjun is reckless, but he is an indeed a man who is full of sentimentCCespecially because he has a reason to be mad. We should understand him. However, it is a bit outrageous, even for you, to swear at someone so acridly. Zude is a thin-skinned person and he cant take your words easily. While both parties were getting fractious, some laughter intervened with a teasing tone. Jiang Pengji frowned and looked in the direction of the laugh. A middle-aged man with grey hair, but no signs of aging on his face, walked towards them. He seemed energetic and walked with light steps. The young man, who was playing tough a second ago, changed his face as soon as the middle-aged man appeared. He bowed with his hands clasped in front of him and said to the middle-aged man with great respect, Master. Are you the son of Liu County Chief? The middle-aged man walked to Jiang Pengji. It seemed like his eyes could see through everything, which kind of bothered Jiang Pengji. He continued, From what I heard, you are truly an elite just judging from your looks. Then who are you? Jiang Pengji didnt even bother to pretend to be drunk with that guy standing in front of her. She just looked at him like she wanted to see through him. The Zude wasnt pleased with her rude behavior. His teacher had a great deal of respect by the masses in the world. When had he received any hostile staring like that before? Jiang Pengji didnt leave a good impression on the young man already, and what she was doing at the moment made him even more upset. The middle-aged man just grinned at his student and stopped him from what he attempted to do. I thought you knew. Im not some big guy. People normally call me Yuanjing. Yuanjing? Jiang Pengji twitched her lips. It was her turn to be surprised that she had met the legendary Master Yuanjing under such circumstances. He looked just like an average, middle-aged man after he had a bath. He was merely a godlike person, just like people described. Master Yuanjing beamed at her and he seemed rather amused. His smiling eyes arched. In a place like Shangjing, a falling tile could smash three people in high positions while people at a young age are fearless. You are truly capable of doing anything without fear. Jiang Pengji made a clicking sound with her tongue and said to him with a grin, No, you are wrong. I was wary of their families or these two guys would have ended up spilling their blood presently instead of just drinking some bath water. She remembered something after she spoke. Actually, according to your student, gentry clans are higher than citizens. But you should know there is a hierarchy in the gentry clans. Of course Im in a higher rank than these two, which means how I treat them will be my call considering that they offended me earlier. The young Zude was speechless. Master Yuanjing wasnt sure whether or not he should approve her theory after he heard her sophistry. Chapter 271 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Its complete nonsense! The young man was so furious and ashamed after being scolded by Jiang Pengji; he was barely able to control his temper. Jiang Pengji sneered at him, looked at Master Yuanjing, then took a look at the young Zude. She said to him with sarcasm, You are calling what I said nonsense. But why dont you take a look at yourself and what you have in your brain? There is a saying, The citizens outweigh their emperor. If it is so, how come the gentry clan members are more noble than citizens? You are saying Im protected in my familys shelter, but are you the same as me? Otherwise you arent talking reason with me here. Jiang Pengji didnt have a good impression of the young man Zude. She found he didnt just have a hypocritical, sainted heart, but he was also a bit dumb. The young man went mute. Jiang Pengji started to talk again, but she was talking to Master Yuanjing instead of the young man. I thought Master Yuanjing had fame all over the world, which meant that you should have taken extra caution when you received your apprentice Yet somehow you were blind when you took on this bipolar and incorrigibly obstinate piece of wood as your student? She didnt try to hide how much she despised the young man. The young man was so mad he couldnt speak and his face turned red. He didnt care how much Jiang Pengji attacked him verbally, but it wasnt acceptable for her to get the teacher involved. Master Yuanjing took a deep look at Jiang Pengji instead of getting upset. No one is perfect. This rule works for the saints, not to mention any ordinary person. As a teacher, I need to teach without classifying my students and then I can make sure to deliver the principles, tutor the knowledge, and answer the questions. Zude was wrong for sure, but you cannot deny his bright side. How can you judge a person from a small piece of him and then deny him everything? According to what you are saying, Langye Academy is just a place with a name and a defective teacher who doesnt deserve to be a teacher. We need to study because of our defects. But it wont take only one or two days to rectify the defects, not to mention to rectify the moulded temperament. His face had a smile that made Jiang Pengji feel uncomfortable. If she could use a word to describe his smile, it would be sly. Master Yuanjing was deeply respected by the people in the world. His students were not just there because he vied for three cities from the North Borderline royal family when he was younger, or because he was erudite and proficient in his knowledge. Part of the draw was his attitude towards his students: He treated them all exactly the same. No matter if his student was a gentry clan kid or a vendors kid, they were just his students. He wouldnt lose his bias to value someone just because the student was extraordinary or because they were from a noble family. At the same time, he wouldnt despise a student because of his bad behaviour or his petty family background. As long as they were not rotten deep inside and there was a chance to modify them, it would be worth his time and effort to teach them. Jiang Pengji said to him, I didnt expect that you would be quite so protective of your own people, Master. Master Yuanjing replied to her calmly, Zude is not a bad person. He is just simply bigoted, but it is fixable. Jiang Pengji squinted and causally responded to him with an okay. All of a sudden, she pointed at the two guys hiding in the hot spring and asked Master Yuanjing, Then how do you think I should deal with these two? Most of the people watching the show were intrigued by her question. The two people were definitely intimidated. They basically had to say goodbye to their goal of obtaining a position in the government after they offended Liu She. It did seem, however,like they might still have a chance if Master Yuanjin was willing to put in some good words for them. Master Yuanjing beamed at them, then gently touched his grey beard. A cunning look flashed in his eyes. There was a saying that went, Eyes could reflect someones true age. Master Yuanjing took fine care of himself and he seemed only thirty or forty from his appearance. His eyes were crystal clear with a profound wisdom, however. There was no way to to take a guess at his real age just by looking at his eyes. Master Yuanjing had seen people holding grudges against others and people acting aggressively. It was rare that he came across someone like Jiang Pengji. He said to her, Judging by their behavior, they are decent people that glitter on the outside. Looking at their insides, they are full or garbage and they are nothing close to gold. Are you satisfied with my answer? Liu She alone would make the two guys lives hell, and then she had to pull him into this dirt. She was really going to make them suffer. That was truly mean. Master Yuanjing was smart; he could see through her intention to use him as her gun. But he wasnt going to reveal her intention. He was not the type of person to strain at a gnat with someone so young. What he evaluated was no doubt a bolt out of the blue to the two guys. They were sitting in the warm hot spring, but they felt like they were frozen from their heads to their toes. It was like they were in an icehouse. Liu She had ended their career and the evaluation from Master Yuanjing left them with not even a foothold in Dongqing Dynasty. Jiang Pengji grinned with satisfaction. Her eyes squinted like a bright new moon. They resembled Master Yuanjings eyes in a way. I beg your pardon for my drunken rudeness earlier. Master Yuanjing shook his head helplessly. She had taken advantage of him being an old man, but he was at least not blind yet. It was rather obvious for him to tell whether or not she was truly drunk. No problem. But drinking too much will hurt your liver. It would be best for young people to stay out of it. Lets go, Zude. Im so sorry, master. Me not being in my best condition embarrassed you and made you encounter a young kid. After they left the water pavilion, the young man Zudes head hung low like a rooster who had lost a battle. He wasnt pleased. Master Yuanjing put his hands in his wide, baggy sleeves and paced leisurely. Zude, what do you think of the young Langjun we just met? The young man turned his face away. He was still mad at Jiang Pengji. He is for sure good at speaking, but he talks a whole pile of nonsense. Master Yuanjing didnt make a comment about that. He raised his brows and asked, Other than that? The young man didnt say another word for a while. Master Yuanjin sighed deeply and said, You have your eyes covered by your resentment, which affects your judgement. That is the biggest mistake for advisers. You cant judge someone by their surface. You have to make subtle observations about their way of speaking and the way they behave, and then you can dig into the truth. Otherwise, you will make false decisions about if they are an outstanding and talented person among the masses. Isnt it a shame? He spoke peacefully, as if he were having a chit-chat with a friend instead of lecturing his student. The young man wasnt impressed. Are you saying that the young kid is an outstanding and talented person among the masses? Such a high evaluation? Master Yuanjing stopping walking, turned, and smiled at the young man. One of the ten thousand. The young man was completely speechless. However, he is extremely tough and his temperament is rather rampant, which is going to cause trouble for him. Master Yuanjing pondered for a bit and sighed after. He is like a piece of fine jade that is of the best quality but it hasnt been polished. Others who dont know about his hidden value only treat him like a stubborn stone. What was more, she was destined to be the owner of the realm, but she happened to be a she. Master Yuanjings brows were raised while he thought about it. For him, it was obvious whether Jiang Pengji was a guy or a girl. Since Master Yuanjing was holding such a positive attitude towards Jiang Pengji, no matter how terrible the young man felt, he finally started to settle down and viewed her from a more objective perspective. He muttered like he was being wronged, Im so sorry that I was blinded and only saw him bullying the weak. Master Yuanjing laughed like a kid and made fun of his student. Thats why Im your teacher and you are my student. The young man didnt have anything to debate that. Sure. You are the teacher, so you make the call. Chapter 272 - Jishan Hot Spring (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Yuanjing booked a big hot spring room since he had taken his students along. There was a smaller hot spring inside of their room, as well as patios and water pavilions. It was the most luxurious room in the hotel, which would surely help them have a leisurely time. Master Yuanjing was extremely well-known in Dongqing Dynasty, which was how they could make such a reservation. Zude walked back to their room with Master Yuanjing. He was about to pull the door open but Master Yuanjing lifted his hand to stop him. His face had a sense of curiosity. Listen. Do you hear something? Zude was confused. They hadnt accidently stepped into someone elses room. What was his teacher doing? Master, is there anything wrong? Master Yuanjing grinned. They normally obey the norms and principles in front of me, but in the private they love playing and having fun. How come they keep quiet like this instead of flipping the world upside down while Im not here? Therefore, there must be some respectful guest coming in to visit. Zude, how do I look? The young man almost choked, but he put his serious face on right away. You look hearty and hale and you seem no different from young people. Master Yuanjing agreed with him and nodded. I think the same thing. The young man was completely speechless. Master Yuanjing held the same posture as an erudite celebrity and pushed the door open. His eyes swept the room and it all became clear to him. He spotted the person he was expecting and said to him, It has been years since we last met. How have you been, Liu County Chief? The Lius had some connection with Master Yuanjing because of Gumin. The two parties interacted with each other every now and then. Even though Gumin had passed away years ago, Liu Shes second wife never forgot to send presents to Master Yuanjing on special days or occasions, which proved that they maintained a fine relationship. The respectful guest that Master Yuanjing had mentioned earlier was Liu She, just as he had assumed. But Feng Ren, who was sitting next to Liu She, probably just came for fun. Master took a peek at his students. They were pretty well-behaved considering Liu She and Feng Ren were both present. They all started to act like gentleman with merits. They were either reading poems and discussing them or playing chess. Hmm, they are truly good at putting on a show. Liu She took a deep breath when he saw Master Yuanjing appear. Honestly, he felt that it was hard for himself to fit in in that room. Every student in the room seemed as though they would be important in the future and it stressed him out. He stood up to greet Master Yuanjing, then they were seated as the host and his guest. Master Yuanjing started to speak before Liu She opened his mouth. I know why you are here. Liu She moved his lips but swallowed his words. Then he asked, If it is so, what do you think, Master? The rest of the students looked as though they were focusing intently on their own work, but as the matter of fact, they were all eavesdropping on their conversation to see why the Liu County Chief was there. I promised that I will only have four apprentices in my whole life. Not long ago, I took Zixiao as my fourth student, which means I dont intend to accept more. Your son is truly an outstanding one in the masses. If you dont find Langye Academy too shabby, he can enroll any time and he will be very welcome. Master Yuanjing shook his head, but he didnt seem as though he felt like he had missed out on an opportunity. Whats more, even without Zixiao as my last student, I am not a match with your son as a teacher and a student. Liu She was slightly frustrated. He hadnt started his speech yet, but the old man in front of him had spoken for him already. He was not going to push hard, though. His plan was, as long as Jiang Pengji was enrolled in Langye Academy, the rest would be her own destiny. At least they would obtain what they had wished for. That sounds good. Then Im confiding my disobedient son to you for now. Im sorry to bother you with such a task. Master Yuanjin taunted him, Your son is full of aggression. If I take my eyes off him, Im afraid that my Langye Academy will be deconstructed. Liu Shes face changed when he heard that. Any normal person who heard such a thing from Master Yuanjing would jump to the conclusion that Master Yuanjing disfavored Liu Shes son for being hard to discipline and unruly; however, Liu She noticed the deeper meaning of his words. Master Yuanjin seemed to be the same as Master Liaochen; they both sensed that his son had a designated destiny that was out of the ordinary. Master Liaochen had said that there were not more than five people in the world who could discern the emperor level aura that surrounded Jiang Pengji. But it seemed that his baby girl had bad luck meeting both Master Liaochen and Master Yuanjing. Dont worry, Liu County Chief. Im not a person with a fat mouth. Master Yuanjing saw through Jiang Pengjis disguise as a man, but he didnt lay the secret bare. He even continued the cover for her without being noticed. It was obvious that he didnt have the same stereotypes as most everyone else did. As the idea of the current literati, a girl who was fated to be the owner of a realm had to be a county-wrecking witch. A persons vision that was at the same level as his was no longer restrained by stereotypes. Or else why would they be the talented people? In many circumstances, they would keep their mouth shut even if they saw something. Liu She squeezed a bitter smile. If Lanting is really this impossible and he demolishes your academy, I will make sure to rebuild it even if it costs me my whole life and my possessions. Mater Yuanjing gently touched his beard and said, Im looking forward to him, with your promise. It was Liu Shes turn to be quiet. What? Looking forward to that? Then Master Yuanjing added, The roof of the room in the east was lifted last time and some of the students tried to fix it. But unfortunately, the craftsmanship is not good enough; it still leaks during the rainy days. If Liu County Chief promised to do the renovation for my academy, my students wouldnt have to suffer from climbing up and down all the time. Liu Che had no comment. I really didnt realize that you were a person like this, Master Yuanjing. The impression of Master Yuanjing in Liu Shes mind was that he was someone noble, like the bright moon. He thought he was an exemplary, lofty, but hard to reach person who escaped the hustle of life. But after their meeting, he had a feeling that the illusion of his idol was broken. Master Yuanjing was no different from a normal person. Feng Ren, who was standing next to Liu She with a startled face, looked like he was struck by lightning. Who would have imagined that the Master Yuanjing, who was described as a godlike person, was truly like a kid in reality? Then I will summon my son over here and you can meet him. Master Yuanjin smiled at him. No rush, I met him outside earlier. He is indeed a handsome and healthy kid. You dont have to worry about it. I will tell my apprentice to deliver a message for me. We might as well play a chess game while we wait. Liu She had a sense of anxiety when he heard Master Yuanjin make a comment like that about his baby girl. It was not hard to comprehend handsome, but where did he get healthy from? Liu She was not the only one in a dazeCCso was Zude. The ruthless and rude kid from earlier was the Liu County Chiefs son? Thanks for making a trip for me. Liu She wore a calm face, but he felt frightened. He had a bad feeling that his baby girl had caused some sort of trouble again. Zude, help us to set up the chess game. Im going to have one with Liu County Chief. It was widely known that Master Yuanjin had mastered musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but his students knew that he loved chess the most. He would sometimes stay up all night with a book about chess. Master Yuanjing chose the black chess pieces. He had his back toward the door, but it was like he had a pair of eyes at the back of his head. He stopped the young man who had just stepped out of the room. Zixiao, please run to Sky Room Number three in Fanghe Yuan. Just let them know that Langjuns father wants him to come over. It seemed like that the young man had just had a bath. His dark hair still had steaming air and the water was wet on his shoulders. He didnt question his masters request. He lowered his eyes and said yes. This young man is your apprentice as well, master? Liu She lifted his head but he nearly dropped his chess piece. He forgot a most essential problem. He never told the Master what room his baby girl was staying in. How did Master Yuanjing know? Chapter 273 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Yuan Jing smiled and asked Liu She, Are you talking about Zixiao? I accepted him some time ago to make up for my regret. As he was speaking, the young man turned around and left, leaving only a somewhat thin and tall figure. Liu She opened his eyes slightly. Nobody knew what he was thinking. After quite some time he mumbled, It turns out that hes the fourth disciple of Master Yuan Jing. He looks really extraordinary indeed Although that was what he said, he secretly grew suspicious. Since when did Yuan Jing become Wei Zixiaos master? There were doubts in his heart and the look in his eyes became dim. Wei Ci was a Langye native and he also studied at Langye Academy. However, due to the misfortune faced by his family, his entire family left Dongqing. Master Yuan Jing squinted his eyes a little. His cold gaze seemed to have seen through everything. Seeing Liu Shes reaction, he said, I originally could not accept him as a disciple. Although we were destined to meet as a master and a disciple, were not meant to be. Liu Shes hand, which was holding the chess piece, paused. He looked moderately curious and suspicious. If thats the case, why did you accept him as your disciple? Zixiao has a knot in his heart. Due to that, hes smart, but he likes to get himself into a dead end. Hell go astray if hes careless. I wanted to have him as my disciple twice in the past, but he rejected me. Now that hes enlightened, Im very delighted, of course. For Yuan Jing, there was nothing more gratifying than seeing the disciple he had high expectations for overcome his mental obstacles and grow stronger. It was as if Liu She was dealing with a closed book. He was completely confused. All the while, there were only people going after Yuan Jing, wanting him to become their master. There was actually someone whom Yuan Jing wanted badly as his disciple Wei Ci It seemed that Amin also said that he was a good strategist. To put it simply, he was the most handsome among the wiseCCthe smartest among the charmers. This was a man who was noble in written history and whose dark side and scheming only appeared in unwritten history. So, Master Yuan Jing, are you sure youre not kidding? If you like him this much, he must be pretty good at everything. Liu She tried to keep himself normal, so as not to reveal flaws. Of course. Zixiao can make a harmonious and orderly home. Liu She and Feng Ren, who was watching the chess game by the side, were speechless. Wait a second Make a harmonious and orderly home? Was there nothing wrong with that description? ****** Knock, knock, knock Jiang Pengji immersed herself idly in the hot spring with a neatly folded towel resting on her forehead. Her long, black hair was fixed on top of her head with a hairpin, revealing her slim, fair neck. Her skin was covered with water droplets. Due to the steam, she looked like as if a camera filter was applied to her face. Although she was wearing clothes, the audience in the streaming room expressed that they could not stand it anymore. Sugar-fried chestnuts: #Cheeky. I want to crawl into the screen and have a couple baths with the streamer. Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: There are always troublemakers who want to snatch the streamer away from me. Hearing the sound of knocking, Jiang Pengji opened her heavy eyes. Her face was somewhat flushed and misty due to the steam, as if a top-grade blush was applied to her face. Has the maid come to deliver the wine? she asked lazily, her eyebrows lifting her. Come in! Just place the wine beside the pool Outside the room, Wei Ci, who got permission to come in, opened the door slightly. He was greeted by the hot and humid heat and his sight was completely covered by steam. The audience in the streaming room was the first to discover an abnormality. At that time, Jiang Pengjis eyes were still lazily shut halfway. One Chestnut: Wake up!!! A strange man has entered. Be careful! Laosiji Lianmeng: Hes a man, not a maid who delivers wine. Dont fall asleep. He may take advantage of you. Weifeng Tangtang: Dont be lazy! Do your streaming right! There were people who warned Jiang Pengji, but of course, there were also people who noticed the appearance of the strange man. Flirtatious bullet screens wiped away the warnings in an instant. He was an unprecedented, spectacular view. Looking at the changes in the bullet screens, Jiang Pengji frowned a little. She could imagine the charm of the person without turning her head. The audience in the streaming room did not have much merit, except that their aesthetic standards were quite normal. Not all charming faces made them drool in front of the screen. You seem to have come to the wrong room, Jiang Pengji said without turning her head. She rested her arms on the edge of the pool, her whole body relaxed. The strange man outside did not come in. Instead, he lowered his head and spoke in a low voice that sounded like that of a person between their teenage years and adulthood. Im Wei Ci. Your father requests for you to go to Room Tianzi No. 1 in the Rose Garden. Jiang Pengji turned to look at the man and asked, Did you say my father? Wei Cis body stiffened a little bit and he lowered his head all of a sudden. He immediately returned to his normal self, as if anything unusual had never happened. He replied confidently, You father and Master Yuan Jing are playing chess. He specifically ordered me to come and tell you. Jiang Pengji secretly rubbed her eyebrows. Although the hot spring was comfortable, she could not be in it for long. Why are you being so cautious? Wait a moment. Ill clean up and go with you. Its all right. Go ahead. Right after that, the door closed again. There was a vague shadow by the door. It seemed like the man did not leave. Upon seeing the situation, Jiang Pengji frowned, but she did not say anything. She came out of the hot spring and turned off the streaming temporarily. She put on a dry robe after wiping herself off. After that, she turned on the streaming again and pushed the door open at the same time. She said to Wei Ci who was squatting by the door, Please lead the way. At that moment, she could see Wei Cis appearance clearly without the steam. Seeing him in person, she could understand why the people who were obsessed with looks in the streaming room were so excited. Her thick, long, black hair was damp and warm, draping over her shoulders and leaving wet marks. The ends of her hair were dripping water beads. Her complexion was as clear as jade and her skin was like fine porcelain. Due to the heat, her cheeks were slightly flushed, giving off a tipsy and enchanted feeling. The hair above his temples was sharply outlined, as if it was cut with a knife, and his eyebrows seemed as if they were painted on with India ink. His pure black eyes were calm and cool. When he made eye contact with Jiang Pengji, he did not reveal any emotion. It was as if he was empty-minded Jiang Pengji was fascinated with that alone. It was the first time she had met the young man for the first time. Why was his guard up? He turned his eyeballs towards her. He had a plan. Jiang Pengji knelt down on one knee and squatted close to the young man. The look in the pair of the seemingly calm eyes wavered uncontrollably. If you didnt have an Adams apple and pierced ears, I wouldve thought that you were a young lady who actually came to the hot spring alone. Wei Ci looked aloof and he leaned backwards a little, pulling away from Jiang Pengji. He frowned somewhat unpleasantly. Your joke is a bit too much. I dont like people who talk about looks and make jokes about them. Jiang Pengji got up and responded while crossing her arms, Im clearly praising you for your good looks. Wei Ci pursed his lips, got up to lead the way, and replied coldly, Im a man. Its really rude to compare me to a woman. Jiang Pengji was speechless. Why, he has quite a temper! Lanting? a familiar voice interrupted with some hesitation. Jiang Pengji looked into the direction of the voice, only to see a skinny, young man leaning against the pavilion smiling at her, a look of surprise in his eyes. Chapter 274 - Ji Shan Hot Spring (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Tsk, tsk. I was wondering who you were. Turns out you are the famous Fenger Langjun. The trace of your lineage is really easy to find. Jiang Pengji walked to the side of the verandah, which was separated by a pond that Feng Jin was sitting. They were conversing loudly across the pond. Feng Jin felt wronged. He did not know that Jiang Pengji would be in Shangjing at that time. If he had known about it earlier, he would definitely have not come to the hot spring with his classmates. Looking over the fence, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure. He thought that his vision was blurred. He did not expect that it was really his friend. I havent seen you in a few months. Youre getting better at smooth-talking. Dont falsely accuse me of any wrongdoings. Feng Jin smiled. At that time, his classmates beside him shouted at him. Feng Jin then said to Jiang Pengji somewhat apologetically, Sorry, Lanting. Well chat later. Jiang Pengji finished saying hello and saw that Wei Ci was looking at Feng Jins back coldly. I just met a close friend. Continue to lead the way, Wei Langjun. Wei Ci stopped staring and did not say a word. One after the other, they soon arrived at Room Tianzi No. 1 in the Rose Garden. Come here, Lanting. This is Master Yuan Jing. Learn from him in the future. Remember, dont be stubborn and mischievous. Liu Shes chess skills were not bad, but he was still lacking compared to Yuan Jing. He lost the game outright. However, he did not feel dispirited and embarrassed. When Wei Ci brought Jiang Pengji there, the chess game was as good as lost, so Liu She simply shifted his attention. Master Yuan Jing said to Jiang Pengji, We meet again, little friend. Hello, she greeted lovingly, and said to Liu She, Dont worry, Father. I know. At that time, Wei Ci, who was talking to his classmate in a low voice, glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. He then shifted his view quietly. Was it not enough to torture Liu She when Yuan Jings enthusiasm for chess came up? Ill just call you Lanting. He shifted his view towards Jiang Pengji and asked, Can you play a game of chess with me? Your wish is my command. Jiang Pengji did not know how to play chess, but Liu Xi had learned it before. Although his chess skills were not that great, his basic skills were very strong. Inheriting Liu Xis memory, of course, she knew how to play chess. The start was so miserable that the two onlookers, Feng Ren and Liu She, could not stand watching the game. They wished they could roll up their sleeves and play the game themselves. Liu She was even more suspicious. The chess skills of his daughter should not have been that poor. What did Wei Yuan teach her? Surprisingly, Master Yuan Jing seemed to be a beginner. His chess moves were messy and people could not figure out what he was thinking. As a person who played chess, Jiang Pengji understood that he was guiding her on purpose. Jiang Pengji could not help but grow more serious about the game. She carefully reviewed Liu Xis memory in her mind. After familiarizing herself with it, she then used her own methods to make plays. Her speed in moving the chess pieces was getting slower and slower. In the end, she even had to ponder for quite a long time before moving her chess piece. Master Yuan Jing smiled slyly. The game had only just begun officially. Looking at the chess board, Master Yuan Jing smiled and said, I won the game. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips so tightly that they almost became a straight line. There was fire in her eyes. Lets play another round! No more, no more. Master Yuan Jing shook his head, showing some fatigue. Im old. How can I compare my energy to that of you young people? If you want to play another round of chess, Zixiaos chess skills are the best among the people here. You can play two rounds of chess with him. Jiang Pengji frowned and looked at Wei Ci. Wei Ci squinted his eyes a little and said indifferently, I dont feel too well, so I cant play chess with you. Jiang Pengji did not say a word. She did not do anything to him. Why was he irascible? Not only did Jiang Pengji feel surprised, but Wei Cis classmates who were close to him were also puzzled. Whats wrong with Zixiao today? Why does it feel as though hes changed into another person? You think so too? Could it be that Liu Langjun unintentionally made fun of his appearance? Although a mans beauty standards were based on gentleness in this day and age, in general, the more effeminate, the better. They wanted their body to be so soft that one could be blown away by the wind, but there were people who hated that. Wei Ci was one of them. He hated it the most when people thought of him as a woman. He was even more disgusted when people made a fuss about his appearance If Liu Xi made this mistake and was treated coldly by Wei Ci, it seemed to be plausible. Jiang Pengjis hearing was impressive. Of course, she did not miss their discussion. She was utterly confused as well. She only said that he was a good-looking person, at most. Why was he so angry? However, she was not a credit coin, gold or silver. She could not expect everyone to like her. It did not matter if Wei Ci liked her. She would not lose anything anyway. Jiang Pengji left this detail behind after a short while and sat silently by the side, watching the people around her have fun. The elders, Liu She and Feng Ren, were sensible. They knew that the younger ones would feel very restrained if they were present. They simply found an excuse and left. However, Liu She gave his daughter a sign before leaving. Dont give the game away! Do you know how to play the drinking game? Jiang Pengji was young. The others were either coming of age at 20 or were almost of the same age. She, a teenager, sat silently in the corner and watched the others play and talk. The situation was somewhat pitiful. Hence, someone took the initiative to start the conversation. She stayed silent for a while and said, I know how to drink. They laughed. Youre so young. How can you consider yourself as someone who knows how to drink just by sipping two mouthfuls of wine? The other party smiled and patted her shoulder. Were classmates in the future. After arriving at the academy, if theres anyone troubling you, just say my name She nodded shyly, her sparkling eyes wide open. If the screen was captured, it was reckoned that the image could be named as, Jiang Pengjis lovely style.jpg. The drinking game was an activity to liven up the atmosphere in banquets and Jiang Pengji knew a few rules about it. Every youth present was a grind. Even if some of them were not that smart, they were also the type who made up for their lack of intelligence with their hard work. They played the drinking game. Of course, they played with difficult contents. Verses, ditties, odes, and songs, the four forms of poetry, were all tested. Discourse on politics were all over the place. The far-off and unfamiliar geographical knowledge, unwritten history, or biographies were all included To put it simply, although she could not understand it, she felt that they were all very impressive. Half an hour later, Jiang Pengjis brain was stuffed with literary jargon. She rested her head on her hands, which were very icy. Sensing that someone was nearing her, she turned her head and saw that the temperamental Wei Ci pushed a tray towards her. There were a variety of dried fruit snacks on it. His eyelids drooped a little as he avoided Jiang Pengjis eye contact. Jiang Pengji was flabbergasted and asked, Have I offended you? Wei Ci did not answer her question and continued, Ive heard about you from Wen Bin some time ago. Jiang Pengji was startled and quickly remembered the words she said to Han Yu in order to put him off. She once lied to Han Yu, saying that she saw Cheng Jing and Wei Ci in her dreams. She even described Wei Ci as a beautiful woman. Umm Was it because of that? She coughed awkwardly and said somewhat timidly, That was just a misunderstanding. It was used to stall him Sure enough, a lie required several lies to make up for it. Wei Ci replied calmly, Its okay. Since you didnt mean it, I wont keep picking on you, of course. Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes secretly. There was a glimmer of light in her eyes. It would be fine if Wei Ci did not explain it. The more he explained, the more she felt exposed. Although that was what she thought in her heart, she responded lovingly on the outside. Chapter 275 - Envoys From the Northern Borderline (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Looking at Jiang Pengjis side profile, Wei Cis heart was a mess. Like a ferocious, bloodthirsty beast that ate human flesh, she stared at his fragile neck. There was some minced meat in between its white teeth and its drool was dripping down. Its nose could smell the stench and the shadow of death shrouded him. He thought that he was going to die, but in the next second, she became a white cat that could fit in his palm and it meowed gently at him That was probably an illusion. But why do I feel like youre deliberately putting your guard up against me? Do I look like I eat humans, like Rakshasa? Jiang Pengji asked innocently. Puzzled, she cupped her cheeks in her hands, a tiny smile hanging on the corner of her lips. Of course, that was also limited to the illusion. Wei Ci suppressed his mind and became nervous, as if he was confronted by a formidable enemy. However, he spoke calmly on the outside. Youre mistaken. When have I put my guard up against you intentionally? Its foolish to have a hearty talk with a mere acquaintance. Im not close to you, so I naturally keep my distance. Jiang Pengji blinked and walked closer to him swiftly. Wei Cis reaction was very interesting: He was like a frightened rabbit. Seeing that he leaned back all of a sudden, she sneered secretly. Instead of retreating, she leaned closer to Wei Ci and whispered into his ears. Being so close to him, she could feel him quivering. The fear and panic that could not be controlled rationally made her more and more curious. Wei Zixiao. Jiang Pengji stopped using her pretentious, innocent voice and went back to being calm and serious. She said, I dont know why youre putting up your guard against me. Youre afraid of me like Im some terrifying animal. However, I hope that you understand a principleCCthe more you behave this inconspicuously, the more curious Ill become and the greater my desire to explore you will be. So, are you hiding from me or are you playing hard to get? It was not known which sentence triggered Wei Ci, but he was about to explode. Thud! The movements in the corner of the room caught the attention of others. A person with a young figure caught Wei Cis hands single-handedly, an icy expression and a fierce gaze on their face. On the other hand, Wei Ci, who was restrained, laid on the ground, looking somewhat shabby. Due to the struggle, his cheeks were stained red. He truly looked like a frightened rabbit. Splash. A student who was sitting by the edge of the pool saw the scene and was so shocked that he dropped his plate of fruit into the pool. Umm What happened? Sorry, we were playing around. Continue with what youre doing. Jiang Pengji smiled as if there was nobody around. She changed her posture and squatted next to Wei Ci. She lifted her hand and released her grasp on his wrist. People with better eyesight could clearly see the vague, blue-black finger marks on Wei Cis wrist They played a little too fiercely. Wei Ci was breathing heavily and he had an extremely cold look on his face. His eyes, which were staring at Jiang Pengji, were somewhat bloodshot. You wanted to push me away just now, but I thought that you wanted to attack me. Hence With both her hands spread out, Jiang Pengji looked as if she wasnt the one at fault. Wei Ci pursed his lips tightly and did not say a word. He got up, ignored the concerns of the others, and strode heavily away from the hot spring room. As long as one was not blind, anyone could see the three big words on Wei Cis back: I AM ANGRY! Jiang Pengji, the one responsible for pissing Wei Ci off, was utterly confused. She would not take the blame for this. She did not want to offend Wei Ci. After all, he was one of the four disciples of Master Yuan Jing. He had his own connections in Langye Academy and was someone who could not be offended in the academy. She was there to attend school, not to fight. How did she unintentionally provoke Wei Ci? However, she did not want to offend Wei Ci. It was Wei Ci who got closer and made her offend him, and now he put the blame on her. This is so unfair! Oh, youre a little princess, you have the final say. The audience in the streaming room was quite disappointed. They thought that the host was going to do something live, but that did not turn out to be the case. Nide Yida: #cheeky. Just now, the streamer single-handedly suppressed him on the ground. I thought she was going to do something. Zhubo Zhengmian Shangwo: I used to think that the plots of domineering CEOs who assertively pushed girls against a wall were very stereotyped and vulgar, but now I finally understand why theyre so popular Its all because theres the brief thrill of being conquered when youre restrained against the wall! Zhubo Cemian Shangwo: I think what the streamer did should be called restraining someone on the ground instead. If she were to stand up, she could only get to his chest. Seeing the discussion of the audience in the streaming room, the party concerned, Jiang Pengji, could not help but produce an illusion She bullied the little princess. However, the thing was that she was really not that insane. Not only did the audience in the streaming room think she was, but even the people who saw the scene with their own eyes thought she was, too. Although Zixiao has a pretty face, hes a real man. The guy who cottoned up to Jiang Pengji previously came closer. It was not known as to whether he was gloating or if he meant something else. Although I have many godbrothers now, youre still too young. After that, he even raised his eyebrows at her and threw a gaze that all men understood. Jiang Pengjis face was grave. ****** Wei Ci left the hot spring room. The cold wind outside made him feel refreshed. Just like what Jiang Pengji said, if he acted normally and did not show any abnormality, she might not even look at him. That was exactly what he wanted. However, she appeared without a single omen and warning when he had yet to be fully prepared mentally. Hence, he acted abnormally, which in turn caught her attention. The situation now was completely different from his original intentions. Feeling lost, he stood in the corridor. The bright moon in the sky reflected upon the pond. The pleasing scenery made him a little calmer. After calming down, he did not intend to go back. He was afraid that he would give himself away. God knew what Jiang Pengji said just now had scared him so much that his whole body broke out with goose bumps. He was almost frightened out of his wits. Whatever. Ill just treat her normally. Wei Ci calmed down and gave himself sufficient psychological encouragement. He only returned to the hot spring room after he felt that he could face Jiang Pengji normally. He opened the door, but there was no one inside. There were some tokens for the drinking game scattered across the table. Looking at the empty room, he was startled. Where is she? She went to create trouble. Jiang Pengji felt that too many things had happened that day. She did not really bathe in the hot spring. Instead, she had come across many bad things. In particular, after she was wronged by the little princess, something else came up again. That time, it was to rescue her friend, Feng Jin. When she arrived at the scene, things had already gotten serious. The charming Feng Jin was very furious and his face was full of injuries. There were glaring, blue-black marks on his white, jade-like face. Feng Jin was the second son born of the legal wife of the head of the secretariat. Who had the guts to hit him in the face? Jiang Pengji saw that it was not only Feng Jins face that was hurt, but his arm was cut by a knife as well. Half of his arm was almost stained red and he was fuming with rage. What kind of a b*stard dares to hit someone who has my back? Chapter 276 - Envoys from the Northern Borderline (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin was grimacing in pain. When he heard Jiang Pengjis exaggerated declaration, his stomach was in pain instead of his hands. If they were in Hejian County, it would have been okay for her to be so smugCCat least then Liu She could take responsibility for it. However, they were in Shangjing. She did not have the advantage of being a local tyrant under the emperor But maybe she could still be that arrogant. Thinking about how modest he was and how he gave in just now but was still humiliated and got his arm injured, he suddenly felt that it was better to be arrogant. Lanting, be careful. These people have bad intentions. Feng Jin covered his wound with his left hand. Garish, fresh blood continued to flow out from the space in between his fingers. His face turned pale due to the pain and loss of blood. His voice became weak. Theyre the envoys sent by the royal family of the Northern borderline Jiang Pengji looked at a few brawny men who were at a standoff with some people in the courtyard. They all had long, braided, black hair with flower head scarves tied on their heads. Their thick eyebrows slanted upwards to their temples and their facial features were distinct and dimensional. It could be seen at first glance that they were foreigners. They were all half-naked and their shoulders and chests were tattooed with unique, yet complicated, tattoos. One could vaguely notice their sinister and ferocious appearances. Their upper bodies revealed stone-like muscles; their arms were bigger than Feng Jins thighs. Their skin was so oiled that it could reflect light. Huh? The envoys sent by the royal family of the Northern borderline? Jiang Pengji sneered coldly and took two steps forward. The crowd automatically gave way. Feng Jin, have you been living in vain? Youre the son of the head of the secretariat and youre being bullied like this? Theyre just a few watchdogs, not the descendants of the Northern borderline Royal Family. Yet youve allowed yourself to be beaten up like this. Youve really embarrassed your father. Feng Jins facial expression changed. It was not that he was mad at Jiang Pengji for saying such unpleasant words, but more so that what she said was the truth. He was the son of the head of the secretariat and he was beaten in the face in the hot spring resort under the name of Prince Changshou. His vital right arm was even injured. Due to his injury, it was very likely that he would be unable to participate in the assessment a few days later. Who are you referring to as watchdogs? Jiang Pengji stood in front of Feng Jin and looked at the person who spoke. Some of the other students were watching, wanting to step forward and help out, but they did not bring any handy weapons. Just by comparing their figures, they were not a match for the hulky men holding knives. Feng Jin was the unluckiest. He was also hit in the face on top of his injured arm. The others looked messy and bruised. Tsk. Im scolding whoever who has an affair with his sister-in-law. She was in a very bad mood. Someone had come for a scolding, so of course, she taunted him without being easy on him. Doesnt the Northern borderline classify people into different classes? The royal family is first class, so that makes everyone else second class trash. Its a compliment to say that youre watchdogs. This highlights the friendly relationship between the two countries. Feng Jin had never seen Jiang Pengji so bold and vigorous. For a second, he was so shocked that he forgot his pain. The tough men choked on Jiang Pengjis berating. The leader looked fierce, but he was not good at talking. They thought that the scholars were weak and only knew how to speak literary jargon. Both of their thighs were not as big as one of his arm. It was a sensitive period. Even if they humiliated the boiled chickens, the Dongqing Royal Family would not do anything to them. Who who has an affair with his sister-in-law? A trace of panic flashed across the face of the strong man, who was the leader. He carried a knife and stepped forward, instantly closing the distance between him and Jiang Pengji. He threatened her ruthlessly. Jiang Pengji snorted and grinned, revealing her white teeth. You are having an affair with your fathers mistress. Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji would not shoot without taking aim. He reckoned that what she said was true. Otherwise, the brawny man would not have had such a huge reaction All of a sudden, he could not help but think of the night in the bandits cantonment when his secrets were exposed by Jiang Pengji. Huai Yu, what the dog hurt you? Jiang Pengji did not pay any attention to the tough men in front of her. If they were displeased, she could fight them. She was good at quarrelling and it was impossible for her to lose in a fight. Lanting, Dongqing is a state of ceremonies Feng Jin smiled bitterly in secret. Oh right, the one who hit me was the one with the green headscarf. In his mind, he thought what Jiang Pengji said was very cool, but they also had to be cautious about the impact on the two countries. However, his friend was willing to stand up for him. Her kind intention could not be rejected. We speak the human language when talking to humans because humans can understand it. We have to speak the dogs language when speaking with dogs because they cant understand the human language. Look, you spoke the human language to them and they couldnt understand it, but they understood what I said to them. Jiang Pengji snorted. You should adjust accordingly when dealing with foreigners to actively eliminate the language barriers. This is the correct way of diplomacy Everyone knew that what Jiang Pengji said was absurd, but some people felt that they had been brainwashed. The sophistries seemed to be somewhat meaningful. The brawny men from the Northern borderline had come to stir up trouble. They felt pretty good for bullying the weak scholars. They were suddenly furious when they met Jiang Pengji, who had a glib tongue. If they could not defeat her in speech, they would just beat her upCCas long as she did not die. Dongqing had been emphasizing literature and restricting military force for many years. The men in the borders of the Northern borderline were considered upright. However, after entering Dongqing, the men they saw were sissies who wore flowers in their hair, put on makeup, and wriggled their waists while they walked. There were a few normal ones occasionally, but they were not hardworking. They could confidently say that there were not enough boiled chickens in the entire courtyard for them to slaughter, let alone the shorty in front of them! As it turned out, they seemed to have encountered a fake sissy that day. He was a real, strong man! Thud! Jiang Pengji had a small figure and the advantage of being nimble. Her strength and appearance were not related at all. They thought that they could get her easily with their hands, but they had not expected for Jiang Pengji to be even more slippery than an eel. She snatched the blade from one of their hands and pinched his wrist joints using her two fingers. Not only did she force him to release the blade in his hand, but at the same time, she turned and got into his arms, pulling his body forward. Her elbow jerked suddenly and it accurately hit the persons throat. In a split second, she caught the handle of the knife that he had dropped. At the same time, she turned her body around and used her kneed him hard. People with sensitive hearing ability could even hear the sound of a sac being ripped open and the splashing of liquid. Everyone was speechless. Wait a second, that position Feng Jin was so scared that he stepped backwards, his legs trembling. Jiang Pengji used the strong mans body as a shield to block the knife that was coming towards her. His wrist twisted and the direction of the knife changed. It was as if she had eyes in the back of her head. The blade swiftly flashed before the attackers eyes. Blood spurted out all of a sudden, stinging peoples eyes. It was not over yet. After dropping her shield, her fingers clenched the attackers throat and she thrust him onto the ground. Not only did he fall on his face, but his entire face was bloody. It became a frying pan due Jiang Pengjis strength, in addition to the force of him plunging downwards. Clearly, there were more than ten men mauling a girl. However, judging from the situation, it seemed like Jiang Pengji was the one who mauled the gang. Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji could fight, but he did not know that she fought everyone she saw. The brawny men were all well-trained warriors of the Northernern borderline. They were small in number, but they were like a human head harvesters on the battlefield. Say it. Which dirty finger of yours hurt Huai Yu? Jiang Pengji was stepping on the side of his face. His face was twisted and he could not move. It was as if he was trampled upon by a five-finger mountain. Chapter 277 - Envoys from the Northern Borderline (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji did not show any mercy. Although he was still alive, he was basically crippled. According to the common practice of the three tribes in the Northern Borderline, crippled people would end up being abandoned in the wild, forced to fight for their lives among the beasts. On the Northern Borderline, where resources were scarce and the environment was harsh, that was a more suffering ending than death itself. Youre not answering? Well, Ill chop off both your arms. She could not wait to wield the big knife in her hands. At that moment, the sound of armor colliding and a series of heavy, running footsteps came in from the courtyard. Wait a second! She had to wait simply because that person said so. It made her look bad. Jiang Pengji sneered. He was a step late, however. She raised her hand and the knife landed upon the man, chopping off his bloody arm. Jiang Pengji lifted her head and looked to the courtyard coldly. Two lines of soldiers who were clad in armor from the Northern Borderline came rushing in, holding shiny weapons in their hands. All of them looked murderous. They looked just like crouching beasts and radiated an oppressive feeling. You actually A man dressed in clothes from the Northern Borderline came out from the crowd and looked at the Northern Borderline warriors lying on the ground. His face was grave. I axed him with my ability. How dare you make me stop? Jiang Pengji moved her foot away from his face and kicked him away. She then immediately looked at the person who had just arrived with a stern look on her face. Youre the one to blame. Youre too slow. How can you blame me for acting too quickly? She dominated the enemy by striking first and did not give him a chance to make a punitive expedition against her. This is Dongqing, not the wild and uncivilized Northern Borderline. Go back to your own place if you dont want to obey the rules. If you want to marry into the royal family, please show your sincerity in making peace. Jiang Pengji had beaten the man up and chopped off his arm in front of the Northern Borderline soldiers. The situation could no longer be reversed. After all, she did all that because she stood up for him. How could Feng Jin possibly hold her back? He breathed heavily, endured the pain in his arms, and said with a pale face, Youve severely injured the son of one of the important ministers in the palace and humiliated the young scholars of Dongqing. Is this what you call your sincerity in making peace? What happened today cant end like this. The Northern Borderline has to give us an explanation! If these people toyed with ordinary citizens and students from poor families, then Dongqing could only put up with it even if they were displeased. After all, they had to put the interests of the whole above everything else. However, what about the outcome? Feng Jin was the one who was most severely injured among the crowd. He was the second son born of the legal wife of the Feng family, one of the four biggest and wealthiest families in Dongqing. He was the son of Feng Ren, the head of the secretariat! If the bruises on his face were not treated with top-grade vulneraries, they would not heal in half a months time. Besides, his right arm was cut and fresh blood kept flowing out. With his right hand injured, it meant that he could not write, which would affect him in the upcoming assessment. In order to stand out in the assessment, a student had to work hard. Feng Jin would miss the assessment, which meant that the efforts that he had put in previously were all in vain. Even the plans that he had made earlier were all disrupted. Who would compensate for such a huge loss? Feng Jin had suffered an injustice. Was he willing to be beaten up by someone for nothing? Would Feng Ren leave the matter at that? Would the Feng family let the incident slip? For a respected gentry that had been around for thousands of years, they could lose their lives, but their faces could not be beaten up. Seeing how Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin echoed one another with arrogant attitudes, the face of the man from the Northern Borderline stiffened. Jiang Pengji added fuel to the fire by saying something again. If you dont have the intention of making peace, then say so. Today, youve deliberately humiliated the son of one of the important ministers in the palace. This matter must be reported to the officials. Its better for you to go back and ask your master how to settle this matter instead of glaring at me! After being infuriated by Jiang Pengji like this, they were fuming with rage. A few warriors from the Northern Borderline were looking for trouble, which someone had instructed them to do. They were not afraid of hurting someone. By then, someone would naturally stand up for them. Dongqing was used to being weak. Even if it was for the sake of the larger interest, they had to endure the unfair treatment. However, they never imagined that the warriors from the Northern Borderline, who came to look for trouble, would not succeed in bullying people. Instead, they were trampled upon on the ground. The man from the Northern Borderline was the Northern Borderline general, who escorted the princess. He had some status among the three tribes in the Northern Borderline. He had brought his soldiers there arrogantly with the intention of making a punitive expedition against the people of Dongqing, but he had been defeated by a teenager. Who are you? Youve injured our warriors from the Northern Borderline, and you should pay the price. Capture all of them. The man from the Northern Borderline made up his mind and intended to capture the people first and secretly get rid of the witness. The dead could not bear witness. As long as they insisted that they were at a loss, according to the behavior of the Dongqing Royal Family, who had always been weak, the Northern Borderline would not suffer any losses. The son of the important minister in the palace was not a thing. As long as they did not hit a snag, the Dongqing Royal Family would not dare to shed all pretenses of cordiality when the marriage was already finalized Therefore, there was a murderous look in the eyes of the man from the Northern Borderline when he looked at Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin. As it turned out, they had not hit a snag. They had hit an iron wall! Wu Liba, who are you trying to catch? At that moment, Liu Shes voice was heard amongst the crowd. The man from the Northern Borderline did not expect that someone would know his name. He could not help but look in the direction of the voice. My son is right. This is Dongqing, not the Northern Borderline. If you wish to return, you better behave yourself by tucking your tail between your legs. Otherwise, no matter how the old fools try to save you, I, Liu Zhongqing, wont let you walk out of the city gate of Shangjing! Feng Ren, who was one step behind, looked at his shabby son with a grave expression on his face. He then looked at the arrogant people from the Northern Borderline. He sneered coldly. Instead of berating the envoys from the Northern Borderline, he chose to ignore them and asked someone to call a doctor over. Bandage your wounds and go to the palace with me later to see the Emperor. With a pale face, Feng Jin nodded. Wu Liba could not back down now. His face was red like a pigs liver. They had originally traveled there to humiliate people, but they were now being humiliated instead. One of the warriors had even been thrust onto the ground and then trampled upon. Go out with a brain next time. If youd like to show severity and power, you should see if the other party is a cat or a tiger. Jiang Pengji stepped forward and made clicking sounds with her tongue. She ignored his bitter facial expression and said, Its fine if theres no problem with Huaiyus arm. If something goes wrong that makes him unable to hold a pen properly in the future, Wu Liba, I wont take your cheap life as a compensation. Be smart and apologize by chopping off both of your arms Wu Libas face was grave and looked at Jiang Pengji with a murderous gaze. An ordinary person would have been frightened out of his wits, but she was Jiang Pengji. To put it bluntly, the number of people she had killed was greater than the grains of rice he had eaten in his lifetime. In this case, youll have to see if the Dongqing emperor agrees to this or not. After that, Wu Liba left with his people and did not care about the warrior from the Northern Borderline that was half dead on the ground. Watching their backs, Jiang Pengji swiftly slashed the side of the rockery. Liu She then sighed. You may think that Wu Liba is a brainless coward. In fact, hes one of the smart generals, which is rare for the Northern Borderline. In other words, Huaiyu has suffered a loss this time. Is it very difficult for him to find his place again. Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and soon understood the important points. So, the four factions of Nanman have conquered Nansheng, and Nansheng has also dispatched an envoy to Dongqing to request for help Its no wonder the three tribes of the Northern Borderline are so arrogant. If the injured was not Huaiyu this time but someone else, Im afraid that someone would die Chapter 278 - Envoys from the Northern Borderline (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had already foreseen Nanshengs defeat, but she did not expect that their request for military aid had only just reached Dongqing. Unfortunately, they happened to run into the group of the three tribes of the Northern Borderline who were there for the marriage between the two countries. Dongqing would be deep in trouble then. Although there were conflicts between Dongqing and Nansheng, the two countries were part of Xia. The three tribes of the Northern Borderline and the four factions of Nanman were considered people of different clans. Generally speaking, Dongqing and Nansheng were two sons who shared the same father. Even if they were separated, their bones were connected. However, the three tribes of the Northern Borderline and the four factions of Nanman were enemies who coveted the others property. In order to defend the ancestral property, the two countries definitely had to put aside their grudges temporarily and join hands. If the cavalries of the four factions of Nanman really defeated Nansheng, Dongqing would face the danger of being attacked by the three tribes of the Northern Borderline and the four factions of Nanman. The country would then be destroyed. Therefore, Dongqing had no choice but to provide Nansheng with the military aid they requested because the two were interdependent! However, if they borrowed their military force, it would inevitably affect the armed forces of the Dongqings border defense. That would also have an impact on the armed forces used to resist the soldiers of the Northern Borderline. The three tribes of the Northern Borderline had been at war with Dongqing for many years and had mostly won, as Dongqing was still trying to emphasize literature and restrict military force. It was foreseeable that Dongqings armed forces, which were used to resist the soldiers of the Northern Borderline, would become weak after providing military aid to Nansheng. It was no wonder that the envoys of the Northern Borderline were so fearless! Liu She sighed heavily and said, The three tribes of the Northern Borderline have been coveting Dongqing for a long time. I only hope that the officials can be wise and not invite disaster by letting invaders in. The marriage is not an efficacious solution forever However, it seems that its a bit too late now Feng Ren looked at his son with pity and his heart ached when he saw his sons pale face. Hearing Liu Shes sigh, he sneered coldly and scorned at the man who was sitting on the throne. Although he knew that he could not fight for any justice by going to the palace, Feng Ren wanted to let the emperor know that the Feng family was not vulnerable! After cupping his hands together apologetically at Liu She, Feng Ren left with his son whose wounds had been treated. He had an icy look on his face. After experiencing such a thing, many people had lost their desire to bathe in the hot spring. Someone abruptly tapped on Jiang Pengjis shoulders. I didnt know that you had such amazing martial art skills! It makes people feel super good. I dont like those b*stards, either, but I cant go and punch them like you did. They say that the warriors of the Northern Borderline are fearless. Judging from the situation now, it seems that theyre not as fearless as you are. She suppressed the urge to bring him under. She turned her head, unperturbed. It turned out to be the young man who had cottoned up to her previously. Since he said the word b*stards, Jiang Pengji warned him with a poker face, I dont like people patting my shoulders from behind. If youre a stranger, you may have already lost your arm. Startled, he retracted his hand as if he was shocked and said curiously, Youre young, but youre pretty nasty. As he was speaking, a group of people returned to Room Tianzi No. 1 in the Rose Garden. In another corridor, Jiang Pengji discovered that there was a tall, skinny, white figure standing underneath the verandah. With long, black hair draping over his shoulders, the man faintly revealed his pale and tightly-pursed lips. He heard the footsteps and turned around. He scanned his surroundings with his indifferent gaze and locked eyes with Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji fought with someone, so her clothes were inevitably stained with huge blotches of blood. If she did not look relaxed, people who did not know what happened would think that the blood was hers. However, Wei Ci knew that anyone could suffer, but not her. The blood could only belong to someone else. Thinking about this, Wei Ci quietly looked away and asked the young man who was familiar with Jiang Pengji, Shaoyin, what happened? A group of cowards who claimed to be the envoys of the Northern Borderline looked for trouble. Xiaosi from the Feng Residence came to ask Lanting for help. I went with them because I was curious. I didnt expect the people from the Northern Borderline to be so arrogant They bullied the people of Dongqing. Theyre truly detestable. There was some resentment in the young mans voice, but then he immediately continued, laughing. Zixiao, let me tell you. Master has really received a good student. He fights very well. Xiaosi from the Feng Residence? Wei Ci frowned and glanced at Jiang Pengji, who looked usual. Wei Ci knew all along that she could fight. If she was given a gun, she could easily kill her enemies more than a dozen times, let alone the warriors from the Northern Borderline. She could take the head of the commander in chief as easily as picking something from her own pocket, which made people tremble with fear. It was just that He sighed a little. Sure enough, it was different. He seldom saw her reveal any other facial expressions apart from looking indifferent. If that is normal, she Thinking about this, Wei Ci forcibly suppressed his inner thoughts and hid his mind. He had to be on high alert when facing this woman, or else he would be exposed in front of her if he was careless. He had already experienced that and he didnt want to again. Jiang Pengji explained, Feng Jin is my close friend. He was teased and bullied, so I naturally had to show up and help make an impression. Moreover, the cowards from the Northern Borderline were indeed irritating, so I gave them a light punishment. Otherwise, there was no place to vent my anger. She was not joking. Hitting her close friend was like giving her a blow. Of course, she had to seek justice. You did not just give them a light punishment. You scared them out of their wits. You should deal with aggressive foreigners like the people from the Northern Borderline with a high hand. If you talk to them about the sense of propriety, justice, honesty, honor, and trust, theyll only think that youre scared of them Shao Yin placed his hands on Jiang Pengjis shoulders and said in a friendly manner as if he had gone through it too. Ill protect you when you come to Langye Academy in the future. Wei Ci quietly glanced at Lu Zhengs hands and the light in his eyes slowly faded. Ive said it before. Dont pat my shoulders from behind Jiang Pengji repeated. Im Lu Zheng. Master has given me the courtesy name of Shao Yin. See, we know each other now. We cant be considered strangers anymore, right? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and said, Whatever. Dont be mad at me when I amputate your arm next time. After that, Jiang Pengjis jolted her shoulders in a clever way and slipped out of his hands like an eel. Lu Zheng realized that the shoulders under his palms became super soft. She had already escaped from his hands when he was about to grab them again. Stunned, he could only stare at his hands. Looking at Jiang Pengjis back, he sighed. Hes really skillful. Wei Ci looked at him coldly while narrowing his eyes and said, Martial artists will be on a high alert towards their surroundings after reaching a certain realm. If something strange tries to get close to them, its very easy for them to grab the other party unconsciously Shao Yin, learn your lesson. Startled, Lu Zheng then suddenly realized that Wei Ci said that he was slow-witted. Why are you reading the shady novels from the marketplace? That remark seemed to be the standard of an ace in martial arts and it was given to chivalrous conduct in the marketplace novels. If you dont believe it, try to get close to him when hes having a nap. However, if your arm is amputated, Im not responsible for it. Wei Ci knew that it was not a rumor spread by marketplace novels. That was actually true. Hey! Wei Zixiao, you never have good intentions. I wont be fooled. Lu Zheng was about to vent his anger, but Wei Ci had already turned around and left, leaving him nowhere to vent his anger. Chapter 279 - Envoys from the Northern Borderline (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio! After returning to the hot spring room, Wei Ci asked the students carefully what happened in order to know the whole story. He said with a sigh, Blessings do not come in pairs and troubles never come alone for Feng Huaiyu. He has suffered for nothing for someone else, but its fortunate. Otherwise, it may be difficult for the incident tonight to come to an end. The country of Dongqing has been in an extremely precarious situation and it wont be able to bear the shock. Jiang Pengji listened by the side and raised her eyebrows. She asked, What do you mean? Wei Ci did not want to answer. After all, he had some unexplainable resistance against her. In his subconscious mind, he did not want to have too much contact with her. After a slight hesitation, the words that Jiang Pengji whispered into his ears when she suppressed him on the ground emerged in Wei Cis mind. He could only give up the grudge in his heart and really treat her as a very ordinary personCCthat was, if he did not want her to pay a particular amount of attention towards him. Therefore, Wei Ci replied calmly, If Im right, these warriors from the Northern Borderline plan to create trouble in the residence of the Count of Zhenbei. Lu Zheng, who was standing at the side of the room, reacted swiftly. Yes. There was someone from the residence of the Count of Zhenbei among the crowd just now. The descendants of the Count of Zhenbei have contributed a lot to Dongqing and some have even lost their lives. They originally had many descendants, but for the sake of guarding Dongqing against the Northern Borderline, some of them died on the battlefield and some died due to illnesses. They dont have many descendants left Amongst the many Langjuns today, the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei, who lives a secluded life, was also present. The descendants of the Count of Zhenbei have been guarding against the Northern Borderline and have taken the lives of many warriors. The descendants of the Count of Zhenbei have also mostly died in the battlefield and at the hands of the general of the Northern Borderline. Profound hatred has already been planted between the two parties. Its not surprising for them to have conflict with each other whenever they meet. The descendants of the Count of Zhenbei are lessening, but they still have significant control over the massive military forces. The government has feared them for a long time and sees them as an eyesore. If anything happens to the eldest prince, Im afraid The three tribes of the Northern Borderline might be overjoyed. The emperor might look furious on the outside, but he must be elated on the inside, right? Ive heard you say that theres someone called Wu Liba among the group of people who have come to look for trouble. Hes the wise general, which is rare among the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. He looks stupid and reckless, but hes a very meticulous person. Now that theyre in Dongqing, they wont dare to cause trouble even if theyre arrogant. However, if their target is the eldest son of the Count of Zhenbei, the government may be furious, but theyll secretly defend Wu Liba and his gang In doing so, the people from the Northern Borderline could give the government what it wanted and also sow dissension between the Count of Zhenbei and the government, making them turn on each other. The residence of the Count of Zhenbei had too much power over the military. The emperor did know about the wild scheme of the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. However, he was even more afraid that the residence of the Count of Zhenbei would have achievements so great that they would make him feel insecure as an emperor! There was a chill in Lu Zhengs heart. Although he usually talked about the world with his other classmates, he never felt a chill like that in his heart. Besides, theres also another reason as to why the three tribes of the Northern Borderline are so fearless Nansheng has been defeated thoroughly, so Dongqing has to dispatch military troops to aid them. By then, the borders of the Northern Borderline will be in jeopardy. Now the government is probably looking forward to the marriage even more. They wish to use their affinity to temporarily suppress the three tribes of the Northern Borderline, but they dont know that the Northern Borderline has been coveting Dongqing for many years. Why would they care about mere affinity? Jiang Pengji snorted coldly. What you mean is that the government may now be inclined towards the three tribes of the Northern Borderline, willingly suppressing them with all kinds of favorable conditions? Its not just possible. Theyll definitely do it. Wei Ci sighed softly. He had feelings towards the royal family of Dongqing as well, but they could not stand up to the people of the Northern Borderline who were good at stirring up trouble. The more disappointed he felt towards the royal family of Dongqing, the more he missed the woman who made him suffer for half his life. Not to mention that she, a woman, shook the world by becoming the emperor At least she could stabilize the country, not let her people be humiliated, not mess up the imperial regime, and not make her people live in terror and uncertainty Thinking about those things, the sufferings he underwent seemed to be nothing. The power of the emperor was not given by the gods, but it came from the people. The people were more important than the ruler As an emperor, if one lost his dignity by making peace with rulers in the border areas through marriage, survived on a meagre existence by ceding his territories, exploited his people by making them pay tributes, and humiliated the country and forfeited its sovereignty by paying indemnities, how could he rule the country with prestige? An emperor should protect his country and die in his country! If he could do it again, he wished that he could truly assist her as a strategist, instead of a Jiang Pengji felt a little dejected and snorted. Ha. The group of people from the Northern Borderline have achieved at testing our patience with the trouble theyve caused. Wu Libas move seemed audacious. In fact, thinking about it carefully, there were a lot of conspiracies and schemes behind it. If the government decided to be inclined towards the Northern Borderline in the end, then Wu Liba had achieved his goal of sounding out their intentions. He would be even more fearless in the future. However, you dont have to worry too much. As long as your father is still around, the government wont easily lay a finger on you. Wei Cis facial expression was somewhat entangled in a strange way, but he hid it quickly. How could he escape a dilemma? Liu She had clearly been hindered by the person in front of him Tsk. How could he become the county chief of Hu County? If Liu She was capable, he would not end up like that. Wei Ci did not know what went wrong, but he did not intend to get to the bottom of it because it was not necessary. He knew very well that people would change. From the moment that things changed, everything one knew would become useless. Being earnest and down-to-earth was the right thing to do. Jiang Pengji was not happy that Wei Ci said that. Only the weak had to be protected by the strong. If she was safe because of Liu She, that meant that she was not strong enough. Thinking of that, an unusual light flashed across her eyes and there was a sudden impulse in her heart, which she forcibly suppressed in the end. Jiang Pengji smirked and said expressively, Ha. Its best if he wont lay a finger on me If they dared to lay a finger on her, she would let the emperor regret that he was born! Wei Ci was silent. He was familiar with Jiang Pengjis facial expression, but he was surprised that his hands were breaking out in cold sweat. Wei Ci managed to calm down and was about to get up and leave when Jiang Pengji suddenly asked him, Do you know very well about the situation in the palace? He was about to say that he knew a little, but the slow-witted Lu Zheng exposed him directly. Lanting, you have no idea. Let me tell you about it. Zixiaos discourse on politics and political comments has always been excellent. He has a deep understanding of whats going on in the world and he always has his own opinions. Although he doesnt go out, he knows all of the situations of the outside world. Even the Master says that hes as good as Prime Minister Jiang of the former dynasty. Its a pity that hes stubborn. I dont know what hes dwelling on. He keeps refusing to become the Masters disciple. Lu Zheng praised Wei Ci very highly, but then he said, Fortunately, he hit his head as he fell down from the mountain half a year ago and finally got rid of his stubbornness. He greed to become the Masters disciple. Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci did not say a word. I dare you to say it again, Lu Shaoyin! Who did you say was out of his mind?! Lu Zheng suddenly massaged his arms. Although he was in the hot spring room, he felt a chill on his back. Shao Yin, I suddenly feel like playing chess. Lets play a game. Wei Ci dragged Lu Zheng, who was very unwilling to leave, away without giving him the chance to speak. Looking at the bright moon hanging in the sky, Jiang Pengji abruptly licked her lips and looked down at the cards in between her fingertips. She was determined to win Dongqing over. Chapter 280 - Obvious Results (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Ren and his son were sitting in the carriage. The sound of the cartwheel jerking along with the hustle and bustle was heard from the inside of the carriage, but it was never able to break the strange silence between the two. After a long time, Feng Ren sighed and asked gently, Does your arm still hurt? Feng Jin had been sitting rigidly. His face was unusually pale and his thin lips were a little pallid. The doctor had already stopped the bleeding of the wound on his right arm and bandaged it up. Half of his sleeve and arm was stained with blood that had yet to dry up. The whole carriage reeked of blood. He looked quite shabby. Its not that painful anymore Feng Jin answered, lowering his gaze. Then, he asked hesitantly, Father, the government Feng Ren interrupted him and said, Im afraid that the government has already made up their minds about the marriage with the three tribes of the Northern Borderline and controlled the border wars by using their affinity. Kids dont even bother to use such na?ve schemes, but the government Theyre still hopeless after all! Feng Jin did not miss a single word his father said. The more he listened to him, the more nervous he felt. It was as if a small drum was beating intensely in his heart. Did his father mean he was preparing to give up the hopeless royal family of Dongqing? Youre a little reckless today. If it wasnt for Liu Zhongqings sons great martial art skills, you wouldnt have only hurt your arm. There was both some sympathy and resentment in Feng Rens voice. After all, his son was hurt. A fathers heart would ache when his son was hurt. Feng Jin narrowed his eyes and listened to Feng Rens admonition silently. He did not like to stand out, but that day he had a conflict with the warriors from the Northern Borderline and he was injured. He naturally had his considerations. If he stepped up, he would be injured at most. If he let the warriors from the Northern Borderline aim their arrow accurately at the eldest prince of the Count of Beizhen, he was afraid that blood might be shed. Everyone knew that there was a drooling, hungry wolf in Dongqing. The residence of the Count of Zhenbei was the last rampart in Dongqings Northern. If something happened to the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei, who knew what people would would make of it. How arrogant and tameless would the three tribes of the Northern Borderline become? Perhaps it was the influence of his family tradition, but Feng Jin and Feng Ren were generally not concerned about who the emperor was. However, Feng Jin was still young after all and full of zeal. He could not watch the incident that day become the fuse of the decline of the Count of Zhenbei. By then, there would no longer be any obstacles for the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. They would be able to conquer down towards the south with their military and drive straight in into the heart of Dongqing, plunging the people into misery and suffering. Therefore, Feng Jin stopped the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei and took in the provocations of the warriors from the Northern Borderline. He was no match for them and got injured. If it was not for his ingenuity in asking Jiang Pengji for help, he reckoned that he would have more than just one arm injured. Feng Jin looked more gentle and warmer while thinking about Jiang Pengji. At that moment, he somewhat understood what it meant to help a friend out of loyalty, even if there was the possibility of losing their life. It was like the martial art characters in the marketplace novels. Feng Rens mood changed and he said somewhat angrily, However, have you ever thought about what you would do if the kid isnt good in martial arts and is implicated because of you? Feng Jin stayed silent. He was about to say that Jiang Pengji had impressive martial art skills, but Feng Ren did not give him a chance to speak at all. Whatever. We owe Liu Zhongqing this time. Well find a chance to pay him back in the future. It was suddenly quiet again in the carriage. With his eyes shut, Feng Ren could not help but start making plans for the future. The Dongqing Royal Family was hopeless. In order to regain the power that was in the hands of the aristocratic family, the emperor pursued deranged strategies, secretly supported the foreign forces, and connived at the powers of the eunuchs in order to stir things up and acquire benefits in times of trouble. What were the results? The fight between the aristocrats, the eunuchs, and the increasingly strong foreign forces were growing more and more intense. The emperor had high ambitions, but he did not have the imperial power. It was initially just a problem of the aristocrats holding too much power. Now, it had become the hidden danger that could engulf the whole palace and the entirety of Dongqing. The Feng family had been around for thousands of years. What upheavals had they not seen? Dongqing was just like a leaking, big ship and could sink anytime. It was now the time to make a quick retreat before a crisis, lie dormant, and silently wait for the trend of events. In just a little while, Feng Ren already had plans in his mind, but Feng Jin was still worried. The carriage went straight towards Shangyang Palace. The towering palace was like a giant beast lying on the ground. Although it was late at night, the lights in the palace were on all night long. If one looked down from above, the brightly lit Shangyang Palace was like a magnificent, bright pearl that was embedded into the ground. The emperor wanted to watch in safety while the others fought, then reap the spoils when both sides were exhausted. He played with the imperial maids and his consorts every day. It was very extravagant. Occasionally, when he wanted to have a new affair, he would either inquire into private affairs under the disguise of a commoner and rape the wives of the ministers, or he would forcibly seize women and lock them in the imperial palace, which was used for short stays away from the capital. Feng Ren still had hopes for the emperor in the early years. He dared to speak out, so the emperor was of course not fond of him. He was the patriarch of the Feng family, so the emperor did not dare to do anything to him. If he was not, he would have already lost his official position and the young and old of his family would be in trouble. The head of the secretariat, what has gotten into you today? His Majesty has already fallen asleep Feng Ren smirked. There seemed to be cold knives in his eyes. His tough attitude was completely different from his usual kind image. Feng Ren waved his sleeves angrily. He has fallen asleep already? Secretary Liu, you can tell this to three-year-old kids. This isnt enough to fool me. You and I both know what the emperor is like. If I cant see His Majesty today, I wont leave. Obscene tunes had already been heard in the palace and there was a whiff of extravagance in the air. Yet, the personal secretary of the emperor told him that the emperor had already fallen asleep Did he really think that Feng Xiande was a three-year-old kid? Secretary Liu had lost his penis in childhood. His voice was unusually sharp and he looked neither like a woman nor a man. However, he managed to become the imperial chief secretary in a battleground like Shangyang Palace. He became the eunuch and courtier whom the emperor trusted. His ability in observing ones speech and behavior was naturally good. He smiled awkwardly. Youve come to the palace this late at night and I should report it immediately. However, His Majesty has been working hard for the Northern Borderline affair and He gets angry easily. Im very distressed too. Why dont you tell me first about the matter that you wish to report? If its really important, Ill report it for you, even though I might be punished by His Majesty. If it was a normal day, Feng Ren would have definitely waved his sleeves and left angrily if Secretary Liu made things difficult for him. He was too lazy to argue with a eunuch. However, that day, he smiled coldly instead and replied, Ill resign. The look on Secretary Lius face changed dramatically and he hurriedly said, Whats wrong? What made you so angry? Resignation is not a trivial matter. Once this is said, whats done cannot be undone. How could you With a grave face, Feng Ren said, It looks like His Majesty has really fallen asleep. I wont disturb His Majesty and Ill submit a written statement tomorrow Secretary Liu did not dare to stop him. He hurriedly went inside to report this to the emperor. No matter how stupid he was, he would have had to know that the Feng Rens resignation was just adding fuel to the fire. Feng Jin secretly looked at the extravagant and ethereal Shangyang Palace. Then, he glanced at the arrogant Secretary Liu. A chill was growing inside his heart. Feng Ren put on a false smile and said coldly, Thank you, Secretary Liu. Secretary Lius scalp felt like pins and needles were being pressed into it. Although he was a eunuch who held certain power in his hands and had tyrannically abused his power, he still could not suppress his inferiority and diffidentness when he met prim and proper aristocrats like Feng RenCCone was like the clouds in the sky and the other was like the mud on the ground. Chapter 281 - Obvious Results (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Ren came out of the palace, his facial expression as cold as stone. Huaiyu, lets go. Feng Jin secretly stole a glance at his father. Then, he heard the sound of things crashing and the sound of the imperial maids screaming in the palace. He hesitated for a while and decided to keep up with his fathers pace. In his heart, he was utterly disappointed at the emperor. He had completely given up. As Feng Ren expected, the emperor only granted a huge amount of money and medicine to Feng Jin and considered it as a temporary compensation. He did not mention the ways to deal with the envoys of the Northern Borderline at all. He evaded the subject under discussion. He even defended the gang from the Northern Borderline without the tiniest bit of disguise. Even if Feng Ren threatened to resign, the emperor had already made up his mind. The emperor was even somewhat happy. Although Feng Ren was the head of the secretariat who did not really run affairs, he was still a minister. People holding insignificant positions should not be looked down upon. If he voluntarily resigned, the emperor would then be able to appoint his confidants and gradually grow his status of being the emperor in the palace. Secretary Liu had eagerly gone inside the palace to report Feng Rens arrival upon hearing Feng Rens intention of resigning. However, the emperor was delighted. Feng Ren almost laughed when he put their two reactions together A eunuch actually had a better foresight than an emperor! If the Feng family kept devoting themselves to such an emperor, they would be done for soon. It was best if he got himself out of the situation early. ****** If one were to talk about chess skills alone, ten of Lu Zheng could not defeat a calculative Wei Ci. Im not going to play chess with you anymore. I feel like Ive punched a wall with my fist every time and I feel very upset. Seeing that the game was as good as lost, Lu Zheng frankly admitted his defeat. It would be self-torture if he continued to play the game. He initially wanted to look for Jiang Pengji to seek consolation, but he found that she had already disappeared when he turned around. Zixiao, have you seen where Lanting went? Lu Zheng asked casually. Wei Ci replied, He left 15 minutes ago. I think he has gone to bed. Lu Zheng nodded and immediately came to his senses. Gritting his teeth, he wanted to throttle the person in front of him. You were still playing chess with me 15 minutes ago, yet you had the leisure to pay attention to someone else! Wei Ci was speechless. Jiang Pengji was originally watching the two of them play chess, but she knew that Lu Zheng would definitely lose based on the situation of the game. All of a sudden, she was not in the mood to continue watching the game. Contrary to what Wei Ci said, she did not go to bed. Instead, she changed into her casual clothes and went to drink with Liu SheCCyes, to drink wine with Liu She. Liu She thought, What can I do? Im very despaired too! He watched how his daughter drank wine as though it was water and did not take a single sip of wine himself. Lanting, do you have any worries? he asked. Jiang Pengji ordered her attendants to leave and asked Liu She, Youve said before that you want to marry my sister off to Wuma Jun. Are you serious about that? Liu She frowned and replied, Of course Im serious. Ive said it beforeCCthe old scores of the last generation dont require you to If so, I have a presumptuous request. Her eyes lit up and there was some sort of splendor in between. What is it? Jiang Pengji answered, I want to look for a woman with outstanding looks as her dowry for her marriage with Wuma Jun. Nansheng was already in chaos. The factions of Nanman had conquered down towards the south with their military and drove straight in into the heart of Dongqing. One out of the five countries would be destroyed soon. She could no longer wait. Liu Xis physical age would be 13 in a few months time. No one knew what the world would be like in a few years time. Jiang Pengji planned to start making strategies now instead of waiting until then. Liu She was somewhat stunned. He understood that his daughter probably wanted to use a pretty woman to ensnare a man. She wanted to make the already chaotic situation even worse and secretly benefit from it. The use of a woman to ensnare a man and meddling in his matters might, after all, be a good strategy, but Wuma Jun was apparently just an unfavored prince Regarding that, Jiang Pengji just sneered coldly. Does the Dongqing Royal Family still have integrity? They could rape and insult the wives of the ministers, murder their own brothers, have affairs with their sister-in-laws, and kill and rob their parents. Do you think they wouldnt snatch their sons wives? Instead of giving him the beauty right away, its better to let him snatch her away himself. That way, people wont grow suspicious. As she tapped on the table with her fingers, she added, Besides, this woman should have similar facial features to Wuma Juns mother, Wang ShiCCas much as possible. Liu Shes hands trembled. The teacup that he was holding dropped onto the table all of a sudden and there was tea all over the table. His face became extremely grave. Seeing his reaction, Jiang Pengji gave a look that said sure enough. What you said isnt difficult to accomplish. Ill get someone to look for her. Liu She tried to keep himself calm, for fear of revealing extra emotions. Jiang Pengji did not seem to notice that Liu She had lost his composure a while ago and continued to drink, a tiny smile hanging in the corner of her lips. However, Liu She, who was next to her, felt uneasy. As time went by, the psychological pressure given to him by his daughter had increased. It was very fun to enjoy a night of soft singing by the orioles and the darting of swallows in the evenings in the disreputable quarters of the city. Late in the morning the next day, Jiang Pengji, who smelled of alcohol, returned to the hot spring resort. What bloody place did you come from? Lu Zheng saw her and was about to go forward and greet her, but he was shocked by the various scents of rouge on her body. The rouge smelled good, but it could not ward off the smell of alcohol. When the two were integrated, it was a kind of olfactory torture for those who were used to smelling all kinds of incense. Changqing Alley. Its not a disgusting place. Jiang Pengji cleaned her face with a soaked towel. She looked a lot more refreshed. Lu Zheng did not say a word. Even if he had come to Shangjing and bathed in a hot spring for the first time, he knew what sort of a place Changqing Alley was. It was a place where men sought comfort and where all kinds of beauties gathered. The teenager in front of him had not even matured yet. The wine and performances there are pretty good. If you like it, Ill take you there later. Upon Jiang Pengjis invitation, Lu Zheng hurriedly replied, Why, Im embarrassed However, Ive heard that there are many intelligent women there. Lots of clever, young men would compete in poetry to make the women laugh I really want to see it for myself. Wei Ci was speechless. He silently glanced at Lu Zheng, who was somewhat itching to go. Then, he looked at Jiang Pengji and snorted coldly. Seeing that Wei Ci walked straight past the two, Lu Zheng said bitterly, Zixiao has never liked to be close to females. That place isnt at all appealing to his eyes. He heard what we said just now I hope that he wont tell on us to the Master He wont, Jiang Pengji replied confidently. Lu Zheng asked, How do you know? Jiang Pengji responded, Its my intuition. Wei Ci did not tell on them indeed, but Jiang Pengji and Lu Zheng were not able to go to Changqing Alley because Master Yuan Jing left Ji Shan with his students that afternoon. Upon seeing the situation, Liu She felt that bathing in the hot spring was boring, so he took Jiang Pengji and went down the mountain with her on a free ride. They were still talking and laughing when they arrived at the city gate. However, a piece of news struck out of the blue: Something had happened to the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei! Chapter 282 - No Zuo, No Die[1] (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wait a secondCCwhy would something have happened to the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei? As she sat in the carriage, Jiang Pengji watched the streaming rooms bullet screens wearily to pass the time and occasionally chatted with the audience. Her sensitive ears could hear some people talking in a low voice outside the carriage. She became energized all of a sudden, then lifted the curtain of the carriage and hopped down. Her series of actions almost scared the other people in the carriage and the groom. The groom hurriedly pulled the reins to stop the horse. Lanting, how could you be so reckless? What if you accidentally hurt yourself? Liu She was so terrified by Jiang Pengjis actions that the rhythm of his heartbeat was disordered. When he regained his senses, he realized that there was cold sweat on his back. Jiang Pengji turned her head and said that she was fine. At the same time, she grabbed the people who were gossiping and asked her previous question again, Why would something have happened to the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei? The commoner was so frightened that he almost forgot how to speak. He knew that Jiang Pengjis identity was extraordinary when he saw her clothes. He could not help but secretly murmur that he was unlucky. Noble people were difficult to please. If he accidentally angered her, he might not be able to keep his head. With a palpitating heart, the commoner smiled uneasily at Jiang Pengji. His smile was very forced and he only spoke after quite some time, This this matter has been circulated in the middle of the night They said that the eldest prince of the Court of Zhenbei was fighting over the most popular courtesan with someone and they had a conflict. A few people were beaten to death. The eldest prince had a weak body so he could not withstand the blow Hence hence he died on top of the most popular courtesan Jiang Pengji did not say a word. Yuan Jing and the others, as well as Liu She, had regained their senses from Jiang Pengjis actions. Their faces became grave after hearing her reason for losing her composure. Wei Ci sighed and said, Feng Huaiyu had good intentions, but the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei made them go to waste. In order to control the situation, Feng Jin clearly knew that the people from the Northern Borderline wanted to harm the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei, but he grasped the nettle. Not to mention that he was beaten up, his right arm was even injured. He could not participate in the upcoming assessment and he missed the golden opportunity of rising to the top. The eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei was not aware of the danger. He should have gone to bed at night, but instead he competed with others over the most popular courtesan instead. Lu Zheng glanced at Wei Ci, who was in the same carriage. There was a look of confusion in his eyes and he asked curiously, From what you said, is the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei to be blamed for this? Did the Northern Borderline not do anything fishy? Wei Ci smiled and replied, You have no idea. The eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei was initially just a son of a concubine and he wasnt favored. However, the descendants of the Count of Zhenbei were getting lesser and lesser. Most of the young and strong descendants died on the battlefield. The eldest prince, who had been appointed previously, passed away at a young age and he did not have any children. Without having any other choice, the position of the eldest prince of the Count of Zhenbei was given to the son born of the concubine People petitioned for the son of the concubine to become the eldest prince. That scenario would be impossible in an ordinary family. However, the son of the concubine was the only child left, so the residence of the Count of Zhenbei did not have a choice. In addition to that, the son of the concubine was innately deficient. He had some deformities ever since he was born and he would fall ill easily. The people in the residence of the Count of Zhenbei treated him as a fragile, porcelain doll. They did not dare raise their voices at him and they spoiled him a lot. He slowly became very arrogant and good for nothing. The people from the Northern Borderline might be involved in it, but the eldest prince courted death. That is indisputable. If he was smart, he would have known to behave himself when Feng Huaiyu helped him avoid the disaster. Why would he fight over the most popular courtesan? Wei Ci said with an icy look on his face. He did not care the slightest bit about what crisis the death of the eldest prince would bring to Dongqing. On the other side, Jiang Pengji asked about the details carefully. The commoner did not know all the details and he pulled a long face. Langjun, Im just an onlooker. Ive heard about all these from the others. Why would a commoner like me know what the important figures said or did? If you ask me about it, I cant give you an answer. Jiang Pengji scrutinized the person from head to toe. In the end, she sighed, disappointed, then turned around and returned to the carriage. Liu She looked at Jiang Pengji and said in a low voice, You dont have to be anxious. When we arrive at the Feng residence, Ill get someone to inquire about this carefully. This matter has become so big that even the people in the marketplace are talking about it. It seems like this is a big deal, so it shouldnt be hard to inquire about it. Jiang Pengji nodded, but she was still somewhat absent-minded. Liu She and his son temporarily stayed in the Feng residence, whereas Master Yuan Jing and his disciples stayed in the other side of Shangjing. The two parties were not going in the same destination. They naturally had to part when they entered the city. Liu She asked about the place where Yuan Jing and his disciples were staying. He politely said a few words and expressed that he would take his son to pay Master Yuan Jing an official visit after everything had come to an end. After all, he would be his daughters teacher in the future. The basic respect was necessary. On the other hand, Master Yuan Jing did not care about the traditions and said to Wei Ci, The current political situation is tense and people in Shangjing are on tenterhooks. No one knows what the ruthless bandits from the Northern Borderline will do. Accompany County Chief Liu on my behalf so that I can be at ease. The look on Wei Cis face did not change. He agreed to it, but he still somewhat disapproved of it in his heart. As long as Liu Xi was still with Liu She, anyone who came to look for trouble would be seeking death. There was no need for him to escort them. They went in the direction of the Feng residence in a low-key manner and did not encounter any unexpected incidents. Xu Ke received the news that Jiang Pengji was coming back in advance, so he was waiting at the door. Seeing the familiar carriage coming towards him from afar, he heaved a long sigh of relief He did not know why, but he felt that he could not let his Langjun leave his sight, otherwise he would cause trouble for sure! However, as he went forward, the person who got out of the carriage first was a stranger. Wei Ci did not say a word. Xu Ke was puzzled and a look of surprise flashed across his face. If Wei Ci did not wear a scholars costume and did not dress in male clothing, just by looking at his face, Xu Ke would have thought that he was a girl! Jiang Pengji got off the carriage as well after Wei Ci. Xu Ke could still smell the faint smell of alcohol on her body. Xiaoyu, you werent willing to go to Ji Shan, but a lot of things happened last night. You missed a lot of interesting events. Xu Ke showed a face that implied he did not want to live. He knew that his Langjun would definitely encounter something chaotic when he was let to roam about. Before he was done feeling glum, he heard the sound of a jade bead falling onto a plate. The sound made him feel like he was being stabbed with pins and needles. Xu Xiao Yu? Wei Cis gaze fell on Xu Ke. He mumbled softly with some doubt in his voice. The voice which was neither soft nor heavy, but like a bunch of feathers gently scratching ones sensitive earlobes. It gave people goosebumps and people could not help but blush Xu Ke blushed. Jiang Pengji was speechless. She really did not expect Xu Ke to have an obsession with voices. Do you know me? Xu Ke questioned. He was very sure that he had never seen Wei Ci before. Chapter 283 - No Zuo, No Die (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio I dont really know. Your name sounds familiar to me and it feels like we have had a long term connection, but I cannot remember where I have heard it from. Wei Ci gave them an appropriate smile, clasped one of his hands on his other, then bowed to Liu She and his son. He acted neither haughty nor humble and said to them, Since you and your son are already home safe and I have accomplished the mission my master assigned to me, I will take off right awayCCjust in case my master is waiting for my report. Liu She tried to persuade him to stay for a bit but Wei Ci still took off with the reason that he needed to report to his master. Xu Ke asked Jiang Pengji secretly, Is that a new friend you made? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes at him; she didnt consider Wei Ci her friend. Obviously, for some unknown reason, Wei Ci repelled her. It was not hostile, but it clearly wasnt friendly. As long as it wouldnt jeopardize her safety and Wei Ci was not willing to share his secret, she was not going to dig up why. We just met. His master gave him the order to guard me and my father back home. Mater Yuanjing? Xu Ke was a bit startled. According to the Langjun, they had gone to Ji Shan Hot Spring for a hot spring bath, and once there they encountered the well-known Master Yuanjing. He was an idol for numerous young people in Dongqing DynastyCCand Xu Ke was one of the pursuers. That Langjun is Master Yuanjings apprentice? Xu Ke asked. He couldnt help but compare himself to Wei Ci. Yeah, he is one of Master Yuanjings special apprentices. He has some secrets but Jiang Pengji beamed a smile and said to Xu Ke with confidence, A person can be a thief but he cannot prevent being stolen from. Im waiting to see how long he can hold his secrets in. Xu Ke was in a daze. He had no idea what his Langjun meant. What was more, why would his Langjun use the metaphor of a thief? ****** Wei Ci had a nasty headache. It was already beyond his plans to see Jiang Pengji the day before, and then he had met Xu Ke today. What was scarier was Xu Ke was already assisting the future emperor. That was definitely abnormal. Thinking about Xu Ke and picturing the face he saw earlier, Wei Ci felt a bit tangled up. There must be something wrong with me. When did my emperor start getting along with Liu She so well? How did my emperor get to know Feng Jin when she was so young? When did Xu Ke start assisting my emperor? It wasnt something wrong with him, but his emperor. Remembering the familiar facial expression, her behavior, and her combat skills, Wei Ci denied the idea. What he didnt expect was that the ridiculous things were not yet finished. The moment he arrived at the mansion where the students of Langye Academy stayed, he sensed sharply that the atmosphere was bit weird. He looked around and saw that both the students and Master Yuanjing had chilled faces. The scene made him frightened and he had a bad hunch about it. Master, I made sure Liu She and his son got home safely. Yes, I know. Master Yuanjing seemed to age all of a sudden. His usual, smiling lips went flat and his eyes had a sense of coldness to them. What has happened to you, master? Why do you look so worried? Master Yuanjing schooled his expression, but the depression on his face was still easily recognizable. Im okay. You guys go do your homework and make sure you stay in the house for the next few days. He pushed against the table to help himself stand. He wobbled while he was walking, which concerned Wei Ci. The suffocating quietness faded away after Master Yuanjing left room. Wei Ci looked at Zude. Zude, you are always there taking care of Master. Do you have any idea what happened to him? The day Zude was enrolled in Langye Academy, he recommended himself to look after Master Yuanjing. Even though Zude was not always thoughtful and he had a different ideology than Wei Ci, he was extremely respectful towards Master Yuanjing. He followed Master everywhere and never left him behind. Zude felt tense when he noticed the attention from his classmates. It was hard for him to open his mouth. Master forbids me to say a word. Wei Cis face set hard and stood up quickly. If Zude wasnt going to tell, he would find it from another source. Most of the other students were reacting the same way. Watching the vacant hall, Zude ground his teeth and slammed his fist against the table to release his anger. Damn Nothern Borderline! ****** There was something going on with Jiang Pengji, too. She looked at Feng Jin, whose arm was wrapped. His left arm was stiff and it looked funny as he lifted it. It was your own fault for trying to be a hero. Why didnt you ask for me to help when you knew you couldnt defeat them? Feng Jin only gave her a bitter smile. His face was still pale but he seemed much better than the day before. As a man, I wont allow myself to be rescued by a woman. Jiang Pengji tried to hide her despise from him and asked, Then why did you ask your servant to get me last night? Feng Jin blinked. He didnt care about his appearance. He stared at the chess board while using his one hand to support his chin. Because I suddenly realized that I should be judging you by the normal standard in which I judge other women. Guys in the world will feel small in front of you. It wont be shameful for me to ask for help from you. Jiang Pengji was speechless after hearing his theory. Feng Jin put down one of the chess pieces after pondering for a long time. He said to her, I thought I dodged a bullet because that royal highness would have kept the trouble away from me. But it seemed it was just all in vain. No zuo, no die. He was just asking for it. I sent some of my people to fish for information and we finally figured out what really happened last night. Jiang Pengji gave him a cold face as she thought about her next move for the chess game. She said to him, That royal highness is truly spoiled. His family gives him whatever he asks for. When has he ever been through anything frustrating? He was very well aware that he was dealing with a group of people from the Northern Borderline yesterday for auditing the best girl in the whore house. Instead of backing off, however, he went forward and provoked them. He gave the order to his servant to start the fight. The result was that the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis won the beauty, but several guys who tried to fight for the girl with him were beaten to death. It was not a big deal to have some people killed in the incident. What was a pain was that one of the casualties was a high rank in the Northern Borderline. Now the Northern Borderline wouldnt let it go and they were forcing Dongqing Dynasty to figure out how they should deal with it. From what Feng Jin had been through, their emperor was leaning towards standing at the Northern Borderlines side. As long as his throne was not jeopardize, any conditions could be considered. At that moment, Liu She brought back some terrible news. They found a black sheep to take the blame, who just so happened to be someone Jiang Pengji knew. But it was not who everyone had expected. It was one of Master Yuanjings apprentices, Han Yu. What does Han Yu have to do with this? Jiang Pengji was smart, but she found it hard to understand. What string could they pull with Han Yu? They couldnt just find a random person on the street But it was actually a coincidence. Chapter 284 - No Zuo, No Die (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It was bad luck for Han Yu. He had suggested adamantly to Cheng Jing that he should go to Ji Shan Hot Spring with him, but they werent sure which hot spring hotel Master Yuanjing and his apprentices had chosen. They had no choice but to send their servants ahead to search for any trace, which took them quite a bit of time. While there, they happened to meet the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis and his group of people. Han Yu was not related to the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis, but there was actually a bond between them. The royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis was the concubines son. Since he needed to be the royal highness, naturally they had to make his title legitimate, so he became the wifes son and was raised by the wife. What was a coincidence was that the wife happened to be Han Yus fathers sisterCChis aunt. He was aware that his aunt was not fond of the concubines son, but for the sake of continuing Zhen Bei Marquis bloodline, she could only put up with it. For the consideration of his aunt and the tension in Dongqing Dynasty, Han Yu was afraid of causing trouble and he came forward to mediate. The royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis was arrogant and wilful, but he knew that he could do the job. Therefore, he pretended to be respectful to Han Yu. However, it was not enough to just to be respectful. He promised not to cause trouble, but his body told him otherwise. He went for the red lantern street after all. Cheng Jing despised him in the first place. He didnt even try to get near him. Han Yu felt uneasy, but he couldnt stop the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis. The only thing he could do was follow him. Hopefully with his watch, the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis would behave better. It happened to be the night the top girl was selling her virginity. She was truly a beauty that attracted the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis attention. He would love to dump a heavy load of money to buy her first night, but it was bad luck for her to encounter the aristocrats of the Northern Borderline. The royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis took advantage of the number of people and beat some of the opponents to death in the chaos. Han Yu tried to stop him, but he was hurt by accident. Getting hurt by accident didnt matter that much. What really mattered was that the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis was found dead on top of the girl, but somehow the Northern Borderline was going to let it slide. They were sure Han Yu had something to do with it, so they pushed Dongqing to give Han Yu to them for closure. Jiang Pengji asked abruptly, Father, did anyone shout Han Yus name out loud? Or did they say that he was Master Yuanjings apprentice? Feng Jin was deep in thought while he listened, but he came to a realization after he heard Jiang Pengjis question. What you mean is, the Northern Borderline wouldnt let go because Han Yu was actually targeting Master Yuanjing. Jiang Pengji nodded and said to him, The royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis dying in such a way was definitely not pretty, which probably made the Northern Borderline happy enough. But instead of pursuing for the responsible party, they cornered Han Yu. Its not hard to see that they are planning something now. Han Yu was not a person with a sensitive identity like the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis. Why would the Northern Borderline go after him anyway? Her assumption did make sense. Liu She remembered something because of her statement. Master Yuanjing had a debate with the three barbarous minorities in the Northern Borderline and he fought back against three cities for us. The negotiator for the Northern Borderline was Wu Liese. He is one of the few barbarians who can actually read, but he is rather headstrong and full of hubris. He thought he had mastered the mainland culture after he read some books or collections. He was the one who suggested the Northern Borderline royal family to have negotiations with Dongqing Dynasty. He gave them conditions, such as giving them another three cities, bowing heads for the loyalty of their emperor, and contributing money annually to them. He was blindly arrogant and overestimated his own knowledge. He lost three cities in the debate with Master Yuanjing and he was nearly seeing red. Jiang Pengji remembered General Wu Liba whom she had met before when she heard the tongue twister like name. Liu She saw through her confusion and smiled at her. Wu Liese is an uncle of Wu Liba. Their tribe is called wise man in the Northern Borderline. They normally work for the royal family as advisors or generals. In the Northern Borderline, all the citizens eat raw meat and drink blood. They are not just barbarians, but they think of robbing as a noble manner. They are mostly brainless there. In the beginning, when Dongqing was first founded, we didnt take them seriously. The recent two generations of the Northern Borderline royal family turned out to be some excellent leaders who reckoned that brains were an essential element of a countrys development. They started to use and promote the wise men. They must still hold a grudge with him because of the death of Wu Liese. Liu She had always looked down on the Northern Borderlines three minorities and he had never had faith that they could take the control of the mainland. Their muscle took a larger percentage of their body and they only knew how they could ruin a civilization instead of persevering, creating, and passing on the civilization. Their fate decided that they were never going to own the world. Feng Jin listened to them carefully, but his brows had stayed tangled. So the Northern Borderline meant to give Master Yuanjin a hard time? Liu She replied, They probably wanted to intimidate us. Wu Liese was called the wisest person in the Northern Borderline and rumor had it that he was the reincarnation of the god of Wenqu. He was praised extremely high in the Northern Borderline. If it wasnt for him being overly confident about himself and being sure he was going to win in the debate, he wouldnt have made a bet with Master Yuanjing with three cities on the line. But the result was that Wu Liese barely had the strength to fight back and it slapped the Northern Borderline hard. Losing face was not the only consequence; Wu Liese puked blood recently because of his fury and he passed away not soon after. Master Yuanji basically shamed everyone in the Northern Borderline by himself but he could still have an easy and leisurely life in Langye, after all. Feng Jin said worriedly, Then does that mean Han Yu and Master Yuanjing are in danger? The Northern Borderline was clearly trying to get revenge by taking the chance the incident provided. If Master Yuanjing happened to get away, at least they would take his apprentices life. It would be the best if both of them died and had their reputations ruined. To literati, both reputation and self-esteem were much more important than their livesCCnot to mention to a master like Master Yuanjing who was widely known throughout the country. Compared to Feng Jins concern, Jiang Pengji didnt change her expression much. She seemed to be enjoying the show. She said to Feng Jin, Do you think Master Yuanjing will be bewildered by such a trifle after he has been through so much in recent years? She had only met Master Yuanjin a couple times and he seemed to be an average but knowledgeable and amiable middle-aged man. But she never looked at someone incorrectly. Master Yuanjings face showed traces of age, but not his eyes. They were still young and full of energy. Feng Jin didnt know what she meant. Jiang Pengji said to him firmly, Im sure he will solve the problem flawlessly in less than three days. Why did it have to be three days? Because the evaluation started in three days and Han Yu would need to attend as well. If it wasnt for Feng Jin having bad luck and injuring his hand to lose his chance, Master Yuanjing wouldnt let his apprentice miss the best opportunity. It was going to be a life decision. If he wasnt even able to do so, he should feel shame about the credit and praise people gave to him. Jiang Pengji would consider it a waste of time to be his student. As a matter of fact, it didnt take Master Yuanjing three days. He only used half a day to send a letter to the ambassador of the Northern Borderline. No one knew exactly what the content of the letter was, but Han Yu came back in one piece afterwards and the Northern Borderline stopped their pursuit for the responsible party. Chapter 285 - Speak One Way and Think Another Master Yuanjing stared at the swimming fish in the pond in their yard and said to Han Yu with a mild expression, As long as you are back. Han Yu was not injured, but he was a bit down. Its all my fault that I got you involved in this mess. It nearly ruined your whole lifes reputation. Master Yuajing couldnt stop laughing as he watched Han Yu bend his body to the ground. Get up. I have never seen you this well-behaved. Anxiety was eating Han Yu up. He had no idea what his Master exchanged for him to get him back from the barbarians in the Northern Borderline. It wouldnt look good if someone intentionally made up a rumor that Master Yuanjing secretly snuck information to the Northern Borderline. Dont worry. The letter I wrote wont be used against me in the future. Why are you acting up so much? Han Ye felt a sense of relief after he heard that from his Master. Master Yuanjing waved at him and said, Come closer to me. Han Yu followed his instruction and approached him. Master Yuanjing used his right hand to pinch Han Yus cheek, which hurt his face. After a while, Master Yuanjing gave him a complicated face, which could be taken as either happy or concerned. Han Yu was confused. Okay, you can go. Make sure to ask Zixiao to come to see me. Master Yuanjing stopped pinching him and turned around to feed the fish in the pond without giving Han Yu a second look. Han Ye had never see his master act in such a way. Even though he felt uneasy about it, he still went to notify Wei Ci that Master Yuanjing wanted to see him. There is indeed something different, Wei Ci said to him the moment they met. Whats different? Han Ye was uncomfortable with Wei Ci staring at him. Nothing Wei Ci schooled his face and said, Since master summoned me, Id better not keep him waiting. Wei Ci left Han Yu, who was still in a daze where he was standing. He couldnt help but sigh, but he truly felt better. Han Yu was still pondering. What happened to them that they all acting so strange? There is nothing too odd in this world. The same persons face could change a lot in just a few days. It feels like my whole life is just a joke. Master Yuanjing sensed Wei Ci coming near and said to him, Zixiao, do you think this incident is a blessing or a disaster? Wei Ci responded, It is definitely a disaster for Dongqing instead of blessing. But it is the other way round for Han Yu. Wei Ci found the death of the royal highness of Zhen Bei Marquis unexpected. He could imagine how serious the situation in the Dongqing Dynasty was going to be in the next couple of years after it was triggered. The chaotic world was coming a bit earlier than what he had expected. Blessings always came with disasters. Dongqing Dynasty would be doomed, but Han Ye was in a good spot. Wei Ci had left the Dongqing Dynasty early in his last life, but he kept contact with his classmates, which kept him in the loop. Han Yu was born with the fate that his whole family would be eliminated. Judging from his face, he was not a guy with a good amount of blessings. He was a potential threat to his internal family. He was destined to be doomed by a woman and he would die young. The fact was just like what his face was saying. When Han Yu was at his mid age, his wifes family started a rebellion, but they were suppressed. He wrote a confession when it was exposed and he committed suicide by swallowing a chunk of gold. Wei Ci had some achievement at reading a persons face since he had become Master Yuanjings apprentice. Naturally he sensed the differences on Han Yus face. Master Yuanjing grinned and said, So it is true that Liu Xi is the one. Wei Ci muttered confidently, She is. Master Yuanjing was delighted, but he had a complicated look on his face. She is just like a fine jade that hasnt been polished. Even though she has the Liu County Chief there guiding her to the right path, the effect doesnt seem remarkable. She is still rather malicious and brutal. She wont become a bright emperor who leaves her name in history if she doesnt make a change. Wei Ci kept quiet, but he wanted to tell Master Yuanjing that she hadnt been behaving as well as what he had seen. She was not a bright emperor who would leave her name in history, and she never would be. The historians gave her both positive and negative comments. Someone said that she was open-minded, but the rest smeared dirt on her and said she was a vicious emperor. It was debatable for those who said she was open-minded, but it was certainly true that she was never gentle. Master Yuanjing leaned his head towards Wei Ci after what he had said and he was in deep thought. It was a bit inappropriate for a forty-year-old man and it would make people believe that he was playing cute. But it didnt seem weird on a guy who had a young heart and plenty of energy. Wei Ci spoke to him in a gentle voice, She is a piece of fine jade instead of a hard rock. No matter how hard you work on a rock, it will still just be a rock. It doesnt work the same way with fine jade, though. He had no idea what had changed, but he had noticed the changes with Jiang Pengji. Master Yuanjing gave him an amiable smile and he knocked Wei Ci on the head. You speak one way and think another. Wei Ci lowered his head and couldnt help but blush. The news that Han Yu was out of danger quietly spread to the whole city, and every single person who was following up on the news received the message. I wonder what Master Yuanjing wrote in that letter that made the Northern Borderline surrender. The injured Feng Jin had several pleasant days. He was a bit depressed about missing the evaluation, but he made some adjustments to his own mood. When everyone was busy writing and reading books all night, he sipped on his fine drinks and played chess with Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji twitched her lips and said, Those people from the Northern Borderline have no brain in their heads. It must have been something important enough to make them back off. Master Yuanjing basically slapped their faces hard but they couldnt complain. Jiang Pengji basically never made a wrong judgment. Feng Jin was curious and asked, Then you take a guess about what he wrote. My guess? There are three possibilities. First, it was a scheme for conquering their cities and killing their troops and it was going to cut right at their Achilles heel. But no matter how brilliant the idea is, it has to have enough force to put it into operation. But Master Yuanjing could give them the idea of the scheme as a threat. He was just passing a message to them that said, I could slaughter you all with one idea. If Dongqing was not accountable, I could go for some other countries who were against you with this scheme.'' Feng Jin found Jiang Pengjis impersonation of Master Yuanjing amusing. She mimicked him so accurately and he laughed so much that he almost forgot to breathe. Jiang Pengji continued, The second possibility is that it might be some confidential secret of the royal family of the Northern Borderline. Feng Jing tried so hard to keep back his smile. He asked, And the third one? He was well aware that Jiang Pengji was just talking nonsense, but she was saying it with a serious face, which made it funny. Well, about the third one I have read a piece of history that says the three minorities in the Northern Borderline are the descendants of Qiangwu people in the former country and they were well known for their bravery and excellent combat skills. They were a bunch of valiant and ferocious people and they robbed, killed, and raped women during the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms. They ate women as food and caged the young girls for breeding and their population increased from less than 200,000 to more than 300,000,000. Feng Jing paid extra attention to that. He had learned about that piece of history, but it seemed to be relevant to their topic. Jiang Pengji took a sip of her tea to moisturize her lips and kept going, The Qiangwu people had a large quantity of extraordinary, elite cavalry with rattan armor. Their rattan armor was made with a special process by the Qiangwu people themselves. It were more convenient than the regular armor and it was hard to break with any kind of weapon. This force with their rattan armor was a pain to deal with and it became the sharp weapon for the Qiangwu people to dominate the north. They even attempted to take the advantage of their rattan armor force to start a war with the mainland and rule the world. And during that time, they killed everything in their vision and no one was able to stop them. Feng Jing thought it through and said, I have heard about the rattan armor force before but I learned that the 500,000 rattan armor soldiers were all buried in Qichuan Plain. He might have been exaggerating it for the numbers, but it was for sure a big number. It was the history of the end of The Period of Sixteen Kingdoms. 500,000 of the rattan armor soldiers went through half of the mainland, but they were burned to ashes. There were no survivors after a big fire was set by the first prime minister of Xi Dynasty. Jiang Pengji flashed a smile at him. If I was Master Yuanjing, I would only use one sentence in the letter: Do you guys still remember the big fire on Qichuan Plain that buried your hope of mastering the mainland? Feng Jin froze after he heard this. Finally, he said, Is it possible that the three minorities in the Northern Borderline rebuilt their rattan armor troop? Remembering the frightening scenes that were recorded by the historians made Feng Jin freak out a little. The Northern Borderline was not some fancy place, but they had a great number of excellent quality horses and it wouldnt be hard for them to reform a special troop. Dongqing Dynasty was mostly flat. If the rattan armor troop broke through the borderline and came into the middle of Dongqing Dynastys territory, they would be formidable. Jiang Pengji shook her head and tried to recall the soldiers from the Northern Borderline that she had seen. She found something different about their armor, but she couldnt find anything wrong with it. After that, she went through the book collection that Cheng Cheng had and she read that part of their history. Jiang Pengji said, The weakness of the rattan armor is too obvious, which basically ruined the Qiangwu People. And I dont believe that the three minorities of the Northern Borderline would be that stupid. As a matter of fact, according to Jiang Pengjis observations, the new rattan armor that the Northern Borderline had invented seemed to be fireproof. If Master Yuanjing did that, he was just giving them a fair warning. It was like he was saying that they were still too young to play an IQ game with him. Feng Jin spilled his tea all over. He really didnt mean that. Chapter 286 - Three Character Classic. Who Is Wang Yinglin? (I) Feng Jin had always believed that he was from an aristocratic family and that he had received the best education, which meant he wouldnt do anything rude under normal circumstances. That was, until he met Jiang Pengji. He coughed so hard that his face turned red. He quickly pulled himself together and reorganized his crime scene. His face looked awkward. Lanting, Master Yuanjing is a master who has earned the respect of the whole world. How could you say something like this about him? Feng Jin couldnt say more about it because he couldnt find the right word to describe what she had suggested. Jiang Pengji twitched her lips and said, Its just a joke, but I rephrased it another way. I didnt mean to ruin his reputation. Why do you have to act like that? If I said this in front of his face, he might have actually agreed with me. Feng Jin sighed. He knew there was no comparison in talking sophistry between him and her. Master Yuanjing is a man with great generosity and an open mind. He wouldnt mind being bothered by you. Because of the injury to his right hand, he would have a hard time using a pen for a while. It was very unfortunate that he had missed the chance to attend the evaluation, but it had left him quite a bit of spare time. Jiang Pengji had to spend time with him by playing chess or chatting with him to keep him company. No matter if one was a student from a poor family or a gentry clan member, who wouldnt want to strive for their career after years and years of study? Feng Jin didnt say it, but he clearly didnt let it go so easily. He was very well aware of Jiang Pengjis good will. What are you doing? After a game of chess, Jiang Pengji told Taxue to prepare a table in the yard and laid some bamboo papers on the table. Do some reviewing. We are doing nothing anyway. Your attention is never on the game and Im getting bored. Jiang Pengji kneeled on the bamboo coach. Taxue rolled up her sleeve and milled the ink stone for her. Feng Jin couldnt hide his embarrassment when he heard that Jiang Pengji saw through him. He schooled his expression and change the subject. Reviewing? Is it the assignment that Uncle Liu gave to you? As the General Evaluation Officer, Liu She went to the examination room to prepare. In order to avoid doing anything that might arouse suspicion, he did not plan on coming back before the end of the evaluation. Feng Jin could tell how much Liu She valued Jiang Pengji; he must have been dedicated to focusing on her studies. It would be normal for him to give her some homework to do. But Jiang Pengji replied, No. Im just reviewing Mr. Chengs book collections. Mr. Cheng was actually Cheng Cheng. She had made a deal with Cheng Cheng earlier, which was such that she would provide the best quality bamboo papers and Cheng Cheng would make a copy of his book collection. There were, however, a large number of books in his collection for Cheng Cheng to copy, which was more than ten thousand rolls. It would take at least a year or two for him to finish. Jiang Pengji couldnt wait that long. She had nothing else to do at the moment, so she decided to complete it herself. The more she got involved in the societyCCthe more she sawCCthey more she understood. It was absolutely true that there were so many things that pissed her off, such as the undeveloped technology, illiterate people everywhere, savage customs, and gender discrimination. But she wasnt going to deny that there was some brightness in the current era, as well, such as the collective wisdom from their ascendants. She went through a large quantity of Warcraft books and found that many parts of the books matched the knowledge she had already learned. It seemed rather coarse but the principles were mostly identical, only the current era was 10,000 or 20,000 years behind. Jiang Pengji started to put away her contempt as she settled down to study the knowledge. If it wasnt for that, she didnt have to put such effort into tricking Cheng Cheng for his book collection. Mans nature at birth is good; nature is similar, but habits make men different. If there is no teaching, the nature will deteriorate Feng Jin sat next to her and watched her write that down. When he went through his memory, he didnt have any recollection of the words. They were short sentences, but there was a deeper meaning to them, which caught his eye. He asked, Who wrote this? It is demotic and easy to remember, which is quite interesting. After Feng Jin brought it up, there was a series of bullet screens flashing in the streaming room. Laosiji Lianmeng: Mr. Feng, this is Three Character Classic, the enlightened education of ancient Hua Country. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: The author of Three Character Classic is Wang Yinglin in Song Dynasty. You wouldnt have any idea of who Wang Yinglin is. Maorongrong Depidai: I did some research. The author of Three Character Classic is Wang Yinlin. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Wang Yinlin in Song Dynasty. But there should be no Song Dynasty in Feng Jins dimension, right? The truth was, according to some viewers analysis, the era she was in was more like the period of Wei Jin Two Dynasty. Except for the answers, there were some bullet screens which stated, Its the fathers fault for not being able to raise their kids. A teachers laziness makes students slack. It was a tangle of different bullet screens. Even Jiang Pengji, who had a good memory, nearly felt dizzy after them. Jiang Pengji lowered her head, took a glance of the bullet screens, and kept writing. I dont know. The author is already untraceable. I just wrote it down out of interest. The streaming was a bit off. It felt like they were having a festival. When Jiang Pengji asked for their advice about if they could suggest some elementary education books, the whole room of viewers boiled. They might have no clue about the ancient books, but Google definitely did. They could finally pretend to be literate in front of their host. Jiang Pengji wrote Three Character Classic on the first page of the book and titled the author as John Doe. The reason why she didnt put the original authors name on it was because she didnt want anyone to track down who Wang Yinglin was So how could she know who this Wang Yinglin was? Feng Jin didnt feel odd about Jiang Pengjis answer. Cheng Chengs boxes of books were many. He took a look at it once by chance and the books were very well organized, which indicated how much the owner cared about them. But there were a number of ancient books that were mutilated. Naturally it was going to be hard to find out who the author was. Mrs. Meng chose their neighbors. Is this talking about how Mrs. Meng moved three times looking for good neighbors? Feng Jin stared at the short sentences. A big portion of them came from some familiar, historical stories. Everyone who could read knew of the story about how Mrs. Meng moved three times for neighbors, but he had never seen anyone described it with only a few words. Feng Jin had a weird feeling, but it went away and he couldnt use words to talk about it. Jiang Pengji twisted her eyebrows and complained to him, You are being noisy. Feng Jins brows went down and he sat quietly next to her. Thats better. Jiang Pengji kept working on her writing. The viewers in the streaming room thoughtfully looked for different versions with explanations for her, but it seemed like they didnt copy and paste from the same website, which lead to the content being messy and irrelevant. She had to edit and omit some of them, which wasted quite a few pieces of paper. Some viewers were eager to help Jiang Pengji, but some of them were just having fun watching the show. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: I almost believed that the host was going to be someone different rather than just copying things down. Apparently you still cant avoid doing it. Chapter 287 - Three Character Classic. Who Is Wang Yinglin? (II) Duola Aimeng: At least the host didnt say she wrote it. She put John Doe on that. Xiaojuanzide Juanzi: In fact, I think that was the smart way to do it. After all, the literati in ancient society all scorn each other. The only way to convince others that you are valuable is to equip yourself and have a profound literary foundation. It is too sketchy to just copy things That will eventually expose your weakness. The truth was, there were plenty of viewers encouraging Jiang Pengji to put her name on the first page of the book. Three Character Classic was a book for elementary education, after all. If it was published all over the country and was the first book that a kid would read. She would be guaranteed to have her name recorded in history. But her answer made her viewers embarrassed. Host V: According to the protection act of the copyright of the original literature in Federal Law, it is a felony to plagiarize. The sentence could be a minimum of three years served in jail or a maximum of a life sentence. Even if the original creator is not going to sue you, ninety percent of the interest still belongs to the original creator and there will be a big fine to pay for mental damage. Besides that reason, Jiang Pengji had something more important to do. She targeted the remote future instead of petty profit at the moment. The Three Character Classic viewers in the streaming room provided was too short. It didnt take Jiang Pengji much time to finish copying it down. She asked Taxue to dry it off with an incense burner. Feng Jin had nothing to do anyway, so he collated the dried paper in an order and made it into a book. Compared to the books he used to read, the small Three Character Classic was rather coarse, but easy to comprehend. Eh, there must be humongous missing treasures in the chaotic world in the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms. Feng Jin read the Three Character Classic in his hands over and over again. A smart guy like him had the hunch of the real usage of it. Because of Jiang Pengjis misdirection, he was convinced that it was a missing, inclusive book in the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms and who knew what corner Cheng Cheng sought that one from. It was not easy to have a relatively complete content of it and no one cared much about who the author was. That was another reason why Feng Jin appreciated and respected Cheng Cheng. In his eyes, that was what true literati were supposed to be like, instead of trying to cheat or outwit the others. Jiang Pengji answered to him casually, They are all inclusive versions. Once this book is ruined or the person who has read about it is gone, our descendants will never see what is in the books. If we can spread them around to make sure there are more people who have the chance to read them, it will be much easier for us to pass them on to our descendants. An era that wanted development meant books couldnt be the possessions of only one family or a small portion of people. But the current situation was that most of the priceless, inclusive books were possessed by one family or few gentry clan families that had a long history. If the gentry clans perished or something bad happened to them, the inclusive books in their possession would go missing or entirely disappear, which would cease the heritage. There were multiple things that could cause that problem, but there were two main reasons in Jiang Pengjis opinion. First, the craft of producing papers was still in an immature period. The bamboo slices were heavy, but the papers were handy and light. The productivity and technology in the current society was still at its beginning stages, which made the cost of books too high. The average citizen had trouble affording their food. How could they have spare money to afford to buy a book? Secondly, there was a monopoly on books for the special classes. It was not extremely hard to solve the first problem, but it wouldnt work the same way with the second problem. If they intended to break the infrastructure of passing the knowledge and popularizing education, it was inevitable that they would confront gentry clans who monopolized the knowledge. She could only imagine the stress, but she also believed that as long as they put effort into it, there was nothing they couldnt do. Feng Jin didnt continue the conversation, but looked at Jiang Penji in a different way. Jiang Pengji noticed his change but she didnt care much about it. Instead, she kept copying down with painstaking brush strokes the various versions of Three Character Classic. She missed the virtual internet at the moment. She could get whatever she wanted. Why did she have to get a copy manually? System, are you dead yet? She was multitasking while making a copy of the book, reading through the bullet screens and waking up the System. System muttered, Yeah, Im dead. If you have some affairs that you need to discuss with me, send a message by burning incense. If there is nothing you want from me, just go check on my graveyard. Jiang Pengji secretly swore a bit at him and ignored him for a while. It seemed like the System had grown some temper recently. Is there any way you can make a copy of the bullet screen? Just show me some sympathy since Im doing this manually and laboriously. The System replied to her in a cold tone, Im sorry, host. Your streaming level is too low to be qualified for this. You have to rank up at least three levels. Jiang Pengji took a peek at her points in the background and she frowned. Her collective points were way more than the 1,000,000 a long time ago, which happened to be the exact amount for her to rank up from the second-level host to the third-level. But if she did it, it meant all her points would be gone. That would put her in a disadvantage position. The System had been drooling about the points for more than one day. It lured her to spend some of it, but Jiang Pengji was never tempted. Thinking of that, Jiang Pengji suppressed the idea of ranking up right away. She intentionally tantalized System and said to it, Oh, then I might as well do it myself to practice my handwriting. The System went mute. Okay, you are teasing me now. In order to not cause Feng Jins suspicion, besides rewriting Three Character Classic and the explanations, Jiang Pengji did seriously dictate the the several rolls of Warcraft books from Cheng Cheng. It was a coincidence that Feng Jins family had that book collection, but they were missing a rather important half roll. He couldnt get his hands off the book after Jiang Pengji finished the copy and he read through the missing content of book collection with great care. Mr. Cheng is truly an awesome man. Feng Jin couldnt stop appraising him like he had accidently dug some treasure out. My father has a special affection with this book. He has always said that he feels sorry that he wont be able to see the complete version of the book while he is alive, even though he searched many different places. I cannot believe that I am reading the complete version now. Time flew fast while Jiang Pengji focused on writing and copying. The evaluation was at the door in the blink of an eye. The evaluation was the cadre-election system in current Dongqing Dynasty resembled the nine-rank system that viewers were familiar with. But there were big differences between the two as well. The evaluation occurred every three years. There were six categories of the evaluation criterions, which were family ground, moral conduct, knowledge, appearance, ability, and personality. Family ground meant a competition of who had better parents and ancestors. Being born in a decent family outweighed studying well. Moral conduct was a category that they could cheat. Paying off the evaluation would normally exchange a pretty score for them. For knowledge, the General Evaluation Officer gave the questions and the testers had to answer in a limited time. For appearance, they looked at ones face and the way they dressed. It was sure they would see a group of flaming effeminates. Ability was a vague criterion. Basically it requested the tester to write a self-estimate report, which they could brag as much as they wanted. It was linked with knowledge. If one happened to boast too high about themselves but their knowledge was not recognized by the General Evaluation Officer, they were going to fail. Personality was an interesting one. It was all up to the General Evaluation Officers preference. He would give a good grade if he liked the person. The tester would basically get a pass if the General Evaluation Officer liked them, but it would be other way around if he didnt. It was the easiest item for people to cheat on. Overall, the General Evaluation Officer played a critical role in the evaluation. This evaluation was more like a large scale scholar gathering hosted by the royal family. It was nothing like the isolated examination room that the viewers in the streaming room were imagining. Jiang Pengji received the invitation, as well as Liu She son. Jiang Pengji stared at the invitation for a while and finally said, I have never seen any examination as childish as this. She convinced herself that it was necessary for her to show the people in the current era what an examination was supposed to be like. Chapter 288 - The Queen’s Growing Dairy (I) Jiang Pengji, the female General of Federal Union, was the former Army Chief of the Seventh Army. Why was it former? Because she had died in a war Yet somehow, the same one who remembered that she had died in the war opened her eyes. DontCCdont. Let me go Leave us alone, you son of a b*tch. Help! The crying went into her ears and caused a severe headache. She tried to open her eyes but she only found darkness in front her. She could make out a few shapes of people walking around and the sound of screaming, crying, clothes being ripped, and hideous laughter resounded all around her. She felt like it had been centuries, but had only been a few minutes. Her body reacted ahead of her consciousness when she felt strange and malicious breath approaching her. Damn it There was a loud scream after Jiang Pengji rolled and snapped a strange mans arm. She looked around the place and found that it was a shabby, dim woodshed. It was dry and smoky and there were some pungent smells mangled up in the air. The heavy dust floating in the air made her suffer a lot because she had a sensitive sense of smell. Boss, this b*tch Someone spoke in a language she didnt recognize, but the malice and fury was recognizable in his tone. She couldnt help but frown when she heard the voice. She stepped on the guy whose arm had been snapped and stomped his face into the ground. She twisted his arm hard, which made his face turn red from the pain. His eyes went dark and she stomped harder on the guys head until his brain burst out of his head, mixed with his blood. He was definitely dead. The noise from the corner alerted the guys who were indulging in sex. Jiang Pengji looked at them with a cold face that was full of fury. What did she hate most? The first one was betrayal; the second one was rape. Even though she had no clue why she was revived after she died on the battlefield, the scene in front of her struck her hard and she was aware that a bunch of animals were raping ten or more innocent, young girls. Some of the girls were laying on the ground, no longer breathing. Son of b*tch! You deserve to die! Two topless, big guys saw her and spat at her. They stared at her like they were going to strip off her layers of clothing and see through to her immature body. Their appetite disappeared, however, the moment they saw her crack a guys head open. Bang. Jiang Pengji had always believed that using ones fist worked better than giving a lecture. The guys in the room were sentenced to the death penalty by her and obviously she had nothing to say to some dead people. Her fist went straight towards one of the guys lower body. The sound of bones fracturing was heard again and again. Jiang Pengji barely used one percent of her own ability, which made it a piece of cake for her to deal with such people. Some of the men tried to use the young girls as a shield, but instead she took the advantage of the time gap and pulled their hair and smashed them hard on the ground. They lost their heads and died instantly. Not long after, the shabby, narrow little room was full of the strong smell of blood. The girls were weeping. Jiang Pengjis face loosened up a bit after she snapped the last guys neck. She looked at the girls who were not properly dressed and could see that their faces were pinched in fear. They had to have been spooked because they were all huddled up in the corner and their faces were covered in tears. She was in a totally strange place and she had no idea what had happened to her. Who are you people? she asked the girls, but she spoke in an odd language that none of the girls could understand. They are all dead and you guys are safe now. Jiang Pengji didnt like to talk much; her subordinate always started the conversation. It was very rare that she spoke first to someone She always made others feel offended by the way she talked and she often embarrassed people by rolling her eyes. After a while, she found she had offended quite a large number of people. She might as well not talk at all. She sensed the fear in the girls eyes, like they were seeing a ghost. Jiang Pengji stopped talking and she came to realization that they might be speaking in different languages. She attempted to use several languages from the other galaxies that she was familiar, but it was not effective. Instead of being comforted, the girls seemed to be more scared. It was a failure to communicate with them. Jiang Pengji shrugged her shoulders and she started to have a severe headache. When she was puzzling about what she should do next, there were some other sounds coming from outside of the room. The next second, the door was kicked wide open. The accomplices of those sons of b*tches? She was not in her own body and her bodys condition was rather different from her own, but her night vision was still all right. It was a group of men who had no clothes on top and exuded the strong scent of alcohol. They were all dressed strangely and talked to each other in a strange language. Even though Jiang Pengji was not able to understand what exactly they were saying, she was able to tell their emotions from their conversation. Their conversation was full of vicious and malicious emotions. Jiang Pengji didnt wait for them to react; she started a new round of slaughtering. She had a feeble body at the moment, but she had the energy of a person who could hold back ten people. She made sure she killed at least one person every time she moved. The dead bodies piled up inside and outside of the room very quickly after. The bodies definitely didnt look good. She turned around and looked at the terrified girls. Her eyebrows frowned, but she knew she couldnt leave them be. You are safe. Im not going to let them hurt you. She squatted on her heels to look into the girls eyes from the same height. She wanted to show her kindness to the girls, but it didnt seem to work. Jiang Pengji was not a patient person, except when it came to some special occasions. She could fully understand why the girls looked at her with such scared and repulsed faces. It was frustrating for her, but she wasnt going to pick on the weak people. She and the guys seemed to be the reasons that the girls were scared. There was basically no way to interact with them. All right, I should leave them alone until they calm down Jiang Pengji muttered to herself as she stood up and left the shed. She didnt just walk away. Instead, she cleared out the scene and the bodies of the bandits. She found a tree, sat next to it, and guarded the girls shed. After dealing with all the mess, Jiang Pengji finally had the time to think about the weird things that had happened to her. First of all, she was not in her own body. It was too weak to even be called a power level five. If it was her own body, she could have easily shattered someones organs and penetrated his body with one punch. Second, her current body was rather short. It was very likely she was a dwarf. How did she come to such an idea? She found her vision was too low and it seemed that she was shorter than one point five meters. Around the middle of the night, the girls seemed to finally calm down, so Jiang Pengji went in to try again. The girls instantly started to freak out and scream at her. Some of them just picked up random stuff and threw it at her. They didnt hurt her, but Jiang Pengji was no longer impressed. You are completely impossible to talk to! Jiang Pengji dodged the stuff they were throwing at her and went back to the tree where she was hiding. She continued to keep guard. These girls were holding hostility against her, which was mainly from their fear. She wasnt going to be mad at the weak. Dusk of the second morning came. She waited until it was about noon, then she saw some people climbing from the bottom of the mountain. They seemed to be there for the girls. Jiang Pengji took a glance at them from a distance and disappeared into the woods. She needed to figure out where on earth she was. The unfamiliar language and the queer dressing Everything seemed to be extremely strange to her. Chapter 289 - Oiran’s Parade It was nearly the deepest part of autumn and there was the slightest sense of winter could be felt in the air. Everything was turning gold and it started to become a dreadful scene. But the chilling of autumn couldnt stop people from participating in fun social gatherings. The wide roads were cleaned out and guarded by armed soldiers to prevent the citizens from seeing the young Langjuns. When the fortunate time came, hundreds of wagons, which were decorated with red ribbons, slowly headed for the Royal Leisure Palace from different directions. The pedestrians along the road all stretched their necks out to see. That Langjun is so good-looking; hes like a god from heaven. I wonder which family he comes from someone said. Who cares which family he comes from? We will only be able to take a look at this moment alone, another person responded. Hundreds of wagons with red ribbons departed at the fortunate time. They were to all be in a parade on the main road of the Capital City. The curtains of the wagons were lifted to show the Langjuns sitting inside. Every single one of them had an extraordinary appearance and fine clothes. Their eyes wandered around and landed on some unmarried girls that nearly took their souls. Even the girls knew there was a big gap between their classes; they still did everything to dress themselves up and share intimate eye contact with the young guys sitting in the wagon. They all just wished that they would be lucky enough to have a relationship with them. Jiang Pengji sat in an individual room next to the windows in a tea house. It was a perfect spot for her to see the scene by just turning her head. Its just like an oirans parade Hard to bear. She took a sip of her tea, stealing a glance at one wagon that had just gone past her. She turned her eyes away. The viewers in the streaming room shared the same idea as her. The streaming room boiled with excitement when the viewers had learned that they could see some parades before the evaluation. It was a good chance for them to see the young men of good quality that were all waiting for the parade. But when the first wagon drove by, they covered their eyes with their hands and moaned that they had seen something that nearly made them blind. Ruqi Ruzi Wuyangzhi: Im here to see pretty boys, not remove my eyeballs! You are being so mean, host. Laosiji Lianmeng: If the host hadnt of said that this was a legitimate activity, I would have thought it was an oirans parade for whore houses. Caolaoban Airuqi: But if they are the oirans, is it possible that the whore houses still have customers? Maixi Zhaozilong: If a person with nasty taste like Caolaoban cant take it, it is definite that the whore house will not be open long. Jiang Pengji was about to make fun of them until she saw the ridicules from the streaming room. She almost had a hard time swallowing the tea in her mouth. It was not pretty, but it wasnt bad. Feng Jin, who sat at the other side of the table, couldnt control himself after he heard what she said. He nearly spilled his tea on his new clothes. If he didnt swallow his tea before Jiang Pengji had said what she did, he might have spit it out. Lanting, you are really Im just being honest. They flaunt much more than the oirans going for parades, Jiang Pengji said to him with a grin. Her eyes curved like a new moon and there was a sense of amusement in her eyes. I felt a bit of shame that you missed this evaluation because of your hand injury. But when I think of you sitting in the wagon with red ribbons and dressed flamingly gaudy, I just cannot picture it. Look at their clothes. They seriously wear pink, red, and green. The temperatures were turning cold, but it didnt affect their passion for dressing up. Their clothes were mostly light pink, lake green, sky blue, grass green, gold yellow, and bright red. The collars of their clothes were loose enough for them to show off their collar bones and they tied their hair with jade bands, then had some blossomed flowers or flower branches stuck into their hair. There was a thick layer of foundation on their face, which made them look like a white wall. Their lips had bright red lipstick, which gave people goosebumps. The taste of the citizens in the current era had always been puzzling for her. The ones that she couldnt land her eyes on were the beauties in the eyes of the citizens downstairs. Jiang Pengji took a deep breath. She had to admit that the Langjuns did have outstanding facial structures, which proved that they were rather good-looking themselves. However, their makeup ruined everything. Jiang Pengji couldnt stop questioning if they did something horrible to their stylists But there was no such thing as a stylist in the current era. Feng Jin looked at Jiang Pengji and said with a helpless face, This is the trend that the gentry clan young men go after in the Capital City. No matter if it is only a hundred people or a million people pursuing it, ugly is ugly. It is not considered beautiful just to stick something expensive on your head. If that is the concept, we might as well just admire the vase, Jiang Pengji said, her lips twitching. Feng Jin was speechless. Feng Jin coughed and said to her, You are still too young to understand. You will get it in a couple years. Jiang Pengji glanced at Feng Jin, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable. If you think that is pretty, then why dont you do it? Jiang Pengji looked him up and down. He was in a stone green outfit, which had several layers and wide sleeves. His hair was tied up sharply with a simple decoration, which made people comfortable. Feng Jin paused for a second and shook his head. I dont need anything else for decoration. I am a natural beauty, he said suddenly. Jiang Pengji found there was nothing she could say to that. Feng Jin, you are so refined, even if you are narcissistic. Jiang Pengji rested one of her hands on the window as she watched the wagons with red ribbons drive past the tea house one after another. The citizens turned into groupies and their eyes went straight towards the Langjuns. Some young girls took off their sachets and cast them at the wagons when they saw someone who made their heart beat fast. It was very likely that the viewers started to get accustomed the scene in front of them. Jiang Pengji was speechless again. She felt sorry for the viewers. Their taste had to have been destroyed after such a thing. When she was getting close to dozing, the bullet screens went crazy all of a sudden. The tons and tons of bullet screens nearly covered the whole screen. Jiang Pengji frowned. She wasnt sure what had happened. Xiaoquanquan Chuiniou: OMG, I see my hubby here! He is so cool!! Shuibian Sanguo Nanshen: I feel like my eyes are fully recovered now. So great! o(RvQ)o~~ Laosiji Lianmeng: I think I heard the sound of flowers blooming. Xiangchengwei Jitui: My mom asked me why my phone screen is wet. Because I cannot stop myself licking it Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: I was spooked by the others, but he is definitely my aesthetic god. I want to rip his clothes off She looked down to the street and heard Feng Jins voice near her ears. This Langjun doesnt seem familiar at all. I wonder which family he is from. The guy was in a dark blue outfit, but somehow the dark color didnt make him look older. Instead, it matched perfectly with his snow white skin. He had an elegant face and his hair was splashed with ink. His lips had a natural red color to them without any lipstick and his eyebrows had their natural shape. Unlike the other Langjuns sitting in their wagons grinning at the citizens, he was sitting properly, his eyes closed. It seemed that he was in deep thought and there was a slight wrinkle between his brows as he frowned. Jiang Pengji could even see his long eyelashes with her excellent vision. Its him Chapter 290 - Casting a Sachet Into His Wagon Jiang Pengji face split into a large smile as she came up with some evil ideas in her head. She took off the sachet that was hanging on her waist and cast it into the wagon. Feng Jin was startled, but it happened so fast that he didnt have the opportunity to stop her. It wasnt just Feng Jin who was shocked. She spooked Wei Ci as well, who was reciting Qingxin Formula in the wagon. He suddenly found there was something in his arms. He opened his eyes and found a delicate, light yellow sachet. The style was made for a man but it seemed like it was owned by a girl. It looked somewhat familiar to him. He maintained control as he picked it up. There was the small character Xi embroidered into the corner of the sachet. His heart skipped a beat. He turned around, looked out of the window, and found a familiar shape leaning against the window of the tea house. She was leering at him. Wei Ci turned his head back around with no expression on his face. He ground his teeth hard and his right hand clutched the sachet tight. The sachet was rolled into a ball. His fingers turned white because of his hard grip but he still couldnt calm down. Jiang Pengji laughed. There was a sense of amusement in her eyes. Lanting, do you have a feeling about this Langjun? Feng Jin had watched her toss her sachet into a strangers wagon and he couldnt do anything to stop her. Why? Jiang Pengji looked at Feng Jin and said, I just simply felt that he was innocent and not pretentious, unlike the other gaudy guys. Didnt you notice that he was the same with you? You are both natural beauties. Feng Jin suddenly didnt know how to respond. He felt that he couldnt use the phrase natural beauty any longer. He took a deep breath and reproved her, Messing around is all right. But how could you give some personal belongings, like a sachet, away to some stranger? Dont worry, I know him. It was just a joke and he wont mind. I just wanted to spook him. From what she knew about Wei Ci, she figured he wouldnt complain to her even if he did have a problem with her actions. She was sure that she had never seen him before she came to the Capital City, but somehow he didnt just know herCChe seemed to know her very well. It wasnt some sort of familiarity to Liu Xi, but to Jiang Pengji. It was so fun for her that she couldnt help but make fun of it. She saw other people throwing handkerchiefs or sachets to the Langjuns in the wagons, so she tossed a sachet to him as well. Jiang Pengji smiled and took a sip of tea. Feng Jin stared at her, feeling rather exhausted. The wagons that came after Wei Ci were all people Jiang Pengji knew or at least had met a couple of times. They were not the Langjuns who were born and grew up in the Capital City. The Langjuns in the Capital City were accustomed to the luxurious, but dispirited, dress code. Master Yuanjing was a decent teacher who had decent students. Their dress was more like literati, but nothing like the aristocratic style of the Langjuns in the Capital City. What was more important, compared to those gaudy guys, their dress code fit the taste of the viewers in the streaming room more. Every time a wagon drove by, the viewers who worshiped the pretty faces had to howl for a bit to express their thrill. They wished that they could have been there to give them some kisses. Xiangchengwei Jitui: I want to travel there. Then I can have the host at my back and I get to see the pretty boys. Maybe I can use the advantage of my knowledge of the poems from the ancient times to become a girl with a good reputation and social status. Its very likely that I could finally marry a handsome and rich guy and achieve my life goal. Sanbei Liangzhan Danjiu: #Despise Emoji. Time traveling for you? You have to check yourself out in the mirror first. They value pretty faces in the ancient times much more. You know about the poems from the ancient times. Even if you are the reincarnation of Li Bai or Du Fu, it wont do you any good if you dont have a beautiful face. Xiangchengwei Jitui: #Puking Blood Emoji. You didnt have to strike me so hard. The wagons with red ribbons drove into the Royal Leisure Palace one by one. They could smell the strong scent of flowers floating over the wall as they got close. Wei Ci lowered his body and came out of the wagon. His emotions were settling. He had no idea where he left the light yellow sachet. Zixiao, I saw someone cast a sachet into your wagon. Who would be that bold? Han Yu asked him when he was aware of what had happened. Wei Ci kept his face cold and said, Some ruthless nobody. Han Yu seemed to be more sedated after what he had been through, but he was still as enthusiastic as always. If it wasnt an appropriate occasion for him, he would have pulled Wei Ci to the side and interrogated him about the earlier incident. Make sure Liu County Chief does not hear this, or else you wont pass for the evaluation this year, Han Yu said to him. Wei Cis face still showed no emotion. The gentry clans at present had all been filtered through multiple times from different places. They were counted as the elites of Dongqing Dynasty. They would have all been able to pass, but also rank if there nothing went wrong. Since Wei Ci was Master Yuanjings apprentice, if he ranked poorly, he would ruin Master Yuanjings reputation as well as his own. It was Wei Cis first time attending the evaluation after he retrieved his memory. When they were parading in the wagon, the flourish and the bustling surroundings made him lose track of time until the small sachet was tossed into his wagon. It woke him up from his memory. I wonder what kind of questions Liu County Chief is going to ask us. Master told us our future was still unknown and we should stay still and cope with the changes. Han Yu sighed secretly. With what his master was capable of, he definitely sensed something, or at least he had a lead, but he wasnt going to disclose it to his students. Wei Ci listened to him with his poker face. He did know what the questions would beCCthat was if nothing had changed. But unfortunately, the General Evaluation Officer was replaced by Liu She. Who the hell knew what kind of questions he was going to give to them. We are familiar with Liu County Chiefs conduct. Lv Zheng was speaking in a low voice with Cheng Jing and he overheard Han Yus conversation with Wei Ci. He kept his voice down and said to them. You are? Han Yu looked at Lv Zheng with a grin. Master has said that Liu County Chief was a practical person. So my assumption is his questions have to have something to do with philosophy of management, Lv Zheng suggested. The evaluations over the past several years were mostly about making poems. A bunch of people were either grieving for the dreadful season or praising virtues. According to the hearsay about Liu She, he was more like a pragmatic person. The evaluation was set to elect the young elites for government purposes instead of seeking out was the best flatterer. Liu She seemed to differ from the former General Evaluation Officers. The other Langjuns adjusted their dress after they pried about Liu Shes preferences. If it was for catering to Liu Shes taste, Jiang Pengji and her viewers in the streaming room would see a completely magnificent parade. Wei Ci didnt participate in their discussion. He just stood there and listened to them. Han Yu asked him, You normally care about this the most. Dont you have any comments on it? He lowered his eyes. If it wasnt masters request, I really wouldnt be here. Therefore, no matter what kind of questions Liu County Chief asks, it wont matter to me. As long as he wouldnt be the last one ranked, he wouldnt bring shame on his master. He was just there for a show. Wei Ci was guaranteed not be elected. Even he was full of talent as long as the election criterion of current Dongqing Dynasty stayed the same. Han Yu seemed to remember something. He sighed again without saying anything. Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin came along to the Royal Leisure Palace as well. It was nearly the end of autumn, but the flowers were blooming inside of the palace and some trees were blooming with bright red flowers; that was where the fragrance came from. Beautiful views shined even more brilliantly while they were in pretty peoples company. Chapter 291 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade At the Rockery (1) The Royal Leisure Palace was for sure extravagant, but it couldnt compare with the young Langjuns in their brightly colored clothes and makeup walking amongst the blossoming flowers. They looked prettier than the flowers as they took their seats. Liu She wore a light green robe and he had a dark, gauze-made hat. He was holding a jade Ruyi and sitting straight with no expression on his face. He had passed his thirtieth year, but he didnt look much older than the other young men. Instead, he had a sense of maturity and earnestness that the young men didnt have. He looked at the Langjuns walking towards him. Some of them wore a slight smile on their faces; some of them had their eyebrows twisted hard; and some others bowed at him. There were thousands of different attitudes from the people, which made it fascinating to see. But there was a mutual attitude towards him, which they all tried to ingratiate towards him secretly. They resembled peacocks who spread their tails to show the best of themselves. He lost himself for a second. It reminded him that he used to be one of them several decades ago. He only remembered that he had played it cool at that time. He was playing instruments, discussing a poem with others, or evaluating a paintingCCand all the while soaked with his sweat. His heart was grasped tight like it was going to drop anytime if he made a mistake, which made him extremely anxious. When he finished the evaluation and came home, he spilled his embarrassment and nervousness to Gumin but he only received dirty looks from her. Even until then, he still clearly remembered her complaints. Come on, what kind of exam is that? Liu She was confused. Liu County Chief, all the Langjuns are seated and we can start anytime. His colleague pulled him back from his memory with caution. Liu She opened his eyes like he had just woken up from a sweet dream. Looking at the gentry clans young men who were prettier than the views, Liu She put on a light smile and said, Lets begin. The evaluation in Dongqing Dynasty occurred every three years. The files for Family Background in the upper category had been delivered to Shang Jing long ago. Liu She arrived in Shang Jing a bit late and he spent most of his time skimming through it. He went through all the files on all the candidates and ranked and graded them based on their family background and the individual status of their own family. The grades were classified as superior,medium, and inferior. There were merely a hundred candidates participating in the evaluation, but they were particularly selected from the different areas in Dongqing. Every single one of them had a strong family background and they were not people to mess around with. If there were some conflicts with the ranks, Liu She definitely offended whoever was behind him. As for what was mentioned before, moral conduct,appearance, and personality all gave the candidates enough space to bribe the tester. Liu She had received some benefits and bribery on or under the table. Their generosity startled him. It was either real money or precious antiques, which really opened his eyes. No wonder everyone wanted to be the General Evaluation Officer at least once. They didnt have to work for over thirty years if they got to be the Officer once. Ability was was the bragging report that they had handed over to him early. Liu She had read through the reports. They were mostly full of bragging, containing essentially nothing of value. Why would he say so? For example, a feeble person whose waist was slim but who craved drugs would have such sensitive skin that he could only wear soft clothes. He could hardly wash himself but he could open a super heavy bow and defeat two tigers. What would it be if it was not a joke? Maybe he meant that he defeated some female tigers who made him sweat and then laid next to his side of the bed. Liu She didnt realize that he was thinking dirty. The evaluation was more like a large scale scholars gathering with ulterior motives. All the Langjuns focused on showing off their unique attributes. Those who stood out after they showed off their unique attributes definitely did have some skills. Liu She was slacking at the beginning but then he started to get involved. The atmosphere seemed to be at peace. Like what he had said, the evaluation was more like a large scale scholars gathering. The attendants were not just gentry clan young men; there were quite a number of big people in high positions and their families, including the emperor, his concubines, and his children. It was for sure a large quantity of people, but somehow it wasnt too noisy. Liu Xi didnt have a memory of this and Jiang Pengji was a general from a future world. She had no idea how she should cope with it. Fortunately, Feng Jin, as the son of the wife in Fengs, had been through all sorts of situations. He was acting proper and wandering around in the masses while Jiang Pengji stalled him. He greeted people and chit-chatted with them as he introduced Jiang Pengji to the people he talked to. The people were all sly. Even though they had never heard Jiang Pengjis name, they were not going to ignore her just because she was the son of Liu County Chief. Jiang Pengji did get to know plenty people from Feng Jin. You dont like to communicate with people? Feng Jin asked as he found his seat, which were arranged by their positions. Jiang Pengji couldnt help but sigh and said, No, I just feel that your precious circle is such a mess. Feng Jin was a bit confused. His precious circle was such a mess? He recognized every word of it, but it just didnt make sense to him all together. But he could still figure it all from the literal meaning of it, considering that he was rather smart. Why? Feng Jin couldnt hold back his laugh. He came close to her and lowered his voice, just in case she was going to mention more strange things. It seems that it is a trend to admire guys appearance at the moment. Even in her real era, which was extraordinarily open, not everyone was gay. After she had met so many people with Feng Jin, she sincerely questioned if she had accidentally traveled to a gay world. She had the illusion that she might be the only straight guy in the world. But d*mn, she was a woman. Feng Jin had a slight blush on his snow white skin. He somehow felt uncomfortable and said to her, Can you stop looking around? Jiang Pengji scorned him and said, So you want me to close my eyes then? It was not her fault that she couldnt control her brain and not analyze someone the moment she saw them. It was her occupational habit after years and years of training and it was not an easy thing for her to change in a moment. Feng Jin paused for a second. His face looked strange, but he added something in a low voice, The relationships in the government have always been a mess. Honestly, as long as it doesnt affect them passing on their family blood, it is not something abnormal for two men to love each other. Some of the guys with a special love would love to help prepare the betrothal gift for their other half. That way, they could make sure they would have a wife and a son to carry on his family name. After all, there were three ways to not be filial, and having no children came first. Two men loving already disobeyed the ethics for breeding. How would they confront their ascendants after their death if one of the partners failed to fulfill his obligation to his family? Jiang Pengji squinted at him, which made him feel uneasy. She felt odd. Im not interested in this. You dont have to look at me that way Its kind of scary. It was all right if they were in any normal circumstance, but Feng Jin always had a feeling that she could see through him every time she looked at him like that. Jiang Pengji smiled at him and said, You are doing what you are doing. Why are you scared of me? Not scared of you. I just dont like it, Feng Jin responded helplessly. Sit straight. People will criticize you for not receiving a good education from Liu County Chief if they catch you acting like this. He seemed to remember something and he emphasised it to her, Dont run around. The Royal Leisure Palace is not like your own place. You have someone watching you twenty-four seven. Dont talk much and dont do much. Just be quiet, okay? Jiang Pengji didnt question him and nodded. But Feng Jin was somehow even more concerned with her being so well-behaved. Chapter 292 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade At the Rockery (II) The facts proved that Jiang Pengji was not trustworthy at all Not even a bit. Jiang Pengji had never attended any big parties in the ancient society, but she had been to some in her era. As one of the most powerful people in the federal government, who wouldnt flatter her wherever she went? For any important banquets involving the federal government, the host ensured that she would get an invitation as customary, but they didnt necessarily expect to see her. Comparing the parties in the two eras, she found that no matter which era she was in, it was all the same set patterns. The only difference was she was some big person being lauded. She was the one who made the call in her era, but she it turned out to be nobody in the current era. There was melodious music around her and she watched the graceful and charming dancing. Jiang Pengji had a queer smile on her face. There were certain benefits to being straight-forward. She didnt have to remember specifics about anyone or worry about some random persons social status and his social network and then choose the proper way to talk to him. It was too painstaking if she needed to put so much effort into just thinking about talking. Its not normal for you to have such a great time. Do they really dance so well? Jiang Pengji took a look at the bullet screen and the main point of discussion from her viewers was mostly about the dancers body figures, faces, and their skin. They all seemed to be making comments about the pace of the dance being a bit too slow; it was more like grandmas and grandpas doing Tai Chi in the park. Their dance was hardly as good as the square dance. Even though she didnt have an idea of what Tai Chi or square dances were, from the literal meaning alone, it didnt seem to be anything good. When they spin, their sleeves sway with them. When they frown, their pretty, flower-decorated hair pins look less outstanding. Feng Jin looked at the dancers and broke into a grin. Their waists are thin like willows and their voices are like birds. You need to take it slow. You are an impetuous type and you really should calm yourself down. Jiang Pengji was completely in a daze. She took a look at Feng Jin, whose focus was on the dancers, and she looked to those dancers. She then went back to look at her viewers in the streaming room. Somehow, she felt like she was on the same page about taste with her viewers in the streaming room while Feng Jin was way above them. The dancing is not bad. I just prefer more voluptuous dancers. They have to have pretty faces and long legs, big boobs, and perky butts. Apparently that was what the viewers in the streaming room were thinking as well. Xiangchengwei Jitui: This is the honest host I have always liked. Pipixia Womenzou: As a matter of fact, I like the hot type as well. I only watch the streams that are hosted by the hot girls. I would rather not watch if they dont have curves. But our host is the only one who doesnt use her body to attract me. I keep following you for who you are inside. You are the most special one. Shushu Daini Kanjinyu: Have a good time in your afterlife. #Candle. The viewers in the streaming room all agreed with Jiang Pengjis idea, but that didnt mean a traditional male in the ancient time like Feng Jin could be as open as them. His pale face had a bit of redness and it seemed that he was upset. Thats vulgar! He was being shy. Jiang Pengji totally understood that a young man like Feng Jin would never speak about his genuine preference even if he had a preference for a girl with curves. She sneered at him. Dont disobey your heart. Why am I vulgar? Who doesnt like a soft and gentle woman? Do you want to hug someone who is the same size as you? Apparently it wasnt true earlier when you mentioned that you had no interest with in being in love with a man. Feng Jin was considered an eloquent person, but he just couldnt make sense of her. Jiang Pengji meant to twist his meaning How could he defend himself against her? He was pissed and he replied to her through his gritted teeth, Do you dare to let Liu County Chief hear all of this? Jiang Pengji struck back at him, Dont forget who I went to the whorehouse with before. Feng Jin went mute. Who else could it be? Your father. All right, I lost. There was something wrong about it! Feng Jin only realized afterwards that his friend was a girl, not a guy. When he realized that, his face turned; it was as though he was suffering from constipation. Liu County Chief, your daughter is nothing like a girl anymore. Why dont you discipline her? In the meantime, Liu She couldnt do about her, either. He was as desperate as him. Not to mention his own baby girl wandered around a whorehouse He would also have to have been there if she asked to go to a gay bar. Jiang Pengjis eyes curved like a new moon while she saw Feng Jin act so helpless. There were thousands of disadvantages in the ancient age, but there was one thing that was positive: The majority of the population was conservative. She used Feng Jin as an example. No matter how much he liked to play mature, he was only a teenager and he was rather inexperienced. As long as Jiang Pengji dared to throw her shame away and act like an a**hole, Feng Jin would have no way of dealing with her at all. Everyone had their emergencies. Feng Jin apparently drank too much and his cheeks started to have a bit of a blush to them. He asked one of the servant girls to lead him to the bathroom. Jiang Pengji looked at the vacant seat next her after he left. She raised her eyebrows and stood up as well. She was curious about the Royal Leisure Palace in the ancient era, after all. In order to be a responsible host, it was necessary for her to fulfill her viewers needs. She copied Feng Jins elegance and successfully got a servant girl to lead her away from her seat. Xiangchengwei Jitui: Sweet, sweet host, I want to have a tour of the ancient Royal Leisure Palace, but not the bathroom. I wont mind if you are going to stream while you are using bathroom, though. Jiang Pengji noticed the bullet screen and she couldnt help but twitch her lips. She couldnt imagine how nasty the viewers in the streaming room could be. Im just wondering if you know where the Langjuns who attend the evaluation are at the moment, lady? Some of my good friends are part of this evaluation and considering the time, the evaluation should have started a while ago. But for some reason I have a bad feeling about it. Could you please lead me there? The servant girl grinned at her. Langjun, you flatter me by calling me a lady. The rules in the Royal Leisure Palace are rather strict. Everyone has their own route. Im just a low status servant and Im not qualified to be near that place. If you want to go, I can give you directions. You should be able to see it once you cross through the garden. Please. Thanks for your time. The garden in the Royal Leisure Palace was nothing like the small garden in the Lius mansion. It was full of bizarre, but precious, plants. Even though it was deep in autumn, the pretty flowers still bloomed in all corners of the garden. The bright colors replaced the desolation of autumn and it brought some fun. Rumor had it that the royal garden in Shangyang Palace was ten times bigger than this one. Under normal circumstances, only the emperor, his concubines, and his children could get access to the garden to appreciate the views. No one else was allowed to be close to it. It was supposed to be the same with this garden in the Royal Leisure Palace. If it wasnt a special day, gentry clan members like Jiang Pengji, who had no title or position, would never have been allowed to be aroundCCnot to mention strolling around and admiring the beautiful scene in the garden. En, my majesty, gentle, please, en Jiang Pengji found an isolated but quiet place and she was about to take a nap on a rockery. One of the viewers in the streaming room who studied biology was interested in the strange plants in the garden and he wanted to observe them closer. Therefore, he asked Jiang Pengji if she could stay a bit longer and zoomed in for observation. She figured that she had nothing else to do and she agreed to make his wish complete. But she had only dozed for a second and then heard some heavy breathing under the rockery. There were mixed breaths and moans from a guy and a girl and it started to get to a high pitch. Ah, ah Jiang Pengji was frozen as she sat above them. The viewers in the streaming room all went nuts. Oh my god. After about half a year following the stream, it is finally the time for a real show! Chapter 293 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade at the Rockery (III) According to Jiang Pengjis five senses, she knew that two people had come to the mountain stream in the rockery. However, they behaved themselves to begin with. They were most likely a couple that was taking the opportunity to reveal their innermost feelings about each other. She was very confident about her skills in being invisible. She certainly would not reveal herself and scare the couple. The girl was very pure. However, the guy was a veteran. He suddenly ignited the engine, which took people by surprise. Without demur, the couple was unable to hold themselves back and cuddled each other. They undressed each other; it did not take long for them to be fully undressed. They started having sex and their actions were vigorous. The girls hair ornaments, which were made with pearls and jade, hit against the wall of the rockery, making a light knocking sound. Jiang Pengji was utterly stunned. The audience in the streaming room was dying to see the live version. Xiangchengwei Jitui: Oh my gosh. Can you adjust the shooting angle of the streaming? It feels weird to be only able to hear it and not see it. Having both the sound and picture is the standard that should be met by an excellent streaming room. Laosiji Lianmeng: He drove the car too fast. Even though Im a veteran, I almost drifted at the curve. Jiang Pengji quickly calmed down. She neither agreed to the request of the audience of the streaming room, nor did she leave where she was standing. The lovebirds who snuck the opportunity to have sex did not know a thing; they were just having fun. Judging from their sounds, they seemed to be playing with a different pattern and posture. They did not know that Jiang Pengji was lying on top of the rockery and that 10,000 audience members were watching them. Jiang Pengji deeply felt that, although she was not Detective Conan like what the audience said, she had something in common with him. It seemed that she encountered interesting things no matter where she went. She even witnessed a pair of lovebirds having sex. Host V: The royal family of Dongqing would be done for soon. The emperor had affairs with the wives of the ministers and his fathers mistress. His son had an affair with the wife of his other son. Moreover, this happened on the day of the assessment. They dont seem afraid of people catching them red-handed The audience in the streaming room was somewhat confused upon seeing the bullet screen. Xiangchengwei Jitui: #scorning. Did you secretly watch it? Otherwise, how would she know who was having sex? Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes. She did not want to be in the limelight. However, the audience in the streaming room was not as quick-witted as her, so she could only justify herself to the audience. Host V: I heard it. Ive met the man before a few times. He, Wuma Jun, is to become the husband of my sister. The audience in the streaming room was torn. Bloody hell. Wuma Jun had the courage to cuckold the streamers sister in front of the streamers face? Jiang Pengji posted another bullet screen. Host V: The woman is from the Northern Borderline. How do I know that? Its because Wuma Jun tore her clothes just now and the sound the fabric made when it was torn was not like usual silk satin. Its a special fabric that can only be worn by a few aristocratic families in the Northern Borderline Ive once come across this in The Jokes of the Unofficial History. The author was so bored that she tore different fabrics and recorded the differences in the sounds in detail Due to their vigorous actions, her hair ornaments made with pearls and jade knocked against the wall of the rockery. The superiority of the quality could be heard from the sound of knocking The clothes of the woman underneath were completely stripped off. Their actions were vigorous and her hair ornaments, made with pearls and jade, earrings, and necklace were all scattered on the ground. Just by listening, Jiang Pengji could figure out how many pieces of jewelry she was wearing and their quality. Combining everything she had picked up on, one could determine that it was someone from the Northern Borderline. Her identity would naturally be revealed. Laosiji Liameng: I dont know if I should say that the streamer has good hearing or that she has seen too many things She seems to know everything. She could hear so many things that had nothing to do with the topic while people were having sex. With an indifferent face, she felt that she was not suitable to be a streamer. Oh, that was not right. They were originally not people of the same world. Although Jiang Pengji was listening to a blossoming drama from a close distance, she remained indifferent and her eyes were still clear. She was not at all tainted by the wild lovebirds underneath her. Some veterans in the streaming room could not resist the urge to summon their five fingers just by hearing the sounds. From the audiences point of view, Jiang Pengji was too coolCCbut this was common to her. If a well-trained, genetically enhanced soldier could not control his or her physiological reaction, they needed to get out of the ranks as soon as possible. After ten minutes, the wild lovebirds finally stopped. They cuddled each other while panting. At that moment, an audience jeered and asked Jiang Pengji a question. Ninbode Dianhua Yiguanji: Do you have nothing to say after listening to it for free? Host V: Its spicy. Looking at the two words, many audience members revealed meaningful smiles. The wild lovebirds had caught their breath. There was a rustling sound as they quietly got dressed. Your Fourth Highness, Ill fondly remember what happened today. Your Fourth Highness? Haha. Its Wuma Jun indeed. Jiang Pengji sneered and listened. One was the fourth prince of Dongqing, the other was the princess of the Northern Borderline, who would soon become the wife to the second prince of Dongqing. On such a special day, the two of them came to the rockery to have a love affair. This was too much What did the fourth prince want to do? Wuma Jun had now sobered up. His voice was still a bit hoarse. Do you really want to marry the second prince? He cant give you the honor you deserve, Wuma Jun scorned. The princess from the Northern Borderline, named An Yina, sighed softly and replied, My father asked me to marry your second brother, so I have to marry him. This is how it has to be. Were pitiful people who have no control over ourselves. To be able to lose my virginity to you this early, I have no regrets. Jiang Pengji curled her lips. Princess An Yina was really good at acting. She lied to him so well without having to practice. Your Fourth Highness, lets face it. Im your second brother-in-law in the future. We dont have to keep in touch in secret anymore. If someone finds out, theyll misunderstand that the Northern Borderline has deceived Dongqing and the marriage is just a deceptive trick. We would become sinners for both countries. Jiang Pengji was originally wondering how extraordinary the princess was. Looking at it now, it was better to see her in person than to hear about her That was wrong. It should be it was better to listen to her in person that to hear about her through someone else. After all, she was just playing with power by toying with men. The Northern Borderline asked the princess to sow dissension between the second prince and the residence of the Count of Zhenbei in order to make the emperor and the prince be at odds. It would be best if there werent any days of peace in Dongqing. No one expected the relationship between the two princes to have been pushed to a dead end when the princess had not even married the second prince yet. Wuma Jun was consumed by ambition. Although he was young, he liked to make plans in advance before he acted. He did not look like a brainless pig. How could he easily get cheated by Princess An Yina and believe her affectionate acting? She frowned, but she forgot that men nowadays mostly regarded women as vassals and objects. Who said that women had long hair but were short-witted? Princess An Yina acted too well and Wuma Jun was too conceited. The man of pleasure thought that he had deceived a sincere girl, but he did not know that he had fallen into the trap of Black Widow Tsk. He was so stupid. Chapter 294 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade at the Rockery (IV) Jiang Pengji did not intend to show up and, of course, she would not let anyone discover her. She sneered while she listened to the man and woman acting lovey-dovey and revealing their innermost feelings. They were saying that they had to go their own ways and bid each other farewell due to the obstacles in their reality. To be honest, if they were replaced with a gossiper that had a smarter brain, he or she could write a short story depicting the difficult and affectionate love in minutes. Jiang Pengji looked up and saw that various jokes about difficult love had emerged in the streaming room. Some experts who were proficient in all sorts of romantic plots even accurately guessed the conversation between Princess An Yina and Wuma Jun. They echoed each other and sure enough, it was all a series of tricks. If it was not for the inappropriate setting, Jiang Pengji would have laughed. People who fancied themselves clever were always the silliest ones. In a certain sense, the man and woman underneath her were a perfect match for each other. Jiang Pengji was thrilled to watch the show, but the audience in the streaming room did not really understand it. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Isnt Wuma Jun your sisters future husband? He had an affair right in front of your eyes How are you not angry at all? I was looking forward to the outburst of your sister complex. I wanted you to beat Wuma Jun up in front of his mistress. Not only was the audience looking forward to it, but the audience of the entire streaming room was looking forward to it as well. They had long been accustomed to Jiang Pengjis style of lashing out, shielding a fault, and being unreasonable, even if it was just her step-sister. In the ancient days, her step-sister was a concubines daughter. In the modern world, she would have been an illegitimate daughter or the daughter born of a mistress. However, it was the ancient era. A concubines daughter had human rights too and they were called by their right names. They did not think about how Jiang Pengji would defend her sister against such an injustice. However, Wuma Jun had already had sex with another woman in broad daylight when he had not even married Jiang Pengjis sister. He was an animal. According to the streamers temper, she should have definitely beaten them up. Jiang Pengji smiled. After probing Liu She in Changqing Alley the last time, she had basically identified the mistresss daughter. In other words, the mistresss daughter was never on the same path as the Liu residence ever since she was born. That would not change even in the future. As for the affection between brothers and sisters, it was basically impossible. Taking that into consideration, Liu She had already secretly inspired his second mistress and Madam Hu to separate Liu Xi from the mistresss son and daughter as much as possible. Since they had never lived together, of course there were no feelings. Knowing that there was something peculiar about the identity of the mistresss daughter and that they might very likely be on opposite sides, Liu She intended to marry his daughter off to Wuma Jun. It was clear that he was waiting for him to jump into the pit that he had dug In that case, Jiang Pengji was not that silly to stand up for a mistresss daughter. Host V: Punish Wuma Jun and An Yina? Ha, that will come sooner or later. The two were stumbling blocks that hindered Jiang Pengji on her path. They were small pieces of gravel or cobblestones that had to be kicked off sooner or later. However, she would never stand up for a mistresss daughter who had no relation to her at all. Obviously, the audience in the streaming room liked to watch the fun without using their brains. No one noticed the word game that Jiang Pengji was playing. Princess An Yina watched Wuma Jun leave the rockery affectionately. She stayed behind, carefully groomed her appearance, and left, looking unperturbed. Jiang Pengji continued to sit on top of the rockery and did not move. After a while, An Yina actually came back. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. The princess, whom the royal family of the Northern Borderline had their expectations on, had some skills indeed. An Yina did not notice her, but she was very paranoid. She pretended to leave, but she quietly came back to take a look. Jiang Pengji jumped off the rockery easily when she was completely gone. The ventilation there was good. The traces of the wild act of the man and woman were not discoverable. However, for Jiang Pengji, whose five senses were different than those of ordinary people, the place had an unusual smell, which made her frown slightly and display a look of disgust and contempt. The smell made her sick and only subsided after she slightly controlled her five senses. She took another perfume pouch from her waist, put it on the tip of her nose, and sniffed it. She then felt better. Wuma Jun and An Yina left one after another. Jiang Pengji chose another small, winding path and left the rockery after going through many turns. It was a special day that day. The flower garden, which was usually quiet, was rather lively. Many aristocratic ladies, who were gorgeously dressed in bright-colored and beautiful clothes, strolled in the garden under each others company. Their brows and foreheads were adorned with exquisite and delicate red ornaments. The bright red color set off their skin around it, making their skin look even fairer and softer. The current ethos in Dongqing was not too feudal. Although men and women would be castigated if they traveled around with each other, it was not a huge issue. Therefore, in addition to the aristocratic ladies who looked prettier than flowers, there were many well-dressed young men in the flower garden, the waterside pavilion, and the small pavilion Out of tacit understanding, both parties were quite far away from each other. They looked at each other from a distance through the small forest or flower bushes, even though they were acquaintances. They soon missed each others gazes The assessment was not only related to the future of the sons of the aristocratic families in official circles, but it would also affect their marriages. Jiang Pengji was also the son of an aristocratic family, but she was still young. She was still young and her figure was still small, but her facial features were very distinct. They were ladylike and full of heroic spirit as well. If she had completely grown up after a few years and added some scholarly honor and reputation to her name, she would have the image of a respectable man whom many aristocratic ladies adored in their hearts. The most important thing was to have a charming face, not to look masculine. Instead, masculinity should be blended with a womans gentleness and jade-like beauty. It was best if people could not distinguish her gender. Not only that, she should have a tall and skinny figure and a gentle elegance. It would be best for her to treat people gently, be knowledgeable, and have talent. Jiang Pengji avoided the paths where the aristocratic ladies walked. She looked around and went to the lookout octagonal pavilion, which was located on higher ground. Standing there and looking into the distance from above, one with good vision could see the scholars who participated in the assessment. When she walked over, three strange men were already sitting in the pavilion. Jiang Pengji did not know them and she only nodded at them courteously. The men did not mind that Jiang Pengji came over and disturbed them. They just smiled a little, turned their heads, and continue to chat with each other. Fallen petals laid on the ground in profusion. The falling petals danced in the wind, covering the ground entirely. Hundreds of scholars scattered around the riverside and in the forest. The graceful servants weaved their way through them, carrying wine and food. The sound of elegant music produced by the Chinese instruments could be heard from time to time. Jiang Pengji and the audience in the streaming room became silent. She had a tricky look on her face. Could that be called an exam too? Oh, that was not right. It was an assessment. Laosiji Lianmeng: I think I went to a fake school. Jiangxiang Zhutuirou: I probably met a group of fake teachers. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: I probably did a bunch of fake exam papers. Bingtang Ningmeng Shuiguotang: I think I entered a fake examination hall. Jiang Pengji was speechless. From such a far distance, to others, the figures were blurry. However, Jiang Pengji was different. She could see all the various behaviors of the people. There was something odd about Wei Cis bun. He lifted his hand and touched it. A flower that was in full bloom rested on top of his head. That type of flower only bloomed in autumn and winter. The colder it was, the more it bloomed. It had a very nice scent. Looking at the flowers, he was a bit lost in thought. It was not known as to what memories he was recalling. It was a bit difficult to tell what his facial expression meant. At that moment, he seemed to have noticed that someone was looking at him. He quietly looked in her direction. Although he could only see a blurry figure, how could he not recognize it? Wei Ci silently crushed the flower with his hands. Chapter 295 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade at the Rockery (V) Although the aristocratic families of Dongqing were becoming more and more outrageous, it was undeniable that the children of the aristocratic families indeed had some skills. Each age brings forth new genius in this noble land. The deputy examiner sighed. The young generation has really replaced the old. These young people are really terrific. Theyre the pillars of the country. He was seated next to Liu She and spoke with emotion. What he said was confirmed by a few others. If not, why are they called the young talents? The world will be theirs very soon. Its good to be young. After a few years, old people like us may have to retire in favor of talent. The young people these days make other people jealous. A revered Confucius scholar spoke. The hair on his temples was snowy white and his face was covered with wrinkles, but his skin was ruddy and he looked quite sharp. The assessment was held once every three years. It was a very important day for Dongqing. Although Liu She was the head examiner, there were more than ten deputy examiners beside him. They were either senior ministers in the palace, famous figures, or revered Confucius scholars who were overflowing with knowledge. Their seniority was all higher than that of Liu She, but he hated it the most when they took advantage of their seniority. A few of them sighed with emotion. He secretly snorted in his heart and sneered coldly. Even a pig would walk with its two hooves when it was given a lot of resources, let alone people. The other assessments were about to end. The atmosphere at the assessment venue had livened up. With the urging of several deputy examiners, Liu She got up from the ta and pulled out a scroll from his sleeves. Two servants went forward and removed the scrolls seal. Then, it was displayed and hung on the shelf. Upon seeing the scroll, all the scholars kept their spirits. The highlight of the assessment that day had arrived. Seeing the vigorous touches and fine strokes of the word displayed on the scroll, they were all confused. They were either frowning and pondering or secretly reciting the word People! That was the only word on the scroll. It was also the question for the assessment. To say it in common terms, it was a composition with an assigned topic. The examiner would give a question and the students would answer with their own creativity. There was no limit to the number of words and there was no restriction on the format of the content and subject matter, as long as the themeCCpeopleCCwas discussed. The governance of people, farming, commodity trading, and education were all examples related to the theme It seemed easy, but the theme was actually very difficult to tackle. First of all, the topic was too broad and a lot could be written on it. Because of that, it was extremely difficult to write an excellent and incisive essay that could make people introspect and express their admiration, as well as be accepted by Liu She. Most of them went for moderation. Secondly, most of them were the sons of the aristocratic families, which had very decent backgrounds. They did not visit brothels and did not have much contact with the people. Most of their knowledge came from books. They would easily engage in false and empty talk if they were careless. How were they going to start? It was not difficult for them to submit to the task. What was difficult was how to be outstanding and beat the others! Of course, Jiang Pengji saw the question. She frowned. Liu Shes question could either be said as easy or very difficult. It was really a bit tricky. The Chinese character for the word people originated from the Chinese characters for the words corpse and family name. The word corpse could be described as the inability of the body to move; it had the implicit meaning of not migrating and not moving. Family name referred to a country and its clans. The combination of the two was people. Using divergent thinking, not only could the word people be interpreted as people, but also the national economy and the peoples livelihood. Connecting those two points, the basic necessities of life, which were related to people, could be included in ones thinking as well. Topics related to the national economy and the peoples livelihood, like education and prospering the country, could also be used as a starting point More importantly, after giving the question, Liu She did not give any other hints, so the students were very confused. If one knew Liu Shes personal preference, it would help the students in pondering about the key points so they could cater to his taste. Many scholars were in a difficult position. Upon seeing the situation, although the deputy examiners had objections, they did not say them out. Liu She cared about the people and the peoples livelihood. He was a pragmatic person. What more could they say? Wei Ci slightly curled his lips upon seeing the question. He was very sure that there was something wrong with Liu She. However, in general, he was not that annoyed. The question had been given and it was not good for the scholars to exchange ideas and discuss it among each other. Many examiners were staring at them from above, so they could only rely on their own skills. While others were still thinking about Liu Shes preference, a few scholars rubbed the ink stick on an inkstone, laid out their paper, and started writing. Liu She scanned the situation with his eyes. The students who had started writing were basically the choice of people he had expected. He could not help but heave a sigh of relief secretly. There was a reason that people went down in history with their abilities. Their talents could not be admired, nor could they be envied. He walked around a little and glanced at their writing desks. He could not help but nod. The question he gave was indeed very broad, but as long as it was related to the word people, they would not stray away from the topic. Instead of greedily wanting to present countless content in a few short pages, which would result in the essay not being sufficient, it was better to take a subject and emphasize on it. Using a subject to point out the essence of the topic was the principle. Of course, understanding the principle was one thing; it was another thing if one could write the real thing. Some people already understood Liu Shes intentions, but they realized that they could not write something real once they started writing. According to their analysis about Liu She, he was considered as a man of action. What was the use of flattering him in an exaggerated manner? He might care more about those who knew about agriculture and irrigation, as well as those who were hardworking. Of course, those people had self-knowledge. Most people just shrugged it off. No one would not like to listen to flattering words. What was wrong with writing the essay in an ornamental way? It would be fine as long as the head examiner felt comfortable reading it Therefore, there were still fools who liked to show off their intelligence and vocabulary. Among the many scholars, Liu She cared most about a few of Master Yuan Jings disciples. They were pretty much what he expected. Judging from the content of the essay alone, the temperament of the people could actually be explored as well. The only one that surprised him was Wei Ci. The fourth disciple of Master Yuan Jing did not seem to be like what Amin said. He only had looks. Cheng Jing was steady and pragmatic. He paid attention to agriculture and irrigation. Han Yu was upright and open-minded. His article related to criminal law. Lu Zheng seemed average, but as he elaborated further on his essay, he directly pointed out the corrupt practices in Dongqing and spoke out on behalf of the people However, Wei Ci Looking at his appearance alone, he looked like a piece of jade. He was aloof, but he had the gentleness of a gentleman. They were oddly balanced. However, his essay was quite jarring. Even if Liu She appreciated his essay very much, he could not have given him a very high score. That was not the way to look for trouble! He seemed to naively hope that everyone could get an education. He even gave a lot of real suggestions and plans. Liu She twisted his lips. Wei Ci was not afraid of getting into trouble, so he provoked the authority of the gentries at this point of time. Liu She secretly sighed. Wei Ci deliberately seeking trouble was the opposite of Amins words! However, the bad things were not over yet. In the pavilion, Jiang Pengji was watching the scholars write with their heads down. Her heart felt somewhat more at ease. That was how examinations were supposed to be. However, she soon changed her mind. Hiss The sound of a fabric being torn was heard. Wei Ci was about to use the sandalwood burner to dry the ink marks on the essay that he had completed. A scholar near him was still pondering and his face was flushed. He sometimes squinted his eyes and glared. He could not stop tearing his clothes. He was wearing some old clothes that were loosely worn. Of course, his clothes could not withstand the suffering and they were soon torn apart. Wei Ci did not say a word. Liu She turned his head upon hearing the sound. That Langjun had already taken off all his clothes and got up from his seat. His back was facing Liu She and his buttocks was revealed. Liu She was speechless. I want to curse right now! Chapter 296 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade at the Rockery (VI) His clothes slipped off and piled up under his feet. His buttocks was exposed and of course, the front of his body was fully flared as well. That dirty thing of his even seemed to be sticking out. The servants who walked around could not help but scream. The scholars who were alarmed by the screams turned their heads to look for the source. The deputy examiners, who liked to flaunt their seniority, had also stopped chatting and looked up. In a split second, they all thought they were about to go blind. It was still all right for the men. After all, they had the parts that he had. It was fine for them to see it. They would, at most, feel like their eyes were being burned and spurn him by saying that he had offended public decency. However, the servants were different. Once they entered into the Royal Palace, in a strict sense, they were the emperors women. Now, they had seen the body of a strange man. Moreover, they were still virgins. They were so terrified that they lost their heads and screamed. They were already considered to be of high quality because they did not get into messes. Liu She looked ghastly pale. He looked at the scholar who looked like he was on cloud nine and figured out what it was all about. Taking advantage of the shooting angle, the audience in the streaming room zoomed in so they could clearly see the situation. Just as they were picking and admiring all kinds of charming, ancient men, the naked Langjun occupied most of the shot. He had a fair, plump, and firm buttocks, a slender waist, and legs that were so skinny and pallid The audience in the streaming room was speechless. The sparse bullet screens instantly became so tempestuous that the words had covered the virtual picture entirely. Sishiyizhi Hua: Oh my gosh. Im about to go blind. Zuiai Fengjin Baobao: Oh my gosh. My mother was watching the streaming just now and suddenly, a high-definition buttocks appeared. She now suspects that Im watching something dirty. She furiously went to the balcony and shes going to hit me with a hanger. Help!!! Yinyang Zunshang: Its worse for me. My wife just began to doubt my sexuality Apart from the complaints and ridicules, the others were bullet screens that were copied and pasted to shield their eyes. Jiang Pengji was somewhat dumbfounded. She listened to an action blockbuster just now on the rockery. Now, she came to peek at the assessment, but she met someone who tore his clothes and wanted to run around naked She must have seen a fake assessment! The frenzy over there caught the attention of many followers. All of them rushed to the octagonal pavilion and wanted to ask quietly about what happened. As the person concerned and the chief culprit of everything, the scholar did not feel ashamed. Instead, he was proud of it. The embarrassment and panic that the servants around him felt brought him pleasure. He looked up and laughed, his cheeks flushed. Everyone came into the world naked. This is nature. Why is everyone so panicked? Wei Ci snorted coldly and said harshly, Children are young and they dont understand what shame is. Are you a kid too? Your sense of propriety, justice, honesty, honor, and trust have reached a very high level! Upon hearing Wei Cis sarcasm, the scholar snorted and turned his head. It was an unbelievable sight. He heard the sound of his heart blossoming and it was so beautiful. The scholar squinted his eyes. With light footsteps, he got close to Wei Ci and said, I really dont think that theres such a rare beauty in this commonplace setting. It feels like Ive met you before You look like an old friend of mine in Wushan and you look familiar. Could we be brothers? To put simply, he was basically saying, Buddy, I think we had fun in our dreams before. Can we still hang out? Now, the trend in the south was popular in Dongqing and there were many people with godbrothers. Many scholars even thought of it as a trend. However, there were still a lot of straight men in the world and they were very disgusted with the behavior, which went against the yin and yang. Due to the balance of yin and yang, which was an orthodox opinion, although there were many godbrothers, most of them did it in secret. Very few people would show their love to another man in public, let alone flirt with people of the same gender in a naked situation due to overconsumption of the Hanshi powder, which caused their brains to be overexcited. Wei Cis face looked extremely grave. What did he mean by an old friend of his from Wushan? He even wanted to be brothers? The seats of the scholars were fixed, so Master Yuan Jings disciples were not together. Upon hearing the sound and seeing that Wei Ci was being assailed with obscenities by a man of pleasure who had taken drugs, they suddenly became livid. Who would have thought that someone would have actually dared to take Hanshi powder in the venue of the assessment? Consuming it was fine, but he actually got so pumped up that he had forgotten where he was. They were in the venue of the assessment, not at an ordinary gathering! Being angry was one thing. If Wei Ci was really offended by the scholar with a philandering act, his reputation would be tainted. Thinking of that, the scholars from the Langye Academy had stepped forward to stop him, but they were seated slightly far away. The scholar, whose adrenaline rush still pumping, was only three or four steps away from Wei Ci. It was quite obvious who would approach Wei Ci first. Liu She was so enraged that there was the look of murder in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and shouted, Someone take him away! In order not to disturb the assessment of the scholars, the obstructive guards were waiting outside. It would take them some time to come in. Wei Ci hid the anger on his face. The look in his eyes was so cold that it was as if he was looking at a dead person. With an icy look on his face, he got up, lifted the desk with his hands, and immediately smashed it on the scholar in one go. Nobody said a word. Wei Ci looked down on him and yelled, Youve offended the public decency! He was still holding the desk with his hands. No, it was half of the desk. The other half had been smashed on the scholars face. Looking at the broken desk and the blood that had splattered across the scholars face, many people secretly shuddered. If the desk was smashed on their faces, their faces would be so flat that their parents would not be able to recognize them. Wei Cis fingernails were trimmed neatly, but his fingertips were pale because he had used too much strength. His fingers exerted strength; his knuckles were distinct and the veins on the back of his hands stood out. Obviously, he was not as calm on the inside as he seemed to be. The guards only came rushing in at that moment. Wei Ci lifted his head and glanced at Liu She and the other scholars. He looked calm. He pursed his lips, flourished his sleeves, and left. It was very clear that there was no need for him to stay. Even if there was a reason, beating someone up during an assessment would very likely lead to disqualification. Instead of staying and becoming a laughing stock, it was better for him to leave quickly, so as not to be angered and humiliated. Liu She leaned over and picked up Wei Cis answer sheet because the ink was not completely dry yet. Furthermore, the ink on the inkstone, which was on the desk, had spilled, which distorted a lot of the content with black ink. Liu She flapped the paper and took the incense burner to dry the ink Tsk, tsk. What a pity. Liu She pointed at the scholar coldly. Drag this person, whos a disgrace, to the educated class away! Wei Ci was arrogant, so he took the initiative to leave. However, the scholar who made a mistake and created trouble was taken away under Liu Shes order. Comparing the two, no one would haggle over the fact that Wei Ci hurt someone. They would only feel bad for the child for being unlucky. That was only one of them. What was more important was that Liu Shes actions had almost refuted everything about the scholar. His reputation of being a scholar was completely destroyed! After being hit in the face with a desk, the severe pain caused his frenzied brain to return to the real world. The exhilarating after effects still lingered in his body. However, he could see everything around him clearly. With the cold wind blowing, he realized that he was naked and he almost fainted. What what was happening? Chapter 297 - Using Drugs and Partying On. Dirty Sex Trade at the Rockery (VII) He calmed down and lost his pleasure-seeking adrenaline. It was late autumn. When there was a breeze, he felt that he was cold from head to toe. His legs were shaking and his buttocks were trembling. He was scared. Seeing the change in his facial expression, Liu She snorted coldly and said, The assessment has an impact on the country and the future of Dongqing. Its such a serious and sacred matter, but someone actually went naked in public without a sense of shame. The philosophies youve learned have all gone to waste. This is really eye-opening. Every scholar remained silent. The frightened servants knelt on the ground and trembled. Seeing that the guards did not take any action, Liu She said calmly, Drag him away. Do you not understand the human language? A few deputy examiners were about to beg him for leniency. Although they also felt that what the scholar did was too much, consuming the Hanshi powder had become a trend among the upper class in Dongqing. It was a kind of pleasure. Even if one had a huge reaction, it was because he did not dispel the drug from his body correctly. The matter was not a special case, so it should be handled according to the circumstances. What a bunch of scatterbrains! Liu She reprimanded before they could speak. Although he did not mention their names, how could the old foxes not know that they were the ones being scolded? Suddenly, their facial expressions became so fascinating; they were all different like a colorful palette. The guards lowered their heads and dragged the scholar away. With an icy look on his face, Liu She folded Wei Cis answer sheet, which had dried up, and put it into his sleeve. The audience in the streaming room could not hear what Liu She said, but judging from his facial expression, they knew that the streamers father was really angry. More importantly, the scholars actions looked like he was high on drugs. Tushu Guanliyuan: Its weird. Why do I feel like something isnt right about the way that the scholar acted? Daming Yiguan: Its more than just strange. He was poisoned by someone. Whats the difference between this and taking off your clothes during the college entrance examination and act indecently towards the other students? Regardless of who the person is, he must be taken away I dont know if Ive watched too many imperial and modern dramas. I feel that theres something more to this matter. Maybe this candidate has fallen into a trap I suddenly thought of the drama called Beyond the Realm of Conscience. Laosiji Lianmeng: I think hes taken too much Hanshi powder. Its not a trap. Diqiu Diyi Meinan: Hanshi powder? Whats that? Laosiji Lianmeng: Hanshi powder is also called Wushi powder. Its a highly toxic medicine that can lead to addiction and illusions. As the toxic starts to spread after the consumption of the Hanshi powder, a huge amount of internal heat is produced in the body. Long-term consumption will result in chronic poisoning However, the ancient people believed that the consumption of the Hanshi powder could invigorate ones state of mind. One would excel in writing and poetry I think the kid took it during the assessment because of this Niuzhatang: Isnt isnt it a drug? Seeing the contents of the bullet screen, Jiang Pengji could not help but raise her eyebrows. She knew about it. The Hanshi powder was a popular luxury item among the gentries in Dongqing. In Liu Xis memory, he had seen many aristocrats of Hejian using the Hanshi powder to liven up the atmosphere during gatherings. An audience member had looked up the information about the Hanshi powder on Baidu. He copied and pasted a lot of information, which could be used to educate the people who did not know about it. Laosiji Lianmeng: The Hanshi powder is addictive, but in some aspects, its scarier than drugs. Jiang Pengji glanced at it and put it down disinterestedly. The audience in the streaming room belonged to the non-feudalistic era. The Hanshi powder was still a terrifying thing to them. However, Jiang Pengji grew up in an interstellar era in which technology was highly developed. Drugs that people once feared were nothing to her. Bintang Ningmeng: Gosh, thats horrible. If a person is accidentally addicted to this drug, isnt he done for? It isnt easy to detox in the ancient times, right? Thinking about our Hua Country and opium, the consequences would be disastrous if this drug was widely promoted This bullet screen received a lot of support from the audience. Host V: Theres no need to worry so much. The Hanshi powder is only circulated in a small area. Its a very expensive drug. Hence, ordinary people wouldnt be able to afford it, which puts an end to the possibility of a huge spread. After consuming the Hanshi powder, a series of complicated steps to dispel the drug from the body have to be carried out to dissipate the excess heat in the body. If theres something wrong with the process of dispelling of the drug from the body, in some serious cases, it threatens peoples lives. Ordinary people cannot afford to toy with their lives. Despite that, the harm of the Hanshi powder could not be ignored. In the non-feudalistic era, if the upper class was in the doldrums, the social ethos would be ruined. The lower class people were still the unfortunate ones. Looking at the scholars who participated in the assessment, Jiang Pengji frowned slightly. She suddenly lost her interest in watching the assessment. The Hanshi powder was indeed nothing to her because, judging from the physical quality of future humans, it was basically impossible to use the Hanshi powder and become addicted to it. However, the humans in the non-feudalistic era were different. They were too weak. The aristocratic families, who had been spoiled since they were young, were even weaker. Once one was addicted, it would be difficult for them to come off it. Perhaps no one had the manpower to quit doing drugs on their own. The aristocratic scholars had the money to buy the Hanshi powder. It would be fine if they continued consuming it, so why would they make themselves suffer by quitting? In the current social pyramid that was full of illiterates, the influence the elite upper class had on the ordinary lower class was too great. The decadence of the elites would make the rest of the society decadent. If they were trash, the entire social ethos would be in a pandemonium She pursed her lips so tightly that they became a straight line. Without alerting anyone, she left the octagonal pavilion quietly. With such an episode, Liu She did not have the mood to preside over the assessment. When all the scholars had completed their essays, he ordered someone to collect all their answer sheets. For the sake of fairness, the names of the scholars were covered with white cloths and their answers would be assessed slowly. Han Yu was very worried. Zixiao has suffered too much loss this time Was it because he did not look at the Chinese almanac before leaving the house? He actually encountered such an unfortunate incident. Lu Zheng said, Zixiao is a meticulous person. I hope that this incident will not affect him too much. Their master, Master Yuan Jing, was not surprised at all about Wei Ci leaving the venue in the middle of the assessment. Instead, he smiled a little. I know about this. Dont worry. Zixiao has his own plans already. Wei Ci had never thought of serving Dongqing. The result of the assessment was meaningless to him. If it was not for Master Yuan Jings request, Wei Ci would not have been there that day. Jiang Pengji went back and happened to run into Feng Jin, who had come to look for her. The compounds of the royal palace is a restricted area. Havent I told you not to roam about? Feng Jin stared at her from head to toe. He only secretly heaved a sigh of relief after he made sure that there was nothing abnormal about her. It did not look like she had created any trouble. I just wanted to look at the setting of the assessment. People were everywhere. If Ive created trouble, you cant just blame it on me. Jiang Pengji glanced at the other aristocratic ladies, indicating to Feng Jin that she was innocent. Im just scared that you dont know the rules here. It was not easy for a wounded person to look after a kid. The royal palace may be glamorous, but who knows whats in the dark? If youve accidentally ruined someones affair, you may not be able to keep your head Jiang Pengji walked up to Feng Jins side. The two of them walked side by side on a narrow, winding trail. They were quite far away from anyone else. It seems like youre very experienced. I found out that Wuma Jun was having an affair with a girl called An Yina in the cave of the rockery just now. Tsk, tsk. It was so intense! Is this a big deal? Feng Jin was speechless. Chapter 298 - The Wei Family in Langye An Yina That isnt the name of a Dongqing woman at all. Is she a foreigner? The look on Feng Jins face showed a somewhat negative look. Jiang Pengji lifted her hand, pointed towards the north, and smiled meaningfully. Feng Jin understood her tacitly, but he did not feel happy that he had guessed the identity of An Yina correctly. Instead, he looked ghastly pale. The emperor has already given his decree to sanction the marriage. Its been decided that shell be the wife of His Fourth Highness How dare Wuma Jun He had an affair with the wife of his brother. Did Wuma Jun know what he was doing? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes slightly. What Wuma Jun did was just promoting the virtues passed down by their ancestors. Moreover, An Yina has evil intentions by marrying into the royal family. She has seduced Wuma Jun and Wuma Jun has his own plans as well. The two naturally become one. According to Wuma Juns wild ambitions, even if An Yina did not seduce him on purpose, could he stay put? Both of them were up to no good. Feng Jin hesitated to move forward and he struggled on the inside. About this Jiang Pengji responded in a low voice, Its the royal scandal. What are you worried about? Your father has resigned to avoid the disaster and observe the change in events. Do you still want to devote yourself to Dongqing? Even if you say that An Yina and Wuma Jun were having an affair, what evidence do you have? The marriage between Dongqing and the Northern Borderline is something that has been decided. Any obstacles along the way will be eradicated The look on his face changed continually. He sighed after a long time. Whatever. It definitely has nothing to do with me Feng Jin knew very well about Wuma Juns wild ambition. Feng Jin could more or less guess Wuma Juns intention of seducing the Northern Borderline princess, An Yina. However, he had wild ambitions without having a brain and a good perspective of the overall situation. That was what Feng Jin despised the most about Wuma Jun. Engaging with the royal family of the Northern Borderline through An Yina was no different than asking the tiger for its skin: He would be eaten up alive without leaving any bones. Jiang Pengji tilted her head, looked at Feng Jins side profile, and said, This has nothing to do with you. Ill tell you something thats related to you. Feng Jins heart skipped a beat. What? he asked her without changing his facial expression. Jiang Pengji replied, During the assessment just now, a scholar took the Hanshi powder and took off all his clothes in public Yes, you heard it right. He went naked in front of all the scholars, my father, and the other deputy examiners. He even assailed Master Yuan Jings outstanding disciple, Wei Zixiao, with obscenities. Feng Jin was dumbfounded and he could not help but widen his eyes. ThisCCthis is ridiculous! Jiang Pengji told Feng Jin about the incident as a joke and derided him, You should be glad that you didnt go for the assessment because of your injured arm. Otherwise, the man of pleasure might have had his eyes on your charming face Feng Jin was speechless. Why did he always feel as though his hands were itching to beat up the kid in front of him? Jiang Pengji burst into a laugh. There was a relaxing smile in her eyes. Forget it. You look so well-behaved. I wont tease you anymore. Feng Jin had a stiff look on his face. He pulled a long face, but there was a genuine smile on Jiang Pengjis face. They walked through the covered corridor. Looking from afar, they seemed to be talking and laughing. When they were about to leave the garden, Jiang Pengji noticed a strange gaze. She subconsciously hid her smile and looked into the direction of the gaze. There was only a piece of clothing that disappeared from her sight. Did you see someone you know? Feng Jin asked. I think so, but he has his guard up against me. I dont know how Ive provoked him. Jiang Pengji shook her head. If Wei Ci liked to avoid her, then she would let him be. She wanted to see how long he could keep his secret for. Huaiyu, how much do you know about Langye? Feng Jin looked into the direction of Jiang Pengjis gaze, but he did not see anyone. Langye County? I had forgotten that you will be going to Langye with Master Yuan Jing to study. Be prepared. You should do your homework and understand the situation of the aristocratic families in Langye. Feng Jin smiled. He thought that Jiang Pengji was worried about her future studies. Langye County is located in a place that the militaries fight over. Its also a place endowed with the fine spirits of the universe. It has nurtured many outstanding talents and its also the place where aristocrats gather. Jiang Pengji nodded. She knew about all of that. Ive heard that there are many aristocrats in Langye County and that theyre hard to deal with There were many beauties in Hejian County. On the other hand, Langye County was rich in talents. Many of the famous, revered, Confucius scholars were from Langye. The two had completely different statuses in Dongqing. Feng Jin comforted Jiang Pengji, Theyre indeed hard to deal with. However, as long as you know your place, no one will deliberately make things difficult for you for the sake of County Chief Liu. Moreover, Master Yuan Jing will protect you when you enter Langye Academy. What are you afraid of? As long as the friend beside her was not that noisy, she would definitely have a good life in Langye County. Jiang Pengji asked another question. So, have you heard of the Wei family in Langye? Feng Jin frowned and thought for a long time. The Wei family in Langye? I do have a slight impression. If Im not mistaken, the Wei family in Langye is the collateral branch of the Wei family in Bianzhou, which was established shortly after the founding of Xia. However, theyre small in number. Theyve already gone downhill. Theyre declining generation by generation. Bianzhou was located in Zhongzhao. The Wei family in Bianzhou was considered the first-class aristocratic family in Zhongzhao. They were very prosperous. Then do you know what the Wei family in Langye is like today? Jiang Pengji asked. Ive roughly heard people say that the Wei family in Langye has returned to the Wei family in Bianzhou, which is their roots. Actually, theyre depending on them for a living. If they dont do that, they may have to live in poverty. They would thus become a poor, common family. The most important thing in the assessment was family background, which accounted for a large portion of the score. The poor, common people were inferior. If they went back to their roots, they were under the protection of the people of power and influence. They shared the same ancestors, anyway. Putting their lives aside, they were at least still a famous aristocratic family and not a poor, common family. Jiang Pengji frowned and said, What you mean is that the entire Wei family in Langye has moved back to Zhongzhao? If that was the case, Wei Ci could not be from the Wei family in Langye. Was it just that he coincidentally had the same surname? Should be. Feng Jin shook his head and said with pity, Collateral branches of a family usually cant return to their roots. The Wei family in Langye has made such a choice because theyre at a dead end, so they have no choice but to do it Lanting, why are you interested in this? She shook her head and replied, Its nothing. Im just curious. The two of them chatted while they walked. They returned to the banquet and watched some people singing and dancing. Jiang Pengji saw that someone was consuming the Hanshi powder in public not far away. He looked like he was floating and enjoying it. She was stunned and suddenly thought of something. Huaiyu, when did the Hanshi powder get popular in Dongqing? Feng Jin looked helpless and replied, Lanting, you really think highly of me, but I dont know everything. How would I know? Chapter 299 - Dongqing and Chongzhou Dont you have a rough estimation? Jiang Pengji had some guesses in her mind, but she did not have any precise evidence. There was only a word or two about the Hanshi powder in the many books she had read before. According to the records of unofficial history, a roaming alchemist in the former dynasty presented a magical prescription that could prolong ones life and strengthen ones body to the emperor of Xia. The prescription could provide men with ample Yangyuan and energy for sexual intercourses. The prescription was the Hanshi powder. It was also said to cure typhoid fever. Before the five kingdoms were separated, the Hanshi powder was a secret formula in the palace and it was not disclosed to the public; only the emperor was able to enjoy it. After the five kingdoms separated, the Hanshi powder, which was once a sacred thing, disappeared without a trace. When it reappeared, it had become a popular activity of the upper class. Feng Jin frowned, shook his head, and responded, Im not sure about this. If youre curious, I can check for you when I get back. Jiang Pengji nodded and said, Thank you. Feng Jin turned his head and thought that it was a bit strange for Jiang Pengji to be asking all those questions all of a sudden. Is there a problem with the Hanshi powder? Jiang Pengji sneered and replied, Theres a huge problem with it. Do the people who consume the Hanshi powder for a long period of time lack vigor? They muddle along without any aim and they look like theyre going to die at any time. Theyre never in the mood to do proper things and they act unreasonably. Their temper is even more unpredictable. Someone even took off his clothes in public after consuming the Hanshi powder. Under normal circumstances, no one would strip all their clothing and bare their body to outsiders. Feng Jin had always heard that the Hanshi powder was useful and one would feel pleasant after consuming it, but he had never touched it. If he indulged in the Hanshi powder along with the dandies who idled about, his father, Feng Ren, would not let him get away with it. After being warned by Jiang Pengji, he regained his senses and vaguely understood something. The Hanshi powder is addictive, Jiang Pengji continued with an icy look on her face. She treated the drug as nothing; however, the physical fitness of the people in the ancient times were too weak. It was highly possible for them to get addicted to it. If the Hanshi powder is consumed for a long period of time, the process of quitting is extremely excruciating. Ordinary people cant endure it. The look on Feng Jins face became a bit strange. However, the Hanshi powder is mostly used by the aristocrats only. The commoners arent affected Jiang Pengji sneered and replied, Look at what youve said. It seems like the commoners are the ones in control now. Feng Jin was suddenly struck dumb. After a while, he said, Ill go back and look into this. Jiang Pengji looked down. She was not sure whether the Hanshi powder was a conspiracy, but she was certain that the Hanshi powder was like a catalyst that stimulated the latent hazard. After leaving the Royal Palace, she sat in the carriage alone and scrolled through the information about the Hanshi powder that the audience in the streaming room had looked up. Her face was grave. It was more or less the same to the process that she had read in the unofficial history. From the perspective of the audience in the streaming room, the Hanshi powder was originally used to cure typhoid fever. However, some people who were seeking death changed the prescription, making the medicine a drug. It was then passed on to the aristocrats, and from there it became popular to consume recreationally. In this case, the Hanshi powder was dedicated to the emperor by the roaming alchemist as a recipe for maintaining health, but the emperor of Xia had abused it. After the division of the five kingdoms, the Hanshi powder, which was the secret formula of the palace, was passed on to another country. Such a harmful thing Jiang Pengji could not help but shake her head. She returned to the Feng residence. Taxue had already prepared a hot bath and some clean clothes for her. Jiang Pengji went to take a bath. Her long hair was stained with water vapor. Taxue used a dry towel to dry her hair in order to absorb the moisture. Xiaoyu, give me the Great Universal Geographical Map. Jiang Pengji unfolded the Great Universal Geographical Map. She drew the map herself and it was annotated with very tiny words. Her long hair was almost dry. Jiang Pengji asked Taxue to leave and said to Xu Ke, I think Father may be resigning. Xu Ke was very shocked. He could not help but look up at her. Master wants to resign? But Liu She was still young. He had not even reached 40 years old. He had just passed the age of 30 Why did he want to resign? Hu County is a hot potato. If it wasnt for Fathers strong stratagem, how could Hu County survive until now? There was a glimpse of coldness in Jiang Pengjis eyes. Theres a provision disaster in the two states near Hu County and theyve overcome it with Hu Countys support alone. Who wouldnt be envious? Not only are the aristocrats jealous, but the emperor is also green with envy. I think something is about to happen. Father had the intention of resigning before we even came to Shangjing. I think this is it Xu Ke frowned and muttered, However, if Master loses Hu County, he wont be able to rely on it. He wont be in a stable state by then. After all, although Liu She did not exterminate the aristocrats in Hu County, he had offended a lot of them. Jiang Pengji replied, That depends on how hes going to choose. The geographical location of Hu County makes it easy to attack but difficult to defend. Moreover, their military strength is weaker. If it was Dongqing it would definitely become an attractive piece of meat that would be coveted by all. Whats the difference between this and a child carrying gold while walking in a crowded market? Its better to give up instead of holding food in your hands when youre unable to keep it. Its better to move to a different place as early as possible. He has to retreat in order to advance. Xu Ke remained silent for a while and said, I think if Master submits his resignation notice, hell most likely be promoted to a magistrate. Everyone could see that Hu County was the largest producer of grains and it was the best piece of land in Dongqing. It took Liu She several years to turn Hu County into what it was now. If he resigned, outsiders would only speculate that the emperor was too greedy. In order to stop the people from babbling, once Liu She resigned, he would most likely be appointed as a magistrate, thus displaying the emperors virtue. Although it was a demotion instead of a promotion, it sounded better. I think so too. As of now, Dongqing has six states and twenty-one counties. Chongzhou is the only one with no magistrate Upon hearing Chongzhou, Xu Ke suddenly had a grave look on his face. However, Chongzhou Chongzhou was located north of Dongqing and bordered on the Northern Borderline. It had two counties, which were namely Shangyu County and Changhe County. Qi Guanrang was from Shangyu County. The six cities, which were initially lost, were all in the territory of Shangyu County. There were now three cities in the hands of the Northern Borderline. Nothing could be done because the Northern Borderline was at war with Dongqing for many years. Chongzhou was already a mess and the people were depressed. Now that Dongqing was to unite with the Northern Borderline through marriage and Nansheng had requested for military aid, the emperor, who had a pea-sized brain, would pull out the military troop that was defending the borders. By then, Chongzhou would have to face the threat from the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. It was not easy to become the magistrate of Chongzhou. However, because it was difficult, Liu She would be able to gain the maximum benefit by going to Chongzhou. Jiang Pengji had her eyes on Chongzhou from the start. We can only raise and expand the armed forces in Chongzhou After all, even if the two countries are united through marriage, the three cities of Shangyu County are still in the hands of the Northern Borderline. We cant lose a piece of our land to someone else, Jiang Pengji said. Xu Ke listened to her attentively. Chongzhou has another crucial advantage She wrote a few words about the aristocrats not having much power. The lack of power from the aristocrats meant that there were fewer constraints and restrictions. Xu Ke pondered about it seriously and somewhat understood Jiang Pengjis decision. Chongzhou seemed to be dangerous, but there was an underlying, great opportunity. Chongzhou and Hu County are bordered by each other. Father has managed Hu County for many years, so he definitely has a secret ace up his sleeve. The county chief, who has been appointed by the palace, cant control all of Hu County in a short period of time. In other words, Hu County is still secretly under Fathers control Jiang Pengji wanted the combination of the military from Chongzhou and the grains in Hu County. In addition, theres another reason, which is the most important one: Chongzhou is rich in sandalwood. The audience in the streaming room confirmed that sandalwood had a similar nature to the blue sandalwood tree that they had in their era. It could be used as raw material for the production of rice paper. Chapter 300 - Rice Paper and Printing Sandalwood? Xu Ke was confused for a moment. He did not understand the connection between Chongzhous rich production of sandalwood and her favoritism towards Chongzhou. Well, dont underestimate the sandalwood. Jiang Pengji smiled and revealed a hint of gentleness. At first, Chongzhou wasnt my aim. However, I changed my mind because of the sandalwood. If Father is appointed as the magistrate of Chongzhou, many plans can be started. Jiang Pengji wanted to demolish the current knowledge inheritance system. The primary problem was not the criticism that she would receive from the aristocratic families, but the material used to produce books. Bamboo was cumbersome and costly, so even if the commoners farmed for their entire lives, they would not be able to raise a scholar. Although bamboo paper was good, it had some disadvantages. Paper mills had limited annual production. Apart from the fact that a thing was priced as though it was rare and they had to control the production output, there were also limited raw materials. Hejian County had dense forests, but there were very few bamboo forests. The quality of bamboo would affect the quality of bamboo paper. In terms of the transportation in the ancient times, raw materials would have to be obtained locally in order to save as much costs as possible. Therefore, the bamboo papers produced by the paper mills were mostly sold to the aristocrats. The rest of them were for their own use. The scale of production had never been expanded. Jiang Pengjis ambition was not limited to that. The output of bamboo paper could not satisfy her needs, so she naturally had to find another way. After searching all kinds of wood, sandalwood was the type of wood that Jiang Pengji found to be the closest to the blue sandalwood tree. The audience in the streaming room said that rice paper was the type of paper used in the ancient times. One of the raw materials used to produce rice paper was blue sandalwood. The nature of sandalwood is hard and dense. Its tough and wear-resistant. It can be used to produce solid and durable farming tools, furniture, and axles. Its bark and branches are even more useful Jiang Pengji explained in a low voice. She used her finger to write something on the table. Paper! Xu Ke understood her tacitly and his eyes seemed to brighten. Really? Jiang Pengji nodded. The technology for producing bamboo papers in the paper mills was developed. Even if a type of raw material was changed, a new type of paper could be produced after a few experiments. With the cheap raw material and the support of a developed technology, that meant that the cost of the new type of paper would be much lowerCCat least it would be cheaper than it was now. Xu Ke rubbed his hands excitedly. Once he thought of the fact that a lot of bamboo papers could be purchased at a lower price, he was so thrilled that his heart was beating fast. However, if Chongzhou accidentally falls into the hands of others By then, all the plans will Jiang Pengji replied, Thats why I need to let Father know of this matter and try to find a way to make it work so we can conquer Chongzhou righteously. According to the current situation, it was not difficult to conquer Chongzhou. The only fear was that there would be an accident midway. You really need to discuss this matter with Master. Xu Ke secretly took a few deep breaths to suppress the excitement in his heart. Since he was born into a common family, he knew very well about how difficult it was to be literate. According to his family situation, it would have been impossible for him to study if his master was not a kind person that took pity on him. If the Langjun in front of him could really accomplish such a heroic undertaking, he would be willing to be her slave for the rest of his life. Besides, theres one more thing. Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids, got up, and grabbed a greenish black box. There were a few stacks of paper in the box that were all painted by Jiang Pengji. She unfolded them in front of Xu Ke. Look at this. What do you think? Xu Ke did not understand her, so he carefully unfolded it and looked at it. He was a bit confused and could not understand its meaning. However, the audience in the streaming room understood it. It was not enough to have paper. Manual copying would use up a lot of energy, so printing was essential. Tushuguan Guanzhang: Is the streamer going to print in secret? Is it movable type printing or woodblock printing? Laosiji Lianmeng: It must be movable type printing However, in some cases, woodblock printing is better than movable type printing. Dianji Mowang: Im disappointed. I was hoping that the streamer would use something like a printing machine, but it turns out to be printing. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Tsk. Great oaks grow from little acorns. No matter how skilled the streamer is, shes just a human. The technology in that era is just like that. According to Dianji Mowang, you should be complaining about why the streamer isnt building a spacecraft. Jiang Pengji had thought about paper and printing a long time ago. There was a paper mill that produced bamboo papers with ready-made technology in hand, so she only had to think about ways to save costs and choose the suitable raw materials. As for printing? Ha! She only knew about printing machines. That stuff was a super old antique in her world and it was something that lived in history books. How would Jiang Pengji know about the mechanics and the structure of the parts inside? Besides, even if she knew, the materials and technology in the current world would not be able to support her in creating a printing machine. If a printing machine could not be created, one could only be content with the second best and choose a sillier way. The words in the book were carved out in advance, then the typeface was printed. One or two books was nothing. However, if tens of thousands of copies were printed, the efficiency would definitely be different. Xu Ke put down the drawing paper in a somewhat puzzled manner. He said, bewildered, Langjun, this Jiang Pengji took out her own private seal and stamped it on the paper, then she raised her eyebrows at Xu Ke. Do you still not get it? A miraculous brightness flashed across Xu Kes face. He hurriedly picked up the paper; he was so excited that he did not know how to react. Its not that easy. Its too early to be excited. Jiang Pengji shook her head and said, I originally wanted to use clay as a matrix, but firing the clay is time consuming. The ingredients of the clay have to be looked into as well to prevent the font from being misshapen If the clay is burned, a kiln has to be made Xu Ke thought for a while and replied, Then lets look for other materials like copper, iron, wood The use of copper and iron as raw materials to make the matrix required a huge amount of material cost. Wood was quite a good choice, but it could potentially become deformed or damp, or it could be eaten by woodworms. Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids and said, Sandalwood is actually quite good, and woodworms dont easily consume it. It has a fine texture and it wont become too deformed. It should be able to last longer if its kept in a dry place However, we need to run an experiment in order to know the specifics. The key thing was that wood was cheaper and it would be easier to carve as well. Xu Ke nodded solemnly. If those two things were successful, it would benefit countless students who were eager to learnCCnot to mention that it would go down in history. Pains for the moment, gains for the millennia. Keep it. Wait until we really stand firm. Take it slow. Jiang Pengji got up and patted Xu Weis shoulders. ****** Liu She and the other deputy examiners had to review the exam papers in a heavily-guarded place. He was the head and the other examiners were official assistants. They gave a score to all the exam papers, which were all anonymous. The scores were namely listed as excellent,moderate, and poor. Then, they comprehensively calculated the scores of the other sections. There were only a little more than 100 scholars, so the work was not all that tedious. Chapter 301 - Three Years in Langye (I) The moon was bright and there were very little stars. All was quiet. Wei Ci walked silently through the corridor, holding a faintly-lit oil lamp in his right hand. The moonlight elongated his shadow and reflected it on the door. Master? Seeing a figure sitting in front of him, Wei Ci stopped in his tracks. Master Yuan Jing tilted his head and waved towards Wei Ci. Zixiao, come here. Looking at the coat that Master Yuan Jing had on his shoulders, Wei Ci stepped forward, sat next to Master Yuan Jing, and put the lamp beside him. How long have you been waiting here? Wei Ci did not need to ask to know that Master Yuan Jing was waiting for him. It doesnt matter, Master Yuan Jing replied calmly with a vague smile. Youre not a reckless person. I heard about what happened during the assessment from Youmo and Shaoyin. You wouldnt even have hit someone with a desk when you were three or four years old. Wei Cis face was slightly flushed and he admitted his mistake with his head hung low. I know that I was wrong. Please punish me. Master Yuan Jing shook his head and asked him rhetorically, Why do I have to punish you? I dont think youve done something wrong. You did a good job. It was not like the scholar was killed. The scholars actions were indeed too much. Who would not be angry at that? Master Yuan Jing continued, I didnt come here today to scold you. I just want to tell you that its okay to be a little carefree. Youre too serious and youre an overthinker. You like to keep things to yourself and hide the truth from everyone else. To be honest, other people arent the roundworms in your stomach. How will they know what youre thinking? Wei Ci remained silent with his head hung low. It was not known if he took it in. Master Yuan Jing pounded his legs, which were somewhat numb, with his hands and said casually, Say something if you want to. I dont dare to say it. Wei Ci had a lot to say, but his words were stuck in his mouth. Master Yuan Jing smiled. Zixiao, strategists have many taboos. One of them is to not judge others by oneself. I know the reason why you dont dare to say it In your opinion, you have an answer already, so theres no need to say it out. Am I right? Wei Ci remained silent. Master Yuan Jing smiled helplessly. I dont deny your ability to read others minds, but if you do it all by yourself, you may be injudicious. Although Master Yuan Jing did not point out who the person was, Wei Ci had some tacit understanding. He knew very well in his heart about who he was talking about. We can only plan very carefully with every conceivable possibility taken in accountCCbut only if we have a thorough understanding. Yuan Jing pouted his lips at Wei Ci and teased him, Youll meet her frequently in the future. If you treat her with your past prejudice towards her, Im afraid that youll be exposed even sooner. Past events have faded like a puff of smoke. You should observe everything around you with a whole new attitude. Dont be blinded by the past. If you cant do this, youll still have to lose, and lose even more. There was finally a change in Wei Cis facial expression. He looked at Master Yuan Jing with some shock and dodged his gaze. Master Yuan Jing smiled and replied, Im old, but Im not blind yet. After a long time, Wei Ci broke the silence. Master, I want to leave for a few days. Master Yuan Jing responded, Is it because you want to escape? Wei Ci shook his head and smiled bitterly. If Im cowardly and cant face the reality, I wouldve followed my clan and moved to Zhongzhao. Why would I bother to stay in Langye and come to Shangjing? Its really unexpected for me to run into her. Its not that I cant accept it Its just that when I see her in her teens, not only am I not determined, but Im somewhat confused. Its as if I never knew her. As he began to talk, Wei Ci, who had always been reticent, poured out what he had suppressed in his mind for a long time like a child. Master Yuan Jing had always played the role of a listener. He vaguely guessed Wei Cis experience, but he never thought that there was so much conflict and pain in the childs heart. If you feel uncomfortable, its good to be away for some time too to sort out your thoughts, Master Yuan Jing said. Wei Ci shook his head and replied, With Masters enlightenment, Im now fine. You dont have to worry. A lot of things are different now. People are different tooCCespecially her Youre right. If Im still dwelling in my past memories, Ill probably live a worse life than before. His goal was to have a niche in history as a dignified strategist, not a person who had an unspeakable identity. Not only would he be taunted and criticized by the later generations, but he would even become a stain on her body. He once felt that the former made him suffer, but when the blade pierced her throat, he suddenly realized that the latter was even more unacceptable for him. Master Yuan Jing looked at Wei Ci for a long time and sighed. Its best if you can think this way. Get to know each other again. An old friend has a new look, too. Wei Ci clenched his fists tightly in secret. I understand. ****** In another place, Liu She sat in the carriage and returned to the Feng residence with fatigue. The rankings for the assessment had been listed out. He transcribed a copy of the list, put it in an envelope, stamped a wax seal on it, and presented it to the emperor. As for whether the emperor would see it was not something that he could control. The results would be released three days later, then the Qionglin Banquet would be held after that. As a head examiner, he had to show up at the banquet. He would basically be free after that. The courtyard of the guest room was brightly lit. Liu She saw that his daughters servant, Taxue, was holding a lamp and waiting at the door. Did Lanting not come back tonight? He gathered his coat to block the cold wind from outside. Seeing that Liu She had returned, Taxue was delighted and went forward. To answer your question, Im waiting for you here under Langjuns order. Liu She frowned and replied sternly, Why is she looking for me? Liu She had always valued his daughter. She must have had something important to say that could not be delayed. Langjun didnt say anything. She only asked me to inform you that she is waiting for you in your room. Liu She nodded as he walked. He guessed the reason why his daughter was looking for him. He arrived at the door. A lamp was lit in the room. Jiang Pengji was reading a book attentively under the light. Father. Upon hearing the noise, Jiang Pengji lifted her head. I heard from Taxue that youre looking for me? Liu She quickly shut the door to avoid the cold wind from taking away the heat in the room. You havent handed in your resignation letter, right? Jiang Pengji asked. Of course I havent. I plan to hand it in after the Qionglin Banquet. Liu She sat across Jiang Pengji and saw that she was actually holding the Great Universal Geographical Map in her hands. What good advice do you have? You want to become a rich man, but Im unfilial. Please work hard for a while more. Liu She raised his eyebrows. Am I not resigning? Jiang Pengji shook her head and muttered, Thats not the case. I want you to try your best to conquer Chongzhou. Chongzhou? Liu She pondered until he had a better understanding. To seize the opportunity to station troops? Jiang Pengji replied, Not only that There are a few other reasons. Chapter 302 - Three Years in Langye (II) Liu She did not ask Jiang Pengji to explain it in detail. Instead, he raised his hand to stop what she was about to say. He shut his eyes a little. The light shone on his eyelashes, leaving two small shadows that covered the greenish color under his eyes. You dont have to explain further. The Feng residence may not be completely safe. Liu She did not know what Jiang Pengjis perception was and he was afraid that there were eavesdroppers. He looked gentle. Ill agree to whatever you want to do. Chongzhou is actually not bad. Jiang Pengji opened her mouth. Words seemed to be stuck in her throat. She could not say it outloud, but she could not suppress it either. Based on Liu Shes experience in the officialdom, how could he not know the danger of Chongzhou? Seeing her facial expression, Liu She laughed. He caressed the top of her head and said gently, You dont have to worry about me. Hu County was so chaotic back then. Havent I made it this far? The Northern Borderline is greedy and full of wild ambitions and has coveted Chongzhou for a long time. However, since therell be a marriage between the two royal families, theyll pretend to be well-behaved. Before the Northern Borderline princess turns the royal family upside down, the Northern Borderline will not make any moves. In other words, for the next few years, Chongzhou would still be in a relatively safe state and could be safely governed and developed. However, after that period, Chongzhou would have to first face the threat from the three tribes of the Northern Borderline and their cavalries. Jiang Pengji clenched her fists, pursed her lips, and solemnly promised, Please work hard for another two years. Ill definitely let you live without worries for the rest of your life. Liu She could not help but laugh. His facial expression became alive. You still dont understand. Although Chongzhou is threatened by the Northern Borderline, its indeed been a very safe place to go over the past two years. He shook his head and carefully explained it to Jiang Pengji, Even if Nansheng can escape from being destroyed this time, they definitely have to cede their territory, pay their indemnities, sue for peace, and make tributes. The south isnt stable. On the contrary, the north is more peaceful. Even if the Northern Borderline is greedy and has wild ambitions, itll only happen after a few years time. Liu She was only going there to become the magistrate. He would be in charge of Chongzhou for two years. When the world was really in chaos, it would be time for Jiang Pengji to take over. It was not a huge risk, but it was scary. Liu She understood that principle. After a while, he took out a piece of paper, which was neatly folded, from his sleeve. The paper was stained with ink and some of the words could not be seen clearly. Whats this? Jiang Pengji took it from him. Liu She replied, This was written by Master Yuan Jings outstanding disciple. Hes the one who was assailed with obscenities today and left angrily. Jiang Pengji had watched the assessment from afar, so of course she knew who Liu She was talking about. Why did you bring his answer sheet out? As she was speaking, she carefully unfolded the piece of paper. Judging from the handwriting, she would have thought that it was written by a gentle and graceful aristocratic lady. It was very delicate. If this paper is seen by anyone, he may be in trouble. Master Yuan Jing is really splendid. Sure enough, he recruits disciples by looking at their fate. Liu She shook his head. Nowadays, many people complained that it was difficult to study. Revered Confucius scholars had also advocated and appealed, hoping that everyone could study and be literate. However, that was just lip service. If it really happened, that group of people would be the ones to oppose it the most. Even if it was an embroidered piece of work, based on the implicit meaning of the essay alone, Wei Ci could not be put in an important position. Jiang Pengji was quite interested in it and read the article attentively. Although some words were covered with ink, she could guess the meaning of the entire essay. I really didnt expect this. He has a brain apart from a pretty face. Jiang Pengji smiled. She folded the paper back and stuffed it into her sleeve. Liu She was taken aback by her words. What did Wei Ci do? Why did his daughter not get along with him? Its useless to just have a brain. Who doesnt know how to indulge in empty talk? Jiang Pengji curled her lips. Therefore, he still has to be observed carefully. Wei Ci could not avoid her attention. Tsk. One would really want to see her shocked facial expression when she learned the truth. Liu She came back to his senses. Wei Ci was born of the Wei family in Langye. Although the Wei family is now down and out, theyre still lofty and unyielding. They may not be easily convinced by you. Upon hearing what Liu She said, Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. I heard from Huaiyu that the Wei family has moved back to Zhongzhao, but Wei Ci is still in Dongqing She thought that Wei Ci was born into a poor, common family or was a son of an ordinary farmer because of what Feng Jin had told her about the Wei family. Looking at it now, it seemed as though Wei Ci had a background. Liu She replied without certainty, He probably cant leave for the time being because of the assessment. If its because of the assessment, he wouldnt have written such a radical essay. He clearly has no intention of being selected. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, Im not sure about the others, but Im confident I can win Wei Ci over. He originally came for her. Where could he go? The father and son talked for a quarter of an hour. Jiang Pengji put on Liu Shes coat and went straight back to her room. It was late autumn, so the temperature was growing colder day by day. Jiang Pengji hugged the coat tightly in order to avoid the cold air. Taxue led the way in front while holding an orange lamp. The master and servant passed through the courtyard. Jiang Pengji suddenly felt cold water was dripping onto her eyelashes. She could not help but raise her hand and touch it. Is it raining? She looked up at the sky. The moon was as white as a jade plate as it hung high in the sky. Upon hearing the sound, Taxue identified it carefully and said, Langjun, its snowing. Its snowing? Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes. She reached out her hand and tried to catch the white snowflakes falling from the sky. The snow was very small, like tiny, silver beads. It melted into liquid as soon as it fell into her palm due to the temperature of her palm, leaving only a tinge of chill. Jiang Pengji blinked and mumbled, Its pretty small. At that age, it was the first time that she had seen such a mild and harmless snow. In her memories, snow usually fell in pieces, or it was hard like white pearls as it clattered down from the sky. Taxue chuckled, her eyes bending into a crescent shape. I think this is the first snow of the year. Its still early. Even if its snowing, the snow is very small. After another month or two, therell be real, large snowflakes. The heaven and earth will be boundless and itll be very beautiful. Jiang Pengji had Liu Xis memories. She naturally knew when it would normally snow. The snow had come early that year indeed. The snowfall was not big. Jiang Pengji went back to her room and drank a bowl of ginger soup to fend off the cold. She then took off her clothes and went to bed. The next day, as soon as she opened the door, an ice-like chill greeted her and the courtyard was blanketed with snow. It was still fine yesterday. How did the snowfall grow overnight? Jiang Pengji looked up at the sky. Fine snow fluttered down. Feng Jin was obviously used to it. He ordered his servant to prepare a tea boiler and brewed some tea while he sat in the verandah in the courtyard with Jiang Pengji. He frowned and looked at the courtyard. Overnight, the snow had thickened. The weather was indeed unusual. However, Dongqing had always had natural calamities and man-made misfortunes ever since its founding. It was either a drought here or a flood there. What was worse was that the aristocrats led a befuddled life as if they were drunk or in a dream as they admired the snow in the garden. Banquets, poetry parties, and gatherings were always being organized. They did not care about the lives of the commoners. A fall of seasonable snow gave promise of a fruitful year. That was a good thing, but if the snowfall was too heavy, that would bring a winter storm. Chapter 303 - Langye in Three Years (III) This snow will last another one or two days. Feng Jin shook his head. Shang Jing has always been like this. The snow comes earlier and earlier every year. Jiang Pengji stared at the roof, which was covered with a thick layer of snow. Her brows twisted together and it seemed that she was concerned about something. Until the Qionglin Banquet, the snow didnt show a sign of stopping. The whole Shang Jin was coated with white snow. However, the chilly weather was not going to stop the hustling banquet. People were making toasts with each other, appreciating the dancing still. The female dancers with hourglass figures wore light blue, yarn-made dresses and danced in the snow like they were the goddesses from heaven that were about to fly away. Jiang Pengji noticed that they had bare feet and the bottoms of their feet were frozen so bad that they had turned red. She lost her interest all of sudden. She was the only one that felt uncomfortable. It didnt affect the other gentry clan young men at all. This Master Yuanjing is really a piece of work. His students took two places in the top three this time. Rumor has it, if it wasnt that his student Lv Zheng was from a poor family and he was the son of a hunter, it wouldnt be an issue for him to take one of the top three places. If thats true, then its really scary. Ive heard that Master Yuanjing has another student. Why did he go? Are you talking about Wei Zixiao? What I heard is that someone offended him during the evaluation. He has a temper. He hit that person and took off. Thats a shame Why do you have to have sympathy for him? Hitting someone is such a rude move. He is nothing like literati, but more like a ruthless man. Jiang Pengji sat at her own seat. She was surrounded by the gentry clan members that were the same social status as her. Each of them had a big mouth. Some of them were invested in a position in the government by taking advantage of the wealth of their family. Some of them simply came for fun by using their parents title. Jiang Pengji was the latter one. She kept quiet and drank some alcohol. She pretended that she was drunk and snuck out of the banquet. Xu Ke had parked the wagon outside of the palace. He saw Jiang Pengji coming towards him wrapped in a thick, white, fussy cape. She was very much like a moving white ball from a distance. He held his laugh and quickly got out of the wagon and set up the footstool for her. He was not the driver of the wagon but he was trying to get a look at the Qionglin Banquet. People from poor families would still have the chance to be there, but Xu Ke would never be qualified to be in there no matter how hard he strived for it. Jiang Pengji was crystal clear about his intentions and that was why she didnt stop him. It gets cold very fast. You should put on more clothes if you are going out. I asked you to sit in the wagon, but you have to wait outside. Here, take this hand stove to warm yourself upCCjust in case you are going to complain that I abuse you behind my back Xu Ke took the delicate hand stove. It was petite, wrapped with a layer of thick cloth. It didnt burn and it was designed for young girls. You are wrong about me. When have I ever complained about you behind your back? I usually just complain right to your face. Xu Ke wasnt going to provoke her more when he saw Jiang Pengjis eyes. He would never be able to hide from her. It would be easier if he came forward than to be laughed at. Full of bull. Jiang Pengji condemned him with a grin. She was about to step on the footstool and get into the wagon. She glanced at him and saw that Wei Ci, who was in a dark green outfit, was standing in the snow with an umbrella. She stopped her steps and turned to Xu Ke. Take my hand stove and get in the wagon. I have something else that I need to deal with. Xu Ke was surprised and his vision moved to Wei Ci as well. As a person who had a fetish with voices, it was hard for him not to remember people with special voices. Not to mention, Wei Ci didnt just have the amazing voice, but he was also a charming and elegant man. Jiang Pengji walked close to him and teased, Are you waiting for me here? Wei Ci didnt overreact like he normally did, but he said to her blandly, I am just waiting for nothing like your accountant. About who Im waiting for, it is all up to who comes first. If you believe that Im here for you, then thats fine. Was he being sarcastic about her being narcissistic? Jiang Pengji schooled her smile. She looked at him with a sense of probing. Wei Ci didnt back off either. He slightly lowered his eyes and looked into her eyes without timidity or guilt. He tilted his umbrella towards her and covered her head. It is quite a snow. Youd better go home now. Did you write that paragraph? Jiang Pengji asked him, her face serious. Her tone wasnt nice. Wei Ci gave her a mild smile and asked her instead, Do you think your father intentionally leaked the questions ahead of time so I could pay someone else to write it for me? Jiang Pengji went mute. She hadnt suspected that Wei Ci would find someone else to write for him. She was surprised by the contrast between Wei Cis opinion with the literati in the current era. If everyone went for school, then who was going to farm? The more educated people were, the more they would ask for from the society. The gentry clans who monopolized the knowledge would be reluctant to accept it. There was one other thing that was rather essential: Wei Ci was from gentry clan family as well. Even though the Weis in Langye had fallen, their ascendants flourished for a while. Gentry clans had a sense of pride and they claimed to have better blood and that they were meant to be born in a better class. Wei Ci either had brilliant insight or he was just a normal dumba** who barely had any experience in the human world. But he didnt look like the latter type to Jiang Pengji at all. You are indeed good at talking. She smiled at him with a weird look. It seems that you already learned how to remain calm in front of me. There was a bit of relief in Wei Cis voice. I get to learn from my mistakes. I dont dare to say that Im as good as Youmo, but Im not some stupid man without any gifts. I wouldnt allow myself to fall at the same spot twice. You will be disappointed if you are trying to probe something out of me. Jiang Pengji turned to look at him and gave him a positive yes.You should really feel lucky that there are many people and wagons here. Wei Ci raised his brows and asked, What do you mean? You have the appearance of a god, especially because your clothes match the snow. If there wasnt anyone around Jiang Pengji blinked at him and gave him a flirtatious suggestion. Wei Ci grasped hard on his umbrella handle. His face turned back to normal and he pulled his umbrella back to himself. Enjoy the snow yourself! Jiang Pengji laughed so much that her shoulders shivered. She laughed because of Wei Cis reaction. He was just like an arrogant cat. Jiang Pengji looked at the snow and she burst out, My father will apply for retirement after this Qionglin Banquet. Wei Ci couldnt hide his astonishment. Your father is barely 40 years old. Why would he apply for retirement? Can you guess? Wei Ci stared at this short person who didnt quite reach his chest and said to him in a low voice, If you are not going to get involved, your father might have some leisure time after his retirement. The situation in Dongqing is getting more and more serious. The day that Nansheng collapses is the day the turmoil of the world starts. Applying for retirement is definitely a good idea to avoid the chaos. But if you are going to intervene, this application must be a measurement you guys take for a future plan. Wei Ci schooled his expression. If nothing had changed, the person standing right in front of him was not too ambitious to cause trouble in Dongqing with her bandit troop. Wei Ci could feel that she had the intention of taking the realm of the country much earlier than his last breaths, however. If that is true He closed his eyes and sank into his thoughts for a while. He said two words firmly to her, Chong Zhou. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. No matter if it was the old her or the new her, he didnt expect that she would start from scratch. You know me very well. Wei Cis heart couldnt help but pump hard after he heard her words. Chapter 304 - Langye in Three Years (IV) He settled down and said to her calmly, In my opinion, you know me rather well, too. Jiang Pengji smiled at him and stopped questioning him. She needed to take it slow, like boiling a frog in warm water. She didnt want to spook him away right away. She pretended to look into the sky but she was actually paying attention to the umbrella in his hand. He had moved it away from her because he was mad at her earlier but he quietly moved it back above her head and let the snow land on his own shoulders. Jiang Pengji took off her cape and asked Wei Ci to put it on. When I start my school in Langye, I will be bothering you. I will expect you to take good care of me. Wei Ci took a glance of the white fur cape and said to her, We are just a somewhat acquainted and master appreciates your gift. I dont think you will be in any trouble in the Academy worth bribing me for. Im not afraid of the cold or the heat, which means it doesnt affect me much no matter what Im wearing. But you are not in a good health after all and you are still waiting for someone in a heavy snow like this. I should be taking care of you. Jiang Pengji tossed the cape into his arms. It was his own choice if he wanted to be warm or not. After that, Jiang Pengji went straight back to her own wagon, stepped on the foot stool, and ordered, Lets go to the Fengs Mansion. Xu Ke quickly passed the hand stove back to her when she lifted the curtain of the wagon. He had been watching Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci all along. The Wagoner, who was wearing a bamboo hat, pulled the bridle and took off. Their wagon happened to pass by Wei Ci. Taxue will be nagging at you since you gave your cape away to that Wei Langjun. Xu Ke sat on his knees next to the door of the wagon. He slid both of his hands in a pair of thick mittens made of rabbit fur, which was rather comfortable for him. Jiang Pengji held the hand stove with both her hands. They added some charcoal into it, increasing the temperature greatly. Im strong like a bull and I can beat two bulls to death with my bare hands. Is it even possible that I can get sick from not wearing a cape? She raised her eyebrows. He is just a feeble guy. He is not properly dressed for the weather, just standing like a piece of wood out there. He should be the one that you worry about catching a cold. Xu Ke suddenly didnt know how he should respond to that. Indeed, his Langjun seemed to be a slim young boy, but the truth was he had superior combat skills. It was rather deceiving from his appearance alone. I heard from Feng Jin that Zi Xiaos family has moved to ZhongzhaoCCto the origin of the family. He was left to be in Dongqing Langye alone. Who knows if he actually has any servants looking after him or not The weather changes every second, and I assume he doesnt have much for winter in his closet. Jiang Pengji had always been a detail oriented person, but she merely showed her concern to the others. It was more like it wasnt necessary for her to care about them. If a person without any disabilities had a hard time dealing with themselves, they were no different from really disabled people. But it didnt work the same way in the ancient era. Xu Ke had a weird feeling after he heard Jiang Pengjis words. She started to become more sentimental and more like a human being. Qionglin Banquet was just a cover-up for singing merits, praising virtues, and flattering people in high positions. They used the pretext of a celebration for the winners of the evaluation. Every single courtier was doing everything they could to adulate and ingratiate. Their slave-like looks made people upset. The winners of the evaluation, who were supposed to get the attention, turned out to be the ornaments of the banquet. The banquet was full of the emperors laughter. Han Yu was normally impulsive and he didnt even try to hide his dissatisfaction from his good friends. He spilled his complaints to them. It seems that Zi Xiao hitting that guy and leaving that day makes more sense. These people are spineless and they behave like slaves, which make me sick. Cheng Jing gave Han Yu a dirty look and made him feel scared to continue with what he was saying. Watch what you say. Did you already forget that? Cheng Jin scolded him in a low voice. If you get yourself into deep trouble because of what you said Compared to Han Yu and Cheng Jings tension, Lv Zheng was more focused on his belly. He was resisting the impulse to rub his belly to help it digest. There were quite a number of delicacies in the Qionglin Banquet. Lv Zheng was from a poor family and as the son of a hunter, he loved rolling in the mud. If it wasnt for Master Yuanjing telling him there was a special bond between them and bringing him back to his academy, he wouldnt have even been at the banquet. It was a rare opportunity for him and it would be his own loss if he didnt take advantage of it. He was not like Han Yu or Cheng Jing. They were deeply furious and had barely touched the food at all. People eavesdrop. You do need to be more cautious. This is not a good place to bring up complaints. Lv Zheng was too full and he started to pace back and forth. It seemed like he was having a good time, except he was just too stuffed to walk. Han Yu took a deep breath and strived to suppress his anger. They spotted Wei Ci holding a white fuzzy cape in the distance and they were not sure why he seemed spaced out. Lv Zheng dumped his shame behind and came forward with a smile. He took the cape from Wei Cis arms and said, You are the best. Thanks for being so thoughtful to bring me a cape, considering how little I wore today. Wei Ci had already stepped backwards before Lv Zheng landed his hands on the cape. He said to Lv Zheng, Its not for you. Lv Zheng wasnt angry about it. Instead, he started to survey the strap of the cape collar sneakily. There were two refined, fluffy balls on the tips of the straps, which didnt match Wei Cis style. And it wasnt his size either. Then who is it for? Lv Zheng questioned. Wei Ci chose to ignore him. He caught a glimpse of the expressions on Han Yus and Cheng Jings faces and he slightly sighed. Look at your dirty looks. Who messed around with you guys at the banquet? Han Yu didnt pay attention to the cape. With Wei Cis words, he remembered what had just happened in the banquet and he could no longer hold in his anger. Those so-called big people in the court are just a bunch of grovelling and subservient, boneless slaves. This court will perish sooner or later. Wei Ci quickly skimmed their surroundings and started to relax a bit after he confirmed that no one else was around them. Slavery is their nature. Why are you upset with them? Wei Ci put on a casual smile. Ive heard that the Head of the Secretariat asked for his resignation so he could go back to his hometown before the banquet. The emperor didnt even bother to persuade him to stay, but instead promoted someone he is fond of. Doesnt that clear things up? The emperor just wants a tamed cat instead of an untameable and confident wild cat. Han Yu was about to explode. Who is the wild cat? Wei Ci continued, You couldnt even cope with the Qionglin Banquet. How are you going to manage the situations you might encounter in the future? What does that mean? Han Ye asked. The eunuchs are in the business of trading official positions for real cash. They label each of the possible positions with certain price tags as long as you can afford it. Do you think that the eunuchs are the greedy ones? The emperor is the real greedy one behind all of them. The group of people got in a wagon. The stove fire warmed them quickly. Wei Ci pointed to the air. You are one of the top three in this evaluation, but its very likely you will only be assigned a low position, which could be lower than the positions those ruffians paid for. Will you still be relaxed or will you be so depressed that you would rather die? Han Yu nearly lost his breath after he heard this. You talk too mean, Wei Zixiao. Wei Ci acted normal and continued, I have more mean things waiting for you. Do you want to hear? Lv Zheng tried his best not to lose control of his anger as Cheng Jin shook his head helplessly and poked the charcoal in the stove. Sure, I want to hear! Chapter 305 - Three Years in Langye (V) Han Yu would not have backed down if he had not hit an obstacle. Wei Ci had provoked him a little and he was already stomping his foot. However, Wei Ci did not continue to bully Han Yu. Instead, he sighed. The government now indulges the eunuchs in accepting bribery and conferring official ranks for money. They pretend to be ignorant about it. As for the relatives of the emperor, once a man gets a government position, all his cronies get in, too. The government is clearly trying to support the two forces. Theyre rising in revolt against the aristocrats. There are two reasons why Feng Ren submitted his resignation notice. One of them is that he feels outraged by the injustice his son faces. Secondly, he figured out that Dongqing can no longer be saved. Cheng Jing continued, Wen Bins temper can improve. Hes already so angry now. What should he do in the future? Feng Rens resignation was a signal. If the other aristocrats had foresight, they would either leave one by one or remain aloof. The vacant, official position naturally became the prize that the eunuchs and the relatives of the emperor fought for. No matter who the winner was, the people assigned to the position mostly harbored evil intentions and only cared about their own interests. It would really be a miracle if the palace could still be saved. Han Yu pouted his mouth. The two people in front of him echoed each other and seemed to show how immature he was. Shaoyin, dont you have anything to say? Han Yu turned to Lu Zheng for help. Lu Zheng snorted. I dont have any ambition in life. Im fine as long as I have food, clothing, and shelter. As long as Im an official, Im an official no matter what the rank is. Its good to have an easy life and take care of the people. As for the rest, Im unable to do it, although I want to. Let the capable ones do it. Han Yu was so angry that he almost fell backwards. He was not there to help Han Yu; he was an incompetent teammate instead. Cheng Jing said, Wen Bin, dont get yourself into a dead end. Do whatever you should do. In this current situation, its indeed not good to become an official. Han Yu replied grievously, Are the three of you here to ease my anxiety or anger me intentionally? Wei Ci blinked his eyes somewhat mischievously and said to him, I didnt say that I was here to ease your anxiety. Han Yu was speechless. Our friendship is over! According to previous practices, the scholars who stood out in the assessment would receive the appointment letter from the palace within half a month and they would be appointed to various places. Their abilities and family backgrounds would generally be considered depending on the appointments of the scholars. Although they were not high official positions, it would be very challenging for them and it would be easy for them to accumulate experience. They were given slightly higher official positions in the remote areas and lower official positions in the prosperous areas. If ones family offered bribes, the type of official position and the location of employment could be changed at the officials discretion. That was very possible. However, the court and the commonalty were currently in chaos. Many officials had tacitly forgotten about that. The emperor did not even mention it. Yuan Jing and his students had stayed in Shangjing for half a month. Many of his students felt insecure for fear of any variables. Wei Ci and a few others could hold it in. They were either quietly reading and writing, playing chess with their classmates, or reciting poems and writing couplets every day to pass the time. Lu Zheng sat on the side of the chessboard, watching Wei Ci beat Han Yu in chess. With a supple mind, he suddenly said, Its been half a month already. If were not going back, Im afraid that well have to spend the new year here in Shangjing. Looking at the situation of the chess game, Han Yu was worried. Its not good to leave when the appointment letters have not been sent out from the palace yet. Wei Ci moved his chess with a smile, pushing Han Yu into a dead end. Perhaps the appointment letters cant be sent out yet. Why do you say that? Han Yu asked. Wei Ci retorted, All the vacant official positions may have been sold off already. Of course, it was impossible for all the vacant official positions to have been sold off. However, the palace was busy preparing for the marriage of Princess An Yina and the second prince. Dongqing still wanted to dispute over trifles with the Northern Borderline. Every single one of them was green with envy and wanted to have the benefits to themselves. Why would they care about the scholars? These days, apart from Feng Rens resignation, the other sensational matter was the resignation of the county chief of Hu County, Liu She. As for the former, the emperor happily took back the position of the head of the secretariat and immediately promoted his confidant. As for the latter, the emperor wanted to imitate what was done by others. However, Liu She submitted his resignation letter during the morning meeting. Someone immediately came out and said that Liu She had worked for the nation and had many great merits. Hu County, which he had been managing, was transformed into a county rich in grain production from a desolate and uninhabited county. His management had relieved the food shortage in the two neighboring states. He was a meritorious statesman of the society, and he was still young. If he resigned, it would be Dongqings biggest loss. The words were said so vehemently that the emperor was ashamed to accept Liu Shes resignation. If thats the case, do you all have any good advice? Although the emperor was shameless, he did not want to be embarrassed in the morning meeting. He still had to cover himself. Liu She took the opportunity to repeat his wish of resigning. Another official came out again and said no. If the emperor agreed to his resignation, would the people not say that the emperor was greedy over the resources in Hu County? It would have appeared as though he snatched the victory of others by taking the opportunity to discard Liu She once he was no longer needed. Liu She was like a brick who was moved about when he was needed. After an intense discussion, someone suddenly mentioned that Chongzhou still lacked a magistrate. A magistrate was ranked higher than a county chief. The former managed a state, whereas the latter managed a small county. All of them had forgotten that Chongzhou only had Shangyu County and Changhe County. There were six cities in Shangyu County and three of them were still in the hands of the Northern Borderline. Its overall area was the smallest among the six states in Dongqing. Furthermore, its north was also bordered by the Northern Borderline. Who knew how long it would take for one to lose his head when he took office? Although Hu County was just a county, its area was comparable to that of a stateCCnot to mention that it was now a rich county under the governance of Liu She. The emperor of Dongqing thought about it in his mind and gave the final verdict decisively. He insincerely expressed how much he valued Liu She. He also said that the world was in turmoil. If Liu She were to resign at that time, it would have been the loss of Dongqing and the pity of the people. He immediately appointed Liu She as the magistrate of Chongzhou. Liu She looked as if he was somewhat tired and unwilling to accept the appointment, but he secretly heaved a sigh of relief. He had legendary teammates by his side and foolish enemies opposite him. It was too easy and there was no challenge. With a newly-appointed position as the magistrate of Chongzhou, Liu She left the morning meeting with an icy look on his face and ignored everyone. He doesnt know how to appreciate whats good. Hes been promoted to a state magistrate from a county chief, but he pulled a long face instead Tsk. Who doesnt know that Hu County is now the best? It supports two states by itself. How much food does it have? In my opinion, Liu She did not intend to resign today at all. He was just pretending and hoped to stay in Hu County. Who would have thought that the government would transfer him to Chongzhou? What kind of a place is Chongzhou? Three wolves are glaring at it from the north and one cant even sleep peacefully at night Huh? Isnt he suffering a huge loss? Cleverness may overreach itself. Who told him to be foolish? I dont know who should take over the position of the county chief of Hu County Anyway, it cant be either one of us. Well just be onlookers. Everyone wants to have a slice of Hu County. The bits and pieces of the discussions around him vaguely drifted into Liu Shes ears. He still looked livid. After entering into the carriage, he swiftly smiled a little. Who said that he was ruined by his own wisdom? Soon, everyone would know who the real fool was. The carriage stopped moving. Liu She got out of the carriage. His confidant said to him, Master, the person who Langjun wanted to look for has been found. Liu She was stunned and he quickly concealed his facial expression. Shes been found? Yes. She looks 70 percent similar to her! His confidant made a gesture that showed seven with his hand. Liu Shes heartbeat accelerated; it was as if his throat and eyes were going to jump out of his body. Very good. Chapter 306 - Three Years in Langye (VI) The light in Liu Shes eyes faded and he ordered, Take her to Lanting. Shell handle it. Upon hearing Liu Shes instruction to hand her over to Liu Xi, his confidant suddenly had a bitter look on his face. He hesitated in speaking. Upon seeing his confidants reaction, Liu She said, Say it all at once. You dont have to hide it. I dont mean to hide it from you on purpose. Its just that I feel that its inappropriate to let Langjun handle her His confidant hesitantly got close to Liu She and spilled everything out. Her identity is ambiguous. If Langjun is angry because of her, I can hardly absolve myself from the blame even if I die Liu She understood the implied meaning of his confidants words in an instant. His facial expression was suddenly very fascinating. He hesitated for a while and said, Come with me. His confidant kept up with Liu Shes pace, carefully keeping a foots distance away from Liu She. He kept his head down and did not dare to look around. Tell me in detailCCwhats wrong with her identity? Although Liu She had guessed it, he still had to confirm it for himself. His confidant knelt on the ground. Their surroundings had already been cleared, so there was no need to worry about eavesdroppers. The person that Ive found is only 14 years old. Her mother is a low-grade prostitute and her biological father is unknown. His confidant was very helpless. They secretly searched for people according to the portrait given by Liu She. The girl was the most similar in appearance to the one in the portrait. Although the other candidates had decent identities, their similarities with the portrait were not as high as that of the girl. After much consideration, they recommended the girl. A low-grade prostitute? Liu She knitted his brows fiercely. He was very unhappy with her identity. Has the girl engaged in prostitution? Liu She was not sure about what his daughter really wanted to do, but he knew that the girl should not be used to ensnare a man. His confidants face twisted and he chose his words carefully. Master, you know that these prostitutes generally live in shady slums. Most of their customers are small tradesman, porters, and local hooligans. Unlucky girls who grow up in such places would have already participated in prostitution so when they were five or six years old Not to mention that the girl is already 14. Liu She had a grave look on his face upon hearing what his confidant said. Take her to Lanting and let Lanting make the decision. Continue to investigate in secret to see if theres any candidate whos more suitable. His confidant received his order and stepped back with a bow. Liu She sat in the same spot. He was entirely immersed in the shadows of the room. After a long time, he seemed to have understood something. He covered his forehead with his hand and he looked like he was neither smiling nor crying. There was the vague pleasure of vengeance, which washed away his gentleness. He was surrounded by a cold and deadly aura. Whats wrong with the daughter of a prostitute? he mumbled spiritlessly. His voice sounded sinister, which made people tremble with fear and sent chills up their spines. If she could someday turn Dongqing upside down with her face and body alone, thatd be so satisfying! Acao was born in a slums as a pauper. She was born on a day that it snowed heavily. Many adults were frozen to death, but she survived. Her mother was a prostitute and now Acao was also one. What was a prostitute? It was the most degrading of jobs, and they could be used at will with just a few coins. She welcomed and sent off local hooligans. Even if she was very afraid, she had to pretend to be polite and compliant and serve them well in order to stay alive. Otherwise, not only would the customers not let her go, but the old lady on her head, her mother, would not let it slip, either. She was always wearing linen clothes, which had been starched until they were torn and patched up over and over again. Every day she had to clean the house, starch clothes, wash the dishes, cook, and please her mother and the other prostitutes. Then, she would lay on her mat and wait for customers. When she was a child, she was inadvertently taken advantage of by several hooligans and lost her virginity. Her mother beat her madly and forced her to take in customers to inherit her business. She lived without any aim. In those years, it was not known as to how many times she was forcefully beaten. She clearly had only lived for 14 years, but she felt as if she had lived for half her life. Even if she was born with natural beauty, she had a lot of white hair now. She looked worn out and her eye sockets were deep. She initially thought that it would be her life forever, but she did not expect to be taken away from the slums by a man who was dressed in a mighty manner two days previous. She knelt on the ground, trembling, and her extremely skinny body shivered. She was dying to crawl into the ground, and did not dare to look around. After a long time, the sound of the door being pulled open was heard from behind her. A stranger, whose footsteps she was unfamiliar with, walked past her. After a series of rustling sounds, the person who came into the room sat on the bed. Whats your name? According to the voice, the person was young. He might even be younger than Acao. She had heard a lot of hoarse voices and all sorts of malicious yelling, but she had never heard such a clear and soothing voice. She could not help but quiver uncontrollably. Acao felt that her mouth was not hers anymore. She even forgot how to speak. Upon seeing her behavior, Jiang Pengji did not rush to say anything. Instead, she asked Taxue to serve Acao some tea to calm her down. The audience in the streaming room had been eagerly waiting. They did not know what the streamer had up her sleeve. Who was so important that it was worthy of her to leave the chess game, abandon Feng Jin, and come over immediately? Looking at the person, she seemed like nothing. Laosiji Lianmeng: I dont think the streamer will do anything extra. She must have an impressive identity for the streamer to value her so much. Tusiji Zhiwu: #grins. She may be the streamers sister who has been living on the streets. Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Theres no hint. I cant guess what the streamers intention is. Ill just watch this slowly. After a while, Jiang Pengji felt that her mood had become stable, so she asked again, Whats your name? Acaos ears turned red. She felt an inferiority that made her want to crawl into the ground. Im Acao. Although it was not a nice name, it was a proper name. Acao? Jiang Pengji asked. Do you know who wanted you to come here? Acaos skinny body trembled and she answered in a very soft voice, I dont know. I roughly remember that it was a wealthy man. For Acao, people who wore neat and tidy clothes were rich. She had never seen the clothes worn by Liu Shes confidant before. Such a decent-looking man was a wealthy man to her. Jiang Pengji asked, Then do you know what youre going to do here? Acao bit her lower lip and there was a hint of embarrassment on her bony, small face. She then slowly sat up straight. She kept her head down and rested her hands on her waist. She looked like she was about to untie her waistband. Usually, Acao would just wear a piece of tattered clothing at most with nothing underneath; it was because she was poor and she could not afford to wear anything else. Furthermore, it was useless to wear more clothes as a prostitute. She had to strip her clothes off to serve the customers anyway. Liu Shes confidant took her there and asked the servant to prepare a complete set of clothes for her. She washed her body with soap from head to toe several times. Acao felt that she had been the cleanest in her life the few days. Chapter 307 - Three Years in Langye (VII) She untied her waistband and only took off her top layer of clothing. She was still wearing two to three pieces of clothing under her outer layer. Upon seeing the situation, Jiang Pengji got up and walked towards Acao. Acao clenched her fists nervously and awkwardly. She initially thought that a strange body was going to press against her body, but she saw a pair of fair, clean hands instead. They were really cleanCCeven the rounded nails had some transparent luster. The pair of hands put her clothes back on her body and tied a beautiful knot on her waistband. Youre not here to do that. Of course, the excitement of the veterans who were waiting for the girl to undress and give away her body had to calm down for the time being. Acao no longer kept her head down. She quietly lifted her head, wanting to see Jiang Pengjis face. She was stunned. Jiang Pengji was even younger than she expected. Would such a young aristocrat find pleasure in her? She was confused. Startled, Acao asked, Then what should I do? Enjoy a luxurious life. Jiang Pengji scrutinized Acaos face carefully. According to Liu Shes confidant, the girl was 70 percent similar to the lady in the portrait. If she was raised well, she would probably look even more similar to the lady. After a few touch ups in the future, it would be as if she was reborn. Like what people said, beauty was not determined by ones features. Even if a girl was very thin with a look of undisguisable fatigue on her face, she could still be called a beauty. Enjoy a luxurious life? Yes. You get to live like a princess. A princess? Acao was so shocked that her eyes widened. A princess was the daughter of an emperorCCthe superior princess! You have a very pretty face. Itll let you live your best life for the rest of your life. Jiang Pengji did not try to conceal her praise. Even if Acao already had gray hair, a thin figure, and a withered face, she was still beautiful. Acao regained her senses and her facial expression changed. She was pondering it. There was no free lunch in the world. How was such a good thing happening to her? If she had such good fate, why was she bullied continuously by the local hooligans when she was eight years old and forced to crawl home half-dead? She was wronged, but her mother hit her with a piece of firewood, denounced her for being easy, and said that she was born to sell her body to men. She had such a miserable life in the past. How could something good come to her now? Ill let you live a better life than the princess. Jiang Pengji sat in front of Acao and did not try to explain anything deliberately. She just wanted to see Acaos reaction. Then then what do I have to do? How can I live a better life than the princess? Acao secretly grasped her sleeves tightly. She could not help but feel nervous and afraid facing Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji smiled. The girl in front of her was of humble origin, but she was smart. She was a diamond in the rough. You have to be loyal to me. You have to overcome immense dangers and difficulties for me. You have to devote yourself to me and Ill let you live a good life. Its an equivalent exchange. Nothing in this world comes free. I know how your life was in the past. Its not even too much to describe it as hell on earth. Are you willing to become an object to someone else for your whole life and be humiliated for just a few coins? The emotions in Acaos heart were stirred up. Countless disgusting faces flashed across her mind, from the teenage gangsters to unashamed, old men. She could not help but wonder how the person in front of her said that she had value. How could she not seize it and live a life that everyone despised instead? She no longer wanted to live the kind of life in which she had to welcome and send off customers. If that continued, she would die underneath the bodies of men sooner or later. She was only 14 years old, but she had already lost her charm over the years. Her mother valued the young prostitutes even more. They received a fixed number of customers daily. She was the only one who had to undress herself to serve customers whenever someone paid money Why? Age was something that declined the most in that field of work. When one was 14 and had been a prostitute for so many years, they would be destroyed completely no matter how delicate they were. Acao could not help but think of the 11-year-old girl her mother had just purchased. She could not help but tremble when her voice echoed in her ears. Gritting her teeth, Acao could not help but grab Jiang Pengjis sleeves with her hands. She begged while crying, Im not willing to. Please dont send me back. Devote yourself to me then. Jiang Pengjis voice was flat, as if she was just informing her. Okay! The audience in the streaming room said that their outlooks on the world, their life, and their values were once again shattered by the streamer. Was she streaming on human trafficking? Qiaokeli Dangao: Im dumbfounded. Traffickers are not even as domineering as the streamer. Laosiji Lianmeng: I seem to understand a little. Is the streamer trying to use a seductive woman to ensnare a man? Niuzhatang: Using a seductive woman to ensnare a man? These women are usually volunteers. Isnt the streamer coaxing her and combining threats with inducements? Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: You all arent paying close attention to the streamer. The streamer has obviously revealed a message just now through her words. This little girl probably did not live a normal life in the past. Didnt you notice that her neck is full of bruises? The streamer wants to use her to corrupt somebody and sell her womanly charms. The little girl can then escape from hell with this opportunity and live a good life. Its considered an equivalent exchange. Even so, some audience members in the streaming room could still not accept it. The streamer, Jiang Pengji, was simply challenging their views on the world, life, and values. However, some of the viewers in the streaming room seemed to have a worse view on the world, life, and values than that of Jiang Pengji. Laosiji Lianmeng: You cant be so frank and outspoken. Shes someone who can be reached by benefits. Who knows if shed be attracted by even greater interests? You should try to persuade her sentimentally and rationally. Little girls are more emotional, and theyre easier to deceive. I believe that you can do it. Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Well, although the viewer above is a little cold-blooded, you do have to be more careful. Theres nothing wrong with it. The audience in the streaming room did not say a word. According to Jiang Pengjis personality, how could she not consider all of that? She could see Acaos behavior clearly. There were at least two years before Liu Shes daughter married Wuma Jun. In those two years, it would depend on if Acao could stand the ordeal and become a valuable chess token. Moreover, Jiang Pengji did not need Acao to do anything dangerous. She just had to make herself chubby, dress up beautifully every day, avoid conspiracies, and live a lazy and comfortable life. She was destined to be exalted to the skies with her looks alone. Acao isnt a good name. Ill change it to something else. Jiang Pengji tilted her head and thought for a while. She said meaningfully, Youll be Huijun now. Acao did not know what the characters were for the name Huijun, but it was a very nice and proper name. It did not sound like a name of a poor girl. She bowed to Jiang Pengji. Thank you, Master Youre working for me, so of course, I cant treat you badly. Jiang Pengji asked, What do you want to do most now? Acao, now Huijun, thought about it seriously and asked her timidly, What I want to do most No matter what? Ill definitely try my best to make it happen. Huijun bit her lip. With a pale face, she said firmly, I want to kill a few people. Theyre evil people and they should die! If it was not for the few hooligans, she probably would not have become a prostitute even though she knew that it was unrealistic. It was because her mother had already taken a fancy on her looks and felt that she was valuable. However, she lost her virginity. In her mothers opinion, she was valueless. Jiang Pengji responded with a smile, No problem. Chapter 308 - Three Years in Langye (VIII) Jiang Pengji clasped her hands together, looking comfortable and pleased. Remember to hide Huijuns identity so as not to be found by others. Liu Shes confidant was startled upon hearing the name Huijun. For a moment, he could not remember who the person was. Jiang Pengji sensed his confusion. She explained, Huijun is the girl. Get someone to create her identity. Liu Shes confidant received the order and said firmly, Dont worry. Ill clean up her identity. Be cautious. Dont give yourself away. Having said that, Jiang Pengji exhorted him again anxiously, Creating a census register out of thin air is the easiest way to reveal our flaws. Its better to look for a census register that hasnt been canceled. Let Huijun replace it Jiang Pengji tapped on the table with her fingers. In the current era, the census registration system was very backwards, unlike in her era, when it was almost impossible to create a fake identity. In ancient times, many people had never registered due to backwards technology and inconvenient transportation. Many people who had registered had either died or disappeared. Their census registers had not been canceled for more than a decade. That type of identity was very difficult to verify, and it was also easy for people to take advantage of any loopholes. Instead of taking the risk to create a new identity for Huijun, it was better for her to replace the identity of someone who had similar experiences as her. Liu Shes confidant nodded and received the order. Jiang Pengji said, Thats all from me. You can leave. Since he was a confidant whom Liu She valued, his ability in handling things could definitely not be underestimated. He soon completed the tasks. ****** Acaos motherCCAcao is back. Go back home quickly to see her The woman who was called Acaos mother wore heavy makeup. Her clothes were frivolous, revealing a significant portion of her fair breasts. She was fanning herself with a yellowish fan. A poor-quality blush was applied on her face, and there was a thick layer of lipstick on her lips. She gently swayed her slender waist and plump buttocks. The arc attracted many local hooligans who were passing by; her motions made the men hot-blooded. What are you shouting for? Its no big deal. That wicked girl left with an aristocrat for three days and has forgotten about me completely. Shes a girl who lives off of me and helps somebody else secretly The actual age of the woman was only slightly over 30, but she looked like a woman in her 40s. Despite the heavy makeup, signs of natural beauty could be seen in her brows and eyes. She had definitely been a beautiful woman when she was young. However, ones appearance stemmed from ones mind. Her eyes always looked sinister and mean, making people feel frightened. People did not dare to get close to her. No. Acaos mother Acaos The person who came to inform Acaos mother was also a poor woman living in the slums. Although she looked down on Acaos mother for not only selling her body but her daughters body and the bodies of other girls, she had watched Acao grow up. She still took pity on her. Shes just a girl. Its not a big deal that she has come back. Does she want her mother to kneel down and welcome her? The woman had a bad premonition, but she was even more sick of her neighbor. Acao is dead! What? Her cash cow had died? The woman was so shocked that her facial expression changed. She hurriedly followed her neighbor back to her house. There were a lot of onlookers surrounding her house. The woman rudely pushed the onlookers away and walked into the dimly lit house. A girl, who was not fully dressed, was curled up in the room. That was her prostitute. She had just served a customer not long ago, and her face was still numb. She was quivering while she held the few pieces of rags that could not cover her body. There was a rolled mat in the middle of the room. The mat was rolled into the shape of a spring roll. The woman went forward to have a closer look, and she almost fainted. She unfolded the mat with trembling hands, only to see a female body lying on the ground with a beaten face whose profile could roughly be seen. Not to mention the face, but her body was covered with flogging marks and traces of sex. The woman did not believe that she was Acao. She hurriedly tore the girls clothes and turned her over. Her buttocks were a bit redCCand she had Acaos birthmark! At that moment, she had no choice but to accept that Acao had been humiliated and killed after being taken out by the benefactor. Ahhhhh Most of the onlookers lived near the slums. They knew how the woman usually treated Acao. Even enemies would not humiliate someone like that. Now Acao was dead, which was what the woman had wanted. However, the girl was pitiful. She had suffered a horrible death. What surprised them was that the woman who was supposed to cast the corpse aside ruthlessly did not humiliate the corpse. Instead, she collapsed on top of the body and burst into devastating tears. The veins on her forehead stood out. Her tears and snivel ruined the heavy makeup on the face. The onlookers felt strange watching her. Acaos mother, she had already The woman sighed. My condolences. Clean the child up so she can go decently The woman who informed Acaos mother could not bear to see it and comforted Acaos mother gently. Yeah Buy Acao a good coffin. The beasts sent her back and even gave ten taels of silver A prostitute cost one or two copper coins. She did not know how many customers she had to serve to earn ten taels of silver. From the onlookers perspective, the compensation was worth it. The womans cries were so heartbreaking, and she almost couldnt breathe. She was only rescued after a neighbor pinched her philtrum. Im floating like a duckweed The woman only felt that everything in front of her had turned upside down. She mumbled, B**** Hui jun you make me so miserable After that, she tilted her head and died. With such a huge incident happening in the slums, there were many onlookers. No one knew that four, sticky-fingered hooligans had disappeared quietly. Four corpses were buried in the mass grave outside the city. Someone used a dagger to create holes on all four of the corpses. They eventually bled to death. Its almost time. Its time to go, Lady Hui. Acao, who was supposed to be dead, stood in the vicinity of the mass grave, looking at the four corpses that could not be identified with a complicated look in her eyes. Her bloodstained hands were still trembling, and her two calves could not stop shaking, but she felt unprecedentedly carefree. Okay. Im coming. She put on the wide hood of the cloak she was wearing. The hood covered most of her face, revealing only her sharp chin. She tightly hugged both sides of her cloak with her hands to block the cold wind. She stepped on the carriage stool and entered the inconspicuous carriage. The carriage left the mass grave quietly. Acaos past was also buried there; only Huijun was alive. ****** Are you sure that you heard Acaos mother mention the word Huiyun? Upon hearing his confidants reply, Liu She had a somewhat strange facial expression. His confidant was originally worried that there might have been an unforeseen incident, so he disguised himself as a poor commoner and blended into the group of onlookers. He did not expect to gain something unexpected. Yes, Im sure. Huijun Huiyun Liu She read the names twice silently. The pronunciation was similar, but the words were different. The former was the name given to Acao by Lanting. It was impossible for Acaos mother to know about it. If so, the name that she muttered before she died could only have been the name of that woman. Sigh I guess what goes around comes around His confidant left and Liu She walked to the garden, which was being slowly blanketed in snow. Looking at the snowy landscape, he smiled mockingly. Haha. There are really a lot of people who are seeking revenge from you Chapter 309 - Three Years in Langye (IX) The first snow that year lasted for half a month. It was getting colder day by day. Many houses had been crushed by the snow, and it was unknown just how many casualties there were. A few aristocratic families in Shangjing had opened up granaries and set up gruel stalls. Most of the aristocratic families continued to lead a dazed life as if they were drunk or in a dream. Jiang Pengji was staying in the Feng residences for the time being. She heard that there were gruel stalls, so she went out with Feng Jin to give gruel to the people. The snow continued to fall outside. There was already a long line of people in front of the gruel stall. Almost everyone had a withered face and wore thin clothes. Some people were wearing pretty thick clothing, but they were full of patches. So many people have been crushed and frozen to death in this heavy snow Seeing the endless queue, a manservant at the gruel stall muttered to the manservant beside him with a hint of pity and sympathy in his voice. Although two large pots had been set up, there was not enough gruel to give to the people. His partner was running around with jobs to do. Stop chattering. Work is more important How can the lives of the aristocrats and the rabble be the same? The people lined up to receive the gruel with stupefied looks spread across their faces. Jiang Pengji was either helping ladle the gruel or was carrying firewood to make a fire. Feng Jin, who was a frail scholar, was so exhausted that his forehead was sweating. No one made a lot of noise or jumped in the line. The active audience in the streaming room had been silent for a long time. The atmosphere was very depressing. While watching, some audience members could not help but cry out of pity and did not have the courage to continue watching. No one posted inappropriate bullet screens. Tusiji Tiaowu: Although we keep complaining about how cold winter is and how theres no natural heating in the southCCwhich makes it very cold during winterCCwe do live a very happy life. We really do Tusiji Tiaowu: Theres no natural heating in this area, but we can buy a heater on Taobao and turn on the heating system of the air-conditioner if youre not afraid of wasting electricity. You can even wear summer clothing inside the house during the winter All of that was almost impossible in the ancient times. The wealthy people could wear thicker clothes and burn high-quality charcoal to keep themselves warm, but what about the commoners? Yes. What about the commoners? Too many commoners could not afford to buy warm clothing for cold weather, live in wind-proof houses, or burn charcoal to keep themselves warm. That was even in Shangjing City where the emperor lived! The situation was already that bad What about the places around Shangjing? How many houses had crumbled and how many innocent people had been crushed and frozen to death due to the heavy snowfall? Without having any external advantages, they had no choice but to fight against the cold. If they could not withstand the cold, they would have to freeze to death They would be frozen to death! System, can I exchange my popularity points for food? Clothes for cold weather would be good too Jiang Pengji secretly asked the System. No, you cant. Your level is too lowCCunless you choose to upgrade. The cold mechanical sound of the System rang in Jiang Pengjis ears, giving rise to an unprecedented desire for Jiang Pengji to murder someone. Jiang Pengji secretly counted the points of her back-end account and asked, I can exchange for food just by upgrading? Whats the ratio? The System replied, 10,000 points can be exchanged for 100 pounds of food. 10,000 points can be exchanged for 100 pounds of food? Jiang Pengji currently had more than 1.3 million points. It seemed like she would be able to exchange it for a lot of food However, Jiang Pengji was not someone that could be easily fooled. The System avoided answering the previous question. Even if she upgraded her streaming to level three, she would still not have any redemption authority. Regardless of that, to upgrade to a level three streamer from level two would cost her 1,000,000 popularity points. If all the points were exchanged, according to the ratio given by the System, the remaining popularity points could only be exchanged for a small amount of food. It was a trap. Forget it. Youre not reliable at all, Jiang Pengji answered coldly. She continued to think of other ways. The System choked with resentment, but it did not dare to challenge Jiang Pengji. Unless Jiang Pengji chose to upgrade by wasting her popularity points, the System could not do anything to Jiang Pengji. The Feng family was one of the few aristocratic families in Shangjing who chose to set up gruel stalls. They had been cooking gruel from morning until night, but the gruel was still in short supply. A bowl of gruel was not thick. It was very watery, but it could at least fill up ones stomach and warm ones cold body. Jiang Pengji helped out at the gruel stall for a few days. She still had not heard any instructions on disaster relief, let alone a plan for providing rice and warm clothing. Liu She came back from the morning meeting. He looked more and more tired day by day. With a somber look on his face, he said, Ive already submitted a written statement many times, but the government keeps using the marriage of the second prince as an excuse and puts them off ambiguously. The emperor has finally relented today, but he has given this errand to an imperial secretary with the surname Shi That secretary is greedy by nature. He takes advantage of every opportunity to benefit himself I dont know how many people will embezzle the 20,000 teals of silver distributed before the silver is given to the commoners. How much will be left for the commoners In their world, although it had yet to turn chaotic, was it any better than troubled times? Jiang Pengji had either been helping out at the gruel stall over the last few days or had been distributing some warm clothing to the people. She knew what the snowstorm was like the most. She snorted coldly. 20,000 teals of silver arent even enoughCCnot to mention the amount that will be left after the embezzlement and corruption in each tier What purpose can it serve? Liu She sighed. Ive already secretly purchased a batch of grain to be sent up to Shangjing, hoping that it can ease the extremely urgent situation a little. In the current world, everything he did was useless. It was better to solve the hidden peril at its root. ****** The heavy snow finally stopped after three days. Looking at the invitation card, Jiang Pengji smiled very coldly. Im not related to the second prince. Why should I go? The snow was gleaming in Shangjing City. The heaven and earth were boundless. The Princess of the royal family of the Northern Borderline wore a red wedding dress. With the exception made by the emperor of Dongqing, she had permission to sit in a palanquin carried by 16 people. The palanquin was embellished with gold, silver, and jade and it was covered with red satin. It sparkled under the suns reflection and was very luxurious. Wearing festive new clothes, the grooms procession beat gongs and blew horns and entered from the gate of Shangjing City. They walked around the city once and the people on both sides of the street cheered and gave their blessings. Hundreds of tables were set up for the banquet held in the princes residence. Courtiers and ladies went in and out of the place. It was very festive. In stark contrast to that, stiff corpses were being dug up from the ruins in the remote corner of Shangjing City. The frozen corpses piled up one cart after another. Jiang Pengji wore plain clothes. She pinned her hair with a wooden hairpin. Her facial expression was as cold as ice. This world should really change! Jiang Pengji exhorted the manservant that was cleaning up the corpses, Bury them well. The weather is now cold, so the corpses wont decay easily, but you cant slight the matter because of this. If the bodies pile up and theyre not dealt with, epidemic diseases will emerge easily after spring. Dont worry, Langjun. Ill handle it properly. ****** In another place in Shangjing at the same time. Lu Zheng was holding a plate and chewing a piece of white cake that was somewhat cold and hard. He sighed and said, Almost a month has passed after the assessment. The palace still hasnt issued any appointment letters. I think theres no hope for this year The Master has already decided to return to Langye in two days I really dont want to come back to Shangjing again. Hearing the beating of gongs and blowing of horns outside, Han Yu felt unusually fretful. So many commoners had frozen to death and died of starvation. However, the government still held such a grand wedding for the second prince. The scale of the wedding was even greater than that of the crown prince. How could Dongqing behave in such a way? Chapter 310 - Three Years in Langye (X) Han Yu was not in the mood to study due to the beating of gongs and the blowing of horns outside. On the other hand, Lu Zheng was happily eating. Upon seeing that Han Yu was frowning, there was a faint glint in Lu Zhengs eyes. Where did Zixiao go? I havent seen him since this morning. He wasnt present in the morning reading he asked inadvertently, interrupting Han Yus thoughts. Han Yu came back to his senses and asked him rhetorically, Have you not seen him either? Liu Zheng finished the plate of white cakes and drank a large bowl of hot tea heartily. The chill in his body disappeared completely. I havent seen him This plate of white cakes was his breakfast. He didnt eat it and it has turned cold. It was such a waste, so I cooked it and ate it. Lu Zheng patted his chest to guide the qi down. He gulped down a large bowl of hot tea. The warmth made him feel sleepy. Han Yu curled his lips. He seemed to have foreseen Wei Cis embarrassed reaction when he found out that his food was gone. Where was Wei Ci? He was being talked about repeatedly. He was wearing a plain scholars costume and a cloak that could barely block the cold. With his two servants, they went to a slum that was affected by the serious snowstorm in a carriage. The collapse of the slum, which had been in disrepair for a long time, made it even more difficult to travel on the already tough road. It was not easy for the people to go in and out. No gruel stalls were set up in the vicinity. Many families could not earn a living. The thin elders and children could only starve or freeze to death in the cold. Wei Langjun is here When he had just arrived at the alley, a seven-or-eight-year-old girl ran towards him joyfully. After a while, more than 20 skinny old women and children under the age of ten came out holding bowls in their hands. Wei Ci asked his servant to stop the cart and lifted the thick quilt into the carriage, revealing four vats on top. Even though they were covered with lids, the sweet smell still drifted out. Dont worry. Everyone will have a share. Although Wei Ci did not reveal much of a facial expression, good-looking people always had some privileges. The people were very touched by his gesture of providing food for them every day. They had already let their guards down and they were not afraid of the Langjun, who was as pretty as a fairy. Instead, they liked him a lot. After a short while, three vats of steamed bread had all been distributed. The vat containing sticky congee was empty. The leftovers had also been scraped clean. At that moment, Wei Ci realized that someone was tugging at his shirt. He lowered his head to take a look. A little girl whose face was covered in ash was staring at him with clear eyes. There was a hint of adoration in her gaze. Through those eyes, he seemed to have seen another child and his heart grew soft. He crouched down, looked into the childs eyes, and asked, Have you completed the task I gave you two days ago? The little girl nodded her head. Her sallow face was somewhat flushed and she happily responded, Yes! Its all done! The collapse of the houses had crushed many people to death. The roads were blocked, separating the people living in the slum from the outside world. Wei Ci hired the young men in the slum and provided them with three meals a day. He also gave them extra wages to clear up the rocks and snow on the roads. Otherwise, the huge cart behind them could not have been pushed in. Under the compression of the snow, more houses would be destroyed. The little girl in front of him lost her mother in the snowstorm. The fallen pillar had broken her fathers legs and there was no way that he could work. With the loss of the only labor force, one could imagine the life of the family of two. Wei Ci smiled and gave her a task in which she had to remember the people who cleared up the snow and rocks. She was paid daily and she was also given warm clothing. The child was very hardworking and did her job seriously. Youve done a great job, he praised. The child beamed from ear to ear, revealing her gums; she had lost a few teeth. She seemed to realize that it was not appropriate, so she shut her mouth shyly. Wei Ci asked his servant to settle the wages from the day before and asked his servants to unload the bags of food from the carriage. Each household was given some food. I wont be coming again after two days from now. There is still some food and money here. Keep it. Wei Cis family had declined. A thin, dead camel was still bigger than a horse. Before the Wei family moved, they had left him with quite a lot of money, which was enough for him to live a life without having to worry about basic necessities. He had come to Shangjing with Master Yuan Jing for the assessment. He did not expect such a thing to happen at first, so he did not bring much money. Thank you Thank you for your kindness The crowd was expressing their gratitude towards him. Some old people even wanted to kneel down, but Wei Ci stopped them. After leaving the slum, Wei Ci sighed anxiously. The strength of an individual was always weak. Even if he distributed his wealth, what could be saved? The place Wei Ci was staying was far from the residences of the second prince. However, if he wanted to go back, he had to pass by it. The farther away from the slum he traveled, the neater and more luxurious the surrounding houses were. The roads transformed from a muddy, dirt road to a neat, stone road. It was very difficult to imagine that such slums and the houses in front of him were in the same area. Seeing that there were majestic guards of honor clearing the way in front, he asked his servant to pull the wooden cart to the roadside so they could give way to the other party. Langjun, the residence of the second prince is on the street in front of us. Do you want to bypass it? The servant was pushing the cart and spoke somewhat uneasily. Hundreds of tables had occupied the entire street. Commoners were not allowed to get close and the servants could not enter either. Lets make a detour, so as to not bump into the aristocrats and create unnecessary trouble. Wei Ci looked down and hugged both sides of his cloak tightly. The frown on his face left some creases on his cheeks. The residence of the second prince was originally the property of a high-ranking official in Shangjing. Later, he was convicted and the property was confiscated. The government gave the piece of land to the second prince. The house was rebuilt and renovated. Almost the entire street was the compound of the residence of the second prince, so making a detour would take a lot of time. Wei Ci saw from afar that the small, side door of the residence of the second prince was open. Buckets of swill were carried to the swill cart. After quite some time, the buckets of swill had all been moved. The scarlet side door had also been closed quietly. Wei Ci heard the servants who carried the buckets of swill whispering to each other from quite a distance away. Sigh. How are those swill? Theyre clearly buckets of silver The vegetables are intact. Only a small portion of it has been eaten and some of them havent been eaten at all. Theyve been dumped into the buckets of swill just like that and theyre treated as garbage In the world outside of the residence, lots of people have starved to death Even if these vegetables are given to the commoners, many lives could be saved The other cook replied, Do you want to die? What are you talking about? If the aristocrats hear you, losing your job is a small matter You may lose your life. What rights do the rabbles have to eat the food that has been eaten by the aristocrats? The aristocrats are born with silver spoons in their mouths and theyre noble. Were the bumpkins in the field and were born to be humiliated How dare you judge me? Look whos talking The two cooks bickered for a while and sighed. They quietly snuck away from the back door of the residence. It was as if Wei Ci was placed in an icehouse. The chill shot up to his brain from his feet. A taunting pair of eyes cast a glance at him, making him feel suffocated. Your Majesty Youre right he muttered. Hot tears welled up in his eyes and he almost cried. Chapter 311 - Three Years in Langye (XI) Liu She and Jiang Pengji had been staying at the Feng residence for quite a long time, but the friends had to part eventually. As time flew by, the two families had to part. Lanting, you have to be more careful in the future in Langye Academy. Think twice before you do something. Dont be radical. Thinking about Jiang Pengjis gender, Feng Jin wanted to sigh. If his good friend was a guy, he would have accomplished great things. It was a pity that she was a girl. She naturally had to be bound by her gender. That made Feng Jin take pity on her. Okay. Do you think I look like the kind of person who stirs up trouble? Jiang Pengji replied innocently. Feng Jin was silent for a while and responded frankly, Yes, you do! Xu Ke, who was standing off to the side, almost laughed. He grew to become fonder of Feng Jin, who was frank, outspoken, and honest. Jiang Pengji glared at Xu Ke sulkily. Youre favoring an outsider instead of someone on your side. Liu She was responsible for Huijun. He would get someone to teach Huijun all kinds of skills like lyre-playing, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and familiarize her with rules and manners. Liu She had already received the appointment letter for him to go to his appointed post in Chongzhou; he had to leave in a few days. Of course, Jiang Pengji could not go with him. Therefore, before leaving, Liu She specially gave Master Yuan Jing a generous gift and officially requested him to take care of Jiang Pengji. She was there to study, not to enjoy life. Hence, only two people were going to Langye with Jiang Pengji: One was Taxue, and the other was Xu Ke. As for the servant who would look after her, she could find a middleman to make arrangements for her when she arrived in Langye. I feel very reassured about you. Dont pressure yourself too much when youre studying in Langye. Looking at his daughter who was slowly growing up, Liu Shes heart was filled with emotion. Master Yuan Jing has great talents. You have to learn from him. If you dont understand something, ask. Dont feel embarrassed or think that youre troublesome If theres any inconvenience in life, get someone to send me a letter immediately. You mustnt make yourself suffer Liu She was not a sentimental person. However, looking at his daughter, he felt that his heart was not at ease. He had just one child. She was Amins only descendant. No matter how Liu She rambled on, Jiang Pengji listened to him obediently. The next day, after saying goodbye to Feng Ren and his wife, as well as Feng Jin, Jiang Pengji sat in the carriage. The groom gently waved his whip and the wheels of the carriage turned. Liu She got into a carriage as well. He had a much bigger squad than that of Jiang Pengji. There were hundreds of guards with him. Chongzhou was currently in an unstable state. Who knew if one would encounter something dangerous along the way? A great number of people would increase his safety. What about Jiang Pengji? She could fight a group of people by herself, so she did not need any protection at all. Hence, she refused Liu Shes suggestion of assigning a guard to her. Jiang Pengji suppressed her unnecessary emotions and took one more glance at the Feng residence, where she had stayed for quite some time. She let go of the curtain and her facial expression changed into its usual indifference. Leaning against a support, she read for a short while. When she got bored, she looked up at the bullet screens of the streaming to pass time. The audience in the streaming room had been affected by the snowstorm awhile ago. They were not in a very good mood. Most of the bullet screens were greetings and there were very few showy comments. Jiang Pengji scrolled through the comments and sneered coldly. She was in a bad mood, so the System was not in a good state, either. System, I suddenly remembered something. Do you think that the streaming room is a bit strange? The roads in the affluent neighborhood of Shangjing were very smooth, but her carriage also had an awesome shock absorption system. As a result, she barely felt any vibration while sitting in the carriage. After things had ended on a sour note between the System and Jiang Pengji the last time, the System had been silent for a few days. At that moment, Jiang Pengji took the initiative to speak to it. It felt somewhat anxious and that nothing good was going to come from it. Whats missing? the System asked her. Jiang Pengji looked as if she was not paying attention while scrolling through the bullet screens. She started scrolling backwards from that day. Due to her excellent memory, she read through the comments ridiculously fast. She was quicker in scrolling through the bullet screens than turning the pages of a book. I remember that you told me before that your full name is Multidimensional Court Intrigue Stream. The streaming room is being broadcasted in the non-feudalistic era, but even in the interstellar era that I live in, the dimension theory has been pursued by scientists as one of their research goals, Jiang Pengji replied coldly. The System was startled and did not dare to make a sound. It wanted to erase its existence badly. If there was suddenly a streaming platform that popped up in a cross-dimensional streaming room in the dimension that Im in, and its existence was confirmed Jiang Pengji tilted her head. A sneer hung on the corner of her lips, which made the System shudder. Would a normal government machine or a powerful influence that has a certain right to speak be completely indifferent? Ive scrolled through the bullet screen records for so long and I dont notice anything abnormal Jiang Pengji said it lightly, but it was like a clap of thunder when it rung in the ears of the System. After intimidating the System, she sighed and said, Can you explain why? She had always been highly suspicious and wary of the System. Why was that? It was because the System was not worth her trust at all. There were too many suspicious things going on in secret. She would be a fool if she believed them. If she had not probed the System a few times and confirmed that the audience in the streaming room really existed and the streaming room really did connect to another dimension, she would have suspected that audience members were fake. The so-called multidimensional, livestreaming System was an illusion self-directed by the System. The dimension was real, but the important contents of the bullet screen were missing. Jiang Pengji could not help but suspect that the System was manipulating things behind the scenes. Any bullet screen involving the official influence of the dimension had been completely cleared by the System in secret It was either that or people did not have the right to enter the streaming room and they could not post any bullet screens. What was the System trying to do? After a long silence, Jiang Pengji thought that the System was pretending to be ignorant. The System then gave an explanation. Your livestreaming level is too low, so you dont have the authority. Besides, the theme of the livestream is court intrigue. Your mission is to do a streaming on how to have a court intrigue. From an aristocratic lady, youll become the queen who reigns the world. Therefore, you need audience members that are interested in this, not a group of opportunists with ulterior motives. As a System, I have to make checks strictly to ensure the viewability of the streaming, the System explained coldly. It added, As a System, my duty is to guide you to the right path. Anything that has nothing to do with the mainline and elements that affect the viewability of the audience in the streaming room must be removed. Therefore, the official forces from that dimension cant enter the streaming room and are even more incapable of sending leading content to you. In this regard, you can carefully look at the livestreaming agreement that you signed at the beginning of all of this. The System was businesslike and followed the rules and regulations. Jiang Pengji could not do anything to it. Jiang Pengji secretly snorted. Anyway, there was only one System. It could make up its own stories. No matter what the System said, she did not believe it. Jiang Pengji snorted and replied, Its good this way, too. Anyway, I dont like to deal with strange forces. She had the ultimate control over her own life. No one could intervene. The System secretly heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing her words. After a long time, the groom stopped the horse. The carriage stopped in front of Master Yuan Jings residence. Chapter 312 - Three Years in Langye (XII) Wei Ci stared blankly at Jiang Pengji and many emotions ran through his body. She was definitely at the top of the list of people he was afraid to meet. The scene that he saw a few days previous was still echoing in his mind. Because of that, he could not do things calmly. He always woke up from nightmares at midnight and his clothes were soaked wet. He tossed and turned the night before and it was difficult for him to fall asleep. He did not have much of an appetite in the morning. He only ate a few pieces of white cakes, and there was a subtle greenish color under his eyes. Looking at him, people would have thought that the white cakes were unpalatable. Lu Zheng would normally eat two additional bowls of rice, but just by looking at Wei Cis face, he lost his appetite. Before he could complain, Master Yuan Jing squinted his eyes and walked closer to the bamboo slip. Zixiao, an honored guest is here. Go out and greet her. Wei Ci was perplexed, but looking at how Master Yuan Jing squinted his eyes a little, his heart could not help but jolt. I have a bad premonition, he muttered. He saw Jiang Pengji climb down from the carriage and he felt a pain in his stomach, as if the white cakes he had just eaten were churning in his stomach. Jiang Pengji stepped forward and did not seem to notice Wei Cis odd facial expression. She greeted him. Zixiao, were classmates now. If Ive done something wrong in the past, consider that Im still young and please forgive me. Im not really good with words, so anything I say creates a misunderstanding. I hope that you wont estrange yourself from me because of this. Wei Ci nodded, but did not dare to say much. He did not believe in the humble words she said. She had always been capricious and did things wantonly. She would do whatever she wanted to. If she said something like, Im not really good with words. You can beat me up if you dont like me, he would have believed her. He could not beat her in a fight, anyway. Jiang Pengji did not care about his attitude. She raised her hand to untie the knot of her cloak. Upon seeing her actions, Wei Ci subconsciously took a step back. They both remained silent. Jiang Pengji remembered something and flashed a pure smile. She handed the cloak to Taxue, who was behind her. She did not miss the fact that Wei Ci heaved a slight sigh of relief. I lent you my cloak the other day so you could avoid the cold. Although its not expensive, its my favorite, she lied brazenly as she walked by him. It seemed as though Wei Ci was confronted by a formidable enemy. She smiled a little and said, Can I collect it from you in your room later? She had yet to finish talking, but Wei Ci looked like he was about to explode. He walked away at lightning speed, looking frightened. She glanced at Taxue and Xu Ke, who looked like they had just seen a ghost. Jiang Pengji shrugged. She was a real rascal. Xu Ke was dumbfounded. He simply could not believe that his own Langjun was flirting with Wei Ci. Since when are you homosexual? She seemed to have read his mind and said, Youre not as handsome as he is. Why are you so worried? Xu Ke was speechless. Should he have been happy that he was very safe, or should he have been sad that his face was being criticized? On the other hand, apart from being stunned at first, Taxue soon regained her composure. She raised her hand to cover her lips. She sneered and teased, Our Langjun has grown up. Liu Xi would turn 13 after the spring. In the current era, anyone that found their match would immediately get married. Those without an immediate match would get engaged. Xu Ke secretly rolled his eyes. Jiang Pengji continued with profound meaning, Yes. Ive grown up. After meeting Master Yuan Jing and bowing to him to formally acknowledge him as her master, Jiang Pengji was officially a student of Langye Academy. She could study at the academy in the future. Whos this? With a kind smile, Master Yuan Jing shifted his gaze from Jiang Pengji to Xu Ke. Hes Xu Ke. Hes my manservant attending to my studies. Xu Ke was so nervous; he felt like he was a prisoner awaiting his trial. He was perturbed and uneasy. He was worried that Master Yuan Jing was dissatisfied with him. Hes a budding young talent. Please get up. Master Yuan Jing was like a kind elder who made people want to get close to him. Lanting, have you had breakfast? Why dont you accompany me? There were two plates of white cakes on the table. There was a tea boiler that was brewing some hot tea on the side. A faint, sweet scent permeated the air. Xu Ke was dumbfounded. He had never expected the honorary Master Yuan Jing to be so down to earth. Generally speaking, if Master Yuan Jing had invited someone to eat with him, even if one had already eaten, he or she would have to accept. However, Jiang Pengji did not play by the rules. She spoke frankly and bluntly, Ive eaten. Master Yuan Jing did not expose Jiang Pengjis lie. He turned to Xu Ke and asked, Have you eaten, too? Xu Ke was still confused and shook his head. He got dragged away by Master Yuan Jing to eat white cakes. White cakes were a common breakfast food in Langye. However, Master Yuan Jing had a unique palate. He would pair the white cakes with tea. There were a lot of flavorings in the tea and it tasted weird. The white cakes were also eaten with honey In short, that method of eating was like eating lychees with soy sauce. Jiang Pengji politely refused to eat it. Xu Ke was initially quite happy, but his stomach felt unwell after breakfast. Jiang Pengji had expected it. She looked at Xu Kes bitter face as if she were watching a drama. Tsk, tsk. Who told you to eat so indiscriminately? Have you learned your lesson now? She had a sharp sense of smell. After analyzing the ingredients in the pot of tea, she knew that she had to avoid it, but Xu Ke drank it instead. How was I supposed to know that the Masters tea-brewing skill was that He simply did not know how to describe it. Jiang Pengji replied with a smile, Theres nothing wrong with Master Yuan Jings tea-brewing skills; he just has a heavier palate. His stomach isnt well, so of course, the tea he drinks has to aid in his digestion. You were born in Zisang County where the food is more bland, so you naturally cant stand it. Xu Ke smacked his lips. The indescribable, weird taste seemed to linger in his mouth. Although he was overwhelmed by having breakfast with his idol, it was better to avoid such mysterious food. Jiang Pengji said, Help me pack things up. Master Yuan Jing and the others will depart for Langye at noon today. So soon? Xu Ke was dumbfounded. He thought that he could rest at the inn for a day or two. Its not. Theyve been in Shangjing for a long time. Jiang Pengji shook her head in disappointment and continued, Father told me that the palace didnt have the time to decide on the places for the scholars to go to for the time being. They were asked to return to their hometowns and wait for the decree. They had a very valid reason. They were busy cottoning up to the Northern Borderline and were occupied with the marriage of the second prince. How could they manage other things? As everyone knew, the scholars were mostly arrogant. They probably would not want to become an official anymore because their lofty ambitions were being treated so coldly. Not everyone was intrigued by officialdom. Rather than being in the officialdom, it was better to a famous person with literary reputation. A somewhat familiar youth walked through the corridor and bowed to Yuan Jing. Master, the carriage and food are ready. Master Yuan Jing got up, thumped his numb legs, and responded, Ask Youmo and the others to get ready. Lets go. Chapter 313 - Three Years In Langye (XIII) Meng Heng, the eldest son of Meng Zhan, country chief of Meng country in Cang prefecture, son of the second wife of Liu She, Gu Zhen, is presently in danger of assassination, should the host accept him. If the mission is accomplished, the host will receive a Mystery package reward. Consequently, if the host fails, the host will receive level-one electric shock as punishment. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes, leaned her body against the wall of the carriage, and was in a state of rest when the long-forgotten sound by the electronic System drifted into her ears. Meng Heng. She knitted her brows and tapped her fingers against the wall rhythmically. Mystery package? The System coughed lightly and said, Yes, this is unique to real time, mobilized missions. Likened to a golden treasure box, the probability of obtaining a treasure is high. I hope the host will consider this mission favorably. After all, it has been a while since you have done livestream missions. Thus, your reward is limited. This mission involves accepting Meng Heng, and bringing him through a stretch of road to succeed. Jiang Pengji sneered coldly and said, System, you must have forgottenCCI am not in control of the army here. To accept a person is not my prerogative. There are many passengers in the carriage, but they are mostly composed of weak scholars. If the mastermind decides to kill Meng Heng, danger will come upon them and a mishap to any is devastating. You want me to gamble on it? The System was taken aback. It tried to convince Jiang Pengji but it swallowed back its words. It clearly understood that its host was not easily fooled. If so, you can choose to give up on the mission. Should you fail, the punishment is a level-one electric shock. It really has minor consequences, the System said with a hint of regret. However, from my perspective, I implore that you accept the mission. After all, Meng Heng is not just Meng Zhans son, but also the only surviving bloodline of your aunt, Gu ZhenCCyour cousin. Jiang Pengji considered for a long while and asked, What is the likelihood that Meng Heng will be in danger if I do not interfere? The System replied, Based on background probability, it will be a narrow escape from death. Jiang Pengji looked strangely at the Mystery package on the Systems mission board. Dont disturb me. Let me reconsider. The System replied professionally, Sure, I will not disturb you. Her expression did not change outwardly, but she sneered in her heart. Finally, the System could not bear it. Jiang Pengji was not anxious at all about leveling up the streaming room. She said from the start that she refused to level up without opening up the level up card. For more than half a year, she had saved points of popularity like a miser and was not moved no matter how the System tried to convince her. Why? She could see through the Systems motives. Whats so great about the System? It was but a compilation of algorithms To think it wanted to outsmart a human like her? Wishful thinking! The System did not have an advantage at the many crossfires. Jiang Pengji, in turn, understood its underlying intentions and what the points of popularity were about. With regards to the System, the points of popularity were proportional to its leveling upCCits source of daily energy and perhaps a greater function. The daily points of popularity remained stagnant and low if the streaming room did not level up. Unfortunately, the appetite of the System steadily increased, like that of a three or four-month-old baby to a one or two-year-old child. It required mouthfuls of milk at first, but now it would be full after a small bowl. The upper quota of manpower in the streaming room had to increase under such circumstances so that the daily points of popularity were enough to satisfy the Systems appetite. How did one increase the upper quota of manpower? There were two ways: to use a level up card, or the streamer paid to level up. The reputable System made a small sacrifice for a greater gain for the sake of the streamer. When the quota of manpower increased, the streamers benefits increased proportionally. But, was Jiang Pengji so foolish? If the System was hungry, so be it. It was none of her business! More importantly, Jiang Pengji suspected that it did not require so many points of popularity for the streaming room to level up! Only God knew how much the System had benefited Jiang Pengji did not trust the words spoken by the System. Her solution was procrastination! She would procrastinate until the System became impatient and needed points of popularity urgently, then it would pay from its own pocket to help her level up! Honestly, that was how the first level up card came. She bet that the real time, mobilized mission had no significance; it was solely because the System needed a reason to give Jiang Pengji a level up card. She was certain the Mystery package contained a level up card. Ever since Jiang Pengji figured out that the System could read her mind, she spilt her consciousness in two. She deceived the System with her superficial, mental activities while she hid her real intentions in her deeper level of consciousness Ah! The conclusion was that the mission would be accomplished, completed or not. I will accept. Just as the System was feeling uneasy, Jiang Pengjis three gentle words caused it to cry for joy and find relief. It was rare that the host would consent so easily. Taxue, I am going down to ride the horse for a while. My back is going to ache if I continue to sit in the carriage. Jiang Pengji passed the hand warmer to Taxue to hold, opened the carriage curtains slightly, exited sideways, and quickly closed the carriage curtains. Langjun, please remember to drape your coat. You do not want to not catch a cold. Taxue stuck her head out of the carriage and passed a coat to Jiang Pengji, who had steadily gotten on the horse. With a flick of her hand, as if her coat had eyes, it obediently covered her body. Look, Zude, such are young menCCfull of vitality, unafraid of the cold. One cant help but be envious. Master Yuanjing heard the commotion, opened the carriage curtains slightly to look, and smiled with relief. He held a steaming hot hand warmer in his hands. He wished he could bundle his entire body in one. Zude fiddled with the silver charcoal in the brazier while laughing and shifted it further to prevent anything from burning. Teacher, your strength is commensurate to your age; you are not losing to the youths. You recently played in the water with your friend, while your student stood by the shore, too afraid to go down. Zude laughed. With a hint of bashfulness he said, Your student is the first to disagree if you call yourself old. Master Yuanjing laughed involuntarily. This mouth of yours Your level of sweet talk increases by the day. You speak of this old man in such a way that he became two cattys lighter.. The previous snow subsided. While snow began to fall again, the cold wind that blew past was like small knives slashing. It made ones face burn in pain. Jiang Pengji wore her hood and held the reins with both hands. Her horse spurred and went from last to first in the group, opening the pathway forward. One that cannot be tamed. Wei Ci was engrossed in his book when he heard the loud sound of a horses hooves approaching. He lifted the curtains of his carriage only to see a white shadow drifting past. The cold wind blew across his face, unexpectedly brightening his mood. Lu Zheng shivered, huddled pitifully, and said, Zixiao, please bring the curtains down. I am freezing. Chapter 314 - Three Years In Langye (XIV) Wei Ci glanced at Lu Zheng and started laughing. You are cold despite the fact that you hugged the charcoal brazier to fall asleep? Lu Zheng came from a line of hunters and had traveled up and down mountains since he was young Why was his body so afraid of the cold? I have been afraid of the cold since I was young Of course I am freezing Lu Zheng mumbled softly. He wished he could live in the charcoal brazier. Why else would he have been so fearful of the cold if it was not for the fact that he had experienced it firsthand? His feet and hands had nearly been frozen. After Wei Ci heard his explanation, he was momentarily silent; he looked like he was reminiscing on the past. Others knew him to be the legitimate son of the Wei family. Unbeknownst to them, he had experienced a dark phase in his life where he lived in isolation. When the cold descended, his room became as cold as an ice house. During the winter, he did not even know where the charcoal was and could only snuggle under his blanket fearfully. Now that he was grown, his intense fear of the cold was at the core of his being. How did it improve thereafter? Zixiao, why are your extremities so cold? Come, Zhen will reluctantly hug you. He was cold like a block of ice while someone else was a fiery, walking stove all year round. Wei Ci thought of that and color came back to his cheeks. It was not obvious, as the horse carriage was sufficiently warm within. Wear another layer of clothing. Arent you afraid of catching a cold? Wei Ci whispered to no one in particular. He had lost his interest in his reading. Lu Zheng lifted his head and suddenly became happy. Zixiao is the best. He cares for his brothers. Saying that, he opened Wei Cis suitcase. A thick furry white coat was placed neatly at the top, a painting laid on top of it. Wei Ci was speechless. Lu Zheng said, This coat, made of rabbit fur, seems warm. Let me wear it for a while. This painting, eh, is a sight to behold and Zixiao is indeed talented. Lu Shaoyin, get down! Lu Zheng was confused. Even then, he knew he touched something he was not supposed to. He clung to the door of the carriage. No, I will not get down! Wei Zixiao, you heartless person, if you refuse to take me in, I will freeze to death. If I die, I will visit and talk to you in your dreams Lu Zheng shouted at the top of his voice, as if he was killing a pig. He had a stance of, I will go all out if you chased me away. That caused Wei Ci to almost collapse in anger. He once vowed to stand by through thick and thin, despite a siege for half a year or lack of rations. Lu Shaoyin, who would never bow under pressure, was only capable of that? Wei Ci was very doubtful. Lu Shaoyin, who handed ten consecutive proposals, spoke against Emperor Chen. Lu Shaoyin, who committed martyrdom at the last moment, was not the person before his eyes. The sound proof system in the carriage was not ideal, and Lu Zheng had a booming voiceCCso much so that the carriages around them could hear the commotion. Han Yu heard the commotion and laughed. Zixiao, what did you do that angered god and men so much that they called you heartless? Wei Ci was exasperated, but he was a person of integrity and did not explain himself. Lu Zheng, on the other hand, was a shameless person and disregarded etiquette. He stretched his head out of the window and said, Zixiao is at the age of marriage. He saw what was not meant for his eyes and wants to silence someone. Can Wen Bin please take me in for a few days? Han Yu laughed and said, Dont take him in. If Zixiao is bent on silence, no one can protect him. Jiang Pengji came back after a run and frowned upon hearing their idle talk. Isnt it just one or two Bihuo paintings? Why are you so shy about it? When they heard that, Lu Zheng leaned on the window of the carriage and laughed while Wei Cis face turned pale. It had never crossed his mind that Lu Zheng, whom he seldom interacted with, had such a vile personality. Lu Zheng knew his limits and specialized in the ability to read situations. He saw that Wei Ci was genuinely angry and instinctively raised his hand and coughed softly. Pardon me, Zixiao. This is truly due to my impulsiveness and lack of manners The joke has gone too far. Please be magnanimous and forgive me. Wei Ci said with a stoic face, Dont let this happen again. After Lu Zheng heard that, he immediately felt alive and his blood returned. He eyed the painting with anticipation. Before paper came to pass, scholars and literate people often used quality cloth as their base, thereby pouring ink to paint. The improved version of bamboo paper slowly led to the use of paper, giving rise to the use of the paper painting scroll. Lu Zheng knew of Wei Cis multiple talents early on. There was a rumor in Langye that he was a genius from the previous dynastyCCthe reincarnation of Langye Huangfu. His literary talent was comparable to Master Yuanjing. Given a few years, he could even excel and outshine him But rumors were just rumors. In Lu Zhengs eyes, Master Yuanjing was like an unattainable mountain. What did Wei Ci do to deserve to have such reputation? After he saw the content of Wei Cis own painting, he was somewhat convinced. In the painting, a lady was asleep and laying on a flower. It looked so real it was as if she would open her tipsy eyes any moment. Wei Ci was in a bad mood, otherwise Lu Zheng would have used his hand to test if Wei Ci was breathing and if the people within the painting were alive. The lady was dressed boldly. Her sleeves covered half her arms, revealing her snow white wrists. Her skirt was only long enough to cover her calf. She wore two silver rings around her ankle, and her soles rested on the flower petals where the beauty slept. The red paint appeared even more red than normal, which made the white appear whiter in contrast. The painting caused ones heart to flutter. This person looks familiar, Lu Zheng muttered while looking at the persons face. Wei Ci took the painting scroll from his hands and rolled it up meticulously. Your vision is dimmed. Wei Ci pulled the luggage of clothes towards himself and packed the cloak, which went from the top to the bottom of the luggage. The painting scroll was well hidden. Lu Zheng was speechless. The Wei Ci before him, compared to the infamous, well-regarded Wei Langjun, was starkly different. However, with such talents, if he went to draw the Bihuo painting, that scene would truly have been unbearable. Even if it was not about the Bihuo painting, it was bold to draw such a theme. Maybe Wei Ci was not an honorable person. Coincidentally, Wei Ci also felt that Lu Zheng and the Lu Shaoyin in her memories wee worlds apart. They had strong tacit between each other. I may have met a fake Lu ShaoyinCCWei Zixiao. ****** After more than half day of sojourn, the servant started the fire and cooked. The horse carriages formed a circle around an empty plot of land and blocked the wind. Jiang Pengji asked the System privately, Where is Meng Heng? If you do not tell me the location, how am I to save him? System said, Dont be anxious, he is coming soon. Not long after, three campfires were set up, and some people who resisted the snow and wind were walking towards them from afar. Jiang Pengji was still on the horse and said, I will go check. Weve no idea if they are friends or foes. They left the vicinity of Shangjing. It was not peaceful outside. They could have easily met robbers or people who were robbed. Based on careful considerations, they allowed Jiang Pengji to scout. Who is there up in front? Jiang Pengji intercepted the horse. There were three people in front. Based on their clothes, there was one servant and two guards. The person dressed as a servant bowed respectfully before Jiang Pengji and said, Your servant is the page boy serving the Meng county chief Da Langjun. The road ahead is uneven and the snow is slippery. The cartwheel on our horse carriage is damaged. What is the best option now? Seeing the campfire, he presumptuously wanted me to seek help. Jiang Pengji frowned and asked in return, saying, The Meng county chief Da Langjun? Is that Meng Heng? The servant said, That is the county chief I work for. Jiang Pengjis stoic face became somewhat warmer. She said, Such a coincidence! My father is Liu She from Hejian. Speaking of family ties, Meng Heng is my older cousin. Where is he now? I will go look. The servant was troubled when he heard of the prestigious name Liu She, but he heaved a sigh of relief when Jiang Pengji unexpectedly admitted to their family relationship. Meng Heng was Liu Xis older cousin based on blood relation, even if the Lius of Hejian County and the Mengs of Cang Prefecture were at odds. Chapter 315 - Three Years In Langye (XV) When Jiang Pengji first saw Meng Heng, the Systems voice rang in her ears. System: Congratulations, Streamer, for completing the real time mission of helping Meng Heng. Please claim your reward, the Mystery package, at the collection point backstage. You mean the missions complete? Jiang Pengji chuckled. The System was so desperate that it could not bear it anymore. She used her usual expression to assess Meng Heng. He was somewhat of a brute, which differed from Meng Liangs refined appearance. He wore a scholarly robe, which looked inappropriate on him, but after looking intently, his body exuded with righteous energy. Rather than classifying Meng Heng as a literary scholar, he was more apt as a martial artist. From a quick glance at his hands, she noticed thick calluses, which were a sign that he used swords and spears over an extensive period of time. His martial art skills may not have been good, but his build was surely not weak. You must be Cousin Heng? Jiang Pengji informed Master Yuanjing, then followed the guards to meet Meng Heng. Meng Heng was sitting in a carriage at first sight, clothed in a grey cloak. The charcoal within the carriage had since extinguished and no residual heat was left. The decoration within was minimal, like that of a poor scholar. One could not tell he was the legitimate son of the Mengs. You are? Meng Heng knit his thick, black brows, unable to recall when he had seen Jiang Pengji. Mother frequently speaks of you, Cousin Heng. Shes always concerned about your days at the Meng residences Jiang Pengji did not reveal her identity, but after hearing her words, Meng Heng understood. You are Cousin Xi? Meng Heng reckoned in a daze. He did not expect the handsome youth before him to be the legendary second legitimate son of Liu She. Moreover, he heard Jiang Pengji speak of Gu Zhen. His expression became ambiguous as he said, Has mother been living well all these years? When Gu Zhen left the Meng residences, Meng Heng was of age and had knowledge of what had transpired. Meng Heng did not hold a grudge against Gu Zhen, his biological mother, for the divorce, as he knew the consequences. Instead, he had pity and respect for her. The Meng residence was an unconducive place, otherwise he would not have traveled all the way to Shangjing just to avoid the complicated affairs. Jiang Pengji said, Mother fell sick during early spring and almost did not make it through. Fortunately, blessing and disaster are interdependent. After she recovered, the ailments that plagued her before also healed. She is living well now. Meng Heng said, It is good that Mother is living well. Jiang Pengji asked him, Your servant mentioned that the horse carriage cartwheel has problems? Meng Heng was bashful and blushed. He replied with an eh sound. Jiang Pengji glanced at the damaged cartwheel and suddenly understood the source of the problem. The carriage had been used for umpteen years and had not yet been repaired. The wear and tear had damaged the cartwheel, so it could not bear it anymore. To think the legitimate eldest son of the Mengs would use such an old carriage His days at the Meng residences must have been miserable. There was insufficient charcoal within the carriage on a snowy day. His clothes were old and had been washed multiple times. If Cousin Heng is not in a rush, lets travel together and look out for each other. Jiang Pengji invited him to join them like a mischievous twelve-year-old. Mother was in a daze when she was ill and often called out Cousin Hengs pet name. Since we met, I must ask you to join us so that when I return I can tell mother and she will be at peace. Meng Heng was tempted by her offer, as if the scene flashed through his head. He did not retain many memories as a child, but he had a recollection of Gu Zhen. She was a demure and beautiful, noble lady, as if she emerged from a traditional painting of beautiful women. One could not help but sigh at the good and peaceful times. She missed him even when she was sick. How could he not be moved? He was touched and said, If so, pardon me for disturbing. Mother remarried years ago It is with deep regrets that this unfilial son never visited. Can Cousin Xi fill me in on matters related to Mother? Sure. Jiang Pengji had three carriages and could spare Meng Heng one after she tidied it up a bit. Meng Heng stood in a daze when he saw who was seated in the carriage. He stared blankly at Master Yuanjing, who was infamous through the nine prefectures. Cousin Xi, are you the Masters disciple at present? he finally asked. No. Master has strict criteria for taking in disciples. I have benefited immensely from Masters teachings, but I am just studying under his academy for a few years. Meng Heng did not look erudite outwardly, but his words and actions proved him to be reliable. Upon hearing that his younger cousin was studying at Langye academy, he couldnt help but encourage her to study hard. Jiang Pengji took it well. If she were a tender youth, ones impatience would have surely been evident. Meng Heng was uniqueCClikened to a lotus that emerged from the swamp of Meng residence. The disciples of Master Yuanjing had a temper and did not all get along. Some had studied together for many years but spoke few words. Their relationship was superficial and they did not welcome outsiders. Meng Heng sensed that and mostly stayed in his carriage. He talked to Jiang Pengji occasionally but seldom to Master Yuanjings students. After Jiang Pengji accomplished the real time, mobilized mission, she did not bother with the Mystery package at the backstage collection point. The System could not bear it anymore and urged her to open the package. She said, I will wait for an auspicious day to open it. System was speechless. I have something to say now! She did not provoke the System and sought an opportunity to talk to Wei Ci on the second day. From what the master says, Zixiao is well-versed in Bagua Yijing. Does he do face reading? Wei Ci parted the curtains and questioned Jiang Pengji with his eyes. What mischief are you up to? How much luck do you think I have today? she asked. After Wei Ci heard this, his face turned pale green. He looked into Jiang Pengjis eyes, which appeared somewhat unfriendly. I am sincerely begging Im not intentionally annoying you. He appeared aloof. Yin tang appears red. Negative aura does not approach This is fortunate. He had never seen her Yin tang appear black before, despite external negative aura entering her body. It was unable to suppress her internal aura. Jiang Pengji exclaimed Oh! She then sped up by kicking the horses stomach; White obediently sprinted forward. Wei Ci was speechless. Enough of putting up a show. Jiang Pengji finally opened the Mystery package. The package shattered to pieces violently, fragments floating in the air, then gathered them together as fine sand formed into a golden substance. Keke Jiang Pengji placed her fingers together and expressed her surprise. System, look at how popular I am. The System was silent for a while. It finally said, Your servant serves tea to Ouhuang Dalao. She barely used any strength as she broke the card to pieces and a topic of choice was presented before her eyes. The angelic System gently reminds the host that you are currently a level two streamer. You will be upgraded to level three after the usage of the level up card and the manpower in the streaming room will increase to an upper limit of 50,000. Are you sure you wish to use the free level up card? A: Yes; B: No. Yes! Chapter 316 - Three Years in Langye (16) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The System announces its warmest congratulation to the host, Jiang Pengji, for her promotion to Streamer Level Three. The streaming room upper limit has expanded to 50000 people. A consecutive series of fireworks flashed on the virtual screen, leaving the original bullet screen completely covered. Streaming Room Level Two had a flower themed decoration. After the upgrade to level three, the colors of the flowers became darker and more vibrant. The audience members that were lined up rushed in, and the upper limit of people increased to 50,000. A sudden increase in audience members caused the internet to lag. The bullet screen was like an active volcano, surging violently. Zuizhan Baishegeng: Yi, what just happened? It feels like the lag caused the screen to become a PPT. Bingtang Ningmeng: I felt the lag too and thought the Streamers livestream today was so short. Yes, what did the notice from the System mean? Did the Streamer finally level up and does that mean there will be 50,000 people watching the livestream together? Laosiji Lianmeng: I saw the screen full of fireworks and stepped out to see the interface. Indeed, the headcount has increased to fifty thousand. Ying Taotao: Yi, I thought the internet broke down! I was in the queue and then suddenly I was in. I wanted to complain that it was too difficult to fight for a spot in the Streamers streaming room. I tried before and was not successful after that. Linglong Mibaogezhu: Loushang +1. I have to change positions often to secure a place and often cannot. Doraemon: Hehe, just joking. How can the typing speed of normal people compare to that of people that are hundreds of years old? Niuzhatang: #dignose. I highly suspect his native place is at the signal box. Jiang Pengji laughed. Even though there were suddenly many new audience members, the atmosphere of the bullet screen was pleasant. After multiple attempts to test the System, Jiang Pengji began to grab hold of its weaknesses. If she did not purposely cause trouble, the System was unable to escape from her grasp. The host and System were on opposite ends of a seesaw; the incentive they had on hand were the points of popularity. Jiang Pengji had to ensure the seesaw was balanced, or she had to subdue the System. The opposition could not do anything, and conversely would be driven to its wits end by her. For example, if Jiang Pengji refused to level up, the System could only struggle whilst at deaths door. It would grow weaker day by day, to the point where it exhausted all of its energy. Conversely, if Jiang Pengji had less incentive in her hands compared to the System, or if she unwittingly fell into its trap, what would happen then? She would have been caught in between. One mistake and she would not be able to recover. She would become its puppet, availing herself to be manipulated by it. If that was the case, why did Jiang Pengji not seize the chance to take down the System? She wanted to cast a long line to catch a big fish. To achieve great things, how could one be distracted by a small incentive and forget about the real deal? Hehe! Jiang Pengji puckered her lips. Her eyes brimmed with confidence. She wanted to see how long the System was able to bear it! Host, I feel I will have a breakthrough soon. After a while, the Systems monotonal voice rang in her ears. She fluttered her eyes and asked, Will you be leveling up soon? Yes, the System replied nonchalantly. Just like before, I will choose a time when the host is not livestreaming to safeguard my level up, so that I will not disturb your daily livestreaming job. The estimated time to level up is twelve hours. Jiang Pengji nodded in approval and did not wait for the System to briefly sigh in relief. She said, Actually, I have other things to discuss with you. I wish to start the second strength fusion. The System was speechless. Silence lingered for such a long while that Jiang Pengji suspected the System to be ignorant. It finally responded. Should we start the strength fusion now? it asked. Yes. It requires a million points of popularity. Jiang Pengji raised her clenched fist, her expression frozen. The world is so messed up. If one does not have power, they will be worse off than a rootless duckweed. I am still too weak and must gain strength to protect everything. The System deliberated. The host has a base strength of twelve points and a strength fusion of thirty-nine points. The combined points far exceed the common man so close to the critical value. As one advances, a slight increase in numerical value will expand ones points of popularity substantially. Previously, you were able to increase fusion by 0.01 percent with 10,000 points, but now, with 1,000,000 points, less than 1 percent is attained. Jiang Pengji knew that even without the Systems reminder. I am mentally prepared. The System said, As a qualified System, I have the responsibility to remind you: Previously, only 10,000 points were required for fusion. To level up strength fusion from level 30 to 31 is the same as a small child taking his first steps. It has now escalated dramatically to 1,000,000 points of popularity. So what? Jiang Pengji asked the System. The best approach is to do the fusion in parts. This will minimize the dangers involved. Jiang Pengji seemed to consider it seriously, but she decided to reject the Systems idea eventually. Theres no need. I am confident since I decided to take the risk. Isnt it just putting my life at stake? I will not be easily subdued by a dog leash. She learned the term dog leash from the streaming rooms audience. Do not worry about me. The Systems suggestion was good, but Jiang Pengji knew it would not be easy to negotiate once the other party leveled up. It was highly possible it would lord over her Didnt that happen after the System leveled up the first time? She managed to avoid the mission to rescue the Meng Liang that was used to test her. If she hadnt, the current situation would have been unpredictable. Thus, she had to increase her bargaining chip before the System leveled up the second time. The System was speechless. Who cares about you? ****** The snow melted and froze. The road was hard to tread upon and the snow continued to fall heavily. Everyone prepared to set up camp in the vast area that night for safety. They set up multiple campfires. Jiang Pengji instructed Taxue and rode her horse between the trees. The torture of fusing physical forces was something even Jiang Pengji could not flippantly say was bearable. If the fusion took place in the carriage, one could not be sure if a commotion would occur. It would have been hard to explain herself if someone saw her in a state of suffering. This location is good. Jiang Pengjis night vision was very good; she found the nearest stream with White. Has the host decided to use 1,000,000 points to continue with the fusion? A: Confirm; B: Let me reconsider. Learning from her last experience, Jiang Pengji was calm. She sat still by side of the stream, waiting for the fusion to begin. After a few breadths, a sharp, excruciating pain enveloped her whole body without warning. It was intense and violentCCa completely different level from the first fusion. She secretly bit her molar tooth, held on to the pebble by the stream with both hands, clenched her hands tightly, and even scratched its surface with her fingernails. The moonlight was clear as water to begin with, which descended on her face. She looked as white as snow and like a lifeless ghost. Her lips turned from light green to dark purple. She was suffering; her eyeballs were enlarged and her eyelids burned with pain as if they were going to burst. Every muscle in her body tensed up; they twitched and spasmed as blood vessels surfaced on her skin. Chapter 317 - Three Years In Langye (16) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Ka Cha Cha! The pebble that Jiang Pengji held broke in response to the sound. All ten of her fingertips split open, and blood smeared across the broken pebble. She cringed in pain. Her consciousness was seized by waves of intense pain, but she remained strong and guarded the last of her rationality. Her lower lip was riddled with teeth marks. She let out uncontrollable sound of boredom, which overflowed from her lips. In a matter of breaths, blood flowed from her eyes, nostrils, and earsCCakin to little snakesCCand the air gradually reeked with scent of blood. White was, after all, a warhorse from the Northern Borderline and had spiritual sense. Jiang Pengjis current state caused it to be anxious. Its hooves rubbed against the ground rapidly. Pu tong! The sound of a heavy object dropping onto the waters surface was heard; it was Jiang Pengji, her entire being, that fell into the stream. White snorted, went around its original location anxiously, then turned its head and ran towards the direction it came from. It was after midnight. Besides the servants and page boy who stood guard at night, the majority of people were asleep. The scholars who liked to hold their lanterns and study at night stayed within their carriages reading their books. Lu Zheng ate and drank until he was full then went to sleep. He grabbed his quilt and wrapped himself like a spring roll. Wei Ci draped an overcoat and leaned to the side of the carriage to read. As he looked back and read the familiar content, surprisingly, he had a different takeaway. Really? After he read one book, he gradually became tired. As Wei Ci prepared to sleep in his clothes, he saw Lu Zheng sprawl out on his back. His sleeping posture was so carefree and occupied more than half of the space within the carriage. He had no space for himself. He should have never taken Lu Zheng in, who freely made himself at home. Who would have known his sleeping posture was so detestable? He was not impressed. Is that the sound of horse hooves? He wanted to wake Lu Zheng up when he heard something coming. He opened the curtains. There was no commotion from the servants who guarded at night. Their lack of concern caused him to inevitably doubt that he heard incorrectly. He mumbled softly, Perhaps it was an auditory illusion After a while, the servant on night duty got up, widened his eyes, and said, Isnt that Liu Xiao Langjuns horse? Whites entire body was white as snow. It had no stray hair and its body was strong and healthy. It stemmed from the prestigious bloodline of the Northern Borderline warhorses. It looked spectacular in the dark. Liu Xiao Langjun? After he heard this address, Wei Cis heart was moved. He put on and adjusted his clothes properly and took his hand warmer down from the carriage. What happened? There was a total of five servants on night duty. One of them stood forward to receive the reins around Whites neck and led it; it was undergoing emotional turmoil. Your servant does not know which direction the horse came from It seems like something has happened. Wei Ci frowned and stepped forward. White arched its head to his chest. It snorted a few times and looked very anxious. Did it discover something? Wei Ci lifted his eyebrow. His heart was suddenly filled with a bad feeling. The horse was proud in nature. Regardless of how many people saw it and tried to please it, it was too lazy to reciprocate. If White found something, it would have first gone to its master, not to strangers. Continue to guard this place. I will go with the horse to investigate. If I dont return within half an hour, then inform Master and the rest. Wei Ci was skilled in literacy, but he was also familiar with the Six Arts of Rites. His shooting, riding, and martial arts were incomparable to martial artists, but he was not a flower boy. Sorry to impose on you. Please bring me to your master. Wei Ci stroked Whites mane, held its reins, and got onto the horses back. Surprisingly, White did not throw him off. White and Wei Ci rode away and disappeared. The few servants looked at each other and acted according to their instructions. The stream was not far off from the site where the carriages had stopped; it only took a quarter of an hour to get there. Wei Ci thought something had happened to Jiang Pengji. His lips turned ghastly white in shock. He was almost thrown off by White as he did hold tightly to the horses stomach. However There were many trees before their eyes, thereby blocking their vision, but his ears were not deaf. The sound coming from the water was surely Before Wei Ci came, Jiang Pengji had regained consciousness in the stream. Her energy level was at its height now, but her limbs were weak. It required a lot of energy just to lift her ten fingers. Since she was well, she decided that she might as well soak in the ice cold stream to regulate her breathing. She discovered blood stains on her skin. She lifted her hands and splashed water on her arms and neck. She washed the blood stains off with her clothes on. She heard the familiar sound of horse hooves and lifted her brows, but did not turn back immediately. Who is that? she asked. Her voice was hoarse and indolent. Separated by the trees, Wei Ci directed his sight elsewhere; only his ears began to flush. Just now, your horse ran to the campsite. I thought something happened to you so I rushed over Jiang Pengji said, White discovered this tranquil stream. It secretly came here in the middle of the night to bathe. It has become a joke to Zixiao. Wei Cis face turned ghastly pale. He stood by Whites side, not knowing if he should walk away or stay. Since all is well, then I should not tarry. Others did not know Jiang Pengjis gender, but Wei Ci knew and had no intention of revealing that to others. Wait, Jiang Pengji shouted to Wei Ci and shyly said, I came secretly but left in a hurry. I forgot to bring fresh clothes to change Can I trouble Zixiao to bring White back for Taxue to help prepare a set of clothes for me? Just hang them on Whites trappings; it will deliver them to me. Wei Cis facial expression was unfathomable. He closed his eyes White came to the campsite not to ask for help, but to help Jiang Pengji bring a set of clothes? He glanced at White, who had a lot of spiritual sense. It turned its head and looked at him with innocent, watery eyes. Wei Ci facial expression turned cold. He propped himself up the horse. I understand. He often felt that his concerned heart was being trampled upon. White snorted and ran, its hooves pattering against the ground. It was in much less of a hurry than when it came to get him. The sound of its hooves was heard briefly from afar. Jiang Pengji heaved a sigh of relief and rested her head on the side of the stream. The water in the stream was flowing and did not freeze, but it was still piercing cold. Luckily, the cold was nothing to Jiang Pengji now. When she saw her profile and statistic screen, she smiled weakly. She could ignore other things, but Base strength of 31 points, strength fusion, additional 56 points was enough to prove that she made the right choice. She raised her hands to see her arms. On the surface there were not many changes, but she felt an internal accumulation of energy. She briefly used the stream water to wash herself. White carried a bag of clothes and ran over. Seeing that the bottom of her clothes were above her ankle, Jiang Pengji frowned. The clothes are quite small She knew that was because of her growth spurt. After the strength fusion, her genes would slowly become superior. She would experience an increase in height, which was also an outward phenomenon after she became superior. Luckily the change was not massive. She was only twelve years old and had not reached the thirteen year mark. The growth rate was fast and normal. Other than that, there was another advantage for the change: Due to the natural state of being a woman, the average height was shorter than men. Liu Xis body was as follows. As she presently experienced a growth spurt, her height now complemented the male outfit she was wearing and did not appear too tall. She brushed her hair back and leapt onto the horses back. Lets go, White. Chapter 318 - Those Carefree Years Of Youth (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langye was indeed a glorious and outstanding place. Other places were chilly, but it was filled with a warm breeze and the flowers were already budding. During early spring, the scenery was perfect. The spring wind blew against a persons body and ignited a warm, lazy feeling. The young ladies, whose love for beauty had become their nature, changed into their spring clothes early on; the vibrant colors made them more delicate than flowers. Their dark black hair was pulled back and tied up, combined with one or two blooming flowers. Even if they did not apply makeup, their vigorous, youthful energy could not be controlled. Ladies loved charm. All the young Langjuns did not want to lose out either. They wore elegant robes, were remarkably poised, and their sleeves carried a mild, fragrant smell. Ding, dang! Ding, dang! A few bells hit each other rhythmically, following the strong and vigorous steps of the horses. The sound came through beat by beat, and with the sound of the horses hooves, it was like a joyful song. Others could hear and feel the owners relaxed mood. There was some commotion arising from the city gates and amidst the crowd. The sounds of discussions and joy were discreetly heard. Is that the tiger that was eating humans from Zhangjiang village? It looks horrifying. YesCClook at its head! There are at least six stones! No wonder it was able to eat so many people and cause such harm Even the officials couldnt do anything. Both sides of the streets were filled with commoners watching the commotion. They spoke of the tiger that was being carried by four strong men. Presently, there was another tiger, smaller in size, that was carried in. Those with any insight could recognize it was a female tiger. Be good. I initially thought it was just one tiger that harmed Zhangjiang village Unbeknownst to me, it was actually a crime committed by both a husband and a wife! Whats more, look at the stomach of the female! It is abnormally shrivelled. Its like a mother horse that has just given birth The people were discussing the matter in excited tones. The customers at the two tea houses on either side heard the commotion below and stretched out their heads to look. They were frightened by the two tigers, even though they were already dead. The awe they exuded still caused people to be afraid. From the outside, both tigers looked intact. There was dried, dark black blood where their eyes were positioned. Even if one wasnt an experienced hunter, the majority of people would have been able to tell how the two tigers had died. They were shot by an arrow aimed at their eyes, which then pierced through their brain, causing them to die immediately. It was a very skilful shot, and it maximally guaranteed the integrity of both tigers skin. Many commoners had envious eyes. A scholar said, It is rare to find such a majestic tiger. I wonder who the archer was that killed them. He can be said to be brave beyond measure. Ai? You didnt know? His friend was astonished. He leaned by the window on the second floor of the teahouse and looked outside, as if searching for someone. What? Is there some inside story that I dont know? His friend laughed elegantly and said, If these two tigers really harmed Zhangjiang village, the person who killed them must be that person. What does this mean? The scholar did not understand. You may not know Didnt the county chief organize a distinguished assembly, inviting many scholars to discuss the realms and their power? The scholar remained pensive and said, I was mildly sick that day I caught a cold and did not attend. What happened during the assembly? His friend smiled, speechless. He closed his fan and spoke softly, That day at the distinguished assembly, a scholar spoke directly about how militants bring trouble to the country. He believed that Nansheng was almost defeated by the mighty four factions of Nanman mainly because the Lord of Nansheng had faith in the military generals, which led to the instability of the court. The internal conflict was unresolved and the four factions of Nanman took advantage of it, sending their troops to the city walls. Nansheng may have been Dongqings enemy, but at least they were blood brothers from the same father. They would not be comfortable if they were attacked by others. Regardless of whether it was Nansheng or Dongqing, they refused to admit that if Nanshengs territory kept getting cut apart, it was their weakness. Previously, the Daxia dynasty had conquered the nine prefectures, which brought peace to the four seas. All of them boasted about being legitimateCCa father who fathered five sons. Who would be willing to admit that their defeat was due to their own weakness? It must have been their own carelessness and internal conflicts Thus, the outsiders had an advantage. The trouble was pushed from one person to another. Ultimately it became the military generals responsibility. Dongqing valued literacy and restrained martial arts, while Nansheng was more receptive to people skilled in martial arts. Based on Dongqings harsh standards, Nanshengs hospitality was comparatively more welcoming. However, the Lord of Nansheng courted trouble. After he got into a political marriage with the four factions of Nanman, he directly caused the deaths of numerous truly loyal and devoted military generals. He gave the command of the army to distant relatives of his household and eunuchs who could be trusted. For their own benefit, those people secretly collaborated with the four factions of Nanman! The army of Nansheng was at war. The army formation they planned was leaked behind their backs to the people from the four factions of Nanman by the trustworthy men of the Lord of Nansheng. Under such circumstances, they would only win if the people of the four factions of Nanman were all blind. No matter what was said, the responsibility fell completely on the generals shoulders. That indirectly made Donqings trend of restraining martial generals even more obvious. After the scholar heard his friends explanation, he felt there was nothing wrong with his words. However, he still could not understand how the awkwardness during the distinguished assembly was related to the tiger His friend then said, Just as the scholar finished talking, a glass cup was smashed on his head. Traces of blood were found on his forehead. The scholar took in a mouthful of cold air. The county chief himself organized the distinguished assembly. Who had the audacity to fight publicly? Who dares to fight? His friend enlightened him, saying, That person didnt just fightCChe even spoke fearlessly. He almost made the scholar angry to the point of hovering between life and death. Guess what that person said? The scholar was suddenly interested and asked expectantly, What did he say? His friend thought through it. He then recounted the incident in a tone that mimicked the person, I wont just throw a cup at you, you weakling. Even if I slashed you twice, I dare you to come and get your revenge. He had a sharp tongue and was pleasing to look at, but he had no substance He was like an embroidered pillow. If one had the energy to talk, why not head home to cultivate his character and enrich his sperm to prevent his wife from complaining that he is infertile? After the scholar heard his words, his teeth hurt. These words are poison! His friend nodded in approval, as if he had a new lease of life after such a calamity. How was it just poison? The situation then was uncontrollable. The scholar forsook righteousness. He rolled up his sleeves and was prepared to take anothers life. Consequently, that scholar did not have any advantage. This is not the end. After that person hit someone, he spoke with conviction and said, The learned follows the teachings of Confucius and studies the Six Arts of Rites. Based on what you people say, riding horses and archery are useless skills. Why learn them? The learned man uses literacy to govern the country; the military man uses strength to protect the country. Without the literates, the court would be corrupt; without the military, the borders would not be peaceful, and the country may be defeated. Who then is more important than the other? Unreasonable. Chapter 319 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The scholar carefully deliberated and concluded that there were no loopholes in his words. The problem wasCCwhat did that have to do with the two tigers below? Did they even have any relationship? His friend continued, That Langjun who created trouble has some credibility. The county chief does not want to blow the matter up. We hope you can settle the matter privately. The person who started the fight said, I heard from the lady at the brothel yesterday. There were big tigers eating humans at Zhangjiang village. If you consider your glib talk to be fearsome, let us bet and see if your smooth talk can talk the tigers to death, or if the longbows can send them to the netherworld? Looking down on militants all day long, I wonder what the ancestors of Dongqing did to raise their families? Theyre forgetting their roots. The scholar pondered and suddenly felt the Lamgjun who created trouble had a wicked mouth, but a genuine disposition. If anything, he had the guts to bet on killing the tigers One could see his chivalrous nature from that alone. Then these two tigers were hunted by that Langjun? Most likely. His friend nodded. I have a close friend studying at Langye academy. He said something about that person before. He had god-like power since birth, and exceptional strength that could lift cauldrons. It is not impossible to hunt two tigers. On the contrary, I heard that nobleman loitered around brothel lanes, did not use his four limbs diligently, had many in his harem, and was messed up. He cant even ride a horse or shoot a bow, much less kill a big tiger. Just as the sound of the words disappeared, some strong men appeared, weary from carrying the tigers up the streets. The people on both sides of the street had a hard time suppressing their curiosity, as if there was a cat scratching the itchy spot of their hearts. Yet, they were afraid to come forward, fearing the tigers would come back to life. Dingdang, dingdang! The crisp sound of bells sounded clearly. It traveled from far then came closer. The scholar couldnt bear it, but he stared with his eyes wide open and looked on with steady eyes. A fifteen to sixteen-year-old youth sat on a horses back and cruised through the streets; he did not hold the reins. The horse he sat upon was white as snow and its four limbs were intact. What a handsome warhorse! The scholar sighed deeply. The youth on the horses back seemed to hear the scholars praises. It lifted its head, met his eyes, and this caused him to feel somewhat awkward. He finally managed to see the youth clearly. He was different from the noblemen and literates who liked wearing scholarly clothes with wide sleeves. He wore clothes exuding with energy. His sleeves were narrow, but they were different from what foreigners wore. From the exterior, they retained the unique, vibrant characteristics of Dongqing. They were altered from normal scholarly clothes, as they were much easier to move around in. There was a simple, clean, silver ring around his neck. On his waist hung two scented pouches and other accessories. He wore a pair of brown, broad, wooden clogs on his feet and a pair of white stockings. The weather was not currently warm, and those weak in body should have worn two layers of spring clothes before going out. The youth, however, did not seem to care, and wore light and cooling clothes. Seeing the youths face again, his black and handsome browsCCwhich were sightly pluckedCCbrought life to his entire face. As for his pupils Perhaps it was psychological, but when the scholar met the eyes of the youth, he unexpectedly had a lack of confidence and the urge to hide. It was as if he could see through everything, which made people want to avoid his eyes. The bridge of his nose was high, and his thin lips were somewhat curled. He had an amiable face, such that others felt comfortable around him. Even if it was a fussy person, one could only exclaim what a handsome young man he was. He had a natural face that did not need any cosmetics. The warhorse, whose body was completely white, was glorious beyond measure. On the horses back was a bow stained with blood. Despite being surrounded by people and their discussions, it was calm and unmoved. It strolled leisurely; its master had full trust in the horse to let it wander. This man and his horse were so compatible. The scholar studied them and suddenly discovered that the youth was carrying something in his arms. Ah, that is the tiger cub. The people gathered opened their eyes wide, and discovered that the object the youth carried was moving slightly. It extended its head out slightly. It looked like a cat. Both of its eyes were slightly closed. It moved its mouth gently, as if it was being carried very comfortably by the youth. But if one looked carefully, they would discover that it was not a cat, but a newborn tiger cub. The youth ignored the discussions that the people around him were having. He made way for the strong men carrying the two big tigers, so they could deliver them to a certain household. The youth looked at the board hung on the door of the mansion. There were two households who looked on curiously from the outside. She did not waste time talking. She loosened the coiled horsewhip, then rushed towards the board and spoke arrogantly, Walk a few more rounds around the mansion. You ought to pay an extra half a diao of money for each round around the mansion! The scholar and his friend were motivated by curiosity to watch the commotion. Seeing the youths actions, they were confused. It was as if the scholar was dreaming. He mumbled, This is too arrogant. Even if he was foolish and didnt know who the owner of the mansion was, upon seeing the youths actions, he was able to guess. After all, the owner of the mansion was the nobleman who was choked by the youth the other day. Having the two strong men carry the tigers around the mansion to boast They just smacked themselves in the face right in front of another persons house! It was so exaggerated Why not ascend to the heavens? Haha! If only the audience in the streaming room could hear the inner thoughts of the scholar; they would probably laugh. Their streamer had always been aggressive. Once she arrived on top, she never came down. Yes, the youth on the horses back was Jiang Pengji. Laosiji Lianmeng: #restingoneschin. The streamer picks on people daily. This unlucky child was probably so scared that he doesnt dare jump out. [Chun Lie]: Hahaha. Every time we see the streamer act aggressively, we feel extremely satisfied. [Dashu Xiaobing]: #digsnose. What can be done? Theres too much water in that persons head. The streamer was just being nice and helpful by hitting the water out of his brain. You didnt witness the situation in Tianya assembly. The more they say, the more exaggerated it got. It was originally trouble brought about by the Lord of Nansheng, but he lied to others and himself. He put the blame on others. Lets wait and see.. .The present Dongqing will follow in the steps of Nansheng very soon The bullet screen in the live streaming room was full of tiny words. The virtual screen was bigger than the previous one by more than one-fold. The decorated frame in the streaming room was more complex and elegant. Jiang Pengji was on her horses back, her right hand holding the horsewhip. She hit her left palm lightly. After the few strong men went two rounds around the mansions, Jiang Pengji made a faint, ridiculing sound. This is courageous? What a joke! Jiang Pengji pointed towards the other persons front door. The people watching the commotion said, If a person had even a bit of courage, he would rally the servants in his house and rush out. Making a stand is enough, even if one cannot beat them. If the people in Dongqing are all cowards, then Nansheng should be a lesson they learn from. Are they trying to outdo me? Pick up your bones before talking! Jiang Pengji sounded her whip in the air coldly, then under her command, the whip, like a snake, obediently recoiled in her hands. Return back to the manor! She skilfully cast the whip, which brought a satisfied smile to her face. She bowed all around with her hands in front. The skins of these two tigers are very good. They can used for making cloaks. As for the meat, if the commoners are willing, they are welcome to try itCCits fresh. Some people knew Jiang Pengji, while others did not. Which household is Langjun from? they asked. Jiang Pengji overheard, turned her head in their direction, and spoke to the people. It is I, Liu Xi from Hejian. Chapter 320 - Those Carefree Days Of Youth (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio People in an average household only tasted some meat during the Chinese New Year or on important days. Most would still eat the old hen raised in their own houses; they couldnt even bear to buy pork from the markets, let alone speak of eating the tigers meat. The audience from the live streaming room saw Jiang Pengji ask someone to cut the two tigers up, and they were suddenly in an uproar. Tusiji Zhiwu: What are you doing, streamer? If your actions took place where we are, youd be called over for interrogation. Tudou Nurougaifan: The wild animals are government protected animals. What the streamer is doing would not be settled with an interrogation alone Perhaps youd be subjected to death, all right? But in the era the streamer is in, one hunts based on ability. You can eat what you love; theres no issue. Laosiji Lianmeng: Hahaha, are you criticizing that the streamer does not like animals? She does not like humans. If you provoke her, she may bring a head before your eyes. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: You are just a group of keyboard warriors who feel indignant at injustice, thats all. Havent you seen that the streamer was too lazy to bother with them all these years? The more you care, the angrier youll get. To care about them, on the contrary, means you are giving them face. To put it bluntly, if the streamer was not separated from them by dimensions, but within the same universe, they would not dare to insult her from the keyboard. Even if they were given a chance to see her face to face, they wouldnt even dare to fart. Shitang Dama: Totally a group of imbeciles, using their own narrow perspective to judge people from another world. Are they sick? Didnt you hear the streamer explain it so well? These two tigers ate many people and caused harm. The streamer killed them to save lives. As for skinning them and selling their meatCCare the chicken and duck meat that you eat every day vegetarian? This is truly an overflowing love that has no room to spill. Wode Qianbaone: If you have time to insult, why dont you turn your head to find out what fur clothing is? You are a group of holier than thou people. After the previous audience member sent his message, there came a wave of insults and others who blindly followed the crowd. In the dimension of Hua country, where the audience members were in, if dogmeat was eaten at a certain location, they would be judged and insulted Let alone the streamer who hunted and killed tigers, skinned them, and then openly dismembered their corpses for people to eat for dinner. It was cruel and heartless! Yishuang Zhukuaizi: I cant look at this anymore. I have never seen such a cruel executioner. Hunting for animals Do you even have a heart?! Dongwu Baohuxiehui: Skinning the tigers Ai, so cruel. Doesnt the country advocate that if theres no supply, there is no killing? How could this dog eating streaming room have been in operation for such a long time without being 404 censored? I have submitted a complaint. No thanks! Yichuan Daputao: There will be retribution for mercilessly killing animals! I hope that the streamers whole family dies suddenly, that her son is a eunuch, and her daughter is a prostitute! Zhubo Shizhu: Worse than beasts This rubbish streamer should just go die! Zhubo Shilaji: Go and die!!! Go and die!!! Go and die!!! The verbal abuse was relatively mild. There were worse ones that referred to eighteen generations of ancestorsCCthose were extremely unsightly. Jiang Pengji couldnt be bothered; moreover, she did not rebut. As wisely advised by the audience in the streaming room, the more one bothered with those clowns, the more they would jump. Jiang Pengji always dealt with matters calmly. More accurately, her brain did not retain messages whose value was worse off than rubbish. However, the fans who supported her did not let others off easy. They started a war to scold others directly in the streaming room, forming a team of wild fighting. She had a very good attitude, according to the audience who had emotionally followed her livestream for three years. Baishi Kele: I suddenly have deep respect for the streamers emotional stability. Cyber bullying is becoming more prevalent. Many prominent public figures develop depression because of public opinion and pressure. The streamer was cursed by keyboard warriors for about three years and yet you still have such a good attitude. Jiang Pengji was using lotus to wrap the meat up, distributing it to the people who came to see the commotion. She caught a glimpse of the bullet screen out of the corner of her eye and suddenly laughed. Streamer V: It is not that my attitude is good The truth is that I have a bad temper. I did not rebut because they have not completely evolved. Why should I care about things that are neither human nor living? The correct way to solve this is to just forget it. Dont bother so much. It was precisely because they were of a different dimension. If they were face to face, who would dare to be verbally rude to her? She could beat them into a pulp until their whole family called for their father! Naturally, based on Jiang Pengji arrogant nature, she directly hit the audiences sensitive spot. They wished they could be in the livestream room for 24 hours, and they used many bombastic words to ask her. Jiang Pengji calmly split the meat decisively, to the extent that the bones were given to the people to boil soup at home. She never diverted any of her attention to them. As for the two whole and perfect tiger skins, she brought them home with her. Carrying the tiger skin on the horseback, she rode White leisurely back home. She bought a small courtyard with two entrances at Langye, situated very near Langye academy, so that it was convenient to go to school or visit relatives and friends. Langjun is back. Just as she walked to the door, the front door opened. A person wearing a grey sackcloth walked out of the door. After passing the reins to the gatekeeper, she said, Eh, White is exhausted from the long journey today. Please feed it some fine food White seemed to understand what she said and snorted happily. It stretched out its head to touch her. Please be rest assured, Langjun. Your servant will get it done. Yes. As for these two tigers skins, please find a skilful and exquisite craftsman to settle them. I wish to give them to my sister as a dowry. The tiger skin wasnt costly, but the two pieces of tiger skin that Jiang Pengji skinned were perfect. The colors were vibrant, and they were honestly hard to come by. Even if they were given to the daughter of Liu Shes concubine as a dowry, it was still presentable. If word got out that the legitimate brother cared for his sister, it would be good. The gatekeeper heard this and valued them more. He answered readily, not daring to neglect his job. Jiang Pengji was in a good mood, and hummed a lively folk song. Taxue, have you packed the luggage? Taxue, who was inside, came out. Her forehead was dripping sweat. All is ready, including the item for second niangzi. Taxue wore a simple set of clothing. She had grown to be even more beautiful, exuding the elegance of a mature woman. Does Langjun need a hot shower and some hot soup, since you just came back from hunting? I will bathe later, no hurry. Jiang Pengji took the handkerchief from Taxue, wiped her face, and said, Wuma Jun has gained recognition by the head servant. He has become the favorite son, second only to the Crown prince. The court is observing intently. My sister will marry him as his legitimate wife, and the Liu family cannot be complacent. The dowry does not have to be lavish, but it cannot be a joke The dowries of ancient ladies were assembled since the time of their birth, but the second niangzis biological mother was just a lowly concubine What possessions did she have? The Second Lady opened the storeroom in the manor and chose many fine items for the daughter of the concubine, but many other bulky items were required to be sourced from elsewhere. Chapter 321 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langye was a land filled with elite people and resources. It was ideal for businesses, too. Coincidentally, Jiang Pengji had been studying at Langye for three years. The second niangzi wrote to Jiang Pengji to ask for her help to prepare for her wedding, and also to boast about how the Liu manor saw the importance of its illegitimate daughter and her marriage. As Liu She held a position in Chongzhou, he had no time to send off his illegitimate daughter in marriage. The task naturally fell on Jiang Pengjis shoulders. Of course, even if Liu She had time, he could not give his daughter from a concubine so much honor, let alone the fact that she was not even his daughter. Taxue sighed, saying, Langjun treats the second niangzi so well. Jiang Pengji just smiled upon hearing her words. Would she treat an illegitimate sister well, one whom she had never seen before? She had to beware of suspicious folks bearing gifts. What good intentions did she have? Her sister marrying Wuma Jun was surely not a good sign. Seeing Taxues graceful figure, Jiang Pengji discreetly knitted her brows. The audience members in the live streaming room were drooling. Laosiji Lianmeng: What a pity. If the streamer were a guy, such a rare beauty could be kept in his room. Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: #diagnose. The streamer is not a pervert. Do you think everyone uses their lower half of the body to think? Xiongmaoahah: Ai, I feel that it is a pity, too Such a fine beauty. To think she even grew up with the streamer. Instead of marrying the men of that era, which is a waste, having the streamer to protect her is better. There is no candidate better than the streamer. Facing a stream of regrets, Jiang Pengji was speechless and wiped the smile from her face. How did one phrase it? The mouth of a green bamboo snake, the sting of a bumblebee Some fortunes could not be enjoyed. As she considered, Taxue, who already left, came back into the room. She bowed and said, Langjun, Wei Langjun has arrived at your manor to deliver a visitation card. Zixiao? Why is he here for such a small issue? Jiang Pengjis brows were knitted, silently contemplating Wei Cis intentions of coming to the manor. She had been studying in Langye academy for three years and had almost no interactions with Wei Ci. He had his own circle of friends and Jiang Pengji did not take the initiative to join them. Moreover, he frequently went out for a good half a month to visit relatives and friends, so they seldom had face to face interactions. Half a month ago, she vaguely heard the students of Langye academy comment that Wei Ci had gone out again. If he had just come back, why did he come personally to the manor to pass the visitation card? As she pondered in her heart, she did not let her guest wait for long. She went directly to the reception pavilion to meet Wei Ci. Jiang Pengji sat on the master seat and smiled, saying, A rare guest, indeed. Zixiao actually initiated a visit to my humble abode. Three years had passed and Wei Ci was a youth in his early twenties already. His features, compared to three years ago, were more refined. Perhaps it was the weariness from the travel, but he seemed to have become thinner. He wore green clothes on his body, which seemed somewhat baggy. Having heard a ridicule, Wei Ci used his hands to cover his lips and coughed gently. His voice sounded hoarse and contained a nasally tone. It seemed he wasnt just tired from the travel, but he was also feeling unwell. Have you caught a cold? Why havent you seen a doctor? Wei Ci shook his head, regulated his breathing, and suppressed his impulse to cough. His pale look gave away his sickness. It did not seem like he was well. Cis body is fine, but I caught a cold unwittingly that day and am somewhat unwell. Jiang Pengji nodded her head, then she waited for Wei Ci to reveal his purpose for coming. Wei Ci came personally to visitCCtrue enough he had his motives. Lanting, Ci heard you are preparing to send off your sister into marriage to Shangjing? Since they were schoolmates in the academy, Wei Cis address of Jiang Pengji was not distant. Instead, he addressed her courtesy name as others did. If this matter can be avoided, try to avoid it at all costs. Jiang Pengji was puzzled in her heart and asked, Zixiao must have his reasons for saying this. If I do not know the reason, why cant I go? Wei Ci said, Three years ago, the Emperor sent troops to help Nansheng. On the surface, it was in support of ones ally, resisting the four factions of Nanman with the other countries, but in reality, the four factions of Nanman had no intention of exterminating Nansheng. They just made use of the opportunity to retreat. They occupied the conquered prefectures and land, making use of the time to rest and plan for the future. Concurrently, this is an extremely vicious plan to instigate disharmony Jiang Pengji said, I know about this matter. The four factions of Nanman stopped their attacks not because they really lost, but to give Nansheng time to breathe. At the same time, they wanted to disperse the armies from the four countries that came in support, inciting the battle of benefits between Nansheng and the four countries, thereby reaping the ultimate benefit Even though the other four countries sent military aid to help Nansheng protect the last of their land, but they were not Samaritans. There was a cost to sending military aid. After Nansheng was defeated, they had to agree to all the terms set by the four factions of Nanman. The act of giving up their land was recurrent. They also had to give some incentives to the troops from the four countries. The four countries sent military aid in name, but they had monetary benefits in mind. Only, Nanman attacked fearsomely from the start. They were unanimous against their enemy, and when they stopped their attacks later, the internal committee for military aid became a mess. The incident was known throughout the lands, but the countries appeared to be at peace; they even sought monetary benefits in the name of righteousness. It had truly tricked many fools. Its just that What does this have to do with me sending my sister off in marriage? Wei Ci choked on his words for a moment. His lower eyelids drooped; his expression was somewhat solemn. Jiang Pengji was not anxious and waited for the other party to speak. When the period to plough the fields in spring is over, Nanman will surely have big actions. Nansheng will most likely be wiped out. Then, Dongqing will face being sandwiched by attack from both the north and south. Wei Ci said, The external threats are so obvious, but so are the internal conflicts. The situation in Shangjing is very severeCCalmost to the point that one panics at the slightest move. One by one they are still drunk in their sleep, ignorant about the changes in the world, and still occupied with fighting. The four princes have grown up. They each have their supporters. The fight for the throne is mingled with severe battles between different factions. If you go to Shangjing, I am afraid you may not return. When anxious, Wei Ci did not use Ci to introduce himself; instead, he addressed himself as I. Jiang Pengji frowned. Receiving without giving? Dont look down on these dukes and eunuchs. They are fearless when mad. Jiang Pengji calmed down. She toyed with the bowl of tea in her hands. As you said, I will consider it carefully. Its just the issue of sending her off in marriage Even if it is a dangerous place, I must go. Hopefully, it will be a blessing in disguise. I do not know what those dukes and powerless eunuchs collaborate to do together, what trouble they will stir up, but rest assured: These useless people will not be able to harm me at all! Wei Ci pursed his lips, and he had a troubled expression. Jiang Pengji suddenly said, I am not that weak. I know. Then let your heart be at peace and anticipate the show. To outsiders, Shangjing appeared to be a dangerous place, but to her, it was surely the springboard to traveling the nine prefectures and four seas. Wei Ci sighed gently and suddenly remembered something. He said, Prince Changshou conferred land two years ago. He seems to know his place. Truth is he secretly harbors evil intentions. If he is summoned to bring an army to the capital, then Lanting, you must be cautious! This person has intentions to usurp the throne. The Emperor has four princes, but none are able to outwit him. Chapter 322 - Those Carefree Days Of Youth (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Brother Ci, Father is drinking tea in the front hall. Wei Ci walked out of Jiang Pengjis house. He briefly refreshed himself before heading to his masters house to visit. Even though Master Yuanjing was knownCCpresently the most well-known scholarCC throughout the nine prefectures, he lived simply. His residence was neither big nor small. Its decorations were unassuming, and he worked on the courtyard layout himself. It looked like a natural field. Just as he lifted his hand to knock, the door opened by itself. A somewhat prominent, young, fresh face, full of vitality, appeared in the doorframe. The person who opened the door was the masters youngest daughterCCthe most beloved one, who was born when he was oldCCZhu Qing Ning. Wei Ci smiled, tucked his sleeve in, and said, Is this due to Masters incredible foresight again? Qing Ning did not give Master Yuanjing face. She added, a hint of playfulness in her voice, Of course not. The truth is that Sanwu, who was in the inner courtyard, suddenly ran around joyfully. It was so noisy that Father was helpless. Thus, he knew Brother Ci was here. He is not as powerful as Brother Ci says. Sanwu was the cat Master Yuanjing unexpectedly picked up. It had a difficult pregnancy, and coincidentally, Wei Ci was at the manor visiting and was pulled by Qing Ning to help. It eventually gave birth to four pure black kittens. Perhaps because of that event, Sanwu was very close to Wei Ci. Due to the incident, Wei Ci was teased by many of his fellow studentsCCof course, there was malicious laughter too. Those who mercilessly teased him said that if he had no achievements in the future, he could help women deliver their babies. In response to their ill-meant words, Wei Ci just laughed. He did not take it to heart. He imagined the scene of Master drinking tea in the hall and then being disturbed by Sanwus many antics. He suddenly could not help but laugh, showing his joyful face. Qing Ning looked at him and couldnt help but blush. She was one step behind, hurrying to catch up. She gently bit her lower lip and asked shyly, Brother Ci, did you just come after visiting your friend? Yes, Wei Ci said, Masters birthday is in early March. I will rush back no matter what. Qing Ning made an Oh sound, hung her head down, and said, Then does Brother Ci remember what happens on the sixteenth of February? Sixteenth of February? Wei Ci looked confused. I know the fifteenth of February is the flower festival, but what is on the sixteenth? Qing Ning looked disappointed and tried hard to cover up her unhappiness. Luckily, they reached the front hall. She then hung her head and hurriedly took her leave. Wei Ci was confused. Why were the thoughts of children so difficult to understand these days? Master Yuanjing saw his youngest daughters disposition and knitted his brows, but did not make it obvious. Master, Wei Ci greeted. Dont stand on ceremony. Master Yuanjing used his right hand to carry Sanwu, who was struggling to scratch him, while he tidied his sleeve. He appeared somewhat embarrassed. Wei Ci held his laughter and said, If Master cannot carry Sanwu, please allow his disciple to carry it on his behalf. Just as he finished speaking, Master Yuanjing relaxed his hold. Sanwu snuggled into Wei Cis bosom and found a comfortable spot to curl. Master Yuanjing subtly twitched his mouth. Another person who was mesmerized by his youthful appearance The old man was despised. You were happily talking to Wunaing just now. What was it about? Qing Ning was born fifth in the family, so many of her elders call her Wuniang. Wei Ci did not understand and said, Wuniang asked me if I remembered what happens on the sixteenth of February. Master Yuanjing sighed and said, That is Wuniangs birthday. Wei Ci froze on the spot. His hand, which was stroking Sanwus neck, stopped moving. He inevitably came up with an absurd thought. It was indeed frighteningly absurd from Wei Cis point of view. He feigned ignorance and smiled. I understand now. She wanted to ask me for a birthday present. Master Yuanjing put on a serious face; he saw past Wei Cis disguise. Wuniang will be thirteen after the sixteenth of February. She is of marriageable age. Since they were already on the topic, if Wei Ci continued to feign ignorance, it would be too much. He could only smile bitterly. I have seen Wuniang grow up. I am seven to eight years older than her I only see her as my sister. I do not harbor any wishful thinking. Your master knows you live a life of suffering and are not interested in the things of the world, but Wuniang is still young Master Yuanjing said and paused. He restrained himself and spoke softly, With regards to this, your master will be glad if it happens, but the decision lies with you. He liked Wei Ci. Master Yuanjing watched Wei Ci grow up, so he knew his temperament. If he could have him as his son-in-law, it would be best. He loved Wunaing deeplyCChis child that he got at old age. As an old father, he naturally wished that she would lead a good life. Wei Ci was shocked. Sanwu, who was in his bosom, sensed the change in his emotions and used a foot pad to pat Wei Ci, making multiple meow sounds. Your disciple has no such intention, Wei Ci shook his head. Moreover, Ci does not want to hurt her. The truth was that Wei Ci almost got married at the age of fifteen. Regretfully, when the two families exchanged cards containing their horoscopes, the prospective brides family was afraid and rejected the marriage. Disregarding the marriage rejection, his reputation was almost completely damaged. Those who were willing to befriend him were his true friends. Wei Ci treasured them dearly. Regardless of their family or status, if they saw Wei Cis Bazi, who would dare to marry him? Master Yuanjing discreetly rolled his eyes. Wei Cis reason for declining could fool the ignorant, but not him. Bazi Mingge states that, The one who believes will be under its control , while the unbeliever will be set free. Master Yuanjing sighed. So be it. This old man will not be detestable and break up the lovers. Wei Cis expression turned stiff, as if he thought of something, but had the intention to avoid it. Young ladies are indecisive. They fall hard for something, but after they find a replacement, their affection wanes, Master Yuanjing said humorously. Its soon to be the flower festival. Get your Masters wife to don some unique makeup for Wuniang that is on par with your looks when the time comes. That should be the end of the matter. Wei Ci felt somewhat awkward. He was to be blamed for being handsome? His parents should have been responsible for the matter. However, Master Yuanjing stated his stance, which enabled Wei Ci to heave a sigh of relief. He had lied, however. He did not see Qing Ning as his sister In fact, he saw her as his daughter or granddaughter. He considered the difference in seniority and amended his speech. Master Yuanjing and Wei Ci talked extensively about diverse topics before he was called by his Masters wife, who had something to tell him. Master Yuanjing watched Wei Ci leave. He kept silent and diverted his eyes to the screen at the side of the hall. Did you hear all that? Qing Ning sulked. Her eyes were teary, full of red vessels, and her face was marked with tear stains. You should smother wishes that are unattainable. Your father will find a worthy husband for you. Good girl, there are plenty of marriageable men in the world. Though not all of them are as good as your father, there are men like Zixiao out there. Master Yuanjing loved his young daughter, but he was not without principles. It was only troublesome with Wei Ci. I refuse to believe that Brother Wei is fated to mourn the death of his wife, children, parents, master, friends, and nine clans. I am not afraid! Your father is not afraid either, but there is someone in Wei Cis heart. You cannot enter. Why suffer? After Qing Ning heard his words, she started weeping profusely. Father, this is not what we agreed upon from the start. Chapter 323 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio All right, all right. Stop crying. It has to be fated for couples to marry each other. Why force it when you two arent destined to be together? Master Yuan Jing patted Qing Ning and let his daughter wipe her tear-stained face with his clothes. However, Qing Ning was a stubborn girl. She learned that Wei Ci did not like her because he liked someone else, so she felt indignant. Brother Ci is already 21 years old. Boys of the same age are normally married by now. Those who marry early have kids who can already read and write. Whos the girl that has stolen his heart? Qing Ning puckered her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes and she looked like she could cry right away. The little girl was very pure. She never thought of forcing Wei Ci to like her. She just felt that the boy she liked was perfect, so other people should like him the way she did. Although it would make her feel awful, it was best if the boy she liked was at least happy. If Wei Ci really liked someone else, then why was he not married yet? Master Yuan Jing felt somewhat awkward about her question. It depends on fate. If fate is present, itll come naturally. Could it be that shes younger than me? Qing Ning twisted her scarf and pouted. Shes older than you, Master Yuan Jing replied. Stop crying. Wipe your tears. What if someone sees you like this? Shes older than me? Qing Ning suddenly felt even sadder. If she was older than her, did that mean that she was about to turn 15 years old? Was Wei Ci waiting for her to reach the age where she could get married? Who is she? Qing Ning questioned closely. I want to have a look. She was not jealous. Instead, it was more of her eagerness and curiosity. As the youngest daughter of Wei Cis mentor, was she not close enough to him? With such an advantage, he still did not like her, but liked another girl instead. It did not make her feel good. Im afraid that youll feel even more awful if you meet her. Master Yuan Jing sighed. When the time is right, youll naturally find out who she is. Ill find you a boy whos about your age with good looks and talent. Ill make sure you live a happy life. Qing Ning nodded with tears in her eyes, but she felt somewhat lethargic. The Flower Festival is almost here. You must tell me if youve taken a fancy to any intelligent man. Although the ethos in Dongqing was getting harsher and harsher and the restrictions against women were getting so strict that women could hardly go out, Master Yuan Jings thinking was not in the same realm as that of the secular people. Even if the marriages were all arranged, Master Yuan Jing could not bear to let his daughter suffer. Picking a son-in-law was like choosing a pair of shoes. Only his daughter would know if they were suitable together. It was only a good marriage if her father was satisfied with the man she liked. Qing Ning was still a bit heartbroken, but she was a little girl, after all. It was easy for her to feel embarrassed when things related to her marriage were mentioned. Okay, she muttered while biting her lip. Wei Ci only then left after having dinner at Master Yuan Jings residence. However, Sanwu somewhat resented him for being away for a long time, so it tore his sleeves. It then reluctantly released its paws. Master Yuan Jings wife held Sanwu in her arms while caressing its fur. She saw Wei Ci off at the door and covered her smile with her sleeve while she looked at his miserable appearance. The Flower Festival is almost here. Go back and prepare some brightly colored clothes. Bright clothes show off your attractiveness. If you wear what youre wearing now, how will girls take a fancy on you? Master Yuan Jings wife looked at Wei Ci lovingly. Although she was old, she had a good mindset. She still looked young. Wei Ci blushed. He could not speak a word after he was humored by her. What was he supposed to do when his elders teased him? Explode on the spot? All he could do was hold it in shyly. The words Flower Festival kept ringing in Wei Cis mind when he left Master Yuan Jings residence; it was as if he was obsessed with it. After a while, he sensed that something was not right. Have I forgotten something? Wei Ci was perplexed. He carefully recalled the Flower Festival The 12th day of the second lunar month The birthday of all flowers Birthday? Wait a second! Doesnt her birthday fall on the Flower Festival? Wei Ci seemed to have remembered something. The look on his face changed somewhat. The Flower Festival was the birthday of all flowers. It was also a good day for a walk in the spring and for young boys and girls to fall in love. Young girls usually let go of their usual reserved manner by that time. They started to worry about what color their clothes should be and which popular makeup to wear. Although the young boys were not so fussy, they were still somewhat anxious. They wanted to display their best side that day. On the day filled with such a strange atmosphere, Jiang Pengji was a little bored. Taxue pulled her out from her bed. She washed up with a sulky face, before a bowl of noodle soup was placed in front of her. Its the longevity noodles again Looking at the hair-like, fine noodles that had uniform thickness in the bowl, she suddenly felt energized. Taxue sighed and said, Youre not willing to hold a grand birthday celebration I can understand that. After all, youre not home. A lot of things are inconvenient, but you still have to eat the longevity noodles. You must eat them in one go and not break them. It has an implied meaning of longevity. Madam has specially ordered me to do this. Jiang Pengji did not have to taste it to know that the noodle soup was not seasoned at all. The noodles were boiled. They were tasteless and unpalatable. If you dont eat it now, the noodles will turn mushy, Taxue urged. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes, picked up the bowl, and stuffed the longevity noodles into her mouth. She even finished the soup. Thats right! You are going to live a long life! Taxue smiled and put away the dishes. However, Jiang Pengji muttered with a bitter face, Its too bland. The taste was simply indescribable. She could get used to Master Yuan Jings mysterious afternoon tea, but she still could not accept the longevity noodles. After eating the noodles, Jiang Pengji took a bath and put on the new clothes that Taxue had prepared. The color of her new clothes were bright. Looking at them from afar, they were dazzling. Taxue was somewhat pleased, but then she sighed immediately. Its such a good day today. Why are you sighing? Taxue helped her to straighten her clothes and and put on all sorts of accessories, such as a perfume pouch. Youre 15 now. Why does your father insist that you to dress up like a man? You should tie your hair with a hairpin, look for your ideal man, and dress yourself up beautifully. With your beauty, which aristocratic lady can compare to you? Why should you dress yourself up as a man every day? Taxue suddenly realized that she had said the wrong thing. She hurriedly knelt down and admitted her mistake. Without changing her facial expression, Jiang Pengji replied, I like it this way. She bent over and helped Taxue to get up. You and I are like a family. You dont have to estrange yourself like this. Jiang Pengji was now 1.7 meters tall. She was taller than Taxue by half a head and she was not inferior to boys of the same age. Although she looked more like a girl, in the current era where men put on flower hairpins and powder, she actually looked more like a man than most men. Speaking of such thingsCCyoure not young anymore. If theres someone you like, I can definitely settle it for you. Xunmei had an unrequited love towards Xu Ke. She was willing to wait for him and drag it on. However, at Taxues age, she could no longer drag it on. Taxue was startled. She immediately lowered her head and wanted to change the subject. I really treat you like family. If theres any difficulty, just tell me, Jiang Pengji said with a smile. Taxue giggled. My life is better than that of the wives of rich businessmen. What difficulty can I face? She took the sandalwood fan and handed it to Jiang Pengji. Come back early. We still have to depart on a journey tomorrow. Dont be blinded by the foxes outside, or else I wont accept it. Okay. Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids, then took the fan and the reins handed to her from the door. She turned around nimbly and rode away on the back of a white horse. Chapter 324 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Flower Festival was the birthday of all the flowers. Young girls wore brightly colored clothes and head ornaments in between their brows. They walked with dainty, light footsteps and swayed while they walked. They worshipped the Flower God with their servants as their escorts. The audience in the streaming room taunted that it was definitely a day that singles would suffer. Spring is approaching. Every living organism is reviving its vitality. Its a day when young men reveal their innermost feelings and when singles continue to cry. Jiang Pengji sat on a fallen trunk, and there was a gathering in the distance. The young, beautiful, and youthful girls were indescribably pretty under the spring sunshine. Not only did they attract Jiang Pengjis attention, but they also attracted the attention of many young aristocrats. White was chewing the weeds on the ground. It vomited after chewing, then continued to eat another bunch of weeds. She curled her lips and poked at Whites mane using the tip of her toes. It walked away with a cold shoulder. Jiang Pengji smiled and said to White, Youre not little anymore. Do you want me to find you a companion so you can give birth to a few foals? White blinked its eyes and gave a snort, as if it was laughing at her. She could not understand the horses language, but the angels in the streaming room seemed to have learned the foreign language, so they translated it for her. Yechouchang: White is trying to say that its master hasnt washed her feet for days. Wodedipan Tingwode: Thats wrong. White clearly said, A single is still trying to laugh at me. How cunning! Renzhong Chitu: Its popular. I noticed that a strange horse was trying to make eyes at it just now. Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes. Was she less attractive than a horse? She leaned against the trunk and shut her eyes for a catnap. Due to its geographical location, Langye was warm and humid. Pear blossoms, which only bloomed in March, had already bloomed. Petals would fall occasionally when there was a spring breeze. She rested her head on the trunk and raised her legs. She placed one hand on her knee and her other hand was carrying the clogs that she had taken off. She was only wearing a pair of white socks. Most of her body was hidden among the pear blossom shrubs. If one did not look closely, one would not even realize that someone was laying on top of the tree. A cool breeze blew and the pear blossoms fell. A whisper vaguely rang in Jiang Pengjis ears. Wuniang, you really take things too seriously. Youve told your father about how you feel? The girl had a sweet voice, but her voice was so sweet that it made people feel sick. Father is an enlightened man. If I tell him about it, hell make a decision for me. The voice of the girl who was called by the name Wuniang was a little hesitant and depressed. However, Brother Ci likes someone else. Father doesnt approve of it. He wants me to look for another person that I like during the Flower Festival. The girl with a somewhat sweet voice pouted, clearly dissatisfied. How can he act this way Do you know who the girl is? With a somewhat gloomy face, Wuniang replied, I dont know. I asked my father about it, but he didnt want to tell me. He only said that Ill find out about it naturally when the time comes. The young girl tilted her head, thought for a while, and responded earnestly, He must be an indecent person. Wuniang did not understand. She asked in confusion, Why do you say that? You dont get it. Wei Langjun is already 21 years old. If he really likes someone, he definitely wouldnt drag it on like this unless the girl he likes doesnt have a good background. For example girls from those places. Hes ashamed to marry her. Dont you know that the matchmakers in Langye County dont dare to recommend girls to him? Hes a tough nut to crack. If he keeps dragging this on, how is he going to carry on his family line? Wuniang only understood what she meant after quite some time. She suddenly became flushed and was a bit angry. Brother Ci isnt pedantic. Even if he really likes a girl in the brothel, he wouldnt be so conscious about his honor. Wei Ci would never let the girl he liked feel wronged just because of his honor. Wuniang would not allow anyone to defame Wei Ci like this. Then he must like a married woman, the other girl responded, interrupting Wuniang. The matchmakers in Langye County want to hold their breath and avoid Wei Ci. No one acts as a matchmaker for him and theres no news about his marriage. Now that theres a beauty like you who had taken a fancy on him, he should be happy to respond. Why would he decline you by saying that he has a lover? Wuniang was a bit mad. I wont let you talk about him like this. Hes a benevolent gentleman. How is it possible for him to have his eyes on someone elses wife? The girl pouted and replied rudely, Youre taking his side so diligently, but he doesnt even look at you. Does he show any interest in you when you suck up to him? What good is Wei Ci? Hes a bane whos fated to mourn the death of his wife, children, parents, and clan What a foolish opinion! Wuniang was so furious that she was taking heavy breaths. She looked even more irritated. You should look at Brother Cis manners if you are going to judge him as a person. He respects his teachers, is kind to his classmates, and is lenient towards his juniors. How can you judge him solely on the eight characters of a horoscope? There are many people in this world who share the same eight characters of a horoscope as the emperor. Why is he an emperor but the others are just small tradesmen and porters? Hmph. Yes, yes, yes. Im foolish. Im not as knowledgeable as you. The girl was furious too; it was as if her sore spot was touched. She replied, Youre highly cultured, steeped in propriety, and considerate, but you like a man that nobody wants. Youre doing great! You Wuniang widened her eyes upon hearing her words. She was so angry that her fingers were trembling. No matter how bad Zixiao is, he isnt someone who can be belittled by the daughter that was born of a mistress into a poor family! You were asked by your own mother to be someone elses second wife. The two girls were getting louder and louder, and they seriously disturbed Jiang Pengjis quality of sleep. She could not help but jump off the pear tree and interrupt them. The two girls looked into the direction of the noise, only to see a young man who was dressed in brightly colored clothes smiling. He was only wearing socks and carried his clogs in his hand. The young girl was shocked by Jiang Pengjis appearance. Her face turned pale when she thought of what she had said just then. Wuniang was still somewhat puzzled and asked curiously, Be someone elses second wife? Let this be a lesson to you in the future. Its better for you to stay away from this vicious beauty who likes to gossip and judge someone with her sinister intentions. Jiang Pengji went forward and could see the girls innate character thoroughly with just a glance. She scanned the girl from head to toe with a spurious smile. She belittles Zixiao, not because she really looks down on him, but because she just wants to make plans for herself. Huh? Wuniang was stunned. Her mother wants her to be the second wife of a man who could act as her father. She isnt willing to and wants to cut out a good path for herself. Zixiao is discriminated, but she doesnt have a high status, either, and no one cares about her at home. She probably thinks that theyre a good match. The little girls face was extremely ghastly and she wanted to escape. What Jiang Pengji said revealed her inner secrets. If I hear any rumors that defame Zixiao and this young lady in the future Jiang Pengji suddenly had a cold look on her face. I will know who the rumor came from. Wuniang was a pure, little girl, but she had an enlightened father who was knowledgeable and wise. How was she capable of having such sinister schemes that ruined peoples reputations? Chapter 325 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You have to be cautious when making friends. A friend like her is not worth making. Jiang Pengji pointed at the young girl and continued, If youre sensible, you should leave on your own. I dont like to embarrass a 15 or 16-year-old girl. It would make me look like a bad person. The young girl bit her lip and tried to stop her molar teeth from shaking. She turned around and ran away, covering her face. Wuniang had been confused from the start. Be careful. Not everyone is worth being friends with, nor can every topic be poured out to the other party. Looking at Wuniangs outfit, Jiang Pengji frowned. Are you Zhu Wuniang of Master Yuan Jings family? She had heard that Master Yuan Jing had a daughter, but she had never met her. How did you know? Ive seen your hairpin on your mother. Youre called Wuniang, so I think you can only be the Masters daughter. Wuniang subconsciously raised her hand and touched the hairpin that was inserted into her bun. Her pale cheeks were a little blushed. Are you my fathers student? Jiang Pengji nodded. She put down the clogs in her hand and put them on. Ive never met you though. There are so many students in Langye Academy, and not everyone is taught by the Master himself. Its very normal for you to have never seen me. Although it was said to be an academy, it was very different from the kind of school that Jiang Pengji knew. Rather than saying it was an academy, it was better to say that it was a library that did part-time teaching. Most of the students came to discuss their doubts with each other. If there was no solution, they would then look to Master Yuan Jing for help. Most of them usually studied and learned by themselves. All of them were only present when Master Yuan Jing was teaching. Of course, the young students had special pedants that would teach them how to read and write. Jiang Pengji did not belong to that group of students, so of course, she was not at the academy all the time. It was normal for the two of them to have not met each other. Wuniang responded with an Oh and kept her head down. When she thought about how the person in front of her had heard her entire conversation with the young girl, she felt very uncomfortable. May I ask you a question? Jiang Pengji frowned. Why do other people slander Zixiao like that? According to the conversation between the two girls, she could guess a little, but she still did not understand some parts. It was too foolish and arbitrary to judge Wei Cis character just by looking at the eight characters of a horoscope. Wuniang looked hesitant. She initially thought that Jiang Pengji acted ignorant to draw something out of her, but after taking a closer look, she noticed that she really did not know a thing. In fact, its not Brother Cis fault. Wuniang puckered her mouth and felt sorry for Wei Ci. Brother Ci was born early, and he lost his mother when he was born. He was almost choked to death at birth In the end, he survived by luck, but nobody likes him Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. Is that all? If it was so simple, then why was he disliked and avoided by the entire Langye County? Although the young girl who left was garrulous and had some evil intentions, Jiang Pengji could feel that she did not lie about Wei Cis plight in Langye. This Wuniang stammered. She had no choice but to reveal more. When Brother Ci was 15 years old, his stepmother tried to act as a matchmaker for him. The two families were about to match their eight characters of the horoscope, but when the eight characters were taken out, the girl firmly broke their pledge of marriage and spread his eight characters. Jiang Pengji was puzzled. How strange were his eight characters that it had so much influence in her decision? His eight characters are fated for him to mourn his wife, children, parents, and even his clan. Thats why people fear him. Seeing that Jiang Pengji did not understand her, Wuniang had no choice but to summon up courage and continue. Brother Ci was born on the 22nd day of the eighth lunar month in the year of Guiyou, between eleven oclock at night and one oclock in the morning The 22nd day of the eighth lunar month in the year of Guiyou, between eleven oclock at night and one oclock in the morning? Jiang Pengji somehow felt that it was a bit familiar. She could not help but ponder. She seemed to have seen it somewhere. This time of birth Jiang Pengji suddenly remembered the content of The Tittle-Tattle of Unofficial History and asked, Is this really his date of birth and the eight characters of his horoscope? Yes! Jiang Pengji suddenly realized and understood the reason why people feared and discriminated against Wei Ci so much. If he was born in the year of Guiyou, then Wei Ci had an age difference of three Jiazi years, which was 180 years, with the famous historical figure. Being in the ancient era for so many years, Jiang Pengji had begun to understand some of the taboos that existed. After the cycle of a Jiazi year, Wei Cis date of birth and the eight characters of his horoscope were exactly the same as that of a famous historical figure. He lost his mother when he was born, which seemed to confirm that he was fated to mourn the death of his mother. That made people feel anxious and fearful. Could it be that he was the reincarnation of the historical figure? Which historical figure? The Prime Minister during the founding of the Xia dynasty, Huangfu Fengmin, with the middle name Xiu, was born in Langye County. He was a famous figure in the past. The ancestors of the three tribes of the Northern Borderline, the Qiangwu tribe, led 500,000 cavalries and conquered half of the Central Plains. In the end, they were stopped by the historical figure at the Qichuan Plains. An inferno burned in the darkness. 500,000 innocent souls died on the plain and no one survived. According to some elders, every time there was a special time and date, white dust would rise on the Qichuan plains, as if it were the ashes of the cavalries! That was not considered to be ruthless. What was ruthless, however, was that the historical figure used to turn tens of thousands of captives into human crisps and dried meat for military use. They had fought in the most tragic war before the founding of Xia dynasty. He seemed to have done lots of things like burning cities and massacring the inhabitants of captured cities. He was merciless towards his enemies, so it was reasonable for the enemies to loathe him. However, why did the descendants of the Xia dynasty also hate him so much and avoid mentioning his name? According to the rumors, he held the princeling hostage and tried to replace him. In the end, he was killed by the young emperor, who swallowed humiliation and bore a heavy load. The young emperor hated him to death. He beheaded him and severed his corpse. His heart was taken out to be made into food. The young emperor cooked and shared it with his ministers and senior officials Jiang Pengji was completely stunned when she read that part of the history. There was another rumor in the unofficial history: The young emperor consulted with his confidant and recruited the Taoist priest, who had achieved the highest state in practicing Taoism, to make a mahogany coffin that could crush his soul. He placed his headless corpse inside and confined his soul, using his heinous hatred to repress the lifeline of the Xia dynasty. In the unofficial history, it was also said that before the Xia dynasty was destroyed, there was thunder and lightning, as well as a monstrous flood. The storm caused the mountains to collapse, revealing the mahogany coffin. The mahogany coffin was hacked open by a farmer who was chopping firewood on the mountain. The innocent souls were set free, breaking the destiny of the Xia dynasty. Wei Ci was born after the collapse of the Xia dynasty. People could not help but wonder if he was the reincarnation of the historical figure and came to seek revenge. However, Wei Ci became more and more charming after he grew up. He brimmed with talent. He displayed great talents, be it in the Six Arts of Rites or other heresies When his engagement was broken off, his date of birth and the eight characters of his horoscope were spread throughout Langye County. Naturally, people felt jittery. They did not fear him to the extent that they wanted to kill him, but he led a difficult life. I didnt know that Zixiao had such a legendary past life, Jiang Pengji teased with a smile. Wuniang was so anxious that her eyes turned red. Its impossible that Brother Ci is the reincarnation of Prime Minister Huangfu. Its also impossible for him to have done such a horrible thing. Jiang Pengji tilted her head. Prime Minister Huangfu assisted Emperor Xia. He helped him to become the emperor, who gained supremacy over the nine states from a petty hooligan. What kind of a character was he? If hes reincarnated, Wei Ci should be happy. Maybe the world needs someone like him. Huh? Wuniang was confused. That was not the point. However, there seemed to be nothing wrong with such a way of thinking Jiang Pengji called to the System in her mind. What dimension is this? Was there actually a reincarnation that went against the laws of science? The System rolled its eyes. That historical figure didnt reincarnate. Everything is purely coincidental. Jiang Pengji did not say a word. Coincidental? Wei Ci would cry if he heard that. Could a coincidence have really made him suffer his whole life? Chapter 326 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Its the first time that Ive heard an outsider say that. Many of Fathers students think that Brother Ci was born with bad luck. Hes considered to be ominous and they cover their noses with their sleeves as if hes an epidemic. Although no one says anything, theyve been alienating him for a long time. Wuniang was very dissatisfied with the injustice suffered by Wei Ci. She also firmly believed in her own perspective of Wei Ci, but she was small and powerless; no one would take her words seriously. She simply could not be happier that she had met someone who was like-minded. Its just the opinions of ignorant people. Jiang Pengji curled her lips and continued, There are so many children who are born at the same time on the same day. Do they have the same fate? Is every child born on the 22nd day of the eighth lunar month in the year of Guiyou the reincarnation of Prime Minister Huangfu? Its just that he has performed extraordinarily well, so other people are jealous of him. They cant compare to him, so they can only use this as a smirch to defame him. Exactly! They dont even know Brother Cis character. They just follow what others have said and dont have their own brains. Theyre copycats! Wuniang was in high spirits. She clenched her fists and nodded. She looked very happy. Jiang Pengji could not help but smile upon seeing her behavior. The audience in the streaming room also said that the little girl was very cute; she felt different from the other coquettish women of the era. Laosiji Lianmeng: Hahaha. I guess this little girl likes Wei Ci? Mianguan Kezhan: Shes still young. What does she know about liking someone? I feel like shes more of an idolater. Wei Ci is her idol, so she doesnt allow anyone to maliciously defame him. She swears to defend his reputation. Yaokongqi Nidiaode: Please. There are many girls who get married at the age of 12 or 13 in the ancient times. How is she young? Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan: Tsk. Most of the girls who get married at the age of 12 or 13 do not have a good family background. The slightly wealthier families definitely make their daughters stay with them for a few more years. They usually only get married after the reach the age of 15. How can Master Yuan Jings daughter have a poor family background? Jiang Pengji also agreed with the audience in the streaming room. Wuniang did have a strong adoration towards Wei Ci. Why are you looking at me like this? She thought Jiang Pengji looked like a leecher! Wuniang felt uncomfortable with the way Jiang Pengji was looking at her, so she could not help but take a step back. Her face looked a little unnatural. Jiang Pengji tittered and exposed her. Do you like Zixiao? Wuniang blushed and smashed the pot as if it was already cracked. Youve been on top of the tree for so long. You heard everything that you shouldnt have. You ask when you already know the answer. I like Brother Ci. Father has even said that hell make a harmonious and orderly home. If he becomes my husband, I definitely wont suffer. Wuniang liked Wei Ci and even wanted to marry him. She definitely did not like him for his looks. She was not that shallow. She definitely had a lot of female friends around her who were engaged and waiting to get married, but what were the virtues of their husbands families? Thanks to her identity as Master Yuan Jings daughter, she occasionally delivered food to her father at the academy, so she could always hear some gossip. There were many men who had affairs with the servants around them. They even had children born of their mistresses, which embarrassed their legal wives. What was even worse was that some of them just favored their concubines and did away with their wives. That was certainly not impossible. Because of Master Yuan Jings enlightenment, Wuniang would of course want to choose someone she liked. The man must not only love her dearly, but know how to feel tender and protective towards her as well. When Sanwu had a difficult birth, the servants wanted to get rid of Sanwu in order to avoid bringing unluckiness to the house lest it died. She could not do anything, so she rushed to Wei Ci for help. He did not regard the lives of Sanwu and its child as worthless. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and was not disgusted by the smell of blood. He also did not get angry when Sanwu scratched him when it was in pain. He actually delivered Sanwus child seriously. Anyway, after that incident, Wuniang really liked Wei Ci. Make a harmonious and orderly home? Jiang Pengji curled her lips. It was the first time that she had heard such a comment. The audience in the streaming room nearly exploded too. The screen was filled with the word awesome. Liangliangde Wangsitu: My language teacher died early. Can a language expert please explain this? How can he make a harmonious and orderly home? Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Peaches are abundant and flowers are blossoming. Girls make a harmonious and orderly home when they get married to men Comprehend the meaning for yourself. She felt that she had read a fake version of The Book of Songs. Jiang Pengji tried to suppress her laughter and said, If you like him, tell him directly. According to Zixiaos character, he wont spread this matter and ruin your reputation, regardless of whether he accepts you or not. Wuniang replied in dismay, But Brother Ci likes someone else. Hes a serious man. I wont bother to compete with someone else. So? Jiang Pengji asked. So, I hope that hell get together with his lover soon. Hell already be 21 years old this year. If he drags this on, itll really be a difficult and long-standing problem, Wuniang said. She was a little sad and continued awkwardly, Anyway, Ill only be 13 years old this year. Therell definitely be some good candidates for my future husband. Thats true. Jiang Pengji liked Wuniangs open-mindedness a lot. Master Yuan Jing had raised his daughter well. The audience in the streaming room was attracted to Wuniang too. Did one not know that the female characters in stories held a principle that the person that they liked had to respond well to their feelings? Otherwise, the men would be called heartbreakers. So much pain and sorrow had evolved from such unreasonable expectations. How open-minded and cute Wuniang was made her especially unique. Hey, weve talked so much, but I dont know what your name is. Jiang Pengji replied with a gentle smile, Im Liu Xi. You can also call me Lanting. Wuniang widened her eyes in shock. After a long time, she responded somewhat angrily, Sure enough One shouldnt believe in rumors. What rumors? Other people have said that Liu Xi is a rebellious dandy who visits brothels in his free time. They say a wise goose never lays a tame egg. Wuniang tilted her head and tried to secretly glance at Jiang Pengji from head to toe. However, Jiang Pengji caught her in action. She could not help but blush, and she said shyly, Not to mention anything else, at least you have a clearer head than the rest. If every dandy is like you, then theyre not dandies anymore. Jiang Pengji just wanted to laugh, but she almost stiffened when she saw a bullet screen. Dashu Xiaobing: Youre in a very dangerous situation. The girl wants to flirt with you. Your discerning eyes can tell greatness from mediocrity! she praised Wuniang, unperturbed. She also praised herself. Wuniang was startled, then she immediately understood that she was shamelessly praising her. She suddenly burst into laughter. Jiang Pengji urged, Its getting late. Go home soon. You still have to worship the Flower God. Okay. Wuniang nodded. She trotted away down a path where there were less people. Jiang Pengji crossed her hands in front of her chest and did not move. After a while, she walked straight towards a pear tree. Didnt your heart skip a beat when the little girl said that she liked you to your face? Behind the tree, Wei Ci felt that his heart was about to stop beating. He was so shocked that he tried to dodge her, but he hit the back of his head against the trunk. Looks like you really have a lover. Is that how you can bear to reject the little girl? Wei Ci looked unprecedentedly serious. He pursed his thin lips and looked at Jiang Pengji sharply. This is related to Wuniangs reputation. Dont bring up this matter again. Chapter 327 - Those Carefree Days of Youth (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He warned her in a low voice, Im not an insensible person Otherwise I wouldve called you out when you got near just now. Jiang Pengji was not scared of him at all. Instead, she shot a snappy glance at him. Wei Ci came at a good time. He was neither too early nor too late. Jiang Pengji had originally wanted to bring a romance to a happy ending, so she did not expose him. Looking at it now, the little girl was open-minded and could let things go. The guy did not have any feelings towards the girl, so her matchmaking job would have been a waste. Upon hearing what Jiang Pengji said, Wei Ci lowered his eyelids and hid the abnormal look in his eyes. Youre a really boring person and you have a lot of thoughts in your mind. Jiang Pengji smacked her lips and rested the back of her head on her hands. Her wide sleeves slid down her arms, revealing two fair arms. Her wrists were slender and beautiful. Wei Ci shifted his gaze awkwardly, not daring to look at her. Of course, Jiang Pengji did not miss his reaction. She laughed and deliberately got close to him. She whispered, Fortunately, Im a sensible person. People who are slightly slow-witted may think that youre gay. Wei Ci had a grave look on his face. What do you mean? Would a normal man blush and shift his gaze when they saw another mans arms? Others wouldnt think that there was something wrong with the latter; they would only feel that the former had abnormal feelings towards the latter. Thats why It wouldnt matter if men of the current era had completely bare arms. Wei Cis face was growing gloomier and gloomier. He secretly clenched his fists in his sleeves. He did not leave, so Jiang Pengji stayed where she was and could not help but grow even more curious about him. It seems like you came to look for me, she said firmly. If this was to happen on a normal day, you wouldve flourished your sleeves and left already if I were to provoke you like this. You wouldnt have stayed Say it. Whats up? Wei Ci did not say a word. The petals of the pear blossoms around them danced in the wind. There was no one around them. No one saw the unusualness between them. The audience in the streaming room watched the entire scene and felt sorry for Wei Ci. So far, the guys Jiang Pengji met were either bullied by her like a white rabbit and then she would lose interest in them, or they were in with each other. Both were not good. Wei Ci was the only guy Jiang Pengji bullied every time she saw him. They did not know how Wei Ci felt, but they really felt sorry for him. Laosiji Lianmeng: Can you change your target? Host V: Im not willing to! The audience was speechless. Wei Cis facial expression changed. In the end, he suppressed the feelings that were surging in his heart. Ive heard people say that your birthday falls on the Flower Festival, but youve never had a birthday party, nor have you invited friends, so Im not sure about it. He once thought that the Flower Festival was her birthday. Every year on that day, the whole nation would join in the jubilation, but He still had not forgotten the scene of her smashing all the gifts and driving out all her servants. No one dared to approach her. Wei Ci did not know why she acted that way and did not dare to ask about it. The fear still lingered in his mind. He did not know why but he suddenly had the courage to ask about it. The Flower Festival is indeed my birthday. Jiang Pengji smiled and blinked her eyes. There seemed to be something wrong with her answer; however, it did not matter much. After all, was she not Liu Xi? That was what Wei Ci had expected. Are you here to give me a present? Over the past few years that Jiang Pengji had been in Langye, she had celebrated her birthday just by eating the longevity noodles. She did not hold birthday celebrations that were showy and unsubstantial. At the most, she would have lots of food on the day and dress herself in new clothes. Yes, Wei Ci responded gently. Jiang Pengji suddenly felt a bit guilty. He came over to give her a birthday present, but she slammed him with words instead and made him choke with resentment Thinking about it, she felt that Wei Ci did not have it easy. What is it? Jiang Pengji asked directly. Wei Ci did not feel offended. After all she was just showing due respects. Its a poor work of mine. Its barely pleasing to the eye, Wei Ci replied. He took out a very delicate pendant. Flowers? Jiang Pengji took it from him. Several blooming flowers extended their petals. His sequence of ideas was brilliant. Looking at it from afar, it looked like a flower that had just fallen off its branch. She could not help but raise her eyebrows a little. Your skills have improved significantly. The stones used were not of the highest grade, but Wei Ci made it himself. Although it was not expensive, it was the heart that mattered. In the past few years that she had been in the Langye Academy, Jiang Pengji had been invited to other peoples birthday parties. Most of the presents were the works of the students. There were manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, and calligraphy Friendships were important, but the values were fake. The pendant gifted by Wei Ci could only be described as average. However Jiang Pengji secretly took a glance at the bullet screens. Sure enough, a lot of them were ridiculing Wei Ci. Bingtang Ningmeng: The unseen blade is the deadliest. What does he mean by Its a poor work of mine. Its barely pleasing to the eye? Mouyi: Ive been learning how to carve for a few years. I can only feel wronged and cry alone. Jiang Pengji felt better. Host V: Dont worry. Ill take him on for you. In an instant, the bullet screens that ridiculed Wei Ci turned to bullet screens that felt sorry for him. He was attacked before giving her the present, and he still was still attacked even after he gave her the present. How pitiful. Thank you. ****** In another place, Wuniang worshipped the Flower God in a somewhat good mood. As usual, she prayed for her family and added another sentence at the end shyly, I wish that I can find the true love of my life. The Flower Festival was indeed very lively. The young girls dressed in brightly colored clothes competed with each other for beauty. The young men who were clad in scholars costumes were a unique scene. Listening to the cadenced recitation in the gathering, Wuniang was thinking about her marriage. She would have to forget about Wei Ci. They were not destined, so she could not force it. There were many young talents at the Flower Festival, but they were overshadowed by Wei Ci. When she returned home, Wuniang was still worried about the matter. Looking at how she was pouting, Master Yuan Jing could not help but smile. He asked, Did you see anyone that you liked today? No. They dont compare to Brother Ci at all, Wuniang answered. Seeing that her husband was so out of line, Master Yuan Jings wife suddenly felt a bit angry. Who teaches their daughters like this? Im really afraid that no one dares to propose to her when shes 15 years old. How can you let her make her own decisions? Master Yuan Jing replied, Why do you have to be so worried? So what if no one proposes to her? Am I, an old man, incapable of supporting Wuniang? His wife was mad. You know that youre old. How long can you protect Wuniang? Rather than making good plans for her, youre giving her trouble instead. Master Yuan Jing was an erudite and eloquent man, but he did not dare to talk back to his wife. He secretly glanced at his daughter, only to see that Wuniang was grinning at him. She was watching the show with excitement. Master Yuan Jing craned his neck. After making sure that his wife was gone, he then turned around and asked his daughter, There are so many young talents. Are you really not interested in any of them? Theres someone, but I dont know if hes married. Oh? Who is it? Liu Xi. Hes about as old as me. Hes funny, too. He doesnt seem as horrible as the rumors depict him to be. Master Yuan Jing was speechless. Wait a second. Old people were a bit hard of hearing Who did his daughter like? Chapter 328 - Red Dowries (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Who did you say? Master Yuan Jing would rather admit that his ears were useless and that they produced auditory hallucinations rather than hear his daughter mention that name again. Wuniang did not understand and repeated with a smile, Liu Xi. Isnt he a student of yours? Someone that is part of Langye Academy definitely has no major issues of principle As for his personality, I think I have to observe further Not him! Master Yuan Jing disagreed with his daughter. Wuniang was puzzled about her fathers firm attitude. When she had told her father that she liked Wei Ci, he was not against it. Instead, he was delighted. It was a pity that Wei Ci already liked someone else. Wuniang did not bother competing with other people, so sadly, she chose to give up. Why was her father so abruptly against Liu Xi? Is Liu Xi married? Wuniang thought about Jiang Pengjis age and appearance. She felt that there was a huge possibility that he had already gotten married. The current ethos was that men got married at an early age. It was rare for someone to still be single at the age of 21, like Wei Ci was. If that was the case, Wuniang could not force it. No Its just that your personalities dont match Master Yuan Jing was usually eloquent, but he was currently rendered speechless. He did not know how to explain it to his daughter. Liu Xi isnt someone of your league. He has a wild temper. I feel that youll only suffer. Wuniang was a filial daughter. She only had a good impression about Jiang Pengji. Since her father was against it, she would just forget about it. Master Yuan Jing sighed heavily while stroking his daughters hair. On the one hand, he felt that his daughter was similar to him, and had a very good taste in choosing partners. Whether it was Liu Xi or Wei Ci, they were indeed outstanding. It was a pity that the former had given his heart to someone else and had a strange birth chart. As for the latter her gender was not suitable. He still hoped to have grandchildren! On the other hand, he felt that it was a pity. Master Yuan Jing smiled kindly and promised, Ill find you the best husband in the world. Wuniang was so shy that her cheeks blushed. She was still an unmarried girl. She definitely felt shy when her marriage was discussed. If you cant find the best, I wont get married in the future. Youll have to support me for the rest of my life. Wuniang hugged Master Yuan Jings arm and acted cute. She looked lovely and innocent. If I grow old at home, you cant give me the cold shoulder. Master Yuan Jing secretly heaved a sigh of relief. It was best that the matter could be resolved so simply. Although he could foresee the fate of others, he could not foresee the fate of those close to him. He did not know who his daughter would marry in the future. The only thing that he could do was keep close tabs on any potential candidates and find her a real handsome husband. ****** Jiang Pengji bade goodbye to her close friends a few days in advance. She also notified Master Yuan Jing. Jiang Pengji walked home at sunset, her sleeves rich with the scent of pear blossoms. In front of the door, there were many carriages that were filled with the rare wood that Jiang Pengji found, furniture, clothes, jewelries, makeup, and many title deeds for land Not to mention the dowries prepared in Hejian County, the dowries that Jiang Pengji prepared were already worth more than the value of a daughter born of the mistress of an aristocratic family. Many items had been prepared by Taxue. She knew the value of the dowries best. She felt somewhat bitter on the inside. What are you thinking about? Youre pouting so much that your mouth could hang a pot of vinegar. Jiang Pengji changed into her pajamas after washing up. She untied her hair and let it down on her back. After returning to her bedroom, Taxue knelt while tidying up the blanket on the bed. She looked somewhat resentful, and she had a wide range of movement. She was acting different from her usual self. Her reaction was a bit intense, so Jiang Pengji casually asked her about it. Taxue tidied up the blanket efficiently. Looking at where the booklet was placed, she grew angrier and angrier on the inside. Ive sorted out the dowry booklet and Ive brought it here for you to have a look. Jiang Pengji bowed to Taxue with her hands in front. She smiled apologetically and said, What have I done today that made you so mad? Seeing that Jiang Pengji was fooling around, she threw the blanket on the bed and replied unpleasantly, Youre so open-minded, but Im narrow-minded. Normal, legitimate daughters of the aristocrats do not even have such generous dowries, not to mention Not to mention a daughter born of a mistress, whos not close to you. If this was another family, they would have to empty their storeroom What are you going to do next time? In the current era, the children of the legal wife and those born out of wedlock were two entirely different things. The Liu residence gave such generous dowries to the daughter born of a mistress, as if the storeroom was going to be emptied. What would that make the legitimate children who inherit the family business? Of course, on the other hand, that could also reflect the generosity and kindness of the Liu residence. They even treated the child born of a mistress well. However, not everyone believed in it. If it were to happen to an ordinary person. As Taxue said, even if one did not think much initially, he or she would inevitably feel a little uncomfortable. Jiang Pengji smiled indifferently. The dowries and her maiden home are something that she can rely upon when shes married Not to mention that shell be married into the royal family. She cant be looked down upon. Anyhow, Im her brother. Why should I fuss over these things? Taxue sighed. Youre generous, but she may not appreciate it. Although they had the same father, the child born out of wedlock and the child born of the legal wife were in opposite positions. They rarely lived in harmony. Jiang Pengji smiled and said nothing. Taxue did not continue to talk about the topic. When she lifted her quilt and was just about to lay in bed, she said, Well have to depart tomorrow. Have a good sleep and rest up. You dont have to keep watch tonight. Taxue agreed with a smile, but she still laid her bed outside. Hearing the movements outside her door, Jiang Pengji heaved a long sigh. That night, the moon was bright and there were very few stars. Master Yuan Jing had not still fallen asleep at midnight. He tossed and turned, awakening his wife. Whats wrong with you tonight? Did my movements wake you up? Master Yuan Jing looked at his wife, who had a cloak over her shoulders and apologized. Go back to bed. Ill stay in the study for tonight My mind is not at peace tonight. I cant fall asleep no matter how His wife went back to sleep and muttered vaguely, You have too many thoughts Master Yuan Jing carefully lifted the quilt. He put on his cloak and left the bedroom quietly. The moon was shining brightly. He looked at it and lowered his head again. He frowned. He did not get any sleep until dawn. Instead, he sat in the study for the whole night. Apart from Master Yuan Jing, someone else suffered from insomnia, too. At daybreak, the city gates were wide open and a fleet of carriages quietly moved out of the city gate. Jiang Pengji rode on White at the front of the fleet. Behind her, there were more than 20 carriages that were carrying various dowry items. There were more than 100 guards on both sides of the fleet. They were holding big knives at their waists to guard against both sides of the road, for fear of encountering bandits or mobs who would block the road and rob them. Wei Ci wore a cloak over his shoulders and stood at the Shili pavilion. He sighed, looking at Jiang Pengjis back from afar. He knew very well that she might not come back after leaving. Chapter 329 - Red Dowries (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langye County was not far from Hejian County. Although there were thieves who were thinking of stealing from them upon seeing their goods, Jiang Pengji led her people and killed all of them before the mob could get close to their carriage. Other than those small disturbances, it was rather peaceful. It was even safer in Hejian County. In the years when Jiang Pengji pursued her studies in Langye County, the bandits near Hejian County did not have an easy time. They were either caught and killed, or were secretly taken in by Jiang Pengjis troops. Therefore, Hejian County had been peaceful for many years. Langjun, were home Looking out of the window, Taxue saw the urban areas from afar. It was difficult for her to suppress the joy and excitement in her heart. Jiang Pengji held the reins and replied softly, Yes, were home. Hejian County was the first place she had been after she woke up in the current world. Even if she did not have a sense of belonging, after so many years, she vaguely felt that things had remained the same, while the people had changed. Lets go! After overcoming her emotions, and after the carriage had been reconditioned, Jiang Pengji waved her whip and continued her journey. The Liu residence had already ordered someone to wait outside the city long ago because someone had informed them in advance. Jiang Pengji had excellent eyesight. Of course, she could see who was waiting at the forefront. A sincere smile hung on the corner of her lips. She made White go faster and shouted at Xu Ke, Xiaoyu! Xu Ke bowed towards Jiang Pengji with his hands folded in front of his chest. He smiled a little and greeted her. Welcome, Langjun. Xu Ke, who was already 20 years old, had grown significantly. His shoulders were wider and his face was more masculine. The youthful look had disappeared, and he looked more mature. Perhaps, it was because joy put heart in a man. He actually looked like he was in high spirits. Xu Ke had accompanied Jiang Pengji to pursue her studies in the Langye Academy. Although he was a boy servant attending to her studies, he was no different to the ordinary students at Langye Academy. He was even taught by Master Yuan Jing. Two months prior, in order to prepare for the marriage of Liu Shes daughter, Jiang Pengji sent Xu Ke back to Hejian County to help with the preparation. Looking at him, he handled everything well. Lets not have empty talk. I havent been eating well along our journey. Im so hungry. Jiang Pengji threw the reins to a servant. Xu Ke replied, Madam Hu has already prepared a feast at home. Shes just waiting for you. Madam Hu? What about Mother? Jiang Pengji asked. Xu Ke answered, The First lady has been busy with the marriage the last few days. She caught a mild cold this morning, so she asked Madam Hu to treat you to a feast upon your arrival on her behalf. Oh, I see. Jiang Pengji pointed at the carriage behind her and said, Get someone to deliver all these to the residence and count them according to the list. If theres any problem, you must let me know right away Im so tired. Ill go back and get changed first. The pace of life in the ancient times was pretty slow. Even if one did not go back to his or her hometown for a few years, Hejian County still stayed the same. She could not help but frown when she saw that there were many more ragged beggars in the city. Xu Ke saw her reaction and promptly explained, There were several counties near Hejian last year and the year before that did not have good harvests. Especially during the autumn harvest last year, the fields were attacked by locusts. The farmers reaped next to nothing at the time of harvest If the county chief did not open up a granary and borrow some food from a few households, there would be more victims than what you see now Hejian is still considered to be doing fine. The situations in the other counties are even worse Even if Jiang Pengji helped Hejian County solve the evil of banditry and avoided the man-made disaster, God did not do her any favors. The natural disasters would still cause people to suffer. Jiang Pengjis facial expression turned gloomy. She could not help but turn her head and look at the carriage behind her. These dowries were arranged almost entirely by Jiang Pengji. She knew how much money was used. Those were just the dowries for the daughter born of a mistress of the Liu residence But there were countless people around who did not have enough food to eat. Jiang Pengjis heart wrenched at the sight of such a sharp contrast. She looked more and more somber. What about the tenants outside? Jiang Pengji was asking about the several farms owned by the Liu family. The First lady has forked out her own money and made the decision to exempt the commission of the tenants. She has even helped with the grain tax and distributed some money to every household. The other tenants became destitute and homeless and had little food to eat. The tenants of the Liu residence were not affected much. At least they did not become refugees. As they talked, they soon arrived at the Liu residence. The concierge saw Jiang Pengji and did not know how to react for quite some time. Then, he shouted hastily, The Second Langjun is back! After a short while, the old and clumsy butler came running. He could not help but shed tears upon seeing Jiang Pengji, who was already 15 years old. Its a good thing to be home. Why are you crying? Dont cry. Ill greet Mother first. The butler wiped his tears and replied, The First lady has just taken her medicine and has already fallen asleep. Why dont you wash up first? Okay then. Jiang Pengji went back to her courtyard. The servant girl had already prepared a hot bath and some clean clothes for her. The servants were still the same. The inside and outside of the courtyard were kept tidy, as if the owner never left. Xunmei? What are you Jiang Pengji was very familiar with the slender figure. She only then remembered who she was after being startled for a while. I heard Xiao Xiaoyu said that you were coming back today, so I made the decision to clean your bedroom without your permission. Xunmei blushed with shyness. Even if she did not apply any blush on her cheeks, she still looked stunningly beautiful. She looked gentler and more mature than before. Please forgive me. Hearing how she addressed Xu Ke, Jiang Pengji turned her head and glanced at Xu Ke. She snorted. I hear wedding bells. Xu Ke felt a bit uncomfortable. Xunmei saved him from embarrassment and said, We originally wanted to tell you about this when you were free What is there to avoid? He has not responded to your feelings for so many years and he has finally opened his mouth. Of course, you have to make a quick decision, Jiang Pengji teased them. Xunmei blushed. She gathered her sleeves and left, giving space to the two of them. Seeing that Xunmei had left, Jiang Pengji asked, Have you made up your mind? Xu Ke knew what she was talking about. He nodded and answered, Yes. Dont let her down then. Xunmei is a decent girl. To be honest, Jiang Pengji was not very optimistic about Xunmei and Xu Ke. Xu Ke had great ambitions and he would soar to great heights sooner or later. In contrast, Xunmei was just a normal girl. It was very hard for her to imagine if Xu Ke would still treat Xunmei the way he did currently when he became successful in the future. In Jiang Pengjis opinion, according to Xunmeis conditions, she would live a happier life if she picked a man who was steadier and more ordinary. However, those were just her observations. Their future would only depend on how the two of them lived their lives in the future. Xu Ke sensed Jiang Pengjis warning. He could not help but promise solemnly, Ill never let her down. Jiang Pengji patted his shoulder. Remember what you said. Xu Ke responded, Ill keep it in mind. Have a seat. I want to know about the changes and everything that has happened in Hejian County over the past few years. Whats the condition of the troops? When Jiang Pengji lived in Langye County, she would receive some news once in a while. However, due to the inconvenience of communication, all the information had been simplified and it was not detailed at all. She managed to come back, so of course she had to find out about it again. Speaking of business, Xu Ke straightened his posture and sorted out his thoughts. According to your orders Chapter 330 - Red Dowries (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji did not reside in Hejian County over the last few years, but externally, there were officials who were willing to help. Internally, Meng Hun organized everything. Hejians county chief secretly opened an easily accessible door. The number of people had increased to more than 5,000. That was because Meng Hun remembered Jiang Pengjis teachings and used stringent criteria to determine the endpoint. If he did not care about the consequences and focused on taking people in and expanding the department, there would have been at least 50,000 people. The robbers at Hejian County were almost completely wiped out. The department under Meng Hun eliminated those who came close to the region of the county, the items seized, including those ingredients harvested, the resources Jiang Pengji left behind such that deficit and gain can be said to be equal. The number of people in the department is rising steadily, this means the target is closer, if this triggers the suspicions and wariness of Hejian County chief, our lives ahead will be tough. Thus, Jiang Pengji ordered Meng Hun to move majority of the department away, disperse the members, disguise as exiled people and go into Chongzhou. Now, there can only be two thousand in the department who stays in Hejian, 1303 young men who are not of age, the remaining 607 of them are widows or young ladies Regarding the women department, Ke thinks it is better that Langjun reconsiders Xu Ke knew the purpose that Jiang Pengji wanted to set up the women department from the start, maximising the use of each human resource, preventing the waste of resources in society. Only, in such a huge atmosphere, the existence of the women department is somewhat awkward. Some dirty minded males cannot bear but guess, is the purpose of this women department to satisfy their sexual lust and desires? Jiang Pengji frowned, Why? Xu Ke said, Mens words are to be feared. Regarding the exchange of words, the audience in the livestream room can only watch anxiously. Niurou Gaishaofan: Chalei, hopefully the streamer will not be convinced by young Xu Ke, who said women are weaker than men? If the state of society is such, does that mean it is correct? The status of females in ancient times are so lowly, is the Streamer comfortable with it? Nao Dianbo: Streamer, look at me, look at me, look at me why should the words of man be feared, isnt this just the way of society? Is the majority, always right? In the past at Guhua country, men could have many wives, now that society has advanced, bigamy is a sin! Tudousi Gaishaofan: But after considering, what young Xu Ke said also makes sense, we have to understand the Streamers perspective. If she really implements the women department, there is no issue if small scale, but a large scale will trigger public opinion and pressure. Zuizhan Baishegeng: I despise the comment above, so what if theres public opinion and pressure? There are so many audiences in the live streaming room criticising the Streamer all day saying that she is cruel and has no values, asking after her ancestors. Have you seen her react to these people with bullshit? Having seen till here, many people started reacting. The problem now does not stem from opinions and pressure from without, but whether Jiang Pengji is willing to shoulder the burden. Shanhe Yibai: Streamer dont be worried. We will always support you. Yidai Bawanba: Pei, pei, the entire live streaming room is full of cancerous air for women rights, your might as well advocate for polygamy. The ancient times are such, the larger society determines that a woman stays at home to care for their children, the males are the rightful breadwinner in society. Can you all please calm down and consider the situation the Streamer is facing in such a vast situation? Are your sick? Because of differing opinions, the entire streaming room resumed its daily debate. Of course, more than half of those quarrelling were new audience, many of the old audiences were still calm and did not worry that Jiang Pengji will be convinced by Xu Ke. Laosiji Lianmeng: That saying, which of you remembers the name of the Streamer in this live streaming room and the real topic? Huaguo Lishidaquan: It is titled as Gongdou Streamer, truth is to contend for the throne, vie for supremacy. Yinyuejia Zhugeqinmo: #LOL, thats why, regarding the assembly of the women department, what is there to debate about? The Streamer Jiang Pengji is a female herself, when she reigns supreme in future, is known throughout the Nine prefectures, it will surely raise the status of women societies allowing them to experience real and meaningful recognition. If Jiang Pengji wishes to vie for the throne smoothly, she has to improve the status of women in society. Both issues are to a certain extent tied together. Only if the vast majority accepts the value of society that women create, the title of a female Emperor will be legitimate. Otherwise, even if the person sitting on the throne is female while society still views males as dominant, a female Emperor will only serve as a manipulated puppet. Seeing these comments, Jiang Pengji laughed secretly. The live streaming room was filled with crooks and honest folks, most are there to watch the commotion and are clueless. But with careful selection, there are people who were clear-headed. Zhuyi Shixiang: But dont you feel that for men and women to fight against each other, the women will be at a disadvantage? After all, the breast There is no room to be a gentleman during war time, theres surely unruly actions against female soldiers. Hongchen Jingling: #digsnose, look at what is said above, as if mans crotch is like cast iron and will be immune to pain when kicked. Audience: I have decided on this matter. The women department must be established. Jiang Pengji raised her hand to stop Xu Ke from speaking, she said, Our foundation is still too weak, any additional person is an advantage. Moreover, joining the department will give them a place to settle down and pursue their goal in life. Xu Ke thought it through, it seemed to be as such. The six hundred and seven women department at present consists of majority orphaned or exiled or abandoned young girls. If the department did not accept them, they will die of hunger by the roadside or be kidnapped by human traffickers. In the past, Jiang Pengji limited the purchase of rice to alleviate the famine in Hejian thereby reducing the number of refugees. Only, the natural disaster and famines in upcoming years will result in many homeless refugees. In the pretext of whole families escaping, the chances of baby girls being abandoned and trafficked is greatly increased. This is the source of the present department of prostitutes. Why is that so? Based on filial piety, the people cannot abandon their parents. For the sake of carrying on the family line, the male children cannot be abandoned. Thus, for the survival of the family, the wife is worth more than the daughters and so they are sacrificed. Xu Ke thought of the details and his heart was immediately softened. He could only sigh, Langjun is so compassionate. Unknowingly, Xu Kes impression of Jiang Pengji deep in his heart increased by many folds. If kidnapped it is a completely difference scenario, those unlucky ones will immediately go to a forsaken place to betray their bodies, those somewhat better, half of them will be sold to households as child-brides or maids to do rough chores, their names to be in the slave records for life and to be slaves for generations. She did not care about her reputation in order to protect the weak. She was willing to shoulder societys badmouthing and judgement. Doesnt this give one a noble impression? The truth is, Jiang Pengji is not so noble. Be it female or male, in her eyes there is only a common classification C societys resource to replenish itself. Whoever who waste resources is an enemy to her! If she is not happy, no one dare dream of being happy! Chapter 331 - Red Dowries (4) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Xu Ke calmed his heart and mind down, he discreetly directed Jiang Pengji, whose heart was high and mighty, to the side and continued to report the situation. Following Langjuns orders, the womens troop is being managed by Maiden Jiang. Thus, when Ke returned to Hejian, I found her to understand the situation first. The Maiden Jiang that Xu Ke spoke of is Jiang Nongqin. In reality, as for Jiang Nongqin, Xu Ke stayed away from her as she is someone who cannot be messed with. He came from Langye to Hejian a few months ago and wanted to understand more about the situation of the troops from Nongqin, who was then educating the womens group. He saw with his own eyes how she beat her tall, muscular young opponent to a pulp, really beating him violently! The young man was big, too, his muscular arms impressive: each and every muscle stood out, he had looked so intimidating and strong, but his reaction and action was slower than Jiang Nongqins, from the start to the end, he never once caught her sleeve, but his hair got caught by her and was pressed to the ground with her sword on his neck. From start to end, decisively violent. He shuddered to think of it. Nongqin is hardworking Jiang Pengji hasnt seen Jiang Nongqin for years, but this doesnt mean she forgot her. She occasionally mails a training list, drawing drafts of training manuals, the killing of generals and other pointers Nongqin diligently and tirelessly practices them daily. When she has time, she reads and learns, she recently wrote a letter to her, asking some simple questions. Jiang Pengji has always admired someone who is willing to work hard to change their present circumstances. Xu Ke nodded in approval, he had seen Jiang Nongqins original features, so after many years, seeing the change in her shocked him. Under Nongqins management, the women troops have somewhat taken form. However, the average age of girls taken in are too young, only basic training can be conducted and they can only help do things within the limits of their strength. Those who were of age had weak health and cried at the slightest training. Towards these people, Nongqin could not be bothered to pity them. Jiang Pengji had a smile in her eyes as she asked, how did she deal with it? Xu Ke had a weird expression as he said, Maiden Jiang conveyed to the women troops that it was either fight each other out here or serve men in the whorehouse. Some did not believe and were signaled out by Nongqin, they became an example for the rest: she got people to come claim them directly and marked their names to be sold someplace! After this was enforced, no one dared to rebel. These ladies were born into poverty, they were not pampered ladies of big households, after bearing for a few days and seeing that Nongqins heart did not soften, they did not make any noise, they did as they were instructed, they trained when told and came together to study. Slowly, they realized Nongqin was not out to harm them and their loyalty returned to her. As for the ladies who were obviously older in age, Nongqin tasked them to wash, sew and cook. At this, the audience in the live-streaming room raised an issue. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: Streamer, I feel that besides these, they can be taught emergency first aid skills. The probability of dying in war is high, most of them do not die immediately but instead die because they did not receive medical attention and care in time after the war. That is true, Laosiji Lianmeng said from his screen. If the women troop wants to be recognized by the world, they must prove themselves to shut the mouths of those critical people. At least the people under the Streamer must first acknowledge their existence. If they can do more than fight during the war, also treating injuries, tending to soldiers then it can block out the gossips and rumors. Regardless of what the world says, the Streamers internal department must be united. Jiang Pengji was not blind to these considerations. She tapped her finger lightly on the table. Since she let Nongqin adopt these orphaned girls and form the womens troops, her heart naturally had built preventive measures. The suggestions that the audience in the live streaming room gave were highly possible to implement. But Jiang Pengji knitted her brows, even though she could learn first-aid, those skills were not suitable for ancient times like these. Then the others began to speak up. Streamer V: Do you have books about emergency rescue during wartime there? Tangchao Lizi: Yes! My sister majored in nursing. I will help you find the books she used. Weici Niangniang Jiawo: Go, go, go, dont fight I studied nursing and have five years of experience working at the emergency department. Zhuyi Shisuo: Pi, I am the head nurse of the emergency department, who dares to fight with me! The past few years, Jiang Pengji has directed most of her energy to studying but has not let her guard down regarding controlling and testing the System, after a series of victory and defeat on the Systems end, the streaming room has leveled up to level 4, the upper limit of audiences has reached one hundred and fifty thousand! One hundred and fifty thousand people in the audience in the streaming room, even if they were all kept in the dark, there were no lack of talents from all fields. Jiang Pengji inquired about their nursing knowledge, and the number of the audience who replied naturally were as many as the carps crossing the river. After she listened intently to Xu Kes summarized report, her heart consolidated an overall message. What news is there from Chongzhou? She had encouraged Liu She to take down Chongzhous government back then, essentially because she had her sights on this land. Because the three factions of the Northern borderline are were vying to support Nansheng in war, Dongqing sent away a group of troops. Liu She had legitimate reasons to gather troops for war, with a resounding motto of protecting the North borderline. Not fearing even if Emperor of Dongqing and the North borderline were affectionate to one another, they could not refute his reasoning. The Old Master sent a message recently saying that all is well. Eh, Chongzhou has Father safeguarding, I am not worried. Jiang Pengji knew how rich the Second wifes warehouse was. They could assemble an army of at least 20,000 in Chongzhou including the troops she put her heart into training, it was not so pathetic. Xu Ke closed his eyes. He could roughly guess her intentions from Jiang Pengjis plans. From what Ke understands, all the princes are of age, the fight for the throne is getting serious as time passes. The nobles and eunuchs are temporarily joining hands to create a mess in court, Prince Changshou has great ambitions and certainly will take big actions hereafter. Langjun should seize the opportunity Jiang Pengji shook her head, No if we do this, this will be advantageous to the North borderline who has been eyeing it for a long time. She understood Kes meaning, to take advantage of the court in a mess, the people of Dongqing were suffering to gain an upper hand by gathering soldiers to dominate a plot of land. Certainly, the bird that pokes its head out first will be hit. Thus, it was wiser to wait for the other powers to become impatient and be the first to show signs of offense then she would act. Even so, it was the equivalent to the internal conflict in Dongqing giving the North borderline, a third party, an advantage. Langjun wishes to defeat the North borderline first? Xu Ke asked. Dongqings hinterland, let them fight over it first. Jiang Pengji raised the sides of her lips in a smirk. To resist foreign troops is an outright righteous standpoint. Ones own siblings and relatives fighting each other versus having foreigners stealing things, the significance would be clear. The three tribes of the North borderline are the foreign invaders. The North borderline appears hard to conquer but is Dongqings army so easily defeated? The princes, the Emperor himself and those appointed dukes are hostile towards each other, including the support from aristocratic families, the internal conflict in Dongqing will be very complicated. Rather than fight with them, why not wait for them to fight over it and then put things in order. Before that, we will take down the three tribes of the North borderline and occupy their horse stable! But the North borderline Dongqing has been at war for many years but still cannot beat them Xu Ke thought about it before but going against the North borderline single-handedly was the equivalent to fighting a country. Just by possessing Chongzhou, this prefecture, how were they to accomplish this? She smiled secretively at what was hard for them to fathom. So, we have to beat them to it. Chapter 332 - Red Dowries (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As the saying went, There is no battle you will lose if you know yourself and your enemies well. The outcome of the battle did not depend solely on the strength of the army on both sides; it was also a battle of intelligence information collected about each other. Why were the strategists of old so well respected? The crux laid there. A good strategist could accurately plot against an enemy, even with little information, thereby gaining an upper hand. They were sure to win. From Jiang Pengjis point of view, those people not only had exceptionally intelligent brains, but they could accurately diagnose the situation at hand and re-enact it well. It was shocking. When the people just started to see the beginning, their brains had already predicted the ending. That was the difference between an average person and a strategist. But what if they had detailed, accurate, and real-time information? If an average person could see a few loopholes, so could an intelligent person with redoubled effort. Thus, if Jiang Pengji wanted to use Chongzhou as a base to enter and strategize about how to conquer the Northern Borderline, she needed a detailed understanding of the Northern Borderlines geography. I will write a letter to my father personally to ask him to send some men beforehand to collect information about the Northern Borderline Jiang Pengji said, The royal family in the Northern Borderline has had joint marriages with Dongqing for almost three years. They have long passed the affectionate, honeymoon period. Hereafter, it is time for the real intentions to be revealed. The princess of the Northern Borderline, An Yina, married into Dongqings royal family without good intentions. Before her marriage, she was at the rock garden and met with the fourth prince They appeared to have a very close relationship. Jiang Pengji witnessed that firsthand. If one truly and sincerely wanted a joint marriage to improve the relationship between the two countries, would she have an affair with her future brother-in-law? After her marriage with the second prince, she would become the second princess consort. After all those years there was no lack in plotting evil schemes. It was a pity for the Count of Zhenbei, who took the brunt of the incident. Princess An Yina was undoubtedly the precious gem of the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. She was endowed with a lot of wisdom and intelligence. After she became the daughter-in-law of the royal family, she quickly gained control of her husband, the second prince, whose mother did not have a high status. She coaxed him well and made him her mouthpiece in Dongqings court. The year Nansheng wanted to borrow troops from Dongqing to deter the enemy, the second prince followed princess An Yinas strategy and recommended the Count of Zhenbei. The other partys reason was also logical and could not be refuted! The Count of Zhenbei was skilful in war. The old Count was a military general who rarely lost. If the elite troops under the Count of Zhenbeis personal command were to send help to Nansheng to resist the enemy, it would not only make clear Dongqings sincerity to Nansheng But it would also flaunt Dongqings military might before the other countries. There was nothing wrong with recommending the Count of Zhenbei. The problem was the person who prepared the logistics for the army provisions was the second prince, and the soldiers supervising were enemies of the eunuchs from the Count of Zhenbeis residence! The generals were killing at the forefront, while in the background, the army rations had insufficient supplies. The backup army, who was supposed to come, was consistently late. The injured army men could not receive timely treatment, and the rations and the army were often lacking The personal elite troops under the Count of Zhenbei were tortured by the evil schemes, and as such, they were seriously injured and extremely tired. The last war had a delay in relaying military information. Many elite troops went out, but only some returned. The Count of Zhenbei led the defeated army back and was told off. He was demoted, and his token of command was confiscated. Without the elite troops to rely on, the token of command, which the Emperor was cautious of, was also confiscated. The Count of Zhenbei was at his wits end; he was at the edge of a cliff and could fall anytime, which would be a horrible death. If not for the Emperor, who was weary of his reputation, the Count of Zhenbei would have disappeared from Dongqing. From that point of view, it seemed that princess An Yina did nothing But Jiang Pengji didnt belittle her. The princess contributions to the present state of the Dongqing court had to be acknowledged. Xu Ke knitted his brows, leaving a few faint creases. The real intentions to be revealed? Jiang Pengji sneered coldly. Isnt it so? Half of the elite troops belonging to the Count of Zhenbei were vanquished at the battlefield with Nansheng, which is equivalent to shaving off thirty to forty percent of Dongqings military might. The remaining military strengths are controlled by the Emperor, by the Meng family from Cang prefecture, and by Prince Changshou. These three groups of people are disunited. You have spoken well. It is my thoughts that have deviated. Xu Ke sighed and lifted his hands to rub his forehead, following Jiang Pengjis train of thoughts to analyze the situation. The internal court of Dongqing has conflicting views. If it was reckless struggle, the three tribes of the Northern Borderline would have benefitted from the fighting. Currently, there is the threat from the south. Back then, the four countries rushed to the rescue of Nansheng, and the four factions of Nanman seized an opportunity for peace talks, gaining two to three years to recover. Now that they have recovered their strength, Nansheng ceded their territory in exchange for peace, losing a big piece of land. They were able to breathe, but how were they going to counter the powerful invasion from the four factions of Nanman? The four factions of Nanman had rested long enough. Now that their military troops and horses were full of might, Nansheng was struggling at deaths door. Their doom of extermination was near. If Nansheng was lost, Dongqing would surely face invasion from both the three tribes of the Northern Borderline and the four factions of Nanman. There were many external dangers, and the internal conflicts were endless. Based on the scenario, anyone could imagine that Dongqing would end up as the next Nansheng! It was almost a dead-end with no solution, but Jiang Pengji wanted to walk through the dead-end to find life! This is our chance, Xiaoyu, Jiang Pengji said calmly, Whether we win or lose depends on this move. Who said the last to benefit from the fighting would be the three tribes of the Northern Borderline? It was only possible to open a way forward by conquering the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. That was the only way. It had to be mentioned that it was a bold move, but since Jiang Pengji said so, she was confident of success. Dongqings hinterland was mostly flat, suitable for an army on horses to go to war, which, in general, was easier to attack than defend. On the other hand, the three tribes at the Northern Borderline had many horse stables. They were skilful at riding horses. Once Chongzhou lost, they would ride into Dongqing. Based on the current situation, Dongqing did not have the ability to defend itself. Jiang Pengji wanted to reign supreme in the world. The three tribes of the Northern Borderline were her best springboard to success. She wanted to capture the Northern Borderline, destroy Dongqing, resist and even exterminate Nanman, then deal with the three countries to make claims as an equal. To accomplish that goal, she needed an extremely important chess piece. That needed to be someone with the ability to control the three tribes of the Northern Borderline, and who was currently a nail hidden in DongqingCCprincess An Yina. All things have been prepared. Whats left is the fourth princes, Wuma Juns, wedding. Jiang Pengji laughed secretly with unfathomable intentions, while Xu Ke did not understand. What did that have to do with the fourth princes, Wuma Juns, wedding? As he was about to open his mouth, Jiang Pengjis eyes looked austere. He instinctively swallowed back his words. After a while, the sound of footsteps could be heard from outside. Langjun, everything is prepared. Taxues gentle voice drifted in from the outside of the door. Xu Ke responded to Jiang Pengjis speechless picking of her brows by making a signal with his eyes. His Langjun was indeed smart. The sound of footsteps was far away, but the other party actually could hear them. Eh, I am tired. Please go prepare some hot soup and clean clothes. I will bathe later. Taxue bowed and meekly said, Yes. Jiang Pengjis pupils darkened in color. She retrieved a small box from the shelve in her study room. Lets end our proper business for now. Its time to discuss personal matters. Jiang Pengji pushed the small box towards Xu Ke and signaled for him to open it. Xu Ke complied with her words by opening the box. There was no precious gold or jewelry inside. There was nothing expensive, only two dark yellow bamboo scrolls. This is Chapter 333 - Red Dowries (VII) Chapter 333: Red Dowries (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Kes hands were shaking. He took the pamphlet out to see. His calm expression gave way to a sudden mix of emotions. He could hardly suppress his internal shudder, and his eyes were filled with tears. Jiang Pengji spoke indifferently. This is yours and Xun Meis slave deeds. They are to be your wedding gift. Based on the rules of ancient times, children born to slaves were still slaves. Their names were recorded in the slave records, making them worse off than commoners. Jiang Pengji did not need the slave deeds to control both; their existence would ultimately be their shortcoming, so she might as well seize the chance to solve it. If the slave deed was returned and removed from the record of servants, she would become a commoner. I have never seen you as the servant of Liu manor. This point is evident throughout the years when I allowed you to call yourself Ke rather than your servant. Xun Mei is my personal maid, but I have always treated her as my real sister. Xu Ke, I am overjoyed that you are going to marry her. But, if you become successful in future, dont forget the affection you shared with her in your youth. Xu Ke calmed his heart and mind down, controlled the thrill that was overflowing in his heart, then bowed and thanked her respectfully. I will definitely not forget the vows made today. Jiang Pengji hit home a few times. How could Xu Ke not understand her intentions to protect Xun Mei? With that assurance, Jiang Pengji grudgingly chose to trust him. The audience members in the live streaming room were worried of the contrary, however. Laosiji Lianmeng: #rubsface. It feels like young Xu Ke has planted a big flag. Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Hope we wont be embarrassed in the future It is quite nerveracking. Hunyin Zixunlushi: Ai, seriously Based on my work experience, I dont have a good feeling about this. Young Xu Ke, if placed in the present generation, would possess wits, good looks, and capability of work. He would be set to be the assistant general. While Xun Mei is good looking, her other attributes are average. Even though they are compatible now, they have differing potentials. Thus, their future standing in society will differ, too. Boji Hesaoba: There shouldnt be a large disparity. Xun Meis supporter is the streamer. Ai, young Xu Ke, why do you dare to do this? Laosiji Lianmeng: The streamers temper covered up her shortcomings, which is fine, but she should be based on principles. If Xun Mei wanted to improve herself, the streamer would be glad to help But Xun Mei appears to be a submissive ancient woman who needs to be protected If Xu Ke really lets her down in the future, she will likely choose to bear it and not be angryCClet alone be sorryCCabout it. As a matter of fact, during the ancient times, one husband had one wife and many concubines, whereas a harem was legal. Jiang Pengji did not neglect the audiences comments. After a while, she aired something on the bullet screen. Streamer V: I believe in Xun Mei and Xu Ke. As for their wedding, I should first send them my best wishes. The audience in the live streaming room started to respond. The couple was not even married, and they already sounded pessimistic. That was not a good sign. Therefore, there was an explosion of flowers on the screen in the streaming room, and various gifts were generously bestowed from above. Sweet candies, lovers hearts, blue and white panties, and more small gifts came in succession. Jiang Pengji glanced backstage again. The announcement for the bestowing of gifts refreshed endlessly, akin to flowing water. Audience Haowu Renxing: Awards 99 groups with 1,314 candies. Audience Genben Buchaqian: Awards 666 groups with 520 lovers hearts. Audience Zuiai Xushaonian: Awards 1,314 pairs of blue and white panties. Going down the list, there was a blue beauty that dazzled ones vision, a kidney apple, and other presents and props. Other than the small tokens of appreciation, the big prizes were numerous and came freely, as if they were going to overflow from backstage in the live streaming room. Audience Doraemon: Awards 99 groups with a lifetime together, wishing young Xu Ke a joyous marriage. Audience Shili Hongzhuang: Awards 99 glamorous, private ships, blessing husband and wife, Ke and Mei, with eternal unity. Audience Laosiji Lianmeng: Awards 99 glamorous, private airplanes, wishing that husband and wife, Ke and Mei, will have a child soon. One lifetime together, a glamorous private ship, and a private airplane were all the livestream Systems tools for prizes. The former rose by 999 points of popularity, while the latter rose by 1,000 points of popularity. The expensive prizes were given out to 99 groups in one breath. What logic was that? Jiang Pengji discreetly rolled her eyes. The people in the streaming room did not boast about their wealth normally, but when there was a commotion, it was like a competition. The wave of prize-giving continued for half an hour. Jiang Pengji took stock of the presents backstage; the points of popularity given out was close to 2.6 million. After halving that with the System, the Zhou exploiter, Jiang Pengji managed to credit close to 1.29 million points of popularity. Glancing at the score backstage, Jiang Pengj frowned thoughtfully. As the System had mentioned before, the more audience members there were in the live streaming room, the easier it was to gain points of popularity. But the points of popularity that the System gained that time could support its activity for how long? The live streaming room was level four now That meant that the System required a hefty amount of points of popularity to sustain its daily activities. All these years, she had familiarized herself with the Systems appetite Controlling it was getting easier. After all, it was just a mass of algorithms that was trying to escape her grasp. Streamer V: Yi, youre all so generous! Was that considered generous? The audience in the live streaming room made a condescending gesture with their noses. The streamer had yet to see the world. There were many local tyrants in other live streaming rooms. Giving an award when there was a disagreement was seen as heroic to the heavens. If Jiang Pengji was willing to act ignorant and flirtatious, then the prizes would have been much better! Even if she did not betray her sex appeal, there would be many local tyrants fighting to throw ones money away recklessly. They were akin to kids who knew how to scream and cry to get their milk. The streamer, who did not know how to make a fuss and scream, was like a clear stream in the live streaming world. Streamer V: I must speed things up between Xun Mei and Xu Ke. I need to allow them to quickly get married and have children. The audience was speechless. They were in a daze for a moment, not understanding what Jiang Pengji was referring to. Their brains quickly registered. They realized the heartless streamer was already thinking of the milk powder and the first month celebration money. There were many celebrations that came in the first year. Wrong! They seemed to have forgotten something The tool that was given to the streamer Would young Xu Ke and Xun Mei be able to receive the prize? It was quite impossible in the end. Jiang Pengji would not convert the points of popularity to gold and silver because the Systems program did not support it. But as her Langjun, Jiang Pengji would naturally prepare for Xun Mei ample and generous dowries, which would allow her to marry in splendor. As for Xu Ke, she would give him an advanced salary so he could hold a grand wedding. In comparison to the weddings of rich people, the wedding between commoners was much simpler. Xu Ke and Xun Meis wedding would first have to be approved by the head of both houses. Thereafter, the planning could begin. As Xu Ke was a literate person, he held customs very highly. Since it was a legal marriage, even if things were made simple, not even one of the three letters and six etiquettes could be omitted. The task was given to Xu Kes only elder, a widowed aunt at home. She would carry out the task. Xun Mei stayed in Heijian to take care of Xu Kes aunt for many years, who long saw her as her own daughter. She naturally took interest in this. Jiang Pengji switched off the livestream and took a bath comfortably. She had just put on her nightgown when the maids footsteps sounded from outside. Langjun, the accompanying maiden that came from Chongzhou is here. Her maids words put a smile on her face. The pillow came after one yawnedCCjust at the right time. Chapter 334 - Red Dowries (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A inconspicuous and run-down horse carriage stopped at the corner in front of the Liu mansion. Hui Niangzi, we have reached the Liu manor. From outside the carriage, the maids gentle voice could be heard. It pulled Huijun back from her wandering thoughts. She pursed her lips, restraining the expression on her face. She showed the seasoned, perfect smile that she had practiced for years. She lowered her body and stepped on the carriage stool to get down. The manor before her was completely foreign to her. If it had been a few years before, when she was still a humble prostitute that was trampled on by anyone, anyone could have been her husband with only a copper coin. She never imagined that she would enter such a grand manorCCor even come close to it She would have been humiliated and turned away by the servant. Hui Niangzi? the maid greeted. I am all right. The thought of meeting Langjun soon makes me extremely joyous. Huijun smiled. She pressed down on the heavy curtain, covering her whole face, then put her hand on her maids. She let the other party support her to the side door. She knew she was going to accompany the brideCCthe daughter of the concubine of Liu manorCCin marriage. However, the Liu manor had invested a lot into her over the years. She wore good clothes and ate well; she even had someone teach her how to read and write, and how to critique art and poems. Someone educated her about the customs and the taboo between scholarly people So, she did not think that her accompanying the bride was solely to win the favor of ones husband. She discreetly journeyed to the courtyard. Huijun once again got to meet the second legitimate son of the Liu manor, whom she had an encounter with many years ago. Jiang Pengji saw Huijun and was stunned for a moment. She had never expected it, but the prostitute she had spent many years teaching was now such an incomparable beauty. The hair on her temples was black as ink. She had on light makeup, and her jade hairpin accessory moved rhythmically. She was beautiful, as if the monotonous movement was transformed to contain depth. She had an elegant disposition to her movements. She lost the skinny and pitiful look from the past, her cowardice and meek disposition, and now she was gentle and tranquil, and possessed elegance. Her graceful demeanor was akin to a warm spring when the green willows had just begun to bloom. It was unforgettable. A woman undergoes many changes at eighteen years old; this is indeed true. Jiang Pengji looked at Huijun with eyes that admired beauty. The other person was indeed a rare beauty. Perhaps her beauty could not capture beasts and birds, nor could it exceed the natural world, but it could surely bring about the downfall of a great city. Huijun tried her best to straighten her posture, displaying all that she had learned. One couldnt have been fooled by her calm appearance, as her heart was already pounding. Both her hands dripped with sweat, and her back was dull with hot air. Her breathing sped up somewhat, as if when she saw Jiang Pengji for the first time even the air became thin. Huijun leisurely sat down and a perfect smile appeared. She greeted Jiang Pengji with proper standards according to the textbook manner. Your servant, Huijun, greets Langjun. Dont be so nervous. Jiang Pengji speechlessly lost her laughter. She felt like she was the trainer and Huijun, who stood before her, was the nervous student waiting to be assessed. You did very well all these years. The promise I made back then is still available. Huijun discreetly heaved a sigh of relief. She then realized her back was drenched with sweat. In that case, can Langjun tell me what he wants Huijun to do now? She looked at Jiang Pengji with her crystal-clear pupils. The last few years may have worn away her timid personality, but when she was before Jiang Pengji, she often felt inferior and wished she could bury herself in a hole so the person before her would not see her again. Jiang Pengji tapped the table. It sounded exceptionally clear in the hall that was otherwise silent. Are you willing to become a beauty that brings about misfortune to the country? A beauty who brings misfortune to the country? Huijuns heart froze for a moment. Before she came to the Liu manor, she had many thoughts in her head. But no matter how hard she tried to guess, she didnt manage to determine the truth. Huijun smiled bitterly. The women in the world, even they are unclean like me, wont readily admit that they are less beautiful than others. Only a beauty that brings misfortune to the country Your servant is somewhat good-looking, but I do not have such confidence to compare myself to the 3,000 beauties in the inner palace. Jiang Pengji nodded. That is true. Huijun was presently very beautiful, but her beauty was still earthly. If one tried hard, it was possible to find a beauty that was comparable. When Huijun heard Jiang Pengjis words, her heart felt like it was pricked by a sharp needle. The pain faintly surfaced on her face. At her expression, Jiang Pengji said again, However, I asked whether you are willing to be the beauty who brings misfortune to the country, and not anything else. Huijun anxiously replied, Your servant is naturally willing. Perhaps it was because she had been humiliated in every way ever since she was young, she had always desired for someone to save her and bring her out of the depths of the bitter ocean. The person before her did it. That year, she caught the underground gangsters who once bullied her. She then determined in her heart that she would do anything for Jiang Pengji. Even if it was her life, if the person before her mentioned it, she would give without any hesitation. One had to be content and grateful as a person. Huijun had retained that pure heart. She understood that everyday was stolen after she left the brothel. There were countless of prostitutes who died pitifully. They were wearing rags before they died, and the passersby who saw the corpses acted ignorant and continued on. It was exceptional for her. She enjoyed many years, with days filled with riches and splendor, and perhaps even more. Why wasnt she content? As her voice faded, she heard the youth before her say, In that case, I wish you good luck! Huijun accepted by bowing her head. Jiang Pengji was speechless again. It is not easy to be a beauty who brings misfortune to the country. You may even face a scenario where the world hurls insults at you, so you must consider carefully. Huijun shook her head, saying, Langjuns words are incorrectCCI will be a beauty who brings misfortune to the country. So what? Isnt that the most honorable woman on the earth? The best position in the world is to gain anything I wantCCto live freely and not be trampled upon or humiliated by others. The once high and mighty will have to bow and even break their backbone. From this perspective, how is my life not good? As for the reputation after death, since one has died, who cares if a flood shall occur? What was it to be insulted by the world? Throughout history, nobody had the ability to go against a femme fatale. No matter how one died, in any case, one got to enjoy wealth and splendor while they were alive. Jiang Pengji choked at Huijuns words. She never thought those were Huijuns thoughts. It is naturally great that you think like that. Jiang Pengji raised her hands to point at the medicine that was steaming hot on the table. Drink it. Huijun stood up and walked two steps. She did not ask what the medicine contained. She raised the bowl, containing the black, bitter, and foul smelling medicine, with her hands. Her slender, white neck looked up, and she gulped the medicine quickly. Jiang Pengji passed her some preserved honey. She readily accepted and took it, then silently sucked it into her mouth. When the bitter taste dissipated, she then timidly opened her mouth. Your servant has a request. Will Langjun agree to it? Just thinking of her request, she felt that her tongue was going to be tied. Sure. Jiang Pengji nodded her head in agreement. Can Langjun hug your servant? The words slipped from her mouth. Her heart faintly filled with hope and uncertainty. Jiang Pengji looked at Huijuns pupils. She understood in her heart, and opened her arms slightly. Huijun nervously reached out her hands and hugged Jiang Pengjis waist, leaning on her bosom. Her shy and nervous expression slowly changed to shock, but soon after she calmed down. Her eyes were filled with relief. ThankCCthank you. Chapter 335 - Red Dowries (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji maintained the action since the start. She gently hit the back of the other person until the air in her stomach gradually became regulated. The medicine that Huijun drank just now was not poison, but a comparatively thick liquid that helped one sleep. Silly girl. She sighed and extended her hands to Huijuns underarm. She could easily carry the other person. Taxue, without my orders, no one is to go near the courtyard. Taxue secretly glanced at Huijun, who was peacefully asleep. Her expression froze for a moment and disappeared shortly after, as if it had never appeared. Your servant understands. She bowed respectfully, closing the doors of the bed chambers gently. Jiang Pengji turned and walked towards the inner chambers, uncovered the thin blanket on the couch, and placed Huijun, who was deeply asleep, on it. The System had an idea and went to open the package backstage. There were a few unique, shiny, and colorful cards lying inside. The System felt uneasy. At present, it could not stop Jiang Pengji, and could only test her cautiously. It purposely used a gentle tone to ask, What are you doing, host? Jiang Pengji did not even move her brows. She took the cards out of her bag. Following the order in which she received them, she placed them on the table, her smooth fingers brushing against each of the cards. Her eyes held an ominous look. She picked up a card, and the golden words containing the information appeared automatically. XX deviceCCwinding corridors, beautiful beyond measure You deserve these! No man can resist your charm. They will be intoxicated and helpless. You will be part of the 3,000 in the harem and truly be the one apple in the Emperors eyes. Henceforth he will not have court meetings. Jiang Pengji glanced over it with a judgemental face, but she still helped to synthesize it. Pill to get pregnant easilyCCa new voice sounding from the phoenix in an embryo, a bright talent of the nation. A dynasty is chosen by the Emperor. There is one out of thousands who gains the Emperors sole favor, but the flowers life is short lived. Regretfully, life is short, and hearts are fickle. If one bears a child, she will be at the epitome of the harem and outshine the rest. The card was not useful yet. After Jiang Pengji considered it, she kept the card and picked up the third card. Voluptuous and silky chestCCfair wrist raised as ones body turns An ecstasy in the chest. A womans strongest weapon is her voluptuous curves. The one who possesses envious chest curvature increases her value. Others conquer the world, while she wins the heart of the man who conquers the world. The fourth card said, A waist as slim as the willowCCfeels full when touched, alluring, and heavenly. A waist that one utterly wants to touch is every womans dream. PS: this card can be used together with Voluptuous and Silky Chest. The effects will be heightened, giving men an excitable sensory delight. The fourth card had appeared two times before. The first was when the System gave the real time, mobilized mission, and then again as the reward for the saving Meng Heng mission. At that moment, Jiang Pengji did not want to nag at the System. She could have decisively killed Meng Heng and the mission would have failed. The latter half of their interactions were through the livestream. Jiang Pengji started the livestream mission, finished the mission, and obtained the card when she picked from the silver treasure box. The System was surely an expert in palace fighting. It was the crown of the external appearance society; the gifts it gave were to beautify ones outward appearance. Other than that, there were many for corrections of limbs. For example, there was Perfectly straight, jade legsCCa stylish leg extension to perfection, or Snow white wristsCCas fine as a willow, elegant, and charming. It was not limited to a change in external appearance. It was also able to raise ones inner elegance and charm. For example, Cold and proud, bone-deep seduction. After using this card, one will attain the elegant disposition of Xuan Nu and be charming at her best. Regarding the description of the card, Jiang Pengji was confused. Was her language proficiency bad, or was the System contradicting itself? The System wanted to convey the message that, before others, she was a proud and cold fairy, but a dissolute woman in bed? That did not mean much, but the card was very merciless. Jiang Pengji always thought the card had the least amount of morals. Eternal virginthis card can only be used on virgins. Compatible with XX device, it will boost the fundamental change in both. Males will enjoy eternal happiness. My Lord has high standards for appearances. A new experience may not make him fall hard for you. Only with continuous new experiences will he set his heart and body on you. It is guaranteed that you will gain the Emperors unending favor in his harem. Other than those, there were cards with special functions. For example, there were cards for fragile, snow-white skin; black hair as smooth as silk; nails painted pastel pink; sakura colored lips that were full and enticing; pupils that could possess ones soul; long, raised, and thick eyelashes akin to a small fan; a slim and sensitive neck The list went on. Jiang Pengji had not been lazing about all those years. Those that needed to be livestreamed would be livestreamed. The type of interactive streaming mode would be decided as required. As she had been working conscientiously for many years, she accumulated many cards overtime. The rewards the System gave at the start had more worth. Towards the end, the cards chosen were average and mostly functioned to enhance ones body parts or increase ones charm. Jiang Pengji did not expose the System, so she acted ignorant. System, since you are so intelligent, can you guess what I am about to do? Jiang Pengji coldly ridiculed it. We have been bound together for almost four years. Do you not understand me, even after so much time? Did you think I will use these cards on myself? I am taking them out now obviously not to review their content. Why dont you guess what I plan to do? System: It did not dare to guess. Jiang Pengji said, I remember asking you before These cards do not get activated instantly, correct? As powerful as the System was, it could not accomplish plastic surgery in an instant. Based on what Jiang Pengji knew, all the cards would do was build on the foundation of the users body. The length of time for change and final effects differed between people with slight variances. For example, a change in elegance and the likes only required one to two days. The rest required at least ten days to half a month. The System did not want to say anything, but Jiang Pengjis actions made it uneasy. Host using the items generated by the System on a person who is not a host This action is against the Systems laws. Jiang Pengji choked coldly and threw a card out. The System saw and became speechless in an instant. The description of the card was quite perverted Fragrance to entice malesCCnatural body scent that, when sniffed by males, increases their expectations. It heightens a husband and wifes sexual pleasure, and enables males to have enhanced stamina for the long run. The card used the body of a woman as a vector, but the one who profited in the end were men. Strictly speaking, the card was made for someone who was not the host. Jiang Pengji scrutinized the earlier contract intently, and that statement was absent. If the System wanted to lie to an unfamiliar person, that was not an issue But to lie to her? Ha! The System bore with it, but decided to cower in the end. It had no power to stop Jiang Pengjis actions. Finally, the entire card became a golden light, fused into Huijuns body, and disappeared. Chapter 336 - Red Dowries (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Eh Huijuns face suddenly turned red. She knitted her brows, as if she was bearing an enormous amount of pain. She grabbed Jiang Pengjis sleeves with both hands. Her entire body curled up as if it were a prawn roll, and her skin was covered in a layer of sweat. She looked helpless and pitiful, such that no one could help but empathise with her Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes. Her heart had no time to be moved before it became calm again. The System said, Host, you are digging your own grave. You have seen her at her worst. Arent you afraid she will harm you when she gains power one day? You must know that, in the world, there are some trustworthy people, while others do not deserve your trust. Jiang Pengji smirked and calmly replied, It is obvious that Huijun is deserving of my trust. I do not ever suspect the people I choose to trust, unless they betray me. It was not easy to scheme and harm Jiang Pengji. The System said coldly, You say such na?ve words, which proves that you do not fully understand human hearts. Human nature is very complex. The person before us is not of noble character, nor does she possess any integrity. The host indeed rescued her from the depths of the valley. She is indeed grateful and moved to tears; she desperately wishes to give herself in marriage to you. But once she reaches the top, this experience will become a dark past she urgently wants to erase. Jiang Pengji laughed mockingly. You are a System, and youre teaching me what human nature is like? The System cruelly choked at her words. If it had an expression, its face wouldve turned dark as ink and heavy until drops of water leaked down its cheeks. After a while, the System eccentrically opened its mouth. Actually, the host shouldnt have agreed to her request. She knows your gender now. Jiang Pengji asked, Why? The System said, Based on the Systems critical analysis, this woman is in love with, and idolizes, you. If the host did not reveal her gender, she would have fallen deeper in love. With numerous pieces of evidence abound, controlling a woman who is emotionally attached to you is far easier than one without. If she is truly in love with you, she will serve you unconditionally. Unfortunately, the host ruined the opportunity, unafraid that she will become evil and seize the chance to stab you. At that, Jiang Pengji laughed. She originally thought she was shameless enough, but she never thought the Systems true nature was so detestable. I think you are mistaken. Jiang Pengji shook her finger and said seriously, Firstly, I am making this deal with Huijun on equal terms. I will give her unending wealth, and make the path to rise to a high status smooth, while she works for me and helps me achieve my goal. It is fair. If I used fake feelings to deceive her, that would be emotional blackmail. From my point of view, that is the exact method a piece of scum would choose. The System mentioned that Huijun had feelings of attraction for her; Jiang Pengji just noticed it. It was precisely that reason that Jiang Pengji agreed to Huijuns request, using it to dash her hopes. Itd be good if she was ignorant, but she knew that Huijun was interested in her. If she feigned ignorance and led her on while she accompanied the bride, the daughter of the concubine of the Liu manor, in marriage, and then followed the plan of being the beauty who would bring misfortune to the country, wouldnt that have made her a piece of scum? Jiang Pengji truly did not have many values, but bullying the weak and cheating their feelings she could not do. Contrarily, the System Its capacity to think, and its schemes, were so shallow. There was nothing to fear. Huijun slept soundly through the night. She had no dreams until daylight dawned. She never knew she could sleep so peacefully and be so relaxed. She woke up in a daze. The foreign blanket on her body slid down with her actions, causing her to be inevitably shocked. She surveyed her surroundings and noticed the layout around was neat and tidy. The air was filled with a mild scent. She was surely not in the ladys chambers. Has the lady awoken? An unfamiliar womans voice drifted to her ears. Huijin pursed her lips and carefully said, Eh. She guessed whose room it was. Taxue pushed open the door. Following behind her were a few maids. Some carried copper basins, towels, and related items. They served Huijun as she washed up in silence. You look so pretty, my lady. One maid stared at her until she was in a daze. She was somewhat mesmerized. Huijun twisted her brows. Her heart was doubtful. She had known she was pretty from birth But was she so beautiful to the extent that the servants from the Liu manor were mesmerized? She looked at herself in the mirror. Huijun had some hesitation in her eyes. The face was the same Her facial features were the same, but unexplainably, they had something more than yesterday. It made her more enticing and charming. After washing up, Huijun secretly speculated in her heart and felt uneasy. I imposed on you yesterday. Please forgive me. When Huijun appeared on the screen in the streaming room, Jiang Pengji heard many cat calls. She smiled, and was not moved or attracted by the charming disposition. Her eyes were still pure and clear. You did no wrong. Why do you need forgiveness? Do you want to sit and have breakfast with me? Since you have extended a grand invitation, I boldly accept. In the past, breakfast was not exquisite, even for the scholars. At most they ate somewhat delicately. However, the audience from the streaming room said, even if one saw a few more years, they would not be tired of it. Needless to say, there was an ancient beauty that dayCCa feast for the eyes. Just looking at her wet the appetite for a few meat buns. Both are them ate their breakfast quietly. Jiang Pengji dismissed the other servants. Do you know what to do hereafter? Huijun thought it through and said, Help the second niangzi gain favor and win the affection of the Fourth Prince? Since she was the accompanying maiden to the bride, she really didnt know what else to do besides that. But if it was only that, it did not explain why the Liu manor had invested so much effort in her. No, the truth is that this has nothing to do with my sister getting married, Jiang Pengji told her plainly. No relationship at all? Huijun heard what was said. Her heart was moved, and she vaguely understood something. She did not know about the fight for the throne, nor did she know which prince was mostly likely to ascend the throne. Since she was the beauty who would bring misfortune to the country, however, she naturally would be by the kings side, attracting all the attention from him. She would cause him to be mesmerized and sink deeper to the point of neglecting state affairs. The Liu manor arranged for her to be the maiden who accompanied the bride in marriage. It wasnt to invest in the Fourth Prince. I heard that the Emperors body is very healthy she attempted to inquire. A healthy Emperors body suggested that there were many more years in the Emperors life. The princes had no chance of eyeing the throne. If one predicted correctly, then her task was to seduce the Fourth Prince, then step on Wuma Jun to reach the Emperors side. Huijuns eyes flashed and her expression changed slightly, then Jiang Pengji knew the other party had deciphered the truth. She slowly nodded her head. I understand. She took a deep breath, revealing the expression of a warrior who had just broken an arm. The Second Princess Consort is the princess of the Northern Borderline. Her name is An Yina. This ladys age is close to yours, but she is very conniving. Jiang Pengji purposely mentioned it, and Huijun began to understand. I will be careful in dealing with this person. Jiang Pengji said, Theres no need to be afraid. You just need to enjoy yourself. As for the rest, we will take it as it comes. I am unafraid. Another day of enjoyment is bought with blood No, that is not what I wanted to say Jiang Pengji said one word at a time, I wanted to sayCCyou dont have to be afraid. When all is settled, I will protect you. Chapter 337 - Red Dowries (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Protect her? When she was the real enchantress who brought disaster to the country. The people wanted to eat her alive! Huijun did not speak. Complicated emotions flashed across her shimmering eyes. Huijun was not willing to believe in such an appealing promise, but her heart betrayed her rationality in an instant. Jiang Pengji added, Ive said it before. This is a very fair deal. Im investing in and spending my energy on you. Im letting you enjoy a high position, great wealth, and success, and youll help me achieve my goal. After everything is done, of course, Im responsible for keeping you safe and sound. The mood in the streaming room immediately changed because of Jiang Pengjis enticing promise. Before that, the audience was praising Huijuns astonishing beauty. Now, they were praising Jiang Pengjis awesomeness. Zuizhan Baishegeng: Youre way too smooth. Do you still need someone in your harem? Someone who has gone to college and knows how to code? Woai Dashen Yunji: The streamer is really awesome. Shes so open-minded. I feel like shes about to capture my heart through the screen. Suiyue Zaizhijian Liushi: #coveringmyface. I think so too. The streamer clearly did not hit on us, but I feel like Ive been hit on. Linglong Mibaogezhu: Although I think the streamer is just fulfilling the terms of the contract in a serious manner, shes really smooth. Doraemon: Sigh. From ancient to modern times, there are many people who use women to destroy the imperial regime and burn bridges after reaching their goal. They should all learn from the streamer. I prefer the streamer to the ugly people that put the blame on Helen of Troy. The job was done, and the bill was cleared. It was a fair trade in which both parties interests were ensured, and everyone abided by the contract terms. It was such a refreshing sight. Of course, among the 150,000 viewers, there were always people who disliked Jiang Pengji. Woyu Chengxian: #pickingmynose. Promises that arent fulfilled are just nonsense. Who knows how shell burn bridges in the future? Yishuang Kuaizi: Shes smooth? Im so embarrassed. I only feel that its disgusting and pretentious. Only fools will believe her. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: To the commenters above, you cant do it, but it doesnt mean that the streamer cant do it, either. Ill say a few words to you: The streamer has made a promise, but are your malicious speculations true? How shameless! I dont know if the streamer is awesome or not, but I know that shes very responsible and open-minded. Well, is a person who dares to point his sword at the throne incapable of protecting a woman? Huijun did not know that there were audience members watching the streaming. She did not know about their comments, either. She was not a fool, but she chose to believe her. Since youve said so, Ill wait for you to come to Shangyang Palace. Before that, she had to live well, and live a more natural and unrestrained life than anybody else. Okay. Jiang Pengji looked at Huijuns appearance carefully. The cards were not immediately effective. There was a buffering period, which gradually changed on the basis of the users original appearance. The most effective ones were cards like elegance and other minute adjustments. Huijun had already had a mysterious aura that could enchant people with her every gesture. Her eyes also had a seductive depth and allure to them. One would be attracted to her very easily if they were not prepared. Cover your face with a veil for the time being. When my stepsister and Wuma Jun are married, wait for the right time to take action. Huijun nodded. Ill keep that in mind. As long as she hooked herself onto Wuma Jun firmly and won his favor, Huijun believed that she would find the chance to approach the Emperor. Jiang Pengji thought of a certain detail and told Huijun about it, lest she be harmed in the future because she had violated a taboo. Your appearance is very similar to that of the white moonlight in the Emperors memory. Take advantage of this. This may be your weapon. Its best if you can completely replace the white moonlight in the Emperors memory. Jiang Pengji smiled coldly and said to Huijun, Of course, you dont have to purposely imitate her behavior. After all, a substitute can never replace the genuine one. The only thing you can do is become another white moonlight in the Emperors memory, and then become his favorite. Thats how you can gradually erase everything that your predecessor left in the Emperors heart. As for the ways to do it, youre a very smart girl. Figure it out yourself. White moonlight? Huijun did not understand what the phrase meant. A lover. A lover who cant be pursued, or a lover who has to be abandoned for some reason. Huijun widened her eyes in shock. In the hearts of the commoners, the Emperor was the mightiest person in the world. Were there even people the Emperor could not have? Oh right, after you enter the palace, remember to investigate the Wangs in secret. Shes the late Wang Guifei, whos the biological mother of the fourth prince, Wuma Jun. Huijun remembered all the information that Jiang Pengji gave her silently. She tilted her head, doubt filling her eyes. What kind of a temper does the Emperors white moonlight have? Jiang Pengji pondered and replied, Shes probably the kind of weak woman who cant breathe if shes away from men. I get it. Since the Emperors white moonlight was a gentle fairy, she was bold, vigorous, and a seductive enchantress. She had dealt with Huijuns matter for the time being. She searched her treasure chest and picked out a lot of good things for Xunmeis dowries. As she wrote things down on her list, Taxue gently pushed open the door outside. She bowed and said, Langjun, the second niangzi wants to see you. The second niangzi? My stepsister? Jiang Pengji frowned. She rummaged through Liu Xis memory and could only remember a blurry, young figure. Although they lived in the same house, Liu Xi almost had zero contact with his stepsister. Jiang Pengji had never even seen her. After that, she went to school at the Langye Academy, so she had never seen the legendary second niangzi of the Liu residence. Let her in. Jiang Pengji tidied her table. After a while, light footsteps and the rustling of clothes were heard from behind the screen. She suddenly smiled when she saw her stepsisters face. She finally understood what Liu Shes plan was and the reason he insisted on marrying her stepsister to Wuma Jun. Have a seat. You dont have to be reserved in front of me, Jiang Pengji said. The second niangzi sat down. She looked at Jiang Pengji for a long time and did not speak. She looked afraid, as if she was bullied. Both of them looked at each other without intending to break the silence. At last, her stepsister could not hold it in any longer. She twisted her scarf nervously, and secretly bit her lower lip. Brother Xi, Im here today to ask about something. What is it? Im about to marry into the royal family, but my mother still doesnt have a status Jiang Pengji interrupted her and said, So? Can you write to Father? I have quite an awkward status in the family If I marry into the strict royal family and someone uses my mother to poke on my wounds, wont you and Father be embarrassed as well? Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes and looked at her stepsister. She could decipher if there was any legitimacy or sincerity of her words. Youre able to marry into the royal family all because of Fathers identity. What does it have to do with your mother? Is it very important for her to have a status in the family? Chapter 338 - Red Dowries (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Her step-sister choked. She did not give up. I just want to give my mother a status. I dont have other intentions. Father has been away from home for many years and has never come to the backyard. She feels depressed, and she can only rely on me. Now, Im about to marry into the royal family and become someones wife. I wont have the chance to take care of my mother anymore. Brother Xi, as someones child, you should understand my worries Jiang Pengjis step-sister said sincerely. Her eyes welled up with tears, and it was very moving. The audience in the streaming room grew relatively soft-hearted. Toudu Feiqiu: Shes quite a filial girl. I feel that its normal for her to seek a status for her low-ranked mother. Mianguan Dachu: Sigh. She looks pitiful. Laosiji Lianmeng: How is she pitiful? The streamer is born of the legal wife. The streamer and her step-sister dont have the same mother. In modern terms, would you feel pity towards your half-sister and help the mistress get a proper status? Isnt it funny? Shangcesuo Yongshouzhi: The problem is that ancient and modern times are different. Its legal for men to have a few wives in the ancient times. Theyre not mistresses. Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Its legal for a man to have a wife and a few mistresses, not a few wives. Besides, Ive been watching the streaming for a few years. Her step-sisters mother cant even be considered a mistress. How can she ask for status? Shes not filialCCshes actually making a threat. Jiang Pengji frowned and glanced at the bullet screens in the streaming room. She posted a bullet screen to calm the debate. Host V: My step-sister is an adopted child. She doesnt know it, but her nominal biological mother must. Of course, she cant egg her to get a status for herself. This is just her own idea. If shes really filial, she can always write to Father to complain about it. She hasnt even gotten married, and she has already come to me to talk about this. Shes said to be filial on the outside, but shes actually threatening us. How is her mind pure? Jiang Pengji was the only child born of Liu Shes legal wife. In ancient times, he was considered a man who got married and settled down. Was there a grown-up son who intervened in the status of his fathers mistress? Jiang Pengji looked at her coldly and asked, First of all, you only have a mother, which is Fathers legal wife. Secondly, Mother has helped Father manage the backyard for many years. Has she treated anyone poorly? If your words are being spread around, are you trying to say that Mother isnt righteous, and that shes harsh and sinister? Her step-sisters face turned pale, and she suddenly did not dare to speak another word. Jiang Pengji took a book from the table and threw it to her. She said, This is the list of dowries that Mother has prepared for you. There are a lot of them. You dont have to be petty with me. You can take a look at the daughters born of a mistress in other families. Which one of them gets such generous dowries when they get married? Your marriage to the fourth prince is the perfect marriage that Father has planned for you. Mother is afraid that youll feel inferior and overthink things, so she has opened up a warehouse to prepare for your marriage Her step-sisters face seemed to be coated with a few layers of lime water; it was horribly pale. She wore a look of fear, as if she were afraid of being exposed. Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes and said bluntly, Dont think that we owe you anything. My mother doesnt owe you or your biological mother anything. If you become successful after marrying into the royal family, so what? You say that, as a child, I should understand why you are filial. However, youre about to become someones wife. Shouldnt you understand the feelings of the legal wife? Mother has allocated a huge amount of dowries to prepare for the marriage of a daughter born of a mistress, but the eyesore hates her instead. Are you going to ruin her name? Her step-sister picked up the list of dowries. She didnt even look at the items listed on the back; the items listed on front were already enough to make the look in her eyes waver. As Jiang Pengji guessed, her step-sister had come for her own desires. She wanted to remind Liu She and Jiang Pengji to not forget that she was going to marry into the royal family and that she was the representative of the Liu residence. Her dowries could not be lacking. If she was not satisfied, she needed a good reputation. Even if she was not recognized as a child of Liu Shes legal wife, her biological mother had to be given a status. Jiang Pengji said, Youre a big girl whos about to get married. Dont get yourself too involved in the matters of Fathers backyard. After that, with a happy and fearful mood, her step-sister simply found an excuse to return to her own courtyard. Looking at her step-sisters back, Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and left that matter behind. ****** In another place, Xu Kes aunt was happily deciding on an auspicious day, and the tailor was measuring Xu Kes body. Aunty, choose an earlier time. Its best if it can be done in half a months time, Xu Ke said. His aunt grew doubtful. In half a months time Its too rushed. Youre treating Xunmei shabbily. The three letters and six etiquettes required a lot of time. If he wanted to get married in half a months time, the marriage had to be simplified. Xu Ke replied helplessly, If I cant get married in half a months time, I dont know if I will have the chance. Why do you say that? His aunt did not understand him. She immediately thought of something. Could it be that Xunmei isnt willing to Or do you want to change your mind? No. Xu Ke frowned and appeased his aunt, The current situation truly doesnt allow me to wait. Langjun has great ambitions, so I naturally have to accompany him. Langjun is sending his step-sister off to Shangjing to get married. Im afraid that therell be other variables If things dont go well and theres no peace in the future, Im afraid that Xunmei will be dragged into it So, in my opinion, I think its better for us to get married first. His aunt did not know what the variables were, but she knew that Xu Ke would not joke about such things. She suddenly felt awkward. Xu Ke said in a low voice, Ill compensate her after we get married. His aunt looked somber. She understood that it was indeed impossible to drag the matter on, according to Xu Ke and Xunmeis age. After quite some time, she replied, Forget it. We commoners hold a wedding celebration for the jolly and festivity alone. Well just omit the empty rituals. Ive looked at the dates. Theres an auspicious day in just 11 days. If Xunmei agrees, the date will be fixed. However, you have to compensate her well in the future. If you treat her shabbily, Ill be the first to not spare you! Xu Ke nodded. Dont worry. I know. Although the marriage was a bit rushed, it was not chaotic. On the day the dowries were revealed, the generous dowries that Jiang Pengji prepared for Xunmei made the neighbors green with envy. All the neighbors said that Xu Ke was very lucky to be able to marry such a beautiful woman. Jiang Pengji even did a semi-interactive streaming of Xu Kes wedding, and explained the marriage process of the current era to the audience of the streaming. An exceptionally great number of viewers gave cash gifts on that day. The reward messages almost flooded the back end of the streaming. Three days after the wedding, Jiang Pengji was sensible and did not disturb the two of them. She let them remain in their honeymoon stage. However, time flew by. Xunmei, who was dressed in a married womans outfit, had already given her newlywed husband a bow for his long-distance journey. Both of them sat down. For a moment, they looked at each other without saying a word. There were no newlywed couples like them who had to be temporarily separated just after a few days of marriage. After thinking about it, Xunmei said, Be careful when youre away from home. Ill take care of everything here. Xu Ke nodded and held her hands in his. He replied with guilt, Im sorry that I have to make you suffer. Its okay. After all, this is my choice. Im just afraid that youll abandon me when you realize that Im not who I appear to be. Xunmeis lips moved, and she had a hesitant look in her eyes. After a long time, she actually took the initiative to hug Xu Kes waist. Besides Huh? Dont ever dont ever leave Langjun alone with Taxue Xu Ke was stunned. Xunmei continued, Be careful of Taxue. Shes perfidious! Chapter 339 - Red Dowries (XII) Chapter 339: Red Dowries (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Perfidious? Xu Ke regained his senses after being in a state of confusion. He looked somber and subconsciously grasped Xunmeis hands. When did it start? Xunmei sighed, a sad look in her eyes. With an almost pleading tone, she said, Its really not suitable for me to say anything more, but dont worry. Langjun is quick-witted. Taxue probably wont be able to deceive her. I really dont want to bring up things that are in the past However, was Xu Ke going to just stop there? Explain it to me clearly. Tell me whatever you can. Xu Ke sighed heavily, and the look in his eyes became particularly serious. Since you and I have become husband and wife, we are one. We share bliss and misfortune together. If this isnt too serious, Ill confess it to Langjun for you and beg her to handle this matter leniently. If its a very serious matter, Ill try to carry the burden for you, but you cant deliberately hide it from me. Xunmei did not speak a word. How was she going to tell him about this? They should have been a newlywed couple that slept together in the same bed and told each other about their affections. However, they looked at each other silently, and the atmosphere grew tense. Xunmei, you were willing to marry me because you were seeking another way out, right? All of a sudden, Xu Ke looked at Xunmei with keen, sparkling eyes. The depth and inquiring look in his eyes seemed to rip Xunmei apart and see through her mind. I Xunmei moved her lips. Under such a gaze, she actually could not lie. Her fair and delicate hands unconsciously twisted the corner of the blanket. She could not help but avoid Xu Kes gaze. If there was a crack in the ground, she would have sunk into it, which would have given her a sense of security. Xu Ke sighed a little and said sincerely, Im a commoner. I dont have any honor and achievements. I got involved in a homicide case because of my mother. I was imprisoned and sentenced to corporal punishment that had me carve and ink characters on my forehead. Although there was amnesty, I eventually ended up in the class of rabbles and was treated as a trading good. Had I not been lucky enough to meet Langjun, who was helpful and encouraging, I dont know what kind of a situation Id be in right now I wouldnt be able to live such a happy and smooth life. My aunt gets to spend her remaining days happy, and I have a beautiful wife by my side. Therefore, to me, Langjuns life is more important than my own. Xunmeis heart jolted, and she could not help but clench her fists. In fact, I was once doubtful. What kind of a luck did I have for you to be interested in me while you were beside Langjun? Thinking about it now, there seem to be secrets, which probably involve many things. Xunmei, since youre now married to me, were husband and wife for life. Its not going to change. Ill never abandon you. So, no matter what, well face all of it together. When Xu Ke went to Shangjing with Jiang Pengji for the first time, Xunmei had expressed her feelings to him. He did not respond back. It was not that he did not have feelings for her, but he had to carefully consider his conditions and his future. He felt that he could not hold such a decent girl up, so he declined politely. However, over the next few years, he noticed and remembered Xunmeis devotion. His aunt repeatedly mentioned to him how filial, lovely, and deep Xunmeis love for him was. With such persuasion, even if Xu Ke had a heart of stone, he could not help but fall passionately in love with her. Xu Ke held Xunmeis hands, only to find that there was cold sweat all over her palms, and her fingers were trembling. I dont know much about this After a long time, the candle in the room was burning quietly. Xunmei then started to speak hesitantly. You dont know much about? Xu Ke was even more doubtful. Why should I lie to you now? Xunmei lowered her head. Her long eyelashes created a fan-shaped shadow. I really dont know much about it. In fact, Im not from Dongqing. My hometown is the small village on the border of Zhongzhao. I still remember that there was a drought in my hometown that year and there was wilderness everywhere. Not a single grain was reaped. People fought furiously just for some scraps Shes from Zhongzhao? Xu Ke was stunned. He quickly calmed down and listened to Xunmei carefully. After thatCCI dont know who instigated itCCbut my father sold my mother to the brothels in exchange for some food. I was stubborn at that time. I was very well-known for being bold and vigorous. As if my heart was covered with lard, I held a kitchen knife and slashed the man till he was half-dead Xunmei was telling her story calmly, but Xu Ke was aghast and felt sorry for her. He was shocked that she had killed her father with her own hands, but she had no choice but to act that way. Of course, he felt sorry for her because Xunmei had to encounter such things at a young age. Im so terrified Every time I close my eyes, its like there are devils around me who want me dead. Murdering ones father was a great sin that could not be forgiven. Even if her father was not dead yet, she was so scared that she wanted to escape. However, a large-scale drought and food shortage resulted in a massive number of refugees. Xunmei was still very young at that time and could not protect herself at all. At last, she was caught by traffickers and was secretly sold to Dongqing, which was bordered by Zhongzhao. Xunmei found an opportunity and escaped. Hearing that Xunmei escaped from the hands of the traffickers, Xu Ke could not help but think about himself at that time. He had also planned to escape, but he was stopped by Jiang Pengji. His plan went down the drain. After that, I became a child beggar. I met an old beggar and learned some tricks for stealing. I would steal when I was very hungry. One day, I accidentally stole the First Ladys jade pendant from her waist Speaking of that, she could not help but smile. I was also lucky to have met the late First Lady, who was kind and generous. If it was anyone else, Im afraid that Id have been beaten to death. The late First Lady, Gu Min, saw that Xunmei was pitiful. Moreover, she was a little girl. If she continued to wander on the streets, her future life would be ruined. She was pretty. Would the local hooligans not have evil intentions towards her after she grew up? Therefore, Gu Min took Xunmei back to the Liu residence and let her be a servant in the residence. She ensured that she would have three meals a day. I initially thought that it would be my life. After reaching the age of 15, Id marry a male servant. When I got older, Id become a wet nurse in the residence and serve the young master However, I didnt expect the health of the late First Lady to deteriorate day by day. That year, the plum blossoms were in full bloom. She then died a sudden death. Gu Min had passed away, leaving Liu Xi as the only child. The entire Liu residence fell into darkness. Liu She chose carefully and finally picked Xunmei and Taxue as Liu Xis personal servants. He ordered someone to teach them martial arts in secret. Judging from their origins alone, Xunmei had a clean background. The late Gu Min had done Xunmei a huge favor, so she would not harm Gu Mins child. Liu She had a good plan and his arrangements were thoughtful, but his plans always fell short of any actual changes. After that, the Master took office in Hu County. The Second Lady managed everything in the household. However, the Second Lady Hu was bedridden with a lingering illness most of the time. Madam Hu was in charge of the backyard affairs with her identity as Liu Shes mistress, and that inevitably brought criticisms. During that period, it was a bit chaotic in the residence, giving the robbers a chance to break in. Xunmei sighed and continued, A man and a woman came and said that they were my biological parents Chapter 340 - Red Dowries (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke asked, Was there something wrong with them? Xunmei nodded. I was young when I fled my hometown, but not to the extent that I could not remember what my parents looked like. The couple was very strange. How could they be my parents? However, they brought items that belonged to my parents Xunmei realized that something was abnormal. She then pretended to recognize them. They had a private conversation amongst themselves. She was told that her parents and siblings were all in their hands. If she was not willing to obey, they would all die. On the contrary, if she was obedient, her parents and siblings could live a good life. Xunmei was dubious about that. She did not care about her barbaric fathers life, but she could not abandon her mother and siblings. I promised to be their informer and mole Speaking of that, Xunmeis facial expression became a bit strange. However, they just wanted me to keep an eye on the second niangzi. I had to report to them if there was anything unusual Xunmei was really puzzled at such a weird command, but she obeyed their instructions. For years, she worked very hard to spy on the second niangzi. Every day, she would either read, draw, do some needlework, sunbathe, or admire the flowers and play with her servants Xu Ke asked, Whats up with Taxue? What kind of a freak would keep an eye on the daughter born of a mistress of the Liu residence? Xu Ke was confused about that. At first, I didnt know that Taxue was a mole, too. However, Taxue and I are Langjuns personal servant girls. We usually talk and I gradually discovered her abnormality. Shes particularly thoughtful towards the second niangzi too. Some of her actions are also very suspicious Xu Ke nodded, butIs there anything actually so strange about the second niangzi that is worth being watched by strangers? Xunmei shook her head. I dont know. Xu Ke did not say a word. Perhaps the things that you both reported on were similar, so the people who approached you were growing less interested That could have been true. Who had the time to listen to the daily life of a little girl? One would naturally feel bored after hearing too much of it. Without them, I didnt know how my mother and siblings were doing. Helpless, I could only find a way. Through my connections, I asked a retainer of the Liu residence who went to do business in Zhongzhao to inquire about them. However, my father didnt survive the drought and my mother voluntarily sold herself to the brothel in the end just to help my younger siblings stay alive. However, my siblings had bitter lives My younger brother was beaten to death by the local hooligans and my sister was murdered Theyre all dead. In other words, the man and woman simply lied to Xunmei! Not long after Xunmei received the real news about her family, the liar, who had not appeared for a few years, showed up again. Ha. I wanted to see what wicked ideas those people had this time. I then pretended to be polite and compliant towards them. A murderous look flashed across Xunmeis eyes. She said icily, However, they werent interested in the second niangzi anymore. They actually ordered me to keep an eye on Langjun Xu Ke asked, When was this? Xunmei thought about it. It was about three years ago, when Langjun implemented the grain-purchasing limitation and prepared to depart to Shangjing. The change of instructions made Xunmei feel vigilant. Thinking about the late First Ladys grace in helping and encouraging her, she could not do anything that would hurt Liu Xi. Apart from asking you to keep an eye on Langjun, were there other orders? Xunmei replied, There was, but I think its better for you not to know. Xu Kes heart was relieved after hearing so much from Xunmei. At least Xunmei had not made a huge mistake so far. There was still room for her to redeem herself. Therefore, his words were less heavy. What is it that I cant know? Xunmei secretly rolled her eyes. The informant gave me another order, which was to make him an obedient, aristocratic lady when Langjun had yet to develop his character fully. Xu Ke was utterly confused. No matter how much heroic spirit Langjun exudes, hes a dignified man. How can he be shaped into an aristocratic lady? Xunmei smiled. Thats why I said that its better for you not to hear it. Xu Ke was speechless. He still did not understand. Im terrified of these orders. I want to desist from this before its too late Xunmei pretended to be polite and compliant towards those people while she was thinking of a way out. Then, she met Xu Ke. My original plan was to marry you and use the money that we earned in the past few years to redeem ourselves and go somewhere far away. Xu Ke interrupted Xunmei before she finished speaking. If you wanted to leave the Liu residence, you didnt necessarily need to marry someone Xunmei rolled her eyes. Its easy for you to say. Im a young girl. Would I be safe if I traveled alone outside? Im afraid that sneaky people wouldve had me as their target, and sold me to shady people before I barely made it out of the door Xu Ke did not say a word. Furthermore, you dont have to look down upon yourself. Among the retainers in the Liu residence, even if your face is carved and inked with characters from the punishment, your appearance is top-notch Not to mention your knowledge and manners. From a girls perspective, youre a good choice as a husband. Xunmei knew her identity and did not intend to claim ties of kinship with someone of a higher social position, but she had to look for someone she liked. She got close to Xu Ke because she was indeed eager to escape from the Liu residence at first, but later, she sincerely wanted to marry Xu Ke. You warned me to be careful of Taxue Could it be that the mastermind changed his orders again? Xunmei sighed and replied, I think I havent been acting properly because I wanted to marry you so badly. They were starting to get irked What about? Taxue has probed me a few times. At first, it was just a warning. After that, there was more malice. Until our wedding, the way that Taxue looked at me was so murderous It was like she was looking at a dead person. From this, you can see that those people arent going to let me stay alive. I dealt with her cautiously when she tried to sound me out. That made her believe that I was tight-lipped and didnt expose them Speaking of that, Xunmei smiled mockingly. Taxue thought that she had disguised herself well, but Xunmei slowly wondered about it Langjun probably had already spotted an inkling of the matter. At first, she had wanted to go to Langye with Langjun when he went there to study. However, Langjun spoke a bit strangely at the time. She made her stay in Hejian County, and even hinted to her that it was better to stay with the people around Xu Ke and build a favorable impression with them if she wanted to be with him. Therefore, Xunmei stayed behind and Langjun took Taxue with her. Thinking about it now, Xunmei could not help but suspect Was Langjun protecting her by doing that? After all, if she and Taxue were not separated, something would have happened sooner or later. What a pity that Taxue had never realized it. Taxue has a murderous intention towards me. Im afraid that youll soon become a widower Xu Ke suddenly had an icy look on his face, and he hugged Xunmei tightly. He scolded her in a tone that was neither light nor heavy. Why are you saying these unlucky things? Xunmei smiled joyfully and rested on his shoulder. By then, will you still remember me? I wont become a widower. You still have to become a mother! After that, they got under the blanket and tossed around vigorously. Spring was very much in the air. The rain had stopped and the clouds had scattered. Xu Ke got up, cleaned his body with warm water, and put on his usual clothes. Go to bed. Ill look for Langjun to discuss this. This matter cant be delayed. Xunmei laid under the blanket, holding her cheeks in her hands. It cant be delayed? Then why did you play around just now? Xu Ke turned his head and glared at her, but unfortunately, he did not scare her. Chapter 341 - Red Dowries (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Xiaoyu, you better give me a valid reason! While controlling her strength, she banged on the table so loudly that peoples ears started to itch. Jiang Pengji was not usually grumpy when she woke up, but who liked to be woken up by someone else when they were sleeping so soundly? The weather in Hejian was growing colderCCnot to mention that the temperature in the middle of the night was so cold that it was as if one had been dumped in an icehouse. She controlled her temper and waited for Xu Ke to speak. She wanted to know what could be so urgent that he actually left his gentle and fair wife and disturbed her sleep. Thinking of her warm bed and the soft quilt, it would have been strange if Jiang Pengji showed Xu Ke a kind face. Sitting on her seat, she massaged her face to banish her sleepiness while she stared at Xu Ke, who was kneeling. Xu Ke had not been married for long. He could just carry his wife off in an instant and have sex. It was difficult for him to not feel warm. However, she was single and lonely. If the heat in her bed disappeared, she would have to keep herself warm all over again. Why are you not cuddling your wife in the middle of the night? What are you doing here? Jiang Pengji spoke bluntly. There was a red sleeping mark on the side of her cheek. It showed how bad her mood was. Xu Ke coughed and showed some constraint. He only remembered that it was a very serious matter, and he forgot that it was not a suitable time for him to disturb Jiang Pengji. Most people were sleeping soundly and having sweet dreamsCCincluding Jiang Pengji. I have an urgent matter to report to you. Please calm down. He was really afraid that Jiang Pengji, who was in a fit of anger, would just add fuel to the flames and accidentally harm people after hearing about Xunmeis matter. Say it! Im very calm right now, Jiang Pengji said with a sullen face. Her mood was obviously not as good as what she said it was. Xu Ke choked on his words and thought over a draft of his words in his mind. This matter is related to my wife, Xunmei. Please forgive her this time, for shes constantly at your service and has taken care of you carefully while youve grown up. If youre still angry after hearing about it, just punish me. I only hope that you can give her a chance to make up for her mistakes, Xu Ke said with a severe countenance. He told Jiang Pengji everything that Xunmei had told him. It was not difficult to make things clear, but it was difficult to evade the crucial point and leave Xunmei out of the matter. Fortunately, Xunmei had not really made a mistake until now. The matter could be settled leniently since she had confessed. However, Jiang Pengjis reaction was far from what Xu Ke expected. Even if she did not fly into a rage, she should have revealed a gloomy and angry facial expression. After all, Xunmeis actions were a form of betrayal. Ive known about this for a long time, but I didnt expect that Xunmei would confess it to you this early. As Jiang Pengji spoke, Xu Kes facial expression seemed a bit weird. She added, Xunmei is very tight-lipped and has a strong sense of defensiveness. As far as I know, she has only told you about this for the time being. At first, I thought that shed keep hiding it until she couldnt hide it anymore. If the news leaked, shed be in an awkward situation. Xunmeis act of betrayal could be called unjust and unfaithful! As the husband of a woman with such conduct, was there not a tiny bit of disgust in Xu Kes heart? Not to mention that Xunmei had betrayed the Liu residence The Liu residence had given grace to Xunmei, as well as Xu Ke! In terms of a scholars conduct, it was impossible for one to accept such disgrace. When did you find out about it? Xu Ke was confused. If Xunmei did not take the initiative to tell him about it, he would not have noticed it at all. Jiang Pengji smiled. Theres no seamless plan in this world. Xunmei and Taxue arent professional, undercover agents. They arent perfect at hiding secrets. Some of their actions were different than ordinary. As long as youre attentive, youd be able to discover it. Xu Ke was startled. He seemed to be thinking about something. Xunmei has taken the initiative to tell you about this. This also reveals her standpoint, Jiang Pengji said. She continued, looking into Xu Kes eyes, Go back and comfort her to prevent her from imagining things. As for Taxue, I cant touch her yet, but Ill take her away. The Liu residence is usually heavily guarded. The people in the dark wont dare to put their claws in the Liu residence yet. Xunmei is just a chess piece of lesser importance. She isnt in danger. Xu Ke knelt down. He clenched his fists and rested them on his knees. His facial expression was inexplicable. Dont you mind Xunmeis mistake? She hasnt done any substantial harm, and shes your wife. Why should I care about her mistake? Jiang Pengji shook her head and continued, In fact, when Xunmei wanted to tie the knot with you, I didnt plan to enact revenge on her anymore. Xu Ke was taken aback. He asked, Why? Shes a smart girl. I think she realized that her future was uncertain, so she wanted to make a quick retreat before anything happened. She wanted to get out of the slough. As you said, she has taken care of me for many years. Were almost as close as real siblings. Since thats the case, why would I exterminate her when no actual harm has occurred? I gave her a chance and fortunately, Xunmei didnt let me down. Xu Ke stayed silent for a long time. I dont support the marriage between you and Xunmei. Do you want to know why? Jiang Pengji explained in detail, There are two reasons. Firstly, youre not an ordinary person. People change. Xunmei is just an ordinary girl. If you become successful in the future, Im afraid that she cant make you stay and you two will eventually resent each other. Secondly, its about this matter. Even if I forgive her, shell always be a hidden danger if she doesnt explain things clearly. Fortunately, Xunmei took the initiative to confess; she left a huge room for redemption. She was considered to have made up for her mistakes. After a long time, Jiang Pengji added, I dont blame her. In fact, there was indeed nothing to blame her for. She yawned and said sleepily, If theres nothing else, go back and cuddle your wife. Dont disturb my sleep. Xu Ke was at a loss for whether to cry or to laugh. He thought that the matter was very serious and came over in the middle of the night, but he did not expect that it would turn out that way. I thank you on behalf of my wife. Xu Ke had a reason to believe that the person in front of him had a rare broad-mindedness in the current world. Are you done talking? Jiang Pengji supported her head in one hand. The sleepiness in her had kicked in. The couple could sleep with each other, but as a single person, she was disturbed in her sleep. She was pitifully sleepy. Xu Ke knew how to judge ones facial expression. He knew that Jiang Pengji was sleepy, so he bowed and left sensibly. Jiang Pengji took a deep breath. She tried to keep her eyes open, and crawled back into her bed on her limbs. She hugged her quilt and rolled into the middle of her bed. Sleep was the most important thing in the world! Everything could be dealt with the next day! Xu Ke returned to his room holding a lantern. There was a light in the room. The yellowish-orange candlelight warmed his heart. The matter is resolved. He took off his layer of outer clothing and put them aside. He grabbed Xunmei by her waist and sighed while resting on her shoulder. Its resolved? So soon? Xunmei had been waiting anxiously and felt uneasy. Yes. He has a broad mind that ordinary people cant compare to. This matter should be resolved now that he knows about it. Xunmei lowered her eyelids. Her heart was finally at ease. Im going to leave tomorrow Xu Ke whispered. But its still early. Lets settle down. Huh? There was a series of rustling sounds in the room. After a while, there was only the sound of staggered breathing. Chapter 342 - : Red Dowries (XV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Although she was disturbed by Xu Ke, Jiang Pengjis quality of sleep had always been superior. At daybreak, when the rooster crowed for the first time, Jiang Pengji woke up on time due to her biological clock. The footsteps of the servant girls were heard outside her bedroom. With the service of her servant girl, Jiang Pengji washed her face with warm water to get rid of the sleepiness. She felt energetic. Her servant girl served the food table after she had washed up. Putting the taste of the breakfast aside, it looked nice and was beautifully and exquisitely decorated like piece of artwork, which gave people an appetite. However, it was not a very calm morning. Disgusting things had just happened. Just as Jiang Pengji was about to start her streaming, Taxue came to inform her that her step-sister wanted to see her. Tsk. Why cant a dowry list shut her up? Jiang Pengji smacked her lips somewhat dismayingly. Her tone was filled with ridicule. She did not conceal her maliciousness towards her step-sister at all. Let her come in. She has come to look for me when she hasnt even finished her breakfast. She must be hungry. Shes a gentle and demure aristocratic lady. How can she withstand hunger? If someone else sees her, they may say that Im not kind to her as her brother. Taxue smiled and chimed in, Youre so gentle towards your servants. How can you be hard upon your step-sister? Ill call her in. Jiang Pengji did not make a comment. She still looked indifferent. Not long after, Jiang Pengji and the audience in the streaming room clearly heard a series of heavy footsteps, full of anger, coming near. With a bang, the hall door was opened. Cold wind came rushing in. Brother Xi, what are you trying to do? Sitting in front of Jiang Pengji, her step-sister glared at her. Due to her anger, her young face became a little sinister. The camera shot in the streaming mischievously did a close-up on her step-sisters face. Her black nostrils were flaring as she breathed heavily. Many viewers were shocked by this, and suddenly felt that the streamers step-sister was not cute anymore. Jiang Pengji stole a glance at the bullet screens on the virtual screen. There were many comments that said, That surprised me, or Her nostrils are big, or I was so shocked by the sudden close-up that my sleepiness is gone. She did not make any reaction upon seeing the comments. She just lifted her eyelids lazily. What do you mean? Jiang Pengji stared into her eyes coldly and asked, Its early in the morning You havent even fixed your make-up properly, and you come to disturb me bare-faced. Is this a virtue that a woman of the Liu family should have? Her step-sister was taken aback. She felt a bit more awake, but she still looked mad. I should be asking you about this Her stepsister twisted her scarf angrily, and her eyes looked a bit bloodshot. She lamented bitterly and furiously, Ive just managed to marry into the royal family. Its okay if you dont help make plans for me, but why do you make things difficult for me on purpose? What she said was deep! Was there a viewer in the streaming room who had not read countless novels on romance, court, and family intrigue? She obviously needed a beating for speaking to her brother in such a manner. Sannian Buxizao: Wow. I initially thought that this girl was cute. Looking at her now, I recognized her potential for becoming a vicious and evil woman. Did the streamer actually do anything wrong to justify her criticizing her to her face? Who is she to do that? Niangkou Sansan: Actually, she did not blame him wrongfully. The streamer indeed has evil intentions. However, for now, all the arrangements that the streamer has made are for her good. No one can even find a single fault. I remember that in ancient times, daughters born of mistresses have a very low status. Its good that she can get married without having to pursue their interests, not to mention that she has red dowries for her marriage from tens of miles away Sigh. She gets to marry a prince, and shes received so many dowries, but the streamer still gets the blame. Koujiao Shouzhuamian: Dont argue. Listen to her reasons. Jiang Pengji agreed with that viewer. She asked her step-sister with an icy look on her face, I made things difficult for you on purpose? Do you mean that the dowries arent generous enough, or that your husbands family isnt prominent enoughCCor is it that your wedding dress isnt exquisite and perfect enough? Jiang Pengjis words shut her step-sister up. She immediately sneered. Remember your identity. The daughter born of a mistress of the Liu residence isnt that precious. Her step-sisters face suddenly turned pale. The twisted scarf in her hands made a hissing sound. It was being torn into two. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She had yet to get married, so she really should not have a falling out with her brother. However, thinking about the news she had just received, she suddenly felt wronged. She bit her lower lip and said sorrowfully, You should know that the palace is as deep as the ocean. Most of the women on earth are pitiful. Why do you want to poke at my wounds? I know that you and Father are my support while Im in the royal family. However, if I wish to stand firm. Having children and being loved by the prince are a must If I can beat someone else and give birth to a royal child first, you can share in the honor too, right? So? She listened to her patiently, but she was still dragging her feet and did not mention the key points. That made Jiang Pengji very unhappy. However, the audience in the streaming room came to their senses and reminded Jiang Pengji of some things. Kouzhejiao Chifan: Holy crap. I get it. Is she complaining about the servant girl that the streamer arranged to accompany her step-sister to her husbands home? With that bullet screen posted, many viewers came to their senses. They could not help but think of Huijun, who was a dazzling beauty. If so, they could understand her. Every legal wife would feel uneasy with having such an exceedingly beautiful servant girl as their dowry. Who knew if the bridegroom would have his heart stolen by the servant girl and leave his wife to stay in the room alone on their wedding night? It was not honorable for a woman to stay a virgin. Sure enough, her stepsister mentioned Huijun. If youre really doing this for my good, then why did you make the bewitching Huijun my servant girl for my marriage? Jiang Pengji asked her rhetorically, Would you want an ugly woman instead? She has matchless beauty. I dont want to reproach you, but youre only 12 years old. I know Wuma Jun. Hed rather not have meat for three days, but he cant live a day without having a woman by his side. How are you going to strive for the love of such a man, and how are you going to keep a foothold in the harem? Huijun is someone whom Father has specially chosen and prepared carefully. She can totally win Wuma Jun over before you reach the age of 15. By then, when youve really grown up, could Huijun still hog your husbands love? Her step-sisters facial expression was like a really colorful, broken palette. Upon seeing her reaction, Jiang Pengji added, Father wrote me a letter a while ago. He wants me to tell you that a womans body is delicate. Childbearing is too taxing on your body. Youre still young. You dont have to rush to give birth to a child. Its not too late to consider it after you turn 17 or 18 years old. Her stepsisters face turned charcoal-black. She understood that there was no room for compromise on the matter of Huijun. What was more disgusting was that she could not even chase Huijun away or mistreat her. She took a deep breath and forcefully swallowed her anger. Chapter 343 - Red Dowries (XVI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Now, she was just the lowly daughter born of a mistress. If she went against the Liu residence in an obvious manner, her future husband, Wuma Jun, was slightly powerful, and she was afraid that he would not treat her well in the future Even though she was a girl, thinking about the dazzlingly beautiful HuijunCCwho had a strong fragrance around her and a pure, yet seductive, eleganceCCshe could not help but feel her heart flutter She could only imagine how her future husband would feel. Thinking about how Jiang Pengji said that Wuma Jun would rather not eat meat for three days than live a day without having a woman by his side, she felt angry and jealous. Hmph. Just wait and see! Her step-sister swallowed her grievance and returned to her own courtyard. She saw her mother, who looked somber, and she was suddenly filled with anger. Get lost! Youre good for nothing! Her step-sister lifted her foot and kicked her biological mother, who was packing up her dowries. She was young, but she was very strong. She kicked her mothers chest and was merciless towards her. The servant girls around her held back their anger and did not dare to speak out. They lowered their heads, for fear of angering the fickle girl born of a mistress. The Liu residences way of managing the household was gruff. The servants in the backyard did not dare to trim their sails to the wind and mistreat the Langjuns mother, but they could not stop her step-sister from feeling left out and disgusted with the servant girls around her. Ever since the decree for her to marry into the royal family was confirmed, she felt a lot more superior. The woman who was kicked got up, covering her chest. She looked at her nominal daughter inexplicably. If you were lovable, I wouldnt have such an awkward status in this family. Even if she was about to marry into the royal family, her brother, who was normally aloof, still treated her as though she were a stranger. The woman coughed and left with her head down. She was indeed an illegitimate child. Even if she had led an extravagant life in the Liu residence, it did not change the contempt in her blood. Seeing how her biological mother ignored her, she felt even more raged. She abruptly broke her nails, and concealed the resentment on her face. She sat in front of the vanity mirror as if nothing had happened. It was her first day of marriage. As a bride, she could not get angry again and again. She carefully combed her hair and put on the prettiest makeup. Her young face looked somewhat seductive. She asked her servant to put similar makeup to that of Huijun on her. The makeup was indeed amazing. However, her personal servant girl felt perplexed. Why did the second niangzi look somewhat similar to Huijun, who was going to accompany her to her husbands home? Especially after applying the same makeup, they looked like models of different sizes at first glance. However, Huijuns appearance, elegance, body scent, temper, and tricks defeated the second niangzi comprehensively When the two of them were put together, one was like a perfect, marvelous creation that excelled nature and had used up all of Gods favorite elements. The other was like an inferior imitation. If it was not for Huijuns inappropriate age and for the servant girl serving the second niangzi for years, she would have suspected that the bride had been substituted. She thought about it while putting makeup on the second niangzi. Then, she helped her to put on a brand new, luxurious, bright red, traditional Chinese costume. The style of the traditional Chinese costume was similar to that of a wedding dress. It was considered a uniform for weddings. Hejian County was quite far away from Shangjing. The bride could not wear the same wedding dress for the whole journey. The auspicious time had arrived. The bride convoy was ready to go. Wearing a festive brocade and a traditional Chinese costume, Jiang Pengji carried her step-sister out of the house on her back and into the gorgeous wedding carriage. She looked up at the sky, and the time was just right. She suddenly got onto Whites back and led the squad in front. She shouted, The auspicious time has arrived. Lets set off! Jiang Pengji led the way in front. White, which was adorned, looked festive and mighty and strutted with its head held high. The other horses and old oxen kept silent. From the corner, Xu Ke could not help but nag at Xunmei until the team set out. Just go with Langjun. Ill definitely take care of everything at home. Seeing that there was not much time left, Xunmei hurriedly interrupted Xu Ke. When no one was watching, she cupped his cheeks and kissed him. Take care. Xu Ke was startled. He forgot how he even got into the carriage. He silently raised his hand and touched his cheek. He could not help but blush when he thought about how bold his newlywed wife was in public. Youre really messing around! He felt that he had married a wife who pretended to be virtuous. Where was her shyness and constraint? The lineup of the bride convoy was luxurious. In addition to the assigned guards from the Liu residence, there were 5,000 majestic-looking imperial guardsmen clad in armor. The imperial guardsmen were, of course, assigned by the palace to ensure the safety of the future fourth princess. According to customs, brides who were married in faraway places must circle the inner city while sitting in the wedding carriage. At the same time, the tremendous influence of her maiden home had to be displayed. When the bride convoy had just finished circling the inner city and moved out of the city gate, the porter at the end of the squad picked up the dowry load. Although no festive music was played, the scene was not quiet. The people on both sides of the street jostled each other, and wanted to stretch their necks to see the dowries badly. They had a better understanding of the Liu residence when they saw the dowries. Look at the dowries Could it be that the mistresss storeroom in the Liu residence has been emptied? a person in the crowd asked curiously. Someone immediately responded to him, I dont think its emptied Dont you know that the bamboo papers, which are even more expensive than gold, are produced in the workshops under the title of the mistress of the Liu residence? Although the annual output is scarce, this alone is already enough for the mistress of the Liu residence to enjoy her wealth for the rest of her life. Bah! A plump and sturdy woman spat heavily and sputtered. In the entirety of Hejian County, who doesnt know that the papermaking workshop is the property of the late First Lady of the Liu residence? Shes a daughter born of a mistress who claims ties of kinship with someone of a higher social position. Does she want to covet the legal wifes property, too? The crowd was suddenly struck dumb. This this If the mistress of the Liu residence hadnt laid her hands on the property of the late First Lady, how could she prepare so much dowries? Many people became silent when the question was asked. I heard my mother say that the first wife of the Liu residence lives quite a good life, but the mistress is living a tight life Magistrate Liu is so rich, but he doesnt give financial help to his original family. Instead, he honors his daughter born of a mistress. Its really incredible After all, his daughter is going to marry into the royal family. Even if shes a daughter born of a mistress, shes his own child. He must treat her specially Everybody was talking about it. When the trivial talks occasionally drifted into the brides ears, her face stiffened. Even if she was a daughter born of a mistress? What was wrong with being the daughter born of a mistress? Was the daughter born of a mistress not the Fathers child? Why did the children born of the legal wife have so many privileges, and yet she was looked down upon by everyone? She could not help but bite her lower lip. Her eyes were full of complicated malice. It would not do. She had to dominate her husbands love before Huijun did. The only way she could gain stable footing was to give birth to a royal child. Nobody could look down on her! In another place, the carriage that the servant girl who accompanied the bride to her husbands home was in was much more plain. Huijun was dressed in plain, cerise clothing. There was a faint smile on her face. Her sitting posture was as if she was not sitting in a simple and crude carriage, but in a magnificent palace instead. No one knew that she was holding a small bottle containing a golden pill in her hand, which she had hid in her sleeve. It was the pregnancy aid pill. Langjun did not give it to her for her own use, but it was to be given to the second niangzi of the Liu residence for her to rise. Chapter 344 - Happenings in Shangjing (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Kouzhejiao Chifan: I am so bored. Why isnt there even a robber around? Laosiji Lianmeng: Even though I also feel that the livestream has been boring recently, the robbersCCif they had brains at allCCwould not seek death, okay? Money is enticing to mans heart, but one needs life to enjoy it Plus, the streamer is basically the personification of a killer weapon. Moreover, the other 5,000 soldiers are not just for showCCeach of them is donned in armor and holds a spear. Small groups of robbers would not dare to take action. Biantiaoti Fayan: #coversface. As a newbie in the live streaming room, I feel that watching the streamer record first aid incidents isnt boring. I feel such simple live streaming content is not bad. I hope the streamer can advance all this first aid knowledge in that dimension, speeding up the creation of a noble occupation such as nursing. That would raise the prevalent weak status that women had in society. The travel time from Hejian to Shangjing was long. There were 5,000 soldiers guarding the carriages, so the robbers did not dare to approach them. Jiang Pengji was free from worry. Since there was nothing to do, she brought forward the schedule for first aid knowledge during wartime. She recorded it all in detail, slowly filling hundreds of pages. Taxue helped Jiang Pengji grind the ink. It carried on for days, but her curiosity could not be contained. I have watched you be cooped up in the carriage recording this information for days. May I know what the writing is for? she finally asked one day. Jiang Pengji copied another page responsibly and examined it in great detail. She ensured that there were no mistakes, then used the heater to dry the ink. Nothing much. Its just some simple medical information. Jiang Pengji simultaneously dried the paper then placed it in her armor. She took out a new piece of paper and placed it on the table. The horse carriage was moving on an uneven road, but that did not influence her neat writing. As Taxue was grinding the ink, she laughed. Qihuang medical techniques? When did you start having interest in such unorthodox methods? Jiang Pengji said, Medical skills are for healing lives. A better understanding will come in handy during unexpected times. This, to me, is orthodox. Once she explained herself, Taxue was not interested anymore. The Langjun of her house was truly very intelligent. He had a strong ability to learn, but how could one digest Qihuang medical techniques so easily? If she were to begin research on such practicesCCdedicating three to five years to learning the techniquesCCshe would only reach an entry level standard. Time flew as Jiang Pengji immersed herself in copying the book. The moon rose silently outside, people scurried on the road, and one after another they started the fire and cooked rice. Taxue used her hands to cover her lips. She yawned, the sides of her eyes filling with tears. Jiang Pengji saw and said pitifully, If you are tired, go rest. You dont have to serve me. Taxue tried hard to stay awake and said, How can this be? If I rest, who will help you grind the ink? Jiang Pengji smiled cunningly. Dont forgetCCI do have a servant. The job of grinding ink is his. Ask him to cover your duties. Xu Ke, who was outside, sneezed. Taxue was not unreasonable. She was indeed very tired; she had almost fallen asleep while she was grinding the ink. Then I will not refuse. I will go and ask Xu Ke Jun to come over. Jiang Pengji said, Dont forget to bring a box of ink sticks over. The ink stick has already been used, so it is probably not enough to copy everything tonight. Sure. Shortly after Taxue left, Xu Ke carried a box of ink sticks into the carriage. He separated the carriage curtains and saw Jiang Pengji, whom he had not seen for days. Just as he got in the carriage, he laughed and jokingly remarked, I was feeling bored just now. Why have I not seen you in the last few days? I didnt think that you would be in the carriage working and studying very hard. He clearly understood that Jiang Pengji had a personality that could not sit still. She would ride White around when she was free, and would seldom stay in the horse carriage. Recently, she had vanished; one could not see her shadows outside at all. Jiang Pengji pointed to a slab of ink that had dried up. Grind the ink. Xu Ke took out a pack of ink sticks and the carriage filled with the smell of ink. As he focused on grinding the ink, his eyes fell on the paper Jiang Pengji was using. You are writing about Some foundational first aid knowledge Jiang Pengji touched her forehead. Her hands continued copying, and did not stop for a moment. I read about army strategies and discovered that when armies go to war, most do not die during battle, but afterwards because nobody can save them Taxue and Xu Ke asked the same question, but the answers Jiang Pengji gave were completely different. The latter was astute and caught something. He cupped one hand and said, Please excuse me. Can I have a look at it? Have a look. Jiang Pengji pointed at the box at the side carelessly. There were hundreds of papers stacked into a thick layer. Xu Ke examined them carefully. His brows were tensed from the start, but they relaxed as he read on. His eyes were filled with shock. ThisCCthis Xu Ke spoke gibberish out of excitement. Most people did not have foresight and felt that Qihuang medical techniques were unorthodox, but he had foresight and understood why Jiang Pengji saw the importance of writing it all out. It would save many generals and soldiers in the future. He bit the tip of his tongue, suppressed his excitement, and asked, Was this compiled by you? Jiang Pengji shook her head and said, No. Most of the information in there was copied from Master Wenfu, then compiled by me. I used laymans term to write them out since not everyone can read. If it is too difficult to read, no one will understand. Wenfu referred to Cheng Wenfu, who was Premier Cheng. Premier Cheng and Jiang Pengji had made an agreement in the past: She would supply bamboo paper, and the other party would make a copy of his collection of books at home and give them to her. Three years had passed. Premier Cheng had only sent two thirds of his total books. Premier Cheng was not cunning or deceitfulCChe was not purposely delaying the progress of making copies of his books; instead, there were a massive number of books at home. The rate of copying could not be increased by his strength alone. Jiang Pengji identified the source of this knowledge from Premier Chengs book collection. Xu Ke did not have any suspicions. I intend to let the women learn first aid. Women are more meticulous than men, so they have an advantage at learning this. Xu Ke solemnly said, Your plans are not bad. The women are unable to go to battle and kill the enemies, but they can save the lives of injured soldiers. They can achieve much as well. But I am somewhat worried. What is there to worry about? Xu Ke said, Medical knowledge is different from other kinds of knowledge. This concerns lives. If you insist for the women to learn first aid, you should ideally hire someone with good medical knowledge and skills to pass down their skills to them. If they teach themselves, I am worried that accidents may occur. Jiang Pengji nodded. Your worries are valid. I have such plans. When we reach Shangjing, we will choose wisely. In the ancient times, the standard for medical skills was very low, but there was no lack of talent. If sought after, they could be found. To impart first aid knowledge to the women did not require genius doctors; doctors with average medical skills could do the job just fine. Chapter 345 - Happenings in Shangjing (2) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Chongzhou, Shangyu County, and Canglan District were all adjacent to the Northern Borderline frontiers. The Northern Borderline did not have much produce. The b*stards were horse bandits that broke into and looted houses of their silver, jewelry, or rice. If a rather young and pretty lady was caught, it was near impossible for her to escape. Qiguan Rangs mother was raped by those men, and she got pregnant. At that time, the Northern Borderline was deterred by the might of Dongqing. They were meek. When Qiguan Rangs mother was sent back, she was three months pregnant. She lost her chastity before marriage and got pregnant The neighbors judged her, and her elderly parents blatantly refused to acknowledge her. Her only choice was to marry Qiguan Rangs father. Thereafter, they settled down in Shangyu County. That was how the last 20 years had gone But that was how things were back then. There were few that acknowledged the existence of situations similar to Qiguan Rangs. The minority population in the Northern Borderline did not acknowledge their existence. The people in Dongqing were ashamed of them. Akin to a mouse entering a bellow, they were bullied on both ends. Ever since three cities in Shangyu County fell into the hands of the Northern Borderline, the people living at the frontiers had an even harder life. All the houses shut their doors, the women did not dare show their faces, and there were countless bandits that came as they willed. They changed locations frequently, and it was hard to bring them to justice. All men fended for themselves; the people were suffering bitterly. However, such situations had changed for the better in recent years. In the past, no one dared to come to Chongzhou as a government official, thus the bureaucracy divided like scattered sand. The officials were deaf to the pleas of the people. Some years back, Hu County Chief Liu She was promoted to the head of Chongzhou. The people finally had a dependable person at the helm. After Liu She assumed the role, he spent some time and effort pinning down the horse bandits. Initially, he wanted to progress sequentially. However, after he sought Jiang Pengjis counsel, he changed his stance. Dishonorable people have dishonorable nature. The Northern Borderline is so shameless, so why should we give them face? Jiang Pengji replied to Liu Shes letter with menacing laughter. It is unbelievable that these horse bandits are what they claim to be. Are average horse bandits able to acquire so many high-quality breeds of horses? Are average horse bandits able to accurately discern different geography and routes? Even wild horse bandits are often home-bred. If they did something wrong and were captured, we could blame it on the horse bandits. That sounds more politically correct than asserting that the troops of the Northern Borderline did it. In other words, killing the horse bandits was less of an offense than killing generals from the Northern Borderline. They did not have any face to stand up for the horse bandits. Liu She seriously weighed his options, after which he decided to adopt Jiang Pengjis views. Kill! Kill each one you arrest. If two are arrested, kill both! Once a horse bandit was caught, they were killedCCregardless of their criminal offense. The official statement was announced throughout all counties. Once the people saw any traces of horse bandits, they were to report it immediately. If the sighting was verified, they would be well rewarded. It was a known fact that all things were more difficult in the beginning. When the order was first publicized, very little happened. The horse bandits did not care about the order, and the people at the borderline did not dare to trust their officials. Thus, the effort to buckle down on the horse bandits did not make much progress. Coincidentally, at that time, Qiguan Rang brought his new wife back to Shangyu County to pay his respects to his mothers departed spirit. He proposed his own ideas. Qiguan Rang mentioned, Chongzhou had nobody at the helm for some time. The hearts of the people are as divided as sand They are even more doubtful of the officials. If we want to unite with them again, we must put in the effort. There are some old officials from the previous government whose trust can be won. If you visit them, we might make some progress. Find a way to gain the trust of the people? Liu She readily opened his heart and arranged for his underlings to begin their preparations. If people saw others report the horse bandits and receive material benefits, then they would feel compelled to do the same. After some preparation, there was an improvement, and the horse bandits lives became unbearable. In regards to the horse bandits, Liu Shes method for dealing with them was consistent: Kill the man and keep the horses. After catching a few groups of horse bandits, Liu She discovered that, except for a few wild horses, the majority of them were good colts that were well-trained. He was confused as to how regular horse bandits had managed to acquire colts of such good quality. Thus, the identity of the horse bandits was brought to light. Liu She saw through their antics, but he did not give things away. He acted according to standard procedure. Those deserving of death would be killed; others would be detained, their heads displayed in public. The officials from the Northern Borderline had faces as black as the bottom of a wok, but he turned a blind eye. A year had passed since Liu She implemented the new policy, and the county near the Northern Borderline frontiers had changed dramatically. They may not be rich or living comfortably, but it was much better than the days that they lived trembling in fear. Qiguan Rang brought his wife to pay her respects to his mother who passed away, and he visited his teacher along the way. He learned from his teacher that the daughter of the Liu mansion was marrying into the royal family. The daughter of Liu mansion is marrying into the royal family? As the news hit him, Qiguan Rang stopped fanning himself with a peacock fan momentarily. His expression changed slightly. He had grown a beard, and his face was naturally solemn. At that moment, he looked much older than his actual age. Qiguan Rangs teacher nodded his head and said, I heard people talk about this wedding some time ago. They expressed their desire to give the magistrate manor some local products. The people had always been afraid of government officials, who were as greedy as wolves. But now, they rejoiced over the marriage of magistrate Lius daughter. It was evident that Liu She had won the peoples hearts. Of course, rather than say that Liu She did well, it was more appropriate to say he did better than his predecessor. At a time like this? Qiguan Rang asked again, his brows slightly raised. His teacher asked, Do you think it is inappropriate? Qiguan Rangs teacher was like a father to him; he did not keep anything from him. It is very inappropriate. Liu Langjun is in trouble, Qiguan Rang said, Shangjing is currently a dangerous place One may go and never return. Over the past few days, Qiguan Rang and his teacher had discussed matters regarding the powers in the world. They analyzed Dongqings political situation in detail. Upon hearing what Qiguan Rang said, his teacher paused. He replied in surprise, What you mean is I am afraid so. Qiguan Rang nodded. His teacher frowned, saying, I remember you said once that you were indebted to the Liu manor. Is there a solution to this? Have no fear. Qiguan Rang suddenly smiled. Shangjing may be dangerous, but it is incapable of detaining Liu Langjun. But I thought of something. Time is short, and I must depart in a few days. I cannot be by your side to exercise filial piety. What is the matter? Qiguan Rangs teacher asked. Qiguan Rang answered, I once promised someone When a person needs me most, I will be there to help. The opportune moment has arrived. The opportune moment? When Shangjing is defeated will be the opportune time. Two blooming flowers were unique in their own way. With the protection of 5,000 troops, the bridal party escorted the bride into Shangjing peacefully. Many years have passed. This place is still so lively, and its flourishing After all these years, not much has changed Jiang Pengji said with emotion. She was speaking to the audience in the live streaming room. Toudu Feiqiu: I remember my hometown. I left home for college. By the time I graduated and went home, I almost couldnt recognize the roads. All I can say is that society progressed so quickly. Changes happened rapidly. My hometown continues to change every day Laosiji Lianmeng: #propschin. This is expected. In ancient times, it was a society of farmers. Productivity was low. This is an undisputed truth. The people living in ancient times and the audience members in the live streaming room were different, which wasnt how it was in Jiang Pengjis world. The progression and changes seemed to stop. Buildings would not have changed much, even after twenty or thirty years. Chapter 346 - Happenings in Shangjing (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji rode on Whites back. Behind her, many men carried dowries into the city. An impressive troop of bodyguards surrounded her and the dowries. Such a grand entrance sparked the curiosity of the people of Shangjing; people started filling both sides of the street to watch the commotion, talking ceaselessly. Thats a lot of dowries Which family is marrying off this rich lady? There was ten miles of red dowries. They had been looking at the commotion for a long time. The dowries were carried one after another, and seemed endless. Be good. Even if the princess of the Northern Borderline, who married into the royal family, did not have that many dowries the person trailed off. Ai, isnt your source pretty accurate? They seem to know all that happens in Shangjing. Did you not hear anything about this? The people were all discussing amongst themselves. Most were appalled by the extravagant dowries, while a minority were interested to know whose daughter got married and which family was generous enough to give such dowries. So many dowries was a prelude to an empty house. In the eyes of the people, even if it was the Emperor marrying off his daughter, he would not be able to afford so many items. The discussion of the commoners drifted into the ears of daughter of the Liu manor. The sides of her lips broke into a smile, and she could not contain her joy. Being the non-existent daughter of the concubine of the Liu manor, she never imagined she would be the center of attention and envied by many. She tightly held onto the handkerchief in her hand and took a deep breath, holding the excitement in her heart. They reached Shangjing city when she became the Fourth Princess Consort; not just the people of Shangjing, but all the people, knew her. Her emotions hadnt yet calmed down when sounds of excitement came from outside. Liu Huan listened carefully. Her face slowly darkened. Jiang Pengji heard some commotion and instinctively turned back to look. She saw that, amongst the troops, a horse carriage suddenly gained the attention of the people; some even took out their scented pouches and threw them towards the carriage. Some young men blushed, as if they saw their lover and had the urge to ask her out but had to hold themselves back. Their expressions were conflicted. The curtains on the horse carriage were lifted slightly, revealing a fair lady with a disposition from the heavens inside. The spring wind blew past. The air had an additional, unspeakable, faint scent, causing ones mind and heart to become intoxicated. It was a pity The fair lady only appeared for that one moment. When the curtain of the carriage was lowered, many felt their hearts were empty, as if they had broken up with their significant other and were in low spirits. Jiang Pengji saw what happened. She smiled suddenly, and held the reins tight. White sneezed unhappily, but still turned its head obediently, bringing Jiang Pengji backwards. She said, Why did you lift the curtains of the horse carriage just now? I was curious about Shangjing cityCCcurious at how developed this place is. I overstepped my boundaries, and I seek your forgiveness. The people saw Jiang Pengji riding her horse back towards the carriage. They thought she was going to discipline Huijun and couldnt help but tense up. Shortly after, the sound of a ladys voice, as crisp and pleasing to the ears as that of a skylark, rang out. The people recalled the gorgeous face, and one by one their heart and minds were intoxicated. I see. Lifting the curtain to look around is fine before the marriage. This is the only chance youll be free for a while. Jiang Pengji agreed with an open mind. After gaining approval, Huijun ordered her maidens to lift the curtains of the horse carriage at both sides. A pair of beautiful eyes briefly shot a glance at both sides of the street. Back then, there were many places that were of enjoyment but were out of her reach. Her filthy body was unworthy to even set foot there. Now, she had taken on her identity and rightfully sat in the horse carriage. The people around were in awe of her beauty. Because of Huijuns actions, the people who were once orderly started to become rowdy. Some enthusiastic people ran after the horse carriage and threw their scented pouches. Be good. Is this what the bride-to-be looks like? It is a rare beauty on earth. You cant forget that face after one glance Even fairies cannot compare. Their words just came out. Someone immediately disagreed because that person knew the rules more than the rest. Based on the look of it, she is not the bride. The horse carriage in front is bigger than hersCCgrander, even. The rightful master is most likely sitting inside that one. That is not the bride? Then who is she? That is the accompanying maiden to the bride. I heard the scholar at the entrance of the village say before that prestigious families have this rotten rule where they prepare a few maids for the daughter and send them all to serve their son-in-law. They said They said it was to secure favor Isnt that unethical? What family would embarrass their own daughter? If they didnt do it, however, they wouldnt prestigious families The people around them heard and suddenly showed expressions of disbelief. Accompanying maiden to the bride This son-in-law has profited much. He got to marry a legal wife, plus four to five other ladies who will warm the bed This accompanying maiden is so beautiful. Are they not afraid that their son-in-law will be enticed? Who knows. I mean, the lady may be even more gorgeous Once the words came out, a reckless bully laughed out loud, a wretched smile filling his face. From what I see, I suspect this family has a feud with the son-in-laws family. The daughter is already so gorgeous, and the accompanying maiden is also as beautiful as a fairy. When the son-in-law sees them, will he be able to walk? Wont he be dying to lie on top of them, and then refuse to come down all day long? How can one bear it? I predict that, if he is spoiled for months, he will surely be squeezed dry by these ladies! The perverted topics caused the married women to blush and become angry. The men, in turn, showed agreeable expressions. If ones daughter-in-law was so pretty, she married, bringing along with her four to five fairies. They felt like they could not take it. The topic of discussion mostly centred on Huijun. The conversation steadily drifted into the ears of the daughter of the concubine, Liu Huan. She was so angry that she tore two handkerchiefs in half. Her eyes had an ominous glint, and her whole face became distorted due to anger and jealousy. Her face had a repulsive appearance and a ferocious look to it. It was hard to imagine that she was twelve years old and an innocent, young lady. Ten miles of red dowries It was known throughout Shangjing. That day, both pieces of news seemed to have grown wings and spread through Shangjing. Firstly, the future Fourth Princess Consort had a worth that far exceeded anyones expectations. Ten miles of red dowries far exceeded that of the Second Princess Consort, who was the princess of the Northern Borderline. Secondly, the accompanying maiden to the bride was stunningly beautiful. Many young scholars that saw her loved her at first sight and subsequently had sleepless nights. Other than that, someone heard news and knew that Huijun was the accompanying maiden to the daughter of the concubine from Liu manor. They hurriedly ordered their servants to send a congratulatory card. No matter how much the Liu manor demanded, in order to redeem her, they only asked to take Huijun as an honorable concubine and treasure her like precious pearls. The accompanying maiden to the bride was plainly the lady who warmed the bed, helping her master secure favor. If her master did not let go, she was destined to have no status. Wasnt an honorable concubine way better than that? Some were smarter. They directly used floral paper that had been dyed in a scented smell and wrote their favorite quote to test how tight-lipped Huijun was. Be it the former or the latter, Huijun rejected it with utmost politeness, and left the person wringing their wrists with regrets. Yet, they were all unable to be unhappy with her. Jiang Pengji saw and couldnt help but say, The beauty that will bring misfortune to the country is beginning to take shape. Chapter 347 - Happenings in Shangjing (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Liu manor had its own business and manor in Shangjing; the bridal escort rested there for the day. Liu Huan, the daughter of the concubine, prepared to set out for the wedding from there. The dowries were organized, the manor was cleaned, and the servants were settled The mundane activities took up Jang Pengjis time. When she finally had time to rest, it was two days later. Jiang Pengji could not withstand doing nothing. If she was cooped up at home all day studying and writing, she would not be able to bear it. Notwithstanding her, the audience in the live streaming room could not watch such boring content every day, and strongly requested a change in the live stream. Jiang Pengji was influenced by the suggestions from the audience. She remembered the last time she was in Shangjiang was two to three years ago. That was late autumn and early winter, so the scenery wasnt that nice, and the journey was rushed. Jiang Pengji did not shop around Shangjing city that much, and left with some regrets. Now that she had extra time, she decided to peacfully explore the city for a few days. She might not have the chance to do so in the future. As the saying went, it was better for all to be happy than one. She might as well invite Xu Ke, who was also bored, and they could go shopping together. Regarding that, Xu Ke wore a helpless face. He couldnt help but jokingly say, When you speak, your subordinates are required to run errands until their legs break. You are carefree and do not have to worry about anything, but I have to settle some matters. For sightseeing, it is better that you go alone. Jiang Pengji frowned. The matters that have to be done are done. What do you have on hand? Xu Ke shook his head. There were some things his Langjun did not remember, but he was the right-hand man, so there were things he had to consider. Dont forget, Langjun, the old Master has many friends in Shangjing. They are friends from court. Some are part of a private, closer circle friends. Since the son of the Master rarely visits, you should naturally prepare a gift. Even though the other party may not see Jiang Pengji, proper etiquette could not be lacking. How would Jiang Pengji know about Liu Shes friends in court, or his private friendship with others? Moreover, how would she know which friends her father gave gifts to during festivals? She did not know That was, after all, arranged by the legitimate wife or head servant. Xu Ke was not the head servant, but Jiang Pengji did not bring many people with her. Anything related to public relations was handed to him. Jiang Pengji thought it through and was somewhat guilty. Is this matter problematic? Xu Ke said, Every household has its taboo. Giving of gifts is a research topic altogether. The closer one is, the more that is given. The gift prepared must be carefully thought of. Using your discretion, those who are acquaintances will have their gifts cut by a little, but you cant let the other person see your true intentions You not only have to make reference to last years example, but you also need to be familiar with the current status of each family and tweak the content of the gift given If any household had just experienced the premature death of a child, if one hurried to give them a gift that implied the delivery of a child, wasnt that rubbing salt on their wound? Or, for example, ones parents just passed awayCCif one was to give them supplements for the elderly that helped to prolong their life, that was asking for trouble. Giving gifts may not bring two families close together, but if a gift was given incorrectly, hatred would build. Both parties may even refuse contact until they were dead. Jiang Pengji understood. She knew about the principles. Father has been a court official for many years. He may not have friends throughout the world, but he has many, so it seems like this is a big project. It was wise to pull Xu Ke into this. If it fell into her hands, she would have a headache. Xu Ke laughed upon seeing Jiang Pengjis fearful face. He randomly said, After two years, Langjun is of marriageable age. You can then marry a virtuous and capable mistressCCsomeone who will help you manage these matters. After Jiang Pengji heard his words, she was embarrassed and kept silent. To marry a virtuous and capable mistress That goal was pushing one to their limit. Xu Ke was going to be disappointed. The audience in the streaming room laughed out loud. Laosiji Lianmeng: My heart aches for young Xu Ke. The streamer is likely to marry a male mistress in future. Shitang Dafan Ayi: Hahaha. I dont mind if the streamer marries a normal female mistress. Juge Lizi: Is it only me whose heart aches for young Xu Ke? After knowing the streamer for many years, and having been deceived by the streamer so many times, he is still insistent that the streamer is a male So much so that he wants her to marry a mistress. Be careful! Your Langjun may be married to another. Bingtang Ningmeng: Yi, I dont like these words. The streamer will be the one who marries. I will support the streamer as the one who pursues, and her mistress as the loving one. Jiang Pengji ignored the detailed content on the bullet screen in the live streaming room and faced Xu Ke. She sighed. Isnt it a bit early to get married and such? I have no intention of thinking about these things now. Jiang Pengji finished speaking, did not wait for Xu Ke to reply, and immediately said, At present, I still have to trouble you to continue worrying Please go ahead with your duties. I will go out for a stroll. It was unknown which words triggered Xu Ke, but he surprisingly changed his mind. Please wait, Langjun. I thought about it carefully. I will accompany Langjun. Jiang Pengji smiled and asked him, Why the sudden change? Xu Ke said without any expression, I suddenly remembered that you are unrestrained when you do things. If I dont observe you closely, who knows if trouble will brew when you go out. Then, isnt it I that will have to clean up the mess? After thinking about it, it is better that I follow you out. Jiang Pengji was speechless. She had nothing to say to his reasoning. She didnt dare to look at how many were laughing at her from the bullet screen in the live streaming room. Toudu Feiqiu: Hahaha. Streamer, the young Xu Ke is calling you a troublemaker. Juge Lizi: Pei, do we need young Xu Ke to judge? The streamer is a troublemaker indeed, and is a person with outstanding talent. Watch closely, Jiang Pengji said unhappily. Look at what you said. Its as if your Langjun loves to make trouble. Xu Ke replied with a look. Jiang Pengji did not need to look at the translation on the bullet screen to know what his eyes meant. He meant, Isnt it true? Keke! Xu Ke had already seen through Jiang Pengjis character. She was a troublemaker. Even if she did not initiate the trouble, trouble always found its way to her. If she started trouble, who knew what the outcome would have been. Maybe because the Second Princess Consort was born in the Northern Borderline, Shangjing city had many shops that sold foreign goods. It was presently early evening when the lanterns were first lit. The night city was crowded and lively. The people brought their sons and daughters, and enjoyed the bliss of family life. Facing such a lively atmosphere, Xu Ke was almost doubtful. Fortunately, as he walked and saw more, it was just his imagination. Why not buy some foundation, accessories, and flowers? Jiang Pengji disguised herself as a regular, rich, young man, but her features stood out. Her body shape was tall; she was an outlier amongst the people. Why buy such girly items? Xu Ke asked in confusion. Have you forgotten? There is a lady guarding an empty ladys chamber alone at home. Since we are out, we should buy something to cheer her up. Jiang Pengji said, It might not be expensive, but the thought counts. You just had a conversation with me about giving gifts. Have you forgotten in the blink of an eye? Chapter 348 - Happenings in Shangjing (5) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke was speechless, as if he had never thought of such an incident before. He wanted to say that was what husband and wife relationship was like, but the words just floated in his mouth, and he could not say them. Did you not bring any money? Did all of it go into paying taxes? Jiang Pengji asked. Of course I brought some. To prove his point, Xu Ke reached for the money pouch at his waist and asked doubtfully, Do I have to surrender all of it? Jiang Pengji did not understand and said, When I was at Langye, I met a woodcutter. He cuts wood for fifteen days a month. He sells biscuits that his wife bakes on a cart for the remaining days. I conversed with him light-heartedly and found out he thought the highest denomination of money is a copper coin Xu Ke was doubtful, and did not understand. The simple commoners have a hard time working. The most common form of money they have is copper coins. There is nothing strange about this. Jiang Pengji shook her head. It isnt that. After I continued to probe, I discovered the woodcutter was not poor He could earn up to four or five taels of silver. After slogging for so many years, he could have even prepared 20 dowries for his daughter. The woodcutter could only recognize copper coins because he gave all his money to his wife to manage every day, but his wife feared he was spendthrift, so she only gave him three copper coins a day Xu Ke was speechless. Jiang Pengji had said all she could. If he still did not understand, then his brain must not work properly. Xunmei is not such a person Even though Xu Ke always felt women should focus on internal affairs and the men on external, he never thought he would only carry three copper coins a day. That was too pathetic. Yes. Since you have money, why not buy some small items? Xu Ke was put on the spot again. His whole expression was conflicted. I will buy then. If he didnt buy anything, wasnt he admitting that he was the woodcutter in the story that received only three copper coins a day? As a man, how could he be under his wifes control? Thus, there appeared two rich men before a few stores, buying things that women would have loved to use. Xu Ke looked on with confusion. Jiang Pengji was beside him, focused on choosing blusher and face powder. She looked like she had done her research. That was not right Since when did Langjun have such a weird hobby? Not all blushers are suitable. If you gave Xunmei the box of blusher you chose just now, she would have pimples all over her face on the second day of using it Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. If its serious, you may have to find yourself another wife. Xunmei had some allergies. The color of the blusher that Xu Ke chose was nice, but there was an ingredient within it that Xunmei was allergic to. Xu Ke did not think it was a big issue, but after hearing what she said, he quickly put the box he chose back down. How does Langjun know her so well? Granted, Xunmei was once Jiang Pengjis personal maid, and they had a close relationship that surpassed that of siblings. However, as Xunmeis husband, Xu Ke was faced with a male who knew his wife well. If he said he did not mind at all, he was lying. As for this, you know that I was frequently sick when I was young and had to drink medicine to boost my immune system. In order to please the two attendants that guarded the door, I had to rack my brain to figure out what they liked. Jiang Pengji sensed the jealousy in Xu Kes tone, acted ignorant, and explained in an indirect manner. After all, they were newly-weds; she did not want to cause trouble. But there was a near miss incidentCCthat is, I gave the wrong gift. Later I realized that Xunmei could not touch such things. Thus, I learned Xu Ke heard her words and the grudge in his heart vanished. Instead, he was filled with interest. Learning about Xunmei through Jiang Pengji felt like he was pleasing the younger brother-in-law; he wanted to know what his wife was like. I didnt know about that incident. I never heard it from Xunmei Upon saying that, Xu Ke paused. He was clueless about Xunmeis past before they metCCeven their understanding of each other was not deep. If they wanted their marriage to last, he had to understand her more At least he had to not make the mistake of giving the wrong gift. Jiang Pengji said, Theres still a lot of time ahead to understand each other better. The conversation between Xu Ke and her was aired before the audience in the live streaming room. Many of them started to understand her intentions. Toudu Feiqiu: #propscheek. Its been years, and I still feel that the streamer is very gentle. Xunmei and Xu Ke did not have an arranged marriage, but they dont seem to understand each other well. Moreover, they spend more time apart than together, so I feel like many dangers lie ahead. Even for loving couples, many cannot withstand such an ordeal. The streamer patiently guiding Xu Ke to understand Xunmei, in a broad sense, prevents a lot of trouble. Woyou Yishuang Huabanxie: It was gentle, but do you not feel that as a female, the streamer being with a man who just got married is inappropriate? Especially since Xunmei knows the streamers gender Wouldnt she mind? The bullet screen above was said in such an obscure way, but there were people who understood. They were afraid the streamer would be the third party in their marriage. Bingtang Ningmeng: Please. The streamer is young Xu Kes master, all right? They have a master and servant relationship. Youve never heard of a female boss not talking to a man who just married Otherwise, males who just got married would never be hired. On the outside, the streamer still appears to be a man. Both also do not speak affectionately or flirtatiously; they feel like normal friends. You are worrying too much. Regardless of what the audience in the live streaming room thought, Xu Ke, who was an intelligent man, was slowly able to understand Jiang Pengjis good intentions. The master and servant talked continuously. Their conversations revolved around work related and personal topics; not much was about Xunmei, and they mostly spoke of trivial matters. Unknowingly, they shopped more than half of the night market, and Xu Ke had walked until his legs were sore. Seeing his feeble state, Jiang Pengji pointed to the teahouse beside them. Why dont we go up to rest for a while? Xu Ke did not reject; he nodded in response. But, if he knew what was going to happen when he went up, even if he walked until his legs broke, he would have never gone up. The place was not a teahouse; rather, it was a place where the scholars and noble guests congregated for literary pursuits. They walked into the main hall, and the air was strongly fragrant. Music played softly in the background. The owner of this teahouse is very smart. He even invited a musical ensemble to liven up the atmosphere. It looks very refined. Jiang Pengji observed her surroundings and discovered that the doorway to the private rooms had calligraphy and paintings hung on it. They were not arranged according to any sort of standard, but were interesting when placed together. It was not important, however; what was important was that the books were made of expensive bamboo paper. Bamboo paper was insignificant to the Liu manor, but the outside world claimed it was worth as much as gold. Only the rich could afford it. These calligraphies and paintings seemed to be left by the scholars who came to drink tea here Xu Ke looked at the inscriptions. The owners of these pieces are mostly noble scholars and descendants of feudal aristocrats. Regardless of standard, they mostly have a resounding reputation This tea house is indeed interesting. Chapter 349 - Happenings in Shangjing (6) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A teahouse was naturally a place to drink tea. The teahouses on earth were all alike. To stand out from the crowd, one needed to be unique. The teahouse before them was without doubt the most outstanding amongst its competitors. After initiating many different programs, it was not just a place to drink tea. One could also watch dancers dance gracefully, and taste good, quality beer. If a literate was inspired, he could raise his brush and write in the main hall, or showcase his calligraphy skills, or demonstrate his talent for painting. From time to time there were poetic meetings where famous guests from all around were invited to appreciate the fine arts. Of course, the truly famous scholars were difficult to invite. As such, the teahouse adopted the next best option: The scholars they invited were not that famous, but they had talent. Xu Ke talked to the servant girl without any expression, trying to understand the daily activities that occured at the teahouse. His interest was aroused. Regardless of whether this teahouse is putting on a show or boasting, the paper provided for writing is indeed expensive. Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke chose a secluded, private room and sat facing each other. The teapot exuded with fragrance. The inner room was clean and neat, and there were paintings hung on the walls that were of a higher standard. The painters were of high status. This alone was enough to attract talented scholars. One shouldnt assume that because Jiang Pengji practiced her writing on bamboo paper that they could easily be found. What was it like in reality? Using Xu Kes words, his Langjun wasnt using the bamboo paper to practice his writings, but paper after paper of valuable, pure gold! Facing the limitations of manufacturing, the product became precious.The price of bamboo paper could not be afforded by the poor, common people. Even for the noble families of high status, only those that were the paragon of virtue and learning had the right to own it. Xu Ke had been in the Liu manor for years. Thus, his perspective had broadened under their influence. The ink supplied by the teahouse was the superior Cangzhou ink from the Mengs. The brush used was refined and of good quality. As for the paper, Hejians bamboo paper was known throughout the nine prefectures, and its price was as unattainable as its name. Its ink slab was, as usual, the best of the best. Brush, ink, paper, and ink slabCCwhen all four were put together, they couldnt be put together by just anyone Let alone a teahouse! I wonder who the rich owner behind this teahouse is In the past, Xu Ke was attracted by such extravagance. The bamboo paper was an item coveted by many scholars. As for now he was assigned a quire of bamboo paper every month and could not be bothered by it. This teahouse doesnt look like a place just for drinking tea. Just based on the value of the brush, ink, paper, and ink slab At that point, Xu Ke shook his head. How was it a place to drink tea for a nominal price? It was obviously a place that drank gold and silver. Thus, the rich person before them does not have brain damage. He was extravagantly rich and is very ambitious. Jiang Pengji smiled as she concocted some tea for herself. After drinking for many years, she was used to adding ingredients to enhance its taste. Xiaoyu, guess who it is? Xu Ke replied, Your question seems to belittle me. The businessmen in the world, regardless of era, desire to pursue profits. That will not change. They will go all out to make a profit. The one whos willing to put in much effort and money has a motive, and its a big one. I just dont know which royalty the owner belongs to If one wasnt a relative of the royal family or an official in court, who dared to invest in a teahouse in Shangjings prime location? Even if one had the right to open one, there were few that would have been able to sustain the operations of the tea house. Within seconds, they thought of the same person. They smiled at each other. Jiang Pengji said, I surveyed the main hall downstairs just now. There were paintings and calligraphies, some were of prestigious status and origin, while others were not well known, but were backed by their ancestors name. They had the advantage of family name. The people whom Jiang Pengji spoke of were in one of two categories: rich, noble scholars, or poor scholars. The proportion of the former was not as high as the latter. The noble scholars backed by the names of their fathers and ancestors could easily become the cream of the crop. Even if they fell short, they would have still been respected and worshipped by the people. They came to the teahouse for entertainment and to relax. Even if they left behind some writings, it was only for interest sake. The poorer scholars were different. They had little chance to showcase their talents. The teahouse offered relatively equal ground. Even if they could not become well-known, leaving behind their best calligraphic writing would pit them against the rest and make them feel good. Jiang Pengji looked around, vaguely discovering the intentions behind the teahouse. If things proceed as expected, it is most likely Prince Changshou, Xu Ke said calmly. That is my guess as well. That year, when the test was near, he boldly invited many scholars to participate in a distinguished assembly to discuss poetry. He generously opened his private hot spring and apartment and hosted the scholars for free. His intention to rope them in was more than obvious. Jiang Pengji spoke mockingly. He was allocated land in Zhangzhou, rich in resources, and the people lived in plenty. The noble families who supported him were also rich. He just had to spend a meager fraction of the money he had to build a teahouse. The teahouse gave a wide group of scholars a fair chance to showcase their talents. Regardless of if they were rich or poor, they could use the ink and paper freely. Nevertheless, whatever intentions he had, at least he supplied them at a reasonable price. Even if he could not rope in extremely talented individuals, he had earned the admiration of the young scholars. If he was lucky enough to gain one talent, he would profit exponentially. Even in the generation where technology fell behind, knowledge that could determine victory surpassed a thousand armies and horses. No one was foolishCCthe business was a sure success. Prince Changshou would have naturally been pleased to do it. Of course, that was what Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke could see. As for the rest who could not see that, it was not within their control. They waited for the maids to serve tea. Jiang Pengji asked innocently, and she found out the teahouse was indeed a business owned by Prince Changshou. In response, she could only discreetly shake her head. Prince Changshous ambition was obvious. The person in Shangyang palace was still living in a fools paradise, and was intoxicated with women. The difference between brothers was obvious; perhaps they were not born from the same womb. Jiang Pengji drank a sip of tea. The taste made one nostalgic. This is indeed a good tea. I hope the cost of tea is not expensive, otherwise I will leave you here as a mortgage and find a chance to escape While drinking, she suddenly sighed with emotion. The tea in Xu Kes mouth nearly caused him to choke. Just as she wanted to poke fun at Xu Ke, her ears twitched. She hurriedly put her teacup down, and used her eyes to tell Xu Ke to stop coughing. He covered his mouth with much difficulty, and suppressed his cough until his eyes were bright red. Tears pitifully flowed from his eyes. HowCChow can this be He took a while to recover, then asked Jiang Pengji what happened. Jiang Pengji said calmly, There is some movement next door. She quietly tiptoed until she was near a corner in the private room. The sight of her squatting there to eavesdrop left Xu Ke feeling sad for her. Chapter 350 - Happenings in Shangjing (7) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He was even more certain that trouble liked looking for his Langjun. She didnt mind her business and found trouble everywhere she went. He pondered about it. He needed to get up and leave his current position. He pulled the couch, shifting it towards the corner of the wall, and sat there. Jiang Pengji was speechless and lowered her voice, Why did you shift the couch here? Xu Ke rolled his eyes, saying, In order to sit comfortably. Both looked at each other silently. They did not imagine each other to be like that; they must have been blind. How could Xu Kes hearing be better than Jiang Pengjis? He placed his ear against the wall. The sound from the other side became gradually clearer. Even though a gentleman should not eavesdrop, Xu Ke was not a strictly a gentleman of importance. Since his Langjun was openly eavesdropping, why should he hold himself back? The sound-proofing in the teahouse was done well. If the other party did not speak louder intentionally, there was no way they could have heard anything. When the sound became clearer in their ears, Xu Ke heard a series of, En! and Ahhhh! sounds. There were also some sounds made from bodily contact. Xu Ke was speechless. If it was before his marriage, he would have been puzzled for a moment; however, he was experienced and knew what was happening. After all two people were fighting devilishly in a private room, and it was against the wall. Xu Kes face alternated between red, green, white, and black. It was entertaining, as if a paint palette had dropped on his face. He looked at his Langjun mysteriously. She looked somewhat interested. The tip of her brows were slightly raised, and she listened very intently. Xu Ke lowered his voice and whispered, If it is morally wrong, dont listen! Jiang Pengjis expression said it all; she knew what was happening on the other side of the wall. She was not ignorant. Keep quiet. Dont disturb me. In response to Xu Kes hindrance, Jiang Pengji just waved her hands, slapping Xu Kes hands away. Poor Xu Ke. He was pitied by the audience in the live streaming room again. His fan base even teamed up to acquire flowers and gifts. Yueluo Wuti: I cannot take it. I laughed until my stomach hurt!!! Tudou Dun Niurou: I laughed till I spit out the biscuit in my mouth! The streamer is really not tired of framing people. It feels like the young Xu Ke has been angered so much that his lifespan has decreased by a few years. I hope the King of Hell pities him and increases his lifespan. Laosiji Lianmeng: She brought her subordinate along to eavesdrop on the happenings next door. The streamer is indeed the lord of schemes. I respect her. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: A group of people laughing mindlessly I feel that this scenario is very familiar. A familiar scene? The audience members were confused. Was there a similar occurrence earlier on? Even though the live streaming room quota had increased to 150,000 people, it did not reduce the difficulty of fighting for seats. There were those that were slammed for staying in the signal station and refusing to move out, while there were others that had an extremely hard time getting a seat in the streaming room. Who knew what, in previous years, the daily life of the streamer was like? Wasnt it weird for her to suddenly bring up something familiar? However, there was a congregation of talents in the live streaming room and some knew what she was talking about. Laosiji Lianmeng: Oh, I remember. That fateful year, the streamer was on top of a false cave at the royal recreational place. She coincidentally met the princess of the Northern Borderline and Wuma Jun! Pei! Pei! Pei! I still have the recording from then. Notably, the princess was so good at crying. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Exactly! However, Jiang Pengji was the only one who heard it that time. Presently, there was a newly married man with herCCXu Ke. Jiang Pengji relied on her outstanding hearing ability to listen to the movements and conversations next door. It was unnecessary for the audience in the live streaming room; they just had to increase the volume and could easily hear moaning and breathing, as if a cat was scratching a human. There was also an indescribable clasping sound. Xu Ke looked on and his heart felt very awkward. He could not sit still. Jiang Pengji, seeing the state he was in, straightened her eyes and asked softly, Does the couch you are sitting on have worms? Stop fidgeting and listen carefully. Xu Ke felt his three senses break down once more. Jiang Pengji then said, Our old friend is next door. She used her fingers to indicate four and hinted towards the north. Xu Ke understood, and his eyes became big and round. Disregarding everything else, he continued to listen to what was happening opposite of them. They were both in luck; the people in the other room had fooled around multiple times before. Now, it was calm. The voices sounded breathless. Fourth Lang is so heartless. Princess An Yinas countenance was filled with lust. Her delicate body was already mature. Her curves were alluring, and her skin had traces of sweat and love-making. It made one drool to look upon her. It was not hard to imagine how intense the sexual intercourse was. You are about to marry your bride To think you have such a luxurious amount of time to have an affair with your concubine. Isnt it hurtful to do this to the Fourth Princess Consort? Wuma Jun embraced Princess An Yina, his second sister-in-law, who leaned towards him. His other hand held her slim fingers as she poked his chest and brought it close to his lips for a kiss. They coldly smirked. That is only to find favor in order to make Chongzhou stable, and only for display. How can she compare to you? You are my darlingCCmy lifeline. She is merchandise thats not even worthy to warm my bed. Why? Are you jealous? An Yina was breathing heavily, and composed a sexual arousal that had not dissipated within her. She raised her hands to gather her garments and combed her hair behind her ears. She said, You are truly a frivolous person. She is, after all, your wife. You are still my second sister-in-law. The implied meaning was such that if he wasnt a frivolous man, how could he even touch his second brothers wife and carry on their relationship for years? Interesting. An Yina is the most unique. To outsiders, it doesnt matter however fickle they deem me to be. But you are the wife I acknowledgeCCthe mother of my child, and the one I enjoy ruling with. Wuma Juns brows appeared somewhat gloomy. No men wanted their woman to be the legal wife of another man. As for the daughter of the Liu family, you may do as you wish with her later on. An Yina raised her brows, leaned on his bosom, and asked, Is it all right if she becomes a pig? Xu Ke listened until his body was shivering. From those words, he guessed the identities of the people next door, and couldnt help but look at Jiang Pengji. Only, his Langjun was not angry, and her expression did not change. It was cold beyond measure. Like a pig? Wuma Jun laughed abruptly. The laughter that overflowed from his throat sounded very boisterous. Like a pig! Even if you wanted to throw her into a scorpion pit or bind her up onto a hot pillar As long as you are happy, anything is fine. You are so cruel. Princess An Yina laughed gently. You are also cruel. The wife follows her husbands will. I have to be cruel, too. After that, Wuma Jun stretched his hand into her loose collar, and both looked like they were going in for another round of sexual intercourse. Stop it. Youre not being serious. Every time you meet me, you only have such thoughts. Princess An Yina pushed him away flirtatiously and rose to put on her clothes. This may be a secluded and safe place, but it is not full-proof. Your second brother is watching me very closely. Lets not go overboard. When he heard about his second brother, Wuma Juns face became angry. Dont worry, this is my royal uncles place. Shouldnt you know best whether this place is safe or not? Prince Changshou was also aware of Wuma Jun and Princess An Yinas matter. He was aware and generously provided a place for their rendezvous. Why are you so gullible? Can your royal uncle be completely trusted? Princess An Yina asked coquettishly. She rolled her eyes. Wuma Jun was not angry. Instead, he was somewhat distracted. The wildfire he suppressed came rushing back. Arent you afraid he will betray us? What is there to be afraid of? Wuma Jun laughed coldly. All of our fates are tied together. If we both are in trouble, he wont be doing well, either. If Princess An Yina didnt have that intention, Wuma Jun would not have forced himself on her. They both flirted with each other and collected their garments. Then they bathed in a secret corner in the private room. After a while, other than their faces, which had lingering sexual pleasure, all the other parts of their bodies were back to normal. Chapter 351 - Happenings in Shanjing (8) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Princess An Yina changed into a new set of clothes that were identical to the ones torn by Wuma Jun. She left the palace, claiming she was praying to have a child. If she went home with a different set of clothes, her husband would grow suspicious, no matter how stupid he was. An Yina always did things very cautiously. Even though she had many admirers around her, she could handle them, and all the small details, perfectly. Every time she went to meet Wuma Jun, she would always ask her trusted servant girl to bring two sets of identical clothes as spares. Wuma Juns gaze lingered on her beautiful body. He felt restless while he watched her put on her clothes. If it was not already late, he would have really wanted to make An Yina stay and go wild with her. She was very unrestrained in bed. She played so many tricks that were too much for his eyes to take in. They had tried almost every sexy trick in order to please each others bodies. To be honest, the most popular courtesans in the brothels were not even as bold and skilled as Princess An Yina. The reason he clung onto An Yina for so long and treated her politely but without sincerityCCbesides the fact that she lived in the palaceCCwas because her body was indeed very attractive. Wuma Jun had now entered into court politics. He still did not have a legal wife, but he had many concubines. He could not even remember how many high-ranked servants he had played with. However, the women were too reserved and boring. Making love with them was like playing with a piece of wood. Havent you seen enough? Princess An Yina looked at him flirtatiously. It was not even enjoyable enough. Of course not. I cant wait to die of fatigue on top of you, Wuma Jun answered naturally. You dirty thing! Youre not serious. An Yina pouted in a flirtatious manner while she put on a bamboo hat. She replied, Its late now. I should go back. If I return home late, your second brother will definitely get angry. It wouldnt be as easy for me to leave the palace anymore. Wuma Jun was upset. He really did not want to hear An Yina mention his second brother. Tsk. Even if you go home early, can he give you a child? Wuma Jun scoffed. Although his second brother was not an eunuch and his penis was functional, he could not get a woman pregnant. He knew that from An Yina. Wuma Jun was shocked to hear it. After that, he ordered someone to investigate it in secret, and found the old imperial maids and female officials who had been released from the palace. After spending tremendous efforts, it was confirmed that what An Yina said was true. His second brother was indeed a naturally impotent person who could not get women pregnant. The unmentionable disease was not innate, but his second brother was harmed by a woman in the harem when he was young. When he discovered it later, it could no longer be rectified. If his penis was functional but he could not get women pregnant, how was he different from a eunuch? Princess An Yina smiled lovingly and replied, Yes, he cant make me pregnant. So havent I come out to pray for a child? As she was speaking, she gently placed her hand over her lower abdomen, as if there was a life underneath it. Wuma Jun secretly muttered, A womans heart is the most vicious. He added, Its not easy to pray for a child. You have to come see me more often. It was actually ridiculous. An Yina clearly knew that her husband could not make her pregnant; they had no children although they had been married for years. She still pretended to be ignorant and bore the sin of having no children by herself. She repeatedly left the palace in the name of praying for a child, but in fact, she was meeting her lover in secret. Tsk, tsk. In a certain sense, it was true that she was praying for a child; however, she did not pray to the Buddha statue holding a child, but to other men instead. Jiang Pengji said emotionally, The poor second prince. He must have the Hulunbuir Grasslands on his head. Xu Ke eavesdropped as well. However, it was very difficult for him to listen to them because An Yina and Wuma Jun had already packed up and they were a little far away from the corner of the wall. The Hulunbuir Grasslands? Where is that? He had never heard of this place in the world of five kingdoms and nine states. Its location isnt important. What matters is that grasslands are green. Jiang Pengji crossed her arms in front of her chest and smirked. She looked happy. Xu Kes facial expression subtly stiffened. Your wit really makes it difficult for people to refute. Rather than saying she was witty, it was better to say that she had a derogatory mouth! Are you really not angry? Xu Ke did not understand. He knew that his Langjun was not on good terms with the second niangzi. The two of them did not look like a family at all; they were still siblings who shared the same father, but different mothers. He should have been furious that his future brother-in-law, Wuma Jun, was running wild. Wuma Jun was about to get married, but the bridegroom, Wuma Jun, seduced a married woman, which offended public decency and feudal ethics. Why should I be angry? Jiang Pengji sneered. Wuma Jun is just a scoundrel. My stepsister has great ambitions, but her fate is miserable. If the two of them are obedient, they can live for a lifetime even if they dont like each other. If they do evil things together, then theyre made for each other. Xu Ke did not dare to speak. As a subordinate, it was not appropriate for him to meddle in his Langjuns family affairs. Xu Ke was still a bit confused. He did not expect for Wuma Jun to be involved with Princess An Yina. He had heard the gossip about the two people from Jiang Pengji, but he did not expect to hear a live version of it after so many years. The tea is getting cold. Drink it. Jiang Pengji returned to the table and looked unperturbed, as if the pornography next door did not affect her at all. In fact, it was true. No matter how they moaned, they sounded like puffing pigs to Jiang Pengji, who was extremely demanding or actually fussy in spiritual pursuits. It did not induce a single bit of desire in her. Xu Ke could not achieve such a manner. As someone who had just gotten married and left his wife just a few days after his marriage, he could not withstand the seduction. He secretly adjusted his breathing and suppressed his restlessness. He returned to being calm and unruffled. In the tea room, both of them sat across each other, drank some tea, and discussed some matters in Shangjing in low voices. On the other hand, Princess An Yina was not so composed. She originally planned to leave in her bamboo hat, but when she turned after coming out of the tea room, she saw a servant girl entering the tea room next door. Obviously, the tea room had customers. She had met Wuma Jun in secret and had sex with him. Did the customers in the tea room hear them? How much had they heard? In an instant, countless complicated thoughts flashed through her mind. The crouching demon in her was ready to stir up trouble. Her murderous intentions slowly rose. You. Come here. An Yina stood in the corner of the room, then signaled the maid to come over when she had come out of the tea room. The servant girl saw that Princess An Yina was wearing a thick veil that covered her entire face, but she was wearing very expensive clothes. She did not dare to offend her and hurriedly went forward to give her a bow. She asked gently, How can I help you? Are there any customers in that tea room? An Yina asked. She was becoming more and more restless. She wanted to take advantage of Wuma Jun and her stupid husband. Her plans had already been mapped out, so she did not want something to go wrong at a crucial moment. The servant girl did not know the inside story and replied softly, Yes, there are. Sure enough! Chapter 352 - Happenings in Shangjing (9) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio An Yina secretly clenched her fists upon hearing the servant girls words. Wuma Jun, who was next to the tea room, calculated his timing and only got up to leave when he felt that An Yina had already left. However, unexpectedly, she was talking to a servant girl at the door of the tea room. He smirked. It seemed like she was not able to leave him. Theres someone next door. An Yina did not explain further. In a very aloof tone, she added, I dont know who they are. Wuma Jun suddenly became nervous. There was a ball of rage in his heart in an instant. He was so angry that he felt a pain in his chest. How disrespectful. Does the owner of the teahouse not know that its a special today and that no customers are to be accepted? As he was speaking, he had a guilty conscience, and he held a bit of fear in his heart. He and An Yina met each other in secret, and he did not want their affair to be exposed. The internal affairs of the royal family of Dongqing were a mess. Having affairs with ones sister-in-law and bullying the ministers wives was commonCCeven sleeping with the emperors concubine was common. The elders did all of that. Wuma Jun aimed to take over the throne, and had a lofty ambition of ruling the nine states. He had to show a decent image to the people. If someone exposed that he had been having an affair with his second sister-in-law for years, not only would it make a cuckold of his second brother, but it would basically bring about his own demise. Wuma Jun had gone through all kinds of hardships in order to get rid of his reputation of being the unfavored prince. He gradually became noticed by the emperor and entered into court politics. He built his own connections and had a decent image to outsiders. He was courteous to the wise, and condescending to the scholars. He was gentle, modest, and polite. He had gathered a lot of inside information and had his own followers. He would soon marry Magistrate Lius daughter and have an influential in-law. He could not fail. He could only be a prince of noble character and sterling integrity. He could not be an animal who had an affair with his second sister-in-law. Usually, when he and An Yina met each other in secret, the tea room next door was empty and no customers would be accepted; that was the case for the past few years. That was why Wuma Jun did not put up his defenses He never considered the idea of there being such a huge loophole. He almost fainted, and could not stand firm. The servant girl knelt on the ground and quivered upon hearing Wuma Juns reprimand Even her molars were shaking. Firstly, check who the people in the room are. If theyre not important, we have to kill them without delay to avoid any trouble. Princess An Yina was very calm. She got close to Wuma Jun and whispered into his ear. Her usually nice voice sounded so murderous that it made him shiver. Wuma Juns cluttered mind suddenly became clear. He immediately agreed with her suggestion. If it came down to himself or others, he would definitely choose himself. Whoever was an obstacle in his path to taking over the throne would have to die! A look of malevolence flashed across his face. An Yina smirked upon seeing his facial expression. The so-called country of ceremonies, Dongqing, was no different. From the top to the bottom of the hierarchy, they were all smartly-dressed animals. I know, Wuma Jun replied coldly. In the tea room, Jiang Pengji could hear An Yinas movements. She did not overlook An Yinas malice and murderous aura. Jiang Pengji took a sip of tea and got up gracefully. Anyone who saw her would have praised her elegant posture. Lets go and welcome our honored guests outside. Xu Ke put down his tea bowl and frowned. He thought, They must have evil intentions. However, if they refused to admit it even unto death, what could Wuma Jun do? Could it be that he that he thought he was so powerful that he would kill his Langjun? Outside the tea room, Wuma Jun had several schemes in his mind. He was thinking about how to quietly kill them when the door suddenly opened from the inside. Xiaoyu, you need to keep enough money in your bag. Otherwise, Ill use you as a pawn and leave you here When the door opened, the persons voice turned from muffled to clear. Wuma Jun and Princess An Yina looked in the direction of the sound. They saw that young people walk out of the room one after another. The person who walked in the front was tall; he was a handsome man. The one behind purposely kept a distance of three feet from the person in front of him. He was taller than the person in front. He looked aloof and had thin lips. The strange thing was that the young man dressed in a green scholars costume had a stack of gauze on the area close to his ears on the right hand side of his face. He looked weird. Wuma Juns desire to murder them was surging, but when he saw Jiang Pengjis face, he suddenly felt like he had been struck by lightning. At that moment, Jiang Pengji coincidentally saw him as well. Her eyes shone like lacquer as she walked towards him. Zhengze? Is that you? There was some uncertainty in her voice. Most of the uncertainty turned into joy when she got closer to Wuma Jun. Xu Ke secretly sneered behind her. My Langjun has good acting skills. Wuma Jun resisted the urge to run immediately. He put on a bold face, and clasped his hands together towards Jiang Pengji. Lanting. Hey, its as though Im an outsider when you refer to me as Lanting. In a few days time, youll be my brother-in-law. Were family. You dont have to be so polite. Jiang Pengji smiled, and there was no trace of gloom on her face. Her eyes were bright. Her breathing and facial expression were perfect. Even if she was just pretending and lying blindly, she gave him the most perfect response. Hearing their conversation, An Yinas pretty eyes became dim. She secretly guessed Jiang Pengjis identity in her mind. She somewhat felt that they were in a troublesome situation. Jiang Pengji was the brother of Wuma Juns legal wife, and the second son born of Liu Shes legal wife. She could not lay a finger on her. Since she could not do anything to Jiang Pengji, she would then probe her to see if she had heard anything that she should not have heard while she was in the tea room. Obviously, those were Wuma Juns thoughts, too. If thats the case, Ill just call you brother-in-law! Wuma Jun smiled and chatted with Jiang Pengji, as if they were very close. When they had chatted enough and the atmosphere was livened, he then pretended to change the topic inadvertently. Jiang Pengji knew his intentions and invited the two of them into the tea room. She was not curious about An Yinas identity; she treated her as if she was Wuma Juns little concubine. That was a normal reaction. Even a brother-in-law was in no place to control his future brother-in-laws life. He could only choose to ignore it. The servant girl was asked to clean up the table and bring some new tea and a new tea set in. Wuma Jun asked, Why did you think of coming here to drink tea? Im accompanying Xiaoyu as he buys things for his new wife. Tsk, tsk. Theyre already married, but theyre still so lovey-dovey and sweet. Jiang Pengji directly put the blame on Xu Ke with only a few words. Xu Ke had nothing to say. Wuma Jun was easily humored. He laughed out loud, as if it was really funny. Jiang Pengji added, Hes tall and strong, so hes not afraid of getting tired. My two thin legs cant stand it. Upon seeing that there was a teahouse, I came to take a rest. This is a good place. Its located in the downtown area, but its quiet in here. It feels a bit secluded. Wuma Jun replied, I dont think so. It was originally a recreational space. If its filled with hustle and bustle, the atmosphere is ruined. Thats true. If it was, itd be downgraded, and itd seem vulgar. Jiang Pengji smiled and added, After listening to your explanation, the teahouse is actually a small, hidden place in the city. However, Im worried that the tea here is expensive, so I dont dare to come too often. Thinking about how Jiang Pengji complained about Xu Ke when she stepped out of the tea room, Wuma Jun suddenly laughed again. Chapter 353 - Happenings in Shangjing (10) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wuma Jun felt that he had already probed for the information he wanted. He maintained his composure. The anxiety in his heart had been relieved, and he looked more relaxed than before. However, Princess An Yina, who had been silent, stole a glance at Jiang Pengji, who happened to be looking at her as well. Is she your beloved concubine? Jiang Pengji asked deliberately. She was dressed in womens clothing, and she seemed to be very close to Wuma Jun. Ordinary people would have had such thoughts. Wuma Jun quickly clarified, That isnt something to joke about. If my second brother heard that, hed definitely be jealous. This is my second sister-in-law. She left the palace this morning to climb the Guanyin Mountain to ask for the Buddhas mercy. We happened to run into each other when she came back to the city, so Im thinking of going back to the palace with her. He did not explain further as to why they did not return to the residence of the second prince, but came to the teahouse instead. Jiang Pengji was suddenly enlightened. She replied frankly and apologetically, Oh, shes the second princess. I was rude just now. Please forgive me. An Yina took the opportunity to stare at Jiang Pengji from head to toe. She was only at ease after confirming that there was nothing abnormal about her facial expression. Its okay. Langjun cant be blamed for being suspicious because of the situation. Its indeed my fault. An Yina did not really let Jiang Pengji bow and apologize to her. She smiled sweetly and let the matter slip. Did you hear anything just now? An Yina suddenly asked. She was still smiling, and she bent her fingers like an orchid. She stroked the hair on her temples behind her ears. Judging from her behavior, she did not look panicked or guilty at all; it was as if she was asking about the weather. She observed Jiang Pengjis reaction and facial expression with her enchanting eyes. Jiang Pengji was very experienced. She would not be swindled by such a simple trick. She frowned in a seemingly puzzled manner. Her eyes that shone like lacquer were full of doubts. She asked, Hear what? An Yina was relieved upon seeing her reaction. She secretly heaved a sigh of relief. Her mind spun, and she was thinking about a suitable reason for her question. She prevaricated, When I was resting in the room next door, I vaguely heard a rustling noise. However, I was too tired from worshipping Guanyin this morning, so I couldnt open my eyes for a second. After quite some time, I realized that I lost a valuable item when I woke up. There must have been a thief She smiled bitterly as she was explaining, as if it was a very important thing that was stolen. Theres a thief in the teahouse? Jiang Pengji frowned and asked seriously, What did you lose? If its a personal item, your reputation may be negatively affected if the thief spreads it to the public. You must catch him as soon as possible. An Yina pursed her lips. Thank you for your concern. The thief might know the consequences, so he didnt steal anything valuable; he only stole a few purses. Ive only lost some ordinary belongings, but But, there was a handful of soil that I brought from my hometown in my purse. I always bring it with me to remind myself to not forget my roots. Now that it was stolen by the thief, Im in a panic An Yina left her hometown by herself and married into Dongqing. No one could say that it was bad of her to bring her hometowns soil with her to cherish the memories she made there. Jiang Pengji could not help but be moved. She sighed a little and said, Your marriage to Dongqing is a bond of friendship between the two countries. However, its hard for one to leave their hometown, so you brought some soil from your hometown with you. Your noble action makes me feel deeply ashamed. I want to help you with this, but I didnt hear any unusual noise when I was having tea with Xiaoyu in the tea room. Why dont we ask the manservant in the hall? An Yina knew how good the soundproofing of the teahouse was. Otherwise, she would not have picked such a place to meet Wuma Jun. She kept probing Jiang Pengji until she was sure that Jiang Pengji and Xu Ke really did not hear them. The doubts in her mind finally disappeared. She nodded with a smile, revealing a frail, worried look. If thats the case, I better not trouble you. Ill get someone to investigate it later. If I cant get it back, I can only accept it as Gods will. I heard that your sister is going to marry into the royal family. By then, well be relatives, so you should come visit often. Its getting late now. I should return to the residence so that my husband wont be worried. An Yina purposely mentioned the daughter born of the mistress of the Liu residence, Liu Huan. Jiang Pengji answered in a proper manner, Youre right. Jiang Pengji smiled somewhat embarrassedly and replied humbly, Shes too spoiled at home, so she has a bad temper. Please take care of her after she gets married. Ill be very grateful. An Yina tittered, and covered her mouth with her handkerchief. She somewhat glared at Jiang Pengji with a moving look in her eyes. Your sisters husband is here. He should be the one taking care of her. An Yina got up, as if she was going to leave. Wuma Jun acted like he was blushing. He realistically portrayed a man who was about to get married. Xu Ke, who was in the background, calmly watched the three of them rival against each other. He sat quietly without looking sideways, as if he was watching a show. He only acknowledged Jiang Pengjis acting skills. The shameless couple, An Yina and Wuma Jun, could not be underestimated, either. Well, they were able to meet each other in secret without being caught. If they did not know how to act, they would have been exposed already. How could they be so free and unfettered? Seeing that An Yina and Wuma Jun were making excuses to leave, Xu Ke and Jiang Pengji got up to see them off. However, God did not seem to favor An Yina and Wuma Jun. They could not leave in peace. A servant girl stopped them, somewhat embarrassed, and bowed to them. Whats going on downstairs? Jiang Pengji played with the sandalwood fan in her hands. She unfolded and shut it while she spoke to the servant girl indifferently. If there isnt an explanation and youre stopping the four of us for no reason, Ill deal with your boss directly. Cold sweat was trickling down the servant girls back. She replied in fear and trepidation, Please dont be angry. Unruly people are creating trouble downstairs. I only venture to stop you in order to prevent you from getting injured. Creating trouble? Jiang Pengji smiled. I remember that this property is under the name Prince Changshou. Someone actually dares to create trouble here? As she was speaking, there was a clank downstairs, as if something had been smashed. Jiang Pengji walked past the servant girl and went downstairs to check out the scene. Xiaoyu, protect the fourth prince and the second princess. Dont let anyone attack them. Before leaving, she even gave Xu Ke a command. The command made Wuma Jun and An Yinas plan of leaving through the back door fall to pieces. They could only summon up the courage to follow her downstairs. In the hall, the performers, who were playing music, and the dancers, who were dancing, had already fled in a panic and hid in the corner. It was originally a place for people to paint. Now, two groups of people were confronting each other with daggers. The atmosphere was tense. Whats going on? Jiang Pengji asked a manservant in a low voice while she watched the two groups of people. The manservant looked extremely horrified. He was quivering while hiding in the corner, and he did not dare to go forward and ease the conflict between the two groups of people. Chapter 354 - Happenings in Shangjing (11) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Hearing Jiang Pengjis question, he pulled himself together and clenched his fist into his opposite hand. He held them in front of his chest in a panicked manner. If youre fine, its better for you to not get involved. Mortals suffered when gods fought. In Shangjing City, there were two groups of people who could not be provoked. One was the relatives of the emperor, and the other was a group headed by eunuchs. In the court, the two parties fought openly and sniped in the dark. Outside the court, they were like pins against an awl. Oh? Im just asking about what happened. Why does it matter whether or not I offended them? Jiang Pengji lazily lifted her eyelids. Although the manservant had good intentions, he sounded somewhat arrogant. She was just asking about it. It was her business whether she offended them or not. It was also her business if she was scared of trouble or not. Why would she need a third party to decide for her? The manservants facial expression stiffened. He then realized that what he said was inappropriate, and it had angered Jiang Pengji. He hurriedly patched things up and replied apologetically, Please forgive me. It was my fault. All right, Jiang Pengji responded. Her gaze drifted and fell on the two groups of people in the middle of the hall. They seemed to be arguing as they faced each other. Messy tea sets, the four treasures of the study, and a broken tea table and desk laid around their feet. They looked like they were about to fight physically and create trouble. The manservant understood her meaning and did not dare to think of himself as smart. He hurriedly explained, Its nothing serious. Secretary Huangs god-grandson got into a conflict with Army General Fangs son over who is the best painter. Theyre dissatisfied with the decision and have gotten into a squabble. Then, they started fighting. Secretary Huang? Jiang Pengji frowned. She knew about the situation in Shangyang Palace quite well. Secretary Huang was one of the few competent eunuchs around the emperor. Secretary Huang served the emperor and was quite valued by him. He had a very influential say in the group of eunuchs. He was also the one who sold the most official posts for consideration. Although Secretary Huang was a eunuch without a penis and was destined to have no children, he had a god-grandson, and he could still carry on his family name. The so-called god-grandson was naturally the child of his godson, whom Secretary Huang had adopted. The child addressed Secretary Huang as his grandfather. As for Army General Fang? That referred to the family of the empresss mother. Army General Fang was the younger brother of the empresss mother. The family was quite favored. More importantly, the first wife of the emperor was from the Fang family. They were conferred a posthumous title by the emperor. There were already two empresses from the Fang family. They had many riches and honor at one time. In order to check out and control the aristocratic families, the emperor took back the authority that was in the hands of the aristocrats. He eagerly wheedled the family of the empresss mother and put them in important positions. They fought over who was the best painter? Jiang Pengji asked. Yeah. The manservant nodded awkwardly. The main role of the teahouse was to recruit talented people, and events were often organized to attract talented people to the teahouse to paint. Then, the best painter was picked from all the works. The beautiful paintings could even be hung in the teahouse for the customers to enjoy, and they could promote their names in literature. The real rich scholars disdained promoting their names in such a way, but the ordinary, poor scholars valued it a lot. Moreover, the owner of the teahouse was Prince Changshou, who held real power. The business of the teahouse was generally good. Being a descendant of a eunuch, although his family was wealthy, people still looked down on him. He had to gild his name in literature. The relatives of the emperor could only be regarded as a new force. To put it bluntly, they were just upstarts and had no heritage at all. They still had to hang their heads in shame in front of the aristocrats. Secretary Huangs god-grandson was only 18 years old and was very handsome. Standing there, he looked like a piece of the art himself. However, he was the descendant of a eunuch, and he despised the aristocrats. Some aristocrats with heritage could not go support him. He knew what he lacked, so he tried to promote his name in literature. He could not change his origin and decide his starting point, so he had to work even harder after his birth. As for Army General Fangs son, he was a dandy. His height was almost the same as his body width. So many masters were invited, but he hardly learned anything, even after a few years. He usually did not pay attention in classes and did not work hard. He only knew how to fool around in the inner courtyard, and he violated so many decent girls. However, he thought highly of himself, and felt that his talents had already surpassed the sky. He refused to accept that his champion title had been taken away by others. Both parties confronted each other because of it. Army General Fangs son even instructed the manservant to beat them up. Bah. Youre just the descendant of a eunuch. Rather than enjoying your wealth and inheriting the lost body of knowledge of your family, you were actually bold enough to make a fool of yourself. Army General Fangs son raised his hand and wiped his face. His face was oily, making him look extremely greasy and fat. The lost body of knowledge in his family? Was that not a way of asking him to be an eunuch? How rude. You cant beat me in literature, so youre trying to take advantage of your power to bully me. Do you think that Im afraid of you? Secretary Huangs god-grandson was so furious that his face flushed. However, his body size was really not a threat to the fat boy. Who says that I cant beat you in literature? You clearly bribed the referee and cheated in secret. Bah. How can someone without a penis write a good article? If you can recognize all the words, your ancestral grave can emit smoke. The fat boy persistently dissed him by using his title as the descendant of a eunuch. The manservant beside him had already rolled up his sleeves, and was prepared for a big fight. If you dont believe me, ask around in Shangjing City. What does the old man with the surname Huang in your family do now? Secretary Huangs god-grandson clenched his fists. He did not like being the descendant of a eunuch, but he really treated Secretary Huang as his biological grandfather. How could he let others humiliate him? You fat thing. You wont shed a tear until you see a coffin today, right? Do you really want to fight with the gloves off and get serious? Bring it on. Ill beat you up till you cry for your father! Whoevers fearful, hes the wimp, and hell have to take off all his clothes, lay on the ground, and bark like a dog! the fat boy clamored without fear. Army General Fang controlled the imperial guards in Shangjing City. To put it bluntly, he did not have to care about anyone except for the emperor and the prince of the royal family. Let alone the son of a minor eunuchCCeven if it was Secretary Huang himself, he did not have to be scared. Both parties were fuming with rage. It seemed like a war would break out anytime. Clink, clank, clink, clank Of course, they did not have to fight themselves. They could just hand the task over to the manservants beside them. Beat them up! Use all your strength! Beat them up till they wet their pants in terror! The god-grandson of a eunuch dares to be rough and rude in Shangjing. What a joke! the fat boy clamored while standing on top of a table. He looked sinister yet excited. Secretary Huangs god-grandson hid behind the fighters. He saw an inkstone in a corner. He immediately grabbed it and splashed the ink onto the fat boy. All of a sudden, the manservants from both sides began to fight, throwing anything that they could find. The fat boy was too fat; he was not agile enough. Secretary Huangs god-grandson hid behind people and secretly threw things to attack the other party. The entire hall on the first floor was full of screams and clanks. Some scholars could not stand it anymore; they simply covered their faces and left. Some hid in the corner and looked on. They enjoyed watching the fight to the full. In a narrow sense, it was just a dispute caused by personal feelings between the two youngsters. No one was willing to give into anybody. In a broad sense, it was the first time that the group of eunuchs had fought in public with a group of relatives to the emperor. Chapter 355 - Happenings in Shangjing (12) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yingyang Kuaixian: Oh my gosh. The netizens are so shocked that their jaws have dropped. Ive been watching this streaming for the past few years, and its my first time seeing such a huge gang fight. Moreover, both parties are affluent second generations who have high social statuses. Its an inexpressible feeling. Laosiji Lianmeng: Tsk. To be honest, theyre just upstarts or local tycoons with no heritage. From this, we can also see what the upbringing of both families was like. If theyre aristocrats with a real heritage, even if they want to trample each other to death, they are still polite on the outside. Linglong Mibaosuo: #proppingonmyelbow. Compared to a fake battle with words only, I prefer this way of fighting. Nuanbao Baotie: Hahaha. I prefer to fight, too. Just like what the streamer said beforeCCwhats the point of being eloquent? Despite that the opponent has turned on their maximum volume, the other party wont be affected if they choose not to listen. Whats the use of quibbling? Just beat them up. If you can fight, you absolutely dont have to be eloquent. Because of Jiang Pengjis influence, most of the viewers in the streaming room had picked up her temperament. In defiance of death, fight. There was no need to quibble when one could fight. Jiang Pengji raised her hands to protect Xu Ke, lest the weak scholar be swept up in the fight. She glanced at the expressions of the people around her out of the corner of her eyes. They were all onlookers who were not afraid that things would get serious. She suddenly thought of something. Are you just going to let them fight? Arent you going to look for someone to separate them? Jiang Pengji asked the manservant with a poker face. She lowered her eyelids. The manservant smiled bitterly, as if he drank a large bowl of bitter gourd juice. He was about to crumple into a ball. What you said It was totally easy for her to say. The manservant did not dare to say his thoughts out loud and could only grumble in his heart. Although my boss is Prince Changshou, Prince Changshou deals with many problems every day. How will he have the time to manage these trivial matters? Be it the god-grandson of Secretary Huang or the son of Army General Fang, theyre untouchable. Who dares to stop them from fighting each other? It was not a huge deal to stop them from fighting each other. However he was afraid that the two parties might think that the third party was a nuisance and would hit the person who tried to stop them from fighting each other. By then, one would be unable to express their discomfort and would thus be forced to suffer in silence. The mortals would suffer when the gods fought. They could only hope that they would finish fighting as soon as possible. The teahouse would close soon. As for the broken objects, a list could be made and sent to their residences directly. The owner of the teahouse was Prince Changshou. Secretary Huang and Army General Fang would weigh the matter and pay the damages out of deference to Prince Changshou. Jiang Pengji responded coldly with an oh and declined to comment. A gang of spoiled brats is creating trouble and wrestling each other on the ground. You dont have any technical skills. Jiang Pengji crossed her arms in front of her chest and stepped backwards a little to dodge the delicate tea bowl that was thrown towards her toes. Who do you think will win? she ridiculed, tilting her head towards Xu Ke. Xu Ke glanced at his Langjun, secretly hoping that he would not cause any more trouble. He lowered his eyelids and muttered, I think itll be the god-grandson of Secretary Huang. Nowadays, the government relies on the eunuchs even more. The group of eunuchs had great power. Those days, they were swollen with arrogance and very influential. However, in essence, everything that they owned came from the emperors connivance. The emperor also secretly allowed them to sell official posts for his consideration. They depended on the emperor closely. Their lives and deaths were all determined by the emperor. If the emperor was still young, they would be able to develop their abilities to the full. However, the problem was that, although the present emperor was decrepit and muddleheaded, he was blinded by greed and valued his power a lot. The eunuchs were just dogs controlled by the emperor and were used to attack people. The group of relatives to the emperor were different. Although they were also the emperors dogs, they had their own roots and had greater autonomy than the eunuchs. The emperor put the imperial guards of Shangjing under the control of the Fang family, which showed that the emperor valued the Fang family, who were a group of relatives to the emperor. They had a higher status in the emperors heart. Be it the group of relatives to the emperor or the group of eunuchs, they were promoted by the emperor to counter the aristocrats. Most of the aristocrats in Shangjing had retreated. Many high-ranking officials had retired as well, like the head of the secretariat, Feng Ren, had done that year. That had produced a fatal misconception to the emperor. What misconception was it? He mistakenly thought that he had already taken back the power from the hands of the aristocrats and felt that he was no longer a puppet with his hands tied! In that case, the two dogs that he had fed, which were the group of eunuchs and the group of relatives to the emperor, were eyesores. The group of eunuchs could only rely on the emperor. In contrast, the group of relatives to the emperor seemed to become even more troublesome. Jiang Pengji guessed that Secretary Huangs god-grandson would win the fight, but her reasoning was different than Xu Kes. The contest between the group of relatives to the emperor and the group of eunuchs was real. If they were in the court, why would they put the responsibility on the juniors? Army General Fangs son is too fat. Look at his body. He can block half of the entrance of the teahouse by himself. Hes still a huge target no matter how he moves. Secretary Huangs god-grandson is agile. He keeps hiding behind the manservants and makes sneak attacks. Hell go far. Who gave the human shield the courage to compete against others with their flexibility? Xu Ke stayed silent. He suddenly felt that his serious analysis had all gone down the drain. Jiang Pengji added, However, gang fights are either dependent on force, in which one man can hold back all of the enemy forces, or the number of people that can drown the enemy with their saliva. There arent enough hatchet men from Secretary Huangs god-grandsons side. If they keep dragging this on, Im afraid that theyll lose. Xu Ke secretly rolled his eyes. He only acknowledged his Langjuns skills in gang fights. As they were talking, the situation became clearer and clearer. Army General Fangs son was very favored. He took 20 to 30 hatchet men with him, but only half of them joined in the fight. The other half had received the news that their Langjun was beaten, and they hurriedly dashed in from outside. The two parties were initially matched in strength, but the increase in the number of people on Army General Fangs side disrupted the balance. Secretary Huangs god-grandson was about to get caught and receive a good dressing. He suddenly rolled backwards, ignored his state, and shouted, Brother Jue, come and save me! Brother Jue? Jiang Pengji was originally tired of the fight. She did not expect that both Secretary Huangs god-grandson and the fat boy would call for help all of a sudden. She scanned her surroundings, wanting to see who the so-called Brother Jue was. The fat boys side already had an overpowering advantage. His super-huge figure formed a shadow as he pushed Secretary Huangs god-grandson into a corner. Bah! Call for help. Ill see who will come to your rescue! There were greenish and purplish bruises on the face of Secretary Huangs god-grandson. He looked shabby, but his eyes still looked aggressive. Hmph. Take back your words. You better not wet your pants in terror. The fat boys heart was fuming with rage. He raised his huge fist and wanted to hit him. At that moment, a clear voice that sounded like a jade compass was heard from the crowd. Wait! Who dares to stick his nose in my business? The fat boy turned his head and fiercely looked into the direction of the voice. The crowd immediately looked in the direction of the voice as well, only to see a young man of 15 or 16 years standing in the corner. He was dressed in a green scholars costume, which elongated his body. Even though the young man looked somewhat immature, he had a sophisticated aura. Chapter 356 - Happenings in Shangjing (13) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Hey, a skinny kid wants to stand up for this idiot! The fat boy showed his teeth and made a threat while he waved his fist. The handsome young man was not scared at all; it was as if he did not see the huge fist. I cant beat you in a fight, for sure. Feng Jue only had a boy attendant with him. Although he had learned horsemanship and archery before, he could only defend himself and had insufficient lethality. However, its a bit too much for you to bully others by relying on the number of people you have. Ha! Leave if you cant beat me, and stop muttering nonsense in front of me. You can either watch him get beaten up, or come over and get beaten up with him. This is Shangjing. Does anyone not know who I am? How dare a sharp-tongued scholar stir up trouble! Feng Jue looked unperturbed and replied in a relaxed manner, Although Im not a match for you, it doesnt mean that no one can subdue you. The fat boy responded with an evil tone, Do you want to go about begging for help too? Theres no need for me to do that. Feng Jue swiftly revealed a smirk, as if a thick line was drawn on a clean piece of drawing paper. Do you dare to make a bet with me? If you win, I wont care about Langjun Huang. If you lose, this matter will be forgotten. The fat boy snorted. Although he was as fat as a pig and did not have much knowledge, it did not really mean that he was a pig. I dont gain anything from this bet. The fat boy stared at Feng Yu from head to toe with his slinky eyes. Then, he continued vengefully, Why dont we change the bet? If you win, this matter can be forgotten. If you lose, why dont you sleep with me tonight? Hows that? As soon as he said that, the look on everyones faces changed. There was a subtle light in Feng Jues eyes that revealed a frightening, murderous intention. There was a tremor in the fat boys heart. His legs felt like jelly because of his gaze, but he still squared his shoulders firmly. Secretary Huangs god-grandson did not expect that things would turn out in such a way. He quickly berated the fat boy, Shut up. You really have the guts to say anything. Brother Jue is the third son of the Feng family in Shangyang. Are you not scared of offending people? He purposely emphasized the words the third son. Jiang Pengji secretly stared at Feng Jue from head to toe and pondered in her mind, Is he really the third brother of Feng Jin? Feng Jue looked as if he was dressed in plain clothes, but the fabric used for his clothing was delicate. One could tell that he was wealthy and respectable. The fat boy was completely clueless that he had such a powerful background. Although the head of the secretariat, Feng Ren, had already resigned long ago, the prestige of the Feng family in Dongqing was still unshakable. The fat boy intended to back down, but he did not want to show any signs of fear on his face. Feng Jue sneered and replied, Sure. Brother Jue! Secretary Huangs god-grandson regretted his decision. If he knew such a thing would happen, he would not have dragged Feng Jue into the slough. The fat boy harbored resentment in his heart. Since Feng Jue did not give him an out, they were all in a position they could not back down from. What are we betting on? the fat boy asked. Feng Jue pointed his soft, white finger at Jiang Pengji, who was looking on from the side. Whoever takes a personal item from that Langjun will win. How does that sound? Jiang Pengji was utterly confused. The audience in the streaming room regained their senses. He was directing the trouble to someone else. Mutangchun Kouxiangtang: How could this be? Feng Jins younger brother is so nasty and hateful. He even framed the streamer! Linglong Mibaosuo: Hes inwardly vicious. The streamer is swept up in this mess even though shes just an innocent bystander. Mianguan Laosiji: Huh, why do I feel like Feng Jue already recognized the streamer, and wants to use this opportunity to ask for help? Feng Jin knows the streamer, so he must have told his brother about the streamers terrifying combatant value. He must know that the streamer can fight a hundred people by herself. Everyone was also puzzled about the bet. The fat boy reacted first. He was so angry that he almost stamped his foot. Bah. You definitely know him. This is cheating. Feng Jun replied innocently, I dont know him. Jiang Pengji frowned unhappily. Her hands were a bit itchy and she said, I dont know him. The fat boy smiled maliciously. Since you dont know each other, the bet will be a lot easier. If you dont want to suffer for no reason, take out a personal item of yours. The more personal, the better. Ill definitely win this bet. Surround him! The manservants obeyed his order and quickly surrounded Jiang Pengji, blocking off Feng Jue. As long as the fat boy obtained Jiang Pengjis personal item before Feng Jue did, he would win the bet. Jiang Pengji sneered and suddenly asked with a clear voice, Feng Huaiyu, is your brother so inwardly vicious? At that moment, the clear and mature voice of a young man was heard from a private room on the second floor. My younger brother is playful and rude. Lanting, please forgive him. Before the voice faded away, a young man wearing a jade crown and a water-colored scholars costume lifted the bead curtain and walked down the stairs pleasurably. She looked him over. It was Feng Jin, or Feng Huaiyu, whom she had not seen for years! The young man was very handsome. His appearance and profile were somewhat similar to that of the other young man. When the two were put together, it was easy to tell that they were brothers. Even so, he shouldnt place such a bet. If he loses, how will he leave? Jiang Pengji felt puzzled. In her opinion, the upbringing of the Feng family could only produce a personable gentleman like Feng Jin. How could they produce such a deviant, bold, and a willful child like Feng Jue, who even dared to agree to that sort of bet? He had quite a temper. As long as Im watching him, nothing will happen. After not seeing him for a few years, Feng Jins defiance and immaturity had disappeared under the temper of time, leaving only a jade-like tact and pellucidity. He was like a pearl that was free from dust that shone brilliantly and gently, but not glaringly. What about his reputation? Nothing would happen to him, but his reputation could be ruined. Feng Jin moved his lips slightly and looked somewhat helpless. When youre up to your ears in debt, you stop worrying. Among the three brothers of the Feng family, Feng Jue was the only eccentric one. No one knew from whom he had inherited his deviant temper. After hearing what Feng Jin said, Jiang Pengji finally understood. Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin were talking about the olden days. The fat boy felt that he had been left out. He was unhappy and was about to lose his temper. The fat boy stamped his foot and pointed his fat fingers at Jiang Pengji with a somewhat sinister facial expression. Who cares who you are? Grab this kid and strip off his clothes. Doesnt he want a personal item? Ill take all of them away and make him lose for sure! Feng Jin glanced at the fat boy pitifully. He was heedless of the consequences. Staring back and forth from his brother and Jiang Pengji, he was thinking about something. Take care of my clerk. If he loses a strand of hair, Huaiyu, you wont be able to make it right. Jiang Pengji threw the sandalwood fan in her hands to Feng Jin and asked him to take care of Xu Ke. From the side, Princess An Yina stole a glance at the handsome Feng brothers with her flirtatious eyes. They looked appealing and handsome enough for her to feast her eyes on. Liu Xi only had the title of being Liu Shes son, and had no achievements or fame. He did not hold any government official post, but he actually knew many young talents. Feng Jin smiled pleasurably. I guarantee that Xu Ke will definitely remain in one piece. The audience in the streaming room could not help but cover their eyes. The upcoming scene was too violent that they could not bear to watch. Hehe. Have you come around? The fat boy did not even know that death was at hand. He thought that Jiang Pengji was afraid of getting into trouble and wanted to take the initiative to give in. Take your clothes off yourself! Do you know who my father is? Jiang Pengji asked. The fat boy was mad. Why should I care about who your father is? Yeah. You dont have to know who my father is, but you have to know who I am! After Jiang Pengji was done talking, she immediately punched his left eye without a single warning. Chapter 357 - Happenings in Shangjing (14) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You dont have to know who my father is, but you have to know who I am! Upon hearing what Jiang Pengji said, Feng Jue was stunned and did not move. There was a sly smile on his face. Second brother, is this Liu Lanting whom you often mention? Sure enough, knowing a person by repute isnt as good as meeting him face to face. What an idiosyncratic scholar. Not to mention her rebellious arrogance was quite in line with his taste. Feng Jin secretly glanced at his younger brother who looked like a crazy man. He could not help but tug at his brothers sleeves and dragged him out of the battle ring to avoid his slow-witted younger brother from getting involved. If he was punched by Jiang Pengji, he would really be punched for nothing. There was no room for argument. As he was speaking, Secretary Huangs grandson supported his sore waist while covering his face that was hit. He limped towards Feng Jue with a sorry look on his face. Brother Jue, its my fault that I got you involved. Sss That damn fat boy. It hurts a lot! Secretary Huangs grandson was hurting so much that he was grimacing in pain. According to their nominal age, he was two years older than Feng Jue, but in terms of months, he was only older than Feng Jue by one year and two or three months. He looked as though he probably went through numerous hardships. He looked burlier than his peers, but there were some injuries on his head. Feng Jue secretly held back his laughter and placed a look of concern on his face. Its okay. However, its just that Im afraid that youll receive a caning punishment when you go back this time. Hearing the two words caning punishment, his face which initially looked pale, looked even more distorted at the promise of more pain. Sigh dont remind me. Ill definitely be caned when I go back this time. Secretary Huangs grandson pulled a long face. His facial expression was dramatic. He stole a glance at Feng Jue, and seeing that he had no intention of alienating him, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief. To be honest, even if he hated others for humiliating him with his title of being the descendant of a eunuch, he could not deny his origin and this was the root of his inferiority. He finally managed to find a like-minded friend who sprung from noble ancestors, and he really did not want to lose Feng Jue because of this. Is he your good friend? Feng Jin did not care about the chaotic scene because he knew very well that those minions werent even her match. Feng Jins younger brother was called Feng Jue and had Huaiyu as his courtesy name. The names of the descendants of the Feng family in this generation were mostly related to jade. Hearing that Feng Jin was talking about him, Secretary Huangs grandson hurriedly hid his unserious facial expression and said in a serious manner, Yes, I am. Second brother, this is my classmate and friend whom I always mention, Feng Jue introduced. Hes Huang Song, the disciple of the revered Confucius scholar, Master Ji. Dongqing had a rich academic atmosphere, producing many revered Confucius scholars. Although Master Ji whom Feng Jue mentioned could not compare to Master Yuan Jing, he was also a very famous Confucius scholar in Dongqing. Obviously, Huang Song was really something if could become the disciple of a well-known master with his title of being the descendant of a eunuch. No, no. Please just call me Bogao, Huang Song hurriedly replied, Feng Jin nodded with a gentle smile. Ill be impolite then. Huang Song was very sensitive towards the emotional changes of others. He immediately knew that Feng Jin was keeping a distance from him and was not willing to become close with him. Luckily, he was not very dejected about this. If other people knew that he was Secretary Huangs god-grandson, they would hold their noses and pass by him. Very few people were willing to have a normal conversation with him. Feng Jins attitude was actually considered to be pretty good already. He only focused on recognizing people and almost forgot that Jiang Pengji was still fighting with the fat boy. Huang Song hit his head and swiftly turned his head to ask Feng Jue, Brother Jue, should we call someone for help? Feng Jue lowered his eyelids, pouted his lips and replied, Does he look like he needs help? As soon as he finished talking, Huang Song turned his head to see the situation of the battle ring in the hall. He happened to see a huge black shadow falling at his feet. Huang Song was so scared that he quickly stepped two steps backwards. He had yet to recover from the fright. Come on! Tell me, whos your daddy now? You! You are! The fat boy could still act arrogantly at first, but as his retainers got defeated one by one and laid around his feet in a paralyzed state, he became less and less self-confident, like a snail that had its shell removed, letting people trample on its soft body and feeling no sense of security. In an instant, he would answer whatever Jiang Pengji said while crying piteously. Jiang Pengji lifted her foot and kicked the retainer who blocked her path aside. She grabbed the fat boy by the collar of his shirt and lifted him up while Huang Song was watching her with his eyeballs almost falling out. Say it again. My hearing is bad. I cant hear you. Youre my daddy! The fat boy had a stout figure, but it was all fat. He was even a little shorter than Jiang Pengji. She lifted him up as if she was carrying a small chicken. He was extremely dumbfounded, like a quail that shrunk its neck and spoke without thinking. Upon seeing the situation, Huang Songs mouth hung open, and when he closed it almost bit his own tongue. The fat boy weighs at least two dans, but he lifted him up with just one hand This is simply superhuman strength! One dan was equal to about 50 kilograms. Two dans was equal to 200 pounds. This was just an estimated figure. Judging from the fat boys body size, he must weigh at least 230 or 240 pounds. She had thin arms, but she was unexpectedly strong! At that moment, he then realized that Jiang Pengji had defeated all the retainers and hatchet men that the fat boy brought. They were all beaten black and blue. Although no one died, judging from the degree of swelling, they probably could not go out and face anyone for half a month. Seeing this, Huang Song looked elated. He was eager to be friends with her. Its not a secret that Langjun has superhuman strength. Xu Ke chuckled, as if the person who exuded a rascal-like character was not his Langjun. Eh? Where is your Langjun originally from? Where does he live? Huang Song asked. My Langjuns hometown is in Hejian. The geriatrics of the Liu family have been living here, Xu Ke replied indifferently. Huang Songs eyes happened to meet his and he felt somewhat timid, as if Xu Ke had seen through his thoughts just now. The magistrate of Chongzhou, Liu She, is Langjuns father. A person with such origin isnt someone whom the descendant of a eunuch could covet and be friends with, Xu Ke secretly added in his heart. Liu Shes son, Liu Xi? Huang Song suddenly thought of something. Are you saying that hes Liu Xi, the man with superhuman strength and the one who can chase away a tiger? Chase away a tiger! This was a vocabulary to describe a fierce and tough warrior in the former dynasty. It meant that one was extremely aggressive to the point where even a ferocious tiger had to break into a run upon seeing him. Although Jiang Pengji had superhuman strength as well, she was not well-known until she made a bet to hunt two tigers before she left Langye. Triumphant, she swaggered through the streets while holding the two tiger carcasses and walked around the opponents house to show them off. Her opponent was so furious that he vomited blood. Therefore, her ferocious reputation was spread. Xu Ke stayed silent. He could only picture his Langjun dancing with joy while chasing a big tiger which was fleeing in a furry. The tiger was running for its life in the front while his Langjun was chasing the tiger while laughing at its back The scene was so beautiful that he did not dare to think further. Chapter 358 - Happenings in Shangjing (15) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Exactly. Xu Ke nodded his head in agreement. Huang Song completely gave up. Talents abounded. It was a pity he was of lowly status. There was no way to retain gifted scholars, let alone the son of Liu She. Even though he could not attract the talent, they were still able to joke as friends. Seeing that the other party so open-minded, he could not be stubborn about customs. They had a big heart. Considering it from that perspective, the regrets in Huang Songs heart were somewhat soothed, and he continued to watch the commotion. Jiang Pengji noticed the bear-like appearance of Fang Pangzis left eye, which looked like a bruise. Under the influence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, she wanted to box him in the right eye to make them symmetrical. Pei! I, the young master, will never give birth to such a useless son like you. You were surely the bastard son of a woman who was unfaithful. Such words of mockery made the whole room of guests laugh. Speaking of sarcasm, Jiang Pengjis words really ridiculed ones mother. It was such an embarrassment to ones family. You are you not afraid of being ripped to pieces a thousand times over! Fang Pangzi regained his focus mentally, and his face turned red with embarrassment. He boldly threatened, If you have the nerve, get your father here. This master does not mind beating up you and your father together. Jiang Pengji wasnt joking when she said that. If Fang Pangzi really dared to shout, she really would beat him up. Fang Pangzis whole face turned red with anger. Jiang Pengji added oil to fire by adding an extra sentence. But if this is the case, you have to call this young master grandfather. The words just left her mouth. Many did not realize what she said, or they did not understand. Only Feng Jin, Feng Jue, and Xu Ke, who all had astute minds and were agile, understood the underlying meaning. They nearly choked on their saliva. Huang Song was also intelligent, but he was eccentric. He understood shortly, as well. Jiang Pengji said it very clearly. She would beat Fang Pangzi up until the other person called for his father. If Fang Pangzis father came, he would surely be beaten to a pulp as well. If he shouted for his father, Fang Pangzi would have to call Jiang Pengji grandfather. Yi Those words were very embarrassing. Get lost. This young master never leaves his target alive. If it was not for your father, your corpse would be laid out in the cold. Jiang Pengji mockingly laughed and threatened him. If you want to report this, go ahead. This young master will want to hear if you are right or if I, the young master, am right. Even though the argument was ignited by Fang Pangzi and Huang Song fighting over who was the brightest mind in the teahouse, troubled waters descended. Fang Pangzi actually wanted to strip Jiang Pengjis clothes to humiliate her. It was not a simple conflict. If the issue was blown up, it would not be easy to resolve. YouCCyou just wait! Fang Pangzi was carelessly thrown onto the floor by Jiang Pengji. His butt landed on the floor in the main hall, and he felt like his tailbone was going to break. He pathetically used one hand to cover his face, and the other to relieve his headache. Before escaping in his sorry state, he did not forget to say, You are welcome to come again. Jiang Pengji waved, and her face did not flinch in fear. Fang Pangzi restrained himself until his face became maroon. He left, pathetically escorted by a host of servants, and was limping. After Fang Pangzi left without a trace, only then did Jiang Pengji wipe away the mocking smile from her face and return to her cold expression. Remember to compensate them since we messed up their place. The words were directed to Feng Jin. If not for Feng Jins younger brother, who insulted the others, she would not have faced such an unexpected calamity. Feng Jin smiled politely. Huang Song, who was standing to the side, quickly said, I am to blame for this incident. It is only right that I pay for the damages. I will get my servant to come by. It should not be Second Brother Feng who has to pay. Even though Huang Song descended from eunuchs, other than his reputation, which was not good, he lived a comfortable life. Amongst all the people there, he had the biggest private stash in his pockets. Who is this? Jiang Pengji was multitasking and already knew the background of Huang Song, but she pretended to be ignorant. Huang Song introduced himself, embarrassed. I am Huang Song. If Liu Langjun doesnt mind, please call me Bogao. Sure. Jiang Pengji nodded. Huang Songs pupils lit up. In contrast to Feng Jins gentle and detached disposition, the impression Jiang Pengji gave was not so unapproachable. In other words, there was a chance they could have been friends. At that, Wuma Jun, who was sidelined by the people, opened his mouth. That young Langjun just now was the beloved son of Marquis Chengen. Lanting embarrassed him. Marquis Chengen will not let it go lightly. Marquis Chengen was also known as Army General Fang. He was in control of 10,000 troops in Shangjing. What is there to fear? If he has the guts to reason it out, then we will debate about the matter. Who doesnt have a father? Jiang Pengji said mockingly. The last phrase made Wuma Jun swallow back his words. Fang Pangzi brought 20 to 30 fighters. Those who couldnt beat her were instead killed. If Army General Fang was not embarrassed, he could have made a bigger scene out of it. If they shamelessly came to her for revenge, Jiang Pengji would not be afraid. She would let their fathers compete. Whose house did not have a father? She encouraged Liu She to go to Chongzhou back then. The court immediately followed up by appointing a new county chief to oversee Hu county. It was a pity. Hu county became so stable under the governance of Liu She; the people were not pleased with the new chief. Three years had passed. Hu county was, in reality, still under Liu Shes control. The Emperor was secretly displeased with the present situation, but could not do anything about it. Hu county was an asset that could not be owned. Who could be comfortable with that? The Emperor intended to use the marriage between Liu Huan and Wuma Jun to bring the relationship between Liu She and the royal family closer. He wanted to use their childrens marriage to slowly erode the control Liu She had over Hu county. Based on that, Army General Fang was a dog the Emperor reared. Would he dare to bite Jiang Pengji? He was not only unable to take revenge, but after the incident, he was forced to come and offer his apologies. Feng Jin controlled his laughter. His gentlemanly and cold appearance could hardly be maintained. We havent seen each other in a few years. You are still so sharp with your words. I wonder what person on earth can withstand your temper. The universe is so big, but one will eventually find their match. Huai Yu does not have to worry. Jiang Pengji stretched her hand to receive her sandalwood fan, and then fanned herself. She thought of something suddenly and said, I received your letter a few months ago. You mentioned that Jingxian was already four months pregnant. Is she due to deliver in two months? With Liu Shes as the matchmaker, Feng Jin eventually married Wei Jingxian. Based on the Feng family status, Wei Jingxian was of a somewhat lower birth status. Considering she wasnt the eldest sons wife, the criteria didnt have to be so strict. Feng Ren asked Feng Jin for his opinion regarding the person Liu She recommended. Seeing that their second son did not reject it, they decided on proceeding with the marriage. In that sense, Feng Jin was indeed a good husbandCCat least Jiang Pengji did not manage to find traces of another woman on him. That showed that Feng Jins harem was relatively non-existent. Other than his legal wife, there wasnt any improper girl. En! My stomach has grown bigger over the last few months. Whatever I ate last month, I vomited it out. My entire being became thin Jin saw and was worried. Feng Jin was a first-time father. He looked calm usually, but deep inside he was anxious. Based on current medical standards, women giving birth was a walk through the gates of hell. One mishap and both lives could be lost. Ive heard the old people say that the first child is difficult to give birth to. To prevent accidents, it is better to invite a person trained in gynaecology and an experienced midwife to stand by at ones house. The Feng family was rich and well-known; they had the means to invite personnel skilled in delivering babies. Feng Jin nodded in approval. Adding more insurance would put his heart at rest. Chapter 359 - Happenings in Shangjing (16) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin waited until Wuma Jun found an excuse to send Princess An Yina away, then he suddenly sighed and said to Jiang Pengji, You shouldnt have come to Shangjing. The uproar downstairs died down with Fang Pangzis departure. It returned to its quiet and elegant atmosphere. Once she entered, Jiang Pengji unapologetically changed to a new tea set and steeped her tea. She swallowed a sip at lukewarm temperature and said, Father is far off at Chongzhou; he cannot be at two places at a time and is unable to attend sisters wedding. I am the only male representing the family. If I am absent, who will come in my stead? Feng Jin said, In that case, after your sisters marriage, please depart if you can. Jiang Pengji became speechless and stopped smiling. She said, We have been good friends for long time. Why are you chasing me away when weve just reunited? Feng Jin glanced impolitely at Jiang Pengji, as if saying, If you refuse wise counsel, you will suffer the consequences later. He laughed helplessly. All right. I will not chase you away, okay? Both talked about recent happenings and the atmosphere was warm. Feng Jue, Huang Song, and Xu Ke, who were at the side, listened silently and they occasionally looked like they were deep in thought. Feng Jue was the most puzzled. He knew his older brothers temper very well. On the surface, he looked gentle and amicable, and it seemed like he could talk to anyone. However, Feng Jin was very cold, distant from others, and unapproachable. On the contrary, Jiang Pengji was not as gentlemanly and refined as was rumored. She had a rebellious streak. Both became good friends, which was truly weird. Since the capital city and its surroundings are in disorder, why did you bring your whole family here? His wife was about to give birth. Feng Jin was magnanimous, indeed. The conversation topic returned to the situation in Shangjing. Jiang Pengji recalled that Wei Jingxian was pregnant, which was concurrent with the dawn of distress. Feng Jin did not bring his wife to his old house to rest and give birth, but instead came to Shangjing. If something happened, there would be no escape. Feng Jin smiled bitterly. He spread out both hands, saying, This matter was not decided by me. Jiang Pengji did not understand at first, but seeing Feng Jins expression, she seemed to understand. Her pupils became somewhat rounder. She asked, The situation has worsened? If not? Feng Jin raised his brows and asked in return. To put it plainly, Feng Jin represented the Feng family as a hostage and stayed in Shangjing to put the Emperors heart at peace. The power of nobles and eunuchs was controlled by the Emperor; they were like two ferocious dogs used against the scholars. Some years ago, the Emperor became more muddle-headed, allowing the joint marriage between the Northern Borderline and Dongqing. That move caused many scholars to smell change in the air. In order to protect their families, some chose to remain an official and experience its ups and downs, while others acted ignorant and slowly faded into the background. Feng Ren resigned from his post and retired; thus, he was classified under the latter. But the Emperor did not trust the Feng family at all. Perhaps because of that, Feng Jin and his wife had to reside temporarily in Shangjing city and live a secluded life after marriage. As the situation in the capital city got even more intense, his wife was getting further along in her pregnancy, which put a lot of pressure on Feng Jin. Both did not dwell in depth on the topic, as Huang Song was still around. Some words needed to be said privately. Huang Song stayed for a while and secretly knew that he was uninvited. Thus, he found a reason to leave the teahouse, and was sent off by Feng Jue. Feng Jue said softly, Second brother has been very stressed recently. Bogao, please dont take it to heart. Even though Huang Song descended from eunuchs, his god-grandfather was Secretary Huang, a mighty figure. Secretary Huang was unique in the hierarchy of eunuchs. He was well-loved by the Emperor, and was in the business of selling ranks and titles. He secretly also made peace with the scholars. Indeed, Huang Songs god-grandfather, to put it bluntly, sat on the fence. He befriended both sides and dared not offend them. It if was not so, Feng Jue wouldnt be friends with Huang Song. Huang Song shook his head, but his eyes inevitably turned towards the private room and whispered, Grandfather helped Song find a job earlier on, which found him favor with the guards in the capital city If second brother Feng faces any trouble in Shangjing, please find me and I will help as much as possible. Feng Jue nodded his head silently, acknowledging the favor. I will let second brother know about this. I thank Bogao on behalf of second brother for your goodwill. After sending Huang Song off, Feng Jin finally heaved a sigh of relief and spoke freely, Lanting really shouldnt have come to Shangjing. Even if you had to find a lame excuse, you should have declined. Did Lanting not notice that the Emperor has been finding reasons to summon scholars from various tribes to congregate in Shangjing in recent times? Even those who are holding official positions abroad were ordered to come back I am terrified in my heart Regardless if it was Jiang Pengji, Feng Jin, or Feng Jue, the sons of noblemen and scholars who stayed in Shangjing were hostages. Even though the Emperor hadnt revealed his true purpose, his actions were already causing his subjects to worry. Since we are already here, can we escape overnight? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and snorted mockingly. Before coming to Shangjing, more than one person told me this, but I still came. I am waiting expectantly to see the events unfold. Feng Jin had a headache. He whispered, The imperial guards have some unusual movements. I am afraid someone wants to usurp the throne. Jiang Pengjis eyes sparkled, and her heart became clear with understanding suddenly. The imperial guards were commanded by Army General Fang. He was the royal relative the emperor promoted personally, and was a loyal servant of the emperor. If the imperial guards had any unusual movements, chances were the emperor wanted to subdue the scholarly families and threaten them to surrender their power. Intriguingly, Feng Jin added, Someone may have intentions to usurp the throne. Thus, the movements of the imperial guards were interesting. Usurp the throne? The princes vying for the throne were powerful. There was also Prince Changshou, who became a marqius, and was eyeing the throne. Who was the one intending to usurp the throne? It was hard to predict. In conclusion, this is an act of pursuing short term goals while neglecting long term dangers. Feng Jin had been in Shangjing for some time, and he understood the situation. I am curiousCCwhos the mantis? Whos the cicada? And whos the yellow sparrow? It depends on each of their abilities. Lanting, listen to Jins advice: These days have been peaceful, but prize your safety above all else. After this period passes, the situation will be clearer. Xu Ke heard Feng Jins words. He had a complicated expression on his face. It felt foreboding. After setting up the flag, it wouldnt backfire, right? I know. Jiang Pengji replied as such, but as for how her heart felt, only she knew. The teahouse was owned by Prince Changshou, after all. Even if Jiang Pengji was able to guarantee the secrecy of the conversations, she didnt want to disclose important information at such a location. Feng Jin understood without any words being said. Both had tacit understanding and the conversation ended here. At that moment, Feng Jue returned to the private room. Feng Jin noticed the vexation in his younger brother. His lips were pursed, and he seemed unhappy. Feng Jue did not feel anything. H smiled as he sat down. One must know their ability before saving another. If one overestimates himself, there will be trouble. Did your teacher not teach you this? Father dislikes that you are fooling around with these complex people, but you refuse to listen. Huang Song is not one with pure intentions. You acknowledged him as your brother and nearly got yourself in trouble today. Feng Jin frowned unhappily. He disciplined his brother with a flat tone. If Lanting wasnt present to save you from this predicament, tell me how you were going to resolve it. Feng Jue was not afraid of Feng Jin. He smiled. I feel that Bogao is very sincere, and he is worthy of befriending. Upon hearing that, Feng Jin smiled coldly. Chapter 360 - Happenings in Shangjing (17) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin took a deep breath and asked directly, Your pure nature is to create trouble. Why do you drag yourself down along with him? The na?ve brother needed to grow some wisdom; one couldnt help but worry for him. He was cheated on, and yet he still treated the cheater so well. Huang Song and Fang Pangzi brought men in for a fistfight. Regardless of whether they won or lost, both sides knew their limits and did not cause someones death. However, Huang Song shouted, Brother Jue, quickly come save your older brother. He had intentions to bring in Feng Jue, who was originally just an observer. Feng Jue was only equipped with minimal martial arts ability. To put it bluntly, he could not help with much, except putting himself in danger. What help could he contribute? Feng Jin did not just dislike the fact that Huang Song descended from the eunuchsCChe despised the person even more because he dragged Feng Jue down. Based on the incident, it was enough for Feng Jin to blacklist Huang Song for a lifetime. Feng Jue was silent. Feng Jin coldly said, Dont evade the matter. You should at least answer. Without Lantings help, how were you going to resolve this? Third brother, this is Shangjing. Many hidden talents abound, and will not tolerate your insolence. He grew so angry that his chest hurt at just the thought of Fang Pangzis conditions for the bet. What was even more disappointing was that Feng Jue agreed instantaneously. The child was so disobedient. He should not have been allowed outside. Feng Jue was in a cheery mood and laughed, saying, Second brother, dont be angry. Bogao will not allow anyone to humiliate me. After Feng Jin heard that, he thought of something and his expression became weirdly conflicted. His fingers were trembling, afraid that hed hear some strange words from his own brothers mouth. Jiang Pengji saw that both brothers did not understand each other. She laughed helplessly and coughed, attracting their attention. Huaijie meant that Huang Song has intentions to win him over at the expense of his well-being. He will trick others. For Huaijie to truly believe him, even if Huang Song was humiliated, he would do his utmost to protect Huaijie, Jiang Pengji explained and thereby dispersed the scary thought in Feng Jins mind. A relaxed smile appeared on Feng Jues face. He nodded and said, Exactly. Rather than Huang Song calling for Feng Jue to help, Feng Jue used that as a test for Huang Song to assess his capability and forbearance. Even without Jiang Pengjis help, Feng Jue had the confidence to escape from it. His brother worried excessively. Feng Jins face darkened. Then you shouldnt have dragged Lanting in. If the person you identified wasnt Lanting but some innocent person, what would you have done? Fang Langjun has always been notorious. His actions cannot be assessed by logic. Can you ensure that the situation will be within control? He had created trouble for his brother often. Now even his brothers friend was implicated. Who was the one who taught such an insolent child? Feng Jue blinked his eyes stiffly and smiled slightly, saying, If I did not identify Lantings status, would I have courted trouble? He already pointed it out, so there was no fear. Feng Jin understood his brothers purpose. His heart burned with anger for no reason. Based on that, since he identified Lanting, did he deserve to be ridiculed? You are the son of the Feng family. He is only a descendent of eunuchs Huaijie, what were you trying to do? He knew his brother had a wide circle of friends and their status was unimportant to him. Feng Jin looked down on Huang Songs lowly birth, but Feng Jue declined to comment. That was precisely Huang Songs shortcoming, and one that could not be erased. Even if what Feng Jin said was true, Feng Jue was not pleased that his brother used the status of ones birth to determine everything. As they grew up, their conflicts and division increased. Since Dongqing country was established, the founding Emperor was a slave who escaped. He was once a horse breeder. The Fengs still became his officials, yet I have not heard brother saying anything against this, Feng Jue said mockingly. The present atmosphere became extremely cold. Were the two brothers prepared to fight it out? As the saying went, Dont air your dirty linen in public. The wayward child should be brought home to discipline. Feng Jin controlled his temper in time and regained his usual calm and composed nature. He apologized to Jiang Pengji formally and thought of chastising the disobedient child when he was home. My younger brother was wilful. Lanting has witnessed a joke. Huaiyu, calm down. Huaijie is young and immature. When he is older all will be well. Jiang Pengji was not affected by it at allCCto the extent that she was even fond of Feng Jue. Only, insolent children deserved to be disciplined! They just met, and it was not worth separating on unfriendly terms. After the Feng brothers left, Xu Ke continued to be deep in thought. Jiang Pengji asked him, You are still thinking about Huaiyu and Huaijie? Xu Ke said, Some years back, Feng Langjun and I exchanged some conversations. He did not seem to adhere strictly to family status. Why is it now that Jiang Pengji replied, Firstly, humans change. Huaiyu is a young adult, no longer an immature youth. It is impossible that his views remain unchanged. Secondly, he is not fixated on family status, neither does he look down on those who are not from a scholarly background. He just does not like Huang Song. Xu Ke was stunned for a moment. But just now Xiaoyu, suppose you had a younger brother. This brother of yours is immature and na?ve and needs the protection of his elder brother. One day he meets a gangster. There is nothing likeable about that person, but your brother unfortunately looks up to him. As his elder brother, would your heart be at ease? Jiang Pengji explained. She looked as though she was smiling but not smiling at the same time. That gangster is Huang Song. Xu Ke was speechless. As an only child, he did not understand what a love for younger brother was like. Huaiyu disapproval of Huaijies and Huang Songs friendship is essentially for his brothers benefit. No matter how many advantages Huang Songs god-grandfather gave to the aristocratic families, whether he adopts a neutral position or sits on the fence, as long as the emperor guards against these families, Huang Song and Huaijie will be at opposing ends. What is the point of their close ties? You may know a person, but not his heart. Who knows what Huang Song is really like behind the scenes? Xu Ke was filled with emotions after listening. That being said, Feng Langjun really gave this a lot of thought. However, it is beyond his control that his brother is rebellious. Huaijies perception of Huaiyu is of importance. It may be hard to change. After all Huaiyu does have a bias towards family status. This is a common weakness shared by all rich and well-known people. From an outsiders perspective, contrarily, Huaijie is the oddball. Only, its a pity Jiang Pengji suspiciously said, What is pitiful? The Third Langjuns temper is compatible with yours, Langjun. Both were similar in their rebelliousness. They were born as noble scholars, but did not agree with the ways of the people with similar status. They held on firmly to their beliefs. Pei! We should forget it. If I kidnapped Huaiyus precious brother, would Huaiyu get angry with me? Xu Ke was speechless. He pondered over Feng Jin love for his brother. He felt it was difficult to bring up. Jiang Pengji shopped through the entire night market with Xu Ke. They bought many gifts; both their hands were full, and they even hung some items around their necks. ****** Fang Pangzi, who was hit by Jiang Pengji, was held by his hired thug. He walked home limping. Even before he reached home, he was already in tears and bawling. Father, your son was bullied mercilessly. You have to seek justice for me! Chapter 361 - Happenings in Shangjing (18) Chapter 361: Happenings in Shangjing (18) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Army General Fang got promoted. His money pouch was overflowing once again. He was humming a song and sipped his tea with elegance. He was enjoying himself until he forgot about reality. Suddenly, a cry like it was the end of time blasted in his ears. Bang His hand trembled and the cover of the teapot dropped onto the ground with a resounding Pa! The tea spilled onto his sleeve. What is it, my young ancestor? Army General Fang was on one hand heartbroken that his exquisite tea pot broke, and on the other hand, he had a headache from the whining outside. Indeed, parents had to pay for their childrens debt. Since his son was born, he had a stream of court cases that followed. He despised his son, but also, he was also the paragon of his love. He lifted his head and saw a bruised and battered guy half-rolling, half-crawling outside. It alarmed Army General Fang. GoCCgoCCgo away! What manner of sorcery is this? Army General Fang was afraid, and his neck contracted. He was not to be blamed him for his lack of courage. The person before him had bruises all over, both of his eyes were blueish-black, and below his nostrils two streams of dried blood, akin to small snakes, could be seen. Looking from afar, a strong man, extremely plump, who was supporting his pig head, stood before him. The monster had a familiar voice. Army General Fang was puzzled. Wasnt that his sons voice? FatherCCyour sons heart is so bitter! he wailed. Fang Pangzi struggled to push away the servant who held onto him, and he pitifully crawled towards his father. Presently, Army General Fang could only face the situation head on. Before his eyes stood his unlucky son, who was beaten until he looked like a pigs head. It was indeed his son. My dear child, how did you end up like that? He wanted to hold his sons face and examine where the injuries were. He unknowingly touched a spot that caused Fang Pangzi immense pain, and he made a big fuss such that Army General Fang dared not to touch him anymore. Fang Pangzi was utterly distraught. His tears and mucus became one on his face. Father, it was that wretched Huang Song who bullied me! After hearing that, Army General Fang was profusely angry. He slapped and overturned the tea table. This is outrageous! A eunuchs descendent dare touch my son! Speaking of which, what did Huang Tan, that old eunuch, teach his grandson? Army General Fang was fuming. His son was beaten by a eunuchs grandson. How was he to face the world? Fang Pangzi continued to cry miserably. He used his left hand to wipe his mucus and tears onto his sleeve. Father, it wasnt just Huang Song. There was also another b*stard. Fang Pangzi had always looked down on Huang Song. Their status was on par, yet on what basis could Huang Song be a disciple under a famous scholar? Both had countless conflicts. There were times they won and lost, but suffering such a defeat was the first of such incidents. Besides Huang Song, who else? Army General Fang held a solemn face. His hand, as big as a palm leaf, was full of calluses. That, paired with his tall, sturdy, and obese build, he naturally had a fearsome look even when he was not angry. It was somewhat awe-inspiring But all knew that Army General Fang was of lowly birth, and before he became Marquis Chengen, he was but a vendor who walked the streets. Fang Pangzi replied ambiguously, Theres another guy. I dont know where he came from Army General Fang thought to himself for a while. Even though he loved his son, he wasnt blind. Fang Pangzis reply was doubtful, as if he was trying to hide something. He grew cautious. He resorted to commanding his sons servants, who followed him around, and he questioned them in detail. After questioning them in detail, he almost held his chest and breathed his last. B*stard! Who told you to mess with them? The Fengs from Shangyang were a family that even the Emperor was wary of. Who gave the fellow such audacity? However, the Feng family had gone into reclusion. There was no one representative of them in court now, so technically there was no need to fear them. Army General Fang wasnt as worried about the Feng family as he was about Liu She, who was far off in Chongzhou. Fortunately, his son did not directly bully the son of Liu She. If he had really stripped off his clothes, the whole of Dongqing would have gone into an uproar. Fang Fangzi felt it was unjust. Is it all right for me to be hit by Huang Song for no reason then? Since you were hurt, why did you not hit back? Isnt that your forte? Army General Fang was angry. Fang Pangzi was speechless. He was able to sneak an attack on Huang Song, but he could not fight against and defeat Jiang Pengji. Since you wont stand up for me, I will ask aunt to help me seek justice! Fang Pangzis aunt was the empress herselfCCthe mother of the crown prince. After Army General Fang heard that, he was fuming mad. Outsiders may be oblivious, but surely he knew. His sister was of lowly birth, and she wasnt exceptionally beautiful. Since she gave birth to the crown prince, the Emperors favor towards her had declined. The Emperor was known to be greedy for beauties and lustful. There was no lack of young and gorgeous women beside him. The ageing empress was as good as transparent in the Emperors harem. If the Emperor did not need to maintain foreign relations, and since the crown prince was still alive, the empress wouldve been dethroned long ago. Stop! This rebellious son! Come back! Army General Fang opened his palm, which was as big as a palm leaf, and pulled his son back single-handedly, preventing him from seeking an audience with the empress. I cannot swallow this injustice! Fang Pangzi was struggling. He just gave up and sat on his buttocks in the end. He stretched forth both his legs and threw a tantrum. You dont love me anymore! Army General Fang held back his emotions until his face turned maroon. He was provoked to his wits end, and yet his heart ached for his son. He could only redress his injustice by being shameless and going to the Emperor. Unfortunately, Fang Pangzi did not react fast enough. The punk Huang Song was very cunning. He knew the matter was not easily settled and went to rant pitifully before his god-grandfather. He told him the whole truth clearly, and both grandfather and grandson finalized the plan to pre-empt the Emperor in advance and have Fang Pangzi take the blame. As mentioned before, compared to a well-fed, royal relative, in the depths of the Emperors heart, he valued eunuchs more. It seemed like a small issue in his eyes. Wasnt it normal for two young people to have conflicts? Secretary Huang just gave the Emperor a prophylactic shot, which was followed by Army General Fang lodging a complaint. That made Secretary Huang unhappy. With regards to deciphering the Emperors desire, how could Army General Fang be compared to Huang Tan, who served by the Emperors side? In conclusion, both father and son of the Fangs suffered setbacks and were disheartened. Huang Song gained a small victory through the incident. His little companion Feng Jue wasnt so lucky. Feng Jin did not stir up a big quarrelCCneither did he scold profusely. He, instead, stared coldly at others and stressed them psychologically. Under the pressure of his cold stare, Feng Jue gradually felt uneasy sitting down. Whats so good about Huang Song? Their hot tea became cold. Only then did Feng Jin slowly say, We all know that the nine prefectures and five countries are unable to satisfy young men. We dont know when the world will turn into an upheaval where super powers will arise. But tell your brotherCCwhat qualities does Huang Song have to contend with? Most importantly, what qualities did Huang Song have that made Feng Jue think highly of him? My brother, to be independent and to rely on yourself is better in the future than to invest in Huang Song, he continued. In terms of human network, Huang Songs god-grandfather was only a eunuch, who had more political enemies than friends. With regards to money and possessions, Huang Tan did earn a lot of money from selling official titles and positions of nobility. Otherwise, he wouldnt have the resources to buy Huang Song an official position at such a high price But did the Feng family lack money? Comparing official titles, Huang Song was in charge of the patrol in Shangjing, but that was bought at a high price. It sounded awe-inspiring, and the job was akin to a law enforcement officer, but he was only overseeing the small issues. How about possession of allocated lands where they were lords? That matter did not have to be considered. Feng Jue initially wanted to brush it off, but Feng Jin will not let him off easily. Feng Jue felt helpless and could only say, His disposition, aspirations, and how he reads people As well as his ability to manage them. Chapter 362 - Happenings in Shangjing (19) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Network, money, possessions, official posts, and land From Feng Jues point of view, all of those things were material possessions. If well-managed, one would have them. Ones lowly starting point did not determine defeat from the outset. If a loyal person was brainless, even if he earned a mountain of wealth as vast as the sea, he would lose it all eventually. Conversely, if one was a heaven-sent, capable companion, even if he was poor and had nothing, he would succeed in the end. Feng Jue understood the theory deeply, so when he chose people, he didnt look at their status, but rather their temperament and ability. Seeing that Feng Jue wanted a deep and detailed conversation, Feng Jin collected the negative thoughts in his heart and put them away. Instead, he adopted an objective, positive point of view. How so? Feng Jue replied, Your brother has tested Bogao multiple times. Other than his shortcoming of being born of lowly status, he does not have others. He has a heart that desires for the country to be stable and peaceful. He is compassionate to the people and not fixated on choosing people based on their status. He is not stubborn or full of himself Your brother feels he is a good person. The world was rotten at its core. The only way forward was to do away with the old and establish new practices. One needed to consolidate all the powers and reassign them. They needed to seize the opportunity when the world was messed up to put a charismatic Emperor on the throneCCone who had a heart for his people. In that way, true prosperity would descend. Otherwise, the world would only have a change in family name. Feng Jue through it thoroughly. Feng Jin understood the cry of his heart, but still laughed coldly and was unapologetically sarcastic to his younger brother. Presently, Huang Song has nothing. As for what his true nature is like, one cannot be sure. Other than his glib tongue, what else does he have? Once he discovers what you like, what can he not say? Feng Jin was frustrated in his heart. Even if Huang Song was genuinely a good candidate, it should not have been determined so early. He should at least be tested and observed in detail. You mentioned multiple qualities in Huang Song. From what I see, he is nowhere close to how dependable Lanting is. Feng Jue frowned at that. Although his elder brother spoke of Jiang Pengji often, such high praises coming from him was rare. Elder brother thinks highly of him? Feng Jue asked. Despite having differing viewpoints, he trusted his brothers foresight. The person surely had no flaws if he could be acknowledged by Feng Jin, who was a fussy person. Feng Jue did not know Liu Xi well. Abandoning his personality and nature, however, his external qualities indeed far exceed that of Huang Songs. He came from an aristocratic family; his father was Liu She of Chongzhou, who was stable and had a territory under his control. Chongzhou was near the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. The terrain was arduous, and it was near powerful enemies. However, it was a place where he could settle down in peace and lay his foundations. Moreover, Liu Xi once went to Langye to study for three years. That was a well-known, elite academy throughout the world. Regardless of his grades at the academy, after three years, he accumulated knowledge Perhaps not to the extent of being omniscient, but he was surely superior to Huang Song, who was not well-learned. When both were placed together for comparison, Huang Song had no ability to contend based on external qualities. Feng Jin had a blank expression, he finally realized his brother had another layer to his question. He then shook his head after a while. Lanting does not have such lofty aspirations. It is impossible Liu Xi was indeed good in every aspect except in being a female. Feng Jin was not restrained by arcane customs, but he never considered a female ascending the throne before. It was unimaginable. Feng Jue sensed that his elder brother was lying, but he understood Feng Jins viewpoint. Time will reveal the true nature of a person. It is best to be cautious in matters that could endanger your own life and the lives of your family members. Feng Jins expression became much more amicable. He counseled his younger brother, I advised you against it, not because I am bias towards Huang Song. My wish is that you will take this matter very seriously and reconsider carefully. The world is in an utter mess. It is too early to devise strategies. Why not sit on the fence and wait for the opportune moment? To put it plainly, it was too early to choose a side. Feng Jue pursed his thin lips tightly. He clenched his fists, which were resting on his knees, and struggled in his heart. Despite all this, if you consider Huang Song worthy of befriending, then treat him as an acquaintance and dont get too involved. Ones problems should be solved with wisdom, not just brute force. His younger brother was an obstinate, insolent child. The more Feng Jin stopped him, the more inclined he was to do something out of extreme angerCCsuch as standing at Huang Songs side, completely refusing to budge. Rather than reaching that state, it was better they both make compromises. By getting to know one another as equals, Feng Jue would have more time to assess Huang Song as a person and carefully consider his future. Your younger brother understands. Feng Jue sighed softly. His friendship with Huang Song was not intimate. His elder brother was of more importance. As both brothers continued talking, a series of slow but heavy footsteps, which were still a distance away, drifted in from outside. After a while, a gentle female voice was heard. What is my husband and my brother-in-law talking about that is so intriguing? Many years had passed. Wei Jingxian, who was Feng Jins wife, was no longer young and inexperienced. She possessed eyes that were gentle and soft, and was full of a mature womans charm. She was heavily pregnant. Her face was rounder, and compared to before, she had the appearance of a rich lady. Her pregnancy was arduous, but she was mentally strong. The servants took good care of her. She appeared to have more energy. Feng Jin looked at her baby bump. He discreetly raised his brows and hurriedly stepped forward to hold her. He was afraid whenever he saw the big baby bump. He often felt his whole body getting heavier, and he inevitably became nervous mentally. Second sister-in-law, please control second brother. Feng Jue half-bowed and waited until Feng Jin and his wife sat down before he sat down again. He whined with half-truths. Second brother and I havent seen each other for a while. We should be catching up, but he doesnt want to let me off with my studies and wants to test what I have learned Wei Jingxian held onto her handkerchief, covered her mouth, and smiled. My husband often remarks that you are naturally intelligent. It is highly possible that you will pass his test. You really know how to speak. Your words are pleasing to my ears. Unlike my second brother, who disciplines me continuously Feng Jin shot a look at him and both brothers exchanged eye contact multiple times. As they grew up, Feng Jin and Feng Jues relationship slowly became strained. Wei Jingxian discovered not long after she married into the family that she could not comment because of her status, and could only help to mediate between them. I have prepared some dishes to go along with wine. Will you and your brother give me some face and try them? You are heavily pregnant! Please assign these small matters to the servants. You dont have to do it yourself, Feng Jin earnestly repeated, but whether Wei Jingxian agreed to follow was not something he could decide. They enjoyed tea and wine together with the well-cooked dishes, and temporarily forgot what happened earlier. Feng Jue secretly looked at his second sister-in-law, who was very pregnant, then he looked at his second brother, who discreetly frowned. His heart was softened. He would follow what his brother said and sit on the fence to observe the situation. The sky was dark. Feng Jue stayed in the guest room. Feng Jin and his wife prepared for bed, too. Before going to sleep, Feng Jin remembered something. We should prepare a gift for the marriage between the fourth prince and the Lius daughterCCfor formality and personal reasons Wei Jingxian rubbed her baby bump, and hadnt reacted yet. Feng Jin then said, The daughter of Liu manor is Lantings sister. Even though they were not blood relatives, Feng Jin and Liu Xi were good friends. He was also an acquaintance of Wuma Jun, so he should prepare a gift. Lanting? Wei Jingxian hadnt heard that name in a long time. She looked puzzled. She is here in Shangjing? Chapter 363 - Happenings in Shangjing (20) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Since his father could not put down his work at Liuzhou stable, as his second legitimate son, it is only right for Lanting to send his sister off in marriage. Feng Jin turned around and sighed. Only he shouldnt come Hell only implicate himself in this messy situation. It is unknown if hell be able to escape unscathed Wei Jingxian did not answer for a long time. He stretched his hand to caress her belly and mumbled, Did the child disturb you again? They had been married for three years. Hence, he understood Wei Jingxians obstinate temper. Many months back, when she was early in her pregnancy, her feet frequently cramped at night. She didnt want to disturb his sleep; rather, she clenched her teeth and bore with it. Feng Jin loved, yet feared her. Their relationship had steadily reached greater heights. No, no I just recalled this incident and some emotions filled my heart. Past incidents? Feng Jin rarely heard his wife speak of her life before marriage. He asked with a smile, Is it related to Lanting? Wei Jingxian secretly bit her lip and looked troubled. She was unaware that Feng Jin already knew that Liu Xi was a girl. Even if Feng Jin and Liu Xi were friends, it was a fact that she was once betrothed and bound to the marriage agreement from a young age Wei Jingxian couldnt get a feel for Feng Jins attitude, so she evaded speaking of Liu Xi at all. Wei Jingxian hesitated despite her monotonous and calm tone. En, there is some relation. I love eating, which explains my fully rounded figure. I am somewhat plump, but I am unable to quiet my heart. My desire to avoid the maids and ladies when I was young was tempting. One day, when everyone wasnt looking, I mischievously climbed up the pear tree outside the courtyard, but I couldnt get down. I cried for a long time Feng Jin laughed heartily. What happened next? Perhaps children have the same interests by nature. The servants at home were searching for me, but Lanting actually found me. I was afraid the elders in my family would punish me I refused to let her find an adult for help, but I also didnt dare to climb down the tree. We reached a dead-end. She offered to be my cushion. If I fell, she would be responsible Wei Jingxians face broke into a playful smile. You must have been really cute when you were young Did you land safely? Since she had a fully rounded figure, when she jumped down, the impact on Liu Xi was great. He thought of the scenario and found it funny. Wei Jingxian said, I was fine, but Lanting sprained some things. Feng Jin controlled his laughter. He quipped playfully, If thats the case, we should prepare a generous gift for Lanting tomorrow to express our gratitude for her gracious act. Wei Jingixan was stunned. She originally thought Feng Jin was angry, but his voice had no traces of anger. She probed him, Is my husband jealous? Feng Jin asked cunningly, Why should I be jealous? Getting jealous over a woman Was Feng Jin such a narrow-minded person? That was wrong! It dawned on Feng Jin, who was intelligent, that both did not have a common understanding. He helplessly laughed. Wei Jingxian was confused. She wondered what she said that was funny. Go and sleep. It is rare for the child to not disturb you. Sleep well. Feng Jin wiped away his residual smile and didnt explain anything to Wei Jingxian. Both did not speak anymore, and they gradually descended into dreamland. Shangjing at present went into a panic at the slightest move. The people were ignorant of any inside information; they continued their everyday lives as if they were living in a time of peace and prosperity. The infighting between the rich did not bother them Only those with sharp and acute senses were able to discover what was going on behind the peaceful fa?ade. Before Wuma Juns wedding, a crack, naked to the human eye, appeared amid the calm environment. Contrary to the wedding of Princess An Yina and the Second Prince, the wedding at hand was a joyous occasion for Dongqings royal family. The wedding of a royal family member drew a lot of people to the live streaming room to watch. Wahaha Niunai: #rubsface. The streamers sister is getting married, but I am nervous. Its as if I am the one getting married. Yingyang Kuaiqian: I agree with the above. I am also nervous. When the Second Prince got married previously, the streamer did not attend. The bride of the wedding is the streamers sister, and she will get to witness for herself what the royal weddings in ancient times are like. Her seeing it is like us seeing it. The dimension the audience members were in was not ruled by kingdoms any longer. The terms royal family and average commoners were foreign to them. It was solely based on imagination; they could not envision what a royal wedding ceremony looked like or how extensive it would be. As her sister was preparing to get married, Jiang Pengji kept a low profile. She spent most of the time cooped up in the mansion. She only went out for visitations on rare occasions and mostly visited Liu Shes official friends. They had superficial conversations that had little value. It felt like the calm before the storm. As the wedding day drew nearer, the entire atmosphere in Shangjing became increasingly strange. At dawn on the wedding day, Jiang Pengji turned on the live stream and 150,000 audience members flooded in. Taxue meticulously helped Jiang Pengji wash up, then helped her put on her wedding apparel. She took a glimpse at the bullet screen of the live streaming room. Her lips broke into a vague smile. Streamer V: Am I handsome? Her fans replied as soon as she posted the bullet screen. The comment warranted differing values of rewards, which came flooding in as if a dam broke loose. Her carefree nature and handsome appearance superseded that of the grooms attire and hairstyle. She held her sandalwood fan in her hands and prepared to make things difficult for the groom. Such was the wedding custom in Dongqing. If the groom wanted to marry the bride, he has to undergo 81 hardships. The audience in the streaming room termed it gate crash. However, compared to the insults expressed by the audience in the live streaming room, the quarrels in Jiang Pengjis generation were very civilized and dangers abounded. Jiang Pengji chose a good angle. The audience in the live streaming room watched with much anticipation. Doraemon: It feels like all the bachelors are in the era the streamer is in. They are destined to be single for their entire lives. There were many obstacles. The grooms musical talents, chess skills, reading, and painting proficiency were all assessed. The groom had to compose poems, as well as showcase his literacy and calligraphy skills. They also tested on a foreign topic from the subset of annals and classics collection As Wuma Jun was a prince, the test was prepared beforehand, and he could spot the questions and strategize. Regardless of how difficult the questions were, he could easily solve them. Wuma Jun got through the various obstacles in high-spirits. His unique disposition and proficient literary skills earned him much favor. Each time he successfully finished a level, someone cheered him on, and people poured forth praises generously. Those who did not know him thought Wuma Jun was the reincarnation of Wen Quxing. Jiang Pengji oversaw the last level. Behind her stood an extravagant and well-decorated apartment, where they would get married. Only by gaining permission from Jiang Pengji could Wuma Jun marry the bride. This moment was the most anticipated moment of the wedding ceremony. Lanting, please give us your blessings. Wuma Jun was not interested in Liu Huan. She was too young, and her bones had not fully formed. What charm did she have? She had a powerful father He had no choice but to marry her. Chapter 364 - Happenings in Shangjing (21) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji briefly nodded her head and took a deep breath. She said with a heavy heart, My sister is pampered at home, and is inevitably willful. After Zhengzhe marries her, please be patient with her. The auspicious hour is approaching. I do not want to create trouble. Please just promise me this one thing: For the rest of your lives, treat her as when you first met. In wealth or in poverty, dont forget your love for her. If you give me your word, as her older brother, I will be comforted. Wuma Jun solemnly bowed with respect and said, Please rest assured, Lanting. I will not let her down for the rest of my life. That is good. Jiang Pengji turned around. Her eyes were filled with a sadness, as if she were reluctant to part with her sister. Wuma Jun was secretly happyCChe had made it through that hurdle. Even though she did not ask difficult questions or make things hard for Wuma Jun, the sense of concern for her sisters marriage touched the hearts of many. One could not help but gasp discreetly. A lot of sincerity was given to the thought. It was perfectly normal for someone to dislike his brother-in-law. However, to deliberately make things difficult for his brother-in-law would not bring his sister any happiness. Her brother-in-law was magnanimous, and naturally would not bother Jiang Pengji with his antics. If her brother-in-law was narrow-minded, it could indirectly affect his sister. The marriage ceremony was already conducted thus far. There was no room to go back on his vows. Despite how demanding his brother-in-law was, his sister already belonged to him, her husband. Rather than racking her brain to create trouble, it was better to advise her brother-in-law sincerely. In such a tricky scenario, Jiang Pengjis caring brother image stood out. The audience in the live streaming room saw the scene and could not help but feel a wave of internal disgust. Laosiji Lianmeng: Hahaha. If I didnt know any inside information, I may have been fooled by the streamers acting. Since when was he a good brother? The fellow was heartless, all right! Wodemai Youshengyinma: Even though I know it is fake, I give 82 points for the streamers acting just now. The remaining will be given a 666 manner. Despite knowing that she was dramatizing it, I feel she is still a good brother, wanting the best for her sister. She cannot bear for her sister to marry, but has to deal with her heartache and wish only the best for her. She sees how, before her very eyes, an outsider is taking her intelligent and pampered sister away. Tingdedao Shengyinbu: Pei, your imagination is too much. The streamer clearly wears an innocent skin, but is truthfully a hypocrite. With your imagination, she appears to have a deep, affectionate love for her sister. It is shameless I actually believe in what was said. Jiang Pengji ignored the massive outcry on the bullet screen. Her pupils were in a daze, and she was unwilling to let go upon seeing the bride, Liu Huan, being led out. The marriage gown in Dongqing was different from the ones the audience in the live streaming room knew of. Even though the color theme was an auspicious red color, the groom wore black-colored attire. The bridal gown was mainly green and dark purple. There were many layers to the gown, and the colors went from within to without, and from light to dark. The marriage gowns were strictly categorized according to ones statusCCthus the stark difference in the twos attire. The empress was the most honorable, and her gown had eighteen layers. The color and design of each layer were strictly regulated. Liu Huan was the legal wife of the prince. Her marriage gown was only one rung below the empress and crown princess. It was comparable to ones that royalty and nobles wore, and had twelve layers. At present, the phoenix coronet and robes of rank that the audience in the live streaming room were familiar with were absent. They also did without the red veil for the bride. However, as Liu Huan carefully walked out, Jiang Pengji clearly saw the bullet screen in the live streaming room become a large exclamation mark. Hairpins, dangling accessories worn by women, hair ornaments of gold There were twelve of each item. Her hair was as dark as ink and was tied up high, held in place by an exquisite jade crown. The jade was carved as a beautiful flower, and was placed amid her hair. It looked like it came to life and was like a real flower just picked from the tree. Her entire head accessory was made of jade and could dazzle anyone. Some fashionable audience members could not resist taking a screenshot of the design. They zoomed in on Liu Huans head accessory. Every piece they identified sparked a nostalgic feeling in their hearts. Finally, an audience member spoke up with emotion. How is this a marriage? This is simply a matter of putting the most expensive objects on ones head. OnlyCCit looks so good! Yingyang Kuaixian: I feel like replicating this wedding ceremony. I wonder if Taoniang will push for a luxurious wedding package after today. If so, it is mandatory to bring ones boyfriend along, and these items are of more value than a westernized wedding. Tingdedao Shengyinbu: En, Taoniang is all powerful. After young Xu Kes wedding, a wedding shop owned by Taoniang immediately advertised a similar wedding package. On average, there were 40,000 to 50,000 packages sold. Such is its demand Jiang Pengjis saw the content on the bullet screen from the corner of her eye. Her brows were raised for a moment. Businessmen were indeed particular. Their business acumen was so accurate. Laosiji Lianmeng: That wedding company? The basic package demands 9,999 yuan. I saw the customers screenshot, and it was hilarious. A customer commented on their product satisfaction Look at Xu Ke and Xunmei, who look so compatible, and who enjoy every moment together. This is for couples to pit themselves against each other. At that, the audience started in with their insults. Putaojiazi Daole: I agree with what Laosiji said above. Do you know how expensive the accessory on the streamers sisters head is? I am in the field, and considering the market price now. It goes by the billionsCCat least three carats and above. How can Taoniangs counterfeit goods, which cost a few dollars, be compared to the effect of wearing one that costs billions? This is only a head accessory, and is not considered part of the tailor-made wedding gown Even so, there were still audience members with itchy hands who went to search Taoniang. After the input of keywords, many pages of information surfaced. Unbeknownst to Jiang Pengji, the mysterious live streaming room, in their own dimensions, also experienced a big crisis, which thereby gave rise to various start-ups Of course, when people became rich, they did not forget to give back to Jiang Pengji as a token of appreciation. The live streaming room was full of noise. Jiang Pengji saw the bullet screens too often. She decided to block it for a while and held on to Liu Huan, who reached her hands out to her. You are henceforth going to marry into the royal family. You must live well. If you face any grievances, you must tell me, your brother Jiang Pengji said sentimentally. She sounded like she was choking up with emotions, and was very reluctant to part with her sister. Others listened and were deeply moved. Liu Huan was wary, but also knew that it was not a good time to burn bridges. She just bowed respectfully to Jiang Pengji. Her eyes were filled with tears. Brother Take care Compared to Jiang Pengji, the king of actors at the Oscar awards, Wuma Jun and Liu Huan would, at most, only win the new actor and actress award. Their acting ability was weak and could be seen through. Moreover, Jiang Pengji was, at present, at the height of her acting. Liu Huan was not focused, and so the contrast of acting skills between them was stark. The marriage ceremony in the royal family was different from that amongst commoners. If it was between average people, the proceedings would have been lengthened. Since Wuma Jun was a prince, he had all the advantages and easily invited the bride, Liu Huan, up into his luxurious carriage, which eight people carried. He then got up on the horse in high spirits. Even though the marriage ceremony was not as extensive as Princess An Yinas wedding, the dowries were the hot topic of the people in Shangjing. Ten miles of red dowries It lived up to its name. There was a banquet of hundreds of tables at the fourth princes mansion. They served fresh seafood, many delicacies, and there was a dazzling line up of expensive and unique dishes. Although the culinary scene in ancient times was not as advanced as the era where the live streaming room was, their ingredients were more than enough. In the more advanced era, wild animals were protected. There were animals protected by the country, and animals that were protected worldwide But in the current era, as long as it was edible, all food could be served and complemented with the chefs careful cooking. He beautified the food with many carvings, which made them come to life. It was extravagance at its maximum. A hundred tables of celebration overflowed with delicacies. Jiang Pengji was representative of the brides family, and was a respected guest. However, from the start of the wedding banquet until sunset, throughout the customs the newlyweds had to observe, her expression was never calm nor relaxed. Chapter 365 - Happenings in Shangjing (21) Chapter 365: Happenings in Shangjing (21) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Are you reluctant to part with the second niangzi? Xu Ke had already broken away from the class of rabbles. He got himself a seat in the corner as Liu Xis right-hand man, and ate delicious food. Upon seeing Jiang Pengjis somewhat unpleasant facial expression, he was afraid that she would do something against the rules, so he secretly sounded her out. Why do I have to be reluctant? Jiang Pengji looked askance at him and continued, I just remembered a past event. A few years ago, Shangjing was this lively when the second prince married the princess of the Northern Borderline. It was a world of ice and snow, but hundreds of tables were set up and many guests were invited. Hence, the atmosphere was lively Thinking about it now, the scene today is actually highly similar to it Xu Ke stayed silent. Of course, he knew what had occured that year. There was a severe snowstorm in Shangjing, but the marriage of the second prince and the princess of the Northern Borderline was still very festive. Hundreds of tables for the banquet were set up for nine days and nine nights. However, people hardly ate the food In a world of ice and snow, the food was bad because it had turned cold. Not far away, there were commoners who starved to death. The back door of the residence of the second prince was full of dumped food, which filled up buckets and buckets of swill It would be weird if his Langjun felt happy while thinking about such things. The hundred-table banquet was originally intended to be joyfulCCto celebrate the wedding with the people and congratulate the newlyweds. In fact, the commoners could not even get close, let alone sit at a table. Langjun, today is the red-letter day of the second niangzi. Even if you Xu Ke sighed and trailed off. You should look happy Xu Ke suddenly lost his appetite after being interrupted in such a way. Like Xu Ke, the groom had no appetite, either. He drank two glasses of wine as a courtesy. Wuma Jun entered the bridal chamber, reeking of alcohol. It was already night time. However, looking at the bride, who had a young appearance and a bony figure, he did not have the slightest bit of excitement for sex. The servant girl helped Liu Huan wash off her makeup and remove the heavy headdress. Without the cover of heavy makeup, she looked even more immature and young. Even if her facial features were beautiful, she was still a young beauty at first glance, and she would have an unlimited potential in the future. However, Liu Huan was still too young and looked like an unripe fruit. How could he eat it? Wuma Jun was not willing in his heart, but it was wedding procedure. If the groom did not want to have sex with the bride on their wedding night, it would humiliate the bride. If Liu Huans maiden found out about it, many rumors could spread. Liu Huan glanced at her husband timidly. She suddenly became so shy that her face was flushed. Wuma Jun was not a gentleman, but he was still very handsome and could deceive ignorant, young girls. Both of them drank the nuptial wine. Even though the alcohol content of the wine was low, Liu Huan felt that her head was a little groggy, as if she was walking on cotton. Her head felt light and fluttery Wuma Jun secretly frowned and pursed his lips even more tightly. According to royal customs, some drugs, which were used to jazz things up, would be added into the nuptial wine to help the newlyweds overcome their shyness and strangeness and enter the bridal chamber comfortably. Liu Huan could not taste it, but Wuma Jun, who was a veteran and had messed with all kinds of women, could taste it. Wuma Jun said thoughtfully, You must be hungry. Well go to bed after you eat something. Although Liu Huan was young, she had a youthful tang in her. He would not be the one at loss, anyway. Liu Huans ears felt hot. She nodded shyly and secretly tightened her grip around the bottle in her sleeve. She asked someone to ferret out the bottle in Huijuns room. Huijun was secretive and valued the bottle very much. The paranoid Liu Huan thought that Huijun used it to harm her, but it was said to be a pregnancy aid pill after it was examined by a physician. Liu Huan did not believe it and secretly asked a few other physicians to examine it. The same conclusion was obtained. The pill was harmless to the human body, and it contained a lot of precious herbs to aid pregnancy in women! Liu Huan did not want to use it at first, but she could not help but feel attracted to it. After that, she secretly grinded some herbal powder and mixed it into her food. It was then given to a woman who was doing menial jobs after it had changed hands several times. The woman did not have any children after being married for three years and was detested by her husband. She had a bleak status in her family. Liu Huan ordered her trusted servant girl to secretly bribe a cook, and instructed him to defile the woman at night in secret. She was pregnant after a month! All of that had happened when she was on her way to Shangjing for her marriage. She did things secretly and cautiously, so no suspicion was raised. Liu Huan was determined to grab hold of her husbands heart. In order to have a footing in the residence of the fourth prince, she definitely regarded having children as an important matter. She had already secretly taken the pregnancy aid pill when she had breakfast earlier that morning. She had also asked someone to send some food to Huijun. As a result, she believed she could give birth to a son before Huijun. Liu Huan and Wuma Jun ate something and she asked lovingly, Its getting late. Do you want to go to bed? Perhaps the nuptial wine had started to take effect. Wuma Jun felt hot from head to toe. He nodded and carried her to bed. After some time, the medicinal properties in Wuma Juns body had reduced. He got up and ordered his servant to prepare a hot bath. He looked at Liu Huan, who was sleeping in his arms, and had a somewhat disgusting, tear-stained expression on his face. He secretly pouted. Her bony figure was like that of a man. Your Highness, Ill assist you while you bathe. Wuma Jun just happened to feel that the wedding night was extremely boring. Suddenly, a refreshing fragrance assailed his nose, causing him to tighten his abdomen. He listened to the voice carefully, and it stirred up some emotions in his heart. It felt tingly and shook one to the core. Okay. Come in Wuma Jun answered in a slurry manner. A slender figure came from behind the curtain with a basin of water. Her footsteps were light and graceful. She was dressed in clean and neat clothes, and her hair was not overly ornamented. She was like a lovely lotus standing in the breeze. However, her seductive eyes seemed to be able to take ones soul away. Her plump lips were red without putting on lipstick, making people feel tempted to have a taste of them. Whats your name? She seemed to have been confused by the sudden question. She lowered her head and answered timidly, Im Huijun. What a nice name. Wuma Jun could not help but stare at her voluptuous breasts. He asked, Are you a servant girl in the residence? No. Im the second niangzis I mean the fourth princesss servant girl. I accompanied her here She spoke while biting her lower lip when she mentioned the last part. The servant girl that accompanied the bride to her husbands home also had an obligation to serve the man of the house. Wuma Juns eyes lit up when he heard what she said. However, he was a hypocrite. He could not immediately carry her off and do something to her. Instead, he asked while acting aloof, Why havent I seen you? Huijun replied, Tonight is wedding night of Your Highness and the fourth princess. Wuma Jun was in a slightly bad mood when that was mentioned. However, thinking about the dazzling beauty in front of him, his lower abdomen could not help but tighten. Come over and assist me while I bathe. Yes, Your Highness! Huijun soaked a cloth with hot water. She was just about to help him wipe his back when he suddenly grabbed her wrist. Wuma Jun only felt that he was holding a soft, boneless hand. Her skin was even more delicate and smoother than a shelled egg. The two of them grew closer. The refreshing fragrance on the tip of his nose became even more distinct. Your Your Highness Huijun was in a flurry and did not know what to do. She looked like she wanted to struggle, but how could she escape from his grip with her strength? Chapter 366 - Happenings in Shangjing (23) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wuma Jun did not pretend to be a gentleman. He immediately dragged her to the bathtub, engulfing Huijuns noise and protests. He only knew of the wonderful feeling that the combination of yin and yang was producing that night. Even his soul was shuddering. He seemed to be infinitely energetic. He turned Huijun back and forth, and he just could not have enough fun. He was aching to die on top of her. At the first glimmer of dawn, he could only regretfully cuddle her tired body and kiss her. He sighed, lamenting that the beautiful night was too short. Huijun laid in his arms like a puddle of water. She looked worn out, but she was not that tired physically. She even felt great. It was not until then that she understood why her Langjun said that he could make her an enchantress that could destroy the country. She was a prostitute, but she was like a virgin the night before. She had even deceived Wuma Jun, who was a veteran. She was supposed to be disgusted with sex, but after the clouds had scattered, she only felt pleasant from head to toe. It was as if she was invigorated. It was supposed to be a beautiful night for Your Highness and the princess last night But we fooled around instead. If the princess finds out about it Huijun frowned, suddenly distressed. Her eyes seemed to carry thousands of unspeakable words. Wuma Jun replied, Dont worry. Its right and proper for you to serve me. If shes jealous, then shes narrow-minded. Huijun was still worried, but she nodded obediently. Looking at her, the fire in Wuma Juns heart rekindled. He could not help but lay his hands all over her. In the past, he felt that An Yina was great. Her tricks made him feel like he was in paradise. She was bold and unrestrained during sex; she suited him very well. Thinking about it now, Princess An Yina was like a torn pocket that leaked wind in all directions when compared to the dazzling beauty in front of him. The taste that once fascinated him made him nauseous. Huijun made him impatient and ignited his fire by doing nothing. If she was willing to give in a little and coordinate with him, with some gentle words, he would be in heaven. As expected, the two of them could not help but fool around again. Late in the morning, Liu Huan woke up from her sweet dream, but the spot beside her was already cold. She asked eagerly, supporting her fatigued body, Wheres His Royal Highness? The trusted servant girls around her looked ghastly and knelt down one after another. They did not dare to tell her the truth. Liu Huan had a bad feeling in her heart. When she received news that Wuma Jun had given the largest courtyard apart from the main courtyard to Huijun, her livid face almost crumpled into a ball. She broke her nails that had just grown. She immediately flipped the tables around her furiously. Clinks and clanks were heard all around the building. There were still 100 tables set up around the palace. On the wedding night, the groom was supposed to act lovey-dovey with the bride. Wuma Jun, however, could not stop having sex with an exceedingly beautiful woman. Although Wuma Jun had issued a gag order, the inner chambers for women were different from other places. How could they have been stopped by just an order? After the third day, the news about Wuma Juns favoritism towards Huijun had spread. Comments about Huijuns appearance had also been spread everywhere by garrulous people. Jiang Pengji got the news first-hand. She couldnt help but admire Huijuns effeciency in cutting the knot. She had seduced Wuma Jun on his wedding night She was extremely efficient. However, the audience in the streaming room whined when they heard the news. Laosiji Lianmeng: A good, moist cabbage was destroyed by a pig. Toudu Feiqiu: The goddess in my heart has been destroyed. Im crying! Ermai Dianliuyin: Damn. Hes a boar. My heart aches so much. Linglong Baomisuo: Although I knew that such a day would come, I still feel like I cant breathe. My goddess was ruined by Wuma Jun. The b*stard! I somewhat hate the streamer now. Huijun, my goddess. My heart aches From heartaches, whining, and lovelorn, to criticizing Jiang Pengji, the bullet screens contained everything. Jiang Pengji only comforted them insincerely. There was an even bigger uproar among the audience in the streaming room. Wuma Jun had already fallen into the trap. It would soon be the Emperors turn. Based on what Jiang Pengji knew, the Emperor was absurd and unruly. Not only did he search for beauties to fill his harem, but he also had his eyes on the wives and mistresses of the ministers. He had not forcefully snatched the wives of the ministers just once or twice Every time he went to the ministers residences to have a casual conversation, he would sleep with the ministers wives. After the wedding, married women would go back to their maiden homes for a visit. However, Liu She was not available. That was just a formality. Wuma Jun was initially in great trepidation, for fear that Jiang Pengji would be unhappy that he did not treat Liu Huan well. However, after a long time, Jiang Pengji had no reaction at all. Wuma Jun asked his scoundrel friends to sound her out. The news he received made him heave a long sigh of relief. Daughters were thrown out like a pail of water when they got marriedCCnot to mention that Liu Huan was just Liu Xis stepsister. Affairs between couples were discussed behind closed doors. His brother-in-law could not intervene in his private affairs. With such a guarantee, Wuma Jun treated Liu Huan like a guest. Behind her back, he would hang out with Huijun and abandon himself to pleasures. Huijun slowly revealed her aggressive side. Wuma Jun wanted to drown in her. He liked everything about her, including her character. When they had sex, he even loved her aggressiveness Masochism was formed like that. Under his generous favoritism, although Huijun was not the fourth princess, she lived an even more comfortable life than Liu Huan. She was like a precious flower that was carefully watered. She grew fresher and prettier day by day. It made Liu Huan seem like she was jealous and insidious. In just half a months time, she had completely seduced Wuma Jun, and had a footing in the residence of the fourth prince. Liu Huan could not do anything about it. She became more and more jealous day by day. She wanted to do something to Huijun, but she was cunning like a loach. Wuma Jun even protected her. As the official fourth princess, she seemed more like a shameless concubine She was so angry that her stomach hurt when she thought about it. I cant even do anything to her. Do I just let this slut climb to the top and act wildly? Liu Huan twisted her scarf angrily. Except for their wedding night, Wuma Jun had never even stayed overnight in her chamber. As the princess, she had no reason to stop Wuma Jun from seeking pleasure and producing descendants. However, she could not stand watching her husband mess around with other women. Moreover, she was a lowly woman. Liu Huan could not stomach such an insult. Liu Huan resented them in secret. If only I could chase this woman out rightfully and properly However, what reason could she use to chase her out? It would leave Wuma Jun baffled. She was possessed by the thought and could not sleep the whole night. One day, she was called into the palace to meet the empress. She suddenly had an evil plan when she saw the flowerlike imperial maids. In Dongqing, who else had more rights than the Emperor? If she secretly matched Huijun with the Emperor, would Huijun be able to mess around with her husband? Even Jiang Pengji did not expect that the opportunity for Huijun to meet the Emperor would come from Liu Huan herself. After the marriage of Wuma Jun and Liu Huan, Jiang Pengji stayed in Shangjing for more than half a month. She was about to pack up and leave, but she did not expect to receive a summon from Shangyang Palace. It was the first time that Jiang Pengji had seen the Emperor of Dongqing up close. Xu Kes facial expression changed dramatically in the face of the sudden summon. Jiang Pengji sneered. Looks like we wont be able to leave for the time being. Chapter 367 - Happenings in Shangjing (24) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke said axniously, If they make things difficult for you when you go to the palace this time Jiang Pengji was not worried or anxious about it. She replied indifferently, Dont worry. Its not that serious. Well just exchange a few commonplaces at most. In a sense, holding Jiang Pengji as a hostage had more influence than holding others as hostages. As Liu Shes only son, as long as Jiang Pengji was still in Shangjing City and under the Emperors control, the magistrate of Chongzhou, Liu She, could not go against the Emperor. Understanding that, Jiang Pengji was not worried about her trip to Shangyang Palace. Xu Ke understood, and his face looked as grave as ink. Be it as a citizen of Dongqing or Jiang Pengjis right-hand man, he was very disdainful of the actions of the Dongqing Emperor. If the Emperor was diligent in government affairs and had the interests of the people at heart, why would he need to worry about whether the ministers feigned compliance and acted in opposition? She entered the palace with the eunuch who delivered the imperial order. Jiang Pengji waited outside the imperial court for the summon. Just as Jiang Pengji had expected, the Emperor had only spared some time to meet her. They just had some small talk and chatted. He reminisced about his friendship with Liu She and kindly asked her to stay in Shangjing for a short period of time. Then, he granted her a sumptuous spread of delicacies. The meeting did not even take an hour from beginning until the end. Jiang Pengji did not waste the opportunity. She immediately started a semi-interactive streaming mode with the title A Half-Day Tour in Shangyang Palace. Yingyang Kuaixian: I feel that the architecture of Shangyang Palace has some of the characteristics of the Qin and Han Dynasties. Some aspects of it remind me of the Tang Dynasty though Well, in any case, the ancient palace deserves to be called the treasure of human cultural heritage. An ordinary studio city couldnt even compare to it. Jianguo Buxu Chengjing: Please. This is the real royal palace. If the studio city wanted to restore it to its original state, they wouldve gone bankrupt already. Its good that they can create an imitation. Why are you so fastidious? If you want to see a palace, go to the Forbidden City. Kouzhejiao Chifan: The Forbidden City has fallen into disrepair over the years. Not many places are displayed, and there are so many tourists every day. Many places look like decrepit houses. I visited the Forbidden City many times during the Golden Week, and I was unimpressed by the royal inner court. Jiang Pengji had been in the current era for a few years, but it was the first time that she had been that close to Shangyang Palace. The audience in the streaming room was excited. For their era, everything in the feudal dynasty aroused their curiosity. Wahaha: Hey, after seeing the Emperor of Dongqing, my image of the Emperor has shatteredCCnot to mention the royal inner court. I initially thought that I was going to see a majestic, handsome, middle-aged man, but the Emperor of Dongqing is only a middle-aged man with heavy bags under his eyes. He does not have the charm of an Emperor! He has a wretched appearance and his body looks like its been hollowed out. I think middle-aged men who square dance in public have more vigor than him. Saoma Kanwo: I strongly agree with you. Its fine to say that hes a middle-aged man of wretched appearance. Thinking about the beautiful, young girls he ruined in the palace, I suddenly am so nauseousCCthe type that one gets when they discover the half-dead body of a caterpillar while theyre eating an apple. Fortunately, the streamer isnt involved in court intrigues. Otherwise, Id wake up from my dreams with disgust over the thought of the streamer fighting for favor with this man. That showed that no matter what era it was, a persons appearance was very important. The age, appearance, and charm of the Emperor of Dongqing did not meet the expectations and aspirations of the audience in the streaming room at all. As the viewers chatted, a strange bullet screen suddenly appeared. Xiongmao Mianguan: Am I the only one who realized that weve been fooled by the streamer? The title of the streaming today is A Half-Day Tour in Shangyang Palace, but in fact, the streamer has shown us very little. She didnt stop to introduce the architecture and landscape to us. It was not even a half a day. The entire tour was less than an hour! That was deceit! Upon seeing the bullet screen, Jiang Pengji posted a bullet screen and mentioned the viewer. Host V: The current situation doesnt allow me to do so. I cant roam about in Shangyang Palace. However, Ill do another streaming of a day tour in Shangyang Palace one day. By then, youll be able to see whatever you want. The royal inner court will be a clear passage. @Xiongmao Mianguan The content of the bullet screen seemed to be very normal, but the audience in the streaming room felt that it was extremely scary. She was still a citizen of Dongqing. For fear of the prestige of the Emperor, she could only follow the lead of the eunuch. It was impossible for her to roam about in Shangyang Palace. If so, under what circumstances could she ignore the rule and move about freely in Shangyang Palace? It would only happen when she became the new owner of Shangyang Palace. With that conclusion, the audience in the streaming room suddenly became amused. They kept giving her rewards and praised her for being awesome. Laosiji Lianmeng: I give you a score of 101. Im not afraid that youll become proud by giving you an extra point. With the jokes that the audience in the streaming room made, Jiang Pengji left the palace safe and sound. She saw Xu Ke, who was anxiously waiting, when she stepped out of the palace gates. Im fine. Lets go. Jiang Pengji waved her hand as a signal for the groom to depart. Xu Ke secretly heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Pengjis indifferent facial expression. Langjun, did the trip go smoothly? I received a few compliments and ate some food. The royal chef in the palace isnt as good as the chef in Wuma Juns residence The cooking skills of the royal chef were definitely better than that of an ordinary chef, but the food prepared by the royal chef had already turned cold when it was served. How could it be compared to a hot dish? Xu Ke was speechless and suddenly could not find the words to continue the conversation. His Langjuns style was so fresh and unusual. However, we can only stay in Shangjing for the time being; we cant leave. Jiang Pengji shook her head and muttered, The Emperor has become increasingly obsessed with beauties. He looks strong, but his health is in a poor state. Hes not willing to rest quietly to recuperate, and he hangs onto drastic medications He has probably also realized that his health is deteriorating, and hes becoming more and more afraid of death. He put the sons of the aristocrats under house arrest in Shangjing. This probably shows that hes extremely terrified of death Even if the Emperor supported the group of relatives of the Emperor and the eunuchs that wanted to take the aristocratic families down, he would just be harboring people that would later do him harm. The aristocratic families seemed to be backing down, but they had yet to be weakened to the core. Which of the so-called aristocratic families did not have a more established and richer heritage than the royal family of Dongqing? Perhaps because of that concern, the Emperor continued to call the sons of the aristocrats, who were working in foreign places, to hold them as hostages. If Jiang Pengji was the Emperor of Dongqing, in the face of such situation, she would have chosen an heir as soon as possible and abdicated the throne so that the power of the imperial court would transition smoothly She would grant amnesty to the people and reward the important officials. At the same time, she would get rid of the remaining influence of the group of relatives of the Emperor and the eunuchs in order to ensure that the new Emperor could firmly secure the throne. As for the threat posed by the aristocratsCCthe best strategy was to win a group of them over, put a group of them down, and then stabilize Dongqing, which was in a disastrous state. However, the current Emperor obviously refused to budge, and did not want to let his son take over the throne. In the face of the increasingly fierce battle for the throne among the princes, the Emperor did not stop them. Instead, he was delighted to see it. He even let Prince Changshou grow his power and pin down his other sons Haha. As the Emperor, he could not even sleep peacefully as his sons got older. Chapter 368 - Happenings in Shangjing (25) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xu Ke frowned anxiously. If it was like what Jiang Pengji had saidCCwhen could they leave Shangjing City? Could it be that they had to wait for the demise of the Emperor, and for the princes to fight it out with Prince Changshou? The world would probably have already fallen apart by then. Jiang Pengji seemed to have sensed the worries in Xu Kes mind. She sneered. It wont take that long. Well just wait for an opportunity. Not to mention anything else, as long as Huijun could get close to the Emperor smoothly and drive him crazy, it would not be difficult for them to leave Shangjing City. But A hidden worry emerged in Xu Kes mind. He felt that things were not that simple. Jiang Pengji replied, Do you think the princes and the ambitious Prince Changshou have the patience to wait for the demise of the Emperor? Upon hearing that, Xu Ke felt like his body was electrocuted by lightning. Something seemed to have burst in his brain. Do you mean that theyll force the Emperor to abdicate the throne? I cant tell However, throughout the short history of the Dongqing royal family, the killing of ones own father and siblings has happened before, Jiang Pengji responded sarcastically. Apart from the founding Emperor, several other Emperors of Dongqing were of dubious backgrounds. Everyone knew about the scandal. The current Emperor seemed to want to repeat the ancestors doom. It was as if he wanted to be envied by his own brother and sons. The game would depend on who could not wait to start. The outstanding one would usually bear the brunt of the attack. Whoever stood out first would be attacked. Compared to Xu Ke, who could hardly retain his composure, Jiang Pengji looked as though she were sitting leisurely on a fishing dock. She suddenly thought of something and revealed a peculiar and cold smile. All good things come to those who wait. So what if were put under house arrest in Shangjing? The Emperor doesnt dare launch an attack towards the aristocrats yet. Its impossible for us to be trapped here forever. We just need an opportunity to leave Shangjing City safe and sound. Before that, just think of it as though youre on a vacation in Shangjing. Dont worry Even if the sky falls, Ill be here. Xu Ke laughed bitterly and his heart was calm. Since youre patient, Ill definitely accompany you until the end. As soon as he finished speaking, it grew silent in the carriage. Jiang Pengji clasped her hands together, and her eyes were drooping. Not the slightest emotion could be seen on her indifferent face. As the carriage went further, she suddenly asked, Xiaoyu, under what circumstances will the Emperor summon Prince Changshou, who has been living in seclusion, to Shangjing? Startled, Xu Ke thought about the question and replied firmly, This is impossible. Why? Jiang Pengji asked. Xu Ke replied, Everyone in the palace knows that Prince Changshou has engaged in factional activities in pursuit of personal gain. Even if the Emperor is obsessed with beauties every day and neglects the affairs of the state, he treasures his life. Why would he summon an ambitious wolf to Shangjing? If he does, isnt he bringing disaster upon himself? Yeah. I think so too. Jiang Pengji nodded in agreement. She did not see any merit in the Emperor; he had countless flaws of all kinds. Although the current Emperor was fatuous, it was impossible for him to be a complete idiot when he, as Prince Gongshun of Hejian, was able to kill the late Emperor and ascend the throne. If his brain was normal, why would he summon Prince Changshou to Shangjing during such a jittery time? Xu Ke asked, Why did you suddenly ask about this? I suddenly remembered something my friend said before I left, Jiang Pengji replied indifferently. As she finished speaking, a tall and straight figure, who resembled a stalk of bamboo, popped up in her mind. Wei Ci was not someone who shot without taking aim. There had to have been a reason that he asked her to prevent Prince Changshou from leading his troops into Shangjing upon being summoned. Xu Ke repeatedly thought about it and frowned. If the presumption is valid, there may be three possibilities. One of them is that the candidate whom the Emperor favors isnt any of his sons, but Prince Changshou, whos the youngest son of the late Emperor. However, thinking about what has happened over the past few years, this is almost impossible. Secondly, the Emperor is forced to summon Prince Changshou when a misfortune happens in ShangjingCCthat is, if the 100,000 imperial guards are useless However, the probability of those two possibilities occurring was too low. The options were almost no longer considered. What about the third one? Xu Ke answered, Delivering a false imperial edict. Jiang Pengjis heart jolted. Delivering a false imperial edict is indeed a way. Shangjing was currently a huge trap. Jiang Pengji had a thorough grasp of the situation, and keenly noticed that there were many informers in the area that the high officials and nobles lived in. The informers were disguised as manservants, servant girls of the residences, or vendors from all walks of life. They were staking out the area 24 hours a day. They were about to arrive at the residence. Jiang Pengji made a signal with her eyes to stop Xu Ke from speaking. Stepping on the bench, they got out of the carriage one after another and returned to the residence unperturbed. At that moment, the audience in the streaming room sensed that something was odd. They eagerly asked about it. Doraemon: Are you guys not able to leave Shangjing for the time being? Laosiji Lianmeng: The streamer seems to have been put under house arrest. The Emperor of Dongqing will continue to do stupid things as long as hes alive. Toudu Feiqiu: Hey, Im going to bet 50 cents that, according to the streamers narrow-mindedness, shell definitely find a way to retaliate. Most of the audience members were just ordinary onlookers. It was not a problem for them to look on, but they had a slow reaction time when things that required a lot of thinking were involved. The audience in the streaming room seemed to trust Jiang Pengji blindly. They had been watching the streaming for years, yet they had never seen anyone who could truly make Jiang Pengji acknowledge her defeat. Even if there was someone, it was of a joking and amusing nature. The streamer was broad-minded and did not take it to heart. Of course, there were many people who objected. Zuiai Latiaole: Youre talking crap. Are you all obsessed? The streamer has no achievements or fame. Even if she has a proud father, distant water wont put out a fire that is close at hand. The Emperor of the feudal dynasty wants to do something to her. Can she go up to the sky? Shenshou Yangtuo: Hmm, I love this streaming the most. I always see fools flattering a normal streamer. Laosiji Lianmeng: Haha. I see that there are indeed a lot of mentally retarded people in this streaming room. Who still remembers the streamers skills? Not to mention flying over the eaves and running up the walls At least she can leave Shangjing safe and sound. This isnt a question of whether to leave or not, but moreso of when to leave. Jiang Pengji ignored all the bullet screens, no matter if they were encouraging or slandering. Ones abilities were fake when they were just described verbally. They would only be real when they were shown. Although she was put under house arrest, apart from the fact that she could not leave the city, there was no restriction on personal freedom. In fact, she lived quite a happy life. After more than half a month, Jiang Pengji and Huang Song, who was Shangjings patrol, had coincidentally run into each other a few times. As time passed, they considered each other as friends. Huang Song took the wild kid, Feng Jue, with him. The three of them often got together to drink tea and watch shows The venue where they drank tea and watched shows was, of course, unsuitable for children. Feng Jin, who found out about it, was speechless. They leisurely leaned against the tables in the venue. A row of musicians were playing music and singing in the corner. The soft songs were so sweet that they penetrated deep into ones heart. Jiang Pengji peeled some peanuts and stuffed them into her mouth one by one. The peanuts were said to have come from the land of barbarians in northern Zhongzhao. The peanuts were quite crispy when they were fried. Chapter 369 - Earthquake in Shangjing (1) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It was mid-June. Jiang Pengji had already changed into cool, summer clothing. Using Liu Huans wedding as a time reference, Jiang Pengji had been in Shangjing for almost one and a half months. The weather is getting hotter and hotter. Im about to finish touring Shangjing Im worried about how to spend my day tomorrow Upon hearing Jiang Pengjis complaint, a light flashed across Feng Jues eyes. It instantly turned into a helpless gaze. Others would have grown impatient already. Jiang Pengji was still eating and drinking. Her drinking capacity was excellent. He did not know what his second brother was thinking. His second brother actually thought that she was better than Bogao. Bogao was indeed not as good as Liu Xi in terms of eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking. Compared to how Feng Jue probed her from time to time, Huang Song was the perfect friend for eating and drinking. The three of them gathered together just for eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking. They only talked about affairs, not proper business. Its okay. Well have fun somewhere else tomorrow. You dont have to worry about it. I know a lot of good places. Huang Song winked at her, as if they were adults who had a tacit understanding of each other. After they grew closer, he initially wanted to call Jiang Pengji Brother Xi, but she disliked it because it sounded cheesy. She insisted he change it. With a peanut in her mouth, Jiang Pengji jested, If you tell this to Huaiyu, I can enjoy my day tomorrow even if I dont leave the house. Huang Song looked distressed all of a sudden. Brother Liu, you cant be like that. Im doing this for your own good. Its fine if you dont return the favor. Why do you want to get me into a fix? If Feng Jin found out that he had been taking Feng Jue to dodgy places every day, would he not slap him? Hasnt Confucius mentioned that the desire for food and sex is human nature? Grabbing food with ones left hand and beauties in the other is simply the pursuit of life. Saints are no exceptionCClet alone ordinary people. Moreover, Huaijie isnt a three-year-old kid anymore. Hes just here to visit, and he hasnt done anything wrong. The Second Brother Feng is too strict, Huang Song muttered rashly. He wanted to use that reasoning to ease the guilt in his heart. Feng Jue teased Huang Song for being semi-literate. There was not a problem with the comment. Huang Song had indeed encouraged Feng Jue previously to look for prostitutes, but Feng Jues upbringing was strict. It was not a problem for him to drink and watch dancing, but he was unwilling to do anything that crossed the line. Haha. Justify your sophistry in front of Huaiyu. Jiang Pengji sneered. Feng Jins control of his brother was rather reserved on the outside, but wild on the inside. Huang Song was getting bolder and bolder. If it was not for Wei Jingxian, who was close to laborCCwhich in turn almost drained Feng Jins spirits and gave him no time to deal with other thingsCCmaybe he would have found out long ago that Huang Song dragged Feng Jue about and created trouble. Brother Liu, your words hurt me. Huang Songs face crumpled into a ball. He was teasing her. He was good at livening up the atmosphere. In order to achieve his goals, he did not care about his personal image. He was very unrestrained when he was playing. Even if the aristocrats in all of Shangjing spoke harshly to him, most of his peers of the same stratum followed his lead. Jiang Pengji only knew about that after having close contact with Huang Song. He was extremely popular. How is it hurtful? Jiang Pengji asked with a smile. Huang Song pretended to sigh. It hurts everywhere. My heart is bleeding. Jiang Pengji held back her laughter and teased, Amongst all the people I know, youre definitely ranked first in terms of glibness. She glanced at the sky outside after peeling another peanut. Dusk had gradually fallen. The yellowish-orange sky was full of a beauty of another kind. In the words of the audience in the streaming room, it was twilight when humans and devils met. After paying their money, they each got on a horse to leave. Huang Song offered, Brother Jue and Brother Liu, Ill go to the residence of the Second Brother Feng with you both. All right. Please. The doctor and midwife said that Wei Jingxian would give birth sometime in the next two days. Upon learning the news, Jiang Pengji planned to visit her. Feng Jin and his wife were also put under house arrest. Their personal freedom was not restricted, but pregnant women were sensitive and tended to overthink things. No experienced elder was there to look after her. Moreover, it was their first child, so they were feeling uneasy. On the way there, Jiang Pengji looked at the streets and frowned. Something was not quite right Huang Song looked at her and asked with concern, Are you not feeling well? No. I just feel that the streets are a lot quieter these days. The stray cats and dogs that are usually around have disappeared Huang Song replied, Yeah. Now that youve said that, it is weird I suddenly remembered something. Two days ago, my dog was in a weird mood It scratched the wall the entire night and howled nonstop. My father wanted to kill it. Jiang Pengjis heart jolted. Really? She had never raised an animal, so she had no way of noticing things like that. Sigh Why would I make that up? Ill probably see the dog being stewed in the pot when I get home tonight Huang Song quite liked the dog, but his father was the master in the house. He could not do anything even if he liked it. Jiang Pengji laughed and replied, Since were close, Ill have a snack tonight. Huang Song responded, heartbroken, Brother, your words are hurtful. Hearing their conversation, Feng Jue was suddenly struck dumb. He felt like he had two wild kids with him. Jiang Pengji felt somewhat oppressed on the inside. She vaguely had a bad premonition. Her mentality was very strong. In the words of martial arts, a martial artist had a stronger intuition than ordinary people. To put it simply, her intuition was a hundred times stronger than that of a beast. Lately Have you seen anything unusual when you patrol the streets? Huang Song was startled. He asked, Like what? Do the stray cats, dogs, snakes, worms, rodents, ants, and insects, like cockroaches, have any abnormal behaviors? Snakes, worms, rodents, ants, and insects could not be seen where Jiang Pengji lived, let alone stray cats and dogs. As the patrol of Shangjing, even if Huang Song was just a city guard, he was often outside and definitely saw more things than her. Feng Jue smelled something unusual and frowned. Huang Song carefully recalled and answered, They do. Anyway, there are fewer and fewer stray cats and dogs lately This is normal. Anyway, many people secretly catch them and cook them. Now that the weather is hot, its normal for the cats and dogs to not like coming out. Huang Songs explanation seemed to be very plausible, but Jiang Pengjis heart was beating madly. Dark clouds, which could not be chased away, lingered in her heart. Whats wrong, Brother Liu? Huang Song asked. Nothing. Perhaps the weather is too hot. My chest feels stuffy, and I feel that something bad is going to happen. Like what? Its been dry recently, and it hasnt rained for a month. As the patrol of Shangjing, you should be more careful, lest some places catch fire. Most of the buildings were wooden. It would be hard to put the fire out if it caught. Jiang Pengji warned him, This isnt impossible. Huang Song was at a loss for whether to cry or to laugh. Brother Liu, you should pray that good things happen to me. If the buildings really do catch fire, Ill lose my minor position as the patrol of Shangjing. If you dont want to lose your job, then care about it more. Upon hearing what she said, Huang Song thought it was reasonable. Even though Jiang Pengji said it bluntly, she had good intentions. Huang Song was now dedicated to the people. He was of a humble origin, but he had a heart to serve the country and the people. He was usually utterly carefree, but he was upright and outspoken whilst enforcing the law. He could be described as someone who loved the people as if they were his children One had to say that it was not unreasonable for Feng Jue to regard him with special respect. Okay. Ill work harder during the day, and take my comrades to patrol more at night Chapter 370 - Earthquake in Shangjing (2) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As they were talking, the three of them arrived at Feng Jins residence. Upon seeing Feng Jin, whom Jiang Pengji had not seen for a few days, she was shocked by the heavy greenish color under his eyes. Huaiyu, how many days have you not slept? Three or four days, I guess Feng Jin smelled alcohol and the scent of rogue on the two of them. He was so tired that he did not have the energy to criticize it. Jiang Pengji teased, You havent slept for three or four days? Are you preparing to train and cultivate yourself to attain immortality? Jiang Pengji knew about the meme from the audience in the streaming room. Feng Jin raised his hand and massaged his brows to make him feel more awake. He did not have the energy to question what she meant. Jingxians stomach has ached for the past few days. She went into the delivery room several times, but came back out again. She felt more and more sick each time, so he was always on tenterhooks. How could he fall asleep? The child was sincerely making the inexperienced parents suffer. Feng Jin had suffered a lot with his wifeCCfrom when she first got pregnant, until then. He was coming to understand the difficulties of parenting more and more. According to the ethos of ancient times, fathers only had to contribute their sperm, and then take over the child from the midwifes hands after 10 months of pregnancy. Wei Jingxian only realized that she was pregnant when Feng Jin and his wife were put under house arrest. The husband and wife could only think of solutions themselves to solve many of their problems. The more he participated in the process, the more he felt the sense of practicality of becoming a father. Jiang Pengji asked, What now? Feng Jin replied, The midwife asked me to cook some chicken soup. Jingxian is now drinking it inside the room. Her body should be invigorated after having gone through all that. Ive asked Taxue to send some top-grade old ginsengs. I heard that theyre good for pregnant women. Feng Jin nodded. He had seen the old ginsengs. The age and medicinal properties of the ginsengs were top-notch, but the doctor said that they should not be used rashly unless there was an accident during labor. However, it was an excellent supplement for post-natal recovery. Probably because he had not slept for days, it took his brain quite some time to process things. He responded after a while, Lanting, why did you come today? After delivering the old ginsengs, Taxue went back and told me that Jingxian was about to go into labor. I was worried that you were shorthanded, so I volunteered to help out. Jiang Pengji often dropped by Feng Jins residence while she was staying in Shangjing. She was familiar with his maidservant. She asked the maidservant to brew a pot of refreshing, hot tea when she had just entered the house. Drink some tea to freshen yourself up. Youll fall asleep in a while if you dont. Feng Jin tiredly expressed his thanks. Thank you. He had been jittery for the past few days. He was afraid that if he napped for a while, his wife would go into labor. He was so nervous that he did not dare to sleep even for a short while. He was relieved now that Jiang Pengji was there. He eventually felt sleepy. Youre my most intimate friend. You dont have to thank me. Not long after, there was a cry from the inside of the house. The servant girls and the midwife were as busy as bees. Then, it was silent. It was another false alarm. Feng Jue waited with them for another four hours. It was already midnight, but it was still silent in the delivery room. As the father, Feng Jin had suffered a lot. Wei Jingxian, who was pregnant and was about to go into labor, was so tired that she had no energy. She sweated profusely and her face was pale. The maidservant kept wiping her sweat with a warm, damp cloth. The midwife did an examination and said that it was not time yet. She could nap for a while to have some rest. For the first child, it generally took pregnant women six to ten hours to deliver the baby if everything went smoothly. If things were more difficult, it could even take three to five days. Three to five days Feng Jin almost fainted in shock when he heard the timeframe. The midwife glanced at Feng Jin strangely. She had delivered countless children, but she had never seen a man who was as nervous as he was. They waited until late at night. Jiang Pengji asked Feng Jin to nap for a while. She and Feng Jue would keep watch to ensure there werent any problems. Upon hearing what she said, Feng Jue looked at her with a strange gaze. If he was not mistaken, the person in front of him was his second sister-in-laws fianc. How could Second Brother feel at ease? However, Feng Jins reaction almost made his eyeballs drop. All right. Im rest assured now that Lanting is here. Remember to wake me up if shes about to go into labor. Feng Jin was already so sleepy that he could not stand it anymore. He even looked a little spaced out. He asked his servant to bring him a set of bedding. He immediately wrapped it around his body, leaned against the pillar, and napped. It did not take him long to fall asleep, and then he slept like a log. Feng Jue was speechless. Not long after, Wei Jingxians painful cry was vaguely heard from the inside of the delivery room. In order to conserve her physical strength, she gritted her molars. She sounded very melancholic. Its really scary when women in the ancient times give birth to children Jiang Pengji had sharp ears and eyes. She could hear the noise very clearly, and she could not help but tremble. The method of multiplying and living in the ancient times was really backwards. It made her blood boil. One could be sentenced into the federation. She had whispered, so Feng Jue did not hear her clearly. He only heard her say that it was not easy to give birth to children. Dont all women have to go through it? he asked. Jiang Pengji glared at him with a contempt in her eyes, which made him feel puzzled. She secretly poked the System and said in her mind, I think Ill have to stay up late tonight. Im bored, so Ill start a streaming. The System did not reply, and just started the streaming quietly. It was also night time in the streaming room. A full 10 seconds had passed, but there were only 150,000 viewers in the streaming room. Host V: Im bored at night. Lets chat to pass some time. It was the middle of the night where she was, but it was only 12 oclock midnight in the streaming room. Nightlife had just begun. The people in the ancient times did not have much entertainment. The only source of lighting was an oil lamp. In order to save on expenses, they had already gone to bed and were lost in their sweet dreams. ****** At the same time Ah A brief, terrifying scream broke the silence of the night. Not long after, there was a spark that ignited the wick inside the lantern. There was a rustling sound of clothes being put on. The sound of steady footsteps was heard from afar and near. The light from the lantern was also getting closer and closer. Outside the room, a young man wearing a single shirt with a cloak over his shoulders asked with concern, Zixiao, whats wrong? A few moments later, there were some vague movements in the room. When the candle was lit, the tightly shut doors opened, revealing a delicate and perfect face with a trace of paleness and horror. Im fine There was a thin layer of sweat on Wei Cis forehead. He was gasping for breath in between words. I was just horrified by a nightmare The young man had been asleep in the room next to Wei Cis. Nightmare? the young man asked inquisitively. What was it about? He was really curious as to what kind of a nightmare could scare Wei Ci somuch. He seemed to have lost his soul. Wei Ci pursed his lips, and replied with a husky voice after a long time, I dreamed that there was an earthquake somewhere. The city collapsed and all the houses turned into ruins. The people died in their sleep and children were wailing everywhere It was a tragedy I cannot bear to recall. That was not the entire story of the nightmare. He even dreamed that the person he missed was buried in the ruins and badly mutilated. He could not remember where the scene was in his nightmare, but a pool of blood kept lingering in front of his eyes. It made it hard to breathe. Earthquake? The young man comforted him with a serious face. Its just a dream. Its not real. Wei Cis lips were pale, and he was still suffering from the shock. Upon seeing his condition, the young man asked his boy servant attending to his studies to make a fire and brew some tea for Wei Ci to help him get over the shock. The boy servant attending to his studies had just made a fire and placed the teapot on the stove when he realized in horror that the teapot lid was shaking slightly, which in turn caused the tea to brim over. Moreover, the ground seemed to have come alive and vibrated slightly. The dust on the eaves was shaken off and fell to the ground. Chapter 371 - Earthquake in Dongqing (3) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The boy servant was so shocked at the sight that his face turned ghastly. He quickly shouted, Sir Sir, theres a monster The young man and Wei Ci had of course discovered the abnormal sight when the boy servant discovered it. The two of them eagerly ran to an open space. The vibration lasted for half an hour. Is this an earthquake? The young man grasped his cloak tightly. Even though the night was still stuffy, he felt a dense chill from head to toe. Wei Cis face turned pale. It was as if something had exploded in his brain, making his mind go blank. When did Dongqing ever have an earthquake? At that time in his previous life, he was already in Bianzhou in Zhongzhao. The Wei family in Hejian was weak, so they could only rely on the Wei family in Bianzhou, and they lived at their mercy. He did not want to join the clan dispute, so he lived in seclusion for a few years and had no fixed place of living. He would occasionally pay attention to the affairs of the outside world. Because of his old masters appreciation towards him, he only came out to help when the world was in chaos. At that time, the world was already divided. The nine states and six kingdoms no longer existed. There was a feudal separatism and the struggle for hegemony was already in full swing. He had studied Dongqing carefully. He rummaged through his memory, but he could not remember there being a news about an earthquake. Earthquakes originate from the lateral Emperor Star He looked up at the stars. The strange stars emitted a sense of rawness, as if they were covered with a vague, bloody color. It made him feel chilly. He calculated with his fingers for quite some time and somewhat worked out that the source of the earthquake was from the lateral Emperor Star. The Emperor Star of Dongqing referred to the emperor of Dongqing. The lateral Emperor Star naturally referred to Shangjing! He was currently very far away from Shangjing. It would take him two months to reach Shangjing, even if he traveled at a top speed. He was so far away from Shangjing, yet he felt such a distinct shock. It was hard for him to imagine the situation in Shangjing, where the core of the earthquake was. If he had known that there was going to be an earthquake in Shangjing, how could he have helplessly watched her leave for Shangjing? He would have stopped her no matter what! Could it be that God could not even bear to see him reborn, and could no longer tolerate him? Zixiao Whats wrong with you? Who dared to return to sleep when an earthquake had occurred? The young man and the boy servant attending to his studies hurriedly rushed into his room and took some bedding. He planned to sleep in the open space in the courtyard for the night. Everything would be dealt with the next morning. He spaced out for a while, and found out that his friend seemed to have lost his soul. Xiheng Im fine. I was just thinking about my nightmare just now That might have been Gods warning He had just had a nightmare, and there was an earthquake after he woke up. Was it not Gods warning? The young man looked worried. Dongqing How can it undergo such a disaster? The Emperor neglects the affairs of the state. The court and the commonalty are full of the Emperors relatives and eunuchs. I wonder how many commoners have died from this earthquake. How many of them could have survived Wei Ci stared blankly into the distance. It was not known if he had heard his friends murmur. Putting the matter aside, another matter would soon be discussed. ****** Jiang Pengjis alertness was far more acute than that of a beast. She had felt extremely anxious 30 seconds before the earthquake. She had never felt so alarmed. Her heart was beating so fast that it was abnormal. Dont sleep anymore She slapped Feng Jues back to wake the wild kid, who secretly napped, up. Im very flustered Feng Jue looked at Jiang Pengji with a confused look on his face. What did her panic have to do with him? Do you want me to give you a massage? Feng Jue maintained his indifferent facial expression. The audience in the streaming room laughed out loud at his legendary response. The bullet screens were full of comments that felt sorry for the wild kid. He got himself into some deep trouble. Get lost Who needs your massage?! Jiang Pengji replied bluntly. Her rude attitude further worsened Feng Jues impression towards her. I think somethings about to happen Go wake Huaiyu up and wait in an open space in the courtyard. Ill have a look in the delivery room. Feng Jue was about to lose his temper because Jiang Pengji treated him rudely. However, Jiang Pengji was agile and quick. She had already gotten up and gone to the delivery room. At that moment, the midwife suddenly opened the door of the delivery room and yelled, Madam is about to go into labor! What! At this time? Jiang Pengjis heart jolted. A strong sense of crisis rushed to her brain from her feet. She lifted her hand, pushed the midwife to the hallway, and quickly dashed into the delivery room. The midwife was shocked by her sudden movement and fell to the ground on her buttocks. She seemed to have twisted her waist. In the next second, the ground shook violently, as if the whole world had turned upside down. The earth trembled and the mountains swayed. The loud crash of houses collapsing blasted into their ears. The air was full of dust. The horrifying screams were overwhelming. Everything happened too suddenly. The audience members in the streaming room were utterly puzzled. When they realized what was going on, the screen of the streaming was in a mess. The eaves collapsed with a loud crash, hitting the servant girl in the delivery room. She was badly mutilated and blood sputtered everywhere. Jiang Pengjis physical potential was unleashed instantly. Before the eaves were about to hit Wei Jingxian, Jiang Pengji hugged her with a thin blanket and rolled on the ground. They barely avoided the danger. The candlelight in the room had already been extinguished. It was pitch black everywhere. Relying on her intuition and memory, Jiang Pengji carried Wei Jingxian, who was covered in blood, and dashed out of the delivery room. Her vision became brighter with the moonlight. The ground was still shaking. Jiang Pengji placed Wei Jingxian in an open space and handed her over to the midwife, who was frightened out of her wits. Ill go in again to save people. Deliver Jingxians child first Feng Huaijie, why on earth are you staring blankly? Get yourself over here quickly and help out! Fortunately, Feng Jin did not like complex and lavish decorations. There was only a small pool in the courtyard, and there was no mountainous rockery. The servants, who luckily escaped, gathered in the open space. Feng Jue was awakened by Jiang Pengjis scolding. He quickly came out to reassure the people. Feng Jin was extremely fatigued, and was sleeping very soundly. However, he was lucky. The fallen beam did not hit him and only brushed him a little, waking him up from his sleep. At that time, all of Shangjing City was in absolute chaos. Feng Jue calmed the people down with a ghastly face and covered his bruised arm. Husband It hurts Wei Jing Xian had passed out at the time of the earthquake. The last thing she remembered was the beam that hit her head. The midwife had a strong mentality. Under Jiang Pengjis stern command, she delivered Wei Jingxians child. She pressed her philtrum to forcefully wake her up If a pregnant woman did not stay awake at that moment, she and her child would die. Jingxian Feng Jins mind was in a mess after waking up. His heart seemed to be in an icehouse, and it was so cold that his whole body stiffened. Hearing the familiar call, he barely managed to regain his consciousness and hugged Wei Jingxian, who was covered in blood, tightly, while he was still suffering from the shock. My stomach My stomach aches so much Wei Jingxian felt a pain in her stomach, as if something hot and damp had burst and drenched her clothes and the bedding. The pain, which gradually intensified, spread to her brain. Am Am I going into labor In another place, Jiang Pengji rescued two injured servants and placed them in the open space. The entire residence had already turned into ruins. The aftershocks would come next. She could only do her best. Fortunately, the houses in the ancient times were low. Even if there were aftershocks, there was no need to worry about being buried in the ruins. She dug out some quilts and sheets from the ruins and threw them to Feng Jue. Put them up and make a temporary delivery room. Get someone to look for a stove and boil some hot water as soon as possible! Feng Jue was perplexed and had yet to regain his senses, but his body was already following Jiang Pengjis orders. Chapter 372 - Earthquake in Dongqing (4) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The live streaming room was in an upheaval. The usual tear down and mockery had vanished. Before the dawn of disaster, the compassionate side of man would overcome all negative emotions. Shenshou Yangtuo: Stream, streamer! You are injured. Quickly stop the bleeding Zuiai Latiaole: An earthquake! Its actually an earthquake! I saw the entire screen shaking uncontrollably. I hope the streamer is fine and no one dies in that dimension My hands are trembling even as I type Nevertheless, with such a widespread earthquake, how could there not be deaths? Even in their world, when China experienced an earthquake, the dead and injured count was high Let alone the ancient times where medical care was not advanced. In such times, it did not end with the earthquake. The medical aid and building up of infrastructures after disaster struck Supposing twenty percent of people died in the earthquake itself, those who couldnt be saved in time or were too injured to be saved would make up at least thirty percent. That was not all With the infections from the wounds, a lack of medication, a lack of food, and if overall care of patients was not well managed, then an epidemic could occur. Jiang Pengji had no time to think about that. She raised her hand to wipe her face, and then used the water from the inner courtyard to wash her hands. First, help Jingxian deliver her child. Get people who are not badly injured to bring out any daily necessities. There will be ruins from the tremor. Be careful Jiang Pengji chopped the defective pillar of the house, unarmed, and poked it deep into the ground. She then spread the bedsheet and blanket apart. She cornered an area and used the remaining items as fuel sources to start the fire. Her calm composure gave the people around her peace. As a result of Jiang Pengjis protection, Wei Jingxian was unharmed, but as a pregnant lady about to deliver, it was still dangerous. The medical personnel, who was originally on standby, was hit on the head by the pillar in the house and died on the spot. The midwife could only help with delivery, but could not treat patients, and she had sprained her back. Huaiyu, stay here with Jingxian so she will be calm. Huaijie, bring your servants around and find if there are any other survivors Jiang Pengji was multitasking. She concurrently typed a series of words in the live streaming room. Streamer V: Which of you is a gynaecologist or has experience delivering babies? Or who can provide guidance? Jiang Pengji came from the future, so she was inexperienced in delivering babies. Let alone her inexperience, even doctors in her era were not experienced, as babies were not developed in a womans womb! Luckily, the audience in the live streaming room could provide information, so she would not be completely clueless. Luck was on her side. There was indeed an experienced gynaecologist amongst the 150,000 audience members, and a person who was experienced in providing support during delivery. Jiang Pengji ordered someone to set up the fire and cleared a clean space with difficulty. Will the child be delivered smoothly? The midwife bore with the pain in her back and glanced at Jiang Pengji, who was touching the pregnant ladys baby bump. Under the guidance of the audience in the live streaming room, she identified where the fetal position was. Subsequently, the midwife felt bad and looked at the pregnant ladys husband, Feng Jin No, it was all right that the husband was unafraid of blood, but why did he allow an outsider, who was a male, to help with delivery? Feng Jin was busy comforting Wei Jingxian, and sensed the weird expression from the midwife. He pursed his lips and his face had no expression. In the eyes of outsiders, Jiang Pengji was still a male. Lanting has studied Qihuang medical techniques before. It might come in handy. There is no issue for him to be present. His voice faded. Wei Jingxian experienced another wave of pain in her womb. She could only bear with it and squeezed Feng Jins hand tightly. Her fingernails poked deep into his flesh and soon traces of blood appeared. She heard Jiang Pengjis voice. The vagina opening is only three inches wide. This is only the first phase of delivery. Jingxian, dont use much energy yet Huaiyu, let her bite a cloth to prevent her from biting her tongue when the contractions get too painful The midwife had yet to reply. Jiang Pengji focused and hesitated, The fetal position At that moment, the gynaecologist from the live streaming room was giving last minute instructions. The other audience members were also very anxious, but they could recognize what was important and what demanded attention. Other than the retired gynaecologist and personnel who helped during delivery, nobody posted on the bullet screen. The fetal position is anterior As a genetic warrior, Jiang Pengji was attuned to the anatomy of living things. Despite the limitation of guidance through mere words from the live streaming room, she could catch on very quickly, and her observation of the fetal position was correct. Based on the description from the audience, a fetal position that was anterior usually signified a smooth delivery. She inevitably heaved a sigh of relief. If the fetal position was not correct at that point, two lives may have been lost. Seeing Jiang Pengjis professionalism, the midwife, who was by the side, was stunned. Her job was being stolen by someone else who seemed more professional than her. What was she doing there? Feng Jin said, Please check and see if the hot water is ready. Help Jingxian to wipe her body down The traces of blood left him feeling terrified. Luckily it wasnt Wei Jingxians Otherwise, what would he have done? Ive searched amongst the pile of ruins for an old hen or something living to cook a nourishing soup from. When the vagina dilates to the length of ten fingers, she may deliver her baby. She will need energy at that time, so rest for now I will also slice some old ginseng in case something happens during the delivery process, as a precaution Jiang Pengji squeezed the towel dry and wiped the sweat and dirt off Wei Jingxians face. Even though it was summer, to a pregnant lady, the temperature was cold. There was even a fire set up. Get some men to use hot water to wash the cloths, then dry them above the fire. There are ruins all around. The swaddling clothes I prepared in the past cannot be used now Jiang Pengji observed the fetal position and concurrently, she was reading the instructions from the audience in the live streaming room. Before the vagina opening dilated to the length of ten fingers, Shangjing experienced many strong tremors. Fortunately, Feng Jin was by her side. Wei Jingxian was relatively stable. This child came at the wrong time Feng Jins eyes were bright red, full of red blood vessels. He was usually calm and composed, but now he was dishevelled. Notably, his hair, which was never out of place, was slanted, and the area surrounding his mouth, which was usually cleanly shaven, now had traces of hair. Jiang Pengji spoke concisely, and strictly reprimanded him, Feng Jin, Feng Huaiyu, what do you mean by this? Wei Jingixan was in a daze due to the pain, and vaguely heard the words. Her heart was overwhelmed with sadness. The people in ancient times were foolishly superstitious. Jiang Pengji was worried about Feng Jin, who was not thinking logically, and may have deemed the child to be cursed. I am not blaming this child. Dont worry He first comforted Wei Jingxian, whose eyes were full of tears, then he turned and said, The child is weak and will grow up under our care. There are earthquakes presently, and we dont know what tomorrow will be like He wasnt blaming the child for being born in an inauspicious setting. He was just worried that a child born under such circumstances would not have been able to survive. All matters can wait till the baby is born, Jiang Pengji said coldly, A man must be able to shoulder the weight of the world. Cant you even protect your wife and child? Jingxian is about to deliver. Can this mouth of yours speak of joyful and auspicious things? This is so frustrating! Feng Jin was speechless. Another wave of contractions came. Wei Jingixan couldnt bear it and groaned. Xiaotianshi Mengmengda: Streamer, it is time! Presently, the sun had risen from a corner of the sky. The golden sun shined upon the earth and chased away the gloomy night. Jingxian, use all your might to push. According to my instructions At last, the long wait had come to fruition. Amid the babys cries, Shangjing welcomed a new day. Chapter 373 - Earthquake in Dongqing (5) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Xiaotianshi Mengmengda: Young miss Jingxian has a good body. If she does her confinement well after delivery, she will recover quickly. The childs status is hard to predict, but for an indomitable child that is born under such circumstances, I believe the heavens will be merciful towards this young life. After the retired gynaecologist said that, the entire live streaming room was free to speak again. The comments gradually increased. Shenshou Yangtuo: I was perspiring the whole night, and dared not to leave the screen even for a second. I never knew the delivery process was painful I just called by mother telling her I was sorry. I shouldnt get angry at her over small matters. Zuiai Latiaole: I will not insult the streamer next time. You are indeed a god-like figure. Anran Xiaohun: After viewing the live stream for the entire night, I thought about it Wei Jingxian is a brave young lady. I saw a womans noble spirit and perseverance through her. My girlfriend came to mind, who is around the same age as her. She got pregnant because we forgot to use birth control. At first, I thought we were both too young, and were were not anxious to have a child. We were considering aborting it tomorrow Now I wish to apologize to her Yingyang Kuaixian: A new life has dawned. It is indeed a touching and joyous occasion. However, I am concerned about whether or not we can reward the streamer so that she can buy items for disaster relief In the face of disaster, the aspirations of the people make up the city. Every life saved is precious, even if a difference in dimensions separates us. The bullet screen was quickly flooded with many who were supportive, and the post was liked multiple times. Jiang Pengji also saw it. As she cleaned the baby and swaddled her to prevent her from catching a cold, she bit her lip. Streamer V: I will try my best. After this was posted on the bullet screen, the rewards the System received increased exponentially. Previously, the rewards given were for praying for the babys well-being and celebrating her birth. Later, the rewards were for those amid the disaster. Of course, some of the audience members ridiculed Jiang Pengji for taking advantage of the situation; they accused her of trying to gain personal wealth from donations given towards the disaster. After that post appeared on the bullet screen, it was shot down by others. Yingyang Kuaixian: Does your brain have a problem? I have been following this live streaming room for years, and I have never heard of the streamer asking for rewards or other things. Do you think others are as shallow as you? It is impossible that the streamer is such a person. Da Zhuangzhu Furen: These are my final remarks: The call has been made. Humans anticipate it! Tudou Nurougaifan: Keke. You must have watched many live streams with pretty and flirtatious sluts, right? Thus your assumption that others are motivated by money, and, if given money, one can do as they will. An earthquake occurred and many died. How dare you say such heartless words. Doesnt your conscience hurt? Jiang Pengji initially was turned off and disgusted, but after she saw so many of them standing up for her, the discomfort in her heart vanished. Based on that, she had completely burned bridges with the System. It was worth it! Feng Jin and Wei Jingxians first born was a girl. Her face was wrinkled and red, and her features were likened to a monkey that just shed its skin. At present, Jiang Pengji felt the child had a gorgeous and friendly disposition. She passed the child to Feng Jin and his wife, who looked intently at their child. Go on and hold her. She is a pretty princess. Thank you. Feng Jins face was pale. When his child was born, he was nervous until he was breathless. Presently, he carried the fragile being in his arms, and his heart became inexpressibly soft. Lanting, please name this child. Wei Jingxian was able to move slowly, and she had regained some energy. She looked at her husband and then at Jiang Pengji. How could she not know in her heart? Lanting, please help us name her. Jingxian smiled, her face pale. Her body was covered by a blanket, and a fire was set up by her side to dissipate the cold air in her body. She understood that if Jiang Pengji did not rush in to carry her to the delivery room, both mother and child would have been hit by the pillar that fell, and they would have been standing before the king of hell. She only delivered her child smoothly because of the person before them. She wasnt afraid to die, but when she thought of the possibility that her child might not have been born because of it, her heart ached with a sharp, stabbing pain. Jiang Pengji heard the request of the husband and wife and was stunned for a while. I am to give her a name? In the current era, for every household that had a newborn, the father had to wait on the street for the first person to pass by to name his child. The commoners needed a name for the child to bring them up, but that was the way of the average person. The nobles and aristocratic families did not think much of that. Since Feng Jin and his wife requested, Jiang Pengji gave it some thought and said, It is not suitable for Huaiyus family to name the child. Then, I will give her manly nameCCone that is sturdy. Her name shall be Changsheng. My wish is for her to live a peaceful life without worries for a long time. Changsheng? Very well. This shall be her name. Feng Jins face finally had a smile. The child seemed to sense it and made sucking motions with her mouth. The back of her head rested on his bosom. Amid the conversation, the sky became completely bright. The servants that were alive cleaned the ruins silently. They had managed to survive, but many others were buried amidst the ruins, never to see daylight again. Jiang Pengji opened the curtains and walked out of the makeshift delivery room. The midwife, who had sprained her back, was moaning in pain. She gave orders to the maids to boil chicken soup with a lot of herbs so that the lady in confinement could recover. When Jiang Pengji saw her, she immediately got the maids to bring her a copper basin, filled with warm water, and a towel. Langjun, do you want to wash your face? Your servant will get the maidens to find the old masters clothesCCones hes never worn beforeCCfor you to change into, and then you can wash the wound on your back. If it is delayed and the temperature is warm, your wound may become infected The midwife observed Jiang Pengji carefully. She felt like she discovered a scary secret. It was too dark yesterday and the tremor from the ground came suddenly. Thus, she did not remember the details. Now that it was daytime, however, she wanted to observe in Jiang Pengji in detail. She somehow felt that the young Langjun was weird. She was, after all, a professional midwife. She had a pair of sharp eyes and could identify that Jiang Pengjis body was somewhat strange. After Jiang Pengji left the delivery room, the midwife suddenly had an enlightenment. Calm down What if that Langjun was a female? It was no wonder old master Feng didnt mind if Liu Langjun helped his wife deliver! Jiang Pengji saw the midwifes expression, and she suddenly understood something. She used the cloth to wipe her face, washing away the tiredness from the night without sleep. I am fine. I will put on an overcoat to cover the scar, Jiang Pengji replied, seeing the midwifes awkward actions. She offered her apologies. Yesterdays situation was urgent. I am sorry I pushed you away and caused you to sprain your back I pray that you can forgive me. The midwife replied with an open heart, It is nothing to sprain my back. You saved a life. I havent thanked you for saving my life. Jiang Pengji let her guard down mentally, only to realize a wave of pain in her back. She moved her mouth gently. The injury was sustained after saving Wei Jingxian the day before. It was fortunate that her entire body was unbelievably strong. If it was Liu Xis original body, the pillar that fell yesterday would have caused internal bleeding. If it were serious, it was possible that her white bones would have been visible from the wound on her back. Currently, there was only a tear in her skin. That was considered a small wound to her. She was unsure when the residual tremors would happen. Jiang Pengji got the servants to empty the storeroom that collapsed, to consolidate all the wooden items that were useful, to segregate the wild animal skins and cloths, and to sew them together to build a makeshift tent. Chapter 374 - Earthquake in Dongqing (6) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Most of the mansion collapsed during the first wave of the earthquake. The remaining fell amid the subsequent aftershocks. Wei Jingxian had to go through her confinement She couldnt possibly continue to lie in a makeshift delivery room. There had been an emergency, but now she had the ability to move somewhere more comfortable. During an earthquake, being in a tent was safer than being in a house. When everything was in place, Jiang Pengji bade farewell to Feng Jin. I must return home to assess the situation. The house and my possessions are secondary I am worried about Xiaoyu Fortunately, the property the Lius owned in Shangjing was not large. The house was short and mostly composed of wood. The house did not have many tiles, so even if it collapsed, nobody would die. I need to return to oversee the house. Feng Jin knew what Xu Ke meant to Jiang Pengji. They were master and servant, but also genuinely good friends. I will ask my servant to send you off. The earthquake produced countless refugees. Please be careful, Feng Jin said. Jiang Pengji was about to nod when she heard a familiar sound. She abruptly got up and faced the direction of the sound. Yu Xu Ke was breathless upon seeing Feng Jins once low-profile but glamorous mansion reduced to a pile of ruins. His heart pounded, then unexpectedly grew heavy. White carried him through the ruins. He saw a familiar figure from afar, and his worry turned to joy. Langjun! Xu Ke jumped off the horse. He was overjoyed to the point of tears. His face had a grey hue to it. His attire was crumpled like dry vegetables. His sleeves were torn, and his hair was disheveled. He looked pathetic. Xiaoyu? Thank the gods! You are still alive How is the mansion? Were there many casualties or injuries? Jiang Pengjis heart was at ease upon seeing that he was alive. He had only scraped his arm. Xu Ke was slower on foot compared to White. He continued to stagger towards Jiang Pengji, while White had already reached her. The horse kissed and rubbed her face. Xu Ke regulated his breathing and replied, With Whites warning prior to the earthquake, only the stableman was injured. Everyone else is fine. Jiang Pengji asked doubtfully, Only the stableman was injured? Xu Ke didnt know whether to laugh or cry. He looked at White and said, Langjun, White here saved many lives. Just before midnight yesterday, it suddenly became wild and overturned the stable. It accidentally hurt the stableman, who had attempted to stop it It rushed into the house, causing a commotion. After all, it was a brave and majestic warhorse from the Northern Borderline, and its master was none other than Jiang Pengji. Nobody could sleep because of Whites outburst. Its spiritual sense had been on point. White would nibble on the head of whoever approached the house, but nobody dared to harm it. It was Jiang Pengjis beloved horse All the lives of the servants could not compare to the life of the horse. They had no other option. With Whites stubborn and willful nature, Xu Ke and all the servants had to stay in the inner courtyard. Thereafter, the earthquake occurred. Jiang Pengji heard Xu Kes words, and she wore a strange expression. Did White make your hair so messy? She initially thought Xu Ke messed it up amid the mayhem, but it was White that had done it. Xu Ke had nothing to say. Langjun, it hurts for you to say this. You did well! Jiang Pengji stroked Whites fur. The proud and beautiful horse stretched out its tongue to lick her face as if it was claiming its reward. Xu Ke witnessed it, and the frustration in his heart dissipated somewhat. It nibbled on my hair So be it. That is better than losing my life. The earthquake came suddenly. I ordered the servants to clean the ruins and search for survivors. Thus, I was delayed. I seek your forgiveness. Jiang Pengji smiled and said with an open mind, You did well. Why would I blame you? The moment the earthquake happened, the probability of survival was high. By the time the aftershocks ended, a lot of time had been lost. You know my capabilities. If I was unable to survive, then Shangjing would have been full of corpses. Do you know anything about the situation out there? If something unfortunate happened to her and she died during the earthquake, what purpose did Xe Ke have? His decision was truly responsible and respectable. In the current era, highly ranked people were suspicious and said that Xu Ke was rebellious. However, Jiang Pengji was very magnanimous How could she blame him? Xu Ke wasnt a sentimental person, but after experiencing a disaster, he was under great pressure to make decisions based on survival. Moreover, he received Jiang Pengjis affirmation. He was hovering on the brink of tears. He sniffed, forcing his tears to retract. Outside Its full of ruins. Out of ten houses, nine have collapsed. Numerous people are dead I fear survivors are few, if any Xu Ke choked with emotion while he spoke. A terrible scene floated before his eyes, and his heart was full of sorrow. In ancient times, the people worked from nine in the morning until five in the evening. The earthquake happened after midnight. At that time, the majority of the people were already asleep. In addition, the earthquake happened suddenly, and it was shocking. Many did not have the chance to escape. Out of ten houses, nine have collapsed Jiang Pengji let out a long, heavy sigh. She mustered the energy to sit on a pile of ruins. She was a warrior in her genes; she was part of the most intense wars in the galaxy. Both her hands had harvested an innumerable number of lives. Life and death were nothing out of the ordinary to her. From Jiang Pengjis perspective, the people were no different from the federal citizens she protected. The lives of her enemies were worthless in her eyes, but the people she guarded were priceless treasures. The massive earthquake caused many deaths Their deaths held no value. Life was fragile like the grass of a field. Langjun Xu Ke thought of counseling her, but he didnt know how to. He knew that his Langjun had a cold personality. Her temperament was feisty, and her ways were bold. She had no limits, but deep down he knew she was pure of heart. Yes, she was pure of heart. Jiang Pengji would go down to the ground because she was pure of heart. She learned how to farm from the old farmers. She learned first-hand about what crops needed to grow and how to improve farming tools. She managed to optimize the process of tool design for the craftsmen. She had established troops and guards who ensured peace in Hejian by protecting people from the bandits. She established the womens troops and embraced the orphaned and trafficked young girls There were many books amid the ruins. They were the precious books she received from Marquis Cheng, which she wanted to print more of in the future. She wanted to provide an opportunity for young people to have access to books. There was also Chongzhous sandalwood, where she secretly established a paper factory and experimented with many ways to create paper. Her method for each process was well thought out. The purpose of each step was clearly seen by Xu Ke. She was born into an aristocratic family, but she did not base her identity on it. She had a genuine heart for the people. Xu Ke wondered that if such a person could not be called pure of heart, then who could? Jiang Pengji was not in a daze for long. She quickly recovered her composure and wore a cold expression. Open the storeroom and set up a place for porridge and rice to be distributed Xu Ke knew his Langjun would want to do that. She had prepared and planned for it way ahead of time. The storeroom is stocked with rations. If we set up a site to distribute porridge, it will be able to last for half a month. Of course, the porridge distribution site was not huge. It would hardly be sustainable for five days. Chapter 375 - Earthquake in Shangjing (7) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How much money is left in the warehouse? I am uncertain if the medical store still exists, or if medicinal herbs can still be purchased. Itd be better if we could invite the experienced doctor. She couldnt save those who died in the earthquake, but she could do her utmost for those that were still alive. If she had known the earthquake would occur so suddenly, she wouldve sought after doctors when she first arrived in Shangjing. Also, set aside some money to hire those still alive. We can either pay them with food rations or with money. They can help clear the ruins or search for survivors. Go prepare a constitution and calculate the expenses. If theres not enough There was no need to calculate anything; Xu Ke already knew there was not enough silver in the warehouse. Langjun There was insufficient silver in the warehouse from the start. Jiang Pengji pursed her lips and said, I will think of a solution for the silver and the rations. Please take care of everything else. Xu Ke replied, If we could convince every house and mansion to open their stores, the effect may be more desirable. She laughed, then impolitely said, What is the probability that will happen? The year the snow disaster happened, there were countless casualtiesCCfrom both starvation and freezing to death. How many people in all of Shangjing opened their stores to provide rations then? After the earthquake, it was every man for himself. If one managed to survive, their first instinct was to flee from such a dire place. Why would they stay? From the perspective of the aristocratic families that boasted of their noble bloodline, the common people were like worthless ants. Who would stay in Shangjing for mere ants? They wouldnt open their warehouses, let alone offer money, rations, or medicinal herbs. Xu Ke had no come back to her question; he remained silent. As they were talking, the sound of a horses hooves came from afar. Upon a closer look, they realized it was the disheveled Huang Song. A few soldiers wearing official uniforms followed behind him. Brother Liu! Huang Song pulled on his horses reins. He controlled the horse and had it stop before Jiang Pengji. Where is Brother Jue? He leaped off the horse and noticed her pale face. Her hair was in a mess, and she wore a loose coat. He sighed helplessly. Other than being psychologically affected, he didnt seem to have suffered any injuries. Taking Jiang Pengjis advice, Huang Song brought his men to patrol the city multiple times the night before. At midnight, they managed to catch two spoiled sons from aristocratic families fooling around. As they prepared to arrest them according to the laws of Shangjing city, the earthquake happened without any warning. Huang Song gathered his men and instantly went to save people. He then rushed back to his mansion to check on the situation there. His father had a habit of sleeping late. When the earthquake occurred, he suffered light injuries, but he was otherwise safe and had fortunately managed to escape. Huang Song tasked his servants with rescuing people while he searched for silver and rations amidst the ruins. He then got his father somewhere safe and settled him there. After his arrangements were in order, he brought men to where Jiang Pengji was so they could find and save officials and nobles crushed under the ruins. The whole of Shangjing was in ruins. Out of ten buildings, nine had collapsed. His heart grew heavier as he traveled. After the disaster was over, it was unthinkable how few survivors would be left. Jiang Pengji glanced at Huang Song and his men behind him. They all looked shag and dirty as if they just worked at a construction site. Huaijie is safe. He sustained a minor injury to his arm, but he is otherwise okay. He is inside. Even though the patrol head of Shangjing was a low-ranked official, he had one advantage: There were people under him. That is good Huang Song heaved a sigh of relief. The situation is unstable. It is unsafe here. The refugees are after rations and money; they will stop at nothing to provide for their families. Brother Liu needs to make other plans, he said, his intentions genuine. Jiang Pengji frowned upon hearing his words. She knew what people were capable of, but she needed a favor I heard that Shangjing has 100,000 imperial guards. If they were dispatched, it would comfort the people. They could save many lives. People wouldnt have to live in desperation if the government opened their stores. Her voice was full of heavy sarcasm. Huang Song wore a somewhat awkward facial expression. He replied helplessly, When the earthquake happened, the Emperor was outside the city at his royal summer mansion. The imperial guards must to ensure his safety; they cannot leave his side. Jiang Pengji clamped her eyes shut. Xu Ke, who was behind her, read between the lines of Huang Songs words. He grew angry and stepped forward to confront him, but Jiang Pengji raised her hands to stop him. The audience members in the live streaming room fixated on the disaster and its aftermath. Ruins abounded, and people were suffering Upon hearing Huang Songs words, they grew furious. Laosiji Lianmeng: What does that mean? There are 100,000 imperial guards! Cant they leave 10,000 guards to protect the Emperor and let the remainder save the people? Dazejuan: Pei! Why does protecting someone require 10,000 guards? Who does the Donqing Emperor think he is? Yingyang Kuaixian: I have followed the live streaming closely. Based on the information Ive gathered, the imperial guards are the strongest military might in Shangjing. If they do not save the people, then the bastards are going to sit back and watch everyone die! Jiang Pengji saw the bullet screen and laughed indifferently. If the earthquake had been smaller or occurred during the day, and there were less dead and injured, the Emperor would likely send his imperial guards to render aid. Shangjing was in ruins. How could it still be considered the capital city? It was too expensive to reconstruct the capital; the country couldnt support it. Under such circumstances, the Dongqing Emperor would naturally choose the path that offered the least amount of loss. Zuiai Latiaole: Keke, in ancient times, the peoples lives were worthless. Life is indeed preciousthat is, on the condition that you are an official or were born into an aristocratic family. Look at Huang! He brought men to save other people, but he saved those big shots in Shangjing first. The rate of rescue in ancient times was very slow. If they rescued an average person first, then an official or noblemans life was at risk. If it came down to it, who do you think will be saved first? Wahaha: I recall the Luchuan earthquake. I was at Luchuan university when the earthquake happened. I was rescued amidst the ruins by a soldier. I wonder if I would have died if I were an average person. Niurougeng Bujiajiang: Dont fool around. If that was the case, your corpse would be cold. Youd have already gone through the process of reincarnation. Tuhuangyou Banfan: Thats enough. The conversation is so full of negative energy that I want to flip my keyboard. I am going to do some activities with positive energy to calm down. I will post on Duniang to see if I can garner the rich to donate rewards to the live streaming room The audience members in the live streaming room chose to trust Jiang Pengji based on her reputation and the trust she won through her live streams over the years. Rewards of varying degrees continued poured in. Huang Song seemingly knew the source of her information. He felt like he had a tacit understanding of Jiang Pengji; he just had to probe at her. The Emperor is unable to fend for himself. Brother Liu should leave as soon as possible. The whole wide world is open for you to showcase your talents. If you hesitate and miss this opportunity, you will not be able to escape when the Emperor calls for you and second brother Feng Thereafter, he regained his composure and looked professional. Jiang Pengji smirked coldly. I, Liu Xi, dont have much, but I have my principles. If I leave everything and escape, how am I any different from a coward? You dont have to hide anything from me, Bogao. I am not stupid. It is clear that the Emperor witnessed nine out of ten buildings collapse, but he does not want to expend resources on reconstructing the capital city. Instead, he devised a plan to leave with the high officials, noble people, and ministers so he could establish a capital city elsewhere. Am I right? Why would he waste a huge amount of human resources to repair all of Shangjing? If there werent intentions to move the capital city, he would have ordered the imperial guards to save the people, albeit just for show. It was the imperial city. It was impossible for it to be made up of the Emperor alone. The Emperor controlled the imperial guards, and he was refusing to offer relief efforts. That suggested that he was gearing up to abandon the people. Notably, his intention to move the capital city was certainly clear. Huang Songs face changed unexpectedly; it became deathly white. Chapter 376 - Earthquake in Dongqing (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji sneered. I refuse to leaveCCeven if the Emperor decides to move the capital city. Huang Song wore a complex expression. He felt like Jiang Pengji was an entirely new person. When she removed her lazy and laid-back facade and revealed her true persona, he felt enlightened. She earned his admiration, but her choice was regretful. Huang Song lowered his voice to counsel Jiang Pengji. He sincerely had her best interest at heart. Whether you are willing to leave or not, Im afraid the decision is not yours to make. If you make the Emperor angry, blood will flow. This isnt a joke. If you dont leave now, theres a good chance hell hold you hostage in the future. The Emperor had thought of many ways to indirectly hold the aristocratic family hostage. Since the earthquake in Shangjing, nothing had been going in favor of the Emperor. More than ever, he refused to release his hostages. If the aristocratic families decided to revolt against him, there would be bloodshed. The earthquake happened recently, thus the Emperor had to fend for himself. If Jiang Pengji packed up and escaped during the night, she would be safe once she entered Chongzhou. Even if the Emperor pursued the incident later, Chongzhou magistrate Liu She would defend her. The scenario in Dongqing was already dire, but then it was coupled with the sudden earthquake. If the Emperor wanted to hold power for long, he could not afford to make the wrong move. But if Jiang Pengji did not leave, then after the capital city moved, she would be held hostage and ultimately lose her freedom. Dont worry. I have it planned out. Jiang Pengji set her sights afar. The sky was full of smoke; she could only see ruins. The air even was difficult to breathe in. I know what you are worried about. Im risking my safety by staying. I have full assurance. If the Emperor really wanted to move the capital city, she would not shy away from taking everyone in Shangjing with her when she left. Her initial plan was to slow down her advancement, strategize secretly, and proceed one step at a time. However, the other partys foolishness forced her to move forward. The Emperor was courting death. Only, she was facing a serious dilemma: Silver and rations were secondary. She had insufficient manpower. Prior to Huang Songs arrival, she wanted to ask for his opinion and to lend a helping hand. The head of the patrol guards was a small official post, but he commanded many people. Looking at the situation now, however, it was impossible to count on him. It was not that Huang Song was impure in heart; he was just conducting himself professionally. He could only use his limited resources and energy to help the officials and nobles, which fulfilled the duties assigned by those above him in rank. If a descendant of a eunuch wished to be successful in court, it was exceedingly difficult. He had a heart for the homeless and destitute people. It was a pity the situation was so devastating. His spirit was willing, but his strength was weak. If only she had the troops to look after, then she wouldnt have a lack of manpower. Huang Song saw that Jiang Pengji had made up her mind. He heaved a long sigh, aware that he couldnt convince her. You came here looking for Huaijie and Huaiyu? They are inside. Jiang Pengji guessed at Huang Songs motive for coming. He came to tell them to flee Shangjing quickly and return home to ensure their safety. Huang Song had good intentions, but the Feng brothers were not average people; they each had their own opinions. Huang Song was embarrassed. He sensed Jiang Pengji was not in a good mood. He bowed respectfully, said thanks, and evaded talking about the Feng brothers. Upon seeing that Huang Song was gone, Xu Ke said, I will go back to strategize. En, please ride White back. It is quick-witted. If you encounter a mob of people along the way, it will ensure your safety. Xu Ke held Whites reins in his hands and got on the horse steadily. Thank you! Jiang Pengji gave him permission directly, so Xu Ke was not thrown off its back. The horse was proud and temperamental. If they had not been searching for Jiang Pengji, it wouldnt have even allowed Xu Ke to ride it in the first place. Jiang Pengji remained where she was for a while. She then saw Huang Song, who was expressionless, walking by. Both nodded as they walked past each other, then went about their own business. As the patrol officer in Shangjing, Huang Song was responsible for rescuing the officials and noblemen and ensuring their safety. The tent that Jiang Pengji built was very sturdy. It could accommodate three grown people, and they did not feel claustrophobic. Wei Jingxian slept in the tent after she drank the tonic soup, while Changsheng drank breastmilk and slept comfortably. Feng Jins heart was full of pride and fear. He had run around everywhere, then finally decided on three milk nannies for his child. They were healthy, had enough milk volume, and were civilized and cultured. After the earthquake, however, one of the three died, and the other two were injured. They were all incapable of breastfeeding the child. Nevertheless, they couldnt allow the child to go hungry just because they no longer had a milk nanny. The husband and wife looked upon their daughter with adoration. Wei Jingxian hesitantly asked whether she could feed the baby with her own breastmilk. The baby was a newborn and cried in short waves that sounded like a weak kitten. Wei Jingxians heart was in excruciating pain when she heard its cries. Feng Jins face was solemn. It was not because of Wei Jingxians suggestion, but because his heart truly ached for his wife and child. In an aristocratic family, who was responsible for breastfeeding the child? Wei Jingxian wasnt a noblewoman. Nonetheless, she was the legal wife of the second son in the Feng family. It was a grievance to find an honorable woman to nanny and breastfeed a child. Nevertheless, Jiang Pengji did tell him that breastmilk was good for the baby, and it was sustainable. His facial expression became mildly calmer. Only, just as his mood improved, Huang Song approached them. The Emperor intended to abandon Shangjing and move the capital city elsewhere! Huang Song did not stay and wait for the Feng brothers to reply. Time was life; even procrastinating for one moment was not allowed. He desperately wished he could duplicate himself. It was a miracle he could even find time to convey the news, which evidenced that he regarded Feng Jue as a close friend. Lanting? Why did you return? Feng Jin lifted his head when he heard some movement. He saw Jiang Pengji walking towards him. I met Bogao on the way. The Emperor intends to abandon Shangjing and move the capital city Feng Jins bit his lip. Jiang Pengjis thoughts were the same as his, even without prior discussion. There were two paths set before him: The first was to stay put and wait for the Emperor to apprehend him. He would be held hostage for the Feng family. However, Feng Jin was not an average man. He saw how many dangers awaited them. It wasnt imprisonment, but it was similar. When they moved to the next capital, he might become an actual prisoner. The second option was to seize the opportunity, pack up his wife and child, and get them away from Shangjing. If Jingxian hadnt given birth or was early on in her pregnancy, they would surely pursue the second option. Unfortunately, heaven liked to toy with man. The baby was a newborn. She could not withstand the arduous journey, let alone the unknown dangers that may arise. There were homeless robbers in the jungle and riotous mobs that formed from extreme hunger. He could not afford to gamble with their lives. After weighing both options, it seemed like the first option was safer. Feng Jin was a true gentleman and a saint. For the sake of his wife and daughter, hed rather temporarily sacrifice his freedom to protect his family. Then, Jiang Pengji gave him a third option. Chapter 377 - Earthquake in Shangjing (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Huaiyu, she said, disrupting Feng Jins thoughts, Help me. Feng Jins heart trembled, and he replied, Please feel free to ask what you require of me. They were not just close friends. Lanting was akin to family, and he was indebted to her forever. I wish to stay in Shangjing. Feng Jin said decisively, No, you should leave quickly. He could not bear to implicate his wife and daughter. He had to choose a safer option against his will, but it was different for Jiang Pengji. If she did not provoke the bandits and the mob of refugees, her safety was guaranteed. Her chances of leaving Shangjing to travel to Chongzhou were also higher. Please hear me out first. Please, go ahead. I am listening. Feng Jin calmed his emotions. Jiang Pengji continued, As you have seen, the Emperor wishes to give up on the people of Shangjing by moving the capital city. The imperial guards are his safeguard, and he wont let them go easily. Notably, we cannot depend on him to suddenly realize his mistakes, or become a saintly ruler that loves his people. Huaiyu, have you thought about it? Perhaps you dont care. How are the people in Shangjing going to survive? I want to stay to help them. The Dongqing Emperor was going to move the capital city, and Jiang Pengji would bring the survivors to the new capital. Feng Jin sighed and remarked coldly, Lanting, I know you are virtuous and have a magnanimous heart. But you cannot achieve this by your strength alone. Where was the manpower required to save the people? Where were the rations for the survivors? Where were the medications for the injured and sick? Those were just the basic requirements for what Jiang Pengji wished to accomplish. What would they do with the corpses? Summer had arrived, and it was hot and humid. The bodies would decompose quickly. If they did not handle the situation well, then a plague would spread. If a plague occurred, it would affect many. They had no divine doctor to treat the plague! People were fools; they were easily hoodwinked. Even if Jiang Pengji wanted what was best for them, there were still troublemakers. Some people were impatient about getting their food or blamed her for not handling relief efforts well. There were also those that preferred violence and robbery. How did she plan to curb violent refugees? Even if those situations were solvable, how was she going to settle people down? Shangjing city was in ruins. It left the people in shambles. Even the Emperor himself was hesitant about how to solve it. Did she really have the guts to take it on? Feng Jin didnt know how to advise her. I can do it, Huaiyu, Jiang Pengji said. Feng Jin suppressed the unknown worries in his heart. He looked into Jiang Pengjis eyes intently, then spoke with a hoarse voice. You are but a scholarly person. You cannot take on this burden. If you wish to save them, you must be ready. Have you thought of how to wrap up that situation? The Dongqing Emperor wished to abandon his people. He chose to move the capital city, while Jiang Pengji was merely a scholar that desired to participate. She was taking her life too lightly! I know how to end things. Jiang Pengji was adamant. Her expression did not change. It is impossible to live in Shangjing. Rebuilding will require a lot of manpower and energy. The earthquake was severe. Its effects have spread not just across Shangyang County, but perhaps throughout a prefecture. We cant wait around to reconstruct a country on a foundation of ruins. I will bring them to Chongzhou. Her voice faded away. Feng Jins expression changed, then he pushed the side table away with his hands. The table overturned in the air and crashed loudly on the floor, which startled Wei Jingxian and the baby. Changshengs weak cry sounded. Her red, wrinkled face emitted hot air. Her cry was very pitiful. Wei Jingxian pulled apart the curtains of the tent. As she comforted her child, she looked at them in shock. You guys Did they quarrel? I am fine Feng Jin regained his focus. His cold appearance melted into guilt. He spoke softly, Please pacify Changsheng There were still occasional aftershocks. Even the adults were afraid, let alone a newborn child. His emotions were running rampant, and as a result, he frightened his child. His guilt was only natural. Lanting, lets go somewhere further to talk. Feng Jins facial expression returned to normal. His tone, instead of turning gentle, became stern. All right. Jiang Pengji rose and followed him out of the tent. The audience members in the streaming room were nervous. Before long, bullet screens poured in. Yingyang Kuaixian: Young Feng Jin is so fierce. He instantly transformed from a gentle, rich man to a possessed, mean man. It frightened a group of audience members. Niurougeng Bujiajiang: Did the streamer say some taboo words and step on his Achilles heel? Laosiji Lianmeng: Pei, you worry too much. Feng Jins thoughts are easily discernable. The streamer said something taboo. Regardless of what era they are in, rebellion is not encouraged. The streamer hinted at it just now. She doesnt want to bear with the Dongqing Emperor anymore; she wants to take it on herself. Young Feng Jin went through mainstream education. It would be weird if he accepted this immediately. Woshi Guanshiyin: The Dongqing Emperor is incompetent. If one doesnt rebel against him, hell be around until Qing Ming. Shuijiade Tiaodan: En, even so, he didnt have to be so shocked, right? Look at Xu Ke. His ability to accept things so readily is admirable. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Pei. Does young Xu Ke know the streamer is a female? After that comment appeared on the bullet screen, many subsequent speechless replies followed. They didnt seem to understand the relationship between the two. So what if she was a female? After a long while, when the audience finally understood, they became silent again. The streamer was a dependable best friend. If she was a male, she could achieve her ambitions and conquer the nations. Truthfully, the Dongqing Emperor was as foolish as a pig. What was the big deal about rebelling against him? The problem was that she was female. After a while, an audience member revealed the truth. Nudi Jiawo: Why do I feel like dear Feng Jin was shocked by the streamer? Her words surprised Feng Jin. He was confused and lost control of his emotions. Lanting, why did you? Feng Jin wore an indescribable, conflicted look. He knew his best friend was unconventional. She liked to stir up trouble, but it never occurred to him that she had such ambitions. This seems good. Jiang Pengjis expression became milder and she painted a scenario for him. Can you imagine me at home with my husband and son, serving them and helping them cook? Can you see me being meek and compliant, bearing the image of a good wife and loving mother? Feng Jin looked as though he had a mouthful of worms. He spoke with much difficulty, You can stop now. He had a limited imagination; he just couldnt think clearly. It was easier to imagine her punching a tall and sturdy man in the chest over a mere grievance. Thats why I will never be able to live the life of an average woman. Huaiyu, I cannot live a cowardly life. Neither can I marry a woman just to hide my female identity. I will not sit back and accept my fate, Jiang Pengji continued, I am a human first, then a woman. I am a human, so why can I not be the Emperor? The Emperor is not compassionate. The court is corrupt, and society doomed. I shouldnt have to deal with how things are going. Feng Jin opened his mouth a few times, but under the influence of Jiang Pengjis words, he couldnt speak. Chapter 378 - Earthquake in Shangjing (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Where is the rule that says the Emperor has to be male? The law states that the Emperor has to be humane and magnanimous, but it never says they have to be male. Jiang Pengji scolded the previous Emperors of Dongqing. Indeed, more than half of Dongqing would agree that former Emperors were beasts and not men. Feng Jin sighed. You have such a witty, sharp tongue. You are also very opinionated and direct. It is impossible for me to outtalk you. Indeed, the sages of old did not say that the Emperor had to be a man. In other words, why couldnt a woman be one? It didnt matter who the Emperor wasCCwhether it was a man, woman, or animal. All they wanted was someone that could provide a peaceful and abundant life for them Feng Jin wasnt a nobleman that was full of himself. He understood what the people needed. Those who truly cared about the gender of the Emperor were unlikely the commoners, but rather the aristocratic families or noblemen. The customs are as such. Have you thought about what youll do if they find out your true identity? The scholars will turn against you Feng Jins understood, but he still encouraged her to reconsider. Jiang Pengji had nothing to hide. She spoke mockingly, The victorious reigns, while the defeated has to bow in submission. When I come with my mighty army to hunt my prey, well see who will submit! The literates can despise me, a thousand men can judge me, but those are mere words. Well block our ears, and it wont matter if they spit at us! If the people were not on board, they could get lost. The literates could condemn her with their speech and their writings, but why would that bother Jiang Pengji? Ultimately, she didnt care about prestige at all. If she died, she couldnt be bothered with anything that came thereafterCCeven if it was a flood. If they enjoyed criticizing, so be it. Whoever criticized her would be beaten up! Regarding such matters, her only choice was violence. There was nothing that pure martial strength could not pin down. If there was, she would suppress it again. Feng Jin was speechless. Jiang Pengji has said her piece; she displayed all the cards she had. The atmosphere between them was solemn. She asked, Are you going to help me or not? They spoke for quite a while. It was time for Feng Jin to make a decision. Feng Jins wore a bitter expression. He wanted time to ponder his decision. I will help. His voice faded. Feng Jin desperately wished he could slap himself. Why did he agree to that? It was as if a demon possessed him. He told Feng Jue to not do foolish things, but now he was slapping himself in the face. Jiang Pengji was pulling him onto a dangerous pirate ship that could sink anytime. That is good. Jiang Pengjis face broke into a smile. Feng Jin was certain that after the capital city moved, Dongqing would divide into fractions. The Emperor wasnt even concerned; he heartlessly abandoned the people of Shangjing. Why would he care about people affected by the disaster in other areas? What would desperate people do to survive? Feng Jin considered the big picture; he wasnt against it. Disregarding everything else, even if it was for the sake of his wife and child, he had to secure a place for his family. Jiang Pengji explained what she planned with Xu Ke. Feng Jins concerns did not differ from what they discussed previously. There were four things they lacked: manpower, money, rice, and medicine. First, assemble all the men in your mansion. I will get Xiaoyu to deploy them. In conclusion, lets set up a place to distribute porridge and coalesce our manpower to help the surviving people with the ruins. Well clear out a safe place for the injured to recuperate. The aftershocks havent ended, so lets ensure everyones safety first. Feng Jin knew that everything Jiang Pengji did was for the people. There are 26 people in my mansion, including servants and maids, that survived. Theyve tidied the warehouse, and they found some meager estate. He became alert and said, This is all secondary. Have you considered what will happen if this goes bad? Others will denounce us, and the Emperor will become suspicious. Jiang Pengji had a solution. If the resources were well utilized, she could secure a mid-level official post. I wish to write a petition, and thus I will be famous, Jiang Pengji said, The Emperor has abandoned his people, and is intent on moving the capital city. Its such a shameless act. Who could do that and still have a clear conscience? He does not deserve burial in the royal tomb. I will take this upon myself, thereby helping the Emperor hide his shame. I wonder if hell be willing. I believe he will beCChe may be overjoyed. All understood the reasoning, however, not everyone dared to stand out as she did. Feng Jin was silent, and his mouth had a bitter taste. He had to admit that the person before him had a magnanimous disposition and rare foresight. If done well, the Emperor will reward you handsomely. Hell throw a feast, and claim all credit for himself. He can push all the blame on me if things dont go well, claim that I am incompetent, and any other false accusation Regardless, the Emperor will not be at a disadvantage. This is the first point. Jiang Pengji was calm, which was what Feng Jin admired about her. Secondly, after the capital city moves, the imperial city will be further from the three tribes of the Northern Borderline. Thus, the Emperor will be able to sleep better, and the importance of Chongzhou to Dongqing will consequently decrease in value. As a hostage, my value will also decrease compared to before. Naturally, the Emperor will allow me to stay. Good thinking. Feng Jin agreed. She calculated it well. Nevertheless, from the perspective of bystanders, what one gave was not always what they received. I feel that, too. Jiang Pengji hugged herself. She smiled cheerfully. Thats why I have to trouble you to write me a petition. Feng Jins expression was blank. He looked so lost. The bullet screen in the live streaming room was full of laughter, which dispelled the solemnness. Yingyang Kuaixian: Its not that. Feng Jin hasnt fully committed to the streamers idea. Is it wise if she reveals her true intentions so quickly? Did she scare him away? I still have to settle the issue with the silver and rations. Xiaoyu is not with me now. who else can I bother? With such a bold assumption, Feng Jin had itchy hands. Did she say she could solve the issue of the shortage of silver and rations? Feng Jin did not doubt Jiang Pengji, but he felt like that was a fantasy. Believe me, Jiang Pengji said. She regained her usual calm composure. Writing a petition and handing it to the Emperor had a high chance of success. Dongqings Emperor had long been wary of Liu She. In the past, it was because of Hu county, but now it was because he was the Chongzhou magistrate. If Jiang Pengji did well, the Emperor could shamelessly steal her credit and hide the negative effects of moving the capital city. It would certainly save him some face. Contrarily, if Jiang Pengji didnt perform well, she would get in deep trouble, and implicate Liu She, who could not escape. He could potentially be stripped of his title. It seemed as though she would lose the gamble. However, precisely because of that, she wanted to move forward. She wanted to surprise everyone. System, if youre still alive, make some noise. The System did not reply immediately. Jiang Pengjis tone was different from her usual; it was starkly cold, and it sounded more robotic than the Systems. Chapter 379 - Earthquake in Dongqing (11) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shes not being friendly! Even if the System was only a cluster of data, it had been with Jiang Pengji for years and had come to understand her temper over time. It was startled when it heard her speak in such a tone. It was completely nervous, and only responded after considering for a while. How can I help you? Jiang Pengji immediately looked for a flat surface and sat down when there was no one around. She clasped her hands together in a leisurely posture. The more she acted like that, the more perturbed the System was. Jiang Pengji said in a relaxed manner, Do you remember the time when I asked you if my popularity points could be exchanged for food during the snowstorm in Shangjing? At that time, you told me that my streaming level wasnt high enough. Even if my level was enough, 10,000 points could only be exchanged for 50 kilograms of food. Is that right? The System was different from living beings; it had back-end data. It was impossible for it to forget things. Of course, the System could not pretend to be dumb when Jiang Pengji had mentioned the situation with such detail. Thinking about the scale of the earthquake that time, the System suddenly felt a lot more at ease and guessed what Jiang Pengji wanted to say. Are you thinking of using your popularity points in exchange for food? Since youve already reached level 4 on your streaming level, the redemption function can be unlocked. If you really want to exchange points for food, it can be done. Haha What a greedy thing Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids, hiding the contempt deep inside her eyes. She had persisted before. How could she stop now? Except for the 23 million popularity points that she had accumulated on her own, the remaining 33 million points in the back-end points account were rewarded by the audience in the streaming room for the earthquake. The data was still under the premise that the System had already divided the rewards into two. In other words, the audience in the streaming room had gathered at least 66 million points since the earthquake! Jiang Pengji had once probed the viewers and determined the approximate commodity price in their dimension. A reward of one yuan was equal to one popularity point. The exchange ratio given by the System was that 10,000 points could be exchanged for 50 kilograms of food. What did that mean? That meant that 10,000 yuan would be required to purchase of 50 kilograms of rice. There were various prices of rice in the dimension of the streaming. 10 kilograms of packed rice, which was the most common, costed about 50 yuan. Calculating according to the ratio above, it was clear at a glance how evil the System was. If it was during normal times, for the sake of the Systems usefulness, Jiang Pengji could pretend to be blind and let the System pocket her points for profit. Of course, pigs could only be killed when they had been fattened. However, the rewards were used for disaster relief. Jiang Pengji would definitely fulfill the promise she made with the audience in the streaming room. Therefore, she could make a deal with the System, but the ratio had to be adjusted. Exchanging 10,000 points for 50 kilograms of food Dont you think that youre taking advantage of the difficulties of others for your own benefit? Jiang Pengji curled her lips. The System answered, The deal is a consensual matter. How can you say that Im taking advantage of the difficulties of others for my own benefit? Jiang Pengji secretly curled her lips. The System was getting cocky now that she had not taught it a lesson recently. The System must have reckoned that it was her only choice to exchange for food, so it became adamant. Jiang Pengji smacked her lips and intertwined her fingers together, as if she was casually in a daze. Cant the ratio be adjusted? she asked. The System replied, No. This ratio has been set since production. The host and the System have no right to change it. Jiang Pengji heaved a long sigh in her heart. Some people always looked like villains, holding on and refusing to give up until they reached their goalsCCeven after suffering from a disaster. It made people sick. She did not continue to negotiate with the System. She made a stroke in the air with her right index finger and pulled out her own attributes. The attribute panel was getting longer and longer. The classification of each piece of data had also become more detailed. She skipped the meaningless content and directly locked her gaze on [Base Strength 51 points, Strength Fusion +67 points]. When she left Shangjing City with Master Yuan Jing that year, she had fused her fighting power, and the System had upgraded once. After that, being in Langye for half a year, she did a lot of trivial missions and boring streaming content. She once again fused her fighting power, and the System had coincidentally upgraded as well. After being in a deadlock for approximately an hour, the System took the initiative and asked, Do you want to redeem any food? Do you think I should? she asked, rhetorically and with a smile. However, the look in her eyes remained unchanged. Deep in her eyes, there was still ice that had been frozen for thousands of years. The System hesitated for a while and responded, According to the back-end mathematical data of the System, it is recommended that you redeem. The earthquake this time had a magnitude of 7.8 at its epicenter. The aftershock has already occurred five times. The death toll has exceeded 30,000 in Shangjing City alone The figure, 30,000, could not have been underestimated. The general population of Shangjing City was about 120,000. In addition to the 100,000 imperial guards stationed there, the population was about 220,000. Most of the imperial guards lived in military camps. The casualties and losses after the earthquake were small. In other words, under the premise of not counting the number of imperial guards, the death rate of the commoners in Shangjing City had already reached 25 percent. Those were people who were confirmed to be dead. There were even more people buried under the rubble that were still holding onto their last breath. The System showed the data, and it was clearly telling Jiang Pengji that she should not care about her points if she wanted to be the Virgin Mary. If she cared about her points, she should stop spitting nonsense. So what if it was taking advantage of the difficulties of others for its own benefit? If she was unhappy about it, she could choose not to redeem anything. It was not its business that people died. Realizing what the System meant implicitly, Jiang Pengji did not get angry from embarrassment. Instead, she revealed an inscrutable facial expression. The System initially thought that Jiang Pengji would eventually give in in the end, but not long after, it realized that something was wrong. She was too calm! Could it be that she lost her cool? Jiang Pengji suddenly made small talk. System, weve been tied together for three or four years, but it seems I havent introduced myself properly. The System felt somewhat uncomfortable, but it was unable to point out what was wrong. It could only ask accordingly, Havent you introduced yourself before? A long time ago, Jiang Pengji had yet to have a good relationship with the audience in the streaming room. She had once introduced her origin in order to taunt the audience. I have, but it wasnt comprehensive. Jiang Pengji seemed to have shifted the focus away from the redemption of food. The System grew uneasy. She continued, Thinking about it now, I should introduce myself again. My name is Jiang Pengji, and my occupation is the General of the Federal Forces. Im a female, and Im the Leading General of Corps Seven. I hold one-tenth of the federal real power I know. The System looked patient, but in fact it was already impatient. A hero would have been silent about their past glories. No. Im not done talking yet, Jiang Pengji replied. The candidate of the Regimental Commander has a rigid request The System responded casually, What sort of nonsensical request? The level of mental and brain development must at least be at level 3S, Jiang Pengji replied calmly. However, for the System, that answer was tantamount to a thunder on the plains, as if a bomb had blown up in its brain. The System did not respond. Jiang Pengji continued, Scientists have categorized the levels of mental brain domain according to scientific standardsCCthe lowest level being F and the highest level being 3S. There are 21 levels in total. With each level of promotion, the mental brain domain will have a qualitative advancement. It doesnt necessarily mean that the higher the level, the higher the IQ and the higher the degree of brain development. It only means that the spiritual energy is higher Why are you escaping? As she had yet to finish talking, a tiny source of energy seemed to be stripped from her brain. A pure spiritual power was holding it firmly in place. System Tell me. Why are you escaping? Huh? Chapter 380 - Earthquake in Dongqing (12) Chapter 380: Earthquake in Dongqing (12) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji curled her lips mockingly and said, Im not done talking yet. Youre not showing me any respect. The System was silent. If it did not make an escape now, was it just going to wait for death? If it was in its perfect state, it would have definitely been unafraid of her, as if it had a 3S mental brain domain as well. Neither of them would have been rewarded if they really had a confrontation about the mental brain domain. However, at present, it was not a match for Jiang Pengji at all. Tsk, why do you have to do this? Jiang Pengji asked with hostility. She clasped her hands together, confidence exuding from her body. Ive already backed down again and again. I cant stand you constantly looking for trouble. Youve really stepped on my last nerve this time. The System did not say a word. It tried to break through the spiritual confinement, but Jiang Pengji did not give it any chance to do so. It tried several times. It did not cause any damage to the spiritual confinement; instead, it used up a lot of energy. The System simply did not bother to try again. It questioned Jiang Pengji coldly. Did you do all of this on purpose from the start? Have you been toying with me for the past few years? Youre too stupid, and you have a low IQ. Are you trying to blame society? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. If you could have a discussion with me properly about the exchange ratio and not touch my last nerve, then I wouldnt have to shed all pretenses of cordiality. The System was like a sheepCCwool was being pulled out from it at intervals. Other than that, it was really stupid. However, dealing with such a foolish enemy out in the open was better than dealing with one in the dark. When did you start to doubt me? The System knew all along that it had a bad relationship with Jiang Pengji, and she was even suspicious of it several times. The System did not take it to heart, however. It had seen and worked with all kinds of hosts. Like Jiang Pengji, many of them doubted it and put their guard up against it. However, humans were born with compassion. After getting along with it for years, was there any host who would not trust it wholeheartedly? Therefore, taking warning of its failures, the System had modified its countermeasures towards Jiang Pengji. To put it simply, one would advance when the enemy advanced, and one would retreat when the enemy retreated. They would keep a distance that was neither close nor far. Time would slowly wipe out the alienation between the two. However, the strategies that had proven effective every time did not work on her. It only came to realize that day that she had never trusted it. She had even watched its passionate performance as if she was watching a drama. You forced me to be reincarnated. I hate it when others make decisions without asking for my opinion. The System was not willing to give in and responded, I gave you a new life. How ungrateful, it thought. Who do you think you are to be merciful to me? Who cares? Jiang Pengji was too lazy to even lift her eyelids. It was good that she did not bear grudges, but it still hoped she would be grateful towards it. She was a heartless person if she was not grateful and did not trust it. Why was it so full of itself? Although youre very full of yourself, ambitious, and extremely greedy, I have to admit that youre still somewhat useful, Jiang Pengji continued, If it wasnt for your heartfelt help, my mental brain domain wouldnt have recovered so fast So, in order to prove that Im not an ungrateful person, Ill support you. Dont worry. If the Systems facial expressions could have been expressed, it would probably have looked livid. One would prefer to die with honor than live with disgrace. If you have the balls, kill me to get rid of any troubles in the future! Otherwise, an eye for an eye. As a System with dignity and pride, how could it stand being trampled on by lowly, undignified human beings? Im a girl, so I dont have balls. Only fools would kill you. Do you think my IQ is as low as yours? The System almost choked to death. It could not self-destruct, because in Jiang Pengjis mental brain domain, she was the god. It could not escape. It was not a match for her in spiritual confrontation, so it could not break through the confinement It was about to cry. Jiang Pengji could not stop sneering. She hummed a bubbly song and reopened the System interface. For the former Regimental Commander of the Federal Forces, the manual operation was not even a problem. The person that had been conversing with Jiang Pengji all along was a self-virtual awareness program. Strictly speaking, the so-called System was actually a virtual creature that was made up of self-virtual awareness programs and basic mechanical data. The basic mechanical data was a cold body, and the self-virtual awareness program provided the data awareness. The formers noumenon was data. The latter was the data awareness created from data. The combination of the two formed a virtual creature. In Jiang Pengjis era, intergalactic science was already highly developed. The federal brain was the first virtual creature. As the influential Regimental Commander, she did not just read confidential documents for fun. She gently swiped with her finger, and a simple operation interface emerged. If the virtual mall the System showed her previously was a giant intergalactic supermarket, then what she saw now was the school canteen. Not only had things changed, but the commodity prices and redemption data had changed as well. The interface data the System showed her had already been photoshopped. There were not tens of thousands of pages on types of rice. In fact, there was only one page. The price of rice was very low. Even if the cross-dimension delivery fee was included, it was still cheaper than the packed rice in the streaming room. Tsk, tsk, tsk 10,000 points for 50 kilograms of food? Why dont you go to heaven?! Profiteers were not even that unethical. Jiang Pengji looked at the contents of the System, feeling disgusted. Her brain was carrying out complex data calculations and hypothesis formations. She raised her hand and searched for the medicinal herbs. There were hundreds of kinds of medicinal herbs, all of which were not vintage, ordinary, or of common varieties. As for the thousand-year-old and hundred-year-old ginseng, lucid ganoderma, or snowy lotus They were nowhere in sight. She also searched for the skills book on lyre-painting, chess, and calligraphy, which the System once enthusiastically recommended. Its price had dropped tenfold. After each book was opened, the introduction page had a huge section of description, which made Jiang Pengjis gastric acid churn. She was so disgusted that she almost vomited. The price of the lyre-playing skillsCCat the highest levelCCwas 10,000 popularity points. The description was, This skill had been refined by the third host, XXX, the fifth host, YYY, and the sixth host, ZZZ, and it has already reached a high level By purchasing this skills book, one would be able to obtain the soul fragments of their seniors, and thus learn quickly after they study the material. The first part was nonsense. The last sentence was enough to make someones hair stand on end. System, you treated your previous hosts really well. You exploited them while they were alive and made them work for nothing. In the end, you still wanted to take their souls back for recycling and produce the so-called express skills book Youre really making the best use of everything. Jiang Pengji was transported back in time. Shed had difficulty writing with a writing brush, so the System had recommended the skills book to her. She hadnt trusted the System at that time. She didnt care about such express things, so she had rejected it. Looking back at it now, rejecting it had been the right call. The so-called express skills book was just a book of forcibly absorbed, countless soul fragments. All of the soul fragments were from the Systems previous hosts, and they were controlled by the System. If she had used the skills book, her soul would have been doped with an element that would have made it impossible for her to ever escape from the System. Chapter 381 - Earthquake in Dongqing (13) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In the face of Jiang Pengjis reprimand, the System looked like it didnt care about anything; it was like a dead mouse that felt nothing. It could not destruct itself now and escape. It could only hope to anger Jiang Pengji to the point that she would destroy it herself. It had to admit that it had belittled her It took her lightly because, in its mind, Jiang Pengji was only a lowly ant. Jiang Pengji saw through its mind and said softly, The mental brain domain is your cage. Ill get rid of the both of you at once when I get ahold of your noumenon. If I get rid of you now, I would only be acting rashly and alerting the enemy Even though the System was just a virtual awareness program, it was so terrified that it got goosebumps. Are you dumb? Since my mental brain domain is 3S, do you think I cant sense that your mental brain domain is abnormal? The System was speechless. It was suddenly rendered speechless. It indeed split itself into two for replication. Its noumenon had most of the energy and ability. The part that was separated replicated the incomplete data of its noumenon, forming another Court Intrigue System, which was the part that was now attached to Jiang Pengji. If I kill you, your noumenon will be aware of it immediately. This will alert the enemy. If I let you escape and merge your noumenon with the separated part, you will have the same level of mental brain domain as me. Am I not creating a strong enemy for no reason? Jiang Pengji did not understand it. Who gave the System the confidence that it thought she could not see through such childs play? Just stay in your prison cell obediently. Ill feed you energy regularly, and make sure that you are neither hungry nor full. As she finished speaking, she cut off the Systems external awareness communication channel and blocked its noise. In an instant, she felt that the whole world was different. Her ears were completely at peace. Her dispute with the System only took 15 minutes. In the eyes of the audience in the streaming room, she had simply zoned out. Although she had to handle the operations manually without the Systems assistance, it was a lot safer for her without the System constantly lurking as a hidden sense of danger. At that moment, she realized that many functions in the streaming rooms back-end were gray. Jiang Pengji smacked her lips and brought out some back-end data, which was even more detailed. At a glance, the System modified the initial data. The keyword, which had been set previously, completely limited the possibility of another dimension discovering her. If the viewers comments were prohibited, they would be kicked out immediately and their IPs would be barred. Therefore, Jiang Pengji could only encounter onlookers. Under the Systems concealment, Jiang Pengji could not even see the content at all. It was a pity that even though she confined the Systems awareness, she had no authority to change the back-end data. In other words, the way the streaming room was currently operated would remain the same in the future. She was unable to upgrade her level and update the data It was seriously an emasculated version of the streaming room Tsk. Jiang Pengji looked disgusted. However, as long as the streaming room was still there, the audience could still be seen, and she could exchange for rice, which she currently needed, at the virtual shopping mall. That was enough. She comforted herself that way, but she still felt somewhat dissatisfied in her heart. However, the dissatisfaction soon disappeared. Wow This is amazing! Jiang Pengji was looking at the back-end popularity points, which totaled 111 million. She quickly rummaged through the back-end data. She only then realized where the tens of millions of popularity points, which popped up of nowhere, came from. Jiang Pengji had restrained the Systems awareness. The points in its account were then directly transferred to her back-end account. The ultimate reason the System attached to her was unknown, but there was a very clear goal: to exploit the popularity points by using all sorts of tricks. With every upgrade, the System would take the opportunity to transfer the exploited popularity points to its noumenon. Of course, under Jiang Pengjis deliberate obstruction, it could only transfer very few popularity points to its noumenon. Most of the points were saved up by the System bitterly and frugally. For the earthquake, the audience in the streaming room rewarded her enthusiastically, and the System received half of the popularity points that came through. The System did not have the time to be happy. It sought death by touching Jiang Pengjis last nerve. Both parties shed all pretenses of cordiality and unfortunately, it was being confined. At last, the popularity points that the System had accumulated during that period of time had all been pocketed by Jiang Pengji. At that moment Yingyang Kuaixian: Are you not feeling well? Laosiji Lianmeng: Do you guys think that the streamer is possessed? She didnt move at all, then she suddenly made some gestures in the air with her fingers, and now shes smiling without rhyme or reason Perhaps the wound on her back has affected her brain. Jiang Pengji regained her senses and looked a lot gentler. She replied to the audience in the streaming room, who had been anxiously waiting. Host V: Cough. Im sorry to keep everyone waiting. I was negotiating with the person in charge of the streaming just now. Due to confidentiality, its inappropriate for me to disclose too much. However, through my utmost efforts to fight for my point of view, the other party is willing to open up another channel in the agricultural dimension. The rewards can be used in exchange for the same amount of food and medicinal herbs. However, in order to not affect the dimension, in accordance with the rules between the dimensions, only a limited variety of things can be exchanged. The bullet screen posted by Jiang Pengji was the longest that she had posted in the history of her streaming room. Upon hearing the news, the audience in the streaming room was suddenly filled with excitement. Yingyang Kuaixian: Oh my gosh. The streamer is an employee of the legendary multidimensional streaming company thats written about in novels! Wahaha: Eh, I feel so classy after hearing what the streamer said. Motorola: Oh my gosh. Is there another streamer like the streamer? The audience in the streaming room was enlightened and asked all sorts of questions. Jiang Pengji gave them a unified reply. Host V: Im not an employee of a multidimensional streaming company. Im just a jinx who wanders about in time and space. Im helping someone temporarily, upon their request. I didnt really like streaming at firstCCI still dont really like it, even after doing it for a few years. However, I like all of you very much. I also like the feeling of chatting with you all during the streaming. Im not sure whether there are streamers in the other dimensions. I only know that its just me for now She chatted generally for a while. The audience in the streaming room slowly accepted her words. Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: A lot of relief supplies are needed for the earthquake, and they take up a lot of space. How are you going to explain where they came from to the outsiders? If you dont give a good explanation, I think your friends around you will be suspicious. There were benefits in having incompetent teammates. Even the imitator was full of flaws Blind and incompetent teammates might not have noticed that something was wrong. Competent teammates were different. People who were too smart were difficult to deal with. Once they grew suspicious, it would not be easy for them to banish their doubts. Jiang Pengji had, of course, considered that problem. Host V: Dont worry. Just sit and watch me perform. Ill lose if I cant deceive them successfully. Upon seeing the comment, many viewers suddenly began to feel sorry for Xu Ke and Feng Jin. She got up and brushed off the dust from her clothes. She calculated the time and realized that Huaiyu should have finished writing the booklet. It was not known as to what the situation on Xiaoyus side was. Chapter 382 - Earthquake in Dongqing (14) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Jingxian was so sleepy that it seemed that lead had been poured onto her eyelids. Husband In a daze, she realized that there was a presence beside her. The alarm in her brain rang, and she tried to open her eyes to see who the person was. The figure turned from blurry to clear. It turned out to be her husband, Feng Jin. Go to sleep. Ill go see Changsheng for a while. Feng Jin raised his hand a few times to stop her from trying to get out of bed. He covered her tightly with a blanket so that she would not catch a cold. Is something wrong? Why do you keep frowning? Wei Jingxian turned her head to look at her daughter, who was sleeping by her side. The newborn child was ruddy, and her crumpled face was not pretty; however, the midwife said that her features were very decent. She would be fair and beautiful when her face became more developed after a few days. I promised to help Lanting just now Feng Jin could not help but touch the childs face with his finger. The soft touch made his heart palpitate, and made him even more sure of his thoughts. Wei Jingxian did not understand. Was it not normal for friends to help each other out? However, her husbands facial expression told her clearly that the word help might have another meaning. An earthquake has occurred, and society isnt in a stable state The government intends to move the capital somewhere else and abandon the people Wei Jingxian frowned. When she heard the latter part of the sentence, she could not help but clench her fists under the blanket. Although she was a married woman, she was born into an aristocratic family. Feng Jin often discussed political matters with her regularly. Her knowledge was beyond that of an ordinary woman. Move the capital? She widened her eyes and her sleepiness vanished. If that happens, do you have a plan? Youve just given birth to a child Changsheng is so young. You both cant afford to suffer, so of course, both of you must be safe. Dont worry, Ill arrange everything. You just need to recuperate your health slowly. My plans are only valuable if both mother and daughter are healthy. Wei Jingxian extended her right hand from under the blanket and held his, which rested on his lap. Feng Jin put his hand on top of hers and said gently, Dont worry. Everything will be fine. At that time, Changsheng, who was sleeping soundly, moved her tiny fist beside her head. Feng Jin smiled brightly when he saw it. Oh yes, I forgot that I have to count you in, too. He poked his daughters fist with his finger. She knitted her almost invisible brows. Dont disturb her. If she wakes up and cries, youll have to take care of her. Wei Jingxian squinted her eyes at him somewhat angrily. Even the corners of her eyes had a mature charm to them. Feng Jin felt a lot more relaxed. Even the booklet that was hidden in his sleeve did not feel hot. He knew that once the booklet was presented to the Emperor directly, he, Feng Huaiyu, would be tied to Liu Xi for the rest of his life. The little girl of the Feng family is so strong. As he was speaking, he could not help poke his daughters fist again. Little girl Sigh Looking at the face of her daughter who was deep in sleep, Wei Jingxian suddenly understood her mothers emotional words before she was married A mother would worry about her child for the rest of her life. Nowadays, the world was becoming harsher and harsher towards women, making it difficult for women to survive. It was not known as to what would happen in another ten years. What are you thinking about, Jingxian? Wei Jingxian replied, Im thinking about the things that happened before I got married Why dont you share your thoughts with me? Its not very interesting, Wei Jingxian explained, I could still ride a horse and wander around the streets when I was young. When I grew slightly older, I had to stay in my chamber and practice writing every day. I had less and less time to go out and play. A while ago, I received a letter from my friend, and she complained about it I cant help but worry that Changsheng may not even be able to leave the house in another ten years. She might have to be watched by others when shes out of the house The matter was related to his daughter, so Feng Jin was attracted by her words, and temporarily left the booklet matter aside. Why do you say that? Wei Jingxian replied, The empress of Zhongzhao has brilliant literary talent. She has a noble ambition to educate women throughout the world. She has studied intensively over the past few years and has written four books, namely Womens Commandments, Admonishment for Imperial Harem, Analects for Women, and Records of Model and Virtuous Women. These four books are highly regarded by the revered Confucius scholars in Zhongzhao, and by many students. Theyre also collectively called the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women. Theyre all the rage in Zhongzhao, and theyre popular amongst the aristocratic ladies. Every aristocratic lady in Hejian has a copy The books were obviously read by women, so of course, Feng Jin could not read them. He asked suspiciously, Theyre written by a virtuous empress and are highly regarded by the revered Confucius scholars, so they must be good. Why do you look somewhat displeased? Not to mention anything else, the fact that the word analects was included in the title of Analects for Women meant that it had to have quality content. He would buy a few for Changsheng to read in the future as beginners reads Feng Jin was thinking about it, then he realized that the way Jingxian looked at him was strange. Have you seen these four books before? Wei Jingxian looked at her daughter and then at her husband again. She was not joking. Ive never heard of them before. Why would he read womens books? He was not a pervert. You should spare some time and read them. Wei Jingxian felt distressed when she remembered how Shangguan Wan wept out her grief to her. She was a blessed girl who was loved dearly by the Shangguan family, but she was being treated in such a horrible way. She could not help but sob. Feng Jin felt anxious and vaguely had a bad premonition, but he still kept what she said in mind. The husband and wife talked for a while in the tent. He only lifted the screen of the tent and left when Wei Jingxian was mentally tired and had fallen asleep soundly. He carefully shut the screen so that the cold wind would not enter. Feng Jue shouted, Second brother Do you have an idea about the matter just now? A light flashed across Feng Jins eyes. He answered, Ive made up my mind. What about you? Feng Jue was a 16-year-old boy, so he was still a high school student in the era of the streaming room. However, in the current era, he was already a man who could bear the rise and fall of a family. As a brother, Feng Jin had no right to interfere with his choices and aspirations. The two brothers were not on the same path anymore. Im on my own and Im not married, so I want to go out and explore to enrich my experience. As he finished speaking, Feng Jue shifted his gaze somewhat unnaturally and did not dare to look at his brother. Feng Jin responded, You want to look for Huang Song. It was not a question, but a statement. Yes. Feng Jue nodded. A superior man keeps his weapon concealed and waits for the right moment to act Thats all that I can say. Feng Jin was not reassured about Huang Song, but his younger brother was stubborn. He could not control him. Then what about you? Feng Jue secretly heaved a sigh of relief and asked about Feng Jin instead. Its not suitable for your sister-in-law and niece to be exhausted from a long journey. Ill stay in Shangjing for the time being. Ill wait and see, Feng Jin muttered, Lanting wants to do good to society and serve the people. He cant bear to see the people become destitute and homeless. He plans to present a petition and seek welfare for the people who are injured or have died from the earthquake. Feng Jue had yet to come back to his senses. Did his brother mean that he planned to stay behind and help Liu Xi? Was it not his brother that said that Liu Xi did not have ambition? Feng Jue wanted to inquire further, but he swallowed his words when he saw his brothers pale and fatigued face. As they were talking, the main character, Jiang Pengji, came up to them. Have you finished writing the booklet? Yes. Read it and see if there are any mistakes. Feng Jin took out the booklet from his sleeve and handed it to her. Jiang Pengji took it. She said while reading it carefully, I definitely trust your literary talent. She lifted her head and looked at Feng Jin when she had finished reading ten lines. He was staring at her silently. People were most afraid when the atmosphere suddenly became quiet Chapter 383 - Earthquake in Dongqing (15) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The audience in the streaming room stretched their necks and widened their eyes to see the contents of the booklet. However, it was a bit difficult for them to read traditional Chinese characters and classical Chinese. After quite a while, they finally realized what Feng Jin had written about. The audience was still uncertain, however, as to why the two of them suddenly looked at each other without speaking a word. They could only give ambiguous comments. Yingyang Kuaixian: Umm Feng Jin has really nice handwriting. There are no incorrect words, either. Linglong Mibaosuo: #scorn. With such nice handwriting, even if there were words written incorrectly, you wouldnt notice. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: Is there an expert in the streaming room who can give an explanation? Im so confused. I dont understand it at all. That showed that there were all kinds of birds in a big forest. There could have even been an expert on diving with such a large group of people. Guicai Guofengxiao: Its not difficult to understand what Feng Jin wrote in the booklet. The streamer asked Feng Jin to write the booklet on her behalf. The petition for disaster relief will be presented to the Emperor directly. Thats roughly what Feng Jins booklet is about, but the details are different. He added a hint of blackmail and extortion in it. Blackmail and extortion? Everyone was suddenly puzzled when they saw the two words. Guicai Guofengxiao: #nosedigging. Learn from him. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. He talked about the tragic scene after the earthquake, and wrote about the peoples miserable condition to earn sympathy. Then, he made a pitiful plea to show his loyalty, hoping to use his meager strength to help the Emperor provide relief for the people. This would show the benevolence of the Emperor. Finally, he complained of being insecure, saying that he was born into an aristocratic family and had the ambition to serve his country, but he had no reputation and achievement and felt that he was not enough Tsk. I have to say that the emotional drama in it is sufficient, and the amount of flattery is just right Thankfully, Feng Jin isnt as old-fashioned as I imagined. Toudu Feiqiu: I originally wanted to blast the user above, but Ill hold it back since their analysis makes sense. Guicai Guofengxiao: Thanks to my university major, I dont have any difficulty reading traditional Chinese characters and classical Chinese. Laosiji Lianmeng: Birds of a feather flock together. People who hang out with the streamer naturally have personalities that are similar to hers. Jiang Pengji had originally just wanted to present the petition to the Emperor, as long as it was a good enough reason for waging a war. Feng Jins writing could have very possibly landed her an official government position. The people are now in a panic, and everyone feels insecure. If the Emperor knows about your sincerity, hed naturally realize that its rare to have noble ministers. People were most afraid of comparison. After comparison, the good would get better and the bad would get worse. If she had a bit of luck, the Emperor would guarantee her an official titleCCthat was, if he was in exultation. Even if it was just a false title without real authority, it was better than not holding any official government position. What a surprise. You have great talent. Jiang Pengji did not try to cover it up. In this case, Ill give you a surprise, too. Feng Jins eyes lit up. Could the surprise she mentioned be Yes. Because Feng Jue was around, she only blinked her eyes and nodded, giving Feng Jin an affirmative answer. The booklet has to be submitted as soon as possible. ****** On the other hand, Xu Ke was skilled in internal affairs, so he was not in a flurry. He unified people, set up a gruel stall, and hired young survivors. Some of them cleared up the ruins to create empty spaces. Another group of them was divided into several teams to look for survivors. The earthquake was severe. The ground either collapsed or bulged and the road surface was uneven. The damage was serious, so it made the rescue effort a lot more tedious. As the earthquake occurred in the middle of the night when most people were already in a deep sleep, many people were buried in the ruins. Some were killed on the spot, while other lucky ones managed to survive. Although they were alive, most of them were severely injured. They would die after a few days if they did not receive treatment. There was a serious shortage of manpower. Jiang Pengji had already solved the shortage of food and medicine, but she could not solve the shortage of manpower. As a last resort, she could only recruit every strong man she saw. She even had to help out in person, as well. Xiaoyu, take some people with you to set up an area to treat the wounded. Jiang Pengji knew very well that they were in a hard battle, and race, against time. She was fighting for life with the King of Hell and quickly allocated tasks. Huaiyu, youll help the injured settle down, and help out with the matters of the gruel stall. Its close, so you can take care of Jingxian. The scholars in the ancient times had to learn the Six Arts of Rites. They had to know archery, dance, swordplay, and how to ride a horse. However, they were still civilians, so Jiang Pengji did not let them get involved in the search and rescue in the ruins. That way, there would be no direct threat to the lives of the people if there was, unfortunately, an aftershock. It was safer for them to be in the base camp. As she finished speaking, Jiang Pengji took the rope that Taxue handed to her. She bit one end of the rope in a rough manner, and she agilely tied the other end of the rope to her sleeves. She then quickly made a slipknot on both ends of the rope, revealing two fair and strong arms for the convenience of the search and rescue process. Taxue, stay behind to make a stretcher and take care of the injured Their luck was not too bad. The servants of the Liu residence had all survived. Amongst the survivors, there happened to be a servant girl who had learned some medical skills from a doctors father. Although she only had a superficial understanding of it, there was no room for nitpicking. The girl was directly asked to become a doctor. She could not rescue those who were severely injured, but she could still treat those with minor injuries. The search and rescue began from the closest area. Jiang Pengji took the lead in the front and let the ones behind know what divine power was. Shortly after, their clothes were stained with dust and blood. The original colors of their clothes could no longer be seen. Jiang Pengji was skillful, strong, and her five senses were acute. In addition to that, she had a powerful spirit that ordinary people did not have. She was equivalent to a mobile, human body search and rescue instrument that could discover traces of lives. In the principle of rescue, she of course saved those with the strongest traces of life first. Bring the stretcher here. Someone is alive Jiang Pengji figured out the structure of the collapsed wood and stone. She exerted strength and lifted the rubble with both hands. A bloody figure was revealed. The pieces of wood were all ready-made, and they were directly pulled out from the ruins. Jiang Pengji gathered the fur and fabric that could be found so that the weaker servant girls could sew a simple stretcher together. It did not matter whether it looked good or not. It would have been fine as long as it was convenient to place the wounded on it. Someone immediately came up from behind and joined forces to lift the person out and rest him on the stretcher. Jiang Pengji roughly briefed them about the things they needed to pay attention to when lifting people so as to avoid worsening the injuries. Watching Jiang Pengji rescue one survivor after another, all of them thought that there were many survivors. In fact, Jiang Pengji was the only one frowning, and her heart sank. There were too many people that had died She had no time to lament over it. Jiang Pengji could only purse her lips and brave the hot sun. Her hands soon became blistered. The blisters burst, then filled with sand and wooden thorns. Her palms looked extremely horrifying. The streaming room was quiet and the atmosphere was tense. No one dared to say a word. Seismologically speaking, 72 hours after the earthquake was the golden search and rescue period. Jiang Pengji had already wasted a lot of time previously, so she had to grasp for every second and every minute. It was already noon, when the sun was the hottest. Among the 203 survivors rescued, 190 of them were rescued by the team that Jiang Pengji led. The other teams rescued very few survivors. Most of them were cold and stiff corpses. The area that was cleared up was filled with the strong smell of blood. This is the general map of Shangjing City Chapter 384 - Earthquake in Shangjing (16) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji scraped the ground with her feet. She then randomly took a branch and drew an irregular rectangle on the ground. With a few strokes, a regional map of Shangjing City was formed. During her time in Shangjing, she basically strolled around without a purpose. She knew the regional plan of the city by heart. Searching and rescuing at random was not going to work. It would only waste time. Most of the areas outside the city limits could not be taken care of. Including the available staff of the two residences, in addition to the young men hired, the entire search and rescue team only had 71 people. She mapped out the path she wanted people to take in order to maximize efficiency levels. There are still too few people Feng Jins face was pale. The number of people was not even enough to cover the eastern area of the city. Do your best, and leave the rest to Gods will. If the emperor can provide some manpower, it may be easier for us. Xu Ke was so tired that he was panting. However, Jiang Pengjis lips were dry and pale, her clothes were drenched with sweat, and her hands were injured. Seeing her, he did not dare to make a sound, no matter how difficult things were and how worn out he was. He swallowed his fatigue down to his stomach. Night will fall in another six to eight hours. This is whats troublesome Jiang Pengji voiced out the difficulty that the two people beside her could not bear to say. Her voice was hoarse. The lighting equipment in the ancient times was ineffecient. The rich could make fire with candles; the poorer people used oil lamps; whereas the poverty-stricken people would wash up and go to bed as soon as night fell After the earthquake, it was conceivable how huge the impact was on the search and rescue effort without any lighting equipment at night. It could be said that, except for Jiang Pengji, the others were basically not useful anymore. The only good news was that the sky would darken later now that it was summer. Feng Jin said, We have to rescue them even if we have to hold candles. Human lives are precious. How can candles compare to that? The wealthy families spent a lot on candles, so the candles found in the warehouses of the two residences managed to make a box. They were estimated to last for a night. However, the light of a candle was incomparable to the bright rays of the sun. It would definitely cause a great inconvenience to the rescue effort. Jiang Pengji raised her hand to massage her brows. There were a lot of blisters on her palms, and many of them had burst due to friction. Others who saw them felt a pain in their hands, but she was completely indifferent to it, as if she could not feel any pain. That is all for today. Take turns resting. We still have work to do tonight. There were only a small number of people. Not everyone was as tireless as her. They could not stand the high-intensity search and rescue effort all day and all night. Jiang Pengji missed her own troops once again. They were all well-trained and a lot stronger than ordinary people. I wish the troops could be airborne at this moment She smiled bitterly and took a bowl of warm water from Taxue. She tilted her head and finished the entire bowl. She felt that it was not enough when she finished it, so she asked Taxue to give her another. If we are wishing for things, then I wish I had the ability to magically transform beans cast on the ground into soldiers. Xu Ke sought pleasure under adverse circumstances. He held a bowl containing some diluted gruel and gulped it down. He no longer cared about maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor. Feng Jin sighed and simply drank a bowl of gruel. He was half-full. Im going to take a look at my wife. He was most worried about his wife and daughter now. Jiang Pengji cleared her carriage. It was spacious inside and things were complete. Moreover, it had a good shock absorption system. As long as a thick quilt was placed underneath Wei Jingxian, she would not feel a strong shock while laying inside the carriage, even if there was an aftershock. Since she had just given birth and she had to feed her baby, another small stove naturally had to be set up. All of the food she ate was to restore her vitality and to induce the production of her breast milk. Anyone else could starve, but not the mother and daughter. There were too many wounded, and almost all of them were covered in blood. The air was filled with the strong smell of blood. Bedridden women could not withstand much irritation, so the carriage was tightly shut, and it was too stuffy. He asked a servant girl to soak a cloth with warm water and squeeze it. She only felt slightly better after it was used to wipe her sweat away Feng Jin only felt guilty about it when he thought about the current crude conditions I dont have the appetite. Why dont you have some? Feng Jin entered the carriage and tidied himself up. He wiped his hands and his skin, which were exposed. He changed into a new shirt, so as not to dirty the carriage. He lifted the curtain and the heat inside greeted him. He felt uncomfortable and he was sweating, although it was just for a while. Its okay. Ive already eaten. Youre still in confinement and you need to invigorate your body so you wont suffer from any incompletely cured illnesses. Feng Jin sighed and turned to look at his daughter. Due to the high temperature in the carriage, the swaddling clothes wrapped around the baby had already been untied. She was wearing two cotton blouses and was covered with a small blanket. Its a bit hot inside. Lift the curtain from time to time so that theres ventilation and it wont be stuffy, Feng Jin said. Wei Jingxian replied, I know. The servant girl is doing very well. When the air is let in, you and the baby should cover yourselves well so you two do not catch a cold, Feng Jin could not help but exhort. Wei Jingxian listened to him patiently. The relationship between the couple had advanced at a tremendous pace, and it was growing stronger and stronger everday. Jiang Pengjis booklet was sent to the summer royal village outside the city at top speed. After the earthquake, many precautions were taken by the royal village, and it was heavily guarded by imperial guards. The booklet was only delivered to the Emperor after going through many twists and turns. Although it was a tent, it was not too different from the palace. There was still a study inside where the Emperor handled his official affairs and met with the ministers. There was a bathroom and a huge state bed, which was used to copulate with the concubines. The interior was extremely luxurious. One would not know when the tent was built while they were inside it. One would have thought that it was a palace with its extravagant decorations. The people in the ancient times could not explain the cause of the earthquake, so they used their imagination and explained it forcibly. One of the most widely spread reasons was the trundling of the dragon underground. Therefore, every earthquake could be interpreted as Gods warning and dissatisfaction towards the Emperor. That was what the Emperor hated the most. The Emperor had been in a very bad mood since the earthquake struck the night before. When he could not suppress his rage, he pulled out his sword and killed several courtiers, who had swayed the peoples hearts and deluged people with strange doctrines. An exceedingly beautiful woman was laying on the recliner behind the screen. She opened her eyes slightly and got down from the recliner barefoot. She stepped on the delicate, soft, animal skin carpet. She was only loosely wearing a vaguely transparent, large-sleeved shirt that was embroidered with hundreds of birds worshipping a phoenix. Apart from that, she did not wear anything to cover her body. Her long hair draped across both sides of her breasts, vaguely covering her nipples. Her snowy white skin was covered with hickeys; some were dark and some were light. The new and old marks were obvious. They did not seem like they were formed over a short period of time. Instead, they looked like they were formed over the course of a few days. Her footsteps were light. Her two straight, long legs swayed peoples hearts, making people linger their gazes on her breasts and vagina uncontrollably. The woman gathered her large-sleeved shirt. Her face was enchantingly seductive, and her body was curvy. She curled her plump, red lips provocatively, like a blossoming, beautiful peony. She did not care that she was naked. She ignored the servant girls standing with their hands down on both sides. She went around the screen and looked for the Emperor. Chapter 385 - Earthquake in Dongqing (17) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Juner, are you up? Come over here The Emperor was in a fury. He had just beheaded a courtier with his sword. The headless body collapsed onto the ground, and the head rolled towards Huijuns fair, beautiful feet, which were near transparent. She glanced at it out of the corner of her eyes, lifted her leg, and stepped over the head. The bottoms of her feet were stained with warm, sticky blood. As she walked with light footsteps, small and bloody footprints were left on the ground. Did someone make Your Majesty unhappy again? The woman did not follow the Emperors orders. Instead, she smiled flirtatiously. Her red, plump lips made peoples throats and eyes feel hot. Her delicate body laid on the recliner not far away from the Emperors desk. Her large-sleeved shirt dropped to her elbow loosely, revealing fair shoulders that looked like white jade. She swung her toes. Her beautiful feet could not be contained. The blood on the bottom of her feet made her skin look fairer. She was a natural stunner! Countless beautiful scenes flashed across the Emperors mind. The thrill of ecstasy had aroused him, making him feel revived. He wanted to cuddle the stunner in front of him in his arms and love her madly. He could not remember when he last felt so young and impulsive. It was not until he met the dazzling stunner, Huijun, that the feelings were revived. Huijun, Huiyun He could feel the heartbreaking pain and disgrace, even though he only muttered the names in his mouth. There was a strong love that could not be erased. The love-hate relationship drove him insane. He had never asked about her identity. The Emperor directly copulated with her by force in the Cool Garden in the summer royal village. They looked similar and had similar names, but they felt very different. If Huiyun was said to be a beautiful and pure white lotus that lived in the silt and was not imbrued, then Huijun was an extremely enchanting cluster amaryllis born of the fire. Her charm would penetrate into ones bones like a flirtatious fairy. One would become addicted to her immediately when they had just barely touched her body. It was impossible for one to quit their addiction. Both of them had bodies that could make one go into ecstasy, but Huiyun had a shy personality. He did not feel very exhilarated when he had sex with her. He even had to take care of her body sometimes, so he had no choice but to restrain himself. However, the woman called Huijun was different. She was burning with enthusiasm. She was bold and charming. When the Emperor had sex with her, he felt his blood boil, and felt great from head to toe. He had found the impulse and zeal that young boys had. He had affection and love for Huiyun. She was the bright moon that his heart could not reach. She brought him joy, as well as pain and disgrace. On the other hand, he felt that he was reborn when he had sex with Huijun. Countless carefree feelings made him want to taste more of her, and he could not leave her. He could not leave the former spiritually, and he could not leave the latter because of her body. For the Emperor, who used his lower body to think, physical enjoyment was more important than spiritual enjoyment. Of course, he only found out that Huijun was actually his fourth sons concubine after copulating with her. The Emperor suddenly felt disgustedCCas if he had eaten a flyCCwhen he thought about Huijun and Huiyuns similar appearances and names. Furthermore, Wang Huiyun was the fourth prince, Wuma Juns, biological mother. His ill feelings towards Wuma Jun grew even stronger. Thinking of that, the Emperor did not feel the slightest bit of guilt by snatching his sons concubine. He ordered someone to look into Huijuns identity in secret. His doubts vanished, and he loved the woman to death. However, she was not a harmless white lotus, but a thorny rose with an arrogant and capricious character. Seeing that Huijun ignored him, the Emperor smiled and walked towards her. He raised his hand, grabbed her beautiful feet, and smelled her. He looked extremely infatuated. He felt pleasant from head to toe when he smelled her. Why is your body stained with the blood of another man? Let me clean them for you. Huijun felt nauseous as she watched the old man grab her feet and lick them lightly. She lifted her feet and put them on his face. Not only did the Emperor not get angry, but he licked her feet and smiled. He touched her calves with his hands bawdily. Both father and son were insane perverts! She retracted her feet and sneered. Does Your Majesty not mind the filth? Every part of your body is clean. How could it be dirty? The Emperor got up slowly, and there was a strong aggression in his eyes. He scanned her body, and two flames seemed to burn under his eyes. Im the concubine of Your Majestys son. I gave my body to him first. Do you still think its clean? The Emperor sneered coldly. Youre mine now. You cant think about other men. So what if she was his sons concubine? He had slept with the wife and concubines of his brother, the late Emperor. Tsk. The vicious personalities of all women never changed. In order to save her lifeCCnot to mention that the late empress secretly climbed into the late Emperors bedCCshe put Wang Guifei in his bed. Now, Liu Shes daughter, Liu Huan, had put Huijun in his bed for her status as the fourth princess. Furthermore, if it wasnt for the fourth princesss scheme to push you towards me, I wouldnt be able to have you. Isnt that right? The Emperor cuddled the stunner in his arms and said faintly, Why wouldnt I indulge in a dazzling stunner when shes right in front of me? I love your tiny mouth so much. As he was speaking, he lowered his head and kissed her. Huijun secretly twitched her mouth. She thought that the royal family was very upright, but she knew how disgusting they were after having real contact with them. Apart from having wealth and a status, the Emperor in front of her was incomparable to the customers she had received in the past. At least those customers obviously came over to visit a prostitute. Not only did the Emperor want to have a whore, but he also wanted her to fall in love with him. How audacious! They both panted. The emperor carried her and sat in front of his desk. He even wanted her to be with him when he was reading the booklet. Huijun was half-squinting her eyes lazily, and she secretly glanced at the booklet out of the corner of her eyes. She discovered a familiar name on a booklet. The Emperor happened to see the booklet as well. He skimmed through it. His eyes were dim, and he occasionally revealed a fierce gaze. Whats this? Huijun did not read the booklet. Instead, she took out the other booklets. She threw them aside after reading them. The booklets were thrown all over the floor. Her waywardness displayed her unparalleled favor. Its just a bunch of literary jargon. Its giving me a headache. The Emperor let her act up until she took away the booklet in his hands. This is a nice handwriting. Huijun scanned it, as if she was attracted by the handwriting and was interested in it. Read it for me. It was not a request, but an order. Okay. Ill read it for you. The Emperor spoiled her and smiled. He opened the booklet with one hand and touched her bawdily with his other hand. After he finished reading it, Huijun said, What a pedantic scholar. However, hes better than those who anger Your Majesty. The Emperor replied, This was written by your old boss. Huijun widened her eyes dumbfoundedly. She suddenly thought of something. She snorted and looked away. Whats wrong, my naughty lady? Im avoiding you to arouse suspicion. The Emperor laughed out loud and responded, Liu Xi is indeed talented. Hes also patriotic and loyal to the throne. How can I neglect such a talent? Ill give him whatever official position you say. Huijun secretly rolled her eyes and smiled flirtatiously. Why doesnt Your Majesty simply give him the position of a county magistrate? The Emperor suddenly sneered. He cuddled Huijun tightly and sighed deeply. You have all my heart. With a big stroke of his pen, he appointed Liu Xi as the magistrate of Xiangyang County. Liu Xi would immediately take office after the earthquake was over and the peoples livelihoods resumed. The Emperor smiled meaningfully. Its a carrot attached to a stick. Hell only be rewarded if he does things well. Chapter 386 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XVIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Someone stepped up to do the dirty work, and the Emperor was content with being a bystander. He originally wanted to reward only in title, but eventually, the reward was an official position in Xiangyang. Xiangyang was wealthy, but the land was vast. It was remote, and few people inhabited it. In order to save himself from embarrassment, the Emperor specially rendered aid by dispatching 1,000 imperial guards and 500 deniers of rations. He ordered his close subordinate, Secretary Huang, to read the edict. Huang Tan was Huang Songs god-grandfather. Huang Tan sat down. He massaged his cold feet and remarked, I have to admit that I am old. The youngsters nowadays are so radical. After the earthquake, Shangjing was mostly a heap of ruins. The Emperor, in his anger, ordered the beheading of many highly ranked individuals. No one in the court dared to take on such a difficult task. Jiang Pengji courageously recommended herself. Although it seemed like failure was imminent, it was truly a golden opportunity. Huang Tang thought of his own grandson and reminded him, Be careful young one. Dont go around finding trouble. It was rare for Huang Song to catch a break. Unfortunately, he was told off by his god-grandfather. He wore a bitter face. He was good at sweet-talking, and he did not fear Huang Tan. He immediately thought of how to divert Huang Tans attention. Huang Song rose up to massage Huang Tans shoulders, and he smiled cheekily. Based on my observations, grandfather isnt old. Those young punks are impulsive and have no manners. How can they compare to grandfather? Grandfathers contributions are incomparable to the countrys state of affairs. Despite the fact they were bootlicking, it was true that Huang Tan had protected many loyal officials over the years. That did not mean he had a conscience; he did it for the better good and to please both sides. Jiang Pengjis luck was rather good. She came across Huang Tan, who was on the way to read the edict. If it were any other eunuch, things would have been more complicated because there were diverse routes within the palace. The eunuch reading the edict could have seen Jiang Pengji as an eyesore or a greedy natured person and created an obstacle for her. He might choose the elderly, or the black-hearted ones would go even further and select the sickly and temperamental men. Those who were rebellious wanted to join the thousand imperial guards the Emperor generously provided. Huang Tan loved to befriend young men from aristocratic familiesCCas long as they had potential and would not create trouble for him. Your only strength lies in your glib tongue. You have not established your family or your career. It is of the least concern to you. When you marry Master Jis beloved daughter, it will be different. Master Ji was Huang Songs teacher. He was also an esteemed Confucius scholar in Dongqing. I understand. I will not disappoint you. After a while, Huang Tan straightened his clothing and prepared to read the edict. ****** It was evening. As time passed, his night vision became increasingly blurry. He was unable to see anything. The faint glint of twilight disappeared, and darkness clouded the city. Lights were once commonly found throughout Shangjing City. Since the earthquake, however, it was pitch black, and everything was silent. The warm air carried with it the lingering, scorching heat, which passed through the walls and alleys. The rustling wind sounded like agonizing cries in the dark night. After a day of search and rescue, the number of survivors reached 512, and the search team had expanded to 123 people. There were at least 3,000 corpses found in the ruins. They were piled high, and it was nerve-wracking. The numbers were of no importance to the once bustling city of Shangjing; they were but a drop in the ocean. The majority of the survivors were injured. Some had minor injuries, such as a scrape on their arms or legs. Others had more serious injuries, such as a fever that wouldnt subside. They were delirious and lived on the edge between life and death. The maids from the mansions and both females and children stepped forward to volunteer to care for the wounded. Xiaoyu, since its nighttime, go with some men to collect the rations. Be discreet about it. Jiang Pengji handed a map to Xu Ke. The matter should have been handled by her; however, she was the only person who could see well at night. She needed to conduct the search and rescue. The others were significantly less efficient. It was wise to send some troops to retrieve the rations and temporarily relieve the food shortage so the peoples anxiety would calm. Feng Jin saw that Xu Ke was exhausted. His face was pale, and the dark circles under his eyes stood out. Feng Jin volunteered, Please let me handle this matter. No, stay here and hold down the fort, Huaiyu. I can manage. Xu Ke braced himself. He knew that Feng Jin hadnt been resting well. His wifes delivery had taken a toll on him, then the earthquake happened. Thus, he hadnt been sleeping well. Xu Ke was presently alone. His wife, Xunmei, was far off in Hejian, while Feng Jin was in Shangjing because of his family. He could not leave his wife and child. It is obvious Xu Ke was the most suitable candidate for the task. The earthquake happened several hours ago. Jiang Pengji didnt know how many survivors there were in Shangjing, nor how many were slowly awaiting their impending death. All she could do was search for the survivors amid the ruins and send them for treatment. Jiang Pengji raised her makeshift torch. She wasnt afraid of the dark roads, but the people behind her were. Is there anyone alive? If you are, please respond! they shouted. Are there any survivors here? We are here to rescue you. Is there anyone alive? The servants behind her placed their hands on either side of their mouths. After shouting for a day, their voices were hoarse. Their eyes and throats hurt badly. In order to hide her anomaly, Jiang Pengji did not stop them from shouting. She focused her attention on seeking traces of life. Suddenly, she rolled on the ground and spoke with a hoarse voice, WaitCCkeep quiet! She raised her hands to signal for them to stop shouting. As the day passed, the people saw her as a god. They worshipped her every action. Even when the governors office took no action, she stepped up and did not give up on any lives. Her actions moved even the strongest men to tears. Jiang Pengji listened intently. She realized the source of the sound came from beneath a pile of ruins. A baby is crying The people turned to listen. The intermittent cries were definitely from a baby. Jiang Pengji stepped on broken stones. Her brain registered the pain she felt from stepping on the jagged rocks. It was an arduous journey to walk through the ruins. Jiang Pengjis shoes were damaged. If not for the audience in the live streaming room, she wouldnt have realized the soles on her wooden clogs had completely worn out. Her bare feet were in contact with the sharp stone particles, and the friction formed a wound. When they returned, she would get someone to fetch a rough cloth, fold it into layers, and wrap it around her leg so that it was easier for her to move about. Unfortunately, if the injury on the sole of her foot was not treated promptly, the layer of skin would tear off and bleed profusely. Go and search. Move the rocks away Jiang Pengji formed different teams and assigned one person to hold the torch and the other to search the ruins. As the day passed, sweat flowed freely, and they lost count of how much water they drank. The groups went their separate ways, and Jiang Pengji used her strength to move the fallen beam. Her palms hurt. Her flesh and blood intermingled with the debris. When Jiang Pengji removed the remainder of the beam, she grabbed a torch. Everyone looked on as a lady laid there on her back. The beam crushed her femur, and she faced the ground. In front of her bosom, her arms clutched something. Blood flowed freely from her body and stained her surroundings dark red. The distinctive smell of blood dissipated along with the evening wind. That weak cries of a baby came from beneath the womans body. Chapter 387 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XIX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A servant felt his throat constrict, and he whispered, Langjun Is she alive? His voice was particularly soft, as if he didnt want to disturb her. Everyone else around them was quiet. Jiang Pengji passed the torch to the servant and said coldly, She is dead Help me by lifting the torch. The child is still alive. The servant obeyed. He took two steps back and shifted the angle of the light to prevent the shadows from impeding her vision. Jiang Pengji descended to the ruins. She moved the heavy items away that were crushing the woman. The beams had broken both of her legs. The audience members in the live streaming room did not dare watch. Even the activities on the bullet screen halted. None dared to comment or discuss anything, as if afraid they would disturb the dead spirits. Jiang Pengji knelt and tried to move the woman aside, but she didnt expect the womans corpse to be in rigor mortis. Her body was very stiff. She lowered her head and observed how the woman had used the front of her body and both her arms to create a safe space for the swaddled baby. Jiang Pengjis nails touched the hardened skin of the woman, and she whispered, Im sorry to disturb your rest. Despite a change in position, the female corpse maintained her bow-shaped back. It brought tears to the eyes of the onlookers. The child is not hurt, but it has been crying all day. His throat must hurt. Moreover, he has not eaten the entire day, so he must be starving. Jiang Pengji briefly examined the child. Except for the weak cries, he didnt have other ailments. It was evident the lady protected him very well. Jiang Pengji cradled the child and briefly pacified him. The child was easily comforted. He quickly stopped crying once he was held and rocked lightly, but he was still sniffling. He looked very pitiful. The servant looked at the child, then at the woman, and asked softly, Langjun What are we going to do with this woman? Do we bring her back? Yes, lets bring her back. The weather is immensely warm now. It is not easy to preserve the corpses. If we continue to place them here, they will rot within three days, and parasites will feed on them. The dead are our priority. Once we bring them back, we can bury them so they can rest in peace. Jiang Pengji replied softly; she was afraid of scaring the baby in her bosom. The servant nodded in agreement and prepared to move the womans corpse out with another fellow servant when Jiang Pengji added, Do you know whose land this is? Jiang Pengji looked at the womans attire to determine her relationship with the child. In the current era, it was impossible for a child less than two months old to grow up without the protection of their parents or kinsman. Even if they managed to grow up, there were bound to live a hard life. If they knew what family the child was from, they could follow the leads and find the childs relatives. Nevertheless, Shangjing was huge. The servants were either brought by Jiang Pengji and Feng Jin, or they were young, strong people who volunteered to help from the commoners. How would they have knowledge of other households? After asking around, no one was certain. Jiang Pengji could only sigh and resign to fate. With the complete map of Shangjing in her mind, she briefly located their position and determined where the ruins were. Forget it. Well figure it out another time. Jiang Pengji handed the baby to the servant and ordered them to transport the female corpse and child to the camp base. The child cried helplessly after leaving her bosom. His cry was softer than a kitten, and his fist grabbed the air uncontrollably. His yearning expression made it unbearable to leave him. Yingyang Kuaixian: I never knew my tear ducts could be so active before watching the live stream. Sanzhisongshu Lingshi: I am a grown man, but I am crying like a baby. I am typing while I cry; others may think I have gone mad. Streamer, this child is so pitiful. Please carry him. He is going to cry his lungs out. Caolaoban Airenfu: A pitiful, orphaned child! He is not the only one. Many more will surface. Does the streamer want to establish a nursery for children who lost their parents during the earthquake? In the present age, some orphanages receive these children. In ancient times, however, if the child did not meet a kindred spirit, they would either die from hunger or illness. If they didnt die, they were forced to beg and live on the edge of society. The posts on the bullet screen streamed in. The majority of the content was heavy. Honestly, no one dared post frivolous topics. Jiang Pengjis eyelids drooped. She glanced at the child, whose cheeks were red from crying. Before the earthquake occurred, the child had belonged to an affluent family. The childs mothers clothing and make-up were exquisite. The child was well-fed, chubby, and endearing. However, Jiang Pengji was unaffected by external factors. No matter how pitiful the child was, Jiang Pengji sent him away resolutely. If she pacified the child, what would happen to the people who were waiting for rescue? What if she brought the child with her on the rescue efforts and something happened? How was she supposed to safeguard the child? Laosiji Lianmeng: Honestly, carrying a child based on current emotions alone is disrespectful. Jiang Pengji made a good decision, but the child was unable to understand it now. The servant held the child. The child was crying pitifully, which made the servant think about the childs mother. His heart broke. Langjun, this Jiang Pengji pondered. She raised her hands and tore a piece of her outer coat, then she used the clean side to swaddle the child. She had no clue what else she could do if that did not work. Once the child smelled Jiang Pengjis familiar scent, his pitiful cries slowly subsided. He is rather smart, Jiang Pengji murmured. They discovered two more survivors amidst the ruins. One was an elderly man who Jiang Pengji learned was the head servant. The other was a solemn and quiet woman. Jiang Pengji examined her and discovered that her breast was full. She observed the womans clothes and realized she was likely the nanny. Other than the three that survived, the remaining seventeen people in the house died. Many grew numb to the number of corpses carried out of the ruins. Continue searching, and transport these corpses back. We will find a place to bury them tonight. The hot and humid summer was upon them. The corpses decomposed at a rapid rate. If a heavy rain came, it wasnt hard to imagine that the water would become contaminated, and a frightening epidemic outbreak would occur. It was best to burn the corpses, but that was hard for many to accept. Luckily, Jiang Pengji knew how to handle the corpses and possessed basic knowledge of how to sterilize them. In her spare time, she had exchanged a thousand tons of rations and medicinal herbs at the mall. If Xiaoyu brought the items back, they could then deal with the corpses. Lets search that side. Jiang Pengji rested momentarily, then got up and continued working. ****** Xu Ke located the rations storehouse that Jiang Pengji identified on the map, and the medical shop where the herbs were held. To avoid suspicion, Jiang Pengji exchanged for one or two-year-old rice. However, in times like this, it was enough that there was food. Who cared if it was old or new? Transport this to the carriage. Xu Kes face finally looked mildly relieved. Chapter 388 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji wisely placed 50 tons of rations in this warehouse, it was impossible for Xu Ke and his 30 men alone to transport all of them back at one go. He decided to retrieve one portion of the ration which occupied half the surface area of the transport carriage, the other half was filled with medicinal herbs from the medical storeroom and other items as tasked by Jiang Pengji. Xu Ke poked those weird looking sacks but based on his observations he still could not determine what was inside of them. Then again based on their texture alone, he supposed they probably contained some powder-like substance. For example, lime A servant whispered from a corner, Unfortunately, this sack is rarely seen. Expectedly, the servant has never seen such a sack, after all this was a manufactured paper bag. Jiang Pengji took into consideration that cremation might be rejected so that they could only bury the dead bodies. If so, she must be prepared to prevent the soil from contamination, even the burial locations must be chosen wisely. They searched everywhere in the desolate city. There were few items that could be used for decontamination. Left without a choice, she exchanged some sacks of lime to brace for the emergency. Based on her understanding, there existed lime in the present era. Households used it from time to time to protect against moisture and mosquitos. It was also useful for erecting a grave as a layer of it would be scattered on its basethe only outlier was the manufactured paper bag. Explaining this away was easy since Liu manors paper manufacturing factory has well-developed techniques. Liu manor monopolizes the manufacturing of paper, therefore she gets the final say whether something is right or wrong. More importantly, Xu Ke would not be insistent on such matters. - Lime? Xu Ke knitted his brows in surprise. For safetys sake, a group of people journeyed in the dark, following the carriage to take the route they came by. Potential dangers caused by the earthquake had just begun, the court hadnt made any move to initiate rescue efforts. The survivors lived in fear some degraded themselves to become violent mobs. It was unfortunate but unsurprising to see them engage in vices like burning, killing and robbing. Nevertheless, they had intentions to avoid them yet blame it on their bad luck. From afar off, shimmering flames were seen, it was especially terrifying in the dark. Ghost fire thats ghost shadow Ghost shadow? Suddenly they saw, many thought the shadows from the firelight were ghosts. They instantly shouted in shock; anxious emotions spread amongst the people. Xu Ke witnessed the situation, his expression was somber and lowered his voice in disapproval, Shut up all of you! Look carefully, they are humans and not ghosts! His stern voice carried with it a commanding tone. Those servants were scared such that they kept silent; they didnt even dare to breathe loudly. Xu Kes voice became gentler and repeated, Confucius does not speak of superstitions, he focuses his heart and refuses to be distracted, do not be afraid. They are humans. Anxiety overwhelmed the entire party; their throats in constant motion as they continuously swallowed their saliva. The weather tonight was very warm, and they were presently tensed, subsequently, their foreheads broke out in a sweat and their palms were clammy. Keep quiet, all of us shall squat down to hide Xu Ke said, lowering his voice. The light from the fire was pointing in their direction. Initially the size of a bean, the fire slowly became larger. According to the direction these people are headed towards, they were intending to enter the city. Shangjings walls looked lofty, heavy and sturdy, however, having braved the rain and storms for hundreds of years, its inside was much weaker than it first appeared. The earthquake that occurred caused its walls to collapse resulting in massive damage. The army personnel guarding the gates disappeared. Its towering, big city gates had shattered to multiple pieces, to the point where it looked so flimsy that it was ready to break apart at any time. To fight for survival, some people packed their household items as quickly as they could and traveled light and escaped outside through the city gates. At present, the people are desperately wanting to leave, who would come into the city willingly? Xu Ke furrowed his brows. He suspected that this group of people was sent by the court to administer aid and contribute to relief efforts. If so, there was still hope for the people of Shangjing. C After half an hour, Xu Ke dispelled the misgivings in his head. That group of ghost shadows had many people and the night was dark so Xu Ke could not determine the size of the group. He turned his ear to listen, their footsteps were firm and solid, no one in the army talked, only the boring, repetitive sound of footsteps and carriage wheels could be heard. Xu Ke had the foresight to order men to push over ten horse carriages to the dark corner beforehand. The men then carefully hid back facing the light, the moonlight is dim enough that they wont be discovered. He has a strong intuition, but this does not equate to his fellow men and their hearts forged from strong metals. Confucius focuses his heart and refuses to be distracted by superstitions, the saying goes, but man naturally fears the unknown. When faced with something they cannot explain, they often like to direct such phenomenon to ghosts and other phenomona. They walked past a narrow road nearby, the distance between both horses and men incredibly close together. Upon seeing this, Xu Ke wore a solemn expression, and the people became nervous until they reached their peak anxiety. One servant even lost a lower battle, as he relaxed the organ beneath his stomach, a warm stench of urine drifted across. Xu Ke looked on disapprovingly without speaking. Man proposes but the heavens disposes his weak teammate still screwed up. When that strange group of soldiers was midway through, a servant walking behind the troops appeared shaken and jumped in fear. Crying desperately for help, he couldnt control his right arm which moved non-stop. From afar one could vaguely see a lengthy item dangling in the air, after a closer look, he saw a snake! Snake theres a snake This persons shout attracted the attention of the others, the army was chaotic, many of the servants undercover were terrified. With fast and nimble action, they evaded the person bitten by the snake. Coincidentally, this commotion also attracted the attention of this mysterious group of people. Who is there Xu Ke was heavy-hearted, he sucked in his teeth. What rotten luck is this! The circumstances he hated to see happened, the mysterious troops raised their spears and surrounded them Flaming tongues of fire continually licked, it intermittently sounded with explosions. A sharp sword was placed threateningly at Xu Kes neck, his life was out of his control. He took a deep breath and suppressed his distracting thoughts; he kept his posture upright and his black jujube garment was stained with blood. All the while he stood lofty and unyielding. These people look suspicious, arrest them all Unbeknownst to them who spoke these words, the group who held spears stepped forward to arrest them. Wait! Both sides faced each other. Xu Ke wasnt threatened, he raised his hand and signaled for them to stop, before he calmly spoke, The earthquake happened which left Shangjing in desolation, the survivors are few. I was tasked to transport the rations and medicines which concerns the lives of many people. Any delay is undesirable thus I appeal to all you strong men for your understanding. I saw your tracks earlier but to prevent any misunderstandings, I avoided them. If you all refuse to believe me, I am willing to go with you except there are many snakes, insects, rats, and ants. I have a humble request to make, can you kindly save my servant who was bitten by a snake? These coalesce of people looked at each other in surprise. They had no idea how to deal with them. Traveling at night was an exhausting affair and they were complacent. Thus, they didnt notice a group of people so nearby lying in wait. If these people had ill intentions, they would surely be defeated. Before their eyes, a pathetic looking scholar seemed like the leader. Faced with over ten sharp spears directed at him, he never once flinched, let alone trembled in fear. Rather he spoke convincingly and hoped they helped to save others. This was strange. Chapter 389 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XXI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio They didnt let their guard down, over ten men continued to point their long spears at them, two other men were sent to survey the area while raising their torch. The firelight illumined the area, indeed about ten carriages that were hidden in the dark was seen, and soon proven to contain rations and medical herbs. A second man held his fire torch and walked up, and with the convenience of the light, the big man discovered the snake is still firmly biting that servant who by now was deathly pale. Its just a harmless black striped snake, you wont die if bitten. Stop groaning. He meticulously identified and knew for certain that the snake is not poisonous. It was common to see it at the outskirts in these parts, he raised his hands and got it off the man. It curled in his hands, then using his sturdy left arm, he tossed it off. That snake was thrown afar off, then they noticed movements amid the grass and woods. When the servant heard the mans words his body stopped trembling, he lowered his head and looked at the wound on his palm. Bright red blood flowed but no signs of poison was observed. Nevertheless, when you get back you should wash the wound thoroughly, apply some medication to ease the swelling then your wound will heal faster. The commotion here also alerted the troops in front and so they stopped their tracks. At the most forefront of the group, a man who dressed scholarly and had eyes that are dark like thick tinted ink asked, What happened? We found some suspicious people. They claim theyre transporting rations and medications for the people of Shangjing. The man allowed the words to sink in then raised his brows lightheartedly, Oh? Bring me to them. If its truly for the good of the people, why are they so secretive? Master, Meng Hun will go with you. Beside the man stood a burly strong man with a bushy beard, the muscles on his body rippling from his coarse hemp cloth, even hidden, with one glance youd know the immense force that each muscle contained. Huang Tan brought along 1000 imperial guards and 500 dan of rations, entering through another side of the east gate of Shangjing city that collapsed. The imperial guards held up hundreds of torches, from afar it looked like they were floating in the skies like slowly drifting stars. Huang Tan half-closed his eyes, with the aid of the firelight he could see their surroundings, he remarked helplessly that human strength cannot resist natural disasters. Shangjing City which was bustling two days before was utterly desolated now. The night wind carried with it an unspeakable smell of blood. He grudgingly took out a handkerchief from his bosom, covered the tip of his nose, then raised his hands. Lets go Suddenly, a fragile cry calling for help came from below the collapsed ruins by the side. Save me save, save me Such weak cries coupled with the dark night; it has a horrifying feel. The imperial guards were on the move, though many appeared fearful. Huang Tans face remained unchanged; he waved his hands to move forward. It is important to read the edict, let there be no delay. Shangjing became a deserted city, even Huang Tans hair unbearably stood up. Jiang Pengji resides at the east of the city; the camp base is also set up at that region. Huang Tan and his men also entered through the east gate. Both locations are not far apart. Moreover, the fire at the camp base never burns out, it stands out in the night thus making Huang Tans job of locating them easier. Is the Second Langjun of the Lius around? Huang Tan brought men to read the edict, creating a commotion along the way. Feng Jin saw from afar and prepared beforehand for the arrival of the edict. Feng Jin boldly declared, Second Langjun has brought men to carry out rescue efforts. He may not be able to rush back in time; I urge the messenger to rest temporarily. Huang tan looked like he wasnt distracted, truthfully, he already glanced once through this temporary, run-down campsite with the remaining light around. All he heard are weary cries of pain from the injured, the air filled with the smell from medicines, many even exuded with heavy bloody smells. Having smelled so much of it, his stomach felt unwell, his throat filling with a sour taste, What is this smell? Being an esteemed eunuch, Huang Tan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Feng Jin also hailed from an aristocratic family, naturally he wouldnt know either..unless he rolled around the mud as he grew up? He also couldnt withstand it anymore yet knowing the miserable state the people who experienced the earthquake are in, he knew these minor sufferings were nothing. Feng Jin knitted his brows and thought of a resolution. Please pardon me, esteemed messenger, the campsite is rundown and dirty and there are many injured people around. To prevent the diseases or infections from affecting you, Jin boldly invites the messenger to another site to wait temporarily. Jin will send men to inform the Second Langjun to come back this instant. He convinced Huang Tan to wait at one side, where a small shed had been set up. There was an incense burner burning with sandalwood. The scent filled the air, neutralizing the strange smell. Huang Tan sat on top of the stool; roaming around the campsite with his eyes. Having seen from afar the shadows of small hills, he pointed towards them and questioned, What are those? Presently the wind blew in their direction, the smell that came from there smelled bad. If not for two fragrant incense burners by his side, he wouldve vomited. Feng Jin instinctively turned to look, and a bitter smile spread across his face. He replied, Your esteemed messenger, those are the unfortunate ones who lost their lives from the earthquake. The weather is intensely hot now, flies abound, itll be hard to preserve the dead bodies and itll take just three to five days for the body to decompose and this will encourage maggot growth. The bodies stink as they decompose if not handled well, itd be easy for an epidemic to spread. Thus, during the rescue efforts, we dug these corpses out and will bury them soon after. At the start, Huang Tan had listened calmly, but as Feng Jin continued to elaborate, his reddened face gradually faded away to become pale white until it changed to a deathly grey. Under the moonlight, the silhouette of the pile of small hills can be seen clearly and are honestly piles of dead bodies Unable to bear it anymore, Huang Tans stomach heaved a yellow, acidic spit was expelled from his mouth. The dirty sputum contained undigested abalone and sharks fin, some fatty itemFeng Jin secretly spied and glimpsed at him, the edge of his mouth curled into a mild mocking smile. They waited for an hour. Huang Tan recalled the pile of small hills nearby so often that he couldnt sit still. It was as if needles pricked him, it was that uncomfortable. Luckily, an angelic voice sound from afar at this moment the rightful lord Liu Xi arrived. Liu Xi was no stranger to Huang Tan, remembering him as one who has outstanding features, a pure, arrogant youth from an aristocratic family. In a year or two, hed be an ideal life partner idolized by countless young women. Yet, now that theyve reunited, Huang Tan almost doubted his vision. The person before him was really Liu Xi? Jiang Pengji looked a Huang Tans dazed expression, then lowered her head to look at herself, frowning discreetly. She knew her present appearance looks like a beggar who hasnt bathed for two to three years. Her sleeves are unkempt and short, her garment is filled with dried blood and other contaminants such that its original color cannot be discerned. Ashes and stains intermingled with sweat and stubbornly stuck on her face, it almost disguised her entire outlook. Needless to mention Jiang Pengjis indistinguishable blood and flesh, both her feet are also bound with a coarse, thick cloth and went through a lot of abrasions that only a tiny fragment is left. Let alone a beggar, someone who was on the run for more than 10 years also would look cleaner than her. Second Langjun of the Lius, receive the edict. Jiang Pengji looked too tragic; Huang Tan couldnt bear to shift his focus. Without reason, his heart filled with emotions believing that Liu Xi truly had a compassionate heart. Her motivation was solely for the people, rather than becoming one of those pretentious base people who dont walk the talk (to put it kindly) but have a glib tongue, and nothing comes forth from their hands. Your subject Liu Xi, bows to accept the Emperors will. Huang Tan pulled out a roll of exquisite silk from his sleeve, then slowly opened it and read the edict with a sharp voice. C At another location Look at that its been a long time, why does Xiaoyu look so pathetic? A young scholar was riding on a horse and broke into an intriguing smile. Xu Ke was shocked and opened his eyes wide, disbelieving what he saw. Why are you here? Chapter 390 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XXII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rang used both his hands to pull the rope. His palms held his fan, made from feathers, tightly. Xiaoyu is very intelligent. Why dont you guess? He never expected to meet an old friend under such circumstances. Make a guess? To h*ll with guessing. Xu Ke pursed his lips. He glanced at the young man holding the torch and said, The troops? Exactly, Qiguan Rang replied with a smile. If Qiguan Rang was not riding a huge horse, Xu Ke would have pulled him down and given him a good beating. Why are Langjuns troops here? The troops were ones personal armyCCones own military might. Why did Qiguan Rang rally so many of them from Chongzhou? Qiguan Rang did not reply; rather, it was Meng Hun, who was standing at the side, who cupped his hands and bowed politely. He said, Master Qiguan knew Langjun was in danger. Thus, we came. Xu Ke responded, Why didnt I know you were able to predict the future? Qiguan Rang smiled but remained silent. He glanced at the carriage, full of rations, that they were transporting, then saw how exhausted Xu Ke and his party were. It moved him. It is not ideal to debate this now. If you are suspicious of me, you can interrogate me later. The lives of the people are at hand. You should show us the way so we can meet up with Langjun. Qiguan Rang signaled with his eyes. It is not wise to linger here. Xu Ke understood his rationale; however, he didnt understand why Qiguan Rang coincidentally appeared outside Shangjing city. Lets discuss it when we return. Xu Kes face was solemn. Their present location was not ideal for such discussions. The military training the troops underwent was personally choreographed by Jiang Pengji. It intensified over the years. After three to four years of training, a pig could stand on two feet and walkCClet alone the young, buff men who were painstakingly and carefully chosen. The majority of them had been bandits previously. They originally had violent bandit tendencies, but over the years, they were trained to obey every order. They eventually became valiant soldiers. Meng Hun waved his hands, then someone immediately brought a horse over. He said politely, Master Xu, get on the horse. How many troops did you bring along? Xu Ke saw Meng Hun, and his heart filled with understanding. He now knew that Qiguan Rang dispatched the troops following proper procedure. When Jiang Pengji left, she gave authority to Meng Hun to oversee the troops. Qiguan Rang occasionally came to lend a helping hand in managing them. Jiang Pengji was not comfortable ordering others to work when she did nothing herself. A total of 3,000 men, Qiguan Rang replied and added, There are only about a thousand people here. Meng Hun was military trained but very meticulous in his thinking. He was sensitive to the atmosphere between them and directed the conversation, pulling both of them apart. The rest of the 2,000 men were dispatched to Fengyi County to render aid to the people there. Meng Hun considered and said, Rest assured, Master XuCCwe brought the 3,000 out of Chongzhou, but they were undercover most of the time. They will not cause Langjun any trouble Every aristocratic family had their own troops that differed in size. They were not allowed to be out in the open during times of peace. If someone discovered a group of them, they would be suspected of stirring up trouble, which would implicate their master. After Xu Ke heard their words, he nodded in agreement. His face became amicable, but he raised his eyebrows and did not appear relaxed. He knew that Qiguan Rang was very careful and would not easily let their enemies get ahold of their weaknesses. It was true: After the troops left Chongzhou, it was as if they were invisible. They assembled at the border between Shangyang County and Fengyi County and did not arouse any suspicions along the way. However, it still bothered him, as Qiguan Rang didnt seek Jiang Pengjis permission to dispatch 3,000 troops. Qiguan Rang ordered the 3,000 troops to settle down and hide in a discrete valley. They set up camp and hid for several days. When the earthquake happened, none of the troops died; however, when the tent collapsed, some unfortunate men were injured. Qiguan Rang had never been to Shangjing before. Upon seeing the towering city gates, he could only imagine the grandeur of the citys infrastructure. As he passed through the damaged city gates, the scene within hit his heart, causing his pupils to constrict. The desolation filled his eyes. Widespread ruins abounded. Where was the bustling city he had imagined? They entered via the north city gate. The nearby area had not been searched. When the few survivors heard the footsteps, they thought of ways to attract the attention of the living. The image was rather heart wrenching, but the troops faces remained unchanged. They were unaffected. How has the court not sent men to assist? Or have the relief efforts not reached this area yet? Qiguan Rang had remained in the small valley in the hills and had not been updated about anything. If not for the earthquake, he would have squatted there and waited for Jiang Pengji to come. Xu Kes expression was cold, and he said mockingly, The Emperor is sitting up in the heavens. How could he hear the sufferings of the world? Qiguan Rangs heart sank. It had been one day and one night since the earthquake happened. Yet, the court still had not taken action. Why? He understood that more and more people would die the longer they delayed rescue. ****** She left over ten groups of troops behind to rescue the people trapped in the ruins. After Jiang Pengji received the edict, Huang Tan hurriedly left a thousand imperial guards and 500 deniers of rations behind. Seeing that Huang Tan was escorted away by hundreds of men, Jiang Pengji held the edict in her hand firmly and remained expressionless. She glanced at the imperial guards. Who is in charge here? Space was limited, and there was no room for people to come inside. Thus, only three people followed Huang Tan before her, while the rest stood outside and waited for further instructions. After she finished her briefing, someone stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, It is your servant. Jiang Pengji scrutinized this man. His height was roughly seven feet tall. He had a sturdy back and waist, and he was tall and powerful. His gate was twice that of an average person. He wore armor exclusively made for the imperial guards, and under that, he wore a thin shirt that was unable to contain his muscles. Jiang Pengji was not short compared to men her age, but facing that man required her to lift her head. What is your name? My name is Luo Yue. The Emperor has assigned all of you to me. During this time, your livelihood will be determined by me. You only need to obey my orders, Jiang Pengji said calmly, If anyone rebels, they will be beheaded immediately. There will be no burial. When Luoyue heard her words, he knitted his thick, black brows. He was displeased. The imperial guards maintained peace in Shangjing. Their thought process was naturally different from the average person. Even if the person came from a prestigious background, he was ultimately just a scholar. If not for the Emperors order, she had no right to order them around. Yet, Jiang Pengji actually dared to speak such words. Jiang Pengji noticed the other partys brief unhappiness. She sighed coldly. If she didnt need manpower, she wouldnt bother entertaining such people. Though Luoyue was proud, he was still rather capable. After the earthquake ended, if she could abscond 1,000 imperial guards, it would be good. Jiang Pengjis eyes drooped. She began to scheme in her mind. At that moment, her ears twitched when she heard the sound of footsteps. She raised her eyebrows and asked Luoyue, Did the Emperor send more imperial guards over? Did he dispatch 2,000 men? That was so generous. Chapter 391 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XXIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengjis question confused Luoyue. However, as an imperial guard, he had to obey Jiang Pengjis orders. Based what my knowledge, there are 1,000 men. The edict was clear, so how was there an extra 1,000 men? Jiang Pengjis eyebrows drew closer together. She listened intently to the series of footsteps that were approaching them. Luoyues hearing was not as insanely acute as Jiang Pengjis, but as the mysterious forces came nearer, he instinctively tensed his muscles. He was ready for preventive measures. Upon seeing Luoyue, who was ready for action, Feng Jin closed his eyes briefly as if he was contemplating something. Tap, tap, tap! A series of orderly but heavy footsteps came closer. The imperial guards waiting outside sensed a foreign force approaching. The probability of a riot increased steadily. Jiang Pengji couldnt sit tight. She rose and walked quickly past Luoyue and three other imperial guards. Flashes of small fires appeared, heading in their direction. The lights from the fire torches became clearer. There were three men in the group on horses. Meng Hun was militant and naturally had the best eyesight. He swiftly found Jiang Pengji. His face lit up, and he quickened his horses pace. Langjun, hello! Theyd been apart for years, but Meng Hun would never forget Jiang Pengjis featuresCCeven if she did look exhausted. Jiang Pengji identified the three people from afar. She almost thought her eyes were blurry until Meng Hun got down from the horse. She couldnt contain her excitement. As soon as she regained her focus, she pulled Meng Hun up from his kneeling position. She half-smiled as she looked at Qiguan Rang. Based on her understanding, Meng Hun could not carry out his task of leading the troops from afar. Moreover, they appeared at such a crucial moment. She pondered it, and the only person with the capability was Qiguan Rang. Wenzheng said before that youd appear when Xi needed you most. Has the time come? Jiang Pengji stepped forward. Qiguan Rang stepped on the stool to descend from his horse. He flicked dust off his sleeve and bowed to her respectfully. He smiled bitterly and said, Man proposes, but the gods dispose. I initially wanted to wait by Fengyi County for your grand arrival, but unbeknownst to me, the earthquake occurred. Jiang Pengji asked in confusion, Why would you wait in Fengyi County? Qiguan Rang was about to speak when he caught sight of the imperial guards. His eyes flashed, and he swallowed back the words on his tongue. Jiang Pengji sensed his actions and raised her hand. She ordered Luoyue to take the imperial guards away. Luoyue felt it was unjust, but he was the mere leader of the imperial guards. He observed that Jiang Pengjis troops were a rare breed of elite soldiers. Meng Hun, who was at the frontier, had understated vibes. His build was so intimidating that people shrank in his presence. Thus, Luoyue brought his men to retreat more than ten miles. Initially, I predicted that you would be hunted down by someone that was after your life. I took all possible routes into consideration and figured the border between Shangyang County and Fengyi County was highly possible. Thus, I brought men there to lie in wait and to also serve as a backup for you. When the earthquake happened, it messed up all the plans. Qiguan Rang wore an expression of defeat. Even if man saw no flaws in himself, he could not thwart heavens will. Even if a man saw no flaws in himself, he could not thwart heavens will. Someone wanted to kill me? Why? Jiang Pengji crossed her arms. It was not that she did not believe Qiguan Rang. She was curious. Qiguan Rang shook his head and answered, Matters have gone a different direction now. It is no longer relevant. It was obvious that Qiguan Rang was unwilling to reveal his thoughts. The earthquake not only disrupted Qiguan Rangs plan, but also the plan of those who were eager to take action against the Emperors evil officials. The relatives of the land-owning class and the eunuchs had to hold their anger in. Even the crown prince, who wanted to usurp the throne, had the energy but was not given the opportunity. They were currently focused on escaping with their lives. There was no time to consider such great ambitions. Jiang Pengji sighed deeply then said, Even if you refuse to say, I can guess. Regardless, I am grateful to you. There was a lack of manpower. She witnessed people die when they could have been saved. Jiang Pengjis feelings were valid. Qiguan Rang brought 3,000 troops with him, 2,000 of which were searching to save the people in Fengyi County. The remaining 1,000 were of great assistance to Jiang Pengji. You flatter me. Im just doing my job. Qiguan Rang narrowed his eyes. His pupils, which were normally moving about, were seemingly at peace. His words moved Jiang Pengji; her smile became increasingly splendid. Since thats the case, it is better to be early than late. Jiang Pengjis face was somber. She continued, The earthquake has injured or killed countless people. The weather is scorching hot, so the corpses cannot be kept for long to prevent them from rotting and attracting parasites. It is imperative that we locate a place for burial to prevent an epidemic outbreak from spreading. Qiguan Rang nodded in agreement. All things shall be decided by you. Jiang Pengji now had 1,000 imperial guards, 1,000 personal troops, and the people she had employed previously. The number of people she had expanded substantially. She called for Qiguan Rang, Feng Jin, Xu Ke, Meng Hun, and Luoyue to prepare and regroup to search for survivors. Whatever was going on in Luoyues mind, Jiang Pengji could not be bothered. It was enough that he obeyed her orders. Xiaoyu, did you bring the items I asked you to transport? With the 500 deniers of rice given by the Emperor, the rations could last for a few days. As for the medicinal herbs, she ordered men to search the vacant medical shops. She borrowed the herbs that no one wanted. If they used them sparingly, they could last for days. The crucial issue was that burying all the bodies required a lot of lime. Xu Ke was startled momentarily. He spoke up, The items are in the carriage. Jiang Pengji ordered, Get some men to transport the medicinal herbs and rations down. Lay some grass or something to cover the carriage. We will bury the corpses tonight. I have surveyed the weather and predict that it will rain in a few days. If the corpses rot, the water that touches the corpses and the rainwater will flow down together into the well and contaminate it. Consequently, we must control it. If people ingest contaminated water, an epidemic disease will be imminent. Jiang Pengji described the situation plainly. The people sitting around her had a change of expression. They were imaginative. Their minds could not help but envision the scene Jiang Pengji described, and they were extremely disgusted. The north, south, east, and west of the city Jiang Pengji used a twig to draw out Shangjings map on the ground. She divided the map into four sections, and each section had 450 people assigned to it. People would then search for survivors and render aid in their assigned section. Each section was further divided into more detailed zones; she even had the resource routes mapped out. Jiang Pengjis thought flow was precise. She was quick at delegating tasks. The people present were not foolish; they remembered their tasks and waited only for Jiang Pengji to give orders. If there was a poisoned corpse, it would follow the rainwater, drip into the well, and contaminate the water. Thus, they needed to decide where to bury the bodies. Jiang Pengji took that into account. She circled a location. Its situated on the mountain on the east side of the city. It is convenient to transport corpses. Its also on high ground. It is far from the moat, and its not linked to the water source beneath. Other than the east of the city, the terrain is isolated; there are few men and villages. Considering all these factors, it is wise to bury them here. Since they could not burn the bodies, Jiang Pengjis only choice was to bury them. She needed to brainstorm the details with them collectively. Chapter 392 - Earthquake in Dongqing (XXIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The round moon in the sky was covered by a layer of grey clouds, the dim moonlight was darkened and downcast. Outside of Shangjing city The incessant sound of soil digging increased in volts, a shovel full of soil dug from the hole and thrown to one side. Those ignorant may think which robber is digging his ancestors grave. With the help of hundreds of people and their hard work, a large hole lies in the ground, by the side laid a huge pile of soil. This depth is about right, continue to dig outwards. If the depth is too shallow, when the rain comes, the soil on the surface will be eroded and the corpses beneath will be exposed. Conversely, if its too deep, the labor of digging will be too immense, and their precious time cannot be wasted. Jiang Pengji ripped open a bag full of lime beside the pit. Using both hands she laid a cloth over it, then she took a ladle full of lime out which she found at the rice shop. Spread this evenly over the sand in the hole. The live stream audience held their fears and watched throughout the night. At the thought of needing such a big hole for burying corpses, they felt a gush of cold wind run down their spines. To lighten the mood, many audience members spontaneously came forth to share a joke, but sadly the effect was minimal. As time passed, one after another, the corpses were sent into the deep hole. Jiang Pengji watched on solemnly while the others were silent. The morning sunlight shone through leaves and to the ground, leaving motley traces. Within the hole, the scene could be covered all at one glance. Even her personal troops, let alone the imperial guards, felt uncontrollably nauseous as the night wore on some squatted on the ground with their eyes reddened. Without sleep the entire night, no one dare complain they were tired, they all silently looked upon the dead bodies in the pit and were in a daze for some time. All that could be heard was Jiang Pengjis hoarse voice, Cover the holethis hole alone cannot contain all the corpses. After that, she used both hands to hold the shovel to cover the pit with sand. Just then, everyone understood, they followed her instructions with mechanical motions and blank looks on their faces. They overlaid a layer of sand, subsequently, she got men to carefully spread a layer of lime over, then continued to till the ground. Piling up a towering grave, they packed the sand tightly to prevent any wild animals or hungry birds from creating a mess. Lastly, they erected a wordless tombstone. Everyone is tired for the night, she said, looking around at them all. Proceed to wash your hands and face, eat some food and rest for four hours before we rotate our shifts. The early morning sunlight was as the flowing golden sand, dazzling and beautiful. Those imperial guards and troops who stayed up late to dig the pit had sore eyes. Exhaustion hit them and their eyelids desperately wish to stick together. Before, they were nervous, but now each one desperately wished to lie down and sleep. In spite of their exhaustion, filling their stomachs still came first. The scent from the two giant containers of porridge and steaming hot buns drifted into the air, and their stomachs rumbled like thunder. They were truly starved. They queued to wash their hands and faces. Then receiving their share of porridge and a bun each, they randomly found a place to squat and ate voraciously. The imperial guards ate with etiquette, while the troops appeared as if they hadnt eaten in years, some ate so quickly that they almost choked. In order to meet up with Jiang Pengji as quickly as possible, the troops under Qiguan Rangs orders continued journeying on. Including the last night, theyve not slept for three days and two nights. They had dark circles under their eyes and looked dazed, but after gulping down their hot porridge and steamed buns, they felt refreshed as if given a new life. When their stomachs were full and their limbs felt comfortably warm, many leaned back against the trees and snored. This sight was taken in by Jiang Pengji and she felt comforted. She focused on eating the food on her plate and ate it clean. With a thousand imperial guards and another thousand private troops, the search and rescue efficiency is incomparable to before, as many more injured are sent to the camp base. Amidst the scorching heat of the day, the corpses unearthed from the ruins are immediately transported to be buried outside the city. If other carcasses of small animals are discovered, they are burnt immediately, the camp base and its surroundings must be cleaned routinely and overlaid with lime. - What is this? Feng Jin pinched something with an odd shape. It was not solely his but also possessed by Qiguan Rang and the others. A mask. Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and answered, the audience in the live streaming room reminded her of this item. Masks did not exist during her era, rather, it has been obsolete for thousands of years. It belonged to the history books as an antique. What use is this? Feng Jin had stared at it helplessly for half a day but still dont know how it functions. It doesnt look like a handkerchief yet is too small to be a curtain. Cover the area around your mouth and nose, tie the four strings securely round the back of ones head. Diseases often spread via the nose and mouth, if a mask is used to cover these susceptible areas and one is careful of their intake of water and food, most likely an epidemic outbreak can be prevented, Jiang Pengji explained once through, then donned her mask to demonstrate how its used. Feng Jin processed what was said and discovered the logic in it. This is good stuff, he said in a muffled voice behind his own mask. And it can also hide scents. At this point, the piles of corpses have been buried, but the camp base for the injured are still full of people. Occasionally therell be the severely sick who are incurable, and theyd be carried out. The air is still filled with a concentrated bloody smell, however, after putting on the mask, the situation improved somewhat. The mask that Jiang Pengji mentioned is not exchanged from the mall, realistically the mall was rubbish where masks are not sold there. She tasked some servant maidens to find an airy material, after overlaying two to three layers, they sewed them together. A few sets were made. Under the scorching sun, itd be bearable wearing them. The materials available are limited, those simple masks synthesized will be given to the most important people first. After use, it could be sterilized in boiling water then dried to be re-used. The sole reason to rejoice came roughly two days after the earthquake. The injured only had symptoms of fever and feeling faint. They had no other signs of diseases. Even so, Jiang Pengji could not let her guard down too early, she had to prepare for whats ahead. Setting her sights on the pitiful city, she inwardly dragged the System out and mercilessly lashed out at it. Rubbish! The System who was grounded heard her rants and sneered. Was she blaming it now? Compared to the nuisance System, the viewers in the live streaming room were much cuter. Hearing that Jiang Pengji was frustrated over the epidemic outbreak, they brainstormed solutions together as three average people may devise a better strategy than one wise person. With a coalesce of 150,000 viewers, they indeed found a resolution. Dahongzao: Streamer, Streamer, I suddenly recalled a time travel book to Qing Dynasty I once read, the female lead treated the fourth princes strange illness using roots of reed boiled in water. Although I dont know if its reliable, theres no harm trying to boil it for others to drink. Perhaps it had prophylactic effects. Liushen Hualushui: This cant be true. Can groundless web novels even be trusted? One Chestnut: En, roots of reeds when boiled functions to alleviate internal heat, induce sweat, stop nausea, aid in urination; its primarily used to treat fever and excessive thirst, it warms the stomach preventing nausea, reduces cough due to heaty throat, pain from extreme heat subsides and other functions the above information is derived from Baidu. One remains ignorant without finding things out but is overwhelmed by shock with knowledge. Although the roots of reeds seem difficult to boil, many illnesses present with continuous nausea and diarrhea Perhapsthey should beuseful? Shaunglu Dianchi: #rubsface. Seeking an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner, the streamer needs your service badly. Jiang Pengji sighed briefly at the sight of the bullet screen. Even if she had the manpower, it was useless in a shortage of medical herbs. The medical herbs are most commonly found in the city market, albeit expensive, but now they cant even be purchased. Luckily, they saved a middle-aged man amid the ruins that is a doctor and hes not severely injured. He has since replaced the maids in the mansion as the principal doctor at the camp base holding the sick and injured. All the available herbs from the damaged medical shops have been dug out by him to save the people. Surveying the few medical herbs on display at the mall, Jiang Pengji adopted the audiences suggestions and decided on exchanging for some mugwort leaves and roots of reeds. The mugwort leaf has properties to suppress or eliminate various virus or sickness, it serves as a useful antidote and cure. As for the roots of the reedsthey would exchange for them to prepare for the worst. Chapter 393 - Earthquake in Dongqing (25) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio On the third day after the earthquake, the Emperor issued a decree to move the capital to Chenzhou. Although Feng Jin and the others had expected the Emperor to move the capital, they were still silent when the decree was announced. The people were even more grief-stricken when they heard the news. Their lamentations filled the air. An old woman cried so much that she fainted. After watching the aftermath of the earthquake for three days, the audience in the streaming room had developed hearts of steel. However, they still felt somewhat sad when they saw the scene, even though they did not understand why they felt sorrowful. Tudou Dun Niurou: Sigh Arent they just moving the capital? The nation isnt gone. Why are they crying like that? Dahongzao: Bah. Its easy for you to say. Theyre not crying because the capital is movingCCtheyre crying because theyve been abandoned. Laosiji Lianmeng: The streaming room isnt under the nations control, so Ill make an inappropriate analogy: If such a terrible earthquake happened in Chinas capital and most of the people died, and there wasnt any rescue effort done by the country for three consecutive days, everyone would have doubts in their minds. However, they would still trust their country and wait to be rescued. Then, the government announces that the capital is too broken to be rescued, that the capital will be moved, and that the people affected by the disaster will be left behind Take a guess. How would the abandoned people feel? How would one feel if he or she was abandoned? The nation would be done for sooner or later! Tudou Nurougaifan: This analogy isnt suitable. If our country dared to do that, itd be criticized to death by more than one billion people. Furthermore, the Internet today is so developed. The whole country would raise a rumpus if there wasnt any help sent in three hours, let alone three days. Xuanbu Jiufei: Its another matter whether the analogy is suitable or not. Anyway, I understand what Laosiji is trying to say. Kebu Gaiming: Sigh. If I were one of the people, Id cry too. Whats the point of being alive in the face of their devastated home? The country doesnt care about them. This means that its almost impossible for them to rebuild their homes. Their future is uncertain and hopeless. The people in the ancient times had a blind trust in the Emperor because he was the Emperor and had the divine rights of kings! They could not see their future at all when they were abandoned by him. In such a melancholy atmosphere, Jiang Pengji curled her lips. Theyre so energetic, and they have nowhere to vent their energy. Its a miracle they are still able to cry in such a time as this. Luo Yue was born a commoner. He was also initially dismal, but when he heard Jiang Pengjis cold-blooded words, he almost choked. If it were not for the Emperors command, he would not have obeyed her orders. Am I wrong? Jiang Pengji looked askance at him, contempt written on her face. Luo Yue could not find the words. He wanted to refute her, but the words were stuck in his throat. No matter how hard he tried, he could not speak. He felt a little guilty. Seeing that Jiang Pengji had gradually walked further away, Qiguan Rang nudged him with his elbow when he walked past him. The Emperor has indeed abandoned his people, but look at them. Why are they still alive and not buried in the ruins? Langjun is right. They have too much energy, and theyre too bored. What are they crying for? They are obviously full of emotions, so they should be grateful for Langjuns kindness. Qiguan Rang shook his head like the ignorant people were all hopeless. Luo Yue looked serious and said righteously, How can you say that? If it wasnt for the Emperors decree, Liu Langjun wouldnt Qiguan Rang did not let him finish. He interrupted directly, Youre wrong. If my Langjun wasnt kind and did not present a petition directly to the Emperor to take on this drudgery, do you think the Emperor would have ordered someone else to rescue the people? Ha. Even if Langjun pleaded to the Emperor on behalf of the people, he still only sent out 1,000 imperial guards and gave out 500 dans of food. How many people can be rescued with such limited resources? Luo Yue wanted to refute, but he could only blush in shame. However, his skin tone was slightly dark, so it was not that obvious. Qiguan Rang insulted enigmatically, Out of 100,000 imperial guards, only 1,000 of them were dispatched. That is very few. Even during the snowstorm that happened in Shangjing a few years ago, the court had allocated 30,000 taels of silver for disaster relief. Even though there was not much silver left for the people in the end, it was still a gesture. The court was shameless. They bundled people off by allocating 1,000 imperial guards and 500 dans of food. One must know that the earthquake had hit Shangyang County and Fengyi County. It was almost two-thirds of Wanzhou! The death toll was dozens of times greater than that of the snowstorm that year! Qiguan Rang sneered. The sinister look in his eyes sent chills to Luo Yues heart. As the number of people being rescued increased, the demand for food and medicinal herbs grew as well. Jiang Pengji redeemed 20,000 teals of food and a large amount of Chinese mugwort and reed rhizome. She asked Xu Ke to take a few people with him to collect them every time. Some of them were reserved for the people in Shangjing, and some of them were transported to Fengyi County. Qiguan Rang previously made 2,000 troops stay behind for the rescue effort. Shangjing was the epicenter of the earthquake. The casualties were particularly disastrous. Fengyi County was quite far away from Shangjing. There were a lot of survivors, so the rice and medicinal herbs consumed were also particularly high. Jiang Pengji could not keep using the food that she exchanged in the mall. It was not a problem in the short run, but trouble could easily arise in the long run. If she had incompetent teammates around her, it was fine for her to put on an act. However, the key thing was that her teammates were shrewder than one another. It would not work with them. If the mistress of the Liu residence did not have a lot of money and did not have grain shops across the entirety of Dongqing, she might not have been able to deceive Xu Ke. Therefore, it was very important to broaden the sources of income and reduce expenditure. There are a lot of dignitaries in Shangjing. Theyll have some good items in their warehouses Jiang Pengji said with a poker face. In any case, theyre going to move, and the things left behind will rot. Its better to recover and reuse them to benefit the people. Jiang Pengji expressed herself clearly, yet she didnt directly say that they had to steal it. Qiguan Rang accepted it because he was not a gentleman from the start. Xu Ke felt somewhat uncomfortable. It was no different from stealing and looting. However, thinking about the people out there, there was no other way. Meng Hun had always listened to Jiang Pengji. He felt that there was nothing wrong with blocking the road directly to rob people, and all they were doing was clearing up the ruins left behind. Feng Jin was the only one who objected. He had received formal education for a long time. If he suddenly conspired with Jiang Pengji, he would not be Feng Jin anymore. Jiang Pengji asked, Do you have any good ideas? They were looking at Feng Jin, and he only spoke after some time, At least we should leave a bill signed in acknowledgment of debt? Everyone was speechless. Everyone in the residences had fled. Who was going to look at the bill? However, if that would make Feng Jin feel better, then they would write it. It would not take much time, anyway. Jiang Pengji replied, Well, what Huaiyu said makes sense. If the people return to have a look at their old houses after the earthquake and realize that their things have all been cleared away, they may be angry. Leaving a bill signed in acknowledgment of debt can at least show that were not robbers. Were just borrowing things temporarily. Jiang Pengji said the word borrowing with profound meaning. Qiguan Rang smiled without saying a word. Was it still borrowing if one borrowed something without returning it? Four days after the earthquake, the number of people rescued had reached 18,000. However, there were 70,000 corpses buried outside the city. There were 120,000 permanent residents living in Shangjing, so tens of thousands of them were still missing. Jiang Pengji planned to stay for a few more days and search the city again inch-by-inch. Then, she would meet the other 2,000 troops in Fengyi County. Chapter 394 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Sigh. Sure enough, pretty women are really favored by God. Huijun caressed her cheek with her right hand. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes seductive. She looked perfect from every angle. She did not even want to look at the rouge and cosmetics on her dressing table. They were made from powder and glycerin, so applying them to her skin would do more harm than good. The imperial maid beside her attended to her carefully. Ever since the favored woman had appeared next to the Emperor, there were a lot less imperial maids that were ruined No, it should be said that since then, the Emperor was not even interested in other women. Many women were indirectly saved by Huijuns appearance. Your Highness is a born beauty. Even the immortal concubines in heaven cant compare to you, a clever imperial maid spoke with conjecture. She gave Huijun an extremely gorgeous hairdo, which emphasized her long and fair neck. It complemented her charm. Huijun put on a flirtatious smile and praised, Youre a sweet talker. This is your reward. Without looking, she threw the East Pearl that the Emperor gifted her to the imperial maid. She continued to obsess over her reflection in the mirror. Her daily dose of narcissism was fulfilled for that day. Ever since the imperial decree of moving the capital was issued, the entire palace had been busy. However, it had not affected Huijun. As a woman who had the whole harem to herself, she was swollen with arrogance. Even the empress and the crown prince had to avoid her, not to mention the wives of the princes. However, she was a bit unlucky that day. The eunuchs and imperial maids were busy packing things up. They were careless for a second and let someone get to her that should not have gotten to her. Juner Wuma Jun looked frail. His young face looked completely dejected. He was not clean-shaven, and he looked extremely spiritless and frustrated. Huijun had initially wanted to go out and admire the beauty of the flowers, but her mood was instantly ruined when she saw Wuma Jun. She curled her lips in a taunting manner and said cynically, Does Your Highness still have the leisure to admire the beauty of the flowers at this point in time? Its my fault. I didnt protect you well Wuma Jun said, his tone embarrassed. A dejected and distressed look spread across his face. There was a surge of emotions in Huijuns heart. She looked as if her wound had been poked. She raised her hand, grabbed the pearl and jade ornaments in her hair, and threw them at Wuma Jun. She yelled at him angrily, So you are aware that you didnt protect me well? Where were you when I was raped by your father that day?! Where are you when I have to force a smile and continually win his favor?! Wuma Jun initially wanted to probe Huijuns loyalty. Seeing her reaction, he knew that she still loved him. He suddenly grew very happy. I dont have any other choice I am disgusted! Huijun concealed her anger and put on an impassive and haughty facial expression once again. She was like a suppressed volcanoCCit was not known as to when it would erupt. Tears welled up in her pretty eyes as she recounted. Your father already has one foot in the grave Do you know how sickened I am when he does all those things to me? Youre a man. Why cant you protect me? Wuma Jun looked angry, ashamed, and distressed. He could not help but hug her and apologize over and over again. Huijun pushed him away and replied in a low and hoarse voice, From now on we should live our own lives and not see each other again. You cant do this! How can you be so cruel? Did you think I was happy when you were taken away by my father? Hes the Emperor. I cant go against him! Wuma Jun answered, gnashing his teeth in anger. Any man would not be able to stand the humiliation of being cuckolded. He certainly could not tolerate it, even if the person was his father. Huijun sneered coldly. Obviously, she was not convinced by his words. Juner, believe me Believe me for once! Wuma Jun whispered as he kissed her lightly. Ill find a way to take the old man down from his position as Emporer. By then, youll be my empress and well share the world together. Hows that Huijun was moved. She was obviously convinced. Wuma Jun continued his victorious pursuit. The two of them had sex for a while in the cave of the rockery. He had tasted the pleasure that he had not tasted for a long time. Wuma Jun looked a lot better. After tasting the best delicacy, he was disgusted when he had sex with gaudy women. It felt like he was eating wax. Huijun tidied up her clothes leisurely and asked, What are you going to do? Wuma Jun replied, Dont worry. I already have the perfect strategy. I conspired with my uncle a while ago. Theres a good opportunity to put it into play now that the old man wants to move the capital. There are many rioters out there. The 100,000 imperial guards arent even enough. As long as you think of a way to make him summon Uncle here, we can work in collusionCCone from without and the other from within. It will be successful. There were about 20,000 imperial maids, eunuchs, imperial consorts, and women without status in the Shangyang Palace. The important ministers in the court, their family members and relatives, and the treasures of their residences had to be taken away. Although the exchequer did not have much silver, the Emperors private treasury was filled with it. It was still not safe to transport it all to the new imperial capital with just 100,000 imperial guards. Uncle? Prince Changshou? But the old man is so suspicious. He wont ever agree Wuma Jun gritted his teeth and replied mercilessly, Think of a way then. If all else fails deliver a false imperial edict! Im afraid Its not good to do this Uncle can only take his troops and leave the fief to help us if theres a personally written decree from the Emperor. We must accomplish this for our sake. Huijun concealed her inner thoughts. There was greed in her joy. Ill give it a try Does your previous promise still apply? Wuma Jun was startled and immediately remembered what he had just said. He replied with a smile, Of course! No one but you is qualified to be my empress. Upon hearing his promise, Huijun sneered. If you give me the position of the empress, what about the fourth princess? When Liu Huan was mentioned, Huijun did not try to hide the malice and antipathy in her eyes. Wuma Jun was even more reassured. He coaxed, After she has given birth to the baby, you can then deal with her any way you want. After all, he was the son born of his legal wife, so Wuma Jun naturally valued the baby very much. Although Wuma Jun only had sex with Liu Huan once, Liu Huan was pregnant. Furthermore, Liu Huan was Liu Shes daughter. Wuma Jun needed Liu She to pin down the three tribes of the Northern Borderline now. He could not do anything to Liu Huan yet. The promise was made casually to appease Huijun. Wuma Jun knew that the Emperor was very suspicious. He would definitely not summon Prince Changshou from the fief on his own accord, so he needed a bit of pressure to do so! This must be done as soon as possible! Huijun nodded obediently. Okay. When Wuma Jun left, Huijun walked away in the opposite direction in a natural manner. What a foolish man! Huijun looked at his back, a sneer hanging on the corner of her lips. An enchantress who will destroy the country? Speaking of it, her work seemed to be somewhat lacking recently. The Emperor was becoming more and more obedient to her in every matter. He allowed her to enter his study, and she could even read the booklets that were submitted by the officials. She could even burn them if she was not happy It was not going to be difficult for her to create a fake, personal, written decree that appeared to come from the Emporer. However, she did not want to let Wuma Jun off for nothing. It was best if there was a dogfight so they would not have the time to care about the changes in power in the north. Langjun would be safer that way. Looking at her fair fingers, Huijun thought she should both work hard and be a fitting enchantress who destroyed the country. Chapter 395 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Moving the capital was a foregone conclusion. It had been six days since the earthquake. The plague did not spread in Shangjing because Jiang Pengji was quick to act. Everyone was treated in time. However, according to the cook who transported the grains and the search and rescue troops in Fengyi County, plague symptoms had started to appear in other areas. Jiang Pengjis limbs were coated with medicine. The last day of the rescue would be left to the troops and the 1,000 imperial guards. She just had to invigorate her body. Host V: I feel like a loser. Jiang Pengjis most important tasks now were to invigorate her body and let the wounds on her limbs heal as soon as possible. Over the past few days, ever since the earthquake struck, Jiang Pengji had almost no time to rest. She led the team that was rescuing people buried in the ruins. After all, no one could accurately find traces of life as she could. Therefore, her wounds looked horrible. As the rescue effort was coming to an end, Feng Jin strongly urged her to nurture her wounds in the camp. In fact, her bodys ability to recover was several times greater than that of ordinary people. If she was not afraid that she might scare the doctor and that the doctor might think she was a monster, she would have been completely healed already. Allowing the time for her wounds to heal was boring, so Jiang Pengji chatted with the audience members. Perhaps the dark clouds of the earthquake had temporarily faded. The audience in the streaming room had become a lot livelier. Dahongzao: If youre a loser, then what about the pitiful Xu Ke, Feng Jin, and the handsome Qiguan Rang? What are they? Ultimate losers who are whipped and enslaved by a loser? I havent seen the handsome Qiguan Rang in a while. Host V: Wen Zheng is a married man. Zuiai Fengjin Baobao: I havent seen Feng Jin in a long time, either. Hes mature and charming. Im starry-eyed. Host V: Huaiyu is married as well. Da Zhanggongzhu: All of you get lost! In terms of handsomeness, I think Xu Ke is the most charming. Streamer, do you still remember the young, handsome man in our streaming room that looked very similar to Xu Ke? Let me tell you. Xu Ke has a lot of fanboys and fangirls now. The young, handsome man hasnt been doing well for the last two years and relies on Xu Kes popularity. He recently acted in a historical drama where he imitated Xu Ke. Holding a bowl in her hands, Jiang Pengji blew on the medicinal soup to cool it down. She gulped down the bitter medicinal soup in the bowl and adjusted her body into a more comfortable position. Host V: Xiaoyu is also married. Huanyang Mianshou: So what if theyre married? You all are really childish and shallow. Feng Jin, Xu Ke, and Qiguan Rang are all scholars. They cant carry heavy things on their shoulders and lift heavy items with their hands If they dont have an IQ that they take pride in, theyll just be useless Theyre like sliced, cold chickens. Id say that Meng Hun is better. Im envious of his muscles. A married couples life can only be harmonious if the man has a functional penis. Jiang Pengji glanced at the bullet screen. It was as if she heard the sound of a train passing by. Choo choo! Host V: His wife is dead. The viewers in the streaming room were speechless. Can we still have a pleasant chat? Laosiji Lianmeng: The streamers friends are all married. Why are you still single? Jiang Pengji was not someone who would readily admit defeat. Host V: Sigh. Im keeping you all company. Although Jiang Pengji was recovering, she did not lack things to do. After flirting with the audience, she was in a better mood. She raised her hand and grabbed a piece of drawing paper that was on the taboret. It was not the Great Universal Geographical Map of Dongqing, but the topographic map of several counties in the vicinity. It was drawn very simply and was barely understandable. At that moment, Feng Jin entered the tent. Huaiyu, how many injured are there outside? Jiang Pengji ate some candied fruits to get rid of the bitterness in her mouth. A specific number has been derived. There are 19,812 people. The number of the dead cannot be counted. Its roughly estimated to be 85,000. Feng Jin could not help but sigh when he reported the number. Shangjing was once prosperous, with a population of 120,000. An earthquake had killed 70 percent of the population. Jiang Pengji calculated and felt that the number seemed accurate. Even if they had conducted an inch-by-inch search twice, there was no guarantee that no one would be missing. Jiang Pengji had set up a gruel stall and rescue camp in Shangjing, but there was no guarantee that the survivors did not flee to other places The number was in line with her prediction. Im planning to take office in Xiangyang District in two days, Jiang Pengji said. So soon? Feng Jin was stunned. He continued, How will the people out there get settled? Jiang Pengji smiled and replied, If the people are willing to follow us, they can come with us. If they feel that its difficult to leave their homeland, we can leave some food behind. We have done everything called for by humanity and by our civic duty. We have to leave as soon as possible, otherwise an undue delay may bring trouble. The court has kept silent about the earthquake and has insisted on moving the capital. How can the people who have been abandoned tolerate this? I fear that the people will start an uprising. There are countless rioters out there Jiang Pengji wanted to take office before the situation got too serious; she wanted to plan out her next move somewhere safe. Feng Jin suddenly revealed a bitter facial expression and replied, Its not a fear It has already happened. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and asked, Is there really a mob? Dongqing was a weird country. Natural and man-made disasters had been happening continuously over the past few years, but the people had surprisingly great endurance. If they had Jiang Pengjis temper, they would have started an uprising when the court wreaked havoc long ago. Why did they wait until then? There are two groups. One claims to be the Tsing Yi Army, and the other claims to be the Red Lotus Group. These two groups have risen in their rebellion over the last two days. They flaunt the banner of the mercilessness of God and the extermination of tyranny They also claim they want to create great harmony, and that they plead in the name of the people. Its gigantic and vigorous. The troops had previously sent 1,000 dan of food to Fengyi County, and it was almost snatched by the Tsing Yi Army. Weve also lost a few troops Jiang Pengji had a grave look on her face when Feng Jin finished speaking. The vague sound of something shattering was heard. He lowered his head and saw that Jiang Pengji had broken the handle of the support into bits. They almost snatched the troops food? Jiang Pengji scoffed with an intense, murderous gaze in her eyes. Since theyre flaunting such a noble banner, do they know that the food sent to Fengyi County is used to relieve the victims? Do they want to rob them of that? Looking at the broken bits on the ground, Feng Jin could not imagine how much strength Jiang Pengji had used. However, that also meant that her wounds had healed, right? Feng Jin scoffed. Whats the use of flaunting the banner of righteousness? Theyre just a lawless mob without any discipline. In the end, its just a lot of cry and a little wool. They cant form a huge riot The words seemed to be fine, but the audience in the streaming room had different opinions. Laosiji Lianmeng: Tsk, tsk. I think Feng Jin has set up a huge flag. Think about the Yellow Turban Army in the late Han Dynasty. Who paid attention to them at first? In the end, didnt they create a large-scale riot that shocked the court and the commonalty? Maixi Zhaozilong: Feng Jin is born of an aristocratic family and has a rigid impression of the ordinary peasants. Hes right to judge things in such a way. Thats how a lot of people in the current era think. Tsk, tsk. They dont understand the peasants anger. Jiang Pengji smiled and said nothing in response to Feng Jin. She took the side of the audience in the streaming room. The Tsing Yi Army, the Red Lotus Group Tsk. The heavens have helped me. A light flashed across Jiang Pengjis eyes. She asked, Huaiyu, dont you think that the position of the magistrate of Xiangyang District is not in line with my status? Feng Jins heart jolted, and he somewhat had a bad premonition. Chapter 396 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In terms of making caustic remarks, the viewers in the streaming room were the best at it. Maixi Zhaozilong: After watching the streaming for so long, I finally understood a principle: The streamer is different from ordinary people. Ordinary people would, at most, eat whats in their bowl and glance at whats in the pot. But the streamer? She hasnt even finished her food yet and shes already wondering what to eat for supper. Shes even planning out which chicken and which duck shes going to slaughter! Yingyang Kuaixian: The user above phrased it so euphemistically. Why dont you just say that she has insatiable desires? Of course, I mean that as a compliment. Laosiji Lianmeng: Do you think that having insatiable desires can be used to describe the streamers character? The audience in the streaming room began discussing the last comment. Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes and hid the bullet screen. Ordinary people probably would have been terrified by Jiang Pengjis words. Feng Jin was not an ordinary person, and he could actually understand Jiang Pengjis strange way of thinking. He set his mind straight and only spoke after hesitating for some time. Do you mean that you want Fengyi County? Judging from the Great Universal Geographical Map of Dongqing, Dongqing had six states and a total of 21 counties. The six states were namely Cangzhou, Chongzhou, Zhangzhou, Wanzhou, Chenzhou, and Haozhou. Wanzhou included Shangyang County, Fengyi County, and Chengde County. Among the three counties, Fengyi County had the largest area, but was situated in the north and had the least number of people. Xiangyang District, where Jiang Pengji would immediately take office, was located in Fengyi County. Jiang Pengji revealed an imperative smile and asked him rhetorically, Why not? Feng Jin answered, Im not trying to dampen your spirits, but the Emperor wont allow this. Liu She was already the magistrate of Chongzhou. Before he retired, Liu Xi could only be the district magistrate of the Xiangyang District. He could go no further. The Emperor was a suspicious person. He had his guard up against his sons and kept watch over them day and night. Therefore, he was even warier of Liu She and his son. When did I say that I needed his permission? Jiang Pengji smiled and continued, Youre too noble. Feng Jin was speechless The word noble was definitely not complimentary when it came out of Jiang Pengjis mouth. Jiang Pengji explained with a smile, The earthquake has affected the entire Wanzhou, and the Emperor insists on moving the capital to Chenzhou. There are also the three tribes of the Northern Borderline who are eyeing us with hostility. In other words, the north of Dongqing is in a state of chaos, and the court is so fully occupied that they cant spare any time for other things. Huaiyu, under such circumstances, do you think the appointment letter of the court or a solid and powerful troop is more useful? In troubled times, military force was the best way to save lives. The troops were chosen previously, so the number of people in the troops had been repeatedly cut down. Now that the chaos had become apparent, Jiang Pengji had no choice but to consider expanding the troops. Feng Jin understood what Jiang Pengji meant. If there were well-equipped and well-trained troops with high morales, and if military force was used to control Fengyi County, then it would be successful. By then, even if Jiang Pengji was still the district magistrate of Xiangyang District, she was essentially no different from a county chief. Jiang Pengji had never been to Xiangyang District, but she had read a lot about it. Some geography and history books had also mentioned Xiangyang District, so she knew a little about what it was like. Xiangyang District is a good place for military training. Its topography makes it easy to guard and difficult to be attacked Feng Jin was from Shangyang County, which was bordered by Fengyi County, so he also knew a little about Xiangyang District. He frowned, a grave look on his face. Its true that its a vast land, but its a place with barren hills and turbulent rivers. The population is sparse and it has a dangerously steep terrain, which is not conducive to farming. The troops were not easy to feed. Each person had a mouth, and in addition to the daily training, each persons appetite was twice that of a normal man. They would consume a lot of food. The land in Xiangyang District was infertile and there were few people who farmed. The grain produced was simply not enough to feed the troops. In other words, if she were to station troops there, she would spend a lot of money every year on buying grain from outside the county. Could she afford to use up her assets like that? The troop consisted of 5,000 people. If she wanted to expand the troops, her budget would skyrocket. Huaiyu, you have to understand a principle. Jiang Pengji crossed her arms in front of her chest and smiled in a particularly confident manner. The poor resources of a place cant be blamed on its barrenness. One can only blame it on the foolishness of the people who manage the land. They only fix their gazes on the disadvantages; they do not capitalize on the advantages. What Jiang Pengji said could be considered a stereotype. Come here. Ill show you a treasure. Jiang Pengji rummaged through her book box, took out a roll of slightly yellowed sheepskin, and unfolded it. She signaled for Feng Jin to come over and have a look. Sometimes theres no harm in expanding the scope of your reading. Feng Jin took two steps forward and sat on the side of the desk. He looked at the unfolded sheepskin carefully. There was a faint gamy odor in the air. Is this the Great Universal Geographical Map of Dongqing? Feng Jin identified it carefully and realized that it was indeed the Great Universal Geographical Map of Dongqing. However, the drawings on it were far more detailed than the Great Universal Geographical Map that he knew. Not only were there many river branches and mountain structures, but also many other strange symbols. Yes, its indeed the Great Universal Geographical Map of Dongqing. Jiang Pengji replied, Mr. Cheng Cheng has a myriad of books, which almost touch upon all aspects. The Langye Academy is extraordinary, too. A lot of incomplete books are kept there, as well as books that only have one single copy. I counted all the geographic records, as well as the relevant unofficial and official history. Then, I copied according to the Great Universal Geographical Map and made these annotations on it. It took me a long time. At first, Feng Jin was somewhat confused while he looked at it. When he realized that the corner of the map was marked with annotated symbols, he was enlightened. By understanding the meaning of each symbol, the Great Universal Geographical Map looked much simpler. This This Feng Jin was so astonished that he could not say a word. The Great Universal Geographical Map was actually marked with all kinds of mineral veins! How do you know all of this? Feng Jin managed to find his voice after quite some time. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and replied, Reading widely is beneficial to ones physical and mental health. You gain unexpected things by studying. Before the Sixteen Kingdoms, people had valiant spirits. They were free and easy. Many scholars traveled around the world and compiled what they saw and heard along the way into books. Later, after the war of the Sixteen Kingdoms, most of the books were either lost or incomplete. Some even only have the sole existing copy, and theyve been continuously handed down since the ancient times She sorted out Cheng Chengs collection of books, which contained a lot of relevant information. However, people mostly regarded them as travel biographies and did not pay attention to them. Over the past two or three years, when she was in Langye County, Jiang Pengji did not idle. She tried to read a lot of valuable, unique books. The Great Universal Geographical Map might have looked simple, but in fact, it took her three years of hard work to complete it. Feng Jin still did not understand it. Jiang Pengji explained, Theres a book called Catalogue of a Trip in the Mountains that was written by a revered Confucius scholar in the former dynasty. Ordinary people only sense the magnificence of the mountains depicted in the book and the interesting things that the revered Confucius scholar encountered on his trip. However, I sensed something else She pointed at the Great Universal Geographical Map on the table with her finger. She slid her finger from one point to another. It was the revered Confucius scholars travel route. Feng Jin glanced at it. The route was marked with numerous tiny words. Looking at it carefully gave him a headache. For example, the revered Confucius scholar mentioned that he saw some glorious scenery that was too beautiful to exist in the world. However, Jiang Pengji analyzed the formation of the scenery and examined other geographical records of the same type. She combined a series of conditions, such as the soil of the mountains, temperature, humidity, and time, and then speculated as to the peculiar terrains or geological conditions in the vicinity She did not have to measure the mountains and rivers in person at all, but she could already see the places that ordinary people did not pay attention to. Chapter 397 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The future master was so sly. Did she still need a strategist, even if they were a loser? As someone considered normal by Jiang Pengji, Feng Jin felt that he had suffered thousands of injuries. The nerves in the corners of his mouth seemed to be out of control. If it was not for his excellent upbringing from an early age, he might have lost his mind already. So you see, according to my preliminary speculations, Xiangyang District isnt a worthless place. Itll depend on how its utilized and developed. Jiang Pengji continued, However, these are all just my personal speculations. Well have to go to Xiangyang District in person to know about the actual situation there. Feng Jin looked at the map, then back at Jiang Pengji. He suddenly understood that no matter where she was, she would cause trouble. According to my experience, Xiangyang District has iron ore veins and moderate reserves. If its mined Swords, guns, and armor were the necessary pieces of equipment for an excellent troop. They were also the biggest items of expense. Jiang Pengji was very poor, and she could barely provide food for the troops. She already somewhat struggled to provide them with 100 or 200 sets of top-grade weapons But even if there is iron ore that can be mined, how can it be transported? Feng Jin was not someone who liked to bicker, but his friend really needed a spanking and his hands felt itchy. He could not help it. If she was so capable, she should just go directly to heaven. I heard some people say that if one wants to be rich, he should build roads first. One should give birth to fewer children and plant more trees Bah. Forget about the last part. Jiang Pengji could not control her mouth and blurted out the ridicule of the audience in the streaming room. She said seriously, The focus is on the first part of the sentence. The prosperity of a place depends on whether or not it has roads that are accessible from any direction. The texture of the soil in Xiangyang District isnt soft. If a road that can provide access to the outside world is built, it can lessen any inconvenience. You dont have to worry about the money and manpower that are required to build a road. Conscript labor? Feng Jin frowned. The people had hated conscript labor since ancient times, but the court orders had to be executed. To put it simply, conscript labor was unpaid, physical labor. There was no reward for doing it well. If one did not do his job well, his whole family would be killed. If Jiang Pengji implemented that when she had just taken office, it would easily cause hatred and conflict among the locals. Thats why I say youre too noble. You need to be flexible on some matters. Its not good to stick to the rules, Jiang Pengji continued, People recoil from normal conscript labor. Why? Its because conscript labor is exhausting and theres no reward. Their time is wasted, and the farming of land in their own homes is held up. Would there be anyone who isnt willing to join if they are given a certain reward and have their three meals taken care of? When the work is completed, the agricultural tax of each household can be reduced at the workers discretion. That, or they can rent farming tools and cattle from the government at a low price. What about the money? Feng Jin could not help but be vulgar and targeted the heart of the problem. Jiang Pengji spoke eloquently; however, in order to implement everything she had mentioned, money was necessary. Where would they get the money? She snorted and yelled, Xiaoyu, are you there? Come in. Xu Ke, who was as busy as a bee, came into the tent. Both the temperature and the smell inside the tent were much more pleasant than outside. Yes? Jiang Pengji replied, Have the troops returned from searching the ruins of every residence? Whats the result? Feng Jin suddenly understood. His face turned somewhat green. Where would they get the money? The money would be directly borrowed from what they found in the ruins. Jiang Pengji would leave a bill signed in acknowledgment of debt. She would repay the victims whose things they had borrowed whenever she had the money. However, Feng Jin had given the suggestion himself. He could only silently endure any insults she had. Before the earthquake, many high officials were outside the city to escape the heat. Most of the casualties were manservants. When the earthquake struck, the Emperor wanted to move the capital. Some households urgently dispatched their manservants to return to their houses, then pack their bags and family properties. There was not much time, so many things could not be taken. The things left behind were mostly petty gains for Jiang Pengji. Upon hearing her request, Xu Ke looked ruddy. He took out a list of treasure donors from his sleeve. The high-ranking officials did not have time to move things, but Jiang Pengjis troops had a lot of time. They would take whatever they could with them. It was a raid. Every troop member was empty-handed when they came, but their bags were full when they left. Jiang Pengji said, Look. Dont we have silver now? Feng Jin was speechless. He had no desire to talk to her. Jiang Pengji did not continue teasing the pitiful Feng Jin. She quit while she was ahead. First, count the number of people who are willing to come with us. Time waits for no man. Jiang Pengji paused then said, Oh, rightget some of them to dress up like commoners and propagate the news about the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group. The audience in the streaming room did not understand Jiang Pengjis intentions, but Feng Jin and Xu Ke understood immediately. Most of the people in the current era found it somewhat difficult to leave their homeland. Even though they lost their homes and the court did not care about them, they were still willing to stay. In their minds, it was better to stay than to follow a stranger to an unfamiliar place to start over. Jiang Pengji was not sure how many among the 10,000 people were willing to come with her. She simply used a means. By coming with her, they would be able to eat meat and warm congee for every meal. Their lives would not be in danger. If they stayed in the same place or went to their relatives for shelter, the rioters would kill them. Although the reflex arc was a little longer, the viewers in the streaming room were still very clever. Many of them praised Jiang Pengjis brazenness. Caolaoban Airuqi: You have my respect. Dage Maicaoxie: I like that the streamer is so shameless. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, when Uncle Liu was defeated, it was difficult for him to leave the 100,000 people in Xinye. He said that the people voluntarily took their families along and followed him. I have a conspiracy theory about this concerning the streamer Erge Wudadao: Ive never seen someone so audacious before. Shes self-confident about the strength of her righteousness I like it. Jiang Pengji glanced at the bullet screen and secretly rolled her eyes. Did they not know that she lacked manpower and money? If she did not think of a way to broaden their source of income and reduce expenditure, how could such a huge matter be arranged? In fact, the people had an extremely favorable impression towards Jiang Pengji. Many people respected her from the bottom of their hearts. How many people did she personally save from the ruins? They were alive not because of how kind the court was, nor because of how the court loved the people as their own children. They were alive because of Jiang Pengjis kindheartedness. She had rescued them, so it was as though they had a new lease on life. When the news was spread about Jiang Pengji leaving for Xiangyang District, many people were in a panic. It did not help that news about the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group, which did not sound like proper organizations, spread as well. The people were desolate and feared abandonment. They would die if they stayed in Shangjing. Why not take step of faith, follow Jiang Pengji, and start over again? Their lives could not be worse than they were currently. Most of the young people were willing to come with her, but the elders and children were a problem. They could not walk fast, so they would just be an encumbrance. To the eldersdont worry. Whoever is willing to come can come. Langjun wont leave anyone behind. One of the young men in the troops comforted an anxious and fearful grandfather and his grandson with a bright smile. Chapter 398 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In less than two hours, the news that Jiang Pengji was taking people with her to Xiangyang District was spread throughout the entire camp for the wounded. Some people were severely injured and unable to travel normally, so Jiang Pengji had purposely delayed her departure a few days. They would depart when their injuries healed so that the people could recover without any worries. The troops and imperial guards who were free were transferred elsewhere to continue serving. Jiang Pengjis thoughtful and considerate gesture moved many people to tears. It also gave her a good reputation. A few indecisive people finally made up their minds and were willing to leave Shangjing with Jiang Pengji. Luo Yue? Whats the matter? Jiang Pengji was sitting inside the tent. She peeled the dead skin off her left foot with her right hand. Her limbs were seriously injured because she had been rescuing people. Fortunately, her body was strong and recovered quickly. The soles of her feet were fair once again. However, now that her injuries had healed, the newly generated skin was forcing the dead skin out, so it made her very itchy. Anyway, she was bored and there was no one else in the tent, so she just chatted with the audience in the streaming room while she peeled the dead skin. Well, the audience said that the streaming that day was particularly unique. The viewers in the streaming room teased her, saying that someone was going to walk in on her. Unexpectedly, someone came into the tent the next second. According to Jiang Pengjis five senses, she naturally knew in advance that Luo Yue was coming. She did not look embarrassed, as if she had been caught red-handed. She pointed at the mat not far away from her dismissively, then put her left foot down and signaled Luo Yue to have a seat. You dont have to beat around the bush. Luo Yue was a tough man. He had lived in the imperial guard camp, so there was not much he hadnt seen. Jiang Pengji was just a person who silently peeled the dead skin off the soles of her feet. She was considered to be decent already. Luo Yue had seen the general coach of the imperial guards scratch his buttocks and rub mud on his skin. Therefore, he was very calm. I heard that you are planning to leave for Xiangyang District to take office? Luo Yue asked bluntly. Jiang Pengji frowned and knew why Luo Yue had paid her a visit. 1,000 imperial guards were still a military force. Small things should not be looked down upon. The 1,000 imperial guards were all young men who were carefully selected, so Jiang Pengji did not intend to let them go at all. She would not agree to let Luo Yue leave. She sighed and replied, Its true. Shangjing is a mess, and its not easy to rebuild it. I heard that the Tsing Yi Army and Red Lotus Group are harming people. If these people are left behind, they may not survive. However, the earthquake has affected a lot of places. Shangjing was affected, sure, but Fengyi County and Chengde County were also seriously affected. There are rioters out there too Luo Yue looked straight at Jiang Pengji and listened to her silently. As the minor coach of the imperial guards, Luo Yue could act proudly, but he was a reasonable person who respected honorable people. Without a doubt, people could not find a single fault in Jiang Pengjis actions lately. Youre worried about the people, and you plan to protect them to Xiangyang District in Fengyi County? If I dont do this, am I supposed to leave them alone and let fate determine their outcome? Jiang Pengji asked him rhetorically. I admire you for your benevolence. Its just that I dont know if I should say this. Jiang Pengji responded, Go ahead. You only have about 1,000 troops, and the other troops are providing disaster relief in Fengyi County. How can only a few people protect tens of thousands of people? Luo Yue asked, his tone worried. Why dont you ask the Emperor and let him make the decision? Jiang Pengji ridiculed with a smile, Do you really not know about it, or are you pretending to not know about it? Not to mention anything else, I had to boldly request for the 1,000 imperial guards that are here. If you werent here, you would be preparing to protect the Emperor as he moves the capital to Chenzhou. She was quite blunt. The look on Luo Yues face changed slightly. Without waiting for him to speak, Jiang Pengji continued, Youve gotten a point wrong. There are not only 1,000 troops. Arent there still 1,000 imperial guards under your lead? Have you forgotten why the Emperor allocated 1,000 imperial guards? Luo Yue looked awkward. But The earthquake has yet to stop, and the people have yet to really settle down. Plagues are spreading in Fengyi County. The people are destitute and homeless, and the rioters have been rampaging and looting The earthquake has caused all of this. Do you really think that the earthquake is already over? After a long time, Luo Yue cupped his hand in the other before his chest and said that he had something else to attend to. He then left the tent. Jiang Pengji curled her lips. She was in a good mood. Luo Yue had boarded her pirate ship, and he could no longer take people away. After a while, the drapery of the tent was lifted once again and someone else came in. He held a feather fan and a wide silk kerchief in his hands. He had a graceful bearing while he walked, displaying the charm of a scribe. As soon as he came in, he said, According to what you said, Coach Luo cant go back now. What for? Theres still a shortage of people here. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes snappily. Qiguan Rang sighed with emotion. Only Lanting can express such bandit-like words in such a justified and confident manner. Jiang Pengji looked askance at him and answered, Why are you here? Could it be that youre here to tease me? Of course not, Qiguan Rang responded, I have nothing to do, so I wanted to borrow a few books from you to pass the time. A competent teammate could save her from worry. Qiguan Rang was not someone who liked to show off. He usually did things in a very low-key manner. He usually let Xu Ke and Feng Jin do most things, and now he had a half-day to spare so he slacked off while he could. Jiang Pengji glanced at him and said suddenly, I remember that you had a daughter last year. Qiguan Rangs wife, Qiguan Weishi, was the daughter born of Wei Yuans mistress, and she was young. He was a perfect middle-aged man, and she was a Lolita. They were a good couple. After Qiguan Weishi married him, she got pregnant after two years. She gave birth to her first child with difficulty. It was a daughter, like Feng Jins. Although the child was a daughter, Qiguan Rang liked her a lot. He mentioned her several times when he was communicating with Jiang Pengji by letter previously. Qiguan Rang secretly frowned. He did not understand why Jiang Pengji suddenly mentioned this. He responded, Yes. Jiang Pengji suddenly revealed a malicious smile and replied, Okay. Ill show you something good. Bring it back to study. Qiguan Rangs heart jolted and saw that Jiang Pengji took out four books from nowhere. These are beginners readings for your daughter. Theyre enough for you to pass time. He looked at them. The first book was Analects for Women. Qiguan Rang remained silent. Jiang Pengji added, Remember to let Huaiyu read it when youre done. He put the books in his sleeve, but there was a look of a dilemma in his eyes. Its impossible for men to just be grandfathers in their lives. They may be a father-in-law, too. Jiang Pengji smiled brightly and no longer had the demeanor of the son of an aristocrat. Just like you and Huaiyu, you both have daughters and youll have half a son in the future. Read more, so that youre mentally prepared in the future. Qiguan Rang knew that Jiang Pengji did not have good intentions, but he still read it when he went home. Then, he felt deeply fooled and almost tore the four books apart. He then lent these four books to Feng Jin for him to read. He euphemistically asked him to read them to his daughter. Seeing that the books were the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women, Feng Jin suddenly recalled the conversation he had with his wife previously. Thank you, Wenzheng. Ive been thinking about looking for two beginners readings for Changsheng. Qiguan Rang glanced at him like he was a fool. He walked away silently. Feng Jin did not understand him. He packed up and returned to the carriage. Wei Jingxian was still in confinement, and she looked good. Changsheng was born at full-term. She was now strong, healthy, and fair. Chapter 399 - The Queen’s Growing Diary (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Zhaojiacun was a small mountain village along the border of Hejian County. One could call out at the village entrance and be heard at the opposite end; it was an extremely small village. There were only 25 families in the village. The whole village knew within an hour when something huge happened to someone in the village. In the past six months, one of the most buzzing events in the village was that Widow Zhao adopted a wolf girl who could not speak the human language. According to the villagers, a she-wolf that had lost its child took the wolf girl away at a young age. The she-wolf then raised the child as its own. Therefore, the wolf girl had a strong aggressiveness and would claw whoever it caught. She could not understand or speak the human language. The villagers were very worried at first. They were afraid that the wolf girl would bring disaster to the village. However, half a year passed and nothing happened. Not only did nothing happen, but the hunting skills of the wolf girl were top-notch. She would go deep into the mountains and hunt every once in a while. The hunters in the village only dared to ramble around the mountain edges. The wolf girl dared to go deep into the mountains and hunted something good every time. Widow Zhao lost her husband at a young age. She lived a difficult life by herself. Ever since she adopted the wolf girl, she had meat for every meal, and she used wild eggs on her face as a mask. The wolf girl was uncommunicative by nature. She ignored everyone. The way she looked at people was like she was looking at a dead person. The villagers were afraid of her. Widow Zhao knew how to get along with people. When the wolf girl returned from hunting, Widow Zhao would give chunks of meat to every family in the village. One day, the wolf girl hunted two big, wild boars. She did not flush or pant along the way. She walked as if she had wings. The wolf girl looked steadily forward while she carried two big, wild boars into Widow Zhaos yard. She pulled the fence closed with a bang. Yaoer, youre back. Wash up quickly and try on some new clothes. Hearing the noise outside, Widow Zhao knew who was back. My name isnt Yaoer The wolf girl crossed her hands in front of her chest and leaned against the door. She frowned and did not look happy. She disliked what Widow Zhao named her. Compared to Widow Zhaos fluent pronunciation, the wolf girls pronunciation was very weird and lacking in fluency. She was like a child learning to speak. The wolf girl, or Jiang Pengji, had already been in the strange, barbaric, and backward world for a whole year. She basically lived in the mountains for the first half of the year. She knew that she had come to a completely unfamiliar, barbarian era. What was worse was that there was a language barrier between her and the backward human beings. Her inability to communicate in words meant that she could not integrate into society quickly. She also could not obtain the news she needed. It was totally an accident that she knew Widow Zhao and was adopted by her. Jiang Pengji mysteriously became the so-called wolf girl, whom the villagers envied and feared. At the same time, they admired her as well. She scoffed coldly at the nasty minds of the ancient humans. She loathed having conversations with them. Widow Zhao mediated from within and allowed her to continue to live in the village. Widow Zhao was a warm-hearted person by nature. She dragged her and gestured at the new clothes. You hunt in the mountains all day long. You should change into some clean and light clothing. Dont be shy. Try them on and let me have a look. Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes. She took the green clothes and went to her room. What about the pigs in the yard? Ill slaughter them later. If the villagers want to buy them, sell them at a cheaper price. Well make fried pork crisps out of whatever cant be sold. Jiang Pengjis voice was low and hoarse. It did not sound like a girls voice, but she was a girl. Widow Zhao thought that such a peaceful life would continue forever. After earning money for another two years, she could prepare some dowries for Yaoer, and find a matchmaker to offer Yaoer a good marriage. Who knew Something unexpected could always happen. That day, Jiang Pengji went hunting in the mountains as usual and had a bountiful gain. When she had just walked out of the woods, she saw an old man with a walking stick waiting. He was the junior officer of the village. She had always been gentler towards the elders and young children. Are you looking for me? Judging from the situation, there was a huge incident. Jiang Pengji frowned and had a bad hunch. Seeing her come out of the woods, the junior officer of the village dodged her gaze a little. Yao Yaoer, something happened to Widow Zhao. Go back quickly and have a look. Jiang Pengji understood what he meant. She hurriedly dropped the wild goods in her hands and returned to Widow Zhaos home. The fisherman who salvaged Widow Zhaos body said that she accidentally fell into the water and drowned. However, when Jiang Pengji looked at her body, she found evidence that she had been throttled then thrown into the water. She was even raped by at least three men before she died The marks were so obvious that one could not be deceived. Jiang Pengji had an extremely grave look on her face, but an onlooker beside her said that she was a wolf that was not raised well. Widow Zhao had treated her so well. Now that she was dead, Jiang Pengji did not even cry. She was simply an ungrateful and vicious person. Jiang Pengji understood what he meant, but she felt that it was a bit ridiculous. Was clearing the deceaseds name not the best sign of gratitude? Cry? What was the use of crying? On the pretext of the vigil, Jiang Pengji carefully examined Widow Zhaos body and found several key clues. Over the past few days, she forbore from speaking. After she had buried Widow Zhao, she left Zhaojiacun in the middle of the night. After investigating carefully for half a month, she had targeted four suspects. The four people did not have low social statuses, and they had escorts with them at all times. Jiang Pengji chose to assassinate them. There was a bit of a problem when she killed the fourth person, however. Liu Lanting, youre a b*stard. You actually killed your brother with your own hands? Liu She pointed at Jiang Pengji with trembling fingers. He had mostly recovered from his grogginess. The bags under his eyes were saggy, and his footsteps were weak. With just a glance, Jiang Pengji could tell that his body was impaired by alcohol. She did not like to indiscriminately slaughter innocent people. She came and went without leaving a trace. She was unafraid of Liu She seeing her face. What Liu Lanting? She asked with an indifferent look on her face. What brother? Liu She looked at her incredulously, then looked at the dead body that was no longer breathing on the ground. He was grieving over the loss of his son, and profusely angry at the woman who killed him. You b*stard. If I dont kill you today, itll be hard for me to avenge my sons murder! Liu She was a famous dandy in Hejian when he was young. He had an obsession with alcohol and Wushi powder. He had many wives and concubines. He robbed countless women, and many of them died. Perhaps it was retribution, but it was difficult for him to have children. He only had two sons born of his mistress and a daughter born of his legal wife. One of his sons died young. The other son that managed to survive became his treasure. Liu She and his concubine spoiled him so much that he often did some evil acts upon women. The father and son were nothing good. They had killed many people. As for his daughter, she had fallen in with bandits around a year ago. There were rumors that she was no longer a virgin. He felt ashamed, so he simply declared that his daughter was dead. He also did not ask anyone to look for her. He never thought that she would return a year later and kill her brother. Jiang Pengji frowned. She had a very good memory. On her first day in the current era, she had stopped some bandits from bullying a group of girls. The girls called her by a name that sounded similar to Lanting. Was that the name of the person who originally owned her body? I dont know who the Lanting youre talking about is. I only know that the b*stard laying on the ground and the other three b*stards killed the person that was the most important to me in this world. They have committed a crime. According to federal law, its a crime to commit rape and murder. Jiang Pengji jumped up on the eaves of the house. She took out a stone from the sack on her waist with her right hand and twiddled it. She hit Liu She with the stone and knocked him out cold. After that, she re-entered the mountains and lived the leisurely life of a savage. Her life was pretty good. However, her neighbors, the bandits, looked for trouble. Jiang Pengji single-handedly incited the entire gang of bandits. Although she did not kill anyone, every bandit had suffered wounds in action. The smallest injury they sustained was a fracture. Having seen Jiang Pengjis ruthlessness, the bandits were utterly terrified of her. Who does the mountain belong to? she asked them. Its yours, Queen! the bandits responded. Who has the final say in this mountain? You have the final say, Queen! Very good. From now on, this is my territory. Who should you listen to? Well listen to whatever you say, Queen! Therefore, Jiang Pengji became the head of the gang of bandits. Chapter 400 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Oh! Daddys Changsheng, come over and let Daddy carry you. He patiently waited for Wei Jingxian to feed the child milk and for her to burp their baby. Feng Jin then stretched his hands forth to carry Changsheng, his face brimming with the tenderness of a father. Ai, havent seen her for half a day and Changsheng is looking even prettier. Feng Jin does not need a script to praise his daughter to the heavens. Changsheng loved his easy-going demeanor and his fresh body scent, she was determined to get close to him. Her crystal-clear eyes widened, and both father and daughter looked into each others eyes lovingly. She occasionally made strange noises, grin thus revealing her bright red gums. Upon seeing both interact without understanding each other, Wei Jingxian pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes were overflowing with bliss. After playing with her for some time, Changsheng was exhausted and Feng Jin laid her down in her cot and pulled a book from his sleeve. It is said that if little children hear some basic reading materials, they will amass intelligence prematurely and learn to speak faster than their peers. Following the principles of my daughter will definitely not be inferior, and I love studying so my daughter will surely also enjoy studying, Feng Jin instinctively desired for his child not to lose at the starting point. If she listened more attentively now, then when the stage of reading and speaking is attained, she will be quick and clever at talking and more. As the baby was taking a nap, Wei Jingxian did not notice the book Feng Jin pulled out. The maids helped her wipe down her body briefly and she felt better. Then she laid down again and was overwhelmed with fatigue. During confinement, the cycle of eating and sleeping repeated itself. Her bones felt so stiff. She originally intended to fall asleep hearing her Langjuns gentle and soothing voice in the background, but unexpectedly, what is this that he is reading! All women must learn first to conduct themselves properly. The means to do so is not to neglect to be chaste thus bringing honor to her bodyWherever she is, men and women should be separate. She should not be curious about whats outside nor step to the outer courts. She should not introduce herself to males who are not her family members. Neither should she be matchmade if she doesnt prove to be virtuous and benevolent. She should conduct herself appropriately to be deemed a human? As Feng Jin finished reading this paragraph, he inevitably flipped to that page and felt bewildered. The books title clearly displayed three big words, Analects for Women, can it be fake? Wei Jingxian also felt uneasy, she slowly got up and saw Feng Jin casually flip two pages and continue to read. When a woman marries, her husband is the lord of her family her husband must be given the utmost respect, she has to put her own will down if her husband is furious, she cannot be annoyed or displeased. She must retreat and submit, be forbearing and meekA woman stays within her chambers, she seldom has a cause to step out of the house. She comes when commanded, leaves when asked to. If she falls short of these standards, she deserves to be shouted at furiously Feng Jin was confused, he immediately shut the book, Analects for Women, then picked up Womens Commandments and vaguely flipped through it. Her husband has the right to remarry, a wife does not as in time past, her husband is her all. She cannot escape from the solid heavens, likewise, she cannot leave her husbands stronghold. If one disobeys and dishonors the gods, the heavens will enforce punishment; Any transgressions against the code of conduct, her husband can rightfully despise her The more he read, the more his expression became tigthened. Having got up, Wei Jingxian carried her daughter who was soundly asleep in her cot to her bosom and covered her ears. With much sarcasm, she remarked, Now I see that my husband loves women who are obedient like wooden puppets. With a stomach full of grievance, Feng Jin was speechless. Without waiting for him to speak, Wei Jingxian added, If it pleases my husband, go ahead and find such women. However, Changsheng was in my womb for 10 months before I delivered her, and I dote on her dearly so how can I bear for her to be trampled upon and despised by other men in future. Your wife is tired, please do as you wish my husband. An innocently confused Feng Jin continued to keep quiet. In utter shock, he sat where he was, flipped the remaining two books disbelievingly. The contents are similar, demanding for women to be increasingly humble, meek and submissive. Without the need to step out of the door, it seemed best if they threw their brains away and stopped thinking altogether. How was this raising a daughter? It was clearly raising a female slave. Which legitimate noble daughter has such a low-down disposition? Feng Jin felt he was cheated. A genius like him should naturally have a talented, intelligent daughter who is becoming of his heritage. What about the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women? Where is the aforementioned starting reading material for women? He must have read a pirated copy, right? Jiang Pengji has said it well; men are not solely the father of husbands in their lifetime but may also be the father of wives. According to the content of the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women about a womans private life, which women do not end up as a wooden figurine without the ability to make decisions? Some men may not mind marrying a compliant, wooden person as his wife because they can choose from a variety of concubines but may not accept their daughter to be such and allow their future husband and his family to despise her even more so, was it unbearable for a new father like Feng Jin. Anger consumed him till he threw the book out of the horse carriage, how he wished he could confront Qiguan Rang. Such an evil-minded person. Why did he even give such a disgusting thing to him? Stirring up trouble on purpose! Before that, he felt he must clear his grievances himself. How can he be such a man? Jingxian, this is a pure misunderstanding. Your husband loves Changsheng with my life, how can I Feng Jin was speaking halfway before Wei Jingxian interrupted, If my husband truly means it, why read such a demeaning book to Changsheng? An aggrieved Feng Jin found he could not speak. If he foresaw the content of the book will be such, he wouldnt even read and will immediately burn it. Keeping his precious daughter away from thispoison. This was just given to your husband by Wenzheng. To preserve the harmony at home, Feng Jin has to betray Qiguan Rang. When we light-heartedly talked previously, I mentioned about the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women. Initially I thought it was an ideal starting reading material, so I unsuspectingly Speaking of which, he is very innocent. Wei Jingxian wasnt genuinely angry, this was just her extreme reaction. At this, a fatigued Changsheng briefly opened her eyes and yawned, two drops of tears flowed, and she looked innocently at her mother. Your husband was clueless. These four books have become the essential readings for Zhongzhaos noble women, it has also been hailed as the gold standard. Before one gets married, the grooms family must give a set of books to his future wife. Wei Jingxian sighed heavily, she looked into Feng Jins feeling conflicted and suddenly mentioned someone, Does my husband remember a revered Confucius scholar, Master Wan Changzhai? Wan Changzhai? He remembers him as he values scholarly men and thought highly of them. Master Wan Changzhai had a daughter, aged 15. Last year, she went to the temple to offer incense and carelessly lost her handkerchief which was picked up by a shameless local bully. This incident was made known, all the people thought the lady and the bully have sexual relations, her prior wedding engagement was called off, moreover, her fiancs family despised her as an unchaste woman. The elders of her tribe were utterly embarrassed, they seized the opportunity when Master Wan Changzhai was away from home and forcefully drowned her in the pond. Drowned her in a pond? Feng Jin was dumbfounded. He anxiously rushed home, but unfortunately, his daughter already drowned. By-standers didnt judge this to be a crime, contrarily they felt this move protected her chastity. Her virginity was robbed from her, having had a relationship with a shameless bully, only through death her innocence can be proven These happenings were mentioned to her by her friends. The more she heard, the more Wei Jingxian felt her anxiety building up in her heart. Also, Master Wan Changzhai has a younger sister who couldnt get along with her in-laws and divorced. The elders prevented her from re-marrying and disgracing the family. She also met with the fate of being drowned in a pond. Master Wan Changzhai is an esteemed person in Zhongzhao yet he was unable to protect his sister and daughter. Feng Jin felt he was listening to a heavenly book as the content of Wei Jingxians words reflected that. She added oil to fire saying, Rumour has it that a distinguished rich Wangmen widow in ZhongzhaoA Wangmen widow refers to women who prior to getting married, their prospective husband passes away. In order to guard their chastity, she marries her husbands tablet, thus the title. Her in-laws worry that shell be unwilling and unfaithful in guarding her chastity since their son died let alone having an affair with other men, they forbid her from masturbating thus forcing her to cut off her fingers to prove her determination to remain pure and chaste the source of these problems is the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women book. As she finished her tale, Wei Jingxian broke unto a sardonic smile befitting the end of such horrors. Chapter 401 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Why are such ridiculous things happening? Feng Jin was startled. He never cared about such mundane things, and he did not appreciate gossip. It was not strange that he had never heard of it. After he finished, he heaved a long sigh of relief and said, Luckily Changsheng isnt a citizen of Zhongzhao. Too young and na?ve! Wei Jingxian looked at him skeptically. She saw a sense of longing in his eyes, and her heart softened. She let him hold Changsheng. My husband is relieved far too soon, Wei Jiangxian said with concern. The news has been slowly spreading throughout Hejian County. Moreover, the husbands family demands the wife to submit based on the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women. If they refuse, they are deemed unfaithful and impure. Waner is a good example She swallowed the rest of her words back. Then, she looked worriedly at Changsheng, who Feng Jin had nestled into his bosom. How she wished Changsheng was a boy. She would be much less concerned. The world was more forgiving towards men. There were many limitations for women from their birth, to their marriage, to childbearing. In addition, there was now the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women that burdened and chained them. She couldnt imagine what Changshengs life would be like in the future. Even though Wei Jingxian didnt finish her sentence, Feng Jin was able to understand what she wanted to express. It was a shame the books had spread across Dongqing. Dongqing inherited the previous dynastys, Daxia, open-mindedness. The higher a womans status, the more freedom she possessed. With the introduction of the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women books, the balance was offset. The noble daughters comparably had less freedom than the common women. How could that be? Fear not, our Changsheng will be an esteemed woman. No one can defeat her. Feng Jins eyes darkened. They met Changshengs bright and clear eyes, and he smiled. He couldnt help but play with her and added, If all else fails, we will choose a husband for her in the future. Well see then who dares to bully her. Wei Jingxian looked at both father and daughter and laughed bitterly. Even if we choose her husband, it does not solve the root of the problem. Can we watch over her forever, even when she is married? Even if we raise her to the age of 100, well have 99 worries. We owe it to her from our previous lives; we have to pay back in this lifetime. Feng Jin sighed and said, All in all, these harmful books should not continue to circulate. Otherwise, many noble daughters will be trampled on and despised. Daughters from aristocratic families are noble at birth. How can they be treated as lowly people? He was from an aristocratic family. If the teachings of the books were a threat to the common women, he would just frown; it would not have been a big deal to him. However, once it involved the women from scholarly families or had the potential to harm his female loved ones, how could he do nothing? But at present Wei Jingxian was extremely stressed. Feng Jin entertained Changjing for a while until she frowned impatiently. She used her small fists to beat his fingers without any strength. It was as if she was touching them gently. Jingxian, have you forgotten about Lanting? He kissed his daughters fingers. She had soft, mild skin and exuded the scent of milk. She caused the inner weariness in his heart to dissipate. Lanting is not an average person. She will not hide her identity for the rest of her life. If she succeeds in her endeavor, who dares despise females? Dont worry for naught. Take care of Changsheng well, and allow your body to recover. You dont want to become ill. The carriage they were in was run-down, but both mother and child were healthy. The heavens took care of them, after all. There was a knot in Wei Jingxians heart. She didnt express it, but she showed her worries in private. She digested Feng Jins words. Wei Jingxian almost bit her tongue in shock. My husband, these words mean Not unless she trailed off. It is too early to judge, but based on Lantings personality, she cannot keep still. She creates issues out of nothing. In contrast to Wei Jingxians anxiety, Feng Jin was calm. He continued, At present, the world is chaotic. The books will not stick around long. The people are destitute and homeless; the young are dying in a foreign land. If the females are to guard their chastity and remain as widows, how are they going to rebuild their lives efficiently? If the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women surfaced during peaceful times, it would have flourished. Feng Jin alone could not extinguish the hype. Unfortunately, it surfaced during chaotic times. The earthquake alone sent many men to their deaths, and many women lost their familys support. If people followed the books strictly, then women could not re-marry, and the bachelors would be left behind. There would be no continuity of life. The ancient times were concerned with agriculture. Human resources were of utmost importance for productivity. Without humans, society could not develop. Feng Jin had foresight, so he was not worried. Unless Zhongzhao united and ruled the five countries, the books stood no chance of attaining widespread publicity in the next 100 years. Thinking of which, Feng Jin tried to recall news regarding Zhongzhao. The edge of his lips curled into a smile. Jingxian, dont worry. Our Changsheng will be well in the future. Zhongzhao had always been the strongest amongst the five countries. Notably, in recent years, their Emperor was increasingly incompetent. There was instability in court, and the distant relatives and eunuchs did as they wished. In recent years, there was even an incident where the parties were chaotic. Zhongzhao, which was once mighty, was treading the path that Dongqing once took. From that perspective, there was nothing to fear. AhYaYa Changsheng started to jabber. Her soft hands grasped lightly at Feng Jins broad sleeves. Both father and daughter played happily together. With his intelligence and quick-thinking, he resolved the family threat and pacified his daughter. Feng Jin felt accomplished as he got out of the carriage. When the curtains of the carriage closed, his smile, akin to the wind in spring, disappeared. He bent to pick the book up from the floor and headed menacingly towards Qiguan Rang to settle the score. It was all right if he was lazy, but how could he use such tactics to endanger him? Feng Jin was ignorant of the fact that Qiguan Rang was already seeking Jiang Pengjis assistance. Have you read them all? You have caused me much trouble. When Huaiyu comes by, you must help me. Qiguan Rang inhaled the scent from his tea. He put down his teacup and added, As for those books, it must be the notorious sexual fantasies of some senseless scholars. There is nothing worth looking at. He looked at her burning eyes. She remarked, That is the brainchild of the Empress of Zhongzhao. She is a virtuous queen. How can people resist and not pursue it? Qiguan Rang was speechless. Jiang Pengji said with ill intentions, I intend to buy a few more books in preparation for families who bear a daughter. Qiguan Rang listened to Jiang Pengjis idea and asked, Do you wish to learn how to rear a daughter? No, I want to let them see for themselves. If everyone followed what the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women says, then ten years from now, they will witness their daughters mistreatment in marriage. Qiguan Rang lifted the sides of his mouth. Jiang Pengji truly used her heart when she took risks. You dont seem to like these books, Qiguan Rang commented. Jiang Pengjis eyes twitched, and she said, Of course I dont. Do you? Qiguan Rang laughed and answered honestly, Solely from a mans perspective, I somewhat approve of them. After all, Im just an average man. However, from the viewpoint of someone who has fathered a daughter, I could see how the books are harmful. Therefore, Jiang Pengji, who wanted to give the books to fathers of daughters, deserved to be beaten up! Chapter 402 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Expectedly, Feng Jin still came to settle scores with Qiguan Rang. Then again with scholarly men, especially intelligent scholars, the means they settled scores isnt by folding up their sleeves and fighting. Her eyes shifted left then right, only to see Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang sitting at opposite sides, their lips and tongues equipped as their weapons. Neither gave in, the entire tent was congested with tension. She discreetly rolled her eyes and directed her words to the live stream viewers. Streamer V: Do you want to bet these men are dominated by women? Quarreling has never looked so refined; my general knowledge has broadened. Obviously, she is the one who sparked the dispute it has since become a big issue but she extracted herself from this incident completely. Such a shameless streamer, she will be known throughout the world of live streaming. Wutang Bohetang: Womens domination isnt the scary thing: rather it is frightening that they have brains too. I initially thought theyre having a joyful conversation just now, though, after Livestream Elders translation, the realization hit me that they were having a conflict. The ancient scholars are so terrifying, they can appear so civilized even in disagreement. Sishimi Dadao: Nothing to fear about being refined, whats truly scary is if one is cannot decipher their true intentions and think that they are being praised. Thatd be awkward. Dahongzao: Isnt this streamer the worst? She was obviously the one who ignited this conflict. Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hands. Regardless of whether it was Qiguan Rang or Feng Jin, its impossible for either of them to initiate a fight with her as they couldnt expect to beat her. The disagreement continued for half a day, both had the tacit understanding and chose to stop the dispute since neither had the upper hand. Tea was served and drank; no signs of the previous heated argument was observed. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes in annoyance she couldnt comprehend the way scholarly people settle their disputes. C Medical skills in ancient times were not advanced, so many people presented with injuries that the doctors cannot handle all the cases. Those who sustained severe injuries cannot make it through and they sighed regretfully. Those with minor injuries recovered very fast and they had no issue journeying at an average pace. After a few days, the dead who were resistant to treatment would be buried, and finally, Jiang Pengji ordered them to pull out from camp and begin the journey. Riding White, she wore a pair of cooling wooden clogs. Jiang Pengji was at the frontiers paving the way forward, the horse carriages that followed behind traveled slowly, the rations, medical herbs, and severely wounded people were in the carriages. The remaining people rode on horses if they could, otherwise, they walked. The people packed their belongings and followed behind. Jiang Pengji specially left two-thirds of the troops and imperial guards behind to protect them. Meng Hun took scouts with him to survey the road ahead. He reported the situation every 15 minutes. Riding a date red-colored horse, Feng Jin rode ahead to consult Jiang Pengji. The troops from Fengyi county mentioned that the people intermittently died of infectious diseases. Does Lanting want to reconsider changing the route and make a detour to Xiangyang district instead? The people behind are unfit to enter an infectious area, if they are infected, it will cause unnecessary deaths. She understood, in ancient times there was no effective medicine. These infectious diseases are very frightening as they can spread and claim the lives of many. Nodding in agreement, she replied, Lets change route and head to the Xiangyang district to settle the people down first before we head to Fengyi county and other places. An epidemic is bound to spread after a disaster, as basic aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of diseases is not well implemented. Jiang Pengjis timely response to decide on burying the corpses and overlay with lime, thereby minimized the likelihood of corpses surfacing from the ground and spreading sickness. Nevertheless, it was imperative that the camp base underwent frequent cleaning. The items used by the injured were decontaminated using mugworts leaf water. Because of this, the heavens showed them favour: no epidemic occurred in Shangjing. However, it was not so for Fengyi county. Based on the reports from the troops that are involved in the rescue efforts there, many corpses lay open in the streets, water mingled with the decomposing corpses. The wild cats and dogs nibbled on the bodies, eventually, the river waters became contaminated, even the water the people used was unclean. Under such circumstances, with the hot summer at hand, it was impossible to prevent an epidemic from escalating. Jiang Pengji could only order the troops and their people to be careful. They must watch their intake of food and water and have an unceasing supply of mugwort leaf water and water from roots of reeds. Protecting themselves was their priority so that they could save more people. Xu Ke furrowed his brows and added, If so, Langjun please remember to write letters to other district magistrates and county chiefs, Fengyi county chief ought to be notified too. Otherwise, when Langjun bring a thousand troops over, it will arouse their suspicions and inflict fear. She holds the position of the district magistrate at Xiangyang district but shes not the county chief in Fengyi county, theoretically her troops cannot step outside her area of control. Compared to all these, Rang is more worried about the situation in Xiangyang district. Qiguan Rang was bored and joined the conversation, his expression solemn. Xiangyang district is within the radius of the earthquake. When the earthquake happened, there was no one in charge. It might be in a total mess; we also cannot foresee what challenges lie ahead. If an epidemic is spreading over there, Lanting will be kept busy for a while. Fortunately, the Xiangyang district had a big land area but a sparse population of people. Even if the people were injured or dead, it would not advance to a widespread outbreak or have a chance to become a serious epidemic. Ive sent a small group of private troops to survey the situation in Xiangyang district. The report should be out in two days, Qiguan Rang told them calmly. His pure black pupils carried with them a chilly feeling. Luckily, Jiang Pengji already foresaw this problem and has already prepared for it. Honestly, with such a meticulous future Lord, Xu Ke and the rest felt relieved. A god-like Lord trumped a pig-like oneeven if, ideally, she would be closer to perfection if she changed her bad temper. When Jiang Pengji brought 20,000 men to the Xiangyang district, Wei Ci fell sick along the way. His fever went on for two days, almost damaging his brain. All he could do was cough. His perfect features became increasingly thin after suffering from his illness. Remaining a beauty despite his sickly appearance, he was still mesmerizingly attractive in spite of his illness. Wei Ci sat up with much difficulty to drink the bowl of dark black medicine and he almost vomited out of disgust. Ai, seriously, I dont know what youre anxious about, Zhangping said as he helplessly aided him to lie down. He tasked the servant to retrieve some preserved food. Since the earthquake, I feel that youre hiding something in your heart, rushing day and night and never taking care of your body, it has finally broken down, right? Wei Ci felt his whole body was on fire, he still sustained a high temperature, even seeing the person before him was blurry. Xiheng, Ci is fine Zhangping was unconvinced, Are you really fine? If the fever does not subside, your brain will be cooked and ready to be served at the table. If he didnt journey along with Wei Ci, how could he know that he wouldnt merely collapse halfway through and die in some wilderness? Hes never met someone who undervalued his heath this much. Wei Cis constitution was not strong to start with, and as he is not taking his health seriously he is courting death. Down with a high fever to the point where even the breath he exhales is steaming hot, Wei Ci dare not sleep as once he does, countless nightmares haunt him causing him even more extreme fatigue. His health condition showed no signs of improvement it even worsened somewhat. In his current state, Zhangping will not allow Wei Ci to continue his journey. Both master and servant should settle down at this household. - The second day. Zhangping heard that a monk begging for alms has arrived from elsewhere is looking for a resting place. The people turned him away as they dont have any rooms available. Zhangping was about to boil the medicines when he heard the old monk outside cheerfully asking around. His attention was diverted: Forgive this monk for asking, is there a man by the name of Wei in this mansion? An old monk? Looking for Wei Ci? Chapter 403 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio He was about to lift his legs then he stopped. Zhangping focused intently wanting to hear the purpose of the monks arrival. The owner of the peasant household spoke after considering, There is such a Langjun indeed, does the reverend know him? The old monk touched his beads and replied, Theres such a fate that exists between us, will you be willing to announce my arrival to him? Without waiting for the owner to decide if he should agree or reject, Zhangping stepped forward. Is Zixiao the person the reverend is seeking for? Zhangping knew Wei Ci had many friends, but this monk before him was eccentric: how does he know Wei Ci is resting here? Exactly, is my young friend, Wei, doing well? Zhangping mostly believed him, so he retreated to invite the old monk and the accompanying novice monk to enter the house. It was presently summer at its most intense, and it was kinder to invite them in from the heat of the day. Zixiao is down with a high fever that wont subside hes been like this for the past two days till he is almost in a delirious state. All the drugs possible have been administered but have proven to be ineffective. Speaking till now, he furrowed his brows, then added, Perhaps there is no talented doctor in the vicinity. Anyway, his illness is making me anxious. The old monk smiled gently. He removed the conical bamboo hat from his head which functions to protect him from the sun. Then, he passed the hat and his wooden staff to his companion beside him to safeguard them. Mister, your words are far from true. Young friend Wei hasnt recovered because he is lacking a drug catalyst. The owner of the household hospitably served a bowl of ice cold, pure water obtained from the well. The old monk expressed his gratitude as a Buddhist monk would: he smiled to receive it and thanked him softly. Zhangping, however, was stunned. Drug catalyst? The doctor didnt mention the prescription was lacking any drug catalyst. After drinking a few mouthfuls, the old monk passed the ceramic bowl to his companion who was extremely thirsty, the child received the bowl and gulped down all the water. This drug catalyst mainly treats matters of the heart. The monk had a gentle and compassionate expression, he then lowered his head and spoke softly to his companion, Have you drank enough? The novice monk nodded bashfully. He then returned the ceramic bowl politely to the owner. Zhangping still did not comprehend him. Matters of the heart? The old monk enlightened him: Young friend Wei has not recovered, not because of physical reasons. Im afraid its because of inner struggles thus accounting for his ill health. It sounded more wrong the more Zhangping listened, his capacity to understand slowed down inevitably. He supported the sickly Wei Ci and has since stayed here for three days. Theyve never seen this old monk, yet he keeps nagging as if he was omniscient: this was anything but normal! Nevertheless, the old monk changed his perspective, Wei Ci was indeed an inauspicious person. Those whom he befriends, how can they be like the average person? Please wait, reverend. I will go downstairs to wake Zixiao up. Walking to the door, Zhangping nodded to the monk. Then he pushed the door open and went to check up on his master. Wei Ci was running a high fever till his face appeared red throughout, both his lips cracked, even with his eyes closed he couldnt conceal the sickly features and frailness beneath his eyes. Zixiao? Wake up! What-what is wrong? Wei Ci opened his eyes in a dazed state, his eyelids were swollen as if lead containing water was forced in. It took him so much effort to muster the energy just to open them. Theres a reverend here who claims to be your friend. He has come to visit you. Zhangping felt quite weird saying this. Although Wei Ci is seriously ill, he could sense that something was wrong. As he was about to open his mouth, a shadow began to slowly lengthen and approach. An amicable and benevolent old monk came in uninvited. He paid Buddhist formalities to him, Zhangping saw his shadows and was frightened that he awkwardly turned around. His body leaned to one corner to retrieve his weapon from on the lower shelf. His looked at the old monk with threatening eyes. That old monk did not have any sense that he traumatised the other person, he directly sat himself down and addressed Wei Ci. My name is Liaochen, Im from Hejian. The name Hejian county intrigued Wei Ci, his pupils lit up and he signalled to Zhangping not to be suspicious of everything. Reverend, please forgive me, my weak and tiresome body is unable to rise and accord the formalities due to you. Wei Ci discreetly bit the tip of his tongue to ensure he is mentally more alert. He spoke with a hoarse voice, Xiheng mentioned that the reverend knows me, but I am still in a feverish state from the illness and have no recollection of when I saw him before. Master Liaochen smiled till his eyes couldnt be seen, he surveyed Wei Cis face thoroughly and understanding flooded his heart. Young friend, you and I truly have never met before, but I know someone that is no stranger to you. Wei Cis innermost heart jittered, a taboo name floated in his head, leaving him feeling defeated. Even in this present state, he couldnt let go of that someone, he must be possessed. Who does the reverend refer to? Liu Xi from Hejian, magistrate Lius son. From what I notice, both of you have a unique fate in this mortal world. Wei Cis face was already red, his body temperature instantly increased by two degrees. Additionally, he was overwhelmed with embarrassment. Ci and that Langjun are both men Cough, when did reverend assume the duties of a matchmaker? Although Zhangping put away his weapon, he was however still wary of the old monks movements. Nonetheless, after listening to their conversations, he felt he had heard some earth-shattering news. Wei Ci and Liu Xi are both males Does Zixiao have such homosexual inclinations? Liaochen did not answer but questioned instead, Is my young friend heading north, to seek for Liu Langjun? Wei Ci responded in silence. Liaochen continued, Do you know, this time you havent recovered not because the medications have no effect but due to your entanglements of the heart? Reverend, please feel free to speak your mind. I will give you my undivided attention. His patience was wearing thin. Due to the prophetic dream, Liu Xi has become the entanglement that he is unwilling to be involved in. Back then, if he was more persistent in his advice and stopped her from going to Shangjing, it well may have well been that she would not have encountered an earthquake that should never have happened. Dongqing is situated in the north, there are only three records of earthquakes thus far. His mind is still sharp, naturally he remembers it clearly. In his previous life, the earthquake did not occur in Dongqing! But it has happened now.. He cant help but ponder deeper, is this earthquake a warning from the heavens that a demon is to be born? In this world, besides the dead being resurrected, who else can be considered an inauspicious demon? Liu Langjun is well, she has a long life. Rather my friend, if you continue in this state, Im afraid you wont have many days left. Master Liaochen said it plainly, The true ruler with the heavenly fate, has got the imperial aura and fortune such that demons and devils cannot draw near. Wei Ci heard this and was startled till he broke out in a cold sweat. If not for his sickly body that was weighing him down so that he was without strength he would have startled physically: he almost sat up feeling stunned. Masters words Wei Ci looked into Master Liaochens eyes, with a chilling look set to kill. His face did not change, but the surrounding atmosphere was no longer peaceful but had hints of forceful negative energy. Master Liaochen remarked, She is still alive, I didnt come specially to seek for you, only came to deliver a message to you. Young people indeed are increasingly impatient one generation after another. Back then, Liu Zhongqing was able to patiently hear me out till I finished He ended his speech with an expression of an elder disappointed as he looked into Wei Cis eyes. Again, Wei Ci responded in silence. Sure, this seemed to signify, I will shut my mouth, reverent one, please continue speaking. When the earthquake happened a while back, as is within my expectations, I am afraid it was not natural rather its a man-made disaster. Zhangping heard and laughed involuntarily, Reverend, your words are sensational, who has the ability to move the mountains and command the seas creating such a natural phenomenon? Chapter 404 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Liaochen disregarded Zhangpings suspicions, and continued, I am an external party and should never get involved in the mortal realm. Demons may wreak havoc, robbing the country of its good fortune, disasters may increase, even more than the earthquake that occurred this time. Greed is the root of evil that caused the deaths of so many people. The demon stole not only the countrys fortune but also altered the destiny of lives. My friend, youve learnt some mystical technique so you should understand. After being frightened multiple times by Liaochen, Wei Cis head is more alert now. Who is that demon? Liaochen shook his head, saying, I dont know. This devil is exceedingly cunning, till now, his face has not been revealed. Wei Ci, overwhelmed with horror responded, This devil is so brazen to do this He learnt the mystic techniques before, naturally he had knowledge of unorthodox methods to steal, manipulate fates are all devious methods and consequently, users do not have a good outcome. To steal even a small secret will warrant the lives of ones entire family, but Wei Ci shut his eyes and thought intently about the succeeding disasters that struck Dongqing. Compared to the situation in the previous generation, it has increased three-fold, including the extent of the earthquake this timehe dares not imagine how much of Dongqings countrys fortune has been robbed, how much the destiny of lives has been altered. Having stolen such a tremendous amount, yet one can still be scot free. It is incomprehensible. Dongqing was indeed fast approaching its end, but it could still struggle for survival for seven to eight more years. Yet, looking at present, it might not even sustain for two to three years. The ability to assess the fate of a country can only be performed by an esteemed and capable person. This old monk before him is truly an enlightened man. Honestly, I have sensed in the past ten years when the rate of Dongqing countrys fortune deteriorated dramatically, its luck started to dissipate. A country comes and goes, it could be vanquished today or tomorrow Liaochen doesnt think highly of this. The people who have reached enlightenment do not wish to meddle with the affairs of the world and are reluctant to be entrenched in the worldly causes and effects. However, this demon who robs has evil schemes. When Master Liaochen determined in his heart to locate it, its whereabouts became mysterious and could not be tracked down. It went around Dongqing stealing in a full circle, then left behind a huge mess, leaving the innocent to unjustly bear the consequences of this. Wei Ci knitted his brows and worry filled his heart. Even with your skills and learning, the Reverend is unable to curb this demon? I am helpless, Master Liaochen said and shook his head. Precisely because of the earthquake, I have discovered some clues. The luck of the next imperial star of Ziwei has been stolen somewhat but all that the imperial star does is aligned with the will of heaven, thus technically, it should increase Wei Cis expression turned pale while he suddenly understood who Liaochen referred to as the imperial star of Ziwei. Following his train of thought, he wondered if this demon has his sights on her? Though the imperial star of Ziwei is an enigmatic woman, Wei Ci knew that whatever she is lacking, she is deadly. For example, she has the advantage of geographical and social conditions yet lacked in the crucial auspicious timing how frustrating this must be? Luck is at times a composition of action. Wei Ci understood that if a person has the ability, her strategies and temperament is good, but if she is defeated because her luck is lacking then her loss is undeserving. Reverends words mean that that the demon is hiding by Lantings side? Yes, I sensed this, so I hurriedly headed north to warn Liu Langjun to be careful. Only Liaochen smiled bitterly, That Langjun has an intimidating presence, let alone demons, even the Grim Reaper will lower its head and run off. Master Liaochen discovered that Jiang Pengjis Emperor aura mysteriously decreased substantially, then steadily increased after some time. He expended all his energy to predict her fate, discovered that this persons birth chart is significantly more threatening than Premier Huangpus from the previous dynasty. If that demon has its sights on her, it will not bode well. Speaking of which the birth chart of this young man before him has a similar fate to Premier Huangpu. Expectedly, he is destined to be with Liu Langjun in the mortal realm. Using negative against negative energy, they would become one. Bringing harm on each other to save the world. Amitabha! Excellent, Excellent! Master Liaochen chanted scriptures in his heart. He looked downcast and pitied the world, as if the light of buddha shone from behind him. As such, I am preparing to return. She was well now, why must he trouble himself to personally make a trip to the earthquake vicinity? Wei Ci had no comeback. Passing by this place, I discovered a phoenix descending, his breath is weak, and I knew it was my young friend. Thus, I came to pay a visit. Master Liaochen finished his words and looked at Wei Ci silently. If this man died, the true dragon will be destined to lead a lonely life: she can unite the lands but would have no descendants the equivalent to bringing a dynasty to an end. Helping this person overcome the knot in his heart is tantamount to saving his life. Its directly related to the fate of a country, but he doesnt have to suffer the consequences of its cause and effect. Sweet. To such a highly esteemed monk like Liaochen, theres nothing like virtuous actions thats attractive to him. Wei Ci was a deeply private and introverted man, his intentions were revealed by Master Liaochen, making his cheeks grow a bright red. This was not a result of his fever but out of bashfulness. He was grateful that he is seriously ill now, otherwise he wouldnt be able to face the others. The imperial star of Ziwei is well, you should focus on getting well too, young friend, Liaochen remarked. Dont dwell too much on other things. Thank you, Reverend. As if a giant rock was lifted, Wei Ci felt his entire body relax. Seeing that he still appeared tired, Master Liaochen signalled that he was leaving. Zhangping stood up to send him off, his expression deeply conflicted throughout. Master Liaochen thanked the owner who then gave him two biscuits and a bag full of water, then he received his wooden staff and conical straw hat from the novice monk. Farewell, sir. Master Liaochen prepared to leave. Wait a moment, Reverend Zhangping yelled to stop him, he mumbled saying, Zixiaohe is destined to be a phoenix? Since time past, when has there ever been a male becoming a queen? Master Liaochen replied, The phoenix is a male bird. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with a phoenix destiny. Zhangpings expression became increasingly conflicted but he decided not to probe further, rather he went back to care for the sick with a heavy heart. After Zhangping walked afar off, the novice monk raised his head and asked doubtfully, Reverend, why is that mans face so dismayed? Simply because, making a big fuss out of nothing, Liaochen said with a straight face. The novice monk seemed like he understood yet he did not. When you set foot on all the mountains later on, see the sufferings of the world with your eyes, you wont find it strange anymore, Liaochen added with a knowing look in his wise eyes. After their visit, Zhangping felt his three senses had been forcefully remodelled. After a few days, Wei Ci no longer wore a sickly face, contrarily he was conflicted with finding fault in his rapidly healing master. C On the other hand, Jiang Pengji brought the people safely to Xiangyang district, they met many violent mobs along the way, but without a formation or principles, how can they compare to the well armoured imperial guards who were mighty and strong or the troops who are apt in battles? Leading close to 200,000 people, the pace was naturally slow, however, Jiang Pengji wasnt in a rush. They moved along in daylight; she ensured their three meals are well taken care of and they had time to rest. When night fell, they set up tents and rested for the night. The young and old could easily keep up with the group, none of the injured people were left behind. Another night of stay-over, those troops sent to the Xiangyang district previously have returned pathetically. Jiang Pengji heard the news and quickly gathered her men for an update. Upon hearing, she almost exploded in rage. What? Jiang Pengji raised her voice, Which bastard did you say is occupying my Xiangyang district? Facing an infuriated Jiang Pengji, her troops trembled in fear and answered, Its-its a group of the Tsing Yi army! Theres close to a hundred thousand people that have turned into violent mobs! Chapter 405 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Langjun, be elegant and mind your disposition. It was unbearable, Xu Ke covered his face. Was this the true color of sons from aristocratic families? Feng Jin, the one who adhered to the rules strictly, secretly felt relieved. Luckily the vulgar word she said was akin to your angry father and not your angry mother, otherwise how were they to wrap up this situation? Jiang Pengji composed herself momentarily, took a deep breath and suppressed the flames of anger that burnt vigorously within her. She wore a chilly face and spoke to her troops, Dont be afraid to report all that youve investigated. Understanding that Jiang Pengjis aura was ferocious now, the troops were intimidated. She only found her voice returned after two deep breaths. Following Langjuns orders, I went to Xiangyang district to collect information. Upon reaching the borders of Xiangyang district, something was amiss. The dead bodies of the people were discovered, the corpses, including their family members were laid open in the wilderness. Their deaths were not caused by the earthquake neither by starvation nor infections. After verifying and examination of the bodies, they sustained injuries and died from axes, kitchen knives, batons or other weapons After the initial words came forth, the troop was no longer nervous, in fact he was very smooth. He articulated very clearly. He continued to cup his hands in submission then replied, Also, after we examined, we discovered these people met formidable enemies that surpassed them while they were escaping. They were surrounded and beaten to death without much struggle. The men mostly died horribly while the women or girls were dragged to the side and experienced a differing extent of humiliation then mercilessly killed. Such morbid deeds that cant even be uttered. Many such corpses were discovered at the borders of the Xiangyang district by the investigation unit comprising the troops. Disregarding the corpses tragic appearance, their clothes and valuables were also brutally snatched from them such that many of them lay uncovered. Their bodies laid bare under the scorching sun and they died with grievances. Jiang Pengji listened calmly, without any changes in appearance. Notably, the atmosphere became somewhat solemn, the viewers in the livestreaming room also stopped fooling around, as if influenced by the somber, murderous mood, inevitably they felt like keeping their posture upright and treating this seriously. Evidently, it was accurate to term them as violent mobs. Jiang Pengjis voice became colder by a few degrees. Please continue. The soldier continued, We disguised ourselves as refugees on the run then entered Xiangyang district and met with multiple interrogations, after rounds of sounding out, we ascertained that three days after the earthquake, the Xiangyang district was already seized by Tsing Yi army and theyve taken control of the district headquarters. Tsing Yi Army. Feng Jin sat one corner mumbling to himself, it was unimaginable that a group of unruly people could attack and occupy the Xiangyang district. The district headquarters was poor but could still barely support some soldiers, including the private servants in the area, residing in official and rich households, should total to 1000 to 2000 soldiers but not 3000 to 5000. Did these people when faced with those violent mobs holding their hoe, chopper and hatchets, admit defeat so readily? Other than this, is there any credible news? Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows, dying to ride White to charge forward and kill them already. From her perspective, what belongs to her is hers, what she set her sights on is out of bounds to others. Whoever dared to stretch their claws to her territory will be unflinchingly dismembered. More than this, hearing the troops report, these Tsing Yi Army were not any good. She is at present the district magistrate of Xiangyang district: it is her territory and the people are under her protection. Tsing Yi army, she thought darkly. You must be tired of living. We camped at Xiangyang district for two days and noticed that Tsing Yi army isnt the regular violent mobs, the soldier said. They have a leader who is known as General Jiu of Tsing Yi army, he is muscular and sturdy, and carries with him two huge axes.. the district headquarters door was hacked apart by his axe. The officials in Xiangyang district all suffered under his evil schemesthe local residing official and the rich families were wiped out, resulting in countless injured and dead. The troops had witnessed worse scenarios, this is but just a scratch on the surface. The commander of Tsing Yi army searched and confiscated possessions from the houses of the local residing official and rich. Those males who are taller than the shaft were beheaded, those shorter passed off as male prostitutes. As for the ladies, they were not only tied together with hemp rope, but also ordered to pose seductively and assume the role as sex slaves to the Tsing Yi army. All those in Tsing Yi army have the right to enjoy the pleasures. However if any rebelled, they mostly ended up dying tragically. The troops did not conceal anything, they spoke in detail all that they saw and knew. Jiang Pengji laughed heartlessly, breaking into pieces the ceramic bowl in her hands. Even the usually calm and composed Feng Jin glowered with an aura to kill. The audience in the live streaming room reacted strongly. This is a foreboding of a war. Yingyang Kuaixian: No didnt you mention that Tsing Yi army are comprised of the citizens previously, why are they so evil hearted? Tudou Niurou Gaifan: These evil deeds surely cannot be performed by humans; they are a group of bastards! Guicai Guofengxiao: Though I also feel that Tsing Yi army are inhumane and a group of beasts, but did you closely examine the report from the troops? Personally, I feel it is frighteningly detailed. Tsing Yi armys background are likely to be bandits or robbers. The earthquake this time shook the entire nine prefectures till they nearly collapsed. The court just conveniently moved the capital city. If not for the streamer who wrote the petition, predictably the people from Shangjing will be doomed to die Due to the limitation of characters they can type, this viewer keyed in at lightning speed another paragraph of words. Guicai Guofengxiao: The shortcomings of Dongqings imperial lies in their Emperor who is deluded and a bastard. This is the last straw that has forced the violent mobs into madness. Thus, they raised their hatchet and biasness, savagely taking revenge, to the extent of performing unethical violent acts. Additionally, the wars in ancient times are realistically crueller that these. If you dont believe me, check out the Wuhu Luanhua to know what cannibalism is like. Laosiji Lianmeng: I have a feeling that the livestream from now on will be bloody. Trigger warning: Those who are faint-hearted and cannot bear this should exit from this livestream to keep from getting traumatized. Also, regardless of whether the Tsing Yi army was once a victim, this isnt a valid reason for them to be violent. The bullet screen almost covered the virtual screen completely, the comments came in at a rate of one second per page. Jiang Pengji did not have time to look at these comments. She already had murderous intentions. External bullies entered her terrain, killed her people. If she does not counterattack, how is she going to be gratified! Feng Jin read her inner thoughts, lowered his eyes and said, Lanting, we still have 2000 troops at Fengyi county carrying out rescue efforts, while we only have 1000 imperial guards and 1000 private troops here. They are worn out and tired after the long journey, and so are the horses. Moreover, Tsing Yi armys violent mobs have a hundred thousand men. We cannot be impulsive and willful if we are determined to attack Xiangyang district. We need a concrete plan. At the very least, you should find a place to let the people who followed you settle down. I know. Jiang Pengji cupped her fingers together and was deep in thought. If not for the 200,000 people she brought from Shangjing, she would account for her men and march directly towards Xiangyang district to kill them this instant. Attack or defend, they are two completely different perspectives. Importantly, those defending have the advantage of numbers and terrain, they could rely on the layout of infrastructures. If its not meticulously planned, even if she could capture her enemies, to bring all 200,000 people over would result in many injuries. Chapter 406 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio To attack Xiangyang district, the first hurdle to overcome is the large disparity in numbers. Tsing Yi army boasts of tens of thousands of men, however, most of them are regular citizens, their weapons are but choppers and axes, they are unarmoured and have no concept of military discipline and order. Comparatively, whether the troops or the imperial guards, they are considered elite soldiers. Feng Jin is the first to speak, he attempted to plant the idea of battle and raise the morale of the army. If war breaks out, we can fight! Realistically speaking, 2000 fighting against 10,000, both sides have unique strengths. Nevertheless, our soldiers morale cannot be dampened, otherwise what is there to fight. Qiguan Rang closed his eyes, as if contemplating something. After a while, no one spoke, so he broke the silence. His dark pupils focused on Jiang Pengji, Is Langjun worried that were unable to conquer Xiangyang district? Jiang Pengji heard his words, she relaxed her clasped fingers and sneered with disdain. Her tone was full of untamed aura. Using the words of the live stream viewers, it is asking for a beating. Ten thousand of insignificant beings, a coalesce of unruly ones, what is there to fear? Shes too lazy to hide the contempt in her words. If its based on her perspective, let alone 10,000 men from Tsing Yi army, even if its ten-fold more, insignificant ants remain ants. The quantity cannot improve their quality. She is once the general of the federal forces, she commanded the most elite troops of the federal forces, fought the most powerful enemies, why will she fear this? What a joke! Qiguan Rang fanned himself with his feathered fan, dispelling the hot air within the tent then he jokingly said, Since Langjun has such intentions for war, Rang is not worried. They are unafraid of the aggressive, fear is the only obstacle. Jiang Pengji is the backbone of the people, if she wavers, she will influence the morale of others. Whatever opinions you have, you all can share. We will strategize and act as a team. Jiang Pengji didnt look like shes going to war, rather she spoke very casually. Nonetheless if you truly understood her, you must notice that shes already in her rare focused mode. As a credible commander, she wont be intimated by her enemys strength and retreat in fear. Neither will she belittle her enemies and be overconfident. Regardless of whether Tsing Yi army has ten thousand or a thousand men, she will take this seriously. The people looked at each other, they are taken aback by Jiang Pengjis free spirited attitude. For example, Xu Ke thought based on Jiang Pengjis temper, she will be burst out in anger at such a time and be adamant about killing. Whats the result? She is more composed than the rest. Tsing Yi army has already occupied Xiangyang district, they seemed to be at an advantage. This is a fact. Xu Ke glanced around, seeing that they have no intentions to speak up, hed rather speak first, Xiangyang district has a vast area of land, the walls are continually meandering, since it was built, there are six openings. If they decide to attack the city, Tsing Yi army must dispatch their troops all around to divide out their strength. Then the number of men defending the city is of no threat. Jiang Pengji nodded her head and remarked, Most importantly, we dont possess any machinery for attack, and we are clueless about how many there are hidden in Xiangyang district. Meng Hun commented frustratedly, Tsing Yi army are a violent mob, their leader is most likely a murderous bandit, the rest are the average citizens. Even if they knew how to manoeuvre the machineries, how are they able to release its full strength? If we can attack them unprepared, with the caveat of burning down their equipment for guarding the city. This will save us a lot of trouble. Faced with these disordered and undisciplined fellows, the numbers may be intimidating. But truthfully after analysing, theres nothing to fear. If Tsing Yi army decides to guard the city, they indeed have an advantage. If they decide to face it off, they will be at a disadvantage. Taking into consideration Meng Huns suggestion, Feng Jin and Xu Ke shook their heads, rejecting the idea. The resources within the city must never be burnt nor destroyed. Their goal is to possess Xiangyang district, but to vanquish Tsing Yi army, it cannot be guaranteed that they do not have backup. Their own troops are lacking in numbers to begin with, without the help of machineries to safeguard the city, if they wanted to defend it, they must prepare to sacrifice flesh and blood. In times like this, they need people. Any reduction in soldiers will be heart breaking. If we own the machineries to defend a city, it will boost our ability greatly. The stress will be greatly reduced. Since his suggestion was refuted, Meng Hun can only scratch his head in embarrassment. He might as well wait for them to reach a conclusion. Truthfully, regardless of Xu Ke, Feng Jin or Qiguan Rang, they all have differing opinions, except there are disadvantages also. Especially so for Qiguan Rang, he always specialised in schemes. Presently, he kept his view to himself, not because hes at his wits end but he cannot voice it out. Jiang Pengji has a good reputation; she cannot be associated with these violent and bloody blemishes at present. Feng Jin and Xu Ke as well, they already reached a conclusion in their heart. They are confident of taking down Xiangyang district. Constrained by many considerations, they have to temporarily put these ideas aside and search for a more suitable solution. The silence is so unbearable that the viewers in the live streaming room are so frustrated and anxious to the point of anger. Yingyang Kuaixian: Streamer, streamer, please reveal to us how youll be fighting the battle. You all dont seem to have discussed much. Tudou Niurou Gaishaofan: This is so nerve-wrecking and anxious, even though were separated by the screen, a feeling of an impending storm approaching is so real. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Why are you all so flustered? The wars in ancient times are not so simple. The streamer and her team are unfamiliar with the terrain in Xiangyang district, they also dont understand the situation within the city, neither do they have knowledge about other troops that exist within. How are they to fight when theres a knowledge gap? Wutang Bohetang: If they dont have such inside information, what is there to discuss? Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: How would I know. Dasheng Jiawo: To the person above, your ID is such a waste! Bill Gates: Whats wrong with his ID, by retrieving my ID now, does that make me the worlds richest. The topic went out of point, this lightened the atmosphere in the live streaming room. It wasnt like the tensed mood just now. Jiang Pengji slanted her head, her eyes glanced past three of their faces and understood that they are concerned about her benevolent reputation. Thus, she said plainly, I am not one to treasure mens empty status, if I can end the war quickly, I will choose that. Finishing off she added another sentence, Dont underestimate me even though I look so frail. If we were to fight, Ill be able to break the city gates with my fist. Be it luring the enemy to exit the city to encroach on their territory or directly attacking the city gates, both are fine Everyone: One punch to break the city gates? Feng Jin awkwardly coughed a few times; he probably never imagined this fellow can speak like this. She has already said this, naturally she is not without a strategy. From Jins viewpoint, we should try luring the enemy out of the city to ambush them. While he talked, he briefly closed his eyes, its a change from hid usual gentle appearance. Now he is cold when he senses danger. Feng Jin continued, Order 3000 people and 500 troops to disguise themselves and take with them a military supply carriage to lure a group of Tsing Yi army out of the city. Then, well lead them to a site where well ambush them. Hearing what Lanting said some time ago, Jin has been doing my research and found out theres a strategic location mountain gap nearby Xiangyang district. The two sides of mountain gap are ideal for hiding, the mouth is narrow outside but wide inside. If we were to lure Tsing Yi army inside then throw down rocks, itd be hard for them to escape He spoke monotonously, but the viewers in the live steaming room heard this and their hairs stood up. This suggests that they intend for the enemies to be surrounded at the mountain gap then be ambushed likened to be chopped to meatballs. After this, we will proceed to attack the city. Chapter 407 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A few days later at the district headquarters of Xiangyang District. General Jiu, taste this aged wine. This is the most treasured wine of the former district magistrate. A jug of it is worth hundreds of taels of silver. I think the wine only suits a heroic, stalwart man like you. Ill pour some for you The steward, dressed in brown clothing, smiled obsequiously. He bent over to pour some wine for a burly man with a thick beard. The man was in his early thirties. He had extremely broad shoulders, and his muscles were like boulders. They clumped together, making him look strong. His palms were large and rough like a cattail leaf fan, which made the big bowl in his hands seem pocket-sized and delicate. He leaned against his seat at the upper end of the table, cuddling two naked, slim women in his arms. Their skin was not in great condition. The man touched the two women with his empty hand. Not long after, new red marks formed. The two women were extremely terrified. They could only bite their lower lips and quiver. They did not dare to resist. Bah. Do you call this fine wine? It doesnt taste any better than what Ive had before The man took a sip and straightened his fierce-looking face. He spewed most of the wine out of his mouth, then threw the bowl in his hand against the floor. He was a gruff and brawny man. Sitting there, he looked like a small mountain of meat. He was the size of four men put together. The steward dressed in brown clothing was so frightened that both his legs shook. He almost dropped the jug of wine in his arms. Get lost, you useless coward. Dont disturb my leisure. The man swung his hand and pushed the steward dressed in brown clothing away. He did not use any strength, but the steward fell backward and rolled on the ground. The steward fell so hard that his teeth were knocked loose. Upon seeing that, the man laughed out loud. His laughter sounded like thunder and could be heard outside the courtyard. The steward dressed in brown clothing got up and limped away. Behind him, there was the faint sound of the two women crying and gasping. It was originally the district magistrate of the Xiangyang Districts residence. The two women inside, who were as pretty as flowers, were the beloved mistresses of a wealthy businessman in the Xiangyang District. The man seeking pleasure inside was the leader of the Tsing Yi Army, General Jiu. As Feng Jin and the others had mentioned, the leader of the Tsing Yi Army was a bandit from the mountains. He had a full record of crimes and misdeeds. Had it not been for the earthquakeor for the royal family of Dongqings insistence on moving the capital, which caused public resentmentthe Tsing Yi Army would probably still occupy the mountains, raid homes, and plunder houses. They had started an uprising, however, which gained the admiration of many. General Jiu suddenly transformed and proclaimed himself a general. He was in high and vigorous spirits. The so-called General Jiu of the Tsing Yi Army called himself the flying tiger, but he was originally a rustic. One day, he got drunk, and his sexual desire was suddenly aroused. He assaulted his neighbors daughter, but she resisted him firmly. He accidentally killed her. He was afraid of being imprisoned, so he could only run for dear life. He became an outlaw in the end. He now lived in a house that at one time he could not even get near, and he slept with women that are one point only appeared in his dreams. He was living an unrestrained and carefree life. Report! Just as General Jiu was starting to have fun, there was a messenger of the Tsing Yi Army calling for him. He got up from on top of the womens bodies unhappily and questioned him in a thunder-like voice, Report what? Whats wrong now?! We found something just outside the city. The man smiled and lifted his head. He was the trusted aid whom General Jiu took with him from the bandit hideout. He was not afraid of General Jiu. According to the guys, its the people who transport the army supplies and gear from the court. The court There was fear in General Jius heart. He asked, How many are there? There are about 3,000 people, and most of them appear to be injured. I think they barely made it out of a large battle. The messenger continued, There are hundreds of carriages stocked with their supplies and gear. We have followed in their footsteps to investigate. It appears to all be rice. General Jiu could not help but feel tempted when he heard the messengers words. However, he was a bit worried. 3,000 people Isnt that too many? The messenger replied, You dont have to worry. Among the 3,000 people, 70 to 80 percent of them are people who fled with them. The rest of the soldiers were wounded in action. I think the grain was given out by the fool in Shangjing and will be delivered somewhere else for disaster relief After the establishment of the Tsing Yi Army, they repeatedly robbed Jiang Pengjis troops and took away a lot of grain. From the bandits point of view, it was better to steal the food for their own benefit than to waste it on people that were already half-dead. The Tsing Yi Army had started an uprising. General, in my opinion, if we let them pass through the Longhu Boardwalk, it will be difficult for us to follow them. After passing through the Longhu Boardwalk, one would be in Chengde County. There were a few Tsing Yi Army troops there. They would then have a petty gain on such a fat piece of meat. General Jiu contemplated and asked, How much food do we have left? The messenger replied, We have a lot of stolen money, but we dont have much food left. A lot of the guys are already starving themselves. There was actually a lot of food, but there were tens of thousands of people in the Tsing Yi Army. Everyone ate without inhibition, so the food bottomed out after only a few days. It was the autumn harvest, and there was not much grain storage in every households granary. Their only choice was to starve. General Jiu frowned and impatiently stated, Take the guys with you and rob their grain. Dont let anyone else get the petty gain. The messenger was delighted. Did General Jiu mean that he was not going to take the field? General Jiu could not help but be inwardly wild with joy when he thought about what his subordinate reported. They transported a lot of grain, and the people who fled with them carried heavy sacks. They could stand to reap a gigantic profit. General, how many guys should I take with me? Just take 3,000 guys with you. General Jiu wanted to say 4,000 initially, but he thought about how most of the people were commoners. They did not have a high combatant value. I got it! The Tsing Yi Army dispatched people to keep an eye on the group transporting the grain. Once they had a head count on the men, they could go out of the city attack them. Just two hours after they left the city, the Tsing Yi Army could vaguely see the group crawling towards the Longhu Boardwalk like ants. It seemed as though they had gone through a fierce battle. Every one of them was wounded. They looked tired and walked slowly. They could not travel fast while they were transporting such a large amount of food. Moreover, the team was cumbered by thousands of people. Hence, they were as slow as tortoises. I thought it would take longer for the fish to take the bait. I didnt expect them to come so fast Meng Hun had noticed movement from afar. He shaded his face from the sun with his hand and quietly turned his head. He was keen and noticed that the Tsing Yi Army was chasing after them. Xu Ke smiled and said, Thats enough. Lets go. Langjun is ready. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and was dressed as a commoner. Wearing a pair of straw sandals that were starting to tear, he looked extremely abject. Do you know how many of them there are? Xu Ke asked Meng Hun. He pressed down on his bamboo hat to keep the sun out of his eyes. Judging from their movements, I think there are about 3,000 of them. Most of them are walking. I think theyve raided people along the way. Meng Hun smacked his lips, and there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone. A long-range raid is tiring, but they still want to attack us from behind and rob our grain. Their brains Chapter 408 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Speed up! Meng Hun waved his hand, and the enormous troop traveled a bit faster. Jiang Pengjis troops had rested long enough, but the Tsing Yi Army had endured a long-range raid. Exasperated and fatigued, they refused to give up. It was scorching hot. They depleted more energy than Jiang Pengjis troops. Deputy General, I think they discovered us! General Jius trusted aide was leading the bandits. Upon seeing the situation, he thought, This is bad. You mustnt let them pass through the Longhu Boardwalk! Go after them! Well force them into a situation they cant escape from! The Longhu Boardwalk connected Fengyi County and Chengde County. Many trade caravans used it to save on travel time. The road was repaired several times; however, the foot of the mountain was still narrow so only two carriages carrying army supplies and gear could pass through at the same time. It would take a lot of time for hundreds of carriages carrying army supplies and gear to pass through. The Tsing Yi Army was getting closer and closer to Meng Hun and the others. Meng Hun snorted. He commanded, Line up. Take 50 steps forward, and get your crossbows ready! Escort the commoners to pass through first. The 200 troops obeyed his order and lined up. They blocked the foot of the mountain by having 50 people line up in a row. They stood in a line, grabbed their bows, and nocked their arrows. By the time the people and the carriages carrying army supplies and gear had passed through, the Tsing Yi Army was less than 200 steps away from them. The first row, shoot! The second row, go forward! With a buzzing sound, 50 arrows, their momentum powerful, sped towards the Tsing Yi Army. Of course, the leader of the Tsing Yi Army saw the troops actions, but he did not take them seriously. He continued forward. A skilled archer with superior marksmanship was not even able to shoot precisely from such a distance. Poof Poof Poof The next second, the sound of arrows piercing flesh was heard, and fresh blood spattered everywhere. The Tsing Yi Army pushed onward before they collapsed in a forward manner. Some arrows even managed to kill two people at once. The second row, shoot! The third row, go forward! With Meng Huns instructions, the fourth rows arrows connected perfectly. After a round of shooting, a significant number of people from the Tsing Yi Army were dead on the ground, obstructing them from charging forward. At that moment, the two parties were already less than 150 steps apart from each other. When the fourth row shot their arrows, the first row had already nocked their arrows and returned to the front. The first row, shoot! Meng Hun commanded calmly. His tone made the troops feel at ease. Even their hands, which were holding the arrows, were no longer trembling. The troops had all seen blood before; Meng Hun took them to kill the bandits in the mountains. The gang of bandits, however, had killed infinitely more than they had. However, there were 3,000 people in the Tsing Yi Army. Putting their combatant value aside, their numbers alone made peoples legs feel weak. Fortunately, Meng Hun was a man who had seen the world. As the former county military chief of the Meng family, what battle had he not seen? Under his personal command, two rounds of shooting went without fault. In order to lure the enemy, there were only two or three arrows in each troop members quiver. During the second round of shooting, the fourth row retreated in an orderly manner, leaving behind hundreds of dead bodies. General Jius trusted aide looked livid. They had no adequate defense against them. He was fuming with rage. They dont have any more arrows in their quivers. Keep chasing after them! When they caught up, he would kill them all! His words revived the confidence in the timid Tsing Yi Army. They went after them like a hive of bees to the foot of the mountain. 300 meters ahead, the people transporting the army supplies, the gear, and the commoners who fled, were chaotic. He was ecstatic upon seeing the situation. Wait for a while more Wait until everyone has come in Jiang Pengji dangled a weed in her mouth, and a cold sneer hung on the corner of her lips. She crouched on the mountains edge, feeling very satisfied with her troops performance. Luo Yue shuddered at the scene. He knew that Jiang Pengjis troops were of good quality. They executed every order without fail, and they had the demeanor of established troops. He also knew that almost every troop member carried a crossbow with a strange shape. They valued the crossbows as if they were their wives. However, he never would have thought that the troops would have been able to extrude such powerful combat capabilities. Even well-trained imperial guards were not guaranteed to falter under such circumstances. You have a serious gamblers personality. Its not a good habit. Feng Jin glanced at the situation below them. The Tsing Yi Army was less than 100 meters away. If they messed up in the slightest, the 200 troops would be exterminated by the Tsing Yi Army. Danger cant be overcome without taking risks. I dont plan on letting the Tsing Yi Army make it back alive, Jiang Pengji scoffed. She did not care about the members of the Tsing Yi Army. How dare they try to occupy her Xiangyang District. They all deserved to die! Nock your arrows! Meng Hun commanded. Carry on the fight while you retreat! The troops, who originally did not have any arrows left, took some out from the bottom of the carriages one by one. They nocked their arrows skillfully and lined up. Buzz, buzz, buzz The arrows whizzed by and shot members of the Tsing Yi Army, who had unknowingly rushed into a hornets nest. The foot of the mountain was narrow. The deeper into the mountains they went, the more spacious it became. 30 members of the troops could stand side-by-side, but only ten members of the Tsing Yi Army could stand side-by-side. In order to lure the Tsing Yi Army into the mountains, the troops shot their arrows in an orderly manner. As they shot, they retreated to make more space for themselves. However, the Tsing Yi Army was not stupid; they picked up the dead bodies in front of them and used them as shields. They quickly closed the distance. Drop the rocks! Jiang Pengji snorted. Countless rocks tumbled down the mountain. Block the entrance! The blow stunned the Tsing Yi Army. Horrifying screams filled the narrow foot of the mountain. The Tsing Yi Army realized that they were caught in an ambush. Many of them wanted to escape. The foot of the mountain was narrow, and Jiang Pengjis troops threw huge rocks from above. The rocks blocked the foot of the mountain, as well as the retreat path. Nock your arrows and shoot! Jiang Pengji commanded. The 800 troop members that were part of the ambush obeyed her command. The entirety of the Tsing Yi Army was dead after a round of shooting. Red blood, flesh, and body parts covered the foot of the mountain. The tragic, deafening cries gradually subsided. Jiang Pengji had streamed the entire battle. The audience could clearly see the situation at the foot of the mountain through their ultra-high-definition cameras. Even in their death, many members of the Tsing Yi Army had looks of horror and fear in their eyes. Their eyes were wide open. Some were completely smashed, while others had most of their body parts damaged. Stumps and broken bodies were strewn everywhere. Blood stained the rocks. Some blood seeped into the mud, and some of it merged into a blood-red creek. It looked like a crawling, red snake. The strong, pungent smell of blood permeated the air in the valley, silently denouncing the tragic slaughter and killing that happened not long ago. Xihongshi Chaojidan: I hugged the toilet bowl and vomited just now Laosiji Lianmeng: There are corpses everywhere over a battle for land. There are dead bodies everywhere over a battle for a city This is only 3,000 people. If you cant handle it, then stop watching the streaming as soon as possible. You dont want to be traumatized Qingshui Chu Furong: Does such a bloody and cruel streaming room really need to exist? Wont it inspire a large number of criminals? Why isnt it blocked yet? The streamer has killed people. The viewers are executioners as well! Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids, and a cold sneer hung on the corner of her lips. Host V: @Qingshui Chu Furong, If you cant stand watching it then get lost! Did people really think that she was a good-tempered streamer? The audience members were simply onlookers watching a show. In situations where matters of principle were not involved, she got along quite well with some of the viewers. That did not mean that she liked every viewer in the streaming room. There was no need to criticize her indiscriminately with such superior attitudes! She had to survive in the current world. It was impossible for her to spend her life attempting to satisfy their Virgin Mary-like benevolence. Chapter 409 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Clean up the battlefield and collect all the arrows that can be recovered. Jiang Pengji spat out the weed that was dangling from her mouth. She stood straight and looked far into the distance. She could vaguely see the city on the horizon. After the battlefield is cleaned up, rest for a while. Well besiege the city after dinner. Feng Jin frowned. Besiege the city at night? This is quite inappropriate. Jiang Pengji smiled and replied, A night battle is unfavorable for us, but its even more unfavorable for them. Feng Jin wanted to stop Jiang Pengji from taking the risk. They had too little troops on hand; they could not afford to gamble. Dont worry, Huaiyu. Im not a brainless, reckless person. Since Ive decided to besiege the city at night, I have a certain degree of assurance. Jiang Pengjis troops were all well-rounded. The training she gave was tedious and harsh. The dietary nutrition for each troop member was as balanced as possible. They practiced diligently under the supervision of General Coach Meng Hun. They were all skilled to varying degrees at night combat. Furthermore, many people in ancient timesCCespecially poor peopleCChad different degrees of night blindness due to an imbalance in their dietary nutrition. When there was a year of drought, they often had little food to eat, let alone a balanced diet. A very large proportion of them suffered from night blindness. Jiang Pengji was determined to conquer the nine states and become the Emporer. How could she stand by and do nothing? She did not live in Langye for three years for no reason. During a night battle, one would advance when the enemy retreated. 1,000 troops had quite a strong combatant value. Luo Yue took the group of imperial guards with him to help the troops clean up the battlefield. The troops contributed the most in garroting the Tsing Yi Army, while the imperial guards were more for show. Luo Yue took the initiative to look for Jiang Pengji and asked, Is there anything else that I can help you with? Jiang Pengji answered, Of course there is. Ill entrust the safety of tens of thousands of people to you. Luo Yue opened his mouth a few times. He wanted to participate in the siege, but the words lingered on his tongue. No matter how hard he tried, he could not speak. Jiang Pengji planned to fight the enemy at the forefront with her troops. The imperial guards under Luo Yes leadership would protect them from behind. People of good sense knew who was safer. Jiang Pengji looked at Luo Ye and asked with concern, Is there anything else? Luo Yue shook his head and responded, No. Ill leave now. The corpses of the 3,000 members of the Tsing Yi Army were dumped at the foot of the mountain and covered with dry, flammable straw. A huge flame set the dead bodies on fire. Jiang Pengji ordered someone to burn and clean up the corpses. None of her subordinates disagreed. One did not have to treat the enemys corpses well. During hot summer days, dead bodies easily attracted mosquitoes and flies. They would decay quickly. If they were not dealt with as soon as possible, it could give rise to an epidemic disease. Langjun repeatedly stressed the importance of disposing of the bodies, so of course, no one argued with her. They discovered a few horses that belonged to the Tsing Yi Army when they were pitching tents and cleaning up the battlefield. However, the horses were either dead or on the verge of dying due to severe injuries. Jiang Pengji ordered someone to slaughter the horses and cook some broth. The food was given to the people who cooperated with them during their operation. The people were still suffering from shock. To be honest, they were not particularly willing to be used as bait. After all, they were risking their lives! However, when they discovered that the troops had cooked some food for them after pitching tents and slaughtering horses, they were teary-eyed. The resentment in their hearts mostly disappeared. They could not help but feel ashamed. On the other hand, Jiang Pengji did not feel very emotional. She took the meat congee handed to her by the troops and gulped it down. Seasonings were very scarce in ancient times. They were in the middle of travel and would, at most, have some salt. It did not taste very good. However, it was nothing to be picky about. Prim and proper aristocrats like Feng Jin did not even complain, let alone Jiang Pengji. Qiguan Rang took everyone else to meet up with Jiang Pengji. I could see flames leaping to the sky from afar. I reckon you mustve had a landslide victory. Qiguan Rang no longer looked like a learned and refined scholar. The clogs under his feet were replaced with thick, straw sandals. He was wearing clothes that made moving about easier. His black hair was tied up with a hemp rope made of straw. Apart from his aura, he looked just like a farmer. Indeed. We had quite an easy win thanks to the enemys extreme foolishness. Jiang Pengji got up and hung her sword around her waist. She picked up two footlong daggers and placed them where she could easily get to them. The daggers usually hung in her room for decoration; however, she brought them along with her so she could kill the enemy. Qiguan Rang handed Jiang Pengji a handful of bows and a quiver. You must be careful tonight. If anything happened to her, everyones future would be uncertain. Just wait for my good news. Jiang Pengji received the bows and arrows with a smile. She carried them on her back, her quiver filled with arrows. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail with a hair tie and bundled with a cloth, making her look suave and neat. Judging solely from her current attire, she looked like a cool ranger in the marketplace novels instead of a knowledgeable scholar. Jiang Pengji suddenly remembered something and added, Right, the 3,000 members of the Tsing Yi Army have all been buried here. They may send someone out of the city to investigate. Be careful of night attacks. Qiguan Rang had seen the rising flames at the foot of the mountain from afar. It was difficult to know whether the Tsing Yi Army in the city had noticed them or not. They still needed to play it safe. Since Jiang Pengji took the people from Shangjing with her, she was responsible for their safety. Qiguan Rang solemnly replied with a bow, Dont worry. I vow to guard this place well. Ill wait for your good news. Im definitely not worried about the few of you staying behind. Jiang Pengji definitely could not take the scholars with her on the night attack. She simply asked them to protect the people with the 1,000 imperial guards. The terrain was high, and one could see everything far and near. If the Tsing Yi Army tried a surprise attack, her people could get by for a long time by relying on the terrain. Lets depart! When the sun began to set in the west and the hot wind gradually cooled, Jiang Pengji and the others headed towards the tall city walls. ****** In another place, the Tsing Yi Army discovered the unusual smoke in the distance and informed General Jiu about it. General Jiu was banqueting with the heroes at the residence of the district magistrate. They drank heavily and ate meat while they watched beautiful women dance. If they got excited, they would directly pull one into their arms to seek pleasure. The entire hall was filled with the smell of wine, meat, and the stench of obscenity. Even if one was far away, they could hear the mens wayward laughter and the womens trembling imploration. Its not a big deal. General Jiu was shirtless, revealing his strong upper body. He was cuddling a pretty woman with his left hand, and he took a bite of the meaty drumstick with his right hand. He continued indifferently, The weather is hot now. Arent fires to be expected? The member of the Tsing Yi Army who reported the fire opened his mouth and replied hesitantly, Deputy General, who left the city this afternoon, hasnt returned yet General Jiu sneered and responded, Why do you worry so much? Perhaps theyve made a clean sweep and theyre splitting the loot somewhere. They were all from the same bandit hideout, so he knew Deputy Generals greed very well. The private who reported wanted to speak, but General Jiu was impatient and threw the drumstick in his face. Get lost. Dont be an eyesore. Not long after, the atmosphere in the hall was lively once again. People were drinking, eating, and enjoying beautiful women. Little did they know that the soul reaper was on her way. Chapter 410 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XVI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The setting sun painted the sky a deep amber. The sky gradually darkened, but the torches on the city walls had not yet been lit. Jiang Pengji and the troops waited in ambush outside the city walls, patiently looking for an opportunity to attack. Everyone felt as though a storm was brewing. Although Meng Hun looked cold, he was kind-hearted and gentle. The troops dared to joke with him after completing their own training tasks, so the overall atmosphere was not too tense. However, Jiang Pengji was the leader. She did not say anything redundant, nor did she deliberately show that she was in charge. All she had to do was scan the troops with her cool eyes. From her look alone, they would straighten their bodies and become uncontrollably nervous. After receiving her glare, a troop member regained his senses and was shocked to find that his palms were sweating. It was true that different generals raised different soldiers. Jiang Pengji looked up at the sky. The moon was not too bright. Stay here. Ill attack the sentinels on the tower. Be carefulCCdont expose yourselves. Jiang Pengji measured the distance between where she was and the city wall with her eyes. She began to map out the safest route in her mind. Her black eyeballs lit up. The troops wanted to stop her, and Meng Hun disapproved of it. After all, it was too dangerous. As Jiang Pengjis private troops, they could not let Jiang Pengji be harmed in any wayCCeven if that meant that most of them had to die. Jiang Pengji glanced at everyone and smirked. Observe closely. As troops of the Liu family, you should know what to do. A true picked troop member isnt qualified just by simply shooting improved arrows. She gathered two bundles of ropes, then headed towards the tower. She moved swiftly, lightly, and so fast that she left her troops speechless. She was like the most dexterous black cat, weaving her way freely through the darkening shadows. Upon seeing her risky behavior, the troops held their breaths nervously. Their hearts hung in their throats. The troops did not expose themselves; they had undergone years of system training, so they were very skilled. Jiang Pengji rushed to the city gate with ease. Both of her hands accurately found the leverage point. She stuck to the wall like a gecko and climbed up it easily. After a short while, she was halfway up. Her troops stared at her in bewilderment. They could only see a black ball of shadows moving up the city wall because they were a bit far. However, there was no doubt that the shadow was their Langjun. Although most of the city walls were made of sand and stone, they were not smooth and seamless. It was very difficult to climb them as easily as she did. It was as if she was walking upon flat ground. The troops widened their eyes anxiously. Even the audience in the streaming room did not dare to use the bullet screens. Many skilled rock climbers in the modern era could have climbed up the city wall of the Xiangyang District But it was now a battlefield. If she was discovered by the enemy, she would have holes all over her body from flying arrows. Who could retain their composure and act normal under such high pressure? The city walls of the Xiangyang District were a lot lower than those of Shangjing City, and the bricks were not layered as neatly and opulently. Jiang Pengji hardly used any energy. A member of the Tsing Yi Army, who was standing guard nearby, yawned. Two drops of physiological tears rolled down from his eyes. He had yet to shut his mouth when a hint of coolness flashed across his neck. He was dead before the pain even reached his brain. After Jiang Pengji killed the member of the Tsing Yi Army, she climbed over the wall and hurled him down the tower. Poof The body fell down the city wall. Beneath the tower was mud and lush greenery. The body landing on the ground hardly produced a sound. The Tsing Yi Army member had been standing guard for a long time, so his neural reflex was slower. Jiang Pengji stepped on the city wall and drew a longbow. She nocked three arrows, instantly drawing them full. Poof Poof Poof The three arrows seemed to go off simultaneously. The arrows penetrated the necks of the Tsing Yi Army members from the side, piercing their tracheas. The three bodies of the Tsing Yi Army members collapsed. They did not make a single sound before they died, but the sound of the corpses collapsing alarmed the other Tsing Yi soldiersArmy members standing guard. Jiang Pengji rolled over and hid in the shadows formed by the walls. It was even darker there than in other places. What was that sound? WhoCC Due to the darkening night sky, he could not see what happened clearly. He only realized that the figure that was three feet away from him had disappeared. Something fell from the sentry tower when he took a step forward. He carefully widened his eyes, and there was a pain in his throat. An arrow appeared in front of him. He had yet to process how the arrow appeared before everything went black and he felt dizzy. Jiang Pengji thought, There are not many of them on the sentry tower She swiftly killed the two sentinels on the sentry tower. Then, she dealt with the Tsing Yi soldiersArmy members on the city walls with ease. Jiang Pengjis brain was like a high-speed instrument, calmly calculating and analyzing the enemies nearby and their locations. How quickly she killed them was even more shocking. Soon, every member of the Tsing Yi Army on the wall was dead. A viewer in the streaming room counted the number of dead bodies, and the fine hair on his body stood on end. Jiang Pengjis breathing was steady. It was not noticeable that she had just killed more than 40 people by herself. She tied two ropes onto the pilaster and released them. At that moment, the troops fell into action. They climbed up the wall quickly. Jiang Pengji could only carry a limited number of ropes, so the troops bundled and released new ropes as they reached the top of the wall. More than 200 troops made it up the wall quickly. The sun had set completely. After another 15 minutes, the people on duty would be relieved, and the torches would be lit. Jiang Pengji made a few signals with her hands, and the troops understood her tacitly. She did not use the stairs to descend from the wall. She directly pulled a rope and quickly landed on the ground in the shadows. Oh There was a short and light crooning sound as Jiang Pengji broke the necks of the unarmed guards at the city gate. She hid their bodies in the shadows of the city pits. She opened the bolt on the gate and let the rest of the troops in. Due to the atrocities of the Tsing Yi Army, the people of the city did not dare to go out at night. They were afraid they would be killed if they ran into the rioters. The streets were desolate. There were tens of thousands of members of the Tsing Yi Army in the Xiangyang District, but they were split up in order to cover the various city gates. The personnel was scattered; they could not assemble immediately, and they were not a threat. Jiang Pengji entered the city, her troops following behind. Of course, the ease did not mean that the siege would go smoothly. Follow my lead! Jiang Pengji waved her hand and planned to directly besiege the district headquarters of the Xiangyang District. After they left the city gate, members of the Tsing Yi Army finally noticed the corpses on the city wall and the rope on the pilaster. An attack from the enemy has been discovered at the west city gate! A terrifying scream broke the silence of the night. When the Tsing Yi Army rushed to the west city gate, Jiang Pengji and the troops had already branched out into two flanks. A massacre was about to begin. Chapter 411 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XVII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin was right when he said that Jiang Pengji had the personality of a gambler. Jiang Pengji and Meng Hun headed off in two different directions. Jiang Pengji only had about 50 people with her. The remaining 900 troops were all led by Meng Hun. They were awaiting the opportunity to attack near the only pathway to the west city gate. If Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji dared to attack the district headquarters with only 50 people, he might have fainted from anger. The audience in the streaming room felt their hearts could not take it anymore. They knew the streamer was bold, but not that bold. She planned to take a detour and forcefully attack the district headquarters. Host V: The ringleader has to be captured first to capture his followers. Although I think thats nonsense, the people in this era believe it. If they were in the era that Jiang Pengji was from, even if the Regimental Commander died in a battle, the soldiers under his command would not stop fighting. The Regimental Commander was their leader. He was indeed their leader, but he was not their only motivation. Yingyang Kuaixian: But I mean, what if the leader of the Tsing Yi Army isnt in the district headquarters? When the bullet screen was posted, it was immediately overwhelmed by countless bullet screens from other viewers. Laosiji Lianmeng: Bloody hell. Dont say anything that will jinx them. Youre going to scare people. Yongshouzhi Capipi: Bah, bah, bah Take back everything you just said. Its inauspicious! Qingshan Leiluo: Dont ever say such words. If it comes true and the streamer dies, what are those waiting for drug rehabilitation going to do? The streamers room has saved countless teenagers, youth, and middle-aged people that have gone astray. When Jiang Pengjis streaming room first started, no one believed in time travel. However, as time went by, the room grew in popularity. However, the number of open spaces was limited, so each one was extremely precious. Before the streaming room emerged, time travel and another world were words that only appeared in novels. Now that they were a reality, it was easy to understand the attraction. Many people were unable to obtain a spot in the streaming room, so their only choice was to watch the recorded video on a special, official website. Some time ago, a foreign student appeared in the trending topics because of the Jiang Pengjis room. He thought about the streaming room all day and nightso much so that he actually quit his stubborn drug addiction! Watching the streaming to quit drugs became a well-known gag. Jiang Pengji chuckled. She could promptly accomplish her task with ease. Not only were her actions unimpeded, but she even had the energy to look at the bullet screen. Host V: There must be something big happening in the district headquarters. Notice how the Xiangyang District is in total darkness tonight; no household has their lamps lit. Its not that theyre so poor that they cant afford to light their lamps They just dont dare to do so. The district headquarters is the only bright place! Ordinary households were only willing to light their lamps when it was pitch-black outside. There were two situations in which people would light their lamps when it was not completely dark yet: One was if they were rich, willful, and not short of money; the other was if they were banqueting guests, which provided them a reason to light the lamps early. When Jiang Pengji stood on the city wall, she had observed the district. The district headquarters were luminous. One could see the lights from afar. Based on that, she assumed there was something huge happening in the district headquarters! Many viewers commented about how awesome she was. They were nervous that, with her being so capricious, she would be criticized by strategists when she returned. Kouzhejiao Chifan: Ill make a suggestion. The streamers subordinates shouldnt address her as a lord. They should call her a small princess. Even a real princess could not achieve her waywardness! Many people copied the bullet screen as soon as it appeared. The screen was full of the words small princess, which gave Jiang Pengji goosebumps. Guicai Guofengxiao: I dont want to visit the streamers grave and burn incense during Tomb Sweeping Day next year. Stop posting bullet screens so she wont be distracted. Why were the viewers creating a disturbance during such a tense moment? The words were useful. The number of bullet screens slowly decreased until the screen was clear. Just then, Jiang Pengji and the others arrived at the district headquarters. The news of the west city gate being attacked reached the district headquarters. She drew her bow, a sneer on her face, and shot a messenger that was about to speak; an arrow pierced through his neck before he could get a word out. Blood trickled down the sharp arrow. The messengers eyes were wide, and it looked as though they were about to pop out. He died with an incredulous look on his face. Upon seeing the situation, the guard drew in a deep breath and tried to yell out that there was an enemy attack. However, his heart and brain were pierced by arrows when he had yet to open his mouth. At that moment, the patrolling guard heard the noise. He was about to yell out when he faced the same fate as his comrade. Jiang Pengji climbed over the walls with the troops. There were many members of the Tsing Yi Army in the courtyard. She put away her longbow with a sneer and pulled a sword out from her waistband. Whether it was close combat or long-range assassination, nobody could stand against her. Jiang Pengji was at the forefront. Her sword stroked a silver ray in the air before blood splattered everywhere. The video for the streaming room followed Jiang Pengjis every movement. The audience was excited, yet terrified, of Jiang Pengjis malevolence. On television, the protagonist, at most, wounded someone while they hacked them with a knife. Occasionally, the person would die. However, Jiang Pengji was not acting. There was no way someone would die from just a few strokes of a sword. She hacked the persons body in two. It was not an exaggeration to say she did it with a shocking amount of ease. The amount of strength she used was unimaginable. The audience in the streaming room could not comprehend her strength. The troops that were with her could not even think about it. Jiang Pengji acted quickly and accurately. Every move was directed at the enemies vital arteries. She either instantly chopped off their heads or hacked their bodies in two. Her hands, clothes, face, and sword were all stained with blood. Theres an enemy attack! There are enemies! Stop these thieves The Tsing Yi Army in the district headquarters yelled out as they tried to stop Jiang Pengjis troops from moving forward. Without exception, they were all cut in half. There were 40 to 50 corpses covering the yard between the gate and the door. The members of the Tsing Yi Army that lost their lives with one swift motion were all killed by Jiang Pengji. The bodies that were intact and struggling on the ground were all attacked by her troops. No matter how sharp a sword was, the strength required to hack a persons body in two was unimaginable. If a person was not halved on the first attempt, then their muscles would hold the blade in place. The sword would be immovableCit could not be pulled out, nor could it go any deeper. That would be the waste of a weapon. However, Jiang Pengji did not have that concern. It was not because her sword was very sharp, but solely because she was strong. She could halve a corpse with a blunt knife. She killed people on her first try. Her troops keenly cooperated with her commands. With Jiang Pengji acting as a buffer at the forefront, no one was killed or injured. Inside, General Jiu was somewhat drunk. His subordinates were staggering along as they fondled pretty women. General Jiu heard the noise outside and became alert. He shoved the beautiful woman on his lap away. Suppressing his anger, he yelled, Whats going on? Why is it so noisy outside? No one answered, but through the paper door, he could see people moving around in a panic. Get my weapon! Chapter 412 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XVIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When General Jiu stood up, he was almost eight feet tall. He was so stalwart that he looked like a mountain of meat. The veins on his arms and forehead were bulging. He snorted. With a somewhat sinister look on his rough face, he grabbed two huge copper hammers. At that moment, his subordinates woke up one by one. They broke out of their tired trance when they heard the commotion outside. No longer caring about the flesh and fragrance of the beauties surrounding them, they grabbed some clothes and put them on. However, they had drunk too much and run wild for too long. Their legs felt like jelly. General Jiu pushed the door open with an enormous amount of strength. As soon as he stepped into the hall, a human head rolled towards his feet. He lowered his head to look at it. A pair of lifeless eyes stared at him, which made the hair on his arms stand on end. WhyCCwhat a huge discovery! General Jius head snapped up at Jiang Pengjis mockery. His eyes shot daggers towards her. Jiang Pengji had fought continuously, so she was stained with viscous blood from head to toe. She no longer had the usual grace of a scholar. She wore a ruthless and murderous look on her face. She looked like a ghost that crawled out from the lowest depths of hell. Who are you? I wont kill a worthless person! General Jiu exuded confidence upon seeing a lack of troops with Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengjis size was confusing. Many people believed the burlier ones body was, the greater ones strength and lethality. According to that standard, Jiang Pengji was a paper figure that would drift away when the wind blew. In General Jius mind, she was not a threat, so he did not take her seriously. He was more concerned about the people around her trying to protect her. They were all aces in fighting and killing. Jiang Pengji spat a mouthful of bloody saliva and revealed a willful, evil smile. A scarlet hue flashed across her eyes. She did not speak. Instead, she dashed forward. She was in front of General Jiu in an instant. They came to grips after an exchange of hot words. Who still cared about scheming on the battlefield? One would either live or die. General Jiu initially wanted to put up a front, but he did not expect Jiang Pengji to play against the rules. She was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. He subconsciously raised his hammer to block the sharp blade of her sword. Clank The sound made ones teeth ache. After the strike, an extremely deep mark was left on the copper hammer. General Jiu was appalled. The skin between his thumb and index finger on his right hand was cut. The wound oozed bright, scarlet blood, staining his entire palm. Due to the enormous force, he struggled to grip the handle of his hammer. Even so, his mountain-like body was shaken, and he forcibly took three to four steps backward. If he had not stabilized his center of gravity, he would have fallen to the ground in embarrassment. General Jiu was extremely shocked. Jiang Pengji held the blade in one hand, then swiftly pulled out a footlong sword from her waist with her left hand. With a poof, the white blade plunged into someones neck. The soldier had tried a sneak attack while she was distracted, but Jiang Pengji stopped him. While General Jiu was stabilizing his center of gravity, Jiang Pengji killed two more people. Dash forward and get him! General Jiu was a banditCChe had killed many people and had a full record of crimes and misdeedsCChowever, he could not match up to Jiang Pengji. In the face of her forceful attack, General Jiu grew cowardly. A few of his subordinates wanted to take Jiang Pengji down. They attempted to use their advantage of numbers to complete the task at hand. After all, she had already broken away from the troops protection and entered their encirclement. However, sometimes strength had nothing to do numbers. Even if there were more people on General Jius side than Jiang Pengjis, there was no use. She was not scared of fighting 100 people by herself. It was as if there were eyes in the back of her head. Their sneak attacks were completely in vain. The knife in her hand was like the soul-reaping sickle of the King of Hell. The blade plunged into the enemys heart, temple, or neck. General Jiu was left with no room for retreat. He raised his two huge, heavy hammers and aimed for her head. She suddenly flipped backward, and her legs exerted strength at the same time. She slid backward like a fish. The spade in her right hand hacked General Jius knee with a gigantic amount of force, which broke his legs. Placing one hand on the ground, she kicked the attackers wrist with her legs. Then, she turned around and stood up. She slashed General Jius thick neck with the knife in her left hand. Blood spattered everywhere. She grabbed his bun when his head had yet to fall. Blood oozed from his wounds and covered the ground. General Jius eyes were still wide open. He looked shocked and appalled. His knees were intercepted and chopped off. His head was separated from his body. The remaining parts of his body collapsed to the ground with a thud. Jiang Pengji held General Jius head in her right hand and shouted, Enemies will be beheaded, but those who surrender wont be killed! She killed those who still wanted to attack her without mercy. The others had no intention of battling her, and their egos were almost crushed. They could only unwillingly surrender their weapons. At that moment, countless bullet screens broke out in the otherwise quiet streaming room. When they saw Jiang Pengji fall into the enemys encirclement, the audience members hearts were in their throats; they almost forgot how to breathe. Seeing her robust body and how she handled the enemy with skill and ease, they could not help but cheer for her. Some of them got so excited that they flushed. They had never had such zealous and exciting visual enjoyment, even when they were watching the most thrilling martial arts film. It was because they knew no matter how real the movie was, it was still fake. Everything in the streaming room was real. It was as if Jiang Pengji was walking on a wire high above the ground. She would fall into the bottomless hell if she was careless. She did not want her head to be chopped off by the enemy, so she could only chop off the enemys heads. Stumps and broken skeletons covered the walkway from the entrance of the district headquarters to the hall. Blood flowed everywhere, and the pungent smell assailed peoples noses. The members of the Tsing Yi Army that were lucky enough to live laid down their arms and surrendered one after another. They did not have the slightest intention of fighting. ****** Right before Jiang Pengji took the troops with her to besiege the district headquarters, a battle begun on Meng Huns side. The Tsing Yi Army near the west door rushed over when they heard the news. There were more and more people gathering. The Tsing Yi Army didnt expect for an ambush to be waiting for them. Archery was a compulsory course for every troop member. They had to spend at least two hours every day in specialty training for the program. They trained hard every day. The improved arrows had sights on them that were continuously upgraded to help them improve their aim. Under such conditions, the troops were not considered skilled shooters yet, but they were able to shoot every target. Their accuracy was at least nine out of ten. Their current target was not the bobbing heads of the Tsing Yi Army, but Meng Hun commanded the troops with gestures. The troops laid down their knives and shot their arrows. The torches of the Tsing Yi Army dropped to the ground. There was only a dim light permeating the area. The places the light reached were limited. Everywhere else was cloaked in darkness. The Tsing Yi Army was thrown into a panic by the sudden darkness. In the next second, a storm of arrows assailed them. The horrifying cries of the Tsing Yi Army filled the air. People were continuously shot down by arrows. After a short while, the ground was littered with the dead bodies of the Tsing Yi Army. After several rounds of shooting, the places where the troops waited in ambush were exposed. The screams in those places attracted even more enemies. The casualties increased inevitably. Upon seeing the situation, Meng Hun gave an order to carry on the fight while they retreated. Retreat for now! A strategic retreat was meant for greater victories and minimal casualties. Tsing Yi Army, well take our time! Chapter 413 - Dominating Xiangyang (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji mentioned before that most people in the current era suffered from night blindness. Most of the members of the Tsing Yi Army were essentially blind if they did not have a torch at night. A group of blind men was just a moving target to the troops. Where did they go? one of them asked. Have you found it? I havent! Have the thieves escaped? someone responded. Go to the other side and search again Where are the thieves? Report immediately once you have information. The members of the Tsing Yi Army raised their torches, illuminating the alleyway as if it were daytime. However, apart from the hundreds of corpses, they did not discover any trace of the enemy at all. The Tsing Yi Army was jittery. They were furious, but at the same time, they developed a fear that could not be suppressed. The enemy seemed to come and go like shadows. Meng Hun smiled as he watched the Tsing Yi Army rush over in batches. He gave the order for the troops to wait, nock their arrows, and aim. Buzz, buzz, buzz In the darkness, lethal arrows whizzed by. That time, they did not aim for the torches, but the heads of the Tsing Yi Army. Poof The members of the Tsing Yi Army did not even have time to scream. A deadly chill spread through their bodies from the soles of their feet before they collapsed on the ground. Theyre here Someone noticed the sound of astir and wanted to scream to warn the others, but he followed in his comrades footsteps. The range of the improved arrows gave the troops a great long-range advantage. The sky was dark that night. Thick, dark clouds covered the moon. The troops waited in the dark, far away from the Tsing Yi Army. They had firmly gained the upper hand. After a few sneak attacks, the dead bodies piled up. The blood of the dead formed a small stream, flowing along the gap of the slate. The night wind blew, carrying a strong smell of rust and telling the story of a tragic battle that once happened there. The Tsing Yi Army continuously rushed over, and they kept getting killed. The number of souls of the deceased was constantly increasing. Under such a formidable death threat, many of them were on the verge of a mental breakdown. They lost their cool. They were once commoners that carried hoes and farmed diligently. Now, they were violent rioters that carried hatchets and shoulder poles. However, soul-reaping messengers had come to them when they had yet to live a happy life. The people around them were taken away one by one. It would soon be their turn! Meng Hun noticed that the arrows in the quivers had been used up. He spat, then pulled out the broadsword on his waist with a swish. With a fierce look in his eyes, he jumped down from the eaves and yielded his sword. Attack! Ahhhh Screams rang through the area. The head of a member of the Tsing Yi Army was hacked into two from the top. His brain plasma and blood spattered everywhere. Meng Hun pulled out his sword and slaughtered another member of the Tsing Yi Army. Behind him, more and more troops charged forward. Warfare broke out in the alleyway. The cries of the Tsing Yi Army echoed nonstop. Compared to long-range shootings, killing with a sword was far from quick. However, it was undoubtedly more destructive. The troops knew how to work together and fight well. The Tsing Yi Army were like headless flies. They were not even wearing defensive outfits. Even though there were more people in the Tsing Yi Army than there were troops, the situation of the battle was one-sided. How could the people in the vicinity sleep soundly when they heard the commotion outside? After the earthquake, the already impoverished Xiangyang District was in a state of devastation. Many died in the earthquake. The people had little food to eat, but the district government was completely indifferent until the Xiangyang District was besieged. The Tsing Yi Army committed many crimes, hence the people in the Xiangyang District assumed danger from every sound and mistook every bush and tree for an enemy. The doors of every house were tightly shut. They refused to step out of their houses regardless if it was day or night. Now, the Tsing Yi Army was battling with an unknown, strange force. Many people could only tremble, hide in their homes, and block their doors. After 15 minutes, the screaming gradually subsided, but the bloody smell in the air grew stronger and stronger. At that moment, shouts of excitement spread throughout the streets and alleys. Enemies will be beheaded, and those who surrender wont be killed! Enemies will be beheaded, and those who surrender wont be killed! Enemies will be beheaded, and those who surrender wont be killed! The resounding voices rang through the city. Every troop member shouted, and it gradually spread across the entire Xiangyang District. Upon hearing the shouts, Meng Hun pulled his sword out from a dead body with a swish. He could no longer keep count of how many people he had killed. Most of the troop members had killed so many people that they didnt realize how much time had passed. The exciting news rang in their ears, bringing them back to their senses. They pulled themselves together. Many of them realized their arms were sore and weak. Their muscles dilated, which stretched their skin and made them wince in pain. Some troop members were panting heavily. They were carefree and joyful. Most of them were wounded, but compared to death, their minor injuries were nothing. At that moment, there were very few members of the Tsing Yi Army that were still standing. Most of them were either dead, severely injured, or lingering on their last breath. When those that were still on the way heard about General Jius death, they were at a loss. Then, they abandoned their weapons and ran. Of course, there were still thousands of people that were held captive in the end. Meng Hun collected himself and said to the troops beside him, Clean up the battlefield. Bandage the wounds of the injured guys. As for the guys who have already fallen remember to lay them in a coffin, so its easier to lay them to rest later. The troops were not only Jiang Pengjis private soldiers but Meng Huns children whom he had raised. He spent a tremendous amount of effort on the troops for years. Losing each one of them made him feel as if a dagger had penetrated his heart. However, as a warrior, he understood a principle. It was an honor for those that were soldiers in their blood to die on the battlefield. Meng Hun wielded his sword with a blank expression to get rid of the blood on the blade. Then, he stored his sword in his scabbard. He had to meet with his Langjun as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. They needed to prevent a counterattack from the surviving members of the Tsing Yi Army. Jiang Pengji and the 50 or so troops she had with her occupied the district headquarters. They guarded the entrance, exit, and all the thoroughfares of the district headquarters. Seeing that Meng Hun had arrived with the rest, they saluted him. Meng Hun asked, Is Langjun all right? The two guards answered with adoration, Langjun is all right. Hes waiting for you in the hall. Meng Hun nodded and took a deep breath. He lifted his legs and entered the district headquarters. The district headquarters was still brightly lit, and the candles had not burned out. The corpses, which were already cold and bloodless, were still lying on the ground. No one laid them in a coffin. He did not look at them. He walked straight past the stumps and broken skeletons and. Jiang Pengji sat in the front of the hall. General Jius head sat on one side of her; his eyes were wide open. The blood, the luxurious decorations, and the unfinished food and wine on the table were like a round peg in a square hole. The audience in the streaming room kept trying to converse with Jiang Pengji. She swiped the bullet screens quickly, acting indifferent. She had been sitting in the front seat since the situation in the district headquarters stabilized; it was as if she was waiting for someone. Meng Hun strode in heavily, knelt in front of Jiang Pengji, and spoke w Chapter 414 - Dominating Xiangyang (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Quer: Your servant, Qu Shiyu, greets my lord! Laosiji Lianmeng: Your general Wan Zhixin, greets my lord! Kouzhejiao Chifan: Your humble servant, Liu Fangfang, greets my lord! Yumaodangtou Dingqingtian: Your general Mo Maomao, greets my lord! When Meng Hun knelt before Jiang Pengji and acknowledged her as his lord, the livestreaming room erupted in a commotion as many in the audience followed suit. They all knew that this livestreaming room broadcasted livestreams about palace infighting. The Streamer once mentioned she despised palace infighting; she was determined to ascend the throne. Yet years have passed and she hasnt made her move. Many viewers even speculated with ill intentions that Jiang Pengji was only boasting. Meng Huns action is now undoubtedly a foreboding From tonight henceforth, their streamer is truly about to ascend the heavens. Jiang Pengjis lips moved into a smile, her cold and stiff face warming as she held Meng Hun up, saying, Youve worked hard tonight. Meng Hun rose spontaneously and grinned, revealing a mouth full of snow-white teeth. My lord, this is not so. If we measure who contributed most to the success of this endeavour, it is unequivocally you, my lord. Your servant dares not claim credit. He has not felt a joy like this since that fateful year when he rebelled against the Mengs: he felt especially overjoyed tonight. He felt his entire being come to life, his blood flowing in excitement. Even though he was stained in blood from head to toe, and smelled like it too, he felt more at peace than hed been in years. If it was someone else, they might think Meng Huns words stemmed from bootlicking, but Jiang Pengji knew these words flowed from a heartfelt and genuine respect. Her smile deepened gradually, and her eyes softened and became warm. The credit due to you cannot be robbed. Get someone to hang this head on the city walls. When Wenzheng and the rest sees, they will understand. As she spoke, she lifted her legs to kick General Jius head. The head rolled, as if a ball Meng Hun nodded in submission, Your servant will arrange this now. How many prisoners does Tsing Yi army have? Jiang Pengji shouted for Meng Hun stopped, then said, In order to conquer the city, I wonder how many men were sacrificed, including military trainer Luoyues 1000 imperial guards taking all into account its about 2000. Presently, Tsing Yi armys 100,000 men cannot guard the city, much less those of us who are fewer in numbers all the more humiliating. If there are soldiers from Tsing Yi army who willingly surrender, we will consider taking them in. Stabilising the situation is of utmost importance now. Meng Huns face had a hint of embarrassment, he felt itd be dangerous if the number of prisoners amounted to 2000. Tsing Yi army has more than 10,000 manpower, 3000 deployed out of the city during the day, and approximately 500 were exterminated. He divided his troops and led a coalesce to ambush the nearby Tsing Yi army at the east gate whereby they defeated at least 3000 of their enemies. After General Jiu met his defeat, it frightened another group of men who escaped accounting for this, the remaining prisoners from Tsing Yi army is less than 2000. Jiang Pengji read his expression, her heart was moved, saying, We are temporarily incorporating them in to make up the numbers. Meng Hun was astonished, Make up the numbers? Yes, the Xiangyang district may have been won, but we cannot guarantee that another wave of Tsing Yi army will not descend on us and wreak havoc. We are in need of people now. When the situation in Xiangyang district stabilises, I intend to enlist recruits all over again, the criteria will be stricter as the quality is more valuable than quantity. Meng Hun understood Jiang Pengjis motives and he heaved a sigh of relief. How does my lord intend to deal with the corpses of the rebels? Having experienced the earthquake in Shangjing, Meng Hun has some reservations towards corpses, fearing that after the dead body decomposed, an epidemic may emerge or contaminate the water sources. Jiang Pengji didnt even lift her head to speak, Send them directly out of town to be burnt. When the occasion calls for it, we must attend in accordance to it. We are lacking in manpower, after assuming responsibility in the Xiangyang district, there are many other things to do, from whence do we have extra hands to dig a hole to bury them? The sun is shining upon us in its full intensity, if left for long, the dead bodies will rotso dealing with them earlier is ideal. Remember to bury them in a secluded area. As she spoke, she could not help but notice Meng Huns appearance. Jiang Pengji had a fine set of fighting abilities, though outwardly she may have looked pathetic and bloody, the blood on her was shed by others. Meng Hun had the capabilities of an average man. Though the battle was in the dark and disordered, he was ferocious and unafraid of death he fought courageously with all his might, and his arms, shoulder blades, back and other body parts sustained injuries. If he did not take care of them and the injury festered or becomes infected, that would spell trouble. Right, Ill get some men to get you water to clean your wounds, she said. If the wound festers, youll suffer for nothing. After hearing this, Meng Huns heart was comforted. He responded gratefully, Thank you, my lord, for your concern. Meng Hun carried General Jius severed head and walked to the door to summon a troop. He ordered him to hang the head on the west gate of the city. Send more men to guard the district headquarters well, to safeguard the lords safety. Stay alert, all of you, theres no room for any negligence. Even though more than half of Tsing Yi army has been vanquished within Xiangyang district, they could not ignore the possibility that their enemies may rise up against them. Yes, sir! C Without attending to her own image, she called for someone. Where are the ladies in the hall just now? That troops face turned red with embarrassment and said, Does Langjun want to see them all? Jiang Pengji raised her brows and said, Call me lord. He corrected his words, then asked again, Does my lord want to see them all? Yes. Jiang Pengji nodded. When she rushed in for a kill, she noticed not just General Jiu and the rest but also 20 over scantily dressed women in the hall. Back then the situation was messy, Jiang Pengji could not vouch for their safety. Now that things have become peaceful, they should be given a place to settle down. The troops are a group of officials, even if strict rules and discipline govern their head, one cannot guarantee that they wont have lustful thoughts and act upon them. After all, these troops came from a background of bandits. Jiang Pengji understood very well what bandits are like. Shortly after, the ladies who were locked up at the small woodshed by the side hall were brought before them. They all looked downcast, some had solemn faces, others were trembling in fear, still others from their appearance to their eyes, were dumbfounded, as if walking puppets. Jiang Pengji took her seat and the ladies recognized her. They recalled her indomitable look when she barged in to kill and receded in fear. My lord, the people you asked for have been brought over. Jiang Pengji glanced at the women, then shifted her eyes towards the soldiers. She asked plainly, Did you guys bully them? Their faces turned deathly while, they lowered their voice saying, We did not bully themonly when jostling, its inevitable that well touch a bit The internal rules the troops observe are clear and strict. Whoever disobeys, there are serious consequences awaiting. They know their limits. Expectedly, men of all ages have natural urges. Jiang Pengji is very sympathetic, she never expected them to be devoid of desires and be content with being single like a monk. To resolve this awkwardness, she gave Meng Hun a prior notice that every soldier is allowed to act impulsively once a month. They could decide what to do with their time that day. So long as, they didnt beat up or murder others, breaking the rules commanded and warned against, she would turn a blind eye to the rest. Consequently, if they disobeyed the rules she set, they would be in a sorry state. You are honest, leave us. Search within the district magistrate for clothes with thicker material and give it to the ladies. That guy experienced saving grace, he hurriedly got up and left. After leaving, he discreetly raised his hands to wipe his forehead, in relief he took a long deep breath. Facing the chief military master, Meng Hun, he could still hold his bearing. Yet when faced with his lord, he stammered even when speaking. Chapter 415 - Dominating Xiangyang (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Presently, Jiang Pengji and those pitiful women remained in the hall. The first words that emerged from her mouth are I have no interest for you, theres no need to be so uptight. Ignoring the reaction of these women, the audience in the livestreaming room held her in high regard. Quer: Sneers streamer, are you trying to comfort or frighten them. Laowusuo Desui: Yes, it feels like you are threatening them. Laosiji Lianmeng: Theres nothing wrong with the streamers words. She is a female, of course shes not interested in women. Its a known fact amongst the livestream audiences that shes a female, a lady whos more manly than regular men. Nonetheless, these ladies who were hurt are clueless. Which family are you all from? At daylight tomorrow, I will send some men to escort you back. After she finished speaking, the ladies below still did not move, they just nodded their heads quietly, some were trembling intermittently. Jiang Pengji frowned, If you dont dare to voice up, I will accept that youve consented to staying. As you know, goddess like ladies like yourselves living amongst men, what the consequences will be. As such, will you continue to keep silent and be unwilling to return to your loved ones? Then, a person with slender figure, roughly 15 to 16 years old kneeled in a heartbeat. Her eyes were bloodshot and teary, she sobbed and said, Your servant is once a rich businessmans daughter. Those beasts killed your servants entire family, so I am the sole survivor. How do you expect me to return? Yet to stay and be at the mercy of others, your servant is absolutely unwilling. Only have pity on me and give me a decisive end. With one, theres a second, following which another lady, kneeling to air her grievance, she slowly bowed down with her entire being. Compared to General Jius fiercesome features, Jiang Pengji is born slim and appears more harmless. Even if blood overflows on her now, her overall presence is more compassionate than General Jius. Jiang Pengji rubbed her eyebrows, and asked in response, If you all had the intention to die, why are your still alive? When these words proceeded out of her mouth, their expression had a drastic change, the last bit of life on their faces faded. How could Jiang Pengji not know of their little schemes, wouldnt they just doubt and assume that she is lying about letting them go? She had a pure heart that was twisted and misunderstood by otherseven she was discouraged. I have no ill intentions by saying this. Jiang Pengji spread out her hands, clarifying herself saying, Since I agreed to send men to escort you home, I will surely do so. The Tsing Yi army are violent mobs, they are full of sins and view lives as insignificant. However, I am ordered personally by the Emperor to assume the role of district magistrate in the Xiangyang district. In this region, you are part of the citizens I oversee, why would I harm you? Ai, if you all really have nowhere to go, I will think of a solution to let you settle down. Dont be worried, I will definitely not allow anyone to humiliate you. Just when she finished, the change in the ladies expression was exciting to behold. Never have they imagined in their dreams that this youth, who kills without batting an eye, would be the newly appointed district magistrate of the Xiangyang district! The first young lady stammered saying, You-youre really the district magistrate? Yes, do I have to show you the imperial edict the Emperor gave me? Jiang Pengji asked in return. The other party shook her head as if a rattle, her head slowly lost signs of blood flow and appeared awkward. If Jiang Pengji was truly the district magistrate, she will surely not force them. In other words, she was genuinely willing to help them. Only they really didnt have homes to return to. Jiang Pengji sighed and continued, Please stay in the district headquarters temporarily. After I settle everything down, I will then consider whats best for you. As for those who lost all their possessions to the Tsing Yi army, if it is indeed found to be true, the money will be returned to you at the shortest time possible. Thank you district magistrate, the women said in unison. Hualian Chaoshi: Yi, streamer, do you intend to return their family possessions to them? Arent you in dire need of money and rations now? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes in her heart. In the viewers eyes, was she such a greedy person? Streamer V: I am lacking in manpower not rations. She, Jiang Pengji, was not poor to the extent where she has to rob destitute ladies of their family possessions! The ladies hearts remained anxious, but Jiang Pengjis standpoint gave them hope. C Longhu boardwalk is surrounded by two mountain tops. Qiguan Rang couldnt sleep all night, in his bosom lay the feathered fan that never left his body, he looked worried as he saw afar off. Seems like we overestimated that unruly group. Initially he thought the Tsing Yi army would pull a sudden attack on them, who knows after being on standby the whole night, even their shadows were nowhere in sight. Feng Jin used his sleeve to cover his face as he yawned briefly, Wait till after daylight breaksif theres still no commotion, thatll be good news. Luoyue turned to Qiguan Rang on his left, then to Feng Jin on his right and lastly, opposite him, to Xu Ke who knitted his brows tightly, anxious to the point of squeezing a mosquito dead between them. Deep in his heart he sneered that being on night duty was not meant for scholarly men. The latter half of the night just passed, the three of them couldnt take it anymore. Luoyue modestly consulted Feng Jin, I do not really understand what Master Huaiyu is getting at. Feng Jin answered, If the enemies attack at the latter half of the night, that means that Langjun has met with trouble. The Tsing Yi army is not only entangled with Langjun but also has additional troops to send and carry out a surprise attack on our camp base. Contrarily, if by dawn theres no commotion, Langjun is most likely to have succeeded. Qiguan Rang fanned himself with one hand, then used wood to manoeuvre the flames saying, Send someone to go check the status at the citys east gate. Luoyue questioned, What status? Go check if heads are hung in the city walls. If its a strangers head, Langjun is victorious. Conversely if on the wall hangs Qiguan Rang spoke till here then stopped, If so, we have to think of an escape route for these people and settle them down. Luoyues expression became heavy-hearted then he responded, Luoyue will arrange for it now. As he watched Luoyue depart, Qiguan Rang asked Xu Ke, How likely will Langjun succeed this time? How can Wenzheng not know whats the fighting capabilities of the troops? Xu Ke asked in return. All 1000 troops are equipped with improved versions of bows and handheld weapons, this is where most of the money was invested in for the troops. Having poured so much money into it, how could they reap no benefits? If they cant even deal with the 10,000 in the Tsing Yi army, then what was the point of fighting on. The smile on Qiguan Rangs face became somewhat more sincere. He remarked, I may know this, but a battle has many unforeseen circumstances, who can strategize flawlessly? All three of them looked towards the bonfire, all lost in their differing thoughts. It was destined to be a difficult night, no one was in the mood for sleeping. A ray of golden light rose from the east, burning the morning fog away, dispelling the downcast and dark night away. Qiguan Rang rubbed his dry and sore eyes, then used his tongue to moisturise his dry lips. He appeared composed but his heart was already beating nervously. He stood up straight, gazed into the large city pond, hidden behind the morning fog, from a distance and secretly prayed. Incoming report A loud shout broke the silence of the morning, all three of them clenched their fists tight. The west facing gate hangs a mighty warriors head. Its the commander of the Tsing Yi army, General Jius head! Chapter 416 - Dominating Xiangyang (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio We succeeded? At this, all three of them had a shared understanding as these two words floated in their heads. Their inner mood was turbulent, and could not be calmed. Feng Jins and Qiguan Rangs reactions could be considered composed and mature. They didnt reveal much expression. Xu Ke was so aggravated that he stood up. Due to his excitement, his voice sounded flustered and trembled somewhat. Are you certain the head hung on the city gates belong to the Tsing Yi army, bandit? The imperial guard, their informant, cupped his hand saying, Your servant specially disguised himself as a commoner and went to the west city gate at the Xiangyang district to gather information. I discovered that the city gates are wide open and the men on guard arent from Tsing Yi army, but the Liu district magistrates personal guards. I feared this might be a ploy and tarried on to question the people who went in and out of the city. The head hung, without doubt, belongs to the bandit leader. After receiving this news, Xu Ke heaved a long sigh of relief. The fatigue from worrying all night overwhelmed him. His eyes unexpectedly darkened and his ankles uncontrollably took a step backwards. He almost lost his footing. Luckily, Qiguan Rang was by his side, and he lent his hand and supported him, thus relieving him from the tragedy of having an intimate session with the ground. Feng Jin spoke to Luoyue who rushed over, Ive to trouble military trainer Luoyue to dismantle the tent and prepare to set off. Langjun just took over Xiangyang district, with only some men under her, I fear that she cannot handle the situation. To prevent the remnants of Tsing Yi army from escaping and calling for reinforcements, I implore military trainer Luo to provide support with more men. This is my job, Master Huaiyu doesnt have to be so formal, Luoyue said modestly. Upon knowing that Jiang Pengji victoriously dominated the Xiangyang district, the people who followed became excitable. Many clasped their hands and sincerely thanked all the gods and deities. They are hopeful that theyll have a place to settle down now, and perhaps even for generations to come since the Xiangyang district has been won. Jiang Pengji never let the people suffer throughout the journey. However, compared to a nomadic lifestyle, they preferred a peaceful and comfortable environment. Packing their bags, the people followed the imperial guards to the Xiangyang district where they slowly inched nearer Feng Jin briefly groomed his outward appearance to make himself look fresher and cleaner. Then he climbed onto the horse carriage where Wei Jingxian did her confinement. If we must decide who has the best days amongst them all, its most likely Wei Jingxian and her daughter. Your husband needs to lean and rest a while Within the horse carriage sat his wife and daughter. Feng Jin was dead tired as he leaned lazily against the carriage. He bent his knee and lifted one leg, he bent the other and curled it up underneath him. He minimised the space he occupied, his eyelids as heavy as if someone forced water containing lead into them. Hes still considered alright; he can seek solace and laze here with his wife and close his eyes briefly. Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang have to depend on sole grit to keep awake and ride on. Without comparison, there isnt hurt. Under the dedicated service of the maidens, Wei Jingxians confinement passed by rather smoothly, her body is also recovering well. Shes brimming with energy as she leaned against the carriage, she sat half her body up, Are we about to enter the city? Before she slept yesterday, she vaguely heard news that Jiang Pengji is going to assault their enemies last night with some men. If Jiang Pengjis endeavour failed, her husband will surely not have such a calm demeanour, as if a heavy burden has been lifted. Now that theyve kept the tents and moved forward, Jiang Pengjis victory is the only possibility. She has conquered Xiangyang district! Wei Jingxian is intelligent and sharp; she didnt purposely listen out for it. But through analysing the fine lines, she inferred what she wanted to know. Yes. Feng Jin forced his eyes open, and nodded, his breathing became regular. Wei Jingxian saw his body shift as the horse carriage moved, he surely could not sleep well. Her heart softened, she put Changsheng, who is deeply asleep, down on her cot. Then she held Feng Jin and led him to lie on her lap. Feng Jin felt some movements and opened his eyes in the midst, he saw its his wife then he closed his eyes again. He positioned himself so that hed be more comfortable, and, before long, he was sound asleep. This horse carriage is customised by the Liu mansion, it has outstanding ability to reduce impact such that even while sleeping within, one will not experience the carriage moving. As Qiguan Rang rode the horse, he looked left and right but could not seem to see Feng Jin, his heart growing more downcast as he repeatedly fanned himself with his feathered fan. Sigh someone has a virtuous wife and lovely daughter. Rang also has yes, yet both our treatments are worlds apart. Feng Jin secretly went to sleep, while he still has to keep his heavy eyelids open with all his might and bear with his exhaustion. The thought of it is such a torment. Xu Ke turned his head, took a glance at the horse carriage behind him that moved steadily along, he said miserably, Ke also has a lovely wife at home. After all, isnt he in the same state as Qiguan Rang he isnt single yet hes superior to a single man. Both men look at each other and sighed, then with tacit understanding they staggered their vision. In times like this, the couple just had to display their affection for each other. Both men felt theyve been gravely hurt. Because they took with them 20,000 people from Shangjing, the rate which the entire party proceeded forth is slowed down. When the sun is shining high above, they could see the Xiangyang district city hidden in the horizon. Seeing the citys pond, both their hearts had the same type of inner emotions The uncertainties of life commence now! Jia Somewhere else, Jiang Pengji watched the sunrise, the time should be near. Thus, she asked for a basin of clear water to wash off the blood stains and dirt from her body. Then she changed into a clean set of clothes. Without a constant bloody aura lingering around her body, surely, whoever sees her will praise her handsome young man. Lets go outside the city to welcome Xiaoyu and the rest. I estimated the time; they should be here soon. Meng Hun was in a downcast mood, but after hearing half the sentence, immediately his energy level soared. He determined to straighten his back. Jiang Pengji was busy working the whole night. Meng Hun whose eye circles are increasingly visible from the late nights said chirpily, When they arrive, the tasks on your hands can be delegated. Taking about 20 troops with her, they waited outside the citys west for 15 minutes before the silhouette of Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke appeared within their vision. Both their faces appear fatigued, they probably didnt sleep the entire night. Seeing this, she smiled briefly, her eyes shone. She couldnt contain her excitement and rode her horse forward. They are finally here! Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke held the reins tightly, got off their horses, cupped their hands and bowed respectfully. My lord! Jiang Pengji helped them up and smiled, Forget about the formalities, youve worked hard. The journey must have been arduous, go back for a rest and wash up first. Qiguan Rang said in a solemn mood, Rang is fine, its but a small effort, theres no need to mention. My lord just took over the Xiangyang district, the peoples hearts are not stabilized, theres much to be resolved. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, we should first address the situation and ensure those people who followed our lord over have settled down well. Xu Ke also concurred. Though he was very exhausted now, formal matters were of more importance. The viewers who followed the livestream through their entire journey, expressed their excitement to hear and see Two strategists taking the longest route was surely a ploy of their lord. Some audience members spoke out boldly with a sense of justice and criticised. Quer: #laughtillcries, streamer, doesnt your conscience hurt for squeezing your fearful subordinates dry? Yumaodang Toudingqingtian: The streamer replies with a cold face devoid of feelings, of course it is painless. Exploiting their workers is every bosss basic ability. Shangcesuo Yongshouzhi: Tsk, tsk, I have followed the streamers livestream for 3 to 4 years, Ive never seen her possessing that attribute. Jiang Pengji neglected that bullet screen. Her conscience surely doesnt hurt. Hmm, where is Huiayu? She glanced once through but didnt see Feng Jin. Qiguan Rang used his feathered fan and pointed to the horse carriage behind. Jiang Pengji saw the horse carriage, she remarked emotionally, Having the love of ones wife and children is such a blessing. The two married men before her experienced a sharp stabbing pain. My lord, these words hurt! These are the inner groanings of married men with wives but no one to love them. Chapter 417 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The heart of the earthquake lay near Shangjing, thus the people there have the most devastating loss. Such a large capital city became naught it turned overnight into a lifeless wilderness. The Xiangyang district is located at the edge of Fengyi county, distant to the heart of the earthquake. When the earthquake happened, the effects experienced here was less severe than Shangjing. Consequently, the loss is not as extensive. It is infuriating to think about the time when the earthquake happened. Who isnt asleep at midnight? Therefore, over ten thousand people died in their sleep. Having experienced the devastation from the earthquake only to then end up oppressed by the Tsing Yi army, the Xiangyang district has a thousand things lined up and is awaiting rebuilding. If the district is envisioned from a birds eye view, they will discover that at least one-third of the infrastructure is damaged. Facing a desolated Xiangyang district, Jiang Pengji sorted out her feelings. She ordered the troops and imperial guards to clean up the ruins and houses urgently. No matter what, there must be a place set aside for the people of Shangjing to settle down. She pinched in between her brows, thinking of theXiangyang districts present state, then uncontrollably said in disgust, The Xiangyang district isnt any better than Shangjing After Feng Jin took a short nap, he felt he regained some energy, at least enough to respond: The heavens will bestow huge responsibilities to the people, but they must first suffer to build their resilience. Their labour will be weary to their muscles and bones, hunger pangs will plague them, and they will empty themselves in poverty and face setbacks and troubles Wise words by sages of old, they are timeless and true. Many things start off tough, Xiangyang district is one such heavy burden to bear. It is against the odds to rebuild upon ruins. But once the lord overcomes this hurdle, she will rise to the heavens. Jiang Pengji discreetly rolled her eyes. She isnt a sky monkey, why would she rise to the heavens? Nevertheless, Feng Jins words still eased her mood a little, and she summoned her subordinates for a meeting. She doesnt like to be fake, neither does she like hearing nonsense that doesnt add value. Thus, she dived directly to the topic. After the earthquake and siege by General Jius Tsing Yi army where they created havoc, Xiangyang district is impoverished and utterly desolated. As Jiang Pengji started the ball rolling, everyone sat around, with only bland tea and water on the table to quench their thirst and soothe their throats. Lets not go into the details yet, the biggest challenge now is to rebuild the Xiangyang district, recruiting workers and soldiers to serve to strengthen the defence of Xiangyang districts city. While rebuilding Xiangyang district, we must also be prepared for battle at any time. The scale of Tsing Yi army is much larger than we think, let alone mention the jackal of the same tribe, the Red Lotus group. These are the greatest threats and enemies to the Xiangyang district. At present, we cannot depend on anyone, only ourselves. Jiang Pengjis last words carries a deep sense of resentment. The people agreed wholeheartedly. Only, no matter which aspect they considered, they all required a lot of manpower, resources and time, yet Jiang Pengji is very poor now Poor not referring to a lack in rations or money, but a lack of manpower! Thanks to the livestream viewers for their help in times of need, their awards have been helping her financially. She temporarily captured The System again, the little devil. The points of popularity in her hands are enough for her to spend and effortlessly support these few thousands of people. Maybe not to eat extravagantly, but at least they wont die of hunger. As for the money? Back then, she borrowed money from so many households in Shangjing, cumulatively it looked very optimistic enough for her to last till the end of winter this year. She continued, Yesterday, I assigned someone to get a headcount of the prisoners from the Tsing Yi army, it totalled up to 1781 men, of which nine countdowns from 30 years old to 13 years old strong youths. I also checked the biodata of Xiangyang districts residents at the district headquarters, there are about 50,000 to 10,000 strongmen and including those who followed me from Shangjing If they all joined in the labour force, I believe that with a concrete plan and if its executed orderly, it isnt impossible that we rebuild Xiangyang district before winter comes. Hearing this, Luoyue knitted his eyebrows tightly, Forced labour? The lord intends to compensate the workers,vFeng Jin said pensively. The people offer their strength while the lord provides money and food. This ensures that the people are well-fed and warm while also contributing to rebuild Xiangyang district. The lord is not wealthy presently and her family assets are limited. Nevertheless, as the district magistrate, even if the people did nothing, the lord will not give them up to their deaths and food will still be given. Rather than this scenario, it is better to give them work and purpose. Forced labour refers to work without any returns. The peoples lives are in dire circumstances, they are poverty stricken. If they engaged in free labour, Jiang Pengjis good reputation will be tarnished. Even if the people around wanted her to do so, she will notnot over her dead body. Under such circumstances, providing work to relieve their poverty was a brilliant solution. She did that before, so Feng Jin and the rest didnt misinterpret her motive. Naturally, the concept of forced labour is already entrenched in their hearts, it is expected for Luoyue to misunderstand. Even so there arent many who are likely to willingly respond, especially the local residents of Xiangyang district. While fanning himself, fatigue was evident between his brows, however, both his eyes are very alert, and he continued to comment rather cynically, Their households have sufficient money and reserves of rations. Also, they can continue to harvest more after autumn. They have no need for the rations offered from the labour. The Tsing Yi army was recklessly violent, they confiscated the possessions of many influential and rich men. The resources from one such house is enough to fill their stomachs, so they werent interested in the common folks. Thus, the people still have remaining food supplies in their houses, they have their basic needs met. Since theres no reason for them to work hard, the likelihood of them rejecting the idea of labour is high. When he finished speaking, Qiguan Rang also sneered softly, his pupils held some degree of contempt. Meng Hun heard, he suggested softly, Why not increase the incentives? Jiang Pengji had a helpless expression; does she seem like a local tyrant? I, your lord, am poor. Where do I get so much money to pay them salaries? These houses are not built for me, they She clasped her fingers and cursed with her lips then she thought of something, she determined in her heart and added, But, it is not without a solution. The earthquake caused innumerable infrastructures to collapse in the Xiangyang district, therefore many houses and land are available now. If no family member inherits them, based on the rules the government takes them back Hearing her words, Feng Jjin and the rest thought deeply. Nevertheless, someone reacted faster than them! The audience in the livestreaming room has experienced enough pain from buying houses. They didnt expect they would be hurt by watching the livestream. Quer: I am shocked! In history, the one who has the most experience in being a real estate agent is her! Yingyang Kuaixian: If Xiangyang district is completely rebuilt and becomes the haven amid the chaos, I believe the land will become insanely expensive. Zuizhan Baishegeng: Pei, which benevolent brother said houses in ancient times are cheap previously and wishes to travel back in time to be the queen of rentals and even said rents will come in easily even while lying down? Look, just look, the streamer wishes to be involved in real estate business, the costs of apartments will soar. Let alone to buy houses and rent them, when you time travel back, you have to be enslaved to the house, goodness gracious! As Jiang Pengji scanned through the bullet screen she felt wronged. She didnt think so much from the start. Why is she speculating into real estate and collecting land when she has no reason to? She just wants to build houses on freehold lands, then those households who join the labour can stay while paying low rental costs. There will be tax relief bonuses given periodically in future. They can also use a lower price to borrow agricultural equipment and buffalos from the district headquartersHer thoughts are too na?ve. However, right now it seemed like something she can explore further? Chapter 418 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Except for Luoyue and Meng Hun, these two military men, whose brains are average, the remaining few have soaring high intelligence. Despite the limitations of this era, when Jiang Pengji gave this suggestion, they already foresaw the crux of the problem, the closer it spreads the wider it becomes. Others would react to the situation step-by-step but as they took one step, they could see the consequences that would befall them at the next ten steps. They saw further and thought deeper and more holistically. Jin believes my lords plans can be executed. Feng Jin nodded in agreement, the resources they have are finite. Only by creatively manipulating the situation will there be hope for change. Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke both concurred. As for Luoyue and Meng Hun? They just came to be updated and to witness the chasm in intelligence between the excellent and average people. Jiang Pengji remained in position with her fingers clasped, this disposition a habit she acquired in her previous life. Those who understand her will recognise this small action and know that shes already in deep thought. Previously, I thought this method was ideal, but an idea just struck. I feel it can be done better. Jiang Pengji broke into a deep and meaningful smile. This idea is credited to the little partners watching the livestream, otherwise this never would have crossed her mind. Meng Hun listened on, ashamed, he listened with all his heart, whatever he was confused about he would ask after the meeting ends. However, Luoyue obviously hasnt come to a realisation, and asked, Whats the plan? Qiguan Rang gently moved this feathered fan, then proceeded to unravel his confusion, Rang thinks the lords intentions mentioned just now should be to build houses on state land. Then use a lower price to rent to people without houses and land. This will help to ease the burden and is helpful to the people too, it also resolves the predicament that district headquarters is facing. The earthquake in Xiangyang district caused widespread injuries and death, many pieces of land are without owners. According to the laws, it is to be returned to the state. As he talked, he became thirsty and drank water. After his throat was soothed, he continued, In order for the people to have food, these lands not only must be reallocated or rented, it is also imperative that the undeveloped lands must be used for cultivation. Only then will the need for buffalo and farming equipment increase. When the district headquarters rent these items, more conditions can be added. For example, there will be discounts for families who join the labour force, thereby encouraging the people to take initiative and join in. Even the residents will realize the autumns harvest require farming equipment and will participate in the workforce. After Luoyue heard his words it was as if he reached enlightenment, as if the doors of a new world opened for him. He has listened intently for a while, and it seemed like Jiang Pengji didnt talk that much. All these scholarly people, how are they able to decipher hundreds of words from just only ten? Most probably this was the pain when your intelligence is suppressed. Seeing Luoyues dumbfounded face, the viewers watching the livestream kept themselves very busy. On one end, they criticized the streamer for being unethical as she went to ancient times to engage in real estate. Concurrently, they are fixated on Luoyues expression, they found a suitable term then posted on the bullet screen to express their pity for Luoyue. Shafachuqiao: Hahaha, my heart ached for poor Luoyue, his small expressions are so funny that I feel like laughing. Huyi Xiaotianshi: Poor child who doesnt know what a tragedy it is for others to downplay their intelligence. Woyaoquan Qudao Tuijian: Those who care less to enter Dalaos world of normal beings. Pity goes out to the mundane. Luoyue remained completely oblivious that over 100,000 people pitied him. After Qiguan Rangs explanation, he felt he understood the gist of this meeting. His eyes cant help but be filled with respect for Qiguan Rang. District magistrate Liu is not just anyone, her subordinates are even more unique. If this method is used, we can indeed speedily restore the peoples livelihood, Xu Ke commented. Before winter, those who are homeless will have a house to stay in. This is a benevolent move, if successful, the lord will surely win the hearts of Xiangyang districts citizens. But Jiang Pengji said, I thought of this from the start, but I have a better solution now. At this, the three started to reveal inquisitive looks. What other solutions are there? Luoyue still couldnt understand. Meng Hun lowered his head and removed the dead skin that curled on his hand. He had so much fun with it. Knowing that he is stupid, why be adamant about asking for trouble? Meng Hun felt his purpose here is to make up the numbers. The rebuilding of infrastructure was not the forte of military men. Even if his intelligence was lacking, it was not embarrassing. Of course, please hear me out. Jiang Pengji got up to retrieve a brand-new uncut bamboo paper, spread it out and used a piece of charcoal to draw it out. It took but a few strokes of the pen to illustrate a rough layout of the plan. This helped the others visualize it better. Presently, the Xiangyang district is a work in progress, rather than rebuilding from a foundation of ruins, why not decisively tear down the entire district in phases and rebuilding from there. The new district headquarters is halfway completed with this as the centre landmark, all other buildings will expand from here. Xiangyang districts land is vast, many areas are isolated and wasted and theyre to be designated for other purposes, to build houses. As she explained, she used a charcoal piece to illustrate this on the bamboo walls. Shortly after, a raw overall picture was drawn for them to visualize. The trio concentrated on watching, frowned at times and appeared to be deep in thought occasionally. Due to the limitations of the era, they were ignorant about strategies to speculate in real estate, but this didnt equate to them being ignorant about the benefits. However, to understand this would require time. If they followed Jiang Pengjis train of thought, understanding the profound meaning was but a matter of time. After these are built, these few properties will only be rented and not sold. Jiang Pengji finished drawing then she circled out a location. The audience in the livestream room secretly judged her for being scheming all the places that Jiang Pengji circled out are city centres. Based on the outlook of her layout, the inhabitants will increase steadily in future. The rise in numbers will naturally boost the economy and improve buying and selling. The value of these prime districts will surge exponentially. If the land deeds are owned by the district headquarters, then the money collected from rents alone will be able to sustain the district manors daily expenses. These areas will neither be sold nor rented but must be well-built. The surface has to be even and broad, the environment welcoming and security must be tight all around. I intend to allocate this area as the headquarters for the rebuilding of the district. As for the layout, it will be a three sectioned or two sectioned one and itd be ideal if it was exquisite and stylish Jiang Pengji pointed to the place she circled. As the devastating disaster just passed, the district headquarters was able to reclaim many deeds. However, currently these land deeds are of little value, only when the entire region is set up will the value of the deeds rise. But she isnt satisfied with the rate it is increasing because the worth of these land deeds is sky high. Xu Ke narrowed his eyes. As internal affairs personnel, he somewhat understood his lords meaning. Presently, the deed at this place is worthless. After the Xiangyang district develops and takes shape, their worth will escalate, and every meter of land has a price tagged to it. The planning is over, the blueprint set before them all, and just the thought of accomplishing it requires everyones determination to achieve. Feng Jin and the trio considered it carefully and took turns to share their opinions to fine tune to the raw goal to something more all-encompassing. Despite them being strict on efficiency, the entire meeting easily took about an hour, the tea water has been refilled twice. Lastly, Jiang Pengji was responsible for delegating the tasks. Xiaoyu, account for the total manpower we have, she ordered. Draft a poster to recruit people for labour. The salary will be settled on the spot, 30% will be paid with copper coins and the remaining 70% will be paid with steamed buns or other rations. With a self-satisfied nod, Jiang Pengji added, All aspects of the work has been written down in detail, send some men who can read to publicize this. It is imperative that the people understand the deeper meaning behind it to prevent any undesirable misunderstandings. My lords commands will be obeyed, Xu Ke deferred respectfully. Chapter 419 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji concluded her speech and focused her vision on Feng Jin and said, Huaiyu, bring some men to organize the internal affairs within the district headquarters so that it can quickly resume its services. Also, assemble the farmland we can clear for cultivation, then work with Xiaoyu to arrange workers to plough the land and prepare it for agriculture. Feng Jin paid subservience saying, Jin will follow my lords will. Wen Zhengs duties will be heavier, she commanded. Register and record the people in the registrar all over again. Including the Tsing Yi armys prisoners, the people who followed us from Shangjing and the local people of Xiangyang district. All three are to be classified accordingly. The scale of this project is massive and Im afraid Wen Zheng will have to work very hard. Wen Zheng wore a bitter smile on his face. He doesnt have to travel around anymore, but this task could tire a person to death. There are an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people who needs to be registered, and all of their names would need to be recorded by him and his pen. Just at the thought of it, he felt like his hands were going to break. Deep inside hes complaining but his lips still uttered, I will obey my lords commands. Coach Meng, I also have a task for you. The strongmen that Jiang Pengji can command are few, none should even think about escaping the fate of working overtime. The disaster response efforts in Xiangyang district is haphazard, lead some men to clean up, follow the procedures we did in Shangjing. If any citizens are discovered to be infected with a plague, they must be isolated from the healthy people at the first instance. If the corpse of any man or animals are found decomposed, they must be immediately dealt with to prevent insects from breeding. This is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed. Meng Hun cupped his fist in his hand saying, Your subordinate accepts the order, I will surely not disappoint my lords trust. Lastly, she shifted her vision to Luoyue. Though Luoyue and the other imperial guards are not officially under her jurisdiction, Jiang Pengji made use of them very naturally. She didnt feel awkward at all, and seeing her like this, his heart thumped in worry as if able to foresee how exhausted he would be very soon. He dares to swear that since he saw Jiang Pengji only a short span of time has passed but his workload has equalled the summation of all his work at the imperial guard camp base combined. Coach Luo, I shouldnt have to trouble you with this. But as you can see, we are short-handed. Xi has no choice. She smiled bitterly and continued, I shall shamelessly ask your help for once and seek Coach Luos understanding. Xi thanks Coach for your kindness on behalf of the people. Luoyue only felt chills from behind, he quickly added, Why is district magistrate Liu so formal? If you need any help, please command your servant. If so, Xi will be thick-skinned for once. The security of all of Xiangyang district will be delegated to you, Coach Luo. Luoyue heard and his face was clueless. Dont stand on ceremony, it turns out she really didnt stand on ceremony. Jiang Pengji spoke convincingly, coupled with that glib tongue of hers, it was exceptionally captivating, The world is complicated, by right a city is build on everyones willpower to overcome the obstacles together. But therell always be corrupted people who have intents to exploit money from a disaster. From what Xi knows, at such times, there are people who run wild and engage in illegal businesses. If we are lax in our preventive efforts, many poor citizens will be robbed of their business. For the peace of Xiangyang district, I have to trouble Coach Luo with this matter. Luoyue brought trouble upon himself. This matter can be entrusted to me. This was not Jiang Pengjis worst, it is cruel of her to call out half the imperial guards to be thrown elsewhere to work, holding other positions. Manpower is limited, Luoyues stress naturally increased exponentially. But since word got out like water that has been splashed out, he cannot take back his words. Seeing that all have been assigned tasks, the upcoming months will be hectic and theyre likely to work crazily overtime. Viewers watching the livestream felt something amiss. Since these tasks were thrown to Feng Jin and the rest, there was one question on all of their minds: what are you going to do, Streamer? Yingyang Kuaixian: Rubbish streamer. It cant be that you wish to laze around? Laosiji Lianmeng: Am I the only one pitying young Xu Ke and the rest? I feel that theyd be working overtime till winter and there are no breaks in between. It is currently May or June, this is a foreboding of working overtime, once they start it will require their lives. Just thinking of it sends jitters down my spine. Let me ask you all, if you consecutively work overtime for more than half a year without breaks or an increase in salary, wouldnt you be afraid?! Shangcesuo Yongshouzhi: Sigh, it isnt easy to live in ancient times either, those sisters and brothers who want to time travel should reconsider. If you accidentally meet with a black-hearted boss like The Streamer, she will surely squeeze you dry till the very last drop. The audience was disgustedhow can Jiang Pengji laze around? But truthfully, the mission she is undertaking is very important. She not only went to the shopping mall to exchange points of popularity for rations and smuggling them to the storehouse, she still must conscientiously draw up a blueprint for the districts city to use the resources wisely. If this is left to times of peace, this will take at least ten people many months to do the job. The roads during ancient times are inconvenient, it requires a lot of time and energy to gather information and survey. Building houses require wood and stone materials, these items look like they can be found everywhere but truthfully, they cant. Though the trees are plentiful in the mountains, they cannot be chopped at whim. There are precise requirements for the materials. Construction of houses in this generation requires glutinous rice juice, glutinous rice and lime, perhaps occasionally eggs will be used as well. If one cannot even fill his own stomach, who can sacrifice these items to rebuild the houses? Thus, she felt that she has the responsibility to let the ancient people be exposed to under table technologies. From the dimension she came from, the raw material for building already advanced to its best, but theres no reference for it in this era. According to explanations from history textbooks, the ancient buildings are mostly reinforced concrete which evolved from the brick buildings from arcane ancient times. Where did bricks originate from? She searched through her brain all the abstracts from her history textbooks that used kilning to synthesise bricks. Though the history textbooks didnt explain in detail, her keen eye for the era and accumulated knowledge helped in her understanding. This superficial knowledge to the people in this era is all precious and incomparable wealth. Coal is a common product at the north of Dongqing. Nearby Chengde county therere many coal mining mills but theyre under-utilised and it isnt large scale. If coal is used to fuel the burning of the kiln, it was not a bad idea. This era is already equipped with crude pottering kilning techniques, there are many places within that can be reference to within. Find someone to accompany me for sightseeing on the mountains Jiang Pengji randomly called for two troops, she dressed down and left home while it was extremely busy outside. The viewers criticized her unendingly for taking time off to slack amid workShe orders her subordinates around while she has free time to stroll all around. Nevertheless, the livestreaming room doesnt lack an audience who know the ways of industry and saw the purpose. They believe The Streamer isnt the person the others accused her of, but that she did this with a purpose in mind. Luckily, Jiang Pengji proved herself and she didnt let their hopes down. She sought advice from the local farmers and hunters, then went to the site personally to investigate and finally found a suitable soil material to synthesize the bricks. Of course, this is not the crucial part. The purpose of searching for soil material wasnt just for burning bricks, it was also to arrange for a legitimate exit to export the soil from the shopping centre. Indeed, the lousy shopping mall sells products that are equally inferior. The rubbish System even sells soil! In the past, when Jiang Pengji was bored and went strolling the mall, she once saw many different types of soil. The prices are unusually steep. The System introduced each soil as having different strengths, for example, some soils consist of a lot of nutrients, they can increase the production of agriculture and change the barren soil to fertile landin any case it was incredible. When the Systems ploy was unveiled, the soil related products were left with simply raw clay and sandy soil. Each of the costs decreased dramatically from the original exorbitant price. The price went so low that it almost hit hell. Indeed, a truly cunning businessmen, who can compare to The System, king of falsehoods? Chapter 420 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The era presently really doesnt have advanced technology, but a lot of techniques are taking form in terms of broad concepts or its prototype. For example, they already have a rough understanding of technique for burning ceramics, to model after this and build a kiln is doable. She got men to hunt for an expert in kilning in an elder, she interviewed him about his experience and used what she learnt from him as the basis for designing a suitable kiln. The viewers in the livestream also helped enthusiastically, preventing her from making the wrong moves. Thus, the work proceeded smoothly. What does elder think of this soil? Jiang Pengji had transformed from a lioness into a tabby cat. She wore a thick straw shoe daily instead of her wooden clogs, her loose garments also changed into a simple, coarse cloth clothing. There wasnt a regal part about her, rather she looked more like a peasants son who grew up in the fields. If not for the unfeigned, noble aura; her high cultured disposition, perhaps the others would really begin to doubt her identity. She has shopped around many places over the past two days, choosing an extensive range of soi, one of which is mixed with soil from the shopping mall. They are kept in an organized fashion to consult the experts who have accumulated kilning experience in the Xiangyang district. The elder specialises in the kilning of ceramics: he sells ceramic bowls for a living. The biggest figure he has met in his life up until now was only the village head. When has he ever spoken to a district magistrate in person, much less one who has humbled herself to seek guidance and learn from him? If it was from before, during the regular times, surely, someone would deem him crazy and say he was dreaming in broad daylight. But today, something that wouldnt happen in dreams took place before his very eyes. He calmed himself down, pacified his tiny heart that got a shock back in position. Weird things happen every year, this year particularly. Astonishingly, theres a district magistrate who doesnt like formal work but would rather play with sand, the old man muttered in his heart; his face focused on examining the various types of sand and their grade. Based on the elders experience with burning ceramics, he carefully decided on three types of soil and weighed their pros and cons. In general, if theyre burnt to synthesize ceramics, these are very apt. Jiang Pengji glanced at them, coincidentally, they were the same as the soil sold in the mall. Since the old man is so certain, Jiang Pengji felt relieved. She has been up and down the mountain and running all over. It was worth it. Does elder feel that if they are tampered and moulded to such a shape Jiang Pengji took out a neatly stacked pile of papers, after she opened it up, a three-dimensional cuboid is drawn on top. The drawing technique is constrained to be flat; it has the elementary idea of three-dimensional drawings. There are no such techniques around so the elder watched with amazement. She used the piece of coal to draw a sketch but even he who cant read managed to decipher what she drew. Whats the purpose of district magistrate in doing this? The elder flipped the paper around, deep down he secretly felt it was a pity. Drawing strange things on a good piece of bamboo paper, be it vertically or horizontally it didnt look like anything hed ever seen. He wondered what its use is. If thrown on the ground it can be horse feed, but to use it to burn the soil and derive an item, wont it be weightier than horse feed? Jiang Pengji replied, To build homes, we will lay the ground, look at this thing, which is so uniform and orderly, if its stacked together, imagine how neat it will be. The elder suddenly opened his eyes wide saying, This item can be used to build houses and lay the ground? As if a new world opened its doors to him, the elder held the bamboo paper in his hands and mumbled to himself, If we use such a small item to build houses, how many do we need to burn? Jiang Pengji wrapped her arms around her chest, and answered seriously, This wont do for building houses. Bricks and wooden materials can be mixed and used as building materials, but ever since the earthquake, she strongly believes houses should be built firmly. The houses in this era are cooling in summer and winter. If the entire building is made of wood, itd be burned to naught if a fire breaks out and could not be salvaged. Jiang Pengji wants to build on the present construction style by adding on bricks to increase its ability to trap warmth and its stability. If possible, it would also be considered a preventive measure should a fire breakout. As she isnt an expert in this field, she can only provide a general direction, the more detailed tasks must be delegated to those with greater expertise. However, to rebuild Xiangyang district and designate the houses, she also factored in the scenario if a fire should happen. If this is used to construct houses, it is too extravagant the elder mumbled to himself. Yet, because Jiang Pengji held a positive learning attitude, the elder who was trembling from the start, calmed down completely and discussed with her how to ignite the kiln, and what was the optimal method to burn and synthesize. Then they came to the problem of the temperature for burning. From the elders experience, to burn and synthesize these tiles would require a monstrous amount of materials for fuel. The precise temperature required is very high, if theres insufficient heat, once bricks are placed into the kiln, they will be burnt and damaged and the loss will be great. With this wooden material, why not just use it to build houses instead of fuel for the synthesis of bricks? The elder swallowed back his words into his gut no matter how amicable this person is, this was, after all, the district magistrate and not the regular people that he could afford to provoke. How do you burn the ceramics on a regular basis? Jiang Pengji questioned curiously. Under the guidance of the elder, she gained insight into the burning of ceramics in this era, and its arcane environment and tools. Despite the dry topic in the livestream these days, the audience still watched with enthusiasm. Many in the audience enjoy airing their suggestions, and would go to the extent of researching and worked hard at presenting their views logically. If any suggestions were accepted by The Streamer, it felt like they contributed to the rebuilding efforts in the Xiangyang district as well. In this way they could be time travellers who went back to ancient times to workit felt extremely rewarding, and they felt immersed into that context. Qingge Manwu: In the past, I watched many time travel stories, therere storylines about constructing kilns but they mostly synthesized glass. This is surely a luxury item in ancient times, it seems like streamer is a practical person since youre kilning bricks. Yet the value of bricks is much lesser than glass so it should be easier to synthesize? Buyao Hushuobadao: I remember that glass is a derivative from kilning, when the streamer is apt at the technique of kilning bricks and Xiangyang district is constructed into a bustling and prosperous place, will you still fear theres no resources and energy to synthesize glass? Streamer, you dont have to intentionally use glass to cheat others. Products are precious when theyre rare, sell it at a high price and this product will surely bring in profits. Mainuerde Xiaohuochai: *props up chin* Take one step at a time. When a big step is undertaken, the fall is more devastating. The bricks are still in process of refinement, yet they wish to discuss glass now. Kengongzhude Dupingguo: The failure rate of ceramic kilning is high due to various reasons. The temperature is of utmost importance, the fuel for the fire is mostly wooden material, to keep the fire burning in the kiln requires a huge amount of wood, which is very costly. I noticed The Streamer struggling to decide on coal yesterday, this choice is indeed more cost-friendly than wood. Then the next obstacle is how to increase the temperature in the kiln. Jiang Pengji multitasked, on one end she talked to the elder on the other she scrolled the dry content on the bullet screen. She deliberated, then posted a comment on the bullet screen. Streamer V: @Kengongzhude Dupingguo, wind? The audience had a eureka moment and recalled something. Kengongzhude Dupingguo: Ventilator? Bellows? Jiang Pengji sank into deep thought and thought for a while before asking the elder, Is it possible to use a tuoyue to increase the temperature in the kiln? The old man pondered deeply, then replied feeling bad, The effect is minimal. What is an air blower? The audiences in the live stream are dumbfounded. Though deciphering the meaning from Jiang Pengjis words, it should be like a bellow or some machinery that can trap wind and increase the fire intensity. Are there bellows in this era already? Someone searched Baidu it took about half a day to understand what Tuoyue means. Chapter 421 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Mainuerde Xiaohuochai: The following was extracted from Baidu. Tuoyue is a piece of equipment used to blast air and burn during smelting. In Laozi, theres a line that says, Isnt the world like a tuoyue? Its hollow, but its not exhausted. The more its agitated, the stronger the wind. There were unearthed portraits from the Han Dynasty. The tuoyue is made up of three wooden rings, two round discs, and outer leather. Its similar to the bellows, but it isnt as easy to operate. Otherwise, the old man wouldnt have replied in such a way. Mainuerde Xiaohuochai: I looked it up on Baidu and it says that the double action reciprocating bellows was the most important blast technology invention in China. Its certainly more advanced than the tuoyue! If Jiang Pengji were to attempt to figure it out alone, she would have occupied a lot of her time. However, the audience in the streaming room helped her, so it didnt take nearly as much time as it would have otherwise. The double action reciprocating bellows? Jiang Pengji was deep in thought. The image of the bellows did not pop up in her mind, but the contents of her mechanical foundation course did. If the tuoyue inspired the bellows, then the two should have something in common. She asked the old man if there was a tuoyue in the workshop. She studied the tuoyue by rotating it, while the old man stared at her in confusion. Hey I have an idea This should increase the temperature in the kiln, so it is conducive for baking bricks. The old man was quite calm. However, when he saw her sit down on the mat, take out a piece of bamboo paper, and draw with charcoal on the ground, his facial expression changed in an instant. I didnt peg you for a district magistrate! Why are you messing around with your diabolic tricks and wicked crafts instead of doing your official business? The audience in the streaming room wondered why Jiang Pengji was trying to invent something instead of striving for supremacy Did she think Mojia Juzi would approve of her doing everyone elses job? Jiang Pengji was messing around with the so-called diabolic tricks and wicked crafts, but her subordinates were busy to the point of madness. Luo Yue was patrolling with 500 imperial guards. He had to remain alert for any danger from the outside world, while he also watched over the city. It turned out that Jiang Pengji had foresight. Luo Yue had consecutively arrested four to five traffickers that wanted to abduct children or forcefully buy them. At first, he was able to maintain a calm expression. He asked someone to beat up the traffickers and fine them. Later, he directly imprisoned them in the district government prison. If nobody had stopped him, then he would have pulled out his sword and hacked them! D*mn it. Did they not see they were busy? Some idiotic fellows still came to create trouble and increase their workload! Luo Yue, who had worked to the point of exhaustion, said, Anyone who destroys the public order of the Xiangyang District should die! In fact, the situation on Luo Yues side was okay. The others were having a tough time. Qiguan Rang had always disliked standing out. However, household registration was not a trivial matter. He had to take it seriously. There were 50,000 to 60,000 people. If he had to register everyone, hed be working forever. After being in tribulation for two days, he no longer cared about his demeanor. He almost barked at Jiang Pengji. Manpower! Manpower! Manpower! Sometimes, one had to say important things more than once. However, there were now 99 illiterates among 100 people It was hard to find someone who could write. Where could Jiang Pengji find someone who was literate and knew how to write? Qiguan Rangs eyes were bloodshot. He completely lost his grace. I dont care. You have to find someone. Otherwise, watch me die! Jiang Pengji did not dare guess how many nights he had stayed awake. To not drive Qiguan Rang up a wall, Jiang Pengji had no choice but to come up with a solution. It was probably Gods blessing. She suddenly had a bright idea upon seeing Taxue, who was serving her tea. She shouted excitedly, Theres someone! Who is it? Jiang Pengji replied, Arent there a few young women living in the backyard of the district headquarters? Their origins arent vulgar. If it wasnt for the Tsing Yi Armys burning, killing, and pillaging, they wouldnt have fallen so low. Not to mention their talents, I think they can write. Why dont you hire some of them as secretaries to help you during registration? Qiguan Rang frowned heavily and responded, All right. The women, prior to being raped and kidnapped by the Tsing Yi Army, lived affluent lives with families famous in the Xiangyang District. As the saying went, Sons were let to live a tough life, whereas daughters were let to live a wealthy life. They were all literate, so they could easily assist with the household registration. However, their opinions regarding the matter were valuable. Fortunately, the Xiangyang District was north of Dongqing. Its ethos had been unaffected by its neighboring country, Zhongzhao. It was okay for women to show themselves in public. Upon hearing the matter, the women stared at each other. After some hesitation, nine women promised to help. The others either felt that it was tiring, or that having contact with the commoners would make them lose their status. Qiguan Rang was too lazy to argue with them. He ordered someone to prepare some mens clothing for the nine women; he even asked the women to make their faces look rougher. He then took them elsewhere to help with registration. Jiang Pengji had no time to heave a sigh of relief. Feng Jin closed the door quietly. Without speaking a word, he looked at her. She was somewhat guilty. Have you done everything? The bags under Feng Jins eyes were heavy. He had only slept for two hours over the last few days. The circles under his eyes were dark. I havent seen Changsheng and Jingxian in three days. He was so busy he did not have the time to see his wife and daughter. Dont you think its sad, Lord? Jiang Pengji replied innocently, I have no more manpower. I dont want to cry, scream, and threaten to kill myself. Lord, I dont want to make a terrible scene Wen Zheng did, Feng Jin said quietly. The audience in the streaming room felt sorry for him. They lashed out at Jiang Pengji, the Zhou Bapi! Laosiji Lianmeng: Look at you! What sins have you committed? Qiongbing Duwu: An aristocrat was forced to cry, scream, and threaten to kill himself What a tragedy. Han Yutong: Forget it. Could you bear to see Feng Jin hang himself in front of you? Piaopiaoyang: Arent there still more than ten women in the backyard of the district headquarters? Ask them. Theyre all literate and know how to write. Could you bear to watch them eat rice and do nothing? That is food; it doesnt fall from the sky. You buy it with money! You definitely cant put up with that! You must coerce and bribe them to work! If theyre unwilling to work, your strategists will be kneeling on the ground. Feng Jin said silently, Jingxian asked someone to send me a letter yesterday. She said Changsheng misses me Jiang Pengji suppressed her emotions and said, Ill try Feng Jin left. Meng Hun appeared before Jiang Pengji had time to catch her breath. I have no more manpower! If you dont believe me, you can see for yourself in the backyard! Meng Hun was puzzled. He responded, What do you mean? Jiang Pengji coughed a little and answered, Nothing! Meng Hun then gave a progress report from the last two days. Meng Hun had also been terribly busy. He slept for less than two hours every day. He had to eat while he worked. However, he was too virtuous. He worked hard and never made a sound no matter how tired he was. After reporting on his work, he returned to his post. Jiang Pengji heaved a long sigh. She ate some dry steamed buns to fill her stomach, then asked Taxue to prepare a basin of water for her to wash her feet. She lowered her head and scraped the blisters on her feet. Clogs broke easily, and straw sandals rubbed her feet. She had been climbing high and low over the past few days, so she was quite worn out. At that moment, a messenger said Xu Ke was outside. Jiang Pengji was speechless. Not only was she speechless, but the viewers in the streaming room convulsed with laughter. They all said it was karma. Zuizhan Baishegeng: The trashy streamer who oppresses and exploits her workers is now being punished! Chapter 422 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji looked at the bullet screen of ridicules and felt she was about to have a mental breakdown. Host V: Im being serious. If you keep ridiculing us like this, well throw a tantrum and walk out. Such threats were useless to the viewers. Instead, they ridiculed her even more. Zuizhan Baishegeng: Dongqing Emperor, were not dead yet. Youre a traitor! You actually dare to call yourself we? Buyao Hushuobadao: #cuppingmycheeks. I think its just a matter of time before the streamer calls herself we. Lets just enjoy it for now. Maoliang Zaici: Do you want to make a bet? Why did Xu Ke come? Is he going to ask for more manpower or report his work? I think the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Meng Hun is too honest. He works, doesnt talk, and is guileless. I feel sorry for him. I dont think Xu Ke can hold his tongue. He probably came to cry. The audience made a bet. Jiang Pengji removed her feet from the water and put away the tools she used to scrape her blisters. Xu Ke walked towards her with steady footsteps. He bowed to her with his hands folded in front of his body. Jiang Pengji seemed timid. She asked with a smile, Xiaoyu, are you requesting more manpower from me, too? Xu Ke looked at her silently, then pulled out a thick, new account book from his sleeve. As an accountant that had worked for Jiang Pengji for many years, Xu Ke was very familiar with casting accounts. Jiang Pengjis heart jolted. She took the book, opened it, and almost spat blood. Xu Ke said, Im not here you ask you for manpower. Jiang Pengji calmed herself down. She then lowered her head and read over the numbers. It would have been better if he was there to request more manpower! Jiang Pengji highly valued Xu Ke. He was good at internal management, and he was also particularly smart at casting accounts. The expenditure on rice and the budget for the next month were laid out in front of her. She had no idea she was so poor. We counted on the grain lasting another three to four months, but its difficult to make ends meet when you include the people of the Xiangyang District. Xu Ke heaved a long sigh and muttered, Im really unsure what else I can do. Even a clever housewife cant cook a meal without rice, right? Therefore, I dont care if you can turn stone into gold, or if you search for someone elses granaries and steal grain. If our granary doesnt have enough grain, people will get jittery. Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and asked, Xiaoyu, shouldnt the subordinate share in the Lords cares and burdens? Looking at her, Xu Ke raised his finger and pointed at the two dark circles under his eyes. He added calmly, If I was able to duplicate myself, Id definitely share in your cares and burdens. Xu Ke wore a poker face. Its a pity that Im just an ordinary man. I dont have any magical powers. Even if I could duplicate myself, it would be useless Would you like to hear the rest? He just wanted grain. It was good he did not request for more manpower. Jiang Pengji wanted to retort. She took a deep breath and said, Ill handle it. Xu Ke respectfully gave an obeisance by cupping one hand in the other in front of his chest. He then left to continue his work. Their conversation left Jiang Pengji depressed. She shouted, Taxue, get me some powder! Everyone bullied her for her good skin, and for not having dark circles despite staying up late! Jiang Pengji painted two big, dark circles under her eyes, and the audience in the streaming room couldnt control their laughter. Yuyu Yecheng: Hahaha This is killing me. I feel so sorry for Xu Ke and the others. The trashy streamer oppresses and exploits her workers. She wont let them rest; she wont raise their wages I mean, the two dark circles she drew are purely for the publics entertainment, right? I thought she was supposed to be a goddess with an attitude! Why is she acting like a clown? Zuiyun Maoyao: #rubbingmyface. Am I the only one who realizes the streamer has gone mad? Both the streamer and her subordinates had gone made from working overtime. They were of the same root Why were they all tormenting each other? Outsiders thought that Jiang Pengji was playing with mud and not attending to her proper duties. However, the audience in the streaming room had been watching her. She put in the same amount of effort as the others. However, the streamer had good skin, so there was no way to tell that she had stayed up late. She was at a disadvantage. Jiang Pengji alleviated her mental breakdown, grabbed a wet handkerchief, and wiped off the dark circles from her face. She restored her aloof facial expression and took a few troops with her to transport the grain. Although Xu Ke did not know the full truth, as a shrewd accountant, he was not easily fooled. He knew that Jiang Pengji had found a way to obtain huge amounts of grain, but he did not know how she accomplished it. For the people of the current era, buying grain from the mall with popularity points was simply a fantasy. Jiang Pengji did not want to tell people where she got it from for fear she would startle them. She simply went along with Xu Kes logic and allowed him to assume that she was able to find granaries. The troops transported a batch of grain from outside the city. She watched them store it in the granary and wearily rubbed her heavy eyelids. Everything would be simpler if she was not an aristocrat. She could then shed all pretenses of cordiality and look for an aristocratic, country gentleman to swindle some money from. Its hard being a good person Jiang Pengji sighed with emotion. Its even harder being a lord. After the grain was stored, she returned to supervise the construction of the brick-kiln. She stopped to buy mud from the mall along the way. She mixed the soil that she bought from the mall into the local soil. According to the old man that made pottery, both were suitable to bake bricks. However, to save on labor costs, she bought some mud from the mall and hid it outside the city. It would not take long to transport it. If she dug up local mud, the labor costs incurred would be high, and it would take a long time. Her subordinates would frustrate her to no end. Xiangyang District was close to Chengde County, so it was very convenient to buy coal. Now that it was summer, coal firing was very rare. Jiang Pengji ordered someone to check how much coal was left in the Xiangyang District. She found that they had enough coal to bake more than 20 bricks. With enough manpower, it would not take long to make a simple brick-kiln. Soon enough, everyone discovered that their lord no longer played with mud; she was playing with wood instead. None of her subordinates understood what she was doing. On the outside, it seemed like she was simply playing with wood. However, Jiang Pengji was actually building the double action reciprocating bellows. Would anyone still believe me if I said that, in fact, I havent been slacking, and Im not fiddling around? She had not slept for two days. The audience in the streaming room could testify: She had not stopped the streaming for two days! She looked at Taxue pitifully. Her expression made Taxue chuckle. Taxue comforted her with a smile. The gentlemen will understand you when your bricks are out of the kiln. Jiang Pengjis wounded heart barely had time to heal. Although she received some help from the audience in the streaming room, brick-baking was still strange for Jiang Pengji, as well as the technicians involved. They had never even heard of bricks. Everyone was unsure about its success. Jiang Pengji awaited news about the brick-kiln, feeling perturbed and nervous. However, it seemed like God could not stand for her to be at peace. Just as the building and development of the Xiangyang District were in full swing, they received some news. Jiang Pengji was so furious she almost killed people. The Tsing Yi Army has really gone too d*mn far! Chapter 423 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji did not like to swear. She believed in solving problems with fighting rather than with words. In the history of the streaming room, the Tsing Yi Army were the only people who got to enjoy such high-quality treatment. What abilities did the Tsing Yi Army have that caused Jiang Pengji to swear? It enraged the viewers in the streaming room. Many of them expressed their concern. They wanted Jiang Pengji to calm down and not let her anger overwhelm her. She could fight the Tsing Yi Army at any time. If the situation was not stabilized now, they might lose everything. The Xiangyang District was in a state of rebuilding. Although the reconstruction was new, it was progressing nicely. The audience imagined that, eventually, the city would be rejuvenated. Tumi Dalao: You must remain composed. Dont be hasty and do something that youll regret. Baidu Xinwenbu: Thats right. You can get even with the Tsing Yi Army any time. Dont be impulsive Buxiangjiageng Zhixiangsi: Impulse is the devil! Someone hold the streamer down! Although most audience members were trying to persuade her, some of them instigated. They were completely malicious, and some were furious. Chisude Shuzi: What are you afraid of? Are you a wimp? The Tsing Yi Army has directly stepped on the streamer. These heartless people should die! If the streamer does nothing, guess how serious the consequences will be? Although the troops are in slavery, they were her private soldiers. However, theyve also sacrificed their lives for the streamer. If the streamer doesnt take someone with her to rescue them, none of them will be willing to risk their lives for her in the future. Buyao Heshibile: Isnt the Tsing Yi Army pleading on behalf of the people? The streamers troops have rescued so many lives during the disaster relief in Fengyi County. What has the Tsing Yi Army done? They burned, killed, and looted in the Xiangyang District. Jiang Pengjis troops destroyed General Juis Tsing Yi Army. As a result, the remaining Tsing Yi Army took their anger out on the 2,000 troops in Fengyi County. Theyre a bunch of b*stards! Jiang Pengji was not in the mood to deal with the bullet screens. She looked at the messenger with a grave look on her face, and her lips pursed tightly. She desired ruthless bloodshed. Even though she was in clean clothes, her skin was still blood-stained. She looked like a soul-reaping messenger that crawled out of hell. The technician looking after the brick-kiln quivered. He did not want to look at her. Jiang Pengji suddenly curled her lips, revealing a bloodthirsty smile. I havent looked for trouble, but they still came knocking on my door. It just so happens that we lack manpower here. After not speaking for a while, her voice sounded hoarse. It was very uncomfortable to listen to. Jiang Pengji said to the messenger, Gather the men and call Coach Meng and Coach Luo. Were having a meeting! The last two words were forced out from behind her molars; they sounded murderous. Qiguan Rang and the others rushed to the district headquarters one after another. Jiang Pengji sat in the front of the room, and her aura was suffocating. Whats wrong, Lord? Qiguan Rang arrived first. However, he did not like to stand out, so he sat in a seat a distance away from Jiang Pengji. He watched Feng Jin and the others come in one by one. There was doubt written on their tired faces. They had not gathered together since the last meeting, which was when they received their tasks. This is serious, everyone thought simultaneously. Jiang Pengji did not answer Qiguan Rangs question. She signaled for them to sit down before she asked the messenger to come in. She said with a hoarse voice, Repeat what you just told me to the gentlemen. Their hearts jolted upon hearing Jiang Pengjis voice. They tacitly turned their attention to the messenger. The more they listened, the heavier their hearts felt. The messenger said, This morning, a soldier with severe injuries arrived outside the city. After careful identification, he turned out to be from the Lords troop. He only managed to say, The Tsing Yi Army has besieged Fengyi County. They attacked the troops at night and killed many people. Hes in a coma due to his injuries. His life is still in danger. Attacking the troops at night? Killing the people? Feng Jin and the others were fearful and silent. Qiguan Rang held the fan in his hand tightly. He had taken 3,000 troops with him when he left Chongzhou. 1,000 of them coordinated with Jiang Pengji alongside him. The other 2,000 went to Fengyi County to provide relief to the people. The situation in Fengyi County was more critical, so Jiang Pengji did not transfer the troops back after she dominated the Xiangyang District. However, who could have predicted that the Tsing Yi Army would retaliate in such a way? Upon hearing that General Jiu was dead, they stormed in and captured Fengyi County with their strong military force when the troops were unprepared. They even launched a night attack. The atmosphere grew tense. After a while, Jiang Pengji heard a series of flustered footsteps outside. Another messenger came in. Lord, the troop member who brought the message woke up. Jiang Pengji replied, Get someone to bring him in! Two people came in carrying a stretcher. A troop member, covered in blood, was laying on it. His breathing was barely perceptible, and his chest undulated feebly. When he saw Jiang Pengji getting closer, his dull and lifeless eyes lit up. Two streaks of turbid and hot tears rolled down his cheeks. He spoke laboriously, LangCCLangjun the Tsing Yi Army Those b*stards made a sneak attack and many of the guys are injured Its hard to tell whether theyll survive Langjun, you have to save them Jiang Pengji gritted her teeth and responded, Ill bring them back without losing any of them! Upon hearing her promise, the troops lips trembled. With nostalgia and regret in his eyes, he died. After a while, Feng Jin put his finger underneath the troops nose and checked his pulse. He muttered, Hes gone. Jiang Pengji bit her lower lip and suppressed the anger surging in her heart. Bury him properly. With the exception of the first troops, which were her servants, and the soldiers Meng Hung brought with him, her troops were former bandits. At first, they submitted themselves to Jiang Pengjis rule to survive. However, as time passed by, their hearts filled with righteous ardor. Even if they were bandits, they had passions. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for people who recognized their worth. They were loyal to Jiang Pengji, so she naturally cherished her subordinates. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes. She had regained her composure by the time she reopened her eyes. She said in a flat tone, I want to dispatch some troops to save them. Feng Jin spoke after a while, I understand how you feel. I dont intend to stop you. I just hope that you understand what it means to dispatch the troops. A thousand things need to get done in the Xiangyang District. Its so weak that it cant withstand a single blow. If you send help, Im afraid Jiang Pengji replied, I know that it is very risky, but I cant let any of my followers think that Id abandon them in their time of need. I wont leave anyone behind. Theyre my troopsCCLiu Xis troops! Chapter 424 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rang sighed. He tugged Feng Jins sleeve and whispered something to him. Their Lord would never listen to the advice of others on principle matters. They would support her decisions, as long as they were not made out of anger. In fact, if she considered the big picture and chose to give up the 2,000 troops, Qiguan Rang and the others would be bitterly disappointed. Prepare for war! Jiang Pengji had an icy look on her face. Well kill them a hundred times the amount of troops theyve killed! Xu Ke sighed. He felt that there were going to be many days like this in the future. Since youve made up your mind, Ill obey you. Meng Hun took the initiative to submit a request for a military assignment with a sincere look on his face. Lord, you must let me tag along this time. The troops were not just Jiang Pengjis private soldiers, but Meng Huns soldiers. He had devoted countless efforts to their training. He had to kill the enemy himself and erase his humiliation with the enemys blood. Jiang Pengjis fingers interlocked. Sitting in the front seat, she said, Coach Meng will rescue the troops with me. Wen Zheng will be in charge of the defense in the district. Luo Yue could not help but submit a request for a military assignment. District Magistrate Liu, please Jiang Pengji interrupted him and said, Its true that I want to save the troops, but I cant ignore the lives of the people in the Xiangyang District because of this. The Tsing Yi Army obviously wants revenge. I dont want to lose the 2,000 troops or any of you. After that, she got up in a manner that allowed no room for doubt and went to the backyard. Feng Jin and Xu Ke shifted their gazes towards Qiguan Rang. They had known Jiang Pengji for a long time; Qiguan Rang could not compare to them at all. However, she was more inclined to Qiguan Rang in proper business, especially when it came to war. This time, she gave him the deployment rights of the district. Such trust was rare. Her decision surprised Qiguan Rang, Feng Jin, and Xu Ke. Get ready. The Lord doesnt like to procrastinate. Xu Ke was the housekeeper, so he usually had to handle a lot of tasks. That included the preparations for war. Feng Jin smiled with a sigh. Ill go count the weapons used for the defense of the city. Qiguan Rang laughed bitterly in secret. He left with Meng Hun, frowning. Meng Hun walked with him halfway and spoke hesitantly, Mr. Wen Zheng, the Lords move is a bit In all fairness, when it came to the statuses of the three strategistsCCFeng Jin, Xu Ke, and Qiguan RangCCQiguan Rang was probably the lowest among them. However, Jiang Pengji did not hide her bias. People who were not blind could see it. Meng Hun was worried about internal discord, which would create a barrier between them. A feud between scholars was scarier than that of soldiers. Qiguan Rang could not help but chuckle upon hearing his words. Dont worry, Coach Meng. They know it well in their hearts. Huh? Meng Hun was a simpleminded man. He could not process what Qiguan Rang meant. Did the Lord do it on purpose? Look. Xiaoyu is proficient in internal affairs. No matter how awful the mess is, he can handle them. Huaiyu has a good command in diplomatic governance, but the Lord still has a weak foundation, so Im unsure of his ability. Speaking of this, Qiguan Rang added somewhat helplessly, Im good at adapting, so Im suitable for the battlefield. The Lord knows everyones merits and shortcomings well. It will make Huaiyu and the others happy. In terms of making battle arrangements, they all knew how, but all of them had merits and shortcomings. It was obviously safer to let Qiguan Rang defend the city. If they were stupid and narrow-minded people, they would have ill feelings. However, Xu Ke and Feng Jin were different. Qiguan Ruang was not worried. Oh, so thats how it is. I thought about it too much, Meng Hun responded, embarrassed. Qiguan Rang sighed. It was not wrong, but he really did not want to stand out. However, he had no control over the current situation. He would lose his life if he did not take the lead. He had to guard the Xiangyang District! Fortunately, the defense weapons of the Xiangyang District were still there, and they had recruited many soldiers over the last few days. He still had some confidence. Qiguan Rang was not as unprofessional as the Tsing Yi Army. Jiang Pengji would have it easy if she broke through the city defense he set up. Xu Ke completed the pre-war preparations in less than two hours. Thousands of troops were ready to go. Each of them brought enough grain for six days. Jiang Pengji said, Kill the entire Tsing Yi Army! Lets bring all the guys back! The summer wind was hot. Everyone heard her commands. It was like a boulder was sitting on everyones shoulders. Kill the Tsing Yi Army! Bring the guys back! Meng Hun shouted, suppressing his voice. Kill the Tsing Yi Army! Bring the guys back! Kill the Tsing Yi Army! Bring the guys back! Kill the Tsing Yi Army! Bring the guys back! The uniform, deafening cries resounded, and their anger erupted. Lets set off! Carrying heavy loads on their backs for a long-range raid was normal for the troops. Ordinary people were short of breath when they ran for three or four miles; however, the troops hardly sweat. They carried improved arrows, a quiver, water, and grain for the next few days. The weight of their packs could not compare to their normal load. It was easier for them. Standing at the city gate, Qiguan Rang heaved a long sigh. He watched the troops and Jiang Pengji disappear, then ordered someone to step up their defense strategy. He initially thought that their current situation would stabilize over the next six months. He accepted that he had work overtime. However, the Tsing Yi Army was witless and provoked Jiang Pengji. She held grudges; she would definitely kill every person in Tsing Yi Army in Fengyi County. Looks like Im doomed to work all my life, he muttered. He was worried as he looked into the distance. You must return safely! After traveling for four hours, Jiang Pengji asked the troops to stop and refresh themselves. She rolled out the Great Universal Geographical Map of Fengyi County. Meng Hun panted heavily and asked, Lord, which direction should we head next? It was hot. Even though the loads on their backs were not heavy, the travel was exhausting. Meng Hun was depressed. The troop member that risked his life did not have time to tell them where the rest of the troops were. The terrain of Fengyi County was complicated. The troop member was an outsider. It was good that he managed to find the Xiangyang District to tell them what happened. How could he expect anything else? Therefore, their only choice was to find their location by themselves. It undoubtedly increased the difficulty of the rescue mission. If they made a wrong judgment, went the wrong way, and wasted time, it might be too late. Buyao Heshibile: I hope that they can make it in time. Otherwise, the troops will die in vain. Jingpin Kuaizi: Im praying that they make it in time. Otherwise, I cant imagine how psycho the streamer will get. Chapter 425 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji frowned and looked at the sheepskin map in her hands. Meng Hun saw how focused she was and did not dare to disturb her. After a while, she drew a route on the map with her finger. Well go this way. Meng Hun glanced at the sheepskin map with some doubt. He did not know why she was so sure about it. Panting heavily, Jiang Pengji drank half the amount of water in her water bottle. She tied it to the horses trappings and said, He didnt say where they were before he died, but the marks on his body showed everything. Jiang Pengji wiped her face with her palm. It has been scorching hot the past few days, and there hasnt been any rain. His clothes were dirt-stained, which made the original color of his clothing almost unidentifiable. However, the part of his pants from his feet to his knees was cleaner than other parts. There were some water weeds in his straw sandals, which showed that he waded into the water while he was fleeing. According to the Great Universal Geographical Map, there are two roads with rivers and water weeds. This is the only path that meets these conditions. I think the troops carried on the fight while they retreated; they have most likely gone into hiding here. Im not 100 percent sure. I can only take my chances. With a grave look on his face, Meng Hun carefully looked where Jiang Pengji pointed. If thats the case, they may still be alive. According to the illustration on the map, where Jiang Pengji pointed was winding. There were endless places to hide. I hope so. She was calm. The weather is hot now so the forest will catch fire easily. If the Tsing Yi Army is impatient in asearching the mountains, theyll likely just set them on fire. Lets get going. Now that time was ticking away, she definitely did not want to delay. What if they were just a few seconds late? Clouds were floating by. A yellowish-orange afterglow shined down on the earth. The air was growing stuffy; it was so suffocating that it made people gasp for breath. Night gradually fell. ****** At the foot of a mountain, a strong, middle-aged man sat on a folding stool, staring fiercely into the distance. He spat on the ground and said with a vehement facial expression, Bah! I wont let any of these b*stards get away alive! Shadows of people were moving not far away. Be quick. Well burn them alive in the mountains today to pay homage to the spirits of the deceased! someone yelled. Hurry up. Why are you slacking?! the voices continued. The general will kill you with a whip if you loaf around. Be quick and neat. Get to work Rustling sounds filled the air at the foot of the mountain. Thousands of shadows moved around. Everyone was holding something in their arms. ****** After an hour. A middle-aged man wearing coarse clothes bent over and spoke to a burly, middle-aged man sitting on a folding stool. General, everything is almost ready. Well make it impossible for them to escape this time. If 3,000 Daluo Jinxians come, well roast and cook themCClet alone 3,000 bedraggled soldiers. We wont let them escape. The weather was dry, and it had not rained for a few days. Once they set fire to the mountains, it would run rampant. The middle-aged man was somewhat nervous. In order to vent their anger, the Tsing Yi Army attacked the wounded camp at night. However, no one expected them to have such quick reactions. They failed to annihilate them, and the other party noticed them. Jiang Pengjis troops and the people were so stupid; they forgot to bring their sacks with them when they ran for their lives. They were forced to flee, and there were countless casualties. They were so hopelessly idiotic that they fled to the mountains in the end, trying to shake them amidst the complex terrain. They were foolish. Why would the Tsing Yi Army search the mountains? They would just set the mountains on fire. The Tsing Yi Army did not notice that a silhouette carrying a bow and arrow was hiding behind a boulder. After a while, the shadow returned to the mountain with a grave look on his face. He said while panting, The b*stards at the foot of the mountain plan to set the mountains on fire There is dry wood everywhere. Setting the mountains on fire? What should they do? Many people began to panic. Many people were injured. They were pale, and their eye sockets were black. Everyone looked extremely exhausted. There were old people and children, as well as many young men and women. In the face of their upcoming deaths, they could only cry on each others shoulder. They initially thought that the troops could protect them from danger and that they could escape, but they were in a hopeless situation. The fear of death shrouded their hearts. Under such pressure, someone finally could not hold it in any longer and roared, Its all because of banes like you! If you didnt Poof! An arrow pierced through his knee when he had yet to finish speaking. Blood began to pour out. The man wailed in agony and rolled on the ground, hugging his leg. Many people screamed. The scene was chaotic. Snap! The person who shot the arrow pulled it out of the mans knee. He was not disgusted with the blood, and he shoved it back into the quiver. I hope you get this straight: If we werent rescuing all of you, we wouldnt be trapped in this horrible place. The guys that have followed me for three to four years died to save you. If I dont even complain about it, then you dont have the right to speak! Another troop member yelled, Shut up! Whoever who dares to speak another word will die! At that moment, someone chimed in, Thats right! If it wasnt for our Lords generosity, who would have pulled you out from the ruins? Now that the Tsing Yi Army launched an attack, youre starting to walk out on us. Had we known you were all ungrateful and vicious people, we wouldve abandoned you. Lets see how the Tsing Yi Army treats you. The men will have their feet and their heads chopped off. Women will become prostitutes. The children wont be set free. I was originally a bandit. I dont mind returning to my former ways. Ill kill you all to vent my anger! Thats enough. The more you speak, the more outrageous it sounds. The person that spoke was a young man dressed in brown clothes. He was sitting on a rock with a silver rifle at his side. His brows were dashing, and he had a handsome face. Although the blood on his face had dried, he was very clearly handsome. There was a wound that was nearly three inches long on his left arm. Even though it was bandaged tightly with a rag, blood still seeped out. He did not seem to feel the pain in his arm. He looked unperturbed. If the troop member had not crossed the line with his words, then the young man would not have even frowned. Brother Li, weve caused you trouble. The troop member was not angry at being reproached. He even smiled at the young man apologetically. If the young man in brown clothes had not helped them escape, they would have already died. He took them through familiar territory and helped them escape the Tsing Yi Army along the way. The young man surnamed Li shook his head a little and replied in a deep voice, Its okay. What are we going to do next? Do we just wait around and die? Some people were murmuring. Everyone else was silent. There were 1,000 troops left out of the original 2,000. The Tsing Yi Army killed all the others while they retreated or protected the commoners. They died tragically. Recalling their traumatic memories, people could not help but cry. In the face of the cracking morale, someone said, Whether we stay on the mountain or fight, well die. Its better if a few die with us so it was not in vain. Well be heroes in 18 years! Chapter 426 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The young man with the surname Li said in a bold and carefree manner, I dont want to miss out on such an interesting thing! The troop member replied with a bitter look on his face, Youve already helped us. We cant put your life in danger again, no matter what. Youre agile and good in martial arts. You can definitely break through the encirclement. We want nothing else from you. We just want you to inform our Langjun in the Xiangyang District that although we were all bandits, we have the integrity to fight to the end. We wont embarrass him! Li Yun got up, holding the rifle in his right hand. Youre all good men with unyielding characters. Ill be uneasy for the rest of my life if I abandon you. You dont have to say anything. Well fight and die together! Li Yuns heroic attitude lifted the spirits of the people. What was there to fear? Even if they died, they would do so surrounded by righteous companions. They were bandits that killed people every day before they met Jiang Pengji. They already regarded life and death as unimportant. If they died, they would just return after another 18 years. Brother Li, I owe you two lives. Ill be your slave in the next life. Li Yun was an ace in martial arts. To many troop members, he was even better than their general coach. His marksmanship was as vigorous as a tiger. He was not at all frightened when he faced ten people by himself. Had Li Yun not saved the troops, they would have been wiped out. They would not have been able to talk about such lofty ambitions. Li Yun was usually serious in speech and manner. He normally appeared aloof because he was very shy on the inside. He smiled upon hearing the troop members sincere words. He was not sad about having to die. Were brothers. Why fuss over this? The troop member was startled. He spoke after a while with teary eyes, Yes. Were brothers! The troops had no choice but to abandon the people. If they had abandoned the people from the start, the night attack by the Tsing Yi Army would not have caused much harm to them. However, they could not leave them behind in the end. Abandoning the people was a death sentence. The Tsing Yi Army did everything in the name of the people. In fact, they were just a reckless mob that vented their anger. Even the troops of bandit origins were beneath contempt. They were not as rampant as the Tsing Yi Army, even when they were bandits. Now, they were already helpless and could not even fend for themselves. How could they protect the people? The troops packed up the few arrows in the quivers, checked the use of their crossbows, and wiped their daggers or long swords on their waists. They looked seriousCCas if they were not going to die, but welcoming some solemn ritual. Everyone made up their minds. Even if they died, they would not let the b*stards have it their way. The tense atmosphere affected the young children; they wailed their lungs out. A four or five-year-old little girl wearing a red, cotton jacket tugged the corner of a troop members shirt with her tiny hand. Her sparkling eyes looked even rounder due to her hunger and thin figure. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she looked at the troop member pitifully. Uncle Are you hungry? The troop member lowered his head to look at her. They looked at each other silently for a while. He searched his pockets and took out a dry steamed bun. He then removed his water bottle and handed it to her. Dip it in some water. Well depart after you eat. We cant be hungry when we die. The child shouted inarticulately. She refused to receive the water bottle and steamed bun. Uncle Dont leave The troop member sighed. Had he not been a bandit, he might have gotten married and had a daughter. Take it. Ill help you chase the bad guys away, then well eat it together. Although it was a dry steamed bun, it was still warm due to the troop members body heat. The weather was also warm, so the bun was not very hard. Soaking it in some water would make it more filling. The troop member shook off the childs hand harshly. He then got up and strode off to gather with the other troops. They needed to make one last score before they died! 4,000 members of the Tsing Yi Army surrounded the foot of the mountain. Hundreds of torches burned brightly, reflecting an orange hue on the peoples faces. Burn it! Well guard it and see if theyre strong-willed. I dont think they can stay where they are. Theyll suffocate from the smoke and burn from the fire! Kill anyone that comes outCCactually, its better if they dont come out! I heard that human flesh is good. It would be a waste to not eat it all. Many members of the Tsing Yi Army looked horrified upon hearing the cruel words that the burly man spoke. However, most of them looked fanatical. They held the torches high and were about to drop them when they heard a noise. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! With the final howl of the Tsing Yi Army, arrows flew out from the darkness. In an instant, many members of the Tsing Yi Army collapsed. Having fought with the troops several times, the Tsing Yi Army had suffered enough from the crossbows. They had also learned their lesson. When the first round of shooting ended, the uninjured immediately used the bodies of their dead comrades as shields. As he finished speaking, a white ray pierced through the air and went straight for his face. He dodged it by rolling on his side. However, the person next to him was not that lucky. Under the cover of the troops, Li Yun appeared in front of the bandit chieftain. He was skilled with his rifle; he left shadows that were difficult to distinguish. He was so quick that ones eyes could not keep up with him. His forceful attack forced the bandit chieftain to retreat. He pulled a member of the Tsing Yi Army in front of him and used him as a shield. Upon seeing the bandit chieftains actions, there was a look of disdain in Li Yuns eyes. What a coward! The direction of the rifle changed. The body of the rifle made a circular arc, bypassed the human shield like a viper, and hit the chieftains face. Li Yun had a grave look on his face. The feeling was not as good as he expected. He heaved a sigh and clutched his rifle. Sure enough, the bandit chieftain was still alive. There was only a bloody mark on his face so deep that his bones could be seen. What a pity. Brother Li, be careful! Upon hearing the warning, Li Yun lost his bearings. A torch zoomed towards his face. He dodged it but fell into the encirclement of the Tsing Yi Army. A few blades came towards him. The Tsing Yi Armys ability was not great, but it was difficult to beat four hands with two fists. A few of them were mauling just one person. No matter how good the person was at fighting, there was no way to beat them. Li Yuns left arm was severely injured. He could not block all the knives with his right hand alone. Oh He chose to suffer a small injury rather than a large one. In the end, apart from the wound on his back, he did not feel the amount of pain he was expecting. Poof! Poof! The sound of arrows piercing through flesh was heard. Blood spattered on his face. Li Yun turned his head, only to find that the members of the Tsing Yi Army that were attacking him had sinister looks on their faces. Chapter 427 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Li Yun recognized the familiar buzz of the troops crossbows instantly, but he was confused about the direction they came from. Before he had time to think about it, more arrows pierced through the air, precisely saving the troops that almost died. This isnt right! Are they reinforcements? Li Yun was delighted. Who would seek death if they did not have to? He stopped thinking and utilized his rifle once again; he swiftly killed two enemies. He shouted, Guys, the reinforcements are here! Reinforcements? Could it be that the troop member that went to find their Langjun accomplished his mission? A strong desire for survival ignited in their hearts. They suddenly became spirited, exuding a strong resistance. As if to confirm Li Yuns words, countless arrows buzzed by him. The bodies of the Tsing Yi Army continued to collapse. After two rounds of shooting, a group of troops dashed out from the darkness, Meng Hun in the forefront. Fury rang through their screams. They came to revenge their brothers deaths! The Tsing Yi Army did not set the mountains on fire. Instead, Jiang Pengjis troops set them on fire. Agonizing cries blended with the screams. It was a massacre; people died every second. Jiang Pengji laid down her crossbow, pulled out the long sword on her waist, and rushed towards the battlefield. Using the sword in her hand, she killed people with every move. Her body was soon blood-stained. Li Yun lifted his rifle again to look for the bandit chieftain, but he had already escaped. The chieftain fled when he realized the tide had turned against him. Where is he? Suspicions grew in Li Yuns mind. He killed people as he ran, but he couldnt find the burly bandit chieftain. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure. His eyes lit up. He was about to charge forward to kill him, but someone beat him to it. The chieftains head flew in the air. A pair of unfamiliar hands held the decapitated head. Li Yun was speechless. Who killed him? Enemies will be beheaded, and those who dont surrender will die! The skinny young man was holding the burly mans head high. His hoarse voice was full of resilience. Of course, Jiang Pengji was not satisfied. The troops that she carefully trained and raised almost died at the hands of the Tsing Yi Army. She would not feel as though justice was served until they were dead. However, she knew if things were not controlled, more people would die. Even so, both parties had no intention of stopping. The remnants of the Tsing Yi Army regained their rationality and knelt to surrender only when they realized they were at a disadvantage. Charred corpses covered the foot of the mountain, and the rich and the scorching smell of meat assailed their noses. Count the number of captives. The rest of you, put out the fire to avoid burning the forest, Jiang Pengji ordered in a hoarse voice. She threw the chieftains head aside with a fierce look in her eyes, making people afraid of her. Well get even with the Tsing Yi Army sooner or later. They deserve to die for hurting my subordinates! Meng Hun clenched his fists. His calm face was brewing with rage. The finished cleaning the battlefield just before dawn. There were only 1,800 people left, including the troops Jiang Pengji brought with her. Lord Meng Hun opened his sore eyes. He looked as if he could cry in the next second. He could not help but feel distressed. Out of the 3,000 troops that had left Chongzhou with him, there were only 1,800 of them left. The casualty ratio seemed small, but every troop member was the best of the best. It was distressing to lose one of them, let alone losing nearly half of them! Have they been buried? Jiang Pengji frowned but did not reveal much emotion. She was used to death. She would, at most, be emotional for a moment. She refused to dwell in sadness. Theyre buried. Meng Hun originally wanted to bring their corpses back, but the current situation did not allow him to do so. He could only reluctantly bury them. Each of them had a grave. The only comforting thing was that their graves were all in one place, so they would not feel lonely. Take the troops back With a grave look on her face, Jiang Pengji scanned her surroundings quietly, and her gaze fell on Li Yun. Seeing the condition of his right arm, she raised her eyebrows a little and asked Meng Hun, Who is he? Why havent I seen him before? He did not appear to be one of her troop members. Upon hearing her question, a troop member summoned up the courage to speak, Brother Li is our benefactor. Benefactor? Jiang Pengji looked at Li Yun. Whats going on? When it came to Li Yun, many people felt that they were really lucky to know him. Li Yun was from Fengyi County. His parents had passed away when he was young. He learned martial arts from his master, who taught him technical skills in the mountains near Fengyi County. Li Yun happened to be passing by the mountains when the troops were trying to outrun the Tsing Yi Army. He heard about how awful the Tsing Yi Army was, so he formed an alliance with the troops. He enthusiastically helped the troops find their way through the mountains. He was a young man who looked aloof, but he was naturally sociable. He had a frank and open personality but was not hypocritical. Moreover, he had already rescued the troops multiple times. He was soon accepted by the troops, and they treated each other as brothers. Oh, Jiang Pengji responded flatly. Do you have anywhere else to go? she asked Li Yun. Li Yun replied, My master told me to explore, but he didnt specify where I should go. In fact, his master originally said that the world was evolving, and one could only improve his martial arts skills by constantly challenging and fighting people. His master told him to widen his horizons and leave the mountains. If he returned with scholarly honor, he could marry a good wife and carry on his family line. Dongqing emphasized literature and restricted military force, so learning martial arts was far less popular than learning literature. Initially, his master said that Li Yun would end up in a difficult position. The world was in chaos, so it was a good opportunity for the warriors to rise and run the world. If you dont have a fixed destination, why dont you come to the Xiangyang District? Everywhere north of Dongqing is chaotic. Its very dangerous for you to be alone. Li Yun thought about it for a moment and nodded readily. Sure. He saw that the skinny young man in front of him was very skilled in martial arts. If he went to the Xiangyang District, he could potentially learn from him. Although Li Yun was smart, he had a blind trust in his master. He would not forget why he was told to leave the mountains: to improve his martial arts skills and to obtain scholarly honor and marry a wife. The audience in the streaming room said that it was a quaint scene. Tumi Dalao: #cuppingmycheeks. Just like that, the streamer has kidnapped Prince Charming to the Xiangyang District. Doesnt he know that theres no way out? He can refer to the pitiful Coach Luo for information. Hes so worn out from working overtime. Buxiangjiageng Zhixiangsi: I foresee a delicate flower withering gradually under the pressure of working overtime. Lai Huxiang Shanghai Ah: The streamer wouldnt That insane, right? Chapter 428 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liyuns words lifted Jiang Pengjis mood, and, as if by coincidence, she read the contents on the livestreaming bullet screen. Streamer V: To have an outstanding workers and free labour, why not make use of him? She honestly admitted her scheme. If she didnt entice Liyun to work for her, then was it for his face? Tumi Dalao: Streamer, with regards to your frankness, Ill give you 82 points. The remaining will be awarded to you in 6666 formats. Renshen Weiku: I will award 101 points to The Streamer for being honest, any additional one point will make you proud. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Ive never seen such a thick-skinned and shameless Streamer. Comparing all the people with thick skins, I only acknowledge her. Shanzhatiao: I feel that when pitted against the streamer, even Zhou Bapi has become benevolent and gracious. Sanxiaoji Jiaben: Since all of you badmouth The Streamer, then Ill show concern for the handsome young Liyun. His attractiveness index is worth raving over. He is good looking, able to fight and has his charms. A young handsome man like him whos innocent is special, there arent many left in society. He deserves to be idolized and appreciated. Liyun remained completely ignorant of how much his appearance was worth in the eyes of the audience in another world. He single-handedly danced with his spear, that the blood stain on the spear was thrown off. His actions are decisive and sharp. Such an alluring move, it hit some of the fans sweet spot. Jiang Pengji ignored the excitable bullet screen, and leapt up to Whites back. After a nights work, the count of troops had been organized. She consolidated the number of people she has: the total prisoners from the Tsing Yi army amounted to 1500, the troops who fought with their lives to rescue the people from Fengyi county had 2300 men. Jiang Pengji gave them a choice if theyre willing to go with her to Xxiangyang district. If they are unwilling, it is fine. They are given a days worth of rations and henceforth their life is dependent on heavens will, they will have no relations with each other. All of them witnessed Tsing Yi armys violence and recklessness. Presently, they dont even dare return to their ancestral home, let alone wander outside. Thus, except for the minority who return to their loved ones, most of the people decided to follow Jiang Pengji to Xiangyang district. No matter what, it will not be as bad as the situation presently. The distance from here to Xiangyang district isnt far, even if they travelled by foot itll not take 12 hours. Despite the Tsing Yi army prisoners and the people who slowed them down, based on a rough estimate they should be able to reach in 2 to 3 days. As for the food they needed for the journey, if everyone rationed carefully, they could last till they entered the Xiangyang district. It was fine so long as they dont die of hunger. Jiang Pengji devised in her heart, she glanced sideways and observed the troops whos face became thinner and her heart softened. Eat something light, we will continue our journey after you are full. The troops have the most rations allocated to them; the average people have only half. With regards to the distribution of rations, even if the people are displeased, they didnt dare speak up. If they dont starve and could hang on until they reach Xiangyang district, all their problems will be solved. Jiang Pengji gave the troops time to eat, almost all of them guarded their rations, gulped them down and ate voraciously. Some of them teared up as they ate, their salty tears made their food wet. Shushu, are you crying because youre starving? A young girl with red hair, wearing a tiny coat, open wide her round eyes and used her little hands to help him wipe the tears on his face. She thought it through, lowered her head then felt within her bosom for half a steam bun the troops gave her last night. She passed it to him, Please eat this. The dry steam bun already turned sour. That troop stretched his hand to pat the little girls head. This is more delicious, seeing it makes uncles eyes crave for it, so I cried I will exchange it with you to eat. The troop exchanged for the dry steam bun that turned sour the ration in his hands and gave it to the small child. Lets eat together. Its not just him: all his brothers thought they wouldnt survive till the second day. They never imagined, their lord, Langjun, would personally bring men to carry out rescue efforts. Calculating the distance in between, it wasnt hard for them to estimate how fast Jiang Pengji and the rest rode over, it must have been a tumultuous journey. In this state, his heart is incomparably touched, he desperately wished he could die for his lord. Alright, the small girl answered crisply; her face full of innocence. My lord, something is wrong. Meng Hun quickened the horses pace and rushed up to Jiang Pengji. His face solemnly reported, After checking with some brothers, they saw the Tsing Yi army split into two groups, one group has been hunting them down along the way, another is headed straight for a surprise attack on the Xiangyang district. Estimating from the rate they are moving forward, I am afraid that since midnight yesterday, theyve reached Xiangyang district. Should we rush back to support them in battle Closing her eyelids, she replied plainly, Theres no need, we can return back at our usual pace. Meng Huns heart was anxious: he didnt understand why Jiang Pengji was neither worried nor nervous. The lords foundations were still too shallow, she has only governed Xiangyang district. Unexpectedly, the Xiangyang district went through an earthquake and the torment from Tsing Yi armywork is currently underway, and they are awaiting the rebuilding of infrastructures, but, to put it simply, its a blackhole. If the Xiangyang district is occupied by the Tsing Yi army again, it was the equivalent to surrendering all of Jiang Pengjis family property to the Tsing Yi army additionally, Qiguan Rang and the others were doomed to die. As for Meng Huns worries, Jiang Pengji understood them in her heart. You should have more faith in Wenzheng, he was born at the borders of Dongqing and is used to such events, she responded. The Tsing Yi army are essentially just an unruly mob, they have innumerable men yet the strength they can exert is even less than a locusts strength. Without numerous attacking machineries, how are they going to snatch back Xiangyang district from Wenzhengs hands? If they truly succeed in their endeavour, Wenzheng will not wait for Tsing Yi army to act, he will kill himself out of shame. Meng Hun was stunned, he never thought of this. Jiang Pengji laughed mockingly, both her eyes lit with hints of evil intention. Compared to Xiangyang district, I am more worried for the Tsing Yi army. Wenzhengs strength lies in his devilish killer strategies, innately he sends people to their deaths, he cares not whether the means are upright or not. For him to guard the city, I am also unsure how many men from the Tsing Yi army can survive at the end. The Xiangyang army is lacking in manpower, hopefully there wont be too many deaths. When Meng Hun heard this, he was speechless. Qiguan Rang and him have interacted for years, why is it that his understanding of him is half as much compared to the lord? Do you know why the Tsing Yi army was defeated so easily? Jiang Pengji replied with despise, Theyre but a group of unarmoured average men, how are they able to resist the swords, spears, batons of their enemies? To attack a city requires no less than that, if the offenive party has insufficient machinery to attack yet wants to climb over their enemys wall, then they have to use lives to push this forward. Of course, Jiang Pengji who pounced a secret night attack into Xiangyang district, was a unique example. After you return, bear in mind this area of advancement. I wonder which famous Mojia scholars are out there in Dongqing, Jiang Pengji nibbled on her dry snacks and mumbled to herself. If there were any she wishes to poach them over. In ancient times, people felt this is a weird and unethical method, but Jiang Pengji knows that technology can influence the fate of a country. Disregarding unrealistic ideas, just speaking of the most basic machinery to attack cities, ladders, humongous stone throwing machines, carriages to attack, towers for besieging a city, equipment to climb up city walls, crossbows, ballistic war machines these can all be exploited to engage in battles to attack cities. The weaker side wishes to make up for this disadvantage at the expense of countless lives. Chapter 429 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Some construction machinery was requested but as theyre yet to be invented in this era, the remaining construction machinery and techniques are outdated. If it were a bystander commenting on this, Meng Hun may brush it off, but its Jiang Pengji who said this! Who amongst the troops were ignorant about the improved bows which were invented by her? As the troops main military trainer, no one understood more clearly how much the improved version of bows has enhanced their military strength than he did. To put it plainly, if not for the improved version of bows, these 3000 troops would have died countless of times over. The Mo family I havent really heard about them Meng Hun pondered carefully but a pity he couldnt find any useful recollections. Though its a generation with many schools of thought, due to the influence of revering only the Confucius scholars from the previous dynasty, Confucius scholars are still the most esteemed. They dominate a large portion of the market while Mo family is underrated amongst many families. Perhaps there arent many disciples under the Mo family just yet, but many of them live in disguised identities, their reputation is not well-known. To identify some brilliant scholars from the Mo school of thought in Dongqing, Meng Hun foresees that itd be difficult. Forget it, its not too late to mention it another time, she says. She wants to poach scholars from Mo family not because she wanted something from them. Speaking of battle weapons, who on this earth is more insightful than her? She only wants to point them in the right scientific direction, to plant the scientific seed on this earth. Stubbornly holding on to traditions does not only stifle the growth of a generation, it may even cause the era to go backwards. Jiang Pengji aspires to create a brand-new era, and its impossible by herself. She requires more starters and initiators. However, these goals are too far off for her now. Rather than consider these, shed rather deliberate about Xiangyang districts rebuilding work. There are many options available and each have their strengths. As Jiang Pengji expected, Qiguan Rang didnt disappoint her. He had to rely solely on 1000 imperial guards and 2000 newly recruited soldiers to safeguard the Xiangyang district. The Tsing Yi army doesnt have enough rations, they could only hold the fort for two to three days and a long haul will take a toll on them. They also lost over a 1000 men intermittently during the war and could only choose to retreat in the end. Qiguan Rang stood at the edge of the city wall, regrettably watching the Tsing Yi army retreat while he fanned himself gently. Sighing softly, he said, What a pity. If not for the limitations in manpower, within the city lies a heap of ruins, he desperately wishes he can swallow Tsing Yi army whole. Luoyue heard this, and thinking something was wrong, he asked after him. Master Qiguan Rang guarded the Xiangyang district and caused the Tsing Yi army to lose thousands of men, its not an easy feat. Qiguan Rang just wore his usual smile and ordered the men to clean the battleground. - That very afternoon, the sun set from the west. The guards on duty standing at the sentry tower noticed a group of people, in step with the twilight of sunset, approaching from afar, nearing the Xiangyang district. The events that happened left everyone on their toes, they still thought their enemies were approaching and sent out the signal. Qiguan Rang has been on guard duty for a few days, he almost never rested nor slept. Moreover, he saw the signal at present, and inevitably mustered his energy and climbed up the city walls. He squinted his eyes for more than half a day but the distance was too vast and in that short span of time he could not determine where these people hailed from. After a while, he remarked, Nothings wrong, our lord has returned. Their lord is back? The guards on duty heard this and almost jumped with joy. Qiguan Rang widened his red-rimmed eyes. Send men to inform Feng Langjun and the rest, he said hoarsely. He raised his hand to wipe his face. Having not washed his face for days, a layer of oil had accumulated on his face. Luckily Qiguan Rang wasnt obsessed with cleanliness if this happens to Feng Jin, he would surely be mad. He got someone to bring him water to wash his face. After washing up, his face started brimming with unbridled joy. Lets go to welcome our lord. It is hard not to be overjoyed, seeing Jiang Pengjis team: it has a strength of minimally 4000 men. After a season of rest, that would be 4000 men in action! Qiguan Rang naturally curled the sides of his lips, yet doubts took root in his heart. Something was amiss he seemed to have forgotten something. He stayed up for so many nights to meditate that his brain is not as sharp. Qiguan Rang determined in his heart he will stop forcing himself to think of what he had forgot. From far off, Jiang Pengji witnessed the Xiangyang districts pathetic state: the few remaining city walls stained with the blood of countless men. Sensing this, Qiguan Rang, though he secured the Xiangyang district, the stress involved was obviously huge. Rang welcomes my lord! Jiang Pengji jumped off the horse, she held Qiguan Rang up who came out to welcome her. His eyes were bloodshot, his dark eye circles became increasingly vivid, the viewers in the livestreaming room were felt sorry for him at the sight. Jiang Pengjis heart softened, is a rare occurrence, and said, These few days of securing the city, Wen Zheng has worked hard. Leave the remaining business to Xiaoyu, the rest and myself, you can return to rest first before you collapse from exhaustion. This time Qiguan Rang didnt stubbornly refuse to admit he was tired. Disregarding all else, he felt he could sleep immediately once his head touched the pillow. Feng Jin and the rest received the news and hurried over. They saw Jiang Pengji return safely and were relieved. A relatively small scale army attacked the Xiangyang district. Moreover, the Tsing Yi were just an unruly group of people, while they had the advantage of the city walls and machinery to defend the city. Comparatively, Jiang Pengji and the rest who were outside carrying out relief efforts were at greater risk. Seeing that she came back in one piece, Feng Jin and the rest felt a heavy burden lifted from their hearts. Yet, as they looked left and right, they couldnt help but wonder where was Qiguan Rang? Wen Zheng is too tired from safeguarding the city the past few days, so I agreed to let him return to rest, Jiang Pengji finished her words and turned towards Feng Jin. I will leave it to you, Huaiyu, to help settle down the prisoners of the Tsing Yi army and the people from Fengyi county. There are many young and strong men in their midst who can be of use. Feng Jin got news that the Xiangyang district will increase in house ownership, he secretly pitied Qiguan Rang. You must know this unlucky brother oversaw the registration of households. When there are more people, his workload increased proportionally. In ancient times, there werent computers or typewriters, for Qiguan Rang to compile the household register, he has to write every word. Not to mention that even the few girls he borrowed from Jiang Pengji have also stayed up late till their dark eye circles formed. Surprisingly, Xiangyang district has an increase in their population by thousands, this indicated that therell be endless overtime to do. Qiguan Rang didnt show any reaction on the surface, but who knows? Perhaps his heart is already fuming mad and hes gnashing his teeth inwardly. Feng Jin secretly thought this in his heart, but stopped his mouth instead to say, Jin will surely make arrangements for them. Jiang Pengji then turned to Xu Ke, With a few thousand more mouths, the rations in the warehouse cannot be wasted anymore. Recruit more labourers amidst the residents quickly to let them work for their meals. After all, we arent a charity, we cannot give out free meals for much longer. Xu Ke nodded, though his workload increased, compared to Qiguan Rang, he can accept it. Humans cannot help comparison. As for the troops As Jiang Pengji mentioned the troops, she couldnt help recalling the fact that she lost close to half of them. Just thinking of it made her heart break. Military trainer Meng, let all the troops take one day of leave. We have been traversing everywhere all the while, everyone is tired. As for those brothers who are sick, based on the severity of their illness, use your discretion to give them time off work and they dont have to join in the works of Xiangyang district just yet. When they recover from their injuries then arrange a role for them. Meng Hun cupped his hands and said, Your servant will obey. Chapter 430 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After all the issues were delegated and arranged for, Jiang Pengji took a long, deep sigh of relief. Nonetheless, it was not time to let their guard down yet. The world is in a mess, only by strengthening oneself can they protect themselves. She also put in place some machineries specialized in defence and ensured that the entire Xiangyang district is impenetrable. Then they wont have to fear should Tsing Yi army invade. Liyun who is honest, realised the fatigue on everyones face, he asked curiously. Jiang Pengji sighed, Xiangyang district underwent three big disasters, presently work is underway, but we are lacking in manpower at all aspects. The people need to be settled down well, the damaged houses need to be rebuilt, the fields outside also needs to be primed for farming, otherwise, many will die of starvation next year. The able have a lot of responsibilities naturally wed be tired, this is inevitable. One person has to double up to take on two roles and give their utmost. Liyun finds joy in helping others, if not he wouldnt enthusiastically help the troops resist Tsing Yi armys attacks. Moreover, even more he is ignorant of Jiang Pengjis scheming invitation for him to come to Xiangyang district. Hearing Jiang Pengjis meaningful and heartfelt words, Liyuns heart softened, his warm and kind personality was inevitably triggered. His eyes are brimming with sincerity, he opened his mouth to ask Jiang Pengji, Is young Langjun still lacking in people? I may not be strong in my intellect, but I have my brawn to offer. If I am needed in any area, young Langjun, please feel free to say. After he finished speaking, he broke into a rather bashful smile. He knows that a district magistrate is not a lowly official post, by saying this she implies that she urgently needs help. Feng Jin, Xiaoyu and Meng Hun were still around, they discreetly looked at Liyun as if they saw a ghost. Where in the world did this senseless child emerge from? Xiangyang district is equivalent to hell on this earth, one has to work overtime so much that they wished for death. They have all entered the pirates boat and cannot exit, but why does Liyun take the initiative to get himself in trouble? Jiang Pengji said directly, There are openings. I am only afraid a saintly person like Li Langjun is not suitable for the task. Liyuns a little embarrassed, he commented, Please dont address me as Langjun, call me Li Han Mei will do. As for the description as the deity like person, it seriously made him feel shy. Such a handsome man, captivating indeed. Liyuns courtesy name is Han Mei, it truly doesnt let his face down. Sure, if so, I will not stand on ceremony. Jiang Pengji said with an open mind. Despite the accusations by the audiences in the live streaming room, she continued to speak, Theres indeed a task that needs to be undertaken by someone. If Han Mei doesnt mind, I will entrust you with it. No problem, I do not fear hard work. Liyun is an honest child, this is evident is all aspects. When he raises his spear, he is a cold, proud and god-like. After he puts it down, he is blatantly bullied by Jiang Pengji yet genuinely cute and likable. Finally, Jiang Pengji entrusted the task of preparing an area for agriculture to Liyun. Right, she assigned someone with exceptional spear techniques, like a death god who is alluring and handsome to do farming! Dalao Raoming: Keke, streamer, come, tell me your house address. I will send you razor blades for sure. Shanzhatiao: Good heavens, honestly, I cannot imagine such a handsome god-man going to slog in the farms like those uncles. Buxiangjiageng Zhixiangsi: Why did you assign a farming role to a general who is meant to fight at battlefields in future, streamer youre the best. Why not sit and watch the sky monkey ascend to heavens! Feng Jin and the rest were tired from within, they asked to leave. Suddenly he recalled something important and reported to Jiang Pengji. Oh yes my lord, bricks have been synthesized at the brick kiln. Brick kiln? Bricks have been synthesized at the brick kiln? Whats the outcome? Jiang Pengji supported her heavy head, after hearing Feng Jins words, her mind became alert. The craftsmen have retrieved the bricks out, but whether they can be used needs to be assessed by the lord. After all, its his lord who started this mess, she is the rightful spokesperson. Lets head to the brick kiln to see. Jiang Pengji dismissed the thought of resting; she took some men to the brick kiln. An old man burning the kiln is the craftsman for synthesizing bricks, learning of Jiang Pengjis arrival, he hurriedly brought his men to receive them. Since the lord went to war, this is the third batch of bricks. Within the kiln, the four batch is being burnt. The craftsman led Jiang Pengji to have a look at the products from the three batches. The surface of the bricks had a tinge of grey, it is nicely arranged in a pile and took up a large area. The first batch of grey bricks has evidently more cracks than the latter two batches which had less, they also appeared more defined and beautiful. Jiang Pengji stacked the grey bricks together then chopped it with her the side of her palms. Upon checking the patterns within, Almost there As a whole, these few batches of grey bricks are of decent quality. For a first timer to achieve such product, it is rather successful. She could also observe, the batch at the back is better than the one before them. Evidently, the craftsman has interest in this. After he made his first batch, he worked hard to identify how he can optimise the process then he made changes. Continue to burn and synthesize these bricks. When Xiangyang district begins to take shape, you will all be rewarded handsomely! The craftsmen smiled looking very pleased. Rebuilding Xiangyang district requires numerous bricks. To increase the scale of things, Jiang Pengji specially ordered two more brick kilns to be built. Night and day, the burning to synthesize continues. The charcoal needed for burning bricks finished, she even commanded them to go next door at Chengde county to buy at a lower price. Possessing the bricks enables the houses to be built at ease. Manpower also increased by the thousands, so the rate of construction increased tremendously. Friendship price is worth three coins, the opportunity must be seized. After a month, Jiang Pengji pulled out a few new land and house deeds. Feng Jin and the rest looked at it, the nerves at their mouth almost stretched till they snapped. Without any bias, they are too familiar with the land deeds at these places. Three coins. Qiguan Rang searched for three coins from his sleeves, then took one land deed from the pile. Feng Jin sought for his money pouch, the side of his lips moved, theres mostly gold and silver within so its tough to find three copper coins. Luckily Xu Ke had spare coins and lent him three coins. Shortly after, the land deeds were divided. The remaining ones were also snatched up. What a joke, without snatching, the good spots will surely be taken by others. One storey building is popular in current times, these houses are also built efficiently. However, considering the space these houses occupy, Jiang Pengji combined the style of buildings in Hejian and Shangjing and the ideas the viewers from the livestream contributed. Everyone put their minds and effort together to maximise the space, they came up with exquisite and elegant two and three sectioned small apartments. The area isnt big, but its strength lies in its exquisite and impeccable design, it is breathtakingly beautiful. Even Feng Jin who is accustomed to the ways of the world, he is full of praises for the small apartment. The first batch of houses will be completed soon, Jiang Pengji is personally motivated to offer some incentives to those subordinates who worked overtime. This land deed originally belongs to the district headquarters. Jiang Pengji used one coin to buy one deed. Then sold it for three coins to her subordinate. Since one is poor, theres no choice. Nothing good can be gained if she exploited her staff. But its not an issue, she has houses that are almost built to completion. The house and land deeds will be sold for three coins. The viewers watching the livestream saw this and almost cried their eyes out. Streamer, the price of this house is too cheap, please award it countless hits! Chapter 431 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Heshibi Haogui: #laughtillonecries, a land deed and house deed worth only three coins. The cost of this residence is heavenly. Yaoyibai Ruanmeini: The heaven in my imagination, even in my wildest dreams isnt so bold. Biesuibian Tiaoxi: Oh Sanwen, loved ones, when it reached us, its less than even three dollars! Which of you has calculated the area of the two sectioned residence? Even if the streamer is so intimidating and Id have to work overtime till I cry, I also want to travel back in time to serve her. Zuozeta Buxiang Jiageng: Pei, what logic is this? The second sectioned residences are more than 400 square meters, this is a small apartment. What is my two-story villa, a toilet? But this price for a house is crazy. Streamer, can I travel back in time to be your slave? Just give me three coins and a second section residence. Let alone work overtime for one month, Id do it for a year, whoever frowns is a dog! Qianzai Taiduo: Let alone one year, Ill be willing to do it even for ten years. After working hard for one year, I cant even afford one tenth of a toilet. Buxiangjiageng Zhixiangsi: Am I the only one who noticed the streamer earning a profit of two coins? A land and house deed purchased for one coin, then sold for three coins. She earned two folds profit. Truthfully, Jiang Pengji was a competent streamer. Even though her temper is bad shes hardworking. From the morning when getting out of bed to switching on the livestream till night when she sleeps, rain or shine, she is unstoppable. Notably after the earthquake at Shangjing previously, Jiang Pengji was exhausted to the point of losing consciousness. Her livestream hours increased to more than 15 hours and hit a peak of 24 hours. When Feng Jin and all worked overtime, she didnt slack off. The others have good skin conditions even after burning the midnight oil for 4 to 5 hours. Unexpectedly, the dark circles never appeared on their eyes neither did their eye bags swell. The viewers were rather jealous at first, then realised her underlings didnt believe she worked that hard. They laughed hilariously. Only during such times, these unethical viewers will briefly give Jiang Pengji some points of pity. - One month has passed, Xiangyang districts rebuilding is going according to plan. From the center of the district it began to spread outward and the first batch of exquisite apartments are almost ready. A group of people departed; Meng Hun took big strides, practically running towards Feng Jin. Master Feng, can you please exchange with me? he asked bashfully. Feng Jin was startled momentarily, if he didnt remember wrongly, Meng Hun was allocated the three sectioned residence while he got the two sectioned ones. The area of both houses differed greatly, using a three sectioned house to exchange for a two sectioned one, isnt he at a disadvantage? He explained, Anyway I am living alone, living in such a big house is not convenient for me. Though Meng Hun is a warrior, he has a meticulous mind. He did not realize just now but upon reflection he discovered he screwed up. The house and land deed that Jiang Pengji gave each other is in consideration of their families. Those married will be given three sectioned houses while single ones are given two sectioned. He reacted too quickly and seemed to have taken what belongs to Feng Jin. Of course, he should exchange it back now, to prevent any unhappiness and gossip from spreading. Meng Hun scratched his head saying, The location of masters apartment is still undergoing road works by the side. Itd be noisy and may be a disturbance for my sister-in-law and my little niece. I am an elder, so it is inconsequential, such construction noise is not even at the decibel of my snoring. Feng Jin just laughed and exchanged the land and house deeds with him, and all was well. - Within a month, the Xiangyang district transformed from a desolate place to a bustling district. Walking out from the district headquarters, the surface beneath was unusually smooth such that even the most reckless horse carriage that passed by will not feel any vibrations. This is something even Shangjing in the past couldnt achieve. Precisely because the bricks that the road is laid with is burnt in the brick kiln producing pale green bricks. The scale of the bricks is different from those used to build houses. They are made thicker and broader Naturally, this is extravagant to Feng Jin, though green bricks by themselves are not worth much they are valuable because of their rarity. He followed the address on the deed, at the same time he caught a glimpse of a future residence. Outside the courtyard, he briefly lifted his head and saw the entire pale green roof tiles. Entering the courtyard, in the middle there lied a road lined with gravel rocks, leading to the hall. The doors and windows of the hall and two rooms beside have not been decorated, it looks empty, the corridor by the side has decorative flowers and wooden windows that are opened slightly. Besides the patterns on the wood itself, there are no man-made designs or crafting on the wood. Overall, it is clean and refreshing. Going forward, he entered the inner courtyard. With only one glance, he can see the setup of the residences are the most popular of his time. The entire infrastructure isnt large but theres enough natural light. Within it, theres a small courtyard. It is completely empty now, but if a false mountain is placed there, a pond is dug here, and some animals are placed therethen the scorching hot summer can be spent fishing by the side of the pond. There is a lot of potential to turn this into a truly satisfying environment. Feng Jin walked around, calculating intricately in his mind how to improve it. At this point, Changsheng is almost three months old. When she gets bigger, the area she needs to move about cannot be limited to one location. This child seems to receive the blessings and protection from the heavens. Feng Jin recently had a migraine for two days. He only got well after taking medications. He entered the hall again, lifted his head and realized something that caught his attention. During the earthquake at Shangjing, if Jiang Pengji hadnt put herself in danger to save Wei Jingxian and their daughter, Feng Jin would have been a widower by now. Every time he recalled this incident, he grew terrified. Moreover, he developed a fear for houses. Now that he looked up, he discovered that this house is very interesting. It differed from the residences he has seen. Well, of course its different. Even though the construction worker in this era used mortise and tenon, it was still in its initial stages and not as sturdy, their techniques are also lacking. While Jiang Pengji was busy planning for the house, she did extensive research with the livestream viewers, with their help and Jiang Pengjis own hard work, she introduced mature mortise and tenon to be used in this brand-new building project. Its ability to withstand earthquakes is surely hundreds of folds stronger than those flimsy ones. Feng Jin left in an overjoyed mood when leaving the residence. Once he got out, he saw Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang who were nearby. The three of them bumped into each other, taking another look, three of their residences lies on the same street. Qiguan Rang still wore a fatigued face, Does Huaiyu want to borrow some craftsmen from our lord to prepare the inner courtyard? After Feng Jin and Xu Ke worked overtime crazily, their work was on track. They can finally slow down on their workload, Feng Jin will occasionally visit his wife and child. Except for Qiguan Rang he wants so badly to roll his mattress and live where he works. The registering of households is already so mundane, yet the register records procedure has too many unreasonable and messy areas. Jiang Pengji approves of him streamlining the procedure for registration of household. Though Qiguan Rang was moved, but by doing so, it unequivocally betrays his all-time principle to stay a low profile. Feng Jin remarked, This is nothing, please dont bother yourself with such matters, my lord. Jin has house servants, they can pack the house. Regardless, Feng Jin is still the Langjun of the Fengs, he has substantial resources. After viewing the house, Feng Jin headed to the house they temporarily settled in. Wei Jingxian who recovered from her childbirth, carried her child and pacified her, she hummed an elegant and soothing tune, Changsheng still has her chubby and fair looks. She grew to be increasingly cute. Her two hands wanting to hold on to Wei Jingxians hair which she let down, focused on mumbling to herself. Chapter 432 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XVI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Huaiyu is back Changsheng, your daddy is back. Wei Jingixan rose up, Feng Jin took the opportunity to carry Changsheng who leaned towards him. This child is very sharp, her memory is also good. The last time Feng Jin returned home was five days ago, and the child liked to be close to him. I went to survey the apartment the lord gave to us, Feng Jin remarked. It is very decent. Your wife heard the old maiden mentioned that plot of land is even laid with bricks on the main road. The people in the era, have they seen these bricks before? Initially when they started rebuilding the main roads, some even stole the bricks in the middle of the night. This triggered Jiang Pengji to anger. Later they arrested some and punished severely. Then it stopped. Our apartment is also similar; it looks clean and the servants and maidens will have an easy time cleaning it. Feng Jin played with Changsheng, this girl held his fingers and wanted to put them into her mouth. A pity shes still small and her teeth hasnt grown yet. She bit for half a day, but it isnt painful, Feng Jin just felt his fingers grew ticklish. Tomorrow Ill get some servants to go to the new apartment to clean up, to tidy up the inner courtyard first. It is too much for you and Changsheng to continue living here. Feng Jin sighted, pulled out his finger from his daughters mouth. This made Changsheng grow angry as she sounded her displeasure towards him. Tsk, at such a young age, her temper is so bad, she wanted to scratch him over a conflict. The wife follows her husbands lead, Wei Jingixan said with an enlarged heart. What grievances can there be. The house they currently lived in was smaller than the courtyard they stayed in after marriage by many folds. However, she never once felt aggrieved. The Xiangyang district was undergoing major changes, it looked different every day. Wei Jingxian witnessed its transformation and felt proud to share in the glory. Her husbands efforts are invested in the development of this place. Of course, shes proud of him. At the initial phases of the rebuilding, it was messy everywhere and there was no order. Since then, one month has passed and everyone is now accustomed to these changes. Those broad roads have been prioritized for construction and are beginning to take shape. As the district magistrate, Jiang Pengji implemented many official new rules. But these official rules are mostly amusing to the average citizens. Official rule number one: keep left when walking on the streets. Official rule number two: no spitting of phlegm all over, moreover, one is not to urinate and relieve themselves just anywhere. Official rule number three: regardless of gender or season of the year, one is not allowed to expose their upper arm on the streets and disgrace their dignity. Besides these trivial mundane affairs, there are some serious offences. Without official approval, it was illegal to engage in businesses involving the selling and buying of humans. Once this crime is committed, if the offence is serious, he will be demoted to the most insignificant status and his possessions will be confiscated. Regardless of man or woman, if a person commits adultery while married, they will be punished severely. A total of 10 rules were passed initially which increased daily. The people were terrified at the start, but as time passed, they became apathetic to it. Nevertheless, her rule is not despotic, this magistrate is just and supersedes the previous one. Nonetheless, one of the official rules ignited unhappiness in many elders: Family members and elders cannot determine the life and death of those younger, this will be deemed as murder and punished accordingly. This rule provoked the elders in the feudal family and caused Jiang Pengji to be secretly slammed by many as being a busybody. However, it is purely coincidental that this rule was implemented. Approximately 12 days before, when Xiangyang district was still in disarray, Jiang Pengji slept for only an hour for seven to eight consecutive days. She was exhausted till she went into auto-pilot mode. She patrolled outside the city and rescued a seemingly crazy young woman who was hugging her pillow and about to jump into the water. She decisively jumped into the water to save the person. After she questioned the reason, she burnt with anger till she became clear-headed. This woman married into her husbands family for three years, she gave birth to three daughters consecutively. Strangely, her three daughters did not reach their first month and passed away. At the start, she blamed herself for being ill-fated and unable to save her children. Later she unwittingly discovered her children were secretly killed by her mother-in-law for a ridiculous reason. Only because she didnt want granddaughters who were destined to be financial burdens. She words sounded so righteous, but could she bear to kill them if they were her grandson? Unfortunately, this womans womb had unlucky fengshui and could not deliver a son. The lady was furious, so she sued her mother in law. But the previous district magistrate didnt judge her mother-in law, and instead he accused the lady of being unfilial and gave her a beating. Since then the ladys mental state is in a complete mess, she became mad. Whenever she sees someone, she tells them her mother-in-law killed her three granddaughters. About ten months before, her husband got the neighbouring widow pregnant. After which, she delivered a baby boy. Her mother-in-law encouraged her son to divorce the lady and forced her to give up the title of being the legal wife or else she will be demoted to be the concubine. The livestream audiences heard this, the response was heated, they desperately wished they could climb over and hit the old lady to death. If this old woman is so powerful, why doesnt she ascend to heaven! Jiang Pengji was about to explode internally, so she added two rules when she returned. Firstly, if a relative killed someone from their bloodline, it is considered as murder. The lady hasnt divorced that man, she is still the mans legal wife. The district headquarters has their case records and will classify this as murder. Regardless of how much debate therell be, she will directly have this mother and son arrested, judged and punished accordingly. Interestingly, this matter provoked the rotten Confucius scholars condemnation in speech and writing. Jiang Pengji coldly smirked and asked them to get out of her territory. If they shamelessly refused to leave? That was fine. When the houses were ready, they would refuse rental to them even if they must die. During the harvest season, the district headquarters would refuse to rent them the buffalo and agricultural machinery to leave their entire household to consume air! Thus, those rotten Confucius scholars who prepared to rebut kept silent. The rebuilding efforts in Xiangyang district is underway and changes abounded. The people felt the air became clear, the roads grew broad and organised, the houses looked like they originated from a styled mould and are captivatingly beautiful. Despite not having a right to move into the luxurious area around the district headquarters, nonetheless, they can rent the new houses with their registered household petition. Every household eagerly anticipated, even those residents with houses watched on with envy. Its difficult to hide ones curiosity, the new houses they built made their old ones look worse than soil. The front house is laid with clean bricks while their house is full of mud. Whenever it rains, the disparity is huge. Though their houses did not collapse during the earthquake, how can it possibly be nicer than the new houses? Look, their new apartments are neatly laid with bricks both inside and outside. At such a bustling and forward-looking environment, only two areas are busy to the point they wanted to vomit blood. One is Qiguan Rang who headed the registration department and the other is handsome Li who spearheads the agriculture developments. One month had passed, his original skin was the colour of wheat but its now two shades darker. He looks tougher and less like a pretty boy. He has more of the sturdiness and mannerism of a mature man. Of course, his peasant uncle vibes increased. Jiang Pengji predicted he would give up halfway, but she never imagined he would be helplessly addicted to farming. Moreover, Liyun is also fascinated by Jiang Pengjis improved farming machinery, he has the motivation to change careers, forget about fighting wars and become a farmer instead. Moreover, this naive child even forgot when he changed to calling Jiang Pengji lord. Anyway, incredulously Jiang Pengji became his lord. Carrying an axe and walking into the city barefooted, Liyun was about to head to the tea shack to ask for a cup of tea when something floated before his eyes. Coach Meng. Liyun smiled and revealed his entire set of white teeth, they even glowed under the sun, What is this? Meng Hun said, This house is given to you by the lord. That day at the meeting, houses were awarded. Liyun was outside the city taking a group of young people to prepare the land for agriculture and analysing the fertiliser. Liyun was stunned. A house? he asked innocently. Meng Hun was caught off guard and kept silent also, though not as innocent as Liyun. He observed that his lord bullies Liyun. From his perspective, to have a valiant warrior who uses his spear to do farming, hed rather they mine for coal. Chapter 433 - Rebuilding Xiangyang District (XVII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liyun opened his eyes wide, they almost couldnt take everything in. What a sight to behold this is much nicer than my straw house in the past, the ceiling is also tall, and I dont have to worry about hitting my head. He tiptoed, stretched his arms to touch the door beam and a brief, honest smile spread across his face. His dark black eyes shining brightly, that simple, pure smile and expressionno matter who sees it will inevitably smile for him. Meng Hun is inwardly speechless, increasingly he discovered that his Langjun instructs with tireless zeal. Meng Hun crossed his arms, lifted his head to see the door beam, Hit ones head? Yes, it seems like my head is too tall, if Im not careful I will get hurt, Liyun cautiously replied. He belonged to those whose clothes makes him look skinnier, his muscles are obvious when his clothes are taken off. His height is taller than most and the house is somewhat short for him. When entering the door, he must bend his head and waist otherwise he may injure his head and itd be reddened. Disasters often happened, whenever he is hurt, his forehead will be pained for half a day and the straw house will vibrate multiple times. Meng Hun was dumbfounded, Fortunately, out lord took your head into account and specially built a tall door for you. Without mentioning this, Meng Hun didnt realize that the house allocated to Liyun is indeed taller than most houses. Meng Hun got his senses back. He cant help but hold his lord in high regards for being meticulous and felt touched on Liyuns behalf. Even he thinks this way, let alone Liyun who has an unfeigned heart, the fondness he has for Jiang Pengji is on the rise. My lord is excellent, Yun never imagined one day Id get to live in such a house. Ive always felt these houses can only be owned by officials and wealthy people. Liyun is sincerely, deeply moved. However, the words that followed changed context, Since we have a house, lets work hard to become more reputable. Perhaps some woman will fancy Yun. Liyuns features are rather mature, when he isnt speaking it is rather intimidating. Others thought he is arrogant, cold and unapproachable. Truthfully, his heart is rather innocent, exactly like someone who stayed up in the mountains for years, ignorant of the ways of the world. Meng Hun didnt know whether to laugh or cry, Han Mei was born handsome, well equipped with military skills, knowledgeable in military tactics. Possessing both brawn and brains, you will surely become someone great. With such talents, which lady will not be infatuated after a look at him? How is it that your words suggest its difficult to find a bride? Liyun gasped with understanding and replied honestly, Teacher meant Yun was born too tall such that women are not attracted. Being tall is not his fault, his growth spurt when he was thirteen or fourteen made him so fearful that he dared not eat. Meng Hun was speechless. Despite Liyun having a towering figure, he possessed a manly disposition he needed to be sturdier and mightier. What is it with being tall? Seeing his genuine expression, Meng Hun wanted to poke fun at him. He walked around Liyun, reacted in astonishment then shared his opinion, Han Mei isnt wrong to say this, you are indeed born too tall. Those ladies who are gorgeous are mostly petite. If you chose a gentle, delicate bride, when you hug her with your two hands to kiss her, from afar you both will look like father and daughter. He spoke till his cheeks reddened, and Liyun felt very uneasy. Luckily, he became more tanned recently, his blushing was not obvious on his face. It cant be, Han Mei Dont tell your elder brother than you are still a virgin? Meng Hun was very entertained watching his reaction. In this era, to find a man thats still a virgin above 20 years old, it was more challenging than plucking the stars from the sky. He watched for Liyuns expression, as if watching a prehistoric organism. Liyun said bashfully with some difficulty, Teacher said keeping oneself chaste is for ones good. It was unbearable for Meng Hun, he responded by asking, Are you sure it isnt because there arent any women within the deep mountains? Realization finally hit him as to why his lord likes to bully Liyun, this young punk, he was an easy target. Meng Hun took Liyun along to survey the house briefly, its different from third section housing that required more renovations, the small apartment thats second section required minimal changes. It has all the basic requirements, Jiang Pengji prepared sufficiently all the requirements for single men. She even got the craftsmen to build doors, windows and related items. If his demands for quality of living isnt high, he can move into this residence directly. Meng Huns wife and daughter passed on for years, he has no intentions to remarry and does not have high expectations of where he lives. As for Liyun If you feel the residence is substandard, you can bring it up to the lord to use some skilled men to renovate the house. He shook his head in reply, This is good enough, I dare not request any more. The area of second section houses arent that big. However, considering the habit for military men to have their morning practice, the apartment specially has an empty space for training. Every morning, when Liyun wakes up, he can practice his spear, then open the side door after he ends, go to the neighbouring street to buy breakfast and fill his stomach before going to work. Yun wishes to go on leave to bring my teacher from the mountains over for his retirement. Liyuns desire has always been to care for his aged teacher. Meng Hun was in favour of this, and said, This is an act of filial piety, the lord will surely approve of your leave. The next day, Liyun successfully requested for three days of leave from Jiang Pengji. Three days of leave! Qiguan Rangs eyes were red like a rabbits, his looked at Liyun bitterly. Everyone was equally busy, why was he allowed to take three days off? Observing optimistic Liyun carry a bag of food when leaving Xiangyang district, Jiang Pengji laughed and smacked his shoulders playfully, The able have many responsibilities, Wenzhengs job is of utmost importance. After the houses in the entire district are fully occupied and if you have not finished compiling the household records, the people will have no way to apply for house rental or buy new houses. Why dont the lord assign more men under Rang? Qiguan Rang voiced his displeasure, obviously unwilling. I am not unwilling. Only throughout the whole of Xiangyang district, which scholar who can read and write dare stand before you? Jiang Pengjis mocking words made Qiguan Rang exasperated. Moving to another scene. Liyun wore clothes made of coarse material and carried a small sack and a silver-white spear as he journeyed under the scorching sun. With only three days of leave, he must return before the deadline. Only then he will not disappoint the lords goodness to him. After travelling for more than four hours, Liyun heard a series of moving carriage wheels sounding through. Lifting his head to observe, from the horizon a small dot was approaching his direction. Young man, do you know much further is Xiangyang district from here? Liyun initially wanted to avoid but someone called out to him. He replied, It will take about four hours by foot. That man had a sword around his waist, surrounding the horse carriage stood more than ten men. They all had this aura but they differed in intensity. From his observations, the person within the horse carriage must be an important person. Liyun silently pursed his lips, he looked coldly arrogant and unapproachable. Thank you, young brother. The guard smiled kindly at him, though his eyes glanced at the spear that Liyun carried behind him, his eyes shone briefly. Sir, there is still a four hours journey. En, lets continue. Liyuns hearing was exceptional. He clearly heard the voice coming forth from the horse carriage, it sounded poised, with clarity, yet his fatigue could not be hidden. Chapter 434 - Arrival of Liu She Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio That sound left a lasting impression on Liyun, but he missed his teacher a lot and did not give it much thought. Liyun and his teacher lived in the secluded deep mountains and forest for many years. It is an isolated area, on steep terrain, yet he felt it was familiar and close to his heart. Even with his eyes closed, he could come and go as he willed. Teacher! Your disciple is back! He pushed open the straw hut, his smile froze on his face. There was no one in the house, a lot of dust accumulated at the table and stove. Teacher? Liyun pursed his lips tightly. Since he can remember, his teacher has never left this mountain, but upon observing the thick layer of dust, it must have been a long time since someone occupied the house where did his teacher go? After pondering, Liyun pulled apart the torn and tattered curtain to the inner house, bent his back to enter and felt beneath his teachers mattress where there was a small dent his teacher often hid his items. He did it with an attitude to try, the tip of his fingers touched a hard scroll like item, upon retrieving it, it turned out to be a scroll containing a message. Just like the impression his teacher gave, he has a spear like figure, hes as bold as a vanguard so was his handwriting: Foolish disciple, read these words. You have grown up and are able to take care of yourself. Your teacher is very relieved. When you see this letter, your teacher will have already left to seek revenge. If I am alive, naturally I will return, unfortunately if I am defeated and die at the hands of my enemy, remember to seek revenge on my behalf. Your beloved teacher, Xie Qian. He widened his eyes in unbelief, Liyun re-read the letter countless times. Eventually, he helplessly accepted that his own teacher indeed went to take revengeonly, he followed his teacher for years but never heard of any enemies he had Would it be too dangerous to seek revenge, is the enemy too mighty for him? Liyuns head was muddled and in chaos, his entire being seemed to have lost his senses. Some time passed before he rose up to fill the wooden basin with water from the pool. He tidied the house till it was sparkling clean. Night passed, he sought the brush and wrote down his location on the bamboo sheet and returned it back to its original position. If his teacher returned safe and sound, surely, he would follow the clues to find him. As he carefully closed the doors to the straw house, Liyun left feeling disappointed. Concurrently, when Liyun went to the mountains to find his teacher, Xiangyang district welcomed some unexpected guests. Striding along the twilight of the setting sun, a large scale of more than fifty people approached the west city gate in horse-drawn carriages. Presently, the security at Xiangyang district is very tight, one has to be checked strictly before one is allowed to enter or exit. The soldier who guarded the city wanted to step forth to question them, when a wooden emblem flew towards him. He caught it with a clearly bewildered expression. Get someone with more sense over. The person in the carriage is not someone you are fit to examine. The soldier immediately became infuriated. Who was this? Someone dared to be ostentatious at the Xiangyang district? As his anger was about to flare into action, the soldier beside him stopped him and signalled to him with his eyes to examine the ethnic emblem on the horse carriage. An ethnic emblem? The soldier lowered his eyes to see the wooden emblem, then turned to see the unassuming horse carriage behind the crowd. Both carried the willow leaf shaped grain on their carriage, they looked like a few willow leaves, truthfully forming the word Liu in an exquisite design. Butdidnt this pattern seem familiar? Why are you in a daze? Isnt that the ethnic emblem for district magistrate Liu! his companion reminded him softly. The soldier trembled and lost his grip on the wooden emblem, and he stepped forward fearfully and asked politely, To the honourable person within, are you a relative of district magistrate Liu? His higher authorities did not notify him of the arrival of any Lius recently, as the guard of the city, he felt rather aggrieved and was worried that he will lose his job. That person smiled and replied, This honourable person is indeed a close family member of district magistrate Liu. Hurry and report my arrival to prevent any delays. At this, the soldier was sorely afraid. He immediately returned the wooden emblem, and said, Please wait, my Lord. Your servant will report this matter. Even so, this soldier was still cautious, he didnt report directly to the district magistrate but rather sought for Feng Jin. The Lords family member is here? Feng Jin furrowed his brows, the Lords family members are mostly in Hejian. Liu She is far off in Chongzhou, how is it possible for them to be here in Xiangyang district? Regardless, he would see for himself personallythen the truth or the lie will be revealed. Lead the way. He finished speaking and walked towards the city gates first. He was 80% convinced at the sight of the horse carriage. At this moment, the carriage curtains were opened from within, revealing a somewhat familiar face. Feng Jin did not lose his composure. Why did Liu She traverse from the borders of Chongzhou to Xiangyang district? Huaiyu, dont announce this publicly, Liu She whispered, concealing his exhaustion, Lets enter the city. As Liyun is on leave, no one could oversee the matters in the field. Jiang Pengji stepped up to handle it personally. She wore a pair of straw shoes, held a pair of wooden clogs in her hands, leisurely strolling back to the city. Her trousers were rolled upwards above her knees, her fair legs are now full of mud, her long, black hair was bun up casually using twine. During her journey home, she rubbed her hungry stomach and took out some coins from her pocket to buy two steam buns. She held one in her hands and the other in her mouth, without reminders, in fact, no one will recognise her as the district magistrate of Xiangyang. Thus, Liu She saw his daughter in her sloppy state. Upon seeing Liu She, Jiang Pengji was so appalled that she forgot to bite her steam bun. The livestream audience and the streamers companions are shocked too. Feng Jin and the others waited silently in the hall, her rightful seat was taken by a breathtakingly charming middle-aged man. Aging did not have its effects on Liu She, the white hair that grew from his temples only magnified his maturity, time has shown favour on this man, he only looked even more mesmerizing than before Nevertheless, this is not crucial, more importantly, why is Liu She here? A magistrate usually cannot leave his area of supervision without an imperial order. Jiang Pengji held a steam bun in her mouth while shouting in a muffled voice: Father? Liu She glanced at Jiang Pengjis wild appearance in disbelief. This made his head even more dazed than before. How bizarre that he had raised this to be his daughter. Father, why are you here in Xiangyang? We live in times of disorder now Jiang Pengji swallowed her steamed bun in less than two mouthfuls. She saw the sparkling clean floor just as shes about to lift her feet and step into the main hall, then looked at her own two feet full of mud and silently stepped back. I will go wash up please wait, Father. Huaiyu, please help to host my father first The mud on her feet was washed off and Jiang Pengji let down her trouser legs and wore her wooden clogs, walking with steady footsteps to meet Liu She. Her actions intending to conceal her previous wildness will surely be condemned by the audience. Jintian Wugengo: Rubbish streamer, your father has seen your most unruly state yet what use if you appear so neat and stable now! It is hilarious to see both the streamers father and the streamers facial expression. This reminds me of a when a father catches his son watching pornography. Nicaishizhen Shijia: Pity the streamers father, he must be doubtful if he reared a fake daughter. Liu She examined her from top to bottom with a scrutinizing expression. Come over and let your father seeyouve gotten thinner and grown taller than before Chapter 435 - The Xie’s (in Qiongning), Xie Qian (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji was worried. Sure enough, fathers loved their daughters dearly. She told Qiguan Rang previously that she had not slept in a long time, but he looked at her like he did not believe her. I made you come all the way here from Chongzhou I apologize. Now that the world is in utter chaos, its dangerous for you to travel all the way here. If you miss me, you can just ask someone to send me a letter. Why would you risk your life to come in person? If something happened to you in the middle of the journey, Id feel guilty for the rest of my life, Jiang Pengji said with concern. It was dangerous out there, but Liu She still dared to roam about. Liu She chuckled and replied, I wouldnt feel at ease if I didnt see you with my own eyes. The earthquake was abrupt. Even though Liu She was in Chongzhou, he still felt the shocks from it. He couldnt stand wondering if his daughter was okay. Now that Ive seen you, I will sleep well tonight, Liu She said gently. Luo Yue glanced at Liu She. He was a gentle and noble man. He then looked at Jiang Pengji and could only think about her destructive actions. She was either killing people or planning to kill. Were they truly related? They were so different. Jiang Pengji muttered, I feel bad for making you worry. Liu She caressed his daughters head and comforted her quietly. Liu Zhongqing! Dont touch her precious head! What if it makes her stupid? He could still hear the womans insane laughter. It was his most vivid memory. Zhongqing, dont be too rough; be gentle Shes firm in speech but soft at heart. Shes the greatest person in the world. Zhongqing, promise me that you wont treat her poorly in the future. Treat her well and love her. It is for her own goodCCand for yours, too. I want you to live well, even if Im no longer around. I want you both to live well. Show me a different history, okay? When no one was around, Liu She pondered the words that Gu Min said before she died. Has she returned to her own world? Is she living more freely than before? Liu She shut his eyes to hide his thoughts. His yearning for her entangled him like a web; the hatred brewing in his heart grew even stronger. Liu She was trying to find peace of mind. Upon seeing that Jiang Pengji was safe and sound, he planned to return to Chongzhou after two days of rest. Feng Jin sensibly took on Jiang Pengjis work, allowing her some time with her father to fulfill her filial piety. It was then that Li Yun returned alone. Meng Hun asked, Han Mei, did you bring your master with you? Li Yun replied, My master left a letter saying that he went to seek revenge. However, in all the years Ive known him, Ive never heard him mention any enemies. I am really anxious. However, my master is very skilled in martial arts, so hell be fine. Meng Hun secretly pouted but kept his mouth shut. Based on Li Yuns simple and innocent personality, his master was likely not a complicated person. The world was so chaotic; one would be stripped to their underpants if they were not alert. Li Yun went to the district headquarters to look for Jiang Pengji; he wished to return to his post in advance. As soon as he stepped into the district headquarters, he saw that his Lord was eating with a middle-aged man. Lord, Im back to resume my work Liu She lifted his head, and his eyes gradually widened. He cried out involuntarily, Shaohe? Huh? Both Jiang Pengji and Li Yun were baffled. Li Yun turned his head to look behind him. There was no one else there. Could it be that he was calling him? After blurting out the name, Liu She immediately realized that he mistook Li Yun for someone else. The person in front of him was too young and too tall. He was not the person he thought he was. He gestured for Li Yun to come closer, then he asked with a perplexed look on his face, Whats your name? Li Yun glanced at Jiang Pengji to seek her opinion. Jiang Pengji said, Han Mei, this is my father. You can call him Sir. Liu She looked confused. Han Mei? Is that your courtesy name? Li Yuns courtesy name suited his face; he looked light-minded. Im Li Yun. If you dont mind, you can call me Han Mei. Li Yun? Is your surname Li, not Xie? Liu She asked, raising his eyebrows. Do you know someone with the surname Xie? My masters surname is Xie, Li Yun replied honestly. Do you know him? Do you call him your master? Liu She laughed inwardly. His smile looked sarcastic. Where is he hiding? Li Yun was confused. What else would he call his master? The man in front of him seemed to know his master. It sounded like they knew each other very well. He went traveling a few days ago. He said that hes out to seek revenge, but he asked me not to worry about him. If hes still alive, hell definitely come to look for me. If he dies, he doesnt need me to avenge him, Li Yun said calmly. Liu She smacked his lips and responded harshly, He went to seek revenge? Tsk. You dont have to wait for him anymore. Its very likely that youll never find his body. Li Yun was fuming with rage. Even if he was his lords father and his masters old friend, he was still furious. Do you know who your master went to seek revenge from? Liu She was not afraid of the anger in Li Yuns eyes. He smirked and continued, Hell be dead no matter what from barging into the Zhongzhao Palace. No matter how capable he, Xie Shaohe, is, and how skillful he is at shooting, hes just seeking death. Not only was Li Yun taken aback by his words, but even Jiang Pengji widened her eyes. She stared at Li Yun. Li Yun gritted his teeth. Is my masters enemy holing up in Zhongzhao Palace? Something like that. Liu She took a sip of tea and looked at Li Yun with a perplexed expression. I think your master doesnt intend to let you know the truth. If so, I wont be the evil person that tells you. Work hard with Lanting. Your future is very bright. Liu She smacked his lips. Is the future of one of the top ten generals of the Jiang Dynasty bleak? However, he never would have guessed that Li Yun was Xie Qians son. It was karma. Li Yuns heart was a mess. He asked Liu She hesitantly, Do you know my master well? Liu She sighed with emotion. Xie Shaohe and my late wife were childhood friends. You could say that we know each other well. He paused, then asked, Oh, right, how old are you? Are you married? Li Yun answered nervously, Im 20 years old, and Ive never married. Chapter 436 - The Xie’s (in Qiongning), Xie Qian (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Liu She muttered, 20? That cant be right. He did not doubt that Li Yun was Xie Qians son. He looked exactly like Xie Qian when he was young; however, Li Yuns eyebrows were similar to his mothers. If they did not look so similar, he would not have mistaken him for Xie Qian. Thinking about Li Yuns surname, he felt that his age was most likely fake. Xie Qian purposely said he two years older. Li Yun left with a stomach full of doubt. Jiang Pengji, who had not spoken for a long time, asked Liu She, Is there a problem with Han Meis background? Hes Xie Qians son. His face is the best proof. Liu She took a deep breath and continued, Xie Qian was a talented and romantic youth a decade ago. He was the dream lover of many aristocratic ladies. However, I didnt expect him to hide up in Fengyi County with his son for so many years. He didnt even pass a message back home. He mustve suffered a lot. Now Li Yun is your subordinate. This is a twist of fate. Jiang Pengji frowned and replied, Are you talking about that Xie Qian? Was Li Yun the son of that woman? Who else? Liu She scoffed. If Xie Qian goes to Zhongzhao Palace to seek revenge, doesnt that make him a uxoricide? Liu She replied disdainfully, She cannot be considered his wife anymore. Shes just a demon that possessed Xie Qians wife. Wang Huiyun was once Xie Qians wife. She was known as the beauty of Langye, but she died long ago due to obstructed labor. However, a pernicious woman survived. She was licentious, merciless, and What did it feel like? Wang Huiyun was once a goddess to many talented, young men. However, not many people knew that a ghost of unknown origins had possessed their goddess. She transformed from pure and kind to lascivious and vicious. Liu She sympathized with Xie Qian. If Wang Huiyun had truly died from obstructed labor, death would have ended all of her troubles. However, her body was possessed. She used her body to have affairs with all kinds of men. One would feel utterly disgusted just by thinking about it, let alone seeing it with their own eyes. Jiang Pengji frowned. It was rare for Liu She to bring up the past. She questioned closely, The body of Xie Qians wife is possessed? Yes. Liu She nodded. Xie Qian and Wang Huiyun were childhood sweethearts. Many people had their hearts broken when they got married. She gave birth to a son a year later, and I think Li Yun is the child. However, when Wang Huiyun gave birth, Xie Qians behavior became strange. He was impatient and cold to his wife. He visited the Buddhist temple every day, but he behaved as if nothing happened in front of people. Jiang Pengji listened to him carefully. The audience in the streaming room felt that they had opened a door to a new world. There was quite a lot of information contained in the words of the streamers father! And then? Jiang Pengji questioned closely. After the childs full-month celebration feast, Xie Qian went to Hejian with his wife and son, saying that he wanted to visit the Buddhist abbot, Master Liaochen, of Shangfo Temple. Liu She sneered coldly. His gentle eyes grew terrifyingly cold. However, paradigms changed over time. On the way to Hejian, the couple ran into thieves. Xie Qian risked his life to protect his wife. He and his son unfortunately died. But Xie Qian and Han Mei are still alive So, Wang Huiyun is lying. Liu She looked somber. She was the one who sent the thieves to get rid of Xie Qian, who was an eyesore. Xie Qian discovered her abnormality and wanted Master Liaochen to get rid of her. How could she not be afraid of a ghost of unknown origins? As Liu She told the story, the atmosphere of the entire streaming room became tense. Quan Qudao Tuijian Haibulai: Am I the only one whose hair is standing on end? Laosiji Lianmeng: Ive sorted out my thoughts. The general content is that Xie Qians wife was possessed by something when she gave birth. Xie Qian realized something was wrong, but the time-travel woman who possessed his wifes body killed Xie Qian and his son first. Of course, Li Yun and his master are still alive. The time-travel woman most likely killed the streamers mother and still bears a deep-seated hatred with the streamers father. This time-travel woman is impressive. Shanzhatiao: Hahaha. The above comment is mind-blowing, but it makes sense. Whats going on? Yinyuejia Zhuge Qinmo: #cuppingmycheeks. The people in ancient times arent stupid. Arent the people close to them confused by their sudden changes? Xie Qian thinks that a lost ghost possessed his wifes body. Its no wonder he wanted to look for someone to get rid of the demon. However, the time-travel woman is impressive. She had an amazing counterattack. Shes also a cruel and merciless person. I wonder if shell threaten the streamer. Meikong Caishi Zhengyia: Are you joking? Is there anyone that poses a threat to the streamer? The last person who could died long ago. But then again, the streamer has to be really careful. The time-travel woman is obviously hard to deal with. I think the time-travel woman has a sense of superiority. Is that because Ive read too many dumb, time-travel novels? Youyou Heshibi: This is definitely a world full of time travelers. Listen to my analysis. The time-travel woman is after the men in the harem. The streamers mother was a gentle woman that farmed, and the streamers here to contend for supremacy. Judging from this, the streamer seems like a traitor. She steals mens jobs instead of concerning herself with love and romance. Shes awesome. Jiagengle Haidaoqianzhai: You dont get it. The streamers stratagem is remarkable. She can sleep with all kinds of men when she becomes the Emperor. Thats how a time-traveler should act. They should party to the fullest. Whats the use of foolishly competing with multiple women for a man? He has already used his penis on so many women. All the men in the world should break their necks to fight for her. Women contend for a mans single glance. Whats the point? With that being said, the streamer, who usually seemed light-minded, became superior. What does she hope to accomplish? Jiang Pengji did not understand. Hah, who knows, Liu She answered disdainfully. However, her ambition is wild. You must be careful. Jiang Pengji nodded. Even though Liu She did not tell her to, she took precautions. Liu She suddenly thought of something. Oh, right Liu She said, There was an arranged marriage that year. Jiang Pengji was puzzled. What? Arent your mother and Xie Qian childhood friends? They used to joke that the two families should become in-laws. Liu She looked at Jiang Pengji helplessly. Lanting, youre 16 years old this year. Are you not thinkin about marriage? I think although Li Yun is a little dull-witted. Xie Qians son wouldnt be too bad. Hes quite handsome too. If you like him, you can take him. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. No, thanks. Im not interested in raising a son. Chapter 437 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (I) The next day. Liu She and Jiang Pengji changed into commoners clothing and wandered around the Xiangyang District. Upon seeing the prosperous district, Liu She sighed with emotion. Sure enough, ordinary people could not compare to His Majesty. Are you tired? Do you want to take a break at a teahouse? Jiang Pengji took Liu She to have a look around the Xiangyang District. Although the Xiangyang District was not very prosperous currently, it would undergo a thorough change in a few months time. Even the once prosperous Shangjing City could not compare to it. Jiang Pengji took the opportunity to exchange a lot of experience in governance with Liu She. Her father had a deep understanding of governance; he was practically omniscient. There were many things that she was unsure about, and he was able to make pointed remarks about them. Jiang Pengji used to be the Leading General, but the Regimental Commander and a district magistrate were two completely different things. In terms of governance, even if Jiang Pengji had insights beyond the times, she still had many things to learn. Okay When I retire one day, Ill come to the place where you govern and buy a house. That way, I can live out my retirement in peace. Jiang Pengji replied, If you want to buy property, why do you have to purchase it with your own money? I have many land deeds here. A land deed cost only a penny. One could buy as many as he wanted. They distributed the first batch of completed houses to a few subordinates. The remaining 50 houses were hers. The construction on the second and third batches of houses was about to begin. Jiang Pengji certainly did not lack title deeds for houses and land. Liu She was struck dumb. Fortunately, the world in chaos now. Otherwise, someone would definitely impeach you. He did not have to think about what his daughter had done. The land titles that she mentioned were of questionable origin. She was the district magistrate. She had the final say in all the internal affairs of the district government. Who could say no if she wanted to buy the title deed for land? Liu She walked across the flat, brick pathway. His clogs gave off rhythmic thuds that were crisp and nice. I find the people here to be pretty well-bred, Liu She said. There is no trash on either side of the street. Theyd be fined if they littered. The fine would be double that of the previous fine. There are trash cans on both sides of the street. They can throw their trash into the trash cans by taking a few more steps. If they feel like theyre not short of money, they can litter. I dont mind as long as theyre rich enough to compensate the district government. Even if Jiang Pengji did not issue such a government order, there were few people that spit on or littered the streets. Bricks lined the entire street. Had they ever seen such a smooth and clean street in their lives? Trash was unpleasant to look at, after all. Most of the places in the Xiangyang District were under construction. Very few areas had already been cleaned up. With Jiang Pengjis encouragement, many people had opened up roadside stalls, which brought some prosperity to the district. There was no fine tea in the teahouse. She ordered two bowls of tea. The tea was a bit cloudy, but it smelled good. Although youre governing for the first time, youre doing a better job than me. Perhaps that was the talent that Amin mentioned. Liu She shook his head. When he governed Hu County, he was thin to the bone, and Hu County only managed to show some signs of prosperity. In just a months time, the Xiangyang District had already escaped from the darkness of the earthquake. There were even smiles on the peoples faces. He was deeply impressed. He did not know if he was inexperienced, or if His Majesty was impressive. Jiang Pengji said, Like father, like son. Liu She knew that she said those words to make him happy, but he still could not help but feel proud. He replied, Thats right. Were a family devoted to literature. The father and son were pleased, and they praised each other. After finishing their tea and leaving two pennies behind, Jiang Pengji took Liu She to the brick-baking kiln. Father, I want to show you something. She asked someone to fence the kiln area, and a strict inspection was required. According to Jiang Pengjis plan, the baked bricks would become the specialty of the Xiangyang District in the future, so technical protection was very important. They entered the area with her private seal. The closer they got to the kiln, the higher the surrounding temperature became. It was still a hot summer day. Liu Shes head was sweating in just a short while. What is it? Liu She was curious. Upon knowing that Jiang Pengji had arrived, the craftsman of the kiln hurriedly rushed out to greet her. She waved her hand to indicate that there was no need for courtesy. Hows the thing that I asked you to bake a while ago? Jiang Pengji asked the craftsman of the kiln. Ive baked six batches, and most of the finished products are not ideal. Ive barely put three of them together. The old man looked as if he was in pain. In accordance with your request, we destroyed the defective products, and then we assigned someone to guard the residue. No secrets will ever be revealed. Three? Its better than expected, Jiang Pengji pondered and said, Take one out to show it to this gentleman. Sure. Give me a moment. The craftsman of the kiln heaved a long sigh of relief upon hearing what she said. He wiped away the sweat from his face. There were many advantages to working for the Lord. The Lord generously rewarded him with a title deed some time ago. According to the plan, it was a house from the second batch of completed houses. His whole family was waiting eagerly for the completion of the first batch of houses, and for the construction of the second batch of houses to begin. Many people envied their luck. The first batch of houses was nice. The Lord favored him for his years of pottery experience. His family was now living a good life. The craftsman of the kiln carefully held a long case and opened it cautiously in front of the two. The audience in the streaming room thought that it was a rare treasure. They did not expect to see a glass tea set inside. Woai Nimen: Wow. The Streamer actually created glass! Laosiji Lianmeng: Its indeed glass! Although its purity isnt very high, its very delicate. It looks pretty valuable. The key thing is that its cheap. You can sell a glass set for millions of strings of 1,000. The profit margins are incredible. A string of 1,000 cash was equal to 1,000 copper coins, which was equivalent to about one tael of silver. What was the notion of millions of strings equaling 1,000 cash? Even robbing a bank was not as drastic as that! Xiaotianshi: #cuppingmycheeks. Im curious about who The Streamer wants to rip off with the glass. Shanzhatiao: Shell definitely defraud the rich, who are silly. Theyll either be the local tyrants of Dongqing, or the fools from the Northern Borderline. Of course, the people in the current era had never seen glassCCnot to mention that the glass was really beautiful. It was exquisitely carved and delicate. How much does it cost to produce this? The glass stunned Liu She. He was obsessed with it, but he soon regained his normal composure. The cost is very low. Jiang Pengji did not reveal the specific figure. She just pointed her thumb at the brick-kiln behind her and said with a smile, It forms while we bake the bricks. How much do you think its worth? Liu She muttered, Its invaluable. Do you mean to gift me a set by showing them to me? Of course. However, the Xiangyang District is too poverty-stricken. Theres even an insufficient amount of food. I was wondering if you could help me out. Jiang Pengji took out a small, round bowl that was a few times smaller than a womans palm. She grinned and held it with two of her fingers. It was very pretty under the light. I heard that the rich in the Northern Borderline were very wealthy. They rear gallant horses and cattle, and they dont even frown when they spend money lavishly. In order to highlight their distinguished statuses, they like to collect exotic treasures. Is that true? Liu She knew her intentions upon hearing her words. It turned out that she wanted him to sell it. He said, Its true, but they wont take a fancy on ordinary objects. Its no doubt that the aristocrats from the Northern Borderline will inevitably pursue it. What will you price it at? How about 150,000 strings of 1,000? Liu She was so shocked that he almost dropped the glass cup. 150,000 strings of 1,000? Money houses were not even that profitable! Daughter, are you sure that you havent added an extra zero? If it cant be exchanged for gold or silver, I dont mind exchanging it for gallant horses, cows, sheep, or fur of the equivalent value, Jiang Pengji said nonchalantly. It was not daylight robbery. It was on a much greater scale! Chapter 438 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qufu Dalao Yinwei: 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash Did the streamer not add 10,000 by mistake? Youlai Gengxinle: Can anyone explain how much 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash is? I cant count it with my 10 fingers. Suoyi Jintianne: Hahaha. You cant even count it with the hands and feet of your whole family, let alone your 10 fingers. Zhendeshi Liugengo: Lets just say that the exchange ratio between copper coins, silver, and gold is different depending on the dynasty. Its just like the fluctuations in foreign exchange. You wouldnt understand it even if I explained it in detail. To put it simply, a string of 1,000 cash is equal to about 1,000 pennies. A penny is equal to one yuen. So, guess how much 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash is in renminbi? Was an exorbitant profit like that not insane? Traveling to the ancient times with a glass vase would make one a billionaire in an instant. Jiang Pengji wanted to sell a set of glass products for 150 million. The streamer was not evil-minded; she was evil from head to toe! Seeing their comments, Jiang Pengji helplessly stated her opinion. Host V: Im not that wicked. Its, at most, seven to eight million if its converted to the currency here. Everyone was speechless. Dashen Mazi: Pricing something thats worth seven to eight yuen at seven to eight million isnt considered wicked? Jianfei Shibaile: The streamer is awesome. Liu She calmed himself down, lest he was scared to death by his daughter. He looked at the glass tea set with a deep look in his eyes. He spoke after a while, If this is the only set in the world, it would not be hard to sell it for 150,000 strings of 1000 cash. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and replied, Its impossible for this to be the only set. Therefore, the price is too high. Only small profits by quick turnover can benefit more aristocrats in the Northern Borderline. We need to figure out a price they can accept without feeling like its cheap. Liu She pondered and fixed his gaze on the glass tea set. You should price it around 20,000 to 30,000 strings of 1,000 cash, and make more styles available. You can adjust the price according to the differences in purity. If you want it to sell well, you have to plan carefully and publicize their origin. The audience felt as though Liu She had a good conscience. The audience was appalled that Jiang Pengji wanted to set the price of the glass tea set at 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash. Xianggu Zuimengla: Have my values been led astray? Why do I think that glassware that costs 20,000 to 30,000 strings of 1,000 cash is cheap? Tumi Dalao: Youre not alone. Buyao Hushuobadao: You guys arent alone. Jiang Pengji frowned upon seeing the ridicules. Isnt the price too low? Liu She replied, Its a pretty good price. If you want to exchange for gallant horses, you need to lower the price. The Northern Borderline was vast and produced many high-quality horses. They also kept a close watch over the ranch. However, there were always people who took risks for the sake of interest. They smuggled Dabai, the horse Liu She gave Jiang Pengji, out of the Northern Borderline. It was originally intended for the king of the Northern Borderline, but the officials smuggled Dabai and sold it off before giving it to the king. The horse dedicated to the king, in the end, was slightly inferior to Dabai. It was impossible for Liu She to not know about the means within. Lanting, Amin often said that running a business is just like being in a war and governing a country. There are a lot of tricks you can pick up. Once youve mastered the rules, you can play with the market. Liu She smiled. His wife was good at business. She was basically the one who built the property of the Liu familys mistress. He gained some superficial knowledge after years of living together. Let me handle this. You just have to wait and collect the money. Of course, Jiang Pengji believed in Liu She. Then, Ill control the number of products baked and strive for perfection. Liu She nodded and added, When a thing is scarce, its precious. No matter how good a thing is, it wont be valuable once there is too much of it. Ill stay here for a few more days and bring a few sets of pottery back. After that, dont bake it in the kiln for the time being. Keep a close watch over the workers. If someone secretly bakes it or leaks the craftsmanship, kill him immediately. Dont be kindhearted and irresolute. I know. The person who bakes the glass is under my control. If the secret gets out, Ill know who did it. Jiang Pengji had a gentle smile on her face. The craftsman beside her could not help but feel as though he was on pins and needles. The old man had experienced many different ways of seeking profit, such as setting up the kiln and smuggling goods for his craft when he was younger. After all, it was a trade with no cost. Such a thing was normal. There was no need to worry about a lack of interest; it only required courage. He felt his heart shake upon listening to their conversation. Tens of thousands of strings of 1,000 cash would attract anyone. However, he could not help but draw back after hearing what they said afterward. The money would do him no good if he were dead. Do your job well. Your contributions wont be forgotten once weve made loads of money. Jiang Pengji patted the craftsmans shoulder. If you do your job well, your grandsons can then have their craftsman status stripped off. When theres a school in the district in the future, they can study for free. The current household registration system was a nuisance. The children of a craftsman could only be registered as craftsmen. Without a miracle, it was impossible for a craftsman to strip off his status. However, the Lord promised to give his children the opportunity to study. In ancient times, learning was difficult, no matter how rich a family was. Acquiring books was a huge problem. How could one study without textbooks? The craftsman did not doubt Jiang Pengji since she was born an aristocrat. The eyes of the craftsman lit up, and he replied confidently, Dont worry, Lord. I wont disappoint you. For the bright future of his children and grandchildren, and for the sake of being in a superior social class, the craftsman wanted to supervise each component with his eyes wide open. He would watch his workers destroy all the rejected glass with his own eyes. Thats good, then. Jiang Pengji asked the craftsman to take out all three glass tea sets. She wished to gift the best set among the three to Liu She. She would keep one for herself, and the other set would be placed in the office of the district headquarters. ****** Qiguan Rang came to work with sleepy eyes the next day. He opened the door, and a strong, golden ray penetrated into the hall. The reflection of light made him feel giddy. Tsk. What on earth is that? He squinted and discovered a set of exquisite, glazed items sitting on the table. His sleepiness vanished in an instant. Qiguan Rang was so shocked that he hurriedly took a few steps back and looked around. He muttered, Am I still sleeping? He did not believe in spirits. Qiguan Rang slowly got closer to the table, but the beautiful objects did not disappear. He carefully reached out and touched them. He felt a chill on his fingertips. This isnt a dream His breathing grew heavier as he stared at the glassware. Whats wrong, Wen Zheng? After five minutes, Feng Jin came in, carrying a large pile of dusty bamboo slips. Feng Jin sympathized with Qiguan Rang for working overtime. Chapter 439 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wen Zheng? The pile of bamboo slips carried by Feng Jin was high, so it blocked his sight. He called him again when he did not hear Qiguan Rangs response. Huh? Qiguan Rang only then came back to his senses. He got up and helped Feng Jin to carry some of the bamboo slips. When did you arrive? Ive just arrived. I thought you were asleep with your eyes open when I saw you staring into space. Feng Jin placed the large pile of bamboo slips on the table behind the screen in the government office. He sorted them out according to the contents written on every strap which were stuck on the bamboo slips. The work was a bit cumbersome and required careful attention. The booth was full of bamboo slips like these which recorded the case files of Xiangyang District in recent years. The contents were extensive and complex. Although Xiangyang District was small, it was quite muddled. In order to restore the entire work system of the district headquarters as soon as possible, Feng Jin had begun to work overtime again, but it was not as crazy as how it was at the beginning. He eagerly hoped that his lord would quickly start recruiting able men to get more people to help him share his workload. There were currently more females than males in the government office. Those women had already become external auditors. Fortunately, there were these women who were educated and reasonable and literate. Otherwise, they would have been worked to death. In order to facilitate the work of these women, their lord had specially opened up another government office so it would not be too awkward for them to meet each other occasionally. Feng Jin organized the bamboo slips for a while and realized that there was no noise outside. He grew suspicious. Wen Zheng? What was wrong with Qiguan Rang? If this was in the past, even if he did not want to talk, there would not be such an awkward silence. With doubts in his mind, he moved the bamboo slips that had yet to be organized from the day before and planned to finish sorting them out in one go. What are you looking at? At that moment, Feng Jin just realized that Qiguan Rang did not fall asleep while sitting. He was clearly distracted by something. Wen Zheng, what on earth are you looking at that youre so fascinated by it? This Feng Jin stopped chattering. His eyes became wider and wider. He loosened his grips all of a sudden and the bamboo slips that he was carrying dropped to the ground. There was a loud cracking sound. Feng Jins toes were hit by the scattered bamboo slips and he almost grimaced in pain. Hearing the noise, how could Qiguan Rang zone out? They stood gazing at one another and then tacitly shifted their gazes to the table. Feng Jin did not bother picking up the bamboo slips and hurriedly sat beside the table. He secretly massaged his toes which were in pain. He glared at the tea set on the table. What is this thing that exudes colorful rays? Do you not know what this is too? Qiguan Rang inquired eagerly. Really? Feng Jin was born in the Feng family which was one of the four wealthiest families in Dongqing. His family had thousands of years of history. Would they lack any valuables? Having grown up in such a family, was there anything else in the world that Feng Jin had not seen before? Qiguan Rang really did not believe it if even Feng Jin had not seen the object in front of them before. Feng Jin had truly never seen such a thing before. It looks like a tea set Could it be that its a product from the North borderline? Feng Jin twirled a small and delicate transparent bowl with his fingers and played with it carefully. It felt delicate and cold. It was a hot summers day now. The weather was hot and there were no ice cubes in the government office to lower ones body temperature. Forgetting about the heat, when Feng Jin touched the delicate tea bowl, he felt an unspeakable coolness on his fingertips. It felt cool and it had a delicate touch. He liked it so much that he could not put it down. The North borderline I dont think so Qiguan Rang shook his head. Being at the border of the North borderline, his hometown was nearby. The customs of the two places were mutually blended and they had quite a lot of trades. If there was such a good thing, Qiguan Rang should have heard of it. I wonder who has put this here I see them on the table once Ive arrived. Even if Qiguan Rang did not have a hobby of collecting valuables, he could see that the object in front of him must be expensive. Feng Jin put the tea bowl back, but he could not help but linger over it. He liked it at first sight. Why dont we ask someone about it? Who came to the government office last night? Such treasure cant just appear out of thin air. Just when Feng Jin was about to get up, he happened to see Xu Ke rubbing at the corner of his eyes. He looked like he did not have enough sleep and there was a greenish hue on the bottom of his eyes. Wen Zheng, Huaiyu, you two are really early today. Xu Ke greeted them and keenly discovered that they looked strange. Then, his eyes were attracted by the resplendent glassware. What is this The casting material is cold and hard and theres no adhesive gap Ive never heard about it The three of them were looking at the glass tea set. Had Jiang Pengji not walked into the government office with a meat bun in her mouth and a pot of red dates and white fungus soup in her hand, the three of them might keep slacking. She frowned and shouted, What are you doing? Why are you gathering here for a meeting instead of dealing with government affairs? Lord. Hearing her voice, the three of them greeted her. They discovered that Jiang Pengji was carrying something in her hands after looking up. They could recognize the red dates and white fungus soup, but had anyone ever seen a pot of red dates and white fungus soup floating in the air? I see that youve been tired recently, so Ive asked someone to cook some red dates soup and the temperature is just right. Jiang Pengji turned the three inverted long, glass tumblers on the table over and poured them a glass each. Even if the red dates and white fungus soup was poisonous, they had to drink it because their lord had personally poured it for them. Each of you will have a glass. Wash it yourselves after youve used it. I wont say anything more if you dont mind using the glasses interchangeably. Jiang Pengji poured herself a glass. She got these red dates from the warehouse in the district headquarters. The dates were big and they had small seeds. They tasted very sweet. The sweetness was diluted after they were being cooked into a thick soup. She suddenly craved for it in the morning, so she asked her servant girl to cook it for more than two hours. Jiang Pengji only poured the red dates and white fungus soup into a big teapot when it had cooled down a little. Lord, what what is this? Feng Jin looked at his own glass and the big teapot beside Jiang Pengjis hand. The top part of the glass was clear because some red dates and white fungus soup had been poured into the glass Feng Jin widened his eyes a little, as if he had seen a prehistoric monster. Needless to say, the material of the teapot was the same as the teacup on the table. Their lord was absolutely informed and knew their origin. Its a cup for drinking and its very easy to clean. The only downside is that its brittle and it cant be dropped. Jiang Pengjis reply almost made Feng Jin and the others choke. Would someone actually want to drop such a glass treasure? Drink it. Dont worry, I didnt cook it. It was the servant girl in the district headquarters who helped cook it. It tastes good. The three of them were silent. It was not a problem of whether the red dates and white fungus soup was tasty or not! Xu Ke picked up the glass and he could feel the warmth of the red dates and white fungus soup on his fingertips. Lord, where did these come from? In fact, he wanted to ask about its value. He wanted to know whether it was expensive and if he could buy one with his money. The surface of the glass was smooth and translucent, reflecting colorful glazed rays. One could not help but touch its surface gently. Even a girl with the most delicate skin could not reach its level of delicateness. Not only did Xu Ke have a problem with voice control, but he also had some fetishism. This could be seen from his reaction when he had just touched a bamboo paper. Jiang Pengji answered casually, I bought it with 30000 strings of 1000 cash. Chapter 440 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Among the people present, only Feng Jin could still maintain his grace. Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke were both shocked. Xu Ke who somewhat overreacted was in a worse situation. The red dates and white fungus soup almost entered his lungs. He felt so terrible that he put his hand over his chest while coughing. What? 30000 strings of 1000 cash? Xu Kes coughing had been relieved and his voice suddenly became high-pitched. His finger that was pointing at the glass was trembling. What a spendthrift! He knew very well about how much family property his lord had but had she actually bought such a flashy item without substance with it? As the person who managed the internal affairs of the entire district headquarters, Xu Ke was so angry that he almost fainted. However, he forgot that Jiang Pengji did not have that much money at all. Even if she put the entire Xiangyang District in debt, she probably would not be able to obtain such a huge amount of money, let alone embezzling the funds of the district headquarters. The 30000 strings of 1000 cash was just mentioned to tease the three of them. She did not expect them to not have any sense of humor. Qiguan Rang and Feng Jin were the first to regain their senses and glanced seriously at Jiang Pengji who was smiling. Youre not the kind of person whod indulge in pleasure. Why would you spend 30000 strings of 1000 cash on something like this? Dont trick me Although Feng Jin was born in the Feng family, he would not buy a set of collectibles with 30000 strings of 1000 cash. It was not that he could not afford it, but he was more pragmatic. Tsk. The three of you really dont have any sense of humor. Dont expose me when Coach Meng and Coach Luo are here later. The three of them felt exhausted by having such a playful master. These were produced during the baking of the flashed bricks in the kiln last night. Their quality arent consistent. These arent glass of top-grade quality, so I initially wanted to destroy them. However, thinking about how diligent you all are, I took a set and placed them in the government office. Jiang Pengji smiled brightly and she looked smug. What do you think? Do you think theyre worth 30000 strings of 1000 cash? 30000 strings of 1000 cash? Why did she not just rob instead? Xu Ke looked depressed and discontented. He originally thought that his master had already become slightly more mature, but she was still that bad. Feng Jin straightened his mind and carefully looked at the object in his hand. He only opened his mouth slowly after a while. This is a rare find in the world. It can be called as a marvelous creation excelling nature. Its quality is also unheard of. Its definitely worth 30000 strings of 1000 cash to an expert Its just that I dont know how much money, manpower and time are required to produce it In the pursuit of fame, wealthy local tyrants would definitely buy it for 30000 strings of 1000 cash. They would even make a scramble for it happily. However, in todays world, who would spend this much on a set of luxury goods for use? Jiang Pengji drank the red dates and white fungus soup while listening to Feng Jin. She became more and more confident. Ive already said that its a product produced during the baking of the flashed bricks. How much money, manpower and time do you think is required to produce it? Jiang Pengji continued with a smile, Huaiyus foresight is definitely accurate. Youre indeed the second son of an aristocratic family. Im completely rest assured when you said that its worth 30000 strings of 1000 cash. Why worry about the sales if its operated well? The only concern is that supply would fall short of demand and people would beg to buy it. Feng Jin and the others were startled. When they understood what Jiang Pengji meant, they were struck dumb with amazement. Lord, are you saying that youll sell them in exchange for 30000 strings of 1000 cash? Jiang Pengji replied casually, No. These glasses are for you. Theres always a muddy taste when you drink tea in an earthenware bowl. Jiang Pengji not only wanted to bake glass products, but also fine porcelain. In fact, there were already porcelains in the ancient times, but they were of very poor quality. The audience in the streaming room felt that they could be improved. This would also generate a huge amount of income. Seeing the confused looks on the faces of the three strategists, Jiang Pengji continued shamelessly, Why would I treat you shabbily, oppress and exploit you when Im a lord who understands and sympathizes with my subordinates? The few glass tea sets baked in the kiln are those that would be sold. Even if Im just playing with mud, Im different from the others. I can create something new It may be sold for 3 million strings of 1000 cash instead of 30000, or maybe even more. She wanted to see if there was anyone else who would tease her for just playing with mud. If she did not play with mud, where would the flashed bricks in Xiangyang District come from? Where would the glass in the kiln come from? Although Jiang Pengji did not look proud, her eyebrows were a little higher than usual. Feng Jin and the others were too shocked that they did not discover this detail. However, the audience in the streaming room had realized it with their sharp eyes. Jintian Jigengya: Tsk, tsk. Look at The Streamer. Shes So conceited. Buzhidaoya: If it wasnt for your reminder, I wouldnt have noticed this detail. Looking at her now, The Streamer isnt just conceited. Shes about to ascend to heaven! Yexushi Dangeng: Shes owed some punches because of her smug look, but why do I think shes so cute? Buyao Hushuobadao: Sigh. If thats the case, Ill stay behind silently and feel sorry for the people who are about to be defrauded. Why were they fools? They were silly, rich and quick to spend. Jiang Pengji had her target on the three tribes of the North borderline and she set it as the first place for practicing fraud. Although the North borderline kept instilling the fact that they were strong in their minds and they wished they could look down upon Dongqing with the white of their eyes, they valued items from the Central Plains very much. They even made it into a trend, not to mention they fell over each other in their eagerness to buy the items. They were the typical type of people who acted differently from what they said. The aristocratic ladies of the North borderline were proud of their treasures from the Central Plains. Things that could only be sold for one or two strings of 1000 cash in the Central Plains could be sold for at least tenfold of that in the North borderline. If it was not for such profits, which businessman would be willing to run trades in the North borderline when it was tough to get there? Xu Ke and the others were so shocked by Jiang Pengjis grandiloquence that they even forgot how to speak. Feng Jin reacted first and replied in a serious tone, Then, you must strictly keep the manufacturing method of this product a secret. Dont worry. Ill get someone to keep a close watch over the kiln before we make enough money. With Feng Jins reminder on top of Liu Shes, would Jiang Pengji not pay attention to it? She had already thought of a way to deal with it. When a thing was scarce, it would be precious. It would become worthless once there were too many of it. She would break a mans family line if they dared to crush her source of income! Xu Ke had a dreamlike facial expression on his face. He only found his voice after a while. Lord, what is the specific production cost for these things? I think it only costs a few pennies since its a by-product produced while baking the bricks, Jiang Pengji replied uncertainly. Everyone was silent. Items which were worth only a few pennies were sold for 30000 strings of 1000 cash Would ones conscience not hurt? Xu Ke subconsciously touched his chest. Why would their conscience hurt when they were the ones making money? Not only did it not hurt, it was alive and kicking. The three of them shouted in unison, Great! Host V: When this batch of glass is sold, the government of Xiangyang District will have the money to pay their salaries. Jiang Pengjis words were like a bomb explosion. It shook the audience in the streaming room so much that they could not come to their senses. Wait What did the streamer say? Pay salaries? The viewers in the streaming room were still immersed in Jiang Pengjis shamelessness, but they did not expect her to be this audacious. Sanzhatiao: No way. You oppress and exploit them to work crazily and youve never paid them from the start? Chapter 441 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Please give them a dozen of such handsome workers who worked so diligently, worked overtime with zeal, and did not require salaries! The audience in the streaming room exploded once again. Zhou Bapi had more conscience than the Streamer. At least Zhou Bapi would give people their salaries. The Streamer had never even given out a penny. Host V: Look at all of you. I gave them houses. Im the one who supplies food for the entire district, okay? When she had just finished, there was a little angel who immediately lashed out at her with anger. Tumi Dalao: Haha. The houses are only worth three pennies and the food is traded. Youre really awesome. Although she was mocked, what kind of a person was Jiang Pengji? She would not take such ridicule to heart. Jiang Pengji said in a very natural manner, Before this batch of glass is sold, the kiln wont continue to bake glass. After all, when a thing is scarce, its considered more precious. The quantity must be strictly controlled. However, Ill also start to research other things Youre all on my side, so how can I, as your lord, treat you poorly? Do you want to follow me to the kiln after work today and choose a set each? Although the glass was to be sold at a high price, a family would know about their own affairs. She was not a stingy person, so she would share her prosperity with them. Liu She originally wanted to stay in Xiangyang District for just two days, but he stayed for three or four more days because of the glass. The operation in the kiln ran day and night and the baking was intensified. Defective products were ruthlessly destroyed. The glass tea sets which were of standard quality were carefully packaged and placed in a case filled with layers of brocade cloth. Just as Jiang Pengji had said, glass was too fragile. In order to prevent the glass from being damaged which in turn would cause her to lose tens of thousands of strings of 1000 cash, it must be well protected. Who could afford to pay for it if it was broken? Although the audience in the streaming room ridiculed her for being shameless, there was one thing that had to be acknowledged: no matter how much their cost, their real value lay in the market price of the final sale. The glass tea sets indeed had the market value of tens of thousands of strings of 1000 cash In other words, their lord gave out things that were easily worth tens of thousands of strings of 1000 cash? The trio was so coaxed by this outrageous news they were driven a little crazy. They thanked her profusely. Jiang Pengji responded to their thanks, and suddenly changed the topic. By the way, does red date and white fungus soup taste that bad? They had barely taken a sip of the red date and white fungus soup in front of them. It had nearly gone cold. In the inner courtyard of the Feng residence. It was not known as to whether Changsheng was like her father or mother. At a young age, one could already see her playful nature. Ya Yaya She was mumbling strange pronunciations while flailing her limbs. With her tireless efforts, her chubby body rolled a little and she finally made a heave. She pumped her legs, as if she wanted to go back to laying down. Wei Jingxian sat next to her and gently helped her turn over, so that she could continue to roll her body and play. She said with a smile, The way Changsheng fluttered just now was like a small tortoise that couldnt right itself. The servant girl beside her chimed in with a smile, I heard from the old people that it takes four to five months for a child to turn over and crawl. She has a strong body and she can already turn over at only three months old. With her precocity, Madam may be able to hear her calling you Mother in a few months time. Upon hearing the servant girls words, the smile on her face became gentler and softer. In terms of personality, it was not known as to whether Changsheng inherited her personality or Feng Jins. She was stubborn, lively and active. If Changsheng wanted to play around by rolling, she must rely on her own skills. A while ago, seeing that she had difficulty turning over and that she could not turn over for a very long time, Wei Jingxian gave her a hand, finding it funny. She never thought that the child would immediately flush and wail. She looked like she did not like it. Wei Jingxian could only carry her and tried every possible way to soothe her. However, Changsheng who seemed to hold grudges, would not stop crying. She was really frightened by the child. After that, she would not help Changsheng turn over no matter what. A babys energy was limited, after all. After rolling around for half an afternoon, how could Changsheng stand it? Not long after, Changsheng was blinking sleepily and fell asleep soundly. When Feng Jin went home at sunset, he saw Wei Jingxian sitting beside Changsheng with a tiny smile hanging in the corner of her lips. His daughter sprawled across the bed. He could easily imagine how brazen her sleeping posture would be when she grew a little older. Upon seeing her casual sleeping posture, Feng Jin wanted to demand that the servant correct her posture several times. However, when he made eye contact with his daughters sparkling eyes, he surrendered instantly. How could he be harsh on her? Huaiyu, why are you home so early today? The servant girl bowed to him upon hearing the noise, alerting Wei Jingxian, who had been lost in thought. Feng Jin was carrying a long, black wooden case in his arms. He looked somewhat cautious. He replied, Well, there werent many things to do today and I dealt with them quickly, so I came back early. Wei Jingxian looked at the long, black case curiously, silently wondering what was inside. This was given by the lord, but its a bit fragile so Changsheng mustnt touch it. It was not that Feng Jin was distressed over the glass tea set. It was just that broken glass could very easily cut ones skin. In Feng Jins heart, no treasure in the world was more precious than Changsheng. Itd be bad if she got cut. What is it? Wei Jingxian questioned with curiosity. Feng Jin did not keep her in suspense. He gently put the case down, trying not to make a sound so as not to disturb Changshengs sleep. Look. Isnt this craft a marvelous creation, and maybe the best in the world? Feng Jin opened the box which was filled with colorful fabrics that were carefully cut. He took out a delicate teapot as large as his palm. It was delicate, exquisite and dainty. In the reflection of the setting sun, it emitted colorful rays which were so enchanting that Wei Jingxian almost forgot to breathe. Where where did such a wondrous item come from? Wei Jingxian covered her mouth with her hands, for fear that her gasp might be too loud. Lanting gave it to me. She gave a set to Wen Zheng and the others too. Feng Jin rarely addressed Jiang Pengji as his lord in private. It was not that he was disrespectful, but he was more inclined to regard her as a friend. Wei Jingxian repeated in disbelief, Mr. Qiguan and the others have one too? She thought that it was already a miracle to have just a set of such a marvelous and peerless treasure in the world. Yeah. Seeing his wifes reaction, Feng Jin suddenly wanted to tease her, Guess how much its selling price is. Such a precious and beautiful item must cost a lot. The price must be at least 7000 to 8000 strings of 1000 cash. Feng Jin replied with a smile, Lanting wants to sell it for 30000 strings of 1000 cash to the aristocrats of the North borderline Wei Jingxian was so shocked that her eyes widened. She said in a cracking voice, 30000 strings of 1000 cash Why doesnt she rob them instead? Feng Jin laughed quietly. Compared to its original cost, 7000 to 8000 strings of 1000 cash was also practically theft. Chapter 442 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After a few days, Liu She took 20 sets of glass tea sets and left. Jiang Pengji accompanied him for three miles. Lanting, youre 16 years old this year. Have you considered revealing your true self? Liu She took a good look at Jiang Pengji who was sitting on Whites back, saying, Father is not expecting you to resume your identity now. However, to those close to you, please reveal briefly to them in case they cannot accept it later. It is better to be prepared and prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Jiang Pengji pondered over it and replied, It is not urgent. Oh? Liu She didnt understand the underlying meaning. Jiang Pengji explained herself. Huaiyu knows that I am a female, and even he who is most stubborn has accepted it. Why should I fear? As for Xiaoyu and Wen Zheng pei, pei, they arent blind. After one or two years, I wish to reveal these female characteristics that I can no longer hide. They can suspect all they want and if they discover eventually, it is better than if I confessed myself. She knows herself best, Jiang Pengji already assessed Liu Xis body from the start. The conclusion is, in the future she will have to bind her chest to flatten it this is too difficult. She cant possibly say her pectoral muscles are just really muscular, right? Weighing out all her options, when her power increases steadily and she dominates Fengyi county and even all nine prefectures, she will return to her original identity. Even without Liu Shes reminder, she has intentions to slowly reveal herself. Her breasts are slowly developing, if she continues to bind her chest, itll be increasingly uncomfortable. In order to relieve herself of her ambitions, to allow herself to breathe properly, she has to quickly amass her strength. Seeing that she had her plans, Liu Shes heart was at peace. Father and daughter spoke briefly, then he rallied his horsemen to begin the journey. Lets go. When Liu Shes carriage had disappeared out of sight, Jiang Pengji patted White. The pretty philly carried her and turned around to return to the city. The sound of horse hooves, speeding through like strong wind or a flash of lightning, causing a tornado of dust and smoke. During the time when Xiangyang district was undergoing rapid development, the outside world was in a real mess, like a pot of porridge. Despite Tsing Yi army hitting roadblocks twice against Jiang Pengji, their influence was still great amongst those ignorant people, coupled with the freedom Dongqings government bestowed on them. This resulted in the two prefectures in the north to have almost become Red Lotus groups and their plans to commit violence grew. The two groups of peasants raised arms against each other without differing much in power, yet as time passed, the Red Lotus group gradually gained strength and steadily and significantly overpowered the Tsing Yi army. The underlying reason was that Tsing Yi army was composed of bandits, while Red Lotus group were bandits with strong beliefs and maintained internal order. Did the Dongqing emperor was delighted to have these peasants intimidating and enjoying themselves on his land? Of course not. He desperately wished to capture those unruly people and execute them, even their entire families if necessary. But he was in a helpless situation, and had to temporarily allow the north borderline to remain in disarray. A hundred thousand imperial guards escorting the entire imperial family and officials to move the capital city to Chenzhou already required colossal effort. If Tsing Yi army or the Red Lotus group ambushed them, who could guarantee the imperial family and the officials safety? More importantly, Dongqing Emperor didnt allow his reputation as the Son of Heaven to be trampled upon as such. Thus, when the two groups of peasants raised up arms in power in the north, Dongqing Emperor just turned a blind eye. He allowed them to fight internally, implicate each other, and wear each other out. It was a blessing in disguise for the group of people on the move to the new capital city of Chenzhou. They steadily sojourned on and did not have much disruption throughout. Three months passed, and the innumerable and large scale of troops finally stepped into the borders of Chenzhou. Estimating the time, they determined it would take seven or eight days more to reach the new capital city, and everyone from young to old heaved a huge sigh of relief. Then, Dongqing Emperor received news which nearly made him vomit blood. Rebellious child! Both his hands trembled in anger, and he mercilessly slapped Wuma Jun such that his cheek turned an angry red. The Emperor shouted at Wuma Jun, and when father and sons eyes met, he was given a hard slap. He was dumbfounded. Wuma Jun hated the Emperor to the core. He desperately wished for the old man to drop dead on the spot, but he still had to put on a sorrowful face. Sincerely kneeling before the Emperors feet, with his tears flowing freely, he confessed, Father, your son doesnt know what I did wrong to incur your wrath, but I plead with you to please calm down! Dont let me affect your imperial bodyFather, Father He cried so sincerely and mournfully, but his eyes were full of overwhelming admiration for his father. His acting skills were on point, and his performance touched many hearts. Only, Dongqing Emperor was presently extremely infuriated. How could he be fooled by Wuma Juns acting? The more Wuma Jun carried on like that, the more disgusted he felt. Thus, the performance did nothing to suppress the outrage flooding his heart. Instead, he slapped the boy again, causing Wuma Juns left and right cheek to be balanced. Bastard! When these words came out, the color drained from Wuma Juns face and he turned deathly pale. His eyes filled with deep hatred. Father, your son has nothing against you hitting me. But surely you have to let your son know what I did wrong? Wuma Jun really hated the Emperor to death, but he desired the Emperors wilful and unrestrained ultimate power Just because this man carried the title of Emperor, he could just slap Wuma Jun twice because he felt like it, and belittle his honor, and ignore his dignity? All because he was Emperor! In times like that, his inner desire for imperial power reached its height. What wrong you committed? Keke, do you, little bastard, have a right to question me about what you did wrong? Dongqing Emperor was nearly blind with fury, but as he reflected on his foolish son, he wanted to laugh. He thought the boy quite handsome, but could not understand how he could be so stupid. Did he really think he was the only intelligent one? Let me ask you, how did Prince Changshou carry my token of command and dispatch soldiers from Zhangzhou? This person has ulterior motives. Are you so blind that you cannot see? When we cut off all ties with him, you and I are all doomed to die! Without the Emperors decree, Prince Changshou would not be able to overcome all obstacles without losing any soldiers. This son before him really was a disappointment. Wuma Juns expression changed, something shifting inwardly, and he asked in shock, The royal uncle has led his troops out of his allocated land? Dongqing Emperor smirked coldly. Indeed. 150,000 soldiers and horses are positioned but two days journey from here. If not for the many confidants I have, we wouldnt know at all. Thankfully the spy I planted brought this message to me as fast as he could. Do I have to wait until I am beheaded before I come to realise what you, this ingrate have done behind my back? Wuma Juns face paled even whiter and he croaked, Father, this wasnt done by your son. Dongqing Emperor was infuriated. He raised a foot and kicked Wuma Jun in the stomach. Bastard, you dare to argue! Obviously, he had used too much force when he kicked Wuma Jun, because the young man fainted shortly after. After he calmed himself somewhat, Dongqing Emperors anger faded a bit. He raised his hand to summon the imperial doctor to treat Wuma Jun. Perhaps his temper had been flaring furiously of late. His wrinkles were increasingly visible and added an agedness to his appearance. Juner, dont be sad. I will give you children in future innumerable children The Emperor sat on the side of the bed and looked tenderly upon the pale lady lying on the bed. She who looked so pretty and enchanting, had an additional tinge of frailty and pallor, one just couldnt help but pity her. He comforted her gently, Foolish girl, such a serious thing happened, why didnt you discuss it with me? Huijun turned away from him, her tears flowing steadily and silently. She looked utterly pitiful. Both her eyes were blurred with tears, and she looked lonely and forlorn. You are father and son, your concubine is but a short-lived Puliu stone. However deep a relationship Your Majesty and I have, how can it be compared to your Majestys and the Fourth princes father and son relationship? She looked so downcast and jaded about life, and the Emperor heard, and his heart was unspeakably broken. Chapter 443 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Emperors eyes were full of a gentleness that could drown one to death. He looked at Huijun till she felt shy and turned her head away. My beloved concubine, I love you the most. The Emperor said endearingly. Huijuns cheeks reddened, and after a moment she asked quietly, You dont blame your concubine any longer? When did I ever blame you? Dongqings Emperor continued, It is all that rebellious sons fault. Why should I blame you? Huijuns heart was at peace, her face bearing a hint of bashfulness and timidity. Gazing at her beauty, one felt their throat itch. Then, then how about Prince Changshou? He has an army with him, in his hands he holds the forged imperial edict Do not worry, I will send someone to command him to retreat, if he is unwilling KeKe! Dongqing Emperor comforted Huijun soothingly, Dont be afraid, I would rather be hurt myself than to hurt even one strand of your hair. Why are you so foolish? Let your body recover, then bear me many royal children. Huijun heard this and became utterly bashful. Of course, in her heart she was chuckling. Shed rather bear the child of a pig than to bear one for the disgusting person before her. Watching the Emperors back as he left, Huijun, who was supposed to be weak, coughed, then turned over and slept soundly. When the earthquake in Shangjing happened, and Wuma Jun asked her to help steal the Emperors imperial seal, she used many reasons to procrastinate for a month. She went into a daze multiple times before the Emperor, as she pretended to struggle and appeared to be in pain. Wuma Jun became anxious, and she then had no choice but to steal the Emperors imperial seal, then bewitched Wuma Jun and fooled around once. On that very night, she surreptitiously ordered someone to obtain medicines for abortion Of course, she was surely not pregnant since her body had been defiled and damaged years ago. Most likely she had no chance to become a mother, thus drinking the abortion medicine had no effect on her. Except, this incident was accidentally witnessed by the Emperor, after many attempts of asking after her, she broken-heartedly poured her heart out that Wuma Jun had forced her into sexual intercourse for no reason. Concurrently, she revealed that Wuma Jun wanted the imperial seal. To prevent Wuma Jun from being ousted so quickly, she sincerely begged the Emperor not to investigate the matter. For this, she put in a lot of effort. Drinking medicines, and threatening to end her life, as well, since she could not die from the abortifacients. The people the Emperor assigned to her would not allow anything to happen to her, so Huijun enjoyed herself in the process while the Emperor was direly exhausted. Perhaps the Emperor was curious what Wuma Jun used the imperial seal for, or she managed to convince with her pleas, but during those days he continued to keep silent until he heard the news of Prince Changshou bringing troops towards Chenzhou. The Emperor was exasperated and so explaining the scenario that had just transpired. Huijun was ignorant about politics but she knew a saying: It is easier to invite a deity than to send them away. Leading hundreds of thousands of troops from his allocated land, Prince Changshou was so ambitious, how would he be satisfied with retreat? Go on and fight, best if they fought neck to neck, brothers fighting against each other until they were ignorant of news in the north. Any possible cause of threat to her Langjun, she would think of solutions to nip them in the bud. In the case of the scheming Princess of the north borders, Huijun used her status to torment her. Her mind was full of diverse thoughts. She yawned lazily, thought of what she should do the following day. Perhaps threaten to drown by jumping into the water, or continue to lie in bed weakly She rolled her eyes at the thought of Wuma Jun and his father. Such despicable people were actually part of the most honourable royal family? Huijun didnt like palace infighting, coupled with the importance the emperor placed on her, he gradually placed many confidants by her side. It was almost impossible for happenings and schemes in the inner courts to reach her ears, but as an awe-inspiring favourite concubine, even if others didnt bother her, it didnt mean she wouldnt find fault with them. What a boring road lay ahead, bullying those beautiful concubines and the Empress who had lost her looks to ageing. This was her daily routine. Bring me the copper mirror. She had just laid down, then recalled something and ordered for her maids. Her body was getting healthier, so in order to fake a frail looking complexion, she refrained from acquiring a sickly disease. Rather, those servants around her were falling sick one by one. She opened her watery eyes then looked at her reflection in the mirror. She still retained her charming aura of fortune and let out a faint, lengthy sigh. Why on earth did such a ravishing beauty like her exist? Daily narcissism (1/1) accomplished. Huijun is naturally not mindful of her outward appearances but shes increasingly aware that her perfect figure is linked to her Langjun. What method exactly can transform a persons beauty to be so enchanting that all fall hard for her? From her perspective, its probably the works of a deity. She slowly started to notice herself in the mirror, then compare with what she remembers of herself from her memories. Slowly she fostered the habit of admiring herself in the mirror which she evidently enjoys. Wuma Juns injury was rather serious, and he was in coma through the night. The doctor used the best of medicines to rescue him from the doors of hell. Upon seeing him wake, Liu Huan heaved a sigh of relief, My husband, youre awake. A lady of a mere 13 years, she was of small build and petite, yet her stomach was huge despite being only five months pregnant. Her stomach skin was like a blown-up balloon, as if already eight to nine months into her pregnancy. Others had the impression that her stomach was very heavy. If a common lady was pregnant with such a huge stomach, it would be impossible for her to look healthy. Nevertheless, Liu Huan was different, her vitality improving by the day. It seemed that even her footsteps became swifter. Many servants suspected that the Fourth Princess Consorts pregnancy had issues. Unless it was a fake pregnancy? Before that ridiculous rumour spread, Liu Huan had dragged those people in and had them beat to death. Within her womb she carried the legitimate, royal grandchild. Who would dare say her pregnancy was fake? Upon waking up, Wuma Jun directed his gaze above and was speechless. Behind his eyes there brewed a deep sense of contempt. Have some ginseng soup, my husband. This is boiled specially by your wife. Desiring her husbands affection, she had put a lot of effort to gain it. Helplessly, other than their marriage night, he almost never touched her. She knew. Wuma Juns heart belonged to that whore, Huijun. Get lost Lifting the bowl of soup, he threw it to the ground heartlessly. Wearing a sinister expression, his eyes were full of capillaries and the effect looked murderous. The situation at the north of Dongqing had become a warzone between Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group, the people groaning in despair, and starving people filled the land. Only Dongqing remained the pure and unadulterated paradise, its rebuilding process advancing rapidly. The entire district was bursting with vitality. The military might at the south of Dongqing was increasingly intense. Prince Changshou was defiant to the imperial edict and refused to return to his allocated land. His ambition was evident. Under such circumstances, the powers in the north borders were slowly becoming a threat. Liu She returned to Chongzhou in that context. Briefly assessing the political situation, he discovered that the north borders internal affairs were beginning to stir. They clearly felt the time was ripe and intended to strike while Dongqings political power was at its weakest, then decisively exterminate Dongqing. They would thereby command the central plains, and at the lowest cost possible! Indeed, it was not a small aspiration. He roughly analysed the situation in Donqing, then sneered in his heart. Before the three tribes in the north borders raised their hands to strike, he would prank them first! Kacha Taking a bite of the fruit in season, he salivated. He waved his hand to summon his head servant. Internally and externally, Liu mansion ran many businesses, the people who managed these were spread across the entire north borders. This served as an invisible network of information. Seizing the opportunity before the calamity struck, he would scheme to earn a large sum of money. Otherwise when the north borders went all out against Dongqing, such a golden business opportunity would cease to exist. Thinking of the twenty sets of unparalleled precious items, his broke into a broad smile. The north borders likened to a fat cow. If they werent taken advantage of now, how would it be fair to the people at Chongzhous borders? Chapter 444 - Fear Not The Cost, Just Buy! (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The North borderline was a vast area, and not heavily populated. Moreover, wars occurred yearly, and life was hard for the people. For the past twenty years, the imperial family of the North, under the advice of the Sages tribe, had agreed to examine and cultivate their character. They were determined to encourage their citizens to reproduce and have descendants, actively open new properties, and do business with merchants from other countries. Without a doubt that was the correct political strategy, as the tribes of the North borderline were bustling and full of excitement, their country strong onat all fronts. They launched a surprise attack at the borders of Dongqing ten years previous, thereby occupying Chongzhou, Shangyu county and its three cities. This made bold the fighting spirit of the soldiers from the North borders, until they feared no one. They even assumed they possessed the ultimate power in the central plains to dominate the land. After all, Dongqing was too weak at present, they absolutely could not withstand warhorses trampling them. They would surely meet their doom soon. The Sages in the Northern tribes understood this and continuously hit roadblocks, this mildly restrained the arrogance and shallowness of the North borderline. In recent years, Princess An Yina has been stirring trouble, and the political scene in Dongqing was getting confusing. The countrys sovereignty has also decreased exponentially. Dongqing was already fallen in the eyes of the North borderline, and they were just awaiting their Kings order to march forward and conquer Dongqing. Under such circumstances, the King of the North borders could not avoid arrogance, his imperial power having soared and stabilized. The wise strategies offered by the Sages tribe were ignored, and ignited the Kings displeasure. The air of superficial pride influenced the whole of the North borders. Wu Liba, the strategist for the North border tribe of Sages, appeared to be impulsive but was actually a meticulous strategist. He sensed the potential threat of superficial hubris within the North borderline, he admonished the King of the North borders. No matter how weak Dongqing had become, it was still one of the five strongest territories in the central plains. It had adequate abilities to meet their enemies. Since times past, had examples of arrogant armies failures ever fallen short? Regardless of whatever allusion Wu Liba drew, the King of the North borderline didnt care, and even admonished him sternly and reprimanded him. Under such circumstances, Wu Liba was both worried and disappointed. There was nothing to be afraid of. He was just cautious that the North borderline would be elated over a small success and become arrogant and complacent, and not take their enemies seriously. Just that day, the King had told him off because he petitioned honestly for him to order his officials and people not to spend so extravagantly. They should do away with the habit of showing off their wealth. He aired his views without restraint and spoke from his heart, but the King only turned a deaf ear. Wu Liba sighed. This atmosphere was indeed disadvantageous to the North borders, but he was helpless. He couldnt tell when it had started, and consequently, these evil practices spread throughout the North borders. With a fire in his bosom, Wu Liba was exhausted physically and mentally as he headed home. A few slaves turned female servants went forth to serve him. Having waited for half a day, and his wife nowhere to be seen, he knitted his thick and sharp ended brows tightly, and his displeasure was apparent. Facing his rough and uncultured wife, he seriously had no interest in her. Yet this marriage was fought for by his elders for his sake because his wifes family ran a big business and was known for their wealth in the North borders. He was a warrior who fought wars and needed his wifes generous support to supply the rations required. From that point of view, Wu Liba was still able to tolerate his wife. But, as for men, particularly men of the North borderlines, who didnt desire for their brash wives to be gentle and submissive? Even Wu Liba was not spared from this thought. He was very possessive of her, and had a deep desire to control her. If someday he returned to his mansion and didnt see her, his mood would become very dejected. The North borderline did not hold a womans chastity in high regard. There was no loyalty between husband and wife. If a wife was dissatisfied with her husband or ceased to love him, she could just turn her back on him to have an affair or keep a pretty man. Wu Liba claimed he was well-versed in the culture of the central plains, so naturally, he could not accept his wife having an affair. If his wife disappeared from his line of vision, he would be paralyzed with worry, convinced she was out cavorting with some handsome creature. His displeasure apparent, he asked his servant girl angrily, Where did the lady go? The servant girl answered trembling in fear, Madam and some noble ladies went out and will be back in about four hours. Hearing this, he became more dispirited, and snapped, Lead the way, lets go and have a look. His wife was naturally rough and uncivilizsed;, he could not imagine that spending time with other ladies would improve her manners. Presently, Wu Libas wife was strolling the streets and spending extravagantly. Indeed, strolling the streets. Her style of shopping was characterizsed by buying only the most expensive, but not the best. She alone could buy up all the items offered on the street. Her parents were wealthy, and the North borderline held women in very high regard. Thus, the one thing Madam Wu Liba didnt lack was money. Moreover, her husband was the esteemed general of the North borders, hailing from the tribe of Sages, so he was well respected, and even the King of the North borderline accorded him high honors. Madam Wu Libas life could not be any more comfortable. She went shopping with her girlfriends when she got bored. Now, a gaggle of wealthy ladies raised their heads expectantly, anticipating the storekeeper from the treasure house to display his precious items. Madams, sorry for the long wait. The storekeeper of the treasure house was of mixed temperament; he had the gentleness and scholarly air of men from the central plains, and the free spirit and generosity of the Northern men. If he had not been 45 years old, and already a grandfather several times over, many of the officials would be worried for their wives who frequently shopped at his store. The man was so alluring;, if one continued to shop and then he ended up sleeping with their wife, it would be devastating. Shops often sold illegal, precious, and limited-edition items; this was also the favorite place of the wealthy in the North borderline. Thats because the items sold were of high quality and expensive enough. He held a small case in both hands. His rather thin lips conjured an elegant tone, pleasing to the ears. These wealthy ladies who dared pin their husbands down and beat them, usually as soon as they shouted, could be heard from miles away. Yet before this captivating middle-aged gentleman, they portrayed their lady-like disposition, patiently waiting for him to open the small case and show them the precious and rare items. These are exquisite glassware. Please take a look, esteemed ladies. When they were all exhibited, the ladies focused their eyes on the items lying silently in the box. It commanded their attention entirely. Madam Wu Liba regained her senses after a long while, and she said, Mister storekeeper, how much do these precious things cost? The storekeeper replied, This is a tea set; the workmanship is a rarity even though the price is high. Madam Wu Liba said jovially, Is the storekeeper afraid that I cannot afford this? The storekeeper responded, Madam must be joking, your net worth is so rich you could compete with other countries, people near and far know this. How would Madam not have the means to purchase this? Even if you cannot afford, this treasure should decrease in value for Madam and beg you to bring it away. A valuable item matches an important person. Only a graceful and glamorous one like Madam is able to bring out its value. She blushed, and the smile on her face brightened,. Storekeeper sure has a way with words. No women dislike fancy praises. Madam Wu Liba was no exception. The other ladies didnt have as much money, but they still spent frivolously daily, and they too asked for the price, clamoring excitedly. The storekeeper widened his eyes, and he gently informed them, The quality of this item is above average, but not a high-grade item. Therefore, it is only sold for 20500 strings of coins. 20500 strings of coins? The cost caused doubts to arise in many of the ladies. It was not unaffordable, but they felt it was a little too expensive. Madam Wu Libas concern was not the cost. Why dont you show me the best you have? Chapter 445 - Fear Not The Cost, Just Buy! (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Why didnt he display the best he had? Of course, it was to whet the appetite of all the ladies for the glassware and see how hard theyll fall for them. Otherwise he would have a harder time quoting a high price. The storekeeper kept a smile on his face as he calmly soothed them. Madam please forgive me, this isnt meant to be rude, actually If my humble store showcased the best items that sustain my store right off the bat, and set the standards impossibly high, when the time comes, what will this tiny shop have to attract my esteemed ladies to return? Madam Wu Liba blushed, and she answered, Just bring out the best you have, why worry about these? Consider how many products Ive bought from here, were they all a lie? Whether its good or not, when have I not patronised and supported your business? The storekeeper smiled gently, and turned to go up and retrieve the very expensive glass tea set. The previous set had already attracted a lot of attention, but compared to this set, every little defect was magnified. Madam Wu Liba said plainly, This set is mine, storekeeper. Just tell me the price, I will not short-change you by a cent. The storekeeper smiled helplessly saying, Any businessman who meets a Madam whos such a generous customer, they will smile even in their sleep. She asked generously in return, Will the storekeeper smile tonight because of me? Definitely. Originally the businessmans superior had set the price to 20000 to 30000 strings of coin, but the storekeeper felt there was room for inflation. The most successful businessmen are those who can maximise the value of an item, isnt it so? He speculated in his heart and didnt over-praise his item. It would be awkward for him if he were to obtain an even nicer set sometime down the road. If these rich ladies quarrelled, his old body could not tolerate it, so he changed his plans and developed a counter strategy. He remarked, This set is the best one compared to the rest, it is slightly more expensive than the previous one. It is worth 40100 strings of coin. Madam Wu Liba wasnt foolish, and she understood his underlying meaning. Storekeeper means that theres an even better glassware set? How can this be? If she was going to buy, she would only have the best which was befitting of her status. The storekeeper was ready with his response, and he calmly said, Do Madams know the origin of this glassware? Those ladies shook their heads. We dont know and have never heard of it. They were also used to seeing attractive items, the treasure houses illegal items for sale were fairly few, but there was almost none like these splendid and magnificent tea sets. With just one glimpse, it revived their young hearts. Though the glassware was expensive, they could afford it; they just wanted the highest value items or they would not be satisfied. The Xia dynasty has records in their mysterious book. Mei county had a strange phenomenon of a golden phoenix descending; concurrently a female babe would be born to the world. This baby later became the founding member of the country. When she passed on, she was designated the title of Duke Xu, Marquis of the frontiers. The storekeeper briefly said, and then explaining in detail to the enraptured women, These glass wares are the treasures found when the golden phoenix descended. Each item is unique and magnificent. Its such a pity that the person who discovered these ornaments was impulsive and foolish, causing some glassware to be damaged somewhat and theyre less breath-taking than before. Madam Wu Liba was the most cultured of all the ladies and liked to show off her knowledge. She remarked, Ive heard of this story. It is said that Duke Xu, Marquis of the frontiers is destined for a golden phoenixs life. It is a goddess given by the heavens, these glass waresperhaps they are divine items which descended from above with Duke Xu to earth. The storekeeper hesitated briefly, then remarked, I am not too sure about thisthese glass wares have been buried for hundreds of years. Recently, the Dongqing earthquake struck, which is how they were uncovered. Our small shop has used a lot of manpower to retrieve these few sets. We are still finding ways to obtain more the set before us are the best quality this humble store has in possession. All the ladies heard and were astonished, their hearts that originally wavered, fell even harder for it. Even without a mystical source, they were already moved and were considering buying a set. But once they heard the background story, they could not wait to possess it. Madam Wu Liba registered the expressions on the other ladies faces, and regretted having spoken. Why did she suggest they were divine products for no reason? The storekeeper registered all their expressions in his eyes, then gently smiled saying, Would Madam like to buy? Madam Wu Liba decisively smacked the counter, and without waiting for others to speak up, she remarked, Of course I will buy it, it is a mere 40100 strings of coins. Storekeeper, wrap these up and deliver them to my manor. Also, if you have superior glassware in the future, please remember to inform me. The other madams clamored to offer more for the same set, but the treasure house had rules in place for such an occasion. They could not transfer ownership of a promised item to another buyer. The risk of alienating Madam Wu Liba, or some other winner, based on the offer of a higher price, would cost more than the shop might gain in the short term. Each valuable item had a fixed price. If a customer agreed to the stipulated price first and bought it, should the customers that come after offer a hundred-fold more, the ownership could not be transferred. These ladies were seasoned customers, and they knew the rules. The more upright he was, the more his strength of character shone through. He was obsessed with earning money, yet he didnt reek of greed. Numerous rich ladies in the North borders wished to employ him as their confidante but to no avail, as he was steadfastly loyal to his wife. The north borders Princess Royal once offered to reach an agreement with him, yet still he was not moved. Such mannerisms, sense of humour, handsome look and talents His entire being didnt portray any signs that he was not a good man, so how could one not be smitten over him? A plump lady asked, Storekeeper, please bring out all the glassware you have. He smiled and consented, and he brought them out one by one personally. When the nine sets of glass tea sets were placed together, that glimmering, wondrous sight caused even those madams who had no intention of buying to be moved. Presently, everyone only had one thing in mind: dont be afraid of the cost, just buy! He had interacted with those noble ladies for years, so naturally he knew their extravagant spending habits. They always bought the most expensive, but not necessarily the best. Of the nine sets of glass tea sets, the cheapest was marked at 23000 strings of coins. Other than the set belonging to Madam Wu Liba, the next most expensive one was worth 33000 strings of coins. A few ladies decisively bought five of the sets and only four of the cheaper sets were left. It totalled 140600 strings of coins! This money is so easy to earn, it feels even better than robbing. The storekeeper secretly sighed in his heart; he had increased respect for his young master. He had witnessed the ways in which his old master Madam Gu did her business. Ever since Madam Gu had passed away, the storekeeper had never seen someone who earned money more relentlessly than robbing a money farm, until he saw Madam Gus child and he was filled with emotions family lessons go a long way! When Liu She entrusted this to him, his jaded heart came back to life. He enjoyed earning money, but more so the exhilaration of sending someone to their death yet without consequences. He cheated them dry such that their bones and marrow became naught, yet they still thought they had gained a huge advantage Based on Madam Gus appraisal of him, he probably gained intellectual satisfaction from less intelligent customers. In any case, the storekeeper was immersed in a satisfied feeling. The black-hearted storekeeper discretely mentioned, All you esteemed ladies, hold on one moment, theres one more item you have to see. Chapter 446 - Fear Not The Cost, Just Buy! (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Madam Wu Liba was startled for a second, then asked, What else is there? The treasure house was the most famous in the North borders for selling smuggled goods and antiques. There wasnt a most expensive item, only a more priceless one. Many wealthy there aimed to show off their status and thus frequented the shop. Truthfully speaking, it was a very resourceful little shop, and there was almost nothing it could not obtain. Most importantly it was reassuring that behind the scenes of the shop, they were not corrupted. Please give me a while, ladies. I will fetch them for you to view. He went up to retrieve a small, red sandalwood case the size of a grown mans hands. On the exterior there was a complex carving of an enchanting pattern. A mysterious scent floated in the air and many of the wealthy ladies curiosity was sparked so that they stretched their necks hoping to get a glimpse. But they controlled themselves and remained seated, patiently awaiting the storekeeper to display it for them to admire. Please have a look, ladies. He completed his sentence, then his silky-smooth fingers opened the box to reveal the treasure within. The hall was suddenly filled with many lights, the brilliant lights reflected made them blink momentarily, nearly blinding them. Moreover, one lady was frightened and covered her eyes, her complexion pale, her rough voice turned to a shrill. She was shocked, and screeched, Wow, what is this? It is so dazzling! After a while, everyone regained their senses, and the sound of people inhaling fresh air resounded in the hall. As they came back to themselves, they could see an exquisitely designed hairpin featuring a dragon-phoenix lying silently within the small sandalwood case. This hairpin was completely transparent, and surprisingly from the same source as the glassware. A dragon and phoenix intermingled together, the dragon scales and phoenix feathers were very well defined and were seemingly alive. With the phoenix flying gracefully, the dragon poised to soar to the highest heavens, they each held a transparent pearl in their mouths, which was attached to a tassel. Under the light, it was resplendent and shiny, too captivatingly beautiful for one to even look straight upon it. The storekeeper carefully took it out, the pearls briefly hitting each other, and the crisp sound was pleasing to the ear. Liu She gave him twenty tea sets made of glass, and only one such dragon-phoenix hairpin. He was given the autonomy to determine the price. Gazing into the eyes of these wealthy ladies, he intuitively knew this intricate dragon-phoenix hairpin would fetch a high price. Women may not be enticed by intricate antiques, but they certainly could not resist dazzling accessories. The storekeeper smiled warmly, and said, This is an item that this small shop spent a lot of effort to obtain, esteemed ladies. Please have a look. How do you feel about it? Madam Wu Liba stood tall and said, Ill buy it. Storekeeper, be spontaneous and quote me the price. The other ladies were displeased. How was it that after buying the best glassware, she still wanted to possess this, surely the treasure of the century. A plump rich lady briefly jutted her chin out, and her eyes drifted. She remarked unhappily, Madam Wu, this is not right. The rest of us didnt mention that we have no interest in purchasing. How can you possess them all? I wish to buy this hairpin also. Storekeeper, weve known each other for a long time, I know your rules, lets decide based on who can offer a higher price. With his business acumen, he knew how to stretch to its maximum value. Also, such a transparent and dazzling accessory will be sold multiple times. Thus, it would be unwise to ask for an exorbitant amount at the first instance to prevent a scenario where the cost could not be further increased. Please hear me out, esteemed ladies. Based on news from the store, there is more than one of this accessory available. He spoke to lighten the atmosphere saying, They are presently in the hands of another party, and it would require some time for its delivery. If Madams can wait, it will be the same if you buy it later. Please dont let this affect your harmony. The ladies heard him, and they relaxed some. They believed in the storekeepers abilities to obtain anything they might want. Nevertheless, the earlier you buy, the faster you can enjoy using it. Only a few sets of these precious were available, yet many were competing for it. When news of these infamous dragon-phoenix hairpin got around, countless rich ladies would desire to own one. By then how many competitors would there be? Speaking of which, each of them had their own concerns. Just then, a familiar mans voice was heard outside, and Madam Wu Libas expression changed to include a subtle hint of displeasure. The storekeeper discreetly raised his brows, as he had heard of the general Wu Liba earlier. But this was the first time he was seeing the man in person. If he were a common person, he would probably be frightened until the other man nodded in submission and bowed respectfully, or even unleashed his ugly side. But who was this storekeeper? He had interacted with many noblemen in the North borders. Back in those days, the Princess Royal was smitten with him, desiring that he become her confidante. He had managed to overcome that tricky situation, so why would he fear Wu Liba? On the other end, Wu Liba found out his wife spent 40,100 on an exquisite but impractical item, he was fuming. This is just an item to entice you. Such a generous woman, you have unknowingly been duped into buying and you dont even realize it. Wu Liba huffed angrily. Madam Wu Liba sneered, rolled her eyes at her husband, and then pointed at the glass tea set and responded, You said I was cheated. Then tell me what are the origins of these? Havent you been to Dongqing and understand their culture and associated items deeply? Dont these look familiar to you? Why dont you assess if these are valuable items? Wu Liba was publicly humiliated by his wife and was momentarily speechless. His black face cringed in frustration. What felt like half a day passed, and finally he bashfully said, It does look like porcelain They already possessed the technique to kiln porcelain, only those products were mostly crude. Superficially, the cracks were visible, and there werent many presentable ones. Thus, most people in the central plains used ceramic products. Wu Liba had a porcelain set kept in his study room, and he often admired it. Porcelain was also considered a lavish item on the central plains. A sly smile rested on the corner of the Shopkeepers lips, and with a gentle tone, he patiently replied, Porcelain is mostly pale green or gray in color. Their quality and presentation are unsightly, and theyre made from normal mud, then kilned to be finished. I admit humbly that I dont know what these glasswares are made of. Assessing from their transparent and shiny appearance, high quality and clear texture, they dont appear to be a worldly item. How could they be compared to mere porcelain? Wu Liba heard this but couldnt give an explanation. He knew the items of the central plains; he certainly had never seen an item made of this quality. The soil from the ground was mostly grey, black, yellow, or brown. It would have been impossible to achieve a transparent color. Madam Wu Liba saw that he had no comeback and retorted in frustration, Hmph, this isnt even your money, why are you so uptight? Wu Liba felt humiliated, but he also dared not argue with his wife, to prevent others from laughing at them. Observing the storekeeper frown and drop his gaze, he could not contain his raging anger. The shallow culture of the North borders was apparent in their limitless extravagance. Somehow, they could not divorce themselves from this treasure house. Even if similar stores popped up all over, the treasure house would still reign supreme in its business. The profits it had earned over the years were innumerable. Wu Liba was exasperated, This is the doing of all you cunning businessmen that resulted in this detrimental spendthrift habit here! He articulated very smoothly and calmly, Generals words are incorrect. Life is short, if you have tens of thousands of silver at home, you can feast on all the delicacies in the world. Why do you settle for a life of suffering and poverty? Your honorable wife is rich beyond measure, her clothes are fashionable, and the items she uses daily should be commensurate with her status. Otherwise, what is the difference if she wears her fashionable clothes and then walks around at night? The storekeepers words could be interpreted as He didnt have money to buy things for his wife, she bought it herself. If so, why was he making a big fuss? Wu Libas face was so twisted in rage that he was hard to look upon anymore. Chapter 447 - Money That Grew On Trees (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wu Liba didnt bother to say anything; he just used his coin-like eyes to stare at the storekeeper while the latter maintained his composure. With Wu Liba as the naysayer to discourage her from buying, Madam Wu Liba didnt get to purchase the dragon-phoenix hairpin. The storekeepers honey-sweet tongue and convincing articulation was irresistible, and it was eventually bought by a wealthy lady for 50700 strings of coin. That madam took out her jade hairpin immediately and wore the magnificent dragon-phoenix hairpin. Tassels of pearls dangled and swung as she walked, and the ringing sound was pleasing to the ears. When she walked in the sunlight, those vibrant colors made her the center of attention. When the other ladies saw, their hearts were filled with much regret. Expectedly, Madam Wu Liba was so furious she went pale. If her husband hadnt been such a wet blanket, that hairpin would certainly be owned by her, yet there it went on someone elses head. She controlled her fiery temper and repeatedly reminded the storekeeper to let her know as soon as the other pins arrived. The storekeeper smiled and agreed, but as for what his heart thought, only he knew. The more easily one possesses an item, its value will proportionally diminish. It was wise to let these madams look on with envy at the hairpin for some time. After they were done being jealous, envious and burning with hatred, he would showcase the new glass accessories. Each would surely fetch a high price. The tribe of Sages was considered disgraceful but surely, they surpassed the naive and simple North borderline people. The storekeeper had lived in the North borders for years, and he knew its internal affairs. With Dongqings political scene as complicated as it was, he knew that if he didnt prepare, he would not be able to catch up and stop the iron horses of the North. As a businessman, the only thing within his means was to earn as much from the people of the North borders, so the atmosphere would be more receptive to foreigners. Since times past, women and children were the easiest targets to acquire money from. The old masters words were wise indeed. The north borderline had no lack of money. To exchange a big sum of money, it was impossible for them to use loose coins. They would pay instead in the form of jewellery, gold and silver. Hence, when the total sum of 203,000 strings of coin reached the shop, even the storekeeper who was used to seeing such large sums of money, was flooded with emotion. Earning this money is certainly more relaxing than having the wind in your face. Because the businesses the treasure house engaged with involved smuggling goods, the cost at both places would differ. So when he took out a sum of money to buy 500 colts of average quality and ten thousands worth of sheeps wool, nobody suspected anything. They just assumed the treasure house intended to travel to Dongqing to make money from the war. The North borders produce many quality horses. The treasure house didnt buy the best warhorse, so what was sold was considered sold. As for what the sheep fur was for, they couldnt have cared less. Every household possessed this item; even if it was laid on the ground as carpet, it would be despised for being smelly. Hence, when those goods and resources were transported with the remaining valuables back to Chongzhou, no one investigated. When Liu She saw these, he sighed for a long while, money that the wind brought. The storekeeper changed into his central plains attire. He wore his head crown, a wide-sleeved garment, and other than his features being deeply mysterious compared to people from the central plains, he looked exactly like someone from Dongqing. Having heard Liu Shes words, he found it amusing saying, Countless gold, silver and precious jewels, how strong a wind it mustve been Liu She choked, touched his forehead with his hand and helplessly remarked, You C Your glib tongue has become more convincing. Ever since Gu Min had passed on, the storekeeper had not set foot in Dongqings territory. Liu She trusted his loyalty toward Gu Min completely; otherwise he wouldnt have dared to hand the Liu familys concubines external business to him to be managed. Yet he returned alone, and that surprised Liu She greatly. In the past when you were invited during festivals, you always declined, saying your body and bones were unwell. Why have you returned this time? The storekeeper narrowed his eyes briefly and said, I came back to see young master. The business that Gu Min ran should have a descendent to inherit it. The storekeeper was worried at first, but he was no longer. In their ways of running the business, this young master was more cunning than the old master. At least the money earned previously was honest and proper. The young master directly robbed money from others. Liu She asked, How about these sheeps wool and colts? Speaking softly, the storekeeper said, The cold weather will descend on us in about a month. After the Dongqing earthquake, the North was nearly a life-and-death battle. Many lost their homes. How many household items could they carry? Getting through winter will be hard. This wool is cheap, and if the pungent smell can be somehow removed then they can be knitted to sweaters and can insulate heat far better than regular sackcloth. He continued, As for the colts, the armored horses in the North borders are mature yet the ones in Dongqing are He paused to sigh. How can horses be separated from armies in wars? The quality of horses isnt optimal, and neither are they from a warhorses bloodline. Often, they are butchered as meat for food so it will not arouse any suspicions. Due to this being the first time, the storekeeper restrained himself from selling too many. He planned to slowly strategize. Liu She kept silent for a time, and then said, Youre more meticulous than me. I thank Lanting on your behalf. Using my influence, Ive held back a load of rations at Hu county. Please take it along when you visit Lanting. She is governing the area well, a daughter worthy of Ah Min placing her high hopes on. This was, after all, the first female Emperor in all of history. How could she not be outstanding? The storekeeper added, Since the parents are extraordinary, the children are naturally exceptional. He finished speaking but then seemed to recall something. He frowned, asking, How is your control over Hu county? Liu She smiled. Still acceptable. He may have been appointed as the magistrate at Chongzhou, but nonetheless Hu county was the large organization he had been overseeing for years. Dongqing Emperors random new appointment of the Hu county chief was just rubbish. All those years he had yet to gain control of Hu county. Adding on to his troubles, the earthquake in the north which led the Emperor to move his capital city, the prowess of the court had deteriorated tremendously. He was but a county chief with an empty title. Otherwise, how would he have authority to hold back rations from the autumn harvest? All those years, he had already accumulated a large batch of rations. Surely it would be enough to sustain the war in the north! His daughter seemed to have other plans. Liu She decided to lay low and await his daughters next move. Liu She tasked the shopkeeper to transport 200,000 ten pecks of rations and dispatched 5000 troops on foot and 2000 men with bows and arrows to escort them. The north was in disarray, the fight between Red Lotus group and Tsing Yi army was intense, and if the escort along the way was inadequate, it might end up being destroyed. In a blink of an eye, it had approached the middle third of September, and the summers heat was gradually lessening. The residents of Xiangyang district changed into casual and light autumn clothes. Feng Jins Changsheng was almost five months old. Active and full of life, she often rolled from one corner of the room to another. It was boring for her to stay home all day, so she frequently mumbled and wished to roll out of her room. The servant ladies sometimes tried to carry her, but shed fumble and hit their hands. If they insisted, she would cry her lungs out until it could be heard from afar. It was the kind of crying that was devoid of tears, more akin to pure shouting. As time passed, Feng Jin and his wife relented to their child. Except, it never occurred to them as the child grew up, she would become even more willful. For example, she was especially close to Feng Jin one day where she hugged his sleeves and refused to let go. In one sitting, she wanted to hide inside his sleeves. Jingxian, carry Changsheng away. If your husband does not leave for the political affairs hall, Lanting is going to be disparaging again. She probably understood what Feng Jin said, and Changsheng pouted and wept quietly, every drop of her tears was audible. Her cries were silent, and she didnt bawl out loud. She just looked quietly at Feng Jin and silently let her tears flow. Soon she was drenched with her tears. Wei Jingxians heart was broken. She couldnt bear for her child to cry and could only endearingly suggest, How about bringing Changsheng to work with you? Feng Jin stared with his large eyes and said solemnly, This is preposterous, how can children be brought to ones workplace? Chapter 448 - Money That Grew On Trees (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Then you pacify her. Changsheng is about to cry her eyes out, doesnt you heart ache? Wei Jingxian unjustly pinned a label on Feng Jin. He was speechless and had no comeback. Lowering his head, he looked down at his daughter who refused to let go of his sleeves. Feng Jin shook his head helplessly, Seriously, I must have owed both mother and daughter in my previous life. Thus, Feng Jin reached the government office, but his disposition wasnt righthis subordinates didnt dare to ask him about it, and at most they looked at him strangely. Feng Jin went to the government office shamelessly. Because it was still early, he discreetly found his seat, and pulled over a couch. Then he hid his sleeve containing a lump of meat below the short table. However, it was hard to predict Changshengs temper. She was well behaved along the way, but once she entered the office, she refused to remain within his sleeves. What happened to you, Huaiyu? Qiguan Rang was about to wrap up his projects on hand, as close to eighty percent of people had completed their registration, and his work was not so urgent anymore. He might as well slow down his pace and stop his crazy overtime work and instead sleep and eat well. In the previous few days, his sunken cheeks has regained some meat, becoming somewhat chubbier becoming a bit rosy. Consequently, the first person to report was often not him, but either Feng Jin or Xu Ke instead. Feng Jin sensed his daughter struggling, and his facial features changed subtly, No, nothing is wrong As he was about to hold his daughter back, she stumbled out of his sleeves. Qiguan Rang was stumped, he looked in surprise at Feng Jin, and then at the plump young girl, and his jaw dropped. He was momentarily speechless. Ive never imagined this. You? Feng Huaiyu is simultaneously running a human trafficking business? Qiguan Rang changed his stance. He was obviously guessing the childs identity, yet still cheekily poked fun at him. Feng Jins face reddened, and he figured he might as well explain himself. He confessed his circumstances with his eyes closed. Changsheng is too attached to me. This morning she refused to let go of Jins sleeves. Afterwards, she cried for a quarter of an hour. I couldnt bear to harden my heart against her, so I brought her here. Shes well behaved and doesnt usually cry. If shes given a toy, she will spend half a day playing. Qiguan Rang stretched out his hands towards her, No one said your daughter is noisy. Come here, my niece, let Uncle Qiguan carry you. Truthfully, Qiguan Rang loved children. His first wife passed away early due to sickness, and she didnt leave behind any descendants. Then he married master Wei Yuans elder illegitimate daughter, and they were lucky to fall in love after marriage. Their daughter was born after two years. He felt that since wars were rampant, he elected not to bring his wife and daughter along when he left Chongzhou. Changsheng was comfortable around others and had a bold personality. She spontaneously climbed onto Qiguan Rangs clothes, and her actions were swift. Her arms and legs are so strong! Sister-in-law sure knows how to bring up her child. The way Qiguan Rang carried and positioned her was perfect. Changsheng didnt fear him at all, and stretched her hands up, desiring to touch his forehead. A dark expression swept across Feng Jins face. Truly his daughter was overflowing with vigour and hyperactive. The gentle and submissive disposition in Fengs daughters seems to be absent in her. Pulling a face at him, Changsheng planted a watery kiss full of her saliva on Qiguan Rangs face. Bo After the kiss, she smiled with her mouth open, revealing her newly sprouted teeth. Your daughter is more endearing than you. Qiguan Rang gave a brief appraisal. Feng Jin the unlovable: Let her play by herself, and not disturb you. Though Feng Jin brought Changsheng over, it had never been his intention to impede his colleagues work. The child was young, and if not watched closely, she might be subject to danger. Qiguan Rang oversaw compiling the registry for households. Fortunately, there were nine maidens who were his subordinates at work. As their superior, it was fine if he slacked a bit. As for you, your case records havent been compiled completely, so you might be busy for some time. he said playfully, but truthfully. Feng Jin was silent as he watched Qiguan Rang carry his daughter to one side and keep her happy. Shortly after, his daughter had already warmed up to Qiguan Rang. No, this is not right Whose daughter is she? Changsheng giggled so cheerfully that both her eyes were about to form one line. She crawled on Qiguan Rang, and both appeared deeply affectionate. Shortly after, Xu Ke came along. Seeing that the government office had an additional young girl on staff, he raised his brows. He walked as if no one was there, proud beyond measure. Be careful, hide your child well before the lord sees and snatches her away. Xu Ke reminded softly. Qiguan Rang knitted his brows. Relax, the lords temperament is such, she rests two days for every three days of work she doesnt come in every day. It wasnt every day that Jiang Pengji visited the office. More often than not, she was playing with mud or researching wood. She almost slept in a room in the wood workshop every night, struggling with the mind-boggling question of which attack machinerys design was best. Meng Hun and Luoyue looked like they had lost their minds following her around. Holistically speaking, follow the design and soar with it. Liyun noted the lands where agriculture could be cultivated, then segregated those areas. The plan was to rent them out during spring ploughing season to each household. The farming equipment, buffalos for cultivating the land and other potential issues will be addressed beforehand. Liyun also obeyed the order to head to Chengde county to retrieve the seeds for each crop. He was so busy, his feet seemed to never touch the ground. Entering their third phase of rebuilding the district, the major roads within the city had been completed. The bricks had been generously laid such that they need not fear the rain, the surface of the road remaining sparkling clean. Within Xiangyang district, there was a place that the people labelled as a distinguished people area, and this neighborhood was full of newly built mansions. Speaking of honourable section, one couldnt help but mention the twenty ladies Jiang Pengji had recruited. They mostly descended from wealthy or country folks. Jiang Pengji accounted for the riches they possessed before returning it to them. They made known their intention to purchase a new mansion, after all, their old mansions had been destroyed. Some had also been confiscated by the district headquarters and they had nowhere to go. Admiring the completed new houses, everyones heart was moved. You are now considered a member of the district headquarters and you made a huge contribution here, thus you deserve to be rewarded. Lets do this, the two sectioned apartments in the fifth phase of the building project will be worth 4000 strings of coins. If its unaffordable, a deposit can be made first, and thereafter, the remaining amount can be paid in installments. If you agree, I will draft a contract for you. Faced with the requests of these ladies, Jiang Pengji considered carefully then decided on a compromise. Have you any intentions to truly enter the district headquarters as a full-fledged worker? Your salary will be paid monthly, and you can choose between food and supplies or a commensurate amount of money. Their manpower was limited at present, but they are still able to cope. However, when their land area expanded, they would be unbelievably busy. While the pace was still manageable, it was time to invest in a group of men, so that when they required help in future, they could be immediately dispatched. It was a brilliant idea. These maidens heard Jiang Pengjis suggestion and opened their eyes wide in surprise. All that while working at the district headquarters, the business of work had diverted their attention. They had felt some of the hurt inflicted by the Tsing Yi army abate through the work they were given. Though they were tired, the maidens seemed to like their jobs, and the work sure beat sitting silently at the back of some courtyard. They registered that there was salary every month and their hearts were even more elated. Some agreed immediately, while others hesitated before they signed up. If not for Jiang Pengji, they would have been tortured to death by the Tsing Yi army. Even if they lived, their family assets would have been the property of others. It was almost impossible for a destitute and unchaste woman to survive in that society. This young district magistrate gave them a livelihood, and only a fool would give that up. If they held a position in the district magistrate manor, the elders in their tribe couldnt force them to do anything against their wishes. Without much effort, Jiang Pengji recruited 23 literate and competent workers. They felt indebted to her for her grace, and even when they worked overtime, they never complained. Moreover, they were so enthusiastic that they resorted to snatching all the administrative tasks. Aww, so touching. Chapter 449 - Money That Grew on Trees (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The servant girl at home always treated Changsheng with care, but she certainly did not like the servant girl. Qiguan Rang did not think that the child was pampered. Not only would he pat her bottom gently to urge her to crawl forward, but he would also entice her with objects of bright colors. Hence, Changsheng liked to play with Qiguan Rang a lot, and he was a very good playmate to her. Using her arms and legs, she crawled very quickly, giggling non-stop. There was crystal-clear drool at the corners of her mouth and she was smiling brightly. Tsk. She looks like you and her mother, but her character How should I say this? Shes not similar to you two at all. Qiguan Rang could not imagine Feng Jin crawling and giggling. The key thing was that this little girl was hot-tempered. It was fine to tease her occasionally. Once she was angered, she would scream at him. She was willful and overbearing. Feng Jin was busy organizing the files and his daughter was having fun with Qiguan Rang. The situation showed a stark contrast and made him look pitiful. Shes just a child who doesnt know anything. How can you see her character? Feng Jin answered as he placed the organized files in the specified place. Then, he took out another scroll and unfolded it slowly on the table. He glanced at Qiguan Rang out of the corner of his eye. Qiguan Rang was walking back and forth in front of Changsheng while holding his own glass. Then, he led the little girl to crawl from the north of the government office to the south. Feng Jins daughter crawled and giggled. The mat in the entire government office was wiped with her tiny body. Who says so? Dont the old people say that ones manhood can be foreseen at the age of three? Three years old and three months old are not that much of a difference. Anyway, your daughter wont have a gentle and girlish character. Qiguan Rang usually liked to keep a straight face. Even his gaze was usually dull. However, his eyes looked gentle and loving when he played with Changsheng. Would people close to him not think that it was rare? Feng Jin almost broke the brush in his hand. What did he mean by saying his daughter would not have a gentle and girlish character? Was there any woman in the Feng family who was not educated, gentle, smart and beautiful? Qiguan Rang did not continue to tease Changsheng. He let her grab his sleeves and climb onto his body. His sleeve was stained with drool. Youre tired, right? Ill carry you and you can take a rest. He did not think it was dirty. He carried Changsheng who was giggling and found a comfortable posture for her. He said casually, Its nothing wrong for women to be stronger in todays world. Do you still remember the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women that you once read? A woman whos too gentle and girlish would end up like that. Feng Jin was startled. Qiguan Rangs words left him at a loss for words. I wish my daughter to be as active and lively as Changsheng instead. Ill find her a martial arts teacher when shes a little older. Who knows when the world will be free from all the chaos? Daughters we have brought up ourselves are the flesh in our hearts. We cant bear to hurt them the slightest bit Just like you, dont you still hide Changsheng in your sleeves and bring her here in secret, although she hampers your productivity? However, women should marry someone and have children when they grow up. This is the principle of reproduction and the law of nature. How many years can you accompany her as a father? Children should handle their future themselves. They should be stronger and braver, so that they will suffer less in the future. Am I right, little Changsheng? How could Changsheng understand those words? However, she knew that Qiguan Rang was talking to her, so she giggled. Feng Jin was silent for quite some time and only spoke after a while. Isnt it too early to think about these things? Shell only be by your side for 16 years, at most. Qiguan Rang gave him a withering look and curled his lips. How old was your wife when you married her? Feng Jin was really speechless then, and he felt terrible. He did not know whether it was because the amount of time that Changsheng would be by his side was too short, or because of Qiguan Rangs words. Eh, why is Xiaoyu so quiet today? Qiguan Rang sat on the floor and played with Changsheng. Xu Ke happened to walk past him. Xu Ke snorted, I dont have a daughter. Were they poking his wounds on purpose by letting a man like him who did not have a daughter participate in a conversation like this? Qiguan Rang curled his lip. Changsheng, who was in his arms, giggled and tried to stand up to pull his hair crown. Whose child is this? Jiang Pengji was dressed in sleek, brown clothes with a windbreaker over her shoulders. She looked like she had just come from the woodworking room. She saw Qiguan Rang sitting on the floor with a fair baby in his lap as soon as she entered the office. She did not expect that he actually had the potential of being a babysitter. Looking at her Is she Huaiyus daughter? Qiguan Rang bowed to Jiang Pengji a little while carrying Changsheng. Lord, this is Huaiyus daughter, Changsheng. Changsheng did not care who had come, and grabbed his hair crown, refusing to let go. She screamed and prepared to pull it with force. After a while, a pair of thin and powerful hands held the sides of her armpits, holding her up high. However, she was still pulling his hair crown. The two chubby hands refused to loosen their grip. They were at a silent stalemate. Qiguan Rang removed his hair crown helplessly and stuffed it into his sleeve. She would not be able to grab it anymore. Shes pretty heavy. Jiang Pengji carried the child in her arms and weighed her in her hand. She was a lot heavier than many babies of the same age. Feng Jin had a grave look on his face. Changsheng, dont disturb the lord. Come over here. He could stay composed when Changsheng disturbed Qiguan Rang. But if she bothered Jiang Pengji, according to the laws of superiority and inferiority, it was not acceptable. Dont be so serious. Changsheng and I are quite fated. Im the one who named her. Jiang Pengji teased Changsheng and pinched her limbs. She was indeed a very healthy and strong baby. Feng Jin looked at them nervously. He gradually became reassured after noticing that Changsheng did not cry. Jiang Pengji pinched Changshengs chubby face. Seeing her, I think something good may happen today. Qiguan Rang responded with a smile, Its strange. She was so lively and making loud noises just now. How is she so obedient when shes in the lords arms? Jiang Pengji was not surprised at all and smiled a little. Its normal. Children are very sensitive to smell. Adults could not compare to children in terms of their perception of smell. Changsheng dared to disturb Qiguan Rang, but she did not dare to do so to Jiang Pengji. This was the innate survival instinct of small animals. Meitian Douzai Xiuxian: Streamer, is she the child whom Wei Jingxian gave birth to during the earthquake last time? Renxing Daxiongmao: Wow. Shes so cute and chubby. Her facial features are beautiful too. Richang Huanbuqingzhai: Take a look at who Changshengs parents are. The child will not look too bad when the parents have good genes. Jiang Pengji was distracted and glanced at the bullet screens. Her cheeks felt some warmth with the aroma of milk. Muah Jiang Pengji turned her head to look at the child. Changsheng was giggling. Her cute appearance had gained her many fans. Youre a naughty one. Jiang Pengji gently poked her nose. It was not known what Changsheng wanted to do. She grabbed her finger and wanted to stuff it into her mouth. Ah Jiang Pengjis fingertips touched her teeth and she wanted to pull her finger out. At that moment, there was a series of heavy footsteps outside. Meng Hun kneeled outside the door with a thud and said, panting, Lord, there are nearly 20000 troops and horses 20 miles outside the city. I dont know their intentions. The atmosphere became tense. Feng Jin looked at Jiang Pengji and Changsheng who was in her arms nervously. His whole body tightened, as if he was about to catch something. Jiang Pengji frowned. She gently pulled her finger out and kissed Changshengs head in an appeasing manner. I got it. Chapter 450 - Money That Grew on Trees (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Children were the most sensitive to their surroundings. With her sparkling eyes open, Changsheng did not know what was going on. Jiang Pengji stroked Changshengs thick hair and said softly, Huaiyu, dont be so nervous. Dont frighten Changsheng. Feng Jin quietly heaved a sigh of relief and he did not know whether to cry or to laugh. Could he not be worried? An earthquake had struck Dongqing when Changsheng was born. Now, when she had just met the lord, 20000 unknown troops and horses were outside the city. Although the Xiangyang District today was not considered to be weak and had all kinds of defensive equipment ready, war was never a good thing. He was really afraid that people would hold superstitions towards his daughter. How could he not be worried? It may not be a bad thing. Lets go and have a look first. She played with Changsheng for a while. After making sure that the little girl was not frightened, she returned Changsheng to Feng Jin. Jiang Pengji grabbed the windbreakers lapel. She flipped it from her shoulders, stretched her arms, and put it on nimbly. Lets go. Feng Jin pursed his lips and did not move. There was a perplexed look in his eyes. Qiguan Rang walked slightly slower and whispered to Feng Jin, The Lord isnt a reckless, brainless person. I know. After all, were friends whove known each other for many years. Lanting is reliable, Feng Jin spoke in a deep voice, and enveloped Changsheng with his wide sleeves. To be honest, he really felt that he was about to stop breathing when Meng Hun came to report the news just now. He was afraid that Jiang Pengji could not suppress her emotions and Changsheng who was in her arms would become the victim. Feng Jin really did not dare to imagine it Fortunately, she was better than he had feared. She could control herself and she was more courageous and more broadminded. At that moment, Feng Jin almost had the urge to cry. He kissed the innocent Changsheng and he felt the relief of having brushed close to death. Changsheng giggled when her father kissed her. She stretched upward in his arms, elongated her neck, and gave her fathers cheek a peck. Qiguan Rang and Feng Jin stepped out of the government office one by one. They could no longer see Jiang Pengji ahead. Time was running out. She had already mounted a horse and rushed to the citys edge. Xiangyang District was alarmed by the cries of birds. People closed their stalls and hid in their homes. The streets were already empty. Sitting in the carriage, Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang only climbed the city gate after a while. Standing behind the pilaster, Jiang Pengji had a solemn look on her face. Xu Ke had arrived just a little earlier than Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang, and he was panting. Who are those people? Could it be that theyre the Tsing Yi Army again? Xu Ke stabilized his breathing. His face was sweating. The messenger was half-squatting on the ground and said respectfully, According to the spies at the front, the other party has about 2000 mounted archers and more than 5000 capable and vigorous infantry. Moreover, the enemies are clad in armor, and theyre well equipped. As for the rest, the specific situation is yet to be known due to the distance. Jiang Pengji stood with one of her arms akimbo and rested her other arm on her forehead. She did not speak for a long time. Xu Ke asked, Lord, why dont we dispatch someone to spy on them? Jiang Pengji gently smacked her lips and turned her head. She realized that all three strategists had arrived, and there was also the child. Feng Jin was afraid to leave the child in the government office. He covered Changsheng with his wide sleeves so she would not be exposed to the wind. Apart from the three of them, it was as if the viewers in the streaming room were also confronted by a formidable enemy. They felt that there would be another war that day. Jintian Jixu Wugengya: Has the Tsing Yi Army come to ask for a beating when it hasnt been peaceful for long? Yidingyao Moping Zhaiwu: Oh my gosh. Im a little afraid of blood. People die in wars. Should I leave the streaming room before anything starts? Xianggu Lamemeng: I had nightmares for a few days when I watched the streamer besieging Xiangyang District and killed General Jiu of the Tsing Yi Army last time. Nimen Buyao Qifuta: A war is about to break out. The minority should retreat quickly! Seeing the bullet screens, Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows What were those? Why are you all here? Huaiyu, the wind is strong at the city gate. Arent you afraid that Changsheng will catch cold? It was definitely Jingxians credit that Feng Jin had such a broad mind and Changsheng could be raised into such a fair and chubby child. Lord This Feng Jin knew Jiang Pengji well. She did not have the stern look of a leader facing war on her face at all. Instead, she looked somewhat relaxed. This was strange. I dont know who they are, but I dont think theyre coming for us. The alert will be revoked temporarily. Jiang Pengji had been in wars for many years in her previous life. She had way more experience in wars than those beside her. Her mental brain domain had basically recovered. She had an extremely strong perception towards qi. She could naturally see that there was no pugnacity in the troops. If they were here to attack Xiangyang District, their aggression would have been formidable. Seeing how easily surprised and frightened all of you are, youre still too young. She smacked her lips. Dispatch someone to ask about their purpose in coming here. Laosiji Lianmeng: As expected, I should believe in the streamer. Her facial expression is very normal. Everything will be fine. Jintian Fagaofeila: Im frightened out of my wits. I felt that my heart was stuck in my throat already, just now. Even if the streamer was in another dimension, they still did not like a massacre. It was best if a battle could be avoided. Messengers should neither be beheaded nor hung. They wont kill when were just asking about their intention of coming here, Jiang Pengji said in a calm and collected manner and an unperturbed look on her face. There was an absolute, inspiring confidence in her black eyes. Although I think this is just nonsense Wars are wars. One would die sooner or later. Why are there so many useless protocols Jiang Pengji made a noise of disapproval. She somewhat disdained the so-called battlefield rules. In her era, one would fight when one was in a bad mood. Who would inform the enemy before a battle? The three of them were at a loss whether to cry or to laugh. At that moment, Changsheng who had been quiet giggled, which turned Feng Jins expression grave. She was actually tickled by Feng Jins sleeves when they were lifted by the strong gusts of wind at the city gate. Jiang Pengji simply took off her windbreaker. She folded it and put it on Feng Jins shoulders to cover Changsheng who was in his arms. Thank you, Lord. Jiang Pengji shot him a glance. Youre speaking too much nonsense. Jiang Pengji had waited for a very long time. Finally, the messenger who had been dispatched had returned. A man who was about 40 years old with some gray hair at his temples came back with him. He looked clean and upright. His facial features were more distinct and dimensional than the men in the Central Plains. His eyes were not purely black, but a faint brown. The man stopped and stood ten steps away from her. He scanned Jiang Pengji from head to toe with his watery eyes. He seemed to have confirmed something. He gathered his sleeves and bent over to give her a bow. Im Gu Xin. Im here to give you my greetings, Young Master. At that moment, not only were Feng Jin and the others puzzled, but the viewers in the streaming room were struck dumb. Even Jiang Pengji was startled. What was going on? Jiang Pengji said, Sir, take it easy. What are you doing? Although that was what she said, she had some vague guesses in her mind. The man said that his name was Gu Xin and he addressed her Young Master Could it be that he was the old man who used to serve her mother? Associating this with the huge troop with nearly 20000 soldiers outside the city, her heart jolted fiercely. Immense joy surged through her heart. As predicted Chapter 451 - Money That Grew on Trees (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Your words are putting me in a difficult position. The person in front of her was the shopkeeper of the treasure house in the North borderline. He had already had his slavery status lifted, but he still called himself a slave in the face of Gu Mins only child. This was his respect towards Jiang Pengji, and it was even more of a nostalgia for Gu Min. It has been more than ten years since we parted and the Young Master has already grown up so much. If the Old Master knew, she would be so happy. Everyone else preferred sons to daughters, but the Old Master went everywhere to pray to Buddha when she got pregnant, hoping that Buddha would give her a daughter. Gu Xin had collected a lot of daughter-bearing Guanyin for Gu Min, so he deeply understood Gu Mins obsession. Seeing that Gu Mins daughter had grown up into a handsome man, he had no more regrets in his life. That was not right. Wait What did he mean by a handsome man? Gu Xin looked at Jiang Pengji with a perplexed look in his eyes and did not speak a word for quite some time. Jiang Pengji gazed at the faroff soldiers and horses outside the city. Are you really Mothers old servant? Gu Xin understood her tacitly and replied, Dont misunderstand, Young Master. Those people are borrowed from County Magistrate Liu. Its difficult to run a business even in a time of national peace and order, let alone in the chaotic world today. In order to be able deliver Young Masters things safely, Ive borrowed some troops and horses from Sir Liu. I never wanted to cause a misunderstanding. Jiang Pengji could not help but curl her lips into a small smile, and responded, Thank you. How should I address you? He was clearly not an ordinary person, just by looking at the way he dressed and his aura, not to mention Gu Xins age and seniority. Jiang Pengji would not really treat him as her servant just because he addressed himself as a slave. In terms of age, by adding Jiang Pengjis age in her previous life to her current age and rounding the number off, she could basically be as old as Gu Xin. Gu Xin thought about it and replied in a somewhat low and hoarse voice, If you dont mind, you can just call me Uncle Gu. Uncle Gu. Jiang Pengji accepted his suggestion readily. It was not known what Gu Xin had remembered. His eyes were bloodshot, but he responded ecstatically, Hey! Feng Jin and the rest, as well as the audience in the streaming room, were still in a state of confusion. They did not understand why the situation had suddenly changed. They only figured it out when the two had ended their conversation. They were relieved. It was best that war could be avoided. With a glance, Gu Xin must know the lord (streamer). He might have even brought something good. Jiang Pengji had guessed what Gu Xin brought. She retrieved Changsheng from Feng Jins arms with a smile and kissed her forehead. Youre a lucky star. Changsheng opened her round eyes ignorantly and made some noise. Then, she fluttered and wanted to kiss Jiang Pengji back. Little did she know that her actions had caused so much misunderstanding to Gu Xin! He glanced back and forth at Jiang Pengji and the giggling Changsheng with a look of astonishment in his eyes. Then, he glared at Feng Jin! Take her away. The wind is strong at the city gate, so its easy for her to catch a cold. Its hard to cure children when theyre ill. She returned Changsheng, who was still wrapped in her windbreaker, to Feng Jin. The little girl looked like she had been wronged. The alert in Xiangyang District was revoked. Not only did the people not come looking for trouble, but they were here to give her money, grain, and horses instead. Gu Xin was a person who was conscientious in his work and rigorous. He put the confusion in his mind aside for the time being. He was a little behind, and followed Jiang Pengji down the city wall. He clearly reported the items that he brought with him this time and the amount of they had lost along the way while walking. He even made a list. He acted honestly and openly. People could see his sincerity at a glance. Upon hearing the arrangements for the sheepskins and horses, Feng Jin and the others looked at him with admiration. What they lacked now was not grains. The things that Gu Xin brought had really solved their most urgent needs. Because of the people who migrated from Shangjing and Fengyi, plus the thousands of members of the Tsing Yi Army who were captured, this influx of foreigners had caused the population in Xiangyang District to grow even larger from what it was before the earthquake. The winter in the north of Dongqing had always been very cold, and there was no ample warm clothing in the city. Xu Ke was still worried about how he was going to survive winter not long ago, and Gu Xin had sent some sheepskins over. There were tens of thousands of sheets of sheepskin which had already been tanned. These sheepskins would be expensive if they were purchased in Dongqing. They might not be able to buy that much as well. Besides, the sheep that were bred in Dongqing had short, sparse wool. The wool that Gu Xin sent was long and dense. It felt very weighty in ones hands. However, how could such sheepskins be made into warm clothing? Jiang Pengji frowned, thinking of a solution. The viewers in the streaming room were also contemplating. Hahahahaha: Why dont you just trim the wool to the right length? Gaofei Zhongyu Daozhang: Trimming it isnt a problem, but look at how thick the wool is. It feels like the sheep has never had its wool trimmed since it was born until it was slaughtered. What is one going to do about the wool that has been cut if the wool is trimmed into a suitable length? Its not good to waste it You Youqianla: The wool that has been cut can be recycled and reused. It can be washed and stuffed into the interlining of clothes as cotton. Everyone could not help but think of the method of producing down jackets. It seemed to be plausible. Jiang Pengji felt that there was another way of using it. When she had visited the largest history museum in the Federation last time, she had seen clothing called sweaters and scarves that were woven with thread. According to the introduction at the time, there seemed to be wool in them as well It was just that she did not know how to turn wool into thread and weave it. If there was no audience in the streaming room, Jiang Pengji would probably have to experiment it herself for a period of time. If the experiment failed, she could only ask someone to wash the wool, comb and sew it into the interlining of the clothes. It could keep one warm as well But now that there were the viewers, she could just ask them. Everyone could work together and think of a solution. So, Jiang Pengji asked about sweaters and scarves. She was a bit worried. What if such things did not exist in the era of the streaming room? In the end, not only did the viewers know about it, but they even rewarded Jiang Pengji with flowers and said that she was amazing. Meitian Douxiang Duangeng: Get some stools and watch the streamer knit yarn. Hahaha. The scene is too beautiful. Haoxiang Zhuangsi: I feel that Feng Jin and the others are really going crazy. Can you take pity on them? When theyre working overtime, the streamer is playing with mud; when they continue to work overtime, the streamer is playing with wood; when theyre about to have a breakdown from working overtime, the streamer is knitting yarn I think that if theres a forum in this era, they may secretly uploading posts to taunt the streamer. Ive already thought about the title. Itll be called Gossips about the evil Jiang Bapi who doesnt attend to her proper duties and doesnt pay salaries! Youshi Shaoxiang: Hahaha. Whats with Jiang Bapi? Im laughing so much that my stomach hurts. Wushi Tuichao: Nimen Buzaome? is the name given to Jiang Pengjis fan club by the fan club of Feng Jin and the others. In those days, Jiang Pengjis fan club had prestigious names like goddess and His Majesty. However, ever since Jiang Pengji besieged Xiangyang District, her style had changed completely. Jiang Pengji oppressed and exploited the labor of Feng Jin and the others, asking them to work overtime and do things quickly without paying them. The official name of her fan club had become Jiang Bapi. Regardless of how the audience teased her, Jiang Pengji began to seriously think about the possibility of extracting wool and knitting. Chapter 452 - Paragon of Craftsmanship (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio She consulted the viewers in the live streaming room with sincerity. These people may laugh but innately they had a warm nature. Without wasting much time, Jiang Pengji was educated on a series of words. Not only was there Hands Skilled in Sewing Teach One to Knit Sheeps Fur into Woollen Thread, there was even A Hundred Ways of Knitting Wool. Talk was cheap, but to realistically execute this was difficult; it involved many issues with fine details along the way. The audiences also failed to provide a solution. Jiang Pengji could only resort to fighting tactics from books to attempt or alternatively enquire from Gu Xin. The other party was appalled by her questions. Who ever thought of spinning wool into thread, then using it to knit into a thick coat? Although the queries were incredulous, Gu Xin approved after seriously pondering it. The sheeps fur was sure to keep the wearer warm, so if a way out was needed for him in the future, it may just start up a new career. He had a premonition that under the surface there hid a huge business secret. Jiang Pengji was one who executed her plans. Once she had an idea, she was impatient to act on it. Go recruit some seamstresses with good craftsmanship and experience. Tell them they will be paid daily, and their meals will be provided. She had money now; it was evident through her hiring of part time workers and ability to pay their salaries. When this news was disseminated, many young ladies applied for the job immediately. Building houses, road repairs, and cultivating new land for agriculture in the district all required labor, and the work didnt care if the worker was a man or a woman. Numerous men and strong, healthy women worked very hard to earn a salary and feed their families. Except the job at hand required physical and mental strength, and it was only really suitable for healthy young men and women and some middle-aged or relatively unhealthy ladies who could not go out to work and were a burden to their families. At the start, Jiang Pengji started small. She only chose 50 honest and responsible female workers. Snip the sheeps wool, wash and trim them, soak and then dry them under the sun and wind At the beginning, these procedures when followed step by step, didnt seem too difficult. Those female workers murmured in their hearts, what has this got to do with their handiwork skills, but since Jiang Pengji provided their meals and forty coins each day, they did not complain out loud. As those tasks were completed, Jiang Pengji set about designing some tools in the metal craftsman workshop. She worked intently for two days, and finally produced a few real threads of sheeps wool. Gu Xin saw his young master experimenting, trying this and that, and he felt as if he was back in the old days when the old master was still alive. He was flooded with memories of a time the old master wanted to set up a paper-making factory, and had such a workaholic attitude. Threading combed sheeps wool through a wooden deedle and twisting it into a long thread, Young Master then combined strands to strengthen the thread. Jiang Pengji was quite good with her hands, and the wool thread she made looked legitimate. But the female workers seemed to have a compulsive need to make rough, coarse thread despite how hard they focused. After a time, though, they became competent, and 50 people worked together and increased their efficiency significantly. A few days passed; the spools of wool yarn amounted to hundreds. The female workers heard the district magistrate wanting to use these yarn to knit sweaters. They muttered discreetly since Jiang Pengji was not around. With such a coarse thread, how are they going to be knitted into sweaters? Unless they are used to fill in the gaps? One female worker huffed and laughed incredulously, as she sat on a colts back and skilfully combed the sheeps wool with her hands. A thread thats coarser than a hole in the sweater, how can this be used to mend a hole? Another said, Who knows? Dont despise the youth of this district magistrate, her ideas are plentiful. Since she pays our salaries, she must have her reasons. If you are so curious, why not ask the district magistrate yourself. What use is there to open your big mouth here? Which rich master desires an overbearing servant? If youre unwilling to work, there are many others who will rush to fill your place. That female worker felt somewhat guilty, Its just a passing comment, this wont reach the district magistrates ear What is Jiang Pengji doing at this moment? Researching a variety of knitting techniques and reporting at the government office daily, Feng Jin and the rest only needed to lift their heads to see her with two wooden needles and a ball of yarn challenging each other. They secretly patted their foreheads; such a lord was surely doomed for failure. Except in her hands lay two knitting needles that were sharpened on both ends, a bamboo book with numerous and dense writings placed on the table before her. She looked serious and focused. However, if one could see the livestreams bullet screen, they wont feel the same. Qiyue Bohe: Hahaharubbish streamer, theres finally something you dont know. Jiuniang Maotuanzi: #rubsface. Streamer, what are you stubborn about, just throw the book directly at these female workers to research and perfect this skill. Knitting is a scholarly topic in itself, a craftsmanship, although its rather simple, but honestly it requires a little talent. Ive seen you try to knit for more than two hours, how I wish to climb through the screen and hold your two hands to teach you Seriously, theyd rather Jiang Pengji play with mud. Qianceng Liulianbing: Hahaha dont be so honest, person above. I am interested to watch the streamer knit a woollen sweater. Viewers in the live streaming room laughed mercilessly, and Jiang Pengji frowned and threw the knitting needles on the table with a resounding clatter. Qiguan Rang tried to hide his smile and looked away to prevent Jiang Pengji from catching him watch the commotion. As Gu Xin sent a huge number of rations, horses and sheep skins, they needed to be accounted for before storing them in a warehouse. Qiguan Rang and the rest were busy with that matter, and the experience of working overtime almost to death was refreshed in their memories all over again. But their lord didnt seem to have compassion for her subordinates. While they toiled, she threaded a ball of yarn through two wooden needles. They often wondered what she was up to It was always evident when she hit a roadblock, as she had a tendency toward tantrums and throwing things. Comparing with others was frustrating. Otherwise, what made her the lord but he must work overtime? Now, Liyun who had been away purchasing an improved version of seeds at neighbouring Chengde county, returned. He wore a rather tattered coarse garment, revealing his muscular arms. As he washed his feet clean, his trouser legs raised above his knees, and his strong, sturdy and powerful calves surfaced. Brother Liyuns arrival stole the attention of a group of his fans. Jiang Pengji sneaked a peep at Liyun and saw the knitting needles and yarn ball on the table. She didnt wait for Liyun to pay his respects and immediately waved to him. Come over, Han Mei. Heres an important task for you, can you successfully complete it? Suddenly, Feng Jin, the trio and the viewers in the live streaming room had a bad feeling. Qiguan Rang opened his eyes wide in disbelief, his enlarged eyes looked at brother Liyuns innocent and warm smile. What my lord has assigned, Yun will do my best. Nodding her head, she wore a solemn look, as if what she was about to say was of utmost importance. After a month, fall harvest will descend upon us. The weather is also getting increasingly chilly. The people are anxious as the district is unprepared to survive winter and are yet to prepare their clothes. For them to have warm woollen clothes to wear, coincidentally, I discovered a sewing methodology. Unfortunately, my hands are not agile, and my understanding is incomplete, and coupled with other matters, I dont have replicates of myself. Please take this and look at it thoroughly, research it. If youre able to make this technique well-known, many of our people will benefit from it. You must treat this seriously to not disappoint their hopes. Feng Jin and the trio: The viewers watching the livestream: Chapter 453 - Paragon of Craftsmanship (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Little brother Liyun was initially bothered by her request, but upon hearing it was to help the wider population get through the winter, he took the matter seriously, felt passionate about helping, and readily agreed. His expression was so serious, it would surprise no one if he established a military order to get the job done. Dalao Haoduoya: Terrible! Rubbish streamer! Qiufangguo: Previously, you had little brother Liyun to do agriculture, now you ask him to knit a sweater. You are too much! Rangwo Huanqingzai: Rubbish streamer +1, let go of that little brother, come fight with me! Heihei Heihei: Rubbish streamer +2, if you have the ability, dont run away from work. Lets have a challenge on the rooftop. You bullied innocent young brother Liyun, streamer, doesnt it hurt your conscience? You tasked brother Liyun who holds a spear with his hands to use a needle to knit a sweater? How did you even think of something so mind boggling? Jiang Pengji was unmoved by the clamoring criticism. She went to the extent of shamelessly posting a comment on the bullet screen. Streamer V: This is called giving the able more responsibilities. How is it bullying him? After that, the bullet screen filled with a series of Pei!, clearly expressing their apathy and spite towards Jiang Pengji. Soon the truth was evident, though: brother Liyuns ability to execute was stronger than Jiang Pengjis. He carefully examined the basic stitching design, then he took the ball of yarn and studied it all day. At first his stitches were uneven and messy, but after much practice, he knitted very neatly. Before long, he had knitted the length of a small thumb. This is amazing, I didnt know it can be done like that Liyun looked astonishingly at the criss-cross stitches on the yarn, his interest heightened. He excitedly went on to study more complicated designs. If these are combined together, both soft and thick, they feel like theyll provide more warmth than ten layers of sackcloth combined. Feng Jin and the rest were curious, and they pinched the growing cloth. It was indeed soft and thick, but how much warmth it contained was still unknown. Nevertheless Following this rate of knitting, itd take a long while to complete a sweater. The efficiency was too low, and that dissatisfied Feng Jin. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes, and she pulled out a bamboo paper detailing a draft of simple design for the coat. Presenting it before all of them, she lowered her voice saying, Did you really think we are using sheeps fur to knit an entire sweater? Forget all else, just two sleeves will be very heavy, how are people to wear them? We will knit a tight fit piece something like this. She rejected the idea proposed by the audience of modern winter wear, and instead adopted a design that Feng Jin and the rest could accept. Only a wide sleeve was modified into a narrow one, the lapel was somewhat altered, and the long pants leaned toward peasant clothing design. In general, it did not exceed everyones acceptable boundaries, only the raw material is substituted by knitting wool. My lord is indeed insightful and creative. Liyun praised her, unabashed. Initially he thought the lord was hands off and uninvolved, high and mighty all day long, transcendent from the sufferings of the average menAfter getting to know Jiang Pengji, he felt having such a lord was beneficial. She was amiable and approachable, and had a heart for her people, considering their best interest daily. Perhaps, this was teachers depiction of a saintly ruler. Where can one find such an awesome lord. I feel the same way, continue to do a good job. Jiang Pengji patted Liyuns shoulders, and the latter readily accepted the gesture. In less than two days, Liyun had knitted a small set of clothes for Feng Jins Changsheng. Feng Jin: Liyuns knitting ability was comparable to his skills in agriculture. It increased exponentially in short periods of time. Within a span of one to two days, he completed knitted a simply designed, small blouse for Changsheng. The little lady wore it happily, she crawled all around in style. In fact, the clothing was too warm, and she quickly couldnt bear the heat and took it off. Truly able to keep one warm. Feng Jin felt the temperature within the sweater. Hurry, put on some clothes for Changsheng so she doesnt catch cold. Feeling rather disappointed, Liyun said, A pity the rate of producing the clothes is so slow. Feng Jin shook his head in denial. You are wrong, this rate is already quite appalling. Han Mei, do you know how clothes are made? From silkworms spinning silk until they are synthesised as cloths, then for cloths to be created into clothing, the entire process has undergone numerous workmanships and expended a lot of human energy. Even the sackcloth worn by the average man demands an equally hefty amount of time. Whereas for these sweaters made of sheeps wool, I dare say the production rate is rapid already. Liyun understood Feng Jins idea, and a hint of joy played across his face. They could rear sheep with longer fur. Cutting the sheeps fur, processing yarn from the wool, and knitting sweaters would reduce wasted time in the process significantly. It would be much better than using cloth. Such thick clothing could only be worn during cold weather, but the people lacked in winter clothing. The usual sackcloth could not keep them warm in the north of Dongqing which was cold beyond measure. How many people died from the cold? If such a wool sweater could be sold widely, once winter hit, how many people might such an item save? The more he thought about it, the more Liyuns excitement increased. My lord is indeed a benevolent person. He tried his best to control the excitement on his face, clenching his fists very tightly. Feng Jin laughed in his heart. He had never doubted his lords talents, but to describe her as a benevolent person? Keke, he had his reservations concerning that description. This Liyun was indeed an amazing man, and the lord has treated him as such, yet he could find entertainment for himself in knitting. To put it more accurately, he was sold into slavery, yet he could naiively help the person count the money they earned from his labor. With Feng Jins suggestions, Liyun was more motivated to work, and he almost spent the whole night researching. He experimented with two kinds of design daily. Then he taught it to the female seamstresses who had a high capacity to learn. Fur clothes had another advantage: one set of clothing could be broken into various parts to be sewn. If the number of stitches was well controlled, the sweater could be well designed. Then all the parts could be placed together to synthesise a complete item. Gu Xin stayed in Xiangyang district for more than half a month, he had three ready-made coats placed in front of him. Just touching them felt warm. If the knitting yarn were to be dyed with different colours, many more patterns could be designed. Gu Xin was a businessman. He would see the crucial aspect very soon. However, the business could not be done outside Xiangyang district at present, it must not be sold at the north borderline yet. Rest assured, young master. This old servant will try my best to buy more sheep and get men to deliver them. The business of herding livestock was booming at the North borders, every household are overflowing with sheeps wool, and they were clueless what to do with them. Some families even used wool as fuel. If they bought in bulk, surely the cost would be minimal. Left in the north borders, they remained as waste. Yet if they were transported to Xiangyang district, they would become valuable winter wear and even other wool products. Their ability to conserve heat would save many lives. Gu Xin considered this, and his impression of Jiang Pengji deepened by many folds. Then Ill have to trouble uncle Gu. Jiang Pengji didnt feel bad. After they got through the winter, when autumn harvest approached, she intended to raise an army against Fengyi county. She was unhappy with the Tsing Yi armys dominance there, and it was time to expand the land. Right, when uncle Gu returns, could you do me a favour to help me pass an item to my father? Jiang Pengji passed a knitted sweater design to Liyun. She had finished developing a portion of the attack machinery. She had nothing to do in the remaining time, so she might as well accept the livestream viewers suggestion to consider what to eat for winter. Winter was perfect for eating roasted meat and steamboat. Chapter 454 - The First Winter (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Whats the most satisfying to eat at a winter reunion? In response to this question, many audiences have their own views, but the most popular answers are steamboat and roasted meat! Meitian Douwugeng: Streamer, dont be careless and let the people of ancient times witness the awesomeness of our present days steamboat! Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows, searched through Liu Xis memories, then reacted coldly to this viewers comment. Streamer V: If the steamboat you refer to is a warm cauldron, it is better you keep this idea to yourself. Many of them were dumbfounded, as they didnt comprehend Jiang Pengjis words. Some of the audience went to search on Baidu and discovered what is termed warm cauldron refers to the ancient times version of steamboat. The furthest back in time it went was the Shang dynasty, except in the past, there werent so many complicated soup bases or seasonings. Thus, the steamboat wasnt flavourful enough. Although the dimension the streamer lived in had a different history from them, it seemed that some events in history were common. Heshi Buqianzai: #restschin, Im so bored, initially I thought we could use steamboat to whet the taste buds of the people in ancient times. Jiang Pengji smiled, then posted on the bullet screen. Streamer V: You all can teach me how to cook a soup base and the sauces that accompany it. Consequently, you can similarly tame their taste buds. The shopping center that the system ran was rubbish, the items on sale were few and pathetic, and almost all of the items were cheap and low quality. She searched through the shopping center to discover it sold many low-cost seasonings, like salt, white sugar, Ajinomoto, white vinegar. Other than those, there were also single crops, which could be used as seasoning when dry, such as pepper, dry ginger, chilli, star anise She had confirmed with the viewers that those ingredients were very cheap. However, those that lived amongst the savage and the wild, or others who lived on other continents and had yet to enter the central plains. On the basis that both lands were in vastly different situations, they didnt dare to speak arrogantly so long as they could be a substitute of seasoning. Jiang Pengji sneered, then said in her heart, Such a rare occurrence that your shopping mall is able to acquire these items. Though it was just a small-scale shopping center, at least it was a blessing to her daily meals. The system, which was still forcefully locked up by her, heard her rantings and inevitably sneered coldly. It may well be locked up. The system was not nervous, nor did it have any intentions to plead for mercy. Compared to the system, a humans lifespan was too short. She could not outlive a hundred years, and after she passed on, could her soul resist the system? It remarked coldly, You humans are corrupt and greedy living beings. Having served many hosts, it had already seen through human nature, their greed and shamelessness. Blame it on its carelessness for being caught by Jiang Pengji. This was the systems rare occurrence of speaking since Jiang Pengji grounded it. Jiang Pengji discreetly raised her brows and honestly replied, Selfishness and greed are natural unique characteristics that beings with wisdom possess. On a certain level, it is a critical factor to push for a civilised society. You mention that humans are full of greed, but why dont you reflect on yourself? As if you are pure and innocent. You are foolish, yet you blame your enemies for their intellect. How interesting of you. It seemed that Jiang Pengji had found Systems Achilles heel. The usual calmness in its voice was lost, and instead it mockingly responded, I gave new life to the host and in her lifetime, she has the freedom to pursue her wishes. So, when she dies, isnt what she leaves behind my recompense? It is but a fair agreement! Dream on if you wish to take all the advantage. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world! You cannot even control your inner greed. Instead of working harder, you want the easy solution, to squeeze the system dry, to own various items, popularity, looks, riches, a lover and you ask on what basis? A dumb and mediocre person in their past life, why does he deserve a spectacular life when he is rebirthed? A century of glory comes at a price! Jiang Pengji blinked her eye and she silently acknowledged in her heart. What you say is logical. But why is it my business? The system choked; this indeed had nothing to do with her. It had just suppressed those feelings for so long and it felt like vomiting. After some time, her voice was heard again. I dont really agree with your idea. Firstly, a mutual concession is built on the foundations of transparency between both parties. Did you mention to your host that after consuming your item, she must pay with her soul? Next, not everyone desires a rebirth, for instance, me. My past life was so glorious, who asked you to resurrect me? Thats so presumptuous! Thirdly, I dare you to examine your conscience and truthfully answer, is your choice of host really for the other partys soul? The systems side kept silent; Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. A fool remained foolish, if it dared to hover before her without any abilities. If the system was really after her soul, why expend so much effort to resurrect her thereafter, and allow the host to dominate the world, then harvest her soul again? From Jiang Pengjis guess, the soul wasnt the hosts final worth. The system was unwilling to squeeze her dry, because no matter how little, it still had worth. The true value may lie elsewhere for example, points of popularity, or otherwise something else? She pondered to herself. A pity she didnt have enough evidence. The system was acting ignorant again. Tsk what dumb data Mumbling to herself, Jiang Pengji followed the recipes for brewing herbal soup as sent by the viewers of the live streaming room, and methods to make sauces. There were no secret recipes, if one put their heart to research; they would be able to find out from the internet. With regards to the help offered by the audience, Jiang Pengji knew how to reciprocate and naturally she felt moved. Woyu Xiuxian: Something good happened, it feels as if the streamer started copying, she began to suddenly smile. This is so mysterious. I suddenly recalled one very interesting fellow who continues to challenge me daily though his intellectual shortfalls. What is this called? Fali Wubian: Intelligence deficit? Clever! Awarding 101 points to this awesome reply, Jiang Pengji wasnt afraid that pride would consume him with an additional point. She placed the soup recipe and the sauce recipe to dry on the sandalwood burner, then folded and kept them. I feel I can set up a prospective business selling soups in warm cauldron myself, perhaps therell be franchises Tumi Dalao: Hahaha streamer, please dont do that, or the strategists in your house are going to cry in frustration. The lord plays with soil, wooden materials, knitting these are all out of her job description already. If she were to open a steamboat store Pei, pei, just imagining this scene alone, the audiences hearts broke. Why is it so hard to meet a reasonable lord these days? Possessing the recipe for the steamboat soup base and sauce recipes and having gotten the ingredients required, all that was left were the equipment required for the steamboat, for the roasting of meat and barbecue. Jiang Pengji factored in consideration for the warm cauldron in the era and compared to the Mandarin ducks hotpot with two soup bases and what she remembered from ancient writings. She rushed a proposal and ran to the brick factory, and approached the craftsmen to discuss it for the rest of the day. Feng Jin and the trio saw that Jiang Pengji was absent from the government office again, and they werent sure if they should be relieved or develop headaches. If the lord was present at the government office, she was most likely not carrying out her duties. As her subordinates, they felt troubled. If the lord was absent from the government office, most likely, she was engaging in improper business. It was frustrating just thinking about it. Sometimes they really wanted to quit. Chapter 455 - The First Winter (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Gu Xin brought his men and left, he did not just take the tea sets of glassware, a batch of accessories and hair decorations. He also left with a gift Jiang Pengji had prepared for Liu She. The gift wasnt expensive, but won in its heart-felt significance. For instance, there were a few sets of woollen sweaters and trousers to weather the winter, a powerful set of steamboat, a set of two in one tools for barbecue and roasting, and the recipes she copied for the soup base and sauces. Upon seeing these items, Gu Xins expression became somewhat passive. If it werent for troubled times, the young master would probably supersede the old master in becoming a successful businessman. Not only would she rise to be Dongqings richest, perhaps even become the head of five nations, expanding her businesses across the entire nine prefectures and four seas. What a pity, that the current times were not optimal for this. Thinking along those lines, Gu Xin was moved to pity Jiang Pengji much more. Before leaving, he asked a question hed been burning to ask. That Feng Langjun is he young masters lover? Jiang Pengji observed Gu Xins mysterious look, and she almost failed to swallow her saliva. No, Huaiyu and I have a gentlemanly agreement. We are best friends without that layer of relationship. Jiang Pengji replied decisively, to prevent Gu Xins mind from running wild. Then then earlier is that little girl young masters child? Gu Xin asked curiously. She said it once and for all, No, she has nothing to do with me. It was unclear if Gu Xin left regretful or relieved, but he left Xiangyang district with confused feelings. As Gu Xin brought a load of goods, the entire construction in Xiangyang district reached new heights, and the entire landscape could be envisioned in its new prosperous form. It was rare for Jiang Pengji to curb her desires to engage in non work-related businesses and settle her duties in the government house. In recent times, the busiest aspect was distributing seeds to plant crops, and collecting rent for the fertile ground the following year. Fortunately, Qiguan Rang already organised the registrations into a household register. The workload wasnt very heavy. After working overtime for a short time, they would be free. The weather is becoming chilly The leaves in the courtyard were dyed with a sunset yellow colour, and Feng Jin was briefly filled with emotion. Every year it repeats itself. This year is considered alright, at least we have prepared sufficiently. Qiguan Rang was adapted to seeing a variety of devastation since his youth; Xiangyang district to him was akin to the heavens. It was calming and still, while everywhere was bustling with energy. It was a rare sight in his life. How he wished such a sight would persist throughout the heavenly prefectures. Dont worry about this, Jin is worried about something else. When it becomes winter, the laborers cannot work in the snow the people of Xiangyang district rely heavily on their labor to obtain food, and if they are jobless during winter She intended to conquer Tsing Yi army in Fengyi county, Feng Jin and the rest were in the loop. The recruited soldiers combined with imperial guards and troops she had from the start totalled 8000 men. As the building of Xiangyang district was of utmost importance, the span of time from the previous summer until deep into autumn, they had been busy working hard. Being busy all year round, they almost had no time to rest. When winter came, the military training would be strictly enforced. Feng Jin felt somewhat frustrated. What kind of army didnt train during good weather, and instead their lord delayed their most important training to the winter season? Upon thinking from a logical point of view, he understood her choice. Tumultuous training would increase resilience, and the cold snow would mold their military spirits. Only under dire circumstances would their maximal potential be unleashed. Regarding this issue, Qiguan Rang had spoken to Jiang Pengji privately, and she gave a solution that left one speechless. Qiguan Rang remarked, My lord spoke to Rang about this a few days ago, she said during the cold winter, stay at home to knit sweaters. His expression became stiff and he imitated Jiang Pengjis indifferent tone. Feng Jin was dumbfounded. There was nothing wrong with those words. Before the start of autumn, the building project for residential sites would be completed. By the middle of September, the people could move into their homes in batches. The surface area of the houses was about fifty meters squared in one unit and household. One in every ten households had a courtyard. Of course, those houses were rented to people for one hundred and fifty coins per month, affordable to even the poorest household. At the beginning of October, the district headquarters would recruit female workers at a large scale to establish a knitting factory. In totality, the number of female workers would expand to number a hundred and fifty. The main job scope of the knitting factory was to process the wool, and then spin it into yarn. Other than that, the knitting factory permitted women with minimal skill sets to learn the ways of knitting sweaters. When they succeed in knitting a rather precise size of woollen sweater and trousers, the district headquarters would compensate them with 25 to 45 coins. If the sweater had designs and was well knitted, they would be rewarded with five to ten coins. Naturally, if males wanted to attempt this job, the district headquarters would gladly accept them. With regards to the raw materials required for knitting the sweater and trousers, the yarn ball and knitting needle, this required the people to report their true address, use their real name and the names of their family members to register and sign the contract at the knitting factory. Additionally, they were to pay a deposit of 50 coins. Surely, it was good news to the people. Knitting sweaters was different from more physically intense jobs. They could easily work from home, even amidst the coldest winters, which meant they did not need to worry about going the winter without work. Saving the coins they earned would tide them through the following year and bring relief and joy. Ladies who were competent with their hands took three days on average to knit two sets. They did nothing else but squat at home knitting their sweaters. In order to earn more income, many males secretly learnt the skills from their wives. The quality of houses built by the district headquarters was guaranteed, and was comparably better than the houses of many, where air escaped from all corners. The people were very confident about the first day of snow after the earthquake. Entering November, the cold wind that blew brought a deep chilly feeling. It swept by and stung ones skin. The wool sweaters and trousers were officially for sale, and a set for children cost 40 coins, while it cost 100 coins a set for adults. Though the cost really wasnt high, the people were pensive about purchasing and only looked on. Most of the early buyers were the same people who contributed to knitting the sweaters and pants. Despite all else, wearing them was honestly warm and comfortable, and ones whole body was kept cosy. On the exterior, any overcoat could be worn. One could be fearless of the cold wind. In less than two weeks, the woollen trousers and sweaters, the weapons against the cold, became a trend in the whole of Xiangyang district. More and more woollen sweaters were sold. Xu Ke, the overseer, browsed through the accounts and almost cried. Woollen sweaters and trousers are destined to make a loss Carefully doing the accounts, for every set they sold, they would lose 30 to 40 coins. Xiaoyu, its incorrect to calculate in this manner. Feng Jin pulled the circular scarf that encircled his neck, then laughed saying, you should also factor in how much loss the district headquarters will incur if the people die from the cold. Taking this into account, weve already made a profit. The winter is hard to bear, and many that die from snow disasters and the severe cold even in Shangjing. It was essentially a business doomed to incur a loss. Jiang Pengjis sole purpose was to keep people alive. Entering the government office, Feng Jin quickly shut the windows, blocking the wind from outside, and then removed the circular scarf from his neck. In the past, he would have ensured he was fully covered and looked more like a tumour than a person, and then he would drape a coat made from fox skin across his back. But now it was different. He wore a layer of inner wear, topped by the wool sweater and pants. Over that, he wrapped a thick, wide garment, and over all of it hed don an overcoat. In just a few steps, ones whole body would radiate with heat. It was very comfortable. Chapter 456 - The First Winter (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The government office was comprised of only four men, Feng Jin, Qiguan Rang, Xu Ke and Jiang Pengji, who had low perseverance and her interests changed rapidly. Other than Feng Jins garments, which were knitted by his wife from sheeps wool, the others had to order them. Is knitting addictive? Xu Ke forcefully smiled. Truthfully, Liyun himself also felt that knitting was addictive, even when the weather was cold. There was no need for cultivating lands for farming, nor did he need to run errands. The government office was sustained by the few masters. He practiced his spear martial arts for four hours daily, and then he had nothing to do. He might as well pick up his ball of yarn and knit. Yet the wind outside was blowing heavily, how cold it must be to knit sweaters. He shamelessly headed to the government office to absorb some warmth. Qiguan Rang cheekily remarked that though he had a wife, it was as if he had none. He complained that Feng Jin liked to use the neck scarf knitted by his wife to provoke him. Afterwards, Liyun, this honest child, offered sincerely to knit a set for Qiguan Rang. Qiguan Rang: Laughing until his stomach ached, Xu Ke joked with Liyun, If Han Mei helps Wen Zheng complete this, wont you help Ke knit one too? Sure. Xu Ke: Hes only playing around with this honest kid. Liyun had agile fingers, and his rate of knitting woollen sweaters was much faster than the most skillful female worker. The woollen sweaters he made were meticulously designed, and all the knitting threads were neat. They were an exquisite sight to behold. In a few days of effort, Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke saw Liyuns product. They both took a liking to it. Such a virtuous one, what an ideal marriage partner! My lord, would you like a set as well? Liyuns admiration for Jiang Pengji already went off the chart multiple times. Considering that she was also single, he volunteered his service gladly. Nevertheless, he was cruelly rejected. Jiang Pengji was too lazy to even lift her gaze.Theres no need. Your lord isnt like these two whom no one wants. No one is interested in knitting a sweater for them. What a joke. Those youthful sisters would rush at every opportunity to knit for her. Critically I, your lord is powerful and mighty in martial skills, almost unrivalled in this world and immune to the cold and warmth. How can I be compared to them, once they take off a piece of clothing theyll shiver uncontrollably, likened to a quail. Jiang Pengji laughed menacingly; in one sentence she attacked her three strategists in the government office. My lord, these words are not appropriate Their natural body build was indeed incomparable to Meng Hun and the rest, but not to the extent of having no muscles or lacking stamina. Jiang Pengjis eyes shifted. Can you run during the early morning? The trio were momentarily silent, their blankets hindering them from waking up. They refused to run. There was an unending resource of sheeps wool being transported into Xiangyang district. To prevent any suspicions and to avoid the crossfire between Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group, every good delivery took a different route to reach its destination. Those woollen trousers and sweaters were not only to be given to the people of Xiangyang district, but any spares will be sold in Chongzhou where Liu She governed. Prices were naturally not as cheap, selling at least a tenfold difference. Chongzhou was freezing compared to Xiangyang district. Except when the goods were first sold, the sales of woollen sweaters and trousers werent outstanding. The variety of designs werent the issue, but the people had never seen the material before. However, it was inevitable since the magistrate of Chongzhou was Jiang Pengjis own father. Her dear father set the example so his subordinates would each buy a complete set. It truly kept one warm when worn, and it felt soft and comfortable. They would buy into this incentive that magistrate Liu sold. Slowly, the wool sweaters and trousers gained popularity, but the supplies were limited. Basically, it sold out after reaching Chongzhou. Without any warning, the first snow descended upon the earth, in flakes as huge as goose feathers. Heaven and earth became uniform in colour, and it looked truly wondrous. Jiang Pengji announced an official order from her magistrate headquarters to every household. If the snow were to rise above an inch at their roof or front door, they would be fined. Though the district city is mostly filled with new houses, the accumulated snow is overwhelming, and it will still result in the collapse of houses. It is inevitable. The area under my governance, I dont wish to re-enact that year when Shangjings snow disaster struck. I hope all the people of the district can live through this winter in peace. Jiang Pengjis official rule caused many people to murmur, but Xiangyang district was governed by the district headquarters. The people could choose not to act on it, but the district headquarters reserved the right to confiscate their rental houses and chase their families away. Facing such a strictly enforced official rule, the people suppressed their complaints and obediently swept the snow. Every courtyard came with a ladder, and the roof wasnt high so sweeping the snow would not be particularly dangerous. Feng Jin glanced at Jiang Pengji, whose brows were increasingly creased, and said, The people will understand my lords good intentions. Nodding her head, she waved and said, Dont stand on ceremony, roast what you wish to eat. On a heavy winters day, it was perfect to gather for steamboat and barbecue. Winter had come, and the district headquarters daily affair was to have meals together and work overtime. As for when they would gather for a meal, it depended on when she hunted down a big animal. Otherwise, there wouldnt be enough meat. Jiang Pengji found a carbon grill, a plate to barbecue and a support for hotpots. The fuel was a basin of charcoal. A few tables were lined together so anyone could roast what they wanted to eat. Over ten types of seasonings were available in different small glass jars to cater to different taste buds. The winter season was lacking in greeneries and vegetables, and consequently the ingredients composing the steamboat were mostly fungus, mushrooms, preserved meat or other wild game. Feng Jin glanced at Jiang Pengji holding her brush, then using some ink, she brushed onto the wings of the mountain chicken, her temper dissipated. With such a lord, what else can he say? Should he comment that a gentleman should refrain from bloodshed? Seeing Meng Hun and the rest so eager to try the food, he could not bear to spoil the mood Just take it as a joke amid the gathering. One shouldnt be bound by many rules. Feng Jin silently thought to himself, and he stealthily extended his chopsticks to abscond with the chicken drumstick that Liyun had just roasted. He discreetly sighed he originally thought Liyun, this fellow, would make known his presence at battle with his spear. A pity he followed the wrong lord, his area for growth was off course, farming, knitting sweaters, he now acquired the new skill of roasting meat. The inside was tender, while the outside was gently charred. It was roasted to golden brown and crispy, topped with seasonings, and caused salivation. Liyun had keen senses as a military man in both his sight and hearing. How would he not observe Feng Jins actions? But compared to eating, he enjoyed the process of roasting even more and was feeling immensely accomplished. As it was a private event, Jiang Pengji also purposely emphasized for everyone to not bother with formalities. Qiguan Rang directly opposed the rule of keeping silent during mealtimes. He quietly enjoyed the fruits of Meng Huns labour in roasting, and commented, When the district city is in order next year, Rang wishes to bring my wife and daughter here. Xu Ke was somewhat moved, yet he recalled he hadnt gotten rid of Taxue who was by Jiang Pengjis side. If he brought Xunmei over, it might bring harm to her. Thus, he could only hide his thoughts, quietly blending in as a listener. This was in preparation to let their imaginations have free rein to decide on their goal for the following year. Meng Hun was single. His only goal next year was to help Jiang Pengji successfully invade Feng Yi county. Luoyue wanted to return home but he had just got on board and couldnt escape from his responsibilities just yet, so he could only sigh and resign to his fate. Brother Liyun commented, Wishing that teacher can reunite with Yun next year, then allow Yun to find a desirable wife and seize the opportunity to become a father by year end. Since she purchased the first set of glass wares, Jiang Pengji was feeling rich. Her immense generosity to her subordinates was also evident. She paid all their accumulated overtime salaries and monetary rewards all at once. Brother Liyun was considered to own some assets. He had a house and carriage. Their expressions were ambivalent, and Jiang Pengji even coughed lightly, complimenting them, What great aspirations! Chapter 457 - The First Winter (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If the maiden isnt blind, an outstanding and handsome Langjun like Han Mei will surely be the desire of every woman. Dont mistake Liyuns innocence, when he is silently solemn, he exudes as a tall, cool aura akin to ones dream man. Qiguan Rang laughed mockingly, saying, Whenever Han Mei enters the government office, those maidens will crane their necks just to have a glimpse of him. Evidently, he has an alluring face that stirs ones heart. A pity Han Mei is gifted with the ability to knit sweaters, otherwise the maidens will volunteer early on, albeit too timid to ask if he needs help with knitting. Speaking of abilities, his martial arts skills were far superior; he was unrivalled except against Jiang Pengji in the whole of Xiangyang district. His spear moves were sharp and strategic. Meng Hun practiced with him once and exclaimed that the younger generation supersedes the older generation. Youngsters these days are impressive. Thereafter Liyun excitedly went to Jiang Pengji to exchange pointers, but he almost got beaten to death by her. Comparing external looks, Liyun was undoubtedly Xiangyang districts number one pretty man, while in Dongqing, he was in the top three. A pair of eyes that were electrifying. When he focused intently on someone, almost no one could resist his quiet, alluring eyes. it felt like electricity was coursing through his body, making the other person feel weak in the knees. Of course, this was only meant to trick those outside the loop. If one was familiar with Liyun, they would probably experience what it meant to be disappointed by illusions. Where is the tall, proud man of ones dreams? Who is the cute, innocent one before them? You must know that the ladies at the government office had a crush on him previously, but now they only see him as a cute younger brother. Liyun was highly praised and his face silently reddened, Master Wen Zheng, youve praised me too highly. Yun isnt that great. Jiang Pengji held a piece of roasted meat dipped in chilli to her mouth, then she nibbled on it and lamented, Wen Zheng is not wrong in saying this. If Han Mei wishes to get a wife next year and father a child by the end of the year, its best to speak less. If someone looks at you, look back at them. If someone mentions ten sentences, answer them with a word. Your eyes must appear calm, your expression must be sombre. If he keeps quiet, radiates his cold, proud aura, just this face alone and charm can stir the infatuated hearts of young girls. Once he opens his mouth, every minute he unveils his dim-wittedness. Liyun was confused and couldnt comprehend. Isnt that very rude? Jiang Pengji sneered, If you dont heed our advice, then just be single. It is a tumultuous trouble. Liyun looked at Qiguan Rang and the trio with incomprehension and tried to obtain an answer. From his observations, other than his lord, these three masters were the smartest. Only they were people of few words, they gave him a deep meaningful gaze and seemingly had no intention to speak or offer counsel. Meng Hun and Luoyue sighed and patted Liyuns shoulders. For military men, it was enough to have wits at the battlefield. There was no need for more. We dont associate ourselves with beasts who started to be literates since theyre young. While eating, we discuss official matters around the table. Jiang Pengji has a free-spirited nature in private, many were not used to it at first, but they got used to it after some time. She took the roasted chicken leg from Liyun and bit it. Her mouth was filled with delicious flavors, it diffused through her taste buds. She spoke, The weather is getting colder, theres nothing much to do during winter. Staying at home, the people engaged in knitting their sweaters are bored to death. I wish to assign them a task, to recruit some able-bodied, strong women and equip them with first-aid skills. They will prove useful after the spring ploughing season. Luoyue looked at Jiang Pengji in awe and shock. The rest wore their normal expressions. Xu Ke used his chopsticks to pick up a cooked mushroom, then dipped it into a red sauce. This is feasiblehow many does the lord intend to recruit? The labourers recruited within the district. As the overseer of accounts, Xu Ke understood women better through the process. They indeed had less strength than men, but their tenacity was commendable. Their physical fitness was surprisingly not inferior to men. Having witnessed the fighting prowess of the women troops led by Jiang Nongqin, Xu Ke had no comments on this. Lets recruit four to five hundred people for a start She stuffed the chicken drumstick into her mouth, then she made some noise and spit out a perfectly clean bone. There was no trace of meat seen. Nongqin brought along 600 to 700 female soldiers. There are still 1303 strong and able-bodied men. Ive informed them to congregate at Xiangyang district after New Year. The female troops will be commanded by Nongqin, though they are dispatched to administer first-aid afterwards, they must learn to kill their enemies as many situations during a war cannot be predicted. It doesnt mean that being part of the logistics team will guarantee their safety. In history, arent there many examples of surprise attack on ones enemy? Jiang Pengji doesnt intend for female troops to only serve as nurses during the war. Rather she wants them to go to the battlefield to kill. Presently there are too few female troops and they have little substance. They require more time and will start off as nurses during wartime. But, but women its rather inappropriate Luoyue said reluctantly. Xu Ke laughed and said, You must not let Maiden Jiang hear of this, otherwise you will surely be walloped from the district citys west gate to the east gate. Maiden Jiang? Luoyue was dumbfounded and had never heard of her. Xu Ke explained, Maiden Jiang, her full name is Jiang Nongqin, a maiden in the lords manor. Since the lord first consolidated her troops, Maiden Jiang has been a part of it. Coached by Coach Meng, her cruelty in killing is unmatched. Even a daring elderly man will uncontrollably tremble in fear. If they fight even Coach Meng will not have it easy. Meng Hun was signalled out. He smiled bitterly, raised his hands and said, Dont mention her, it makes my whole body scream in pain. Meng Hun lived for the battleground. His military might served this purpose, daring to go all out, using his strength to break the enemy. Jiang Nongqin was unique, and she knew her weakness and avoided it. Instead, she focused on building up her strength. She was considered half a disciple of Jiang Pengji who had shown her favour. She inherited Jiang Pengjis menacing style, her every move attacked her enemies at their weakest spots. Meng Hun fought with Nongqin once. The troops surrounded to watch in suspense, but he didnt have a chance to react before he was knocked down. It was at that point that Nongqin steadily established her prestige. She was not one to mess with. After Meng Hun led some troops to Chongzhou, the troops stationed in Hejian were placed under the supervision of commander Nongqin. Moreover, she led men frequently to exterminate bandits. Wherever she went, she would kill until there were no survivors. Meng Hun was deeply suspicious. The number of troops had not been increasing. It could probably be related to Nongqin. Luoyue was startled. Not unless shes a tigress? Is she so terrifying? Meng Hun laughed and shrugged, She is more fearsome than this. When she comes, you can challenge her to a fight. Luoyue trained with Meng Hun frequently; they competed in horse riding and were naturally aware of each others strengths. If even Meng Hun approved of this maiden Jiang, she was obviously not just any female. He knitted his brows and commented, Well see when she comes. Chapter 458 - The First Winter (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio On the first snow during the start of winter, it snowed continually for three days and nights. Xiangyang district took it rather well, and up to date, there were no tragic reports of any who froze at home or houses collapsing due to snow accumulation. Those wearing thick woollen sweaters and trousers, who then put two thick coats on and walked out in the snow, their flesh and bones slowly became warm. Which of them had not started working young? Their bodies and bones were healthy, and they had strong innate abilities to withstand the cold. Moreover, they have their divine weapons against the cold woollen sweaters and trousers. The winter would be a breeze to get by. Except, though Jiang Pengji invested so much effort, some incidents of disharmony occurred occasionally. Aithis is the fourth child this month Troops on patrol heard a babys wailing in an alley, and when they went up to investigate, they discovered a baby in swaddling clothes lying amidst the snow. A baby girl? These ridiculous old people! The soldiers opened the swaddle to look, and indeed, it was a baby girl. Their hearts were moved with pity; they opened their collars and kept the child within to give her warmth. This child was born imbued with survival abilities. It was unknown how long she had been crying in the snow, but her face was pale white. The soldiers observed the surroundings, and they discovered a door in the courtyard briefly open, a pair of blurry eyes focused towards their direction. Old bastard! The soldiers spat in that direction, then they raised their hands to grasp their spears tightly. Immediately, the door shut. The district magistrate has forbidden kinsman from harming newborns! Moreover, no one should cause a pregnant woman to miscarry; that which wouldill be considered murder. Those people can only think to throw the child out, leaving her to die from the cold or hunger. Another patrolling guard lifted his hands and nudged him saying, Send the child to the childrens home, its really cold here. If they didnt want the child, it would surely be better to send her to the childrens home. It was completely incomprehensible why those old people would create such trouble. After experiencing such a tumultuous earthquake, the soldiers had a different perspective onf life. They saw such disaster falling on the innocent as an act of injustice. How merciful the district magistrate is, if each household isnt lazy, they will have the means to raise a family. Only, even the best policy cannot overcome a persons desire to laze around and wait for food to drop from the skies. Forgetting all else, collecting woollen sweaters and trousers during winter this year, if each household works diligently, they can easily earn 200 coins within two to three days. When spring comes next year, lands will be allocated, and their lives will only get better., hHow can they not have the resources to raise the baby? Such a tiny child, how much could she eat? Some people are having a difficult time, yet they refuse to reflect how lazy they are and rather blame the many mouths they have to feed. The soldiers glanced coldly at that door and spat in disgust, then continued their patrol. That very evening, Jiang Pengji received this news. Her initial joyful expression became sombre immediately. A pile of unredeemable rubbish. Jiang Pengji laughed coldly, her eyes full of uncontrollable disgust and disdain. Investigate this thoroughly. Which households are these babies from? Whoever abandoned the babies, arrest them, and send them directly to the prison in the district manor to reflect on their actions. Did they think would beare absolved of murder if they threw the child into the snow to die of cold and hunger? Qiguan Rang and Feng Jin both fathered daughters. They reacted to this episode with deep hatred and excruciating pain. My lord, such a solution doesnt solve the root of the problem. Qiguan Rang was still attached to his feathered fan despite it being winter. Sighing deeply, he said, Even if theres a new order, if they refuse to bring up the child, they will find other ways. Such is the saying, Aabove, there are political laws. yYet on the ground, theres an opposing force. More children are doomed. It was considered good at the time, as at least only some were lost. The scene that Qiguan Rang witnessed when he was young was truly devastating. Liyun stroked his chin, and he suggested, Why not reason with the households who cannot afford to raise their children to send them to the childrens home? Meng Hun hurriedly opposed. He shook his head saying, This cannot be done. Those who are slothful, concerned only with delivering the child but not taking responsibility to raise them, what if they keep giving birth? Our lord will bear such a huge grievance, why should the district headquarters must raise them? These foolish people are not the minority. A hundred grains of rice could raise hundreds of people. Some people were simple and pure in heart while others were evil and caustic. Liyuns pupils shone brightly. Had his suggestion been accepted? Jiang Pengji honestly remarked, Those children who are sent to the children home, their parents must sign a contract to break off all ties. Henceforth, parent and child will not see each other for this lifetime. Regardless of how their lives unfold, they cannot disturb each other. If discovered that they meet one another secretly, both will be punished. When the child grows up, they will be told plainly, that theres no need to speak of blood ties. These people naively think that satiating their lust, giving birth to their child gives them the right to be parents? If the district manor learns of people purposefully abusing their children, they will be punished severely once the evidence is concrete. Her words were hard to bear. She had already given her orders. Elders and kinsman were not allowed to harm a childs life at their own will, yet some blatantly rebelled. If there were no consequences, where then would her authority as the district magistrate lie? Jiang Pengji kept silent momentarily, then said, I will raise these kids as prodigies so they will be slaves in this chaotic world. The children home consisted of newborns and young ones of all ages who had been trafficked or abandoned. Most of them were girls. Jiang Pengji had seen them, and each of them looked like a small injured animal. They could only quietly nurse their wounds. They looked at a loss. Xiangyang district was progressively developing, and it was hard to imagine what it must have been like in other places. She could not protect them all their lives, but she could teach them how to protect themselves and become stronger. Cough, cough, cough Consecutive coughs sounded from the run-down wooden house; a thick scent of medicine filled the air. Master Zixiao, your medicine is ready. A skinny youth carried a bowl of black medication, then softly spoke. A hoarse consent was heard from inside the room. Entering, his eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness. On the bed lay a youth, sickly in both body and fate. This was indeed Wei Ci, who had journeyed for more than half a year yet hadnt stepped into the borders of Xiangyang district. Truthfully, his luck had reached its lowest state. Master Zixiaos features are deathly white! Are you still cold? tThe youth asked. Do you want me to carry a cotton mattress over? No need Wei Xi bore his nausea and drank the bowl of medicine, his tightly knitted his brows, overcoming his frailty, he said, Its the age-old illness of having a cold body constitution. The winter this year is freezing cold, and its normal for my sickness to surface No worries, after falling sick for some time, I will be on the road to recovery. How is the setup outside going? Are there any other problems? Master need not worry. Li has brought the others to set up the area. The snow has sealed the mountains so the beasts cannot enter. The youth noticed Wei Cis exhaustion from between his brows, and he lowered his voice and discreetly kept the bowl of medicine and left. He closed the door to prevent the cold wind from entering. Zhang Ping held a wild herb in his mouth, then asked the youth, How is Zixiao feeling? The fever has subsided, but the cough isnt getting better. His entire being is as cold as chunks of ice, just looking at him makes one anxious. The youth sighed; this village only had a rather unreliable physician without any license. He plucked his medical herbs from his house, and who knew the efficacy of his medicines. How is Master Xihengs arm? Zhang Ping laughed, his eyes narrow. No worries, at least I can walk and jump, I am not as frail as the sickly beauty inside. Chapter 459 - The First Winter (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Describing Wei Ci as a sick beauty was apt. Didnt you ask for trouble? Zhang Ping pushed the door open, and the room was completely dark, the air filled with the distinct smell of sharp-tinged medicine. A faint air of deterioration and boredom permeated the air. He sat at Wei Cis bedside; his expression was rather helpless. His friend fell sick frequently and seeing this, his heart was broken. Yet there was no counter solution. If your illness deteriorates, you will really become a medicinal container. Wei Ci took his medications. His limbs were chillingly cold but slowly regained some warmth. Fret not, Ci will not die yet. While saying this, he wore an indifferent expression, but between his brows a mildly downcast expression was visible. Zhang Ping and Wei Ci had known each other for years, and obviously, he was aware of the environment Wei Ci was brought up in. He was not one to fear the cold by nature, it was only afterwards that it occurred. Since young, he had been labelled by the Weis as an unlucky star and his life was somewhat tormented. Now that he had painstakingly become an adult, Wei Ci was beginning to concern himself with boosting his health. Only, improving ones health was not immediate. When his health improved mildly, he would forget and stop treating his body well. He insisted on heading north, but nobody knew his intentions. So Wei Ci desired to head north. Except the mans luck was unusually bad, and even Zhang Ping was starting to question life. First the other man had been struck down with a serious disease and had finally recovered. The trio traveled near the borders of the nine prefectures, but there they encountered a plague. What was that pandemic? The earth spoke of devils that transformed! Wherever the disease spread, it signified a location where desolation occured, and a living hell was established. Corpses filled the wilderness, and no one came to claim them. They became the food for the beasts and birds, they returned to dust and became a haven for insects to make their homes in. Zhang Ping had a compassionate heart, but he wasnt a foolish man. If he continued staying on, he would be doomed to die. Wei Ci was almost convinced by Zhang Ping to leave, but when the time came to leave, he changed his mind. By the roadside, he discovered a severely ill, seven to eight-year-old girl on the brink of death. Wearing ragged clothing, her skin was yellow, and she appeared to be undernourished. Some unknown yellow pus was observed on her skin, and her entire countenance looked terrifying. When Wei Ci noticed her, she barely opened her deep black eyes, revealing a desire to live, yet alas she couldnt win against the malady that plagued her health. Her anxious breathing became increasingly weak, the light in her eyes slowly became dim A life is lost in an instant, as if a shooting star across the sky, it disappears almost immediately. Such a scene brought him back to an incident many years ago. Briefly searching through his memories, that heart-rending, searing pain still lingered in his broken innermost heart, an unrelenting ache emerged. This child is out of breath, yet her body still exudes a sick aura. You, sickly one, should stay away from her Zhang Ping felt he was increasingly assuming the role of Wei Cis nanny. He put in so much effort giving advice that his mouth and tongue were dry. Wei Ci ignored Zhang Pings words, a conflicted and anguished expression appearing on his face, but he returned to a serene state eventually. This plague can be treated. Lets stay. Wei Cis words were shocking. Zhang Ping was startled and almost lost his voice. Its not that, Wei Zixiao, are you certain your superficial medical skills are able to cure the sick? Zixiao, this pandemic isnt like other regular flu with high temperatures. If youre not careful, deaths will occur. You desire to stay and save them but be cautious that before even half a life is saved, you may lose your fragile life first. Ci has a tough life; I wont die yet. Wei Ci laughed; he suppressed the memory that uncovered secretly in his mind and did his utmost to allow his expression to be as close to natural. Xiheng should get on your journey, the air is full of diseases and to prevent you from being infected, we should just meet up in Xiangyang district. Zhang Ping discreetly spit. One who is sickly dared to live in the diseased area, why would he, who had a strong constitution and immense Yang energy, be afraid? The truth was Wei Ci indeed could heal the disease; his medical skills were far above average. Judging from his composure, he seemed to have rich experience in treating plagues, and Zhang Ping could only support him behind the scenes. Perhaps it was good luck, or his preventive measures were meticulously implemented that both man and servant didnt catch the disease. Except Wei Cis face looked increasingly ill, his pale green eyes were more apparent, and he looked even more like a patient than the patients, as if he would collapse in a gust of wind. Because of the pandemic, they had been held back at this place for more than two months. When they were completely free from the shadows of the plague, Zhang Ping realized how skinny he had become, let alone Wei Ci. I couldnt tell that Zixiao has a heart to heal the sick He clearly hadnt majored in medicine, yet his medical skills were comparable with doctors who had been practicing for about ten years. Pei, heaven is unfair. Wei Ci rubbed his face. Those days he literally wore a displeased face, it felt like his cheeks were going to freeze in place. I was bored so I browsed through a few medical books, my knowledge is only superficial. Zhang Ping: Back then when Wei Ci said he knew somewhat about carving; his artistic product of a sleeping beauty wasnt inferior to the great artists. Now he says he has superficial medical knowledge yet can treat these illnesses with familiarity, moreover, he managed to snatch many lives from the King of Hellwill you die if you stop pretending for a day? Zhang Ping didnt understand what pretending was, but his feelings were the same as the viewers. Feel like beating this fellow to death. Without waiting for Zhang Ping to make his moves, there rushed in twenty fearsome bandits from outside, each held a sword and they were extremely valiant. They came forth and immediately asked for the doctor who treated the plague, then without hesitation they kidnapped Wei Ci and conveniently took Zhang Ping and his page boy along. There are no other reasons for the bandits to kidnap him but solely for Wei Ci to treat their leader. Wei Ci didnt cooperate at the start, but when he saw who the bandit leader was, he agreed. Though they were bandits, they didnt engage in any vices or harm anyone. It was a helpless situation that they resort to become bandits after fleeing to the mountains. How are you sure they were at their wits end? Zhang Ping asked doubtfully. This was equivalent to saying nothing. Wei Ci spoke calmly and plainly, This should be the sins of Tsing Yi army. They are rampantly recruiting prostitutes in the army; they send their men to secluded wilderness to forcefully take women and young ladiesThese bandits were dissatisfied with such actions and raised their swords in rebellion. Since his crime is premature, what is wrong if Ci saves his life Zhang Ping was stunned, Recruitment for prostitutes to serve in the army, taking ladies forcefully to the camp to serve as whoresthis Wei Ci smirked mockingly, Is this surprising? Since times past, women are absent from the army, but this doesnt mean the army camp is devoid of women. It only means these women are servants in the day and at night, they serve to satisfy the lust of men. Tsing Yi army only made this beastly characteristic obvious, yet many army camps of Dongqing also secretly harbour such acts, including the Count of Zhenbeis manor, the Mengs of Cangzhou These incidents have long been accepted quietly, even by an infamous warrior like Meng Jing who isnt exempted from the practice. Many feel that going to war is for their country and its only reasonable for women to meet their needs. Yet these women are mostly women of virtue or from the wilderness Forget it, why am I telling you these things Once Wei Ci was also similarly naive, but since then, he had witnessed and experienced much. Naturally, he has become more knowledgeable. But, isnt it only sinful women who will be sentenced to prostitution at camps How can there be so many sinful women in the world? Wei Ci mocked coldly; his gentle eyes looked chilling. These words not only broadened Zhang Pings perspective. At the same time, it struck the chords in the hearts of the robbers. Chapter 460 - The First Winter (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Eventually, Wei Ci successfully treated the bandit leader. Zhang Ping was also ignorant about the words exchanged between his companion and the bandit leader. Both were honoured as esteemed guestS in the bandits den rather than prisoners. The bandits were extremely polite to them, and such a drastic change in attitude startled Zhang Ping. Asking Wei Ci, the other party just smiled and kept silent. Continue to hide and tuck it away, one day youll spit it out of your own will. Zhang Ping was infuriated; he was curious beyond measure. Yet his companion from home kept him in suspense, and it was so frustrating. Again, some time had passed, and the bandits had surprisingly managed to successfully ambush a group of Tsing Yi soldiers. In total there were fewer than 83 men, and appallingly they could stubbornly go head on against Tsing Yi army, a might five times theirs, to rescue many innocent ladies. Not only that, the bandits were apt at using military strategies. After they fought one round, they would flee without a trace. This was obviously not the quality a group of men born in the wild would possess. After a while, Zhang Ping caught it. Wei Ci was the one who pointed out to the bandits how to exploit the mountainous terrain to their advantage. No, Zixiao what is your intention? Zhang Ping nudged Wei Ci. He could not fathom the depths of this young fellows thoughts. Wei Ci sneered, then replied peaceably, The times are chaotic now, the North of Dongqing is already a warzone between Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group. The court and Prince Changshou are at an impasse in the south. If we wish to travel peacefully to the north, it is almost impossible. Who knows if well be kidnapped by the Red Lotus group or Tsing Yi army? Truthfully, even though he was a male, having such a face and moving around, his safety was at risk. Wei Ci wasnt a narcissistic person, but he knew his face could be a source of trouble. Zhang Ping continued, asking, So what? Wei Cis vision was directed outside, his eyes exuded deep meaning and his dark, bright pupils narrowed. Ci strategized for them so they will escort us on our journey. These bandits originally proposed to move their camp and head elsewhere, but they felt aggrieved. Before they leave, they want to take revenge for their innocent families who died. Coincidentally, Ci can aid them. That head bandit is a good man who keeps his word, he promised Ci that if their revenge is successful, they are willing to bring us safely to Xiangyang district. Zhang Ping almost burst out laughing, You seriously believe what a bandit said? He tapped the short table lightly with his fingers, then lowered his voice and said softly, Ci doesnt believe in the others, but this person can be trusted. In fact, Wei Ci also didnt think he would meet Dian Yan at this location. Who was Dian Yan? Except in times like this, an appraisal of a boorish man from the wilderness, Wei Ci recalled that that person would rise to become one of the founding generals of the Jiang dynasty. An upright man who followed Liu Xi from the start, standing by her since she was a bandit leader to a dominant marquis, and eventually the ruler of nations. Her reputation wasnt good, but Dian Yan belonged to the minority whose loyalty never wavered. In his previous life, Wei Ci only wished to use all the talents he had to serve a virtuous Emperor. He aspired to support his deserving lord to dominate the world, to return to the realm of a peaceful world. To put it more bluntly, he, Wei Ci, had never been loyal to anyone. He was loyal to the people of the world but not solely to one person. When his previous lord was defeated in battle and died, Wei Ci didnt die for him, and neither did he live in seclusion. Following his will, he pledged loyalty to Jiang Pengji. Based on the world events then, if he wanted to truly fulfill his aspirations, he had to submit under a new lord. As a newly appointed strategist, he didnt draw attention to himself to prevent offending others. He abided by the principle to listen and observe well but talk less, and he kept a low profile as if he were a non-existent person. With the others, he maintained superficial relations, those whom he had more contact with was solely Dian Yan. Once in the court, there was a period where choosing fractions was popular. Dian Yan stayed true to the lonesome hero archetype, only pledging his loyalty to the Emperor. This upright man was born rough and violent, and his moustache covered his entire face. Truthfully, he possessed an introverted and shy personality and could be easily read. When the majority of men belittled Wei Ci, only Dian Yan still maintained his usual attitude. Presently, Liu Xi wasnt a bandit. She was the legitimate precious child hailing from an aristocratic family, hence both had no chance of fighting to become acquainted. Thinking of the injuries Dian Yan sustained, Wei Ci shuddered at the memory of his wounds infested by maggots. If he had come any later, her future valiant general Dian Yan may be non-existent. Wei Ci didnt intentionally change the course of events, he just wanted to make the link. The previous Emperor was worthy of Dian Yans submission. He followed her until death. If their fate as master and official still existed, Dian Yan should belong to her. If fate forbid it, there would be no need to force it. All in all, lets not bother with this, just take him to Xiangyang district first. Zhang Ping seeing Wei Ci speak with so much faith, he inevitably revoked his heart of contempt. The youths who were friends with Dian Yan were comprised of those from the same or neighbouring villages who were of similar age. He had been their big brother since their youth, so his words carried more weight. The group of bandits regarded him as their leader. Everyone packed their bags in preparation to head north. They depended on stealing from Tsing Yi army to survive and save some innocent people along the way. Sometimes to avoid meeting the big group of Tsing Yi army, they had to detour to take a longer path. Slowly, their team expanded to more than 500 men. Though the speed was slow, they were indeed nearing Xiangyang district. Blessings dont come in pairs and neither does trouble walk alone. One day the temperature plummeted. Without warning, Wei Ci fell sick, and he had a high fever for two days consecutively. Unfortunately, at that time, their hideout was being discovered by an army of 2000 Tsing Yi soldiers. It was no big deal that their tracks were discovered, but crucially they had stolen Tsing Yi army rations recently. Fresh conflicts and old hatred were rekindled. How would the Tsing Yi army let them go easily? They were helpless and under Zhang Pings leading, they retreated to the deep mountains. Following the directions of Zhang Ping and Wei Ci to set up traps, they used the mountainous terrain as a defense. Moreover, the heavy snow blocked the mountains and there was no way Tsing Yi army would reach them. They were temporarily safe. Luckily in their midst there was a freelance doctor with superficial medical knowledge, who knew how to prescribe medicine for fever. Otherwise if Wei Ci didnt die from his fever, it could still cause brain damage. Finally, with much difficulty, his fever subsided but he started coughing again. Having known you for many years, I never knew your health to be so severely weak. Zhang Ping was surprised. Wei Ci smiled bitterly, Ci also didnt know. His entire being appeared frail and weak, but truthfully, it wasnt that bad. In his previous life, he almost never got sick. In this lifetime, for some reason, he was particularly unlucky. Over that half a year that passed, he fell gravely ill time and time again. AiC this is perhaps the will of the heavens. Wei Ci spoke emotionally. Zhang Ping remarked, You, this sickly beauty, torture yourself all day. What has this got to do with heavens will? If you bring turmoil on yourself, the heavens will not bear this burden. Wei Ci from the past would surely be annoyed with anyone who called him sickly beauty. Yet his skin had become thicker. Xiheng doesnt understand. The heavens are fair, if youve gained something, you probably lose something else in the process. Raising the sword to commit suicide, only to return to ones vibrant and lively days of youth, what fate is this? To lose his health for this, he doesnt deem it as his loss. Zhang Ping angled his eyes and glanced at Wei Cis sorrowful eyes, they said plainly, You should focus on getting well, seize the opportunity to regain some meat. Anyway, unless the snow melts away, we cannot depart from the mountains. Wei Ci coughed lightly twice, and thanked Zhang Ping softly. Chapter 461 - The First Winter (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If not for his close friend who stayed by his side to care for him, Wei Ci felt he should have died long ago. Is there enough food for the people? When we robbed Tsing Yi army of six carriages worth of items last, we ate sparingly, and we lived through winter without any issues. Where are the clothes to keep warm? He held back his urge to cough until it was rather uncomfortable. Zhang Ping replied, You can be rest assured, no one will freeze to death. To face winter, all the people brought as much clothing as they could carry. If they killed Tsing Yi armys soldiers, they would have to uncover all their rations, pull apart and take away all their clothes. His clothes were dirty but it was fine if it could be wrapped around his body and keep him warm. Wei Ci slowly calmed down and he suddenly recalled something. He said, If theres nothing important, dont let them stay out in the snow working for an extended time to prevent them from eye infections. Zhang Ping nodded in agreement. That years winter was probably the most pathetic state Wei Ci had been that he could remember. Lacking in medical herbs in the mountains, Wei Cis cough did not improve. Moreover, he tended to fear the cold, his face covered by a layer of paleness. When his illness increased in severity, even the upward and downward movement of his chest was almost undetectable, and such a state caused distress to those around. Dian Yan secretly approached Zhang Ping. Master Xiheng, if not, please allow me to carry master Zixiao down the mountains to seek treatment. Zhang Pings outward expression was seemingly composed, yet in his heart he worried for Wei Cis ill health. There was absolutely no medicine beneficial for him there. If the delay were to continue, his mild illness would deteriorate to become severe. Dian Yan added, From what some people said, it takes only a day of journey to reach Xiangyang district from here, Dian Yan can travel speedily on foot Zhang Ping replied worriedly, We have no idea if Tsing Yi army has dispersed, the heavy snow has also blocked the entrance of the mountain. Going down the mountain by yourself is already arduous, let alone carrying Zixiao, a sickly one The more he said, increasingly Zhang Ping lost his confidence and his tone softened gradually. He could also tell that if he continued to delay, who knew if Wei Cis condition would worsen. Afterwards, Zhang Ping changed his opinion saying, Then be careful. Dian Yan was born sturdy and tall, and just standing alone, he was taller than the average man by more than two heads, and his physique was even more muscular and well-built. He carried a comatose Wei Ci on his back and meticulously instructed his brothers from his village. While he was away, they were to obey Zhang Ping. If this journey was smooth, Wei Ci would recover, and they would also be able to rally soldiers to their rescue. Dian Yan followed a person who knew the way down the mountain, and the three of them disappeared into the snow. In Wei Cis unconscious state of mind, a variety of scenes flashed before his eyes. Finally it focused on the scenario in the majestic palace, when the previous Emperor passed on. All the officials bowed down, each with their own thoughts, while he drew his sword to commit suicide such a scene replayed continuously in his mind. In the end, Wei Ci couldnt tell of he was dead or alive, or if he had perhaps died from committing suicide. He vaguely remembered after he committed suicide, he regained his handsome, youthful form and he got to start all over. Which of those things was true? He is already dead, or still alive Dian Yan was wrapped in a thick layer of clothing, and the three of them descended the mountain with difficulty. They also had to be constantly wary of the road beneath them as none had knowledge of what they might step on under the accumulated snow. Perhaps they might step on empty space or even slip, causing him to roll down the mountain with Wei Ci. It was but an hour-long journey on usual days, yet that day they took six hours. It had stopped snowing recently, and the snow floated unsparingly in the air, the chilling wind carried ice-cold snow along, hitting their faces. It felt like small, sharp knives were slowly slashing their flesh. Dian Yan had a rough demeanour; he got the guide to help him watch over Wei Ci closely whom he carried, and to protect him from the cold wind. Older brother Dian, Master has dropped something. The young man behind shuddered and squatted, picking up the scented pouch that had dropped. Dian Yan glanced over, speaking, I will hold this, please take care of Master. The three of them descended the mountains with difficulty, the only thing worth rejoicing was that Tsing Yi army which had surrounded them had departed. Stop! Dont move! As the young man took his first step in leading the way, Dian Yan pulled him aside, Theres someone! Finding a hideout, the young man had a doubtful face. He couldnt imagine who would go out in that weather. Except, not long after, the sound of horse hooves drifted nearer from afar. The young man gave Dian Yan a look of admiration. Dont be fooled by this rough and frightening man, his abilities are not inferior. The people seemed to enter the mountains to hunt, a group of twenty men. All of them wore hunting attire, carried a bow, and on their waists hung a bag of arrows. The young man wanted to ask for help but Dian Yan disapproved. Instead he stubbornly held on to him, a pair of copper coin-like eyes narrowed, after which, he focused his eyes on their leader. That is a youth wearing a garment akin to the colour of water, and on her back she adorned a thick, warm coat, her face hidden amidst the wind and snow such that it could not be seen. Dian Yan stayed still, that group of people also didnt move, the youth who was the leader sat on the horse and seemingly smiled, as with cautious eyes she looked in his direction. Had they been discovered? Dian Yans heart beat faster, his nervousness causing his palms to continually sweat. Whats wrong, my lord? The hunter who led the way noticed Jiang Pengji had stopped moving, and he was confused. There was no prey around. Jiang Pengji played with her horsewhip, showcasing her intention. If you refuse to move, I will remain here. Lets see who makes the first move. Today Liyun accompanied Jiang Pengji to hunt in the wilderness. Truthfully, a gathering to barbecue and feast on roasted meat was as addictive as knitting. They had eaten just two days ago, yet today the masters at the government office made their wishes to eat known, and were craving it again. It was time to let the lord have a go at hunting, and the meat they hunted would enable them to continue their gathering to feast on roasted meat. Naturally, Liyun had also realised there were people hiding around, and he briefly rode his horse forward and asked Jiang Pengji with his eyes. She remarked, Lets wait. After a while, it was Dian Yans side who gave in. On his back he carried a sickly man, and they didnt wear clothes warm enough to insulate against the winter. How could it be comparable to one who wore full-fledged warm clothes? Hiding like that is not a good idea. Dian Yan felt his hands and feet go numb, and finally he sighed and slowly made his way out of his hiding place. He stepped out and immediately ten bows were aimed directly at him. An ambush? Liyun frowned. Seeing this fearless, tall and sturdy man, then the youth who spoke incessantly by his side, it was such a unique combination. Jiang Pengji said plainly, No, its probably someone who lost their way. Her attention glanced past a certain area; her brows knitted tightly together. That scented pouch Inhaling a deep breath, just as Dian Yan was about to speak, Jiang Pengji raised her hands to order them to put down their bows. Who is this man on your back? Jiang Pengji urged White to move forward a few steps, and she said gently, I am the magistrate of Xiangyang district. What? Dian Yan was startled. His round eyes were wide open, and he couldnt believe his eyes as he assessed the person before him again. It didnt appear like it. His lips quivered, shortly after he spoke a sentence, A master from some household is ill, he urgently needs medical attention. Jiang Pengji leapt off her horse and stepped forward, Is your masteris his surname Wei? Dian Yan was dumbfounded and replied, His surname is Wei indeed. She asked Dian Yan to let Wei Ci down from his back. Let me have a look, I am acquainted with your master. Upon close examination, it was indeed that familiar face, yet he appeared more shrunken compared to what she remembered. His pale face had no hint of blood. Dian Yan used his body to shield the wind, and his teeth chattered as he said, The wind, wind is strong She furrowed her brows, and without thinking she removed her cloak and wrapped Wei Ci in it. Then she carried him and leapt back onto White.. Han Mei, bring them back to the city, I will head there first. Chapter 462 - The First Winter (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio So skinny? When she carried Wei Ci, Jiang Pengji realised that though he was tall, he was extremely light. Once he was in her arms, she felt his bones press painfully on her, his whole body seemed devoid of meat and he was just left with bones. She unbearably suspected, this fellow had run to some famine district and live for a year there, losing the flesh he originally had. She secretly used her thumb to brush against his waist, and her first reaction was that he was skinny, way too skinny. Jiang Pengji wrapped Wei Ci tightly to her bosom while also ensuring White was moving at her fastest. Sighing softly, with one hand she held the rope, and using her other hand, she assessed and pressed the back of his head and held him by his armpits. As much as possible, she helped block out the wind. From the other side, Dian Yan witnessed his master being carried away by Jiang Pengji. Her actions were smooth like the clouds floating and running water, with one breath she accomplished it. Dian Yan didnt stop her in time, he couldnt even respond as it happened too swiftly. White was already galloping toward the vast plains. Liyun mentioned, Big brother, please dont worry. My lord said she knows your master, then it must be so. Dian Yans lips quivered. He could only trust this youth who calls herself the magistrate of Xiangyang district. His masters sickness needed to be treated immediately. By the side, Liyuns curiosity was unleashed, and his busybody genes became unusually active. Big brother, where is your master from? Liyun saw the entire episode from the corner of his eye, he also caught a glimpse of Wei Cis face. Although the sick person was severely ill, he was wasting away in fact, but it didnt reduce him to frighteningly ugly; rather, it added a weakness that stirred one to have pity on him. Even in his frailty he looked so handsome, Liyun had never seen such a person in his lifetime. Dian Yan replayed the scene that had just happened; though Jiang Pengjis actions were fast, they were far from rough. Based on that detail, he could briefly be at peace. Hearing Liyuns question, Dian Yan kept silent. He wore a face that said, I dont wish to speak to strangers, please keep quiet. Liyun got no response, so he changed the topic. He meticulously noticed these three people descended from the mountains, and he asked, What befell you and your master? Why are you all in such a pathetic state? Yun feels that both of you, master and servant, are weird. You are born sturdy and strong, your flesh is in abundance, but contrarily, your master is so thin hes left with a bag of bones. Does illness cause one to become so skinny? Say something. The first snow went on for three days and nights, the snow had already covered the mountain roads completely. It couldnt be that these people ran up the mountains to hide, then met with the snow but to find a cure for the disease, they had to stubbornly head towards the mountains? Dian Yan didnt want to entertain Liyun because this handsome youth was somewhat noisy. But he hesitated upon thinking of over 500 people were still trapped on the mountain, his boorish face held a hint of pleading. Over 500 people are trapped in the mountains. We were ambushed by Tsing Yi army and had to escape from the danger. Once Liyun heard of people entrapped in the mountains, his face turned solemn. Suddenly, he exuded a mature aura. Both you strong men, follow Yun to Xiangyang district first. When the heavy snow subsides, we will dispatch troops to rescue the people tomorrow. Dian Yan heard this, and it was the best solution, so he paid respects to Liyun and thanked him. Hey, whats there to thank. Liyun scratched his head and said somewhat bashfully, Speaking of which, this is our job. Whoever was within Xiangyang district, the peoples affairs were managed by the district headquarters. Liyun only missed slapping his bosom as a guarantee. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji spurred the horse to a gallop on the road, and she literally went at the fastest speed to return to Xiangyang district. Still trapped in his nightmare, Wei Cis fragmented memories filled his mind, and it blurred his view of life and death. Unknowingly, time passed, and his cold and stiff body slowly turned warm. A sudden jolt transformed his abstract illusions to something realistic Is this another dream or something else? Wei Ci experienced great suffering and knitted his brows, and he expended energy just to cough twice. He thought he coughed very loudly yet in Jiang Pengjis ears it was as soft as a kittens voice. If her hearing wasnt so acute, she may have missed observing that he was awake. A long time passed before Wei Ci barely regained consciousness; in his daze he realised his whole body was paralysed. Hes awake? The cold yet familiar voice drifted from the top of his head. Wei Cis facial features changed; even more so, he could not differentiate his dreams from reality. If youre awake, speak, as theres still some distance before we reach the district. If you sleep now, I cant guarantee youll be able to wake up again. Jiang Pengji slightly bent her body forward, to reduce the resistance from the wind, I realise every time I see you, you are either sick or on the road to being unwell then again, were you so frail since your youth? Wei Ci regained consciousness completely, and he registered his present circumstances. He was frightened, hugged his body and darent move. Of course, in his present state, he couldnt move even if he wanted to. Jiang Pengji wanted to continue talking, the Wei Cis fan club amongst the viewers stood out in protest. Cimeiren Jiawo: Streamer, our pretty man Ci is already severely unwell, stop bullying him. Jintain Wugengyou: Exactly, exactly C he is indeed a pretty man, though skinny as bones, hes still such an alluring beauty. Zhaiwu Zhongyu Jianshaole: Beauty lies within and not without. How can this be comparable to those popular faces online, their big eyes are attributed to plastic surgery, their nose bridge is from padding, their chins are transformed by cutting, their supple skin depends on injections. After the hyaluronic acid melts to naught, such a face will probably be unrecognisable by even their biological mother. Wanshangqu Yuehuichifan: You went out of point. Dont we want the streamer to stop bullying pretty man Ci? There was no need for reminders from the audience, Jiang Pengji had no intentions of bullying Wei Ci. Her face turned sombre. In contrast, Wei Ci could not share his sorrows, he was so afraid that he couldnt sleep. Jiang Pengji was taller than most women by a foot and was comparable to males. Wei Ci huddled up, and he appeared rather frail and weak and could totally lie against her bosom. Coupled with her actions, they were both in a unique position, Wei Cis was the way he was facing her chestThat was rather awkwardBoth Wei Cis cheeks reddened. He was still fine while in a coma, but now that he was relatively awake, he really wished to keep a distance if possible. Stop moving about! Be careful or I might throw you off the horse. Jiang Pengji warned him impolitely. Wei Ci hesitated for a while then said, Man and woman shouldnt have such close intimacy I dont believe your words. She laughed mockingly, and her words were appalling. Wei Ci was so frightened he kept silent, even his heavy and dazed head regained consciousness somewhat. She added, For someone who knows me, Liu Xi, so well, are you certain our relationship can stop at should refrain from close intimacy and nothing beyond this? She has no clue what Wei Ci went through, but his reaction coupled with the systems existence made her very troubled. The colour on Wei Cis face changed, he resigned to fate and pretended to die, and he stopped struggling. Chapter 463 - The First Winter (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio They both kept silent, and the only surrounding sounds were from the gusts of strong wind and the hoofbeats as they hit the ground. The doors of the city were wide open, and no one walked the streets. She headed for the door of the district manor by horse. With her arms she carried him off the horse in a single action, and with divine sensing, White ran to her personal guard and looked at him with disdain. He was stressed out and reached out to hold Whites bridle, then he led it to the stable. Jiang Pengji had no obstruction in her way, and she entered her chambers at the back of the yard, shouting along the way. Get the doctor here! Xiangyang district had no miracle doctor. Afterwards she hired a few, and Jiang Pengji even allocated a medical herb store for them. Permitted to accept disciples and assume the role of a medical doctor. They took turns on shift, the way it operated was akin to hospitals. Those doctors were hired at a high price by Jiang Pengji, and the entire business was run by the district headquarters. Doctors had their meals provided, drew high salaries, and except for a selected few, they would reject private consultations at home. If the people were sick, they would have to head down to seek treatment. It was more efficient than having the doctors travel to their individual homes to treat them. When the servants at the district manor heard that, they hurriedly sent for the doctor who was on shift that night. She used her feet to unlock the door, then placed Wei Ci on her mattress. She got a fire burning and quickly the air within the room was warm. Taxue received the news and rushed over, and she was almost shockingly frightened by the strange man on Jiang Pengjis bed. She stuttered, Lang, Langjun this is? A good friend I met while hunting in the outskirts. He is severely ill. Jiang Pengji wore a plain expression, Get some of them to bring hot water over, then prepare some clean and warm clothes Wei Ci may be thin, but his body frame met the standard for normal guys and he was broader than her. Only now he was skinny to such an extent, he could possibly fit into Jiang Pengjis clothes. Shortly after, the doctor on shift was sweating profusely as he carried his medical box over in a rush. He entered, paid respect to Jiang Pengji, then took his seat and felt for Wei Cis pulse. Shortly after, the doctor had an idea of Wei Cis health condition. He wont die, right? Jiang Pengji questioned earnestly. Pretending to be dead, Wei Ci raised his brows; he dared not open his eyes. The doctor touched his beard then his hands stood still. He smiled. No, based on his pulse, this Langjuns body constitution leans towards being cold. He has just recovered from a serious illness of which some residual symptoms remained. Afterwards, he worked his heart and energy out until his body was exhausted, but didnt get enough rest thereafter. Now that he appears severely ill, it is a blessing in disguise, itll release the hidden ill aura. Therefore, although Langjuns illness appear severe, if hes well taken care of, hell emerge even healthier than before. Jiang Pengji asked curiously, How can I help him recuperate? The doctor wrote a prescription. Then, he explained each herb in detail and emphasized the areas to remain cautious. As in principle, rejuvenating the body with food is better than herbs, when Langjun completely recovers, he can be given herbs and food to improve his constitution. All drugs are comprised of some element of poison, which at present Wei Ci could not afford to undergo such turmoil. Jiang Pengji added, Replenishing the body is good, it can also fatten him up. She got someone to fetch the medicine from the medical shop, and her maidservants carried a few basins of hot water in. Suddenly, the viewers in the livestream felt uneasy. With a clapping sound, the screen darkened no, someone turned off the live stream. The whole audience had a puzzled face. On her end, Jiang Pengji stretched her hands forward to touch Wei Cis waist in preparation to pull off his belt. You Wei Ci could not bear any more, and without warning, he opened his eyes wide. He raised his hand, wanting to stop her, yet it took so much energy for him to even speak, let alone stop her. Relax. Who desires to look at a figure like yours? Jiang Pengji added disdainfully. Here in the inner courts, there are no other men besides me. Would you rather other maidservants wipe you clean? You must ask for my permission first, right? Pei, I never imagined you would have such intentions Dont belittle Wei Ci though hes skinny as such, after all, he is indeed a grown man. The average maids dont have the strength to support him otherwise she didnt need to lift her fingers to serve him. Wei Ci has a hint of flushing redness on his cheeks, Ci never did Yes, I know, stop moving about. Jiang Pengji didnt even blink as she stripped off his clothes in a swift motion. She helped him to sit up and lean on her, and she used a hot cloth which she squeezed dry to wipe him down. Observing his upper body, she could not help but be appalled. He was so skinny only his bones could be seen, every rib clearly defined. Having been wiped down with warm water, he changed into new clothes which would help conserve his heat. If covered with a blanket, who knows when hell regain his warmth. Jiang Pengji also had a wicked mouth, and she said, Luckily you are able to speak or I would have assumed you to be a corpse. The temperature of his skin was low, though not as chilling as a corpse. Wei Ci was incomparably shy. He might as well shut his eyes and allow her to change his inner wear and help him wear a thick wool garment. In contrast with that bone-chilling cold he had just experienced, slowly he felt the warmth and could gradually feel his limbs. After a while, two basins of warm water were refreshed, and Wei Cis pale face regained some blood flow. Seeing his progress, she wrapped her arms around her chest. Why are you so shy? Comparing physique, you are nowhere as good, so thin youre left with only bones, what did you think I would do with you? It is unnecessary to wear an expression as if a young wife has been molested Sounding aggrieved, he made her seem like a beast. Langjun, the medicine is brewed. Taxues voice was heard from outside. She sat by the side of the bed, lifted her head when she heard her voice, then said plainly, Come in. As she observed, she layered the interior of the couch with a cotton-padded mattress and covered Wei Ci with another layer. Being covered by two layers of thick blankets, Wei Ci almost couldnt breathe. Dont sit up, just shift yourself sideways to drink your medicine. Otherwise, the alternations between cold and hot may worsen your illness. Taxue entered the room, and she noticed that Jiang Pengji still wore a plain expression, while that stranger, Langjun, was looking bashful. The medicinal, pungent smell drifted into his nose, and he understood that this was beneficial for his illness to be cured. Closing his eyes, he knew that no matter how bitter, he had to swallow it. Slowly drinking his medication, Wei Ci raised his head and discovered a person sitting by his bedside, she lowered her head and next to her hand was a pile of official documents. From evening to midnight, she couldnt be bothered with Wei Ci, leaving him to secretly sigh in relief, this would dispel their awkwardness. In the evening, Taxue came by to ask if a new layer of cotton-padded mattress was required. Jiang Pengji replied, Theres no need. Wei Ci took an afternoon nap, his head is still rather heavy, his mental reactions slow. When he finally reacted, he was so terrified that he broke out in sweat, You Jiang Pengji briefly squinted her eyes, she smiled and asked him, Havent you registered to be my strategist? Wei Ci replied, My intention is exactly this. To extend my appreciation, isnt there a practice of living and sleeping together, to fully express my respect. Jiang Pengji smiled and whispered into his ears. Wei Cis body stiffened. She never knew one could freeze into such a pathetic state under a blanket. Youve been lying down for the whole afternoon, yet youre still so cold? Suppressing his emotions, Wei Ci asked her, What exactly do you intend to do? I initially wanted to snuggle under the blanket. Who knew youd lie down the whole afternoon and itd be freezing cold. Jiang Pengji looked accusingly at him, and the latter was speechless. She added, Dont be so nervous, ignoring the fact that youre sickly now, even if you were healthy, what can you do to me? Have a better sleeping posture, otherwise, I dont wish to wake up discovering I just killed someone. Wei Ci kept silent for a while then said, Mans words can be fearful. Jiang Pengji coldly smirked, Do I care about that? Chapter 464 - The First Winter (XI) Chapter 464: The First Winter (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci kept silent. Of course he knew the willfulness of the person before him, prestige to her was inconsequential. You will have to take on your identity eventually. If word from tonight gets out, it will be harmful to your reputation. Wei Ci tried his best to suppress his desire to tremble. He bit his tongue and used pain to control his bodys innate fear. Why was he afraid? It wasnt solely because of the shadow from his previous life, but in this lifetime, he was even more afraid that she would discover something amiss and perceive him as a weirdo. Jiang Pengji acted as if she didnt comprehend. Isnt having a close friendship with my subordinate a rather joyous event? He took a deep breath. He had been in contact with the person by his side for years. Logic prompted him that the more his emotions heightened, the easier hed fall into her trap. Including her so called close friendship actions that day, it may well have been that she was momentarily excited. Either that or she had other motives. He had to command 12,000 points of energy to confront her. Madam must be joking. Wei Ci emphasised her gender. You cant disguise as a male all your life, youll have to reclaim your identity one day. Regardless of whether tonight we are pure in relations, if this rumours spreads, it will be detrimental to your reputation. Why cant you take this seriously? Jiang Pengji responded with contempt. I cant be bothered with this superficial thing. Is it crucial to you? From the peoples perspective, who gives them more advantages will be a saint and be worthy of their praises. Contrarily, if any interferes with their benefits, even if once they had great achievements, they will not hesitate to turn against him and refuse to acknowledge them. Do you think I am concerned with the reputation conferred by these foolish people? What is it with good or bad reputation? From her perspective, it appeared to be more like an invisible chain one inflicted on oneself. Wei Ci sighed in his heart; he should have understood. Though the starting points were different, innately all Emperors had similar characters. Ci also doesnt care about these superficial titles. A man may live for a hundred years, yet all he leaves behind is a bag of bones. Wei Ci felt intrigued; he could actually talk calmly to someone although the venue wasnt ideal, But Ci cares very much for your reputation As if sent by gods, Wei Ci spoke vulnerably of the things deep in his heart, these heartfelt words he had never said before. Yet as these words were spoken, an unspeakable sense of danger flowed from the tip of her leg directly to her brain. She felt a silky, smooth white hand on her neck, and Wei Cis lips curled into a bitter smile. This sensing his unusual demeanour, like a demon, so her intent to kill was aroused? At this moment however, Wei Ci lost his terrified emotions, his irregular heartbeat also resumed its regular pace. Using her usual calm tone, she remarked, Are you truly Wei Ci, Wei Zixiao? Wei Ci replied, Yes, authentic indeed. After a while, she decided not to twist and break his neck; rather she seemed intrigued and responded with one word. Interesting. At the beginning, she only suspected and felt that he was unusual, but after that, she was completely certain. Fascinating? Wei ci shuddered, shortly he felt this was the reaction the Emperor should have. If an average person knew about reincarnation and he had foreknowledge of the path his body would take in the future, the first reaction would probably be fear. Perhaps he would even desperately wish to eliminate it. Yet this issue was a catalyst that aroused the Emperors interest. Dont you already know me Wei Ci felt he couldnt control his tongue, What do you wish to know? She side-eyed him, then coldly said, Theres no need, I dont want to know. If she suspected from the start, tonight she had ascertained it thoroughly. Why? He asked. Jiang Pengji smirked, This is akin to you reading a book of script for story-telling, youve only read the beginning and your interest is just ignited. Suddenly, someone jumps out telling you the end of the book, the old, good man in the book is actually a hypocritical bad guyWill you be thankful to this busybody or desperately wish to kill him with one blow? Wei Ci: Such a deep level of wisdom, he had no comeback. Moving her hands away, she turned her body and leaned on the couch. For example, you used your allowances to buy a long-awaited game, but a fool appears and spoils the game by revealing the hidden treasures and game strategies, he turns the unknown to something completely known. Will you be grateful to this person for giving you the manual of strategies or take up a chopper to hack him up? Regardless of what others choose, I will surely choose the latter Dont you feel Ci is a weirdo? Wei Ci comprehended the previous analogy, but not the other one, although the heart of both analogies was similar. Jiang Pengji wished to smile but restrained herself. Even if youre a weirdo, youre a really intriguing one. He was startled, the temperature on both his cheeks increased. When he calmed down, beneath his eyes there was evidently some measure of sadness, within his heart a mental picture of just as expected appeared. No matter how entertaining that is only a pet, but not love, it cannot even be spoken of as alike. She spoke with meaning and depth, Humans are not stone. They change. What advantage does reincarnation give? To intelligent people, theyll still succeed even without reincarnation. From the perspective of the foolish, to evade the trap after reincarnation, they will likewise fall into another trap due to their foolishness. Reincarnation isnt like being melted down and refashioned; neither is it a place to recharge ones intelligence. Overly relying on memories from ones previous life will only entrap them. She feels that Wei Ci whos clear-headed, its impossible for him to miss this point. Additionally, she hopes he will not be hindered by memories from his past life and allow them to influence his reality in this present life. In contrast to Wei Cis composed sleeping position, Jiang Pengjis sleeping posture was rather free-spirited. Jiang Pengji despised Wei Cis low body temperature, and Wei Ci also felt she was a small fire stove, he determined in his heart to get closer to her. Yawning, she uncontrollably stretched her legs. The sole of her foot touched Wei Cis calf. The cold wind entered straight into the soles of her feet, and immediately she shivered and lost all her fatigue. She couldnt bear but frown. Trust me, your summer self will be likeable while in winter. You are too hateful. If he didnt control himself with rationality, his body probably would have rebelled long ago. The night was dark, Wei Ci couldnt hold on anymore. Moreover, his body was still unwell, and he just lost himself to sleep. Then Gosh, is this the signal to forgo sleeping tonight? She wanted to push Wei Ci away, who had come to join her, though she didnt fear the cold or heat, yet who fancies having an ice cube under a heater-like warm blanket? Wheres the alluring sleeping pose? Such is his style? At last, she was patient with him, and her heart softened, allowing him to instinctively lean towards her. Feeling bored, Jiang Pengji secretly poked the system. She asked curiously, The oddity I brought about when I unleashed the livestream, thats Wei Ci right? The system pretended to act dead, yet it was within Jiang Pengjis conscious mind. Since it depended on her, it had to please her. Reluctantly it replied, So what if its him, if you are so worried, then kill him. For a paranoid person, someone who knows your future clearly is extremely dangerous that you cant sleep in peace. Jiang Pengji sarcastically remarked, Do you think everyones like you? Thats why Im keeping you locked up rather than me being threatened by you. System: This Jiang Pengji is so hateful, the most cunning! Chapter 465 - The First Winter (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci couldnt remember how long it had been since he slept so serenely, even the devils in his dreams disappeared without a trace. A night of good rest. When he woke up, it was already late morning, but the quilt still retained its warmth as if the person next to him had just gotten up. He briefly knitted his brows. Had she just woken up? Others deemed her to be undisciplined, and not knowing her limits, truthfully, she had the most self-control. Because regardless of how early she slept the night before, she would wake up to practice her martial arts the next morning and she never had the practice of lazing in her bed. Wei Ci stretched out his hand to touch, and the realisation hit him that the source of warmth came from two hot water sacks wrapped in thick cloth. So where did the real Jiang Pengji go? At the government office, Feng Jin and the trio started to get down to business. Xu Ke appeared rather displeased, and he knitted his brows extremely tightly. Jiang Pengji noticed and asked curiously, Who provoked Xiaoyu, he wears such a frightening expression so early in the morning Xu Ke heard some noise, and he lifted his head and looked his lord in the eye. Both his eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted. Feng Jin smiled and said, Yesterday Han Mei returned to update us that there are more than 500 people trapped deep in the mountains. Ive sent an army to get them. If we were to save them all, Xiaoyu will have to arrange a place for them to stay, provide clothes to weather through the winter, and food within a night There are too many miscellaneous items, Xiaoyu didnt get to rest last night and he hasnt had anything for breakfast, so naturally his expression is unsightly. In the cold winter, he had to stay and work overnight. Itd be weird if Xu Ke looked pleased. Yes, thank you for the trouble, Xiaoyu. Jiang Pengji smiled cheekily, Why not pick a time, and Ill accompany you to a barbecue session. Qiguan Rang supported his chin and then coldly retorted, The snow has sealed the mountains, my lord shouldnt be running about. Instead let this winter pass in peace. Yesterday, she went out to hunt for their gathering to feast on roasted meat. In the end, she brought back over 500 burdens, and poor young Xu Ke didnt have the chance to eat the roasted meat and steamboat, instead slogging hard through the night. Considering the situation, Qiguan Rang inevitably had compassion for Xu Ke, as it was difficult to assume the position of district caretaker. Jiang Pengji took the chairmans seat. What does get through winter in peace mean? I, your lord, do not hibernate in winter. Qiguan Rangs eye shifted, Ive heard that the lord carried a person back on your horse. Did you rush speedily from outside the district to the district headquarters? Office gossip! Xu Ke and Feng Jin look seemingly serious as they carried out their duties. Yet truthfully, they were eavesdropping and trying to find out the identity of that person. Observing his lord holding him with high regard, this man was definitely not an average person. Jiang Pengji magnanimously admitted, Yes, didnt I think this man is about to die from sickness? The streets were empty, and I didnt meet anyone. Xu Ke revealed an astonished expression; this scene wasnt right. He was most familiar with his lords temperament, and describing her as cold hearted would not be going overboard. If not for an important person or close friend, she cannot be bothered and will be too lazy to care who is this divine person to be rescued personally by her? It wasnt just him, the other two were also curious. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and asked plainly, What expression is this? Were just curious who that man is, is he my lords close friend or Other than Wen Zheng, Huaiyu and Xiaoyu both know him. This is Master Yuanjings disciple Wei Ci, Wei Zixiao. Jiang Pengji seemingly had a hidden agenda, but she continued directly, However, he is currently very ill and cannot even get out of bed. Im afraid it will take some time for him to recover. Please dont disturb his rest for now. When he gets better, hell go to the government office. When the time comes, hell be a highly competent worker, theres hope in sharing the workload. Xu Ke had heard of Wei Cis name, and he suddenly recalled something, and his ears reddened mildly. He was very sensitive to vocals, and pleasant sounds were carved deep in his memories. Wei Cis voice was one such example. When Feng Jin and Wei Ci had first met, it would have been many years prior at a hot spring in the Ji mountains. Both only had a glimpse of each others face. Qiguan Rang was rather worried. What if Wei Ci wasnt easy to get along with and disrupted the harmony? Master Yuanjings esteemed disciple, just based on this identity alone, Wei Ci had enough right to boast. Consolidating all those things in his mind, Qiguan Rang frowned discreetly. He intended to privately ask Feng Jin and Xu Ke to mentally prepare his heart. With regards to Qiguan Rangs concern, Feng Jin and Xu Ke could understand. That Wei Zixiao, his personality is rather cold but hes an upright gentleman. He shouldnt be hard to get along with. Feng Jin and Wei Ci only had a brief encounter, they had never conversed in depth and their understanding of each other was limited. In comparison, Xu Ke knew him better but also superficially, and could not be considered to truly know him. Qiguan Rang sighed, saying, Looks like we have to wait for him to recover before reaching a conclusion. With Liyuns hard work, over five hundred people trapped in the deep mountains were safely rescued. This is Xiangyang district are you certain it isnt Shangjing? When he first stepped in, Zhang Ping felt even his eyes were incapable of taking it all in. The ground was laid with pale-green bricks, the surface was smooth, and both sides of the streets were clean. Moreover, at each distance between streets a sign was placed for rubbish bin items. Occasionally there were people on the streets. Looking at their appearances, they didnt wear excessively. Yet amid the strong gusts of chilly wind, they did not shiver or hide away, as if they did not feel cold. Zhang Ping observed on his left and right, and he discovered the houses there were different from the common ones. They were built in an organised manner and they were neat and aesthetically pleasing. A short wall separated a wall of bricks, and he could see the top of the eaves were laid with a neat row of bricks, so not much snow accumulated. There were even people who regularly climbed the ladders to sweep the snow off From the peoples attire and their expressions, the traces of disaster were completely absent. When they swept the snow, they exchanged kind words and smiled to each other. Contrary to these people, this group of men appeared to be refugees who escaped from their hardships. The district headquarters sent men to facilitate the registration of households. Zhang Ping blended in among the crowd where a familiar voice was heard from outside. Was it Dian Yan? Where is Zixiao? Zhang Ping was looking for someone, and Liyun also noticed the commotion and came over to find out. Liyun glanced at Zhang Ping and questioned, Brother Dian, is this the other master youre looking for? Zhang Ping looked pathetic at that moment, but his facial features were presentable, his pupils were bright and clear, and with one glimpse you could tell he was an honest and responsible gentleman. Dian Yan nodded, then took the initiative to speak to Zhang Ping, Master Zixiao went to see the doctor. He will return when his condition improves. Zhang Ping raised his brows. Why did Dian Yans speech seem so weird? Dian Yan explained himself, Master Xiheng, the wind is strong and cold, lets go back first. Return where? Zhang Ping turned his head backwards; hadnt it been stated that after registering ones temporary household register, then only would a house be allocated? Liyun laughed and dispelled his doubts. The lord has made arrangements from the start, so both of you need not drift along with the people. They were unfamiliar with the district roads. When Liyun offered to bring them around, they were more than happy. As they walked, Zhang Ping increasingly felt something was amiss. This cannot be the place designated for the average people, right? He asked. Of course not. Liyun replied, and there was no continuation. Zhang Ping kept silent, and thought to himself that the youth was arrogant and hard to get along with. Chapter 466 - An Evil Child Descends from the Heavens, Wars Break Out (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After a long time, Li Yun stopped in front of an apartment, and he followed Dian Yans suggestion who had intentions to pass the key to him. With a twist, he opened the door. This is allocated by the lord for Master Wei. Since youre all with the Master, please feel free to stay here. Li Yun passed the keys to Dian Yan. Although this three-sectioned house didnt have any extravagant decorations in the hall, but it had all the essentials. Zhang Ping was almost blinded by the sight. Then wheres Zixiao? Zhang Ping didnt forget his young companion even at such a time. Li Yun briefly answered, Hes still at the district headquarters. The lord is taking care of him and hell move over here when he gets well. Zhang Ping was relieved. It appeared that that lord values Zixiaos talents greatly, as the arrangements were so comprehensive. Li Yun was a meticulous person, so he searched for clothes that would fit Dian Yan and Zhang Ping well. After they washed up, they could put them on. Before leaving, Li Yun left some silver behind. If they were hungry later, they could buy food from a street vendor. Its rather unbelievable When Zhang Ping had sent Li Yun off, he surveyed the apartment and it felt surreal to him. Shortly after, Dian Yan and the others surrounded the charcoal basin to get warm. At present, Ping can only understand why Zixiao insisted on coming to Xiangyang district. Within a span of six months, an underdeveloped district can be governed to its present state; this person must be a genius. That district magistrate is the one that Zixiao has high hopes for as a virtuous ruler Dian Yan nodded in agreement. After a while, Dian Yan added, Master Xiheng, I heard that the district headquarters is recruiting soldiers. I want to enlist. Zhang Ping assessed Dian Yan, responding, A gentleman is born on this earth to have a long-lasting impact. From what is observed, Xiangyang district is filled with many talented and capable people. Brother Dian is talented; you should give it a try. The world was in chaos. If one didnt find a way to become stronger, who knew when they would turn to bones along the wayside? Dian Yan asked curiously, Then what plans does Master Xiheng have? Zhang Ping was quiet. He didnt feel at ease, so he had followed Wei Ci up north. Now that he had safely arrived, he wasnt sure what to do next. He said, I am uncertain Probably think of a means to return to my home or seek for a mountainous location with beautiful scenery to live a secluded life and become an idle man, detached from the affairs of the world Dian Yan counseled, Master Xiheng, the world out there is chaotic, wont it be dangerous if you go alone? Why dont you settle down here? Zhang Ping smiled and said without restraint, Ping isnt as talented as Zixiao. At the most, Im just a craftsman, and usually Im out doing my own business. He didnt meet the criteria to be a scholar from the Mohist group. His interests lay in assembling machinery, without much research into the teachings of the Mohists. Thus, he claimed himself to be a craftsman. Without many true friends, his friendship with Wei Ci was purely coincidental. Dian Yan didnt understand this. Moreover, he was clueless about how to comfort Zhang Ping. Whether it was Master Zixiao or Master Xiheng, they were good men to Dian Yan and good people should be blessed. This winter seen from the perspective of the generations to come would surely be an epic turning point. In November, the countries of Dongqing, Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, and Xichang sent reinforcements but to no avail. The four factions of Nanman fiercely battled against Nanshengs capital city, and they fought courageously and bloodily; it took two months to capture it. The calvaries from four factions of Nanman exterminated their enemies and dominated Nansheng country. Nansheng, conquered! The king of the four factions of Nanman ordered mass murder, and he encouraged his troops to openly kill all day and night. The next day, the corpses of males in Nanshengs imperial family were hung from the city gates. One by one, they died pitifully. The females of the imperial family were demoted to the status of slaves, and they were sold freely. They were trampled and humiliated with money. The land of Nansheng cried in despair and lost the peace it once had. Chaotic wartime was at hand. They could conquer, but lacked the ability to govern. They ruthlessly extorted taxes. Their greed was insatiable, and the people suffered greatly under their rule. Under such circumstances, the flames of righteousness burned in the lands of Nansheng. Out of five nations in the earth, one was defeated already. Concurrently, the north and south of Dongqing became warzones. In the north, it had become a warzone between Tsing Yi army and Red Lotus group. In the south, Prince Changshou used his military strength to pit himself against the Dongqing imperial family across the river. The situation was intense and could escalate into war at any time. Because of the cold winter, it wasnt easy to fight. Both sides temporarily let their soldiers rest. It was the end of December, with only three days left until the new year. Two letters would be sent to Dongqings capital city and Prince Changshous military camp. Prince Changshou was younger than the Emperor, and his private life was kept confidential. He looked much younger than his actual age. Prince Changshou was throwing a feast for his strategists and generals. A soldier hurriedly walked in with a letter. What is this? The soldier said, This letter was shot into military command tent attached to an arrow. Did someone secretly report to him? Or did someone at Chenzhou wish to submit to him and used that method to communicate? Prince Changshou ruminated over it for a bit, and he lifted his hands to signal to the soldier to present the letter to him. He tore open the letter and took out the neatly folded bamboo paper. Bamboo paper for writing letters? Such extravagance. Prince Changshou softly voiced his displeasure. Then as he read the letter, he entertained his generals, aids and advisors with sumptuous food and drinks. He was smiling as he read the letter, but many people were secretly eyeing his expression, guessing the content of the letter. After reading through the contents of the letter, his face dropped into a frown. Eventually his eyes widened and burned with anger. His fury surged, and Prince Changshou slammed his hands on the table, his palms reddening so quickly that it could be seen with the naked eye. Hearing that sound, one could sense how painful the blow had been. My lord, what happened? His top strategy advisor stepped out of his rank and questioned. In the past, Prince Changshou would surely be polite and see through the dinner party with his officials to the end. He had no such intentions now, and with a swish, he rose up from his seat. Without looking that strategists in the eye, he crushed the letter and walked past him. Then he ordered the soldier, Go, help me find who delivered this letter! All within the tent looked at each other. Some discreetly sneered at the strategist who had just embarrassed himself, the others were curious about the contents of the letter which had made Prince Changshou lose his cool. It was well known that no matter how major the issue was, Prince Changshou had always maintained his disposition of valuing talents, as good lords did. He had accorded a lot of trust to that advisor, but all of that evaporated under his stinging public ridicule. That strategist could only feel his eyes burning, he felt utterly embarrassed and clenched his fists tightly inside his sleeves. He pretended that nothing had happened and returned to his seat. But all around those mocking eyes did not decrease in number. He calmed himself down and regained rationality. Then realisation hit him that his actions had offended the strategists in the tent. But he was in no mood to pacify or apologize at the moment. As their lord, it would be ridiculous if he put his identity down and pacified his subordinates whenever they threw a tantrum. Prince Changshou, free of his usual rationality, he couldnt control himself and opened the letter to read it once more. Nothing else was written, except a list of eight birth characters and four words, The illegitimate daughter of the Lius. This list of eight characters was one Prince Changshou would not forget for the rest of his life. Finally, word came that the soldier who reported hadnt noticed who sent the letter. However, his memory turned back in time, that year the rain in spring was incomparably alluring. He had naively thought they would live together for eternity, even if this woman had once been his sister-in-law, what issue was there? This woman married to his elder brother and second brother, while now she follows him, why would that be unacceptable? Chapter 467 - An Evil Child Descends from the Heavens, Wars Break Out (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What a pity that joyful days are indeed too short lived. Before his daughter was delivered, he had to attend to something important and reluctantly left both mother and daughter. When he returned, the small wooden house which once was filled with blissfulness was just an empty room. On the table lay a coldly written letter that woman left because of some difficulties, and she sent someone to escort her daughter to him so he could raise her. Only, Prince Changshous daughter never arrived. She and that confidante entrusted with her disappeared from the face of the earth suddenly. Prince Changshou couldnt find that woman, neither could he find him and his daughter. Moreover, that so-called confidante was also missing. Presently, what was this weird letter trying to convey? Liu Shes illegitimate daughter is the child he lost back then? These confounding thoughts were swirling in his head, but it wasnt entirely impossible. Before that woman had left Dongqing, she indeed was observant of Liu Shes inner courts. In her farewell speech, she once revealed that if she didnt have the means to raise a child, she would leave it in front of Liu manor for Liu She to help bring up. However, Prince Changshou didnt take it seriously. As he reflected, surely it was possible thinking of this, Prince Changshous expression turned unsightly. When the realisation hit him that the illegitimate daughter of Liu manor married into the imperial family, she had since become the Fourth Prince, Wuma Juns princess consort, his face crumpled into horror. Nonetheless, he didnt pity his daughter. Rather, truthfully his expectations of his daughter were built on the foundations of his wife. Without her, this so-called daughter was redundant. His facial expression took a turn for the worse only because he was afraid the existence of Liu Huan would hinder his great ambitions. Liu She raised Liu Huan, married her off with ten miles worth of dowries, and he sought for her such an optimal marriage partner. Evidently, he didnt suspect the identity of this daughter and even loved her dearly. If back then someone broke the news that Liu Huans biological father wasnt Liu She but him, what would Liu Shes reaction be? Prince Changshou tried putting himself in Liu Shes position, and discovered he would probably be enraged! The daughter whom he loved for years isnt his biological daughter, who could bear such a grievance? What man could tolerate such humiliation? Dongqing had six prefectures and twenty-one counties. Liu She dominated Chongzhou, and he played a critical role in monopolizing the rice stocks in Hu county. Prince Changshou narrowed his eyes, which were filled with murderous intent. Regardless of whether the content in the letter is true or not, he could not take the risk. The safest solution was to assassinate Liu Huan and aim to leave no traces of the murder. It was a pity, but nevertheless, he had never met Liu Huan. Both had no father-daughter relationship to speak of. If one doesnt fend for himself, the world will consume him. Indeed, he would let his daughter down but a daughter sacrificing herself for her father was rightful, after all he gave her life Afterwards when he donned the imperial robes, he would confer a posthumous title to his daughter and perform a glorious funeral. At this, Prince Changshou considered pitifully that if Liu Huan wasnt Liu Shes daughter but had another identity, he would immediately bring the child to his side, love her endearingly but who had asked her to be Liu Shes daughter! His great aspirations could not have any flaws, at this critical point he couldnt afford to offend Liu She. Thus, only regrets were left. Perhaps it had never crossed his mind, before he did anything to Liu Huan, she had already brought upon herself a great misfortune. Since she became pregnant at the end of April, she was about eight months into her pregnancy. When she reached a full six months into her pregnancy, her womb could be compared to regular women who were about to deliver. Presently, it increased in size, the doctor examined and diagnosed that she was pregnant with twins. Her childrens breathing was strong. Liu Huan smiled, raising the sides of her lips. Despite Wuma Jun being despised by the Emperor, she didnt feel any discomfort. That magic pill is indeed useful. Now that the pregnancy is stable, the children will be born healthy Thinking of that, the smile on her lips became more cheerful. The doctor predicted from the pulse that theres an eighty percent chance itll be a boy and girl; the dragon and phoenix will descend, which is a sign of fortune. The heavens are smiling on the imperial family. The children in her womb served as trump cards for reversal of fate. As the dates nearing her delivery approached, she became more cautious. Her personal maids had served her even before her marriage, and they knew the temperament of this Fourth princess consort extremely well. On the surface, she seemed pure-hearted but truthfully, she was cunning beyond compare. To ascertain if the miracle pill she stole was indeed helpful for conceiving a child, she even sent men to rape innocent women. Afterwards, she was determined to get rid of the Fourth Princes beloved concubine Huijun, thus she unleashed her evil plans to have Huijun and the Emperor pair up. Huijun would probably die in injustice if not for the Emperors favor. Serving as this womans personal maids, they had to constantly worry as they might well be the next unfortunate one. They despised her in their hearts, yet didnt dare to oppose her directly. They continued to dutifully comb her hair in an elegant fashion. Upon viewing her plain makeup, she frowned with dissatisfaction and said, Give me a more elegant makeup. This is too plain. The maids lips moved as if to speak, but she had to concede and follow her orders, giving her an enchanting make-up and adorning her with luxurious, precious accessories. Her entire head was full of pearls and jade, leaving her looking incomparably honourable and affluent. As a maid, she had the duty to advise Liu Huan that a pregnant lady should appear more modest. Rouge and face powder were harmful to the fetus in her womb, but since she had been slapped previously for her good intention in counselling, she kept silent. Admiring the stunning beauty in the mirror, Liu Huan smirked, then said, How can I be lower in status than this slut? Regardless of whether Huijun was the apple of the Emperors eyes amongst the 3000 concubines, she was unwilling to lose even one bit. She was but a lowly companion to a bride, did she think a wild chicken could transform into a phoenix just by gaining the Emperors favor? Her maid lowered her head in silence, but in her heart, she knew who the slut Liu Huan referred to was. Huijun, the woman who was most favored by the Emperor. The truly lucky one, surpassing 3000 others. Let alone the other concubines and princes, even the Empress and Crown Prince must accord her due respect when facing her. Recently, Huijun had not been well in body, her lingering illness demanding that she lie in bed. Having heard her grievances, the Emperor commanded all the princess consorts to serve at her bedside. Such honour has never been bestowed to the Empress before. It was evident how important Huijun was to the Emperor. Her personal maid couldnt comprehend why her princess consort could stubbornly want to compare herself to Huijun. With their present statuses, they had no reason for comparison. Regardless of what they thought, Liu Huan already adorned herself gloriously and elegantly; there was no indication that she was going to attend to the sick. Getting on the horse carriage to enter the palace, Liu Huans mind was filled with schemes on how to get Huijun to concede defeat. She was still ignorant that yet within the palace, a swirl of disaster was secretly brewing, and that what awaited her was a road that would send her to death. She touched her stomach tenderly, and with the other hand she held the arm of her personal maid, while with gentle steps she headed with the imperial servants toward Huijuns chambers. Naturally, Huijun was well. She only used an excuse to keep her eyes on the Second Princess Consort and to make Liu Huan angry simultaneously. All day long she had been bullying the ladies in the inner court, and after a while, she felt it was boring and unsatisfying. So she shifted her focus to the daughters-in-law of the imperial concubines. She was apparently healthy, yet wilfully claimed she was sick and lay lazily on her bed. She derived her joy from feasting on fresh, seasonal fruits while bossing the crown princesses around. The ones who got bossed around most were the Second Princess Consort, An Yina and Fourth Princess Consort, Liu Huan. An Yina once offended Huijun with her speech so it was natural for her to be blacklisted. As for Liu Huanmany secret rumors abounded that Huijun would be vied for and embraced into the palace. The Fourth Princess Consort contributed much effort to this. Chapter 468 - An Evil Child Descends from the Heavens, Wars Break Out (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio From another location, the Emperor also received a strange letter. It would be better if he didnt read it. Once he opened it, the contents of the letter aroused his raging anger, which burnt unceasingly. Under his exploding rage, he smashed anything he could get his hands on. [Liu Shes illegitimate daughter is Wang Huiyun and Prince Changshous daughter.] A sense of being fooled built up in frustration and stabbed his heart, No wonder C no wonder His anger was kindled, and with a swishing sound he unsheathed his sword and rushed in a rage to Huijuns chambers. He could accept that woman bearing anyones child, except he could not relish the thought of her having had sexual affairs with his brother. To think he even felt somewhat guilty, all those years he gave Prince Changshou freedom to amass his power. It never crossed his mind this was a preemptive move. This adulterous pair collaborated and even bore a bastard child, Liu Huan. The palace servants saw the Emperor holding a sword and rushing madly to Huijuns palace. They rejoiced in his misery. The ladies in the inner court who got wind of the news secretly speculated, could it be that Huijun had an affair and its been discovered by the Emperor? Seeing that she is such a vile and seductive fox, it is expected since she cannot bear the loneliness to succumb to having an affair. When the Emperor completely despises her, I will be interested to see how proud she can be! Hmph! Based on the Emperors demeanor, he appeared to want to murder someone Hopefully, she dies in one piece Numerous different rumours and wild guesses spread from peoples mouths. A pity that what in fact happened was vastly different from what their minds imagined. Huijun wasnt hacked to death by the Emperors sword. Instead she protected Liu Huan, who was terrified by the Emperors raging fury. She held the Emperor back, who flared in anger, Emperor, Emperor what are you doing, is it necessary for your reputation to be ruined by killing your daughter-in-law? Seeing Huijuns face, the Emperors heart ached for her kindness, yet he was infuriated by Liu Huans existence, Jun Er, please move aside. Why would Huijun be willing to? Liu Huans child was yet to be born. If she were to die then, what would become of the exciting show ahead? The doctor who took Liu Huans pulse was working for Huijun, and none was more aware of the situation concerning Liu Huans child. While both were arguing, Liu Huan who was in shock and had turned deathly white, held her womb and moaned continuously. Huijuns heart was delighted, yet she cried sorrowfully, Despite the Fourth Princess Consort being doomed to die, the child in her womb is innocent. That is your grandchild. Emperor, I also once had the opportunity to be a mother On my account, please forgive her once Since Huijun begged for mercy, the infuriated Emperor could only hatefully swallow his anger. He summoned for men to escort Liu Huan to a secluded palace to deliver her child. Huijun sighed in relief, and she hurriedly rushed forward and held Liu Huans hands, then whispered in her ear. If you wish to live, you must deliver this child. This is your last chance to make a comeback. Her eyes flashed with disbelief, she refused to believe than Huijun would truly help her. Their eyes met, and Liu Huans womb had a sudden surge of pain. It gave her no energy to consider other thoughts. Basins after basins of bloody water were brought out of the secluded palace. The Emperors expression darkened, and Huijun discreetly prepared for the upcoming show. Perhaps Liu Huans body constitution was optimal, or the pill to aid in pregnancy was efficacious, but the delivery process seemed arduous. However, after two hours, cries that were loud and clear were heard from the secluded palace. Just as the Emperor rested his senses, from that place, horrifying screams from the palace maids and midwife were heard. Critically, there drifted sounds of something being thrown to the ground. The Emperor knitted his brows, he wondered what was happening within. Why was there such a huge commotion there? Huijun held the handkerchief over her mouth, as if worried for Liu Huan. In fact, she was rejoicing in the other womans tribulation. She wore a concerned expression, appeared frightened, and held the Emperors hand tightly. Presently, the Emperors rage had subsided, and he gently comforted her, Dont be afraid. A devil.. Theres a devil Shortly after, the midwife cautiously carried a swaddled baby out. Her face was pale, her cheeks entirely drained of blood. What devil? Huijun didnt wait for the Emperor to ask, and reprimanded the midwife herself. How dare you speak insolently in front of the Emperor? Trembling, the midwifes hands shook uncontrollably. Huijun stepped forward, and with her usual expression she spoke with authority, Let me have a look at the Emperors youngest grandchild She briefly unveiled the swaddle, and immediately Huijuns body stiffened, and she lost all traces of life from her face. There were endless screams and shouts of devil coming from the secluded palace, and the people outside were curious and worried. Even though she was brave, looking upon this devil-like child, she was horrified. Observing her reaction, the Emperor stepped forward saying, Let me have a look. Screaming in shock, the midwife passed the child to another, at this everyone clearly witnessed the weird characteristics of the child. Two heads were stuck together, and one child had no upper lips, while the others face was devoid of a nose. Obviously, they were two children, yet they only had one body. Also, their body had four pairs of legs and arms, their eight legs curled up in their swaddling clothes those who set eyes on them were in a daze and their cold sweat flowed freely. All stared till they were dismayed, their entire beings frozen in place. How could this be a baby? It was obviously some weird creature. The others were deeply afraid, but the Emperor reacted directly to the situation. His expression was unwaveringly sinister, and panting heavily, with one swoop he took hold of the swaddle. Before the rest could respond, he cruelly threw the sleeping child to the floor and made a disgruntled sound. Those two deformed babies didnt even get to cry in distress, the ground already flowed with fresh blood. Huijuns face turned deathly white, her eyelids were shut, and she fell to the ground paralysed. The Emperor was gravely concerned about Huijun, he hurriedly spat the words, clean up the devil-like child and carried her away. After he left, there was nobody to hold the fort. Moreover, none could keep those who had inside information silent. It was a known fact that in that place full of eyes and ears, the palace where no secrets existed, news of the Fourth Princess Consort who delivered a devil-like child spread like wildfire. If someone had an intention to manipulate, it could even spread beyond the palace walls. An Yina, the Second Princess Consort was also terribly afraid. Yet an ill-intentioned smile quickly appeared on her face. When Huijun who had fainted from shock regained consciousness, this shocking revelation had already spread throughout the streets and among small allies. The peoples hearts were deeply unsettled. An evil child descends from the heavens, wars will break out! This was a sign given by the heavens, the Emperor had lost his virtue and so the imperial family delivered a devil. After the Emperor collected his thoughts, it was clear that the news could not be covered up; moreover, it spread more aggressively. The rumors became so distorted that hearing it was unbearable. Under such circumstances, those who leaned on surrendering to Prince Changshou increased in numbers. The Emperors temperament became angrier as the days passed. Fortunately, there were many hostages in his hands, so most of the scholarly families didnt dare to rebel. Thus, the situation in the capital city remained stable, at least temporarily. When he had some spare time, those who possibly spread the rumours would be in dire straits. Theyd either be assassinated or imprisoned; even the Second Princess Consort would not be spared. She was ordered to be grounded at home and to reflect on scriptures; she was forbidden to leave her manor unless given direct orders. As for Liu Huan who delivered the evil child, she bled profusely after giving birth and was forcefully murdered. Moreover, the Emperor also ordered for the Fourth Princess Consort, Liu Huans corpse to be placed in a coffin and sent to Prince Changshou. Chapter 469 - An Evil Child Descends from the Heavens, Wars Break Out (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When Liu Huans corpse reached Prince Changshous army camp, he was discussing with his generals how to conquer Chenzhou at the beginning of spring. Reporting The reporting soldiers voice could be heard from outside the tent. He frowned and impatiently ordered him to enter. What has happened? He wore a strange expression, and hesitated before saying, A coffin has been transported from Chenzhou. Its said that the Fourth Princess Consort lies within it. What? Prince Changshou stood up in shock, his eyes as wide as saucers. He almost screamed, Who did you say rests in that coffin? He cautiously repeated once more, Based on what the envoy said, the Fourth Princess Consort died from her arduous delivery. She died from blood loss. In the next moment, a jade colored teacup smashed into pieces in close proximity to him, the broken pieces scattered on the ground. That old bastard. He is totally oppressing us His chest anxiously rose and fell, his normally scholarly and poised face reddened because of the raging fury in his heart. His expression was terrifying. The military generals inside the tent didnt understand what was happening. However, those quick-witted strategists sensed a different atmosphere. Rightfully, this Fourth Princess Consort was the daughter of Liu She from Chongzhou. Since she died from a perilous delivery, the one who should be madly raging was Liu She. After all, he was her biological father. How was this associated with Prince Changshou? They all saw things from another perspective. A shocking revelation quickly took shape in their minds. Perhaps this Fourth Princess Consort has a secret relationship with their lord? Maybe her supposed death by hemorrhage had actually been arranged by some unseen hand. The bystanders looked from one to another, communicating the same thoughts with their eyes. Presently, Prince Changshou was so consumed by his anger that he could not think rationally. How could he muster the energy to care whether his subordinates were busybodies or if they were drifting off? He questioned, Did those who sent the coffin leave any message? The soldier who had conveyed the message squirmed in discomfort and replied, There is none. Prince Changshous body deflated, as if he had aged ten years in a split second. Yet his anger simmered steadily. He couldnt have cared less about Liu Huan, his daughter, but for her to have died by his hands rather than his enemys those were two opposing concepts. The most likely person to have carried out this act was his very own second brother. The other party must have known that Liu Huan was his daughter with that woman. Out of jealousy, he took out his wrath on Liu Huan. At this thought, Prince Changshous almost non-existent love surfaced, and his hatred for the Emperor was raised by a notch. When spring arrives, we will conquer Chenzhou! Revenge for his daughter was imperative! The advisors in the tent and military general couldnt decipher the reason, but Prince Changshous determination and strong demeanour jolted their nerves so badly, they shouted we will obey in unison. Momentarily, the entire tent was filled with a murderous aura, but then his sinister expression returned to its original state. He spoke to the reporting soldier, I will draft a letter shortly and order men to send it with the coffin to Chongzhou, and reveal the truth to Magistrate Liu! Since his great second brother was so heartless, he could not be blamed for being ruthless. He would make a comeback with drastic actions. Since he dared to make the first move, he couldnt blame his brother for taking the subsequent steps. All the strategists became suspicious because Prince Changshous reaction was indeed strange. Yet if this detail was overlooked, they also understood the rationale that over at Chenzhou the military strength was sufficient. It could not be defeated in the short term. If they could win the support of Chongzhous Liu She, the probability of them winning the battle would increase tremendously. Because of many considerations, the decision was finalised. None knew that if Liu She received this big gift, he would probably snuggle in his blanket and laugh uncontrollably. At that very moment, Liu She, who was at Chongzhou, continued to live his carefree days. His daily schedule involved inviting friends over to feast on steamboat or roasted meat, and the wide variety of seasonings won over the stomachs of many gourmets. Fortunately, Chongzhou and Xiangyang district had business relations. Otherwise, based on Liu Shes frequency of use, no matter how much seasonings and sauces they had, it would never be enough. It would have been a mistake to belittle Chongzhou, that small area at the border, as there were many hidden talents. Feasting on roasted meat amid the snow and icy ground, cooking meat in the steamboat, even the saint and wise sage could not resist it. On that day, he had been inspired to invite his new, youthful friend along. The chefs in the kitchen were still preparing the raw ingredients for the steamboat and roasted meat. Liu She and his friend were battling it out on the chessboard to kill time. It seems that the Magistrates mood is not bad. Did you meet with an auspicious event? Liu She twirled the chess piece with his fingers, seated directly opposite his friend. He deliberated for a while before he carefully made his move, only to redeem the declining situation briefly. Obviously, this round of chess was not favourable for Liu She, yet a faint smile, that stemmed from the bottom of his heart was evident on his lips. This caused the person sitting opposite to wonder with curiosity. Either the man had a generous personality and didnt mind losing or winning, or he enjoyed the time spent playing the game. Either Liu She had met with a joyous event that day or something grand and auspicious must have happened. After the monk speculated, he analyzed Liu Shes personality and determined that it was more likely that an auspicious event had happened. Liu She laughed saying, When I woke up this morning, I discovered a magpie visiting my house. Dont you think its wonderful? He discreetly frowned, the remaining light shone on the accumulated snow in the inner courtyard. In weather like this, are there even auspicious events? Though his thoughts were such, with his mouth he congratulated Liu She, Since its an auspicious event, seems like something exciting is coming up for the magistrate. Liu She smiled saying, Thank you for your kind words. Coincidentally, that round of chess had entered the most critical phase, and they both ended the topic midway. Liu She was in a joyous mood. Based on the timing calculated, both letters which demanded lives should have reached their lords hands. Bearing his grievances for years, he could finally get his revenge. Why would Liu She be unhappy? The hatred from killing ones wife, the revenge for killing ones son, so long as Liu She was still alive, he would demand justice until the end. Liu She was not a good person by nature. When Gu Min was alive, she could stop him; he was also pleased with portraying his kindest side. Yet now, his beloved wife had been dead for years and his enemy who caused her death was still alive and kicking. Liu She had no limits so hed rather decisively tear apart his disguise. After careful, strategic planning, all that was left was waiting. Now, they were seeing the first fruits. Viewing the white snow outside the courtyard, he sighed softly. When the dark winter passed, the year would start with the bright summer. Ah Mins death anniversary was also nearing. Liu Huans life and the dynasty of Dongqing were the best offerings he could give her. Liu She smiled gently and was filled with emotion, The weather is really cold. He breathed into his stiff, cupped hands to briefly warm them. The servant set up the steamboat and roasted meat rack, and a variety of sauces and ingredients were spread across the short table. The monk commented, A timely snow is an omen for good luck. Hopefully next year will be prosperous. Regardless of what the war situation was like, at least within the borders of Chongzhou, peace remained. The people were already anticipating the autumn harvest next year. It will be so. They were entering the depths of winter. Though this was a year of devastating disasters and hardships, celebrating the new year and customs was tradition. The people of Xiangyang district had spare cash, after all they needed to buy some groceries to return home and celebrate the new year. Chapter 470 - Where Were The Talents? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio That was a living thing. When others left work, he worked overtime. When others celebrated festive seasons, he worked overtime. When others were on leave, he continued to work overtime. While others flirted, got married, prepared for the birth of a child, he still worked overtime. Even if one sought to see highs and lows from him, when that person looked back, he was still working overtime. If one went to Xiangyang districts government office, one would find many such living things. After repeatedly working overtime, even the most hardworking subordinate will harbor feelings of disdain, especially if the lord neglected her work while subordinates slogged like dogs. Ever since Zixiao got slightly better and took over some work, the lords slacking ability has increased significantly Qiguan Rang softly sighed. The end of the year was approaching, and numerous work of all kinds was piling up. Unfortunately, his superior engaged in frivolous activities all day. What brought him joy was that although his new colleague, Wei Ci, appeared cold and proud, he was actually gentle and amicable. He was highly competent in his work and didnt like to talk much. What frustrated him was his lord neglecting her work all day. In the past, she would come by the government office to pretend to be working. Now, even her shadow was nowhere to be seen. Xu Ke didnt bother about his image while he laid on the thick stack of bamboo scripts. He opened his eyes with great difficulty. During the past few days of approving petitions, he used an entire box of ink slab. If this went on, there wouldnt be enough. Having been slogging out these few days, the lord mentioned that well be given a few days off work to rest, seven days in total, Wei Ci said. Why does Ke feel that well only be given these seven days for the rest of the year? Qiguan Rang raised his brows and unapologetically said, I dont believe any of the words the lord says. Xu Ke was momentarily startled. He slowly arose from the pile of documents. He sat up straight and said in a serious tone, Ke concurs with you. They were cheated by an empty check multiple times. Jiang Pengjis credibility was already deemed questionable. Now, even her subordinates refused to believe her. Wei Ci wanted to laugh but controlled himself. His throat became itchy, so he clenched his fists and pressed his lips together. A fragmented cough emerged from the side of his lips. After a few coughs, he felt better and said, This is considered alright already Cough, cough I fear it will only worsen His thin and beautiful brows subsequently appeared distressed. Those at the side saw that and became worried for him. They wished they could help him finish coughing in one breath. Wei Ci naturally loved silence, yet if he sincerely wanted to build a good relationship with others. There were few who disliked him. Even Qiguan Rang, who guarded his heart very well, had completely accepted Wei Ci. Their exchanges at work were joyful. An intelligent comrade was always better than a brainless colleague who was lovable. Seeing Wei Ci suffering, Qiguan Rangs heart became softened. He said, Since you are coughing so badly, why dont you rest for a while? The side of Wei Cis lips curled somewhat. He smiled and replied, Its nothing, just an old illness. Once the deep winter passes, Ill be fine. Qiguan Rang saw that it didnt look forced, so he was less worried. His attention shifted to another matter. Did you say next year will be even busier? Wei Ci nodded his head. He was afraid the war would drag on from the start of the year to the end. Everyone knew Jiang Pengji would conquer the Tsing Yi army occupying Fengyi County after the beginning of spring. He still felt that her words could not be trusted, at least not completely. She always acted on what she thought. She would go to war with whomever provoked her, almost never following the rules. Looking at the current situation, Prince Changshou and the Emperor are facing each other at war across the river, he said. During early spring next year, it will be a tumultuous war ahead. Regardless of who wins or loses, Dongqing will be plagued with division across the lands, which will turn chaotic. At the opportune time, all kinds of people will emerge. What is strange is Cough, cough The lord has governed Xiangyang district so well. Even if she doesnt dispatch soldiers to challenge them, there will be jealous people who present themselves for a beating. Wei Cis eyes were filled with compassion. He knew that consistent with Jiang Pengjis character, even if the others didnt pick a fight, she would find excuses to enter other peoples houses to survey. Qiguan Rangs expression became stiff. Xu Kes reaction was even more aggravated. He almost threw the ink slab. He was rather frustrated as he looked at Wei Ci Can you pretend you dont know about this incident? he asked. Wei Ci looked shocked, but he involuntarily laughed. It revealed a stunning bright smile. Sure. From his perspective, this lord would surpass the lord from the previous generation. In this century, at least she care about infrastructure and fighting wars slowly. In the previous generation, she was only interested in conquering territories. If Qiguan Rang and the rest knew what their lord in the previous life was like, they would draw their swords, commit suicide and pray that in their next life they wouldnt need to work overtime. As Wei Ci imagined this scenario, the sides of his lips uncontrollably raised by a few degrees. Xu Ke muttered, Next year, when the lord is completely settled down, I wonder if we can advertise to hire virtuous people. If they didnt start publicizing for new hires, he felt the few of them would be exhausted and die on their case documents. Wei Ci knitted his brows and thought for a moment before saying, The time has not yet come. If we were to publicize for hires of virtuous people, the lord will become a target for public criticism. I have good relations with some close friends with whom the lord was also classmates and friends. I will write to them to ask if they are willing to come. Xu Kes eyes lit up. He thought, How did I forget about this? Since Wei Xi was the disciple of Master Yuanjing, he would have a wide network. If he cast his net wide, they would certainly find some incredible people. Qiguan Rang thought more holistically and said, The best would be if their background was simple. Wei Ci understood this deeply and nodded in agreement. Except for Feng Jin, the rest of Jiang Pengjis workforce werent of noble birth. Their backgrounds were rather uncomplicated. The benefits and conflicts they might be associated with was greatly minimized. This was advantageous to the unity of a new and expanding internal department. If not for Dongqings earthquake, Feng Jin may not have landed in Jiang Pengjis hands. It was a surprise to all for him to join them. Fortunately, Feng Jin was open-minded and possessed a transparent personality. He was truly a humane gentleman. He wasnt entrenched by the mindset of rich descendants of aristocrats nor did he have the bad temperament of the high and noble men. Feng Jin blended in well with Jiang Pengjis subordinates. They all had good working relationships. There were no divergent viewpoints or conflicts, and everyone discussed things in harmony. If an unfamiliar and unfriendly person comes along, Qiguan Rang was worried the internal harmony would be affected. Wei Ci wished to help Jiang Pengji ascend the throne. Since it wouldnt hinder her progress, it was highly advantageous. It was better than the previous century when she had no literate scholar by her side to serve her. Back then, she basically started from scratch. Once her concrete goals slowly took shape, an aristocratic family wanted to scheme against her. They tried to hijack her authority behind the scenes. It was proven that such actions were no different from challenging the god of hell. Because of the incident, she could no longer be bothered with people offering themselves. She preferred people she identified with. This created an interesting trend. When Jiang Pengji started her dynasty, except for a group of military generals, 80 percent of her strategist officials were identified by her personally, and they all had a previous lord they worked under. Their ex-bosses were beheaded by her. With regards to those she defeated at war, they either followed her to establish a new regime or drew their swords to end their lives. She was domineering and wilful, and she never gave anyone a third choice. Wei Ci loved and worshipped such a willful and free-spirited woman like her. He was mesmerized by her. To establish and unify the nine prefectures and lord over the broken lands required immense courage and determination. It was a relief that she didnt lack either. Chapter 471 - Where Were The Talents? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci shut the hot water bag resting on his stomach tightly. An unceasing flow of energy was transmitted throughout his body. It caused the bone-chilling cold that long plagued him to dissipate. Coughing softly, he said, Its such a coincidence. I have a friend, so I will ask for his opinion. Oh? Is that friend in Xiangyang district? Qiguan Rangs eyes lit up. If someone like Wei Ci joined, their workload would reduce significantly. With a smile, Wei Ci said, Xiheng and I came to Xiangyang district together. Considering Zhang Pings obsession with machineries, he had neglected his duties at the government office. His temperament was rather like the lords. Raising his brows, Qiguan Rang looked at Wei Ci deeply for a long while and thought, Brother, you did well! Zhang Pings nose become itchy. He couldnt hold it in anymore and sneezed. Achoo! Wood dust floated in the air. Zhang Ping positioned the hot water bag steadily and wrapped himself tightly with the clothes he wore. Before him laid shaved wooden materials. With agile fingers, he dismantled the water vehicle he just assembled. Water vehicles? Something is amiss. Where did it go wrong, or is it the composition of the pieces together? Afterward, Zhang Ping realized the hot water bag had lost its warm temperature. He got up to refill the bag with hot water. When he opened the window, he discovered it was already dusk. Without realizing it, the whole afternoon had passed. Rubbing his tummy, he felt hungry. After he took out some money, Zhang Ping wrapped his overcoat tightly around himself and prepared to walk in the snow and wind to buy food. Wei Ci had his three meals at the district headquarters, so both Zhang Ping and Dian Yan had to fend for themselves. They dont know how to prepare food, so headed to the nearby eatery. When the new year comes, Im afraid even the eateries will close, Zhang Ping said. We need a maid who can cook and do household chores. He was a craftsman competent with his hands, but his ability to manage his daily life was rather lousy. No one knew, but a more uncertain future awaited him in the future. Two flowers can bloom, but each has its own fate. Dian Yan and his bandit brothers were capable with their hands, so they were successfully recruited into the military camp. They initially thought the good days were near and that they could settle down in Xiangyang district. He never thought she was up to winter training. During the wee hours of the day, they had to be in their full attire to anticipate and prepare for morning drills. On the coldest day in winter, they had to carry a heavy burden and run across the mountains and plains. It was said this was the most basic training. But, when they become accustomed to it, the training would increase in severity. Dian Yan, a giant-like person stood out amongst men, performed well. Others quickly noticed him. The person who noticed his talents was Jiang Pengji, whom Qiguan Rang mocked as a slacker. She wore coarse clothing made from camels cloth. It revealed her slim, white wrists. The viewers in the livestreaming room were worried for her, but she appeared to be alright. With both hands folded, Jiang Pengji interviewed the new soldiers. That tall guy is not bad. He has good substance. Liyun saw that she was pointing at Dian Yan and nodded. The intensity of training is demanding. Many people complain incessantly. They even threw tantrums. Few could control their temper. He was one of them. Speaking of official matters, Liyun had always been mature and solemn. There were no traces of cuteness in him. Perhaps my lord should shout for him and test him. Leading an army to war was the business of the generals. Presently, those generals were Meng Hun, Luoyue and Liyun. Jiang Pengji could reluctantly be considered as a lord, but the subordinates under her were unwilling to let herself be put into danger. For now, there were enough people. When the territory increased in size, the dividing lines between wars would extend. At that time, those few men would not be enough. It was better to be well-prepared for the worst. From the beginning, to identify anyone worthy to be invested in was of the utmost importance. Jiang Pengji held a thin piece of wild grassroot in her mouth, showcasing her unorganized side. No need. Have another look. Liyun nodded. Both of them continued to stand at the mountain gap to observe the caliber of the new soldiers. After a while, the training lance corporal for the new soldiers finally relaxed and asked them to rest. Countless of recruits appeared as if they were just whipped to their bones. They laid on the ground exhausted. They were gasping for air. Despite the winter wind and biting cold, they still felt like they were next to a stove. Their backs perspired until they were soaked. Dian Yan stood still on the spot. When his breathing became more regular, he followed the others to sit and rest. His actions, coupled with his body build, made him stand out amid the new troops. It was evident in her eyes that Jiang Pengji held him in high regards. Hes indeed not bad. The lance corporals responsible for training were chosen from amidst the troops. They treated the new recruits just like how they treated everyone else. New soldiers who performed well inevitably would attract more attention, especially someone like Dian Yan, who listened attentively and was keenly aware of the training schedule. When the new soldiers took a break and had their meals, the food Dian Yan received included an egg in his porridge and an additional scoop of meat-based soup. Just a sniff of the extra food made everyones stomachs rumble with hunger. He didnt ignore the people beside him, nor did he encourage their jealousy. He buried his head and devoted himself to eating without caring if the porridge would burn his lips. Dian Yan focused and drank the entire bowl of porridge. As the porridge entered his stomach, his entire body, from inside to outside, emitted a warm, comfortable and lazy feeling. Just as he was about to send the ceramic bowl away, his sharp hearing allowed him to eavesdrop on a conversation nearby. The contents of it touched on his sensitive spot. One recruit spoke to the other softly. Although his voice was soft, people around could still hear him. Did you hear that? There are women here, eh. Women? The other recruit uncontrollably sneered and said, Even if there are, only those superiors can enjoy them. The military camp had no women. If there were, they were only present to serve the soldiers. During the day, they cooked and did chores. At night, they served their customers. Dian Yans blood boiled. He refused to believe that the district city also had such despicable practice. His eyes immediately turned violent. His raging expression caused others to tremble. He confronted the other two men. Is what you said true? The two new soldiers heard his voice and raised their heads. Seeing how Dian Yan looked, they subsequently laughed sarcastically, interpreting his reaction as him missing women. Of course, its true, one of the recruits said. The district headquarters publicized to recruit female troops. This is known throughout the district. Who wants to go Jiang Pengji ha stunningly sharp hearing. She heard the commotion and uncontrollably knit her brows. During the last recruitment, there were between 500 and 600 females. In the end, only slightly above a hundred people were willing to step forth. Moreover, it was those petite and weak young ladies who stepped up. The majority of them had lost both their parents. They were often forcefully dragged over by their grandparents or relatives. When they came over to register, one by one they inconsolably cried with much reluctance, as evident by their attitude. This made Jiang Pengjis blood boil. Her womens troop camp was not a rubbish collection site. It was impossible to take in incompetent people. Now that she had surveyed the incident, the root of the matter was known. Allow me to clarify, did they mistake anything? Jiang Pengji pinched her lower chin. The side of her lips were smiling coldly. She said to Liyun, who was beside her, These imbeciles thought the womens troops I assembled are to give them endless enjoyment, satisfy their desires, and unleash their wild side. Pei, pei! Liyun decided to keep silent. With regard to the womens troops being misunderstood as a prostitution camp, he had only just found out. Chapter 472 - Where Were The Talents? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Mainuhaide Xiaohuachai: Such troubled times, these cowardly people are utterly disgusting. Jintain Wugengyou: It doesnt stop at disgust, seriously, I feel nauseous. Do women owe them a living, by joining the army, is their only role to be slept with? Dont their histories then have examples of women heroes? Those two men had wretched faces just now. Even if they only had lascivious intentions, I feel grossed out on behalf of these young ladies in the womens camp Seems like they cannot enjoy their experience. Shafashi Xianggude: Right, right, exactlyCit is so sickening. The streamer will not let these people off lightly, Ill wait for justice to be served. Jianguoyu Xiaobuding: Perhaps it is unfair to blame these men for their vulgarity. The atmosphere around them encourages them to be such so its natural that they have wayward minds. I browsed Baidu for some ancient information and found out that bringing a woman to the military camp was really common, they are the so-called prostitutes residing in camps. During the day, they engaged in chores and if the situation at war was urgent, they would also be dispatched to the battlefield. If victory was won, they will become prostitutes who serve the soldiers. Renshen Kuwei: Even so, it still feels unbearable. Originally, the streamer established the female troops camp to give these women an opportunity to join the army and fight the enemies, gain credits and build up their career, thereby raising their status so that they would not be looked down upon. It hadnt even officially begun, yet their own comrades already had lewd intentions towards them. It felt disgusting, as if one had eaten a housefly. Jiang Pengji steadily multitasked; on one hand she was concerned with the present circumstances; on the other she was browsing through the comments in the live streaming room. At that moment, her ears were filled with Li Yuns voice of mildly suppressed resentment and unhappiness. This matter must not be delayed, if it is not clarified, the reputation of the women troops camp will be tarnished. A brief sense of displeasure appeared behind Li Yuns eyes. He truly hated those irresponsible men. Those who toyed around with a womans reputation, their actions were utterly deplorable. Based on the lords description, the womens camp would have equal rights to travel to the warzone to fight their enemies, and even become honourable heroes. In a chaotic world, whoever dared to stand up and fight could be honoured as a hero, from Li Yuns perspective. Those who had dirty mindsets would associate such things when a womens camp was mentioned. This was downright repulsive. Except these foolish people didnt see this as an embarrassment, but an honour. Young brother Li Yun felt such a fellow was not worthy to be a husband, with neither the generosity or good attitude. Moreover, he could not even be considered a rightful, respectable man. Honor; such a thing is not given by others. Rather it is earned with ones own hands. Jiang Pengji laughed coldly as she glanced at the new recruits below. She entertained a menacing thought in her heart. Since they perceive that the womens troops are inferior, then let those from the female camp teach them how to be humans, make them kneel on the ground and swallow their words. The female troops she wanted to establish must never be associated with those messy affairs. Before their enemies approved of the women troops abilities, they should first acknowledge their own comradesThe previous troops witnessed Jiang Nongqins prowess, and none dared to be rude to the women troops. However, these newly recruited soldiers and the imperial guards who blended in were different. Jiang Pengji considered this aspect, she blinked her eyes dangerously in response as a counter strategy took shape in her mind. No other methods could compare with her fists to command her subordinates to submit. Whats the big deal if they were women, they could still bash these new naive soldiers until they were rolling on the ground. Li Yun obeyed her words and he searched through his mind for details on the camp of female troops. There seemed to be none who could fight. However, if you wish to subdue with strength, presently, there appears to be none who can rise to the role Li Yun frowned. The best way to get these new troops to keep quiet was to fight it out. But, the commander of the women troops, Jiang Nongqin, had yet to arrive in Xiangyang district. Where would they find a suitable person? She responded, Therell be one very soon. Finishing her speech, she told a subordinate soldier nearby, Go to the womens troop camp and borrow garments made for female soldiers. In order to make it more convenient for trainings, regardless of male or female soldiers, their garments were specially made to be loose and broad. Each set of clothes had multiple strings which could be tied to seal ones cuffs and tailor the clothes to an individuals size. Thus, although her figure was taller than the average lady, she was able to wear the garments delivered. Looking at the set of clothes, Li Yun suddenly burst out, My lord, Yun is unable to disguise as a female because of how I look. Jiang Pengji wore an innocent face. Excuse me? The viewers in the live stream were the first to react and they instantly laughed heartily. Biluhe Shibi: I cannot hold it anymore; this is so hilarious. Young brother Li Yuns thoughts were too far-fetched, he thought the streamer wanted him to disguise as a female to teach those young punks a lesson? Pff Honestly, I was greatly anticipating what he will look like in a womans garment. It will surely be an interesting sight to behold. Which artist will sketch him in female garments? Xiancao Xianpayuan: Young brother Li Yun looks too manly. Muscles are a given, he exudes an unyielding character. If he were to don female attire, his disguise will be exposed in a minute, alright? However, his facial features are good-looking, if he grooms himself somewhat, to look at him in female wear wouldnt be unsightly. Mengzhu Lingchongyuan: If any daughter of a family has such looks, it cannot be Its rather repulsive to the eyes. She also felt Li Yuns worries were unfounded. Where did he get the idea? Close to annoyed with his assumption, she said, Im not blind, I know youd look ridiculous disguised as a woman. Li Yuns face reddened mildly. Only then did he realised he had misunderstood; the lord didnt ask him to do the task at hand. But if not him, then who? Looking around, his vision landed on Jiang Pengji and asked, Dont tell me my lord wants to disguise yourself as a woman and prepare to fight with them personally? She nodded. Yes, I will show them whos boss. Best is if they are beaten until their own legs go numb at the sight of a womans legs. Her face cracked into an evil, cunning smile. Those who saw had a chill down their spines. They have a bad feeling about this. Li Yun took a step back and looked closely, then remarked, This cannot be so She raised her brows and responded, Why not? I can easily overcome these weaklings and with one hand I can sweep them away. Shaking his head in disapproval, he said sincerely, My lord is such an imposing male, if you disguise as a female, you wont look any better than Yun. His greatest fear occurred when silence filled the air suddenly The next moment, the bullet screen in the live streaming room presented with explosive and consecutive comments again. Everyone took turns to poke fun at Jiang Pengji. Buxiangjiageng Zhixiangsi: Let me tell all of you a jokeStreamer is a gentleman with an imposing stature. Her female disguise is not as pretty as Li Yun. Jintain Youqianzaine: The streamer is a female disguising as a male, but she is about to be a male disguising as a female. Then is she a male or female? Zailai Yigemengzhu: Hahahaha, this is hilarious. This live streaming room is certainly toxic. Xiangguzhibo Kenjianpan: Young brother Li Yun is too honest, such upright boys most often do not live long lives. Mingtian Jigengne: Be careful, young brother Li Yun. If you antagonise a petty person like the streamer, youll be in trouble. Jiang Pengji took the clothes meant for the women troops; She lifted her head to look at Li Yun, then smirked, feeling entertained. Li Yun didnt understand. He thought she agreed with what he said, and smiled bashfully. Chapter 473 - Where Were The Talents? (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji said, I am going to change. Watch over the people and ensure they dont create any trouble. Li Yun nodded. He had regained once more his proud, tall and manly expression and looking sombre, he began to supervise them. Downstairs, the fresh recruit, Dian Yans heart was already burning intensely. He stood up adamantly for the women in the villages. Without hesitation, he went with the village men to fight against Tsing Yi army and ended up losing his family and home such that the earth became his bed. Truthfully, amongst all the new recruits, he hated the existence of prostitution in the camp most. Such a group of people should never have been formed. The military camp was where men with aspirations worked hard to establish their careers and a place of rest from fighting on the battlefield. Why were there such disgusting exchanges behind the scenes? Perhaps Dian Yans reactions were offensive to the two other new soldiers. One of them tried to antagonize him. Sigh, is there something wrong with your eyes, why are you staring at me like that? Dian Yan asked accusingly, Do you even know who these camp prostitutes are? The soldier replied with apathy, Of course! Theyre loose women. Do you, this big, black faced guy not desire a woman to shower your tender loving care on? Its not that I want to criticize you, but look at yourself, such a poor and ugly sight, if you were outside, you probably wont even get to hold a ladys hand, yet here you are minding other peoples business. He controlled his fury and his voice became more solemn. Many of these prostitutes are innocent young women and many were forcefully kidnapped Those soldiers became unhappy, they stretched their necks and spat back. Whats wrong with you, blockhead? Are you picking a fight on purpose? Your lord doesnt care where these women are from, whether they were kidnapped or snatched. It has nothing to do with me. The soldier stood up and the volume of his voice increased by a notch. This attracted the attention of the others. He added, If you are able to exercise self-control with those female troops at the women camp, dont head over to have fun. Just mind your own business. Do you think youre some saint Another recruit spoke up against Dian Yan. Those maidens in the womens troops camp werent forcefully brought there. Neither are they kidnapped. They were recruited by an announcement from the district headquarters, and they willingly joined. Since they are content with serving men in this military camp, excuse me big brother, but dont be a wet blanket. The district magistrate has compassion for us and understands how much we suffer, thus these gentle and meek women have been prepared exclusively for us to quietly enjoy, without stirring up trouble. At the beginning, Dian Yan had been hopeful, but he was completely jaded. Why was it that on the surface, Xiangyang district appeared to be a morally upright and beautiful society, yet theyd boldly establish a prostitute camp? One of them laughed heartily, Exactly. Dont make a big fuss. Otherwise therell be consequences. With a prostitute camp, you can enjoy yourself when youre bored. Look at your boorish and rough features, you must still be a virgin. When the time comes, we will widen your perspective on how to unveil the bud, you will know what a woman likes in the future. These new recruits were blind and didnt notice the lance corporal coach responsible for them or his conflicted expression. The new soldiers were bold. How dared they say the female camp was a prostitute camp? A pity Maiden Jiang is absent, otherwise shed teach these young punks a lesson. Based on what our superiors said, Maiden Jiang will lead the troops from Hejian to assemble here. They will start moving at the end of the year. If everything goes smoothly, they will be here in a month. The troops also once despised females, but now they dared not raise a harsh word, especially towards the female soldiers. No one was bold enough to provoke her. Otherwise, she would ensure they would have no descendants in a minute. Her moves were cruel, her methods caused one to grip their hearts in fear. Truthfully, if not for prior trainings, they all thought they were going to die. Once these men got tainted with the women, they would surely be at a disadvantage. Kicking their crotches, poking their eyes, piercing their throats, breaking bones, pointing their middle fingers, kicking their feet, stabbing their hearts Never mind if the moves were cruel. Their speed was also rapid, and they had no chance to evade. They were gentlemen who were educated in the classics and would not resort to such underhanded means. Perhaps it never crossed their minds that in the future, the female soldiers would be more cunning. They are still too young. The lance corporal coach sighed softly. His eyes were filled with an expression like he was ready to watch a good show. Yet he never imagined, since Jiang Nongqin was absent, there would be a female soldier who could teach these new soldiers a lesson. Dian Yan was infuriated and disappointed in his heart, his rough and boorish face carried with it a strong aura of disdain. As he glared at them, they supposed that Dian Yan was picking a fight. One by one they stood up and hid amongst the crowd. Since Dian Yan was tall, he had a natural advantage over them. What are you trying to do? If you dare make a ruckus here, be careful or you may be thrown out! Dian Yan smiled coldly. He was about to say he couldnt be bothered whether he stayed or not, when a clear voice sounded from behind him. Which imbecile is boasting freely here, saying the womens troop camp is a prostitute camp? Step forward! Now! Dian Yan turned his head to check whose voice it was, only to see a tall-build, well-proportioned young lady standing nearby. She held a wooden spear in her hand, and she wore a proud, cold smile on her plain, fair face. She glanced at them coldly This person comes with animosity, Dian Yan noticed at the first instant the cruel aura, and he determined to step back. The others were unaware. Instead they stretched their necks up curiously, crowding around to see the female troop from the womens camp. Li Yun followed the situation closely. He almost spat when he saw Jiang Pengji. Did his lord refer to disguising herself as a female only to change her clothes and bun her hair into a neat hairdo? Where was the plucking of eyebrows and applying of lipstick? Did she just come out with her plain face? Where were the two bumps of protruding flesh on her chest? Where were they? Li Yun secretly had a glimpse of the lords chest, and it appeared completely flat. However, dont be quick to judge, his lord changed into female garments and styled her hair more femininely was a rather interesting phenomenonAt least, if someone was partially blind, they might mistake his lord as female. Li Yun observed from the side and waited patiently for his lord to defeat all the new troops. Wow, what a bride Seeing such attitude from her, some troops gave in, but therell always be those who are fearless. They were adamant that a womens camp was a prostitute camp and thus, they didnt need to be respected. Instead, they lived to serve men in bed Though her disposition wasnt like the average woman, they werent afraid, instead they had an indescribable feeling. Alright, alright, if Maiden insists that the womens camp is not a prostitution camp, then well change its name. What do you think? She pursed her lips, the wooden spear in her hands was being controlled by her agile fingers and she displayed a stance of martial arts with it. How about no! The instant she stopped speaking, the head of her wooden spear slapped the other man in the face. This rude wretch, why are you beating people? Her move was too sudden, that the recruit couldnt react in time. He lifted his hand to wipe his mouth and blood came back on his hand. He felt his teeth with his tongue. One felt loose. A gentle smile broke across her face, and she said, Ill not just beat you up. Ill hit you until you cant stand. They fought the dispute with words, but this was not Jiang Pengjis style. She never waited for the other party to get into position before she fought. The wooden spear in her hands was as swift as her arms; wherever it pointed, it hit precisely. The shadow of the spear seemed like it disappeared to naught. Distracted for a split second, the new soldier suffered multiple blows. He rolled on the ground in excruciating pain. After beating them up easily, she was bored. She challenged the others, Who else concurs that a womens battalion is a prostitution camp? The other recruits saw her smug face, they inevitably became furious. Is it not? It was originally a prostitution camp Jiang Pengji laughed sinisterly while holding her wooden spear, saying, Do your bones itch now? Do you want a beating? Chapter 474 - Where Were The Talents? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Those few recruits were also gangsters. Their skins were shamelessly as thick as the wall, and they all had stubborn personalities. After hearing her ask if they were asking for a beating, some started whistling. Their posture was frivolous and disrespectful. Hahaha. Did you all hear that? This young lady boldly asked if I am so hideous that I deserve a beating. The new soldier smiled boastfully. The words her spoke were vulgar. His lewd eyes checked out Jiang Pengjis facial features and body. He opened his arms and said, I am lacking. Does this young maiden want to have sexual intercourse here? The streamer was surprisingly outwitted and assailed with obscenities. The viewers wanted to smash their keyboards out of frustration. Tumi Dalao: [Fools, this gangster dares to harbor sexual desires for the streamer! Lets take our shoes to fling and beat this guy to death!] Zhuxiaoxiao: [Where are the 150,000 livestream brothers? Join me, this general, in my quest. Each of us will spit and drown this imbecile!] Jinri Wugeng: [This cannot be tolerated. The streamer is my goddess. Where did this social misfit appear from? He dares to flirt with the goddess? If I dont cut off the root of your descendants, you cursed rubbish wont know my formidability. Streamer, dont go light on him. Strike this man on his face! Put it on my account if he is beaten to death!] Compared to the aggravated emotions from the viewers, Jiang Pengji didnt react. She maintained her cold expression. Only her eyes turned somewhat sinister as she said, Tsk, then you better have the stamina and not give up halfway. As she finished her speech, the wooden spear in her hands sprung forth like lightning. The spear avoided his body and only brushed by as an arc across the corner of his eye. Clap! The spear rebounded and decisively and forcefully hit him. Without waiting for the other party to respond, the left side of face was already swollen. Block, seize, slide, raise, and twist This spear techniques blocked all forms of escape with boldness and strength. Her attacks came consecutively like fine rain smashing on her enemys body. Not long after, his entire head had multiple swellings. He could only protect his head with his hands and relentlessly ask for mercy. She swept the wooden spear and tripped him. His body seemed like a kite string that broke. He fell backward, rolling around. He fell until his head was pounding in pain. In the end, he even swallowed a mouthful of sand and brittle rocks. Two other recruits were consecutively tripped by Jiang Pengji and fell to the ground. The majority had the idea of surrendering and regretted what they had said. Laughing and sneering at them, Jiang Pengji said, Tsk, Tsk, are there only these few useless ones in the new recruits camp? She seldom wore her anger on her face. It didnt mean she was not angry. She just liked to bide her time to think of a comeback. In certain areas, her tolerance was less than the head of the needle. Wretched one, who are you scolding as rubbish? a soldier asked. The others were provoked and felt raged in their hearts. They were the ones who considered the womens camp a prostitute camp. Some of the others retreated to the side away from the battleground in case they got implicated. It was eye-opening for Dian Yan. Jiang Pengji easily overcame the advances from the two recruits. It impressed him. His liking for her instantly soared. Why dont you go outside and ask whether a womens camp refers to a prostitution camp? a recruit asked. It is polite to address it as a prostitution camp. Dont be so thick-skinned when Ive already given you face. Exactly, fighting wars is the responsibility of grown men, unless you imagined that since you joined the womens troops you will really get to battle at wars, another recruit said. This is hilarious. Either you obediently stay and wait on the men or be good and return to serve your man at home. Seriously, did you really think since you can play with a spear youd be able to fight at battlefields? Relax, all of us brothers will support your business, the first recruit said. Well help you understand better whats a womens camp is like! As if she didnt hear anything, Jiang Pengji used the tip of her leg to kick the newbies head, revealing a purple, huge sore akin to a pigs face. She mockingly asked, Didnt you mention you had stamina? Are you giving up so quickly? That new soldier only felt his whole body in pain. He couldnt get up. His felt utterly embarrassed. She lifted his head mercilessly and said, The battleground consists of only those alive and those dead. Never before were men and women differentiated. All you weaklings. You have yet to lift an ounce of weight, so how dare you boast of wanting to kill your enemies at war? Why not just convert the new recruits camp into a male prostitution camp. That way, you dont need to whimper about journeying to the battlefield. Instead, youll obediently lie on the bed to serve your fellow brothers and sisters dutifully, and we can save time, energy and thought. What do you think? Do you like this suggestion? What nonsense! Liyun almost choked on his own saliva. The viewers in the livestream room were jumping with excitement. Streamer, your ability to set off landmines has increased by a notch. Some of the lance corporal coaches saw this. They wanted to step forth to stop them. However, Liyun held them back, saying, Dont step forward, just continue watching. The lance corporal coach looked on worriedly. His mind was filled with troubled thoughts. What a joke. His lord seems to be having fun. If anyone without self-awareness interrupts, arent they asking for trouble? This, this Big brother Li, if we ignore this, will they create a big commotion? he asked. Their superiors gave them the responsibility to coach the new recruits. This was a heavy responsibility, and they were very motivated to do the job well. Hearing head coach Mengs revelations, if they taught the new recruits well, not only would they be promoted, they would also be freed from the bondage of their slave records. Additionally, their placement among the troops would be maintained, and they would get to retain all their benefits. Other rewards were secondary. It would be most attractive if their names could be erased from the slave deed. As their lords troops, they would get to enjoy better benefits. The majority also desperately desired to work hard with their blood and sweat for their lord. Yet, the troops were also a form of servant, and they held a slave deed. If they got married and had children, their descendants would also be registered as a slave. They didnt have to consider for themselves, but they had to plan for future generations. After hearing such a good deal, which troop would not be moved? It was such a rare opportunity. Thus, all the officers almost grabbed at the chance. After a heated competition among the troops, they emerged as the cream of the crop. The others were envious and jealous of them. They treasured this opportunity greatly. Each of them used the most stringent attitude to train the new troops. The training almost cost the troops their lives. This had reaped good results until this crucial moment. Liyun noticed the worried expression on the faces of the lance corporal coaches. His cold demeanor melted somewhat, revealing some warmth. He said, Dont worry, that female troop is our lord disguising herself as a female with the purpose of teaching these guys a lesson. His words was a huge revelation. The coaches were appalled. They stared with their jaws dropped thinking, That boastful female troop is the lord disguised as a female? If you didnt mention it, their lord wearing female attire truly has a valiant and formidable air. Her posture when she hit them just now was decisive and swift. Liyun said, Just wait and watch the show. They were relieved. Soon, their joy increased to the point where they rejoiced in the misery of others. We will follow what Older Brother Li has said to sit back and watch the show, a lance corporal coach said. His lord formed the female troops with her might. Now, she had even set up a camp for then. The determination in her heart was evident. Still, someone was insensitive. He stepped forward and offended the lord by purposely going against her. These new recruits were bold, but they were also good. Chapter 475 - Where Were The Talents? (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Having been mocked by her, the recruits were immensely angered until their faces turned black. Lifting their hands, they wished to seize her and beat her to death. She curled the side of her lips into. She got her footing wrong, but she still managed to avoid them by going sideways. With her left hand, she grabbed the critical part of his wrist and violently pulled him downward with support from her knees. A shout of excruciating pain boomed loud and clear. She positioned her body, lifted her legs, and kicked him into the crowd. Concurrently, some new soldiers were also pushed and fell. With a swift movement of the wooden spear in her hands, she went around to evade. She grabbed someones wrist easily and threw him flat on the ground. The wooden spear sprung forward hitting her enemies who rushed forward like bees out of their comb. Although it was a light wooden spear, it felt like they were being hit with a heavy stone. Their bodies uncontrollably stepped back and leaned backward, making them lose their center of gravity. The wooden spear bounced back following the flow of energy. Jiang Pengji consecutively striked with her spear. They couldnt react in time, so it hit their calves. This caused them to temporarily feel their muscles go numb, so they were unable to stand up. With her agility their surprise attack from behind missed hitting her. It was as if there were eyes behind her. Her long spear moved. She fought with a sweeping motion from behind, almost slapping them in the face and leaving behind a reddish mark. Bang! Bang! One voice shouted amid the chaos, Grab the wooden spear from this womans hand! Without the weapon in hand, could she still be so powerful? Liyun heard this and helplessly covered his face with his hands. He thought that even if they wished for death, this was not the way. He was aware of how skillful his Langjun was with her spear techniques. Some of them were even taught by him. He was certain that Langjun had never learned martial arts involving spears in the past. At most, she only knew it superficially. By only relying on her fighting abilities, she could use any weapon available to her advantage. Be it a spear or a war halberd, they were just weapons to injure others. There was no difference to her. The wooden spear actually hindered the unleashing of her true potential. Without it, the soldiers would just surrender more decisively because their lord had natural god-like powers. She was strong enough to lift a cauldron or even chase a tiger across mountain streams. Liyun thought, Did they really think a skilled person uses a weapon to boost their prowess? Its possible that they imposed inhibitions on themselves. They all narrowed in on her wooden spear, so she might as well abandon it and fight directly with her hands. He raised his hands to pinch his brows and stepped back to avoid the fighting arena. He didnt have the heart to see the battle turning in favor of one. The lance corporal coaches seemed to be transported back in time when they were youths. They were fortunate enough to be abused as such by their lord, so their hearts felt distressed. Wu! She hit the recruit in the nose. His nose bridge immediately became crooked. With one hand, Jiang Pengji grabbed his collar. With the other, she caught the belt around his waist, lifted him up easily, and threw him off in the presence of the others. Tsk, tsk, if these new soldiers are not given some discipline, theyll probably become rebellious! Peng! Peng! Peng! Except for the monotonous sound of her fists and legs aiming straight for their bodies, the soldiers groaning sound was endless. Your highness, please let me off! I wont dare to do this again! Your highness, please spare my life! Your servant will never associate the female camp with prostitution again. Even if someone beats me to death, I will keep mum, have mercy on me. Wu, wu, wu Please stop hitting me Your highness, I will call you my ancestor. Please dont hit me anymore! Wu, wu, wu, I must have been blind and sprouted nonsense Your highness, please treat what I said as fart Having been beaten into a pulp, they were in excruciating pain. One by one they cried desperately for forgiveness. Yet, what use was there to beg for mercy now? If asking for forgiveness was effective, what use was her fist! Youve just said something you shouldnt, now swallow them back! Jiang Pengji laughed coldly and sneered. Based on your abilities, do you dare to claim a share in the action with the women troops? At the battlefield, are both your legs able to stand straight and charge forward? I will reiterate, during wars, there are only the living and the dead. Theres no division of male or females. The women troops can also be rewarded for their contributions and conquer the lands. As for you, if you go with the flow, youre as mad as dogs. If you decide to go against the flow, youll betray your comrades. Your legs can run faster than anyone! At this moment, your guts and pride, with your boasting about your courage here, is all empty talk! Some of the new soldiers were in excruciating pain. Their tears flowed freely. They laid flat on the ground and couldnt stand up. They were completely clueless as to how she beat people up. Wherever they were hit by her, that spot felt paralyzed. She was but a maiden, yet she almost took down the entire recruit camp singlehandedly. Their dignity as men was completely lost, even up to their ancestors generation. Without even looking at them, Jiang Pengji said to the coaches, Did you see that? The few coaches instantly became nervous. They straightened their postures. Their backs were as straight as a pole. They replied in unison, We have seen clearly. Jiang Pengji wore a stern expression. Her eyes were incomparably sharp as she said, These men dont only lack in character but also in training. I believe its because the training for new recruits is too slack, giving them free time and energy to debate and be busybodies. In the future, all training will increase exponentially, and they are to be trained until they cannot stand up. After hearing this, they all felt their hair follicles go numb. Isnt the training enough? Feeling secretly terrified, the soldiers who were violently pushed thought of finding an opportunity to escape. She added, If anyone escapes camp without a valid reason, he will be dealt with as an escapee based on military rules. In this army camp set up by her, the internal rules were strictly enforced. Jiang Pengji understood very well that ensuring strict compliance to rules was important to soldiers. It became more apparent in the absence of laws, when things would run amok. Even if they were illiterate, they were forced to understand some military rules. In their test, they had to memorize them fluently. There werent many rules. One rule was regarding soldiers who escaped. It stated that they would be killed without pardon. She smirked coldly. Dont think that all is well after escaping. You can escape for a moment but not forever. These new soldiers were recruited from Xiangyang district. Their foundations were local, so they didnt have anywhere else to escape. As she was searching for the wooden spear, she saw the black-faced strongman snatching the weapon back. She asked, What is your name? He answered, It is Dian Yan. For a child from a poor family, having a decent name was good enough. To possess a courtesy name, such an elegant belonging was almost non-existent. Jiang Pengji picked up her wooden spear. She faced him and said, Dian Yan? I will remember that name. She got some lance corporal coaches to clean up the camp while she continued to wear a sunken face. Just beating up the new recruits was not enough. She also had to publicize this news officially to clarify the rumors and misunderstandings regarding women troops. Thinking of this, she missed Jiang Nongqin even more. If she was placed in command of the womens camp, there would be fewer troubles. She went to change out of a womans armor into one for males before turning on the live streaming. Qianzai Youduole: [Streamer, from today onward, you are my dear goddess. You are so charming when youre badass.] Mengzhudalao Qiufangguo: [Whats the use of being charming? She isnt going to come over and marry me.] Chapter 476 - Where Were The Talents (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio My lord! Liyun rushed forward from behind. His face was filled with apprehension. That Dian Yan is capable, Jiang Pengji said. When the training phase for new recruits ends, send him to serve by my side. Liyun was surprised and thought, Send him to serve by the lords side? Is this a sign for investing energy to groom Dian Yan? He replied, Yun will do as you say. Jiang Pengji walked two strides forward. Liyun continued to follow behind. She turned toward him and asked, Why did you follow after me? Is the training for new recruits over? Liyun cautiously said, My lord, those new recruits are injured and in a sorry state. Should we still continue with the training today? One after another was lying on the ground groaning in pain. They looked extremely pathetic. Liyun was kind-hearted, thus he considered giving the soldiers a half-day break. Additionally, training in winter demanded immense energy. If their minds and bodies werent fully recovered, and if they didnt get enough rest, they would not be able to persevere to the end. In a sarcastic tone, Jiang Pengji said, Your lord knows the limits in dealing with them. Otherwise, those lying down would be countless corpses already. Should I suffer with their groans and sighs pestering me? The injuries they sustained are only scary to look at. In fact, other than the pain, there are no other issues. They will not cost them their lives. If she had used her true prowess, she could have easily torn those frail bodies apart. Liyun felt a lot more relieved. The incident at the new recruits camp quickly spread to the government office. Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang were quite curious about it. Xu Ke pinched his lower chin and stroked his short beard. With a smile he said, I wonder what the lord looks like when disguised as a female. Meng Hun happened to be at the government office to collect documents and bamboo writings. After overhearing what Xu Ke said, his mind inevitably displayed a vision of Jiang Pengji in a womans outfit with her eyebrows drawn and lipstick on, watery and pitiful big eyes, a gentle tone when speaking She even took small demure steps when walking Meng Hun was so terrified he quivered. Qiguan Rang sneered at him as felt for the around the table he felt for shelled peanuts that were fried in oil and boiled with salt. He cruelly said, How our lord looked, even if she wore fairy-like apparel, once men saw that face, theyd probably be frightened until their spirits were scattered all over. They wont harbor any alluring desires. Why cant you be more open-minded? Xu Ke pushed himself forward. He stretched his hands and grabbed one of Qiguan Rangs shelled peanuts. He put into his mouth and chewed. It tasted quite good. What you said is correct, he said. That face of our lord I cant imagine it. Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang joined hands to incur the frustration felt by Jiang Pengji. Without noticing that, Feng Jin and Wei Ci both kept silent. Of course, even they discovered that point, they would probably be apathetic because they didnt appear to be people who would backstab their lord. They were gentlemen, and gentlemen dont gossip behind peoples backs. Silently, Feng Jin and Wei Ci glanced at each other before quickly looking elsewhere. They both were skeptical about each others reactions, wondering if perhaps Zixiao knew something. This was one of the rare occasions when Jiang Pengji graced the government office. She noticed the weird expressions on the faces of Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang and commented, What expression is this? I heard news that the lord bashed up the new recruits. Qiguan Rang smiled as he spoke. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes, understanding why these people were secretly smiling. Confessing without hesitation, she said, Yes, your lord even changed into the garments for the womens troops and beat the hell out of those bastards who all disobeyed. Controlling his laughter, Qiguan Rang used a somber tone and bowed in adoration. My lord is wise. She jeered at them. Qiguan Rangs act could fool the others but surely not her eyes. She turned and looked at Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke as she sat in the chairmans seat, Dont you wish to see your lord disguised as a female? Qiguan Rangs brows raised as an unsettling premonition arose in his heart. He honestly replied, Of course we wish to. With one hand, she propped her chin. With her other hand, she tapped the table like she was rather bored. She finally said, The new year is drawing near. Since youre not going to return home for a reunion with your family, why not have a gathering at the government office and spend the new year together. We all yearn for a bustling new year, so lets play a game. Each of us will disguise ourselves. The males will dress as females while the females will dress as males. How about that? Qiguan Rang remained silent thinking that the lord was too slack. Nanshan Difuling: [Hahaha, I dont submit to anyone but the streamer. Why are you so quick-witted?] Zizai Xiaoyao: [The streamer who disguises herself as a male suggests for everyone to cross-dress. Streamer, this business deal is not to your disadvantage.] Xiangnaier: [With regards to cross-dressing, I am looking forward to beauty Cis female disguise. He will certainly be as heavenly as the fairies.] They knew she was just joking, but Qiguan Rang felt the need to explain in case she really implemented her idea. Pinching his beard, which he spent a lot of effort maintaining, he laughed at himself. My lords suggestion is rather intriguing, he said. Its only because we dont wish to scare the gods and Buddha away, dissipating the luck for next year. This plan should be set aside for another time. Please look at Rangs face. Even if I put on make-up and adorn female apparel, I will not look like a woman. She curled her lips and smiled as she shook her head. She turned and asked Feng Jin, On New Years evening, does Huaiyu intend to hold a night vigil with Jingxian at home? Changsheng is already almost 8 months old. Jingxian has been staying home to care for Changsheng. She must be so bored. Why not bring her along for the gathering at the government office? It will be livelier with more people. Feng Jin considered it carefully and replied, I am moved by the lords suggestion. However, I have to seek Jingxians opinion. Although Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke were married, their wives were not by their side. If they returned home to spend the new year, it would be bleak. Regarding Jiang Pengjis suggestion to hold the new year celebration for all to gather and spend the new year together, they naturally didnt have much opinion on it. It would be acceptable except for the fact that she raised the topic of cross-dressing. The government office was granted time off work two days in advance. The entire Xiangyang district was lively and bustling with the new year atmosphere. If one visited the night market, one would see that the peoples faces were brimming with sincere, relaxed smiles. Eateries, teahouses, and other such shops closed during the festive seasons. This made Zhang Ping troubled. He was extremely hungry. He went out searching for food to eat but to no avail. After returning, he heard movements outside. He looked outside and saw Wei Ci, who was tightly wrapped up, walking slowly toward the courtyard. The government office is beginning our break from today, Wei Ci said as he took off his wooden clogs and entered the main hall. He discovered the charcoal basin in the hall had already been extinguished for a lengthy time. He remembered that there was plenty of charcoal in the mansion. He figured that Zhang Ping, who was frustrated with the wooden blocks, forgot the timing. He was unaware even when the charcoal basin was extinguished. Here, I brought you this. Wei Ci took out a warm item from his sleeve that was tightly wrapped. Within it contained the braised chicken drumstick he took from the district headquarters kitchen. Zhang Ping took it and laughed. Zixiao knows me best. Chapter 477 - Where Were the Talents? (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A burst of aromatic smell of meat escaped the layer of leaf wrapped around it and permeated the air. It assailed peoples noses, making them drool. The eateries are already starting to close. I know that you wont be able to find a place to eat today. Wei Ci ignited a few charcoal braziers. He only took off the thick fur cloak covering his body when the room temperature had risen slightly. I wonder when the eateries will reopen Zhang Ping asked while eating. He did not care about the rule of not speaking while one ate. They should be open on the fifth day. Wei Ci had no clue about the specific day either. This was just his speculation. The government office would be closed two days in advance, making it a total of seven days. By calculating the duration, the eateries outside might reopen for business on the fifth day. During this period of time, Zhang Ping could not buy food anywhere. Ill go to the broker house tomorrow to hire a woman who can cook and do my laundry Zhang Ping said that he was going to get one the other time, but he had yet to go there. Wei Ci looked somewhat hesitant. Even Zhang Ping, who was somewhat slow-witted, could sense his strageness. Go ahead and say it if theres anything you want to tell me. Theres no need to prevaricate. Wei Ci replied with a sigh, Have you ever thought of staying in Xiangyang District? Zhang Ping frowned. He was not stupid. Of course, he could understand that Wei Ci was recruiting him on behalf of his master. You know very well about my personality. I cant stand government affairs the most. If I were to stay in the government office all day long like you and deal with a bunch of vulgar people, I wont be able to stand it. Zhang Ping was considered to have rejected his offer already. Some people had the ambition to pacify the whole country and restore its peace and tranquility, like Wei Ci. On the other hand, some people muddled along. No matter how chaotic the outside world was, they only liked to indulge in their own world, like Zhang Ping. Everyone had their own aspirations and they could not be forced. Wei Ci smirked. The personality of the lord may suit you. Zhang Ping raised her eyebrows and responded, Oh? How so? Youve studied all kinds of siege and defense weapons. Coincidentally, the lord has also done so. Wei Ci spoke measuredly. He was not at all worried that Zhang Ping would not be convinced. For someone like Zhang Ping, no other master could suit him more other than Jiang Pengji. Wei Ci knew her well. What she was best at was neither fighting nor paying lip service, but using people. Take Zhang Ping as an example: he was not proficient in government affairs, but he was obsessed with the parts of mechanisms. He was quite talented and clever in designing and manufacturing. If so, it was impossible that Jiang Pengji would let Zhang Ping handle too much government affairs. She would most probably assign him to the woodworking shop and establish a relevant department to specialize in this aspect. Then, she would oppress and exploit him to death. However, not only would Zhang Ping, who was enthusiastic about mechanisms, not be resentful, he would be happy to be oppressed and exploited instead. He was typically the kind of person who would help someone count their cash when they were actually being sold. Zhang Ping would not be convinced that easily. After all, no one knew how much he had bluffed. Let me show you something. Its not too late for you to decide after seeing it. Wei Ci took a roll of bamboo paper from his sleeve. The roll of bamboo paper had not been cut and it was very big. After unfolding it slowly, its surface was filled with weird objects drawn with carbon blocks. Laymen could not understand it, but as a Mohist scholar, Zhang Ping was the most sensitive about it. He almost wanted to dash forward and grab it. Zhang Ping looked at the design sketch of the catapult carefully. The more he looked at it, the brighter his eyes shone. Suppressing the excitement in his voice, he asked, Who drew this? The lord drew it herself. Shes curious about the Mohists. However, she only learned Confucianism due to the deep influence of her family. Zhang Ping was so fascinated by it that he only sighed with pity after a while. What a waste. It was a pity that an excellent, young successor for the Mohists had entered Confucianism in vain. What was more of a pity was that it was impossible for Jiang Pengji to study in peace with her current status. Such brilliant talent and cleverness were a wash. Wei Ci smiled coyly and asked him gently, Have you agreed? Zhang Ping wanted to roll his eyes and refused to accept. Ive really suffered a huge loss this time. Had he known that such a fraud was waiting for him, Zhang Ping would not have followed Wei Ci to the north no matter what. With a kind look on his face, Wei Ci spoke in an awkward tone, There are still a lot of more complex drawings of weapons in the lords study The lord only reluctantly agreed to let me take the drawing that youre holding after I spoke to her in a kindly manner If youre curious about the other drawings, I wont be able to help you even if Id like to. In fact, Wei Ci only asked Jiang Pengji if she had something that could entice the Mohists. She had given him the drawing willingly. Zhang Ping snapped angrily, Wei Zixiao, youre a sinister one too. Even such shameless means were used to recruit people. Did he not know that he could not ignore this kind of temptation? The smile on Wei Cis face did not fade. It only broadened. The lord is going to hold a New Years banquet. Would you like to come with me? Zhang Ping was still a little dejected. He responded, No. Wei Ci replied, Theres no grain supply at home. Are you planning to starve yourself until the fifth day when the eateries reopen for business? Zhang Ping did not speak a word. He was really speechless this time. Speaking of this, he suddenly remembered something. How did Wei Ci have his meals during this period of time? Zhang Ping blurted the question. Wei Ci answered, Theres a special little kitchen in the government office. The meals are usually pretty good. The standard of living of the people rose, especially after Wei Ci came. Even Qiguan Rang and the others grumbled that they basked in the light of Wei Ci. This was because Wei Ci was a patient, so he had to take good care of his body. The food he ate naturally had to be fine and balanced in nutrition. Jiang Pengji learned from the audience in the streaming room and applied it immediately. She went to make a pot and other tableware. She taught the chef how to stir-fry with oil and how to add seasonings to make the food more delicious. The audience in the streaming room only then realized how backward the food and drinks in the streamers world were! Food was just simply cooked in that era. How could they bear it? The seasonings used were at most salt and pepper. There was no pan for stir-frying! A lot of food was just boiled in hot water, tasteless foods like blanched cabbage with a little salt Oh. Now that it was winter, no cabbage was available at all. Not to mention methods such as steaming, stir-frying, quick-frying, roasting, sauting, pan-frying, braising, stewing, deep-frying, simmering, mixing As for the eight major cuisines and the country that had 5000 years of history as mentioned by the audience in the streaming room, one did not even have to hope for it. Even if Jiang Pengji did not pay attention to the taste of food, she became somewhat gluttonous after being teased by the audience in the streaming room. Therefore, it was excusable for Wei Ci to grow slightly fatter during this period of time. Just like the marinated drumsticks that Wei Ci secretly brought home that day, they were cooked after Jiang Pengjis several experiments with the chef and by wasting a lot of ingredients. The marinade had already made Feng Jin unwilling to go home and he would just eat in the kitchen in the government office. Even so, the viewers in the streaming room were still picky and felt that she was not eating well. Guixia Hanbaba: Sigh. Poor streamer. I feel like ordering a cross-dimensional takeaway to widen your horizon. Zuihou Yigeng: Hello, is this Huangji Shanzhuang? Wheres the braised chicken rice that Ive ordered? Haoqi Changcun: Poor streamer. Ive just ordered potato and beef on rice. Ill let you smell it. Chapter 483 - Spring Ploughing (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Looking at Shangguan Wans stern side profile, Jiang Nongqin sighed. It was too cruel when a womans growth had to rest on pain. After a short rest, the troops continued on their journey. After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Xiangyang District had returned to its normal state from the New Year celebrations. Shops like restaurants and tea houses opened for business one after another. The people in the district headquarters had also begun to actively prepare for the war after the spring plowing. The training for the new recruits had become increasingly strict. Soldiers and horses also had to be recruited everywhere at the same time. In other words, the subordinates were still working overtime. As the lord, Jiang Pengji was still fooling around. However, there was another person fooling around with her. He was Zhang Ping of the Mohists. Everything went smoothly. Jiang Pengji initially grumbled that there were actually no Mohist scholars around and wondered if they had gone extinct. Then, Zhang Ping came to her. After observing Zhang Ping carefully, she realized that he was very talented and that he was a diamond in the rough.Read the next chapter on our novelhall.com Zhang Ping would be with her all day long, and she would teach him about the matters of the woodworking workshop. I really admire your surrealist innovations For a homebody who was obsessed with the designs of mechanisms, what was more attractive than a variety of model kits? Jiang Pengji took him to look around at various models of siege weapons. After her screening and training, the woodworkers of the woodworking workshop were already able to produce some simple models of the equipment according to the drawings. These models were not for display. If it was scaled up, it would be the real siege weapon. Zhang Ping did not know that besieging and defending a city could work this way. It was very interesting. The interest of Zhang Ping, who initially acted indifferently, was now aroused. How could one make the defending party defend a city at the lowest cost? How could one make the besieging party besiege a city at the lowest cost? Such questions filled his mind. He even cast the waterwheel which he studied some time ago aside. Had Jiang Pengji not seen his things inadvertently, who knew when the waterwheel could be brought to light again. Whats this? Jiang Pengji poked the waterwheel model. Did you make this? Startled, Zhang Ping replied with a smile, Yes. The farmers struggle with irrigation, so I thought about how to save manpower and make the irrigation of farmlands more convenient. However, Ive tried it several times, but I always fail. Its too unstable, but I dont know what the problem is. Zhang Pings ambition was to be a hermit and a lofty scholar and a live a leisurely life. His research path was also inclined to peoples livelihood, unlike Jiang Pengji. Except for the improved farming tools at the initial stage, she studied on weapons used in warfare. Jiang Pengji said, Ill have a look. Waterwheels were indeed a bold design. It seemed very normal to the audience in the streaming room, but it was a true wonder for the world of the day. If Zhang Pings research was successful, and it was implemented and employed, many people would benefit from it. Jiang Pengji was very concerned about the peoples livelihood, so she certainly hoped that the waterwheel could be successful. In addition to the waterwheel, Zhang Ping also had a pulley system for fetching water. It had already been around for a long time, but it was not widely used. Zhang Ping intended to use it to fetch water. His explanation was also very simple. Some people lived in the mountains, but the rivers were at the foot of the mountain. One had to go down the mountain to fetch water. It would take time and effort. However, if the pulley was installed and the vat was tied with a hemp rope, it could be thrown downwards from the top of the mountain. It would be convenient and effort-saving. It could also be installed on wells. It would make it easier for people to fetch water. Its indeed a good idea Jiang Pengji nodded in agreement. She did not care about how it should be set up on the mountain. It could be installed on wells instead. Based on the files in the district headquarters, cases of drowning in wells that were recorded in several files stated that the deceased accidentally fell into the wellhead when they were fetching water because the vat was too heavy, which caused their center of gravity to move forward. They died just like that. If it was installed at the wellhead, the people could fetch water safely just by squatting beside the well, which would largely increase the safety factor. During winter, Feng Jin and the others watched Zhang Ping indifferently as he was keeping busy like a bee. He took the woodworkers from the workshop to install pulleys on the wells in Xiangyang District and carefully taught the people how to use them. It was during the wintry 12th lunar month. What kind of temptation could make a hermit living in seclusion do such tough work willingly? Why are you looking at me like that? Jiang Pengji comfortably sipped some hot tea to warm her body and planned to dry some fruits the following year, so that she could use them to make tea during winter. When she looked up, her subordinates looked at her mysteriously. Jiang Pengji felt somewhat eerie. Have the improved variety of seeds for spring plowing been distributed? Have the farming tools been allotted? Have the cattle been allocated? Have the statistics of the farmland of various households been done? Why are you looking at me when these tasks havent been completed? Go to work! Everyone snickered coldly in their hearts. Then, they immersed themselves in hard work. They had never seen such a brazen person! The person was actually their lord! Wei Ci was probably the only one who was immune to the weirdness. Ever since he decided to push Zhang Ping into the fire pit, he knew that such a day would come. As a friend, he did not want Zhang Pings talents to be buried in the mountains. In todays world, one could not be safe just by escaping. With such an opinion, Wei Ci filtered the suitable candidates with ease and justification. He planned to attack Fengyi County after spring plowing and send some letters to his friends. As a patient who was still recovering, he could not work for too long. He could not bear to watch his colleagues work all day long. The only way was to find someone to share the workload. There was an extreme shortage of talents. If it was not for Zhang Pings incapability in government affairs, he would make him work for him. The workload in the government office was pretty heavy. The only thing worthy of praise was the food cooked in the small kitchen. I love vinegar-braised pork the most. Its sweet and sour. I really dont know how the lord has managed to find such a good chef. The food I used to eat now seems like straw in comparison. Ten small plates containing four to five mouthfuls of dishes were placed on the table in front of Xu Ke. Although they were all meat dishes, there were two bowls of vegetarian soup, which were extremely delicious. Feng Jin secretly agreed with his statement. He surreptitiously patted his somewhat bloated belly under the cover of his sleeves. The food was too heavenly. They would die to eat three meals a day in the district headquarters. Only tasty food could wipe out their resentment for working overtime. Jiang Pengjis food was no different from that of her subordinates. However, she had a huge appetite, so her meal servings were three to four times more than that of others. I just remembered something, Jiang Pengji said. Why dont we open an eatery in secret? Everyone was drinking tea and digesting after their meals. They tensed up upon hearing Jiang Pengjis mischievous suggestion. Wei Ci responded gently, Why would that thought occur to you? Those in power should not compete with the people for benefit. Otherwise, how could peoples businesses survive upon the integration of power and business? If their lord took the lead in doing so, the mentality in the future would not be easily controlled. People will always die when there are wars. The soldiers are dead, but their families are still alive. They may have old mothers and young children at home. In todays world, women should be encouraged to remarry, live, and multiply. Widows shouldnt spend the rest of their lives in vain. However, if the widows remarry, the old mothers and young children left behind will be left uncared for Jiang Pengji explained. Well open an eatery wherever we have wars in the future. 70 percent of the proceeds will be used to take care of orphans and widows. The remaining 30 percent will be used for the kitchens operations What do you think? Chapter 484 - Spring Ploughing (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How do they feel about it? Jiang Pengjis suggestion was undoubtedly a feel-good weapon. If the degree of fondness could be quantified, perhaps she could see that her subordinates liking for her had soared to the highest level of wholehearted loyalty. No matter what happened in the future, they would not easily have a change of heart. She thought it through, then added, If we open an eatery, we must engage a waiter, someone to be the head chef in the kitchen, and another to oversee as the innkeeper. A midsize eatery must employ at least 20 or 30 people. The orphans and widows or soldiers who became handicapped as a result of war and lost their livelihood, they can have a means to feed their family. After all, if they are tasked to plough the land, it is asking for too much. In response to Jiang Pengjis words, they all were touched. Wei Cis expression became lost as he delved deep into his memories. To fight for the rights of the people, she would be subjected to castigation. But the money she earned was all used to support orphans made so by wars. How about those elderly who had none to support them? Moreover, those who became handicapped because of war, after they left the war zone, what were they left with to support themselves? This problem was evident in Wei Cis memories. Besides the person before him, there was no other leader that took these issues seriously.Read the next chapter on our novelhall.com Many lords and masters just handed work to their subordinates to win a compassionate and humane name for themselves. When their reputation was well-known, they would have achieved their goal. As for how things would unfold, no one had the energy to care. This led to a situation after some time, when the hype disappeared, the silvers for retirement that were made public were slowly being diminished, and in the end what was left for the widows and orphans were a pathetic few coins. However, the Emperor viewed this differently. She really took measures to make it happen. Although she did it best, her reputation was the worst. Why was that so? Wei Ci looked at Jiang Pengji in a daze. Because this persons temperament was too free-spirited and proud. Whoever coveted the coins meant for retirement, she was responsible for arresting them. This would deter greedy people from amassing tens or hundreds of silvers then returning it. Her stance was firm that whoever dared to pay lip service but oppose in secret, no exception would be tolerated, and they would end up beheaded. Unfortunately, those people had articulate mouths that could rationalize anything. They tarnished her reputation behind her back. How about the Emperor? My time is precious, and I dont care to argue with insignificant beings. In this century, he was deemed the most calculating. During the time when Wei Ci was stunned, Feng Jin had paid his respects and bowed in reverence. The lords action has truly displayed your loving-kindness. Jin will surely support you whole-heartedly. If any generals or soldiers pass on, the other orphans and widows will have mutual support and be provided for. Those soldiers who are handicapped will be taken care of at the camp. If this works out, the generals can be at complete peace and not have worries when they go to war. This action, to Feng Jin and the rest, was kind and humane. But from her perspective it was a given. Her generals worked for her with their lives, so naturally, she must be worthy of their loyalty. Feng Jin and the rest were filled with emotions as they saw how she has matured. A conversation broke out among the viewers in the live streaming room. Laosiji Lianmeng: I have been following since the start of this livestream, and looking back, the streamer has indeed matured a lot. It isnt that she was bad in the past, except she was too stubborn and self-centered. Now, she increasingly has the makings of a virtuous lord, and shes getting closer to meet the qualities of an outstanding ruler. It is a blessing to the people in a chaotic world. Qianzai Poqile: I hope that when Im old, I can continue to follow the livestream with my grandchildren. They will learn of how extraordinary the streamer is. Although shes just Jiang the exploiter, she led a group of people to conquer the world so the people could have a peaceful life Heiheihei, streamer, you must not let my expectations of you down. Nimenzhexie Qinshou: If I am a citizen, having the streamer to protect me like that, it will surely be an extremely blissful event. Buting Buting: I believe the streamer will become a truly worthy and legendary Emperor, there is none before or after her! Wangba Nianjing: Hopefully in my lifetime, I can witness the lord ascend the throne and reign supreme in the realm. The live streaming room was filled with high praises for her. Even Jiang Pengji, who had skin as thick as the wall, felt somewhat abashed. Since this is so, I will get someone to organize the meal menu. She contemplated, then spoke reluctantly, The profits from this eatery business will go to supporting the orphans and widows. It will start off as a small business, without much profit, the others will not be interested. In future, we will set up more of these and together with these unique flavors and dishes, the eaterys business will grow, the profits will also increase with such implementations I am rather worried though If it only had a few coins worth of profit, who would be enticed? Yet how to count strings of tens of thousands of coins easily, or even hundreds of thousands? Jiang Pengji didnt think anyone would not be moved. Li Yun was rather naive. From his viewpoint, no matter how well an eatery business went it would go nowhere. However much the profit was, how high could it really be? Moreover, the eatery wasnt even open yet, yet the lord was already worried others would become greedy and steal the coins. He asked, These profits will go to those orphans and widows that the soldiers who die at war left behind as compensation which beast will blatantly stretch his hands in greed? Wei Ci smiled, replying, Han Mei already mentioned theyre beasts, how can they be measured similarly to common man? Ci feels that the lords concern is logical. Preparing for potential problems to ensure a smooth flow of events is prudent. Since this measure is for the good of the generals and soldiers to allow them to go to the battlefields without any worries, then this matter must not be taken lightly. Those who are greedy will be severely punished to guard the soldiers hearts from becoming disheartened What does the lord think? Naturally, Zixiaos words are wise. Jiang Pengji raised her brows, Presently, we only have Xiangyang district as a base, and the size of our eatery will be small, with fairly low profit. Using just this money to support the orphans and widows, the people might treat this as a joke. Lets do this. I will donate 20,000 strings of coins as the initial compensation amount. If this is not enough, we will top up later. Wei Cis fingers trembled; he almost didnt calm his expression in time. 20,000 strings of coins? Had his lord ever been so liberal with her money? Hadnt she always wished to transform one coin to four coins to spend? Looking around, no one seemed surprised but this was 20,000 strings of coins, not two coins! The others may not have known, but Xu Ke knew best about how rich his lords private bank was. She could give away 200,000 strings of coins, let alone 20,000. Xu Ke wondered who had asked the people along the northern borders to be so foolish. They had lots of money; those rich local women had way too much wealth and were generous in their spending. They even competed to buy glass tea sets and accessories and could not be stopped. On top of that, the sheeps wool fur business in Chongzhou was booming, and they had easily accumulated hundreds of thousands of strings of coins. The first batch of profits was mostly used to rebuild Xiangyang district, buy army provisions and armor, and for the synthesis of weaponry. The second batch of silvers were the ones which were kept in the lords personal warehouse. When she got the money in her hands, the lord generously gave each of her subordinates a big red packet. She even topped up Feng Jins daughter, Changshengs full month red packet. Her extravagance was unbelievable. If in the future, a ranking based on the wealth of a lord was set up, his lord would probably be the top ranked throughout the year. Jiang Pengji surveyed her surroundings, Then this matter shall be Initially she wanted to throw this for Luoyue to implement. After all, he was the future general in command and he could relate to the problems faced by the officers and soldiers. However, the war after the spring ploughing was at hand and taking too much of their training time was not ideal. She weighed this matter in her heart and tasked Wei Ci to oversee the effort instead. Chapter 485 - Spring Ploughing (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The matter could easily have loopholes, and it needed to be carefully implemented; only those strong in heart could withstand it. But if done well, it would generate lots of profit. At the beginning, the workload wasnt so heavy. Even Wei Ci, with his present body constitution, could cope with it. When the workload increased significantly later, he would have regained his health. More importantly, she believed Wei Ci could be trusted. He aspired to govern the realm such that he wouldnt be blinded by wealth. Wei Ci did not hesitate to take it on. In his heart, he decided on a perfect process to implement this compensatory money. Ci will not let the lord down. Combining his experiences and that years analysis of how to improve, he felt it was the best thing to do at present. Eh, 20,000 strings of coins. Remember to get Xiaoyu to write a short note. Yes. She didnt value wealth. Her private warehouse was often used as her official one and she passed it to her accountant to manage it. With regards to her attitude, Xu Ke didnt know how to react. Since ancient times, all who ascended the throne used the official treasury as their personal one. Only their lord was stubborn and deviated from that habit. It was reasonable that Jiang Pengji didnt care about these silvers, because they were all brought by the wind. Why would she feel attached to it? Speaking of which, four batches of glassware had already been sold at the northern border, and Jiang Pengji felt they could slow down their sales to whet the appetite of the rich there. After the first month of the Lunar calendar passed, the weather was still so cold, and the entire Xiangyang district had an impending sense of war approaching. The people were vaguely able to sense the changing atmosphere, and the government office continued to be busy. As the saying goes, the army provisions travel before the soldiers. A war does not involve military strength, war strategies, or a battle of wits, but it was more so a competition of who had more money in reserve. The rations, horses, weapons and machines for attacking, armor and weapons each of these items demanded a hefty amount of money. Especially the armor for defense and weapons for war, their cost was exorbitant. It was impossible for her to let her generals wear simple, plain cotton clothing and hold wooden spears to go to war. That wasnt fighting a war on the battlefield. That was a queue to talk to the King of Hell by presenting yourself to the enemies! Jiang Pengji heard Xu Ke give a rundown of the accounts, and she discreetly said poor. If only they could customize and create their armor there, on site. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. She recalled the time when she did her first planning at Xiangyang district. However, whether the iron ore mine truly existed, this was only her own opinion, and she wasnt completely certain. When the workload during that period briefly slowed down, she intended to bring men to survey. If the iron ore mine existed, it would save them a lot of money. The winter training felt like it lasted forever, and the new soldiers had adjusted to the intense training. With enough food provided, the soldiers didnt become skinnier, but instead became stronger. Once they could wear their old clothes comfortably, but now it appeared rather tight. Previously, they couldnt carry weights for three to five miles; now they could carry a log and run from the start to the end. Thats why a persons potential was like a sponge. You were sure to squeeze something out. There was no need to go soft on these boorish male soldiers during training. So long as they didnt die, they would undergo devil training. All new and experienced troops were required to undergo all kinds of physical training and military drills. The means to relay information was arcane in time past, especially at the war zone where things changed so rapidly. The battle formation could play a critical role for the troops to work together to achieve victory, for example: to mess up the enemys formation, surround and kill them, to envelope them, or strategically retreat This required strong enforcement. She would never allow her army to have any escapees. If she asks them to charge forward, they must go forth with all their might. If asked to retreat, even if the enemys head was delivered to your hands, one could not be greedy about the fruits of war. They must observe complete obedience to the rules given. Time after time, even if it was dry and dull it still trudged on. Until they developed a habit of listening to commands, they could immediately respond and be on the move. After the first month of the Lunar calendar passed, everyone in the male troops camp could obviously sense the heavy atmosphere compared to before. As the training got more intense, their meals got better. The sky was dark, once it sounded at the military camp, the soldiers must quickly get up, change and assemble at the military drill ground. At the start, most of the troops could not achieve it. As time went on, those who couldnt do it at the beginning slowly improved. Of course, they would exert their strength during training. But another important reason was that they were provoked by the hundreds of women soldiers. Since the last incident at the new soldiers camp where they were humiliated, she published an official explanation notice every other day. The people of Xiangyang district were suspicions from the start until their half-doubts were eventually assuaged later. Some families felt these ladies would impede the execution of important affairs. They determined in their hearts cruelly that they would send their burdensome daughters to the womens camp. Gradually the numbers in the womens camp increased to close to 600, and finally reached the target headcount. She didnt let someone else take over the training for the womens camp. She took it on personally. Xu Ke noticed this, and he secretly had pitiful tears for the young ladies in the female camp. He was one of the few who knew about the lords abilities to implement devastating training methods. Without doubt, the outside world frowned upon this. Even the womens camp, who bore a despised attitude formally, welcomed a hell-like life. Their training intensity was only 20 percent less than those of the male troops. This was surely cruelty to these skinny and weak young ladies! On regular days, it was easy to talk to Jiang Pengji. Yet once she entered coach mode, unless the female soldiers fainted from exhaustion or other circumstances where they could not withstand the intensity of training, she would not give them an ounce of pity. So long as they were awake, and if they could breathe, even if they must crawl, they must crawl to the very end. To love someone is to send her to a training that is deadly. This had always been Jiang Pengjis teaching philosophy. Laosiji Lianmeng: The streamers love is hard to comprehend for a child. When they are older, they will understand. Qianzai Buyaopoba: My heart aches but what the streamer said is true. Amid the chaos, no one can protect another. If you dont wish to be treated as a baby making machine, commodity item or grain reserves, these young ladies must depend on themselves to work hard and make a name for themselves. Seeing the contents in the livestream, almost all of them were crying as they were dragged by their family members. They are obviously the outcasts of their family, if they didnt suffer under the streamer, they will also be abused at home. Jintian Sangengo: I hope they can learn something from the streamer, no matter how weak the grass is, it is able to avoid being suppressed by the rock. Carrying weights when running was acceptable. They could still procrastinate and laze around along the way. The weapon training sessions were terrible. If their posture was incorrect, Jiang Pengji would use her whip to correct them. She was strict beyond measure. As the days passed, their slender arms began to show two swellings, and their arm muscles had hardened. Chapter 486 - Spring Ploughing (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What was infuriating was that soaking in the medical herbs concocted by the army camp, ones muscles were less sore such that there was no excuse for them to be lazy. Presently it was the time of heavy snow, and if they didnt want to freeze to death, they must continuously exercise to generate heat. If they fell behind the line, they might just be buried amid the snow and be frozen to death. Their lord had solemnly warned them, if anyone froze to death beneath the snow, she would not be responsible for it. One option was to lie down and freeze to death; the other was to clench ones teeth and stand up. No one wanted to die. Even the ants temporarily escaped death, let alone those young women who came from poor and suffering households. Facing situations that left them hanging between life and death during their training, everyone was especially alert and gave their best shot. Sometimes they would help each other. The philosophy was this: this time you helped me, next round I will help you. I am certain that youll get through every dark day along the way. As the training became more intense, it surely caused their appetites to increase. Once they had had small appetites. At present, eating was no different from being pursued relentlessly to undergo reincarnation. Jiang Pengji took a rather serious stance with the new soldiers. It could be considered almost cruel. Even the male soldiers who bore witness felt a cold tingle down their spines. If others could not bear to be cruel, Jiang Pengji would not have pity on them. Once these ladies were given the wrong impression that acting coquettishly and pitifully will earn you some benefits, they would not use their true abilities to work hard. On the contrary, they would become fearless. No matter how great women were, or even men, they all had an innate laziness in their bones. Jiang Pengji could not allow slothfulness to take root. Instead, she must nip it at its root. Thus, Jiang Pengji had never been soft hearted since the start. Her heart was as hard as metal. She showed no signs of gentleness. This differed from the male soldiers camp, except for foundational physical training and weaponry training. The women soldiers didnt undergo military drills. Instead of this, they learned how to administer emergency aid. She summoned one of the doctors she had hired to temporarily assume the role of lecturer. They had to pass on the emergency rescue knowledge and techniques Jiang Pengji had put together. They also had to learn foundational medical skills. From the start, the doctor felt this was impossible to achieve, but with such an enticing incentive there would eventually be a taker, so finally the doctor submitted. It was conducted daily for over two months. I believe it now This is a precedent to use females as males Since Jiang Pengji started training the new troops, more than two months had passed, and the female soldiers in the womens camp had extraordinary transformations. Their original slender figures and weak expressions has disappeared, replaced by well-proportioned, strong bodies and solemn appearances. The maidens height ranged from five to five and a half feet tall. Very few were taller; Jiang Pengji was an exception. Because these young ladies underwent intense training and had enough nutrients, they continued to grow in height. When night came, the female soldiers had more free time. With ten people in a tent, the beds were close together. Hearing a fellow maiden in the tent mumbling some complaint, the female soldier beside her also joined in. The male counterparts arent in such a sorry state, right? I have a brother at the male soldiers camp. I hear their training is much more relaxed than ours. Ten ladies kept silent momentarily. It was a strange atmosphere of silence, after a while I heard it said before that the district headquarters recruited women to the military camp to serve the males. This scared me to death They were all young, unmarried ladies, and were ignorant about male and female relations. They didnt even know what prostitution was. They were virgins. Who was willing to put themselves down and be a prostitute? A female soldier lay in her warm blanket, then faintly spoke. Nowshould we be happy or should we cry They didnt have to be prostitutes so they should rejoice, but their time thus far brought tears to their eyes for other reasons. Almost every day, they came back to their tents crawling. A group of them would huddle under the blankets and cry in pain. That lady who had spoken earlier said, I heard my brother say Tomorrow, they will give us our salaries We have salaries? They were all shocked. Why had no one told them? Yes. My brother accidentally heard it. He said everyone will receive 100 coins and two buckets of rice every month. The salary wasnt high, but since their clothing, food and drinks were all provided by the military camp, they were not considered underpaid. Is this news accurate? The others asked consecutively. It should be accurate. After all, they are soldiers too. From the lords intentions, she intends for us to deploy to the battlefield to kill enemies too. Otherwise whats the use of learning all these skills? The woman soldier spoke, and added, smiling, I heard in the camp next door, everyone receives the same salary as us. At this, a 15 or 16-year-old maiden bent her neck, and said softly, I am afraid of death. Another said, Hear these words, who doesnt fear death. When my stepmother brought me here, I thought that if I died, so be it But now, if I can fight my enemies in the war, if Im able to attain some military achievements, perhaps I will be promoted to a female general and be just like those legendary examples in all their glory. Is this alright? The soldiers salaries are the same as those men, once they earn a military achievement, why should it be different? A group of young ladies brooded silently, beginning to think it was not totally impossible. At that moment, a maiden sitting right inside the tent spoke. Id rather die on the battlefield than go home. If I return, I may be sold to some repulsive man to become his wife and get abused every day. My life will be worse off than a pig Its better to hit others, it is too painful to be beaten up Speaking of beating people up, this young lady had much to say. My sister was beaten to death by her mother-in-law. Since she married into their family, she never had a day of rest. If she ate slightly more rice, she would be slapped. If she started her chores slightly later, she was beaten severely. Then she got pregnant, and her mother-in-law continued beating her. She sprained her ankle and fell, the old evil lady claimed she was lying and eventually, my sister and her child died. But nothing happened to the old lady If I were to marry in future, whoever dares to hit me, I will take revenge even if I am lying on the ground! commented one girl fiercely. Can you fight back? Those old man have strong energy someone answered, doubtfully. I will learn well now! If one cant beat them does that mean one must be subject to the abuse of others? What if you get beaten to death? Thats enough, I cant imagine how strong you can become. If one doesnt eat enough daily, why would I fear a weakling? asked a third. Chatting before sleeping seemed to become an interesting ritual for the female soldiers. In the day, the training was intense, coupled with someone patrolling the camp at night. They quickly fell asleep. On the second day, indeed some people carried rations and copper coins over. The news boosted the morale of the women troops, and each of them received 200 coins and four buckets of rice. This was two months worth of male soldiers salary. Without waiting for their excitement to subside, the side of Jiang Pengji who cast a dark shadow on their hearts appeared, and many of them involuntarily began to hiccup. Has everyone received their soldiers pay? she asked. For more than two months, many of the women soldiers understood her temperament better. When they answered her, they must raise their voice and speak loudly. We have received it! Chapter 487 - Spring Ploughing (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji surveyed the people around her. The military salary is flexible, and its fine wherever you place it. Since you come by the army camp often and you dont have to pay for your meals, what do you intend to do with the rations given? Send it home, give it to your family, or use the rations to exchange for money and keep it for yourself? They didnt understand what she meant, but the viewers in the live streaming room understood immediately. Laosiji Lianmeng: Streamer, you are so bad. Jintian Sigengo: Hahaha, the streamer is going to play dirty and cause division between the female soldiers and their family members. This batch of female soldiers were almost all enlisted unwillingly; their families viewed them as a burden, and despised them. Thus they were forcefully dragged over. At that time, those family members thought these women were going to serve as camp prostitutes but they still hardened their hearts, and from that action their evil intentions could be seen. Such heartlessness, even Jiang Pengji felt disheartened. Thus, she wished to know what these young ladies, who underwent such tough training, would do with the fruits of their labors. Did they want to keep it for themselves, or selflessly give it away? It was proven that Jiang Pengjis secret influence over that period was effective. Some of them with stubborn personalities had decided to exchange the rations for copper coins to save up. Yet there were about 200 of them who chose to send their salaries home to provide for their families materially. Her eyes lit up with interest. Those who chose to save up for themselves, you did well. Its not that youre unfilial, you just made the right choice. Jiang Pengji added pensively, As for those who sent your rations back to aid your families materially, you are kind-hearted. Its unknown what good deeds your family did in their previous lives to have such good daughters. A pity they didnt treasure you. In future, you have your own path to take. Lets begin the training for today! A group of women soldiers had started the day unsettled in their hearts, but after hearing what she said, their hearts became conflicted. When she spoke of the start of training, one by one they became mentally stressed. Two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon were dedicated to physical training: They learned how to counter their enemys attacks. The remaining time would be spent learning from the doctor about emergency rescue techniques. From that month onward, they would be tested every ten days. For those who failed, some of their salary would be confiscated, while the outstanding ones will be rewarded. With such consequences, no one dared to take their training lightly. Clap The wooden spear in the female soldiers hand dropped; her wrist was numb. Jiang Pengji said calmly, Pick it up, lets continue! She let each female soldier fight her once. When each of them advanced, their wooden spears would be snatched from them. She gave them pointers, and she gave suggestions very clearly. Each maiden listened attentively. Jiang Pengji laid down one rule. Before they learned to fight, they must learn to be beaten! Compared to training with wooden spears, Jiang Pengji taught close combat training most often. She specialized in teaching them how to counterattack even during dire circumstances. All around, those female soldiers initially felt embarrassed because the move was too cruel and despicable, but after they became familiar, it was rather exciting. At the beginning, the constitution of womens bodies were weaker than males. This disadvantage could not be changed overnight. Thus, it was better to choose to work on their strengths and ignore their weaknesses. Since their numbers could not be compared to their enemies, they must improve on their speed and agility. On the battlefield, when faced with the enemy, they were always concerned with whether the enemy was dead, regardless of how they died. The size of the womens camp was still very small, and Jiang Pengji would not allow them to be at the forefront. She would task them to be the backup soldiers and to clean up the battleground after the battles had ended. First, let them be exposed to the bloody scenes and train their guts. When they became physically stronger, she had other plans. At the crux of the matter was the lowly status of women in society. Firstly, they were weaker due to their physical makeup; secondly, their manual strength and rate of productivity was less than their male counterparts. The formers strength or weakness would affect the latters rewards. In the world she came from, there was a series specifically for womens training. It could be called a skill to train ones body. This is what she had prepared for slowly over the years, eliminating a portion of what the present technology could not support. While increasing the other training modules, then organising them into a book, she planned to use it to train the womens camp. The female soldiers were required to comply with the training. If she really ascended the throne, she would promote the training regimen throughout the nation. In that generation, the physical abilities of male and female didnt differ that much. So long as the training was enough, and they were given enough nutritious food, their abilities would not differ much. Jiang Pengji was still improving the techniques for farming so that less physical energy needed to be expended. Thus, the difference in physical labor and productivity would decrease some. The only thing worth getting frustrated over was that women had their monthly period. On top of that, the gestation period spanned over ten months coupled with the recovery phase after that Sure, one year would pass in the blink of an eye. On the contrary, males were free from this worry. This was a place where Jiang Pengji had no counter strategy. After all, the means to deliver a child in that time period depended on those at the lowest in society to produce offspring. If women delivered fewer babies, the population would not increase, thus frustrating the tenets of The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women. Those who hindered widows from remarrying were fools. The Emperor of Zhongzhaos head was surely damaged. That dimension wasnt like the world she came from, where both parents only needed to undergo a special operation, then go fetch their child at the allocated time. Which woman or person dared to let a woman naturally give birth, based on federal law, this was against the rules. Even so, most federal citizens did not like children to be born because it was too troublesome. Seeing that the population was dwindling, the expenditure for wars were extra hefty. In order to ease the pressure exerted by the human population, the federal government had no choice but to approve a petition to start the plan to increase the population. After both males and females came of age, there was a strong incentive to contribute to officials who filtered for superior genes to populate the earth with outstanding babies. The childs identity card would clearly state the information of both parents to prevent blood relations from causing chaos. Once the baby was born, the federal government would assume all duties to raise the child. But based on the technology in those ancient times, that kind of thing could only exist in their imaginations. The physiological period could not be avoided because the female genes were still at an undesirable stage. There was no way to eliminate that problem, but she could think of a solution to delay the time they might get pregnant. For example, to allow female soldiers to retire at about 20 years of age, they were not allowed to become pregnant before the stipulated time. They would have a range of incentives after retirement. Some women could even stay on at the military camp to continue to serve as coaches to groom the next generation. They didnt have to fight during wars but were only responsible for work behind the scenes. Under such circumstances, the female soldiers could find their partner in peace, get married and give birth to children on their own terms. Regarding the limitation of age, she was also unsettled. If it was too late in the eyes of the world, the people of their age could suddenly become grandmothers. Thus, the female soldiers would be considered old women by then. If it was too early, yet their active years of service were short, wasting resources and Jiang Pengji dont wish to let them go. Is it to be set at 24 years old? Wei Ci pondered carefully. Then he said, This age should be suitable. Qiguan Rang agreed. My lord doesnt have to be so careful. The army system is different from others, please go ahead make the decision. In this generation, the soldiers have their own military records. Since the female soldiers were seen equally, they also had such ranking. Except to let the female soldiers marry at 24 years old wasnt the same as palace women. Once those women entered the palace, they would be confined inside for the rest of their lives. A question popped up in the honest boy, Li Yuns, mind. Is it too late to get married at 24 years old? Can they still find an unmarried man? Jiang Pengjis eyes narrowed, and she said coldly, Once the enemies are defeated and the male prisoners of war will be up for grabs. Everyone: Chapter 488 - Spring Ploughing (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Choose at whim? While those three big words rang in the peoples minds, Wei Ci depended on superhuman self-control abilities to stop himself from laughing. The Emperor was indeed still so willful and demanding. As for the rest Eh, they were initially quite shocked, but they quickly accepted the plan. On a regular basis, prisoners of war were sent to do manual labor and bitter work. Even if they worked until they were exhausted, none would take pity on them. At the time, they were given the chance to start a family. But what would happen if these prisoners of war were captured? The only reason was to stop the prisoners from developing a superior attitude or treat the female soldiers poorly. They felt the matter needed to be re-evaluated. Jiang Pengji was lost for a while. Finally she asked, Why do you say so? Feng Jin replied, Prisoners are prisoners. Their names belong to the slave registry, only to descend in ranks. My lords actions will be exploited by others for their own advantage. If others publicised that Jiang Pengji caught some prisoners and she still gave them wives, it might be bad if word got out about it. She was briefly appalled; the reasoning seemed logical. Yet if the women soldiers were to retire at about 20 years of age, men of the same age would have married either their second or third wives, and who knew how many children they might have by then. To let the female troops that she spent so much effort training marry into families as stepmothers and to make up the numbers in the harem seemed to also be unfair treatment. She wished to hear if Feng Jin and the rest had any good ideas. The meaning behind Feng Jins words were understood by Qiguan Rang, and he smiled plainly and explained to her. If these prisoners are awarded to the female soldiers so that they can start a family and get married, then they should be the head in the family register to prevent their children from following their fathers name into the slave registry. If they dont do this, the lords good intentions will go to waste. Feng Jin concurred, Wenzhengs words are indeed what Jin meant. She was completely in a daze for a moment. Her subordinates were suggesting that she should allow the head of the household register to be held by the female soldiers! What this meant was that the children born to them would follow the women soldiers, including their surname! It had never crossed her mind that her workers were so open-minded, even she did not have the courage to raise this issue. The audiences in the live-streaming room were even more stunned and threw the gourd in their hands away, they typed furiously to express their shock. Jintian Jigengne: Rubbish, streamer please go and verify. Did Qiguan Rang come from another dimension for him to have such advanced thinking? Even in our era when children wish to take on their mothers surname, they will discuss with their husbands or come to an agreement that their second child will follow their mothers surname, otherwise it is because her husband marries into her family. Toudu Feiqiu: It felt like I just watched a fake livestream, how can men from ancient times have such open minds? Cimeiren Zaiwoshenxia: My ear must have met with a problem just now, how can such words come from uncle Qiguan Rangs mouth? Laosiji Lianmeng: #Despise, whats there to be surprised about, conversely I feel their train of thoughts are normal and it doesnt deviate from the inhibitions in that era. Firstly, they didnt perceive these prisoners of war as men, they were used to reward the female soldiers. Do you know what reward means? They are just items. Under such circumstances, if the child that the female soldiers bear follows their father and his slave deeds, this action would be very embarrassing. Ultimately, are you using the female soldier as a reward to the prisoner or the prisoner as a reward to the soldier? Both meanings are completely different. Thus, they suggested for the female troop to be the head of the household registry which in itself is not wrong. Guicai Guofengxiao: Although I understand what was mentioned above, its still rather alarming. Xingxingdalao Qiufangguo: Eh, thank you Dalao for the explanation. But I have a question, if the prisoner commits adultery, what then? Baigei Nimenle: Pei, commit adultery? Wasnt adultery a crime back then? The streamer also emphasised that there would be severe punishment. You should be worried that when the slave husbands affair is discovered, the female soldier will grab this fellow and beat him up. If the roles were reversed we should worry about the female trying to commit suicide! They concluded based on how long they had been followed the livestream, in this generation, killing an adulterer wasnt considered murder. On the contrary: if an adulterous pair was discovered, both male and female would face extreme punishment, especially now that the streamer intentionally made the punishments more severe. They trusted that the female troops she trained would not emerge as weak women. Cough, cough This is a good idea. Go and reflect on this and come up with a proposal, then communicate it to the womens camp. Jiang Pengji was good at starting an idea, then pushing the matter to her subordinates to follow up. Feng Jin and the rest discreetly sighed. Indeed, it was so again. After three days had passed, all the female soldiers had read the first draft of the notice. Amongst them there were one or two once-wealthy ladies from scholarly families, but they were too young, and when their families died, they couldnt guard their wealth. Instead they were sent to the prostitution camp by their surviving relatives. Naturally, after they learned it wasnt a prostitution camp but rather a legitimate army, each woman had heaved a sigh of relief. Coupled with their literacy skills, they were quickly recognized and promoted, and when they had time, they would teach the other female soldiers how to read. She read the notice word for word, and the peoples mood was as if they were riding a roller-coaster, they experienced such a wide range of emotions. They heard that after enrolling into the womens troop camp, they would need to be 24 years old to marry. Before that, they werent allowed to marry or have children, and their faces turned deathly white. Women at 24 years old were practically ready to be grandparents. They would be considered unfit old maids! Many of the female soldiers were so worried about the next phase in their lives, they were too sad for description. But before long an opportunity presented itself. This, this is realCan we really choose our husbands? one woman marveled. Lance corporal, have a look. Did they write this wrongly, how can this this is ridiculous another muttered in shock. They said with their mouths that it was ridiculous, but their black, grape-like eyes lit up with excited anticipation. Those lance corporals who were literate nodded their heads, saying, You didnt read it wrong, whats written is true. Without having to worry that at 24 when they retired from the army, they would have no one to marry or they would have to marry an old man to expand his harem, or become stepmothers, if they could choose a husband from the prisoners and bring them home to have children, and the child would even follow their surnames If all of that was true, what would they have to worry about in the future? As soldiers, they would earn salaries every month, which they would accumulate until 24 years of age. It would not be a small sum of money; they could purchase a few fields to work, and comfortably become the head wife. It was a sweet deal. If they earned military achievements along the way, they might be promoted and would not have to farm to live a fruitful life. But all that was secondary. What touched them the most was that within the household registry, they would be the heads, and their children would follow their surnames. Some female soldiers softly marveled, their cheeks reddened, If so this is awesome The contents of the notice were indeed shocking, but as they pondered carefully, they realized that all of those measures were implemented out of consideration for their futures. From that viewpoint, it may not be ideal to get married early and have kids, if the days ahead were still long. Luckily, Xiangyang district was located far north, and those young ladies were ignorant about the existence of the The Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women. Regarding this notice which deviated from the usual practices, except for some small worries, what was left was just the eagerness to give it a try. They desperately wished to go to war right away, and gain some military achievement, so that their lives in the future would be blissful. For their good life ahead, they knew they must train hard now and strive to live to 24 years old on the battlefield, and then enjoy their retirement! Chapter 489 - Spring Ploughing (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The effect of the notice was impressive. Watching the female troops train while holding their breaths. Jiang Pengji raised her brows and secretly altered the training to make it more intense. Almost ten days passed. The snow and ice melted. The land prepared for cultivation the previous year was ready to be used for farming. Ploughing, farming tools, and the quality and variety of seeds had been allocated. Xiangyang district slowly became bustling with crowds. Everywhere one looked, the scenery was buzzing with activity. In the fields, one could see the hardworking farmers engaging in back-breaking work. Luckily, the usage of improved farm equipment had been taught earlier, which saved them time. Using the enhanced tools, the people discovered that their ploughing efficiency increased significantly. After ploughing a field, they didnt feel as tired as before and, no matter the depth of ploughing or other areas, it wasnt inferior in any way to an experienced old farmer, Even though the northern side was at war with swords drawn and bows pointed at each other, a prosperous and flourishing scene still unfolded. It brought emotions to peoples hearts. During the spring ploughing, tradition required organizing a ceremony for the occasion. The organizer was the district magistrate. She did her homework and meticulously noted the entire procedure. Initially, she only needed to put up a show. The rest of the process would be taken over by another. But, she had a stubborn personality and refused to fake it, so she was personally involved in the ceremony. The people surrounding her were astounded and acknowledged her commitment. The lord is still so conscientious when doing her work. There are no shortcuts Xu Ke had already changed to formal, scholarly garments. He wore a brown, hemp garment. His trousers were rolled until they reached his knees. He seriously looked like a farmer. Feng Jin was neatly dressed. He was the emcee for the spring ploughing event. He raised his brows and laughed as he asked, How come I didnt know that the lords workmanship in the field was so good? Changsheng came with her mother to watch the spring ploughing ceremony. She wore thick clothes and looked very much like a new years prosperous doll. She saw her fathers shadow and mumbled, Father. The little lady raised her small fat finger and pointed at Feng Jin. Saliva dripped from the side of her mouth as she shouted, Cold, cold! Father! Father! Father! Wei Jingixan pursed her lips and smiled demurely while she carried Changsheng, who had recently got heavier, and walked toward Feng Jin. In the past at Hejian, the lord learned from an old farmer, Xu Ke said. He turned his head and added, Huaiyu, your daughter is calling for you. Feng Jin laughed as he said, I will go see. Looking at the happy family, Xu Ke missed his dear wife far off in Hejian and was a bit envious. After the ceremony and spring ploughing for the year was unveiled, the training for the soldiers became more intense. Going to war against Fengyi County to conquer the Tsing Yi army had been the plan for the past year. When the lord securely occupied and governed the northern realms, she would bring Xunmei over. Jiang Pengji climbed up from the fields barefooted. As she raised her hands to wipe away her perspiration, she saw a soldier who reported messages from afar. She wiped her sweat away with her hands. Disregarding the muddy water that splashed on her face, she asked the soldier, What happened? The soldier replied, My lord, there are more than 2,000 people at the east side of our city gates who hail from Hejian. They claim to be the lords trusted aide. Someone who hails from Hejian? More than 2,000 people? Jiang Pengjis eyes lit up. A deeply meaningful smile broke out across her face. She didnt even take time to wash her feet before putting on her wooden clogs. Lead the way. It should be Nongqin and the rest who have arrived, she said as she took long strides. It looked as if she was flying. Xu Ke, who had yet to react, shouted I will delegate the task of overseeing the field to you! I need to greet someone! Although he wanted to probe for more details, his lord had already speedily walked speedily off. The soldier who relayed the information had to run to keep up with her. Its indeed Nongqin! You came just in time! Jiang Pengji ordered for the city doors to be opened. Jiang Nongqin had a wide smile on her face. She acknowledged her improvement over the years, as well as her contributions. Jiang Pengji was at ease to give her full reins over the women troops. The viewers watching the livestream also hadnt seen Jiang Nongqin in a long while. They had witnessed this young lady, who existed in ancient times, transform from a weak and humble girl to someone who embodied strength. Their emotions were like those of a family whose daughter had grown up. Hearing that Jiang Nongqin finally left Hejian and reunited with the streamer, the live streaming room began rounds and rounds of rewards to celebrate her return to the team. Except, they never imagined that in addition to Jiang Nongqin, there was an unexpected friend. A persons shadow ran toward Jiang Pengji like wind. Because the other party didnt have any evil intentions, she was close to capturing that person with her hands. Brother Lanting! Waner misses you so much! Shangguan Wan cried out. She stepped forward and gave Jiang Pengji a bear hug. Her laughter was boisterous, and her words bore a deep sense of missing someone dearly. Waner? Why have you come? Jiang Pengji was briefly stunned. She raised her hands to hug Shangguan Wan to prevent her from causing the girl to fall. The reporting soldier saw this and revealed an appalled expression. He suddenly thought of something and immediately lowered his head shyly. Yi, Did the lords fiance come from afar to chase her husband? Shifting his focus, the soldier used the remaining light in his eyes to focus on Jiang Pengji and Shangguan Wan, who were hugging each other tightly. It wasnt just the reporting soldier who was stunned. Many of the viewers in the live streaming room were also startled, wondering who the lady in the streamers arms was. Zhuwei Dalao Qiufangguo: [No, are there any history experts here? Can you inform me of who this lady is?] Jianguoyu Xiaobuding: Dai, where did this little evil imp come from? Let go of my male goddess. Where are you placing your claws?] In fact, Shangguan Wan isnt just hugging her waist. She also buried her face in Jiang Pengjis chest. Yewu Yanling: [#digsnose, it is supposed to be female goddess. To the commoner above, do you wish to snatch with me?] Toudu Feiqiu: [I searched within my head. After a long while, I remembered who this lady is. Here is an ancient lord that goes way back in time. I will explain her background to you. Shangguan Wan is an exceptionally pure and adorable young lady, the most favored, noble daughter of the Shangguan family. I recall she is rather reliant on the streamer, who spoils her.] She is Shangguans most favored noble daughter? Such disposition? Many of the viewers were confused. They had watched the livestream for years, so they knew that coarse clothing was worn by commoners. Shangguan Wans clothes were coarse, perhaps even more coarse others. Dont rich women wear clothes made of silk and satin? They wear beautiful makeup, and their hair is bundled up and adorned with jade accessories to manifest their subtle lavishness. This Shangguan Wan However one sees it, she looks so much like a refugee who just escaped. Brother Lanting doesnt welcome Waner anymore? Shangguan Wan asked. Jiang Pengji didnt know if she should laugh or cry. Those words inflict too much pain on the heart. Brother can be unwelcoming to anyone, but how can I allow Waner to be treated as such? I heard that you got married sometime back. Why are you not in your house assuming the role of the legitimate wife and enjoying the wealth and glory? Why have you come to Xiangyang district, this poor and desolate place? How would I not be surprised? Chapter 490 - The Future Deputy Minister of Education (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio She was ignorant of how shed triggered Shangguan Wan, but this child hugged her waist and buried her head there, crying out loudly. Jiang Pengji was stunned, immediately sensing something amiss. Shangguan Wan was indeed active and had a warm personality, but it didnt mean that she didnt practice the etiquette of the noble families. Thus, even if this lady was so broken that she would cry pitifully, it was impossible that shed give no regard to her image. Shuangguan Wan was aware of her gender, but others werent. If word got out that she had hugged a man outside of her family in public and cried her lungs out, she would be mocked for being shameless. Moreover, she had come in with the troops from Hejian county to the Xiangyang district. That alone was very intriguing. Even if Shuangguan Wan was mischievous, it was impossible for her to run away from home. Her face was somber. Jiang Nongqin stepped forward to pay her respects with a reverential disposition. Your subordinate, Jiang Nongqin, greets you, Lord. Please rise. Jiang Pengjj knitted her brows and asked Jiang Nongqin, Did Waner leave Hejian county with you? Yes, Jiang Nongqin replied. Afterward, her cold expression revealed an additional layer of anger. As a woman who was once in danger, she despised those kinds of tragedies the most. My Lord, what happened to Lady Wan is a long story. She didnt leave home on her own accord, but out of desperation. If she doesnt leave Hejian county, I am afraid the Lord will only see Lady Wans tombstone in the future. Her heart sank. With one hand, she comforted the crying Shuangguan Wan. She said, Lets enter the city, this is not a good place to talk. Seeing that Shuangguan Wan was so broken, Jiang Pengji stopped consoling her and waited for her to calm herself down. After a while, Jiang Pengji felt a slight tug at her clothes. She bent her head and asked, Youve stopped crying? Shangguan Wan raised her hands to wipe away the tears from her eyes. The front of Jiang Pengjis garments was also wet from her tears. Ill, Ill stop crying since when does Waner like crying? Even when she was bullied by the Zhangs she had stubbornly held back her tears. But now that she had met Jiang Pengji, her tears were unleashed and flowed freely. She felt there were countless eyes fixated on her from all directions. She stopped crying immediately and her face reddened with embarrassment. Then stop hugging me. You cant be expecting me to carry you into the city, right? She laughed, then lifted her hands to touch Shuangguan Wans head and discovered something amiss. Frowning, a wild guess flashed through her mind. She purposely maintained her calm composure and asked, Why have you cut your hair? Our bodies are given by our parents. According to rules, other than in a few exceptions, the hair can only be trimmed, not cut. Shuangguan Wans face turned pale white. She bit her lower lip and said, My husband is dead. To prove my chastity and demonstrate my sincere convictions, I cut my hair Hearing this, Jiang Pengjis face looked downcast. This statement made her link Shuangguan Wan s attitude with her arrival in the Xiangyang district. She vaguely guessed at some details. Lets enter the city first! Her voice became somewhat more solemn. Jiang Nongqin wore her military clothing. She followed Jiang Pengji and entered the district manor. Some time passed. ClapKa cha The sound of a table shattering in the back hall caused Qiguan Rang to knit his brows. Afterward, the sound of the lord controlling her fury also came from the back hall. Qiguan Rang was momentarily in shock. Which clueless person had provoked the lord? Seeing that Jiang Pengji was infuriated, she felt bad and softly said. Sister Lanting, Waner is alright. Call me Brother, Jiang Pengji emphasized. Hanging her head slightly, Shuangguan Wan replied, Oh Brother Lanting Waner is really alright. She threw the divorce letter at the Zhangs. Then she gave up the attire of a married woman and changed into her youthful clothes. Only the long hair shed cut off could not regrow immediately, even if she hid it well. Once Jiang Pengji had touched it, shed identified the problem. I really dont know where your everyday intelligence went, but when your stepmother forced you, you should have thought of a way to secretly escape from the manner. You could have used the signet I gave you to ask for help at Lius manor. Jiang Pengji hated that she had missed the opportunity. She poked her in the head. If your mother hadnt stopped you, would you have killed yourself? Theres always a place for you elsewhere, even if those people didnt accept you! People can always find ways to survive. Jiang Pengji thought that committing suicide was a cowardly act and had always despised it. A surge of warmth rose in her heart as she smacked her head lightly. That time I didnt think of it Speaking of which, she was too self-confident. Having been favored for years, Shuangguan Wan had never seen her stepmother as her rival. She believed her family would stand by her side and protect her from being attacked by her stepmother. Moreover, she was already engaged by then. Once the mourning period was over, she could marry into her fiancs family. She wouldnt have to see her stepmothers hypocritical face anymore. She hadnt expected that, with just one mistake, she would lose everything. Having a stepmother meant that she had a stepfather. Her stepmother was cunning, gentle, careful, and carried herself in a rather humble manner. Her disposition was utterly lowly, so despicable that Shuangguan Wan looked down on her. She really wondered how her stepmother had been born into an aristocratic family and not a brothel. Unfortunately, her grandmother and father had a liking for such a personality type. Gradually, her stepmother had turned her two most important people against her. Moreover, she had sowed the seeds of discord between her future mother-in-law and Shangguan Wan, forcing her to reject the marriage. A daughter from an aristocratic family like Shuangguan Wan had become a laughingstock to everyone. Come to think of it, her stepmother was very smart. She was a black widow spider who had spun a poisonous web, then silently waited for her prey to fall into the trap. Shed waited until her prey was on its final breaths, then launched a surprise attack to finish it off and swallow it into her stomach. Whenever she thought of this, she trembled uncontrollably. Jiang Pengji sighed and said, Forget it. Whats most important is that youre safe and sound now. Shangguan Wan responded with a small sound. She smiled and bashfully said, Waner is now homeless. Is Brother Lanting willing to take in a free-loader? I am unwilling, Jiang Pengji directly replied. Without waiting for Shuangguan Wan to be disappointed, she added, The good Waner can come and help me though, how about that? Upon hearing these words, she looked dazed. The bullet screen in the live streaming room was rapidly being updated as they judged Jiang the Exploiter. Tumi Dalao: Rubbish, Streamer, can you save some face? Dont disgrace yourself! Dont disgrace yourself! Xingxing Dalao: Hello everyone, I am the streamers face; she doesnt want me anymore. I feel so sad, Ying, Ying, Ying. Fengzi Dalao: Young lolita Shangguan, you just escaped the lions den, yet youre walking into a wolves den. The viewers in the live streaming room felt sorry for Shuangguan Wans tragedy, but because of the distance between them, they can only look on her as an innocent rabbit who had jumped into the trap Jiang Pengji had dug. They could imagine how, after the little lady fell into the trap, Jiang Pengji would rejoice as she buried her within. Shuangguan Wan blinked. She didnt understand what Jiang Pengji had said. How can I help brother Lanting? Jiang Pengji ignored the comments on the bullet screen. I intend to set up a school to take in children who have come of age and provide them with an education. By the end, they will not be required to become professors, but I at least want them to know how to read and calculate Waner, how about helping me by being their teacher for a while? Elite talents are to be met and not begged for. Men at the basic level can develop by themselves. They can apply what they learn after studying for two to three years. Jiang Pengji aspired to achieve her great ambitions. Every step she took must be calculated cautiously. Chapter 491 - The Future Deputy Minister of Education (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shangguan Wan blushed and muttered, How can I be a teacher with so little knowledge? Jiang Pengji replied, Youre very intelligent. You just have to teach simple knowledge. You can certainly do it. But Looking at Jiang Nongqin who was sitting beside her, she mumbled, I prefer to be like Sister Nongqin Along the journey to the north, Shangguan Wan had encountered many things that she had not been exposed to before. This made her want to protect herself more with strength. Jiang Pengji could understand her thoughts, so she did not force her. Its right for you to do that, but your martial art skills are still lacking. Its dangerous if youre on the battlefield. Why dont we do this? Youll teach in school for a period of time and Ill assign you a martial arts master. Ill allow you to fight on the battlefield when youve finished your apprenticeship. Shangguan Wan thought about it and agreed with a smile. Jiang Pengji secretly frowned, thinking that she would insist that Li Yun be stricter with his standards when the time came. If her martial arts skills could not reach a certain level, she would not be released. What kind of a place was the battlefield? One would die if they were not careful. Shangguan Wan still needed time to mature. After catching up, Shangguan Wan could not help but think of the streets and houses that she had seen along the way. She thought about it and said emotionally, Im deeply aware of how chaotic the situation is in the north while travelling from Hejian to Xiangyang with the troops. Under such circumstances, the people under your governance can still live and work in peace. The sight of spring ploughing is extraordinarily lively too. Sigh, the people of Xiangyang are blessed to have such an excellent official like you. Jiang Pengji was at a loss whether to cry or to laugh. She replied, Youre buttering me up Your flattery is about to crisp my bones. She ordered the small kitchen in the district headquarters to prepare some food for Shangguan Wan and Jiang Nongqin. The two of them had not eaten well along the way. They usually made do with cold and dry grains mixed with boiled ice water for their meals. Smelling the tempting aroma of food, they did not care about their images and ate with abandon. Jiang Pengji went to the government office and asked someone to call for Li Yun. Ive found an apprentice for you, she said. Stunned, Li Yun hurriedly shook his head. How can I be a teacher when Im not skilled in martial arts? Jiang Pengji replied, Im not asking you to do it now. Well talk about this after weve completely taken Fengyi County. You just have to keep your mind on the war preparation for now. You can go for war when the preparation is complete As for Waner, shes a good student whos eager to learn. You can just guide her occasionally in school. I forgot to mention that Ive appointed Waner as the teacher in school. School? Li Yun was momentarily puzzled. Qiguan Rang was dumbfounded as well. Since when did Xiangyang District have a school? Jiang Pengji crossed her arms in front of her chest and added, Its a decision that Ive just made, so I havent had time to discuss it with all of you. To be precise, she had only decided to build a school when Shangguan Wan showed up. Qiguan Rang and Li Yun were speechless. As the subordinates of a master who acted hastily, they felt exhausted. Qiguan Rang knew that Jiang Pengji often caused trouble, but he knew that she was not a reckless person. Her every move was thought over with consideration. He suddenly asked, Why would you think of building a school? Jiang Pengji turned around and asked rhetorically, Do you think that we have too few capable people? Scratching his head, Li Yun asked ingenuously, But cant we recruit people? It isnt easy to run a school, right? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. Other matters could be postponed, but the school was related to the long-term development of the future. The people who are recruited wont be as loyal and reliable as the talents we nurture ourselves. Im powerless now. The real talents may not even be interested. Jiang Pengji continued with amusement, Do you know how Xiangyang District has become what it is today? You can ask Wen Zheng and the others about how worn out they were last year. If a group of capable people can be trained, we can save a lot of effort. There would never be an excess of talents, no matter when. Jiang Pengji added, They dont have to be very learned, as long as theyre literate and able to tell a story. She planned to start nurturing elites when there were enough basic talents. The former would produce the desired result in a very short period of time. On the other hand, the latter would take a long time, but it was beneficial for future development. She understood that an abundance of talents was indispensable to a countrys prosperity. Elites who would act as the brain were even more crucial. However, it was too early to think about that now. She was going to take it step by step. Qiguan Rang instantly figured out the gist of it. Indeed, they did not lack top talents at the moment. They were short of the basic talents that could be used. A higher building could only be built when the foundation was solid. However there wouldnt be just one school. It should have a bigger scale than private academies. How much would that cost? Qiguan Rang suddenly felt somewhat sorry for Xu Ke. If his lord was really building a school, Xu Ke had to do a budget. Li Yun asked, When will the school be built then? Jiang Pengji thought about it and replied, Itll be built after Fengyi County is besieged. There are spies whove gone there to investigate the situation. The Tsing Yi Army doesnt know how to govern the place and theyre like stupid pigs. Not to mention that half of the population in such a big county is lost, its so desolate and poor that its even worse than a small district Itll take at least half a year and at most one year to restore it to how it was in the past Were considered to have established a solid footing when Fengyi County is stabilized. She was only a district magistrate or a county chief now. By rights, she had to obtain the permission of the royal family of Dongqing. However, it did not matter. Whoever had the biggest fists would have the right to speak. The chief of Fengyi County could fawn over and bend to the Tsing Yi Army, so he would listen to her obediently. Jiang Pengji specially set up a barbecue party when Feng Jin and the others had returned. Everyone could not help but be startled when they realized that there were two more women at the table. What was going on? Feng Jin vaguely felt that one of them looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere. This is Jiang Nongqin. From now on, shell be fully in charge of the affairs of the female battalion, Jiang Pengji introduced. Luo Yue and Li Yun were stunned. Then, their gazes fell on Jiang Nongqin at the same time. They wondered in their minds, Is she Maiden Jiang? Including the female troops who came with Jiang Nongqin, there were already more than 1200 people in the female battalion. It could manage to be considered as a battalion if more women joined and it could be regarded as an independent combat unit. According to the existing rules and such scale, the commander could be called a general or a lieutenant Their lord actually appointed a woman as a general for real! Meng Hun congratulated Jiang Nongqin who smiled back at him. Please guide me from now on. Meng Hun replied with a smile, I dont deserve the honor. Youre able to take charge as the chief now too. Jiang Nongqin was quiet by nature. She did things in a low-key and honest manner. Meng Hun felt very satisfied and impressed once he worked with her. Jiang Pengji fixed her gaze on Shangguan Wan and introduced, This is Shangguan Wan. Before the school is built, shell be in charge of the affairs of the female staff in the government office. The female staff in the government office referred to the 20 or so women who were working as subordinates in the government office. The things that they dealt with were not huge, but the details were very cumbersome. They helped Xu Ke to share a lot of the workload. Shangguan Wan? Li Yun glanced at his future student. Although she was quite tiny, her eyes were full of determination. She looked like someone who could endure hardship Chapter 492 - A Woman Should Marry Feng Huaiyu Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Noticing that someone was watching her, Shangguan Wan looked in the direction of the gaze and found out that the person was a very handsome young man. Li Yun nodded almost imperceptibly to show his satisfaction. Her alertness was not bad. Shangguan Wan was perplexed. Shangguan Wan and Jiang Nongqin had already eaten a little. She initially thought that she should not eat a lot, but the grilled meat, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, was coated with all kinds of spices. The aroma of food had enticed their sense of taste, constantly stimulating the production of saliva in their mouths Erm, perhaps they were actually not that full With such thoughts, how could she restrain herself? Meat should be grilled when it should be grilled. One should eat when he should. Brother Lanting No, I should call you the lord now Youre living such a comfortable life Shangguan Wans diet had always been a combination of meat and vegetables. It was rare for her to just have meat. She initially thought that having another two mouthfuls of meat would make her feel greasy. However, by dipping the meat into the unfamiliar sauces, she ended up having two plates of sliced meat. If it was not for the insufficient capacity of her stomach, she could have eaten still more. Eat your grilled meat. The huge amount of meat cant even keep you quiet. Jiang Pengji carefully flipped the meat slices onto the barbecue grill. Her eyebrows raised a little and there was a hint of lovingness in her clear voice. Shangguan Wan said with a sigh, Growing up is really overrated Jiang Pengji looked askance at her out of the corner of her eye and asked, Whats the matter with you? Shangguan Wan replied, If I was still young, would you say that Im eating too much? Youd probably ask me to eat more. Jiang Pengji sighed and refilled half of the plate with meat by using the clean serving chopsticks. She said helplessly, Youre taking my goodwill for ill intent. You shouldnt eat too much meat so that it wont be accumulated in your stomach and cause indigestion, but you misunderstand me for feeling sorry for the grilled meat instead. You really have no conscience. Here you go. This grilled meat is all for you Seeing the interaction between Shangguan Wan and Jiang Pengji, Qiguan Rang raised his eyebrows and made eye contact with Xu Ke. They looked like they were sitting back and watching a show. What a couple of sweethearts Its good to be young Qiguan Rang mumbled teasingly. Upon hearing what he said, Xu Ke gave him an understanding look. By rights, their lord was 16 years old that year. However, apart from his first fiance, who was the current Mrs. Feng, Wei Jingxian, they seemed to not have heard of any other of their lords female intimates. Their lord was still young, so they were not too anxious. Moreover, their lord had such a tender heart for women. Would women not have a strong affinity for him? The two of them had the same perception in regards to this matter. A man should first start his career. There was no need to rush to get married. Speaking of marriage, Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang were secretly worried about the relationship between Feng Jin and their lord. Feng Jin was the incumbent husband of the lords ex-fiance. Would these two really be okay together? Facts had proven that Feng Jin was really an open minded gentleman. He did not care about rumors. He even magnanimously attended the New Years banquet the year before together with his wife and child. Now, Shangguan Wan who had a very close relationship with their lord had appeared. They felt that a marriage might happen soon. In fact, when Qiguan Rang said that they were a couple of sweethearts, Wei Cis hand which was holding a cup trembled. The liquor in the cup splattered. Feng Jin looked torn. It was really difficult for him to guard a secret that only a few people knew about, watch his teammates being lost in various fancies and conjectures and be unable to explain it to them. Just let them guess wildly. It wont come true anyway. Wei Ci took out a balsam green handkerchief, wiping the liquor from his hand calmly. He could join in the gossip if his lord was eagerly attentive towards a man. He was not worried about Shangguan Wan. Feng Jin smiled upon hearing what Wei Ci said. I think so too. The two of them tacitly made eye contact and raised their glasses to drink. Wei Cis body was still weak, so what he drank was the health-preserving, medicinal liquor which had been approved by a few physicians. The liquor could slowly fend off the cold. Jingxian is in Xiangyang too. Changsheng whom she has given birth to last year can also talk and walk now. Do you want to visit her? Shangguan Wans eyes lit up upon hearing what she said. I definitely have to. I havent seen Sister Jingxian for a long time. When she met Wei Jingxian, the two of them sighed incessantly and poured out what they had gone through in the past few years. Having learned that Shangguan Wan had finally broken free from the Zhang family, Wei Jingxian could not help but feel happy for her sister-like friend. In Shangguan Wans letter from a while before, she had told Wei Jingxian that she was going to marry a dead man. The Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women was even included in the bride price given by the bridegrooms side. Her future mother-in-law humiliated her in public, asking Shangguan Wan to study the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women properly and hide her filthy habits that she had prior to marriage Wei Jingxian had boiled with anger. How could the daughter born of the legal wife of the distinguished and aristocratic Shangguan family tolerate the shrews humiliation and belittlement? However, every family had a skeleton in the closet. Wei Jingxian and Feng Jin were still detained as hostages in Shangjing at that time. Her own life was in danger. The only thing that she could do was to comfort Shangguan Wan. She could not really help with her with anything. Wei Jingxian was carrying Chansheng. Everything is alright now. You dont have to worry anymore. Shangguan Wan replied emotionally, Yeah. I used to be Shangguan Wan of the Shangguan family, but now Im just Shangguan Wan. Aunty Changsheng liked to remember people lately. She would repeat it non-stop whenever she saw someone. Looking at Changshengs appearance, Shangguan Wan could not help but have a bold idea. Do you stay home and take care of Changsheng now? Wei Jingxian was startled. Yeah. Changsheng is still little and she doesnt like to cling onto the wet nurse or the servant girl Changsheng was little and hot-tempered. The servants really could not keep her under control, so she could only raise her herself. Sister Jingxian, have you ever thought of looking for a job? Dumfounded, Wei Jingxian glanced at Shangguan Wan with an inexplicable gaze. Why would you suddenly ask me such a question? Shangguan Wan could not explain why. She just felt that Wei Jingxian had also read the Confucian Classics thoroughly when she was still at home and knew the morality of the sage. In terms of talent, she was not as good as Feng Jin, but she was a lot better than those who were ignorant and illiterate. It was a waste that she was trapped in a small inner courtyard. Shangguan Wan always felt insecure on the inside because of her own experience. If this was in the past, she felt that an aristocratic lady should just fulfill her responsibilities, but now she felt that a life like that was somewhat dangerous. She thought it over and expressed her words truthfully. Wei Jingxian did not look angry. Instead, she looked as if she was deep in thought. Wei Jingxian sighed. Everyone has their own way of living Changsheng is still little. I cant be at ease. Before the couple went to bed that night, Wei Jingxian told Feng Jin about it. Feng Jin stopped halfway when he was about to take off his clothes. He said, You can give it a try when Changsheng has grown up some more. Wei Jingxian was surprised, as if she no longer knew who her husband was. Feng Jin continued with a smile, Lanting has established a female battalion and even dressed up as a woman to train the new recruits. She has hired women for the government office and has appointed Jiang Nongqin as the person in charge. What do you think shes going to do? Her identity cant be kept secret forever. According to her temperament, shell never do that too. Everything now is done to pave the way. I think we should have a proper female lord when everyone has adapted well. Its inevitable to feel bored when you stay in the courtyard alone to take care of Changsheng Give it a try. The world is far wider than the inner courtyard. Chapter 493 - Besieging Fengyi County (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A world wider than the inner courtyard? Wei Jingxian only felt as if she was traveling quickly over gravel, how her heart rippled. A lump came up in her throat, but she joked with a smile, Arent you afraid that Ill neglect you and Changsheng when Im busy with work? Feng Jin smiled a little. If thats the case, Ill share your workload. Then, youll have time to care for Changsheng and me more. Wei Jingxian blushed and muttered shyly, Were an old couple. Arent you embarrassed for saying that? Feng Jin broke into laughter. Weve only been married for a few years. How are we an old couple? They went to bed peacefully with a great tenderness between them. Upon seeing Feng Jin, Jiang Pengji teased him with a smile while dangling a bun from her mouth, Tsk, tsk. Its so rare for you to oversleep. Unwilling to admit himself outdone, Feng Jin retaliated, Its rare for you to be this diligent. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and replied brazenly, Youre wrong. Your lord has always been this diligent. If it had not been for his upbringing, he would have rolled his eyes at her. Did her conscience not hurt when she said those words impudently? His lord had always been an absentee master. Apart from some documents that she had to sign herself, the other matters were all dumped on her subordinates. She was very capricious. In order to run into her at the government office, one would either be extremely lucky that day or she would have to be extremely bored. Jiang Pengji yawned and continued in deadlock with the pile of paperwork. Why is the lord so hard working today? Feng Jin asked Wei Ci after sitting down. Although Wei Ci did not seem to be in good health, he always arrived the earliest every day. He was also impressively efficient in work. She has never really liked to look at formal documents like these. Wei Ci chuckled and replied, The lord has probably had enough of a peaceful life like this and couldnt wait to attack Fengyi County. He did not dare to say that he knew the woman very well, but he still knew some of her dispositions. Although one would be attached to peace, it would make one lazy in the long run. She loathed being lazy the most. Stunned, Feng Jin responded helplessly, But the troops who came here with Maiden Jiang and the original soldiers need time to adapt to each other. The troops whom Jiang Nongqin took with her were not weak. They were definitely one of the main forces for the siege of Fengyi County. If they were dragged onto the battlefield before they could adapt to each other, Feng Jin was worried that they would be at a disadvantage. Wei Ci said with a neutral facial expression, Thats why the lord is so bored that shes looking for something to do. Jiang Pengji was sharpening her sword to kill the Tsing Yi Army in Fengyi County. The other battlefield had already fallen into a stalemate. In the south, the look on Prince Changshous face became graver and graver. After spring had set in, he attacked Chenzhou in the name of ridding the emperor of evil ministers. He initially thought that his army was inexorable, but the outcome was unexpected. He envisaged that conquering Chenzhou would be as easy as falling off a log, but it was actually a nut that was hard to crack. He thought that he could easily conquer all of Chenzhou and threaten the Emperor to abdicate. However, not only did the army in Chenzhou block his troops at the border of Chenzhou, but they even pressured him immensely in some battlefields. A total of 5000 troops were lost in only three days. Lieutenant Huang mustve received guidance from an expert. Hes quite skilled in the art of war. We probably have to expand our troops in order to defeat him. The strategist looked over the information sent by the spy carefully. His brows came unknitted a little, but they instantly re-knitted in a frown. He seemed to be very troubled. It was not known which expert was behind them. They seemed to be always a step ahead of them, and guess their intentions. They rarely fought face-to-face. They mainly launched sneak attacks and harassment. They strived to make the best use of their advantages and avoided their shortcomings, severely impeding Prince Changshous attacks. Prince Changshou took tens of thousands of troops with him to besiege Chenzhou. A huge amount of money had to be spent on food every day. They initially thought that Chenzhou had run out of ammunition and food supplies after winter and that they could conquer Chenzhou with minimal loss and become the ruler of Dongqing. He would then be crowned as the Emperor However, reality slapped Prince Changshou ruthlessly in the face. Not only was Chenzhou not weak, they could even match his might. He thought of capturing Chenzhou in one vigorous effort after spring had set in, but he lost out badly instead. Haha. Colonel Huang is just the descendant of a eunuch. Prince Changshou pouted disdainfully. Secretary Huangs god-grandson, Huang Song, was Colonel Huang. Huang Song was originally the patrol assigned to Shangjing. During the earthquake in Shangjing the year before, he immediately led the patrolling soldiers and rescued many ministers and their families. Even if they looked down upon Huang Songs background, they had to praise him because he saved their lives. With this driving force, Huang Songs official career had soared. Later, he even became the colonel who was in charge of the 5000 imperial guards. Upon Prince Changshous siege on Chenzhou, Huang Song took the initiative to volunteer. The emperor was greatly pleased and valued him even more. Therefore, Huang Song was the commander for the left-wing battlefield in Chenzhou, which was the most difficult to deal with up to now. Although Prince Changshou had a lot more troops than Huang Song, Prince Changshou lost more than 5000 soldiers instead after several battles. Even if Prince Changshou had some success from the mid and right wings, he was still in an unfavorable situation compared to the loss suffered in the left wing. The strategist said with a sigh, The background of a hero isnt important. Even though you dont like to hear this, Huang Song is a worthy opponent. Prince Changshou looked gloomy and a trace of evil flashed across his face. Do you have any idea how to get rid of this kid? The strategist looked unperturbed, but he was somewhat disgusted on the inside. Prince Changshou had previously humiliated him in front of a battalion commander and ordered him around by gesture now. He did not have the slightest bit of respect for him. He secretly murmured, Prince Changshou hasnt even been crowned Emperor, but he already couldnt wait to stop acting as a virtuous ruler who treated worthy men with courtesy. That was what he thought in his mind, but he did not dare to anger Prince Changshou on the outside. With the guidance of an expert, Colonel Huang will be difficult to deal with if we were to fight him face-to-face Raising his eyebrows, the strategist had already planned a venomous scheme in his mind. He continued with a cold and mean tone, Its not difficult to just transfer him out of the battlefield. Pausing for a while, Prince Changshou said, As long as hes transferred, its easy to deal with Huang Song when Chenzhou is conquered You can just tell me the scheme you have in mind. If its feasible, order someone to do it now! Holding in the bubbling vexation and disgust in his heart, he replied calmly, We dont need to bother others. You just have to have a sincere soliciting message and make as many promises as you can. Prince Changshou was puzzled. Could an empty promise cajole Huang Song? The strategist thought to himself that his pig-like lord was so obtuse that his brain could not process it. Its not to draw Huang Song to our side. Its just to make the Emperor fear Huang Song and perhaps convince Him to have the intention to kill him, the strategist explained concisely so that Prince Changshou could understand. The Emperor is extremely suspicious. Huang Songs reputation in the military is rising day by day. If He hears the news of you wanting to recruit Huang Song now, even if the Emperor doesnt kill Huang Song, He wont let him be on the front line. As for Huang Song The strategist paused for a while and stomached the words he was about to say. Huang Song was not someone ordinary. Was he foolishly and undyingly loyal to the Emperor or would he flee upon seeing that the situation was unfavorable? However, no matter what he chose, Prince Changshou would not lose. Chapter 494 - Besieging Fengyi County (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Bang! Huang Song pounded on the table with his fist, looking ferocious and enraged. He threw a bamboo page full of words onto the ground. Feng Jue heard the loud bang from outside the tent. The soldier guarding the military tent bowed to him and lifted the curtain to let him enter. Bogao, what is it that made you this angry? Feng Yu entered the tent and discovered with his sharp eyes that there was a crack on the table that Huang Song pounded. Growing doubtful on the inside, he asked Huang Song with concern, The messenger called for me just now, saying that you have something urgent. Feng Jues gentle voice brought Huang Songs rationality back. Huang Song took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the surging rage in his heart. Huang Song pointed at the scattered bamboo slip on the ground with a murderous look in his eyes, as if he was staring at the enemy who killed his father. Huaijie, read the letter The treacherous traitor, Prince Changshou, is lawlessly arrogant! As he started speaking, his voice became slightly hoarse because of his anger. It sounded wearier than before. Feng Jue squatted down a little and picked up the bamboo slip. Then, he unfolded it with his hands and read it, frowning. He could maintain his composure a lot better than Huang Song. Even though the content on the bamboo slip made his heart jolt, he still kept a calm look on his face and said convincingly, Although Prince Changshous trick looks normal, its indeed a deadly trap. Hes trying to doom you to death! Huang Song was not stupid like Prince Changshou. When he received the bamboo slip in his military tent, he realized that something was wrong. It even made him feel pins and needles. An unprecedented sense of crisis surged through his brain. He hurriedly called for Feng Jue to think of a way to get out of the situation. Sitting down on the seat below, Feng Jue put the bamboo slip aside as if it was a venomous snake. Although the words on it seemed submissive and harmless, its contents could be called a lethal viper. One would die if he was bitten by it. Prince Changshou and the current Emperor are brothers. The latter is more suspicious than the former. A trace of cynicism was hanging in the corners of his lips. He had long despised the royal family. Although Prince Changshou has sent this letter of solicitation, he wont believe that youre sincere if you take advantage of the opportunity and side with him. Therefore, the original intention of this letter is probably to sow discord between you and the Emperor and try to harm you through someone elses hands. Being suspicious was not entirely a bad habit for someone superior, but being terribly suspicious would bring nothing but harm. Unfortunately, the current Emperor and Prince Changshou were both like that. Although the letter was obviously Prince Changshous trick to jeopardize Huang Song, his official career would come to an end when the news was made known in the palace. It was not a big deal to lose ones official position. He was afraid that everyone in his family would have their lives threatened. Since the Emperor had decreed to move the capital to Chenzhou after the earthquake in Shangjing, Prince Changshou forged a decree, left the county with his troops and besieged Chenzhou for the entire winter. The Emperor grew more and more suspicious as the days passed. The mere rustle of leaves in the wind would stimulate His sensitive nerves. So far, there were countless virtuous ministers and loyal warriors who had been wrongfully killed by the Emperor. The court and the common folks heard danger in every sound. In the Chenzhou today, the Emperor obdurately used the power in His hands to kill any existence that made Him feel unpleasant, unhappy, or disgusted. He had not even ruled Chenzhou for long. Not to mention that much blood was shed, He had already killed so many people that everyone was trembling with fear and feeling imperiled! The aristocrats in Chenzhou did not dare to criticize the government, discuss the peoples livelihoods, study the principles of governance, and propose to strengthen the military and enrich the lives of the people. People even mocked those matters as vulgar. They only dared to talk about romance during their gatherings and poetry parties. It was described euphemistically as idle talk. Feng Jue felt helpless and his heart broke at the sight of such an ethos. He was already extremely dissatisfied with the emperor. None of the three sons of the Feng family were ordinary. Feng Jue could sense that once the mindset of idle-talking had spread, the country would suffer! Even if everyone knew that Prince Changshous move was to trap Huang Song, according to the Emperors suspicious personality, He would never trust Huang Song again. If the Emperor still had a trace of rationality, he would most likely strip Huang Songs colonel-level military power, transfer him away from the front line and make him vulnerable. However, based on Feng Jues judgment about the Emperor, He would probably not be that benevolent. It was better to wrongfully kill 10,000 loyal ministers and excellent military officers. He would never let a treacherous traitor who would possibly betray Him slip by. The royal family was merciless. Brothers fought amongst themselves. The brothers, Prince Changshou and the Emperor, were already pitted against each other, let alone Huang Song, the descendant of a eunuch, who was not related to the Emperor at all. Huang Song looked pallid, as if the blood had drained from his face. Depressed, he sat in the distance with a complicated look in his eyes. Feng Jue asked Huang Song with a sigh, What are you going to do now? If he did not do anything to protect himself and wait for the news of Prince Changshou soliciting Huang Song with a generous promise to reach the Emperors ears and provoke the emperors suspiciousness, by then Haha. Even if Huang Song had a god-grandfather to put in a good word for him, he would still be in danger. Holding his head decadently, Huang Song replied somewhat pitifully, I dont know I dont know how to dispel the emperors suspicion Huang Song still had expectations for Dongqing so far, hoping to become a loyal minister who would do his utmost to stem a raging tide and bring prosperity to the people. However, Huang Song was not foolishly loyal. If the emperor really wanted to kill him, he could not stand still idiotically, allow himself to be captured without putting up a fight, and simply wait for doom. Feng Jue replied with a sigh, Its too difficult to dispel His suspicion. Even if you manage to dodge the attack this time, if you suffer a slight defeat in the war once, its difficult to ensure that the Emperor wont suspect you of colluding and conspiring with Prince Changshou By then, youll be really doomed. Battlefields were fast-changing. No one could guarantee that he would win. Prince Changshous scheme was simple and totally diabolical. He crushed the advantages that Huang Song had managed to accumulate. Upon hearing Feng Jues words, even if Huang Song was not willing to believe it, he felt somewhat weak when he thought of the Emperors current appearance He said tearlessly, Huaijie, you have to save me It was difficult to be a loyal and patriotic warrior in recent years. Even if Huang Song had the intention to save the country and the people, reality did not allow him to do so. He even had to face the possibility of being beheaded. Feng Jue closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. He said firmly, Judging from the current situation, you have to sacrifice your minor benefit and make an escape. Sacrifice my minor benefit and make an escape? Huang Song muttered. Feng Jue knew what Huang Song was thinking. He had yet to dispel his expectations towards Dongqing completely. If that was the case, Feng Jue had to give him a push. He replied, Yes. This is the only plan that can save your strength. Bogao, write a letter and send it to the Emperor in secret. Explain the details and be sure to sternly reprimand Prince Changshous wolfish ambition to sow discord between the Emperor and yourself. Lastly, retreat for the sake of advancing. Volunteer to resign from the colonel position and be transferred away from the front line temporarily. Keep yourself away from these sensitive positions for the time being. Startled, Huang Song contemplated after hearing what he said. He was still hesitant on the inside. The emotion of unwillingness flooded his heart. He hated Prince Changshou to death! His venomous scheme was way too vicious. Feng Jue added, If its possible, volunteer to govern other places. It cant be a position thats too sensitive. If so, the Emperor will assent to it. If you can govern a district well, the Emperor will notice your absolute sincerity and put you in an important position again in the future. Chapter 495 - Besieging Fengyi County (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Huang Song was not stupid. He could understand the implicit meaning of Feng Jues words. However, he was really unwilling to accept it! Since childhood, he knew how humble his identity as the descendant of a eunuch was. The people he wanted to make friends with looked down on him. The people he despised wanted to tear him apart instead. The obsessive desire to be recognized had penetrated deep into his bones. How could he make everyone acknowledge and praise him highly? He could only achieve that by becoming a capable minister at times of peace and prosperity and the pillar of the country. Huang Song was still working towards his goal. With his efforts in rescuing peoples lives in the earthquake, he was promoted quickly and became the young talent the Emperor valued the most. He was already a colonel at a young age, but the cruel reality did not give him the chance to advance further. Should he choose to continue to be patriotic and loyal to the throne, or should he choose to protect his life and the lives of his family? Feng Jue gave him the best advice. It would depend on how Huang Song make his choice. After a while, holding on to the last trace of hope, Huang Song asked Feng Jue with a hoarse voice, What if I write a letter to inform His Majesty in secret and pretend to agree to Prince Changshous solicitation and come up with a plan to stab Prince Changshou in the back? What do you think? With a look of indifference, Feng Jue dampened Huang Songs hopes, landing a huge blow. First of all, Prince Changshou wont believe that youre crossing over to his side sincerely. Even if he believes it, hell always guard against you, not to mention that he has many strategists who may even use this as a chance to breach Chenzhous line of defense. You wont be able to explain yourself at that time. Feng Jue took a breath and continued. Furthermore, the Emperor is narrow-minded and suspicious. Do you think that hell believe that youre just pretending to cross over to Prince Changshous side? If you tell Him that, Hell probably be even more suspicious of you having the intention to revolt. Your entire family will be implicated. As he finished speaking, he looked at Huang Song calmly, waiting for him to be completely clear-headed. In the end, no matter who won or lost, the world was already a complete mess. Only saints could turn the tide. Was Huang Song a saint? He was not! Therefore, he could only do what was simplest, which was to protect himself, find ways to make himself stronger and strive to have a place in the troubled times, so as to protect the people and accomplish more good. Huang Song was still too inexperienced and weak now. He had to be more ruthless. After a while, the look of agony and conflict on Huang Songs face subsided. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he made up his mind. I got it. Ill write a letter to inform the Emperor now. Ill retreat for the sake of advancing and look for a place to settle down Thank you, Huaijie. Huang Songs choice was in accordance with Feng Jues expectation. Compared to his ambition of bringing peace and stability to the country, Huang Song cherished his own life more. Being pushed up against the wall by Prince Changshous deadly trap, Huang Song had to find a way to escape in the ensuing chaos and look for a chance to get his revenge in the future. While there was life, there was hope. After making up his mind, Huang Song wrote a letter and sent it in secret to the palace. It almost arrived at the Emperors desk with another secret letter at the same time. It was as if the Emperor was schizophrenic. He was gentle and careful towards Guifei Huijun, but He frequently flew into a terrible rage towards the others. He might kill someone with His sword if He was unhappy. Everyone found themselves in danger and the aristocrats did not dare to talk about politics openly. There were some courtiers who initially criticized Guifei Huijuns presence in the front hall. Now, they feared that they would be in extreme danger without her presence. If Guifei Huijun was present, even if the Emperor was furious, He would only hurl something and pull a long face. They would suffer a little, but their lives were not threatened. If Guifei Huijun was absent, haha. They had to be careful. They were absolutely blessed by their ancestors if they could walk out of the front hall unscathed. Guifei Huijun said that she was unwell, so she did not accompany the Emperor. His personal secretary served Him while quivering. After reading one of the secret letters, the Emperor was enraged. He pushed away the booklets that piled up like a mountain on the table. The nerves on His face were vaguely twitching. He looked as if He was in excruciating pain. The Emperor stroked His head to suppress His splitting headache while gasping for breath at the same time. Everyone else was in great trepidation and did not dare to step forward. Just when His secretary was contemplating if he should ask someone to go to Guifei Huijun for help, the Emperor picked up another secret letter. He opened the letter in an abnormally rough manner. As He read the letter, His knitted brows relaxed a little. An unusual look flickered in His eyes. In the first letter, the spy informed against Prince Changshou for secretly soliciting Huang Song and reported on the long conversation that Huang Song had with his trusted aide in the tent. The second letter was written by Huang Song. He talked about Prince Changshous wolfish ambition to sow discord between him and the Emperor through such a dirty move. He displayed his loyalty with sincerity and made an excuse saying that he was not in good health, so he probably could not share the Emperors trouble at the front line. He expressed that if the Emperor felt that he was a capable person, it would be better to transfer him to a remote place and let him continue to devote himself to the Emperor. Had the second secret letter not arrived in time, the Emperor might have already ordered his trusted spy to kill Huang Song. However, even if the letter came in time, the Emperor had His walls up against Huang Song. He could not help but suspect if Huang Song had accepted Prince Changshous generous remuneration and if he was no longer loyal towards Him. He wanted to find a reason to strip Huang Song of all the positions he was holding Now that Huang Song knew his place and volunteered to leave the front line, the Emperor was not that disgusted and suspicious instead. He did not want others to think that He was heartless. Now that Huang Song took the initiative to give Him an out, He would just take it. After writing this decree, He wrote another appointment letter to appoint Huang Song as the district magistrate of Diyang District in Maode County, Haozhou. Due to His suspicion and Huang Songs young age, He did not give Huang Song a rank that was very high. He only gave him the position of a district magistrate of a rather poor, remote and small district. If Huang Song performed well, He would promote him in the future. Being one of the 21 counties in the six states of Dongqing, Haozhou was the poorest and most vulnerable place among the six states. Maode County was considered to be a relatively prosperous place in Haozhou. Diyang District in Maode County was one of the best places there. It could be regarded as an alternative compensation granted by the Emperor. All of those were within Feng Jues expectations. He helped Huang Song to find a place to settle down by retreating for the sake of advancing. When the two decrees had reached Huang Song, Jiang Pengji was already itching to begin a fight and preparing to take the troops out for war. Although Xiangyang District was small, as many as 10,000 soldiers could be dispatched. Each and every one of them was harshly trained. Even though they were far from being the picked troops in Jiang Pengjis mind, they were far better than the soldiers who betrayed their comrades in times of hardship. Jiang Pengji was dissatisfied, but the others were already perfectly content with it and had great expectations towards the army. Xiangyang District was Jiang Pengjis supreme headquarters. It was impossible for her to take everyone and everything with her when she wanted to conquer the entire territory of Fengyi County. After some discussion, she made Feng Jin, Luo Yue and 4,000 troops and horses to stay behind to keep watch over Xiangyang District. She took everyone else with her. Chapter 496 - Besieging Fengyi County (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was a raging storm that day. Banners and flags flapped in the wind. Jiang Pengji was finally leaving the small Xiangyang District and entering a wider and crueler arena. The troops stood neatly in a line on the drill groundS. Every single one of them stood straight like a ramrod and looked steadily forward, waiting for the pre-war resolution-pledging ceremony to begin. 2,000 veterans and 2,000 new recruits were left behind to guard Xiangyang District. The other 3,000 or so picked troops and new recruits were off to war. Jiang Pengji originally wanted to use a riskier and more radical method, which was to let the new recruits defend Xiangyang District and her original troops, the imperial guards and some of the newly recruited troops would participate in the war. However, her suggestion was unanimously opposed by all of her subordinates. Wei Ci said, This plan mustnt be implemented. Xiangyang District is your only shelter. If Xiangyang District is solely guarded by the new recruits who are inexperienced, Im afraid that something will happen if the enemy takes the opportunity to make a sneak attack. Its better to retain some experienced veterans in order to be safe. As he finished speaking, he frowned. He was secretly worried about her stubborn temper, but he could not watch her take the risk without saying anything. Thinking about her past life, the only time she suffered a loss in Qiguan Rangs hands was when she was overconfident, causing her base to be almost destroyed by the surprise attack Qiguan Rang had made. She suffered a huge loss that time. Almost everyone thought that she would hack Qiguan Rang into a thousand pieces, but the outcome was a complete surprise. Not only did Qiguan Rang, who surrendered, not die, but he became her closest confidant. She took care of Qiguan Rang, the strategist who took the initiative to surrender, from the start of the founding of the country until her death. She even irritated the new Emperor. It was impossible for Wei Ci to not be offended about it. Returning to his prime, Wei Ci got to know her from a different perspective and he could slowly understand why she treated Qiguan Rang specially. It was purely because Qiguan Rang saw her humaneness beneath her mercilessness. Everyone said that Empress Chen was ruthless, engaged in brutal wars, blew hot and cold, and was dictatorial and tyrannical. However, was it really true? If she was such a person, how could the Jiang Dynasty be established so steadily? In the decades in which she governed, the people lived and worked in peace. The troops admired and respected her. Even if she faced obstacles in advocating for women to participate in court matters and implementing laws that would benefit women and sabotage the vital interests of the aristocrats, they could all be implemented smoothly. Why did no one ever think of rebelling against her ruling, and start a new dynasty? It was merely because her actions were for the sake of the majority of the people, but the minority who had their interests sabotaged were in control of the right to express their opinions in public. She did not care about fame, so she let the contemptible scoundrels who thought highly of themselves raise a ruckus. However, humans were not saints. Too many people had their judgments influenced by the opinion of others, but Qiguan Rang saw the truth. Therefore, Her Majesty said that Qiguan Wenzheng was her only confidant throughout her whole life. If so, he was probably still lacking. Being reborn and building everything from scratch by her side, Wei Ci truly saw an entirely different Liu Xi. He was even more infatuated with her and adored such an Empress even more, but that was it. He did not dare to treat her with the slightest disrespect. It was a good ending for the monarch-minister relationship to be passed down as a legend. Thinking about it in his mind, Wei Ci chose an excuse that could convince her and would not incite her to do the opposite. The others were like this as well. They did not have the same reasoning, but the core idea was the same You could be wild, but you could not be too wild. Jiang Pengji looked a little livid and smacked her lips. In fact, she originally wanted to drag everyone with her. She would speedily conquer the entire Fengyi County through a blitz and become an unacknowledged but legitimate country magistrate of Fengyi County. However she was unable to talk her subordinates into it. Qiguan Rang looked up and said, The new recruits are still new, after all. They lack training and combat experience. If the two armies are at war, theyll be the group of people suffering the greatest loss. Its not easy to train the troops. Its better to take a group to the battlefield and leave the others behind to defend the city It was a good thing for their lord to declare a war because none of the troops were conservative. However, the problem was that their lord liked to be unusual. She would act wildly every day. One careless move might lead to the loss of the entire game. As her subordinates, they had to undergo much distress in their hearts. Jiang Pengji smacked her lips. Alright then. Ill just agree with you. She looked at the crowd with a loving look, like she was looking at a bunch of mentally-retarded people. They were really cowardly. It should be fine if I listen to your decision, right? Clad in military uniform, Jiang Pengji read the Preamble to Crusade Against the Tsing Yi Army that was written by the marksman, Feng Jin, out loud. She did not care about an empty thing like this. She read it with cadence, but she secretly rolled her eyes on the inside. They were just going to snatch the Tsing Yi Armys territory. If they won, the piece of land would be hers. There were not that many tricks Was it necessary to embellish themselves as angels who would enforce justice on behalf of the heavens and save the people living in utter misery in Fengyi County? It turned out that it really was necessary. The phrase having a good pretext for waging a war was not just for show. Although Jiang Pengji was fed up on the inside, she would not make trouble willfully People had always denounced one for dispatching troops without a just cause. Even if Feng Jin was not the marksman, she would force him to write a lengthy preamble with hundreds of words and relegate the Tsing Yi Army and their ancestors to hell. The preamble was used to arouse the aggressive morale. Next, generals were appointed and troops were deployed. She shouted loudly, Meng Hun, step forward! A burly man with a stalwart figure who was holding a longsword in his hand stepped out of the ranks. Going down on his knees, he half-knelt in front of Jiang Pengji who was on the stage. Present. Ill appoint you as the lieutenant of the vanguard. Jiang Pengji said, Do you have the confidence to brush the enemy aside and clear the obstacles? I wont let you down, Meng Hun replied emphatically. The silent drill ground was filled with the desire to wipe out their enemy. Li Yun, step forward! Jiang Pengjis gaze fell on Li Yun. She had quite a high expectation towards the young man. However, Li Yun was young, so he was not as experienced as Meng Hun in combat. Thus, he had yet to be able to lead an army independently, so he was asked to gain some experience in the vanguard along with Meng Hun. Present! Without his usual dorkiness and silliness, the stern-faced Li Yun was like an entirely different person. His every footstep was sonorous and forceful, as if his every move contained a powerful explosive force and he could behead the enemy with the sword in his hand. Ill appoint you as the deputy lieutenant of the vanguard and raise the prestige of our army together with Lieutenant Meng! The vanguard was responsible for scouting, gathering intelligence about the enemy, examining the terrain, and launching tentative and exploratory attacks for the entire army. Disrupting the enemys deployment array could boost their morale. The most elite troops of the entire army usually formed the vanguard. If there was a mistake, it would dampen the morale of the troops tremendously. Meng Hun preferred to play it safe, where Li Yun was full of fight. They made an excellent combination. Qiguan Rang was appointed as the adviser of the vanguard. His deceptive style was very suitable for the vanguard. He could get out of the jaws of danger even if they were ambushed. Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci would guard the center division, and Xu Ke would be in charge of the rear division. Feng Jin and Luo Yue stayed behind to guard the district. At last Jiang Nongqin, step forward! Chapter 497 - Besieging Fengyi County (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Nongqin? Why did that sound like a womans name? Many soldiers were having doubts. The troops Jiang Nongqin took with her stood even straighter. The muscles on their backs contracted, making them look tightly wound. They could not help but gaze at Jiang Nongqin who stepped forward from the corner. She did not dress herself in mens clothing. She just wore clothes that would not restrain her movements. It was a figure dressed in womens clothing that was different to that of a man. Clad in leather armor with her hair tied up high at the top of her head, she stepped out of the ranks aloofly with steady footsteps, went down on her knees and half-squatted. Present. Jiang Nongqin looked very feminine. Even if her skin seemed a bit rough from being exposed to the sun and undergoing various ordeals, her facial features could not hide the fact that she was a woman, not to mention that her figure did not look masculine. Now that she had spoken, her clearly feminine voice which sounded somewhat hoarse, further confirmed that she was a woman. Shes actually a woman! Most of the troops widened their eyes. Even if they knew that the female battalion tolerated no nonsense, they never thought that a woman could be on the commander appointment stage. This isnt a joke, right? Fortunately, they remembered the warning given during their training. Even if they were already thunderstruck, they still maintained their discipline and did not whisper. The scene made Jiang Pengji feel even better. Her voice even sounded livelier. Youre appointed as the lieutenant of the female battalion to help the vanguard. There were almost 1,500 members in the female battalion, so it could be regarded as a battalion. However, she did not take everyone in the female battalion with her that time. She only took 500 of them with her and all of them were the most outstanding among the female warriors. They could gain combat experience through killing on the battlefield. Despite being the lieutenant of just 500 troops, Jiang Nongqin could stun everyone with her being a woman who had gone on the commander appointment stage and been appointed as a lieutenant, although it made her look rather bad and no one even knew about the specific tasks of the female battalion. Despite their unwillingness to accept, they could only hold their dissatisfaction in. The new recruits did not dare to criticize Jiang Nongqin on the inside, let alone question her ability. Being able to be on the commander appointment stage was the best proof. They were still trembling at the thought of the female soldier who nitpicked the new recruits in the past. As for the veterans, they were disciplined. Even if they were recalcitrant, they dared not raise their dissatisfaction in such a serious ceremony. Therefore, Jiang Nongqin was given the title of a lieutenant. The 500 troops of the female battalion were only slightly behind the vanguard during their march. Marching was a huge burden, but these women were selected by battling among nearly 1,500 people. Each quota was taken from the hands of their comrades. Of course, they did not dare to be negligent and careless and miss the opportunity to train themselves. They had to go to war sooner or later. The Tsing Yi Army was just a mob who had experienced fatigue and hunger for the entire winter. It sounded like they were huge in number, but their actual combat power was pretty vulnerable. Moreover, they had been dealing with the Red Lotus Group for a long time, so their military strength had been depleted tremendously. The knowledgeable female troops analyzed the pros and cons of the campaign. They came to the conclusion that they must join the war if they wanted to maximize the accumulation of their experience. The Tsing Yi Army was just the beginning for them. They would face even more formidable enemies in the future, encounter tougher battlefields and participate in wars with mortality rates that were even higher. As members of the female battalion of Xiangyang District, they had to take this step sooner or later, so it was better to gain some experience from battles that were less dangerous. When a person was confronted with the danger of death, he would fight to live! Jiang Pengji looked around her and turned up her nose at the crowd. Her hoarse voice did not lack fierceness, making everyone nervous and their hair stand on end. Off we go! During early autumn to late winter the year before, Gu Xin had made a huge fortune by conning the people in the North borderline with the worthless glass tea sets. He bought large quantities of sheepskin and medium-sized horses at a cheap price. Jiang Pengji then took the opportunity to mix the huge amounts of grains which she bought from the depot into the grains that Gu Xin brought. Hence, Xiangyang District could be said to have a strong military and sufficient food now. Even if there were a few unavoidable encounters, they could make it through, battling in a siege war that they were sure to win. In the previous six months, Xiangyang District had established its own cavalry division with the horses. There were not many members in the cavalry battalion. They numbered only around 600. After all, not everyone was suitable to serve on horseback. To train a cavalry, a huge investment was required. The cavalry was mainly used to assault, break up and cut into the enemys ranks. They had a great role and status in ancient wars. Considering that the cavalry battalion was still inexperienced and that they did not have a dominant role in the siege war, Jiang Pengji did not drag her favorite babies with her Raising the cavalry could really make one feel pain in their flesh. Even a wealthy landlord like Jiang Pengji felt her heart ache. The strong wind gusted, making the flags flap in the wind. Xiangyang District became smaller and smaller slowly behind them and was finally just a dot on the horizon. Jiang Pengji was steadily riding Dabai, who was so excited that it was dying to gallop. Wei Ci, who was next to her, turned pale from the wind. Seeing that his lips had lost their color, Jiang Pengji said, I asked you to guard the city, but you wanted to switch with Huaiyu no matter what. Dont seek death when youre not in good health. The original plan was to let Feng Jin go to war with her and leave the ill Wei Ci to look after the district in the base camp. However, Wei Ci took the initiative to volunteer, saying that Feng Jin had to look after his family and that he could go anywhere without a problem because he was single. Jiang Pengji looked at Feng Jin and then at Wei Ci. She initially thought that the two of them would fight. Instead, Feng Jin glanced at Wei Ci quietly and Wei Ci looked at him expressively. It was not known what their gazes conveyed. The two had reached a consensus. Jiang Pengji did not say a word. I dont really understand scholars like you, with such complex minds. Anyway, the final result was that Wei Ci won. Feng Jin would stay in Xiangyang District to guard the city. After that, she heard Qiguan Rang tease Wei Ci for being treacherous and evil-minded. Why? There are a lot of jobs to be done in the district headquarters. If Wei Ci is really asked to stay behind, I think hell die soon when we return from war. In the face of such a heavy workload, could Feng Jin who stayed behind really be able to spare some time and spend time with his wife and daughter? This was very ambiguous. Jiang Pengji was speechless. It was so reasonable that Jiang Pengji actually had no words. When night fell, the entire army rested on site. During the march, they were not allowed to whisper, so the troops had held in their thoughts for the whole day. While eating, they gossiped about Jiang Nongqin, the unprecedented female lieutenant. A war isnt childs play. How could a woman who isnt from a military brothel join the battalion? With the constant reminder from the district headquarters, everyone knew that the women in the female battalion did not engage in such vulgar labor. None of the troops dared to provoke them. Challenge her then. If you win, you may be able to replace her. Bah. You evil-minded thing If Im able to win, Id be a centurion already. Why would I still talk nonsense with you here? They really did not dare to question Jiang Nongqin face-to-face. They knew very well about the training in the female battalion. Men might not even be able to endure it, but they persisted. They could earn their respect with this alone. However, this was still far from making them acknowledge the female soldiers as their comrades. The soldier sneered. Centurion? Why dont you be a corporal first? After four days of marching, it would only take them half a day more to reach their target. Jiang Pengji ordered the battalions to have a day off. At that time, the vanguard found suspicious traces of marching. Chapter 498 - Besieging Fengyi County (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The night was dark and thick, and heavy clouds were accumulating from all over and compressed in a thick pillar. Their union overshadowed the sky from horizon to horizon. Lifting ones head, it looked like an overturned black pot covering the earth. The strong winds blew across the grasslands, bringing with it a mild scent of soil that came in waves. Some days before, it had rained. The uneven soil accumulated so much water that it oozed out and failed to evaporate. Report! Traces of an army ahead, which is suspected to be our enemy. A few scouts came consecutively to report, and Meng Huns face turned somber having received them. Off to one side, Li Yuns eyes were sharp. Have our tracks been discovered? Meng Hun frowned, and said with a sneer, It might not be that we have been discovered. Perhaps the enemies have other plans. Continue to scout! One after another, the scouts were sent, and they came back with reports. Meng Hun and Li Yuns facial expressions slowly calmed. Lets follow according to plan. The army tracks discovered are from half a day ago. Based on their route, they probably havent picked up our trail Meng Hun rode on his horse. He hadnt had time to wash up since they were on the move the past few days. He appeared boorish and the dirt caked in the wrinkles between his brows, making dark rivers on his forehead. Li Yun looked a lot better than Meng Hun, as he was still a young man. He just had to freshen up slightly to have that air of manliness about him. He had become the second military officer for the vanguard battalion camp. Li Yun was cold, distant and solemn. Tsing Yi army doesnt have a holistic source of military supply wagons. They can only depend on stealing resources from the local people to support their spending. Li Yuns eyes shone with a burning desire for war. This happened to be Tsing Yi armys latest military supply wagon. Luck was on their side. It was fated that they start off well. He licked his dry, peeling lips, and said, We are unsure about the situation at Chengan district, but the military supply wagon has always been the lifeline of an army. If we cut off Tsing Yi armys supplies to Chengan district, we can occupy the city by just surrounding them Fengyi county consisted of four areas. They were Xiangyang district, occupied by Jiang Pengji, Chengan district, occupied by Tsing Yi army, and the Maolin and Jiaoping Districts. Of these four, Xiangyang district was the most remote, but had the largest area, and secondly was the flourishing Chengan district. The geography of Chengan district was unique. It could be attacked if one gained entry, and well defended if they chose to retreat. It was the heart of Fengyi county. For many reasons, this was also the location Tsing Yi army eyed from the start and it was where one of their largest military camps was based. It was estimated that over 20,000 Tsing Yi troops defended it. Though they were ignorant about Tsing Yi armys present situation, based on the report from the previous scout, Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group fought throughout winter, so their resources were depleted. If they stopped their military provisions from reaching them, it would be advantageous for the middle troops. Faced with this suggestion, Meng Huns heart was moved. Now that he was the vanguard commander, whether they chased and attacked would be based on his decision. The vanguard battalion bore the responsibility of scouting for the entire army. Besides investigating their enemys territory, they also had to be sensitive to their movements and confound their battle formation. If the situation allowed, they were to engage in battle with the enemys advance party. This would be the largest extent to reap the fruits of victory. Now that Tsing Yi armys reinforcement troops had arrived, if they did not seize the chance, when this heavy military supply weapon transported to Chengan district instead, it would cause trouble. They couldnt claim that the goods in the military supply wagons contained miracle pills that would make Tsing Yi army invincible. Rather, the magic involved the soldiers fighting spirits. If his lord were to lead her troops to conquer the city and Tsing Yi army obtained the backup provisions, their fighting spirit would be maintained at a fairly high level. To engage them in a prolonged and tiresome war, awaiting their reinforcements to arrive will be detrimental to his side. Without this batch of supplements, Tsing Yi armys soldiers and horses would be exhausted. They would only need to surround them for a few days, and their fighting spirit would be dampened. If the soldiers lost their morale, conquering the city would be much easier. Meng Hun strongly believed in the attack machinery his lord had constructed. He also anticipated an unexpected victory during their first war. But sacrifices are expected when attacking a city, and it was a good idea to minimize the number of soldiers dying, so he quickly made his decision. After them! Commanding them to chase their enemies, he also sent a scout to pass the order to the middle soldiers. Although the vanguard battalion camp could move anywhere, it couldnt do it on a whim. If their communication with the middle troops were to be broken, it would be no different from being stranded and injured. If at that moment, they engaged with their enemies at war and both sides couldnt do it simultaneously, they would be in a dire state. Reality had proven, Meng Hun was more dependable and took more conservative actions, compared to Jiang Pengji. If Jiang Pengji commanded the vanguard battalion, her style would probably have been to go where there was excitement. Wherever her enemy was located would be where her sword pointed. Even an insignificant one would not be spared; she would kill whoever she saw. What was the middle troops to her? It is none of her business. When the enemies came, she would deal with it! Thus, Wei Ci at one time could not understand how such an unrestrained fellow could become one of the masters of the realms. After his previous lord was beheaded, he landed in Pengjis camp base, and only then did he realize the wonders that existed. The vanguard battalions were crazy dogs, while the middle troops and reinforcements were fighters. If they intend to launch a surprise attack, they may fall into their enemys trap. Later they assigned a few strategists to be overseers, and the situation improved. However, the literates and strategists were hardworking overseers, while military generals were still running about like mad dogs with their paws spread out. People in front were fighting wars and expanding the fruits of their success, while the overseers behind were picking up their mess after them. As if an old lady serving a milk bottle and pacifying her grandson to drink, her cheeky grandson often has a I refuse to listen to a baddie recite scriptures expression. What else could they do? They were also depressed. Wei Ci couldnt help but pity Jiang Pengjis previous scholarly workforceYes, her workforce in this life was also equally pitiful. He secretly glanced at her, as she was just receiving news from a scout, and indeed she revealed a regretful and envious expression. My lord needs to stabilize the army from within and not make a rash decision. As if reciting an incantation, Wei Ci pensively reminded her. I havent even said anything. Jiang Pengji ordered the scout who delivered the message to leave, and she turned her head and rolled her eyes at Wei Ci. Laosiji Lianmeng: Yes. Indeed, the streamer has yet to speak but your eyes gave your thoughts away. Jintian Kaishi: Hahaha, the streamer had a jealous face just now but suddenly her heart softened. Yuepiao Shuangpei: To delegate the aggressive streamer with the task of heading the army, just thinking of these literates is scary enough. Qiuyuepiao: I believe the streamer isnt one who is easily impeded, she cannot command the vanguard battalion, but she has the autonomy to conquer the city. Who is as excited as me to see the streamer calling the shots as a warrior and being at the forefront killing the enemys generals? Wei Ci was so hateful, he purposefully chose to annoy her. Except that both his eyes and those viewers eyes were brightly lit. He said, It is impossible for the lord to lead the vanguard battalion. If the lord was given free rein to command the vanguard battalion, Wei Ci was unsure if he could lead the middle troops to find her location. She laughed saying, If we dont try, how will we know? Wei Ci pursed his lips, Ci wishes that the lord wont be so willful. Chapter 499 - Besieging Fengyi County (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji stared at him then spoke impolitely, If you claim that I am not wilful and I accept it, then I will lose face. Wei Ci was stunned and didnt have a comeback. Suddenly he didnt know whether to laugh or cry. If you were to count how long theyd known each other since they first crossed swords, he had known her for almost 30 years. Yet surprisingly, he never knew she had such a childish side, it seemed like she must be pacified. In the past, he would probably never have dared to speak up, he would have felt unable to silently witness such a sight. Wei Cis pupils appeared somewhat brighter and softer; like ripples in a fountain, they shone with a cold, faint light. Jiang Pengji made a sound of disapproval then rubbed both her arms. Can you not make that expression; it is giving me goose bumps. I, your lord, am not gay, what if I am misunderstood? Even with your small frame, please dont lust after me. His gentle expression froze briefly, his face seemed to turn green like jade, and he lost his amicable look as it instead turned cold as ice. He appeared calm as he said, Please dont misunderstand, my lord. She responded briefly then continued riding on her horse and opened her Great Universal Geographical Map while the viewers mercilessly mocked her. Having been on the move for days, there wasnt much entertainment, Jiang Pengji depended on the bullet screen to pass time. Huashi Qiuyuepaio: Rubbish streamer, you bullied our young Ci again. Sanbai Liushidu Quankongfan: Just now, beautiful Cis eyes were so gentle that tears were on the verge of flowing but were interrupted by the streamer. When someone is so unromantic, they are destined to live with their own hands. Youre going to be single for the rest of your life. Tuomasi Huixuandafanzhuan: The streamer and viewers walk hand in hand, whoever finds a partner first is a dog. Let us become dogs if we can find our other half who desires to hold our hand. Ai, I feel that by the time beautiful Ci and I have three to five children, the streamer will still be single. Menghuluodi Shiqiuyuepiao: Pei, why does the viewer above want to have children with my husband, have you asked for my opinion? Cimeiren Zaiwoshenxia: To the viewers above, have you asked his partners opinion? Cimeiren Zaiwochuangshang: Pei, those viewers above, have you asked for my primary wifes opinion? She glanced at the screen flooded with infighting comments. She looked intently at Wei Ci. His beauty was unparalleled. Even if both were distanced by a plane, groups of men and women would still compete for him till they bled or were injured. Ai, Zixiao. Jiang Pengji had a sudden surge of emotions. For blessings to descend on the people in earth, wont you consider getting married sooner? A handsome man who is married is better than a yet to marry handsome man. They wont toy with peoples feelings and attract people only to break their hearts. Wei Cis already unhappy face seemed to have been brushed with another layer of green rouge, even the expression in his eyes changed. In an unemotional tone he said, Ci doesnt lust after women. She played along and said articulately, Then take a husband instead. At least your bed will be warmed at night by someone. She thought of Wei Cis body which feared the cold, he should find a partner who had a fiery constitution. Theres no need, Ci doesnt lust after men either. Wei Ci seemingly smiled in response; his words came out with some difficulty. After she heard this, she studied his face with her eyes then slowly turned her eyes downwards and stared elsewhere. Should we get a renowned doctor to come and examine you? If a womans body is innately cold, she will fall sick easily, have problems giving birth, and even be infertile. The same reasoning applies if a mans body is cold and sickly; will it affect the function of his organs? He is so young, yet he cannot get erect and he doesnt have a social life. If he suppresses his desires for too long, his psychological health may be affected. Wei Cis facial expression became unsightly. He was starting to seriously suspect he had been blind in his previous life. Why did he only see the Emperors proud and cold side but not that she was so unreliable or that she doesnt take things seriously. Indeed, his vision had been obscured, he really needs to wash his eyes and wipe them clean so they can see again. She found joy in poking fun at him till his face turned pale green. On the other hand, Meng Hun has had an unexpected pleasant surprise. Initially, he thought this was just a small regular transport of military provisions, but never did they expect this to be Tsing Yi armys large-scale transport of military supplies. There are rations and chest after chest of gold, silver, and precious items. Even the boxes cannot hold these items. After opening the covers, there are five carriages full in total! Good, this is indeed eye-catching and poignant. These are perilous times Meng Hun thought bitterly. The slaughter by the beast is often not directed at ones enemies, but to those frail women, the immobile elderly, and young, tender children. Upon careful observation, one could still see pale grey-looking heads of males, females, the old and young, hung on the wagons carrying supplies. These actions are unlike those of Dongqings citizens, it looks more like those bastards of Nanman at the North borderline Li Yun was raised by his teacher Xie Qian. As he taught him to practice the spear formation, he would tell him stories of what was happening in the outside world. Nanman is located at the North borderlines and is an uncivilised place. Even though Xie Qian didnt add any element of entertainment to his storytelling, Li Yun could sense that bone-deep bloody cruelty. Numerous soldiers who were born bandits readied themselves for battle in anticipation of killing their enemies. Meng Hun was rather interested in those trucks full of military supplies. If they could intercept them, it would surely be a great accomplishment. Yet this is not the most eye-catching thing. Amid the troops responsible for transporting the provisions, there are hundreds of women who are shabbily dressed and many are bare-footed too. Their faces look numbed, both their hands were tied by a hemp rope and they were bound together; this is useful to prevent them from escaping. Li Yun hid behind Meng Hun and softly said, Looking at where they came from, perhaps they just robbed a certain rich district? Its hard to saythough the Tsing Yi army is mainly comprised of people who have suffered their own trials and tribulations, once they unleashed their evil side and acted on them, they appear to be more hideous and hateful than the court itself. The court at most disregards the lives of the people but the Tsing Yi army does whatever it wishes and without morals. They must be stopped. Li Yun never had a good impression of the Tsing Yi army, he saw how these women were treated like beasts, tied up and frequently lashed at, their mouths full of words of despair and he couldnt bear to see it. His unwavering eyes were burning with the intent to kill. (Skinny males were called burning flames, ladies were called unenvious sheep, children were called rotten bones, and these who were cannibalised were termed two legged sheep) These are all the sins once committed by the three tribes of the north borderlines and the four factions of Nanman. The three tribes of the north borderline have long preyed on Dongqing. Now that it is in chaos, how could they not be interested? As for Nansheng which was exterminated by the four factions of Nanman, that episode was utterly tragic. Lets not delve into the various vices they committed along the way after they conquered Nansheng. All the males in the imperial family were beheaded and hung on the city gates. All the females were degraded to become prostitutes in the military camp; from the tender age of three to five to fifty to sixty years old, none were spared. Those who were prostituted till they died are still not accounted for. The four factions of Nanman vented their frustration as they were not able to win the battle. They even ordered mass killings, authorising their soldiers to kill without constraint in the capital city for one day and night. If this is not earth-shattering, then how about the four factions of Nanman gathering to eat human flesh? (Prisoners of war turned into food, in the day thousands were slaughteredcannibalism, hundreds were pounded by the pestle, the living were broken by the mortar, and even their bones were consumed) That was a crazy day of rejoicing for those devils from hell. Chapter 500 - Besieging Fengyi County (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Meng Hun smiled coldly. Regardless whether the Northern Nanman or Dongqing, they are both engaging in dirty business. Liyun listened but kept silent, he darent respond to Meng Huns words. Even if the sixteen countries are in turmoil, those people living in the central plains have an innate sense of superiority. When the Xia dynasty ended the chaotic times and dominated the world, they rose to be the pinnacle of all nations and such an air of elitism was born. How then can these esteemed people of the heavenly country be compared to barbaric nations? If Meng Huns words were examined by old researchers and scholars, he would surely be accused by all when they hear of it. In the peoples eyes, the barbarian tribes are barbaric, they devour raw meats, fowls, and drink blood, they lack intelligence, their ways are inhumane and cruel. Contrarily, the people from the five countries in the central plains are polite and civilised, they are high cultured people enlightened with spiritual knowledge, whether its Dongqing, Nansheng, Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, or Xichang. Which of them looks up to the foreign tribes? Unexpectedly, Meng Hun said all men are the same. Even the people of the central plains are capable of those cruel deeds committed by the barbaric tribes. They just dont admit it. Such debates are truly unorthodox. Liyun was determined in his heart to rebut but the realistic bloody scene left him speechless. With a lot of conflicted feelings and total discomfort, in the end he settled with a sigh. Based on Liyuns wits, he had no means of understanding whether these rebellious refugees caused this chaotic time or if such times of unrest forced these people to become mad. Why are you sighing, it is unlucky. Meng Hun had a stern face as he stared intently with both eyes at those responsible for transporting Tsing Yi armys rations. Those men readied themselves to rest. He softly reprimanded them. As a general, be wary of allowing joy and anger to cloud your facial expression and emotions cannot waver no matter what occurs during the war From the vanguard battalion colonels point of view, its crucial to maintain clarity of mind and thinking so that no mistakes will be made. The vanguard battalion camp consists of half the total elite soldiers in the camp. If they are defeated in battle, no need to mention about their dampened morale, even their fighting spirits will take a downward turn. As the commander of the vanguard battalion, the colonel must always perform well as the leader. Even if the situation is dire, he cannot appear dispirited or sigh as it will affect the morale of the troops, although Liyun had no such intentions Liyun wore a simple and honest smile, revealing the cute and sweet disposition that Meng Hun is familiar with. But he quickly realised it and composed his facial expression immediately. On the other hand, the group of Tsing Yi army in charge of transporting military supplies had found an ideal spot to rest. The weather is presently cold, but on the arduous journey to transport military provisions, the servants expanded a lot of physical energy and often sweated profusely. However, those Tsing Yi soldiers who wore plain clothes to supervise, were more breathless than those men who carried the goods. One of them planted his buttocks on the carriage, his swaying clothes seeming like a fan and his increasingly swollen face appearing somewhat mean. This is seriously infuriating, if not for these young ladies who walk so slowly, we would have reached our destination and wed be eating delicious food and drinking instead of wasting time in the wilderness A thick phlegm welled up in his throat, and as he cleared his throat, he spat at the nearest woman and his mood was lifted as he watched her scream in shock. I cant understand these women, my children and grandchildren have tasted my saliva before so whats wrong with my sputum Another leaned on the carriage, his back pressed painfully against a hanging head. He spat then threw the decapitated head far off. Dont go overboard in playing, these women are to be shared with our comrades. It is alright if you, you rascal, enjoys them beforehand but dont inflict harm on them. After youve had your fun, its only fair to let others enjoy too. His vision fell on hundreds of heads with dishevelled hair and he lowered his head causing the women to tremble unceasingly. He smiled slyly as if recalling something. A womans body is soft; they taste like a delicacy Chaotic times has its advantages. If the world is at peace, from whence will come days of comfort? They worked hard like a wild man working in the fields, they wished for a taste of women, but it was unknown when that would happen. Women are a rarity, its almost impossible for those in rural villages to find wives. A few brothers would pool together their money to buy a wife to share. This was a common phenomenon. More than a thousand Tsing Yi soldiers guarded the military supplies and gear, so many pairs of eyes ogled at the bodies of those women. The past few days were spent guarding the supplies intently. Despite being near the women, they could not touch them. Only those of high status can drag one into the bushes to satisfy their lust. Many could not bear it but because of the imposing officials present, none dared to move at their whims. Look at how pathetic you are. When we return, each will have a share, come one at a time, theres no rush hahaha Those women were tortured till they were almost numbed, other than a few whose eyes burned with anger; but the others all looked like theyre in a daze. How can they not be numbed? Their homelands were destroyed for naught, their fathers and brothers died before their eyes. It isnt just their bodies that were hurt, their mental health is near the brink of collapse. And as if this only just the start, on the daily journey everything that happens is like a knife scarring their already vulnerable mental state. If these beasts felt like eating meat, they are the best and freshest meat available. They witnessed people being chopped up and washed, then thrown into the pot to be cooked. Moreover, some who were stubborn were cooked while they were still alive, how would they feel? Perhaps sitting in between two pots, they are forced to be burnt; Possibly roasting on the iron frame; Or their hands and feet bound and placed in boiling soup Thinking of meat on the day of cannibalism, food triggers memories. If they had the courage, theyd commit suicide, those who arent brave enough will have to suffer sorrowfully. They were sore afraid, fearing for dear life that they will be the next victim. Compared to that, the humiliation they faced every night was nothing. Though they wished to flee, they had no shoes on their feet. The surrounding terrain was full of brittle stones and their hands were tied to a common hemp rope. It was impossible for one to escape alone. They saw that they were nearing Chengan district so their hearts were filled with hopelessness, some even felt their lives were over. Itd be good if they died like that. Thinking to themselves, even hell is probably more bearable than this. A group of the vanguard battalion were hiding at a secret spot waiting to ambush their enemies, the arrows already on the bowstrings of their improved bows and aimed at the heads of Tsing Yi soldiers. Chief, why do I feel that todays weather is freezing cold? Some people felt uncomfortable. Others said, Look at those decapitated heads, who wouldnt feel the chilling cold, coward. From all around, bursts of laughter were heard. Before entering the Tsing Yi army, many of them were diligent farmers but after they experienced the freedom to indulge they cannot return to the past and can no longer rediscover that simplicity and honesty. They mocked their cowardly comrades and laughed unstoppably. Alright, if youve rested enough then get up. Transport these supplies back to the city then we can enjoy the beauties The commanders voice was yet to be silent, when suddenly blood flowered from his eye as arrows were abruptly shot in their direction. Many Tsing Yi soldiers were about to get up or lift the weapons by their sides. They were presently in a mental state of rest. The surprise attack caused 200 to 300 Tsing Yi men to fall. Luckily, Meng Hun and the rest took a roundabout route and attacked them from the back, if not their tracks would have been discovered by their enemies. Enemy attack The enemies are here After the first wave of attack, the dead bodies fell to the ground. Only then did reality hit the Tsing Yi soldiers and they reacted to the situation. The entire group was in a mess. Presently, thousands of men rushed out from the bushes which had previously looked empty. The person leading was Liyun. As he was about to make a kill with his silver spear, when he rushed to the front, he discovered that his targets head has already been cut apart. Liyun: Whos there killing his target again? Chapter 501 - Besieging Fengyi County (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Since coming to Xiangyang district, Li Yun wondered daily if he could bear it. Firstly, his lord beat him to getting the bandits head, but he could bear that since she was his lord who provides his daily necessities. Yet now, once again someone beat him to making a kill and Li Yun cannot tolerate it. When he skilfully and easily retrieved his silver spear, he saw clearly who had competed with him for the kill. Li Yun was momentarily speechless. It was Jiang Nongqin, the commander of the womens troops whose official position was also above him. Just as he reclaimed his spear, he was mentally taxed and he had to use his spear to defend against an attack, then he abruptly attacked back and his spearhead consecutively killed two men. Blood had been spilled on the silver spear. With only a bright spark seen across the sky, the King of Hell had already mercilessly taken away two lives. Li Yuns eyes involuntarily fell on Jiang Nongqin. He didnt see clearly when she had dashed in front of him and stolen the kill. Now, as he fixed his eyes on her, he realised Meng Huns words were true; this woman really cant be provoked! If most soldiers use their strength to overcome the enemy, they work in harmony with their comrades to attack or defend or to repel the attack. But Jiang Nongqin was an independent warrior. She has no need for others to coordinate with her and she goes by herself amongst her enemies. Its alright if she doesnt fight, but once she does, a life will be lost as her every move aims at a deadly spot. With two unequal length short and long swords in her hand, as if a judge holding a brush and cancelling out names, she decisively takes a persons life. Comparing ferociousness, she appears no less frightening than Meng Hun or Liyun. But in contrast to Meng Huns exaggerated actions, and different from Liyuns talented skills, Jiang Nongqins every move is performed to kill. Even when blood covers her face, she never flinches not even her brows. Within a few breaths, she had already taken three steps and by her side lay five corpses. She doesnt look like a general but more like an assassin; she undertook close range attacks and had an advantage over others. Li Yun had no time to consider before enemies surrounded him. Slowly, they formed an effective battle formation. After experiencing this initial shock, the Tsing Yi army reacted readily this time. They quickly took up their weapons to fight back. Some were despicable and even caught a woman who panicked then used her as a shield while they hid behind her and tried to launch a sneak attack. Because Li Yun was compassionate, he didnt strike, but in a blink of an eye the woman who had been used as a shield already died at Jiang Nongqins hand. Her expression was frighteningly cold as if she was a carved wooden figurine. That Tsing Yi soldier who used the lady as a shield also didnt react immediately and in just that split second, his neck was stabbed with a knife, piercing him from one side to another. He had thought Jiang Nongqin might pity her because shes a lady and perhaps even put down her weapons, but her actions made Liyun doubt all that he knew about her. They didnt know that Jiang Nongqins three senses were already directed completely to Jiang Pengji. On the battlefield, there is no distinction between man and woman. Women will not gain any special advantage nor any severe treatment because of their gender. There only exists those who live and others who die. If one becomes helpless just because an enemy soldier used a lady as a shield, causing his allies to be at a disadvantage, it isnt just unfair to ones comrades. This will also encourage other Tsing Yi soldiers to do likewise, leading to more women being used as shields. It is a vicious cycle. Nonetheless, in a flash, Jiang Nongqin first killed the innocent shield then she killed the man who used the lady as a shield. She was on a killing spree on the battlefield and so calm as to appear coldblooded. An idea crossed Li Yuns mind, the long spear in his hands flew across to challenge the enemys sword, spear, knife, and axe. Using stealth and without anyone discovering until it was too late, his move was decisive and precise. A silver shadow was cast by his spear, a circular scar appeared on his enemys throat, his fresh blood spurting out profusely from the wound. Lets go into the spear tactics. Other than Li Yuns teacher who taught him, no one else can compete with him. Moreover, Li Yun has already fought a bloody fight, his moves carried with them a never seen before aura, but he could switch between attack and defence smoothly, and even if someone goes in for close combat, he can face it head on. An inch too long is a strong move, an inch too short is a risky move. On the battlefield, those like Jiang Nongqin who fought in close combat were at a disadvantage. But her moves were speedy and her bodily movements were impressive. It wasnt easy for this mob of Tsing Yi soldiers to hurt her. The others in the womens camp were not as powerful as her, but their performance had good points but also showed areas in need of improvement. Two to three people formed a group and attacked an enemy together. However, their training period is indeed short so their psychological state is also weak. When faced with this bloody scene, it is inevitable that they will shudder in fear. A female trooper unfortunately let the Tsing Yi army close in on her so she raised her sword, almost beheading their enemy Ah The trooper thought she were going to die but then they heard a loud groan of pain. She hurriedly opened her eyes, only to see theres an additional two bloody cavities where the enemy soldiers eyes had been. Her comrade who was fighting alongside her held two suspicious bloody orbs. In the chaos, the soldiers hadnt noticed the situation, but behind the scenes there were 300 vanguard battalion troops in hiding, waiting for the opportune moment to ambush their enemies. They had waited to provide reinforcements but before they moved, they saw with their eyes how another woman soldier gouged his eyes out. Those soldiers who witnessed the scene trembled in fear, they almost shot their arrows off target. Useless. The womens camp cannot be provoked. Indeed, a dispute may cost you your eyes. Even the men are not as violent. Why are you idling? Her comrades commanding voice jolted the lady back to her senses, her body took the lead and reacted first. Pulling a dagger from her waist, just as the Tsing Yi soldier bent down in pain groaning, a knife was plunged into the back of his neck. Their numbers were few and those men responsible for transporting the supplies had already escaped. They fled for dear life at the first round of firing. The women cannot escape because they are tied up by hemp rope. How can the Tsing Yi army fight against the vanguard battalion? Truthfully, before the vanguard battalion had even killed a few men, the ladies of the womens camp experienced their first fear. But one by one, their faces focused on attacking their next enemy. Perhaps their individual strength was not enough but when they worked together, it was impressive and none of their enemies survived. As stated, the soft persimmon must be chosen by pinching it, so when they discovered that a group of those who ambushed them were women, the Tsing Yi army decided to use those women troops are their escape point. Yet they quickly discovered after rushing over that these young ladies were more violent than their male counterparts! In their eyes, those weak and frail ladies they thought to bully were incomparably ferocious, the long spears in their hands were improved versions and not the length of common ones. They are taller than them by two heads, but their weight is much lighter so that its easier to manoeuvre their weapon. Puff, puff, puff The sound of the spearhead piercing into ones flesh rose and fell in succession. The woman troops even shouted out louder and plunged the spearhead deeper and through their enemys stomach. A killing spree may inflict fear in ones heart, but it could also heighten ones emotions. The female troops belonged to the latter category. They abandoned their fear of death and powered up their survival instincts. Almost every one of them displayed a formidable and eye-opening side. Of the five hundred of them, half came from Hejian, and the other half had been recruited in Xiangyang district. No doubt the formers performance was more stable and composed than the latter. Luckily, their teamwork had minimized the total number of casualties. Chapter 502 - Besieging Fengyi County (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Many were startled and they said in their hearts, Oh my mother, were these ladies provoked by someone? No one ever imagined these women could have such a scary side, with hatred almost akin to stabbing their fathers murderer. This isnt right. If their fathers were murdered, they might not deal such a violent blow since everyone knew the background of these ladies in the womens camp. They are all the useless ones abandoned by their families, they lived unhappy lives, and they were constantly in turmoil. Then they quickly proved this judgement wrong; compared to these women troops, the reactions of those ladies who were tied up were more frightening. They used their weapons to cut off the hemp rope on the womens wrists. At first their eyes were in a daze, but afterwards they became like wild beasts and roared. They sprawled crazily on the ground and used both their hands to lift the rocks beneath them. Before the others could react, they raised them high and allowed them to crash downwards. Clang clang clang With each step, they expended all the energy in their bodies, their hard skulls had been bruised, their brains were mingled with blood and broken bones which flowed freely and covered the ground. She splashed the dirt onto her face so that she didnt notice. Then she hatefully clenched her teeth, her expression was sinister, her eyes could kill. This seemed like a signal almost like a button being pressed; it unleashed many of the ladies wildest and most hateful sides. Some even intentionally fell on the Tsing Yi soldiers, they opened their mouths and cruelly bit their enemys neck, nose and chest they bit into flesh mingled with blood. Following the increasingly chaotic situation, many women vented their anger on Tsing Yi armys corpses and almost lost control. The soldiers were stunned by this sudden turn of events, some of their throats were squirming incessantly and so they determined to step back. Commander Meng, arent you going to stop them? Liyun saw the actions of these people and he inevitably shuddered in fear. These women were exploding with so much craziness that even he was trembling. Some of the corpses of the Tsing Yi soldiers had been smashed to a mesh of flesh and bones like a meat patty. Yet they showed no intentions of stopping. Two ladies even snatched spears away from the female soldiers hands, they held the spear firmly with both their hands and continually stabbed Tsing Yi soldiers who already died. Fresh blood flowed from the sieve-like holes in the corpses and even those experienced troops used to witnessing bloody scenes had no heart to look directly. Meng Hun witnessed these womens reactions and he kept silent momentarily. He raised his hands to stop Liyun. They have suppressed their emotions for too long, there are two circumstances in this instance. Either let it become a handicap and forgo the rest of their lives; or they could vent their anger completely and change their personalities to a large extent. This group of ladies who were abused and tortured by the Tsing Yi army as slaves, a minority of them have already been tormented till they lost their senses. The other group are aggressive like insane people. The best solution is for them to have an outlet. No worries, let them continue to vent their anger. We will organise the carriage of supplies and not tarry at this place. If these military rations fail to reach Chengan district, it is hard to guarantee that Tsing Yi soldiers will not be dispatched to provide reinforcements. Liyun was startled. He was fixated on those women who had gone crazy, only after a while did his voice return. Butwhat should we do with these women? If they all remained at their initial positions, the ravaging wolves and tigers were prowling about and Chengan district which is nearby has a large contingent of the Tsing Yi army. Meng Hun turned around and stopped shortly, then said rather helplessly, We cannot bring them along as we are the vanguard battalion. Liyun understood this reasoning, ultimately he must consider the big picture. Meng Hun sighed then added, It is less than half a days journey on foot to reach Chengan district. When the lord dominates Chengan district, these ladies will be safe. If the main troops met up with them, they could possibly take them in temporarily. But they are the vanguard battalion, so it was impossible for them to bring them along. With one hand, Jiang Nongqin tore cloth from the Tsing Yi soldiers corpses to clean her bloody knives while she walked towards two of them. With a hoarse voice she said, I will get the soldiers to inform these ladies and get them to quickly move to a safe place while waiting for news from Chengan district. It has been a lengthy period since the Tsing Yi army has waited for their provisions. If these women remain here, they will be implicated At that moment, the soldiers already started cleaning up the battlefield. Those not injured are responsible for moving the carriages away while the injured experienced tender loving care from the women troops. Those who received first aid service from them unbearably trembled, it was evident on their faces that they were afraid. Why are you trembling? A certain female trooper looked stern, her face and neck were covered with the enemys blood. This was gruesome enough and yet she now also wears a menacing face. Since when did women become so violent? The soldiers carefully swallowed their saliva, they were afraid of provoking the other party if their actions were too obvious. The women troops didnt just carry weapons with them; they also had equipment to administer first aid and to disinfect wounds and bandage injuries. This was a compulsory lesson in the first aid course, and almost all the female troops were forced to learn, or at the very least they are expected to understand the concept. When they were learning, they had nobody to practice their skills on, thus they only learnt in theory but had no practical experience. Luckily, on the battlegrounds there was no lack of people to practice on. Even when it wasnt even a deadly wound, they were rather rough when treating the wounds. Some of the soldiers felt so much pain that they clenched their teeth. Initially, they wished to shout in anger, yet before them floated the image of the heartless faces of the women troops while they had been killing their enemies. They could only hold back their grievances and swallow back their desire to shout in anger. Mother, are these formidable women still considered women? Because they were confident of the background support from the troops with bows, this surprise attack had been launched successfully without many deaths. Although many were injured, the wounds werent deadly. After the carriage of supplies was moved away, the vanguard battalion did not deal with their enemies corpses but rather they left the bodies to rot in the wilderness and to be torn apart by wild beasts. Those women had vented their anger mercilessly. When they exhausted their energy, they regained their senses and their rationality. Each of them cast malicious, cautious eyes and stared at the vanguard battalion troops. Nevertheless, the soldiers did not care about them, instead they fully concentrated on pushing the wagon of supplies away. The military rules were followed strictly; none dared to challenge them. Let alone two corporals and a lance corporal, who dared to take up this matter? Another reason was that they were frightened by the women troops and for the time being they have a psychological scar towards women. Quickly leave this place and escape to the mountains to hide for a few days. The Tsing Yi army may send out reinforcements from the city to aid the troops guarding the supplies. If they discover your tracks and see this field of corpses, they will definitely not let you off. Within half a day, Chengan district will have received news that their military supplies wagon had been sabotaged. Once they are aware that those men responsible for transporting the rations have all dispersed, the news cannot be kept under wraps for long. The women troops conveyed the message from their commander Jiang Nongqin, but the guardedness and ill-intent in those womens eyes did not disappear. When they saw this group ignore them, and moreover that even the male troops didnt notice them, someone couldnt stand it. You guys can you bring us along save us please Even if they had survived, to be thrown in the wilderness with the surroundings filled with unrecognisable corpses belonging to the Tsing Yi army, they were inevitably sore afraid. Previously fearless because they had been empowered by hatred, now that their emotions calmed down, their weak side became dominant. We cant. The female troops decisively rejected them. Chapter 503 - Besieging Fengyi County (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Those women were stumped by the quick, decisive replies from the female troops, but they determined in their hearts to escape. Why is it impossible? This person before them is also a lady, so why cant they be brought along? The female soldier said, Going with an army to war is not childs play. You all must choose your path, find a place to hide and await news from Chengan district. Many of the ladies were at a loss without a solution, they didnt know where to go next. There were also those ladies with a brutish personality, they treated the female troops coldly and despised their frightening, apathetic attitude. They wished to grab onto the last opportunity and under pressure they spoke without restraint. Why arent you saving us, are you afraid we will snatch your men away? Is that why you speak so? If in normal times and they met such a woman, they might just run up and tear the persons mouth. Although it is said that they are simplistic, it doesnt mean they are not foolish or barbaric, these violent ways are often targeted at the weaklings. The women troops ages ranged between thirteen and fifteen-years-old. If these ages existed in the present generation, then they would already be suitable for marriage, but most of them preferred to delay their wedding. Having no immunity against these obscene words, how can they be compared to the true shrewish and violent women. As if a tragic memory was triggered, the lady troopers face changed from red to pale green. Initially, the women troops were mistaken for being a prostitute camp, their families dragged them over, and looking into their eyes felt like one was seeing a diseased person. When they heartlessly pushed her into the fiery furnace, they couldnt wait to be apart from her, as if being a prostitute in the camp is because she is unvirtuous. Now the women troops have established a name for themselves, and moreover in this surprise attack, they showcased their military might. They are in no way inferior to the soldiers from the male camp and none dared to look down on them. Yet before they could rejoice over this, they experienced unjust mockery to their faces, who can tolerate this? They held their long spears, from the red tassels on the spearhead dripped drops of blood that were yet to clot. With their cold-blooded eyes they stared at the one who spoke. With a sneer, they turned and walked away. She has already given the message. Whether these ladies lose their lives because they refuse to heed the warning, they cant be bothered. After she finished her speech, increasingly she felt that her words are justified and shes in the mood to argue it out. The female troop threw her an eye of disdain then walked offwalked awayFrom start to end, she didnt even give even the slightest glance. Before the female troop had walked far off, from behind them came sound of a woman sitting down on her buttocks down was heard. She stretched both her legs out then hit her thighs with her hands, followed by a wailing cry and tears streaming down her cheeks. She groaned and cursed with her mouth, ranting angrily about the vices committed by the Tsing Yi army. She continued to lament about her tragic life and how the heavens were unfair The message has been conveyed? The womens camp left a group of people behind to retreat last. Jiang Nongqin was one of those who remained behind. The female troop said, They have been brought over but whether they listen or not is beyond us. Jiang Nongqins face was chillingly cold, and in a calm tone she commented, Everyone has their own fate, if they are destined to die here then let it be. In times like this, the commodity with the least value is peoples lives. Those who want to save themselves can be saved, those who expect others to save them are hopeless. During wars, it is expected that one is always risking their life. The soldiers cannot even take care of themselves; how will they find time to deal with these? Didnt they see how those Tsing Yi soldiers transporting the provisions were killed, and none survived? Except for the women troops who dealt a heavy blow, those other women served as a backup to kill those Tsing Yi soldiers who had no way to counterattack. Yet there was still another important reason. Prisoners are not always in demand. Once one becomes a prisoner of war, their lives can be lost anytime. Sometimes because the troops want to increase the speed of their journey, the prisoners who serve as burdens and slow them down will be killed if their conqueror is magnanimous. If they are cruel, the prisoners will be buried alive immediately. In fact, if theres not enough rations to support everyone, the prisoners will be killed and made into preserved meat to sustain their energy. Having come from a rich background, the lord hasnt reached the extent of manufacturing human meat. Yet if these prisoners are impeding their progress, Jiang Nongqin will not hesitate to be harsh. The prisoners can temporarily serve as free labour, but what about these women? Being a burden is all they are good at doing. In any case, they have already been very compassionate. Isf the other party still refuses to cooperate, then all thats left is for them to remain at their original spot and to wait for death. Jiang Nongqin refocused her vision, then she said calmly, Lets go and catch up with the troops in front. I will obey! After they left, those ladies looked at each other with lost expressions, some bright ones already thought of finding a place to hide and find shelter, others who were lost in the world of their minds, they cried their lungs out, they bantered and kicked up a scene, and with their mouths they cursed and spoke vulgarities. Sometimes they would even bring in those women troops, but nonetheless, they never considered the female troops to be legitimate soldiers but rather they deemed them to be prostitutes seducing men with their beauty. Naturally, there are those who have been tortured till only their bones are left. They have no interest to find out whats happening outside. One of them mocked coldly. This woman deserves heavens judgement She had a strange aura and said sarcastically, You dont look good, why should I look at you? Even if you were cooked for meat, it would be distasteful. Previously you were already despised for being dirty. When those beasts brought you over, didnt you go around pleasing them, it didnt occur to me that you hated them so much. The lady speaking has the right to hate this woman who is full of caustic remarks. Many of the ladies came from the same village. Those in the Tsing Yi army had held her down and in order to defend herself, she exposed her hiding place with her blunt tongue. Moreover, she pointed out where the other young women hid in order to gain some credits from the soldiers. This woman is foolish beyond measure, her heart is utterly evil. If she hadnt done this, those women in the village could have escaped this calamity. All the blame is put on this cunning and rotten black widow, some couldnt withstand the humiliation and committed suicide, some were abused and humiliated while alive, some clenched their teeth as they were bullied by one bastard after another. Moreover, the limbs of some were severed and thrown into the pot to cook into soup. Why doesnt this woman just die already! As if her tail has been stepped on, she was provoked and unleashed her prowess to jump at the other persons face. Nonetheless, she didnt succeed. Her face was scratched by a flying stone aimed at her. Suddenly, her forehead was suddenly inflicted with a wound and her blood flowed profusely. She cried and groaned, tears and mucus flowed down her face. Before their village faced this disaster, this lady had loved to speak without restraint. She ranked the ladies and men from every household who had affairs, her mouth was full of gossip which had even resulted in the loss of lives. She knew the butcher in the village was a petty guy and he was very possessive of his wife, yet she still went around speaking lies. She mentioned that the butchers wife had a rendezvous with a bandit at home and made it sound so real. Denying all the accuses against her, this young lady was accidentally killed by her jealous, butcher husband. Only then did this big-mouth lady stop gossiping. Many of the ladies didnt want to witness such an unreasonable scene of ignorance, so they kept silent as they took the clothing the Tsing Yi soldiers wore and wrapped themselves as they prepared to escape. Those with brains surely didnt want to stay and await death. Chapter 504 - Besieging Fengyi County (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio On the other side, the peoples hearts within Chengan district are also agitated. Tsing Yi army expanded their headcount in a short span of time, and though everyone has only one mouth, they cant provide enough food for everybody. Thus they resorted to plunder and collecting whatever loot they could find. However, these ill-gotten supplies were limited, and many continued to be poverty stricken. There are people from Tsing Yi, but none could manage such a huge family business, and with their short-sighted perspective they will never be able to govern well. To put it plainly, they are just a group of lawless men, they are bandits without moral values and conscience. Although their fame and power surpassed that of the Red Lotus group at the start, after one winter of trials, their power is depleting. Contrarily, the Red Lotus group are at the height of their strength, their territory is gradually increasing, and they are one step closer to reducing the area the Tsing Yi army occupies. Yet now within Chengan district theres a bleak scene, the people stay in their houses and there are few on the streets. Nobody dares to reveal the food they have, the merchants who could escape already have. Those who didnt escape were robbed of their possessions by Tsing Yi army, their savings from half their lifetime have been robbed and those who were lucky are still alive. As for the unlucky ones, they became corpses on the spot. Now the people were sharing their grievances openly, they mocked secretly that the Tsing Yi army should change their name to bandit army. During autumn last year when the Shangjing earthquake happened, it caused the farming output to dwindle significantly. Then there was the Tsing Yi army who caused unrest everywhere which resulted in a loss of profits made by farmers in Chengan district. At the beginning of spring, there are no good quality seeds to sow and their food reserves at home are being robbed by the Tsing Yi army. Many of the people cannot withstand the hunger and Tsing Yi armys oppression, they are afraid they will lose their lives and those who can escape already have. The old, sick, and handicapped who cannot escape depend on their careful savings of rations to get by each day. Moreover, some people are afraid that the fumes from cooking rice will attract the attention of the Tsing Yi army. Thus they only dared to let the rice soak in water then consume it. During winter last year, countless people died from the cold and there are people starving to death daily in Chengan district. The district manor is already occupied by the Tsing Yi army; this has become one of their main camps. But it still retained its majestic and glorious look. Outside, the peoples clothes are not warm, theres not enough food, some have frozen to death or died from hunger. Yet these Tsing Yi army chieftains are eating delicacies and eating large quantities of meat and drinking wine. Except they are not in the mood to enjoy such extravagant lives because the rations in Chengan district are depleting. If they continue to lack rations, it isnt only the people who will starve, they themselves must also bear the hunger pangs. Goodness, arent the supplies supposed to have been delivered? Even if they crawled here, they should have reached us by now. Why have they not come? Half a year had passed; many valiant chiefs were so well-nourished that their body fat had grown. Now, this person is no exception, his fat is evident from his ten fingers, his knuckles were full of circles which looked like fat short sausages. Their original tanned and brown skin is so well-nourished that it became fairer. Did something happen along the way? Those Tsing Yi soldiers who worked within the magistrates manor are ranked at least as chieftains or above. Each of their faces reddened, just observing their expressions tells that it is obvious they previously lived their lives in abundance. After all, the Red Lotus group are extremely evil and cunning The fat general sitting on the commanders chair kept silent for a while then said, Lets do this, send someone to investigate This batch of food supplies was critical to the Tsing Yi army within Chengan district. If they lacked in rations, the armys morale will plunge and they will become uncontrollable. The thought of this made the obese general frown intensely. One of the small gang leaders received the order and stepped back, then another sneakily took the opportunity to give a suggestion. General, doesnt everyone comment that Xiangyang district next door has an endless flow of money? If we really run out of rations, we can go to war with them and occupy that land, then we dont have to worry about starving. As he spoke, an image of what the scout said floated in his mind. Based on the scouts description, Xiangyang district was comparable to the heavens. It is clean, orderly, their houses are brand new and so beautiful that it didnt look like its on earth but rather like it dropped from the heavens. Each of their people dressed like nobles, none are heard of to have starved or frozen to death. Back then, the gang leader snorted at these words, where on earth does such a haven exist? Yet now, Chengan district is faced with a desperate situation where their provisions are depleting. The promised supplies are late and havent arrived which has caused them to worry. Originally though this suggestion could have won him praise, or at the very least it could have shifted the generals focus, but who knew it would only earn him a scolding? If Xiangyang city was an easy target, I would long have conquered it. Do I need a delayed suggestion from you? Burning with fury, the general spoke. The fat on his face jiggled as he talked. Both of his eyes were virtually non-existent because they had sunk into the fat on his face. There wasnt much time left when surprisingly a soldier ran over hastily to deliver a message. He knelt on the floor and was out of breath as he said, Its its not good Whats wrong? The generals heart tightened. The soldier who gave the report took a deep breath and spoke with heaviness in his breath, Our rations have been robbed. What! The gang leaders in the hall were aghast and the general jumped from his seat. He grabbed the collar of the soldier who reported the news and lifted him up, venting his anger and saying, Say that again, what was robbed? Which idiot dares to touch my military supplies? The reporting soldier said with much difficulty, Its the men responsible for transporting the supplies they managed to escape back and reported that someone ambushed them, but they didnt see who it was The generals face turned pale green. The fat on his face jiggled as he took in a deep breath. This is too much! He threw the soldier who bore the report out. Those useless fools who transported military provisions, they cannot even tell us who their enemy was As he was about the order the death of the man responsible for transporting the military rations, and before the scarce food was wasted on more mouths, another voice was heard from outside as the words rose to his throat. Reporting The general took a deep breath and asked, What else is wrong? There are thousands of soldiers surrounding the city from outside! What? His face was so angry that no one could look upon him anymore. Their military supplies had been robbed and the next moment, their enemies were at their doorstep. This is consecutive rounds of misfortune; luck is not on their side. Those devils from the Red Lotus group again? The soldier reporting said, No, the word written on the banner is Liu, they have started getting into formation. Liu? Which house is this? Jiang Pengji made known that shes unwilling to have any battle formation. Theyre already at the doorstep of their enemies, why not just go head on? What if they dont come out? Jiang Pengji turned her head and asked Wei Ci, dont you find this childish? Before the battle started, they still needed to have a war of words, cursing each others parents as if they were children playing roles. Wei Cis face showed no emotion, then he said, This concerns scholarly affairs, my lord shouldnt joke about this. She replied in agreement, then stayed still momentarily before she started making things difficult for Wei Ci again. Holding in her laughter she asked, However, some soldiers can only speak laypeoples language but not formal speech, and neither do they understand dialects. If both representatives from either side cannot communicate because of language differences, wont they be unable to negotiate? Wei Ci: Once again, she talked to herself, Not unless both parties can be on good terms beforehand by sending a person skilled in languages to translate? When she finished speaking, Wei Ci looked at her sadly, his eyes were somewhat resentful. Chapter 505 - Besieging Fengyi County (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qianzhai Weipobai: To tell the truth, I really dont understand the thinking of the ancients. Why do they have to inform their enemies before the war? Please be aware, Im taking a few people with me to fight you. Im giving you time to get ready and well battle it out Jiang Pengji secretly nodded upon seeing the bullet screen. She thought so too. Why did they have to call out their enemies at the gates? They could just directly attack by force when commanded. They had enough siege weapons, so it was not a problem to break the city walls of Chengan District. If Wei Ci knew her thoughts, he would probably sigh. Jintian Ganfeiji: To be honest, I dont get it either, but its reasonable. It should be in line with the condition of the country at that time. Take the Western knights in our era as an example. Theres a rule for two armies of the same branch to fight each other. The infantry would fight the infantry, the cavalry would fight the cavalry, and the artilleries would fight the artilleries. There wont be a case of the artilleries bombing the cavalry or the cavalry shattering the infantries. Theyll even greet each other politely before the battle Kelian Xixi: To the user above, are you talking about the battle between two generals? Like how the generals of two opposing sides battle each other for supremacy in the historical novels? Now, its about challenging an opponent to a fight when two armies meet. The two feel different. In contrast, I think challenging an opponent to fight when two armies meet is more normal. The generals who battle each other out are too delusional. Jiang Pengji could still manage to find time to read the bullet screens on the battlefield. She raised her eyebrows when she saw the bullet screen above. She had a different opinion from the viewer. Challenging an opponent to fight when two armies met was stupid. Instead, the battle between two generals seemed more interesting. If there was a battle between two generals, she would be able to limber up and she would not have to personally command the center division in a silly manner. Was that not wonderful? Qiuge Yuepiao: Tsk. I think the battle between two generals is super zealous. I used to watch the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I think its very interesting every time I see the warriors pat their horses and step forward and the two generals would then battle it out in front of the two armies, like how San Ying fought Lu Bu and how Wen Jiu fought Hua Xiong, so on and so forth. Nanshen Huamanlou: The battle between two generals is also called a challenge. The challengers confront each other. I agree with what the previous user said too. Its existence is reasonable. In the ancient times when population was scarce, survival was difficult and lifespans were short, overly vicious warfare would only cause more casualties Often, the victory or defeat of the generals who battled each other could tremendously affect the morale and even become the key to victory or defeat. What was morale? In Jiang Pengjis era, the first essential element of war was technology, followed by tactical layout. Weapons were the key factor in determining victory or defeat. The impact of individual heroism on the outcome of war was almost negligible. However, in this era where information was backward, weapons were still important, but morale seemed to be even more important. When the morale was too low, the troops would not be in the mood for war. They might even flee at the mere sight of the enemy. The enemy might not even have to fight them. They just had to directly hold them captive. For the side with a weaker military strength, if they won in the battle between the two generals, it could boost the morale of the rear troops and they could even defeat their stronger enemy. One would not even gasp for breath when chasing after ten people. Xu Ke did not know whether he should laugh at Wei Ci or feel sorry for him. How did he encounter such a cunning master? The rules in the battlefield have always been the same. Xu Ke smiled helpfully at Wei Ci. He continued, Everyone knows that one wont say anything nice when calling the enemy out. Even if one uses a dialect that the other party cant understand, it doesnt matter One just has to know that those are provocative, curse words. With the way Wei Ci was staring at Jiang Pengji, she felt somewhat guilty, as if she had done something to him. Now that Xu Ke had created an opportunity to let her extricate herself from an awkward position, she took the opportunity to back down. She changed the topic in a stiff tone, pretending to care about the situation of the war. Looking at the city gate tower, she asked, What should we do if no one comes out? Wei Ci replied, Well continue to shout. The party who had been called for a challenge would be considered fearful of the battle if they did not respond for a long time. This would also affect the morale of both parties. Wei Ci just wanted to boost the morale of the troops on his side and crush the morale of the enemy. It was not important as to whether the enemy would respond to their challenge. They would keep yelling if they did not come out for a battle. When the time was right, they would attack by force. It was even better if they responded to the challenge. The fighting power of the warriors on their warriors was not for show. The morale of the enemy would collapse even faster. Hey dickhead, come down and fight me if you have the guts Could it be that all of you are castrated and that youve become a bunch of cowards without penises? To those who are tactful, come down quickly to welcome us into the city. Ill make it quick for you A war was obviously about to break out, but the confrontation scene between the people on top and at the bottom of the tower was so funny that the atmosphere in the streaming room was quite relaxing. The soldiers who were calling the enemy out at the bottom of the tower were enjoying it so much that they were eager to spread their voices throughout the entire Chengan District. The Tsing Yi Army on the city gate tower looked panic-stricken and intimidated. They could not even retort a single word. The more this was the case, the greater the difference in morale between the two parties. At that moment Jiang Pengji squinted and said suddenly, Someones coming. Not long after, an unusually stout man appeared on the pilaster. His upper body was naked like Maitreya Buddha, whose chest was bare. He cursed exasperatingly, Im here, you bastard! Li Yun squinted, waved his lance to confuse the enemy and urged the horse to charge forward. Lord, please allow me to fight the enemy on my own. Ill definitely chop off the enemys head. Jiang Pengji looked at Li Yun bitterly. Could she fight with her subordinate for the enemys head when he had already volunteered? Was she a master of that kind? Okay. I wish you a triumphant victory, Jiang Pengji said in a seemingly generous manner, but there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes. Li Yun was a child with a one-track mind. How could he understand all this? He could not understand it, but Wei Ci could. Li Yun would certainly be punished quietly upon his return. Creak The city gate of Chengan District opened. Three chieftains who were riding on horses emerged with hundreds of members of the Tsing Yi Army behind them. Everyone almost burst into laughter when they saw the faces of the chieftains. Xiangcun Yuanye: Oh my gosh. Did you see that pitiful horse? Its hooves are trembling, right? Piaopiaoyang: Its the best yet the most pitiful horse in history. Looking from afar, the general of the Tsing Yi Army who was taking the lead was holding a huge axe in his right hand. Although his clothes were gathered, it seemed as though the axe was stuck onto his body because he was too fat He was as wide as three normal men. He sat alone on the horse. His buttocks occupied half of the horses body, drooping around the horse. The horse that he was riding was overweight as well. It did not have the robust build of a gallant horse. Its hooves were wobbling. Was it here for war or to amuse people? Guiqiu Yuepiao: Im amazed by the horse. Hes already fat, but he can still carry his whalelike master. Bugei Jiuyaonao: Hes estimated to weigh about 280 jin by eye. By including the axe in his hand, hell weigh close to 400 jin What a hardworking horse Lifting his huge axe, the fat general of the Tsing Yi Army yelled at Li Yun who was charging forward on his horse, Im here, you bastard! Li Yun snorted coldly. The horse under his thighs seemed to feel something and neighed loudly. At that time, the members of the Tsing Yi Army on the city wall shouted all of a sudden, General Cangtian is mighty! General Cangtian will win! Li Yun had a superior hearing ability. He almost did not keep a straight face when he heard those words. Were these members of the Tsing Yi Army here to crack jokes? Resisting the smile tugging at the corners of her lips, Jiang Pengji coughed a little and waved her hand. Hit the drums! Give your life to me, you ignorant kid! General Cangtian howled. The fat horse under his thighs suddenly broke out at a speed which did not match its body size. Li Yuns eyes grew dull, tightened the saddle girth and dashed forward with his weapon. Chapter 506 - Besieging Fengyi County (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Clank With a loud noise, his silver spear was wielded deceptively, leaving a vague, silver shadow in the air and forcing the axe to angle off, thereby losing most of its momentum. Even so, Li Yun still felt a numbness in his fingers and was secretly shocked by the strength of his arm. Had it not been for his strong basic skills and superb spearwork, his weapon might have been knocked from his hands just now. If General Cangtian pursued him and charged him with another blow, Li Yuns life would really be in danger. Not only was Li Yun shocked, but the facial expression of the fat man who called himself General Cangtian, had also secretly changed. Never had he imagined that his trick that was proven to be effective every time actually did not work! In the past, the fools would always let down their guard against him, thinking that a fat man would not have much skills. When they fought hand to hand for real, they were either hacked to death by his axe or had their weapons knocked off. They could not flee in time and they were beheaded. What Li Yun was good at was not power, but speed. No matter how strong General Cangtian was, it would be useless if he was unable to capture him. Every time Li Yun made him lose his momentum, he felt as if he was punching cotton with his fist. It was an awful feeling. Li Yun was extremely fast. Even General Cangtian who was so conceited did not dare to let down his guard because Li Yun was very obstinate towards such fat players who used their strength to break their gimmick. Unfortunately, General Cangtian was one of them. Squinting his phoenix eyes and tentatively attacking General Cangtian several times, Li Yun soon ascertained General Cangtians weaknesses. It was true that General Cangtian was very strong and his huge body was very oppressive towards ones vision, but he had two fatal traits. One of them was his reaction speed. In Li Yuns opinion, General Cangtian was no different from a tortoise. The second was his endurance. General Cangtian had used all of his strength when they had met each other just now. After his trick failed, General Cangtian began to breathe more heavily. The two of them fought in an entangled manner. General Cangtian became more and more anxious on the inside, for fear that he would lose to a fair-faced kid without a beard. Soon, a ray flashed across his mind. He suddenly opened his mouth and spoke with a thunderous voice, Pretty boy, why dont you die General Cangtian was flustered upon seeing that Li Yun was fighting with ease and was nimble like a speedy aquarium fish. He was still calm and breathing steadily after more than 30 rounds of battle. His hand which was holding the silver spear did not tremble at all. He was obviously looking for a chance to kill him. He simply shouted, trying to disturb Li Yun with his voice and looking for a route of retreat for himself at the same time. Bean-sized drops of sweat broke out across his meaty face. Soon, the sweat rolled down his chin, drenching the front of his clothes. The look in Li Yuns eyes wavered. He pretended to be frightened and be in a daze for a moment. General Cangtian was delighted upon seeing his reaction and quickly seized the opportunity. Give me your life he yelled vehemently. Li Yuns face turned a little pale. He was also not as agile and swift in wielding his spear as he had been. The audience in the streaming room nervously watched the two of them who stood together in front of the soldiers. The bullet screens in the streaming room had also gradually lessened. Obviously, the viewers were attracted by the situation of the war and were not in a mood to post. However, there was an outburst of bullet screens when General Cangtian roared. Luodi Huashengtang: Holy crap. How shameless. His voice is so loud that I almost dropped my phone. I feel sorry for Han Meis ears Hell probably die if he gets shocked by accident. Xuehai Liuxiang: How should I say this? Although the battle between two generals is a one-on-one fight, its still related to ones life and death after all. Except that outsiders arent allowed to intervene, any means are allowed. Hes not indecent for disturbing his opponent by yelling at him. Qiyue Bohe: Although its allowed, Han Mei is concentrating solely on the battle. People who are timid will be frightened out of their wits by such an abrupt roar. Imagine that youre doing your homework or sitting in on a class very attentively and someone thunders in your ear. I think not only would one be terrified to death, but he will even go deaf. Feiji Wandian: I feel sorry for Han Mei. Streamer, receive your reward and dont starve my husband. Cao: I feel sorry for him too. By the way, hes my husband with a terrific waist strength. Where does this other woman come from? Due to the systems petty maneuvers, once the national force or powerful organizations of the dimension appeared in the bullet screens, the user would be kicked out of the streaming room immediately and his IP would be locked. Therefore, most of the viewers in the streaming room were onlookers, so the topic would be easily twisted. After thinking about it in detail, a terrific waist strength sounded somewhat dirty. Not long after, the onlookers realized that something was not right. Was Han Mei about to be defeated? It seemed that Han Mei slowly became disadvantaged after General Cangtian tricked him. Hanmei Wolaogong: Holy crap. How can my Han Mei be defeated?! Meiyou Yuepiao: Come on, Han Mei! Rise and get that fatty! Grab him and light him up for the sky lantern! Gengxin Meidongli: This is too nerve-wracking. Han Mei cant be defeated in his first battle! Jiang Pengji looked calm. A smile was hanging in the corner of Wei Cis lips. However, Xu Ke, who was uninformed, was so anxious that he held the reins tightly, fearing that Li Yun would be defeated. On the battlefield, the beating of the drums was as loud as thunder. The flags were flapping in the air as the wind gusted. Li Yun gradually looked as if he was about to be defeated. In the final blow, the silver spear in his hand was almost knocked away. Jiang Pengji said all of a sudden, Its about time Seeing that he was about to be defeated, Li Yun could only grit his teeth, turn around and flee. The steed under his thighs galloped. General Cangtian chased after him, laughing loudly. He raised his axe and was about to hack Li Yun. At that very moment, there was nothing in front of General Cangtian, leaving weaknesses everywhere. What a good opportunity! Li Yun, who had already fled in the opposite direction on his horse, was sharp-eyed. He abruptly pulled the reins with his left hand and the steed under his thighs turned around. Li Yun, who was originally supposed to escape, did not flee. His weak spearwork was actually even better than that during the climax, as if getting cornered just now was just an illusion General Cangtian had fallen for. Struck dumb, he wanted to retrieve his weapon to shield himself. A dazzling, silver ray was already charging towards him like thunder. Poof The sound of the tip of the spear piercing into the flesh was heard. The silver ray had already merged with General Cangtians body. Li Yun bent backwards in a dashing manner and dodged General Cangtians inertial force sideways. He went behind him, raised his hand to grab the silver spear which pierced through his body and pulled it out with strength. What a brilliant move! A hint of admiration flashed across Jiang Pengjis eyes. Li Yun had chopped off General Cangtians head. He carried his head, spurred the horse and returned to the arranged battalions. Lord, Ive accomplished the mission. Li Yuns face was still somewhat flushed and he was slightly short of breath. He did not look like he was in a horribly dangerous situation like just had. The mouths of the viewers, who were initially so scared that they dared not breathe and had prepared for Han Meis death, gaped in astonishment. No bullet screen was posted for a few seconds while they regained their senses. They then started to type at lightning speed to express their bewilderment. Xianggu Huidaojiala: What a splendid back thrust Guiqiu Geiyuepiao: Ive never imagined that Han Mei is a person like that. Isnt he silly? Why is his acting so skillful? I didnt notice any hint at all. I really thought that he was going to be hacked up by the fatty just now Chapter 507 - Besieging Fengyi County (XV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The sound of drum beats grew louder and louder like raindrops until Li Yun returned with General Cangtians head. The drummers were so excited that their cheeks flushed and their veins stood out. Their arm muscles bulged so much that their sleeves looked tight. The spirit of the entire army soared. Thats a nice win, Jiang Pengji praised. Li Yun indeed had secured a splendid victory. It was true that his spearwork was excellent, but the battlefield was not the same as a simple notes comparison. As a newbie, he had made such an outstanding performance when it was his first time battling with the enemys general. This showed that Li Yun had a very impressive talent. Li Yun held his smile back but his eyes sparkled. Everyone could feel the joy emanating from his body. On the other hand, the spirit of the Tsing Yi Army declined disastrously. The Tsing Yi Army on the city walls shouted to boost General Cangtians morale. They were swollen with arrogance when Li Yun fell into a low spirit. However, no one expected that Li Yun was just playing tricks on his opponent and had beheaded the enemys general in an unexpected way! The higher the expectations that the Tsing Yi Army had for General Cangtian, the greater their panic now. General the two small chieftains who went out of the city together with General Cangtian cried out miserably. They looked as if they would die to avenge General Cangtian. However, they held the reins with their left hands and retreated hastily. They were so terrified that they could not even control their horses and almost fell off of them. The audience in the streaming room very much despised such a shabby, cowardly and weak act. The beheaded General Cangtian fell to the ground from his horse with a depressing thud. The blood that gushed out stained the ground. The stout horse stood where it was in a daze. After a while, it touched General Cangtians corpse with its snout, as if it was mourning. The two small chieftains and the hundreds of members of the Tsing Yi Army did not even dare to collect General Cangtians corpse. They hurriedly retreated, wanting to return to the city. Mingtian Wugeng: Holy crap. Thats so weak. The dead body of their general is still lying on the ground. They should collect it in any case, but they just quiver and want to flee. Dont they know that this will affect their morale even more? Theyre as stupid as pigs Nimen Dongde: Please. Humans are all afraid of death. You cant ask everyone to be a loyal and righteous person. Then again, if theyre loyal and righteous, they probably wont mingle with the Tsing Yi Army. What they do isnt wrong. Jintian Sangeng: Dont you guys think that the fatty lying on the ground is like a piece of meatloaf thats laid open? The audience in the streaming room teased. Perhaps they had seen many brutal scenes like this, so they could accept the bloody style of the streaming room. They would not get shocked and frightened easily upon seeing a dead person now. They were focusing on Li Yun and General Cangtians uncollected body. Han Mei was getting more and more handsome. The two small chieftains knew what they had done was not right, but they did not want to die for General Cangtian. What if their enemy took the opportunity to make an attack while they collected the headless body? Moreover, their general was struck dead by the young general opposite them. Was there still a need to fight? The Tsing Yi Army had never suffered such a tremendous defeat when fighting with the Red Lotus Group, let alone had their general killed by their enemy. Now, the Tsing Yi Army in Chengan District was like an extremely dejected, defeated cock. No one stood up to rouse their morale. This caused their morale to become more and more depressing, making them lose the courage to fight. They just wanted to block the enemy with the tall city gate to gain some sense of security. However, they did not think that they were able to defend the city. It was proven that Jiang Pengji was going to fight regardless of whether they wanted to. Seeing that the Tsing Yi Army had already lost their morale, Jiang Pengji curled her lips. It was better to let them die out faster. Bring me my bow and arrow. She stretched out her arm. Meng Hun took the hint and fetched Jiang Pengjis longbow. She pulled the heavy bow into a full-moon shape effortlessly. The arrow pierced through the air. Ah Appalled by the oncoming arrows, the Tsing Yi Army who was guarding the city yelled in a panic. After that, the sound of wood shattering was heard. In the next second, the flags inserted on the pilaster collapsed with a loud thud and struck the head of a member of the Tsing Yi Army. There was a second of silence. After that, overwhelming and enthusiastic shouts soared up to the sky in unison. As they were cheering, everyone could feel the ground shaking. The lord is mighty! The lord is mighty! The lord is mighty! With a swoosh, Jiang Pengji pulled out the long knife hanging from her waist and pointed at Chengan District. Attack the city! A resonant horn was heard from the center division. It echoed through the sky and spread quickly to the entire army. However, there was a puzzling phenomenon. No matter how loud the horn was, the entire army never moved a single bit. The viewers in the streaming room were utterly confused. What was going on? Utilizing the height of the terrain, the Tsing Yi Army on the city walls saw the humongous object that was moving in the rear of Jiang Pengjis army. What What on earth is that? Due to their poor vision and the extreme distance, they could not clearly see what the five moving objects were right away. However, they soon ran out of time to think about it. The audience in the streaming room adjusted the viewing angle. They stared in bewilderment. Chun Lie: Holy crap. Its a catapult! Chi Yun: Who does the streamer think she is? Why is she using the destructive catapult to besiege Chengan District? Jiang Pengji would broadcast her streaming every day. It was no exception during the time when she was busy building the siege weapons. The audience in the streaming room could more or less understand how terrifying the catapult which she had built was. It could strike at a fixed point. Not only could the troops control the landing position of the stones, but also adjust the distance. In theory, a catapult like that could at most bear 200 jin of stones and it could shoot extremely far. The stones could create a pit which was nearly one meter deep upon landing. Using this to attack Chengan District was an utter shock The streamer was not planning to besiege the city. She was planning to demolish the city and dismantle the city walls of Chengan District. In fact, she just wanted to let her subordinates see the outcome of her playing with wood. Technology would have a greater and greater proportion in the battlefield in the future. However, the days of people sacrificing would be over one day. Jiang Pengji commanded the group of five artilleries on the catapult and aimed at the city walls of Chengan District. She shouted with a hoarse voice, Shoot! A buzzing sound was heard. Five boulders darted towards the city walls like meteorites. Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom! Five consecutive booms reverberated. The city walls that had seemed sturdy at first were destroyed easily. The Tsing Yi Army was busy moving wood to guard the city. Who would have thought that extraterrestrial objects would fall to the earth? There was a turmoil which was nothing less to the earthquake that occurred in Shangjing the previous year. A member of the Tsing Yi Army was struck. He became a muddy flesh before he had the time to shriek. Some of them stood unsteadily as the city walls collapsed and sank. Losing their balance, they fell off of the city walls, thudding to the ground stone dead. Chapter 508 - Besieging Fengyi County (XVI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The city walls today were not as sturdy as iron like everyone thought. They were not built with regular boulders, but with materials like stones, yellow mud, glutinous rice, glutinous rice juice and lime. Chengan District was just a relatively remote district in the north. How sturdy could the city walls be? It could block ordinary attacks without a problem, but it was somewhat insufficient to counter Jiang Pengjis improved catapults. Moreover, it was a giant catapult. In theory, it could even make a deep hole in the city walls of Shangjing that year, let alone the city walls of Chengan District. The city walls were solid, but the power of the extraterrestrial objects was beyond imagination. Even a demolition crew was not that cruel! Except for Jiang Pengji, Zhang Ping and the audience in the streaming room, no one knew that the catapult was actually that powerful. Jintian Wugengya: Damn it. The streamers catapult keeps making me think about the counterweight trebuchet used during Mongolias attack on Xiangyang City. Its also a counterweight catapult Its said that the counterweight trebuchet is extremely powerful. It can pit a hole thats more than two meters deep in the ground Zheshi Diyigeng: Hey, isnt the counterweight trebuchet the prototype of the streamers catapult? Yiye Chengzhou: Im not very sure about that. Ive watched the streaming of those few days. The streamer has modified it based on the existing foundation. Anyway, a liberal arts student cant understand such a complicated design sketch. All I know is that the streamer had a very long discussion with Zhang Ping of the Mohists Jiang Nongqin calmly commanded the troops on the catapult to shoot five consecutive rounds. The city walls were already heavily damaged and there were many casualties on the city walls. The Tsing Yi Army were short of bows and arrows and lost the commanding elevation with the advantageous terrain. They could not effectively resist the attack. Jiang Pengji ordered the troops on the catapult to stop for the time being. She consecutively issued several military orders. More than ten lift ladders were pushed out from the military array. The ladders in that era were just ladders that were stronger and longer. They did not have the function to protect the vanguard of a siege. In a siege, the besieging party would often suffer a greater loss than the defending party because the besieging party must place themselves in the defending partys area of attack if they wanted to get close to the city walls. The defending party would have a geographical advantage. The besieging party often had to stack their troops up to set up the ladder, and then attack the city walls by force or break the city gates. There was naturally a very high rate of death and injury. Of course, if the besieging party chose to dig a tunnel and sneak into the city, it would be another matter. She planned to attack the city with violence. She was too lazy to get someone to dig a tunnel like a vole. Jiang Pengji referred to the existing materials and literature in that era when building the ladder. Using those as a basis, she built the ladder. There were round hardwood rollers under the lift ladder. They could be used as solid wheels which could facilitate the movement of the entire ladder. Why did the ladder have a lifting function? She had two considerations. First of all, the ladder was too massive. It could easily alert the enemy scouts and reveal the secrets of their own armaments. If the ladder could be folded, the possibility of it being exposed would be greatly reduced. The defending party thought that she did not prepare any siege weapons, so they might let down their guard. Secondly, the heights of the city walls of that era were not the same. Some city walls were towering and grandiose, like those in Shangjing City once upon a time. Some city walls were just a mound higher than a cob wall. The lift ladder could adjust its height according to the condition of the wall. Apart from these details, the biggest breakthrough was the structure of the base of the ladder. People could hide in it. The troops could hide inside or under the ladder when pushing the ladder. They could use the heavy shields to resist the attacks from the city walls. With shelter, even if the enemy shot a storm of arrows, the troops pushing the ladder could still successfully lean the ladder up against the city walls. The Tsing Yi Army on the city walls had been wiped out. Their successors could not take their places in time, so it was the least dangerous to enter the city now. She issued a military order. A horn with a different rhythm resonated once again. The infantrt of the vanguard who held their battling spirit in climbed up the ladder first. They were faster than monkeys. Was there a man who would not want to make contributions? Especially when the female soldiers were more agile than their male counterparts, the male soldiers would be embarrassed if they did not live up to expectations. It was already a little late when the Tsing Yi Army asked for support. Pulling out their big knives, the troops clad in leather armor hacked at their enemy. There was a tangled warfare on the city walls. More and more troops climbed up the city walls with the help of the ladder, gradually gaining the upper hand by having more people. Even though the Tsing Yi Army did not have a leader, there were still many small chieftains. It was already too late for them to escape. They could only have a slim chance of survival by trying to guard the city gates and block as many troops outside as possible. People with discerning eyes could see that the number of troops who could climb up the ladders in a short period of time was limited. As long as the defense at the city gates was not broken through and more people were dispatched to handle the troops on the city walls, the Tsing Yi Army might be able to defend Chengan District Well, that was quite a beautiful imagination. More than ten soldiers were lifting a log with a wide circumference and getting ready to battle the tightly shut city gate. One Two Three! One Two Three! One Two Three! The troops counted quietly. They would exert their strength together on the count of three. The catapult which smashed the city walls earlier had more or less obliterated the city walls. After the troops had pounded the city gate together over ten times, the city gate broke open at the sound, revealing more than 100 members of the Tsing Yi Army and various obstacles behind the gate. The military force of both parties were fighting at the city gates. The sound of slaughtering was unceasing. Blood splattered. Stumps and broken bones were everywhere. The blood that flowed out formed a small stream, like a meandering, red snake. The Tsing Yi Army was utterly routed in the battle at the city gates. They could not resist or attack effectively at all. The troops broke the city gate open. More than ten wheeled war chariots with strange structures were about to come in handy. The war chariots looked very simple. The real appearances of the war chariots were revealed when the coverings were lifted. Twenty one spears which were seven to eight feet long were affixed to the war chariots. Their tips were very pointed. The two sides of the war chariots were fully affixed with sharp, short blades. The troops retreated upon seeing them and ordered their rear comrades to push the war chariots to the front of the array and dash into the city. Such war chariots were specially used for street battles after the city was besieged. They were like hedgehogs with pointed spines, making it difficult for the enemy to approach them. The Tsing Yi Army did not have a leader. The small chieftains did not even have the time to flee, let alone organizing to form an effective defense on the battlefield. The troops on Jiang Pengjis side demolished the tall walls outside and made their way into the city with ease, leaving a bloody track along the way. The members of the Tsing Yi Army fled whenever they saw the soldiers. They even stampeded to a corner where they were stepped on. They looked utterly terrified and despaired. Compared to the members of the Tsing Yi Army who had not eaten well for many days, Jiang Pengji did not treat her troops harshly. Not to mention how good the food was, at least she would not let anyone starve and endure the torments of hunger on the battlefield. Meng Hun had not seen blood for a very long time. When the city was besieged, he took the lead and charged forward. Li Yun was unwilling to admit himself outdone. He rode on his horse and dashed past the city gate of Chengan District. With the advantage of being nimble, he killed many members of the Tsing Yi Army who were unable to escape in time. He wielded his silver spear numerous times, causing blood to splatter dazzlingly. The blood even turned his white horse into a red horse. Jiang Pengji was eager for action, but two pairs of eyes were staring at her. If she dared to dash forward to kill, they would then kill themselves. Chapter 509 - Besieging Fengyi County (XVII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji let out a long sigh. She really did not want to take these babies with her to war in the future if she could. Even if she had to take them with her, she could only take someone who was tenderhearted and easygoing. Look at these two. Theyre so bold that they even have the guts to stop their lord from going onto the battlefield. How treacherous, hmph! She gazed at the city gates of Chengan District in the distance. Her hands which were holding the reins were itchy. Dabai could not help but snort as well and it was moving restlessly. Wei Ci pretended not to know what his lord was feeling. Even if he did not have the heart to do so, he still managed to hold back. Blades and swords would aim blindly in the battlefield. Even the ever-victorious Jiang Pengji could not guarantee that she would be unharmed. As the years went by, who could guarantee that the accumulated old wounds would not become a hidden danger? Xu Ke could not hold it back. He felt guilty as Jiang Pengji stared at him with her resentful eyes. Summoning his courage, he said, You cant take risks rashly. Jiang Pengji curled her lips. She knew that the reason was this untenable just by thinking with her toes. Im equal to a hundred people alone she said. Wei Ci added softly in a sarcastic manner, If thats the case, Id rather you dispatch another hundred troops to join the war. Jiang Pengji was speechless. Wei Ci was extremely antagonistic. Did he really hate her? In terms of fighting power, she could break the city gates of Chengan District by herself. There was no need for more than 10 soldiers to lift the gigantic log and pound the gates. Seeing how the troops pounded the gates strenuously, Jiang Pengji wished she could drive them aside and show them what absolute strength was. However, the two feeble scholars, Wei Ci and Xu Ke, glared at her from left and right and did not allow her to act wildly. Her resentment seemed to be able to penetrate the streaming screen. The audience could not refrain from laughing. Some viewers could still show due respect for her feelings and just laughed on their own. Some viewers were more mischievous and directly posted bullet screens to tease her. Mian Mian: Hahaha. Beauty Ci and Brother Xu Ke have done an awesome job. The streamer whos crazy wild needs to be taught a lesson. Renshen Kuwei: Sigh. I can sense that the streamers resentment is soaring up to the sky even through the screen. The two strategists are cruel enough to let a restless person take her place obediently in the center division, just like how I lock my Husky up and dont take it for a walk Shiyuke: Hahaha. The metaphor used by the user above is funny. Youre brutal. Huskies are so cute. Why do you treat it that way? Liuliangao: Huskies have a nickname called wild creatures. It fits the streamers image so well. The two strategists mustnt let the streamer have things her way. Once shes put into the battlefield, who knows if she can still be caught? If they become softhearted for once, theyll do the same thing for countless times in the future! It was not known where the audience in the streaming room got their ideas. Jiang Pengjis fan club had the nickname Husky after the name Jiang Bapi. However, thinking about it carefully, there was really not a problem with the nickname. Both of them liked to act wildly. The pitiful Jiang Pengji could not enter the battlefield. Everyone on the battlefield could not stop pursuing the Tsing Yi Army in order to make a contribution. Due to the Tsing Yi Armys atrocity and brutality, the people in Chengan District who could escape had already done so. Those who could not flee were the old, the weak and the sick. A small number of people could not endure the biting-cold winter the year before. They had already become cold and stiff corpses when someone discovered them one early morning. The people who had survived the winter still had to bear the threat of hunger and the Tsing Yi Armys ill treatment. Their lives were in deep water. If it was not necessary, these people would not open their doors easily. Therefore, when Jiang Pengjis troops attacked Chengan District, the doors of the houses on the streets were tightly shut. Some houses had collapsed in the Shangjing earthquake and they were not renovated. The entire street was deserted. It was the same case in other places. The entire Chengan District was like a dead city, making people feel chilly. Of course, such a situation was the best for the troops. Why so? It was because the military camp had orders that every soldier had to memorize and know them thoroughly by heart. Among them, there were proscriptions like soldiers could not cause a public disturbance, plunder and loot the people, and indiscriminately slaughter the innocent when besieging a city. There were hundreds of orders. The degrees of punishment upon violation would vary with the contents of the proscriptions. Although there were special countermeasures in particular situations, it would give people the chance to fish in troubled waters. It would be difficult to handle if it was exposed. The streets in the city were quiet, providing the troops with great convenience. They soon made their way to the inner city and killed the befuddled members of the Tsing Yi Army until they were wetting their pants in terror. Many people were still sleeping soundly. They were already beheaded before they had time to react. The Tsing Yi Army liked to seek pleasure. They had burned, killed and pillaged countless times. That was not all. They even enlisted women into the military brothel by force, making women from respectable families enter the military brothel to serve the members of the Tsing Yi Army. The military brothel was built in the inner city. The troops were suddenly bewildered by the scene inside when they invaded the place. The military brothel was made up of more than 10 rows of small, thatched cottages. A row had more than 20 thatched cottages, each detached from the next. There was a naked woman in each cottage. Their necks were tied with thick hemp ropes. The other corner was filled with dirty plates which were hovered over by mosquitoes and flies. Most of the women curled up in the corner of the cottage like a dog in a kennel. Jiang Nongqins icy, hoarse voice was filled with terrifying anger. All the male troops, leave! The violators will be punished like theyve violated the proscriptions! As she finished speaking, more than ten female troops who were stained with blood from head to toe quickly took over the military brothel. Each of them were holding rifles with aloof facial expressions. They cleaned up the befuddled members of the Tsing Yi Army and cast their bodies aside without mercy while chasing their male comrades out. It was not that Jiang Nongqin did not believe in these comrades, she just did not believe in men. Some of the troops indeed had their sexual desires aroused upon seeing the womens bodies. However, the war was not over and the female soldiers were glaring at them fiercely by the side. Moreover, the lieutenant of the female battalion, Jiang Nongqin, was personally attending to garrison duty there. All of them shuddered at the thought of the proscriptions of the military camp. Their desires vanished. At that moment, a sound like a pig being slaughtered caught everyones attention. An extremely tall and strong man came out of a cottage. More than 10 heads of the members of the Tsing Yi Army were pinned on his waist. He strung them together and piled them up in one place. One could not help but feel pins and needles Besides, everyone noticed that his fan-sized palm seemed to be grabbing something. Everyone stretched their necks to have a detailed look. It turned out to be a soldier who had taken his pants off and revealed his penis. Jiang Nongqin was livid. The strong man hurled the soldier like he was throwing trash. The soldier rolled on the ground several times before he stopped. He felt that his bones were about to break. He has committed the sin of adultery. He should be killed in front of the army, the strong man said with a deep voice. Jiang Nongqin held the knife on her waist tightly. If it was not for the military orders, she really wanted to hack the soldier to death directly. I I didnt The soldier felt dizzy and his ears were humming. He babbled weakly, trying to defend himself upon hearing what the man had said. Chapter 510 - Besieging Fengyi County (XVIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Nongqin sneered while looking at his penis. You didnt? Who would believe that? Her glance made the soldier have somewhat of a reaction. His penis vaguely stiffened. He was about to enjoy the beauty a while ago, but he never thought that the strong man would come in. He was frightened. That was not all. Without giving him a chance to explain himself, the strong man dragged him away from the beauty. He was so scared that his penis was in a flaccid state. I really really didnt The soldier looked at his penis with deep embarrassment, and hurriedly pulled up his trousers that had gathered at his calves. He continued, Its obvious that this fool is framing me on purpose. I know that the military orders prohibit such acts, so why would I do such a thing? the soldier vowed solemnly. However, the marks on his body were obviously abnormal. Jiang Nongqin shifted her gaze to the strong man and questioned him with her eyes. The strong man kept a straight face and explained with some strain, He has indeed violated the military order. However, the person in the cottage isnt a woman, but a man. Upon hearing those words, the soldier suddenly said with confidence, Lieutenant Jiang, did you hear that? I really didnt violate the military order! Jiang Nongqin smirked. She took a few steps forward quickly, lifted her foot, and kicked the man in the face. She pinned the soldier down with her foot. Arrest him! He has violated the military orders. The lord will decide after the war! The soldier looked despaired upon hearing those words and continuously cried out for justice. He did not do anything to the women. He just could not help himself when he saw a handsome man. Was this also a violation of the military orders? Jiang Nongqin lowered her eyelids with a terrifying chill in her eyes. The military order states that one mustnt commit adultery with the people. Who are the people? Could it be that you think that the people are just women and not men? Instead of repenting, youre still trying to refute violating the military order. Youre doubly guilty! Drag him away. Two female soldiers stepped forward. The violator was still trying to resist. At that moment, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulders and felt as if his arms had lost control. He could not even move his fingers, let alone struggle with his hands. His lower jaw was even broken by one of the female soldiers. Jiang Nongqin looked at him in disgust. Drag him away! Having encountered such an incident, Jiang Nongqin was in a bad mood, but she secretly approved of the female troops skilled means. Although they were still young, their hands were not very strong. They had done a pretty good job. After the soldier who made the mistake was dragged away like trash, Jiang Nongqin then had the time to look up at the brawny man who caught the soldier. Whats your name? She focused her gaze on the heads on the mans shoulders and waist. She frowned. Im Dian Yin, the new recruit in the third battalion. The brawny man lowered his head and looked respectful. However, he was a lot taller than Jiang Nongqin, so he looked like he was looking down at her. Dian Yin? The name sounded somewhat familiar. Jiang Nongqin thought about it and finally remembered who Dian Yin was. Li Yun paid special attention to the new recruit called Dian Yin. She asked him out of her curiosity, and he said that the lord had named Dian Yin was the one she wanted. According to Jiang Pengjis instructions, Dian Yin should be transferred to her side once the first stage of training for the new recruits had ended. However, Xiangyang District was preparing for war when the training for the new recruits had just ended. Li Yun transferred Dian Yin to the third battalion. He wanted to give him a chance to render meritorious service. However was he too honest? Even Jiang Nongqin could not help but feel pins and needles upon seeing the heads on his back and waist. Jiang Nongqin said, You dont have to chop off all their heads The lord doesnt like such a rough way War was war, but there was no need to deliberately play havoc with the enemies corpses. First of all, there was no time for that. Secondly, it showed that one had too much time. Dian Yin asked in a rough manner, Isnt one rewarded based on the number of heads chopped off? Jiang Nongqin could not help but laugh. She replied, In the ancient times, there was an outstanding, famous warrior who could chop off thousands of heads by himself. However, merits arent calculated based on the number of heads chopped off. If so, what will happen if the troops behead the innocent people in order to deceive the others? Dian Yin could not answer. He just thought that the real fight was the same as the stories told in novels. Dian Yin pondered. He unloaded the string of heads and threw them to the ground. The heads thudded depressingly when they hit the ground. However, he looked unperturbed. Many female soldiers felt a chill down their spines and wished they could be slightly further away from the scary, brawny man. Was he not afraid when he ran around with so many heads hanging on his body? It turned out that Dian Yin was really not afraid of it. He only felt that his anger had been worked off, especially when those heads belonged to the Tsing Yi Army. Okay, I get it, Jiang Nongqin said. This place has now been blockaded by the female soldiers, so men arent allowed to enter. You can leave now. As for the heads on the ground, youre a brave man who doesnt fear danger. Nobody can erase your meritorious service. Ill mention you to the lord. Dian Yin did not need such a gesture, but since the lieutenant had spoken, he would accept it. Ever since the unknown female soldier had nitpicked the entire new recruit battalion, Dian Yin who did not look down on women dared not underestimate women even more. Taking the lieutenant just now as an example, even a person like Dian Yin would feel a chill in his bones when she stared at him. It was a very subtle aura, commonly known as ominousness. The others could not feel it, but the aesthesia of martial artists was far more acute than that of ordinary people. The lieutenant was probably also a person who killed people like flies and had an immeasurable amount of blood on her hands. Otherwise, she could not have such a strong ominousness. The Tsing Yi Army was routed. Jiang Pengjis troops took the opportunity to broaden their victory. They had captured all the members of the Tsing Yi Army who could be held captive. Those who could not be held captive were directly killed. Anyone who violated the military orders of the military camp would be taken away on the spot. Wei Ci thought that conquering Chengan District would require a days time. In fact, it did not take long. They had only used up half a day. The situation in the city was under control. Nine chieftains of the Tsing Yi Army were captured. According to their confessions, another twelve people had escaped. Meng Hun and the others had already dispatched some soldiers to pursue them. Jiang Pengji rode on Dabai into the city. The doors of the houses on the streets were still tightly shut. However, her aesthesia was extremely sensitive. She knew very well about how many pairs of eyes were observing the surrounding houses. She did not care about it. Anyway, Chengan District had already been conquered. This place would be hers. Having gotten used to seeing the cleanliness and prosperity of Xiangyang District, the audience in the streaming room felt indescribably uncomfortable upon seeing Chengan District for the first time. The contrast between the two was like the difference between a first-tier city and a small village in the mountains. However, according to the previous contents of the stream, Chengan District was the most prosperous place in Fengyi County. How many captives are caught? Jiang Pengji was welcomed into the district headquarters of Chengan District. It had been tidied up roughly, but there were still blood stains which were turning black on the ground. One could even find stumps and broken bones if he had a careful look. She sat in the front seat like she was unconcerned. Except for the members of the Tsing Yi Army who are slaughtered and those who have escaped from the other side of the city gate, there are a total of 1,800 captives. 1,800 captives Jiang Pengjis army currently totaled up to nearly 10,000 people. There would be a huge expense if these captives were fed. Wei Ci asked, How do you plan to deal with them? Is this even a question? Ill just throw them to the mines. These members of the Tsing Yi Army dont have decent behavior, so theyre not suitable to be recruited, so as not to destroy the ethos in the military camp. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and casually said, There are indeed iron ore veins in Xiangyang District. We just happen to lack mining workers Chapter 511 - Besieging Fengyi County (XIX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci muttered, This is a good idea, but the Tsing Yi Army claims that there are 200,000 members in their army. There will definitely be more captives in the future. Do you want to send all of the captives to the mines? Even though the iron ore is rich, it wont take long to finish mining. Once the number of captives exceeded a certain threshold, it would become a huge danger. Conscript labor in mining was definitely tough. If they were to mine for the rest of their lives, it was difficult to ensure that these captives would not find ways to unite and create trouble. There could not be an insufficient number of captives because most manual labor was done by captives. However, there could not be an excess number of captives because that would be shooting oneself in the foot instead. If one wanted to have a good reputation and become a benevolent ruler, one had to think of a way to properly arrange their future path. Wei Ci hoped that his lord could also earn an honorable reputation in other ways than good deeds. She should not suffer a loss like how she had in the past. He would not presumptuously make a decision for her. First of all, he did not have such an intention. Secondly, Her Majesty was not the kind of person to be controlled by others. She could accept good intentions once or twice with a smile and not fuss over it. However, she would not be able to tolerate a person who kept making decisions for her arbitrarily. Therefore, Wei Ci only pointed the problem out. It would be totally up to her to make a decision. Even if he did not bring it up, she would realize the problem when there was an increasing number of people in the captive camp. Jiang Pengji pondered and said, Zixiaos concern makes sense. All of the defeated troops cant be held captive in the future If one thought about it carefully, what Jiang Pengji said was quite wild. She already believed that she was the suzerain of the world when she had only conquered Xiangyang District and Chengan District. Was she not thinking big? Well do it this way. These captives can first be dispatched to the mines for six months. If they perform well without any misbehavior, they can be given the chance to redeem themselves. Captives were considered to be slaves. Even if they were not officially registered under the household registration, they were considered to be her personal property. What if the captives wanted to be free again? They could do so, as long as they found a way to redeem themselves. Wei Ci raised his eyebrows and asked, Redemption? How? Jiang Pengji replied, These Tsing Yi Army captives are different from the captives captured six months ago. Their behaviors and acts are very odious. If they arent properly tempered, they can only be regarded as scum and they cant even be used at all. Its better to let them mine for half a year as a form of meditation. Of course, during this period of time, these captives were still slaves. If they dont stir up trouble and perform extremely well in the six months period, theyll be given a chance to become garrison peasants and receive simple training. Theyll spend most of the time reclaiming wasteland for farming and ploughing. They can participate in other labor construction during the slack season. Theyll be given food or money according to the amount of labor they perform. If they can make contributions to our military, their slavery status can be removed at discretion and they can be free Jiang Pengji was definitely not willing to feed a gang of useless captives. If their labor force was excessively oppressed and exploited, it would become a hidden danger. It was better to be strict and lenient and give them some good treatment and hope. This was not the final decision, but it gave everyone the general outlook on how to handle the captives. There were too many abandoned farmlands in the north. After the severe earthquake the year before, a lot of farmland was uncultivated. Because of the Tsing Yi Army, Chengan District missed the autumn harvest the year before and the spring ploughing this year. This meant that almost nothing was reaped for two years. There were many farms but little grains. It was not known as to how many people were still enduring the torments of hunger. Jiang Pengji had currently accumulated quite a lot of popularity points which could be exchanged for a lot of food, but she did not rely on this channel. A normal and healthy force should provide for oneself and even have abundant grain. Not only could they feed the people, but they also had enough money and grain for war. It was simple to exchange for food in the mall, but a complete grain production system was missing. One would have to starve if one left the system! It should not be forgotten that she was just confining the subsystem. The noumenon was still hiding in the corner of the world. Besides, according to the several probes she had for the system, the popularity points could have other usages. Out of consideration, Jiang Pengji felt that the captives should not be idle and should still work hard to shine. Xu Ke was silent for a while. He was somewhat enamored of Jiang Pengjis suggestion. She was giving the slaves a chance to redeem themselves and did not take away all their hope. If the captives had the desire to advance, repent, and perform well for half a year, they could become garrison peasants. They could cultivate wastelands, grow crops for the military and distribute the autumn harvest among the officials and civilians. Jiang Pengji would not be too relentless on the ratio between the two. If the farming tools, improved variety of seeds and cattle were provided by the government, the government and civilians would have 40 percent and 60 percent of the income respectively. If the farming tools, improved variety of seeds and cattle were self-provided by each household, the government and civilians would have 30 percent and 70 percent of the income respectively. All of the farmland would be owned by the government. Troops would be dispatched to serve as instructors during the slack season to teach the principles of warfare and killing the enemy. They would also have the opportunity to go to war. If they could make a contribution, they could break free from their slavery status according to the scale of their meritorious services. If they did not have such desires and only wanted to be a commoner, they could participate in other paid work during the slack season. If they worked for a few years and were even able to buy their own farmland, the government and civilians would have 10 percent and 90 percent of the income respectively. Jiang Pengji told the two strategists about her ideas. The more she explained, the more ideas she had, the more dynamic her thinking was. Her troops had the habit of working on farmland during the autumn harvest and spring ploughing. Because too many wastelands were cultivated the year before in Xiangyang District, each household was given a lot of farm land, so their hands were extremely full. The spring ploughing was very short, so it would be a pity to miss it. If God was considerate this year, not only could the autumn harvest feed the military, but also the entire Xiangyang District. There could even be an oversupply. However, training was the main task for her troops. Farming and other labor were auxiliary. The main tasks of the garrison peasants were farming and labor. Training was auxiliary. Even if they were not excellent in combat, they were still better than ordinary people. However Xu Ke frowned and said, The distribution ratio makes it seem like weve conceded too much. The government had provided the farming tools, improved variety of seeds and cattle. They should receive 50 percent of the profit instead of just 40 percent. After all, the farmlands did not belong to the civilians and they did not even have to pay the rent. According to the lord, the grains received by the government included grain tax as well As a result, the ratio was even lower than the current grain tax. It cant be calculated that way. Its not much even if its counted thoroughly Wei Ci saw through the flaw within. The lord isnt planning to pay the garrison peasants, right? Even if theyre paid, I think theyll be paid a lot lower than the troops. The grain which the garrison peasants received was indeed theirs. They could eat it themselves. Without getting paid by the government, if there was a war and the enemy had launched an attack, they even had to put up a defense with their weapons. This was equivalent to them farming on their own, feeding themselves and paying themselves. They even had to go to war From the heyday of Wei Cis memory, the current proportion of tax was a bit harsh. However, its most attractive part was that the poor captives would have the chance to buy their own farmland with their efforts. The government would have one-tenth of the grain tax, just as Jiang Pengji mentioned before. The government and civilians would have 10 percent and 90 percent of the income respectively. In todays world, such tax proportion was something that the people did not dare to imagine. Chapter 512 - Besieging Fengyi County (XX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Looking at his lord, Wei Ci felt emotional. In the previous life, his lord was most skillful in wars. She would fight anyone who provoked her, even if she had to give up everything. Now his lord seemed to have gotten better with words? Her ability in reassuring people was superb. If his lord could be this shrewd in the previous life, why did she have to bother doing that? She calmed the troops in the female battalion with the household registration and marriage matters. She slightly reversed the prejudice held against the female battalion by the people in Xiangyang District and sparked the female troops desire to strive for fame and wealth. Now she came up with the idea of letting the captives become garrison peasants to appease them and reassured the people behind the scenes, so that they would loyally work for her. The household registrations and post-retirement marriage for the female troops were gratuitous, but the female troops were vying to go to war. According to Meng Hun from the vanguard, the female troops were extraordinary. Their ruthlessness in killing made the mens legs shake uncontrollably. Similarly, the Order of Army Farming was just a verbal plan. The captives had to undergo mining observation for six months. Then, they had to open up the wastelands for the government, as well as cultivating the land and participating in other physical labor. Lastly, they also had to pay quite a high grain tax Through such analysis, the captives seemed to be very disadvantaged, but Wei Ci dared to guarantee with his life that if the plan was circulated, they did not have to worry that the captives would start a riot or take the opportunity to rebel. The captives would work hard for the 90-percent income and feel grateful for the lords kindness. Sigh The lord was really getting more and more skillful with words. Wei Ci teased Jiang Pengji for liking to wheedle, but he was sure that her words would not just end up as pie in the sky. What do you think of the idea? Jiang Pengji had talked so much that her mouth was dry. She retrieved the water bottle hanging on her waist and gulped it down. Xu Ke was silent for a while. He was also a commoner, so he was naturally more inclined towards the interests of the people. However, he was Jiang Pengjis strategist. He always had to put her interests first. The lord had already taken the initiative to seek welfare for the public. Under such circumstances, Xu Ke would naturally not propose to increase the proportion of grain requisition. He sincerely praised her. This is a very good plan. Itll definitely restore the peoples livelihood in a short period of time. The lord is great. In recent years, the natural disasters in Dongqing had been incessant. An earthquake occurred in the previous year, resulting in an extreme shortage of food. Moreover, the Red Lotus Group and Tsing Yi Army were in a killing frenzy which greatly damaged the farming in the northern part of Dongqing. The people led destitute lives and had little food to eat. Sometimes, they would exchange their children with each other and turn them into food. If Jiang Pengjis Order of Army Farming was implemented, not only could it restore the peoples livelihood in agriculture in a short period of time and allow the people who had lost their lands to return to farming in the fields, but they could also hoard a huge amount of army provisions. They would no longer have to worry about going to war without food. This was one of the benefits! The other advantage was that upon the implementation of the Order of Army Farming, it could attract a large number of refugees who would not survive! In troubled times, the people in ones territory were ones capital. By having a huge population, would one still have to worry about not being able to recruit enough troops? Xu Ke and Wei Ci were circumspect and farsighted. They did not just see the immediate interests, but also the future benefits. The two strategists were not the only ones who were deep in thought and further improving the lords impromptu idea. The viewers in the streaming room were also having a heated discussion. Diwugeng Nanchanle: You guys are superficial. You only adore their looks, but Im different. I just love the streamers talent and how she looks when shes pondering seriously and solving problems Shes simply so attractive that I cant resist. Guiqiu Yuepiao: To the user above, dont interrupt. You should pick the right time to be hopelessly romantic. Why does the streamers Order of Army Farming sound so familiar to me? I feel that Boss Caos subordinates, Zao Zhi and Han Hao, have suggested to create the army farming system. Jujue Taijian Zhongma: The user above is right, but the two seem to be very different, right? Tumi Dalao: Ive looked them up on Baidu and theyre indeed different. Boss Caos army farming system has largely restricted the freedom of farmers. Theyre almost chained to the fields and they live a very tough life. The proportion of grains collected by the government is either 5:5 or 6:4. In the later period, theyre severely exploited and the ratio has become 8:2. The farmers have revolted and fled. Later, the lands are heavily invaded so the army farming system is basically abolished. Nuzhuang Hairen: How should I put this? After reading the information on Baidu, I just have a single thought. Make oneself a waiver of any future trouble. Even if the farmers are just captives, refugees, and slaves, one shouldnt drive them to a dead end. The tolerance of the ancient civilians is beyond imagination. As long as theyre not driven to a wall, they wont resist at all. Theyll just choose to resign themselves to adversity. Yewu Yanling: This is why the streamer is really skilled in tricking people. Its worth learning. She orders them to open up the wastelands for farming, provides some things during that period, and gets a huge chunk of the meat after the harvest, but the people are still grateful for her kindness. Suifeng Xiaose: I dont reckon its a trick. In such troubled times, the streamer is already considered to be a remarkably impressive human. Jiang Pengji frowned. She scanned the phrases exploited in the later period, the farmers have revolted and fled and lands are heavily invaded. At that moment, a viewer asked her a question. Yunshu Dabaobao: Why did you suddenly think of this? Jiang Pengji thought about it and expressed her thoughts. Host V: My troops will help the people in farming during the spring ploughing and autumn harvest. This is considered to be an inspiration. In addition, there are many records about army farming in the book gifted by Master Cheng Cheng. However, the scale is very small, so army farming isnt popular. For the people of ancient times, the Order of Army Farming which she mentioned might be amazing. However, according to Jiang Pengjis thinking, the suggestion was logical. Just as Wei Ci had said, no matter how rich the iron ore was, it would be depleted one day. How would the captives be dealt with then? There would be more and more captives in the future. Could all of them be dumped in the mines? Be it the captives or commoners, they were her family. She was obliged to take care of them. Jiang Pengji would not take care of them by providing them with food and materials and let them eat and drink for nothing. She would take care of them by exploiting them to the maximum and developing their abilities to contribute to society so that they could provide for themselves. If they were hopeless, Jiang Pengji would give up on them. This was the same as what Jiang Nongqin had said in the past. Those who were willing to save themselves could be saved. Those who were unwilling to save themselves would be abandoned. From another perspective, this could be regarded as an alternative interpretation of teaching a man to fish instead of feeding him for a lifetime. The captives had nothing else to do, so they could help the army open up wastelands for farming and learn how to grow crops. In Jiang Pengjis previous life, the Federation pursued the idea that all citizens were soldiers. Every citizen had a certain level of fighting power. Similarly, she hoped that her people could also be valiant. They did not need to have a high level of fighting power, but they must be able to fight! Thus, it could be seen that one should learn how to fight during slack seasons. By integrating the above ideas, the embryonic form of the Order of Army Farming could basically be obtained. Well, the idea was as simple as that. Chapter 513 - Besieging Fengyi County (XXI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji looked around and her gaze fell on Qiguan Rang who was sitting in the corner. He was squinting while still holding the feather fan that never left his hand. It was as if he was listening attentively yet he looked absentminded at the same time. Jiang Pengji called out to him. She asked, What do you think of the order, Wen Zheng? Since the day Jiang Pengji met Qiguan Rang, she knew about his bad habits. He would never stand out unless he had to. He might even deliberately make himself less visible Tsk, tsk. Did he cherish his life too much for fear that he would bring disaster upon himself if he performed too well? Of course, Qiguan Rang was not distracted. On the contrary, he listened very attentively and had even thought carefully about the pros and cons of the Order of Army Farming. Obviously, the implementation of the order now would definitely outweigh the disadvantages. However, one could not say for certain until months and years had passed. The lands belonged to the government. The tax collection rate was solely decided by Jiang Pengji. To put it offensively, what if she died and her successor was evil-minded and willfully increased the tax collection rate? This was one of the reasons. The other was the aristocrats. They had absolute financial resources and rights. Even if the commoners found ways to buy their own lands, could they protect their family property? Not to mention the faraway places, the land annexation in Dongqing was now serious. Many commoners were extorted by tricks. They sold their lands and became tenants. The bloody lesson was right in front of them! However, even if Qiguan Rang had thought of those, he did not want to bring them up at that moment. It was because it would not carry much significance even if he mentioned it. The lord had to grow stronger in a short period of time. The commoners also had to recover their livelihood from the incessant blows as soon as possible and live a stable and prosperous life. The shortcomings of the Order of Army Farming would only become visible later. Why should one worry about running when one had not even learnt how to crawl? However, Jiang Pengji did not give him the chance. She said, Spill your thoughts. I wont laugh at you. You dont have to lie to me. Just say what you think. If you cant say anything concrete, dont even think about having a day off when you return. The nerves in the corner of Qiguan Rangs mouth twitched. He only revealed his previous thoughts after quite some time. After a while, he said while blushing with shyness, My worries are groundless. Under the current circumstances, the Order of Army Farming is the best plan. Jiang Pengji relaxed her brows and responded, Your worries arent groundless. The biggest difference between nipping it in the bud and worrying excessively is that the former is likely to happen in the near future whereas the latter will only happen in the faraway future. It may not even happen. She could turn the world upside down after at least a decade or two, so Qiguan Rangs worries were not wrong. Ill remember the things youve said. As she finished speaking, Jiang Pengji turned her head and said to Wei Ci and Xu Ke, This will be all for now. You can sort it out when you go back. After the war, well make some adjustments according to the actual situation The best was not necessarily the most suitable. Jiang Pengji knew this principle. Only the one which could conform to this era would be the most suitable. Wei Ci and Xu Ke bowed and responded, Yes, Lord. After a while, the guard reported that the lieutenant of the female battalion, Jiang Nongqin, wanted to see the lord. The vanguard wiped out the remaining members of the Tsing Yi Army under Meng Hun and Li Yuns lead. Why did Jiang Nongqin come over at this time? Jiang Pengji frowned and let her in. Im here to see you, Lord. After entering, Jiang Nongqin bowed solemnly. She only found a place to sit down after being allowed to do so. Jiang Pengji asked, Nongqin, what happened? She replied with a deep voice, Upon refining the military discipline, Ive caught 32 violators, including one who has committed a serious offense. Jiang Pengji was very strict in regard to military discipline. Firstly, considering the psychological needs, she did not restrict the male troops from getting married. Secondly, she did not restrain them from seeking pleasure on their days off. If the troops had made severe mistakes during the war when she had already done so, she would definitely not let them off the hook easily. Hearing Jiang Nongqins words, her voice turned aloof. Deal with the remaining 31 violators according to the military rules. What serious offense did the trooper commit? Jiang Nongqin replied, He has committed the crime of adultery. Youve said that the troops cant rape the commoners, otherwise theyll be punished with capital felony. Jiang Pengjis pleasant mood vanished in an instant. A murderous smirk was hanging on the corner of her lips. The crime of adultery? She continued, With such a serious offense, just get the entire army to watch him being punished. Execute him. Hearing their conversation, the three strategists present secretly frowned. The crime of adultery? The punishment for committing such a crime would be weighed according to the circumstances. The lightest punishment was a death sentence which was neat and clean. The most serious punishment would be making the committers feel as good as dead. It really was a cruel torture. Who was the foolish trooper that committed a crime during the height of a crackdown on crime? Jiang Nongqin said, I strongly agree with you, but the person whom the trooper has raped is somewhat special. I dont know how he should be punished. Jiang Pengji frowned. Special? Could it be that the trooper had raped a troublesome, well-known figure? Jiang Nongqin replied, Its a man. Everyone was baffled. The trooper was indeed a male, or wait could it be that the person who had committed the crime was a female trooper? Pardon them for having come from the country. When the crime of adultery was mentioned, one would first think of a man and woman. If the victim was a man, the offender must be a female trooper However, this did not made sense either Jiang Nongqin did not realise how much of a misunderstanding she had caused. She repeated, The trooper is from the third battalion. The victim is a man from the military brothel of the Tsing Yi Army. He has a pretty face and looks no different to a woman. Youve said that the troops arent allowed to rape the commoners. Of course, the victim can also be considered as a commoner, so I think that the trooper can be found guilty. Ones values were shattered! Wei Ci, Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke were struck dumb with bewilderment. They looked at Jiang Nongqin as if she was a monster. They felt as if they had opened a door to a new world. It turned out that one could play that way? Xu Ke said embarrassedly, Lord, this this is too absurd Jiang Pengji glanced at Xu Ke. Then she secretly looked at Wei Ci. Talking of which, Wei Cis good looks were very dangerous as well. It was more reassuring to dispatch someone who could fight and be loyal to protect him. As a good lord who cared for her subordinates, she gave herself a compliment. Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids and said, Nongqin is right. Commoners are commoners. Gender doesnt matter. Xu Ke kept quiet. Even though he was appalled, what the lord said was reasonable. The trooper could not be let free just because the victim was a male and that he was forced to have sexual intercourse with him. The trooper had indeed committed a serious offense. Xu Ke realized that this was an opportunity to beat the dog before the lion and knock some sense into those who liked to play with words and exploit language loopholes. The man was also a commoner. If the lord did not impose the punishment in this case, there would be an increase in such cases in the future. Homosexuality was now popular. Sodomy could even become a story that was passed on with approval! If the trooper thought that having sex with men was not a crime, what would happen when the troops paid attention to men instead of besieging cities in the future? Chapter 514 - Besieging Fengyi County (XXII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The precedent of such a sick ethos must never be started! After figuring out the key links, the strategists kept silent and tacitly approved of Jiang Pengjis way of punishing the trooper who had committed a crime. Jiang Pengji said in a serious manner, Punish him according to the military rules. Get the entire army to watch him being punished. He must be executed on the spot! Jiang Nonqin bowed and replied solemnly, The lord is just. Ill do what you say. The audience in the streaming room who witnessed the entire scene exploded. They really did not expect that this matter would be settled just like that. Yanzhiniao: Holy crap. Im not mistaken, right? Its really decided that the trooper is guilty? Fangxue Shangtiantai: Can someone who studies law explain what kind of crime it is in our country? Baobao Longaotian: Do you need me to explain the offense of rape in our country? The offense of rape refers to the act of going against the will of women and using violence, coercion or other means to have sexual intercourse with women by force. The rapists may also deliberately have sexual intercourse with young girls who are under 14 years old. This is an accurate definition of the rape offense provided by the criminal law of our country. Do you understand? Baobao Yeliangchen: I understand. In other words, it is not considered a rape offense when women have sexual intercourses with men by force or when men rape men? Baobao Lishashen: In theory it isnt, but theyve still committed a crime. Its just that it cant be counted as rape. As a dazzlingly beautiful guy, I suddenly feel that our country is very dangerous. Can I apply for immigration to Mars? Baobao Wangzhumo: Streamer, I feel that you can really ascend to heaven. After your female battalion has grown stronger, you can consider setting up the Stay-at-home Men Protection Association. After all, your female troops are scary. What happens to the massive population of weak stay-at-home men if domestic violence occurs? Baobao Liuzhanxian: Am I really watching an ancient streaming? The acceptance level of the streamers subordinates is really high. Jiang Pengji broke into laughter. It was not that their acceptance level was high, but they were clearly being careful beforehand so as not to give rise to language loopholes. Homosexuality was popular in the world nowadays. The troops were not allowed to have sex with common women, so they might have sex with men in order to vent their desires. Now a symptom had already appeared. If it was not kept under control, it would be difficult to recruit troops in the future. Who would dare to come forward? Wei Ci and the others were just preventing people from exploiting the loopholes and damaging the social ethos. They were not protecting mens rights. They thought things over with their own thinking which was very different from the thoughts of the audience in the streaming room. At that moment, Jiang Nongqin got up and asked Jiang Pengji while deliberating her words, Lord, do you remember a new recruit called Dian Yin? Dian Yin? Everyone in the room was not completely unfamiliar with the name. After all, Dian Yin was either living in the military camp or in Wei Cis home. Jiang Pengji replied, Of course I do. Ive even told Han Mei that Dian Yin can work for me once he has completed the training for the new recruits. Glancing at his lord, Wei Ci secretly thought that his lord and Dian Yin were really destined to have a monarch-minister relationship. Whats up with the new recruit? she asked. Jiang Nongqin revealed what she had seen. She said, The trooper who committed the serious offense was caught by Dian Yin. When I saw him, more than 10 heads were hanging from his shoulders and waist. Hes very brave, so I think that hes really a man of great potential. Jiang Pengji tapped the table with her fingers. She had originally intended to transfer Dian Yin to her side and train him properly when he had completed his training. He was born to become a general. With proper training, he would definitely become someone useful. Now that he had performed outstandingly in the battlefield it was indeed time to promote him. Thinking of that, Jiang Pengji said, Ill keep that in mind. She needed people in every position in order to conquer Chengan District.Now that Dian Yin had stepped forward, she would be really unworthy of her nickname Jiang Bapi if she did not exploit a strong mans labor force. Although there was a general idea about the Order of Army Farming, it was not easy to implement it. Jiang Pengji planned to hand the matter over to Li Yun, Dian Yin, and Xu Ke. Li Yun was experienced in opening up wastelands for farming, so he was familiar with the industry. Dian Yin and Xu Ke would assist him. During the discussion, a series of sonorous and forceful footsteps were heard. Jiang Pengji knew who they were by listening to the footsteps. Were they not Meng Hun and Li Yun? Lord, Ive failed in accomplishing the mission. Im unable to capture all the chieftains of the Tsing Yi Army who have escaped, Meng Hun apologized. Li Yun looked guilty as well. They dispatched some troops to pursue them but they were not as familiar with the terrain as the Tsing Yi Army was. Many chieftains managed to flee. Wei Ci glanced at Jiang Pengji. She looked very calm. Her emotions could not be ascertained. He asked Meng Hun, Do you know where the rascals have escaped to? Meng Hun pondered and replied, I think theyve fled in the southwest direction. Southwest? Wei Ci frowned. The looks on Xu Ke and Qiguan Rangs faces had also changed a little. It looks like were going to be busy for a while. Maolin District was located in the southwest, which was also the Tsing Yi Armys territory. Now that they had conquered Chengan District and Xiangyang District, it meant that the two districts had separated Maolin District in the southwest and Jiaoping District in the northeast. Hence, the Tsing Yi Army in Fengyi County could not take care of everything and their armed forces could not be assembled in one place. It would be very easy to capture the districts. There were four districts in Fengyi County, with Chengan District as the center. Maolin District was situated in the southwest, whereas Jiaoping District was located in the northeast. Xiangyang District which Jiang Pengji owned was bordered by those two districts and was situated in the southeast of Chengan District. According to the map, they had directly broken up the Tsing Yi Army in Fengyi County. Be it in terms of strategy or deployment, the Tsing Yi Army had the motive to attack either Chengan District or Xiangyang District. If they attacked Chengan District, it would be tantamount to returning to square one. However, the Tsing Yi Army had ravaged Chengan District all winter long, leaving very few opportunities. Instead of attacking the dilapidated Chengan District, it was better to gather their armed forces to storm Xiangyang District! Xiangyang District was the largest among the four districts in Fengyi County. Now, it was well-governed by Jiang Pengji, making it a rich district with plenty of products. How could the Tsing Yi Army not be green with envy? Taking advantage of the opportunity that the main armed forces were still in Chengan District, they were very likely to launch a sneak attack on Xiangyang District where the armed forces were weaker! Xu Ke asked, Lord, should we dispatch some reinforcements? Jiang Pengji suddenly sneered and said, Why should we do that? Weve left quite a number of troops there and the siege weapons used in the defense are more than sufficient. With Huaiyu and Luo Yue guarding the city, how big a possibility is there of losing the city? Fanning himself slowly, Qiguan Rang responded, Are you thinking of Well let them have a taste of their own medicine! Jiang Pengji squinted and a ray of maliciousness flashed across her eyes. If they really dispatch their troops from Jiaoping District and Maolin District to launch a sneak attack on Xiangyang District, well go the whole hog and divide our forces to destroy their nest! No one said a word. Our lord is great! Wei Ci chuckled helplessly. It seemed that he really could not restrain her from going to war in the future. The Tsing Yi Army had become her doormat because she had nowhere to vent her anger. Her idea was pretty good, but it was also more conservative. Launching a sneak attack on either Jiaoping District or Maolin District would do. She chose to divide her forces and attack the city, so as not to be stopped by her strategists. The army would branch out into two flanks, one of which would be under her lead. The remaining troops would launch a sneak attack in another direction. Chapter 515 - Besieging Fengyi County (XXIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Facts had proven that Wei Ci was familiar with Jiang Pengjis temper. It was really what he had expected. Send some scouts to observe the movements of the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District and Maolin District. If there are signs of them dispatching their troops, report to me immediately. Jiang Pengji squinted. She had originally intended to gradually encroach the four districts in Fengyi County and go ahead steadily and surely, but the Tsing Yi Army sought death and gave her this opportunity. As long as they dared to attack Xiangyang District, she would dare to let those bastards lose their nest. Yes, Lord! Meng Hun received the order. Ill do what you say. Most of the scouts were in the vanguard, so he was naturally responsible for this. Xu Ke said, Lord, we have insufficient armed forces now. If the troops are divided to attack Maolin District and Jiaoping District, Im afraid that its beyond our ability As he finished speaking, he secretly glanced at Qiguan Rang and Wei Ci, hoping that the two would step up and dissuade their lord. However, Qiguan Rang liked to take risks. Jiang Pengjis unusual way of attacking was very much to his appetite. As for Wei Ci He knew that it was difficult to dissuade his lord. If he dared to dissuade her this time, she could come up with something bigger next time. According to previous wars, if the Tsing Yi Army really wanted to attack Xiangyang District, they would definitely dispatch a lot of troops. One should know that when Jiang Pengji had just started to rule Xiangyang District, there were tens of thousands of members of the Tsing Yi Army who guarded Xiangyang District, but she still managed to wipe them out. Therefore, attacking Xiangyang District with an extremely small number of people would pose no threat at all. In order to attack Xiangyang District successfully, the Tsing Yi Army definitely had to transfer most of their troops. The rear of the Tsing Yi Army would certainly be very weak. It was not impossible to capture Jiaoping District and Maolin District at the same time. It was just that it would require bold courage and strong judgement. Seeing that they refused to speak, Xu Ke suddenly understood what they were thinking. He could only quietly let out a sigh. It was difficult for one to do much single-handed. It was impossible for him to reverse the lords decision. Sitting on the seat in front, Jiang Pengji said, Thats all for the time being. If the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District and Maolin District dispatch their troops, well send our troops and crush their nest. If they know their place, well let them enjoy themselves for a moment. It would depend on the Tsing Yi Armys actions as to whether to send the troops or not. Jiang Pengjis priority was the construction in Chengan District. With the experience in Xiangyang District, it was not difficult to rebuild Chengan District. It was just that she had to face innumerable problems. One of the biggest problems was the people in Chengan District. Due to the trouble caused wantonly by the Tsing Yi Army, the young people who could escape had already escaped. The people who remained in the city now were mostly old and weak. They were so starving that they looked sallow and emaciated. There was no grain in the rice tanks of every household. Even if there was, they dared not to make a fire and cook for fear that the smoke from the kitchen chimneys would cause the Tsing Yi Army to plunder. Therefore, they could only soak raw rice with water and eat it raw when it was slightly softer. Upon hearing the news from Xu Ke and the others, Jiang Pengjis somewhat cheerful mood had become gloomier. How many people are there approximately? Jiang Pengji asked. I estimate that there are less than 3000 people, Xu Ke answered. What was more serious was that the long-term lack of salt intake had weakened the bodies of the 2000 people. Even if Jiang Pengji provided them with food, not many of them could become effective laborers. As a result, the situation in Chengan District was much worse than that of Xiangyang District. Now that they had not figured out the movements of the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District and Maolin District, they could not easily move their troops. Otherwise, they would not be able to receive reinforcements in time. Jiang Pengji said, Ill see it for myself. In another place, the 31 troops who had broken the rules were punished. Fortunately, their crimes were not very serious so they were just given a dressing-down. According to the military rules, the only remaining trooper must be executed in front of a battalion in order to serve as a warning to others. The person carrying out the punishment was Jiang Nongqin. The trooper was tied up with his hands behind his back and sent to the drill ground which was temporarily cleared. Jiang Nongqin read out his crime in public with an indifferent facial expression. All the troops burst into an uproar. They had only heard that it was a crime to rape women. They had never heard that one would also be punished according to the military rules if they raped a man. However, the military rules clearly stated that the troops could not rape the commoners. The male victim was a commoner, so the trooper had indeed broken the military rules. Of course, although the troops did not comment on the verdict, they still had some doubts and objections in their hearts. The man was one of the members of the military brothel of the Tsing Yi Army. Could it be considered as a violation of military rules to have sex with him? It could not, right? However, they did not have the guts to voice their doubts. Instead, they kept it in their minds, so that they would not make a mistake due to forgetting in the future. According to the military rules, hell be executed! Jiang Pengji read out indifferently. Carry out the punishment! There were four people carrying out the punishment. Two female troopers held the troops shoulders so that he could not escape. The other two female troopers were holding sticks which would be used for the execution. Of course, the trooper refused to accept his fate. He tried all kinds of ways and used all his strength to try to break free. The veins on his face bulged. His face was flushed and extremely hideous. His eyeballs even looked like they were about to pop out With tremendous force, the heavy sticks landed on his body. It hurt so much that the positions of his internal organs were about to be shifted. However, his mouth was gagged. Even if he had a stomach full of enmity, he could not shout it out. A rusty smell soon surged into his mouth. The wind was calm that day. The drill ground was silent. The troops of the entire battalion looked livid. They were so horrified that they did not even dare to inhale. They watched as the trooper went from struggling violently to breathing feebly. At last, he died. His back and buttocks were smashed. His bones which had been broken were revealed. The four female troopers who executed the punishment still looked somber. They were not at all scared by the scene in front of them. Upon seeing that the troop had breathed his last, one of the female troopers let go of his shoulder and checked his breathing and pulse. The female trooper said to Jiang Nongqin who was observing the execution by the side, The execution is done. The convict is dead. Jiang Nongqin waved her hand. Bury his body. Its the final mercy. This was how to beat the dog before the lion and warn the impetuous troops. Violators of the military rules would end up like that! Since then, the ethos in the military camp was set straight. The troops mumbled the military rules all the time for fear that they would follow in the troopers footsteps. Of course, there was another advantage apart from that. Was there any male trooper who would still dare to talk frivolously to the female troopers? Their knees would feel like jelly upon seeing the female troops. They wished they could bypass them. The grains which Jiang Pengji brought were very sufficient. Xu Ke and the others were busy sorting out the paperwork of the district headquarters in Chengan District. Meng Hun and the others led two battalions to slightly repair the damaged city walls and gates. Jiang Nongqin led the remaining laborers to set up gruel stalls everywhere After three to four days, a few uninvited guests had arrived in Maolin District and Jiaoping District. Our General Cangtian has died a miserable death. You must avenge him After escaping death for three to four days, how could the Tsing Yi Army who lived in ease and comfort for half a year withstand it? They looked extremely shabby and they were clothed in rags. Thinking about the past few days, they felt that their mouths were full of bitterness. Thus their emotions became more and more genuine as they poured out their grievances. Chapter 516 - Besieging Fengyi County (XXIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In Jiaoping District. Calm down. Talk slowly Why is a man crying? What a Nancy boy The leader of the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District blustered. He was General Pingtian, one of the main chieftains of the Tsing Yi Army. He received a message from a trooper saying that a few of their comrades from Chengan District were outside the city and they kept talking about the death of General Cangtian. Shocked, he hurriedly asked someone to let them in. It was true. They were really General Cangtians subordinates. General Pingtian was speculative. He eagerly questioned them about the details of General Cangtians death. When he had just started to speak, they were already crying piteously. Their faces were stained with tears. Moreover, as they had been travelling for days without washing, their faces were smudged with dirt. They looked extremely dirty and shabby, making people feel disgusted. Our general Our general was killed by a bunch of people. Theyve even captured Chengan District, swaggered through the district, settled down, and chased us out Our general has died wrongfully The crying chieftain of the Tsing Yi Army was General Cangtians former subordinate who had beguiled him. He wanted to flee but he hated to give up his good life in the Tsing Yi Army, so he could only seek refuge with his comrades. Chengan District was conquered? Upon hearing the news, General Pingtian in Jiaoping District was frightened. He hurriedly made detailed inquiries. Dont cry. Tell me, whos the bastard who killed General Cangtian? How many people does he have? Chengan District was very close to Jiaoping District. By travelling at top speed, one could reach Jiaoping District after about a day by foot. Now that their enemy had conquered Jiaoping District, it was hard to guarantee that they would not have their eyes on Chengan District. If he were to dispatch troops, he must at least know the enemys background and be mentally prepared. Hearing that General Pingtian was that concerned, the chieftains of the Tsing Yi Army who abandoned General Cangtians body and fled wailed even harder. Having firmly secured their grip on General Pingtians emotions, they hoped that they could obtain a good position here by relying on any favor left in General Pingtian. They miserably described Jiang Pengji and her subordinates as extremely abhorrent people. They tried to enhance General Cangtians marvelous image, talking about how he sacrificed himself to protect others and delayed the invasion of the enemy in order to buy some valuable time for the members of the Tsing Yi Army to escape. Hearing this praise, General Pingtian secretly pouted in a disdainful manner. Based on his understanding of General Cangtian, how could he not be familiar with his temperament? If he could abandon his subordinates in exchange for his life, he would definitely do it by fair means or foul. How was it possible for him to sacrifice himself to protect others? However, he could not voice his thoughts. He gave a sad expression as if he was touched, acting in concert with their acting. After tricking them into talking, General Pingtian finally figured out the person who conquered Chengan District. Xiangyang District It wont be easy. Its a tough nut to crack. No one could do it in the past six months. The Tsing Yi Army only knew how to plunder. How could they know how to build a district? No matter how good their cards were, they could only end up in a worst situation. Chengan District was utterly destroyed. It was so poverty-stricken that not even a piece of grain could be found. General Pingtian knew how to restrain himself and did not drive the people in Jiaoping District to a dead end in one go. However, he got petty advantages at the expense of the people from time to time and plundered again and again. The people suffered miserably and they often wanted to escape. General Pingtian did not know about anything else, but he knew that if the Tsing Yi Army was the only one left in the district, how could he still be considered as a general? Therefore, he cracked down on any attempt to escape and captured all the people who had fled. However, with their backs to the wall, even if they had to risk being killed by the Tsing Yi Army, there were still people who tried to flee. In the face of this phenomenon, General Pingtian was so furious that he gnashed his teeth in anger. At the same time, he envied the nearby Xiangyang District. However, Xiangyang District was like a tortoises shell. One did not know where to start. Hearing that Xiangyang District had taken the initiative to attack Chengan District, General Pingtian was extremely panicked. Do you know how many of them have gone to Chengan District? General Pingtian was secretly anxious, fearing that he would be Jiang Pengjis next target. He had yet to fully enjoy the prestige of being a general. There are probably 6000 to 7000 of them Perhaps its more than that The small chieftain of the Tsing Yi Army answered carefully. Of course, he did not know the exact number but he just guessed it according to his senses. How could the enemy be small in number when they could easily conquer Chengan District? Little did he know that his wild speculation had stirred a greed in General Pingtian that he should not have. Surprised, General Pingtian asked, 6000 to 7000? Are you sure that there are so many of them? I think I think so There are too many of them, so I cant tell immediately The small chieftain of the Tsing Yi Army secretly pinched the corner of his clothes. He was extremely nervous. 6000 to 7000 The total number of troops in Xiangyang District are less than 10000, right General Pingtians heart jolted. A bold idea hovered over his heart. He was so excited that he could not even hold things steadily. If the people in Xiangyang District really transferred 6000 to 7000 troops to attack Chengan District, this meant that there were at most 3000 to 4000 troops who were guarding Xiangyang District. It would be idiotic nonsense to guard a large district like Xiangyang District with that small a number of troops. Perhaps he could benefit from it? General Pingtian was very sure about the situation in Chengan District. It was an absolute awful mess. It could definitely cause Jiang Pengji and the others to be stuck, giving them no time to take care of the situation in Xiangyang District. Thus, the rear of the army in Xiangyang District would be weak. However, thinking about the loss suffered by the Tsing Yi Army in Xiangyang District in the previous year, General Pingtian dared not let down his guard. In order to conquer the city at the fastest speed, there must be a sufficient number of troops. Taking advantage of the weak rear of the army in Xiangyang District and the delay of their main forces in Chengan District, he could try his luck! Even if they noticed, Xiangyang District would have already changed hands. When their main forces rushed to the city, it would not make any difference. Thinking of that, a fire began burning in General Pingtians heart. He originally just wanted to use 60 percent of his troops to strike Xiangyang District, but now he could not wait to drag all his troops away and conquer Xiangyang District at the fastest speed. He could not help but imagine the dumbfounded and resentful looks on the faces of Jiang Pengjis main forces. Thinking of this, he comforted the former subordinates of General Cangtian with a gentle voice. He was in a good mood. Although General Pingtian had looked down on General Cangtian who was fat and stupid, he wanted to annex the subordinates he had left behind. Small things should not be disregarded. If he could take in the Tsing Yi Army who was controlled by General Cangtian, he could grow his power further. General Pingtian asked, Apart from the few of you, are there any other men who have survived? The small chieftain of the Tsing Yi Army replied miserably, Only a few hundred escaped by luck. The others have been killed. Some of them fled to Jiaoping District, whereas the others fled to Maolin District. General Pingtian was shocked. He feared that the Tsing Yi Army in Maolin District could also picture the current weakness of the troops in Xiangyang District and dispatch their army to take advantage of the situation. A sense of crisis grew. He patted the shoulders of the former subordinates of General Cangtian and said with righteous indignation, General Cangtian and I were close friends. Now that hes killed by the enemy, how can I not avenge him as his brother? Dont worry. Ill gather my troops right away and destroy the enemys nest! Coincidentally, a similar scene was also happening in Maolin District. Chapter 517 - Three-way Battle (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Not long after, the scouts who were closely following the movements in the two districts reported that troops were being gathered there. Hearing the news, Jiang Pengji smiled cunningly and smugly. If she did not make the Tsing Yi Army lose miserably this time, she would write her name, Jiang Pengji, backwards. Combine the team and muster the troops! She said. Call for the few officers and the lieutenant. Just as Wei Ci had thought, Jiang Pengji planned to divide the troops into two flanks, one of which would launch a surprise attack on Jiaoping District while the other would attack Maolin District. After the two districts had been conquered, the troops would then gather and return to Xiangyang District. They would work in collusion, flank, and launch a sneak attack on the rear of the Tsing Yi Army. They had the guts to move in on her property. If she did not give the Tsing Yi Army a piece of her mind, they would really think that she was a pushover. Jiang Pengji already had a plan in her mind on the ways to divide the troops. She had nearly 6000 troops with her back then. Jiang Pengji planned to make 1500 of them stay behind to guard Chengan District. She would take 1500 elites with her to storm Jiaoping District. The remaining troops would launch a sneak attack on Maolin District. Now they were betting on the time difference. The sooner, the better. Her chances of winning would also be higher. Zixiao, youre not feeling well, so its not suitable for you to be in a quick, long-range raid in the short term. Together with Meng Hun, youll lead the 1500 troops to guard Chengan District. Parts of the damaged city gates have already been repaired. In addition to the siege weapons, we should be able to defend against the Tsing Yi Army for some time. Wen Zheng and I will attack Jiaoping District in force. Han Mei, Nongqin and Xiaoyu will lead the remaining troops to storm Maolin District. We must capture the districts in the shortest time! Wei Ci secretly cried and laughed. She had chosen Qiguan Rang indeed Qiguan Rang would not stop her from being wild at all However, he had no choice. He could only accept the orders along with the others. Jiang Pengji said decisively, Well go out for war after night falls! It was hard to guarantee that no scouts from the enemy would notice their tactics if they marched during the day. It would be a lot safer to do so at night. At the same time, Feng Jin who was faraway in Xiangyang District was still busy handling the official documents. Feng Jins recent daily routine could be summarized in 10 words. He was very busy, extremely busy, awfully busy, super busy! The usual workload of a few people had piled up on him alone. It was a lie that he could spend more time with his wife! How busy was he? Ever since the main forces had set out for war, he had not returned home once. Now there were only 4000 troops who stayed behind to guard Xiangyang District. Although it was not considered a small force, the 4000 troops would be insufficient if a large enemy force was bearing down upon the border. Fortunately, his lord still had some conscience. What conscience? She did not take Zhang Ping, the treasure of Xiangyang District, with her. The woodworking workshop managed by Zhang Ping could produce all kinds of siege and defense weapons which could defend Xiangyang District more. With Feng Jins hint, Zhang Ping asked the craftsmen in the woodworking workshop to urgently create a variety of defense weapons. He wished he could arm the entire Xiangyang District to the teeth. Of course, in Zhang Pings opinion, the weapons were of such high standards that the teeth were almost made of copper and steel. Feng Jin was so busy that he could not see his wife, but his wife could come over to visit him. She was even carrying Changsheng who could already speak clearly. Daddy Daddy Hold me Seeing her father whom she had not seen for days, Changsheng asked for a cuddle with excitement. Feng Jin rubbed his sore eyes and made sure that his ears and eyes were not producing hallucinations. He heard his daughter calling for him for real. He also saw his wife and daughter standing at the door of the government office. They walked back and forth and did not dare to go nearer. Feng Jin could sense Wei Jingxians concern. He said to her, Come in. There are no important documents here. He lifted his daughter who had become heavier. Changsheng stepped on his thigh and gave him a peck when he had not even let out a sigh. Dont do that. Im dirty Feng Jin had been staying up late for a few days and had less than two hours of sleep every day. He was so busy that he did not have time to wash, so he looked a little shabby. However, his daughter gave him a peck right away. He was afraid that she would be stained by some dirt. Daddy? Being given the cold shoulder, Changsheng tilted her head in confusion. Her daughter was still little, so Feng Jin did not know how to explain it. He could only look to Wei Jingxian for help. His wife was still the best. She understood his embarrassment and extended her arms to carry her daughter. She said gently, Daddy is tired. Dont bother him. Changsheng laid in Wei Jingxians arms. Her big, watery eyes were like a deers eyes, always making people feel softhearted. Liangliang Changsheng wrapped her arms around her mother. Glancing at the table, Wei Jingxian was suddenly shocked by the pile of official documents. Why are there so many of them? Xiangyang District was just a district. Why were there so many documents that had to be handled? Her impression was that the district magistrates were very idle. They either went for walks with their birds and dogs or abandoned themselves to nature. They were very free and unfettered. Her husband was just assisting Lanting and handling the official duties on her behalf while she was away for war. How could he be so busy? Feng Jin rubbed his eyebrows and replied, Now that the spring ploughing is over, the farming tools and cattle have to be recollected. These things have to be counted and brought to account Now Xiangyang District is considered as a rare place for people to take refuge in the north. There are refugees coming from all directions who want to enter the city every day and we have to help them to settle down In order to take refuge, many rich families have migrated here. They want to buy the good houses owned by the lord. They have to be dealt with too The Xiangyang District today was still under construction. It became more and more prosperous. All kinds of minutiae were indispensable. Seeing how clean and beautiful the new rental houses built by the government were, many locals in Xiangyang District felt uncomfortable. They wanted to rebuild their houses too. However, if they wanted to do so, they had to pay for the materials and labor costs themselves. It was expensive. One could not always build such houses even if one had the money. They also had to go through the formalities of the district government. The construction of the houses could only begin after the baking of the flashed bricks in the brick kiln had been approved and the number of flashed bricks had been determined At last, Feng Jin had to sign and approve everything. Otherwise the houses could not be built. A few of them would usually divide the jobs. Now that he was the only one guarding the district, it was no surprise that he would be very tired. In addition to the mess, there were also the local government affairs of Xiangyang District and all sorts of conflicts. They were trivial and troublesome. They were either rumors or fights about the uneven distribution of farmlands. Feng Jin really wanted to dump those matters to the female department in the government office. However, the female department was already overwhelmed with work. As a man, he really did not have the audacity to trouble a group of young girls. Seeing that her husband had bloodshot eyes and that his eyebags were greenish, she felt somewhat sorry for him. She asked, Are these documents very urgent? Feng Jin was startled. His brain which had not rested for a long time reacted somewhat slowly. He only understood what she meant after a while. Theyre not, theyre very trivial. Wei Jingxian thought about it and reached out to take a few of them. Then she classified the various documents in accordance with their priorities. Changsheng stayed in her arms and wiggled in a misbehaved manner. She lifted her foot to grab her sleeves and played on her own. After eating some custard in the afternoon, Changsheng sprawled across Wei Jingxians thighs and fell asleep. Her flabby calves could just reach the table. The bamboo slips which had piled up like a mountain had only slowly decreased after they worked from noon to dusk. Thanks a lot. Feng Jin rubbed his eyebrows and bowed to Wei Jingxian with a smile and his hands folded in front. Lets go home, Wei Jingxian said with a smile. As the family of three was about to get up, a series of footsteps was heard. Luo Yue was in such a hurry that his forehead was sweaty. His footsteps were rapid and disordered. Chapter 518 - Three-way Battle (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Mr. Feng, things are bad, Luo Yue said. Feng Jins heart jolted. He was about to carry Changsheng who was sleeping soundly, but Luo Yues voice made him stop in his actions. Whats wrong? The Tsing Yi Army in Maolin District and Jiaoping District are going to send out their troops. Theyll reach us in less than half a days time. What! Feng Jin widened his eyes in bewilderment. What on earth was wrong with the Tsing Yi Army? Why were they going to suddenly attack Xiangyang District? The Tsing Yi Army in the two districts are pretty quiet. Why are they doing this all of a sudden? There were sufficient troops in Xiangyang District. The Tsing Yi Army had tried to crush them several times but to no avail. Why would they take the initiative to look for trouble this time? Could it be that Feng Jins cognition was restored. He soon figured out the crux within It was most likely that the Tsing Yi Army in the two districts thought that the rear of the army in Xiangyang District was weak since Chengan District had been conquered and that they wanted to take advantage of the situation He secretly gritted his teeth. His life was over by working for a lord who specially tricked her subordinates! Wei Jingxian looked ghastly pale. Hubby? Were they preparing for a war again? Dont worry. Take Changsheng home first. I wont be able to come home for a few days. Ill definitely get even with Lanting when she comes back. How could she do this? She told him that he could keep his wife and daughter company by staying behind to guard the district, but she created such big trouble for him right away. Feng Jin got up and strode out of the government office. Wei Jingxian let out a long sigh and looked at her sleepy daughter who had just been awakened. She felt bad, but she could not do anything. In this chaotic world, it was impossible not to be tormented by wars. She lowered her head and kissed her daughters eyebrows. She whispered, Changsheng, well go home and wait for Daddy to come home. The Tsing Yi Army would arrive in half a days time by foot. There was still plenty of time for preparation in Xiangyang District. After asking about the number of guards and defense weapons in each city gate, Feng Jin felt slightly more at ease. Fortunately, the various defense weapons had already been prepared. If the Tsing Yi Army launched a sneak attack at night, he would not let them have the chance to leave this place alive! Feng Jin usually gave people the impression that he was a well-behaved gentleman. He rarely lost his temper. If people thought that he was kind because of that, they would be absolutely wrong. He would make whoever who dared to lay their hands on Xiangyang District pay a painful price. He and Luo Yue only left the city walls once they were reassured after that everything was okay and ready. Feng Jin muttered, The two groups of the Tsing Yi Army are mainly attacking from different directions. According to the scout, theyll definitely arrive at different times. Ask the troops on both sides of the city gates to keep a close watch. We mustnt let down our guard and we must guard for at least five days. This will be a tough battle. Luo Yue nodded while listening. He did not have any objection towards Feng Jins plans. After a while, Feng Jin suddenly said, Oh right. After the night falls, the city gates mustnt be opened for anyone, no matter who it is. Luo Yue tensed up. Those words had a profound meaning. Could it be that Do you mean that there are moles planted by the Tsing Yi Army in the city? Luo Yue asked. Feng Jin frowned and replied, Im not sure. After all, we captured many members of the Tsing Yi Army when we first entered Xiangyang. Its hard to guarantee that those former members of the Tsing Yi Army have no kinship with the enemy. Its always good to be cautious. Luo Yue did not approve of those words on the outside, but he kept it in mind. The Xiangyang District today was a paradise in the chaotic world which they had devoted a lot of hard work to for six months. They would not allow anyone to covet it. Even if he felt that the members of the Tsing Yi Army who had surrendered had already been completely converted and that they would not rebel, nothing was absolute. It was better to be careful. Ive got it. Ill definitely pass this message to the guards at each city gate. In order to ensure that the troops would have sufficient energy, they would change their shifts every other hour after the night had fallen. This was to make sure that everyone would be in good spirits. In the dark night, the torches on the city walls of Xiangyang District were ignited, as if they were the only light in the world. Jiaoping District was the closest to Xiangyang District. The journey would only take one and a half days if one travelled at top speed. It was already late at night when they arrived. A minion said, General, it looks like Xiangyang District is quite strictly guarded. General Pingtian was riding a tall and strong horse. The 5000 members of Tsing Yi Army who he had taken with him this time were all elites. Those who stayed behind in Jiaoping District were old and weak. They were not suitable for long-range raids. If he took them with him, they would definitely slow down the marching speed. If its not strictly guarded, why do you think that no one has conquered this alluring gem yet? General Pingtian secretly snorted and continued in an aloof manner, I ordered someone to check the details of Xiangyang District in the past and their defense was two to three times weaker than what it is now. Now that theyre ready in full battle array, they must be scared. The more anxious they were, the more it was necessary for them to put on a strong appearance. General Pingtian felt even more dauntless. The minion flattered him. General, your resourcefulness is unparalleled. No matter how much disguise Xiangyang District has, they cant deceive your discerning eyes. General Pingtian snorted. However, the minions sweet bootlicking made him feel even better. Lets wait for a little longer. Well attack them with fire arrows at the fourth hour. General Pingtian was different from the other chieftains of the Tsing Yi Army. Not only did he like to plunder money and beauties, but he also liked to try out various weapons. For example, the fire arrows were arrows which were tied with a coarse cloth soaked with oil. They would then be shot by using a bow. Once it had plunged into ones flesh, the wound would easily fester and be infected. He wanted to launch a surprise attack and throw them off their guard. Little did he know that Xiangyang District was already prepared. Was it amazing to have fire arrows? The night was dense. Feng Jin snatched a few hours of sleep. At the third hour, the trooper obeyed his order and woke him up. How are the situations at the north and west gates? Whats the enemys state? Feng Jin took the wet cloth handed to him by the trooper and casually wiped his face. The cold water and the night wind dispelled any traces of sleepiness. He could not help but rouse himself. He was now completely awake. The troop replied, The enemy has yet to show up at the north and west city gates. Taking a deep breath, he said, We mustnt let down our guard. The members of the Tsing Yi Army had different degrees of night blindness. They had difficulty seeing things at night, but one could not say that they were unable to launch attacks at night because of that. The torches on the city gates were blazing and they could be seen from afar. This was the best guide for the Tsing Yi Army! Many troops were also informed that the enemy might launch a sneak attack that night. Every single one of them was on high alert. It was the fourth hour. This was the time when the people were the most soundly asleep. Even the members of the Tsing Yi Army who were waiting in ambush could not help but rub their eyes. At that moment, a member of the Tsing Yi Army who had great eyesight saw the troops yawning sleepily on the city walls. They seemed unable to keep their eyes open. He suddenly said to General Pingtian in a pleasantly surprised manner, General, its almost time. The bushes were dense outside the city, which provided excellent cover for the Tsing Yi Army. They crept closer to the city walls slowly and were already less than 300 meters away. The troops on the city walls had yet to discover them. General Pingtian was overjoyed. He ordered, Nock the fire arrows! Due to the long shooting range, the archers had to move further forward. However, they were already very close to the city walls. The archers could shoot the guards on the city walls down in no time. Chapter 519 - Three-way Battle (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The archers of the Tsing Yi Army crept forward, making their way through the dense bushes and closing the distance. General Pingtians heart was slowly climbing toward his mouth. The distance was gradually shortened from more than 300 meters to 250 200 150 Ordinary bows and arrows were not improved crossbows after all. But not everyone could pull the heavy bows which had a longer range. It could be said that the archer troop of more than 100 people was General Pingtians treasure. His heart would ache if even one of them was gone. As the distance became shorter, General Pingtian felt that the atmosphere was increasing in tension. He commanded the Tsing Yi Army to move forward slowly. The darkness was their best camouflage, making it seem that Xiangyang District was at their fingertips. Finally, the archers entered the shooting range. They took out their bows and arrows from the quivers at their waists one after another. The tip of the arrows had already been wrapped with a layer of oiled coarse cloth. They would instantly ignite just by creating a spark with flints or coarse paper rolls. It would be lethal when it pierced ones flesh. The friction of the flints was heard. Some sparks flew and a hail of fire burst out. General Pingtian fixed his eyes on the troops on the city walls. He was still yawning sleepily. At that time, the archers were already bending their bows and aiming at their targets. He shouted in a deep voice, Shoot! However, just before the archers loosed their bowstrings, the troops who were initially yawning lazily squatted down all of a sudden and hid under the pilaster. Black shields rose from under the pilaster. The arrows stuck into the shields. General Pingtian widened his eyes in bewilderment. What was going on? The troops had already discovered them. They had just been putting up a show. The shields had blocked the first wave of arrows. The troops hiding under the pilaster hurriedly pushed the mounted crossbows to the edge of the city walls. The bows and arrows had already been nocked. The mounted crossbows could either be used in a siege or in defense. According to Jiang Pengji and Zhang Pings research, they further improved the already known mounted crossbows so that six heavy bows could be placed on them. One could winch the pivot shafts behind, load the arrows and shoot the special, long arrows by using the combined force of the heavy bows. The shooting range was 600 feet and it was extremely lethal! The poles of the arrows on the mounted crossbows were made of wood. Their metal arrowheads were made of iron and their tails were made of iron sheets. According to Jiang Pengjis previous experiments, the ordinary ladders, giant shields and wooden screens could be easily penetrated. They could be easily smashed. Moreover, the Tsing Yi Army was in their shooting range. Were they not seeking death? The arrows left the bowstrings and buzzed constantly, as if they were carrying a crowds roar. A rain of arrows were fired intensively towards the Tsing Yi Army. General Pingtian was startled when the shields which were raised on the city walls had blocked the fire arrows. The vanguard of the Tsing Yi Army was already carrying the ladder and leaning it against the city walls. However, they were greeted by brutal arrows. The arrows pierced through two to three bodies easily, causing blood to splatter. Due to the inertia, they fell heavily and died.Read the next chapter on our novelhall.com The enemy was prepared! General Pingtian was horrified upon realizing it. He did not know how the information had been leaked. The troops on the city walls were clearly extremely sleepy. It did not look fake at all, but the reality slapped him hard in the face. After the first storm of arrows, the members of the Tsing Yi Army who were shot were either dead or had lost the strength to fight. The strong smell of blood permeated the air. General Pingtian gritted his teeth and bet that Xiangyang Districts defense was weak. They would have full assurance of success as long as they climbed up the city walls. They must not be frightened off. Having determined this, he yelled, Besiege the city! The ladder was leaning against the city walls. The arrows on the mounted crossbows would not be able to pierce through. The members of the Tsing Yi Army would die quickly instead upon fleeing. No matter how fast they were escaping, could they run 600 feet in an instant? In contrast, the city walls were closer to them. All of these were within Feng Jins expectations. He raised his hand to cover his smile with his sleeve, as well as blocking the bloodthirsty, ferocious look in his eyes. Get the rolling logs and stones ready The city walls of Xiangyang District were not too tall. Abandoning the 700 to 800 dead bodies, the rest of the members of the Tsing Yi Army were already nearing the city walls. The archers stood at the blind spot of the mounted crossbows and shot. On the other side, some members of the Tsing Yi Army were already climbing up the ladder. The person who first climbed up the city walls was attacked by the rolling logs and boulders. He shrieked horribly and fell to the ground with a depressing whump. Although the members of the Tsing Yi Army fell to the ground like dumplings, there were still people who were about to reach the top of the city walls. At the bottom of the city walls, the members of the Tsing Yi Army pounded the gate with a battering ram, which made it seem as if their hearts were pounded. Feng Jin continued to command calmly. There were experienced veterans among the troops, and of course, there were also new recruits who had yet to see blood. They were initially so nervous that their hands were shaking. However, under Feng Jins loud and collected command, their trembling hands and rapidly-beating hearts had gradually calmed down. Their brains could not even think of anything else. They moved the weapons or nocked their arrows in accordance to Feng Jins command The wooden shield was extremely heavy. It took three people to carry it together in order to stabilize it. It had blocked the multiple fire arrows fired by the Tsing Yi Army. Nock the fire arrows, Feng Jin continued to command. The troops picked up the improved crossbows and lit the arrows on fire. The mounted crossbows were not easy to be moved, but it did not mean that they could not fight back. They would let them have a taste of their own medicine. The fire arrows stroked the dark sky with their flames, piercing the bodies of the members of the Tsing Yi Army who were climbing up the ladder and successfully making a group of people fall to the ground. Sir, the pressure at the city gates is getting worse Luo Yue, who was clad in armor, ran up with a livid face. Feng Jin responded, Dont worry. Keep going! This was not the only troop of the Tsing Yi Army who was besieging Xiangyang District. There was another troop. As long as their defense weapons were not used up, the Tsing Yi Army could dream on if they wanted to climb up the city walls! The penetrating power of the improved crossbows was unquestionable. Together with the lethality of the fire arrows, almost all of the members of the Tsing Yi Army who fell from the ladder would die. It was not just because the fire arrows had pierced through their bodies, but there was another important reason. Their comrades stepped on their bodies to climb up the ladder. Even if they had not completely died, they would be crushed by those feet. Feng Jin continued to command the troops defending the city. Everything was in order. Compared with the casualties at the bottom, the troops defending the city were only slightly injured. The members of the Tsing Yi Army were still trying hard to pound the city gate with the battering ram. General Pingtians face turned ghastly, livid and grave. They were unable to climb up the city gate nor break the city walls. Could it be that the number of troops in Xiangyang District was more than what they expected? His persistence had already begun to waver, but he could not turn back now. If he retreated at that moment, he would be gobbled up by the members of the Tsing Yi Army nearby. He would die in an even more severe scenario. Now, it was impossible for him to retreat, so he could only brace himself to continue the attack. At that moment, he hoped that the members of the Tsing Yi Army in Maolin District could attack Xiangyang, so that the chances of winning would be greatly improved. They were still pounding on the city gates. Not only were there troops blocking behind the city gates, but there were also heavy baked bricks Yes, Feng Jin had already moved tens of thousands of baked bricks produced in the kiln to the city gates as a blockade. Even if the members of the Tsing Yi Army used up all their strength, could they break the gates open in a short time? It was impossible! Chapter 520 - Three-way Battle (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Shangguan Wan had been living in the district headquarters for a while. Jiang Pengji originally wanted to let her stay in a house with two halls, but Shangguan Wan felt that she had done nothing to deserve the reward. She would accept the reward when she had accumulated a certain level of qualification in the district headquarters, lest people be dissatisfied and shun her. Jiang Pengji knew that Shangguan Wan was stubborn, so she was not too insistent on the matter. It would be good for her to live in the district headquarters; at least no one dared to ignore Shangguan Wan. The women in the government office did not even dare to disdain or slight her. Thanks to her roots, she quickly got the hang of the work in the government office. The women gradually began to admire her and acknowledge her as their boss. The pressure in the government office had suddenly increased because the military had taken away many talented people for the war. Shangguan Wan was busy with work until past midnight. She washed her face with the icy well water to rinse her sleepiness away. She was barely more awake for it. The Tsing Yi Army attacked violently and the troops were defending against the enemy outside the city. Shangguan Wan was very worried, but she could not help much. She could only complete the work at hand well, and try to reduce the government affairs. She planned to go back to her room to rest for a while. She gently beat the sore spots on her neck with her fist while walking. As she was walking, she spotted a dark shadow drifting across the corridor quickly with her sharp eyes. Her heart was suddenly in her mouth. Whos there?! Shangguan Wan secretly pulled out the short blade that she wore at her waist and stared at the corner with vigilance. After a while, the shadow stopped moving and greeted her, Lady Shangguan. Isnt that the voice of Sister Lantings servant girl, Taxue? Shangguan Wan relaxed and sighed. It turns out that youre Sister Taxue. You scared me. She stepped forward and asked, Did you get up to use the bathroom? Why dont you light a lamp? Itll be bad if you cant see clearly and stumble. Shangguan Wan ignited a coarse paper roll. She realized that Taxue was carrying a lamp in her hand, so she lit the lamp for her. Why would she not light a lamp when she got up in the middle of the night to use the toilet? It was 80 percent likely that the wind was too strong just now, and that it had put out the light. Thank you, Lady Shangguan, Taxue thanked her gently. Have you just returned from the government office? Yeah. There are too many trivial matters to attend to in the government office. However, when I think about the chaos outside, these things have become a sweet burden instead. Shangguan Wan felt that she had found a new self. Be it the work in the government office or martial arts, they both made her feel fully energized and vital. Taxue spoke gently while holding her lamp. The night is dark. Go back to your room quickly to rest. Youll still have to be busy with work tomorrow. Shangguan Wans room was very close to where they were. She turned down Taxues offer to give her the lamp. She waved her hand and went back to her room, yawning. Taxue stood where she was for a long time. She only revealed a secretive smile when Shangguan Wan had opened the door and lit the candle in her room. With her back facing Shangguan Wans room, she held the side of the lamp and gently blew on the candle inside to extinguish the fire. If Shangguan Wan had taken a more careful look, she probably would have discovered Taxues unusual attire. Her outer clothes were obviously a lot bigger and looked a little ill-fitting. Her clothes underneath were grayish brown. After slipping out of the district headquarters quietly, Taxue took off her outer clothes, revealing the grayish-brown costume. This was the uniform of the female battalion. She folded her outer clothes and placed them in a corner along the street. She stood hesitantly in the spot for a moment, gazing at the west and north gates in the distance with a hint of malevolence in her eyes. After a long time, her figure was hidden by the night and the shadows. She was not heading towards the west or north gate, but the south gate! At that moment, the situation of the war on Feng Jins side had gone insane. Occasionally, when one or two members of the Tsing Yi Army climbed up the city walls inadvertently, the troops would use the heavy shields to smack them together. Corpses were starting to pile up at the bottom of the city walls. The members of the Tsing Yi Army stepped on the dead bodies and climbed upwards, getting closer and closer to the top of the walls. At the bottom, the members of the Tsing Yi Army pounded faster and harder on the city gates. A layer of wall plaster would fall off with every hit. There were already more than ten cracks on the solid city gates. It looked like it was about to be smashed to pieces. General Pingtian gritted his teeth. Could this gate be that sturdy? Its already in such a wreck. How can it still not be broken open? At last, the city gates could no longer withstand the pounds, and it finally broke open when the members of the Tsing Yi Army were about to run out of strength. However, a thick wall of solid baked bricks were blocking their way! No one was behind the city gates. The troops were blocking the door opening with the baked bricks. F*** you! General Pingtian could not help but swear when he saw the situation. On the city walls, Feng Jin ordered someone to fetch him the mace. He planned to teach the Tsing Yi Army a lesson. Luo Yue was already rushing towards the south gate to guard the city. It was expected that another troop of Tsing Yi Army would arrive soon. Use the mace! Feng Jins voice was hoarse. Even if he tried hard to shout, he seemed especially weak among the screams of the slaughter. What was a mace? It was rectangular in shape and slightly flat. Its panel was covered with long, sharp nails that resembled a wolfs teeth. There were round buckles in the four corners. It was hooked on the city walls by using spiral ropes and pulleys. If the enemy intended to climb up the wall to make an attack, one could use the mace to smash the enemy. With a single slap, more than ten bloody wounds could be found on ones body. There was still a very sufficient amount of defense weapons, but the Tsing Yi Army was already starting to look defeated. In particular, the Tsing Yi Army was full of joy when they broke open the city gate with their enormous efforts, only to realize that the door opening had been blocked with countless, neat blocks of baked bricks. Breaking them was like demolishing a city wall. They were deeply disheartened. They initially thought that they could conquer the city quickly by making a surprise attack, but they did not expect the enemy to be so prepared. General Pingtian was stupefied by their various tactics. He never knew that one could play so many tricks in defense of a city It was impossible to either advance or retreat now. After nearly four hours of fierce battle, it was not known how many members of the Tsing Yi Army had died. The troops on the city walls were just occasionally injured in seeming carelessness. They only had ladders, bows and arrows for their siege. Their enemy had mounted crossbows, improved crossbows, wooden shields and fire arrows If they were so capable, why did they remain in the small Xiangyang District? They should just go to heaven! General Pingtian was so furious that he almost spat blood. He felt extremely despaired. He initially thought that he was here to be a tyrant, but he did not expect to be stymied. After a while, a soldier told Feng Jin that the stones and rolling logs had been used up. The reserve of arrows in the quivers were also insufficient. Feng Jin looked at the Tsing Yi Army who were climbing up the walls Although theyre being killed, theyve increased significantly in number, Feng Jin muttered while gritting his teeth. Bring the bricks here! The baked bricks could make up for the lack of stones. He believed that he could crush the Tsing Yi Army. Yes, Sir! In another place, the south gate. Luo Yue rushed to the south gate in a hurry and realized that nothing special was happening there. It also happened to be the time for the troops to change their shifts. He asked the garrison in detail. His mind could not be at peace. Due to the lack of manpower, half of the garrison at the south gate was from the female battalion. Chapter 521 - Three-way Battle (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The night was completely silent. There was a refreshing iciness in the corner outside the city of Xiangyang District, making ones pores shrink. Taxue who was dressed in the uniform of the female battalion waited in the dark for a while. The bushes in the distance rustled. Not long after, a tiny figure wearing thick, black clothes emerged from the bushes. The strange person was unusually short. He was only one head taller than the dense bushes outside the city when he stood up. If he bent down and wormed himself into the bushes, one would not notice his trace at all. He fumbled his way through to where Taxue was and made a strange chuckling sound. He spoke mystifyingly in a hoarse and grating voice, Youre even more precious than the princess in the palace. Its really difficult to meet you. Taxue was originally leaning against the corner of the city wall. Seeing the man walking towards her, she uncrossed her arms and hurled a bag at him. This is the stuff that you want. Just take it and leave. Taxue threw the bag into the mans arms and turned to leave. Wait a second, little lady. The short man snickered and asked with a weird voice, I heard that Xiangyang District is incredibly affluent. Even the priceless colored glaze has originated from this place Youve served the Young Master personally for so many years. Dont you have any bits and pieces of information? The information that you provide every time is useless. Do you think youre brushing a beggar off? Taxue glanced at him sideways and looked down at the man indifferently. Ive always ignored beggars. If they dare to pester me, theyll definitely die even more miserably. If youre a beggar, how do you think Ill brush you off? Im just her little servant girl. I cant even enter places like her study, so I cant obtain anything useful. Ive already tried my best Seeing that Taxue was a bit flared up, he hurriedly appeased her, Dont be mad, little lady. Ive only said that because Im helpless. You havent provided anything useful in the past few years, so the higher-ups are angry. If you continue to slack, we both will face the music. You dont want your pretty sister to end up in a place like that and be ruined, right? Taxue sneered and replied coldly, Youre really useless. Youve threatened me with the same trick over and over again. The man smirked and admitted brazenly, It doesnt matter if the trick is old, as long as its useful. I heard that Liu Xi treats you very kindly and generously. He can take you in as a mistress in the future. If you can give birth to a son and a daughter, considering the sentiments between a master and a servant, youll have a comfortable life. Your sister is the only card I have in my hands. If I dont hang onto her tightly, why would you work yourself to death for me when youre so smart? Taxue looked disgusted and lowered her head, as if she was thinking about what the man said and considering something. The man continued, Forget it. I heard that the colored glaze is very valuable and it belongs to the Guannei Official, Xugong. Its difficult for ordinary people to get their hands on it. Now, the barbarians in the North borderline have bought all of them at a high price. Im not asking you to give me the colored glaze, but you have to find a way to obtain the methods of producing the baked bricks. Dont tell me that you cant even do this when youve been serving Liu Xi for years. Taxue pursed her lips and a look of struggle flashed across her eyes, as if she was struggling emotionally. After a while, she said, Ill try my best, but I cant guarantee that Ill get it. You know that Liu Xi is extremely alert. She doesnt trust anyone but herself. I cant even get to know her secrets. She has probably hidden the methods of producing the baked bricks somewhere. I can only try my best Come back again in six months Half a year? The mans voice suddenly became high-pitched. Taxue sneered. Half a years time is already very tight. Liu Xi is no longer the kid who can be easily fooled. Shes as sharp as an old fox now. Shell even suspect the tiniest abnormality. If Im exposed, the last pawn that youve planted beside her will be useless. Who will pass on her news to you in the future? Xunmei has already defected. Dont expect her to be useful. The man hesitated and struggled internally. He still felt that half a years time was too long. Taxue continued, She takes me wherever she goes and the district headquarters are usually strictly guarded. Had she not gone out for war this time, how can I get the opportunity to contact you? Half a years time is tight enough. If you think its too long, you can find yourself another pawn! The man almost choked upon hearing what Taxue said. If planting a pawn was that easy, would Taxue and Xunmei be the only ones all these years? Xunmei had long ridden Liu Xis coattails. She had gotten married and started a new life. Fortunately, Xunmei did not know any confidential information. Otherwise, how could she be kept alive? Taxue was different. She was cruel and merciless. She had helped them with a lot of confidential matters. Talents were difficult to raise. Talents who could disguise themselves to avoid being discovered by Liu She were even more difficult to raise. Although Liu She had become crestfallen for a period of time due to the passing of his beloved wife, his ability in guarding and clearing a residence was not for show. He had quietly gotten rid of the pawns planted in his residence. They died miserably. His method of killing was diabolical. He had clearly vented his sorrow over his wifes death on those pawns. Even if Liu She had gone to Hu County later, the two women, Gu Zhen and Bai Die, were guarding the Liu residence. They were still impervious. He had spent so much effort in keeping these two pawns. He was unwilling to give Taxue up now. He could only grit his teeth and agree. Okay. Ill give you half a years time. You must obtain the methods of producing the baked bricks. Taxue nodded. Her aloof face became somewhat gentler. After that, she asked, Is my sister doing well now? The man replied petulantly, Shes living a princess-like life. Shes well. Thats good. Taxue looked gloomy, but she heaved a long sigh of relief. Before leaving, the man asked again, Does Liu She really not have any other daughter in the Liu residence? Taxue replied, unperturbed, No. Hasnt Liu She married off his only daughter born of his mistress into the royal family? The man muttered under his breath and left with Taxues bag. He did not forget to irritate her before leaving. Taxue, weve known each other for more than 10 years. Ill say something that you and I both already know. Dont be silly like Xunmei. We have to be loyal to our master to secure a good life in the future. Remember that were the most obedient dogs the master has. We can only bark if she asks us to. Otherwise, well be mad dogs if we bark furiously at random. Dont be drawn over by Liu Xi The man wormed himself into the bushes again when he had finished speaking. The wind blew. The darkness had covered Taxues strange and glum face. My master? Who says that Im loyal to your master or Liu Xi After a while, a distant laugh disappeared into the night wind. Chapter 522 - Three-way Battle (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Is the commander out of his mind for letting a weak bunch of little girls guard the city gates? the soldier complained lazily while guarding the south gate. He yawned and two drops of tears were discharged from his eyes. The comrade who patrolled with him muttered, Dont talk nonsense. You cant afford to offend those women. Whats wrong? The soldier lifted his right eyelid lazily and said with disdain, I used to be a bandit. Although Ive started a new life now, I still know how women taste. They only know how to shriek at everything they see and theyre weak like little cats The soldier was previously a bandit who raided and plundered houses before he started over. It was not that his natural disposition was evil, but life had pressured him too harshly. Like the youths in the village, he had no choice but to become an outlaw. Otherwise, he would not have been able to survive. There were many bandits like him who started a new life when they were offered amnesty and enlistment. He was now a good person who no longer stirred up trouble, but it did not mean that everything in the past could be written off and treated as if it had never happened. His comrade lowered his head and thought about it. Then, he said, Other women are maybe like that, but these you better not say that Seeing that his comrade looked reticent, the soldier was flabbergasted. He questioned him closely with curiosity, Whats so special about these women? His comrade pondered for a moment and replied, In short, theyre different from those who only know how to cry and be a drag. The spears that theyre holding in their hands are not for show and theyre all used to kill people. These women have some skills too. Unfortunately, I heard that theres a law that says these female troops can only retire from the military, get married and have children after they turn 24 years old. Otherwise, I really want my mother to propose a marriage and marry one of them The soldier almost could not stifle his laugh. Youre really weird. You want tigresses but not gentle women? As expected, youre still young and you dont understand how women taste. When youre older and have a broader horizon, youll know what a real woman is. The ridicule made his comrade flush with embarrassment. How could he not understand the connotation of the soldiers words? However, he still shook his head frankly. He suppressed his voice which sounded a little uneasy. I think tigresses are pretty good. So what if theyre fierce? His comrade spoke somewhat embarrassingly, Isnt the world different now? I heard a few guys say that the bastard cannibals in the north Borderline are coveting Dongqing. If you marry a woman who only knows how to cry and scream when she runs into those bastards, shell end up being raped. If theyre raped, at least theyre still alive. But what if theyre eaten? The soldier was startled. He seemed to have not thought about that. As they were talking, a team of two female soldiers was patrolling opposite them. Has anything happened? the female soldier asked from opposite. The troop answered, All is normal. The two parties reported on their tasks and continued to patrol. As the female soldiers left, the male soldier mumbled, Theyre pretty up to the mark. At that time, the battles at the west and north gates were reaching their climax. The stones were used up. The baked bricks flew towards the Tsing Yi Army, knocking them down the walls. When the extra bricks had also been depleted, a mountain of dead bodies covered with blood had piled up at the bottom of the walls. The two sides were in a killing frenzy. More and more members of the Tsing Yi Army climbed up the walls, but more and more members of the Tsing Yi Army died at the bottom. The troops on the city walls defended the city walls with flesh and blood and fought for every inch of land. The sound of slaughtering resounded through the skies. That night was destined to be a bloody one. No one could sleep peacefully. Fortunately, the offensive and defensive battles had depleted most of the main forces of the Tsing Yi Army. In the end, there were only 600 or 700 members of the Tsing Yi Army who could climb up the city walls. Under Feng Jins orderly command, the troops used some of the defensive weapons that were left and defended persistently. They advanced and retreated, utilizing the geographical advantage of the city walls to slowly wear out the strength of the Tsing Yi Army Xiangyang District did not lack any defensive weapons at all, but it was a two-front battle. Half of the defensive weapons had to be allocated to the other gate. Feng Jin had been mentally stressed. Even if he was commanding at the back, there were still members of the Tsing Yi Army who dashed towards him. Their blood stained his wide sleeves and cloak red. Occasionally, stumps and broken limbs or the heads of strangers would roll towards his feet. Almost nowhere in the city walls was clean. At the crack of dawn, there were a few scattered stars in the dark cyan sky. The yellowish orange sun shone on the earth, piercing through the night. The killing screams at the west and north gates had gradually subsided. General Pingtian did not even go down the stairs leaning against the city walls. He was randomly stabbed to death by a spear. The ladder was covered with dead bodies. Most of them belonged to the enemy and there were a few that belonged to their comrades. At that moment, the battle at the south gate had just started. The members of the Tsing Yi Army in Maolin District were menacing. However, they did not make a surprise attack late at night. They chose to launch an attack by force when the night began to dawn. There were 2000 more members of the Tsing Yi Army there than that at the west gate. As the troops at the city gates were already prepared, the first storm of sneak attacks did not cause any casualties with the protection of the wooden shields. As the leader of the imperial guards, Luo Yue was perfectly competent. Commanding a defensive battle would not throw him into a panic. Luo Yues command was sterner, which was different from Feng Jins comprehensive instructions. If Feng Jin was said to be a seemingly soft but fine, gapless mesh, Luo Yue would be a thick and strong shield. The former was more meticulous and the latter was more mature. Jiang Pengji took away most of the elites and only took 500 to 600 female troops with her. The number of female soldiers who stayed behind was almost one-fourth of the garrison in Xiangyang District. Luo Yue heard that the female troops were quite capable, but he had not witnessed it with his own eyes, so he was somewhat worried. However, the reality was far better than what Luo Yue had imagined. He initially thought that they might lose their heads or scream in the face of such a huge battle because they had not seen blood. However, they did not. He secretly praised Jiang Nongqin and his lord for knowing how to train people. The female soldiers who only knew how to cry in his imagination actually had the courage that was no less than that of men. They used the improved crossbows correctly and their shooting was accurate as well. Well, who would care about genders at the crucial moment of life and death? The male and female troops cooperated to tighten the string of the mounted crossbow and shot the incoming enemy. The troops who lifted the shields blocked the hails of arrows which were shot from the bottom of the city walls. However, there were always arrows which zoomed past the wooden shields and injured someone. The arrows penetrated into their flesh. Although it was not fatal, the injuries were quite serious. In such a time, there was no one who could take the injured for treatment. They could only pull the arrows out with brute force and bandage the wounds tightly with strips of cloth which were torn from their clothes in order to avoid excessive bleeding. Compared with the west and north gates, the defensive weapons at the south gate were more sufficient. The mounted crossbow kept the enemy 500 steps away. The Tsing Yi Army tried to get close to the city walls of the south gate by holding their shields, but the penetrating power of the mounted crossbow was far scarier than what they had imagined. However, although the mounted crossbow was powerful, there were only more than 30 mounted crossbows on the city walls. It was impossible to block all of the members of the Tsing Yi Army. At last, they abandoned hundreds of corpses and finally got close to the blind spot of the mounted crossbow. Damn it I finally know why the animals dont bite this iron tortoise. Ones teeth will break with just one bite! Chapter 523 - Three-way Battle (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When General Pingtian left Jiaoping District with his troops and attempted to make a sneak attack on Xiangyang District, Jiang Pengji was leading the 1500 elites to stagger their marching route. They quietly approached his den and even brought many sieging weapons. Seeing Jiang Pengji who was itching for a fight and full of zest, Qiguan Rang could only smile bitterly and say, Lord, I dont want to be lashed out at and punished by Xiaoyu and Zixiao when I return If youre injured, it will be hard for me to explain In other words, if Jiang Pengji had the ability to ensure that she would be unscathed, she could act as wildly as she pleased. Jiang Pengji could not help but chuckle and said, The meaning of your words is interesting. It makes me look like Im about to do something bad. Qiguan Rang raised his eyebrows and asked Jiang Pengji rhetorically with his gaze, Are you not doing something bad? If Xu Ke or Wei Ci had tagged along, they would definitely try to dissuade Jiang Pengji. However, with Qiguan Rang along, he would not stop her. Okay, okay, okay. Im doing something bad, okay? Jiang Pengji laughed in spite of herself. She lowered her voice and said to Qiguan Rang, According to what youve said, Im doing something bad by being on the front line. Then, arent you a man servant who looks out for me? As they were talking, a black shadow appeared in their line of sight. Jiaoping District crouched on the horizon like a ferocious sleeping beast, making one feel nervous for no specific reason. The troops were basically elite war veterans. They were very skilled in approaching a target quietly. After about an hour, they finally got close to Jiaoping District. There were very few guards on the city walls. Those that were there were yawning incessantly. As a scholar, Qiguan Rang could not have cared less about how dirty the ground was now. He could only hide in the dark. After staring for a long time, he discovered that there were so few people on the city walls. Their defense was obviously loose. Jiang Pengji stooped low in the bushes. Her eyesight and night vision were far better than those of ordinary people. She asked Qiguan Rang, Do you think therell be a trap on the city walls? Qiguan Rang secretly rolled his eyes. If he said there was a trap, would his lord guard in the rear obediently? Surely not. The Tsing Yi Army has led at least 5000 people out of the city. According to our information, there are only at most 7000 members of the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District. In other words, there are only 1000 or 2000 members of the Tsing Yi Army guarding the city. Such a small figure isnt enough to destroy us, Qiguan Rang replied while considering his words. Jiang Pengjis facial expression did not change at all. The chieftain of the Tsing Yi Army in Jiaoping District is a person who doesnt lend himself to worry and anxiety. He takes so many people with him when hes not even that capable. Is he really not afraid that his den would be exterminated completely? Jiang Pengji smacked her lips twice and continued cynically, Am I right, Wen Zheng? Qiguan Rang could not answer her question. In terms of not lending oneself to worry and anxiety, who could compare to his lord next to him? Had Xu Ke and the others not stopped her, she might just leave a few soldiers behind to guard the city gates and take the rest of the troops with her. Thinking of Feng Jin who was guarding Xiangyang District with the 4000 soldiers, Qiguan Rang let out a long sigh. He sympathized with his buddy a lot. When his lord had just begun to rule Xiangyang District, Qiguan Rang had once guarded the district himself. There were not many defensive weapons at that time. By completely relying on tactics, merciless schemes and the troops brave and fearless advancements, the Tsing Yi Army was only then beaten back. Therefore, as a man of experience, Qiguan Rang could totally understand the feeling of wanting to swear. It was a wonderful feeling. More than 100,000 viewers had the same opinion as Qiguan Rang. Xintai Baozha: Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Reflect on yourself when you say someone isnt lending himself to worry or anxiety. Jintian Buzhidao: This is a typical case of the powerful people being able to do whatever they want, but the weak arent allowed to do anything. The streamer is too overbearing. Nengyou Jigeng: To the kind users above, you have to know that the endings of a protagonist and cannon fodder, each seeking death, are different. Obviously, Jiang Pengji was the protagonist. Not only did she have the halo of a protagonist, but she was also very strong. If she sought death, other people would die. If cannon fodder sought death, the cannon fodder would die. General Pingtian was obviously cannon fodder. He was thinking about the food in someone elses pot, but he completely forgot that there was still congee in his pot. Youre right. Qiguan Rang abandoned his moral principles and chose to echo Devil Jiangs words. I have a novel idea. I dont know if I should give it a try. Jiang Pengji huddled in the bushes and held a meeting with her strategist. The soldiers waited silently for further instructions. Qiguan Rangs heart jolted. He was afraid that his lord would have a wicked idea. If anything happened to her, he was really scared that Xu Ke and Wei Ci would lash out at him upon his return. It would be easy to explain it to Xu Ke, who was simple-minded. Qiguan Rang really did not want to offend the weak but sinister Wei Ci. What is it? Qiguan Rang asked. Jiang Pengji waved her hand and said to him, Come closer and listen carefully. After listening to what she said, Qiguan Rang felt that he had opened the doors to a new world. It turned out that an attack could be launched that way. How dirty was his lords heart? The mother river in Dongqing could not even clean it. In another carriage, Li Yun and Xu Ke led the remaining 2,000 or so troops and rushed towards Maolin District. The horses galloped along the way. No one dared to chat or play around. Most of the troops were trained to march while carrying loads for a short distance. Except for scholars like Xu Ke who could not stand it, the others looked alright. Surprisingly, the hundreds of female troops who were expected to fall behind followed closely, but they looked a little pale. In contrast, Xu Ke, who was still panting when he was riding a horse, was the most useless person in the entire army. The army of more than 2,000 people took a break in the mountain valley because they deliberately detoured the original path to avoid the Tsing Yi Army in Maolin District. They planned to besiege Maolin District at top speed when all the members of the Tsing Yi Army had left. Xu Ke moved his feet somewhat uncomfortably. He looked pale. Upon seeing Xu Kes slightly strange movements, Li Yun, who was honest and frank, asked, Are your inner thighs chafed? Itll hurt a little when you walk, but itll heal if you apply some medicine to it. I have some medicine with me. Would you like some, Sir? Xu Ke looked somber. Realizing that people around him were looking at him suspiciously, he declined awkwardly, Its okay. Im fine. Li Yun adjusted his breathing while caring for Xu Ke. You dont look good, Sir. The corner of Xu Kes lips twitched. Silence was golden. In the face of such an honest and frank boy, could an ordinary person look good? Im just worried about any possible turns of event on the lords side Xu Ke evaded, changing the topic. Due to her willfulness, Jiang Pengji only took 1500 elites and some rare sieging weapons with her. It was impossible for Xu Ke not to worry. However, thinking that his lord had once captured Xiangyang District with the troops, he felt that he was perhaps worrying too much. Facts had proven that his lords thinking was not something that ordinary people could understand. Her style of fighting was also different than that of ordinary people. Chapter 524 - Three-way Battle (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rang had always thought that his heart was dirty enough, but he did not expect his lord to have an even dirtier heart. Making a sneak attack on ones den was not all. She wanted to conquer Jiaoping District without using a single soldier. With such capability, why did she not ascend to heaven? Jiang Pengji glared at Qiguan Rang. Why are you looking at me like that? Im just giving it a try. We still have ample time anyway He kept quiet, transmitted the order to the troops behind him and ordered them to find a soldier who was fluent in the northern dialect. Not long after, a normal-looking soldier, so normal he would have disappeared in a sea of people, was led over. Qiguan Rang glanced at him. Are you usually clever? Although the soldier looked very ordinary, his eyes were exceptionally bright and piercing. One could see that he was smart with just a glance. The soldier was a little puzzled. However, he must show a good side now that he had a rare chance to speak with his higher-ups. The soldier simpered and said, Im clever. Im really clever. Im not stupid at all. Qiguan Rang asked, How clever are you? The soldier was perplexed on the inside, but he said, Im super clever! When my mother wants to hit me, no matter how angry she is, shell cool down once I speak. Qiguan Rang frowned. After pondering for a while, he waved at him. Come over here. You have a task. Do it well and youll be rewarded. Upon hearing that there would be a reward, the soldiers eyes were twice as bright. He hurriedly responded, Please go ahead, Sir. Ill do it well. Qiguan Rang replied, Come closer. Ill explain it in detail. Jiaoping District was located in a remote area. There were only about 1000 members of the Tsing Yi Army in the city. Guarding the four city gates with this little number of people was extremely stressful. The Tsing Yi Army was not a regular army. Those who stayed behind were old, weak, disabled or sick. Now that it was late at night, many of them were sleeping while leaning against the pilasters and propping themselves up with their spears. It was really not difficult to climb over the wall with a little skill. The spring ploughing had just passed not long ago. The weather was bizarre. It was just slightly warmer on the whole, but the wind at night was still bitter cold. The people in Jiaoping District did not live a comfortable life. They were like the sheep that the Tsing Yi Army reared. The Tsing Yi Army would pull out a layer of wool from time to time. However, the Tsing Yi Army did not treat the people well and they did not know how to govern the district either. They constantly stopped the people from leaving Jiaoping District. Their means became harsher and harsher, making the lives of the people increasingly miserable. Some people tried to escape at night. At the beginning, the Tsing Yi Army began to frighten and intimidate the people with an iron rod. The people in Jiaoping District were afraid that they would be tortured on the rack, so the number of people who escaped gradually decreased. However, the people were afflicted with their increasingly tough lives. They wanted to flee, even if they would have to face the risks of being discovered and executed. However, the city gates were tightly shut. How could they escape? Little did they know that money greases all kinds of wheels! As long as one gritted his teeth, took out his family belongings and bribed the members of the Tsing Yi Army who were guarding the city gates that day, he could escape if he was lucky. The Tsing Yi Army was just a mob. They were also civilians. If they could earn extra income by turning a blind eye and letting one or two unimportant civilians go, who would not be willing to do so? Of course, the deal could not be made known to their higher-ups. This was a lucrative offer to the members of the Tsing Yi Army who guarded the city gates. The spy had already transmitted these trivial matters in Jiaoping District back to Xiangyang District. Jiang Pengji had been unhappy with her neighbors for a long time. One would never lose a battle if he knew himself and the enemy well. She had an understanding of the situation in Jiaoping District. The soldier who was chosen was indeed a clever man. He found a secluded place and climbed over the wall. Then, he kept watch near the northeast corner of the gate which Jiang Pengji mentioned for 15 minutes. As expected, he saw a few figures lurking and sneaking around like ghosts. He hurriedly waved his hand and stopped them. They wanted to be smuggled out, so how would they dare to call out when they were discovered by the soldier? Entrancing with fear, they were worried that their families would be killed because they thought they were caught by the Tsing Yi Army. Hey Let me ask a question The troop had changed into some linen clothes worn by the commoners and spoke in the northern dialect. One would think that he was a local who lived in the vicinity. It was just that his voice sounded a bit weird because he was speaking so quietly. Are you guys planning to leave the city by using your own money too? There were nine people in total. There were two elders, three adult men and two sallow and emaciated women carrying children, who were sleeping soundly in their arms. What do you want? The strong man who was leading the group glared at the soldier fiercely. He looked like he would fight him if he tried to steal their money. The soldier kept his countenance and said, Hey, dont worry. I dont have any ill intention. I just think that youre quite pitiful. The small amount of savings that youve saved up all your life will all be given to those bastards. I just feel sorry for you Who are you? The brawny man did not let down his guard and blocked the soldiers sight with his body. Im from Xiangyang District Look at this. Its real woolen clothing. As he was speaking, the troop rolled up his sleeves a little and pulled out the warm cuffs of the woolen shirt. He looked at them from head to toe disdainfully. This outfit costs hundreds of pennies. Would I want that petty money of yours? To be honest, I escaped from this place last winter. I was poor at that time, so I didnt take my mother with me. Now that the Tsing Yi Army is about to collapse, Ive sneaked in again to take my mother with me to Xiangyang and let her live in ease and comfort, the soldier explained, with every detail vividly described. He was also a skilled actor. He could lie and brag without blushing. Most of the people in Jiaoping District had heard of woolen clothes, but they had never seen them. However, the brawny man did not pay attention to the white woolen sleeves. He noticed something else instead. What do you mean by the Tsing Yi Army is about to collapse? Feigning surprise, the soldier replied, Dont you know about that? The Tsing Yi bastards have dragged the people out for war and its not known when theyll return. There are thousands of bastards in the city now and most of them are sleeping like pigs. They probably wont even feel a thing if theyre beheaded now. Otherwise, how could I get in? I think its easy for the few of you to knock down the bastards at the city gates. Theres no need to bribe them. I stop you because I just want to ask if you know where the people in the alley have gone. I cant find my mother The strong man thought about it and asked his wife. Then, he said to the soldier, The houses in the alley were all requisitioned by the bastards. The people who live in the houses were driven away to the north of the city. Your mother should be there The soldier nodded somewhat happily. Alright. Thank you. Ill fetch my mother to Xiangyang to live a comfortable life However, he was stopped by the brawny man before he could take a step. The man asked, Did you say that the Tsing Yi bastards are dispatched for war? Yeah. I originally wanted to sneak in during the day, but a group of them slipped out furtively. I think theyre afraid that more people will flee if the people in the city know that theyve escaped. If you want to leave, leave quickly. There are just a few people guarding the city gates, so you dont have to spend so much money. I suffered some losses back then too. I gave them a lot of money and I made it to Xiangyang by surviving on tree barks and roots. Its such a bitter life Chapter 525 - Three-way Battle (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The soldier vividly portrayed a talkative yet enthusiastic youngster. He poured out his grievances while eagerly caring for the family. He explained how tough his life was before going to Xiangyang and how comfortable his life was after going there. Well, if he did not live a comfortable life, how could he have the money to wear woolen clothes which cost hundreds of pennies? After rambling a few words, the soldier said in a seemingly inadvertent manner, Oh right, Ill talk about my experience as a man of experience. If you plan to go to Xiangyang District, I suggest you to go to Chengan District first Its nearer. Chengan District? The strong man had already let down his guard completely and could not wait to know more about the outside world. He frowned and said suspiciously, I heard that Chengan District is very desolate. The Tsing Yi bastards there are worse than the ones here. If we go there, how is it different from looking for the King of Hell to be reincarnated? The soldier was startled. He immediately responded with an oh and patted his forehead while smiling fatuously with an awkward face. Look at this memory of mine. Ive forgotten to tell you that the bastards in Chengan District have already been vanquished. The soldier lowered his voice which was filled with excitement. The person who gets rid of those bastards is the one in Xiangyang District! Hes awesome. He got rid of all of them in half a days time! The mens eyes brightened up so much upon hearing what the soldier said. They squeezed his hands excitedly. Really? The soldier nodded and replied, Yes, its true. How can it be fake? Its difficult to get a household registration in Xiangyang District. One cant even get his hands on the newly built houses. You can wait in Chengan District Imagine what Xiangyang District used to be. It was once captured by the Tsing Yi bastards, but now its like a wonderland on earth. Its really beautiful Following the soldiers story, the brawny man questioned closely, Did you say that Chengan District will be as good as Xiangyang District in the future? The soldier nodded with certainty. Of course. I heard that Xiangyang District is short of manpower. I plan to help my mother settle down and find a decent job there. I didnt arrive in time last year. Everything was almost built when I got there. I heard that hardworking families can already buy a house and they have enough to eat and drink The soldier could praise Xiangyang District nonstop for a few hours, but now was not the time to show off. He described Xiangyang District exultantly, as if it was really a wonderland on earth. Of course, for the people who had been tormented by wars and poverty, it was not just as simple as a wonderland on earth. The soldier rambled on and muttered somewhat pitifully, Unfortunately, I dont know when the magistrate of Xiangyang District will come If he comes, perhaps I dont have to take my mother with me anymore Sigh Look at my mouth. I cant stop talking. Please dont laugh at me. Its getting late, so I have to take advantage of the dark and take my mother with me The soldiers genuine-seeming words hit the young men right in their hearts. Had their lives not been difficult, no one wanted to leave their homeland, not to mention that the price of leaving was depleting the familys savings. Now that there was a great opportunity in front of them, their lives in the future would flourish if they could seize the moment. The rumors of Xiangyang District which they had heard in the past popped up in their minds. Their hearts could not help but thump. The brothers looked at each other and saw the determination in each others eyes. Big Brother, what do you think? Do you want to give it a try? I want to Father and Mother are old. My wife has just given birth to a baby whos still little How can they endure the suffering here? Its better to give it a try and capture all the bastards. Well then get someone to go to Chengan to invite the lords here Otherwise, how are we going to survive? The third person agreed as well, but one of the women carrying a child who was deep in sleep looked worried. But what if the Tsing Yi bastards come back? The soldiers heart jolted. He thought to himself, This woman is going to ruin things. He looked as if he had just understood the situation. He smiled lightly and said, Shes right. Its better for you to not take the risks. Well escape if we can. Were not saints. We just have to take care of ourselves. I see that your parents are old. You can look for a few helpers and beat the bastards at the city gates to death. Escape as soon as you can. Still waters run deep. Its better to not be involved. Youve reminded me The brawny man asked, About what? The soldier replied as a matter of course, Surrender the city. If I persuade the villagers to do so and if its a success, isnt it a virtuous act? With that being said, the facial expressions of the three men suddenly changed. The greed in their hearts had gained the upper hand. That was right. If they surrendered Jiaoping District, they would have great virtue! How could they not think of that? Their women almost got in their way and gave away such a good deal for no reason. Thinking of which, he stared fiercely at the woman who spoke. She was so scared that she tucked her head down closer to her shoulders, such that it looked like a turtle shrinking its neck. Fearing that the soldier would snatch their merit, the three men first awkwardly said that they had left something at home and asked him to take care of their families for a while. Of course, to be on the safe side, the two older brothers left, leaving the youngest brother to stall the soldier. The soldier silently sighed with relief. It was difficult to fool people these days. Mr. Qiguan Rang had said that if nothing happened in the city at dawn, the elites outside would have to attack Jiaoping District by force. It was still nighttime. If they could hurry, they should be able to make it. Seeing the family returning home, the soldier who was hiding in the corner frowned and felt glad that he was lucky. The soldier smirked while looking at the guy who pinned him down. He played dumb and acted like an enthusiastic yet slow-witted dork. Jiang Pengji yawned sleepily outside the city. Qiguan Rang looked up at the moonlight. There were uncertainties in his mind. Could a rebellion really be instigated among the people in the city by solely depending on a single soldier? If there are sufficient armed forces in Jiaoping District, 80 percent of the people who are being oppressed and threatened wont have the guts to rebel. However, there are only about 1,000 members of the Tsing Yi Army in the city and theyre all sleepy. A moonless and windy night is the perfect time to commit murder and arson. As they were speaking, a conspiracy was brewing in Jiaoping District. The oppressed people assembled in small groups, holding cleavers, wood-cutting hatchets, shoulder poles used to carry firewood and wooden clubs used for laundry in their hands They took whatever they could and charged quietly towards the territory of the Tsing Yi Army, as if they were possessed. Most of the members of the Tsing Yi Army who stood guard were very sleepy. Some of them had already gone to dreamland on their feet. They barely moved when the people dashed in. Then, a blaze of beating and slaughtering broke out. Chapter 526 - Three-Way Battle (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Many of the Tsing Yi soldiers were beheaded or hammered to death as they slept. Some were considered lucky to have escaped death only to be tied up by a rope and their mouths gagged, preventing them from making any sound to wake their comrades. From the start, these people had been feeling anxious. Only when they carried out their plans with people they knew did they became bolder. Nevertheless, after one or two confrontations, their anger dissipated after seeing those beasts who once oppressed them, and the fear in them disappeared. As they now saw, the Tsing Yi soldiers werenot infallible or impervious, they died once beheaded. This episode of the rebellion scheme continued for an hour, the sombre, night scene in the sky slowly faded and it became clearer. Jiang Pengji folded her arms around her chests and sat on the grass patch. Her back was straight but her head was bent a little as she shut her eyes. Others thought she was closing her eyes and taking a nap, truthfully, she was sleeping. Yes, shes sleeping. Qiguan Rang looked at his lord in wonder, she managed to stay in this sleeping position for more than two hours. Why are you surprised? Jiang Pengji opened her eyes abruptly, and with a composed face she said, As a competent general, you must cultivate such habits. Regardless of what the situation is, you must be able to sleep immediately to recharge your energyYoure making a big fuss for naught. She can wake up and sleep immediately. Lifting her head to see the skies, she knitted her brows briefly. Is there still no activity at Jiaoping district? Qiguan Rang said, Weve sent a scout to find out the situation. He should return soon with news. At that point, she looked at the city walls from afar, the soldiers standing guard above were absent. She remarked, The time should be near We must see this through till the end. Lets retreat a distance before approaching again. Qiguan Rangs expression was one of shock. As a matter of fact, Jiang Pengji said, Otherwise, when the others leave the city, they will see us preparing to fight and wont our intentions be made known? They are here to offer their city to us; we are just the passive recipients who will take over. Jiaoping district is not what we schemed to possess, do you understand? What they forcefully snatched versus those bystanders rushing up to offer it. Both the significances seemed to differ. Qiguan Rang almost suffocated, how can he be ignorant about his lord having such a shameless side? Having thought of something, he said, If so, theres no chance for the lord to showcase your talents. An effortless victory to obtain Jiaoping district, moreover, someone even rushing over to surrender it. Naturally, she doesnt have to go to the front of the battlefield. She said, From what you said, it is as if I desire bloody battles. People die during wars even if its in a sure win battle, one cannot prevent someone from dying or getting injured. If we can dominate Jiaoping district in peace, it is the best-case scenario. What use is there in fighting, even the heavens will be displeased. Jiang Pengji presented it very logically and it wasnt just Qiguan Rang who was amazed at her shamelessness. Those viewers who had stayed up to watch also mocked her. Yuantong Sudi: Keke, this is the joke of the yearthe streamer is an advocate for peace. Zhongtong Sudi: There is nothing wrong with what the streamer said. The enemies lives arent valuable but their own peoples lives are more valuable. Shentong Sudi: Sigh, the streamer must have forgotten how much she wanted to go on a killing spree previously. With the screen separating us, I can feel the frustration she exudes. However, now she turns around and claims to be an advocate for peace, isnt she contradicting herself? Truthfully, she is indeed an advocate for peace, except her peace comes by killing to stop further deaths. The targets for killing are her enemies, she doesnt care how many enemies die while any injuries that can be avoided on her side should be avoided. Qiguan Rang has yet to speak, when Jiang Pengji said, After we take over Jiaoping district, gauging from the time and journey, if we take a shortcut then we can swiftly return to Xiangyang district and exterminate Tsing Yi armys reinforcementsI am worried we cannot fend off the enemies at Xiangyang district. To win a victory over Jiaoping district effortlessly, Jiang Pengjis military strength will not be compromised at all. Qiguan Rang didnt understand, he searched through his memories and suddenly recalled something. His facial expression changed. My lord what you meant isLady Taxue Qiguan Rang was stumped. Back then, she had secretly infiltrated Wei Yuan manor in the night, and she delegated the troops matters to Qiguan Rang to oversee. Before they left, he hinted to her that someone close to her has ill-intentions. The advantage of peaceably winning over that district is theres no need for them to waste time consoling the people. She can even order a group of men to stay and guard Jiaoping district while she brings a thousand troops to provide reinforcements at Xiangyang district. This is the most efficient method she can think of. He frowned, then asked, How can this be? Four thousand men in military strength is indeed tight but Huaiyu and Coach Luoyue arent easy targets, the defence in the city is adequate. Those mobs of the Tsing Yi army who intend to conquer Xiangyang district and take it from their hands, it is almost impossible You also mentioned that its almost impossible and not absolute. Jiang Pengjis face became solemn. Wenzheng, remember when I left Hejian last time to follow my father to head to Shangjing. Do you remember why I left the troops in your hands? At that time, Qiguan Rang was still ignorant about who that was, until she left Xunmei behind and took Taxue away. From Jiang Pengjis perspective, the more dangerous one is, the more she needs to keep an eye on them. Later, when Xu Ke got married to Xunmei, Qiguan Rang was more certain of his predlection. My lord, you are being silly, since you ascertained that Taxue is suspicious, why didnt you He looked worried and anxious. Taxues identity is not made known yet. If she does something untoward at Xiangyang district, they cannot guard against it. Jiang Pengji lazily lifted her eyes saying, Rest assured, Wenzheng. Although this matter is rather risky, it is not haphazard and done without thinking. Theres something wrong with Taxue and it is indeed an important matter. She has more than one master behind the scenes, what do you know? In all these years, Ive discovered one of them, but the other is still unknown. It is troublesome to have her close by, but it is better than having her hiding in the dark and attacking us. Nevertheless, if she takes advantage of this dangerous situation and allows Tsing Yi army to enter the district She wont do that. Jiang Pengji sneered mockingly and replied confidently, Before she achieves her goal, she will not harm me in anyway. Perhaps, more than anyone else, she wishes that I will bring peace and stand mightily in the north. Qiguan Rang was stumped, his intelligent mind felt inadequate. Suddenly, he felt rather frustrated. Isnt Lady Taxue the personal maid the old master prepared to serve you, why did he allow danger to come to your side? Jiang Pengji thought about it deeply then remarked, Yes, my father prepared her to serve me, but he cannot control the networks she has If she told Qiguan Rang that Xunmei was also suspicious, he would probably go mad. What luck does her father have, for him to arrange two suspicious people by her side? Pei! As they spoke, the tightly shut gates of the Jiaoping districts city were opened and a group of hundreds of people escaped out of the city at sunrise. About an hour passed, the groups from both sides met halfway. The people were shaking in fear, her face turned solemn and she lowered her voice to reveal her identity. I am Liu Xi, the district magistrate of Xiangyang district. Who are you and where do you come from? Liu Xi? Xiangyangs district magistrate? The people were in a frenzy as they spoke amongst themselves. Now a rather senior elder who looked like the leader slowly stepped out and reverentially said, We are people from Jiaoping district. People of Jiaoping district? Why are you here? The old man abruptly bowed down and cried, pleading, I beg the district magistrate to save the people of Jiaoping district. If you do not agree, all the people will be exterminated by Tsing Yi army. Chapter 527 - Three-Way Battle (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As the elder knelt, hundreds of people behind also bowed down pleading. Every one of their faces had a yellow pigmentation and they looked skinny. Their skin appeared unhealthy, as if they would pass out if they said two more words. Viewers in the live streaming room watched on with pity for them. They frantically posted for Jiang Pengji not to put up a show but to hurry up and accept these people. Yibai Yuepiao: Streamer, they look so pitiful. Didnt you say that with people in chaotic times, their lives are always at stake? They are already begging you earnestly, please accept them. Since this is in your plans anyway, wont it look bad on you to make them kneel. Jiageng Yizhang: Pei, thats why I said the streamer is heartless. She is obviously eyeing Jiaoping district, yet behind the scenes she secretly instigates the people to attack the Tsing Yi soldiers who are guarding the city. Now they must even beg her to accept them and take Jiaoping district Pei, pei, shes got all the advantages, is there even justice? Wuyidao Wuqi: This scene reminds me of what I saw on television. The situation is strikingly similar where the refugees begs the main character. Back then, it was hilarious because the actors didnt act well. The refugees didnt look like refugees and neither did they appear to be begging. Instead, they appeared to be watching the main lead do his monkey show and it was awkward. Now this scenario is honest, I seriously need to quieten down and allow my emotions to settle. Qitian Shuangbei: Youre thinking too much, is the streamer one who enjoys acting pretentiously? It is proven that Jiang Pengji is indeed not such a person, at least she wont allow these people to really kneel and bow till their spirits are broken. Get up and talk, feel free to share your grievances. I, Liu Xi, will help to solve your problems and I will surely not refuse you. Jiang Pengji leapt off her horse and she helped those kneeling at the front to stand up. It is now deep in the night, the humid air is heavy, all of you get up and talk. Theelder who led them was very tactful, naturally he wouldnt say If you wont listen to what we have to say, we will not get up or such foolish words. That wouldnt be a plea for forgiveness, it would be another form of threatening someone. Thus, when she held him up, he got up in response. This elder is well-known in Jiaoping district, the others saw him stand up and they followed by helping each other get up. He once again paid his respects saying, District magistrate Liu is assembling your troops and horses, where do you intend to go? Jiang Pengji replied, I heard that the three districts of Chengan, Jiaoping and Maolin are in turmoil because of the Tsing Yi armys occupation. Thus, I am here to address their grievances. The Tsing Yi soldiers in Chengan district have been completely exterminated and I originally thought of returning and settling down. However, shortly after I received news that Jiaoping districts Tsing Yi army had reorganised their troops and horses and prepared to go to war for a yet unknown reason. Therefore, I brought some men hoping to find out the truth of whats happening. The elders heart was elated, tears of joy streamed down his face, and he excitably remarked, This is such a coincidence. District magistrate Liu may not know but the bandits of Tsing Yi army have indeed left Jiaoping district. Only a thousand men are guarding Jiaoping district. I have heard of district magistrate Lius noble and compassionate character and brought our people to exterminate the Tsing Yi bandits. We were about to head to Chengan district to find district magistrate Liu. If those wicked bandits know what we are doing, I am afraid they will not let the people off. Jiang Pengji only seemed to realise it now. Is the elder pleading with me over this issue? She asked. The elder raised his hand and wiped off the tears at the side of his eyes, then said, ExactlyI only hope for the district magistrate to have compassion and to seek justice on our behalf, to protect the innocent citizens of Jiaoping district so that they wont be oppressed and tortured by Tsing Yi armys evil bandits. If the district magistrate agrees to this, this old man will die in peace. Since I am encompassed by so great a trust, how can Xi decline your wishes? Jiang Pengji responded. The elder heard this good news and suddenly he heaved a sigh of relief. His pale face now had an additional shade of red. Life is like a show, it depends solely on ones acting skills. The surrounding onlookers looked at their lords perfect presentation, even Qiguan Rang whos a shameless person, felt ashamed of her deep in his heart. Since his lord is so thick-skinned, he can rest assured. Truthfully, the elder had once doubted Jiang Pengjis identity, but she exudes a noble, virtuous aura, her features are upright and handsome, the army she commands is strong and mighty. Her troops wear armour that is clean and neat, all their weak spots are protected by their armour and the weapons they carry are well crafted. This elderly isnt without foresight, just based on seeing these magnificent troops, he believed almost 80 percent. Once again, he used words to determine what Jiang Pengjis stance towards Jiaoping district is. Sensing that she genuinely has pity for the sufferings of the people, and hearing her speak openly about implementing useful strategies to help the multitude of refugees. He thought to himself that if a child of an aristocratic family has such standards, there is nothing to find fault with. As they continued their conversation, he became increasingly pleased. The elder hails from Jiaoping districts small community of knowledge and culture. He is aptly a teacher. Some children with poor family background sought him for his teachings. He would also use his discretion to waive the fees or dismiss the payments for a private tutor. He truly has a kind heart. He acknowledged that she is the renowned one who can create miracles. She loves the people as her children, a young district magistrate, and the other people also opened their hearts to believe in her. Convincing them to enter the city, then seeing the city gates of Jiaoping district open for them, Qiguan Rang fanned himself with his feathered fan. His lord is too capable; he often feels that he is facing an impending danger of losing his job as a strategist. They were led all the way to the district manor of Jiaoping district. It was already dominated by the people, Tsing Yi soldiers were defeated and killed Jiang Pengji sat boldly on the seat of honour. General Pingtian of Jiaoping district never thought that their home could be dominated by a different master when their forerunners just left half a day before. Outside, the dawn light streamed in faintly. Now, out of Fengyi countys four districts, three are already within her grasp. Maolin district will also be hers soon. Liyun, Xu Ke and the rest didnt let Jiang Pengjis expectations down, they had used the night to launch a surprise attack on Maolin district and took down the city gates. The defence in Maolin district was worse off than Jiaoping district. There were only a few incompetent guards standing guard at the city gates. Beneath the city, Liyun readied the arrow on the bow and straightaway aimed his arrows at the guards. With the doors open wide, it lifted the morale of the soldiers. Comparatively, Maolin district doesnt even have decent attacking weapons to defend themselves, their ability to resist their enemys attack is almost zero. The odds were in their favour. Using the ladder to climb up the city walls, Liyun was the fastest and he stood at the forefront. Wherever his silver spear struck, the enemy died on the spot. Xu Ke sought deeply for a means to deal a heavy blow to their enemies. In other words, he has been with Jiang Pengji for an extended period and has become shameless. He commanded the soldiers to shout such phrases as, Tsing Yi army is nearing their end, their entire troop is defeated and fleeing in disarray as they attacked. During those times, reinforcements came in phases but faced aggressive attacking machinery such as attacks from the improved bows and crossbows, and with these big weapons, the Tsing Yi soldiers that rushed head on died successively. Moreover, the words that the soldiers shouted caused the fighting spirits of Tsing Yi army to be dampened and they could no longer muster the will to continue fighting. The Tsing Yi army is but an unruly mob, once they lose their leader and with a weak morale coupled with the pathetic number of soldiers within Maolin district, their total military strength for offense is weak. In just half a day, the entire Maolin district had been occupied. Compared to the emergency in Xiangyang district, the surprise attacks on Jiaoping district and Maolin district seem like childs play. If Feng Jin knew about this, will he be so angry that his heart might burst? Chapter 528 - Three-Way Battle (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin was about to explode, but probably only he himself knew it. Lets temporarily shift our focus to Xiangyang district. Presently, the Tsing Yi soldiers have retreated from the west gate and north gate. With so many dead and injured, many of them saw that victory was impossible so they desperately decided on a solution and fled with all their might, leaving behind thousands of corpses. Viewing the disorder beneath, Feng Jin wore a brooding facial expression as he lifted his hands to wipe the blood stains off his face. He toned down his voice and asked the soldier, Whats the situation at the south gate? The skies gradually shifted from black to pale green colour, the sun rose from the equator, dissipating the night skies. Looking at the skies, the fight at the southern gates should have started, they just didnt know what the war situation was like. The soldier was gasping for air and breathing heavily, and the man said, The war at the south gate has reached a stalemate, General Luo has led some men to resist the enemies. Feng Jin felt rather sorry for the city gates strewn with bricks, if there were enough men by his side, did they need to barricade off the city gates? If they didnt block off the city gates, then send a group of power-driven and strong team to distract and engage the Tsing Yi army from behind and attack their fighting spirits, it will not result in such a long-hauled and bitter fight. Their defence was almost broken by their enemies, this caused Feng Jin to be very frustrated. His eyes swept over the people saying, All those injured can take a break, other than those guarding the city gates, all the rest come with Jin to head outside. Blocking the west and north gates, they can still leave from the east gate and take a roundabout route to surround the Tsing Yi soldiers from behind them and provoke them. They only needed to guard the south gates, both armies have been in battle for some time yet they were still unable to secure victory. Their reinforcements were also frequently undergoing distress. The soldiers fighting spirit will surely be dampened. One soldier was covered in blood and looked like a bloody, eerie and pathetic person when looked upon. He spoke up to stop Feng Jin. Master must never do it. Just tell us what to do, why must you leave the city and put yourself in danger? Feng Jin spoke decisively, Jin isnt a helpless man, I am capable enough to protect myself. Theres no need for all you strategists to discuss this. With might and strength, the intense training they underwent wasnt just for show, and after a bitter fight through the night they still had energy. However, although Feng Jin who was born noble into an aristocratic family had a better constitution than average men, yet he was much weaker compared to these boorish great experienced soldiers. Presently, even he could clench his teeth and fight on, and the other soldiers were naturally in high spirits and their fighting spirits were at their peak. The situation at the south gates fared better than at Feng Jins side, in comparison the defence was rather weak. Although the numbers of Tsing Yi soldiers at the south gate was more than those at the north and west gates, they were limited by the lesser range of their weaponry. Without enough machinery to attack the city, their loss was rather extensive as they tried to forcefully conquer the city. Luoyue is also an experienced person, his defence is impenetrable. It will surely leave the Tsing Yi army helpless and itll be impossible for them to advance. Even so, the guards standing at the city walls were exhausted, therere surely some who were not careful as a result and got shot by an oncoming arrow. If they were lucky, they only suffered a light injury, the unlucky ones will die on the spot. Except now is not the time for mourning, only by bracing oneself can one face the enemy. As Jiang Pengji said, at the battlefield there only exists the living and the dead, theres no differentiation between males and females. Seeing how well the troops cooperated with each other, Luoyues heart was full of emotion and he gradually began to accept his lords decision to form the womens troops. If all the women were left behind to support their husbands and teach their children, it would indeed waste almost half of the human resources. After undergoing strict training, they can likewise raise their weapons and fight on the battlefield without losing to the male troops in any way. Since others cannot protect them, will they also stop them from protecting themselves? To depend on 10,000 soldiers to defend one county, its almost a fantasy. Predictably, when the other three districts are conquered, expanding the army is expected. However, after going through a series of natural and human disasters, the number of young strong men has dwindled significantly. It is unforeseeable how many soldiers can be recruited in future. If the number of female troops are increased, it will indeed greatly relieve some pressure on the military camp. These thoughts filled his mind as Luoyue composed himself and commanded his men. He originally thought theres still some time, who knows as the Tsing Yi troops behind them were in pandemonium. Initially, their attack was to be orderly yet now it is in a mess. Luoyue took advantage of the tall city walls to observe what was happening far off, his pupils lit up and a wave of joy jolted in his heart. Generals, the Tsing Yi army at the west and north gates have been conquered! He rose up with spirit and spoke, the soldiers seemed to have gotten a boost of courage, their originally tired faces now had a glimpse of delight. Have we won the battles at the west and north gates? Everyone knew that Xiangyang district was being ambushed by enemies, and while the guards at the south gates resisted Tsing Yi enemies, they were afraid their enemys attack will come from behind. Now that Luoyue told them it is safe, they only need to concentrate on attacking enemies at the forefront, how can they not be excited? Their fighting spirits reached new heights while the Tsing Yi soldiers morale was dampened. Feng Jin brought his men to charge forward and circle their enemies to threaten them. The city gates were as solid as gold, the Tsing Yi army tried hard but were still unable to take it down. There were also riders behind who now disrupted their focus. After a few tries, their morale decreased significantly and they were no longer motivated to continue fighting. Their crushing defeat cannot be turned around. Even if their chieftain continued to shout, the soldiers just fled in all directions. The attack below the city was becoming weaker, it was now of no threat to the districts gates. Feng Jin wanted to lead the soldiers to chase after them, but he considered Xiangyang districts defence strength at present and gave the thought up. Luoyue wiped off the blood on his face, then he paid homage to Feng Jin and said, Thank you master for rushing over to provide aid. The battle at the southern gates continued for more than 2 hours, but the ones at the east and north gates began at 1am to 3am in the morning. Moreover, the war started at night-time and thus a lot of energy was expended. Based on Feng Jins style, the battle on the other side just ended and he immediately brought reinforcements to aid the southern gates. If not for this, even if Luoyue is confident of guarding the southern gates, it would have wasted a lot of the attacking machinery in general. With eyes full of hatred, Luoyue stared at the Tsing Yi soldiers who fled in all directions then he menacingly commented, A pity they escaped. In usual circumstances, once the defeated party escapes and has no will to fight any longer, it is the perfect opportunity for the victors to expand the fruits of their success. Now that theyve witnessed the remnants of Tsing Yi army leaving, naturally Luoyues heart doesnt feel good. Feng Jin remarked, No matter, there will be a day we will settle our scores with them. They were all ignorant of the fact that those Tsing Yi soldiers who luckily escaped are very unlucky. Jiang Pengji was leading 800 elite troops hurriedly and they coincidentally met with those Tsing Yi soldiers who fled and dispersed. They caught two to interrogate and got knowledge about the direction where the remaining Tsing Yi soldiers in Maolin district escaped. She shook her arms and shouted, All you soldiers, hear the order, follow me and attack. Chapter 529 - Three-Way Battle (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qiguan Rang was left behind by her at Jiaoping district, whatever she says counts now. Upon her orders, White moved its legs and charged forward at lightning speed. The Tsing Yi army at Maolin district were so badly affected that they lost all motivation to fight. They pathetically fled, utterly defeated, then having escaped for a certain distance, some generals started to assemble their people so naturally their moving speed will slow down. After they accounted for more than half their men and defeated generals, they were about to face a major trial. One of the scouts cleared his throat and spat, then spoke crudely, Who ever said Xiangyang district was barren and left without troops, this is ridiculous, is this what an empty and vulnerable state looks like? This is even harder to accept than swallowing bones, it is so infuriatingWhat a great loss. His comrade by his side sat his buttocks on the ground, with both his hands he wiped his face then remarked with menace, This revenge will be remembered from henceforth, in future, we must make those men in Xiangyang district pay! The grievances our brothers suffered cannot be treated lightly. Others stared into the vast space dejectedly, no one knew what they were looking at. From afar, the Tsing Yi army were gathering together, each one crest-fallen and looking down in dismay, their expressions were dejected looking like a rooster who just lost a fight. They had no strength in their expressions nor energy to look at, this made anyone looking at them feel unhappy and secretly deem them as good-for-nothing. Some scouts were displeased with these pragmatic soldiers, isnt it just a defeat in battle, must they go to this far? Arent they still alive? If they live, theres surely a day they will get their revenge. These useless fools who saw the dire situation and fled faster than anyone else. Firstly, lets consolidate our manpower and plan in more detail after we return to Maolin district. Desiring to take advantage of the situation initially, they didnt get to benefit as instead they were outwitted and in a disadvantageous position which was really an embarrassment. It is impossible to capture Xiangyang district which was such a popular territory. Its better to retreat so that their own territory is not left vacant for too long as it might give others a chance to invade. It just occurred to the head commander of the Tsing Yi soldiers that he had insufficient men in his home territory. Nevertheless, he isnt worried, since Maolin district has already been emptied of all its resources, theres no chance that oil or water can be found. The Tsing Yi troops approaching couldnt be bothered to even glimpse at it, why would they covet it? But they forgot that the other Tsing Yi army will indeed not covet it, but it doesnt mean Jiang Pengji isnt tempted Now that Fengyi countys four districts are all in her hands. She is now the district magistrate of Xiangyang district in name, but she is indeed the county chief of Fengyi county. Never mind Dongqing in this country, even if you look at other countries, is there any county chief younger than her? She is completely confident that within a year she can transform Fengyi county to a bustling city and regain its prosperity. After peace reigns in Fengyi county, the next aim is the entire nine prefectures! Those Tsing Yi troops who gathered together had no sense of danger approaching, they unsuspectingly sat on the ground one after another and their stomachs were rumbling with hunger. They had already lost the weapons in their hands as they ran for their lives, and now in their hunger and weariness, many just lay down to rest without much thought. Looking at the disorganised Tsing Yi soldiers, their chieftains were red with fury and stretched their necks in frustration, they wished to give them all a whipping and wake them up. None of the soldiers from Xiangyang district chased after us One of the scouts observed surprised. Another who had some insights, answered, They didnt leave the city to chase us probably because they do have not enough men within, and the city is their limit. If not for this reason, based on Xiangyang districts aggressive nature, they would have totally exterminated all of the Tsing Yi army. That scout spoke with wisdom, If it is so hard to fight against them when they are outnumbered, wont it be disastrous if they had enough men? Stop inflating the ego of others and undermining ourselves. Perhaps they just didnt see the need to chase after us Even if they have a lack of manpower in the city, were you able to invade them? This question left his comrade speechless; both looked silently at each other and showed a helpless expression. That their enemies didnt chase after them is eventually worth rejoicing over. They have more time to organise their men. As they heaved a sigh of relief, a soldier who was on the lookout from afar came rushing over to report. Reporting to the general, the enemies are approaching from afar. What? Are their enemies approaching? From the great to the small men in Tsing Yi army, all were dumbfounded. One black faced strongman continued to ask, Enemies are coming? How many of them? The pitiful Tsing Yi soldier stammered as he said, Their speed is lightning quick, their numbers, their total headcount is undetermined. Useless fool, what use is your eyes! The black faced strongman angrily grabbed his collar and raised him up to throw him down hard on the ground. The soldier rolled twice on the sand, then fell till his head throbbed with pain and his vision became so blurred that he saw stars. I will go and see for myself. The black faced Tsing Yi soldier made a noise of disdain and with great strides he quickly looked afar from a high place to check his enemies situation. Without seeing hell be ignorant, but once seen it is utterly frightening Indeed, as the Tsing Yi soldiers now believed, this group of enemies was moving at great speed and they were now less than a few hundred meters away. Behind them, there was a thick layer of dust and sand as if many horses were riding furiously so they had no means to verify how many enemy troops there were. Nevertheless, solely counting the enemy troops running from the sand, there were hundreds of them, at least 3000 soldiers coming at them. They were an army of three thousand that emerged victorious, mighty and proud, ands bursting with energy. Although they still had 4000 men, they were all tired and unmotivated to fight. If both troops meet each other in battle, theres almost no chance they can win. The only possible scenario is a re-enactment of their utter defeat. At this point, the scout couldnt resist the temptation to retreat, he just wanted to hurriedly find an escape route. So long as their territory remains, they can always make a comeback. As for his comrades lying on the ground, what has their life or death got to do with him? From another location, Jiang Pengji led 500 men to battle at the front, the remaining 300 troops emerged from the sand in batches. This will create a false impression of a large group of troops yet in reality She only had a few troops cut some trees and used the branches to dance around, creating a thick layer of dust. This strategy has many loopholes but its enough to trick the Tsing Yi soldiers momentarily. Viewers in the livestream room witnessed her craftiness and they successively despised her. Dage Maicaoxie: Speaking of which, streamer, when you use this trick to fool others, have you considered honourable Zhangfeis emotions? Erge Wudadao: Ai, for once Zhangfei Dalao is smart, his plans were even plagiarised by the streamer, how disheartening. Of course, the crux of the matter is not in the strategy but in deception. As long they remain deceived, counting on their despaired psychological states because they just suffered a defeat, the likelihood of going to war again is extremely low. Even if they did, their prowess in fighting is insignificant. Jiang Pengji went forth confidently with 700 to 800 men but she has full faith that they can completely wipe out all 3000 to 4000 Tsing Yi army. Our enemies have come! Get up, everybody! The enemies are approaching to kill, quickly run! With a loud shout, many Tsing Yi troops awoke from their slumber, they heard the enemys troops nearing, their bodies already made a reflex reaction to the situation. Flee! Fleeing as far as possible is better! A majority of Tsing Yi army were escaping blindly so without doubt the resistance Jiang Pengji faced is extremely weak. White excitably increased its running speed, Tsing Yi army were just a defeated group of troops, how many can keep up with it? Some realised they couldnt escape and they should just turn around and fight it out. Unexpectedly, they had no chance to even come close to her when White already lifted its front legs and rewarded them by trampling on their chests. Only the sound of crushing bone was heard and they all fell, vomited blood and had weak breathing. Jiang Pengji held her sharp spear in a waving motion, her moves were extremely basic, but every move drew lives from others. Wherever White passed, the master and horse moved along in perfect symmetry. Jiang Pengji immediately started killing while White rushed forward to lead the way. It used both its hoofs to kick the enemies, as if killing to find a way forward. Chapter 530 - Three-Way Battle (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Master Qiguan, we already put in our best efforts! The soldiers following behind Jiang Pengji witnessed their lord vanishing into the dust while they stood behind enveloped by the sand, how hopeless they must have felt. Qiguan Rang was left behind at Jiaoping district but he discreetly reminded many troops to follow closely behind the lord and not to let her go wild Indeed, even a group of strategists have no means to stop their lord, much less this group of soldiers. Killing can cause one to lose their rationality, the soldiers fighting spirits were resoundingly heightened, leading to hundreds of men running towards thousands of Tsing Yi army to carry out their killing spree. The latter is only concerned with running in all directions and they had no means to assemble into an effective battle formation which could increase their defence. No matter how awe-inspiring the chieftain was, Tsing Yi soldiers were only interested in escaping for their lives. As Jiang Pengji witnessed their movement, she mocked them with disdain while she continued killing her enemies. After a round of mass killing, hundreds of dead bodies lay on the streets. Whites fur was already stained scarlet red and only then did Jiang Pengji shout. Maolin district has been captured, you will meet your doom even if you escape back there! Those who surrender will not be killed! Death will be dealt to those who rebel! What? Maolin district is already conquered? Under the influence of this huge change of scenario, the chieftain of the Tsing Yi army knew all was lost, if they fail to escape then death is certain. They fled with all their might but they never imagined their hideout had been dominated by someone else. In their minds, they had been thinking of returning to reassemble then seek revenge another time. Presently, without a territory and foundation, how are they going to start over? With a jaded and discouraged heart, many Tsing Yi soldiers gave up on escaping and resisting. Yet theres still a group who wilfully chose to struggle. Just then, the Tsing Yi soldier who was running right at the front vaguely heard a war cry, he looked closely only to see their enemies heading towards them ready to kill. There was an obstruction in front, and behind there are troops after them, this group of Tsing Yi soldiers have no chance of escaping. It took only a split second before their eyes shone with a blinding, bright light, the space between their brows is left with a slit where traces of red blood remained as fresh blood flowed freely from the wound. Their bodies followed their inertia to lean forward, then they fell flat on the ground where the grass and sand lay and they let out a dejected sound. Kill! Liyun was concise in his speech, his tone was somewhat solemn and cold, it caused one to inevitably become more alert and their hair stand on end. Audiences in the live streaming room cast their foresight wider, from afar they could already see the Tsing Yi armys strange movement. The formation they attempted to escape with was messy beyond measure. It seems like something was impeding their movement and when the scene was observed closely C Goodness, gracious, that White horse and silver spear, arent they Han Meis? Jintian Yuepiao Boliangqian: Ahahahaha superb coordination, my husband is heading over to kill! Woweinimen Qigeng: This is too captivating, husband Han Mei is so handsome that I cannot keep my legs together, how can he be so handsome on the battlefield that my eyes cannot get enough of him. Congxiao Jiuhenbagua: Exactly, exactly, Han Mei on the battlefield is truly like a god without doubt, the screen is rather dirty, allow me to lick it. Pei! This isnt right, speaking of which why am I, a grown man, fantasising about another man? Im in trouble, I need my medicinal pill. Yuanyuan Xiatiao: You are such old-fashioned people, am I the only one who noticed that when Han Mei rode the horse, he didnt have a stirrup? Chisude Shuzi: The viewer above is ridiculous. Our obsession is old fashioned, arent you dirty minded? Utterly disgusting. Yiye Chengzhou: An innocent White comments that it is ignorant about what a stirrup is. Tianting Lingfeng: Come, come, come C This old driver will tell you what this is about, without a stirrup to get up and ride the horse you will need mighty core strength, you know it! It was obviously a solemn and scenario where men burnt with fighting spirit. The audiences were raving about Jiang Pengjis awe-inspiring disposition a second before yet at the next moment, they directed their attention towards Liyun who was so mesmerising. Never mind that, they even started making flirtatious remarks in the live streaming room Pei, pei, these capricious little devils. Jiang Pengji, Liyun, and the rest obviously didnt discuss tactics beforehand, their attack from both sides were purely coincidental and the Tsing Yi soldiers had very bad luck. With only 800 elite soldiers with her, Liyuns side didnt have many men. In total, they had 1500 men on both sides. Nonetheless, the fighting spirit on their side was at its peak despite the long journey, the surrounding atmosphere encouraged the soldiers to conquer their foes. Everyone felt there was an endless energy flowing through them. Liyun vanquished a wave of enemies, he also noticed Jiang Pengji and her group who attacked from behind, it made his heart elated. The lord is ahead, lets head forward to help her! Meng Hun and Xu Ke had stayed back at Maolin district to hold the fort in case other forces secretly came to ambush them. While Liyun and Jiang Nongqin led hundreds of men to launch a surprise attack against the Tsing Yi army from behind. Coincidentally and completely unplanned, when they arrived, they witnessed their enemies fleeing in all directions. Jiang Nongqin spoke softly, All the generals follow me to attack and coordinate with the lord! Jiang Nongqin learnt under Jiang Pengji and Meng Hun that she prefers using light weapons when she gets off the horse, but while fighting on the horse she is comfortable using her spear. Because of limited strength, she also walks agilely and with light-footsteps, she takes the route that enables her to move swiftly. With this, she is more precise and accurate. By killing with only one strike, her chances of surviving are higher. Liyun and Jiang Nongqin have fought together multiple times so they coordinate well, both complemented each other and together their prowess increased. He ordered the horse to move speedily then turned his body sideways to evade the unexpected arrow. Seems like both Xiangyang and Maolin districts are safe. She made known her agreement without any other words. Liyun didnt mind her cold nature either. On the battlefield it is inappropriate to make unnecessary contact. At this point, he is increasingly encouraged by these few masters, no matter where they went, they will not be at a disadvantage. Their enemies in Maolin district had turned up in full force. But before they even took advantage of the situation at Xiangyang district, they were already defeated and beaten mercilessly. Moreover, they were chased after by his lord. Liyun wore a solemn expression, his usual bewildered face was completely absent. He held on to his silver spear tightly and he killed with precision and speed. Behind him, there were hundreds of soldiers, they were mainly males but there were also female troops. Although a woman is not as physically fit as man, every group has its advantages. The women troops present are the cream of the crop, their resilience and perseverance were unparalleled as they journeyed tirelessly, they never complained or whined. This unknowingly led others to overlook their gender. Let alone Liyun who led the troops, even other male soldiers and even the women troops themselves slowly forgot about this. Kill When a group of ravenous wolves run amidst the panic herd of sheep, what will it look like? The Tsing Yi troops figured that they couldnt escape, they can only brace themselves and fight head on. Yet how can they overcome this mighty army in high spirits? They were in disarray upon contact with her troops, Jiang Pengji again shouted, Those who surrender will be spared, otherwise, death is the only option left. When Liyun led his troops over, Jiang Pengji knew she already had dominion over the entire Fengyi county, but other than Xiangyang district, the other three districts were being exploited extensively by the Tsing Yi army. The people mostly fled the districts, this means that therell be no one to enlist when she rebuilds the three districts. Thus, rather than kill off the Tsing Yi soldiers before her, why not let them live to be manual labourers, at least they can contribute to the physical work. In order to live, the Tsing Yi soldiers quickly lay down their weapons and surrendered. Those unwilling ones were killed on the spot. Chapter 531 - Happenings in the World (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Your servant Liyun greets my lord! Your servant Jiang Nongqin greets my lord! After clearing the battlefield and capturing the prisoners of war, Liyun and Jiang Nongqin both led their respective horses and stood before Jiang Pengji. They bent and half knelt to pay their respects. Leaning against a dried-up tree on the open field, she had wild grass in her mouth, and replied, Rise up, sit down and rest. Liyun was startled while Jiang Nongqin wore an emotionless face and sat by Jiang Pengjis side. Indeed, it is Jiang Nongqin whos rather adorable. Han Mei, you are too uptight, it doesnt feel like the usual person you are. The usual blurred angel, the proud and cold warrior on the battlefield, this is the attractive, bewildering difference. Whats there to be tense about? Theres no need to since shes not concerned about it either. Liyuns facial expression was rather troubled, without much thought he planted himself on the ground with his silver spear next to him. He asked, Why is my lord here? She answered, Why are you here then? Naturally, I am here because of that. Can the land of Jiaoping district be a hindrance to me? Liyun scratched his head then shyly said, The lord is mighty and awesome, naturally your enemy, the Tsing Yi army is nowhere. Jiang Nongqin has a solemn personality, she usually listens quietly. Unless she has some insights otherwise, she rarely opens her mouth to speak. Thus, she didnt join the conversation. She turned to ask Jiang Nongqin, Whats the outcome of the war when you fought to conquer Maolin district? The latter was startled momentarily but shortly regained her senses and responded saying, The Tsing Yi armys defence at Maolin district was rather weak and Corporal Meng has rich experience in fighting wars. Also, Master Xu had good strategies, thus we didnt waste much time to conquer Maolin district. The generals and soldiers fought bravely. Except for 20 men who suffered mild injuries and 6 who sustained more severe injuries, we only had 8 casualties. The other troops are fine The six who sustained more severe injuries are mostly superficial ones, if not for their carelessness, it wouldve only been a mild injury. As for the 8 who unfortunately passed on, its because of the surprise attack launched against the city. They were shot in a critical spot by the enemy troops and they died as they werent treated in time. It is worth being proud of the outcome of executing the strategy to launch a surprise attack on the city. Let alone the fact that many of the soldiers are new troops who lack experience and moreover there are women whom bystanders deem as a burden to the army. Naturally, as for whether they were a hindrance, only those troops who participated in the war can judge. Outsiders have no right to comment. Let those soldiers who are injured rest and recover well. Those courageous troops who sacrificed themselves must be brought back to their homeland. Have their corpses been handled properly? Although the injured and dead are few, nonetheless, these are men who were unfortunate. Once a man dies, it cannot be reversed, but she can compensate the living and the family members of the dead. Giving them comfort and reimbursement. Jiang Nongqin secretly glanced at Liyun. His facial expression was natural. He didnt carry the cold-blooded unhappiness that Jiang Pengji had. She calmed her heart down then continued, Please be rest assured my lord, the corpses of our generals have been taken care of respectfully, while those that can been buried have been buried. The viewers in the live streaming room are mostly Liyuns fans or those who are his true loves. Their angel was given the cold-treatment by the streamer which aroused their ridiculous anger. Guiqiu Yuepiao: Ai, streamer did you see our angelic Han Meis eyes of desire, just look at him. Buran Jiunao: What a pitiful angel, dont panic, come rest in my bosom, I will give you a hug filled with love. Daguner Sapo: Is this the overall post-war report? Our angelic Han Mei is also capable of doing it. The streamer cannot be biased. Zhibo Kumai: Dont be flustered, Han Mei isnt a narrow-minded person. Hell not feel aggrieved because of this. Jiang Pengji unintentionally glanced at the bullet screen; she was discreetly tickled by it. She continued to find out from Jiang Nongqin about the arrangements in Maolin district. On the other hand, she also commented to explain on the bullet screen in case Han Meis fans continue to hurl curses at her, accusing her of bullying their husband. Streamer V: Han Mei is the assistant commander of the vanguard battalion while Jiang Nongqin is the commander for the women troops. Naturally I cannot sidestep Jiang Nongqin in asking about the situation. She likes to act freely, but this doesnt mean shell compromise on her principles and take it lightly. Hierarchy is central in a military setting. The rules must be strictly enforced. Her attitude will influence their standing amongst the soldiers. If she wilfully treats Jiang Nongqin coldly and creates the wrong impression that a commander is less than an assistant commander, she will inevitably weaken Nongqins reputation amongst the troops. Even if the level is extremely small, Jiang Pengji doesnt want for this to happen. Alright, since the streamer explained herself, the viewers also expressed their understanding. They had a change of attitude and immediately showered her with praise, the comments given were gently touch my little angel, little angel, please dont be sad, come here, let aunty give you a massage, such words as Jiang Pengji watched on helplessly. Jiang Pengji again asked after the overall situation in Maolin district since there will be follow up in rebuilding after the war after being ruined by Tsing Yi army, can this place still be prosperous? Jiang Pengji will still use Xiangyang district as her main camp but her powers are now spread across the entire Fengyi county. Jiang Nongqin is a detailed person, she never thought Jiang Pengji will ask her. However, she is sufficiently prepared for whats asked. Since her lord has high expectations of her, she reported everything honestly and kept nothing to herself. After Jiang Pengji listened, she frowned briefly though no one saw it. If the financial status of the three districts wasranked, Chengan district is the poorest, followed by Maolin district at second while Jiaoping districts situation is the best. Nevertheless, the human resources lost across all three districts was equal. It isnt to the extent of nine out of ten empty households but still there were few inhabitants left. Forget it. Rebuilding the districts is not a days worth of work either. Although the manpower is small, its not a ghost town. The Tsing Yi prisoners can serve as manual labourers. This will relieve some of the burden. I will return to get Xiaoyu and the rest to recruit workers. We will slowly but surely rebuild these three districts. There are benefits in having less people. Many of the houses and lands do not belong to anyone. She can use what is at her disposal to serve her purposes. As her territory broadens, her military strength increases. In the eyes of outsiders, her territories are havens amidst the chaotic world. At this time, many refugees and rich businessmen will be attracted to find refuge in her districts. Yes, think about the residences in Xiangyang district. The prices are soaring daily from them not being worth a single cent before. Recently, there have been rich businessmen who intermittently sent their servants to enquire. The land deeds and house deeds are in Jiang Pengjis hands; she is unwilling to let go of them presently. If she sold it to them now, she is making a loss. When Fengyi county stabilises then these properties can be sold at a worthy price. Except now, her military strength consists of only ten thousand men and they are divided across four districts which is really a stretch. Recruiting soldiers and buying horses, fortifying her military strength, that is of utmost importance. If she rebuilds from scratch, this is probably when her power is seriously in danger. Her territory is too big while her military strength is divided. If her enemies take the chance to strike, she fears that she could lose her lands. Despite that, she believes her strategists are intelligent people. Even without her orders, they know what to do during this time. It is proven that regardless of whether its Qiguan Rang in Jiaoping district or Wei Ci in Chengan district or Xu Ke in Maolin district, they are all god-like comrades who could read her mind. Just when they conquered the three districts, the three of them immediately recruited all the labour they needed. Concurrently they also thought of solutions to expand the troops from thousands to ten thousand men, this helped to increase the frequency of patrolling the area and to keep their enemies confused. This will deter them from wreaking havoc. Xiangyang district was victorious over two battles, this will deter those enemies who covet these lands. But this also means that her strategists will face an even more terrifying wave of working overtime. Chapter 532 - Happenings in the World (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Except for the great defeat experienced by the Tsing Yi army and their greatest nemesis the Red Lotus group, the change in powers in Fengyi county didnt attract a lot of attention. In the north, things remained quiet. Conversely, in the south, wars had already broken out and it created a domino effect. Prince Changshou sent the body of Liu Huan, Liu Shes daughter, back to Chongzhou. He initially wanted to use this opportunity to rope in Liu She to his side and support him with military might. But who knew Liu She would respond apathetically. After receiving his daughters coffin, he never made any response. Liu Shes cold response made Prince Changshou extremely angry; the hatred in his heart gradually increased but he also started looking at Liu She in a bad light. He cannot touch Liu She for the time being, he can only wait till he ascends the throne to exact his revenge. Except, even if Prince Changshou devises a plan to sow discord between the Emperor and Huang Songs master and servant relationship and get Huang Song out of the picture, and instead establishes him as the county chief of Diyang District, he still cannot successfully gain control over the desirable Chenzhou. Neither will he be able to achieve his goal to get his brother, the Emperor, to abdicate the throne to him. Why is this so? Because the head strategist in his camp has job-hopped! Speaking of which, it is necessary to mention Prince Changshous increasing arrogance, the revelation of his true nature. Ever since the last time when Liu She C under the influence of his emotions which he lost control in front of his strategists C secretly dispatched his man to deliver a letter to Prince Changshou, affording him the knowledge that Liu Huan, Liu Shes daughter, is Prince Changshous biological daughter. Afterwards, when the war reached a stalemate situation, Prince Changshou blamed it on the incompetency of this strategist. Disregarding the fact that he embarrassed him multiple times, when the military generals questioned if the strategists schemes were viable, Prince Changshou continued to make matters worse from the side. Thus, he completely offended all those capable strategists in his camp. It is fine to provoke an average person, therere no issues. Anyway, an average person isnt a threat to him, and neither is Prince Changshou afraid. However, he had to offend a petty strategist who remembers ones wrongdoings. Critically, this strategist has brains, so how awkward it must be. Before the Master strategist went job-hopping, he devised a scheme against Prince Changshou causing him to experience a severe mishap in a battle against Chenzhou. His army suffered a great loss and their fighting spirits were dampened. Precisely because of this, it rescued Chenzhous threatened might, allowing them to take a breather and counterattack their enemies. Nonetheless, this strategist is very intelligent; before he did something wrong, he didnt identify himself. He conveniently blamed it on another person. After successfully shirking the responsibility on the grounds of being given the cold-treatment by Prince Changshou and the small grievance he endured, he was poached elsewhere and left. Prince Changshou was too embarrassed to get angry. In the short term, he can only look longingly but helplessly at Chenzhou. Theres no way to deal a deathblow to it. When he suffered a defeat at war, Prince Changshou remembered this adorable master strategist. Then he flippantly sent his guard to shout for him. The tent was completely empty, the military strategist already left with his belongings long ago. He even left behind a letter with the contents, of course not words such as, I am leaving because you, you ungrateful one who have let me down. I will not serve you anymore. Instead, he made an outcry about how his elderly and sickly mother was severely ill and her days are nearing their end. Thus, as a filial child, he wanted to return home to serve his mother and to pay his last respects. Reading the contents of this mournful letter including his desire to exercise filial piety, naturally Prince Changshou couldnt vent his anger regardless of how infuriated he was. Let alone admit he was the one at fault for giving the master strategist the cold shoulder. Moreover, he didnt even know if the strategists mother was gravely ill. At present, the strategist left to pay his filial piety to his elderly, sickly mother who is bed-ridden. Prince Changshou felt he should send an extravagant gift to him to express his sincerity. At that point, Prince Changshou is unaware that his strategist hasnt left temporarily, he has taken flight to a distant land. Moreover, he is unaware that his defeat at the frontiers was also manipulated by his strategist. It is better that he is clueless about the situation because when he finds out, he will have the desire the eat him raw. He never thought of running after him, firstly, he would be embarrassed. After he lost the war, he then hurriedly sought the strategist he gave the cold-shoulder to for months, as if he cant bear to leave him, where will he hide his face? Secondly, he has many talents under him, so what is losing this one? Naturally, he doesnt lack for other strategists. Therefore, let him go pay his filial piety to his elderly mother and after he returns from there, he will be demoted from his position. Prince Changshou conveniently threw his bamboo scrolled letter to the side, then he ordered his other strategists to convene to prepare to discuss the aftermath of the situation. What about the strategist who secretly left three days ago? He had already taken his pageboy and half a carriage full of books away. These are volumes of books that he copied using bamboo papers supplied by Prince Changshou. Dont underestimate the volumes because they only occupied half the carriage and they could fit into one or two chests. However, if they were bamboo scrolls, then they probably cannot fit into even 20 horse carriages. Although Prince Changshou isnt a great person, when he is kind to others, he is truly good. Since he knew this head strategist liked reading, he invested in his hobby with much sincerity, presenting him with extensive volumes of precious books. This strategist also saw through Prince Changshous character; since he knew he couldnt work under him for long, shouldnt he spend his time to copy these books? His pageboy steering the carriage asked, Master, where are we headed? The master strategist was reading extensively within the carriage and without much consideration, he replied, Anywhere is fine, just not the south. At the south lies the battlegrounds between Prince Changshou and the imperial family of Dongqing. Now that he has suffered a great loss, his original advantage has disintegrated into naught. Both sides are on equal standing now and they have a long way to go. If he continues to stay in the south, what if he meets with Prince Changshous mighty forces? Indeed, the master strategist just used caring for his sickly mother as an excuse. Truthfully, he doesnt even know who his biological mother is. He lived in various households while his teachers raised him to adulthood. Based on his teachers sayings, his biological mother may be from a brothel because he was discovered in that location. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and was deemed wealthy, unlike those children born to poor households. Nevertheless, this is unnecessary digging up of the past as the master strategist doesnt care. With a nervous look, the pageboy remarked as he was rushing along the roads, There must be a place to settle, we cant be journeying mindlessly, right? We are living in chaotic times, I heard since Nansheng was exterminated, the world is in distress. The feudal lords are arising, even Dongqing is constantly in chaos. If we run around blindly, trouble will come upon us. The master strategist impatiently opened wide the curtains of the carriage and said with a frown, In the past, only your master was a busybody and a nag. Now its your turn, why are you blaming me? I will leave the decision to you to go wherever you wish? The pageboys expression turned bitter, where else is there such a hard to please master? Thinking through the question, he said, Didnt the master hold this guy named Huang something in high regards, I heard he has already been demoted to Diyang district. Your servant remembers Diyang district is in Haozhous Maode county and its near the north, far from the centre of the warzone in the south. Moreover, it is also not close to the chaotic battlegrounds in the north. Lets head there. The master strategist rolled up his scroll of book then lightly tapped the back of his pageboys head. I knew you were a petty man, are you trying to cause the death of your master? Chapter 533 - Happenings in the World (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The little attendant was really petty. When the strategist worked for Prince Changshou, he had come up with a scheme to frame Huang Song. Huang Song was probably furious about the blame that appeared out of nowhere. If Huang Song knew that he was the one who came up with the idea and instigated Prince Changshou, how could he not bear a grudge? This was not taking refuge, but seeking death. Although what he said was penetratingly harsh, his tone was somewhat cheerful and funny. One would think that he was not angry about the attendants pettiness. The boy servant attending to his studies understood his masters temper. He knew even better that he would not be mad at something like this. His master would even itch for a try. He said, Your astuteness and resourcefulness are unparalleled. If Mr. Huang is really as good as you describe him to be, he wont blame you. The strategist smacked his lips and immediately entered the carriage. Leaning against the support, he spoke lazily, Up to you. The boy servant attending to his studies replied with a smile, Okay. Well head to Diyang District right away. The daily mockery between the master and servant (1/1), completed. The world today was unstable. The support from the people was already divided. Men of insight in the world did not have an optimistic view about the royal family of Dongqing or Prince Changshou. No matter who won, they could not make the chaotic world bright again. They did not have the ability to restore things to order, as well as broad-mindedness and magnanimity. Since the Great Xia Dynasty, the world had been divided into five kingdoms which were founded very quickly. The distinguished personages could not even be called patriots. Since the world was in chaos, a new world should be explored in order to let light shine upon the world again! There was an untold number of people seeking fame and gain in this world. As long as some profits could be made, there would undoubtedly be people who chased after fame and riches. Some wanted to assist a wise emperor in order to have a place in history and leave a good name for posterity. The strategist was no exception. Before Prince Changshou laid his true nature bare, he indeed had the looks of a wise Emperor. To put it bluntly, he was good at acting. Moreover, he was Prince Changshou of the royal family of Dongqing. He had a fertile and vast fief and a strong military force. He had a very strong and solid capital. However, he was an impatient man. His acting skills were not perfect, so his flaws were exposed when he had not even acted for long. Realizing his true colors, the strategist abhorred helping such a terrible person. A fine fowl perched only on a fine tree and a virtuous minister served only a virtuous master. He would work to the best of his ability if he could meet a master whom he could work with. If he met a master who was unsuitable for him, he would quit as soon as possible and find the right master. At sunset, the carriage was heading towards Diyang District slowly. He would like to see if the capable Huang Song was really capable and the breadth of mind that he had! He cherished his life but he had an appetite for risk too. The boy servant attending to his studies knew his temperament well. Otherwise, he would not suggest going to Diyang District. The more they headed north, the more refugees they encountered. The barren farmlands, the starving people and the dilapidated ruins attacked their eyes. However, the strategist had seen a lot of similar scenes. Furthermore, he had a cold personality, so he did not reveal any perplexed or pained facial expressions. On the other hand, the boy servant was still innocent and kind. He felt extreme emotions upon seeing the dazed refugees and the crying and lost children. However, he remembered his identity and did not give them food or money. He did not slow down. Being in an unfamiliar place and in such a chaotic world, kindness could sometimes not be exchanged for gratitude, but perhaps might invite death instead. In order to be safe, the boy servant exchanged the horse for a bony, old horse. He changed into some old clothes with many patches. The carriage which the strategist sat in was also replaced with a dusty, old carriage. It was just that the interior of the carriage was more comfortable and cleaner. With such a combination, as long as they did not encounter refugees who were driven to desperation, they would probably be fine. The strategist only raised his eyebrows at such an arrangement. He did not intervene. The boy servant took care of him and had always done things in a reliable and thoughtful manner. In terms of laundry, cooking, sewing, driving and repairing carriages and surviving in the wild As long as he had his attendant, he would not have to worry about having an uncomfortable life. Even if he was abandoned on a deserted island, he could live fairly comfortably. Sir, when do you think the world will become peaceful? The boy servant was not yet twenty. In addition to his small and chubby face, he looked even younger with his hair twisted in a knot. The strategist answered without looking up, Im not a god. How am I supposed to know? The attendant replied, But dont you aspire to assist a wise emperor and help the commoners? The people youve chosen should be able to do all this. The strategist bought the boy from the starving refugees for just more than ten copper coins. He was originally just kind-hearted, but he did not expect the boy to have such a pure heart. The boy was very grateful towards people. The strategist simply raised him like he was his brother. However, he seemed to have raised him too much, resulting in the boy having extra confidence and admiration towards him. Who knows Perhaps a few years, perhaps decades. The world may still be chaotic when I die. An old horse was pulling the carriage, so they could not demand it to hurry. They could only travel slowly. After traveling for a few days, the master and servant ordered large bowls of tea at a dilapidated teahouse. Some tea leaves were floating on the surface of the cloudy tea. It tasted quite strange, but the strategist drank it without frowning. Instead, the boy servant was complaining that his master was greatly inconvenienced. Dressed in a low-key manner, the man and servant looked like people living in poverty. As they were drinking tea, they heard someone talking about Fengyi County. Have you heard that the damned Tsing Yi bastards have been chased out of Fengyi County Who did that? Thats awesome! I heard that the county chief of Fengyi County even wags his tail at the Tsing Yi Army, but someone has actually chased them out. Its said to be the district magistrate of Xiangyang District. His name is Liu Xi I heard that Xiangyang District was also once the territory of the Tsing Yi Army, but the Emperor appointed Liu Xi as a district magistrate. Last year, he immediately beat up the bastards in Xiangyang District and even incorporated them into his own forces The north had suffered because of the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group. Many people had left their homelands and fled to the south. Although the south was also at war, they had consideration for somebody elses sensibilities. They were not as reckless and violent as the two gangs of bandits. Coincidentally, there were also refugees who had fled from Fengyi County in the teahouse. Upon hearing the news about their hometown, they could not help but ask, What What about Chengan District? Ive escaped from Chengan District. Have the Tsing Yi bastards there been beaten up too? The person who talked about the news said, They have. Chengan District has also been taken back by District Magistrate Liu, Liu Xi. Upon hearing those words, the commoner was exultant, but he immediately walked back and forth, pacing with hesitation. He had just managed to escape from Chengan District. Who knew what the future would be like? If he went back rashly, he might even lose his life. Someone saw through his thoughts and said, Tsk. Youre hesitating. I want to go there and get a job. Unfortunately, my wife and mother wont allow me to do so, saying that its very far away and itll be bad if something happens to me along the way. So, they stop me from going there Eh? Why? Its pretty good to stay here Although this was a poverty-stricken place, there were no war disasters. It was at most more remote, and people would have a tougher life. Looking around, the person asked the crowd who was listening to the news, Do you know what kind of a place Xiangyang District is? Everyone was puzzled. Xiangyang District was Xiangyang District. What else could it be? Chapter 534 - Happenings in the World (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Your news is really unreliable. Xiangyang District is a paradise. I heard that the merchants who have gone there to do business have returned. Many of them want to move there with their families. I heard that the lands there are tidy and its even clean during rainy days. The houses there are like heavenly palaces The person described Xiangyang District with poor language skills. He had also heard what he said from the merchants. When Fengyi County was still in the hands of the Tsing Yi Army, the merchants still dared to go to Xiangyang District to do business, which in itself had explained many questions. Whats Xiangyang District originally like? Its not much better than this place. Since its been governed by District Magistrate Liu, it has transformed in just half a years time. Now that he has conquered Chengan District, Maolin District and Jiaoping District, the three poverty-stricken places may become as good as Xiangyang District. With such a good opportunity, Ill probably become rich if I go there, the man said while gesticulating merrily. He sighed. Its a pity that my wife and mother wont allow me to do so, or theyll make a ruckus. Everyone was talking about Xiangyang District and they were very curious about it. Most of them did not believe him. Upon hearing those words, the boy servant whispered to the strategist in astonishment, Isnt Liu Xi just a small district magistrate? A district magistrate had attacked the three districts nearby with his troops? Who would believe that he did it to recapture the lost lands of Dongqing and save the people from extreme misery? A small district magistrate actually had the ability and military force to recapture three districts. It seemed like he had even pocketed all three districts afterward Hes ambitious and bold. The strategist took a sip of tea. Hes an interesting person. The strategist had heard of Liu She before. As for Liu Xi he really had not heard of him before. Would you like to go have a look, Sir? the boy servant asked. The strategist glanced at his attendant funnily and said, Didnt you previously say that you want to go to Diyang District? As the master and servant were talking, they heard the man speak in a flustered and exasperated manner, What Ive said is all true. These are facts spread by the merchants who have gone there to do business. Who has dared to go to Chengan District to do business in the past? Now, everyone has gone there and theyve earned a lot of money The one whos in charge is said to be Wei Ci. Hes really handsome. He does business in a well-grounded and reasoned manner Dumbfounded, the boy servant opened his eyes widely. Mr. Zixiao? It may not be him. Maybe theres someone with the same name or this person has gotten the wrong name According to Zixiaos temper, he doesnt seem like someone who will enter the game that quickly. The world was still in chaos. According to Wei Cis complicated mindset, he would most likely choose to observe for a period of time and wait for the true Emperor. The attendant pouted and said, Didnt the person say that hes very handsome? The strategist could not help but chuckle. Ive taught you several times, but you dont listen. Zixiao hates it the most when the others talk about his appearance. The attendant raised his hand and rubbed his chubby face. His own appearance was mediocre. He really did not understand the mentality of a person who wished to be ugly. Hes handsome, but he doesnt allow people to say that. I wont say that anymore then, the attendant said, giggling a little. For a while, they listened carefully to the mans narration. The more they listened, the more they felt that the person in charge of Chengan District was Wei Ci. Startled, the attendant said, Maybe hes really Mr. Zixiao? The strategist responded with uncertainty, Maybe. The boy servant asked, Sir, why dont we go to Chengan District to look for Mr. Zixiao? The strategist felt somewhat helpless. You grasp at shadows. Since weve already come to the border of Diyang District, itll just take a days time. Well look for Huang Song first so that our trip isnt for nothing. If were not satisfied, we can then go to Chengan District to look for Zixiao. After drinking their tea, the master and servant returned to their carriage. The weather was still cold, so the people were still wearing thick clothes. There was a slack season after the spring ploughing had ended. There were very few people on the streets. However, the closer they got to Diyang District, the more people there were. It was a sight of farmhouse leisure. Diyang District is peaceful. It seems that Huang Song is pretty capable. The boy servant was driving the carriage. The cartwheels were rotating slowly. The strategist smacked his lips and did not make a comment. The master and servant found a quiet place. They realized that there were teahouses and eateries which were open on both sides of the street. The faces of the people who came and went looked rosy. Obviously, they lived quite a comfortable life. The boy servant favored Huang Song even more. The strategists ears were bombarded with the boy servants garrulous talk. He was praising everything and said that Huang Song seemed to be a good person and so on Youre very noisy, he said calmly. The boy servant retorted, If I dont talk, youll say that its too quiet. The daily mockery of the master and servant (1/1), completed. He was exhausted. Where had the little boy servant who was demure and obedient gone? The strategist found a seat in the teahouse, asked the waiter some questions and then ordered a pot of ordinary tea. Dont you think that Diyang District is good, Sir? The boy servant stretched his neck and looked outside the window. Since they had entered the city, the scenes that they had seen were pretty lively. There were even children playing in the streets. Its pretty good. But it was not good enough. Do you want to live here then, Sir? Ill make a final decision after meeting Huang Song. The strategist frowned. Huang Songs background flashed across his mind. Prince Changshou had once particularly checked the identities and backgrounds of Huang Song and Feng Jue because they had created a lot of trouble for Prince Changshou. Huang Song was the god-grandson of the imperial chief secretary, Huang Tan. Being the descendant of a eunuch, his origin was a problem However, he was no better, so he would not be hyper-critical of ones origin story As for his ability, Diyang District was the best evidence. However, he had to focus on Huang Songs broad-mindedness and magnanimity. He was the one who had come up with the scheme to let Prince Changshou frame Huang Song. Could Huang Song not bear a grudge and hate him? He did not want to be given a hard time. How should we meet him? the boy servant asked. Pass him a visiting note saying that Yang Si from Jiangding County in Chenzhou wants to see him. The boy servant responded, Sir, he may not be willing to meet us if we just send him a visiting note. Yang Si replied with a smile, If Huang Song doesnt know who has framed him, then theres no need to meet him. If Huang Song had investigated him, he would naturally know who Yang Si was. Whether he flew into a rage or not, they should meet. The boy servant nodded and wrote a visiting note carefully and neatly. Seeing that the boy servant was wearing tattered clothes with countless patches, the concierge looked at the boy with silent scorn. He took the visiting note petulantly. Without looking at the contents of the note, the concierge directly retreated into the residence. He did not place the visiting note on the top of the pile, but at the very bottom instead. The visiting notes placed on top were from important individuals. After waiting for three days, there was still no news. Yang Si asked his attendant to describe the situation on the day he had delivered the message. His attendant told him about it aggrievedly. Why would people pay attention to you when youre wearing patchy clothes? Im afraid that the visiting note cant even reach Huang Songs table Whatever. Its fine if we cant meet him. Pack up our things. Well depart to look for Zixiao. He still owes me a few strings of 1,000 cash and he hasnt paid me back yet. I must get my money back this time Yang Si was not reluctant to leave. The boy servant pulled out the rug from under Yang Sis feet. Mr. Zixiao doesnt owe you that much. Youre the one who has compounded the interest. It grows from a copper coin to a few strings of 1000 cash Yang Si turned his head and told him off, No one will think youre dumb if you dont speak. After the master and servant had traveled for half a day, Feng Jue, who was as busy as a bee, inadvertently flipped the pile of visiting notes on Huang Songs table. Chenzhou Jiangding County Yang Si? Chapter 535 - Happenings in the World (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Upon seeing the note, Feng Jues heart was wild with joy. Ever since they lost out to Prince Changshou, he and Huang Song had both noticed Prince Changshous chief strategist, Yang Si. Yang Si did not have a renowned reputation. After all, in order to become an official or a person with literary reputation in Dongqing, there were requirements for ones origin. People like Yang Si naturally belonged to the mediocre class. So, when Prince Changshou recruited talents without overstressing lineage qualifications, Yang Si only then approached him and earned an important position. It was a pity that Prince Changshou was not a wise master after all. Yang Si was soon left out in the cold, and slighted. Feng Jue did not expect that Yang Sis visiting note would appear on Huang Songs table. This meant that Yang Si had already left Prince Changshou and did not have a current master. If his lord, Huang Song, could recruit Yang Si, he would be in an excellent position, and an even stronger foundation. Although Diyang District did not experience war, the small district also had its own ecosphere. The forces between each component were intricate and complicated. Huang Song had really spent quite some effort to completely control all of them and become a veritable district magistrate of Diyang District. Feng Jue sent some letters to his former classmates as soon as the situation had stabilized. Many responses with good news had already been received. They had not arrived due to the distance. There were too few talents in Diyang District. How could Feng Jue not be delighted when a real talent like Yang Si came knocking on their door? No one would complain about having too many talents, let alone a talent like Yang Si who was outstanding in a certain field. Feng Jue calmed himself and hurriedly asked someone to call for Huang Song. He then asked the concierge in detail, Do you know where the person who sent this visiting note lives? Feng Jue glanced at the neat handwriting on the visiting note. It did not look like it was written by Yang Si, who had a peculiar mind. He pondered and guessed that the visiting note should be written by Yang Sis attendant on his behalf. Looking at the visiting note, the concierge was startled. He looked somewhat embarrassed and his eyes kept dodging Feng Jues gaze. Feng Jue frowned and his heart jolted. Realizing that there might be twists and turns in between, he had a vague, but bad, hunch. He questioned closely with hurried speech. Wait was this note sent a few days ago? Or have you disrespected the other party in some way? In the face of Feng Jues increasingly commanding dignity, how could the concierge withstand it? He was so scared that he hurriedly waved his hand. He stammered but he could not say anything useful. The more Feng Jue looked at him, the more he felt that things were going very bad. He thumped the table. It was so thunderously loud that the concierges heart trembled. He said, Tell me the truth. Dont lie! The concierge was so frightened that he shuddered from head to toe. He broke into a cold sweat which quickly drenched his back and soaked through. He closed his eyes and confessed, This This visiting note was sent three days ago, but I didnt disrespect the other party Three days ago? Feng Jue widened his eyes and glared at the concierge with anger boiling inside him. He clenched his right fist, trying to keep his cool. Tell me the details of that day and dont you miss a word. Otherwise, you know what the consequences will be. Holding in the raging fury in his heart, he said to the concierge, Do you know how big of a mistake youve made? I hope that youll be able to make up for your blunder, otherwise In fact, Feng Jue could make some guesses even if the concierge did not tell him the details. He had been bored just now, so he flipped the pile of visiting notes over. The note had been placed at the very bottom. However, according to Huang Songs serious attitude of handling public affairs, he would never pile up papers in such a way. The only possibility was that the concierge had made an arbitrary decision and stuffed the visiting note which should have been placed on top at the very bottom instead. The concierge knelt on the ground. Had he ever seen Feng Jue speaking gruffly and with such a stern countenance? In the past, the noble gentleman had always been tame and well-behaved. He always had a somewhat lazy smile on his face and treated people very well. He did not have a haughty manner. Now, he suddenly showed his imposing side, proving he was the son of an aristocrat. With such a scare, the concierge would spill everything. Huang Song happened to enter the room sleepily just as Feng Jue finished speaking. Seeing the concierge kneeling on the ground shivering with fear and that Feng Jue was still furious, he said, astounded, Brother Jue, how big of a mistake has the concierge made to actually make you this flared up? Dont be angry. Ill settle it for you. Seeing Huang Songs cheeky grin, Feng Jue suddenly found he could not feel furious even if he had a stomach full of rage. He threw the visiting note hed been holding at Huang Song. He said, pointing at the concierge, See how this slave has ruined such a huge deal. Huang Song was surprised. He had known Feng Jue for a long time, but Feng Jue seldom lost his temper. If he was really enraged, it was not a trivial matter. Thinking of this, Huang Song hurriedly opened the visiting note. Seeing the name signed on the note, his face twitched. The culprit who once dragged him down from the position of colonel had actually come and sent a visiting note? It felt like a dream. However, Huang Song realized that it was a good opportunity to recruit talent. Although he had a few talented subordinates, most of them were relatively mediocre. Top talents were still scarce. Feng Jue had already written letters to his classmates and friends, but only a few of them had given him an affirmative reply. Most of the others were taking a wait-and-see attitude. Among those who were willing to come over, was there anyone who did not come out of respect for Feng Jue and their gratitude towards Huang Song for saving their lives in the earthquake in Dongqing, as well as the favorable reputation which Huang Song had gained in the war in Chenzhou? Otherwise, why would the aristocrats pay attention to Huang Song just by looking at his origin? Rather than saying that they looked down upon Huang Songs origin, it was better to say that Huang Song was not strong enough to make people ignore his origin. Fortunately, Feng Jue possessed excellent communication skills. He had made countless friends when he was studying at the academy and kept contact with them through letters all year round. Therefore, Feng Jue could provide Huang Song with some capable talent. It was a pity that Huang Song was still too weak now. If he was stronger, the number of people who could be convinced would at least double. Yang Si was the first talent who took the initiative to approach them. This was of great significance. Huang Song asked the concierge eagerly, Wheres the person who sent this note? The concierge replied with a long face, All I know is that theyre putting up at a lodging in the city, but I dont know if theyre still there after three days. Three days have passed? Huang Song suddenly looked at the visiting note. Then, he glanced at the concierge, and Feng Jue who was still angry Alright, he could understand why Feng Jue was so furious. Feng Jue was still good-tempered and had always upheld the reserved bearing of an aristocrat. Had it been Huang Song, he would have kicked the door to pieces to vent his anger. In fact, he had indeed done that, but he controlled the force of his kick and did not kick him too harshly. Lead the way! What are you doing?! If they were lucky, Yang Si might not have left out of anger yet, although three days had passed. He felt that he should be able to keep the talent by putting on a bold front. However, when they arrived at the lodging in a haste, they found out that Yang Si had left the city at dawn that day. Only half a day has passed. We can still go after them! Feng Jue held back his urge to vomit blood. The concierge was really not yet tired of putting them in trouble! Without uttering another word, Huang Song took the reins which were handed to him by his servant, got onto the horse, and prepared to catch up. Seeing Huang Songs figure vanish into the distance like dust, Feng Jue felt that he was perhaps having a mental breakdown. A talent who had knocked on their door was actually turned away just like that? He felt extremely awful, to the point that he wanted to curse. Chapter 536 - Happenings in the World (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The old horse trotted slowly while pulling the carriage. Its pace was so slow that it made people feel sleepy. Although they had already traveled for half a day, they were not too far away from Diyang District. The boy servant sat outside and drove the carriage. He muttered, Sir, what if the person in charge of Chengan District isnt Mr. Zixiao? Yang Si lifted the curtains on both sides. He held a book which had delicate yet impressive handwriting on it in his hand. Although it was not the work of a great master, the writing skills could be seen. It had a vigorous style which was very different from the boy servants proper style of writing. Hearing the boy servants grumble, he said, You speak and act on hearsay. Had it not been for my good temper, I dont know how many losses you would have to suffer. Youre the one who wants to go to Diyang District and Chengan District. Now, youre also the one who doesnt want to go to Chengan District The boy servant mumbled, Im just worried. Weve run into a brick wall in Diyang District. What if the same thing happens in Chengan District? It was very dangerous to be outside, especially while the political situation in the north was so unstable. Conflicts between the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group were everywhere. Mobs who turned to banditry were countless. Being able to travel to Diyang District safely did not mean that the master and servant could safely travel to Chengan District. Yang Si said, Youre thinking too much. Instead of worrying unnecessarily, its better to think about what to have for lunch today. I refuse to eat dried food. The boy servant responded with a long face, Youre even fussy about food right now, Sir. Youre hard to serve. The master and servant chatted about this and that. After about an hour, the sound of a horse trotting was heard from behind. Yang Si frowned. He leaned against the window slightly to look behind, only to find a cleanly dressed young man riding at full gallop. He looked like he was born to a rich family, but as if his eyebrows had caught fire. He looked anxious. Seeing the slow-moving carriage ahead, Huang Song pulled back on the reins and saw a skinny man sitting inside the carriage through the window. His cheeks looked a bit puffy and he had soft eyebrows. His sparkling eyes were like black pools. His lips had a natural curvature. He looked like an amiable man from every angle. He was too different from the Yang Si Huang Song had imagined. Sitting outside the carriage, the boy servant, who was wearing clothes with colorful patches, stared at him. Excuse me, what what are you trying to do The boy servant looked at him in a panic while holding the horse whip tightly in his hands. Huang Song could not help but remember what the concierge had said when he saw the boy servant. His eyes lit up and looked at Yang Si in the carriage. He greeted Yang Si with his fist clenched in the other in front of his chest. He collected himself and asked, Sir, are you Yang Si, Mr. Yang, from Jiangding County? The boy servant looked stunned. However, Huang Songs attention was on Yang Si, so he did not notice such details. Putting down the book in his hand, Yang Si blinked languidly, and said in a natural manner, My surname is Zhao. Youve got the wrong person. Disappointed, Huang Song apologized to Yang Si. He waved his whip and continued to ride forward. When he had disappeared, the boy servant then whispered, Sir, is the man just now Yang Si replied steadfastly, Huang Song. The boy servants heart was stirred with delight, but it immediately faded. Then, why did you say that youre not? Yang Si replied, Im not satisfied. Hes too young and impulsive. Im old, so I cant afford to be tossed around. The boy servant did not continue to ask. The person must be substandard if his master was not satisfied. In fact, Yang Si was very satisfied with Huang Songs action of pursuing him. If Huang Song became more prudent and mature after a few more years, Yang Si felt that he would be worth trying. Just by looking at how Huang Song could put the enmity of the past aside and chase after him all the way, he was already ten times better than Prince Changshou. Yang Si said, Well wait for a few more years. He may be a hidden talent. Now Well look for Zixiao in Chengan District and get him to pay his debt. Well freeload for food and shelter there for several years. If Huang Song can stay uncorrupted, well go to Diyang District again. Timing was important, even if he left the mountains to look for a wise master. He was indeed very satisfied with Huang Song. However, the timing was not right, so Yang Si would not go to him. The boy servant was confused by his master. Huang Song rode on his horse for the whole afternoon, but he did not find anyone who matched Yang Si and his servant along the way. Thinking about it again, he was suddenly annoyed. The master and servant back then had to have been Yang Si and his boy! Seeing that Huang Song was returning with a disappointed look on his face, Feng Jue asked him about what had happened. He knew why Huang Song did not manage to stop them. He said with a sigh, Im afraid that Yang Si is annoyed. Huang Song did not feel good inside. He had some criticisms towards Yang Sis behavior of fooling him. He said, Their carriage isnt moving fast. If we dispatch some troops, theyll be able to intercept them. Feng Jue knitted his eyebrows with worry and responded tiredly, Forget it. His thoughts are elsewhere. Whats the use of stopping him? Had the concierge not caused trouble, Yang Si would definitely have been recruited, but such a huge mess was created instead. Was there any real talent who was not arrogant and unyielding? Putting himself in Yang Sis shoes, Feng Jue was furious to think about being given the cold shoulder for three days, let alone Huang Song and Yang Si who had a grudge between them. Disheartened, Huang Song could only give up when Feng Jue said that. As they headed towards the north, they saw more and more refugees. However, they did not look despaired or dazed. The sight surprised the boy servant and Yang Si. After a careful inquiry, they learned that these refugees were rushing to Chengan District, Maolin District and Jiaoping District. Theyre recruiting people there now. Three meals will be provided a day, so at least we wont starve to death there I heard that if we perform well, we can even be promoted and rewarded. If were able to settle down in the district in the future, we can even get our own farmland and rent houses in the district Many refugees were talking about that. Though they were still somewhat doubtful, they were more hopeful towards their lives in the future. Yang Si and his servant made their way to Chengan District slowly. They could see people working on the city walls from afar. Even if more than a month had passed, one could still see the destruction from the siege through the cracks on the city walls. The boy servant did not see it, but Yang Si discovered a doorway. Many refugees were waiting outside the city. There were two roads leading in. One was for the people in the city to enter and exit, and the other was prepared for the refugees. It was as if Chengan District was dancing on the tip of a knife. Every step was extremely dangerous. The garrison in the city was not as strong as that seen by outsiders. If there were ill-intentioned people among the refugees, trouble might arise, so the refugees were very strictly inspected upon entering the city. Even if they were refugees, the people in charge of the inspection were divided into two groups. One group was for men and the other was for women. The refugees had to queue in two different lines according to their gender to be inspected, registered and verified. The boy servant did not line up with the refugees. Instead, he walked towards the tall city gates which were open. As expected, they were stopped. The boy servant said, My master and I arent refugees. Were here to look for someone. The guard at the city gates asked, Youre here to look for someone? The boy servant replied politely, The person in charge of Chengan District, Wei Ci, Mr. Wei Zixiao. He felt somewhat worried. Could they not even get past the city gates this time? Chapter 537 - Happenings in the World (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Chengan District was seriously shorthanded. The male and female battalions took turns guarding the city gates. The guard who stepped forward to ask the boy servant was a female soldier. He was slow in realizing her gender and a petrified look slowly stole over his face. Chengan District did not seem quite right. Why would a woman be asked to guard the city gates and get beaten up by the weather? The soldier did not know what the boy servant was thinking. Seeing that he was wearing old clothes full of patches and that the slow horse pulling a shabby and crude carriage looked like it might drop dead on the spot, she thought that they must have suffered many hardships along their journey to Chengan District. The soldier took pity on them and asked with a gentler voice, Youre here to look for Mr. Wei? Seeing that the female soldier had a decent attitude, the boy servant felt more relaxed. It was fine as long as they could communicate. He feared that he would meet one who behaved like a snob. My master, Yang Si, is a close friend of Mr. Wei. I wonder if you can help to inform him? Hearing that Yang Si was Wei Cis friend, the female troop did not dare to slight them. She ordered a messenger to inform Wei Ci. She then respectfully asked the boy servant to drive the carriage to the side and wait, so as not to block the pedestrians behind from entering the city. The boy servant looked at the orderly scene at the city gates in astonishment. Sir, this place is really interesting. It was the first time that the boy servant had seen women guarding city gates. Yang Si responded, It is quite interesting indeed, but it doesnt seem like Zixiaos style He was spot on, of course. It was indeed not Wei Cis work. Wei Cis body was fragile and weak. Now that the seasons were changing, it was a time when one might fall ill easily. He collapsed after being busy for a period of time. In order not to be lashed and blasted by the audience in the streaming room, Jiang Pengji took the initiative to take over the miscellaneous matters of Chengan District and Wei Ci would fix things up. She exhorted Wei Ci, You should really nurse your health until you are well His ill health made him seem like a porcelain doll. Jiang Pengji had always been resolute in oppressing and exploiting her other subordinates, but she really could not say anything to the sickly man. Fortunately, Wei Ci only had a slight fever. After properly nursing his health for a few days, he had already more or less recovered from his illness. He was able to help with the public affairs over the past two days. However, his lips still looked somewhat pale. With that face of his, he was the absolute standard of a sickly beauty. Thank you for your understanding. Ill certainly take good care of myself in the future, Wei Ci replied gently, as if it was all his fault for falling sick and being behind in his work. Seeing how considerate he was, the audience in the streaming room could not hold it in anymore and deeply felt Jiang Pengjis shamelessness. It was not that Beauty Ci did not nurse himself back to health. The heavy workload clearly did not give him any time to do so. Yuetong: The crappy streamer bullies my husband every day. I feel really sorry for him. Xiandan Chaoren: Beauty Ci still takes his health seriously. He takes his medicine obediently. My tongue felt bitter when I saw the medicinal soups before. The streamer hasnt completely gained a firm foothold, so even if he wants to nurse himself back to health, he cant do so in peace. Shenjia: All of you are feeling sorry for Beauty Ci, but I feel quite sorry for the streamer. Shes typically the kind of person whos firm in speech but soft in heart. When Beauty Ci fell ill, didnt she take over the work obediently and make him stop working in the end? Recall the contents of the streaming in the past few days. Weve been seeing the streamer dealing with documents in the government office. I feel that Ive attended a fake school when I see her swift movement of calligraphy. According to Jiang Pengjis temperament, if she really showed concern for her subordinates, how could she stay in one place for very long? She would have gone wild already and disappeared for the whole day. Speaking of which, the streamer treated Beauty Ci quite well. Feng Jin, Xu Ke, Qiguan Rang, Meng Hun and Luo Yue were busy like bees. Did the streamer ever feel compassionate towards them? It was inadvisable for Wei Ci to be mentally tired, but he would organize the bamboo slips carefully in order of priority. He would place the bamboo slips which were of utmost importance and had to be dealt with immediately at a position which would be convenient for her. Those which were of less importance were placed in the first category He did things very carefully with a serious facial expression. Jiang Pengji occasionally looked up at Wei Ci when she was either processing the documents, writing or giving instructions. Noticing her gaze, Wei Ci asked funnily, Why are you looking at me like that?Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Jiang Pengji replied in a very honest manner, Youre gentle and virtuous. If we were husband and wife in our previous lives, you must have been my better half. Wei Cis hands trembled and the bamboo slips dropped onto the ground with a crash. He picked them up, but he accidentally bumped into the table. The bamboo slips which were piled up high toppled. With a pale face, he lowered his head and quickly put the bamboo slips back in their original positions. After a while, he pretended to ask calmly, but with a ghastly pale face, Why would you have such an absurd thought? Jiang Pengji replied, I have some petty habits when I handle public affairs. I wont let people know if theyre not extremely trustworthy. From being an ordinary, genetically enhanced soldier to someone who held the rights of the Federal Forces, she had experienced a lot of competitions and ordeals. Not only did she have to guard against the enemies from outside, but she also had to pay attention to internal abnormalities. How could she have a low vigilance under such circumstances? Wei Ci had quite a good understanding of Jiang Pengjis habits. If he had not spent a lot of time with her for a long time, it was impossible for him to know all of those. She had sounded him out a few times before. Now, she was even surer about the guesses in her heart. Wei Cis lips fluttered. Jiang Pengji said suddenly, Im just kidding. Dont take it seriously. He felt that his palms were full of cold sweat and that the atmosphere in the government office had grown tense. At that moment, the messengers arrival broke the ice. Wei Ci secretly heaved a sigh of relief and quickly got up to consult the messenger. He looked like he was fleeing. Whats the matter? he asked. The messenger replied, A master and his servant are outside the city and they claim to be your friends. After Chengan District was captured, Wei Ci had drafted several letters and planned to recruit a few friends. However, he had too busy lately. Moreover, he was ill, so the letters had not been sent. Who is he? He says hes Yang Si from Jiangding County, the messenger replied. Yang Si? Wei Cis brain was blank for a second. Jiang Pengji had very sharp ears. She asked, Is Zixiaos friend here? The nervousness which Wei Ci felt previously had vanished. Joy surged through his heart and he even sounded happier. Yes. Jing Rong is here. Jing Rong? Hes from Jiangding County in Chenzhou. Hes called Yang Si, but his courtesy name is Jing Rong. Wei Ci could not restrain himself from smiling. Hes a great talent. Jiang Pengji looked at Wei Cis fragile figure from head to toe. She asked calmly, How talented is he? Wei Ci did not know why she had asked such a question. He replied honestly, I cant compare to him. Looking at him with her arms crossed, Jiang Pengji said, I think Zixiao is better than anyone else. Wei Ci was speechless. Seeing that Jiang Pengji had returned to the table, Wei Ci suggested with a look of surprise, Why dont you come with me to meet him? Hes here to look for you, not me. Why should I join in the fun? He may misunderstand. If she went with Wei Ci enthusiastically and found out that he was only here to visit Wei Ci, she would feel so awkward. Chapter 538 - Happenings in the World (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci said, Im thoughtless. Please wait for a while. Ill go greet Jing Rong. Make it quick. Jiang Pengji buried herself in her work. The tall stack of bamboo slips had swallowed her figure. The messenger was quick and the message was not delayed. Yang Si and his servant did not wait outside the city for long. When Wei Ci arrived at the city gates, he happened to see Yang Si sitting on the edge of the carriage and watching the refugees who were lining up with interest. Jing Rong is that really you? Hearing the familiar voice, Yang Si turned his head, only to see his friend dressed in thick clothes. Just looking at him made him feel warm from head to toe. Yang Si stepped on the stool and got down from the carriage with a smile. They greeted each other by making a bow with their hands folded in front. Zixiao, Im here to ask you for shelter. I hope that you can take me in for a while. Wei Ci was delighted. The smile on his face grew brighter and more sincere. He joked with a smile, Were intimate friends, so please make yourself at home. Even if you stay with me for 30 or 50 years, I wont chase you out the door, let alone for a little while. The female soldiers who were paying close attention to them communicated with their eyes quietly. They had thought that it was fake and did not expect Yang Si to really be Wei Cis friend. Hearing their conversation, the female soldiers revealed gazes which implicitly meant that they understood. Yang Si replied bluntly, Wei Zixiao, your words arent true. If I stay with you for 30 or 50 years, would your future wife not raise a stink? Nowadays, in a world where gayness was prevalent, for the sake of family harmony, many males who had intimate relationships with each other would also consciously keep a distance from each other. Otherwise, people might misunderstand, just like the female soldiers. With Jiang Pengji as an exception, Wei Ci was quite relaxed with his friends, and especially in front of a frivolous person like Yang Si. He replied with a smile, If I have a friend like you, so what if I dont get married for 30 or 50 years? Yang Si suddenly hid his smile and shook his sleeves. He smacked his lips and said, I havent seen you for a few years, but youve really become more brazen. You even have the nerve to say such words. Wei Ci squinted his eyes. Im not as shameless as you. Every twinkle and smile of a beauty was flirtatious. Yang Si could not stand it, but the boy servant beside him looked at Wei Cis face with total infatuation. Upon seeing his behavior, Yang Si subtly hit the back of the boy servants head. Wei Ci was indeed pretty, but he was also evil-minded. Was one really not afraid of being conned by Wei Ci without warning? They chatted and joked for a while. Wei Ci took the initiative to welcome Yang Si into the city with a warm and thoughtful attitude. This made Yang Si feel tense. He had to be nervous. How long had he known Wei Ci for? When Wei Ci smiled like blossoming flowers, he was absolutely up to no good! Their gestures were intimate. The soldiers who were guarding the city gates quietly watched the two leave. The boy servant led the horse and followed behind them. Female soldier A: Could that person be the masters wife? Female soldier B: Why do I feel that the master looks more like the wife? There were very few people around in the inner city. The houses were dilapidated and ruined. It was a desolate scene. Yang Si only saw someone demolishing the ruins after walking with Wei Ci for a while. There were a lot of potholes on the roads surface. He gathered his thoughts and asked Wei Ci in a serious manner, When I first heard that youre the person in charge of Chengan District, I thought that it must be someone who shares the same name as you. After all, according to your temperament, its impossible for you to enter the game this early. The master whom youre serving now has very lofty ambitions Wei Ci smiled a little. Yeah. No one has a wilder ambition than her. Yang Si was puzzled. His gaze lingered on Wei Cis face. He felt as if they were no longer friends after not seeing him for a few years. Wei Ci dispelled his doubts with a smile. You should know my ambition. I know that she can do it when I see her. Shes probably the only one who can do it. Since Ive already met the right person, why should I care about the timing, right? A fine fowl perched only on a fine tree and a virtuous minister served only a virtuous master. One had to seize the opportunity when one had already met someone whom he could work with. Yang Si knew about Wei Cis ambition. Dumbfounded, he said, Are you actually being serious? My heart isnt a stone that can be thrown anywhere. He could not be any more serious. Yang Si was stunned into silence for a while. Finally, indicating the scene of devastation, he asked, Here? Are you sure? Wei Ci replied, You can see for yourself after three months. Who knows? The ruins now may transform into a place like the imperial capital. As he went on, Yang Si grew more and more curious. He said, With your words, Ill have to freeload for shelter in your residence for three to four months and see what this place can transform into. Wei Ci smiled expressively. This was what he wanted to hear. He could drag Zhang Ping, a lofty scholar who lived like a hermit, into the mire. How could he not be able to do the same thing to Yang Si? Zhang Ping did not care about anything, but now he was ordered around. He wrote a letter a few days ago, complaining that he had not had a good rest for a long time. Now, he could sleep soundly as soon as his head hit the pillow but Yang Si and Zhang Ping were different. It was too easy to drag Yang Si into the mire. Yang Si shuddered upon seeing Wei Cis smile. He felt chills down his spine. He said frankly, Dont smile. Im scared. Wei Cis smile grew brighter upon hearing what he said. Jiang Pengji was basically bearing the pressure of the workload in the government office alone. Wei Ci, who had just recovered from his ailment, did not have to do too much work. There were not many places in the district where people could live. Moreover, the district was completely renovated. Wei Cis residence was located near the district headquarters. It was heard that the former owner of the house was a wealthy businessman. Later, the whole family was killed by the Tsing Yi Army. It did not have an owner, so it became public property. Wei Ci took Yang Si and his servant to his residence. He deliberately did not ask Yang Si about his purpose of coming to Chengan District. They just talked as usual. He knew Yang Si well. The style of him doing or planning things was like a viper. He would be patiently placid and then kill with a single blow. However, no one was perfect. Yang Sis curiosity was his Achilles heel. He liked food. He loved to eat, but he was picky about food. He was a very picky eater! Under possible circumstances, he would never eat vegetables if he could have meat. He would never drink soup if he could have wine. Having lived his previous life, Wei Ci knew very well about how Yang Si was tricked by Jiang Pengji. The evil Jiang Pengji tempted him with delicacies. She estranged Yang Si and his master and caused a misunderstanding. Once or twice would definitely be fine. Yang Si had also given a clear explanation, but what if it happened more than twice? Even grain would build up over time and be so heavy it could break the cart. Yang Sis master, Huang Song, was also quite suspicious in nature. Although he did not mention it, he remembered it in his heart. Yes, gluttonousness had blown up in Yang Sis face in his previous life. In their previous lives, Wei Ci and Yang Si secretly talked about the old days. Yang Si hugged him while he poured out his grievances and berated Jiang Pengji. A leopard could not change its spots. Gluttonousness had blown up in Yang Sis face in his previous life. The same thing would likely happen again in this life. In order to take care of the sickly Wei Ci, Jiang Pengji gave him the chef who was raised in the kitchen of the district headquarters. One could imagine what the three meals in a day tasted like in Wei Cis residence. Yang Si would not be reserved towards Wei Ci at all. He ordered the chef around as if he was the boy servant. However, just after seven or eight days, the boy servant tragically realized that his masters face had grown meatier. Sir, ease off. If you continue to feast, youll look as chubby as a month-old baby. Chapter 539 - Happenings in the World (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yang Sis face stiffened. He glared at the boy servant fiercely. He should not talk if he did not know how to speak the human language. Was there a boy servant like him who bullied his master all day long? While packing up the clean clothes and folding them neatly into the suitcase, the boy servant mumbled, He has always been picky about food. Hes only satisfied when he gets to eat what he wants I dont have the skills of a chef Startled, Yang Si said as a matter of course, Learn then. The boy servant snickered. Ive eaten some of the food. It must be a secret skill handed down in the family. Who would be willing to teach outsiders? That made sense. It was already midnight when Wei Ci returned. Yang Si specially waited for him and asked, Can you give me your chef? Wei Ci asked rhetorically in a doubtful tone, Are you talking about the chef in my residence? The lord shows solicitude for my ill health, so she has specially rewarded the chef to me. If it was a reward, whether it was a person or an object, it had a special meaning. Thus, it surely could not be resold. Yang Si replied, Then, can you ask the chef to teach my servant some cooking skills? Im afraid that Ill starve to death now that Im used to eating the food in your residence. Yang Si never hid his interests in front of his close friends. Eating was also a form of art. Loving food was a way to enjoy life. It was nothing to be shameful about. Wei Ci thought about it and said frankly, Thats possible, but the main duty of the chef is to take charge of the three meals each day in the residence. Teaching others to cook is probably not part of his job. If your servant wants to learn, youll have to pay him something. Feelings would be hurt when money matters were discussed. If feelings were considered, money matters would be affected. Whether it was Yang Si or Wei Ci, neither of them was a pure, little white flower. How could they not understand each other? It did not matter if feelings would be hurt. Money matters must be discussed! The two boxes of books and some small belongings were all of Yang Sis property. According to his understanding of Wei Ci, he would demand an exorbitant price, so he decided to strike first to gain the upper hand. Have you forgotten that you still owe me quite a few strings of 1000 cash? Well just offset it. Wei Ci was confused. Since when had he owed the other man money? Everyone knew that Yang Si was a cheapskate, besides loving to eat. He was not considered greedy, but he would not spend any money which he had acquired. He was like a mythical wild beast! Yang Si rambled on while digging up the past debts. At its root, the so-called debt of a few strings of 1000 cash stemmed from a bun which was worth a penny. Wei Ci was speechless. Sure enough, he did not know his friend well enough. A bun which was worth a penny could grow into a debt of a few strings of 1000 cash. Was he practicing exploitation?! Wei Ci thought about it and corrected himself, Alright. Ill just pay you back. Yang Si was surprised. Since when was Wei Ci this nice? In terms of a chefs skills, I still think the tiny kitchen in the government office is the best. Why dont you let your servant learn some skills there for a few days? Yang Si nodded in agreement. For a foodie, nothing could be more attractive than food. Looking at Yang Si, Wei Ci suddenly understood why Yang Si was miserably tricked by Her Majesty in his previous life. He deserved it! During the period when the boy servant learned some cooking skills, Jiang Pengji realized that the food from the tiny kitchen in the government office had increased. Even if she had a huge appetite, she would feel somewhat full after a meal. The key thing was that the food was sometimes seasoned a little too much. It made her feel thirsty. However, there was no extra capacity in her stomach. No matter how thirsty she was, she could only keep the water in her mouth to quench her thirst and could not swallow it. She asked the chef and only then found out that the menu of the tiny kitchen was specially advised by Wei Ci. Hearing the reason, Jiang Pengji waved her hand helplessly and dismissed the chef. She said dotingly, Its up to him. As Wei Ci had expected, the boy servant showed off his cooking skills to Yang Si when he had only learned a little, stoking Yang Sis craving for food. The next day at the office, Wei Ci heard that Yang Si was waiting outside. Looking up at the sky, he knew that Yang Si was there for a meal. He was matchless in freeloading for food in such a dignified and sophisticated manner. As Jiang Pengji was busy with the government affairs, she had basically stayed in the government office lately. She also had her meals there. There were originally only the two of them in the simple and crude government office. A young man who looked somewhat chubby suddenly showed up that day. Her gaze drifted. She ate her meal and ignored him.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Yang Si was also eating as if no one else was around. He had a very good appetite. In short, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Wei Ci initially wanted to create an atmosphere for them to talk. According to his lords charm and mysterious temper, they could at least hit it off even if they did not immediately become partners in crime Now, they had no intention of speaking with each other at all. Not only did the three people present feel that the atmosphere was weird, but the audience in the streaming room could also see some oddity. Chun Lie: Im here to see the ruler and his minister eat. Why is there such a huge, awkward bubble here? Kele: Umm, hes probably the newly recruited talent? The streamers territory is growing, so more people are needed. Koujiao Chifan: The atmosphere is obviously not right. It feels like the three of them are eating on their own. They arent even making eye contact. Jiang Pengji had fallen under a spell which made her think that she had to work overtime because her subordinate had fallen ill. The streaming location of the past few days was in the small government office. The audience in the streaming room was feeling a little bored watching it. The three mealtimes were their only joy each day. Many of the viewers could eat a few bowls of rice while watching the streamer and Beauty Ci eat. After all, their good looks gave them an appetite. Yang Si, whom they had never seen before, suddenly came into the picture. Who could get used to that? Yang Si went to the government office to freeload for food for a few days consecutively. At the beginning, he only ate one meal each day in the government office. Then, it became two meals each day. At last, he ate three meals each day in addition to the various snack times throughout the day. Jiang Pengji was getting annoyed. She said to Yang Si directly, Why dont you stay here? Its quite troublesome for you to check in every day at mealtime. Those were the first words that Jiang Pengji said to Yang Si. Wei Ci was shocked to hear it. His right hand, which was holding a pen, drew a long line on the bamboo slip. How was that different from throwing Yang Si out? She could not do that if she wanted to recruit a strategist! Especially for people who had very sensitive self-esteem like Yang Si, such ambiguous words were taboo. He would at most treat it as a joke if it was said by a friend. If it was a stranger, it would be easily judged as mockery. Yang Si was somewhat displeased at the beginning. However, he looked up and made eye contact with Jiang Pengji. He realized that she did not mean to ridicule or disdain him. She was simply stating a fact. The discovery made Yang Sis flickering anger disappear. What if I dont want to? That would be such a pity. The food in the government office is only cooked with the ingredients which can be found around Fengyi County, so there isnt much variety. Compared with delicacies, its just the tip of an iceberg. Jiang Pengji added, Furthermore if you dont want to, please remember to pay for the food for these last few days. He bullied her strategist by compounding the interest, right? If he disagreed, he would be in debt for the rest of his life! Yang Si continued to look at her. Then? She responded, Youll be able to eat all over the world if you follow me! If you dont, try and see if you can walk out this door. Wei Ci was utterly deflated. With his lords temper, it was no wonder that the talents in her previous life were all captured. Normal people would not follow her at all! Chapter 540 - Happenings in the World (X) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jintian Wugengo: Ive never seen anything like this. Its my first time seeing someone recruit a strategist like that. Streamer, even if youre seeking death, dont do that. If this matter is circulated, will you still be able to recruit people in the future? Whos going to work for you if there are no employees? There should be a limit to your death-seeking game! Ni Cai: I was thinking that if Liu Bei said to Zhuge, If you dont work for me, you wont be able to walk about this door in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, do you think that the three kingdoms would be divided? Hahaha. I died laughing. The streamer is peculiar. Shibushi Zhende: Although Im very surprised, it really suits the streamers character. Its indeed what shes able to say. However, the strategists in the ancient society have their own pride. He may not submit himself to such threatening means. Now that Yang Sis life is threatened, he may agree to the streamers solicitation and pretend to be polite and compliant to her in order to survive. Then hell stab the streamer in her back when shes caught off guard The user above could be considered as a know-it-all. Did Yang Si not do the same to his old master, Prince Changshou? The key thing was that Prince Changshou only treated him coldly, ordered him around, and showed no consideration for his dignity. On the other hand, Jiang Pengji just directly threatened Yang Sis life. By comparing the two, it seemed that Yang Si would hate Jiang Pengji even more. There were many onlookers in the streaming room. Except for a small number of viewers who could make serious comments, the other viewers were just hilarious. Sishui Liunian: Tsk, tsk. You guys are still too young. If the streamer successfully recruits Yang Si, shell definitely dump a pile of trivial official documents on him and exploit his labor to the maximum. Shell ensure that he wont have time for any private activities apart from sleeping, eating, and going to the toilet. Hell be as busy as a bee and he wont be able to remember anything else Itll take at least six months for the situation to become clear! Sishui Liunian: Do you think a person like the streamer wont be able to make him stay loyal to her in six months time? The viewers posted a bunch of ellipses upon seeing the bullet screen. It made a lot of sense that they actually had nothing to say in reply. What Jiang Pengji needed the most now was capable people. Everything would be fine as long as they could complete their work. Laosiji Lianmeng: Haha. I havent watched the streaming in a long time, but the streamer is still the same. Actually, you dont have to worry too much. The strategists each have their own temper. Perhaps the streamers overbearingness suits Yang Sis preference even more. After all, you have to believe that the streamer isnt an ordinary person. Furthermore, Wei Ci and Yang Si are good friends. Can Wei Ci watch him cause trouble? Indeed, Wei Ci could not watch Yang Si stab Jiang Pengji in her back, but he did not want Jiang Pengji to move in on Yang Si as well. If that happened, who would dare pay allegiance to her in the future? Lord Seeing that they were ready to jump at each others throat, Wei Ci could not help but call out nervously. Jiang Pengji ignored Wei Ci and continued, Please dont think that Im willful and overbearing. Its just that this place is the government office and the documents which have been set aside are related to the districts livelihood. The calamity in Fengyi County has just passed. I dont want to invite any unnecessary trouble at this point of time. Yang Si could become her subordinate and it would then be fine for him to walk around in the government office. Otherwise, in order to keep the secrets, even if Yang Si could leave the government office, he would not be able to leave Chengan District. Unperturbed, Yang Si asked interestedly instead, Did you make Zixiao stay by the same means? He knew Wei Ci well. He would not join in the game that early, let alone assist a little boy with a bad temper. He had been confused before. Now that he had seen it for himself, he felt that he had uncovered the truth. Jiang Pengji replied narcissistically, Of course not. Zixiao admires my talents and takes the initiative to look out for me from thousands of miles away. Wei Ci looked somewhat embarrassed. Yang Si almost failed to maintain a straight face. He had seen narcissistic people, but he had never seen such a narcissistic and confident boy. Yang Si said bluntly, Youre not the wise lord who I am looking for. He had disliked Huang Song for being too immature. He would despise a willful and mischievous little boy like Jiang Pengji even more. Jiang Pengji responded, I didnt say that Ill make you stay here forever. Yang Si and Wei Ci were struck dumb and looked at her with surprise. What did she mean? She continued, Having freeloaded so many meals in the government office these days and seeing Zixiao and I being so busy, does your conscience not hurt? At any rate, you should help us out and pay for the food. After that, youre free to go anywhere. I wont make you stay. Yang Sis face turned slightly livid. Did she plan to make him become a casual laborer just because she was unhappy about him not paying for his meals? Wei Ci secretly put his hand on his forehead. Forget it. He really could not expect his lord to recruit talents by treating worthy men with courtesy. Yang Si responded with an oh and smiled expressively. I can help you handle the government affairs of Chengan District and assist you temporarily. However, arent you afraid that Ill leak the information when I leave and put you in an unfavorable situation? Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and replied indifferently, Perhaps the entire Wanzhou will be in my hands when you leave instead of just Fengyi County. Her tone was flat, but Yang Si could sense her irresistible and absolute confidence. You have such wild ambitions, Yang Si responded. Are you disregarding the royal family of Dongqing? Anyhow, Dongqing had not been completely destroyed. I heard that you originally served Prince Changshou. Could you not know what Prince Changshous scheme was when he besieged Chenzhou with his troops in the name of ridding the emperor of evil ministers? Jiang Pengji said indifferently, The old saying goes well. Are the powerful and noble people born with their standing? Isnt it a matter of course that I, Liu Xi, can occupy the four districts in Fengyi County as the district magistrate of Xiangyang District? Wei Ci was initially worried that Jiang Pengji would be really hated by Yang Si, but as their conversation carried on, he had calmed down instead. Yang Si had wild ambitions and he would go beyond his bounds. Jiang Pengjis arrogance was very much to his appetite instead. Especially when she said, Are the powerful and noble people born with their standing?, it hit Yang Si right in the spot. In todays world, even if one was talented, it was impossible for one to advance further without looks, family background, and fame Did Yang Si not become an official through Prince Changshou because he recruited people without overstressing qualifications and assigned jobs to whoever was talented? However, Prince Changshou was just putting on an act and did not really not mind ones origin. It was inevitable for Yang Si not to be at odds with him. Jiang Pengji sounded pretty dauntless. Besides Fengyi County, Wanzhou, Dongqing and even the five kingdoms I want to go wherever my feet can stand. I can do what my predecessors cant do. At that moment, the smile on Yang Sis face seemed quite forced. He goaded. You only have a part of Fengyi County and the surrounding areas are coveted by the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group. Arent you afraid of putting yourself in danger by bragging so much? Jiang Pengji replied, The earthquake in Dongqing just happened last year. There were many casualties and the land was full of famished refugees. I took thousands of troops and 20,000 commoners with me and carried out a long-range raid on Xiangyang District. At that time, Xiangyang District was occupied by nearly 10,000 members of the Tsing Yi Army. What happened in the end? Xiangyang District is still mine. This year, Fengyi County which was occupied by the Tsing Yi Army has also become mine. The entire northern land will be mine next year. Chapter 541 - Happenings in the World (XI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Okay okay okay Theyre yours, theyre yours. Everything is yours! Looking at the pile of bamboo slips which were almost as tall as a human, Yang Si had a mental breakdown. He did not know what possessed him just now when he agreed to work as a casual laborer Was there a casual laborer who could handle those messy but important internal government affairs? He turned his head and saw Wei Ci sitting beside the tea boiler leisurely brewing tea. Yang Si pointed at the pile of bamboo slips which were almost as tall as he was and asked with a grim smile, Didnt you say that youre very busy? If the tall pile of bamboo slips tumbled, its weight could seriously injure someone. He really did not understand how the tiny Chengan District had so many trivial matters. Yang Si wanted to capture Wei Ci and question him. Wei Ci pursed his lips into a smile shyly and replied somewhat embarrassedly, Im weak, so I cant work for long periods. Yang Si secretly gritted his teeth and ridiculed him with a sneer. You can deceive others with those words, but you cant lie to me. He was weak? Wei Cis body was weak, but it was not weak to that extent. Jing Rong, Im really telling the truth. I was trapped in the mountains last winter. It snowed heavily and the coldness seeped into my body so my body isnt as strong as it used to be. Wei Ci had been smiling softly. He sounded pitiful but a hint of slyness was twinkling in his eyes. If I work too much and I fall ill and die, youll be responsible for all the trivial matters in the entire government office. If thats the case, itll be on my conscience. On his conscience? Touch your heart. Were you being sincere when you said those words? Did he not know him well? Others said that Wei Ci was benign and open-hearted but he knew that Wei Ci was full of tricks. Every word is absolutely true, Wei Ci responded. Yang Si snickered. He did not have any energy to continue to refute him. He was really afraid that Wei Ci would really fall ill and die. Then, the trivial matters in the government office would pile up on him. As for Jiang Pengji? After capturing a free laborer like Yang Si, she would be completely liberated from the government office. Yang Si had been working for three consecutive days and realized that Jiang Pengji seemed to have vanished. Apart from showing up on time at meal hours, she was not seen at all at other times. During lunch that day, Jiang Pengji came in carrying a pile of bamboo slips when the food had just been served on the table.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com At that moment, Yang Si realized that she was not wearing the wide-sleeved clothes which she used to wear in the past. She was just wearing a set of old clothes. Her pants were rolled up above her knees and her sleeves were rolled up as well. Half of her arms were exposed and her legs seemed to have been in the water for a long time. Yang Si glanced at the bamboo hat on her head in a strange manner. Such practical attire was not Liu Xis style at all! Did they not say that Liu Xi was born in an aristocratic family in Hejian and that she had an honorable family background? Lord, let me help you. Wei Ci got up and went to help her carry the heavy pile of bamboo slips. She looked at him and walked past him. Thud The bamboo slips produced a dull yet loud sound when they were placed on the table. Jiang Pengji clapped her hands and said, More and more refugees have entered the city recently. Hows progress in opening up the wastelands? Without feeling awkward, Wei Ci replied, According to the plan, about 30 percent of the wastelands have been opened up. Its expected that the land reclamation should be completed in another two months. Each mu of land has already been recorded. They can be distributed after the household registration is completed. Upon hearing about the household registration, Yang Si who was beside him really wanted to thump the table and leave.The increasing number of refugees outside meant that the household registration work would become more and more arduous, not to mention the sorting and classification afterwards. If something went wrong, it would be troublesome to do it again in the future. Even a person like Yang Si could almost not stand it any longer. Jiang Pengji sensed Yang Sis resentment and said, Theres no need to hurry; as long as it can be done before the spring ploughing next year. The household registration is very important. Its fine to work slowly. Its better to be slow instead of being chaotic. In contrast, Im more worried that therell be a great drought this year. Wei Ci and Yang Si were stunned. A great drought? Jiang Pengji took a pottery bowl, poured some cold water into it and gulped it down. Yes. Ive looked for a few experienced farmers and they also think that the weather will probably be hot this year with little rain. Jiang Pengji made judgements according to her experience. Moreover, her strong thought processes could see details that ordinary people could not see. However, in terms of farming, it was still necessary to listen to the opinions of the experienced farmers. Combining the information from both parties, Jiang Pengji felt that it would probably be an awful year. The water conservancy facilities in Xiangyang District were in their early stages. By taking good care of the crops in the fields and pulling through the summer, the autumn harvest that year should not be too bad. However, the situation in Chengan District was different. There were not many crops, but there were more and more refugees. It was not possible for them not to drink water for the entire summer. She checked the old files and found a lot of information. It turned out that Chengan District had experienced several large-scale droughts. The fields cracked and the rivers dried up. The crops had basically withered! Wei Ci said, If a great drought really occurs, Im afraid that the progress of opening up the wastelands will be delayed. After being ravaged by the Tsing Yi Army, the spring ploughing in Chengan District was basically scrapped. Not many crops were planted that spring. If there was a great drought that year, they did not have to worry about the crops in the fields, they just had to solve the water usage problem. Dont worry. We still have lots of time. Take it slowly. Jiang Pengji poured herself another bowl of water. In the past few days, Ive been taking a few farmers to the mountains nearby to find sources of water to see if a water channel could be built. Xihengs waterwheels could also come in handy Zhang Pings courtesy name was Xiheng. Ever since he was tricked into the fire pit, Xiangyang District, by his good friend, Wei Ci, he had been living his life to the fullest every day. Upon hearing what she said, Yang Si secretly looked at Jiang Pengjis legs. It was no wonder that her feet and calves looked pale as if they had been in the water for a long time. It turned out that she had gone to the mountains to look for sources of water. The audience in the streaming room had been following the streaming. Of course, they knew how long Jiang Pengjis feet had been in the water. They felt sorry for her. Ouhuang Kangbazi: Streamer, if the drought is very severe this year, I suggest that a smallreservoir can be built to store water! Jugaogao: Please. Look at the time. A reservoir cant be built in just a few days. Its easy for you to say. Wheres the suitable place to build a reservoir? How should the reservoir be built? All of this requires knowledge. It cant be solved by just talking. If the reservoir is poorly built, the reservoir may collapse during a flood one year and those living in low-lying areas would be drowned. Rencai Yinhaida: Tsk. So, is the streamers plan to build a water channel very reliable? Is it that easy to dig a water channel? Sanpai Shudaozha: At least building a water channel is more reliable. Do you know how long it has taken to build the reservoir near my house? Things like excavators do not exist in the ancient times, so people can only shovel manually. Its extremely inefficient. Just by imagining it, I think that its not practical. Chapter 542 - Happenings in the World (XII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yidun Caozuo Mengruhu: Its good to build a water channel, but the water will evaporate completely if theres a great drought, right? Yikan Zhanji Lingbiwu: I think the streamer will find a solution such as sealing the water channel to reduce evaporation. Although the viewers in the streaming room were just chatting and some of their suggestions were whimsical, Jiang Pengji did not ignore them. Instead, he picked up a lot of ideas and kept them in mind. It was impossible to dig a big reservoir, but it was still possible to build a few small reservoirs. Fortunately, there were currently a large number of refugees. The housing construction in Chengan District could be postponed and the progress of opening up the wastelands for farming could also be slowed down. However, the construction of the reservoir could be put on the agenda first. It would be best if a great drought did not occur that year. If there was one, they could at least take some precautions. Seeing that he was frowning, Wei Ci secretly sighed a little. He could not help but think of Master Liaochens words. There were indeed many natural disasters in their previous lives, but they did not occur as frequently as they did in this life. He did not dare to think about how much luck the evildoer mentioned by the old monk had obtained in order to make the entire world this devastated. Although his lord did not guarantee that a great drought would definitely occur that year, Wei Ci already believed it on the inside. Try to find water veins in the ground and dig a well Anyway, these will have to be done sooner or later so well just do it together, he said in a seemingly relaxed manner. Yang Si who was beside his could not help but snicker. He just had to talk, but his subordinates had to run endless errands. Had he known that he would end up like this just by freeloading a few meals, he would probably still eat. For someone who liked to indulge in delicacies, it would be a waste to be alive without tasting such delicious food. After all, the drought had yet to occur. Not only did Jiang Pengji want to nip it in the bud by taking some people with his to build the water channel, but it was also to facilitate the irrigation and water usage of the people. It would be best if the drought did not happen. If it did, they would at least be able to survive. Chengan District was close to the mountains so there were many water sources available. Jiang Pengji went up and down the mountains with a group of experienced farmers and drew the route of the water channel round the clock. He even asked some craftsmen from Xiangyang District to come over and build a brick kiln near Chengan District. The bricks baked this time were not used to pave the ground. The new bricks were wide and long. Their sections were also lighter than those baked previously. The baking of the bricks was a bit troublesome and many of them were of inferior quality. Jiang Pengji did not rush them. He just wanted them to continue manufacturing the bricks and not to worry about the costs. He had a lot of soil. The coal which was bought in Chengde County could last until the next winter, so they could be used freely. Even Wei Ci was scared once Jiang Pengji started to spend money like water. Seeing the people busy working below the city walls, Yang Si could already feel the buzz from afar. He said emotionally, Its good to be rich. Everything can be done a lot more easily. Jiang Pengji could not attract so many refugees to work for his without having money and grain. Money was not everything, but one could do nothing without money. What surprised Yang Si was that apart from workload requirements, there was no gender requirement when Jiang Pengji hired the refugees to become laborers. They would receive the same amount of grain every day regardless of their gender. When he was asked about the reason, the reason he gave was irrefutable. Theyre doing the same job. Why shouldnt they be given the same wage? Be it moving the bricks, digging the water channel, building houses, or repairing the city walls, these were extremely labor-intensive tasks. Since the female laborers who applied for the job could complete a days workload, the food and wage which should be given must be given. Was this not a matter of fact? Besides, the more he stayed in Chengan District and handled the government affairs there, the more he felt that he had opened a door to a new world. A female battalion was actually established there! Seeing that he was stunned, Wei Ci explained flatly, The lord is short of military force. The female battalion isnt weak either. During desperate times, its fine as long as theyre troops. Yang Si did not believe in Wei Cis explanation. He responded, I think your lord has huge ambition. Normally, who would let women be in the front line for no reason? Even if there were many remarkable women in the Great Xia dynasty, most of them still managed household affairs when the politics had stabilized. Yang Si had sharp intuition, but he still could not guess the fishiness within. Wei Ci replied with a smile, Hell be your lord in the future. Youre pretty confident. Yang Si did not think that he would truly acknowledge Jiang Pengji, even if his temper indeed suited him. Wei Ci smiled and said nothing. As time went by, the general outline of the buildings in the center of the district was already vaguely visible. The architectural style was exactly the same as that of Xiangyang District. Yang Si had never seen flahed bricks. At best, he had heard about them from the refugees along his journey. Even Yang Si, who was used to seeing tycoons, could not help but be speechless upon seeing that the bluestones were about to be used to pave the streets and that the flashed bricks would be used as tiles in Chengan District, as well as the gradual forming of the wide streets in the ruins. The steps in Prince Changshous residence were made of jade and the tiles were gold-plated. This was very normal because he was a royal. However, Chengan District was just a small district. The maximum population was only 18,000. Jiang Pengji was just an ordinary aristocrat, but he could generously pave the main streets and lanes in the entire district with flashed bricks and lay gray tiles on the newly-built houses. Yang Si did not even dare to think about the amount of manpower, materials, and financial resources that had to be consumed. What was unacceptable for him was that the constructions in Maolin District and Jiaoping District were also in full swing. Their progress was slightly faster than that in Chengan District. Hes really rich. Yang Si sighed emotionally. Wei Ci took out a glass tea set with a smile. He said while pointing at it, You could say that the North borderline is really affluent. Seeing Yang Si widened his eyes in shock, Wei Ci smiled even more brightly. The lord didnt rely on the power and influence of his family. He has spent so much effort to get to where he is today. Although his temper is somewhat terrible, hes indeed a wise master who loves the people as his own children. Yang Si collected himself and swallowed nervously. He could not help but glance at the tea set. Yang Si once had the pleasure of catching a sight of the set of invaluable treasures which Prince Changshou bought at a sky-high price in the north. Its material was exactly the same as the glass tea set taken out by Wei Ci. The set which Prince Changshou owned was not even as fine as Wei Cis. At that time, he had even sighed emotionally that such a treasure worthy of such a high price actually existed in the world. Now he felt that his face hurt so badly! Judging from how Wei Ci treated the tea set, he knew that the tea set was definitely not worth the price. Could it be that these are produced by your lord? Recalling the price which Prince Changshou had paid, Yang Si could not help but feel the corner of his mouth twitch. This was simply daylight robbery! Yeah, but he says that the market in the North borderline is saturated for the time being, so theres no need to continue selling them. This year, he plans to make the trade caravans sell it to the four factions of Nanman, or nations like Zhongzhao, Beiyuan and Xichang. They mustnt overlap with the North borderline at least, so as not to give the game away. Yang Si stared at the cup which Wei Ci was holding in his hand. His slender, fair fingers were clutching the transparent, resplendent cup, making one sigh uncontrollably with emotion because life was tranquil and comfortable As if! How much is it worth? Yang Si questioned closely. You can only know when my lord has also become your lord. Othiswise, the lord wont let me off the hook. Wei Ci smiled, but he actually looked foxlike and devilish. You have to be clear about whether freedom or curiosity is more important. Theres still a lot of work to be done today. Weve lost quite a lot of time with our conversation Wei Ci took a sip of tea quietly and went back to his desk to continue working. Yang Sis curiosity was greatly aroused. However, Wei Ci was despicable. His mouth was like a mouthless gourd. He did not speak a word. Chapter 543 - Happenings in the World (XIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It had been two or three months since the spring ploughing and the weather was getting hotter. The door of the government office was left open every day but it still felt very stuffy. Jiang Pengji did not care at all. She wore simple light clothes every day with her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders and the legs of her pants rolled up to her mid-thighs. Her fair arms and thighs made Wei Ci blush strangely, which in turn made Yang Si gaze at him in a weird manner. Do you have ulterior motives with regards to your lord? Yang Si was writing with a pen using his right hand while fanning himself with his left hand. Even so, he still felt that the back of his clothes was already drenched with sweat. His forehead was full of large drops of sweat too. Wei Cis hand trembled. A discordant black line appeared on the originally neat and fine letter. He helplessly put away the scrapped letter. He looked calm but in fact his fingers were already trembling. What are you talking about? The lord and I are both men Yang Si pouted. Prince Changshou had raised many catamites and toy-boys. He did not even conceal it. Having seen the dark side of the aristocratic families, Yang Si did not think that they all believed in the principles of yin and yang. Otherwise how could homosexuality become popular? So what if youre both men? Speaking of which, youre 22 years old this year, right? You dont have a gentle wife or a beautiful mistress. Even if the others dont say that youre having secrets which are awkward to disclose, theyll think that youre homosexual This is normal, Yang Si said with a smile. Seeing Wei Cis facial expression change in the hot summer was as thrilling as drinking a huge bowl of ice water in the dog days of summer. Its not a big deal if youre in love with your lord. Wei Ci retorted, Youre 29 years old. Arent you single too? Yang Si replied, I have high standards so ordinary women arent up to my taste. The matchmakers have broken my door in the past but I refused. Wei Ci choked and said, I dont intend to start a family. Seeing that he looked somewhat glum, Yang Si became a little softhearted for fear that he had hit Wei Cis sore spot. Are you still torn about the eight characters? At that moment, Jiang Pengjis voice suddenly came from outside the door. As she walked in, she said, What about the eight characters? Seeing that youre chatting so happily, have you finished handling all the government affairs? The corner of Yang Sis mouth twitched. Jiang Pengji had gone to Jiaoping District a few days ago to capture some strong men. Why had she come back so soon? The two of them only saw the two round, green balls in her arms when Jiang Pengji entered the room. Seeing the objects in her arms, Wei Ci said with surprise, Are they green jade rooms? Yang Si and Jiang Pengji were stunned. The viewers in the streaming room were also puzzled. Watermelons were watermelons. Did he have to say it in such a literary manner? Jiang Pengji simply did not know that watermelons had such a title. On the other hand, Yang Si had never seen a watermelon before. Wei Ci only reacted after being startled for a while. Watermelons which were called green jade rooms by many arty aristocrats had yet to spread from the Western Region He remembered quite clearly that watermelons were specially dedicated by the vassal small kingdoms in the Western Region to the emperor in order to court the favor of the emperor after the founding of the Jiang dynasty. They tasted quite good and it was good for relieving the summer heat in the hot summer days. Afterwards, it had even become a treasure for the commoners to build their family fortunes. How did it appear now? It may have such a name, but I call it watermelon. Its easy to grow. We can consider growing some in Chengan District. They can be used to store water and to relieve the heat in summer. Jiang Pengji put the two big watermelons on the table and cut one of them in half using a dagger. It had been chilled in the well water, so its flesh was emitting cold air. I remember that its only available in the Western Region Wei Ci said. Jiang Pengji cut the watermelon into pieces. Its bright red flesh made people drool. Its indeed from the Western Region. Uncle Gu does business from the north to the south and he likes to exchange for some strange plants. He gave me a few last year so Ive planted them in the small garden of Xiangyang District. I heard that it had borne fruit, so I ate one. It tastes good. In fact, this was not the case. Jiang Pengji knew nothing about the plants in the ancient times. The viewers in the streaming room who had planted watermelons at home told her about it. They taught her how to grow watermelons and told her about the things that she had to pay attention to. After writing them down, she told the person in-charge about the skills needed and asked her to look after them. She went to Jiaoping District for work. Upon hearing what Qiguan Rang said, she hurried back to Xiangyang District and picked a few of them. Things that were scarce were always expensive. Jiang Pengji wanted to make Fengyi County recover quickly so its business development could not be weak. However, this fruit could only be eaten as a snack and it could not be regarded as food. Even if it was grown, its quantity and the fields should be limited. If the commoners found out that they could make money by growing watermelons and that everyone wanted to grow watermelons, who would grow crops? What should they eat if there were no grains? Thinking of this, Jiang Pengji gave them the watermelon on the plate. Zixiao, you cant eat too much. Its cold in nature. You can just eat one or two pieces to satisfy your craving. she exhorted. Yuanyuan Xiatiao: Now that I see watermelons, I want to eat some too. All natural watermelons are juicy and sweet. I really want to go downstairs and buy one. Xingxing Dalao: Im already holding half a watermelon and eating it by scooping its flesh with a spoon. Its a lot better than eating it in pieces. One and a half acres of the garden in Xiangyang District were growing watermelons. She ordered someone to pick them and send them to her subordinates as a reward. One would feel less irritated by indulging in a watermelon in summer. Yang Si disliked Jiang Pengji somehow, but he had to admit that the food here was delicious. Even the summer fruits were unique. Lord, according to your instructions, Ive already asked the laborers to dig the water channel as well as chopping enough bamboos which will be cut into pieces and dried under the sun. Okay. Hows the baking of the new bricks in the brick kiln? Excellent finished products can already be produced. Although theyre not as sturdy as the ordinary flashed bricks, theyre not fragile anymore. The scene of the three of them discussing proper business while eating watermelons was too beautiful. The viewers in the streaming room expressed that they wanted to have some. Tumi Dalao: Thanks to the streamer, I think the watermelon farmers this year will have a laugh. Due to the mystery and cross-dimensional gimmicks of the streaming room, many emerging industries had been driven. For example, as watermelons had appeared in the streaming that day, perhaps the watermelons in the fruit shops nearby would be sold out! The effects of advertising were scary! Would the watermelon farmers not beam from ear to ear? Jiang Pengji said, Im happy with the way you work. The bamboo pieces would be placed on both sides of the water channel. The newly-baked bricks would be used to cover the water channel. After the end of spring, the weather had gotten hotter and hotter. There hadnt been a drop of rain since. Jiang Pengjis hunch was about to be proven true. During this time, Jiang Pengji had transferred almost half of the manpower to dig the water channel, reservoir, and wells. Things were in full swing in Jiaoping District and Maolin District as well. Everyone was preparing for the upcoming summer. Although the construction in the districts had slowed, it did not stop. The barren districts which were initially ravaged by the Tsing Yi Army had begun to exude a thriving atmosphere. As long as the people were united and directed their efforts towards the same goal, there was hardly anything that could not be achieved. During the sixth month when the weather was sultry and the sun was scorching hot, even stray cats and dogs dared not to stay outside for a long time. A huge event which affected the entire situation in Dongqing had happened without a warning. The wife of the second prince, An Yina, had died all of a sudden. Chapter 544 - Happenings in the World (XIV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The wife of the second prince, An Yina, was the princess of the three tribes of the North borderline. Her marriage to the royal family of Dongqing was for the sake of the harmony between the two countries. Now that she had died a sudden death and that her body was hurriedly buried, it was a stark contrast to the scenes when she had married into the royal family. The news was originally tightly shielded by the royal family of Dongqing. However, Prince Changshou had planted a spy in Chenzhou so he found out about it almost instantly. He had initially still been worried that he would not be able to conquer Chenzhou and ascend the throne. An Yinas sudden death was simply a miracle! Prince Changshou could barely hold in the ecstasy surging in his heart. He could not stop rubbing his hands and he was beaming from ear to ear. Is it true? Is An Yina really dead? he asked anxiously, though he secretly regretted it. Why had he not thought of using An Yina as a breach? Had he known that this would happen, he would have disclosed the filthy things that An Yina did with the fourth prince, Wuma Jun, as well as other ministers. It was a royal scandal. It was fine if she just had an affair with her brother-in-law but she also seduced many important ministers. She should have been secretly executed long ago. Prince Changshou had some business with the North borderline. The three tribes provided him with benefits and convenience, so he had utilized his connections to cover up An Yinas actions in Dongqing. He had agreed reluctantly. Everything which An Yina did would be transparent and open in front of him. Anyway, the emperor of Dongqing was the one who would be victimized, not him. Prince Changshou was happy to sit back and watch the show. The coward, Liu She, had not responded about the death of his daughter, Liu Huan, so far. He did not even express any dissatisfaction with the royal family of Dongqing. If Liu She showed some dissatisfaction and had been on Prince Changshous side to stand up against the royal family of Dongqing, Prince Changshou would have ascended the throne long ago! It was fine if Liu She did not want to help him out. Prince Changshou was already in an advantageous situation anyway. He just had to wait patiently for a few months and Chenzhou would collapse by itself. However, a major mistake occurred in the battle at that moment, resulting in their initial advantage being levelled by Chenzhou. The war was at a stalemate. During that period of time, several battles and conflicts happened between the army in Chenzhou and Prince Changshous army. However, both sides were in a deadlock and they could do nothing to each other. Prince Changshou could only covet the throne in Chenzhou and feel his heart itch. He was so anxious that he kept scratching his head. He originally thought that the situation would continue. Who knew that the news of An Yinas sudden death would come out of Chenzhou at that moment! An Yina was the gem of the royal family of the three tribes in the North borderline and she was dead all of a sudden for no reason. Whether she had really died due to a serious illness or there was another cause to her death, the royal family of the North borderline would not leave the matter at that. This would also be a good opportunity for Prince Changshou to strive for the support of the North borderline. Prince Changshou had wild ambitions. In the past few years, he had developed a close relationship with the three tribes of the North borderline. If they were to cooperate now, it would definitely be a success. Hearing his idea, his strategists and general looked livid. They looked extremely disgusted. An old strategist got up and said while making a bow with his hands folded in front, Lord, you mustnt do this. The three tribes of the North borderline have coveted Dongqing for a long time. In recent years, they have become even more powerful. If you choose to work with them at this time, its tantamount to bringing disaster upon yourself. Its too dangerous. The general who sat in the front seat chimed in with a deep voice, Yes, Lord. You mustnt agree to it. The royal family of the North borderline had evil intentions when they married off An Yina to the royal family of Dongqing. In the past few years, Ive heard that the princess has had affairs with many men. Shes indeed a loose woman who has turned the palace into a horrible mess and ruined the family of the Count of Zhenbei. Please think twice! I agree, Lord. Please reconsider your decision. Once the wolfish North borderline is brought in, itll be difficult to send them away. Many people died without justice redressed when the three tribes of the North borderline launched a sneak attack on Chongzhou in Shangyu County that year That intense and deep-seated hatred has yet to be avenged Most of the strategists and general had an extremely bad impression of the three tribes of the North borderline. This was just second in importance. It was easier to call up an evil spirit than to allay it, not to mention that the three tribes of the North borderline had coveted Dongqing for years. However, their opinions were unimportant in this matter. What mattered was what Prince Changshou thought. Seeing that Prince Changshou looked irked, some of the officials who liked to toady for personal gain hurriedly stepped forward. Dont worry, everyone. This may not be entirely bad, a middle-aged man dressed in a scholars costume said. Everyone glared at him angrily, but Prince Changshous eyes brightened up a little. He stopped those who wanted to snap at the man. Keep going, Prince Changshou said. The middle-aged man became even more confident upon obtaining permission to continue. Prince Changshou liked to act arbitrarily. His gestures of treating worthy men with courtesy and carefully listening to the opinions of others were just an act. He was just a step away from the throne now, but he had been stuck there for nearly a year. He was already so irritable that he could no longer pretend. The middle-aged man was not highly capable, but he was extremely good at watching a persons every mood. He could accurately know what Prince Changshou was thinking. Everyone looked grave, but the middle-aged man looked joyful. He said, The North borderline is an untamed wilderness where its people live the life of a savage. Dongqing is a nation of propriety, so it has the responsibility of educating them. Theyre just barbarians. When the lord has accomplished his mission, they can be sent away with some rewards. If they cant be sent away, some verbal promises can be made. It was a load of nonsense! Everyone looked livid. A radical middle-aged man got up and slammed him, reproaching him for being some vermin who would bring calamity to the country. The middle-aged man laughed and said, The lord is the real emperor appointed by the heavens and hes destined to be the emperor. Getting help from the North borderline is just in line with Gods will. Promising the three tribes of the North borderline some benefits is for the sake of seeking a greater benefit. Kings have long arms. The lands can be recovered sooner or later. If we dont do this, do you have any good ideas as to how to successfully conquer Chenzhou? Prince Changshou looked calm, but his heart had already started to fluctuate. He grew more and more satisfied with the middle-aged man and valued him even more. He wanted to promote him to become the chief strategist and the head of the scholars. The middle-aged man added, Whats more, we can make the barbarians in the North borderline take the lead and deplete their military force What a bunch of nonsense! This childish buffoon isnt qualified to participate in strategic planning! Many of them still wanted to persuade Prince Changshou. However, upon seeing his facial expression, their great ambitions sunk to rock bottom in an instant. Some hot-tempered men immediately got up and reproached him. Not only did Prince Changshou not quell the dispute, but he sided with the middle-aged man instead. This made everyone feel bitterly disappointed. The hot-tempered and bold general got up, flourished his sleeves and left the tent. What a joke! Seeing that many people had left one after another, Prince Changshous face had turned charcoal black. He pretended to treat worthy men with courtesy and encouraged the free airing of views, but it did not mean that they could disregard him and act wildly. However, he was still somewhat rational and did not agree to cooperate with the North borderline immediately. Instead he asked the spy in Chenzhou to continue probing. An Yina was fine. How did she die all of a sudden? What was the inside story? Chapter 545 - Happenings in the World (XV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How did An Yina die?! Wuma Jun sneaked into the palace and asked the imperial maid whom he trusted to call for Huijun. Huijun had just arrived, but he reprimanded and questioned her right to her face. Haha. How she died is none of my business. If youre curious, you should ask someone else. Why are you asking a concubine like me who resides deep in the palace? Dressed in an intricate imperial costume, Huijun was as beautiful as a painting. Even the fairies in heaven could not compare to her. She was like a delicate flower. The more she bloomed, the more stunning she was. She could attract the souls of others just by standing there. It was a pity that Wuma Jun did not have the mood to admire such beauty because of his rage. Wuma Jun initially reproached Huijun to listen to the reasons and to pump information from her, but she actually responded that way. In an instant, Wuma Jun was so furious that his face was flushed and he glared angrily at her. In a fury, he badly wanted to throttle Huijun. I get it. You mustve done everything possible to kill her, right? Youre such an ignorant woman. Do you know how important An Yina is? I can only obtain the power in her hands and overthrow the old emperor if shes alive, but you Huijun sneered and replied, Although its daytime now, its still better to daydream less. Without evidence, how can you presume that Ive killed An Yina? Shes the wife of the second prince. Im your fathers most beloved concubine. According to the relationship, Im considered to be older than An Yina. Theres no conflict between us, so why would I kill her for no reason? Do you think its because of you? Wuma Jun asked rhetorically, Did you not kill her with a wicked scheme because youre jealous of our affair? Although Wuma Jun was forced to stay in bed for six months because he was completely detested and had been kicked in the chest by the emperor, Wuma Jun did not feel that he did not have the chance to ascend the throne because he, An Yina and Prince Changshou had been working together. If it had been carefully arranged, he might already be sitting on the throne now! Who knew that mishaps would happen one after another? First, Liu Huan gave birth to a pair of freaky babies in the palace. He was put under house arrest by the emperor and Liu Huan died due to intermenstrual bleeding during an obstructed labor. Liu Huans death made him lose the support of his influential in-laws. Then An Yinas sudden death destroyed his connections with the North borderline. Without the support of these two parties, how would he now strike a deal with the old fox, Prince Changshou? The throne which was originally within reach had gotten farther and farther away from him. How could Wuma Jun accept it? After thinking about it, he felt that Huijun must have something to do with An Yinas death. An Yina had gone to the palace to visit the empress before she died. Then she went to Huijuns palace to speak with her. She died all of a sudden that night after returning to her residence. This was the only information that he could find. Judging from such information alone, Wuma Juns intuition told him that Huijun had something to do with An Yinas death. Therefore, he only then took the risk to leave his residence and sneak into the palace just to seek the truth. Upon hearing Wuma Juns narcissistic words, Huijun almost burst into laughter. Would she feel jealous because of Wuma Jun and kill An Yina? What kind of crazy plot was playing in his mind? Whatever you think, I had nothing to do with An Yinas death. If you dont believe me, thats fine then. Huijun looked tired. She flourished her sleeves and got ready to leave. Wuma Jun was not willing to let her go. At last, he flew into a rage and slapped her. There were five clear finger marks on her delicate and fair skin. One of her cheeks was obviously swollen. Hearing the loud sound and feeling the numbness on his right palm, Wuma Jun finally calmed down. He had slapped Huijun so hard that her face had turned to the side. Feeling the rusty taste spreading in her mouth, she licked the blood on the corner of her mouth with her tongue. She did not cry. Instead she said miserably with a coquettish smile, Youre a useless man. You say that you love me the most. You accuse me groundlessly because of a dead person just to appease the panic in your heart Wuma Jun, you really have balls! As she finished speaking, she flourished her sleeves angrily and left. Wuma Jun was also so shocked by his own action that he stood there in a daze. The despair and sorrow in her eyes before her departure drifted through his mind. He wanted to catch up to her and apologize, but Huijun was already gone. Oops. Ive hurt her this time Could it be that she really did not kill An Yina? Wuma Jun muttered to himself with a look of regret on his face. However, Huijun who had left brokenhearted looked aloof and patted some blush on her face with her handkerchief. She realized that she had become extraordinarily healthy after entering the palace. Her skin was so delicate that marks were easily left, but they also healed quickly. Wuma Juns slap just now had indeed left her in bewilderment. Her cheek was so swollen that she looked very miserable. However, Huijun knew very well that such injury would heal in a quarter of an hour at most. It would heal even faster if medicine was used. Tsk If An Yina didnt die, Ill be the one who will be dead Huijun muttered to her reflection in the copper mirror after asking the imperial maid to leave. A firm, sinister look flashed across her eyes. Why did An Yina die? It was simply because she had discovered some information which she was not supposed to find out. Such information would make Huijun die a graveless death. Huijun was born in the slums in Shangjing. She was just a lowly prostitute that everyone could bully. By rights, it should be perfectly safe for the Liu family to conceal her identity. However, An Yina seemed to know about her past. Thinking of which, Huijun looked grave and her thoughts had gone back to the day. Thinking of it now, she was still resentful! With the excuse of congratulating the empress on her birthday in advance, An Yina entered the palace and chatted with the empress. Then she went to Huijuns palace. The first sentence she said made Huijun feel extremely frightened. Fortunately, she could hold herself back and did not reveal any unusual emotions. An Yina said, I know that you were just a lowly prostitute in Shangjing. Huijuns heart trembled, but she responded in a ridiculous manner, What do you mean? Im clean. Since when was I a prostitute? In fact, An Yina did not have any solid evidence. She knew about some secrets, but she was not sure about them. Therefore, she took the opportunity to trick Huijun. However, Huijuns reaction was so normal that it made An Yina feel uncertain. She said, Dont you know? You look identical to Wang Guifei many years ago. The emperor dotes on you so much just because of your face. Wang Guifei was exceedingly gorgeous. Its a pity that the heavens envy the beauties and she died of illness at a young age. The emperor was so grieved that he gave out an order to gather beauties who looked similar to Wang Guifei in order to cherish the memory of her. Officials everywhere dedicated the beauties to him. Among them, a woman looked extremely similar to her However, the woman was already married and three months pregnant Speaking of that, An Yina smiled expressively. The look on Huijuns face had already changed a little. She asked, Why are you talking about this? Chapter 546 - Happenings in the World (XVI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio An Yina continued, The woman was originally an ordinary village woman. In order to please the emperor, the local officials ordered someone to kill her husband and sent the pregnant woman into the palace. She was heavily favored by the emperor for a period of time because she looked almost identical to Guifei. However, she violated a taboo because she tried to compare herself to the late Wang Guifei Haha. Afterwards, she died suddenly for no reason together with the baby girl she gave birth to in the palace. The whereabouts of the mother and daughter were not known. However, this isnt all that Ive found. Are you in the mood to listen to more? Suppressing the restlessness in her heart, she tried to calm herself down. This is a pretty interesting story. Go ahead. Im very bored these days. I can listen to it and kill time. Her reaction was very composed without a single reaction. The more she acted that way, the more suspicious An Yina became. I spent a lot of effort and finally found the imperial maid who served the woman that year and got some information. An Yina continued mystifyingly, The woman had violated a taboo because she tried to compare her favoritism to Wang Guifei, so she was abandoned by the emperor. The emperor felt that she was insatiably avaricious. How could she be compared to the superior and pure Wang Guifei? Thus he dumped her in the slums and she became a prostitute. The woman became a prostitute and took in different customers every day. She was so pitiful. Her daughter also followed in her footsteps. It was so sad for the mother and daughter. Huijun shuddered mentally. She had already guessed what An Yina wanted to say. However, she knew that if she admitted it, she would probably die a miserable death. Therefore, Huijun put on a natural facial expression. She used her handkerchief to wipe the tea stain on the corner of her mouth and said in an elegant way, Its indeed a heartbreaking story. Are you warning me not to overestimate myself and compete against the late Wang Guifei for the emperors favor? Or, are you letting me know that I should know my place and that Im only heavily favored by the emperor because of my face? Haha. If thats the case, I appreciate it. Although An Yina did not have names, she knew very well that the story was very likely to be true. Huijun felt miserable on the inside, but there was still an exceptionally gorgeous smile on her face. She had stopped An Yinas multiple attempts to sound her out with ease. Without a choice, An Yina asked eloquently, Do you know where the womans daughter is? Huijun replied, Since shes a lowly prostitute, I think she has already been tortured to death. An Yina secretly hated that she could not find a flaw in Huijun. However, she did not have any solid evidence, so she could not control Huijun. An Yina had her eyes on Huijuns influence on the emperor. If she could keep Huijun under her control, the plan to subvert the entire Dongqing would be easy. The princes were already in a hot dispute. Outside, there was Prince Changshou who was eyeing Dongqing with hostility. If the emperor died all of a sudden at this time, Dongqing would be in complete chaos! When their internal dispute had nearly reached its climax, the cavalry of the three tribes of the North borderline would dispatch its troops and make their way to the south. They would be able to capture Dongqing effortlessly. After An Yina left, Huijun sat in the same seat for a while and ate two abortion pills which she had been hiding in secret. She had been pregnant for a couple of months. As a prostitute, she had experienced several unintended pregnancies. She was pressed onto the ground by her mother to forcefully abort her child, so she had long thought she was infertile. However, ever since Liu Xi exercised the Immortal Technique on her, her body had become stronger and stronger. The balance between yin and yang with men was like the invigoration of the yin by using the yang instead. Her damaged reproductive organs had also recovered. A few days ago, she found out that she was pregnant. Huijun was very ruthless. She had never thought about giving birth to a child for the emperor. Now that she had listened to An Yinas story, it was even more impossible. Therefore, Huijun had a miscarriage because she had eaten the snacks sent by Princess An Yina which were mixed with a large amount of substances that would promote abortion and blood circulation. The emperor burned with rage upon learning the news. Perhaps Princess An Yina is worried that her husbands bright future would turn bleak if I were to give birth to a child she complained tearfully. The emperor was used to seeing her arrogance and had never seen the weak and pitiful side of her. He felt tender and protective towards her. He hated An Yina and the second prince to his bones. Huijun sinisterly provoked the emperors most sensitive nerve He was old and his sons were coveting the throne. Now they could not even tolerate the emperors child in the heavily-favored concubines belly! If so, An Yina would not end up dying all of a sudden. Huijun added fuel to the fire and disclosed the filthy things that happened between An Yina and the fourth prince. She said, Princess An Yina sees me as a thorn in her flesh. Shes afraid that Ill spill the beans to you and disclose her affair with the fourth prince The powerful could do whatever they wanted, but the weak were not allowed to do anything. The emperor was a typical person like that. He could have affairs, but others could not. That night, An Yina died all of a sudden. The emperor did consider about the North borderlines reaction. However, compared with his imperial majesty, it was nothing. The royal family of Dongqing wanted to conceal the news, but they could not stop Prince Changshou from impeding them in the dark. The news of An Yinas sudden death quickly spread out of Chenzhou. At the same time, an urgent letter was also sent out from Prince Changshous camp to the north by horse. It was already midsummer when the news had reached Jiang Pengji. It was the hottest season of the year. She lowered the recruitment standard a little and took her time to recruit the troops. The female battalion was further expanded to a number of 5000 female troops. On the other hand, there were 15000 male troops. By combining the male and female battalions, there was a total of more than 20000 troops, which was not too weak among the northern forces. At the same time, she slightly improved the Order of Army Farming which she had previously discussed with her strategists. The Order of Army Farming was originally designed to deal with the problem of surplus captives. There were not many captives now but the problem of food shortages was imminent. After discussing, they decided to experiment with the first batch of trial fields in Chengan District. The reason was simple. There was a vast area of wasteland near Chengan District and its terrain was flat and open. The construction of the water channels was also relatively complete. If it was used as a trial field under the Order of Army Farming, the effect would be better. For this reason, Jiang Pengji even transferred Li Yun who was skilled in farming from Maolin District. As there were reservoirs, water channels and several new wells, Chengan District was not too short of water. Li Yun rolled up the legs of his pants and gulped down the water in the pottery bowl. The icy water vapor slightly dissipated the high temperature caused by the sun. Ive gone to see the fields today and some of them have cracked Fortunately, the lord is farsighted. Otherwise, I dont know if wed be able to drink water. After a long day of exposure to the sun, Li Yuns skin which had managed to turn fair had become darker again. Yang Si sighed quietly. Fengyi County is still alright. The people in other places Theyll probably have a hard time In this world, the ability of the people to live a comfortable life depends entirely on the type of local magistrate they have Jiang Pengjis character was terrible, but Yang Si had to admit that the people were indeed living better lives in her presence. Li Yun agreed and nodded. It was as if his facial expression was saying that his lord was the best. Speaking of his lord, he looked somewhat worried. Mr. Jing Rong, do you think the lord can handle the mob in Xiangyang District? If the problem cant be solved, the female battalion will probably Chapter 547 - Happenings in the World (XVII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yang Si snorted. Women should just keep their mind on supporting their husbands and raising their children. Why should they be on the battlefield? Men will protect their homes and defend the country In my opinion, its better to take advantage of this incident and dissolve the female battalion. The commoners arent grateful because they dont know how to appreciate whats good. It was not that he looked down on women, but he felt that things were already very tough in those days. There was no need to treat women that harshly. Li Yun shook his head in disapproval and responded, I dont agree with your opinion. Just like what the lord says, its precisely because things are tough and everyone is busy enough with their own affairs that women must step forward bravely. Be it supporting their husbands and raising their children or protecting their homes and defending the country, its their own choice. Some like embroidery, and of course, there are also some who like military outfits and dislike feminine attire. Their choices should be respected. Yang Si looked sidelong at Li Yun. The silly man appeared impressive and babbled on and on when talking about such matters. I think the lord has done the right thing. Knowledge is the best charity. Rather than finding ways to protect women who are treated as fragile glass, its better to teach them how to protect themselves. Nowadays, many people cant look after themselves. How could they have the time to care about women who are seen as weak in the eyes of others? Hearing the word glass, Yang Si could not help but think of the day when the boy servant accidentally broke Wei Cis glass teacup, which had been really fragile. In terms of reason, Yang Si agreed with what Li Yun said. It was indeed true. Along his journey from the south to the north, he had seen far too many refugees. He had seen a man forcing his wife to become a prostitute and did not care that his wife was crying. He collected money from passers-by. As long as the passers-by gave the man some money, they could do anything they wanted to his wife. He had also seen a man selling his young daughter to a trafficker. His daughter wailed by the side. He struck a deal with the trafficker, just to earn a few pennies. He had seen people exchanging their children and eating them. They exchanged their daughters with someone else for human flesh just to assuage their hunger. The world was very unfair towards people. It was even more unfair towards women. Yang Si sighed and shook his head. Your lord is a person who has compassion for womanhood. However He continued, This is what the world is like today. Even if your lord means well, people are ignorant and stupid. They only care about their interests and their hearts are full of greed. Taking the incident this time as an example, wasnt your lord summoned in a hurry just because of such a trivial matter? Jiang Pengji formed a female battalion and the female soldiers could receive their pay. She gave the little girls and babies who were maliciously abandoned by their families a shelter by setting up a foundling hospital. How many lives had she directly or indirectly saved? Would the people be grateful to her? In Yang Sis opinion, they might not. She might invite trouble instead. Li Yun was dejected, but there was nothing that he could do. People are all ignorant. One is really pissing himself off by arguing with a bunch of people who are stupid like vermin. Yang Si said cynically, The female soldiers have already defied the common customs. Theyre not as good as the male troops in every aspect. I really dont know why your lord bothers. Hes sincerely doing this for the good of the female troops, but are they and their families willing to appreciate his kindness? At that moment, Jiang Pengji was facing a group of vermin, as Yang Si had called them. More than ten people were kneeling on the ground. There were boys under the age of six or seven, and there were old women who were above the age of 60. Two female soldiers who were neatly dressed were kneeling on the ground behind them. They looked stupefied, their heads lowered. Jiang Pengji remembered the two female soldiers. They were among the troops who performed outstandingly in the siege and were promoted when the troops were rewarded some time ago. One of them was promoted to become a centurion and the other oversaw the trivia of the logistic medical unit. She was considered an official. Coincidentally, these two female soldiers were also sisters. Jiang Pengji heard from Jiang Nongqin that these two were quite talented. Jiang Nongqin was planning to train them well and promote them to higher positions in the future. She had rushed back this time because of these two women. Jiang Pengji had already had a grasp of the situation when she arrived. She shot an unfriendly glance at the people who looked somewhat mean. Are you saying that you want to take your daughters back and not let them stay in the female battalion anymore? she asked. The oldest woman replied, Yes. I pity my granddaughter. Shes getting older. Its time for her to get married, so her time wont be wasted. Jiang Pengji snorted and said, But I remember that the two sisters were the first to enter the female battalion. At that time, there were many rumors floating around. The people rumored that the female battalion was a military brothel. You took them here, beating them up and scolding them along the way. Arent you embarrassed for saying such words now? The old womans face stiffened. She did not expect the district magistrate to not respect the old and cherish the young at all. Jiang Pengji just tore their skin off and threw it on the ground. How was it different from cursing at someone? Filial piety is one of the virtues to be held above all else. The old woman is their grandmother Jiang Pengji said coldly, I remember that Ive formed a law. Even biological parents dont have the right to force their children into prostitution. There was some ominousness in her gaze. She made people feel greatly pressured just by sitting there. The audience in the streaming room had also understood the course of events. They could not help but sigh and feel sorry for Jiang Pengji. They were also looking forward to the development of the story. In this era, filial piety was sacred above all else. By supporting the troops of the female battalion, the streamer was defying filial piety to a certain extent. Their families wanted the female troops to go back, get married and have children. If they did not do so, they would not be filial. Jiang Pengji knew about respecting the old and cherishing the young, but if they had no sense of shame, she would not be considerate to them. Stop the empty talk and nonsense. Do you really think that I dont know what youre thinking? Dont you just want to cling onto them and suck their blood now that your daughters show some promise? Dont think I know nothing about you taking away all their money. Face your conscience. Do you have the nerve to ask for the money? Forget it. Youre just animals, like tigers and wolves. How can you be considered human? She rebuked the people kneeling below her mercilessly. She shifted to a comfortable posture. Youve come over this time to marry off your daughters. Is there really a good match? Its just because of the tens of taels of betrothal gifts. Youll marry off your daughters at a high price and take the betrothal gifts. Moreover, your daughters are promising in the female battalion. It doesnt matter if its against filial piety because theyll provide you with money every month. One of your daughters is a centurion and the other is the person in charge of the medical troops. Their wages are quite high and will be higher in the future. Youre really selfish and calculating. It was nonsense when the old woman said that she took pity on her granddaughters and was afraid that no one would marry them at an old age. It was just for the sake of the tens of taels of silver. As people said, one should not hit someone in the face and expose ones shortcomings, but Jiang Pengji attacked them where it hurt. Maam The woman who was kneeling below wanted to speak, but Jiang Pengji told her off impatiently, Shut up. You have no say in this. Her recent good mood had been crushed by this family. It would be weird if she could manage to be good-tempered. She shifted her gaze to the two female troops and said, Do you remember signing a document before joining the female battalion? The two female soldiers replied, Yes. Are you willing to go back to your family, get married and have children, or stay in the female battalion? Say what you have in mind. Ill support you. Chapter 548 - Happenings in the World (XVIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The two female soldiers were sisters; the elder was 17 years old, and the younger was 15. They also had a younger brother who was seven. Just after the earthquake the year before, a full-scale reconstruction was underway in Xiangyang District. In order to cut down on grain rations, the family originally wanted to sell the two older daughters to the brothel. However, Jiang Pengji was renovating those places at that time, so they were being watched. They had nowhere to sell their daughters even if they wanted to. Later, they heard that anyone would be compensated with half a tael of silver if they sent their daughters to the female battalion. Hence, they sold all their daughters to the female battalion. They would be able to receive a tael of silver by sending their daughters to the female battalion. There would also be two less mouths to feed at home. As for their future, even if their mother was somewhat worried, their grandmother was watching her. She did not dare to reveal any abnormal emotions. Later, the two filial daughters secretly gave their monthly wages to their mother, hoping that she could keep it in a secret stash and that she would be able to speak with confidence at home. However, their mother had always liked to please her husband and mother-in-law, so she easily let the cat out of the bag. Now, one of her daughters was promoted to centurion and the other had become the head of the medical troops. Their wages were double of what they had received before! Their family trumpeted them and showed off everywhere. Matchmakers soon came to propose marriage. The bride price offered was very generous. The husband whom they were engaged to was in his early thirties. Two of his ex-wives had died and he had four children. He was quite rich. He was very contemptuous of women who went to war, but he had his eyes on the statuses of the soldiers in the female battalion. He felt that there would be someone easy in the battalion. As long as he could help his family, he could just marry them and worship them as the Gods of Fortune. The two families clicked right away and made chaos in the female battalion. They were unreasonable and made a scene. They wanted to drag their daughters home with them and marry them off right away. Jiang Nongqin stopped them and sent an urgent letter to Jiang Pengji at the same time. Perhaps it was Jiang Nongqins kind attitude that gave these people the confidence to be rude and shrewish towards Jiang Pengji. However, Jiang Pengji was not amiable. She immediately shot back. Her ominous aura was scary enough. Jiang Pengji chose to arrogantly ignore the unruly people. As for the sister soldiers, she was perplexed. Tell me your choice. The older female soldier bit her lower lip. Dodging Jiang Pengjis gaze, she stammered, Ill obey Grandmas wishes. Although the district magistrate had promised that the female troops could register themselves in the female household upon their discharge from the military at 24 years old and that the children whom they gave birth to would have their mothers surnames, it was hopeless for her. Her mind was a mess. It was filled with the waves of verbal bombardment from her father, mother and grandmother from a few days ago.Read more chapter on novelhall.com The audience in the streaming room exploded upon hearing those words. Sangque: Holy crap Shes really out of her mind to go back and marry a man whos old enough to be her father. Hes an old man who has two dead ex-wives and four children. She actually said that shes willing to? The streamer has already said that shed back them up. Damn! Saipu: Im so angry that Im about to explode! Do they not trust the streamer? If I were the streamer, Id be so disappointed. Miaomiaoda Detu: Dont be enraged. Whats the use of cursing? If I were the streamer, Id just slap them twice to wake them up. Xuanyue Zhidie: I cant. My heart is about to explode. Why is the soldier not willing to believe the streamer? Guiqiu Yuepiao: This is simply plunging a knife into the streamers heart! Shes now making preparations for the reveal of her identity in the future, so she must strongly support the female troops and let women be on the front line. Now, the female troop smacks the streamer in her face. How ridiculous! Jiang Pengji did not feel as awful as the audience in the streaming room thought she might. In fact, she was very calm. In fact, perhaps she was too composed. Feng Jin looked at Jiang Pengji with worry etched on his face and sighed. Had it not been Jiang Nongqins territory, he really wanted to interfere and solve this problem before Jiang Pengji came. He knew her temper well. She would not suffer any losses at all. She would get those who made her suffer a little loss to pay her back thousands of times over. Jiang Pengji calmly shifted her gaze to the younger female soldier. She asked, What about you? Are you like your sister? This female troop was a centurion. According to Jiang Nongqin, she trained very hard every day. She was still training even though the others were already resting. In the previous siege, when her arm was shot by flying arrows, she gritted her teeth and pulled out the arrow herself. She stopped the bleeding hastily and continued to fight. She was very headstrong. Jiang Nongqin secretly wanted to train her to become the deputy lieutenant of the female battalion. The centurion looked at Jiang Pengji nervously. Her grandmother was staring at her with a gaze that could almost eat her. Im not willing to. Im unwilling to get married and have children like my sister, she replied with panic in her voice. Didnt you promise before that the female troops can retire from the military at the age of 24, register as an independent household and that the children whom they give birth to in the future can have their mothers surnames? If that is so, Im not willing to get married Compared with being secretly bruised by her grandmothers pinching, she preferred to kill with swords, spears, two-edged swords and halberds. Only then did she feel that she was her own and free. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, I know. Ill fulfill my promise. Youre a damned brat. Are you trying to piss me off?! The old woman disregarded Jiang Pengji and reached out to the girls waist. She had long, white nails. One could imagine how painful it would be if ones flesh was pinched. Smash The transparent glass was thrown on the ground and the broken pieces scattered. The old woman was so terrified that she flinched. How should one be punished if she attacks a soldier in public? Jiang Pengji turned her head to ask Feng Jin. Feng Jin answered, She should be flogged thrice. Jiang Pengji said, Yes. Write it down. She waved at the younger female soldier, signaling her to sit on the seat below. Jiang Pengji said calmly, Every nation has its own laws and every family has its own rules. The military camp is a place of strict discipline. You know what kind of a place the female battalion is too. Do you remember that youve signed a document when you sent your daughters here? The document clearly states that the female troops under the age of 24 mustnt get married or pregnant. Violators and instigators should be flogged a hundred times in public. If the soldier insists on marrying, her status will be stripped and shell never be rehired. Now, the people kneeling on the ground below had changed their countenance. The older female soldier had turned ghastly pale. As for you Youre excellent. Youve lived up to the expectations of the lieutenant of the female battalion. She glanced at the younger female troop. Youve reminded me of something. This is indeed my negligence. Youre not even 20 years old, so its a little too early for you to get married. However, the household registration should commence. From now on, all female troops will be transferred out of their original household registrations and have an independent household! In Jiang Pengjis opinion, humans were humans regardless of their gender, as long as they were talented. In her opinion, people who could not be put to use were no different from trash. Jiang Pengji said haughtily, Huaiyu, execute whats written in the female battalion agreement. You dont have to talk nonsense with them. Feng Jin sighed. He knew that this would happen. Ten rounds of flogging would take a huge toll on the commoners bodies, let alone a hundred. He replied, Yes, Lord. I wonder who the main instigator is? As he finished speaking, he scanned the people who were kneeling in front of them. Of course, they were all dead silent. Chapter 549 - Happenings in the World (XIX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Who was the instigator? Whoever dared to stand up and admit it would be flogged a hundred times. Would one not become crippled? Being crippled was fine. One might even die. In an instant, the people kneeling had turned ghastly pale, except for the seven-year-old boy, who just looked confused. Everyone else was sweating and their buttocks were shaking. The old woman even fainted and collapsed on the ground. She looked as if she exhaled more air than she inhaled. Feng Jin looked surprised. If the old woman was really scared to death, it would affect the lords reputation. The old womans son, daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law looked deeply sorrowful and panic-stricken. The entire hall was noisy. Leaning against the wall, Jiang Pengji looked at their passionate performance with indifference. The viewers in the streaming room were filled with righteous indignation. However, after the old woman fainted, someone stood up and accused Jiang Pengji of being cold-blooded. Luoli Wansui: Oh my gosh. Someones going to die. Although this family is extreme, what the streamer has done isnt right either, right? If shes really dead due to shock, Ill see how the streamer will wind this up. What a bunch of cold-blooded animals. Sannian Xuezhuan: The values of this streaming room are so twisted. Theres even violence in it. Why hasnt the government banned it? Sanpai Shudaozha: It cant be banned. Its streamed live on every platform on the Internet. Its as pervasive as virus. The streaming room may only be completely banned if all the streaming platforms are shut down and the Internet is cut off. Do you think thats even possible? Sixing Bukui: Tsk, tsk. Why is this streaming room so bloody? The minors cant control themselves and commit crimes after watching it. She has twisted values, yet she wants to misguide children. One day, if someone really imitates what has been done in the streaming room and commits a crime, itll be too late. It was not the first time that Jiang Pengji and her ancestors had been criticized by the audience. She did not care. Those mouths belonged to others, so she had no control over what they said. If they could really meet her ancestors face to face, who would dare to speak? She sneered and asked them rhetorically. Host V: I see that @Sixing Bukui has explained the ways to write a sweet, pornographic story. Why? Have you raped girls? She remembered clearly about what had been said by the users when she made obscene remarks in the streaming room. Jiang Pengji dug up the viewers unsavory past without mercy. He tried to play double standards with her? He should first make sure that he was clean before talking. There were viewers in the streaming room who denounced her, but most of the viewers supported Jiang Pengji. After all, they were viewers who had been watching the stream for years. They knew that Jiang Pengji would not shoot without taking aim, not to mention the fact that this matter was related to the dignity of the female battalion. If it was not handled well and the rules of the female battalion were not implemented, everyone would drag their daughters away and marry them off as soon as their futures looked promising. More importantly, was the marriage really for her daughters good instead of selling her for a profit? In short, Jiang Pengji had formed a female battalion, not a pre-marriage training class for women. One should first see if his body could endure a hundred lashes if he wanted to take advantage of her. The people rushed to the old womans side, bawling their eyes out and crying piteously. The older female soldier was struck dumb. Her fear and worries of having her army status stripped off had also subsided. She was more worried about the old womans safety. If something happened to her grandmother because of this, would her family not blame her? As parents said, they were related to their children by blood. They would definitely do it for her own good. Why would they harm her? Feng Jin looked at Jiang Pengji awkwardly. The younger female soldier was also very flustered at first, but she soon collected herself. She was used to seeing her grandmother being unreasonable, making a scene and pretending to faint when she could not win. The word unfilial could even break ones backbone. She looked rosy and clean. She did not look pale and weak like how people who had fainted should look. Lord This Jiang Pengji snorted. It seems like no one will stand up and admit that he or she is the instigator. Ill make a judgment then. The boy is just seven years old, so I think he cant control his eldest sister. He can be exempted from the flogging punishment. The old woman is really detestable. She isnt strict in teaching children, so shell receive ten rounds of flogging. The others will share the remaining ninety rounds of flogging. Drag them away and flog them. The female soldier will have her army status stripped off and shell never be rehired. Had the old woman pretended to faint in front of Jiang Pengji, thinking that she was blind? The old woman still had not woken up. Jiang Pengji said, The old woman even tried to attack a soldier previously, so she should be flogged for three times more Besides, she pretended to faint in front of me, so thats another sin. She should be flogged for ten times more Shell receive a total of twenty-three rounds of flogging. Judge the situation and carry out the punishment. Dont decrease it. Feng Jin responded, Yes, Lord. He called the guards outside to drag the people away and carry out the flogging punishment. The older female soldier instinctively fought back. Fortunately, the guards were prepared and handled her first. Even so, a guard was still injured in the arm. Seeing the situation, Jiang Pengji sneered. Whats the use of being strong? Your disposition is weak. Its no wonder that anyone could step on you. The older daughter was quite strong and she could fight at least four or five burly men. However, when her family forced her to get married to a man who was old enough to be her father and become a stepmother of people who were even older than her, she had still agreed miserably. Jiang Pengji was not that kind. Jiang Pengji had given her a chance, but she did not appreciate it. Therefore, no matter what was to become of her, she should never blame Jiang Pengji. The old woman was dragged out by the guards. She finally could not hold it in anymore and wailed while kicking her feet and thrashing. The viewers who stood up for the old woman blushed. They were not being shy, but they were clearly smacked in the face. The older daughter tried to kneel, plead for mercy and appease the old woman. Instead, she was slapped in the face. Five stripes of vivid red blood were left on her face. As mentioned before, the old woman had thick, long nails. She worked on the farm all year long and was stronger than many young men. Even if her granddaughter the soldier had received harsh training, she was rolling on the ground after being slapped in the face. Her right cheek soon swelled up. Even her teeth were loose. Youre such a hoodoo God damn it. Im about to die Youre such a poser. Had I known that youre such a b***h, I shouldve made you fall to death when you were born Ouch Husband, why did you leave this world so early and let these animals and loose women who have lost their conscience bully me The older daughter widened her eyes in shock. She could not believe that her grandmother had said those words. The old woman refused to get up and cursed. Everyone who listened felt like their ears were contaminated. Jiang Pengji touched her forehead and said indifferently, Drag her away and dont show mercy. Flog her as many times as she should be flogged. The guards could sense the fury in Jiang Pengjis tone. They secretly cursed at the old woman for seeking trouble. Then, with a guard holding each side of her, they forcefully dragged her out. The old woman even tried to claw the guards arms with her nails which soon left a few wounds oozing blood. The guards ached so much that they grimaced in pain. They did not know that an old woman who was almost 50 years old could be that strong. Lowering her eyelids, Jiang Pengji said with evil intentions, Considering that this woman is old, her son, daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law can receive the 20 to 30 rounds of flogging on her behalf. Of course, this is only valid if theyre willing to help her. If they dont want to, shell still have to take the flogging herself. Chapter 550 - Beat the Dog Before the Lion (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Lord, youre really Naughty! Feng Jin was struck dumb, but he could not do anything. After all, her subordinates could only live as they wished if their lord was happy. I know that gossip is a fearful thing and that flogging elders will bring criticism. However, this is the rule of the military camp. If I show mercy today, does that mean that everyone can come to stir up trouble? Elders should be even more sensible. Do you want me to let such a shameless old woman go? Of course, Feng Jin was aware of the importance of beating the dog before the lion. If the rafter which had stuck out was not removed, it would be difficult to repair in the future. Jiang Pengji glanced at the younger female soldier. Seeing that she looked worried, Jiang Pengji felt more satisfied. She said, You should be thankful that youve made a decision thats very different from your sisters. Otherwise, you and your sister would both be ruined for the rest of your lives. The viewers in the streaming room only then realized what was going on. They came to understand the other meaning of Jiang Pengjis words. Duomaomao Baobei: Now that I think about it, their family obviously doesnt regard the sisters as their family. They treat them more like objects. Think about how the old woman cursed just now. Its not wrong to say that theyre enemies. Just like what the streamer says, so what if she has fighting power? The female soldier, the older sister, resisted the guard in a skillful manner just now, but her heart has crumbled and she cant even stand up. Now, her army status has been stripped and shell never be hired. Its not known as to how her family will torture her. Fortunately, her sister is smart and not silly Xuhuan Zhicheng: To tell the truth, Im quite unhappy with the female soldiers act. The streamer has already said that shell support her. She should know how disgusting her family is, but she still chooses to meekly submit to oppression. According to the development of events, I think she wont have a happy ending by returning home and getting married. How could it be good? Her husband was eyeing her position in the military camp and thought that it would be useful to marry her. Now that she had been expelled from the military, she had become a common civilian. The marriage would be called off. Even if it was not, she would be tortured to death if she got married. Muse Xiyang: Thats why the streamer says that the younger sister is smart and that shes not as silly as her sister. The younger sister is still in the military camp and shes still a centurion. Although it isnt a high position, its already amazing for the commoners. With the younger sister being in the military camp to support her elder sister, no matter how miserable her elder sisters life is, she wont get to the point where she has no courage to live on. If the younger sister is silly too Haha. There was no need to say the remaining words. The audience in the streaming room knew what the user was going to say. If the younger sister was also foolish and got expelled from the military and lost her position of centurion, when the sisters returned home, they would just be obedient daughters who were unconditionally filial to their family in the eyes of others. Everything that their family did to them would be justifiable, including buying and selling them. In the ancient times, buying and selling children was not against the law! One should recall how the old woman cursed at her granddaughter just now. She said that her granddaughter was a loose woman and a poser. Would they come to a good end when they returned home? The younger soldier then understood the profound meaning of Jiang Pengjis words. She got teary-eyed, worrying about her elder sisters future. Jiang Pengji saw through her mood and said, If youre really worried about your sister, work hard and do your job properly. Shell have a better life at home only if youre stronger. If youre not strong enough to the extent where your family will flatter and play up to you, shell only be humiliated. Biting her lower lip, the soldier plucked up her courage to plead mercy for her sister so that she would not be expelled from the military. Lord, my sister actually Jiang Pengji interrupted her, In the face of such a situation, being silent is the smartest thing to do. This is best for your sister. The female battalion is indeed an aberration in the world today. Its not recognized by the world. Upon hearing those words, the girl lowered her head even more. As a female soldier who was among the first to enter the female battalion, she had also experienced the days when she was censured by people behind her back and misunderstood. Jiang Pengji did not seem to notice her reaction. In order to have a footing and let everyone accept the female battalion, I cant make a single mistake. If I side with your sister, what about the other soldiers in the female battalion? The military camp is an uncompromising place. If I change the rules frequently, what will become of the military camp? Dont think that your family is the only shrewd one in the world. There are many calculating people in the dark. Do you know what beating the dog before the lion is? Your sister and your family are the dogs that will be slaughtered for the lion to see! In other words, if Jiang Pengji could not handle this matter perfectly, the female battalion might really become a pre-marriage training class. Of course She suddenly laughed. The chill in her voice made ones hair stand on end. If you didnt control yourself and lost your head, youll also be one of the dogs that will be slaughtered. There are many talents in the world, but there are very few chances. There are not enough opportunities to go around. Your sister doesnt want to seize the opportunity, but there are other people who are envious of the chance Am I right? The soldier was drenched in cold sweat. It was still midsummer and it had not rained for a long time, but she felt as if she had fallen into an icehouse. At the same time, she also felt lucky. According to her understanding of her family, if both the sisters had nothing to rely on, they might really be forced to die. However, she could not help but feel sad when she thought of her elder sister who should be fired with such enthusiasm. On the other hand, their family was putting on a good show. The old woman had to be flogged over twenty times. However, when she saw the wooden stick which was used for the flogging punishment, she almost fainted from horror. As the flogging punishment was executed in public, there were naturally many onlookers. The female troops family wanted to drag their daughters home and marry them off, but they failed to do so because of the document which was signed at the beginning. If they wanted to do that, the instigator had to receive a hundred rounds of flogging in public. The female troop would also have her army status stripped off. Upon hearing that, many people were terrified. Just like what Jiang Pengji had said, the family members of the female troops were not the only ones who were clever in the world. Other people had more or less started to work their daughters. So what if they entered the female battalion? They were still their daughters. Would they dare to protest if the parents wanted their daughters to get married? However, when they heard that they would be flogged a hundred times and that their daughters would be expelled from the military, many people had put a lid on their ideas. Their daughters would be a money-losing proposition if they were expelled from the military. How could they help their family financially when they were just losing money? One would have gone to see the King of Hell after ten rounds of flogging, not to mention a hundred times. Everyone cherished their lives. Who would dare to go against it? The onlookers had given up on their various ideas to trick their daughters, but they did not intend to stop watching. There were even people who boasted of their cleverness and boasted proudly. If they did not hold back the greed in their hearts, they might be the ones who would have their pants stripped off and get beaten on the ground. Upon seeing the situation, the old woman knew that she would not be able to escape that day. She cried and yelled. She pinched her granddaughters arm with her right hand so harshly that her flesh was almost torn. Seeing that the bruise was quickly turning black, the others could not help but stroke their arms. With that pressure of hers, were they enemies? Youre a contemptible wretch and a poser. Youve done harm to your family. Why dont you die? Are you trying to kill your grandmother The old woman punched and kicked her granddaughter. The female soldier was stunned. She did not dare to fight back when she was beaten. The crowd was bewildered at the sight. Chapter 551 - Beat the Dog Before the Lion (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After beating her granddaughter and venting her anger, the old woman with messy hair and dirty clothes cried out to the guards who were executing the punishment, Sir, how can an old woman like me endure twenty-three rounds of flogging Husband, why did you leave so early The guard threw up his hands helplessly with a facial expression that said it was not up to him to decide. The lord has said that your son, daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law can receive the flogging on your behalf. The looks on the faces of the old womans children changed. Her two daughters-in-law shrunk back, and her son-in-law looked up at the sky. They divided the 90 rounds of flogging equally among themselves. If they were to share out the 23 rounds of flogging for the old woman, would they still be alive? With the guards reminder, the old woman pointed at one of her daughters-in-law and said with a shrill voice, Its all your fault for giving birth to two daughters and bringing such misery to our family. Youll receive the flogging, or Ill ask my son to cast you off and send you home! The woman she pointed at looked ghastly pale and tottered on her feet. At that moment, the female soldier who was beaten finally found her senses and sneered. Theres still a baby in my mothers stomach, so she cant be flogged. Grandma, didnt you happily say that my mother is going to give me another younger brother two days ago? You know that shes pregnant. Surprised, the guards looked at the weak woman whose shoulders had shrunk. If shes pregnant, she cant be flogged indeed. In other words, there would be one less person who would share out the 90 rounds of flogging. Someone else would have to bear the 23 rounds of flogging which should be received by the old woman. The old woman flushed. The onlookers murmurs rang in her ears. What a vicious old woman. She clearly knows that her daughter-in-law is pregnant, but she still wants her to receive the flogging on her behalf. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Im her neighbor who lives in the same yard. I really didnt expect this family to be so out of line. I was so envious of them when I heard that their two girls had a promising future in the female battalion and that theyd give their monthly wages to help their family. They had the best lives out of everyone in the yard. Looking at them now: this family isnt blessed. Their daughters are climbing up the ladder, but their extreme family are here creating such a spectacle. What an old shrew! Shes so wicked. Isnt she afraid that the King of Hell will make her pay for what she has done?! Id wake up from my dream with a laugh if my daughter is this successful. Unfortunately, shes always ill. How can she go to war, kill the enemy and make contributions? Some people just take it for granted. They dont know how to cherish the blessings that others dont have Its really unfair. Tsk, tsk. You dont understand. Theyre shortsighted and blind! They can only see their daughters being sold off at a high price in exchange for an extravagant betrothal gift, but they cant see the benefits which their daughters could bring home when theyre successful in the future. Theyre nearsighted! In the previous siege, whether the female troops were dragged out to war or stayed behind to guard Xiangyang District, all female troops who performed outstandingly and made contributions were rewarded. Some were promoted, and some were rewarded financially. The female troops of this family were rewarded in both ways. When the news was spread, many people were green with envy, but their family sought death instead. Some clever people would have called their daughters their darlings and tried their best to mend their relationships, hoping to be protected by their daughters. Only people who were stupid and greedy would kill the goose that laid the golden eggs. The old woman was startled when she heard the onlookers murmuring and blaming them for being greedy and stupid. No one stood up for them at all. She was baffled. She could not stop herself from crying when the onlookers said that they were shortsighted. Were blinded by lard too. Were deceived by the evil-minded matchmaker The old woman was ready to put the blame on the matchmaker, saying that the matchmaker had incited them to ruin their daughters. However, everyone knew that had the family not been greedy and evil-minded, how was the matchmaker able to persuade them? The guards had run out of patience. The onlookers were clamoring and wanting to see them get flogged. The family was scared and panic-stricken. The female troops father even wanted to slap his wife because she had given birth to two damned daughters. The female troops cheek was already seriously swollen and her arm was full of bruises. She looked extremely shabby. Seeing that her mother was going to be slapped, she raised her hand to block her fathers arm and pinched the vital part on his wrist. This would cause pain in his bones.Read more chapter on novelhall Ill bear the flogging punishment which Mother is supposed to receive. The others should be flogged according to the rules. She became more sober and made a smart decision. She could not bear being called unfilial, so she took the initiative to receive the flogging punishment on her mothers behalf. She would be flogged seven to eight times more. If she did not say anything, the old woman might regain her senses and force her to bear the 23 rounds of flogging that she should receive. Which would hurt more, seven to eight rounds or 23 rounds of flogging? Even fools knew which to choose. The old woman regained her senses. She pointed at her granddaughter and asked her to take the punishment. After all, she was her granddaughter. What was wrong with a granddaughter getting beaten on behalf of her grandmother? The guard laughed and said, Old lady, your granddaughter is very filial. She has already taken the initiative to bear the eight rounds of flogging for her mother. If she were to take on the 23 rounds of flogging for you, shell die. Youre her grandmother. Do you want to kill your granddaughter? The old woman flushed. Then, her face suddenly turned livid and finally became grave. Her granddaughter was a filial daughter for taking the initiative to bear the punishment for her mother. As her grandmother, she was inhumane for continuing to put the blame on her granddaughter. The guard added, Shes a girl after all and shes still young. If shes beaten many times and her body is injured, itll be bad if she cant have babies later. Dont you still have a few sons and sons-in-law? Theyre men, so it wont hurt for them to be flogged a few times more. The crowd jeered. Were men afraid of spanking? The guard wanted to continue to speak, but his comrade shot him a warning glance which hinted that if the matter was dragged on for too long, their lord would be unhappy. Upon seeing the signal, the guard waved his hand and ordered someone to flog them one by one according to the rules. According to the rules of public flogging, it was necessary for them to take off their pants and lean over a high stool to get flogged. The men were fine. Her daughters-in-law and daughters wailed when it was their turn. The guard gloated over their misfortune. Youre all men. Why dont you receive the flogging on behalf of your wives? Well try to spank you lightly. The commoners were convulsed with laughter. They jeered and egged them on. Yeah. Are you men going to let your wives take off their pants and get flogged? Even if the guards would try to spank them lightly, it would still hurt! The men who were kept down on the ground and got flogged for eight times were boiling with anger. They berated and swore at their wives. B***h, youre hoping for me to die so that you can remarry, right? Will a few rounds of flogging kill you? No matter how reluctant the old woman was, she was still flogged ten times in the end. The remaining thirteen rounds were divided among the younger generation. They were originally unwilling to do so. Even the old womans youngest son whom she loved the most could not help but hide upon hearing those words. In the end, they shoved each other and managed to share out the remaining rounds. The old woman still had to be flogged for ten. When it was the female soldiers, the guard said, Youre still from the female battalion after all and weve guarded the city together. You dont have to take off your pants. The female troop looked ghastly pale. She mumbled, Thank you. There were knacks to the flogging punishment. There were tricks to the spots beaten and the strength exerted. The female troop was beaten badly, but the guard showed mercy. She would recover after a few days. The others looked as if they were fine, but they did not even have to dream about being alive and kicking without staying in bed for a month or more. Chapter 552 - Beat the Dog Before the Lion (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Have they been flogged? With a somewhat indifferent look in her eyes, Jiang Pengji asked the guard who was kneeling on the ground before her. The guard answered, Yes. The punishment has been carried out. Okay. You can leave. Jiang Pengji sighed and felt that she might have to reinforce the ideological teaching among the female troops. She originally intended to influence their thinking subtly, but the current situation did not allow her to do so. She had to use some violence. Get the female troops in the government office to write out the causes and effects of this incident and post it on the city walls. Try to describe it from a fair point of view. Do not interject personal emotions and opinions. Since she was going to beat the dog before the lion, she could not easily let go of this opportunity. She also had to publicize the news so that those who had similar sinister thoughts would drop the idea. She did not want to receive similar news the next day or the day after next. It was simply annoying. Soldiers were a countrys useful weapon. One should put the interests of the whole above everything else and behave according to the military rules once he or she entered the military camp. However, the ties between the members of a clan was the most important thing in society today. The nation could even be ignored. The audience in the streaming room felt that it was too funny for the commoners to drag their daughters home to marry them off. In fact, it was very normal. They treated their daughters as their private possessions, so the parents had the rights to freely handle their children. Could one not see that selling ones children was normal practice? It was illegal for parents to sell their children even in the society the viewers of the streaming room were in, let alone in her society. However, in this society, everything which the parents did to their children was allowable and legal. It could not be considered as a crime at all. It was not even wrong. Huaiyu, help me to write a notice Jiang Pengji said. Feng Jin asked, Is it regarding the household registration of the female troops? Yes, its indeed about that. I was oblivious not to think about every aspect. The female troops are naturally more willing to believe in their families, compared with the promises that Ive made. Otherwise, the female trooper just now wouldnt have been so easily persuaded. Marriage is still early, but having an independent household registration could be put on the agenda. Let them see my determination at least, lest they worry and imagine things. She did not have to check to know that there were definitely a lot of distractions which shook the troops morale within the female battalion these days. It was actually a good thing that the family came to raise a rumpus. It was a ready-made material which could be used to beat the lion before the dog. Jiang Pengji could use it as an excuse to knock some sense into those who were perfidious, as well as to appease the hearts of the troops within the female battalion. If the troops morale was divided, it would be difficult to lead the army. Feng Jin was startled. He immediately nodded and responded, Ill do it right away. Jiang Pengji replied, Thanks a lot. In the past, Feng Jin obviously did not support women to be in the female battalion and politics. Otherwise, they would not remain purely as friends at the beginning. Had it not been for the earthquake in Dongqing, Feng Jin might not be willing to help her sincerely. Why was she a woman? Feng Jin suddenly smiled. Youre welcome. The news about the sisters soon spread out. Many people who did not get to act unreasonably and make a scene were all dead silent. If they had acted quicker, they would be the ones who were flogged if they wanted to drag their daughters away from the female battalion and sell them. It was a total of 100 rounds of flogging. There were many people in the family, so they would not be flogged to death by sharing out the punishment. However, would those who had few people in their family not die? Some considered themselves lucky, some ridiculed the family and some took pleasure in the familys misfortune. The incident about the sisters alerted the troops in the female battalion. It was also a warning for their families. Upon entering the military camp, the female troops could not get married and be pregnant until they reached the age of 24. Violators would have to bear the punishment of being flogged 100 times and a fine of varying amounts. When Jiang Pengji clarified this regulation clearly, no one would dare to create trouble. She knew about the carrot after stick principle well. In order to appease the hearts of the female troops, she announced that she was working on the matter regarding the female troops having an independent household registration. In this era, the troops were a class lower than the commoners. Women born in noble families were not willing to marry the troops. However, the military household established by Jiang Pengji was different. The compensation and various arrangements made for the orphans and family members who were left behind after war were perfect. Troops of different ranks could receive different amounts of silver and could even have a certain preferential treatment when purchasing farmlands and houses. If the troops unfortunately died in the war, their family members and the orphans could receive proper living arrangements. If the troops became disabled due to the war, the government would arrange a position for them to make a living. If they were severely injured and could not do physical work, the government would allocate a certain minimum living allowance to guarantee their standards of living. For such families, the family members could get extra care, such as a certain discount for children to go to school or a reduction in the farmland tax Jiang Pengji listed all the things she could think of. Then she asked the people in the government office to amend and improve the regulations. Feng Jin zoned out for quite a long time upon seeing the regulations. Wei Jingxian was carrying Changsheng while feeding her when he returned home. Seeing the look of shame on her husbands face, she could not help but ask a few questions out of concern. Feng Jin said, Im just ashamed. Lantings boldness and ambition indeed make one feel so embarrassed to show ones face. There was very little mention of post-war compensation throughout history. There was nothing for the soldiers to rely on when they went to war. Otherwise, why would people be jittery and look like beasts when conscription was mentioned? After all, those who made contributions were just the minority. The majority still either died in obscurity or were left with a lifelong disability. There was no one to take care of them. Those who had some conscience would give out some money as compensation, but it would always be exploited at various tiers and only a few copper coins were left to be distributed in the end. Those without conscience would not give anything. Children who had been raised with difficulty for more than 10 years died just like that. This gave rise to a slang saying good men would not become soldiers and good women would not marry soldiers. Wei Jingxian listened to Feng Jin. She only murmured after a while, This is a huge expense. Can Lanting pull through? Feng Jin shook his head. She said that she has to pull through even if she has to scrimp on food and clothing. She said that she shouldnt let the warriors cry after war when theyve already bled on the battlefield. What Lanting said may sound unrefined, but its true. If it can be implemented for real, she can have complete possession of the troops morale and build an elite army with which no one in the world could compete. Everyone knows the principle, but shes the only one whos really bold enough to do it. Jiang Pengji did not have a vast territory now and she had some money in her secret stash. These benefits were nothing, but when she started to conquer the world in the future and when her territory and army grew bigger and bigger day by day, the burden would be heavy. Post-war compensation was not a one-time solution. One or two days was nothing, but what about a few years or even decades? How great would the burden be? She had the guts to come up with this. By looking at the detailed regulations, it obviously was not just a spur of the moment thing. It should be an outcome which she had contemplated for a long time. Wei Jingxian sighed and suddenly lowered her head to tease Changsheng who was looking at them anxiously. She teased, Lanting, Lanting Even though I know that shes a woman, I still feel somewhat attracted to her Feng Jin looked grave. Jealousy was bubbling inside his heart. Honey! Wei Jingxian chuckled. Changsheng giggled too. The mother and daughter smiled like blooming flowers, making Feng Jin be at a loss as whether to cry or to laugh. Chapter 553 - Beat the Dog Before the Lion (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Sister, please take care of Mother at home in the future The female trooper who held the position of centurion helped her sister to pack her luggage. The order of expelling her sister from the military had been released, so she definitely had to pack up and leave the military camp. Heal your wounds properly at home and dont be afraid to spend money. Youll manage the money which I send home in the future. If Mother were to manage the money, those evil-minded people will definitely trick her and take the money away Alright. The older sister lifted her head to look at her younger sister from time to time with a look of remorse in her eyes. She did not know what was wrong with her during that period of time. Her father and relatives had taken turns to harass her, saying that getting married was more promising than being a trooper and that she could be the master of the house and become the legal wife of her husband. If she could give birth to a boy for the first time, he might inherit the family business in the future and the rest of her life would be promising. They gave all sorts of examples, telling her that the lords promises were definitely a bluff She was inclined towards her family in the confusion. Now that she had been expelled from the military, would her family not torture her when she returned home? Thinking of which, she could not help but think of her own sister who was obedient, sensible, and much more reliable. In this era, if her 15-year-old sister had not entered the female battalion, she would have probably have already become a mother by now. To put it bluntly, Ive seen through Mother and shes a muddleheaded person. Ive given her six months worth of wages in the past. I originally hoped that with the money, she could be tougher at home, not be controlled by Grandma all the time, not bullied by Aunty and not be beaten by Father The more she talked, the angrier she was. The younger sister could not help but grit her teeth. Three meals a day were provided in the military camp and the food was delicious. They had nowhere to use the grain and wages distributed each month, so the sisters planned to give them to their mother secretly. However, they did not expect their mother to trick them like this and attract a bunch of blood-sucking leeches. Their evil-minded relatives raised a rumpus, causing her sister to lose her status of being a trooper, which was like losing ones shelter. What would she do in the future? After the marriage was called off, her future husband escaped faster than a rabbit and her family was beaten up. They would definitely blame the older sister for this. Thinking of this, the younger sister was stressed out. The younger sister said, Dont be silly this time. If theyre shrewd towards you, just fight back. Im still a centurion. Who would dare beat you up? You have to do the same for Mother and act tougher so that you can protect yourself and Mother from being bullied Compared with her older sister who was weaker, she was much more hardhearted and stronger. She babbled on and on. They only had a day off each month in the female battalion. She could only return home once a month. The older sister did not say a word and silently took the gift from her sister. There was basically nothing besides some clothes and two bedclothes. Their tent was surrounded by more than 10 comrades who were usually close to her. Everyone was somewhat quiet. The older sisters lips fluttered. Im leaving Many comrades came to see her off, but some female troops whom she was not close with came to watch the bustling scene as well. After all, she was the first female trooper to have her army status removed and be expelled from the female battalion since the establishment of the female battalion. It was almost as if the older sister fled in panic. Even if the crowd did not say anything, she felt uncomfortable, as if countless pairs of spurious eyes were watching her. It was like they taunted her for being weak and useless, giving up her bright future and degrading herself to be tortured by her family. Seeing the gazes of the onlookers, the younger sister could not help but boil with anger. She said fiercely, What are you looking at? Had it not been for my sister, would you be transferred out of your household registration this early? A female troop laughed and responded, Even if it wasnt for your sister, there may be someone elses sister. Everyone knows about the happenings in the female battalion recently, but your parents cant hold themselves in and your sister is an airhead. Id say that its good for your sister to leave the female battalion early. She doesnt want it but there are people who would go backward to secure a position here. Had she not been suspicious of the lord, would such an incident have happened? She was a dog in the manger. There were people who wanted a position when she did not want one. If this matter was carefully investigated, it was clear that the older sister was disloyal and did not trust the lord. What was a person like her doing in the female battalion? The younger sister was at a loss for words. Come on. Didnt Lieutenant Jiang always say that people who want to save themselves can still be saved and those who resign themselves to adversity are definitely hopeless? Your sisters skills are considered to be outstanding among the female troops. If your family beats her up, will she not fight back? You should take this as a lesson. If you have the time to bicker here, you might as well knock some sense into your parents. Otherwise your sisters body will turn cold when you return home on your next day off. No matter how skillful one was, one would be beaten to death if one did not resist. Those words sounded a bit sinister, but they were not wrong. The younger sister looked livid and flushed. This incident was only hyped up for two days. The female troops were then distracted by another huge incident. The female troops who had made meritorious deeds in the previous wars were the first to obtain their independent household registration. They were the head of their respective households! Although all female troops would get their independent household registrations, there was a difference in timing. The first batch of female troops were those who had made contributions. This had imperceptibly added to the thoughts of the female troops to eagerly make contributions. The policy had also dissatisfied many families of the female troops, causing them to oppose the policy. The head of the household was the master of the house. If these women ran away one by one, how could they take advantage of them in the future? However, under Jiang Pengjis strong repression, the rebellious voices soon vanished. Fengyi County was a rare refuge. If they disgusted the district magistrate and got chased out, would they still be able to live? Even if they were not willing to, the policy was still successfully implemented, but the department that managed the household registration was pitiful. There were not many female troops, but they were not that small in number either. Thousands of people were transferred out from their original household registrations. It was not as simple as moving an account as property and inheritance issues were also related. Everyone was overwhelmed with the work. It was still a hot summer, so they were half dead. Jiang Pengji did not forget about the male battalion while taking care of the female battalion. Welfare policies were promulgated which greatly reduced their worries when they were at war. As a result, the male troops had no time to be jealous of the female troops. They were all beaming from ear to ear. Even if they had to train under the midsummer sun, their middle-jiao qi was overflowing. One could even hear their thunderous battle cry in the military camp from afar. After the incident that happened in the female battalion, Jiang Pengji realized that most of the troops were already unwavering in their thoughts. The effect of subtle influence was too slow and it was very difficult to obtain the desired result in a short period of time. In this case, it was better to choose simple and violent brainwashing methods. Be it during the training in the morning or at night, everyone had to shout the regulations of the military camp and treat them as the slogans for training. It was the same for the male and female battalions. One or two days were nothing. She did not believe that they would not be influenced after a few days. Jintian Kawen: Youre joining my party, Streamer. You have a bright future and I have faith in you. Hao Tongkua: Streamer, do you want to consider setting up a political commissar in the military camp? In view of the fact that the ancient and modern military systems are different, the political commissar which you set up doesnt have to manage too many matters. Theyll just tell simple stories about wars to the troops, instill ideologies which you find useful, and occasionally manage internal affairs. Its similar to a housekeeper. They can teach the illiterate troops to learn how to read and eliminate illiteracy. Buzhi Jigeng: Hahaha To the user above, youre hating on my party too much. Be careful that theres a missile outside your door! Chapter 554 - The Shameless Lord Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Using the words of the audience in the streaming room to mock themselves, they were just a bunch of losers whose main task was to shout the word awesome. Their secondary job was to be onlookers. However, apart from being onlookers, losers had brains. Their suggestions could also inspire Jiang Pengji. For example, she had also carefully considered the political commissar this time. She was somewhat conative, but she was spiritless when it was combined with reality. It could not be implemented. Shanghaojia Tianyuan Shupian: Why? Isnt the suggestion pretty good? I think its very feasible. Salami Jitui: Dont worry. The streamer is just saying that its not feasible now. Shes not saying that it wont work in the future. I think the current conditions arent mature yet. Do you think that a housekeeper can become a political commissar? The most basic requirement is that the political commissar must be literate! When the bullet screen was posted, many losers who were jumping with nervousness had calmed down. They forgot that there were 99 illiterate people out of every 100 people in the streamers world. The political commissar did not have to be knowledgeable, but he must not be illiterate. Otherwise, how could he educate people and eliminate illiteracy? To put it bluntly, Jiang Pengji was still short of talent! How could she have enough talent? Firstly, she had to recruit talent, use various benefits to attract refugees to settle down and enlarge the army to become stronger. Jiang Pengji had been working hard on that. Wei Ci had also sent more than 10 letters to classmates whom he was close with. He had yet to receive a reply. Secondly, she had to nurture talent herself. When it came to nurturing talents, schools would be involved. Schools were the cradle and the birth of talent.read comics on our webnovel.live Jiang Pengji had previously bluffed Shangguan Wan into becoming a teacher. She ordered someone to build a small school in Xiangyang District where the military force was the strongest. She planned to recruit hundreds of clever students. The construction of the school was about to be completed. The plan of recruiting students could also be put on the agenda. Just by training them for one to two years, she would be able to amass a batch of talent for low-level positions. Not to mention anything else, they could at least become a political commissar who would echo what the books said, tell stories, and brainwash the troops Thirdly, she had to encourage women who were of a suitable age to give birth to children! After all, newborns would be the future. There were too many people who died in wars which could cause a sharp decline in population. If there was not an adequate number of newborns, the population would show negative growth which would be unfavorable for long-term development. Speaking of the third article, Jiang Pengji could not help but scratch the wall by herself. Why were the child-bearing conditions there so backward?! I really dont want to promulgate this law. I feel that its contradictory to my own principles, but I have to do it Sigh! Jiang Pengji was done scratching the wall and ranted to the audience with a serious look on her face. The audience in the streaming room had gotten along with her for years. By listening to a word or two which she occasionally uttered, they knew why Jiang Pengji had said so. In the streamers world, pregnancy was completely dependent upon the hardworking scientists. Men and women would donate their sperms and ova respectively and wait for the birth of their children. Even so, men and women still thought that it was troublesome to have children. The population had once experienced negative growth. The total human population which had been declining was only barely stabilized by relying on the human reproduction program launched by the intelligent government. Did one think to bear the child in ones uterus and reproduce a newborn naturally? Years of imprisonment would await. The minimum sentence was 10 years and the maximum was a life sentence! Now, in her opinion, the criminal charge of letting a federal mogul promulgate the law to encourage women who were of the suitable age to have children was enough to shoot someone dead! A rant was a rant. She still had to do it. During the drought in the north that year, the crops in the fields had almost withered to death. The Tsing Yi Army and Red Lotus Group who had been fighting fiercely had also somewhat ceased fighting. As they could not continue fighting, the situation in the north had become more stable. There would be no large-scale conflicts in the north at least until the next spring ploughing. This was a good opportunity for rehabilitation. Jiang Pengji planned to seize the opportunity and make the people under her governance rehabilitate, for example, by giving birth to children. However, although it was a policy to encourage population growth, Jiang Pengji had also added some additional clauses. The best age for women to give birth to children was between 25 and 30 years old. Their bodies basic development had matured. Their bones had completely calcified and their pelvises had become wider. This was the most suitable state for childbirth. This was also one of the reasons why Jiang Pengji had set the retirement age of the female troops to be 24. If childbirth was to be encouraged, she decided to give appropriate encouragement and welfare to pregnant women of this age group. Of course, given the high probability of the abandonment of baby girls in this era, if reproduction was encouraged, many baby girls would be abandoned or murdered when they were born. For this reason, she had added additional regulations. If each household did not want to raise the baby girls who were born, they could send the baby girls to the nursery. They were not allowed to abandon or deliberately murder them. People who were willing to raise the baby girls would be given some benefits. However, although her idea was good, many people, including her subordinates, were somewhat puzzled. Most of the people were married between the ages of 13 and 18. Getting married later would make it difficult for them to get married. Therefore, their pregnancies were also focused in this age group. Why did the lord reward pregnant women between the ages of 25 and 30? According to the current ethos, a 30-year-old pregnant woman could basically have children at the same time as her daughter-in-law. In the face of such a question, Jiang Pengji blinked her eyes and said, Youre uncivilized. Read more books. Feng Jin, who was accused of being uneducated, asked rhetorically in a swift and natural manner, What book is it? A medical book, of course. Jiang Pengji said with a smile, I read a wide variety of books and Ive read some medical books of various kinds. Its mentioned in the medical books that giving birth to children at a young age is bad for a womans body. Didnt you realize that among the seven to eight children whom some of the young couples have given birth to, the children who are born later are basically the ones who can manage to survive and that those who are born earlier have either broken health or have died due to other reasons? Feng Jin was a little surprised. Was it really true? Of course it was. Many physicians knew about it as well, but they could not say it. Whoever who said it would be cursed. Was there a family who did not wish for their daughters-in-law to quickly give birth to children after marriage? The upbringing of the Feng family was strict. Be it a man marrying his wife or a woman getting married to her husband, they were all about 17 to 18 years old. Some even got married two years later than that. It was much better than those who were married at the age of 13 to 14. Hence this did not really make Feng Jin think deeply. However, if he understood the low-level commoners carefully, he would know the truth of Jiang Pengjis words. Jiang Pengji added, Im not saying that women who are in their early teens arent allowed to have children, but Im encouraging those who are slightly older to give birth to more children. It was better to have children at an older age rather than having children at the age of 13 or 14 and only two or three children managed to survive in the end when the woman who was pregnant seven to eight times had reached her twenties. When womens bodies were more developed, the survival rate of children would also be higher. Medical technology was very backward in this era. Childbirth was highly risky for women. It would be even riskier if women gave birth to children at an inappropriate age. Jiang Pengji was still too weak now. She would not act against the whole social trend, but she could adapt to changing circumstances. She could achieve her goal and conform to the current ethos. She strived to find a balance between the two and slowly change the world. Feng Jin was somewhat confused. He spoke helplessly after a while, In this case, its best for you to work with the physicians and talk about the reasons. Otherwise, when the law is promulgated, many commoners will curse at you. Why did they have to curse at Jiang Pengji in secret? She took the lead in encouraging women who could be grandmothers to give birth to children. Was she not looking for trouble? Chapter 555 - Drought, Refugees (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Doctor, is my daughter-in-laws baby okay Ever since Jiang Pengji had enacted the new law, the commoners were puzzled and could hardly contain themselves. They were perplexed because they could not understand why the lord wanted old women between the ages of 25 and 30 to have children who would be as old as their grandchildren. Would one not feel embarrassed? However, the physician had said that the lord was right. The commoners were blindly obedient. They were even more easily influenced by public opinions. In terms of reproduction and treatment of illnesses, who else would have more say than a physician? The physician said that pregnant women who gave birth to children at a young age would result in the children being weak and the pregnant women being in ill health. The commoners began to remember. They were all married and gave birth to children at a very young age. Was there a married woman who did not get pregnant a few times and give birth to seven to eight children? What were the results of it? How many children were raised? Putting aside human factors and hunger, upon careful thinking it was extremely scary to think about how many children had simply died naturally because they were weak! There was no effective contraceptive measure in this era. If a woman was pregnant, she had to give birth to the child regardless of how close her two pregnancies were. The commoners shuddered upon thinking about this aspect. Was there a married woman who did not start giving birth to children when they were in their teens? If they did not die because of obstructed labor, they would have children one after another. They gave birth to seven to eight children, but only two or three survived in the end. If they encountered other disasters, they might only be left with a son who survived. Some of them were not even left with a single child. They found out that the children who were given birth to at an older age were indeed stronger. At that time, they thought that it was because their lives had gotten better. Families who had pregnant daughters-in-law were unable to sit still. Pregnant women queued up in front of the medical center. The physician could meet hundreds of people like the mother-in-law in front of him who was worried about her unborn grandson each day. He secretly sighed. The physician felt that he was unlucky that day. Why was it that he was the one on duty? Your daughter-in-law is strong. If she takes care of her baby well and is relaxed, shell definitely be able to give birth to a healthy child. The woman said, But my daughter-in-law is only 16 years old this year. The physician secretly pouted. Never mind that she was 16 years old, even if she was only 13 years old, could she abort the child? Was there a medical practitioner who did not know that giving birth to children at an extremely young age could easily cause the children to be congenitally deficient? However, he could not say those words. Daughters-in-law had to carry on the family line. Why would mothers-in-law who only cared about their grandsons worry about that? They were someone elses daughters anyway. It was their fault for not being able to give birth to a son. It was also their fault for not being able to raise their sons even if they gave birth to one. Everyone was to be blamed. Anyway, mothers-in-law were the only ones who were not at fault. The physician was irritated on the inside, but he replied gently on the outside, Childbearing is also divided into congenital and postnatal. Even if the child is a little deficient congenitally, he can be nourished if he receives proper postnatal care. However, its more troublesome than that. I see that your daughter-in-law doesnt look well and her pulse is unclear and heavy. Theres a knot in her heart. You dont have to be too worried, Madam. Dont give her too much pressure. Only pregnant women who are physically and mentally healthy and in a good mood are able to give birth to strong children. Am I right?Read more chapter at novelhall The physician received the order saying that they must insist that giving birth to children at a young age would make the children die easily, but they could not be harsh with their words. Although giving birth to children at a young age could cause the children to be congenitally deficient, they could also be healthy and lively through proper postnatal care. It was just that the adults had to take care of the children meticulously and they could not be careless. The medical center which Jiang Pengji set up was a very attractive institution. The medicinal herbs inside and the physicians salaries were specially subsidized by the government. As a result, the commoners consumption when seeing a physician would be reduced. The physician could concentrate more on treating the patients without considering other miscellaneous matters. Anyone who had a headache or fever could be treated. It would not cost much and it was not expensive to buy the medicinal herbs. In order to take care of the female patients, there were female medical troops who had rotated their days off to study medicine in the medical center. For nearly a year, the medical center in Xiangyang District had greatly impressed the commoners. The physician had already said so. The commoners pondered for a while blankly and they were able to accept the law which Jiang Pengji promulgated. Pregnant women in their twenties were somewhat older, but it was easy for them to have children who would be healthy. This was an advantage! There was a small reproduction peak in Fengyi County. It had washed away the dull atmosphere and brought a little joy. During the drought in the north that year, the sun was scorching hot and it was dry everywhere, not to mention that not a single grain was reaped. One could just starve himself when there was no food. One could even eat mud, tree barks, tree roots and grassroots when he was extremely hungry. However, one would collapse after three to four days without water. The Tsing Yi Army was the first to be defeated because they only knew how to destroy things instead of producing and governing. In order to survive, there were more and more deserters. The increase in the number of deserters meant that there were more and more refugees. In contrast, the Red Lotus Group was still in a fairly good condition. They went to war and governed the people by relying on their religion. When the entire northern territory was suffering from drought, they led the people to pray to the gods. Although it was somewhat useless, it had alleviated the panic of the people to a certain extent. Under the circumstance, the construction in Fengyi County was already on the right track. The originally dilapidated Maolin District, Chengan District and Jiaoping District were full of vigor. Some refugees who had escaped and returned thought that they had gone to the wrong place. Was this still their former home? There were refugees who flocked to Fengyi County every day. Outside the city, people who were waiting to be inspected and settle down could be seen. Although the place was still poverty-stricken, as long as there were enough people, it would definitely become more developed. The weather is hot now. The water level in the well has been falling and the mountain streams are drying up Yang Sis full-moon-like face had already become so thin that his sharp chin was revealed. He did not have the time to trim his black beard. He looked extremely shabby. The water channels are covered with flashed bricks, but the volume of water has been decreasing. I think the other three districts are facing the same situation as well What should we do? His boy servant was no longer learning how to cook from the chef. He was dragged over by his master to organize documents and be ordered about as half a labor force. He said, Why dont we limit the peoples daily water usage? Wei Ci shook his head. We cant! If we do this, itll easily cause a panic among the commoners and every household will rush to store water. Itll be bad. New refugees would gather every day. If the news of there being a shortage of water in the city was to spread, the chaos would be unimaginable. The boy servant pulled a long face. What should we do then? Wei Ci pondered. Well do it another way. Both methods were to limit the use of water, but the ways of publicizing them were different. The effects produced were also vastly different. Surprised, Yang Si said, Another way? Wei Ci replied, There are so many refugees outside the city now. The north is arid and many civilians arent able to find water. In more serious cases, theyll die of thirst. Since thats the case, well inform the people inside and outside the city and explain the severe situation in the north. Well tell them that although theres no shortage of water in the district, every household should cherish the current situation, save water, and reduce unnecessary waste of water If the civilians wasted water, would their conscience not hurt when there were other people who could not find water? The boy servant and Wei Ci had the same objective. Obviously, the former would cause panic and civil disorder, whereas the latter could make the people feel guilty and save water spontaneously. It could even make the people feel more grateful towards Jiang Pengji. If it were not for her, would what they have now exist? Yang Si thought about it and teased him with a smile. Youre a sly one! Chapter 556 - Drought, Refugees (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Facts had proven that Wei Cis approach was indeed very useful. Not only did the people not panic, but they became even more united instead. However, it was still a temporary solution. As long as there was no rain, the severity of the drought would worsen. But compared to the arid farmlands outside, the situation in Fengyi County was far better. Jiang Pengjis mental brain domain had returned to its finest state. Searching for groundwater was not a problem. Even if there was no groundwater, she could easily find out where a well could be dug according to her previous experience. With such a valuable water source, the water shortage problem was not serious. Dangling a honey popsicle in her mouth, Jiang Pengji mumbled vaguely, Its really hot After boiled water was mixed with thick honey, it was poured into a special mold with grooves. Finally, it was put into the refrigerator and popsicles which were now edible were produced. The pure, natural honey tasted quite sweet. It made one feel comfortable from head to toe, dispelling the heat in the body. As for the refrigerator? Of course, this was not a refrigerator which the viewers in the streaming room were familiar with. Jiang Pengji did not buy it from the mall either The run-down and trashy mall did not even sell a bathtub let alone a relatively high-end furniture such as a refrigerator. Even if there was a refrigerator, where could one find a generator? The so-called refrigerator which Jiang Pengji mentioned was actually an ice box that she and Zhang Ping created. It was referred to as a refrigerator. Most of the ice in the ancient times was mostly bricks made of ice and snow during winter. Then, they were stored in an icehouse and they would be used during summer in the following year. Jiang Pengji knew how to make ice, but she did not know what the materials which were used to make ice in this era were called. After thinking about it for a long time with Zhang Ping, she finally figured out what could be used to make ice. The audience in the streaming room said that it was called saltpeter which was useful in making ice in the ancient times. Adhering to the principle that good things should be shared with her subordinates, Jiang Pengji ordered someone to transport the refrigerator which was created to the other three districts when she had had enough of the honey popsicles to reward her hardworking subordinates. They worked overtime non-stop in the summer, so they could eat some popsicles to expel the heat from their bodies. Lord, water has emerged in three wells yesterday As long as we get through this month, the weather should be turning cold slowly Zhang Ping was a technical nerd. The person whom he admired the most in his life was his lord. She was better at finding wells than any experienced farmer. Wherever she said that a well could be dug, there would definitely be water. If not, how could the people live such comfortable lives? I guess so. I hope that God will show some mercy and let it rain more before the autumn harvest. If this is the case, it wont be considered as a year of scarcity. Many wastelands had been opened up the previous year in Xiangyang District. The wastelands were rented to the people in the district for farming. Even if there was a serious shortage of water that summer, people would save the water and use it for their farmlands. They had spent a lot of effort over those few months, meticulously taking care of their crops in the fields. If something went wrong during this period and their year-long efforts ended up in vain, the farmers would cry a river. The two of them sat in the corridor and ate their popsicles leisurely. There were two halves of watermelon next to them. After finishing their popsicles, they ate the watermelon by scooping it with a spoon. Feng Jin, who was drenched with sweat, saw the scene when he came rushing over Crossing her legs indecently, his lord, who was wearing gray clothes, rolled her pants and sleeves up to her thighs and shoulders respectively. Her greenish black, long hair was tied into a ponytail, with her bangs hanging on the sides of her cheeks. She was holding half of a large watermelon in her arms while eating gluttonously with a spoon in her right hand. Zhang Ping did not look much more decent either! Feng Jin looked glum in an instant. The viewers took the initiative to make up some monologues upon seeing his facial expression. F***! These two bastards! Jiang Pengji was funny. Having been born in an aristocratic family, Feng Jin had an excellent upbringing, so he would not easily swear. Feng Jin stepped forward while carefully avoiding the watermelon rind which had been thrown everywhere on the ground. Lord What is it, Huaiyu? Jiang Pengji looked up while dangling a piece of watermelon in her mouth. She looked very innocent. On the other hand, Zhang Ping knew how to be cautious about his image. Covering his mouth with his large sleeve, he quietly wiped his mouth and sat in an upright posture. However, he was somewhat full so his stomach looked quite bloated. Taking a deep breath, Feng Jin told himself to be tolerant and not to get angry at such an unreliable master. He said, I just received the news that a huge incident has happened in the south. The wife of the second prince, An Yina, has suddenly died and the cause of her death is unknown. Jiang Pengji pondered and remembered who An Yina was. Quivering from head to toe, she asked in a serious manner, An Yina is dead? Who was An Yina? Some of the viewers who did not watch the streaming regularly were unsure about who she was, but the experienced viewers with a strong sense of crisis had remembered who she was. Waitou Leizhenyu: An Yina? Isnt she the princess of the royal family of the North borderline, who later married the second prince of Dongqing? Fangding Zailouyu: Why is Feng Jin so nervous that shes dead? Who cares if shes dead? Shenjia: Please. Have some political awareness, okay? Although An Yina is just the princess of the North borderline, shes also the link between the North borderline and Dongqing. The North borderline has long had wolfish ambitions. An Yina is the spy sent by the North borderline to specially stir up trouble. Now that shes dead, the three tribes of the North borderline have enough reasons to dispatch their troops to Dongqing. Look at the state that Dongqing is in now. Can they ward off the cavalry of the North borderline? Although they had never witnessed the power of the cavalry of the North borderline, the cavalrys ability in striking and lethality had always been very strong on the ancient battlefields. If the cavalry did not encounter a branch of the armed forces who could completely restrain them, they were said to be invincible on battlefields. The cavalry was highly flexible. They would leave after overcoming one enemy. How could the two-legged ordinary infantry catch up with them? Besides, on the ancient battlefields, wars were heavily dependent upon the cooperation among the military arrays. The cavalry vanguard could ram the formation and split the enemys array into several sections. Being unable to take care of the front and rear lines, the enemys combat power could not be maximized. They could only be chewed up. According to their understanding, Dongqins terrain was mostly flat, which was very suitable for cavalry combat. Once the North borderline dispatched their troops and broke through the line of defense at the border, they could simply rampage through the hinterland of Dongqing! What was even more terrible was that the north of Dongqing was in chaos. The drought and military disasters had not ended. There was also a full-swing war in the south. If the North borderline launched a sneak attack on a perfectly justifiable basis, it would be really difficult for Dongqing to speak in self-defense and they could only swallow the insult. The experts in the streaming room explained the situation to the newbies. It did not matter as to whether An Yina was dead or not. What mattered was that she was dead. The North borderline would have a perfectly justifiable excuse to dispatch their troops. Jiang Pengji looked grave. If the North borderline dispatched their troops, Fengyi County which was under her governance would not be able to stay out of it. Feng Jin asked, Lord, what should we do now? The internal and external troubles really stressed her out. Jiang Pengji replied, I originally intended to slow down and relax while constructing the district so that the people will have the time to rehabilitate. It seems that time isnt waiting for me. If we dont hurry up, itll be difficult to resist the cavalry of the North borderline She had wanted to dispatch her troops after Fengyi County was rehabilitated and strive to recapture the entire Wanzhou after the spring ploughing of the following year. It seemed that this was no longer possible. They had to prepare for the worst in case the North borderline dispatched their troops the following year! Chapter 557 - Drought, Refugees (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The civilians did not know about the death of the second princess, An Yina. Even if they knew about it, to them it was just the death of a royal family member. In fact, the news was enough to agitate the situation in the north. With a grave look on her face, she asked about the troops recruitment and the training of the new recruits. It would be impossible to fight without the troops. Due to the drought in the north, many members of the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group felt that they could no longer survive so they broke away from the organizations and became refugees. For these refugees, Fengyi County was an oasis in the desert. They tried very hard to work their way there. Jiang Pengji instructed for them to be carefully screened and those of high quality would be selected as new recruits. Thanks to the household registration policy for the female troops, the recruitment went quite smoothly. With their backs to the wall, many women wanted to join the female battalion as well. However, Jiang Pengji raised the entry requirement of the female battalion. Only women who were physically strong, agile and determined would be selected in order to ensure the combat capabilities of the female battalion. In this era, women were the only ones who could multiply the population through childbearing. However, in the female battalion, the rules stated that the female troops could only get married and have children after they retired from the military at the age of 24. If too many women entered the female battalion, the population in her territory would inevitably be affected, which Jiang Pengji was unwilling to see. Moreover, victories in wars were not dependent upon the number of soldiers. The overall quality of the troops was very important as well. She would rather have the number of troops in the female battalion to be half of that of the male battalion. The standard of combat power must not fall. Troops were valued for their quality, not their number. Jiang Pengji asked with a grave look on her face, Hows the mining of the iron ore going? Feng Jin replied, The members of the Tsing Yi Army who were previously captured have already been dispatched to the mines. The iron ore veins are quite rich, but in terms of smelting Its beyond their ability. We probably have to carefully scout about for skillful craftsmen. This isnt a difficult task. Ill try to find a way. There were iron ores in the territory, which meant that they did not have to buy iron externally at a high price. This could save them a lot of money. Jiang Pengjis heart had ached at the purchase of the thousands of infantry equipment in the previous year. A hole was burnt in her pocket. Even if the money had been contributed by the losers in the North borderline, it was her money once it entered her storehouse! He said awkwardly, However its very difficult to fight against the cavalry of the North borderline with that alone To combat the North borderline, they must face their cavalry. According to their understanding about the past, the army of the three tribes of the North borderline was generally composed of infantry and cavalry. The ratio of the two was about 1:2. More than a decade ago, the three tribes of the North borderline dispatched their troops and launched a sneak attack on Shangyu County of Congzhou. They sent 100,000 troops, of which 60,000 to 70,000 were cavalry! After the war, they pushed forward with overwhelming momentum and conquered six cities consecutively. Had the Count of Zhenbei not reacted quickly and delayed them for more than 10 days, they probably would have conquered the entire Congzhou. The three tribes of the North borderline were a nomadic ethnic group and had contact with horses all year long. To put it bluntly, children at the age of seven or eight could ride on horses which galloped on the plains of the North borderline. If the aristocrats in Dongqing did not have the help of a stirrup, they could not even climb onto a horses back. Stirrups had just emerged so they were not popular. Only some aristocrats would fix a simple and fancy stirrup on their horses. It was not easy to ride a horse, but many people who were highly skillful at riding did not like to use stirrups, just like Li Yun who often rode horses without stirrups. Hence the audience in the streaming room teased him with off-color jokes, such as praising his waist strength and that his future wife would have a blessed sex life. The stirrups could be further improved, which could be used to aid the cavalry in horseback battles. Even those who were not adept at horse-riding could learn how to ride horses quickly. However, in regards to the cavalry, even if Jiang Pengji started to make preparations now, it was very difficult for them to outperform the North borderline in terms of quality, let alone quantity. Unless She trained the cavalry while training special units that could hinder the cavalry. The look in Jiang Pengjis eyes grew dim and her brain started spinning. Seeing that she was deep in thought and involuntarily interlocking her fingers together, he knew that his lord was thinking of a solution so he did not make any noise. He just waited for her to finish. Its not impossible to fight against the cavalry For Jiang Pengji, no branch of the armed forces was invincible. Even if they were the special genetic unit formed by the Intergalactic Federation, they were not unassailable. They could still encounter natural enemies. Similarly, the North borderlines crude light cavalry which was little in number was even more unlikely to be impregnable. Feng Jin asked, What ideas do you have in mind? Jiang Pengji replied, I want to train an army that specifically slaughter horses. Cangzhou is where all the ranches of Dongqing are and its the Meng familys territory. Theyre not our allies. We may lose our fortune if we want to purchase enough battle steeds through that channel. If the North borderline starts a war, theyll also keep an eye on the whereabouts of the horses. Its not realistic for us to expand our cavalry at the last minute. Zhang Ping who was at the side said, Are you trying to make best use of the advantages and bypass the disadvantages, avoid a battle with the cavalry and develop a method to restrain the cavalry instead? In terms of horse battles, in the nine states and five kingdoms, even Zhongzhao that had the strongest national power did not dare to claim that they could beat the North borderline. Rather than striving for superiority of cavalry, it was better to snap course and study the special forces that specifically restrained the cavalry. This was indeed an idea. Jiang Pengji nodded and said, Battle steeds are part of a cavalry. A cavalry is as fragile as a shelled snail without the battle steeds. We can now produce iron ourselves and manufacture swords and heavy shields. If different branches of the armed forces are allowed to collaborate, for example there are troops who would be armed with heavy shields to resist the first hail of attacks made by the cavalry. The other troops would stab and slaughter battle steeds with swords or rifles This was just a tentative idea. For it to be implemented for real, experiments were needed. For example, how strong was the cavalry vanguard? What kind of heavy shields and force could resist the enemy so that the rear formation would not be disarrayed? Jiang Pengji added, Huaiyu, youve seen the penetrating power of the mounted crossbows before, right? Mounted crossbows? Was she going to the use mounted crossbows to fight against the cavalry? Feng Jin nodded and responded doubtfully, But the mounted crossbows are bulky and its difficult to move them. Im afraid that theyd be insufficient to fight against the cavalry. Zhang Ping shook his head and said to Feng Jin, You have the wrong idea. I think what the lord means is that how much damage would the mounted crossbows cause to the cavalry if they could move around like the cavalry. The mounted crossbows could be placed on chariots so its naturally more convenient to move them around. Of course, wheels can be installed on the mounted crossbows. However, the tension of the mounted crossbows is tremendous. Once the arrows are launched, the whole chariot will move A technical nerd had sharper thinking than ordinary people. Zhang Pings train of thoughts was definitely different to that of Feng Jin. We can give this a try. Feng Jin felt more confident upon recalling the penetrating power and shooting range of the mounted crossbows. Dampening their spirits, Jiang Pengji said, Installing wheels on the mounted crossbows or placing them on chariots could indeed make them flexible, but theyre too slow compared to the cavalry. Using them to fight against the cavalry is simply out of the question. They could at most be used to catch the enemy unprepared and pose a threat to the first assault. When the enemy realizes whats going on, this move wouldnt work well. Jiang Pengji added, Although the lethality of the improved crossbows couldnt compare to that of the mounted crossbows, the mobility and flexibility of the former are far better than the latter. If a unit that specifically restrains the cavalry is formed, the troops could use the improved crossbows. Such troops could be called crossbow infantry. Feng Jin was able get the point. It was equivalent to multiplying the number of troops in the past by more than 10 times. Jiang Pengjis words had opened up a new train of thought for him. Chapter 558 - Drought, Refugees (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There were many types of cavalry. However, in this era, there was no detailed division of the armed forces. There was no variation in the branches of the armed forces. For example, the cavalry of the North borderline was mostly made up of light cavalry. They lacked mineral veins in the North borderline. Of course, the troops armors were not made of copper and iron. They were all woven with special rattan. This was almost the same as their ancestors, the Qiangwu tribe. The rattan armors of the Qiangwu tribe were repeatedly soaked with oil. With the help of unique craftsmanship, they were very tough and their defensive ability was quite good. Their lightness was the key benefit. However, the hundreds of thousands of cavalry of the Qiangwu tribe had ended up being burned to death by Prime Minister Huangfu. The three tribes of the North borderline learned the lesson and reformed the craftsmanship of the rattan armors. The improved rattan armors did not seem to catch fire easily anymore. The infantry of the North borderline was similar to the cavalry. Clad with rattan armors, they held either swords or spears. What about the division of the armed forces and the cooperation between them? Oh, was there such a thing? Jiang Pengji had only battled with the Tsing Yi Army so far. The Tsing Yi Army was just a regular army without armor and they were just scums whose combat power was below level five. The third-rate Tsing Yi Army could not compare to the cavalry and infantry of the North borderline. The number of people that they had in the cavalry and infantry was already frightening enough. To fight against such an enemy, one definitely had to be serious and show them what the art of war was. Therefore, it was very important to classify the armed forces into several branches. It would be a nightmare if the unvaried armed forces encountered a restraining branch of the armed forces. Jiang Pengji talked about her own ideas. She planned to divide her army into different arms and carry out targeted training. Feng Jin said, We have too little time and we dont have enough troops. Im afraid that itll be very difficult We have to give it a try no matter how tough it is. Otherwise, we can only await our doom. The North borderline definitely needed time to prepare if they were to dispatch their troops. Jiang Pengji could seize the time and train the new recruits. In the ancient times, many men were recruited into the military camp. They could be dragged onto the battlefield after just days of training. However, the combat power and quality of those troops were awful. The new recruits whom Jiang Pengji recruited must be trained for at least six months. The training would mainly be carried out during summer and winter. The harsh weather could better temper ones will and body. What about spring and autumn? The recruits would help out with the spring ploughing in spring and the autumn harvest during autumn. They would continue to train in their spare time. They could not stop at any rate. In Jiang Pengjis military camp, training was carried out in all seasons. The troops were only given a day off each month. Under such training, the troops were definitely considered as elites, not to mention that most of them had participated in more than one war. Their combat experience and quality was far stronger than those of new recruits. Regular troops who were there just to make up the numbers were not comparable to them. One elite could easily defeat five regular troops. The news of An Yinas sudden death had also spread to the other three districts in Fengyi County within almost a days time. It was dark when Qiguan Rang received the news. He was processing documents with the light from an oil lamp. He was so tired that his eyes were struggling to stay open. When he heard the news, it was as if thunder had struck him in the head and penetrated through to his feet. He was so frightened that he woke up immediately. Xu Ke had a similar reaction as well. He abandoned his work and wrote a letter to be delivered to Xiangyang District overnight. The only ones who were perfectly calm and collected were Wei Ci and Yang Si in Chengan District. To be precise, Wei Ci was the only one who was composed. Yang Si asked, Why arent you worried? The North borderline has wolfish ambitions. The troops dispatched this time will definitely be strong. How can we resist their force just by relying on the military in Congzhou? Once the border is breached, Im afraid that Dongqing will follow in Nanshengs footsteps Your lord may not be able to keep his head! Yang Si did not care about who would become the emperor of Dongqing, but it definitely could not be the foreigners from the North borderline! Wei Ci was not anxious and smiled instead. Dont worry. I think the North borderline wont be able to start a war here. They still have a lawsuit. Surprised, Yang Si hurriedly asked, Youre such an annoying fox. Spill the beans. Arent you afraid of getting beaten up for leaving people hanging? Explain in detail. Why cant the North borderline start a war? Theyve been coveting Dongqing for a long time. Now that the wars in the north and south are unceasing, its a good opportunity for the North borderline to dispatch their troops and make their way through to the south. Could it be that theres internal disorder among the three tribes of the North borderline? Wei Ci shook his head. The incumbent king of the North borderline is extremely dignified. Hes in his prime and he has strong imperial control as well. He has already unified the forces in the North borderline when he ascended the throne. Before his declining years or demise, there wont be internal disorder in the North borderline. Yang Si could not understand. If there was no internal disorder in the North borderline, why would they not be able to make their way through to the south? Wei Ci said, Buddha says that I cant reveal it. Yang Si responded in anger, Nonsense! Youre just looking for a beating. He had mistakenly befriended a bad influence! Regarding this question, Wei Ci had already sent a letter to Xiangyang District. Others could not get the point, but he believed that Jiang Pengji would definitely believe his words. Qiguan Rang, Xu Ke and Wei Cis letters had almost arrived one after another. All three messengers had travelled on horses overnight. Jiang Pengji tore the wax seals and took out the neatly folded letters inside. She first read Qiguan Rangs letter which had arrived first. She read Xu Kes letter next and Wei Cis last. Compared with the previous two letters which asked about countermeasures, there were only a few words in Wei Cis letter. Those few words eased Jiang Pengji and there was a look of delight in her eyes. Early in the 11th month in the 20th Tianwu Year, the horses in the North borderline were afflicted with influenza. The battle steeds have contracted the influenza and have died suddenly. Out of 10 horses, there are only one or two which have survived. After reading the letter, she took a coarse paper roll and burned the letter to ashes. If so, it looks like Ill have to ask Uncle Gu to reap some profits in the North borderline for the last time and make a fortune! Her eyes seemed to be glistening. She unfolded a piece of paper, rubbed the ink stick on an inkstone and wrote a letter. Call for the person in-charge of the brick kiln. I have something important to discuss. Among the armed forces of the three tribes of the North borderline, the infantry and cavalry had achieved a 1:2 ratio. If the battle steeds died in large numbers due to influenza, it would be tantamount to chopping off their arms. They did not have to think about restoring their combat power back to its peak in the short run, let alone making their way to the south. This gave Jiang Pengji lots of time to expand her military. She previously felt that she was running out of time, but now she felt a little more relieved. However, she did not completely believe in the contents of the letter. It was not that she doubted Wei Ci, but it was because of the butterfly effect. Who knew whether the horse influenza in the North borderline would break out on time? It might die out due to the butterfly effect or perhaps it would be delayed. Before obtaining absolute affirmation, Jiang Pengji would not let down her guard. The preparations still had to continue. However, no matter whether the North borderline was capable of dispatching their troops and making their way through to the south, the business there would not last long. Jiang Pengji planned to rake in profits for the last time and defraud them of millions. The head of the brick kiln travelled overnight. Jiang Pengji ordered him to open up another brick kiln to bake a large number of exquisite glassware. A limited number of glassware was baked to trick the North borderline last time. It was also sold slowly, creating an illusion that glass was very valuable. Almost every aristocrat in the North borderline owned a glass tea set as a trend. The aristocratic ladies in the North borderline loved to collect glass jewelry. They felt very classy wearing the jewelry which made them the focus at banquets. But many aristocratic ladies did not manage to buy it even though they were rich. Now that Dongqing and the North borderline were about to be at war, Jiang Pengji intended to make a fortune before the ties between the two countries were broken. A small goal would be set. She would earn millions of cash first! Chapter 559 - Come, I’ll Show You an Invaluable Treasure (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio In order to keep the glass as a secret to the utmost extent, the vicinity of the brick kiln was heavily guarded. Everyone who worked inside was strictly monitored. Jiang Pengji had also gotten a hold of the details of their families and recent financial transactions. Of course, all the craftsmen working in the brick kiln would receive generous remunerations as compensation every month. Their family members could also get relatively easier jobs. Moreover, children of a suitable age had priority to enroll in academies to receive education. By multiple means, the secret of the glass was well-protected. Every firing was highly confidential. Each piece of glass which was baked must be registered and defective products must be strictly destroyed. In order to intrigue the aristocratic ladies of the North borderline, fewer pieces of glass were baked in the past. There were only more than 100 sets in total. Now, in order to defraud the North borderline for the last time, Jiang Pengji ordered the craftsmen to bake the glasses in large quantities. They worked day and night to expedite their work. The craftsmen of the brick kiln were breaking out in cold sweat at the sight of such desperation. They were afraid that they were still in their dreamlands and took the wrong order. When Gu Xin arrived with the trade caravan, Jiang Pengji had already baked thousands of sets of glassware, many of which were exquisitely shaped glass jewelry. Even if Gu Xin knew that those things were worthless, he still could not help himself when they were placed together. Gu Xin hurriedly asked, Young Master, what are you doing? The cost of glass was not much, but they could be sold at an exorbitant price. Hence, they should be sold slowly so that the profits could be maximized. Once there was an oversupply of glass, it would be worthless. Jiang Pengji said to Gu Xin, Dont worry, Uncle Gu. Have you heard about the sudden death of An Yina, the princess of the North borderline? Now the royal family of Dongqing occupies Chenzhou and Prince Changshou is leading his troops to besiege the city. Both parties are locked in a stalemate. Now that the princess of the North borderline has died all of a sudden, Im worried that the North borderline will use this as an excuse to attack Dongqing. Even if there isnt a war, in your opinion, do you think Prince Changshou will act in collusion with the North borderline? Gu Xin could not help but be lost in thought. He was a major merchant who did business in the north and south. Of course, he was very well-informed. He knew about the sudden death of An Yina. Gu Xin asked, Are you thinking that once the North borderline starts a war, itll be difficult to continue the business? Jiang Pengji replied with a smile, If the North borderline starts a war with Dongqing, everyone in the country will definitely be involved. Even if the aristocratic ladies want to buy a luxury item like glass, theyll probably consider twice before buying. Furthermore, theres nothing like an absolute secret. Im afraid that youll get into trouble too if they know about the secrets of the glass In the entire North borderline, glass was only sold in Gu Xins treasure house. If they found out that glass was worthless and that it was not a heavenly item, they would definitely fly into a rage out of humiliation and Gu Xin would be implicated. This was what Jiang Pengji was unwilling to see. Gu Xin frowned and probed, So, are you planning to do a final trade? Make a great fortune before the North borderline starts a war? Jiang Pengji did not tell Gu Xin about the horse influenza. No one else could know about it except for her and Wei Ci. If the horse influenza really existed, the last trade might cause a certain blow to the North borderlines economy. The more she earned, the more unfortunate the North borderline would be. It would take a long time for their economy to completely recover. These thoughts flashed across her mind. She nodded. Yes, thats what I think. However, if the glass is all dumped on the North borderline, it wont be sold off in a short period of time. Thus its very risky to do that. So I want you to sell some of the glass to Zhongzhao and other countries. The business in the North borderline After this trade, leave as soon as possible I dont know if itll affect the businesses that you own Gu Xin replied with a smile, You dont have to be so modest. The businesses in the North borderline arent very profitable, especially in recent years. The money earned is getting less and less so its indeed necessary to change the operating environment. Its also a good idea to take this opportunity and quit. The North borderlines malice towards Dongqing grew deeper and deeper as days passed. It was naturally more and more difficult for the merchants to do their business. If Gu Xin did not have an extensive network in the North borderline or that the socialites and aristocratic ladies liked to purchase from him, the treasure house would probably have closed down long ago. Gu Xin was not at all unwilling to blackmail the North borderline and leave. He carefully selected a batch of glass that had a similar or even better quality than those sold previously. There were more than 2000 sets in total! Its definitely impossible for all of these to be sold to the North borderline by using the usual sales method. In order to get out quickly, the black market is a good sales channel However, perhaps the price of the glass cant be as high as it previously was. If the other party demands a lower price, it must be lowered by at least 50 percent! Upon saying the last sentence, even Gu Xin who was used to seeing great things could not help but feel an ache in his heart. There were more than 2000 sets of glass. If they were sold slowly according to the price in the past, at least 140 million could be earned. What kind of a concept was that? In a normal year, Dongqings treasury income was at most 150 million. This was still the case when the country was not struck with disasters. If there were floods, droughts, occasional earthquakes, and famine Haha. The annual treasury income would be less than 90 million. Jiang Pengji squinted and said, Youre free to sell them however you like, as long as you can get rid of them in the shortest time. You can exchange the glass for silver or sheepskin. I dont mind earning less. Without the North borderline, she could still trick the four factions of Nanman, the faraway Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, Xichang and even the south of Dongqing Those were all her markets! There was no need to worry about not having a place to make money. One could only earn more in the future by letting go of some profits. Upon Jiang Pengjis enlightenment, Gu Xin could not help but laugh. He felt even more confident. Please rest assured. I definitely wont disappoint you, Young Master. Gu Xin solemnly made a bow with his hands folded in front. In the past, he remembered Jiang Pengjis help and encouragement with gratitude. Now, he was overwhelmed by Jiang Pengjis trust and generosity. He secretly heaved a long sigh. They were indeed mother and daughter. Jiang Pengji suddenly thought of something. She exhorted. Uncle Gu, you dont have to buy horses anymore after this trade. Gu Xin was surprised. Why? The ranches of Dongqing were all in Cangzhou. They had almost become the Meng familys business. The older generations of the Liu and Meng families held some grudges against each other. It was basically impossible to buy quality battle steeds from them. Even if it was possible, Jiang Pengji would not be able to afford it. Jiang Pengji replied, Youve already bought more than 3000 horses of good quality for me. Although not many horses at a time, its an impressive figure when the numbers are accumulated. I think the owner of the ranch in the North borderline isnt blind. Theyll be vigilant when the figure is huge. Now that a war is imminent, the North borderline will have a stricter control over the battle steeds on the ranches. If you purchase more horses, Im afraid that new problems will crop up unexpectedly Chapter 560 - Come, I’ll Show You an Invaluable Treasure (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It turned out that it was for his good Gu Xin felt warm on the inside. He looked soft. Youre thoughtful. If thats the case, I wont buy any more horses this time. Ill try to buy sheepskin and wool. Jiang Pengji kept her expression neutral, but she felt somewhat awkward on the inside. What she said sounded nice, but it was actually not the case. She was just afraid that the source of the horse influenza would spread to Dongqing. However, she could not tell Gu Xin about the horse influenza, so she could only deceive him with other reasons. Jiang Pengji teased with a smile. The 3000 or so horses are enough for now. If another batch of horses is bought, Im afraid that I wont be able to feed them with this little business of mine. Battle steeds were different from ordinary horses. They had to be fed with better food and taken care of more meticulously. The cost was also more terrifying. Gu Xin exposed her while laughing. I believe it when others plead poverty. Arent you fooling people by saying that youre poor? In six months time, Jiang Pengji had defrauded many fools in the North borderline. It had totaled up to more than five million. Gu Xin took all the glass with him and left Xiangyang District quietly. After that, no glass was baked and the boring days of daily brick-baking were resumed. The summer that year was particularly long. The drought had lasted until the middle third of the ninth month. Not a single raindrop had fallen. The autumn harvest would arrive in about half a months time, but the weather stayed the same. Even Jiang Pengji was somewhat worried. People who knew her generally would not irritate her at this point in time because Jiang Pengji could be very fiery. However, some people were insensible. After signing documents for the whole night, Jiang Pengji sprawled across the pile of bamboo slips and took a nap for a while. A series of familiar footsteps was heard. Lord, were in trouble! The voice was thunderous. Not only did it wake Jiang Pengji up, but even the viewers in the streaming room were startled. Jiang Pengji opened her eyes and pulled a support not far away with her foot. Then she sat up and leaned against it. She looked at Dian Yin who was in front of her with her tired eyes. Whats wrong? Dian Yin was the new recruit who previously had an outstanding performance in the war. Jiang Pengji promoted him to become the centurion of the new recruit battalion. Then she transferred him to Chengan District to protect Wei Ci, with the reason being Wei Cis appearance was too unsafe, so she could be at ease if Wei Ci was under Dian Yins protection. Wei Ci dismissed Dian Yin who had just gone to Chengan District. The best resources should be used in the most important areas. He was very safe in Chengan District. Why should she waste a valiant soldier just to protect him? Therefore, Dian Yin had now become Jiang Pengjis chief guard who attended upon her. Dian Yin took a breather. There are hundreds of people outside the city. One of them claims to be the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect of Fengyi County who supervises the district township on behalf of the county magistrate and declares government decrees. Jiang Pengji was puzzled. What? She was so tired that she was still in a daze, but the viewers in the streaming room were wide awake. They did not understand what the Inspection Deputy of Prefect was, but they understood what a governor was. Was it the Inspection Deputy of Prefect whom Zhang Fei had beaten up? Mengmengdade Xiaobaitu: Holy crap. Is the streamer going to stream herself beating up the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect live? Yiye Chengzhou: Speaking of the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, I cant help but think of the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect whos beaten to death by Zhang Fei in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It was super exhilarating to see him whip the Inspection Deputy of Prefect in fury! Streamer, do you think the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect is the same as the one in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Canglan Feixue: Wait, didnt someone say that Liu Bei is the one who beat up the Inspection Deputy of Prefect in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Zhang Fei was the scapegoat. Chisude Shuzi: Zhang Fei is a fair-complexioned scholar whos extremely skilled in Chinese calligraphy, but hes described as a dark-complexioned, hotheaded man in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Jiang Pengji skimmed through the bullet screens. She felt dizzy upon reading the words Inspection Deputy of the Prefect. She rubbed her eyebrows and said, Is he the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect whos dispatched by the county magistrate of Fengyi County to come over and patrol? Dian Yin replied awkwardly, Yes. Thats what he says. According to the official position, Jiang Pengji was just a tiny district magistrate who was at most in charge of Xiangyang District. The county magistrate was above her. Theoretically speaking, she did not have the right to meddle in the affairs of the other three districts.Read more chapter on novelhall.com However, at that moment The entire Fengyi County was hers. Everywhere in the county was guarded by her troops. She was not the county magistrate, but she was better than the county magistrate. What kind of thing was the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect? Jiang Pengji frowned. She was in a rather bad mood but she said, Get someone to greet them to probe their intentions in coming. Be it Xiangyang District, Chengan District, Maolin District or Jiaoping District, she did not see any of the local troops in Fengyi County when those districts fell into the hands of the Tsing Yi Army, nor did she see an effective defense. The Tsing Yi Army conquered the city forcefully with their substantial numbers. It was a disaster. Now she was about to finish tidying up Fengyi County. In about half a months time, crops could be harvested in the wastelands which were opened up for farming in Xiangyang District The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect who was dispatched by the county magistrate suddenly showed up now? Did they think that she could be easily fooled like a three-year-old kid? Dian Yin answered, Yes, Lord! The so-called Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was actually a supervisor who was an important official in every county. They supervised the district township on behalf of the county magistrate and declared government decrees and laws. Although their position seemed insignificant, they were quite powerful. They conveyed decrees, supervised officials, inspected prisons and checked for illegal activities. They were in charge of everything. Even if Dian Yin did not sound them out, Jiang Pengji could also guess the Inspection Deputy of the Prefects intentions for coming. The viewers in the streaming room were not fools. A minor official who came to make an inspection on behalf of his higher-up appeared at this moment. What could he have come for? Zhongfei Zuoye Xingchen: F***. Theyre here to take whats already available. Muyou Youzhi: The streamer is appointed by the emperor as the district magistrate of Xiangyang District. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect cant do anything to her. Hell at most be very fastidious and deliberately make things difficult for her. However, Im afraid that the streamer will have to surrender her Maolin District, Jiaoping District and Chengan District Anchanghuan: F***. No way. Where were these people when the Tsing Yi Army tortured the people? Now that the streamer uses the troops whom she has trained herself to capture the three districts, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect is dispatched by the county magistrate and has appeared out of nowhere. Do they have no shame? Laosiji Lianmeng: Do you guys still not understand the streamers character? No one else can dream of coveting the meat that shes about to savor. If the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect is here for formality, he should be able to leave Xiangyang District in one piece. If he harbors evil intentions, his body will definitely be severed into sections. In The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, at least no one died when Zhang Fei furiously beat up the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect while drunk. If the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect died, Liu Bei would not be able to bear the responsibility. However, Jiang Pengji had 20,000 troops at hand. Most of the troops were veterans who had killed enemies on the battlefields. The new recruits had also been harshly trained throughout the summer. How could regular troops of lowly origins compare to them in terms of combat quality? If the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was insensible and really made things difficult for Jiang Pengji and made her surrender the other three districts Hahaha Someone would definitely die when she was in a bad mood. Haibufa Gaofei: Im getting a stool to sit in the front row to watch the show. I bet a chili that the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect will be done for soon. Qiongde Chibuqi Pingguo: I hope that hes sensible and not stupid. I feel that the streamer is in a particularly bad mood these days. Reality did not accord with hopes. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect indeed had bad intentions. Chapter 561 - Come, I’ll Show You an Invaluable Treasure (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A district magistrate was just a low-ranking official, and they would have to bear dire consequences if the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was to casually badmouth him to the county chief. However, that was only true for run-of-the-mill district magistrates. Would anyone really consider Jiang Pengji to be an ordinary district magistrate? The sun shone bright in the sky, and the air felt extremely humid and hot. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect and his party had been waiting for a whole hour outside the city and they were drenched in sweat from the heat. The plump Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was even more flustered. After all, he wore his full set of fancy clothing and jewelry to put on airs before Jiang Pengji. Even though his servant fanned him continuously, he still felt incredibly hot. Sweat kept seeping out from his pores, wetting the inner layer of his shirt. The commoners outside the city were sallow and emaciated. In contrast, he was so fat that his face looked like a full moon, white and tender fat piling on his face. There was something sinister-looking about his eyes, and his face wore a totally impatient and irritated expression, making him look unapproachable. The commoners who were queuing up to enter the city occasionally looked over at them, discussing in whispers with their heads down. Where did all these officials come from? They look well-dressed one said. The middle-aged man beside him said, Rumors have it that the leader is the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect sent by the higher-ups, probably not a decent person. Inspection Deputies of the Prefect had low rank but great power, and they often made use of their position to ask for bribes from their subordinates. Many had to humor them and act polite, bribing them in secret to keep their own insignificant positions. The greedier Inspection Deputies of the Prefect would even instruct others to exploit the citizens. Due to the drought in the north and the fight between the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group, the spring ploughing and autumn harvest in the past two years had been affected. Even the families that were somewhat rich were running out of food, but the Inspection Deputy of Prefect was still plump and ruddy, equivalent to two adult men in weight and size. It would be really ridiculous to say that he was a man of integrity.Without bribes, how much could an Inspection Deputy of the Prefect earn? The commoners laughed and said, Why have they been shooed to one side, and why are they not entering the city? The middle-aged man clicked his tongue and snickered. They clearly arent staying outside of the city out of their own will, they have probably been stopped and couldnt enter the city. I really hope that the sun will be shine fiercer today and kill the corrupt officials and their lackeys with the heat. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect has never left empty-handed without exploiting us whenever he comes over to do his rounds, has he? Another person said proudly, Our present district magistrate is different from all the pests who had taken up the position before. If the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect dares to do anything illegal, he will definitely be subjected to a fierce beating that would break his legs. The citizens discussed in hushed tones, glancing from time to time at the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, who kept on wiping his sweat with his hand. Meanwhile, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect had gotten impatient from waiting and asked his subordinates to prompt the district officials to hurry up, while thinking about how he could punish Jiang Pengji. At the moment, a sudden commotion occurred at the gates of the city, and the commoners who had been queuing up to enter the city voluntarily made way. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect tried hard to crane his neck, wanting to see what was going on. His neck was also covered in fat, his large head seemed to sit directly above his shoulders, and one couldnt see the existence of his neck at all. After a good while, Dian Yan, bringing hundreds of tall, sturdy soldiers with him, weapons in their hands, approached him. The blades were sharp and white, appearing inexplicably forbidding to onlookers. Dian Yan was tall and strong, with rather dark skin. Even though he was dressed neatly, he still gave off the aura of a bandit. You are the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was raging internally. Where did this black-faced man come from, how dare he be so rude? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect wanted to put on airs as an official, but after seeing the big knife hanging around Dian Yans waist and the soldiers forming two orderly rows behind him, his eyelids twitched subconsciously. Yes. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect had been waiting outside the city for two hours. I thought that it would not be long before the district magistrate come out to welcome me into the city with reverence. I didnt expect the other party to leave me waiting under the sun for two hours. Now someone is finally attending to us, but he brought all these troops, how incredibly rude! Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, what can I do for you? Dian Yan looked straight at him without even blinking, as if he was interrogating a prisoner. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect laughed angrily. I heard that the magistrate of Xiangyang District had disregarded the laws of Dongqing and deployed private troops to abuse the citizens of the other three districts of Fengyi County. As the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, I have the duty to inspect and supervise the district government. I am here under the orders of the county chief to investigate the matter thoroughly and determine if the district magistrate harbors any intention to rebel. His words had serious implications. Dian Yan furrowed his brows subtly. He knew that the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect meant no good, but he wasnt expecting the latter to be so shameless and threaten him directly. My lord serves the country with all his heart, when has he ever shown any intention to rebel? The mob known as Tsing Yi Army ravaged Fengyi County. If not for my lord showing mercy towards the people and deploying troops to chase the Tsing Yi Army out, how can the citizens of the other three districts enjoy such peace? The sun and the moon can bear witness to this. Dian Yan then said, Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, since you have been sent over to investigate the matter, I hope that you can perform your duties impartially and clear my lords name. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect felt somewhat better. At least the man knows fear, itll make things easier. The deputy knew that Liu Xi is the son of Liu She, but so what? The naive boy doesnt know any better, and Liu She cant do anything about it no matter how assertive he is. Liu Xi was in the wrong. As a mere magistrate of Xiangyang District, how is he qualified to deploy troops to reclaim the other three districts? However, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect quickly realized that something was wrong. The group, consisting of more than a hundred people, was ushered into the city. The prosperity of the city surprised him. Greed and evil thoughts immediately followed. Despite being an Inspection Deputy of the Prefect for many years, he had yet to see a district that was managed so well. Countless rogues roamed outside the gates, yet the city was the only bustling and flourishing place in the vicinity, as if they were living in a prosperous era. He did not feel amazed by Jiang Pengjis governing ability, but instead he thought about how much money he could extort from the latter. Surely Liu Shes son is in no shortage of money? Such emotions did not last long. He was soon drenched in cold sweat as he realized that a row of armed soldiers was standing on each side of the street. They stood straight, and the whitish blades gleamed coldly. They were all looking at him. Despite his ignorance, the Inspection Deputy of Prefect could feel the forbidding atmosphere in the air. Somewhat pale, he asked, These are Dian Yan replied, Deputy, these are all the private troops belonging to my lord. All? The Inspection Deputy of Prefect got a bad feeling in his heart. His hair stood on end and he dared not think about how many soldiers there were in the city. Dian Yans lips curled into a sneer, and he asked with fake concern, Deputy, whats wrong? These these soldiers, look really mighty. Magistrate Liu did a good job training them, said the deputy. Dian Yan replied, I know right, all the soldiers have been on the battlefield and killed the soldiers of the Tsing Yi Army. They are incredibly brave. All of them have spilled enemy blood? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was sweating mentally. He finally understood why the air felt strangely cold after entering the city, it was because of the goddamn murderous vibe of the soldiers! Had he not been sitting in an open carriage, his legs would have given way and he would have fallen to the ground. He mentally prepared himself, telling himself not to be scared by the troops. No matter how powerful Liu Xi is, surely he cannot disregard royal laws? If he doesnt want to be labeled a traitor, he must hand over Jiaoping District, Chengan District and Maolin District today! As he thought this, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect gained a little confidence. At the entrance of the city hall, two guards stood on each side of the door, looking straight ahead. The Inspection Deputy of Prefect craned his neck, but he did not see anyone that seemed to be Liu Xi. Why didnt he come out to welcome me? Dian Yan said, Inspection Deputy of Prefect, my lord is already waiting for you in the main hall. His attitude greatly annoyed the Inspection Deputy of Prefect, who was used to people sucking up to him and worshiping him wherever he went, yet the deputy couldnt vent his dissatisfaction. He stepped on the stool and climbed down from the carriage. Just as the guards behind him were about to follow him, the soldiers on both sides suddenly crowded over and overpowered them all. The expression of the Inspection Deputy of Prefect changed abruptly, and he widened his eyes in shock. You intend to start a rebellion? Dian Yan smiled as he restrained the guards beside the deputy and took away the weapons in their hands. Of course not, but for the sake of my lords safety, outsiders are not allowed to bring weapons into the city hall, and we seek your understanding, deputy. Chapter 562 - Come, I’ll Show You an Invaluable Treasure (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The chest of the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect heaved violently, sweat trickling down his fat face making him look greasy, as if ones hand would be covered in oil if one was to reach out and touch him. How, how dare you Surely I would never harm your lord, the district magistrate? Having been terrified badly by the two rows of soldiers, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was extremely insecure at the moment. With the guards flanking him taken down and their weapons confiscated, he felt like a salted fish breathing difficultly on a cutting board, flapping his tail and trying to escape. He sweated even more profusely. Dian Yan said with a smile, Of course Im not worried. Deputy, based on your abilities, who are you capable of harming? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was silent for a moment, and he felt that he had been looked down upon. Although Dian Yan believes that I will not hurt Jiang Pengji, why do his words sound rather contemptuous? A salted fish is just a salted fish after all. Other than struggling weakly a few times, what more can it do? Dian Yan reached out and gestured for the deputy to enter the district headquarters. This way please, deputy, my lord has been waiting for you in the main hall for quite a while. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect swallowed nervously. The inner layer of his shirt was wet with sweat and stuck to his skin, making him feel very uncomfortable. Walking on his elephantine legs, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect followed Dian Yan and entered the district headquarters. The deputy thought that since Xiangyang District was so prosperous, the district headquarters would be extremely extravagant and luxurious, but in fact it was not so. Had Dian Yan not told him that the building was the district headquarters, he would have suspected that he had accidentally entered the home of a noble family in decline. The courtyard had no fake mountain or flowering plants, let alone gazebos, terraces, waterside pavilions, or artificial scenery. It was just an empty clearing, with several laundry racks made of bamboo beside it. They passed through the courtyard and walked a few more steps forward. After making their way past the screen made of stone, the main hall was in sight, and the door was wide open. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect squinted, trying to see what was going on in the main hall more clearly. Jiang Pengji had been waiting in the main hall for some time, while secretly chatting with the audience on the livestream channel, trying to guess what the deputy looked like. When Dian Yan brought the deputy over, the audience of the livestream all wailed in discontentment. They complained that they were going blind from looking at the deputy and demanded that Jiang Pengji show them some good-looking people as eyebleach. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect was neatly dressed in formal wear, but due to the hot weather, drops of sweat continuously emerged on his forehead and cheeks, as well as his neck which was covered in fat. Furthermore, he had sat in a carriage for a long time and the hem of his clothes was creased. His collar was slightly crooked as well. As a result, he looked very bad. The audience in the livestream channel was used to seeing various types of handsome men of the ancient times, so when they were suddenly shown a man like the deputy, they all complained that they were going blind from his ugliness. Tumi Fei: Streamer, are you sure that you have not gone to the wrong movie set? How did the actor from Pigsy end up here? Mr. Cat Demon: Hahaha The previous commenter, is it really good to throw shade on Pigsy like this? Before accidentally reincarnating as a pig, Pigsy was the mighty Marshal Tian Peng after all, not a pigman, okay? The deputy is like a pig demon masquerading as a human, and if he really was cast as Pigsy who has wrongly reincarnated as a pig, he wouldnt even need to wear props like a pigs head and a fake big belly. With his large head and fat belly, he just needs to put on a natural performance and he will literally be Pigsy reincarnated Cloud Patterns on the Jewelry Box: Phew What a relief to finally see an ugly man from the ancient times. While following the livestream, Ive found that the streamer has almost zero ugly-looking subordinates. It has led me to believe that ancient genes were better and modern genes have deteriorated. Im reassured that this is not the case after looking at the deputy. Laugh for Three Days: Im unlike you shallow mortals who judge others by their looks. Just like the streamer, I am more concerned about inner beauty, and I would never make fun of this guy just because he looks like a pig F*ck, who is blocking my way, dont you see that theres a pig here, dont you try to snatch my butchers knife away! Guicai Guofengxiao: #Despise, the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect has low rank but great power. In ancient times, it was a highly desired position. Those who can remain for a long time in the position are generally not simple-minded fools. Guys, just take a look at the current situation in Dongqing, then look at the size and weight of the deputy, do you really think that he is simple-minded? Zhuge Liang the Prime Minister: He is not simple-minded but as the saying goes, With brute force, a strong man can defeat 10 weaker men who are learned in the martial arts. Surely the deputy cant scam the streamer into handing over the three districts no matter how manipulative he is? If he does nothing, he can still keep his life, but if he seeks trouble, even the Buddha cant save him. Seeing the audience of the livestream chatting and making jokes actually improved Jiang Pengjis mood a lot, and even the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect seemed less unpleasing to the eye. The deputy strode into the main hall. He saw a handsome young man no more than 16 or 17 years old on the seat of honor. The young mans eyebrows extended all the way to the sides of his head, and his lips were red as blood. The youthful face was full of the vitality that belongs exclusively to the young. He had a slightly positive canthal tilt, and his moderately thick lips were tightly pressed together, exerting an inexplicable pressure on the deputy. Had the deputy been facing any other youngster, he would have already have put on airs a long time ago. But after Dian Yan threatened him, he was feeling rather cowardly. After exchanging greetings, Jiang Pengjis attitude towards him was lukewarm. The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect plastered a fake smile on his face and complimented the district magistrate to liven up the atmosphere. Unfortunately for him, Jiang Pengji was neither enticed by the carrot nor browbeaten by the stick, and her attitude did not soften at all. However, although her demeanor was cold, she was not outright aggressive, and it made the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect feel slightly calmer. He remembered what he came here for, and asked seriously and sternly, Magistrate Liu, I heard that you have disregarded the law of the nation and deployed private soldiers to occupy the three districts? According to the deputys plan, Jiang Pengji would deny the accusation in fear and trepidation and both parties would argue back and forth. The deputy would then take the opportunity to reap some benefits for himself, intimidate the young district magistrate, sternly explain the ideas of justice and righteousness, accept some bribes, then betray Liu Xi and report him to the county chief. That way, not only can I con Liu Xi into bribing me, but I can also take credit for it in front of the county chief. I can kill two birds with one stone, isnt it just great? However Jiang Pengji nodded super honestly and said, Yup, do you have any questions about it? The brain of the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect failed to process what had just happened and he thought that she had denied the accusation. He subconsciously replied, Worry not, Magistrate Liu. I have been ordered to inspect Xiangyang District. If it is just an unfounded rumor spread by outsiders, I will definitely report the truth to the county chief impartially, and inform him that you did not deploy private soldiers What? He had been talking for quite a while before finally realizing that something was wrong. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, I did in fact deploy private troops to take over the other three districts. Deputy, do you have any other questions? The obese face of the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect trembled and blood slowly drained from his pale greasy skin. An unprecedented sense of crisis awareness overwhelmed him. This, this is not in accordance with His voice trembled as he said, Magistrate Liu, are you rebelling against the throne? Jiang Pengji avoided the question and asked back, One can eat irresponsibly, but not speak irresponsibly. You claim that I have rebelled but do you have any evidence? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect had thought about various situations, but he had never thought about how he should handle a situation where Jiang Pengji was behaving shamelessly. He forced himself to carry on and asked, Is the occupation of the three districts not obvious evidence? The onlookers in the livestream channel could sense that the deputy was at his wits end and they were enjoying the show. Guicai Guofengxiao: I think that in the script the deputy has come up with, the streamer would have responded with fear and trepidation, instead of countering his points so boldly and straightforwardly. Ah, Im troubled, Magistrate Liu doesnt respond according to my script, how should I carry on with my act From the deputy suffering in silence. Akatelisi: The deputy was probably trying to con the streamer as he wants bribes. Jiang Pengji chuckled, The county chief did nothing and let the Tsing Yi Army capture the four districts of Fengyi County. Can I accuse the county chief of colluding with the Tsing Yi Army and betraying the nation? The Inspection Deputy of Prefect was speechless. Chapter 563 - Come, I’ll Show You an Invaluable Treasure (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Dont Use Uncommon Words: Hahahaha Im dying of laughter; the streamer is the only person who can impress me. Lazy Homebody: There are always dumb mortals seeking their own demise, whats so bad about being alive? The Fairy Queens Blush: Just listen to the streamers rebuttal, its both a threat and a reproach. If I were the county chief, I would be too ashamed to appear in public. As the chief of the county, he failed to protect the people and went into hiding in some obscure place to avoid the limelight when disaster struck. Now that the streamer has reclaimed the districts, driven the robbers away, and managed the territory well, he shows up wanting to forcefully coerce her into submission, bah! My Pig-like Teammate: One cant really put it that way, can one? The three districts do not belong to the streamer, and he is the county chief after all. The God-like Opponent on the Other Team: He is the county chief alright, but so what? Surely the job cannot be inherited, and his son cannot succeed him? So Fengyi County is not the private property of their family. Where were they when the Tsing Yi Army attacked? Did they lead the people and the soldiers and defend the city against the robbers? Nope, they did nothing. They took refuge in God knows where, but now that the situation has stabilized, the chief wanted to reap the benefits, not a chance! I support the streamers insults towards him. Jiang Pengji had thought that the chief of Fengyi County had already died in the military conflict. Just like the members of the audience of the livestream had said, whoever felt that they had the ability to reap the seeds she had sown was always welcome to try. The chief wanted to forcefully coerce her and rob the three districts from her hands just by sending the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect, who was essentially a donkey in a lions hide, but his plans were doomed to fail even in his dreams. It took the deputy quite a while to finally suppress his displeasure, his expression dark as he said, How can you discuss the two matters as if they were one issue? Magistrate Liu, dont change the topic. We are now discussing about your deployment of private troops, not the county chiefs personal behavior Jiang Pengji snorted in disdain. How can you not discuss it together? The Tsing Yi Army attacked the county but the chief did not pacify the peoples discontentment, nor did he lead the people and the soldiers to defend the city against the foreign enemies. Instead, he fled in the night with his family and valuables. Just judging from this incident alone, how can he have the nerve to accuse me of doing wrong? On the contrary, you have reminded me of one thing. If I write a memo on the topic and submit it to the emperor, how will the present emperor rule? The deputys face was green and blood had completely drained out of it. In the face of the pressure she was exerting on him, the deputys obese body couldnt help but tremble like a sieve. Fleeing without putting up a fight against the rebels, this alone was enough to get the county chief fired. Even more shamelessly, the county chief still wanted to take advantage of Jiang Pengji, steal the fruits of her labor, and claim the credit for driving away the Tsing Yi Army as his own. He intended to write a lengthy memo to seek rewards from the emperor and pave the way for his own future. But how could he ever successfully hide his intentions from Jiang Pengji? The Inspection Deputy of the Prefect stuttered, Magistrate Liu, you are threatening Jiang Pengji calmly said, The credit for reclaiming the three districts is rightfully mine! Even if I am willing to hand over the three districts to your lord the county chief, to put it frankly, seeing how incompetent he is, is he even capable of holding on to the three districts? Dont bite off more than you can chew. The enemy can destroy a district in just three to five days, but it may take three to five years for the people to rebuild it. Do you understand what I mean, deputy? She was just short of directly pointing in the face of the chief and telling him You suck! How could the deputy still save his face after being scoffed at and having answers demanded from him by a youngster? In the past when he inspected and supervised the townships and districts, had there ever been officials, be it of high or low rank, who did not lick his boots? At that moment, the good old days were no more, and instead he was being insulted by a brat who was still wet behind the ears. One could imagine how disappointed the deputy was. The deputy looked at Jiang Pengji coldly, his pent-up anger overpowering his fears, and threatened with an insincere smile. In that case, Magistrate Liu, just go ahead with it. To put it bluntly, being an official is not like playing house, you wont get promoted based only on how capable you are. The county chief is giving you face, Magistrate Liu. You better quit while youre ahead, dont refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. If not for his respect towards your father, the county chief would have sent a memo to Chenzhou and snitched on you a long time ago! It may even cost you your life. He thought, a mere district magistrate trying to snitch on the county chief, who do you think you are? Jiang Pengji snorted, her expression calm, not at all frightened by the stern deputy. She clapped her hands, the claps sounding crisp and clear. Upon hearing it, the deputy immediately grew alarmed and fidgeted in his seat. Outside the door, Dian Yan heard it and walked in with a long case in his hands. The fat on the deputys face squeezed his eyes into slits. He opened his eyes to the best of his ability and dared not take his eyes off it. What are you trying to do? Jiang Pengji said, Let me show you a treasure. Treasure? The deputys imagination immediately became active. Could it be that Magistrate Liu is simply putting on a tough front, and is actually scared out of his wits? If not, why would he want to show me a treasure? At that moment, various hypotheses flashed across the deputys mind as he watched Dian Yan place the long case before him with respect. The intimidating black-faced brawny hunk was careful as he handled it, making the Inspection Deputy of the Prefect even more convinced that precious treasures lay inside. Hah, after being so rude to me, now you want to bribe me with treasures? The deputy snickered mentally, and developed a little more despise for Jiang Pengji. Do I look that easy to get rid of to you? As he thought so, he reached out and opened the case. A long knife of unparalleled sharpness lay in it, and the light it reflected hurt his eyes for a moment. The deputy lifted his head quietly and looked Dian Yan, who was half squatting down. He saw that the black-faced hunk had placed his hand on the handle and picked it up with ease. The body of the knife was then placed on the deputys own neck The deputy was stunned by the sudden change of circumstances and dared not even move. Mag Magistrate Liu The deputy swallowed nervously, cold sweat running down his forehead. The oily sweat trickled down along his cheeks, flowed pass his chin, and wet the collar of his clothes. His fat body shook like a sieve and he looked pitiful. I feel like the deputys brain is quite wealthy-looking. If we cut it down and hang it in front of the door, it could probably ward evil off. Jiang Pengji asked Dian Yan for his opinion. Dian Yans expression was cold and he waited for his lords orders. My brain cant ward off evil The deputy said pleadingly, his whole demeanor changed. Jiang Pengji said, I am young and naturally not as good as you when it comes to the knacks of being an official. But I know one thing, I have troops but the county chief has none. Even if the emperor backs him up, he still wont be able to take the three districts back, let alone defend them. Go back and make this clear to him. If he knows his place, I will still respect his position as the county chief, otherwise Hah, with the situation in the north, the death of one or two county chiefs is perfectly normal. The deputy was raging internally, but his life was more important, so he quickly replied, I understand, I will definitely pass on your words. But how could he ever successfully hide his thoughts from Jiang Pengji? She got up and said to Dian Yan, Entertain the deputy well, we must show him our sincerity. Dian Yan replied hoarsely, Yes, my lord. Please rest assured, I will definitely make sure that the deputy feels at home. The long knife cut open a small wound on the deputys neck, making him feel like crying. Can you at least take the knife off my neck when you are speaking? Chapter 564 - Ripping off the Northern Kingdom (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The most popular item in the northern kingdom which had stolen the limelight for the past year was none other than the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace. What was the Colored Glass of Heavenly Palace? To put it plainly, it was just glass, or rather, glass with impurities that appeared opaque and slightly iridescent. Because of the grand backstory Gu Xin had made up for the glass, claiming that glass had descended to earth alongside a golden phoenix, and that each piece was beautiful, glass was given the fancy name Colored Glass of Heavenly Palace, implying that it was a treasure from the Heavenly Palace. The first lady to buy jewelry made from the Colored Glass of Heavenly Palace was under the limelight for a while in the social circle of the noblewomen of the northern kingdom. Wherever she went, the sight of countless others followed her, fascinated by the bodkin in her hair, with dragon and phoenix motifs adorning it. She also invited the jealousy of many noble ladies. They kept sending their slaves to visit the treasure house to inquire about the items and insisted on getting the exact same or even better glass bodkins. The bodkin was completely transparent and consisted of a dragon and a phoenix intertwined together. The dragons scales and the phoenixs feathers were finely carved, looking lifelike. The phoenix spread its wings as if it was going to fly away at any moment while the handsome dragon appeared to be soaring in the nine skies. The phoenix and the dragon each held a tassel of transparent beads strung together in their mouths. The tassels sparkled brilliantly under the light. It was the hardest for women to resist such beautiful and shining things. Moreover, no news came from the treasure house regarding the arrival of similar items. Being gazed upon by so many pairs of envious and jealous eyes pleased the lady immensely. Thanks to the free publicity she provided, the Colored Glass of Heavenly Palace quickly became hot and popular among the noblewomen of the northern kingdom. As a businessman, Gu Xin deliberately left everyone hanging, then found an opportunity to launch new glass products. Glass tea ware sold very well, but jewelry was still the most sought-after, with each item being sold at a very high price. In the past year, Gu Xins treasure house had sold hundreds of pieces of it, and the profits were enough to turn anyone green with jealousy. The merchants in the northern kingdom also wanted to make money from it, but with nowhere to source it from, they had no way of obtaining such good products. They could only look on as Gu Xin continued to make money. It could be said that in the past year, glass had already become the symbol of wealth of the aristocrats in the northern kingdom. No one could be considered rich if they didnt have at least one set of the glass collection at home. For the noble ladies, they would feel too ashamed to go out or to entertain guests if they were not wearing at least one or two pieces of glass jewelry. The noblewoman most generous with her money remained the wife of Wu Liba. Her family ran a commercial firm, and her husband was the wise man whom the king of the northern kingdom relied heavily upon. She was always the first to get wind of it whenever a new item arrived at the treasure house and she contributed a lot in terms of consumption. She was the only one to collect several sets of glass jewelry among all the noble ladies of the northern kingdom. Every time she hosted guests, she attracted the attention of most people. Wealthy indeed! People tend to mimic their superiors, not only was the theory applicable in Dongqing, but in the northern kingdom as well. Wu Libas wife had a very high social standing amid the noble ladies. As the ladies held the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom in high esteem, the nobles slightly lower in status naturally yearned for the glass as well. However, as they were relatively poorer, with fewer assets in their families, when they received news of the treasure house stocking up, the items had long been sold out. Items that could not even be bought even though one had money could better reflect ones high status. In order to meet the needs of the ladies, Gu Xin smiled resignedly and promised to help source more items for them, and they finally gave up, albeit reluctantly. And so they waited, waited, waited, and waited until they were almost dying from desperation, and word from the treasure house finally came. This time round, the treasure house had stocked up with the largest scale ever in history. A full 20 sets of relatively well-preserved jewelry made of the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace were being sold. The news rippled through the social circle of the noblewomen in the northern kingdom. Carriages and servants of the various noble families gathered before the treasure house. Wu Libas wife was still the first to take action. She generously paid what was worth 670,000 strings of 1000 coins each to purchase two sets of the most gorgeous and beautiful jewelry. Other ladies wanted to compete against her for it, but after they estimated the value of their own assets, they realized that they could never surpass the wealth of her familys commercial firm. Thus, they could only go for the second best option and purchase other sets of jewelry. The owner of the treasure house was also discerning of the circumstances, sending one set to the imperial harem of the northern kingdom and presenting it to the most distinguished woman in the kingdom. The queen was also an interesting person. After receiving it, she dressed up and hosted a banquet, enjoying the limelight. For a while, from the upper to the relatively lower classes, the aristocrats of the northern kingdom all held the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom in high esteem. The only fly in the ointment was that the glass was fragile and hard to maintain. But in the aristocrats mind, jade would also shatter if it fell onto the ground. The Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom was probably a valuable stone from heaven, thus it was normal for it to fall and shatter when one handled it carelessly. Under such an atmosphere, many businessmen desperately yearned to lay their hands on the glass, and they would like nothing better than to replace the treasure house. The Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace was even more difficult to buy in the black market of the northern kingdom, even if one had sufficient money. Who wouldnt envy a business that brought about profits worth millions of coins?! Soon, they had an opportunity. They had tried to bribe the servants and manager of the treasure house, and the process dragged on for almost a year. After being offered both money and beautiful women, the employees at the treasure house finally let some news slip. What? The head of a commercial firm in the northern kingdom trembled, and the wine in his hand almost spilled. He said in shock, The pieces of the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace unearthed in Mei Country is not just two hundred something, but actually two thousand something? And most of them are in the hands of Gu Xin, that cunning old fox? The manager of the treasure house that had been persuaded to defect nodded, and immediately put on an expression of resentment. Gu Xin has made enough money but he is very greedy. He only cares about filling his pockets and completely ignores the welfare of his old employees! This time, if not for your kindness, Im afraid that my family would become broken the manager of the treasure house sighed, looking worried and sad. The head of the commercial firm secretly laughed. Had he not plotted to frame the family member of the manager, causing him to owe huge debts, the manager probably wouldnt have bitten the hook so easily and the head of the bank wouldnt have known such shocking news Gu Xin is truly a cunning old fox The head of the commercial firm deliberately asked in surprise, Since he has so many goods available, why does he always claim that he is out of stock? The manager of the treasure housed smiled resignedly and asked back, You are also a businessman, how can you not know that rarer items are more valuable? The fewer items available, the more people want it, and the higher the price they offer. Then can the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace be sold for high prices. If you display all of it at once, how would it have sold so well? Gu Xin has used this trick so many times, but so many people still rushed to give him their money, ugh As the manager of the treasure house sighed, the head of the commercial firm smiled, stroking his beard. Business is business. I must say that as a businessman, I admire Gu Xin. As a merchant from Dongqing, he managed to stand firm in the northern kingdom and run a business for so many years. His peers should indeed learn from him. Simply put, peers were competitors, who wouldnt be jealous as they watched Gu Xin earn a lot of money? The head of the commercial firm thought about it. If I had so many pieces of the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom, I would probably sell them as soon as possible, how could I have thought of the idea to operate patiently like Gu Xin causing its value to peak? True, Gu Xin did not manage to sell much of it, but he did earn a lot of money. However, it is a pity that Gu Xin is doing a good job in running his business and disciplining his subordinates, but as for his ability to guard his fortune against moles Tsk tsk. No one in the world could stay loyal forever. If they do, it simply means that the bribes are not enough. Chapter 565 - Ripping off the Northern Kingdom (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio See, didnt I manage to find a loophole even in the well-guarded treasure house and obtain information crucial to the treasure houses survival? The head of the commercial firm thought. The face of the manager of the treasure house looked gray and defeated. The head of the commercial firm patted him on the shoulder and said, Dont be discouraged, good days are coming. Based on what we have previously discussed, steal the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace and sell it to me at 30% of the original price, and all the money will be yours The manager of the treasure house was somewhat hesitant. After betraying my boss this time round, he probably wont put up with my existence anymore Only 30% The head of the commercial firm said, There still are almost two thousand pieces of the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace with Gu Xin. Do you know what a huge sum of money you will get by selling them at 30% of the original price? Other than my commercial firm, who can buy all of it in one go? The money you will receive is far more than the money Gu Xin has earned. All the money will be yours in the future! Its like you alone are getting a free lunch, and you will have more wealth than a nation has in the future! The manager of the treasure house was convinced. Hesitation and then intense greed flashed across his face, making the head of the commercial firm very satisfied. After a while, the manager gritted his teeth and said, Alright, I agree. However, despite having so much money, I probably wont have the chance to enjoy it before I die The head of the commercial firm smiled and said, Well, I can lend you some men and escort you out of the northern kingdom safely. But it wont do if you want to buy slaves and horses. Recently, the two businesses have been strictly supervised by the higher-ups. Slaves and horses can only be sold to the citizens of the northern kingdom and no foreigner may purchase them. The manager replied, Then can you buy sheepskin for me? The head of the commercial firm had heard that Gu Xin often acquired sheepskin from each merchant, and while not many were bought each time, the total number was very large when added up. He asked with fake puzzlement, Sheepskin smells too strong and it cant be made into clothes, how can you profit from it? The manager snickered and replied, Gu Xin sold the sheepskin at a high price to the people of Nansheng and the barbarians of the four factions of Nanman. With the sheepskin, he made a huge amount of money last winter Such an animal that engages in war profiteering is truly despicable. The head of the commercial firm raised an eyebrow and snickered. Business is business, its good business as long as you can earn money from it, who cares if its war profiteering The manager of the treasure house was convinced by the head of the commercial firm, and nodded with a defeated expression. The head of the commercial firm said, You can rest assured about the sheepskin, I will arrange it properly for you. Every household has something like 100 pieces of sheepskin saved up and we can obtain tens of thousands of pieces easily. Lets set a time and Ill pass you everything then, as many as you want. The people in the northern kingdom reared horses and sheep and every household had quite a lot of cattle, sheep, and horses. The sheeps fleece grew at a crazy rate in the winter and the trimmed wool was useless. It was too smelly to even be used as fuel. With someone buying it at the moment, even though the price was very low, it was better than nothing. It could be considered to be creating side income for the people of the northern kingdom, albeit barely. To counter the foreign businesses, the royal court of the northern kingdom established various commercial firms according to the suggestion of the wise men. The commercial firms then formed alliances with each other. A single firm was incapable of swallowing up the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace in the hands of Gu Xin in one go, as it couldnt possibly have so much money. Therefore, he must unite the firms to purchase the goods together. The land in the northern kingdom was not suitable for farming, but it was rich in mineral resources. It produced various gemstones, gold, silver, jade, and spices. The value of the goods was less than half of that in Dongqing. In comparison, copper and iron were more valued than gold and silver jewelry. If we exchange the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom for gold and silver jewelry, the commercial firms of the northern kingdom will make a big profit and the final profit will be more than nine times the sum invested! The head of the firm thought. With such great temptation in mind, he naturally wanted the transaction done sooner rather than later. Seizing the opportunity while Guxin traveled to other countries for business purposes and was unable to oversee his business in the northern kingdom, the manager of the treasure house stole the Colored Glass of the Heavenly Kingdom in batches. He sold them to the commercial firms of the northern kingdom at a low price of 30% of the original price, in exchange for a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, sheepskin, and wool. The manager of the treasure house was also a cautious person and he made sure that nothing was out of place. The head of the commercial firm couldnt help but lament that the manager Gu Xin had trained was indeed competent and had a similar working style Its a pity that the man betrayed him, I wonder if Guxin will vomit blood out of anger upon seeing the empty treasure house when he comes back. Thinking of the wonderful scene, the head of the firm couldnt help but smile so wide that he squinted his eyes. In the end, the manager of the treasure house faked Gu Xins personal order and closed the treasure house down along with its other branches in the northern kingdom. He left the northern kingdom with the old employees of the treasure house, heading to Nansheng, bringing the gold and silver jewelry he had exchanged for the glass, as well as hundreds of thousands of sheepskins and wool with him. Before leaving, the manager of the treasure house asked the head of the commercial firm privately about whether he could secretly sell some horses to him. The head of the firm said, Havent I said it before, the higher-ups are closely supervising business in this aspect, I cant sell you horses. The manager said, You also said that business is business, you can earn money from the transaction, so why not do it? The head of the firm just smiled and said nothing. The manager did not give up. He persistently asked about the purebred horses the northern kingdom was famous for, and the head of the firm was getting impatient. The head of the firm said, If you want to buy horses, you can ask the horse merchants of Shalan. They just presented a dozen Ferghana horses to the royal court. I heard that the horses are very precious and they are better than even the best horses of the northern kingdom. But its a pity that four of them died on the way here The horses they sell are expensive alright, but they are truly rare horses of a legendary quality The manager asked in surprise, Where is Shalan? The head of the firm said, I dont know either, but it is far, far away. I heard that they only have spring and summer all year round and the weather is very dry and hot. The people there are so tanned they looked like black charcoal. After the sun sets, you cant see them. I heard that they are slow-witted and dumb but physically strong. The manager acknowledged his words and seemed interested. The head of the firm didnt mind acting as a go-between for the two parties either. The manager took the opportunity to go take a look at the Ferghana horses from Shalan, and they were indeed extraordinary. It was just that Why do they look somewhat low-spirited the manager asked. With an indifferent expression, the head of the firm said, I heard that they have been on the road for more than six months. Even people cant stand it, not to mention horses. Theyll be fine after resting for a while. If you want to buy horses, you can talk to the head of the merchants of Shalan. If the price is alright, maybe he can sell you one. Humans also face problems acclimatizing to a new environment, and the same goes for horses. They just need some rest. Such was the case in the past, so the head of the firm did not really care. The manager of the treasure house asked about the price and was immediately dissuaded. The horses were of a high quality, but a high quality Ferghana horse cost five or six hundred thousand strings of coins, who could possibly afford it? Every year, the northern kingdom would buy horses from Shalan. Naturally, the horses were not for people to ride. The motive behind the purchase was to breed the Ferghana horses of Shalan with the local horses of excellent quality in order to cultivate war horses of better quality. With such a consideration in mind, the price was actually reasonable as high-quality stallions were not easy to find. Seeing that the manager was dissuaded by the price, the head of the firm secretly laughed. How is money still a concern for you? It is not easy to get a Ferghana horse of excellent quality. You might not have the opportunity another time. Chapter 566 - Ripping off the Northern Kingdom (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The manager of the treasure house was hesitant. How many times would one get to see horses of such superb quality in ones life? However, when he thought of how expensive a Ferghana horse was, costing 500,000 to 600,000 strings of coins, he was dissuaded and shook his head vehemently. It is too expensive; I cant afford it. Its not that I dont want to buy it. Its just that the price Its too expensive. Its not worthwhile for me to buy it, not worthwhile indeed, said the manager. Seeing how stingy the manager was, the head of the firm felt contempt for him but was also somewhat amused. He thought, some people can at most be considered as big butter-and-egg men despite having become rich. They lack foresight and sense, and they are obviously incapable of looking at the big picture. Is a Ferghana horse that costs 500,000 to 600,000 strings of coin really very expensive? Judging from the price, it is indeed very expensive, but how about you consider the value of the Ferghana horse as a stallion of high quality? Any horse ranch that obtains such a high-quality Ferghana horse can breed countless war horses of fine quality. The monetary value created after a few years will far exceed the price paid. The fact that the war horses in the northern kingdom are so well sought after is definitely related to their persistence in improving the horses bloodline. The combat effectiveness of the northern kingdom has increased so rapidly because of the large number of high-quality war horses. Therefore, in the opinion of the head of the commercial firm, the manager of the treasure house was really short-sighted and couldnt be entrusted with important tasks. Having arrived at such a conclusion, the head of the commercial firm grew even less wary of the manager. Feeling happy, he blurted out, I see that you really like fine horses. I actually have a few cross-bred Ferghana horses. Although their bloodline is less pure than the purebreds of Shalan, they have also been carefully cultivated for two generations. The quality is really good; do you want to check them out? But let me make it clear beforehand, if you want to buy from me, you can only buy one. The good-quality horses are all registered, if too many of them are missing, it will not be easy to me to come up with an explanation. The manager of the treasure house was surprised. He is going to illegally sell a good horse to me? Of course I must agree to such a good thing! The territory of the northern kingdom was vast and the kingdom produced plenty of high-quality horses. The royal court oversaw the horse ranches very strictly. However, there are always people who were willing to take risks for the sake of profit. White, which Liu She gave to Jiang Pengji, was a smuggled horse. It was originally going to be presented to the king of the northern kingdom as a gift, but the lower-ranked officials intercepted the gift and White was smuggled out and sold. The horse they presented to the king was slightly inferior. At the moment, the situation was tense, so good horses could not be bought or sold at their owners discretion. As for the horses that could be bought or sold privately, something fishy was obviously going on. For example, the owner of the ranch might secretly retain horses for himself by reporting some newly born calves as being stillborn or having died in infancy. They would then be raised in private and sold at a high price. The manager of the treasure house went to look at the horses the head of the firm mentioned. They were all still pretty young but one could already see how great they would turn out to be in the future. He swallowed nervously, looking infatuated with the horses. Compared to the somewhat lean-looking Ferghana horses with a narrow head, long neck, thin skin, and fine hair, the manager was fonder of the cross-breeds between the Ferghana horse and the local breed of the northern kingdom. It had the qualities of the Ferghana horse, namely high strength, fast speed, and strong endurance. It also had the advantages of the local breed, namely high volatility, the ability to bear heavy loads, a light gait, and a sturdy and muscular body shape. Which man wouldnt like it after taking a good look? The Ferghana horses of Shalan were great all round, except for one shortcoming, which was that they seemed too lean. However, after crossbreeding them with local horses for two generations, the horses of the improved bloodline could be considered as true godly horses! The head of the commercial firm was very satisfied with the managers apparent infatuation. He said in a slightly proud tone, Are you satisfied with what you have seen? The manager nodded fervently as if he was pounding garlic with his head, and toadied to the other man. Satisfied, satisfied, I cant be more satisfied. All my life, I have never seen such a beautiful horse. I really must thank you this time round, otherwise how would I have the blessing to admire such godly horses. The head of the commercial firm was very satisfied and he said, If you like, just pick any one. We have known each other for quite some time, Ill give you the best price possible. The manager of the treasure house didnt really know much about horses, but he knew that had the horses not been of good quality they would not have been valued by the head of the firm. Therefore, he need not worry about the quality of the horse. He need only pick the one that looked the most handsome. Yes, he had an obsession with beauty! The horses had hair of very pure colors. With a single glance, the manager took a fancy to the large, pure white horse amid the group of brown, brown-red, brown-yellow, and pure black horses. It had no hair of any other color, its figure was soft and well-rounded, and its gait was well-paced and deft. It was a beauty amid horses! What a pretty little girl, Ill take this one. The manager lifted his hand and touched the large horses mane. The horse snorted, but did not show any sign of rejection as it had a very docile temperament. The head of the commercial firm fell into a strange silence. It is a male. The manager of the treasure house was silent. Male? He was surprised and asked, Has the horse been gelded? The head of the commercial firm replied, The horse has yet to be gelded Geld was just a fancy term for castrate. Male war horses were all gelded, known as the so-called gelding, such a male horse would have a more docile temperament and would be easier to tame. Moreover, they would not go in rut. After all, anything could happen on the battlefield. If the male horse was to go into rut, who could tame it? The horses used for riding were all gelded. Each horse ranch would keep the male horses of the best quality as stallions to cultivate high-quality offspring. The managers expression turned even stranger, and he couldnt help but exchange a look with the horse. How is the temper of a stallion that has not been gelded so good? The horse seemed to be grinning and laughing at him for lacking common knowledge. The head of the commercial firm said straightforwardly, The horse has not been gelded and its temperament is unstable, so its not easy to tame. Do you want to choose another one instead? The manager shook his head and said, I like the color white and it is the only white horse here. Furthermore, it is so beautiful in white, so Ill take it! Sure, as long as you like it The head of the firm thought. The manager left with the big white horse and the amount payable was directly deducted from the smuggled Colored Glass of the Heavenly Palace. At the end of September, a good rain descended after a long drought, and the dry lands in the north were finally nourished by rain. The day it rained, Dian Yan, albeit being the tough guy he was, ecstatically rushed into the government office to report the good news. My Lord My Lord It is raining; God has finally given us rain! Jiang Pengji lifted her eyes, put down the pen and ink in her hands, got up, picked up the coat beside her, and draped it over herself. It is raining, so what? Why are you so surprised? Despite saying so, Jiang Pengji was still smiling lightly. In the era she was in at the moment, the peoples livelihood depended on the weather. Back in her original era, cloud seeding could be conducted, but here it couldnt be done. Seeing that it was getting closer and closer to the harvest in the autumn, yet the weather showed no sign of improvement, and the dug-out drains were gradually drying up, the people were getting restless. Jiang Pengji was having difficulties coming up with ways to appease the people but she did not expect God to give her so much face that it began to rain without any sign. It began as a drizzle at first, then the raindrops became bean-sized, and they splattered as they fell. The people of Fengyi County were ecstatic, and each family moved out pots and pans to collect the water. The farmers who had been worried about their fields were even happier. They immediately rushed into the rain, shouting and laughing loudly. In her rain cape of straw, Jiang Pengji stood on the city walls, watching the people reveling in the city, and she couldnt help but smile warmly. Chapter 567 - Ripping off the Northern Kingdom (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The precious rain went on for two entire days and nights. It only began to gradually subside at dawn on the third day. As the golden morning sun emerged through the foggy mist, the air was saturated with water vapor, and one could smell the scent of soil. Only then did Jiang Pengji have some peace of mind. To be safe, she went around inspecting the drains and reservoirs with Zhang Ping and the craftsmen of the woodworking workshop. After making sure that the water was able to flow smoothly, she felt slightly relieved. If a flood was to occur after the drought, it would be nearly impossible for the people to carry on with their lives. The murmur of running water could once again be heard from the previously dried-up brooks. The leaves that had appeared wilted for the entire summer unfolded, the plants gradually regained vigor. The rain has stopped The pond in the courtyard was once again filled with clean and clear water. Under Taxues instruction, the servant girls released a few goldfish that had been kept in tanks into the pond and added some aquatic plants to it. The fresh-looking servant girl with a slim waist also had a joyful expression on her face, making her look rather innocent. The weather gradually turned cool after the rain. The air no longer felt stuffy and hot. One could almost feel ones internal organs getting moister as one inhaled deeply. Jiang Pengji changed into the autumn clothes the servant girls had newly made. The fabric was slightly thicker than that of the clothes she had worn in summer. Impacted by the martial power integrated from her former body, the genes of her current body had improved. At the age of 17, she was already taller in height than some adult males. Converting her height to the units the audience of the livestream was familiar with, it would be about 1.75 meters. Judging from the current growth rate, she would probably still grow a few centimeters taller. Compared to the average male and female heights in the era, her height was already considered fairly rare. Langjun, youre awake. Taxue was the first to sense her gaze. She bowed and greeted Jiang Pengji with a smile and the other servant girls bowed as well. They were all beautiful young girls and the gentlemen watching the livestream were yelping with excitement. Jiang Pengjis mood also lightened up. Mmm. She nodded and said, Ill be at the government office. Tick tock. Raindrops dripped from the branches. Feng Jin, who had been worrying about the drought, was also feeling rejuvenated. Good morning, my lord. After greeting her and getting a response from her, he continued with his work. Jiang Pengji flipped through the bamboo slips on her table and asked, Xiheng hasnt come to the government office today, has he? Feng Jin asked, Are you looking for him? Zhang Ping was bad with administrative work. Plus, he was obsessed with the various woodworks, so he might not even drop by the government office for more than ten days in a row. However, if one was to look for Zhang Ping in the woodworking workshop, he would definitely be there without fail. Jiang Pengji replied, The rain was frighteningly big for the past two days, Im worried that a flood might occur Im planning to bring Xiheng along and take a look Many flash floods werent caused by torrential rains but happened because of the shortcomings of the drainage system beneath the city, such as a failure to pump the water out in time causing too much water to collect in one place. Jiang Pengji also gave due consideration to the construction of the sewers when she was rebuilding Xiangyang District. But the district was not really big in size so the sewers built were not very complicated either. When the rebuilding of Xiangyang District was complete, so was the construction of the sewers. The rain was frighteningly heavy for the past two days and she had thought that Xiangyang District was going to be flooded. Fortunately, both the old and the new sewers worked well, and with the drains built before summer, the amount of accumulated water could be controlled. Even the farmlands were largely unaffected. Feng Jin couldnt help but laugh and remember how Jiang Pengji, in a straw rain cape, led a team to inspect the reservoirs two days ago and he felt slightly touched. Its great that you have compassion for the people, my lord. Before they exchanged further words, Zhang Ping, the homebody who was an expert in handicraft, came over. He was wearing peasant clothes with a bamboo hat on his head. He looked down-to-earth and he totally lacked the airs of noble intellectuals. Jiang Pengji put down her work and left with Zhang Ping. The sewers in this era were very different from the sewers the audience of the livestream were familiar with. Modern sewers were more like underground passageways that carried sewage and run-off away from the cities. However, relative to the human capital and labor available in the current era, such an engineering project was huge in scale and had many flaws. It would take a fool to initiate the building of such sewers. Why so? Firstly, the cost effectiveness was too low. The materials in the ancient times could not fulfil the criteria required for such a high-level building structure. Even if the construction was possible, the final cost of labor and materials would be too big. It was totally impractical, thus, Jiang Pengji had never considered the option. Secondly, the form of war in the current era also meant that such sewers could not actually be built. Whose fault would it be if the enemy soldiers were to sneak into the city via the sewers and launch a surprise attack on the guards? It would not just bring harm to the governor and the soldiers, but to the people of the entire city as well. Actually, at the moment, the so-called sewers were just drains all over the city and they were rather bad at carrying water away. During rainy seasons, puddles would often form. If the situation was to worsen, floods would swallow the whole city. After setting up the brick kiln, Jiang Pengji specifically ordered the craftsmen to produce hollow tubes with a thick diameter. Inspired by the mortise and tenon joint structure of the roof beams, the tubes were designed so that each of the cylindrical hollow tubes could be connected to each other. Then she gave orders to dig drains along the main streets of Xiangyang District. Finally, the produced hollow tubes were buried in the drains. They were interlinked and their outlets were connected to each other Such sewers were all over the entire Xiangyang District. In the past, whenever it rained so heavily, Xiangyang District would be submerged in knee-deep floodwater. It was very different at the moment as the roads were still unaffected. The two found a small teahouse to take a short rest. Jiang Pengji thought of the urgent mail she received yesterday and couldnt help but laugh. I have already given orders for the other three districts to draw on local materials to produce similar hollow tubes. When the sewers are truly complete, the people of the three districts will no longer have to worry about their homes being flooded while they are sleeping The other three districts, namely Jiaoping District, Maolin District, and Chengan District, were all flooded by the rain, and the floodwater was knee-deep. Thankfully, it did not rain for longer, and the water would recede in about one day. Zhang Ping said, You have thought it out well, my lord. The matter should be done as soon as possible. We didnt even have a drop of rain the whole summer and the situation is still alright as it has only rained once. In past years, rain was abundant. The entire Fengyi County was probably submerged by water and the farmlands were affected. Since following Jiang Pengji, Zhang Ping had never had another free day, but he enjoyed it. He had never thought that Mohist handicraft tricks could be so useful. If Mohist scholars could specialize in it and integrate Mohist techniques throughout various aspects of the daily life of the people, they would have a status no lower than that of Confucianist scholars. The drainage system must be fixed so that the rainy season next year would pass smoothly without incidence. The drainage system had nothing to do with war but it was closely related to the quality of life of the people, so Jiang Pengji naturally considered it to be of high importance. The two talked in low voices and the other people in the tea house subconsciously lowered their volume as well as they dared not disturb the two. As Jiang Pengji often showed up on the streets, never put on the airs of a district magistrate, and even helped old farmers with farm work when she was bored, all the people of Xiangyang District knew her. Such instances of her strolling along the streets and discussing policy matters with her subordinate were really common. In a corner, the young man wearing an old greyish shirt furrowed his brows slightly. Chapter 568 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The government office is flooded this rainfall is rather heavy. Yang Si tied a knot on the side of his lower clothes, revealing two smooth and shiny feet which he dipped into the accumulated water. Placing the bamboo scrolls onto the shelves and having worked for more than half a day, he was exhausted and panting heavily. He almost couldnt straighten his back. He sat on top of the tables stacked on each other, then he laughed at him. Jing Rong, oh, Jing Rong, you consume so much daily but youre unwilling to exercise, arent you suffering from the side effects now? They had only shifted a few bamboo scrolls yet they couldnt straighten their backs. Yang Si was already so fatigued that sweat drops formed on his forehead. Yet its hateful that Wei Ci continued to speak sarcastically and he turned to stare at him. You, you fox, dont be too savage. When this task is finished, I will leave for a very far place and never see you, you black hearted fox. Yang Si and his pageboy were panting as they shifted the bamboo scrolls, while Wei Ci sat on the table to avoid the water, how unfair can this get. Unfortunately, Wei Ci has a weak body constitution, if he does this manual work, who knows, he might collapse. Wei Ci lifted his sleeves and pursed his lips, smiling. If you can get out of this, then lets talk. After stepping onto the Emperors bandwagon, you desire to get off. Where else does such a good deal exist? Yang Sis fury was evident; this is the umpteenth time he regretted coming to Chengan district. If he had foresight, he shouldve stayed in Prince Changshous camp. In exchange for some meals, he sold himself to Jiang Pengji, this exploiter, its not worth it. You, you fox, if you refuse to tone down your personality, be careful or others will be scared off and reject coming. Yang Si knew Wei Ci had sent many letters to his friends with the intention to poach them over. However, this is a blackhole that once you jump in, you cannot escape. Wei Ci blinked his eyes, then with an innocent face he replied, Regarding this, Jing Rong need not worry. After taking account of the time, this important person should have taken the bait. Yang Si kept silent for a change then asked, Did you say an important person? Are those who befriend Wei Ci just fat fishes to be made use of? Wei Zixiao, doesnt your conscience hurt? What really made his heart ache is that he is probably one more fat fish in Wei Cis eyes as well. If not for him jumping into the trap of his own accord, he would probably also receive an invitation letter from Wei Ci. This scenario flashed through his mind and Yang Si felt his heart was going to burst, he hatefully wanted to throw Wei Ci into the water. You, you wretched fox, I shall pass judgement on you on behalf of the heavens. I will afford you a sudden death. Yang Si shrugged his sleeves, his pose looked like he was ready to engage Wei Ci in a life and death war. Watching both masters argue and make trouble, the pageboy at the side felt internally exhausted. Regarding hard manual work, his master only played a supportive role, the heaviest tasks still fell to him. Chengan districts pipe and drainage system hadnt been repaired, the previous drainage pipes were broken and old. With two days of pouring rain, the city has become a vast expanse of water but luckily the water absorption wasnt too severe. Yang Si brought along some men to drain the water urgently. It had just turned noon and the accumulation of water in the city has mostly been cleared. The other two districts are worse off than Chengan district but compared to last time, the situation has improved significantly. This stormy rain eased the drought in the north, the dry and cracked fields were covered by a layer of water. The dry soil has also been transformed into soft mud. Yang Si and the rest began to get busy, they must oversee the construction of the residences and they must also watch the kiln synthesis of the hollow tubes. After it is completed, they must send people to dig the irrigation canal so that the accumulated water can be removed. After it dries up, the hollow pipes can be inserted in Because the trial to use reclaimed land for farming will be conducted in Chengan district this year, the number of fields prepared for cultivation are numerous. The people still need to work through the day and night. Other than these chores, they must settle the refugees down, allocate the cultivated lands, update the household registry, provide financial assistance to the poor all these chores must be settled. Truly hateful that mothers didnt give birth to us with more hands! Yang Si has been so busy that there are deep dark bags under his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot even though the government office has specially allocated a private chef to him. Yet his spirits are not uplifted because this poor fellow has no time to eat, isnt that pathetic! Yang Si trembled and remarked, I am going to write to them, telling them this is a trap, they must not fall into this trap The originally calm and composed strategist is now acting like an aggrieved child. Wei Ci laughed. These words are incorrect. When the number of people increases, the delegated workload will be less. If no one comes, wont they themselves suffer? His facial expression showed that he was tired of life. In this lifetime, my last regret is knowing you. If theres a next life, please stay far away from me! Wei Ci gave a brief smile then cheekily said, Theres no use if Ci gets lost, more importantly, one has to avoid the lord. Recalling his past life, in order not to implicate Yang Si, he had minimal interaction with him, did Yang Sis chores get any lighter? Still, he is exhausted and he feels like going on strike and refusing to work every day. The Emperor has such a big heart and she is determined to do many things. Her position suggests that she wishes to condense thousands of years of work to be completed in decades. She works through the night and day so which of her subordinates are not bitterly catching up with her? In the next life, if one is seeking peace, they must open their eyes wide and observe where the Emperor is, then avoid that location at all costs, only then can a carefree life be led. Yang Si was so choked that he almost couldnt breathe. Shortly after, he whined and said, Who did you say this fat fish is, do I know him? Everyone has a different group of friends; Wei Cis friends may not be Yang Sis friends. Wei Ci replied, You might have heard of him. His name is Feng Zhen, his courtesy name is Zi Shi, he comes from Zhangzhou, Anshan county. Zhangzhous Anshan county? Isnt that Prince Changshous allocated land? Based on Prince Changshous previous display as a virtuous prince, theres no reason that his talented men will depart from him. Zhangzhous Anshan county, that place is located far from here. For your letters to go back and forth, it will take more than six months, how can you receive a reply so quickly? Yang Si frowned. This Feng Zi Shi, I have heard of him before, his reputation isnt very good. Critically, it seems Feng Zhen is also a sickly man. Yet, the difference lies in that Wei Cis frailty is caused by illnesses while Feng Zhens is congenital since birth. With two frail people coming together, are they trying to play a joke on Yang Si? Wei Ci said, Zi Shi is a carefree person, he often says, The time to engage in pleasures is now, it cannot be at a later time. His health isnt that great and has been frail since he was young, having such a free-spirited personality isnt bad. It trumps a depressed heart and short-lived life. Yang Si raised his brows, it seemed that Wei Ci seems like a person who wasted time on small problems in the past. All day long, he keeps his anxiety in his heart, does he have a right to say such words? Hearing from you, my interest is piqued. Wei Ci kept silent for a short while, then with eyes full of pity, he looked at Yang Si. Such interest is undesirable. If Feng Zhen really has talents and Wei Ci is unable to write letters to approach his friends in Zhongzhao, he really wishes he doesnt have to recruit Feng Zhen. The Emperor herself is already so hard to wait upon, so now that Feng Zhen has arrived, the days ahead will be out of control. To put it nicely, his temperament is free-spirited. To put it unpleasantly, he lives a wastrel life! Wei Ci got acquainted with Feng Zhen in his previous life, its enough to describe his life with one word unrestrained! Doctors often deemed Feng Zhen to be sickly and that his days were numbered, thus he felt that since life is transient why not spend it enjoying himself. So he cultivated a variety of habits to waste his life away, to substitute cold dishes as cooked food, he visits the brothels every night, drinks till he gets drunk, he became so well versed in all these pleasures. Every day he thought of how to get into trouble, this affected the team dynamics in the Emperors team The conclusion? In his previous life, Wei Ci already knelt while Feng Zhen could still jump around enthusiastically! Those who see ghosts dont have long lives! Chapter 569 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio My lord, Ping feels that this is rather strange Jiang Pengji smiled as she held a pair of chopsticks and asked him, What is strange? She took Zhang Ping along to patrol all the drainage sites within Xiangyang district, they discovered the piping for the draining of water was functioning well. Coincidentally, the sun was at its hottest and both their stomachs were empty. They entered an eatery and found seats and intended to have their meal here by ordering a few dishes. Coincidentally, this eatery was opened by the government and named Gourmet House. She surveyed the surroundings, the eatery had been simply but elegantly renovated. The environment was relaxing and its a pleasant place to have ones meal. Wei Ci had indeed decorated this place well. Shortly after they took their seats, the curtains to the private room were pulled apart and a waiter who had lost his left hand walked in. The waiter looked at Jiang Pengji and Zhang Ping in surprise and was momentarily stumped before he knelt in haste. Your servant greets the lord! The eatery was started by the government and the workers within are either injured soldiers who have retired from the army or family members of soldiers who lost their lives during the war. This waiter before them left the army because of his disability. He has obtained a position as the waiter in the eatery. Although he is a waiter, he was also an ex-soldier who has fought on battlefields so he can work here and he is able to support his family of three with his income. Up till now, the veteran soldiers were determined to continue their morning trainings and although they are handicapped, their energy level has not waned. Jiang Pengji said, Get up, Xiheng and I are only here to have a meal. Theres no need for these vain etiquettes. The waiter obeyed and got up; he was still rather uptight. Jiang Pengji accepted a scroll of bamboo script which contained the eaterys menu. The suggestions proposed by the viewers in the live streaming room is that on every bamboo script the name of a dish will be written and they will be classified accordingly, which is a refreshing sight. She read the menu once through then ordered two to three vegetarian dishes and two non-vegetarian dishes. Afterwards, she passed the menu to Zhang Ping and used this time to ask some questions. She asked the veteran soldier who retired from the army how his life has been, the soldier slowly became bolder and was less restrained. Every question she asked was replied by the soldier with all honesty. Replying to my lord, my days are passing well. A few months ago, I married my wife with the help of a matchmaker. She is already three months pregnant. The workload at the eatery is manageable, I will clean the area from 5am to 7am daily. Thereafter, I will prepare to start the business and close the eatery at 9pm to 11pm. Every month, I will receive two rounds of salary which covers my household expenditures for food and clothing. I also get to save a substantial amount of money. My wife is very hardworking and she sews woollen clothing at home She asked in detail and the soldier had endless words to say. His face reddened somewhat and it didnt appear to turn sad or gloomy. Zhang Ping silently flipped through the menu 17 to 18 times to give his lord some buffer time. Nuli Chungao: He starts work between 5 to 7am and ends work at 9 to 11pm why not forget it and start work at 5am and end at 9pm? Is that too exhausting? Observing that he lost his left hand, is his daily living very inconvenient? If its in the present era, his hand can probably be fixed But in the ancient eraSigh, youll be handicapped for life. Zhengqu Xiayue Baofa: Listening to their conversation intently, this veteran soldier will receive 3 years of compensation for his injury which adds up to quite a substantial amount. Assuming both the roles of a waiter and guard, he receives two peoples salary his life should be alright? Having watched the livestream for some time, the viewers understood Jiang Pengjis current situation, the lives of these soldiers are not too bad. Banye Xiuxian: Speaking of which, why is the compensation given to the injured and handicapped given in phases over three years, why not just give it in one amount? Woyu Chengxian: Based on my analysis, there are two reasons. Firstly, the streamers burden is heavy since it isnt just one soldier who is injured or dead. Secondly, if the money is not well budgeted and all is spent, what about the future? I believe these three years of compensation is to give the veteran soldiers some buffer time. Within three years, with patience, one will surely learn skills for a livelihood. When that time comes, even without this compensatory money, they will be able to support themselves. Although the viewers in the livestream room did not guess completely correctly, it did not differ much from her intentions. The veteran soldiers are hardworking, the wives they married are capable, seeing their families working together harmoniously is a sight to behold. She nodded her head; Zhang Ping passed the menu back to the soldier with eyes full of interest. When the veteran soldier walked away, Zhang ping said, The eatery business is doing well. The eaterys delicacies tasted extremely good and whenever it was mealtimes, the eatery was usually filled. Although its pricier by four to five times, there are still people who will patronise it. Of course, the people dont have the means to eat here often, but to support sometimes is feasible. Jiang Pengji added, When the eatery business stabilises, I intend to let the kitchen chefs pass the recipes of common dishes to other eateries in the district. He was startled and couldnt react quickly. Why did the lord suddenly raise this issue? Jiang Pengji added, Government officials do not compete with the people for benefits, neither can the people compete with us. Business at the Gourmet House is good enough and if it continues to expand, it will surely suppress the peoples eatery businesses. This is contradictory to my original intention. If the kitchen makes known their menu, the people can try cheap and delicious food. The Gourmet House will continue to head towards becoming a premium eatery and both businesses will not affect each other. She thought long and hard about what to name the eatery. Eventually, she decided to adopt a viewers suggestion to name it Gourmet House. To put it plainly, the issue lies with their target customers. The eateries that the average citizen visits will serve the same group of people. A meal will not cost them much, but the Gourmet Houses food is rather pricey and their target audiences are those with the financial ability, they aim to cater to the people of middle and high-class socio-economic status and to differentiate between them as much as possible. Jiang Pengji doesnt lack monetarily. She could still bear the cost of compensating the injured soldiers, she has no need to crazily snatch the average citizens business. He finally understood and he couldnt help but feel emotional. When shes unreliable, his lord is truly not dependable at all. Yet even if the lord is dependable, a virtuous lord is only as such. How many of those who ascended the throne had such insatiable appetite for the peoples wealth, only his lord was impartial and enforced strict rules against corruption. When both spoke to each other, coughing sounds which made one anxious drifted from the eating room opposite. Zhang Ping suddenly thought of something and he said, My lord, Ping recalled what went wrong. As he spoke, theres another coughing sound! For a long time, Zhang Ping had constantly heard a coughing sound. Previously, he was nagging at someone who was shopping around while sick, yet now he wore a serious expression. He lifted his hands to unsheathe the dagger by his waist, his eyes looked warily towards the source of where the coughing sound came from. They had been followed by someone all along! She laughed, then signalled to him with her hands, Keep it away, it is just a meal. Zhang Png is a homely, literate man, completely ignorant about martial arts, while Jiang Pengji isnt. She knew from the start that someone was following them. He was stunned, but before the waiter served the dishes, he replaced his dagger in the sheath. My lord, you knew it all along? Zhang Ping asked. Otherwise? Jiang Pengjis laughed as she leaned her body sideways so that its easier for the waiter to set the dishes. Who doesnt recognise this face in Xiangyang district? I am not a popular person, if anyone has a grudge against me, what if he takes advantage of the situation when I am alone to harm me? If your lord doesnt even have this sense of caution, how would I dare to bring only five men to stroll around the entire district? Eat your meal, after eating we will meet the person next door. As soon as her voice dissipated, the coughing sound became worse. Zhang Ping: Chapter 570 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yanrian: Hahahaha Zhan Wucha, it feels like Zhang Ping was hurt. The streamers words were a devastating hit. Sufei Tangtang: Cough, cough, cough, although I also want to laugh so badly, Zhang Ping probably doesnt understand what Zhan Wucha means, right? Chisude Shuzi: I hope not, if he understood, he would be gravely hurt. Speaking of which, who isnt inferior in front of the streamer? Laugh for Three Days: Hahaha, please, the person above, your words are too hurtful. There appeared a bashful smile on Zhang Pings face. Although his fighting abilities were limited, he has no problem defeating an average person. However, if he meets a difficult foe, he can only lie on the ground and seek emergency help from his lord, then wait and watch his lord defeat numerous foes. My lord, why is this person following us? Zhang Ping still hadnt discovered that persons whereabouts. Other than him being focused on his job, another reason is he cannot sense that persons ill intentions. Jiang Pengji said, I am also unsure, but he must be an interesting person. He was taken aback when he saw his lords intrigued expression. He was suddenly more curious about this visitor he had never met. The mysterious person continued to cough incessantly then it finally subsided. However, Jiang Pengji knew that person was still next door yet she slowly feasted on her lunch. Her appetite is bigger than the average man, she eats significantly more food every meal. Zhang Ping is always amazed that his lord doesnt look buff. Since she eats voraciously, where does she hide all her meals? After eating and drinking their fill, they could hear the conversation between the waiter and the strange man from outside the private room. She said, Let him in. Shortly after, the curtains to the private room parted and a man wearing an old grey garment walked in. The man is approximately 27 to 28 years old, his body is skinny, and he was wearing old and baggy clothes. His two cheeks didnt have much fat, his chin is sharp, his lips had an abnormal tinge of paleness, and his face was pale compared to an average person. If this person didnt have clean facial features and exude a disposition of a good family upbringing, others may mistake him for an old gangster who is addicted to wine and lust. When this man appeared, the viewers in the live streaming room got excited. Nuli Chungao: Ahahahah this persons image is not bad, he totally looks like a sickly, prodigal son. Dongfang Yaoye: Streamer, are you trying to congregate all the pretty men, to attract the ultimate weapon? The scholarly Confucius, your wife Wei Zixiao, the gentle and elegant Feng Huaiyu, blurry and contradicting Li Han Mei, the foodie and foolish, Yang Jing Rong, the demure and nagger Xu Xiaoyu, the mature and dark Qiguan RangAiyou! Now, theres a not bad looking but sickly and unrestrained unknown youngster this livestreams eye candies are priceless. Tangxiaoya Yeshiwo: Hahaha, this description is flawless, but what business is it with the foodie and foolish Yang Jing Rong? Be careful or Yang Si will find you to share his troubles with you at night, beauty Wei Cis description of him is obvious competent at devising evil strategies, apt at poisonous tactics. Xiuxian Taishuang: If the godlike Yang Si does his accounting at night, please remind him to come to my bed and the bed will be warmed for him. Jiang Pengji glanced at the person in front, he was not informal at all and unabashedly took his seat near Jiang Pengji. She added abruptly, If you dont wish to die prematurely and leave orphans with no one to care for them, I urge you to give up on consuming Hanshi powder. The man looked at Jiang Pengji while Zhang Ping was also looked surprisingly at the strange man. You must have taken Hanshi powder for at least 4 years. If this continues, you will be reporting to the King of Hell soon. When you consumed Hanshi powder recently, the intervals between using have become shorter. If you dont determine in your heart to quit this addiction, you may even consider where you want to be buried after you pass on. Have you experienced what it feels like when your addiction hits you? If your addiction comes and you cannot obtain Hanshi powder, do you have the determination not to beg others? She asked these questions very naturally. I can tell that youre an arrogant person, I believe you wont want others to see you in a pathetic state. The youngster initially wore a smile of apathy but the more he listened, the more his facial expression turned hostile. His eyes became stern. Zhang Ping didnt understand and was bewildered. She focused on her own benefits and said, Forget it, I find you unsuitable. The youngster was shocked, he hadnt even said anything, the indignation and anger arose in his heart by a notch. What do you mean? Jiang Pengji said rudely, Although you didnt say much since you came in, I know everything. You followed the route that Xiheng and I took, did you really think I didnt notice? I believe you must be a talent Zixiao recruited through his letters and you were observing if I was suitable However, a talent can choose his master, but conversely, a master can also choose her talents. When you walked in, I already felt you were unsuitable. Zhang Ping was at a loss, he felt like going up to the streamer and gagging her mouth to shut her up. If this young fellow was really recommended by Wei Ci, he must be extremely talented. His lord cannot court death like that! Observing Zhang Pings conflicted expression, his mood was slightly better. Still, he intentionally spoke up with a harsh tone. Such a foolish person, is this the virtuous lord that Wei Zixiao has set his sights on? Because of his failure to understand, he deemed it as mockery and this caused him much displeasure. The world is filled with talents in abundance, it doesnt hurt to have one who courts death and creates trouble. With your health, how long can you labour for me? Jiang Pengji rebutted sarcastically. Please recall carefully, the past two times you ingested the powder, how long could your mind stay alert? Being clearheaded is a critical criterion for a strategist. The youngster is addicted to consuming the powder, Jiang Pengji dare not use it flippantly. He is no doubt talented, but not all talents can be used. He kept silent momentarily then he carefully recalled Jiang Pengjis words. Then he realised she wasnt raising this problem groundlessly. Did Zixiao tell you this? He had consumed Hanshi powder for years but the circle of people who know is small, and Liu Xi may not know unless Wei Ci told her. She said honestly, No, Zixiao didnt say much, he didnt even tell me who he wrote to. The youngster was rather interested in making things difficult. I believe in my abilities to assist in ruling the realm, arent you afraid I will harbour hatred towards you if you just chase me away? Fengyi county may be the land richest in resources in the north, but its terrain is not ideal. It can be easily attacked. If I set my heart on taking revenge over this humiliation, I am certain I have this ability. Jiang Pengji didnt even lift her eyelids and retorted mockingly, If you continue to live wildly and your body survives till that age, I will admit defeat. The young man curled the side of his lips and almost couldnt control himself. Was there indeed a person on the earth whose mouth is more cunning than his? Zhang Ping was afraid the youth will shake his sleeves in anger and walk away. Nonetheless, the youngster didnt walk off angrily and unexpectedly he continued to speak sarcastically with the lord, the words exchanged were sharp and mean. It felt as if each had met their match. The talents at the beginning of the year he truly cannot comprehend them. Even the viewers in the live streaming room were clueless. Previously it was Yang Si, now it is Feng Zhen, do they enjoy suffering one after another? If they are strategists and they meet with the streamer whos so untactful with her words and has such a bad temper, they would have banged the table long ago and walked off. The youngsters surname is Feng; his name is Zhen. His courtesy name is Zi Shi. He is from Zhangzhou, Anshan county. Feng Zhen frowned, still seemingly disbelieving, Hanshi powder Does it really have such toxic properties? Chapter 571 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji said, Please recall the taste when your addiction with Hanshi powder kicks in, touch your heart and tell me it isnt toxic? Feng Zhens face froze. As she said earlier, since he first started taking Hanshi powder, it has already been four and a half years. In the beginning, he only took it rarely, only once every one to two months, it was a means to boost his enjoyment. In recent years, the frequency increased to once every two weeks and now, it is once every 7 to 8 days. Whenever he ingests it, his heart becomes more light-hearted, his strength increases, he has feeling of light-headedness, and his head becomes rather comfortable. When his addiction for the powder is heightened, and he doesnt take the Hanshi powder in time, the bones in his body feels like they are being bitten by a multitude of insects and it is so unbearable that he almost wishes he could die. However, he considers that he lives by his principles and that his reliance on Hanshi powder isnt severe. If it was someone else who intermittently ingested Hanshi powder for four and a half years, theyd probably have already lost their sanity, yielded to their sensuality, their heads would throb in pain and their hearts would become heavy, they would have no peace when standing or sitting and every day they would live in madness. Only based on his current situation, if he continues to consume Hanshi powder, the intervals between his intake will become increasingly shorter and he may even lose his life. Shaking her head in disapproval, she questioned him, You have also discovered, since you started consuming Hanshi powder till now that the intervals are increasingly shorter. If you miss eating it on time, the bones in your body will feel like its being bitten by a multitude of insects, how do you even bear that excruciating pain? This damned vicious cycle, if he doesnt give up on taking Hanshi powder, his dependence on it will become more serious. The intervals between consuming the powder will shorten, the time when his mind remains conscious will decrease, after a series of vicious cycle, only death awaits. Feng Zhen couldnt refute this. Yet, to abstain from Hanshi powder, he must withstand till his desperate craving for the powder passes, how can this be easy? Feng Zhen has the same mindset as many aristocrats, his family is wealthy and he doesnt lack in Hanshi powder. He must just relieve his addiction by consuming it, why torture himself? He imagined the scenario when his addiction kicks in, the painful process and he shook his head as if it was a rattle-drum. This must not be, when the craving for the powder kicks in, it leaves one feeling like dying, so why must I give it up? Enjoying pleasures is of utmost importance now, how can this experience be delayed. One doesnt live past 30 to 50 years, life is short, why torture oneself when you can just enjoy life? Viewers in the live streaming room heard their conversation and they then became aware that this frail, young man who wastes his life is a gentleman with addictions. Jintian Hushijie: This young brother is superb. He consumed Hanshi powder for more than 4 years, yet he is still alive. What a long life he has. Happy Day: Ai, isnt it good to be alive? Why does he not treasure his life? Mothers Day is the Day After Tomorrow: This is frustrating; why do I feel that what this guy says makes sense? This is terrible, my three senses are in a mess. Although Hanshi powder isnt poisonous. If it is used excessively, one can be addicted and his whole life will be ruined. Dont Forget Alright: The viewer above who made a big fuss out of nothing, it must be that you havent followed the streamers livestream for a long time. Hanshi powder, this toy has already been revealed. It is likened to the Wei and Jin dynasties in our countrys history, the rich aristocrats are chasing after such pleasures. Are they ignorant that Hanshi powder is poisonous? Not necessarily! It is exactly as Feng Zhen thought. Many know that once one is addicted to Hanshi powder, it is extremely hard to give it up, but they have the means to purchase more Hanshi powder. When they feel uncomfortable, they only need to buy more. Why torture themselves and bear the suffering of giving up their addiction? In present times, beauty is of utmost importance to scale the epitome of life. It is the most important criteria to marry a rich, white beauty. After taking in Hanshi powder, ones senses will feel relaxed and they will feel energetic and be in the pink of health, with alluring beauty and smooth, fair skin. This is an enjoyment to them. Therefore, there are many supporters. Feng Zhens motive for taking Hanshi powder isnt to enhance his beauty, rather it is simply to enjoy and live a carefree life. Since his life isnt going to last long, it is worthwhile to try everything once. Now that Jiang Pengji has advised him to give up his addiction to Hanshi powder, Feng Zhen feels that it is impossible and hell not do it even if it means death. Jiang Pengji has likewise expressed that she doesnt accept burdens who often do not have a clarity of mind. Zhang Ping stood by the side sighing; his lord is courting her doom, yet she hasnt infuriated him till he turns and leave abruptly. It is evident that Feng Zhen is one who enjoys suffering also. Feng Zhen felt rather bewildered, isnt it enough to use a talent, why does she have to meddle in his private affairs? This virtuous lord that Wei Ci approves of, although she has the aura of a noble Emperor, her character isnt desirable. Feng Zhen questioned her cynically, There are numerous people who are addicted to Hanshi powder, are you going to convince one after another to give up on this addiction? Be careful or there might be none whom you can use. A young chap poking into another persons business. She was stunned, then asked, How can this be? I am not capable of advising everyone. Once addicted to Hanshi powder, if he doesnt determine to give it up, I will not use such a useless one. Who knows when his addiction will kick in and it will delay important affairs? The world is huge, it is better to have a clean slate and clarity of mind, why must I invest so much energy on someone useless? Feng Zhen didnt know if he should feel honoured or angry. His lord is destined to fail. If she doesnt meet her doom, Feng Zhen is in grave trouble. Youve tasted the delicacies from the Gourmet House, what do you think of the standard? Jiang Pengji asked him curiously. Feng Zhen commented, Of all the delicacies in the world, I never knew there are so many different varieties. She coldly added, After you die, you wont get to feast on these delicious foods, they will be set on someone elses table. Feng Zhen: She asked, Do you enjoy visiting brothels, then getting drunk till daylight breaks? Feng Zhen laughed carefreely. The saints once spoke of food, lust, sex also. What is the big deal if I am apt at these? He knows his life is short, since his legitimate wife passed on, he hasnt remarried or gotten a concubine. Frequenting the brothels is freedom at its best. After you pass on, the beauty will lie in anothers bosom. The good wine will be enjoyed by another. Feng Zhen: Jiang Pengji said again, Are you also proficient at gambling? Feng Zhen controlled himself then said, Whats wrong with a small gamble that perks my mood? Jiang Pengji sighed saying, After you die, the family business that you have yet to squander completely away will belong to someone else. Feng Zhen: You still have a son whos less than 5 years old. Are there any mean relatives in your household? His heart was appalled, he had no idea how the other party knew all this. He replied, So what if there is? When you die, your relative will use your inheritance to bully your son, wont he be pitiful? Feng Zhen couldnt bear it anymore: The words after you pass on filled his entire mind now. If he really dies now No, he is still living well now. She said, I agree with what you said about Enjoying pleasures is of utmost importance now, how can this experience be delayed. However, one must be alive to enjoy the myriad of pleasures. Once you die, all is lost. If you kick your Hanshi powder addiction, you may be able to live carefreely for 7 to 8 years. If you refuse to, I guarantee that you wont live past 7 to 8 months. From this perspective, doesnt it feel like youre on the losing end? You could well have lived a few more years but now you are headed to die in a few months. Feng Zhen: The beauty isnt yours, neither are the delicacies, nor this money you gamble and won, they will not belong to you what do you think, arent you on the losing end? Living well will give him the energy to lead a carefree life but once he dies, he is but a preserved fish. Thus, does he not intend to free himself from his addiction to Hanshi powder? I will give it up He must live well and see how this young chap torments him to death. Who asked him to mention you are going to die, and words like this is not yours, it was unpleasant to the ears when heard. After he successfully gives up his Hanshi powder addiction, his first goal is to frustrate this youngster! 1 Chapter 572 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A letter sent by your lord? What did he write? Yang Si couldnt contain his curiosity and stretched his neck to have a peek at the letter in Wei Cis handhe wondered what was written that made him so happy. Not unless his brows were raised briefly; he felt an additional layer of emotion known as nosiness within his heart. When he focused his eyes on it, he was filled with disappointment. Isnt it just that Feng Zhen is willing to stay so what, does this man have such exceptional, out of this world abilities that this makes you so happy? Wei Ci toned down the joyful spirits on his face and said seriously, Ci isnt rejoicing over Zi Shis decision to stay on. Yang Si was surprised and asked, Oh? Why then? Wei Ci answered, Zi Shis usual wastrel-like actions, practically none can convince him to control himself. Nonetheless, he has promised the lord to give up his addiction to Hanshi powder. This is true love, this A wave of shock passed through Yang Sis eyes, he isnt a stranger to Hanshi powder. It is known that taking it often will lead to addiction, if any untoward incidents happen in the process of consuming the powder, death is a serious consequence. Even so, there are people who hold it as of utmost importance because the process to give up ones addiction is extremely painful. Most people cannot persevere and they continue to use Hanshi powder to numb themselves. Nonethelesswhether Feng Zhen agrees to give up his addiction or not, how is it related to whether Wei Ci is happy or not? Having noticed the troubled expression on Yang Sis face, Wei Ci smiled, saying, Giving up on Hanshi powder isnt a days work. He will have to suffer much. After Yang Si heard this, he shivered uncontrollably. What made him happy is solely because Feng Zhen is about to suffer? Why is he so black-hearted? Wei Ci continued, Jing Rong doesnt understand. After you see Zi Shi face to face, then youll know. The people around are worried sick for his health, but the person himself cant be bothered. He indulges in vices and wastrel ways; how can one not be infuriated? Yet now Feng Zhen is in deep trouble. If Wei Ci was momentarily unhappy, he will let himself down for being worried sick over Feng Zhen previously. However, Straightening his expression, he looked at the letter in his hands with depressed eyes. He briefly lifted his brows doubtfully. Yang Si asked him, Whats wrong with you? He calmly replied, Ci didnt imagine Zi Shi to have such talents, he consumed the powder for over 4 years He thought what the huge fuss was, then answered, He truly lives a stubborn life, he still has the energy to find trouble even after consuming the powder for 4 years. Moreover, hes clueless about how to take care of himself. Wei Ci discreetly shook his head. He didnt mean it like this, but he could not explain the details to Yang Si. In his previous life, he lived in seclusion at Zhongzhaos Bianzhou and he communicated with Feng Zhen using letters. When he was first exposed to Hanshi powder, he was already past 30 years of age, yet how old is he now? Shockingly, he has already been taking Hanshi powder for 4 and a half years. Moreover, he is addicted to it and this is truly discouraging and incomprehensible. Speaking of which he seemed to have forgotten something? A flash of insight crossed Wei Cis mind, in that split second, his consciousness was heightened! Hanshi powder! This item was indeed the hype of the times, but back then the nine prefectures and five countries were already dejected and there was no solution. Some jaded aristocrats used Hanshi powder to numb themselves, it was efficacious and Hanshi powder spread far and wide uncontrollably. Estimating the timeline, for a person to consume Hanshi powder so frequently, it will occur only after 3 to 5 years. In his previous life, Feng Zhen heard from others that consuming Hanshi powder could boost ones constitution but currently he only wished to die in his pleasures. Before this, Hanshi powder was solely circulated in the small circle of the sons from wealthy families, it was never so widespread. How about presently? Recalling the examination years ago, that scholar who took the exams stripped in public and took liberties with him, Wei Cis face turned deathly white. Master Liaochens words suddenly came to his mind automatically. Hanshi powder has fast forwarded many years to become a hype, it is probably related to those devils who stole Dongqings destiny. After being addicted to Hanshi powder for 4 years, it would have reached maturity. If one wishes to completely give up his addiction, he will have to suffer. In his previous life, Feng Zhen only took Hanshi powder for 1 to 2 years. Then Jiang Pengji forcefully put an end to it. Based on his own memories, the process to kick the addiction is extremely painful. This caused a conditional fear against these words Hanshi powder. In this lifetime, he consumed it for 4 years will his anguish in giving up the addiction be doubly painful? Yang Si said mockingly, Just continue to rejoice over his suffering. Knowing you is truly unlucky for Feng Zhen. Ones addiction to Hanshi powder isnt as helpless as it is to drugs, the chances of completely giving up the addiction is also higher. However, not everyone is able to bear the excruciating pain, the desperate mental desire, the physical torture on ones body. With such heavy pressure on both ends, the one with determination can overcome. With mucus and tears streaming down, his muscles cramped and profusely pain, his digestive system going into convulsions, and having migraines and feeling nauseous. Feng Zhen tried to kick his addiction, but the feeling was truly too painful, he bore with it momentarily but gave up eventually. He chose to bow to Hanshi powder. As this point how can Jiang Pengji allow him to give up? Feng Zhen didnt know what Jiang Pengji did to him. When his desire for Hanshi powder came, except for being able to move his eyes and the ability to think, his entire body felt numb and unable to move. He couldnt even speak yet he was still mentally conscious and able to sense his entire body. When the addiction hit him, from dawn to nightfall, his sweat caused his inner and outer clothes to be drenched continuously. Slowly, his bodily discomfort gradually dissipated, Feng Zhen took in deep breaths as if crawling back from the depths of hell. How are you feeling? Jiang Pengji entered from outside, a guard carried clean clothes and followed behind her. He lay on the ground. He slowly regained control of his body but his limbs remained weak, even sitting up was difficult. I dont wish totalk to you Feng Zhens face was full of perspiration, he shut his eyes because of exhaustion. He refused to recall the excruciating pain he experienced previously, moreover he couldnt bear to remember the times when his addiction controlled him. When his addiction hit him, his mind conceived a myriad of ways to kill Jiang Pengji. He was dying to drink her blood, feed on her flesh, he was crueller and crazier than a beast. How could he have any rationality left? I got servants to prepare food that is light and able to neutralise the poison. After you wash up, please eat. In the next month, the frequency of the addiction occurring is higher and the time it lasts will be longer. If you dont have enough strength and energy, I am afraid you cannot last. She said, You should be thankful, your intake of Hanshi powder was rather controlled and you did not use it frivolously. Feng Zhen took Hanshi powder for more than 4 years. Yet his dosage was always low, the intervals between use were also longer. Only recently had it become more frequent and the usage also heavier. Otherwise, he wouldve already died hopelessly. Jiang Pengji has an alert mind; she can secretly help him to maintain his consciousness and ensure that he safely overcomes this trying period. After Feng Zhen heard this, his entire body shivered. Only once and he felt so terrible, if it will occur frequently over the next month, how can he withstand it? Can I have regrets now? He doesnt want to kick the addiction anymore. No, if you can bear it momentarily, youll overcome. Jiang Pengji witnessed how he lay on the ground helplessly then she laughed. Recently, I fermented some wine, it far supersedes those that you drink daily as it is more fragrant and intense. Once you somewhat gain control of your addiction, I will treat you to two cups. Wine Feng Zhen smacked his lips, his tongue was dry. I want to drink two cups now. Chapter 573 - The Prodigal Son, Feng Zhen (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Beautiful Feng Zhen took a hot bath and changed into soft, airy, and light clothing C Because of his addiction to Hanshi powder over the years, his skin had become very soft, just briefly rubbing it will cause red marks. It is excruciatingly painful which is why he only wears old and soft garments. After taking a bath, his long hair was still wet, he sat as he enjoyed the wine Jiang Pengji fermented. With one gulp he swallowed it. Wherever the wine passed, it heated up that area. The warmth spread across his four limbs and hundreds of bones; the mild tipsy sensation influenced by alcohol rushed to his brain. Theres such a potent wine in this world? Impressive! Before he couldnt adapt, but afterwards, he reminisced about the taste fondly. That mild alcoholic taste caused him to feel light-headed this is more addictive than Hanshi powder! This is heavenly This is even more enjoyable than Hanshi powder. Jiang Pengji discreetly raised her eyebrows, the viewers in the live streaming room also expressed their concern. Shuzhong Ziyou Yanruyi: Streamer, are you certain that it is enough for this fellow to give up on Hanshi powder? Why not also give up drinking? Jianghu Cuotuo: Not only to give up on drinking but also gambling and lust. The live streaming room should exude with positive energy. The likes of Feng Zhen who lives without restraints should undergo reformation. He should just become a monk, sever himself from all Five Aggregates. Luodi Huashengtang: Hahaha, although he deserves to be pitied, this is unbearably hard. Therefore, my heart aches for him. Xiaotianshi: If he didnt meet the streamer, Feng Zhen would live leisurely. He can court death however he wishes, yet nowAi, he is helpless Perhaps meeting the streamer is Feng Zhens greatest trial. She added, The liver is often damaged by alcohol, it isnt wise to drink. Just drinking half a bottle today will suffice. She poured more than half of the bottle of beer into her bowl and raising her neck, she drank it all. My wine Just as he stretched his hand to stop her, only a few drops of the wine was left in her bowl, it was so fast that Feng Zhen couldnt react in time. She mocked him coldly. This is mine. Feng Zhen clenched his teeth retorting, Why are you so hateful! He hadnt had his fill. Jiang Pengji said, Do you still want to drink? Bear with it till the next wave of addiction then. Feng Zhen: I have an offensive statement does your father know how blinded you are, but I dont know if it should be said. Liu Xi, you had better come back! As Jiang Pengji said, the initial stages of giving up an addiction is very painful and it will act up frequently. But after one overcomes this phase, it gets subsequently easier. One to two days from the start, the addiction will hit him once and an episode will last for more than half a day. Then it will extend slowly to between 3 to 5 days before ones addiction acts up and it will only last for an hour. After two months, his energy levels slowly improved, his cheeks glowed pink with health, the paleness on his lips disappeared, he even gained some fat on his face. Although he has yet to completely give up his addiction of Hanshi powder, when his addiction resurfaces, he doesnt require Jiang Pengjis special attention anymore. Just relying on his determination alone, he can withstand the withdrawal effects and keep his desire to consume Hanshi powder under control. This is a big step forward. Of course, judging from the audiences despising comments, perhaps it is because the wine is more tempting to Feng Zhen than Hanshi powder. The benefits of giving up an addiction is obvious; this matter is close to Feng Zhens heart. Previously, his mind was clouded like a hard to eradicate dirt on glass, now that the dust is removed, the sun can shine in without obstruction. His line of thoughts was never this clear, his reaction time is also much faster than before, he even managed to significantly regain his ability to remember. Critically, during the time when he was under the influence of the Hanshi powder, his mind was retarded, his memory was poor, he often forgot unimportant things once he hears them. She saw that he was recovering well so she immediately got him to be escorted to the government office. She ordered Dian Yan to be his bodyguard; even when he went to the toilet, Dian Yan will be waiting outside and he cannot leave his side without a valid reason this made Feng Zhen furious. She continued, Isnt this because I fear your addiction will suddenly be triggered? I will feel more reassured if Dian Yan watches you. Feng Zhen said, Who believes your words? Is it certain she is concerned for him? All the Hanshi powder he possessed was confiscated, he couldnt use Hanshi powder even if he wanted to. When his wine addiction kicks in sometimes, he wishes to drink or secretly find some beauties to drink with and enjoy the pleasures, but shortly after, Dian Yan will appear quietly and stare at him. He just looked at him speechlessly and watched him. Even if Feng Zhen has a thick skin, he was still embarrassed to continue embracing the beauty. Is this showing concern? One after another they came, he is about to be scared to death! Jiang Pengji looked him in the eye. The autumns harvest just ended, Fengyi county is getting busy with preparations for winter, be it the livelihood of the people or training of the military soldiers, one event after another, it gives one a headache from all the work lined up. During such times, if you enjoy yourself, what will the people around think? After we slog hard in this season, you can fool around however you wish with alcohol and beauties, I will bear the cost of them all. How does that sound? Such benevolence? Feng Zhen was suspicious in his heart, but she made it sound so sincere, he couldnt help but choose to believe. Feng Jin expressed his disapproval, the lords ability to paint an unrealistic picture is even more superb now. Feng Zhen is ignorant about how terrifying it is to work overtime. But he secretly saw how Feng Zhen was when his addiction hit him. Yet now he is given responsibilities when he has yet to completely give up his addiction, wont there be problems? Jiang Pengji replied, It doesnt matter, dont underestimate this sickly person, he is bursting with energy. Whenever he is idle, no one knows whats on his mind. This is dangerous if his addiction kicks in. It is better that he works at the government office and expends some energy to ensure that he has no energy to think of what Hanshi powder is. To put it plainly, in the past when his addiction to Hanshi powder seized him, he had time. When he gets busy, the situation will improve. She wore a stoic face as she fabricated tales, Feng Jin dare not flippantly agree with it. How can he not know that a heavy workload can help with overcoming an addiction? Obviously, its his lord who made up false stories. During the last few days of November, Gu Xins trustworthy man brought his business group to Xiangyang district. This time the goods transported were numerous compared to the total goods brought previously. Your servant greets the Young Master. Her trusted subordinate is seeing her for the first time, but the reverence on his face isnt pretentious. How did the plan go? Jiang Pengji spoke at great lengths with this reliable worker in the study room. All the guards and servant girls were sent away. She even switched off the livestream temporarily. Gu Xins trusted subordinate is the storekeeper of the treasure house and he reported, Everything is proceeding smoothly, the so called Coloured glass of the heavenly palace has already been sold to the business union at the North borders for 30% of the price. The money, jewellery, and precious treasures we obtained are recorded here, I ask the master to have a look. Jiang Pengji received the thick book of accounts, the records are very detailed, there have been no monetary transactions. I will have to trouble you this time. I intend to reward the business group for transporting the goods with 200,000 strings of coins. Although its only 30%, the profits are undoubtedly bountiful. Twenty sets of glass apparatus and head accessories were purchased at standard price, they earned a total of 1,830,000 strings of coins. The remaining 2000 sets were sold at 30% of the price to the business union at the North borders. In total 17,360,000 strings of coins. Both add up to 19,190,000 strings of coins. This was all exchanged for equivalent gold, silver and precious treasures so their net worth was not compromised. The storekeeper at the treasure house used over ten thousand strings of coins to amass large amounts of sheeps skin and fur, he bought almost all the farmers stocks at the North borders. The storekeeper smiled saying, This is your servants job. She smiled as she kept the account book, then gently replied, No, the reward is what you deserve. Chapter 574 - Horse Plague at the North Borders (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The storekeeper of the treasure house deserves a commendation indeed, he not only finished his task perfectly, even when faced with thousands of riches, he did not succumb to greed and he took nothing. If Jiang Pengji doesnt reward him generously and give him what he deserves, who will labour so heartily for her? Even if she knows the storekeeper in the treasure house can do it, it must have been Gu Xin who secretly left behind some underhand means. Nonetheless, she will not be stingy and rewards that are rightful will be given. Thus, other than rewarding the business group who transported the goods 200,000 string of coins, she also retrieved from her private warehouse 20,000 string of coins for the storekeeper. Xu Ke has been the one helping Jiang Pengji to manage the warehouse. Whenever a sum is given or received, he will meticulously record it. Seeing that these two transactions were made, even though he is used to his lords generous style, he was still unbearably speechless in astonishmentA gulping 220,000 string of coins, not 22 strings of coins. Do you have any idea what 220,000 strings of coins is like? With just 10,000 strings of coins, one can buy a magistrate title or district magistrate position at Dongqing. If one donates 10,000 string of coins, he can become a legitimate county chief. If that isnt called a large stroke, then what is a large-scale occurrence? Xu Ke looked at these two transactions and sighed, then he saw another record of credits, which left him dropping his brush. The national treasurys yearly income is 90 to 150 million string of coins. His lord is but a district magistrate and she is occupying Fengyi county without official orders, yet her income in these few months has reached 20 million string of coins after holding it in for a second, he managed to control his urge to scream. Because of this, his mental state was in a daze, he can almost be described as floating into Xiangyang districts government office. Feng Jin lifted his head and looked at Xu Ke whom he hasnt seen for many days. He was much thinner than he last remembered and with much concern he said, Seeing Xiaoyus state, I suppose the workload in Maolin district is extremely heavy. If youre exhausted, why not discuss with the lord if you can take some time off? Xu Ke was stumped, then he regained his senses, Ke is fine Maolin districts government office is indeed busy. When they first started, they worked all day and night and never got to see the daylight. Xu Ke almost forgot what sleeping felt like Luckily, he successfully persevered through this phase and now that things are on track, the subsequent steps will be followed up by his subordinates according to protocol. He only needs to settle some miscellaneous affairs and improve the patrolling then supervision of the area will suffice. Feng Jin was stunned, then he observed Xu Ke intently. Xu Ke was wearing the clothing his aunt and Xun Mei made for him years ago. It originally fitted him but now it looked baggy. You should eat more nutritious food, look at how skinny you are. Feng Jins workload the past half a year was also intense, by right it should have decreased by 20%. Yet the food at the government office is so sumptuous, and moreover he has his demure, virtuous and meticulous wife to take care of him. He is in the pink of health, likened to a fresh flower that is well-taken care of. Xu Ke nodded, though he was still distracted. Before they both spoke extensively, unfamiliar footsteps were heard from outside, it was accompanied by a tune that was out of tune. Xu Ke frowned. Feng Jin remarked, Zi Shi is here. Zi Shi? Xu Ke was working non-stop, all night and day at Maolin district, once a while when he finds time, hell show concern for whats happening in Xiangyang district. This is where Feng Zhen comes in. He heard that this man is addicted to Hanshi powder, his ways are unrestrained and just based on this, Xu Kes first impression of Feng Zhen is below a passing grade. Xu Ke said, Feng Zi Shi? Feng Jin nodded. Their conversation just ended; a shadow adorned with pale coloured, scholarly clothes literally floated in. He smelled of alcohol from head to toe, his eyes were narrow, and he was humming an unknown tune. He greeted Feng Jin good afternoon robotically then turned his head to mind his own business. Xu Ke who is such a big man, must have been side-stepped by Feng Zhen. You drank alcohol? Xu Ke was stunned. The lord seriously allows Feng Zhen to indulge as such, she permits him to drink while working at the government office? Feng Jin sighed briefly. The lord got Dian Yan to supervise him, to ensure he doesnt consume Hanshi powder or drink excessively. Its a wonder where this guy hides his alcohol, every afternoon during lunch break, it is imperative that he then drinks till hes drunk. But he has never messed up his official work and his output is impressive. From Jiang Pengjis perspective, if her subordinates dont overstep her boundaries, she is happy to allow them to indulge. They may have their own personal preferences. Feng Zhen can drink half a pot of wine daily even under Dian Yans constant vigilance but without Jiang Pengjis permission, this is completely impossible. Feng Jin and Xu Ke lead upright, personal lives, they are models who practice high standards of discipline. With regards to Feng Zhen who is their direct opposite, they surely cannot relate to him. Nevertheless, since Jiang Pengji didnt confront him, they have no right to control Feng Zhen. They could only pretend all is well. They didnt purposely lower their voices, Feng Zhen also listened to their conversation without restraint. He mocked and laughed at them both. Dian Yans strategy to encircle and intercept is ingenious, but above there are political laws and on the ground level there are counter strategies. To hide a few glasses of alcohol and secretly drink is a small issue. Let alone his drinking buddy is her lord, Jiang Pengji. If Dian Yan can discover this, that would be weird. He delightfully thought to himself. When he bent down, he discovered two letters on the table which havent been opened. Did someone write to him? Feng Zhen opened and saw; he awoke from his drunken stupor immediately. Aiyaya this is bad! Feng Jin heard a commotion then asked, What happened? Feng Zhen pinched his lower chin saying, I never knew I am indeed so popular, everyone wants me on their side. Feng Jin and Xu Ke looked strangely at each other, someone wrote to Feng Zhen and intended to poach him over? The senders name is indeed interesting, Shangyangs Feng Huaijie. Yi why is this name like Huaiyus name? When he read the date the letter was sent, it was shockingly earlier than Wei Cis by half a month. However, because the geography was far apart, he received Wei Cis letter first. Feng Huaijie? Isnt that Feng Jins younger brother, Feng Jue? Xu Ke turned his head, expectedly Feng Jins face turned black, as if a thick layer of black paint was brushed across his face. Thats my younger brother. Feng Jin remarked. Feng Zhen looked at the letter in shock, then at Feng Jin. Feng Jue and Feng Jin are really brothers? Are they certain theyre brothers from the same womb? Their personalities are so different. Compared to the somewhat rebellious, unrestrained Feng Jue, Feng Jin bears the aura of a legitimate son from a wealthy, aristocratic family. His every move requires maximum precision, he is neither distant nor close, he does things rigidly No wonder Feng Zhen did not associate the brothers with each other. After a while, he laughed. The person that Huaijie is serving has great ambitions, it is impossible for the lord to submit under another. If both fight with each other, therell surely be one, in futurethe scenario where both of you have to battle each other is inevitable. Feng Jins face turned a shade darker. He hated Huang Song! Honestly, he didnt know what Huang Song did to mesmerise Feng Jue. How does a mere descendent of a eunuch deserve Feng Jues help? Hmph, each submits to their own master. If such a day comes, Jin will surely rid him of the family. Feng Jin sneered briefly, with that his impression of Feng Zhen also became worse by a notch. Feng Zhen didnt bother in contrast. His personality isnt suitable to be friends with such an upright gentleman. Tearing the other letter, Feng Zhen said with disdain, Seems like Huang Song indeed has his ways. Feng Jin raised his brows, What happened? Feng Zhen explained, I have a good friend, you may also know him. His surname is Cheng and his name is Jing, his courtesy name is You Mo, one of Master Yuanjings disciples. He is presently in Huang Songs Diyang district and he has high praise for him. He even wrote to me a letter on Huang Songs behalf If Huang Song has no ambitions, even ghosts refuse to believe! I propose, do we want to make the first move? To prevent subsequent troubles? Chapter 575 - Horse Plague at the North Borders (II) Chapter 575: Horse Plague at the North Borders (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How about striking preemptively? At the moment, Jiang Pengji had occupied the entire Fengyi County. With 20,000 carefully trained troops in hand, come next spring, she could conquer Wanzhou and claim all of Wanzhou as hers. Then she could simply send a memorandum to the throne and force the royals of Dongqing to bestow the title State Governor of Wanzhou upon her. If she were to deploy her troops to traverse half of the northern lands to attack Huang Song and strangle her enemy in his cradle, she wouldnt be able to conquer Wanzhou next year. But the advisors in Jiang Pengjis camp also felt annoyed at the thought of leaving Huang Song to further develop his influence at the borders of the northern and southern kingdoms. Feng Jin said, Its best if we discuss the matter with our lord. Should one prevent an enemy with high potential from growing in strength or focus on ones development first? For Jiang Pengji, she could make the right choice with her eyes closed, even if she was to use her toes instead of her brain to think. Whats the hurry? she said, smiling. Ive heard of Cheng Jing, one of the four disciples personally taught by Master Yuanjing. Impressive background, but dont you forget that our Zixiao here is also a disciple of Master Yuanjing. Huang Song has Cheng Jing counselling him, but so what, its not like he can f*ck the sky? I have studied at Langye Academy for a few years too, and I have a certain level of understanding of Cheng Jing. Him? Not a concern! Hearing her spew phrases like f*ck the sky, Feng Jin and Xu Ke kept a straight face as they didnt understand what she was getting at, but the very dirty-minded Feng Zhen immediately caught on. If Cheng Jing has neither talent nor ability, why does Master Yuanjing hold him in high regard? Feng Zhen couldnt help but frown when he heard Jiang Pengji say that Cheng Jing was not a concern. He had always admired the friend that he had gotten to know through Wei Ci and looked highly upon Cheng Jing, so Jiang Pengjis contemptuous attitude offended him somewhat. Im not saying that Cheng Jing has neither talent nor ability, what Im saying is that him partnering with Huang Song would probably impede both of them, Jiang Pengji said. I know Huang Song, and I know a bit about Cheng Jing based on what the other scholars at Langye Academy have told me. Together, they can be companions in misfortunes, but not necessarily in fair-weather. Cheng Jing is much pickier than Huaiyu. He not only holds himself to the code of conduct of a man of virtue but holds others to it as well. As for Huang Song, while he has no major flaws, he does have countless minor flaws Tsk tsk Their personalities do not suit each other unless one of them is willing to concede and change. At this point, Jiang Pengji paused for a while, then continued. Simply put, with such a personality, Cheng Jing needs a tolerant lord that doesnt mind his occasional criticism, while Huang Song needs a subordinate that can ignore his minor flaws. Otherwise, it is simply a disaster. Of course, everything goes through a honeymoon period. Huang Song and Cheng Jing are still in such a stage of sweet affection, and as the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so they are feeling pleased and satisfied with each other. Huang Song has little influence at the moment, so he would naturally be cautious and restrained, and Cheng Jing would counsel him whole-heartedly and put in full effort to assist him. However, when Huang Song grows stronger and has more counsellors around him, Cheng Jings advice may seem like an eyesore. Having said so, she concluded, It would suffice for us to mind our own business, establishing a strong foothold for ourselves is far more important than anything else. Feng Zhen said, If we leave Huang Song to further develop his influence, he will become your strongest enemy, my lord. Jiang Pengji snickered. My strongest enemy? He wouldnt qualify even if he continues to practice his craft for another eight or ten years. Even if he could stand his ground against my troops, he could never beat me regardless. We would be putting the cart before the horse if we got fixated on such an enemy and ignore other more important things. According to Jiang Pengjis initial plan, her battlefield would be in the northern kingdom and the northern lands of Dongqing. She had no time for the situation in the southern lands at the moment. Without Huang Song, therell still be Green Song or Black Song. Only by strengthening oneself can one become fearless. So Jiang Pengji still stuck to her opinions and intended to take over Wanzhou next spring! As long as they occupied Wanzhou, together with the nearby Chongzhou and Hu County, which was secretly controlled by Liu She, the three pieces of land could be combined into one. Then they would face no shortage of money, food supply, labour, and troops. After strengthening their ability to counter cavalry troops, it wasnt impossible for them to defeat the northern kingdom. What were the benefits of defeating the northern kingdom? Not only did the northern kingdom have rich mineral resources, countless gold, silver, and jewelry, vast lands, as well as commercial plots, it also had countless horse ranches and elite war horses. The horse ranches in Dongqing were concentrated in Cangzhou. Without conquering Cangzhou or obtaining the support of House Meng of Cangzhou, the cavalry would remain unsuccessful. If they could gnaw away at the northern kingdom, with the ranches and the elite war horses, they need not worry anymore about whether the formation of the cavalry would be successful. With the cavalry in hand, it would be as easy as pie to turn around and attack the other forces within Dongqing. Feng Zhen looked at Jiang Pengji, his gaze serious. He mentally exclaimed to himself that the young man in front of him was determined and not easily swayed, yet showed signs of being a wise ruler. Ill have to trouble you all a lot this winter. Prepare for the battle in Wanzhou which will take place come spring. Any objections? asked Jiang Pengji. Feng Jins and Xu Kes expressions changed drastically as they seemingly recalled the trauma of having to work overtime all the time last winter. Only Feng Zhen, who had no idea of what had happened, responded with a smile. Of course I dare not say no to your requests, my lord. However, dont forget about your promise earlier. He thought, I must hold on tight to this sugar daddy who is willing to pay for my beer and skittles, hell be my meal ticket in the future. Jiang Pengji returned a similar chuckle. Of course, how could I forget about what I have promised Zishi. Xu Ke gave Feng Jin a questioning look asking about the situation. Is there some secret, unspeakable deal going on between their lord and Feng Zhen? Feng Jin sighed in secret and told him the story in low tones, Xu Ke almost died of laughter. How can one take our lords word seriously? Xu Ke jokingly mocked while laughing. Our Lord always makes such promises, but its always busy in the government office. We only work hard for a certain period every year, but that period lasts for a year How would he have time to eat, drink, and be merry? Feng Jin replied, Aint that true? Throughout the whole year, we only have 7 days of leave during the new year period. But during those 7 days, restaurants, casinos, and brothels are all closed, as everyone has gone home to spend time with family. With all the shops closed, I dont know where he can go to seek entertainment. Ah, another poor soul tricked by our lord, I wonder when he will find out the truth Probably not too late. The two exchanged glances and laughed, seeing the gloating look in each others eyes. 1 In Chengan District, Wei Ci also heard about Cheng Jing siding with Huang Song, and he could only lament that it was destined by fate. Yang Si had a critical eye, and his evaluation of Huang Song and Cheng Jing was not much different from what Jiang Pengji had said. Wei Ci responded with silence. Yang Si said, You and Cheng Jing were taught by the same teacher. Im afraid that it would be difficult for you when fighting against his side in the future. Wei Ci replied nonchalantly, In terms of difficulty, who could surpass Huaiyu and Feng Jue, this pair of actual brothers? It wasnt just Feng Jin and Feng Jue. Their elder brother had sided with another party, so the three brothers were stabbing each other in the heart. Then why is your expression so sad? asked Yang Si. Wei Ci gave no reply. What could he reply with? Surely he couldnt tell Yang Si that he was silent just because Cheng Jing also worked under Huang Song in a previous reincarnation? Cheng Jing was imprisoned when Huang Songs influence peaked, because of differing opinions between him and his lord, and the conflict was becoming more and more intense. After the underlying resentment that had been present for many years was triggered, the situation got out of hand. In the end, Cheng Jing was jailed for more than two years, until Huang Song killed himself after losing the war, and Cheng Jing committed suicide in prison upon hearing the news. Wei Ci had sent Cheng Jing a letter, trying to convince the latter to side with him, but to his disappointment, Cheng Jing still went to Huang Songs camp. Chapter 576 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yang Si stroked his chin and said, Didnt you have a rather broad social circle back in Langye Academy? Find some way to trick more people into coming over. Your lord spent three years pursuing his studies at Langye Academy, and friendship between classmates is more reliable compared to other relationships. Helping him would at least be better than helping Huang Song. Wei Ci gave a resigned smile, surely it wasnt that he was unwilling to trick them? It is a fault in the stars that caused me to face difficulties convincing them to side with us. In a previous incarnation, Cheng Jing committed suicide in prison after his lord, Huang Song, killed himself upon being defeated in war. The one who defeated Huang Song was Jiang Yuji. As for Lu Zheng, in his previous incarnation, his lord personally led his army into battle after declaring himself as the emperor. In the end, he was attacked by thousands of elite fighters in a surprise attack led by Her Majesty. They went straight in for the kill and chopped off his head. The princes were involved in a power struggle, but their forces ended up being encroached on by Jiang Pengji one by one. Lu Zheng chose to surrender for the sake of the people in the city, but he opted to climb up the city gates and jump down. Before he died, he made a curse and became an inerasable debt of blood for Jiang Pengji. In the previous incarnation, Han Yus lord was also killed, but he accepted the offer of amnesty. He thought that he could enjoy a stable life till he was old, but when he was middle-aged, his wife and her family secretly plotted a coup, wanting to overthrow the government. It was too bad for them as they were dumb and got caught. Han Yu was implicated, and he committed suicide by swallowing gold. As for my previous incarnation Lets not talk about it, but he also killed himself in the end. Ah, now that I think about it, the deaths of Master Yuanjings disciples all had something to do with Her Majesty. As for other students from Langye Academy, they were either dead or injured. Wei Ci wanted to get all the classmates he knew to side with them, at least he wouldnt have to fight against them in a bloody war that way, right? However, not all advisors suit my lord due to her temper. The relationship between monarchs and their ministers is not one-way, but two-way. Only when both find each other suitable can they weave a much-praised tale in history. For example, Huang Song can also be considered a mighty lord in the future. In the previous incarnation, he was only one step away from becoming the ruler of the world. Master Yuanjing has also remarked that Cheng Jing was a talented advisor, a minister benefiting society. Together, the two should become stronger, but in the end? The monarch-minister relationship between Huang Song and Cheng Jing was broken. The latter was imprisoned for more than two years, and in the end, he followed his lord to the underworld. The best talent is not necessarily the best choice, and my lord need only choose the ones who can help her. Everyone has their own aspirations, we cant force them, Wei Ci said. He was focused on making considerations for Jiang Pengji, so he naturally wanted to choose the best and most suitable helpers for her. As for those who might drag her down, just forget about it. Wei Ci was very accepting, as this was his second incarnation. Yang Si tutted and said mockingly, From what I see, its most likely because your lord was not very popular back when he was pursuing his studies? Why is Cheng Jing more optimistic about Huang Songs future outlook despite your lord having more potential? Think about how your lord never shows mercy to those in the wrong when justice is on his side during arguments Tsk tsk, just an unfounded hypothesis here, is it that your lord pissed off Cheng Jing big time when studying at the academy? Wei Ci was at a loss for words, and he evaded the crucial point. Youmo graduated early, and when my lord was in Langye County, the two shouldnt have met before. Since they have never met, it is naturally impossible for her to piss Cheng Jing off. Its just that When Jiang Pengji was studying in Langye County, Wei Ci was outside most of the time, but this did not mean that he didnt care about what was happening in the academy. On the subject of popularity, my lord was indeed rather unpopular in Langye Academy. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. My lord has a rather carefree personality, while most of the students in the academy are serious people who are law-abiding and do things rather rigidly. The latter naturally despise Jiang Pengjis casual mannerism and style, and would even scrunch up their nose when passing by if possible. However, on the subject of friendship, she had good friends too. But most of them were wine-and-meat friends, and they often went to brothels together. Yang Si said, Oh, then they probably just arent fated to work together. But I heard people say that Cheng Jing is no less talented than the former Prime Minister Huangfu. Are you not worried that Cheng Jing can help Huang Song to establish a strong footing in the north? He would be great trouble then. Wei Ci said, Even the cleverest housewife cant cook a meal without rice. What do you mean? Yang Si asked. They are short of money. Wei Ci smiled and said, They cant develop their influence quickly for now, and they do not have a strong momentum going. Yang Si said, This may not be the case. I learned about Huang Song from Prince Changshou. The Huang family is really in no shortage of money. Huang Songs grandmother was a widowed woman. Because of her good looks, Huang Tan fancied her and took her as his wife. He has also adopted the son of the widow and her ex-husband, and the son is Huang Songs father. Huang Wei treats him as his own and pampers Huang Song as if the latter is his blood-related grandson. Using Huang Tans contacts in the royal court, Huang Songs father runs many businesses, and God knows how much money he has made. The family has plenty of assets. Huang Tan has great power, and he secretly misappropriates the assets of the national treasury Arent the efforts of several generations all for the sake of the future generations? Huang Tan and the father of Huang Wei, their savings will all be given to Huang Song in the end. Huang Tan has provided guidance and support to Huang Songs actual family clan, and the clan has also seen substantial improvements in the past years. Huang Song lacks people that can help him, but he doesnt lack money. Now, with two important people, namely Feng Jue and Cheng Jing, helping him, it probably wont take long before the shortage of human capital is resolved. Wei Ci smiled and said, What I mean is Huang Song has less money than my lord. In the past life, the development of Huang Weis forces was indeed rapid, and he occupied the fertile land of the northern part of Dongqing. As for now Wei Ci wasnt too worried. In the previous reincarnation, the starting point of Jiang Pengjis development was so low, yet she still managed to move up the ranks. Now the situation is so good for her, theres no reason to fail. Huang Song is a very clever person. Without absolute certainty, he will not take the initiative to provoke a strong enemy. Wei Ci held the same opinion as Jiang Pengji. They must concentrate on developing their own forces to occupy a seat in such troubled times. For the time being, we probably wont fight against each other. Not only will they not fight against us, maybe the two forces can even form an alliance and cooperate for a while. Just as Wei Ci had this idea, Cheng Jing over there was also persuading Huang Song to build a good relationship with Jiang Pengji. Cheng Jing looked at the whole of the Great Universal Geographical Map, and said with a calm voice, The situation in the north has already formed. Liu, she is occupying Chongzhou, and Hu County is the lair that he has been managing for many years. With his means, even though he has given it away, Hu County is still in his hands Hu County used to consist of barren hills and turbulent rivers. It did not belong to any state, and its area was larger than the smallest state in Dongqing. At the moment, it was one of the largest grain-producing counties of Dongqing! With Chongzhou, Hu County, as well as Wanzhou, of which Jiang Pengji had occupied a third, the northern forces were basically in the hands of the Liu family. Cheng Jing said, My lord, if you want to compete with Liu Xi, dont fight against him before your forces are mature enough, you should focus on the south. Although Liu Xi and his father have occupied the north, there are still the three tribes in the north. They have no time to tackle the forces in the south, and it is a good opportunity for you, my lord. Huang Song sighed and said, But, Youmo, in the south, Prince Changshou is still fighting against Chenzhou, and we cant offend either one of them. It was the mortals that suffer when the gods fight. Two sleeping lions are still stronger than a barking dog, and Huang Song was no match for them. Cheng Jing smiled slightly and said, Not necessarily. Prince Changshou was fighting against Chenzhou, and it was difficult for either of the two to win the war, but it also meant that both sides were wearing the other thin. They would become weaker and weaker, and Huang Song could avail himself of every opportunity. With proper management, he could become stronger and stronger. Chapter 577 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (IV) Chapter 577: Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Huang Song pondered over Jiang Pengjis personality and said with a distressed expression, Even though the three tribes of the northern kingdom are keeping an eye on it, Liu Xi has a strange temperament, and his actions and acts are even more unpredictable. He was still the district magistrate of Xiangyang District last year, but he has already occupied Fengyi County now, and he completely disregards the orders issued by the royal court. If she was seized by a whim and decided to attack Huang Song, Huang Song was incapable of standing his ground at the moment. Cheng Jing said, The three tribes of the northern kingdom have heard about the news regarding the sudden death of An Yina, princess consort to the second eldest prince. The savages have been eyeing the Central Plains for a long time. By next spring at the latest, when the grass is aplenty for the horses, they will gather their troops and attack Dongqing. Isnt the first in the line of fire none other than Liu Shes Chongzhou? The three tribes of the northern kingdom could not bypass Liu She when attacking Dongqing. At the moment, Chongzhou was probably busy preparing for war against the cavalry of the three tribes of the northern kingdom, so how would they have time to tackle Huang Song? She was Liu Xis father. Seeing that his father was in danger, Liu Xi probably had to run through his fortune to resist the cavalry of the northern kingdom. In comparison, Huang Song was under no such pressure from external enemies. Even though Huang Song began developing his influence later than Liu Xi did, the difference was not one that could not be offset. Liu Xi and his father were tied down by the three tribes of the northern kingdom. Regardless of the outcome, the price they had to pay would not be small. One mans loss is another mans gain. Thus, it was still impossible to determine whether Huang Song or Liu Xi would turn out to be more powerful. Huang Song was somewhat distressed initially, but after hearing Cheng Jings analysis, he gained some confidence and returned to his energetic state. Seeing this, Feng Jue was secretly relieved. Losing Yang Si before this was a hard blow to Huang Song indeed. The arrival of Cheng Jing could be said to have filled the gap. The rest were also on their way. Huang Song had even sent out invitation letters to his relatives, and several talented people all hurried to his side When everything got on track, Huang Songs influence would develop rapidly, and it would be time for the royalty of Dongqing to meet their end. Huang Song and Cheng Jing talked in detail for quite a long time, and they felt as if they had known each other for a long time despite having just met. Cheng Jing said, Ive heard that Huaijies second eldest brother, Feng Jin, is working under Liu Xi? Huang Song tensed a little, and Feng Jue frowned inconspicuously. Huang Song said, Each man serves his own master, Huaijie is Huaijie, and Feng Jin is Feng Jin. Youmo, it would be better if you werent mistrustful. Cheng Jing laughed and said, I am not suspecting Huaijie of anything, Im just worried that Shangyang County might surrender without putting up a fight come next spring when Liu Xi launches attacks against the nine states. If Shangyang County was to surrender, only Chengde County would be left, and Liu Xi could easily swallow it up. Huang Song was surprised and didnt get it at first. Why? Feng Jue, on the other hand, understood what he meant. The crucial problem was still with Feng Jin. Cheng Jing explained, House Feng is originally from Shangyang County, namely the region near the present Shangjing. The county chief of Shangyang County has a really good relationship with House Feng. Feng Jin is the second eldest son of the Feng family. In light of the presence of such ties, combined with the fact that Liu Xi has powerful troops to hand, we cant say for sure that House Feng will not come forward to mediate House Feng was one of the four main noble houses of Dongqing. Moreover, the Fengs were the local tyrants of Shangyang County, and even the county chief must avoid pissing them off. The attitude of House Feng could influence the outcome of Shangyang County to a very large extent. If Shangyang County is stubbornly defended, even if the city falls in the end, Liu Xi will suffer some losses more or less. If the county surrenders without a fight, his forces would be preserved to the greatest extent. Cheng Jing chuckled and said, I am more inclined to believe that Liu Xi can grab a bargain. The noble houses had always been good at judging the situation and carried out their plans flawlessly. When confronted by a strong army, it was naturally better to surrender and pledge allegiance. Furthermore, Feng Jin was working under Liu Xi. For House Feng, the benefits of pledging allegiance were way greater than resisting with all their might. Only brainless idiots would take a particular course of action despite knowing that it must not be taken, and noble houses didnt fall into that category. Cheng Jing chose Huang Song not only because Huang Song seemed to suit his personality more and fit his ideal of a wise ruler more. Another reason was that while Liu Xi seemed to be in an enviable position now, he was treading a fine line, and he might be doomed at the slightest sign of trouble. Surely the existence of the three tribes of the northern kingdom is not just for decorative purposes? The better the position Liu Xi is in now; the greater pressure he will face when oppressed by the three tribes of the northern kingdom in the future. In comparison, Huang Song was more aligned to Cheng Jings expectations. However, all of this was built on the premise that the three tribes of the northern kingdom could advance southwards. Does the northern kingdom have the ability to advance southwards? When asked, Wei Ci simply smiled and said nothing. [At the start of the eleventh month of the 20th year of the Tianwu era, a horse plague broke out at the northern borders. Warhorses were infected and many died. Only 10% to 20% survived.] He still remembered the previous incarnation. The three tribes of the northern kingdom had their weapons out, ready to attack the Central Plains. However, in the end, a few Ferghana stallions from Shalan caused an unprecedented horse plague of a large scale. Countless war horses died, and less than 20% survived, so the cavalry was rendered almost useless. By the time the three tribes recovered from the hard blow struck by the horse plague, the war was already going on in full swing in the Central Plains, and several warlords had sprung up. The three tribes of the northern kingdom launched a sneak attack on Jiang Pengjis headquarters from behind. Coincidentally, the one staying back to guard the headquarters was Qiguan Rang, and he obviously did not let the three tribes gain much from the attack. When Jiang Pengji returned from the war, she was outright infuriated. Picking up her weapons once more, she attacked the northern kingdom, temporarily leaving the chaotic war in the Central Plains behind. Oh, and the northern kingdom was shocked by Jiang Pengjis attacking style, which was as aggressive as a rabid dog. Her Majesty is more powerful than she was in the previous incarnation. After she unites the north, she can attack proactively before the three tribes recover. As the saying goes, strike while the enemy is weak. Thinking of the grassy ranches and countless mineral resources of the northern kingdom, Wei Ci had such a huge smile on his face that his eyes almost became like slits. Whenever he saw Wei Ci smile like a villain who had gained power, Yang Si couldnt help but get goosebumps. Somewhere else, Jiang Pengji almost exploded in anger. She couldnt be bothered with how the horse plague had progressed at the moment. She just wanted to find out, which son of a b**ch got her horse, White, pregnant! All the warhorses had been gelded, how could White get pregnant? The stableman cant possibly have done some perverse sh*t? Stop licking me, Im asking him about important matters. Jiang Pengji lifted a hand and stroked Whites mane, a smile on her face. Then she turned and glared darkly at the stableman in charge of managing the stables. White rubbed against Jiang Pengjis face innocently, extending its tongue to lick her from time to time, its breath slightly smelly. Jiang Pengjis anger dissipated without a trace, and she let White express its affection. Since the previous battle, Jiang Pengji had rarely brought White out, so it was no wonder that the little girl missed her so much. Jiang Pengji wanted to go hunting that day, to source for some game meat to barbecue or make steamboat with her friends in the government office. The stableman brought White out, she took a look, and almost exploded in anger. Dian Yan deftly pinned the stableman to the ground, waiting for Jiang Pengjis decision. The stableman said nervously, My lord, I have no idea what happened. Jiang Pengji shifted her gaze to Whites belly and she could already see the signs of pregnancy. She could also sense a weak wave of consciousness in Whites body It was clearly pregnant. But the warhorses had all been gelded, and White was extremely picky about her partners. Every spring, there would be no shortage of male horses trying to flirt with her, but she kicked them all away. It was late autumn at the moment, so how did she get pregnant? Jiang Pengji reached out and touched Whites belly and could vaguely feel something. Mammals are much more alert when they are pregnant. Whoever touches a pregnant horses belly will definitely be kicked. However, White trusted Jiang Pengji a lot, and her temperament remained gentle Er, it only applied to Jiang Pengji. To other people, she was a spoiled, proud queen. Whoever dared to annoy her would be kicked. There are still male horses that have yet to be gelded in the stables? She rolled up her sleeves, planning to personally castrate the male horse. Chapter 578 - : Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The livestream audience looked on in confusion. They had originally wanted to watch Jiang Pengji hunt for wild game, and they had no idea how the plot had ended up developing along such lines. Why is the streamer suddenly talking about wanting to geld a stallion? However, someone in the audience that lived on the northern plains had some experience and provided an explanation. Hanmei, the Man I Will Marry: Eh, is it that White is going to be a mother soon? After the bullet comment appeared onscreen, everyone was silent for a moment, then all hell broke loose. Muniu Milk: D*mn! Bring me my forty-meter-long knife. Which shameless stallion has gotten my girl White pregnant, did you get my permission? Streamer, you need not do it, I can castrate that shameless stallion. Pipa Eats Loquat: No! Wait a minute C Our White is a girl? Isnt it a young handsome stud? Nwa is not a Woman Trouble: Huh what? How is such a hunky horse like White not a young handsome stud? I really like how it cooperates with the streamer during battle. Its so fierce when it raises its hoofs to kick the enemies, and it can shatter a persons sternum with a single kick. Such a fierce horse is actually a girl? Flash-fried Mushrooms: #Despise, Even such a fierce fella like the streamer can still be a girl, why cant White be one? While appeasing the affectionate White, Jiang Pengji sternly demanded an answer from the stableman. White is my mount, and its not even spring right now. How can they put an ungelded stallion in my girl Whites stable? Do they think that any horse can stay in the VIP stable for White and White only? The stableman looked up, his face showing a hint of surprise, and stuttered, There is indeed one such Bring it out, and see if I dont personally geld it! Jiang Pengji threw a fit, while at the same time turning her face away to avoid Whites tongue. A beautys favor is pretty costly to accept. Its just been a while, yet she felt that her hair was getting messed up by Whites persistent licking. As the stableman refused to budge, Jiang Pengji frowned and asked sternly, Why? My orders dont matter? Seeing that Jiang Pengji had gotten really angry, the stableman said fearfully, Forgive me, my Lord, its just that the horse Its a fine horse of rare quality. I thought that you had asked me to put it in the same stable as White to match make the two of them Jiang Pengji was visibly confused. Eh? As she blanked out for a moment, Whites tongue had already gone one round around her cheeks. The stableman was also a horse-lover, and for the past two years, he had been treating White, which was the strongest and most powerful horse in the stables, as his daughter. Every day, he would cut the freshest grass of the best quality for White, so that it could maintain its beautiful appearance with a glossy coat and stay in the healthiest possible state. More than a month ago, the company of travelling merchants presented a mixed-breed horse from the northern kingdom to her, and the young fella was really good-looking. The stableman had also asked nervously about what he should do with the stallion. Not having been gelded at this age clearly meant that the horse was intended to be used as a breeding stallion to produce more excellent offspring. The answer Jiang Pengji gave him was to put it directly in Whites stable, so the stableman did so. After listening to the aggrieved stableman tell his story, Jiang Pengji finally recalled from her mind the memory of what happened during that period of time. Jiang Pengji rubbed her temples, getting somewhat of a headache. War horses around two years old had all been gelded. Before presenting the horse to her, the manager of the treasure house only said that it was a well-bred war horse from the northern kingdom, and that its father was a Ferghana horse from Shalan. He did not mention that the horse had yet to be gelded. Ungelded war horses had bad tempers and were extremely difficult to tame. During spring, the season when horses go in heat, they would be even harder to control. Jiang Pengji was originally planning on giving Li Yun the fine horse after he came back, but at that moment she realized that she couldnt do so. She didnt know how good Li Yuns equestrian skills were and didnt want him to risk taming a wild horse that had not been broken in. The stableman asked nervously, My lord, do you still need me to bring Little White over? Little White? The corners of Jiang Pengjis mouth couldnt help but twitch uncontrollably. Bring it over! The stableman did accordingly, and when she saw the horse that literally had the word obedient written on it from head to toe, Jiang Pengji finally understood why it was called Little White. White saw Little White, and she took two steps forward, rubbing herself against him. He responded gently, and conducted himself with extreme grace even when striding forward. This horse really hasnt been gelded? She had never seen such a graceful and obedient stallion. Little White had a slightly sturdier build than White, and its coat was completely white as well, with no trace of any hair of another color. The horses looked like actual sisters when they stood by each other. Looking at how proactively White was behaving, Jiang Pengji was at a loss for words. She couldnt say anything, but the audience of the livestream could help her rant. Cant Come up with IDs: Ah, my girl White really is a queen, she must have tamed Little White. Come up with One Anyhow: Of course. Actually, with Whites current age, she can be considered a spinster among horses. Little White seems to be only slightly more than two years old, and he is exactly like a Little Fresh Meat. The baby born to these two will definitely have an amazing bloodline, streamer, lets not split them up. Still Sounds Somewhat Nice: Generally speaking, war horses in the ancient times were all gelded, so that its easy to tame and manage them. The ranchers will keep the stallions of the best bloodline and in the best condition to use as breeding stallions, and nurture strong offspring. Although Little White seems a little delicate, it is the descendant of a Ferghana horse and a war horse of the northern kingdom after all. Not pure-bred, but still of the second generation. Streamer, lets not geld him. Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and asked the stableman how much a breeding stallion from the ranches in the northern kingdom cost. The stableman did not know the situation in the northern kingdom, but he had heard about the price of breeding stallions from the Cangzhou ranches. Breeding stallions of excellent bloodlines cost around a hundred thousand strings of coins, give or take a few. Such was the case for fine horses procured from external sources. For stallions bred on the ranches, they were definitely not so expensive. Jiang Pengji was momentarily stunned, and cast a gaze at Little White. The horse seemed to be a little afraid of strangers, hiding behind White. Jiang Pengji asked, So what about this one? The stableman said, I asked the merchants. Little White seemed to have been bought for 150,000 strings of coins. A breeding stallion worth 150,000 strings of coins? With such a fearful and timid look? Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and said, Forget it, I wont geld it. After a while, she asked, You have a lot of experience in raising horses. What do you think of Little Whites health condition? Is he sick? How can a breeding stallion be so shy and timid? It was so delicate that it seems like a noble girl among horses. In contrast, my White almost seems like a domineering CEO. Jiang Pengji was really not very at ease with horses from the northern kingdom, but after putting her heightened senses of perception to use, she came to the conclusion that its physical condition was very good. The stableman quickly said, No, Little White is in excellent health condition. Jiang Pengji was silent for a moment, then snickered and said, I have never actually seen such a timid war horse. Since White was pregnant, Jiang Pengji felt that it was not suitable to go hunting while riding her, so she asked for Little White to be saddled and bridled. The stableman said, panicked, Dont, my Lord. The horse had not been tamed yet. If it accidentally causes you alarm Jiang Pengji said, Its alright, I would actually look at it differently if it could shake me off. Chapter 579 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Was Little White really capable of throwing Jiang Pengji off her back? As it turned out, she would have loved to do so, but she dared not. Animals have a far stronger sense of perception than humans, and the greater the spirituality they possess, the stronger their senses are. When faced with the imposing Jiang Pengji, an ordinary person would feel that she had a towering presence and a formidable aura that were both difficult to fathom. But in the eyes of the animals, her aura was like an undisguised threat. It made them feel like they had run into their most fearsome natural enemy. Even a fierce wild horse would shiver involuntarily upon meeting Jiang Pengji, nevermind horses like Little White that had grown up on a ranch. Why did Jiang Pengji like Feng Jins child, Changsheng, so much? It was because children are as perceptive as animals when they are too young to consciously understand many matters fully. Changsheng was not afraid of Jiang Pengji and enjoyed being close to her, so she liked the child. Similarly, seeing how obedient Little White was, she couldnt bring herself to dislike her. Little White clearly knew the saying those who suit their actions to the times are wise very well. She galloped quickly and steadily, following all the instructions perfectly without making any mistakes. Jiang Pengji went hunting on her. Initially, she thought that the prey would frighten the horse, but it turned out that she was not timid. Small prey occasionally leaped out of the bushes at her, but she remained calm. Her endurance, speed, and posture all her qualities lived up to her impressive lineage. Jiang Pengji rode on Little White, holding Whites reins in her hand. She walked White while she was hunting. White had been staying in the stables all day long because she was pregnant. What if she threw a tantrum because no one brought her outside for walks? Who could restrain her then? After running around for one lap and finding Little Whites performance somewhat satisfactory, Jiang Pengji allowed her to stay in the VIP stable. Jiang Pengji returned, fully loaded with the animals shed hunted. It was the season where the animals were delicious and fat, and they would taste especially nice when barbecued. But White is pregnant, keep an eye on her, she said to the stableman in charge of White. If Little White is agitated, separate them. Nodding and bowing, the stableman hurriedly acknowledged her orders. Led by the stableman, White reluctantly returned to the stable, turning back to look at Jiang Pengji every three steps, making her feel extremely guilty. And so the minor incident passed. Jiang Pengji told Li Yun all about it for fun. The construction of the Maolin District, the Chengan District, and the Jiaoping District were still in full swing. Since the districts had taken in a large number of refugees and former members who had escaped from the Tsing Yi Army and the Red Lotus Group over the past six months, as well as the prisoners of war they had captured some time back, the various construction teams had gained abundant manpower. Everyone had survived the most hectic period. The rest of the tasks just needed to be completed according to the standard operating procedure. Qiguan Rang knew that they could all finally laze around for a bit and relax a little. Having settled the affairs of the districts properly, they returned to the Xiangyang District despite their busy schedule to take a break for one or two days. Li Yun had been busy working in the Maolin District, but then it was decided that the Chengan District would be used for the trial of the Army Farming System, and he was transferred there to help out. The fella was extremely talented in farm work. After only six months, the reclamation and distribution of the wasteland were nearly completed. Hearing that White was pregnant and that the stallion was a good warhorse descended from a Ferghana horse from Shalan, he could not help but feel tempted. My Lord Jiang Pengji flipped the barbecued meat over and asked, Whats the matter? When White gives birth, would you give me her foal? Li Yun had barely opened his mouth to speak when the sharp gazes of those nearby converged on him. What man doesnt like a good horse? White is clearly of fine quality. The stallion is a fierce warhorse with Ferghana lineage. How bad could the descendant of those two be? If an army general could obtain a warhorse of fine quality and great spiritual strength, and if they could understand it well, it would be like bestowing a tiger with wings upon them, making them even more powerful on the battlefield. Such a horse was incredibly hard to find, even if one had the tens of thousands of units of gold to pay for it. Li Yun had gained the possibility of acquiring a fine horse far in advance by asking for it. How regrettable is it that I let Li Yun seize the opportunity by not speaking up first? Jiang Pengji smiled and said, Sure, if you like it, just take it with you. Thank you, my lord! Li Yun was so happy that his cheeks were red, though one couldnt tell if it was because of the wine or his happiness. A group of people barbecuing in the government office was so strange and unsightly. It was Yang Sis first time in Xiangyang District, and definitely, his first time participating in such a gathering. Well, it was also the first time that he used a glass baking tray that was incredibly hard and costly to find outside to barbecue meat, and he felt that the value of each piece of meat had increased qualitatively. Half-squinting, his gaze swept past Jiang Pengjis subordinates, and his brows furrowed slightly. By right, the situation at the northern borders can be considered dire. Why arent these people nervous at all, but instead happily eating away at the barbecue? It was especially so for Feng Zhen, who wore old clothes and was so drunk that his eyes were cloudy. He leaned against Wei Ci as if he had drunk so much that his bones had turned soft. Wei Ci sighed but didnt push Feng Zhen away as he felt that it was bad to do so. After being roughly done with the barbecue, Qiguan Rang they all exchanged glances, then pushed Feng Jin out. He bowed and said, My lord, according to the news from Chongzhou, the northern kingdom has gathered their troops and horses, how should we deal with the situation? The strategists came back from the other three districts not just to attend a barbecue, but also to discuss countermeasures. Jiang Pengji chewed the meat in her mouth a few times before swallowing it. She said rather carefreely, Counter their attack according to the situation, what else can we do? Everyone was speechless. Feng Jin sighed and couldnt help but jokingly complained, My Lord, dont kid me, Im being serious. I am also being very serious. We are having a barbecue gathering, why talk about such annoying matters. Jiang Pengji said nonchalantly. Yang Si and Feng Zhen subconsciously frowned. So unreliable? Wei Ci smiled and smoothed things over. Our lord here has already come up with a countermeasure, it is indeed not something suitable to be said on such an occasion, and it would spoil everyones mood. Feng Jin secretly shot Wei Ci a look, and the latters expression was as natural as if Jiang Pengji really had come up with a countermeasure. Jiang Pengji said, I am waiting for the news. If what I heard is true, everyone can have a good time this year without needing to worry about the northern kingdom being a threat. They wont need to find trouble with us the next year, after two years, we will take the initiative to find trouble with them! Get back to eating and drinking, its more important to enjoy yourselves. Yang Si secretly glanced at Wei Ci. He always felt that Wei Ci had come to some tacit agreement with their lord. What news is Magistrate Liu waiting for? Yang Si had yet to agree to serve Jiang Pengji, and he addressed her differently from the others. The news from the ranches in the northern kingdom. Jiang Pengji had just finished speaking when a messenger came in. He went down on one knee, holding up a roll of bamboo slips with both hands. She smiled, not the slightest bit of unhappiness on her face, and said, Ill take a look to see if its good news or bad news. Spreading the roll open, the contents of the letter made the corners of her lips curl up. Wei Ci asked, Is it good or bad? Of course its good, Jiang Pengji said. Now, the northern kingdom cant go around stirring shit. While it was true that the butterfly effect had caused many things to change, some iconic events were still happening as scheduled. Shalan was thousands of miles away from the northern kingdom, and even further away from the hinterland of the Central Plains. They chose the best Ferghana horses from their home country and sold them to the northern kingdom, but how were they to know that the horses were infected with the horse plague on the way there? Moreover, the horse plague had an incubation period. A few horses died along the way, but the horse dealers did not realize that something was wrong, and simply assumed that the horses were not accustomed to the foreign weather and environment, how were they to know that the horses had been infected? Upon arriving at the northern kingdom, the horse dealers sold the surviving Ferghana horses for a high price, and that caused a lot of trouble for the largest ranches in the northern kingdom! Chapter 580 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Because of the uniqueness of a warhorses job nature, most of the stallions will be gelded. Gelded warhorses were more docile and easier to tame, making them simpler to control. A small number of stallions of excellent bloodline would be kept for breeding purposes to ensure that the next generation produced would be of the best possible quality. The present king of the royal court of the northern kingdom couldnt really be considered a wise and brave man, but he was ambitious, and he was open to accepting advice from other people. As suggested by the Sage, he reformed the business alliance, and the resources of the ranches were tightly controlled in the hands of the Royal Court. Sale of warhorses was regulated. The former measure protected businesses from externally induced impacts and strengthened local competitiveness, while the latter boosted the military power of the northern kingdom as well as the prestige and ruling power of the royal court. In the past, as long as one had sufficient money, one could buy as many warhorses as one wanted to from the ranches of the northern kingdom, and the horses could be of whatever quality one desired. To provide better warhorses for the warriors of the northern kingdom and to improve the overall combat effectiveness, the royal court of the northern kingdom would allocate a sum of money to purchase Ferghana horses from Shalan every year, then they would loan the Ferghana horses to the major ranches. External sale of second-generation warhorses bred from the Ferghana horses was prohibited. The military forces of three tribes of the northern kingdom had always consisted mainly of cavalry troops to begin with, and so their combat power soared rapidly with the said method. Before the fall of the great Xia Dynasty, the three northern tribes were tributary states to Xia, their suzerain. They would bow down and present tributes to Xia every year. But at the moment, the Xia Dynasty had fallen, and nine states were divided into five countries. The four factions of Nanman, once tributary states just like the three northern tribes, wiped out the royal family of Nansheng a year ago, and occupied half of territory of Nansheng. From a tributary state, it had turned the tables and occupied the territory of what was previously its suzerain. The incident boosted the confidence of the three northern tribes and their ambition grew even stronger. Surely there was no reason for them, the three northern tribes, to fail, seeing that even the barbarians of the four factions of Nanman had succeeded? Dongqing was disappointing, and it was constantly in civil war. It was a great opportunity for the northern kingdom to advance towards the Central Plains and conquer the world! To further develop its military force, the number of Ferghana horses purchased by the royal court was increasing every year. At first, they tested the water by purchasing one or two horses. At the moment, they would purchase dozens of horses each time. They had planned to buy 35 horses this year, but it couldnt be helped that Ferghana horses were high maintenance and some died on the journey here, having failed to adapt to the weather and environment. Despite so, the northern kingdom still bought 19 Ferghana horses, and they were all lent out according to the scale of the ranches. Then As with what had been done in the previous years, the ranches bred the stallions with the local mares. Because of the excellent management of the ranches and the fine climate of the northern kingdom, the mares were on heat all year long. The Ferghana horses from Shalan were all about four years old, the golden age for breeding. The Ferghana horses were rented out by the royal court of the northern kingdom for a certain period of time only, so the ranches dared not waste time. The ranches were almost always the busiest, bustling with activity, at this time of the year. Of course, the slaves taking care of the horses on the ranches were the busy ones. They could only take a break for a very small amount of time, and a few slaves gathered together, whispering among themselves. Do you all feel that something strange is going on Why do the Ferghana horses seem extraordinarily listless this year? Another slave said, Its probably because they havent adapted to the weather and environment here yet, moreover, the horses were sent here in spring and summer in the past, but the batch this year is sent late, so theyll naturally be listless. True Life was not easy for stud horses. A ranch had hundreds and thousands of mares of suitable age, but each ranch would only get one or two Ferghana horses, and they would certainly become exhausted. After slightly less than half a month, the slaves taking care of the Ferghana horses were horrified to find a Ferghana horse fallen on the ground without prior signs. It was only discovered that the Ferghana horse was seriously ill after the vet was called over. It was okay before, how could it be The slaves were so anxious that they were drenched in cold sweat, their teeth chattering out of fear. As slaves owned by the ranch, even a single strand of hair of a Ferghana horse would be more valuable than all of them combined together. At the moment, the precious Ferghana horse was sick, and they could hardly absolve themselves from the blame! What happened next made them even more worried. The sick Ferghana horse even vomited blood, and bruises kept appearing on its skin. The ranch operators thought that the slaves were secretly beating up the Ferghana horses, and they were incredibly enraged. A group of slaves were immediately disposed of. The veterinarian tried everything in his power to cure it, but the horse still died of sickness. The body quickly rotted, and it stank. The smell was extremely strong, attracting many insects such as mosquitoes and flies. A Ferghana horse costed up to four or five hundred thousand strings of coins. That much money was lost when one died, who wouldnt feel the pain? As the Ferghana horses were rented from the royal court of the northern kingdom, the ranch also had to take full responsibly and compensate the court for the loss. In the end, the slaves taking care of the Ferghana horses were all deemed responsible. None escaped the fate of being cruelly killed as grave goods for the horse. The three northern tribes practised the custom of sky burial. The vet determined that the Ferghana horse had died of a strange disease and not of any other cause, so it was also given a sky burial. It was like a beginning to something sinister. Only half a month after the Ferghana horse died, from another ranch came the news that a Ferghana horse was seriously ill. The second horses symptoms were exactly the same as the first ones. No horse plague had ever occurred in the northern kingdom, so naturally, no one linked the symptoms of the two horses to it. Even if they had, they would have denied the possibility. As far as they knew, horses that had contracted the horse plague would fall sick after seven or eight days at most, and the horses would be seriously ill in one or two days in the acute cases. They had also only heard about the horse plague from the horse dealers from Shalan, as there had never been such a thing in the northern kingdom. The Ferghana horses came all the way from Shalan, and they had travelled for almost a year. After arriving in the three northern tribes, they had been breeding at the ranches for more than half a month, and showed no sign of illness at all. At most, they were somewhat listless. Surely many would have died if they had contracted the horse plague? Unfortunately, they did not know that there were different strains of horse plague too. The horse plague in Shalan were of the acute variety. Symptoms would definitely occur within half a month of infection, and the death rate was as high as 90%. But the source of the horse plague was not from Shalan this time round, but from somewhere along the journey, and even the horse dealers of Shalan did not know when the horses were infected. The incubation period was extremely long, varying from one to four months depending on the horses physical fitness and resistance to disease. Of course, once the symptoms showed up, it meant that the condition had already become so severe that it was almost impossible to treat. For example, the internal organs of the first Ferghana horse to die of the plague were almost entirely filled with extravasated blood and pus, and the skin was covered in bruises. It was because of that that the owner of the ranch suspected the slaves of secretly venting their anger on the Ferghana horses and beating up the Ferghana horse to the extent that it sustained serious internal injuries and became critically ill. More importantly, the body of the sick horses must be cremated, otherwise the mosquitoes and flies would spread the disease to other hosts. Horses, mules, and donkeys were all susceptible hosts, while pregnant mares and weak colts were especially susceptible to infection. After a second horse fell sick, a third and a fourth naturally followed, each case occurring not long after the previous one. At that point in time, the breeding at the ranches had almost reached the end. The successive deaths of the Ferghana horses attracted much attention from the royal court of the northern kingdom. The king of the royal court ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. Then only did everyone remembered the horse dealers from Shalan, but they had already left two months ago after receiving the payment. Before they found out what was happening, various bad news came from the ranches, all 19 horses bought at a high price had died, leaving no survivors. The 19 Ferghana horses each costed between 450,000 and 600,000 strings of coins. The royal court had paid at least 10 million strings of coins worth of gold,silver, and jewelry. Who would pay for the losses seeing that they had died after just one round of breeding? Faced with the loss, the king of the the royal court of the northern kingdom roared furiously. Is Shalan conning our money by selling us 19 sick horses disguised as horses of fine quality? Chapter 581 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The pathogens of the horse plague were transmitted through insects such as mosquitoes and flies, and the immune system of the host directly affected the length of the incubation period. The northern kingdom held the custom of sky burial in high esteem, and they let the corpses of the Ferghana horses rot on the ground, becoming the food of insects, birds, and beasts. Ranches were not spotlessly clean, so the slaves naturally wouldnt take any precautions against the small mosquitoes and insects. One could imagine how terrifying it would be when the horse plague spread everywhere. The horse dealers of Shalan conned the royal court of the northern kingdom of the huge sum of 10 million strings of coins. Fortunately, all the mares were done breeding, and thousands of mares were gradually found to be pregnant, so they managed to recover some losses. Otherwise, the royal court of the northern kingdom would have lost their shirt. However, their bad luck did not come to an end. About half a month later, a previously pregnant mare caught a high fever, and its whole body seemed to have swelled up by one round. It breathed heavily like a panting cow, and occasionally it burst into violent fits of cough. Its nostrils flared, and out flowed a lot of mucus that contained foamy liquid. It was obviously critically ill. The slave who had been taking care of the pregnant horse were so scared that he hurriedly reported the matter to their superior. The slave trembled, his body shaking like a sieve, and he kept pleading for mercy for fear that he would also be secretly disposed of. Could it be that the mare contracted the disease from the Ferghana horses that were here previously? The ranch owners expression was dark. The mare laid on the ground of the stable, breathing heavy, but its body looked as if water had been pumped into it, and it swelled one size larger. It was so sickly that even a blind person could see that the pregnant horse was seriously ill. Can it still be saved? The ranch vet grimaced and shook his head resignedly. Ordinary, minor illnesses could still be cured, but he was really powerless when faced with cases like these where the horse was already too far gone. The ranch owner secretly clenched his back molar teeth, and he was so upset that it seemed as if lethal venom was erupting from his gaze. He had already lost too much money prior to the incident because of the Ferghana horses, but fortunately the percentage of mares that were impregnated could still be considered high. If they could deliver the colts successfully, the loss he suffered here in the northern kingdom could be evened out. Upon breeding them for a few years, producing more colts, and training them into powerful warhorses, the profit earned would be several times more than the previous losses. But with the situation at the moment? The pregnant horse that was painstakingly taken care of as if it was precious gold had fallen ill, and its condition was so serious that even the vet couldnt do anything about it. Upon the death of the mare, the fetus in its belly wouldnt be able to survive too. A mare of good lineage and a colt with even more potential would be lost in one go. Thinking of the loss, the ranch owner felt his heart breaking. Before he could recover from the blow, a slave from another area came over to report that another pregnant mare was seriously ill. What The ranch owner felt as if everything around him was spinning, and even his voice sounded distorted. It took him a while to resist the urge to roar and smash things. He quickly said to the vet, Go take a look at it! It was the same symptoms! Seeing the second sick mare, the ranch owners heart sank, and he quickly said, Examine all the pregnant horses. Clearly, the disease from the Ferghana horses had infected the mares. The mares might still be savable if the symptoms were discovered early. However, the symptoms were mild during incubation period for this strain of horse plague, at most making the horses seem somewhat listless. Pregnant horses tend to be in low spirits to begin with, making the symptoms really difficult to determine. In the end, the veterinarian was still able to find five sick horses displaying some symptoms. They were immediately removed from the ranch and isolated. The incident once again alarmed the entire royal court of the northern kingdom. The king of the northern kingdom roared in rage, while his subordinates silently endured his verbal attacks. Previously, Wu Liba, the Sage, had been shelved by the king of the northern kingdom for almost a year because of his objections against extravagant trends. The king of the northern kingdom was indeed receptive of advice. So was he ambitious, but he was still a northern brute at heart and held martial power in higher esteem. The king was also especially disdainful of Wu Libas pedantic manner of speech and the noble truths the latter loved to preach, as he felt that being a good speaker was nothing impressive. Furthermore, the king liked to enjoy life and was fond of extravagant goods. By opposing the extravagant trends among the northern aristocrats, wasnt Wu Liba controlling his daily behaviour? For the past year, Wu Liba had been treated coldly by the king of the northern kingdom and was even reprimanded from time to time. However, the king of the northern kingdom was still of sound mind, and he had not gone overboard with his actions, but only made Wu Libas job more relaxed. At the moment, when faced with such crises, he remembered the trusty helper once more. My dear minister, do you have a strategy? Wu Liba thought about it, then said in a solemn tone, My king, in my opinion, we should be more resolute and give up on the pregnant horses! Upon hearing it, the king of the northern kingdom almost fell over from anger. How could the other party suggest such a bad idea when he had asked sincerely? Give up on all the pregnant horses? Why dont you ascend to heaven! They had already lost 10 million strings of coins because of the Ferghana horses bought from Shalan. The mares were also of the best lineage of the warhorses in the northern kingdom. The price of each horse was not comparable to that of a Ferghana horse, but it was also worth 30 to 50 thousand strings of coins, or even a more expensive price. The total number of mares that were successfully impregnated exceeded 1500, and there were 2000 to 3000 mares that failed to conceive. Simply put, the huge loss as a result of slaughtering all the mares that had come into contact with the Ferghana horses would be as painful as ones heart being dug out! Get lost Catching his breath, the king of the northern kingdom was so angry that he grabbed the things by his side and threw it at Wu Liba. What sort of terrible idea is that? The deaths of the 19 Ferghana horses had already caused them to lose the huge sum of 10 million strings of coins. The mares cost 40 to 50 million strings of coins in total as well, in addition to the unborn colts in their wombs fathered by the Ferghana horses. If they are all given up, the three northern tribes will suffer a loss of 70 to 80 million strings of coins! Is there even any mediocre mare that has been kept for breeding purposes? How many elite warhorses will the northern kingdom lost if all the mares are killed now? Wu Liba was hit right on the head, and the neatly combed braid became a mess. He said nothing, bowed silently and left. He also knew why the king of the royal court was so angry, as the loss was really too great. But he had a hunch that if such action was not taken, they might suffer even greater losses in the future. However, the king of the royal court would not agree to his suggestion, let alone the owners of the major ranches. The king of the northern kingdom ordered the ranches to keep the news to themselves, so as to not affect the spirits of the northern warriors. At the same time, he ordered for the sick horses to be removed and treated, in an attempt to recover as much of the damage done as possible After a period of time, his hair greyed significantly. However, the insects that had previously eaten the corpses of the sick horses had already spread, and it was difficult to suppress the plague at this point in time. Among the sick horses, nine out of ten died, as for the remaining one that survived, the unborn colt had also died in the uterus. The bad news was far from over. Not only did the pregnant horses showed signs of illness, the colts in the ranches were also affected. For several days, the ranches in the northern kingdom went on full alert at the slightest sign of sickness the horses showed, and the royal court of the northern kingdom was full of the furious roars of the raging king. The ranches were securely guarded, and none of the news was leaked. The spies sent by Jiang Pengji did not manage to find out about the actual situation in the ranches, but for her, such news was enough. The royal court of the northern kingdom has suffered a big loss this time. Jiang Pengji smiled and handed the bamboo slip to Wei Ci, asking him to pass it on to the rest after reading it. Not only would they lose their shirt, they may even lose the wealth their ancestors have accumulated over the generations. Chapter 582 - Horse Plague at the North Borders (IX) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wei Ci opened the book to read it, his lips were briefly raised and his deep black pupils shone with joy. He passed the book to Feng Zhen who was sitting closest to him. Feng Zhen was leaning on his arms as if he didnt have a spine, he desperately wished to lean his entire body on the other person. Wei Ci used the bamboo scripts to poke at him, all the peoples attention was diverted towards Feng Zhen. Feng Zhen then secretly scolded Wei Ci for being so cunning. Accepting the book, he opened it and read, then his eyebrows raised briefly. Although he didnt have the gift of foresight, from Jiang Pengji and Wei Cis attitudes, they could work out what happened. Is there trouble at the horse ranches in the North borders? Feng Zhen was ignorant about the infection affecting the horses, but after reading the contents of the letter, he vaguely found this surprisingly similar. Yang Si said, What C the horse ranches at the North borders are in trouble? After he stopped speaking, he looked at Wei Ci suspiciously. He suddenly remembered this fellow had used this trick before. The masses were worried about Princess An Yinas death and how the three tribes in the North borders could use this as an excuse to attack the politically unstable Dongqing. Yang Si got hold of the letter in Feng Zhens hands and looked through the contents quickly. The more he read, the more he became increasingly confused. The superiors only mentioned the horse ranches in the North borders are heavily guarded, there is no other news. Why do you conclude that the horse ranches are in trouble? Perhaps the north borders have decided to go to war and in order to prevent spies from infiltrating, they are increasing the patrols around the north borders. Notably, the horse ranches are the lifelines of their lifeline. Unless you black hearted people purposely added something to the feed of the warhorses? The north borders were too reliant on their cavalry, the proportion of their troops on foot to those mounted on warhorses was 1: 2 or even higher. They truly wished for their entire army to be a cavalry. If cavalry does not have mighty warhorses, can they still be considered cavalry? The horse ranches in the north borders were deemed as an important resource for their war strategy. If something happened, the military strength of the cavalry would be diminished. This didnt mean that the cavalry didnt have military prowess on the ground. However, the cavalry of the north borders was more adept at fighting on horses. Without their warhorses, when the army from the North borders crosses swords with those of Dongqings, they would have no chance of winning. They may even be at a disadvantage due to Dongqings impenetrable defences. It wasnt that Yang Si was blind to sensing that something was amiss, its just that he cannot believe that such a coincidence exists in the world. Recently, the north borders had been sharpening their blades with intent to conquer Dongqing. Shortly after that, this incident occurred at the horse ranches where the warhorses were infected. Isnt that bizarre. Jiang Pengji smiled and said, Jing Rong must be joking, the horse ranches in the north borderlines are heavily guarded. If I had the ability to poison the horse feed, why didnt I just hire someone to assassinate the King? This matter is but a deduction of mine. Whether it is true or not, we will just have to wait and see. Yang Si knitted his brows. He recalled Wei Cis previous attitude and he feels this incident isnt so simple. He is dying from the suspense, yet Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci who have similar temperaments both refuse to oblige him. Their habit of hiding secrets provokes him to anger and he wished he could beat them up. Yang Si laughed then said, District magistrate Liu is very confident, seems like the horses in the North borders are really in trouble. During the time they were discussing this, the letter had been passed around to everyone in the room. They felt Yang Sis point of view was more convincing. The North borders watch over their horse stables vigilantly, so this might be a scheme to prevent other countries from spying on them. As for the issues at the horse stables, what is the likelihood of it happening? It still seems like things are not so coincidental C just when the north borders wanted to dispatch troops to the south, their cavalry was rendered useless. Only, this world doesnt lack in coincidences. The king was infuriated and rejected Tu Libas suggestion to kill off the mother horses. Instead, he remained hopeful, thinking that the vet could keep the horse infection under control. Yet in the end, there are reports of warhorses dying every day. The pregnant horses were dying batches after batches. The atmosphere in the North borderlines imperial family became more stagnant with each passing day. Previously it was said the incubation time of this horse infection was related to the health of the hosts body. Pregnant horses and calves were the most susceptible. So naturally, the first to succumb to the infection were the pregnant horses and the young calves. Even in the North borders where riches abounded, they were appalled by such a large-scale horse infection. The horse stables werent only the lifeline of the army in the North borders, they were also a crucial part of their financial income. For every pregnant horse or foal they lose, the deficit will grow. Only half a month had passed. The number of mother horses which died had reached the frightening number of 2500. Many young foals were also gravely injured and dying. Eventually, the King of the North borders cannot bear it anymore. He decided to follow the wise Tu Libas suggestion; kill all the horses in contact with the infected horses. Except, it is too late. Other than the horses in the stables being affected, the ordinary horses on farms and at homes also showed signs of infection. Hearing this news, the King of the North, someone used to commotion and upheaval, was stunned on the spot. Reporting C Multiple troubles come together. Theres no worst, only worse. My King, sickly horses have been found amongst the warhorses! Wha, What C Anger surged and his face was in shock. He slapped the table and arose, who knows if his actions were too rough. His vision was clouded in darkness and no light could be seen. All the officials were paralysed with fear and they all went forward to support their kings strong body as he looked like he was about to collapse in shock and disappointment. If the horse infection had been limited to those horses at the stables, the North borders could have prevented the news from spreading. However, the vectors of infection are insects and the unsuspecting people never noticed these small beings, which are colourless and cannot be sensed by humans, carried the source of the horse infection. When the horses on common farms had the same infection, the news could no longer be covered up at all. Chongzhou and the North borderlines shared a border, so Liu She received the news first. WarhorsesNumerous of them dying from an infection? Liu She was surprised beyond words. The secret informant responded, Yes, this news cannot be hidden anymore. The number of horses dying daily is increasing rapidly. It is observed that warhorses who are sickly are doomed to die. Their likelihood of dying is very high. Within Chongzhou, there are also many warhorses, should we implement some preventive measures? If this infection affecting the horses reaches the borders of Chongzhou, they would be helpless. The horse ranches occupied broad and vast lands in the North borders, where they rear countless war horses. But the warhorses within Dongqing are mostly supplied by Changzhou. Changzhou is under the rule of the Mengs. It is unknown what triggered them but in recent years, they kept finding fault with Liu She and kept opposing him. In Dongqing, if you wished to possess warhorses, you could not offend the Mengs. Thus, Liu She, who had offended the Mengs, wont be able to obtain warhorses from Changzhou. All the warhorses in Chongzhou originate from the North borders. If these precious warhorses also die from infection, in future they can only rely on their legs to go to war. Liu She replied thoughtfully, Naturally we must, we cannot allow these sick horses to enter our borders. About this issue send a secret letter to inform Lanting. A large herd of horses from the North borderline have died, this is good news for Dongqing. Liu She is a magistrate of Chongzhou. If the North borderlines went to war against Dongqing, they will target Chongzhou first. It would be expected that he will be under stress. Now with the ancestors blessings, bloodshed has befallen the North borderlines. Liu She felt he could laugh uncontrollably all night under his blanket. Notably, have the unfortunate events at the North borderline ended? No C not yet! Chapter 583 - Horse Plague at the North Borders (X) Originally, the three tribes of the North borders were composed of many tribes, and they lived scattered across the land according to their tribe. Their livelihood included raising herds of horses near the river banks. There were competitions and fighting within the tribes. Later, one tribe rose up with the support from the last Emperor of the Xia Dynasty and it spent more than 10 years unifying the powers of the big tribes in the North borders. This mighty tribe is the Qiang tribe. It is said to be the last descendants of the Qiangwu tribe. Moreover, it is now the most powerful, largest in number, and the richest tribe amongst the three tribes of the North borders. The royal family of the north borders operates differently from that of the central plains. The governing authorities are complicated and confusing. If this occurred in the imperial family of the central plains where the Emperor was muddle-headed and incompetent, most people would choose to bear their grievances silently. If the ministers advices were not heeded, they would most likely ignore it or join the Emperor in his unruly ways. Notably, in a place like the North borders, the situation was entirely different. If the King of the royal family lacks in ability, the elders from the three tribes have the power to exercise their rights to abolish his rule and choose a new king! Before the King of the North borders unified the horse stables, each of the great horse stables belonged to honourable, aristocratic families in the North borders. Wu Liba advised the King earlier about killing off all the female horses that were exposed to those Ferghana horses from Shalan. However, the King of the royal family turned a deaf ear to it, and this afforded the horse plague enough time to spread and infect other horses. Many of the big horse stables suffered unnecessary huge losses, so who should be responsible for the costs? Since the noble families were willing to accept the royal familys governance over the horse stables, it was certainly because they were after the benefits. At present, they had suffered a huge loss due to the misjudgement of the King, so how will these powerful and mighty noble families react to this setback? When Liu She spread this news to Xiangyang district, the internal government of the North borders was already in disarray. The trust and reputation of the royal family also suffered a painful setback. Jiang Pengji wore a rather thick hemp garment which was coarse and brown. She sat at the side of the footpath between paddy fields, and on her head she wore a conical hat to block the sun. Although there was a drought this year, the harvest from the fields was relatively good. When Xiangyang district was recaptured last year in one sitting, a large area of desolate lands was cleared for cultivation and almost every household was given 10 hectares of land. Having experienced the elation of a good harvest, the people were presently burning straw to fertilise the land. She listened quietly to the insiders report, then lifted her eyes to look at the skies. Late autumn was approaching. Based on previous years, the first snow should descend very soon. She responded calmly, Theres no need to worry, when the first snow falls, the horse plague at the north borders will be suppressed though the loss incurred cannot be recuperated. Tell Father that if he has the ability, he must try his utmost to incite conflict amongst the internal government of the North borders. The High king of the royal family has made a major misjudgement in policies which has resulted in huge losses to numerous horse stables belonging to the aristocratic families. Surely he must be in agony now. In recent times, she was either busy at the carpentry workshop or in the fields. This caused an uproar in the live streaming room claiming that shes switching careers. Now that Liu Shes envoy has arrived, everyone was excited. Yinian Quzhong: Hahahaha I can laugh at this joke for a year. The three tribes of the North borders harbour the wishful thinking of invading Dongqing, but unfortunately the heavens disapprove of it. They mercilessly sent a horse plague, and it is good now as I believe even the High king of the royal family will be forced to abdicate. Flash-fried Mushrooms: Success in war requires opportune time, resources, and manpower. Sigh, they dont even have the advantage of discerning the time, yet they had the courage to attack Dongqing. Who empowered them with boldness? Did Liang Jingru? Presently the horse plague has descended upon them. Their warhorses are dying one batch after another. I searched on Baidu, hahaha, the value of warhorses in the past isnt just expensive, the entire horse stables there is considered naught, so how much loss must they have incurred? Luoriyin Cangqiong: No, no, no Indeed, they lost many warhorses, if the cost was calculated in terms of cash, it would be exorbitant. Yet you must understand that warhorses arent currency, neither are they circulating funds. In fact, the loss they made isnt substantial. If the warhorses in the north borders can be smuggled, the price they were sold at is certainly marked up. However, it cannot be deemed that warhorses are worth that amount. The North borders possess large and small horse stables; they have the right to determine the costs. The outsiders are ignorant about how much these warhorses cost exactly. Jintian Qianghezi: Thats true, we calculated their loss based on the cost of smuggled warhorses. If we counted in terms of its original cost, the deficit might not be so exorbitant? Nonetheless, it shouldnt differ very much, it is an excruciating loss. Zeitama Ciji: Am I the only one worried about how the streamer is going to defeat the north borders? How is the horse plague going to be resolved? She glanced through the bullet screen in the live streaming room. The envoy has departed, she looked like she was dreaming, but in fact she posted a comment. Streamer V: I heard the detailed report from the envoy, I figured out how the horse plague spread, it was highly likely that it was transmitted by insects. The source of the plague originated near Shalan where the humidity levels are high. No signs of snow were ever seen across the four seasons as its mostly summer. If insects are indeed the vectors of the horse plague, when the weather cools down and snow covers the earth, the horse plague will naturally be suppressed. The routes of transmission are limited. After Jiang Pengji eliminated all kinds of transmission modes, she narrowed it down to insects which were commonly found in the grasslands. Although there isnt any evidence to back up this hypothesis, she believes in her judgement. If it were airborne, even if the virus had a long incubation time, the horse plague will be infectious within a few days and spread throughout the grasslands of the north borders. Evidently it isnt so, the horse plague radiated then spread in all four directions and its rate of transmission was neither fast nor slow. Understanding dawned on the viewers in the live streaming room. Feise Xingkong: This horse plague is like Africas horse plague. But the incubation time is longer than Africas horse epidemic, and the death rate is also higher. Fengbao Yingxiong: Anyway, its good enough that the streamer is aware, we should just sit back and watch the show quietly. At this moment, a viewer raised an impromptu question. Nuanling: Gasp I suddenly recalled something, Little White is also from the North borders, is he susceptible to the horse plague? Just the thought of that mighty, majestic and docile, famous horse dying suddenly, and everyone was worried sick. Streamer V: Little White is well, he is healthy. The storekeeper of the treasure house told Jiang Pengji that he purchased a snow-white warhorse of a premium breed, and he wished to offer it to her. Back then, she asked in detail and after she ascertained that Little White was healthy, she got the stableman to keep it in Whites VIP stable. The storekeeper of the treasure house left the north borders with Little White. He purposely took a detour to reach Xiangyang district and he spent more than one month in between. If Little White had been infected, he wouldve died on the way, how would he have reached Xiangyang district safely? In between the fields was full of burnt straw, Jiang Pengji stood up to wear her wooden clogs. Coincidentally, Li Yun was also back from patrolling the area. A bright smile spread across his face; this caused many ladies to gush over him. My lord She nodded her head, signalling that shes about to leave. Li Yun was so delighted that he revealed his set of white teeth. Initially I thought after the drought this year, there would be no harvest. Thankfully, it is a year of small harvest. He collated the yield of each familys harvest; the supplies were enough to feed the entire population in Fengyi county. Then considering the fields in the villages of Chengan district, by next years autumn harvest, it isnt just the people who will have enough grain, the harvest can even feed 20,000 troops. Chapter 584 - Woman, Where’s the Wealth You Squandered? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A small harvest indeed, it is worth returning home to celebrate. The means to celebrate is to gather to eat either roasted meat or hotpot. Already three branches of the Gourmet House have been established but the people have just settled down which may be why the business is currently rather slow. Over in Xiangyang district, the Gourmet house is often a full house. As the weather is getting colder every day, the eatery has introduced popular hotpot and roasted dishes to their menu. Peoples sole priority is to eat well and have warm clothes, have four dishes and one soup but Jiang Pengji and the rest must consider an even deeper issue. For example, how are they going to dominate Wanzhou next year? Wanzhou is where Fengyi county, Chengde, and Shangyang county intersect. Presently all four districts in Fengyi county are in Jiang Pengjis hands. The imperial court was in a helpless situation and they had no time to focus on the situation in the North. Moreover, the county chief of Fengyi had been frightened away by Jiang Pengjis and he doesnt have the guts to demand the county back from her. Chengde county is under the rule of the Red Lotus group but after experiencing the summer drought, they are also in dire circumstances. No matter how adept they are at brainwashing, they cannot prevent the continual influx of refugees. The outflow of people from Fengyi county is rampant. Finally, theres Shangyang county. Speaking of Shangyang county, one cannot leave Feng Jin out because he indeed hails from there. Shangjing that once existed was removed from Shangyang county before Dongqing decided on Shangjing as the capital city. But it belonged within Shangyang county. After Dongqing moved the capital to Chenzhou then naturally, Shangjing once again belonged to Shangyang county. After the earthquake last summer, the north suffered massive losses. Thereafter, they lived under the tyranny of the Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group consecutively who ravaged their lands indiscriminately. It was not an exaggeration to term it as hell on earth as starving people abounded across the plains, bones were lying ubiquitously on the ground, a sight few could bear. Chengde county is under the control of Red Lotus group, Shangyang county is yet to fall into anyones hands. The Feng family is after all one of the four great families in Dongqing. As you would expect, they possess private troops. The numbers may be relatively few but there will be 3000 to 4000 men. Their might was to be feared, especially when coupled with their reputation in that land. When Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group went around robbing and tyrannising the lands, the Feng family already had solutions to mobilise the people to defend the city. They had money, enough supplies, and these were coupled with inside information. The Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group were not united inwardly or outwardly, and they kept pulling each other down, so eventually neither of them managed to conquer Shangyang county. Although presently the people of Shangyang county were living in dire states, they were better off than those refugees out there. Yang Si glanced at Feng Jin then asked, Does district magistrate Liu intend to raise an army against Shangyang county? As he finished speaking, Feng Jins brows were discreetly knitted, he seemingly didnt approve of this. She answered, Lets start with diplomacy before violence, but we will eventually have to conquer it. Use peaceful measures before going into war? This is intriguing, doesnt the Emperor enjoy raising an army and going to war? Wei Ci was also at the meeting in the government office and he looked sideways at Feng Jin. Jiang Pengji was willing to use diplomacy before going to war out of consideration for Feng Jin. Feng Zhen looked at Feng Jin as if smiling, then he asked Jiang Pengji, I wonder if the lord has a suitable person in mind? Without waiting for her to speak, Feng Jin bowed respectfully and said, Jin is willing to head to Shangyang county. She nodded in approval, there was none more suitable than Feng Jin for this matter. If they could occupy Shangyang county without a fight, that would be the best scenario. If they cannot reach an agreement, then war is inevitable. With regards to Shangyang county, this piece of land, it is imperative for her to possess it. By taking down Wanzhou and its surroundings, the borders of Hu county, which is connected to Chongzhou, the Lius can then consolidate their military power. If they are unable to occupy Shangyang county, it would be equivalent to having ones weak spot exposed so that someone can come from behind at any time with ulterior motives and do them harm. Feng Jin also understood the importance of this; thus, he must think of a solution to convince his father. Although the Shangyang county chief isnt one of the Fengs, they are all interlinked. The Fengs standpoint will influence the choice that Shangyang county adopts. The northern powers in Dongqing have started to reshuffle; Prince Changshou and the Emperor are also embroiled in the heated battle. Prince Changshou initially thought he could lend the strength of the three tribes of the North borderlines to completely exterminate Chenzhou. Unfortunately, he didnt expect that the powers in the north borders would initially agree then suddenly go back on their words! Who knows how long he took to reassure himself before he consented to the demands of the north borderlines for women, cities, grain, and gold. Those countless exorbitant terms. He held back his anger and disgust and agreed. However, they didnt keep their word! I have something in mind **, but I dont know if it should be voiced out! Prince Changshou received news that the North borderlines declined the meeting. He almost vomited blood. Another exasperating issue is that as they went from Zhangzhou to conquer Chenzhou, theyve had grain offered to them as army supplies. Prince Changshou had intentions to rebel right from the start, he had made preparations materially and strategically. Yet no matter how ready he was, he never imagined Chenzhou would withstand his military attacks for one and a half years! Chenzhou could harvest grains readily, yet their troops had to transport them from Zhangzhou. But it was unfortunate; this years summer was particularly dry, and more than half of the farm crops died. The amount of rice harvested in autumn was less than 30% of the past year, so the people did not have enough for themselves. How could they afford the expensive taxes on their grain to support the army? Thus, now that a lack of rations has become a problem for Prince Changshous army, the amount of supplies offered by the grain squad is significantly lesser. In the past, the soldiers were provided with food twice or thrice a day. Now they only had one meal daily. From cooking rice to cooking porridge. If he cannot defeat Chenzhou anytime soon, he must lead his troops in disappointment back to his allocated land. After the Emperor recovers his breath and consolidates his army and warhorses to attack Zhangzhou, it will then become the time when Prince Changshou meets his death. A group of sullen faced strategists and military generals trembled in fear as Prince Changshous temper got worse daily. The wind carried the sounds of groaning. No this is not a long-term solution He hadnt slept for two days which had inevitably resulted in dark circles below his eyes. He had ten thousand fearsome soldiers, their fighting prowess surely without doubt. If not for Yang Si who played a prank on them before he left, he would be sitting on the throne already. Hed be revered with long live the Emperor. How can he be vexed over the lack of military supplies within his camp? Thinking of Yang Si whose mouth was full of lies, Prince Changshou seethed with anger. Those in Chenzhou had also discovered Prince Changshous dire situation where they lack in rations. They were both rejoicing and in turmoil. Rejoicing? They only need to do so for a while, Prince Changshou will surely have to retreat because his rations are declining. Worried? Never mind that Prince Changshous army were lacking in rations, within Chenzhou, there was also a shortage. Both sides were starving. Now, were waiting to see who gives up first. If they continue to persist, both parties could wait it out, except that now, someone interrupted. After hearing the news, Prince Changshou sat in his camp burning with fury. From outside, a soldier tasked to report entered and he almost vented his anger on him. Once the reporting soldier was chased out, that middle-aged strategist, who enjoyed flattering, seized the opportune moment to meet with Prince Changshou. He couldnt resist asking the soldier who looked anxious standing outside the tent then his pupils widened and lit up and he almost couldnt contain himself. My lord, my lord, theres good news! What is the source of this joy? Prince Changshou asked impatiently. The middle-aged strategist was rejoicing madly. The Meng family from Cangzhou have sent their secret envoy. They expressed their desire to discuss the affairs of the world with my lord. Chapter 585 - Woman, Where’s the Wealth You Squandered? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Meng family of Cangzhou? There are four great families in Dongqing; Shangyangs Feng family, Langyas Wang family, Qiongning Xie family and Cangzhous Meng family. The Feng family of Shangyang mostly radiate with positive energy and they have only about 3000 to 4000 private troops. The Wangs from Langya is also a noble and upright family. For over ten years, theyve remained in seclusion, they kept their identities hidden, and their family members rarely boast about themselves outside. Qiongnings Xie family comprise of talents who are intellectual and skilled in martial arts, they have been honoured from the Xia dynasty till now. Only the Meng family of Cangzhou who wields military prowess are blessed with the Emperors trust. The Count of Zhenbeis achievements are evident to all, yet his powers were weakened in every way by Dongqings Emperor who aimed to rid him of his military command. Previously, he led troops to provide aid to Nansheng, but some cunning soldiers bore enmity towards him and this conflict caused many soldiers to be severely injured. Presently, the Count of Zhenbei and his family are in dire states, few are still alive. To stabilise the north borders situation, the Emperor entrusted the Meng family of Cangzhou with an important task. This emboldened the already powerful Mengs of Cangzhou and they held no one with respect. To what extent will they be arrogant? Many years before, the people of Cangzhou rose in an uproar. The Emperor didnt reprimand the Mengs and instead, he approved of them using violence against the rebels; use violence to suppress violence. Logically speaking, the Meng family of Cangzhou being the Emperors top confidantes, why would they come here? Prince Changshou used the remainder of his thinking abilities to ponder over it, the infuriation in his heart subsided, and he tidied his physical appearance and then sat on the seat of honour. Quickly, invite the envoy in. A middle-aged strategist responded with flattery. Shortly after, the sound of rustling garments was heard from outside and anxious footsteps were heard. The curtains of the door were opened and in came a man who had a regular complexion, he could not be identified if thrown amongst a sea of people. He wore plain clothing with numerous patches. Prince Changshou purposely sounded profound, then he put on airs momentarily and only asked after a while, Speak up, what are the Meng familys motives? As the saying goes that if two people differ in goals, they should not associate. After Prince Changshou fell into Yang Sis trap, he was determined not to trust the words of literates. The Mengs are the closest confidante of Dongqings Emperor, even the children in Dongqing are aware of this. Will he believe that the Meng family are suddenly pledging allegiance to another master? The envoy sent by the Mengs bowed respectfully then said with a hoarse voice, Prince, it is wisely said that people with understanding do not speak in obscure terms. I will not hide my true intentions. My lord desires to discuss the matters of the world with the Prince. I wonder if the Prince is interested to have a detailed discussion? Prince Changshou chuckled in his heart and a mocking expression filled his face. Why do people often treat him as a fool and lie to him? He answered sarcastically, In this world, who is ignorant of the fact that your lord is the loyal servant of my beloved second brother. Who will believe you? The envoys face darkened like coal and drastically changed. Presently, the aristocratic families possess great powers. Even if the four great families choose to live in seclusion consecutively, the political fate of Dongqing rests in their hands, and the Emperor and his imperial family are just the puppets manoeuvred by these families. Prince Changshou didnt treat him with respect, instead, he blatantly called the Meng family out for being the Emperors servant, this was utterly outrageous. However, since the envoy sent by the Meng family was here on a mission, he could not strain the relationship. He pondered in his heart before speaking, As the saying goes, the birds know how to choose a good nest, and so the subjects have the prerogative to choose their master. Since my lord wishes to discuss the affairs of the world with the Prince, he naturally looks up to you. The Emperor is utterly incompetent. Now that the north borderlines are looking fearsomely at us, within our land there are rebels all around. He doesnt consider the consequences and kills his loyal and upright officials; he encourages the evil ones to guard the hall. He is unworthy to be the Emperor, and moreover, he is incompetent as heavens mandate. He sat on the seat of honour and listened. At first, he was not focused but as the envoy continued to describe matters in detail, he was gradually convinced. Not unless the Mengs of Cangzhou indeed intended to change their allegiance and aid him in ascending the throne? However, why would the Meng family help him? There must be an advantage he could offer to an aristocratic family driven by fame and power to willingly submit to him. Can Prince Changshou offer the Meng family something the Dongqing Emperor cannot? Regardless of how they curse the Emperor for being muddle-headed and useless, he is still the legitimate Emperor while Prince Changshou is acting in the name of eradicating evil people around the Emperor; a disloyal subject with the intention to rebel and force the Emperor to abdicate. Or else, is it because the Meng family of Cangzhou has lost its former glories and desire to earn credit for helping him ascend the throne? His eyes lit up and he began to be convinced. Ill be frank about it; your lord isnt one to make a loss. For him to help me to overthrow the Emperor, how is this beneficial to him? Helping an Emperor ascend the throne? No matter how great that achievement is, can it help the Meng family advance? The god of war, talented and valiant Meng Jing, is the ancestor of the Meng family. He lay the foundations of success for his descendants so that the Mengs continued to be held in high regards till now. Where is the location where the herds of horses are reared? The essential powerhouse of the nation, yet the Emperor allows the Meng family of Cangzhou to be solely in charge. What deep trust he must have. How immeasurable the honour it must be. Even if the Mengs played a role in helping the Emperor ascend the throne, they cannot advance further. Unless Prince Changshou abdicates the throne that he is about to possess in favour of them After this thought crossed his mind, that bit of joy disappeared like the wind once again, and he guarded his heart against the envoy. The envoy answered, My lord does not have ill intentions, he only wishes to help the Prince obtain what rightfully belongs to you. Naturally, when this is achieved, it will be perfect if you are willing to reward my lord with the deaths of the entire Liu family. Filled with shock, Prince Changshou exclaimed, He wants the lives of the entire Liu family? Is the final goal for the Meng family to submit to him to be the entire Liu family being killed? No, what deep hatred do the Meng and Liu family have for each other? With haughty arrogance, the envoy said, It is indeed the Liu family from Hejian! Prince Changshous heart was anxious, he continued to ask, The Liu family from Hejian? Are you referring to the magistrate of Chongzhou, Liu She? His family? The envoy replied, Is there another Liu family in Hejian? It seems like they are directly targeting Liu She and his family. Prince Changshous heart was settled, he was bewildered and asked, Did your lord agree to help me just because he wants Liu She and his family to die? What atrocious deeds did the Liu family commit against the Mengs in Cangzhou that both families had such deep hatred for each other? Of course. The envoy maintained his proud disposition. If the Prince doesnt believe, then please deem this discussion as naught. To safeguard Chenzhou, Dongqings Emperor had ordered the Mengs in Cangzhou to lend them aid. Till now, nineteen edicts had been sent. The patriarch of the Meng family, Meng Zhan, agreed to dispatch troops and surrender the military command, but with terms and conditions. After defeating Prince Changshou, the imperial family must reward them with the heads of all the members of the Liu family. Yet the Emperor was helpless, he had a rather highly esteemed Royal concubine Huijun beside him. He could only resort to tricking the Mengs into lending him 200,000 troops, yet he evaded the Meng familys request. Thus, Meng Zhan sent his envoy to discuss a deal with Prince Changshou. Prince Changshou intuitively felt this was an opportunity presented to bring him closer to the throne. Yet he wished to know the hatred that existed between the Meng and Liu families. Only after he verifies the details, can he be sure of the true motives the Mengs have. Its such a pity that the envoy refused to say, he kept it a secret with no room for discussion. Thus, he could only agree verbally to convince the envoy. Afterwards, he secretly ordered his men to investigate the enmity that existed between the two families. Nonetheless, after a thorough investigation, other than the patriarch of the Mengs who became Liu Shes second wife[H1], they were both close friends before. Later they cut ties with each other but besides that, there were no details. This stirred Prince Changshous curiosity and he was suspicious of the love and hatred between Meng Zhan, Liu She, and his second wife, Gu Zhen. [H1]?? This is not right. Patriarch is male so how can they become someones wife? 1 Chapter 586 - Woman, Where’s the Wealth You Squandered? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Meng and Liu families have no enmity? Of course, they do, moreover it is one hatred that is unresolved! That year when Meng Liang died tragically, Meng Zhan conducted the funeral for his son and almost vomited blood. After the grand funeral, he fell gravely sick and became bedridden. He had completed the task with much difficulty as he felt that Meng Liangs death was rather mysterious. He understood what Meng Hun was like. Although he was given an opportunity to be raised to the position of county military chief of Meng county, he stayed true to his personality. He is honest and upright and doesnt possess the ability to scheme and manipulate the situation. Let alone stepping forward to sow discord, he didnt possess the ability to be despicable. More than that, numerous manpower was required to launch an ambush to seize their grain. When Meng Hun fled Meng county, he brought along many men but those were injured soldiers and defeated generals. Many died along the way or were gravely injured. How could they possess the ability to fight against the elite soldiers of the Meng family, how much more humiliation would they endure in the process? When Meng Zhan was sickly, he repeatedly aired his grievances. He felt that things were not so simple and that there must be a mastermind behind Meng Hun. Slowly, he recovered then sent men to Hejian to investigate and seek information. But Cangzhou where the Meng family lived is very distant from Hejian, so even with a swift horse, it takes one month to go and return. Exchanging letters was too slow a process. When Meng Zhan started to suspect Liu She, he was already the head investigation officer in Shangjing, then he gave up his official position as the county chief of Hu county to be honourably promoted as the magistrate of Chongzhou. Shortly after the investigation ended, he was promoted and sent to the borders of Dongqing. He had made big strides across Dongqings territory from the south to the north. As for Meng Hun? Back then, Meng Hun had already led thousands of troops to Chongzhou to hide from the chaotic situation. At that time, he failed to identify the spy in the Meng family. Meng Zhan initially wanted to attack the Liu family. He tested Liu Shes reaction, after all he had no evidence in his hands to prove that Liu She instigated Meng Hun to murder Meng Liang. However, the Liu family of Hejian wasnt the average family, and critically, Liu She was stationed at Chongzhou and his son studied at Langya county. Coincidentally, the Emperor had already diminished the power of the Count of Zhenbei. Thus, there must be a trustworthy man to assume the military power. The Mengs were the best choice and this incident diverted Meng Zhans attention. Half a year later, Meng Zhan received news that there was a valiant general named Meng Hun within the borders of Fengyi county who had led his troops to conquer Maolin district. Meng Hun? He was still alive? Meng Zhan was excited so he hastily sent men to investigate, going back and forth took many days until he finally discovered the truth. Meng Hun was still the same old person, once the county military chief of Meng county yet he was now vanguard battalion commander under Liu Xi. Who is Liu Xi? Liu Shes only son. Who is Meng Hun? The one who murdered Meng Liang, mocked Cangzhou, and the main sinner who gained possession of all the grain by trickery. With those two together, Meng Zhan didnt need any evidence for him to ascertain that the one who murdered Meng Liang back then was Liu She! Four to five years had passed but he had never forgotten the idea of revenging his sons death. Whenever he recalled how his precious son bled to death, the stench of a decomposing corpse lying in that cold coffin, his anger cannot be appeased Although he and Liu She were both imperfect, how can this person be so cruel as to demand Meng Liangs life? What Meng Liang meant to Meng Zhan is no less precious than who Liu Xi is to Liu She! Gaining revenge by killing ones son is unforgivable! Meng Zhan originally planned to stay away from the fight between Prince Changshou and the Emperor, but he had placed one foot into this complicated situation. He was prepared to use this as an opportunity to help one side of the camp defeat the other. When that time comes, hell make trouble for Liu Shes entire family. Who knows if the Emperor will keep his words or if hell be bewitched by his concubines to act otherwise. Reluctantly, Meng Zhan could only change his loyalties and abandon the Emperor to join hands with Prince Changshou. By killing his son, he has been provoked and he wants to exterminate the entire Liu family An innocent Liu She had to bear the consequences for Jiang Pengji. Yet the Meng family arent the only ones harmed by Jiang Pengji. At the north border far away, another disaster is brewing. The King of the royal family indeed lives up to his name. He fought and left a bloody trail, elevating himself from being part of the imperial family to being enthroned as the King of the north borders, he still has it in him. The losses at the horse stables cannot be salvaged. Numerous warhorses that died left ones heart bleeding in excruciating pain. Presently it is imperative to find a solution to stabilise the situation, to minimise the loss for every herdsman and every tribe. The compensation naturally involves money. Speaking of money, the faces of the merchants at the north borders have increasingly turned pale. In order to resist the foreign merchants and protect the incentives for the locals, the King of the royal family ordered all the different businesses to be consolidated as one based on the sage Wu Libas suggestion. Thus the business association was formed and they could support each other and increase competitiveness amongst the local businessmen. Nonetheless, since there are advantages for the merchants to form an association, naturally there are disadvantages also. They saw the value of this coloured glass of the heavenly palace. After observing for a while, they joined forces to take over the goods in Gu Xins treasure house. They were prepared to adopt Gu Xins business strategies of selling at the opportune moment and making their customers hungry. Except they had only began earning some money when the horse plague happened. Thereafter, the deaths of countless warhorses occurred and the horse stables suffered huge losses. This meant that gold and silver ingots were required to fill the black hole and they were astounded when they discovered their cash flow of gold and silver coins was not even one quarter of the usual amount. The merchants in the north borderlines were indeed affluent. But their assets lay in the various businesses they had, the horse stables, warhorses, horse breeding, businesses on the go, precious commodities. These things had worth equivalent to gold and silver and of course the business association in the north borders are rich enough to compete with countries, but speaking of the money in their hands Clap,clap,clap Wheres the money? Did you use it for your own agenda? The chief storekeeper smacked the table, he was madly infuriated. The young manager trembled as he chattered in fear. Even if you gave me courage, I wouldnt dare do this The chief storekeeper was raging mad; he grabbed the accounts handed to him and read through them speedily. The accounts tallied, but where did the money earned by the business association go? When he reached the end of the accounts, the chief storekeepers face turned pale white and he said helplessly, Think of how to sell off all the the coloured glass of the heavenly palace The young manager anxiously said, But The head storekeeper interrupted saying, There is no but, the crucial thing now is to raise the sum of money which our leaders require. Everyone knew that the coloured glass of the heavenly palace was invaluable, the gold and precious stones dared not compete with it. If given another few years, their worth will rise. Since they used 30% of the value to defraud Gu Xin, even if they were sold at the original market price, they would only make a profit and not a loss. They wont have to make any refunds; they could even earn a huge sum of cash. They all understood this logic. Unfortunately, theres not much time, they cannot wait anymore. There was nothing they could do except to hard sell this coloured glass of the heavenly palace to exchange for gold and silver. At that moment, they discovered an extremely awkward matter. Most of the wealthy women in the north borders hailede from noble families. Most of the business establishments were also owned by these womens families. They were not required to pay using precious silver and jewellery when they purchased the coloured glass of the heavenly palace. Instead it was recorded as charged to an account, owed or goods have been taken. There was a minority who used money from the business establishment to pay for their goods though they were deem edto have paid with cash. How was there any transfer of cashflow to speak of? Amongst them, Madam Wu Liba is the most generous; she purchased 10 sets of hair accessories in one sitting. However, the business establishment didnt receive even a single cent, instead they got a stack of owed slips From a rich ladys perspective, the business establishment was started by her family which was then deemed as her source of money. Why would she need to pay when purchasing something? Chapter 587 - Woman, Where’s the Wealth You Squandered? (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio This is what should we do Observing that although these exorbitant coloured glass of the heavenly palace sets are being sold one set after another, yet the money amassed is pathetic, the accounts increasingly do not tally. The young manager almost cried. Who doesnt know what the rich women are like? The business association is half public and partially private, but to these wealthy ladies with affluent family support, they use it purely as their private asset. They are only required to offer some money or write an IOU slip. This is considered being respectful. If they arent shown respect, they will demand it. Once the item has reached the hands of these women who squander their money, the young manager doesnt even need to think to realise that its impossible to exchange these IOU slips for money. The young manager was frustrated beyond measure, so he reported the matter to the chief storekeeper. The chief storekeeper was also burdened with many cases so hes in a difficult position too. His sister had purchased a few sets of coloured glass of the heavenly palace after taking a commercial bank loan. He had secretly warned his sister previously but she completely ignored his words. The chief storekeeper was helpless with regards to her. The rich noblewomen in the north borders are very spoiled; even once they get married, they are still highly esteemed in their family homes. These women who squander their money dont seem able to exercise self-control in spending their money. They are lightning-quick in taking advantage of their familys possessions. The financial status in the business association is getting worse; its like a black hole that cannot be filled. The young manager was on the verge of being worried sick; he pouted and whined. These women readily gave Gu Xin their money. In the past, they never wrote IOU slips. Yet now, they just take the items for free one after another such a disgraceful act The chief storekeeper commented unhappily, Gu Xin is a businessman from Dongqing. He does his business strictly based on bills being settled before delivery of the goods. Without payment, the goods will not be handed over. Unfortunately, the business association belongs to the families of these women. It is as if they are taking goods from their homes. When have you seen them paying for the items they bought? The young manager pulled back his neck then responded in shock, Butthis doesnt solve the problem If these coloured glass of the heavenly palace sets are completely divided amongst them, the merchants must fork out a huge sum of money. Unless the financial hole is accounted for, when the people above check the accounts, none can take the responsibility. Helplessly, the chief storekeeper can only think of an unconvincing solution. On the surface, they said they claim theyd sold out of the coloured glass of the heavenly palace, yet privately they sold them below the regular price to noble ladies who are lower in status. These women have a common characteristic; their family are not involved in businesses or their reputations arent high. Even if he chooses to sell them at a low price, the price they set is more than one-fold higher than the cost at which they purchased. There are numerous rich women in the north borderlines. In the past, the coloured glass of the heavenly palace sets were only sold to the first-class rich ladies. Others who wanted to purchase them had no chance. Yet now there were contraband items delivered to their houses. The cost was way lower than what they expected, so they immediately bought it. With this ongoing illegal business, the merchants successfully sold off one batch of coloured glass of the heavenly palace sets and their wealth grew exceedingly. If theyre successful in their sales when all the goods are sold from their warehouse, even if they were financially in debt now, they will be able to overcome it. Unfortunately, man proposes but the heavens disposes. Coincidentally, when the scene was optimal for sales, a problem cropped up with the woman in his house. This incident was sparked because of one banquet. The coloured glass of the heavenly palace is a sign of nobility amongst the high-class women in the north borderlines. It represents the epitome of wealth and power. Whenever they left the house, theyd wear a set of accessories. When they discovered the business association also carried a few coloured glass of the heavenly palace sets, they couldnt contain their excitement and would wear a different set daily. It was no different at this banquet. The three tribes of the north borders segregate people into different classes. There are defined classes amongst people, and it is unforgivable for the lower-class people to overstep their boundaries. Madam Wu Liba is undoubtedly the most outstanding of the rich and reputable ladies. As a great woman, she hates those pretentious ladies from the central plains the most and those seductive female slaves. No one imagined that shell disregard propriety and directly raise her hand to slap the delicate face of a certain nobles beloved concubine. This concubine was initially sitting in a remote corner exchanging conversation with others. Then Madam Wu Liba walked up and slapped her, she did not react in time. Who allowed such a lowborn female slave to wear the coloured glass of the heavenly palace! With such a despised body, do you deserve to wear these? Madam Wu Liba removed all the hair accessories on that concubines head then threw them aggressively on the ground. The glass broke and scattered, the glass shards bounced onto those who stood close by and frightened them so that they moved away. Having heard Madam Wu Libas rantings, the group of noble ladies understood what had happened. A female slave who rose to become a concubine dared to wear the same precious accessory, the coloured glass of the heavenly palace, as them? The group of noble ladies were fuming in their hearts. Madam Wu Liba already went forth and started to whip that lady so the rest didnt interfere. That concubine was hit till she lost her senses. She was pressed to the ground by Madam Wu Liba who pulled her long hair. Her delicate face was forced on the floor and the friction caused it to bleed. She deeply regretted her actions in her heart; if she had known beforehand, shed not have worn this set of exquisite accessories to show off. Who knew that the women in the north borders are so unreasonable and hot-tempered that they dared to hit someone even at a banquet held by the Princess Royal. The one who used physical force was Madam Wu Liba. Her family is powerful and her husband has unlimited power, so this matter was expectedly covered up as if it had never happened. What became of the concubine who was beaten to a pulp? It was unfortunate that she was beaten for no reason. Even her husband kept silent. Nonetheless, this matter didnt end so simply. It was predicted that these rich ladies would not stop there. How could a lowly concubine, with a slave background, afford to accessorise herself with the expensive coloured glass of the heavenly palace? The legitimate wife of that concubines husband was particularly distraught; when she returned home, she almost overturned the house. After investigating extensively, she discovered this coloured glass of the heavenly palace had been sold at almost half of the normal price. They were all sold by the business association. Immediately, these rich ladies raged. As soon as their sales had increased, then immediately their road to fortune was obstructed again. The chief storekeeper of the business association was infuriated. They were helpless and could only look for another solution, so they prepared to sell this coloured glass of the heavenly palace illegally in Dongqing. Business at the north borders was in dire straits. Except, the north borders luck seemed to be perpetually non-existent. The business association had just secured a deal but the dealer who was supposed to sell the goods in Dongqing pulled out. Businesses are governed by rules, yet theyre going back on their word The chief storekeeper held back his urge to vomit blood. Instead, he discussed the matter patiently with his business partner. The other party smiled coldly, then said mockingly, The business association in the north borders despises the local merchants for being petty and dishonest. They praise themselves for being upright and following the laws. Yet based on what I have observed, it doesnt seem much. This so-called coloured glass of the heavenly palace is unprofitable and is composed of gravel. If I hadnt received the news in time after this business is agreed upon, my family and I would perhaps have been forced into a dead end. What? A cheap product manufactured from gravel? The business deal was off, and as the chief storekeeper reflected, he felt something was amiss. Then he hurriedly sent men to investigate and the findings caused his eyes to turn blurry. In a split second, the blood to his brain slowed, he felt faint, then his mind shut down and he fell to the floor unconscious. The so-called coloured glass of the heavenly palace was mere common glassware in Zhongzhao! That Gu Xin deserves to die; he has deceived everyone! Chapter 588 - Woman, Where’s the Wealth You Squandered? (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The chief storekeeper fainted in anger, but everyone was so oblivious that Gu Xin also wanted to explode on the spot. With a look of shame, he knelt before Jiang Pengji and offered a humble apology and asked her for forgiveness. She forcefully helped him up, and with her usual expression, she said, What is Uncle Gu doing? Get up quickly, do you want my life shortened? It was as if Gu Xin had aged significantly in one night, he cannot defy Jiang Pengji and he could only sit down embarrassedly. Feng Jin and the rest arrived at the scene; most of them trusted Gu Xin. They knew about his great contributions in Shangyang district and respected him. Master Gu, what happened on your journey, why did you He had come immediately to admit his wrongdoings and he was haggard and looked like he hadnt washed for days. Where was his usual calm composure? Gu Xin replied, Your servant has let the Master down, I accidentally messed up the task the Master assigned to me. Messed up? Jiang Pengji narrowed her brows and solemnly said, Uncle Gu, what exactly happened? Gu Xin frowned and explained himself, Following the masters orders, your servant transported a variety of glassware to Zhongzhao to seek new business opportunities. It was alright at the beginning but after a while, it seemed like an evil wind blew across Zhongzhao, and glassware of all sorts was sold everywhere. At first, they sold them at a high price but as there were too many stalls selling pirated copies, the price went from ten thousand to only a hundred strings of coins After hearing this, the faces of all those present suddenly changed, especially Xu Ke who was so surprised that he bit his tongue. For Fengyi county to have such an abundance of family assets, wasnt it because they relied on the rare glassware? Now the price of glassware had dipped from ten thousand to a hundred strings of coins, and there were signs that it could decrease further. If that happened, then they would lose their source of income. Xu Ke managed Jiang Pengjis treasury and he was clearest about the situation. The others also know that for Fengyi county to be wealthy, it cannot be dissociated from glassware. Viewers in the live streaming room were also in an uproar. Based on Gu Xins description, there must be a huge ulterior motive behind this. Xiaotianshi Zuimengla: This is terrible whats the inside story? 520: #digsnose. What inside story can there be unless theres an internal betrayer. Presently only the streamer possesses all the machinery to synthesize glassware. Zhongzhao is a place of seas and high mountains, how is it possible that it has been inspired to produce numerous glassware? Woai Nimen: An internal spy? However, as you have all seen, the streamer has kept the formula to synthesize glassware a top-secret. Within and without, it is a well-protected secret and the streamer also has a sharp and watchful eye. The business has been prospering for a year already, how did the secret get leaked? Jintian Shuanggeng: The likelihood of an internal spy is extremely high, but I believe the possibility of another lady who travelled back in time is higher. You have all witnessed, it is Zhongzhao again! Previously, the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women emerged from there; this was exactly like the classics from ancient times. Now that glassware has emerged, if there are no signs of another time traveller, it is unbelievable. Guicai Guofengxiao: Based on my expert analysis, except for an internal spy, or a woman who travelled back in time, there is also an unlikely possibility perhaps someone unexpectedly managed to burn the kiln to synthesize glassware. Only the probability of this is low; even if they were able to burn it, they would not be so skilful. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: Dont be so shameless, the viewer above, you even call yourself excellent, why did you not term yourself useless! Their heated discussion went on, they werent just curious about the truth behind this incident, but theyre also worried for Jiang Pengji. Obstructing someones fortune is like killing ones parents! Jiang Pengji depended on the sales of this glassware to amass two billion and more strings of coins from the people in the north borderlines. If this incident hadnt happened, they might be able to cheat Zhongzhao of a few billion strings of coins as well. In the future, they would need to worry about lacking in money. Now that her source of income is obstructed, how can she not rage? Honestly, Jiang Pengji didnt rage. Compared to their unnerved expressions, instead, she appeared composed as if saying so this is how it happened. She smiled and opened her mouth helplessly. This matter will not be blamed on Uncle Gu. Not unless you think the method to synthesize glassware leaked because of you? Gu Xin was stumped, the people around consecutively thought of a possibility internal spy! The glassware was too profitable, so who wouldnt be jealous? Merely burning some sand could earn a profit of ten thousand strings of coins almost instantly. The benefits were truly awesome. As Gu Xin was deep in thought considering who could be the internal spy, he also appeared immensely embarrassed. There was an internal spy indeed, but this couldnt have been done by her. Because the timing didnt match. She was extremely certain and didnt suspect that aspect. Though theres no evidence, deep down she already understood what happened. In this world, she is not the only one who can synthesize glassware. Could it be her? The others looked at each other. From the streamers point of view, she already knew theres an internal spy, but she pretended to be ignorant? But my lord Without the glassware business, what else can they do? Jiang Pengji smiled mockingly; she didnt even rate this enemy as a threat. Dont fret, from this, we have gained knowledge on how foolish the person behind this is, why should we fear? Gu Xin is a businessman, he calmed down and considered the glassware piracy incident within Zhongzhao and shook his head helplessly. It was indeed foolish. The master is right. Although the glassware has an exorbitant value and the commodity is precious, few people know how it is synthesized. If the production process and sales were tightly regulated, even with only one kiln, they could easily become the richest person in the world. Wealth can conquer countries; this isnt a foolish saying. That person doesnt have foresight, they didnt protect the recipe of synthesizing glassware. Instead, they caused the skill of kiln burning to spread throughout this was utterly foolish. Gu Xin had witnessed tor himself how the value of glassware dipped from ten thousand strings of coins to become almost naught in Zhongzhao. Naturally, the person who first started the kiln burning wanted to take advantage of this to make money. However, this person was short-sighted, they were blind to the greed of the merchants. Such a profitable business, it was worthy enough to gamble ones life and ones familys lives. Precisely under the influence of benefits, this caused the glassware business in Zhongzhao to become ubiquitous which became a disaster. Luckily, once Gu Xin sensed something amiss, he had already sold all the glassware below market price. He hastily left with the money earned and returned to Xiangyang district. Dont be fooled by the pathetic state in which he returned. In fact, he had earned over 3 million strings of coins. Moreover, he went boldly against the big businessmen in Zhongzhao. Compared to Gu Xin who is an experienced merchant, how can those inexperienced merchants be his match? Gu Xin assessed the situation to be dire, so he left the business and fled when he earned the last sum of money. The merchant who took over thought he was on the road to amassing a fortune, but not long after he was disappointed. Xu Ke and the rest looked at Jiang Pengji in awe. They asked themselves honestly if their source of wealth was being forcefully blocked by others. If so, they would not only faint in exasperation, they might even explode in anger. His lord seemed fine, she was calm and composed. Moreover, she had the time to mock the mastermind. But my lord, losing this means to generate a fortune Xu Ke is the treasurer, so his heart aches more because of this. Never mind. Anyway, there is enough money in the private treasury, so if the official treasury is depleted of cash, just claim from there. The official treasury was low on cash; she has always been the one who contributed from her pocket. Jiang Pengji jokingly said, Yet look at Zhongzhao, after this incident, likely, they will soon collapse. Throughout the country, there were large scale kilns creating the glassware. They were desperately trying to make money. Soaring numbers of glassware would decrease its value significantly. The first person who amassed this fortune has enjoyed enough and left, but those who follow behind are in deep trouble. Zhongzhaos situation is not stable; the infighting between factions is chaotic and violent. The peoples lives are increasingly in turmoil. Many perceive selling glassware as their means to endless wealth, to exit the vicious cycle of poverty, naturally, they will follow the trend. Dont underestimate the process of synthesizing glassware. Though the cost price is low, the temperature for kiln burning must be precise. The source of fuel to keep the kiln burning is also costly. For the common people to follow the trend, eventually they must invest their savings into it and theyll not earn much. Chapter 589 - Two-faced Spy, Orchestration of the Mastermind? Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio From the live streaming room audiences perspective, the glassware was a product they could ubiquitously see in their daily lives. Thus, concerning those big and small business enterprises and people in Zhongzhao, they could only see the low-cost price yet exorbitant price they were sold at. But they were blind to all else. Honestly, the raw materials for the glassware are worthless mud and sand. After undergoing kiln burning, they are in high demand, up to sales of over 10,000 pieces. They can generate billions of profit, but can the money be so easily earned? If they dont possess the skills and environment for kiln burning, there will be many second class goods while products of excellent quality are rare. Even on Jiang Pengjis side, her craftsmen also experienced countless failures before achieving a small improvement towards perfection. Even then, their success rate wasnt high. Over here, she could afford the lavish cost, since the main role of a kiln is for burning tiles and the glassware is just a side project. Itd be good if its successful but if not, so be it. How about those businessmen who aim to earn hefty profits from the glassware and those people who invested all their life-savings? Imagine the number of failures they have to overcome to burn and synthesize satisfactory glassware? Building a kiln from bricks and stones required money, and fuel was required for burning. In many households, they cannot even afford to burn coal during winter, how can they burn one batch after another for glassware synthesis? Truthfully, out of 10,000 products that failed, they will surely make a profit if theres a satisfactory one. Nevertheless, can they withstand the hefty costs? After they manage to synthesize one acceptable set of glassware, those big businesses out there have already synthesized numerous sets and the glassware will lose its value completely. Naturally, she could imagine the crazy scenario of people manufacturing glassware in Zhongzhao. However, how many profited from it, let alone recouped their cost price? It is few and far between. Did anyone profit from it? Surely there were! The pioneers who synthesized the first batch of glassware by kiln burning made the most money, together with those who invested a hefty amount in big business enterprises. Those who started the trend have an advantage, they only made a profit and not a loss. The latter have human and financial resources; they were able to sell the glassware before the price plummeted to minimize their deficit. As for those people who followed blindly and the small enterprises, they did not have the advantage of striking at the opportune timing and neither did they have enough financial resources. Eventually, they were destined for bankruptcy, such that they couldnt even preserve their underwear. When Gu Xin noticed the situation was unfavorable, he had the foresight and decisiveness to quickly escape from there and for that, Jiang Pengji was very grateful. If it were someone else who had even a hint of hesitation, Im afraid he wouldnt earn that final 3 million strings of coins. After she comforted Gu Xin, Jiang Pengji had the intention to leave, then Qiguan Rangs eyes lit up and he rose up and followed. When they walked to a long hallway with no one around, Jiang Pengji turned and asked him, What is wrong? Qiguan Rang appeared somewhat hesitant then asked, My lord, is it not the doing of an internal spy who divulged the method to synthesize glassware? He is an intelligent and meticulous man, even though his presence is not always felt, but none of her subordinates dares to look down on him. She answered, it probably isnt her. The timing doesnt match. Instead, my view leans towards someone who knows how to synthesize it. This person saw how much I earned from the North borderline, they were covetous and followed suit. Only that persons rather foolish and he didnt manage his subordinates well. Others exploited the loophole and made known his method of glassware synthesis. It was extremely profitable, so it was worth someone gambling all he had. He disagreed, saying, My Lord, forgive me for disagreeing. Presently, you are no longer what you once were, you should be more cautious and careful. Since you already know that internal spy harbors ill-intentions towards you, even if you dont get rid of her, at least get someone to observe her moves so that she doesnt bring harm to you in secret. Jiang Pengji laughed then said, Wenzheng, I understand your rationale. But we cannot do that. Qiguan Rang was puzzled. Why is this so? She kept silent momentarily, then replied, Precisely because this isnt a regular internal spy, instead this is a two-faced one. His facial expression changed. A two-faced spy? Nodding in agreement, she spoke with surety, The mastermind behind her isnt her real master, there is someone else. As for his identity, I have some clues in mind and precisely because of this, I cannot alert her without a plan. I just want to know what this person intends to do. Sighing, he is finally convinced of Feng Jins assessment of Jiang Pengjis judgement this person has a deeply ingrained gambling mentality. To put it nicely, she is being bold but if she accidentally alerts the other party, things will get exciting. An upright man will not put himself in danger. If anything happens to you, it doesnt only concern your familys lives but also the lives of those who follow your lead. Having listened up to here, she smiled suddenly then said cheekily, Perhaps however Wenzheng, to leave this internal spy around will set me, your lord, at ease. If anything happens to the spy, it will alert the mastermind behind her and your lord will have to live every day in fear of being assassinated. I am not afraid of those killing tactics but if others around are accidentally wounded that is not what I wish to see. The more she said, the more Qiguan Rangs curiosity was aroused regarding the identity of Taxues master. She continued, Wenzheng come closer, I need your help with a task to secretly seek advice from Master Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan is Qiguan Rangs father-in-law, he once taught Liu Xi. He is the home tutor employed by Liu manor at a high price. He obeyed her orders immediately; she used a unique method to convey her message to Qiguan Rang with secrecy. Regardless of what she told Qiguan Rang, his expression changed from being doubtful to being perplexed, then finally he was in utter shock. My, my lord you Whispering, she continued, Carry it out secretly, only both of us know this matter. You must be very careful. Feeling extremely nervous, Qiguan Rang swallowed several times, and his Adams apple was in constant motion. He is expected to be independent at thirty, but it has been a while since he lost his composure. You suspect the mastermind behind the internal spy is that person? She laughed but her eyes held a few degrees of coldness. I wished I didnt have to suspect except, lets take one step at a time. They conversed softly for some time, then he seemed to have floated away from the long hallway. She inclined her head then looked towards the corner at the end of the long hallway, a sleeve disappeared from her sight. Viewers in the live streaming room were even more bewildered, they purposely increased the volume but still, they couldnt hear what Jiang Pengji and Qiguan Rang said. Rensha Wangka: Just now there was something wrong with the livestream, I couldnt hear the streamer speaking. Foolish, Wealthy Man: Eh, this is, after all, a livestream from a different dimension, isnt it expected that the signal is poor? Streamer V: It is just a small tactic of ensuring others cannot hear our conversation. Despite having imprisoned the System, it is indeed only a subsystem. One is clueless about where the physical body of the System is hidden. To safeguard her interest, some contents will not be revealed to the livestream viewers. Qiguan Rangs heart was filled with a myriad of feelings and he tried to calm himself down. On the other hand, he thought of how to accomplish the mission she gave him. My lord, I finally found you. Standing still at his original position for a moment, Xu Ke walked over joyfully with a stack of account books. She asked, When you came over from there just now, did you see anyone suspicious? Puzzled, Xu Ke pondered and replied, Just now Ke saw Zixiao walk by hastily, he seemed to be preoccupied, perhaps he isnt feeling well. Knitting her brows, it was indeed Wei Ci. No one knows whats in that fellows mind. Now that the weather is starting to get colder, his weak body constitution is indeed worrying. Chapter 590 - Convincing the Feng Family (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengjis ambitions to capture the entire Wanzhou and Shangyang county cannot be compromised. Feng Jin volunteered to step up and convince his family diplomatically, she sent hundreds of elite troops to escort him. The first snow on a cold winter day covered the earth. Since there were no wars on the north side, Feng Jin decided to take the opportunity to convince his parents. If he is successful, during spring next year, they can consolidate their military strength and solely focus on attacking Chengde county. Wei Jingxian carried her one-year-old daughter, Changsheng, to follow Feng Jin, her husband, up in the horse carriage. Their baggage together with their servants belongings occupied a total of three horse carriages. Dont underestimate Changsheng as a young child, she has a bubbly and active personality, she speaks logically and with clarity. The small horse carriage couldnt satisfy her excitability and shortly after she was bored. She wore an aggrieved look while she lay in Wei Jingxians bosom, sulking like the dried-up leaves under the sun during summer. Father Carry me . As Feng Jin stepped into the horse carriage, Changshengs pupils lit up like black grapes, she stretched her two fair, plump arms out which were like a pair of lotuses. Alright, Father is carrying Changsheng, is this position comfortable? Dont jump around, Father has a set of old bones that cannot withstand such torture. Feng Jin smiled as he carried Changsheng, that young child sat on his thigh and jumped around. She was pleased playing by herself. He played with her for a while till his whole back was sweating. His precious daughter was still full of energy while he moaned insufferably. Wei Jingxian sensed his distress, so she took the initiative to carry the mischievous Changsheng. You are spoiling Changsheng by allowing her to sit and stand in such an unsightly manner. When we reach Shangyang county and meet my parents-in-law, if she behaves in an undisciplined manner before the two elders, it will be disastrous. Feng Jin smiled as he replied, Changsheng is apt at complimenting others, she knows best how to bring joy to others. Father and mother are sure to dote on her, why would they dislike her? Moreover, she is already one-and-a-half-years old and they have yet to see her. Even if Changsheng is cheekier than this, they will not be infuriated. Based on the term alternate generations share a close bond, the elders in the older generation enjoy listening to the younger generations. They love those who articulate well, are full of energy and those who are polite ones. Moreover, Changsheng is the only granddaughter in the third generation of legitimate children. Since she has a special status, his parents have no reason not to dote on her. Exactly, Changshengs mouth is the sweetest C She didnt understand what her parents said, but she understood her name, then she learnt innocently while she held a piece of sweet cake with both hands. Feng Jin raised his brows at Wei Jingxian, his expression conveyed the message, didnt I tell you so? She pursed her lips and smiled faintly. The distance between Fengyi and Shangyang counties was quite far. Along the way, there were refugees who were covered in rags and lived in extreme poverty. As they went further from the vicinity of Fengyi county, the lives of the people appeared increasingly poverty-stricken, desolated scenes were a frequent sight. Half a year has passed since the earthquake in Shangjing, but the lives of the people had not improved. Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group were still wreaking havoc in the north, the people either chose to join them in their vices or be robbed mercilessly by them. The spring and autumn harvest could not proceed normally, many of the villages lay in waste. The fields were full of weeds, and it looked desolate and lifeless. Feng Jin chose to travel along the main road and avoided staying overnight at such places. Being a young man, he radiates with warm energy, but Changsheng is still young and she must not be exposed to the cold wind. Under the protection of the elite troops, Feng Jin and his wife embarked on the long-awaited trip to Shangyang county. As instituted by the Feng family, the city walls in Shangyang county were built tall but to prevent committing offence against Shangjing, the height of the walls is slightly shorter than Shangjings. Despite the city walls being tall and sturdy, after the Shangjing earthquake and multiple wars, there were traces left on the walls that cannot be erased. After spending an excessive amount of time to prove his identity, only then could Feng Jin, his wife and servants enter the city. However, if the hundreds of troops wish to be granted entry, they must surrender their weapons. With regards to this, Feng Jin could only carry Changsheng and wait for the head servant of the Feng family to mediate. Initially, he thought once his parents received news, theyd just send the head servant over, but he never imagined itd be his elder brother. Feng Gui, the eldest legitimate son of the Fengs is twenty-five years old. Elder brother! A youth with elegant and graceful airs saw Feng Jin who carried a child, he almost couldnt recognize his second brother. Huaiyu, you are finally home. Feng Guis heart was filled with emotions, his footsteps were faster than normal, but he did not appear in disarray. Wei Jingxian took the initiative to carry Changsheng, she didnt want her to disturb the reunion between the brothers. After they exchanged greetings, she then allowed Changsheng to greet Feng Gui. He had received news beforehand that Feng Jin had brought his wife and daughter home to pay a visit. When he saw her, a plump, fair and bright child, his liking for her soared to the skies. Is this my niece? She looks just like my younger sister-in-law. She taught Changsheng to greet Feng Gui as Elder uncle and Changsheng was very obedient. Her articulation was clear as she greeted him respectfully and then she raised her hands wanting to be carried. Used to seeing shy and bashful children like his two sons, Feng Gui has never seen such an affectionate child so unafraid of strangers, so he immediately stretched out his hands to carry her. Changsheng was very encouraging, she kissed her elder uncles face twice in front of everyone, leaving behind a wet mark. Witnessing this, Feng Jin didnt appear pleased. He was startled at first, then afterwards, he shortly revealed a gentle, relaxed smile then said, Huaiyus daughter is unafraid of people, she is bright and intelligent. This is not the place to catch up. Huaiyu, hurry to bring my sister-in-law and my niece into the city. Father and mother are waiting for you. He glanced hesitantly at the soldiers behind. Feng Gui understood his intentions and ordered someone to inform the guards on duty at the city gates. After they entered the city, his eyes were rather somber. Compared to the exterior of Shangyang county, the living standards within the city appeared more peaceful. Yet when he recalled the prosperous sight of his memory, let alone the diminished population, the infrastructures in the city also exuded a bleak and dispiriting sight, many of them had been patched up and they looked rather dilapidated. After last years earthquake, was the household alright? Feng Jin asked concerned. While carrying his rather heavy niece, Feng Gui answered, The family is safe and well, but the people of Shangyang county are sufferingSigh, the Red Lotus group and Tsing Yi army, these two tyrant armies are wreaking havoc, the county chief led troops against these unruly mobs but the result was minimal Changshengs pair of eyes were brightly lit, they appeared like black grapes, her attention was focused on Feng Guis beard, she raised her hands to grab it. Feng Gui: Feng Jin could only apologize profusely on behalf of his daughter. If not for Changsheng who created a scene, he would have grown a beard long ago. It is not an issue, its so rare to find such an energetic child. At least shes better than those two boys at home who are always so introverted and bashful like a young lady. Your sister-in-law is strict with her children and restricts them in many ways till they are so rigid Feng Gui had helped to guard the city for the past 2 years, so he was often away from home. Both his sons attended the induction at the tribal school, all the rest of their time was spent under his wifes care. Sensing something wrong, he asked, Elder brother, whats going on with you and Elder sister-in-law Disharmony in the house? Nothing much, Feng Gui replied plainly, then spoke again to Feng Jin, Dont mind her temperIf she causes younger sister-in-law any grievances, dont condone her actions. Oh right, HuaiyuAt todays family dinner, lets just discuss family matters Feng Jins heart was apprehensive then he smiled superficially. Brother, of course, it must be so. Chapter 591 - Convincing The Feng Family (II) Chapter 591: Convincing The Feng Family (II) Feng Jin wasnt well-respected at home. His elder brother was the rightful heir of the clan while his younger brother was well-loved by all. His father was busy with work and his mother was occupied with overseeing the household. Being the middle child, he was often ignored. Luckily, Feng Gui was a dependable brother and the relationship between the brothers was relatively positive. Hed left the house many years ago, originally thinking of using the opportunity to call them out. Unexpectedly, Feng Guis words made him hold his tongue. Only family matters would be discussed, work was to be excluded. This caused Feng Jin to involuntarily swallow back the words that hed wanted to say. Changsheng was only a young child, unaware of the hidden thoughts that flowed within her father and her elder uncle. She cheekily grabbed Feng Guis beard and refused to let go. Feng Gui was mature and adept at preserving the accomplishments of previous generations, but he was not stingy with his family members. With one hand, he supported Changshengs knees and let her sit on his shoulders. With his other hand, he held her shoulders to prevent her from falling and hurting herself. Both his hands were holding her tightly. Naturally, he was helpless and could only watch as this child played with his newly grown beard. This childs grasp is rather strong Feng Gui thought about his own two sons, then he looked towards Changsheng with envious eyes. A migraine filled his head. This naughty child it was fine if she bullied him, her father, but how was it that she could also climb over her elder uncles head? Father! Feng Jin felt a hint of anger just then, but as soon as his daughter called him Father so endearingly, all his fury dissipated. Feng Gui led Feng Jin and his family members back to the Feng familys main apartment. The Feng family has been around for close to a thousand years. Those with the surname Feng in Shangyang county, if they were to flip through their family lineage, would find that their ancestors were likely to have blood relations with this Feng family. Such a renowned and upright family had ancestors that were rather righteous, unlike those whod gained riches overnight and adorned themselves in splendor. Unlike them, the Feng family kept a low profile. During the earthquake last year, the Feng familys ancestral manor had sustained some damage, but the house was still sturdy. The wood used to build their house was renowned for not decomposing even after ten thousand years. An earthquake was able to reduce Shangjing city to rubble, but only a few old houses that were seldom used had collapsed at the Feng familys ancestral manor. Only a few people were hurt. Father? Changsheng huddled in her elder uncles bosom. Her bright and inquisitive eyes surveyed her surroundings. The foreign and solemn, silent buildings made her feel uneasy. She desperately wished to see a familiar face, and when she saw that Feng Jin was near her, she rested her lower chin on Feng Guis shoulder as she looked at her father directly. When you see your grandparents later, remember to obediently greet them. You must not be rude or be mischievous, do you understand? Grandfather and grandmother? Changsheng turned her head in confusion. Feng Jin sighed as he felt regret in his heart. When he was her age, hed already undergone strict etiquette lessons conducted by his nanny and servants so that he would not misbehave or be rude. Amongst the aristocratic families, even a one- or two-year-old child must have manners and be able to behave themselves. Age was not considered immunity against making mistakes or being mischievous. Except for Changsheng Before she was born, shed followed her parents to Shangjing. When she was about to be delivered, shed met with an earthquake. After a long period of drifting around in a sorry plight, theyd settled down in the Xiangyang district. Hed doted on his precious daughter dearly and even spoilt her somewhat, happy for her to just be alive. She should have been taught etiquette from a young age, but he still hadnt taught her any. Now that was so last minute, he didnt know if itd be useful. Feng Jins heart was uneasy. He feared that, at the critical point, Changsheng would not cooperate. What he didnt know was that, although Changsheng was still young, her ability to lean towards a favorable situation and escape from harm was already top-notch. Hearing Jiang Pengjis words, the young girl was endowed with the ability to make the right judgments innately. It was almost frightening. For example, other children feared Jiang Pengji, but Changsheng was especially close to her. When she came over to the government office to play and she accidentally created trouble while Jiang Pengji was around, what was the little girls first reaction? Invariably, shed rush towards her and hug her legs to hide from Feng Jin. If Jiang Pengji wasnt around, Changsheng would go and hug other peoples legs and hide behind them as fast as possible. With such an astute daughter, why fear that shed not know how to respond appropriately to the situation? News spread that Feng Jin had returned, so the Feng familys ancestral manor was bustling with activities. Such a lively atmosphere was indicative of numerous people being around. The maidservants came and went, but these ladies in waiting did not make any sound as they walked around. Feng Jin entered the main hall. His parents, whom he hasnt seen in years, were seated in the place of honor. Together with his wife, Wei Jingxian, they paid their respects to his parents. Changsheng stared down at her feet, wanting to be lowered. Feng Gui smiled and let her down. She mimicked Feng Jins actions closely. However, her clothes were thick and her head to body ratio was in 3 parts, so it was difficult for her to find her balance. Just as she knelt to pay her respects, she fell forward. This caused her to roll two times. It was so painful that her eyes reddened. Her original expression had been solemn yet gentle, but this quickly took a huge turn. Feng Ren couldnt maintain his disposition as an elder. Madam Feng directly ordered her old servant to carry Changsheng over to her. Madam Feng was filled with emotions. Huaiyu and Jingxians child is already so grown up Back then when theyd chosen Feng Jin and his wife to be hostages at Shangjing, shed been very unwilling, deep down in her heart. When shed heard half-way through the journey that Wei Jingxian was pregnant, her weary heart became even more unsettled. Then thered been the earthquake in Shangjing which few people had survived. Madam Feng had cried uncontrollably and almost lost her sight over that. He commented, Mother, Changsheng, this child is rather playful. I hope she has not been disrespectful to you. Madam Feng carried Changsheng over, the child obediently resting in her bosom and being extremely well-behaved. This child is mischievous, but at least it shows that she has a strong constitution, Madam Feng said without lifting her head. She entertained Changsheng for a moment and then continued. Do you know how to greet me? Changsheng articulated well but with a hint of doubt. Grandfather? There was no one around to consult, and Changsheng could not differentiate the two. Feng Jin dared not to lift his head. Madam Feng could not help but laugh. She pointed to Feng Ren who was by her side. This is Grandfather. Changsheng quick-wittedly switched her words immediately as she greeted her. Grandmother! Ai! Changsheng is so clever. Madam Feng took off the prayer beads that she had worn for many years and placed them on Changsheng. A deep and genuine smile broke across her face. Witnessing this action, Feng Jin was relieved in his heart. Theyve crossed the first hurdle. Wei Jingxian knew the importance of those prayer beads to her mother-in-law. She too was exceedingly pleased in her heart. There was one person who was not pleased. Her eyes were filled with maliciousness. Her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves, were clenched so tightly that she left imprints from her fingernails on her palms. Feng Guis eyes turned cold and he secretly signaled to his wife so that shed be sober. When his wife detected the stern glare from her husband, she cowered in fear and lowered her head. Then she twirled her finger around a handkerchief. Sensing the rather menacing look, he turned to have a look and frowned. Was that his elder sister-in-law? Just now Elder Sister-in-Law In the past, hed tolerate it for the sake of his elder brother, but now she was flaring up at Changsheng over some prayer beads. That, he couldnt accept. Madam Fengs face was overcome with an embarrassed look. Then she spoke softly, Its our familys misfortune. Feng Jin was flabbergasted. What exactly had occurred in the past two years that had caused his mother to be so annoyed with his nearly perfect elder sister-in-law? Intuitively, he felt that it wouldnt be easy to convince his family of anything. Chapter 592 - Convincing The Feng Family (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio For the greater good of the clans harmony, Feng Jin and Feng Jue have undergone rigorous training since young. They were constantly reminded of this C their elder brother is the heir who will inherit the clan, no matter how outstanding his younger brothers are, they must not covet what doesnt belong to them. No matter which family, it is a great taboo amongst brothers to have disputes. Rather than giving each child the hope of vying with one another, let them know their disparity from the start. Therefore, unless its a unique situation, Feng Jin and Feng Jue will rarely challenge Feng Gui over anything. The difference between the three brothers can be seen from many areas, for example, their marriages and wives. Feng Guis wife was carefully chosen based on many criteria, it wasnt limited to women from Dongqing, the complexity and meticulous extent is unparalleled that even the Emperors marriage wasnt so detailed. Primarily, it examined the family background of the lady, her education, mannerisms, character, beauty. It required painstaking considerations of every aspect. For this reason, Feng Gui only got married at twenty-one years old. How about Feng Jins wife Wei Jingxians background? Born from a scholarly family in Hejian, her family is middle class, she has wits, beauty and has a good temperament. Her only two flaws are that she entered a bandit den before yet came out unscathed, and secondly, she once had a marriage agreement with Liu Xi but she eventually broke the agreement. There are many who are worthier than Wei Jingxian in Dongqing. If not for Liu She, the matchmaker, based on Wei Jingxians family status, she will never be able to become the Second Madam of the Feng family. Feng Jin has no intentions to vie with Feng Gui, Wei Jingxian also lacks in every way and shes unable to rise as the matriarch of the Feng family. Honestly, its impossible for both husband and wife to compete over benefits with Feng Gui and his wife. Feng Jin seriously couldnt comprehend, why did his elder sister-in-law have to look at Changsheng with such malicious intent and she didnt have any intention to hide it? As a man, it was unbecoming of Feng Jin to eavesdrop on gossips about his elder sister-in-law. He could only depend on his wife to find out more information. What a joke, a matriarch who harbored ill-intentions against Changsheng, how can Feng Jin be rest assured? Wei Jingxian accompanied her mother-in-law to the back hall to rest, while Feng Jin and Feng Ren stayed at the main hall to converse. Both father and son havent met for years and there was much to discuss. Wei Jingxian was entertaining Changsheng as she conversed with her mother-in-law about the affairs of the family. Both had an amicable chat while between them there was the cheeky Changsheng, the atmosphere was rather harmonious till Feng Jins elder sister-in-law came with her two sons to greet Madam Feng. Immediately, the atmosphere became tense. In contrast to Feng Guis polite and magnanimous disposition, both his sons are rather slow-witted and blur. They seemed rather reserved and they appeared nervous. She met this elder sister-in-law twice or thrice before, although she didnt know her well, but after hearing about her background, it is rather strange. Madam Feng who was smiling joyfully a while back, when faced with her elder daughter-in-law who fawns on her on purpose, her entire being maintained a cold, fake smile throughout, the atmosphere was rather awkward. Feng Guis wife was unhappy, she quickly retorted then swayed her body and left with her two sons. The person who caused the awkward atmosphere was finally gone; Wei Jingxian secretly heaved a sigh of relief. Suddenly, an intriguing thought filled her mind, she was lost as her eyes widened. Swaying her body gently? 1Naturally, the daughters of aristocratic families undergo strict education, their mannerisms when sitting or walking are governed by rules. One must not be impolite in words and action, although this isnt strictly enforced, it shouldnt be this frivolous? Watching her elder sister-in-law swaying her hips, Wei Jingxians expression was rather appalled. Madam Feng sighed, then spoke softly, Finally, shes left. Mother, in the past, elder sister-in-law wasnt like this. Madam Feng commented, How long have you been away, how often have you seen her? Wei Jingxian thought her mother-in-law was displeased with her being a busybody, thus she swallowed back her words. Then Madam Feng continued, Even I thought she was good, yet she turned out to be such a Anyway, Jingxian, you must not learn from her. She replied earnestly, Mother, I will remember that. Madam Feng started an engaging topic, she told her about the events that unfolded in the family over the years in a long-winded manner which caused Wei Jingxians facial expression turned unsightly. After a while Elder brother-in-law just bore with it? She asked. Madam Feng frowned, What can I do if I cannot tolerate this? After all, they were officially wedded, and he cant divorce her for this reason. I was deliberating to try teaching her the ways Sigh, I wonder how the Du family taught their daughters, they are so petty and yet they dare boast as daughters from a wealthy family. Feng Guis wife, Madam Feng-Du is from the large and respectable Du family in Zhongzhao. She is the fifth in the family and her eldest sister is Zhongzhaos Empress. Madam Feng chose from a multitude of women before she set her eyes on the fifth daughter of the Du family. The distance between Zhongzhao and Dongqing was too far, Madam Feng couldnt see her future daughter-in-law in person, but sources and replies that came from everywhere affirmed the union between the Feng and Du families in terms of family background, education, looks, manners and character. there was nothing unsatisfactory in all aspects. From the time both families set the wedding date till the wedding day itself, it took close to two years. Madam Feng had high hopes for her eldest daughter-in-law, but she was utterly disappointed in the end. Greed, jealousy, power-hungry, loquacious tongue, a devious heart! Besides these, what was the most unbearable for Madam Feng was that she was plagued with a terrible disease! Feng Jin returned to his apartment before marriage and stayed there, his wife carried Changsheng and walked over with servants escorting them. Both husband and wife were speaking privately in their room. After Feng Jin heard the entire conversation, he had a broken expression. Elder sister-in-law has a chronic disease? How can this be? It was impossible to be shortlisted in his mothers list of noble ladies if one has a chronic disease. Wei Jingxian rolled her eyes unkindly, then said, Didnt you observe the way elder sister-in-law walked, which appeared rather frivolous? He bit her ear lobe, then righteously and justifiably said, Jingxian, youve called her elder sister-in-law, how can I, her second brother-in-law, look at her with lust. Be serious! Wei Jingxian felt very uncomfortable, she carried Changsheng and sat further away, Mother said elder sister-in-law broke her leg. Feng Jin knitted his brows, Since she was born? How can this be, it happened after she was born. After she was born? Were her house servants so careless? When he was young, he fell and broke his tooth, the maidservant who served him was disciplined harshly. Wei Jingxian sighed, she held on the small braid on Changshengs hair, It happened after she was born. However, it wasnt an accident rather it was caused by someone. He cringed; someone caused her feet to fracture? Elder sister in law was born in Zhongzhaos noble family, the Du family. She has an elder sister who is the Empress of Zhongzhao. Feng Jin remarked, I am aware of this matter. Wei Jingxian emphasized this point displeased, When the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women was written to educate the women in the world, shes the one who claimed to be the model woman. Hearing the words, the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women, Feng Jin immediately became alert. This, this is indeed so coincidental Feng Jin commented embarrassedly. She said, In previous years, the Du family were on a decline, they depended on the Empress to sustain her maiden family. She wrote the Four Self-accomplishment Classics for Women and won the respect of the renowned scholars. Eventually, she gained the title as a model for all women and thus, the Du familys reputation increased in Zhongzhao. With the Empress as the standard, the first lady of the Du family educated the women in her clan. Make a guess this Empress has a habit of binding her feet before the sole of her foot grew as big as her palm, it was utterly beautiful Feng Jins face reddened, Didnt you just mention that I, your husband, wasnt being serious, why are you saying such foolish words? Wei Jingxian scoffed saying, A defiled person is blinded by his corrupted mind, do you dare claim you never once thought of what you ought not to? When our elder sister-in-law was 15 to 16 years old, she hailed from a renowned family, her legs were also now that its inconvenient for her to walk, her temperament has turned melancholic and dark These words werent coined by Wei Jingxian, they were words spoken by her mother-in-law. Chapter 593 - Convincing the Feng Family (IV) 1 Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio From the first generation of the Feng family to the present one spanned a history of thousands of years. They lived through various dynasties and have seen enough of a countrys rise and fall. The Xia dynasty who once reigned over the nine prefectures in the central plains werent spectacular. Let alone Dongqing which rose up after the downfall of the great Xia dynasty. They affirmed the legitimism of the Xia dynasty because the country was powerful, it could command the allegiance of countless countries while comparatively, what is Dongqing? When Feng Jin heard Madam Feng-Du speak with confidence, he was filled with an inexplicable awkwardness. Such a woman with shallow foresight, is she truly capable of being the matriarch of the Feng family? Madam Feng-Du complained, dissatisfied. I have also investigated the Liu family from Hejian, they are but inferior, small aristocratic scholars, how are they deserving of Second brothers condescension and humble service? Moreover, Liu Xi is but a sixteen to seventeen-year-old youth, an imprudent youngster while comparatively, it may be more meaningful to serve Liu She instead? As a woman, I do not understand the second brothers ambitions, but after careful deliberation, you should consider the young and old in your family before embarking on this mission. Langjun is implicated by Second and Third brother that he is cooped at home without any freedom Rather than let outsiders take advantage, why not ones own family? Feng Gui stared at her coldly, his eyes sent a solemn message of warning. Shut up! I observed that youve drunk too much wine, your mind is not clear-headed, thus explains the rubbish you speak. Filled with shock, she cowered her lower shoulders in fear. She has been married to Feng Gui for four years, whence has he ever been so fierce to her? Nonetheless, she was also not wrong. If not for Feng Jin and Feng Jue who disregarded the standpoint of their clan and made their willful choices, she and her husband, Feng Gui will not be subjected to be besieged in this small, Shangyang county. Feng Gui was unable to pursue noble ambitions and for that, Madam Feng-Du blamed it on Feng Jin and his brother. Its always been the younger brother to follow his elder brothers direction, when has it occurred when an elder brother is controlled by his younger brother? The veins on Feng Guis forehead became visible, his breathing got faster, filled with deep regrets, he shouldnt have let her come for this family dinner. Let alone how foolish her smart-aleck words were, solely based on her criticism just now, she could well have sown discord between their brotherly relationship. Luckily, Feng Jin isnt a sensitive person, he didnt mind Madam Feng-Dus criticism and intentions to sow discord. Feng Jin and Feng Jue arent the heirs who will inherit the clan. Although they are legitimate sons, the education Feng Gui received has some disparity with theirs. The choice they make may influence the standpoint of the clan, but it is not representative of the Feng family. Both have a big difference. Feng Jin chose to serve Jiang Pengji. Firstly, his family was indebted to her for saving their lives, moreover, they are close buddies. Secondly, back then when the earthquake just ended, there were many mobs of refugees and Wei Jingxian just gave birth, what could Feng Jin do? Head to Chenzhou, escape for their lives or follow Jiang Pengji? Return to Chenzhou and continue as a hostage? Look at Prince Changshou has attacked Chenzhou for more than a year. Wars broke out everywhere, is that a good choice? He fled for his life with his wife and daughter, then took the opportunity to rush back to Shangyang county, to return to the Feng family. The distance from Shangjing to Shangyang was rather far, there were many violent mobs, as a man skilled in literacy with a wife who just delivered and a new-born daughter, it would be impressive if they could go ten miles away from Shangjing, let alone return back to the Feng family. Under such circumstances, he made the best choice for his family. As for Feng Jue? That willful child is often rebellious and although hell never betray his family, one cannot expect him to make sacrifices for the Feng family either. Now that the worlds affairs are shroud in uncertainty, if Feng Gui were to choose a side hastily, hell drag the entire Feng family down and risk their lives alright? Feng Guis choice will be representative of the Feng family! Regarding this, Feng Ren and Feng Gui have evaluated the pros and cons and they already have an answer in their hearts. The Feng family approached the issue considering the benefits for their clan, as Jiang Pengjis representative, Feng Jin also must protect her interest. Rather than term it as a discussion between the father and his three sons, it was more apt to term it as a session to outwit one another in every way. Feng Ren and Feng Gui approved of Jiang Pengji taking over Shangyang county, but its not because the Feng family held her in high regards, rather its because it was a win-win situation for both. Both the Feng familys private troops and those local guards that belongs to Shangyang county have safeguarded the county for more than a year. Theyve lost many human and material resources. If Jiang Pengji takes over Shangyang county, this will become her responsibility. The Feng family can take the opportunity to wash their hands off this. This is the first reason. Secondly, the Feng family was unlike the Meng family who possessed military might, theyve consistently taken the path of righteousness. In chaotic times, they are at the losing end because to safeguard the clan, it is essential to depend on power. Just look at the situation in the North, Jiang Pengji has developed the area well, moreover, with Feng Jin helping in the background, it appears as a good choice. Nevertheless, although the Fengs agreed to relinquish power over Shangyang county, such a vast land is not given for free. In response to his fathers and brothers conditions, he laughed bitterly in his heart as he braced himself to respond to them. Although they are biological father and son, they held different viewpoints and its important that they make known their differences. He gained a deep understanding of what this meant blood brothers make bold demands of each other. The Feng familys conditions arent many, most importantly, their clans freedom must not be disturbed. If Shangyang county becomes Jiang Pengjis territory, which is where the Feng familys foundations are, but this doesnt mean they are standing on her side. This matter may not seem major, but Feng Jin felt nervous. Behind him, theres a clan who could switch allegiance at any time, as he considered the lords temperament, can she easily accept it? He smiled bitterly. He had no authority to agree on Jiang Pengjis behalf, he could only set it aside temporarily and await her decision. As for his small request, Feng Jin could give a reply on the spot. Although they tried to outwit each other, the atmosphere between the father and sons was rather amicable. Now that the imperial family is heading to its downfall, starvation abound across the lands, while the wars between Tsing Yi army and the Red Lotus group are pressing to the north, the officials and eunuchs are vying for power, externals powers influence the courts and both are fighting heads on unrelentingly. Externally, Prince Changshou is watching closely pressing on towards achieving his selfish ambitions, his elite troops surrounded Chenzhou and he desires for the throne. The people are facing extreme turmoil, cunning men are rising in all directions, it is inevitable for all the powers wielded by the marquises to be divided. Father knows your temperament, you must have your reasons for choosing Liu Xi, but has it ever crossed your mind that Liu She is still at his prime and moreover, he also has an illegitimate child? Despite all the foolish words that came from Madam Feng-Dus mouth, she said one sentence well. Liu Xi is a youth around sixteen to seventeen years old, but Liu Shes name is already known throughout Dongqing. As the most esteemed in Chongzhou Liu She may not have the ambition for the throne yet but who can guarantee if he wont change in the future? If Feng Ren didnt mention, Feng Jin almost forgot Liu Xi had an illegitimate brother. His expression was rather solemn. Feng Gui remarked, Hes only a mere illegitimate son, how is he compared with the legitimate son? Even if magistrate Liu and Liu Xi quarrel, but after all their disputes, eventually the inheritance will still be given to Liu Xi. Not unless he decides to leave his inheritance to an illegitimate rather than his rightful heir? Feng Guis words are correct, but Liu Xi isnt the legitimate son but daughter! Who dares guarantee that Liu She will not vie for the throne with Liu Xi? If the latter wins, it is the best scenario but if she loses, will they not pass their family business to their sons instead of daughter to carry on the family? It seems like he must return and discuss with his lord on how to deal with this illegitimate brother! Chapter 594 - Convincing the Feng Family (V) Wa wawa The father and his three sons were amid their discussions when Feng Jin heard Changshengs high-pitched cries from outside. Immediately, he couldnt sit still. Why is Changsheng in tears His face turned deathly pale, then stumbled as he rose from his seat. Upon seeing this, Feng Ren sighed helplessly. He is indeed worthy of his calling as a father, finally he understands the challenges of parenthood. Afterwards, Feng Ren and Feng Gui rose up, they went forward to see what the commotion was. They thought a childs cries were normal, but unbeknownst to them, this child, Changsheng, has a proud temperament. Even if she cries, she wouldnt bawl. At most, her eyes will be filled with tears as she cries grievingly. Yet, she can easily maintain not moving about; the more stubborn pride she shows, the more it makes ones heart break for her. Because he understood this, Feng Jin was very anxious. Since Changsheng was born, never mind bawl and cry hysterically, even the times she cried when she had grievances were few. Quickly, he rushed over only to see Changsheng squatting on the floor, she had curled up like a ball, the servants around tried to go forward and carry her but she used her hands to push them away. Changsheng Changsheng Feng Jin stepped forward and hugged Changsheng, she heard a familiar voice and cried even harder. Father cries I am in so much pain Changsheng cried miserably, she kept raising her hands to hug his neck. She cried till her whole face was covered in tears. Her tears were salty, they flowed into her wounds and the pain was excruciating. He saw the red marks from her fingernails left on her face, anger surged through him and caused his entire being to tremble. The servants around cowered in fear and knelt, Feng Jin controlled his anger and prevented himself from doing anything impulsive. How did the young ladys face become like this? What are you doing here, quickly get a doctor over! If the young ladys face is scarred, who is going to take responsibility? Someone went to invite the doctor to the Feng manor, the rest of the servants knelt and shivered in fear. Feng Ren and Feng Gui rushed over, they initially thought it was a small matter. Then they saw the marks on Changshengs face and their faces immediately became solemn. What happened? Who caused the little girls face to be hurt? Feng Ren is usually introverted, but now he appeared dreadful and solemn, the maidservants trembled as they spoke. Both Langjuns were playing with the young lady. As they played, she was accidentally hurt by the young Langjun who scratched her with his fingernails. The young lady cried looking for Second Langjun. Having heard that the hurt inflicted on Changsheng was related to his two sons, Feng Gui was so furious he almost couldnt speak. Second brother, I will surely uphold justice for you regarding this incident. Those two insolent b**tards. If he claimed his children to be young and ignorant, as they often played and inevitably will get hurt, this could be a valid explanation. However, the appearance of a long wound inflicted by ones fingernails which appeared on her face and was still bleeding, this was serious. Feng Gui didnt only need to discipline his two young sons. He also needed to reprimand and discipline his servants. Elder brother! Feng Jin cut off Feng Guis words, he repressed his rage then said, Lets investigate this matter before concluding what happened. Changsheng has been spoilt by me, she is often very mischievous and her temperament is willful and stubborn, perhaps Changsheng was the one who bullied my two nephews instead. Keke, Feng Jins words were too polite as he tried to preserve Feng Guis dignity, itd be a joke if he were unforgiving. Both Feng Guis sons are three years old and almost two years old whereas Changsheng just passed one-and-a-half-years old. Isnt it obvious whos the bully? Changsheng cries were so wrongful, she tapped Feng Jins shoulders and cried as she looked at her legs and aired her grievances. I didnt bully them they caught meits so painful it hurts Feng Jin comforted his daughter by caressing her head while they awaited the doctors arrival. Luckily, the childs skin is tender, and the wound isnt deep. Applying some external medication will do. Nonetheless, precisely because a childs wounds heal faster, the healing process is itchier. The maidservants must be careful not to let Changsheng scratch it. Wei Jingxian, who was in the backyard, heard the news, and she walked over quickly then she saw the bleeding wound on Changshengs face and almost lost her footing. Presently, how the entire incident took place was evident. Changshengs face was indeed scratched by the two children. With a fearsome face, Feng Gui examined both his sons fingernails, his anger was so unquenchable that he couldnt speak. Since she holds the matriarch status, no matter how displeased Feng Gui was with her, he still had to show respect and honor her. If her two sons were taken away from her, it is no different to a slap across her face. It was still acceptable in previous years, although Madam Feng-Dus performance wasnt exceptional but it was still considered acceptable. She was conscientious in learning from mother how to manage the clan. But when her second son was born, her temperament became increasingly melancholic, she unveiled her true self and was constantly suspicious. Moreover, she was even jealous of her personal handmaid who was married and whom she already sent out, she ordered her to be slapped for no reason. Having borne two sons to continue the familys line, she abused her powers and became unreasonable. Things have gotten worse now; she is deeply entrenched in her demonic ways. Shes even unconcerned about the lives of her sons. FatherFather They lowered their heads in repentance, it seemed they too understood the severity of their actions. Without waiting for Feng Gui to speak, Madam Feng-Du took her two children, one by the hand and the other on her shoulder, and brought them behind her. Seeing her impulsive actions, Feng Gui tolerated it, but his eyes were burning with menace. She looked offended as she stared at Changsheng who was held in Feng Jins arms. Without waiting for Wei Jingxian to speak, Madam Feng-Du hurriedly claimed innocence and said, Sister-in-law may be born from a small clan, but you hail from an aristocratic family. During your early years of education, did your elders not teach you to support your husband and teach your child? Look at your wretched child, she doesnt possess other qualities but her ability to tell on someone Slap. As if both things happened concurrently, when Feng Jin raised his hands to stop Feng Guis right hand from striking, Wei Jingxian already rushed forward to give her a tight slap. Witnessing this, Feng Jins heart was secretly filled with helplessness. Chapter 595 - Convincing the Feng Family (VI) 1 Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Wa wawa The father and his three sons were amid their discussions when Feng Jin heard Changshengs high-pitched cries from outside. Immediately, he couldnt sit still. Why is Changsheng in tears His face turned deathly pale, then stumbled as he rose from his seat. Upon seeing this, Feng Ren sighed helplessly. He is indeed worthy of his calling as a father, finally he understands the challenges of parenthood. Afterwards, Feng Ren and Feng Gui rose up, they went forward to see what the commotion was. They thought a childs cries were normal, but unbeknownst to them, this child, Changsheng, has a proud temperament. Even if she cries, she wouldnt bawl. At most, her eyes will be filled with tears as she cries grievingly. Yet, she can easily maintain not moving about; the more stubborn pride she shows, the more it makes ones heart break for her. Because he understood this, Feng Jin was very anxious. Since Changsheng was born, never mind bawl and cry hysterically, even the times she cried when she had grievances were few. Quickly, he rushed over only to see Changsheng squatting on the floor, she had curled up like a ball, the servants around tried to go forward and carry her but she used her hands to push them away. Changsheng Changsheng Feng Jin stepped forward and hugged Changsheng, she heard a familiar voice and cried even harder. Father cries I am in so much pain Changsheng cried miserably, she kept raising her hands to hug his neck. She cried till her whole face was covered in tears. Her tears were salty, they flowed into her wounds and the pain was excruciating. He saw the red marks from her fingernails left on her face, anger surged through him and caused his entire being to tremble. The servants around cowered in fear and knelt, Feng Jin controlled his anger and prevented himself from doing anything impulsive. How did the young ladys face become like this? What are you doing here, quickly get a doctor over! If the young ladys face is scarred, who is going to take responsibility? Someone went to invite the doctor to the Feng manor, the rest of the servants knelt and shivered in fear. Feng Ren and Feng Gui rushed over, they initially thought it was a small matter. Then they saw the marks on Changshengs face and their faces immediately became solemn. What happened? Who caused the little girls face to be hurt? Feng Ren is usually introverted, but now he appeared dreadful and solemn, the maidservants trembled as they spoke. Both Langjuns were playing with the young lady. As they played, she was accidentally hurt by the young Langjun who scratched her with his fingernails. The young lady cried looking for Second Langjun. Having heard that the hurt inflicted on Changsheng was related to his two sons, Feng Gui was so furious he almost couldnt speak. Second brother, I will surely uphold justice for you regarding this incident. Those two insolent b**tards. If he claimed his children to be young and ignorant, as they often played and inevitably will get hurt, this could be a valid explanation. However, the appearance of a long wound inflicted by ones fingernails which appeared on her face and was still bleeding, this was serious. Feng Gui didnt only need to discipline his two young sons. He also needed to reprimand and discipline his servants. Elder brother! Feng Jin cut off Feng Guis words, he repressed his rage then said, Lets investigate this matter before concluding what happened. Changsheng has been spoilt by me, she is often very mischievous and her temperament is willful and stubborn, perhaps Changsheng was the one who bullied my two nephews instead. Keke, Feng Jins words were too polite as he tried to preserve Feng Guis dignity, itd be a joke if he were unforgiving. Both Feng Guis sons are three years old and almost two years old whereas Changsheng just passed one-and-a-half-years old. Isnt it obvious whos the bully? Changsheng cries were so wrongful, she tapped Feng Jins shoulders and cried as she looked at her legs and aired her grievances. I didnt bully them they caught meits so painful it hurts Feng Jin comforted his daughter by caressing her head while they awaited the doctors arrival. Luckily, the childs skin is tender, and the wound isnt deep. Applying some external medication will do. Nonetheless, precisely because a childs wounds heal faster, the healing process is itchier. The maidservants must be careful not to let Changsheng scratch it. Wei Jingxian, who was in the backyard, heard the news, and she walked over quickly then she saw the bleeding wound on Changshengs face and almost lost her footing. Presently, how the entire incident took place was evident. Changshengs face was indeed scratched by the two children. With a fearsome face, Feng Gui examined both his sons fingernails, his anger was so unquenchable that he couldnt speak. Since she holds the matriarch status, no matter how displeased Feng Gui was with her, he still had to show respect and honor her. If her two sons were taken away from her, it is no different to a slap across her face. It was still acceptable in previous years, although Madam Feng-Dus performance wasnt exceptional but it was still considered acceptable. She was conscientious in learning from mother how to manage the clan. But when her second son was born, her temperament became increasingly melancholic, she unveiled her true self and was constantly suspicious. Moreover, she was even jealous of her personal handmaid who was married and whom she already sent out, she ordered her to be slapped for no reason. Having borne two sons to continue the familys line, she abused her powers and became unreasonable. Things have gotten worse now; she is deeply entrenched in her demonic ways. Shes even unconcerned about the lives of her sons. FatherFather They lowered their heads in repentance, it seemed they too understood the severity of their actions. Without waiting for Feng Gui to speak, Madam Feng-Du took her two children, one by the hand and the other on her shoulder, and brought them behind her. Seeing her impulsive actions, Feng Gui tolerated it, but his eyes were burning with menace. She looked offended as she stared at Changsheng who was held in Feng Jins arms. Without waiting for Wei Jingxian to speak, Madam Feng-Du hurriedly claimed innocence and said, Sister-in-law may be born from a small clan, but you hail from an aristocratic family. During your early years of education, did your elders not teach you to support your husband and teach your child? Look at your wretched child, she doesnt possess other qualities but her ability to tell on someone Slap. As if both things happened concurrently, when Feng Jin raised his hands to stop Feng Guis right hand from striking, Wei Jingxian already rushed forward to give her a tight slap. Witnessing this, Feng Jins heart was secretly filled with helplessness. This Madam Feng-Du was also powerful, able to make Big Brothers twenty years of cultivation break down. He can stop Feng Gui, but he cant stop his own daughter-in-law. The slap that Jingxian had just delivered made Feng Jins face ache from watching it. What did you justsay? Madam Feng hurriedly arrived surrounded by her servants, just in time to hear the words of Madam Feng-Du. She shivered with anger. Such a poisonous woman can really be Madam Fengs matriarch? Shes chosen a woman like this? As the mother-in-law, she has put up with her other minor problems, which could be got rid of with years of careful training. But now? Its clearly rotten to the core. Matriarch not only needed a decent family, but the most important thing was her upbringing. But did she have it? When Feng Gui was stopped by Feng Jin, he held back the anger that was surging up and suppressed it. Send your First Lady back to her room, he said. Madam Feng-Dus mouth just brought out the usual spells of resentment. She felt remorse in her heart, but seeing Feng Guis attitude, she thought that he was trying to preserve herself, and her trembling heart slightly calmed down. When she was in her own room, her weak legs barely felt like they were on the ground. But she didnt notice that her two sons were not brought back together, but were carried to the back hall by a maid. The maid had their nails carefully trimmed, and checked their bodies for hidden injuries, and then she sent them to the main yard where Mr. and Mrs. Feng lived Feng Gui, despite her good temperament, had a limit of patience. His bottom line was clear, one was the clan, and the other was his family. Get pen and ink prepared. Feng Gui said, Huai Yu, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter. Chapter 596 - Convincing the Feng Family (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin realized that the situation was bad and was worried that Feng Gui was going to put away his wife with a writ of repudiation. Although he didnt really like this eldest sister-in-law of his, many of his eldest brothers family affairs would be affected if she was repudiated Feng Jin wouldnt care if Feng Gui repudiated his wife, but if it was because of the incident involving Changsheng, Feng Jin wouldnt be able to just stand aside and watch. Feng Gui saw how worried Feng Jin was. He sighed and said, Dont overthink it. It has nothing to do with Changsheng. After saying this, he asked Feng Ren and his wife for forgiveness. Madam Feng-Du was the lady of the household, so Feng Guis repudiation of her was not simply a matter between husband and wife. If anyone made a big thing out of it, it would be considered an important matter for the whole Feng family. Feng Gui had not yet become the patriarch of House Feng, so the incident could definitely cause Feng Ren some trouble. Lady Feng helped him up. You have suffered, Son. After all, its my fault for having chosen such an unreliable woman as a wife for you. Madam Feng-Du enjoyed a very good reputation in Zhongzhao and had come from a family with a strong background. It had been a safe assumption that she wouldnt be lacking in knowledge, upbringing, or morals. It was because of this assumption that Lady Feng had included her as one of the main candidates. After looking into it a few times, Madam Feng-Du had seemed like the best choice. But who could have known that the disparity of the national culture between Zhongzhao and Dongqing was so large that even the standards to which noblewomen were held to were so vastly different? Feng Gui quickly said, It is my fault for being an unfilial son. I failed to manage my own household affairs. Instead, I troubled you many times, Mother Now, its time for everything to come to an end. Feng Gui could put up with Madam Feng-Dus minor faults. She was just greedy for material goods and power, jealous, and petty, but those were nothing too serious. House Feng was wealthy. If she became the lady of the household, she would definitely be put in charge of the finances of House Feng. Feng Gui desired little in terms of carnal pleasure. He had never bedded any of his servants before marrying Madam Feng-Du, and he didnt keep any concubines after marrying her, so she could probably understand and appreciate that. As for pettiness It was fine as long as she did not let that trait affect important matters. He had given her several hints, some more obvious than the others, but she had always ignored them. Was it really that Feng Gui hadnt wanted to correct her? He tried a few times, but what could he do when the other party pretended to be blindly oblivious or made the same mistakes multiple times? Should he have directly embarrassed her and sternly pointed it out in front of outsiders? The husband and wife were one entity. Was there any difference between disrespecting and embarrassing your spouse and publicly slapping yourself? Feng Guis private words with her were useless. Asking his mother to guide her had likewise had no effect. On the contrary, the consideration and understanding he showed her seemed to have made her more and more arrogant. He didnt mind Madam Feng-Dus family background and her looks, but her conversational skills, upbringing, and knowledge needed to meet certain standards. If she couldnt even meet those requirements as the lady of the household, the next generation of House Feng would be in jeopardy! Feng Gui thought that, even if she could not be a good lady of the household, she could at least be a good mother. But what happened? Their sons fingernails hadnt been trimmed in a long time and were stained black underneath. One could see the whole picture in the small details. Feng Gui could even picture Madam Feng-Du cursing and neglecting their two young sons. He couldnt blame the servants, because how could a group of servants be expected to take care of their sons when even their birth mother didnt really care? She could not manage their subordinates or their children. She had really disappointed Feng Gui. He picked up a brush and wrote a writ of divorce instead of a writ of repudiation, hoping to somewhat preserve the reputations of both families. Feng Jins lips moved as he said a few things in an attempt to dissuade his eldest brother, but the elder had already made up his mind. Feng Jins efforts were useless. Changsheng was sensitive and realized that the atmosphere among the adults had changed. She sobbed softly as she nestled in Wei Jingxians lap, not daring to cry loudly. After the final stroke of his brush, the expression on Feng Guis face turned as dark as ink. Uncle? Without anyone realizing, Changsheng had left Wei Jingxians lap and run across the floor to Feng Gui. She lifted a hand and tugged at his sleeve with a guilty expression. Feng Gui sighed and stroked the little braid on Changshengs head. Regarding their children, Madam Feng-Du was at fault, but so was he. Their elder son was three years old and their younger son was two years old based on the East Asian age reckoning system. They were born to his lawful wife, Madam Feng-Du, and they were older than Changsheng, but they were not as strong or well-built as Changsheng. Changsheng, I apologize to you on your two cousins behalf. Can you stop being angry at them? Feng Gui said gently. They are older than you, but they have not fulfilled their responsibilities as elder brothers. I will punish them when I go back. When they understand their mistake, I will ask them to apologize to you. Changsheng nodded and made an mhmm sound as an acknowledgment. A dumb-looking smile appeared on her tear-streaked face. Seeing her reaction, Feng Jin became even more emotional. My younger sister-in-law is a good lady. She has taken care of her children and family very well. Feng Jin, on the other hand, was a bit worried. He was afraid that the incident would become a thorn separating them from each other. Madam Feng-Du waited in the room for a long time. Finally, Feng Gui returned under the dim moonlight. Lang Langjun Thinking about what had happened, Madam Feng-Du looked slightly guilty. Feng Gui said, Take a seat, lets talk. Feng Gui had been brought up to respect his wife. As long as nothing went horribly wrong, the husband and wife were supposed to be bound together for life. For the harmony of the family, sufficient communication was very important. When they were newly married, he would often take some time to find topics to discuss with Madam Feng-Du, trying to understand her better. As for what came out of it? Madam Feng-Du would kill the conversation off as soon as she opened her mouth. After encountering the same thing multiple times, Feng Gui, who had been unilaterally passionate about communicating with her, let it go. The couple only ever got along on a superficial level. Madam Feng-Du sat opposite him, uneasiness in her heart. She secretly observed Feng Guis expression while apologizing. Langjun, todays incident was indeed my fault Feng Gui said, Changsheng is at most one and a half years old. You are her aunt, and as an elder, you were unkind to a family member of the youngest generation. Am I wrong in saying that? Madam Feng-Dus face paled as if a layer of white paint had been painted over it. Before, she had always killed the conversations off. Now it was Feng Guis turn. Is is it not our sister-in-laws fault for not raising her daughter properly? Changsheng is young indeed, but it is necessary to educate her sternly because of that. With a cold face, Feng Gui said, By educate sternly, do you mean instigate our sons to bully her? Madam Feng-Dus eyes widened in surprise, looking as if something had frightened her. Feng Gui snickered, Walls have ears, including the walls of House Feng, where there are always many people around. As the lady of the household, you are not strict in managing your subordinates. Your servants confessed after barely any questioning. It has been more than four years, so why havent you improved your game even the slightest bit? Madam Feng-Du awkwardly said nothing, feeling scared and nervous. I, I Have I reprimanded you for when you slapped Cuiyun? Cuiyun, Feng Guis personal maid, had gotten married a year or two before. Because of her good looks, Madam Feng-Du, who was plain-looking, hated her out of jealousy. Madam Feng-Du had publicly slapped Cuiyun twenty times, almost killing her. At the mention of Cuiyun, Madam Feng-Du seemed to grow more confident. Langjun, you did not reprimand me, but you did tell me off. Surely your protectiveness over that whore is real Feng Gui responded, She was a maid who had taken care of me for ten years. Human hearts are made of flesh and not stone. Would you prefer me to be a cold and heartless person? She had already been married off, and even her partner in marriage was someone whom Feng Gui relied rather heavily upon for his services. There really was no reason for Madam Feng-Du to be jealous of the maid. Forget it Talking to her is really tiring, thought Feng Gui. As we talked, we still ended up killing the conversation off. Feng Gui took out a roll of bamboo slips from his sleeve. It had the smell of incense on it. Take it. Madam Feng-Du was momentarily stunned. Trembling, she took it, opened it, took a look, then fell directly onto the ground. The jewelry she wore on her hair spilled everywhere. Feng Gui said, Its a writ of divorce. Lets divorce peacefully, it would be better for both you and me. Chapter 597 - Convincing the Feng Family (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Madam Feng-Du appeared in a daze as she held the thin piece of paper. That tiny divorce letter honestly felt like a mountain weighing heavily on her. You, you are going to divorce me? Madam Feng-Du seemed to not have awoken from the setback she suffered. She pinched her arms uncontrollably. This mustve been a nightmare and wasnt real. How could Feng Gui write a divorce letter to his wife? Just because shed scolded Changsheng, a bastard? Feng Gui undetectably knitted his brows, then helplessly replied, It is an amicable split, not a divorce. Although you made some small mistakes, you committed no wrong in any serious aspects. I have no right to divorce you. Moreover, the attitude towards divorce among lower-class ladies in Zhongzhao is particularly strict Before he even finished speaking, Madam Feng-Dus high-pitched, shrill voice was heard. You knew it, too! Then why did you write a letter of divorce? Are you trying to drive me to my grave? Feng Huaizhang, how cruel must your heart be! I refuse to split! I am adamant about staying as husband and wife! You might as well give me a poison cup of wine thatll kill me. Feng Gui had seen a crazy woman before. Hed encountered many in the marketplace before. Yet he never imagined that such a deranged disposition could be exemplified by Madam Feng-Du. She was completely devoid of propriety. What was left was just a hysterical state of stubbornness. Do you know who you are? Feng Gui sighed as he spoke, the tone of his voice was calm, but every word was like a nail piercing Madam Feng-Dus heart. Youve held the matriarch role for four years, but do you actually know what your responsibilities are? You are to oversee the meals in the household, manage the womens apartment, ensure that household chores are done, discipline the maidservants, facilitate meetings amongst the clan members, safeguard the items belonging to the clan, mediate any conflicts within the clan, and make preparations for offerings to our ancestors which of these tasks have you done? A matriarch doesnt only manage the internal affairs of a small household, she handles numerous tasks. When she first married into the family, Feng Gui knew that she was still a young lady and had never encountered these responsibilities before. Thus, hed requested that his mother help guide her. In the end? After four years, she had learned nothing. She was incompetent at handling her duties and blamed Madam Feng for being domineering. The matriarch is the role model for all the women in the Feng family. Tell me, what qualities do you have that are worthy of others to follow? In order to gain a lofty title for yourself, you inflicted injury on your feet to gain the affection of a stranger. This caused you to sustain a bodily injury later and to show off your seductive mannerisms when walking. Madam Feng-Dus face turned pale white. It was as if shed applied a thick layer of foundation on her face. She looked dead. Lets not talk about this. Right now, the common practice in Zhongzhao is not upright. The aristocrats and great scholars seek after heretical schools of thought and, because you grew up in such an atmosphere, you cannot be blamed as a na?ve lady. But you spoke more than you should have, you spoke lies that you conjured up, and you blurred the lines of whats right and wrong are these also Zhongzhaos common practices? These behaviors could not be blamed on external events. It could only be concluded that her character was innately flawed. Feng Gui started to say the words that hed never said before, knowing they would hurt her. Now, he said every single one of them. This isnt the first time Ive talked to you about this. When have you ever taken it seriously? A matriarch isnt a position you can assume by staying in your private quarters and applying rouge and powder, then by playing some schemes and tricks to hold onto your power. Do you know how many members of our clan are mocking you? Weve been married for more than four years. Dont you have any awareness that since you came in, the atmosphere within the clan has become more impetuous? The values weve held since the beginning are uprightness and purity. I cannot allow you to tarnish the Feng familys name. She was upset to the point that she could hardly breathe. After a while, she grudgingly said, Isnt that because your mother has constantly interfered? She often comments on my incompetence and says that I havent done my duties well. Her years are numbered, yet she still covets my power. Because of her bad example, she forced me into this Slap Before she could finish, a deafening slap was heard. Feng Gui hit the side of the table with so much force that the entire table vibrated. He looked at his reddened palm and his eyes were full of complex emotion. What exactly is your heart made of? Are you so cruel and heartless as a beast? Feng Gui exclaimed. In all these years, has mother ever treated you poorly? She has every right to enjoy the company of her family and be surrounded by her grandchildren. If not for your conduct why does she still have to worry about the matters you are responsible for? Madam Feng-Du was indeed frightened by Feng Gui just now. Shed thought he was going to slap her just then, but his palm had landed on the table. Lets split amicably. After all, weve been husband and wife. Lets both preserve at least some of our dignity. It would also be better for our children. Madam Feng-Dus teeth trembled. She was still very unwilling. Feng Huaizhang, do you have someone else in your heart? Which seductress robbed you of your soul? That must be the reason. Otherwise, why would Feng Gui, who had always tolerated her, suddenly become enraged and demand a split? Surely, there must be someone he liked. He wanted her to give up her position to another. If there was someone else in my heart, Id just get married in grandeur. What could you do about it? Feng Gui felt that her accusation was ridiculous. Simultaneously, he felt it was not worth arguing. Itd been four years and he still hadnt won this persons trust? Who is she? It cant be that lowly wench, right? Is that bastard, Changsheng, is actually your child born with your sister-in-law? If not for that, why would he have flared up at her for scolding Changsheng, a bastard? Madam Feng-Du gave him a menacing glare. The sight of her cruelly gnashing her teeth seemed very foreign to Feng Gui. He was so angry that he wanted to burst out laughing. If you say anything else to damage the last bit of our relationship, trust me, there will be more than a cup of poison waiting for you. After Madam Feng-Du heard this, her face went deathly pale. She wanted to live. Before, she had said that shed rather drink a poison cup of wine than get a divorce, but it was purely out of anger. Shed always known Feng Gui to have a good temperament. He was always polite and well-mannered. Shed never seen him wear a frown, even in the face of a major setback. With such a revelation of character, she was gradually emboldened. It was evident that she really didnt understand Feng Gui. When he set his heart on something, even she cowered in fear. He retorted, Ive read The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women book published in Zhongzhao. You should reflect on it and reminiscence. Which of those qualities have you ever exemplified? Being strict on others but lenient to oneself? Is that the so-called virtuous woman who is so praiseworthy to Zhongzhaos scholars? It is utterly disgusting! Take back and chew on every single word you said earlier, then swallow them back into your stomach. If Second Brother and Sister-in-Law have a disagreement because of your thoughtless words, I will not only present to you a cup of poison wine, but I will personally send you to your death with a white rope! They had completely fallen out over such an ugly scene. Their relationship had completely fallen apart. This was something Feng Gui had never imagined. The split between Feng Gui and his wife wasnt a trivial matter to the Feng family, especially since Madam Feng-Dus name was already recorded in the clans registry. If they split, it wouldnt be so simple as to surrender her dowry and return to Zhongzhao. Her name must also be removed from the clans registry. The next day, Madam Feng found out about Feng Gui and his wifes fierce argument. She felt very guilty in her heart. After two years pass, Mother will find you a truly virtuous wife. I will surely not consider any of the evil, scheming women from Zhongzhao. Feng Gui rubbed his brows. It would be impossible not to remarry. The matriarch was of utmost importance to the Feng family. She could affect the entire clans prosperity and continuity. Only his two children were too young. He could not rest assured if he remarried in only two years. Lets wait for another three to five years. Until then, Ill have to trouble Mother. Chapter 598 - Dragon Boating Within The Emperor’s Stomach (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Madam Feng-Du was quite amazing. She was the first to hold the title of The First Matriarch to Get Divorced. By the time Feng Jin and Wei Jingxian received news, Feng Ren and the other clan leaders had already approved. They convened a meeting at the ancestral hall to remove her name. Regardless of how much Madam Feng-Du, no, how Madam Du made a commotion, Feng Gui refused to see her. He sent hundreds of troops to escort her back to Zhongzhao. As for his two young children, Feng Gui decided to home-school them. If he really could not handle them, he requested that his parents help to look after them. She said, Elder Brother-in-Law hasnt had it easy all these years. There were differences in seniority and in legitimate and illegitimate children. Feng Gui was the clan leader. He was the heir who possessed all the rights over the clan. He also had to bear the burden of supporting the entire Feng family. He had to find a balance between power and responsibility. No, it hasnt been easy for Elder Brother all these years. Father retired from his official position early. Emperor discreetly tries to put the Feng family down. He has a heavy responsibility to handle. Feng Jin had often felt unhappy when he was young. Why was it that, although they were all from the same parents, he and his younger brother couldnt challenge their elder brother? Were they that inferior compared to him? The stress was too overwhelming. It was rare to have a ruling monarchy for thousands of years, yet there many respectable families that spanned thousands of years. But was it really so easy for reputable families to last for thousands of years? Every generation of leaders had to not only stabilize the clans standing externally, but they must also rid the family of any vices that did not align with the upright and honorable principle within the clan. He must ensure that these values would be passed on. The Feng family had always upheld the principle of uprightness in their clan, but a mans heart is complex. When ones interest is at stake, they may waver in their values. How can the principle of upholding morals be enforced then? As the patriarch and clan leader, the leader must not only unite the hearts of his people, but he must also purge any violations of principle to prevent trouble before it happens. Although Feng Jin and Feng Jue could not inherit the Feng family, the clan would not shortchange them of their clothes or food. They still possessed freedom to some degree. For example, during the earthquake, Feng Jin was able to go with the flow to help Jiang Pengji. It was ideal because it had allowed him to escape from danger and fulfill his goal in life. That rebellious and wayward child, Feng Jue, had his own ambitions. Hed chosen his lord. As for Feng Gui? There was probably only death left for him. Looking forward to the day when the world would split apart, Feng Guis wise lord would not be solely chosen by him. His lord would be chosen by the entire Feng family. Changsheng sharpened her ears when she heard the words Elder Uncle. She craned her neck so that she could see what was going on outside. She pouted disappointedly. Elder uncle is not around. She was joyfully surprised. Elder Brother-in-Law has a way with little children. After just two to three meetings, Changsheng misses him so much. Feng Jin commented, Elder Brother loves little kids. When we were young and Father and Mother were busy, Huaijie and I were often taken care of by my elder brother. He watched the maidservants very closely and he would check on them every few days to give them a wake-up call and prevent them from slacking. When Feng Jue was born, Feng Gui was already a young adult. Hed had to manage his studies and also take care of his two younger brothers. Wei Jingxian imagined this scenario and laughed. When Changsheng is a little older, I trust shell be a responsible elder sister. Feng Jin laughed as he stroked Changshengs braided hair, then asked, Is Changsheng going to be an elder sister soon? Wei Jingxian shot him a look and said, Changsheng is still young. What would she know if you asked her? After the new year passes, shell be 2 years old. She isnt young anymore. The relationship between husband and wife grew closer every day. Moreover, Changsheng played the role of mediator, which further deepened their marital bond. To take a retreat away from the cares of life and enjoy peaceful days like this I cant even remember when we last had times like these 1The days spent at the Feng manor were relaxing. After eating, theyd go to sleep. Then the cycle repeated itself. After 7 or 8 days passed, his bones were getting lazy. Hed already accomplished his most important goal since arriving in Shangyang county. He wasnt in a rush to return to report his status. Instead, he sent a messenger on a speedy horse to Fengyi county and spent the meantime with his wife and daughter Eh, it was truly a chance to rest. Her lips were hidden as she smiled, Lets see how long you can slack. Your wife dares to bet on the number of days you rested. Lanting will demand that you pay back the exact number of days. Feng Jin looked downcast as he gazed at the pile of snow outside the pavilion. Wife, whose side are you on? Whoever is by my side, I will be on their side. She picked up Changsheng from Feng Jins chest and added, Changsheng stared multiple times at you already. As her father, were you acting ignorant? She is your daughter, not a living bed warmer. If you wish to keep warm, please go get the maidservants. He stood up bashfully, his facial expression looked rather modest. At such a tender age, Changsheng has a warm body constitution. Feng Jin tucked her against his chest again and let her keep him warm. Dont be playful. Wei Jingxian gently expressed her displeasure. His facial expression was filled with embarrassment. It took the messenger days to deliver the letter. He went as fast as he could to get Feng Jins letter to Jiang Pengji. When it arrived, she tore it apart immediately. Xu Ke was especially worried. My Lord, whats the outcome? Feng Zhen was very confident when he remarked, It must be good news. The lord is bent on taking over Shangyang county. Although the Feng family is one of Dongqings great families, they dont possess many private troops. Their ability to safeguard Shangyang county is a sign that they are innately weakened already. If the lord doesnt take over by the beginning of spring, theyll not be able to hold on until next summer. So far, our lord has chosen diplomacy over force. If they have brains, theyll surely agree and request some benefits for themselves. Without speaking, she tore it open and took a careful look at the letter. She raised her brows. Good, good, good She said good so many times that it raised everyones morale. However, Feng Zhen frowned. Had he made the wrong guess? She said, Huaiyu has learned how to be cunning. He knows how to escape from work. As the saying went, when one is far from his lord, he has the autonomy to decide for himself. His entire family was huddled together at Shangyang county. She had no means of getting him back to work. Feng Zhen was nervous as he leaned forward. When he heard what she said, he almost choked on his saliva. My Lord, did Huaiyu say anything else? Xu Ke coughed lightly, then went back to the topic at hand. She replied, The Feng family has agreed to let go of Shangyang county, but they raised some insignificant requests. Xu Ke took the letter from Jiang Pengjis hands and read it carefully. He almost choked again. If they agreed to the request made by the Feng family, wouldnt that be a silent approval to allow them to change their allegiance anytime? Was this considered a small matter? Xu Ke ignored the suffocating pain he felt as he passed the letter to the others to have a look. Feng Zhen and Qiguan Rang both frowned. The Feng family did not possess a lot of military might, but their reputation and commanding power were extremely frightening. What was it about their compelling reputation that made them so attractive? It was the high honor they possessed among the literates and virtuous scholars. Once the Fengs made their clear stand, the powers on their side would gain the upper hand. After some time, the people around Jiang Pengji began to understand the situation. But which of them had willingly submitted to her? Xu Ke? He was originally sold to the Liu manor. Jiang Pengji had written off his slave deed, but there was still a mark on his body that showed he belonged to the Liu family. Qiguan Rang? Jiang Pengji had fooled him with her words. Before he could react in time, he was trapped. Moreover, because of his principles, hed agreed half-heartedly. Feng Jin? There was a hint of taking advantage of a persons dire circumstances. If not for the sudden earthquake, would Feng Jin have chosen to follow Jiang Pengji? How about the others? The encounter with Li Yun, a na?ve man, had happened by chance. Zhang Ping had been conveniently brought into this by Wei Ci. Yang Si had gotten himself into this mess by accident. While Feng Zhen was recommended by Wei Ci through a letter, he came primarily for Wei Ci rather than for Liu Xi or the Liu family. After evaluating all of them, only Wei Ci was considered to have willingly followed her. But if the entanglements of his previous life were absent, would he have chosen her? She thought too much. Chapter 599 - Dragon Boating Within The Emperor’s Stomach (II) Lets look at Jiang Pengjis subordinates and their standing in society. Feng Jin ranked the highest as the second son of Dongqings Feng family. He hailed from a reputable family. Wei Ci was the descendant of scholars that had regressed. Langyes Wei family was spread across Zhongzhaos Bianzhou. He was the only one left. Feng Zhen was had suffered a reversal of fortune. His parents had passed away early and his relatives werent dependable. Yet he still lived a wastrel life and squandered his familys inheritance. Other than these three men, the others had a lower standing in society. Based on this group of people, Jiang Pengji did not yet possess the capital to attract more talented people to herself. However, if the Feng family made known their stance and were willing to support her, the situation would be completely different. In fact, Wei Cis efforts to swindle and cheat were not necessary. There would be men with aspirations and abilities who would queue up to pledge their allegiance to her. The Feng familys commanding power was their reputation among the virtuous and upright. Xu Ke understood the underlying challenges. He hoped Jiang Pengji would carefully balance the pros and cons. They were a family who could switch their allegiance at any time, yet Jiang Pengji deemed their requirement to be inconsequential? If they agreed easily, would they be putting themselves in danger? My Lord, this is unlike you Xu Ke shook his head and looked lost. This was unlike his lords usual style. Letting the Feng family go would be equivalent to presenting her potential competition with talented men and resources. Jiang Pengji kept the livestream on. Among the viewers were people knowledgeable in ancient scripts. They translated the contents of the letters and analyzed the findings. Although the viewers were kept in the dark, theyd read many stories about power struggles and dark schemes. Jintian Sangeng: Streamer, is it disadvantageous for you to agree to this condition? Based on handsome brother Feng Zhens explanation, the military strength at Shangyang county cannot hold on till next years summer. Itd be effortless for you to conquer it directly. You should hold the Feng family hostage. If they are allowed to devise an alternative path, they may turn around to backstab you, which will leave you in a sorry state. Instead, why not be ruthless now? Prevention for the future is better. Mingtian Sigeng: Dont be anxious, the streamer must have her considerations. Well await the analysis of a knowledgeable person. Watching this livestream often makes me feel like our intelligence is lacking. This cannot be. I must go to Taobao to buy 100 dollars worth of intelligence to enhance my mind. Guicai Guofengxiao: I believe the streamer did the right thing. Yin Yuejia Zhuge Qinmo: By using the ID of a genius, you seriously think that youre Guo Jia. How shameless. Guicai Guofengxiao: @ the fellow above. If not for Jia who passed on early, how would the world have been split into three? The live streaming room wasnt a peaceful place because quarrels over identity happened daily. Laosiji Lianmeng: Young people nowadays arent reliable. Let me evaluate this. Please critique my humble opinion. Firstly, do you all remember the strategy the streamer implemented? She intended to weaken the powers the aristocratic families wielded. In the beginning, surely these families should not be allowed too much autonomy. If the Feng family decides to join this association, she will probably be more passive. Secondly, if the Fengs participate early on, itll arouse hatred. Nonconformity will be punished. If the Emperor and Prince Changshou choose to join forces to eliminate her before fighting amongst themselves, what should she do? Thirdly, Feng Jin is still working under the streamer and theyre friends. From a third persons point of view, she must respect the Feng family Although, I feel the third reason is rather inconsequential. The streamer isnt a merciful and lenient person. But to add on, it appears that she is compassionate. Guicai Guofengxiao: Of course, most importantly, the Feng family looks down on the streamer. When this comment was posted on the bullet screen, a string of 666 appeared. It hurts so badly, Lao Tie.What great truths are you speaking? Jiang Pengji discreetly took a deep breath. She resisted the urge to capture these ignorant viewers and smack them. Didnt they know that honest men dont live long lives? A melon forcefully twisted isnt sweet. Instead, it leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth and causes one to feel thirsty. She mockingly implied and she wasnt ignorant about the importance of the Feng family, and that she knew that it was impossible to force them to be on her side. Rather than breed enmity, why not take advantage of the situation and foster a good relationship? The Lord has a benevolent and magnanimous heart. I can hold the fort. Additionally, I am motivated to achieve my goals. I agree to this condition and will make a personal trip to Shangyang to express my sincerity. This must never be, how can the lord leave at whim? Xu Ke was unsettled as the head servant. What kind of boss would leave her territory to run to other places? Isnt she afraid that shell be captured and killed once she is alone? Jiang Pengji tried to explain herself and replied, Ke, if I do not head to Shangyang county, Huaiyu will only return the year after. Xu Ke was stumped, why is his lord still adamant about this incident? Feng Zhen concentrated his energy and burst out laughing, then remarked, This is worrying, if the lord goes to Shangyang, Im afraid you might not want to return the year after. This must never be, how can the lord leave at whim? As the head overseer, Xu Ke was unsettled, which big boss would rather not stay at her territory but instead run about to other places? Isnt she afraid that shell be captured and killed once she leaves her territory? Jiang Pengji made a Tsk sound then replied, Ke, if I do not head to Shangyang county, Huaiyu will only return the year after. Xu Ke was dumbfounded, why is his lord still adamant about this incident? Feng Zhen burst out laughing abruptly, then remarked, This is worrying, if the lord goes to Shangyang, Im afraid you might not want to return the year after. Using the excuse of catching her subordinate who is absent from work, their lord was also elated at escaping from her responsibilities. Jiang Pengji discreetly stared at Feng Zhen, can this fellow show some tacit understanding? Xu Ke attempted to continue to advise her against going, but Wei Ci interrupted, If the lord wishes to go to Shangyang county, who will you bring along? The situation was a goner, Xu Ke was mentally and emotionally tired. She pondered over it then said, Initially I thought that since Wenzheng is mature and composed, to have him present to stabilize the situation will be ideal. However, since he has been separated from his wife for about a year and they have only reunited after much difficulties, I will not be a wet-blanket. The remaining ones have their responsibilities and they cannot leave so easily Why not Zixiao follow me except I dont know if your health can withstand the tumultuous journey? Wei Cis facial expression changed, he replied, Cis health is fine, except I am busy with official matters and Im afraid I cannot leave, why not let Zi Shi Jiang Pengji interrupted his speech saying, You are still in the recovery process and innately, you cannot be heavily burdened. Lets just delegate this to Jingrong since he can carry the workload of two men, itd be a waste not to use him You are very meticulous in your undertakings and I have high expectations of you. Wei Ci: Being termed as a waste if not made used of, Yang Si only laughed it off. He was still in the government office; did they think hes transparent? How can you say its a waste if not made used of, doesnt your conscience hurt? Till now, Yang Si hasnt agreed to join the group, but he was tempted by the delicacies and he cant bear to leave presently. Being fully confident in the presence of food, how can Liu Xi be so shameless as to use it to haphazardly weigh him down with work? Dont you know how shameless is being written? Xu Ke had high hopes for Wei Ci, he was entrusted with the task to control their lord and keep her from harm. Being away from ones territory leaves one feeling that danger is always lurking. When the ruler is absent, troubled times will descend on the sixteen countries. How did the power of the feudal lords collapse when they were in the best position to compete with the great Xia dynasty? Its because the feudal lords have the hobby of hunting, they are proud of their mighty, martial arts and they roam around taking their safety for granted thus affording their enemies a chance to pierce their hearts with an arrow. Without the lord as their mainstay, there will be infighting, the officials will rebel, and a mighty city will be split up. He was afraid Jiang Pengji will meet with such accidents. There are dangers lurking everywhere, although the Red Lotus group and Tsing Yi army are the minority but there are numerous violent mobs around. Without considering these, Jiang Pengji travelled light and only brought 40 to 50 guards. In order to safeguard her territories, she only brought along Dian Yan, Feng Zhen and Wei Ci while the middle person shamelessly tagged along. Initially, she wanted to bring Jiang Nongqin along, but she was needed to head the winter lessons in the womens camp. Recently, shes busy till shes nowhere in sight, thus this idea had to be given up. Chapter 600 - Flaunt One’s Tragedy and Act Pitiful (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio This is so unfair. The first snow had descended, but its fall was already getting heavier. Feng Zhen was so cold that he was shivering. He continually rubbed his hands to warm himself. Because hed consumed a lot of Hanshi powder in his early years, his fingernails were unhealthy and had a pale green coloration. His fingernails were horrifyingly cold. Jiang Pengji rode on Little White. She heard his complaint and turned around to ask, Whats unfair? He turned his eyes toward her briefly. He grabbed tightly onto the rope while trying to prevent the snow from falling into his collar. Why is Zixiao sitting warmly in the horse carriage while I have to ride the horse? Is this done in the so-called glorified name of disciplining the body? Were both sickly, please dont treat us differently! He recollected all the unfair treatment hed received since theyd left the city. Feng Zhen was filled with grievances. Feng Zhen was slowly kicking his addiction to Hanshi powder. He had been immune to it for more than half a month by this point. Even if hed had an episode of addiction, he could slowly overcome it with his willpower. However, his damaged body required time to recuperate, and the amount of alcohol he could consume was limited. Originally, hed thought that he could enjoy his freedom outside and have a good time eating, drinking and playing. Who knew that his lord was utterly biased? Wei Ci was a gem while he was insignificant. It was obvious. Wei Ci was sitting in the horse carriage with a warmer, enjoying snacks along the way He was deprived of those privileges. She smiled and closed her phoenix eyes with pleasure. She brought her horse close to Feng Zhens. With a deep underlying meaning, she remarked, Zishi, have you heard of this phrase one mans meat is another mans poison? Feng Zhen was incredibly smart. His ability to comprehend was superb. He appeared to be somewhat confused and doubtful. Then he asked, You mentioned that Zixiao wished to exchange places with me? Why? Riding a horse in the cold winter was a form of torture. Outside, the strong wind carried the snow with it. No matter how many layers of clothing one wore, it would still chill them to the bone. Wei Cis constitution was slightly weaker than his, but was he so crazy that he wanted to ride the horse? On her lips, there was a faint smile. I cant comment on this. Feng Zhen thought about it, but he was still clueless. Eventually, he decided he had nothing to lose. He retorted, I dont care, I want to enjoy myself in the horse carriage. Since he wishes to suffer outside, we might as well exchange places and have the best of both worlds She said sternly, I will not allow that. He will not be exchanging places with you. Feng Zhen was about to head back when he stopped. He lazily asked her, Why not? He is more handsome than you. If Zixiao is out in the cold wind and freezes till his lips turn purple, my heart will ache. She smiled amusedly, making no attempt to hide her bias. She continued, If Zishi is so cold that you shiver, I wont feel sorry for you. Moreover, I can laugh at you. Even if Wei Ci objected in his heart, he would always be agreeable verbally. Feng Zhen wished to exchange places with Wei Ci, but since Jiang Pengji did not approve, Wei Ci would be unwilling to step out of the horse carriage. He almost couldnt maintain his composure. He couldnt imagine that his lord could be so shameless in her words. Her scheming ways were way cleverer than his. Although he wasnt as handsome as Wei Ci, did a man really need to be so alluring? Was it necessary? The answer was yes because, in a world that valued the superficial, his lord was also one who judged based on looks. The viewers in the live streaming room commented with a stream of 666 for Jiang Pengjis frankness. Concurrently, they also had compassion for Feng Zhen. Jintian Diyigeng: Hahaha I love it when the streamer is so direct. She just tells it like it is. Rencai Yinhuanda: System your good friend, Feng Zhens good impression of you has decreased by 233 points and his attitude towards you is full of hatred. Sanpai Shudaozha: This is so hurtful, my lord. A world that judges based on external looks is unfeeling and heartless. Chunkunxia Faqiu Wuli: The streamer speaks in such a direct manner; wont you exasperate all your strategists till they leave you? Shuibuxing Dedongsanyue: It is common to see the streamer infuriated with others. Those who win against her in verbal exchanges cannot compete with her in martial arts and one who can surpass her in fighting hasnt been born yet!? Evidently, Feng Zhen was receptive to jokes. He often provoked her, yet he didnt allow her to counterattack now. As insight filled Feng Zhens mind, he spoke privately to her as he raised his eyebrow. He appeared to be having deep thoughts. He jokingly remarked, Not unless you are interested in him? This is tricky, Zixiao has to marry and produce children to continue his family line. Jiang Pengji glared at him condescendingly. What is your mind filled with? Cant I just admire him for his beauty? Feng Zhen didnt have a comeback. He envisioned Wei Cis face. It had appeared beautifully astonishing initially, but after hed gotten used to it, it produced no feeling whatsoever. She added, This is very human. If it were you, could you bear for a loved one to freeze in the cold wind? Her loved one Wei Ci? As if hed just thought of something important, he interrogated Jiang Pengji seriously. He solemnly replied, Zixiao is truly a man of value. He is serious and he has a sensitive character. The Lord can share all these jokes with me, for I am just a wastrel and I am not prone to jealousy because I wont take it seriously. Neither will I read too much into the conversation, so it is not taboo to me. However, if Zixiao hears any of this, and he may not make it obvious on the surface, but he will overthink in his heart If Jiang Pengji treated Wei Ci in a muddle-headed manner, surely, she would be courting disaster. In response, Jiang Pengji replied, I know my limits and I wont go overboard. A few years back, I experienced Zixiaos temper. Why would I dare to provoke him on purpose? This is just a private joke I have with you. Surely you wont let these words get to him, right? Wei Ci was indeed a young princess. Jiang Pengji would crack some small jokes, but she would never go overboard and let it get out of control. After ascertaining that Jiang Pengji was serious, Feng Zhen heaved a sigh of relief. If it were a joke, he wouldnt be worried. The warning could be dismissed. He remarked with ridicule, My Lord has wise insights. Few in the world have Zixiaos facial features. If he was the standard, many in the world would fall short. She secretly despised Feng Zhen. Just now, hed advised her not to go overboard, yet now hed started to tease Wei Cis appearance. He had no moral principles at all. She listened to him describing himself as a wastrel and curled her lips. Visiting prostitutes all year round? You claim to be a wastrel, but youre boasting about yourself. When he was in his wastrel mode, he was more gangster-like than a vagabond. Feng Zhen wore an expression that said, as an immature young punk, you wouldnt understand how it feels. Maturity was something a young child was ignorant of. When my Lord is older and understands what happens between a man and a woman, you wont say this. A man has the basic needs of clothing, food, and shelter. Secondarily, he needs to eat, drink, and be merry. The sages have wisely spoken of food, lust, and sex. It is natural for a man who has come of age to fall in love with a woman, likewise, for a woman to love a man. She knitted her brows, then thought of something. What do you think about this If someone has a conflict with another, how should one reconcile the relationship? Feng Zhen sensed an opportunity for gossip. Do you have a conflict? Chapter 601 - Flaunt One’s Tragedy and Act Pitiful (II) We can still be considered friends even though we previously had a minor disagreement. Didnt you call yourself a seasoned vagabond? Arent you experienced? Feng Zhen spoke to her sarcastically. My lord is indeed still immature and inexperienced. I am a vagabond and a player. Those I amuse are ravishing and beautiful. Friendship and romance are different. Did you have some conflict with your beloved or did you provoke a close friend to anger? Keeping silent, Jiang Peng allowed Little White to take two steps forward. Then she said, I do not wish to respond to that. Feng Zhen laughed, Is my lord embarrassed? It was useless to seek advice from Feng Zhen. The fellow didnt take things seriously. Viewers in the live streaming room readily volunteered. Their average bits of intelligence combined could outwit a genius. With 150,000 of them ready to participate, how could they not beat him? As they were conversing deeply, speaking of joyful events, Feng Zhen laughed hysterically. He no intention of conducting himself appropriately. Within the horse carriage, Wei Ci lifted the curtains and opened the windows. The cold wind that blew into his face caused him to choke multiple times. He saw the shadows of two figures riding horses in the distance, then he sighed deeply. As unknown thoughts crossed his mind, he closed the windows of the horse carriage. Out of sight, out of mind. After half a year of organizational efforts, the three districts of Fengyi county gradually became populated with people. The city walls and streets had been rebuilt. Yet after leaving Fengyi county, the scene outside was a ghastly sight. Skulls and bones were strewn all over the streets. There were no strong, young men within 100 miles of the place. Instead, there were only rag-covered women and children living poverty-stricken lives. As they journeyed, they found frozen corpses beneath the thick layer of snow. Every one of them was utterly skinny. The sight of them was unbearable. Jiang Peng adjusted the cloak and hood she used to protect herself from the wind. She ordered Feng Zhen, who had a weak constitution, into the horse carriage. Although the joke about him still stood, it wasnt suitable for Feng Zhen to stay outside too long in such bad weather. Little White moved along slowly. Its steps were steady, and the bell on its neck swayed along with its footsteps. It sounded rhythmical. The horses tail swung as it moved. Over the past few days, due to the strong wind and snow, they could only travel in the day and had to rest during the night to get away from the blizzard. It was all so inconvenient for them. Hopefully, by next year, the people of Wanzhou will have a place to settle down. My lord is sure to fulfill her promises. The people of Wanzhou are blessed. Wei Ci was so cold that the tip of his nose was red. A group of people took refuge in an uninhabited village. Feng Zhen drank a whole pint of beer, then wrapped himself in a blanket and went to sleep in the horse carriage. I hope so Jiang Peng sat by the side of the bonfire. With one hand, she supported her chin and pondered deeply. With her other hand, she held a twig and poked at the flames. She was confident that she could take down Wanzhou next year, but she dared not boast about her ability to provide food and warmth for over a million people. The responsibility was too great. She could only promise to try her best. It is snowing heavily outside and the weather is unusually cold. Why dont you stay in the horse carriage instead of suffering in the cold out here? She instinctively placed both his hands in hers to warm them. Her cold palms seemed to have touched a block of ice. His expression changed. He was determined to pull his hands away, but how could he do so with his frail strength? My lord He lowered his voice and said, Ci has been in the horse carriage all day. I am bored and wish to get out to breathe some fresh air. Jiang Pengji loosened her grip, then turned her attention to the bonfire and said, Get some warmth, your hands feel cold You should stay in the horse carriage. Look at Zi Shi. He drinks after he has had his fill, then holds tightly to his blanket, refusing to step out of the horse carriage for anything The gaps within the four walls of the horse carriage were filled with insulators. Blankets knitted from sheeps wool were hung up inside. The bedding and blankets were specially thickened by a special layer. Even without a bed warmer or a charcoal basin, one would feel very warm in there. Without having to think about it, it was evident that Wei Ci and Feng Zhens horse carriage had been specially modified to stay extremely warm. Wei Cis lower eyelids drooped. He pursed his lips as he focused his vision on the bonfire, seemingly dazed. Do you feel awkward around me recently? Jiang Pengji suddenly asked him. Wei Ci did not respond. If not for self-control, he would have followed the urge to sprint away and escape. Wearing a troubled expression, he asked, Why does the lord say this? Intuition, she replied. Is it because of what happened with Wenzheng last time? I specifically gave him that task because it was more convenient for him. Wei Ci was silent. It seemed like his answer would be wrong no matter how he replied. Presently it is a rather awkward situation. Jiang Pengji rubbed her face with both her hands. With a rather dejected and pitiful tone, she said, There are cunning men behind the scenes. I am clueless as to who my enemies are and who my allies are. If I take just one wrong step, there will be dire consequences. Wei Ci willed his expression to change. Why does my lord say this? Is someone out to harm you? She smiled bitterly. There are countless people who are after my life. Some are known enemies, others are hidden. I know who the internal spy is, but I cannot act against her. I could call her out, but I must restrain myself. Once we alert them, there will be a lot of implications. It is extremely frustrating. Wei Ci felt a tug at his heartstrings. Feeling at a loss, he looked towards her. Were this persons circumstances really so dire? How could this be? In his previous life, when Wei Ci had submitted to her, she was already one of the few hegemons wielding mighty power on earth. She had been victorious over Wei Cis previous master and taken over his territories. Few could have obstructed her ascent to the throne. She remained unbeatable in the years that followed. But the situation was already different. Wouldnt relying on ones aristocratic status make the process smoother? Therefore Wenzheng is someone whom my lord deems worthy to entrust with her life? She answered, Wenzheng is someone to whom I can entrust my assets. But youre someone I can trust with my life. Wei Cis facial expression changed abruptly. He turned his face around and felt uneasy. Previously, hed sensed that the temperature of the bonfire was not warm enough. Now he felt it was unbearably hot. He found a lame excuse to disappear. Watching him leave in such a pathetic state, Jiang Pengji rested her head on her chin. Then she mumbled, Those ignorant people suggested that I act pitiful, but was it useful? Based on her observation, her act had produced its intended effect. Viewers in the live streaming room were clueless about who Jiang Pengji had argued with, but they brainstormed together and delivered more than 10 proposals. The most feasible action was to discreetly reveal some miserable events to soften anothers heart. In short, to act pitiful. If the atmosphere was well-managed, it would certainly evoke tenderhearted feelings. It had even more impact because Jiang Pengjis usual demeanor was unyielding. If she suddenly appeared vulnerable, the effect would be outstanding. The next day, Feng Zhen noticed a faint smile on Jiang Pengjis face. She was in a rather good mood. Feng Zhen knitted his brows together as he asked, Is my lord in a good mood? Yes. He could sense spring in the air. It had snowed consecutively for three days straight. The accumulated snow could cover half of ones calf. Feng Zhen asked worriedly, The snow is so heavy, will it compress and cause the houses to collapse? It doesnt matter, my lord has already thought of a countermeasure. Wei Ci wasnt worried at all. As to how the accumulated snow would be handled, Xiangyang county had handled the situation very well last year. This year, the procedure would be implemented in Fengyi county. In other areas, the accumulated weight from the thick snow may cause the houses and rooms to collapse, but the damage shouldnt be so severe in Fengyi county. Chapter 602 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (I) My lord, the snow is very heavy. Im afraid we cannot take the nearby path. To ensure our safety, it would be better to take the main road. Observing the condition of the snow, Wei Ci thought the flakes were like feathers. They floated down onto the faces of the men, then melted into ice water. She could only nod helplessly. The wind and snow were too strong, and both were getting worse. It made the journey harder and delayed their progress. The build-up of snow already reached the middle of ones calf. The horses and the horse carriages were not spared. All the roads they took had to be carefully assessed beforehand to prevent them from falling into any ditches. There were no villages ahead or any houses to be seen. If an accident happened, it would be disastrous. She looked at the bleak skies outside, nodding in agreement. Theyd been on the road for so many days that the viewers were getting rather bored. They carried on with their daily conversations and banter or played games to pass the time. Jiang Pengji was also bored. Feng Zhen huddled in the carriage, fearing the cold. Wei Ci wanted to go outside, but he was always chased in back by her. Luckily she always had the live-streaming room by her side. There were 150,000 idle audience members with her whom she could talk to and banter with. Afraid of Eating Dinner: Although the technology was less advanced in the past, the environment was very clean. In our time, we cannot differentiate if those that float from above are white snow or black snow. In our youths, we played in the snow with our little friends, but now it is impossible. Sleep after Eating: I am envious of the above viewer who had the chance to play in the snow. My old hometown was in the south amidst the patchwork of waterways. Even when I was young, I never saw much of the snow, only through watching cartoons or dramas. The leads were often in the snow playing snow-fighting or making a snowman, and I was extremely envious of them. Junk Food is the Best: What is there to envy? Those shown in cartoons are all lies. Which drama doesnt use filters or use artificial lighting? The main actor and actress laughing in the snow, amusing and romancing each other, only happens in the drama. Realistically, the cleaner lady swept away the snow early on. Meitian Xiuxian: The aunty responsible for cleaning doesnt have an easy job either. After the snow is swept away, she can only judge those inconsiderate people who build snowmen and engage in snow wars internally. If she refuses to sweep up, do you know how dirty the ground will be once the snow melts? It will be stepped on till its black throughout and its utterly dirty. Riri Feisheng: However, there is no lady who helps with cleaning within the live-streaming room. Get into a snow fight, make snowmen, why not have a taste of it? Concerning this suggestion, let her give you some words of advice. Streamer V: This is utterly ugly! With Jiang Pengji being so direct, the viewers in the live-streaming room had another wave of heartbreak. Amid the heavy snow, one could only hear the wind as the horse carriage and horses hooves moved through the accumulating snow. Occasionally, she lifted her hand to remove the snow that amassed on her cloak. This prevented the melting snow from getting the cloak wet. My lord! My lord! Theres someone ahead who collapsed on the main road. Theyre still breathing She was not in a hurry to reach their destination. If theyd found someone who had collapsed on the ground and was still alive, she would surely find some way to save him. There were soldiers up ahead who were paving the way forward. Their primary task was to ensure that the horse carriage and horse could pass safely. Secondly, their job was to spot people who were still alive. Raising her brows, she ordered, Help him up and put him in the other horse carriage. The soldier shed given the order to appeared perplexed. He said, My lord, this person seems to be a follower of the Red Lotus group Red Lotus group? She raised her brows. The Tsing Yi army was wreaking havoc in Fengyi county and Shangyang county. The Red Lotus groups power was concentrated in Chengde county and elsewhere. She had only fought against the Tsing Yi army before. Thered been no crossfire with the Red Lotus group yet. Are you certain? she asked. The soldier answered, The man has a tattoo on his forearm in the form of a flame. This is a symbol representative of the Red Lotus group. A flame-like tattoo? She recalled all the information she knew about the Red Lotus group. In a cult like the Red Lotus group, an average member was someone who occupied land and offered sacrifices and prayers to the deities of the Red Lotus group daily. Although the tax was quite heavy, their days still passed as usual. Compared to the violent Tsing Yi army, the Red Lotus group softly enforced violence by brainwashing. To put it more elegantly, they were a small cult and bore the symbol of a flame to prove their identity. Disciples of the cult had a flame symbol tattooed on their arms. Although the follower wasnt an important person, there were still a few hundreds of people under him. My lord, should we save him? Jiang Pengji answered, Save him and interrogate him in detail. Isnt it suspicious for a disciple of the Red Lotus group to faint amid the heavy snow in the middle of nowhere? Report back to me after youve gathered information. Remember to keep guard and prevent him from escaping. Send men to watch him closely. He subserviently agreed. After a series of questions, the man with the symbol of the Red Lotus Group on his arm fainted from hunger. If they hadnt passed by him, hed probably have been covered by the snow and be frozen to death without anyone noticing within a few hours. Wei Ci heard the commotion outside and asked about it. Jiang Pengji turned and said, It isnt important. We found someone from the Red Lotus Group who fainted from hunger in the heavy snow, so we rescued him. He wouldnt have thought so much about it if he wasnt an assassin against her. Ever since the previous night when shed acted pathetic, hed analyzed everything he knew and had grown increasingly suspicious in his heart. He thought Jiang Pengjis starting point was good. Things were in her favor. Now that he heard her heartfelt words, he was afraid that things werent that simple. All these changes were not necessarily good. Perhaps they had to do with the devil that Master Liaochen had spoken of. Since when did historical facts deviate from the past he knew? He thought it was Liu She, but his hypothesis had been proven wrong. It was so hateful that hed left Dongqing too early in his previous life. He only had a limited idea about Dongqings situation. Having heard that the soldier had saved another man, Wei Ci took notice. As the sky slowly darkened, Jiang Pengji and her men had no choice but to find shelter for the night. The man theyd saved had already regained consciousness. The soldiers obeyed the orders given and cooked him very fine porridge. After almost starving, it was not a good idea for him to eat anything too oily. Also, he should not get too full. Ideally, the porridge would warm his stomach. The soldier discreetly tried to sieve out some information from this person. Unexpectedly, the person was very guarded. He didnt once waver or reveal anything. Helplessly, the soldier could only return to report to Jiang Pengji. My lord, your humble servant is afraid that person isnt an average citizen. Oh? Why do you say so? She skewered the ice-cold bun onto a stick, then placed it over the fire to roast it. She ensured that the exterior was burnt before placing it into her mouth carefully to take a bite. The soldier said, After a few rounds of interrogation, I discovered this person guards his heart really well. After two consecutive rounds of porridge, he was obviously famished, but his eating posture was still rather well-mannered as observed by his style of conversation He doesnt appear to come from an average family, but rather seems to be one of the cultured literates. She lifted her brows; her interest was heightened. Summon the person. I will interrogate him personally. There wasnt a need for her to intentionally sieve information from him. Few could keep a secret from Jiang Pengji. The man theyd saved was close to thirty years old. His long hair was tied using a hemp rope. It was hard to guess how many days itd been since hed last washed up, but even in the cold winter, there was still an unspeakable stench emanating from his body. His hair was tangled and coated in dust. It had been at least a month since hed cut his nails. Theyd accumulated a layer of black dirt under them. There was also a thick layer of dirt on his skin. His mannerisms were no different from a gangsters, and Jiang Pengji became cautious of him as soon as she saw him. There was more to this person than what met the eye. Chapter 603 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Due to starvation, he was rather thin. However, the obvious muscle on his arm showed he once was trained in martial arts. The muscles on his body were pleasant to the eyes. Additionally, the thick callus between the thumb and forefinger on his right hand also proved that he once learned martial arts over an extended period. The mildly deformed finger suggested that he had once been educated and studious. Disregarding his literary competency, at least he was equipped with both literacy and martial arts. There were two old straw sandals tied to his feet. The garments hed wrapped himself did little to keep the cold away. They were rags at best. In such dire circumstances, even his cold sores were very serious. Just looking at them was painful. Yet this person only looked calm. Either hed experienced such excruciating pain that hed become numb to it, or his character was so resilient that he bore with it silently. The soldiers even praised him for his good dining etiquette. They did have to wonder, how could someone who had fainted along the roadside, someone who was almost buried under the thick snow, withhold his urge upon seeing the piping hot food before him? His good manners ran deep into his bones. Despite having sunk to the lowest point in life, how he was still able to maintain the bit of honor he had? Jiang Pengji took a glance at this mans face. He didnt have a peaceable appearance. His features looked rather intrusive. His lifetime of suffering had worn away his pride. He had the calmness and tranquility of one who had experienced some terrible hardships, yet his eyes were unyielding. To describe his appearance, this man looked like an injured wolf. Even on his last breath, his eyes would still be fixated on his enemys throat. Man heavily relies on how he looks. His appearance is extremely important. No matter how wealthy and graceful this man had been before the mishap, he hasnt bathed for half a year at least and his countenance was unsightly. Although her thoughts were diverted, shed already gained understanding. She wanted to continue her investigation, but this man had already expressed his gratitude unflinchingly. If not for Jiang Pengjis men coming to save him, he would have frozen to death. She laughed, saying, You are welcome. I can tell that, before facing such dire circumstances, you must come from a wealthy and noble family. Afterward, she made the man accept a set of clean winter clothes. There were limited resources and it was impossible to get a brand new set of clothes. Nonetheless, the clothes were clean and warm, and they fit the mans body well. The mans eyes felt distant and depressed. No matter how Jiang Pengji tried to extract information from him, he consistently chose to answer her with trivial responses. To the average man, he didnt seem to have revealed any important details. Jiang Pengji, however, had already gathered enough information. In addition to what shed learned from her previous analysis, she had ascertained a few more critical pieces of information. This man wasnt a local citizen of Dongqing. His hometown was invaded by external forces. He even mocked himself as a dog mourning the loss of his family. The only place fitting those criteria was Nansheng, where the four factions of Nanman had taken over. On that note, the man spoke in Nanshengs dialect, further validating her guess. She tried probing him a bit more. When she finally stopped, the man heaved a sigh of relief. The soldiers found a set of clean clothes for him. In addition to outerwear, he now had a layer of inner garments that could keep him warm. She remarked, My subordinates made some extra hot water. If you like, you may use the hot water to wash up and change into the clean clothes. After putting them on, you will feel more comfortable. The weather is severely cold, and I see that your outbreak of cold sores is terrible. If you are not well-treated, you will suffer in the future. No matter how harmless and amicable she appeared to be, the man did not waver in guarding his heart. Except, he was penniless and downtrodden now. His home country could not be revived. How could the odds ever be in this noble youths favor? He secretly mocked the thought in his heart as he thanked Jiang Pengji for her kindness. Hed forgotten how long it had been since hed last washed up, let alone bathed properly. The last time hed used warm water to wipe himself down had been a few months ago. The soldiers boiled snow into hot water. The man attempted to wipe himself clean in an empty horse carriage. Those who helped him change the water couldnt help but comment on how much dirt there was on this man. Hed caused a snow-white towel to turn black. The basin containing hot water had to be changed multiple times. When they initially changed the water, it was completely black. Just the sight of it left them feeling disgusted. Only after a few rounds did the basin water gradually become clear. This is a medication for your wounds that the lord prepared. It is effective at treating cold sores. The cold winter up north lasted a long time. Many of the people developed cold sores which were extremely painful. If one didnt treat them properly, they would recur every year. One would suffer with them for the rest of his life. Therefore, the people of the north who were more well off always had some medicinal cream. Thank you very much. The man was contented after wiping himself clean briefly, but then he didnt hold back. He also wanted to wash his long hair. The soldier remarked, Youre in luck to have met my lord. If someone else had found you, Im afraid youd have already met up with the King of Hades. The man wore an awkward smile on his face and kept silent. Seeing that he did not agree, the soldier was somewhat upset and mumbled to himself, Isnt this persons reaction too apathetic? We didnt expect him to be immensely grateful, but he doesnt have to be so unfeeling, right? It took a few rounds of boiling water solely for his bath. It must be pointed out that their lord and their masters had never experienced such extravagance. The most they had were two days of wiping their bodies down or taking short baths for five days. Moreover, it was winter. If it was summer, his entire body would also be covered in perspiration. Feng Zhen confronted Wei Ci in the horse carriage. Hed overheard some soldiers discussing the man and it sparked his interest. Keke, our lord is the model representative of those who wont wake up if there arent any benefits. If it is of no advantage, why would the lord be so kind? I am rather curious about his background. The lord is willing to give him special treatment then he must be some nobleman. Make no mistake about Feng Zhen Even though he wastes a lot of time, he sees the heart with clarity. He was aware of Jiang Pengjis ways. Except Theyd actually managed to meet such a big shot while traveling. Wasnt their luck too good to be true? As he was speaking, Feng Zhen put on his windbreaker against the cold. He ensured he was well wrapped and that no cold wind could touch him. Only then did he exit the horse carriage. Wei Ci was helpless; he could only follow him down from the carriage. Feng Zhen didnt beat around the bush, asking directly about the mans identity. Jiang Pengji saw that the self-righteous Feng Zhen was poised to watch a good show. She looked at Wei Ci who was half a step behind Feng Zhen. It was amusing. Just look at your body language. You dont seem to be here to watch the commotion. Instead, your presence here is based on an invitation from a close friend to catch someone in adultery, She remarked mischievously. Feng Zhen was unashamed, but Wei Cis heart skipped a beat. She then continued, That man is from a noble family in Nansheng country. His family standing should be prestigious. Nansheng? Raising his brows, Feng Zhen smirked mockingly. Nansheng? Isnt it defeated already? Nansheng had gone from being at their mightiest point to their weakest. Finally, they suffered defeat and the country was exterminated. How many years did this take? Theyd courted their own doom. It was fine if the imperial family was killed, but that implicated ten thousand or more innocent people in Nansheng. Though ones country has been conquered, the four factions of Nanman arent super-humans. How could their assassins carry out their assassination here? There are surely some who escaped the massacre, Jiang Pengji replied. Its expected of a noble family to be cunning and prepare for the worst. It is a must-have skill. If someone is determined to escape, will the four factions of Nanman pursue them to the ends of the earth to catch the remnant of people? Nonetheless, this is my personal guess. The other partys mouth is tight and he refuses to divulge anything to me. Chapter 604 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Zhen laughed. Based on observations, he might be one who brings a huge blessing. Judging from Jiang Pengis character, if she had nothing to gain, why would she be so hardworking? Truthfully, Jiang Pengji had experienced many grievances this time. She didnt think of scheming against anyone, but she helped for curiositys sake. She understood the deeper meaning behind Feng Zhens sarcastic remarks. She answered helplessly, You are such a boring person. In your eyes, is your lord a person who pursues fame by benefiting from others? Am I not capable of being benevolent, of lending a helping hand to others and saving someone in dire circumstances? It isnt solely for my advantage. Feng Zhen was afraid of the cold and he kept his cloak tightly shut. As he nagged, his breath formed a cold mist in the air. He refused to show any signs of retreat in this battle of words. My lord has a rich history; you cannot blame me for my suspicions. Wei Ci raised his brows. Since he is from Nansheng, why did he come to Dongqing and join the Red Lotus group? Regardless of how aggressive the war between the Red Lotus group and Tsing Yi army in the north of Dongqing was, in many peoples eyes, they were a group of unruly people. Nevermind the well-known fact that the Red Lotus group traveled far and wide to brainwash others, they spread an evil religion across the lands. Tsing Yi army dominated and conquered with violence as if a horde of locusts had passed through. Let alone the aristocrats who looked down on them, even the average people commenting on these two self-righteous groups had more words of disgust and mockery compared to praise. She shook her head, then replied, Who knows how this guy thinks. Perhaps he wished to borrow some troops from Dongqing and reinstate himself in Nansheng. Otherwise, he escaped here to save his life. Except now hes changed his name and chosen to live anonymously among the people. Now that Dongqings situation is so messy, its a suitable time to seize the opportunity. Her words gripped Wei Cis heart. His complexion turned pale white. The Red Lotus group was in Dongqing. The last of the royal bloodline of Nansheng desired to use the troops to reinstate his country, hoping to take advantage of the situation These key facts made him feel very uncomfortable. Whats wrong, Zixiao? Your complexion doesnt look good. She noticed Wei Cis face become devoid of blood, looking deathly white. Out of concern, she told him, The wind and snow are very heavy. Please return to the carriage to keep warm. Wei Ci was in a daze momentarily, but he regained his senses after he heard her speak. He bashfully said, Its a small matter, just an old ailment. Of course, he couldnt return now. He must stay and see who this person was! While Wei Ci was in deep thought, the man in question finished his bath. He put on the clean clothes given to him by the soldiers. His body measurements were similar to those of the soldiers, so they fit rather comfortably on him. However, his cold sores had spread over a large surface area, so his condition was still serious. As soon as his body increased in temperature, the cold sores became very itchy, as if countless insects were crawling over him. It was too unbearable not to scratch. Somehow, the man controlled his urge to scratch. His facial expression remained neutral. My lord, the man is here. The soldier brought the man before Jiang Pengji. She was with Feng Zhen and Wei Ci, discussing the internal situation within Nansheng country. Nansheng country had indeed been wiped out. Lets ignore whether or not the four factions of Nanman had successfully conquered the southern borders and get to the crux of the matter. This was about the atrocities theyd committed as they traveled down. Judging the day the capital city had fallen, the number of lives taken by the four factions of Nanman made them contemptible. Scholars all over the world were inconsolable. The men of the imperial family were beheaded, their heads hung from the city walls. The females were forced to become army prostitutes. From 3 to 60 years old, not one was spared. Some of the women would not accept the humiliation and turned to suicide. Some of the noblewomen hugged their young daughters as they died together. 1Aside from all the blood they spilled, the cannibalism exercised by the four factions of Nanman caused one to feel disgusted. After the imperial family of Nansheng was killed, the aristocrats of Nansheng country had no choice but to form a coalesce to resist the four factions of Nanman. As previously mentioned, the power the aristocrats wielded was great. They were mighty enough to influence the courts decisions and control the Emperors will. How could such a mighty county like Nansheng be exterminated? Importantly, each aristocratic family had their own selfish ambitions. Between them were infighting and love-hate relationships. They complemented each other. In the beginning, regardless of whether Nansheng country was defeated or not, it didnt matter to the aristocratic families for three main reasons. Firstly, the deaths of the Nansheng imperial family were inconsequential. They could easily raise up a new king. Whoever became the Emperor was unimportant to them. Secondly, the noblemen were proud beyond measure. Although they hated the four factions of Nanman, they never regarded them as a threat. Thirdly, Nansheng country courted their own deaths. They made many useless allies who attempted to suppress the descendants of the feudal aristocrats, damaging their vital interests. Unsurprisingly, after Nansheng country was defeated, they didnt receive any benefits. The four factions of Nanman were completely unreasonable. They didnt care about the worthiness of the aristocrats. Are the aristocrats rich? Kill and plunder them! Are there women in aristocratic families? Kill and plunder them! Are they rich in rations? Kill and plunder them! When the four factions of Nanman exterminated Nansheng, they massacred countless noblemen. Men were cruelly killed while women became sex objects to satisfy their lust and carry on their bloodlines. If their rations were not enough, they were boiled as food for consumption. At that point, the scholarly families in Nansheng finally came to realize the reality of their situation. They recruited troops and bought horses. An army arose to resist the cruelty of the four factions of Nanman as they invaded their lands. Under these circumstances, could many have escaped to other countries to take shelter? Jiang Pengji, Wei Ci, and Feng Zhen discussed this matter. They certainly didnt hold the four factions of Nanman in high regard. Wei Ci cautioned Jiang Pengji, My lord, you must not be careless. Jiang Pengji said, I despise the four factions of Nanman and mock them, but not because of their fighting abilities. Contrarily, these Nanman men are skilled warriors. Nansheng country was facing a weakening of might, their political situation was a mess, and they were deserving of defeat. In this chaotic world, the winner is the victor at war. In this sense, the four factions of Nanman are indeed stronger than Nansheng country. Yet what follows after they win? For someone as foolish as the four factions of Nanman, at most, they could boast of their powers around the central plains momentarily. For them to establish a strong political foundation that could carry on for generations to come? Keke, Dream on! Fighting a war wasnt difficult, the aftermath and rebuilding were. As a community who only knows how to destroy but not preserve, create, or prolong anything for a long time, they are destined to be less powerful. Jiang Pengji sneered as she said, To put things more pleasantly, those who reign supreme come and go. Who can guarantee that the people of Nansheng will not fight back? Judging from Nanmans situation, there could be a lot of disunities internally. If their enemies are successful in rebelling against them, what awaits them is the extermination of their tribe! Feng Zhen heard this and raised his brows. The four factions of Nanman have been conquered? Based on Nanshengs present situation, I find it rather incredulous that the people havent had any time to rest. The Nanman people only have to raise their swords to kill someone. Meanwhile, the people of Nansheng still must raise their children. That will take them more than 10 years. Before the Nanman tribe was killed off, Nansheng was probably dead already. Unexpectedly, Wei Ci begged to differ. Not necessarily. Eh? Feng Zhen was surprised, Why? Feng Zhen didnt know why, but Wei Ci was certain that the Nanman tribe would cease to exist. How could he tell them the truth, but he could only vaguely mix the truths and lies together and present it. The heavens will stand forever. For every event, there is a season. All things are predestined. Even ones food and drink are causes and consequences. The four factions of Nanman killed more than 30,000 men from Nansheng; their crimes are unpardonable. Isnt it an instinct for the people of Nansheng to exterminate the entire Nanman clan? Wei Ci maintained a stoic face as he spoke, trying to cover up his feelings. The side of Feng Zhens mouth raised. He scolded Wei Ci as he smiled. To think Id fall for your lies. You may be able to hoodwink others, but do you think you can fool me? Wei Ci smiled bitterly. The four factions of Nanman had indeed been exterminated. Theyd had a total of 638,000 people. Whether they were males, females, old or young, or even infants who cried pitifully for food, almost none survived. The person who had ordered that massacre was Wei Cis previous lord An Cui. Chapter 605 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio My surname is An, and my first name consists of a single syllable, Cui. Despite wearing the clothes of a soldier, the person still bowed and said his greetings courteously, not breaching etiquette. 1Im Liu Xi, replied Jiang Pengji. Then she asked, If I havent made a wrong guess, Brother An, you are from the south, right? An Cui recalled what Jiang Pengji, Wei Ci, and the rest had been chatting about when he came over and gave up on the idea of concealing his identity. Looking rather haggard, he said, Yes, I am a citizen of Nansheng. Although An Cui had not heard about Liu Xi back when he was in Nansheng, how could he possibly not have heard of her after escaping to northern Dongqing? Hed thought that Liu Xi would probably be a staid and mature man, but at that moment, he was surprised to see that the other party was a high-spirited young man. Even though Liu Xi had handsome looks, he still retained some childishness, making him look slightly androgynous. Looking back at himself, An Cui could only sigh emotionally and lament that heroes were born young. An Cuis courtesy name was Duoxi [1]. Cui meant worries. Despite sounding rather cheesy, the courtesy name of Duoxi which An Cuis elders had given him was full of their wishes for him. It was a pity that An Cuis life had changed completely on the day the four factions of Nanman conquered the royal capital. Wei Ci sighed secretly It was really him. While Jiang Pengji and An Cui talked, Wei Ci looked down inconspicuously. One hand silently clutched the other hand hidden beneath his long sleeves tightly, squeezing until his nails left a few pale blue marks on his hand. Wei Ci recalled that when hed first met An Cui in the previous incarnation, the latter was a nobody that few had heard of. In An Cuis own words of self-mockery, he had been toiling uselessly for ten plus years, wondering when this life of going back and forth meaninglessly would come to an end. His nation was no longer there. Silver hair crept up his temples. He had been running to and fro until, without realizing it, he was already more than 40 years old. Assuming that nothing unexpected was to take place, he had already lived more than half of his life, yet he still wanted to exact revenge on the four factions of Nanman. There was indeed a deep-seated blood-feud that could not be resolved between An Cui and the four factions of Nanman. Wei Ci sat beside him with his head down, listening to them talk, his mind occupied with his own thoughts. It wasnt that Wei Ci had never thought about this lord that hed served after being reincarnated, but he knew that An Cui was not a suitable ruler for him. An Cui was too vengeful, especially after leading a wandering life for 10 plus years. His hatred towards the four factions of Nanman had already become deeply ingrained in him, and seeking revenge had become his personal demon and obsession. Wei Ci could still remember the scene when An Cui gave orders for the slaughtering of the four factions of Nanman. Being from the Central Plains, Wei Ci had no liking for the barbarians, but that didnt mean that he could stand aside while An Cui gave orders for the slaughtering. However, one could deduce the outcome of Wei Cis argument with An Cui from what happened in the end. Wei Ci lost. All the 630,000 barbarian civilians, regardless of age or gender, were slaughtered. Several major rivers of Nansheng were clogged up by the bodies. The waters were completely dyed red. An Cui gave no orders to restrain his troops, and Wei Ci knew all too well what the troops had done before the slaughter and what the barbarian civilians had been put through. Wei Ci gradually grew distant from An Cui after the quarrel. Wei Ci wanted a wise ruler who could unite the nine states, a saint that could save the people from the sufferings caused by war, not a butcher who committed countless sins similar to his enemies as a result of being blinded by hatred! Was there really any difference between what An Cui had done in the end and what the four factions of Nanman had once done? Wei Ci admitted to An Cuis accusations of him being a goody-two-shoes and that it was easy for him to make many virtuous claims as a bystander. After all, An Cui was the one whod had his nation destroyed, his wife killed, his children taken away, not Wei Ci. But it wasnt an excuse for An Cui to exact revenge with similar means. There were plenty of other ways to punish the four factions of Nanman and still exact revenge. Why did An Cui choose the cruelest, most despicable method? Wei Ci could understand An Cuis desire for revenge, but he disapproved of An Cuis actions. An Cui revolted purely to seek revenge, and revenge was the only thing he had in mind. What the civilians were going through had nothing to do with him. Someone who gave up everything for revenge was totally not the wise ruler Wei Ci was looking for. Those whose pathways in life were different could not lay plans with one another. So, Wei Ci didnt deliberately take note of the lord he had once served after being reincarnated. But humans were fortunes fools, and they had surprisingly ended up meeting so many years in advance. At this point, Nansheng had only been annihilated for little more than one year, and An Cui had only spent several months wandering around after escaping from what was once his nation. He still looked young, maintaining a trace of the airs unique to people in power. He still managed, albeit barely, to maintain his dignity, the only thing he had left. It was completely different from how he would be 10 plus years later. Although he was just over 40 years old, his hair and beard had turned completely silver. His face was haggard-looking, his shoulders had sunk in, and his back hunched, making him resemble someone in their seventies. Only his eyes still had a sharp, unrelenting look in them. Feng Zhen noticed Wei Cis unusual behavior and secretly tugged at his sleeves. Why are you zoning out? Wei Ci kept his eyes down and said, Its probably because I didnt sleep well last night and Im feeling drowsy. Feng Zhen cleverly went along and said, If you arent feeling well, you should go back to the carriage and get some rest. Sickly people should be self-aware and go get some rest when not feeling well. After all, one would need good health to be able to stir up trouble. Their voices caught the attention of Jiang Pengji and An Cui. An Cui looked in the voices direction and was caught off guard by Wei Cis looks and airs. For the time being, An Cui had yet to experience ten plus years of wandering around and drifting about, and Wei Cis looks were somewhat aligned with his aesthetics. 1Jiang Pengji also said, Dont force it if you arent feeling well. Get some rest first, everything else can wait. Wei Ci didnt insist upon staying and got up to leave. Feng Zhen blinked, then bowed and took his leave, briskly walking to catch up with Wei Ci. Why did you follow after me? Wei Ci wanted to spend some time with his own thoughts, but the thick-skinned Feng Zhen followed him and climbed into the carriage. You know An Cui, Feng Zhen said confidently. Whats his background? He doesnt seem like an easy person to get along with, judging from his looks. Wei Ci didnt deny it, but instead said, An Cui is from County Zhe, which is in Jiangzhou of Nansheng. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all three generations of them were very powerful ministers. His family could be considered one of the new noble houses in Nansheng. An Cui himself had a very good reputation in Nansheng as well. His mother is the youngest sister of the ruler of Nansheng, and he has ties with the royal family of Nansheng as well. The day Nansheng was destroyed, An Cuis whole family was Feng Zhen didnt question why Wei Ci knew so much, as the latter always got wind of the latest happenings at a fast pace. An Cui was the only one to escape? Wei Ci nodded. Yeah. At the moment, An Cui was probably 27 or 28, in one of the best stages of life. Had Nanman not invaded, he would be excelling in life. Its a pity that An Cuis parents and family members had died tragically, that his wife couldnt stand the humiliation and committed suicide, and that his daughter and sons dead bodies were nowhere to be found. He was the only one left dragging out an ignoble existence. Putting himself in the other mans shoes, Wei Ci could understand why An Cui hated Nanman so much. But his understanding didnt mean that he agreed. If An Cui was just a civilian that sought bloody revenge from his enemies, Wei Ci would praise him for being manly. But An Cui was one of the warlords trying to rule the world back then. How could a person that was irrationally fixated on hatred and had ordered the slaughter of all the Nanman people rule the world? Even if he was to become the ruler of the world by luck, how many years could his nation last? Feng Zhen said emphatically, How pitiful, he probably hates those barbarians to death. Wei Ci said, Thats an understatement With his capabilities, maybe he can win Nansheng back. Feng Zhen recalled the flame-patterned tattoo on An Cuis arm and seemed to have understood something. He said, This man is rather ambitious [1] The literal meaning of Duoxi is plenty of happiness. Chapter 606 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio An Cui came from a noble background. Had he not harbored his own goals, why would he have been willing to join the ranks of the Red Lotus Group and become part of the motley crew within? The flame tattoo drawn on his arm meant that he had already earned a position as the leader of a small group within the Red Lotus Group. Feng Zhen couldnt help but suspect that he was trying to make his way higher into the ranks of the Red Lotus Group, then take the opportunity to stage a coup and seize the manpower. His suspicions were not without reason. Wei Ci gave an affirmative answer. He has ambitions and resolution, how could he possibly be content with being a nobody? Unfortunately, fate treated him poorly. He lacked luck. Luck? Feng Zhen laughed and said, You are starting to resemble a fake psychic more and more. Are you going to tell me that you know this through physiognomy as well? Wei Ci avoided his question. His luck is really quite bad. After all, Wei Ci knew the life story of the lord he used to serve very well. Sometimes, luck was a component of ones capabilities. An Cui had no shortage of talent and ability, but he lacked timely opportunities. Every time things were improving as a result of him racking his brains, he always got pulled into the fights around him. All his efforts went to waste. He still hadnt accomplished a thing after going back and forth for ten plus years. He only had hundreds of aged soldiers under him. While he did have a few ferocious generals serving him, they were all born of low social standing. All fought with brute force, never using their brains to think. While the world was in chaos, An Cui hopped from one faction to another. He was 41 years old, in his middle age, yet he had neither occupied territory nor manpower. He was really in a bleak situation. In the end, hed wandered to Zhongzhao and pleaded for Wei Ci to come out of hiding and help him. Even Wei Ci felt his head ache when faced with the fact that An Cui had almost nothing. To be honest, Wei Ci had always paid attention to the worldly affairs, but he had no intention of leaving his hideout because he felt that no lord would dare to employ him. He was born at midnight on the 22nd day of the eighth month of the year Kui You. After looking at his birthdate, who would dare to employ him? Even if they employed him as an advisor, they would be wary of him or leave him with no actual matters to attend to. Wei Ci was not going to put up with such humiliation. So, when An Cui took the initiative to ask him to come out of hiding, the intelligent Wei Ci was actually fairly surprised. He already clearly understood Wei Cis ambitions hidden beneath his aged appearance. Wei Ci was rumored to be the reincarnation of the prime minister of the previous dynasty. The prime minister had helped the founder of the Great Xia Dynasty to progress from a nobody to the ruler of the world. If someone had taken the initiative to ask him to come out of hiding, surely he was trying to emulate the founder of the Great Xia Dynasty, wasnt he? The person must be really bold to put a crafty sycophant who might betray his lord and stage a coup in an important position. An Cui was determined to employ Wei Ci despite the latter refusing his offer on multiple occasions. He was so persistent that Wei Ci could do nothing but secretly escape out the back door while An Cui was at the front door. But such actions provided a solution. In the end, they had a heart-to-heart talk, and Wei Ci was convinced. He thought that the man had ambitions to improve the lives of all worldly beings. He felt joy at having encountered the wise lord he sought to advise. An Cui did have some obsessions, but hatred was also a form of motivation. An Cui wasnt young, even back then, and Wei Ci had been worried that he would lose his ambitions as he aged. Having hatred would motivate him. Wei Ci toiled for An Cui, drafting plans, publicizing his campaign, seeking talent, managing internal affairs, training his troops, and scheming against other forces, be it through forming alliances or slowly nibbling up their territories He slowly built up An Cuis influence, step by step, and put in all his efforts to help An Cui progress from a nobody occupying no territory to a warlord controlling most of Nansheng. Jiang Pengji exploited her employees and didnt give them salaries, but she knew to sell them luxurious homes at the price of one cent and to provide various benefits after that to appease them. All else ignored, one could see how good the meals provided were just from the fact that Yang Si had gained weight in winter despite being very busy with work. But back when Wei Ci was helping An Cui, he was really using his own money to help instead of getting paid. He received no salary for a few consecutive years, yet he enjoyed it. He was realizing his own dreams. He felt spiritually rich despite being physically poor. However, never had he expected just how deep-rooted An Cuis obsession with revenge was. The latter was so insane that it surprised him. There was nothing wrong with resolving feuds like national enmity and family hatred with blood. But Wei Ci was hoping to integrate the four factions of Nanman into the Central Plains. The effect wouldnt be visible to the first or second generation, but after three or four generations, they would forget their ancestors, civilization, language, and customs, and be completely integrated into the Central Plains. The people of the four factions of Nanman were all human, and a country could only grow strong if it had a large population! Back then, the fight to become the ruler of the world was incredibly intense. More than 10 warlords split up the territories of the original five nations, and the battles between them were neverending. Wei Ci wanted to stabilize and cultivate the nation while the rest fought intensely, quietly developing all the while. He felt that he couldnt see the unification of the world in his lifetime, so he wanted to build a good foundation for the next generation to realize his dream. But in the end? An Cui exhausted all their resources building up military power and launched attacks against the four factions of Nanman for consecutive years, stubbornly insisting on wiping Nanman out. Countless civilians and soldiers died or were injured under his rule. In the end, he did indeed destroy the whole of the four factions of Nanman, including the innocent and the not-so-innocent. Nanman did become history, but how many civilians and soldiers lost their lives in the process? Not only were lives lost, but Wei Cis cumulative efforts over many years went to waste as well! To be honest, if not for An Cui launching attacks against the south several times and exhausting too much military, material, and manpower resources in the process, how else could Jiang Pengji swallow up An Cuis forces at such a rapid pace! Fortunately, Jiang Pengji did not have the habit of killing prisoners of war or slaughtering entire cities. If she did, the number of civilians who died indirectly because of An Cui would be even greater! To put it bluntly, if An Cui could become the final winner, he would be praised as a dominant and assertive ruler for slaughtering and wiping out the barbarians for revenge. But in the end? A person who dragged his men and civilians to hell with him for the sake of revenge would be considered a tyrant, not an assertive ruler. Despite so many years having passed, recalling that history still made Wei Ci so angry that his liver hurt. Feng Zhen was far-sighted. He asked Wei Ci, If this person is intending to stab the Red Lotus Group in the back, isnt that just what our lord is hoping for? Wei Ci was momentarily silent, then asked, Are you not worried that we might feed a tiger to our own detriment? Feng Zhen really loved to tempt death. What a good idea it was to help An Cui deal with the Red Lotus Group. The fella even laughed and said, How can An Cui be considered a tiger? If we use him wisely, we can even use this opportunity to get him to keep the forces in Nansheng in check. There were no eternal enemies in the world, only friends with their interests aligned and enemies with their interests in conflict. Wei Ci sighed. An Cui was indeed a tiger, a huge tiger. Once he met a suitable advisor, he could soar into the skies. Dont take it too lightly. A thousand-mile embankment could be destroyed by an anthill, let alone a living person, Wei Ci said. Feng Zhen said nonchalantly, You are too careful. At the moment, An Cui is just a stray dog that has lost his home. Furthermore, we dont even know if this An Cui is capable enough to be of any use. We should observe him in secret. If he is capable, we can manipulate him. Wei Ci heard this and his expression changed. After a while, Wei Ci sighed and said, Indeed, I have overthought. Despite not wanting to be influenced by his memories from the previous incarnation, he still couldnt help but be lead astray when considering matters. The situation was different from the previous incarnation. In the previous incarnation, An Cuis forces were strong, while the lord he currently served, Jiang Pengji, was the object of everyones ridicule. A mere woman wanting to be king, how ridiculous was that? She had almost no money, and her subordinates had more muscle than brain. Even though she was good in battles, managing internal affairs was her weakness. Without stabilizing ones hinterland, how could one expand ones forces? However, in just a few years, An Cuis forces, as well as the remaining of Nansheng, had all been swallowed up by this person. Things had changed. At the moment, Jiang Pengji had strong forces, and An Cui was by himself. Jiang Pengji only needed to concentrate on stabilizing and developing her forces to keep her position secure despite the fierce battles going on outside. Chapter 607 - Last Bloodline of Nansheng (VI) My lord, what do you think of An Cui? Wei Ci privately asked Jiang Pengji. He wanted to hear her evaluation of An Cui to make it more convenient for them to carry out the next step. Jiang Pengji looked at the flames burning vigorously, her elbow on her knees and her palm supporting her head. An Cui? What special opinion could I have on him? If I must comment, Id say that he seems pretty vengeful, and I dont really like him. Jiang Pengji tsked and said, He isnt on the same path as us. Hes ambitious. Surely you arent thinking of getting him to join us? Wei Ci almost choked because of her guess. He quickly said, No, I just wanted to know your evaluation of him, my lord. Jiang Pengji huffed softly through her nose. Im surprised to find that you actually such moments of curiosity. I dont really like An Cui. He neither reflects on himself nor learns from his mistakes. People like him wont achieve anything else throughout their lives if their luck is bad. Wei Ci was surprised. My lord, you said An Cui neither reflects on himself nor learns from his mistakes? She said, Just now, I fished for information, and more or less got to know his background. He can be considered a half-member of the royal family, actually. House An soared to brilliant success after his grandfathers generation, and they enjoyed mortal riches. Moreover, An Cui was a young nobleman who enjoyed a privileged life. He spent the first half of his life living in a honeypot. The four factions of Nanman invaded and rampaged, destroyed his home, killed his family, and seized his countrys territory. He has fair reasons to hate them and seek revenge. Wei Ci listened with a serious attitude. He certainly knew that his lord had a very different way of thinking compared to ordinary people and could always come up with fresh opinions. As expected, Jiang Pengjis tone changed abruptly. She said, But, Zixiao, I feel as though theres nothing wrong with the four factions of Nanman attacking Nansheng. Wei Cis expression stiffened. He had definitely not expected his lord to say something like that. Jiang Pengji lifted a hand to stop him from responding, then explained in detail, An Cui wants to take revenge on the four factions of Nanman because of national enmity and family hatred. Cant the four factions of Nanman seek blood revenge on Nansheng for their nation and family as well? Think carefully about what the four factions of Nanman did along the way as they invaded, their actions. They raped and rampaged, slaughtering women and children, beheading any male taller than the shaft of a cart, consuming human flesh when they ran out of grain Their various sins are too numerous for an exhaustive list to be inscribed on all the bamboo strips in the world. They are total barbarians, cruel and violent But! Zi Xiao, do you know what Nansheng did to the four factions of Nanman? Wei Ci read widely, and the books he had read in his past and present incarnations were as endless as the ocean. As she asked the question, Wei Ci remembered something. Jiang Pengji snickered and said, Judging by your expression, Zixiao, you do know. Back in the times of the Xia Dynasty, the four factions of Nanman submitted to Xia, presenting tributes and proclaiming their loyalty every year. The people of the Central Plains and the barbarians coexisted in peace. The last emperor of the Xia Dynasty was dumb and incompetent, and all the warlords had intentions of rebelling. At the start, when Nansheng was founded as a nation, the situation was not stable. Nansheng captured countless Nanman people to be their laborers and soldiers. More than 200,000 died from working or in battles. When the capital of Nansheng was built, within the city were luxurious buildings, and outside the city were piles of bones. Other than a small proportion of prisoners of war and slaves, the rest were Nansheng men who had been abducted. No matter how Nansheng tried to cover up the history, impartial historians would not yield easily. She continued, Furthermore, after Nansheng was founded, they claimed to be the suzerain of Nanman and forced the other party to present tributes every year. The amount they required increased every year. Moreover, the farm tax was unbearably heavy. Nanman rebelled a few times, but they were no match. Nansheng suppressed the rebellions with force a few times, killing no less than 100,000. The four factions of Nanman were indeed uncultured barbarians, but werent those from Nansheng just beasts in human clothing? Human trafficking was a serious problem at the start when Nansheng was founded. The trafficked could be roughly grouped into three categories: prisoners of war, slaves, barbarians. Barbarians had the most strength and were the cheapest. Among the three, barbarians were trafficked the most. From where were the barbarians sourced? They were forcefully captured by the armed forces to be sold! Countless nobles in Nansheng filled their pockets with the blood and tears of several generations of barbarians! Would An Cui dare to say that every single penny hed spent since he was young had come from legitimate sources? She said mockingly, The way I see it, people of the Central Plains and the barbarians are all human, and all humans have an ugly side. Back in its prime, Nansheng claimed to be the orthodox descendants of Xia, but did they dare to publicize the unconscientious things they had done? How much land from the four factions of Nanman did Nansheng seize with excuses? Conspiracies and schemes, rampaging and pillaging, killing enough people to fill the wilderness with their corpses. While the factions of Nanman are considered beasts, Nansheng cant claim to be upright either. The difference between the two is that Nanman shows its brutality and cruelty outright, while Nansheng is pretentious enough to try to cover it up. Having said this, Jiang Pengji softened her tone and said, Do you know why I dont like An Cui? It isnt that I think that it is wrong for him to seek revenge. Actually, I too like to revenge wrong with wrong and requite injury with injury. One can kill to consume their enemy whole when it comes to enmity between nations and families. However, An Cui is a noble and not a commoner. He should undertake as much responsibility as the privileges he has enjoyed. His hatred originates from the fact that Nanman has destroyed his house, family, nation, and social standing. His anger is for them causing him to fall from his favored state to his current state of being a homeless stray dog, not for the people still suffering in the fallen nation! Was he still thinking of using the civilians flesh and blood to seek revenge at this time? Shouldnt he be thinking of ways to protect the civilians and stabilize the situation? Or thinking of how to unite the people to expel the barbarians of the four factions of Nanman from the country? In simple words, An Cui was selfish, and Jiang Pengji didnt like it. Everyone was more or less selfish. She was no exception. She understood how An Cui felt, but she couldnt approve of his actions. Hearing what she said, Wei Ci stood where he was for a moment, stunned. Jiang Pengji thought that Wei Ci felt bad, and added on, At the moment, the civilians of Nansheng are meat on Nanmans chopping block. Surely one couldnt let those civilians await their deaths at the hands of Nanman because of the enmity several generations back. I just feel that An Cui didnt reflect on the cause and effect of the enmity between Nanman and Nansheng. Based on his temperament, the four factions of Nanman wont be far from being wiped out if he really succeeds in getting his revenge. It was impossible to wipe out a race of people completely. There would always be a few who escaped. Every dog would have his day. Who could say that the descendants of the escaped few wouldnt stir up even more trouble? Wei Ci said, My lord, your thinking is very different from the majority of people, and I feel somewhat enlightened. Jiang Pengji secretly rolled her eyes and asked directly, Zixiao, why did you suddenly ask me about An Cui? Wei Ci was initially hesitant about whether they should free the tiger back to the mountains or not, but he no longer had any qualms about it. Previously, Zishi discussed something with me, and I think that it is feasible, Wei Ci said. An Cui wants to make use of the manpower of the Red Lotus Group, and you want to take back Chengde County, which the Red Lotus Group has occupied. Why dont we make it a win-win situation? We can ask him to coordinate with our actions, and both sides can work together, one from within and one from outside. Wanzhou consisted of Shangyang County, Fengyi County, and Chengde County. Shangyang County was already in the bag. Fengyi County was thriving under her rule. If someone could help them from within, it would be much easier for them to conquer Chengde County as well. Jiang Pengji was quite tempted. But The Red Lotus Group has plenty of manpower. You want me to give more to An Cui for free? she asked. After the Red Lotus Group was defeated, the captured civilians would all be hers. Why should she give anything to An Cui alone? Wei Ci said, The Red Lotus Group brainwashed the people with their doctrine. Ordinary civilians are still fine, but cult members with slightly higher positions are quite affected. Their thinking is stubborn and extreme, and they will only be a source of future trouble if we let them stay. It would be cost-effective to use these people to do An Cui a favor and make him sign an acknowledgment of debt. Then he will owe us a favor and some money. Chapter 608 - It’s All Insincere Tricks Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji looked very surprised after she listened to Wei Cis opinion. It was as if she had discovered a new continent. She said, Zixiao, I thought that you were the most righteous of us all. I didnt know that you have such a crafty side. Come to think about it, it shouldnt have been surprising. After all, is there even any advisor that doesnt have a scheming mind? Jiang Pengji thought. She said, What youve said is true. The Red Lotus Group is different from the Tsing Yi Army. The Red Lotus Group uses nonsensical doctrines to fool ignorant civilians. Their ideas are persistent and difficult to root out. It wont end well if they secretly spread their cult and influence the civilians under our rule. Tossing them to someone else could be a good way of using what little value they have to us. Wei Ci sighed. He knew that she was teasing him and joking around with him with her words. If she spoke in such a manner to someone unfamiliar with her, they would think that she was mocking them. Alls well as long as you dont despise it, replied Wei Ci. Cupped her cheek with one hand, Jiang Pengji adjusted the campfire with her free hand, causing the fire to burn more vigorously. Mhmm, I dont despise it. In fact, I quite like it. Despite the conversation being perfectly normal, Wei Ci felt his ears redden involuntarily. Watching from nearby, Feng Zhen for some reason felt that he had witnessed some public display of affection. Tsk Seems like I dont have to meddle in their affairs. Feng Zhen shrugged. As a sickly person who had consumed too much Hanshi powder, he really hated winter and summer. He climbed back into the carriage and blocked the entrance securely to prevent cold air from entering. He then sat and warmed himself with a hot water bottle. After a snowy and windy night, the soldiers boiled water, soaked the dried meat, and cooked porridge for breakfast in the morning. Jiang Pengji ordered the soldiers to tell An Cui to come over so they could have breakfast together. The conditions are crude and limited, Brother An, but please make do with the meal. I will treat you to a proper meal some other day when there is a chance, Jiang Pengji said generously and politely. An Cui was not an insolent person, so he quickly accepted the invitation and held a casual conversation. Dried meat, broth, and porridge. The food was indeed crude, but given their current situation, it could be considered extremely plentiful. To add some flavor, condiments had been added to the broth, making it smell delicious. The livestream started at the scheduled time. The audience who had been waiting for a while flooded the channel, some saying hello and extending their greetings. The livestream channel soon reached 150,000 viewers, the maximum number of audience members it could accommodate. The channel had become so famous that everyone knew about it. It was extremely difficult to obtain entry to the channel. Whoever got a seat in the livestream would definitely take a screenshot to show off in their Weibo or Wechat Moments. As the audience entered, they realized that other than the streamer, the pretty Wei Ci, and the mean Feng Zhen, there was a stranger present. Eat Rice Dumplings on Dragon Boat Festival: Eh? Who is this guy that is allowed to have breakfast with the streamer and everyone? Eat Snacks on Childrens Day: I dont recognize him. I dont think he has appeared before. Do any seniors who have been following the channel for a long time know who this guy is? Stir-Fried Mushroom: I dont recognize him either. He probably appeared last night after the livestream ended Wait, he seems to have been mentioned yesterday. The soldiers found someone lying unconscious by the road, almost buried in the snow, and the streamer sent some men to rescue the person. Maybe its him? Forever 18: Maybe. If he is the person they saved yesterday, he must have some important background or ability. The screen of the livestream was full of comments discussing An Cui. The more serious members of the audience were discussing his identity and background, hoping to find clues. Meanwhile, the less serious members of the audience only had their eyes glued on An Cuis looks and figure, commenting on every part of him from head to toe. Streamer V: His name is An Cui, and he is indeed the person who was saved by the soldiers yesterday. Jiang Pengji sent a bullet screen comment and continued to have breakfast, her expression calm. After finishing her meal, she was in no rush to continue her journey. She affectionately asked An Cui, The world is in such a chaotic state at the moment, Brother An, do you have any plans? An Cui had been starving for a long time, but he still maintained his pride and habits, only eating as much breakfast as it took for him to feel 80% full. Hearing Jiang Pengjis question, An Cui looked somewhat lost. Then his expression changed to one of determination, and he said in a sonorous tone, The beasts of Nanman have trampled the mountains and rivers of my country and enslaved the people of Nansheng. I will give it my all to take revenge on the barbarians. Yes, he wanted revenge. Even when he had been semi-conscious and stranded in the snow the night before, the last thought had been on seeking revenge. Had the beasts of the four factions of Nanman not trampled Nansheng, destroyed his house, slaughtered his family, annihilated his country, and stepped on his self-esteem and pride, how else could he have ever been reduced from a lofty nobleman with a great future to his current stray-dog-like state? His nation had fallen and he could not return to his home. Thinking back on the days where hed drifted from place to place and endured many hardships, An Cui couldnt help but tear up. Jiang Pengji said, Seek revenge? The four factions of Nanman have strong military power. Brother An, Im afraid that your hopes have a slim chance of coming true. If the four factions of Nanman were easy to defeat, Nansheng wouldnt have been annihilated. An Cuis face was pale. His gaze flitted over his arm as he lamented, I also know that it is difficult, but how can I be resigned to my fate before I even give it a try? Initially, I wanted to borrow troops from your country to attack Nanman, but I didnt expect that Dongqing would also be so turbulent A few years before, the four factions of Nanman had almost conquered the capital city of Nansheng. The other countries on the Central Plains had all sent troops to assist Nansheng. But the four factions of Nanman were cunning and crafty. When faced with the reinforcement troops from the four countries, theyd chosen to slowly retreat while still occasionally putting up a fight. At first, the nobles of Nansheng thought that the four factions of Nanman were afraid of the reinforcement troops. They only realized later that the four factions of Nanman were actually smart. The troops of Nanman slowly retreated, occasionally putting up a fight and avoiding head-on fights with the reinforcement troops. Doing so, they conserved their military power to the greatest possible extent. The other four nations were not goody-two-shoes. They demanded payment for coming all the way to help Nansheng fight their battle, and the payment they demanded was not small. The four factions of Nanman did not suffer many losses in terms of military power and could stage a comeback at any time. Nansheng, however, could only grit its teeth and bear with it, giving the reinforcement troops of the other four nations plenty of remuneration in the form of land, money, provisions, military equipment, or even people. After the reinforcement troops left, as expected, the four factions of Nanman had attacked again. Some of the nobles and in-laws of the royal family sold information and military intelligence to Nanman to bolster themselves, ensuring that the annihilation of Nansheng would be unavoidable. An Cui had initially wanted to borrow some troops from Dongqing, but he hadnt expected Dongqing to be unable to even fend for itself. Jiang Pengji pretended to give him advice. Why dont you try your luck at Zhongzhao? An Cui couldnt stop laughing bitterly. Hed almost died on the way while escaping to Dongqing when his life was threatened several times. He didnt know if he could survive the journey to Zhongzhao if he was to set off again. To be honest, I had my motives for trying everything I could to sneak into the Red Lotus Group. An Cui exhaled deeply, a determined look on his face. The Red Lotus Group uses its doctrines to delude the people. They have gathered tens of thousands of believers already. They dont just operate in northern Dongqing, but spread their doctrine in other places as well, tricking citizens into joining them. The Group appears to be similar to Buddhism and Taoism, but it is no different from a cult. Jiang Pengji secretly raised an eyebrow. Just then, she was still thinking about how she could bring up the possibility of cooperation with An Cui, but he took the initiative to do so before she said anything. His words led to the goal that he was going to reveal next. Jiang Pengji took the opportunity. Looking worried, she said, The Red Lotus Group is indeed toxic. If they are given leeway to anchor themselves and promote their ideology in northern Dongqing, within two or three years, all the citizens of northern Dongqing are going to be deceived by these cultists and join them An Cui joined his hands together in a salute and bowed, then said sincerely, To be honest, I initially sneaked into the Red Lotus Group hoping to infiltrate their ranks and use them as means for revenge. However, after understanding their doctrine, I realized that the situation is pretty bad. Judging from the current situation, if you dont act fast to prevent future troubles, their existence will drag on, and they will become a thorn in your side! Brother, you must take precautions. Chapter 609 - They Were All Secretly Adept at Scheming Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Both of them had intentions of cooperating, but they were still trying to come up with ways to trick the other party. The audience of the livestream was confused by what they were seeing. Theyd thought that An Cui would end up becoming one of Jiang Pengjis advisors and had been prepared to laugh at him. Some of them, popcorn in their hands, were waiting to see how the streamer would trick him into joining. Then the streamer would throw a heavy workload of administrative duties at him. Claypot Mutton with Wide Rice Noodles: Haha, I enjoy watching the streamer trick people the most. Remember how the mouthy Feng Zhen used to be? The streamer forced him to kick his addiction to the Five Minerals Powder so that she could exploit him. I searched up what the withdrawal symptoms are like and I really pity him. Charcoal-Grilled Enoki Mushroom: Tsk, is there any shortage of employees who have been tricked by the streamer? Just look at Feng Zhen. He enjoys fooling around, but all of that is already in the past. Nowadays, he has to be wary every day, even when he is just drinking alcohol, always worried that a pair of eyes are staring at him from some corner, how pitiful. Sprite with Coke: Lets bet on a cucumber. Take a guess, how many rounds will the streamer take to convince An Cui? A Plate of Tofu Baked till Dry: I wont bet, but either way Im with the streamer. Todays Dinner: Im with the streamer too, she can definitely convince him in 30 rounds! The losers with no ambition who could only stay in their little circle and cheer for the streamer, abuzz with discussion. But as the conversation between the two proceeded, the onlookers felt that something was wrong. Why did it not feel like Jiang Pengji was convincing someone to be her subordinate? Was it an illusion that they were sensing? Jiang Pengji lamented in worry, I only have 20,000 thousand troops and horses with me. Although the Red Lotus Group consists of a dumb crowd, it claims that it has 100,000 followers, and that would be tough to tackle. I also want to get rid of this poisonous tumor, but I have limited men and power. I probably cant do it alone. An Cui took the opportunity and proactively offered himself up. If you dont mind, my younger brother, why not allow me to be your vanguard and open up a path for you? They hadnt known each other for very long, yet they were referring to each other as brother every few sentences as if they had a really good relationship. Jiang Pengji was struck with a thought. A somewhat puzzled expression appeared on her face. Brother An, what do you mean? An Cui said, You work from the outside while I work from within. Even though I am not very capable, I have managed to win over some people and make them my trusty subordinates. They can be very useful. Brother, although you only have 20,000 troops with you, all the men are good at fighting, and each of them is worth 10 members of the Red Lotus Group. With us helping you from within, we do not have to worry about annihilating the Red Lotus Group! Jiang Pengji looked somewhat tempted, yet remained hesitant with her words, deliberately leaving An Cui hanging. After a while, she was done pondering. She said hesitantly, If you do so, I would feel really bad about it. Supporting my plan with coordinated action from within would be extremely dangerous. Brother An, wouldnt I get you into deep trouble if you accidentally got found out by the evil members of the Red Lotus Group? No, no, I cannot risk it. An Cui almost choked on the air. Thats not how its supposed to go according to the script, he thought. He said, Everything comes with a risk. Surely, as humans, we shouldnt refuse to eat for fear of choking? Jiang Pengji looked indecisive and kept glancing in the direction of Wei Xi and Feng Zhen as if she couldnt make up her mind. She appeared gullible. Feng Zhen raised an eyebrow and deliberately said nothing, but Wei Ci couldnt refuse to cooperate. My Lord, in my opinion, it is a feasible plan. To coordinate with Jiang Pengjis acting, Wei CI had to put on a very confident front, as if he was somewhat overstepping his authority. Even though the Red Lotus Group has plenty of members, perhaps even the 100,000 they claim, they are but a foolish crowd, for they are generally slack and undisciplined. Furthermore, the Red Lotus Group secretly exploits the people, using their doctrines to con the citizens out of their assets. The victims are countless, and voices of grievance can be heard everywhere. If we can cooperate with Mr. An, my lord, with you attacking the county by force from the outside and Mr. An coordinating the citizens who are dissatisfied with the Red Lotus Group from the inside, what is there to worry about in conquering a little county like Chengde? The main operations of the Red Lotus Group were at Chengde County, and they used Chengde County as a base for their expansion towards other places, conning countless citizens on the way. Conquering Chengde County was equivalent to pulling out the roots of the Red Lotus Group. Their other strongholds, which were scattered everywhere, could also be slowly removed. Jiang Pengji agreed while nodding. Zixiao, you have a point. But our initial plan was to attack come spring, and its still in the middle of winter at the moment Seeing that she had agreed, An Cui felt that his opportunity had come at last. He joined his hands in a salute, bowed, and said, Brother, theres no need to rush. It is an important matter, and we should indeed plan slowly. You have had the intention of uprooting the cult and helping the people for a long time, and it is a very good thing. We still have a few months till spring, and I can make use of the time to lay my plans, trying my best to make sure that everything is perfect. Jiang Pengji continued acting. As a dumb, innocent, and enthusiastic warlord with little experience, how could she take unfair advantage of An Cui? In that case, Brother An, allow me to represent the people in thanking you in advance. You are a kind and righteous man. If we can completely uproot the Red Lotus Group and save the deluded citizens suffering in the north, our actions will definitely be remembered in history. Jiang Pengji seemed really excited as if she couldnt wait to have a big go at it immediately. She said, If we succeed, Brother An, your contribution will be great. How can I be so thick-skinned as to claim the success as my own? An Cui had been waiting for Jiang Pengji to say that. He said in self-mockery, Im just like a stray dog. Im already satisfied with being able to do what I can to benefit the people, and I cannot afford to ask for anything more. Jiang Pengji said enthusiastically, Why do you belittle yourself, Brother An? So what if you dont have troops? With your abilities, you will have some sooner or later. How about this If we conquer Fengyi District, why dont you take 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower we obtain? An Cui felt his heart leap, despite it being somewhat unambitious to be excited at such a small thing. 10 percent? He indeed wanted to get some profits out of it, but never did he expect this dumb yet bold young man to be so generous and offer him 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower right from the start! The wealth obtained by the Red Lotus Group illegally definitely exceeded tens of millions, and a mere 10 percent of it was already a huge sum. With money and the 10 percent of manpower that he would get, An Cui could slowly develop his influence and perhaps even take it one step further! An Cui had been lurking in the Red Lotus Group for several months and had finally managed to carefully gather some men he could call his own, but there were only hundreds of them at the moment. If he could help Jiang Pengji conquer Chengde County, the men and wealth he had would increase dramatically! He was already attracted by the deal, but he still had to appear humble verbally. I am merely supporting you with coordinated action, and Im not contributing much. How can it be compared to your efforts of leading your troops to raid the cult? No, no, your gift is too much, I am unworthy of it. Jiang Pengji was so enthusiastic, totally a dumb son of a rich family, so how could she possibly take back what she had promised? The two exchanged a few lines of argument. Forced by Jiang Pengji, An Cui reluctantly accepted the weighty gift of appreciation. Having agreed upon a coordinated mission, the atmosphere was naturally harmonious. They kept referring to each other as brother in their conversation as if they were close brothers by blood. Feng Zhen was the first one who couldnt take it anymore. Shaking off his goosebumps, he found some excuse to slip away. 1He pulled Wei Ci away as well. The two exchanged words in private. Our lord is too generous. He promised An Cui 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower, just like what the dumb son of a rich family would do. Feng Zhen was still as mouthy as usual. Wei Ci laughed and said, Our lord is concentrating his efforts on northern Dongqing for now and has no time or energy to deal with the other forces. If An Cui can serve as a target in our place, it will be a good thing. Furthermore, An Cuis enemies are the four factions of Nanman. The latter has already annihilated Nansheng, why would they be scared of An Cui? Even in the previous incarnation, it had taken Wei Ci several years of hard work, plus the locust plague in the factions of Nanman, for An Cui to get lucky and win. At the moment, the four factions of Nanman were still at their peak. An Cui seeking revenge was no different from throwing a straw against the wind. Wei Ci continued and said, You dont know how great of a hidden danger the diehard supporters of the Red Lotus Group are. None of them can be allowed to live on. Even without An Cui, Wei Ci wanted to privately suggest to Jiang Pengji that they slaughter all the higher-ups of the Red Lotus Group. 1There would be endless trouble in the future if they were not uprooted completely. Chapter 610 - Shangyang County? Mine (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Zhen laughed and said, Since its a hidden threat, it should naturally be wiped out as early as possible. Is it completely safe to push these hidden threats, which are not unlike malignant tumors, onto An Cui? What are we going to do if An Cui puts the higher-ups of the Red Lotus Group in important positions and instead chooses to fight against us? Feng Zhen pondered. Wei Ci shook his head and said confidently, The people from the Red Lotus Group have already had a taste of what it is like to be among the higher-ups. How could they possibly obey someone else easily? Moreover, An Cui was initially just an insignificant member of the Red Lotus Group. The higher-ups of the group would bear with it temporarily for the sake of their lives, but they definitely wont bear with it for very long. As for An Cui, he is very smart. As soon as something threatens his existence Heh! An Cui was from a noble family after all. Regardless of his EQ, his IQ was still quite high. Had the people in the Red Lotus Group been able to outsmart An Cui, he wouldnt have been able to secure a position at the head of a small group in the short span of a just few months. So, they just needed to look on. It was destined to be a situation where both parties used each other to their benefit, and it was just a matter of whether An Cui or the Red Lotus Group would be better at the game. Once An Cui felt that he no longer needed these people, it would be time for them to die. Feng Zhens thoughts went in one big circle for a good while before he vaguely understood what Wei Ci was trying to do. You are planning to use An Cui to kill off the people in the Red Lotus Group? Was there really a need to go through such convoluted planning just to kill a few people? The answer was yes, it was very, very necessary. Wei Ci put on an upright front and said, Our lords good name should not be tainted by the act of slaughtering prisoners of war, but these stubborn, toxic members of the Red Lotus Group must not be left alive. An Cui showing up was an accident. If he wasnt around, I would have to play the bad cop for once. Since he is around, whats wrong with using him? Feng Zhen was stunned and surprised. He wondered how the Red Lotus Group had triggered Wei Ci to be so concerned over the matter. In fact, Wei Ci made it a point to remember everything about everyone who had annoyed him. Whether or not he could eventually recover the lost ground didnt matter, what was important was that he must remember that such an incident had happened before. However, it was not Wei Ci that the Red Lotus Group had provoked, it was Jiang Pengji. Wei Ci still remembered that, in the previous incarnation, after the kingdom had just settled back into a peaceful state, Her Majesty had prayed to the holy tripod cauldron of the nine states and ascended the throne at the holy mountain, naming the kingdom Jiang. The nine states and the four seas were in dire need of reconstruction, but the implications of a war that had lasted for over a decade could not be resolved in just a few days. Furthermore, the weather was bad and famines happened occasionally, making the people uneasy. Rumors claiming that the empress was a demon circulated among the people. That was when the Red Lotus Group had seized the opportunity to make a comeback. While it did not affect the foundation of the nation, it still added a thick stack of official documents to Jiang Pengjis desk. 1The citizens were unwilling to believe her. Instead, they chose to believe the remnants of the Red Lotus Group that were spouting nonsense to deceive the masses and revolting against her. One could easily imagine her mood. So, Wei Ci was upset, too. How could the Red Lotus Group possibly have a good time if Wei Ci was upset? Feng Zhen tsked and teased him, saying, You are simply shameless, deceiving everyone with your looks when you are clearly a hypocrite. He didnt know how the Red Lotus Group had provoked Wei Ci, but Wei Ci didnt hide his malicious intent towards the group in the slightest. Wei Ci said, My looks were bestowed upon me by my parents, and it is a natural advantage after all, whats wrong with using them to my benefit occasionally? He had never claimed to be a virtuous man of honor, after all. If the blame really must be placed upon someone, then his parents should be blamed for giving him a face that looked too upright, elegant, and harmless. Oh, some people couldnt even be jealous. Meanwhile, a preliminary consensus had been reached regarding the cooperation deal between Jiang Pengji and An Cui. Jiang Pengji would regularly send messengers to contact An Cui before the arrival of spring. Recalling An Cuis plight of almost freezing to his death by the roadside, Jiang Pengji ordered that food and inconspicuous personal belongings be prepared for him. The famine in places like northern Dongqing was getting worse. For the past two years, the spring plowing and autumn harvest had also been delayed due to the war, and the citizens had all left their hometowns. The land was uncultivated because no one was working it, and the production of grain had been largely reduced. An Cui had become the leader of a small group in the Red Lotus Group. He shouldnt be that poor by right, but he still needed to use his earnings to recruit subordinates, so he could only tighten his belt and be as frugal as possible. Please dont refuse it, Brother An. All of it represents my good intentions, and you must take it with you. Jiang Pengji earnestly hoped that An Cui would get things done as soon as possible and contribute to the war after the arrival of spring. Some food and a few hundred ounces of silver were completely insignificant to her. However, to An Cui, who was penniless, it was like offering him coal in the middle of a snowy day. An Cui pretended to refuse it for quite a while but still took it in the end, wearing an ashamed expression. He kept saying that he would pay her back double in the future. Jiang Pengji said, We are like brothers with similar interests, and it was as if we knew each other before. Discussing worldly things like money would just ruin our relationship. An Cui wore a smile, but he was snickering on the inside. An Cui thought, Liu Xi is the young master of a noble household who knows nothing about human suffering, the dumb son of a rich family. It seemed that Liu Xi conquering Fengyi County and reconstructing it so well was probably due to Liu Shes help. 1After all, based on the persona that Jiang Pengji had shown him so far, she was indeed incapable of doing a lot. Without realizing it, An Cui grew less wary. He looked at her more casually and with some contempt. He had thought that Liu Xi was inhumanly smart for someone so young, but now that he had gotten a good look at her, he felt that she had probably achieved the glory she enjoyed because of the guidance she received from the actual mastermind behind her. The audience of the livestream didnt understand. Only One Update Today: Streamer, this doesnt seem like you at all, giving out money in advance without receiving any benefits. The Remaining Updates Will be Posted Tomorrow: The previous commenter, what you said is incorrect. Its like, if you go fishing, dont you hang bait on the hook before starting to fish? The streamer is obviously trying to use An Cui to stir up trouble. Compared to the amount she invested now, the future returns are too attractive. Too Sleepy: But But, what if An Cui runs away with all the food and money? Happy Dragon Boat Festival: First, An Cui is a noble from Nansheng, the streamer has already verified that. Since he is noble, do you think An Cui has never seen this amount of money before? What he desires is the 10 percent of monetary assets and manpower the streamer has promised him. He can only begin to develop his influence with money and manpower, and thus be able to seek revenge for his nation. That is the actual big fish. How would an ambitious and smart person give up such great returns for the sake of some fish bait? The streamer will definitely win this game. Sleep Early Everyone: No, to be exact, its a win-win situation. An Cui loses nothing as well. As of now, he has neither the manpower nor the grain. He only needs to support the streamer with coordinated action to get that 10 percent, without contributing any troops. You cant earn so much even by lending out money at an exorbitant interest rate. It seemed to be a win-win situation, but no one could predict how the future would turn out. They bid farewell to An Cui. Jiang Pengjis fleet of carriages continued along their journey. The heavy snow had stopped, but the snow was piled high on the ground, making it difficult for the horses and the carriages to move forward. A journey that was expected to take seven to eight days had taken more than half a month. Feng Jin had received the news that Jiang Pengji was coming personally a long time ago. He was still waiting, yet no one had come, making him very anxious. Sir Messengers from Fengyi County are outside the city gates! Theyre here! Feng Jin was visibly happy. Without even stopping to tidy himself up, he got up straight away and headed out of the city gates to welcome them. Chapter 611 - Shangyang County? Mine (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio When the servant made his report, Feng Gui was playing chess with his father, Feng Ren. Having heard this news, he lifted his head to look at his father. I never thought Liu Xi would actually come. He is bold and courageous. Feng Ren placed his chess piece and smiled. Both enjoyed the slow pace of setting their chess pieces. As they sparred with one another, the chess match slowly unfolded. It would become increasingly complex and make it hard for the other to predict the next step. He is bolder than Liu She.. Feng Gui was filled with curiosity about Feng Jins lord. If your son remembers it rightly, youve met Liu Xi before. What kind of person is he? The year he was the examiner of Shangjing, Liu She and his son had stayed over at Feng Rens house. It had been mentioned to Feng Gui by Feng Ren before. Feng Ren added, He is a youthful man filled with ambitions. He is much more direct compared to his father. Feng Ren never imagined Liu Xi to have such lofty ambitions. Nonetheless, having thought about Liu She and the Dongqing imperial differences in-depth, he could understand if there were irreconcilable differences. Solely on this basis, Im afraid it is not enough for Huaiyu to submit to him. I wished I could have met him earlier. A peaceful smile broke out on Feng Guis face. Although was divorced with two children, without Madam Feng-Dus hysteria and nagging, it seemed as though he had lost all of his burdens. He became more relaxed and his breathing was tranquil. Although hed wished to meet this legendary Jiang Pengji earlier, because of Feng Guis status, he couldnt go out of the city to welcome them. Since the Feng family wasnt among Jiang Pengjis subjects, their statuses were equal. Feng Ren remarked, Why are you so anxious? We will meet eventually. Hopefully, he will not be a disappointment. Feng Ren had a good impression of Jiang Pengji. It wasnt just because she was Liu Shes son. On the contrary, her status as Liu Shes son was deemed a flaw in Feng Rens sight. If Liu Xi backstabbed others like Liu She, he would be very worried. He had a good impression of her because back at the hot springs in Ji mountain, Feng Jin had accidentally been injured by the envoy from the three tribes of the northern borders. Only Jiang Pengji had stepped forward to defend him. This was an upright lord who valued friendship. It was better than those superficial rulers who were disappointing in private. Except Feng Ren felt Jiang Pengji valued his principles and friendships, while Feng Jin felt his lord was a cold-hearted man. To put it plainly, she had no compassion. He hurriedly went out to receive him and was filled with unspeakable joy. His lord, whose hair covered her face, immediately said this Huaiyu, have you decided to return at the beginning or end of next year? Jiang Pengji got off her horse and grabbed the reins. Feng Jin paid his respects to her before she stepped on his Achilles heel. Feng Jin acted completely confused. He looked at Jiang Pengjis brows that seemed to be smiling. His heart suddenly raised an alarm. Wait a minute She said, The official documents at the government office have piled up to the ceiling. Xiaoyu and the rest are helping to ease your workload, but when you return, you must compensate them. The smile on his face became stiff. He came close to Jiang Pengji and held back his confused emotions. He lowered his voice and clenched his teeth as he asked, My lord, Jin returned home and accomplished a great feat for you. Let alone a good job done, there was a lot of effort put in yet, in the end, is this how you are rewarding your subordinate? In his daily conversations, Feng Jin rarely used the formal form of you to address anyone, but now he purposely emphasized this point. The goddess Jiang Pengji was well-pleased as she folded her sleeves. The delight was obvious in her eyes. This is a different matter altogether, she said plainly. Of course Huaiyu should be rewarded handsomely for the work you accomplished. But you purposely slacked from work. It is a fact that you refused to return and delayed your stay in Shangyang county. As your lord, my rewards and punishments are fair. They cannot be compromised. Only with rewards and punishments can my subordinates be convinced. Feng Jins facial expression was downcast as if a palette just dropped. He willed himself with all the self-control he had not to kill his lord. Wei Ci had a look of I did not see anything on his face. Feng Zhen laughed mercilessly as he watched this scene unfold. Only the viewers in the live streaming room had some conscience. They felt sorry for Feng Jin. Duanwujie Ankang: Hahaha Streamer, doesnt your conscience hurt? When I saw how elated our dear Feng Jin was as he rode the horse out of the city, he didnt seem to have time to even groom himself. He was so joyful, yet you had to be a wet-blanket the moment you met him. Happy Childrens Day: It isnt just cold water, it was ice that froze over a thousand years. His heart must have frozen from the cold. Mingtian Youfanwai: Before he met the streamer, our dear Feng Jin must have been excited to see his lord, he was expecting praises and rewards or to make requests. Yet after meeting the streamer, his mood became disheartened. What rubbish lord he has, I wish to change my allegiance! Fengjin Baobao Weiqu: Our dear Feng Jins mood must be so downcast. He refused to say anything and he just threw some sarcasm at the streamer. Zhugong Baobao Kanxi: The streamer has no self-awareness; she just received the sarcasm our dear Feng Jin threw at her. She even enjoyed sun tanning with it. As they reacted to how her conscience had deadened, Jiang Pengji felt the System should be dragged out for a canning. The System planted many spies backstage, so why didnt it limit the viewers who could post on the bullet screen? Look at the last two comments that flew past the bullet screen. Was that something kid-friendly? Luckily, Feng Jin had a deep understanding of his close friend, this lord of his. She was momentarily frustrated, but she would get it sorted out soon. Wasnt it just skipping work and getting caught for it? He refused to believe that many official documents could have accumulated since then. Because they have been informed of their arrival beforehand, the guards at the city gates allowed them to enter. Feng Jin escorted Jiang Pengji into the city. My lord, have you really agreed to those terms? Feng Jin lowered his voice and asked her this, feeling anxious. He knew Jiang Pengjis temperament. Those who agreed to be on her side could not back out. How could she agree to the Feng familys terms so readily? She answered, Why wouldnt I agree? This is a win-win deal. I can gain Shangyang county without any effort. Its so wonderful! As for the Feng family? Shangyang county was hers and, in the future, so would the Feng family. Regardless of who the Feng family placed their investment in, they would be defeated by her. Moreover, the whole world will be mine in the future, let alone the Feng family. From her perspective, it was just putting what was hers in the hands of another before regaining possession of it. She hasnt lost anything at all. Following the usual play script, Feng Jin should have been convinced by Jiang Pengjis bold demeanor, but He now felt his lord had acquired another sickness. It was the sickness of thinking of oneself as unique. He also wished for her to win at the very end. But circumstances are often unpredictable, who could guarantee what would happen in the future? Since it is so, Jin is excited to see how things unfold. She mercilessly replied with sarcasm, Lets wait till you finish up the accumulated work and see if you live that long. Lets see if you dare to escape from work ever again. Feng Jin: He felt that if Jiang Pengji lost later, it would definitely because of her uncontrollable mouth. Why were her words lacking? He ordered his men to let the troops and horse carriage settle down, then he led Jiang Pengji and her team to the Feng manor. Feng Ren had already been anticipating their arrival. There were many noble families in Shangyang county, but all of the others added together had less authority than the Feng family. Their opinions could neven be ignored. If the Feng family agreed to surrender Shangyang county, everyone would have to pay attention. Chapter 612 - Shangyang county? Mine (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji had seen Feng Ren before. After many years of retirement from his official position, Fang Ren appeared more youthful. He was full of vitality. Because Feng Jin had already communicated this beforehand, the matter had essentially been finalized. All that was left was for Jiang Pengji to agree. Afterward, the possession of Shangyang County could be transferred. To put it plainly, as soon as shed stepped into the Feng manor, Shangyang County had become hers. Feng Ren still had the scholarly, noble air hed had in the past. He didnt use any official jargon with her. Instead, he asked after Liu Shes present situation. Based on the topic of their conversation, they didnt seem to be discussing the possession of Shangyang County. Instead, it looked like an elder speaking informally to a junior. The atmosphere was extra welcoming. No one could sense any signs of potential conflict. Feng Ren was overwhelmed with emotions. Liu She isnt very impressive as a person, but he managed to raise a good son. He was acquainted with Liu She. The two were often compared by others. Although he had a slight advantage, the Feng family lost at their descendants level. Liu She had only one son, but this one son surpassed all three of Feng Rens sons. Jiang Pengji had come to Shangyang County from Fengyi. This was already an expression of her sincerity. Feng Ren wasnt one to take advantage of others. Since shed already agreed to the most important terms, the rest were unimportant and inconsequential to the Feng family. Therefore, Feng Ren did not purposely make things difficult for her. Rather, he made known his good-will and ensured that the atmosphere was cooperative. After a series of sincere words were exchanged, Feng Ren ordered Feng Gui to personally send Jiang Pengji off. On the way, Feng Gui observed her discreetly. Tonight, the manor intends to invite over the chief of Shangyang County. Will Lanting be able to grace this occasion? Feng Gui asked. Jiang Pengjis senses became acute. She knew that this was the most important event. She replied politely, To have the manor extend an invitation is of great honor to Xi. Although the Feng family had the authority to decide when Shangyang County would be handed over, the final date would be determined by the county chief. Feng Gui was Feng Jins elder brother. Naturally, Jiang Pengji must be respectful of him. Thus, when Feng Gui discreetly asked after her, she responded to his questions thoughtfully. After observing this, Feng Gui was pleased in his heart. After the incident, Feng Ren asked him about his impression of Jiang Pengji. Feng Gui replied, This man is indeed talented. Huaiyu didnt choose the wrong leader. No matter what was asked, she had her own understanding. Although her views were sometimes extreme, they were not completely baseless. Although Feng Gui held conservative and traditional views, even he could not help but agree with her views. What truly surprised him was Jiang Pengjis plan to rejuvenate the entirety of Shangyang. She already had a rather comprehensive plan. If her plans were executed, within half a year, Shangyang County would be able to overcome the shadows of war. She was talented. Before their conversation, Feng Gui had thought that Jiang Pengji was a brash, impulsive young man who was not orderly in his ways. After their deep discussion, he discarded that thought. This person, Liu Xi Although he is young, his understanding of governance runs deep. His disposition and speech spoke volumes to his gentleman bearings. Feng Gui continued, Your son questioned him multiple times, but no matter what I asked or how tricky the subject was, he could answer readily. It was evident how well prepared he was. If Shangyang County were in his hands, it would not be a bad thing. Since Huaiyu chose him, he must have considered it deeply. Father can rest assured. Feng Ren responded, Your father isnt worried about Liu Xi. Hes worried about Liu She. Feng Gui didnt understand. Liu Shes reputation in Dongqing was well-known. If not for the imperial family secretly playing him down, he would be a world-famous scholar. Feng Ren sighed. You may not know this, but Liu She is someone with a wicked heart. He is willing to hide behind the scenes and allow his son, Liu Xi, to venture out. This is something your father did not expect. Im afraid this father and son may turn against each other one day. Feng Gui was taken aback. That cannot be! If Liu She truly has ambitions, he could represent himself. Many would willingly submit. Liu She wasnt like Liu Xi. The former could get anything he wanted, the latter still hadnt grown up. When both were placed side by side, even a fool knew which was more desirable. If Liu She had the ambition and he was willing to make himself known, half the north would be in his hands already. His fathers opinion of Liu She had always been very positive. Why was he suddenly so worried? I hope father isnt thinking too much Only with this Liu She It is hard to say Feng Ren sighed and stopped the conversation. In the other room, Feng Jin recalled the matter regarding Jiang Pengjis half-brother. He brought it up to her, hoping to prevent a future scenario where she would have to surrender to him. Lanting, Jin isnt creating a wedge in your father-daughter relationship with uncle. However, in the eyes of the world, you are a woman who cannot inherit your familys reign. Uncle Liu gives in to your every request now, but that doesnt mean that he will not feel his lack of descendants in the future. He may want to continue the family line or place great importance on his illegitimate son. Although he is just an illegitimate child, he is nonetheless a son who could carry on the family line of the Liu family! Feng Jin and Jiang Pengji conversed privately. There was no mention of my lord. Instead, he called her by her second name. She kept silent for a moment, then replied, I have considered this manner. Eh? Feng Jin was stunned. Had his lord already thought of this matter? Jiang Pengjis expression was intriguing. Her face seemed unreadable, hidden by a layer of shadow. Huaiyu, I wish to find an opportunity to make my identity known, she said. Feng Jin was nearly left speechless by this news. You wish to make known your identity? Why? She answered, So that others will not have a chance to take advantage of the situation. Moreover, I cannot hide for the rest of my life. As youve said, illegitimate children are still children, and I should be wary of them. If I can hold down the fort with my true identity, he will never have a chance to compete with me. Without any more explanation, Feng Jin felt that Jiang Pengjis words had a deeper meaning, but he was unable to decipher it yet. Alright, but you must choose an opportune moment. Please dont be rash and impulsive about this. Feng Jin knitted his brows. He agreed that it would be good for her identity to be made known rather than worry about the future. However he didnt know if the rest could accept it. I am aware. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes, blocking out the light. Liu She had an illegitimate daughter Liu Huan. She was Wang Huijun and Prince Changshous illegitimate daughter. That illegitimate son was likewise not Liu Shes biological son. Liu She had once said directly that he had only had one wife, Gu Min, and no other women in his lifetime. The introduction of this illegitimate son was but a means to divert her enemies attention. Jiang Pengji was already aware of who her real enemy was. The illegitimate sons presence in her house was even less known than Liu Huans. If not for him being mentioned specifically, she may have even forgotten all about him. However, ignoring the matter wouldnt make it go away. The outside world still acknowledged that he was Liu Shes son, including the illegitimate son. Although he was an illegitimate son, under the circumstances, he could inherit the familys inheritance. She laughed coldly. Liu She really was petty if he could adopt his enemy Wang Huijuns daughter as his illegitimate child. Keke, who knows about the background of his illegitimate son? There was a rough hypothesis forming in her mind. All that was left was for Qiguan Rang to verify things with his father-in-law. Hopefully, the result would not be disappointing. Chapter 613 - Side Story: Growth Diaries of the Empress (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What are bandits? They are robbers who make a living by rampaging and pillaging. They commit only bad deeds and do no good. It is an occupation that only benefits oneself at the cost of others. However, ever since an intrepid woman became the leader of the bandits in the hills, the bandits realized that they could rename themselves Lei Feng [1]. 1Eh, guys, tell me, is there something wrong with this leader of ours? We are bandits, not government officials. We are only in charge of robberies and murders, so why do we have to open up land and grow crops? Doing all this weird stuff makes me feel embarrassed to death! A bandit pointed to his head discreetly, then glanced towards the house at the center of the stronghold. Who cares if theres something wrong with her, we cant defeat her anyway, another bandit grumbled in a low voice. We cant defeat her. She can beat your brains out with a single blow of her fist. Who would dare to provoke her? Didnt you see how our previous leader ended up? His neck was crushed by just two fingers until he stopped breathing. I saw it. So much of his tongue was hanging out Initially, the stronghold of the bandits had been a colony of men. The women there only had one role. They were tools for the men to sleep with and express their lust. But it just so happened that a fearsome woman had appeared out of nowhere and single-handedly mowed down all the men in the stronghold. At first, they were afraid of her physical power and had no choice but to submit to her rule. After some time, a few men that were originally in charge were dissatisfied with her tyranny and protested severely. After all, they were men, impetuous bandits used to a promiscuous lifestyle. How could they stand life without women by their side? It was a pity that all the women in the stronghold whom the bandits had captured had been released by the female leader. She was the only woman left in the stronghold after that. Affected by vile emotions, the few men that were originally in charge planned to launch a sneak attack on the female leader and tie her up as their sex slave. In the end Before the men even had a chance to act, the female leader acted preemptively and strangled them to death in front of all the other men in the stronghold. She crushed their cervical vertebrae, then awarded their corpses to a few tigers that shed captured. His words reminded his companion of cruel memories. He shivered stiffly. Since then, all the men in the stronghold were traumatized by fright. All those who could escape ran away. Those with nowhere to go could only tremble as they worked under the female leader. No one dared to lift his head and look directly at her for fear of being chopped up and fed to the tigers. Hey, dont scare me. I had nightmares for more than half a month after that day Recalling that he had just mentally criticized their female leader for being wrong in the head, the bandit couldnt help but feel his legs shaking. He trembled nonstop. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji was too lazy to bother with these rumors. To her, it didnt matter whether or not the bandits were loyal to her. What mattered was that they were sufficiently obedient. Why are there so many bandit strongholds nearby? Shed promoted a relatively clever bandit to be a not-so-competent advisor to her. He was said to have been a somewhat reputable scholar before becoming a bandit. He had studied for two years and was fairly literate. Alas, the climate hasnt been good for the past few years. Who knows how many civilians will survive? The high-ranking officials in court only care about themselves. Who knows how many people have been hounded to death because of the taxes their family owes each year? They have to become bandits when they cant sustain a living, so there are quite a lot of bandit strongholds forming nearby, the advisor said. Jiang Pengji frowned. Paying taxes? People get hounded to death because they cant pay their taxes? She rarely spoke, and when she did, it was with a strong, unplaceable accent. The not-so-competent advisor was surprised. He wondered where on earth this leader had come from. How was it possible that she didnt know this? He replied, If they cant collect taxes, the authorities will seize everything in the household that can be sold. If the family has good-looking daughters, the daughters might be taken away and sold too In short, anything tragic that you can think of is probably happening out there. Being born as a human being nowadays means suffering. Jiang Pengji was silent for a moment. She remembered that Widow Zhaos late husband had been killed when his head hit a rock after a tax officer pushed him violently. Every time the incident was mentioned, Widow Zhaos expression would turn pale. She often had a despaired and pained look in her eyes. The present situation was so bad that a lot of civilians became bandits. The government couldnt be bothered to deal with the bandits. Suppressing the bandits required a lot of manpower, material, and monetary resources. The money allocated by the higher-ups was all used up by the time the funds went through layers of bureaucracy and embezzlement. So, the bandits acted more and more reckless, rampaging and pillaging, fighting and taking over each others territory. Not long after Jiang Pengji occupied the stronghold, they were attacked by some of their peers. The other bandits had heard that the stronghold had just changed leadership and thought that they might have a good opportunity since the stronghold must have been weakened. However, endings commonly went beyond expectations. Not only did they fail to rob the stronghold, but their headquarters were seized by Jiang Pengji and her minions. She sorted and counted the various incomes, expressionless. No wonder so many people have become bandits. It is indeed faster to earn money through robbery. The bandits kneeling on the ground at her feet were nervous. Some couldnt help but wet their pants, suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence. One couldnt blame them for behaving too cowardly. It was because Jiang Pengji killed people so ruthlessly. She fought her way through the gates of the stronghold. Countless corpses lay by her feet, the bloody aura making her seem like a malicious ghost that had climbed out of hell. Bandits were bolder than ordinary people, but they were still mortal beings after all. How could they withstand her suppressive aura? For the ordinary person, a fierce aura was something that must be cultivated over time. For her, she could suppress others in the mental region and forcefully sear slave markings onto their minds, making them unable to have the slightest intention to fight back when they faced her. Having obtained financial income this time around, Jiang Pengji liked to seek trouble more and more. On one hand, it provided additional income for the stronghold colony. On the other hand, she expanded her territory and manpower. Gradually, Jiang Pengji became a well-known bandit in Hejian District. Some strongholds took the initiative to submit to her rule without needing her to seek them out. In the short span of half a year, the number of people in the stronghold increased from a few dozen to four or five thousand. It expanded so quickly that it alarmed the district magistrate of Hejian! The district magistrate of Hejian was nervous, afraid that Jiang Pengji was going to stir up trouble. But Jiang Pengji restrained her subordinates and lay down several strict rules. Whoever disobeyed them would be chopped up and fed to the tigers. However, as bandits, how could four to five thousand people make a living without an illegitimate income? Of course, there were ways. On one hand, Jiang Pengji gave orders to open up land and be self-reliant. On the other hand, she chose better-talented bandits and trained them in martial arts, letting them protect the companies of traveling merchants and collect certain sums as a protection fee. At the moment, the world was starting to descend into chaos. It wasnt so easy to run a business, for companies of merchants would often get robbed by bandits. The luckier ones would lose money and goods. The unluckier ones would lose their lives. One single incident was enough for them to lose everything. It was the first time that many of the merchants heard that bandits were working as armed guards instead of robbing and murdering people! On a side note, could they not pull off an inside job? Due to the lack of competition from their peers, it was relatively easy for them to get jobs. They would directly go up to the main road and wait, acting as though no one could pass as long as one of them was blocking the road. They would then force the passing businessmen into hiring them to guard their goods. So, would the businessmen choose to pay a small sum of money to hire them as guards, or wait for them to rob them of all their goods? Many of the businessmen were furious, but they couldnt do anything about the situation, so they had to force themselves to bear with it. [1] Lei Feng is a Chinese historical figure well known for being altruistic and always helping other people. Chapter 614 - Shangyang County? Mine (IV) They were in another room. An Cui secretly hid a portion of the rations and fortune in an isolated location. After he ensured that there were no flaws in his plan, he returned to make his report as if nothing had happened. He had initially been tasked to send out a letter. It had been a few days since hed had his fill and his garments were worn thin. Thus, hed fainted in the snow and had almost lost his life. When hed returned to the village meeting point near Chengde County, he was immediately surrounded by a few loyal brothers who could be counted on in times of trouble. Although they didnt know how to read or write, they all had hearts burning with sincerity. Big brother, why have you been gone for so long? Your brothers were worried sick for you, a dark-faced, muscular man asked anxiously. He appeared very sincere and without any hint of pretense. Thus, one could tell how worried he was. If not for others whod held him back, he would have rushed out to find An Cui in the snow without one care for himself or anything else. Big brother, what is this set of garments you are wearing? Did something happen to you? An Cui discreetly gestured to his brothers not to spread this news. He looked left and right as if checking to see if there were spies around. Another strong man saw this and spoke as he was filled with understanding. Big brother, rest assured, you can trust your brothers. An Cui had no sense of security. He had to verify it himself before he could calm down and secretly heave a sigh of relief. Quickly, he took some of his brothers and trusted aides into his apartment. This straw house was rather run-down. It was not sound-proof so An Cui spoke softly. Fatigue was evident on his brows, but he fought on to stay awake. Solemnly, he told his brothers, Based on my assessment, Im afraid the Red Lotus Group cannot sustain itself for very long. The world is tumultuous. As your elder brother, it is my responsibility to consider your future, even if I dont consider mine. If we are still stuck with the Red Lotus group, we wont know what our end will be. His brothers were rather honest and loyal. The brainwashing from the Red Lotus group had no effect on them. Thus, he was at peace when he spoke these words. To these men, the Red Lotus Group was a place that provided shelter and warmth, but it isnt their final destination. The big man said very directly, We will go where our big brother goes and follow you throughout our lives. If the Red Lotus group isnt a good place, we can find another place to settle down. The big man had said what was in everyones hearts. Another man had a rather gentlemanly face. His manner of speech was also very gentle. He said, What plans does elder brother have? You just have to tell us, and your brothers will spare no effort to achieve them without any complaints. An Cui was secretly pleased in his heart. Only then did he reveal all the details of the plans to them. His brothers were in shock. They looked at each other, unable to make a decision. Was their big brothers idea to prepare to separate the competent and incompetent members within the Red Lotus group and use them as a stepping stone for his career? The big man was rather impulsive. He was the first to stand up to support An Cui. Whatever big brother does, your younger brother will follow. The Tsing Yi army openly robs while the Red Lotus group secretly spreads lies. They are a bunch of wicked men and theres no good in them. Big brother has a benevolent and magnanimous heart. You are gifted with talents and abilities, and I feel it is wrong that youre in such an insignificant position. Why not seize this opportunity to deal them a damaging blow? If our gamble is successful, we can master our fates. If we lose, the most well lose are our worthless lives. Look, my brothers, what subjugated lives we are living now? If not for our big brother who took care of us, the weeds surrounding our graves would already be as tall as a man. That big mans usually stoic face was full of emotions. Even though hed said it very crudely, hed fully expressed the pain they all felt. If not for An Cui taking care of them in such a holistic manner, surely it would have been impossible for them to survive within the Red Lotus group. Recalling the cold sores on An Cuis hands and feet, and how hed even shared his food and garments with them, his mind was momentarily clouded with emotions. The gentleman suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said, Fourth brother is right. If we dont find a way out now, big brother will be doomed to die. Now that we have a path before us with good prospects, if we dont gamble on it, we will certainly regret it in the future. Wasnt it just to assume the role of a spy to backstab the Red Lotus group? It wasnt because they couldnt do the task. Except Someone hesitated. The big man asked boldly, What is there to fear? The other party stammered. After a while, he finished his sentence. If its such a good deal, why did it land on our big brothers shoulders? Is it a trap? This is what everyone was worried about. They were afraid Jiang Pengji would go back on her words and break their relationship after using them. An Cui replied, We cannot doubt this matter. Even without our help, do you think the Red Lotus group can safeguard Chengde County? Although it is said to have 100,000 followers, just look at them! How many of them can fight and kill? At Fengyi County there are 20,000 elite troops. Perhaps one against 10 enemies is an exaggeration, but one against 5 enemies is certainly not an issue. If that is so, will there be any room for us to win some credit? As for Jiang Pengji, conquering Chengde County would play out in one of two scenarios. One option was to take it down easily. The second option was to put in some effort and lose some soldiers and horses to possess it. From An Cuis observation, Jiang Pengji was the foolish son of the landowner. However, Liu She, who stood behind her, was certainly not foolish. In the early days of establishing an empire, who doesnt value their reputation? Even if she didnt treasure it, surely Liu She understood the ways of the world. Therefore, going back on ones words would never happen. An Cui spoke seriously about this matter, Our future will depend on how this turns out. That big man appeared worried and troubled. To attempt a great endeavor would require a lot of manpower. Big brother, we will do as you said, but are we lacking in manpower? An Cui retrieved a heavy pouch from his sleeves and emptied it of the silver and gold coins within. There was a fire burning so it wasnt completely dark. When those glimmering, shiny silver coins were poured out, they twinkled like stars, almost blinding the eyes of those looking. An Cui was pleased in his heart. Outwardly, he appeared solemn and serious as he said, There is no rush. There are still a few days until the start of spring that we can use to slowly plan this out. My brothers, this matter will determine the fate of your families. You must be extremely careful and never reveal anything. The few men pledged their loyalties and said in unison, Please rest assured, big brother. As always, money makes it easier for tasks to be done. An Cui used the money and rations from Jiang Pengji to recruit a group of followers from the Red Lotus Group. On the other side, Shangyang County had officially entered under Jiang Pengjis governance. Scholars abounded in Shangyang County. However, other than the Feng family, the influence the other scholars had was insignificant. Jiang Pengji didnt have to care about their ideas. The Feng family has entrusted all of Shangyang County into her hands. Truthfully, it is a transfer of military power, financial, and political governance. At present, she has no command over the soldiers in Shangyang County, so she had to summon some of her own troops over. The land area had increased by one-fold, meaning that the workload of her subordinates would also increase by one-fold. Naturally, the recruiting of soldiers and the purchasing of horses continued. Feng Zhen supported his forehead. Alright, are you trying to tire us to death? Whats all the talk about holidays and relaxing? she said when they arrived at Shangyang County. That they will be free as the wild horses? All of that is a lie! Whats with once this task ends, we can rest. Its a lie! The truth was that they would be busy for a year. Wei Ci laughed. Zishi, dont be disheartened. There will be 7 public holidays in a year! Chapter 615 - Shangyang County? Mine (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Zhen wore an expression of having lost all desire to live. If I ever believe your words, you cruel person, it will be because I left my mind at home. Faced with Feng Zhens outburst of disgust, Wei Ci laughed silently. Due to the power shift in Shangyang County, all the scholarly families within the county besides the Feng family were slowly making plans. Why was this? Those with keen eyes had observed that Jiang Pengji lacked manpower, especially men with abilities. Because it was difficult to be educated, many of those literates were from already scholarly families. In other words, if Jiang Pengji wanted to recruit capable men with talents, she would certainly have to choose from within the scholarly families. This was an opportunity for them to openly get involved with Shangyang Countys governing power. If they wielded most of the power, Shangyang County would still belong to them, not to Jiang Pengji, a foreigner. Many of the families held the same sentiments. The central topic of their conversations revolved around Jiang Pengji. Liu Xi is only a young brat, why should we submit to him? Dream on! If Liu She was at the helm, I would be willing to give it some thought, but his son? Hmph, he is but a childish, young punk. Does he really think he can do as he wishes because he commands an army? This group of aristocrats failed to understand what exactly had influenced the Feng family that they had been willing to surrender such a large piece of territory like Shangyang County. It was as if they had been possessed or were hoodwinked by someone Regardless of the reason, this was their chance to stand out, and who doesnt wish to improve their lives? The Feng family was foolish, but they refused to be deceived. Someone chimed in, Master said it well. At present, Liu Xi is powerless and immature. His ways are childish and his thoughts are naive. By handing Shangyang County over to such a person, the Feng family has made a terrible move. Considering the manpower Liu Xi has, how is he going to govern two counties well? When they inevitably became overwhelmed with frustration, wouldnt they have to resort to recruiting talents to expand their human resources? With this opportunity before them, they may have the chance to overpower Liu Xi and leave her with nothing. Let alone Shangyang County, perhaps even Fengyi County would also come into their possession. Many of the aristocratic families held onto such thoughts. Previously, they had been controlled by the Feng family and had no means to overpower them. But now, a youthful and immature young punk governed their land. Wouldnt they have a chance now? Moreover, Liu She was nowhere in sight. They were confident they can control this kid. One by one, they waited anxiously in secret for Jiang Pengji to lack manpower. When her team could not sustain itself any longer, she would have to get their help. When that time came, it would be the perfect opportunity for the aristocratic families to show off their talents. Feng Gui was born into one of these great families. He was well-versed with their schemes and antics. He was afraid that Jiang Pengji was ignorant about the situation in Shangyang County and he kindly reminded her. Although he couldnt pledge loyalty to Jiang Pengji, it was not a big deal for him to remind her of dangers out of goodwill. Feng Gui didnt make it sound too direct, he just reminded her casually. After some time, there will be many scholars who will send invitations to Lanting She said, I am so busy that I dont have time to sleep, who will be so inconsiderate as to send me invitations? Even if they sent invitations, she would have to decline since she did not have any free time. He laughed as he said, Lanting is ultimately someone from Hejian and you arent a local aristocratic family of Shangyang County. Now that you govern this place, albeit, without the title of County Chief, you still have the authority of one. To successfully govern this county, you must plant some of your trusted men there It is inevitable that, in the process, their benefits will be compromised. It is normal for them to desire an opportunity to discreetly seek out insider information. If she was absent all the time, the peoples hearts would be unsettled. Obstacles would abound. Feng Gui explained, Gui is saying this as a forewarning to prevent any conflicts in the future. The Feng family might have transferred over ownership of Shangyang County, but that didnt mean that Jiang Pengji had complete control over the place. She still had to manage the myriad benefits those complicated and difficult aristocratic families were involved in. If she mishandled it and provoked them, they might turn violent and refuse to corporate. Many official matters in the Shangyang district would be affected by no one to handle these important departments. Let alone a few days, even if they slacked for half a day, they would incur many disruptions. Thus, she needed to be mentally prepared. Those clueless viewers didnt understand. Feng Gui spoke discreetly and they couldnt make out what he said. What riddle did he speak of? Lets Watch A Movie Tonight: Are there any experts in the live-streaming room who can explain what Feng Gui said. Why dont I seem to understand? Is there something wrong with my intelligence? Although I didnt understand their conversation, I sense that trouble lies ahead Amazing Female Warrior: Why do I feel that Feng Guis words are insightful? To put it plainly, the streamer is a foreign and formidable being. Other than the influential Feng family, there exist many interconnected relationships between the local aristocratic bullies. If these people are not well managed and rebel, the streamer will suffer losses Eh, I believe Feng Gui wanted to remind the streamer of this. If this had occurred in their era, Shangyang County would have been considered one of the first real cities in the world. In such a place, even an insignificant and lowly official would be well off. Zhanhao Chongfeng: Indeed, the aristocratic families here are very demanding. Theyve lived in Shangyang County for years and the streamer has no connections there. Still, if she wants to gain complete control of Shangyang County then she must place her men in important positions. This will also convey to those local great families that they must surrender the power and benefits they hold. Its equivalent to robbing one of their wealth by murdering their parents, let alone depriving them of the power they possess from their connections with other great families. Wan Ruo: This cannot be, is it so complicated? Then why didnt the streamer have such frustrations after she invaded and took possession of Fengyi County? Kangri Shousi Guizi: Have you all forgotten? The four districts in Fengyi County are Maolin, Xiangyang, Jiaoping, and Chengan. Which of these districts has been spared from the plundering and killings? The richest people were the squires and merchants. Who would those bandits from Tsing Yi army rob if not them? Precisely because the Tsing Yi army had already killed off these people, Jiang Pengji had not faced any hurdles when she rebuilt Fengyi County. Shangyang County was different. The powers wielded by the aristocrats were unparalleled. If she sabotaged their benefits, both parties would surely be in an awkward situation. Except she was willing to stand on the same side as them in this battle. Nuzhu Hao Shuaiqi: Based on my interpretation of what was said, the Tsing Yi army is not completely useless since they can at least help the streamer solve her problems with regards to those who wield power in this land. What should she do now? Perhaps the streamer can test their limits and determine if she could accept combining forces with them. If so, she can temporarily ally with them. If Jiang Pengji wasnt someone who insisted on exerting her own will, the suggestion from the viewers in the live stream would perhaps be her best choice. By revealing all this to her, it was a form of discreetly telling her how difficult the aristocratic families in Shangyang County were and warning her not to take them lightly. Unfortunately, she was someone who would give in to neither stern nor soft tactics, let alone threats. If these aristocratic families stayed in their place, she would not touch them. If they rebelledwatch out! She sighed deeply then said, Thank you, Huaizhang, for informing me of this matter I have some plans in my heart and I will return to discuss them with my strategists. Feng Gui nodded his head. Both had a tacit understanding to cover up this matter as if it had never been discussed. Afterward, Jiang Pengji gathered Feng Jin and the rest together for a short meeting. Chapter 616 - Shangyang county? Mine (VI) What is my lords intention? As a native of Shangyang County, Feng Jin knew the circle of aristocratic families very well. Regarding this matter, their opinions were secondary. Her view was the most important. If she was weak and gave in when faced with the pressure exerted by Shangyang Countys aristocrats, they would only suggest that Jiang Pengji appease their emotions and tell her to reassess and execute her plans another time. However, if she was adamant, naturally, Feng Jin would have strategies to keep these aristocrats busy, so they would have no time or energy to bother other people. She was their lord and her decision would have a significant influence on what her strategists deemed to be important. My intentions? She laughed it off, then asked, I am the governor of Shangyang County, why should they have the right to interfere? If it was purely to lend a hand and reap some benefits, I could turn a blind eye to that. However, if they plot to threaten my authority, do you think I will tolerate it? If something was already in her possession then it belonged solely to her, including Shangyang County. She had no regard for these aristocratic families. Whether they were cunning snakes or not, they must obediently cower before her. If they were disobedient, they could not blame her for dealing with them harshly. Wei Ci smiled and commented, Based on the lords personality, she cannot tolerate this. Jiang Pengji always got to vent her anger at others, but when did others ever throw tantrums at her? Let alone the aristocratic families in Shangyang district, looking back in time to when she commanded tens of thousands of bandits, even the imperial courts of Dongqing had been helpless against her. Without any choice left, theyd chosen to enlist an army and had given them an official pardon. Theyd appointed her as the County Chief of Hu County with the intention of using the cruel hands of the aristocratic families to harm her. Unexpectedly, shed killed off all these men swiftly and, after this incident, no one in Hu county dared to defy her words. Whatever she said carried weight. None dared to defy her. Naturally, the context of both eras was different. As an emperor who was born a bandit, shed killed whoever she wished. Anyone who spoke foolishly had been sentenced to death. Thered been no consideration for her reputation. She was very willful. Now, she was Liu Shes son and thus she crowned with reputation. It served as a chain which limited her. She could not be as willful and cruel as had been in her previous life. There was no room for martial arts fighting. She could only win with her strategies. However, no matter how much shed changed, her way of doing things had seeped into her bones. Even if she won based on wits, it would cause anyone to tremble in fear of her. After he coughed briefly, Feng Zhen hugged the warming bag to his bosom. He sipped a mouthful of tea to briefly dissipate the cold air in his body. Once the lord assumed this leadership role, how will it be different from being manipulated like a puppet in the future? Regarding this matter, your attitude must be firmer. In terms of wealth and food supplies, the lords financial status may not surpass your enemy, but regarding supporting the lives of both counties, it is more than enough. When did we ever need their contributions? The only factor lacking is talent. Evaluating the lords present concrete details, there is indeed a shortage This is a challenge Even with the talents of Feng Zhen and the rest, their talents could not be compared to those of a few hundred people. She had no lack of the best talents, neither did she lack in entry-level talents. Instead, she lacked in those mid-range talents who are less competent than the best but more capable than those entry-level ones. Moreover, Jiang Pengji had already devised a solution to open an education center to nurture useful talents. It was a pity that time was rather short, the students had yet to finish even one semester of their course. It would take another two or three years before they could be officially employed. If she accepted those local talents from the aristocratic families, her pool of talents would be in an infantile state. However, there are no free meals in the world. There is a cost for every favor given. The mighty aristocratic families could manipulate the replacement of the imperial throne. Jiang Pengji had only gotten so far. If these aristocratic families exploited a loophole in her sovereignty, they would seize her authority to speak. No matter how glorious she became in the future, she would only be another Dongqing Emperor. At every turn, she would be limited by the power and nobility of the aristocrats. It was a rather awkward conversation for Feng Jin. Whod asked him to be born so nobly? Yet as her strategist, he had to consider Jiang Pengjis best interests. Why not let them keep one another in control? This allows for a somewhat balanced atmosphere as we gradually change the system. Feng Jin added, The aristocrats in Shangyang County are complicated. There are familial benefits and conflicts to consider. If we take advantage of that, we dont have to fear them stirring up trouble. She knitted her brows as she listened intently. Wei Ci and Feng Zhen were foreigners and thus they were not as familiar with the situation here compared to Feng Jin. His suggestion was currently the most feasible. Achieving a balance of power was an important formula used to manage ones subordinates. Huaiyus suggestion is feasible. Except, Zixiao and I are unfamiliar with the situation in Shangyang County. If we were to implement this, the responsibility will have to fall on Huaiyu. Im afraid it will be hard for you. Feng Zhen smiled gleefully as he held onto his hot water bag. It was as if hed imagined a scenario where Feng Jin would be kept busy the entire year and couldnt return home. Feng Jin smiled bitterly in secret. He couldnt accept Feng Zhens wastrel ways, yet he didnt expect Feng Zhen to witness and laugh at his expense. Yet Jiang Pengji said, Huaiyu has proposed a good solution, but this doesnt solve the root of the problem. There may be awkwardness and conflicts between them, but these are not irreconcilable differences, correct? Power games have been played extensively, but eventually, they will call it quits. Instead of that, lets use drastic measures to tackle the situation. She didnt have any means to displace those aristocratic families in Shangyang county yet, but she was capable of gradually weakening their might. Use drastic measures to deal with the situation? Although Feng Jin was born into an aristocratic family, the Feng family had decided to remain an onlooker, so he did not have to feel conflicted. His lords interest would guide his decisions going forward. Feng Zhen asked, What drastic measures will be used? Lets not fixate on one method. We could have a talent competition. Her eyes shone with excitement as she continued. Talents can be classified based on their abilities. We do not require geniuses who have the potential to become sovereign rulers, our standards are not that high. Within Shangyang County, there must be talented individuals outside of the aristocratic families. Regardless of their status or family background, or whether theyre honorable or not, if they possess talents and virtue, they can be recruited! There wasnt this clause in Fengyi County, but Shangyang county was different. This was a place with a strong scholarly environment, there was bound to be no lack of talents. Her purpose wasnt just to establish an education center to groom talents, but also to attract useful talents. In this era, to acquire an official position, it was essential to have a good family background, good looks, character, and ability. All in all, a persons family background was the most important factor. If no special circumstances cropped up, an official position could be inherited. To put it plainly, it was better to be born into a great household than be well-learned. Rather than be born into a wealthy and powerful family, it was more valuable to have noble parents. Abilities were not important. Her motive for saying this was to challenge the way their human resources were being used to some extent. With discretion, Feng Jin glanced at Wei Ci and Feng Zhens expressions. Both appeared rather agitated. He sighed secretly in his heart but did not voice his opinion. Feng Zhen asked out of curiosity, Does my lord intend to replace all the manpower? In disbelief, she replied, Replace everyone? How would that be possible? I do not wish to be poisoned to death with a cup of wine next time I go out. By replacing everyone, it would mean forcefully robbing these great families of their profits. Itd be weird if they didnt go crazy. Wei Ci remarked, Im afraid the lords idea is to replace those in unimportant positions. After they familiarize themselves with the role, perhaps other plans can be made. Other than not provoking or alarming aristocratic families, another important reason was that those newly recruited would need time to adapt. It was likely that they would make mistakes in the beginning. Therefore, it would be better for them to be delegated to unimportant roles to train for a season before they got reallocated. During this time, Jiang Pengji would solidify her position here. This wasnt just a drastic measure against a situation. It was a critical strategy to stall an attack. If 20,000 men were unable to inflict fear in the hearts of the aristocrats, how about 50,000, or even a 100,000? Red Lotus Group infested Chengde County was Jiang Pengjis next goal. Chapter 617 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Defend the King (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The news regarding the change in ownership of Shangyang County quickly spread. Before winter was over, even Huang Song, who was far away in Diyang District, knew about it. Upon receiving the news, Huang Song hurriedly sought out his close advisors to discuss it with them. Under the management of Feng Jue, Chen Jing, and a few newly hired advisors, Huang Song was still the district magistrate of Diyang District on the surface. However, his influence had slowly seeped through the entire Maode County. Furthermore, the advisors were good with words, and the local noble families, who were the hardest to deal with, had also been dealt with. Having steadily built up a stable foundation, Huang Song, who seemed inconspicuous, also had some capital at the moment. Huang Song paid extra attention to Jiang Pengjis situation, probably because they were of a similar age and had once been friends who had fun together. He immediately sought out his advisors for a discussion upon receiving the news. Feng Jue wasnt surprised by the news of Shangyang County changing ownership. After all, his second eldest brother was working under Jiang Pengji, providing the opportunity for a union to arise from the accord of men [1]. Moreover, she also enjoyed a natural geographical advantage, as Fengyi County and Shangyang County were both in Wanzhou, providing her with the advantages of the situation afforded by the Earth [1]. Furthermore, to House Feng, which had few troops, Shangyang County was not an advantage, but a burden. It provided Jiang Pengji with opportunities of time vouchsafed by Heaven [1]. Considering those factors, Jiang Pengji enjoyed the advantages of the situation afforded by the Earth, of a situation afforded by the Earth, and of the union arising from the accord of men [1]. It was only a matter of time before Shangyang County became hers. Feng Jue was confident that he could have convinced House Feng as well, had Huang Songs territory been in the north, near Shangyang County. But at the moment the dice had been cast. He relaxed his furrowed brows. Feng Jue had already gone through his ceremony of age. His face no longer looked childish. He now appeared steady and calm. With an appropriate pace, he pacified Huang Song. My Lord, fret not. I do know the situation in Shangyang County. Taking it over at the moment would cause Liu Xi to suffer great losses if he fails to manage it properly. House Feng has taken a back seat, and the other noble families are no longer suppressed. Liu Xi will probably get burned out from the workload. The various forces within the small Diyang District were interlinked and complicated enough, let alone the social circle of the nobles of Shangyang County. Even though none of the noble families were large, all of them had been developing their influences in Shangyang County for several generations, or even for a few dozen generations, and were deep-rooted culturally. As compared to the Diyang District, taking over Shangyang County was ten times more difficult. Chen Jing frowned and disagreed. I dont know what sort of person Liu Xi is, but the advisors working under him such as Wei Ci, Yang Si, Feng Zhen, and Feng Jin are all very capable people. Liu Xis foundations have been gradually getting more and more stable. Shangyang County might not cause problems for him. When Jiang Pengji had gone to study in Langye Academy, Chen Jing had left to work as a government official. He only spent a few days in the academy in the three years she studied there, celebrating Master Yuanjings birthday. So, Chen Jing and Jiang Pengji were merely acquaintances. They knew of each other but didnt have a deep understanding of each other. It didnt matter that Chen Jing didnt know Jiang Pengji well since he knew his junior, Wei Ci. He also knew Wei Cis friends, and that all of them were giants among men despite not being well-known. Getting even one of them as an advisor would make any warlord happy, let alone a few of them. To others, Shangyang County might be difficult to take over. To Liu Xi, who had a solid team, it was merely a stumbling block that was so small that he could step over it Counting on Shangyang County to tie Liu Xi down was a somewhat unrealistic idea. Feng Jue secretly lamented that he and Chen Jing still completely lacked tacit understanding. He had deliberately worded things vaguely to gloss over the main point. Pacify Huang Songs anxiety and motivate him, right? But the honest Chen Jing just had to call a spade a spade. Wasnt he boosting other peoples morale and undermining their own prestige? Feng Jues train of thought took a turn as he suddenly recalled something. He interrupted Huang Songs internal overthinking with his words. He said to Chen Jing, Youmo, I recall that you have a grown nephew working in the Haozhou government? Chen Jings eldest nephew was Chen Cheng. His courtesy name was Wenfu. 1Upon hearing that, Huang Song turned his gaze to Chen Jing and said in surprise, Youmos eldest nephew? Why hadnt he heard of this before? Chen Jing said forthcomingly, My lord, I do indeed have a nephew working in the Haozhou government. Chen Cheng was the district magistrate of the Suian District, in Fufeng County of Haozhou. As he didnt like the realpolitik among the government officials and had no intention of obtaining a higher position, he used his familys influence to secure the position of the district magistrate of the Suian District. He had been working the job for more than ten years. Chen Jing was momentarily stunned and did not understand why Feng Jue suddenly mentioned Chen Cheng. After he thought about it briefly, he immediately understood Feng Jues intentions and felt rather displeased. Before Feng Jue could open his mouth, Chen Jing said, Huaijie, if you want to get Wenfu to help our lord, Im afraid that it would be difficult. I have already written Wenfu a letter, but Wenfus stance is firm and he is difficult to persuade. Furthermore, his ambitions lie elsewhere, so it is pointless to invite him to join us. Even though Chen Cheng was born almost a generation before Chen Jing, he was Chen Jings eldest nephew, and an uncle must be protective of his nephews. Surely Chen Jing couldnt force Chen Cheng to serve Huang Song if the latter was unwilling. Granted, if Chen Cheng was willing to help Huang Song, as the district magistrate of Suian District, he former could provide a lot of assistance to Huang Song and even be the stepping stone for Huang Song to extend his influence into Fufeng County. However, if Chen Cheng was unwilling, Chen Jing obviously wouldnt force him to do so. Feng Jues expression was awkward, as he hadnt expected Chen Jing to be so straightforward with his words. The atmosphere in the office stiffened slightly. After the meeting ended, Feng Jue sought out Chen Jing in private. Huaijie, you wouldnt come to me if you didnt have something to ask of me. Just be direct about it. Chen Jings personality was too upright. Even though he was very bright, he conducted himself in a rather rigid manner. Feng Jue didnt mince his words. I want to help our lord conquer the entirety of Haozhou. The Suian District, which was under Chen Chengs rule, was within the boundaries of Haozhao. Chen Jing said, Of course, if our lord wishes to further expand his influence, we must take over Haozhou. But you said that Chen Cheng is unwilling to help our lord, Feng Jue pointed out. Hearing this, Chen Jing frowned. Was there any conflict between Huang Song plotting to conquer Haozhou and Chen Cheng not being willing to help him? If Huang Song could take over Haozhou, Chen Cheng just had to resign and go into hiding. He didnt have to work under Huang Song. Feng Jue felt his head aching as Chen Jing still didnt get what he was implying. What I meant is If your eldest nephew has no intention of working for our lord, he should resign early and leave. Once Huang Songs influence grew stronger and he slowly took control over Haozhou, Chen Cheng wouldnt be able to leave, even if he wanted to. Yang Si leaving right in front of Huang Song had already caused some trauma. Judging from Huang Songs temper, whoever he couldnt receive help from wouldnt be allowed to help other people. His only example, Yang Si, was more than enough evidence. It was better to be straightforward about it while there was still time. Feng Jue didnt want to see Chen Jing grow distant from their lord in the future because of Chen Cheng. Chen Jing was silent for a moment, then put his hands together in a salute and bowed. Thank you for the reminder. He pondered it over in his mind and decided to write his eldest nephew another letter to ask him to quickly make a decision. [1] Refer to James Legges translation of Mencius work. Chapter 618 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio It was a cold winter. Snow fell in the north. Aided by the money and food Jiang Pengji had provided, An Cuis mission of bringing members of the Red Lotus Group over to his side was going very smoothly. An Cui was a smart man. He didnt let his guard down around even the lower-ranking members of the Red Lotus Group. He didnt pick out anyone whose position was prominent. Instead, he chose only those who would be of use but also be inconspicuous and relatively reliable. Soon, he had swayed hundreds of people. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji focused on three tasks for the winter. Recruiting talent, recruiting troops, and the training of troops. The first task was left to Feng Jin and Wei Ci. The former was familiar with the situation in Shangyang County, whereas the latter had a structured and organized working style and was cunning enough to succeed. With those two cooperating, Jiang Pengji was not worried about talent rising to take the bait. The second task was left to Feng Zhen. Jiang Pengji had just taken over Shangyang County. By doing so, her territory had sudden expanded to twice its size. The 20,000 troops that had once been more than sufficient were now not nearly enough. It was absolutely necessary to recruit more troops and purchase more horses. Feng Zhen was too lazy. He could snuggle under his blankets and sleep until noon in the winter. Jiang Pengji couldnt stand the sight of it, so she gave him a heavy workload. If he couldnt finish it or slacked off in the middle of doing work Heh, then he wouldnt get even one drop of alcohol for the entire next year! Feng Zhen, who already looked pale, went white as a sheet upon hearing Jiang Pengjis words. He felt the urge to jump ship every minute while serving such a lord. Stop a prodigal from drinking? Was that something a human could do? However, there was no possibility of persuading Jiang Pengji to spare him, so Feng Zhen could only follow her orders while feeling sorry for himself. He developed dark circles under his eyes after staying up for a few days. He privately complained to Wei Ci. Zixiao, judging from the current situation, will we still have a seven-day new year holiday? Wei Ci placated him gently. A gentleman always keeps his promise. Our lord doesnt make promises easily, but once he does, he definitely keeps them. However, Jiang Pengji was a lady, not a gentleman. Wei Ci quietly kept that last line to himself. He still wore a smile so pretty that it seemed as if lily flowers were blooming from his face. He was a man that came with his own special effects and background music. Feng Zhen had joined the group halfway into the year and didnt know about the conventions of the past, so he believed Wei Ci, albeit barely. To be fair, it wasnt that difficult to recruit troops and purchase horses. However, Jiang Pengji was aiming for elite troops. Other people would just train their recruits for one or two months, or even just a few weeks, before sending them off to war. She was different. Her troops were trained for three months in the winter and three months in the summer. They even had to work in the fields during the spring plowing and autumn harvesting seasons. Furthermore, the daily training sessions never stopped. Based on what Feng Zhen knew, each of the 20,000 troops under Jiang Pengji must go through a tough training period before setting foot on the battlefield. In Jiang Pengjis words, troops that had not been trained harshly could not be considered troops. Troops that didnt meet her criteria were more suited to going back home to suckle milk from their mothers breasts than to set foot on the battlefield. Troops like that would be cannon fodder if they ever set foot on the battlefield. They would just sacrifice their lives for nothing. Jiang Pengji had certain standards when it came to recruiting troops, and not everyone could join. After a few days, Feng Zhen felt like he couldnt even straighten his right hand anymore. He had been holding writing brushes for so long that his fingers had stiffened. By the way, you still havent found anyone suitable? Even an easygoing prodigal like Feng Zhen couldnt help but want to go on a rampage due to the heavy workload. He finally understood why Qiguan Rang, who was in charge of managing the household registration department, always looked as grumpy as if everyone owed him 1,000,000 strings of coins. Wei Ci and Feng Jin sipped their tea leisurely. No rush, no rush, we have laid the traps. I have a feeling that the yield this time around will be substantial. Feng Zhen almost wanted to spit on him. Im really dumb for believing you! Their job of recruiting talent was actually about organizing various gatherings that involved the discussion of poetry and literature and inviting the scholars of Shangyang County to participate. On the surface, such gatherings only involved the discussion of the arts, not politics. During these events, they were actually getting to know the temperament, capabilities, and talents of the scholars. If they felt that someone was a good fit, they would talk more with the person in private. What made Feng Zhen the most jealous was that all the expenses were paid for by Jiang Pengji. Feng Jin and Wei Ci were having a good time at the states expense. Thus, Feng Zhen couldnt help but suspect that the two were deliberately slacking off so that they could enjoy the easy life for a longer time! F*ck! He thought that these two b*stards were shameless. How could they not bring him along for great opportunities like these? It was alright that they didnt bring him along, but why was it that he hadnt even seen the slightest trace of recruited talent after half a month? Not having recruited talent meant that there was no one to help Feng Zhen with his job. Careful, if you all are slacking off, I will report it to our lord. Feng Jin couldnt help but let out a laugh. Not only was he not angry, he was in a pleasant mood. What did Feng Zhens attitude mean? It meant that Feng Zhen was already exhausted from the heavy workload and becoming as tired as a dog from all the overtime work. As for the third task of training the troops, Jiang Pengji left that to a few generals. As always, the female soldiers were all given to Jiang Nongqin to train. There were a few female soldiers who had performed well in the past few battles, and they had all been praised and promoted accordingly. They had started to work as trainers for the new female recruits. Due to the special circumstances in Shangyang County, people were prejudiced against female soldiers. As a result, they had only managed to recruit about 1,000 women. The successful recruitment of more than 1,000 people was due to the fact that many families sent their daughters to the army, albeit not fully believing what the government said about female soldiers. Still, they considered their daughters to be money-losing goods that they couldnt afford to keep. On the other hand, the recruitment of male soldiers had gone smoothly. The total number of recruited men reached 8,000. Nice one there, Zishi, your capabilities are impressive. You recruited that many people so soon? Jiang Pengji was surprised. Feng Zhen smiled resignedly. He admitted that he was fairly capable, but he dared not take full credit for the task this time around. My lord, you are overstating it. Surely the success of the recruitment process is not a result of my capabilities alone. Its clearly because you are too generous and the conditions being offered are too good. Although Shangyang County had not been conquered by the Tsing Yi Army or the Red Lotus Group, they had been besieged for a long time. Furthermore, there had been a drought that summer and the harvest for the whole year was limited. The people lived in poverty. Some even had to mix pig-feed into their food to curb their hunger. Why was Jiang Pengji said to be generous? The recruitment notice shed given out clearly said that her soldiers were given three meals a day, with each meal consisting of two bowls of rice, a dish of vegetables, a dish of meat, and a bowl of soup. Worried that the citizens could not comprehend this, the notice even listed how much the two bowls of rice would weigh and the ingredients that would be used to prepare the dishes. The 200-word notice spent 160 words on the recipes. The requirements to participate in the recruitment drive only took up the remaining 40 words. It was probably the wackiest recruitment notice that Feng Zhen had ever seen in his life. 1Jiang Pengji kept to her goals of recruiting and training troops and did nothing that went against the interests of the nobles of Shangyang County. However, this made the latter paranoid, afraid that she would stage an unexpected attack on them. In the end, Jiang Pengji only changed out the officials holding some unimportant positions, and none of their positions were particularly good for embezzlement. Moreover, the newly hired officials were local scholars from poorer families. Although they felt slightly unhappy about losing their positions, these actions were still within the scope of what the local nobles could accept. Since the end of the year was near, Jiang Pengji was doing some year-end checks when a messenger reported that the nominal county chief of Shangyang County was here to visit her. She thought of the date. It wasnt time to pay New Years calls yet, was it? Invite him in, said Jiang Pengji. The county chief brought her a letter that had already been opened. She unfolded it. On the seal was written, Rule by the grace of heaven, thus be everlasting and mighty great. The Imperial Seal? She was momentarily surprised as she quickly scanned through the contents of the letter. They want me to send troops to protect the king? she asked. Chapter 619 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (III) The situation of the war in Chenzhou has already become so grim, Wei Ci said. Wei Ci and the rest had been urgently summoned by Jiang Pengji. She handed Wei Ci a letter immediately after he sat down. Scanning over the contents of the letter, the expression on Wei Cis sharp face turned dark. He couldnt help but tighten his grip on the letter, leaving a mark behind. Although Feng Zhen was the last to arrive, he was impatient and couldnt wait for his turn, so he disregarded his dignity and scooted over to Wei Ci. After getting a good look at the letter, Feng Zhen finally understood why Wei Ci looked so surprised. Feng Zhen said, This is a request to send troops to protect the king? Could it be a fake? Wei Ci shook his head and passed the letter to Feng Jin, who had been waiting for his turn for quite a while. The stamp at the end of the letter is indeed from the imperial seal. Ordained by God, thus be everlasting and mighty great. Who but the emperor would dare to use these words in their seal? he asked. Feng Zhen snickered and said, Prince Changshou has besieged Chenzhou in the name of ridding the emperor of his evil ministers. To protect himself, the emperor summoned House Meng of Cangzhou to the capital city with their troops. House Mengs response was rather interesting; they turned their coats on the battlefield. Suffering such a loss once clearly isnt enough for the emperor, as he is now sending out requests for protection to the various counties in the nation, summoning his subordinates to bring their armies to save him Isnt the emperor worried that there might be people with ill intentions among those who respond to his request for protection? In simple words, a request for protection meant that the emperor was in trouble. He needed to request that his subordinates send their troops to rescue him. Prince Shouchang had rallied his troops in the name of ridding the emperor of evil ministers, which technically ticked all the boxes of sending troops to protect the king. However, Prince Shouchang harbored ill intentions. House Meng of Cangzhou had also sent troops to protect the king, but at the very last moment, they had switched sides and decided to support Prince Shouchang instead, so the emperor had basically shot himself in the foot by calling them. Feng Jin frowned and said, If the emperor doesnt do this, he may lose his life when the time comes. Even though requesting that his subordinates protect him has its risks, at least he can use the ministers who sent troops to protect him to keep Prince Shouchang, who is at the summit of his power, in check. If he gets a bit luckier, he may even be able to stage a comeback from his desperate situation. Feng Zhen laughed and said meanly, Even his roots have rotted, how can he still think of staging a comeback at this point? The royal court of Dongqing was like a towering tree that had rotted and wilted. The inside had already become hollow, eaten up by the worms, and the roots deep beneath the earth had rotted. Surely such a tree had no chance of being revived, regardless of how skilled the gardener was. Would the request for protection sent by Dongqings royal family serve any purpose other than to drag the whole of Dongqing into the swamps of war? Seizing the opportunity to flip the tables was just a dream! Feng Zhen lifted a hand to scratch his ears, then went back to his seat with a lazy demeanor. He walked as if he didnt have any bones in his body. Feng Jin looked through the contents of the letter carefully, not missing a word. After he finished reading the letter, he asked Jiang Pengji, What do you think, my lord? Send troops to protect the king? Or pretend not to have heard of it? Jiang Pengji said, I havent decided. Although the royal family has been in decline for a long time and exists more in name than in reality, they still have a high nominal status. As subordinates, we should dutifully respond by sending help at the request of the emperor But the timing is not very good, and I dont really feel like going. She frowned, but her expression showed not even the slightest sign of her struggling to choose between the two options. I want to hear your opinions before deciding whether or not I should get involved. Im having trouble deciding, she said. Requesting that the subordinates from all over the nation send troops to protect the king meant that the various forces of Dongqing, be they big or small, would congregate in Chenzhou along with their armies. Then, all the elites would gather, and heroes would make pacts. Talents would be plentiful. Their future enemies might be there too. It would be a good chance to steal talents over to their side. Jiang Pengji naturally didnt want to miss out on such a bustling event. However, as she had just said, it was a bad time to send troops over. It might be even worse if she went. The original plan had been to take over Chengde County in the coming spring. She was almost certain that she could conquer Chengde County with An Cuis coordinated action from within the Red Lotus Group. Plus, her troops were all elites with high combat effectiveness. Then, she could absorb the resources of the Red Lotus Group and further expand her forces. She could use her strengthened military power to suppress the influences of the noble houses in Shangyang County and finally replace the important officials with the talents that she had cultivated and trained This way, not only could she occupy Chengde County, but she could completely control Shangyang County as well! Then, the entirety of Wanzhou would be under her control. Dongqing only had six states and 21 counties. Liu She and his son already occupied two of the states, Wanzhou and Chongzhou, making House Liu one of the forces that would compete to rule the world in the future. All the segments of the plan were related, and the situation would be excellent if it was carried out step by step. If they were to allocate some troops to protect the king, they would face a shortage of soldiers. If they were unlucky enough for someone to attack their headquarters, her assets would be gone. Feng Jin murmured, My lord, if you dont go, you might be condemned by everyone and become a huge target. Jiang Pengji sighed softly. While the three advisors were still thinking, she secretly opened the bullet-screen comments, wanting to read the opinions of the laidback audience. Little Angels: Im so disappointed. So the emperor is seeking protection? I thought the emperor was going to bestow the title of Prince Qin upon the streamer. All the Best for the National College Entrance Examination: As a district magistrate, the streamer expanded her influences to the whole of Wanzhou. To put it bluntly, she would be considered a rebel. She cant be given the title of prince. But she can use this chance to claim the rank of Governor of Wanzhou. After all, no one would protect the emperor for nothing, and the emperor must offer certain benefits. There is a Surge in the Number of Chapters Published this Month: I agree with what the previous commenter said. It is clearly a rather good opportunity. After all, the streamers influence is fairly strong now. If she can learn from Cao Cao and hold the emperor as a hostage to order the rebellious ministers around in his name, it will be even cooler. Streamer, you are my goddess! On my Knees Begging for Monthly Passes: No, no If it really is that simple, why would the streamer and her friends be struggling to make decisions? Clearly, those four had much higher IQs than the losers in the livestream. How could they not understand things that even the losers in the livestream understood? In the end, a member of the audience that had been following the livestream for a long time, Laosiji Lianmeng, pointed out why Jiang Pengji was struggling so much. Laosiji Lianmeng: If she doesnt go to protect the king? There are benefits, but there are disadvantages too. The main disadvantage is that she has yet to conquer Chengde County and tame the restless local nobles of Shangyang County. If something goes wrong while her troops are away protecting the king, it would be hard for the streamer to keep her headquarters. If she goes to protect the king? It would be even better for her enemies. The royal family of Dongqing is not finished yet. We can deduce this from the fact that they sent requests for protection. Doing so would mean that the streamer is going against royal orders, and it would confirm the rumors that she is a rebel. Then Heh, if the royal family of Dongqing manages to stage a comeback, they would deal with the streamer first. Of course, if the royal family failed to make a comeback and Prince Shouchang gained power, he would also direct his spearhead at Jiang Pengji. Going against royal orders and refusing royal requests, a person who did so was clearly a rebel, no? There were some educational and analytical comments in the livestream, but most of the comments were pointless ones sent by bored onlookers. Jiang Pengji scanned through and found the comments to be quite useless. The corners of her mouth twitched as she closed the comments section. Meanwhile, the three advisors had reached a tacit agreement. In his previous incarnation, Wei Ci had spent some time with the bandit version of Jiang Pengji. Under her influence, he had actually embraced his wild side even more than Feng Zhen. For example, at the moment, Feng Zhen was still restrained and unable to think outside of the box, but Wei Ci had come up with an idea. However, the idea hed come up with was ingenious in some senses, but also terrible really terrible. My lord, I feel that there is no conflict, Wei Ci said. You want to protect the king, but you are worried that it could delay the battle against Chengde County next spring. If thats the concern, why not take over Chengde County earlier than planned? Maybe it would be just in time for spring plowing next year. Feng Zhen and Feng Jin were both surprised, and the formers expression turned grotesque. Chapter 620 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Launch the battle in winter? Its New Year soon, have you looked at the calendar? New Year, do you understand what that means? What happened to the seven day New Year holiday that had been agreed upon? Was it eaten by a dog? Launching the battle in winter meant that, even if they were to conduct blitzkrieg warfare and advance smoothly, destroying their enemies as easily as crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood, they still couldnt conquer the county in less than two or three months. This meant that they would have to continue the war until spring! If they were lucky, they would be spending the new year in the army tents. If they were unlucky, they would be at war, putting their lives on the line while others celebrated the new year. While other people had their New Years Eve reunion dinners, they would be beheading people and caressing the dead. Feng Zhen thought about what had happened after theyd conquered Chengde County and felt his chest hurting. He rolled his eyes back and gave a short and exaggerated ah, then slumped on the mat. Because he was born frail and then further sought trouble by consuming the Five Minerals Powder, Feng Zhen always looked pale. At the moment, as he acted ill, it seemed as if his illness had acted up as a result of him being too angry. However, he could trick others, but not Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji acted as if she did not understand the situation and straightforwardly asked him, Have you been having fun the past few days to the extent that your kidneys are suffering from a deficiency of yang qi? [1] If he couldnt even sit in his seat, surely it was because of a painful waist and a kidney that lacked yang qi? Feng Zhen almost choked. Resigned to his fate, he could only plaster on an expression that made it seem as if he would prefer death over life and push himself up, his wide eyes glaring at Jiang Pengji like those of a dead fish. Ever since hed arrived at this lair of darkness where various demons congregate, he hadnt even consumed the Five Minerals Powder. Hed also stopped drinking and given up his habit of going out to find ladies of the night. Boohoo, despite this, his lord still accused him of having a kidney that lacked yang qi. Feng Zhen felt so wronged. He said, My lord, wouldnt it be inappropriate to launch a battle in the dead of winter, so near the new year? Firstly, the soldiers are supposed to be reunited with their families since its near the new year. It would be rather cruel to separate them now. Secondly, the world is covered in snow and ice at the moment. The heavy snow has blocked off the mountain and it is difficult for the troops to travel. The soldiers and horses will tire easily, so it isnt a suitable time to launch a battle. At the moment, they were in an agricultural society, and suitable timing for war was closely linked with agriculture and land. Spring plowing must be done in spring. If it was affected due to war, there would be no harvest for the year. What would the people eat the next year, thin air? Some crops must be planted in summer. The rice plants would not be mature, and the weather would be terribly hot. It wouldnt be a good season for war either. Winter would be too cold, especially in the north, where the world would be engulfed in snow and ice, making the conditions very harsh. One was asking for trouble if they went to war in winter, be it on the offensive or defensive side. Having considered all the possibilities, the most suitable time to launch a battle would either be after the spring plowing and before the planting of crops in summer or after the autumn harvest and before the dead of winter. The weather would be just nice, not too cold and not too hot. At either of those times, it would be a suitable time to stir up trouble. But at the moment? It would be the new year soon, how could the weather outside be suitable for war? Feng Zhens words were not baseless, but the situation at the moment was unusual. They had no choice but to launch a battle. Feng Jin automatically ignored Feng Zhen who was acting up. His first impression of the prodigal had been very bad, but after getting to know him better, he felt that Feng Zhen wasnt so annoying after all. This was especially true when Feng Zhen went through the similar pains of working overtime and looked half-dead, making Feng Jin feel unusually at ease. He put his hands together in a salute and bowed, then took a step forward and answered, In my opinion, Zixiaos suggestion is a good strategy. My lord, you have ruled well. The people have enjoyed a decent harvest this autumn, and the grain depot of the government has already been filled up. We have sufficient food resources for the army. Although it is winter at the moment, the troops have not been slacking in their training and can be considered elite. If we launch a battle now, we will not suffer many losses. Furthermore, wool shirts are widespread, and every soldier has at least two sets to wear interchangeably, in addition to the leather clothing and armor that you have distributed to the troops. Even in such weather, the advancement of the army wont be inhibited. In my humble opinion, the plan can work! The conditions faced while fighting a war in the dead of winter would indeed be harsh, but everything had its pros and cons. Their soldiers would face hardships attacking in winter, but would it be easy for the Red Lotus Group to defend their city? If the wind and snow were considered, Jiang Pengjis army would be weakened by 10%, while the Red Lotus Group would be weakened by 50%! How come? Heres the analysis. Jiang Pengji had plenty of prisoners of war. After sorting, most of them had been sent to Xiangyang County to mine iron. Shed hired craftsmen that specialized in molding metal and creating armor. Using the specifications of the armor available as a reference, shed designed a set of military equipment. While also guaranteeing the safety and defensive capabilities, the weight of the new design had been minimized to the greatest extent possible so that more material could be saved to produce even more armor and weapons. Not counting the almost 10,000 soldiers who were newly recruited from Shangyang County, the 20,000 soldiers who had been with her initially had all donned armor with strong defensive capabilities. The weapons they used were of a standard variety. They could now be considered elites. On the contrary, most of the members of the Red Lotus Group wore tattered shirts with zero defensive capabilities. They had various weapons such as batons, kitchen knives, axes, carrying poles, and hatchets Some were even holding rocks. Even more were empty-handed. Regarding the number of men, the Red Lotus Group had 100,000 people. That number of soldiers was terrifying indeed. Regarding combat effectiveness, however, judging from the poor quality of the members, each of the elite soldiers under Jiang Pengji could take down at least 10 members of the Red Lotus Group. While both sides would be fighting in winter, Jiang Pengjis side would have an absolute advantage. Moreover, she still had An Cui, who would be coordinating their actions from within. For the sake of the promised seven-day holiday, Feng Zhen still refused to give up. But Wei Ci added, Our lord specifically chooses periods in the dead of winter and in the heat of summer to train the troops. It is indeed difficult to launch a battle in winter, but it isnt as if the soldiers cant fight in winter. Feng Zhen was totally devastated. Feng Jin continued, If we can conquer Chengde County before spring, we can make it for the spring plowing. The spring plowing going smoothly meant that there would be the possibility of a good harvest that year. The grains from the entirety of Wanzhou would be enough to support them in any battle. With a smile, Wei Ci said, If we can conquer the whole of Wanzhou before going to Chenzhou to protect the king, maybe you would be given the title of the governor of Wanzhou, my lord. In terms of military strength, Jiang Pengji could rank among the top three warlords who had been summoned to protect the king. The emperor of Dongqing must surely give them some reward in exchange for their help. Jiang Pengji would already be the de facto governor of Wanzhou. If the emperor gave her some benefits, he would most likely bestow the title upon her, so that her position would be justified by title. She would be the only governor of the state who was younger than 20. One probably couldnt find another governor of the state that was so young in Xia, the previous dynasty, let alone in Dongqing. Feng Jin raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile. If things were to proceed according to plan, that scenario would very good for them. Chongzhou and Wanzhou shared common borders, and they had occupied Hu County as well. This meant that Jiang Pengji would occupy one-third of Dongqings territory after Liu She stepped down. The biggest threat was that the northern kingdom had been greatly damaged because of the horse plague and couldnt advance southwards. No one could stop Jiang Pengji from expanding her territory. Feng Zhen lifted a hand and slapped it against his forehead, murmuring, I am still thinking of the seven-day holiday for New Year. Wei Ci said in a low voice, We can take a rest after were done with everything. Feng Zhen snorted coldly. If I believe you again, I will allow everyone to read the two words Feng Zhen backward. The conversation between the two did not escape Jiang Pengjis ears. She cruelly added insult to Feng Zhens injury. She said, Zishi, you live alone with no wife or concubine. Regardless of whether New Years Day is a holiday, you will be by yourself, no? Feng Zhen couldnt say anything. You are too mean, my lord! Even though he was single, that should not be an excuse for his lord to take away his holiday. Jiang Pengji cruelly exposed the truth and shoved the brutal facts in front of Feng Zhen. She said, Furthermore, all the brothels and clubhouses will be closed during the seven-day New Year holiday, where could you go to have fun? You will be alone at home anyway, surely it would be boring. If you are busy with government affairs, at least there will be a cook here to cater to you, three meals a day. Go home? Are you planning to starve to death at home? Feng Zhen was silent. Regardless of how desperate Feng Zhen was, it had already been decided that they would launch the battle in winter. Just two days later, Feng Zhen banged his head against the table piled high with documents and spoke weakly. He said, Id rather die high after consuming the Five Minerals Powder than die at my desk out of exhaustion [1] A condition believed to be a result of having too much sex. Chapter 621 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Launch the battle in winter? Upon hearing the news, Feng Gui though that there was something wrong with his ears. He must have heard wrongly. He asked Feng Jin in private, Its the dead of winter now, close to New Year. Mobilizing the troops at such a time, isnt it rather Feng Gui swallowed the remaining words, but Feng Jin already understood what his elder brother was trying to convey. Feng Jin gave out a long sigh. He said very resignedly, The emperor requested all the warlords to send troops to protect him. As a subordinate, our lord cant disobey the royal decree. But if we obey the order and send troops to protect the emperor, our lords previous efforts will definitely go to waste. The people of Wanzhou cannot enjoy a peaceful life unless the toxic Red Lotus Group is gotten rid of. To have the best of both worlds, we have no choice but to choose to launch the battle now. We will do everything in our power to make it quick so that we can deploy some troops to Chenzhou to respond to the emperors request. Even when facing his own elder brother, Feng Jin worded everything nicely. The way he put it, Jiang Pengji chose to launch the battle in winter neither for personal gain nor for territorial expansion, but for the good of the people of Wanzhou. She had a sincere, patriotic heart and was a wise and loyal high-ranking minister, the kind rarely found in Dongqing! 1As for the truth, errr All would be good as long as they both knew it in their hearts. Feng Guis lips curled up into a slight smile, with a hint of mockery. Protect the emperor To the royal family of Dongqing, regardless of whether attempts to protect the emperor were successful or otherwise, in the end, it wouldnt change the fact that they were nearing their end. How could a dynasty with rotten roots continue? Who knew whether their request for protection would drag on the royal familys pathetic existence or hasten its death? Feng Jin frowned, a contemplative look on his face. This time around, our lord is also compelled to take such a course of action. If not for the interference caused by the request of protection, our lord would probably have acted according to the plan and conquered Chengde County only after the spring plowing. Now, we can only push everything forward and give it a shot. Feng Gui lowered his eyes for a moment. He tentatively probed, Huaiyu, how confident do you think Liu Lanting is regarding this battle? If she won, Jiang Pengji, whose territory had once again expanded, would be able to turn back and deal with the local nobles of Shangyang County, then control Wanzhou completely. If she lost, the local nobles of Shangyang County might complicate the issue and cause her some trouble. As the idiom goes, Man struggles upwards; water flows downwards. Noble houses could continue to exist for hundreds or even thousands of years, not just because of excellent family traditions and values, but also because of wise choices in investment and side-taking. If the nobles couldnt see a future with her, Jiang Pengji would need to beware of backstabbing. While I dare not say 100 percent, we have at least a 90 percent chance of winning. Feng Jin stirred his tea with one hand, while his other hand held his sleeve back. The brothers sat opposite each other by the window, making tea and warming wine, discussing politics. Although the incident arose suddenly, our lord has always liked to start preparing early. The harvest from the fields was not bad this autumn, and the grain depot has long been filled with grain. The army has sufficient food resources, the horses are strong and healthy, and the troops are well-trained and have extremely high cold tolerance. In comparison, the Red Lotus Group is just a mob that isnt up to standard. With such a vast difference between the capabilities of the two, as long as our lord doesnt commit an act of self-destruction, we will definitely win. When he heard that, Feng Gui quietly took a deep breath. He wouldnt even estimate such a high likelihood of winning a battle if the person in question was the reincarnation of the god of war. After all, the outcome of a war was highly dependent on the opportunities of time, the advantages of the situation afforded by the Earth, and the union arising from the accord of men. After hearing Feng Jins analysis, Feng Gui could somewhat understand where his confidence came from. Feng Gui said, Based on what you said, I indeed underestimated Liu Lanting Feng Gui and Feng Jin sat opposite each other, sipping tea. The tea kettle beside them was boiling and hot, white steam pouring out of it. The two were silent for a while. Feng Jin spoke and broke the silence in the frozen atmosphere. He said, The emperors request for protection this time around could definitely gather all the heroic warlords of Dongqing. Are you planning to go and have a look, brother? Nansheng had been destroyed, and Dongqing was nearing its end. Zhongzhao had started declining, and the remaining two, Beiyuan and Xichang, were chaotic as well. The whole world had been dragged into the whirlpool of war. Unless a wise lord united the world, it would once again descend into chaos, just like it had in the era of the 16 countries. Since House Feng wanted to continue their legacy forever and overcome this challenge, they would definitely have to join the fight. There were noble houses that had lasted for a millennium, but no royal family had ever lasted for so long. House Feng had no interest in the throne, and they would choose a lord to aid. As the future head of the household, regardless of whether he was willing to or not, Feng Gui would definitely have to pick someone with the potential to succeed and serve as the latters advisor. Soon, all the famous heroes and warlords would gather at the emperors request for protection. Why shouldnt Feng Gui go and have a look? Feng Guis eyes were rather cold. He said calmly, If you take a look at the situation in Dongqing, youll see there are only a few forces that have potential, albeit barely. The main one would be Liu She and his son. The remaining ones play insignificant roles, and they either harbor ambitions far greater than their capabilities, or are unlucky and lack stable foundations. The most they can do is to stir up some trouble in their own territory In my opinion, it would be difficult for them to achieve anything great. I dont think theres much point in going. Theres a saying that goes, Dont look for a boyfriend in a dumpster. For Feng Gui, he similarly refused to pick a wise lord from a bunch of insignificant players. To put it even more bluntly, amid all these warlords, other than a select few, the rest were not up to standard, and Feng Gui didnt even need to consider them. The world was so huge, why should he have to constrain himself to pick someone from Dongqing? Feng Jin somewhat agreed with what his elder brother said. In that era, battles were not something that could be launched immediately. The preparations that must be made beforehand were very tedious. Jiang Pengji sent orders to Fengyi County, and at the same time ordered her spies to secretly contact An Cui and ask him how things were going over there. Her advisors initially thought that they could take a rest during the New Year holiday, but they were naive. Upon receiving the news, Qiguan Rang and the rest all thought that they had hallucinated as a result of not getting enough sleep the previous night. Xu Ke passed the letter around. Jiang Pengji had explained clearly in the letter that there was no other choice but to launch the battle this time around. Yang Sis mouth twitched. He said, Such a bother. Who would start a battle near New Year? Xu Ke knew that Yang Si had been easily irritated recently. After all, who was to blame for the fact that the government affairs and responsibilities of the Chengan District were all being shouldered by Yang Si? The kitchen supplied them with four to five meals a day, but Yang Si had still rapidly and visibly lost all the weight that he had just gained. That was how busy he was! Qiguan Rang said, Our lord ordered us to discuss the matter with the military officers first. We need to settle on which of the soldiers will be setting foot on the battlefield. Xu Ke managed the logistics. He was basically in charge of all the preparations of the food resources for war and the maintenance of supplies. From the look of Jiang Pengjis letter, she wasnt asking for their opinion, but merely informing them of a decision. As her trusty advisors, at this juncture, they could only do their best regarding the preparations they were in charge of. Yang Si gave a long sigh and rolled his eyes. Qiguan Rang and Xu Ke were busy preparing for the war. This meant that he would have to shoulder most of the government affairs and responsibilities of Fengyi County. At this rate, he was going to die from exhaustion. He told his attendant, Risking my life over a meal Your employer, me, is really dumb Yang Si rolled his eyes, looking like a dead fish. The documents on his desk had quickly accumulated over time, forming a high pile. The shadow it cast shrouded his entire body. The attendant had work piled on him by Yang Si. Who could understand the pains he suffered as he progressed from stumbling along to being skilled in the handling of government affairs? He struggled as he heaved a large stack of bamboo slips over, putting them down by the desk and causing a loud crash. Panting heavily, he supported himself with one hand on the pile of bamboo slips. After catching his breath, the attendant was filled with righteous indignance. Chapter 622 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The attendant said, Sir, you are not dumb, its just that they are too cunning They know all too well that you cant resist delicious food, yet they still tempt you with food of all things. Sir, how about I take some time off to secretly learn from the cook. Lets escape once Ive mastered the craft The corner of Yang Sis mouth twitched. His tastebuds had been spoiled by the cooks of Fengyi County. If he left, surely he would die of hunger. 1Which would be worse, to die of hunger or to die of exhaustion? It was a difficult choice. As a foodaholic, Yang Si decisively chose the latter, for the former was too torturous. Because of the emperors request for protection, not only were Jiang Pengjis plans affected, but the advisors and generals under her also descended into busyness. Even An Cui, who was in Chengde County secretly supporting them with coordinated actions, was affected. He was contacted by the informant and initially thought that Jiang Pengji was going to send him more resources. But An Cui was a careful person. He had already received a batch of resources, and the resources had yet to run out, how could they possibly send more resources? Having thought of that, An Cuis next thought was that his identity had been found out. He was wary and asked a few of his blood brothers to protect him in secret while he went ahead to meet the informant. It turned out to be fine. An Cuis identity had not been exposed, and the informant informed him that the plans had been pushed forward. An Cui asked, Why is the battle being launched without waiting for springtime? The informant said, About that, I dont know. Ive heard that it somewhat has to do with the emperors request for protection. The news has spread everywhere. An Cui was not good at strategizing, and he couldnt immediately figure out the relationship between the request for protection and Jiang Pengjis plans being pushed forward. He didnt ask for detail. After all, the informants job was just to contact him. The informant didnt have much inside information. An Cui gave the matter some deep thought after he went back, feeling tempted to try his luck. He hurriedly gathered his sworn brothers to discuss the matter, his expression rather distorted as a result of him suppressing his excitement. He said, The emperors request for protection is a great opportunity for us. If Jiang Pengji was going to keep her promise and give An Cui 10 percent of the manpower and monetary resources she obtained from the Red Lotus Group, he could utilize said resources and go to protect the emperor, thus obtaining some benefits. His sworn brothers were mostly uneducated outlaws. They respected An Cui for his wide knowledge and were even more grateful for his sincere treatment. If An Cui said that they could benefit from the matter, they believed him. The burly, dark-skinned man felt happy for An Cui at first and made a slight bow with both hands clasped in front of him to congratulate him, but then looked hesitant. He said, But Brother, we havent brought over enough people yet. Would the people in Fengyi County be dissatisfied? An Cui said, One cant launch a war immediately. They still need to prepare food for the troops and plan out the battle It will take some time, one way or another. Add that to the time required for their troops to march here and it would take them about half a month. We need not worry about failure as long as we stay united. However, even though we are in a hurry, we cannot give the show away and let ourselves be suspected by the Red Lotus Group. Prioritize safety! The burly, dark-skinned man nodded while listening, completely trusting An Cuis words. He said, Rest assured, brother. Surely you can put your faith in us. We will complete the task well and not make any mistakes. An Cui wore a relieved expression. The atmosphere in the straw hut was full of brotherly affection and everyone was happy and harmonious. Meanwhile, Huang Song was steadily expanding his territory. Like Jiang Pengji, he was surprised by the emperors request for protection. Although Huang Song was the descendant of Huang Tan, a eunuch, the latter was secretly very rich, for he was the emperors confidant, known for selling ranks and titles and earning unknown sums of money. Furthermore, Huang Songs father loved to operate businesses that accumulated a rich fortune for Huang Song. With money, grain, and Huang Tans support in court, Huang Song was steadily developing his influence. He already had more than ten thousand soldiers under him. Upon receiving the emperors request for protection, he felt so worried that his head ached. Egged on by Feng Jue, Huang Song had long ago given up his ambition of being a noble minister. If someone called him a traitor, he would be unable to defend himself convincingly. Considering the circumstances, he felt rather guilty. If he responded to the request for protection, wouldnt he willingly fall into the emperors snare? Unless he harbored rebellious intentions, why would a mere district magistrate of Diyang District need to keep more than ten thousand troops? Feng Jue snickered and asked, What are you afraid of, my lord? If His Majesty looks into it, theres still Liu Xi before you. If His Majesty investigates at all, he would have to investigate him before investigating you. At the moment, the royal family is in decline and has requested protection. They would rather that the armies responding to their request be strong so that they could defeat Prince Shouchang You have more than ten thousand soldiers, which is a good thing, why would they fault you for it? Huang Song looked awkward. Yeah, why should he feel nervous and guilty? Liu Xi had flagrantly conquered Fengyi County, taken away Shangyang County from House Feng, and then turned his eyes toward Chengde County In the blink of an eye, the entirety of Wanzhou was going to belong to Liu Xi. As for Huang Song, he had just managed to take control of one single county in Maode. If the royal court investigated their crimes, Liu Xi would be the greatest traitor. In comparison, Huang Song would at most be considered an insignificant soldier waving the flag and shouting to show support for his side in battle. Huang Song asked, Then Should we respond to the request for protection? Huang Song was different from Jiang Pengji. Although Jiang Pengji occupied two counties, Shangyang County had yet to submit to her completely. That was a hidden problem. To resolve the issue, she could only occupy Chengde County and then deal with the local nobles of Shangyang County after expanding the size of her army. That way, they wouldnt dare to misbehave. In comparison, Huang Song didnt have so many worries. Chen Jing said, In my humble opinion, the request for protection is a good chance to show your loyalty and kindness, my lord. We should go. Chen Jings view coincided with Jiang Pengjis. They both thought that it would be a good platform to seek out talent. The main point was not to protect the emperor, it was that Huang Song could use the opportunity to showcase his capabilities and conduct, thus attracting talent to his side. To put it in simple terms, it was a platform for him to advertise and publicize himself. Feng Jue seconded the suggestion. The other advisors present also agreed. Huang Song steeled his heart and made the final decision. Defend the emperor? Lets go! For a time, all the various forces harbored their own intentions. The emperors request for protection caused everyone to be restless. As the other forces gathered their troops and prepared to defend the emperor, Jiang Pengji started the final pre-war preparations. This is the intelligence received from the informant. Take a look, everyone, said Jiang Pengji. Because they were about to launch the war, Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci returned to Fengyi County first, leaving the various governmental affairs of Shangyang County to Feng Zhen and Feng Jin. Dont let Feng Zhens endless complaints about wanting to go on strike fool you, hed done his job very well. Feng Zhen led a licentious life. He was cunning and conducted affairs in a crafty manner, and he was extremely skilled at dealing with people. He was best suited to deal with the nobles of Shangyang County. As for whether he would die of exhaustion? Heh, she believed in the saying, Only the good die young. Feng Zhen would enjoy a long life. Furthermore, Feng Jin was also helping him in Shangyang County, he wouldnt die of exhaustion. Even though the Red Lotus Group consists only of the uneducated masses, they have strength in their numbers. The thought of all those people crowding together is giving me a headache, Jiang Pengji said. Jiang Pengjis hands were hidden in her sleeves. She sat at the head of the table with unmelted snow in her hair. Shed called an emergency meeting immediately upon reaching Xiangyang District. She hadnt even eaten a mouthful of warm rice. Magistrate Liu, what you are seeking is to fight a quick battle. So, we must be careful with our first battle. If we can conquer a city faster than they can react. The Red Lotus Group will lose their momentum. Yang Si bowed and said, If we attack for a long time without making progress or showing weakness, the morale of the soldiers will be very easily affected. The Red Lotus Group has strength in numbers. If their spirits are boosted, they have a high chance of dragging the battle on, and it would be very detrimental to our side. Jiang Pengji didnt mind how Yang Si addressed her. In your opinion, Jingrong, how and where should we conduct the first battle? Chapter 623 - State of Emergency in Chenzhou, Send Troops to Protect the King (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio They had limited time, so Jiang Pengji couldnt possibly spend too long dilly-dallying with the Red Lotus Group. The longer it dragged on, the more detrimental it would be for her. So She got an idea Jiang Pengjis eyes twinkled. Wei Ci felt his heart beating. He had a bad feeling. He knew her all too well. Every time she wore that expression and had that look in her eyes, she was coming up with something bad in her mind. Yang Si had expected that Jiang Pengji would ask him to come up with a plan. He naturally wouldnt have opened his mouth unless he was prepared. Look at this place, Magistrate Liu Yang Si said as he pointed at the map in the government office. In my humble opinion, we can launch the attack from here. Jiang Pengji looked at where Yang Si pointed and realized that it was a small abandoned town at the border of Chengde County. On the surface, there didnt seem to be anything special about the terrain. Had it been, Yang Si wouldnt have recommended it. From here? she asked. She furrowed her brows. The rest also deeply pondered Yang Sis idea. Like Yang Si, Qiguan Rang liked to employ cunning strategies. Their minds were in sync, and he quickly understood Yang Sis plan. Yang Si wasnt aiming for a small town with a weak defense. He was aiming for the mountain trail behind the small town. Meng Hun looked down, scratching at the flaking dead skin on his hand, occasionally turning his head to talk to Luo Yue. They were experienced and knew that, with their limited knowledge, they werent able to provide opinions of much use. But Dian Yan and Li Yun, the two curious youngsters, were different. In the past six months, Dian Yan had been promoted repeatedly by Jiang Pengji. He had already advanced to the position of lieutenant among the recruits and was considered a hot-shot newbie. If everything went well, he would lead some troops into the battle against the Red Lotus Group this time around. But his personality was more reserved and staid, and he kept his questions at the back of his mind, waiting to seek clarification in private. In comparison, Li Yun was more outgoing. He got along pretty well with everyone present and would ask straightaway if he had any questions. He said, Mr. Yang, despite looking hard, I cant seem to find anything special about this place. Yang Si laughed lightly and said, No, Hanmei, look again at this place. Do you still think that there is nothing special about it? He shifted his finger. Just as Qiguan Rang had suspected, Yang Si was aiming for the mountain trail behind the small town. Li Yun still didnt understand what he meant. Yang Si explained, Elite troops alone will not be enough when it comes to conquering the Red Lotus Group quickly and ruining their morale. If the Red Lotus Group is determined to defend one place and consolidate its troops to fight against Magistrate Liu, the longer they drag on, the more detrimental it will be for Magistrate Liu. Furthermore, it is near the New Year, and the slightest setback will severely damage the morale of our troops. Under such circumstances, we can only concentrate our forces to attack one place and surprise them. Only then will we have a high chance of winning. Yang Si had a good impression of Li Yun. Previously, the young fella had even woven a warm pair of gloves and a circular neckwarmer for him. So, Yang Si, who had always been rather reluctant to entertain other people, was surprisingly patient with Li Yun. He continued, The mountain trail was first built during the chaotic era of the 16 countries. At the moment, it has fallen into disrepair and is difficult to cross, so it has been abandoned for a good while. People prefer safe and even official roads. Before the official roads were built, the mountain trail connected Fenghu District and the Jinmen District. The way the great Xia Dynasty had partitioned the land was similar to the system of prefectures and counties the audience of the livestream knew, but there were differences between the two. Dongqing, Nansheng, Beiyuan, Xichang, and Zhongzhao. The five countries all claimed to be the rightful descendants of the Xia Dynasty, and many of their systems were continuations from the previous dynasty. However, theyd modified it in the process as well. Fengyi County contained Chengan District, Jiaoping District, Maolin District, and Xiangyang District. All of them were in Jiang Pengjis hands at the moment. Let us waste no more words on them. Chengde County, which was opposite it, consisted of four districts. They were the Honglian District, Jinmen District, Fenghu District, and Qiuyu District respectively. The founder of the Red Lotus Group was born in Honglian District, so the cult he founded was named after the red lotus [1]. The small town that Yang Si had pointed out was actually at the borders of Fenghu District and Jinmen District. At first, it had been a simple remote village. As the mountain trail connected the two places and allowed trade activities to take place, it was frequented by businessmen. The village gradually prospered and slowly became a small town. However, the mountain trail was difficult to pass through. Halfway through the Xia Dynasty, the government chose another place to build the official road, and the mountain trail was gradually abandoned. Without the economic activity brought about by the businessmen, the once prospering small town started to decline. In the present, it was bustling with life once more as a sentry post of the Red Lotus Group. But the mountain trail had long been ignored. Even though it was still drawn on the map, who would consider it military or commercial purposes? After Yang Si explained, Li Yun finally understood what he was thinking. He said, Mr. Yang, is your plan to launch surprise attacks on Jinmen District and Fenghu District separately using this mountain trail? Yang Si shook his head and said, Even though the Red Lotus Group consists of the uneducated masses, they have plenty of men. If we separate our troops to attack different spots, we might face detrimental obstructions. Based on the situation of the mountain trail, I suggest that we focus on attacking the Jinmen District first. Look at this spot; even though the trail leading to Jinmen District is longer, it is less steep. This can help the soldiers conserve energy, and it would be easier for them to attack later According to his plan, it would be better if they concentrated their troops to launch a surprise attack at one district and only consider the others after conquering it. They had fewer troops than the Red Lotus Group, so it would be risky to separate their troops. Li Yun mhmmed, then came up with another question. If we use the mountain trail to get there, what about the siege equipment? Since the mountain trail had been abandoned for many years, it probably isnt very firm. The soldiers can still cross if they are careful, but if they are carrying scaling ladders or siege engines, it will be dangerous. Without siege equipment, even if we send all 20000 elite troops there, they can still drag the battle on by relying on the city walls. Even if they could win, it would probably cost them dearly. All their soldiers had been well trained and were elites, treasures in the eyes of their generals. It would be a waste if they died in a siege with no siege equipment. Seeing as Yang Si had dared to propose such a plan, of course, he had also prepared a reply for that. The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he turned and faced Jiang Pengji. He said, The matter would have to be settled by Magistrate Liu, naturally. Li Yun was surprised. What has this to do with our lord? Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow slightly, her manner calm. Faced with the issue Yang Si had suddenly tossed her, she handled it steadily. She said, Just as Hanmei said, it is difficult to transport siege equipment through the mountain trail. If thats the case, lets not transport the equipment. Li Yun was anxious and hurriedly said, But, my lord, without siege equipment, how can the soldiers make their way up the dozen-foot tall walls? Meng Hun, who was sitting beside Li Yun, quietly tugged at his sleeves, motioning for him to not be so agitated. Only then did Li Yun realize that he had stood up in his agitation, and as a result, he somewhat resembled a stork among chickens. He blushed and obediently sat back down in his seat. He apologized, I forgot myself just now. Please forgive me, my lord. Jiang Pengji didnt fault Li Yun for it. Hanmei, you are a genuine person, why should you have to apologize for that? You have all probably heard that I planted a spy in the Red Lotus Group. He can help us spread false intelligence. We just need to make the Red Lotus Group believe that we are going to focus on attacking Fenghu County and scare them into deploying the troops stationed near Jinmen County. Then well launch a surprise attack on Jinmen County The plan has a very high chance of working. [1] Honglian means red lotus in Chinese. Chapter 624 - Release The Supreme Commander Of His Post, I’ll Do It (I） A plant? Although everyone knew about this matter, this battle plan was too dependent on the plants performance. The success of the plan hinged upon the performance of the planted agent. If the plant had adept acting skills and could trick the Red Lotus Group, then the plan would be a success. But But what if the plants acting was awkward and others could see through his performance? Or what if his acting was just not up to par? They would pretend to attack Fenghu County while focusing their main assault on Jinmen County. Things would get awkward if the Red Lotus Group did not withdraw their troops from Jinmen County. For them to put their hopes on a plant who they knew nothing about C not his background or motivations C and to have no proper way to retreat, Xu Ke and the others were a bit worried. Of those who were present, only Wei Ci felt very confident. Not only did he understand Jiang Pengji, he understood An Cui even better. Wei Ci could, at best, guess Jiang Pengjis mood and plan through her words and actions, but Jiang Pengji liked to make unexpected moves. It was pretty impressive if Wei Ci could correctly guess her moves once or twice out of ten times. As for An Cui Wei Ci had been his minister for many years and had understood him very well for a long time already. If he were to rank the acting skills of the various princes on a list, An Cui was definitely in the top three. The conditions given by Jiang Pengji were too tempting. Even if An Cui knew that there was a catch, he would still bite down firmly on the bait. This was even truer since he hadnt discovered the catch yet. As long as he helped Jiang Pengji capture Chengde County, An Cui could have 10% of the adult males and money from the captives. Moreover, the Dongqing royal house had issued an imperial order to mobilize all their troops to enter the capital to save their king. An Cui wanted to step on this springboard to develop his power. Hence, Jiang Pengji needed to promise him 10% of the adult males and money. Jiang Pengji needed to draw support from Chengde County to expand her troops and land there before turning around to suppress the powerful land-owning class in Shangyang County. That would stabilize her foundations. An Cui must also use that 10% of the money and adult males as capital to join the ranks of the forces responding to the imperial order. By doing this, he could rise in status and take advantage of the opportunity to develop his power. The interests of the two were one and the same. In fact, An Cui was even more eager for this victory than Jiang Pengji. Faced with such a temptation, An Cui would gather all his energy, exert all his strength, and throw his whole weight behind this plan to make it happen, even without any urging by outsiders. Just as Wei Ci was thinking about how to dispel everyones worries and reassure them, Jiang Pengji started to speak. She said, Everyone, your fear is not without reason. Ive thought about it carefully and I intend to tell you something. Wei Cis heart jumped, he was about to open his mouth, but he was too late. Jiang Pengji said, I plan to lead the Vanguard Battalion in this siege! It was only a few words, but it was as if firecrackers had been thrown into a boiling pot of water and made the pot explode. Whether they were the counselors led by Xu Ke or the military generals led by Meng Hun, they were all firmly opposed to her idea. They knew that Jiang Yanji fought valiantly, but Her Majesty was the stabilizing force who should oversee things from the rear and stabilize the situation. If she ran to the frontlines to kill the enemy and her identity was revealed, the enemy would focus their fire on her. What could they do then? No matter how heroic a person was, when he was faced with thousands of blades, it was only a matter of time before he would be chopped into meat sauce. Yang Si was surprised. He had never seen Jiang Pengjis powerful and outstanding combat abilities in battle. He thought that she was foolish and conceited, someone who loved playing the hero. His brain started to hurt immediately. District Magistrate Liu, you should consider the big picture. As our leader, how could you go into battle without a care for the danger? It wasnt just that she wanted to go into battle, she also wanted to lead the Vanguard Battalion. What did the Vanguard Battalion do? The Vanguard Battalion shouldered the task of scouting the trails for the entire army. They were also responsible for observing the enemy, checking out the terrain, and conducting offensive maneuvers of an investigative or probing nature. Their purpose was to throw the enemys troops, deployment, and formation into disorder while boosting the morale of their troops. It was a heavy task. Hence, the Vanguard was generally composed of the best soldiers from the entire army. In other words, the Vanguard Battalion was the first of the army to fight against the enemy. Normally, the reduction of staff also started with the Vanguard. When one joined the Vanguard Battalion, it meant that they could meet Lord Yan of Death at any time. The obstructions and opposition voiced by everyone floated into her left ear and went out her right ear. Let their glib tongues speak all the flowery words they could come up with, she would remain unmovable. Seeing the scene playing out in a familiar style that they all liked, the audience of the livestream expressed their delight. Tomorrow is the college entrance exam: Hahaha - dont you find this scene familiar? During the attack on the Chengan district, the host also wanted to come to the front lines, but in the end, she was stopped by her teenage princesses. Nowadays, the team of teenage princesses has expanded further, and more people are obstructing the host. Should we have a bet on wholl win? Will it be the host or her group of teenage princesses? Cheering on the little angels: #Contemptuous, youve all said that its the teenage princesses group. According to the hosts usual practice of spoiling them, she will definitely be persuaded to stay in the end. Putting aside this point that all flesh is equal to swords and knives on the battlefield, as the backbone, the anchor is indeed unsuitable for risks. Evening: You are all laughing, so is it just me who feels bad for the host? She is actually more suitable to be a general than a queen. As a general, she can fight on the battleground and release the wildness in her. Amongst all the armies, she will be the one to take the head of the enemys general and make the enemy tremble But Jiang Pengji was the backbone for everyone. She was also their ruler. She had become a rare panda to be protected. Total perfection: The above comment is felt by others too. I feel uncomfortable every time I see the group of teenage princesses thwarting the host. If they thwart her a few more times, I will turn from being a fan into a detractor. She is a tiger, a lion, not a giant panda to be shut up in a zoo and carefully waited upon. There was a spirited discussion going on in the bullet screen of the livestream. Naturally, Jiang Pengji did not miss it. The bored and unmotivated audience who probably had no ambitions in real life compared her to a protected panda and called the counselors and military generals little teenage princesses. She thought that they were rather accurate. Therefore Stop persuading me, I have decided. Jiang Pengjis gaze was determined. She had been trapped here in the company of a bunch of government officials for so long that she had almost forgotten how good it felt to whip a horse on and to kill the enemy. Ill be leading the Vanguard Battalion. Its critical to besiege and takedown Jinmen County with the fastest speed and the fewest casualties. Which general here can achieve that besides me? This matter is settled. Menghun and the others had fought against Jiang Pengji. Whether it was in a one-on-one fight or by leading troops into a battle against each other, they were leagues apart from Jiang Pengji. After the meeting adjourned, Wei Ci was pulled aside by Yang Si as he complained to him. This empress of yours she thinks she can still go onto the battlefield with such a small physique? Wei Ci was still immersed in his thoughts when he was interrupted by Yang Si. He raised his head and said with a somewhat mocking tone, Her Majestys combat strength is extraordinary. She is valiant and invincible. Why is she incapable of fighting on the battlefield? I will not expound more on her abilities. However, if you were her opponent, even you couldnt beat her Yang Si almost hurt from the laughter he was holding in. Whats wrong with Wei Ci? He certainly put an awkward stop to the conversation the moment he opened his mouth. Is she really as powerful as you say? Yang Si looked skeptical. Jiang Pengji was not short, but she was not tall and sturdy either. She also looked a little lean, not like she could fight. Wei Ci egged him on. If you dont believe me, you can try challenging her. But then, why did you suddenly make such a suggestion? Yang Si was merely a temp worker and he had only stayed for the delicious food. Now he was here offering his advice. Yang Si averted his gaze and said disagreeably, You think I want to? Dont you know your leaders personality? Once I go on this road, therell be no way back. If Liu Xi was a mere county magistrate, I would not fear him. But now hes nearly the magistrate of the entire province. How would I escape him? To put it succinctly, Yang Si was a bit of a wimp. Chapter 625 - Release the Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do it (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yang Si was indeed a bit of a wimp. He had never thought that Jiang Pengji would so rapidly rise to power. In just one or two years, she had gone from a figurehead county magistrate of Xiangyang District during its occupation by the Tsing Yi Army to her current position. She had become a provincial magistrate who almost had the entire province under her control. For many people riding the ups and downs of officialdom, to go from a county magistrate to the provincial magistrate was a long road that was nearly impossible to navigate in a lifetime. The more he learned about Jiang Pengji, the greater the urgency in Yang Sis heart became. One could say that he was a wimp or a coward, but no matter what, being cowardly was better than dying. Wei Ci and Yang Si had known each other for many years. Smart people communicate easily. Even without stating things explicitly, the two could understand each others thoughts. To use the words of the livestreams viewers, the rapport between these two guys was so strong that youd think theyd slept together. The gayer they were, the stronger their rapport. Wei Ci tucked his hands into the opposite sleeves. So this means that With a look that was not quite a smile, he said, Youll be changing how you address Her Majesty? Yang Sis expression was stiff and a little dark. He finally stammered out after a long time, How do I say this? Im also a talent For me to admit defeat so simply, where do you want me to put my face? I can change how I address her, but she should show me a sign first Earlier, he had spoken loudly and powerfully as if making a solemn vow. Now, his old words were ringing in his ears. If Yang Si took the initiative to soften his stance and admit his mistakes, wouldnt he be slapping his own face? In any case, he also needed to act reservedly for a while. Throwing himself over to her side of his own volition What if she did not value his action? He should wait until Jiang Pengji could see his talents and usefulness before offering her an olive branch. In this way, the sovereign and his lord could have a harmonious relationship. Wei Ci raised his sleeves and covered the smile forming at the corner of his lips. He said, If you want to wait for Her Majesty to verbally express that she has softened her stance towards you, Im afraid that you will be waiting a long time. Jing Rong, you have followed Her Majesty for some time, when did you ever see her soften towards anyone? Dont blame me for not reminding you, but Prince Changshou is still waiting to serve you your comeuppance. If the prince remembers how you made a sport of him and wants to settle that old score, tsk tsk Wei Ci shook his head with regret as he spoke. Yang Sis expression seemed to cramp; his face kept twitching. You Just leave that sore spot alone. Can you not mention that matter with Prince Changshou? After Wei Cis reminder, Yang Si recalled a very dishonest matter. When he job-hopped away from Prince Changshou, hed dug a large hole for the prince to fall into. If not for Yang Sis secret retaliation against Prince Changshou, causing them to lose the battle at the frontlines According to the situation at the time, Prince Changshou should have captured Chenzhou long ago, killed the emperor, and put himself on the throne. He would not have been caught in a deadlock for more than a year while his original advantages transformed into disadvantages otherwise. Besides, he had also been put into the predicament of food shortages and escaping soldiers. It could be said that, if not for the alliance with Meng Zhan in the middle of things, Prince Changshou would not have been able to endure for so long. He would have withdrawn his soldiers and returned to his feudal lands. If one had to guess who the prince hated the most, Yang Si was a safe bet. Wei Ci smiled. As his incomparably handsome face broke into a smile, it was as if a hundred flowers were full bloom. One instantly recognized that he was a remarkably beautiful human in this world. Okay, okay Ill stop talking about this. Wei Ci and Yang Si walked shoulder to shoulder, a smiling undertone in their words. The had agreed to get along in the earlier part of their conversation, but the thread of discussion had taken a sharp turn towards the end. Because weve been friends for many years, there is something I must remind you of. Yang Si asked with a scowl, What is it? Wei Ci straightforwardly said, In this huge Dongqing Dynasty, who else can protect you besides Her Majesty? She is stubborn like a donkey who doesnt walk when it is lead and retreats when it is beaten. The more you force her, the more she likes to act pig-headedly. To be succinct, she is headstrong. Jing Rong, you have always called her County Magistrate Liu, but have you ever seen her taking offense? For her to show that she has softened her stance and is amenable to persuasion, Im afraid that it is impossible. But if you dont soften your stance and admit your mistakes, it would be difficult for you to stay alive. Yang Sis expression had become so dark that it resembled the soot found on the bottom of a pot. His hands felt so itchy. He really wanted to throttle Wei Ci. He used to look at Wei Ci and think of him as noble and benevolent. Now that he looked at Wei Ci again, he felt that he must have been blind. If this man was cut apart with a knife, his flesh and blood would be black, not to mention his heart. Continue to deride me. If you dont watch your mouth, you might fall headfirst one day. Yang Si snorted through his nose. He seemed to be very angry. The two friends bantered as they left the Government Office together. Xu Ke and the others were busy with their work and took their leave. Only Qiguan Rang was left. He very slowly shuffled his feet on the woven mat, refusing to get up. When all the others were gone, Jiang Pengji turned her attention to the Qiguan Rang. She asked, Wenzheng, I wanted you to ask about a matter. Whats the answer? Qiguan Rang pinched his beard nervously, feeling that something major was about to happen. But Jiang Pengjis expression remained unperturbed, surprising him. Your Majesty. His lips opened and closed. Hed only managed to squeeze out two words. There was not an ounce of the usual confidence he derived from his glib tongue and charming words. Jiang Pengji chuckled. She temporarily closed down the livestreaming room and said, Say it. No matter what the answer is, I can bear it. I had requested that you write a letter to Mr. Wei Yuan With the time that has passed, you should have a reply by now. Qiguan Rang hesitated for a long while before carefully repeating the contents of Mr. Wei Yuans reply. Jiang Pengji listened with a dull expression. The more her expression remained unchanged, the more that Qiguan Rang felt that he was about to be scared witless. Finally. Your Majesty, I think that perhaps there is a misunderstanding. Please, I ask of Your Majesty. Jiang Pengji looked down with a gentle smile. Her expression did not seem to be clouded in the least. Wenzheng, you dont need to persuade or console me. Ive had a sense of this matter for some time, but there had been no evidence before now Jiang Yanji curled her lips. That gesture of indifference was very natural, and there were no cracks in it. In addition, Wenzheng This matter is far more complicated than what you imagine, and it may also involve fields that ordinary people cant imagine. However, Im confident in solving it. After all, Im the sovereign that youve chosen, so you should have a little confidence too. If I cant even take care of such things, wouldnt I be letting down your trust in me? Youve staked everything on in one bold move. Although Qiguan Rang had a sly mind and his style of scheming seemed to be identical to Yang Sis and Feng Zhens, there were differences to be found between the men upon closer analysis. Yang Si loved to use conspiracy and deception, but he could see the facts clearly. He was able to distinguish what was slight and what was serious. He was the best at taking stock of the situation. Feng Zhen loved to have fun. There was no order or rules of doing things. Everything depended on what he liked. His thinking was crafty and his plots even more fickle and strange. As for Qiguan Rang He had some characteristics of Yang Si and Feng Zhen, but he was also different from them. The fact that Feng Zhen loved to show off was obvious, but Qiguan Rang did not like to stand out. The idiom play safe by not calling attention to oneself had sunk into his bones. Yang Sis weakness was obvious. He would soften his stance and admit his mistakes when circumstances forced him to. However, Qiguan Rang was relatively obstinate in all respects and had strong principles. Playing safe by not calling attention to oneself did not mean that one was also flexible and could take advantage of the situation. It was Qiguan Rang who had chosen Jiang Pengji. It was almost like he had staked everything he had on one last gamble on her. Even if her purpose was only to keep the trust and loyalty shown to her by her group of teenage princesses, Jiang Pengji would not allow herself to lose. Jiang Pengji had a determined attitude. Qiguan Rang could only swallow the words he wanted to say. Her Majesty had come to a strategic decision, he would speak no more. To say something thats quite wimpy, when Jiang Pengji asked him to carry out the investigation, Qiguan Rang was shocked. Chapter 626 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (III) The two were silent for a long while. Qiguan Rang asked cautiously, Since thats the case, what does my lord plan to do? Jiang Pengji scoffed and said, Ill pretend not to know anything for the time being. I want to see how long that man can endure. Ive found a clue about his purpose Im very curious, what kind of expression will he make when his enthusiastic scheming comes to nothing? Qiguan Rang had little knowledge of insider information. He was mystified by her words. But Jiang Pengjis words still made him shudder inexplicably. So, we just leave it alone? We dont need to prepare ourselves? Qiguan Rang asked. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly. She said with determination, That person will not do anything to me before I become the overlord of the world. Not only will he not sabotage me, but he will do his best to help me. By helping me, he will gain advantages for free. It would be a waste if he didnt grab onto those advantages. He thinks that Im totally oblivious and has even laid down multiple hindrances to obstruct and mislead me. Little has he imagined that Sometimes its a mistake to act too thoughtfully Qiguan Rang thought that Jiang Pengji had finished speaking, but she tacked on another sentence at the end. This matter stays between the two of us. No third party should know about it. She never went into war unprepared. The reply from Mr. Wei Yuan seemed to contain nothing, but Jiang Pengji had already figured out his nature. Haha Did he want to scheme? Did he really think that all the smart men in the world were dead? Since they wanted to hurt each other, they should see whose tactics were more brilliant. Jiang Pengji raised her hand and rubbed at the spot between her eyebrows. Wenzheng, help me write the first draft of a letter. Qiguan Rang asked without thinking, To whom? Jiang Pengji replied, To Father Say that my brother will be twelve years old this year, its not good for him to always stay in Hejian County. He should have an elder to guide and teach him. Im busy with government affairs, but it just so happens that things are pretty idle on Fathers side. Let Father teach him well Although my brother is the son of a concubine, his surname is still Liu. If his character becomes crooked, wont that bring shame to our family? By doing this, I can deliver a hit to that person without alerting him to the fact that Ive caught on. Liu She was very formidable. Liu Huan, also the child of a concubine, was the daughter of Prince Changshou and Wang Huiyun. In the end, she had married into the Dongqing royal family by wedding the son of the emperor and Wang Huiyun. It was incest between half-siblings from the same mother and different fathers. Liu She was the mastermind behind the scenes, yet even he had earned a wave of sympathy from strangers. As for her brother haha, there was an abundance of history behind his identity too. Who said women were narrow-minded? When a man held a grudge, his methods of revenge were even more blood-curdling. Jiang Pengji never thought that so many demons and monsters could have gathered in the little backyard of the Liu familys home. Qiguan Rang wore a stupefied expression. He thought that Jiang Pengji had said this because she had received a tremendous blow. But upon closer look, he could that she was very clear-headed. Yes, Qiguang Rang replied. Jiang Pengji matter-of-factly ended this topic and swept away the cloudy atmosphere bearing down on them. She changed the topic, asking Qiguan Rangs opinion of Yang Sis stratagem. Qiguang Rang had great admiration for Yang Sis stratagem. It was seemingly false and true at the same time; it was very stealthy. War was never a matter in which one could follow any prescribed pattern to the letter. Sly and unusual schemes often brought about unexpected benefits. They had planted a secret agent in the Red Lotus Group, and if the plant carried out his operation well, taking down Jinmen County would be a done deal. The only flaw was Qiguan Rangs expression became grave. My lord, you have elite troops and excellent generals who are loyal to you, why risk yourself? The lords of other houses couldnt wait to huddle down in their homes. They always kept in mind that a gentleman should stay far away from danger. By contrast, the lord of his house was thinking about how to get out of it every day. If her eyes missed even the slightest thing, Jiang Pengji would be long gone. Previously, Qiguan Rang hadnt said much to persuade her because there were many people around. Now that it was just the two of them, there were many words that he could say without worrying. Jiang Pengji was also very straightforward. Wen Zheng, do you remember what I was like when you first met me? I do what I want to do, and if I dont want to do something, no one can force me to do it. That rich guy from Hejian was talking about me. Ever since I became Xiangyang Districts county magistrate, Ive felt restricted, like a tiger in a cage. A ferocious tigers teeth are for biting their prey, not for viewing or admiration As Qiguan Rang listened, his complexion turned pale, and he quickly explained. How did my lord come to have such a notion? None of us have ever thought about restricting our lord.. He was really scared witless. It was scary to be arrested based on such a serious criminal charge. Jiang Pengji said, I know that you are worried about me because I am your lord and your backbone. If I die, the power that weve won through our battles would collapse. But Wenzheng when have you ever seen a general hide behind his soldiers because he is afraid of death? Was there ever a time when a general did not take the lead to charge and breakthrough enemy lines? Im your lord, but I can also be a general whos good at battles. The two are not in conflict with each other. Trust me, I will lead you all to the most honorable positions in the world. Those who didnt know Jiang Pengji would think that she was insufferably arrogant. But those who knew her understood that her arrogance notions would eventually become reality. She said unhurriedly, If you are really worried about me, it would be better for you to take good care of the rear so that I can fight on the frontlines without worry. Her unreasonable tactics made Qiguan Rang choke on his words. When it came to acting like a rascal, who was better at it than his lord? She played the emotional card, acted pitifully, pretended to be innocent, stirred up emotions, talked evasively.. Even though he was Qiguan Rang, he could not hold back his sobs. As a result, the many attempts to dissuade her were fruitless. It was a fact that Jiang Pengji would be leading the Vanguard Battalion. The soldiers under the chain of command did not know the sadness of these counselors. When they heard that the Supreme Commander for this campaign would be their lord, all of them were energized. The battle had not yet begun, and morale was already high. Jiang Pengji was not a typical lord. She could most frequently be found not in the government office, but the carpentry workshop or barracks. She would inspect these places every few days. Occasionally, she would spar with Li Yun or Meng Hun and Luo Yue on the training grounds. There were always soldiers who stealthily stood in a circle around them to watch the fun. To many soldiers, their ruler was not a deity who was out of touch with their reality, but a man with extraordinary military bearing and agility. In laymens terms, Jiang Pengji was very in-touch with the commoners. Her actions had imperceptibly shortened the distance between the role of the lord and his soldiers, making the former feel much closer to the people. In the face of this situation, no matter how worried the few counselors were, they could only swallow this bitter pill. The soldiers held such high hopes for their lord. If they persuaded Jiang Pengji to retreat from the front lines, the hit to the soldiers morale would be unimaginable. The distance between Fengyi County and Chengde County was not great. The movement of their troops had alarmed the Red Lotus Group. The Tsingyi Army would soon receive their comeuppance for their wicked actions. It was not necessary to deploy such a large disposition of troops if they were dealing with the Tsing Yi Army. It was clear that the troops in Fengyi County were directed at the Red Lotus Group. When those who occupied high positions in the Red Lotus Group learned about this news, their faces became grave. Each one of them silently cursed Jiang Pengji. Was this person crazy? It was the Lunar New Year. What was the f*ck was he doing, making trouble for them out of the blue instead of spending the new year at home? The top leaders in the Red Lotus Group were not the only ones cursing her. Even Jiang Pengjis 007 spy, An Cui, had similar thoughts. Chapter 627 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The Red Lotus Group was greatly alarmed by the illogical moves being played by Jiang Pengji. The faces of the top leaders of this evil sect had turned so dark it was as if their parents had died. They knew that they were the target of Jiang Pengjis military campaign, but in their hearts, they still prayed that this calamity would strike others, not themselves. As time passed, the news being sent back by their informants was decreasing day by day. The top leaders started to get antsy. The purpose of calling everyone here is actually to discuss countermeasures to deal with this situation. Because of this matter, our chief has not slept for many days. As his left- and right-hand men, it is only right that we share his burdens and help to solve this disaster Does anyone have any good countermeasures in mind? The speaker was a young scholar with a handsome and refined appearance who looked reserved and shy. However, he was full of wicked ideas. Before the world was thrown into chaos, he had been a dissolute man who snuck around committing adultery with widows all day long. Hed taken advantage of the winds of change brought about by the earthquake at the capital and suddenly rose up to become a high-ranking leader in the Red Lotus Group. He was trusted by the chief and would habitually assume unwarranted authority based on some small pretext. He also bullied people by flaunting his powerful connections and oppressing the group members. An Cui was amongst the crowd. With Jiang Pengjis financial and material assistance, An Cuis plan to bribe and entice the peoples hearts was going smoothly. How could a group of uneducated, illiterate commoners from an uncultured background stand a chance against An Cuis glib tongue? Even if they were wary at first, they inevitably couldnt wait to show him their hearts and get on his good side after being thoroughly duped by him. As a result, An Cui had risen through the ranks from his original position as an insignificant ringleader to a ringleader of middling importance. Therefore, he was eligible to participate in such meetings. Just like Wei Cis criticism, An Cuis acting skills were superb. If he were placed in the era of livestreaming, getting an Oscar would be as easy as pie for him. More than anybody else, he hoped that Jiang Pengji would win. Correspondingly, he poured all his efforts into this assignment, far more than anybody else would have. The chips that An Cui had staked on her would only double if Jiang Pengji won. Only with her victory would his chips have value. Faced with the question posed by a high-ranking leader, the group of illiterate men with more brawn and brain looked at each other in dismay. Asking them for advice, was the man amusing himself? The atmosphere was awkward. The scholar also seemed to realize this. He blushed and appeared to be a little embarrassed. He must have experienced a cramp in his brain to ask for advice from a group of uneducated meatheads. What good ideas could a group of guys who were all about muscle come up with? Just as he was thinking about how to get the topic back on track and to alleviate this awkward atmosphere, An Cui stepped out. Compared with those meatheads who did not wash themselves for ten to fifteen days, An Cui, with his cultured and noble air, stood out from the masses. An Cui, who looked manifestly superior to the rest of the men, stepped out and said, I am willing to contribute my humble efforts to help maintain the chiefs hegemony. The scholars eyes lit up. He felt as if he had caught the scent of his ilk. He quickly asked, Whats your name? Luan An stated his family clan, not hiding his real name. Anyway, the ranks of the Red Lotus Group were destined to never know who An Cui was. Did you just say that you have an idea? the scholar asked in an elegant and refined manner. He also called An Cui by his courtesy name. Duo Xi, quick, tell us your idea. The plans of two were better than the plans of one, and the schemes of three were better than the schemes of two. As the strategist that the chief of the Red Lotus Group relied on, the scholars skills were good enough to bully ordinary people around, but faced with such a strong enemy like Jiang Pengji, the little bit of knowledge that he possessed was sorely lacking. Therefore, in order to maintain the trust that the chief had in him, hed held such a meeting. A group strategy, a group effort; the solutions thought up by a group of people must be better than what he could come up with on his own. Seeing An Cui, the scholar felt that he had hope. An Cuis appearance was second. The key was that he had a refined and noble air about him. At a glance, the scholar could tell that An Cui came from a good background and was literate and educated. The scholar stubbornly maintained the notion that intellectuals must be smarter than meatheads. An Cui deliberated, then said in a tone that was not hurried or rushed, According to what Ive seen, it is not the time to panic yet. The scholar frowned, feeling a little displeased. Not the time to panic yet? Were they supposed to wait to panic until knives were already lodged in their necks? However, it was rare to find an intellectual within their ranks, so the scholar restrained himself. Why do you say that? An Cui puffed his chest out and said enthusiastically, I heard that Emperor Dongqing has issued a decree to mobilize all troops to save the emperor. The decree orders that all heroes should go to the capital to rescue the emperor. Liu Xi occupies the seat of power in Fengyi and Shangyang Counties. He has 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers and horses, and he has to obey the decree. If he does not go, he will be a rebel and traitor. Hell be punished as a criminal once everyone knows about it. Therefore, Liu Xi must go to the capital with these troops to rescue the emperor. The scholar was astonished. An expression of wonder appeared on his face. Why hadnt he thought about this layer of information? He looked as if he had been enlightened as he mirrored An Cui in his analysis. So Liu Xi deployed his troops not to attack us, but to go south to the emperor? Even though An Cui was a dedicated veteran actor, he felt as if he was at the end of his tether when faced with someone as gullible as this scholar. How did the Chief of the Red Lotus Group get brave enough to let this idiot become his military strategist? A donkey must have kicked his head! If Liu Xi had assembled his troops to go rescue the emperor, why would he not even prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year? Based on Dongqings current situation, which great power would take the half-dead Dongqing royal family seriously? Because the scholar was the brain of the Red Lotus Group and had the role of the strategist, An Cui had to give him some face. Hence, he said, That is a possibility. The scholar was about to breathe a sigh of relief. Things were okay as long as the troops were not gunning for the Red Lotus Group. However, An Cui added another sentence. However, after some careful thought, Liu Yan might seek to accomplish something else and put his attention on our Red Lotus Group. That breath that the scholar had just released was sucked in again. What? An Cui smiled. With a confident demeanor, he said, Liu Xi has stabilized Fengyi County. He took over Shangyang County in the winter. I believe that everyone knows the situation in Shangyang. Our sect and the Tsing Yi Army have fiercely attacked Shangyang County numerous times. We couldnt conquer it, even after launching attacks that lasted for a long time. However, Liu Xi has taken over Shangyang County with its strength well preserved. With Shangyang County and the soldiers and horses of Fengyi County under his control, Liu Xi is at the peak of his power. If I were him, I would hope to take advantage of this powerful momentum to attack Chengde County and unify the province of Wan. There were only six provinces in the entire Dongqing dynasty. If successful, Liu Xi would be occupying one province all by himself! After listening to this, the scholar truly felt that the words were rational and logical. But, if he was a smarter man, he would realize that An Cui was fooling him. An Cui talked a lot. His words seemed very logical, but they were, in fact, useless. Everything he said was mostly nonsense. The scholar was bowled over by An Cuis IQ, but he was also afraid that his performance would fall short compared to An Cuis, thus affecting his prestige in the Red Lotus Group. Hence, the scholar asked An Cui to come to the rear hall to discuss the matter in detail. As soon as they took a seat, the scholar quickly asked, Duo Xi, why did you say that things arent urgent yet? An Cui secretly frowned. He did not like others calling him by his courtesy name in such a casual way. But he did not openly express negative emotions like the annoyance he was feeling now. Instead, he put on an excited expression that seemed to say, Ill be receiving an important position soon. This An Cui didnt leave the scholar in suspense as he shared his analysis. He said, From my point of view, Liu Xi cant bear to let go of a catch that is right in his path, but he does not dare to disobey the imperial decree to rescue the emperor. Therefore, he wants the best of both worlds. I reckon that he wants to mount an ambush on our sect Chapter 628 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (V) The scholars expression turned anxious when he heard this. Isnt Liu Xi too greedy? He wants to respond to the imperial decree to send all his troops to rescue the emperor in the capital and also to attack my sect! This person is not afraid of biting off more than he can chew! An Cui was speechless again. Jiang Pengji and the Red Lotus Group were enemies. It was only natural to attack the group when it was down. What, was Jiang Pengji supposed to love the Red Lotus Group like how a mother loves her child? An Cui said, Stay calm, dont be impatient. I said that this is not something to get anxious about precisely because Liu Xi is too greedy. He wants the best of both worlds, and so he must move fast to maximize the results. The battle would be fought according to the normal rules and standards, they cant afford any delays The scholar was engrossed as he listened. His ears perked up for fear of missing or mishearing a single word. In such a situation, Liu Xi can only focus his forces on one point of attack. Our group has a large number of people; we have countless members. Liu Xi only has some tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, what do we have to fear of them? If he wants to take us by storm, we will concentrate our forces and drag the battle on. As time passes and he still cant take us down after attacking for a long time, he will naturally withdraw his forces. The scholar nodded while listening. He subsequently asked a stupid question. Why would he automatically withdraw his forces? An Cui choked. He really didnt want to answer a question that was beyond simple. Because of the imperial decree for all troops to march into the capital to rescue the emperor. Liu Xi cannot afford any delays. The scholar nodded and said Oh, finally understanding. In other words, things will be okay if we stall for time? As long as they stall for time, Liu Xi would stop fighting and retreat. An Cui agreed, Yes, this is the rationale. The scholar asked another question. But, how do we know where Liu Xi will attack? Chengde Countys terrain is not complicated, but the territory is vast. It is very troublesome and time-consuming to dispatch reinforcement troops back and forth. Duo Xi, where do you think Liu Xi will concentrate his forces? Where would he attack? An Cui closed his eyes. It was no wonder that the Red Lotus Group could not suppress the Tsing Yi Army when it had such a pig-brain as its military counselor. The Red Lotus Group had a lot of men, and many hands provide great strength, but this was not enough to negate the fact that the brain of the group was just so stupid. This is why I said its not time to get anxious yet. An Cui appeared as if he was talking about national affairs of great importance. He said with a smile, Lets wait for Liu Xis next move. Liu Xi is fighting a long-distance battle, meanwhile, we are on the defensive. We also have flat and even public roads in the county, so our troops can move much faster than his. Rather than worrying and panicking now, which would only cause our people to become alarmed, it is better to sit back calmly and do what weve always done. We should wait for the opportunity to come to us. We can wait until Liu Xi serves himself on a silver platter. No matter where he wants to attack, we just need to fix our attention on his movements. No matter what form his ambush takes, we can gain the upper hand. An Cui had very realistically and seriously boasted about the Red Lotus Group to the extent that the scholars bones went limp and his mind swelled to the high heavens. The scholar listened with tears shining in his eyes. He held An Cuis hands and called him a close friend who knew him better than himself. An Cui snickered. Hed never treated a pig as his close friend before. His expression was aloof. The scholar asked some more stupid questions in detail. An Cui answered them in detail, seemingly without the slightest intention to evade or conceal information. The scholar was very satisfied with this frank discussion. He patted An Cuis shoulder. You did very well. Youve made great contributions to the group. I will sing your praises to the chief. On the surface, An Cui revealed an expression of ecstasy that was hard to suppress, but he also feigned aloofness and humbly declined the praises. However, according to what he had learned during the initial stages of sounding out of the scholar, this man would not recommend him to the chief of the Red Lotus Group. Instead, he would deliberately hide him away. Why? Because the Red Lotus did not need two strategists who were equally smart. An Cui was clever and capable, and he would make the scholar appear stupid and useless. An Cui was well aware of this little ploy to suppress him. Anyway, he didnt need the Red Lotus Group to place any significant importance on him. Praises or not, they meant little to him. The Red Lotuss chief had more trust in the scholar. There was no way that An Cui could build a similar level of trust with him in a short time. As the 007 spy planted by Jiang Pengji, An Cui needed the chief of the Red Lotus Group to firmly believe in his words and the scholar was the best mouthpiece to ensure that it happened. As expected, the scholar returned and reported to the chief of the Red Lotus Group. He changed An Cuis words and repositioned them as his own ideas, all without the slightest mention of An Cuis existence. The chief of the Red Lotus Group was a stocky man less than 165 centimeters tall. His face was full of bumpy pockmarks. To hide his ugliness, hed grown a set of sideburns. He was from the same village as the scholar, and theyd had a rather good relationship before the rise of the rebellion. After the rebellion, he had even greater trust in the scholar. He pinched his beard and muttered to himself for some time. Just do as you say. I want to see what kind of capabilities this Liu Xi possesses that he dares to offend the gods! This was previously mentioned. The Tsing Yi Army was a group of bandits, and the Red Lotus Group was a group of religious bandits. This chief professed to be an incarnation of a deity who had come down to earth to rescue its people. In reality Before he was the incarnation of a deity, he was just a quack doctor who had been through a few years of school and studied medicine for another few years. By chance, hed gotten a copy of a sects doctrine that had been circulated and passed down since the chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms. After reading it, hed deeply felt that the teachings were very intelligent and rational, so hed spread them around everywhere. But it was not clearly stated in the ancient text from which sect it had originated from. Hence, hed simply named it after his native home, Red Lotus County. A few years later, he had accumulated a group of believers in his native Red Lotus County, establishing the foundation for the subsequent uprising. Then it just so happened that the capital was struck with an earthquake. The royal family moved the capital and did not care whether the peasants lived or died. Hed simply held up the doctrine and led the members to rebel. If the Red Lotus Group had gotten better luck and had they not been obstructed by the Tsing Yi Army, it was estimated that the group would have spread throughout the north. It was a pity that they were out of luck. The Tsingyi Army suddenly emerged as a new force to be reckoned with. The tactics they used to one-up the Red Lotus Group were extremely ferocious in the north. In the end, neither one of them had successfully dealt with the other. Neither had grown or strengthened themselves. On the contrary, Jiang Pengji had been able to take advantage of the situation. The scholar received a considerable reward for his scheming and advice. This also strengthened his intention to keep suppressing An Cui. But to maintain such a high level of IQ, he also needed An Cui to produce more work for him to pass off as his own. In order to further gain the scholars trust, An Cui helped him solve another two issues. From point of view of the Red Lotus members, their military strategist seemed to have entered a whole new league, and the light around his body shone even more brilliantly. At the same time, Jiang Pengji was ready to go on the military campaign. There was plenty of grain that had been diverted for the troops, and the soldiers shed selected were the best of the best. Even though they had to march in the cold winds, their posture remained tall and straight. Jiang Pengji ascended to the platform to appoint the duties for this campaign. She officially announced that she would be taking on the post of the Supreme Commander for the Vanguard Battalion. Li Yun was promoted from Vice-Captain to Captain, leading the right-wing to support the Vanguard Battalion and their main army. Meng Hun stayed behind to take care of the base. Meanwhile, Luo Yue was responsible for grain transportation for the rear army and shouldered various logistics matters. Dian Yan was appointed as the Vice-Captain of the Vanguard Battalion and would charge into battle with Jiang Pengji. The womens battalion led by Jiang Nongqin was part of the Vanguards plan. It would act in concert with the assault tactics of the Vanguard Battalion. As for the military counselor that would follow them on this expedition, Jiang Pengji had considered several people before finally choosing Yang Si. Qiguan Rang would oversee the main army. Wei Ci and Xu Ke would stay behind to take care of their seat of power. Yang Si would follow the army. Yang Si could not help but marvel at the results. I really dont know if your lord is generous or magnanimous. He even dares to put the people who have not acknowledged their allegiance to him in important positions. Wei Ci laughed. If my lord dares to put a person to use, she naturally believes in the other party. Not to mention, you are the one who came up with the plan for this surprise attack. Who else would she take with her but you? Just I heard that mountain roads can be arduous and steep. Jing Rong, you must be careful. Yang Sis expression sank. His face grew dark as the soot at the bottom of a pot. Its definitely the fault of your tongue if we sever our friendship one day! Chapter 629 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (VI) The wind ripped through the banners and a cold howling gale swept up snow and ice. As she was pregnant, Big White was now treated as part of the group of teenage princesses. Little White was now the war horse accompanying the expedition. The situation of the mountain roads had been investigated in advance. Bulky goods were unable to pass through the roads. The roads were too rugged, steep, and dangerous. The soldiers could only go into battle dressed in light gear. Jiang Pengji said, We shall first capture that small town. The scouts had better be quick-witted. They should report back immediately once a situation arises. Although the soldiers would be making a surprise attack, Jiang Pengji had no intention of trying to be secretive about it. For this campaign, she had taken with her a total of 10,000 soldiers and horses. The remaining 10,000 soldiers and horses plus the recruits had been left behind to watch over their base. In addition to watching over the base, they were also responsible for maintaining the safety of transportation routes. If the transportation routes were disrupted, it would be impossible for them to continue fighting the war. Under normal circumstances, Jiang Pengji could divert more manpower for the campaign. But the situation in Shangyang County remained uncertain, therefore she could not move too many troops away. She didnt want to win a big victory on the frontlines only to turn around and receive news that the old nest she had left behind had been wiped out. Little White had a gentle and reserved temperament in front of Jiang Pengji and Big White, but he would transform into a totally different horse when he arrived on the battlefield. What man doesnt like a good horse? During the march, Yang Si gazed at Little White with covetous eyes. The horse seemed to realize his gaze was on him and snorted in his direction. Yang Si suspected that he was being looked down at by a horse. The army went on with the march. Except for the crunching noises made by the army stepping on snow, the howling wind, and the sound of everyones breathing, there were no other movements or sounds in the air. On her trusted horse, Jiang Pengji did not need to direct or control the animal. The march itself was quite boring, so she opened the livestreaming room. In a split second, the viewers from another dimension received a reminder from their collections. With their quick hands, the livestreaming room was fully occupied. The 150,000 livestream vacancies for viewers were instantly filled. Through the lens of the livestreaming room, the audience could clearly see the scene in front of the camera. What they saw looked several times clearer than the currently popular 1080P. The sky was dim, the snow tossed about in the wind, and everything under the sky looked slightly heavy and gray. Jiang Pengji was dressed in a red and white military uniform. Her facial features stood out against her attire, making her look clear, handsome, and heroic. Under the outline of the armor, her form looked slender and shapely, lacking the slightest hint of bloat or clumsiness. The audience in the livestreaming room had long been accustomed to the image of her in the wide-sleeved garments of a scholar or rough work clothes. Seeing her in armor as she rode on a tall horse, she seemed like a young, high-ranking military officer who had just walked out of a painting. Howls broke out in an instant and the bullet screen rapidly refreshed as comments zipped through it. Guanguan JuJiu: Oooh Oooooh C lets see what Ive caught! Its a handsome host in a red and white uniform, the type that rides on a tall snow-white horse. She towers against a background of wind and snow. She is simply the goddess in my dreams. Host, do you still need another loser viewer to warm your bed? River Island: Bah! Letting the losers warm the bed, arent you afraid of stinking it up? Im different. Host, look at me. Ive just shampooed and washed from head to toe. Im totally clean and give off a fragrance when I walk. Let me warm your bed, I can assure you that the bed wouldnt stink! Goddess Jiang Pengji: All of you, stop talking, my husband is here. Decked in red garments and silver armor, even riding a big horse. He looks exactly like the host I wont talk anymore, Im going to open the door for my dear husband. Well be doing some naughty exercises together tonight. Add Me QQ: Youre all being hysterical. No matter how handsome the host is, shes still a woman. The Host Can Mount Me From The Front: To the mediocre fool behind the above comment, do you know how it feels to fall in love at first sight? The moment I saw the posture of the host, I decided that I would become bent for her. Even if I become so bent that I turn into a plate of mosquito coils, I am willing. She is my husband and nobody elses. The Host Can Mount Me From The Side: Bah, to become bent for her is nothing, I am willing to straighten myself for the host! Watching the quarrel between the wives in the livestreaming room, Jiang Penji was secretly surprised. Some time ago, this group of fickle hussies had been fighting over which one of her counselors should have the title of the nations husband. And now? They had a new flame for the host. All the old loves had been forgotten. As the husband being fought over by 150,000 viewers, Jiang Penji thought that the dry and boring march had suddenly become interesting. They stopped for a rest halfway. Jiang Pengji handed her broth to Yang Si. Drink this to warm yourself up. We have some days left to reach our destination. Dont exhaust yourself. Although Yang Si was a military counselor, he was attached to the Vanguard Battalion where he had to ride a horse and resist the wind and snow during the march. After several hours, not only had the insides of his thighs become painfully abraded, but his cheeks had also turned bright red from the bone-piercingly cold wind that blew around him. He had nearly lost all bodily feeling. He tightened his scarf and adjusted the woolen gloves woven by Li Yun as a show of their little angelic friendship. He was so cold that his shoulders shook. Although the literati in this era practiced martial arts, their constitutions were still much weaker than those of military men. Trembling uncontrollably, he took the ceramic bowl that Jiang Pengji handed over. He did not care that the broth was scalding hot as he swallowed it in one mouthful. The heat spread across his entire body and into his bones. He gave a long and comfortable sigh. Yang Si let go of his troubled thoughts. He suddenly recalled something and said in jest, What sh*tty weather, its really cold. Luckily, Im me. If I was Zixiao, Id probably fall sick with the first gust of wind. Jiang Pengji continued the conversation casually. Yeah, I know, his body has not recovered yet. I would never allow him to accompany the troops during this season. Yang Si was startled when he heard this. He carefully pondered the meaning behind the words. The more he thought, the more he felt that something was wrong. The meaning behind Liu Xis words, could she possibly mean..? If the season was better, would the person accompanying the army on this campaign be Wei Ci instead of him? How could that be fair? Jiang Pengji laughed and said, Hmmm, I know exactly what youre thinking. Yang Si didnt respond. He wanted to smash the ceramic bowl in his hands with the broth it contained directly over Jiang Penjis head. Just what had he done wrong in his previous life to offend Wei Ci and Jiang Penji so much that he had to suffer their caustic remarks in this lifetime? Sniffle sniffle. He felt so wronged. If the relationship between Jiang Pengji and him went belly up, it would be because of Wei Cis and Jiang Pengjis poisonous tongues. Jiang Pengji added this with a smile to rescue Yang Sis emotions from impending collapse. Of course, Zixiaos health was one consideration. Jing Rong also has areas where you are superior to others, so you shouldnt be neglected and left to be idle. Look, what an artful way of speaking! Obviously, she had spared no effort in squeezing Yang Si dry as her manpower. She was only working the temp worker that he was like a mule. But when she expressed it, it sounded like her saying that she was relying heavily upon and deeply trusting Yang Si, that she could not bear to leave his talents buried. If he was a fool, he would probably have been cajoled to the point that he sobbed and sniffled. Obviously, Yang Si was not a fool, but he had no way of refuting her words. Once again, he felt that he had boarded a pirate ship! If time could be reversed, Yang Si would definitely hold on tightly to Huang Songs support and never step foot into Fengyi County. Yang Si smiled grimly. In that case, I should thank my lord for attaching such importance to me and express my deepest gratitude. He had to acknowledge his fate sooner or later, so Yang Si changed how he addressed Jiang Pengji. His expression seemed to say that he had already given up trying to fix the bad situation he was in. Jiang Pengji seemed not to notice that Yang Si had changed her form of address. Her attitude was natural. Theres no need to express your deepest gratitude, but I will continue to rely heavily on you. The subtext Continue to work overtime after returning from the battle, Ill think very highly of you. Yang Si looked at the bowl in his hand, half of the delicious broth still remained. Should he take the chance while Jiang Pengji was unguarded and throw the bowl at her head, or should he drink it? After considering it carefully for two seconds, Yang Si chose to drink. Chapter 630 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was a small town near the border of Jinmen and Fenghu County. This town had once been just another small village deep in the mountains. During the chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms, a mountain road connecting the two counties was built here, and commercial trade boomed. It also became a good place for merchants to stop and rest their feet. The village slowly grew into a small town with a large population. In the middle of the Great Xia Dynasty, government authorities had recruited corvee labor to build a public road. The public road was flat and wide. In contrast, the mountain road was rugged and narrow, its surface full of potholes and bumps. Very quickly, the mountain road was abandoned and the popularity that had gathered there because of the mountain road had also disappeared. Today, this small town was forcibly occupied by the Red Lotus Group and made into their sentry outpost. Jiang Pengji led her army towards this place. Along the way, they found several enemy scouts, all of whom were killed by the Vanguard Battalion. However, the Red Lotus Group had developed from commoners at the bottom of the social hierarchy. If those people wanted to spy on the situation, there was nothing they could do to stop them. When Jiang Pengji was only half an hour away from the town, the news traveled back to the hinterland of the Red Lotus Group. After hearing the news, the Red Lotuss chief summoned his trusted aide, the scholar, and inquired about their strategy. The scholar had grown accustomed to getting strategies from An Cui and then passing them off as his own. On the surface, he placated the chief while he secretly memorized information. There are some suspicious aspects to this matter. Liu Xi is treacherous and cunning, Im afraid he might be trying to deceive us, the scholar said in his esoteric pretense. He tried to find ways to coax the Red Lotus chief. Chief, allow me to return and think about this matter. I will give you a reply within four hours at most. The chief of the Red Lotus Group agreed, and the scholar hurried back to ask his answer sheet, An Cui, for advice. An Cui had his script ready. After learning that Jiang Pengji had attacked the small town according to the original plan, he was in ecstasy. He revealed a grave expression and asked with fake suspicion, Whats so special about that small town? Why did Liu Xi attack that place? The scholar echoed in agreement, Yeah, that place is so freaky, and there are birds of prey everywhere. Does Liu Xi intend to go into the mountains to feed the mosquitoes? Not using the public road during a battle was something that did not follow conventional reasoning or rules. An Cui slightly let it slip that he had a headache and rubbed his brow. He was not acting now, he really had a headache. With teammates that were dumb as sheep, and at the level they were playing at, did the Red Lotus Group really think that they could win against Jiang Pengji? They should wash up and go to bed. They could only beat Jiang Pengji in their dreams. The scholar did not give An Cui any opening to work with, so he could only come up with something on the spot and continue to act out the script. An Cui thought for a while. He found inspiration and suddenly realized something. His movements startled the scholar. Ive thought of something! An irrepressible look of ecstasy was written on An Cuis face. An Cui said, The small town is located near Jinmen and Fenghu County. Liu Xi wants to launch an ambush on one of the counties! However, the scholars IQ could not keep up with the pace. He stupidly asked An Cui, Is that so? But that place is so mountainous. I cant imagine how much time would be wasted crossing the mountains. If he wants to launch a fast-paced offensive, it would be more reliable to use the public road than to cross the mountainous terrain. An Cui didnt answer. He could not do it anymore, this script was too difficult to perform. An Cui said, No, no, no! I heard that there is a mountain road that has been left idle for many years. It connects Jinmen County and Fenghu County. The scholar was stunned. His first reaction was to immediately send someone to block the mountain road, but An Cui poured a bucket of cold water on him. Its too late. They have likely taken over the small town by now. Besides, there is more than one exit along the mountain road, we cant block them all. We might even be surrounded. Such a strategy is too risky. The scholar seemed to be grabbing onto the last piece driftwood as he said in a hurry, Please, master, grant me a good plan. Previously, the scholar had bossed An Cui around, but now he was addressing him as master. An Cui was not angry. He devoted himself to his acting and said, Although there are several exits on the mountain road, the road only connects Jinmen and Fenghu County. This is beyond doubt. According to the original plan, we only need to send massive forces there to stall for time. When they cant bear it anymore and retreat, well flank them from behind and block their way out from the mountain road. In this way, itll be like shooting fish in a barrel and well seize a total victory! Listening to the plan narrated by An Cui, the scholars helpless and apprehensive little heart steadily returned its original state. Master Genius, I will certainly sing your praises in front of the chief. When the time comes, your promotion to a high official position will be guaranteed. Some people could speak very well. Jiang Pengji for example. And then there were some who could not speak very well but thought they had a glib tongue, like this scholar. If An Cui was not acting, he would have been so angered by the scholars words that he would be beating the man within an inch of his life. The scholar lied to An Cui, then carefully asked, From masters perspective, which county would Liu Xi focus his attack on? Since the mountain road connected Fenghu County and Jinmen County, Liu Xis purpose should be one of these two counties. A probability of 50/50, which one was it? An Cui thought about the contents of the script and said, Ive carefully considered the state of the mountain road. The mountain road leading to Jinmen County is too long and tedious. If its an ambush, I cant imagine how much physical energy that would require. Also, the march will take too long a time. The mountain road leading to Fenghu County is relatively shorter, and the distance is only half of that to Jinmen County. Comparing the two, I conclude that Liu Xis goal must be Fenghu County! The scholar nodded enthusiastically as he listened. Listening to one lecture from An Cui was better than ten years of schooling. After a long time, he said emotionally, This Liu Xi is really cunning and black-hearted Although I am a native of Chengde County, even I had no idea that there is an abandoned mountain road at that border Its too remote. If not for master genius, who knows the geography well, that thief, Liu Xi might have gotten away with this. But now Well beat them at their own game and catch that thief Liu Xi alive. Well destroy all his soldiers and generals. Hell have to meet his Maker then! A mysterious smile appeared along the corners of An Cuis lips, and the scholar also showed a smile of mutual understanding. The scholar placated An Cui and turned around to take the credit for An Cuis achievements. He copied An Cuis speech nearly word for word, suggesting to the Red Lotus chief, We cannot lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we can take down Liu Xi in one fell swoop, we will have no future trouble. Chief, we must think big and be ruthless. The chief of the Red Lotus Group asked him, Tell me your opinion. The scholars face slightly revealed his malevolence. His tone was light, but his thoughts were very malicious. He said, Chief, why dont we transfer the manpower from Jinmen County to Fenghu County and wait until Liu Xi cant keep up his attack. Well take the chance when Liu Xi is unguarded and send people to mount a sneak attack on the small town. Then, well envelop and block the mountain road from the back. Itll be like shooting fish in a barrel. It would be great if we can capture Liu Xi alive. If not, well besiege them and slowly torture them to death. In the shadows, the scholars expression looked very cold. The Red Lotus chief thought about it. It was a brilliant plan. My military counselor has such a clever scheme. This time, well make sure that Liu Xi will not be returning home! Although the small town was the Red Lotus Groups sentry post, not many soldiers were stationed there. There were only hundreds of people scattered around, and they could not even organize an effective defense. The tallest portion of the towns wall was only slightly more than 6 meters high. The wall was so short, who would it stop? Jiang Pengji held a long spear as she mounted her horse and rushed towards the enemy in their surprise attack. Little Whites power was as strong as Big Whites when it came to stomping on people. As his hooves struck down, someones sternum broke. Jiang Pengji was at the forefront. Seeing this, Yang Sis eyelids kept twitching for fear that she would be hit by the arrows. Of course, this was impossible. Chapter 631 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji wore red clothing and silver armor. She was an obvious target in the snow. If the Red Lotus Group did not target her, who would they target? But to Jiang Pengji, those thinly spread arrows that rained down on her seemed to be dozens of times slower. She was fast, why could she not get away from them? Yang Si found that Jiang Pengji was under the collective attack of the arrows and was so frightened that he nearly fell from his horse. However, Wei Ci was proved right. If Jiang Pengji fought him, Yang Si could have the use of both legs, one arm, and four fingers, and she could still choke him to death with just one finger. Jiang Pengji brandished the long spear with great vigor. The dense shadow of the spear had almost turned into a shield, as she deflected the arrows. Watching her, Yang Sis emotions went up and down as if he was riding a roller coaster. Little White rushed forward wildly. As a steed of the highest quality, he had a strong explosive power as well as endurance. He quickly left the rest of his species in the dust as he sped forth like a silver-white streak of lightning. The wall of the small town quickly approached. Jiang Pengjis goal was too obvious She had attracted almost all firepower onto herself. Little White carried her along through the rain of arrows. Occasionally, one or two tricky arrows drew near, but Little White could quickly change direction to avoid them. Such a scene caused a commotion in the livestreaming room. Their viewing perspective was rather special. It was as if there was a camera suspended on Jiang Pengjis head and they could adjust the angle of the lens by 360 degrees, as well as zoom in and out. This time, the camera gave them a long-range, high-angle shot. Not only could the viewers see the back of Jiang Pengji and the dust kicked up behind her horse, but also how she shot down the arrows. The speed was so fast that there were after-images! Goddess Pengji: Husband, husband, you came to marry me on a big white horse? Dont be anxious, Ill go downstairs and open the door for you. The College Entrance Examination Went Well: Oh no, shes so handsome she could fly. Can I dump my husband and marry the host? Cheers, Tomorrow: Love rival? Lets fight! To avoid any influence on her mood, Jiang Pengji had long ago turned off the bullet screen in the livestreaming room. No matter how loudly the loser audience screamed, for the time being, she could not see the comments. Carried by Little Whites long strides, Jiang Pengji easily fought her way to the towns gate. The town wall was only two zhang, which converted to six or seven meters in height. How could it stop the combination of Jiang Pengji and Little White? About thirty meters away from the wall, Jiang Pengji stowed her long spear away, moved sideways, and bent to avoid the arrows. Then she raised his hand and pulled out a longbow and several arrows of her own. Without even looking, she pulled taut the bowstring with her right hand and several arrows shot out. The dull sound of sharp weapons piercing flesh rang out. Several splatters of blood blossomed angrily. The Red Lotus members on the town wall fell at once. The Vanguard Battalions caught up from behind and provided support in two wings. In less time than it took to breathe in, Jiang Pengji had already fired several more arrows. Every arrow hit its mark. For each arrow that left the bow, a life was taken. By the time she had fired four waves of arrows, Little White had halted. Jiang Pengji used the opportunity to get down from the horse. She took out the long rope secured to her waist and flung out the end with the metal hook. It wrapped around the battlement like a celestial snake. Seeing more than 10,000 soldiers, under the wall, the Red Lotus members were so frightened that their knees went weak. There were only some hundreds of their members at this sentry outpost, less than a thousand. Jiang Pengji had always liked fast-paced offenses. She never gave her enemy the chance to catch their breath. After the long rope was wrapped around the battlement, she stepped firmly on the surface of the wall. As she pulled on the long rope, she tilted her body and pumped her legs to climb straight up the wall. Before the Red Lotus Group could respond, she had quickly and efficiently ascended the town wall. What they faced head-on was the gleaming silver gun in her hands. The soldiers below did not have such dashing movements as Jiang Pengji, but with her attracting the firepower from the top of the wall, it was not difficult for them to climb up. The Red Lotus Group had naively thought that a small town could stop Jiang Pengji and her army and buy them half a day. Facts had proven that even a 30-minute estimation was too long. Faced with the aggressive momentum of Jiang Pengji and her army, the Red Lotus Group was so scared that they had peed their pants earlier. That was the skill that Jiang Pengji had shown in their very first confrontation. The Supreme Commander of the enemys Vanguard had already ascended the town wall and suppressed all of her enemies on the wall with outstanding skill. She had directly destroyed their momentum, shattering it like fragments of glass. After this, soldiers climbed up the wall. Each one of them was ruthless. Before the Red Lotus Group could organize an effective resistance on the side, it was all over. The main army had not even arrived, yet they had already taken down the small town and won. Their efficiency could be ranked first in the industry. Yang Si wore a complex expression. Looking at the opened town gate, he could understand why Jiang Pengji had wanted to lead the Vanguard Battalion. As the saying went, An incompetent soldier is only one incompetent soldier, but an incompetent commander leads to an incompetent army. Only a ruthless commander could lead the fiercest elite soldiers. Jiang Pengji spoke little when fighting in a battle, for she disdained to fight with words. To use the words of the viewers of the livestream Im the boss of society. I dont talk much, but Im ruthless. No need to put things nicely, she would confront you directly! Jiang Pengji got Dian Yan to lead the Vanguard in cleaning up the battlefield, taking stock of the soldiers who were injured or shot dead by the arrows. When the main army arrived, the gates were already opened, and the arrows under the town wall had all been cleaned up by the soldiers. If not for the bloodstains that could not be cleaned up in time, it would have been impossible to tell that a small-scale siege had broken out. Even though Qiguan Rang had been mentally prepared for this outcome, he was still shocked. Well take a day to rest and reorganize. As soon as day breaks tomorrow, well go onto the mountain road. Jiang Pengji squinted her eyes slightly. She was still in the red and white attire, but she no longer gave off the feeling of warmth that she had before. Instead, she exuded a terrifying and murderous air. Ive determined that its more or less the right time. Qiguang Rang said, The mountain road is very long, will you be taking minimal supplies and men? Yes. Yang Si frowned and proposed, Itd be better to bring two or three days worth of dry food. Although the Red Lotus Group is just a disorderly mob, theyre not completely brainless. It would not be fatal to us if they attack our grain transportation team, but it could still cause us some trouble Jiang Pengji sneered. Yang Si really overestimated the IQ of the Red Lotus Group. Well, well do things according to what Jing Rong said. Some distance away, under the suggestion of his trusted aide, the scholar, the chief of the Red Lotus Group had transferred out most of the guards in Jinmen County. Now, the army in the county consisted of merely 3,000 men and the soldiers who were all old and weak. Coupled with the freezing temperatures, the fighting power that they could muster up was almost zero. An Cui had already made preparations to support the battle. While contacting his informants, he urged his fellow brothers, who were guarding the city of Jinmen County, to be quick-witted. After making these preparations, An Cui planned to create another series of troublesome events. Through his informants, he passed on the information of the scholars location to Jiang Pengji. Everyone looked at the information, speechless. Yang Si said disdainfully, His brains are average, but his heart is certainly vicious. As it turned out, this 007 spy was very good. His acting was off the charts. Well do it according to plan. Send scouts into the mountain road first. Once the scouts find out that the troops at Jinmen County have been withdrawn, they are to report back to us immediately. Communication was inconvenient in that era. If they expertly played on the gap between the time the enemy received information and when they acted, they could toy with the enemy in the palms of their hands. Jiang Pengji intended to take down Jinmen County as fast as possible, attacking one more city before the Red Lotus Group could respond. No, Jiang Pengjis appetite could not be satisfied with just one town. She planned to take down all of Chengde County in one burst of energy! They found a simple thatched cottage that could shelter them from the wind and rain. There, everyone put their heads together to discuss how the troops should be deployed later on. Chapter 632 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (IX) There were four sub-counties in Chengde County: Jinmen County, Fenghu County, Red Lotus County, and Qiuyu County. If the plan went smoothly, taking down Jinmen County would be easy as pie. But Jinmen County was not enough to satisfy Jiang Pengjis appetite. Her ambition was much greater than that. The Red Lotus Group believes that they can beat us at our own game, so why dont we copy their example? Qiguang Rang gave a sardonic smile, for he loved to trick others with his schemes. According to my lords estimation, how long would it take to take down Jinmen County? Jiang Pengji squinted her eyes as she calculated. After some time, she said, Although it would be a hurried march and we would not be able to carry any effective weapons with us for the siege, we could capture Jinmen County within two hours if no soldiers are guarding it. If we include the time spent traveling on the mountain road, it will take about one day. Wenzheng, what are your thoughts? Qiguan Rang pinched the feather fan that he always kept with him and waved it gently. Beside them, Yang Si saw Qiguan Rang and shuddered subconsciously, silently moving away. He had seen the peculiar and the pretentious, but he had never seen someone waving a fan in the dead of winter. Qiguan Rang asked, According to the news from the informants, the Red Lotus Group wants to annihilate us and has formulated a series of measures to that end. They have worked so hard. If we dont give them a chance to perform, wouldnt that be mean of us? Since the Red Lotus Group wanted to set them up, naturally, they could also set the Red Lotus Group up in return. Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrow, indicating that Qiguan Rang should continue. He said, The Red Lotus Group believes that we will focus our attack on Fenghu County. If we do not show up for a long time, Im afraid they will become suspicious. Why dont we dispatch some scouts to confuse them and make them think that our intentions are directed at Fenghu County instead of Jinmen County? Well stall for as long as possible, and when my lord has taken down Jinmen County, well turn around and attack Fenghu County After all, the road to Fenghu County is very short. Yang Si heard this and thought that there was something strange about it. If thats the case, wouldnt our army get weary? Well be on the mountain road. According to the plan of the Red Lotus, well be surrounded and trapped on the mountain road which is difficult to break through, Dian Yan couldnt help but say. Realizing that everyones eyes had focused on him, he quickly shut his mouth. Jiang Pengji smoothed over the situation by saying, The words of Vice-Captain Dian make sense, but none of Wenzhengs plans are ever that simple. Sure enough, Qiguan Rang continued. As Vice-Captain Dian said, if that happens, our army would indeed become weary. If we were besieged on the mountain road, it would be difficult to escape the situation unless we all grew wings. However, what if we besiege the Red Lotus Group on the mountain road? That situation would be completely different. Dian Yan felt like he was listening to some incomprehensible book sent down from the Heavens. Clearly, they were the ones who would be besieged. How did the prey turn into the Red Lotus Group? Jiang Pengji smiled and said, According to the Red Lotus petty calculations, theyre also planning to capture the small town, enter the mountain road, and surround us at both ends. In that case, why dont we throw out some bait to lure them into the mountain road, surround them, and then kill them? Dian Yans mind was not quick enough to follow. Only after thinking about it for a long time did he suddenly realize that the gist of the plan was to pretend to be weak in order to get close enough to the target to deliver a fatal blow! First, they would get their larger group of soldiers to attack Jinmen County. At the same time, they would have the scouts carry out investigations in the vicinity of Fenghu County. This would create the illusion that they intend to attack Fenghu County, which would mess up the judgment of the Red Lotus Group and also help them to stall for time. Once the army had taken down Jinmen County, they would turn around and return to lie in wait. In addition, they would send a team onto the mountain road to create another illusion that the larger group of troops had entered the mountain road and were headed towards Fenghu County. In fact, they would still be hiding on the mountain road leading towards Jinmen County. Seeing the situation, the Red Lotus Group would think that their prey had fallen for their trap. They would wait for the Red Lotus Group to enter the mountain road and surround Jiang Pengji in concert with the troops from Fenghu County. Then, Jiang Pengjis hidden forces would make an appearance. The main forces would cooperate with the soldiers who had entered the mountain road one step earlier and work together to devour their enemy as they tried to launch a sneak attack on them from behind. Dian Yan had obediently stopped talking. Indeed, each one of these literati had more guts than the last. Others were still at a stage of its difficult to defend against this. They were already thinking about how to kill the enemy in a counterattack. Qiguan Rang said, This is not a difficult plan. The only thing thats a little harsh on us is time. The timing of these maneuvers will be very tight Jiang Pengji laughed and said, Whats the big deal? Wenzheng, you just wait. Watch me take down Jinmen County. Yang Si wanted to make a couple of caustic remarks, but an image of Jiang Pengji leading the charge against the enemy aptly appeared in his minds eye. He chose to remain silent. Qiguan Rang added, We can occupy Jinmen County via unusual schemes, but the effectiveness of that occupation would be reduced if the same move is used a second time. We would still have to fight with real weapons in the other three counties to decide who is the clear winner Jiang Penji did not agree with Qiguan Rang. Yang Sis scheme could only be used once, but there was still room to further play on the idea. Opportunities should be fully utilized once seized. Jiang Penji pursed her lips and said, Because the mountain road is fragile, we cannot carry any equipment with us for the siege on Jinmen County. However, the situation will be different once we take down Jinmen County. Ive personally ordered Xiaoyu to prepare the equipment for a siege before I go on the expedition. Let him seize the opportunity and transport the equipment to Jinmen County. After the time spent on the road and one day of rest following our counter ambush on the Red Lotus Group, Xiaoyus siege equipment will be delivered. While the Red Lotus Group is running around like a headless chicken, well attack Qiuyu County! They could not afford to be remiss or lazy about anything on the battlefield. The window of opportunity was fleeting. They needed to take immediate action. Jiang Pengji understood this logic, so she was more thorough in her thinking than anyone else. If she ordered Xu Ke to transport the siege equipment only after Jinmen County had been conquered, it would be a few days of back-and-forth before they got their equipment. By that time, they would have already missed the best opportunity to battle. Her fighting style was very distinct, fast-paced and coupled with rigorous and detailed scheming. Others acted according to a step-by-step process that was methodically followed. However, she carried out multiple processes simultaneously, full steam ahead. Each phase followed on the heels of another, thereby creating an intense sense of urgency. Communicating over long distances was inconvenient in ancient times, and Jiang Pengjis combat style appeared to be even more intense and pressing because of this. This fact, more often than not, created a sense of psychological oppression on her enemies. Not only could this kind of oppression disturb the hearts of her enemies, but it could also destabilize their morale. Everyone was astonished. Attack Qiuyu County directly after the battle at Jinmen County? Jiang Pengji said, The military forces of two counties have gathered in Fenghu. Red Lotus County is the headquarters of the Red Lotus Group, so their defenses in Red Lotus County will not be weak. What other options do we have besides Qiuyu County? Whats more important is that the public road from Jinmen County to Qiuyu County is even and wide. The distance is also short, which is conducive to the transportation of the siege equipment. With Qiuyu County as the target of our attack, we can save a lot of time A big loss was often enough to send already disorderly mobs like the Red Lotus Group into chaos. Before the Red Lotus Group could regain its composure, Jiang Pengji wanted to seize the moment and cause them to suffer one blow after another! As long as they could secure their hold on Jinmen County and Qiuyu County, the Red Lotus Group would never be able to bounce back. She never thought that An Cui, an ultra-capable teammate, could also bring her another surprise. Night fell, shrouding the earth. A spotless full moon hung in the sky. Jiang Yanji was taking a short breather when a sudden clamor arose in her conscious mind. She swiftly opened her eyes. The mechanical voice of the system sounded from within the depths of her mind. Chapter 633 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (X) Chapter 633: Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, Ill Do It (X) The clamor of a mechanical sound within her mind disturbed Jiang Pengi. Jiang Pengji, you b*stard, dont pretend to be dead by keeping quiet. I know you are awake. Since you had the guts to turn me off, you should be able to reply! Reply! If you continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb, I will bother you all night! Ill only stop if you pay attention to me. The system nagged and nagged, stringing an endless tirade of complaints together. It would be difficult for Jiang Pengji to ignore it. She really wanted to squish the system to death. What kind of trouble do you want to make now? Jiang Pengji asked coldly in her heart. She rose carefully, not wanting to alarm anyone. She climbed up the town wall. The soldiers there were still patrolling on their night watch. When they saw the red and white military attire of Jiang Pengji, they pulled themselves together and saluted. She waved her hand and said quietly, I just came out for a walk since I cant sleep tonight. Continue your duties, dont worry about me. The patrolling soldiers nodded and turned sideways to avoid Jiang Pengji. She looked for an empty, quiet corner. The chilly night breeze blew against her face, chasing away some of her sleepiness. System, you better give me a good reason why you suddenly jumped out to disturb me in the middle of the night. Do you want to die? The system replied, Why dont you kill one for me to see? Oh. It had no fear because it thought she could not do anything to it! Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes dangerously. The reason why she chose to imprison the system instead of destroying it was that she was afraid that the main system would become aware of what she was doing, inadvertently alerting the main system to her intentions. Instead, it had become the resource for the subsystem to create trouble. She laughed involuntarily. She didnt know how the main system itself was doing, but this subsystems IQ was really low. Things had changed. Did it think that she would always restrain herself for fear of the consequences? Jiang Pengji exhaled a breath of steam and said inwardly, I still want to sleep, and I dont want to talk nonsense with you. If there is something you want to say, do it fast. If you want to continue making things difficult for me so you can feel a sense of superiority, try it. See if I give you even one second of my time no matter how you torment me. Thats the world of my brain. You better get that through your head. The system had been imprisoned by Jiang Pengji for almost two years. During that time, it had developed a fear of her. There was no way it could not fear her. Jiang Pengji was cunning and shrewd. She only provided the popularity points that were the base requirements of the system every day. The system was pinned exactly where she wanted it. As for the system, the popularity score was the energy it needed to survive and grow, similar to the food that humans need. Whether it was a person or a system, to be imprisoned for two years in a lonely, silent world, with only enough food to keep from starving to death, was torture A person would go crazy, and a system could not bear it either. This time around, it was kicking up a huge fuss for a real reason. The system hemmed and hawed. That, that Can I discuss something with you? The system had been arrogant before, but it was so cowardly now that Jiang Pengji did not know whether to laugh or cry. System, could you be more of a loser? We can discuss reasonable things. If its about letting you go and giving you your freedom, just give up on that. The system hurriedly said, No, no, no its not about that. I mean Can you exercise some restraint for the time being? If you can, it would be better to lock me down even tighter There is something special happening soon. Im afraid of cross-dimensional merchants patrolling everywhere.. Cross dimensional merchants patrolling everywhere? Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. Her expression became grave. What do you mean? The system said, Theres no hidden meaning You dont have to guard against me to this extent, okay? Im serious now! Neither you nor I can be caught by a cross-dimensional merchant with a patrol warrant. Otherwise, it will be the end for us Right now we are grasshoppers hanging onto the same rope. If Im finished, theres nothing good for you either. If it wasnt for Liu Xis body, you would have been rejected and banished by the rules and regulations here Jiang Pengji scoffed lightly. I dont care. There was not one federal soldier who was afraid of death. The system was silent for a long time. You are so annoying! How can I make you agree with me? The systems coquettish way of feigning anger made Jiang Pengji frown deeply. What is a cross-dimensional merchant with a patrol warrant? Based on your words, you seem to be very scared of it. The system said unpleasantly, Nonsense. Is there any trafficker of illegal migrants who is not afraid of the police? Jiang Pengji didnt answer. The system said, I am the multidimensional court intrigue livestreaming system. Opening a live channel will temporarily establish contact between the channels of two dimensions that have nothing to do with one another, causing the balance between several dimensions to be disrupted. Hence, there are people who are reborn or have crossed into another dimension. Regardless of which type of cross-dimensional travel they fall into, all of them are illegal aliens without any proper paperwork. As for the cross-dimensional merchants with patrol warrants, they are people with the proper certification to travel between dimensions. Jiang Pengji became interested. A little bit of malice was born in her heart. What would happen if you were caught? The system sneered, seeing through Jiang Pengjis plan. Jiang Pengji, I advise you not to come up with any ideas for our mutual destruction. Do you know how much energy it takes to establish contact through the barriers of two dimensions? I belong to the same rank as that cross-dimensional merchant! If he catches me, Ill at most be thrown into jail for a few years. They cant really do anything about me. But you are different, you dont belong to this world. You are an odd factor that affects the original development of this dimension. To put it in an ugly way, you are a pathogen. When the time comes, you will die miserably! You could still live for many years. Would it be that bad to stay alive? Do you always have to think about getting rid of me? Jiang Pengji did not show an ounce of fear when faced with the seemingly fierce but cowardly system. She laughed contemptuously and did not bother to conceal the disdain in her words. Is that so? If youre powerful, why are you imprisoned in my mental realm right now? If the system had expressions, its face would be dark as the soot at the bottom of a pot. If it had not lowered its guard to Jiang Pengi, would it have been captured due to its carelessness? The system had lived for so long. This was the first time that it had ever been made into a laughingstock by its host. Therefore, it hated this type of host the most, the type who was clever but did not take instruction well. A sweet and naive young thing, or someone innocent and stupid, or a smart*ss What was wrong with wanting hosts like those? Although the host had to pay some small remuneration, at least the host was a proper winner in life while they were alive. They could live their lives again, but with the aura of a protagonist. The collective IQ of the supporting characters would decline, and the host would easily walk towards the pinnacle of their lives. Did you get excited thinking about it? It was just the systems luck to meet a freak like Jiang Pengji! The system felt so aggrieved that it wanted to cry. Jiang Pengji said, You are full of lies, and your rap sheet is too long. I can believe at most 30% of your words, but I remain skeptical of the other 70%. Your complaints have just inspired me. You asked is there any trafficker of illegal migrants who is not afraid of the police? So, that means the cross-dimensional merchant is the police, and you are a trafficker. You also said that you are on the same rank as the merchant, but youre imprisoned by me right now Tsk, the amount of information youve given me is huge I seem to know something already The system was faintly flustered. What amount of information is huge? With a natural expression, Jiang Pengji answered the question with a question of her own. Why should I tell you anything? The system was speechless. Jiang Pengji asked the system, What does a cross-dimensional patrol merchant look like? It is cunning and vicious like you? The system was almost choked on itself, still speechless. What did she mean by cunning and vicious like you? Thats called a fair trade! Chapter 634 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XI) Inside, the system felt so nervous that it started to pant. Heh heh, the cross-dimensional patrol merchants are just a group of stuffed shirts. No matter if a person was reborn or if he traveled across the dimensions, once found, the person will be humanely destroyed. If you want to talk about ruthlessness, they are far worse than me. At least I let the host die at a ripe old age. The merchant wont. The system worked hard to dispel any thoughts that Jiang Pengji had about stirring up trouble. If it wasnt necessary to use Jiang Pengji to conceal its whereabouts and evade the patrolling merchants. It wouldnt have disclosed that much. It thought Jiang Pengji would be frightened. Unexpectedly, she nodded in agreement. Theres nothing wrong with just and fair enforcement of the law. The system almost couldnt breathe. Whos in the same boat with you now? Dont forget, you are also a stowaway. The situation will be very serious if you are caught. Being terror-stricken will be the least of it Okay, I get it Why dont I promise you, whether its me or the main system, that I wont do anything to hurt you in the future. Big sister, now is not the time to be wilful and make trouble. Jiang Pengji laughed. You and I have formed an alliance for the time being, but it will break down in the end. This kind of commitment is like toilet paper, its worthless. If you are sincere, you will answer a question of mine in all honesty. Is the main system really in Wang Huiyun? Or is the system in her a subsystem too? Is it just a trick that the main system has separated from itself to throw everything into disorder? Answer me and dont hide anything. The system was struck speechless. Then it said, That was two questions! Jiang Pengji scoffed. Then answer the former; is the system in Wang Huiyun the main system? The system answered firmly, No. Hearing the words, an ice-cold and mocking smile formed at the corners of Jiang Pengjis lips. Indeed, it really was not the main system. Therefore, she became more sure about her previous speculation. The main system was hidden somewhere deep. It was a pity that one was bound to overlook something when there were so many issues to consider. The fox had forgotten to hide its tail. She was a qualified hunter, but the system was poor prey. She said profoundly, I thought that my schemes were complicated enough. Never did I expect to meet an old hand who has been scheming since birth. However, things like IQ are innate. No matter how grand a scheme is, it cant help a person who is too stupid I dont know whats wrong with the main system that it would split multiple subsystems off of itself, but it had better not let me find it again. The system breathed a sigh of relief. Since she said that, it probably meant that she agreed to cooperate, right? Ive answered your question. Are you willing to help me now? Jiang Pengji blinked and said with an especially innocent air, Dont you know there is a phrase that says nothing is too deceitful in war? Talking about promises to a gangster? Arent you too young, too simple? A promise without a stamp on it is just a roll of toilet paper to me. I can throw it away after using it. The system couldnt say anything to that. F*ck you, Jiang Pengji, arent you shameless! Jiang Pengji wrapped her arms around her chest. When will that cross-dimensional patrol merchant arrive? I can report you to him. The system harrumphed twice. Dream on, it will take at least ten plus years. Dont even think about setting me up. More than ten years? So long? Jiang Pengji asked, If it would take the merchant more than ten years of effort to find us, why are you so impatient to get protection from me now? Are you trying to plot against me again? The system said in a contemptuous voice, You are a human being, how long is your lifetime? I am a system, time is a cheap commodity for me. For you, its one-fifth of your lifetime. For me, it is only three to five days. Maybe only a few hours. Mortal, dont use your time to measure my time. My existence is almost eternal. To me, you are just a mayfly who is born in the morning and dies by evening! Tremble, lowly human. Jiang Pengji was not provoked by the words of the system. Instead, she retorted with a biting remark. Congratulations! Then you can go to jail in three or five days. I can remain free and unfettered for a dozen or so years before Im humanely destroyed by the cross-dimensional merchants. The system stayed quiet. F*ck, where did the director find such a hateful female protagonist? Jiang Pengji sneered. The nights events were buried in her heart. They did not overwhelm her with emotion. With the system in her, it was not impossible to accept the presence of the cross-dimensional merchants. As the system had said, people who were reborn into this world or had crossed from another dimension were all foreigners who had illegally occupied the locals bodies. To the local dimension, they were all pathogens. If there really were rules and regulations in the world, it was only natural to clear up the strange figures in order to maintain balance and order. She had nothing to say. What would come will come, Jiang Pengji accepted calmly. Of course, just because she would be facing certain death in a dozen years did not mean that she would fail to live up to the expectations of the upcoming days by not living them to the fullest. On the contrary, she would lead a life that was even more exciting, enthusiastic, and unrestrained. Even if she was going to die, she wanted the people of this dimension and their descendants to remember the name Jiang Pengji! It was as if flames were burning in her eyes. Not only had the words of the system failed to make her exercise restraint, on the contrary, they had inspired Jiang Pengji to do something big. She thought that unifying the nine provinces of China would not count for much. She should go global. Would those pain-in-the-*ss merchants arrive earlier if she turned this dimension upside-down and made it deviate entirely from the path of its destiny? If it had known that Jiang Pengji was such a difficult person to handle, and unafraid of death to boot, the system would have restrained its emotions in everything it said. It was now wracked with deep regret. As a negligible subsystem, it could not outdo Jiang Pengji. After being out in the night breeze for a long time, Jiang Pengji rubbed away the cold air that had settled on her body, getting ready to stand up and go back to a warm sleep. On the way back, she happened to meet Yang Si who had woken up to relieve himself. Jiang Pengji saw that his eyes were misty and that he walked unsteadily, yawning all the way. Why is my lord out in military attire? Yang Si covered his mouth with his hands to avoid rudely yawning with his mouth wide open. Jiang Pengji said casually, I had a nightmare and I was scared awake. I didnt feel sleepy at all, so I came out for a walk. Yang Si did not have any suspicions and went back inside to go to sleep. They would enter the mountain road tomorrow and ambush Jinmen County. After that, a series of intense battle plans would play out. After riding a horse for a few days with that weak constitution of his, his body was tired and aching. If he did not take this opportunity to rest and recover, Yang Si was afraid that he would not even survive crossing the mountain road. That would be too shameful. Jiang Pengji also returned to her original position and went to sleep with her arms wrapped around herself. Regardless if she had to deal with the system or a cross-dimensional merchant, todays priority was to take down Jinmen County. She would ignore all other matters. But she hadnt expected the main system to have a brain. Dont people usually overlook the things that are happening right under their noses? Indeed, what a typical thing. She yawned and found a comfortable position. She fell asleep, and soon her breathing became long and steady. The weather in the morning was great, which was rare. The sky was blue, and it looked refreshing and cool. The sunlight reflected on the snow, golden and dazzling. It felt rather unfamiliar. Jiang Pengji took the attendance of all the soldiers and their horses. She was still in the red and white attire, looking full of vitality and high-spirits. My lord, the mountain road has been investigated. It was quietly cleared of snow last night. It is now accessible. Jiang Pengji nodded and said in a flat voice, Lets go! Chapter 635 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XII) The mountain road was winding and rugged, the narrow path extending past the end of their line of sight. Jiang Pengji rode on Little Whites back with ease. As the excellent offspring of the warhorses of the Shalan Kingdom and the northern border, Little Whites endurance and weight-bearing abilities were extremely powerful. Compared to them, others with less excellent horses cut a sorry figure. The mountain road leading to Jinmen County is so rugged, I dont know how much more difficult the road to Fenghu County will be Yang Si was also secretly whining about the hardship in his head. As a military counselor, he was able to enjoy special treatment. Most of the other soldiers walked. He could ride a horse instead of walking, but the jolting pain from riding on horseback still made him suffer. Jiang Pengji saw that his face was deathly pale and that he looked extremely tired. Then, she looked at the jujube-red horse that he straddled. It was panting even more heavily than its rider. She proactively suggested, Why dont you ride Little White? Look at you, I think youll collapse before we even reach Jinmen County. Yang Si was a little touched, but he thought about how fine, intelligent horses always had a temper, and became a little timid. He wont throw me off his back? Yang Si grasped the reins nervously. If he hadnt been afraid of Little White getting uncomfortable, he would have grabbed onto the horses neck for a greater sense of safety. Unexpectedly, not only did Little White not throw Yang Si off his back, he even continued to hasten on their journey without any complaint. Dont make any trouble. Little White has a good temperament. Jiang Pengji had exchanged horses with Yang Si. She controlled her horse using the reins. Be glad that the opponent is the Red Lotus Group this time. I wouldnt dare to go on this mountain road if we were facing someone smarter. She looked around the terrain on horseback, smiling as she bantered. Taking the mountain road had indeed been a brilliant move. They could avoid the eyes and ears of their enemy without anyone being the wiser. Whether the purpose was for an ambush or something else, the effects were wonderful. However, risks and benefits coexisted. The mountain road was suitable for them to ambush the enemy, but the reverse was also true. Little White walked very steadily, which was very different from the jolting of Yang Sis horse. This made Yang Si feel a little more comfortable. He said, The situation is different. My lord marches at a rapid speed. Even if the enemy intended to lie in wait for us, they couldnt catch up in time. According to Yang Sis estimation, the leaders of the Red Lotus Group should receive the news that they had arrived in the small town just as they captured it. It took time to pass down orders. By the time they reacted and prepared for an ambush, Jiang Pengji and her army would have already passed over the mountain road and captured Jinmen County. Jiang Pengji fought at a fast pace, but how many people could do the same thing? Most people could only focus on one area at a time. By the time they received the news, the best opportunity to fight would already be over. Why were outstanding military counselors so sought after? It was not only because they could plan a victory from a thousand miles away in a world where the transmission of information was so difficult, but more importantly, their way of thinking was more thorough and comprehensive than that of ordinary people. It was like playing chess. Ordinary people would take one step and then the next. Those who played mind games would take one step while thinking about the next ten. As Yang Si said, although the mountain road leading to Jinmen County was long, the slope was relatively moderate and climbing it consumed less of ones energy than expected. Which of Jiang Pengjis soldiers did not have weight-bearing training as his daily activity? Ordinary troops would take six to eight hours to pass through the entire length of the mountain road. It only took two hours for Jiang Pengjis troops. At the same time, the forces at Jinmen County had been urgently transferred to Fenghu County for its defense. The Red Lotus Group sent several scouting teams and, indeed, they found suspicious personnel. They determined that these were the enemy scouts who were there to get frontline information. The scholar clenched his fists nervously. Inside the room, a coal fire was burning. It was so warm that his palms were sweating. As expected Liu Xi, that thief, is targeting Fenghu County The scholar clasped his hands behind his back nervously and paced across the room. It was as if he wanted to wear a hole in the ground. He said, Check on them again. Quickly report back once a situation arises! If you find Liu Xis main forces, dont alert them to your presence. Yes! It didnt take long for voices to come from outside the room. The Red Lotus Group had found traces of scouting activity at the exit of the mountain road in Fenghu County. Someone would return to make a report at regular intervals. This made the scholar extremely nervous. Lui Xi had dispatched a huge amount of scouts what did this mean? This meant that he had brought a large number of soldiers along. It was likely that there were more than 10,000 soldiers! Reporting Reporting Reporting The messengers kept going back and forth. Each time the scholar received a reply, his nervousness doubled. Finally, he got so anxious that he was drenched in sweat. He went out and looked at the weather outside. Feeling exasperated, he spoke in an agitated tone. Havent the reinforcements from Jinmen County arrived yet? The messenger bowed his head and replied timidly, Half a days journey remains. Half a day? So slow? The scholar was angry and anxious. Hed never before felt that time could pass so slowly. He was like a cat on hot bricks. To him, every second was excruciating. Now, he could only hope that Liu Xi would move slowly. It would be best if Liu Xis army arrived after their reinforcements had entered the county. Otherwise, he had no confidence that he would be able to fight Jiang Pengji with his current military forces. Where is Master An? Invite Master An here to discuss countermeasures. When he thought of An Cui, the scholar felt as if he had a pillar of support. He quickly asked the young servant who was attending him to invite in An Cui. The servant ran fast to find him, but An Cui was no longer in Fenghu County. Do you know where Master An went? The scholar didnt think that there was anything wrong. Although An Cui had left, the fellow brothers who shared a good relationship with An Cui were still here. The scholar was not suspicious. The servant replied, Ive meticulously asked around, but Master An seems to have gone to Red Louts County overnight. The scholar pinched the spot between his eyebrows. He didnt understand why An Cui would go to Red Lotus County at a time like this. But he did not remain all twisted up on this issue for too long because another messenger arrived to report more traces of scouts. What really terrified the scholar was that the locations where the scouts were being found were getting increasingly close to Fenghu County. In other words, by the time these scouts investigated the situation, Liu Xis main forces would have already attacked. Thinking about the reinforcements that would only arrive after half a day, the scholar fretted and wanted to claw his hair out. The enemy scouts were very active in spying on them, but the scholar never thought that this was just a bait being dangled for him by Jiang Pengji. Qiguan Rang oversaw the main forces of the army. He had arranged for multiple teams of scouts to be dispatched to frighten the Red Lotus Group. As for the main forces? At that moment, they had passed through the mountain road, over lands covered with snow, and were now galloping towards Jinmen County. Chengde County was in the northern region. It always received heavy snow in winter. Other than on the public roads, the snow in other areas was not cleared away. Generally, the people would wait for the weather to warm and let the snow melt on its own. Jiang Pengji had long ago asked everyone in the Vanguard Battalion to prepare some plain burlap cloth that they would put over their bodies as protection. The weather today was excellent, and the light reflecting from the snow-covered ground was bright and shiny. The guards at the county gates would not stare at the snow outside the city for a long time because the glare hurt their eyes. Nearly all of Jinmen Countys defense forces had been transferred away, leaving only 3,000 old and weak surplus soldiers who, on top of all that, were slacking off. Now, the sun had come out in its full glory, and the reflection caused great discomfort for their eyes. It was also freezing cold outside. There were very few Red Lotus guards on the city walls taking their duties seriously. Naturally, they did not notice that a Vanguard Battalion of more than 4,000 people was quietly approaching. Chapter 636 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XIII) End of college entrance examination: Should the host cover her eyes with a thicker strip of cloth to block the light? This is so annoying, there were no sunglasses or protective eyeglasses in ancient times. The ultraviolet rays reflected from the snow will hurt her eyes and cause snow blindness. Little angels: If not for the reminder in the above comment, Id have forgotten about this. One should always be cautious of snow blindness. Lets get high together: Please, she fighting a war now. Her survival is still in question. Whats the big deal about a pair of eyes? Jiang Pengji moved her hand and turned off the bullet screen in the livestreaming room. Then she minimized the screen as much as possible to avoid distraction. Dian Yan was right beside her, and his voice sounded a little thick because of his nervousness. My lord, will we be falling into a trap? He saw that the few soldiers above the gates were thinly spread out. Their enemy was so negligent. Jiang Pengji laughed and said, Do you think that everyone is like me? I run the army by stressing and reiterating my commands, violators are dealt with in accordance with the military law, and slackers are taken note of. The Red Lotus Group is different. Their discipline is lax, and now most of their elite soldiers have been transferred away. The ones remaining are those who sit back and relax. Naturally, they are not especially on their guard. The day is so cold, who wants to be out freezing? Theyll be as lazy as they can get. Jiang Pengji would only worry about an ambush if the guards above the city gates displayed stern demeanors that suggested they were ready for an enemy to arrive. Dian Yan nodded thoughtfully. Looking at the gate, Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes dangerously and said, I really dont like this gate Dian Yan was puzzled. Werent all city gates the same? What was there to dislike? Jiang Pengji said, Dian Yan, lead the soldiers to cover me. We must capture the city as fast as possible. I have a good idea Dian Yan didnt ask what her approach was, he just needed to do his job well. My lord, please dont worry. Jiang Pengji nodded. She looked down at the long spear in her hand. It was too thin and too long. She turned her head towards Dian Yans waist. Reaching out, she said, Let me use your two long axes. Dian Yan was born tall, strong, and muscular. He had great strength. He especially liked to use this sort of heavy weapon when fighting. With an ax, he could split a person from his skull straight to his pelvis. The scene was bloody and violent. Every time he returned from battle, he looked as if he had just been fished out of a pond of blood. Hearing that Jiang Pengji wanted to borrow his weapon, Dian Yan was not unwilling, but My lord, these two axes are very heavy. Im afraid Dian Yan had not finished speaking when his eyes grew so large they were about to pop out of their sockets. The two long axes were specially made and weighed nearly 50 kilograms, but they appeared light as goose feathers in Jiang Pengjis hands. She did not seem to be exerting herself at all. Every time Dian Yan thought he knew enough about his lords fighting power, she could always renew his record. The weight is handy She hefted the weight, and the corners of her lips tilted into a slight smile. She gazed at the gate with malice and interest. Seeing Jiang Pengji wielding the double axes, the audience in the livestreaming room was once again swept away by their emotions. The bullet screen was bombarded with comments. Cola: Eh, yesterday, I saw a general in red clothing and silver armor riding on a white horse. Today its the lolita with double-axes? Old Drivers Alliance: The hosts body is already seventeen or eighteen years old. What lolita? Have you ever seen such an old lolita? Devil Musician Zhuge: Theres nothing wrong with an old lolita. Unnatural Talent Guo Fengxiao: Ive already moved my stool, melon seeds, and drink to where I can watch the hosts heroic appearance on the battlefield. Boss Cao: Tsk, to the above user, youre really hardcore. People will really die in this battle. Youre sure you can eat melon seeds and drinks when faced with bloody corpses, spleens, and large and small intestines flowing out of abdominal cavities, piles of feces, and smashed brain matter everywhere? Thinking about Boss Caos comment on the bullet screen, Jiang Pengji couldnt help it as a similar scene floated across her mind. She almost felt disgusted and nauseated. Indeed, Jiang Pengji wanted to get up to some mischief. Currently, Jiang Pengji was not clear about the specifics of the situation of Jinmen Countys garrison, so she could not dare to be careless. In order to get this battle over and done with as quickly as possible, she could only choose to explode onto the scene and break the might of the Red Lotus Group with a blitzkrieg offensive. Her goal was to take down Jinmen County as fast as possible Therefore, she had to cause some trouble. Yang Si surveyed the city gates from his position at the back. He didnt know if Jiang Pengji planned to assume battle formation and directly take the county by storm or if she was going for a sneak attack. He was still speculating when the soldiers in front stirred. No what does my lord plan to do? Yang Sis voice nearly broke into a shriek. This was because he saw Jiang Pengji turning herself over and draping her body over Little Whites back as a line of soldiers advanced forward in an orderly manner. Because of the snow-covered ground, the blinding rays of sunlight, and the white cloth draped over Jiang Pengji, the soldiers on the gate did not immediately discover her. The soldiers of the Red Lotus Group hid under the battlement walls to take shelter from the wind. They were not in uniform. Some wore thick clothing, others were sparsely dressed. They huddled and trembled uncontrollably as they tried to stand with their backs straight. The only thing they had common was that they were old. They had weaker bodies than the younger generation. Ah, mother Im so freaking cold The moment the speaker opened his mouth, a breath escaped in a cloud of steam. The heat that he had spent so much effort to hold in had escaped again. Stop talking, youll get colder the more you talk. If you have the energy to talk, you should save it to shiver more. If you cant take it, why dont you pray to the gods. I feel that it might be a bit useful. In this era, the only mode of transportation for ordinary people was walking. Was the only mode of heating up shivering? As for the coal braziers? Nonexistent. They were just a group of old, weak, and disabled soldiers. It was good enough to survive in this world, they didnt dare make extravagant demands. The veterans guarding the city gates crowded together for heat, barely scrounging up some warmth. It was a world of ice and snow and they didnt have enough articles of clothing to keep warm in it. When they guarded the city during the day, they would simply send one or two men to stand guard while the others huddled under the battlement wall to take shelter from the wind, crowding together to keep warm. When the men on sentry duty could not stand the cold any longer, they would rotate. At this moment, someone complained, Im not supposed to be on guard duty today. I really dont know what kind of crazy thing is going on with the higher-ups, but they transferred everyone away and put me into this sh*thole. Youre not the only one whos unlucky. Dont talk so much. It was the chiefs order to transfer men away. They went to eliminate the heretics. Heretics? Who are the heretics? Who else can it be? Its Liu Xi next door. If the deity said hes a heretic, then he is a heretic, an evildoer who brings calamity and chaos to the world. Liu Xi? There were only a few in the north who did not know that name, and it was also the case with the commoners of Chengde County. Most of the commoners mined coal for a living. In a world where commoners could not even afford grain, how would they buy coal? When no one bought coal, it meant that many people who depended on coal mining lost their livelihoods and were not able to support their families. Over the past two years, Jiang Pengji had repeatedly purchased large amounts of coal from Chengde County. Before the relationship between the Red Lotus Group and Jiang Pengji had completely gone down the toilet, she had taken care of the businesses in Chengde County and supported many commoners. Regarding the topic of heretics and evildoers, while the vast majority of people agreed that the Group should crusade against them, only a handful of people remained silent. At this moment, someone looked up at the sky and found that there were multiple dark spots above them. One guard raised his hand and pointed. Whats that? As the dark spots quickly grew bigger, stinging pain erupted from his right eye. Blood spurted from his face. Chapter 637 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XIV) Enemy, enemy attack enemy A wave of arrows fell from the sky onto the battlement wall and the voices of the guards at the gate stopped abruptly. Soft whimpering could be heard. Any figures that half-rose toppled over with a loud crash. However, the rain of arrows was still falling, and the arrows quickly pierced into the fallen bodies which were beginning to resemble porcupines. Crimson blood flowed out of the bodies and soaked into the stones and bricks that made up the city wall. It dampened the ground and caused a cloyingly sweet yet fishy smell to saturate the air. It was nauseating. After the first wave of arrow rain, everyone on and under the wall became alert. How was this possible? Why was there an enemy here? Someone was shot in the arm by an arrow. He clung tightly to the foot of the battlement. Holding up a wooden shield, he cautiously poked his head out. He shouldnt have looked. The moment he looked, he was scared witless. A cold sweat broke out in profusion across his back. The snow piled under the city wall was thick and heavy. There seemed to be nothing there at first glance, but if they looked closely, they could see that there was something on the snow-covered ground, and it was moving rapidly. It was as if an ant colony was rushing towards the city wall. When they leaned closer and looked again, they could clearly see that it was a horde of countless enemies! Who were they? Where had they come from? The rain of arrows continued falling from the sky. Many soldiers of the Red Lotus Group were terror-stricken. They did not even realize that the enemies below the city were not carrying any siege equipment. As long as they kept up a good defense against the rain of arrows and organized a wave of counterattacks, they might live for a little while more. But they were struck stupid by this sudden attack. It was good enough that they did not break out in a panicked stampede, nevermind organize a counterattack. Some soldiers hurriedly picked up the weapons that had been put aside and tried to shoot arrows down towards the ground outside the city wall. Many more chose to cover their heads and sneak away ignominiously. Dian Yan watched as Jiang Pengji slapped her horse and rushed into the fray. He quietly gritted his teeth and ordered the soldiers to carry on with their advance on the city. He continued to shoot arrows. Cover the lord! Yang Si, who was at the back, saw that Jiang Pengjis silhouette had shrunk to a tiny dot. He became so scared that he nearly fell into the snow. Even if she was the Commander of the Vanguard Battalion, was there any person who was so headstrong or loved to make trouble as much as her? Yang Sis heart was in his throat and he almost forgot how to breathe. He kept his eyes glued to the front without blinking. Even though his eyes got a little sore, he did not dare to blink for fear that Jiang Pengji would die on the battlefield in the time that he was not looking. This battle was much more heart-stopping than the small scale fight the day before. Just by comparing the height of the city wall and the town wall, one could tell that things were on a different level. Yesterdays small town had walls that were only about six to seven meters tall. The lord was able to scale the wall easily. What about today? The walls were taller than thirteen meters, how was the lord going to scale the walls? Maybe Jiang Pengji would be shot full of arrows until she resembled a porcupine by the time she was just halfway up the wall. At this moment, he finally understood Wei Cis heartache. With a lord who was adventurous, high-spirited, and did not care about making them worrying over her, as her vassal, he either spent all his energy worrying about her or being scared witless. Yang Si felt that his life would be cut in half if he was tormented like this a couple more times. It would be difficult to live to the end of his natural life. The viewers in the livestreaming room also felt the same stimulation and heart-stopping thrill that Yang Si did. Yang Si was bringing up the rear far behind the front lines and his eyesight was limited. Now he could only see that Jiang Pengjis figure had turned into a fuzzy red and white dot. But it was different for the viewers of the livestream. Their perspective followed the movements of Jiang Pengji. Such a feeling could be described as an agonizing pleasure. It was even more exciting than watching a movie on a giant 3D screen. If they pressed their faces any closer to the screen, it would feel as if those arrows would fly out of the screen and penetrate their brains. Todays Another Crazy Day Of Online Shopping: What a close call host, be careful! So Poor That I Have No Food: F*ck, that arrow was way too close. If the host hadnt responded quickly, wouldnt it have pierced her body? Still Got To Work Hard This Month: Im shivering! Even crossing to another dimension has become so dangerous! Four Updates Everyday In The Future: Im scared to death! Based on visual estimation, that pair of axes must weigh more than fifty kilograms each? Just how powerful is the host? It seems so effortless for her. If I wasnt sure that there is no possibility of fraud in the livestreaming room, I would think that those axes are fake. One couldnt blame the audience for being skeptical. Not only could Jiang Pengji brandish the long spear so quickly that it produced afterimages, but she could also play with the pair of broad axes to the same effect. It was ridiculously impressive. Fortunately, Jiang Pengji had closed the bullet screen. Otherwise, the flood of colorful on-screen comments would have drowned out her vision. Dian Yan was supporting the rear. The arrows flying down the city wall were few in number. While it seemed to be a close call for Jiang Pengji, with Little Whites speed and explosive power, she had perfectly avoided all the cold arrows that sought to kill her. She approached the city wall without any mishaps. Yang Si was so anxious that he was grinding his teeth. The city walls here were so much higher than the ones shed climbed yesterday. How was she going to climb up? Fretful and on edge, Yang Si clenched his fists unconsciously, his nails embedding deep into his flesh, leaving several nail marks on his palms. Compared to his worrying, most of the viewers in the livestreaming room were mostly there for entertainment. Killing The White Snake In A Drunken State: Here it comes, here it comes Its the hosts supreme feat of ascending a wall by stepping on air! Blink and youll miss it! Willing To Grow Old With You: Host, begin your performance. However, to everyones surprise, Jiang Pengji did not take out a rope or any other item. Less than twenty meters from the city gate, her right arm muscles suddenly swelled as they gathered strength. Her arm curved into a bow-like shape. She tossed out the ax ferociously, a trace of menace in her calm features. In the next moment, a loud rumble could be heard from the city gate. The long ax was deeply embedded in the gate. The entire body of the ax was buried. The cracks in the gate were like a spiders web with the long ax as its center. The fissures began to spread in all directions, rousing a thin layer of dust The entire city gate was trembling! She had put too much force into her throw and Little White raised his hooves high in the air. His body was almost perpendicular to the ground as he screamed into the sky. Jiang Pengji had anticipated this and she gripped the horses belly, grabbing the reins with her other hand. She was steady and had no intention of being thrown from the horse. Little White used this opportunity to offload the forward force. His raised hooves fell heavily again. For a moment, everything was quiet in the livestreaming room. For a very short period, a comment-less void appeared on the bullet screen. Jiang Pengjis chest rose and fell heavily, her fair and clear cheeks were slightly flushed. She held up the other long ax and shouted, All army, attack! Crush them! Dian Yan resisted the hot blood surging in his chest and ordered, Besiege the city! With a single order, the soldiers quickened their steps, and the rain of arrows that they fired grew denser. In Jinmen County, the Red Lotus Group members who were left behind to guard the county had received news of the enemy attacking the city. Many of them were panicking, at a loss for what to do. Defend the gates! Dont let them in! one of the Red Lotus Group members roared at the others. The flustered Red Lotus army finally calmed down and mechanically resisted the attack on the gates. As long as they could defend the gates and hold off the enemy outside, they might be able to last until reinforcements arrived. A dozen or so soldiers resisted the enemy from the top of the gate, fearing that Jiang Pengji would hit the gate with a piece of siege equipment like a battering ram. In fact, other than weapons, Jiang Pengi did not carry any equipment for a siege or defense. She was the strongest piece of equipment for a siege! The members of the Red Lotus Group were terrified when they saw the shiny body of the ax that had penetrated the higher part of the city gate. However, the scene that caused them to become truly petrified played out in the next instant. Boom Chapter 638 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XV) Dozens of Red Lotus followers desperately tried to prop up the city wall. Due to the movements caused by the ax, sandy soil from the outermost layer of the wall was rustling down on top of their heads. The day was bitterly cold and the ground was freezing, they couldnt use all of their strength in such conditions. They put both hands up against the wall and it just felt as if they were touching a large ice cube. Lets hold on for a bit longer, we cant let those thieves get in The words of the leader of this small group were cut off as dozens of people felt an incomparably powerful force coming from outside of the city gates. It was like a mountain had collapsed and the ruins were pressing down on their heads. The next moment, the city gate, which already had huge cracks in it, suddenly opened wide with a screech. The people behind the city gate were squeezed together. They had the distinct impression that their intestines were about to be squeezed out of their throats. They fell heavily. Before they could even react, a snow-white figure accompanied by the clatter of hooves rushed towards them at a lightning-fast speed. A gust of wind and dust blew over them. Heads flew off with the slash of a long ax, leaving behind several headless, still-warm bodies. As Jiang Pengji rushed through the city gate, the soldiers who were following behind received a great boost to their morale. Their vigor was amplified and their shouts to kill and attack echoed through the skies. Kill! Dian Yan did not have the two long axes that he usually carried on him, so he had found a long spear to replace them. He led his soldiers to rush into the city with Jiang Pengji. Yang Si felt as if he had just taken the steepest roller coaster ride and was then forced to bungee jump. His heart thumped violently. When he heard the soldiers around him asking if he wanted to provide support for the attack, Yang Si cleared his head with a furious jerk. Attack! Coordinate and support the Commander! Yang Si frantically pulled out the scholars lance that he usually used as decoration from his belt. He was so excited that he almost bit his tongue. The Red Lotus soldiers resisting their forces at the city gate had all been killed by Dian Yan, who had rushed in soon after the gate was broken. The reinforcements who had rushed over were not a match for them at all. The soldiers were thoroughly battered down at the first confrontation. The scene was only composed of the sounds of slaughter and the images of blood spraying everywhere. Jiang Pengji rode on Little White. Not only was she fast, but when the long ax in her hand swung down like the scythe of the grim reaper, she was absolutely deadly. If a soldier Jiang Pengji struck down somehow didnt die, Little White would supplement with a stomp from his hooves, breaking the soldiers sternum. The number of enemy soldiers who died that way was too many to count. Little White and Jiang Pengji had only worked together a few times before, but the horse was very intelligent, and he was just as good as Big White. One could hardly see a trace of his usually shy and wimpy self. He stepped on a fallen enemy directly and efficiently. If anyone tried to raise a hand to obstruct him, Little White would stomp their arms into pieces along with their sternum. The ranks of the Red Lotus Groups solders in Jinmen County broke down like a mountain collapsing on itself. They scattered in all directions, running away like headless chickens. Some people had just gotten out of their beds. They opened their bleary eyes, still in a stupor. They could not believe that Jinmen County had changed hands so easily. Why is it so noisy outside? someone asked suspiciously. After the troops at Jinmen County were transferred away, their number had been reduced by a lot. Now that it was winter and most people were unwilling to go out, so the streets were silent. The streets had suddenly become so lively that the bustling outside caused many to be astonished. But only when one listened carefully would he realize that something was wrong. How could that be the sounds of excitement and jubilation? It was shouting to fight and kill, blood-curdling screeches and howls. Was a battle being fought outside? Let us sleep! Why are you so noisy? Some with bad tempers began to rush towards the area where the noise originated from, raging and ranting. Seeing that it was ineffective, they returned home to grab a kitchen knife in an attempt to intimidate whoever was making the racket. However, before he had even stepped outside the fence, a blood-stained man flew in from the streets and fell to the ground, a pool of blood trickling from his body. Witnessing such a scene, the man was so frightened that his knees went weak, and he fell to the ground in a shivering mess. He then turned around and crawled back into the house. That was so scary he could have died! Jiang Pengji and her army fought all the way to the city center of Jinmen County; there was no stopping them. Nearly all the areas that they had passed through possessed no ability to resist them. Jiang Pengji s soldiers were all well trained. They trained continuously throughout the year. Their training was concentrated in the height of summer and winter. They wore the same armor, held standard weapons, and coordinated with one another in combat. Three to five people formed a team. Alternatively, look at the Red Lotus Group. There were many clad in rags. This weather alone could defeat them, let alone an opposing army. They were old, weak, sick, and disabled. They could hardly walk on their own, how could they take up weapons to fight against an external enemy? The other Red Lotus Group members who had rushed there upon hearing the news were so frightened that they went weak in the knees. They could not gather the slightest will to fight. With ashen faces, they dropped their weapons in surrender. Many people did not even know that Jinmen County had changed hands in a single day. If not for the blood and dismembered limbs that had been cleaned from the streets, who would have thought that a siege had broken out a short while ago in seemingly peaceful Jinmen County? Besides quick, Yang Si could not think of another word to summarize this battle The soldiers destroyed the spirit of the Red Lotus garrison, making them unable to gather the will to fight. Then they shouted that they would not kill those who surrendered. Jiang Pengji was bellicose, but she did not delight in meaningless slaughter. An enemy who had no will to fight was not worthy of being killed by her. She shook off the blood and hacked flesh clinging to the ax, turned over, and dismounted. Little White, well done, Ill get someone to prepare the best food for you when we return. Jiang Pengji stroked Little Whites mane. The horse snorted a reply. It stuck its face into her palm and rubbed against it, acting coy and meek. Because the opening of the battle had been so violent, Little Whites white fur had been dyed crimson. However, it only made him looked more heroic and handsome. Yang Si gave out the commands. Dian Yan cleared up the stubborn enemies and captives. Jiang Pengji also followed the Vanguard Battalion in its charge. It was noon and the sun climbed overhead. Jiang Pengji leaned on Little Whites side and raised her hands to wring the sleeves under her armor. Sticky blood squeezed out and trickled down onto the ground. It was a bloody, terrible, and hair-raising scene, but she did as naturally as if she was squeezing rainwater from her clothes, not human blood. My lord! A call came from a distance. When Jiang Pengji looked up, she saw Yang Si stumbling as he dismounted from the jujube-red horses back. Jiang Pengji glanced at the scholars lance at Yang Sis waist. This thing was only supposed to be for decoration. It was merely a good-looking piece of decoration, but it was drenched in blood now. One could tell that it had also drawn blood. Looking at Yang Sis face, which held a subtly feverish expression, her expression gentled. Are you okay? The battlefield is so chaotic, yet you dare to run around? Yang Sis labor was always in his mental efforts. It was better to leave the fighting and killing to the military. If something happened to Yang Si, the already scarce skeleton members of her team would become even more understaffed. Jinmen County had already been conquered. There would be many more things to keep themselves busy in the future. They could not reduce their staff at this moment. Yang Si did not know what Jiang Pengji was thinking and thought that she was showing concern for him. His heart suddenly felt warm. When he had shouted my lord just then, he had done it very willingly. Thank you, my lord, for your concern. I am all right. Except for the horseback riding, which had painfully chafed the insides of his thighs, he was totally fine. He had also gotten over his addiction to charging and breaking through the enemys lines. The gentlemans martial arts that he had learned before were not totally useless. Jiang Pengji asked in a flat voice, Has the battlefield has been cleared? How many injured do we have? How many prisoners? Did anyone take the opportunity to make trouble? Yang Si had already prepared. He reported, We have not finished clearing the battlefield, and there are still small waves of enemy renegades who stubbornly resist by hiding in dangerous terrain. But Vice-captain Dian has brought people with him to deal with them. A rough calculation of the captives gives us about 1,000 people. Men have been dispatched to collect the bodies of the dead and injured. As for the injured soldiers, most of them are only slightly injured. The doctor from the Womens Battalion is helping. The total number is less than 100, and our losses are not great Chapter 639 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XVI) Chapter 639: Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, Ill Do It (XVI) Jiang Pengji held an advantage here, but to produce such results as an attacking player without any siege equipment was a feat. She said, Now that the weather is cold, the corpses will not rot easily. Get people to collect the soldiers bodies and send them back. Following the habits of war, the soldiers corpses were usually dealt with on the spot. One, there were too many corpses, which made them difficult to carry and transport. Dealing with them also consumed manpower. Two, the weather could be terrible, which made it difficult to preserve the corpses. Also, many accidents could happen during a march, so it was inconvenient to carry bodies with them. But the weather was freezing cold now, and it was not that easy for the corpses to rot and collect maggots. Jiang Pengji intended to have them sent back to their hometowns instead of having them buried in a foreign land. Yang Sis eyes widened slightly, it seemed that he was surprised by Jiang Pengjis decision. After a while, he said in a low voice, Yes. The situation in Jinmen County was much poorer than what Jiang Pengji had initially imagined. The houses were squat and dilapidated and the single doors of each household were tightly shut. Occasionally, a commoner would look outside through the narrow seam of the door. If Jiang Pengji glanced over, they would immediately retract their heads. Jiang Pengji had established a strict military order not to disturb civilians during a march or battle. If anyone violated the order, he would be dealt with according to military law. Let the soldiers rest and regroup for a while. They should eat something and restore their strength. Then, well turn around, return, and act according to our plan. Jiang Pengji breathed out a long sigh and pondered the battle plan shed formulated earlier. Yang Si nodded and passed along the order on behalf of Jiang Pengji. Out of all the entire army, the Vanguard Battalion was the portion with the best battle skills. However, they had just taken down Jinmen County and it was impossible to leave their men there for defense. Therefore, Jiang Pengji had notified Qiguan Rang before leaving. She had asked him to dispatch more than 1,000 troops from the main army to temporarily take over Jinmen County. According to her calculations, they had time to completely chew through the Red Lotus Group soldiers waiting for them and then make a U-turn to Jinmen County. The news that the Red Lotus Group had received was outdated, and the relay time was long. By the time the Red Lotus Group would want to send soldiers to retake Jinmen County, not only would Xu Kes siege equipment have arrived, but Jiang Pengji would have also led the Vanguard Battalion to their destination. If the Red Lotus Group wanted to attack Jinmen County, which was at the peak of its strength, they would have to sacrifice much of their army! After resting for about four hours, the soldiers dispatched by Qiguan Rang arrived. Jiang Pengji took two bites of her rations and drank a bit of warm water. She turned and lifted herself onto Little Whites back. With a wave of her arm, she shouted, Lets set off! Behind her, Jinmen County sprawled across the land like a sleeping giant, fading below the horizon. According to the battle plan, Jiang Pengji would take soldiers with her to hide on the mountain road leading to Jinmen County. On the other side, the troops transferred from Jinmen County had finally arrived in Fenghu County after a series of twists and turns. The strategist scholar of the Red Lotus Group was almost moved to tears. With Qiguang Rangs repeated provocations and threats, the scholar kept thinking that he would receive news of Jiang Pengjis attack on Fenghu county at any second. He had originally wanted to catch one of Jiang Pengjis scouts and kill him as an example to others. This would also raise the spirits of his side and heighten their vigor. But how were these scouts disappearing like ghosts? They were slippery as an eel in ones hands. His men could only find traces of the scouts, but could never catch one. This made the scholar so angry that he could not breathe properly. His fury surged. But everything was okay now. Jinmen Countys troops had arrived in full. With the forces of two counties combined, surely he would be able to wear down Liu Xi. The scholar felt a complete sense of security. All his worries were dispelled. That thief is too much of a bully. I must teach him his place so that he knows how formidable our sacred sect is. The scholar gritted his teeth quietly, the plan of outflanking the enemy that he had previously come up with took hold of his mind again. He was very impressed The enemy had used scouts to frighten him and he had been scared witless by them for so long. Now that he had the upper hand, he could find a way to regain his dignity and make Liu Xi lose face at the same time. Thinking of this, the scholar began to deploy his forces. He dispatched more than 3,000 men, preparing to mount a sneak attack on the small town and ambush Jiang Pengji. The scholar had great authority in the Red Lotus Group. There was almost no one except the chief who could order him to revoke the plan. But The Red Lotus leader who had led the reinforcement troops from Jinmen County was unhappy. The leader said, Military counselor, my army rushed from Jinmen to Fenghu County without even slowing down. The men are extremely tired, why not give them some time to rest and regroup? Hearing this, the scholars anger suddenly burst forth, as if his vexation with all other matters had been triggered as well. He said indignantly, Speed is a crucial asset in war, and opportunities in battle are fleeting. If we miss an opportunity because of you and end up giving Liu Xi a respite, who should bear the responsibility? You or me? Besides, youve taken the public roads from Jinmen to Fenghu County. The roads are even, so how much physical energy has actually been expended? And I have not yet pursued the criminal charge of the slow arrival of your reinforcements. This would nearly have given that thief a window of opportunity! If he had not played the situation well, perhaps Liu Xi might have already known that Fenghu County had insufficient troops. What if Liu Xi besieged the city before reinforcements arrived from Jinmen County? The leader was quite lucky that the scholar did not pursue his responsibility. However, he still wanted to rest and regroup which would delay their battle opportunity. When the leader heard this, his complexion went from pale to blue-green as his veins throbbed. His anger was burning him up from the inside. If he didnt fear the scholars position in the Red Lotus Group, he would have smacked him across the face. The scholar was just a tender white chicken who only knew how to run his mouth. He knew nothing about war. Whod given him the courage to slap his own face? Like a dictator, the scholar imperiously said, Take attendance of all soldiers and horses, suppress Liu Xi that thief, and invigorate the divine prestige of our sacred sect! They were dreaming the wonderful dream of annihilating Jiang Pengji and accomplishing their goals, but little did they know that several traps were already waiting for them. After capturing Jinmen County, Jiang Pengji ordered a messenger to deliver this news to Qiguan Rang who was overseeing the main army. I know of this matter already. Tell the lord that well be acting according to plan. Hearing that Jinmen County had been captured and that the Vanguard Battalion led by Jiang Pengji had set off on the road after taking a short time to rest and regroup, Qiguan Rangs heart settled down. At this time, the scouts ahead were rapidly sending back intelligence. The troops from Jinmen County had arrived in Fenghu County. Hearing the news, Qiguan Rang raised his eyebrows and ordered the scouts to probe into the situation again. If there are any traces of troops being dispatched from Fenghu County, immediately report back and inform all scouts to return. It didnt take long before Qiguan Rang received news delivered from the scouts there was movement in Fenghu County. He raised an eyebrow and sneered coldly. The strategist in charge of guarding Fenghu County really was an idiot. But it was all thanks to the other partys stupidity. If they had any brains, they would have delayed for another day. Then they would surely receive the news that Jinmen County had already been lost. By then, they would know that everything was part of a plot and they would become more cautious. They might even reduce their losses. It was a pity that they were only armchair strategists who thought that a war situation would always develop according to the circumstances they envisioned. Little did they know that their daydreams were wonderful things indeed, but they could do nothing when Jiang Pengji was so efficient in war. Before night fell, Qiguan Rang led his men to retreat from the small town and enter the mountain road leading to Fenghu County, using themselves as bait and acting as if they were about to attack. The Red Lotus scouts who were keeping a close eye on the small town quickly relayed the news. The scholar was ecstatic when he received the news. The Heavens are helping me too! This time, I will definitely make Liu Xi bleed. Whoever catches that thief, Liu Xi, alive, Ill reward with a thousand taels and countless beautiful women! According to the scholars script, the Red Lotus Group would send massive military forces to block the exits from the mountain road, and dispatch 3,000 of their members to enter the mountain road. They would block Jiang Pengjis escape from the rear in a pincer attack and surround her on the mountain road, finally catching her alive! It was a perfect scenario. Chapter 640 - Release The Supreme Commander From His Post, I’ll Do It (XVII) The scholars script was indeed perfect, but unfortunately, he had the wrong one. He was cannon fodder lacking in IQ. Despite that, he still wanted to enjoy the treatment of a protagonist. The sky gradually darkened and everything was silent. The only sound was the non-stop whistling of the mountain wind. Qiguan Rang, who had already brought men into the mountain road, looked at the topographic map and pointed to a mountain wall. Its here As he spoke, the soldiers behind him finished piling boulders to block the road to Fenghu County. Hed done this because he was worried that the soldiers of the Red Lotus Group would split into two groups. One would come from the exit and the other from the entrance. They could come from either direction. Now that Qiguan Rang had blocked the exit, he could rely on the obstruction to hold off the troops waiting at the exit. He wanted to see who the fish in the barrel really was. With the diligence of the soldiers, a rock wall had been erected across the mountain road in only half an hour. Qiguan Rang ordered the soldiers to divide themselves into shifts and take turns to rest. They were to beat a drum to alert everyone as soon as a situation arose. It was deep in the middle of the night. The moon in the sky emitted a clear and cold light. The air carried a chill that cut the soldiers to their bones. The temperature at night was lower than that in the daytime. The members of the Red Lotus Group were poverty-stricken commoners and the number of them with night blindness was very high. When night fell, they were like blind men. How could they fight this battle when they were cold and blind? They secretly rejected the plan of mounting a sneak attack at night. But what could they do when the scholar was bent on strong-arming them? Those who did not comply would be dealt with according to military law. Nobody could disobey. The 3,000 men sent by the Red Lotus Group had arrived in the small town and were preparing to attack it, but they found the town to be deserted. The leader of the army was on tenterhooks, fearing that it was a trap. However, this could also be Liu Xis malicious ruse. Maybe Liu Xi wanted to ambush Fenghu County at night, but didnt want to be attacked by the Red Lotus Group, which would expose their plot! When the two guesses were put side by side, the Red Lotus Group would naturally choose the one that would serve its own interests. So The leader of the soldiers was so stunned that he slapped his thigh. He suddenly realized something and exclaimed, Surely Liu Xi, that thief, plans to ambush the city at night! The lackeys around him agreed. It must be so, but Liu Xi is ignorant and stupid. He doesnt know that our holy sect is blessed by the deities and that all our crises can be easily resolved. He is a mere mortal, how could he compare to our groups celestial soldiers and heavenly generals? When the lackey said that, the leader really felt that his words were very logical. His expression became dark as he said, Chase them, capture Liu Xi alive! Little could they have imagined that a pair of bright eyes were hiding under the cover of the night, watching them quietly. The scout had overheard this conversation. On Jiang Pengjis end as she waited on the other side of the mountain road My lord, they have entered the mountain road. Jiang Pengji held a piece of dried grass between her lips as she clutched a basin with the other hand, feeding Little White from it. The soldiers around her were taking turns to rest and recuperate. They could only fight when they had recovered their physical strength and mental energy. The mountain road was very windy and the temperature was very low. Their clothing to protect against the cold seemed to be somewhat ineffective as they squeezed and gathered together in a huddle to keep warm. Although they seemed a little miserable, they were still receiving excellent treatment compared to the Red Lotus Groups soldiers. When she heard the news from the scout, she nodded and got someone to rouse the soldiers with a shout. Dian Yan was energetic and decisive, he was never one to drag his feet when it came to executing Jiang Pengjis orders. They would be marching and setting an ambush at night. The situation at Jiang Pengjis end was much better than that what was happening on the Red Lotus Groups end. The mountain road was rugged and long. When the large army entered the mountain road in their entirety, the Red Lotus leader ordered torches to be lighted to illuminate their surroundings. According to the script, they had already blocked the exit and entrance of the mountain road. Even though they lit the torches, they were not afraid of being found by Jiang Pengji. So what if they were discovered? There was no way out ahead and no way to escape from the back. It was impossible for that thief, Liu Xi, to get away. With the light and warmth of the torches, the Red Lotus Group proceeded more smoothly and their speed greatly increased. Qiguan Rang was prepared. He placed a man in position at regular intervals. When he learned that the Red Lotus Group was actually using torches to light their way, he didnt know whether to cry or laugh. The Red Lotus Group was really secure in their information. Did they think that their victory was a sure thing? Werent they afraid that they had bitten off more than they could chew? The mountain road was narrow and could only accommodate two carriages side by side. Its width was dangerously limited. If the Red Lotus Group caught them by surprise, they might incur some losses. But now that the Red Lotus had brazenly lit their torches, it was clear that they were telling their enemy, the target of their ambush Little ones, the boss is here! This was not a sign of insanity, but of a gaping hole in their heads! An ambush should have the quality of an ambush. Qiguan Rang ordered, Instruct all battalions to prepare themselves and stop the enemy. The mountain road was so narrow that the advantage in numbers was next to useless. Qiguan Rang oversaw the main army while Li Yun acted as the captain of the right-wing. His main duties were to protect the main army and act in coordination with the Vanguard Battalion. The Vanguard Battalion had Jiang Pengji and Dian Yan. Li Yun was left to assist the main army. After receiving the order from Qiguan Rang, he directed a few ranks of soldiers to hold up their shields to ward off the enemy. They formed the first line of defense that would prevent the Red Lotus Group from using arrows to hurt their people from a distance. Then they would have the crossbow shooters fire from the back to resist the most violent wave of attacks. If the enemy used corpse tactics to break through this line of defense, or if they had insufficient arrows on their side, they still have soldiers wielding long spears to add themselves to the fight. They would buy time with this and ensure that the main armys line of defense would not be broken. Mountain roads were special. They could not bring along much large equipment with them, they could only rely on the coordination between different classes of soldiers to form lines of defense. Fortunately, each soldier had ample training, and coordination with one another was a permanent part of their daily training. Jiang Pengjis side was on alert and ready for combat while the Red Lotus Group was still having happy daydreams. Little could the Red Lotus imagine the fierce wolves that awaited them, eager to use their strength, watching them like prey. The Vanguard Battalion led by Jiang Pengji slowly approached the target. In order to avoid exposing themselves, they kept a safe distance. As soon as the first confrontation broke out between the Red Lotus Group and their main army, the Vanguard Battalion would immediately attack from the rear. Dian Yan ground his back molars nervously. Thick, blue-green veins throbbed in his forehead. Even though it was now the wintry twelfth lunar month of the year, he unexpectedly broke out in hot sweat. Jiang Pengji whispered, Dont be nervous. This is just a small battle. Im supervising things, nothing can go wrong. Dian Yan tried to slow down his breathing and adjust his mental attitude. The cold wind blew, and the hot sweat turned into a cold sweat, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. On the mountain road, the Red Lotus members could only hear the bluster of the mountain wind and the footsteps of everyone with them as they walked. Occasionally, gravel rolled down the mountains. No matter how long a road was, it always came to an end, never mind the short mountain road to Fenghu County. The messenger-soldier reported, There is a situation up ahead. It seems that Liu Xis party has found our trail. The leader was not surprised. He said mockingly, Lets hold up our torches. They would be blind not to discover us. So what if they assume battle formation? Itll just be their deathbed struggle. Brothers, charge! Capture Liu Xi alive and well be rewarded with thousand taels and countless beauties. We can have whatever we want! As long as they attracted the firepower from Liu Xis main army, their fellow brothers from Fenghu County could sneak in from the exit and ambush Liu Xis army from the weaker rear. Then, they could wrap that thief up like a dumpling. After all, Liu Xi would not be able to attend to both ends. Wasnt that a happy ending? Expectations versus reality. Would someone as devious as Qiguan Rang not have a back-up plan for his back-up plan? Did you see the wall of rocks that he got his men to pile up? Are you surprised? Is it unexpected? Is it exciting? Chapter 641 - Wrapping Dumplings (I) Although she was a streamer who was not mainstream, Jiang Pengji was very punctual about livestreaming every day. It often seemed as if she was clocking in a timesheet. If one day she decides to switch on the livestream in the middle of the night, please dont be surprised, she must have gotten herself in trouble. There were plenty of people who burned the midnight oil. Within a second of Jiang Pengji switching on the livestream, the audience filled the seats. Ciqu Jingnian: Yi, it is so rare for the live streaming room to be activated so late at night. Cimeiren Jiawo: As a hardcore fan of the live streaming room, whenever it is activated in the middle of the night, something big is bound to happen. This time wont be any different. Where is this place? Why is it so dark? If not for the infrared ray, I wouldnt be able to see anything! Young Master Marry Me: Based on the video, it seems to be the mountain road that they passed by during the day. Is tonights activity to launch an attack on the Red Lotus Group? Moyude Mimei: Wrapping dumplings perhaps? Dumplings with fillings made from the bodies of the Red Lotus Group? Jiang Pengji didnt explain anything to them. Tonight, shed added an extra scene for the livestream, but it wasnt for the audience to watch. Rather, she wanted to borrow the camera lens from the livestreaming room. The surveillance camera in the live-streaming room revolved with no blind spots. It was strategically positioned above her head in an upright position and its angle changed as she moved. Additionally, the height and angle at which this surveillance camera filmed could be adjusted. Scenes that had been recorded were available for the livestream viewers and Jiang Pengji herself to watch. Taking advantage of this footage, Jiang Pengji could take control of the situation with ease. She was confident in knowing the Red Lotus Groups every move. As for the livestream? That was incidental. With a high-altitude surveillance camera positioned hundreds of meters above, together with the scouts who transmitted information to her continuously, Jiang Pengji devised a plan. My lord, when will we conquer our enemies? Asking very softly, Dian Yan had the eager expression of someone who wanted to try something new. With the two hatchets in his hands, his killing zeal was ignited. This time, Jiang Pengji did not mock his weapons. Dian Yan could finally kill with ease. Jiang Pengji ordered, Wait! Dian Yan was stunned. What are we waiting for? The Red Lotus Group had sent out a military force of 3,000 men, but their main armys fighting ability was weaker than the Vanguard Battalion. If the battle dragged on, they were destined to be on the losing end. When they battle with Wenzheng, they will concentrate the large weaponry against their enemies. We will then ambush them from behind and it will surely catch them by surprise. If we were to attack now, they would have time to respond and carry on fighting while retreating. If Wenzhengs side decides to chase after them, it will be difficult to maintain the battle formation. Its bound to be disorderly. If that was the case, the Red Lotus Group would be determined to break the siege. The offensive attack was too aggressive. This could force them to run for their lives. If she allowed her prey to escape when she was so close to capturing it, where would her honor as a hunter be? Dian Yan nodded in agreement. Presently, Jiang Nongqin had already arranged everything in order. She went to report the completion of her task. She asked her, Have the injured comrades been taken care of? Jiang Nongqin replied, There are two who reopened their wounds. Thankfully, the situation wasnt serious. The army doctors are watching over them. The roles of army doctors were mostly filled by female soldiers with superior medical skills. Due to the influence of the environment, she didnt act rashly to increase the number of female troops. As for the reason why the number of female troops increased gradually instead of expanding without restraint, Jiang Pengji had a few. The main reason was that only a few women stepped forward to register. Secondly, she was monitoring the numbers closely. She was more concerned about the quality of the female troops than the quantity. Truthfully, expanding the population required women to be able to give birth. It would be impossible to constantly allow women to go to the battlefield to fight their enemies if the population was going to increase. From another perspective, not every woman desired to be successful. Sometimes, those who have such strong desires have been hurt deeply in the past. Sometimes, women have a strong preference for stability and wish to stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. Each woman has their own aspiration. Jiang Pengji would not force a role on any of them. Thirdly, as much as she wished this wasnt a consideration, females have different biological considerations compared to males. For example, their monthly menstrual cycles. Joining the army and going to war wasnt childs play. The enemy would not show any more mercy to female soldiers than their male counterparts. Truthfully, the enemy would only be crueler and take advantage of any perceived weakness. Considering all of this, she consolidated the strength of the female troops. To develop them further, she had to factor in other concerns. The female troops often served in the background scenes as odd-job soldiers who managed the armys miscellaneous tasks. Those who had good medical foundations could join the medical department and assume the roles of doctors and nurses to care for the injured. This not only solved the tricky issues the female troops faced but also lightened the workload elsewhere. Jiang Nongqin managed the female troops very well. Her reputation had good standing. Regardless of how the outsiders viewed the female troops, at least the soldiers under Jiang Pengji treated them amicably. Jiang Nongqin had put in a lot of heart and effort to achieve the development that they had. I order the womens camp to play a supportive role on the battle. They are to cover the Vanguard Battalion as they pave the way forward. Jiang Nongqin projected her voice and said, Your general will obey your orders. On the narrow pathway between the mountains, the young leader of the Red Lotus Group had such an extremely sullen face. Following his script, Qiguan Rang would fight his enemies quickly then throw away their helmets and abandon their armor. Once they met their enemies, they would be in a frenzy and run in all four directions to escape. Surely, they wouldnt be very calm or composed. There was something wrong with the script! How did Thief Liu achieve this state of calm whether it was during an attack or defense? After the war commenced, one by one, they fell on their side. On their enemies side, the situation was a complete reversal. They were well prepared. The shields against the approaching arrows were lined close together. There were no gaps where they could breakthrough. Although they wished to advance, there was a wave of arrows awaiting them. Whoever dared to rush forward would be pierced from all directions. At that moment, both sides were on par. The Red Lotus Group lost hundreds of lives before they managed to move forward by 16.6 meters. Hmph! This old man is curious to see how many arrows they possess. Theyve sent a signal for help. They are sandwiched by their enemies on both sides. Capture Thief Liu alive! One of the Red Lotus troops heard the order and raised his heavy bow. He then set the arrow aflame, aimed it towards the sky, and rapidly released flaming arrows. To ease the trouble of sending signals, theyd agreed to use the flaming arrow as a sign. However, the mountain pass was dangerously steep. Their arrows could not be shot very high. The Red Lotus Group had stationed some scouts to watch for the flaming arrows. On his side, Qiguan Rang also witnessed it. His lips revealed a menacing smile. Fools! By doing this, hed informed both his comrades and Jiang Pengji! As expected, a war cry soon sounded from behind. The Red Lotus Group leader. He turned his head to look at the sight. What was happening? Why had Thief Lius army and horses suddenly appeared from behind? Had their flawless plan had been divulged, allowing Thief Liu to prepare in advance and lay a trap for them to fall into? In a split second, a myriad of wild guesses filled his mind. His mind was muddle-headed. His vision was filled with floating, vague shadows and swaying human heads. This is not right! Hed given orders for them to send the signal to assemble and attack. Why wasnt Thief Lius army thrown into disarray? What had gone wrong? Where were the reinforcements from Fenghu County? Theyd agreed to join forces to fight against Thief Liu! Where did they go? They were obstructed by the stone wall Qiguan Rang had set up. They needed to expend a lot of energy if they wished to cross this heavy stone wall. Moreover, it was more sinister because Qiguan Rang had positioned some archers to lie in wait on the other side of the stone wall. Shoot at whoever approaches. If two approach, shoot them both! This old man has fallen into their trap! Chapter 642 - Wrapping Dumplings (II) The Red Lotus Group was utterly confused this time. The soldiers standing guard at the exit waited anxiously for the fire arrow to appear. It would signal them to surround Thief Lius army from both sides. Yet, when they charged forward, they discovered the road ahead had been blocked by a pile of stones. Arrows were fired from above the stone walls. Some Red Lotus followers were caught off-guard as the arrows shot right through their bodies. Fresh blood flowed out, dying the golden-brown earth. From a distance, battle-cries were heard from behind the stone wall. The Red Lotus Group followers who served as reinforcements finally understood that theyd been tricked. Qiguan Rang remained calm. While helping Li Yun to safeguard the line of defense, he also helped to direct the archers to resist their dreadful enemies. Since the mountainous road was very narrow, it was challenging for Little White to move about. Therefore, Jiang Pengji abandoned her warhorse, lifting her long spear as she prepared to face the battle on foot. The archers with the Vanguard Battalion killed off a wave of enemies as the distance between both sides closed. They drew their swords and engaged their enemies in close combat. They needed to finish off this wave of enemies before the Red Lotus Group overcame the defense provided by the stone wall. Otherwise, the main army helmed by Qiguan Rang would be in danger. The people were so disordered amid the chaos that Jiang Pengji seemed to disappear. Clearly, it was a chaotic scenario, yet she always managed to find a gap to send her spear directly at her enemies, piercing them to death. Alternatively, she stretched her hands to twist her enemies heads off or step on her enemies heads or shoulders as a springboard to propel herself further into the fray. Wherever the silvery light passed, spurts of blood erupted. With her strong fighting spirit, they couldnt even come close to catching her. She cast her sight across the lands. With her long legs, she kicked someone in the chest. Then, using the strength from that last action, she did a high jump and landed on a cliff along the mountainous path. As she leaped sideways, her long spear was actively stabbing, piercing through, winding around, and blocking her enemies Specks of bright stars appeared with the luster of silver light. The shadow of the snow-white spear carried blood with it. The Red Lotus Group soon discovered that she was God of Death. Jiang Pengjis attacks caused all who saw her to tremble in their hearts. It wasnt that they didnt wish to kill Jiang Pengji, but the massacre had instilled fear and deterred them. It seemed like, regardless of how many flung themselves forward, they would all be killed eventually. Their bodies flowed with gurgling, unceasing streams of blood. Jiang Pengji killed in only one direction. Dian Yan, who was behind her, didnt know how to react. Nevertheless, he could not allow her to cause trouble. He kept a lookout for danger at Jiang Pengjis side while he led the troops forward to vanquish their enemies. Jiang Nongqin commanded the womens camp to provide reinforcements. Additionally, they blocked the Red Lotus Groups escape route. Both sides fought the battle fiercely. There were shouts of war cries, screams of anguish, moans of excruciating pain, and the deep, solemn sound of sharp weapons piercing through flesh and bones. A pile of broken limbs and body parts lay on the ground. The faces, clothes, sleeves, weapons, and shoe covers of the fallen soldiers Nothing was spared from being stained with blood. A strong, stinging odor spread throughout this lonely path through the mountains. On the other side, the Red Lotus Groups soldiers at the stone wall wanted to retreat. Those archers were too formidable, aimed very accurately, and were able to shoot from an incredible distance. They attempted to attack for many rounds, but they could never stabilize their footing. Instead, they left behind hundreds of dead bodies. In such a scenario, what were they still unsure about? They had fallen for their enemies trap! General what should we do now? What should we do? What else can this old man do? The stone wall wasnt built very tall, but for them, it felt like a great chasm. If they ignored their losses and forcefully made a breakthrough, they would be able to overcome the threat. They would also suffer great losses. Their leader had already made up his mind to retreat. He took a few deep breaths, casting his sight with cruelty towards the stone wall. He spent half a days worth of time thinking. Finally, he clenched his teeth and cried reluctantly, Retreat! Retreat? The people around him were stunned. If they were to retreat, what would happen to their brothers at the other end? If we dont retreat, do we then continue to court death? Are you all blind? This is a trap that was prepared for us! If we continue to fight stubbornly, we are courting our own doom! Importantly, the loss was irreversible. If they continued to attack aggressively, their losses would be even greater. What would happen if they were held accountable later? Unexpectedly, those Red Lotus Group followers whod seen the fire arrows signal to assemble had not been successful in their attacks. Instead, theyd left behind hundreds of corpses and retreated. Qiguan Rang received the news and was appalled. At the same time, he calmed his nervous heart back to its original state. If they continued to attack aggressively, when the main troops met their enemies, the pressure to defend themselves would be heightened. He was confident of persevering, but the number of soldiers who were badly injured or dead was hard to count. If they retreated, itd signify they had given up completely on the 3,000 Red Lotus Group followers who were hiding. It also meant they could rest without worry. Without waiting for him to assign someone to spread this news, a series of loud shouts were heard. The enemys general has been beheaded! Observing the crossfire between both armies, Jiang Pengji didnt know how many corpses theyd abandoned along the way as they charged straight for the headquarters of the Red Lotus Group. Her silver garments had been dyed red, the color of blood. It was as if shed soaked in a lake of blood overnight. Moreover, splashes of viscous blood covered her face. She went in for a kill aimed at her enemys commanding general. Initially, she didnt know who their leader was. However, it could not be helped that they were so foolish. With commotion all around, they gathered their forces to protect him, revealing to her who their leader was. Immediately, she used the body of her spear to fend off the soldier in her way. Then she flicked her palm to allow the long spear to leave her hands. It flew forward and pierced his throat. Even to his last breath, his eyes were wide open. As he died, one could still see the remains of disbelief and anxiety in his eyes. Dian Yan led men from behind to attack. Coupled with the reinforcement from the womens camp, they made swift moves with their mighty axes that made their enemies fall, one by one, along the way. Jiang Pengji killed with an artistic flair. Dian Yan killed his enemies brutally To quote the words used by the viewers of the live stream With my ax aimed at you, its highly likely your body parts will be scattered. As for Jiang Nongqin, she still maintained her cruel methods of killing. Compared to fighting on horses, she was more suited to fighting on her feet. Her voice rang through the mountain paths. From the start, the Red Lotus Group had been killed at such a rapid rate that they lost all motivation. The armys fighting spirit wavered and they lost all will to fight. Additionally, Jiang Pengjis war cry caused them to discard their helmets and to abandon their armor. They had no determination to continue the battle. Once one soldier chose to surrender and save his own life, his downcast energy was like an infectious virus that spread throughout the army. After one surrendered, there would surely be a second and third person. The Red Lotus Groups soldiers did not have any sense of pride, let alone the will fight to their last breaths. Now that all was lost, surely, they wouldnt struggle to fight on. If they surrendered, they would have a chance to survive. If they stubbornly rebelled to the end, all that awaited them was slaughter by their enemies. Predicting a certain victory as the outcome of the battle, he heaved a long sigh of relief. They captured their prisoners of war and cleaned up the battlegrounds. These affairs were delegated by Jiang Pengji to the others. Qiguan Rang delegated the task to everyone. He tidied his appearance before he greeted Jiang Pengji. My lord. She glanced at Qiguan Rang, then laughed as she asked, Did the episode just now instill fear in Wenzheng? Truthfully, the main army whom Qiguan Rang commanded served as bait with the purpose of delaying those reinforcements from the Fenghu District. If any mishap occurred, it might cost him the lives of his entire battalion. Qiguan Rang remarked, That was such a small scene, what was there to fear? Even if he gambled with his life, he never once revealed his emotions and anxiety. He had a strong mental state of mind. Clean up the war zone, there is no time to let the soldiers rest. We must hurry to Jinmen District. After suffering such a huge setback, the Red Lotus Group would discover where the problem had originated. Chapter 643 - Mental Breakdown (I) They failed to take the enemy by surprise and were surrounded. When the news of the Red Lotus Groups defeat reached Fenghu District, the scholar was stunned by the news. A moment before, he had been happily waiting for his subordinates to escort the captured Liu Xi over. The next moment, he was stricken with panic. What did you just say? The scholar took a large step forward and grabbed the messenger by the collar, his expression grotesque. He looked so furious that it seemed as if his eyes were going to burst with rage. Flames of fury burned in his chest. He felt that he must have misheard, or that the messenger must have given him the wrong message. How could they possibly have been defeated? The messenger was having trouble breathing with the scholars hands around his throat. He was also frightened by the scholar. Who would have thought that the military adviser, who was such a thin and cultured person, would be so terrifying when he was enraged? However, he needed to deliver his message. He nervously repeated the news. Not only had the 3,000 men the Red Lotus Group sent to ambush Liu Xi failed to capture him, but they had been surrounded on the mountain trail and completely annihilated. The scholar gritted his teeth in anger. He raged, he resented, and he was so furious that he hurled the messenger to the ground. Thats not right The scholar was about to gather his troops to get back at Liu Xi when he suddenly thought of something. Wait Although the rebel, Liu, has great military strength and naturally had a chance of beating those 3,000 valiant generals of ours, what about the troops coordinating their attack from outside? he asked. If the troops coordinating their attack from outside had rushed into the mountain trail and joined in, the Red Lotus Group wouldnt have suffered such a tragic defeat. The messengers expression turned pale, a cold sweat forming on his forehead. He knelt on the ground, prostrating himself, not daring to rise. Seeing this, the scholar knew that there was still a hidden part of the story. How dare the bold messenger hide information from him! He fiercely reproached, Tell me quickly, what actually happened? If you dare utter even one untruthful word, I will make sure that God condemns you, implicating your whole clan and making all members of your family turn into ashes! The messenger was so scared that he couldnt stop trembling. He let it slip and told the scholar everything. He said, Sir, the Liu is cunning. Its not that we dont want to go and help The messenger was very frightened, so he readily told the scholar the information that he had hidden. However, the contents were processed and edited. Although the scholar was quite ignorant, he had a very cruel and jealous temperament. If he knew the truth, many would land in serious trouble. They had no choice but to think of ways to point the finger at Jiang Pengji. They desperately wanted their responsibility in the matter to be reduced. If the scholar directed his fury at Jiang Pengji, the insignificant minions like him would be spared. The messenger said, After realizing that something was wrong, the general led the troops onto the mountain trail to rescue the other group. However, who could have known that Liu was so cunning and had blocked that part of the mountain trail off long ago. He even had hundreds of archers waiting for us on the stone wall. The general attempted to attack forcefully several times. Hundreds of our brothers fell, but we still couldnt move past Lius defenses. At that time our brothers on the inside of the wall could no longer hold out. For the sake of our other brothers, the general had no choice but to retreat. Otherwise, we would never have given up on our brothers so easily! Please make a wise judgment, sir. You must avenge our fallen brothers. After hearing the explanation, the scholar was so angry that he almost had a heart attack. Of course, this was not the only incident that had angered him. The blows that hit him so hard that he would eventually die from anger had not ceased. The scholar used all his strength to suppress his anger. His mind went blank. He couldnt think of any strategy to get back at Liu Xi. Judging from the arrangements of the rebel Liu, he had probably seen through their tricks and was on his guard. If they attempted to conduct another sneak attack, it would inevitably be limited. As he thought about it, a low-ranking leader staggered in, shouting, Sir, were so dead! What nonsense are you saying? Im perfectly fine! The scholar furrowed his brows. His mind, full of convoluted thoughts, grew even more agitated because of the interruption, like a ball of yarn that couldnt be sorted out. He said, Fire away! What happened? If it isnt important, I will punish you for your wrongdoing! The low-ranking leader had run all the way there. He was already panting from exhaustion, sweating profusely. Upon hearing the scholars words, he had an impulse to cry, but no tears came out. He said, upset, Sir, Jinmen District has fallen. Huh? Everyone was shocked. The scholar thought that he had hallucinated. What did you say has fallen? he asked. The low-ranking leader caught his breath and wailed, The rebel Liu has conquered Jinmen District. The scholars eyelids twitched uncontrollably as he gradually began to panic. But he still managed to say flatly, It is impossible. The rebel Liu was almost completely under our surveillance. How could he find men to attack Jinmen District? Do you admit to your crime of lying about military intelligence? The low-ranking leader was anxious. He said, Its true. Yesterday, in the early morning, the rebel Liu suddenly led his troops to attack Jinmen District, and it fell soon after. Countless of our brothers were killed or taken hostage. May God strike me down if I have uttered any lies. Jinmen District had really fallen? The scholars heart sank all the way down and a chill crept up in its place. His limbs and his body grew cold. he was so surprised that he forgot how to breathe. Impossible, impossible! The target of the rebel Liu had clearly been Fenghu District. Hed kept sending scouts to check the place out, so how was it possible for him to have extra men to head over to Jinmen District? When had he gone to Jinmen District? If the rebel Liu had indeed conquered Jinmen District, how could he have had enough men to ambush the ambushers in the dead of night? The scholar couldnt figure out the key points within. There just wasnt enough time, he thought. Perhaps Liu Xi had won because he had troops descending from the heavens, creating something out of nothing, and had used godly means to create soldiers from beans. Otherwise, Liu Xi must have brought more than 10,000 soldiers along. Plus, there must be other men that he had quietly hidden somewhere else! The scholar was so shocked by the consecutive bad reports that he didnt know what to do. For a moment, he still did not suspect An Cui. Regardless of whether or not the scholar suspected him, An Cui, who was ruthless and crafty, had managed to stir up trouble. Sir What should we do now? someone asked. All the subordinates exchanged unsure looks. The scholar trembled violently, his expression dark and cold. Gather the troops and take Jinmen District back. The main army of the rebel Liu is still there. By taking the official road, we can reach Jinmen District before the rebel Liu. Our people and believers are still in Jinmen District, we can reconquer it with inside help. The scholar was being smart for once, a rare occurrence. According to his plan, provided that they were fast enough, they might be able to take Jinmen District back. After all, the Red Lotus Group had been conducting their affairs in Jinmen District for a long time. Many civilians hated them to the bone, but many were completely deluded, believing in their God and worshipping Him every day. Jiang Pengji had just taken over Jinmen District and hadnt left many troops behind. Her hold on the district unstable. As long as the Red Lotus Group could reach Jinmen District before her, it would impossible to guess who the winner would be. However, the scholars opponent was Jiang Pengji, the master of rhythm on the battlefield. Competing against her in terms of speed? Hah! Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji rushed back with her troops. As her personal accountant, wealth manager, and unnamed head advisor, his mind was indeed in sync with Jiang Pengjis. The siege equipment reached Jinmen District at almost the same time as she did! Seeing this, Yang Si and Qiguan Rang were also amazed. Chapter 644 - Mental Breakdown (II) Although the mountain trail was difficult to travel on, its overall length was much shorter than that of the official path. Moreover, Jiang Pengji had always trained her troops rigorously, and a speedy march of such intensity was nothing to them. Right after they reached their destination, the siege equipment that Xu Ke had prepared also arrived. Qiguan Rang laughed and said, It appears that Xiaoyu really trusts you, my lord. Yang Sis expression was complicated. He said, If not for his deep trust in you, the siege equipment wouldnt have arrived so fast. The equipment was large and difficult to transport, so the time it took to transport it definitely couldnt be compared to the speed at which the troops led by Jiang Pengji traveled, having left all unnecessary supplies behind. To calculate the timing precisely, one had to consider the possible variables along the way and the speed of manual transportation. At the same time, one needed to have a completely unwavering faith. What faith? To answer this question, one had to know that, had Jiang Pengji failed to conquer Jinmen District according to plan, the siege equipment would have been gifted to the Red Lotus Group. But in the end? Jiang Pengji had conquered Jinmen District and even ambushed the ambushers of the Red Lotus Group with Qiguan Rang. In the end, shed returned to Jinmen District before the Red Lotus Group could react. It seemed as if it had only taken her two days, but the energy shed spent on it was beyond what any ordinary person could imagine. Had Xu Ke not trusted Jiang Pengji completely, how could the equipment have been sent over in such a timely manner? Jiang Pengji placated the agitated Little White and ordered that the best feed be brought for him. She said, Enter the city. There, we will discuss the next step of our plan. According to their plan, the next step would be to attack Qiuyu District. However, the attack on Jinmen District this time around hadnt been so easy. They had been marching for two days straight, only taking turns to rest for half a night. At the moment, the soldiers and their horses were all tired. Their combat power was not as strong and abundant as it had been at the start of the march. Jiang Pengji felt that there was a need to have an in-depth discussion with her advisors regarding how they were going to attack Qiuyu District and how the battle would be conducted. However, with such a total wild card for their lord, the advisors felt that it would be very difficult. They only had one question Would their lord obediently follow the plan after they settled upon one? However, the battlefield was fast-changing. Even the best plan wouldnt be able to take all the variables into account. Therefore, they wouldnt force Jiang Pengji to follow their plan to the T either. Regarding Qiuyu District, Yang Si and the other advisors each had a respective plan in mind. Qiguan Rang suggested that Jinmen District be used as a fortified point to divert the Red Lotus Groups elites and main forces. He thought that other troops should be sent to attack Qiuyu District instead. Yang Si furrowed his brows and said, No, it wouldnt work. The situation in Jinmen District is not stable, and plenty of citizens have been deluded by the cult. If they coordinate with the actions of the members of the Red Lotus Group outside, it would cause us a lot of trouble. If the city falls, we might even lose our lives. Jiang Pengji agreed with what Yang Si had said. From her perspective, seized territories could be reclaimed, but who could compensate her loss if her advisors died because of it? Qiguan Rang asked, Do you not trust me, my lord? Jiang Pengji felt wronged. How could she possibly not trust Qiguan Rang? Since you trust me, my lord, do let me try my hand at it. Jinmen District is a good start. If we can maintain our streak and take Qiuyu District in one go, the morale of the Red Lotus Group will be severely damaged. They would most likely never recover from that kind of setback. This would be a great time for you to take action and reclaim Chengde County, my lord. Qiguan Rang was usually a cautious and low-key person, but his style was completely different when it came to making battle plans. His style was treacherous and bold, seeking risky victories. Qiguan Rangs gamblers mentality was no less strong than that of Jiang Pengjis. It wasnt without reason that the two were like-minded close friends. The suggestion that hed proactively come up with, namely to defend Jinmen District with 3,000 to 5,000 troops and delay the main force of the Red Lotus Group, was extremely bold. However, his boldness was backed by his faith in his own ability. Jiang Pengji couldnt fault Qiguan Rang for it, so she could only sigh and agree. In that case, you may give it a try. If you cant defend the city, do prioritize your safety and life and retreat in time. Dont overexert yourself, there is still a pile of documents waiting for you to deal with back in Fengyi County. Without you to help, Wenzheng, surely the others will die of exhaustion. Jiang Pengji didnt refuse his suggestion with pretentious words. One line or two would be considered an expression of concern, but a lengthy refutation would represent doubt in his ability. She had always respected the strong. The way she saw it, one did not need to have supreme martial power to be considered strong. A great mind, great martial skills, or great intelligence All those would qualify one as being strong. Qiguan Rangs martial skills had stopped at the level of being able to wave his sword around like a public square dancer, but who could call him weak? Having a great mind made one a great man. At first, Qiguan Rang was touched. He was so moved that he almost teared up, but after he heard the latter half of what Jiang Pengji had said, he thought about whether or not it would be illegal for him to murder his lord. It cast a chill over his heart. Yang Si rolled his eyes discreetly. Of course, he knew that Jiang Pengji was not a kind person. Instead, she was an unscrupulous boss who exploited her employees without even having to think about it. Before Qiguan Rang could prepare to murder his lord, Jiang Pengji said with a serious expression, I will leave the important task of guarding Jinmen District to you, Wenzheng. Due to how numerous the troops of the Red Lotus Group are, I will only leave with 4,000 troops. The rest will stay in Jinmen District with you Hearing the numerical figure, Qiguan Rang made a disapproving expression. How could a mere 4,000 troops conquer Qiuyu District when they were outnumbered? Jiang Pengji said, 4,000 is not a small number. We have enough siege equipment with us that we need not worry about being unable to conquer the district. Furthermore, we still have spies within the Red Lotus Group. They can be of some use during critical junctures, and it shouldnt be hard for us to take Qiuyu District with inside help. Bringing 4,000 men with her meant that Qiguan Rang would only have slightly more than 6,000 men, but he would have to hold his ground against enemy troops which numbered ten or twenty thousand. Qiguan Rang still wanted to say something, but Jiang Pengji stopped him. At that moment, a messenger came in from outside, wanting to pass on his message. Jiang Pengji gave her permission, and the soldier ran in. The latter went down on one knee, holding a roll of bamboo slips in his hands. My lord, this is a letter sent to you by a beggar. A letter sent by a beggar? Jiang Pengji didnt mind the fact that the letter was dirty. She took the shabby roll in her hands, then unrolled it and immediately chuckled. She asked, Where is the beggar now? Bring him to me immediately. An Cui is quite capable and has done very well! The messenger said, The beggar is waiting outside the door. Yang Si and Qiguan Rang exchanged looks of confusion, not knowing what had happened. At the same time, the three generals, Li Yun, Dian Yan, and Jiang Nongqin, were also summoned to the office by the order of emergency. When they arrived, they saw a beggar in rags kneeling in the office. His appearance was unkempt, except for his eyes, which were pitch black and shiny. Jiang Nongqin quietly sat on her seat. Dian Yan said nothing at all. Only Li Yun was rather curious. My lord, who is this? A major contributor, Jiang Pengji said with a smile. She then ordered the beggar to explain everything from beginning to end. The little beggar was not scared and spoke plainly and in an organized manner. After Jiang Pengji conquered the small town, An Cui had found an excuse to leave Jinmen District for Honglian District. Why did he go to Honglian District? It was, of course, to support Jiang Pengji and provide opportunities for her. The cult leader of the Red Lotus Group called himself the reincarnation of God who could save every living being in the world. But he was just conning the people out of their money under the guise of being a god. He led a luxurious and promiscuous life, greedy for food and sex, wanting to control everything. The unequal distribution of looted goods resulted in some people being unhappy, albeit without showing it. An Cui had suggested strategies to the scholar for a few times, allowing the scholar to enter the limelight. The scholar had deliberately suppressed An Cui, not letting him appear in front of the leader of the Red Lotus Group. However, other people had noticed him. One of the other people was considered the second-in-charge of the Red Lotus Group. He was none other than one of the blood brothers of the leader who had risked his life for him. Chapter 645 - : Mental Breakdown (III) An Cui had always known that the Red Lotus Group was in internal discord, and he had tried to obtain a deeper understanding of the issue. But back then, he hadnt had resources and could convince no one to join his side at all. He had stayed in the Red Lotus Group for quite some time, yet he just couldnt reach a higher position. Naturally, he couldnt investigate further. With Jiang Pengjis financial help, in addition to the fact that An Cui was good at managing interpersonal networks, it was as if a tiger had been given wings. He soon became the high-profile leader of a small group. The scholar asked him for advice a few times, making An Cui his ghostwriter. This fulfilled An Cuis wishes perfectly. However, the scholar didnt recommend An Cui to the cult leader as hed promised. Instead, he suppressed An Cui both consciously and subconsciously. An Cui didnt mind at first, but he hadnt expected for chance to accomplish what art had failed to do. He had caught the eye of someone very important! The person in question was the second-in-command of the Red Lotus Group. He felt that he had gone through fire and water with the cult leader, risking his life, yet in the end, he was treated as inferior to a weasel. So, he had always considered the scholar as a sting in the eye and a thorn in the flesh. To make matters worse, the cult leader was engrossed in his luxurious enjoyments and didnt even bother to give a small fraction of the wealth to his sworn brothers It ticked off the second-in-command immensely, and he harbored hatred for both the scholar and the cult leader. The second-in-command wanted to oust the scholar from power. At the same time, he wanted to replace the cult leader, but he hadnt had a chance yet. An Cui showing up gave the second-in-command hope. He approached An Cui in secret, attempting to undermine the relationship between An Cui and the scholar multiple times by promising An Cui great rewards. An Cui knew what the second-in-command was trying to do all too well, but he acted otherwise, secretly sounding out the actual goal of the latter. After some probing, An Cui realized that it was a big coincidence. Everything was going smoothly and he was getting whatever he wished. It was too wonderful for words! In the end, they hit it off and decided to stir up some trouble. The beggar was the messenger that An Cui had sent in secret to inform Jiang Pengji of an important piece of information. An Cui wanted to work with the second-in-command, obeying the latter on the surface and helping him stage a military campaign to revolt against the leader of the Red Lotus Group. This would lure the other party into sending his troops out of the Red Lotus Group. Then, the Red Lotus Group would have a weak defense, and An Cui would send his men to coordinate with their actions. Then, Jiang Pengji could take the opportunity to conquer Honglian District. When the scholar received the news of the cult leader being held and taken prisoner and hurriedly sent troops to stop the second-in-command, Jiang Pengji could turn back and attack Jinmen District. Finally, after the scholar and the second-in-command fought it out in Qiuyu District, she could attack and defeat them both. After Jiang Pengji listened to the beggars retelling of the situation, she couldnt help but frown inwardly. On her face, however, she still showed an appropriate amount of joy. She hadnt expected An Cui to be so good at acting that he could perform as a triple agent. The audience of the livestream was still confused after listening for so long. It took them quite some effort and time for them to understand the situation. Too Many Mosquitoes in Summer: As an onlooker, I am so surprised that I spilled the popcorn I have been holding. Guru An Cui has really played his cards well as a triple agent. Shivering in Winter: Although the plan sounds good, Im still a bit worried. Who knows whether this An Cui is really willing to help the streamer? What if he is not a triple agent and is just playing the three parties against each other, actually being loyal only to himself? It would be a bad situation. Often Sleepy in Spring: I have watched the livestream before. An Cui and the streamer are in a partnership, neither of them must loyally obey the other. His interests are aligned with those of the streamer. An Cui can only benefit if the streamer benefits, so the possibility of An Cui setting up a trap targeted at the streamer is very, very low. So Cold in Autumn: I dont care who An Cui is loyal to at all. Based on his capabilities as a triple agent, Id say that the Oscars owe him an award for being the best actor! Not only did the Oscars owe An Cui a Best Actor award, but even Jiang Pengji could hardly resist the impulse to press Like to commend his efforts. The Red Lotus Group wasnt very smart. The way of thinking of those outlaws was pretty weird. Still, An Cui could closely predict their thoughts and the next steps they would take. This way, he was able to seize every single chance to benefit himself Such a man was indeed talented. After the beggar received his reward and left, the advisors listening beside them began to speak. Qiguan Rang frowned. He had always been more untrusting, and he didnt have the slightest bit of trust in An Cui. Yang Si had interacted with An Cui for a short time and had learned more about him through what Wei Ci had said. He was relatively optimistic about the plan. Qiguan Rang asked, Is An Cui trustworthy? Yang Si curled the corners of his lips and smiled slightly, his expression calculating. He took a glance at the fan made of goose feathers in Qiguan Rangs hand and could feel the cold creeping up his spine just from looking at it, so he quietly looked away. It doesnt matter whether he is trustworthy or not. What matters is how much our lord can benefit from him. Even if An Cui harbors hostile intentions, he cannot affect the strong foundations of our lord. My lord, there is no harm in sitting idly aside as the two parties fight it out. We can wait for the Red Lotus Group to split up from the inside, fight and exhaust each other, then take advantage of them both in the end. However, Jiang Pengji would rather battle on New Years Day. She couldnt afford to drag on further and waste more time. Li Yun listened with confusion and said sheepishly after a good while, So, my two good sirs We just watch them fight each other? Qiguan Rang lifted his head and gave Li Yun a look, saying in surprise, Why should we not take advantage of them given the chance? Li Yun was stunned. Dian Yan was silent in thought for quite a good while, contemplating his words over and over. He then spoke up cautiously, But, but if we follow the plan, we might not have enough manpower. Dian Yans expression was somewhat defeated. They had sent more than 10,000 troops, but attacking four districts would require them not just to rush all over the place. They would need to stay highly alert as well. It would wear down the soldiers energy and combat power significantly. If they were to follow their previous plan and take the districts slowly and steadily, with more than 10,000 men, they wouldnt be facing a shortage of manpower. However, if they were to act in concert with An Cuis plans, it would be equivalent to staging a war on multiple fronts. Their men would be too dispersed and it would be detrimental to their development and consolidation of the newly acquired territories. Jiang Pengji said, Opportunities dont come by frequently, and we cannot afford to miss this one. Its now or never. Dian Yans worries are not unfounded, so I plan to deploy some of the recruits here to guard the city, and it would more or less deter the outlaws of the Red Lotus Group. The reason the Red Lotus Group was not afraid of Jiang Pengji was that they felt they could crush her with their numbers. It was like a gang fight in which a group of gangsters surrounded a master of martial arts. Even though they knew that the other party was a master in martial arts, he was alone, so the gangsters could take him down if they attacked all at once. What if the master of martial arts was not alone, but instead, there were seven or eight of them present? The gangsters would be cautious and careful, not daring to act recklessly. In a similar vein, once Jiang Pengji increased the number of her troops, the Red Lotus Group would have to think carefully before taking action against her. Qiguan Rang lowered his gaze upon hearing her words. His lord had a weird quirk of never letting recruits set foot on the battlefield if they hadnt reached a certain standard and trained for a sufficient amount of time. Recruits lacking in experience and capability were far too likely to die in battle. To her, sending immature recruits onto the battlefield was no different from sending them to their deaths. Once she got recruits involved in the battle, it meant that she had made up her mind to get the task done. Yang Si smiled sinisterly. If we deploy troops now, Zixiao will probably go mad from exhaustion. Jiang Pengji answered, Zixiaos health isnt good, but no one can wear him out. Dont we still have Feng Zhen there to carry the team? Wei Ci needed only to complete his duties. As for the extra work, he could just throw it to Feng Zhen. Yang Si was momentarily surprised. He felt that there was something weird going on that he couldnt put into words. He felt as if he had just witnessed a public display of affection Chapter 646 - Mental Breakdown (IV) The audience of the livestream was experienced and used to this kind of thing. They laughed at the poor Feng Zhen while at the same time quietly taking in the public display of affection Jiang Pengji had put up. All other stuff aside, their streamer really doted on her advisor. He was like a little princess. Weighed Myself Today: Some tears for our comrade Feng Zhen. His health isnt great either. You cant bully him just because he is a prodigal. I Grew Fatter Again: I am quietly taking in the fresh public display of affection from a corner. The streamer really dotes on the little princess among her advisors. Losing Weight is Such a Long Journey: I guess its because Feng Zhen is too wild-spirited, and Wei Ci, our beauty, is too well-behaved. Well-behaved kids were always better-liked by the head of the household. Meanwhile, as Jiang Pengji toyed with the Red Lotus Group and ambushed the 3,000 troops sent to ambush her, things quietly changed in the Honglian District. We must delve further into the past to understand what happened. Awhile back, An Cui and the second-in-command of the Red Lotus Group hit it off and were in cahoots with each other, preparing to stir up trouble. As a sworn brother of the cult leader who had been through fire and water with him, the second-in-command was all too familiar with the habits of the leader of the Red Lotus Group. Meanwhile, the latter wasnt wary of him. When the second-in-command rushed into the Palace of God with the subordinates faithful to him, the cult leaders stocky body was atop two beautiful women, copulating with them nonstop and sweating all over. The cult leader was still in shock when he was tied up. He saw the second-in-commands grotesque facial expression, then looked down at his own naked body, and his face alternated between red and green. Do you want to be punished by God? The second-in-command tsked scornfully and lifted his leg to kick the cult leader. You can manage to trick those fools with such words, but do you expect to fool me as well? At what age did you wet your bed? At what age did you first ejaculate? At what age did you peek in the widow as a woman bathed? At what age did you tease girls? I know all of this, yet you dare to claim that you are a God when you behave in such a manner? I am so scared! Why dont you return to your godly throne and send your heavenly troops to kill me? Can you do it?! F*ck you! Calling himself the incarnation of God..! The second-in-command harbored pent-up anger. He began to vent at the cult leader aggressively. He hadnt wanted to betray the cult leader at first. After all, the fact that the cult leader was the incarnation of God had been deeply ingrained in the minds of their people. Without the incarnation of God, the Red Lotus Group would only exist in name. Other than the diehard believers, the rest, who had been sitting on the fence, would quickly disperse. However, he really couldnt stand his current life. What right did the leader have to enjoy all the benefits of their conquest while he couldnt even enjoy a fraction of it? After everything he had sacrificed for the holy religion!? It would have been bearable if not being able to enjoy any of the luxuries was the only thing. But to make matters worse, the leader of the Red Lotus Group held a scholar who was all talk and no action in high esteem. Psychological imbalance, the difference in treatment and welfare, his standing in the religion being lower than expected In addition to the ambition in his heart that he could hardly suppress, these factors caused him to take the risk and imprison the leader of the Red Lotus Group, planning to turn him into a puppet that he could control as he liked. His saliva sprayed on the cult leaders face. The latter was so angry that he trembled and retaliated with an angry scolding of his own, the words coming out of his mouth as disgusting as a toilet. The leader said, Dont act rashly. When the military advisor leads the troops back, it will be the day of your death! The second-in-charges heart missed a beat. He felt somewhat unconfident, but he still put a tough expression on his face. After ordering that the leader of the Red Lotus Group to be imprisoned and carefully guarded, the second-in-command couldnt help but pace back and forth. Although hed had the intention of rebelling for a long time, it was a strong desire that hed never been able to act on before. With An Cuis help, it was as if he was a tiger who had been given wings. However, he would never trust someone who had been a betrayer. An Cui could betray others, so there was no guarantee that An Cui wouldnt betray him one day. While the second-in-command seemed to put An Cui in an important position, in his heart, he was still wary of An Cui and took precautions against him. However, the situation at the moment was rather tricky. Without relying upon An Cuis capabilities, the day the military advisor returned with the rest of the Red Lotus Group would indeed be the day of his death. For the sake of his life, he had no choice but to continue working with An Cui. The suggestions that An Cui had given him were pretty good too. An Cui spoke with enthusiasm, convincing the second-in-command of his plans. The second-in-command had taken over Honglian District, but the other three districts were still in the hands of the Red Lotus Group. The news of Jinmen District falling had yet to reach them. The second-in-command was no match for the Red Lotus Group, be it in terms of manpower or territory. To turn the tables, the second-in-command would need to fish in troubled waters and quietly stage a sneak attack on the territories of the Red Lotus Group while the latter was fighting intensely with Liu Xi. In the end, An Cui bewitchingly said, At the moment, the news of you detaining the leader has yet to spread. You can lead the troops and march quickly to Qiuyu District, then trick them into opening the gates for you with your title as the protector of the Red Lotus Group. It wouldnt cost you even one single man. If you dont seize the opportunity, it will be hard for you to take advantage of it once the news spreads all over Chengde County. Opportunities are fleeting on the battlefield. The second-in-command was moved by his words. It wasnt that he had poor self-control, it was clearly because An Cui was too good at tempting people with his words. What about Honglian District? The second-in-command still had suspicions of An Cui. He was worried that the other party might harbor ill intentions. An Cui said, It is an easy problem to resolve. You just need to leave a few faithful subordinates to guard the city. Honglian District is easy to defend and hard to attack, it will be difficult for outsiders to conquer. He spoke about it so openly that the second-in-command felt embarrassed by his own distrust. Having fooled the second-in-command, An Cui did something else in secret. He sent a beggar to deliver the message to Jiang Pengji, then sent another person to Fenghu District to tell the plan to the scholar. The contents of his message to Jiang Pengji were covered earlier. The contents of his report to the scholar were more noteworthy. On one hand, he tearfully accused the second-in-command of harboring wolfish ambitions, kidnapping him, and taking him to Honglian District. On the other hand, he claimed that the second-in-command was planning to kidnap the leader and bring him to Qiuyu District, imploring the scholar to rush to the leaders rescue for the greater good of the Red Lotus Group. Surely the Oscars didnt just owe An Cui one award for being the best actor. They clearly owned him an entire row of awards. A new problem arose before the old was solved, When the scholar received the news from An Cui, he almost fainted. This incident made the scholar forget to investigate the event in which An Cuis plans had caused them to lose Jinmen District. For the Red Lotus Group, the cult leader was their backbone. If the cult leader, the incarnation of God, was no more, the Red Lotus Group would fall apart and face retaliation from the Tsing Yi Army. What should they do? In the end, with red eyes, the scholar ordered in a hoarse voice, We must save the leader, but we cannot hand Jinmen District over the rebel Liu We will split into two groups and take separate routes! The Red Lotus Group lacked discipline. It would take them at least two or three days to gather their troops and set off. At the moment, with the news that the leader had been captured by the rebels, they were in an even greater state of chaos. They were like headless flies flying around aimlessly without any order. It slowed them down even further. As the opponent of the Red Lotus Group, Jiang Pengji took the word efficiency to the max. By the time the Red Lotus Group had sent half of its troops to attack Jinmen District, Jiang Pengji had secretly approached Honglian District with her troops. The recruits that had been deployed were on their way, just in time to surround the Red Lotus Groups forces attacking Jinmen District from behind. In Jinmen District, Qiguan Rang was in charge. He defended Jinmen District so well that one couldnt even spill water through the gates and walls. The Red Lotus Groups multiple attacks yielded no gains. Suffering a horrible defeat, they could only retreat angrily, resignedly leaving hundreds and thousands of bodies behind. Chapter 647 - Mental Breakdown (V) One saying was pretty accurate I love the way you hate my guts, gritting your teeth, yet unable to do anything to me. The sentence made complete sense when viewed in the context of the relationship between Qiguan Rang and the Red Lotus Group. Qiguan Rang was a low-key person, but it didnt mean that he behaved low-key on the battlefield. On the contrary, he was rather high-key on the battlefield. With him defending a city, the enemy couldnt even get water past the city gates and walls. With him attacking a city, ones defenses were basically useless. Despite facing a lack of manpower within the city and having to deal with diehard believers causing trouble, Qiguan Rang still kept the situation under control. With sufficient defense equipment and his commands, the Red Lotus Group failed to get within 100 meters of the city gates for three days straight. Every time they attacked the city, shouting curses, the Red Lotus Group could only leave hundreds and thousands of bodies behind, looking at Jinmen District and sighing in defeat. In just seven or eight days, the situation in Chengde County had changed a few times. First, it was Jinmen District that fell into the hands of Jiang Pengji. Then, Honglian District was taken over by the second-in-command of the Red Lotus Group. Next, the rebels of the Red Lotus Group laid their eyes upon Qiuyu District. They used the second-in-charges title of protector of the Red Lotus Group to trick the guards into opening the city gates and took the city by surprise. The onlookers had initially thought that the Red Lotus Group and Liu Xi would each occupy one district while the rebels occupied two. They didnt expect that in just one day, the situation would change drastically again. Liu Xi conquered one more city. Honglian District was now in her hands. As compared to Jinmen District, Honglian District hardly posed any difficulty. This was mainly because An Cui had arranged for informants to support their actions from within. Although An Cuis sworn brothers were rather uncultured, they were smart and compliant. They obediently followed An Cuis plans, drinking the head guard under the table in the name of hosting a feast, and at the same time using the opportunity to bribe the guards at the gates. Taking advantage of the dark night, they quietly opened the gates and led Jiang Pengji into the city. The ones who were as drunk as skunks were either tied up in their sleep or beheaded. The civilians in the city only realized that the flag on the city gates had been changed after waking up the next morning. Jiang Pengji deliberately blocked the passage of information after taking over Honglian District. The members of the Red Lotus Group preparing to start a civil war inside and outside of Qiuyu District knew nothing about it at all. The execution of the plan went smoothly Have the scouts we sent out come back yet? She had conquered half of the territory of Chengde County and was only two districts away from uniting Wanzhou. Theyre back. Here is the information that the scouts have gathered At the moment, Fenghu District is strong in appearance but weak inside. It seems to be heavily guarded, but actually, the defense is really weak. Yang Si took a roll of parchment out from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Pengji. My lord, do you want to take over Fenghu District in one go or rest for one or two days first? The troops have been marching day and night and are really tired. For the sake of our combat power, Id suggest that we rest for a day first. Jiang Pengji was very face-paced when it came to staging battles, but it didnt mean that she was unaware of her armys limits. Her physical ability could keep up, and she was still active and vigorous after so many days, but it was different for her soldiers. Over the past few days, they had spent most of their time marching rapidly. Sleep and rest were scarce, making them really exhausted. Rest for one day first Jiang Pengji smiled and said, By the way, the recruits deployed from Fengyi County should be arriving soon. Even though they have only been trained for one to two months, they can be of use too. Oh yeah, who is leading the army? Yang Si answered, Zixiao. Hearing the name, Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and said, His health is not good. Whats he doing running around in the death of winter? Yang Si didnt know whether to cry or to laugh. Even though Zixiao suffered from a cold body due to external factors, he is a good doctor and is experienced in nursing himself back to health. He has been recuperating for a few years and his present condition is far better than it was in the past. Despite always looking fragile, he isnt that weak. He can ride a horse and pull a bow well enough, no worse than the rest. My lord, you always talk about him being weak and unhealthy But men dont like it when you refer to them that way. Yang Si always behaved in a somewhat improper manner. His last sentence didnt seem too odd, but men and women of the world could read between the lines and understand what he was hinting at. But Jiang Pengji said, I know. Yang Si was surprised. Since their lord knew that Wei Cis health was not so bad, why did he bring it up now and then? To an advisor, it was indeed rather hurtful if his lord was to refuse him the opportunity to achieve accomplishments, citing his health as a reason. Jiang Pengji spoke again. Its to kill the monkey to frighten the chicken. Yang Si was completely confused. Kill the monkey to frighten the chicken? What did his lord mean? If the livestream had been on, the experienced audience would probably have laughed and considered it good news. Were the streamers words not clear enough? She was doting deliberately on her little princess and being open about it to the others. They would have fully accepted this almost sickly-sweet public display of affection. In his past incarnation, Wei Ci had served as a minister in the same court as Qiguan Rang for more than ten years. As such, he had a certain level of understanding of the latter. Upon hearing that Qiguan Rang was the one guarding the city, Wei Ci came up with a plan for how they could cooperate in encircling and annihilating the enemy. He brought more than 5,000 recruits with him, and Qiguan Rang had about 5,000 to 6,000 experienced soldiers with him, so they had more than 10,000 men in total. The Red Lotus Group making a scene outside had started with 36,000 men, but their numbers had been worn down by Qiguan Rang, so there were only slightly more than 30,000 left at the moment. If they attacked from both the front and the back and took their enemies by surprise, they would have a pretty good chance of annihilating the 30,000 enemy troops with their 10,000 men. Wei Ci lowered his gaze and thought in detail, feeling that the plan could work. The Red Lotus Group was just a cult formed by civilians. It lacked cohesion between the upper and lower ranks, and the morale of all ranks had fallen to their very lowest after suffering multiple defeats at Jiang Pengjis hands. They didnt have the resolution to fight to the death. On the contrary, they might just desert the army if they saw that things werent going their way Furthermore, Qiguan Rang had been defending Jinmen District well. None of their intense attacks worked, and the attacks only caused them to suffer heavy losses. The soldiers were low-spirited and their combat power was nothing to be afraid of. If they could hit the enemy head-on at such a juncture, they could dissolve the morale of the Red Lotus Group completely. As long as the Red Lotus Groups formation completely fell apart, Wei Ci and Qiguan Rang could win the battle. Despite having achieved plenty in the battle, only Qiguan Rang knew how difficult it had been. He hadnt dared to close his eyes and sleep for multiple days. He was scared that the troops of the Red Lotus Group would attack while he was sleeping soundly. They had 30,000 men, six times the number of men within the city! He estimated the time and guessed that he would be liberated in one or two days. Xu Ke conducted affairs in a staid manner. Since recruits were being sent onto the battlefield, the one leading the army would be one of the advisors from Fengyi County. Even though Jiang Pengji didnt occupy a large territory at the moment, she had plenty of top talents working for her. They were somewhat more inclined towards war strategizing than towards anything else. No matter which of them arrived, it would be a confidence boost for Qiguan Rang. Just as he had expected, the reinforcements finally arrived the next day at noon. The Red Lotus Group was cursing provocatively below the city gates. They cursed until their throats were swollen, finally choosing to attack impatiently. Qiguan Rang stood on the city gates, looking into the distance. He could vaguely see unusual movements behind the army of the Red Lotus Group. His eyes grew warmer. To show their might and reduce the threat of the crossbows on the city gates, the Red Lotus Group deliberately formed large battle formations. However, it also caused a certain amount of time lag in their transfer of information. It wasnt until sand and dust were flying everywhere behind them, murder cries reverberating through the skies, that the members of the Red Lotus Group in front realized that something was wrong. At that moment, Qiguan Rang laughed coldly. He said, Cooperate with our troops and annihilate the cultists! Chapter 648 - Unifying Wanzhou (I) The battle spread. Sand and dust rose in clouds. The sound of the battle drums was like rolling thunder. Shouts to kill pierced the heavens. The Red Lotus Group had suffered several setbacks. After the army was divided, they had repeatedly suffered losses outside Jinmen County. Their morale was crushed and they scarcely had the will to fight. A group of enemy soldiers seemed to have burst out of nowhere to ambush the rear of the Red Lotus Group. In Jinmen County, Qiguan Rang had immediately given orders for the city to be opened and troops to be dispatched. They were to face the attack of the Red Lotus Group by tying down their main forces from the front, thereby crippling their ability to attend to both ends simultaneously Qiguan Rang commanded the troops to get into their battle formation, after which they were to charge the Red Lotus Group, break up the enemys formation, then surround and garrote them. If the Red Lotus soldiers counter-attacked, they would disperse and wait for them to become unnerved, then gather together and swoop down Most of the Red Lotus main force had gathered in the front, and Qiguan Rang stuck to them like a lump of sticky candy, making it difficult for them to turn around and support the rear. Compared with the gentle deviousness of Qiguan Rang, Wei Ci appeared to be more prompt, tough, and efficient. Because Jiang Pengji strictly controlled plans, standards, and organization, the first lesson that recruits received after entering the army was not about physical training, but about how to execute orders. Therefore, even though Wei Ci had brought recruits, they did a better job of carrying out orders than most. Although their physical fitness and combat quality could not be compared to veterans, in contrast to the Red Lotus Groups soldiers who were panic-stricken by the ambush, these recruits were many times stronger. Wei Ci knew very well that Qiguan Rang was buying valuable time for him by tying down the main forces of the Red Lotus Group. The faster he garroted the enemy soldiers on his side, the greater the losses of the Red Lotus Group. The pressure on Qiguan Rangs side would soon ease. For this reason, to further heighten the results of the battle, Wei Ci had chosen a rather heavy-handed offensive formation. He commanded the Vanguard with the precision of an awl. He was sharp, swift, and nimble. They broke through the ranks of the Red Lotus Group, who had been thrown into chaos, and split them apart. The arrangement of soldiers in the two wings tended towards the defensive. They were strong and forceful. They kept up their speed and protected the main army at the same time, thus heightening the results of the battle as they harvested the lives of the Red Lotus Group. The bowmen and pikemen in the middle coordinated with the front end and the two wings by shooting the enemy and removing obstacles. The army led by Wei Ci resembled a pair of long scissors as they easily tore through the rear of the Red Lotus, causing their two wings to be unable to support and coordinate with each other. The glint and flash of cold steel were accompanied by the rain of arrows that descended like a tidal wave. Bodies collapsed abruptly. Dismembered limbs and broken bones could be seen everywhere. The military forces from Jinmen County and the recruits brought by Wei Ci totaled more than 10,000 soldiers. However, the forces led by the Red Lotus Group were still three times the size of theirs. But since when was the battlefield a place where victory was won with numbers? With Wei Cis offense at the rear and Qiguan Rang tying down the Red Lotus Group at the front, the Red Lotus Gropu was suffering heavy losses. The armys spirit was crushed, their ranks routed, and their formation broken. They tried to make one final effort; they concentrated their forces on breaking through the siege. However, Wei Ci and Qiguan Rang were great at coordinating with each other. The latter switched from pinning the enemy down to hemming them in, and the former switched from an offensive attack to herding the enemy. The two were like experienced fishermen, and the soldiers they commanded were the solid fishing nets they had woven. The two did not communicate but seemed to understand each others minds. They drove the Red Lotus Group, the panic-stricken fish, to one area, finally hauling the nets in! The Red Lotus Gropu had been captured! It was not until the setting sun illuminated half of the land in a reddish glow that Qiguan Rang reluctantly called for the soldiers to retreat. I thought that Zi Shi was the one who would come here. Although Feng Zhen was a total wastrel and had a bad relationship with Feng Jin and Xu Ke, Qiguan Rang rather admired the fellow. According to both of their temperaments and styles, they were quite suitable to lead the recruits to assist Jinmen County. But Wei Ci was the last person he had expected to turn up. He thought about Wei Cis style of doing things in his daily life. It was very different from the style he had exhibited on the battlefield. Qiguan Rang could not help but re-examine this mild and sickly colleague. Ah, Brother, those with hidden depths are the most reserved about themselves! Wei Ci was still afraid of the cold. He wore quite a few more layers than the others around him. On top of it all, he had also wrapped himself in a windproof cape made of rabbit fur. He looked like a snowball from afar. Just like how Yang Si grew cold when he looked at Qiguan Rang, Qiguan Rang felt somewhat feverish when he looked at Wei Ci. After listening to Qiguan Rang, Wei Ci smiled and coughed twice. Zi Shi is far away in Shangyang County, busy managing the general situation there with Huaiyu. This is a back and forth trip that would waste time and risk delaying my lords plan. For lack of a better option, I, an idler with nothing to do, was put forth to solve my lords problem. Actually, that was not the case. In the beginning, Feng Zhen had really wanted this job for himself. How could taking care of exhausting government affairs be as refreshing as fighting a battle? However, Wei Ci was a fellow who was pure of face but black-hearted. He specialized in ripping his friends off. From Zhang Ping to Yang Si to Feng Zhen, when had he ever gone easy on any of them? Where has our lord gone now? Wei Ci had rushed here overnight. Hed had no free time to make inquiries. Qiguan Rang briefly talked about the current condition of the battlefield. They had successfully defended Jinmen County. Qiguan Rang reckoned that they could score Red Lotus County with some deception. It just so happened that Wei Ci had arrived. He could lead the army to Red Lotus County and guard it. The Red Lotus Group was fighting a civil war in Qiuyu County. Jiang Pengji and Qiguan Rang had intentionally sealed off the news so that they would not know about the changes going on here for a while. Jiang Pengji could use the time gap before the enemy received the news and reacted to turn around and attack Fenghu County. They would wait until the three counties had been stabilized before returning to pick off the Red Lotus Groups remaining troops. Wei Ci kept up a gentle expression as he listened carefully. Very early in his previous life, he had moved from Langya County to Bianzhou with the Wei family due to an imperial order. As an invisible person, he was not valued, so he had simply built his abode and lived alone, secluded from the outside world. He still cared about what was going on in the world, but most of the news came via imperial orders. As for the news about Dongqing, he only knew about the general situation. Perhaps it was the evildoers mentioned by Monk Liao Chen who had stolen the fortune of Dongqings national fate and the vitality and luck of the common people, causing many things to happen in advance. The Red Lotus Group of his previous life couldnt have surfaced at a later time. The Red Lotus Group had been dormant in the north for several years. One could not tell how many loyal followers it had accumulated because its members were spread far and wide. In the end, the Red Lotus chief had taken advantage of a favorable opportunity to revolt and had gained the support of the people in the north. The court was unable to deal a blow to the Group and had suffered losses on multiple occasions. The Tsing Yi Army, who had revolted at the same time, could only avoid the danger represented by the Group. Currently, the Red Lotus Group had not yet matured sufficiently, and their doctrines were not fully entrenched in the peoples hearts. Otherwise, it would have been much more difficult to take down Chengde County. The lord has gone to Qiuyu County? Wei Ci asked. Qiguan Rang replied, Based on the time, I reckon thats the case. Zixiao, its fortunate that you are here. Otherwise, it would have been too busy for me. Although the Red Lotus Group is just a disorderly mob, their ability to entice and lead people astray is strong. During the past few days of guarding the city, there have been repeated attempts by the commoners to attack or bribe the guards at the city gate. On the surface, more than 22 people have been arrested. There are more who are waiting to make a move behind our backs. Wei Ci rubbed his brow. Those stubborn followers It is best not to keep them alive, lest they spoil our plans. One pellet of mouse dropping could spoil a pot of porridge. Keeping those fools who had been brainwashed Who knew when they would cause a disaster? The Red Lotus Group should be annihilated! Thinking about his past life, Wei Cis expression became indescribably dark and gloomy. A murderous glint was half-hidden in his gaze, and even his gentle cheeks seemed to express his cold apathy. Realizing the Wei Cis meaning, Qiguan Rangs brows knitted together slightly. Had Wei Cis desire to kill been awakened? Chapter 649 - Unifying Wanzhou (II） In his previous life, Her Majesty had established the Jiang dynasty. In the early days of founding the dynasty, there had been never-ending unrest and natural disasters everywhere. The surviving evil members of the Red Lotus Group had seized the opportunity to revolt and the dying embers of the Group were revived. Although they did not cause any great damage, their actions had cast a gloomy haze over the new dynasty and caused the people to become anxious. Some extremely daring rebels had recklessly spread the rumor that the empress was a demoness. Putting that aside, theyd even attempted to assassinate her several times. If they went to the core of the matter, one would even find that the Red Lotus Group had been involved in the death of Her Majesty. Every time he thought of this, Wei Ci felt his emotions getting out to control. But Qiguan Rang showed a slight hesitation. With a hint of coldness, Wei Cis thin lips moved lightly. The battlefield is chaotic. The rebels intend to open the city for the Red Lotus Group. When an army is in a state of disorder, one can easily die if he is not cautious. Isnt this normal? If they didnt deal with unstable fellows like this, were they supposed to celebrate the New Year with them? Qiguan Rang wanted to leave this for Jiang Pengji to deal with, but Wei Ci made a logical point. Destabilizing elements only became more dangerous the longer they remained. It would be better to eliminate them. Wei Ci thought of something else and said, Previously, our lord promised An Cui that she would give him a tenth of her money and men after the battle You would have selected those captives early on. We can retain those who are useful. As for the others who are stubborn and radical, it is better to get rid of them Killing captives was something that would damage ones reputation. Wei Ci did not want Jiang Pengji to dirty her hands with that. It was better to throw this foul matter to An Cui. According to An Cuis ability and the style of the Red Lotus Group to court disaster, the latter would surely cross the limits of the former. When An Cui had finished using this group of people, what waited for the Red Lotus Group would be nothing but death. An Cui would abandon them after achieving his goal. It did not prick Wei Cis conscience to throw the potential danger represented by the stubborn followers into An Cuis lap. Qiguan Rang was keenly aware that Wei Ci had stressed the words stubborn and radical. Most of the captives had been selected for their strong physique, youth, and healthy bodies. Those who were old, weak, sick, or disabled were not taken into consideration. But Wei Ci had made clear his attitude. He did not want anyone with problematic thoughts around. The captives physiques and possession of all four limbs were secondary conditions. This anomaly caused Qiguan Rang to become curious and also more vigilant at the same time. Wei Ci knew that Qiguan Rang was suspicious, so he explained, The teachings of the Red Lotus Group were inherited from a certain evil cult during the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms Wenzheng, youre well-read, so you would naturally know how many evil cults caused mischief during the initial stages of the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty after they unified the Sixteen Kingdoms. They were resurrected several times and incited others. They instigated the common people and caused devastation and chaos in many areas We cant let our guards down around the Red Lotus Group. Itd be better if we dont keep those with a problematic mindset. Indeed, this reasoning could convince Qiguan Rang. Putting aside the long-term effects of this matter, there were two religions C Buddhism and Taoism C that were rivals on equal footing. Their believers could be found across the five countries. Although the Red Lotus Group was not on par with these two giants, all three were religions, and they could vaguely see each others shadow. Although Buddhism and Taoism were not traditional powers, their influence on the general condition of the world could not be ignored. It would be annoying if the Red Lotus Group came to have such extensive followers and could incite the people everywhere to make trouble. Qiguan Rang nodded in reply. Okay, Ill take note of it. The battle was an unprecedented victory. The total number of captives numbered more than 23,000. Others were either killed on the spot or later died due to serious injuries. Those who were still alive were transported to the military area for medical treatment. The Womens Battalion had transferred many staff members to their ranks at the last minute. Even with that measure, they were extremely busy. Qiguan Rang sent some men to clean up the battlefield, clear the corpses, search for those still alive, and recover the arrows that could still be used Although his lord was a rich tyrant, the war was an expensive affair. He wanted to save wherever he could. The medical district was probably at its busiest in the following days. Those with superficial injuries would be all right after their wounds were cleaned and bandaged. After their wounds healed, they would be able to jump around as normal. They would even get a merit award for their military service. Those with broken arms and legs, whose abdominal cavities had been stabbed open, who had broken bones embedded in their internal organs, who had large pieces of flesh missing from their bodies There was nothing the doctor could do about such heavy injuries except try his best. Whether the patient lived or died was up to the Heavens. Some people could not endure the agony of their injuries and died because of the pain. Most of the injured soldiers died after the battle, not on the battlefield. Many died from their serious injuries despite receiving medical help. Even if they pulled through, if the wound became contaminated during the healing period, it would easily fester, preventing the wound from healing. The patient would then pass away. Fortunately, it was still winter in the twelfth lunar month. The weather was not hot and humid, and the chances of inflammation and festering of the wound were reduced by a lot. However, the death rate was still higher than the survival rate. On the other side, Jiang Pengji let the men have a rest day. After this, they broke camp and set off on the journey to attack Fenghu County in accordance with the plan. As it happened, the day before the attack on Fenghu County was the Lunar New Year. Before breaking camp, Jiang Pengji ordered some people to buy enough pigs and sheep from the commoners with silver money or their equivalent in rice and grains. On the day of the New Year, the soldiers in charge of cooking slaughtered the pigs and sheep. The pigs blood was collected and coagulated into cubes, which were used as ingredients after preparation. The viscera was properly dealt with, its rank odor removed. Ingredients and spices were added to the viscera which was cooked to make a side dish. The pork bones were boiled to make a thick white bone broth. Spices were used as part of the broth base. The smell of the bone and meat broth was so strong it could almost waft its way into Fenghu County. As for the pork and mutton, every part was the flesh was taken out. Some of the meat was directly boiled in plain water, while fungus was added to another portion of meat and made into a pot of stew. Just by looking at the color, one couldnt help but drool. There were stir-fried pork ribs with salt and chili, stir-fried shredded pork, Kung Pao Pork they could also mince the pork to make meat buns Besides all that, the cooks also prepared some raw meat and pared bamboo sticks. The soldiers could make meat skewers and roast them on the fire. The assistant cook had prepared the rice by using the seasoned broth as the water. Today is the New Year. Everyone, eat without restraint, Jiang Pengji announced. Marches were always hard, and such a rich meal was rarely seen, even on a New Year. The soldiers gathered in groups of three to five. They ate their New Years Eve dinner around the bonfire. A cooking frame was wedged over the bonfire and a pot hung on it. All sorts of mountain ingredients and pieces of meat were cooked in the pot. The fresh and delicate soup gurgled As the hot soup and rice went down their stomachs, the soldiers felt their entire bodies warming up. In contrast, Fenghu County was cold and deserted. Strong soldiers were stationed outside the city. Hardly anyone was celebrating even though it was the New Years. The soldiers guarding the city were the most pitiful. They squatted atop the high city walls in their thin and worn clothes that couldnt do much to fight against the cold. Their stomachs were empty and cramped with hunger. The rumbling stomachs were singing a song, a song about the Red Lotus Group presenting a bold front to conceal their weak defense Many could not help but look into the distance. Jiang Pengjis army had set up camp there. They could not see anything but the flames from their campfires that burned and leaped. Sniffing hard, they could detect the faint smell of food in the air. Even though they were far apart, they seemed to be able to hear the bustle of noise and excitement from there. How nice a soldier guarding the city murmured in a low voice with a strong undercurrent of envy. His head began to simulate the taste of delicious food The more he thought about it, the more saliva he secreted, and he ended up swallowing huge mouthfuls of saliva. It was as if there was thunder rolling in his stomach as it rumbled loudly. In Fenghu County, the Red Lotus leader guarding the city received a report from outside. He became fretful and irritated. What an annoying motherf*cker! Since theyve messed with me, Ill overturn their nest in the middle of the night! Chapter 650 - Unifying Wanzhou (III) Although he wanted to mount a sneak attack in the night and teach Jiang Pengji a lesson, the Red Lotus leader knew that this plan was not feasible. First of all, although it was New Years Eve, there was a formidable opponent outside the city eyeing them like prey. Nobody was in the mood to celebrate the New Year. Secondly, the Red Lotus Group had deceived the commoners in the city to put aside their savings, which they had then plundered dry. The commoners were penniless now. Although they were not in such a miserable state that they could not even afford food, the quality of their meals was poor. It was the New Year and they could not even taste a little meat. This New Year had only gotten more upsetting. They were not in the mood. They had no vigor, no motivation A sneak attack on another camp? Haha. To use the words of the viewers in the livestreaming room, Even Liang Jingru would not dare to cheer them on. Lastly, Jiang Pengji and her army had encamped in a very unique way. At a glance, one could tell that they were experienced. There was no flaw suitable to be exploited for a sneak attack. The soldiers patrolling on night watch did not dare to slack off. Even if it was a lively New Year, they had no intention of getting lazy. Mounting a sneak attack at night was simply not feasible. Everything was impossible. The Red Lotus leader was so angry that he swept the delicacies and fine liquor off the table and onto the ground, feeling extremely vexed and frustrated. Since Jiang Pengji had already dared to delay the attack on their city for a day, she would naturally not be afraid of a night ambush. If they dared to come over, she would, in turn, dare to accept the humble offering. Alcohol was prohibited in the camp. Even if it was the New Years Eve, no one was allowed to touch a drop of alcohol. As the Supreme Commander, Jiang Pengji had to lead by example. Drinking plain water was enough. As for rice wine and the like, it was better to imagine all of that in her mind. Jiang Pengji sat in a tent with some small dishes on her table. From the color of the food to their taste, they were exactly the same as what the soldiers were eating. Since the start of the New Years Eve dinner, all the viewers in the livestreaming room had been giving her New Years blessings. Many viewers had been following the livestream since the beginning. They had become very emotionally attached. Now that they were about to enter another year with Jiang Pengji, many fans of the livestream had also spontaneously organized concerts for the New Year festival. Although she could not hear them, she could feel their enthusiasm via the packed bullet screen. A sigh escaped her as she looked at the liveliness of the livestreaming room, then at the empty and cold commanders tent. This new year is so dreary Looking back at last year, we should be around a long table eating barbecue and a hot pot right now Jiang Pengji ate until she was half full. The taste of the communal meal was average at best. For someone who was used to delicacies, the food was hard to swallow. However, she was not a picky eater, so she finished everything with a normal expression on her face. There was not a single grain of rice left in the earthen bowl. I really dont want to do battle on a new year.. Yang Si would have heartily agreed. As a picky foodie, disrupting his access to fine food was tantamount to getting cold turkey treatment for his addiction A gentlemans preventive medicine, like the hanshi powder, against the cold. When his cravings reared up, how uncomfortable would it feel without the hanshi powder to guard against the cold? One would know by asking Feng Zhen who had given up on the powder and was crying about it. Yang Si and Dian Yan ate their New Years Eve dinner while sitting at the bottom left and right side of the table. Jiang Nongqin was left to control the situation in Red Lotus County, so she was not in the camp. Yang Si smiled. Only with comparison can relative superiority be established. Why doesnt my lord think about the thieves in Fenghu County? Maybe you will feel better. Jiang Pengji rested her chin in her hand. Say, will they come to ambush the camp in the middle of the night? Its very unlikely, Yang Si said firmly. Nevertheless, for the sake of caution, we must strengthen the patrol around the camp and increase the soldiers on garrison duty. Making an encampment was a school of knowledge on its own. If they were well encamped, it would be difficult for an enemy to ambush them. Jiang Pengji was not well-versed in this area. Fortunately, there was Yang Si around to make up for this deficiency. In addition, the patrolling soldiers were strict. Even if the Red Lotus Group attacked in the middle of the night, they could react quickly. All the soldiers in the camp had a wonderful meal. Good food could soothe negative emotions, which more or less dispelled the dreary atmosphere of fighting on the Lunar New Year. Thinking of the attack on the enemy tomorrow, they felt melancholic and longed for home, but more than that, they felt excited. Tomorrow was the first day of the new year. If they could capture Fenghu County tomorrow, it would be a good start to the year! The New Years Eve meal continued until the moon reached its zenith in the sky. The soldiers not on patrol duty fell asleep early to restore their energy for the fight tomorrow. Those soldiers on duty gathered together to amuse themselves and engaged in boxing competitions to pass the time. Their movements were quiet so they did not disturb others sleeping at the side. Jiang Pengji always kept her armor on in the camp. She came out for a look around the camp. The soldiers whom she met saluted her one after another. She inquired about the situation across all areas as she walked to the front of the camp and looked at the giant beastly shadow crawling on the ground in the distance. She knew that it was Fenghu County. After taking down Fenghu County and then Qiuyu County, Wanzhou would completely become her territory. This was only the first step in the fight for hegemony. She meditated to calm down the complex emotions inside her heart and mind. Not long after, she heard footsteps behind her and knew who it was immediately. Jing Rong. She said matter-of-factly. Yang Si said, I just saw that my lord left the commanders tent to come here alone. Are you missing your family? Jiang Pengji voiced a questioning Ah, finding his question baffling. Why would I miss my family? Yang Sis words choked in his throat. He thought that Jiang Pengji was a youth who was alone and far away from his home on this New Years Eve. As he looked at the lively scenes around him, it might have stirred up the longing for family in the youths heart. Hence, hed come here to lend a listening ear as an older brother, but why didnt he follow the script? She understood what Yang Si meant and was caught between laughing and crying. Im an adult, not a three-year-old child Now, it was Yang Si who was stupefied. Then, my lord is Her gaze was firm. I am meditating and sorting out the plan. After I take down Chengde County, Ill take a short time to rest and regroup before setting off to aid the rescue of the Emperor. When that time comes, I dont know how many heroes and outstanding talents I will meet on the journey to the capital Whether they will be enemies or allies, you will never be defeated if you know yourself and your enemy. Yang Si oh-ed, revealing a little awkwardness. He was just about to come up with an excuse to leave so as not to disturb her thoughts when his lord said something very strange. Jing Rong, I had a strange dream last night. I dreamed of a hen crowing at dawn. Yang Si frowned. A hen crowing at dawn? Isnt this an omen that foretells a terrible disaster? Of a woman usurping authority? But dreams are weird and cant be taken literally. He was a little worried. Did the lord think that the dream carried an ominous message and that something would change about the battle tomorrow? He couldnt be superstitious! A hen crowing at dawn. The world often uses this metaphor for women who usurp power and throw the world into chaos, so it is a bad omen Jiang Pengji said. She lowered her eyes and asked, What do you think about this? Yang Si was surprised, how had this become the topic? He was a rebel against orthodoxy and his thoughts were very different from those of the current literati. He said, In my opinion, the hen crowing at dawn and women in power are different. The hen crowing at dawn is inherently against the natural order and common sense, but women in power are not so. With an overall view of the period of the Sixteen Kingdoms and the preceding dynasties and gathering the history of hundreds of years, there were women in power or who were part of the government. It would be insulting to the previous generations to describe them as hens crowing dawn. There had been a period in the earlier dynasties where it was not unusual for a woman to be in power. As times changed, the general atmosphere became more cautious and harsh. Narrow-minded vocabulary such as a hen crowing at dawn was increasingly recognized. There were many more people who thought that the idea of women wielding power was ridiculous, just like a hen crowing at dawn. Jiang Pengji laughed. What if there was a woman who became an Empress of the world? Do you think that would be normal too? Yang Si had a strange expression. Not only was his lord very ambitious, but he also had a self-confidence that was rarely seen in the world. He smiled and asked quietly, Following the meaning of your words, dont tell me that you plan to pass on your position to your daughter after youve become the emperor? Thats not necessary. Yang Si joked, Thats great. Chapter 651 - Unifying Wanzhou (IV) It wasnt necessary? That was probably the most interesting joke that Yang Si had heard recently. Until now, he thought that Jiang Pengji was joking with him. He played along naturally and mocked, If so, then my lord has to work harder. Jiang Pengji raised her brows slightly and asked, Why do I have to work harder? My lord, youre approaching eighteen. Your coming of age ceremony at twenty is only two years away. In other houses, you would have been engaged, if not married already. On the other hand, my lord is still all alone. This wont work. If you dont marry a wife and have your own family, how are you going to have a daughter? How could he pass his throne down to his daughter if he did not have one in the first place? Yang Si laughed and teased. His words were not about Jiang Pengji working hard to fight for the throne, he was clearly mocking her. He wanted her to quickly marry and have a baby. It would be two more months before she reached the age of eighteen. In this era, eighteen was old enough to start a family and become a father. However, the rich and influential families had many conditions, so most marriages in those families often dragged on past the coming of age ceremony. The Liu family should be no exception. In Yang Sis perspective, his lord was still a young boy who had not yet come into contact with the affairs between men and women. He would naturally think about that when he got older. Just According to Yang Sis script, his lords face should have turned red and his heart should have started racing as he became so embarrassed from his teasing. In reality Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows. She said calmly, Well, theres no hurry. When it comes to having children, it also depends on the partner and the timing. Yang Si was astonished. It seemed that his lord was not an innocent boy who knew nothing about human relationships. He was an old hand with rich experiences. Yang Si became gossipy. The partner and the timing? Perhaps youve got your eye on someone? There was a mysterious smile on the corners of Jiang Pengjis lips. Yes. Yang Si asked curiously, Which house is the lady from? If your statuses are similar, you can let your esteemed father fix the engagement on your behalf. It is your marriage, you cant afford to be careless. You have to act fast, otherwise, you wont get the girl. The one who acts first has the upper hand. It is only reasonable to get her engaged to you first. If her status is lower than yours, you can send a matchmaker to her residence to clarify your intentions to take her as your concubine. In short, its best not to miss the little lady who you like. Jiang Pengji laughed involuntarily. She did not know that, in addition to his gluttony and love of food, Yang Si also had a faint gossipy attribute. She found it very funny. After rolling her eyes, she said vaguely, Status Although her family has suffered a reversal in fortunes, they have never been involved in criminal activities. Her ancestors were once prominent, so she could be considered as destitute but high-born. She is quite talented and her personality is rather cute She would live a wretched life as a concubine. Yang Si frowned. Someone destitute but of genteel birth this was quite difficult. She would rather be a poor mans wife than a rich mans concubine. The more destitute and high-born a lady was, the more important their standing in a marriage. They would rather choose to be the first wife of a man from an average background. Few were willing to lower themselves to be a concubine to elevate their social status Unless the husbands family was of a much higher status. But it was clear that Liu Xi had not reached that level yet. What does my lord like about her? Yang Si asked. Her talent or her appearance? Jiang Pengji smiled and her eyes became crescent-shaped. Her genes. Gins? Yang Si could not wrap his mind around this. The sudden bend in this topic was too great, his mind couldnt cope. What is gins? Jiang Pengji pinched her chin. How should she explain it? She couldnt explain this thing. Genes are the most essential thing in life. Jiang Pengji thought for a while and mumbled, But genes are only one aspect. Her genes attract me, but what interests me is her personality, habits, and the secrets she hides How do I describe that feeling? She makes so many mistakes in her words and actions and still stubbornly tries to hide them which is no different from burying her head in the sand. She looks really cute Yang Si was dumbfounded as he listened. He could understand every word that his lord said, but when put together, he couldnt understand anything. Jiang Pengji concluded her speech. Shes easily bullied. I like to bully her and I like how she holds back her emotions when I bully her. Whatever I like can only be mine. Yang Si was so shocked that he couldnt speak. After a long time, he broke into laughter. My lord, if you like the lady, you cant do that. Youll scare her. He had thought that his lord was a skilled old hand with a depth of knowledge. Now that he looked at him, he was obviously an overbearing youth who did not understand anything about love. Jiang Pengji asked him, How should I chase her? Yang Si thought for a while. He said, If you like her, why dont you talk with your father and ask him to propose marriage on your behalf. Since shes from a genteel family, her upbringing must be pretty good. My lord, although your actions are born out of affection, in the ladys eyes, they would be seen as frivolous, as if youre only dallying with her. Even if my lord has a score of ten out ten, after making such a move, you would leave an impression on the little lady that is only one or two out of ten. Jiang Pengi clicked her tongue in objection. She has an open-minded and generous nature. I dont think she would misunderstand That may not necessarily be true. Yang Si added, As a young girl, her thoughts may be more delicate and it is easy for her to split hairs. Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hand and thought for a while. She said, If its like that Listen, Jing Rong, youre quite experienced, right? Yang Si sneered. He was more than ten years older than Jiang Pengji, how could he not know what he was talking about? If my lord wants to, you can ask Zi Shi. He has more experience. But he is a profligate wastrel, so I dont recommend adopting anything he suggests. Yang Si incidentally smeared Feng Zhens name. He could only blame himself for being a wastrel. Jiang Pengji thought for a long time. Finally, she said, Its still early, lets see again after five or six years. Im not in a hurry Im quite enjoying my current state Yang Si did not suspect that there was anything unusual. In his opinion, the little girl who was the object of his lord affections was probably only eleven or twelve. After another five or six years, she would be old enough for marriage. As a man, his homeland and career should be the most important things to him right now. It was okay if his lord wanted to get married later on. It was no harm if his affections shifted elsewhere after a few years, a manly-man would have no lack of potential wives! Little could Yang Si have imagined that Jiang Pengji had deliberately steered the conversation in such a direction that the contents became utterly self-defeating. They clearly could not understand each other, but somehow they had managed to have a conversation on the same topic. Then, Ill be waiting for my lords little empress to be born. Yang Si laughed and teased. Jiang Pengji said, Deal! I just hope you dont cry. Before dawn broke, Jiang Pengji went back to her tent to rest for a bit. Golden light pierced through the heavy clouds, bathing the ground in light. Horns sounded through the camp. Not too far away, everyone in Fenghu County, who had been through an apprehensive and frightening night, seemed to get an electric shock. They were so terrified that their hair was standing on end. Jiang Pengji counted all the soldiers and horses and got in their battle formation outside the city. The cold wind whistled and whipped at their banners. On one side, an energetic atmosphere surged. Meanwhile, the people on the opposite side seemed to be in low spirits. When the battle drums sounded, the bowmen responded by shooting arrows from their crossbows to provide cover for the ladder. The soldiers hid under the ladder and pushed it closer to the city wall. Due to the urgency of the march and the limited supplies they could carry with them, they had not brought a ballista for this siege. Relying on the cover provided by the waves of arrows, bodies fell from the city wall non-stop. The ladder was successfully propped against the wall Hearing the drums coming from outside the city, the Red Lotus leader hurriedly put on a suit of armor. Just as he ascended the wall, an arrow flying towards him nearly shot through the bun on top of his head. Why has the battle already started? The leader glared with wide eyes. The enemies under the city wall were dense and there were numerous groups of them. He felt his scalp going numb as he watched. The soldiers who were guarding the city were spiritless and lackluster. And now that they had seen their leader emerge while still half-dressed, they felt even more discouraged. Chapter 652 - Unifying Wanzhou (V) We cant We cant withstand this The dull sound of arrows piercing into flesh, the anguished wails on the battlefield, the buzz of arrows whizzing through the air The cacophony of noises converged into a symphony of death The soldier with a bloodied head held himself up and finished saying these words with tears in his eyes. Then, a cold arrow shot through his chest. Crush them all! Smash them down! You must not let these rebels climb up the city wall! The Red Lotus leader shrunk back. His face was filled with fear. He shouted with all his might as he pushed others to the front. You have to withstand this! Whoever dares to retreat will be killed! The best way to deal with enemies climbing ladders was to smash their heads or hands with heavy objects or sharp devices. The defending side did not even need to kill anyone on the spot. They just needed to get them off the ladder. Falling from that height would be enough to kill the enemy. However, Yang Si was very devious. He asked the soldiers to cover themselves with a thick shield and pretend to climb the ladders. They didnt need to climb too high. Halfway up the wall was enough to tempt the Red Lotus men up on the city wall to show themselves. When they attacked the soldiers climbing up the ladders with stones or other sharp devices, the bowmen below the city wall specifically targeted the Red Lotus soldiers and shot at them. The battle drums were thunderous. Their intense sounds resonated through the heavens, causing the blood in their hearts to roil and surge through their chests. Jiang Pengji rode on a Little Whites back. Her red garments and silver armor looked particularly eye-catching in the sunlight. She frowned and said, Jing Rong, although your lord has some extra money lying around, I dont have the wealth of a nation Can you be more thrifty? They did not have an endless supply of arrows. In her opinion, every wave of arrows that were shot represented wasted money. It was fine if the siege went off without a hitch, but if they could not capture the city, for the time being, those arrows could not be recovered. Even if some arrows could be recovered during the clean up of the battlefield, there would be some losses due to wear and tear. For each battle, 10% to 20% of the arrows were damaged. This waste was so expensive that it felt like a physical ache. Yang Si laughed. Wait until the morale of their army has completely collapsed, then this city wall can be easily broken through! Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes secretly. She squeezed Little Whites belly and cried, Go! Little White screamed and galloped towards the battlefield as fast as lightning. Just when Yang Si was about to raise his hand to stop, Little White had already carried her away on its back with all swiftness, leaving behind only the dust and sand it had kicked up. As the horse galloped, Jiang Pengji retrieved the bow and arrows slung across the horses back. More than two stones of strength were required to fully draw this bow and arrow. She nocked the arrow and drew the bow, aiming at the flag fluttering against the wind up above the city. A streak of silver burst through the air. The arrow carried with it an indomitable momentum. As it shot through the flagpole with a harsh crack, the large flag suddenly fell. She was dealing a fatal blow to their spirits. Why dawdle so much? Either they needed to take off the head of the enemy general with an overwhelming number of soldiers or cut off their flags. Both were ways to completely humiliate their enemy and crush their morale. Yang Si saw the falling flag of the Red Lotus Group and laughed involuntarily. He adjusted his plan and focused on attacking the city with all his strength. The Red Lotus members on the city wall had lost all will to do battle. After paying a price, Jiang Pengjis soldiers carried a thick shield over their heads and climbed up the city wall. The two sides were locked in a chaotic battle. It was like a scene from Asuras Hell, confusing and bloody, causing one to lose all reason. The gates opened wide during the chaos. Jiang Pengji held a spear and urged her horse to go into the city. The fight went on from early morning to noon. It seemed as if the white clouds in the sky were stained with a trace of scarlet. If someone surrendered, his hands would be bound. If someone insisted on resisting to the end, he would be killed on the spot. In less than half a month, the situation in Chengde County had changed dramatically. At this point, Jinmen County, Fenghu County, and Red Lotus County had all been incorporated into Jiang Pengjis territory. Only Qiuyu County is left. After the battle, Yang Si sent people to clean up the battlefield and settle the wounded soldiers, the dead, and the prisoners of war. When she finally had time to catch her breath, Jiang Pengji washed her face and took off the heavy armor. She then sat down in the main hall to relax and drink tea. Yang Si was so busy that he was flying from one thing to another. The clothes that he wore had been put on two days prior. There had been no time to freshen up. Yeah, we still have to deal with Qiuyu County Why not calm down and wait for a few more days? Well wait for the Red Lotus Group to start fighting amongst themselves. Pretty soon, theyll wear each other down. Jiang Pengji pinched her brow. I want to wait, but the imperial order for all troops to go to the Emperor cannot. Yang Si was helpless too. If not for the imperial order, their plan would have been to wait until spring before attacking Chengde County. However, they had been forced to go to war a few days before the Lunar New Year. It was one thing for the soldiers to be unable to spend the festive season with their families, but now some soldiers had even sacrificed their lives. Jiang Pengji continued, Well annex the Red Lotus Group sooner or later. Watching them wear themselves down in an internal war is tantamount to wasting our strength. Yang Si was speechless. The meaning of his lords words was this: Since the Red Lotus Group would be his sooner or later, the more of their resources that were wasted, the greater the losses he would have on his hands when he annexed them However, the Red Lotus Group had not yet been completely defeated. Was it right for his lord to be so concerned about the Group? Take a break and command the troops to go to Qiuyu County! Yes! Jiang Pengji, Qiguan Rang, and others intentionally sealed off any news. As a result, the Red Lotus Group received the news relatively late. And just how late did the news arrive? She had already taken down Fenghu County. Meanwhile, the Red Lotus Group in Qiuyu County was still confronting each other and squabbling. To stall for time, An Cui racked his brain to raise some suggestions for the Deputy Chief of the Group. Compared to the shrewd manipulations of their top military counselors, An Cui was rather candid. But compared to those brainless boors in Red Lotus, An Cui felt that his IQ could crush everyone present. With his help, the Deputy Chief captured Qiuyu County after getting the city gate open via deception. After capturing Qiuyu County, he was about to assign some troops to go to Red Lotus County. However, the army was blocked at the gate. The people who blocked and surrounded them were not outsiders, but the military strategists of the Red Lotus Group. The scholar personally led the soldiers to surround Qiuyu County. He rained down curses while demanding the Deputy Chief to return their Chief. The two sides confronted each other and were locked in a stalemate. An Cui had once again seized an opportunity to sow discord and upset the balance between the two sides, causing them to be on the verge of war. As for him? For the sake of his life, An Cui had his bags packed already. He brought a few fellow brothers with him and they fled. The Deputy Chief and the scholar fought and killed until only murder was left in their eyes. Why would they even notice An Cui? When they found that An Cui had escaped and was missing, the news that Red Lotus County and Fenghu County had been conquered in succession also arrived. What!? Weve lost Red Lotus County? When did this happen? The Deputy Chief stood up in shook. He stood so quickly that he felt a wave of dizziness, almost fainting from his anger. The soldier who relayed the message was deathly pale. He stammered as he spoke. Hearing this, the Deputy Chiefs eyes rolled back in his head and his huge body fell to the ground. Everyone panicked, at a loss of what to do. Some fanned him, hoping to wake him up. They repeated their actions for a long while before he finally woke up. How How is this possible? The Deputy Chief felt as if he had fallen into an ice hole. Even his bones were cold. If the information was correct, Red Lotus County had fallen on the same day hed arrived in Qiuyu County. The guards of Red Lotus County were not weak. How had that thief, Liu Xi, conquered the city so quietly? Moreover, it had been a few days since it was captured. Why had the news only arrived now? At the same time, the scholar also received news that they had lost Fenghu County. Chapter 653 - Unifying Wanzhou (VI) Although the scholar was not smart, it was not as if he did not have a brain at all. I want some silence This matter theres some deception here Something feels wrong The scholar clenched his back molars painfully. The desire to throw up lingered at the back of his throat. All the pores on his body released sticky sweat. His mind was muddled, like a bundle of yarn that could not be cut free or disentangled despite his best efforts. He could not make any sense of the matter. In the face of this situation, the scholar wanted to find An Cui to ask for his advice No An Cui! The scholar felt a flash of light in his mind. His brain, which had been blocked by turmoil, suddenly cleared. He knew what was wrong! It was An Cui! The scholar clenched the armrests of his chair, barely supporting his body so that it didnt fall. His gaze was vicious and full of murderous intentions. He gritted his teeth, searching his mind for someone who could contact An Cui in secret. If not for An Cuis multiple suggestions, how could todays situation have happened? This traitor had seemed to show concern for the Red Lotus Group, but hed been hiding evil intentions. Hed wanted to put the entire Group to death all along. This moment was probably the smartest moment of the scholars life. Many seemingly inconspicuous details become extremely clear. In the beginning, An Cui had determined that Liu Xi and his party would take the lead in ambushing Fenghu County. This was because the mountain road leading to Fenghu County was short, which was convenient for ambushes. In the end? The scholar had trusted An Cuis conclusion and withdrawn the garrison from Jinmen County. He had guarded Fenghu County in fear and trepidation. However, Jinmen County had fallen that same night. The 3,000 soldiers sent by the scholar to lie in ambush had been unsuccessful. On the contrary, Liu Xi had seen through their tactic; when all was said and done, they had suffered a double loss after trying to trick the enemy. An Cui had gone to Red Lotus County before Jinmen County fell, and it had not been long before the Deputy Chief betrayed their Chief and occupied Red Lotus County. After that, the scholar received a secret letter from An Cui, telling him that the Deputy Chief had taken their Chief captive and they had gone to Qiuyu County. As a last resort, the scholar had only been able to divide his army into two groups. One would attack Jinmen County while the other would rush to rescue the Chief in Qiuyu County. The scholar had led the troops to confront the rebels under the Deputy Chief in Qiuyu County. Just when they had pinned each other down, Red Lotus County fell and Fenghu County was captured. From this perspective, not only had An Cui played him for a fool, but he had also tricked that idiotic Deputy Chief. If not for An Cui secretly helping the enemy, how could Red Lotus County have fallen so quickly? As he connected these key points, the scholar felt a sweetness at his throat, followed by a coppery taste. He was so mad that he fainted straightaway. Counselor! Military Counselor! Counselor Counselor? Someone get the doctor! The scholar looked deathly pale and his body was shaking, which worried the people. When he spewed out blood, rolled back his eyes, and fell to the ground, the group of people was scared witless. The scene was chaotic and out of control. As for the main culprit who was responsible for all this? Seeing that the situation was getting worse, An Cui had already employed his schemes for a speedy escape. He had also brought his sworn brothers along with him in his escape. The brawny man with a dark complexion asked in a low, muffled voice, Big brother, do you think that Liu Xi will keep his promise? An Cui wore a warm cloak as he stood outside the cave, looking into the distance. His eyes seemed to penetrate the mountains and land of Qiuyu County. Liu Xi will keep his promise. The same man said, I suppose that he wont dare to go back on his promise Youve been so busy with Liu Xis affairs these days that youve lost half your weight. The corners of An Cuis lips curled up, adding a little sharpness to his appearance. The dejection on his face was wiped away, the decadence replaced by a bold and energetic expression that he had not worn in a long time. He knew very well the exact strength of the Red Lotus military. Liu Xi would have captured at least 50,000 captives! According to the agreement, An Cui would get 10% of the men and money. He could get five to six thousand men and horses, as well as a generous amount of grain and money. With these, An Cui would have the capital to get in on the action of responding to the imperial order to rescue the Dongqing Emperor. If the workings were right, perhaps he might be able to borrow more troops and rope in some top talents. When the time came He must get his home country back and make those thieves, the four factions of Nanman, repay their debt with their blood! Thinking of this, countless scattered scenes flashed across his eyes. Each scene was filled with terrified screams, the spreading odor of blood, cries of despair, the enemys wanton laughter, the butcher knives raised high, the rolling heads, broken limbs, organs spread in a mess He was born the noble son of the An family, an influential man blessed by the heavens who was pursued by everyone. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? These were the evil debts created by the four factions of Nanman. It was only fitting that debts of blood were paid in blood. He would not let go of this hatred as long as he was still alive. As long as he was around, there would be no Nanman! An Cuis sworn brothers looked at one another. They knew that their elder brother was starting to get emotional about the past again. The three counties, Red Lotus, Fenghu, and Jinmen, had just been captured and their foundations were not yet stable. The Red Lotus Group had been developing in Chengde County for many years. They had many moronic believers there. To not tip the entire situation over, Jiang Pengji ordered Qiguan Rang and others to lay a solid foundation, integrate the soldiers and horses, and at the same time, develop a thorough understanding of the situation in the three counties. They had to figure out the ins and outs, only then would they be able to take appropriate measures to tackle any issues in the future. After all, there were only a small number of moronic believers. Most of the people were just following along blindly. The former group was irredeemable, but the latter could still be saved. For the common people, it was not important who the officials were. The important thing was whether or not the officials could bring them a good life and provide them with a place of refuge in troubled times. As long as they understood the problems of the people in the three counties, and apply appropriate measures to the issues, it would let everyone know that it was far more promising to follow Jiang Pengji than the Red Lotus Group. The people would naturally surrender their hearts to her. Of course the tactics that the Red Lotus Group had used to brainwash their followers inspired Jiang Pengji. The Red Lotus Group was able to use business deals and propaganda to discredit others and boost the interest and support for their sacred religion. Naturally, Jiang Pengji could do the same. This method could also be used in the barracks to teach the soldiers to be loyal. Hadnt the viewers of the livestream recommended her the position of political commissar? However, the position of the political commissar required someone with certain scholarly knowledge. What Jiang Pengji lacked the most at present was intermediate talent, so this plan could only be set aside. However, brainwashing the people did not require such high-end talents, let alone wait to be implemented in the future. Jiang Pengji did not remain idle during the period of rest and reorganization. Jing Rong, come here and take a look. What do you think of this nursery rhyme? Jiang Pengji was dressed in burlap work clothes, her long hair trailing over her shoulders. She wore no coronet. She gave off the dissolute vibe of an unrestrained rake. It was extremely rude and uncivilized to go out to meet guests without a coronet. It was almost the equivalent of showing oneself to another while sitting down with his legs stretched out in front of them. It was just that her long hair, which was blue-black like a crows, was somewhat damp. It seemed that she had taken a bath not too long ago. Yang Si swallowed the words that he was about to blurt out. He said, Its cold today, why isnt my lord taking care of his body? The colder the weather was, the more one needed to take care to keep warm. Jiang Pengji caught her wet hair in her hand and lifted her eyelids inadvertently. My constitution is good and Ive never had any minor mishaps or illnesses throughout the year. Not to mention, theres a coal brazier inside the house. It is very warm here. After saying that, she handed the bamboo writing slips in her hand to Yang Si. Yang Si received them and took a look. What is this? This is a nursery rhyme? The handwriting on the bamboo slips was strong and powerful. Faced with the swift and bold cursive calligraphy, he could not help but be deeply moved. The handwriting was like the soft voice of a person. Jiang Pengji said, Wen Zheng and Zi Xiao have both been worrying about something recently. There are too many surviving evil followers of the Red Lotus Group hiding in the cities and stirring up trouble from time to time. Although they dont make any waves, things will become annoying after one too many times. If we become negligent at a critical moment, they could join forces with the Red Lotus Group members outside of their respective cities. If that happens, Im afraid that we will be in big trouble. Therefore, we must find a way to solve this problem. Chapter 654 - Unifying Wanzhou (VII) In Jiang Pengjis view, those die-hard believers were like time bombs. They certainly could not be allowed to stay. What about those people who did not have a firm determination, who only went along with the flow? Could she kill all of them? That would be impossible. Since they were the type to go along with the flow, why not redirect and gather them to her side? I plan to let the beggars in all three counties sing this nursery rhyme everywhere. Lets see if the Red Lotus Group can still create more waves with their crazy ways. In reality, this nursery rhyme was the result of a discussion between Jiang Pengji and her 150,000 viewers. It was simple, easy to understand, and catchy. Besides, with Jiang Pengjis manipulating things from behind the scenes, there was no need to worry that this rhyme would not be sung far and wide. Even an illiterate old woman would be able to easily understand the meaning of the rhyme once she heard it. Yang Si thought about this carefully. It was indeed feasible. Most commoners were foolish and could not judge for themselves. If his lord employed harsh tactics and killed all the die-hard believers of the Red Lotus Group, it would inevitably lead to a violent backlash from the outside. People would say that his lord was cruel and inhumane. In this way, the Red Lotus Group would be absolved of all sins, becoming a white lotus that was being bullied by evil forces. On the other hand, the real do-gooders would face a violent backlash by the common people. Compared to that, why not take the moral high ground? Jiang Pengji could not construct herself as the weaker party, but she could construct herself as a savior of noble character and unquestionable integrity. Yang Sis eyes flickered slightly. He thought for a while, then borrowed a pen and ink to write another nursery rhyme on the bamboo slips. The nursery rhyme written by Jiang Pengji exposed the Red Lotus Group, and the nursery rhyme written by Yang Si eulogized Fengyi County. In Yang Sis view, it was not nearly enough to criticize and expose the evil deeds of the Red Lotus Group in Chengde County. The common people needed to see the true nature of the Group. They had to add fuel to the fire. Would the people choose to follow the Red Lotus Group to be exploited and bullied by them, or would they choose to follow Liu Xi and enjoy a good life? Even a brainless person would know which option to choose. In just two or three days, the two nursery rhymes had spread from Fenghu County to Red Lotus County and Jinmen County. The rhymes could be heard everywhere on the streets. At first, only beggars and playful urchins sang the rhymes, but they were later joined by some of the common people who had been exploited by the Red Lotus Group and had led a hard life. Although the nursery rhyme had not been in circulation for long, the situation in the city had improved a lot. The most significant point was that the number of moronic believers with their trouble-making ways had decreased. The Qiguan Rang breathed a long sigh of relief. Without the frustrating fools, he could put his extra mental and physical efforts toward other areas. Currently, the main forces of the Red Lotus Group were gathered in Qiuyu County. This was a pig-headed bunch. It would not be as easy to take down Qiuyu County as the previous three counties. They needed to concentrate their forces if they wanted to capture Qiuyu County. Otherwise, the battle would be a difficult one. With their rapport, Qiguan Rang, Wei Ci, and Yang Si unanimously selected the captives that could be used, packed them up, and sent them back to Fengyi County in batches. Most of the captive people were put to mining, reclaiming wasteland for agriculture, and building roads or houses. They were free human resources, so it would be a waste if they went unused. According to Jiang Pengjis previous plan, these captives would be put on a six-month probation period. If they performed well, they might be able to enter the Mintun District administered by Wei Ci and be assigned to the fields to become militia soldiers. They could claim up to 60 or 70 percent of the crops they cultivated! Of course, during the examination period of this half-year, Jiang Pengji would also take care of their food and accommodations. But she was only responsible for keeping their bellies full. Whether or not they led a comfortable life was not her concern. They would not receive any remuneration either. To placate the escorted captives and prevent them from stirring up any trouble on the way, these welfare conditions were stated in advance. However, the captives were still terrified. They felt that Jiang Pengjis words were only meant to deceive them. As a victor in war, it was good enough that she hadnt killed the captives to reduce the expenses of rations. But to be so kind as to give them food and accommodation? Trembling with fear and terrified of the future, these captives were sent to Fengyi County in batches. Xu Ke and others worked around the clock, but before they could finish the tasks at hand, another pile of office duties dropped into their laps with the arrival of the captives. They were at their wits ends and had to grab any able-bodied man they could to share the office duties. Otherwise, when Jiang Pengji returned, they would probably be staring at the lush weeds over their graves. The womens department of the Government Office had the most intense and memorable experience. There was a girl among them who had a well-rounded figure. Over the past few days, her waistline had reduced by two-thirds. She went from having cute baby fat to being a skinny beauty. Not only that, but Shangguan Wan, the supervisor of the womens department in the Government Office, had also snagged Feng Jins wife, Wei Jingxian, to become one of the able-bodied working men. Since Mr. Feng has permitted you to go out and gain some experiences, I will not hold you back. Wei Jingxian didnt want to relinquish the lively and energetic Changsheng, but she was no match for Shangguan Wan who wore her down with her persistence. Fortunately, Changsheng was clever and charming. He would sit next to her seriously during the day without crying or making trouble. He looked for a maid for food when he got hungry. When he was bored, he would gnaw on his feet or chubby hands. He entertained himself happily. Even Wei Jingxian had been put to work as one of the able-bodied men. Did others have any excuses for not working hard? Feng Zhen, who always loved to have fun, was so tired that he had even lost the addiction that would occasionally rear up, nevermind the energy to drink wine and find beautiful women. Sure enough, their busy period lasted one year. Things like seven days of rest where the lord would write off the expenses of all pleasurable activities they were all lies! Even on the night of the New Years Eve, he had fallen asleep hugging a stack of official documents instead of a warm, fragrant woman. To prevent the captives from making trouble, they were not concentrated in one place. Instead, they were scattered to different places. 30,000 plus captives sounded like a lot of people, but after they were broken up into smaller portions, the numbers that were sent to each place were not very large. There was no fear that they would cause trouble. Upon hearing the news, the influential land-owning families of Shangyang County clammed up out of fear, a strong sense of crisis spreading into their hearts. They became much less troublesome. Naturally, Feng Jin and Feng Zhen felt much more relaxed. On the other side of things, while Jiang Pengji was secretly promoting the nursery rhymes, she was also assembling an army. At the same time, she was valiantly commanding the soldiers to march for Qiuyu County. Excluding the troops stationed in the three counties, there were only 8,000 elite troops available to Jiang Pengji. She had 8,000 troops, while the Red Lotus Group in Qiuyu County had 40,000 to 50,000 troops. It was okay if the Red Lotus Group was still in a civil war, but if they worked together to resist the foreign enemy, Jiang Pengji would have a miserable time. The army of the Red Lotus Group was five or six times larger than hers. They also had the advantage of being in the defending position. As the attacking party, she was in a very disadvantageous position. If the Red Lotus Group defended the city without emerging from it, she could only retreat in defeat when everything was said and done. It was not because she could not win with a fewer number of troops, but because she had too little time. There was a looming deadline to respond to the imperial decree to rescue the Emperor in the capital. However, if the Red Lotus Group was still caught in a civil war, Jiang Pengji could pick up the little advantages that were readily available. The military counselor of the Red Lotus Group had been thoroughly duped by An Cui. He had finally awakened from his fury with much effort. He immediately dispatched an emissary to try to negotiate with the Deputy Chief. Right now, the most important thing was to unite the forces of the Red Lotus Group and fight against Liu Xi. They should not fight amongst themselves, which would let the outsiders seize an advantage. The Deputy Chief hesitated and did not agree immediately. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji was frowning inside her tent. If the Red Lotus Group united and became determined to guard the city, refusing to emerge from the city at all costs, things would become very difficult. A guard arrived and relayed a message. Wei Ci was outside and sought a meeting with her. Jiang Pengji said calmly, Please come in. Wei Ci came bearing a solution for Jiang Pengji. I hope that my lord will consent to this. Allow me to persuade the Red Lotus rebels to surrender and submit to you. The space between her brows twitched fiercely. Did he want to campaign and promote a political idea in a foreign land at this time? Was he looking to shorten his life? Although she did not object immediately, her expression was disapproving. Wei Ci pursed his lips and kept silent, looking straight into her eyes. For a long time, the two of them silently confronted each other in a stalemate. Chapter 655 - Unifying Wanzhou (VIII) Jiang Pengji thought Wei Ci would shrink back, but it seemed that she had underestimated the guy. He really was something when he got pig-headed. You should be very clear about the nature of the Red Lotus Group. To go and promote our political ideas in their territory at this time Wei Zixiao, do you think that your lifespan is too long for you? The Red Lotus Group doesnt care about anything like never killing the messenger when crossing swords or putting themselves in another mans shoes. They will be the first to kill anyone who is sent to proselytize other ideas during this critical juncture. Jiang Pengjis voice became a little unstable. She asked, Are you unafraid of death? Wei Ci was not angry. On the contrary, he smiled and his expression softened as if seen through the lens of a soft light filter. He said, Naturally, I am afraid. It was part of human nature to be afraid of death. If Wei Ci was allowed to relive his life, he would still feel a kind of fear that made him shudder whenever he thought about the time he had drawn his sword and committed suicide by cutting his throat. However, even if history could be reversed, he would still make the same choice. It was true that life was precious, but to Wei Ci, certain things could be placed above it. Its good that you are afraid. Protect your life properly. Jiang Pengji did not even bat an eye. She made a motion as if she was about to stand up, indicating that Wei Ci could leave. Wei Ci said, It is because I am afraid that I believe, whether it is my life or the lives of the commoners, all lives are worthy of reverence. I am confident in my ability to persuade the enemy leader. If Im successful, the casualties of our generals and soldiers will be greatly reduced. My lord is indeed heroic and good at war, with few enemies who are your match in the world. But the enemy has huge military forces and the city wall which serves as barriers. They can advance to attack or retreat to defend. If they adopt a defensive position and do not come out of the city, deliberately delaying the battle, even my lord will have a headache over it. I think we should seize the opportunity while the enemy is still in a divided state. Inciting defection and driving a wedge within the Group would be the best method. At present, the Red Lotus Group remained in a divided and hostile state, hence, they still had a chance. If the two sides of the Red Lotus Group abandoned their enmity and joined forces to fight against the enemy Jiang Pengjis could not afford any delay. One had to make the most of an opportunity during a war. It was the same when it came to strategies. If they took action a little later and the Red Lotus Group had enough time to settle their internal differences, it would be too late. Jiang Pengji felt a little fretful. She thought for a long time before finally making a decision. If you can guarantee that youll come back alive, I will allow you to try this. Wei Ci was so pleased that even his eyes seemed to be a little more brilliant. The viewers of the livestreaming room were going crazy. Cimeiren must have been confused. He wanted to seek death. Host, why dont you stop him? Eddie is not enough: The Red Lotus Group are bandits. They dont have the habit of not killing the messenger when crossing swords. If they see that Cimeiren is good-looking and has poor fighting skills, whats he going to do when they start having devious thoughts? Host, why didnt you stop him? Who wants to add drama: The host has taken three territories from the Red Lotus Group and now they hate her guts. If Cimeiren goes to them now, wont he become their ready-made punching bag? I wouldnt be very worried if we were talking about other forces here, but Im nervous about the Red Lotus Group. Leave a comment on this chapter: The crux is that Wei Ci wants to go. The host tried to stop him but hes too determined. What else do you think the host can do? Were the worries of the livestream viewers not the same as Jiang Pengjis? She would use her full authority to make his decisions for him because she was worried. From Wei Cis perspective, perhaps her concern stemmed from distrust of his abilities. Thats why when Wei Ci insisted, she chose to respect him. After getting permission, Wei Ci changed into a simple and plain scholars costume and left the camp with only a few guards. That same night, the Deputy Chief raised himself from his concubines body in annoyance. Just as he was about to shout for hot water to be brought for his bath, he heard the footsteps of a messenger outside. Leader Two, there is a group of people outside claiming to be messengers sent by the thief, Liu Xi. They want to discuss matters of vital importance with you. The Deputy Chief was halfway dressed when a stupid and blank expression passed over his face. He only reacted after a long time had passed, revealing a malicious smile. Liu Xi, that thief, actually sent someone over Interesting, interesting I want to meet this person who is so unafraid of death! Let them in, Ill go over right now. The Deputy Chief took a quick pre-battle shower and changed into new clothes. He tidied himself up and went to see the messenger sent by Liu Xi. When he entered the main hall, he saw a young man in a dark green scholars costume sitting upright at the table. His seated posture was standard and his back was very straight. The hall was brightly lit with flickering candlelight. The youths long hair that was blue-black like a crows feathers, bundled in a jade coronet. Not a hair was out of place. The color of his hair was such a contrast to his delicate skin, making him look even fairer. His ink-black eyebrows laid fittingly on his face and his pitch-black gaze was bright and expressive. His nose bridge was straight and tall. Anyone who saw his face had to praise it What an attractive and intelligent man! It seemed that the youth had become aware of movement outside the hall and cast a searching gaze. His expression remained unperturbed when he saw the ferocious-looking Deputy Chief. It was as if he was not in the enemys camp but a small courtyard at home, sitting by himself at the table and enjoying wine. The Deputy Chief collected himself and strode to the seat of honor. He sat down unceremoniously and spoke with a loud voice. You are sent by the child, Liu Liu Xi, to persuade me? He wanted to call Jiang Pengji that thief, but the Deputy Chief did not know the specific intentions of the youth just yet, so he showed some mercy in his speech. Wei Ci bowed with both hands held in front of him and calmly said, No, my lord sent me here to explain how you can survive. As soon as he opened his mouth, the Deputy Chief felt a murderous intention bubbling forth in his heart. He sneered, Explain how I can survive? Exactly. Wei Ci was not afraid at all. He said, You occupy Qiuyu County and have control of 30,000 powerful soldiers. It looks like youre at the peak of your power. However, you must not forget that there are two powerful enemies outside the city. Once the two besiege the city, how long do you think you can resist them based on the reserves in the city? If Wei Ci earnestly implored him for help and put himself in a lower position, the Deputy Chief would only become more arrogant, and the more he would see him as someone of no importance. Instead, hed come here to instigate the Deputy Chief. Hence, the two of them could talk as equals. So, even though he was in the enemy camp, Wei Ci did not drop his forceful demeanor at all. The Deputy Chief scoffed. His eyes were as fierce as a wolf as he stared at Wei Cis neck, seemingly thinking about tearing it open. The Deputy Chief was scornful. He said in a rough voice, Although I have some friction with this sacred sect, we are one family behind closed doors. No matter what, Liu Xi is still an outsider. Is there any logic in this world that could make sense of someone who chooses to help an outsider instead of their own family? Wei Cis said in an ice-cold tone, Family? You mean the family who will kill the donkey when its work is done? A vein throbbed on the Deputy Chiefs face. Wei Ci continued, You should thank my lord. If it werent for him, why would the Red Lotus Group have allowed you to survive despite your rebellious manner? What you said was correct. No matter what disagreements you have, youre still one family, and there are no long-lasting feuds in a family. Jiang Pengjis strategists were all exceptionally talented in the art of misrepresenting facts. They were very good at sneakily changing or switching the content of a concept. Jiang Pengji was the one who had tightened the screws on the Red Lotus Group until theyd split apart. But coming from Wei Cis lips, Jiang Pengji had turned into a benefactor. He smiled and said, If my estimation is accurate, the Red Lotus Group would have already sent messengers to say the same thing to you by now. Its is true, and I strongly with it. Have you thought about that? The Red Lotus Group is still the Red Lotus Group! They say that all men and women in the Group are like brothers and sisters. However, no matter how nicely they spin it, the members are not blood-related. You have indeed kidnapped the Chief, killed the members who have attacked you, occupied Red Lotus County, and deceived the guards of Qiuyu County into opening the gates for you All of these actions are debts that have been written against you. Do you think that after my lord retreats and everything becomes calm again, your Chief will not exact punishment from you, who has rebelled? Chapter 656 - Unifying Wanzhou (IX) Chapter 656: Unifying Wanzhou (IX) The Deputy Chiefs face turned livid with rage. It was as if someone had exposed the most obscure and hidden thoughts in his mind and spread them out under the sun. He felt an indescribable feeling of shame. Heh heh why should it matter? I can wait for both Liu Xi, that little child, and the Red Lotus Group to weaken Wei Ci sneered. My lord owns Fengyi County, Shangyang County, and most of the territory of Chengde County. Only Qiuyu County is left in the biggest area of Wanzhou. Are you so powerful that you can weaken both sides? To put it unpleasantly, did you think that because there are a mere 100,000 members of the Red Lotus Group that you can go on a rampage without any fear and disregard the heroes of our land? Or perhaps you didnt know about that? Previously, the Red Lotus Group stormed Jinmen County with a division of 36,000 troops. The guards in Jinmen County numbered less than 8,000. What was the result? The Red Lotus Group was utterly defeated and more than 30,000 men were captured. With this in mind, do you still feel that the Red Lotus Group can go head-to-head with my lord? The Deputy Chiefs eyes flashed with hesitation and an internal struggle. There was also a lingering sense of alarm. As Wei Ci ridiculed him, he felt like the frog watching the sky from the bottom of a well, ignorant and narrow-minded. Hed thought that the Red Lotus Group was the hegemon of the north after they had defeated the Tsing Yi Army to the point that the enemy had fled like rats. But Wei Ci was telling him that the Red Lotus Group was actually very weak; its military force numbering 36,000 had been defeated by only 7,000 troops in a counter-attack. This example was true, and he could not refute it. Their 36,000 soldiers could not beat their enemys 7,000 soldiers! The 30,000 troops in the city could not give him a lick of security. Regardless of whether he chose to throw in his lot with the Red Lotus Group or sit and watch the fierce battle between the Group and Jiang Pengji, he would not have a good ending either way. Wei Ci softened his voice to avoid pressing the other party into too tight a corner. My lord sent me down here to sincerely point out the more optimistic possibility for you. The Deputy Chief was silent. His eyes were opened wide and his gaze was like a tigers as he stared at Wei Ci. Continue. I want to hear what you can come up with. He harrumphed coolly and gritted his teeth in humiliation and anger. He said fiercely, I will die if I throw my lot in with the Red Lotus Group, will I not die if I rely on Liu Xi? You make things sound so good, but isnt your lord the same in reality? Wei Ci laughed. If you throw your lot in with my lord and assist him in destroying the Red Lotus Group, you will be the meritorious minister who eliminated the Group. Why would he poison a minister who contributed? If he did that, would there be anyone else who would choose to give up his wrong way of life and turn to a better with my lord? General, think carefully, has there ever been any conflict between you and my lord? Are there any old quarrels or scores to settle? Since there are not, why should you worry? Yeah, he had no enmity or feud with Liu Xi. Why would Liu Xi harm him if he took the initiative to surrender and swear allegiance to him? Even if Liu Xi did not put him to use, he would not harm him. On the contrary, he would treat him kindly. Otherwise, once word spread, the enemies that Liu Xi met from then on would stubbornly resist with all their strength. They would die whether they surrendered or not. They might as well fight to the death. The scales in his heart slowly tipped towards Jiang Pengji. Wei Ci knew that he had said enough and did not urge the general any more. Instead, he adopted a relaxed and tranquil appearance, looking calm and graceful. Can you guarantee that Liu Xi will not turn his back on me? My lords ambition encompasses the entire world. Qiuyu County alone is not worthy enough for him to break his promise. The Deputy Chiefs expression alternated between livid and dark. He understood that he was being looked down upon, but what made him feel powerless was that others had what it took to look down on him. Hence, the struggle in his heart intensified even more. Wei Ci got up from the table and flicked his sleeves. His voice was clear and cold as a clear spring in the mountains. Hearing it felt as if one had dipped his whole body into an ice-cold spring in the scorching summer. The Deputy Chief could not help but shiver. General, there is not much time left. He laughed. My lord has received orders to send troops to rescue to the Emperor. If he cant take down the city even after attacking it for a long time, he will retreat to defend the other three counties. Without the pressure from my lord, do you think that the Red Lotus Group will just let things go and ignore your crimes of kidnapping the Chief and turning against the Group? There was no need for Wei Ci to remind him. Simply by thinking about that scenario, the Deputy Chief knew just what was going to happen to him. Wei Ci added more fuel to the fire. Your army is strong and solid, but most of them are religious followers of the Red Lotus Group. According to my intuition, apart from a few confidants, most of the people dont know that youve harmed the Chief, right? If my lord withdraws his soldiers and the Red Lotus Group finds a practical way to verify the charges against you, dont you think that the Chiefs worshippers will take up arms and confront you? Not just an armed confrontation his head would be cut off the first time he fell asleep sleep! The Deputy Chief knew that his position was unstable. But after listening to Wei Cis words, he finally realized that things were far more serious than he had imagined. He was really frightened now, so he restrained his overweening attitude. Once he understood, he was most eager to adapt to circumstances. He bowed and asked for advice, looking rather incongruous and absurd. Master, could you please point out the way for me? Wei Ci sat back down in his seat with a slight smile at the corners of his lips. I wouldnt dare give directions, but I do have some words of advice for you. Wei Ci had arrived at a very fortuitous time. The messenger sent by the Red Lotus Group for peace talks had come over during the day. He had reasoned in every possible way and made bucket-loads of promises. The Deputy Chief felt uneasy and did not immediately agree, only saying that he wanted to consider it further. The night had barely begun when Wei Ci had arrived. His sincere talk had put the Deputy Chief more at ease than a bucketful of promises. Facing desperate straits, he naturally chose the path that was the most advantageous for him. It was not necessarily a bad idea to support Liu Xi and become one of his men. The Deputy Chief saw a ray of hope for survival after hearing Wei Cis words. He secretly gritted his back molars and told Wei Ci, The Red Lotus sent an emissary during the day to persuade me to join forces with them To express my sincerity, Ill get someone to kill those b*stards I just hope that you will say something nice about me to your lord Wei Ci blocked the Deputy Chiefs movements. He said, You must not do that. The Deputy Chief was astonished. Why not? Youll alert them to our intentions. Wei Ci didnt blink as he continued, If you kill their messenger, they will know that youve defected to my lords side. They will take precautions when the time comes and you will be in an even more dangerous situation. Hold back your troops for the time being and pretend to cooperate. Tempt their best troops to enter the city while your soldiers lay in wait. Itll be like shooting fish in a barrel. At that time, the troops will be lacking leaders, and the Red Lotus Group outside the city will have no commander. Then, my lord will dispatch troops to capture the city This way, the thorn in our sides can be easily removed Wei Ci spoke as if it was a totally ordinary idea. But as the Deputy Chief listened, he felt as if he was about to drown in his sweat. From his perspective, this literati in front of him was beautiful and elegant; he represented no threat at all. If that werent the case, he wouldnt have had the guts to stay in the same room with him for such a long time. He felt that Wei Ci was a weak chicken. When he looked at him now, he thought that this scholar was terrifying. His mouth was like a sword and his pen was like a knife. He spoke mildly and murdered without showing his true nature. Wei Ci asked him, General, what do you think? The Deputy Chief stuttered a little as he said, Its very, very good. Wei Ci continued, To win their trust, I hope that you can do this one thing. The Deputy Chief asked, What is it? Kill me. The Deputy Chief was so shocked he stood rooted to the ground. He thought that there must be something wrong with his ears. Otherwise, how could he have made such a weird request? Kill kill you? Wei Ci calmly said, Please do not misunderstand. Thats not what I meant. I am afraid that even before my lord sent me here to persuade you, the people who are determined to learn about this had already gotten wind of it. To better gain their trust, you can use the corpse of somebody else to deceive the Red Lotus Group. From their perspective, theres no possibility that youll defect to my lord if youve killed his messenger. Itd even less likely that youd be accepted by him. In this way, you can trick their best troops into entering the city without too much suspicion on their side. Our plan will be executed more smoothly. Chapter 657 - Unifying Wanzhou (X) From the very beginning, a military counselor had a strong heart. He was not only heartless towards his enemy, but he was even more heartless towards his people and himself. The Deputy Chief could not describe that feeling, but when he heard Wei Cis explanation, there was only one thought in his mind. Fear. Just how heartless was he that he was willing to ask for death to trap his enemy? Wei Ci explained his plan in detail. It took a while before he requested the opinion of the Deputy Chief. General, how do you feel about this plan? The Deputy Chief recovered himself and stammered, Very good Sir, whatever you say goes. Since its like that, it will be a pleasure to cooperate. Wei Cis smile was so beautiful, like a clear sky after rain. One could not help but sigh in admiration of his high moral character. He was an elegant nobleman. However, the Deputy Chief could not be happy about having his attention. Instead, he had the urge to tremble like he was cold. All his hair stood on end. The literati were terrifying. First, there was An Cui, who had played everyone for fools until they didnt know left from right. Then, there was Wei Ci, who could switch from passive to active positions despite being in the enemy camp. If possible, the Deputy Chief would never again provoke such heartless literati. A clatter was heard shortly after the Deputy Chief entered the main hall. The noise was followed by the sound of a sword being unsheathed and an abrupt blood-curdling shriek. The guards stationed outside thought that someone had attacked the second commander and hurried in. They were all shocked by the scene in front of them. They saw a young man clad in a dark green scholars costume on the ground, curled up and clutching his abdomen. His facial features could not be seen, but a pool of thick, dark blood spread from his body. A few of the guards immediately understood who had been killed and went deathly pale. The messenger was supposed to be spared when two enemies crossed swords! Now that the Deputy Chief had executed Liu Xis messenger in a rage, the two sides were in a situation where neither would rest until the other side was dead. If they were defeated on the battlefield, Liu Xi might cruelly slaughter everyone in the city and kill all his captives to vent his anger. Should I be afraid of that child Liu Xi? The Deputy Chief harrumphed and said in a coarse voice, Id cut him down if he comes here in person, let alone a messenger that he sent. Lao Tzu would chop him to death. Drag this body out and chop him up to feed the dogs. Remember to clean up the bones and send some to Liu Xi, that thief. Peace talk? F*ck his granny! Kill everyone he sends here. Does he think he can bully me? Does he think the Red Lotus Group is a joke? The Deputy Chief exploded in anger. No one dared try to persuade him, they could only obey the order and drag the young mans corpse outside. The intense smell of blood spread through the room as the lights flickered, going out and lighting up again and again. The whole thing caused a sense of dread to rise in the guards. The Deputy Chief paced back and forth anxiously with a gloomy expression. He was a far cry from the tough and imposing facade that hed presented when it came to executing Wei Ci. Second leader Im afraid that Liu Xi will receive the news tonight that weve killed his messenger. If he challenges us to a fight tomorrow So be it. Why should I be afraid of a little brat who doesnt even have a full beard yet? The Deputy Chiefs hot temper exploded. After a while, he went back to pacing back and forth with a dispirited expression. It was as if he was trying to wear a hole in the wooden floor. After a long while, the Deputy Chief took a deep breath and asked his men to invite in the messenger sent by the Red Lotus Group. After everyone had stepped down, the Deputy Chief hurried around to the back hall. Wei Ci had changed his clothes. He now wore a set of coarse linen work clothes. The jade coronet on his head had been swapped with a cloth towel. Besides his beautiful features and exceptional aura, he seemed to be no different from any ordinary scholar. Si- Sir Ive done as you ordered. Will they go for the bait? Wei Ci took a sip from the teacup in his hands. The flavor of the tea was not very good, but he was not picky. A blitzkrieg strategy, Wei Ci said. Its best to tempt their best soldiers into entering the city tomorrow. Otherwise, they will become suspicious as time goes on. The Deputy Chief nodded obediently and asked, Should I send someone to escort you out of the city? Wei Ci waved his hand in refusal.I am a dead man who should not be exposed to other people. Even if it is only by your trusted aide, we may not be able to fully trust anyone. The best way to keep a secret is to minimize the number of people who know it. Ill stay here for a day or two. Many thanks for the hospitality. The Deputy Chief did not reject this plan. He was happy that Wei Ci was in his hand. This at least gave him a guarantee of safety. If Liu Xi did not live up to his promises, he could remain secure in the knowledge that he had Wei Ci under his thumb. But The Deputy Chief turned his thoughts in another direction and came up with an even more dangerous problem. Sir, will Liu Xi not bear a grudge against me for returning your bones to him as youve instructed? It would be okay if Liu Xi was informed of what had actually happened, but if he was not, he would just cut him down without a single word when the time came. What an unjust death he would suffer! Wei Ci laughed. Of course not. General, you can rest assured. Wei Cis plan had been conceived at the last minute. He had generated several plans before ever setting eyes on the Deputy Chief. After seeing the man in person, hed abandoned all previous plans and formulated a new one. Of course, this plan had also been the cruelest option. The Deputy Chief left with confidence. Wei Ci slowly lowered his eyes. He put down the teacup in his hands, his gaze revealed a chilling and fierce gleam. Wei Ci had always held the idea of removing the Red Lotus Group entirely, so why would he recruit someone from the Red Lotus Group into his forces? He had not informed Jiang Pengji of this last-minute plan. In other words, his lord was uninformed about the death of Wei Ci. If the Deputy Chief died in this situation, no one could say anything bad about Jiang Pengji. At most, people would just say that Wei Ci was black-hearted, ruthless, and treacherous. However, he had stopped caring about his reputation a long time ago. He could say that he had developed a thick skin. As long as by-standers did not implicate his lord, they could say whatever they liked about him. No, Wei Ci did not intend for the Deputy Chief of the Red Lotus Group to live. Shortly after Wei Ci had been executed by the Deputy Chief, the messenger from the Red Lotus Group received news of this event. After learning that Wei Ci had been killed, chopped into pieces, and fed to the dogs, and that his incomplete and damaged bones had been sent to Liu Xi overnight, the messenger immediately rejoiced. He smiled so widely that his eyes became crescents. The Deputy Chief took the opportunity to express his worry. He had killed Liu Xis trusted counselor, wouldnt he explode in anger when he heard? The messenger from the Red Lotus Group followed the Deputy Chiefs lead, hoping that the two sides could shake hands and make peace by using the dangers of the city wall to resist Liu Xi. The Deputy Chief listened and heartily agreed. Frankly speaking, the Deputy Chiefs acting was rather clumsy. However, he had a beard that covered nearly his entire face, so it was not easy to observe his expressions. Besides, the information received by the Red Lotus Group was too clear. Wei Ci had indeed been stabbed to death by the Deputy Chief. The flesh and blood on the corpses face and body were mutilated, so they naturally did not suspect a thing. The Deputy Chief had killed Wei Ci, which meant that he could never be recruited by Liu Xi! Jiang Pengjis tent was brightly lit during the latter half of the night. Her brows knitted slightly together in a frown. She had a bad feeling. She waited for a long time and was about to put her chin on her hands to rest for a while when she heard footsteps hurrying towards her tent. Whats happening outside? Yang Si lifted the curtain of the tent and walked in. White linen cloth was wrapped around his waist. His eyes were bloodshot. Two attendants followed behind him. Jiang Pengji picked up on the smell of blood. Her heart thumped as she asked, Whats wrong? Zixiao, Zixiao has been killed Jiang Pengji could not answer. Chapter 658 - Unifying Wanzhou (XI) Jiang Pengji found it hard to sleep, so she kept the livestream open at night. She watched the night owls idling around and the bored and listless people posting in the bullet screen to pass the time. When Yang Si said this, those night owls who were dozing off in front of their screens suddenly woke up with a shudder. Fat cat spicy chili: Hold on F*ck me, am I having auditory hallucinations? What happened to Cimeiren? Night dancing and spirit flames: Oh my mama, dont scare me. How could something have happened to Cimeiren? Today is not April Fools Day! Nuo Nuo Xiang: Although Ive always felt that Cimeiren has a fragile and weak body, he does not have the facial features of someone who is short-lived. How did this happen to him? Cat demon gentleman: Its April Fools today. Im not listening, not listening, not listening this is a joke by the host! Yunshi Ruochen: Wei Ci is dead? As his veteran fan, I absolutely cannot accept this! The livestreaming room erupted into chaos. Although there could only be a maximum of 150,000 people in the livestreaming room at a time, several years had passed since it started. During that time, the livestream had accumulated more than 10 million fans. Wei Cis fan forum alone had more than 30 million followers. Moreover, these 30 million followers were real fans, not fake followers, and the posters were extremely active. It should be noted that most of these wannabe wives of Wei Cis were only fans because of his looks. When everyone received the news of Wei Cis death, they immediately felt as if two bombs had blown up right beside their ears. The death of Wei Ci. These four words had become the hottest search term online. The wannabe wives fan group couldnt wait to rush into the livestreaming room, put on a pretense, and toady to the others. Jiang Pengji was shocked, but she was psychologically and mentally strong. No matter how tumultuous her heart was, she remained calm on the surface. Tell me the details of what happened. Jiang Pengjis tone was cold as it had never been before. Her every word was infused with murderous intent. Despite the charcoal brazier burning inside the tent, one could still feel the temperature dropping significantly. Zixiao is dead? Is the party at Qiuyu County responsible? Yang Si resisted the grief in his heart and gritted his back teeth. Enduring the sourness rolling in his throat, he spoke with much difficulty. Upon hearing that Wei Cis corpse had been haphazardly hacked and chopped into pieces to be thrown to the dogs for food and that his bones had been picked clean and sent back, Jiang Pengji could no longer maintain the stability of her mind or emotions. She went cold as ice as her desire to kill rose little by little. The livestreaming room broke out in commotion as all order was lost. She was not in the mood to deal with the barrage of comments on the bullet screen. Her gaze turned towards the two attendants behind Yang Si. They each held a corner of a piece of white cloth in their hands. Some heavy objects were wrapped up in the cloth. This was where the smell of blood originated from. Yang Si said, Those rats on horseback from Qiuyu County threw this in front of the camp Jiang Pengji stood up with a frosty expression. The two attendants put down the white cloth, revealing a pile of human bones inside. The bones were stained with darkening blood, and the flesh that had not been completely gnawed off still stuck to them. The bite marks of dogs could be seen in many areas. Jiang Pengji only took a glance. Her gaze, which had originally been full of murderous intention, eased a little. She raised her hand and ordered the attendants to go. Although Yang Si was immersed in his hatred, he noticed the change in Jiang Pengji. As his eyes fell on the pile of fresh human bones, his lips flapped for a long time. My lord, Zixiao Jiang Pengji scoffed and said with a harrumph, Hes not dead. Yang Si was speechless. Cast off that weepy expression, these are not Zixiaos bones. She squatted down and, without any concern for how dirty it was, lifted out a bone that still had blood and shredded meat on it. The viewers in the livestream said that they could not tolerate graphic content like this. All of them commented on the bullet screen that the body should be protected. The age of the bone is wrong. The age of the bone? Jiang Pengji explained in an experienced manner, The age of this bone is at least 35 years old, and Zixiao is only in his early twenties. One more thing Although Zixiao learned martial arts, his standard is, at best, suited for dancing in the plaza. The quality of this bone indicates one who had been doing hard physical labor for years. Besides, Zixiao is leaner than this. So, based on the frame of the bones, this bone is not his. The bones belonged to someone at least one size bigger and stronger than Zixiao. This is not Zixiao. Yang Si asked, If it isnt Zixiao, then where is he? Jiang Pengji secretly breathed a sigh of relief but spoke lightly on the surface. She smiled and said, Im afraid hes hiding somewhere and waiting for the show to start. Yang Sis face spasmed. He looked at the bones on the ground with veiled worry and resentment as he quietly ground his teeth. Wei Zixiao! What trouble is he getting up to now? Jiang Pengji stroked her chin and gave a shallow smile. In any case, itll be beneficial for us. Yang Si recovered his mind after calming down. He frowned deeply and tried to figure out Wei Cis reasoning in detail. Who would benefit the most if Wei Ci was killed by the Deputy Chief in a rage? The Red Lotus Group! Because of this move, the Deputy Chief was cut off from his back-up plan of getting help from Liu Xi. To protect himself, he could only unite with his old master, the Red Lotus Group, for safety. The Red Lotus Group was also happy to accept the Deputy Chief and his soldiers. Coupled with the convenience and opportunity of the city gates of Qiuyu County, the protracted battle would be Jiang Pengjis downfall. Yang Si understood Wei Cis intentions after a while, and he felt doubly angry. This fellow cant he inform us in advance about his plans? He almost gave me a scare! Jiang Pengi said, Plans cant keep up with the speed at which things change. Maybe he devised this plan at the last minute. We cant be sure. Yang Si asked, Since Zixiao is fine, then My lord, what shall we do tomorrow? Should we challenge them directly? Jiang Pengji nodded. Well, my trusted counselor was killed, so we should at least take some action and show our displeasure. I dont want to act personally. You can lead the troops to the forefront tomorrow. Yang Si was silent. He didnt want to act either. Wei Ci wasnt dead. Why should he waste his feelings? Jiang Pengji continued, Zi Xiao might have already incited the general at Qiuyu County to desert the Red Lotus Group. Now, the Group will appear to be united on the surface, but behind that facade, Im afraid that both sides will suffer. They will fight to the death. Well challenge them to a fight first, and appear to apply pressure on the surface, but well hold back the troops and act according to the specifics of the situation. Based on Jiang Pengjis understanding of Wei Ci, he had already concocted a comprehensive plan. The Red Lotus Group would lose so badly that they could not even keep their underpants. If that didnt happen, Jiang Pengji would change her name. The Red Lotus Group outside the city heard the news at the same time that Jiang Pengji received Wei Cis remains. The scholar from the Red Lotus Group was not suspicious. He was extremely gratified. Wei Ci may have lacked a prominent reputation on the battlefield, but he was highly regarded in Fengyi County for the post-war welfare of the families of soldiers who had died in the war, the organization of the peasant militia, and his high reputation in Fengyi County. As Liu Xis capable man, against all expectations, he had ended up hacked to death and fed to dogs. His bones were even sent to Liu Xi. If he had been dreaming, he would have woken up laughing. Liu Xi had let him suffer so much hardship, but now Wei Ci had recovered a little bit of his dignity with his death. The scholar was certain that the Deputy Chief would never defect to Liu Xis side. Hence, he did not suspect any deceit in this. The two sides agreed to meet the next day to resist Liu Xi together. Before daybreak, Jiang Pengji had already sent men to issue the challenge for a battle. The generals waited on high alert, ready for combat. An aura of death reverberated through the air, and the battle drums sounded like thunder. Even from a far distance, the men on the city wall could feel the wave of repression and the indignant desire to kill. For a moment, their hearts trembled. The Deputy Chiefs face paled, his fear and dread appearing on the surface. The more uncomfortable the Deputy Chief looked, the more assured the Red Lotus scholar felt. The Deputy Chief drew the high-ranking members of the Red Lotus Group into the city. The two sides would abandon their former hatred and jointly discuss the plan to suppress the thief, Liu Xi. Chapter 659 - Unifying Wanzhou (XII) The Deputy Chief had killed Wei Ci. Not only did had he cut off his escape route with this move, but he had also won the trust of the Red Lotus Group. When the Deputy Chief invited the high-ranking Red Lotus members to the city to discuss their grand plan, the Red Lotus Group agreed without really thinking about it. However, they were rather prudent and took 2,000 of their troops into the city with them. The other 30,000 troops remained gathered outside the city. If anything went wrong, these 30,000 men would rush into the city as soon as possible. The Red Lotus Deputy Chief and military strategist found each other very difficult to deal with. Both of them were sick of each other, but the current situation was a special one and they had no choice but to join forces and work together. The scholar had secretly made up his mind. After they drove Liu Xi back, the first thing he would do would be to call on the Deputy Chief to account for his crimes. For the sake of the bigger picture, he had to bear with this man for the time being Heh, he would let this boor live for a few more days. Nobody could know what was in their hearts. The scholar was secretly scheming, but little could he have imagined that the Deputy Chief was conspiring against him too. Although the scholar and others in his party had brought 2,000 men, these 2,000 men could not be compared to the 30,000 troops outside the city. The two pretended to be cordial on the surface, but each had other plans. Despite the pounding of war drums by the army outside, the Deputy Chief refused to come out. He even ordered the soldiers guarding the city to spit and curse out loud from their positions on top. Inside the city, the Deputy Chief kicked off a banquet, ordering the female dancers and singers to dance and sing. At the same time, he got a group of prostitutes to wait upon them from the side. The pounding of the drums outside the city was like thunder. Even though they were separated by a long distance, if one was to prick up his ears, they would still hear it. They only started to discuss the real topic after three rounds of drinks. The Deputy Chief put on a bitter expression while secretly rubbing his hands together. He grabbed the scholar who was beside him and poured out his sufferings. He did not dare to talk about his kidnapping of the Chief in front of everyone. He could only avoid touching on this topic and gloss over it by speaking of other matters. He spoke about how things had been difficult for him. Since everyone was part of the same family and were as close as brothers, they had to help him repel Liu Xi The smile on the scholars face was very stiff. All he wanted was to pull his hand back. But there was nothing he could do when the Deputy Chief was holding onto his hand so tightly. It would be difficult to extract his hand. Dont worry. Liu Xi, that thief, only has some 10,000 troops. How can he stand against our numbers? The scholar smiled reluctantly. He said, Actually, as long as the two of us abandon our former enmity and join forces behind the city wall, Liu Xi will retreat within half a month if we stick to our guns and refuse to come out. The Deputy Chief said, But their calls for battle sound so awful now. Wont we lose face if we dont fight? The scholar said, How much is face worth? As long as we drive Liu Xi back, our Group will become famous across the whole world. After he finished speaking, the scholar gave a detailed analysis of Liu Xis currently awkward situation. It was as if he was commenting on matters of national importance. Everything that he said seemed to be so logical and true. Everyone in the hall praised the scholar repeatedly and toadied up to him. The scholar felt so smug and conceited over the compliments that his previous failures were all pushed to the back of his mind. Outside the city, no matter how many people Jiang Pengji sent to call for a battle, those inside the city were determined not to come out. They were set on being mute. Looking at the darkening sky, Jiang Pengjis gaze grew frostier. Yang Si hurried over with urgency. He panted heavily as he shouted, My lord! My lord, weve found concrete information. There was an unusual change in the Red Lotus Groups camp a short while ago. About 2,000 men have entered Qiuyu County. It looks like theyre about to join forces. Jiang Pengjis eyes flickered slightly, a slight smile forming at the corners of her lips. 2,000 people? Who are the important persons in the group? She wrapped her arms around her chest and glanced up at the sky. She pondered things over, scheming silently. Yang Si had come prepared. He said, According to the scouts reports, the leader is afraid of the elites from the Red Lotus Group. However, the distance is too far so the details are not clear. However, inferring based on their clothing, the number of high-ranking members seems to be around 23. The Red Lotus Group was not a regular army. Most of their members were impoverished commoners. They wore whatever they had. Most of their clothes were taken from the dead and. They made do with whatever they could wrap around their bodies. Anything was fine as long as they could keep warm and avoid freezing to death. Why should they care if their clothes were clean or beautiful? Therefore, those in the Red Lotus Group who had armor to protect themselves or wore bright-colored clothing were typically people of some importance. The scouts could not get too close, but judging by the clothing theyd seen, their conclusion should be more or less correct. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. A dangerous light shone in her eyes and she murmured, 23? Yang Si continued his explanation, Although it is not clear how many high-ranking elites are in that branch of the Red Lotus Group, from this number alone, it seems that a good half of them have been led into the city. Jiang Pengji scoffed lightly. That means that the Red Lotus camp is essentially devoid of leaders right now? Jing Rong, what do you think is our probability of success if we launch a surprise attack on them in the middle of the night? I think we can beat them even if they have 30,000 troops outside. She had fewer troops on her side, but conditions overall were so much better for her. There was enough clothing to ward against the cold and sufficient military rations to stay fed. Their military equipment was rather good and their soldiers were well-trained Their men only numbered one-third of the enemys, but their advantage of numbers would be greatly weakened on a late winter night. They would be attacking late at night, catching the Red Lotus Group off guard. Based on their overall quality, the Red Lotus Group would be crushed. Internally, the Group would still be in a leaderless state. She felt that there was a high chance of victory. Yang Si smile. In my opinion, this may be that fox Zixiaos calculation. Jiang Pengji wrapped her arms around her chest and tsked. Zixiao has incited the forces in Qiuyu County to defect. The Red Lotus Group has simply entered the city with 2,000 troops Haha, things will be lively tonight. Their camp outside the city would be ambushed by Jiang Pengji while the party inside the city would be surrounded by enemies, isolated and without help. An ambush on all sides. The Red Lotus Group would die a worthwhile and just death. Having made her decision, Jiang Pengji ordered the soldiers to continue the call for a battle for another quarter of an hour before they would beat the gong to recall the troops. The morale of Jiang Yanjis army was a little depressed because those in the city had refused to respond to their battle, despite them shouting for a battle the entire afternoon. She got the logistics team to prepare an ample dinner for the soldiers. She let them have an early rest in groups to allow them to recover their energy and raise their morale again. That night, the bright white moon was covered by dark blue clouds. There was not much light on the ground. Jiang Pengji led the entire army away from the camp. The torches in the camp were left burning to avoid alerting those in the city. The Red Lotus camp was a full two hours walk from their camp. It was night by then and the road was difficult so their pace was even slower. The soldiers on guard at the ramparts still saw nothing strange. Firstly, the torches in the camp were still burning. Secondly, Jiang Pengji had led the soldiers away via the back of the camp. The guards on the ramparts did not have such great vision that they could see that the army had left. At the same time, the city was brightly lit and the lively noises within were reminiscent of a beautiful spring day. In between the blurred figures, one could catch a glance of the beautiful and gentle postures of women dancing. Everyone had reached a consensus and was in a pleasant mood. They opened up their appetites and drank. Wine cups collided in this big drinking party. Crude voices that were wild like thunder carried far down the main hall. The Deputy Chief drank until he was intoxicated. His cheeks were pink and his alcoholic nose was very red. He rubbed his belly, feeling a sudden urge to pee. He got up and pushed away from the dancer clinging to him. He raised his voice and said, You all can eat and drink first, I need to relieve myself. Nobody suspected that anything was amiss. Was there a single person here who had not already gotten up to go to the latrine? How could one hold his bladder after having so much to drink? It was very uncomfortable. They revealed connotative smiles and turned their heads to carry on intimately with the women in their arms. No one cared where the Deputy Chief went. Chapter 660 - Unifying Wanzhou (XIII) After the Deputy Chief went to the latrine to relieve himself, he secretly ordered his trusted aide to have the troops silently surround the main hall. The troops also had to avoid the 2,000 pairs of eyes and ears of the Red Lotus Group. Finally, he pretended as if nothing had happened and returned to the main hall, where he continued to drink and make merry with everyone. The people were still drinking in the main hall, no one realizing that they had become the targets of countless arrows. They were surrounded by murderous intent from all directions. The Deputy Chief was still persuading them to drink more. The Red Lotus scholar was sprawled over the table from all the drinking. His clothes were in disarray. At the same time, some dark shadows glided toward a remote house in the city. Sir Wei Ci came out of the house with an indifferent expression. Im here. Your subordinate is late. You must have been frightened. These men, clad in black peasant clothes, were the bodyguards who had followed Wei Ci into the city. Wei Ci let them do their own thing after they entered the city. They were to hide in Qiuyu County without any concern for his safety. They would then find opportunities to meet in the future. Whats the situation outside? One of them said, They spread the news of your killing and threw the bones bitten by dogs in front of our camp. The lord stationed men outside the camp to call for a battle for an entire afternoon, but the Red Lotus Group in the city refused to come out. At noon, 2,000 troops entered the city and were treated with hospitality. Wei Ci tucked both hands into his sleeves and looked at the moonlight above him. He asked, Do you know where the 2,000 people are being temporarily housed? One person replied, The situation is tense in the city. Weve investigated this several times and found out the specific location. Wei Ci laughed. His lips quirked slightly, revealing a hint of an apathetic smile. You guys did very well. Now, listen to my order C go and inform those people that the second leader of the Red Lotus Group harbors ill intentions. He lured them into the city to encircle and kill them. This will cause them to quickly rescue those in the city. The bodyguards felt rather bewildered but still nodded in agreement. Wei Ci added, The terrain is remote, so Ill be fine hiding here. Just complete your tasks. It was not safe for Wei Ci to hide inside the Deputy Chiefs residence, so he had him moved here. This place was remote and quiet; human activity was rare. It was indeed a good hiding place where he could conceal his identity. The bodyguards agreed before dispersing. It was midnight. The wind blustered and the night was pitch-black. It was the perfect time for murder. Jiang Pengji led all the soldiers the entire way to the Red Lotus Groups camp. The Red Lotus camp was very ugly and disgusting. Torches were scarce and the camp was a mess. There were only a few guards on patrol. In this awful weather, the temperature in the middle of the night was unbearable. Most people could not stand the chill. To avoid the cold, they got lazy and found places to squat down. The internal discipline of the Red Lotus Group was rather lax. The soldiers who were sent on patrol slacked off whenever they could. Most of their superiors had left during the day, so the guards were even more laid-back than usual. When Jiang Pengji arrived at the camp with her troops, there wasnt even a single guard waiting at the fence. Yang Si was so cold that he shivered. Is this a trick? Jiang Pengji scoffed and said scornfully, If the Red Lotus Group had the brains to trick us, they would not have been duped by Zixiao and An Cui. Yang Si shut up. He was not stupid, but he had also been deceived by Wei Ci, that black-hearted fellow, on a few occasions. He did not want to comment much about An Cui, that three-faced spy and actor extraordinaire. With her developed mind, Jiang Pengji concluded that there were people in the camp. It was not an ambush. Get the archers to prepare the rockets. Everyone held their breath as hundreds of archers ignited the oil-drenched arrowheads. They drew their bows at a diagonal angle in mid-air. Once the order was given, arrows shot out across the sky with orange-red tails trailing behind them. They fell over the camp like rain. The soldiers in the camp were still roaming freely in their dreamland while the men standing vigil outside were yawning non-stop, hugging their weapons as they slept against the fence. By the time the second wave of rockets had fallen, the tents were already burning. Only then did someone notice something amiss. He shouted with all his strength, Enemy attack! Enemy attack! The men were simply too tired. Even though the shouting was so loud, not many were awakened. They were flustered. By the time someone had sounded the horn to signal the presence of enemies, the fire had spread from one tent to another. The night wind was helping the fire to burn even more intensely. Enemy attack! Hurry, wake up! The chaotic yelling and the pell-mell footsteps The crashing movements wove themselves into a song of the dead. As the sound of hooves approached, they could hear the horses screaming as the gates of the camp were violently broken through. The soldiers who were standing guard on both sides of the gate were about to come forward to ward off the attack when a silver light flashed and two splashes of blood bloomed like flowers. No one could have imagined that Liu Xis army, which had been yelling the entire afternoon, would actually launch a surprise attack on the Red Lotus Groups camp outside the city in the middle of the night. Dian Yans horse was not as fast as Jiang Pengjis. The horse under him lowered its head and cantered at a steady pace. This horse may not have been fast, but its breathing was very stable as it followed Jiang Pengji into the camp at a close distance. On horseback, Dian Yan killed everyone that he saw. His double axes condemned many to death. In addition, he had been born with great strength. He could split a person in half with one swing of an ax, spilling twisted and curling intestines all over the ground. The shouts to kill were akin to a boulder being thrown into the calm waters of a lake. The bang it made caused huge ripples in the water. The flames grew fiercer, dying the entire camp a fascinating shade of orange. Kill! Most of the Red Lotus soldiers were still in dreamland. Awakened by the noise and the fire outside, they bolted out of their tents with an instinctive need to survive. They carried no weapons at all. There were powerful enemies outside, watching them like tigers watching their prey Even though they had 30,000 men, they found themselves utterly defeated by Jiang Pengjis forces. Their only concern was to survive. They offered no resistance. Inside the city According to Wei Cis request, his bodyguards transformed themselves into Red Lotus members and spread the news. Some didnt believe it until they saw the fire spreading outside the city. There were also some vague sounds of crying and shouting to kill. Their faces suddenly changed. Having achieved their goal, the bodyguards slipped away, waiting for the show to begin. Just then, someone in the hall got up in a confused state, wanting to pee. He had just opened the door when he saw abnormalities in the pitch-black night. The orange-red flames had dyed half the sky red. It was like a cloud of fire. Whats that? He was confused, then hit by a realization as he took a step forward. He immediately remembered. Wasnt that where they had set up camp? Most of his alcohol-induced stupor receded as his back broke out in a cold sweat. It was not over yet. With the help of the candlelight outside, his eyes could faintly make out some unusual figures in the distance. The sense of crisis hit him hard. He was so agitated that his scalp felt numb. He was shivering all over. He retracted his foot, for a moment at a loss for how to react. What to do? What to do? What to do? He was so anxious that he lost his wits. He hurried back and tried to wake everyone up. Halfway through his shouting, he noticed that there were a pair of eyes glaring at him with malice. The second leader harrumphed in disdain. He got up and strode away. As soon as he stepped out, the door immediately shut. Kill! The sound of the second leader drifted by indistinctively. After a while, countless arrows penetrated the paper windows and shot into the room indiscriminately. The arrows even carried fire. The arrows landed on the wine, spreading the fire instantly. Hel help! The flames swept through the house. The blood-curdling screams inside gradually became weaker and shorter. The second leader sneered. He put his arms around his back and strode away. But he had not gone far when he heard hurried footsteps coming from outside. They were accompanied by shouts to kill which were getting closer and closer. His face turned white as dozens of people rushed through the heavy vermilion gates. It turned out to be the 2,000 men brought along by the Red Lotus Group! He was just about to break into a run, but it was too late. Several large knives fell onto his back. After a few breaths, he was no more. Chapter 661 - Compassionate Wei Zixiao Indeed, the entire city is in chaos This Wei Zixiao has such a cunning heart. On one hand, Yang Si was cursing with all his might and holding onto the hemp rope for dear life simultaneously. He looked rather pathetic. After hed tossed around for a while, his once neat and scholarly clothes became unkempt. Each time he took a deep breath, the chilly, cold wind filled his mouth. Yang Si turned around to look at the distant city in Qiuyu County. The night sky above the city rendered orange in color, smoldering with a dangerous but alluring blaze. This is called tacit understanding. Jiang Pengji stood on her horse, wearing a faint smile on her face. Yang Si was disgusted. He remarked unkindly, It seemed to me he was creating trouble out of nothing. Who knows who that pile of bones belongs to? If we believe that Zixiao has been harmed, our opportunity to go to war will be delayed. It is so considerate of him! The least he could have done is to inform us Speaking of which, Yang Si felt very depressed about it. He saw the pile of bones and thought that it must be Wei Ci. He was genuinely saddened for a while. If not for his lord astutely identifying it, perhaps he would have remained in the dark. When she heard what was said, her rather pale colored lips curved into a perfect arc. Perhaps this was calculated in his predictions. He knew I wouldnt be fooled by corpses and bones, let alone delay an opportunity to go to battle. After she finished her speech, Jiang Pengji brandished the long spear in her hands. Her silver spear was stained with scarlet red blood. The warm blood quickly turned cold in the presence of the chilly wind and froze into blood clots. When touched, these clots felt sticky and disgusting. She placed her long spear as if nothing was wrong, then cast her sights towards the far-off county. Jing Rong, assemble the soldiers and horses. Prepare to attack Qiuyu County! While youre unprepared, we will strike and claim your lives! Yang Si replied, We will obey your orders. Qiuyu County was already in a mess. The fire spread with the aid of the wind throughout the entire district. There were shadows of people moving and battle cries filling the air. The guards who safeguarded the city were also implicated. Now, some dark shadows took advantage of the chaos to approach the city gates and open the bolted door. With their combined efforts to open the door, there rang the groan of someone with an aching tooth. The tall city doors opened in response to the sound. This significantly minimized the trouble Jiang Pengji and her army had to face. Your servants welcome our lord. The men who opened the door were the guards who had entered the city with Wei Ci. Theyd followed Zixiaos orders to sow discord among those in the Red Lotus group who had formed alliances. When signs of distress became evident, they were tasked with secretly opening the city gates for Jiang Pengjis army. Where is Zixiao? One of them answered, The Master has been relocated to a safe place. He is awaiting the lords arrival. She raised the corner of her lips frivolously, her pupils mirroring a dancing orange flame. When the words entered her ears, a surge of heat filled her ear. To quote the audience in the live streaming room the streamers smile was rather attractive. You did well. All my generals, follow me to vanquish our enemies! They held their spears and rode into the vast lands. After a night of engaging in a fierce battle until the break of dawn, a ray of light broke into the backdrop of night. The earth received a brand new day. The guards who safeguarded the city were also implicated. Now, some dark shadows took advantage of the chaos to approach the city gates and open the bolted door. With their combined efforts to open the door, there rang the groan of someone with an aching tooth. The tall city doors opened in response to the sound. This significantly minimized the trouble Jiang Pengji and her army had to face. Your servants welcome our lord. The men who opened the door were the guards who had entered the city with Wei Ci. Theyd followed Zixiaos orders to sow discord among those in the Red Lotus group who had formed alliances. When signs of distress became evident, they were tasked with secretly opening the city gates for Jiang Pengjis army. Where is Zixiao? One of them answered, The Master has been relocated to a safe place. He is awaiting the lords arrival. She raised the corner of her lips frivolously, her pupils mirroring a dancing orange flame. When the words entered her ears, a surge of heat filled her ear. To quote the audience in the live streaming room the streamers smile was rather attractive. You did well. All my generals, follow me to vanquish our enemies! They held their spears and rode into the vast lands. After a night of engaging in a fierce battle until the break of dawn, a ray of light broke into the backdrop of night. The earth received a brand new day. After brushing away the black smoke from Little Whites body, she exclaimed, Our good Little White is getting so smoky that hes almost Little Black. As she spoke, she passed the hemp ropes in her hands to a soldier nearby and tasked to wipe down Little White. Yang Si hasnt slept that night. A pale-green coloration was evident beneath his eyes and his eye bags were heavy. His fair face was tainted by the black smoke and it made him appear rather dirty. Did Zixiao stay yesterday? This guy seriously knows how to enjoy He followed Jiang Pengji everywhere. The journey was too tumultuous for him. He had to ride the horse frequently which caused the skin at his inner thighs to sustain blisters from the friction. This was nothing. His face had started to fatten up with much difficulty, but now that he was skinny again, his beard covered his entire lower chin. This made him look rather downtrodden. What about Wei Ci? This fellow was having a great time and enjoying himself! In such a desolate and serene place, hed been immune to the disturbances by the chaotic war last night. When he recalled the tribulations of last night, knowing that Wei Ci had slept so well, Yang Si immediately felt mistreated in his heart. As he was talking, the tightly shut door opened in response to a familiar voice. Out walked a tall scholar wearing blue garments. Wasnt that Wei Ci? My lord! Jing Rong! Having missed a night of sleep, Wei Ci had been pacing near the main door since the break of dawn. With all that walking, the friction from contact between his feet and the ground could have formed a cavity. As he went into a daze, he heard a familiar voice. His entire body quivered. He hastily opened the door. It was Jiang Pengji and Yang Si. Wei Ci stepped forward. Yang Si held his hands together in his broad sleeves. He turned his head and refused to look at the others. It was Jiang Pengji who reacted first. She raised her feet and stepped forward, her eyes moving in all directions as she surveyed Wei Ci from top to bottom. She didnt say anything, making Wei Ci feel uneasy for no reason. My lord? Is there something wrong? she asked. He felt indescribably guilty, so he calmed himself down. Then, with composed expression, he replied, Ci is fine. Thank you, my lord, for your concern. Its good that all is fine. She walked past him. Her lips opened and closed, and at a volume only they could hear, she added, I will settle it with you once were back. His body became stiff. His composed expression slowly gave way. Yang Si didnt understand the reason behind it as he walked past Wei Ci, mocking him discreetly. Of all things, why had he pretended to be dead and deceived the feelings of others. Feeling helpless, Wei Ci could only smile bitterly. He believed she could guess his intentions. Surely, she would seize this opportunity to exterminate the Red Lotus Group and gain control of Qiuyu County, thus gaining sovereignty over Wanzhou. Although neither had discussed this matter before, he believed they had this tacit understanding. Except the situation seemed to have worsened. Yang Si was still alright. It wasnt difficult to fool him. Wei Ci was confident that he could make him believe his lies. This wouldnt work on his lord though. She was too astute his experience from his previous life told him so. The thought of meeting her face-to-face stirred up the urge in Wei Ci to take flight and escape. Nonetheless, Wei Cis defense had already fallen to a large extent, yet Jiang Pengji had not completely revealed that last bit of truth. He felt he could still salvage the situation as all was not lost. It hadnt reached the extent where she could determine the exact details Still, he felt guilty in his heart for what had transpired the day before. If hed known in advance, he could have dispatched a messenger to inform her. As if he was sitting on a bed of needles, Wei Ci was extremely nervous. Jiang Pengji sat on the chairman seat, solidifying her strong presence. A simple meeting was held. The worrisome event on Wei Cis heart didnt occur. Witnessing this, Wei Ci secretly sighed in relief. Yang Si and Wei Ci oversaw the miscellaneous post-war tasks. Quickly, the heavy workload consumed all their energy and thoughts. They didnt have time to consider other things. As he accounted for the number of prisoners of war, Yang Si discovered something. Thats weird How about those high authorities governing the Red Lotus Group? Didnt you instigate the second-in-command to rebel? Having captured more than 40,000 prisoners of war, it was considered a plentiful harvest. Yet they were all followers of the Red Lotus Group. Few possessed high statuses or noble positions. Wei Cis table front was stacked with many literary books. His right hand, which he held his brush, was stiff and painful. He might as well change to his left hand to continue writing. As his eyes drooped, his thick and slender eyelids cast a brief shadow. Wei Ci said callously, I reckon that they were either burned or hacked to death. Regardless, they all died. Yang Si was startled. You sly fox, what have you done now? Wei Ci raised his lips and said, That group of vermin Keeping them alive will only waste our food supplies. How will they have the ability to share our lords burdens? If we indeed offer them amnesty and enlist their help, we will be laying a trap for ourselves. They might betray us in the future. If so, why not get rid of them from the outset and end all our troubles before they begin. He was so flabbergasted that he couldnt speak. As Jiang Pengjis envoy, Wei Ci offered her enemies amnesty and enlisted their services. After he made use of them, another issue emerged in the form of the second-in-command being accidentally hacked to death You have such an ugly heart. Chapter 662 - Came Personally to Wei Ci chuckled and said, We are the same. How can anyone compare to Jing Rong when it comes to being evil? Comparing their ability to scheme and devise strategies, Wei Ci was honestly inferior to Yang Si. Moreover, their styles were also different. Both had ugly hearts, but the difference was in whose heart was uglier. Yang Si was depressed, his mood as dark as the crows in the sky. Wei Ci, the stupid, sly fox, dared to laugh at others for having an evil heart. What about his dignity? Overwhelmed with government affairs, Wei Ci and Yang Si were so busy that they had no time for anything else. The prisoners of wars numbered over 40,000. Jiang Pengji needed to come up with a way to settle them down. If not, as time passed, things would change. Following the earlier plan, some were dispatched to Fengyi County to do hard labor. The rest remained here. Fengyi and Shangyang counties lacked manpower. Chengde County, which they just occupied, also had manpower issues. After they conquered Chengde County, the matter of saving this country in dire straits must be prioritized. From the high-ranking ones to the lower-ranked ones, everyone was as busy as bees. Jiang Pengji assigned a special assignment to Wei Ci. It was neither extremely important nor was it an inconsequential matter. Previously, we promised An Cui one-tenth of our wealth and servants. It is now time to fulfill that promise. The Red Lotus Groups assets will require a few days to be accounted for. As for the prisoners of war She tabulated the number of war prisoners theyd captured during the battle, counting about 81,000 of them. Most of them were average citizens. Wei Ci would have to pick out 8,000 men to form an army as a gift to An Cui. Do as you deem fit. Wei Ci received the task respectfully. During the afternoon of the fourth day, they conquered Quiyu County. An Cui and his sworn brothers exited their hideout. Big brother, Magistrate Liu has captured many prisoners of war. The least he can do is award us with 7,000 to 8,000 men. Will he be willing? The group of brothers had a deep discussion. There was much uncertainty in their hearts. An Cui answered them calmly, Even if he cannot bear to, he must give us our due. If Liu Xi doesnt even have that extent of a magnanimous heart, he will not achieve much. The group of people reached Qiuyu County and were identified by the guards on patrol. When they made themselves known, Jiang Pengji came out to receive them personally. Young Brother Liu, I hope all has been well with you. A few of them, including An Cui, had stayed in the deep mountains for some days. They hadnt had time to wash up and therefore appeared rather disheveled. If not for their unique aura, one might think that they were beggars. Compared to Jiang Pengji, who appeared young and promising, An Cuis outward appearance was honestly quite unsightly. An Cuis sworn brothers kept silent as An Cui spoke. As your brother, I will speak directly. We came here intending to allow you, our virtuous brother, to fulfill your end of the promise. Instead of both sides hypocritically testing each other and exchanging blows, why not head directly to the other side and express ones intentions for visiting? Without any signs of frustration, Jiang Pengji answered, Brother An, you came at the right time. I was about to send men to invite you over. Thanks to Brother Ans help, which enabled me to take down Chengde County so quickly, we captured a total of 81,0000 Red Lotus Group prisoners of war. Regarding the assets that were confiscated, the account book is here. Brother An, please check through it. Based on our agreement, we will give you one-tenth of the servants and assets. I will certainly not put Brother An at a disadvantage. She knew very well that she had been able to take down Chengde County so quickly because An Cui had played a big part in it. Even if he hadnt come personally to collect the debt, she would have sent someone to invite him. An Cui received a thick account book. He was speechless with astonishment. This was perhaps the most extravagant account book he had ever seen. The account book wasnt bound together by bamboo slips. Instead, it was sewn together from bamboo-paper of equal sizes. Such a fancy item like bamboo paper was unheard of in Dongqing. If it was resold to Nansheng, the value would increase further. He flipped through a few pages, finding that the records were extremely detailed. Every account was meticulously recorded. Jiang Pengji was so forthcoming that it made An Cui and his men seem rather petty. Sensing this, An Cui did not meticulously flip through the entire account book. Quickly, he returned the thick book to Jiang Pengji. We will leave everything for our virtuous younger brother to arrange. Young Brother Liu is an upright person. Whats there that this foolish brother has to doubt? On the surface, he wore a pleasant smile. He made the atmosphere amicable again. As the two talked, Wei Ci entered from outside the hall. The matter he reported was related to An Cui. The 8,100 men that they intended to offer to An Cui had been chosen. An Cui furrowed his brows slightly. His other sworn brothers also reacted to this. They looked at one another with dismay and felt like they were being cheated. If they let Liu Xi choose for them, who knew if she had chosen soldiers who were aged, handicapped, and severely injured? If they took these soldiers back, what use would they be? As if she hadnt caught the change in their facial expressions, she took the initiative to invite An Cui. Coincidentally, I am about to head over there. Why doesnt Brother An accompany me over to have a look? He smiled reluctantly. Your foolish brother will accept it graciously. When they reached the military drill ground, An Cui realized it was he who had measured the stature of a great man by the yardstick of a small man. All the prisoners of war Jiang Pengji had chosen for him had all four limbs intact, were of prime-age, and all seemed to have similar physiques. Although these men appeared rather lethargic, that could be attributed to them being defeated prisoners of war. They all felt hopeless and lost about their futures Such an outcome was completely something An Cui never could have expected. He cast his sights into the distance. With one look, he could tell that these prisoners of war had been painstakingly selected. Virtuous Brother Liu An Cui didnt know how to respond, he was too pleasantly surprised and overjoyed to find the words. Amongst all the men, An Cui observed many of the Red Lotus groups young cadre. They were significantly stronger than the average man. If they were subjected to good training, they would certainly form an impressive army. She stopped him from commenting. It is good that Brother An is satisfied enough to prevent any conflicts that would be detrimental to our brotherhood. When Yang Si heard this, his expression became unsettled. He held it back for a long time. Finally, he found an opportunity and secretly pulled Wei Ci to one side. He was almost seething with anger. Wei Zixiao, did you receive any benefits from our enemies? Wei Ci was confounded. Jing Rong, why do you say this? Since when does Ci side with the outsiders? Yang Si replied, Then why did you choose these men for An Cui? Disregarding all else, all these young men had identical characteristics. Some even looked strong and muscular. Oh, youre talking about that Wei Ci laughed as he continued, The lord also approved of this, dont worry. Please look beyond the superficial side of how good these people seem. Behind the scenes, they are not what they appear to be. Most of them are the Red Lotus Groups loyal followers or small gang leaders who exploited the citizens and bullied their neighbors. They have committed many sins. If they remained with us, it would negatively influence the entire atmosphere in Wanzhou. We needed to give up on them. Most importantly, they were severely brainwashed by the Red Lotus Groups religious doctrine. They were poisonous tumors and must not be kept close. Yang Si was in shock. He was so astonished that he couldnt speak. Wei Ci narrowed his eyes and expressed his loyalty. I would rather sacrifice my flesh and blood, even give my life, before I would hurt my lord in any way in this lifetime An Cui can still be made used of. If we use those old and frail troops to fool him, Im afraid he will bear a grudge against my lord. However, if we offer these 8,000 young and strong men to him, he will not be able to see any problems and we will be able to make use of him a couple more times Jing Rong, what are you looking at? With much effort, Yang Si regained his composure. He felt bizarre because of what Wei Ci had said. His line of vision fell on Wei Cis back. Wei Ci was first confused, then he became anxious. When he turned his head, he saw someone with an innocent look leaning against the wall further down the hallway. Jiang Pengji wore an expression that said: please continue your conversation, I am just admiring the scenery. Wei Ci was silent. How long has she been eavesdropping on the conversation? He rolled his eyes and looked at Yang Si. Yang Si secretly shrugged. He was also very innocent as he had only just discovered her standing there. Chapter 663 - A Fight Between Amateurs Wei Ci received the signal sent by Yang Si. As he recalled what hed said earlier, the blush on his face slowly dissipated. It appeared as if hed just said something he should not have. He tried to change the topic, but as his lips were about to move, he couldnt utter any words. It was as if there was an invisible hand choking his throat and forcing him to swallow his words back into his stomach. An uncomfortable feeling surged upwards through his feet and into his brain. Jiang Pengji hugged her chest as she half-leaned against the pillar in the hallway. The expression in her eyes as she looked at Wei Ci was sharp and probing. Yang Si was sharp and sensed the change in the atmosphere. He swallowed his saliva nervously as he noticed that the atmosphere between them was very bizarre. Logically speaking, Wei Ci had expressed his loyalty and was unexpectedly overheard by the lord. As his master, shouldnt she be overjoyed? Using the same reasoning, Wei Ci had reaffirmed his loyalty. The declaration had coincidentally been heard by the person in question herself. Even if he wasnt embarrassed, he couldnt be frightened, right? But in the end? Yang Si sensed an unusual aura. She looked at him less intensely. I happened to walk past earlier. Please, continue your conversation. Having said her piece, she decisively turned around and walked off. Just then, Wei Ci discovered that she was wearing her straw shoes rather than her wooden clogs. No wonder she had seemed to float by without making any sound. Only when she disappeared from their field of vision was Wei Ci able to sigh in relief and allow his shoulders to relax. The bridge of his brows also collapsed somewhat. Devoid of energy, he told Yang Si, Please allow me to lean on you for a while. Yang Si wanted to cause Wei Ci to trip and fall. In the end, he held back. What happened between you and the lord? Yang Si was momentarily conflicted. His brows were knitted together as to say, I sense there is something strange going on between you and the lord. Describing this as strange was considered a polite term. If he had put it more directly, it would have implied that the two had some illicit relationship. A cat was scratching within his heart, causing his heart to burn with curiosity. Wei Ci had a terrible headache as he rubbed his eyebrows. He darted a look at him. Whats weird? Yang Si pinched his chin. From time to time, he shot a glance at Wei Ci. Not unless what I suspected before is true. Do you harbor some secret illicit feelings for our lord? Does the lord also have such feelings for you? Although homosexuality is acceptable among the general population and it isnt taboo to most people, you do have an age gap of six years. Also, you have a master and subordinate relationship. This matter is indeed hard to resolve As he spoke, Yang Si rubbed his hands. Wei Ci had already been provoked to anger by him, yet Yang Si had still come up with such a lousy idea. If not, Zixiao, you should find someone to marry. If you are worried about your destiny based on your eight characters, you may want to get yourself a concubine at least there would be a woman by your side. The way of truth is to find a balance between yin and yang. Why do you choose the convoluted path when the path of prosperity is already set before you? Although you are older than the lord, theres a difference in status between both of you. Surely you cannot lord that over her since it is deemed disrespectful. If you insist on this, wont you be inferior ouch! Yang Si didnt get to finish his sentence before Wei Ci elbowed him. Yang Si wasnt prepared for the beating and his face appeared conflicted. It was shameless of you to sneak an attack on me. Wei Ci laughed awkwardly and raised his brows. Shall we head to the martial arts training ground? When it came to the wetlands and dry path, this fellow had opened the floodgates. He simply doesnt know how to restrain himself. He knew more than Feng Zhen, that wastrel. 29-year-old Yang Si shouldnt have been underestimated. Although he was still single, his private life was rather eventful. Yang Si took in a deep breath of cold air, grimacing with pain. Lets go. I was kind enough to warn you, yet you were ungrateful and launched a counter-attacked on me Wei Ci needed to be taught a lesson! When they arrived at the martial arts training ground, Yang Si took out a loop and tied it around his shoulders. He rolled his sleeves and unsheathed his sword, pointing it at Wei Ci. Likewise, Wei Ci returned the gesture. Shortly after, Jiang Pengji received news that two of her strategists were fighting at the military training ground. Jiang Pengji wasnt the only one who was dumbfounded upon hearing this. The viewers in the live streaming room were also confused. Xiangcheng Weiyachi: This isnt right did I hear wrong? Why did Yang Si and Wei Ci get into a fight? Arent they literates? Rabbits Leg with Mala Taste: #digsnose, who said literates cannot get into fights? Did you think this generation of literates is like those Chinese scholars who existed after the Song Dynasty who couldnt carry weights on their shoulders or even lift their fingers? These Masters learned the six arts including horse riding, archery, and sword fighting, all of which are essential lessons. Chicken Feet with Thick Paste: Do you all have some kind of misunderstanding about literates? The ancient literates were mostly trained in literary and martial arts. For example, our highly esteemed idol, Li Bai. He was a legitimate sword fighting expert, the most revered in the martial arts realm! Think about how chaotic the ancient times were. With unruly and sarcastic mouths, how could they afford not to be adept at fighting? Otherwise, wont they be strangled to death? Thus, it is expected for Beauty Ci and the rest to be adept at fighting. Country Bumpkin: I am trembling with all my might. I beg the viewer above not to mention him. Whenever we speak of Li Bai, I cant help but be frightened by the Qinglianzi sword he wielded to dominate. When the land was first opened for agriculture, he always carried three Pingxing swords, able to strike down anyone with one blow. The God of War, Li Bai, does not tire by lifting 25 men. Sanba Pingxing Jian: Hang on, are you all going off-topic? If Beauty Ci and Yang Si fight it out, nothing will happen, right? At this moment, the viewers in the live streaming room recalled the heart of the matter. They hastily called on her to resolve the conflict between them to prevent them from hurting one another. Jiang Pengji had a slothful expression and zero motivation to interfere. She lazily propped up her chin to watch. With two amateurs exchanging blows, what could happen? The 150,000 member audience: This is so hurtful, my lord! What amateurs No, Wei Ci and Yang Si exchanged blows for more than ten moves. After that, Yang Si barely emerged as the winner by half a stroke. He preferred to eat rather than exercise. Naturally, sword mastery felt foreign to him. Wei Ci perspired as if the floodgates were open. He was so exhausted that his whole head was covered in sweat. After one round of fighting, they were both panting heavily. In contrast, Wei Cis face did not flush and his heart rate did not increase This was not right, he was supposed to be the sickly one! Zixiao, please answer honestly, what is going on between you and the lord? Wei Ci sheathed his sword. He spoke without much thought, What could there be between us? Just continue to stubbornly deny it. Do you think my two eyes are just for show? Dont assume that you are the only intelligent person on earth, other people can see things too. Yang Si gasped for air uniformly. He suddenly recalled the conversation he had with her. With all sincerity and earnest wishes, he said, There is no best. The lord is young, and his heart is unsettled. If he is entangled with guys out of curiosity, your sins will be grave. But I heard from our lord that he seems to have someone he fancies already. When Wei Ci heard this, he froze on the spot. His feet were glued to the ground and it was hard to even move an inch. Does she have someone she fancies? Yang Si mumbled as he repeated what Jiang Pengji had said that day. He hoped to use reality to extinguish any potential dangers. Regardless of whether one considered things from the lords or Wei Cis perspective, it was dangerous for both if they had any relationship other than lord and subordinate. Firstly, Wei Ci had an age gap of 6 years compared to her. The others would comment that the lord was innocent and young while Wei Ci was being shamelessly flattered, fawned over, and fooled around with the much younger lord, meaning that he had a depraved nature. They could maintain a master and subordinate relationship for life which would be praised for generations to come. Why subject themselves to infamy for generations to come? Secondly, the lord already had a lady he fancied in his heart. If Wei Ci was unable to hold himself back, they may not even have a lord and subordinate relationship in the future. Out of concern for his friend, Yang Si felt that, no matter what infatuations these two had for each other, they should quench it completely. Except why was that not effective? From the start, Wei Cis facial expression was rather pale. As Yang Si continued to elaborate, it slowly turned into one of guilt and frustration. A faint blush hung on his face. Yang Si didnt respond. Did it seem like something was wrong? Chapter 664 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (I) There was nothing wrong. Wei Ci coughed twice. His complexion returned to its usual color, except for his ears, which were flushed bright red. They were so red that one could make out the tiny blood vessels under the skin. Of course, he understood who the sweetheart was that Jiang Pengji talked of. He felt an inexplicable sense of shame when faced with the unknowing Yang Si. However, what Yang Si had just said was not unreasonable. Their lord was still young. His age was in the tens. He was still in the bloom of youth. What about Wei Zixiao? How could he be a mere six years older than him? I have some things to attend to. Ill be making a move first. Wei Ci sounded a little vague. It was as if he was deliberately avoiding something. Yang Si was not willing to let him go so easily. The trick of changing the topic did not affect him. You havent explained anything yet. You think you can make me leave with just this? Yang Si sat on a wooden camp stool and calmed his breathing. Seeing that Wei Ci was about to leave, he quickly grabbed his sleeve. His expression became serious as he said solemnly and sincerely, Zixiao Be rational. Dont do something stupid. Wei Ci smiled. It was like the sunlight melting snow. It was neither blinding nor intense; the temperature was just right. I know my limits. Shell understand when she gets older. He would be 27 or 28 after another five or six years. By then, he would be just about to enter middle age. He would have given up on her interest in him by then. Yang Si listened to what he said. Naturally, he did not pester him in an inconsiderate manner. It was alright as long as Wei Ci knew what he was doing. Yang Si breathed a long sigh of relief as he sat on the wooden camp stool and stretched his legs out. He thumped his legs with his fists and hummed a strange tune without any concern for his odd appearance. He felt so contented that he was caught off guard when he heard his lords voice behind him. Wheres Zixiao? Yang Si was so startled that he almost fell off the stool. Fortunately, he knew his manners and restrained himself so that he did not lose face. He got up unhurriedly, flicked his sleeves and tucking his hands inside the sleeves before bowing. Zixiao left because he had something to attend to. My lord, are you here to look for him? Jiang Pengji put her arms around her chest, an indescribable smirk pulling at the corners of her lips. No, Im looking for you. Yang Si was surprised. The atmosphere felt a little strange! Somehow, Yang Si had the misconception that Jiang Pengji was there to settle a score with him No, maybe, it was not an illusion Jiang Pengji didnt say anything. She just stared at Yang Si with an expression that was like a smile yet not a smile. Seeing this, Yang Si felt all his hair stand up. After a long time, she said, Jing Rong, do you still remember the sweetheart whom Ive mentioned? Yang Si was silent. Wait Please, she was not about to tell him that the so-called sweetheart was Wei Ci, right? His face turned dark. He carefully brought to mind the description of the person whom Jiang Pengji had talked about. The more he thought about it, the greater his despair. My lord Zixiao and you Yang Si paused here; he did not know how to persuade him. He had once been a youth full of vigor. He knew the temperament of young adults and how they loved to be obstinate. The more that the outside world tried to stop them, the more it stimulated their aggression and drive. His lord might like Wei Ci because he had felt a moments desire for his beauty. He might simply find the other party good-looking. At best, it was 80% curiosity and 20% affection. Once there was a strong external force to obstruct them, it would stimulate his lords stubborn temper, and his 20% affection would develop into 100% affection. After all, both of you are men. Have you thought about how you two are going to carry on your lineages in the future? Yang Si spoke rather weakly. He was close friends with Wei Ci. He could persuade him without any qualms, but that could not be done with Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji asked, Why not? Zixiao is not someone who feels affection for many others at the same time. Its not to say hes so faithful that he would not remarry if he became a widower, but if youre thinking of letting other women help him carry on his lineage, I am afraid that itll be a wasted effort and that your plans will be for naught. Yang Si had misunderstood. He was embarrassed and said vaguely, Not to mention my lord, you still have so many wonderful years ahead. Why waste your time and Zixiaos time? You are still young while he is six years older than you His lord would still be considered young and promising at twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but Wei Ci would be in his early thirties by then. Age-wise, they were not suitable for each other. Yang Si felt that he had given his most earnest and well-meaning advice. He had said all that he thought should be said, but the person in front of him had paid no attention to him at all. She said, I wouldnt let other women touch him, Im too much of a clean freak. Yang Si did not know what a clean freak was, but he could understand a little according to the context. He couldnt stop the headache coming on. He finally understood. It must be that his lord had no knowledge about physiology and didnt know that two men cant produce children. Perhaps his lord thought that two men could have children? Zixiao is a man, and my lord is also a man. He felt a bit ridiculous here, teaching a teenager who was nearly eighteen about this particular science. Jiang Pengji found it funny. And? Yang Si said, Men cant have children. Jiang Pengji said, I know that. So what? Yang Si could not catch his breath. He knew that men could not have children, but he was also unwilling to allow Wei Ci to have children with other women. Wei Ci wouldnt have any descendants to carry on his family lineage! He gave up and said, You and Zixiao are both men so you cant have children! Jiang Pengji looked a little down. She scoffed. Wrong. Yang Si was at a loss for words. Where was he wrong? Zixiao is a man, thats correct. Everything else is wrong. Although Yang Sis IQ was higher than that of the average person, he felt that his brain was rather lacking at this moment. He could not respond at all. He had just said, You and Zixiao are both men and you cant have children. But his lord had said, Zixiao is a man, thats correct. But everything else is wrong. In other words, the statement my lord is a man must be wrong and cant have children must also be wrong This was too horrible to contemplate. He felt like crying. Yang Sis expression kept changing. His mind was in an uproar. It was as if someone had tossed a hundred honeycombs at him and the bees were buzzing non-stop. My, my lord Yang Si was so shocked that he couldnt even speak clearly. Jiang Pengji blinked and said, I have something going on. Ill make a move first. After giving her last word, she left quietly with a wave of her sleeves, leaving Yang Si behind. He was dumbfounded by the bomb that had just gone off. The livestream viewers had watched the whole process from beginning to end, and they were divided into two groups. One group was worried about the host exposing her gender, and the other was worried that Yang Si would be scared stupid. The reticent Huang Shaotian: Oh no, if Yang Si knows the hosts gender, will he run away? The gentle and lovely Han Wenqing: Even without taking into account the power of the hosts father, she could be regarded as the lord of a province in her own right. She has tens of thousands of soldiers. Yang Si is a scholar. How is he going to run away? With his head perhaps? The host is black-hearted and ruthless while Wei Ci has a ruthless heart and underhanded tactics. If the two of them join hands, Yang Si would find it difficult to leave. The eloquent Zhou Zekai: I dont understand why the host wanted to reveal her gender at this time! The honest and considerate Ye Buxiu: I can understand. The host has now recovered Wanzhou in its entirety. Although an outstanding hero cannot be crushed, this matter cant simply be ignored. It is a wise decision to reveal her true identity at this time. This will allow the people around her to be mentally prepared before shes officially exposed. As had been previously observed, Yang Si was able to accept that Jiang Pengji was a female. As long as she could stabilize the few literati serving under her, the others would be easy to handle. So far, three people knew Jiang Pengjis true gender C Feng Jin, Wei Ci, and Yang Si. Those three were in Jiang Pengjis inner circle and their support carried a lot of weight. With their full support, even if she were to come into conflict with others, there would not be much impact. Chapter 665 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (II) Some viewers were worried. Naturally, some felt pity. The handsome Wang Jiexi: I feel sorry for Yang Si, hes probably received a terrible shock. Even the onlookers were taken in by the host, not to mention Yang Si. The clever and skillful Yu Wenzhou: Actually, I was thinking Perhaps the reason that Yang Si was so shocked is not that the host is a woman, but because such a robust, valiant, and kick-ass lord who is also good at war turned out to be a woman! Can you imagine the King Kong Barbie version of Nezha? Adorable alliance of old hands: To the comments above mine, your usernames are vicious! Hahaha! Speaking of which, the host is almost eighteen, hows her cleavage coming in? She also has her period every month. It appears that she has been pursuing an update for so long, but Ive never heard her mention it. Out of this talent Guo Fengxiao: Speaking of this, Ive suddenly thought of something that Little angle Li Hanmei said which can be considered a classic line such a tall and imposing man like our lord here is posing as a woman, for sure he hasnt shown you everything that hes capable of yet dont you think thats funny? Jiang Pengji glanced at the livestream and rolled her eyes. Host V: Prepare yourselves, I intend to confess my identity in an official capacity at the Alliance Meeting in Huangshui. Whoever dares to make noise, I will hit them! To capture Wanzhou as a woman and to be bestowed the title of its governor it was quite touching when one thought about it. On the other hand, Yang Si had been stunned out of his wits. Just like what the livestream viewers had debated over, he did not know which was scarier, that his lord was a woman or that a lord like that was a woman. He searched for Wei Ci in a hurry, only to falter and stammer. He finally asked his question after a long while. Our lord Yang Si stammered for a good while. Wei Ci felt so confused as he watched him. He couldnt wait to pluck the words out of his mouth. Wei Ci held a brush in each hand and wrote some beautiful characters. He asked, Whats wrong with our lord? One could say that hed handled the official business quickly. He was a multitasker who could operate both arms separately for different tasks without any of the tasks interfering with the others. Yang Si silently made a circle with both hands in front of his chest, the posture looking extremely vulgar. Female? Wei Ci stopped moving his hands and nodded. Yang Sis face turned dark. He wanted to grab Wei Ci by his collar and ask about the matter thoroughly, Since when do you know? I knew from the beginning. Wei Ci asked him in an indifferent tone, Couldnt you tell? Yang Si did not know whether to find Wei Cis words C half teasing and half nettling C enraging or hilarious. He felt that everything he had experienced today was incomparably absurd. This was a nightmare. Our lord How do you expect me to tell when shes like that? Yang Si felt even more depressed. If he was blind, then wasnt the world populated by blind people? I was in the Vanguard Battalion with our lord during the battle at Chengde County. She Theres no trace that shes a woman! Shed charged into battle more ferociously and killed more ruthlessly than anyone else. Her strength was greater than anyone elses and her style of doing things was also more arrogant than anyone elses Was this the conduct of a noble daughter from an aristocratic family? Wei Cis eyes became distant. He said, Who told you that women cant be gallant and good at fighting? Yang Si was stunned by this remark. He almost couldnt catch his breath. You knew that she was a woman from the beginning but you still swore fealty Perhaps youre the crazy one! As he said this, Yang Si felt another arrow striking his heart. He had once joked with Jiang Pengji about how he looked forward to her daughter ascending the throne F*ck, hed been just awful. Wei Ci paid no attention at all. His thick and slender eyelids drooped slightly as he said indifferently, She led the troops to capture Xiangyang County and took down Chengan, Maolin, and Jiaoping County in a three-way operation. She also captured Shangyang County from the Feng family. Chengde County was captured within half a month. Shes essentially become the master of Wanzhou in just a year and a half with tens of thousands of soldiers under her control Shes qualified to contend for the position of Emperor of this land! You know my will and my ambition, how I only hope for the world to be unified and at peace. As long as my wish can be attained, what difference does it make to me if our lord is male or female? Yang Si was dumbstruck, unable to answer. After a long time, he whispered, Who else knows the true gender of our lord? Me, you, and Huaiyu. Nobody else knows. Wei Ci put down his brushes and evenly spread out the bamboo slips he had written on. He dried the ink marks and said, But even if others find out, they probably wont have much of a reaction. Feng Zi Shi has the disposition of a wastrel. Hes unbridled, does as he pleases, and thinks that the ways of the world are nothing but sh*t. As for Qiguan Rang, even if he does not know the truth, he may be aware of it to a certain extent. Lastly, Xu Xiaoyu has an extraordinary friendship with our lord. Hes faithful and loyal. He has accompanied our lord from when she had no achievements or glory to where she is today. Why would he have a change of heart now? Yang Si was astonished. Feng Huaiyu knows? Hed come to Wei Ci because he was worried about Feng Jin. After all, based on Feng Jins upbringing, he was the one who was least likely to accept the current situation. In the end? He already knew! Wei Ci said evenly, He knows. Ive listened to Huaiyu as he talked. It happened that Changsheng was born during the earthquake. The capital was destroyed and nine out of the ten families collapsed. There were countless deaths and injuries. Our lord was the one who personally received Huaiyus eldest daughter, Changsheng, into this world. Do you think he doesnt know? Yang Si was stunned silent. He felt that his three values had each been dealt a devastating blow. After he had calmed down, Yang Si suddenly remembered something. Why did she suddenly tell me when she has been hiding this from the world for so many years? Wei Ci said, You still dont know? As the governor of Wanzhou, her power is not great, but its not small either. Its just the right time to reveal her identity. Let me tell you, this is just testing the waters to find out the minimum level of acceptance she will receive. Just wait, our lord will fully reveal her identity before the rescue of the Emperor comes to an end. Yang Si rubbed his brow. The amount of new information was too much. He needed time to calm down. Our lord is really scheming He could not help but force a smile when he thought of the Womens Battalion. So, she had begun her opening moves and made arrangements long ago. How would she have gotten to where she is today without a little bit of scheming? Wei Ci knew that, not only could she become the governor of a province, she would become the master of the world, the final victor in the competition for the throne. Yang Sis mind was in an uproar. He found that it rather touching once he accepted the fact that the lord was female. At least Yang Si wouldnt be so confused in the future when Jiang Pengji put the moves on Wei Zixiao. Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered something. How is the relationship between the lord and her father? Wei Ci glanced at him and said, Its not bad. Yang Si pinched his chin, his mind churning out some dark thoughts. Ive heard Feng Huaiyu say that she has a half-brother. If he didnt know about Jiang Pengji s gender, Yang Si would never have thought about making a clear distinction between Liu Shes and Jiang Yanjis father and son forces. They were two different groups. Now he was a little worried. No matter how good a daughter was, she was still a daughter. In the end, she had to marry someone and have children. The children would take another familys surname. How could a daughter be compared to a son? Wei Ci looked down, his eyes glowing with a cold light. I know what youre worried about That half-brother is indeed a potential pitfall. Wei Ci couldnt care less about him if he knew his place. If he made trouble, Wei Ci wouldnt mind being ruthless. If his lord wanted to blame him, that would mean that they could take the opportunity to cut off all the ties that shouldnt have existed. It was in this atmosphere that Jiang Pengji received further instructions about the imperial order to rescue the Emperor in the capital. Many forces were preparing to gather in Huangshui to discuss the major event. Huangshui? Jiang Pengji glanced at the map of Dongqing. Huangshui was a tributary of the main river in Dongqing that had given birth to civilization. It was only a little narrower than the main river. The area near Huangshui took its name from the river. It was called Huangshui County and was located near Chenzhou. Chapter 666 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (III) After taking down Chengde County, Jiang Pengji didnt immediately set off to rescue the Emperor according to the imperial order. Instead, she dawdled for nearly half a month and stabilized her forces. She had very generously given An Cui his 8,000 captives and 10 percent of the riches from those defeated in battle, embarrassing him a little An Cui had no shortage of methods or tricks. He meted out justice but tempered it with mercy. He also made a clear distinction between reward and punishment. The way he dealt with the 8,000 captives was very fitting and satisfactory. He stayed in Chengde County for two days before bringing his people and money along as he set off for Huangshui. On her side, Jiang Pengji was busy as a bee. She had no extra attention or energy to spend on her personal feelings. On the contrary, Wei Ci breathed a long sigh of relief. The biggest benefit of the attack on Chengde County was not collecting all the domains of Wanzhou, but taking control of the Red Lotuss men. The tens of thousands of prisoners didnt mean much if they were to be put to use in other large-scale battles. However, they were still very beneficial to Jiang Pengji. After a year of rest, regrouping, and construction, Fengyi County was the most affluent and developed place in Wanzhou, followed by Shangyang County. Chengde County was at the bottom. Chengde County had been repeatedly exploited by the Red Lotus Group, and the resulting mass exodus of its population was severe. Jiang Pengji wanted to attract more refugees and develop the local economy, so development and construction became the top priorities. Jiang Pengji thought hard about it for half a night. She planned to assign the people under her to various places. Still too short of manpower I hope that we can poach some talents at the Alliance Meeting Even though Jiang Pengji had great vigor and an abundance of physical strength, when faced with such a huge mess, she was also so exhausted that her eyes became bloodshot. Fortunately, she had the experience of starting from scratch. She had accumulated rich experience in the construction of a county. Some areas could be slightly modified and she could repeat the rest as she had done before. Fengyi County had iron ores. Chengde County also had natural advantages. It was rich in coal and there were a few uses for it. However, the most important thing was selecting recruits and assigning the captives to open up the wasteland for agriculture and build roads and houses She might have captured Chengde County, but it had not been that easy. The entire army had been moving nonstop and the soldiers were extremely tired. She had a lot to do after capturing Chengde County. Settling the captives and squeezing them for their labor was only a trivial matter. Jiang Pengji had more frustrating matters to deal with, such as the posthumous affairs of the soldiers who had died in battle, financial support for their families, and arrangements for the injured and disabled soldiers. It would be spring in a month or two, and while she could temporarily halt the progress of other matters, plowing the fields in spring could not. There was also the selection and training of recruits, staffing arrangements for the various counties She might seem rather impressive as the governor of Wanzhou, but she felt like she was skating on thin ice on the inside. To get to the root of the matter, she did not have enough soldiers. If something went wrong, she would be in a very difficult position. A force of 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers could watch over a county, but it would be difficult to intimidate or overwhelm a province with such small numbers. Therefore, recruiting new soldiers and expanding their troops was currently her number one priority. The heavy work weighed heavily on the staff. Some counselors were so tired that they could faint. They really wanted to move into the Government Office. Jiang Pengji could hardly find any leisure time either. In addition to all this, Jiang Pengji also had to integrate the military forces from various places and mobilize the troops in preparation for rescuing the Emperor. Dear God give me an all-powerful shovel Jiang Pengji had no patience for the official business. She would rather fight someone than deal with paperwork all day. What does my lord want a shovel for? Yang Si was surprised. When Yang Si learned Jiang Pengjis real gender, he thought he would feel awkward or uncomfortable around her. It turned out that he had been overthinking things. As long as she didnt deliberately remind him of it, Yang Si subconsciously regarded her as a man. When he occasionally recalled the event, he still felt that the whole thing was surreal. Such a soldierly and brave lord who could fight a hundred men, one who charged ahead to break through enemy lines and seize cities How could such a powerful master be a girl? Every time he had such doubts, he couldnt help but glance at Jiang Pengjis chest. There were no curves at all. He looked at her face again. Her facial features were regular, her eyebrows valiant and noble. She did not have the air of masculinity that a man should have, but nowadays men liked to put flowers in their hair and wear garish clothes. According to this standard, Jiang Pengji could be considered man enough. So, was this girl fake? Jiang Pengji said, So I can use the shovel to dig at the foundations of the wall. Jing Rong Dont you think we are too short on manpower? This doesnt make sense No matter what, Im the master of a province. Ignoring how Im going to make something of myself, even though I may fall short of the best, Im still better than the worst. So, why are there no talents who want to come to us for shelter? She did not need the person coming to her to be the best counselor, but surely she could get a third-class talent to come to her! In the end? The top talents that others sought but failed to get she had nearly all of them here. However, she had no middling talents. Yang Si did not know what was the sense she spoke of was, but by linking the word to the context, he could just about understand it. He said, Perhaps youve forgotten that your father has not resigned yet. Jiang Pengji stopped talking. Liu She was the governor of Chongzhou. He was in his prime. In the words of the livestream viewers, he had cars, houses, and a successful career. His character was mature and stable. He also knew how to dote on someone. A proper rich husband. Jiang Pengji was indeed young and promising, but how could she be more attractive than a ready-made success like Liu She? Anyone who really wanted to seek shelter and join the Liu family would have Liu She as their first choice. Yang Si thought that he had delivered a blow to her and eased his tone. My lord, dont be worried, this matter still needs further consideration. Compared to the shortage of talents, Yang Si was more worried that they did not have enough time. They needed sufficient time to buffer and develop. By relying on Wei Cis network and the talents they cultivated, would there even be a need to worry about a shortage of manpower? Jiang Pengji nodded and frowned slightly. Thats true. Haste would ruin everything. She had the time to slowly run this business. The state of the world was becoming grimmer. Only by laying a solid foundation could they be invincible. After a discussion with everyone, Jiang Pengji planned to start the journey to rescue the Emperor in half a month. In the meantime, she would be busy as a bee traveling back and forth to all parts of Wanzhou. At this time, an unexpected visitor slowly crossed the borders of Wanzhou near Xiangyang County. Father, Ive just heard the news. The battle at Chengde County is over. Liu Xi is really good. It was only half a month from beginning to end The youth in his early twenties bent forward to enter the carriage. He looked a little surprised and exclaimed with admiration, If I had known it would be over so quickly, I wouldnt have changed our course. Their entire family was refugees seeking asylum. As soon as they arrived at Wanzhou borders, they heard that there was a war in Chengde County. The two sides were fully engaged in fighting each other and, to prevent any accidental injuries, the family had to change their course and take a longer detour. They were now only half a days journey from Xiangyang County and the battle was over. A middle-aged man sat upright in the carriage. He looked about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old. Next to him was his wife who had appeared to have maintained herself very well. At a glance, one could tell that she lived like a princess in her daily life C pampered and with servants to do her chores. She looked a lot younger than her actual age, which was in the early thirties. The wife carried herself in an extremely beautiful and fine manner. She was elegantly reserved. When she saw that the young mans head and shoulders were spattered with snow, she could not help but raise her hand to wipe them off with a handkerchief. The middle-aged man stroked his beard and smiled lightly. Heh heh, Liu Zhongqing is so blessed to have such a child. The young man felt a little humiliated. He was jealous that his dad was boasting about other peoples children in front of him. Chapter 667 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (IV) Hold this, dont get cold. The wife handed the hot water pot to her son as the father and son talked. Thank you, mother. The lady smiled kindly. The atmosphere around the family was a harmonious one. The young man touched the hot water pot and felt it coax some warmth into his ice-cold hands. He remembered something, and said with a smile, Its lucky that Liu Xi provided sufficient bamboo paper, otherwise, I wouldnt have been able to bring my babies with me. I would have had no choice but to leave them The middle-aged man said, Even if I left you, as a father, I would not leave what has been my baby for the latter half of my life. The young man had no response to that. Indeed, only his father would ever talk like this! The young man thought of the grievances that he had suffered recently and felt depressed. Father, what kind of person is Liu Xi? The young man grasped the hot water pot in one hand and propped his chin on his other hand as he expressed his doubts. Liu Xi is just a county magistrate, but now that he has captured the entirety of Wanzhou, one can see at a glance how ambitious he is. Whats the difference between him and Huang Songs ilk? Great uncle is helping Huang Song. Will Liu Xi be more reliable than Huang Song? He came to Xiangyang County from so far away. Its freezing there too The middle-aged man raised his brows before scrunching them in a frown. How are they the same? When the young man heard this, he tensed up subconsciously, fearing that he would be reprimanded by his father. The middle-aged man was taciturn to outsiders, but he was never stingy with words when talking to family. You are only looking at Liu Xi as an individual, you forget that he has another identity, the son of Liu She. Liu Xi only has Wanzhou, but Liu She has Chongzhou and Hu County. How can we underestimate this father and son? The middle-aged man looked down and stroked his beard. He said, Indeed, Huang Song is not bad. But I dont like his temperament. Furthermore, Liu Xi has saved my life. Whether its from an emotional point of view or a logical point of view, he is the right choice. Who else should I choose if not him? The middle-aged man was Cheng Cheng. In a particular year gone by, he had been rushing to the capital with his wife when they were pursued by strange enemies on the road. Both husband and wife were nearly killed. By coincidence, Jiang Pengji had been nearby and rescued the couple in passing. Hence, good karma was born between the two families. Cheng Cheng was bringing his wife and children to Xiangyang County to seek shelter with Jiang Pengji. This was an action born from helplessness. Hed originally been the magistrate of Suian County under Fufeng County in Haozhou, but he was never promoted because he loathed the politics of bureaucracy. He had encountered an upsetting and troublesome matter not long ago. Cheng Cheng had an uncle who was younger than him. Cheng Jing, whose courtesy name was Youmo, was the great uncle the youth had mentioned. Cheng Jing was loyal to Huang Song. Huang Song had tried to use Suian County as a springboard to get his finger into the pie that was Fufeng County. He was not concerned if this was the case. As long as he didnt hurt the people under his administration, he could resign, retire, and surrender Suian County. After all, in the current situation, he couldnt protect and keep the territory as a mere county magistrate. But after sounding out the matter a few times, Cheng Cheng had found that it was impossible to resign and leave. He would be forced to join the group when Huang Song captured Fufeng County. How could he be okay with that! When Cheng Cheng had received a secret letter from his uncle, Cheng Jing, he had considered it carefully for a long time. Then, hed decisively packed up the familys belongings and prepared to run away with his entire family. To save Cheng Jings face, Cheng Cheng had handed Suian County to Huang Song, hoping that he would treat the people kindly. Cheng Cheng didnt consider returning to the rest of the Cheng family in Langya because Langya County was a must-have place in the eyes of military strategists, who would certainly fight over it. Now that the world was in chaos, that place was even more unsafe. No matter how much he thought about it, Cheng Cheng had his eyes locked on the biggest power in the north C the Liu family C and immediately gave the final verdict to seek shelter with Liu Xi. Firstly, he and Liu Xi were friends who had kept up a correspondence with each other for several years. It was a friendship between gentlemen. He trusted the Liu family. Secondly, Dongqing was disintegrating from the inside with all the big and small forces rising within it. The Liu family stayed low-key had the strongest overall strength. Seeking shelter with the Liu family gave him a sense of security. Thirdly, Liu Xi had done them the favor by saving the lives of both husband and wife. Following the principle of benefits should not be left to outsiders, the Liu family was of course, given priority. And if one was to ask him why didnt he seek shelter with Liu She? Liu She and Liu Xi were father and son, it was the same no matter who they went to. So of course, they chose the nearest one. The young man listened to Cheng Chengs words and muttered, I think that anyone who is viewed favorably by great uncle will not be inferior in any way. Cheng Chengs brows scrunched together in a frown when he thought about Cheng Jing. Frankly speaking, he was still rather disgruntled by Huang Songs background as a court eunuch. He really couldnt figure out why Cheng Jing had chosen such a lord for himself. It was not long before they drew close to Xiangyang County. Cheng Chengs fleet consisted of a dozen carriages. They were lined up in a formidable manner, looking grandiose. Without any concern for their welfare, they were stopped by the guards at the gate who requested to check their things. Cheng Cheng was very cooperative and led his wife and children to alight from the carriage. The guard opened the curtains of the carriage for inspection and he was aghast. The carriage contained bamboo slips and bamboo paper bound books that filled the interior to the brim It was no wonder that the horses pulled the carriage with such strenuous steps. The carriage was extremely heavy! The guards were not inexperienced people who could not read the situation. Those who could afford to be educated came from a background that was mostly well off. With such a huge collection of books, this family must belong to the higher class of landowning families. Cheng Cheng reported his family clan. When the guards heard it, they did not dare to slight them in the least and quickly sent someone to notify the highest person in the government office. He claims to be from the Cheng family of Langya and that his name is Cheng Cheng. Xu Ke had been busy working overnight. His eyes were swollen and bruised. He very much looked as if he had worn himself out indulging in a night of debauchery. He wanted to make up for the previous night by taking a nap before waking up to fight again, but the messenger told him that Cheng Cheng had arrived. Qiguan Rang was astonished. Who is this person? He had never heard of him. Xu Ke knew Cheng Cheng. Although he hadnt had many interactions with Cheng Cheng, he greatly admired Cheng Chengs unflinching righteousness. Xu Ke had a quiet respect for him. Although he has little fame, he is a respectable scholar. Our lord will be very happy to know that he is here. Hearing Xu Kes words, Qiguan Rang became interested. He wanted to see this literati who had the high praise of Xu Ke. Xu Ke said, Its just I dont know what Master Chengs purpose is in being here. Why has he come to Xiangyang County at this time? When he saw Cheng Chengs fleet and his babies, his expression almost cracked. This gentleman had character. He liked to carry his treasured books with him whenever he went out. He never forgot to bring them with him no matter where he went. Qiguan Rangs eyes brightened instantly. It was as if he was seeing countless fairies descending from the heavens. For scholars who were eager to learn, what could be more attractive than tens of thousands of books? Jiang Pengji was not in Xiangyang County, so the task of receiving Cheng Cheng fell to Xu Ke. He first needed to understand Cheng Chengs purpose. Cheng Cheng didnt try to hide anything. He confessed his situation, causing Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang to feel flattered beyond expectation. What a sudden and unexpected windfall! Leaving aside Cheng Chengs capabilities, the tens of thousands of books that hed brought with him were an endless treasure. Since Jiang Pengji was not here, Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang held a discussion. They arranged for Cheng Chengs family to stay in the best house in the district. These two were not stupid. The talents who came to their domain were their people. Was there anyone who would not take good care of such a resource? Stupid? It was Huang Song who had been unexpectedly shot in the knee. Cheng Cheng kindly accepted the offer. At ease now, he brought his wife and children to stay at the house. Xu Ke turned around and sent an urgent letter to Jiang Pengji. Cheng Cheng was not an employee who could be squeezed, but he could help Jiang Pengji to cultivate employees who could be squeezed! Thinking about how busy this period had been, Xu Ke wanted his lord to grow wings and fly back to them right now. He believed that with his lords formidable personality, he could get Cheng Cheng to willingly help their cause. Chapter 668 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (V) Upon learning that a golden goose No, when she learned that Cheng Cheng had taken his entire family to seek shelter in Xiangyang County, Jiang Pengji felt as if she was still in a dream. She looked at the messenger with a dumbfounded expression, then looked at the secret letter in her hand. It was an important letter that Xu Ke had dispatched someone to send with the utmost urgency. Who did you say has arrived? The messenger repeated what he had just said. Although Jiang Pengji had not completely lost her composure, one could guess from the smile that kept trying to form at the corners of her lips that this Cheng Cheng was not an ordinary person That was Yang Sis assumption when he looked at Jiang Pengjis expression. Congratulations, my lord. Someone had actively come to seek shelter with her, this was a good omen! Yang Si tucked his sleeves and bowed, offering his congratulations in a clear and bright voice. Wei Ci lowered his eyelids and said, Im afraid its not that simple. Cheng Wenfu was originally the magistrate of Suian County, which is part of Fufeng County in Haozhou. He wouldnt have abandoned all that he had and taken his entire family to seek shelter with my lord unless he has run into some difficulties. Im afraid there must be something serious going on. Hearing how Wei Ci spoke about Cheng Cheng, Yang Si raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction. Do you know Cheng Cheng? Just listen to him, Wei Ci had directly called Cheng Cheng Cheng Wenfu. To address someone by his courtesy name, was only something done by someone superior to the person in question, an older person to a younger person, or between friends who were from the same generation. What was the relationship between Wei Ci and Cheng Cheng? The answer was that they were cross-generational friends. I know him. We have occasionally exchanged letters over the years. Cheng Wenfu is not reckless or hot-blooded. He must have encountered some problems if hes willing to leave his native land and take his family with him. To be friends with someone in this life meant that they must have had a friendship in their past lives too. Their relationship was not too bad. He also knew how important Cheng Cheng was. I think that my lord should make an inquiry before making any plans. Cheng Wenfu is usually quite taciturn and doesnt really like to interact with others I am afraid that if my lord doesnt get a clear understanding of the situation first, you might violate one of his taboos and accidentally offend him. Most of the talents had a temper. Jiang Pengji did not have to follow all their superstitions and taboos, but she also could not afford to offend them thoughtlessly. Naturally, Jiang Pengji followed this logic. If not, with her taunting expressions and skill at shooting her mouth off, the overtime team of today would never have been formed. Learning that Wei Ci and Cheng Cheng actually knew each other, she said, Although there was an incident that resulted in our current relationship, the time I spent with them was short and many details are unclear. Zixiao, you can tell me if you know anything. This way, Ill be mentally prepared. Well talk about this in detail later. Wei Ci agreed calmly. Cheng Cheng should be dealt with carefully to avoid losing this talent. If this had happened on a normal day, Yang Si wouldnt have thought that there was anything to this conversation. Now that he knew his lord was not male, he always felt as if the conversations between her and Zixiao It was too horrible to contemplate. He had probably been scared stupid. When he looked at his lord now, he always felt that she was trying to coerce Wei Ci in some improper way. He gave Wei Ci a take care of yourself look, causing Wei Ci to be confused. Yang Si still wore an I didnt hear anything expression as he ignored everything going on around him. Nothing had happened recently. The images in the livestream were basically all about Jiang Pengji working overtime with her staff. The content was a bit boring. The livestream viewers did not mind. They were the best at finding joy in sorrow. They were good at discovering cute content and ideas from the details which they used to create various memes. For example The handsome Wang Jiexi: If there was a social media platform like Baidu Knows in this era, maybe Yang Si would cry for help in the ask section. Ive even thought of the topic title C Seeking urgent help from everyone. My boss is trying to coerce my terrible friend into improper actions. What should I do? The innocent and kind Zhang Xinjie: Does this even need to be said? Lets stand in a circle and watch! Lucky goddess Zhang Jiale: Does this even need to be said? Assist with the attack! Jiang Pengji pursed her lips. What coercion? Was she really so bad? Host V: Im afraid youve all forgotten that Zixiao was the one who threw himself at me. After she sent out that message, it was answered with messages like, More power to you and Host, you are black-hearted and shameless. Jiang Pengji did not forget about proper business after making the joke. She retrieved the memories of Cheng Cheng whom she had met many years ago and carefully reviewed him. Wei Ci privately asked her, My lord, are you thinking of putting Cheng Wenfu in an important position? Jiang Pengji said, Unless they are family members. Ive always disliked keeping idle people around. Wei Ci was silent. Ive read Xu Kes letter carefully and have reached a general understanding. Huang Songs power in Haozhou is expanding. He wants to use Suian County where Cheng Cheng is located as a springboard to reach Fufeng County. This is nothing. Who let Cheng Chengs fifth uncle, Cheng Jing, work under Huang Song? Benefits should be kept in the family. Hence, an outsider has taken advantage of Suian County, or more accurately, Huang Song has taken advantage of Suian County. However, Cheng Cheng didnt stay in Haozhou with peace of mind. Instead, he left with his entire family. Its most likely because he doesnt want to serve Huang Song. In other words, he doesnt like political infighting. Huang Song was currently short on manpower too. If Cheng Cheng went under Huang Songs thumb, he would have to serve him with all seriousness. In that case, he would inevitably be drawn into the infighting between the various forces. That was what Cheng Cheng hated the most. Alternatively, Cheng Cheng could lower himself and make a compromise by trying to resign. However, based on Huang Songs temperament, would he let Cheng Cheng go so easily? Obviously, this was impossible. Even if he agreed to Cheng Chengs resignation, it was likely that he would find ways to restrict the personal freedom of Cheng Cheng and his family. He would restrict them from working for others. According to Jiang Pengjis understanding of Huang Song, it was very likely that he would do that, especially after the incident with Yang Si! Wei Ci said, Then my lord, you mean Based on Jiang Pengjis words, Wei Ci knew that she would not force Cheng Cheng. However, if she did not force him, wouldnt it be a waste of manpower? Jiang Pengji scoffed and secretly laughed at Huang Song for his terrible luck. Losing Yang Si was one thing, but now he had also lost Cheng Cheng, who was comparable to a golden goose. She said, Let Cheng Cheng do what he likes to do. Its not as if hes ignoring his proper occupation. Wei Ci was astonished. This tone was not like that of a younger person speaking about an older person. Instead, she was treating Cheng Cheng as the younger person by spoiling him. But then again, he was an old child. Wasnt an old child meant to be coddled? Even though Cheng Cheng was not that old yet. Jiang Pengjis eyes seemed to be full of stars. Master Cheng has tens of thousands of books in his house, most of which are precious books without any copies. I was not sensible in those years, and using bamboo paper as remuneration for his literary efforts, asked him to copy a book for me. He did not quibble with me and instead delivered what he had promised. Now that I think about it, I feel quite ashamed. I think that he must be a very virtuous literary man who does not stoop to politics and material pursuits. He once said that he did everything possible to collect these sole copies so that future generations could see the glory of their predecessors. It was not for any selfish motive or profit. In that case, why not fulfill his wish? Wei Ci did not say anything else. Through this conversation, he knew that Jiang Pengji would not lose Cheng Cheng. On the contrary, she would make Cheng Cheng serve her and fight for her his whole life. Hadnt this also been the case in Wei Cis previous life? It was no more than a few days from when the army would have to depart to rescue the Emperor, but Cheng Chengs affairs could not be delayed. What would they do if Cheng Cheng thought that Jiang Pengji had neglected him? He might run away again with his entire family in tow. Therefore, Jiang Pengji rode out on Little White that very day and rushed to Xiangyang County overnight. They were covered in dust from the journey. Even an excellent horse like Little White that could travel thousands of kilometers every day was utterly worn down by the end. She instructed the stable lad, Prepare the best feed for Little White and serve him well. After speaking, she went back to her county residence, washed her face, and changed her clothes, washing away all her signs of tiredness. Chapter 669 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (VI) Without wasting any time, she immediately went to Cheng Chengs door and paid him a visit. Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still shocked by Jiang Pengjis efficiency. Uncle Cheng, your nephew is here to pay you a visit. May I be so shameless as to ask you for a favor? Jiang Pengji went straight to the point, omitting the complicated conventional greetings and small talk. She got straight to the topic after greeting him. Cheng Cheng hadnt seen Jiang Pengji in several years but had always paid attention to news of him. As a result, he had a very good basic impression of him. If it had been someone else asking him that question in such a manner, he would probably have frowned quietly. However, he answered very patiently when Jiang Pengji asked it. You can say it straightforwardly. Naturally, I will not refuse to help if Im able. Cheng Cheng had sent his wife and children out early in the morning. Jiang Pengji and Cheng Cheng were the only ones in the hall now. Jiang Pengji brought forth a heavy black box and pushed it over to Cheng Cheng, motioning for the other party to open it. Cheng Cheng was bewildered, but he complied. The livestream viewers thought that Jiang Pengji had prepared some sort of trump card. They were all waiting excitedly for Cheng Cheng to reach out and open the box. Cheng Cheng reached out with his thin hands. His calloused fingers carefully unlocked the box. When it opened, the viewers were disappointed. What the They thought that there would be some sort of treasure in the box, but it was just a thick bundle of white paper. Cheng Cheng also found this strange. He raised his head and looked at Jiang Pengji, only to see the young mans lips trying to hold off a placid smile. He could not help but frown. When he picked up the bundle of papers, its texture gave Cheng Cheng a clue. This is not bamboo paper, he said in a declarative tone of voice. In order to swindle Cheng Cheng of the tens of thousands of books that he had collected, Jiang Pengji would be privately supplying him with a large amount of high-quality bamboo paper. Cheng Cheng loved his books like they were his life. These past few years, most of his time had been wasted in copying books. Hed had several years of interacting with bamboo papers. How could he not tell the difference between the two? Even if they were not very different in terms of color, the texture of it in ones hands was very different. He should have been able to tell the difference with a single touch. Jiang Pengji said, Indeed, its not bamboo paper. Uncle Cheng, this kind of paper is called rice paper. Cheng Cheng repeated in doubt, Rice paper? Is this a new creation from your familys paper making workshop? It isnt exactly a new creation. It has been made for many years, but has not yet been announced to the public. No wonder Cheng Cheng nodded while listening. He felt the itch to use his skills and wrote a few characters on the rice paper. Seeing his semicursive script flowing naturally in his powerful and sure handwriting, many viewers became instant fans of his. Jiang Pengji asked with a smile, What do you think of the quality of this rice paper? Cheng Cheng laid the brush down and looked at the characters on the rice paper. He stroked his beard with satisfaction and smiled. Its pliable but strong and rather sleek. Its shiny but not slippery. The ink glides along very well. It is indeed a top-notch kind of paper. The surface is dense and spotlessly white, and the grain is clean and neat. It really is the best of the best. When he started to write, Cheng Cheng found that the rice paper could easily dissolve. If he even slightly hesitated in the movements of his brush, the paper turned into a wad of ink. The characters hed written were moist and plump. While he moved his brush, it felt as if the ink was flowing like water. He couldnt bear to part with it. Not only that, the thickness of the rice paper was very uniform and free of impurities. He smoothed it with his fingers. It seemed that it could be kneaded and stacked too. Cheng Cheng stroked his beard and asked, Is your papermaking workshop selling this rice paper? Jiang Pengji smiled without saying a word. She motioned for Cheng Cheng to open the stack of folded rice paper. There was an even greater mystery still inside. Cheng Cheng was astonished. With the presentation of this remarkable object just now, he was full of anticipation for the next surprise. The freshly made rice paper was amazing. There were one hundred sheets in one bundle which could be cut as needed. The heavy black box containing the rice paper was not very large. Naturally, this bundle of rice paper had to be folded into long strips. Cheng Cheng unfolded it and found that sheets of paper filled with ink marks were wrapped up inside. The characters on the paper were flamboyant and bold, strong and forceful. A faint sense of domineering arrogance seemed to jump out from the writing. Cheng Cheng said, Youve taken it to another level yet again. This handwriting was more beautiful than what was actually written. Cheng Cheng stared at the text on the paper and found that it was an article with no content. It was too mixed up and chaotic. It felt as if all kinds of nonsense words had been put together. He couldnt tell what the content was at all. If the livestream viewers were to comment on it, they would say that it was all garbled! He was puzzled and went to check out the second sheet of paper. It too was garbled nonsense. The third sheet was the same. The fourth sheet was still the same nonsense that he could not understand He blinked doubtfully, not understanding why Jiang Pengji was showing him this. Did he him to comment on his writing? He flipped through dozens of papers and had a sudden flash of insight. He finally realized what was wrong. Cheng Cheng quickly spread out a dozen sheets of paper, laid them on a table, and then stacked the papers one on top of another, revealing only the first column of characters. When he put them together and looked again, he discovered that these characters were identical in terms of size, shape, and thickness of the strokes! Even the best calligrapher couldnt write a dozen characters that completely matched each other like these. Nephew, are these from a stamp? Cheng Cheng wanted to understand the crux here. Only with a stamp could anyone guarantee 100% consistent handwriting. Jiang Pengji laughed. The principle is the same, but the thing that made these should probably not be considered a stamp. Even though Cheng Cheng had a lot of worldly experience, he still couldnt figure out what Jiang Pengji was talking about. He gave a self-deprecating smile and adopted an attitude like he was asking for forgiveness. If you want to keep me on tenterhooks, you should, in any case, leave some dignity to the elderly. Jiang Pengji took out a few wooden stamps from a hidden compartment of the box. A few characters were carved on them. Shockingly, they were the first column of characters on those papers. She said, Uncle Cheng, youve seen the rice paper, now look at these wooden stamps. What are your thoughts? Cheng Cheng took the wooden stamps and found that they were all the same size and shape. He arranged them in a row, perfectly satisfying his need for order. He was not a fool. Jiang Pengjis reminder had been very obvious. A few more notions faintly developed in his mind. Yeah Why hadnt he thought of this? If he were to use wooden stamps like these to arrange the letters that he wanted and then print them, wouldnt that form an article? Sure enough, she said, I was ignorant in the past years. Ive used bamboo papers to swindle tens of thousands of books from your house, making you spent so much effort in transcribing. I didnt know how much energy and time that would take. After I was scolded and lectured by my father, I felt very guilty and ashamed. I suddenly thought of this method after deeply reflecting on myself. I got a carpenter to carve the commonly used characters onto wooden stamps. Now, whenever I want to print a book, I can use the wooden stamps to arrange the contents. Then, a copy of it can be printed in a moment. Isnt it faster and more convenient than copying by hand? Cheng Cheng felt his heart beating wildly, old as it was. He was so shocked that he couldnt hold onto the things in his hands. They fell on the floor with a clatter. Jiang Pengji seemed to be gentle, but she was, in fact, a bit aggressive. Uncle Cheng, youve collected tens of thousands of books. Isnt it because you hope that can be widely circulated? So that future generations can appreciate the civilization and splendor of their predecessors? A sole copy may be precious, but it will be destroyed if it meets with a disaster. Then, no one will know the contents of the solitary copy. I remember clearly that this is the point where youve always felt regret. If there is a copy of a book in every hand, then even if there comes an unstoppable disaster, it will still be passed onto future generations. Uncle Cheng, do you think that my words make sense? Chapter 670 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (VII) His words made sense. Cheng Cheng was not a hot-blooded young man to fall for the bait so easily, but he had to admit that he was emotionally affected. Nephew, do you know what you are doing? Cheng Cheng was silent for a quarter of an hour. Jiang Pengji was not in a hurry as she quietly waited for his reply. I know. Jiang Pengji always applied her brain to anything that she did, especially when it came to matters like this which concerned the lives of an entire family. Cheng Chengs face revealed some inner panic as he asked, So why do you still want to do this when you know? Jiang Pengji scoffed and opened her mouth to speak scornfully. Her words were scathing, mean, and biting, pointing out the sickness directly. Why? If I were to speak falsely and say empty words that feel good, I would say that its naturally because of this cherished dream that youve had all your life to let your tens of thousands of books be passed down and made known to future generations. If I were to speak the truth that is in my heart, I would say that its because I want to change the world, get rid of the rot, establish new standards, eliminate vice, and exalt virtue. After all, this world belongs to the people, not just one family or household. And it is most emphatically not a toy that the latter can use to manipulate political power, control the world, or do whatever they want. The landowning aristocratic families control great power, but they are unwilling to get involved in practical matters. Instead, they are living an indulgent life, deteriorating and rotting away in luxury. Uncle Cheng, you are learned and erudite, do you really think that its only the royal family who is at fault for the world becoming so chaotic now? Is it the fault of the royal family alone? Those who play power games behind the scenes, do they bear no fault? Cheng Cheng listened for a long time, lost for words as he stood rooted to the spot. He said with much difficulty, Lanting, you are also from an aristocratic family. Even though Cheng Cheng agreed with her remarks, and occasionally had such thoughts of his own, hed never dared to speak out. To me, the common people are far more important than individuals or familial clans. If the latter can be sacrificed to fulfill the former, I am willing to do all that I can. Jiang Pengji calmly said, If the disaster that is the aristocratic clans are left unchecked, the world will only become more chaotic. Uncle, have you ever thought about this? What if the forces in the Central Plains continue to weaken and the barbarian forces continue to strengthen? What will happen then? Ill say something that could be considered as alarmist talk This dynasty may be no more. Its very impossible. Cheng Chengs face turned deathly white. His heart rattled more intensely. Even his fingers were trembling. Jiang Pengji was putting more and more pressure on Cheng Cheng. The livestream viewers who were quietly observing had noticed that the atmosphere seemed odd. The reticent Huang Shaotian: Um Can someone tell me what happened? If I didnt miss anything, the host was just promoting the rice paper and printing technologies to Cheng Cheng, right? How did the topic change so drastically? I feel like the atmosphere is about to freeze. The gentle and lovely Han Wenqing: To the user above me, gossip and game less, read more. In our time, printing technologies is not a big deal. We can buy a copy machine as long as we can afford it. But in the hosts era, printing technologies are a provocation to the entire social system. Do you understand? The reticent Huang Shaotian: I dont Dont you f*cking play games too. You have an entire series of IDs. Everyone knows everyone! The clever and skillful Yu Wenzhou: To put it simply, education is quite a luxury in the hosts era. Most of the available books are solitary copies, which leads to the fact that culture is only passed down to future generations in a very limited stratum. This is the advantage of the landowning gentry, its a bit like solidifying the social classes. Because of this, if the aristocratic class is damaged every time a great calamity happens, it also means that the civilization of the entire era is impacted. This audience seemed to be typing more slowly, only posting more comments after some time passed. The clever and skillful Yu Wenzhou: In modern times, families with average incomes can provide their children with an education. They can move up in society if they seize their opportunities. Each generation has a better life than the previous one. It was different in ancient times. Here, I seriously criticize the theory of education is useless. Is China from twenty years ago, where opportunities could be found everywhere, the same as the China of today? The children of the peasants are peasants, and the children of the gentry are gentry. The gentry is superior to ordinary people and books are a very important medium. If books are no longer the privilege of a small number of people, what do you think will happen? The host is under great pressure. It was just like being assigned random teammates in a game; getting good teammates was more important than your skill in the game. Explained in one sentence, being born into a good family was more important than studying well. No matter how talented or clever one was, an entire group of talented people would be crushed simply based on the background that they were born with. For example, those working under Jiang Pengji: Xu Ke, Qiguan Rang, and Yang Si. Xu Ke had once been registered as a slave. He bore the tattoo of a criminal on his face as punishment, a mark that could not be erased. This was a stain on his life. Qiguan Rang was of mixed blood. He was born of a man from the barbaric tribes in northern Xinjiang and a woman from the border area of the Central Plains. Similarly, his birth had been thoroughly denounced. Not to mention Yang Si, whose mother was suspected to have been born in a brothel. Hed grown up eating the handouts of other families. If they had lived in the heyday of peace and prosperity, the three of them would probably have come to a wretched end. Even if theyd had a good attitude, they could have forgotten about amounting to little more than nothing in this life. Wei Ci and Fengzhen were from good families who had suffered a reversal in fortunes. They could barely be counted as the down-and-out gentry. By tracing their lineages back to their forefathers, they could, in any case, find an ancestor who could be shown off. As for Feng Jin, who had been born into an easy life in the nth generation of officials, his style was completely different. What Jiang Pengji wanted to do was to break the shackles of familial background so that education was no longer a rare privilege. As long as someone had talent, they should have the chance to move up. No one could not change their origins, but they could change their futures. Someone who was a village farmer could become an emperor in the future! Even if not everyone could be born on the same starting line as the aristocratic families, they should at least be able to see the hope of reaching an equal level as them or even surpassing them. Books, printing, rice paper? These three things were not scary. What was scary was that Jiang Pengji wanted to use them to break the existing system. This was what Cheng Cheng feared and worried over. After a long time, his lips trembled and he spoke with a voice as tiny as a mosquito. Youre crazy Jiang Pengji was calm and composed. There can be no country without people, and there is no home without a country. Since ancient times, how many people have shouted that they would serve the country and its people, only to end up selfishly serving their small family when the dust finally settled? I want to fight to become the emperor. This is the realization that a future Son of Heaven should have. I do not seek to unite the world, only the nine divisions of China. I wish to usher in a time of peace and prosperity. She was domineering and arrogant, causing her uncle to tremble in fear! Cheng Chengs first reaction was that she was too arrogant and audacious, but his second reaction was that this was a matter of course. A person who dared to provoke or even completely subvert the existing societal system was, of course, a lunatic. Naturally, she was arrogant and audacious! Uncle Cheng, you are a scholar. Cheng Cheng lost his voice for a moment as if someone had pressed the mute button. I think you have an imposing and unyielding character. Nothing in this world can break it. Cheng Cheng raised his eyes to look at her.You dont need to butter this old man up. So, what do you want to do? Jiang Pengjis lips turned up. The raw materials for rice paper are mostly sandalwood. Chongzhou is swimming in this stuff. The output is thousands of times greater than bamboo paper, and the production cost is lower. Wooden stamps for printing can be mass-produced. I dont want to do anything except collect books from all over the world and fill up the library. When one side becomes stable, Ill build a library and an academy to widely recruit scholars of an appropriate age. Therell be no comparison of anyones background Cheng Cheng smiled with a little derision. Thats it? You want to make me into a print carpenter? How could I ask that of you? Jiang Pengji blinked and said sincerely, I hope that Uncle Cheng will preside over the whole situation, compile and initiate reading materials, touch up the books and annals, and organize ancient books that had been lost for hundreds of years. I want you to carry on the past heritage and open up the future Your responsibility is far heavier and more difficult than mine. Cheng Cheng shuddered. No one knew how much her words had shocked his soul. Chapter 671 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (VIII) After Jiang Pengji finished speaking, the scene descended into suffocating silence. Cheng Cheng had to admit one fact. He was emotionally affected. Jiang Pengjis words were on target, pinching at Cheng Chengs lifeline. Even though hed been born into an aristocratic family, he could not refute a single word she had said. They sounded like authoritative words spoken by a sage. The future would prove the veracity of her words. This was a prophecy. How could mortals refute it? Just as the livestream viewers started to suspect that the two of them were frozen because theyd accidentally paused the stream, Cheng Cheng asked her hoarsely, Arent you afraid of dying horribly? Jiang Pengji laughed. Would that be a big deal? Even if I was nailed to the historical pillar of shame for it, no one can stop me from doing what I want to do! Our lives are short, only a century, and I dont want to be full of regret when my hair has turned white. If my name is entered into the annals of history, great. If it goes down in history as a footnote of infamy, thats okay too. No one can live their life without desire, but what they desire all comes down to rank and fortune. Ordinary people pass on their family heirlooms and traditions for two or three generations. Future generations will always forget the names of their ancestors. But if they live in history, they are immortal for thousands of years. No matter who mentions my name in the future, theyll have to remember that there was such a person. She had reached her peak in her previous life. How could she be content with being mediocre and obscure in this one? If one wanted to make trouble, they should make bigger trouble. Not only did she want to influence the current decades, but she also wanted the coming hundreds and thousands of years in the future to change because of her. Unifying the nine divisions of ancient China and taking the throne? That was not enough! Cheng Cheng could not help but give a pained smile. A young man is really like a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers. Hed originally thought Liu Xi would follow in Liu Shes footsteps after living in his shadow for so long. Now it seemed that he had long ago reached ideological realms that were difficult for any other beings to reach. No matter how arrogant he was, he was the only one who dared to use his own life to stir up the unstable situation of this era. Jiang Pengji calmly said, The future will prove that I am correct, whether it is ten years, one hundred years, or one thousand years. I can wait. Cheng Cheng was astonished. He knew the real meaning of Jiang Pengjis words. It did not mean that she could live for such a long time, it meant that she believed that she was right. It was because, no matter how far away the future was, future generations would prove her right What degree of confidence was this? Stop! Cheng Cheng calmed down and realized too late that his hands were still shaking. His breathing was as chaotic as if he had run a long distance. The lining of his clothes was already wet with sweat. Im old, I dont have the energy to play with crazy young people. These words meant that Jiang Pengji had not persuaded Cheng Cheng. The livestream audience could not help but post comments on the bullet screen as they wailed in anguish. The hosts hot-blooded and idealistic words made them feel warm all over. They were so fired up! Why was Cheng Cheng still being so indifferent? The scheming Yang Xixi: Oh, the hosts always-successful-and-impressive method of conning people has finally hit a wall. Its a day of celebration for everyone. The honest Ye Buxiu: Tsk, young man, youre wrong. I bet a pack of cigarettes on the host. Old drivers cute alliance: To the users above me with those IDs, can you change? You cant be that ruthless even if youre completely black-hearted! It makes my heart ache! The glib Zhou Zekai: Im keeping up with the times and closely following the trends. Not changing. Expert of quick hands Yu Wenzhou: #gentlesmile Ive changed. Super talented Guo Fengxiao: To the user above, you should change back to your original state. Your ID this time around is even eviler. Jiang Pengji didnt understand what was funny about their conversations, but by looking at the bullet chat screen, she could more or less guess that these IDs were the worst of the worst. Host V: @The honest Ye Buxiu, you guessed it. She had just finished sending out this comment when Cheng Cheng, who shed suspected would refuse her, spoke again. As a young man, youre somehow not afraid. As an old man with one foot in the grave, what do I have to fear? Except for the real literati, no one else would not be able to understand the attractiveness of the blueprints Jiang Pengji had laid out before Cheng Cheng. He would sacrifice his life for someone who could appreciate and cultivate them. No doubt, this half-boy was the one who understood and trusted Cheng Cheng, the one whom he had pursued half his life. Cheng Cheng said with a complicated expression, I just hope that you will live up to your original intentions and not forget the words that you have spoken today. The journey from a humble station to an emperor was very long, and the temptations that would be experienced along the way were too many. Cheng Cheng did not know if the future Jiang Pengji would look back on the present one and think that he had lived up to his original intentions. Could this young man withstand all those kinds of temptations? Would his original heart remain unchanged from the beginning to the end? Jiang Pengji laughed. Of course. She would not change. That was Jiang Yanjis strongest belief. From the moment when she first saw Cheng Cheng to when she had successfully persuaded him, only an hour passed. Her record was as glorious as ever. Xu Ke could not help but add a teasing remark when he heard the news. There can only be a victory when my lord takes action. Qiguan Rang secretly rolled his eyes. He didnt think it was something to brag about. Jiang Pengji threw something to Xu Ke and said indolently, Dont be too happy yet, account manager. As the document dropped lightly into Xu Kes arms, his expression turned a little doubtful. The overtime team had a newcomer, was he not allowed to be happy about it? Xu Ke untied the bow on the scroll of bamboo writing slips with curiosity. When he unfolded it and took a look, his expression almost cracked into pieces. My lord Hearing that Xu Kes voice had an added trace of grief and indignation, Qiguan Rang could not help but become curious. He moved forward, stretching his head to glance at the document. What is this? he asked as he looked it over. He very quickly scanned it from beginning to end and silently lit a row of prayer candles for Xu Ke in his heart. A program manuscript, Jiang Pengji said. I want to hire Master Cheng to oversee the general situation Whether we are opening an academy or a library, books will be the most important asset. Ive separated the newly designed printing technology into two types. One is movable type printing and the other is woodblock printing. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Movable type is more convenient, faster, and more flexible. Woodblock printing is more exquisite and clear. As for how a decision will be made between the two, Master Cheng will decide. Xu Kes expression was one fit for a funeral. Hed thought that Cheng Cheng was here to share the stress with him, but instead, he had thrown him a task that was as heavy as a mountain. Whether it was the movable type previously mentioned by Jiang Pengji or the woodblock printing that was being recounted now, both would be costly projects. Once this aspect was involved, everything would eventually be piled onto him. Well, he was the housekeeper. Xu Ke was quite sensitive regarding numbers. After calculating the costs a little, he couldnt help but swallow his tongue. Jiang Pengji saw the pain on his face. With a flat and confident tone, she said, I know that it costs a lot of money, but this plan is the same as post-war welfare. I have to complete it even if it means risking all my familys wealth on it. Ill fully support Master Cheng regardless of cost, money or otherwise. No one knew better than her how many economic benefits and political influence the popularization of books would bring to society. It would reverse the social structure and tear up the last semblance of the aristocratic families. Even if it caused carnage and hundreds of thousands of lives to be sacrificed, she would still do it. The work they did now and the benefits they produced would still be felt 1,000 years later. In her opinion, anything that could move the whole of society forward was worth a try. Even if, as a pioneer, she had to pay the ultimate price by giving up her life, they could come and take it! Xu Kes expression suddenly became solemn. He answered in a clear voice, Yes, my lord! Jiang Pengji rubbed her brow. She had rushed back as quickly as possible after receiving the news about Cheng Cheng and had not taken a rest yet. Ill rest first Jiang Pengji lowered her eyes and was about to leave when a messenger came in to make a report. Cheng Yuan was there to visit her. Cheng Yuan? Master Chengs second son? Chapter 672 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (IX) Cheng Cheng had two sons and one daughter. Cheng Yuan was the second son of Cheng Cheng and his first wife. Cheng Yuans courtesy name was Gong Liao. What is he doing here? Jiang Pengji knitted her brows imperceptibly. Could it be that this second son of the Chengs thought that she had deceived his old father? Had he hurried here to settle a score with her? Thinking of this, she laughed silently. Xiaoyu, go and find out the other partys intention is in coming here Xu Ke gave a pained smile. He could only put a bold face on and force himself to do it. As for why Jiang Pengji didnt show herself? Xu Ke also prepared a ready excuse. His lord had returned with all swiftness from visiting Cheng Cheng and was now extremely tired. Hed fallen asleep right after returning. It would be unseemly for the servants to disturb their masters sleep, so he was the only one who was available to receive Cheng Yuan It was a perfect excuse! Not only would this excuse save the faces of both parties, but it would also perfectly explain his lords laziness and evasive actions. At the same time, it would flatter Master Cheng Cheng. Cheng Yuan had just passed 20 years of age and his facial features were still a little soft and full of vitality. However, he carried a rather gentle aura and there was a kind of steadiness and calm in him that didnt fit his age. Xu Ke was worldly and knowledgeable. Just by looking at Cheng Yuans demeanor, he felt that he was a loyal and sincere person. After further conversation, Xu Ke was even more certain about his guess. Cheng Yuan had come to Jiang Pengji not because he wanted to settle any score with her. On the contrary, hed come over to recommend his services. Yes, you read that right. He was indeed there to recommend his services! Buy one get one free. Swindle an old man (Cheng Cheng) and get a young man (Cheng Yuan) for free. My lord, look at the huge disaster youve created! Thinking this, Xu Ke could not help but swallow his tongue in silence. Young man, is living so terrible? Do you know the end of the story for people who recommend their services? Welcome to Wanzhous overtime team. No rest for the entire year, overtime every day, sham welfare, and unreliable leadership! Their workload would even increase several times if their lords brain happened to malfunction on a particular day! Of course, Xu Ke could never tell him the truth. If he scared him away, his lord and his other colleagues would kill him. Cheng Yuan truly did not know what was happening inside Wanzhou, but he did know how heavy the burden was that his father had taken on. Just one careless mistake and his name would become infamous for the next 10,000 years. As his child, how could Cheng Yuan let his father bear so much burden and risk when he was already in his middle age? As the son whom Cheng Cheng had brought up and educated by himself, he was one of the people who knew Cheng Cheng best. He could understand his fathers pursuits and ideals. Hence, Cheng Yuan did not stop him. Instead, he was happy for his father. While he was happy, he was also deeply worried at the same time. That was why hed come to put forth his services in exchange for shelter. Hearing Xu Kes recount, Jiang Pengji smiled. Hes an obedient, sensible, and filial son Now that youve seen Cheng Yuan, what do you think of him? Xu Ke thought about the question seriously and recalled the dialogue between them. Cheng Gong Liao is steady and meticulous. He is a good seedling. As for his ability, its too early to say. Ill test him in secret later. I think Master Chengs son wont be too bad. How could they turn away labor that had voluntarily shown up at their doorstep? Because they were expanding their power so quickly, their military forces and development teams could not keep up with the pace. This had shaken their foundation and was Jiang Pengjis secret concern. The talents that she needed the most right now were people like Cheng Yuan. He was steady, calm, and meticulous, someone who was not extreme and would not act rashly or cause trouble. Even if they were not amazing talents, as long as they were steady and sure, and willing to work hard, they would become the mainstay of Wanzhous power. In that case, Ill entrust Cheng Gong Liao to you for the time being, Jiang Pengji said hoarsely. The rescue of the emperor is imminent. Ill transfer 10,000 troops and take a few people away. The tasks designated to Wanzhous civil service will increase. Teach Cheng Gong Liao first. after he has adjusted, you can dump some of the stuff on him. Jiang Pengji was still short on manpower. The rescue of the emperor would require her to take a portion of her fortune and men away. Thus, the headquarters at Wanzhou would become even shorter on manpower. Running into the pair of father and son at this time was like getting a pillow after already having fallen asleep. Even Jiang Pengji could not help but applaud her luck. Since the timing is so good, I reckon that we can relax a little bit. Xu Ke laughed as he chatted. It seemed that there was no dissatisfaction with the newcomer coming here to rob him of his livelihood. He even seemed to be glad about it. It wasnt because Xu Ke had a generous heart, it was just because Jiang Pengji had set a good example for everyone. She would not bury anyones talent. Although she had her biases in private, she was very impartial in her official affairs. Everyone was whole-heartedly won over. Xu Ke did not need to worry about Cheng Yuan threatening his status because there was no conflict of interest between the two. If Xu Ke could reduce his stress and enhance Wanzhous strength by promoting Cheng Yuan, he would do it without Jiang Pengjis orders. Hmm, Im always assured when it comes to your work. With the help of Xu Ke, she was spared from worry. Especially compared to the other powers, where there was always some sort of conflict going on within the group. A disharmonious atmosphere of mutual sabotage. Yang Sis previous employer, Prince Changshou, was a typical example. On the surface, their internal department was in harmony, but dark tides surged in private. One man would trip another, only to be blinded in return. It was remarkably like a drama about court intrigue. From frigid irony and scorching satire to oblique accusations, people were busy fighting each other. Even on Jiang Pengjis side, her internal department could not be considered a family. There were some discordant elements. For example, that wastrel, Fengzhen. His style of doing things was wild and dissolute. He did not have a good relationship with Feng Jin, Xu Ke, etc. Even so, they did not transfer their conflicting views into official matters. Firstly, they were not stupid. They would not allow private feelings to disrupt public or official matters. They also supervised and restrained one another. Secondly, Jiang Pengji would not allow them to do so. She did not interfere in their relationship in private. Who would want to make trouble in official affairs? Did they think that she was dead? She put everyone into the most suitable position so that they could shine and use their labor to the greatest degree. No talents were buried. Jiang Pengji held to the constant principle of doing as much as your abilities allow you to. Those self-centered show-offs with high standards but little ability could show themselves out. Jiang Pengji had not yet made an accurate judgment regarding Cheng Yuans niche, so she let him practice his skills first. She would decide after he had interned for a while. When Cheng Yuan returned home, Cheng Cheng finally found out what his son had done behind his back. Son, you sold yourself just like that? Cheng Cheng frowned. Do you know why Ive stopped you from taking up an official post several times? He did not like internal strife in bureaucracy, but that did not mean that he liked to control his sons life. The reason why he had never approved of Cheng Yuan taking up an official post was that he thought his younger son was not mature enough yet. His abilities were still lacking. Even though hed been born into a good family, it was not easy for a person with insufficient ability to make something of himself. Cheng Yuan felt a burst of guilt. He lowered his head and worried his sleeves, not saying a single word. Cheng Cheng shook his head. Forget it. Its no use crying over spilled milk. Now that Liu Lanting our lord has accepted you, dont be a disgrace to the Cheng family. Cheng Yuan bowed his head and said, Father, I will follow your guidance. Do more, talk less, and dont be stubborn. Ask for advice earnestly and learn with an open mind. The people around the lord may be young and be no more than three to five years older than you, but each of them is a giant amongst men Some advantages come from being born into a humble station. At least, their natures are steadier and mature faster than their peers Cheng Cheng thought of Xu Ke, who had become Jiang Pengjis left and right-hand man many years ago. Do you understand? Cheng Yuan nodded like the clever and lovable child he was. Cheng Cheng was satisfied. His younger son possessed a good temperament, unlike his oldest son, who was fierce, stubborn, and hard to tame. Cheng Yuan was less likely to go about with his nose in the air. For Cheng Yuan to take up an official position at this time, Cheng Cheng hoped that it would not be a bad thing. Chapter 673 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (X) The facts proved that Cheng Yuan had a gentle and honest temperament. He was indeed a good, obedient, and sensible child. Xu Ke was a little worried at the beginning. About what? Naturally, he was worried that Cheng Yuan would be uncooperative. Cheng Yuan had just had his coming of age ceremony at 20 years old. He was full of youthful vigor. This was his first official position. If he felt that their lord did not put him in an important position, and was to be controlled by someone from a mediocre background, he might feel uncomfortable and refuse to cooperate with them If that was the case, Xu Ke would have a headache. Fortunately, the scenario that Xu Ke worried about did not play out. Cheng Yuan was young and inexperienced, but he was methodical and meticulous. The key was that he was humble and eager to learn. He did not despise Xu Ke because of his low birth. No matter how dry and tedious the task was, Cheng Yuan gave his full attention to it. He was practically a little angel in Xu Kes eyes. Could there be a boss or colleague who disliked such a good employee? An employee who obediently worked overtime and did not complain or criticize non-stop? As a result, Cheng Yuan easily gained the favor of Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang. The three had a rapport and worked well together. After all, Cheng Yuan was inexperienced. Even though he was very careful, he still made little mistakes in many areas. Xu Ke and Qiguan Rang did not find it troublesome though. They gave directions whenever they could, but when they could not, they would help him to make up for his mistakes. This put Cheng Yuan in an environment of good influence and guidance. In the beginning, Cheng Yuan thought that he would provoke resistance by taking up an official position and would find it difficult to fit into the team. When he looked at it now, the people under his lord were rather easy to get along with. But Today, Xiaoyu asked about my brother. Cheng Cheng raised his eyelids. In recent days, he had gotten busy with the organization of his library collection. He was sorting them out in more detail and didnt pay much attention to his son. Even though this was the case, he knew that his son had been going to work early in the morning and only returning after toiling day and night. He was very busy with government affairs. He asked about Gong Luo? What about him? Cheng Cheng had two sons and one daughter. Other than his eldest son, who had taken up office in another place, he kept his youngest son and daughter by his side. When hed fled Suian County, hed taken his entire family with him, including his wife, second son, and daughter. Only the eldest son, who had his own family and career, had been left behind. The temperament of his eldest son, Cheng Xun, was worlds apart from his second sons. Xiaoyu asked me if I had an elder brother. He also indirectly asked me some things about him Cheng Yuan was somewhat baffled and suspected that his elder brother and Xiaoyu might be old friends. MY elder brother has been appointed to an official position in another county for many years, he scarcely returns home. I dont know much either Perhaps Xiaoyu and elder brother are old friends? Otherwise, where did Xiaoyu hear my elder brothers name? After Cheng Cheng heard that, the expression in his eyes changed and he looked at his son with some pity. He understood his eldest son. That child attached great importance to the concept of family status. It was impossible for his circle of friends to coincide with Xu Kes. It was even more impossible that he would know him. If Xu Ke had asked Cheng Yuan if he had an elder brother, the biggest possibility was that Xu Ke wanted to poach people. Cheng Cheng lowered his eyelids. He was not satisfied after swindling him, the old one, so hed swindled his second child as well. But he was still not satisfied and wanted to swindle the eldest one too Groan How great. With Gong Luos temperament, Im afraid that hes not suitable. Cheng Yuans eyes widened. With his fathers hint, he finally understood Xu Kes true purpose. Brother will never come. Cheng Cheng inwardly twisted his lips. As long as his brain was still working, Jian Pengji would never accept Cheng Xun. Father, Ive heard that the lord will be leading the army to rescue the Emperor. Would you like to follow him? Cheng Cheng asked calmly. I want to go and have a look, but its probably impossible with this situation. Cheng Yuan did want to go, but he also knew that he would be useless if he went. The imperial order for all troops to come and rescue the Emperor in the capital was not a trivial matter. Every minute of the rescue would be a messy battle. He lacked experience and was still too delicate and unskilled. Cheng Cheng said, The situation in the world has turned chaotic, and the rescue of the Emperor will be an important turning point in it. You dont have to join in on the action. You wont be able to help. You might even make trouble or cause an inconvenience. Cheng Yuan looked dejected. He had suffered a psychological blow from his old father. Cheng Cheng said in a low voice, But, this is also a good opportunity if you want to make a name for yourself. Father, please give me your guidance. Our lord has just captured Wanzhou and its foundation is unstable. However, he will be transferring a portion of the elite soldiers to the rescue of the Emperor, which means that the troops left behind to take care of the rear will be seriously insufficient. To alleviate this crisis, he can only recruit more soldiers while training the elites. We can see from this how great the pressure is. But as long as you can steadily pull through the initial period, his lords power in the north will be thoroughly stabilized. Just do your job well, be pragmatic and hard-working. When the time comes for your work to be evaluated and reward is given for merit, no one will be able to erase your share of the contributions Remember, dont be like your brother, only seeking instant benefits. Steady progress will win the race. Cheng Cheng gave his son a clear analysis, not forgetting to drum some lessons into his head. He disliked the internal strife of bureaucracy, but what could he do when both his sons had their own ideas? He could only give them some advice based on his own experience. It was a pity that his eldest son hated and avoided him. There was so much friction between the father and son. But his youngest son was obedient and easy to coax. His temperament was gentle too, and he listened to suggestions. On the other side, Jiang Pengji had decided on their battle lineup for the rescue of the Emperor. Jing Rong, you used to work under Prince Changshous banner, and you understand them better than anyone. You are indispensable to the rescue mission. Yang Si was the first to be named by Jiang Pengji. He revealed an expression that seemed to say that he had nothing to live for. Jiang Pengji found it funny. No matter how strong Prince Changshou is, he cant rush into the camp and cut you apart. In any case, Ill be holding things up at the front. I wont hand you over. Inwardly, Yang Si was wiping away his sweat. In the past, he had defrauded Prince Changshou and left him in a miserable state. Prince Changshou would not stop at cutting his body into pieces. He probably wanted to destroy his entire family clan. When he learned that he was going to face his old employer on the frontline, Yang Si felt some guilt mixed with a faint sense of excitement. The next person Ive wondered about this seriously and have decided to choose Zi Shi. The rest of you will stay in Wanzhou. I dearly look forward to having these gentlemen defend this area on my behalf. Jiang Pengji did not choose Wei Ci or the others. Instead, she had chosen Feng Zhen. His strategies and schemes were more suitable for the pattern of the turbulent battles that would break out during the rescue of the Emperor. When Feng Zhen heard that he had been named, his eyes lit up and his spirits shook. Finally, he wouldnt have to deal with those disgusting hypocrites and even more disgusting government affairs. He thought of earlier days, where he and Feng Jin had to socialize with the landowning gentry in Shangyang County. That had been a nightmare. My lord, you are wise. Feng Zhen smiled so hard that he was squinting. He couldnt hide the smile forming at the corners of his lips. As for the generals, Jiang Pengji chose Li Yun and Dian Yan. The rest would stay and continue to recruit or train the soldiers. Do you have any objections to this arrangement? she looked around and asked. Meng Hun, who stood at the side, showed a slight change in his expression. After some time, he stepped out of the ranks and offered himself. Jiang Pengji knitted her brows and asked, Why? Meng Hun said, The Emperors order to rescue him is largely related to the Meng family turning against the Emperor and placing themselves under Prince Changshou. I was the military chief of Meng county in the Cang Prefecture and served the Meng family. I know them well. Therefore, I sincerely ask my lord to allow me to go into battle At this point, he stopped talking out of embarrassment and appeared to be somewhat distressed. Meng Hun and the Meng family had an absolutely irreconcilable hatred for each other. Jiang Pengji looked down and thought about it carefully. Shed planned to leave Meng Hun behind only because he had rich experience in training soldiers. He also had a very prestigious reputation in the army. He was someone who could keep things under control In contrast, Li Yun and Dian Yan were both rookies. Although they were famous, they had insufficient experience and needed to be given more opportunities to achieve their goals, build careers, and accumulate military achievements. Since Meng Hun had volunteered himself for military service. It was not impossible to allow it. Luo Yue had come from a family background of military coaches to the imperial guard. He had accumulated enough training experience over the years. By promoting two other people to assist him, even if Meng Hun followed them to the frontline, the impact on the rear would be insignificant After considering this, Jiang Pengji agreed to Meng Huns request. Meng Hun said, Thank you very much, my lord! Chapter 674 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XI) Im afraid that there will hardly be any result to this alliance meeting No matter how many troops we bring, itll just be a mere formality, Jiang Pengji muttered, pinching her chin. All kinds of thoughts went through her mind. She said, To prevent the Red Lotus Group from resurrecting, I cant transfer too many of the troops away from Wanzhou. Ive decided to bring 10,000 troops for the rescue of the Emperor. 6,000 of them will be elite soldiers and 4,000 will be recruits. All the remaining troops will stay behind to guard our rear Qiguan Rang, Feng Jin, and the others furrowed their brows. They very much disapproved of her suggestion. Bring only 10,000 troops? Although Wanzhous troops were under pressure and the provinces foundation was unstable, the whole thing was wretched. Their lord would be personally leading their troops to the alliance meeting. With only 10,000 troops, how could she keep up appearances? Her subordinates had their concerns, but they did not utter a word of them yet. Instead, it was the livestream viewers who expressed their dissatisfaction first. The long-lived Su Muqiu: No, host, youre going to look so shabby! No matter what, youre still the magistrate of Wanzhou, even if youre still an illegal one. You may not feel that its shabby to bring only 10,000 men with you to the alliance meeting, but others might think that youre down and out. Think of the distant past when even the heads of some gangs could get dozens of groups of men to show up for a confrontation. If you bring only 10,000 troops, theyll look down on you. Speaking of the alliance meeting, I am reminded of the 18 princes punitive expedition against Dong. If they also make a fuss about electing a leader for the alliance, you will be sidelined by bringing only 10,000 soldiers. Quick hands expert Yu Wenzhou: Haha, to the user above me, are you possessed by the @ThereticentHuangShaotian? Old drivers cute alliance: Motherf*cker, cant you guys change your IDs? And long-lived? Watching the livestream makes me feel like Ive been stabbed multiple times. Super talented Guo Fengxiao: Although this series of IDs is rather heart-wrenching, Xiao Susu is not wrong. With the current situation, the host will be completely looked down upon by bringing only 10,000 troops. Whether it is the alliance meeting or the election of the leader, she wont be able to get in on the action. During the fierce quarrel between the viewers in the livestreaming room, a few of the counselors started to show disapproving expressions, but their faces soon returned to normal as if they had suddenly thought of something. This change got the attention of some viewers. They all started to ask for answers that would clear up their confusion. Liu Xi is my husband: Have you noticed that some counselors objected at first? Why did they calm down? I live next door and my surname is Wang: Yeah all my attention was on the fight playing out on the bullet screen just now. Did I miss something? Old Wang is inferior, Old Song is strong: I know the general situation. By the way, have you all forgotten that the hosts father, Liu She, the Chongzhou magistrate? Yes, it was as the livestream viewer, Old Song, said. The counselors did not say anything because they have remembered Liu She. Liu She had also responded to the Emperors call for all troops to rescue him in the capital. Jiang Pengji might be bringing only 10,000 troops with her, but she would be joining her forces with those of her father, Liu She. Which of the participants in the alliance meeting for the rescue of the Emperor could best the pair of father and son? According to the original plan, Jiang Pengji had planned to bring between 15,000 and 20,000 troops, but shed abandoned the idea after further analysis of the situation in Wanzhou. Feng Jin and the others did not know it, but Jiang Pengji knew very well that she had her obvious enemies as well as hidden enemies to deal with. The obvious enemies were easy to deal with, but the hidden enemies were a thorny problem. She had misgivings about the situation in Wanzhou. Therefore, after going over the two choices multiple times, shed chosen the more secure plan. It was indeed very embarrassing and unsightly for Jiang Pengji to take 10,000 troops to participate in the alliance meeting for the rescue of the Emperor. However, she was very certain that no one would dare to scorn her for it. We offer the best wishes for our lords immediate success. Jiang Pengji laughed and said, Well encourage one another. Before the meeting adjourned, Jiang Pengji called out to Wei Ci. Zixiao, stay for a while. I need your help with something. Wei Ci agreed with a calm expression. Yang Si stared at his friends face with a complicated gaze before being dragged away by Feng Zhen. They walked out of the government office. Fengzhen tucked his hands into his sleeves, a dissolute smile on his face. Yang Jing Rong, you havent gotten married as yet. Do you have some trouble that you find hard to talk about? Yang Si rolled his eyes peevishly. Feng Zhen would be his partner for a while, it would be best to be polite to him. What do you mean? Feng Zhen smiled. I saw you glance at Zixiao a total of 22 times today. This was a bolt of lightning from the out of the blue. Yang Sis knees went weak and he almost fell over. You wastrel, do you think everyone is as indiscriminate as you? Yang Si was so angry that he was nearly frothing at the mouth. Feng Zhen smiled, a strange light flashing across his eyes. Although Im a wastrel, men are not my type. Yang Si flung his sleeves in a rage. They are not my type either! Feng Zhen scoffed and put a hand on Yang Sis shoulder. He coaxed him to the side and asked in a whisper, Did you find out something? Yang Sis heart thumped and he looked a little green. He deliberately tried to cover it up by saying, What did you mean by find out something? I have things to do, I wont be mired in this conversation any longer. Zixiao and the lord. Do you guys have something going on? Feng Zhens lips turned up as he said matter-of-factly, At todays meeting, not only did you glance at Zixiao 22 times, you also glanced at his lordship with a veiled expression 23 times Tell me, what interesting things did you find out? Yang Si felt suffocated. He would have to work with a gossipy wastrel during the alliance meeting. If youre curious, ask them yourselves. Feng Zhen helplessly gathered his sleeves. I did. His lordship and Zixiao bluntly denied anything. You know how they are, I dont want to play any mind games with them. By trying to trick something out of them, I might lose everything that Im working towards if Im careless Yang Si harrumphed inwardly. He didnt want to play any mind games with Feng Zhen either. While Feng Zhen was thoroughly shameless, he was not. Feng Zhen said, The kitchen perfected a new dish some time ago. Its sweet and sour, very appetizing. Do you want to try something new? Yang Si didnt reply. He couldnt move him with words, so he was changing tactics by tempting him with food? Was he, Yang Jing Rong, someone who had no morals or integrity when it came to food? Oh, lets go, its almost lunchtime. Yang Si started walking with a smile on his face as his mind went to work. According to Jiang Pengji, she wanted to reveal her true identity. Why not test Feng Zhengs limits? Since the two had been selected by their lord for the expedition, it was not all that unusual for them to have a meal together. Were they not allowed to discuss strategies while eating? Neither of them was a stickler for the rules. Not talking while eating or something like that They would keep up appearances when there were outsiders around. Otherwise, they would just act casually. When Feng Zhen heard Yang Sis guess, he nearly choked on a piece of tenderloin and coughed loudly. Jing Rong, are you making fun of me? Feng Zhen looked like a mess. Hed lost that usual air of degeneracy. On the contrary, he seemed to have become presumptuous and opinionated like a teenager in an instant. You suspect that our lord is a woman This is the biggest joke on earth. I tell you, if a woman can look like our lord, Ill never be able to find a wife in this lifetime. Ill probably be reduced to raiding an innocent family and kidnapping their son to be my husband. Yang Si was silent. Feng Zhen couldnt help but think of the time when he and Jiang Pengji had sneakily drunk alcohol and ate meat. His desire to roast and ridicule erupted. The lord does have even a slightly feminine air about him. No matter how you look, hes clearly a man. Fengyi County was not so busy when I first arrived; our lord and I drank and went to the brothels in private more than a few times Whenever he was around, the courtesans couldnt be bothered to look at anyone else. Whatever bawdy songs, stories from the marketplace, racy stories, and degenerate words came out of our mouths, he would only request to hear more. But youre saying that someone like this a gluttonous creature steeped in worldly experiences is a woman? How could you believe it? Yang Si didnt have an answer. He didnt believe it either. Chapter 675 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XII) Feng Zhen gave such ample evidence that Yang Si didnt know how to refute it. Perhaps his lord had said those words to tease him? But if that was the case, how was he supposed to explain what Wei Ci had was telling him? Could it be that these two fellows had ganged up to play a prank on him because they were bored out of their minds? Its up to you to believe it or not. Yang Si could not come up with any real evidence, he could only deal with Feng Zhens disbelief using a catch-all phrase. If our lord is a woman Feng Zhen gave him a sideways look and said, If hes a woman, Ill go out onto the streets right now and drag someone home to marry. Ill protect myself by staying devoted. Feng Zhens words gave him so much to gripe about that he didnt even know where to begin. Yang Si smiled dryly. Dont worry, I estimate that no one would like you Feng Zhen smiled back. He felt safe now. The moment he opened his mouth to talk, he became just as offensive. Thats true, with Zixiao, common man with good breeding around, theres no way anyone would like me. Yang Si didnt have a response to that. In the private room in the gourmet house, the two looked at each other with dismay as a silent and confused atmosphere descended. After a long time, Feng Zhen asked uncertainly, How confident are you regarding this thing about the lord? Yang Si wanted to answer ten percent. After all, the party that was directly in question had acknowledged it. But he couldnt say it like that. He said vaguely, Sixty percent or more. Feng Zhen curbed his teasing attitude and his expression congealed. There was an inexplicable sense of oppression in his tone now. Are you here to sound me out? Yang Si felt as if he was breaking out in goosebumps on the inside, but he wore a light and sincere smile on the surface. Naturally, its a joke. Feng Zhen raised an eyebrow. A strange light flashed across his eyes. If Yang Si had insisted that his statement was correct, Feng Zhen would have thought that he was joking. After all, the idea that their lord was a female was just too terrifying to dwell on. But now Yang Si was calmly saying that it was a joke. On the contrary, Feng Zhen did not dare to treat it as a joke anymore. However, he did not pursue the matter to the end. First, there was no meaning to it. Second, it was a waste of time. To determine whether his lord was male or female, the most irrefutable evidence would be his body. If Feng Zhen was curious, he could just go and ask those courtesans. Thinking about this, his brow knitted imperceptibly. If it hadnt been mentioned, he would not have noticed. Speaking of that, when his lord visited the brothels, there was not a single time when hed stayed overnight. He never even summoned any of the women to accompany him to bed. He treated the brothels like eateries every time, leaving after having some food and wine. Feng Zhen chewed his rice and it tasted like wax. His thoughts drifted. His lord was in his prime. He was at an age when it was easy to be emotional and hot-headed. A young body would find it difficult to withstand the provocation of the opposite sex. Although the courtesans were not the most beautiful, they were young, with the unique flavor of youth. This youthful aura was more attractive than body or facial appearance Not to bring others into the topic, but Feng Zheng himself was that age once. If he was a normal male, wouldnt he be teased until he was burning up? If his lord had a concubine or servant girl, that would make sense. After all, some people thought that courtesans were unclean. Even if they were aroused to a burning point, they would pretend to be all right, bear with it, and go home to their wife or concubine But his lord had no one waiting for him at home. Now that he thought about it, there were areas of suspicion everywhere. Either his lord was a Liu Xiahui, who truly had no desires, was irreproachable, or of great moral integrity, all in all, an exceptional gentleman. Or, he was impotent. Even if faced with the most beautiful women in the world, he still wouldnt be able to get it up If it was the latter, it would be a bit of a headache. He wouldnt be able to beget an heir if he couldnt get it up. And if he had no heir, that meant that he would have no foundation. Or, his lord might not be a man. Maybe he was a woman! In the face of these three possible scenarios, Feng Zhen hoped that it was the first scenario. But looking at his lords experienced behavior, he just did not seem to be a pure-hearted gentleman. No Could he really be a woman? Feng Zhen felt his legs tremble as he thought about affixing the label of female onto Jiang Pengji. He was so shocked that he felt his penis shrink. It was too terrifying. While Feng Zhen was getting more entangled in the mystery of his lords gender, Jiang Pengji was having a discussion with Wei Ci. I didnt request you to stay back because of any particular issue. I heard that youre very good at painting and I would like to ask you to do one for me. Compared to what Yang Si and Feng Zhen had imagined, there wasnt anything peculiar going on between these two people. A painting? Wei Ci asked. A painting of what, my lord? Jiang Pengji said, The flashed bricks. To be precise, the houses made of flashed bricks. Wei Ci frowned in contemplation. The livestream viewers were also baffled. But the host was not giving them any hints. How were they supposed to guess? Does my lord want to sell the flashed bricks? After all, they were close, almost like they had been an old married couple in their past lives. Moreover, Wei Ci did not have a low IQ, so he quickly guessed the truth. Others would be attending the alliance meeting to fight for a piece of the benefits, but Wei Ci guessed that his lord would be participating in the meeting to bamboozle others. No. How much profit could I get from selling flashed bricks? Jiang Pengji gave a smile that Wei Ci was extremely familiar with. It was the prelude to a con. I want to sell the technology behind the production of flashed bricks. Flashed bricks are essentially made of mud, not gold. They are also bulky and heavy, how much could they sell for? But if were selling the technology to make those flashed bricks, we could make a fortune from it. What do you think of this suggestion? Wei Ci knitted his brows. He did not agree based on his usual line of thought. However, it was his lord who was putting forward this option. She must have her reasoning behind it. He could not shoot it down immediately. As he faced Jiang Pengji, Wei Ci turned the matter over again and again in his mind out of habit until he was sure that he was not making any mistakes. After a long time, Wei Ci asked without any discernable reason, To whom does my lord want to sell it? The smile on Jiang Pengjis face became even brighter. She knew that Wei Ci had figured out her real intentions. I will give priority to whoevers territory is nearest to Wanzhou. Wei Ci was speechless. His lords heart had truly turned pitch-black. As Jiang Pengji had said, flashed bricks were very good for construction. The raw materials needed to produce them were very cheap. However, there was a problem. The shipping cost was hundreds of times higher than the production cost. In other words, if one wanted to use flashed bricks in their construction, they needed to build a brick kiln locally. There was a very nebulous trap behind Jiang Pengjis sale of the technology to make flashed bricks. She would make the enemy become a foolish spendthrift. They would cough up their manpower, their efforts, and even their money. This would be a drag on the enemy forces pace of development. This was only one of the reasons. After Jiang Pengji had stabilized her foundation and thoroughly digested the forces in Wanzhou, she would turn around and attack her enemies. She could even save the effort of post-war construction after defeating her enemies. This was the second reason. Because of the equine plague, the economies of the three tribes of the northern borderline are at rock-bottom. Their horse farms are nearly deserted, and their combat powers have been reduced by 80% to 90%. They need at least three to five years to get back on their feet. Before that happens, we have to consolidate and strengthen Wanzhous power while further expanding our territory. The three tribes of the northern border remained Jiang Pengjis targets. But it was impossible to destroy those at the northern borderline with only the military strength of Chongzhou, Wanzhou, and Hu County. Hence she needed further growth. Or, she could find ways to weaken the enemy at the same time. Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes as she pondered this. Zixiao, what do you think the tribes of the northern borderline depend on besides cavalry and horses? Wei Ci looked at her directly. He said in a bland voice, Pastures. Jiang Pengji said, My thoughts exactly. The two looked at each other and smiled. Everything was expressed through their unspoken words. The livestream viewers shivered. If they remembered correctly the three tribes from the northern borderline were the nomadic ethnic groups Chapter 676 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XIII) Bad-tempered and boorish Xiao Shiqin: Seriously, Ive been lurking amongst the livestream viewers for a while and I thought I was accustomed to all sorts of major events. But who wouldve guessed that I can still be shocked? Youre actually taking measures against the nomadic peoples lifeblood to deal with them. Dare I ask what color your heart is? Old drivers cute alliance: @Bad-temperedandboorishXiaoShiqin, #000000 #000000? What did that mean? Falling stars of a purple fantasy: #000000 is the color code for pure black. Q: What color is the hosts heart? A: Pure black. There didnt seem to be anything wrong with it. Pitiful and lamentable: So what if its pure black? No matter what color the hosts heart is, Ill like it. The darker shades are cute too. How can you live well without some color? Ive always flamed the host for being garbage in the livestream, but in actual fact, in my heart, Ive always hooted about how handsome the host is. Please marry me! I just like to see her bamboozle others and the helpless enemy. Shes so cute and handsome!!! The naggy Wangpo who sells melons: In any case, the host was the leading general of the Interstellar Federation in her previous life. She was a big boss in the military, so theres no way her heart is white. Can you all imagine a leading general with a pure white and flawless heart? What would such a person use to defeat their enemies and competitors? Motherly love? Can any scheme concocted by military personnel be called a poisonous plan? Its called strategic deployment. Say it, host, how do you plan to con the tribes of the northern borderline? Ill support you even though Im a fan of male love! Ill support you even though Im a fan of male love! Motherf*cker. Jiang Pengji was worried about the moral integrity being shown in the livestream. This was such a dirty bullet screen. Would it really not affect the minors? This was followed by waves reward notifications and countless silly but amusing comments floating across the bullet screen. Alcohol forever: Member of Team F*ckery reporting. Host, where should we screw up next? I guarantee therell be nothing left of the enemy. Kaihuangs ice-cream cone: Captain of National Team F*ckery Team reporting. I guarantee that well level the ground wherever we go. Mu Qingchen: Team F*ckery is setting out. Well ensure that the ground will be leveled over the entire world. Therell be nothing left of the enemy. Looking at these comments, although Jiang Pengji remained unmoving on the surface, she could barely control herself anymore on the inside. These clowns Wei Ci frowned. His words pulled Jiang Pengjis thoughts back to the present. But my lord is there a large-scale plague for the grasslands too? Wei Ci thought that Jiang Pengji wanted to artificially create a disease for grass to deal with the northern borderline. He frowned deeply. Jiang Pengji found it funny. Yes, such a thing exists. But do you think Im such a cruel person? Leave some mercy and we might still get on in later days. If we mess them up until they die, wont we be the ones to die of exhaustion in the end? Besides, I cant get my hands on such a disease The northern territory is vast, and the rich pastures with plenty of water and grass are all under the control of the northern tribes. They have just suffered a great loss recently, and the vitality of their horse farms is dying out. They will be more cautious in everything they do. If it becomes clear that we are making a move against them at this time, arent we asking for trouble? As an excellent hunter, there was one piece of logic that she knew very well. Before the bullet rushes out of the muzzle and sinks into the heart of your prey, it must not feel a trace of violence. If she wanted to backstab the tribes of the northern borderline, the tribes that were nervous and viewed everyone as an enemy, she had all the more need to hide her desire to do them great harm. After all, she had a group of little princesses crying out for food. She had to be cautious. Taking the wrong step might turn everything into an irreparable disaster. Wei Ci cleared up all distracting thoughts and said matter of factly, My lord, you already have your countermeasures. Jiang Pengji said, Naturally I do I also intend to leave this matter to you, because you will not let me down. Except for a few of the military generals, each of the counselors were more black-hearted than the rest. After eliminating Yang Si and Feng Zhen who had to follow the army, Jiang Pengji had carefully considered Qiguan Rang, Xu Ke, Feng Jin, and Wei Ci. Shed chosen Wei Ci after much deliberation. Why? Because he was like her. He was able to restrain his evil thoughts before stabbed someone in the back, right until the moment his enemy died. Human beings always gravitated towards their own kind. Jiang Pengji was no exception. With a stern expression, Wei Ci bowed and asked, My lord, please give your instructions. Jiang Pengji said, Come closer so I can speak into your ear. There is no one here, my lord, you can speak freely. Wei Ci stared at her. The two of them looked at each other for a long time. In the end, he was the one who gave in. He respectfully inched towards her still in his kneeling position. The physical distance between the two was smaller than ever. When Jiang Pengji leaned toward his ear and whispered into it, her warm breath swept against his earlobe and turned it an abnormal shade of blood red. Heat rose in his body. His hands were laid on his knees. He clenched his fists tightly under the cover of his wide sleeves. When she finished speaking, Wei Ci felt like he was lacking oxygen, as if he had soaked in a hot spring for two hours. He felt faintly dizzy. Seeing his response, Jiang Pengji asked with a smile, Got it? Wei Ci blinked and bowed his head respectfully. He recovered his composure in an instant. I will not fall short of your great expectations. Jiang Pengji smiled and her eyes turned into crescents. I know that you wont let me down. She left out the words great expectations, which sounded a little too titillating. Wei Ci looked down and pretended to be unknowing. He restrained his strangeness with his willpower. However, his body totally betrayed him. Because of the livestream, no matter how soft Jiang Pengjis voice was, the viewers were still able to hear her clearly. Some of the more insensitive viewers were still immersed in Jiang Pengjis conspiracy and did not notice the interaction between the two. Shenjia: Black-hearted, host, youre so black-hearted. Arent you afraid of being a bad influence on the kids? I turned into a butterfly and flew away: Isnt the two-faced, outwardly kind but inwardly evil persona really popular now? With novels like The Overbearing Chairman and his Delicate Young Wife and The Two-Faced Prince and his Arrogant Concubine If the hosts sex was different, she would be a Mr. Perfect across the globe. How many male and female fans would die just for her? The more black-hearted they are, the more fascinating. Aize fireworks: Dont stray from the main topic. Is there a guru who can analyze the viability of the hosts strategy? Using the economy to indirectly destroy the ecology of the northern tribes a host who could come up with such a shady and damaging idea was quite forceful! Good, the title of the most black-hearted goddess would be awarded to the host! There were 150,000 viewers in the livestream from all walks of life. Many were people who had no dreams or ambitions in real life and were only there to watch the fun while snacking on melon seeds. However, there was no shortage of gurus. Im Xun Yu, not a dog: This is my personal opinion The strategy is highly feasible. The horse farms of the three tribes in the northern borderline have been stricken by the horse plague. Their economy has suffered a huge shock. This doesnt only affect the owners of the horse farms. The herders with their small-scale livestock have also suffered huge losses. The former is still better off. After all, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, but what about those herders with small-scale operations? Their lives have become more difficult. This viewer gave a serious analysis, but his ID made people laugh. Im Xun Yu, not a dog: The equine plague is not a man-made disaster, but a natural disaster. As it spreads throughout the northern borderline, the economic losses will be difficult to estimate. Who will make up for this economic loss? The royal court of the northern territories? Obviously not! Even in a society like ours now, once a national economic loss occurs, almost all the professions and industries collapse. Even if the state apparatus wants to compensate for the loss, the amount that can be compensated is limited. Let alone in the backward era of the host. Each family can only think of ways to make up for their losses. They really have no choice but to suffer in silence. Im Xun Yu, not a dog: The horses at the northern borderline have suffered great casualties. With a lack of horses, pasture resources will definitely overflow. To make up for the losses caused by the equine plague, the herders must develop other business paths. The host has asked Wei Ci to arrange caravans to the northern borderline to purchase sheepskin, rabbit skin, smoked mutton, and rabbit meat, which will signal to them that they can use the surplus pasture resources to cultivate sheep and rabbits. Chapter 677 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XIV) Im Xun Yu, not a dog: Do you think that the herders will let go of an opportunity to improve their families economies? Obviously, that was impossible. The northern borderline had originally farmed rabbits and sheep, but those operations were done on a small scale because the herders allocated most of their pastures to horses. Now that horses had become scarce, the remaining empty pastures could not be wasted. Why not raise sheep and rabbits that could make money for them? As long as she could instigate herdsmen of the northern borderline to raise more rabbits and sheep, Jiang Pengjis plan would be half done. With the way the ancient people thought, they were unable to understand the core of this overt conspiracy. They would only realize it after the damage was done. Was this because ancient people were stupid? Of course not, this was due to unequal information between the two eras. To put it plainly, the core of this poisonous plan was to destroy the ecological balance. What was an ecological balance? In an ecological community of living creatures and their ecosystem, a variety of opposing factors restrict one another to achieve a relatively stable balance. Small numbers of rabbits and sheep caused limited damage to the grassland ecology. The grassland could depend on its own ability to completely restore itself. But what if a lot of rabbits and sheep appeared in a short time? They were voracious grass eaters and could even devour the grasss roots. Once a massive flood occurred, the grasslands would degrade rapidly. However, the three tribes of the northern borderline were not stupid. Once the destructive power of the rabbits and sheep became an obvious threat to the survival of horses, there was no way they wouldnt try to restrain them. If they were really stupid, Jiang Pengji would remind them in due course. In other words, when that time arrived, the tribes of the northern borderline would have no choice but to devote part of their energy toward curbing the flood of rabbits and sheep. Once this happened, Jiang Pengji would achieve her purpose. Not only would it only minimally damage the ecology of the northern borderline, but it would also restrict the development of the northern tribes cavalries and distract them. It would be killing two birds with one stone. There is no need to disclose this matter first. Jiang Pengji laughed. You can treat it as ordinary business. Anyway, we consume a lot of wool every autumn and winter. Buying wool and stuff like that from the northern borderline will not raise any suspicion. Patience was a very important quality for hunters. As an excellent hunter, she had no lack of patience. Wei Ci lowered his eyelids. Ill comply with your arrangements. No matter how formidable it was, a plan that had its purpose revealed early and was made known to everyone was worthless. Based on her recounting, Wei Ci knew that she was surrounded by crises and that there were few people who she could fully trust. How could he let her down? Under the witness of 150,000 viewers, Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci reached a tacit agreement. Being targeted by these two, one could well imagine what was to become of the northern borderline. Before Wei Ci walked away, Jiang Pengji reminded him again, Zixiao, dont forget the painting that I want. Make it as beautiful as possible. I believe in your painting skills. Remember why Jiang Pengji asked Wei Ci to come over? She had asked Wei Ci to do a painting for her, emphasizing the applications of flashed bricks. She wanted to market the firing technology for the flashed bricks to the princes and vassals who were also rescuing the emperor. Wei Ci did not let her down. He presented a painting on a long scroll the next day. You completed the painting that quickly? she asked as she unfolded the scroll, finding that the ink was not fresh. This was not a recent painting at all. Jiang Pengji only found out that Wei Cis hobbies were of a more refined type after asking around carefully. Painting was just one of them. There were people from all walks of life amongst the 150,000 viewers in the livestream. Many were engaged in drawing, painting, or related fields. They felt a little perturbed at the first sight of Wei Cis painting and sent out comments on the bullet screen to express their doubts. Cola chicken wings: Ill give Cimeiren some praises first, hes multi-talented and his talents do not lie. But does anyone think that somethings wrong? Fried eggs and noodles: Whats wrong? I simply think that the painting is very beautiful. Its as if an infinite number of filters have been added. Sweet and sour pork: Hearing what you all have said, I think that this painting by Cimeiren is a bit strange It seems too beautiful somehow Everyone had something to say, but at the same time, they did not forget to ask Jiang Pengji to unfold the scroll completely so that they could get a clear look. They felt as if they had discovered a secret. Dont forget your roots as a human being: I study fine arts and have some knowledge about traditional painting. Although the hosts era is different from our history, many trajectories are identical, including painting. In our ancient art of Chinese painting, style rarely conforms to surface resemblance. More attention is paid to the wonder of likeness and dissimilarity and likeness between dissimilarities. The style tends towards artistic conception rather than a realistic portrayal. But if you take a closer look at Cimeirens painting, there is a kind of three-dimensional feeling that is vividly portrayed. The style of painting tends towards realism, which is weird. When this opinion was published, it was immediately acknowledged by most people. Of course, there was also a small number of people who expressed doubts. Sixty-six does not forget to return to zero: Although it tends towards realism, the style has unique Chinese features. I dont get a sense of incongruity when I look at it. On the contrary, I feel that its very harmonious Your imagination must be really fertile if you suspect that Cimeiren is a cross-dimensional traveler. Jiang Pengji frowned secretly and saved Wei Cis face. Host V: We exchanged painting skills in Langya. I guess it influenced him at that time. The viewers yelled 666 one after another, praising how Jiang Pengji could not only fight and argue competently, but she could also better the artistic talents of those around her. Jiang Pengji smiled and rolled up Wei Cis painting scroll. Her eyes narrowed like those of a fox. Wei Ci didnt know what had happened, but he felt a faint chill crawling up his back. On this day, the cold wind blew, and the sound of banners being whipped about by the wind was loud and shocking. The army departed with Jiang Pengji leading the army as they set out. More than 10,000 soldiers and horses passed through the pure white snow and disappeared into the horizon. Zhongzhao. As the richest and most powerful country amongst the five nations of the Central Plains, it had a strong economy and a vast territory. There were six provinces and twenty-one counties in Dongqing, but Zhongzhao had ten provinces and thirteen counties! However, as the bellwether of the five powers, recent times had not been good to Zhongzhao. The conflicts between various political parties and had grown fiercer with each passing day as the situation inside the royal court changed rapidly. The aristocratic families, their foreign relatives, and the court eunuchs were in a constant struggle against one another. The blood that had been shed flowed like a river. The less powerful gentry were jittery and nervous. They did not dare to infringe on the authority of the royal family, or stand up for the peoples welfare, or delve into government administration They were deathly afraid of losing their heads if they accidentally misspoke. These struggles were a secondary concern. They were too distant for the common people, but there was one thing they all agreed on. When many suffering commoners mentioned this person, everyone without exception would turn their heads and spit. The Empress of Zhongzhao from the Du family, a noblewoman of high birth. According to rumors, she was as beautiful as a fairy. Her talents and moral character were unparalleled in this world. Although she was a woman, she could debate with the greatest scholars of their time. When shed become empress, shed set herself as an example to the nation and had announced her great ambition to educate and enlighten the women of the world as an influential person. After years of meticulous study, shed finally written four classics and filled them with sacred words. The books were Womens Commandment, Admonishment for Imperial Harem, Analects for Women, and Records of Model and Virtuous Women. These four books were highly esteemed by the great scholars of Zhongzhao and a vast number of literary students. They were collectively referred to as the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women. It was all the rage for some time in Zhongzhao and was sought after by the noble ladies. Everyone had a copy. They trusted the books and highly recommended them. Some people pursued and supported it, but there were naturally some who opposed it. But in the face of the trend across the entire country, those opposing voices were tiny like mosquitoes. They were drowned out instantly. Zhongzhao, in a small town outside the imperial city. In a tea house, a man in a gray coat sat at a table. A long object wrapped in a cloth was clutched in his hand. He heard someone talking about a shameless widow whod stolen a man and was going to be caught and drowned in a pool. A mocking light flashed across his eyes as he threw down two copper coins. He got up and left. Heh it seems that too few have died. Every one of them is so idle Chapter 678 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XV) How had Zhongzhao become the richest and most powerful country amongst the five powers of the Central Plains? First of all, Zhongzhao had a very unique and beneficial geographical advantage. They were only bordered by other Central Plains nations, and theyd had no disasters caused by foreign ethnic groups. Second, Zhongzhao was the first one established among the five nations. It had seized a lot of wealth from the former dynasty and attracted many citizens from among famous families and noble clans. With no foreign ethnic groups eyeing Zhongzhao, and with the wealth accumulated by the aristocratic families as their foundation, it made sense that Zhongzhao became the leader of the five nations. It was just that excessive ease and comfort gave rise to internal strife. The Zhongzhao of the present had followed in the footsteps of Dongqing, and the struggles between the parties had become increasingly savage. In addition to internal strife, a rich, extravagant, and comfortable life had also distorted the thinking of some people who had tried their utmost to get up to all sorts of trouble. It was just as the man in gray clothing had said. It was purely because too few people had died people that Zhongzhao had given rise to so many troublemakers. If they were to produce a bunch of enemies who were fierce as tigers and terrible as wolves for Zhongzhao, never allowing their borderlands to have a moment of peace, they would see countless young, robust men desperately sacrificing their lives and the number of newborns decreasing with each passing year. Lets see if they would still make a fuss about the so-called Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women then. Prohibiting widows from remarrying, restricting women to protect their chastity Heh, this had to be the biggest joke in the world. The man in gray left the tea house and followed his memory to find the location where the drowning ceremony was held. When he arrived, a bunch of idle commoners who had come to watch the fun had gathered in front. They stood beside the water and gesticulated. Noisy comments mixed with crying. The man in gray clothes glanced down and followed the sound of crying. The crying children were not very old. The boy was older, about seven or eight years old, and the girl was young and thin, only three or four years old. Both of them were dark and skinny. Beside them was a young man in his twenties. This mans expression was fierce as he guarded the children. He rushed towards the crowd, snarling and shouting. By combining the comments at the tea house with the conversations of the villagers who stood around in a circle to watch the drowning, the man in gray was able to sort out the events of the story. In short, a twenty-three-year-old young widow could not bear the loneliness anymore and had stolen a man from the same village. She was caught and then drowned. The man in gray took two steps closer. With the convenience provided by his tall figure, he immediately saw a pale womans body beside the pond. By the time hed arrived, she had been thrown into a cylindrical bamboo cage used to transport pigs and drowned in the pond. It didnt take long for the crowd who was there to watch the show to disperse. Their faces still carried the strange and creepy joy of violating a taboo. It was so ugly that it nauseated him. The man in gray was about to leave, but he saw the young man crying into the water as he scooped up the half-submerged body of the woman, ready to carry it home on his back. He looked down and paused in his footsteps, taking out some loose silver to give to the children beside him. Looking at the youths attire, he did not seem to be a rich man. There was no way he would be able to provide the woman with a decent after-death appearance. The young man bit his lips tremblingly and his eyes filled with tears. After a long time, he said in a thick accent, Thank you, fellow brother. The man in gray took the opportunity to ask a couple more questions and hear another version of the story. The woman was the most beautiful girl in the neighboring village and she had married into this village a few years prior. Her belly did not swell even though she had been married for a few years. When she conceived with much difficulty but gave birth to a daughter, her in-laws were extremely disgusted with her. Her husband died after her daughter was born and the young woman was widowed at a young age. The in-laws then treated them even more harshly as they felt that their granddaughter was born as a jinx. Theyd even thrown her daughter into the mountains when she was not paying attention. Her daughter was nearly eaten by wolves. The young man had been hunting in the mountains and happened to rescue her daughter. The two got to know each other and grew to have feelings for each other after some time. One was a widow who had lost her husband, leading to a difficult life with her only child. One was a widower who had lost his wife and was raising a small son. The two had a favorable opinion of each other and they could have been considered a match made in heaven. As time passed, they broke through the barriers between them and were getting ready to live as partners and support each other. However, the womans in-laws couldnt accept it. They scolded her severely for being cheap, for not staying faithful to the memory of their son. They even slandered the two, claiming that they already had an improper relationship early on. The couple made such a fuss to the patriarch, hoping to drown the unclean woman so as not to dirty the familys reputation. The young man hunted all year round and relied on brute force to scare away the people who came to catch her. He had protected her once or twice, but how could he protect her for the rest of their lives? That morning, the woman had discovered that her daughter and step-son were missing. She was afraid that the children were kidnapped and sold by slave traders, or that her in-laws had thrown them into the mountains as food for the wolves, so shed rushed out to search for them. Who would have thought that this was an evil plan to lure her away from her home? Caught by her clansmen who waited in ambush, she was forcibly captured and drowned in the pond. By the time the young man realize that something was wrong and hurried back, it was too late. Hearing this story, the man in gray sneered. It was the most ridiculous thing in the world A woman who slept around was righteously demanding that all women in the world should maintain their chastity even after the deaths of their husbands! Take these silver taels and move away. If they remember to one day, they will come back to catch this baby girl The young man cried and sniveled. He had suffered the greatest of grievances, but he did not accept the goodwill of the man in gray. To him, the man in gray had not come forth to revile him and the woman, which was already the greatest kindness. The man in gray sighed lightly and gave the money bag to the boy. He couldnt help but stroke the hair bun on the girl. Whats happening to this world The young man sobbed and whimpered as he carried the drowned womans cold and swollen body. Oh, the wicked will reap what they have sown. The man in gray said this and departed silently. That night, the imperial city was brightly lit. The pleasure houses everywhere were bustling and the sounds of various musical instruments lingered in ones ears. The outlines of the crowd blended together. Gentle and graceful postures provoked fanciful thoughts. Music poured out of the palace too. An extravagant and luxurious air permeated the entire place. The man in gray snuck into the palace using his connections and, with the support of his secret agents, arrived at Tianfeng Palace where the empress resided. A black horizontal inscribed board made of Chinese cedar and threads of gold hung above the grand entrance with its red double doors. Three large characters were written in a flamboyant script on the board, Tianfeng Palace. Candlelight flickered in the palace. On the interlocking wooden brackets on the arched eaves carved from sandalwood were phoenixes spreading their wings, about to take flight. Inside the sleeping quarters, beams of sandalwood were hung with screens made of pearls. A huge phosphorescent stone hung from the arched roofs of the hall, glistening brightly. It looked as if the moon had been brought into the palace. It was like a fairyland on earth. The ground paved with white jade shone gently. It was also inlaid with precious stones, gold, and pearls. Lotuses were chiseled into the floor, vividly depicted. The petals were lively and exquisite, the stamens detailed and easily recognizable. Smoke rose in spirals from a gold-plated incense burner in the center of the room. It was so extremely luxurious. The man in gray had changed his attire. He walked straight into the palace hall but did not meet any of the imperial handmaidens along the way. Attendants, do this for me. Inside the palace, a woman in imperial dress was kneeling in front of the dressing mirror and putting makeup on. Upon a closer examination, the gem-studded mirror must not have been made of copper because it could clearly reflect ones image. It was so bright that it seemed to be a demonic mirror. Through the reflection on the mirror, the woman in the imperial dress saw a man standing behind her. His face seemed to have weathered the ups and downs of life. This persons features felt very familiar This person looked like someone she was familiar with A shock ran through her body. Only now did she realize that there were no attendants waiting on her in the palace. She suppressed the terror in her heart and pretended to be calm. Twisting around, she asked him, Who are you? I see, an eminent persona is prone to forgetfulness. Im the person you conspired to murder ten years ago. Xie Qian, do you remember? As he spoke, he revealed a spear wrapped in cloth and immediately raised it, lunging toward the womans heart. Chapter 679 - Alliance Meeting at Huangshui (XVI) Xie Qian! Hadnt that idiot died? The woman was so frightened that her face lost all its color. She didnt have the extra energy to think and could only frantically shout for the system in her mind. In no time, the killing moment approached. However, even though the woman in the imperial dress was obviously weak, she cleverly avoided Xie Qians spear. She cut a sorry figure as she evaded the danger, the pearl and jade hair ornament on her head falling to the ground with a clatter. Her magnificence remained undamaged. Somehow, it added a sense of pitiful weakness. She shouted in horror as she dodged, trying to intimidate Xie Qian with her identity. Xie Qian? Who is that? I dont know What a brazen rabble-rouser, how dare you infiltrate the palace to assassinate the Empress. Ill execute all your relatives as punishment! Her words had just landed when the next blow approached again. It was not aimed at her heart this time, but her forehead. The woman had no choice but to crush something into pieces as she just so happened to once again avoid the fatal blow. Xie Qian frowned. He felt that that particular shot should have been able to pierce her, but before it came into contact with her body, the spearhead seemed to touch a layer of intangible matter and forcibly bounce off. He did not think about it too much because time was short. He would kill this evildoer first. System! the woman shouted in a panic. You have to come out! For her safety, she had prepared several cards in advance that could help her withstand deadly attacks. But those cards were expensive and she led a relatively easy and comfortable life in the palace. At most, she was poisoned or set up by jealous concubines, seldom did she use this stuff. Therefore, she had not exchanged for much of it. She only had nine in her inventory and had already wasted two, leaving only seven. If those seven life-saving cards were used up, she would be dead for sure. According to the system, the life-saving cards were like life substitution puppets, a life in exchange for a life. Xie Qian had executed two attacks and killed a life substitution puppets with each attack. He was so savage it was frightening. She knew that Xie Qian was not to be trifled with, but she had never thought that after ten years, he would still be a man who was not to be trifled with. System! Come out, ah! The woman shouted madly in her mind. In an instant, she had used another five of the life substitution puppet cards. There were only two left now. At this moment, the system finally reacted, albeit slowly. Six million popularity points to exchange for the card C To pretend as? The most supreme in martial arts circles. The effects of the card will last for two hours. Host, do you want to exchange for it? A to confirm, B to reconsider. It was life and death. The last life substitution puppet was dead. The beautiful lady in imperial dress chose to exchange without a thought. Consider what, motherf*cker!? Of course, Ill be exchanging for it at this time! While the six million popularity points made her heart ache, if she did not exchange them, her life would be finished. Suddenly, her weak and fragile body was filled with a tough and overbearing strength. Not only did the fleeing woman stop dodging, she even rushed towards him. Her moves were quick as lightning and her pale hands left after-images in the air that were even more dazzling than his silver spear. She used his strength against him and pushed away from the body of the spear. Xie Qians brows tightened as he became increasingly certain. The unfamiliar woman in front of him was the evil demoness hed encountered many years ago. This was also the case at that time. The wife who had never practiced martial arts suddenly ambushed him, immediately causing serious injuries to Xie Qian, who had been practicing martial arts since childhood. Later, hed encountered the bandits specially arranged by his wife. Hed been forced to bring his only child with him and they jumped off the cliff to escape. Only then did they escape death. On that day when he had risked jumping off a cliff, if not for a vine that had saved him and his child, how would he have had the chance to get revenge now? He was very certain that the woman in front of him was not familiar with martial arts. Her body and bones were delicate. If Xie Qian had not coincidentally gotten an item and been able to get a lock on this monster, he would have suspected that perhaps he had gotten the wrong person Now, the past was repeating itself. Someone who knew nothing about martial arts was displaying the combat power of a top martial artist. She was able to force Xie Qian to retreat again and again with her bare hands. If Xie Qian could see the supernatural stuff, he would probably have discovered a strange wall floating in a void near the woman. Countless unsatisfactory and deplorable words drifted across this wall. 666, dont you all think that with her snow-white imperial attire, the host resembles Xiaolongu when she fights? Previously, didnt the host give us a performance of her sleeping on a rope? Shes totally the real-life version of Xiaolongnu. Cheering for you, host. If you win today, I will give you 999 luxury yachts! This is a pity, that middle-aged handsome guy is so delicious. I really want to see the version where he wrestles with the host, itll certainly be very passionate. Heh heh, this was really a late-night AV livestream, please dont insult Xiaolongnu by linking her with this kind of host who betrays her own body. Xiaolongnu is pure and chaste, but what kind of trash is the host? I have a 200G folder on my computer and they are all goddesses.. Heh heh. Every move of Xie Qians spear was sharp and fierce, carrying deadly intent. But the beautiful womans body seemed to have taken on all the flexibility and strength in this world. There was steel in her supple and flexible posture. No matter how Xie Qian made his offense, the woman always managed to counter it with ease. The way she guarded herself was airtight. The two figures were engaged in close range combat in the spacious palace. After three hundred plus moves, Xie Qian started to reveal signs that his offensive was falling apart. However, the womans face did not turn red nor did she run short of breath. They were evenly matched at the beginning, but she slowly gained the upper hand until she was closing in on him with every step. A sinister gleam shone in her eyes as her moves became more ruthless. You have indeed returned from the grave by borrowing a corpse Where is Yuners body? Xie Qian was secretly looking for opportunities, hoping to find the womans flaws and kill her directly. The eyes of the beautiful woman in imperial dress glittered brightly as a faint pink light flashed across them. Her cherry-colored lips spat out vicious words. When I occupied her body in those days, her soul was still there. The beautiful woman in the imperial dress was all smiles. Her moves became more ferocious and treacherous. In other words, whatever I did, she knew. Later, I grew bored and returned her body to her Xie Qians expression changed. He could not help it as his spear-wielding hand paused. The woman seized the gap he provided and pressed closer. He responded quickly and pushed her back, the distance between the two growing again. But he felt a faint numbing ache in his arm. The beautiful woman in imperial dress continued to smile widely, ignoring Xie Qians expression which had become dark as soot. She continued to provoke him to anger. Xie Shaohe, Xie Shaohe, if you hadnt had the thought of killing me back then, perhaps I would have spared Wang Huiyuns life and returned her to you. But you were heartless first, so dont blame me for acting unjustly later. I returned Wang Huiyuns body to her and threw her directly into the palaces pleasure house. She became a song and dance courtesan for the government officials to be disrespected by anyone. But she was rather spirited and killed herself so she could remain pure for you. As her husband, dont you find it moving? With those words, how could Xie Qian endure it? His offensives, which had become weak, grew forceful once again, imbued with an indomitable intent to kill. Demoness! The beautiful woman countered easily. Not only did she not get angry, she even cast a coquettish glance at him. She took the opportunity during their fight to throw herself into his arms before quickly flying away. Xie Qian was so angry that he couldnt maintain his rationality. At this time, the sound of disorderly footsteps could be heard coming from outside the palace, accompanied by the sound of armor scraping and colliding. Xie Qian glared at the beautiful woman with murderous eyes. With a belly full of loathing, he drove her back by brandishing his spear, then turned around, jumped out of the window, and fled. The beautiful lady did not give chase. Her time limit was running out and she did not have enough left to kill Xie Qian. Glancing at her clothes, she took out a dagger from a void in the air and viciously slashed herself a few times. Then she closed her eyes and fell into a pool of blood. At that moment, the palace doors smashed open and the frightened voices of the palace handmaidens and eunuchs floated into her ears. When the beautiful woman pretending to have fainted heard the noise, it evoked a mocking smile from her thin lips. Chapter 680 - The Time Traveler Lady Who Time Traveled (I) The assassination of the Zhongzhao Empress caused the Emperor to tremble in anger. He issued an order for the assassin to be captured within three days and to be killed immediately. Where had the Empress whod lost an excessive amount of blood disappeared to? Within the Heavenly Phoenix palace She shut her eyes as her complexion turned ghostly white. Her breathing became so weak that the rising and falling of her chest could hardly be detected. Her frail appearance stirred up feelings of pity in ones heart. Because shed sustained severe injuries and suffered severe bleeding, she fell into a deep comatose state. It was uncertain when she would regain consciousness. Many were unaware that, although her physical body was asleep, her soul was unusually active. To cover this up, shed used a dagger to inflict an injury on herself. Her spirit entered the Systems realm at lightning speed. In the Systems realm was a rather romantic and modern terrace house. Its design was exquisite. The houses garden was filled to the brim with flowers. Inside were all the essential electric appliances and a myriad of other devices required in a household. To live more comfortably, shed splurged a hefty amount of popularity points to acquire a generator and fuel to power the entire villa. Aside from being unable to access the internet, her life was better than before she had traveled back in time. System, what happened to you just now? Why did you respond only after I shouted for so long? Adorned with white palace garments, her beautiful features were downcast as she recalled the loss of her Life Substitution Puppet. One Life Substitution Puppet card cost 888,888 popularity points. Since she treasured her life so much, shed bought nine of these cards. Xie Qian wouldve killed her otherwise. When she recalled the dangerous situation and Xie Qians murderous intentions, she felt so gloomy that she wanted to cry. Also, why is Xie Qian still alive? Just the thought of losing all nine Life Substitution Puppet cards and the Supreme in the Martial Arts Realm card worth 6 million popularity points caused her heart to ache excruciatingly. If the System had responded earlier, she wouldnt have had to make such a big sacrifice. After a while, she heard the Systems mechanical and synthetic voice. Host, this is a common occurrence. It isnt that I did not respond in time. It was Xie Qian who accurately and decisively made his move. With one move, he destroyed one card of puppet which substitutes a life. It took him merely three days to complete the process. The System seemed somewhat solemn as he commented, The host has committed a taboo. This time, you allowed Xie Qian to escape. He will certainly not let you off. You allowed him to escape, thereby giving him opportunities to make future trouble. You were too careless The lady was impatient. I clearly remember watching Xie Qian jump down a cliff It had never crossed her mind that an ancient man could see through her identity as a non-deity. With the System assisting, she thought that she played the role very well. Unbeknownst to her, shed exposed herself If not for the Systems reminder, she wouldnt have realized that Xie Qian wanted to engage a skilled person to exorcise her Although her story was set in ancient times, there were still a few religious conman experts, for example, Master Liaochen from Hejian Temple. When she recalled these weird people, the lady was overwhelmingly exasperated. Arent you invincible? Why were you unaware that Xie Qian lives? If not for Xie Qian interfering with the matter, she wouldnt have had to spend so much money to avert the disaster! The System remarked snidely, This is not within the Systems jurisdiction. Xie Qian lives because the host wasnt careful. It has nothing to do with me. The lady was melancholic. She smashed some exquisite tea apparatus into pieces, looking quite sinister. Xie Qian Wang Huiyun This pair of husband and wife are destined to be thorns in my side! She seethed in anger as she spoke, both her cheeks reddening. If Id known Xie Qian would pull this stunt, I would have imprisoned Wang Huiyuns soul so that even in death she could not be at peace! The System kept silent. She was a foreigner who had time traveled from another world, yet this woman hadnt taken possession of the body she had in this dimension. It was because within that body rested Wang Huiyuns soul. Critically, his soul was extremely strong-willed. She had no way to completely own Wang Huiyuns body. Until Wang Huiyun gave birth, her physical body and soul were frail. Thus, she relied on the Systems help to seize control of her body. Even though Wang Huiyun was someones wife, her beauty and family background were exceptional. She was Miss Perfect in every way. She was even married to Mr. Perfect, so she was rather pleased. She thought that the change in dimension had brought her luck. After all, it had kick-started her path towards becoming the winner. Who would have expected that Xie Qian harbored intentions to murder her? Or that he even possessed the deitys rod which could directly interfere with her plans? Consequently, it had woken Wang Huiyuns soul from its deep sleep. Once the woman awoke, shed competed for the control of her body. This made her suffer terribly. Afterward, the lady had inhabited another body and returned her previous body to Wang Huiyun. Initially, shed wanted to torture her to vent her anger, but she hadnt expected this ladys temper to be so bad that shed rather beg for death. Hmph Shed gotten away with it so easily. Otherwise, she would have continued to provoke Xie Qian to anger. After a while, the ladys anger dissipated. Recalling how intimidating Xie Qian was, the ladys heart was unsettled. She uncontrollably clenched her fists. System, how many points of popularity do I have? The System answered, With 97.63 million points of popularity, do you wish to exchange some for a Life Substitution Puppet? Out of frustration, she pulled at her hair. When faced with a crazy man like Xie Qian, no matter how many Life Substitution Puppet cards I have, it wont be enough to keep him from killing me! The host can learn martial arts. There are many renowned martial art schools in the city center. Whats the point of having a rare martial arts book? Learning it at the last minute will not enable me to win in a fight against Xie Qian. Dont you have something that will work faster? the lady complained as she flipped through the pages in the Systems virtual mall. She had wanted to learn it by herself, but after shed tried studying the skill book sold by the System, shes refused to put in the effort to learn anymore. If it was something a skill book could accomplish immediately, why bother wasting time mastering it? Only the foolish would do so. The System meticulously and responsibly picked out the specific books the lady wanted. The skill books glittered, almost blinding her eyes. They contained all the secret martial art skills the lady had often heard about, including the Jiuyang Shengong, Jiuyin True Scriptures, YiJin Scriptures, Xiaowu martial arts, Tianshan Zhe Meishou, Bahuang Liuhe Yet I Reign Supreme martial arts, and countless skills that were not well-known but were on the same level as the orange martial arts skill book. Nevertheless, the highest grade of these were orange skill books. They all have a common characteristic C expensive! Ten million points of popularity why didnt you vie for it! She clenched her teeth angrily, knowing that the System would never give in. She said to complain about how expensive the item was. She purchased one skill book which contained the Jiuyin True Scriptures, the Ningbo Nimble Foot skill book, the Jade Lady Sword Fighting skill book, and one skill book that served a supportive role named the Left and Right Mutual Combat Technique. With this supportive technique, she could display two skills. Her prowess would be unbeatable. Three skill books and one supportive skill book amounted to 35 million points of popularity. As she watched the numbers in her account diminish, her heart ached terribly. However, she knew that if she didnt toughen herself up, Xie Qian would make a comeback. She slapped the cover of the skill books four times consecutively. The orange skill books immediately turned into golden lights that fused with her body. In a flash, she had mastered the ultimate martial art level. Once shed mastered the Ningbo Nimble Foot skill book, her movements were indiscernible as a fairys After she steadied herself, she said, It was worthwhile to spend this money. When I finally travel back to where I came from, who will dare to bully me? Those despicable people, I will tear them up one by one If Xie Qian dared to come here, she would beat him up until he fell to his knees and called for his mother. Chapter 681 - The Time Traveler Lady Who Time Traveled (II) The System stayed silent, giving no response. She practiced her martial techniques for a few rounds until she was tired of it. As she lounged on her sofa and hugged a soft pillow, the lady asked, Are there any tasks to do? Shortly after, the System replied, There is one. Theres a viewer in the live streaming room whose name is Dielei Zhili Shangmeng. The viewer has posted 99 missions related to luxurious, private yachts. Theres another named Loving you is not a sin who has posted 88 missions related to private jets. Her eyes lit up. She hurriedly opened the envelop that contained her mission. One luxurious, private yacht required 1,000 points of popularity, while a private jet required 10,000 points of popularity. She had just spent a lot of her popularity points. Now she had to conserve them. Both missions had similar requirements. The lady read them and couldnt help but frown. These men must have sperm in their brains The first mission demanded a sexual affair with her in her glorious empress robes. The second mission asked for one with the concubine of the Zhaoyi rank by the Emperors side. The Systems voice was calm as it said, With a chasm between you and them, the viewers will not hold back their menacing intentions, especially when no one knows their true identities. For only a small sum of money, who wouldnt pay to be treated like a king? Will the host accept the mission? With mockery, she decisively said, Ill take it. Why not? I, this Madam, am seriously lacking in money. We will follow the same conditions as before. As mentioned by the System, when a chasm laid between them, strangers will not hide their true natures or evil intentions. Her live streaming room had already risen to level 6. She could accommodate 70,000 audience members at present. When her live streaming room rose to level 6, the System had acquired other abilities. It could allow viewers from the other dimension to experience scenarios in their dreams. It was as close as possible to reality. In the beginning, some viewers had splurged to watch her and a man having sexual relations. They could see whatever they wanted. In any case, it doesnt hurt her personally. Later, shed discovered that the live streaming room had this function and that it encouraged viewers to make more demanding requests. Nevertheless, she refused to do the job personally. Who knew if the audience was human or beast-like? Moreover, she wasnt a prostitute. However, the audience members were also like parents who provided her with necessities. She could not go against their wishes on a whim. Shed have to think of another plan. Immediately, she got the maidservant beside to impersonate her. The maidservant had been enchanted by a loyalty talisman and therefore would not betray her. What the heck? If only the loyalty talisman worked on Xie Qian Shed tried to charm Xie Qian with a loyalty talisman, but not knowing what hed had with him, the loyalty talisman had been destroyed immediately. Xie Qian has studied martial arts since he was young. He is a greatly respected master. An average loyalty talisman does not affect him. The System coldly ruined the moment for her. The lady pouted her lips and remarked, Then cant you just give me an abnormal loyalty talisman instead? There is, but you cannot afford it, The System replied. The lady was shocked and asked the System, There seriously is one?! Let me have a look! The Grade 9 Loyalty Talisman was a high-quality item of the orange grade. Based on the quality of an item, the colors assigned to them were gray, white, green, blue, purple, and orange. Orange items ranked highest and it cost the most. 25 million points of popularity Why dont you just rob me instead? The lady felt exasperated as she asked, Can this grade 9 loyalty talisman card make Xie Qian submit to me? No, something is not right. Using a grade 9 loyalty talisman would be going to easy on him. The System laughed. Regarding this grade 9 loyalty talisman card, there is an 80% chance that it would cause the son of destiny in this dimension to submit to you. Her heart tremble. Words sprouted out of her mouth, Including Emperor Chen? Including her. She clenched her teeth, deliberating whether or not to buy it. But I dont even know who Emperor Chen is itd be useless even if I bought it the lady said dejectedly. That old man, Liu She, is so irritating. Ive collected so much misleading information about him, yet Ive found nothing on Emperor Chens location To align with history, I even sacrificed the daughter whom I paid for. She died so meaninglessly When Liu She had carried away his illegitimate daughter, Liu Huan, even that had been orchestrated by her. Shed thought Liu She had no daughters. Thus, Liu Huan, his daughter in name alone, could have become Emperor Chen. How could she have known that she would get it all wrong? Despicable Gu Min deserves to die Although she complained, the System knew why she cursed Gu Min who had passed on many years before. Back then, the lady had discovered that Gu Min had teleported there from the future. To prevent Gu Min from interfering with her plans, shed acted first and used the soul-searching technique on Gu Min. After shed sifted through Gu Mins memories thoroughly, shed been surprised to discover that shed come from a future dimension. Now, the son of destiny was verified as Liu Shes daughter, the future Emperor Chen of the Jiang Dynasty. Nonetheless, with the addition of Gu Min, this unexpected change, and Liu She interfering with her plans, it all caused Emperor Chens identity to be mystified. Shed sought the answer for years but had yet to make any progress. If not for Gu Min shamelessly snatching away her younger brother-in-law, I would have found out who Emperor Chen is! The System enticed her by saying, It isnt so difficult. However, you must be willing to pay a price. You can buy any information you desire. Exasperated, she complained, You demand so many points of popularity. Its beyond what I can afford! The System said, Its not expensive. Only 3 billion popularity points and you can buy any information you desire. She hesitated for a while. When she thought of Emperor Chen who would one day reign over the central plains, she felt very unsettled. There wasnt any special reason why she targeted Emperor Chen. It was solely because this person was a threat to her. The System had once said that when Emperor Chen lives and dominates the world, she would die. That was the principle rule of their dimensions Only one of them could survive. If she didnt fend for oneself, she would be doomed. If she compared herself to Emperor Chen, surely Emperor Chen should be the one to die. By contrast, if her live streaming level attained the highest level, she could make a wish to travel back to the dimension shed come from. Additionally, shed be able to take along everything she had accumulated from the System. Her immediate goal was to upgrade her live streaming room to level 7. Only when coupled with spending one billion points of popularity would she be able to make her path to the dimension of immortality smooth. If those members of the religious order could give her a miracle drug, the skills she needed to acquire, and those rare and precious herbs which were made of spirit beasts, she would be able to acquire those items! With all these, she would be set on the path to becoming a deity. Once she traveled back to the time shed originated from, shed be able to control all things! What a pity The live stream shed painstakingly established with over a billion points of popularity from the missions shed completed had now become naught. Nonetheless, if she spent 25 million points of popularity to purchase the grade 9 loyalty talisman, then used 30 million points of popularity to buy information regarding Emperor Chen, she could eliminate this enemy that burdened her heart. This would allow her to enjoy her life peacefully when time traveled back. She wouldnt be incurring a loss if she could turn on her live stream and gain points of popularity without worry. She clenched her teeth and said, Ill buy them! Ill buy them all! I want to know who that b*stard Emperor is! After a while, a letter appeared before her eyes. Orange symbols bloomed within a jade box. The characters in that letter were exquisite like white jade. Two large characters were written on top in glittering gold. Liu Xi The lady was appalled. At the very next moment, her expression turned savage. What the you said that Liu Shes legitimate son, Liu Xi, is female. The System seemed to be surprised. It remarked, The numbers dont lie. Liu Xi is the son of destiny, historically known as Emperor Chen. She became even more melancholic. As if she was crazy, she started throwing around the items in the hall. Who knew the person shed ignored for many years was her target all along? Who could have figured it out? Liu She plotted a scheme against me! Chapter 682 - The Time Traveler Lady Who Time Traveled (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Who did the lady hate the most? Liu She was number one, followed by Gu Min. The last was her archenemy, Emperor Chen. Shed spent 30 million points of popularity to purchase information regarding Emperor Chen. To receive such an infuriating answer, how could she not vomit blood? After a while, the lady smashed whatever she could find in the living room. This barely appeased her fiery temper. With her hair in a mess and her clothes unkempt, she dropped onto the sofa as she tried to calm the raging emotions flooding her mind. First it was Liu She, then Gu Min, those two b*stards Hatred encompassed her entire being as she ground her teeth. Her gorgeous face was dreadfully sinister. Gu Min was an average lady who had time traveled. She kept herself busy with paper workshops and selling bricks and glassware to earn money. Her time travel novel had a lame background story As if she couldnt see through it. She had already passed away, yet shed left behind so much trouble. It was extremely annoying! Of course, although she was consumed by anger, she would never be jealous. So, what if Gu Min remembered the skills after shed time traveled? She had the System to provide cheat codes for her. In this aspect, shed far surpassed Gu Min, a pathetic woman whod traveled back in time. By amassing enough points, wouldnt she be able to gain any skills she wanted? Based on who possessed more cheat codes, it was obvious which one had garnered the favor of the heavens. But whatever was gained from this dimension would become her fortune when she returned to the timeline shed come from. Thus, she was fervently amassing her wealth in secret. She discovered traces of glassware at the northern borders that had been sold at exorbitant prices. Even average glassware of poor quality was being sold for ten thousand strings of coins. As she ground her teeth, intending to exchange points for the skill of kiln firing for glassware synthesis, she realized that this skill required 45 million points of popularity. The System told her that this skill was worthless in her eyes, but it was epoch-making in this dimension. The skill of synthesizing glassware by kiln burning far exceeded the technology of this generation. Thus, the skill set was highly valued. If she felt this was too expensive, she could choose not to buy it. In the end, she still bought it. To reach her goal, she had to pay a price. She needed to think ahead when it came to business. To earn big money, she passed on the skill to her confidants and encouraged them to sell the glassware they synthesized illegally. In the beginning, shed made some profits. However, she did not execute her plans well and the news leaked. The surge of profits had triggered the envy of other great families. Shed cast a loyalty talisman on her confidants but not on the craftsman who worked at the brick kiln. These craftsmen created a loophole. The secret to synthesizing glassware by kiln firing leaked. The merchants who imitated and followed the trend blindly were numerous as carps moving down a stream. Within Zhongzhao, from the highest ranked to the lowest, there arose a wave of interest in glassware synthesis by kiln firing. This sparked a devious trend to earn money. She dreamed her sweet dreams within the palace, ignorant about the situation outside. When she discovered that the glassware synthesis skill that shed spent 45 million points of popularity on had only brought her a profit of less than one million string of coins, she almost vomited from frustration. Her hatred for Gu Min heightened. As for the series of failed businesses and the disastrous effect on the people whod gone crazy for this glassware trend, she was apathetic. For Gu Min to die that way was too easy for her Lowering her head to see the grade 9 loyalty talisman in her hands, a coldness briefly appeared in her eyes. System, what martial arts level have I attained? It is equivalent to the level attained by other respectable masters. Your fighting prowess is comparable to experts in the martial arts world. Her face filled with delight. Based on what the System said, her martial arts fighting ability was top-notch. Shed felt that spending all those points of popularity was heart-wrenching, but now she felt that it was all worth it. With the assurance that she was at the level of respectable masters, why should she fear Xie Qian? Moreover, why should she be wary of Liu Xi? She clenched her teeth and asked, Do you know where is this young brat, Liu Xi, is at present? The System questioned her, Why is the host asking this question? She laughed hysterically. I spent many points of popularity in exchange for a grade 9 loyalty talisman and to purchase information about her. Naturally, its to find trouble. Otherwise, what is the use of this exchange? With only one card, I have only one chance. Of course, I have to see through it myself. Understanding dawned on the System. Does the host intend to leave the palace? If you do, what happens to the Empress within the palace? She felt her heart waver. Having put so much effort into attaining the Empress position, now she had to give it up. How could she be willing to do it? Firstly, the position as the Empress had not come easily. How long had she schemed for it? Secondly, the Empress would be the first to enjoy Zhongzhaos riches. She could take advantage of this position to secretly amass uncountable precious treasures. When she traveled back in time in the future, anyone of these precious objects would be worth millions. It was the only way to propel her to success. A penniless, unpopular streamer had turned into Miss Perfect with countless precious treasures. How could she be willing to abandon this source of wealth? Even if she had to give it up, it didnt need to be right now She clenched her teeth and thought of a perfect plan to resolve the situation. Thirdly, the viewers who watched the live stream were mostly antisocial and lustful males, while a small proportion of them were generous local tycoons. They were willing to splurge large sums of money and often advertised all kinds of missions. After all, they wanted to experience for themselves what it felt like to be an Emperor enjoying the spring breeze with his concubines. If she lost her position as the Empress, she would lose a portion of her viewers who were local tycoons. The loss would be too painful. Nevertheless, if she didnt leave Zhongzhao palace, she couldnt be sure that shed be able to pass her grade 9 loyalty talisman to anyone. The only strategy left was She narrowed her eyes and conceived a plan. Didnt Xie Qian assassinate me, causing me to bleed profusely until I entered a comatose state? Lets see, why not create a puppet that can substitute for me, and Ill be able to take this opportunity to flee The Systems products are guaranteed quality products. No one will discover any flaws in your substitution puppet. Even when she praised the System to the heavens, it still didnt make any concessions for her. The 5 million point price is non-negotiable. She pouted her lips and finally agreed, albeit angrily. She mumbled softly, Evil tyrant Unscrupulous businessman. On the other end, Xie Qians assassination attempt failed. He didnt delay, decisively making a retreat. After he paid a price, Xie Qian successfully shirked off the soldiers pursuing him. With a jump, he fled within the vicinity of the desolate palace and met up with a middle-aged palace lady. She observed the gloomy and dissatisfied expression on Xie Qians face and realized that Xie Qians assassination attempt had failed. She sighed helplessly. Master Xie, please follow your servant. The palace lady looked older than her actual age. Filled with frustration, Xie Qian coughed lightly which aggravated his wounds. His face turned pale white. Sorry to trouble you. The palace lady wore garments representative of the lowest rank of palace maids, yet her aura was mature and resolute. Her disposition was out of the ordinary and her movements were discreet. Despite having an assassin by her side, she was level-minded as she helped Xie Qian dismiss the guards tasked to search the palace. After she finished, the palace lady hid him within a clean barrel and smuggled him outside the palace that very night. The barrel left the palace. In the middle of the journey, Xie Qian changed his transport and took refuge in someones dimly lit house. Seems like you didnt manage to kill that evil woman Xie Qian was arranging his bottles and glassware, frowning as he self-administered his medication. He heard a familiar voice but he did not turn his head. Chapter 683 - : The Time Traveler Lady who Time Traveled (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Chang Rui, you called her a devious woman yourself. Naturally, she knows some evil tactics. How could a mere mortal claim her life so easily? This devious woman is indeed strange. She has never practiced martial arts before, yet, not only could she avoid my killer moves, but in the end, she was also on par with me when she fought me head-on Outside stood a middle-aged man wearing long black garments. Hed taken good care of his health and thus looked two years younger than Xie Qian. My heart will be unsettled as long as the devious woman lives. That middle-aged man, Chang Rui, entered the room and sat down near Xie Qian. His thin cheeks flickered with hints of depression. This mans surname was Wan and his given name was Xuan. His courtesy name was Chang Rui. He was a highly sought-after scholar who was revered by many as a talented literary celebrity. Xie Qian muttered, What a coincidence, those are my thoughts too. The devious lady practices evil skills. We can never defeat her based on a mortals strength. Moreover, she hides within the palace where the defense is strong After todays showdown, she will be very careful. Any attempts to kill her from now on will be difficult. Wan Xuan heard this and secretly clenched his fists, despair filling his eyes. The devious lady practices immortal techniques? How could mortals fight against devils and immortals? This devious lady had caused harm to his entire family. Could no one defeat her? About 3 to 4 years prior, Wan Xuans daughter had been 15 years old and had reached the marriageable age. That fateful year, his daughter had visited the temple to offer incense and prayers for blessings on her family. Unfortunately, shed accidentally lost her fragrant handkerchief which was picked up by a despicable hooligan. It was fine that hed picked it up, but that despicable hooligan had gone too far and boasted about it. Hed claimed that a lady from an esteemed family had given him the handkerchief. Listening bystanders thought that his daughter and this despicable hooligan had engaged in an illicit relationship. Even her betrothal had been broken off. Her fiancs family was ashamed and shunned her. The stubborn elders in the clan had been utterly embarrassed. While hed been away from home, theyd gotten a group of people to capture his daughter and drown her in a pond. Theyd glorified their deeds. His daughters death had proved her innocence, preserved her chastity, and safeguarded the reputation of the entire Wan family. 1 It didnt end there. Even Wan Xuans sister who had married young and thereafter been divorced and returned to her maiden home had suffered the same fate of being drowned in the pond. In an instant, hed lost two beloved family members. Wan Xuan burned with anger and hated the entire Wan family, but he also hated the woman responsible for this incident the Empress of Zhongzhao! If not for this woman who had played the devil and written that rubbish book, The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women, would his daughter and sister have lost their lives? Hed never believed in strange forces like deities, but if there was someone even Xie Qian couldnt kill, he had to believe in it. Xie Qian commented mockingly, The devious woman may have her tactics, but her ways are evil. That woman had no morals. Was a devious woman who plunged people into the depths of misery deserving of such consideration? Wan Xuan composed his heart and mind, calming himself down enough to ask, Shaohe, what should we do now? Wan Xuan and Xie Qian had used their network of people to make meticulous arrangements which had given Xie Qian the opportunity to infiltrate the Heavenly Phoenix Palace to assassinate the Empress. Now that the assassination had failed, the Emperor was bent on finding the culprit. Wan Xuan felt that their involvement could not be hidden for long. Sooner or later, they would be suspected. Before the Emperor discovered them, they needed to seize the opportunity and prepare to flee. If they continued to live in Zhongzhao, sooner or later they would be arrested and executed. Xie Qian stopped bandaging his wounds for a moment, deep thought. He noted, The strategy now is to preserve our lives and make plans for the future. If we remain in Zhongzhao, death will come to us eventually. Therefore, we need to escape to another country. Nansheng is entrenched in wars and it cannot protect itself, so it would be unwise to go there. Beiyuan and Xichang are too far away and have good relations with Zhongzhao. If we head there, we would still be courting doom. If we weigh our options, Dongqing seems like the safest place to go. Liu Zhongqings son has risen to prominence. This pair of father and son are well-learned. Moreover, they have a deep hatred for that devious woman. If we submit under them, we should be safe. 1 Wan Xuan listened intently and agreed without hesitation. I will go pack up my belongings and leave this very night. Xie Qian grabbed Wan Xuans sleeve to stop him from acting on impulse. He wasnt a homely man like Wan Xuan. He had a wealth of experience in the world. The time is not right, and time is a very crucial factor in this. Lets compose ourselves and wait for one or two days before deciding. The Empress was almost assassinated tonight and you are in a hurry to pack and leave. Doesnt that make you look guilty? Do what you normally do for the next two days. Dont reveal your true intentions. Feeling helpless, Wan Xuan could only follow Xie Qians suggestions. He put on fresh garments. As he leisurely tied his belt around his waist, he asked, If you leave, what will happen to the Wan family? His expression looked downcast and cold. I cannot control that. I must leave it to the heavens. In any case, they owe me this. Wan Xuan lost his wife at a young age and had initially planned to remarry for his daughters sake. He didnt want her to go without a motherly figure in her life. However, at that point in time, his younger sister had conflicts with her husbands family which resulted in a divorce. Hed entrusted his sister with teaching his daughter and put the thought of remarrying aside. He was obsessed with learning and slowly made a name for himself. Not only did he network with many reputable men, but hed also established an official name for himself and brought glory to the Wan family. To put it bluntly, the Wan family had established their reputation in Zhongzhao largely due to Wan Xuans achievements. Nevertheless, the Wan familys clan was not grateful. Instead, theyd gone overboard and become arrogant. Alas, theyd then used the excuse of preserving his daughters chastity and protecting the familys reputation to drown two of Wan Xuans dearest kin If not for that hatred keeping him motivated, perhaps he wouldnt have been able to endure the setbacks hed faced. But implicate the Wan family? That was what they owed him. Eventually, they would have to pay him back. Xie Qian did not comment on this as it was Wan Xuans private affair and out of his control. Two days later, the imperial city was still heavily guarded. A widespread search for the would-be assassin was being conducted. Xie Qian observed the situation and asked Wan Xuan to prepare for departure. During this time, Wan Xuans network became very useful. Shortly after, the cartwheels of a carriage headed towards Dongqing, leaving the imperial city far behind. Wan Xuan looked back with regret as his eyes beheld the city. We have left the imperial city Sigh, I dont believe we will be able to return again in this lifetime. Considering that his age was close to forty, half of his life was already in the grave. Now, he had to bear the anguish of leaving his hometown. If not for that devious woman, he wouldnt have been reduced to such a homeless and pathetic state. Xie Qian had yet to recover from his injury. He was unable to ride a horse and could only sit inside the horse carriage. His old friends emotional outpour made him laugh with mockery. If you live longer, perhaps you will be able to return. Wan Xuan looked at him with surprise. Xie Qian observed, Look at Zhongzhaos situation. It is but a second Dongqing The Emperor was useless and favored his evil Empress. Theyd allowed a generation of sinecure to rob the people and take bribes, disregarding the lives of their citizens. The infighting between the court and the people was becoming increasingly heated. How many innocent and upright men were being sacrificed for the sake of higher-ranking officials? As for those aristocratic families who amassed power and influence from the political climate, they were a joke. They all held high positions and good pay. They wielded half of the courts sovereignty. They monopolized the economy, possessed large plots of land and tenants, and evaded paying taxes They oppressed the people mercilessly. Peaceful circumstances like these birthed a group of carefree, undisciplined literary scholars who held onto power but neglected their official duties. Did such a Zhongzhao have any hope? They were done for! Wan Xuan shut his eyes, deep in thought again. Xie Qian added, Lets take it one step at a time. If Zhongzhao becomes chaotic, it might be the perfect opportunity for us. That devious woman was fearless, and a large contributing factor was that she was Zhongzhaos Empress. She had the entire country supporting her. If Zhongzhao was gone, it would be easier to subdue that devious woman. He sighed and remarked, I hope so. Chapter 684 - Father & Son” Join the Fun (I) The land close to where the Huangshui river flowed was called the Huangshui District. It was built along the borders of Chenzhou. Ever since the imperial court issued the imperial order for all the powerful leaders in the land to join forces against their shared enemy and protect their king, armies from every placed imaginable had responded to the call and congregated there. The assembled armies had set up their tents near Huangshui district until the campsite spread across 200 miles. The sight of their powerful combined forces was magnificent to look at. From high-ranking magistrates to low-ranking district magistrates, there were at least twenty groups represented. A fighting force of over 40,000 men had been assembled. Prince Changshous heart was troubled. He hadnt been able to sleep in the last few days. Who could have guessed that the armies that responded to the emperors call for military aid would be so shockingly numerous? From which corner of the earth had all these people come from? Seeing as they were prepared to invade Chenzhou in collaboration with the Mengs of Cangzhou, the odds had been in their favor. But who knew that his imperial brother would be bold enough to humble himself and shamelessly ask for his people to protect him When had he done anything like that before? This had originally been a simple private affair between two brothers. No matter how ugly it turned, it should have stayed a private affair. However, since his elder imperial brother could not overcome him, hed shamelessly sat on the ground and whined pitifully to the nation to send reinforcement troops Hehehe! Ugly family affairs should not be aired in public. These imperial brothers had made fools of themselves. Their dispute was known throughout the world! Prince Changshou ordered his scout to continue surveying So far, the number of reinforcement troops in Huangshui District was 40,000. Their might was to be feared. Quickly invite County Chief Meng over for a discussion Prince Changshou was encumbered with so many frustrations that he was going bald. Hed also become much skinnier since hed last been seen. He didnt even know the cause of his unluckiness. Every time it seemed like his luck was about to change for the better, he was reduced back to his original state almost instantaneously. The soldiers carefully ushered in a sullen-looking, middle-aged man dressed in conservative clothing. When Prince Changshou saw him, he felt like he was seeing his savior, a resurrected parent. His eyes lit up immediately. The middle-aged man had a fine complexion. His beard neatly framed his face. His dark pair of eagle eyes appeared malicious. When he used this pair of eyes to look at others, the menacing aura they gave off made others feel uneasy. Once he stepped forward, the middle-aged man asked gloomily, What is the prince anxious about? Prince Changshou downplayed the unhappiness within his heart. Left with no alternative, he smiled bitterly. How can I, the prince, not be anxious? Those rebels have congregated in Huangshui with 40,000 men. If they formed an alliance with the remaining troops in Chenzhou and attack us When the time comes, it will be hard for even me to escape. Master, how do you think I could calm down at a time like this? The middle-aged man was the clan leader of the Meng family from Cangzhou. He was Meng Zhan, Liu Shes latter wifes ex-husband. When he heard Prince Changshous heartfelt words, he laughed mockingly. An immoral gathering of men with evil intentions. You do not need to be mindful of them. The best move now would be to remain still. They will be defeated even if we do nothing. Back when Dongqing, Zhongzhao, Beiyuan, and Xichang came together to send reinforcements to Nansheng as they fought against Nanman, didnt the four factions of Nanman go through cycles of attacks followed by retreats to allow conflicts to arise within the four countries? Didnt this eventually cause the alliance between the four countries to break down? Against this force that serves to protect the emperor, it wouldnt hurt to sit back and watch them fight. This unorthodox coalesce will eventually turn to chaos. Having listened to these words, Prince Changshous anxiety was somewhat relieved. Except when he thought of the vast barracks covering more than 200 miles, his heart trembled uncontrollably. No matter how logical Meng Zhans words were, he was still worried. Meng Zhan internally despised him. However, he could not reveal his intentions verbally. My prince, please let your heart be settled. Even if I do not consider the princes interests, I must consider the interests of the Meng family. After all, the prince and the Mengs fates are tied together. Only when the prince is safe and well will the Meng family rise with you to prominence. Moreover, Liu She and his family are still well and alive. No matter what, I will not meet my death before him. The murder of his son must be avenged. He needed to behead Liu She personally. Then he would offer Liu Shes sons flesh and blood to appease Meng Liangs spirit in the heavens. To achieve this goal, Meng Zhan placed a huge bet on Prince Changshou. Only a victory was acceptable. He must not fail. 40,000 troops and horses had been sent to defend the king. This indeed presented a challenge. However, these powers had some weaknesses that wouldnt be impossible to overcome. If Prince Changshou followed his plans, he could guarantee that Dongqings imperial family would not live beyond that years spring season. With Meng Zhans assurance, Prince Changshou was finally at peace. Meanwhile, at the Huangshui river barracks The chilly wind blew mercilessly. The soldiers spirits were soaring with the anticipation of war. Although the tents around looked like they were connected, they actually functioned to protect and defend against each other. The camp was not completely in harmony. Huang Song had arrived in Huangshui District half a month before. Hed set up his camp and settled down with Liu She as his neighbor. He dropped by Liu Shes camp frequently. If one observed his posture when he paid respects to Liu She, if not for the campsite with its weapons and armory, Liu She would have thought he was in the wrong place. On this day, Huang Song finished training the soldiers before going to visit Liu She. As Liu She warmed himself with the heat bag, he listened to reports from outside and sighed helplessly. As part of the assembly with the common goal to protect the king, they were bound to meet. He felt bad for dismissing Huang Song. Therefore, Liu She told the soldiers who guarded his tent, Invite County Chief Huang over. Did you hear that? County Chief Huang! If any of his family members had been officials, this process would have been much easier. Huang Songs grandfather, Huang Tan, served as a capable, trustworthy eunuch by the emperors side. He helped the emperor to secretly sell official titles and ranks to turn some profit. The money he earned was all given to the emperor to spend lavishly and build his private accounts. After learning this, Huang Song had decided to ride the opportunity given to him by his grandfather and secured an official title for himself. Consider the short time it had taken for Huang Song to be promoted from Diyang District Magistrate to Chief of Maode County. He was a youth with great accomplishments and much success. Initially, hed expected Huang Song to drop in, but hed never expected to see a follower behind him. Liu She sat on the seat of prestige within the tent. He briefly knitted his brows together as he glanced at the youth beside Huang Song. Cheng Jing, Cheng Youmo. A humble gentleman, tall and slender, he exuded upright energy and honor. Even though the young man was adorned in plain, mature clothes, standing next to Huang Song, he held a commanding presence. It was as if he was born to be a star. He glanced at Huang Song, then at Cheng Jing. Liu She secretly curled his lips. When he saw Cheng Jing, he immediately knew that Huang Song had come for other reasons. It wouldnt be easy to make him leave. Indeed, this was expected Uncle Liu, your nephew has come today because I have matters to discuss with you. Huang Song displayed the proper mannerisms as a junior. He was neither rude nor overly humble. He behaved as a neighboring junior who was paying respects to an elder. He furrowed his brows. Whats the matter? Huang Song discreetly shot a glance at Cheng Jing who was behind him. Liu She noticed this and signaled to Cheng Jing. Pardon your junior, Cheng Jing. I would like to ask the magistrate a question. He considered this matter extensively and vaguely understood what Cheng Jing meant. However, he still wanted to test his threshold. Go on and ask. Without beating around the bush, Cheng Jing asked him directly, From the Magistrates viewpoint, do you think the upcoming meeting can salvage the coming disastrous situation? Liu She sneered. He was neither provoked to anger nor did he express any emotions. He only evaded the matter. Powers from all across the land have congregated together. It is a coalesce of almost 30% of Dongqings total military strength. Isnt that enough to save the country? Unexpectedly, Cheng Jing replied, By inciting conflict in peaceful times, responding to the call to protect the emperor is legitimate. But the armies are disunited, Prince Changshou. This betrayer of the country has ceased to act. Instead, he chose to sit back and watch them fight internally If we dont find a solution to unite their hearts, when disunity already abounds coupled with Prince Changshou sowing discord, Im afraid that the call to defend the emperor will end in naught. Does Magistrate Liu think this outcome is an impossibility? Chapter 685 - Father & Son” Join the Fun (II) Liu She leaned back, rested his chin on his hand, and laughed. This matter you speak of is indeed potentially dangerous, but whos willing to step forth first and bear the consequences? Each family consolidated its military strength until it totaled 40,000 men. If we unite as one, Prince Changshou, that thief of the country, will tremble in fear. I bet even the emperor who reigns from Chenzhou will have difficulties eating and sleeping. Moreover, the heroes have their pride will never submit completely to anyone Huang Song had visited Liu She with Cheng Jing for two main reasons. Either they collaborated with Liu She to nominate a renowned alliance chief who could hold the fort and command respect, or they named Liu She as the alliance chief to head the efforts to defend the emperor and fight a decisive battle with Prince Changshou. If they went with the former, Liu She didnt mind participating. If it was the latter, he could only sigh about how young people lacked more and more in moralities with each passing generation. They would even go to the extent of implicating the elderly. Dont the consciences of the young hurt? The magistrates words are reasonable, but if we put this matter aside, the alliance army will eventually become disunited. As Huang Songs spokesman, Cheng Jings words conveyed Huang Songs opinion. When he observed that it was inappropriate for Huang Song to speak, Cheng Jing would help him reply. My lord intends to propose a nomination for an alliance chief in two days. Only, my lord fears that he is lowly in status and that his words dont carry weight. Thus, we hope magistrate Liu can help by saying a few words. He knitted his brows. Had they not come to encourage him to be the alliance chief? If his role was merely to stand by and give some comments, he wouldnt mind. Since it wouldnt cost him anything, he would consider it as doing a good deed. Only he was somewhat worried. He was uncertain about who this brat, Huang Song, had in mind to be the alliance chief. If it was Liu She himself, itd be hard for him, as the responder, to back out. It would seem like a self-directed, boastful attempt. This would arouse suspicions of him selling himself. Liu She had to be cautious to prevent any misjudgments. Liu She had no choice but to be wary. He nonchalantly asked, Does Bogao have anyone in mind to nominate? These words were directed at Huang Song. Cheng Jing was in no position to reply on his behalf. Luckily, Huang Song was well-prepared. He calmly sat up straight. He replied, Indeed, Bogao has someone in mind. He is the county chief of Zhe County, Xu Bei. What does the magistrate think of him? Within Dongqing there were six prefectures and 21 counties, each prefecture having three counties. The remaining three counties were autonomous. Their land areas werent any less important than a prefecture. The three counties were Hu County, Zhe County, and Shanghai County. Hu County, although it appeared to belong to Dongqings imperial family, it belonged to Liu She. This was a known fact to all. As for Zhe County, this land had always been deemed as the large territory of the aristocratic Xu family. It was similar to the Meng family and Cangzhous relationship. Then the question emerged, who was this Xu Bei from the Xu family? When this young punk was spoken off, others were somewhat clueless. However, if Xu Beis ancestor was mentioned, everyone in the five countries knew who he was. During the dawn of the Xia dynasty, one of the top officials had been equally famous as Meng Jing of the Meng family. After his death, hed been given the posthumous title of Marquis Guannei. He was commonly known as General Xu. Because the Xu family were few in numbers, they kept a low-profile. From the previous dynasty to the present, those who assumed official positions were few and their social standing was low. Nonetheless, they valued quality over quantity, and they chose the path that led to elitism. Although there were few officials represented by the Xu family, each of them deserved respect. In name, the Xu family did not belong to the four great families of Dongqing. In terms of overall power, the Xu family wielded more than all of them. Xu Bei was the son of the first wife and the eldest great-grandson of the Marquis Guannei, General Xu. He was born of a noble bloodline and well-nurtured. He also possessed great abilities. Thus, to nominate this man as the alliance chief to defend the Emperor was the best choice. Except Liu She furrowed his brows as he considered carefully. He was somewhat hesitant. Nominate Xu Bei? Huang Song was stunned and asked him, Does Magistrate Liu perceive this man to be unsuitable? Liu She signaled with his hand and laughed speechlessly. No, no, no Im not saying that Xu Bei isnt good. Truthfully this child is not bad. He has a prestigious family background, strong military force, a noteworthy reputation, and his talents are known throughout but County Chief Huang seems to forget that, besides Xu Bei, the Xu family has another legitimate grandson. If we nominated Xu Bei instead of Xu Fei, Im afraid either of the brothers would be displeased and internal conflict would erupt. This will not bode well. The head of the Xu family was Xu Beis grandfather. This elderly man was old in years, but he was full of vitality. That man was close to 70 years old, but he possessed clarity in sight and hearing. He looked like he was primed for longevity, even outliving his two legitimate sons. Each of his legitimate sons had one son each. They were his eldest grandson, Xu Bei, and his second grandson, Xu Fei. Based on seniority and legitimacy, Xu Bei had more rights. The trouble was that the old man of the Xu family was biased towards his younger grandson, Xu Fei. Hed displayed outrightly on many public occasions that he favored his younger grandson. Hed also mentioned that Xu Fei had the aura he had in his younger days. Because of Old General Xus favoritism, the relationship between both his legitimate grandsons was tense. The internal conflict between them was incessant. To put it plainly, this was because the household was not governed strictly. All of this was the consequence of not distinguishing between seniority. If there was no harmony in the house, how could they bring peace to the world? From Liu Shes viewpoint, no matter who he nominated, he was bound to offend the other. Huang Song was quiet. He wore an aggrieved expression as he looked at Liu She. Then who does the magistrate perceive to be the most suitable nominee? Liu She kept silent. Supposing they ignored the two Langjuns from the Xu family, the next highest-ranked amongst the alliance army with the highest reputation was none other than Liu She himself. Nonetheless, his purpose for coming over this time had been to watch the commotion. He hadnt come to be in the limelight. He had no intention to fight. Huang Song and Liu She exchanged questions and answers while Cheng Jing secretly observed Liu She. The more he focused on his brows, the more nervous he got. They returned with nothing accomplished. Liu She was renowned to be a sly fox when immersed in official circles. He was apt at cunningly escaping situations, so how had he fallen for the trap so easily? On the way back, both wore somber expressions, each of them lost in their thoughts. He mumbled as he said, This Magistrate Liu guards his heart very well. Cheng Jing approved in his heart. When he revealed Prince Changshous schemes directly, Liu Shes facial expression had not shown one bit of surprise. It was evident that the other party also understood in his heart. Certainly, Liu She was aware of the potential dangers found in the alliance army defending the emperor. Still, this man had stayed home and refused to go out. He did not interact with others on a whim and constantly appeared detached from the affairs of the world. His mouth was tightly shut as if detached from the affairs of the world. Liu Shes attitude made it obvious that he would not participate in their plans. The chief of the alliance army is a tricky position to undertake. No one will be suitable, but someone to assume the role. As the saying goes, brother, you may seek death, but it is not for me. For someone like Magistrate Liu, an elder who is comfortable in an official setting, would he be ignorant of this reasoning? He refused to fall for the plot which was within our expectations. My lord need not be discouraged. Cheng Jing was not disheartened by this result. Lets discuss it when we return. Huang Songs facial expression turned solemn. If so, when the alliance gathers, do we raise the issue of choosing an alliance chief? Cheng Jing remarked, We will mention this, naturally we must. However, my lord does not need to nominate someone. Let them fight it out. From Cheng Jings perspective, some were already desperate to choose their alliance chief. However, they were shy and refusing to speak up. If Huang Song started this topic, he would garner the support of many. Of course, there would be some whod reject choosing an alliance chief. Likewise, Huang Song would be hated by this group of people. Based on Youmos judgment, who is worthy to be the alliance chief? Chapter 686 - Father & Son” Join the Fun (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Cheng Jing lowered his eyes and gave it some thought. He analyzed his train of thought with clarity. If it wasnt Xu Bei, then it must be Xu Fei. No one else could have achieved this. They brought the most soldiers with them, a total of 100,000 elite troops who were far better than the laid-back, incompetent alliance army. If neither of them emerges as the alliance chief, Im afraid neither will accept it. Moreover, if they leave in angst, the alliance armys will be nothing more than an empty shell If that happens, we will fall right into our enemys hands. An alliance army of 40,000 men was ready to protect the emperor. It sounded awe-inspiring and grand. In reality, half of the soldiers were novices who were there purely to make up the numbers. 1 As for the second half of the elite troops, the brothers in the Xu family made up 60% of the headcount. If they left, the mission to defend the Emperor would be meaningless. The topic of military strength caused Huang Song to become frustrated. In fact, the candidate he had the highest hopes for was Liu She. His age was ideal, he had a renowned reputation, his official status was well-established, and his family background was also noteworthy. He was certainly more dependable than those two younglings from the Xu family. However, Liu She was not acting as expected. As magistrate of Chongzhou, hed only brought 20,000 soldiers to protect the emperor. It was noteworthy that even a youth like Huang Song had managed to gather 25,000 men. When someone asked Liu She if it was perilous taking so few men with him, he smiled widely and retorted, I am the magistrate of Chongzhou. The safety of the Chongzhou people is my priority. Chongzhou is known for being a bitter and cold place because its close to the three tribes of the northern borders. Those barbarians of the three tribes are closely eyeing Dongqings hinterland every day and night, ready to invade at any given opportunity. If I were to dispatch most of the troops to protect the emperor, the North borders would take advantage of the situation and charge southwards to attack the borders of Chongzhou. What then? It is important to protect the emperor, but matters must be prioritized and acted on accordingly. As an official, I strongly believe that the safety of the country must come first. The rest is secondary. With such eloquent words spoken in that setting, who would dare to mock Liu Shes army with its lack of manpower? Huang Song and Cheng Jing returned to camp. Feng Jue was hard at work. When he heard the commotion from outside, he happened to see the two men enter. The lord and Youmo have returned. How are things going over there? Both shook their heads. Huang Song answered, Liu She is too cunning. Its hard to outwit him. He lives up to his name as the former county chief of Hu County. Feng Jue listened to the details provided by both. He then frowned, deep in thought. I think you might have forgotten someone. Fighting head-on with Liu She was obviously a foolish idea. To pull this cunning fox down, they didnt have to do it directly. Instead, the way of the wise would be to go the roundabout way. Who did we forget? Cheng Jing asked. Liu Xi. Feng Jue laughed coldly as he heard the name. Huang Song shook his head vigorously like a rattled drum. This cant be. If we implicate Liu Xi, that pair of father and son will not forgive me. Feng Jue explained, Jue did not mean it that way. Cheng Jing furrowed his brows. He seemed to understand Feng Jues strategy. You mean if the alliance army if the two Langjuns of the Xu family cease to fight, we can switch our allegiance to Liu Xi? Feng Jue nodded in reply. Yes, thats exactly what I mean. If Xu Bei and Xu Fei continue to compete with each other, it will certainly affect the unity of the alliance army. When that time comes, the hearts of the people will be divided, aiding Prince Changshous cause. If that occurs, lets seize the opportunity while they continue to compete against each other to put Liu Xi on the throne as the alliance chief. Although Liu Xi is only a district magistrate, he has great ambitions. I fear that all of Wanzhou is already in his hands. With Wanzhou, Chongzhou, and Hu counties already in Liu Shes hands, what power in Dongqing can go against them? If both the Langjuns from the Xu family are discontented, they will have no choice but to submit. Huang Song brooded it over and decided that it was indeed a good solution. Except He was rather apprehensive. He shrugged his shoulders and frowned with a bitter face. Im afraid Liu Xi will strangle me to death. Both could be deemed as mercenary friends. They had not met for many years. If he schemed against Liu Xi soon after they reunited, he was afraid that Liu Xi would pin him to the ground and bash him violently. Feng Jue and Cheng Jing looked at Huang Song in silence. There was an incomprehensible ray of light in his eyes. While it seemed pitiful, it was also embarrassing. Would he dare to do something more terrifying? The three of them plotted meticulously. Everything was in place. Now, they just needed to wait for Liu Xis arrival. Yet theyd never expected Liu Xi to live up to his status as Liu Shes biological son. As a father, hed only taken 20,000 soldiers with him to protect the emperor. His son had surpassed him with even fewer troops. Notably, shed only brought 10,000 with her to watch how the events would unfold. Liu She and Jiang Pengjis trains of thought were mystically aligned. Since one would bring along more soldiers than the other, there was no need to show off. Shed brought 10,000 soldiers and horses along. This number consisted of 6,000 elite troops while the remaining 4,000 had just finished their training. As she hurried to her destination, Jiang Pengji brought with her 10,000 men. They all arrived at the alliance meeting place of Huangshui. The frail and sickly Feng Zhen was frozen cold. He was flat on his back on top of the horse carriage and refusing to come down. Yang Si sneered at him. Look at how useless you are. Although he spoke mercilessly, Yang Sis actions were very honest. He did not wish to get off the carriage to ride the horse. Jiang Pengji witnessed how the two grown men had grown so lazy. With both her brows raised, she mocked them both equally. Look at you two useless fools. Now that the weather was perfect, these two men were huddled in the horse carriage and refusing to get out. Theyd even asked to have their meals in the carriage. Jiang Pengji could not tolerate it anymore. Yang Si remarked, My age is catching up to me. I am no longer young and brimming with energy. Feng Zhen commented, I am already so old that half my life is gone. I plead with the lord to have pity on me. Perfect, these two strategists had successfully disgusted Jiang Pengji until she left them alone. After Jiang Pengji departed majestically on Little White, Feng Zhen attempted to snatch Yang Sis heat bag from him. Stealing from a sickly man! Yang Jing Rong, your morals are declining as you age. Yang Si wasnt someone who would surrender easily. You claim to be sick, yet you are full of energy now. Who believes that you are sickly? Comparing our ages, I am your elder. You must revere the senior. Then why dont you love the young? Feng Zhen was exasperated. From within the carriage, she could hear them sharing their problems. She apathetically rolled her eyes. Why had she chosen Feng Zhen and Yang Si to follow the army? When either of them followed alone, they were alright. However, when they were together, a mysterious chemical reaction occurred, causing them to constantly be at odds with each other. Their combined age was over 60, yet they were both still so immature. As she rode Little White, she scrolled through the bullet screen in the live streaming room, intending to seek entertainment there. The ignorant audience was still as clueless as always. The bullet screen was bustling with commotion. Yewu Shanmu: This is so boring. We have to watch these two master strategists love-hate relationship to pass time every day. Counterfeit Mud Doll: #propschin There are bets on Yang Si versus Feng Zhen over there. You are welcome to try. Shushan Yali: You people of the evil cult. With your rotten eyes, you look down on others. On the contrary, I feel both are walking further and further from the path of the comedian. Qiao Sang: Their personalities are thusly. If it were either Feng Jin or Wei Ci, perhaps the atmosphere would continue to remain awkward. Laosiji Lianmeng: Are you so laidback that you need to scroll through couple pairings to pass time? Speaking of which, when will they reach Huangshui? Guicai Guofengxiao: I second that question, the wait is testing my patience. If they dont reach Huangshui soon, Yang Si and Feng Zhen will be doomed. Jiang Pengji bent her head to study the map. Based on their chosen path, there was still more than half a days journey to make before the would arrive at Huangshui. After a while, a scout came riding towards them at great speed. My lord, there is an unknown scout up ahead. Jiang Pengji acknowledged the report and calmed her heart. She answered, It could be the scout from our alliances army. Lets not alert him and monitor the situation. Chapter 687 - Father & Son” Join the Fun (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was only a short distance between them and the alliance partys camp. It wasnt surprising that they had encountered a scout. After a series of investigations, they discovered that it was indeed a scout from the alliance army. With someone to guide them, Jiang Pengji could make fewer detours. Once both parties revealed their identities, the scout from the alliance camp came to greet Jiang Pengji. Has my father arrived? The alliance army scout cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. Magistrate Liu has already arrived. He has set up his camp on the east side of the alliance army campsite. Does Langjun intend to head over? She laughed and said, Naturally, I will go visit. Please lead the way. The scout relayed the news that Jiang Pengji had arrived. The word spread throughout the entire alliance camp. The biggest question in the minds of the camp leaders was How many men and horses had come with Liu Xi? The answer Tens of thousands. Everyone was stunned silent. Liu She had only 20,000 troops and horses. Liu Xi had 10,000 troops with her. Together, the pair had 30,000 troops with them. It was not even a tenth of the total headcount that the alliance army possessed After all, they wielded great power in Dongqing. How could they take along so few troops? Wouldnt they look pathetic? Two people heaved sighs of relief at this news. They were none other than the two Langjuns of the Xu family from Zhe county, Xu Bei and Xu Fei. Although the two were cousins, theyd engaged in endless small fights since they were young, almost to the point of being like cats and dogs. The relationship between them was only superficial. There was no lack of men with foresight among the alliance army. Many had already foreseen the tribulations that the alliance army sent out to defend the emperor would face. Many intended to vote for an alliance chief Of course, they wanted to nominate an alliance chief solely to seize the opportunity to gain political power. Nonetheless, no one possessed the courage to lead this effort. After all, the one who eagerly stands out will Xu Bei and Xu Fei had their own motives. Not only did they view one another as a competitor and an eyesore, but theyd also set their attention on the Liu familys father and son. Now that they knew Liu She and Liu Xi only had 30,000 troops with them, they were immediately relieved. With this unimpressive military might, they would have no right to rise as alliance chief. Once they eliminated this formidable common opponent, they would only have to be wary against each other. Until Jiang Pengji arrived at the campsite of the alliance army, she had no clue about the weird ideas that filled the minds of the people around her. She burst with joy as she ran towards Liu Shes campsite. However, before she reached it, she received a piece of demoralizing news. What? Father only brought along 20,000 troops? She was appalled. Yang Si and Feng Zhen, both wearing so many layers of clothes that they looked like fat penguins, were also surprised. 20,000 troops? What could they do to their enemy with a mere 20,000 soldiers? He saw it from another perspective. His lord would be even more embarrassed because shed only taken along her 10,000 troops. It seemed like this pair of father and son had come solely to watch. When the news reached Liu She, he was bewildered. In the end, both father and son eyed each other in dismay, not exchanging any words. She had only brought along a few men because the situation in Wanzhou was unstable. She couldnt deploy more soldiers. Liu She likewise hadnt brought along many men because Chongzhou was located near the northern borders. This had been a tumultuous winter for the three tribes of Chongzhou. The beginning of spring would be even harder to get through. If he diverted too much of his military strength away, he would also have to worry about the three tribes of the northern borders becoming desperate enough to invade the south. Although the likelihood of this was low, precautions needed to be in place. Therefore, both father and son had turned up as mere audience members for the upcoming debacle. Although they had elite soldiers, their numbers were few. Regarding this matter, these two were still optimistic. It didnt matter whether they rose in prominence or not, what was most important was achieving their goal. In this mission to protect the Emperor, regardless of the outcome, it didnt matter as the benefits that belonged to this father and son remained unaffected. As a newcomer, Jiang Pengji needed to understand the strength of the alliance army. Only with ample preparation could she make such a calculated move in her heart. Liu She had arrived before her and had already collected a lot of information. He filled her in. There are a total of 23 divisions in the alliance army on the mission to defend the emperor. The most prominent are the brothers from the Xu family, the descendants of Marquis Guannei, also known as General Xu. Both brothers are promising youths. They are adept in every way besides real-world experience. In that sense, they are dependent on their ancestors prestige. At the upcoming election for an alliance chief, those two will certainly join the fight. Itll be a life and death struggle between them. Although the alliance chief position is a fragile form of reputation, it is of utmost importance to the brothers. If her reputation increased, itd enable her to attract more talents to her side and increase her prowess. Rather than debating this elusive alliance chief position, why not classify it as a widespread, living advertisement that could attract the attention of the masses? Does Lanting have any views about the alliance chief position? Jiang Pengji shook her head decisively. She declared, I have come to expand my business and to try my luck at winning talents over. I am here on official business, I didnt come to mingle with these immature people. Choose an alliance chief? Childish! Let them choose whoever they like. I only need to mind my own business. No matter who the alliance chief is, I do not care. Anyway, it cant be me With her small handful of military strength, itd be impossible for her to vie for the position, even if she wanted to. Therefore, itd be better for her to watch the commotion with a magnanimous heart. Her fathers face stiffened. Must his daughter say it so directly? Did her strategists know about it? Yang Si and Feng Zhen sat behind her to her left and right. They lowered their heads and appeared as focused as meditating old monks. With a tsk, Liu She commented, That is true. No matter how heated the quarrel gets, its none of our business. They could ignore the issue of choosing an alliance chief, for it had nothing to do with the father and son. They should participate as bystanders and watch the exciting events unfold. She blinked, discreetly peeking at those two strategists in the corner. She suddenly exclaimed, Father. Confused by the outburst, Liu She responded, Whats the matter? She smiled as she corrected Liu Shes faulty wording. Well not go as father and son, but as father and daughter. Once he heard these words leave her mouth, Liu She was shocked. Yang Si looked as if he had just witnessed the end of the world. Feng Zhen was so stumped that his copper-colored eyes went wide. Afterward, he placed his hand on his chest and coughed violently He almost choked on his own saliva. Almost immediately, Liu She regained his composure. He used his expression to ask after his daughter why she suddenly wanted to make this move. In response, she said perceptively, At the upcoming alliance meeting, I believe it will be a good opportunity. After all, it wouldnt be wise to drag this charade out any longer. Liu She approved. Hed once raised the issue to his daughter of restoring her gender status, but Jiang Pengji had not responded then and he hadnt wanted to pressure her about it. Evidently, his daughter has her own plans. Liu She need not interfere. Behind the scenes, Feng Zhen ardently watched Liu She, wishing his lords words were a joke. Unexpectedly, Liu She said, Do as you wish. Back when you used to dress as a man to impersonate your elder brother, it was because we were left with no other options. Now that youve entered adulthood and have proved yourself capable, your father is comforted in his heart. Lanting, let me know when you intend to reveal this news. I should prepare myself also. The correct procedure mandated that he should also give his daughter a gift since shed reached marriageable age. She added, Lets decide after analyzing the situation. It is not urgent now. His daughter was not anxious, naturally, and Liu She was even less bothered. Nonetheless, the two strategists were in an uncomfortable situation. Feng Zhens facial expression conveyed his utter despair over the situation. What did it mean that his lord was a lady this whole time? How could she even be a female? My, my lord Known for his eloquence and ardor in speech, his stammering surprised those listening. His vision was fixed below Jiang Pengjis chin, above her abdomen As hed previously observed, it was flat. Jiang Pengji noticed it. She shot him a glance, then mockingly smirked at him. Do you wish to personally examine my body? Without taking things seriously, Feng Zhen replied, May I? Sure you may. But I am afraid youd be smashed to pieces before you ever touched it. She smiled as she glanced at the area 3 inches below Feng Zhens navel. Feng Zhen felt a chill run through him. He was on the verge of crying his eyes out. How could such a lord be a woman? Chapter 688 - Father & Son” Join the Fun (V) When Yang Si saw that Feng Zhen had braced himself to suffer a blow, he helplessly moaned in anguish. Did he not understand his lords temperament? Holding back his laughter, he said, The truth is laid bare for all. Why dont you just accept it? I feel like I can salvage this situation Feng Zhen used what Jiang Pengji had said before, resigned to fate. Now, Yang Si couldnt even bring himself to smile. No matter what he did, he could not accept the fact that their lords gender was female, not male. I suggest that you accept the truth With the lords temperament, she will not tolerate any misbehavior. It is too late for you to switch loyalties. Yang Si turned his head to glance at Feng Zhen. Youve been living life in wantonness. Lets ignore the past Since neither of us knew the lords gender, we cannot ignore it now that we do. The lord was brought up as a man even if she isnt a man after all If the news that Jiang Pengji was a woman got out suddenly, no matter how much they didnt care about trivial events, they would not be able to accept it immediately. This news was too alarming. Nonetheless, Jiang Pengji had already prepared them to receive the news before this. Shed even given them enough buffer time that the impact was less devastating. Both were men who disliked wasting time on insignificant matters. On the contrary, because of the temperament of these two men, their ability to accept it was much higher. It wasnt that they couldnt accept the fact, they just felt that the truth was too devastating. Moreover, theyd chosen their lord by themselves and resolved to serve her until the end. Feng Zhen listened to what Yang Si said. He felt that something was amiss as he continued listening. There were hidden meanings behind what he said! Yang Jing Rong, what do you mean by this? Yang Si showed his displeasure. I have no intention but to remind you to be mindful of your words and actions. For example, just now, the way you spoke to the lord was very inappropriate. Feng Zishi, oh, Feng Zishi, recall your exchange with the lord just now, was it appropriate? If the lord was a man, it would still be alright for you to playfully joke around with him. Thered be no harm done and people wouldnt gossip about it. However, now that we know that she is a woman, you must observe the proprieties between man and woman. The lord is still young and her temperament is unstable. You had better not be a bad influence on this promising youth With a traumatized and shocked expression, Feng Zhen looked at Yang Si with eyes full of pity. Loving, kindness, rationality We are all responsible for all of it. Feng Zhen refused to admit defeat. Yang Jing Rong, you have wronged me with these words. Do you perceive someone familiar with the secret language of brothels, adept at teasing prostitutes, one who drinks wine like water, a lewd Langjun well-versed with obscene songs and poetry? What upright virtues could one possibly have? Surely, one must be wayward from the start! Even if one was led astray, it must have been the lord who was a bad influence on me, the innocent and pure one. I did not lead her astray. Comparing our level of social networking, I am nowhere near the lords. One could call him unrestrained, but they must not blame him for it. His private life was indeed immoral, but he wasnt someone devoid of propriety. Had he influenced the lords promiscuous Langjun way of living? Didnt the conscience of the man whod spoken these words hurt? In disgust, Yang Si smirked coldly. From the corner of his eyes, there was an obvious display of doubt. He mastered his anger and kept it in control. The two were similar in age and of the same generation. But now he was being told off by Yang Si. At this, Feng Zhen burned with anger and retorted, Yang Jing Rong, did you think you were raising your daughter? With the lords way of life, when has she required guidance? As Yang Si poised to make his rebuttal, Feng Zhen interrupted and said, Dont be so quick to disapprove. Based on my understanding of the lord, if you purposely emphasize the distance a man and woman should keep, it will only ignite her displeasure. Consider what a person of high position is cautious of. With your wealth of experience, you should know the ways of the world. Do not step over your boundaries. Does it make any difference to people like us whether the lord is male or female? Shake off your bewitched state of mind He was single, yet he dared to treat the lord as his daughter with the posture of a benevolent father. Was Yang Si brain-damaged? In fact, Yang Si only wanted Feng Zhen to tone down his way of living. Hed never expected this brat to attack his weakness. Yang Si felt like beating someone upon hearing this. You are being unreasonable! He shot a displeased look at Feng Zhen. Am I ignorant of the taboo you speak of? I asked you to control yourself, not to sow discord between you and the lord or to provoke her to anger. This is solely out of consideration of the lords reputation. Do you understand my painstaking efforts? As a wastrel, you can forgo your reputation, but what if the lords pure reputation gets tarnished many years from now? What order will there be if the lord is not respected and the officials are defiant? Yang Sis anger burned within him. How he wished to pin Feng Zhen down in the snow and force this brat to listen to his teachings. Feng Zhen curled his lips. Hed never cared about having a clean reputation or whatever. The lord was also pragmatic and never bothered with an empty reputation. When Yang Si saw his reaction, he was exasperated even though he found it hilarious. Did all your years of education go to waste? In the past, when the great ancestor of the Xia dynasty valued General Xu highly, their lord and subordinate relationship ran deep. It was naturally a joyous topic. However, just look at what those unorthodox scribes wrote. In the generations after, how many unorthodox scribes fabricated what they wished? They used unsightly words to slander their relationship as romance! The Xu family of Zhe county suffered much humiliation. Rumor has it that the Xia dynastys imperial blood courses through their veins. Havent you heard of that? What a heroic and courageous figure the great ancestor of the Xia dynasty was. General Xu was also a wonder woman, yet she too was not spared from the rumors. Now, the lord is a woman with many male officials under her. Any insult against her will be more severe. If you dont wish for the next generation to record the consequences of a love affair, you must put more effort into preventing it! Continue your unrestrained ways if you wish, but dont implicate the lord with the disparaging remarks you deserve. If you still dont get it, I will stop here. Feng Zhen was unable to make a rebuttal. Neither was bothered by trivial events, but each had their differences. Feng Zhen was completely free to abandon all restraints. He couldnt be bothered with his appearance or reputation. Yang Si had an outwardly reserved personality while being inwardly carefree and amicable. Who can control what comes from the mouths of the people all over the earth? Feng Zhen felt somewhat guilty and dismayed. Yang Si replied, I cannot control the mouths of all the people on the earth, but surely I can control your mouth and actions by constantly watching you. As if hed suffered a major setback, Feng Zhen felt listless and unmotivated. He also didnt know why was he so unlucky to have to partner with Yang Si. If hed known beforehand, he would have rather partnered with Feng Jin or Wei Ci. At least they were gentlemen and could be dealt with easily. How do you think the others will feel when they hear this news? Will they be in shock? Yang Si answered, I dont know if they will be surprised or not, but certainly they will be aghast. Their lord had an unparalleled, imposing stature, full of courage and heroics. Yet somehow, in an instant, shed been transformed into a delicate and pretty lady. Who could bear such shocking news? She delegated the task of setting up the camp to her two strategists. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji played the role of the carefree boss with plenty of leisure time. She sat opposite Liu She as she boiled the tea and wine, asking and answering questions to increase their understanding of the alliance armys military might. As their exchanges deepened, the audience in the livestreaming room gained an overall understanding of the power-play to come from the upcoming alliance meeting. With increased understanding, their disappointment also increased. A Man of Few Words Huang Shaotian: It is such a pity I expected the streamer to make a name for herself this time around and assume the position of the alliance chief. This comment on the bullet screen represented the wishes of most of the audience. They were already prepared with their stools to sit and watch the streamer command the entire scene. But the result? Unexpectedly, the streamer told them that she wanted to rest halfway. Instead, she wished to take a backseat and watch the young punks engage in a fierce battle. Besides this group of ignorant viewers, there was still a coalesce of rational viewers. At least they had their brains with them as they watched the livestream. Chapter 689 - An Old Friend Visits (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Sincere and Kindhearted Zhang Xinjie: It is impossible to rise to power as alliance chief. The probability of that happening is extremely low, close to zero. Who knew the streamer and her father had such similar minds that they both brought so few soldiers with them? With 30,000 men, it will barely guarantee they have a right to speak at the alliance army meeting. Its wishful thinking that they could control the situation! Moreover, the Xu family brothers, Xu Bei and Xu Fei, who resemble the Yuan family brothers from the period of the Three Kingdoms, are rightfully the ones to command the alliance army. If they truly have talents and differ from those who were first supercilious and then deferential, those useless fools who have eyes but are blind, the likelihood of the streamer and her father rising to power is almost impossible. To become the alliance chief or whatever is just a day-dream. Since they were in a time when brute force was revered, although the brothers from the Xu family were young and inexperienced, they had a high standing in the alliance army. As a group that supported the streamer, many of the audience members were demoralized in their hearts. Honest and Loyal Ye Buxiu: #smokes, who has the right qualities to be the alliance chief? Have you all forgotten how big the entirety of Dongqing is on the map? The streamer and her father combined own two prefectures and Hu county. It is like xxx in our present era. They are at their heights of power and they instill fear in others. If they contended for the rubbish alliance chief position, it will put them at more of a disadvantage than an advantage. Perhaps they would even bring a calamity upon themselves. If there were a change of loyalty within the alliance army, someone could launch a surprise attack on the streamer and her father. They have only 30,000 troops on hand which is weak beyond measure. Rapid Hand Movement Expert Yu Wenzhou: The streamers eventual goal isnt to be the alliance chief. She came here to harness talents and conveniently promote her business. So what about the title of alliance chief? It is but an empty title. If the title of the emperor were up for grabs, itd be worth fighting for. No pain, no gain. It doesnt mean that having the upper hand and rising in prominence makes you are the best. Many are unaware that the way of the victor is to quietly amass a fortune. I prefer to watch the seemingly weak deal death blows. At first, Liu She was worried that his daughter would be displeased. However, after their conversation, he realized that she didnt care about empty titles. The one who has the last laugh is the winner. Jiang Pengji sneered as she coldly added, The process is important, but ultimately, it cannot beat the outcome. Liu She was immensely comforted. It is wonderful that your thoughts are as such. Your father is relieved. Feng Zhen and Yang Sis working capabilities were deserving of affirmation. Under their leadership, the campsite quickly took form. The first area to be set up was the commander-in-chiefs tent. Just as she stepped into her new abode, someone familiar came to visit her. She directed her sight at Huang Song. In a familiar tone, she asked him, Is Bogaos campsite also nearby? The stature of the youth in front of her seemed taller than what she recalled. He looked stronger and full of vitality. His youthfulness and sharp wits had seemingly faded with time. The visitor was Huang Song, Jiang Pengjis acquaintance. Theyd shared a rather close relationship back in Shangjing. Indeed, when I heard that you arrived, I hastily got men to prepare cooked meat and wine. Lets not return until we have drunk and eaten our fill. Jiang Pengji glanced at the young scholar behind Huang Song. She observed the other party frowning secretly. He appeared to be in low-spirits. Faced with a lord who constantly drank until drunk yet couldnt hold his alcohol, he immediately felt the start of a headache. Without any form of courtesy, Jiang Pengji tore down Huang Songs lies. Enough, do you think I am ignorant of your hidden motives? You already knew I had arrived, but you hesitated to come to see me. Now that youre here, it must be because you cannot delay anymore Am I right? Although Huang Song wore a bitter expression, no one exposed his embarrassment. Liu Lanting, your words are still so harsh that they could pierce ones heart. Jiang Pengji crossed her arms over her chest. If you dont wish to bear the brunt of my words, then dont use official jargon with me. Speak honestly now. Alright, the truth is I thought your commanders tent hadnt been set up and I didnt want to share a meal and drink with you on the floor. Thats why I procrastinated in visiting you until now. Huang Songs reply caused Cheng Jing to frown even more deeply. It forced a deep frown line and other wrinkles to appear on his forehead. I have confessed the truth. Now, shouldnt you at least allow me inside your commanders tent? You and your loquacious words Please, enter. Jiang Pengji shot a glance at Cheng Jing to observe his reaction. Thereafter, she invited both into her commanders tent. The commanders tent was humble and simple. There was only a mat for visitors to sit on. No other ornaments were seen beside that. The three men sat accordingly as host and guests. Huang Song ordered the guards with him to set up the table and present the dishes from the food box. The cooked meat on the plate was cut into slices. Each piece was steaming and smelled like nothing. Jiang Pengji continued with her snide remarks. The alliance army currently occupies over 40,000 square miles. Im surprised we still get to eat meat. Huang Song didnt understand. He thought Jiang Pengji despised it and felt ashamed. Song should take responsibility as the host to entertain Brother Liu. Unfortunately, the snow and ice have yet to melt, and the livestock have hidden in their hideouts. There isnt any livestock available to serve as a sumptuous feast. When early spring arrives, the prey will be fat and primed for food. I will hunt some for Brother Liu then Cheng Jing was standing by. He suddenly felt distressed. With such a foolish lord, it must have been his lapse in judgment. She laughed involuntarily. Obviously, she knew that Huang Song was acting smart on purpose, but she didnt expose him. I didnt mean that, please dont misunderstand, Bogao. The alliance army has a military strength of 400,000 men that demand an equivalent number of mouths to feed. The magnitude is unthinkable. I thought that since the alliance army has set up camp here, perhaps its not to the extent that the land and roots have been completely eaten. At least its the level where the fowl are extinct amid the mountains. Thanks to you, I am blessed with the opportunity to consume meat. Huang Song had no response to this. Young Brother Lius words are reasonable. The meat you are eating now is actually from an animal your elder brother took captive secretly. I intended to serve it a sumptuous meal when the craving arose. If not for Young Brother Liu, elder brother wouldnt have consumed it so early. See how well your elder brother treats you. I have given you my possessions. Jiang Pengji and Huang Song were acquaintances who sometimes ate and drank together. However, they were not close buddies. Likewise, they were not strangers. There was no need for prohibition with conversations around the table coupled with wine. As for Cheng Jing? He ate and drank silently. Then, he quietly observed those two cunning men outwit each other. It felt like hed unlocked a door to a new world. When they were full and filled with wine and food, Huang Song cleaned his teeth as if no one was around. He followed this by asking her a question. Brother Liu, Ive heard you only brought 10,000 troops. Isnt that too few? Jiang Pengji didnt seem to be bothered. Is 10,000 troops considered inadequate? If it isnt enough, doesnt my father have another 20,000 troops? Immediately, Huang Song gestured with his hands. His words were laden with intentions to test her. Elder brother does not mean it that way. I just linked it to Brother Lius temperament. After all, you enjoy participating in bustling events, and it is in your nature to stand in the limelight. Now, Dongqings young and heroic men have coalesced in this alliance and are prepared to defend the emperor and exterminate the rebellious thieves to defend the country This is an opportunity to gain a reputation. Doesnt Brother Liu want to make a big gamble and rise to prominence? Although they were merely acquaintances, their temperaments complemented each other. They were familiar enough with one another. This question was asked primarily to sound her out and partially out of concern. Jiang Pengji had no intention to hide. She answered directly, An upright person does not speak ambiguously. Since your younger brother ate what elder brother offered, surely I cannot deceive you. You are aware that, to save the people, your younger brother launched an attack on Chengde County. I have commanded troops throughout the journey. Even though I successfully took possession of Chengde County, I lost soldiers and generals. It was a big blow to my morale. Otherwise, I wouldnt have only taken 10,000 men with me. The alliance chief of the army must be virtuous, talented, and possess troops to sit comfortably in this position. With regard to virtue and talents, your younger brother isnt lacking in any of those except military strength The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Chapter 690 - An Old Friend Visits (II) As he listened, Huang Song nodded as if he believed Jiang Pengjis explanations. Regardless of how much doubt there was in his heart, he outwardly pretended to believe it. However, it wasnt as easy to fool Cheng Jing. From his perspective, even if she wasnt lying, she was speaking in half-truths. Within half a month, she could take down Chengde County. With such swift actions, it was enough for Cheng Jing to deem her a dangerous enemy. After a series of exchanges, Jiang Pengji asked him in return, Bogao asked about this matter. Do you desire to be the alliance chief? Dont joke with your elder brother, young brother Liu. How is elder brother deserving of the alliance chief position? Huang Song laughed bitterly, some of it directed at himself. Why is Bogao belittling himself? You are also a county chief now, you have tens of thousands of troops under your command. How is it impossible? How is this impossible? Of course, it was impossible! If one could be the alliance chief and command the alliance army based on these few criteria, there would be a lot of violent fighting outside already. Even though Huang Song had ambition, he viewed the situation practically. He saw his abilities and that he lacked pride that rose high above the heavens. He knew the likelihood of becoming the alliance chief was close to zero. However, he could still take advantage of the situation and benefit from it. I am deeply embarrassed young brother Liu esteems elder brother too highly. With elder brothers insignificant talent, Id only be mocked by the heroes if showcased. The two conversed over food and alcohol. Huang Songs eloquence ensured that the atmosphere was never awkward. As the conversation gradually deepened, they began to discuss the various powers within the alliance army. Jiang Pengji inclined her ears and listened intently. Shed gotten some information from Liu She but she wanted to dig more out of Huang Song. Huang Song explained, Other than the Xu brothers, elder brother thinks two other families have worthy candidates. Which two families? Jiang Pengji asked him. Huang Song replied, One family of note is Shanghai Countys chief, Wuma Shang. The other is the county military chief of Zhangzhous eastern gate, Yang Jian. Based on my assessment, these two men are rare specimens among the alliance army who have pure motives for defending the emperor. The number of troops Wuma Shang brought from Shanghai County is second only to the Xu brothers. While Yang Jian, the county military chief of Zhangzhous eastern gate, has a mere military strength of 15,000, but from what I know, thats all he has. Evidently, his sincerity and pure motives are commendable. When she heard the names of these two men, her expression suggested that she was deep in thought. From the sound of this name, Wuma Shang, he must be a relative of the imperial family. It is unimportant to talk about him Who is Yang Jian? Critically, Yang Jians birthplace was at the eastern gate of Zhangzhou Zhangzhou was Prince Changshous allocated land. Huang Song smiled as he explained. Wuma Shang, the county chief of Shanghai County, is a descendant of the imperial family. He is of the royal clan. He is the emperor and Prince Changshous uncle in the family hierarchy. While the county military chief of Zhangzhous eastern gate, Yang Jian, has no special background, your elder brother likes his temperament. By nature, he is generous, heroic, and upholds justice. Although he appears sloppy and boorish, in truth he is meticulous. Zhangzhou is Prince Changshous allocated land. On the surface, it appears affluent. In fact, its in a frightful mess. Incidents, like when water bandits cruelly plundered and killed the people, were covered up by Prince Changshou, thus giving a false impression that peace reigned. Except for Yang Jian and his unyielding character, he refused to overlook the matter. Rumor has it that hes wielded his sword courageously since he was 17 years old. He led his troops accustomed to battles in the water against those water bandits without flinching. Dauntless and matchless in his battles, he had no regard for his own life. He has made a name for himself. He is worthy to be called a hero of heroes. She pinched her lower chin. From what you said, does Bogao think highly of Yang Jian? Huang Song openly acknowledged this. Naturally, hes such an awe-inspiring heroic figure that I wish to befriend him. However At this point, Huang Songs expression darkened. He was secretly embarrassed and could not continue. Even without him adding on, the two people in the tent understood his hidden meaning. It made no difference whether he mentioned it or not. Nonetheless, he was unaware that, besides Jiang Pengji and Cheng Jing, 150,000 viewers were watching the live stream. These people did not understand the hidden message. Blackberry Can: What a confusing statement! Why didnt he complete the sentence? Yellow Peach Can: I second that question. Whats next? Pomelo Can: There isnt any continuation. This damned eunuch! He did not complete his sentence and purposely acted mysteriously. It is so hateful! She scanned through the entire screen full of eunuch related comments. Theyve been castrated, read many of the posts on the bullet screen. It was painful for her to hold her laughter in. Streamer V: The alliance meeting involving the alliance army is at hand to overcome Prince Changshou. However, Yang Jians birthplace is Zhangzhou where Prince Changshous allocated land is. Thus, the relationship is sensitive. If I am correct, Yang Jian has been left out by the alliance army. Although Huang Song wishes to befriend him, the situation does not allow for it. If he befriends Yang Jian, its equivalent to making enemies of the rest. Huang Song will never engage in such affairs. After her explanation, the content of the posts on the bullet screen changed again. Wei Weian: Eh, Huang Song is being too cautious. Why the need for so many considerations? Isnt it just befriending someone? Why does he have to avoid suspicions? Sushui Liunian: I personally feel that Huang Song isnt at fault. Yang Jian is being ostracized by the masses. If he openly befriends him, surely he would be alienated by the rest and implicate Yang Jian. Obviously, this conflicts with Huang Songs personal conviction. There are many ways to express kindness. Huang Song is wise to lend aid in troubled times. Doing so is better than befriending him in perfect circumstances. If war breaks out, Yang Jian may be sacrificed and placed at the frontiers by the alliance army. Should Huang Song aid him at that time, it will trump acting like friends to win his favor. Hacker Wen Xiangpian: To the viewer above, please accept my humble bow. Hacker Dian Wenxiang: This type of streamer will attract the same type of viewers. I feel like the average intelligence of the audience has increased. Jiang Pengji exercised good self-control. After all these years, she was accustomed to ignoring the bullet screen and forbidding it from affecting her mood. She comforted Bogao by saying, There is no need for Bogao to be downcast. You may secretly befriend Yang Jian. Theres no need to make it known. There was a well-said statement that went something like To openly showcase affection will only speed up death. Huang Song laughed involuntarily. Was this how she comforted people? The words this person used were rather interesting. They could cause one to weep and laugh at the same time. A typically serious phrase spoken by this person seemed to carry a hint of peculiarity. Huang Song emphasized that they would not return until they were drunk. Jiang Pengji drank to her hearts content without feeling any sense of heartache. Since the alcohol didnt belong to her, itd be a waste not to drink it. Towards the end of their drinking session, the tent was filled with the smell of alcohol. Huang Song was already wasted and unconscious. He sprawled out on the ground as if in a puddle of mud. His face had turned deep red. The jar of wine Jiang Pengji drank from wasnt any smaller than Huang Songs. Still, she appeared alert despite her misty eyes. Having lost consciousness, Huang Song hugged the wine jar as he stammered, I, I am still able to drink Bogao cannot hold his alcohol well, dont let him drink so much wine next time. Even though a war hasnt erupted, this is still the army campsite. He should be constantly vigilant, it is not appropriate for him to let wine consumption affect his consciousness. Jiang Pengji glanced at Cheng Jing. Then, with a listless tone, she added, Look at how drunk and unconscious he is. I will get someone to send him back. What does the master think? Observing Cheng Jings stature, Jiang Pengji seriously doubted that he could successfully drag Huang Song back to his camp. Cheng Jing bowed respectfully with his hands in front of him. Thank you, Magistrate Liu, for your kindness. On behalf of my lord, I thank you. Bogao and I are good friends, there is no need for formalities. After she finished her sentence, she shouted for the troops to support Huang Song and escort him back to his tent. She arose to send Huang Song and Cheng Jing outside her tent. She then cast her sights towards the scenery and knitted her brows. As she was about to turn around and return to her camp, she saw Feng Zhen walking hastily towards her. Chapter 691 - The Lord Who Protects Her Own (I) Even before he approached, he could smell the strong scent of wine coming from Jiang Pengjis body. Why did the lord drink so much wine? She replied, Huang Song visited. Since he came to offer me fine wine, I obliged him by drinking. If I hadnt, wouldnt I have been at a disadvantage? Feng Zhen nodded, not wanting to dwell on this matter. His purpose for coming hadnt been hearing whatever advantage the lord gained. My lord, you must head to the drill ground immediately. Hanmei, that punk, got into a dispute with someone. Hanmei? Quarreled with someone? She recognized every word in this sentence, but she couldnt understand them when all these words were put together. Hanmei has such a good-temperament, why would he start a fight with someone for no reason? Moreover, they really fought until they reached the drill grounds? Li Yun was known to be angelic. When everyone heard that hed gotten into a fight with others, many of their first reactions were to suggest that a foul mouth or wretched hands must have provoked Li Yun first. Although Jiang Pengji wasnt blind, she was still biased in her heart towards her own kinsmen. Li Yun was loved by the masses. He was also on par with Wei Ci in terms of good looks. Even if she wasnt biased toward her own family member, why should she side with an outsider whod bullied her family? On the surface, Feng Zhen wasnt anxious. This was evidently not a serious matter. My lord, I cannot explain this matter concisely. Let us talk as we walk. Feng Zhen was afraid that Li Yun would be at a disadvantage, so hed hastily rushed over to get help. His lords fighting abilities were unparalleled. How would any common thug be her match? This time, Feng Zhen completely forgot the fact that his lord was a woman. When the truth hit him later, his expression turned conflicted. It wasnt that he didnt remember the lords gender, but truthfully, the lords mannerisms were so manly that they caused one to misjudge. Jiang Pengji did not say much. She exclaimed, Lead the way! Prior to setting up the barracks, she hadnt had any drill grounds here. The drill grounds Feng Zhen spoke of were located near the barracks of another group. All the campsites she walked past were neatly arranged. The soldiers were full of vigor and high spirits, all filled with valiant courage. Her eyes swept across them, briefly knitting her brows. Are these people from the south? Based on their looks, they should be adept at water combat. Feng Zhen was used to her accurate observations. He was not surprised by this comment. The lord is wise. This is the campsite belonging to the county military chief of Zhangzhous eastern gate. These soldiers are elites accustomed to water battles. Ive heard that there are 15,000 strong men under his command, every one of them capable of wrestling amid the waves and storms. They swim with ease thanks to their streamlined physiques. Once they enter the water, it is an easy feat for them to deal with 10 enemies at once After she heard this, she paused her footsteps, turning to look at Feng Zhen. Are you unaware that Yang Jian is being ostracized by the others? Feng Zhen laughed hysterically. Befriending evil isnt like befriending on intimate terms. The outsiders will not be able to fault us. Jiang Pengji started to be suspicious. Was it Feng Zhen who had intentionally incited Li Yun to pick a fight? If not, how could it be so coincidental that hed gotten into a squabble with Yang Jians men? Feng Zhen understood Jiang Pengjis expression. With all seriousness, he righteously defended himself. My lord, an upright and honest person like me is a scarcity in the world. Why would I purposely scheme to frame someone? Even if I had such intentions, I would never choose Hanmei. He isnt naturally equipped for such a task. Hes unsuited to carrying out such evil deeds. This is purely coincidental. If the lord does not believe, there is nothing I can say. Who would believe it! She muttered to him, The words that proceed from your mouth cannot be completely trusted, but they should not be ignored. Speak, what schemes do you have? Feng Zhen brazenly answered, not showing a hint of embarrassment. My lord joined the alliance meeting for business purposes and to recruit talents Your business hasnt taken form. However, our search for talents should be prioritized. Jiang Pengji retorted, What are your views on potential candidates? Yang Jian has a centurion under him. His looks are rather ugly. He was born with an exceptional appearance But facial features arent a problem. Critically, his talents are highly sought after His swimming abilities are unparalleled. I once secretly observed him training his troops and discovered that he has many ideas and an agile mind. The means by which he trained were completely different from the norm. Surely it wasnt mainstream Coupled with the fact that his appearance is unsightly, it makes sense that he hasnt risen to prominence yet. He tucked both his hands into his sleeves, the cold engulfing him so much that he trembled. Nonetheless, he still bore with it. She took notice of it. She threw her heat pack to him to warm his hands. A group of elderly men is actually more dainty than any young ladies. Feng Zhen rebutted, Are they more dainty than young ladies? Then we must determine who that young lady is. For someone like his lord who was unprejudiced and free-spirited, was there any man that existed who was more manly than her? After some time, Feng Zhen asked her hesitantly, Would the lord despise someone for his looks? If she loathed a talent based on his appearance, Feng Zhen was worried it would breed enmity. She heard these words and laughed awkwardly. Have I ever despised you? Feng Zhen was silent. What the heck!? I am asking a legitimate question! If the lord doesnt mind the persons hideous face, I will fetch him here immediately. She replied with all respect, As for your lord, those who are capable with four limbs and decent brains are considered human. Can good looks put food on the table? With regards to those who are pleasant-looking but have the intelligence a 3-year-old, they dont even deserve to be admired! Speaking of beauty, is there anyone more pleasant to behold than Zixiao? If you think this person can be of use, try to engage them. However, Yang Jians choice must be respected to prevent a strained relationship. Outward appearances were never important from her viewpoint. Good-looking people were pleasant to the eyes, but if they were not practically useful, she would reject them. If one couldnt fulfill his task, anyone less beautiful than Wei Ci was but a useless vase to her, only taking up space. With her assurance, Feng Zhen felt secure in his heart. He contemplated how exactly to abduct these talents away. Jiang Pengji recalled an incident and asked Feng Zhen, Training soldiers isnt top-secret, but it also isnt something for everyone to watch. How did you manage to sneak into Yang Jians campsite? Without sneaking into Yang Jians camp, how had he been able to watch the other party train his army? How were they to discover talents? Feng Zhen didnt mean much when he said, Merry-making friends, surely you know about it. At this, Jiang Pengji recalled that Feng Zhen was also from Zhangzhous Anshan County. Anshan County and the eastern gate county were neighbors, so Feng Zhen enjoyed boundless freedom. Every day, he was either drinking wine incessantly, gambling uncontrollably at the gambling den, hugging a prostitute at the brothel lustfully, or merrymaking with friends from all walks of life, wasting his life away. Thus, Feng Zhen knew a myriad of friends. Some of them serving under Yang Jian which was not surprising. Jiang Pengji had no response. Feng Zhen was not ashamed, he was proud of it. He had friends all over the earth, she should be afraid! She wrapped her hands around her chest and remarked, That is certainly such a pity. Huang Song just came over with Cheng Jing to pay a visit. Cheng Jing and Feng Zhen were friends, first acquainted through Wei Ci. Even though they hadnt met, they admired each others talents and shared a tacit understanding. Using modern terms, these two were like pen-pals. However, they had not met face-to-face yet. When he heard Cheng Jings name, Feng Zhens expression showed some minor changes. He commented, He wont run away. Therefore, I am not anxious to meet him. As they conversed, both arrived at the drill grounds. The periphery of the drill grounds was surrounded by three internal layers and three external layers. A series of yells sounded from the crowd, their thunderous shouts filling the scene. General, beat him into a pulp! The general is so awe-inspiring! General! General! General! Chapter 692 - The Lord Who Protects Her Own (II) As Jiang Pengji was about to push her way in, Feng Zhen anticipated her actions and expended all of his strength to block her path. The lord is different from others. How can a prestigious and noble person like you engage in a fight with common, boorish men? Although Feng Zhens words were crude, hed taken Yang Sis advice. Whats in an invaluable body? It is merely made up of flesh, blood, and bone. Your lord isnt made of glass. I am not so brittle that I will shatter easily. Jiang Pengji knew he meant well, but his concern wasnt necessary. She hadnt revealed her gender to him because she wanted any special treatment. Please tell Jing Rong as well that there is no need to be so caring towards me. It makes me feel uneasy Just treat me as you did in the past. Feng Zhen acknowledged this with his eyes but still used his body to shield her from the others. Only then did he have the additional energy to focus on the commotion at the drill grounds. There were two familiar faces at the drill grounds. One was Li Yun and the other was Dian Yan. She knitted her brows out of confusion. Why was Dian Yan here? What did this have to do with him? Feng Zhen explained, My lord, you might not believe what I say, but it was them who picked the fight. Jiang Pengji was so surprised she could not respond. Feng Zhen explained in detail what had happened. Dian Yan was a good student who loved learning. Ever since hed joined Jiang Pengjis loving squad, hed felt deeply that he was lacking compared to the others, even though he seemed to be adept at certain subjects from martial arts to literary knowledge. He was determined in his learning. He learned to read and write and never once neglected his martial arts practice. Following their daily schedule, he should practice martial arts every day for two hours. But the drill ground was yet to be set up, so he found a secluded place to practice his martial arts without thinking outsiders would discover him. That man was Yang Jians subordinate. He valued talent and found Dian Yan to be outstanding and valiant. He also noticed that Dian Yan wore ragged hemp garments. He initially thought that he was an insignificant soldier who was of no use. However, he soon decided to poach Dian Yan. Yang Jians troops were adept at water battles. Their combat on land wasnt inferior, but ultimately, they were at a disadvantage on land compared to in the water. If Dian Yan joined them, they would become stronger. He just made known his purpose for visiting when this honest child, Li Yun, arrived. When the man saw Li Yuns face, he looked like hed been upset by something important. Hed initiated their fight without any exchanging of words. What was the matter? Li Yun knew the seriousness of this matter. They were at the campsite of the alliance army. Haphazardly killing someone would bring trouble to the lord. The angelic Hanmei displayed his spear moves with splendor. Even Jiang Pengji had to pay him due respect. Even if he only defended himself without attacking, he could subdue his opponent with confidence. The two men had different states of mind. Li Yun was calm as the waters, nothing could make him waver. In contrast, his opponent was irascible and anxious, his weakness evident. Li Yun sought for an opportunity to cause his opponent to drop his weapon. Then hed use his long spear to slide through his underarm and restrain his hand behind his back. At that moment, his opponents personal guard gathered reinforcements. The person leading the team was none other than the county military chief of the eastern gate, Yang Jian. When he studied Li Yuns face, Yang Jian was momentarily in shock. He suddenly asked, What is your relationship with Xie Qian? Was he the masters old enemy? Li Yun sneered in his heart. He lowered his head to glance at his unrelenting opponent. With the spear in his hand, he forcefully pushed and pinned him down, thereby firmly trapping his adversary. Xie Qian is my teacher. Yang Jian was a middle-aged man over 40 years old with an evidently strong and muscular physique. He possessed proper facial features. There was a golden, shimmering light in his eyes. With one glance, one could tell he was an upright, awe-inspiring man of character. Endowed with a tall and sturdy stature, every stride he took was longer than an average mans. After hearing Li Yuns explanation, he asked in return, Are you not father and son? Li Yun pursed his lips as he focused his eyes on Yang Jian. These familiar words had once been said by the lords father. Hed heard them from Liu She who also believed him to be Xie Qians son. Do Yun and my master look so alike? Li Yun asked out of curiosity. Yang Jian answered, You look like him in his youth. Its as if you both were made from the same mold. Your appearance is very much like his. Then again, they did not look exactly alike. Xie Qians appearance leaned towards being brawny. Even when he wore scholarly garments, he exuded the strong aura of a swordsman. Li Yuns facial features were likened to Xie Qians gentler version. Immeasurably handsome, his beauty did not overshadow his manliness. He more than fulfilled what the average man considered as aesthetically beautiful. Are you and my master well-acquainted? Still, Li Yun refused to let go of the man he subdued. This guy was struggling with all his might. He looked towards Li Yun with both eyes filled with heightened maliciousness. Since Li Yun had never met this man before, no enmity should exist between them. Thus, he concluded that this grievance must be directed at someone else. In the past, we were considered friends Meeting a friend through a fight After all, friendship is kindled through an exchange of blows. Yang Jian smiled magnanimously. It seemed he didnt mind Li Yuns impoliteness at all. Were they friends in the past? In other words, were they now enemies and no longer friends? No wonder why, when Yang Jians subordinate identified him, hed taken his weapon and started the fight without any warning. If not for Li Yuns good foundation in martial arts, there would have been no guarantee that he wouldnt have sustained severe injuries upon meeting eyes with this man. Yang Jian asked, What happened to your parents? You seem rather young. Are they at ease with you roaming the world? Since he couldnt sense any malicious motives, Li Yun was baffled. Had Yang Jian assumed that his parents were his teacher and his wife? Li Yun answered, My teacher has traveled to Zhongzhao with an important task on hand. My teachers wife passed away to a difficult pregnancy. She is no longer alive. Upon hearing this, Yang Jian was taken aback. A manly person like him could express such melancholic eyes as if he were still a youth. She has passed on? Yang Jian sighed, regaining his composure. Oh yes, I have yet to ask for your respectable name. How do I address you? Your juniors surname is Li, with a single character, Yun. My courtesy name is Hanmei. Since Yang Jian had no evil intentions, Li Yun accorded him due respect and did not embarrass him. Li Yun? Yang Jian was appalled. The surname wasnt correct. Surprisingly, Xie Qians son didnt carry the surname Xie. His vision was so focused on his subordinate that Li Yun had subdued. It was extremely embarrassing. It didnt matter that hed lost to Xie Qian and couldnt win the affections of the goddess. Now that he was aged, he couldnt emerge victorious against Xie Qians son. What an utter humiliation. This man, is he your subordinate? Li Yun signaled with his mouth for Yang Jian to identify the person hed subdued. Yang Jians face reddened. Coupled with his captivating beard, if the viewers in the live stream saw this, they might think he was role-playing as Second Master Guan Yu. For anything my subordinate has done to offend you, I apologize on his behalf. Having finished his speech, unexpectedly, Yang Jian bowed subserviently, his attitude immensely sincere. Without minding the silver spear in his hands, Li Yun quickly let go of it. He stepped forth to help him rise. Freed of any restrains, that man immediately rebounded, attempting to ambush him from behind. Hed forgotten that Dian Yan was watching him closely from the side. Dian Yan lifted his foot and aimed it at the persons buttocks. He tipped over and fell forward. What rubbish! How are you an upright hero if you backstab someone? Dian Yans voice was thunderous. He made no effort made to cover this up. The faces of Yang Jian and his men reddened, feeling very guilty. With a look of displeasure, he directed his question at Yang Jian. Do you know the reason this man tried to sneak an attack on me countless times? Yang Jians face turned another a shade redder than before. He was ashamed. He was rather awkward and embarrassed, whispering as he explained himself. He was mesmerized by your mothers wits. He poured his heart out to her at first sight, not knowing that your mother and father had already been married for months. She was also at her initial stage of pregnancy. He expressed his love for her impulsively. Obviously, it was inappropriate. Eventually, his love confession failed. Moreover, he was walloped by your father mercilessly His wish not being granted, coupled with being beaten up by another man, hurt his pride severely. Many years have passed, but he is still unable to let go of this incident. His shattered heart could not be pieced together anymore. Li Yun had no reply. Chapter 693 - The Lord Who Protects Her Own (III) Was this the masters rival in love who hed once beaten up? Even so, surely this man didnt have to attempt to kill him upon seeing him, right? She didnt understand why. It was illogical. In this world, there are countless losers who were rejected by Miss Perfect before. It cannot be that all of them want to hack the marshalls son to death! The little angel Li Yun was rather innocent. Feng Zhen, who had recounted the story, glanced at his lord with a secret grudge. One should not speak words an average man could not comprehend. She coughed and asked, Even so, they didnt have to resort to a fight, right? He continued speaking. Indeed, it is so, but they later got into other arguments. That man stirred up rumors, he slandered Hanmeis parents, and Hanmei could tolerate it no longer. Thats why he fought with and injured him. After sustaining injuries, he was still stubborn with his mouth. He continued to speak without restraint, further provoking the anger that Hanmei needed to continue fighting him There were many on Yang Jians side Thus, a large fight broke out Slander? What extent of slander could have caused the usually calm and composed Li Yun to lose his senses and hurt others? Feng Zhen replied, That man spread a rumor that Xie Qian isnt a worthy man. He shockingly said that he offered his wife to another man to receive benefits for his family. Jiang Pengji asked, How did this matter come about? Back then, Liu She told her about Xie Qian and Wang Huiyuns story. Both husband and wife were a talented and beautiful pair, a couple made in heaven. They had loved each other deeply. In plain terms, this pair of man and wife were so crazily in love that it ignited a lot of hatred in others. These people wished to set them on fire and burn them to ashes. Since they were a loving pair of husband and wife, how could such a melodramatic scenario have played out where the man had pushed his woman at another man? Moreover, Liu She had once said that when Wang Huiyun had given birth to Li Yun, shed been possessed by another person. In other words, after Li Yun was born, Wang Huiyun was a fake. Feng Zhen sighed as he used words to bring that scene back to life. Yang Jian had wanted to be the peacemaker initially. He sweepingly evaded the topic altogether. Hed expected the admirer of Xie Qians wife to quit on him. Hed been taught a life lesson by Li Yun. Even so, he was still stubborn with his speech. With much displeasure, he said, Where is that b*stard, Xie Qian? Li Yun had great respect for his master. Others could slander him, but they must not slander Xie Qian. I dare you to utter one more sentence! Be careful or I might cut out your tongue! My master is an honorable man, upright, with nothing to hide. How is he a b*stard? The other party mocked him. How is he not a b*stard? Yang Jians brows raised. He hastily ordered the guards behind him to retreat 20 steps. If Xie Qian wasnt a b*stard, how did he acquire his wealth and prestige without selling his wife and gaining glory? Li Yun raged until his eyes were wide open. He clenched his silver spear tightly. Because he used so much force, his white nailbed turned pale green. My master was devoted to his wife. After she died from her difficult labor, he never remarried. Moreover, he offers sacrifices for her daily. He even fasts for three days before and after the anniversary of her death Both shared a deep love and were role models for the world This scum had better not tarnish their good reputations. Li Yun wore a look that expressed, If you continue to spout nonsense, I will kill you with my spear. The other party wasnt willing to admit defeat. He continued to mock relentlessly, They shared a deep love? Died from difficult labor? What a hilarious joke! More than 10 years ago, I once met her. She was well and alive! She told me that it was obviously Xie Qian who sold his wife in exchange for glory, then forcibly pushed her to another man He was capable of such beastly actions! Does he deserve to be called a man? Tell me, where is Xie Qian? Ask him for a confrontation! Stunned, Li Yun heard him speak with such certainty. He didnt seem to be lying. Nonetheless, he still had to protect his master. The young master protected him without using his brains. If he couldnt it, they would fight it out! What rubbish! My master was born of the Xie family from Qiongning. Why would he need to sell his wife to gain glory? He didnt know about Xie Qians parentage because his master hadnt told him about his noble and prestigious family background before. Back then in the Xiangyang district, Liu She had once mentioned it. Li Yun remembered. The man choked on his words helplessly. He almost had no comeback. After a while, he challenged him. So, what if he is of the Xie family of Qiongning? Are they incapable of being scumbags who sell their wives for glory? Yang Jian, who stood off to the side, held his forehead helplessly. Those of the Xie family of Qiongning would never sell their wives for glory. As a known fact, they were one of the four great families in Dongqing. Their consolidated ranking was second among the aristocratic families. Most of their family members were skilled in literacy and martial arts. As the youth leader of his generation, he held an important and prestigious position. He even dared to look down on the emperor. Neither the emperor nor Prince Changshou could move Xie Qian to sacrifice his wife, relinquish his dignity as a man, or push his wife to another man. Moreover, when his subordinate met Wang Huiyun, news of Xie Qians death had been spreading for three of four years already. There was a big mystery involved here. Yang Jian had warned his subordinate multiple times before. Unfortunately, this man had stubbornly insisted to act on his will. When his stubborn character surfaced, no one could hold him back. This is complete nonsense. If you continue to malign my teacher, I will make you pay with your blood! Li Yun raged until both his cheeks turned crimson. Both his pupils were surrounded by swollen blood vessels, his fury on the verge of bursting. Hmph, do you think Im afraid of you? Let alone you, a youngster. Even if Xie Qian comes, I will spit at him and finish him off immediately. Thus, Li Yun taught this foul-mouthed man a lesson. He pierced his enemys right arm with his spear until a blood-filled hole emerged. The man wasnt paralyzed. But now that the alliance was at hand, how could he take the time to heal? Li Yuns actions had caused Yang Jians camp to lose a great general. Yang Jian showed no expression, but the people under him were unwillingly to let it go. Since theyd insisted on picking a fight, Dian Yan would not allow Li Yun to suffer any losses. Therefore, theyd reached the drill grounds as they continued their fight. Honest and Loyal Ye Buxiu: Wow, wow, wow, wow this is a father and son solo match. Whoever loses will call the victorious one father. Gift of Gab Zhou Zejie: Streamer, why dont you attempt to fight in the next round? You could adopt 8 to 10 sons for free. Jiang Pengji rarely fought anyone alone. Usually, others would attack her in a group. She often fought many at once. As she watched these viewers from the live streaming room encouraging her to head to the drill grounds and engage someone in a fight, she couldnt help but laugh. Streamer V: Father and son fight? If I had such an imbecile for a son, I would be the first father to kill his son. What a waste of my genes! As soon as she posted this on the bullet screen, many other comments appeared. Jidan Chao Daoxiao: This is the highest form of insult Ive heard. If anyone desires to abandon their present responsibilities, tell them directly that Laoniang doesnt despise you for your lack of money. Its not because you have no house, no job, and no savings It is solely because your genes are inferior. Im afraid that it will affect the quality of my descendants. The streamers words are so malicious and harsh, but I just love her personality! My Goddess: Hey, hey, can I request an ovum from the streamer that can be used to change the next generation? I assure you that I will not touch it. Lan Maoling: Arent you afraid the streamer will smash your bones with one kick? Ask away if you wish! Luodi Huashengtang: Hahaha why would she stop with breaking your bones? Shed certainly shatter your bones from your knees to your skull. One could not help but admit that Jiang Pengji spoke harshly. Her viewers were sharp-tongued too! In such a big space, there were all kinds of people. Thus, a big live streaming room was also composed of different people. Jiang Pengji never read these dirty words. Sometimes there were divisive words in the chat room, but theyd be instantly drowned out by the other viewers comments. Compared to what was going on in Jiang Pengjis bullet screen, the audience seemed more interested in the situation at the drill grounds. Chapter 694 - The Lord Who Protects Her Own (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio On the bullet screen, commentary about these new characters zipped by. Zuiwo Shachang Junmoxiao: Who is that guy fighting with the angelic Hanmei? He looks so ugly, what a disgraceful sight! Danqiu Yishui Yebuxiu: How is this a disgraceful sight? Obviously, he is a handsome, mature uncle. Just look at the muscular physique he possesses, the beauty of his skin tone, even the angle at which his Adams apple moves Its so sexy The one who judged him as a distasteful sight, a humiliation to society, state your address now and I will send you a razor blade. The one who dares to bare his chest in winter is a true man! Likewise, Jiang Pengji directed her sights at Li Yuns opponent. Feng Zhen, who stood beside her, said, Thats Yang Jian. So, thats Yang Juan. The people refer to him as the general with the beautiful beard. They praise his beard for its length and manliness I cannot see how it is beautiful. She could not understand such a form of beauty. The beard, from her perspective, was no different from armpit hair. They were just another kind of thick hair that emerged from ones body. Feng Zhen had no clue what was running through her mind. He commented, The rumors are true indeed. Those on Yang Jians side refused to bully their opponent by taking turns at fighting to wear him down. They allowed Dian Yan and Li Yun to take turns attacking them. Eventually, they were defeated. Dian Yan had a rough and boorish face, tall stature, and exceptional strength and vigor. With his strength, he overcame their tactics, causing Yang Jians side to suffer a slap in the face. Nevertheless, Dian Yans weakness was also evident. His body was not agile enough, his moves were too rigid. They were exaggerated movements with many weak points. When faced with an experienced, knowledgeable general, he suffered many hidden disadvantages. Li Yun was not so. Under Xie Qians tutelage, his physique was naturally gifted and strong. He was also hardworking and hungered to learn. For over 20 years, he practiced tirelessly day and night. Finally, he mastered the exquisite art of spear fighting. His martial art skills were a notch above those of the average man. If not for his youth and inexperience, none of the people present would have put him at a disadvantage. He joined forces with Dian Yan, causing Yang Jians side to lose face. Originally, Yang Jian had intended to stand by and watch, allowing them to resolve the disputes themselves, but now he could not sit still. He had to be personally involved to redeem some of his dignity. Otherwise, if the news that his subordinates were incompetent weaklings spread, that they had been defeated terribly by two young men, his reputation would be damaged and the morale of his generals and troops would be devastatingly affected. They were now in the dead of winter, but Yang Jian was unaffected by the cold. He took off his clothes to reveal his muscular and buff body. His chest and back were covered with battle scars inflicted years ago, their locations deadly. Just looking at them stirred up imaginations of scenarios where ones life was on the brink of death. County Military Chief Yang, Im sorry for any offense caused. Li Yun cupped his hands, removing all distractions from his mind and concentrating as he countered his opponents moves. He didnt notice his lord standing amid the crowd watching. Yang Jian appeared peaceable. He showed no intention of attacking, but Li Yun did not let his guard down. I value youngsters like you who dare to make a breakthrough, fight, and are filled with courage. It is good. You do not have to mind my age, just give it your best. Since you mentioned that your spear techniques were taught by your master, let me witness how much youve mastered Xie Qians skill set. This isnt a life and death battle; we will stop when a victor is determined. Li Yun fought with his spear while Yang Jian wielded his broadsword. This broadsword was customized. The body of the sword was broad and long, the blade sharp beyond measure. It glistened with chilling, white light. The length of a weapon determines its might. Judging solely on their weapons, Li Yun had an advantage over him. Nonetheless, the second they exchanged blows, Jiang Pengji could already foresee the outcome. She sounded troubled as she said, Hanmei has met with a difficult opponent. Feng Zhen asked, Does my lord perceive that Hanmei will lose? Not only will he lose, but he will also be humiliatingly defeated. Jiang Pengji added, Both not only differ in experience but the entire fight is controlled by Yang Jian. He could bring him to his downfall easily. Although Yang Jian is a generation above Hanmei, his physique is still at its peak performance. Hanmeis spear skillset is superior, the angle he attacks from is accurate and nimble, his strength is enough to pierce through a tigers mouth, but in Yang Jians eyes, these are insignificant. His might is lacking. Feng Zhens sword fighting skills had come to a standstill at a novice level, how could he judge the fight accurately? He only saw that Li Yuns moves were faster than Yang Jians and that his weapon longer than his opponents. Therefore, he concluded that it gave him an advantage. Jiang Pengji read his expression and asked him, Do you think Yang Jians speed is slow? Just as her voice faded, Yang Jian, who seemingly appeared to be overpowered, suddenly emerged and went in for the kill. Not only did he evade Li Yuns long spear, he even used the shaft of his sword to strike Li Yuns hands, causing the long spear to fall. At the same time, he used the back of his sword to press against Li Yuns neck. With lightning-quick speed and extraordinary strength, he could expend and retract as he wished. He stopped just in time. It was an emotional roller-coaster to those who watched. No matter how fast one is, if their adversary is neither subdued nor killed, everything is only for show. Yang Jian appeared to be at a disadvantage, but in truth, he was biding his time to watch for Hanmeis weakness. He did not need to be fast, he only needed to ensure that his killer move against Hanmei would be faster than Hanmeis speed at evading. That will seal his victory. On the other end, Li Yun was so terrified that he broke out in a cold sweat. Even though Yang Jian had no intention to kill him, a false image passed through Li Yuns mind of the King of Hades passing a death judgment on him. If Yang Jian wished to do so, Li Yuns head would be cut off and he would lose his life in that instant. Thank you, County Military Chief Yang, for the pointers. Yang Jian put his broadsword back into his sheath, then peacefully encouraged him, It isnt a bad thing to be hot-blooded in ones youth, but to hunger after learning and working hard is the better way. I was victorious against you only because I had an advantage with my experience. In any case, your martial art skills surpass those of my useless son. He is still incompetent, while you are already a renowned general I am envious that Xie Qians son for growing to be a fine young man. Theres no room for comparison. In that match just now, although it was a fight, it was a lesson being taught. Li Yun was the one receiving his education. Li Yun was embarrassed. After he calmed down, he sensed that both Dian Yan and himself had overstepped their boundaries and humiliated themselves excessively. Since it was a personal affair, they should not have made it an official matter, thereby souring the relationship between the two powers. Hanmei. As he contemplated this, a familiar voice sounded from amid the crowd. Suddenly, his scalp went numb. With disbelief, he turned his head to look at the speaker. Hanmei greets my lord! He and Dian Yan immediately paid their respects. Their hearts felt increasingly diffident. Who had invited the lord over? Rise. Having finished talking, Jiang Pengji looked towards General Meiran and Yang Jian. Your junior is the magistrate of Xiangyang District. I humbly greet County Military Chief Yang. Feng Zhen secretly made his way over to Li Yun and Dian Yan, smiling cheekily. I was afraid that youd be at a disadvantage, so I got the lord to come. Li Yun and Dian Yan understood that he was conveying the message, You are out to cause our deaths, we are finished. If the lord found out that they fought with Yang Jians troops over personal matters and almost caused the relationship on both sides to be affected, she would hold them accountable after spring passed. Yang Jian turned to look at Jiang Pengji, remarking, So, this is Liu Zhongqings son. Indeed, he is a young talent blessed with good looks. Having finished his speech, he used his palms to strike Jiang Pengjis shoulders thrice. It was intended as a test. With the first strike, he restrained his force. Jiang Pengji appeared unaffected. Yang Jian felt challenged, so he increased the strength of his strikes in his second and third attempts. If it were an average persons body, one might not be able to stand steadily when enduring such strikes. Jiang Pengjis facial expression remained unchanged throughout the strikes. Her smile was bashful. It was obvious that she was putting great emphasis on acting lovable. After Yang Jian tested her, his heart sank. He took the initiative to remove the label of frail scholar from Jiang Pengji. Chapter 695 - : The Lord Who Protects Her Own (V) Does County Military Chief Yang know my father? We are both officials, of course we know each other. Back in the day, your father governed Hu County. The district of Hu County sits on the borders of Zhangzhous eastern gate. We were plagued with countless famines. With thick-skin, we approached your father to borrow rations on several occasions. Thats how we were able to overcome a potential danger and allow our people to live in peace. It seemed like there was no enmity between Yang Jian and Liu She. The former even owed the latter a favor. Since that was the case, it would be easier to get things settled. If she wanted a chance to poach Yang Jians centurion, the other party shouldnt be offended. After a brief catch up, Yang Jian glanced at Li Yun and Dian Yan, then asked, Are they both your subordinates? Jiang Pengji initiated the apology and accorded him respect. Your junior has failed in governing my subordinates in such a way that Hanmei and the rest have offended the county military chief. I will return and discipline them harshly. Yang Jian also knew these were situational words. She spoke of harsh discipline, but at most, itd just be a brief scolding. Dont blame them, both of them are outstanding men, youths worthy of admiration. My troops are to be blamed for causing the dispute. If not for that man provoking Hanmei with malicious words, neither side would have fought at the drill grounds. As he finished his speech, he shouted at the crowd. A bound up, middle-aged man approached. Hed lost a lot of blood and his face was pale white. This matter is your fault. Apologize to Magistrate Liu immediately. The middle-aged man did not make things difficult. He cupped his hands with respect and offered his sincere apologies. Before this point, Jiang Pengji hadnt been in the position to continue speaking. This matter would just have to be put aside. However Just now, I saw the county military chief giving Hanmei pointers on his martial art skills. I wonder if I could have the honor of receiving pointers from the county military chief as well? Jiang Pengjis principle was very simple Stand up where you fall. Wherever one suffered a loss, that is where they must regain a victory. One must demand the reputation he lost from whom he lost it to. Although Yang Jian wasnt at fault, his troops were the ones who had started the fight and provoked Hanmei with malicious statements. Despite this, Yang Jian had still taught Hanmei a lesson. Since this was the case, it was right for her to step up to teach Yang Jian how to act humanely. The viewers in the live streaming room were in an uproar. The bullet screen was filled with comments which could be scrolled from one end of the screen to the other. Muxuanying Marry Me: I observe that you overflow with heroism. Do you dare to battle with me? Moyu is on my bed: With such beautiful scenery, why dont we battle it out to ease our frustrations? Xieyuan is Love: After one minute, Yang Jian appeared wronged and pitiful. I was sipping my cup of tea just now Hed wanted to reject her initially, but he recalled Jiang Pengjis performance and his interest was piqued. Why not? Jiang Pengji said bashfully, Your juniors skill set is unimpressive. Since I do not wish to embarrass myself in public, can we find a secluded location? Yang Jian was not suspicious. The youngsters pride deserved to be protected. What would happen if it shattered and could not be pieced together again? In the end She did not choose any weapons, deciding to fight with her fists. Naturally, it didnt sit well with Yang Jian to take advantage of the situation. Nonetheless, he quickly realized it was a big mistake! Yang Jian did not understand how a seemingly thin and weak body could muster such powerful strength. Although he didnt feel hopeless when facing her, her strength was indeed frighteningly powerful. Yang Jian could only defend himself and attempt to identify her weakness. Nonetheless, Jiang Pengji wasnt a novice like Li Yun, she was a seasoned fighter. It appeared like she had a weakness at every move, but truthfully they were all opportunities to kill. Yang Jian had initially thought there was a chance to beat her, but that nearly cost his arm. He jumped away and evaded her strikes, increasing the distance between them. With lingering fear in his voice, he commented, What an ingenious strategy to boast of your weakness and cause your opponent to let his guard down before attacking him. You are truly your fathers son. What an utter embarrassment. The county military chief is too kind with his compliments. Jiang Pengjis facial expression remained unchanged. She used her hand as a sword as she attempted to break apart Yang Jians face. His heart sank as he raised his hand to block her wrist, readjusting his center of gravity simultaneously. He squatted to evade her attacks as she aimed her palm towards his face and swept across it. With your competent martial art skills, is there a need for pointers? Not only did he not find an opportunity to strike, but he was also trashed by Jiang Pengji. Her palm strikes were so intense that it seemed like an invisible shadow. The sight made him break out in a cold sweat. Certainly your advice must be sought, but it isnt your junior who seeks advice from the county military chief. Regardless, Hanmei is your juniors subordinate, so hitting him is akin to hitting me. Jiang Pengji did not choose to exchange blows with him in public. As long as she achieved her purpose to win back her reputation, she would be satisfied. Yang Jian could claim the empty title for all she cared. The county military chief could assume that your junior is being childish and mischievous. Please dont be so calculative with me. Surely, the county military chief can understand that, right? Yang Jian laughed bitterly in his heart. Faced with Jiang Pengjis offensive moves that were intense and swift, he could only gradually retreat in defeat. Luckily, Jiang Pengji did not go overboard. His injuries were in unseen places. She also avoided attacking his face. What appalled him most wasnt her speed or martial art techniques, rather, it was her acumen and experience. She didnt seem like a pampered Langjun from an aristocratic family, she seemed more like someone who had crawled out from the depths of hell. Even Yang Jian, who had accumulated more than 10 years of experience, had survived thousands of battles before attaining his level of fighting abilities. Countless thoughts filled his mind. Yang Jian lost his focus and revealed his weakness. She forced him to a dead end. Her right hand was claw-like as it wrapped around his neck, her left hand restraining his arms to his back. Then, she commanded her strength to force him to the ground. All her moves flowed smoothly. By the time Yang Jian realized what had happened, all was lost. He had no chance of victory and was only left to admit defeat. That is enough I cannot overpower these youngsters Jiang Pengji released her grasp and helped him up. Thank you, county military chief for showing mercy. Jiang Pengji said these words to admit defeat with dignity. Yang Jian knew she was saving his face, but he was displeased in his heart. Despite this, he still had enough tolerance not to fault Jiang Pengji for this. You are like your father; both are cunning like foxes. Your father is cunning with his speech while you do not spare anyone with your fists. Yang Jian did not reveal that during the famine at the eastern gate county, although Liu She had offered to lend his rations, the interest hed demanded was ridiculously high. It could not be compared to high-interest loans, but it had opened Yang Jians eyes to the manipulative literates and evil schemes of businessmen who were hypocritical and murderous. Once again, he witnessed acts of violence from Liu Shes son who was skilled in martial arts. Your junior is embarrassed. At this alliance meeting, even your father dares not converse with me, yet you have impulsively done so. Luckily, on the surface, it looks like were talking on bad terms and it will not be detrimental for you. During this period, its important to keep our distance and control ourselves as much as we can. I do not wish for our association to affect you or your father. For Yang Jian to hold the position of county military general, besides his background and talents, he couldnt have achieved it without Prince Changshous recognition. In other words, from the outsiders point of view, he stood on Prince Changshous side. Yet now that he had joined the alliance army, one must not be associated with him. She did not reject the fact hypocritically. Instead, she readily accepted it. Oh yes, your junior has a private matter to discuss with the county military chief. Yang Jian asked, Whats the matter? How long have you known my father and Hanmeis father, Xie Qian? Yang Jian and Liu She have mingled for years in official settings, but his relationship with Xie Qian was mostly personal. We crossed paths in our youth, why do you ask? She crossed her arms over her chest. It was intriguing to behold her expression. There were some matters she wished to investigate further. Even though Qiguan Rang has already gotten an answer from Wei Yuan, Jiang Pengji needed to do a thorough investigation. But now was not the right time to ask. When she thought of this, Jiang Pengjis attention was diverted. She accidentally began this conversation. Chapter 696 - The Lord Who Protects Her Own (VI) Ive heard from Zi Shi that Hanmei and the county military chiefs troops were embroiled in a conflict. I believe it started because your soldier mistook Hanmei for Xie Qian? He felt abashed as he confessed, vaguely stating the reason behind it all. She said bluntly, However your junior heard from my father that Aunty Xie died from hemorrhage during childbirth. Yang Jian replied sternly, How can a junior like you be familiar with the previous generations gratitude and disputes? Neither did he believe that Xie Qian was such a person. How could he seek glory at the expense of selling out his wife? When Wang Huiyun had entered the former emperors harem, Xie Qian had been dead for one year, his body decomposed until only his bones were left. A widow who remarried, who could stop her? How could Xie Qian, who had already been dead for one year, reappear to force his wife on the emperor? Wasnt that ridiculous? But Li Yuns appearance proved that Xie Qian had not died. In the last 20 years, hed roamed and wandered around, causing him to waver in his beliefs. Jiang Pengji said, Your junior once heard my nanny telling me a bedtime story. She said the earth has souls with none to depend on, they exist as lonely souls floating in the abyss. Their hearts were filled with vileness and they were jealous of those alive. They missed the flourishing human realm, thus they would often lay in wait beside those about to pass on. They seized the opportunity in the split second when the dying person hovered between life and death to possess their body and escape into the mortal realm This story is far from reality, but both Buddhism and Taoism believe that humans have souls How does the county military chief feel about this? Yang Jian listened until his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. These are but ridiculous stories full of evil beings. This is indeed an intriguing story, but had you heard the news before Aunty Xie delivering her child? How did the world judge her? From what your junior knows, she and my late mother were given the title of Langyas dual pearls. They possessed outstanding talent and intelligence, their beauty was exceptional, and they were the best spouses in the world they could remember everything they saw, even if it was the classics and historical annals, they knew them by heart The Wang Huiyun that Jiang Pengji knew was partially investigated information and the rest had been told to her by Liu She. She was such an exceptionally intelligent woman. If Xie Qian had any evil intentions, would the county military general perceive her to be following her husbands biding or seeking help from her maiden family? The Xies from Qiongning were indeed intimidating, but were the Wangs from Langya pushovers? Wang Huiyun was considered Langya Wangs familys most outstanding, noble lady. She was their pride, the face they showed off to the world. In the end? The daughter of the Wang family had given herself to the ruthless former emperor, then shed offered herself upon the emperors bed, eventually acting in cahoots with Prince Changshou. The three brothers of the imperial family, she had slept with them all. Werent her sexual urges too demanding? Even if Xie Qian did not care about his reputation, and Wang Huiyun was willing to give it all up, the Wang family of Langya wouldnt sit back and do nothing. It is impossible for someone to change their personality suddenly. Aunty Xie did not experience any setbacks except for childbirth. The midwife attested that she had a hemorrhage after she gave birth. There was no way she could be revived. Except she did not die, she awoke with a different personality and temperament Xie Qian suspected some devil was involved, but unfortunately, the other party discovered it and secretly inflicted harm on him I heard these details from my father Yang Jian knitted his brows. Based on her explanation, except for some mysterious forces, logic could not explain this. Why are you telling me this? Jiang Pengjis eyes turned stern. Hanmei also deeply respects his teacher. He loves his teachers wife who he has never seen. Because Xie Qian has never clarified this matter, solely based on what my father said, Hanmei isnt certain of his blood relationship to Xie Qian. Nevertheless, his teacher will always be a teacher. He is indebted to his teacher as a father, even if he was only a disciple for one day. There is no difference. Regardless of what the truth is, Xie Qians and Wang Huiyuns reputations are utterly irredeemable and Hanmei wont be pleased. Your junior is of lowly status and cannot help Hanmei much I am telling the county military chief this in hopes that you will control your subordinates mouths before the truth is revealed or before we ascertain it from Xie Qian himself. Dont let them blow this out of proportion based on rumors! Only she could discipline those under her. It was alright if outsiders told them off, but bullying her people was not allowed. Yang Jian understood. He did not mind Jiang Pengjis rude behavior. Both left that secluded area. Li Yun and the rest, including Yang Jians troops, waited outside anxiously. When they saw the two men appear, the crowd moved towards them immediately. Please go back, I will visit another time to seek advice from the county military chief. She did not appear joyous, and she wasnt downcast, but she looked rather disappointed. Perhaps shed suffered a setback. On the road back, Li Yun and Dian Yan obediently followed behind with lowered heads, one big and one small, like kids who had done something naughty. The matter is settled. Next time, minimize interactions with those on County Military Chief Yangs side. Yang Jian himself had spoken. Jiang Pengji would not bring trouble to herself. Yes, we will follow our lords orders. Feng Zhen sensed the depressing atmosphere and coughed twice. My lord, I sounded the man out. After some hesitation, he has agreed. Jiang Pengji didnt respond. Speaking of which, shed joined the crowd to watch Yang Jian teach Li Yun a lesson, then pulled Yang Jian aside to duel with him. How long had it been since then? How had Feng Zhen, this fellow, spotted their target and mingled with him? Moreover, how had he even managed to convince him to change loyalties? Jiang Pengji also admired Feng Zhen. She lowered her voice on purpose to say, I am still wrapping my head around how to possess Wanzhou, but you are already thinking of how to conquer the rivers. Preparations should be made in advance to prevent any untoward situation, Feng Zhen remarked shamelessly. As their technology to construct ships was outdated, if they engaged in water combat and encountered troops adept at water battles, they were most likely going to be at a disadvantage. A large proportion of Dongqings land was inland. There were also areas accessible via rivers. If their future enemies took a risk by attacking them from the rivers, how would they fight in that kind of battle? Rather than make last-minute preparations, it was better to prepare in advance. It wasnt easy for Feng Zhen to meet a genius at water combat. Theyd need a plan to kidnap him over to their side unless they were willing to risk another talent scout discovering this prodigy. Its true Preparing before disaster strikes is indeed a good practice. She recalled Dongqings Great Universal Geographical Map. If she coveted the territory of Cangzhou, which belonged to the Meng family, she would have to face the potential dangers of water combat. Cangzhous terrain was unique, something that a militant would surely vie for. It was easy to defend but tumultuous to attack. If they retreated, they had a natural stronghold to depend on. If they chose to attack, they could make use of the complicated rivers and water bodies. Itd be difficult for an average army to overcome them. Moreover, this was the location that linked Dongqing and the other two counties. It was the key location in the country. There were three natural strongholds, Hanchang Mountain Pass, Zhanjiang Mountain Pass, and Yumen Mountain Pass. If she intended to expand the territory outwards, to get a share of lands from other counties, Cangzhou could not be avoided. If they started training their troops for water combat now, they could put them to use in the future. A non-swimmer in water was inferior to an incompetent soldier on land. A mere 3,000 elite troops adept at water combat could exterminate an enemy force with 10 times their number! If that is so, does my lord have a reward for me? Of course I will reward you. Lets make things clear, there are no wines and beauties here Speak up, what would you like as a reward? Feng Zhen didnt answer immediately. He thought to himself, My lord, there is a strong scent of alcohol emitting from your body, yet you claim to drink no wine. You must have drunk it all yourself. After a while, he opened his mouth sullenly. I havent thought through it. Leave it here first. She laughed involuntarily; Feng Zhens aggrieved expression was so entertaining. The talent Feng Zhen poached did not follow them over. Jiang Pengji didnt even know how that man looked. Yang Jian was depressed about his defeat, yet a group of his troops thought he was the victor. That almost caused him to suffer internal injuries. Chapter 697 - The Lord Would Not Return the Man She Borrowed (I) He wanted to spend some time alone in silence and lick his wounds. Yang Jians only son, Yang Tao, who was 22 years old, entered the tent. Yang Tao was born to his wedded wife, who had died of illness shortly after giving birth to him. Over the years, the concubines he kept had birthed him many daughters but no sons, so Yang Jian remained his only son. He treasured his son deeply in his heart, but he acted like a strict father. Is something the matter? he asked. His sons expression seemed conflicted. Father, just now, Liu Xi sent a messenger over asking to borrow a man from us. Yang Jian asked with suspicion, Who is it that he wants to borrow? Yang Tao said, The man that Liu Xi wants to borrow is a centurion. Why does he want to borrow the man? A centurion was not like an insignificant soldier who was no more valuable than a sesame seed or a green bean. Yang Jian only had 50,000 men under him, so a centurion was a fairly precious commodity. Yang Tao stuttered as he looked at his father, a hesitant look on his rather child-like face. Spit it out, how can a man be so poky? Yang Jian raised his voice abruptly, frightening Yang Tao so much that he hurriedly said, Forgive me, father. Liu Xi thinks that the man looks uniquely ugly and wants to borrow him to take a good look at him. Uniquely ugly? How ugly could he be? Yang Jian didnt believe in the slightest that Jiang Pengji was one to fool around wilfully. She must have her reasons for asking to borrow the man. He furrowed his brows and lifted a hand, ordering that the centurion be brought over. Upon taking a look at him, even Yang Jian, who certainly wasnt obsessed with looks, felt somewhat repulsed. He felt that the man was an eyesore. The centurion was slightly shorter than an average man. His right leg had suffered from past injuries, which was obvious when he walked more than a few steps. Furthermore, he was indeed ugly. His brows were far apart, one higher than the other. His eyes were long, narrow, and sunken. The bridge of his nose seemed to collapse inwards. On both sides of his nose, countless specks of freckles grew. His lips were thick and dark, and his neck was of a different proportion from a normal person. His shoulders appeared sunken. He lacked vigor, and his arms were different in length Recalling the comment about the man being uniquely ugly, Yang Jian frowned and seemed somewhat unhappy. Men like Yang Jian, with good looks and tall and sturdy builds, generally had a faint dislike for the ugly. Since that was the case, why had Liu Shes son asked to borrow this man from him? Do you know Liu Xi, the district magistrate of Xiangyang District? Yang Jian examined the mans looks in detail and found flaws everywhere. The man stood straight, his hands at his sides. His eyes downcast, he replied in a low voice, I do not know him, but I have heard of him. The mans voice was hoarse. It was not the husky type, but raspy as if he had lost his voice. It sounded harsh to the ears. Yang Jian grew even more dissatisfied with the man and lost the desire to investigate the background of the man, for his face ruined his mood. He said straightforwardly, Magistrate Liu feels that your looks are unique, and he asked me to lend you to him for a few days. Are you agreeable to going over? The inquiry was merely out of courtesy, and the man naturally wouldnt refuse. However, Yang Jian was a calculative man as well, and he indirectly increased the mans sense of enmity towards Jiang Pengji. I am willing to go over, the man replied. Then go and serve Magistrate Liu well. Yang Jian sent the man away while Yang Tao watched on quietly, a troubled look on his face. Hed wanted to speak up for a few times, but Yang Jian asked him about his school work and his progress in the martial arts, so Yang Tao could only swallow the words on the tip of his tongue back down. After finally having dealt with Yang Jian, Yang Tao returned to his tent in a bad mood. Soon, a nobleman of similar age entered. The young nobleman looked at Yang Tao, amused. Whats the matter, why do you look moody? His eyes were like a clear spring, containing deep, enrapturing wisdom. A scholarly aura of elegance and culture surrounded him. Yang Tao lifted his head and looked at his friend with some fear. After a while, he looked down again, mentally preparing himself for a good while. Uhm theres something Dont be angry when I say it Yang Tao wore a slight fawning expression. Whats the matter? The young man was as mild-mannered as ever. Didnt you think quite highly of a centurion in charge of training the troops? Yang Tao stuttered. Mhmm, I remember. Whats going on with him? Someone borrowed him away Yang Tao cowered slightly after finishing his words. He didnt hear any response for a good while. He discreetly opened his eyes and saw that his friend was still maintaining his proper sitting position. He wasnt raging but His initial half-smiling expression had disappeared, replaced by a solemn expression, like a deep pool of water. Borrowed? By whom? the young man asked. Yang Tao said, The district magistrate of Xiangyang District, Liu Xi. He said that the man was uniquely ugly and he wanted to take a look at him. The young man curled his lips and laughed coldly, throwing the book in his hand to the ground. While it didnt make too loud of a sound, his imposing manner was so intense that it made it difficult to breathe. Borrow? Hah! Im afraid that he will never be returned. Yang Tao sat meekly where he was, looking like an obedient student waiting to be criticized. The young man didnt know whether to laugh or to cry. Elaborate in detail on what happened then. Yang Tao obviously didnt dare to hide anything from him and spilled everything out, not even leaving out the part about the change in his dads expression. Did uncle mention the reason Liu Xi borrowed him? the young man asked him. Yes, he did. The young man mumbled, Hah, I hope that it will become a thorn in his heart so that he wont take Liu Xis side. Yang Tao asked in puzzlement, I really dont know, why did Liu Xi borrow him away? Simply because he is ugly looking? The young man suppressed the urge to hide his face in his palms. How could Liu Xi possibly want to see how ugly a person can be? Clearly, its because he wants to start training his marine force! Train his marine force? Yang Tao was shocked. He asked carefully, Why does Liu Xi want to train his marine force? The young man asked in return, Then why else would Liu Xi want to borrow him, in your opinion? Was it really because the other party was uniquely ugly? Such an excuse could only be used to fool 3-year-olds, not him. If he really wants to train his marine troops, his ambitions must be Perhaps you are overthinking After all, regardless of what perspective one was to look at it from, the conjecture made by the young man was too shocking. Liu Xis territory was in the north of Dongqing. Most of it consisted of valleys and hills. There werent many rivers, and there were definitely no opportunities for large-scale battles in the waters. What difference was there between training marine troops and fetching water with a basket weaved from bamboo? But the young man didnt think so. Liu Xi and his father are low-key, to the extent that most forget about them. If you pay close attention, it is not difficult to discover the duos wild ambitions. Asking us for a man talented in training marine troops at this time is an obvious indication of wild ambition! Yang Tao said, troubled, Even if what you are saying is true, Liu Xi can still think of other ways to do that besides borrowing people from us. The young mans gaze had traces of pity within it as he looked at Yang Tao as if he was looking at an idiot. The key problem wasnt about how big the ambitions Liu Xi harbored were, it was that the talent under them had been stolen away! Liu Xi might get addicted to stealing their men and continue targeting them the next time they needed something! Yang Jian didnt have a huge fortune to begin with. If it was handed to the completely naive Yang Tao, he might not even notice when his subordinates were lured away to join other forces. With such a childhood friend, he felt weary. Yang Tao also realized that he had said the wrong thing and asked him in a low voice, How about I try to ask Liu Xi to return him? The young mans gaze became even more desperate. How could his good friend possibly make such a dumb suggestion? Get him to come back? If Yang Tao dared to go after the man, Yang Jian would be the first to beat him up and break his legs. Nevermind, nevermind, its just a man of talent. We have plenty of men skilled in marine battles in our army, theres no need to dwell over the loss of one. The young man could only console himself this way. Chapter 698 - The Lord Would Not Return the Man She Borrowed (II) Meanwhile, the uniquely ugly centurion quietly followed the soldier leading him and said nothing along the way. Taking into account that the centurion had difficulties moving around, the soldier kept his pace slow. The gesture showed unspoken consideration. After a while, the bronze-skinned cheeks of the centurion grew slightly hot. He thanked the soldier in a low, muffled voice. Mr. Feng specially ordered me to do so, it is not for me to take credit, the soldier replied in a business-like tone. During winter, one should walk faster so that the body can generate heat and defend one from the cold. However, to match the centurions pace, the soldier leading the way dared not complain. Bearing with the cold, he escorted him to the generals tent. He looked down, his hands by his side. Go in, the lord and Mr. Feng are already waiting for you inside. Dont let them wait too long. Thank you very much. The centurion put his hands together in a salute, then carefully walked into the tent. As he lifted the tent flap, he was greeted by a warm gust of air carrying the light fragrance of pear blossoms. It instantly dispelled the cold air surrounding him. The generals tent had been tidied up carefully. A layer of soft animal fur mat covered the ground. A small delicate incense burner was placed in the middle. It finally looked like a tent fit for a general. I, Qi Kuang, greet you humbly, Magistrate Liu. The centurion suffered from leg impairments and couldnt kneel properly, but one could see that his attitude was serious and he definitely wasnt just going through the motions. There were two other people in the tent. A young man sat properly on the lords seat. He appeared to be a few years younger than Yang Tao, the eldest leader Langjun Qi Kuang had served, and his eyes had vigor in them. The other person was Feng Zhen, the advisor who had roped him in. As compared to Jiang Pengji, who was sitting properly, Feng Zhen seemed as if he was frail and had no bones in his body. He leaned against the table as if his own body could not support him. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he cast his gaze upon Qi Kuang, the centurion. My lord, this is the talented man I mentioned before. Jiang Pengji acknowledged his words and said to Qi Kuang, You may rise. The weather is cold at the moment, and the ground is chilly, kneeling for too long is detrimental to your legs. Qi Kuang the centurion rose. He kept his arms straight on either side of his body and lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the incense burner made of bronze near Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji asked Qi Kuang, Do you know the reason I brought you here? With a calm expression, Qi Kuang replied, The captain told me, Magistrate Liu. He said that you find my looks unique, and thus borrowed me from him to take a good look. Hearing the reply, Jiang Pengji frowned discreetly. Anyone who saw how Qi Kuang looked could understand how much cruel mockery was contained in the words unique looks. Yang Jian was indeed not a simple person to deal with, and he knew how to encourage others to harbor a sense of enmity towards her. Even if he didnt know that Jiang Pengji was not borrowing his subordinate, but roping the latter over to her side, Yang Jian remained wary and had dug her a trap. However, fundamentally, it was still the fault of Feng Zhen, that prodigal. What a terrible excuse the fella had come up with, how could there possibly be people who executed their tasks like this? But as a lord, she had to take the blame for her princess-like advisors wrongdoing. Tsk How annoying. It is just an excuse. That doesnt count. Do you know my true intentions? She looked at Qi Kuang, half-smiling. Her master skill, the craft of bamboozlement, had entered the countdown stage. She was prepared to use it anytime. Qi Kuang was surprised. His expression finally changed, showing traces of cautiousness. I know. Jiang Pengji was still in the livestreaming state. The audience of the livestream knew that Jiang Pengji was going to recruit a new worker and all stayed, unwilling to leave. Based on their understanding of Jiang Pengji, she was a lord obsessed with looks. The talents she recruited were either handsome boys or handsome men, and even the older ones were handsome elderly men Even if the recruit was not handsome, he was a classy and talented person, and he wouldnt look too bad as long as he tidied himself up. All in all, looks were very important! However, the reality was cruel. Their zeal experienced an unprecedented sneak attack as their hearts were broken. Wei Zixiao the Strong Weightlifter: Streamer, I know that it is wrong to make personal attacks, but I still have to say this Qi Kuangs looks are still very far from the passing mark even after rounding up, are you sure that you want to rope him in? He will pull down the average looks of your whole party! Arent you known as the most good-looking band in the universe? Dont give up and seek treatment Feng Zishi the Moralist: Haha Even though the previous commenters mockery is very mean, I also feel that Ummm, I dont welcome Qi Kuang. The reason is simple, he is too ugly and an eyesore. It would affect the mood of other people working with him. But as the lord with strong power, the streamer definitely cant fool around so wilfully. No matter how hard we object to it, we probably cannot affect the streamers determination. Lets accept reality. Qiguan Rang the Competitive: I knew it. Humans have a similar sense of aesthetics despite us belonging to different dimensions. Its such a cruel, cold, and judgmental world that places so much emphasis on looks. But anyway, wasnt Qi Kuang taken exactly because of his looks? If he looks handsome, how would the streamer have had a chance to rope him in? He would have been roped elsewhere a long time ago. At the moment, they are short on manpower. Its good enough to find someone, lets not be picky! Li Hanmei the Ugly: I can accept anyone beneficial to the streamer, and I dont mind if they look handsome or ugly. Actually, from the viewpoint of a male, I still hope that the overall handsomeness in the livestream could be slightly reduced, with fewer handsome men and more pretty women Really, can you imagine my girlfriend screaming and making various sorts of noise as she holds on to a photo of Li Yun, that boy toy, while were dating? Seeing the series of IDs, Jiang Pengji was holding in her laughter so much that she was almost in pain. The IDs were clearly a result of fans idolizing someone so much that they started to make fun of the person. Especially Feng Zishi the Moralist. It was such a great way to make fun of him! Beside her, Feng Zhen didnt know what was happening. He shifted in discomfort, changing the position he had been sitting in. Jiang Pengji gathered her thoughts and concentrated on her conversation with Qi Kuang. Since you already know that, are you willing to accept the offer? She had always disliked beating around the bush, and the same held when she was recruiting. Ahe would just be direct and upfront about it. It would be good if he was willing to, but if he was unwilling Ermmm, she would think of a way to make him willing. Qi Kuang wore a hesitant expression. He gathered up the courage to lift his head and his gaze met Jiang Pengjis. He immediately looked down again. He secretly clenched his fist, gathering his courage to tell the truth. As far as I know, you dont need to train marine troops at the moment. You would just be keeping a useless person around if you rope me in. Qi Kuang felt that even if he jumped ship, he wouldnt be put in an important position. Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow and thought about it. She said, I dont need marine troops at the moment, but it doesnt mean that I need not train marine troops, and it doesnt mean that I will never use them. A thousand days the country nurtures its soldiers for one days battle. It will be too late by the time I need marine troops. As for keeping a useless guest? I have a big household and a big fortune, why would it matter even if I never get to deploy my marine troops? Qi Kuang was silent for a moment. Jiang Pengji did not rush him. I was born ugly, my legs are impaired, and I look like an eyesore. Do you not mind, Magistrate Liu? Qi Kuang was moved, but he still minded it a little. After all, why had Feng Zhen used uniquely ugly as the excuse to borrow him from Yang Jian? Chapter 699 - The Lord Would Never Return the Man She Borrowed (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Qi Kuang understood that this was the common practice at the moment. Ones family background and looks were the most important things. To become a government official, one would first be judged based on ones family background, then on looks, then on ones capabilities, morals, and talents. The big bosses up there were all obsessed with looks. Qi Kuang was capable, but he wasnt good-looking. Hed only managed to secure the position of centurion after many years of hard work, and he was still an unknown figure. Upon hearing this, Jiang Pengji asked Qi Kuang with surprise, I want to recruit you for your talent, capabilities, and loyalty, of course. What does it have to do with your looks? Amused, she covered her forehead with her palm and looked at Qi Kuang, a determined gaze in her eyes. Whether you are good-looking or ugly doesnt matter to me. After all, isnt that only for your significant other to care about? If you pledge your sword to me, I will be your lord, and you will be my minister. How can the relationship between a lord and his minister be equated to that between a married couple? As your lord, I only need you to train my marine troops well, the rest is unimportant. Surely it isnt true that you could train my marine troops better if you had better looks, right? Having good looks couldnt provide enhancements to the rest of the army. Jiang Pengji wanted to recruit talents, not trophy husbands. Qi Kuang was at a loss for words, but the grudge in his heart had disappeared. After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, Thank you for recognizing my talent, my lord. I will definitely do everything in my power to train a team of elite marine troops for you. Feng Zhen had already convinced Qi Kuang to pledge his sword to their cause, and Jiang Pengji had made it clear that she didnt mind his looks, so it was only natural that Qi Kuang would swear loyalty to her. Since you are determined to do so, I will naturally provide you with all my support. The timing is not suitable right now, as it is inconvenient to allocate men to you. After we get back to Wanzhou, you can go pick 3,000 elites to train as marine reservists. I wont interfere with how you train them or what you need. The greatest taboo regarding the training of troops is a laymans attempt to instruct an expert, so I wont cause you trouble. You only have to remember one thing I want to see the elite troops you promise! Even though Jiang Pengji didnt state it explicitly, Qi Kuang could sense how much authority and freedom she had accorded him. As long as the marine corps was set up, he would be their leader. Even though Qi Kuang had speculated about the various possibilities, he hadnt expected Jiang Pengji to promise him so much. Thank you for your generosity, my lord. Qi Kuang bowed deeply. I definitely wont let you down! And so it was settled. Jiang Pengji, Feng Zhen, and Qi Kuang were all very satisfied. Only the audience of the livestream felt somewhat let down. Because of Qi Kuang, the overall appearance rating of Jiang Pengjis group had been pulled down by several percentage points. After all, wasnt watching good-looking people go about with their lives the main point of watching a livestream? However, the sentiments were not maintained for long before their impressions of Qi Kuang improved significantly. Although Qi Kuang was unattractive, hed been deeply influenced by his family, which was skilled in marine matters. His family had been dealing with water for countless generations. The first few generations had been fishermen who lived by the river. When it came to his grandfather and father, theyd become marine soldiers, dealing with the pirates rampaging along the river all year long. Having grown up in such a family, Qi Kuang had a much stronger foundation in the water than other people. Full of confidence, he pledged his sword to Yang Jian, wanting to achieve his ambitions and make his family proud, like a youngster freshly graduated from university. He was full of passion, but he ran into obstacles in reality. As his looks were lacking and his body was crippled, despite working under Yang Jian for seven years, following the latter into hundreds of marine battles and narrowly escaping death more than ten times, he was still only a centurion. However, he didnt feel defeated. He delved into his area of expertise and learned with greater diligence, even though his personality was not as passionate as it had been before. Now that Jiang Pengji had promised him very high authority, Qi Kuang felt the passion in his blood that had remained cool and silent for a long time warming up and boiling once more. Qi Kuang told them many things about his experience, the way he trained marine troops, and his insights. He also used the battles he had personally experienced as examples. He provided sufficient justifications and was not merely being an armchair strategist. Jiang Pengji listened very intently. Qi Kuangs education level was sufficient enough that he was able to write and read. He hadnt pursued his studies further, so he couldnt write well. He could control the pace of his stories very well, and his logic was strong. The blandest examples sounded interesting when he narrated them. Jiang Pengji was very satisfied with the future leader of her marine corps, at least at this preliminary stage. At the same time, Qi Kuang also rated his new lord 5 stars. At first, he thought that Jiang Pengji lacked the relevant knowledge. He was surprised to find out that not only did she possess the knowledge, but she could also address the core issues directly. All the questions she asked were sharp. As the conversation went more and more in-depth, the audience of the livestream was won over by Qi Kuang. Posting Many New Chapters at the Cost of My Liver: People who treat their work seriously are the most handsome. Qi Kuang is not good-looking, but he has quite an attractive aura when he is serious. Please Give Me Monthly Tickets: I agree with the comment above. Looks are given by ones parents, and one has no choice in the matter. Ugly people have human rights too. Please Give Me Recommendation Tickets: Even though I am obsessed with looks too, we shouldnt casually attack other people for their looks. I cant comment conclusively on how Qi Kuang is as a person as I have a limited understanding of him, but he cant be too bad since the streamer has chosen him. I trust in the streamers taste. If Qi Kuang achieves great success in the future, it will be a grand drama about an underdogs way to the top. It sounds very inspiring, so Im going to be his fan. The conversation lasted for more than two hours. Jiang Pengji was invigorated as usual, but Qi Kuang and Feng Zhen were somewhat exhausted. Judging from the sky outside, it was indeed rather late. Im tired as well. We can discuss any other matters tomorrow; go and get some rest, Jiang Pengji said. Feng Zhen was visibly relieved upon hearing her words. He acknowledged Feng Zhen, and the two left together. Jiang Pengji was full of energy. After Feng Zhen left, she was still thinking about how Qi Kuang would train her marine troops. Although Qi Kuangs training method was different from what was currently popular, Jiang Pengji admired it a lot. However, forming the marine corps would cost another great sum of money. One wouldnt know how expensive necessities were until one was in charge of the finances. Jiang Pengji rubbed her forehead, getting a bit of a headache. Because of the backward technology used to build ships and geographical limitations, the scale of marine corps was limited. They could only handle certain territories. However, there was no shortage of far-sighted people in the world either. They did not give up on the idea of marine corps. Instead, they proactively created the conditions required and put their plans into action. In the south, pirates ran rampant. To counter their development and protect the people on the shores, marine troops were a necessity. As compared to land troops, the requirements regarding order, discipline, and coordination were higher and stricter for marine troops. In other words, regular training and drills were even more necessary for marine troops as compared to land troops, meaning that the expenses were higher. Within the next few years, marine troops would probably have no chance of joining the battlefield. In Qi Kuangs words, she would be keeping idle people around. As the situation persisted, it would unavoidably attract criticism from other people. However, none of it posed an actual problem. Who would dare to stop her if Jiang Pengji wanted to train marine troops? So what if the troops were denounced as idlers by other people? What right did outsiders have to complain about it if the lord herself didnt mind the marines spending her money? With her left hand supporting her cheek, Jiang Pengji spun the brush with her right hand. On her desk was a clean sheet of white paper. She was thinking about how to start. The audience of the livestream was wondering what she was going to write when they saw her start to draw the drafts of a few wooden ships on the paper. Chapter 700 - The Lord Would Never Return the Man She Borrowed (IV) Pulsation: Whats the streamer drawing? A ship? No one else was in the tent with her, so Jiang Pengji diverted some attention to answering the audiences question. Streamer V: These are ships, but I have very little knowledge regarding ships in ancient times and limited reference material regarding ancient battleships. Jiang Pengji could be considered well-read. She had read random books in almost every category, and quite a number of them included descriptions of ships. She picked out the contents one by one, then converted words into pictures and drew them down on paper. However, the battleships of her own imagination were very different from actual battleships. Streamer V: Not only does a strong marine corps require elite troops, but strong indestructible battleships are needed too. From what I understand, the technology for shipbuilding is still rather backward at the moment. Most ships are fishing vessels for civilian use and can only sail along the rivers or in shallow water. As for war small ships like that are almost useless. We still need to construct battleships for military use. Otherwise, the marines will not be complete. Jiang Pengji had entrusted Qi Kuang with the task of training marine troops, but she still needed to resolve the battleship problem by herself. My Only Wish is to Lie with Jiang Pengji: Building ships from just your imagination? I feel like that plan will flop! How about you get something as a reference? Jiang Pengjis eyes flashed Get something as a reference? It wasnt a bad idea. The next day, Jiang Pengji summoned Feng Zhen. She said, Since youve convinced Qi Kuang to come over to our side, I shouldnt bother someone else regarding related matters. Sorry for troubling you again, but I want you to find me a master of shipbuilding. Feng Zhen was speechless. Whatever drowsiness that remained in him disappeared completely. Jiang Pengji said crossly, Can a marine corps with no battleships be considered a marine corps? Feng Zhen felt that his lord was the bane of his existence. Did she think a master of shipbuilding was so easy to find? Jiang Pengji conceded, If you cant find a master of shipbuilding, itll suffice to find me a battleship. Feng Zhen laughed resignedly, his brows so deeply furrowed that they almost looked entangled. His lord was deliberately making fun of him. Judging from his small size, he couldnt even find paddles for her battleship, nevermind a whole battleship. He laughed self-mockingly and said, My lord, if you want a battleship, you just have to tie me up into a bundle and throw me into the river as a tribute to the river god. Maybe you can obtain one in exchange. Oh please, Id be worried that the river god would complain to me about you stealing his wife. Even the fishes would be dissatisfied with you as a meal if you were thrown into the river, given how little meat you have on you. Jiang Pengji suppressed her laughter and reluctantly let Feng Zhen off. Nevermind, Ill let you off for now. After all, theres no rush yet. We can put the battleship issue aside temporarily. Feng Zhen bowed with a smile. As if pleading for leniency, he said, Thank you for your mercy, my lord. Sweet Fermented Cat-shaped Rice Ball: Brothers and sisters, now its our time to shine. Look at us, Streamer, we are your backup force. Spectacle Circles: With Mommy Baidu and Daddy Google, even a grandmaster of shipbuilding will kneel before us and admit defeat! Not the Stars of Yesterday After All: Although we can be the middlemen and help the streamer do research, the livestream doesnt allow us to send pictures. We can only describe with words, and it is quite a hassle doing things that way. How about this, Streamer, you try to get ahold of a battleship, then well suggest modifications using the battleship as a foundation? It should be more appropriate this way By the way, where can you buy a battleship? Cold Ripples: I remember seeing on the news a while ago that our nation still has shipyards that use wood. I wonder if any informed gurus can provide some clues? I will buy tickets out of my own pockets and fly there by plane immediately. The old craftsmen there would probably be considered masters of shipbuilding back in the streamers era. Even if they dont specialize in building battleships, there must be similarities. Anyone with relevant information can send me a private message. Thank you! Jiang Pengji finished scolding Feng Zhen. Glancing at the bullet-screen comments, she felt a warmth in her heart. Feng Zhen didnt know why, but his lord had a dark sense of humor. Did it really make her that happy to bully him? Before he opened his mouth to ask, a messenger spoke from outside the tent. My lord, there is an envoy outside the tent requesting an audience with you. Let him in. After a while, some rustling sounds were heard. One corner of the tent flap lifted. An armored soldier entered. Greetings, Magistrate Liu. Im here under the orders of my lord. Oh? And your lord is? My lord is Xu Pei, the county chief of Zhe County. Having said this, the soldier presented her with an invitation letter. Seeing this, Feng Zhen, who was beside her, quickly rose to take the letter, before passing it to Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji took it, only then realizing that the invitation letter was rather heavy. By the feel of it, it wasnt ordinary bamboo slips either. Not only was the material used tasteful and the workmanship exquisite, but the invitation letter was fumigated with expensive spices as well. It had a lasting, pleasant fragrance. In the words of the audience of the livestream, it was probably the so-called romance of the petit-bourgeois. Jiang Pengji lifted a hand to unroll the delicate bundle of bamboo slips and read through its contents in detail, then looked at the sign-off. Xu Pei of Zhe County. The other party was inviting her and Liu She to attend the alliance meeting tomorrow. It was phrased politely, and one couldnt feel any dislike for its author. Go back and inform your lord that I will arrive on time with my father for the alliance meeting tomorrow, she said. Jiang Pengji looked down and put the fragrant roll of bamboo slips aside. The soldier did not leave. Instead, he hesitated for a while, deliberating over his words. My lord admires Magistrate Liu for your youth and courage, and he has prepared a banquet for you at his tent. Do you mind gracing the banquet with your presence, magistrate? asked the soldier. Jiang Pengji lifted an eyebrow. Someone with her intelligence could definitely see through Xu Peis actual intention to secretly campaign for votes. Even though she and her father were just here as bystanders and had brought few troops along, their votes mattered a lot. As long as he could get them on his side, Xu Pei would gain some guaranteed bargaining chips. Half smiling, she said, Since Brother Xu is holding a banquet especially for me, how could I not go? Its my honor. Go back and inform your lord first, I will go over after I shower and change. Otherwise, it will be rude of me to go over hastily Upon hearing this, the soldier was visibly delighted. He bowed and exited the tent. Feng Zhens eyes lit up upon hearing about the banquet. His Adams apple moved quickly as if he was thinking of something. Jiang Pengji extinguished his enthusiasm. Dont even think about it, you are not going along. Feng Zhens expression froze and looked inexplicably twisted. The audience, which had looked on the whole time, couldnt help but laugh out loud. They even typed out his thoughts for him. Feng Zishi the Scrupulous: My lord, if you bully me anymore, I will not comply Li Hanmei the Ugly: *continuous weeping* My lord, you are so mean, always bullying me. *hits you in the chest and weeps some more* The atmosphere in the livestream changed abruptly. It seemed as if demons and monsters were dancing wildly. Jiang Pengji almost thought that she was in a nightmare. Feng Zhen said, Then who are you bringing along, my lord? Jingrong, Jiang Pengji said. He has been busy managing the military camp for the past two days and is exhausted. Its a free banquet, theres no point of not eating and letting it go to waste. Feng Zhen knew that he had no chance. However He said, My lord, dont forget to bring a bottle of liquor back for me. Feng Zhen hadnt drunk at all recently, so he was craving alcohol desperately. Jiang Pengji agreed, half amused. She replied, I wont leave you out, dont be such a loser. Chapter 701 - A Badger Game (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji temporarily shut down the live stream. She quickly washed up before changing into her home wear. Jing Rong, help me get a painting. Its on the table, behind the screen in the commanders tent. Please bring it along to the banquet. Yang Si did as he was told. No matter how Yang Si saw it, his lord was obviously an incomparably handsome youth. Her youthful complexion was filled with the unique vitality that suited her age. Moreover, she was endowed with a maturity that her peers lacked. How could any normal person discover her identity as a woman? But the fact remained she was undoubtedly a legitimate woman. Rumor had it that shed be going to the banquet by herself. She rejected Feng Zhens company and Yang Si approved of her decision. Feng Zhen, that punk, had no sense of whats important. His wastrel ways had no boundaries. He went wayward whenever wine and beauties were before him. As such, it was likely hed ruin everything. How could a fellow like him help share the lords burden at the banquet? If she were a man, itd be fine if he was forced to drink until drunk. Perhaps hed be in luck with finding love. When he awoke the next day, thered be a fragrant and tender beauty by his side. When someone offers themself to you, it is an advantage that you might as well take. However, his lord was a lady, so it would be inappropriate for her to drink so much in that setting. The people around her would need to be cautious. Yang Si took this responsibility seriously. But Yang Si had carelessly forgotten one matter Jiang Pengji could drink them all under the table. Although the artist of this painting didnt sign it, from the strokes and style was this drawn by Zixiao? When Yang Si picked the painting, it was already half unfolded. He casually took a glance at it and could instantly guess whod drawn it. Yes. Before the army departed, I requested a painting to use it for publicity. Jiang Pengji walked forward to admire the drawing on the scroll. Then she said humorously, Of all the people I know, Zixiaos artistic skills are the best. I also appreciate his drawing style. Jing Rong, if youd never been to Xiangyang district and you saw the prosperous sight in the painting, would your heart be moved? Yang Sis expression was rather strange. He seemed to be troubled by something. But the words that proceeded from his mouth were indifferent. A place where peace reigns that is the hearts desire of everyone. Judging only the contents of the painting, those who were ignorant would have such futuristic thoughts when they saw it. Nonethelesswhen Wei Cis drawing skills were mentioned, he suddenly remembered something. He remembered that Wei Ci had once drawn a painting of a woman. Strangely, it was his prized possession. As he recalled the woman in the painting now, it made him terribly afraid. From the start, Yang Si had been unaware of Jiang Pengjis true identity. But after he saw that painting, thoughts arose in his head that Wei Ci might have hidden intentions. Now that the truth was out, he realized that the woman in the painting was obviously the lord herself. Couldnt it be that the lord had wanted Wei Ci to keep it a secret, but as a gentleman (and pervert), Wei Ci had felt other feelings for the lord? Jiang Pengji noticed that there was something wrong with Yang Sis expression. However, she didnt probe, she just put the painting away carefully. This is a treasure to expand our business. I intend to honor it as our god of fortune. Perhaps we can earn a hefty amount of money from this. She turned on the livestream and 150,000 viewers instantly filled the room. When the time for the banquet came, the sky was already quite dark and countless torches were lit in the alliance armys tents. They appeared as red spots that matched the dark skies. She wore her usual garments and covered herself with a thick cloak made from rabbit fur. Her juvenile aura was enhanced while her valiant spirit was downplayed. This made her appear more scholarly. When one looked at her, she didnt appear like one who stayed in the army. Instead, she seemed more like a rich master from a certain family who was out on holiday. She was surrounded by her personal guards, while Yang Si rode his horse unhurriedly and followed behind. Xu Beis campsite was at the center of the alliance army. Military camps were scattered everywhere while the commanders tent was in the center, like stars surrounding the moon. She looked around, discovering that Xu Bei certainly liked to display his wealth. He was undoubtedly worthy of being a descendant of the Xu family. Every soldier was armored and carried weapons that were uniformly made. Their quality was high-end, and each set demanded an exorbitant cost. Then she thought of the many soldiers and generals under Xu Beis command. If every one of them was equipped with a set, how wealthy must they be to equip all of them completely? She was left speechless and in awe of these aristocrats who were so wealthy and willful. Within the tent, a youth adorned with luxurious garments sat on the esteemed seat of honor, frowning as he conversed with his confidante. When they heard a commotion from outside, everyone went silent. They turned their gaze outside the tent as they awaited Jiang Pengjis arrival. Shortly after, the entrance to the tent was lifted from the center. Xu Bei stood up from his seat and stepped forward to receive his important guest. An elegant youth adorned with a cloak made from rabbit fur entered the camp. Her stoic features seemed devoid of emotions. She totally dissipated the happening atmosphere of the tent. Xu Beis subordinate surveyed her dressing, feeling doubt in his heart This person had worn her home wear. This attire seemed inappropriate for the banquet. She looked more like a friend who had come to visit. Although it wasnt rude, her choice of clothes was inappropriate. Is this the son of Magistrate Liu? Indeed, he is an outstanding and accomplished youth. Xu Beis appearance was somewhat handsome. Coupled with his scholarly aura, it made him very attractive. The viewers who watched the live stream were up in arms. It was an uproar from those judges. As Xu Bei led Jiang Pengji into the tent, he made an ardent speech. When I saw you enter just now, a sense of familiarity suddenly dawned on me as if weve known each other for a long time. If I remember correctly, we are of similar age and we belong to the same generation. If Magistrate Liu doesnt mind my average aptitude, why dont we address each other as brothers? Jiang Pengji smiled and praised him. The honor is all mine to call County Chief Xu my brother. How could I not accept your invitation? Xu Bei was accustomed to pleasing others since he was the elder in the family. Inevitably, this brought both them closer. Yang Sis seat was designated by Jiang Pengjis side but to the back. During the banquet, the others scrutinized her discreetly. Even though she was young, none one present dared to belittle her. Even Xu Bei himself, who flaunted his honorable status at every opportunity, had to accord her respect. Putting aside her relationship with Liu She, Jiang Pengji did not rely on her family background nor her father to occupy Wanzhou. At such a tender age, she had already far surpassed the masses. If they added on Liu Shes powers, who would dare to offend her in the alliance army? They need not worship her, but they would not want to be her enemy. If not for the lack of military strength Liu She and Jiang Pengji possessed, even if the Xu brothers aspired to take the position of alliance chief, theyd be helpless. The most important guest had taken her seat. Xu Bei ordered his servants to serve the wine and sumptuous meal. Then he turned to ask her again. Younger brother, do you enjoy music and dance? As she was about to reject, the bullet screen in the live streaming room flooded with comments. Absolutely!!! We absolutely enjoy it!!! Let go of the beautiful songstress and dancer, let me have them!!! Jiang Pengji swallowed back her words and kept silent. With her usual expression, she replied, Im alright. Her reply reached Xu Beis ears and was interpreted as a reserved answer. He translated it as I love it. He revealed a profound smile, then he raised his brows somewhat and said, Elder brother understands. What hero could resist beauties? In the background, Yang Si lowered his head with embarrassment. The audience voiced his inner thoughts. They made known what he felt in his heart and translated it as what an idiot! Chapter 702 - A Badger Game (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As a woman, why would his lord enjoy a group of beauties who sang and danced? Before them was a sumptuous feast with fragrant wine and dry fruits. The dry fruits were extra appetizing because they were rarely seen in the north. As Jiang Pengji munched on the dry fruits like a squirrel, she heard the footsteps of more than 20 women from outside the tent. When the tent curtains opened, the maidenly dancers clothed in red garments exuded with orchid fragrance. They livened up the entire atmosphere in the tent. Within the oil lamp, scents were added. When they burned, a unique but faint smell emerged from the bronze lamp. That fragrance filled the entire tent. The graceful figures of the dancers were adorned with thin, red garments. They danced along to the resounding tune of the elegant and mellow string and wind orchestral. They danced in line with the music played by their companions, capturing the viewers eyes. Viewers in the live streaming room were in a loud clamor, like a pack of hungry wolves gathering. The contents of the bullet screen switched to another style. Rewards flooded in generously and were wildly enthusiastic. Emperor Wuhan: Didnt someone say ancient people didnt look very pretty? What misjudgment! I initially thought the standard of beauty at present was already high. As a viewer in the live streaming room, I finally realize that ancient beauties are truly a sight to behold. Those popular beauties on the internet cannot compare. Their ability to discern is indeed respectable. Chen Ahjiao: You are such shameless people who judge based on appearances. Isnt the focus on the music and ancient dance moves? Jiang Pengjis identity was of the son of an aristocrat, but the viewers in the live streaming room knew she didnt like any extravagance. She preferred practicality. Thus, for many years in the live streaming room, the viewers had not witnessed many banquets scenes, but each time they did, the standards were excellent. Based on the viewers accounts, many of them concurred that the recordings of those previous banquets were the standard. They managed to bring the musical composition to life in totality. Surprisingly, some wealthy men would fork out their own money to organize ancient music festivals. This was the 4th time one had been organized. With the warm support from the viewers in the live streaming room, a rise in retro trends was seen in Hua country. Even the youths began to appreciate the ancient culture. She knew the importance of culture to certain racial heritages. If there was a positive influence, she would rejoice. Some people had an acute sense of self-awareness, but most were still average people who judged based on appearance. Admiring beauties was their priority. They could tell that these dancers had been painstakingly trained. They should have been a private entertainment group owned by the high officials or nobles. Each dancers appearance was of a high standard. They were endowed with elegant facial features, slender body shapes, silky smooth skin, and waists like to the spring willows. Even though they were not ravishing beauties, nor glamorous beyond compare, they were still rare, beautiful women. The beauties were uniformly clothed in red garments. Their charming eyes captivated their audiences hearts and made them yearn for more. In one hand, Jiang Pengi held her wine goblet. With the other, she supported her chin. She squinted and glanced at those dancers as if she was mesmerized. If one looked intently, it wasnt difficult to notice that her eyes were glued to the lead dancer. Her eyes moved with her every action, burning with desire. Her calm appearance was coupled with a blazing hot temperature. It was as if she wanted to burn away that persons clothes and use her eyes to survey her bare body Xu Bei noticed her expression. He laughed secretly. Youths will be youths, how could they resist the allure of beauty? Hed initially thought that the other party was virtuous and devoid of lust, a youth who possessed good self-control. Now that he observed him, it was obviously a false front. Sitting one row behind Jiang Pengji, Yang Si noticed her back view. He was silently worried as he observed her posture and outstretched head. My lord, no matter how much you like this little sister, you lack the biological tools. Do you even remember your true gender? These dances are so captivating and elegant. Jiang Pengji regained her senses from an enchanted state. She smiled and remarked to Xu Bei, The dance is beautiful, but the ladys beauty surpasses it. She was indeed affectionate! Shes just a dancer trained in my house. If younger brother likes, you may choose to take any of them home. It is a gift from me. Among the aristocrats, the exchange of concubines was a well-respected affair. Jiang Pengjis expression showed some brief changes. She was tempted but managed to control herself. How can I accept this? Look at these gorgeous beings, I trust you spent a lot of effort training them. This is too expensive a gift, I cannot accept it. Xu Bei directed his speech to the lead dancer, Do you not see our honorable guest? Go and fill District Magistrate Lius wine cup. The dancer bowed respectfully. She stretched out her delicate hands as she helped Jiang Pengji fill her wine cup. They werent far apart. Jiang Pengji could smell the fragrance from her body. She casually asked, What perfume do you wear? Its so fragrant. The dancers face reddened. She replied bashfully, Your servant never wears perfume. This natural fragrance exudes from my body. 1 Yang Si appeared increasingly tense. He was wrong. He shouldnt have followed along. In this setting, itd be more suitable for Feng Zhen, that wastrel, to tag along. He was the most knowledgeable about dealing with a coalesce of beauties. Natural fragrance? Jiang Pengji drew near to her, then took a sniff. She savored with her eyes the dancers slender and fair neck, then her exquisite collar bone. Her expression was rather alluring and enchanting. Even her normally loud and clear voice became somewhat hoarse. It made one weak in the knees. Shes indeed a beauty. Even her scent is uniquely different from the rest. District Magistrate Liu is too kind with his compliments. Do you know other styles of dance? Jiang Pengji asked her. The dancer softly said, I am well-versed in all of them. Xu Bei, the brothel owner whod brought them together, clapped his hands. The music played once again. The leader of the dance troupe returned to her dance. Jiang Pengji noted, This dance and music is indeed unique. It is quite different from those that originate from the north. Xu Bei smiled as he commented, The northerners are wild and crude while also free-spirited, but the southerners are gentle and careful. Naturally, both are characterized by different atmospheres. Brother Xu is indeed knowledgeable in this aspect Ive often heard of the many talents Brother Xu possesses. Rumor has it that you are the reincarnation of the star of wisdom. Unlike younger brother, who didnt like reading since he was young, Im ignorant about chess, books, and paintings. Moreover, my father often chides me for being a blockhead, a complete fool, devoid of all forms of understanding. Ive pondered in my heart that if we had Brother Xus reputable attainment, my father wouldnt need to constantly sigh, repeatedly reprimand me She appeared downcast, a dismayed youth. How would Xu Bei believe this? Nevertheless, he was also a sophisticated man. Naturally, he wouldnt expose her humble words. Under her intentional influence, their topic of conversation gradually shifted to the realm of the arts. Xu Bei also didnt let Jiang Pengjis praises down. This person seemed young, but his perception of music, chess, and art was deep. The viewers were filled with emotions. If Xu Bei had been born in their era, hed have fit the role of an all-rounded aesthetic connoisseur. With one successful report, hed have been famous throughout the world. He was handsome and well-versed in the four arts of a gentleman. A narcissistic human figure would surely attract many young ladies to follow hard after him, Itd be difficult for him to be unpopular. What a pity, Xu Bei had been born in the wrong era, even though hed been born into a great clan like the Xu family. These artistic talents could only be a hobby when he had spare time. As they were conversing happily, Xu Bei glanced at the painting by Yang Sis side. He asked casually, Was that drawn by younger brother? Jiang Pengjis expression was on point as she appeared hard-pressed. My father often lectures me about how I lack artistic skills. Even a 3-year old kids doodle product is drawn nicer than younger brothers. I was unwilling to accept it, so I sought Master Yuanjings famed disciple to draw a painting for me. I intended to take it home to study it extensively. Perhaps I could learn something from it. It could reduce the nagging I receive from my father. Ive disgraced myself before my elder brother. Jing Rong, why did you bring the painting along? Jiang Pengji said the last sentence rather bashfully. The viewers in the live streaming room flooded her with countless posts of 666. Chapter 703 - A Badger Game (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Theyd originally thought that An Cuis acting was top-notch. But now that they witnessed this, the streamers stellar performance abilities were obviously better. The Oscars owed her many awards! Yang Si discreetly curled his lips, apologizing profusely on the surface. When Xu Bei heard that this picture had been drawn by Master Yuanjings disciple, his interest piqued tremendously. He spoke kindly about Yang Si. Moreover, he tactfully asked if he could see the contents of the painting. Naturally, Jiang Pengji did not reject his request. This was the outcome shed wanted. All those in the tent knew of Master Yuanjings renowned name. They also knew that the master had taken in his last four disciples. Someone said, Ive heard that Master Yuanjing is artistically skilled. I wonder how much of his essence in art his disciple could grasp. Do I have the honor of admiring the masters disciples art piece? Those in the tent echoed his request. They harbored no ill intentions; it was purely out of curiosity. Master Yuanjings reputation has spread far and wide. However, the four disciples hed taken in were not renowned, causing their suspicions to be aroused. Now that they had the chance to admire the artistic product of one of his disciples, they wanted to see it. They were curious if his disciple really had substance or not. Xu Bei initially wanted to appreciate the painting by himself. However, he heard many of his subordinates also voicing their interest. He helplessly asked Jiang Pengji with his eyes for help. Since the painting belonged to her, it was important to follow the wishes of the owner. Jiang Pengji nodded in approval. Xu Bei ordered the dancers to stop their dance and tasked them with unfolding the painting so that those within the tent could admire it. Which of the masters disciples painted this? Jiang Pengji replied, Hes from Langyes Wei family. His name is Ci and his courtesy name is Zixiao. His body constitution is naturally weak, so he rarely appears before others. Painting in that era lacked materials and artistic techniques. As such, many valued the freehand style over superficial similarities with other paintings. Wei Cis painting was different. It was a balance of realism and freehand painting styles. His strokes were meticulous and gentle. It was vividly portrayed as if three-dimensional. The contents of the painting were full of Xiangyangs scenery. Because of the length of the scroll, the details of the painting were limited. Still, it presented many of the bustling locations, wineries, restaurants, and tea houses a myriad of small businesses with men walking by on the streets. Some walked alone hurriedly, others in pairs who were the envy of many. There were family units where husbands and wives had harmonious relationships and active children. Each of their expressions was unique. This caused the viewers to be astonished by the painters meticulous and keen observations recreated in his exquisite artwork. Besides the streets and characters, the most outstanding aspects of the painting were the orderly infrastructures, pavilions surrounded by water, traditional ornate architectural styles This painting alone could fully express their idea of prosperity and the golden age. Xue Bei remarked, The painter has outstanding talents. His heart must be full of emotions as he embraces and pities for the affairs of the world. Elder brother is ashamed. Her facial expression was momentarily stunned. Viewers in the live streaming room had the same reaction. Xiao Ruibaos Mother: I suddenly recall that during the high school examination his eyes were full of mischief. Apple Scented Tea: Hahahaha, after 10 years of intense education, he is clueless when faced with a difficult question. Tongtong De Yatou: If Xu Bei went for an examination, hed score a distinction for reading and comprehension. Hed be the top student! Shushan Yali: #restschinonhand Exactly, perhaps Beauty Ci only wanted to paint scenery. Xu Bei gave his high compliments. Those beneath him in rank had to follow suit. After all, this painting was indeed a rare sight. It is exactly like the haven I imagined in my heart Even at its height, when the previous dynasty had nations flocking in, the scene wasnt as prosperous as this. One of the older generals touched his white beard, heaving a huge sigh. The rest regained their senses and agreed. Viewers in the live streaming room were about to laugh hysterically. The painting was obviously of Xiangyang districts landscape. She purposely waited for them to heap their praises, then she bashfully hurt them a second time. Everyone is too generous with their praises. The scenery here is the land I am the governor of. Xiangyang districts landscape, it isnt Eh, nothing Jiang Pengji vaguely dismissed it. As if the cold Siberian wind blew through the entire commanders camp, everyone was at a loss and froze in their places. Xu Beis face turned fiery red. He was secretly embarrassed. With hatred in his eyes, he stared at the senior general whod first complimented the painting. Those who are inept at speaking should not speak. It was very awkward for them now! Luckily, she didnt harp on this matter. Instead, she exchanged experiences of governance with Xu Bei He had extensive knowledge in this area. Simultaneously, it salvaged his awkwardness. Because their hearts and minds were in a state of chaos, coupled with the awkwardness of before, Jiang Pengji possessed the power to drive the conversation. Under her influence, Xu Bei directed his attention from the paintings skills and techniques to the people and infrastructures in the painting. Speaking of infrastructures, he realized that the streets, houses, and courtyard walls in the painting were rather strange. After he casually mentioned this, she conveniently publicized her flash bricks. 1 Viewers in the live streaming room praised her publicity handsomely. The strategy used by the streamer was convoluted and deeply scheming. If they met a salesperson like the streamer, let alone splurged mindlessly, perhaps they would willingly hand over their trousers! During the entire exchange, it seemed like Xu Bei was the one doing the questioning and she the one passively replying. But truthfully, the pace of the conversation was determined by her. May I ask how much it costs to synthesize flash bricks? After she led him into the conversation, Xu Bei finally asked this question. Zhe county was in the south. The weather there was usually humid, and it rained across all four seasons of the year. At present, most buildings and structures were made of wood and stone. Once the rainy season came, it would increase moisture and promote the growth of mold. The ground would also be slippery. Xu Bei was also a shrewd character. Naturally, he was unwilling to take a loss. He only wanted the best product while paying the lowest price. He intended to test Jiang Pengjis limits. The cost of synthesizing isnt expensive. If I can mass-produce suitable soil, Im able to synthesize the flash bricks at a low cost, Jiang Pengji casually added, as if she was ignorant of his motives like a foolish landlords son. Xu Beis brows knitted. He asked, These were made from dirt? It looks like theyre made from clay. The reasoning is the same, but the heat required for the latter is different. The way the kiln is built is also critical. Xu Beis heart gained interest. He pretended to probe, Would younger brother sell this item? She laughed and mentioned light-heartedly, Even if your younger brother was willing to sell, Brother Xu may not be able to afford it. Filled with doubts, Xu Bei asked, You just mentioned that the counterfeit flash bricks were sold at low prices. How is it exorbitant now? She smiled as she explained it to him. The flash bricks are inexpensive, but consider the distance between Xiangyang district and Brother Xus Zhe county. The bricks are cheap, but the quantity is large. If a large load of flash bricks is transported from Xiangyang district to Zhe county, I wonder how much money and manpower it would entail. Since thats the case, these flash bricks may as well be made from silver. Younger brother values Brother Xus talents, how would I dare to swindle you? He was startled. Just now, hed forgot to consider profit and loss. He appeared rather embarrassed. Meanwhile, she continued her long-winded talk. If you wish to use kiln burning to synthesize bricks, itd be better if the kiln was built on land with suitable soil. Xu Beis heart and purpose were ignited. He was very intrigued by the flash bricks. He was a man of ambitions. Naturally, he wouldnt want to lose out. A man should first and foremost establish his career by creating an outstanding workpiece. Chapter 704 - A Badger Game (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If he could turn Zhe County into a bustling city like the one portrayed by the painting, one with neat and orderly streets, and clean and healthy people if he could govern the city until it prospered and attained its golden age When that happened, his younger cousin, Xu Fei, would have no means of vying with him, even if their grandfather favored his younger cousin. The Xu family would also be in his possession and under his control because his grandfather, the clan leader, could not oppose a decision made by the elders in the clan. Nevertheless, how could he sieve out information on synthesizing flash bricks? While Xu Bei pondered over his strategy, the banquet came to an end. Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji identified those who were in Xu Beis tent. Because they were intoxicated with wine by this point, Xu Bei brought to mind his purpose of inviting Jiang Pengji. He attempted to test her. Does younger brother have any intention of taking on the alliance chief position? If you do, elder brother is sure to support you. She shook her head, both eyes shut. She was already intoxicated with wine. Truthfully, younger brother has commanded armies against our enemies countless times. I am already embarrassingly short on money and manpower. My soldiers are exhausted beyond measure. Because the people have to rest and rejuvenate, and to prevent a bad reputation of using military force indiscriminately, I have decided to rest for one to two years At this alliance meeting, younger brother only wishes to join the event, as a formality, to prevent others from misunderstanding Xu Bei glanced at Jiang Pengji and saw that both her cheeks were reddened. Her drunken state caused her eyes to stare blankly into space. When she spoke, her strategists face went pale. He stood behind her with a facial expression that desired to stop her but was hesitant. Was she drunk already? Xu Bei smiled. If she wasnt dead drunk, how could she have let slip such an important piece of information? Yang Si, who complimented Jiang Pengjis acting, secretly curled his lips. He arose to bow respectfully in a show of his support. My lord is drunk and has lost consciousness. If there are any inappropriate speeches or actions, I ask for County Chief Xus understanding Xu Bei answered magnanimously. Again, Yang Si wanted to send his lord back. Unexpectedly, he was held back by Xu Bei. Yang Sis expression immediately turned sullen. It was such a rare opportunity, how could Xu Bei let her off lightly? This punk, Xu Bei was good at digging up information, but how could Jiang Pengji, who had superior acting skills, fall for it? She only said what shed wanted and had kept quiet about the other matters. Even so, truths and lies formed a combination blow. Xu Beis heart was already filled with elation. With his manipulation, Jiang Pengji surprisingly agreed to sell the recipe to synthesize flash bricks to him. Nonetheless, to prevent conflicts from arising between the two powers, he did not insist or take advantage of Jiang Pengji by intentionally reducing the price. When it ended, he offered the lead dancer to Jiang Pengji. He devised the plan to use a beauty to soothe his younger brothers feelings. Thus, this would prevent her from having regrets after she regained consciousness. It is already deep in the night; the dew is everywhere and its snowing heavily outside. Perhaps younger brother could stay overnight at my campsite and leave tomorrow after youve rested from your drunken stupor. What else could Yang Si say? He could only grudgingly agree. The gentle and frail dancer clothed in red, together with Yang Si, supported Jiang Pengji on her left and right. They sent her to another tent. Xu Bei arranged accommodations for Yang Si nearby. The two tents were not far apart. The dancer in red clothes subtly bent her head, revealing her fair, slender neck as she lowered her gaze. Master, please allow me to wait on Langjun. Under the light, the appearance of the gorgeous woman clothed in red was more appealing. Even Yang Si, who was single, when he gazed at her, paused to admire her beauty. If the lord had no gender identity crisis to deal with, Yang Si would certainly be understanding and leave but He was startled and stood firmly in his position. The dancer clothed in red stared at his feet without wavering. Both confronted the other discreetly. At this, Yang Si turned to look at Jiang Pengji. His lord laid down on her side, paralyzed on the mattress with her eyes tightly shut. She signaled with her fingers for him to get out. Yang Si was surprised. In todays setting, indeed he should have let Feng Zhen, that wastrel, attend. He wouldnt get involved anymore. Yang Si swallowed this terrible temptation and coughed twice, then said to the dancer, Serve my lord well. He was dumbfounded. Was the lord going to use this chance to reveal her gender? Or else, was the lord, who was a female, attracted to women instead of men? He quickly took his leave. The dancer clothed in red sent him out of the tent, then carried the lamp to the back of the inner chambers. Langjun? The dancer adorned in red garments called to her gently, but Jiang Pengji did not move. In an uproar, viewers in the live streaming room shouted 666 out loud. Surely they werent going to showcase some X-rated war between women, were they? Shenbulai Woziqu: I cannot take it anymore, not unless the streamer wants to reward us with benefits! Nushen Zaiwo Kuaxia: Surely it cannot be lesbianism? Disgusting, you must be sick. Wouldnt it be better to watch males engage in homosexual acts instead? 1 Hacker Wen Xiangpian: To the viewer above, you are the revolting one. All relationships are equal, regardless of ones gender. This is the streamers livestreaming room. You are not welcome to make such low-down, rubbish comments. Laosiji Lianmeng: To the viewer above, please pause there and do not ignite a fight. The streamer has always valued her privacy. In what scenario has the streamer ever not dressed appropriately before turning on the livestream? Do you think she will air the livestream to let you watch how she battles with this woman? You must be over-thinking! Based on my experience watching the livestream over the years, Im certain the streamer is plotting some schemes, or this dancer clothed in red is abnormal These were audience members whod supported her for a long time indeed. They were the rational ones in the live streaming room. Naturally, they would not be so easily sucked into the fray. Langjun? As she spoke, she inched a step closer, then she lifted Jiang Pengji with her hands. Hes drunk indeed. Her tone suddenly turned cold. Her originally seductive, thick makeup now carried with it a sinister and ruthless look. When this moment arrived, the viewers used exclamation marks to express their shock. What the There was indeed something wrong with the dancer! Guicai Guofengxiao: What the heck, this malicious lady is unsheathing her dagger! Streamer, be careful, dont pretend to be asleep! Her snow-white dagger was unsheathed. Without anyone noticing, she menacingly attempted to stab Jiang Pengji in the neck. The dagger brushed past. The snow-white dagger with a silver glint like shiny silk dazzled and blinded their eyes. Viewers in the livestreaming room were so astonished that they were afraid to watch the livestream. The dancer clothed in red could even foresee the scene where Jiang Pengjis neck would be spewing forth blood in the next second. However, the predicted scene did not unfold. The speed at which shed made her moves was lightning quick, but it had only succeeded at stabbing the pillow that was on the couch. Her target had already fled speedily. Because of the strength shed exerted on her dagger, it pierced through the thick wooden board beneath the mattress. While the dancer was stunned, Jiang Pengji kicked her in the chest. She failed to evade the kick. Her tender chest suffered from the strong impact, causing her body to fly backward. As the drama underwent a plot twist, the posts on the bullet screen in the live streaming room changed with it. The entire screen was filled with 666 comments and exclamation marks which expressed their astonishment. Of course, there were also some random posts. Hacker Wen Xiangpian: What the heck!? In that instant, I thought I was having a heart attack! Lanse Xuanlu: If I were to make an analogy, before you make the first move, itd be convex. After you take your first step, itd be concave. Moqianzui: To the one above, do you intend to make me laugh till I die so you can inherit my credits and loans? Jiumo Miaoran: What the heck do you mean by convex and concave? Indeed, a genius has emerged from the live streaming room. Indifferent at First Sight: Hahaha, I feel like putting a microphone in front of the streamers mouth to interview and ask her what she felt in that instant when their feet touched. She seemingly smiled as she admired that dancer clothed in red, taking some time off to send a post to the audience. Streamer V: So tender and bouncy, @Indifferent at First Sight, what a pity it dirtied my feet. Chapter 705 - A Badger Game (V) The dancer clothed in red stood up pathetically, exerting the energy to cough twice. She flipped her dagger over and aimed it straight at Jiang Pengjis forehead. The strength shed exerted just now could crush an average persons rib cage to pieces. The only injury shed sustained was a small bruise on her left cheek. There was some blood on the side of her lips and her breathing was rather fast. From observing her attack, she had surprisingly not shown any signs of weakness. Instead, she fought even more aggressively. Watching her in this state tickled Jiang Pengji. Every part of her was full of loopholes, yet this person who was incapable of martial arts had dared to try to assassinate her? Whod given this woman such courage? Jiang Pengjis eyes were imposing. Without her noticing, she hit the persons wrist and snatched her dagger away. The dancer clothed in red did not back down. With her other hand poised as a claw, she reached for her throat. Jiang Pengji frowned, quickly evading the attack. However, her clothes did not evade in time and her broad sleeves were shredded. At this moment, the viewers in the live streaming room realized that her 10 fingernails had abnormally extended to a length of 3 inches. They were silvery-white in color and sharp beyond measure. No wonder Jiang Pengjis sleeves had been ripped apart. If she caught her neck or scratched her face The viewers trembled while they imagined that sight, fearing for Jiang Pengji. Piaopiaoyang: What the, isnt this set in the ancient era? Why are there fantasy and dark elements of martial arts? A Man of Few Words Huang Shaotian: Did she practice the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw? Is she able to pierce and scratch through ones skull? Streamer, be careful! The viewers were nervous and worried, but Jiang Pengji was calm. She glanced at the claws and she despised them in her heart. Eh, eh, those claws were indeed quite evil-looking. How would the dancer clothed in red let her off? She attempted another attack since the first one had failed. The dancer clothed in red swayed with her every move. This was astonishing! Although her every move was deadly, the viewers were still mesmerized by her. Was this a martial arts battle or a dance? Jiang Pengji explained that it was neither a dance nor a martial arts battle. It was rubbish. The dancers hand movements became swifter. Still, Jiang Pengji could easily evade the attacks each time. As the battle dragged on, she got increasingly frustrated. Gradually, she lost patience. Her once stunningly beautiful looks turned sinister in an instant. Slut, go and die! Jiang Pengji laughed and replied, With your abilities? You are not worthy. The inner chamber was in disarray, the commotion could be detected from outside. The majority didnt care, they imagined a different kind of battle was going on. Just as hed changed out of his clothes and was ready to sleep, Yang Si was startled. He went outside and heard some people gossiping. His heart was gripped with fear. The others didnt know, but how could he be ignorant? His lord was clearly a woman, how could she and the red-clothed lady have sexual intercourse? Moreover, a big commotion had erupted. Something is wrong! Yang Si made a frightening guess in his heart. He quickly grabbed his sword and ran in a flash towards the military tent. As he was about to enter, his lord reprimanded him from inside. Get out, dont interfere! Yang Si paused his steps, his outstretched hands stopped midway. The atmosphere was rather awkward. Almost concurrently, a scream came from the tent where the dancers stayed. This alerted a group of soldiers. What happened? With all the noise, are you itching for a beating? The female head servant who oversaw the songstress and dancers arrived upon hearing the news. She realized everyones face had turned pale and she was filled with doubts. As she squeezed through the crowd, immediately sensing cold air flowing through her feet and up towards her head. It should be burning hot within the tent, but she felt her heart sink. Alas, there lay a graceful lady with a slender figure within the tent. Her hair was a mess and her entire body was naked. Her face had been grossly mutilated until the flesh and blood mingled together. Someone had used a knife to slice off all the skin from her face! Is is that Chuner? At this, the others around trembled as they replied, Chuner has a red mole on the side of her stomach They approached the female corpse to have a look. In the same spot, there was indeed a dark red mole. Were in trouble! The head servant regained her senses, fear making her knees weak. Chuners gift in dancing was exceptional and above the rest. She was the most beautiful. She was the rightful lead dancer and the star of the show. If the person before them was Chuner, then who was the lady who had performed brilliantly at the banquet earlier that night? The masses also recalled this incident. They were immediately afraid and paralyzed where they stood. Unless the person who choreographed the dance last night was not a living being, but Chuners spirit? Fools, someone impersonated Chuner! The head servant scolded them. He clumsily ran towards the commanders tent with the hope that there was still time. My lord, your servant has something to report, a big incident has occurred! Even though this was land occupied by militants, the head servant could not wait any longer. If they were one moment too late, she would die a terrible death. Who is outside making such a scene? Inside the tent, Xu Bei was talking with a few of his confidantes. After a series of exchanges, they finally had some ideas, but it was noisy outside. Reporting to my lord, the head servant of the dance troupe is outside and wishes to seek an audience. Xu Beis face was sullen, while the expressions of his subordinates were even more unsightly. These confidantes did not approve of him bringing his dancers along with the army. However, since these dancers functioned as bribes, they pretended to ignore it. But now, such a grave matter had emerged and a lowly, debased head manager of the dance troupe had dared to make a scene in the military camp. It was a case where one had eaten their fill and was tired of living. Xu Bei was also afraid that his confidantes would lecture him. He asked with authority, Bring her in, where is the propriety in all this noise? The manager was escorted in by soldiers. Once she entered the tent, she immediately knelt and, with her pale lips, she uttered, My, my lord, Chuner, who led the dance group, had her skin ripped off by someone. She has already died. The Chuner who danced before you earlier was an imposter! Hearing this, Xu Beis first reaction was that he hadnt imagined Liu Xi to be so violent and bloodthirsty. He could have killed her and left her dead, but hed also ripped her skin away! When he briefly pondered it over, it felt as if they had suffered a major setback. The other confidantes were also so terrified that they felt as if their spirits were leaving their bodies. Liu Xi was in danger! My lord, help with the rescue! The strategist steadied himself. He calmed his heart and mind before responding. Xu Bei didnt care about anything else. He took his sword and rushed over to Jiang Pengjis camp. Within the time frame of a few breaths, the two exchanged more than a hundred moves. Jiang Pengji tested her skills at an unhurried pace to prove her hypothesis. Enough information had been gathered. Therefore, there was no need to keep this person around. With all her might, she resisted the force from the other partys palm. With one hand, she picked the dagger that had been knocked to the floor, the situation suddenly reversed. I admit that your martial arts skills are not bad, but your external skills will remain stagnant if you dont work hard and practice. You also dont have any practical experience at assassination. Even if you were equipped with the best martial arts skills, youd still be useless. Do you want to assassinate me? Continue practicing for a hundred years! Jiang Pengji used her left hand as a sword and attacked the other partys throat. Her speed was so fast that no residual shadows were seen, the dancer only felt her vision turn blurry. Her throat felt numb as she heard her bones crack. The dagger meant to stab Jiang Pengji now stabbed her in the heart. Fret not, you have the System behind you, you wont die. You are welcome to offer your head the next time. Before she lost consciousness, she heard Jiang Pengji whisper these words into her ears. A demon! She must be a demon! Chapter 706 - Badger Game (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue in annoyance when she noticed Miao Man laying lazily on the ground outside and called, Come in. Yang Si heard his lords order and immediately scrambled up in the dark to make his way inside. From the darkness, he heard his Lord say, Jing Rong, Ill give you a chance to become a Wulin master. Dont mess up later. Yang Si wondered what his lord was doing! He was already worried that his lord might be hurt, but now his lord had decided to throw another heavy task right at him without any explanation! He reminded himself again that, despite being a lord, she was also still just a teenage princess. As her personal advisor, he had no choice but to follow orders. Yang Si lit up the bronze lamp in the dark and finally got a view of the room inside. He looked down at the female corpse on the ground and goosebumps rise from shock. He messed up his clothing, then removed them to wipe some of the blood off of the wounds on the womans body, then finally put his clothes back on The audience in the livestream watched wide-eyed as Yang Si put on his disguise right in front of them. Devils Blazing Sun: My RongRong is so talented; he can plan and strategize, lead an army, and even clean up after his lord. Rotten Cat Gossip: Hahaha, what kind of name is RongRong? His name is Yang JingRong Uh, but the nickname RongRong is also very nice. Yang Si had only managed to hastily disguise himself before he heard countless and concentrated footsteps outside, along with the sounds of metal armor clanking together. Yang Si shot a bitter glance at Jiang Pengji, who was pretending to be asleep, and walked out of the camp with a bloody sword. Concave: Lighting in place, camera in place, actors in place, prepare the microphoneRongRong, you may start your performance! Yang Si breathed heavily as he glared at the group of people rushing over and called out with righteousness in his heart, Oh, what a chief of Zhe County! My master trusted you so and called you a brother. How dare you slander us with such lowly hands! Xu Pei had been wronged in the extreme, but at this point, the foul stains of his own wrongdoing could not be washed away. He didnt find an excuse immediately. Instead, he was more concerned about Jiang Pengji. If Liu Xi was killed, his entire life would be over. Sir, as you know, I, Xu Pei, am a man of honor. How could I ever do something as dirty as this? If you are insistent on pinning the crime on this humble man, I shall not argue with you. But my brothers safety is of the utmost importance right now. Please allow me to see my brother! Pei Xu let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Yang Si was only enraged and not in tears. At least this proved that Liu Xi was still alive. Yang Si stood face to face with the group for a while before he finally moved, reluctantly letting the troops into their camp. Under the glare of the bright light, the interior of the camp was completely exposed before their eyes. A female corpse was on the ground beside the bed where the person they were concerned about slept soundly. Her body smelled of wine and her cheeks were rosy from the alcohol. Xu Peis tightened heart finally loosened as he shifted his attention toward the corpse. The military generals who rushed in all inhaled a cold breath. The neck of the corpse was broken and twisted. A dagger pierced the body from front to back. Such merciless hands! Yang Si lowered his gaze and sneered. His back remained straight like a sturdy pine growing on top of a mountain as he said, If my lord hadnt remained conscious until I arrived, it wouldve been too late. Chief Xu, if you dont have an appropriate explanation for this, I will not let this matter go! The dancer you brought us was raised by your county, so why did she become an assassin out for my lords life? Her actions almost killed my lord! Xu Pei then quickly attempted to explain things and wash away suspicion. Please remain calm, sir. This was a villainous plot orchestrated by someone else. It was not the intent of this humble man to assassinate anyone. Sir, please look at this persons face, there is an extra layer of skin on it! To be completely honest, the manager of the dancers found that the dancer who was killed had the skin on her face ripped off. Thats when we discovered that something was wrong. When I heard about this, I immediately took my men to come to save the lord. But thankfully, our brother here is a master of martial arts and killed the assassin. Yang Sis heart thumped in surprise as he watched someone rub against the sides of the womans face, exposing a layer of human skin just as the chief said. Quiet Huang ShaoTian: My god, I cant believe theres been such a plot twist! Clear Moon: Oh my goodness, did the ghost stories production team jump in here? A real-life human face mask!? I think Im gonna throw up! Sweet YuXiao: The atmosphere here is getting a little too heavy, lets talk about something more fun. RongRong is quite good at acting like a martial arts master If this had been a normal stream, the audience wouldve mocked Yang Si as the power level five RongRong shamelessly pretended to be a master. However, at the sight of this cruel scene, even the most casual of all audience members werent in the right mind to energize the stream. As the layer of skin was ripped off and the bloodied face beneath it became exposed, everyone felt disgusted and lost the energy to check out how she looked. This person cant be any more dead. Throw the body out and feed it to some stray dogs. Its bad luck to keep it here Xu Pei waved his hand and ordered his men to take away the female corpse. The crowd looked down at the lolling head of the corpse. Chills went down their spines as fear crawled up their skin. Xu Pei gulped his saliva as he moved away from Yang Si quietly. If this martial arts master threw his hands at him, his life could be in danger. Yang Si didnt call out the slight movements he noticed coming from Xu Pei. While his eyes were still filled with gloom, his tone remained at a high-class level worthy of a master. I will guard the lord outside this tent tonight in case of emergency. If you have no other business here, please leave. When my lord awakes tomorrow morning, I will report this to her myself. Chief Xu, you must be responsible and settle this matter for us! Naturally, please rest assured. Xu Pei gestured as he let out a small sigh and left with his men. Even though Yang Si was standing guard inside the tent, he was still concerned and set aside a portion of his elite team to guard the camp. Yang Si finally let out a long sigh after Xu Pei left. Asking a level-five to act as a top martial artist was simply too much. As he prepared to leave, Yang Si glanced towards his sleeping lord Despite knowing that she was just pretending to be asleep and having a stomach full of questions to ask her, he held it all in and waited outside for a whole night in his bloodied clothing. He was already mentally exhausted. With the help of proper resting time, he quickly fell into slumber. Just before falling asleep, Yang Si felt something else cover his body. The slight coldness from before disappeared and was replaced by warmth. Jiang Pengjis pupils flashed in the dark. Like a wisp of smoke flowing through it, she swiftly moved around the tent out of sight of the guards. Without disturbing anyone, she left the camp and ran swiftly in a certain direction. The audiences in the livestream saw that Jiang Pengji wasnt turning off the stream and realized that there was more to come. They stayed up late into the night until she finally moved. However What was she planning on doing out in the middle of the night? On top of that, the background became more and more deserted as she ran, and occasionally the audience could see pieces of human bones lying around, sending chills down their spines. Had the livestream channel finally decided to give up on the battle royale theme and turn into a supernatural channel? Yet the imagination of the audience was proven wrong. Jiang Pengji had run out here in the middle of the night to find evidence to prove her theory. She followed the spiritual markings on the red-dress dancer to this location but didnt find a corpse. Tsk Things are going to get a bit more interesting from now on. Chapter 707 - Badger Game (VII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji lifted her lips and smiled as she stared at the bloodstains on the ground. Under the ice-cold shine of the moonlight, the smile looked exceptionally terrifying. The audience in the livestream room shivered in fear. There was something off about the host today. Single Mircolife: Hey host, what you doing? Thats so scary. I wanted to sleep but now I cant. Snowfall: It really is scary. Please dont tell me youre here to check up on the corpse of that human skin facemask? Dawn and Nightfall: GaspAre there really ghosts and demons in this world? Jiang Pengji sent out a bullet message to stop the audience from writing up more stories to scare themselves. Host V: Yes, Im here to find the corpse. As expected, it already disappeared or I should say, the corpse has revived and left. Dont think that this is strange, Im already streaming here for you all. Why wouldnt they let another transmigrated have a cheat? Luckily, that persons rank isnt particularly high and they didnt manage to assassinate me. Besides, they even suffered a hidden loss from me. Jiang Pengji couldve killed the red dancer in one hit, but she hadnt. Instead, shed dragged the fight on to probe the assassin. Besides probing, shed even slyly done something else under the table. Shed transmitted some of her spiritual power into the others body and confined the system that controlled the womans body. If the red dancer was to be killed, the puppet system would give up on the transmigrated womans body and return to its host body. That would become a problem for Jiang Pengji. It wasnt time to reel in the net yet, so she didnt want to face the host system right now So, shed forcefully confined the puppet system into that body, making the system unable to escape the physical body. With this, the puppet system had no choice but to use up a massive amount of popularity points to repair that corpses body and force the transmigrated one to revive. Shed run out in the middle of the night only to see if the transmigrated one had already revived. As expected, everything went according to her calculations. Jiang Pengji stood up and left the burial mounds. On the way back, she mercilessly mocked the system that shed confined within the mental domain. That was your brother, how foolish can it be? The system revealed its true nature in rage. Jiang Pengji, you wont die a good death! A warrior could be killed but must not be humiliated. This woman had not mocked it once, but multiple times. The system had already grown to resent her down at its very core. Jiang Pengjis eye narrowed. Sure, Ill be waiting Lets see who kills who! According to her theory, the two hosts of the puppet system had already opened their stream channels and were able to view each others streaming rooms. During the last banquet, she had been staring at the red dancers screen comments. Doing so had opened a whole new world to her. Shed already thought she was dirty, but she had never seen a stream of comments filled with such blatantly obscene content. Some people even use words to simulate some inappropriate scenes on the screen like a massive lust fest. It was almost difficult to watch. This clearly wasnt just a proper stream anymore. It could almost be considered an AV. Jiang Pengji had observed that the red dancer probably wasnt able to see her screen. She thought about it and came up with a logical explanation for this phenomenon. The two puppet systems each had two terminals, one for receiving and one for sending out information signals. Jiang Pengji confined this puppet system so that the stream could only receive information but not send it out. She could receive the livestream page of the other puppet system, but the senders side could not receive information from her side. In other words, if the hosts system opened its own stream channel, she could easily capture the host. However, she did not believe a single word the system said. Who knew if the host system was a livestreaming system or if perhaps it was a different system Jiang Pengji returned to the camp with the shine of moonlight glistening above her. By this time, the sun was already peaking above the horizon, adding some rays of white light. As for where the red dancer had gone The facts had proven that Jiang Pengjis guess was correct. She had been revived. Turning back the time to a few hours before The red dancers neck had been broken by Jiang Pengji as a dagger stabbed right through her heart. It was clear that she couldnt be more fatally wounded than this. As her consciousness faded, she felt a great force pulling her body into a system carriage space. Instantly, her soul appeared inside the brightly lit living room of a mansion. The lingering fear of death expanded into horror as she curled up and cried out loud on the sofa of the mansion. A few moments later, she asked the system while still whimpering, System, am I already dead..? The systems voice was sinister and malicious. With a murderous intent that the red dancer had never heard before, it answered, Youre dead! She shivered from shock. Can I still come back to life? I still have popularity points I dont want to die! One billion! The system coldly said the two words. The red dancers expression froze. Simply repairing her body would require one billion popularity points? Why is it so expensive? She gained back some lost breath. One billion? How can I even earn that much? The system answered with an obvious hint of frustration, It was always this price. You can choose to not revive, no one is forcing you. It was clear that the system was in an extremely bad mood, but the poor red dancer had no clue what was going on. Of course she had no idea what was going on. When the system had discovered the true strength of Jiang Pengji, it had wanted to kick away its current host and run for its life. Yet it hadnt realized how manipulative that woman was. She was sly enough to make an underhand move that locked it up with the dumb woman in front of it right now. From now on, unless Jiang Pengjis spirit disappeared or she actively let it go, the system would be locked in with this body and unable to send out messages to its host system It wouldnt even let it escape What the f*ck!? It wasnt hard to imagine how the other puppet system had been treated. The red dancer wanted to stand up for herself a little longer, but she didnt want to be confined in this system space forever. It was too lonely. She wouldnt be able to handle the solidarity. She decided to admit defeat. One billion but I dont have that many points. I already exchanged all my popularity points for the Saints Seal of a Thousand Miles to get here as quickly as possible from Zhongzhao. You should know best how many points I have left. The red dancer still wanted to buy some sympathy by making a few more excuses. Thankfully, the system was much more reasonable now and threw two options at her. Pay by installments or make an overdraft. Choose one. I suggest you decide soon. You wont be able to revive if your corpse becomes completely broken. The system wasnt that kind, and whether she paid by installments or overdraft, the dancer would need to pay a hefty amount of interest. Faced with these unreasonable options, while she refused them deep down in her heart, she had no choice but to accept them. The system mocked her, saying, You were a fool. I originally asked you to use the Nine Grade Loyalty Seal, but you were greedy and chose to assassinate The red dancer was already frustrated, and now the systems mockery made her fume to the point that her whole body was jumbling up in anger. Shed snuck into the dancer group originally to use the Nine Grade Loyalty Seal on Jiang Pengji, but she hadnt expected Jiang Pengji to get that drunk during the banquet. Her heart ached as she thought about the price of the Nine Grade Loyalty Seal. Shed been swallowed up by greed at that moment and had taken out a dagger as she placed the seal back. Shed spent so many popularity points to exchange for skill books to make herself a masterful character, yet she couldnt even kill a drunk woman? Ah, she really couldnt, and instead, shed gotten herself killed by her target. Chapter 708 - Badger Game (VIII) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The red dancer felt her regret down in her intestines as she recalled her actions. Thankfully, she still had the Nine Grade Loyalty Seal, meaning she still had a chance to turn the tables. When she finally used the seal to control Jiang Pengji, she would get her revenge on her own stage. Shed torture Jiang Pengji until she begged for her life! The red dancer chose to pay in installments. The system and the woman came to an agreement and revived the dancer. The broken neck and pierced heart were both repaired completely. She opened her eyes to find herself beneath a snowy burial mound. The bones of fallen men were still peeking out from the snow, causing her to hastily run away in a panic. Her body was still cold and hard to move around, so she had to stay in a dormant position while she planned her next move. Dawn arrived, waking Yang Si with a timely summons from his biological clock. He rubbed his eyes and found himself surrounded by warm blankets. Two extinguished charcoal braziers sat nearby. L-lord? Yang Sis head turned as he remembered what had happened last night. Yet Jiang Pengjis voice answered from outside the tent. Youre awake? Jiang Pengji had already changed into clean clothes. She looked at Yang Si with a faint smile. My lord. Yang Si felt his old bones and leg muscles aching in pain. Indeed, anyone whod been forced to sleep in a curled-up position like that would get some complaints from their limbs. Go clean yourself up a bit. Well discuss how well ask Xu Pei to repay us for this matter afterward. Even though Xu Pei was not guilty, Jiang Pengji made it clear that she was deliberately provoking him. It wouldnt be her style unless she attempted to gain some kind of profit out of this. Yang Si nodded and responded with a grim expression. We do need to settle matters with him. If not for my lords strength in martial arts, nobody wouldve known what happened last night. Yang Si didnt know the full story, so he didnt realize that Jiang Pengji was purposely making the provocation. He didnt know that this was a hole shed dug herself. Did Jiang Pengji know that something was off about that lead dancer? It was exactly because she knew something was wrong with the dancer that shed decided to go with the flow and create this badger game to play. Poor Xu Pei had even given her the person in question and helped her to successfully create this plot. Last night, while Yang Si had a good rest, Jiang Pengji had gotten an even better nights sleep. Only Xu Pei and his subordinates hadnt gotten any rest. Who could sleep at a time like this? Whod ripped off Chuners face? Whod glued Chuners face onto that female assassin and ordered her to kill Liu Xi? Whod formulated this plot to kill Liu Xi in his camp, then frame him despite his good morals? Numerous questions clouded the minds of these men as the heavy atmosphere within the commanding officers tents practically leaked out the door. Finally, Xu Pei opened his mouth and broke the deathly silence. Do you all think that perhaps this whole thing was the doing of the second brother? Everyone in the tent looked at each other. Truthfully, their first suspect was also Xu Fei. However, this sibling quarrel was an infamous scandal. The subordinates werent in the right place to interfere with their lord and familys business. Xu Pei and Xu Fei were the direct descendants of the Xu family line. Because the head of the house was still their grandfather, both grandsons had the right to inherit the Xu family. In terms of familial hierarchy, as the elder grandson, Xu Pei was naturally the more fitting choice. He was kind and well-mannered, a skillful and talented young man with a very prestigious reputation in the arts and society. However, the current head of the Xu family had a preference for Xu Fei. This grandson was much more handsome and looked very similar to the current head when he was younger, naturally earning the love of his elder. Xu Fei was also a very smooth talker and often praised his grandfather with sweet words. This was one thing that Xu Pei couldnt win from his younger cousin. If only Xu Fei was a useless boy. In that case, there wouldnt have been a problem. But Xu Fei wasnt weak, and as the two cousins grew older, the competition between them grew more heated. While they would sometimes resort to underhanded moves, it was never out of line. This was perhaps a silent agreement between the two brothers. Xu Pei couldnt imagine that his quiet younger cousin could be as cruel to assassinate someone If not for the fact that Liu Xi had a martial arts master to protect him, perhaps Liu She would have united two states into one and sought revenge if Liu Xi had died last night. If this plot were to succeed, the Xu family would perhaps give him up to appease Liu She, allowing Liu She to take him hostage as a form of apology Xu Pei shivered in fear as he thought about this. What a malicious plot! Aside from Xu Fei, he couldnt think of another suspect. Let me ask you all, do you think this was all the second brothers plan? Xu Pei asked again in a louder voice. The men in the tent couldnt remain silent any longer and forced themselves to confront this question. We do not want to believe it, but the possibility that it was the doing of the second lord is very high The thought that Jiang Pengji had brought this vengeance plot on herself was not something that crossed any of their minds. The evidence all pointed towards the culprit being someone very familiar with Xu Peis camp. Otherwise, how would have they known where the dancer was? And how would they have known that Xu Pei had invited Liu Xi to the banquet to reel the Liu father and son duo over to their side? If it hadnt been a carefully planned plot, how would the culprit have killed the dancer and ripped her face off without anyone knowing? It was clear that there had been a spy in the camp. Xu Pei and Xu Feis long-time competition made the brothers very familiar with each others strategies. Sending spies into each others camp was not uncommon. If Xu Fei knew about this, he would be awed. Such a big burden of responsibility! Xu Pei painfully closed his eyes. Despite being competitors for many years, the two were still brothers. He would have never intended to murder his own family. But now this cousin of his had stabbed him in the waist and truly hurt him. However, he had no time for remorse or to weep over the death of their brotherly bond. The most important thing right now was securing Liu Xi and amending their relationship. Even if they could no longer go back to the way theyd been before, they could not turn against each other. At the very least, they could not let the second brother take advantage of this situation. Therefore, Xu Peis target became the leader of this alliance. If he messed up and angered the Liu family, making them turn towards Xu Feis side, he would suffer a great loss The camp discussed the matter through the night and thought of numerous plans to amend their mistake. Xu Pei felt like a prisoner waiting for the final judgment to come down, anxiously waiting for a conclusion to be reached. They stayed awake the whole night, but Jiang Pengji had a very good nights sleep. She had her breakfast before taking Yang Si to visit Xu Pei. My bother! Xu Pei called out like hed seen a close relative the moment he saw Jiang Pengji. He said it almost too longingly, causing everyone to feel their goosebumps rise. Brother Xu! Compared to her passionate demeanor last night, Jiang Pengjis attitude was a bit colder in the morning. Xu Pei didnt find it awkward. He said, I heard that you were targeted last night. Do you know who the culprit is? Jiang Pengji sneered back, I was almost killed in brother Xus camp. The assassin was even a dancer that brother gifted to me. I should be the one asking you that, brother Xu! He was, of course, upset. Xu Pei sighed silently. What happened last night was the doing of a spy. I see you as my own family, what reason would I have to hurt you? Despite being sincere with his words, Xu Pei didnt announce the culprit. Instead, he summoned a few people as witnesses. The lowly spy was merciless with their ways. They ripped off a human face and disguised themself as a dancer in an attempt to assassinate you However, you are correct in saying that this was the result of a mistake of your brother here. I should not have given her to you alas Jiang Pengjis facial expression grew hesitant as her heart moved slightly. Xu Pei continued and analyzed the situation carefully. If Liu Xi had died here, the first person to be affected would have been him. Why would he dig his own grave? So, youre saying that it wasnt Jiang PengJi swallowed the other half of the sentence and slowed down her tone. With a hint of concern, she said, I didnt know it was the doing of people who want to slander you. So, Im simply an unfortunate target who got dragged into this? T-then, arent you in even more danger now? Chapter 709 - Flying Pot From the Heavens (I) When Xu Bei heard this, he was elated in his heart. He knew this was a turning point in this matter. With an embarrassed look, he remarked, Your brother is useless. I caused my virtuous brother unnecessary shock and for you to worry about me. Please dont belittle yourself, Brother Xu. If you are considered useless, then wouldnt I also be worthless? After Jiang Pengji uttered these words, the at first stifling atmosphere in the commanders tent relaxed a bit. Xu Bei led her directly to her seat. Nevertheless, can Brother Xu tell me who the mastermind behind the scenes is? As she spoke, a hint of coldness flashed across her eyes. Her tone was deprived of emotions as she said, Whether it was directed against me or not, if not for my stroke of good luck last night, I would have reported to the King of Hades and be reincarnated by now. If I dont exact my revenge, people will think that Liu Xi of the Liu family is a weakling and a push-over! Xu Bei had wanted to keep it under wraps initially since Xu Fei was his family member. Internally, the benefits appeared to be in conflict. Externally, they were not. Both were the descendants of the Xu family. If one member was honored, all were honored with him. If one suffered, all suffered with him. Xu Fei could use unscrupulous means to cause him to fall. However, Xu Bei could not fall, at least not yet. Nonetheless, when faced with countless attempts at testing and asking after him, in order not to damage the relationship that had just been mended, Xu Bei had to reveal some truths. Actually regarding the cunning mastermind behind the scenes, your brother is not exactly sure yet. I have only one suspect in mind. Xu Beis facial expression was embarrassed. He deliberated, then confessed. I am ashamed, but the suspect is my younger cousin. I do not have any incriminating evidence presently, so his sins cannot be condemned yet. Please rest assured, my virtuous brother. Give me some time to bring the truth to light and give a complete account to you. If this was done by Xu Fei, I will not be biased towards my own family! She was expressionless as she listened. Brother Xus younger cousin, Xu Fei? Isnt that Brother Xus closest relative? Why would he Each household has its difficulties and sensitive matters. Xu Bei felt rather abashed. An internal conflict between brothers wasnt pleasant news. It was caused by disharmony in the family and evidence of a lack of family upbringing. Xu Fei and I have competed with each other for years. Our relationship has been strained, thats no longer a secret This is our familys misfortune. It is utterly embarrassing my brother has witnessed our familys failure. Truthfully, even though Ive known Xu Fei for years, with regard to the truth surrounding this matter, I feel inadequate to draw a conclusion. Even though Xu Bei was already convinced of Xu Feis wrongdoings in his heart, he certainly could not say so. Doing so would only blur the crux of the matter. She nodded obediently, then said, Then your younger brother will await news from Brother Xu. Seeing that she was so well-mannered and easy to talk to, Xu Bei heaved a long depressed sigh in his heart. What an easily fooled youngster. Why was his younger cousin not this cute? Again, Xu Bei threw a feast to host Jiang Pengji. They ate and drank to their hearts content. Jiang Pengji ate till she was quite full, then suddenly remembered Yang Sis reminder. She remarked, Brother Xu, I heard from Jing Rong that I promised you last night to impart the skill of flash brick synthesis to you. When Xu Bei heard this, he immediately became unnerved and tensed. As if an icy cold stream of water had washed over him, he was taken by total surprise. The chill of it ascended from the base of his feet to his brain. He reflected on it in his heart. He indeed desired the skill of synthesizing flash bricks, but today was different from yesterday. If he were to raise this matter now, hed be in trouble. At present, he still had a huge mess to clean up. He was not cleared of his suspicions yet. If he suddenly made this move, Liu Xi could suspect him of taking advantage of the situation while she was drunk. She would think that hed intentionally fooled her into selling her core skill set. Wouldnt that render all his hard work meaningless? With quick thinking, Xu Bei discreetly eyed his confidante. He intended to seek help from outside. What was the best way to wrap up this situation? His strategist secretly signaled to him with some signs. Xu Bei silently deciphered them. Regarding this matter it indeed happened. Xu Bei glanced at Yang Si, only to see him looking towards him with a faint smile of silent warning. He trembled in his heart and realized that he couldnt hide it any longer. Im not afraid that my brother will see this as a joke, but last night I saw the painting of Master Yuanjings disciple. That sight made me yearn in my heart I wish to govern my county until it becomes prosperous and bustles with excitement. Zhe County is in the south. It is both humid and rainy, many items there tend to grow moldy and rot. If we use flash bricks as our building material, I believe the situation will improve. Last night, I didnt know my younger brother was drunk. I shamelessly asked some questions Now that I reflect on it, it was inappropriate. My younger brother need not take any of it to heart With disapproval, she nodded her head resolutely and decisively. A gentlemans words cannot be taken back! How can I take back my words? No matter if I was drunk last night or if the words slipped out of my mouth, I already promised Brother Xu. I cannot back out on this matter. Moreover, Brother Xu asked for this for the people of Zhe County, not for your own selfish gains. Ive always held Brother Xus character and talents in high regard. If I can be of help, why would I refuse to do so? Of all the people present, except for a few strong-minded and outspoken military generals, which of them wasnt a highly skilled actor? Xu Bei had maintained his reputation well. His ability to put on a front and lie through his nose was top-notched. Yang Si and the viewers in the live streaming room looked indifferently at these two A-list actors as they played along with each other and tricked each other, all the while silently eating their melons. He hadnt expected Jiang Pengji to make a solemn promise. His heart was touched and filled with admiration and joy. This meant that Liu Xi had already forgiven him completely. Their relationship had not been affected by what had happened last night. If he could preserve their relationship and still purchase the recipe needed to synthesize bricks, this would be the best outcome. Xu Bei smiled cheerily. The promise my brother made is extremely trustworthy. I am ashamed that I am not as honorable as you. Jiang Pengji had a thick skin. At times she was narcissistic, but she also knew when to be humble. Of course, she was humble largely because she was laying the foundation for her narcissism. The business they discussed reached a conclusion. They then entered the stage where they bargained for the price. Because Xu Bei was on the logically losing end, Jiang Pengji need not purposely win his favor. After all, hed taken the initiative to give in to her by a large extent. It was hard to place a price tag on something like a skill, but Xu Bei was a wealthy man. At the same time, the strategist in his camp was not short-sighted. Theyd certainly put a reasonable price tag on possessing the skill of flash brick synthesis. However, Jiang Pengji was such a ruthless and sly character, how could she be satisfied with such insignificant benefits? She knitted her brows as if hesitant Xu Bei thought she was dissatisfied with the price. He asked, What does my virtuous brother think of the price? Brother Xu holds your brother in high regard. Naturally, your younger brother will not go overboard. Except Again, Jiang Pengji paused her speech. She hid some truths while she revealed others. She was competent at causing someone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder to burst with anxiety. He asked after her hastily. Only then did Jiang Pengji slowly reveal her intentions. She wore an apologetic look that said, I have sinned, I was too greedy. Previously, I heard Brother Xu speak of the situation in Zhe County. Suddenly, I feel a deep sense of guilt. The method of kiln burning for glassware synthesis should have been made easily accessible to bless the people and the nations, to bring fortune to society. But I was blinded by wealth and I sold them at exorbitant prices. It is truly Brother Xu need not tell a white lie. The price you offered for it is obviously beyond what its worth. How can I, your younger brother, shamelessly receive it? Chapter 710 - Flying Pot From the Heavens (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If her acting was somewhat less convincing, it would become a lousy show. But how could Jiang Pengjis acting be inferior? She succeeded in portraying herself as someone who prioritized the worlds affairs but had momentarily made a mistake. After she acknowledged her wrongdoing, she was regretful and reflective. After that, she became an upright and honest gentleman. Even Yang Si, who had seen enough of his masters acting abilities to know better, was tricked by her as well. This was totally another level of her award-winning acting! The viewers in the livestreaming room lined up to render praises to Jiang Pengji, posting countless comments of 666. 2 A Man of Few Words Huang Shaotian: I seem to have just witnessed the work of an award-winning actress. The streamers acting deserves an Oscar! If she doesnt win, it means the judges are blind. Midnight Epilepsy: Her trickery is too high-level My heart suddenly aches for Xu Bei having to face an award-winning actress. He was almost duped into doing something lame. Feng Wu: Xu Bei and the streamer are both engaged in an award-winning battle that spans tens of thousands of years. I suddenly thought of a plot If they competed to rule the world, the feudal princes would rise in power. Those lords who wielded power would surely have to be award-winning actors. If all these actors congregate together and are allowed to act their hearts out, whoever could strategize the best would be able to survive until the end Hahaha, I am certain that our streamer could wipe them all out in seconds. With the support of these leisurely and purposelessly buff people, Jiang Pengji successfully tricked Xu Bei. Xu Bei was unaware of the impending dangers; he continued to smile and tease her. My virtuous brother has persuaded me, why are you full of remorse now? No one is perfect or free of faults. Moreover, my virtuous brother didnt do anything wrong in this case. The flash bricks were unheard of in the past, but my virtuous brother managed to synthesize them. Im certain a lot of effort went into it. Blood brothers settle their accounts fairly; I will pay to purchase it from my brothers hands, as is right and proper. If my brother refuses to accept payment, I will not comply. After some deep deliberation, she hesitantly opened her mouth. Brother Xus words are reasonable Flash bricks are items that bring blessings to the people. They should not be possessed by only one or two families. If they monopolized the market and took ownership of it by force, theyd seem narrow-minded. If Brother Xu wishes to buy the recipe to synthesize flash bricks, I perceive that this item is valuable. Little brother has a thought, but I dont know if its feasible. You can consider reducing the price and selling it to a few families. The business can be expanded, and one could earn profits that could be used as an allowance for the familys expenses. She spoke the first few sentences with much embarrassment. It seemed like she was ashamed of her thoughts. Her last sentence was witty. First, Xu Bei laughed. Then, he immediately took her words under serious consideration. Because of Jiang Pengjis past actions, he didnt feel like she was acting. Instead, he sensed her upright and righteous temperament. She had a benevolent heart. If it had been someone else, certainly he would have devised all means to gain as much profit as he could. However, Liu Xis actions were completely unexpected. Who had ever seen an unscrupulous businessman throw away money freely like that? Xu Bei thought in his heart that if peace reigned in the world and had such parental officials, it would be the peoples blessing. People like Liu Xi were already a rare commodity. Hed always wished for an opportunity to find favor and bring their relationship closer. Now that a golden opportunity had appeared before his eyes, he wouldnt give it up. He succinctly asked, If it wouldnt make my virtuous brother think of me as being a busybody, why not lend me the painting first? She asked him suspiciously, Why does Brother Xu want that painting? Thanks to the blessings left by my ancestors, your brother was able to meet all the heroes gathered at this alliance. During the time we spent together, I believe Ive built some comradeship with them. I may not have gained other things, but Ive won some human relations. Xu Beis tone was rather prideful. From your elder brothers viewpoint, with your shy character, Im afraid you are not suitable to carry out this task. If you trust your brother, I will definitely implement the task properly. Filled with shock, Jiang Pengji only regained her senses after a while. She understood Xu Beis intentions. How, how can I accept this? She was overjoyed to the point that she couldnt control herself. She almost bit her tongue and spoke insensibly. Brother Xu is already willing to put in so much effort, I cannot accept your money. Why dont I give you the recipe to synthesize flash bricks for free Before shed finished speaking, Xu Bei had already interrupted her. As brothers, we should settle our accounts fairly. Although we arent blood-relatives, we became friends at first sight. Our relationship even surpasses that of biological brothers! How can I, your brother, take advantage of you? Money certainly must be given, and he would be generous about it. Nevertheless, whether this money would be used to purchase the skill set to synthesize flash bricks or to cover the cost for the energy shed expended to act last night, the benevolence would see benevolence. After breakfast, Jiang Pengji brought over Yang Si, her personal guard, and a contract stamped with Xu Beis official stamp. She walked off leisurely with her cloth bundle. Yang Si watched silently. During the observation process, hed felt that hed played an insignificant role as a strategist. His value was less than one without ambitions. This is so exhausting After speaking so formally, I feel like my tongue will start to stammer soon. Jiang Pengji tied her rabbit fur cloak tightly around herself to block out the chilly wind, then she rubbed her stiff cheeks. Acting passionately and convincingly was really exhausting. Yang Si frowned. My lord, will Xu Bei and the rest fall for the trap? Jiang Pengji considered it and said, I cannot speak about the future, but at least for now, theyve fallen for the trap. But there is no perfect scheme in this world. If its discovered, so be it, there is nothing to fear. Even if they find out something, my only wrongdoing was to profit from his misfortune, At most, there would be an additional sin of making use of Xu Bei. Two wrongdoings will not have any major consequences. If we count the cost in detail, they wont suffer much loss. However, I was almost assassinated and killed at their campsite thats is an indisputable truth. From their perspective, it is better that I live than die. If I die, they will be finished. Thus, even if I tricked them, they would tolerate and keep their grievances in their hearts. Who would dare to turn against me? Indeed, theres some logic to that. Yang Si recalled the scene yesterday, then asked, Was the assassin really instigated by Xu Fei? If it really had been Xu Fei, then this pair of Xu brothers had more friction between them than an outsider could imagine. She shot a glance at Yang Si and asked him in return, Do you think Xu Fei did it? Yang Si shook his head. It doesnt seem like it. Xu Fei had no motive. Xu Feis suspicion was indeed the greatest. However, from Yang Sis point of view, Xu Fei had no motive for assassinating her. Why did he think so? The main reason why the Xu brothers could become mighty figures in the alliance group was that they commanded 100,000 troops. If their relationship as brothers was broken and they parted ways, each of them would only have 50,000 men. They wouldnt be a threat anymore. The Xu brothers interests were tied together. Although there was a conflict of interests, there were also avenues where they benefited each other. If one was honored, both would receive the honor. If one suffered, both would suffer. If one of them fell, the other could not reap any advantages from it. If Xu Fei assassinated Liu Xi, wouldnt his actions directly implicate Xu Bei? This was obviously a foolish move that would incur much loss. Still, if this plot had not been carried out by Xu Fei, Yang Si could not think of any other suspicious person. Unless Yang Si directed his sights at his lord. Unless this assassination attempt had been orchestrated by the lord herself? No way! It could not be! The idea popped up in Yang Sis mind, but he snuffed out immediately. There were many holes in this hypothesis that surpassed Xu Fei being the mastermind. Jiang Pengji rode on Little Whites back. She serenely said, Theres no need to guess. It was neither Xu Fei nor your lord Chapter 711 - Flying Pot From The Heavens (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Yang Si rode forward to ask, Does the lord already know who the mastermind is? What is the reason behind his actions? Why did he want to assassinate the lord? What was the reason? Jiang Pengji smirked coldly and said, This assassination attempt was neither against Xu Bei nor Xu Fei, it was directed at your lord. The target was me, not anyone else, it was never meant for anyone else. Xu Bei and Xu Fei were innocent bystanders who suffered misfortune for naught. Who would have expected them to be so unlucky that they would be around when it happened? Speaking of which, that assassins martial arts skills were such a shame, his ability unimpressive He only possessed basic skills, yet he dared to assassinate me? That was a complete waste of my time. It had never crossed Yang Sis mind that the assassin had truly been after his lords life. Could it be the lords enemy? At this thought, he felt anxious in his heart. Regarding this matter should we report it to the Old Master? There is no need, I can handle it. If we report it to my father, it will only unnecessarily cause another person to worry on my behalf. He sighed and uncontrollably reminded her, Please dont be stubborn, my lord, your safety is of the utmost importance. I know. Yang Si was deeply aware that he couldnt convince her. Thus, he temporarily put this matter aside to be discussed at another time. He changed his perspective and pitied the Xu brothers somewhat; theyd suffered an unexpected misfortune. I suddenly thought of something The Xu brothers are indeed quite pitiful. They might break their bonds over this matter When Yang Si uttered these words, he did some degree of rejoicing over their misfortune. His facial expression was full of the desire to witness the show unfold. Dont deem him as heartless. After all, one is loyal to his own master. It wasnt going overboard no matter what he did. As for the strategist, werent they in a position to exploit the misfortune of others for their own benefit? The Xu brothers appear to be harmonious outwardly, but their infighting is getting increasingly aggressive. Even without this matter, its only a matter of time before Xu Bei and Xu Feis fight gets out of hand. As for whether their relationship will be irreconcilable or not, kekeke, the clan leader of the Xu family is aged. How many more years does he have to live? If he remains alive, Xu Bei and Xu Feis fight will stay under control. However, if he dies and the Xu family has yet to choose a successor who can earn the respect of everyone, this pair of cousins will surely engage in a deadly fight. Jiang Pengji calmly analyzed the situation, then added, The Xu family has a rich heritage, they could become our biggest enemy in the future. Now that we have a chance to step on their foot, itd be a pity if we missed it. I separate my personal and official affairs well. Our private relationship may be close, but official relations cannot be neglected. She and Xu Bei shared a close private relationship, but in official matters, she still had to take it seriously. Yang Si was moved and asked her, Then how about the alliance meeting? Will you support Xu Bei? Jiang Pengji laughed as she shook her head. Of course I will support him. Your lord is trustworthy and keeps her words, I will not go back on my words. As for that laid back, unambitious gang, the same would be true no matter who they supported. If supporting Xu Bei could magnify her gains, why wouldnt she support him? The campsite of the alliance army extended more than 330,000 feet. Their fame and power were vast, causing them to surge with great momentum. The chilly wind blew the banner continually. Jiang Pengji returned to her campsite discreetly, her mind filled with many thoughts. I just heard that my lord was almost assassinated last night! Were you injured? Having heard of Jiang Pengjis return, Feng Zhen rushed over hastily. When he saw that she was fine, his worried expression calmed somewhat. Jiang Pengji got off her horse, passing the reins to her guard as she turned to face Feng Zhen. I forgot to bring you wine, please dont be angry. Feng Zhen was stunned. Shortly after when he understood her underlying meaning, he was almost melancholic. In times like this, who cared about wine? Relax, I didnt sustain any injuries. We gained a lot from this trip; I will tell you about it all in detail when we return to the tent. As she spoke, she walked in the direction of her tent. She thought of something half-way and turned to ask Feng Zhen, You mentioned just now that you just heard that I was almost assassinated last night, yes? Feng Zhen replied, Exactly, I was about to rush over to Xu Beis camp. I didnt realize you were already back She thought it over and realized that it was Xu Bei who had suppressed the news. If the matter was not settled and the news was leaked, it would attract the attention of the big boss, Liu She. Xu Bei would have no ability to withstand his presence. Send someone to pass a letter to my father to inform him that I have returned safely. The assassin last night did not injure me. Please tell him not to worry. Feng Zhen bowed respectfully, summoning a soldier to send news to the neighboring camp where Liu She resided. When Liu She received the news from the solider, his nervous heart was finally eased. He relaxed his brows. He signaled to the soldier whod delivered the letter and said, Go and receive your reward. His daughter had overcome the disaster and she was now safe. Indeed, he should reward the news bearer with a handsome reward. Liu She cast his sight towards the sky outside his tent. His brows were so knitted that they nearly formed a knot. He knew the insider information better than Yang Si. Naturally, he knew the assassination attempt hadnt been directed against the Xu brothers. The true target had obviously been Jiang Pengji. It is good that she is safe. Ah Min, if your spirit hears this, you must protect her well Liu She rubbed his palms together to generate heat, then heaved a huge sigh of relief. The air that proceeded from his mouth coalesced to form a white fog that ascended into the air. In this world, there was only one woman who hated this pair of father and son to the core. He could think of no one else. Unless that foolish woman came to her senses and let it go, she has finally discovered Empress Chens identity! She only figured it out after so many years Ha! Liu She mocked her softly, then spoke to himself. His voice was so soft that it couldnt be heard. What a pity, she was one step behind in her assassination attempt. At present, Lanting isnt a puppet that can be manipulated by anyone. A faint smile appeared as he curled his lips. Even his eyes became tender and deep as he envisioned another world. Ah Min, wait a while more. When Lanting ascends to that position, your husbands wish will be fulfilled. Our family will be reunited It was unknown who these words were directed at, or if they were meant for someone who had passed on. The story has unfolded into two paths. Lets unveil them one by one. Xu Bei volunteered himself for the assignment. He contacted a large proportion of the powers gathered among the alliance army. This move angered his all-time enemy and caused unrest in Xu Feis heart. What caused his anxiety levels to increase came thereafter. He received reports from an informer that Liu Shes son, Liu Xi, had met with an assassin at Xu Beis camp last night. When this news reached him, his first reaction was to rejoice. Xu Bei was in big trouble now! However, after hearing the analysis by his strategist in his tent, Xu Fei trembled with fear. His state of mind was chaotic, causing him to feel momentarily lost about what should be done. Liu Xi had met with an assassin. That would be fine if she was already dead. Unfortunately, the assassination attempt had failed. Who would be the biggest suspect? Needless to say, this flying pot from the heavens was directly tagged onto Xu Fei. Even if he made a hundred excuses, he would not be able to explain himself. If Xu Bei fell, he would benefit from it the most. As such, he had a motive and was a suspect. He had no choice but to bear this burden. The same problem emerged again. From Xu Feis perspective, this must be an act directed by his elder cousin, Xu Bei. Xu Bei, that hypocrite, is truly hateful. He has framed me and shifted the blame to me for no reason. What a great act! The true thief shouting about catching another thief! When Xu Fei received this news, he was raging mad. He stayed in his tent and paced back and forth, the friction creating a hole in the ground. Chapter 712 - Flying Pot from the Heavens (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio All the strategists eyed each other nervously, marveling in their hearts at Xu Beis schemes. His methods were cruel enough. His heart was evil enough. After he self-directed and acted in that scene to kill Liu Xi, when the time came, he could push the blame onto Xu Fei. After that, he would be innocent! Not only would he raise a strong enemy against Xu Fei, but he could also tie down the Liu familys father and son to his side in this war and win himself a prestigious name. Even if the father and son of the Liu family broke ties with Xu Bei over this bad blood, the Liu family would not turn their allegiance to Xu Fei. Thinking of which, Xu Bei was the most suspicious because he had the most convincing motive. Naturally, he would be deemed the first suspect. Xu Fei composed himself. He coldly grunted and asked the people around him, Hmph, what is that hypocrite doing now? Elder Langjun is currently hosting a banquet for the alliance army. Eating nonstop all day long he hosts feasts to eat, drink, and be merry around beauties, how can he not die from it? Xu Feis expression was somewhat contorted with some degree of malice. He spoke words loaded with mockery. This cousin of mine is indeed capable. He brings along a whole legion of dance troupes while on a mission to protect the emperor. He gives others gold, silver, treasures, carriages, and beauties solely for the sake of his reputation. He stops at nothing. Now hes even set up this despicable incident to tarnish my reputation! Its utterly disgusting! One person beside him was filled with anxiety. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, My lord, now is not the time to complain. He has won the support of the Liu familys father and son. He now has more support regarding the position of alliance chief Im afraid it will fall into Elder Langjuns hands Our chances of winning are slim. Anger surged in Xu Feis heart afresh. I can see it for myself. He did not deem himself to be weaker than his elder cousin, but the other party was more talented at acting and he seriously could not match up. What better strategies do you have? Itd be best to sow discord between him and the Liu familys father and son. Xu Fei was exasperated. What gave his elder cousin the right to possess what he couldnt? Hed bought talents and used them to build a name for himself. What right did he have to be prideful? Someone commented, This must not be. If we allow this, we will be at a disadvantage. Xu Feis heart was so full of fury that it was about to burst. If this cannot be, and that cannot be, then what should I do? The other party answered, Why not prepare a generous gift? You could send someone on behalf of the lord to apologize to Liu Xi for Elder Langjuns wrongdoings? Xu Fei evaluated this idea. It was obviously Xu Beis fault, why should he offer a gift and apologize for him? The man continued to explain, My lord, based on the news weve gathered, there was no conflict between Liu Xi and Elder Langjun. Evidently, Elder Langjun has already pushed all the blame onto you. If we explain ourselves to Liu Xi now, we will bring trouble on ourselves. Since thats the case, my lord should proceed with the reason that your elder brother did not secure the place well, thus allowing the assassin to enter. As such, you have come to apologize to Liu Xi on your elder cousins behalf. Make contact with him, and only then reveal some of your suspicions appropriately. If Liu Xi isnt a fool, he will certainly investigate. The evidence he finds will trump whatever people around him may say. If things were manipulated fittingly, perhaps Xu Bei would bring trouble upon himself despite plotting it against someone else. At this thought, Xu Fei immediately got others to prepare a generous gift. He then sent a high ranking subordinate to pass the gift along as a sign of respect. Jiang Pengjis remarked that Xu Fei and Xu Bei were indeed cousins, for their brainlessness was top-notch. After they sent off Xu Feis envoy, Yang Si and Feng Zhen looked at the generous gifts that filled more than half of the main tent. They stared almost until their eyeballs popped out. What are their intentions in doing this? She smiled and answered, Im 80% certain the two brothers are suspicious of each other. Qingfeng Xueying: Hahahaha throwing shade at each other! Are they truly suspicious of each other? Is this a novel invention? Do such operations exist? Zuiyun Maoyao: Xu Fei suspects Xu Bei of orchestrating this incident, while Xu Bei suspects Xu Fei of playing dirty behind the scenes it sounds like a fable. Lay Buddhist Sweeps Floor: Who cares if both brothers are throwing shades at each other? Since my lord wins all the benefits, its a sweet deal! Indeed, after a series of squabbles, the one who would benefit the most was surprisingly Jiang Pengji. If the Xu brothers knew the truth, would they shed silent tears? I somehow foresee that the alliance meeting today will be a fiery war zone where conflicts and bitter resentments will abound Jiang Pengji made sounds of disdain. She appeared to be filled with emotions. Yang Si and Feng Zhen looked at one another, seeing helplessness in each others eyes. Despicable! If their lord had not discreetly devised this scene to manipulate them with seduction and blackmail, the brothers would not want to engage in such a violent fight. She was about to wash up and change into new garments when someone announced that Huang Song was there to visit. This time, Huang Song did not bring Cheng Jing along. Instead, Feng Jue came with him. Both wore informal clothes. It seemed like theyd come for personal reasons. She pensively greeted Feng Jue. She then said, Itd be worth dying before my beloved. Whats the big deal about the assassination attempt? Huang Song was silent. Xu Bei had good intentions. He wanted to offer that gorgeous dancer to me, but who knew that such a beauty possessed poisons? She turned out to be an assassin. Huang Song had no words in response. Based on his understanding of Liu Xi, although the man loved beautiful women, he always exercised self-restraint. As he recalled, many years ago, when three of them were still in Shangjing, theyd often spent time together at the brothels. Liu Xi had never stayed overnight. At most, hed listen to the songs. No one had imagined that, after years so many years passed, Liu Xi would transform into a frivolous Langjun who was corrupted and pursued women flippantly without ever committing himself to anyone. Feng Jue noted, You dont seem to be such a careless person that youd dare to savor a beauty who a stranger and outsider offered to you. With lingering fear, she addressed his query. Man is fallible, and we make mistakes too Because I was careless, last night was truly a close shave Huang Song also laughed and seconded that. Youths have impulses, what man isnt lustful? Nonetheless, one must exercise caution in all things. Never immerse yourself too deeply into anything. Huang Song and Feng Jue had dropped by to visit and make sure that she was fine. After they exchanged conventional greetings, Huang Song and his companion were ready to leave. Yang Si entered the tent with a pile of bamboo writing slips. He was startled when he saw that there were guests. As he watched Huang Songs expression change, Yang Si became nervous. He had one foot in the tent, the other outside. He hesitated, wondering whether to enter or not. You Ive seen you somewhere before When Huang Song had visited previously, Feng Zhen and Yang Si had been setting up the tents outside and hadnt met him. Yang Si kept strangely silent. Certainly, he had seen Huang Song before, but it hadnt been recently. Many years ago, hed been job-hopping after turning against Prince Changshou. After he played a trick on his previous master, hed taken his pageboy and fled. Hed initially wanted to pledge loyalty to Huang Song and determine if he was a wise master. However, the gatekeeper at Huang Songs mansion bullied others and had rejected Yang Sis request to visit. Later, Huang Song quickened his horse to catch up, but Yang Sis temper was kindled, and hed proudly rejected the other party. Hed even cooked up a fake name. As hed continued heading north, hed fallen for Wei Cis trap, then been lured by Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci into the black hole of demanding him to work overtime. Now that he recalled it, he couldnt help but sigh. Back then, if hed chosen to follow Huang Song, perhaps he wouldnt be so mentally and emotionally drained now. At least Huang Song was easier to fool than Jiang Pengji. Again, Huang Song tried to recall Yang Sis identity. He laughed as he said, Master Zhao, have you been well since we parted all those years ago? Once more, Yang Si kept silent. Back then, when hed decided to play along with Huang Song, hed introduced himself as Zhao. Chapter 713 - Yang Si and Huang Song Whats the matter, Jingrong? You and Bogao know each other? Jiang Pengji could see that something unusual was going on between them. She seemed to think that the situation not awkward enough and wanted to add fuel to the fire. Yang Si looked down and said, Chief Huang, you have mistaken me for someone else. My surname is Yang, and my name consists of a single word, Si. It really was Yang Si! The smile on Huang Songs face appeared even more cheerful, but his rage was secretly building up in his chest. Oh, so you are Mr. Yang Si. Feng Jue frowned in secret and asked, Are you working under Lanting now? Yang Si answered, Yep. The atmosphere was even more awkward. Even now, I still feel regret for narrowly missing the opportunity of having you work with me back in the day. Now that I know you have found your place, I can finally take the load off my mind. Huang Songs words were intended to both provoke and alienate Yang Si and Jiang Pengji from each other. Yang Si was unwilling to be outdone. Since fate has been predestined, I hope that Chief Huang wont dwell on it. But things like fate are really hard to figure out. Had I not seen Chief Huang in this tent today, I wouldnt have known that you are close friends with my lord also. Pardon my rudeness, but Id like to ask whether you ever got a new porter or not. Had the porter not behaved like a dog, threatening people on the strength of its masters power, and put Yang Sis letter on the bottom of the pile, Yang Si wouldnt have had to wait for three futile days. Talented people were all prideful. Only a fool would hang around waiting after three days had passed without any reply being given. Yang Sis reply made Huang Song even angrier. Jiang Pengji looked at the two, then said to Huang Song, Bogao, what youve said makes you sound like an aggrieved woman who is confined at home and has been cheated on by a playboy. Yang Sis mockery and Jiang Pengji adding on dealt an impressive amount of critical damage to Huang Song. Huang Song recalled his words just now, and his expression turned darker. His face was beginning to look like the bottom of a frying pan. Yang Si smiled and explained, smoothing things over, My lord, you are wrongly accusing me with your words. If someone here has been cheated on by a playboy, it isnt Chief Huang. Oh? Jiang Pengji put on an expression of interest in the gossip between them. Yang Si objectively narrated what happened in the past. His words were not only targetted at Jiang Pengjis ears, but at Huang Songs as well. At first, Yang Si hadnt wanted to swear loyalty to Jiang Pengji. Hed simply gone over to see Wei Ci and get back the money he owed him. However, he hadnt known that Jiang Pengji would be so high-handed and use both hard and soft tactics on him. And so, Yang Si had fallen into her trap. He didnt go into many details, but the listeners could imagine the situation in their heads, and they couldnt help but laugh. Huang Songs expression improved too, his anger gradually subsiding. Huang Song was angry over the fact that Yang Si had gone to work for Jiang Pengji after leaving him. His personality had always been a sensitive and mistrustful one, and the matter with Yang Si had bothered him for many years. Furthermore, Yang Si had even mocked him, so how could he not be angry? Now that everything had been explained, he accepted it calmly as well. If he didnt accept it, what could he do? Make a complete break with Liu Xi just because of Yang Si? Or rather, get Liu Xi to alienate Yang Si because of him? Huang Song felt that his relationship with Liu Xi was not that strong, and he would rather not embarrass himself by trying to do that. The alliance meeting was set to begin at dusk, the site being provided by Xu Pei. As their tents were near each other, Jiang Pengji, Liu She, and Huang Song set off together and arrived as a group. Even though they were father and child, Jiang Pengjis and Liu Shes forces were counted separately, meaning each of them would be counted as having their own army. Including Jiang Pengjis, there were 23 armies in the alliance ready to save the king. Jiang Pengji had only arrived two days prior, and those two days had been full of thrills. Naturally, she hadnt had time to get to know people from the other forces. Every army consisted of about 10,000 to 50,000 men. Other than the major armies, there were still a couple of small armies that had only several thousand men with them. They stood by each other and formed small blocs so that they could also occupy a place in the alliance and have some say, however little it may be. As the organizer, Xu Pei sat on the main seat. Other than the main seat, the seat to the right of it was for the most distinguished person in the room. A middle-aged man wearing fancy reddish-brown clothing was already sitting there. It went without saying that this person was the county chief of Hu County, Wuma Shang. Seeing him, Liu She gave a slight laugh and sat nonchalantly in the seat to the left. Jiang Pengji followed and sat beside him. Since ancient times, right had always taken precedence over left, so the seat on the right was always slightly more valued than the corresponding seat on the left. Since Jiang Pengji was sitting next to Liu She, the second seat on the right was empty. Xu Fei sat there discourteously. The alliance meeting hadnt even started, yet one could already smell the tension in the air. Jiang Pengji hadnt brought Feng Zhen and Yang Si along this time. Instead, shed brought Li Yun and Dian Yan with her. The alliance meeting was a place that required both brains and brawn. If they couldnt reach a consensus through words, they would have to fight each other in a showdown. Li Yun sat in the second row and quietly looked around. He kept his voice low as he said, My lord, there are so many people here The site of the alliance meeting was extremely large, and the decor made it feel not like a crude campground, but more like a luxurious palace. On the flat ground was a layer of animal skin with no variegation. One wouldnt feel the slightest hint of cold even if one were to step on it barefooted. Quite a number of bronze lamps with the designs of Change ascending to the moon, ladies washing clothes by the river, and birds worshipping the phoenix were placed all around. Expensive spices were mixed into the lamp oil, causing their fragrance to linger in the air as the oil burned. It was very bright in the tent as if it was daytime. Every detail reflected one word opulence! There are many people indeed. Li Yun still dared to look around, but Dian Yan was sitting up straight in a proper manner as if he was facing a formidable enemy. He balled his fists up loosely and put them on his knees, looking straight ahead with his eyes opened wide. Dian Yan looked fierce, his build sturdy and his dark skin tone. His stance almost gave the people sitting opposite him a scare. Xu Fei, sitting opposite, was silent. The agenda of the alliance meeting was basically as follows Eat, drink, watch dances, and start discussing proper business after several rounds of drinking. If a consensus was reached, everyone would be happy and continue eating, drinking, watching dances, and, if one happened to have good luck in their adventures with women, one could possibly bring back one or two dancers for the night. However, word of Jiang Pengji almost being assassinated by a dancer had just gotten around. The warlords probably dared not put their fortunes and lives on the line by taking the risk. If no consensus was reached, they might either continue quarreling or just end up parting on bad terms. All of the possible outcomes had nothing to do with Jiang Pengji. She and Liu She were simply there as bystanders. She opened the livestream channel, causing the 150,000 members of the audience to immediately flood the viewing room. A Thousand Premature Deaths Can Hardly be Compared to a Strand of Moonlight: Whats the situation now? I feel like the alliance meeting is really slack. There was a banquet yesterday, now another banquet today? Begging on My Knees for Monthly Tickets: Wait, somethings not right. There are so many people today, and their looks vary greatly. Ill just continue to admire our boy Li Yun. Begging on My Knees for Recommendation Tickets: *shocked* The streamers summonable beasts for today arent Feng Zhen and Yang Si? How can the game be played without ranged mages? The Dolls that Won the Whole World Over Although she did not bring mages, she brought two violent fighters. Jiang Pengji shook her head. Why did she feel that the bullet-screen comments had changed drastically after just a few hours of not opening the livestream? She didnt know that in the world where the audience of the livestream lived, a studio had created a mobile game of their own based on other games. To put it simply, the player would create a character and choose a lord to serve while summoning various summonable pets (their subordinates). The game studio even imitated a certain mobile game and came up with different characteristics and stats for each subordinate Because of how popular the livestream was, the number of times the game was downloaded was shockingly high, despite it being newly launched The most popular summonable pets right now were Wei Ci, a mage, and Li Yun, a fighter. As for the reason? They had good looks! Chapter 714 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (I) Jiang Pengji could only sigh in awe after learning of this. They were all real businessmen. Host V: Please let the game company know that we should at least be compensated if they are using our characters to make money. For a short while, the entire stream channel was filled with hahaha comments. Some even went as far as to @ the studios account on Weibo. Jiang Pengji was just playing the game with the audience to kill time. Meanwhile, the assembly had already started. As the host, Xu Pei enthusiastically opened the assembly with a passionate speech, rallying the spirits of the audience and soldiers. He cheered on the crowd with words of encouragement about fighting their common enemy and working together in unity. With his incredible pacing of words, even boring and pretentious lines turned into exciting statements on stage when Xu Pei was in chargetruly a master of mood making! The crowd responded with eagerness. While they did not curse or swear, they collectively agreed on their frustration about Prince Changshou. Jiang Pengji had just come back from chatting with the audience and saw that everyone was crusading against Prince Changshou, making her frown slightly. Fighting him isnt a personal matter, so whats the point of insulting Prince Changshou? She shook her head as if shed just heard a silly joke. Liu She slid a plate of dried fruits over to her discreetly with a similar faint smile on his face, offering her some snacks to munch on. Liu She broke into laughter and said, Just watch, you shouldnt need to speak up. A spectator must maintain their spectator spirit to not speak. They must simply let the crowd argue amongst themselves. Xu Pei surveyed the way hed rallied the crowd with pride, but the moment his gaze turned towards the father and son duo, he felt a strange twitch at the corner of his eye. As he was about to witness the alliance turn into a completely different party, he heard a clear voice draw the attention of everyone in the banquet. The speaker was Jiang Pengjis old friend Huang Song. Ladies and Gentlemen, please spare me a minute to speak. Huang Song had an army of 15,000 men and was a county chief himself, so his position among the Twenty-Three Princes was very high. He stood up from his seat and bowed cordially. A traitor must naturally be hunted down, but the traitor is sly and calculating. He saw the size of our alliances army and remained on the defensive without making a move for days. While it may not be a problem in the short term, this may become an unknown variable if it continues. Someone gave the rebuttal, What kind of variable from Prince Changshou can it be so large that an army of 400,000 men cannot handle? Prince Changshou is a traitor. If he is not killed, our people will not be able to rest in peace, nor shall their anger be appeased. Prince Changshou should be trembling with fear as we righteously punish treachery, why should we be afraid of him? Xu Pei raised his hand to suppress the other dissenting voices as he asked in a gentle voice, May I ask why Chief Huang must make this statement? Huang Song answered, If we wish for something, we must prepare the way for it. We have all brought out elite troops to join this alliance; shall I ask if my fellow brethren have enough food supplies? How long will our supplies last? Prince Changshou has land resources in Zhangzhou and reliable support from the Meng family of the Cang Prefecture. They have an army and enough supplies to sustain them if they choose to remain enclosed inside their walls and wage a war of attrition with us. Shall I ask, how long will everyone here last? Prince Changshou had the support of the Meng family and could fight this war, but the alliance troops could not. The expressions on several peoples faces changed as Chief Huang spoke. The rich werent afraid of using their resources. War was like spending money. Some were more reserved due to their lack of funds and werent prepared for a long battle. With this sudden realization, the loud voices of opposition from before completely quieted down. Nobody could think of a response. Huang Song smiled and asked another question. Waging war is not the same as playing games. Strategizing and planning is a field of study. We have an alliance of 23 forces combined here, each with different styles of warfare. If we face the army of Prince Changshou, will we all be fighting individually, or will we be cooperating as a team? Naturally, we should be cooperating and fighting beside each other. If we fight individually, even an army of 400,000 will simply be chaos. Prince Changshou will only need to find the weak points in our formation to easily defeat us. Even if we had a god of war among us, they would not be able to turn the tables for this chaotic troop. Just then, someone responded to Huang Song. The speaker had a very recognizable and uniquely soft voice. Unlike the boldness of a northerner, it was the incomparable tone of kindness and courtesy of a southerner. Jiang Pengji looked up at the sound and glanced around with a faint smilewhat a coincidence, it was another acquaintance! The crowds attention turned to the source of the voice only to find a plainly dressed man in the corner. He was dressed slightly unconventionally, but his demeanor remained noble. The speaker noticed Jiang Pengjis gaze and lifted his head slightly to respond with a smile. Jiang Pengji also greeted him across the room. The speaker was none other than An Cui, the An DuoXi who had helped her quickly recover Chengde County! An Cui had left a few days before Jiang Pengji, but because he was a nameless character, he didnt have a formidable army of elites. Thus, he wasnt considered a proper force for the alliance. Despite being looked down on, An Cui was not upset with his position. He was satisfied with having a place in the headquarters of the alliance and didnt ask for anything more. Huang Song was not acquainted with An Cui, but An Cuis brilliant response made for a smooth follow-up that let Huang Song continue his speech. Just as this gentleman said, if we do not create a uniform command, the 40,000 alliance troops will just be a crowd of weak ants in the eyes of Prince Changshou. So what if we have a large army? We will not even be considered a threat. He simply needs to follow two words, drag on, and our alliance will be completely broken as we run away in defeat. Huang Songs expression hardened into strictness. What do my brethren say, does this humble man make a logical point? Everyones guilty conscience rose. A few generals expressions sank into deep thought while the Liu father and son duo watched from the sidelines as excitable spectators. What kind of reason is that? Someone opposed. The crowd turned to see that the speaker was a veteran soldier of tough body build. From the looks of this man, he seemed to be very stubborn. You kids these days only know how to rally up battle spirits and buy your own prestige. The alliance troops have 400,000 soldiers, but youre saying we cant even take down a single traitor? Everything else aside, if you let me out, Ill take off that traitors head and turn it into a teapot! Huang Song doesnt like to reason with stubborn people because, no matter how much you say something, they will never listen. A traitors a traitor, but you cant underestimate someone just because theyre a traitor. You are a veteran, so please let me give you my respects, but not because I agree with your statement. Prince Changshou has an elite army of 100,000, and the Meng family in Cang Province have their own private military decree of 50,000 men. Among them, 10,000 are cavalry. They have a formidable army with stable resources. On the other hand, despite calling ourselves a force of 400,000, how many of us can really be considered elites? The veteran wanted to respond but was pushed back by the people around him. He could barely keep his frustration inside as his face grew red in anger. Hed been put down by a younger soldier, ranks below a eunuch, even, at a public gathering. How could he not be angry? Xu Pei lowered his gaze and followed up Huang Songs words. Chief Huang makes a reasonable point. What other plan do you have in mind? Huang Song paused for a few moments before finally expressing his idea. The only solution is to choose a leader from the alliance to command the army. Xu Peis lips lifted after hearing that. Huang Songs words were exactly what hed wanted to hear. Just as he was about to question the plan further, a fool from somewhere in the crowd jumped in and commented, Elect a leader? What a brilliant idea! We can then create a unified system of dispatching military supplies and tie the entire alliance army into a string. Well go in and out together as an army and execute every order without fail to fight against the traitors. The moment this suggestion was thrown onto the table, it exploded among the crowd like a bomb. Chapter 715 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio To the powerful princes and generals, this was an advantageous proposal. However, to the ones that were not as wealthy, this was not an idea that worked in their interest. Centralizing the command for military supplies meant the risk of someone else controlling the inventory. Naturally, nobody would like to take the short end of the stick. Jiang Pengji almost choked on her snack. She chugged down a pot of water before she caught her breath. Whoever suggested this is a little na?ve This was an absolutely terrible suggestion. Ignoring the rest of the crowd, even Li Yun and Dian Yan could tell it was an unrealistic idea. Ones soldiers, food supplies, and horses why would anyone willingly let others take control of their assets? Of course, one couldnt rule out the possibility that a saint might be willing to do it. However, each faction of the alliance had their own agendas and would fight over the smallest affairs. Why would they want to suffer any losses? Even if everyone agreed to this proposal, the differences in wealth and assets among them would still exist. What would happen if someone decided to lie about the numbers and keep a reserve of resources for themselves? It was unfortunate that this idea was way too na?ve and would be nearly impossible to properly execute in practice. Jiang Pengji looked over curiously and saw that the foolish speaker was sitting behind Yang Jian, suggesting that he was a man from Yang Jians camp. Sit down rebel, theres no place for you to speak here! Yang Jians elderly face was reddened in anger and embarrassment. Jiang Pengji realized immediately that this fool was actually Yang Jians son. What a family tragedy to have such a na?ve and foolish son! Father? I Yang Tao wasnt sure what hed done wrong. He stuttered a little as he spoke in guilt. He wanted to ask where hed made a mistake, but he was scared that dumb questions would further enrage his old man. A particularly handsome young scholar sat beside Yang Tao, his face revealing a difficult but faint smile. Zheng Ze, sit down. The young scholar put his hand to his forehead discreetlyhow could such a stupid and na?ve person be his partner? Yang Tao lowered his head pitifully and sat down like a wronged child under the joint attack of his father and best friend. Jiang Pengji held back her laughter. So hes Yang Jians son. What an interesting person. Liu She gave a small, careless response while keeping his gaze on Yang Tao for quite a few moments, observing something. He lowered his gaze slightly. The look in his eyes carried a hint of complicated emotion. While he seems to be lacking in intelligence from the outside, this child seems to have remarkable talent his potential is limitless Jiang Pengji looked at Liu She in shock before turning back to Yang Tao to laugh in ridicule. Lacking intelligence is quite right, but as for being remarkable pardon my inability to comprehend, but I really dont see it in him. This person is like a clean sheet of paper that you can see through at a glance. Its quite rare to find someone like him. I thought Chief Yangs son would also be a respectable young general, but now that Ive seen him, he is completely different than what I expected. Instead, he looks like the silly child of a landlord. Liu She laughed. Perhaps oblivion and naivety are a blessing to them. The father and son chatted casually in low voices, completely disregarding the atmosphere around them. Yang Jian was already a lone wolf within the alliance. After his silly sons feat earlier, he felt like hed completely embarrassed himself in front of all his colleagues. Those were just some silly words from an immature child, please do not mind him. Yang Jian forced a smile onto his face. Even the long beard hed carefully grown couldnt hide the awkwardness in his expression as he mentally beat up his son multiple times. Xu Pei mediated the awkward atmosphere with a grin and forcefully pulled the conversation back to the main topic of interest. Huang Song dreaded the comment and cursed the foolish Yang Tao in his mind to relieve his anger. However, he also didnt want to waste time, quickly outlining his plan in case an even dumber child popped out. According to Huang Songs plan, each of the 23 factions would remain in charge of their own troops and supplies. However, when an order from the commander was made, they would all take that order over those made by their respective generals and cooperate as necessary. They were not to carry their own agendas, instead making the unity of the alliance their priority. The alliance leader would have a certain amount of authority to assign and reorganize the troops but would not mess with the internal administration of each faction. Likewise, troops would not be required to make extra expenses for the alliance. Compared to Yang Taos idea, the majority seemed to like Huang Songs proposal more. They were willing to lend out their troops and cooperate in warfare strategies, but they would not give up their military autonomy to outsiders. For example, if the alliance leader had a secret agenda and purposely kept their military power a secret while pushing other factions up to the frontline, what would they do? They didnt want to assume they were working alongside gentlemen with the hearts of villains, but they also wouldnt be completely unsuspicious of each other. Among the twenty-three factions that were currently present, who could guarantee that no personal vendettas existed in this large network of troops? Huang Songs proposal was exactly the kind of answer they wanted to hear. It allowed for unity among the alliance and solved their common worries. Xu Pei said, This is a brilliant plan. What do we all say? There were almost no voices of opposition. The proposal was passed virtually unanimously. After that, the highlight of the show came Who would be the alliance leader? Everyone looked at each other with no intention of volunteering themselves for this position, waiting for others to recommend themselves instead. Yes, they were waiting for others to nominate themselves! The crowd here was filled with respectable characters, why would they do something as lowly and conceited as praising themselves? Even if their desires were leaking out of their hearts to the point that they were tempted to hold out a megaphone and say, choose me, choose me! they would still cordially reject the offer on the outside. In Jiang Pengjis words, this was just being unreasonable. This was not humility. Jiang Pengji thought that the first person to jump in would be Huang Song, but she hadnt expected to hear someone come in before him and speak up first. I propose that Chief Wu Ma of Hu Jun is the most qualified for the position of alliance leader. The person that spoke up was An Cui. The moment he spoke, Xu Pei and Xu Feis expressions darkened. An Cui then continued, Chief Wu Ma is a blood relative of the royal family and the uncle of the current emperor. He has a powerful army and a strong reputation. If we call Chief Wu Ma our alliance leader as the alliance troops crusades against Prince Changshou, we will be saving not only the emperor, but the people, which will bring more fame Wu Ma Shang sat in the lower right corner and had maintained a negligent and wandering aura throughout the gathering, looking completely out of touch with the conversation. Nobody was quite sure whether it was An Cuis idea or this Wu Ma Shangs idea to have An Cui recommend him in this fight for the crown. Jiang Pengji looked over and leaned more towards the theory that it had been Wu Ma Shangs idea. It seemed like this man also had quite an ambitious heart. She grabbed a handful of dried fruits and shoved them into her mouth, snacking in excitement. The fruit became much tastier with the addition of this great show to watch. That is quite an overstatement. In my opinion, Chief Wu Ma is definitely not the best candidate. Cheng Jing stood up from behind Huang Song and grabbed the attention of the crowd with his words. After hearing Cheng Jing speak, the motionless Wu Ma Shang turned his eyes to gaze at Cheng Jing and ask, Who are you? Cheng Jings personality made him dislike showing off. He answered calmly, The name is Langye Cheng Jing, practically a nameless person. If this was Feng Zhen, he would immediately retort that he was Master Yuanjings number one disciple! In Dongqing, using Master Yuanjings name would immediately make anyone become an important person. Wu Ma Shang turned his gaze back. If youre just a nobody, isnt there no place for you to speak here? Chapter 716 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The style of his speech was an aristocratic dialect that carried an air of elegance. Many people attempted to master it to sound classy. Despite the fancy and exquisite tone of this dialect, in certain circumstances, it sounded distant and scornful. Wu Ma Shangs words in this context were clearly the latter. Huang Song glared at Wu Ma Shang. How dare this man insult Cheng Jing in front of him? Did he really think his royal blood meant that he was above others? Just as he was about to speak up to take back control of the platform, Jiang Pengjis faint mocking voice rang in Huang Songs ears. It turned out that while Wu Ma Shang was greeting Cheng Jing, Jiang Pengji had been using the same aristocratic dialect to speak to her father. Father, I heard that Master Yuanjings disciples are all high class and popular with the great politicians. They each have a very advantageous status. However, now that Ive seen some with my own two eyes, I believe this rumor is untrue. If it were true, how come brother Cheng Jing just got slapped in the face like that? He is the eldest disciple of Master Yuanjing, he cant possibly have fallen from such a rank that much, right? Unless Master Yuanjing is no longer as influential as he was before Wu Ma Shang heard it all. What? Who was the eldest disciple? Cheng Jing glanced towards Jiang Pengji with a calm expression. Jing said that Chief Wu Ma wasnt the best candidate earlier for a reason. I shall ask everyone here again, who is the traitor that shook the country? Our enemy is someone who attempted to scandalize the throne with his status of aristocracy and cause unrest. It would be quite a risk for Chief Wu Ma to become the alliance leader of 400,000 troops. What would happen if the traitor turned the tables and claimed our forces as the traitor by rallying up the citizens and pushing for a new emperor? That simple line immediately made Wu Ma Shangs face darken to ash. This individual could no longer maintain the aloof mannerisms of a noble as he turned to glare at Cheng Jing in anger. That look contained enough fury that it could almost burn through Cheng Jings body. Jiang Pengji mentally gave Cheng Jing a thumbs up. Such ruthlessly poisonous words from this one! Cheng Jing and Wei Ci were indeed disciples whod learned from Master Yuanjing. The brothers each took in their masters words. While quiet and collected on normal days, they could strike a deadly attack when necessary. It was a hereditary heart of darkness. Guiqiu Yuepiao: Cheng Jing vs Wu Ma Shang, Cheng Jings victory! Qingshan Dujiu: A clean and beautiful win, a home run! Qiu Tuicunpiao: When An Cui was speaking, I also thought Wu Ma Shang was the most qualified because his status and experiences are right there. He was naturally the best choice. But when Cheng Jing spoke, I couldnt even rebuttal. Cheng Jings power level is so off the charts, hes just throwing Wu Ma Shang on the ground to wipe the floor now that the qualifications have been stripped off. I dont know if Im just overthinking this but Cheng Jing seems like someone who holds grudges as welldont you guys have the same feeling? I feel like the sweet magical pet Cheng Jing is going to become the next popular thing here. Wu Ma Shang used his mocking attitude and words to insult Cheng Jing, then Cheng Jing immediately responded. An eye for an eye. You purposely step down on me, Ill step directly on your weakest bone. The slap in the face came fast like a typhoon. Before anyone else could react, Wu Ma Shang had been taken down to the corner of the stage. Cheng Jings words were definitive. Nobody else dared to question him by nominating Wu Ma Shang. As the first nominator of Wu Ma Shang, An Cui was surprisingly unaffected. It was as if he wasnt the one whod said those words earlier. As the host of the meeting, Xu Pei shot an impressed look towards Cheng Jing, praising the young man in his mind. If Liu Xi hadnt spoken up, he wouldnt have met two of Master Yuanjings disciples within such a short time or known that one had already joined the alliance. One supported Liu Xi, the other supported Huang Song. Wei Cis artistic skill had made him speechless. Cheng Jings words were powerful like a piercing knife. Xu Pei was both overjoyed and regretful that such talented men were not his own. An Cuis nomination for Wu Ma Shang was reasonable, but Xu Pei was still worried a little bit. Wu Ma Shang was still part of the royal family. If he wanted to continue competing for the position, he was still a force to be reckoned with. Xu Pei hadnt expected Cheng Jing to come out onto the battlefield and single-handedly destroy any chance of Wu Ma Shang becoming a candidate for alliance leader. That made him quite fond of Cheng Jing. Mister Chengs thoughts are quite careful and considerate, perhaps you have a nomination in mind? Cheng Jing lowered his gaze and turned towards Jiang Pengjis faction. I believe that in terms of skill, reputation, and experience, the Liu Province is a very well-qualified candidate. Cheng Jing didnt give a definitive answer by saying that Liu She was the most qualified candidate. If Liu She had no intention of becoming the leader, the others could still have other choices. Jiang Pengji lifted an eyebrow. Was Cheng Jing trying to rally things up? She discreetly glanced towards Cheng Jing, only to see that his eyes were on her. Cheng Jing nodded slightly with a friendly smile. Liu She naturally wouldnt take the pitch. He humbly rejected the offer and stated that he was not qualified to be the leader as he cordially praised Xu Pei and Xu Fei. He avoided any obvious biases, making it difficult to see where he stood. Xu Pei secretly tightened his grip in fear of any drastic changes to the status quoif Liu She suddenly switched sides, all his efforts from before would be in vain. When he glanced over towards Jiang PengJi, the latter gave him a look of reassurance. Xu Pei finally calmed his anxious heart. Liu She kicked the ball back into the playing field while circling new candidatesXu Pei and Xu Fei. The audience was made up of brilliant characters whod seen the Xu brothers every action before the alliance meeting and knew that the final battle for the leadership title would be between those two. The alliance couldnt be a headless snake. No matter how much wrangling it would take, they must select a leader. Xu Pei had his own group of supporters. Xu Fei had his own group of fans. Jiang Pengji and Liu She continued to behave as snacking spectators on the side, finishing four plates of dried fruits between the two of them. There was only one plate per table. Theyd finished their own plate and then taken the plate from Li Yun and Dian Yans table. My mouth is dry now Theyve wrangled for over two hours; I cant believe it takes them this long to fight over such trivial matter Liu She smiled faintly and responded in a low voice, Its a matter concerning personal gains. Of course its much more complicated than it looks. That was why he had no interest in the title of this alliance leader. It was just a name with no real authority, why would he waste his energy to fight for it? Liu She and Liu Xi aside, Xu Feis supporters outnumbered Xu Peis slightly. Yet Xu Pei had gained the friendship of Jiang Pengji the day earlier. Now, with the additional support from the Liu family, Xu Pei had finally won the election for the alliance leader with an overwhelming victory. Despite having some expectations, Xu Pei still couldnt suppress the excitement in his heart the moment the matter was settled. On the other hand, Xu Feis expression darkened slightly If Xu Pei hadnt manipulated him underhandedly and forcefully pulled away the Liu familys support, the leadership position of the alliance wouldve been his. The leader has been successfully elected. Everyone joyfully ate, drank, and enjoyed the dances without further worries. On the outside, everything seemed to be settled in peace. Everyone was now filled with confidence about the crusade against Prince Changshou. The future was bright and the roads were wide open. The sound of singing inside the camp did not stop as the beautiful dancers moved to the music. All eyes were locked onto the dancers, mesmerized and stunned by their beauty. At such a feast, regardless of how well they could hold their wine, everyone had at least a sip of alcohol. As for those who drank boldly, they reddened from their necks up to their cheeks. Chapter 717 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (IV) After embarrassing himself, Yang Tao sat down quietly in the audience like a decoration. He looked at the wine bottle before him and felt the temptation in his stomach building up. Shao Yang, just let me drink a little. Just one cup, please? Not even one drop. The young scholar glanced coldly at him. Yang Tao froze up at the look. Your injury is still not fully healed, yet you still want to drink wine? Yang Tao hung his head down in melancholy as he watched his father, Yang Jian, drinking boldly in front of him. Father, you still have a sword injury too. You shouldnt be drinking. Yang Jian shot him a sharp look. You little rascal, you dare speak up to question your old mans business now? Yang Tao was stunned silent. Hed now been stabbed twice by his own best friend and father. Yang Taos heart was broken and shattered! The young scholar by the name of Shao Yang held a bottle of wine and scanned the surroundings. Everyone was drunk or tipsy, making the atmosphere very lively. In contrast, the people around Yang Jian completely ignored him and treated him like he was invisible. They would look left and right, from the sky to the ground, but not at him. They were clearly isolating Yang Jian, who responded to this treatment by drinking alone. The young scholar squinted his eyes slightly and snorted in mockery. Despite having elected a leader, it didnt change the fact that every faction had their own secret agendas. He wasnt quite satisfied with the result of this crusade. Why would nobody discuss their next plans and strategy after electing a leader? Why chose to feast instead? Just as he was pondering this question, he became aware that someone was staring at him. He looked around and finally found the source of that stare It was Liu She. The middle-aged man sitting in the left corner gave him a friendly smile, which for some reason caused suspicion to rise in the young scholars mind. Shao Yang, I just saw the chief of Liuzhou smile at me, Yang Tao whispered to his friend. The young scholars eyebrows relaxed as he suppressed his growing suspicion. Yeah. The governor of Liuzhou is a kind and friendly man, just as I expected him to be. Back when Liu She was still the chief of Hu County, the eastern gate of Zhangzhou had been a resourceless land that had to fully rely on crops and supplies from Hu County. Thus, Yang Tao had always had a good impression of Liu She, assuming that he was a good man. If Yang Jian knew what his son was thinking, he would be coughing up blood. Who said Liu She was a good man? Did they really think that all the supplies and resources were free? They were all trades made by Yang Jian. Liu She was a scammer who probably took advantage of Yang Jian underhandedly. How would someone like that be considered a good man? The young man beside Governor Liu is Liu Xi, the one that father sent over? He looks alright but doesnt seem to be quite fit. Not quite fit? Yang Jian overheard his sons words and almost spat out the wine in his mouth. If Liu Xi was not considered fit, then who would meet the standard? Learn from their intellect, son. Youre already a grown man and barely know how to write your own name. Yang Tao, whod just gotten another uncalled-for comment from his father, was stunned. Dont worry, I still have Shao Yang Yang Tao admitted that he didnt have the brains for studying nor strategizing, but as long as his friend was beside him, everything would be fine. Yan Lin was Yang Taos real brain. Together, the two were like a custom-designed pair. The feast lasted until late into the night. Half of the camp was down and drunk. Jiang Pengji had also had a few drinks and was just about ready to go over to the changing room. District Magistrate Liu. She discovered that someone was following her the moment she stepped out of the tent. She stopped in her tracks. You are? She squinted at the person and realized that it was the young scholar whod been sitting beside Yang Tao. The name is Yan Lin, courtesy name Shao Yang. The young scholar then asked, The man the magistrate borrowed from us When does the district plan on returning him? Jiang Pengji crossed her arms over her chest and responded with a question of her own. It has been barely two days since we borrowed the man. Is Chief Yang already urging a return? Yan Lin said, The chief is not the one pushing for this, I am. Qi Kuang seems to be a decent individual, so Im afraid he may not return. I dont think Chief Yang will be too concerned about the whereabouts of a small centurion either. Borrow? She always took what she wanted. Even when something was borrowed, it was never meant to be returned. Yan Lin lowered his eyebrows. Jiang Pengjis words confirmed his suspicion. Jiang Pengji then thought of something and said, Mister Yan, if you have time to probe at me right now, I suggest you spend that energy on planning a way out for Yang Jiang. He is a man that was granted his position by Prince Changshou, so the people of the alliance all have their reservations against him. Hes already stepped onto the alliances ship, so in Prince Changshous eyes, he is considered a traitor. If he were to be pushed to the frontline, youd all best be careful. If there was one thing Yang Jians troops should be afraid of, it was the possibility of being thrown to the frontlines by the alliance to test the military might of Prince Changshou. Yan Lins face darkened. He understood that Jiang Pengjis words werent fake. Hed personally had the same worry recently. Thank you for your concern. No problem. Jiang Pengji and Liu She finished their feast and took a group of their soldiers to prepare to return. On the way back, like the honest child he was, Li Yun said, My lord, I feel like something is wrong with this assembly. Jiang Pengji asked, What about it seemed wrong? Why did they elect a leader without discussing how to strategize, or how to save his highness, or face Prince Changshou? Li Yun was just a young and inexperienced general officer compared to Jiang Pengji. He was in no place to voice his concerns, even if he had a full belly of questions to ask. Because not everyone was as na?ve as Yang Tao. Dian Yan then said, I also feel that something is off, but I cant put my finger on what exactly it is Jiang Pengji laughed as she explained it to him. Everyone has their own agendas, and theyre all smart individuals. Whoever is on the frontline will clearly suffer the biggest loss. Who would be willing to take on that burden? You can say that while they are diligent, everyone is here to gain some sort of profit. Who wouldnt want to effortlessly pick up a few gains without putting in the effort? We just have to wait and see who cant hold in the suggestion of sending out troops first If nobody brings it up and this drags on for a few more days Li Yun was stumped by these words. In his mind, the alliance forces would be made up of elite troops who would fight to be the ones to wage war against Prince Changshou. During the banquet earlier, hed heard many people talking about crusading against Prince Changshou and insulting him with profanities to the point that they almost wanted to dig up the grave of his ancestors to express their fury. But in reality? Everyone was just chanting and waiting to be the last in line on the battlefield. Jiang Pengji concluded with a smile. So now you see, the ending of this assembly isnt promising. My lord, what shall we do now? Li Yun asked. Jiang Pengji responded, Your lord is only here to watch and observe, not to fight to the death with others. Well just go with the flow. Li Yun remained silent for a short while and said, What a pity to Captain Meng. he has been working so hard these last few days Meng Hun had been extremely busy recently. Aside from eating and sleeping, all his spare time was being spent on training his troops or practicing martial arts. Even spectators would feel worried watching him put in so much time and energy into such matters. Jiang Pengji said, A gentlemans revenge can take a decade to nourish. The Meng family of Hunzhou? They are destined to claim their land one day! Chapter 718 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Its been three days, but the leaders tent is still filled with singing voices. The generals of each faction are still living in a daydream of drinks and beauties Cheng Jing and Feng Jue sat in front of each other, each holding a black and white chess piece as they continued to battle each other on the board in a very close game. Feng Jues expression remained calm, his dark pearl eyes glancing down occasionally. Isnt this to be expected? Everyone in the alliance had their own agenda. Among the two factions that have the most influence, the Liu family and Xu brothers, the former quit on the spot and the latter only knows how to fight for their own benefit. The elites of the alliances are like a crowd of dragons without a head; even though they became the troops of the alliance and elected a leader, in the end, they still fell short. They are together on the outside, but each man is out for himself behind closed doors. Isnt this the same as the grains in a bucket of sand? Feng Jue lowered his voice as he considered his next move. It was his turn. The next move needed to be carefully planned out. Otherwise, the game before him would become a one-sided attack from Cheng Jing. Feng Jues style of playing was to carefully plan out his every move no matter if he was on defense or offense. He strived for perfection and was an ideal strategist for long-term wars. The longer it dragged on, the more the battle would turn to his advantage. Cheng Jings style was quite similar to Feng Jues. The only difference was that once Cheng Jing found a loophole, his calm and stable formation would immediately turn into a gust of wind that would attack aggressively. Feng Jue strove for stability, but Cheng Jing took risks within the stable formation. Cheng Jing said, What a shame, I thought Liu Xi would enter this battle for the throne. If hed become the leader of the alliance, perhaps the situation right now would be different. Feng Jue gave a shocking response by asking, Does my friend here hold a high opinion on Liu Lanting? Did Liu Xi have the power to turn the tables against all these powerful men? Liu Xi was a student under my master for three years, and the master was quite fond of him. This Liu Xi, he studied for three years and caused trouble for all of them, always making enemies wherever he went. If he didnt have strong support behind him and a good father, he probably wouldnt be here right now. But this man not only caused trouble, but he also wasnt afraid of it either. He may look collected and reserved on the outside, hes a very vengeful and envious character inside. If he were to become the leader, Im afraid he wouldnt even save room for these daydreaming drunks in the camp. As for Xu Pei? Hah! A smooth talker, good at management, he cares for reputation but not for the administrative details. To have someone like him as the leader will only put a peaceful fa?ade on the alliance. Despite having the title of alliance leader and no real authority, the titleholder still had a substantial influence over the alliance troops. A leader with Xu Peis personality was destined to not accomplish anything. Cheng Jing understood this fact and therefore did not expect anything good to come out of this assembly. He wasnt the only one to notice. Many individuals in the alliance had noticed as well, they just hadnt explicitly mentioned it. Feng Jue lowered his gaze. Thats a shame. Liu Xi clearly wants to stay out of this matter he will not mingle with it. Just as the two were talking, the tent flap lifted, letting a gust of cold wind blow inside. Huang Song walked in swiftly with a hint of anger remaining on his face. Cheng Jing and Feng Jue looked at each other before turning towards Huang Song. Are there no more festivities in the alliance camp? The banquet was interrupted by Yang Jian. He took his blade and attacked the tent What!? Why would Yang Jian Feng Jues heart almost stopped when he heard this information. Why would Yang Jian suddenly bring his men to attack the alliances camp? Huang Song took a deep breath, saw Feng Jues reaction, and realized that he misunderstood. He quickly explained, Let me finish first Yang Jian only took a few men to the camp, but he didnt hurt anyone. He only cut down the tables and messed up the whole banquet. He called everyone out and pointed at Xu Pei to yell at him. That whole scene earlier was amazing, and everyones faces looked as if theyd been splashed with ink What a great feeling! Feng Jue and Cheng Jing both internally cried in agony as they listened to the story. Did Yang Jian want to die? Yang Jian had already been isolated by the camp, and now hed even barged into the banquet and threatened the alliance leader! It wasnt hard to imagine what kind of oppression Yang Jians faction would now face. Cheng Jing thought about it for a moment, then slowly picked up on something that didnt sound right. He said, My lord, did Yang Jian resign from the alliance? Huang Song answered, My friend, how did you know? Neither Cheng Jing nor Feng Jue was fond of the atmosphere in the base camp. It was an endless banquet that they refused to visit. They would much rather stay inside their own camp and play board games. Cheng Jing wasnt surprised. Yang Jian is protecting himself. If he doesnt find a chance to leave the alliance right now, he may end up becoming a victim or a scapegoat. While I dont know who suggested that he should do that, it was certainly a smart move. Never break, never stand. If he doesnt make a scene, he might not be able to take initiative later. Cheng Jing lowered his brows as if he was thinking about something. By the way, my lord, why were you upset when you walked in earlier? Huang Song had almost forgotten about it until Cheng Jing reminded him. The moment he brought it up again, the flames of anger hed thought he had put out reignited. That useless bunch in the alliance troop, theyre less than dirt, Huang Song grumbled. At the same time, Jiang Pengji returned to her own camp with the smell of alcohol lingering around her. A faint smile hung from her lips as if she was in a wonderful mood. Shed shown up in the alliance camp to find that Xu Pei had already found 15 clients for her. In addition to Xu Pei, she had already sold 16 green bricks in total, which meant a considerable amount of income. Why wouldnt Jiang Pengji be happy? As for what happened with the alliance, it was none of her business. Li Yun carefully followed behind her and stood beside Dian Yan to protect her from both sides. My lord, will Chief Yang be okay? Jiang Pengji laughed and answered, Yang Jian wouldnt be okay if hed done nothing today. Today, shed taken Li Yun and Dian Yan to the alliance camp to feast. In the middle of eating, Yang Jiang and about a dozen of his personal soldiers dressed in armor had broken into the camp and slashed up a few tables without saying anything. The crowd panicked. Yang Jian then called out peoples names for a scolding. Among them, Xu Pei was the one who suffered the most insults To be honest, regarding those insults, Jiang Pengji believed that someone else was behind those lines. If not, how could anyone explain how it had come out so smoothly and ruthlessly? The scolding was one thing, but Yang Jians words were logical and had grabbed the guilty consciences of the crowd as they boiled in anger. After the bloodbath of insults, Yang Jian announced that he would be resigning from his position and leaving the alliance. He would leave the alliance but not back out on the crusade. He was willing to help the crusade against the traitor but refused to associate himself with this group of hooligans in the alliance. After this proclamation, Yang Jian walked away with his men and left behind a camp full of dumbfounded people. Jiang Pengji couldnt hold in her laughter as she recalled the scene, it was just too funny. Why so? Because before Yang Jian had come in to mess with the banquet, someone had suggested putting Yang Jians troops on the frontlines, clearly wanting them to be the sacrificial lambs. Many people raised their hands in agreement the moment this suggestion came out, not even bothering to ask Yang Jians opinion on the matter. Shortly after, Yang Jian took his men in to mess up the party, only to walk away handsomely. The slap in the face had been like a typhoon blowing by. On the other side, Yang Jian found out the truth and shook in anger as well as fear. Shao Yang, if I hadnt listened to your words, we wouldve become puppets for those vile people. Chapter 719 - Ball Kicking at the Alliance Meeting (VI) Yang Jian slammed his hand against the desk furiously. Yan Lin said calmly, Defense remains our priority at the moment. We wont let them stab us in the back. What Yang Jian had done had completely offended the alliance. On the other hand, since he had quit the alliance without giving up on saving the emperor, those people could not do anything to him openly. After some time, the leader of the alliance, Xu Pei, may come here in person. Have you figured out a way to deal with him, my lord? Yang Tao looked confused. What would he come here for? Yan Lin explained with a smile, Xu Pei is the leader of the alliance. If he proves himself incapable of handling this well, that basically means that anyone can quit the alliance whenever they want. The alliance will be as good as dead. Yang Tao couldnt come up with any ideas. He didnt think he could, at least not using his own brain. He simply stared at his best friend in anticipation. Yan Lin was used to this. If Xu Pei comes here in person, it will be to apologize. He will politely ask the lord to rejoin the alliance. Considering what happened, the alliance is unlikely to go too far or pull anything too obvious. You may consider responding with generosity and forgiveness, my lord. Yang Tao did not expect this. Why? One second were quitting, the next were going back? How capricious and undignified! Yang Jian understood. Making a big scene at the banquet was more about showing the alliance their attitude than being defensive. It was about making sure those people knew they shouldnt mess with them. If they went too far, with Yang Jians forces of only 15,000, it would be quite difficult to go against the alliance. Compared to making each other the enemy, stepping back was a better solution for both parties. Okay, lets just follow Shaoyangs suggestion. As expected, one zodiac hour later, Xu Pei came to visit in person. When Jiang Pengji learned that Xu Pei had swallowed his pride enough to persuade Yang Jian, she knew that the climax of this meeting of the alliance had begun. Yang Jians act pretty much blew away the alliances fig leaf. People cant keep lying to themselves anymore. They have no choice but to get down to business. Regardless, the alliance was created to save the emperor. Theyve gotta act the part. Jiang Pengji lifted the corners of her lips. Life was not boring anymore! Finally! Before, since nobody had called it out, everyone within the alliance simply muddled along, avoiding facing the obvious. Now that Yang Jian had created this disturbance and called everyone out, they had no option except to get to work in earnest. On the same day, Xu Pei, the newly elected leader, invited every force to talk business. This time, it was not about food or drinks or dancing performances. Among the people present, some were bystanders, waiting and watching. Some were eager for a chance. Under the leadership of Xu Pei, everyone got together to discuss possible plans to save the emperor and eliminate the unforgivable traitors. Some suggested attacking Prince Changshou first so that Chenzhou would be saved. Some suggested entering Chenzhou and finding a way to team up with local forces first, and then attack Prince Changshou together. Some proposed relieving the besieged by besieging the base of the besiegers. In this case, it meant occupying Prince Changshous nest in Zhangzhou first so that he would have to come to save it. The first two sounded feasible. The third sounded as if it was meant to be funny. Yan Lin gave his best friend an intimidating look. The proposer of the funny idea, Yang Tao, looked down and stopped talking in dismay. Discussing the topic back and forth, the group failed to reach an agreement. No one could convince all the others. Listening to the advisors serving their respective lords argue, Jiang Pengji grew sleepy. She raised her sleeve to hide her yawning mouth. Some wetness appeared in the corners of her eyes. She lowered her sleeve, acting like nothing had happened, and resumed her part as a distracted listener. Fortunately, she had her audience in the streaming room. She could kill time by chatting and joking with them. The others had no such luck. God knew how they were getting through such a long and boring meeting. As Jiang Pengji muddled along, she heard someone say her name. She reflexively looked up at the person. She was distracted, yet her streaming audience was recording everything for her. The bullet screen was full of transcriptions. Meigui Chuanshuo: Host, Cheng Jing said you went to Langye Academy and were highly regarded by Master Yuanjing. He figured everyone should pitch in, so he asked if you have a great plan. Sh*t! How dare this tool drag the host into this? Jiang Pengji kept her cool, revealing nothing suspicious. No one could tell that shed been even slightly distracted. I wouldnt say that my plan is great, but I do have some suggestions. Jiang Pengji then pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of each force. The alliance has numerous excellent officers and many soldiers. Each force has its own way of doing things. If we force everyone to act as one, even within the alliance leadership, we might not be able to fight well like ordinary armies. I suggest that we divide the force. One force would go to save Chenzhou, and another to contain Prince Changshou. The third would provide cover from the side, and the last would sneak their way into Prince Changshous nest and give them a surprise. The alliance was not one force, but 23 forces put together. There was no way they could effectively wield a force of 400,000. As a result, dividing the force and taking advantage of their flexibility would be better. As soon as she finished, an older general scowled. If we divide, wont that expose each force to our enemy? We are a force of 400,000. Why cant we attack them and take the traitor alive? This kind of circuitous tactic proves that you young kids know nothing about real warfare. Nothing more than strategies on the paper! Shame on you! Jiang Pengji tossed away the nut in her hand. If I only have strategies on the paper, then you, sir, are on the edge of illiteracy. Based on your logic, we can simply dump our 400,000 men on top of the enemy and crush them into paste! Or we can drown them in our spit! You The old general had apparently never suffered from words like these. Furious, he was about to draw his weapon and fight her. Dian Yin and Li Yun stepped forward to defend Jiang Pengji, showing no fear. The atmosphere was intense. Cheng Jing, whod started the whole thing by asking for Jiang Pengjis plan, was speechless. He had heard that Liu Xi was very eloquent and sometimes could get under a mans skin. Yet it was the first time he had heard her talk like that with his own ears. Now he realized why people always gritted their teeth when they mentioned this person. Such a sharp tongue! As bad as Fengzhen! Xu Peis role as the alliance leader was not easy. He could not just stand by and watch them fight. Xu Pei stepped up as the peacemaker. Lantings plan of dividing is doable. What this general said also made sense. Jiang Pengji gave him a look of disgust. Fence sitter! Xu Pei let out a light cough and said, Now that Chenzhou is in urgent trouble, no one knows how much longer they can last. We should act as soon as possible and eliminate the traitors! We dont have time to delay. The longer we wait, the more danger the emperor will face. Lantings plans are good in the long term, but they are also time-consuming. As to what the general said, I personally agree with it. We are a force of 400,000 fearless and good fighters. As long as we act as one, we are destined to destroy the traitors! We will have our lands back! We will help rebuild the empires order! Jiang Pengji snorted lightly. Cheng Jing, Feng Jue, and several others simply closed their eyes for a second out of helplessness. Out of sight, out of mind. Chapter 720 - Buck Passing Alliance Meeting (VII) Master Meng predicted it like magic! The alliance turned out to be a useless mob indeed! Prince Changshou used to have a scruple about the alliance because of its size. Their military camp was said to cover over 60 miles. Picturing that alone sent a chill up the spine. He thought that since the alliance had almost gathered all its forces, it was about time for them to march their way over. Surprisingly, they had not moved for days. Instead, everyone indulged themselves in corporal enjoyment. No sign of taking action at all. Almost a week had passed by and still nothing. Prince Changshou was thrilled. According to Meng Zhan, Prince Changshou had ordered his forces to stay put and confuse the alliance. That way, they could stay contented with an elusive sense of security. He had also sent a special force to go around and strike Chenzhou by surprise. As soon as he captured the emperor and took the throne, he could knight the lords within the alliance and break it apart from the inside. He would not even need to fight them. Everything was going as planned. Why wouldnt he be thrilled? Meng Zhan donned a pitch-black Confucian gown and carried a jade-framed folding fan closed in his hand. The fan had several worn spots on its pendant. It used to be the favorite of his late son, Meng Liang. Since his sons passing, he liked to hold onto it. I suggest we remain vigilant, my lord. Its not over yet. Meng Zhans smile was cold. This morning, a scout reported that something has changed within the alliance. Yang Jian made a big scene, yelling at them for slacking and being greedy. Perhaps, in order not to lose too much face, they have already regrouped their forces to attack Jiamen Pass. Prince Changshous face went pale when he heard the news, looking as if hed plastered on too much face powder. How how do we handle this? How can I stop those traitors? Jiamen Pass was the only route from Huangshui County to Chenzhou. With the help of the Mengs from Cangzhou, Prince Changshou had already occupied about one-fifth of Chenzhou. His force was now in a stalemate with the emperors army at another pass. If the alliance took Jiamen Pass, they could catch up with Prince Changshous forces within two days. If that happened, Prince Changshous forces would be flanked. Meng Zhans smiling face maintained his signature coldness. Whats there to be afraid of? We can focus on attacking Chenzhou because they picked Jiamen Pass. If they decide to divide their forces, well have real trouble. Jiamen Pass is located on a key spot in the mountains and is extremely hard to get past. The mountain ranges rise and fall. Two peaks flank Jiamen Pass like a huge gate. Its not an easy path to take on. Prince Changshou was still anxious. Jiamen Pass certainly would not be easy to take. But the alliance had 400,000 men. All they needed to do to win was outnumber his men. Master Meng, the alliance has the advantage of headcount. Im afraid Jiamen Pass cant stop them. If they take advantage of their Thats impossible, Meng Zhan said decisively. His eyes were icy. Your highness overrates their dignity. They are nothing but a crowd of greedy men. Who would sacrifice their men just to let other forces walk over their friends bodies? No one! So please do not worry, your highness. Jiamen Pass can hold them off for at least half a month. Thats enough time for us to get you on that throne! The alliance had many good fighters, yet their selfishness would spoil their advantage. So many elite soldiers and officers would be stopped at Jiamen Pass. Meng Zhan lightly smacked his palm with the fan. His eyes were sharp, cold-blooded violence lurking beneath them. Jiamen Pass is known for being more easily defended than attacked. God knows how long it will take the alliance to take it, if ever. In the meantime, the alliance had set out. They eventually encamped outside Jiamen Pass. Jiang Pengji and Huang Song took several men with them for patrol duty. Standing on top of the mountain, they took a far-sighted view and saw Jiamen Pass through the mist. Jiang Pengji had excellent eyesight, so she could see better. She soon discovered some quite recent signs of damage. Not long ago, Jiamen Pass had still belonged to the imperial court. The leader of the defending forces was an experienced general who relied on Jiamen Passs natural advantage of its terrain to keep his enemy away. No matter how Prince Changshous men attacked or provoked them, they would not come out, determined to guard it. Unfortunately, Prince Changshous forces had broken through Jiamen Pass in the end. Huang Song knew that Jiamen Pass was way harder to break than to defend. So how had they done it? By outnumbering the defending troops? Feng Zhen and several other men emerged from the camp to get some fresh air. They also wanted to take a look at the situation and see if they could get any good ideas. Have you already figured it out, my lord? Feng Zhen asked Jiang Pengji. Cheng Jing and Feng Jue exchanged looks in silence. Was that even right? In such a situation, wasnt the lord usually the one asking his advisor for suggestions? How come it was the other way around? I believe they used fire, Jiang Pengji said slowly, squinting her eyes. Based on the scouts report, there were, in fact, signs of fire damage. But its still not warm enough for the snow to melt. There are also cliffs around the Pass. All the weeds and random plants have been cleared out. How did they attack with fire when there was still snow everywhere? It did sound impossible. There wasnt much available to burn. The corners of Jiang Pengjis mouth lifted slightly in a smile of irony. The same idea on her mind also occurred to Yang Si and other men. Dead bodies, she said. Yang Si swallowed a bit. Who came up with something so cruel? Dead bodies were highly inflammable because of the fat underneath the skin. Once they caught fire, they were pretty hard to put out. As the offensive party, Prince Changshous forces must have suffered heavier casualties than the defending army. That meant more dead bodies. Was Prince Changshou crazy? Hed used the bodies of his own men to fuel his attacking strategy and burned his way through Jiamen Pass? How would I know? Jiang Pengjis smile remained. Jingrong used to work for Prince Changshou. Does that bring to ming who might have come up with the idea? In the past, Yang Si probably would have minded that Jiang Pengji mentioning his not-so-glorious past on purpose. Now he didnt even care. Thats just who his lord was. Yang Si dug into his memory for a while and said, No one specifically. When hed worked for Prince Changshou, hed been the most crafty one of them all. It might be someone who came after he left, Feng Zhen said. Jiang Pengji thought about it for a while and smiled. Considering the timing, the man is perhaps not one of Prince Changshous own. The way I see it, whoever proposed this cruel plan had something to do with the Mengs. It might even be Meng Zhan himself. After all, he is known for his cruelty. Huang Song was lost. What does it have to do with the Mengs? Jiang Pengji smiled but didnt say anything. Cheng Jing then said, We can simply take a look at the battles between Prince Changshou and Chenzhou. Before the Mengs got involved, Prince Changshou was heading downhill. They were even considering retreating. But after they got help from the Mengs, Prince Changshous power was boosted which quickly turned the tables. All his strategies got way better. Apparently, he had someone good helping him. So its very likely it was the same person who came up with the plan to take Jiamen Pass. Huang Song finally understood and nodded. Picturing how their opponents might have used dead bodies to burn their way through Jiamen Pass, he felt a cold shiver run down the spine and goosebumps emerge all over his body. If thats true what a cruel monster! Jiang Pengjis tone was flat as she said, On the battlefield, there isnt a good guy or a bad guy. Only the winner and the loser. All strategies are allowed. Burning your friends corpses is nothing. Winning the war is the best way to validate their sacrificed souls. In human history, cases of feeding on human flesh under desperate circumstances were more common than youd ever imagine. Chapter 721 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (I) Never mind in history, cases of cannibalism could be easily found in recent years. Dongqing had suffered from numerous natural disasters in recent years. In despair, some people had even exchanged children to eat. What was the difference compared to cannibalism during wartime? The four factions of Nanman and the three tribes of the northern borderline sent their troops to the Central Plains to kill and rob all the time. Cannibalism happened among them frequently. Huang Song sighed with concern. Indeed, its not that rare. If possible, Id rather we dont see it happen at all. A brief glint flashed in his eyes. Perhaps only a world of complete peace could stop something so terrible from happening. It is what it is, unfortunately. Who likes to see such terrible things happen? Jiang Pengji looked into the distance at Jiamen Pass. Such a natural barrier between the two steep cliffs would cost them God knew how many lives! Cheng Jing glanced at Jiang Pengji out of the corner of his eyes, more respectful than ever. It was very windy in the mountains. Feng Zhen, who was not a big fan of cold weather, wrapped himself more tightly in his cloak. His pale lips now had a tint of blue in them. Since Jiamen Pass is difficult for the offensive forces to overcome but easier to guard for the defensive party, if we attack by force, we will no doubt pay a heavy price. That being said, we are not going to follow suit and use dead bodies to burn Jiamen Pass, are we? Feng Zhen swallowed nervously and raised his fist to cover a light cough. But if we dont, I cant think of any other way except straightforward attacking, which again, will make us lose a lot of men and will take forever. Jiang Pengji looked around to observe the terrain. Her thin lips were pursed in a stubborn line. How long do you think it will take the alliance to break Jiamen Pass based on its combat capacity? she asked. Standing right next to Huang Song, Feng Jue placed one hand on his forehead and took a look at Jiamen Pass. The road leading to Jiamen Pass is very narrow. Its very, very hard. Based on the alliances fighting capacity, if we attack directly, maybe it will take one or two days. If the defense is really prepared behind the Pass, it may take one or two days extra. Feng Jue then continued with a sarcastic smile, Except that the alliance is suffering from internal dissension. As soon as they see what Jiamen Pass looks like, they will probably turn around. Why would they retreat up upon seeing the Pass? It was narrow and flanked by two cliffs, which meant that the spearhead of the mission was inevitably doomed. Who would volunteer to complete the task? Even if a force didnt mind going first, they would not want to sacrifice themselves. This meant that they wouldnt try their best to succeed. When Jiang Pengji and Huang Song snuck out, the alliance was in the middle of a big meeting to decide who would spearhead the campaign. Just thinking about their arguing gave Feng Jue a headache. He rubbed his forehead as if he could still hear them fighting with each other. If we dont solve this problem, Jiamen Pass will hold us off for about 10 to 15 days, if not longer, Cheng Jing said. 10 to 15 days? Prince Changshous army had already reached Chenzhou territory and was occupying more and more of the area daily. Who knew what it would be like after 10 or even 15 days? At the same time, the alliance forces were arguing terribly over the issue. No one wanted to go first for fear of burning themselves out for nothing. Besides, they would not dare to make Yang Jian go first and sacrifice himself for them this time. Ever since Yang Jian had made a huge scene and called everyone out, theyd realized that he would not stand any nonsense. Setting him up? Probably not. All forces agreed on one thing: They would hold back and try to get someone else to do it. Those who had fewer men argued that if they lost everything at Jiamen Pass, how could they face their people afterward? Those with a lot of men also had their concerns. They reasoned that even though they had a higher head-count, they were not properly trained, therefore not suitable for spearheading. Sitting on the seat of honor and listening to the going-no-where arguments, Xu Pei looked grim and overwhelmed. Xu Fei, who was sitting next to him, found the look on Xu Peis face satisfactory. Xu Pei had fought so hard with him to become the alliance leader. He totally deserved this mess! It wasnt an easy job for him indeed, especially because everyone under his leadership only cared about themselves. A full day passed and they still had not reached an agreement. The meeting ended and everybody left in misery. Jiang Pengji went back to their own camp with Feng Zhen and Yang Si. They saw that Liu She was on his way back from the meeting as well. May I ask you something, father? Jiang Pengji walked up to Liu She, holding Little Whites reins. Do you have a minute? Liu She responded with a warm smile. I always have time for you, Lanting. Yang Si and Feng Zhen were impressed by the father and son (actually daughter) interaction. How much do you know about Meng Zhan of Cangzhou, father? Meng Zhan? Hearing the name of his former brother-in-law and friend, now his current archenemy, Liu She furrowed his eyebrows. He continued in a cold voice. Meng Zhan and I used to be best friends in school. We later broke it off because of what happened with your mother and your aunt. Now we have no contact anymore so I dont really know much. Why did you mention him so suddenly? Did you discover something when you went out to check the terrain? Was it something about Meng Zhan? There were signs of fire damage near Jiamen Pass, so I figured Prince Changshou used dead bodies to burn his way through the Pass, which would explain why his army broke through so quickly. Maybe Meng Zhan was the person who proposed this plan. Thats why I want to know more about him. Liu She laughed a little. It does sound like something he would do. Thats who he is. He acts like some artsy gentleman, yet hes a real ruthless character in disguise, Liu She scorned. When I was still friends with him, I had no idea. When he was younger, he was well-known for being a gentleman. But things change, and people change. Within the Meng family, things can go really ugly among the family members. Meng Zhan may have had no way to survive if he did not choose to fight. When Meng Zhan was young, hed indeed been a real gentleman who everyone admired. Time, however, could change a person inside and out. His situation made him into a different person. Liu She did not see it coming, thinking the Mengs were a loving family. Introducing Meng Zhan to his sister-in-law, leading her to marry this real-life werewolf, was one of the very few awful decisions Liu She had ever made. The internal conflicts within the Meng family were pretty fierce. Meng Zhan made it and won. Of course, he is a crafty man. Jiang Pengji knitted her brows heavily. She then asked about the result of the alliance meeting. Liu She sneered. A bunch of irresponsible cowards. Everybody wanted to have someone else die for them. What kind of progress could come out of that? After talking to Liu She, Jiang Pengji returned to her tent, staring blankly. Jingrong and Zishi, please tell me, if you were Meng Zhan, what would you do next after helping Prince Changshou take Jiamen Pass? Feng Zhen and Yang Si exchanged looks. From Prince Changshous perspective, of course, holding the alliance off as long as possible sounded wise. Jiamen Pass was a natural set-up where the alliances internal disagreements could be aggravated. But that wasnt enough. They needed to be pushed a little harder. Yang Si had worked for Prince Changshou for a while and knew a thing or two about the man. But everything about the enemys strategies sounded so much like the Mengs style. Speaking of the Mengs, who would know more than Meng Hun? Jiang Pengji then said to a soldier, Call for Colonel Meng, now! I need to discuss something very important with him. Chapter 722 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (II) My lord! A moment later, Meng Hun appeared before Jiang Pengji inside the tent. His forehead was covered with warm sweat. Please rise, Jiang Pengji said. I invited you here to discuss the Mengs. You have worked for the Mengs for many years, so you must know a lot about them. I would like to hear what you have to say regarding Jiang Pengji got to the point right away, briefing him about the situation at the Jiamen Pass and her own theory. Meng Hun put on a look of deep pondering. Based on what he knew about Meng Zhan, the mans plans were unlikely to be that simple. Meng Huns response showed that he really was experienced and sophisticated when it came to battle-related issues. Its hard to say. Meng Zhan is known for his crafty mind and clever schemes. Its almost impossible to figure out what his plans really are. As the gentlemen here have estimated, it may take us 10 to 15 days to break Jiamen Pass. Can Prince Changshou conquer that many places and occupy the imperial city in Chenzhou within that period? If not, as soon as the alliance breaks through Jiamen Pass, it will only take one or two days to catch up with Prince Changshous forces. By then, their victory will not be so guaranteed in open battles. Feng Zhen and Yang Si agreed with Meng Hun. Prince Changshou must have something else planned. Tapping her fingers on the desk, Jiang Pengji said, Their plan must be to divide their forces. The other three nodded their agreement. They might use their main force to distract the alliance while sending their elite squad to strike the imperial city in Chenzhou. If thats true, the imperial city is in great danger! When Feng Zhen got down to business, his usual unruliness disappeared and gave way to complete seriousness. Prince Changshou must have considered timing when he made the plan. Perhaps, by the time the alliance breaks through Jiamen Pass, Prince Changshou will have taken over Chenzhou and abducted the emperor. He then could threaten the emperors life to exchange for the throne. In that case Feng Zhen did not finish. Everyones face dropped. If that really was Prince Changshous plan, the alliance would be in real danger. Jiang Pengji knitted her eyebrows and revealed some even worse news. I might know why the Mengs helped Prince Changshou. Feng Zhen and Yang Si were both puzzled, wondering why shed changed the subject. Meng Hun seemed to get it. He clenched his fists as his expression darkened. Hatred was about to rush out of his throat. Because of Meng Liang? Yep. Could be. Chances are that Meng Zhan concluded that Meng Liangs death had something to do with us. If Prince Changshou took the throne with his help, he would take a lot of credit and become a very powerful man. He would definitely make the Liu family pay, Jiang Pengji said, her eyes sparkling fiercely. Fine! Even if the Mengs dont mess with us, we will confront them sooner or later. The years of conflict between us need closure. Feng Zhen and Yang Si both looked lost. Whos Meng Liang, my lord? Meng Zhans beloved son. I killed him, Jiang Pengji said. What? Their lord killed Meng Zhans son? When did that happen? Meng Hun looked guilty. If it had not been for me, my lord would not have killed that b*stard Nonsense! Jiang Pengji said. I do not regret killing that son of a b*tch. So what if the Mengs are mad at us? Even if he wants to bet everything on Prince Changshou to take out the Liu family with Changshous help, lets wait and see if the gods are on his side or not! Even if she had never killed Meng Liang, other issues between the Meng family and Liu family had been going on for a long time. Issues that needed solving. Feng Zhen tapped his knee with his finger. If Prince Changshou has really divided his forces and sent out an elite squad to strike the imperial city in Chenzhou, the force they sent out must be of at most 20,000 men. If we go around Jiamen Pass, we may still make it. As long as they havent gotten hold of the emperor, we still have a chance. If we decide to take action, well need to notify the alliance leader. My lord, should we Get the horse ready. Im talking to Xu Pei, Jiang Pengji said with her usual determination. Before taking the position of the alliance leader, Xu Pei had pictured the job as being nice and satisfying. The reality turned out to be the opposite. Now he was more than overwhelmed. Having listened to the lords fighting all day, he thought he was going deaf. Just when he was finally about to take a break, someone outside the tent reported that Liu Xi was there to see him. Xu Pei bucked up; it wasnt appropriate to refuse Liu Xi. Hurry, have my dear young brother Liu come in! After brief greetings, Jiang Pengji got straight down to business. You look a little concerned. Still worried about the alliance forces arguments? Xu Pei let out a long sigh. You know me, my dear younger brother. That really is the reason. Theyve argued the whole day and we still dont have a clue as to who should do the spearheading. Jiang Pengji then gave her advice. Well then, what if we have each force send part of their force out for the attack? That should be fair. The arrangement will, of course, be based on the size of each force. No matter what, the alliance is already here. We cant just sit here forever and never make a move, right? Xu Peis headache was instantly alleviated. His young brother Liu had turned out to be way better than those excuse-making buck-passing guys. But of course, he would change his mind very soon. I have one more favor to ask, Jiang Pengji said. Xu Peis eyelid twitched. He put on a soft smile and asked, Whatever you need. Tell me. Jiang Pengji then told him what their plan was. She asked to take her 10,000 men to go around Jiamen Pass. Xu Pei complained to himself that this alliance leader job was way too hard. Yang Jian had threatened to withdraw from the alliance not long ago. It had taken him a lot of effort to get him back. Now Liu Xi wanted to go solo too? What was the matter with them? Well, what youve told me, my young brother, is still only your theory, Xu Pei said. Theres no solid evidence to prove that Prince Changshou plans to divide his forces to strike the imperial city in Chenzhou. If that turns out to be the case, then, of course, thats awesome. But if thats not whats really happening, dont you worry that others will blame you for this? So the way I see it, wed better plan for the long run. How about we give it some time and send more scouts to check it out? Jiang Pengji, determined, her face glowing with justice, did not give up. This is too urgent to wait. To keep the imperial court safe, I would go through fire and water and do whatever it takes. Xu Pei outwardly kept his cool, but he was quite frustrated. If you leave in the middle of the mission and act on your own, how am I supposed to explain it to the other forces? Jiang Pengji compressed her lips, staring at Xu Pei. As they were locked in this stalemate, a soldier outside reported that Yang Jian wanted to see Xu Pei. Xu Pei hadnt seen that coming. What was he doing here? Had he found the arguing at the meeting earlier annoying and now wanted to make another scene? Please have County Military Chief Yang come in. Yang Jian hadnt shown up alone. A young man wearing a bamboo-green Confucian gown followed him in. It was Yan Lin, a scholarly advisor. Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows upon seeing them. Did those two have the same plan as her? Chapter 723 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio As expected, as soon as Yan Lin opened his mouth on Yang Jians behalf, Jiang Pengji knew their intention. Xu Pei was surprised. Listening to Yan Lin in silence, he snuck a glance at Jiang Pengji, wondering if the two forces were in this together. He had legitimate reasons to suspect that Yang Jian and Jiang Pengji were teaming up to take him down. I did not expect that Chief Yang would also have a plan like this, Xu Pei said in a soft voice, adjusting his mood. Everyone wanted to free themselves from the alliance and have fun. No one cared about his feelings anymore. Everything else is open for discussion. However, this one thing, not so much. Yan Lin was the surprised one this time. He looked at Jiang Pengji instinctively. My lord, by a plan like this, do you mean Xu Pei confirmed his guess. Before Chief Yang came in, Lanting, my younger brother, was talking about a similar plan. Yan Lin put up a smile to hide his nervousness. I never expected that District Magistrate Liu and my lord would see eye-to-eye and come up with the same idea! Jiang Pengji secretly sneered. Just looking at Yang Jian, she would never believe it had been Yang Jians own idea. All three parties were concerned about their own business. An awkward silence filled the tent. The audience of the streaming room was also burning with anxiety, despite not really being able to help thanks to the dimensional barrier. Han Xiaoyu: Im outraged! I wish I could grab Xu Pei by his collar and break his head! Whats he hesitating about? The Fairy Queens Blush: Alas, no matter what, hes the alliance leader and needs to balance all the forces. My impression of Xu Pei is not bad. But if he keeps acting like this and making trouble, Ill want to break his head too! Too much nonsense! Life is Bitter: Haha, you all want to break Xu Peis head, and that makes me feel bad for him. To be honest, the so-called alliance leader position is nothing but a fancy title. His power is very limited. The streamer and Yang Jian both want to ditch the main force. It makes sense that Xu Pei is worried. Mi Jiu: Im more curious if the streamer will team up with Yang Jians force. After all, they share the same goal, and the streamer doesnt have enough soldiers. If they work with Yang Jian and help each other, its a win-win. While the audience was seriously discussing the issue as if they were part of it, Team Yang Jian broke the stalemate. Yan Lin turned to Xu Pei, looking composed. This is an emergency and we need to act quickly. We hope your leadership can give the order as soon as possible. Xu Pei put on a bitter smile, still playing ball. I understand that you are all eager to contribute to the country. But no rules, no justice. The alliances mission of saving the imperial court is closely related to the whole countrys future. I cant let you guys run wild. We need to at least discuss this with all the other forces. Yan Lin felt sparks of rage within him. Even though his voice was still calm, his tone contained a hint of sarcasm. Discuss it with the other forces? They took a whole day to decide who should go first in the attack and still couldnt reach a consensus. If we leave this to them for discussion too, perhaps by the time they make a decision, if ever, Prince Changshou will have already taken the throne by threatening the emperor to give it to him. Jiang Pengji didnt mind helping. An emergency like this requires exceptions. How about we make an exception for this, older brother Xu? Xu Peis eyelid twitched. How could he make such kind of exceptions? If he let Yang Jian and Liu Xis forces go around Jiamen Pass, how could he explain it when the other lords confronted him? Disunity had already shaken the alliance. With something like this, the alliance, which had taken so much effort to put together, might entirely fall apart. I dont see any room for exceptions here. If you guys are in a hurry, we can put together a meeting. You cant take action by yourselves like that. Sitting still, Yan Lin clenched his fists tightly, unwilling to give in. Yang Jians force had been isolated by others in the alliance from the beginning. Now they had to endure this kind of treatment? That was more than unfair! Jiang Pengji took it way easier. My dear old brother Xu, have you ever seriously considered the future of the alliance? Xu Pei found the question unexpected. What do you mean exactly, my dear young brother? The corners of Jiang Pengjis lips lifted in a smile. The alliance set out to save the imperial court following the royal order. This is justice in the face of treason. Justified, no doubt. But all of this is based on the fact that the emperor on that throne is still the same emperor. If the person on the throne is different, say its Prince Changshou instead, then we will be seen as nothing but traitors. Xu Peis eyelid twitched. If the alliance became the traitors, as its leader, Xu Pei would naturally become the primary target for punishment. However, the alliance was a force of 40,000. Even if Prince Changshou ended up taking the throne, he would not dare to attack them directly. Instead, he would probably try to break them apart from within. If we can save the royal family within the imperial city in Chenzhou and keep the emperor safe, it would be on you, all thanks to your excellent leadership. All Chief Yang and I would get is the little credit for following orders and doing our jobs right. On the other hand, if we cant save them all, because of your background, my dear old brother, you could still get away with it Xu Pei agreed with Jiang Pengji even though he still looked humiliated and furious. My young brother, do you see me as a hypocrite? Jiang Pengji was not surprised by his reaction at all. Of course I know you are not like that. But Im worried. Especially after seeing that everyone in the alliance is busy arguing and not one has done anything important, Im concerned that they will bring bad reputation to the alliance and to you, the leader, making outsiders think that our leader is someone indecisive and who lacks talents and charisma Please seriously consider this, my dear brother Xu! If there was one thing Jiang Pengji was good at, it was accurately spotting a persons weak point. Xu Peis weak spot was his value of fame, reputation, and credit. She simply offered what he craved most. Of course, it worked well. Looking down, Yan Lin listened, acting as if he was an outsider. Still, he knew Xu Pei had bought it. Just as expected. Xu Peis face changed dramatically. After a long moment of hesitation and consideration, he said, But dont forget, my dear younger brother, all you have is 10,000 men. If you are unlucky enough to encounter Prince Changshous elite squad, it will be very dangerous. No. We cant do this. How can I, as your older brother, put you in such great danger? Jiang Pengji gave a light smile. I will be fine. We still have Chief Yang here. Combined, our forces will be over 20,000. Enough to get the job done. Xu Pei turned to Yang Jian to see what he thought. We will follow your orders completely, my lord, Yan Lin said on Yang Jians behalf. Xu Pei pounded the table, ambition and determination filling his heart. He agreed. Finally. As for the other forces, he would figure out a way to convince them. Yan Lin let out a cold snort after they left the tent. How generous you were, District Magistrate Liu! Jiang Pengji responded with a smile. Why do you say that, sir? We will be the ones fighting, bleeding, and putting our lives in danger on the front line, yet we have to give all the credit to Xu Pei. If thats not generous, I dont know what is! Jiang Pengji shrugged. Weve gotta give something to get something. Credit is nothing. We need real benefits in our hands. If they hadnt bribed Xu Pei with credit and fame, he would have never let them do it. Yan Lin understood it, of course, but he was still annoyed. Since were gonna work together, how about we meet up and talk about the plan? Yan Lin looked down. Sure. Chapter 724 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji smiled and ridiculed him, saying, You dont sound too excited. Yan Lin stared at her in silence with his obsidian-like eyes. Jiang Pengji knew what his grudge was about. Her eyes flashed cunningly like a pair of bright stars threatening to dominate the night skyfearless and carefree. I know youre upset, but you guys should thank me. If it not for me, Xu Pei wouldnt have let us do this so easily. He didnt even need to take any action. If he had pushed it off for several days, it would all be too late. After Chief Yang showed them what he was capable of, other lords developed some respect and fear for him, but that cant guarantee his safety forever. If the alliance ends up wasting too much time at Jiamen Pass, they will still have to pick someone to spearhead. Who do you think they will pick then? Chief Yang might still be their first choice. So its really not too bad to be getting out of here, is it? Yan Lin still found letting someone from another force get permission from Xu Pei on his behalf disturbing. Not to mention that his lord would lose a lot of the credit that they deserved. Yan Lins face darkened even more. He turned away from Jiang Pengjis face, resisting the urge to throw a punch at it. In truth, Jiang Pengji had stolen their thunder and credit. But according to her mini-speech, Yang Jian and Yan Lin were somehow supposed to be grateful. A genius at twisting things indeed. This guy is something else After parting ways, they went back to their camps to get ready for the mission. Yan Lin, who had been silent the whole way back, finally made a comment about Jiang Pengji. Like father, like son. Hes Liu Shes son, what else did you expect? A nice and gentle young fellow? The only thing that surprised me was that this Liu Xi was not just good at fighting, but talented at talking too. Now, that reminded me of Zhengze, a punk that worries me all the time! In Yang Jians eyes, Jiang Pengji represented the ideal type of son he had always wished hed had. In comparison, Yang Tao, his son, only made him worry. Hearing Yang Jian complaining about Yang Tao again, as usual, Yan Lin got an impulse to defend his best friend. Zhengze is a warm-hearted man with a sense of justice and good temper. Thats way better than being sinister. Even though his buddy was not the brightest star in the sky, Yan Lin still believed that Yang Tao the trouble maker was better than Jiang Pengji. No one could compete with him. Yang Jian let out a bitter laugh. You can call it warm-hearted, I call it hot-headed. The good thing is, this punk might have done something really good in his previous life to have you as his friend. With you on his side, I dont have to worry that someone will get to him after I die. Yang Jian had quite a few kids, but Yang Tao was his only son and was also his first wifes son. The kid was his favorite. Too bad that Yang Tao seemed to have been born without any prudence or caution. He had caused so much trouble, making Yang Jian worry all the time. Yang Jian even blamed his now lackluster beard on his son. It used to look a lot fuller and brighter. He had never gotten a break until Yan Lin entered Yang Taos life. Yan Lin laughed and said, My lord, you are in the prime of your life. Even in three or five decades, you will still look like a young man. Yang Jian caressed the beard he had once been proud of. They went back to their camp with their guards to get their soldiers ready for the action. A little while before the scheduled departure time, Yan Lin paid another visit to Jiang Pengji to discuss the mission. Liu Xi and Liu Shes camps were pretty close to each other. When Yan Lin got to his new allys camp, he saw that although Liu Xis men were running around getting ready, Liu Shes camp looked suspiciously quiet. He knitted his brows and kept his questions to himself. My father is not a big fan of fighting and killing. He only attended this alliance meeting as a bystander. Jiang Pengji seemed to have read his mind. She added with a smile, Taking this unexpected action to stop Prince Changshous elite squad would be too much for him, so I didnt want to bother him with it. If you dont get your fathers help, youll only have 10,000 men. Will that be enough? Yan Lin asked. Yes, enough. Combined, we have about 25,000 men. If we added my fathers force too, it would make us way more conspicuous. They planned to surprise the enemy, so being unexpected was the point. If they had too many men with them and were spotted, their likelihood of success would be severely impacted. In the worst scenario, they would be destroyed. Yan Lin looked a bit relieved. That makes sense. Jiamen Pass was located in a tricky spot surrounded by mountains. It would be very difficult to go around it to get to Chenzhou. Difficult, but not impossible. To get around Jiamen Pass, we have two options. As the primary representative for Yang Jians force, Yan Lin knew his stuff. Hed had the nerve to propose a plan like that based on his thorough consideration and preparation. So even though the fight would be totally on the road, he was full of confidence. One is by water. The currents would be very dangerous, not to mention that we will have to go against the flow of the river. Those who are not extremely good in water probably wont make it. Yang Jians men were mostly from Dongmen County in Zhangzhou where there were a lot of turbulent rivers. They were no doubt good in the water. The water route to get around Jiamen Pass seemed below average to them. But the majority of Jiang Pengjis soldiers couldnt even swim. Awkward. Feng Zhen smiled and pointed at one of the mountainous paths on the map. Is this the other option? Yes. The only thing is that its not an easy way either. All kinds of wild beasts and poisonous bugs are often seen there. Local people usually avoid that area for fear of danger and getting lost. In other words, if Jiang Pengji wanted to stop Prince Changshou, she only had those two options. If she preferred to stay safe and take a third, longer route, it would take a long time. If they did that, they would also run a bigger risk of being discovered by Prince Changshous scouts. The two routes Yan Lin picked were the shortest. At normal speed, it would only take them one night to get around Jiamen Pass. Deal! Just tell us the time and spot, well wait for you there! Jiang Pengji gave a wide smile. Yan Lin looked shocked. The streaming screen was filled with comments appraising her dominant and powerful presence. Liuli Huoyu: Wow! Thats my streamer! The ultimate personification of dominance! Koala Off the Tree: What? What did the streamer do that you all say that she rocks? Cha Mifei: What? Did you miss it? Remember that the streamer said that Yang Jians men were all good swimmers and that they would choose the waterway with full confidence. The streamers guys cant even swim, so they had to pick the mountainous one. The mountainous one is longer and more energy-consuming. Even on the map, it looks longer. But the streamer said she would wait at the destination for Yang Jians force. If that doesnt rock, I dont know what does. Saipu: Um, can I say that? Even though that did rock, it was more annoying. Yan Lins eyes burned with flames after that brief shock. In front of someone so unpredictable and with such bizarre ambition, few could keep their cool. Even Jiang Pengjis men sometimes couldnt stand her weird sarcasm. Fine, if youre so confident, my lord, lets meet right here. Yan Lin pointed at a specific spot on the map. He had regained his calm and smiled. Good. Chapter 725 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The pitch-black darkness was like an unlimited pool of ink. The only exception was the moonlight shining down on the ground. Jiang Pengjis soldiers and officers had left under the cover of darkness. Yang Jians side had taken similar action. All the other lords and their men were still busy immersing themselves in corporal pleasure as if they were honoring the established tradition of the new alliance. At night, the whole alliance acted like there had not been any fiery arguments during the day. Before she left, Jiang Pengji let Liu She know about the plan so he could cover for them in case someone found out that two camps had somehow evacuated. Its so cold and dark, yet Yang Jians men still insisted on fighting against the current of the river Wearing an extra warm overcoat and holding a newly-made coal brazier, Feng Zhen still looked like he was freezing. He couldnt imagine how Yang Jians men could go through the river upstream. No matter how good they were at swimming, in the turbulent and icy cold water, it would still be likely for some to lose their lives. Simply picturing jumping into the cold water naked and going against the current made Feng Zhens thin, delicate frame shiver. His lips turned even paler. Jiang Pengji laughed. Who told you they have to jump into the water? Say what? Feng Zhen looked puzzled. But Yang Jian picked the water route. They dont have enough boats. They dont have tons of men, but its still about 15,000. How can they go across the river then? Or does Yang Jian have some other tricks up his sleeve? Jiang Pengji smiled. Whats important is they can make it across the river. We need to work hard on our side, too. With all the paths snaking around all over the hills of their mountainous path, people without a good sense of direction would find it quite easy to get lost. We are lucky that its so freezing cold and still winter. If it was warmer and there were harmful mists, wild animals, and poisonous bugs and snakes to contend with, things would be way tougher for us. Meng Hun took off almost half of his armor to make it easier on the road. The remaining pieces were only enough to protect the most important body parts. Now that its cold, things are much easier. It would be even better if we were climbing during the day, we would be able to see our way more clearly. Marching in the dark could cause a lot of problems. Due to malnutrition, many soldiers suffered from night blindness. Their vision was compromised significantly. Even though Jiang Pengji had improved their diets a lot and arranged a torch for every 50 men, marching on this route remained difficult. Jiang Pengji adjusted their marching strategies and sent the stronger soldiers with better vision to the front to clear a path for the rest. Weaker soldiers with weaker night vision stayed in the back. Stronger soldiers in the front also had their back up teams, meaning that the guys could take turns to guarantee speed and efficiency. If it were bright out, neither Yang Jian nor we could hide the mission from the other forces. Li Yun and Dian Yan were both at the front of the group. Their usual enemy-killing, silver-headed spears had become their exploring tools and walking sticks. They didnt even feel bad about it. As long as we can hide from Prince Changshou, were in a good spot. As for the other lords and their forces, perhaps they wont even guess that weve gone this way to avoid Jiamen Pass completely. The route was extremely rugged. Yang Si and Feng Zhen had each gotten off their horses to walk. It had quickly exhausted them so much that they were sweating and panting. Li Yun looked back at Yang Si and said, If you feel tired, how about I carry you on my back, mister? Yang Si didnt jump at the offer. Li Yun was their major officer who would lead the charge. It was important to reserve his energy. On a mountainous path like this, even Yang Si was on the brink of passing out walking this far. If Li Yun had to finish the rest while carrying him, wouldnt that kill him? So Yang Si politely declined. However, someone else had way less shame and consideration. Feng Zhen said, Hanmei, how come you play favorites like this? Im tired too! Why didnt you offer to carry me? Li Yun blinked innocently, then repeated, If you feel tired, how about I carry you on my back, mister? Feng Zhen nodded his acceptance about a hundred times within a second. Lets go go go! Jiang Pengji hesitated and attempted to finish his sentence. Ole ole ole? Feng Zhen was confused. What was that? Yang Si signed and guessed, Perhaps shes referring to your shamelessness. Watching the two scholarly advisors prepare to start fighting, Li Yun didnt know what to do. Just pick him up unless you want to give them time to keep arguing, Jiang Pengji said as she walked past Li Yun, patting his shoulder. Alas, their combined ages make them almost 60, yet they still argue so loudly like this. So embarrassing! One of Li Yuns virtues was his honesty. Just as Jiang Pengji instructed, he picked Feng Zhen up and continued walking. Yang Si was speechless. The whole team was unbelievable! Even though it was late at night, the streaming room was full of nigh-oil-burning audience members. Everyone watching this part laughed. Hua Zhuozhuo: Haha! Li Yun and Feng Zhen are so cute together! Flying Dragon: You capricious little monsters! I remember you all saying the same thing about Yang Si and Feng Zhen. Things change too fast! No Explanation Needed: No, no, no. Streamer, please let us see more girls of different types! Its been only guys recently. Are you not worried that they are getting too close to each other? We finally got Li Yun, and hes such perfect husband material. He is not to be turned! Reading the bullet screen, Jiang Pengji had nothing to say. It occurred to her that she could really impress them. Hanmei? Yes, my lord? Hows it going with you and Waner? What? Both Jiang Pengjis men around to look. The 150,000 member audience in the streaming room was intrigued by the potential of gossip. Li Yun looked away with his face flushed. Lady Wan is doing well How come you mentioned this, my lord? The bullet screen was filled with wow wow wow comments. Lady Wan? Isnt she the leader of the womens department of government office? Feng Zhen asked. Hanmei taught her some fighting skills. Was that how you two became a thing? Single ladies from higher-up families in Wanzhou are limited. Youd better make it a done deal while you still can. Otherwise, someone else might get in front of you. Li Yun smiled bitterly. Mister, we are not a thing yet. Feng Zhen smacked his head while draped across his back. Not a thing!? How about you do something to make it a thing? Yang Si smiled in agreement. Thats something! Maybe in a few months, we can witness a nice ceremony in Wanzhou! Half of Jiang Pengjis men were single. Yang Si was not that young anymore, but his standards were too high. Hed rather go to brothels than formally get a wife to take care of his life and place. Ever since his wife passed away, Feng Zhen had no willingness to remarry. He also resorted to going to those romantic places. Of course, now he was busy with work and fighting. He didnt even have time to pleasure himself, nevermind go to brothels. By that time, I will pay you guys in advance by several months. Hanmei, the standards for the wedding gift red packets should be based on how much they get. Everyone kept teasing Li Yun. Soon, he barely remembered how to walk. Listening to them talking about his personal life, Li Yun wished he could just disappear. Eventually, he gave up. Fine. Hed entertain them by self-sacrifice. Chapter 726 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (VI) The rugged, mountainous route snaked up and down, forks in the path appearing constantly. It was a natural trap for people to get lost in. But under Jiang Pengjis guidance, things turned out to be a lot easier than expected. In the meantime, Yang Jian and his men came up with a plan. Compared to their experiences with many more dangerous rivers, this one wasnt too much of a challenge for the excellent swimmers in Yang Jians force. Shaoyang, are you doing alright? Yang Tao asked. Yang Taos breathing was very short. His face had recently gotten rid of the adolescent look and was starting to show more of the vigor and determination of a young man. Compared to Yang Taos free-spirit and bold attitude, Yan Lin always maintained his composure and dignity. Im good, Zhengze, Yan Lin said. You might as well go ahead and take care of the lord. His arrow wound has not healed yet. It requires close observation. Considering his condition, Yan Lin didnt want Yang Jian to be part of this mission. Yang Jian, on the other hand, was concerned about his son, who, in his eyes, was as sharp as a marble. He really didnt want Yang Tao to lead the army by himself. Yang Tao nodded seriously. You take care too, Shaoyang. As turbulent as the river was in the winter, the water level was lower than it was in flood seasons, revealing the shoreline slopes on both sides of the river. The slopes were quite gentle which made things a lot easier. This was a major element that might enable Yan Lin to beat Jiang Pengji and arrive at their meeting spot sooner. The two forces marched on their respective routes with full concentration, be it in the river or over the mountain. The alliance camps near Jiamen Pass were still busy and loud. Everyone was still enjoying themselves until the horizon burned bright, breaking the darkness. The sky turned, from darkest to the brightest, every shade of gray until it was totally bright outside. All the lords were preoccupied with their own agendas. On top of that, Liu She had deliberately done some cover-up work for Jiang Pengji and Yang Jians secret mission. Nobody noticed that a total of 25,000 men had disappeared. It would, of course, be impossible to hide it forever. Two separate forces totaling 25,000 men. Even the least observant would eventually notice. The funny thing was, by the time they did, it was already sunset of the day after Jiang Pengji and Yang Jian left. Everyone was upset by the discovery. An Cui had secretly gone around Wuma Shang, the chief of Shanghai County, hoping to get some benefits. Hearing the news, An Cui turned to Wuma Shang and saw the cold grin on his face. Liu Xi was overrated. Such a coward for chickening out. Having a son like that, Liu Zhongqing will probably cry himself to blindness. Wuma Shang snorted. Even though he had no personal conflicts with Jiang Pengji, he still hated the father and son of the Liu family. Now Chongzhou, Wanzhou, and Hu counties were all in their hands. As a royal family member himself, how could he be thrilled about that? Did the country belong to the Wuma family or the Liu family? An Cui whispered, Liu Xi doesnt seem like someone without guts. He probably wouldnt really chicken out. There must be something behind their leaving last night that we dont know. Maybe Xu Pei, the alliance leader, knew something about it. My lord, we can go ask him. Wuma Shang snorted a bit. Despite the contempt in his voice, he was still quite concerned about the real reason behind their actions. Fine, lets go find out for sure. At the same time, Huang Song also learned about it. He didnt know too much about Yang Jian, so he couldnt immediately make it out. However, he knew a thing or two about Jiang Pengji, especially the way she acted. No matter how much gossip he had heard about their chickening out, Huang Song would not agree with it. There must be something else going on behind the whole thing. Failing to figure it out himself, he called for his advisors. Feng Jue and Cheng Jing exchanged looks, both instantly realizing what it was about. It wasnt good. My lord, lets go to the alliance leaders camp as soon as we can, Cheng Jing said. By the time Huang Song and his men arrived, Xu Peis tent was already crowded with the leaders of all the forces. Compared to finding out what happened to Yang Jian and Jiang Pengjis forces, most of them were more interested in seeing how Xu Pei would handle it. Someone here for this purpose was Xu Peis cousin, Xu Fei. Xu Fei laughed and said, My dear older brother! You are slacking at your job as the alliance leader! How come someone can just come and go as they please? Xu Pei glanced at him. His voice was completely calm and lacked any trace of anger or uneasiness. Who told you that? Lanting and Chief Yang both followed my orders. As to why they left and for what reason, it remains secret that I have no intention to tell at the moment. Xu Fei snorted. He didnt buy it, deciding that it was Xu Pei bluffing. Xu Peis face revealed his increasing indignation. Your primary goal is to break Jiamen Pass. Nothing else matters. Lanting and Chief Yangs forces are only 25,000 combined, which is not even a tenth of the alliance. What? Are you guys worried that you cant make it without them? Your leadership misunderstood us. Xu Feis voice was deliberately pretentious, provocation in his eyes. The alliance can, of course, break Jiamen Pass without them. But as a member of the alliance, they acted at will and left without any notice. What did they think of you, the leader? With them acting like that, how can the alliance act as one? Also, as the leader, arent you responsible for your negligence? The atmosphere in the tent was intense. Xu Fei insisted that Xu Pei was lying about Jiang Pengji and Yang Jian acting on his order. Enough! The voice that was icy cold. Liu She strode in, clad in a scholars costume and a heavy cloak. His eyes were as cold as his voice, intimidating everyone with their seriousness. If you are all so curious, simply wait for half a month and good news will arrive. Intimidated by Liu She, Xu Fei still didnt want to give up. He took the risk and tried again. Right, of course, the daddy will always cover for his son. What if we dont get any good news by then? No good news would mean that Liu Xis plan had failed to achieve its expected results. Even worse, they could end up beaten by Prince Changshou. Their lives could be in danger. Xu Pei tried to warn Xu Fei with a stare, but Xu Fei didnt stop talking. If theres no good news, I will break Jiamen Pass myself. Liu Shes voice sounded calm. Even flat. Just like the son, the father was no fan of modesty. After the initial shock, the lords started to realize what was really going on and became angry. Liu Zhongqing, are you saying that, without you guys, we cant break Jiamen Pass within half a month? Liu She lifted the corners of his mouth in a scornful smile. Its good to know what youve got. You! Xu Fei smashed his hand on the table, shaking with rage. Liu She walked away. He didnt even look at him. Xu Pei had never said anything about Liu Xi and Yang Jians whereabouts. Who knew if there were any of Prince Changshous spies among them? With all the different forces present, it was a real concern. When it came to important military information, Xu Pei would never let it leak. Even though he hadnt said a thing, some were still able to get it right. What an unexpected and bold plan. Cheng Jing squinted his eyes. Yet this guy seems to rely too much on this kind of trick Feng Jue was mentally prepared. After all, Jiang Pengji was one of his old friends. How about we take a guess as to where they are now? Chapter 727 - In Front of Jiamen Pass (VII) Cheng Jing frowned slightly. His obsidian-like eyes flared. Since Magistrate Liu stepped up to endorse Liu Xis action, they have probably successfully gone around Jiamen Pass by now. Fang Jue smiled. I agree. They were right. After a whole night of running, marching, and climbing, Jiang Pengji and her men had finally gone across the border of Chenzhou. The early morning sun was blinding. Lets have the guys take a break and get something to eat first. They need to get their energy back. Fang Zhen rubbed his shoulders. The night before, hed fallen asleep on Li Yuns back. That didnt mean hed slept too well. He had obvious dark circles under his eyes. Are you not gonna compete with Yang Jian to see who can get to the meeting spot first anymore? Jiang Pengji gave Feng Zhen a sulky look. At this point, whats more important? Winning the bet or our mens well-being? I was just saying that to impress Yan Lin when I told him we were gonna beat them. Hurrying on with their journey the whole night, although they had avoided most of the detours under Jiang Pengjis command, everyone was still exhausted. Jiang Pengji didnt want them to keep going like that, so she decided to spend some time letting her guys get some rest. We appreciate your consideration, my lord. Feng Zhen cupped his hands and put on a sly smile. Looking at his cunning face, Jiang Pengji simply shrugged it off. Although they couldnt make a fire and cook, the soldiers had enough solid food like rice balls and sliced pickles packed with them to eat. They also had adequate water with them, so everyone had a decent breakfast. What the soldiers had to eat was not much different than what Jiang Pengji and her advisors and generals had. I cant believe the rice balls are still a little warm. I expected them to be ice-cold Li Yuns rice balls were wrapped in layers of cloths, tucked under his armor and kept warm by his body temperature. Thats why his food was not cold. Rice balls alone would be too bland. It was Jiang Pengjis idea to put sliced pickles inside them to add some flavor. On a military mission, that was not bad for food. Nobody complained except the audience of the streaming room. Li Wushuang: Aw Yang Si baby has always been the pickiest! Now its so tough that he is even enjoying the rice balls! Fengsheng Shuiqi: I feel bad for him too! Watching him like this, I suddenly find the lobster entree in front of me so bland! Xuanyuan Mingjing: Haha @ the comment above Do you really feel bad for Yang Si or you are here to sabotage the streamers mission? Jiang Pengji deliberately avoided the bullet screen. Based on her understanding of the audience, they were probably showing off all kinds of gourmet food. Of course, she wouldnt torture herself like that. Everyone was nearly full when they finished eating. They took another break of two zodiac hours. By the time they were prepared to hit the road, the sun was right above their heads. Its pretty much time. Lets go meet with them, Jiang Pengji said. The meeting spot was only about one zodiac hour away. Jiang Pengji was not in a hurry. She let her men take their time to accommodate their conditions. By the time they got there, Yang Jians men had been waiting and resting for a while. Seeing that they had arrived, Yan Lin gave them a surprised glare. He had assumed that because they were not familiar with the area, they would have to take some detours along the way. Despite this, they had already arrived. Gazing at the soldiers faces, he realized that, despite traces of fatigue, they didnt look like they had traveled nonstop for more than a dozen zodiac hours. That meant that they had already taken some breaks on their way here. If they had not taken any breaks, they would have arrived earlier than Yan Lin. Yan Lin would not underrate them anymore. The importance he attached to Jiang Pengji and her men went up a whole level. Since they were teaming up, it was important to share some information. Inside Chenzhou, besides the imperial court, there were also Prince Changshous men to consider. To strike Prince Changshous army, they would not only have to act fast, but they would also have to keep the mission a secret. If their enemy had a chance to prepare, they wouldnt have much of a chance at success. How could they guarantee that their whereabouts and plans would stay safe? Their priority was picking the best routes to avoid possible exposure without wasting too much time. It was not the time to be picky. The leaders and top generals and advisors of both forces randomly picked a spot to have their meeting. When it came to strategic decision making, Yang Jian and Yang Tao never had much of a chance to pitch in. They didnt mind at all leaving it all to Yan Lin. On Jiang Pengjis side, her generals all had their own responsibilities. They also fully trusted their lord and advisors, so they didnt try to get involved either. Yan Lin started to realize that Liu Xi was different from other lords. Most lords would wait until all the advisors had provided their advice before making a decision. However, she would participate in the discussion from the beginning. She sounded like she knew her stuff. Seeing what Jiang Pengji was capable of, Yang Jian let out a particularly heavy sigh. Comparisons could be depressing. If his own son had half of what Liu Xi had, he would be so comforted. If it had not been for Yan Lin, Yang Jian would have more often wished that he could have Yang Tao somehow reborn to see if he would turn out to be a brighter bulb. The group had already made their plans by the time the alliance finally found out that they were gone. Liu She had suggested that the alliance would not be able to break through Jiamen Pass by themselves. They didnt want to believe that, so theyd decided to break through it to show Liu She their true strength. It turned out that they had shown their true strength They had been defeated by the defensive army at Jiamen Pass, just as Liu She predicted. The opener lasted for more than one zodiac hour. In that time, the alliance had dropped 2,000 dead bodies before retreating. Everyones face dropped. Sitting at the main seat and listening to the lords blaming each other for their own failures, Xu Peis head was about to explode. Finally having dealt with those lords, Xu Pei went to Liu She for advice at night in the hope of breaking the Pass. Liu Shes response was shockingly unexpected. I have no idea, he said. If you ask me to govern a city or a county, Ill consider myself pretty well off. But if you ask me to lead an army onto the battlefield, that will be hard. Xu Pei dropped his jaw and was speechless. If Liu She had no secret plan to break the Pass, why had he acted like the prospect was nothing to him earlier that day? He didnt ask, but you gotta kidding me was written on his face. Liu She burst into laughter. Liu She then put on a serious face and said, If I hadnt said that, those guys would have kept verbally attacking your leadership and Lanting. How could I let that happen? Well, that demonstrated one thing Liu She ignored the consequences when he was trying to impress the lords, but now Xu Pei had to face the consequences head-on. Xu Pei didnt know what to say. If theres no good news in half a month, what do you plan to do, Magistrate Liu? What was said couldnt be unsaid. This was like a slap in the face. If Liu Shes face was slapped, his reputation as a magistrate could be considered lost. Liu She secretly rolled his eyes. In half a month, with 40,000 men, even if we attack directly, it will be about time to break the Pass. Just because I said they couldnt do it, are they so eager to prove me right? Also, even if they cant break the Pass in half a month, I still have my confidence in my boy, Lanting. There will be good news within half a month. In case neither plan works out, we will simply come up with something else. No worries. Xu Pei didnt say a thing. Liu She wasnt worried, but Xu Pei was. He hadnt expected Liu She to act like this! Chapter 728 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (I) Time flew by. Eleven days later, the alliance finally broke Jiamen Pass. It was all thanks to the fact that, according to the alliance itself, their forces were united as one. They celebrated that night, dancing and singing as if it was all over. Huang Song and several other advisors sighed, watching them party like that. What a bunch of morons. It took them eleven freaking days to break Jiamen Pass. Whats there to celebrate? Huang Song punched the table in front of him. Instrumental music could be heard outside his tentannoyingly distracting. Feng Jue and the others gave a bitter smile. The alliance seemed to be beyond salvation. Tomorrow, the forces will finally get past Jiamen Pass. I hope its not too late. Feng Jue let out a sigh. Cheng Jing looked down. His voice was cold. How can it not be too late? Im afraid that Chenzhou is already in great danger. Damn it! Those short-sighted idiots are still here feeling proud of themselves. They stupidly crave getting credit, even if its at the expense of their long-term success. They cant deny it! Ill just have to put all my hope on Liu Xi and Yang Jian now. I hope they can get there soon. Even if they cant save the whole of Chenzhou, at least I hope they can save the emperor. None of the five kingdoms had been established for very long. Besides, aristocratic families education had always been concentrated on building their own power and influence, so the level of loyalty among the aristocracy was not very high. Cheng Jing and Feng Jue were two of them. For them, the imperial family didnt seem to be able to hold its power for long. However, it wasnt time for them to go south just yet. If Dongqings emperor was still alive, at least on the surface, other forces could be contained. Without an emperor, the whole of Dongqing would go straight into a status of disintegration. All sorts of lords and forces would start claiming to be their own boss. For the moment, Huang Song still needed time to develop. He still needed an emperor. Feng Jue laughed grimly. His voice contained obvious sarcasm. I hope so. The gods bless Dongqing. But it didnt seem like gods were on Dongqings side at all. The dynasty had pretty much run out of luck. No matter how hard it tried, it couldnt do anything except count its remaining days. The second day after the alliance broke through Jiamen Pass, they triumphantly marched through it. By that time, the imperial city in Chenzhou was already in great danger. Ever since hed moved to Chenzhou, the emperor had been planning on ordering tons of construction projects so that Chenzhou could be transformed into something that looked just like Shangjing. Unfortunately, the exchequer didnt have enough money. Not to mention that Prince Changshou had to start his revolt, causing even more money to be put into the military budget. Since they couldnt afford to build whatever the emperor wanted to build, he and his concubines had to move into the Chenzhou Imperial Palace for short stays away from the capital and use it as the main palace. The vacation palace, however, was as fancy as the main palace back in Shangjing. The emperor and his concubines still lived an extravagant lifestyle. He didnt care how the battles turned out beyond the walls of his palace. All he cared about was enjoying himself, having beautiful women in his arms, and eating fancy food all the time. It was just so much fun! That luxurious lifestyle required a lot of money. But how could he get enough money that he could burn through it for his own pleasure? The emperor secretly resorted to selling official positions and titles with an invisible price tag on every single one of them! That didnt look great in the aristocratic families eyes. The emperor had countless concubines. His favorite was the former royal concubine and the current empress, Huijun. Speaking of this empress, the government officials and ministers all loved and hated her. Why was it both love and hate? Because every time she was present, the emperor demonstrated a significantly lower level of cruelty. He wouldnt randomly kill anyone with the sword he had with him when Huijun was around. So many officials had come close to being executed by the emperor. Thanks to Empress Huijuns pleading, they and their families all dodged death. Then how come they still hated her if they owed her their lives? When Empress Huijun was still the royal concubine, shed plotted and succeeded in killing the former empress with poison, seduced the former crown prince, and destroyed his relationship with his father. His own family was stripped of their royal titles, leading many of them to die in terrible living conditions. What happened to the prince? The outrageous emperor cut his head off with a sword! The crown prince was not the only victim. Since then, the second, third, and fourth prince, Wuma Jun, had all suffered a lot because of her. The second prince had been accused of plotting against the emperor and empress with witchcraft. His properties and fortune all ended up being confiscated. He was executed. Even his mothers family was punished. The third prince was the most low-key of the bunch, but he possessed the noblest blood. His mother was part of the collateral Feng family. Yet he was accused of seducing his stepmother and dishonoring the royal family. It was claimed that he had been involved intimately with one of the emperors new concubines. As such, his title was taken. As for the fourth prince, Wuma Jun, he hadnt survived either. One day, hed somehow gotten so drunk that he passed out on the side of the road. Several carriages passing by ran over his legs. He never walked again. Based on the investigation of several imperial censors, the empress was behind it all. But with the emperor being obsessed with her, there was nothing they could do. The imperial court was a mess. Everyone was deeply worried about the future. The Mengs from Cangzhou suddenly turned their backs on the emperor. Since then, Prince Changshou had pretty much completely turned the tables. Hed beaten Chenzhous army again and again. The emperor only cared about drinking and partying with Huijun. All the officials and ministers coming to talk to him kept outside. Extremely bewitching, Huijuns glance could devour his soul. Your majesty, they are shouting outside again! Day after day, theyre being so annoying! If you dont like it, my dear, lets order a eunuch to kick them out of the palace. The emperors hand drifted over Huijuns soft and elegant hands, eyes blurred. He seemed to be quite annoyed by the officials. Bad news from the battlefield was being reported to him every day. His officials failed to solve his problems. Now they started to interfere with his personal life? That was none of their business! He preferred to stay at Huijuns place. He could enjoy her body and soft voice there, the pleasure of which he considered as valuable as his own life. The last thing he wanted was to worry about was the nagging officials outside. Huijun gave him a smile that was worth a whole city. My majesty, please go check it out. If you stay here, they will probably have more to say about me. The more generous she acted, the more the emperor hated the officials. The emperors eyes flared with a flash of cruelty. No! Let them keep kneeling outside until they starve themselves. They are so useless and annoying! If it werent you who defending them so many times, they would have long ago lost their heads! How could they nag us without their heads? Huijun said with a tone of consideration, As your wife, how can I not understand your concern? But those officials are important to the country. If something happens to them while they are waiting, there will be one more thing they can accuse me of. The emperor gently held her hands, feeling deeply comforted. They misunderstand you so much, yet you still try to defend them. How can those ungrateful b*stards deserve your concern? The emperor furrowed his brows. His hatred for them increased. You are the best, my dear! Its not their fault, your majesty. Several princes suffered so much and I was the one they suspected most. Chapter 729 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (II) The emperor held up his hand to stop her from continuing. As long as I believe you, we dont need to care about what others think. I wasted my time raising these traitors, but every single one of them is a savage that is after my life. These insects that plan on taking their fathers throne dont deserve to live! The minister thought that Huijun was the one who had enabled the fall of the emperors successors and even the murder of the prince. But in reality? Even though Huijun had played a role in this, she was just going with the flow and was at most an accomplice and catalyzer to the event. She was not the real culprit. Who was the real culprit then? It was the emperor! Juners body is like a salve that my body younger by the day, the emperor said obsessively. We are still so young. If we have eight or ten children in the future and raise them well, theyll definitely be better than those ruinous pawns But why was the emperor willing to kill his own sons? First, the princes were all young and powerful. They all set their eyes on the throne as soon as the current emperors authority began to decline, but the emperor was simply unwilling to yield his position. Second, under Huijuns purposeful provocation and manipulation, the princes had already planned to conspire against the throne, so the emperor didnt need to hold back when punishing them for treason. To an emperor, were his children or his throne more important? His position and life were clearly more important. He had a position of authority and life, as well as the blessing of his body getting younger by the day. As long as he had a woman, anyone could bear him sons. Instead of saying that Huijin had calculated and plotted against the princes, it would be more accurate to say that the emperor had put the blame on Huijun and used it as an excuse to kill his own son. Your highness Huijun lifted her head up shyly and spoke in an angry but not too angry tone. The emperor laughed from the bottom of his heart as he admired her beauty. The two laid on the bed and rolled together until the sound of their breathing merged and created a suggestive atmosphere. Their clothes got messy from the sweat dripping from their skin. Another day passed. An elite army of about 20,000 men arrived like a savior and surrounded the low-security area of the Chen Province. The flames of war ignited both inside and outside the city. The people fled in fear, everyone perplexed. The ministers were carefully packing up their properties in order to flee from this chaotic situation with their wives and children. Inside the Royal Palace, imperial maid Huang Men walked around in anxious circles as people looted goods amid the chaos, preparing to escape from the capital city. In the imperial harem, the consort beauties frantically began packing up their jewelry and clothing. Everyone was in a panic except for two people. The emperor breathed heavily in anger as he scolded the minister and messengers, his chest pounding in furious pain as his face turned blue. The entirety of Dongqing was his territory, but the traitors from the outside were about to invade his place. They were out for his life! The other person was the current queen, Huijun. She sat quietly on a fancy bed as the imperial maid serving her quickly packed everything up. My queen, is there anything else in particular that you would like to bring? the maid asked. Huijun played around with a fancy dagger decorated with various gems and stones. She pulled the blade out of the sheath and revealed the cold light of the blade. Her gaze floated into the distance as she answered with a smile, Nothing particular, you can decide on your own. The maid served the queen every day but was still frightened of her. She studied the queen once again to find that the queens smile no longer had its seductive charm. It was more innocent and pure, which was surprisingly more alarming. The maid pulled her attention back and returned to packing up the goods inside the queens room. Huijun lowered her gaze to the dagger and closed it back in its sheath. She then tied the dagger onto her arm and hid it inside her sleeve. Damned emperor! If it hadnt been for this useless emperor, she would have had a kind and caring father and a beautiful and virtuous mother to care for her as their treasured child. Yet because of this damn emperor, her father had been killed, and her mother had been sent to the imperial palace while pregnant to serve a strange man. After stealing her family and happiness, why had he sent her and her mother into the slums of the capital and let them become lowly wanderers? Hed destroyed her family and her life. Therefore, she also wanted to destroy this mans family line and bring the country down with her! Huijun sneered as she made a decision inside her heart. The emperor wanted to flee, but he wouldnt forget about Huijun. When Huijun was carried away on a chariot, she was surrounded by the sobbing voices of all the consorts who had been left behind by the cold emperor. What would happen to the emperors consorts once they were captured by the opposing army? Huijun couldnt spare a moment to think about it. She wanted to pity these women but found that she no longer had the benevolent heart to do so. Juner, why does your expression look so unsettling? the emperor asked as he held her hand. Huijun answered with a blank face, I saw the girls on the way, but they The emperor interrupted. Those women are short-sighted and came from a lowly background, why are you feeling sorry for them? Huijuns heart sank. Those girls were all people the emperor had brought in through various means, but now he was throwing them away like nothing! She answered, Im just voicing my concern and grieving for my fellow sisters. The emperor carefully consoled her as he held her in his arms. Rest assured, Juner, I will never let you down. I will protect you with my life. Huijun leaned into his embrace with a warm smile on her face. Her gaze remained cold with no hint of happiness in it. The emperor and his ministers escaped the capital city under the protection of the imperial army. Prince Changshous elite troops only stood at around 20,000 men, so there was no way they can surround the entire capital city. Unfortunately, their whereabouts were exposed two days later and the enemy continued to chase after them. The group that first caught up with the emperor was the calvary vanguards. 10,000 imperial troops awaited them on the frontlines as the battle cries of war exploded from the outside. The emperors face grew pale. He could only find comfort while gripping onto Huijuns hand. Your highness, youre the true descendant of the dragon, you will definitely overcome this adversity. The emperor touched Huijuns hand, his pale face slowly relaxing. At first, the imperial army could withstand the calvary vanguards offenses, but as the enemys backup increased, the imperial army began to lose their stronghold. The line of defense was broken, and the casualty rate rose. The cries outside were not only from the troops, but from the ministers as well. The emperors face slowly turned from pale white to blue when a human head flew into the imperial chariot. Your highness, we cant hold up against the enemys backups anymore The emperor could no longer sit still. He let the eunuch prepare a set of casual clothes for him in hopes that the dead soldiers would help him escape this situation. However, that would mean he couldnt bring Queen Huijun with him. His gaze turned cold as he reminisced on old memories, then asked his subordinates to prepare white silk wine for Huijun. Huijuns face turned pale when she heard the order. She then turned to him with a defeated smile. I shall wait for your majesty at the bridge to hell. Im sorry, I still let you down. You are the queen of this country and must not be shamed by the treacherous army, do you understand? I understand. Huijuns eyes held in a trace of tears as she leaned into the emperors embrace lovingly. Your highness, I have no other wish before I die except for you to listen to a story from my past. I can then live completely inside your heart without regrets. The emperors anxiety lowered and he grew a bit more patient under Huijuns consolation. You may speak. I Huijuns left hand held the side of his face affectionately as the dagger in her sleeve slid out into the palm of her right hand. Poof! The emperors eyes widened in shock and anger as he struggled. The dagger Huijun held in her right hand dug mercilessly into the left side of his chest as she drilled into his flesh. Her left hand covered his nose and mouth as she forced him down onto the ground. Huijuns face twisted into a horrifying expression of awful vengeance and hatred. I want you dead! Chapter 730 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (III) You vicious woman The emperor had just been thinking about how he was going to lose Huijun. He hadnt expected this woman to send a dagger straight into his heartliterally. With all his remaining strength, the emperor attempted to pull himself out of the situation. His eyes opened so wide that they were about to pop out. He very quickly ran out of breath. Huijun sneered as her bloodied face revealed an unprecedented expression of joyful release. Her voice shivered with madness as she said, Damned Emperor, you know how much I hate you! The dagger she held in her right hand viciously plunged deeper into his heart as she spoke, twisting and turning the handle of the blade as she stirred into his flesh. Fresh blood continued to pour out of the wound and color her hand bright red. Her elegant fingers turned the color of red agate. My hatred for you is carved deep into my bones! You destroyed my family and ruined my whole life! Damn Emperor, you sure met your end! You wont die in peace! Open your eyes and watch. Your country will fall into Hell with you! Dont forget who your killer is when you stand before the King of Hell! The emperors eyes glazed over, wide open. He truly didnt die in peace. Huijun laughed softly in satisfaction as she watched him breathe his last breath. Huijun pushed him down on the ground and forced the dagger deep into his heart with the weight of her whole body. She then moved to the side and ripped open the wound. Huijuns right hand followed the wound into his chest as she snickered. Your highness, open up your eyes and look here. Your blood is red and your heart is also red I thought your heart would have already turned black as dirt. Crash! The sound of something falling shook Huijun. She immediately turned around. Her beautiful eyes were no longer seductively charming, they were filled with malice. She looked almost as horrifying as a vicious demon that had crawled up from the underworld. A young eunuch was staring at her in absolute horror. The pile of clothes that were meant for the emperor to use for his escape dropped to the ground at his feet Huijun clicked her tongue and laughed. You saw everything? The young eunuch fell to the floor of the royal chariot in dismay. He stuttered for a while before he finally yelled in panic, H-his royal highness has fallen! The nearby guards heard his high voice and suddenly felt a chill run down their spines. The spirits of the imperial guards fell dramatically as the enemy troops took the chance to charge in. The emperor has fallen! The emperor has fallen! The emperor has fallen The young eunuch crawled out of the chariot as he cried for his life. He even tripped over the chariot as he ran out, almost getting himself a concussion. He didnt bother to cry about the pain, running away frantically as if a demon was chasing after him. When the ministers heard of this news, they almost fell to the ground. Total disbelief was written all over their faces The enemies hadnt made their way into the central battlefield, so how did the emperor fall? How was that possible? How did the emperor fall? Because of this sudden news from the eunuch, the imperial guards were all in a panic. The enemy troops took the opportunity to break through the defenses of the weakened troops. Amid the chaos, the enemy troops charged towards the emperors chariot, only to find a shocking scene as they lifted the chariots curtain upon arrival. They were greeted by the body of a portly man in a royal robe on the ground, fresh blood leaking out from his chest like a piece of bloodied pork. This was probably the emperor. The general then pulled his attention away and turned his gaze toward the ethereal beauty beside the emperor. With just one look, he felt his heart fall deep into the starry sea inside her eyes. He could almost hear flowers blooming in spring. It was love at first sight. Of course, while he had seen many beauties in his life, all the women in the world were suddenly boring and plain compared to this lady before him. I am the mother of this country. The generals unrestricted gaze is an act of impudence! Huijun sat elegantly as she secretly clenched the dagger hidden in her sleeves. The blood on her skin had already been cleaned away. She faced much humiliation in her life, but even this she thought was too dirty. Now that she was facing the gate to hell, she wanted to go cleanly and elegantly. The emptiness that came after her vengeance triggered a thought of suicide within her; it was too tiring to live. Just as she was thinking about ending her life, the enemy general had barged in, making her heart sink. But thanks to this general, Huijun had regained her sanity and erased the thought of seeking death earlier. The A-Cao from the past was dead. The Huijun that survived had lived for Langjun because that was the life hed given her. Unless Langjun allowed it, she had no right to end this life nor to take human lives lightly. No matter how hard it would be, she had to live on. The mother of the country? So youre the queen, what a coincidence. The young generals eyes turned as he put on a slight smile, but deep down he felt pitiful. An ethereal beauty like her should have been carefully protected by the worlds most outstanding man, how had she ended up as the partner of a man who looked like a fat pig? Huijun stared at the man before her calmly. She smiled cordially, her expression and demeanor filled with amorous emotions. I am the mother of this country, does the general plan on treating me like a normal concubine? The man thought Huijun would cry out in panic or beg for her life like the concubines captured inside the Chenzhou royal capital had. He hadnt expected Huijun to give this kind of reaction. She gave no sign of being a panicked, lowly prisoner. Not only did she not show any signs of fear, but she also maintained her high position. She was clearly being looked down upon by him, but her arrogance made it seem like she was the one looking down on all earthly beings, including the general himself. He had a sudden urge to kneel before her and submit to her authority. Yet this thought only flashed in his mind for a split second before he forced it down within him. He laughed arrogantly. You are the mother of this country, but also my war prize. Your treatment will naturally be different than a normal concubines. Huijun felt slightly relieved inside her heart. The dagger inside her sleeve had been returned to its sheath. Within moments, Huijun felt her waist tighten up as she fell into the mans chest, the cold and stinky armor touching her skin. I know you have a dagger in your hands, beautiful. You can also use it to hurt me, but whether you succeed or not will depend on your skills. He softly bit Huijuns earlobes as he spoke huskily in a flirtatious tone. Huijun was also smart, so of course, she knew this mans intentions. She quietly clenched her teeth and held in the desire to hurt him. The most important thing right now was to ensure her safety. She could withstand everything else. The man lifted Huijun in a princess carry as he laughed and took her onto the horse. The battle outside continued. The enemy troops were taking more of an upper hand. Both the imperial troops and enemy troops were blinded by the bloodshed on the battlefield. They didnt have a moment to spare to pay attention to the situation here. The general felt content at the thought of capturing such a beautiful woman as his prize. Just as he was about to pull out his weapon and continue fighting his way through, an unspeakable sense of danger ran through his entire body from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He couldnt describe this feeling. To put it simply, it felt as if there were multiple pairs of eyes staring at him from his surroundings, making it impossible for him to escape. The general scrunched his eyebrows as he scanned around to find the source of danger, his legs tightening around the horse. Then, he spotted a chaotic scene on the battlefield. Huijun was laying in the mans chest as she carefully planned out her next move. She was aware that her face and body were the most attractive and irresistible aspect of her to men. If she used it properly, she would be very safe. Just as she was thinking this, the man carrying her suddenly yelled loudly and charged in a certain direction with his horse. Huijun suddenly opened her eyes to see what was going on. Her bright eyes slowly grew brighter as a feeling of sourness filled her heart. Lang Langjun? Chapter 731 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (IV) Langjun? The mans sensitive ears caught Huijuns mumbling. The flames of fury inside him burned as his sharp eyes explicitly displayed his murderous intent. The silver lance in his hand was like an unbelievably agile mystical snake, drawing lines and lines of bright silver that shone white silk. Bright red blood, silver lance, and a dazzling scarlet hat. A single man and a horse forcefully opened a path through the battlefield. The silver lance pierced through the path as flesh ripped through the air with the sharp blade, fresh blood splattering everywhere. Before the enemy troops fighting the imperial army could respond, a fresh line of blood appeared on their necks and foreheads as their heavy bodies fell to the ground. A wolf had unexpectedly made its way into a herd of lambs, and no matter how many lambs there were, it was not enough to stop the vicious and violent massacre. Huijun anxiously bit down on her lower lip, her hands subconsciously grabbing onto the mans armor. As she watched the lance flash in the air and the silver light dance with fresh blood, she felt her heart also rise and fall with the battlefield. That person is your lover? The man carrying Huijun sneered mockingly as he charged forward with his weapon to kill the man. Too bad hes just an overreaching child. Im afraid he wont die peacefully! Jiang Pengji, donned in silver armor and red clothes, charged into the center of the battlefield. As if she was in no mans land, she quickly made her way through the enemy forces. Little boy, take this! Even with a Huijun on his horse, the general wasnt affected. He swung his heavy long blade towards Jiang Pengjis spine. But Jiang Penji was not someone who could easily fall victim to a sneak attack. She effortlessly blocked the blow as the two weapons collided, creating a screeching sound of clashing metal. You are quite strong! She laughed mockingly as the lance in her hand wiped out all the enemies on the battlefield. She then charged forward towards the general. The horse between her legs surely didnt disgrace its bloodline. It was truly born a warrior. It understood human nature and cooperated effortlessly with Jiang Pengji. It crushed several enemy soldiers chests and heads with its hooves. The fierce aura emitting from the horse contrasted with its shy nature during peace times. Jiang Pengji laughed softly. Huijun, Im here to pick you up. From the outsiders view, this young soldiers youthful, blood-spattered face didnt look ferocious. Instead, it gave off an upright and clean impression. Langjun Huijun answered with a slight shiver, her bloodied eyes already filled with tears. She was just about to get up when the arm that held her down tightened its grip and pulled her mind back to reality. Huijun never thought that this person would ever appear to personally fulfill the promise that had been made many years before. [You do not need to fear. When everything settled, I will protect you] And thats why shed come right now? The dead heart of Huijun suddenly felt a stream of fresh blood flood into it, making the beating of her own heart almost audible in her ears. Yet a beautiful scene like this always earned itself some oblivious bystanders to ruin the mood, like the audience in the livestream room and the enemy general. Qingge Manwu: Little Miss Huijun, were all here to take you back home. Little Angel: Go home, go home, lets go home! All-Powerful Dingdang: The comment above is so shameless. Im taking my little Miss Huijun and dashing 100 meters away. Nobody keeps their eyes on her. Yan RiAn: Hey! You bad man over there with the square face, let go of my little Miss Huijun! Tianshui Xianle: This one has an MMP that I must say right now Where are you putting your hands on Little Miss you thug!? The audience in the livestream were attacking the enemy general in their own way, but he only turned up his nose at them as he tightened his grip on her waist, almost with the strength to break her body. Jiang Pengji witnessed the act and immediately struck at the mans face as if she had no concern about Huijun being in his arms. The man laughed out loud and faced the attack head-on instead of retreating. Good timing! A little boy still in puberty dares to fight over the woman with him? Clash! The sound of weapons colliding rang out and the high-pitched screeching sound flew into Huijuns ears. She ducked her head down and closed her eyes. The man carrying her was shocked as he backed off a few steps along with his horse. The horse below him even neighed in agony at the last contact. Why would Jiang Pengji give her enemy time to react? Jiang Pengjis horse boldly attacked and bit the enemy horse as the lance in Jiang Pengjis hand quickly turned into a blur. She was fighting off the enemy soldiers that came up to her as she gradually closed the distance between herself and the enemy general. In consideration of the generals safety, the enemy troops didnt dare to send out their archers. Jiang PengJj forced her way in on her own. Just how long would it take for her backup to arrive? The man carrying Huijun was slowly pushed to the defense. Drops of sweat began to fall down his face beneath his helmet. Since the two had crossed weapons, the general did earn some respect from Jiang Pengji and the livestream audience. They both came to a silent consensus on avoiding hitting Huijun. Jiang Pengji was originally here to save the queen. While the man knew her intentions, he chose not to play dirty and use Huijun as his shield. Instead, he was determined to keep her safe. This act gained him some positive points from Jiang Pengji. However, the audience still firmly held their stance that they hated this man. Any man that stole their pretty little miss was a despicable enemy in their eyes! The man was also both surprised and upset. His strength was considerably strong and there were very few opponents who could stand a chance against him after all these years. He hadnt expected to meet a more powerful individual. Whats more, the person was just a young soldier that had barely passed puberty! Natural strength aside, the young soldier was also very versatile with his swings. The phantom images of the lance were closely knit like a strong net in the air. The general, who had a lot of pride in his combat abilities, couldnt spare a moment to relax. He blocked off the wave of attacks with much difficulty. If his own soldiers had to lend a hand and hold back this strange soldier, the man would feel that it was an even more humiliating defeat. He already needed to use one hand to hold Huijun, and another to hold his own weapon. The perpetual heavy blows had already weakened his arm. His muscles were so tense that veins were popping to the surface of his skin. Huijun also felt the tension in the air because of this situation. She hastily said, Sorry. However, the generals attention was now all on Jiang Pengji. He could not spare a moment to be distracted. Huijun pulled out the dagger inside her sleeve and slashed it along the mans legs. As he panicked in pain, she turned and jumped towards Jiang Pengji. My lady, youre too reckless! Jiang Pengji had taken notice of Huijuns action and was ready to catch her, but she still found the opportunity to give her a small scolding. The general quickly regained his senses. There was now a hint of bitterness flashing across his face. However, he didnt attack Huijun. Instead, he spat out some blood as he lifted a mocking smile and said, You sure have some guts to steal a woman from my hands. Tell me your name. If Im feeling generous, I can keep your corpse clean! Jiang Pengji kept Huijun in her arms. If she left Huijun on the horses back, who could guarantee that she wouldnt become the next target? Haha, you sure arent afraid to bite your own tongue with such big words. Jiang Pengji mocked the enemy troops with ease. At this point, she had already broken through the battlefield and gone through a round with the general. The enemy troops no longer had a reason to hold back. Countless cold arrowheads pointed towards her vital organs. Jiang Pengji lowered her voice and said to Huijun, Hold on to me tightly, be careful! Huijun followed the order obediently as she pressed her cheek to Jiang Pengjis armor. The tears shed managed to hold back earlier finally broke forth and rolled down her face. Chapter 732 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (V) Jiang Pengji gave her horse an order, and the horse excitedly ran into the crowd of soldiers as if it had just been given some stimulants. Jiang Pengji slashed away the arrows that were being shot at her and the horse. This horse was always fast, but now it sped up even more beneath the oncoming shower of arrows. One kick of the hooves meant a soldiers life gone. This one horse and its master were like a god of war descending to earth. The imperial troops in the surroundings were holding back the enemy troops and couldnt spare a moment to fight her. Under these conditions, Jiang Pengji could swing her lance with even more ease as the number of lives that fell before her increased. Both she and Huijun were almost fully covered in blood but remained uninjured. Give me my bow! The young general spat out another mouthful of saliva. His right hand that was carrying the weapon was almost completely numb. He watched as Jiang Pengjis silhouette began to grow smaller in the distance. He set his bow and arrow as he locked his aim on Jiang Pengjis back. The heavy bow was like a feather in his hands. The arrow pierced through the sky. It was a dazzling shot. Aside from him, there were a few dozen additional archers who also fired at the same time. Jiang Pengji frowned as she blocked some arrows and dodged the ones aimed at her vitals and Huijun in her arms. In the end, the single arrow that was supposed to pierce her back scratched her arm as it flew by. Huijun witnessed this scene and noticed that Jiang Pengjis arm had been injured by the arrow. Her eyes widened in shock as she clenched her fist tightly. She developed a strong feeling of hatred and vengeance for the general whod captured her earlier. She said with a trembling voice, Langjun, youre hurt. Jiang Pengji answered carelessly, Its just a small cut, itll heal within a day or two. It wasnt that she couldnt dodge this arrow, it was that her horse couldnt keep up with this extreme speed pace. Jiang Pengji also had to care for Huijun. She was hurt, but it was only a very minor injury. If the arrowhead had been dipped in poison, it would have been a bit more troublesome for her. Fortunately, the arrow wasnt poisonous, so she didnt need to mind the injury too much. Jiang Pengjis horse quickly escaped the shooting range of the enemy troops and dashed into allied territory. My lord! Li Yuns horses werent as fast as Jiang Pengjis, and most of the troops relied on their own legs to run. How could they catch up like that? They were all on their toes as they desperately made their way out, running as if their lives depended on it, only to then see their lord return without any injuries. With such an unrestrained and selfish lord, the subordinates all felt that theyd just lost a few years of their lifespan. They were tired and wanted to quit their jobs already. Im alright. Jiang Pengji wiped the blood from her lance and said calmly, The emperors chariot and the ministers are just ahead. Meng Hun and his men heard this and immediately knew that their target was just up ahead. They then proceeded to charge in with their troops like powerful predators onto the battlefield. The imperial army thought that their defeat was inevitable, so how would they know that they would have backup troops to save them? As if theyd been given a shot of steroids, their lowly spirits were reignited. The new momentum from the arrival of their backup rose steadily. Everyones battle spirits lifted as they charged a counterattack towards the enemy troops. The balance of the battle once again began to tilt in favor of the imperial army. The enemy generals facial expression darkened as he witnessed the turn of events. Just as he was about to pick up his weapon to join the battle, a young general with a cold expression appeared before him. Li Yun immediately sensed the danger of this man and chose to be his opponent to prevent this enemy from massacring normal soldiers. Another lance-wielder! The general had just lost against Jiang Pengji, and now another young soldier had appeared before him. This brought the fury inside his heart to its boiling point. Li Yun rebutted the generals comment rebelliously. Whats wrong with wielding a lance? Did it rob your house or something? He learned this line from his own lord. It was most effective for provoking others anger. In a place like a battlefield, losing ones cool was perhaps one of the most fatal mistakes one could make, and provocation through words was also considered a strategy. The man laughed in extreme anger and prepared himself to give Li Yun a lesson on manners. Theres nothing wrong with being young and frivolous, but one must also be aware of their own limitations. In terms of battle experience, the general was naturally the veteran. However, hed just suffered in a fierce battle against Jiang Pengji and lost more than half his strength, how was it possible for him to fight against a rapidly maturing and growing Li Yun? Li Yuns steed was quite fit for battle but was still leagues behind the enemys fierce horse. It certainly couldnt hold a stalemate in the battle. However, the result of the war wasnt something that could be determined by these two men. With the joint effort of the imperial army and the backup troops, theyd destroyed Prince Changshous troops. The man glared furiously in the direction of Li Yun and Jiang Pengji. He used a fake move to trick Li Yun away while he turned around and ran off. Come back! Li Yun felt ashamed as he realized hed just been tricked by the enemy. Just as he was about to chase after the man, having realized that hed been tricked, he was stopped by Meng Hun who just happened to rush over. Han Mei, dont chase after him. Li Yun held in his anger. Why cant I go after him? Meng Hun could only answer hastily, I know that person. Youre still not strong enough to face his surprise attacks. If Li Yun ran after him, he would not be successful. It was more likely that he and his horse would have been cut down by the general. Li Yun didnt believe it until he closely examined the way the general had retreated. He clenched his right fist, almost scaring him into a cold sweat. So were just going to let them escape? Li Yun was upset. Had his rare military exploit just flown off before his eyes like that? Without a military exploit, he wouldnt be able to get the hefty bonus. Without the hefty bonus, what would he use to find a wife? Remembering Shangguan Wans background on top of this, how could Li Yuns upsetting feeling be described in just a simple word right now? Hes just a stray dog without a master now, well have our chance. Meng Hun sighed lightly as a hint of reminiscence and complex feeling flashed across his eyes. Lets go clean up the battlefield and report back to the lord. On the other side, Jiang Pengji was also facing a difficult situation because of Huijun. Lang-Langjun I just killed the emperor Huijun had hesitated a little before finally revealing the truth. If she hadnt acted at the time, the emperor wouldve fed her poison or choked her to death with white silk. She knew the emperor too well. He would have rather destroyed himself than let Huijun live. Why? Because he didnt want other men to even put a finger on Huijun. Rather than let her live, he would have rather killed her with his own hands. Until death, Huijun was determined to protect his innocence. You killed him? Jiang Pengji frowned. She had expected the emperor to die at the hands of Prince Changshou, not to be sent to hell by Huijuns dagger. Huijun was about to repent. Langjun, I. If her death could protect Jiang Pengji from trouble, she would gladly give up her life. However, Jiang Pengji only responded, Never mind, if hes dead then hes dead. Hes a piece of trash that was going to die sooner or later anyway, dying sooner just means he can reincarnate earlier. Its not like this man alone can be emperor forever. Even if he dies, there are hundreds of thousands of people waiting in line to become emperor, theres no rush. To her, having the emperor dead was better than having him alive. With the emperor dead, she would have more freedom to control the situation. For example, letting the alliance troops elect a young puppet emperor that could be easily controlled and manipulated. At the same time, this would benefit her in regaining her identity. And what about serving the emperor? Shed come to serve the emperor for business and poaching opportunities on the side while also obtaining the Wanzhou Magistrate title. The plan hadnt included having the emperor remain alive, so Huijun killing the emperor helped her a lot. However, as the killer of the emperor, Huijuns existence must be well-hidden until the wind died down. Theyd have to wait before they could plan other things. Jiang Pengji had promised to protect her many years ago and wouldnt break the promise that easily. Chapter 733 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (VI) Jiang Pengji thought for a bit and decided to hide Huijun for now by having her fake her own death so that others couldnt find her. She eyed Huijuns face, wiped the wound on her arm, and smeared Huijuns face with the blood. Just try to put up with the situation for a little while. After the dust settles, I guarantee that your life will be free of worry. Huijun took in the feeling of Jiang Pengjis hand on her face with gratitude. After a brief silence, she lowered her voice and said, I owe Langjun more than I owe my parents. If needed, I would die for you. I have nothing to complain about. To repay your kindness, I would love to be yours for the rest of my life Jiang Pengji lightly tapped the space between Huijuns eyebrows with her index finger. She smiled and declined the offer as Huijun looked up at her with surprise. No. Someday, someone will deserve to take good care of you. As long as you are alive, there will be hope. Why are you so pessimistic? Your whole life is in front of you. Huijun squeezed her own hand, hidden in the sleeve. Sure. Jiang Pengji sent one of her men to take some clothes off the dead body of an imperial guard for Huijun to put on. No matter what, they needed to get over what was in front of them first. Later, she could figure out a way to get a new identity for Huijun. Afterwards, she ordered them to do something else. She had one of her personal guards go find a female corpse similar in size to Huijun. It was the body of a woman from one of the imperial officials families. She had been killed during the mess of the battle. The guard made the bodys face unrecognizable and put Huijuns clothes on her. The body then served as a substitute for Huijun. What if someone suspected? Well, at that point, whoever had more power would have the louder voice. Those officials who only had defeated imperial guards left didnt have much stake to complain. My lord, the emperor has passed away. Yan Lin glanced at the bloody and messy battlefield with his cold eyes before whispering to Yang Jian. Yang Jian, who still felt residual excitement from the battle, was shocked and frozen upon hearing the news. Passed away? Yang Jian could barely talk. It took him a while to swallow the news. If the emperor has died Shaoyang, what should we do? Yan Lins voice was as cold as ice, and there was determination in his tone. We need to stay calm first and not mess ourselves up. We will simply work with the alliance and surviving imperial officials to support the new emperor. It didnt matter much if the emperor was dead. The royal family had quite a few backup options. As long as the new emperor was not Prince Changshou, there wasnt much to worry about. Yan Lin only took a limited number of people and things seriously. The so-called emperor was not included. The way Yan Lin saw it, the credit they could get by supporting the new emperor and helping him take the throne was no less than protecting the old one. The former even sounded easier. Yang Jian didnt take it so well. On the other hand, the emperor was dead and cold. He couldnt do anything to change that fact. Both Yang Jian and Jiang Pengjis forces were well-trained. Even without the previous experience of fighting together, they didnt drag each other down. Together they defeated the enemy. Afterwards, nobody involved themselves too much in chasing those who had been beaten. They chose to comfort the surviving officials and their families. Feng Zhen, Yang Si, and Yan Lin took up the responsibility of dealing with the imperial officials and ministers. Scholars and advisers, of course, should be in charge of all the brain-challenging tasks. Shaoyang, I took a peek at the emperors body It was such a cruel death. It didnt look like the enemy killed him Yang Tao had just taken advantage of the post-battle chaos and stolen a glance at the body. The fatal wound in the emperors chest had been caused by a blade, which had left a long and deep slash. Even his heart was ripped out. Yan Lin remained calm. It didnt look like the enemy? Yang Tao nodded quickly over and over again. It really didnt! It looked more like someone took the opportunity and did it in the middle of the mess. The heart was ripped and cut. Jiang Pengji had gone so quickly, and everything had been a mess. No one had found out what had really happened? The only one who knew Jiang Pengji had taken Huijun was a general from the enemy forces. When Jiang Pengji had come back with Huijun in her arms, everyone thought she was some abducted beauty Jiang Pengji had saved. Based on what a eunuch who had closely served the emperor said, the emperor had not been killed by the enemy, but by the empress. Yang Tao murmured in a frightened voice. The empress killed the emperor? Like husband, like wife. This empress of his turned out to be a fierce one! Youd better stay out of the royal gossips and privacy. Your eyes wont be able to take what you might see. Yan Lin kept his cool, his face expressionless. Yang Tao immediately said, Yes. I got it. Least said, soonest mended. I will keep my mouth shut. Jiang Pengji only did the minimum to deal with her wound. She wrapped it with two layers of clean cloth tightly to get by. The battlefield had been partially cleaned up, but dead bodies were still everywhere. Blood dyed the ground. Even the air felt heavy with it. Jiang Pengji saw several middle-aged and older men dressed like imperial officials standing around Yang Si and other advisers. Their faces were all filled with self-righteous indignation. We must execute the evil empress! Murdering the emperor is a heinous crime that could cost the killer and her family their lives. How can we let her get away with this? Without killing the evil empress, we cant comfort the furious people! Youd better send out soldiers as soon as possible to catch her so the late emperors soul may be soothed. Jiang Pengji walked over to them, noticing that they all directed unpleasant looks at her. They were discussing something important, yet this young officer dared to bother them? They were just about to yell at her that lower-ranked common people were not allowed to get close when they saw that Yang Si and Feng Zhen both bowed to Jiang Pengji. My lord. Who are we gonna kill? I heard you from a distance. Watching the officials look embarrassed and deeply annoyed, Jiang Pengji felt satisfied. The emperor has passed away, and you all said that the empress was the murderer. But this is still wartime, so its really not a good time to find the whereabouts of the killer. Yang Si and Feng Zhen were a bit fed up with the imperial officials. They couldnt do anything, yet they were very willing to give orders. The point was that their orders didnt make any sense. Combined, Jiang Pengji and Yang Jians forces were only about 25,000. During the battle, they had lost some men, so it was not easy for them to protect the officials and their families. Meanwhile, they had to send the emperors body back to the imperial city in Chenzhou and kick out what was left of the enemy. They were shorthanded! Those officials somehow thought they were qualified to give orders to other peoples forces to find the empress, the accused killer. That was no better than simply telling Prince Changshou, Hurry up and come over! We dont have enough people here. Please strike us! Yang Si and the others were completely speechless. But considering those officials were all highly respected and experienced imperial figures, they didnt want to provoke them, so they were simply acting in a perfunctory way. Jiang Pengji eyed the imperial officials one by one. She remained calm, yet the bloodstains on her clothes and the residual fierceness from fighting and killing were more than intimidating. They instantly lost their cool. Gazing at them, Jiang Pengji said, What you all just said was fair and reasonable. The funeral for the emperor is of national significance. And we cant let the killer get away with it, indeed! But speaking of the empress, there seems to be a dead body here that might be hers. The only thing is, the body was trampled by running warhorses and is barely recognizable. But its still worth a shot, isnt it? Please come take a look. The officials glanced at each other. As experienced as they were, of course they knew Yang Si and the other men were not really willing to help. But they still had long-term plans to keep asking them. Unexpectedly, the lord had turned out to be so much easier to talk to. Thank you so much! They all bowed with gratitude. No worries. We all serve the empire. This is not a big deal at all. Guards, bring the dead body they just found! Chapter 734 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (Ⅶ) Almost simultaneously, two soldiers carried a stretcher over. The imperial officials all craned their necks to take a look. A piece of white cloth covered the body. Drops of blood constantly dripped underneath. Even shreds of flesh fell off occasionally. This scene made the officials eyes twitch. Fear started forming in their minds. Before they could say anything, Jiang Pengji ordered the white cover taken away. The corpse underneath was exposed. As if a mixture of different colors had been poured onto it, the broken head, like a shattered container, was now filled with a mixture of blood, smashed brain, and tiny pieces of skull. From the neck down, the body didnt look any better. The only thing that was recognizable and that could be linked to the empress was the clothes. They were no garments for anyone of a lower status than the royal family. The officials faces went pale, and some were almost green. Some even turned around to retch. The graphic scene grossed out not only the imperial officials, but also Jiang Pengjis advisers. Even the audience of the streaming room responded with a full bullet screen in the faint hope of covering up the gore. Even to the audience, this level of bloodiness was way over the top. [Pengjis Wife]: OMG! Im so scared! This streaming rooms style beats even horror movies! [Shenjia]: Streamer, I have a suggestion. How about you give us a heads-up next time before something so graphic is shown? [Bloody Rose Thorn]: I made it through all the scenes of the streamer fighting and killing, but now I have to kneel down in front of this dead body. As a matter of fact, my hair was standing on end and almost left my head. I heard that scenes too graphic and violent might be censored. This streaming room has something so violent that it is heart-attack worthy Are you sure its not gonna get picked out? To be fair, The Ring was nothing compared to this. [Damn Genius Guo Fengxiao]: The streamer has been streaming for all these years. If it were gonna get censored, it would have happened a long time ago. Theres no way they would wait till now to start. [An Changhuan]: As an emergency nurse, Ive seen a lot of car accident scenes. I thought I had been psychologically prepared for stuff like this and that little could scare me to tears anymore. Well, that was before I stumbled into this streaming room A big hug to the chubby me! Yet no matter how strong the audiences reaction was, Jiang Pengji remained nonchalant at the scene of the body. Shed seen so much more. What was in front of her was nothing special. She turned to the officials and spoke lightly. Please take a look at the dead body. Do you think it belongs to the evil empress? The officials faces were all sheet-pale. Some had to be supported to keep a semblance of balance while standing. They all looked at Jiang Pengji as if suspecting that she had deliberately pulled something to play with them. The body was severely damaged. Perhaps even the mother of the person couldnt recognize the body, let alone the officials. They did not have superpowers. How could they tell what it had used to look like from this horse-trampled pile of flesh, blood, and bones? That being said, the empress had indeed been wearing an outfit like this. Judging from the size and length of the body, it seemed about right. One of the imperial officials couldnt stand it anymore. He covered his eyes with his sleeve to avoid looking at the cruelly disfigured corpse. Jiang Pengji secretly gave a cold smile. You inconsiderate idiots! she said to the guards. Dont you see that this body is making these respectful officials uncomfortable? What are you waiting for? Go take it away and set it somewhere appropriate. We will deal with it later. She then turned to the officials. In my opinion, the most important thing now is to take Chenzhou Imperial City as soon as possible so that we can save people who didnt have time to retreat before they broke through the city. As for this body, its not going anywhere by itself. The officials all expressed their agreement. That makes sense. The evil empress was a dead body that didnt look like it could come back to life in any way. All the accusations and due punishments could wait. The enemy had broken the city so quickly that people had not even had time to react. The emperor had only taken the top officials and their families with him on his way out. None of the other officials had had time to escape at all. They had been abandoned. The longer they waited, the more danger those people would be in. Just as Jiang Pengji had said, they should turn around and take the imperial city back as soon as they could to reduce possible damage. The imperial court could not rely only on the emperor. A considerable number of officials and ministers were crucial to support the whole thing. There was one more important thing The top officials exchanged looks, their faces darkening with deep concern. The emperor had died so abruptly that there was no official document noting a successor. As the most reliable officials of the late emperor, they had to pick a successor soon to stabilize the situation and prevent the traitors from snatching the throne. The late emperor had four sons. The oldest had been executed. The second had been imprisoned and eventually died from sickness after being accused of using witchcraft to set up the emperor and the empress. Even his mothers family had been severely punished by execution. Now only the third prince and the fourth prince remained alive. The fourth princes legs had been broken permanently, and he could never stand again. How could he rule the country? In that case, only the third prince, who had been stripped of his royal title, was qualified to be appointed as the successor. Considering the chaotic situation, if they didnt act quickly, the third prince might be killed. If he were, who would inherit the throne? No doubt another bloody war was in front of them. The officials plan was nice, but they didnt know that Jiang Pengji hadnt come to save the imperial family. Whats the situation now? Jiang Pengji whispered to Feng Zhen. You got the information? Feng Zhen squinted. He had sneaked out to get information from the eunuchs and imperial maids and learned a lot of interesting things. My lord, I got it. Of the four princes, only the third and the fourth are still alive. But the fourth prince, Wuma Jun, has had his legs broken, and he cant stand up ever again. So now the best option for the throne is the third prince. This ones got some real-deal background. His mother was from the side bloodline of the Feng family. If he gets the throne, there will be trouble. Jiang Pengji sneered. Side bloodline of the Feng family Thats the nicer way to put it. Its actually just some remote relatives. So what if the third prince gets the throne? The Feng family will put in all their efforts to support him? No way! He would have a better chance of getting their help in his dreams! Jiang Pengji saw through it all. The Feng family had figured it out even more thoroughly. Dongqing was corrupted to the core. Beyond salvation. Even if the third prince got the throne, would all the lords with their own forces sincerely bow to him and offer their loyalty on silver platters? Why would they? They wouldnt think it worthwhile to give the emperor everything they had. Just in exchange for the several years allowance the Dongqing emperor gave out? No way! Jiang Pengji continued, The Feng family is full of brains. Theres no way they would risk it. Dongqing is pretty much dead. If the Feng family gets involved in the imperial mess because of the third prince, this thousand-year-old noble family might perish. So we dont have to worry about the Feng family. But what Zishi said was right. If the third prince becomes the emperor, he will bring us problems. If there was an adult on the throne, it would be more difficult for Jiang Pengji to become a legitimate magistrate of Wanzhou. So, as for the third prince Apologies to him! Jiang Pengji made up her mind to get rid of him. Feng Zhen instantly understood. His obsidian-like eyes gave an approving look. He raised his hand and made a slashing gesture. Chapter 735 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (Ⅷ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Eliminate the problem from the root? Jiang Pengji tilted her head and gazed at him. She squinted as she gave her explanation. You shouldnt have to ask. You leave the root alive, the problems will thrive. Im not risking that. We need to do it in a quick and neat way. Feng Zhen was about to take Jiang Pengjis orders and leave when she called him back. One more thing. Kill the fourth prince too. Feng Zhen looked puzzled. The fourth prince couldnt even stand up anymore with his useless legs. There was no way he could take the throne. Despite his questions, Feng Zhen didnt question Jiang Pengjis order. The lord had given him an order, and all he was supposed to do was to follow it. In for one prince, in for two princes. If the third prince and the fourth prince could die together, at least that would honor their brotherhood, if they had any. Jiang Pengji watched Feng Zhen leave and let out a laugh. Why would she order the fourth prince killed too? It was because he was the son of the fake Wang Huiyun! Wang Huiyun wouldnt die easily with the systems help. Who knew whether she would come up with some weird trick to fix Wuma Juns legs? By the time Jiang Pengji killed the third prince, Wuma Jun would be the last and only one to inherit the throne. She didnt want to risk any unpredictable problems. It was better to be extra cautious. She didnt want to see others taking advantage of the result of her actions. If Wuma Juns legs had been fixed, if she had him killed, would the evil time-traveling woman get so mad that she puked blood? Jiang Pengji was not sure if she would vomit blood. But that woman would certainly be very frustrated. [A Paguma Larvata]: Wow wow wow! My streamer is as handsome as even the villain! Straight plotting to kill off the successors! Bad*ss! [Zhuge Liang Poison]: OMG! I feel like my entire value system has been twisted completely by the streamer. Why did I find it so awesome and attractive when she plotted with Feng Zhen? Maybe thats what they call the glamour of the villain! The streamer rocks, teaching a lesson to those scum! [Im Your Neighbor Mr. Wang]: How can you call the streamer the villain? The villain never gets a good ending! Our streamer is the glowing heroine! [Mr. Song Beats Mr. Song]: Heroine? Shes the hero! Shes so handsome that shes turned me on! [My Majesty Has a Sword]: Hello? Pengji, Your Highness? All the other girls have fallen for you. When are you coming to get me? [Pleasure]: Say no more. Draw your weapon! Rivals in love! Prince Changshous army had been attacked in the middle of the marching and taken a hard hit. They had no choice but to retreat back to the Imperial City in Chenzhou. They looted and slaughtered like monsters, exposing the worst of humanity. Amidst the fire and smoke surrounding the city, crying and wailing could be heard. The once rich and prosperous city had been turned into a hellish realm in smoke and embers. Confined to military orders, the rebel soldiers and officers couldnt lay a finger on the noble families. The most they could get away with was taking some money or abducting some maids. As for the mistresses and daughters of the noblemen, they didnt dare touch them at all. They also left the officials alone. Prince Changshou still needed them to establish his own imperial court. But they didnt blink when it came to civilians and concubines left behind by the emperor. The imperial city was in chaos. General, they came after us! Should we go outside the city to fight them? The enemy general looked down and said decisively, No. We only have six thousand men left. Theres no point in fighting. His deputy looked upset. General, thats it? Were just gonna suck it up like that? The general sneered. Suck it up? Its never too late for a real man to take his revenge! We will find a chance to get them back. Retreating now is simply the beginning of our plan. Patience was a virtue. Acting on impulse when the situation required endurance was not wise. It made more sense for them to let it go than to worry too much about things. The circumstances didnt allow them to keep fighting. That would only destroy them. The best course of action at the moment was to get back to their main force. The general gave the order to abandon the city and retreat. Before that, he also ordered them to take all of the imperial officials with them. Without those people, the imperial court would be nothing but an empty shell. How long could that last? He had no idea that he had done a huge favor for Jiang Pengji. One zodiac hour after they had left, Jiang Pengji and Yang Jians forces reached the city. The horrific scenes welcomed them into a place where the palace had used to be splendid and the city busy with its glory. Now it was hell on earth. On the side of the road, imperial maids corpses with torn clothes were everywhere. A lot of eunuchs had also lost their lives. Some had even lost their heads. My lord, its estimated that there are no enemies left in the city. We might as well get the business taken care of now in case its not so convenient later. Feng Zhen had figured things out even before they had made it into the imperial city. He whispered to Jiang Pengji with confidence in his eyes. The opportunity has presented itself. Wed better act quickly. If they didnt take the chance and kill the princes, it might be much more difficult later on. Okay. I got it. Distract Yan Lin. Dont let him find out. Feng Zhen smiled lightly. Yan Lin is no ordinary man. Even if he finds out, he will probably play dumb. As long as Yang Jians interests didnt conflict with Jiang Pengjis, Yan Lin had no reason to interfere with their plans. They were still on the same side. Under Feng Zhen and Yan Lins supervision, the situation in the city stabilized a little. Fires were put out, and people who had been hurt were treated. The leftover enemy force was taken care of. Yang Si dealt with those imperial officials and led them to follow the main force to buy some time. The lord was bold. The advisers were no cowards either. Killing two princes? No big deal. Yang Si lifted the corners of his lips and formed a content smile. He was enjoying the ride. No sense of urgency could be seen in his expression. Inside the Imperial City in Chenzhou The third prince had lost his royal titles when he was accused of seducing the emperors concubine. But no matter what, his mother was part of the Feng family. So even without a title, he still lived a luxurious life. When the Imperial City was broken into, he had been playing with his pet bird in his garden. It was his butler who had told him that everything had changed. He had wanted to escape, but the enemy had already taken the gates. Hed then put on a commoners outfit and hidden himself inside a haystack in the stable. That was how he had made it in that moment. But all his mistresses, maids, and servants had been killed. He was furious, but he was too afraid. So even though he had seen his favorite mistress being raped not far from him, he didnt dare expose himself and fight the enemy. He waited until all the enemy soldiers had left and the place was a total mess to cautiously crawl out of the haystack. The situation changed rapidly in Chenzhou. New pieces of information came one after another, leaving him no time to blink. The alliance was here! The evil empress was dead! The rebel army had been defeated and had retreated! The emperor had died Upon hearing the last piece of news, the third princes heart started pounding like crazy. Both of his older brothers had died. The fourth one had no chance. Wasnt he the last one left? As for his affair with his fathers concubine, all he needed to do was to blame it on the evil empress. His reputation could be easily recovered. The third prince felt as if his strength had come back and his whole body was stronger than ever. By the time he saw a group of armed elite soldiers arrive at his place, he was totally relieved. I am the third prince you are looking for. The person in front of him eyed on him and lowered his voice. You are? For real? The third prince got offended and started yelling at them. The third prince didnt have much talent. But having been raised and spoiled in the royal family, his attitude was not something that others could easily mimic. Nice! Come with me, Your Highness. Chapter 736 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, the Emperor Falls (Ⅸ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The third prince found what the man said to be a little odd, but he didnt think too much about it. The only thing was He only got to take a couple of steps before the leading soldier walked up and blocked his way. The next thing he knew, waves of sharp pain were stabbing through his chest. We are here to send you down the road to the netherworld. Please dont blame me, Your Highness! Extreme pain blurred his senses. Laughing and taunting echoed in his ears. The third prince used the last traces of his energy to say two words. You, you Before he could finish the sentence, he gasped his life away. His body, soft as if boneless, collapsed to the ground. The soldier kicked the princes body to make sure he was dead. He then sent his men to toss the body into a well in the backyard. As long as the body was swollen enough from being immersed in the water, it would be difficult to determine the time of death. By then, they could simply blame the death of the third prince on Prince Changshous men. Lets go. Theres obviously no trace of the third prince here. All we found was a madman. Lets go search somewhere else. Meanwhile, things didnt seem to be going as well with the other mission. The third prince had been taken care of as ordered. But it seemed impossible to find the fourth prince. Worse, they couldnt even get into the fourth princes place. A soldier secretly reported this to Feng Zhen. Feng Zhen was confused. Cant find the fourth princes place? The soldier appeared innocent. It was not like they couldnt find the fourth princes place. In fact, they had found it, seen it, but no matter how hard they had tried, they simply couldnt get in. It was, no doubt, the right house. But they couldnt find a way to get close. It was if they had been trapped and could only go in circles. Feng Zhen didnt believe in supernatural things, yet he was alerted. You can go now. Just secretly keep an eye on that place, and dont let random people get close to it. Feng Zhen lowered his voice and gave the soldier his orders. His brows were tightly knitted. He went to Jiang Pengji and told her about it. My lord, the supernatural theory is beside the point. But if the fourth prince turns out to be fine, then he can take advantage of these kinds of miracles to build hype for himself. Common people and the imperial officials may prefer him as the successor to the throne. If so, we might as well go farther and burn that block down to eliminate any risks, right? Feng Zhen firmly believed that no supernatural theory could be real. But too many people were either too credulous or not smart enough. Stuff like this could easily work very well with them. Throughout history, almost all of the emperors had had some sort of miracle recorded in their biographies. Otherwise, how could they honor the so-called divine right of the emperor? Jiang Pengji laughed and asked Feng Zhen a question. Burning the area down sounds like a good idea. But what if it doesnt work? What if every other house nearby turns into ashes, but the fourth princes place still stands intact? Then we will not only fail our mission, we will also end up helping him by adding another miracle. Theres no supernatural stuff going on. Its simply someones little party trick. No big deal. Feng Zhen was surprised. Before he could ask, Jiang Pengji left what she was working on to him. You take over for me for a little while. As for that fourth prince, I will send him on his way. If the soldiers could find the fourth princes place, that meant that the time-traveling woman didnt plan to take Wuma Jun seriously. That was the best-case scenario. It would save her a lot of trouble. But now the group of soldiers could see the fourth princes place right in front of their eyes, yet they couldnt get anywhere close to it. That was interesting. People in the old days would attribute stuff like that to supernatural powers. The audience of the streaming room reacted in completely different and wild ways. [Coca Cola]: Hearing the streamer say that she was gonna send the fourth prince on his way, I was totally bewitched. Shes such a bad*ss! I want to marry her! [Pepsi]: You guys are all busy being enchanted by the streamers powerful aura. Am I the only one who noticed something in what Feng Zhen said? Im super curious about the fourth princes house. Whats going on with it? Why have the soldiers kept going in circles? Is there really some supernatural power behind it in this world? [July Mint]: Even if there really are supernatural monsters, our streamer can tear them to pieces with her hands. Whats there to be afraid of? We only need to rely on our streamer! [Lemon Lemon]: Thinking about what the streamer said before, I have a feeling that the fourth princes legs might not be broken at all. Now that the first, second, and third princes have all been wiped out, he may actually get the throne, right? Even if his legs are no good, ancient people tend to be very superstitious. If the fourth prince finds a way to put some miracle filter on, he may still become the new emperor. Its hard to predict. People in ancient times tended to give mysterious things credit for anything they couldnt explain. But from the perspective of a modern person, chances were that everything hard to explain had a human manipulator behind it. If the fourth prince took advantage of the opportunity, it would be possible for him to win. Too bad his enemy was no ordinary person. It was Jiang Pengji, who was an expert in dealing with crazy witches. The fourth prince was far from the emperors favorite. After he had moved to Chenzhou, his mistress, Liu Huan, had given birth to an ominous two-headed baby, which had caused Wuma Jun to be banished again and again. This along with some other unfortunate incidents had caused him to end up living in the most desolate part of the Imperial City. There was pretty much nothing there, except for some houses that looked like they were haunted. This showed how much the emperor despised him. Jiang Pengji got close to the house without being noticed by a single soul. The house in front of her turned out to be something unexpected to both Jiang Pengji and the audience in the streaming room. [Fallen Peanut Candy]: No way! Thats the fourth princes house? It doesnt look like it at all. Any common rich guys house would look a lot better. [Shenjia]: Well, after all, he was disliked by the emperor and didnt have a fancy family on his mothers side. Of course he lived a tough life. It seems pretty normal for his place to look less glorious. The audience of the streaming room was talking about the appearance of the house, but Jiang Pengji didnt pay much attention to them. She furrowed her eyebrows. The whole place was enveloped by strange spiritual energy, which could affect regular peoples judgment. [Bookworm Xiaoyin]: Streamer, lets go check it out to see if its really something weird that makes people go in circles. [Wanzhao Qingkong]: We have to believe in science and go against anything superstitious! This so-called going in circles was simply some trick. Its not real! Jiang Pengji observed for a little while and suddenly laughed with contempt. Stupid party tricks! Just as she had expected. These kinds of tricks might work on regular human beings with limited spiritual power. But there was no way they could stop someone like her. The person behind it might as well be reborn and learn their tricks better. Compared to the quiet outside, it was pretty busy inside. Wuma Jun was laughing and drinking with several maids in his arms, totally enjoying himself. You are still messing around! someone snorted. Wuma Jun was just about to slip his hand into a maids blouse to feel the softness. Just as they were about to get down to business, a cold snort interrupted the two. Wuma Jun acted as if he had been struck by lightning. He pushed the maid to the side and kicked everyone out. He then knelt down and said with awe and respect, Mother. An elegant figure appeared out of thin air. She was breathtakingly stunning, wearing a red outfit and a full face of makeup, which made her even more enchanting. The woman in red looked down and gazed at the back of Wuma Juns head. Her eyes were ice cold with no trace of affection, as if she were looking at a product. Chapter 737 - The Imperial Palace Breaks, The Emperor Falls (Ⅹ) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio You still remember Im your mother? The woman in red asked coldly. Frightened, Wuma Jun hurried to explain himself. Tears started falling down his cheeks. Mother. What you said terrified me. The last thing I want is to fail you. The woman in red had no patience for him. The alliance has already broken into the city. Its time for you to show me what youve got. Dont let me down! Being ordered around by the woman nurtured Wuma Juns secret grudge. On the surface, however, he still acted obediently, with the deepest love a son could show for his mother. I got it, Mother! I swear I wont disappoint you! Several days ago, this woman had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be his late mother, Wang Guifei. Wuma Jun hadnt bought it up front. Although hed never met his mother, he knew that people were not supposed to come back from the dead. The woman hadnt bothered spending too much time convincing him with words. She had simply given him some medicine that had instantly cured his legs. Considering the way the woman had easily fixed his legs and the way she had appeared from the thin air, Wuma Jun felt his heart pounding like a drum. That was way beyond human capabilities. She must be some kind of celestial being. Whether she was his real mother or not, with power like that, he would call her Mother all she wanted. With the miracles created by this mother, Wuma Juns house had essentially been invisible to the enemy when they had broken into the city. He didnt have to worry about anything and simply enjoyed his life as always. Your father is dead. So are two of your older brothers. Now the only one who can compete with you for the throne is the third prince. The woman in red was standing in front of Wuma Jun, looking down at him. Her eyes were cold as ice. Her voice was full of arrogance. With my help, the world will think that you were the chosen one. I fixed your legs, which should give you the basic means to pursue the throne. No one can beat you now. When its the right time, I will connect you with the Wang family to get their support, so you can actually keep your throne. Of course, the woman in red didnt really plan to contact the Wang family. She had simply said that to reassure Wuma Jun. The emperor was dead. The most qualified successor would no doubt be the emperors son. Wuma Juns heart thumped like a drum. His palms were wet. He had never thought that he would be so close to the throne, which he had only dreamed about before. It was almost his to take. All this had only happened to him because of the woman in red, his mother. I appreciate so much what Mother has done for me. You have put in so much effort to make the plan work. When I become the emperor, I promise that you will become the empress dowager. If this had happened before, the woman in red might have actually cared about the title of empress dowager. But that was not the case anymore. So what if she became the empress dowager? No matter how high-up a woman was, she was still a helpless widow. She could never be as free as the emperor. Your willingness to take care of your mother is all that matters to me, she said. Above her head there was a sword of Damocles Liu Xi, which might fall at any time to take her life. All she really wanted was to break that sword! Last time, she had been in disguise as a dancer and tried to assassinate her rival but failed miserably. The woman in red gritted her teeth as the memory came back to her. Because of the failed mission, she owed the system a billion popularity points! To pay the debt off as soon as possible, recently, shed been streaming like crazy. She even agreed to a lot of explicit demands from the audience. Her self-esteem had been trampled by her audience over and over again. Her hatred for Empress Chen had grown along with her disgust toward the audience. Worse, she couldnt take it out on the audience, since they were her patrons. She later discussed with the system in-depth and concluded that to kill Liu Xi, assassination wouldnt work. But if her son, Wuma Jun, got the throne, she could take advantage of the new emperor to give orders and accuse Liu Xi of serious crimes, like contempt of the emperor. Then, as long as she used a Level 9 Loyalty Talisman on Liu Xi, her plan would succeed. If not for this plan, there was no way it would have occurred to her that she still had a useless son named Wuma Jun. To cure Wuma Juns legs, shed had to go deeper into debt and purchase panaceas by installment from the system. At first she was reluctant, since the panaceas costed too many popularity points. She didnt want to acquire more debt because of Wuma Jun. Yet the chances for a prince with no functioning legs to take the throne were too slim. If he didnt get it, the new emperor wouldnt leave him alone, either. So the system had eventually talked her into buying the panaceas. On top of that, she had also used considerable popularity points to create hype for him. She had used an Invisibility Talisman and prevented any ordinary men from entering his place. In this way, it wasnt just that Wuma Jun was protected. A miracle was also created to suggest that Wuma Jun was the chosen one for the throne. Besides him, who else could be more qualified to become the new emperor? The ancient people were superstitious and ignorant. As long as she advertised it well, Wuma Jun would soon have a halo of destiny on top of his head. Now, the alliance on the emperors side had already taken Chenzhou and defeated Prince Changshous forces. It was about time for Wuma Jun to show himself. The weird duo of mother and son were both immersed in their imagination of their glorious future, as if the next moment they would be the ones on the throne. What a shame Wow, wow, wow Youve got nine lives indeed! Last time, I broke your neck, yet you still came back! Cynical comments came from outside the door. Both Wuma Jun and the woman in red were shocked. Their faces changed dramatically. As they looked in the direction of the voice, they saw the unexpected guest. Their faces fell even more. Lanting? Wuma Jun stared at Jiang Pengji with disbelief. He almost didnt recognize her. Is that really you? He had not seen Jiang Pengji for years and could barely tell if the young general in red clothes and silver gears was Liu Xi. Long time no see, Your Highness. Talking to Wuma Jun, Jiang Pengji concentrated her spiritual energy on the woman in red, so that she wouldnt dare do anything reckless. You are my brother-in-law. We are family. You dont need to act like a stranger, Lanting. Instinct told Wuma Jun that Jiang Pengji hadnt come with good intent. But he didnt know what she was up to, so he didnt dare to do anything yet. He tried to make small talk with Jiang Pengji, hoping she would let her guard down. Brother-in-law? Jiang Pengji sneered. Your Highness, I dont dare take the honor. Wuma Jun looked puzzled. What do you mean, Lanting? What do I mean? Youd better ask this wild woman standing right next to you what she did many years ago. Jiang Pengji gazed at the woman in red with a smile, but her voice was cold and ruthless. Wuma Jun turned to the woman in red who claimed to be his mother. He acted like he bought it, but he secretly found it suspect. Ask her about what? Your Highness, Jiang Pengji said. Theres something you probably dont know. Do you know why Liu Huan suddenly died from nonstop bleeding while giving birth? Rumor has it that Liu Huan gave birth to an evil baby with two heads that meant bad luck, and that she died after the delivery. But do you have any idea why the kid turned out like that? Its because it was the result of brother-sister incest. How could the baby be normal? Eyes wide, Wuma Jun stumbled back in shock. He couldnt believe it. It was beyond ridiculous. Liu Huan was the daughter of Liu Shes concubine. How could she be his sister by the same mother? Thats bullsh*t! Chapter 738 - Second Attempt at Killing You (Ⅰ) Did I malign anyone? Why dont you verify the truth with the person next to you? Faced with Jiang Pengjis question, Wuma Jun looked stunned, his heart gripped by uncontrollable fear and cowardice. Because you bully the weak and fear the strong, you only dare to confront me but have no courage to verify it with her. In that instant when she showcased her marvelous tactics, it inflicted fear in you, but simultaneously, it filled you with hopethere was hope that you could change your fate. You need her help to ascend the throne. If you could win the throne, even if deep down in your heart you never believed she was your mother, you could still prostrate yourself and submit to her, just like a dog who pleases her. Am I right? She aimed at the spot where Wuma Jun burned with pain. With her every word, she attacked his weakness. I, I didntI didnt Wuma Jun was at a complete loss, his eyes blinking nonstop. Consequently, he dared not look at the lady in red. If you didnt, then what are you feeling guilty about?Jiang Pengji folded her arms while she coldly smirked at this unique mother-and-son pair. Suddenly, understanding dawned on her, and she exclaimed, Look at my poor memory. If someone is to feel guilty, it should firstly be this woman. She isnt even worthy to be called scum. The lady clothed in red was being berated by Jiang Pengji. How could she bear it? With swift footsteps, she vanished. Her palm techniques appeared gentle yet sinister, but in fact they encapsulated the strength to crush ones internal organs to bits. Do you wish to silence me just because you cannot outwit me in speech? But the crux of the mattercan you defeat me? Have you forgotten how you were killed last time? Jiang Pengji evaded her attacks by turning. Her left hand was poised in the shape of a claw as she grabbed her collarbone. With ease, she threw her into a corner of the room with ease. If she had been a man, she probably would have been captivated by the womans gorgeous appearance and lost her rational mind, but in Jiang Pengjis eyes, she was worse than rubbish. She dealt with her lightheartedly, as if she were taking a stroll in the park. This sight made the lady in red burn with hatred and jealousy. She could tell that Jiang Pengji did not practice any ultimate martial arts. Still, unexpectedly, she was winning at this. How could that be? This was unfair! Who exactly are you? Why do you know so much? The lady in red shook with anger till her molars chattered. Heh, you dont even know who I am. You are bold, daring to go against me. She watched as the lady in red lifted herself from the ground. Jiang Pengji clapped her hands and revealed the truth to Wuma Jun. I see This woman hasnt told you the truth. Shortly after she gave birth to you, she secretly had an affair with Prince Changshou, she said. They shared an illicit sexual relationship, and thus, Liu Huan was born. In her pursuit of prestige and wealth, she later ditched Prince Changshou and abandoned Liu Huan. Liu Huan was adopted by my father, who acknowledged her as his illegitimate daughter. He raised her for more than ten years. Do you know why my father was willing to suffer the grievance of raising Liu Huan? Consider this. Isnt it satisfying to watch your enemys children share an immoral sexual relationship and commit incest? Wuma Juns facial expression was so sullen that it was unsightly, and both his hands were trembling uncontrollably. Terror, shock, and unspeakable revulsion filled his heart. His ex-wife, the one who had shared his bed and carried his child in her womb, was his biological sister from the same mother but a different father? Seriously? Not only did they share the same mothereven their fathers were biological brothers who shared the same bloodline! Liu Huans face and the time when she had been pregnant surfaced in his mind. Suddenly, he felt nauseated and vomited with a groan. It wasnt just Wuma Jun who couldnt accept it. Neither could the lady in red, who was beside him. Even if she had done these things, but others had uncovered her wrongdoings outright, certainly, she would be infuriated. She thought Liu She had been unaware of her plans when she had purposely abandoned Liu Huan. Yet surprisingly, Liu She had known it all along! That man had purposely created a trap for her. He had tricked her on purpose! Bastard! The lady in red was startled. She stared at Jiang Pengji with malice, as if she wanted to rip her apart with her eyes. Jiang Pengji smiled gleefully. Her brows briefly rose, and she asked in return, Are you scolding yourself? You should reflect on your actions. Who exactly is the cunning one? Why do I need to reflect? Her breathing was heavy, while her eyes turned sinister with of all her built-up hatred and malice. It damaged her exotic, mesmerizing beauty. As she smiled, she tore down the only mask the lady in red had left in front of Wuma Jun. She cackled. A lowly wandering spirit possessed Wang Huiyuns body and caused the pitiful deaths of Xie Qian and her son, she said. She entered the palace because of greed for prestige and wealth. From the beginning up to now, shes had illicit relations with the three brothers in the imperial family. Then she gave birth to Wuma Jun and Liu Huan. Another sin of hers was that she incited the brother and sister to commit incest! The years you were in Zhongzhao, you followed Dongqings news closely. The servant-girl, Taxue, who lived in my manor Isnt she your spy? Were you unaware that Wuma Jun and Liu Huan were engaged? Three years passed from the time they were engaged until they got married. Do you dare say you were clueless? You knew well that they were siblings born of the same mother but different fathers, but you still chose to watch them get married and have an immoral relationship. Can you please explain yourself? The live streaming room was in turmoil. What was this they had heard? Little sister Taxue was a spy placed by this lady time traveler? It wasnt only her live-streaming room that was in an uproar. Wuma Jun felt like his senses were about to explode and shatter into bits. With much difficulty, he tried to control his urge to puke. The lofty desire of ascending the throne as Emperor was absent from his mind. Only one question remained Why? Why had she had to watch this pair of sister and brother commit incest? She was, after all, their biological mother! The lady in red did not answer. Jiang Pengji had already guessed the answer. She laughed as she said, I believe you were not moved solely because Liu Huan and Wuma Jun had lost their worth, right? She had originally wanted to ignore her words. So what if she had created this incident? Indeed, she had given birth to Wuma Jun and Liu Huan, but she would have to leave this world sooner or later. There was no need for her to invest so much emotion in them. What was wrong with that? She was self-righteous in her heart, but she soon discovered this would not work. She watched as the comments on the bullet screen in her live-streaming room were all against her. Even those wealthy folks who supported her posted on the bullet screen and expressed their wish to abandon this livestream. [Initially I thought you were just a whore, but now I have discovered that youre also a malicious and vile whore. Enough of this! Im leaving!] [Fool around as you wish, but do not play your life away. I cannot afford that.] [Sigh Although you look pretty, the lady on the island isnt ugly either. Id rather admire her than look at you.] [Shameless, low-born slut!] She was bursting with anger in her heart. Her emotions were on the verge of exploding. Indeed! I did these things! At least I dare to take responsibility for my actions. Surely it trumps those prostitutes who pretend to be chaste widows. The lady in red pointed at Jiang Pengji and added, Dont think too highly of yourself. Go back to your mothers grave and ask just how shameless she was! She snatched her younger sisters husband and pushed her sister to Meng Zhan. Just look at how Meng Zhan treated Gu Min eventually! She deserved her retribution! If one searched the spirits for memories, the lady in red stubbornly insisted that Liu She and Gu Min were a couple. With regard to this point, Jiang Pengji couldnt be sure. If one were to speak of the original history, Liu Xi was born of Liu She and Gu Min. Then how would one explain why Wei Ci could identify her at once? They must know that presently Liu Xi was the daughter of Liu She and Gu Min. Could two different mothers give birth to one daughter with one man? This matter did not require any thought. Jiang Pengjis focus was diverted, but the viewers were focused. Chapter 739 - Second Attempt at Killing You (Ⅱ) When had their streamer ever been humiliated by others before? Jiang Pengji, the person in question, had yet to explode from anger, but those in the live streaming room already had. [Huishoufang Zhiwushang]: Quick, bring me my 40 cm huge chopper. I vow to hack this slut in half with one strike! [Fell in Love with the Night Sky]: Do you despise your rather long life? How dare you scold the streamer? I vow to smack you, foolish one, to death! [Laosiji Lianmeng]: Perhaps she does despise her long life. After all, the streamer killed her once before. [Molanzhi]: Those time travelers who are born wealthy are often spoiled. I pity the streamer. Shes merely a freeloader who has knowledge about the livestream. [Qingfeng Xueying]: Hahaha, is the viewer above certain? This slothful streamer creates trouble everywhere. Look at how many people who have been implicated by her! Jiang Pengji bent her head, lifting her hands to cover her ears. She didnt appear angry. What a joke. If such humiliation could weaken her morale, she wouldnt have been able to live till now. To a general in an army, ones temperament was critical. Thus, Jiang Pengji was still in the mood to pry information from the lady clothed in red. With her interest piqued, Jiang Pengji pinched her chin. Her pupils were like black jade and akin to the deep waters. You mentioned she deserved her retribution? Were you referring to my mother, Gu Min, or to my stepmother, Gu Zhen? Or did you refer to both? The lady clothed in red laughed coldly. Arent they just the same? Exactly. They are similar, she said. If so, why dont you tell me what tactics you used? She pursed her lips tightly without making a sound. Jiang Pengji added, My father once said that back then, Meng Zhan was still a gentleman. When he married my stepmother, he reiterated his promise to treat her well. However, after a few years in the marriage, Meng Zhan went back on his promises completely. I dont doubt my fathers assessment of people. He and Meng Zhan were once best friends who studied together. They had no conflicts of interest, and Meng Zhan had no reason to lie to him Thus, did you scheme some evil deeds in between? The lady clothed in red had never imagined Jiang Pengji to be so astute. She felt somewhat guilty, yet simultaneously, she was provoked. She saw Liu She and his wife as her nemeses. They had fought multiple times. This round, her successes were few and far between. She smiled delightfully. When Gu Zhen had sexual intercourse, she did not bleed, indicating that she had already lost her virginity. In order to stabilize her standing in her maiden family, I secretly gave her a gift so that she could bear a son within one night! Her facial expression turned cold. What happened next? The night before Gu Zhen got married, she was ambushed on her journey to the Meng house by a group of bandits. She was only shocked and not harmed, but later a rumor surfaced that Gu Zhen had lost her virginity to the bandits. Her marriage was approaching. It was impossible not to get married. As you know, men take their womens loss of chastity very seriously. Since blood didnt surface on their first night together, Meng Zhan wanted to bear with it. But who expected Gu Zhen to become pregnant after their first night together? Then came the question: Who did this child belong to? In this era, there was no test to determine paternity. The unreliable means of dripping blood to verify parental relations was unconvincing. Meng Zhan had since felt that he had been made a cuckold. He couldnt bring up this topic. He considered how he could get Gu Zhen to abort the baby. Then he could forgo the matter. Eventually, it was Gu Zhen who insisted they keep the child. This became the source of their sufferings as husband and wife. Jiang Pengji laughed. You even schemed against Stepmothers second child? The lady in red said, Meng Zhan frequently saw Gu Zhen flirt with the manservants in the manor. How could he not hate her? Stepmother would never have done such things. The lady in red smiled, revealing her dimples. A pill that changes ones face is a useful item. Her smile turned chilling immediately. You are indeed sinister. Shady business and unscrupulous schemes You are so good at them. So what if they were morally right? Didnt your heroic mother also pass on? She laughed mockingly. If you didnt really hate my mother, I originally thought you would have had a forbidden relation with her. Jiang Pengji sighed. My last question is, when you harmed my mother thirteen years ago, did you almost cause her to lose both her life and her child? The lady in red was at first determined to answer, but she suddenly held herself back. I refuse to answer. Jiang Pengjis lip curled. Even if you refuse to say, I already know the answer. It is truly a rarity to find such a fool as you on this earth. The lady in red had just quenched the anger in her heart, but now it had started burning again. She discreetly clutched the [Level 9 Loyalty Talisman]. The System discreetly signaled to her to stop. Host, now isnt a good time to use this skill, and you are not her worthy opponent! Liu Xis spiritual energy is impressive. We must wait until shes unprepared or when shes plagued with sickness. Then our success rate will be 100%. She is currently in a hyperactive state. The success rate of the [Level 9 Loyalty Talisman] is higher than normal. Dont take a risk lightly. Its wise to retreat first. There will be other opportunities later. The System also hated Jiang Pengji to its core, but this was helpless against her. The lady clothed in red finally found her sanity. She swallowed this bitter grievance grudgingly. She planned to secretly break the [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman] in order to escape. Jiang Pengjis spiritual power was immensely strong. How would she not notice her every movement? As the lady in red broke apart her [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman], Jiang Pengji, who was quite a distance away suddenly appeared behind her. Immediately, her neck pulsed in pain, and the sound of bone cracking drifted into her ears. You Since you revealed so much information, I will graciously give you an opportunity to redeem yourself. Lets meet again. Jiang Pengji smiled from ear to ear as she respectfully sent the lady in red away. On the surface, she appeared rather joyful, but her heart was clouded with malice. This person had committed so many sins. To kill her once was letting her go easily. Why not keep her alive to torture her slowly? Wuma Jun witnessed the split second when she murdered the lady clothed in red and the instant when she disappeared. He was so petrified that he lay flat on the ground. These two people were devils! When Jiang Pengjis sights landed on him, Wuma Jun was so afraid that his hands and feet felt glued to the ground. How he wished to leave this cursed place. So long as he could live, he was willing to pay the price. Why are you running? Before Wuma Jun could even take two steps, he met with an impact at his waist. Unfortunately, he was kicked to the ground by Jiang Pengji. Lan Lanting, on the basis of our past relationship, please dont kill me Liu Huan isnt your biological sister, but both of you were once siblings His fear made his limbs become weak. He relaxed his lower stomach. A warm, orange-yellow fluid flowed out. Tears and mucus streamed down his face. She witnessed this and remarked mockingly, Pulling the relationship card doesnt work on me. Why dont you propose some practical benefits instead? Wuma Jun was inspired and quickly added, Lanting, tell me whatever you wish. I will give you even half the kingdom if you let me go She broke out in laughter. If we speak of interest, then certainly you deserve death. Fourth Prince, what a pity you arent a three-year-old kid! If he were a three-year-old kid, she might just keep him alive. When Wuma Jun heard this, he already knew Jiang Pengji would never let him off. Liu Xi, you deserve a terrible Wuma Jun lay on the ground. As he was about to curse and swear, a foot stepped on the back of his head from behind, pushing his face into the ground. Noisy! Once she used force, his skull beneath her feet broke apart. Yellow, green, red, and white fluids and masses splashed across the ground. Jiang Pengi removed her dirty socks. She haphazardly put on a pair of clean wooden clogs and left this habitation as if a phantom had just floated past. Chapter 740 - Second Attempt At Killing You (Ⅲ) The imperial city of Chenzhou was more than 10 miles away. A female corpse adorned in red appeared suddenly. Her neck was twisted strangely. She hadnt died in peace. Host, you died once again. In the Systems dimension, it spoke to her with its emotionless voice composed of electricity to relay this information. She had been killed twice by the same person and in the same way. It was truly an insult. The ladys face turned pale when she arrived in the Systems dimension. She rushed to the main hall in exasperation and shouted furiously. Shut up! I know Im already dead. I dont need you to tell me this news! After she vented her anger by shouting, she rebuked the System. Was it also my fault this time? I followed your suggestion and did not use the [Level 9 Loyalty Talisman] on her. Why did I still die? Wasnt it because the [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman] you gave me had a defect and did not immediately transport me away? Ive already activated it and torn it apart. Why was I still caught by Liu Xi, who twisted and broke my neck? Isnt that your fault? Faced with the womans interrogation, the System was silent for a while. Then it used a ruthless tone to warn the lady in red. Host, I hope you can keep calm. Its impossible for the System to do wrong. The [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman] cannot go wrong either. With a cold smirk, she questioned it in return. If nothing went wrong, how could I have died? The [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman] is the product of the Dimension of Immortality Cultivation. It involves ones spiritual power and the realm of Soul Fusion. Liu Xis mental power is immensely strong, comparable to that of a monk. She isnt an immortal, and there is no spiritual force within her either, but she is able to use her mental power to disrupt the initiation of the [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman]. This caused the teleportation to be delayed by one or two seconds. That amount of time was enough for her to snap the hosts neck. The lady in red listened and became dumbfounded. Only after a while did she question the System again. Why did you not tell me this earlier? If she had known this before, she wouldnt have foolishly used the [Deity Crosses Thousands of Miles Talisman] in front of Jiang Pengji. The Systems tone was still devoid of emotion. If you wish to purchase any information regarding Empress Chen, it will deplete a huge sum of your popularity points. You are my host, but as a fair and righteous System, I am not obligated to share this information with you. If the host possesses the ability, surely you could have depended on your own capabilities to discover it. Therefore, this matter is not the Systems responsibility but solely dependent on the host. You were too weak! With the Systems rational and convincing answer, she had no means to rebut. She could only swallow her grievances. When she calmed herself down, she had to face another crueler reality She had died once again, and if she wanted to be resurrected, she had to pay the System one billion popularity points in installments. Faced with increasingly high amounts of debt, she was filled with helplessness, but she had to tolerate it. With menace, she clenched her teeth and said, Hmph, it isnt like I didnt gain anything from this Liu She, await your tragic death in your fight against your daughter! While the lady clothed in red awaited her resurrection, Jiang Pengji hummed a song. Feng Zhen witnessed this, and he was astonished. My lord is in a good mood. Jiang Pengji signaled with her hands, A reunion and a joyous occasion has lifted my spirits. Your lord will be promoted very soon. How can I not be elated? Feng Zhen heard this. He knew that the Fourth Prince had been killed, and he immediately cracked a smile. Congratulations, my lord. Its indeed worth rejoicing. Feng Zhen somewhat sincerely and respectfully extended his congratulatory remarks to her. If my lord gets promoted, is it possible to reward us with some bonuses? For example, seven days of rest like last year? Or quality wine, sumptuous food, and gorgeous ladies? Or even gold and precious treasures? Jiang Pengjis smile dropped. There will be rewards, but rest days, good wine, beauties There will be none of those. Feng Zhen said nothing. He had helped his lord with such a big favor, so why was he not granted these small wishes? He revealed an expression where he no longer desired life. What was left was to organize his frivolous thoughts and continue to drown himself in endless work. After all the rebel armies were wiped out, the entire city of Chenzhou was left in a messy state. Robbery, rape, and looting were not an uncommon sight. Yan Lin and the rest employed a strategy that could stabilize the revolt in the shortest time frame possible. They fervently sought out the officials family members and helped them settle down. They also strove to protect the imperial family. The previous crown princess and some of the imperial grandsons have been found. However, the previous crown princes concubines and illegitimate daughters have unfortunately met their ends. Amid the military chaos, it wasnt an easy feat to protect the crown princess and the imperial grandson. Who cared about the concubines and illegitimate daughters? Yan Lin laughed coldly as looked down. It is good that they have been found. Where are the third and fourth princes? The servant replied, Ive sent men to search for them. I believe news of their whereabouts will come soon. Yan Lin furrowed his brows. He had a vague sense that this was a bad omen. Although they had found the imperial grandson, the officials were more interested in the whereabouts of the third and fourth princes. All other matters could be put aside. At least these two princes were of age. The other imperial grandsons were too young. After countless rounds of pressure was put on them, they finally found two corpses at dawn. The third princes corpse had been soaked in well water until his body became bloated. He had also stabbed in the heart. The sword belonged to Prince Changshous soldiers. It was rather easy to find the third prince, but more difficult to find the fourth prince. An unexplained spiritual force prevented them from stepping into his mansion. The presence of this force seemed rather strange. It also suddenly dissipated. When the people entered, they discovered the fourth prince lying flat on the ground. His head had been smashed to pieces by a strong force. He had died a very unsightly death. Feng Zhen secretly looked at his lord. He felt rather cold and trembled in fear. The fourth princes head couldnt have been trampled by the lord until it broke apart, right? After a few days, the people prepared for the funeral of the Emperor and the princes. Two princes have met with a mishap, and the remaining imperial grandsons are still too young. Who do you think is worthy to ascend the throne? The Emperor had passed on. Based on protocol, they should conduct nationwide mourning. However, this was a precarious period. Thus, they were not particular about enforcing it. The people only needed to be careful about the color of the clothes they wore. They also tied white cloths around their waists. Feng Zhen was clothed in solemn and respectful ash-gray garments, and a white cloth was tied around his waist. It made him look less wanton, more serious and disciplined. Yang Si also wore similar attire. It made his entire appearance more sinister and ruthless. He sneered, No matter who it is, besides Prince Changshou or Shanghai Countys county chief Wuma Shang, anyone is fine. What are your thoughts? I agree with your views, Feng Zhen said. Prince Changshous heart is filled with ambition and greed, while Wuma Shang is a tiny, ruthless moth. I agree that the imperial grandson is a better choice. A young person would be more obedient and considerate. They only came of age at 20 years old. They had yet to build their families. This meant that the young emperor could not wield his own power. The eldest imperial grandson was 11 years old, and the youngest was not even two years old. Based on the practice of crowning the legitimate eldest, there was none more worthy than the eldest imperial grandson. He wasnt only a legitimate grandson. More importantly, he was the eldest grandson. His identity was legitimate, and his blood was pure. Im only afraid that Wuma Shang will be displeased. Feng Zhen gave a sinister smile. So what if hes dissatisfied? The alliance army is full of old folks. Unless their minds undergo massive transformations, theyll never support him. What were the advantages of supporting Wuma Shang? Those who supported Wuma Shang ascending the throne would be rewarded, but those who supported the imperial grandson would likewise be rewarded. In comparison, those who supported the elder and scheming Wuma Shang, if they were not careful, would be robbed of their military might because of fear, and they would have to be prepared to lose their titles. What if they supported the young imperial grandson ascending the throne instead? If the imperial grandson wished to secure his position as emperor, he could only choose to confer power to the alliance army and his marquis. Before he came of age, they could not have evil intentions against him. Only then would the advantages he possessed be more. Judging by the stance of the majority of marquis who only took their own interests into consideration, Wuma Shang was evidently not the ideal choice. Both briefly exchanged their views. They looked at each other and communicated with their eyes. Chapter 741 - Prince Changshou Proclaims Sovereignty (Ⅰ) Feng Zhen held his pencil tightly. He used the candlelight to brighten the bamboo slip and worked through the night. His eyes squinted until they became crossed. I had a nightmare yesterday. I dreamed of the lord dressed in female clothes. Beside him stood Yang Si, who had worked overtime but had yet to enjoy his supper. He commented, Ah, thats indeed a terrifying nightmare. Feng Zhen and Yang Si squabbled daily. They couldnt agree with each other. Only one could convince them to abandon their differences and form an alliance with one anothertheir lord. Immediately, news of Chenzhou, the imperial city, reached Prince Changshou and the alliance army. His reaction upon hearing the news was in complete contrast to what they had expected. Prince Changshou looked towards the heavens and laughed. He had never felt so relieved before. Unexpectedly, Meng Zhan was a wet blanket at this critical juncture. It is too early for my prince to rejoice. Prince Changshous mind was already filled with thoughts of his ascension to the throne. They had been forcefully interrupted by Meng Zhan. He felt rather displeased, but he had to control himself. Why does the master say so? With a voice devoid of emotion, Meng Zhan commented, An emperor has passed on. They can raise up another emperor easily. Prince Changshous face stiffened. He had originally planned to hold the emperor hostage and force him to write an edict of abdication. Now that the emperor had passed on, the alliance army and the high-ranking officials possessed the rights to enthrone another emperor. When he thought of how the throne he desperately desired was about to be given to an unknown young punk, he fumed with anger. Meng Zhan noted, The prince has no need to be angry. Since there is no way for the emperor to abdicate in your favor, you should instead proclaim yourself as the emperor! When Prince Changshou heard, his entire being trembled. As if a thunderous sound had exploded in his ears, he lost his senses. Proclaim myself as emperor Isnt that immoral and rebellious? Prince Changshou wanted to legitimately win the throne. He had never imagined proclaiming himself as the emperor. Meng Zhan laughed mockingly in his heart. Who cared about legitimacy or even despicable rebellion? With the things Prince Changshou had done, which of them was worthy to be deemed legitimate? Prince, this matter must not be delayed. You must make a decision quickly, Meng Zhan said and added, If you are late making your decision, Im afraid youll not have any more opportunities in the future. These words frustrated Prince Changshou, but in the depths of his heart, he approved of Meng Zhans suggestion. Proclaim himself as the emperor! On the other end, those in the alliance army were shocked by this news. Had Prince Changshou sent his elite troops secretly to ambush and surround the capital city of Chenzhou? Yang Jian and Liu Xis had armies arrived in time. Had they managed to rescue countless important officials and their family members? Had the emperor died while trying to escape? The emperor had passed on. It demanded nationwide mourning. It didnt reflect well on the officials and marquis if they continued to drink wine and be merry. They grudgingly changed into dull-colored mourning clothes to express their condolences. Some of them were interested in how the emperor had passed away. Others were focused on Liu Xi and Yang Jian, two people with power. Xu Bei felt that a heavy burden had been taken off his shoulders. Finally, he no longer needed to continue hiding the news. Neither did he have to be the common enemy of the other officials and marquis. Moreover, he could boast of his works in front of Xu Fei. From the outsiders point of view, Liu Xi and Yang Jians actions had been commanded by Xu Bei. The credit Liu Xi and Yang Jian had won from this incident was largely attributed to Xu Bei. Many were unaware that, from Xu Beis point of view, this credit was a gift. It was unexpected. Other than Xu Bei, Liu She, Liu Xis father, similarly received praises from the people. Huang Song secretly directed these words at Liu She: Congratulations, Magistrate. Liu Xi has accomplished great things in saving the Emperor. Im certain none can compare to her. Money presented itself amid danger. When the masses were blinded by entertainment and enjoying themselves, Liu Xi led her troops and headed to the distant Chenzhou, the imperial city. This wasnt a task to be envied. His facial expression appeared more joyous to entertain the marquis and officials who congratulated him. Lanting is still young and inexperienced. She must not be overly praised. She needs more training and to undergo refinement. On the surface, he spoke humbly, but it was evident to all that Liu She was in a good mood. Another person was likewise in a good mood. This man was Shanghai Countys chief, Wuma Shang. The emperor had passed on. He hadnt left behind any edicts to dictate who should inherit the throne. What did this mean? This meant his chance had arrived. Now that the world was in chaos, there was an urgent need for an awe-inspiring and capable emperor to bring about peace. If one surveyed the entire Dongqing family, who was more deserving than him? He knew how many princes and grandsons the emperor had, but Wuma Shang did not take them into consideration. In critical times, special measures were needed. The process of choosing a successor to the throne should also be flexible. The virtuous one deserved the position. An Cui followed Wuma Shang. With a chilly stare, he noticed how Wuma Shangs emotions changed, and he laughed inwardly. Amongst the alliance army, those who presently wished for Wuma Shang to ascend the throne were only Wuma Shang himself and An Cui. If one didnt fend for themselves, they were doomed to be destroyed. What practical advantage was there for the other marquis if they supported Wuma Shang as the emperor? The answer was that there was none. Therefore, Wuma Shang was rejoicing far too early. An Cui did not utter these words. Instead, he went against his instincts and praised Wuma Shang. He spoke many pleasant words. Wuma Shang was in high spirits. He signaled with his hands, and again he borrowed some troops, horses, and rations from An Cui. The alliance army overcame the hurdle of the Jia city gates. They sounded their war cries, and they marched towards Chenzhou in high spirits. They initially thought theyd engage in a difficult battle with Prince Changshous main military force, but unexpectedly, their journey thus far had been smooth. They never met Prince Changshous armies. The scout investigated for days. Finally, he could ascertain one piece of information: Prince Changshou had retreated to the borders of Chenzhou. One wondered what schemes he was plotting. Why did their troops suddenly retreat without a reason? The people didnt understand. Only a few could see the situation clearly. A storm is approaching. Feng Jue glanced at the skies outside the tent. He spoke with emotion in his voice. Prince Changshou employed the tactic of letting his enemy off, only to catch him later. Huang Song didnt understand. Let his enemy off only to catch him later? Cheng Jing explained, It isnt only that. Im certain he has other plans. Huang Song looked at Feng Jue and then at Cheng Jing. Both wore the same expression, but he was still confused. He was exhausted. He felt that his intelligence had been insulted by both his strategists. With regards to the alliance army, it was indeed good news that Prince Changshous army had retreated. They didnt have to fight anymore. The imperial city of Chenzhou had experienced the cruelty of war. The city gates appeared desolate and damaged. Although the households within the city had been organized, traces of the war were still evident. The alliance army did not set up their camps in the city. Instead, they chose to establish their campsites outside to put the people at ease. Because a large proportion of the officials and their families had been snatched by Prince Changshou, the court was desperately lacking in manpower. With this opportunity presenting itself, Feng Zhen, Yang Si, and Yan Lin were given exclusive titles. After they entered the city, Shanghai Countys chief, Wuma Shang appeared to be busy. He has poached various officials and marquis without being discreet about it. What a fool! Jiang Pengji was lazing in her seat of honor. She did not care about how she appeared as she lay on the tabletop. It was as if her body was hollow. She decided that she should bring along more strategists in her next endeavor. At least there would be more manual labor. Liu She wore a serene expression as he sipped his rice wine. He still chose to attain his goals quickly. If he planned it step-wise, perhaps itd be possible. The more anxious Wuma Shang appeared, the less the people would choose him. How could the ambitious Wuma Shang be easily controlled compared to a child emperor? As they conversed, a series of light footsteps were heard from outside, along with Huijuns gentle voice. Langjun, may your servant enter? Please enter. Liu She looked at Huijun. His eyes were peaceful. Huijuns appearance was only 50% of what it had been before. If she had been devastatingly beautiful, now she was at most a pretty lady. Even if someone who knew her came, hed only deem her someone familiar. No one would suspect she was the seductive, evil empress. Jiang Pengji didnt have the skills to change a persons face, but the viewers in the live streaming room had equipped her with the makeup skills. The effect was akin to a face-change. Chapter 742 - Prince Changshou Proclaims Sovereignty (II) There existed four types of sorcery in Asia: Dai countrys skills to change ones gender, Wo countrys makeup skills, Bang countrys plastic surgery skills, and Hua countrys Photoshop skills. When these four types of sorcery were cast, a person would not recognize even their own mother, let alone their enemies. Huijuns appearance was so stunning, it could spell trouble for her easily. It was imperative that she hide it somewhat. Langjun, your official garments have been tailored and delivered. Do you wish to try them on and see if they fit? If they dont, alterations can be made. Huijun held layers of garments and loose accessories as she entered. Her disposition was gentle, respectful, and humble. There was no trace of a seductive demeanor. Alright, let me try them on. Jiang Pengji was also a district magistrate, but because of her unique situation when she had accepted the position, she had had no official garments until today. But because she was making an appearance at the emperors funeral and the coronation of the new emperor, it would be inappropriate not to adorn official attire. Thus, she had to get someone to work overnight to tailor a set for her. As she saw the layers of neatly folded official wear, she smiled widely. Then she took the garments to the guest room in the back hall to try them on. In this era, differences in status were obvious. They were evident even in small instances. Ones garments became the symbol of their rank based on class. When she noticed the loose accessories, she turned off the livestream. One by one, she tried them on. She accessorized her robes with a jade belt. After she had neatly put on her official wear, she came out and turned on the livestream. When they looked at the charming youth who had just walked out of the back hall, Liu She and Huijun were momentarily stunned. It truly fulfilled the saying, The handsome gentleman is unmatched in the world; he is to be valued as jade. The viewers were already accustomed to the way Jiang Pengji prioritized her privacy. None of them left. They waited patiently for the livestream to be turned on again. Indeed, as expected, after more than 10 minutes, the livestream was switched on again. It was time for them to battle with their clicking speed and luck. [Nongfu Shanquan Youdianxuan]: Oh wow! Let me have a look. Who is this scholarly and poised youth before me? [Shitang Dafan Ayi]: Its her! Its her! Thats her! Our streamer, Jiang Pengji! [Jianghu Baliansha]: To the viewer above Are you on drugs? My emotions led me to say that out loud. [Heimisa Zhige]: Ive always wished to see the streamer adorned in official clothes. After waiting expectantly for so long, I have finally witnessed it. I am so overwhelmed with emotions. [Kaixin Dian]: Hehe, I am more excited to see the streamer wearing her tassel crown. She was only serious for three seconds. Then she toyed with the ceremonial tablet in her hands, her brows knitted together. When the officials attend their court meeting, do they plan to use this board to smack those whom they cannot outwit in speech? When these words left her mouth, countless of xx marks posted by the viewers filled the bullet screen. Liu She, sitting in the corner to enjoy his wine, almost choked. Lanting, stop joking. These words can be said privately as a joke, but you must not speak of this outside. Again, Liu She coughed twice. His daughters brain worked differently from others. The ceremonial tablet served as a cheat sheet. It was used as a memorandum, but the description that came out of his daughters mouth made it a weapon for fighting. If the officials acted as she described, attacking those whom they could not out-talk with the ceremonial tablet, then would the court still be in motion? Huijun covered her lips with her sleeves, but there was obvious glee in her eyes. In a few days time, Langjun will have to change into another set of clothes. A different status would result in a difference in design of the official garments, the material used, and the accessories. At that time, naturally, theyd have to tailor another set of official attire. You have too much confidence in me. Huijun nodded her head and lowered her eyebrows. Her cherry-red lips broke into a faint smile. No matter how superb her makeup was, it still could not hide the unique elegance of her eyes. Langjun will fulfill your promises. If your servant doesnt believe in you, who should I believe in, then? Jiang Pengji playfully threw the ceremonial tablet on the tabletop. She used a tone that begged for forgiveness. Your speech has left me with nothing to say. Liu She watched silently. He quietly ate his melon and reflected. Was his child a daughter or son? It seems slightly small. Your servant will take it back to alter it. As Huijun smiled, a manservant reported from outside, My lord, there is an invitation card from the crown princes manor. It is an invitation for the lord to pay a visit. Jiang Pengji was shocked for a while. An invitation from the crown princes manor? Huijun half-knelt as she helped her pack her accessories. When she heard this, she was momentarily shocked. It should have been sent by the crown princess. As of now, she was still the crown princess. After the funeral of the previous emperor, his burial, and the young emperors ascension to the throne, shed be the imperial dowager. Jiang Pengji knitted her brows. She threw the invitation card on the tabletop and complained, Why did the crown princess send me an invitation? I refuse to go A cunning look flashed in Huijuns eyes. She picked up the invitation card with her hands and placed it near her nose to smell it. Its better that Langjun makes a trip there. Jiang Pengji turned to face her. Why? Come smell this. Isnt there a faint fragrance exuding from this letter? Huijun passed the invitation card to her. She smiled broadly. The crown princess cannot bear the loneliness of being a widow. She wishes to invite you into her harem. If Langjun misses out on this, you will no longer have opportunities in the future. Her fingers froze. She and her 150,000 viewers were dumbfounded. What? Huijun smiled as she continued, Such fragrance is a secret scent only used in the palace. The main ingredient that composes the scent is a beautys sleep. It is combined with twenty-four rare scents to manufacture the product. It is useful in creating chemistry between a man and a woman. The scent is fragrant but not overwhelming, and it could evoke ones emotions Liu She, who was looking on, coughed loudly. He held his wine cup and pot of wine tightly as he stood up. Please continue your conversation. Father is rather tired. I will return to my room to rest first. Jiang Pengji did not reply. When Liu She reached the exit, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and said, If you wish to attend the banquet tonight, remember to return before dawn tomorrow. Jiang Pengji still did not reply. Did Father remember whether his child was a daughter or son? Huijuns cheeks reddened, and she said awkwardly, The crown princesss invitation card is filled with this scent. Obviously she wishes to spend a romantic night with Langjun. With a humorless laugh, Jiang Pengji remarked, Her husband just passed on, and its been less than seven days since her father-in-law passed on. Is she already thinking of how to lure her guests into her chambers? Huijun sighed gently. Your servant saw this crown princess once. If she has decided to make such a bad move, perhaps its for the sake of her son. The crown princess belonged with the ladies in the inner palace. She had not been born into a powerful family. Moreover, her foresight was limited. Unbeknownst to her, the marquis and officials had already planned to support the young emperor. Only she saw that Wuma Shang was creating havoc. She was worried and sorely afraid that the throne that belonged to her son would be lost, and the position as imperial dowager, which belonged to her, would be taken away from her. Because of their sensitive identities, if both mother and son failed to rise as emperor and imperial dowager, only death awaited them. Amid chaos, they could only choose this inferior strategy. Of course, apart from her helplessness, this crown princess always acted in this manner. Based on your servants understanding, this crown princess isnt as law-abiding as she appears to be. The crown prince was fickle in love and lecherous, and there were countless beauties in the inner palace. Thus, the crown princess felt lonely in her ladies chambers. She shared a close relationship with those eunuchs who served her, that of fake husband and wife. Now that the crown prince has passed on and the imperial clan has met with such tribulations, she has no other considerations and could do whatever she wishes. Huijun laughed. Now that she has the lascivious desire to seduce Langjun into her inner chambers, it is understandable. Once she won Jiang Pengji to her side, it would be equivalent to having kidnapped the Liu familys father and son to her side in the war. In the eyes of others, Liu Xi was an 18-year-old charming youth who had not yet come of age. If the crown princess offered herself to him, she would have an advantage. Does Langjun wish to reject or agree to this matter? Jiang Pengji looked at the invitation card and abruptly commanded those outside, Get someone to summon the affairs manager. Now, Feng Zhen had a position as the affairs manager in name only, without any true authority. Chapter 743 - Prince Changshou Proclaims Sovereignty (III) Huijun was momentarily stunned when she heard this. Why had Langjun summoned the affairs manager? Did Langjun wish not only to suppress the affairs managers mental abilities and physical abilities, but also force him to offer his body to her? Jiang Pengji saw through her expression. She stopped smiling and said, What sort of person is your Langjun? Earlier on, Zishi complained about having time neither to rest nor to seek the company of beautiful ladies. He came and asked me for gorgeous women and wine. Now that one of high status has come voluntarily What a rare opportunity this is. It was obviously a serious matter, but when the words came from her mouth, the entire flavor changed. She was still the crown princess. Even if she did offer herself, the situation would be different from that of an average lady. She could sense the harsh yet playful tone in Jiang Pengjis every sentence. Huijun covered her lips with her sleeves. Even her alluring eyes, which charmed others, could be seen smiling. Im afraid Langjun will be disappointed Jiang Pengji asked her, Oh? Why would I be disappointed? Your servant thought a person who sees every situation clearly like Langjun would be insightful on matters of the heart between a man and woman. The kind of woman a man would find to derive his pleasures from and the kind he should avoid He will know it in his heart. The crown princess is of noble status. A common man would stand no chance, but Feng Langjun is Langjuns subordinate. Why would he want to associate himself with a controversial and intractable woman like her? Even if she pushed Feng Zhen out as the scapegoat, Feng Zhen would also put on a chaste virgin look and refuse to budge. After she heard Huijuns detailed analysis, suddenly, Jiang Pengji, who was listening intently, broke out in laughter. Haha. Rest assured, I asked Zishi to come over to discuss work matters. It isnt to ask him to betray his manly charm. Even if I was willing to ask him to offer himself sexually, Im afraid the crown princess would be unwilling. Jiang Pengji held back her laughter. Her eyes still glistened, dazzled, and sparkled. Huijuns cheeks reddened. With annoyance, she said, Langjun is accustomed to ridiculing others. If you didnt cause a misunderstanding with your words, your servant wouldnt have embarrassed herself. As she spoke, they heard the sound of Feng Zhens footsteps. Ever since he had assumed the title of affairs manager, Feng Zhen paid more attention to his style of dress. He appeared more formal now. Huijun bowed respectfully as she prepared to leave and retreated to the back hall. After he paid his respects, he straightened his back. May I know why my lord urgently sought me? Presently, there were many empty official positions. Jiang Pengji had managed to win herself a mid-tier rank as official general. Her salary was equal to that of a county chief. She was a military general, but the times were unique, and she did not possess military strength. It was likewise a title that enabled her to participate in political affairs. Jiang Pengji informed him of the invitation she had received from the crown princes manor. She also conveyed the hidden meaning behind the scent that the letter exuded. This fellow, Feng Zhen, smiled with evil intentions as he said mockingly, My lord should make a trip since such a good opportunity has presented itself. She was, after all, the crown princess. She was the most esteemed female leader in the country after the empress, empress dowager, and most esteemed empress dowager. Without apology, Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes. Stop feigning ignorance. If your lord could go to the banquet, would I need you to come here? After Feng Zhen heard, he almost collapsed. His lords words had a deep, hidden meaning. With resolute and righteousness in his speech, he said, My lord, your official will not provide sexual services! Feng Zhen made an expression of a martyr determined to die to protect his pure chastity. This made Jiang Pengji feel like beating him up. Moreover, the viewers in the livestream were a bunch of entertainers. While they laughed jovially, they also posted comments on the bullet screen to create an uproar. [Jingjingjing]: Hurry up, Feng Zhen! The lovely young lady you desire for has offered herself! Dont be shy! Go up there and bring the crown princess down! [Shushan Yali]: Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is the yearly award given by the lord. Moreover, the person offered is the crown princess. It is a blessing not many could possess even if they begged. It isnt that I want to criticize him Speaking of Feng Zhen being chaste and pure feels like discussing with a bald guy how to best nourish his hair. [Lotus Flower]: The streamer is really naughty. She directed the source of trouble to Feng Zhen. I feel rather sorry for him. He was forced to kick his addiction to Hanshi powder by the streamer, and his workload is so heavy that he has no time to frequent brothels, drink wine, and be merry. He has to give his all, humble himself, and put himself in danger. My heart aches for him for a minute. [Jianghu Baliansha]: Feng Zhen must be feeling so depressed. As he stretched out his hand towards the entrance, full of gloom and doom, he continually mumbled to himself, Jing Rong, save me Faced with the suggestive comments on the screen, Jiang Pengji could not hold back her laughter. With your less-than-appealing face, even the crown princess would be unimpressed. Even if she was captivated Tsk, tsk Jiang Pengji assessed Feng Zhen from head to toe. With hidden meaning, she commented, The saying goes that when a woman reaches thirty, she becomes ruthless, yet this crown princess is still attractive as a woman, although she is middle-aged. Zishi has consumed a large quantity of Hanshi powder. Now that your body is weak, Im afraid she will exhaust you, weakening both your legs till you cannot walk. He wore the expression of a lazy bum who would rather die. He must have followed a false lord. She coughed lightly and controlled her playful intentions. She said seriously, Alright, I called you over to discuss serious matters. Im not joking. Feng Zhen sat still and upright. The crown princess gave you an invitation. Is the lord going or not? Naturally, I must go. The imperial grandson is of a tender age. He cannot command political power. The mother wields the power, while her son is weak. It is unavoidable that she will govern from behind the curtains. Feng Zhens expression was focused with no hints of mischief. His jade-black pupils were gleaming and calculating. If she wishes for the court to be orderly, the crown princess must depend on powerful officials and marquis. She must convince the officials to support her. Now that she has sent an invitation to the lord, Im afraid these are her intentions. This crown princess is willing to put everything on the line. She is surprisingly willing to make such sacrificesbut what a pity that, sadly, the lord will disappoint her. Feng Zhen could understand why the crown princess had done this. The pure motivation of a mutually beneficial relationship was not enough. Adding an additional layer to the relationship between man and woman would solidify their partnership. It would hide her manipulative moves. Yet his lords and the crown princesss temperaments were similar. What did you mean by saying the crown princess is putting everything on the line? If your lord dares to accept her, it is your lord who is putting everything on the line. An older person lusting after a young one The one at a disadvantage is obviously the younger one. She didnt seem to be in a good mood, though she smiled. I need you to accompany me to the crown princes manor! One must not take advantage of the crown princess, but the obvious benefits she offered must be taken. Surprised, he asked, Has the lord thought it through carefully? Jiang Pengji joked, Im just feigning civility. Its not that your lord is incapable of it. Based on my current accomplishments and military strength, if I manipulate them well, it wont be difficult for me to be offered the magistrate position over all the nine prefectures. However, the other marquis will not want to see this scenario, and most of them will try to prevent it from happening by creating difficult situations. If we can achieve this through the crown princess, with her assistance, we will certainly succeed in this matter. Itd be a pity if we didnt seize this good opportunity. With mischief, Feng Zhen commented, Indeed. The imperial city of Chenzhou had experienced a calamity, and the crown princes manor had not been spared. With the servant showing the way, she arrived at the garden where the banquet was being held. As her bodyguard, walking behind her, Feng Zhen told her slyly, I heard the crown princes manor was looted. The wealth in his warehouse has been emptied out. Yet even now, the manor is extravagant beyond compare. It is hard to imagine how much more luxurious the crown prince manor was previously. Chapter 744 - Prince Changshou Proclaims Sovereignty (IV) Jiang Pengjis lips curled into a mocking smile. They had yet to reach their destination, but the sound of boisterous laughter drifted into her ears, along with the pleasant music from traditional Chinese musical instruments, such as pipes and string instruments. She remarked, Her husband has just passed on, and so has her father-in-law. She does not seem to have any abstinence. Previously, Huijun had mentioned that the crown princess was a pitiful character. She had endured hardships she could not speak of. Jiang Pengji believed she was at least a strong motherly figure who had seduced another man during this mourning season for the sake of her sons throne and to preserve both their lives. But now that she observed, it was purely overthought on her part. Jiang Pengji and Feng Zhen arrived at their destination. Just then they saw the crown princess sitting in the hosts seat. She wasnt adorned in funeral wear. There was no hint of sorrow in her. There was no lack of meat and alcohol on the table, and the lower hall was filled with dancers who wore revealing clothes. They were faintly discernible. When she saw Jiang Pengji approaching, the crown princess quickly stepped forward. A charcoal basin was set aflame, and its warmth felt like spring. The crown princesss attire leaned towards a frivolous style. She exuded the charm of a mature woman. Jiang Pengji could detect a scent like that of bamboo scripts, but it was a stronger, more overwhelming smell. Its power to arouse one sexually was potent. Ive heard before that the commander of the palace guard is young and charming. Now that I see it for myself, you are indeed an outstanding individual. Laying my eyes on you makes my heart flutter. While he was watching the drama, the crown princess uttered this sentence, and he almost spat his saliva out. Immediately, she was trying her best to be seductive. This crown princess acted in a bold and unrestrained manner. This wasnt considered a hint anymore. Wasnt it obvious already? As Jiang Pengii was about to take her seat, the crown princess held her hands and cajoled her to sit by her side. The crown princess spoke joyfully, her eyes falling tenderly on Jiang Pengji. Her voice was sweet and charming. Does the commander of the palace guard want to be estranged from me? She smiled but kept silent. She felt the same as those viewers in the live streaming room. What did she mean by estranged? Had they ever been close before? The crown princess is the future mother of the country. Your official is fearful of overstepping my boundary. Jiang Pengji respectfully answered her and discreetly pulled back her hands. She didnt know how much powder and makeup the crown princess used on her skin. Her palms were sticky, and she felt as if a snake had glided over her. Since it is only a family banquet, theres no need for a lord-official divide. The commander of the palace guard need not observe the rituals. When she heard Jiang Pengji address her as the future mother of the country, the crown princesss face lit up. Her expression appeared even more eagerly attentive and desperate. [Fusheng Qianqing]: What luck youve got! Even I havent gotten a chance to caress the streamers hand. How could this old woman take advantage of her first? [Sufei Tangtang]: Let go of the lord! Come at me! [Ahah Nushen]: What the heck! Let alone the feudalistic era, even if it were in our era, when ones husband and father-in-law recently pass away, one should not immerse herself in wine and feasts to keep a gigolo, right? To think she even wanted to drag the streamer in! Does she think I, the legitimate wife, am dead? [Renshen Weiku]: Hey! Viewer above, youre so shameless! I am the streamers wife, the other name listed on her account! Jiang Pengji was being taken advantage of by the crown princess for her youth. The majority of the audience was overjoyed. Only those fans who said they were her wives were quarreling. Ah! Why is the commanders hand so chillingly cold? Will you allow your servant to warm your hands? When she sat down, the crown princess immediately brushed against Jiang Pengjis side as she cupped Jiang Pengjis hands. As she was already infatuated, she wanted to direct her hands deep into her chest. Even Feng Zhen, who witnessed this from below, was stunnedwere such actions permissible in this world? Her expression turned solemn, and she pulled her hands away. The crown princess did not appear frustrated. She gave orders to the dancers and asked the servants beside her to fill her cup of wine. When they received the order, the scantily-clad dancers began dancing gracefully again. Two of them lay at Feng Zhens bosom. This brought him so much satisfaction. Jiang Pengji secretly opened a tab in Feng Zhens account. She had brought this fellow so that he could help her escape trouble, not so he could cuddle up with women on both sides and be affectionate with them! Feng Zhen secretly felt a chill against his back. He sheepishly glanced at Jiang Pengji, and then he continued cuddling the women and enjoying his wine. Surprisingly, the crown princess was really interested in Jiang Pengji, the youthful one. She was about to coerce her into performing sexual favors, but before that, she had to test her on which side she had taken in the previous dynasty and in the alliance army. She had to assess if they supported the imperial grandson or Wuma Shang as the next emperor, as this concerned her future. As predicted before, the crown princess had calculated this to pull the Liu familys father and son over to her side in this war. As for why she had chosen Jiang Pengji as her breakthrough, that could be considered the crown princesss interest. Liu She was much older than the crown princess. How could he compare to a tender, tantalizing, and fresh youth? Jiang Pengji didnt purposely hide her motives, nor did she reply to the crown princess explicitly. She only let the crown princess guess it on her own. You are such a torturous sweetheart. Your servant might die of anxiety. The crown princesss words served two purposes: to provoke Jiang Pengji and to exhale lightly, but she was secretly worried. She had used the secret scent belonging to the palace. She had increased the amount used as well. The scent could arouse feelings between a man and woman, so processes that commenced in the bedchambers would be smoother. Nonetheless, with some resilience, the effects would not be overwhelming. The others had only taken a whiff of it, but the crown princess had ensured it covered her entire body. The effects were not unreasonable or overbearing, but they lasted for a long time. Under the lustful influences of her body, the crown princesss speech and actions were bold and suggestive, and she couldnt stop herself from seducing Jiang Pengji. Jiang Pengji remained unmoved. She calmly drank her wine and watched the dancers perform. She appeared like a serene, old monk deep in meditation. It made the crown princess feel uncomfortable. How could your official dare to do this? Jiang Pengji almost smiled as she watched the crown princess. Her tone was steady. The crown princess exhaled elegantly. She flirted by whispering into her ear, Is there anything my sweetheart dares not do? Your servants desires are already so apparent. Jiang Pengjis expression remained unchanged as she said, Your official is only a district magistrate. To put it plainly, the position of commander of the palace guard is only a position in name. The crown princess covered her lips as she smiled, Your servants sweetheart If these words are made known, how many would die of embarrassment? You are not even eighteen years of age, yet you are securely in possession of Wanzhou. If even this is considered a small official position, then the others are completely insignificant. Im in secure possession of Wanzhou? That would just be an honest obscurity. The crown princess assured her, Possessing it without a title is better than commanding it in name but not in reality. Based on your capabilities, for you to have a name coupled with true authority Its only a matter of time. Jiang Pengjis smile finally became less conflicted and more sincere. The crown princesss words have struck a chord within my heart. If this comes to fruition one day, I will surely thank the crown princess for your kind words. She understood her kind intentions from the words spoken and her need for an alliance partner. Immediately she did all she could to win Jiang Pengji over. The banquet lasted for two hours. By the end, the crown princesss face was completely red. Her entire weight fell into Jiang Pengjis shoulders. Jiang Pengji had used a secret method to knock her out. She had then taken the chance to get Feng Zhen, who still lingered on, to escape. You werent of any help at all! Whats the point of having you here? She fanned herself. Her entire being smelled of wine and the scent from the crown princesss body. Without apologies, Feng Zhen laughed. Although he didnt go to the extent of laughing uncontrollably, it was enough for her to become sullen. It is the lords blessing. Your subordinate refused to interfere. Feng Zhen wore an expression that said, this is for the lords own good, and it made her hands itch. She wished to slap him across his face, but she was afraid to beat him to death. Her team, which always worked overtime, would then lack one person. My loss is great this time. Jiang Pengji rubbed her arms, I need to take a bath when I get back. I feel like my entire body is covered in that scent. Feng Zhen shook his head. What a pity his lord was a female. If she had been a man who could resist the temptation in that scenario just now, she would most definitely have been the rebirth of Liu Xiahui! Chapter 745 - Prince Changshou Proclaims Sovereignty (V) What could be worse than rejection multiplied by heartlessness? This was perhaps what the crown princess felt towards Jiang Pengji. She had even gone to the lengths of covering her entire body with a scent that would arouse one sexually. Yet the latter had acted like an old monk. This had caused the crown princess to be tortured by her sexual yearning for more than two hours. Before she left, Jiang Pengji had even knocked her out! When the crown princess awoke pensively, her eyes were filled with embarrassment. Her alluring figure had stiffened like ice. She somehow couldnt move at all. Help me back to my palace. Then get Xiao Xiazi to come over. The inner palace was a lonely place. This, along with a lustful husband who was frivolous and loved new women, caused the crown princess, who had already given birth, to be treated coldly. Nonetheless, she wasnt the type who allowed herself to be wronged. There was a eunuch by her side who had been castrated after he came of age. He was competent at waiting on women. The crown princess loved this eunuch very much. Whenever the crown prince did not visit her manor, she had frequent rendezvous with this man. Shortly after, Xiao Xiazi arrived. He was tall and sturdy, and he had a beard. Solely based on his external appearance, he looked more manly than the average man. When she saw Xiao Xiazi, the crown princesss eyes became tender and gentle like water. There was also no need for her to hide her lustful gaze as she stretched out her hand towards him. Shortly after, the bedchamber was filled with gasps that would make ones imagination run wild. It became an atmosphere full of affection. Liu She saw his daughter return smelling of alcohol. He suddenly smiled. Why didnt you remain in the crown princes manor? What would be the point of staying at the crown princes manor? That crown princess is already more than thirty years old, and shes ruthless. Your son is more afraid I cannot tame her. Jiang Pengji looked at Liu She. Then, she commented with surprise, Didnt Father mention you are exhausted? Why dont you sleep first? Why are you still up at this hour? Liu She choked upon hearing her reply. He was speechless. He could only admit that he loved hearing and seeing his daughters deflated look. On that topic, your father is rather open-minded. As expected, Liu She evaded the last couple of questions. He cleverly changed the topic. If you love that woman, and it doesnt interfere with having descendants, it is fine. Those on your left and right are just there for your pleasure. Dont get too addicted to them. Your father heard that in her youth, the crown princess was a ravishing beauty. When Lanting laid eyes on her Didnt your heart flutter even one bit? Feng Zhen, who was beside her, felt like he had opened the door to a new world. His three senses had already collapsed, and he couldnt revive them anymore. Without waiting for her reply, the bullet screen in the live streaming room roared with excitement. [Huan Yu]: Ah, wow! Father Liu She, look at me! This is your daughter-in-law. [What A Cool Name]: My rivals in love, the viewers above and below, you are such an eyesore! Quickly, unsheathe your swords! [Dashu Xiaobing]: The streamers father isnt rather open-minded. He is obviously too open-minded. Common men like us cant decipher his thoughts and understandings. Jiang Pengji placed a palm on her forehead. It was fine if the viewers in the live streaming room joined in the commotion. Why was it that even Liu She teased her? No, I am not interested. If Father is so anxious about having a grandchild, isnt there still a younger brother in our manor? If Ive calculated correctly, he should be around thirteen years of age. He is not considered young anymore. He should keep his options open for a suitable wife to marry to prevent outsiders from badmouthing the Liu manor or treating him ill. When he heard Jiang Pengji bring up the subject of his illegitimate son, Liu She said, There is no hurry. Now is not the right time. Jiang Pengji responded, It is enough that Father is prepared in your heart. No matter what, my younger brothers marriage must not be haphazard. Back then, when my younger sister married into the royal family, her dowry was ten miles long, and even today there are still people who speak of it enthusiastically. If we treat my younger brothers marriage flippantly, the outsiders will blame me for it. The disparity between legitimate and illegitimate children was great. There was also order based on seniority. There was a huge gulf between them that could not be overcome. The Liu manors illegitimate daughter and son were considerably well-treated. If it had been another family, and if the female head of the house were crueler, the status of the illegitimate children would only be slightly higher than that of commoners. For example, when legitimate daughters of aristocratic families got married, they would let their illegitimate daughters accompany them in marriage. Evidently, there was a great disparity between legitimate and illegitimate children. Liu She cast his eyes down helplessly. I dont care what the people may say, as long as Lanting is not aggrieved in any way. Viewers in the live streaming room were shocked. So, the streamer had an illegitimate younger brother? Truthfully, her long-time audiences had already known of this matter. But the existence of that illegitimate younger brother was so unremarkable that many forgot about him. As he watched Liu She depart, Feng Zhen was startled. Its strange. Why did the Old Master treat his illegitimate son so apathetically? He was still a son who could carry on the family line. So what if he was a low-born, an illegitimate son? Jiang Pengji asked, Did you feel it was apathetic of him? Feng Zhen nodded. While he spoke of this illegitimate son, Liu Shes expression had never once changed. It was as if he wasnt his sonhe was solely an insignificant display piece. Nonetheless, Liu Shes attitude reassured Feng Zhen. I was initially worried that the lords illegitimate brother would be a hurdle to the lord. But seeing the situation now, I think there is nothing to worry about. From Feng Zhens perspective, regardless of how biased Liu She was, deep in his heart, he wished for his familys bloodline to carry on. Although a legitimate daughter was good, she was, after all, a lady. It was different from a man, who could carry on the bloodline. Now that he had witnessed the exchange of words between father and son, Feng Zhen felt like he had just taken a pill that calmed his fears. Dont. Please continue to worry. My fathers position is his own, but no one knows what that illegitimate brother thinks. Like Liu Huan, who had never known her identity, even at death, this illegitimate brother was likewise ignorant. He secretly shook his head, expressionless. If the lords illegitimate younger brother harbored intentions to vie for power, he was not far from meeting the King of Hades. Look at those men his lord commanded. Which of them were pushovers? If they were determined to assassinate someone, it was certain that that person wouldnt even know how he had died. Nonetheless, one must not allow his heart to grow wild. If they wished to put an end to the internal disputes between them, they must remove his ambitions from their source. Otherwise, they should kill him with flattery or cripple him straightaway. In any case, his ambitious heart must not be encouraged. Jiang Pengji said softly, I understand this principle, but now is not the time. Moreover, we are still one family. When she finished, she sighed inwardly. She could feel that those around her were unsettled. Her father, Liu She, reacted too optimistically, thinking that few of her subordinates urged her to kill her illegitimate brother. If this had happened to another person, in the usual scenario, the father shouldnt be strict. Her subordinates held the lords character in high regard and would not urge the lord and her brother to settle their internal disputes. Even if the lord and her brother had any conflicts, they would at least counsel her But in her hands, she had to ensure every one of them refrained from wreaking havoc in the world. The imperial city of Chenzhou had experienced a stretch of warfare, while outside the borders stood Prince Changshous army, who eyed this territory covetously. Surrounded by internal and external dangers, regardless of the former emperors funeral or the new emperors ascension, they had to do the minimum. The former emperors tomb had been built from the first day he ascended the throne. Every year, it expended a large sum of money. But before they had completed the construction, Dongqings Shangjing had experienced an earthquake. More than half of the royal tomb had collapsed while the emperor passed away in Chenzhou. His coffin had been transported to Wanzhous Shangyang to be buried. The officials discussed, and they decided to erect a tomb at another site near the imperial city of Chenzhou. Before the construction of the tomb was completed, his coffin would be temporarily placed in the ancestral hall of the imperial family. Special times called for special measures. The former emperor had passed on seven days ago. All the officials mourned his death and helped place the coffin inside the temple so that he could continually be worshiped. Chapter 746 - Is the Magistrate of Wanzhou Male or Female? (I) The day for the burial ceremony arrived, but the weather was cold as usual. Between the heavens and the earth, many things were mixed. The cold wind blew against the white cloth and banner. The former emperors coffin was extremely extravagant. It was embellished with gold, silver, and pearls all around, and it was tied with white silk. At first glance, it didnt look like a coffin that held a dead body within. Rather, it looked like a meticulously-carved artistic product. Jiang Pengji was dressed in broad, tidy official wear. She coldly looked on as the burial ceremony proceeded. The finances of the nation were depleted. They owed a huge debt. Many officials mentioned that they wanted to be thrifty, but all-around extravagance was apparent. All around, she could hear fake crying and the sound of the cold wind blowing against the banner. The sound of the masses footsteps and the horses echoed throughout. There were no other sounds. Jiang Pengji followed the instructions given by the master of ceremonies and blended in among the officials. Her expression was so stoic that she resembled an exquisite vase doll. Certainly, this was only so on the surface. Truthfully, she was multitasking, following the comments from the viewers closely by reading the bullet screen. The burial of an emperor, even if it was a burial ceremony conducted in dire times, was still very meaningful to the viewers in the live streaming room. When she heard the conversations among the people, it seemed as if the burial was being broadcast on national television. She was embarrassed, and she lowered her head. She spent her time reading the comments on the bullet screen in the live streaming room, and she would occasionally post one or two comments. After they sent the emperors coffin to the temple, as they were about to start the last few rituals, Jiang Pengji detected the sound of horses galloping from far off with her acute sense of hearing. She secretly focused her eyes behind her. She vaguely saw an armored soldier quickly getting off his horse. He held a bamboo script in his hands. Had something happened? As Jiang Pengji frowned, the soldier who reported the sightings was discovered by the others. The master of ceremony, who was conducting the burial, was a member of the imperial clan. Suddenly, his expression become sullen. The surrounding officials whispered in each others ears. Many discussions circulated around. Jiang Pengji calmed herself and concentrated to hear the conversation between the soldier who was relaying the information and the important officials in charge of the imperial clan. WhatPrince Changshou is conducting a memorial service to the heavens today outside Chenzhou for his ascension? He will proclaim himself emperor? The faces of many officials became solemn. Had Prince Changshou done this on purpose? Of all the days, he had chosen to do it seven days after the former emperor passed. On the very day the coffin was buried, he had chosen to conduct a memorial service and proclaim himself the emperor? It was obviously a slap in their faces! How should this matter be resolved? No one had imagined this, that Prince Changshou would be so bold as to directly proclaim himself the emperor. What else can be done? Naturally, we must think of how to calm the people down, then organize our troops and horses and go to war against this rebel. But if we use military force, Im afraid we do not have the capability to fight against Prince Changshou and the Meng family of Cangzhou The alliance army has a total of more than forty thousand strong men. How could they not be able to emerge victorious against Prince Changshou and his men? One of the experienced officials did not take this into consideration at all. Exactly. We have over forty thousand men, yet we are unable to annihilate this thief? Perhaps weve considered Prince Changshou to be more powerful than he actually is. They were the legitimate ones. Prince Changshou did not have the rights. He was rightfully deemed a thief who deserved death. Once the order was dispatched, those with knowledge, experience, and resources could bring him to justice. In this era, when wars were fought, they placed great emphasis on having a just cause. When Prince Changshou had surrounded Chenzhou back then, he had likewise fought for the cause of disposing of the evil ministers surrounding the emperor and punishing those with evil motives. They couldnt just fight without reason. If the people of the world fought against Prince Changshou to uphold justice as stated in the order dispatched, it would be for a legitimate cause. Likewise, fighting a war wasnt dependent on having a good master to guarantee victory in every war. Many of the older officials were only focused on their own interests. They didnt consider the current situation at all. They took it for granted. Prince Changshou dared not go head-to-head with the alliance army. He could not afford to fight a long battle. Similarly, there existed many internal conflicts between the alliance army. They also dared not fight head-to-head. Although it was rather na?ve, the majority of the ministers also knew that they must support the marquis in the alliance army and could not afford to be at loggerheads with them now. Only after the burial ceremony ended did news of Prince Changshous ascension spread. Many reacted by knitting their brows. Some cursed Prince Changshou, while others kept silent. Similarly, there were others who did not take sides. Jiang Pengji watched the peoples attitude and was tickled by it. There have been so many dramatic shows these few days. Make a guess. What will Prince Changshous next step be? Feng Zhen laughed mockingly. Most likely, they are going to segment the alliance army and arouse animosity amongst the people, he said. Based on Prince Changshous original plans, he should have taken the emperor hostage and forced him to abdicate. Afterward, he would select from among the officials in the alliance army who wielded power to appease and reward them generously. This would enable him to create divisions within the alliance army. Since the former emperor passed on, Prince Changshous ideals could not proceed as planned. He was left with the option to proclaim himself the emperor. Then he could promote the officials and marquis in the alliance army based on his position as emperor. The lord is also aware that there exist many divisions internally among the alliance army. The majority of them have the ugly practice of following the leader who can give them maximum benefits. Perhaps they could really be poached away. Yang Si nodded his head in agreement. He said, Regardless, Prince Changshous actions this time are beneficial to my lords interests. Jiang Pengji fought to own the position as Wanzhous magistrate with her own abilities. She had even planned to reveal her female identity. Whether the court agreed or not, there was a fifty-percent chance either way. Nevertheless, now that Prince Changshou had triggered this incident, the court would have no choice but to consent. They could only control their personal dissatisfaction and give the Wanzhou magistrate position to a lady. Why was that so? If they offended Jiang Pengji, wouldnt they need to worry about Prince Changshou seizing the opportunity to infiltrate and poach the Liu family to his side? With the Meng family already on his side, the imperial city of Chenzhou was about to lose everything. Dongqings court could not afford to suffer the setback of having the Liu family poached away. So what if they knew that in the Liu family and the Meng family, on Prince Changshous side, existed some conflict? There were no eternal enemies. There only existed eternal benefits. If there were advantages available, wouldnt there be many opportunities to turn hostility into friendship? She smiled. I understand this principle. The result of the next emperor who had emerged victorious was out. The winner was the crown princesss eldest legitimate son, the former emperors eldest grandson. When news of this spread, the county chief of Shanghai county, Wuma Shang, had an expression as gloomy as the black paint that covered the coffin. He was sorely embittered. He had been going on about alliance comrades for the past few days, even though he knew these people were only agreeable superficially and might stab him in the back. Wuma Shang had been confident that the next emperor would be him. Unexpectedly, in the end, the title had ended up in the hands of an small 11-year-old boy. No matter how devastated he was, the conclusion could not be changed. Even if Wuma Shang imitated Prince Changshou and staged a coup, there were some alliance troops stationed outside the city. His chances of success were zero. The first seven days of the burial ceremony were followed by the crowning ceremony of the young emperor. The young emperor was close to 11 years old. His health was apparently weak, and his eyes were filled with terror for those people he considered strangers. He looked shy. Although it was an ascension ceremony, it could not be compared to the extravagance of the former emperors burial ceremony. Comparatively, it even appeared rushed and simple. The emperor wore funeral robes that did not fit his body. On his head, he wore a tassel crown. His footsteps were awkward as he held the empress dowagers hand. She walked him to the dragon seat. Jiang Pengji caught a glimpse of the bullet screen. She felt the comments made by one viewer were very logical. [Nie Beiling]: Ah, the mother is strong, but the son is weak. It feels like Im watching the empress dowager ascend the throne while the young emperor serves as the prop. The empress dowager would rule the kingdom from behind the curtains, while the young emperor became an aesthetic product. After the emperors ascension, what followed was the most anticipated reward ceremony for the marquis in the alliance army. Although their contributions werent spectacular, they were members of the alliance army. If others could be well-recognized, why were they not allowed to share the honor? Following the official statement, the one who gained the most credit this time was Xu Bei. He was adept at deploying and commanding the troops, and he deserved the best reward. The next in line was Xiangyang Districts district magistrate, Liu Xi, and finally Zhangzhou Countys east gate military general, Yang Jian. Both had fought valiantly to protect the king, disregarding their own lives. They had rescued the imperial family from dire circumstances, and they were given credit for their great accomplishments. Chapter 747 - Is the Magistrate of Wanzhou Male or Female? (II) After rewarding the top three officials who had made the greatest contributions, next up were the rewards given to those in the excellent category among the marquis and officials in the alliance army. One shouldnt belittle the alliance army, as there were men of great capabilities among the low-ranked. Huang Songs and An Cuis performances were outstanding. To Cheng Jing, Feng Jue, and the rest, who devised strategies, Huang Songs performance had its strengths and weaknesses. Especially when others were slacking, the contrast between them was evident. The other person was An Cui. In comparison to Huang Songs schemes and strategies, An Cui relied on military achievements and hard work. Jiang Pengji had given him 10% of her manpower. The military service at Jiamen Gate had caused a loss of one-third of her men. It was considered the biggest loss among all the marquis. In other words, she had suffered a huge setback with regard to manpower. Under such circumstances, An Cui was not looked down upon by others. Instead, he was well-regarded by higher authorities. Why? Because his sworn brothers who had followed him out of the Red Lotus group were so exceptional, they had outdone one another in fighting the war bravely. They were unparalleled in their fighting abilities on the battlegrounds and were past caring about their lives. Thanks to the blessings brought about by his brothers, An Cuis position in the alliance army was one of a mighty, unapproachable figure who fought valiantly on the frontiers. Unfortunately, a forerunner like him was insignificant to the imperial court. As one whose force stood out among the others in the alliance army, An Cuis network and influence in the imperial court were too weak. His contributions were secretly slashed by close to half. As for Huang Song? His grandfather, Secretary Huang, would protect his interests. With the elder in charge, his hard work was recognized. Even if one was zealous beyond measure, because An Cui was a noble scholar from Nansheng country, he was well aware of the politics in the imperial courts. The circumstances held more weight than the person. Even if one was unwilling to accept such a grievance, he was forced to do so. Therefore, An Cuis reward was far less than Huang Songs. It felt more like a consolation prize. Before he had joined the alliance army to defend the emperor, Huang Song had already been promoted to county chief of Maode in Haozhou. At present, it would have been inappropriate to promote him any further. Thus, the imperial court had given him a high official post in title as a reward. Other than that, they had also compensated him with many servants and rations. Huang Song knew his place and refrained from demanding more. The other great and lowly marquis were honored and rewarded. They didnt step forward in vain to defend the emperor. The other rewards were mostly universal. Only Jiang Pengjis reward was the envy of many. Magistrate of Wanzhou! With a single feat, she was awarded the position as magistrate of Wanzhou. Tsk, tsk. This is the first time that such an incident has happened. A man wearing official garments and holding his ceremonial tablet appeared to be intently focused, but actually, he was whispering to the official beside him. I heard that this Liu Xi was only a lowly district magistrate of an undeveloped and desolate village, a governor of a small area of land. Since luck was on his side, his promotion was more prestigious than all the others. He was promoted immediately to magistrate of Wanzhou! Its indeed incredible. The youngsters these days are exceptional. Hehinstead of praising the youngsters for surpassing themselves, perhaps its more accurate to note that the youngsters father is the best of the best. With regard to the promotions others received, they were envious, but it was acceptable. When it came to Jiang Pengji, many expressed that her reward was ridiculous. Quickly, the level of jealousy soared. From the lowly district magistrate of a desolate district, she rose to become the magistrate of Wanzhou. Even if Liu Xis father was Liu She, this was too much to accept. Of course, those who complained were people who were short-sighted and ignorant of the current political situation in court. From a district magistrate to a magistrate of a prefecture Was it a huge promotion? It was, indeed, a huge promotion. It could be said that she had received the best reward. Upon hearing this, all the marquis and officials who were part of the alliance army wished to use the ceremonial tablet to smack someone. On the surface, it was a great honor for Jiang Pengji to be promoted. But if one examined the true value of this promotion, it was seemingly redundant in the alliance army. Magistrate of Wanzhou? Before the coalition was formed to defend the emperor, she had already gained control of Wanzhous Fengyi, Chengde, and Shangyang Counties. Even if the imperial court dared to send a magistrate to take control, they had to ask the landlord if she was willing to give up Wanzhou. Liu Xi hadnt been a magistrate then, but it was as if she had already become one. Now that Liu Xi had been given the title of magistrate, giving her the legitimate title of magistrate of Wanzhou was only a formality. In an era when peace reigned, it was the right of the imperial court to decide if the title would be given or not. But in the present situation, the imperial court had no say in whether the title of Wanzhou magistrate was given or not. Even so, some people were biased against Jiang Pengji. Their eyes were filled with angst, jealousy, deep hatred, and malice, as if these negative feelings were ready to burst forth. Jiang Pengji approached this matter calmly. Now only an inconsequential war was left. If she could bear with all this envy and jealousy, then in the future, she could shoulder even more of the glory that would come upon her. As she heard an unfamiliar secretary read the edict, Jiang Pengji appeared rather solemn, yet truthfully, she was distracted. She secretly focused on the people who looked at her with ill intentions. When the reading of the superfluous but hard-to-articulate edict concluded, she received the edict with both hands. As she was about to offer her thanksgiving, someone in her line of sight could not hold himself back anymore. Hold onyour official has a matter to report. Liu She, Huang Song, and An Cui were perplexed and knitted their brows. The other marquis and powers were astounded and turned to face the person who had spokenit was the county chief of Shanghai, Wuma Shang. Jiang Pengji sneered, Even if County Chief Wuma has an important matter to discuss, surely that can wait till after your junior has received and thanked the emperor for his favor and grace, right? Unless your disrespectful act is on purpose? Wuma Shang stepped forward from among the hundreds of officials. He held his ceremonial tablet in his hands and bowed reverently before the young emperor who sat on the throne. Only then did he speak to Jiang Pengji, saying, It isnt a coincidence. I did it on purpose. Her expression remained serene, as if she wasnt shocked that Wuma Shang would interrupt. The other officials looked at Wuma Shang, stunned. Had the brain of Shanghai Countys county chief been severely damaged? Had he suddenly had a stroke? My emperor, it is against your officials wishes that you are fooled by this sly person. No matter how great her accomplishments are, she is guilty of deceiving you. Her deeds cannot atone for her sins. How, then, is she deserving of the position of magistrate of a prefecture? Wuma Shang knelt reverently on the ground, his expression sincere, as if he were a most loyal official. There was no hint of him cursing the emperor in secret last night. In order to enforce strict observance of the law, to purge the court of immoral ministers, I besiege the emperor to punish this sinful official as a warning to others! Viewers in the live streaming room had been overjoyed and waited expectantly for her to be promoted and honored. Suddenly, a joker had appeared and caused an upheaval. [I Heard About It Before]: MMP, where did this idiot come from? [Xianggu Henruanmeng]: What a spoiler of my good mood! Where did this actor who gave himself additional roles come from? I feel like slapping him to death. [Gengxin Chao Qinfen]: Im rather curious, honestly, because the streamers gender has never been revealed. Thus, to be precise, it is indeed a sin of deceiving ones sovereign. [Conglai Buqianzhai]: What rubbish! Deceiving ones sovereign? If these fools dare to harm the streamer in any way, I will do the impossible! Jiang Pengji laughed coldly. She was too lazy to even direct her eyes at the other party. Huang Song unexpectedly spoke up for her. Anger was evident on his face. The commander of the palace guard is loyal without a doubt. She traveled a thousand miles at a great speed to save the emperor. Such loyalty was witnessed by heaven and earth. The sun and moon can testify for her. Why is the county chief maligning her as a sinful official who has deceived her sovereign? The commander is a respectable official of society, the pillar of the country. County Chief Wuma, if you have no evidence, please refrain from slandering an innocent party! An Cui also wanted to speak up for her, but he glanced at Liu She and held himself back. Her biological father wasnt anxious. Why should he, an outsider, be worried? Wuma Shang smirked sarcastically. Evidence? Of course I have it! I only need this person to strip naked and bare her body to prove my point. The people heard, and they were confused. Liu She and Jiang Pengji did not react and remained calm. Huang Song knitted his brows and said, This is a sacred place where court sessions are conducted. Anyone who dresses in an unkempt manner commits the sin of disrespect. How could one reveal his nakedness here? Could it be that the county chief drank too much alcohol yesterday and is still drunk now? You are spouting nonsense! Do you think you are still dreaming? Chapter 748 - Is the Magistrate of Wanzhou Male or Female? (III) Even though the young emperor was sitting on the throne, aside from a few veteran servants, almost no one else paid him any attention. Yet despite all of this, the emperor was still the emperor, and the morning assembly was still the morning assembly. Revealing skin was out of the question. Even just a wrinkle on the clothing would be considered great disrespect to the emperor. Losing ones reputation would be considered a light punishment. A more severe punishment could cost ones head. If anyone went online freely, that might even bring shame to the entire family. Had the Chief of Shanghai been jinxed or something? Why would he suddenly ask someone to strip their clothes down in public before the crowd? It wasnt just Huang Song that had this question. The rest of the ministers and servants were all confused about this request. While Wuma Shangs personality wasnt the most pleasant, he wasnt a reckless and rude person who would ask someone to prance around naked during a morning assembly. Wuma Shang ignored Huang Song and said, Since this person has refused, I cannot force him either. Liu Xi has ulterior motives and will not cooperate with me to reveal evidence; however, I dont think she can continue getting away with her lies before us. Your Highness, I have a witness who can prove that Liu Xi is a liar who tricks the imperial court and world by stealing identities. He must not be given the title of the Wanzhou Magistrate! Please summon the witness, Your Highness. The young emperor was dumbfounded and didnt know how to react. He turned his head to glance back at the empress dowager. He had no idea what was happening and always liked to rely on his mother whenever he ran into trouble, like right now. Behind a thin layer of silk, one could see the silhouette of the empress dowager nodding her head slightly. The young emperor calmed down a little and said shyly, Then, shall we bring the witness over? What do my close subjects think? Your Highness, the morning assembly is an important meeting place to discuss the future of the country. How can we let anyone step in as they please? Huang Song frowned and announced his disagreement. The way I see it, Chief Wuma doesnt need a witness. He needs a bowl of soup to sober up. One bowl and Ill guarantee that hell be awake enough to stop this nonsense. How can we let him recklessly do as he pleases during such an important meeting? Wuma Shang sneered as his eyes swam between Huang Song and Jiang Pengji. He then announced, to everyones shock, I see. The reason why Chief Huang is so protective of Liu Xi is that he is a little concubine. At this comment, Huang Song was enraged, and the ministers and servants all began chattering among themselves. As spectators of the meeting, they felt that the morning assembly was much different than previous ones, bringing them some shocking gossip. Homosexuality wasnt uncommon, and even among ministers, there were sworn bothers with very close relationships that were comparable to those of good friends or even lovers. Yet these relationships would never be brought up publicly because, despite being considered a refined activity, at the end of the day, it was still a violation of the Yin and Yang order of human relationships. So even though it wasnt a shameful act, very few people would ever reveal a sworn-brother relationship in public. The spectators were all joining in as if they were watching a show, but Huang Song was completely shocked. He responded with a hint of anger in his tone, I am not as shameless as Chief Wuma. Same-sex relationships should not be used as slander. Then, he shot a glance towards Jiang Pengji to hint that she should also make a statement to clear her name. Otherwise, if they continued to let the rumor spread, could the two even keep their reputations? Huang Song felt his legs tremble as he thought about his wife at home. If she were to learn about this baseless rumor, Huang Song felt like the only thing that would await him when he went home would be his wifes violent hammer. However, no matter how much Huang Song hinted at her, Jiang Pengji ignored it as if she were blind. As the person in question, she glanced down coldly without a word, as if the situation in the imperial court was none of her business. To make things more interesting, as the father of the person in question, Liu She also remained cold. The two were completely unaffected and put up the same high-and-mighty this is none of our business attitude while Huang Song and Wuma Shang got extremely worked up. Wuma Shang mocked, The more you try to hide, the more you expose yourself. Verbal fights werent Huang Songs forte, and now, faced with a shameless accuser, Huang Songs first instinct was to pick a physical fight. However, violence during the morning assembly was also a crime, similar to a sloppily-dressed person, so he forced himself to contain his anger. Wuma Shang, who thought he had taken advantage of the situation, glanced toward Jiang Pengji like he was the winner. Your Highness, if the liar attempts to trick his way through, he will definitely get on the peoples nerves and cause a wave of unrest. So please allow me to summon the witness and reveal Liu Xis true face. Wuma Shang didnt back down and made everyone else both anxious and furious. Jiang Pengji watched with a sneer while the audience in her livestream pulled out their torture weapons to beat up Wuma Shang with their words. The young emperor had no opinion of his own and turned his head to look at his mother again. The empress dowager, who was listening in behind the silk curtain, once again nodded at her son. The young emperor thought about it for a little and finally allowed it. [Gugu Gugu]: Holy moly! The former queen is way too heartless. She was just asking the host to lay on her lap and taking the hosts hands to make the host touch her breasts. And now shes completely flipping sides. Anyone with eyes can tell that the reason why Wuma Shang is throwing things out there right now is that he must have some evidence against the host on his hands. The empress dowager shouldve turned it down kindly to buy some time! Why did she allow it? [Gege Gege]: Pfft! Hey, person above, youre too upright. Anyone that doesnt know this place would think our channels dirty. Isnt it kind of normal for the empress dowager to be mad at the host right now? She tried to get on the hosts good side only to gain the support of their family so that she could secure her and her sons position. Now that everythings settled, she doesnt need the help of the hosts family, so shes just tossing them away. Isnt that how it normally is? [Gege Gege]: And one more thing. The host never satisfied that sly womans desires that day and only watched her suffer under the effects of aphrodisiacs for two whole hours. If that was me, Id probably also hold a grudge and perform a small act of revenge against the host or something. Jiang Pengji glanced at the comments on the stream as they continued chatting in a lively manner amongst each other. However, their reasons were all secondary. The empress dowager might be short-sighted, but she wasnt stupid. She wouldnt be dumb enough to turn against Jiang Pengji because of a little humiliation. Unless she had already found stronger support, which would mean she would easily be able to turn against Jiang Pengji with a new layer of protection. Yet facts proved that Jiang Pengjis guess was correct. Wuma Shang thought the throne would be easy to claim until he was hit hard in the face. However, he was very ambitious and not someone who would give up that easily. The empress dowager had entered his hunting zone, and when he controlled her, he would also control the young emperor. At that time, while Wuma Shang wasnt the emperor by name, he would still function almost like an emperor. On the other hand, the empress dowager also wanted to find a stable partner to work with, and hopefully someone who would secure her position with her son. That was why the two almost immediately clicked. The empress dowager needed Wuma Shangs authority, and Wuma Shang wanted to use the empress dowager to control the emperor. The two both had their own agendas and needs. This was why it was reasonable for the empress dowager to cooperate with Wuma Shang to publicly shame Jiang Pengji at the morning assembly. However, their level was still slightly below average. Jiang Pengji finally spoke. She smiled and said, I have no objections. Let the witness come in as the chief said. Just then, Wuma Shangs gaze stagnated slightly and made his expression seem a little bit unnatural. Chapter 749 - What’s Wrong With Being a Woman? Did I Offend You? (I) Jiang Pengji laughed coldly and asked, Why is the chiefs face so strange? Is it possible that this witness you speak of doesnt actually exist? After a few seconds, Wuma Shangs blank stare regained its light. No need to be rash. Lets see how you find your excuse when the witness comes with the testimonial, shall we? Lying to the crown is a crime punishable by death. I suggest that you consider your options. While there was a sneer on Jiang Pengjis face, the rest of the ministers were only laughing silently. After hearing that Jiang Pengji had gone from a district magistrate to a magistrate, they were indeed quite salty. However, being salty was one thing. They wouldnt dare speak up about it. With the authority of the Liu family right now, even if they were to raise their swords up against the throne, for the sake of their current status, nobody would dare to make any comments, let alone lie to the crown. At most, they would just roll their eyes. Going after Jiang Pengjis life was out of the question, and Wuma Shangs words were completely laughable. Lying before the crown was indeed a grave crime, but under certain situations, it wouldnt even be worth mentioning. The crowd was eagerly waiting to watch a show and completely ignored the fact that this was supposed to be an assembly. After a short while, an elderly woman dressed in sackcloth who looked frosted from a harsh journey knelt before the main gate to the palace. Even though she looked like an average elderly lady, her demeanor was calm and collected, even before a full crowd of ministers and the emperor himself. The elderly woman bowed and greeted the crowd with her aged voice. My name is Zhao Jia. I am here to formally pay my respects to Your Highness. Jiang Pengji laughed as she watched the person. Chief Wuma, is this the witness you speak of? Dont make me laugh. Wuma Shang pointed at Jiang Pengji and Liu She and asked the elderly woman, Are you sure these two are the masters youve served before? The elderly woman lifted her head slightly and glanced at the two. She answered quietly, That is indeed the old master and my lady. The ministers were all stumped. Huang Songs face looked like it had Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing here? written all over it. The elderly womans Mandarin was very good. Her voice was clear and sound. Everyone onsite could understand the words she spoke, but they could not comprehend anything when the words were put together. Huang Song was taken aback for a bit before he found himself and attempted to correct the elderly womans comment. I thinkyou might be mistaken. It should be the old master and second Langjun. The elderly woman responded firmly, What I said was correct. I may be old, but my memory is still good. That is clearly a beautiful lady. Huang Song went silent as he thoughtthis elderly womans memory may be intact, but she might be blind. How blind did one have to be to mistake a handsome young man for a beautiful young lady and say such nonsense? The elderly woman lowered her head once again after responding, and Wuma Shang let out a small, proud laugh. Liu Zhongqing, do you want to admit that this Zhao Jia used to be a servant at your place? Liu She laughed and said, I am a man, and the women in the household are in charge of all the chores and family business. How should I know? Wuma Shang sneered back at him. Avoiding the question, I see. You cant deny it either. This Zhao Jia was brought in by your first wife Gu Min as a dowry servant. When your wife passed, you personally let go of a group of the servants she brought in. How can you say that you dont know her? Liu She responded nonchalantly after hearing this proclamation, This was many years ago. I am not like Chief Wuma, who could remember all the details of other peoples family business. If you say that this Zhao Jia is my wifes dowry servant, then she is. I have no objections. Everyone else who heard this felt that Liu Shes attitude was a little strange. The others were clearly attacking Liu Shes son, but Liu She didnt even bother protecting his son. He was instead letting the accusation take its course. Before they could figure out his intentions, as the person in question, Jiang Pengji suspiciously dug her own grave. Father, I heard from Stepmother once that there certainly was an elderly woman beside Mother by the name of Zhao Jia. Perhaps it is her. Liu She glanced at the elderly woman and acknowledged her casually. At this time, everyone could tell that this father-and-son duo didnt even care about the situation and were purposely letting others make fools of them. The elderly woman knelt on the ground, quietly clenched her fist, and said in a hoarse voice, I am indeed a dowry servant of the late mistress. Back then, our lady had already lost two children and was physically at her limit. She passed very soon after and left only the old master and our young lady. Wu Ma Shang asked the elderly, Are you certain that Liu Xi before you is this young lady you speak of? The elderly woman nodded firmly and said, I can confirm, for the ladys eyebrows, nose, and chin are very similar to the late mistress. Back then, the late mistress loved the four-year-old second child, Langjun, but the servants taking care of him were careless, and Langjun drowned in an accident. In order to appease the late mistresss grief, the old master lied, claimed that the child who drowned was the young daughter, and let her take on the name of Langjun. Liu She sneered. To me and my late wife, each child was our blood and flesh. There was no such thing as a bias towards one or another. Using this ridiculous excuse to let a daughter take on the name of a son and making her live under the shadow of her brother would mean that our parenthood was all in vain. Wuma Shang quickly followed up with a question. Does that mean you are denying the truth? Liu She said, I am only denying that laughable excuse. In other words, aside from the excuse, Liu She was not denying anything else. Wuma Shang felt like he had just punched a ball of cotton at how easily Liu She had admitted to this and could almost feel pain. Then, it was Jiang Pengjis turn to add on to the scandal. She looked at Wuma Shang as if she were pitying someone with low intelligence and asked, Did Chief Wuma mobilize the entire assembly and witness just for this? Both Wuma Shang and the elderly woman froze at the same time, as if they were completely stunned. Jiang Pengji continued, Actually Id like to thank Chief Wuma. Because even if you didnt bring it up, my father and I were already planning on telling His Highness and the empress dowager the truth after the assembly. However, because this is something we were already in the wrong to begin with and lied about, we werent sure how to bring it up. Thankfully, Chief Wuma has been kind and understanding by helping us out and giving us a solution to our troubles. Wuma Shangs expression stiffened. while the elderly woman also looked to be at her wits end. A short while later, Wuma Shang said, You sure are calculating, but you must not assume that your belated effort now can lighten your punishment for lying before the crown! If I didnt bring it up, who could guarantee that you two would have voluntarily confessed after the assembly and not continued to hide away from the rest of the world? Jiang Pengji looked at him worriedly and asked, This is just a trivial matter. Why is Chief Wuma so desperate to cling onto this issue? The crime of lying before the crown is only considered a trivial matter in your eye? Then what is big enough to be considered a problem to you? Wuma Shang scolded loudly. He knelt before the young emperor as he said fervently, Your Highness, if you do not punish this criminal heavily for their crimes, they will not learn! If you do not punish this person harshly, from now on, everyone will see lies before the crown as trivial matters. How will Your Highness maintain his authority? How will the royal family maintain its authority? Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue. This mocking sound seemed extra clear within the grand palace. Wuma Shangs face was severe and blue. His eyes glared like bronze bells at Jiang Pengji with a heavy aura of murderous intent. Chief Wuma said I lied before the crown? Then I have a few questions for the chief. If you can answer them, I will accept the criminal accusation. Chapter 750 - What’s Wrong With Being a Woman? Did I Offend You? (II) Go ahead and ask! Id like to see how you attempt to turn the tables in public! I see. Then Chief Wuma should listen closely. Jiang Pengji smiled indifferently. First question: who is Liu Xi? Your blood-related elder brother. Its also the identity of the man you took the name of. Wuma Shang answered without hesitation. Jiang Pengjis expression remained calm while she responded with ease, Ha, this is incorrect. I am Liu Xi, and Liu Xi is me. Who said that a younger sister was not allowed to use the name of her late brother to console the grievances of their parents? This is a respectful act, and I dont think theres anything wrong with it. Wuma Shang glared, wide-eyed, at her and almost choked on those words. The minister audience watched his expression excitedly, while the audience in the live streaming room continued cheering Jiang Pengji on. [Yan RiAn]: Danger up ahead! Non-combat personnel should evacuate immediately! The host is charging up for a big attack! [Bandwagon Xiao DingDing]: Hello, 911? Theres a patient about to get wrecked. Im pre-ordering an ambulance. [Gufeng YisiYuan]: Hosts charge is at one hundred percent. I have a feeling that theres going to be a slaughter up ahead. [WuYe ZhongSheng]: Sigh Is living not fun? You just had to pick a fight with my husband. Now, you see, youre going to be destroyed. Such distorted logic! Wuma Shangs face was a little dark, but he also couldnt manage to find an appropriate rebuttal now. Jiang Pengji asked her next question with a smile and became more cunning with her words, forcing the ministers to hold in their laughter in their seats. Second question. Please listen carefully, Chief Wumado you believe the statement anyone wearing mens clothes is a man, and anyone wearing womens clothes is a woman is correct? Wuma Shang opened his mouth and didnt know whether to answer yes or no. No matter what he said, Jiang Pengji still d a bellyful of responses for him. If he said yes, he would be clearly lying through his teeth. How could a persons gender be determined simply through a piece of clothing? Men who wore dresses were still men. His body would not become a womans simply because of his outfit. Similarly, women who wear mens clothing were still women and wouldnt turn into real men. If Wuma Shang answered that the statement was wrong, he would jump right into Jiang Pengjis trap and slap his own face. He answered in distress: This statement is clearly wrong. Jiang Pengji laughed, Yes, this statement is fundamentally wrong. In the same way, I, Liu Xi, am fundamentally a female who simply likes to dress as a man before people. Is it my fault that people assume I am a man simply because of the way I dress? I dont ever use cosmetics to hide my face and always show my true face. Outsiders mistake me for a man. Am I supposed to correct everyone and say I am a woman all the time? In other wordswhy are you blaming others for your own blindness? Wuma Shangs face reddened in anger, and he pointed at her as he said, You ignorant youth, this is clearly an excuse. If you had no intention of hiding, then why did you say you would confess after the assembly? Its clearly because you have a hidden agenda! This is obviously a lie before the crown. This statement is wrong, Jiang Pengji answered. Everyone thought that Liu Xi was a man, and His Highness and the empress dowager were simply the same. I had no intention of hiding, but I also didnt explain myself in time, let alone tell everyone I met that I was a female and admit that I had been lying all along. In other words, I am simply saving an exit for you in case you couldnt find a way to back down. I didnt think the Chief would be so aggressive about this! Wuma Shangs anger had reached a peak due to Jiang Pengjis endless games. No matter what excuses you use, you still cant hide the fact that you have attempted to lie about your gender in order to obtain Wanzhou! I see. So Chief Wuma is only so insistent on this matter because you think a woman like me should not claim the title of Wanzhou magistrate? Wuma Shang gave a mocking laugh and said, You hid your gender in order to claim the title of Wanzhou Magistrate and committed the felony of lying before the crown. What other excuses do you have? Jiang Pengji shot a cold glance at Wuma Shang. I thought that a real crime would be a third party claiming to be Liu Xi in order to obtain the Wanzhou Magistrate title. I didnt think that your definition of a crime would be a woman keeping her gender a secret to claim the title of Wanzhou Magistrate. Liu Xi is still Liu Xi, the real one, and not a fake in disguise, so why cant he take on Wanzhou? Jiang Pengji sneered. Or should I say, the Chief doesnt think a woman has the right to become the Wanzhou Magistrate? Wuma Shang questioned Jiang Pengji back. Did I say anything wrong? Indeed, it is wrong! This is a laughable, grave mistake! Jiang Pengjis voice suddenly rose as she pointed at Wuma Shang with the ritual baton in her hands and said confidently, If you say that a woman is not qualified to become the Wanzhou Magistrate, shall I ask you if the former Marquis General Xu is a man or woman? Jiang Pengji single-handedly dragged the brothers Xu Pei and Xu Fei down with just this one line, simply because these brothers were descendants of General Xu. The Xu brothers, thinking they were just part of the audience, exchanged a glance and then turned their heads away in disgust. Before Wuma Shang could answer, Xu Pei announced, General Xu was a woman. Wuma Shangs face twitched as he clenched his fist under his sleeve. His glance toward Jiang Pengji carried a thick aura of hatred and toxicity. General Xu was indeed a woman and was an excellent general even among her male colleagues. Jiang Pengji bowed with her hands toward Xu Pei and a smile on her face. Xu Pei also dumbly answered, as he was still in a daze. How had his younger brother suddenly turned into a younger sister? The face was still the same, and the body was still the same, but the gender was completely flipped. Jiang Pengji then continued, I dont dare to say that I will be better than my predecessor, but Ive always admired General Xu and respected her as my role model. Our dynasty is a direct descendant of the Great Xia Dynasty and should naturally follow the lead of our predecessors in order to regain our past dynastic glory. And for my last question, Chief Wuma, please listen closelydo you still think that it is wrong for female Liu Xi to take on the title of Wanzhou Magistrate? Wuma Shang was just about to say that Jiang Pengji was too arrogant in comparing herself with General Xu, only to hear that Jiang Pengji had already addressed his concern and fought words with words. Unless Chief Wu Ma also agrees with the Zhongzhao cultural standard Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women, which states women should abide by the three obedience and four virtues, and thinks that the great General Xu was a disgrace to womanhood, that she should have been deprived of her title and been left pinned onto the pole of shame? Ive heard that the Classics were popular within Zhongzhao. Many great scholars also wrote books to slander General Xu and other female generals alike. Im sure Chief Wuma is aware, correct? Jiang Pengji said forcefully, You only need to answer yes or no! Wuma Shangs face was pale. There was a buzzing sound in his ears, and cold sweat began to appear on his palms. He answered in a stammering voice, S-such unrefined arguments! This woman has broken the rules of womanhood Thats enough! A stern, hard voice forcefully interrupted Wuma Shangs words. An elephant-tooth ritual baton swung at his face, almost knocking him to the ground. Xu Peis face darkened to the color of the ashes in a frying pan as he questioned harshly, Mister Wuma! Who are you saying is a disgrace to womanhood? Xu Fei wasnt as kind as Xu Pei. His baton swung immediately in anger. The Xu brothers didnt get along, but it wasnt time for civil war right now. An outsider had just insulted their ancestor. How could they remain silent? Chapter 751 - You’ve Been Enchanted by Witchcraft (I) Of course they wouldnt stay silent! The Xu family could only bask in glory today because of their ancestral blessings and the maintenance of the family line by its successors. For slandering their ancestors, regardless if it was done by the current emperor or not, the Xu family would keep their grudge and find a way to deal with them later, let alone a solitary Wu Ma Shang. Xu Peis solitary Mister Wu Ma was followed immediately by Xu Feis clean hitthe baton in his hand landed heavily on Wu Ma Shangs face. In the blink of an eye, a bright red mark appeared on his face, silencing the entire crowd in the assembly. Everyones attention turned to the Xu brothers and Wu Ma Shang, but Jiang Pengjis gaze remained fixed on the woman, Zhao Jia. Watching, she discovered something very interesting. When Xu Fei swung at Wu Ma Shang, the latter couldnt dodge in time and took a direct hit from the elephant tooth baton. At the same time, the kneeling Zhao Jia moved and discreetly held up her hand to cover her face. Jiang Pengjis lips curled up, her eyes filling with hints of humor as she gazed at Zhao Jia with newfound interest. Just as the situation in front of them was about to devolve into a fistfight between the Xu brothers and Wu Ma Shang, the ministers close to Wu Ma Shang stepped in to mediate. Please calm down. Chief Wu Ma was not targeting General Xu, he was only addressing Liu Xi. Xu Pei shot back a cold, sharp glare as he hummed in anger, clearly not giving this mediating minister much credit. What kind of drama king would come in and give himself more screen time? Xu Feis personality was slightly more aggressive and stubborn, which always manifested in his actions. He didnt care about staying professional in public. Are you deaf or were you simply in a daze earlier? This old man opened his mouth to say, such a disgrace to womanhood, which wasnt just a shot at Liu Ci, but at General Xu and all our brave predecessors. If I stayed silent in the face of this slander, I would not be a true descendant of the Xu family! Listen up, old man, if you dont explain yourself here and now, you can leave the assembly, but you will not leave this palace! The expressions on all the ministers faces changed dramatically. Wu Ma Shang was perhaps most dumbfounded by this slap in the face. He only managed to pull his attention back after thinking for a moment. He attempted to rebut the Xu brothers and said, I was wondering how great the Xu descendants are, but now I see that they are simply two young men who are silly enough to be used by others. This is clearly all a conspiracy by Liu Xis to cause disturbances. General Xu was a respectable woman, how could she be compared to normal women and children? Liu Xi is a vile character who uses clever talks to trick people and cause friction between them. Its all very loathsome. The Xu brothers didnt calm down when they heard that. They sneered back disdainfully at Wu Ma Shang. Did they really need Wu Ma Shang to explain? Even the blind could see that the Xu brothers had been dragged into this matter. At the end of the day, by Wu Ma Shang bringing up this matter, would the brothers end up as collateral damage? Old man, dont try and stray away from the topic of discussion by talking about others. We will not let go if you dont give us an explanation! Wu Ma Shang snorted as his gaze cooled down. General Xu and Liu Xi are two separate issues. The two Xu gentlemen do not need to mingle in the matters regarding Liu Xi. I will personally visit the Xu household after I reveal Liu Xis crimes, is that satisfactory? Xu Pei wanted to say no. Jiang Pengji had dragged them down here to interrupt Wu Ma Shangs accusations and attacks. If they were to simply leave now, it would be quite dishonorable. Helping a friend wasnt something to be taken for granted, so Liu Xi would owe a great debt to him after this. Xu Peis plan was quite refined, but unfortunately, the two brothers were functioning on two completely different brainwave channels as Xu Fei ripped up his plans without a second thought. Xu Fei glanced at Jiang Pengji and said, Good! Id like to see what kind of gold you can spew out of that dirty mouth of yours! This young man was as stupid as a pig! Xu Peis face remained expressionless as he mentally cursed at Xu Fei. It wasnt just Xu Pei who thought that his brother was throwing him under the bus. The audience in the livestream was also upset at Xu Fei for throwing his teammate out. Yimo ShenHong: Holy crap! What a bad teammate! Someone like Xu Fei would make a bad teammate! Midnight Epilepsy: I cant believe that the advantageous situation that the host created just got destroyed by Xu Feis stupidity. Fallen Dust Not Dusk: I take back what I said earlier. Xu Fei isnt cute, hes only stupid. What a great chance this was! The host already has such powerful attacks that even if the brothers dont do anything else and just support her on the sidelines, they could still claim a war prize at the end. Great, now they straight up got talked out of that by that dumb old Wu Ma! They refused to join the party to beat up the old man and now theyre just going to wait and watch their party leader get beaten up!!! Little Penguin MeowMeow: Last commenter, I dont agree with your statement there. Our hosts power level is over 10,000. She can carry the whole fight herself! Without the Xu brothers help, Jiang Pengji looked as if her strength was declining. Wu Ma Shang laughed and questioned her. Youre definitely worthy of being Liu Zhongqings descent. Your ability to distort an argument is almost impressive. Its only unfortunate that everyone here has clear eyes. No matter how much you try to prove your innocence, theyll still see an excuse as an excuse. Stop trying to bring in your elders as a shield! How could a perpetual liar and identity thief like you be speaking on the same level as the heroes and great figures of the past? Liu Xi, what else do you have to say? To his surprise, Jiang Pengji looked at the red mark on his face and sneered mockingly. Chief Wu Ma, do you know how the second child of the late emperor died? This question didnt stun just Wu Ma Shang, but everyone else in the assembly was stumped as well. How was the second princes death related to the matter at hand? Youre again trying to deceive us by talking nonsense! Wu Ma Shang frowned in disgust. Jiang Pengji replied, Youre wrong, Im not trying to deceive anyone, nor am I speaking nonsense. The late prince was discovered using witchcraft to murder the late emperor and the demon queen. He brought the curse of death upon himself, then his mothers family got dragged into it and had their house confiscated. I suspect that youve been cursed by someone using witchcraft! The crowd was in an uproar! This turn of events was a bit too scary. They felt as if their brains couldnt keep up with the situation. Wu Ma Shangs expression darkened. He nearly stomped his foot on the ground from anger. Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! Chief Wu Ma, please dont rush to deny this. I dare to say this because I have proof, just as Chief Wu Ma has this Zhao Jia lady as a proof. I have my own evidence to present. However, I am not Chief Wu Ma, so I will not request that you strip naked in front of the assembly. I just need you two to fulfill one small request I have. Jiang Pengji sneered as she said, You and this elderly woman, one of you say in Langye County dialect the phrase the green bamboo is at the snakes mouth, the hornets needle at its tail, and the other say in Zhangzhou dialect, glory to the emperor, long live the emperor. As she made this strange request, the ministers were still in a daze at everything. After a while, the elderly woman awkwardly said the phrase in Langye dialect. Wu Ma Shang followed it up with the Zhangzhou dialect. Jiang Pengji kept her sneer. You two seem to misunderstand my request. I told you to say it at the same time, not one after another! Wu Ma Shang stood up and complained, saying, Worthless person, dont get too ahead of yourself! Jiang Pengjis voice rose as she pressured him slightly. Are you two unwilling to say it, daring not to say it, or is it that you cant say it? Wu Ma Shangs face turned pale as he took a step back. The elderly womans eyes revealed a hint of what seemed like toxic and murderous intent. Chapter 752 - You’ve Been Enchanted by Witchcraft (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio A minister jumped up and said in agreement, One shall never speak of the odd, powerful, or godly. Witchcraft? Such a laughable accusation Liu She, who had remained silent all this time, finally commented, If witchcraft is indeed a laughable trick that is not worth mentioning, then think of the Second Princes failed assassination attempt against the late emperor through witchcraft that brought about his doom Did the late emperor kill the wrong child in your eyes? The supporting minister felt cold sweat rolling down his back. He sat back down in his seat in embarrassment. Even though nobody cared much about the late emperors attitude, but in the face of the young emperor, nobody had the right to point fingers or say that the late emperor had been wrong. Liu She then said, Regardless if witchcraft exists or not, Lanting suspect that Chief Wu Ma is being controlled by it. Why not do what she asks and say the lines at the same time? A simple line can put a rest to Lantings accusations, why should they not take it? Whats the point of refusing? Xu Pei, whod lost his golden chance earlier, also voiced his support. Thats right! Why cant Chief Wu Ma and the old lady just say it at the same time? If they say it, it will be clear that Liu Xi is falsely accusing both of you and that witchcraft indeed doesnt exist. However, if you cannot say it that would be interesting Suddenly, everyones collective attention turned towards Wu Ma Shang and the elderly woman. Their expressions hardened awkwardly. They finally decided to open their mouths under the numerous pairs of watchful eyes. However, no matter how much they tried, whenever one spoke the other shut their mouth. They could not speak at the same time, making the scene extremely strange to watch. Finally, even the ministers whod only come in for a show started to feel a chill run down their spines, causing them to discreetly move their seats back. The pair tried to speak at the same time numerous times and failed, their expressions growing gloomier at every attempt. The ministers started feeling uneasy as they watched, and the entire atmosphere of the assembly room began to shift towards supernatural unease. Even the livestream audience was completely shocked. Theyd made plenty of guesses as to how the event would pan out, but nobody had guessed correctly. Yin Shuishan: Oh my godthis is too creepy! I can feel my goosebumps already. YiXiu ShiNianXiang: Thats strange, why cant they speak at the same time? BaoBei Yu Princess: Waitlet me take a wild guess, is it because these two are actually being controlled by one person? Jiang Pengji glanced at the channel and smiled discreetly. Some peoples guesses were very close to the truth, but nobody was completely correct. Host V: Ever since these two appeared, they havent been able to speak at the same time. When ones facial expression changes, the others expression stays blank. Of course, this isnt really proof, but the most obvious time was when Xu Fei slapped Wu Ma Shangs face. Wu Ma Shang showed no reaction while the elderly lady turned to dodge the slap and covered her face with her hand. The baton was being swung at Wu Ma Shang and had no chance of hitting the woman. Why then did she dodge the blow? Some audience members understood Jiang Pengjis explanation, but others still hadnt caught the drift. Sishui Liunian: Lets just make a quick metaphor for this. Youve all played online games before, right? Say you opened up two accounts to do dailies and ran into a PVP player and frantically tried to bring out your second combat account or healer to protect yourself, but changing screens takes time. If youre too caught up at the moment you can sometimes even mix up the two accounts and cant fully control two accounts at the same time. I think I get what the host is saying. Wu Ma Shang and that woman are two accounts being controlled by one person. With this explanation, even the slower audience members finally understood and even found some entertainment value in this. CangXue XiJian: Hahaha, I just remembered the hosts request. One person speaks in Langye dialect, the other uses the Zhangzhou dialect. This isnt even just controlling two accounts, its like controlling four at once! It would be rare to find someone who could multitask on that level. Clearly, the person before them could not do it. Just like how its said that you should take advantage of your enemies while theyre weak, Jiang Pengji was upholding her standards of crushing a defeated enemy. Your highness, I must also point out that Wu Ma Shang gave false testimony. Jiang Pengji pointed at the frantic and pale elderly woman and said, This person claims to be my late mothers servant. As such, she should be used to doing chores. If thats the case, why are this persons hands clean and smooth like a childs and not covered with scars and calluses? The elderly woman raised her hands to look at them when Jiang Pengji made this statement, only to see her smooth palms. There were no signs of a life of hard labor. Her hands were completely clean and smooth. The ministers were not blind. They noticed this detail as soon as Jiang Pengji pointed it out. They all felt their hearts skip a beat. This was an assassin? Jiang Pengji lifted her eyebrow slightly and continued her speech. If this was simply to target me, why would Chief Wu Ma need to make a scene during this assembly and find someone to pretend to be my late mothers dowry servant? Jiang Pengji accused sharply, I am only afraid that this apparent witchcraft is a plot by someone who plans to hurt his royal highness and assassinate the ministers The elderly woman trembled in rage. Her voice suddenly changed and sounded like the sharp tone of a young woman! Liu Xi, you b*tch! Regardless of what she said, there were already high officials calling for rescue as the imperial guards from outside the assembly rushed in. The assembly was in complete chaos as the imperial guards barged in. Under the eyes of all the ministers, three-centimeter long silver nails emerged from the furious elderly womans hands. With her sharp nails, she viciously ripped a few people into strings of flesh. The young emperor was already scared out of his mind on the throne. The empress dowager and a group of concubines screamed in terror. Guard the emperor! Guard the emperor! Theres an assassin! The court broke down into chaos as the elderly woman attempted to escape. She caught Liu Xi in the corner of her eyes. She sitting still and calm at her seat as vengeful thoughts and feelings of hatred grew within her heart. She ran towards Liu She. If she couldnt kill Liu Xi, she still wanted to kill Liu She to appease her anger. However, before she could act on this thought, she felt a heavy blow to her abdomen as if shed been hit by a mountain of rocks. Her body flew off like a kite with a broken string You b*tch! The elderly womans lips ripped open, a trail of red blood rolling down. A minister beside her saw it and hid in the corner of the courtroom in fear. Jiang Pengji stood in front of Liu She and mocked her. You know, this is the third time youve asked me to kill you already. At the same time, a system warning rang through the elderly womans ears. Host, Liu Xi is not an easy opponent. Take a random hostage and run away quickly. The elderly woman was stifled by anger, but she also knew that Jiang Pengji wasnt easy prey. She could only run away if she didnt want to die. She pulled an exquisitely designed long sword out of the air and charged straight at the person closest to her. Her target was Huang Song. Even though her prey was right before her, someone else acted faster. Jiang Pengji picked up an elephant tooth baton from the ground, calculated the direction, and threw it at the elderly woman. Under the forceful throw, the baton collided like lightning with the elderly womans leg, waist, chest, neck, and forehead. Huang Song ran off. He never thought he could be this unlucky! As the elderly woman had charged forward, hed only been able to see the unavoidable silver nails closing in before his eyes. Just as hed thought he was going to die, the elderly womans body exploded into a pile of blood. Even though it only took one moment, he felt as if the few seconds had been extended into slow motion, making him witness how a fully healthy person could instantly turn into a broken corpse. Chapter 753 - You’ve Been Enchanted by Witchcraft (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Blood splashed on Huang Songs face as he stood there, stunned. The imperial court fell into complete silence as if someone had pressed pause on the entire situation. Severed body parts fell to the ground with dull thuds. Puddles of blood formed on the ground quickly, reddening Huang Songs shoes and socks. Protect Eunuchs serving the emperor shouted as they carried the child who had wet his pants off the throne. They had originally planned to take the emperor somewhere safer. Unfortunately, theyd stumbled into this scene during their hasty exit, leaving them all frightened and speechless. The young emperor, having witnessed the whole thing, was shivering nonstop. He couldnt stop the flood of tears pouring down his face. With his face covered in blood and smashed brains and his formal court gown smeared with shreds of flesh and organs, Huang Songs eyes looked like they might pop out of their sockets at any second. His heartbeats didnt slow down until the imperial guards apprehended County Chief Wuma Shang of Shanghai. From the perspective of the bystanders, the fact that the old womans fingernails had suddenly grown dramatically long and torn apart several imperial guards no doubt meant that she was some kind of supernatural monster. Yet a monster like that had broken into pieces as soon as itd been struck by Jiang Pengjis court boards. Now the real question was Didnt that mean Liu Xi was scarier than the monster? Huang Song had always been proud of his mental stability and toughness in the face of extreme situations. But what had just happened, though very quick, had left his knees so sore and weak that they could barely support him. Thump! He fell and knelt on the ground at last. Quite close to him were the body parts of the old woman. One of her eyeballs was hanging outside of the eye socket, and the other had fully rolled out of her skull and settled right next to her head. Since one of the court boards had hit her waist, her guts had also flooded out and spilled everywhere. Despite all the gory scenes he had seen before, Huang Song was still revolted by the sight in front of him. He couldnt take it anymore. As his stomach twitched and a sour taste occupied his mouth, the impulse to vomit got the better of him. He threw up. Huang Song covered his mouth with his hand and turned to the side. Residual food came out first and didnt stop until there was nothing but fluid left for him to puke out. The other imperial officials were all extremely frightened by what they had seen and had fallen silent with their faces as pale as paper. It seemed as if even breathing would cost their lives. Jiang Pengji and Liu She were the only two whod remained calm. Your majesty, I have eliminated the evil witch. Jiang Pengji was cooler than a cucumber. She respectfully bowed with her hands folded in front of her to the young emperor. Her voice was cool and clear, which worked like magic. Time resumed in the court. The shocked officials gradually came back to themselves. They then realized that their clothes were all soaked in sticky sweat. Watching the imperial officials frightened and confused faces, the audience of the streaming room all expressed their contempt. Just Got Gong: These so-called higher-up imperial officials almost passed out from seeing a little gore. What a shame! Xuehai Liuxiang: Their inner voices: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? Qiu Xiaonan: Im soooo scared! I heard that this streaming room had some gory scenes, but I didnt expect this! Hard-working Lazy Lady: This wasnt too bad. Gross at most. Real gore wont show up until the streamer is on the battlefield. The battle scenes are not just gory, but also spectacular. I just feel bad for Huang Song. This experience will absolutely traumatize the heck out of him. If Huang Songs interests conflict with the streamers someday, do you guys agree that hell give up before the battle even starts? Laosiji Lianmeng: I dont think it will be that bad. He will be traumatized for sure, but Huang Song is no ordinary man. He has seen things worse than this. Compared to the blood, I think the fact that the streamer is a woman will probably traumatize him more. The audience of the streaming room had been following the stream for years, so they were more or less mentally prepared. The imperial officials were not. First, the old woman had turned out to be a monster, with white fingernails that had rapidly grown into daggers for tearing people apart. Before they knew it, Jiang Pengji had struck her with her court boards and smashed her into pieces. Although the whole thing had taken five or six seconds at most, it felt like it had been about 10,000 years. Who would have expected that the court boards they used for note-taking could be used as lethal weapons to break someone into pieces? The young emperor was still crying, his arms wrapped at a eunuchs neck. His yellow pee kept trickling down the hemline of his royal gown. Jiang Pengji had to repeat what shed just said. The air froze as if everything had paused again in the court. Finally, Wuma Shangs furious voice pulled everyone back to reality. How dare you treat me like this! Let me go! Dazed, Wuma Shangs sight seemed as if it was filmed over with a layer of mist. He couldnt even see his own fingers. Finally, the mist went away and things became clear again. His eyesight and brain started functioning again. The confused man blinked and was shocked to find that his hands were tied behind his back. He was even kneeling on the ground! The spoiled royal lord couldnt take it anymore. He yelled at the guards standing next to him. The lost and confused imperial officials then took Wuma Shang as their common target. If not for him, all those crazy things would never have happened. The startled empress dowager forced herself to calm down. She put together her courage and ordered, Get the traitor Wuma Shang! Wait for my decision on his punishment! Wuma Shang didnt have any idea what was going on. Hearing the empress dowagers order, his rage increased. According to his memory, the two of them had been enjoying themselves very much in bed not long ago. Now, a moment later, she was treating him like this? Wait Jiang Pengji stopped the guards. Your highness, Wuma Shang was simply under the spell of the evil witch. What happened today was not his fault. If we take him without knowing for sure, it wont be fair to him. The empress dowager was secretly furious. She kept biting her lip, leaving her full and rosy lower lip dented by her white, seashell-like teeth. She would never forget when shed tried to seduce Liu Xi. In retrospect, she felt angry, ashamed, and mortified. No matter how hard shed tried to throw herself at Liu Xi, she hadnt been able to get any response. Liu Xi had simply watched her torture herself and turn herself on. Shed thought that Liu Xi was simply really good at controlling himself. Shed never realized that Liu Xi was actually a woman! Wuma Shang was even more puzzled and shocked. He heard Jiang Pengji defending him and jumped on it, yelling about how innocent he was. I just woke up. I have no idea what happened. Im innocent! Your majesty, your highness, please look into this! Wuma Shang wasnt lying. Before this moment, all he remembered was being in bed with the empress dowager and having so much fun. Hed slept so well. Somehow, he was now in the court and surrounded by imperial guards. He had no idea what to do. Jiang Pengji smiled with a trace of coldness in her eyes. County Chief Wuma, have you forgotten what just happened? Wuma Shang shook his head. He had no memory of it. If he dug harder into his memory, he could recall the empress dowagers amazing body and what she was capable of in bed. Shed been better than even the finest prostitutes he had ever experienced. Chapter 754 - You’ve Been Enchanted by Witchcraft (IV) What what happened just now? Wuma Shangs heart thumped. He had an ominous premonition when he made a mental association with the trickery of a petty and nasty person that Jiang Pengji had just mentioned. Just now, County Chief Wuma brought a woman to the court assembly to expose my identity as a woman. She was determined to punish my crime of lying to the ruler. Wuma Shang was dumbfounded. His look of astonishment couldnt be faked. Wait How could he now understand every word that Liu Xi was saying, but when theyd been connected, he hadnt been able to make heads or tails of it? More importantly The witch was aggressive. You youre a woman? He felt that this was as absurd! A tall, burly man was saying that he was a woman! Jiang Pengji nodded. Yes, County Chief Wuma, you were very insistent on this topic and wanted to rule this as my crime. Later, I discovered that your expression and that of the old woman looked abnormal, so I realized you were under a spell. Wuma Shangs brain was spinning in his skull. Indeed, he was unhappy with Jiang Pengji, but there was nothing wrong with his mind. Just look at the little emperor! What use was the crime of lying to their ruler going to be to him? He cursed inwardly, repeatedly yelling that hed been wrongly accused, insisting that someone had used witchcraft on him to confuse him and control his actions. In any case, Wuma Shang was the Chief of Shanghai County. He had been an old fox in the realm of officialdom for many years now. As long as he stuck to his claim that hed been wronged, that hed been a victim of witchcraft, what had happened today could be mitigated until it was nothing. No matter what, he was one of the allied princes. He had tens of thousands of elite soldiers under his command. The imperial court would not be able to kill him. Many officials were close to Wuma Shang. One after another, they stepped forward to speak up for him. In a short while, it was the Empress Dowager who found herself in a situation that she wouldnt be able to extricate herself from. With the help of the officials, Wuma Shangs flustered little heart settled down a lot. He began to calm down and think about who had conspired against him. After turning the matter over in his mind, he was most suspicious of the empress. Why was he suspicious? First of all, his memories from when hed been clear-headed were of him having sexual intercourse with Empress Dowager. Hed been feeling so much joy with her that his entire body became hot and sweaty. After his release, his guard was at its lowest. The Empress Dowager would have had the highest chance of success if she made her move then. She could have backstabbed him without anyone knowing. Second, before the little emperor ascended the throne, hed been the biggest rival of the little emperor. Was the Empress Dowager willing to let the potential danger he represented remain? After thinking about it, the Empress Dowager was the one most likely to conspire against him. If the plan was successful, not only would she take his head, his power, and his wealth, she could also deliver a blow to the Liu familys father and daughter. Pah! That Liu father and daughter! It was a pity. With the current prestige of the emperor, one could even get away with carrying weapons into the palace, much less the crime of lying to ones ruler. Which idiot would think that the crime of lying to ones ruler could bring down the Liu familys father and daughter? Which idiot!? Wuma Shang was so angry that he nearly vomited blood when he thought about this. He was suffering from this disaster even though he hadnt done anything. It would have been fine if she used this opportunity to bring down the Liu familys father and daughter. But the attempt had been ineffective and made no positive results. Plus, hed been dragged into this mess. The most important thing now was to save himself from the quagmire. He would think about the future later. After he had saved himself, he would find the Empress Dowager, that viper of a woman, and settle this score. Wuma Shang struggled to break free from the restraints of the palace guards. He straightened his messy clothes and bowed in apology to Jiang Pengji. I wrongly accused the Commander of the Palace Guards because I was incautious and fell for that vile trickery just now. Please forgive me. Wuma Shang had a strong ability to speak using superficial words suitable for any occasion. He said in a righteous and forceful tone, Commander, you are a match for any man. Whether male or female, you are a good minister of the country. You did not commit the crime of lying to your ruler, that was false. The villain behind this is vile. I will not spare her! Jiang Pengji smiled and said, County Chief Wuma has praised me, how can I return the favor? Wuma Shang waved his hand and laughed amiably. Dont be humble. In my view, its envious that Official Liu has the good fortune to have such a daughter. If I remember correctly, it seems that I should address you as Governor of Wanzhou rather than Commander of the Palace Guards. Youre young, yet youre already an outstanding heroine. Jiang Pengji said, No, not yet. I wanted to thank you just now, but you interrupted me. But I cant blame you for this, County Chief. I should blame the vile person causing mischief from behind the scenes, who brought you to the court assembly using crooked practices. Fortunately, the villain did not cause any great losses. I am ashamed. Wuma Shang followed along and grabbed the olive branch that shed offered. He took advantage of this opportunity to cleanse himself. Jiang Pengji had her wish fulfilled as she accepted the position of Governor of Wanzhou. The livestream viewers were a little disappointed. Theyd thought that Jiang Pengji would take this opportunity to easily kill Wuma Shang. But Jiang Pengji responded with this Host V: Its not urgent yet, Wuma Shang has now aimed his hatred at the Emperor and the Dowager. The Empress Dowager is someone who tries to gain an advantage but ends up worse off. In any case, Wuma Shang is the Chief of Shanghai County. With tens of thousands of troops under him, he could secretly torment that mother and son to death. Jiang Pengji let Wuma Shang remain only because she wanted to use him to impede the young emperor and the empress dowager. Wuma Shang had not joined the allies when she was marketing the flashed bricks to everyone. She could take advantage of this opportunity to sell them at a high price. She could rip them all off! At this time, a viewer suddenly remembered something. Diligent Lazy Lady: Oh-oh, I suddenly remembered something! Now that the little emperor is so weak, does the host want to try the strategy of coercing the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals? Like Boss Cao Cao? And when your power has expanded to a certain level, you can gift yourself the nine imperial tokens given to a vassal, then establish the country and call yourself the emperor! Coerce the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals? The livestream viewers were very enthusiastic and excited. They all egged Jiang Pengji on to give it a try. Of course, besides those who supported it, many viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the policy of coercing the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals. Musician Zhuge, Devil Pianist: Boss Cao Cao could coerce the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals, but suitable conditions are required to implement this policy. The Han royal family was indeed in its decline, but there were still many loyal subjects in the country that were not completely disappointed with the Han royal family. For example, Lord Xun, who was beneath Boss Cao Cao. Lord Xuns family were officials for the Han royal family for generations and he took up an official post for thirty years for the royal family. In the end, Lord Xun and Cao Cao fell out because Boss Cao Cao wanted to fly solo, away from the royal family. With such a loyal subject, it indirectly showed that the Han royal family still presented a certain deterrence to their vassals. Thats why it was effective when Boss Cao Cao coerced the emperor and gave him orders. With the pathetic nature of the Dongqing royal family, it would not be good to use this strategy of coercing the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals. What did coercing the emperor to gain command of his princes and vassals mean? In laymans terms, it would mean falsely using the name of the emperor to boss people around, gather power, and go on punitive expeditions. Today, the world was divided into five parts. The Dongqing emperor was not the only emperor. He did not have enough centralized power to rule more than Dongqing. In addition, the Dongqing dynasty had only been established for a short time. Successive emperors had sapped away the sentiment and affection that talented men had for the Dongqing royal family. Thus, the loyalty of its officials for the emperor was severely lacking. In this situation, how many talents would be unswerving in their loyalty to the Dongqing royal family? Nobody could say that no such thing existed, but even if there were such people, there would only be a handful. Who would take the orders of such a young emperor seriously? As for the advantage of going on punitive expeditions, it barely counted as an advantage. With the hosts violent temper, she would fight anyone that she wanted. She could say anything casually and that would be a good enough reason to launch a punitive expedition. Who cared? She would fight first and then talk about reasons later. Chapter 755 - Mister, Let Me Tell You a Joke A punitive expedition with good and proper reasoning supporting its necessity? Her will for it was the most reasonable reason. To Jiang Pengji, the strategy of controlling the emperor and using his name to command all his vassals was beyond useless. Not only would coercing the young emperor bring her no benefits, but it would also turn into a self-imposed, restrictive burden. For this reason, even though the livestream viewers were eagerly persuading her to give the strategy a try so that she could have a taste of the experience, Jiang Pengji remained unmoved. Bogao, are you alright? Jiang Pengji stretched her hand out towards Huang Song, and he did the same with a blank expression. She exerted some strength and pulled him up. Thank you, Lanting. Huang Song breathed out a long sigh. He was about to raise his arms to wipe away all the sweat, but he was embarrassed to find that his sleeves were stained with blood. The urge to vomit that he had suppressed with much difficulty surged up again. He quickly bowed in apology before turning around and vomiting again. This time, he didnt even have any stomach acid left to throw up. He could only dry retch. As for the fact that Jiang Pengji was a woman, that had been pushed to the back of Huang Songs mind. In other words, he had no extra energy to think about it. When the old woman had torn into several palace guards, Yang Jian had shielded the young emperor with his body. Now that he had escaped from that daunting experience without any mishaps, he too returned to the group of officials. Liu Zhongqing. is that really your daughter? Yang Jian was a military official and his title was not on the same level as Liu Shes. Taking advantage of the chaos, he got close to Liu She and asked him this question. Liu She was unperturbed and his lips turned up in a slight smile. He made Yang Jian choke on the first words coming out of his mouth. Whose daughter is she if not mine? Yours? Yang Jian almost lost his composure. Im not trying to start an argument or blather at you. Clearly, Im asking you this with all seriousness. Naturally, Lanting is my daughter. Its been hard on her all these years to put on mens clothes and act like a male, Liu She said calmly. Yang Jian was speechless. His expression became very strange and awkward. Liu She asked him, What? Why is your expression is so weird? Is it because youve lost to Lanting and it makes you feel like youre a failure now? Yang Jian harrumphed. He turned his head and ignored Liu She. However, Liu She had hit the nail on the head. If he had lost to a young man, Yang Jian would have been magnanimous and said that the old were bound to be replaced by the young. He was old, and he could not be compared to a young man. But now Liu She was telling him that it was an eighteen-year-old girl who had defeated him. Yang Jian was astonished. He also felt an indescribable sense of defeat and frustration. But when he recalled the scene where Jiang Pengji had killed a person with ivory writing tablets in a counterattack, he couldnt help but feel admiration. With such divine power and skills, his defeat at her hands had been worthwhile and honest. The eunuchs and palace guards packed the old womans body up before wiping away the bloodstains on the ground. The young emperor was carried away for a change of robes after having the piss scared out of him. It just didnt sound good at all. It would be too preposterous if he carried on with the court meeting while his imperial robes smelled of urine. The stench of blood in the air had been significantly diluted with the help of the incense burner. However, the thrilling scene was still deeply imprinted in the minds of all the officials. The officials returned to their respective positions. Yang Tao patted his chest nervously. Father, is Liu Xi really a woman? Yang Jian hid behind his ivory writing tablet and turned his head to the side. He said to Yang Tao, If even Liu Zhongqing has acknowledged it, how can it be false? Yang Taos eyes widened in astonishment as he swallowed nervously. He found the whole thing utterly unacceptable as he recalled how Jiang Pengji had ruthlessly murdered soldiers on the battlefield. Its so hard to imagine. Shes a hero, a real man. How did she become a girl in one morning? Yang Jians army had worked with Jiang Pengji in the past. In addition, Yang Tao loved to play around with knives, swords, sticks, and other weapons. He had always treated Jiang Pengji as his trusted brother. So what if shes a girl? Yang Jian glared at his useless son, feeling irritated. It doesnt matter whether she is a man or a woman. Whats important is that shes the governor of Wanzhou now! Look at you! If not for Shao Yang working tirelessly to help assume your responsibilities, I wouldnt even dare to bring you out. Yang Taos temperament caused Yang Jian to feel very worried. If he were to let his son off the proverbial leash, he would run off, chasing whatever was fun and shiny. If not for Yan Lin, his close friend and thoughtful nanny, how would Yang Jian even dare to bring Yang Tao outside? Yang Jian had only one son. He was really afraid that he was simply too dim-witted to function. He would probably kill himself with all the pointless crap he always got involved in. Feeling aggrieved, Yang Tao lowered his head with a frown. The way he looked made Yang Jian so mad that he wanted to hit someone. The way I see it, youre more like a noblemans daughter than Liu Zhongqings daughter! Youre a grown man, what are you feeling aggrieved for? Lift your head! Yang Tao felt aggrieved every day. On the other side, Wuma Shang, who had escaped danger with much difficulty, returned to his position. The surrounding ministers moved away from him, avoiding him like a viper. Although Wuma Shang kept saying that he was wrongly accused, the previous scene was just too horrifying. The ministers felt traumatized. Xu Pei was utterly silent. Xu Fei seemed to have thought of something and he raised his hand, jabbing his cousin in the stomach with his ivory writing tablet. What? Xu Pei glowered at him. Xu Fei raised his eyebrows and said with a gloating expression, If I remember correctly, Brother Pei, you got some dancers to serve Liu Xi in the past, right? Xu Peis face darkened. It would have been fine if Xu Fei hadnt mentioned that matter, but now that he had, he felt so angry. They were both children of the Xu family clan. The way that Xu Fei stabbed him in the back was just too nasty. Xu Pei had always believed that Xu Fei was sabotaging him from within, driving a wedge between him and the Liu familys father and daughter. Naturally, he would not speak nicely to Xu Fei now. Hmph, you remembered that correctly. What about it? Male homosexuality is in the vogue right now, cant Liu Xi like women? Is such a thing even worth being flustered about? Its as if youve never seen the world. Xu Pei was in a bad mood. He had a team member, his cousin, who was as dumb as a pig. He could forget about it if Xu Fei made stupid mistakes occasionally, but hed undermined his plans just now, causing him to lose the chance to make Liu She and his daughter owe him a favor. Xu Fei wanted to watch his cousin embarrass himself, but he hadnt expected him to be in such a bad temper. In a surprising reversal, he was the one who was getting a tongue-lashing. Xu Fei replied with a disdainful snort as the two brothers continued to look at each other with loathing. However, as the current subject of interest, Jiang Pengji was very calm. She accepted her appointment as the governor of Wanzhou smoothly and steadily. The councilors couldnt get jealous. Every one of them stood woodenly, acting more like a backdrop to the event than participants. How could they dare to get jealous? Consider the old lady just now In the blink of an eye, that person had gone from being alive to being a pile of dismembered body parts. All of them were ordinary folk, so they were not as tough as that evil demon. There was no need to use five ivory writing tablets on them. Just one was enough to send them back to their maker. The court assembly had started out strong but finished weak. The numerous officials and councilors drifted out of the main hall in a daze. In less than half a day, the news that Jiang Pengji was a woman had spread throughout the imperial city of Chenzhou like wildfire. Hahaha! Mister Yang, Mister Feng, I heard a really funny joke today! Li Yun and other generals lived in the camp outside the city, but they didnt have anything going on after training, so they went into the city for a stroll. Halfway through their walk, Li Yun heard a piece of particularly funny news, and immediately went to find Yang Si and Feng Zhen to share this news. Yang Si was absent. Feng Zhen held a scallion pancake in one hand and was devouring it as he did some calligraphy. He almost made a mistake in his writing when he heard Li Yuns laughter. Whats so funny? Tell me about it! Feng Zhen put down his pen and stuffed the last piece of the scallion pancake into his mouth. He drank a mouthful of tea to moisten his mouth. There are people outside saying that our lord is a woman! Hahaha! Mister, dont you think its funny? Feng Zhen looked at Li Yun with pity on his face, showing concern for his seemingly mentally-handicapped child. Li Yun suddenly realized that Feng Zhen was not laughing. He stopped, feeling dull and vapid. Mister, dont you think that joke is funny? Its not a joke. Our lord is a woman. Why would I laugh? Li Yun was stunned. Wait, was he still dreaming? Chapter 756 - The Lord or a Teenage Girl? (I) Chapter 756: The Lord or a Teenage Girl? (I) Glancing out of the corner of his eyes, Feng Zhen looked at the document made out of bamboo slips on the table, then at Li Yuns dull expression. Inexplicably, his mood improved. Hanmei, whats that expression on your face? He was such a beautiful child on the outside but was just so stupid and dull on the inside. What a waste of his natural good looks. Li Yun recovered his mental faculties and said in a bewildered manner, Mister Feng, am I dreaming right now? This dream feels too real. Feng Zhen was silent as he thought about teasing him a little. Why do you say that youre dreaming? Come here, stretch out your arm and let me pinch you to see if it hurts. Li Yun complied obediently. He stretched out his strong and muscular right arm. The firm muscles that were revealed when he pulled up his sleeve made Feng Zhen feel envy, jealousy, and hatred. Feng Zhen thought about the soft and undefined flesh on his own arms as he looked at the tight biceps of this kid. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he felt. Ouch! It hurts, it hurts! Mister, you pinch too hard! Li Yun almost burst into tears. Feng Zhen wasnt pinching with his fingers, he was obviously using his fingernails. It was so painful! Do you still think youre dreaming? Feng Zhen had resumed his serious demeanor. No one would be able to tell that there had been anything intentional behind what hed just done. Mister Feng, if Im not dreaming, why are people outside saying that our lord is a woman? Even you believe this absurd news? Li Yun let his sleeves fall, feeling aggrieved. He felt his brain becoming groggy; it was stuffed with a lot of information that he couldnt digest. If Li Yun knew what a sex change was, he would probably have suspected that his lord had a sex change when he woke up that morning. Feng Zhen laughed involuntarily. Our lord is a woman, but had to dress as a man because of some necessity. Do you understand? Li Yun nodded blankly, still looking like his spirit had not returned to his body. After a while, he remembered something. Mister, I think Ive seen our lord in womens attire before, but he didnt look like a woman then. Li Yun clenched his fist nervously. He still found it difficult to accept this reality. How could a tall and imposing man like our lord be female? To speak very disrespectfully, I think Id look more like a woman than he did if I put on some womens clothing, full makeup, and tidied myself up. Mister, what do you think? Feng Zhen nearly bit his tongue. Li Yun was like a silly child. Why was he always so honest? However, looking at the handsome man in front of him with his red lips and white teeth, Feng Zhen thought that Li Yuns words were not unreasonable. When did you ever see our lord in womens clothing? Feng Zhen had been with Jiang Pengji for quite some time, yet he had never seen her wear anything else besides mens clothing. Li Yun said honestly, It was when our lord had just set up the Womens Battalion. The people of Xiangyang County suspected that it was an indecent prostitute camp. Even the soldiers in the mens battalions thought so. To change the impression of the Womens Battalion in the peoples minds, he wore the attire of the Womens Battalion and carried all the new recruits from mens battalion. By the way, I remember that Vice-captain Dian was also one of those recruits. He should have some memory of it too Thinking of this, Li Yuns face suddenly paled and the healthy flush on his face faded. Feng Zhen was really immersed in the gossip. When he noticed Li Yuns strangeness, he quickly asked, Hanmei, whats the matter? Your face looks so bad. Do you feel sick? Li Yun slowly shook his head and stammered out a sentence. Mister Feng I suddenly remembered something. When our lord said that he was going to dress up as a woman, I said without any filter, my lord, a tall and imposing man like you acting like a woman; you wont even look as good as me At that time, I said it without any real meaning With our lords character, he couldnt have possibly remembered it after all this time, could he? Some time passed but Li Yun still didnt get a reply from Feng Zhen. He looked up and observed Feng Zhen carefully, realizing that he was looking at the area behind him with a half-smile Wait! Behind him? Li Yuns back stiffened suddenly. He turned his head with a creak. Yeah Jiang Pengji had her arms folded over her chest and was looking at Li Yun and Feng Zhen with great interest. She even had Yang Si behind her. My- My lord! Li Yun was not completely stupid. He promptly put on a stern face and sat up straight. But his heart rabbited in a dense drum beat. Im going to die, Im going to die, Im going to die I never knew that this was how I appear in Hanmeis mind. I would never hold a grudge for so long! Jiang Pengji walked into the main hall with a smile, then she knelt at the chief position. Li Yuns head hung even lower. The audience felt very distressed upon seeing the darling of the group, Li Yun, being bullied by Jiang Pengji. Beauty Zhenmi: Youre trash. You said that you dont hold grudges, so youd better not bully that little angel Hanmei. Trash Cao Pi: Yeah! Look at how youve scared my Hanmei. Hes so much paler than usual. The livestream viewers were outraged on behalf of Li Yun. But how could he know that? He knew that he was guilty. As such, he lowered his head and admitted that he was wrong. My lord, you are magnanimous. Naturally, you would not be calculative and petty. Jiang Pengji held back the urge to laugh and waved him away. Forget it, Ill stop teasing you. Look at you, its as if Im bullying you. Now that the alarm had been lifted, Li Yun breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly threw the peril that he had just faced to the back of his mind. Raising his head, he looked straight at Jiang Pengjis face, saying nothing. Jiang Pengji rested her cheek against her hand and said, Im really a woman. Ill not become a man no matter how you look at me. Instead of being all flustered, why dont you go back and practice your martial arts? You cant beat me, a woman, yet you want to build up your achievements to marry Waner Li Yuns eyes widened in terror as he stammered, My- My lord I was in the wrong! As Feng Zhen listened to their conversation, his cheeks hurt so much from trying to hold back his laughter. Wasnt his lord holding a grudge by the way she acted? She was threatening Li Yun both implicitly and explicitly. He could forget about marrying Shangguan Wan if he couldnt beat her in a fight If this didnt show that she was holding a grudge, what would? Li Yun was regretting having ever encountered such a lord. Li Yun drifted back to the camp outside the city. He suddenly thought of something as he started to practice with a spear Shouldnt he continue to be shocked or doubt that his lord is a woman? Why had he come back to practice with a spear? After thinking for a while, Li Yun thought that he couldnt possibly be the only one who was dumbfounded. Vice-Captain Dian, have you heard the groundless rumors in the city? Dian Yan was someone with a rather pragmatic disposition. He usually liked to cultivate in silence in his free time. He was one of those people who talked less and did more. What rumors? Li Yun said, It has spread throughout the imperial city. Everyone says that our lord is a woman. Dian Yan snorted disdainfully when he heard the words and immediately threw his twin axes to the ground. Which blind *ss would dare to vilify him like this? Ill cut him in half! Meng Hun, who had just finished with drills, happened to come over at that moment. Hearing these words, he echoed in agreement, How can you believe such a ridiculous thing? Li Yun was silent for a moment. What what if its true? Li Yun asked quietly. Dian Yan and Meng Hun were both more straightforward warriors. Honest and candid people were more likely to speak openly with each other. They had a good relationship with Li Yun and knew that Li Yun was not a chatterbox who told tales. They frowned at the same time. Chapter 757 - The Lord or a Teenage Girl? (II) Meng Hun said roughly, Hanmei, just spit it out. Dont hem and haw and act all secretive. Li Yun said directly, Our lord really is a woman. Meng Hun raised his hand and felt Li Yuns forehead. He did not have a fever. Im serious, even the lord has acknowledged it Li Yun gently waved away Meng Huns hand. You dont believe it? Who would believe such a joke? Meng Hun shook his head. Dian Yan shook his head as well. Li Yun said, Vice-Captain Dian has seen the lord in womens clothing before. Have you forgotten, at that time, that his lord single-handedly challenged the new recruits from the mens battalions Dian Yan froze for a moment as he recalled the relevant memories in detail, only forming a vague impression after a while. With the attention of his two comrades on him, he said, I cant really remember anything else, I only remember that the female soldier was very manly. Li Yun was scared. He should never let his lord hear this!!! It was not only Jiang Pengjis subordinates who were all stirred up when she clearly stated her true gender. The tongues of other influential groups were wagging too. The lord has returned When Feng Jue heard the announcement, he quickly got up to welcome his lord. He was stunned to find that his lord appeared to be in shambles. My lord, youre covered in blood, what happened? Did something happen at the court assembly today? Feng Jue was originally worried that Huang Song was injured. He breathed a sigh of relief upon a closer look. There was nothing wrong with his lord except for his pale face. Huang Song raised his hand to wipe at his face, touching the dried bloodstains with his fingertips. As the thrilling scene that had occurred reappeared in his mind, his stomach started to feel uncomfortable again. He lifted his hand and shook it, whispering, Im fine Todays assembly its complicated and I cant explain it in just a few words. Ill go to the backyard to wash up and change my clothes. Feng Jue thought of something and called out to Huang Song, My lord, the lady came over this morning. Huang Songs nerves tightened. Why did the lady come? Youre newly-weds! Naturally, she cant bear to be apart from you. Feng Yan laughed as he teased him. Huang Song had been engaged for two years. It was only half a year ago that hed married that noble daughter of an aristocratic family. The surname of his wife was Qi. This womans style of doing things was tough as nails and her courage and intelligence were outstanding. On their wedding night, shed ordered her maid to stand guard outside the bridal chamber with a knife. Every time that Huang Song went to the backyard, he felt so aggrieved. It was as if he was handing over his taxes in grain. I think Im going to die Huang Song gritted his teeth, revealing a stricken expression. Thats right! Feng Jue said again, The two women that your esteemed father arranged for you were thrown out by the lady through the back door. Huang Song stumbled and he nearly fell down the steps. Both of his legs trembled and he only managed to stand up by holding onto the pillar. Shivering uncontrollably, he said, Huaijie, do you have an explanation Ive never laid a finger on those two women Feng Jue was not Jiang Pengji. Occasionally, he liked to watch others make fools of themselves, but he did not really like to torment his lord. Ive already spoken to the lady, and she seems to be in a good mood. Ive given the two women some money to use to get home safely and sent them on their way. Huang Song breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling that he had just flown back to earth from hell. Talking about Lady Qi, Huang Song felt his calves shaking. Before hed married his wife, Huang Song had kept three maidservants on hand to serve him. They were bedmates who could not even be considered lowly concubines. After he married his wife, Lady Qi sent all three girls packing to one of his other residences the very next day. Shed even thrown down this statement They can marry someone else if they want to find a way out of their lives. She would even give them dowry money. But if they dared to continue pestering Huang Song, she would send them to meet their maker for free. Although Lady Qi was only nineteen, she had all sorts of methods on hand when it came to managing her husband. Huang Song liked it, but he was afraid of her at the same time. He felt as if he was handing over his taxes in grain every time he saw her. Madam is in a good mood? Huang Song asked again. Feng Jue gave him a shallow smile. Yes, my lord, you dont have to be afraid. If the lady sees you like this, her heart will ache. I can rest assured now that youve said this. Huang Song cheered himself up and went to the backyard. As Feng Jue had expected, Lady Qi was very shrewish and forceful by nature, but she was extremely protective of Huang Song. Seeing him like this, she immediately flew into a rage. Who dared to use their weapons in the court meeting without permission? Huang Song said, Madam, dont be angry. If not for the blood all over me, I wouldnt have been able to return today. He told her everything. He honestly explained all the factors that could give rise to family conflicts. In the end, he also told her what had happened at the court assembly. Lanting and I, were just very good friends. I really didnt know that shes a woman. Madam, please dont believe the rumors about a sex scandal! Huang Song was really scared of women. At home, he had a young and tender wife who was like a tiger. Outside of his home, he had a close friend who was like a wolf. The entire world had changed overnight. Lady Qi wrung her handkerchief. At first, she felt a little jealous. However, Jiang Pengji had saved her husbands life, so contrary to what one might expect, she felt relieved. Bogao, you make me sound so narrow-minded by saying that Since Liu Xi is your good friend, and because she saved your life today, logically speaking, we should prepare a generous gift and visit her to show our gratitude. In the past, you didnt know that she is a woman, but you cant mess around now. I can visit her home and thank her on your behalf. Lady Qi took pity on him and wiped his face using her handkerchief. She said, I got the servants to prepare some hot soup and a set of clean clothes for you. Bogao, go wash up. Ill go take a look in the storeroom first to prepare the thank you gifts. Huang Song nodded quickly. He took a full bath before going over to the antechamber. Feng Jue and Cheng Jing were having a discussion. When Cheng Jing saw Huang Song coming over, he quickly asked, What happened at the morning court assembly? I heard from Huai Jue that someone used their weapons at court! Huang Song nodded and said with a wretched expression on his face, I didnt check the almanac today before going out and I almost lost my life because someone implicated me. After a while, Huang Song remembered something and said to them with a mysterious air, Do you believe it that Liu Xi is a woman? Feng Jue and Cheng Jing were silent. Had his lord been bullied so terribly by the lady of the house that his brain was damaged? The forces that were more familiar with Jiang Pengji were so frightened by this news that they raised their heads to look at the sun. Had the sun risen in the west today? After going through the initial shock phase, everyone thought of another problem Since Liu Xi was a woman, would the soldiers, generals, and advisors under her command remain as loyal as they usually were? Many people rubbed their hands as they waited for a good show. For example, they thought that perhaps a certain general or advisor would be dissatisfied with their lords gender and defect without hesitation. But they were greatly disappointed in the end On Jiang Pengjis side, her people were doing whatever they were supposed to be doing. Except for a few generals who didnt know the truth and were gathered together in a stupefied group, no one was affected. As for ordinary soldiers in the barracks, they had received assistance and kind deeds from the Womens Battalion and had fought alongside them to kill their enemies together. They had a revolutionary comradeship and friendship with one another. It was not that difficult for them to accept that their tall and imposing lord was now a woman. Of course, there was another reason why they could accept reality so quickly. Meng Hun and others had expanded and increased their training. All the soldiers were exhausted, meaning they did not have extra energy to gossip. The news, which should have created a huge wave in the camp, was quietly accepted by the ordinary people. The story of a body being dismembered with ivory writing tablets flowed into the haunts of the common people from the lips of numerous officials, creating a hubbub as it spread. The commoners were not surprised that a woman could become the governor of Wanzhou. On the contrary, they were shocked that such a brilliant and formidable young man was actually a woman. When Yan Lin first heard the news, he gave a bitter smile. Since ancient times, only subjects with great power had the right to carry weapons on them at court assemblies. Numerous officials would be fearful of such a powerful figure and the emperors courage would be shaken. But for Liu Xi, just by taking an ivory writing tablet with her, it was enough to make everyone tremble with fear. Chapter 758 - Godfather in Women’s Clothing Jiang Pengji stepped into the backyard. Guifei Huijun had been waiting by the door for a long time. There was a gentle and appropriate smile on her face. She was sitting in a kneeling position and bowed respectfully in welcome. Master, youve worked hard. Did the morning court assembly go well today? Huijun stood up and reached out to take the mandarin hat that Jiang Pengji had unfastened and her ivory writing tablet. Her eyes were soft, watery, and limpid like spring water. Even though shed used make-up to lighten her face by five shades, her gentle and virtuous temperament still roused the hearts of the livestream viewers. Guo Jia is not a country: Im really envious of men in ancient times. No wonder they liked to have multiple wives! Every day when they get home from work, they can receive sympathetic greetings from their young and tender wives. This alone could chase away all the worries of the day By the way, Im a girl. Xun Yu, not a wretch: To the user above, you can work hard to better yourself and earn money to support your family. Then you could let your boyfriend stay at home and do the wifely duties of supporting you and educating the children. Jia Xu, not Jia Yu: I second the suggestion by Lord Xun. The viewers had all seen Huijuns real face. To put in bluntly, her appearance trumped all actresses in the entertainment industry. Just based on her looks, she was at the goddess level and would be difficult to unseat from that rank. According to the comments of the livestream viewers, Huijuns face had become a template for plastic surgery hospitals in Korea. One after another, actresses in the entertainment industry copied her face. Based on this, one could see how good outstanding Huijuns natural appearance was. There were some twists and turns, but it went well. Huijun stared blankly for a moment, then lowered her head and asked, Why must you recover your identity at this time? Jiang Pengji explained, At this present opportunity, my power and wealth are not so great that the world will oppose me, but its not limited that Ill be bullied. If I wait until my power has expanded and strengthened before stating my true gender, Ill undoubtedly be surrounded by enemy forces who will attack my weaknesses at the same time. Huijuns expression dimmed as she rolled up her sleeves with her fingers. As your servant, Im ashamed that Im unable to continue assisting you. Jiang Pengji found it funny. The first half of your life has been too hard, just be at ease and live comfortably for the second half of your life. Ill deal with these things properly. You dont have to sacrifice anymore. The honey trap was only a makeshift plan of convenience and was a fair deal between Jiang Pengji and Huijun. Now that the deal had been settled, she could not push Huijun back into the living hell of a prostitute again. If youre bored, Ill dispatch you on some missions when we return to Wanzhou so that you dont have to do the work of a maid all day long. Huijun gave a shallow laugh as she teased, Its my great fortune to be able to serve you. Ive even snatched these chores away from your maids. I didnt know that I was so sought after. Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes inwardly in self-mockery. There are still many things that you dont know about, master. Huijun followed one step behind Jiang Pengji. By the way, now that you have taken up your true identity, do you think you should adjust your attire? It doesnt seem like a very good idea to go around in mens clothing all day Oh, prepare some womens clothing. Keep it simple and unobtrusive. Whether it was mens or womens clothing, Jiang Pengji had no preference. She was okay with anything as long as it was easy to move around in. Huijun had already made preparations. She carried out a tray from her room laden with two sets of womens clothing. I made these in my spare time. Master, why dont you try them on and see how they fit you? When Jiang Pengji saw the style and size of the clothes, she knew that they had been specially made for her by Huijun. Alright. Fortunately, there was not much difference between mens and womens clothing in ancient times. This was Jiang Pengjis first contact with womens clothing, but she was not dumbfounded or at a loss for what to do. She unfastened the heavy white cloth wrapped around her chest and liberated the cleavage that had so long been smothered. She took a long breath, feeling like the air in her lungs was suddenly fresher and cleaner. Jiang Pengji dipped her head and glanced down, muttering, Its wise to resume my identity at this time Otherwise, Ill suffocate to death one day Because her body was enhanced, Liu Xis thin body had grown very well. Not only was she tall, but her feminine characteristics had developed well. Huijun had made very comprehensive preparations. She had even prepared intimate things like undergarments to cover her chest and abdomen. Jiang Pengji raised her hands and examined her own breasts for the first time in a long time. It seemed she would have to find a new way to support them. After all, she wanted to treat herself well. Before long, Jiang Pengji was neatly dressed. I look weird She pulled at the sleeves. This garment was a teal color, which was neither too lively nor too old-fashioned. But she had a weird sense that she looked like someones godfather in womens clothing. When Huijun, who was outside, saw Jiang Pengjis attire, she immediately laughed. Master, you havent changed your hairstyle. Naturally, she looked awkward with her hair in a mans bun while wearing a feminine outfit. Jiang Pengji had been in this world for many years, but so far, shed only learned how to comb her hair into a large ponytail. Naturally, someone else had to help her with her hair. Huijun did not groom her hair into a complicated style for the rich and noble. Instead, she chose the most common style, a loose and low-hanging hairstyle that framed her face. There were no extra hair ornaments either. She didnt put on a headscarf, much less a hair comb or other dangling hair ornament. As for those exquisite head ornaments or pieces of jewelry, she did not put on even a single one of them. Its too plain, even the servant girl waiting on you wears a couple of plain silver hairpins As Huijun spoke, she raised her hands to help Jiang Pengji trim the shape of her eyebrows. She looked a little less severe and more gentle now. Jiang Pengji closed her eyes and let Huijun fuss over her face however she liked. But master, those rich and luxurious decorations dont suit you either. Youre not that vain about your appearance. Huijun wanted to select a pair of pearl earrings and put them on Jiang Pengji, but in the end, she found that she didnt have pierced ears. Jiang Pengji opened her eyes and looked at the bold and handsome girl in the bronze mirror. She pulled at her lips. Finally, she didnt have that weird feeling of being a godfather in womens clothing. Your lips are a bit pale, its better to apply a little rouge Its done. Jiang Pengji opened the livestream and a hundred and fifty thousand viewers flocked in. Then Meierniang: Wheres the host? Where did she go? Fade to dust: Something bad happened, the host is gone! The livestream viewers looked for the familiar figure of the young man, but to their astonishment found that the silhouette of the host was missing. Falling Purple Stars Of A Fantasy: Waitthe young lady next to Huijun. could she be the host? Everyone scrutinized Jiang Pengjis face. Indeed, that was the hosts face. Mo Lingyin: Im finally seeing the host in womens clothing after watching the livestream for so many years. I have no regrets in my life. Rear Mountains and Shallow Waters: I thought I would see the King-Kong-Barbie-Nezha version of the host. I didnt expect this. Shes quite pretty! Jiang Pengji was not a woman with a mans appearance, it was just that her looks tended towards being more handsome. After putting on womens clothes and restyling her hair, no one would assume that she was a man. In a split second, the bullet screen of the livestream turned into a barrage of exclamation marks and emoticons that represented the viewers alarm. The corners of Jiang Pengjis eyes spasmed. Only with this was she able to restrain the urge to forcibly shut off the livestream. Huijun, do you think Ill scare anybody if I go out looking like this? Huijun covered her lips as she smiled. When youre dressed in mens clothing, you look confident, at ease, clear, and full of deep meaning. When you change into womens clothes, you look handsome, courageous, and full of vitality. How could you scare anybody? Jiang Pengji answered, Youd be surprised. Chapter 759 - Has The Lady Returned? (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Ah my neck hurts and theres no more tea Feng Zhen put down his pen, pounded his sore neck with his fist, and moved his toes. After sitting for a long time, he felt like legs didnt even belong to him anymore. Yang Si rummaged through a pile of bamboo writing slips and said without looking up, If theres no more tea, just call for the maid in the tea room to refill the pot. Feng Zhen revealed a somewhat meaningful smile. It just so happens that the maid in the tea room has some good massage skills. Yang Si looked down and said, Youre really fearless! Who knows what the previous statuses of these maids were? 1 The imperial city of Chenzhou had experienced a calamity and many of the officials had been taken captive. Many of the concubines, maids, female slaves, servants, etc. who were kept by the ministers were left behind. Even the official residence that they were temporarily staying in had been left by someone else. The maids and servants waiting upon them had been brought over later on. Feng Zhen said, Im just getting her to knead my shoulders so I can relax. I wont be doing anything else. Truthfully, Feng Zhen had been exercising a lot of restraint since becoming Jiang Pengjis subordinate. In the past, hed visited prostitutes every day. He hadnt even squeezed the hands of those ladies for many months now, let alone developed their relationships further. If one were to compare his current behavior with how hed acted in the past, the life that he was leading today was like that of a suffering monk with a pure heart and few desires. He was about to cry copiously for himself when light footsteps were heard from outside. A shadow in the hall slowly approached. Feng Zhen said without looking up, Fill up the teapot on the table and then knead my shoulders. Use the same strength that you did yesterday. Feng Zhen did not see the other party take any action. Youre asking me to refill your tea and knead your shoulders? 1 A somewhat familiar voice rang out from over the top of his head. The tone of the voice carried a warning that was hard to describe. For a moment, Feng Zhen didnt hear the warning tone. He immediately laughed. What, am I giving you a hard time by asking you to refill the tea and to knead my shoulders? At this moment, all the comments on the livestreams bullet screen were expressing the viewers heartache for Feng Zhen. They were also excitedly anticipating how the host would deal with him. 1 I love myself very much: Danger Warning!! The dissolute Prince Charming, Feng Zhen, is about to be decked by the host. Rustling with the wind: I really want to grab him by the shoulders and give him a good shake. Is it so bad to be alive? Why is he digging his grave? The eldest grandson is incomparable: Yeah, why dig his own grave? Telling the host to refill his tea? I think the host will immediately grab his jaw and pour a whole pot of hot water into his mouth. Telling the host to knead his shoulders? Is he sure that she wont knead his collarbones until they break? Feng Zi Shi, I would knead your shoulders, but Im afraid that you dont have the guts to let me do that. Youre living well, huh? What about working? Youre even in the mood for some leisure and enjoyment! Youre asking the maids to serve you and knead your shoulders? Jiang Pengji took two steps forward. Her snow-white socks came into his line of sight. Feng Zhen heard the other person using his courtesy name. Also, the voice had now changed to a tone that he had long been familiar with. His heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach. He slowly looked up like a prisoner waiting for the death penalty. Eh She bent her knees slightly and squatted down, fully entering his line of sight. Zi Shi, do you want to experience my skills? Feng Zhen was so frightened that he jerked back and looked up. His motions were a little too excessive, causing him to fall straight onto the ground. He got up in a hurry and said in all seriousness, My lord, I offer my respect. Jiang Pengji smiled and told him, You havent answered my question. Feng Zhens expression suddenly became pained and bitter. It was as if he had eaten a bucket of bitter coffee grounds. How could he even explain this? He wouldnt have said any of that if hed known that the woman whod come in was Jiang Pengji. Unless he wanted to die, he would never have bossed her around However, seeing his lord in womens clothing wasnt so bad on the eyes. She looked much better than the burly man in womens clothing that Feng Zhen had imagined. Yang Si, who was watching the entire process from the other side of the room, couldnt help but laugh out loud. Feng Zhen was just reaping what he had sown. It served him right to be scared out of his skin. Damn you, Yang Jing Rong! You truly enjoy watching me embarrass myself. In the beginning, Feng Zhen hadnt been able to get used to it. He couldnt help but feeling strange whenever he faced his lord in womens clothing. Even so, the impulse to verbally attack Yang Si prevailed. Yang Si cupped his cheek with one hand and laughed. If you hadnt given her information that could be used against you, how would I have been able to watch you make a fool of yourself? I should have thought twice before making a friend like you! Yang Si clearly knew that Jiang Pengji had entered the room, but he hadnt said anything to alert him. Instead, he had watched him with cold eyes as Feng Zhen embarrassed himself. Feng Zhen wanted to say more when the voice of a servant rang out from outside. My lord, the wife of County Chief Huang has come to visit. Jiang Pengji was astonished. The wife of County Chief Huang? Who is that? Yang Si thought for a while and said, It should be Huang Songs wife. I dont know why shes here. Jiang Pengji was stunned. Huang Bogao has a wife? When did he get married? He didnt even let me know. Since Huang Songs wife was at her door, Jiang Pengji naturally could not leave her outside. She could only receive her in person. Yang Si said, My lord, do you need to dress up a little more? Your appearance would be too plain if you were to receive a visitor like this. Jiang Pengji said nonchalantly, Im not an ordinary woman who stays at home. Who would I show to off by dressing to the nines? How is that appropriate? She strode away after she finished speaking. One step of hers was more than two or three steps of an ordinary woman. Looking at her size again, she was so tall that an ordinary man would feel nervous around her, let alone a petite woman. Yang Si looked at her and felt his stomach start to hurt a little. His lord wasnt wearing the wrong clothes, hed just clearly been born in the wrong body. Huang Songs wife was settled in the living room. When Jiang Pengji went over, she found two maids with knives strapped to their waists standing outside the door. She didnt frown. Her expression was natural as she looked inside and saw a beautiful young girl with a bright complexion sitting in the seat of honor in the lower right corner of the room. She was quite young and she wore her hair in the style of a married lady. This must be Huang Songs wife. Night anxieties: Holy sh*t, Huang Songs wife looks like a girl in her first year of high school. Shes actually married? Jiang Pengji happened to hold the same opinion as this audience member. Huang Songs wife was a girl still possessing the innocence of childhood, but there was an adults steadiness to her countenance. Im from the Huang and Qi family. Its my pleasure to meet you, Governor of Liuzhou. When Jiang Pengji sat down, Huang Songs wife faced her and bowed to pay her respects. Behind her, her four maids with knives also made their salutations together. Jiang Pengji discovered that not only were the maids carrying knives, but Huang Songs wife also practiced martial arts. She had two knives at her waist belt. Tsk tsk what a little firecracker. She wondered if Huang Song usually feared this young lady? Bogao and I are close friends. Lady, this generous gift is too much. Compared to Huang Songs wife, who had come here dressed in her best clothes and not one hair comb or pin missing from her attire, Jiang Pengji looked particularly dull and sad. However, their auras were different. Even if Jiang Pengji presented herself just as she was, without any artifice, she could still put tremendous pressure on the other party with her imposing manner. Governor, you saved my husbands life at the court assembly. I cant possibly pinch pennies with this gift. Jiang Pengji nodded in affirmation and replied, It was just a slight effort. Lady Qi, you came over just to express your thanks? Yes, but I dont know what you like. Please forgive me if anything I brought is inappropriate. Jiang Pengji took a look at the gifts set out below her. Shed brought along the finest rouge, face powder, fabrics, and jewelry. She couldnt help become speechless. She knew Lady Qis purpose in coming here Thanks. This time, it was Lady Qi who was astonished. Youre not angry? Why would I be angry? Jiang Pengji said. These are all fine things. I cant use them, but some beautiful women need them. Chapter 760 - Has The Lady Returned? (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There was a little more admiration in Lady Qis expression now. She sincerely said, Governor, youre really not an ordinary woman. I could say the same of you. Jiang Pengji lowered her eyelids and glanced at the pile of gifts, then she looked at the knife-carrying maids who were standing behind Lady Qi. The livestream viewers were dumbfounded as they watched. Despite the screen separating them, they could still feel the somewhat weird atmosphere of the scene. Yue Tong: What Can anyone tell me the meaning behind Huang Songs lolita wifes actions? I feel how dumb I am right now. Say, if she wants to ridicule the host, she wouldnt be causing any problems for the host by giving her rouge and jewelry. On the other hand, it feels weird if shes trying to express her goodwill. If these gifts were for other women, rouge, face powder, fabrics, and jewelry certainly wouldnt give rise to such an intensely odd feeling. However, even the slowest viewer felt that something was about giving these items to Jiang Pengji. Rouge, face powder, fabrics, and jewelry These were things that girls liked. They felt far removed from the hosts style. Middle of the afternoon: Haha, maybe shes jealous? Guys, think about how many times the host and Huang Song went to the brothels when they were out having fun together. Like a group of close brothers, they held young beauties in their arms while listening to music and watching dance performances. If I were Huang Songs wife, Id definitely feel uncomfortable. However, after seeing so much court and family intrigue, I feel that her gifts of rouge, face powder, and the like reflect her youth and liveliness. Many people thought that this was just a young girl being jealous, which was not a big deal at all. However, many viewers still held opposing views. Shen Jia: I dont agree that Huang Songs wife is just being young and lively. She seems to be hot-headed and wilful, but in fact, shes very shrewd. Its not a simple matter of jealousy, shes also provoking and probing the host. Who would allow their maids to carry knives when they are visiting someone elses home to express their gratitude? As for the gifts given by Huang Songs wife, thered be nothing wrong with them if they were being given to other women. The host has said that theyre all good items. Can you say that there was no care put into selecting these gifts? But the problem is this the host is not an ordinary woman, so there is a strong sense of provocation by giving her rouge and face powder as a gift. Old drivers cute alliance: Ill give an inappropriate example. If Prime Minister Zhuge gave Sima Yi womens clothing just before he got into battle formation, do you think that would be proper? In the same way, anyone with a discerning eye would know that giving the host rouge and face powder is not appropriate. They could be replaced with medicinal ingredients and precious stones, which are not particularly outstanding, but they wouldnt be wrong either. Huang Songs wife must know this, otherwise, she wouldnt have been astonished and asked in reply arent you angry?, which showed that she did it on purpose. It was deliberate? The livestream viewers were stumped for words. If not for others reminding them, they wouldnt have noticed the detail of the maids carrying knives. Indeed, why would someone arm themselves to the teeth when they were visiting someone to express their gratitude? Most of the viewers were on the side of the host and wanted to protect Jiang Pengjis interests. Their impression of Huang Songs wife worsened a little. Lady Qi shook her head in shame. She waved her hand and motioned for the four maids armed with knives to retreat. After the maids stepped down, Lady Qi lifted her hand to remove the knife from her waist and pushed it forward a meter or so. It was now in a spot where she could not reach it. Governor, you flatter me. In your eyes, I must be a vulgar woman who only knows how to be jealous, right? Jiang Pengji watched her movements calmly. Why do you say that? If you only know how to get jealous, then the things that you gave me would have been pretty lousy. You could have just casually selected some ordinary items and the effect would have been even better. Since you dared to bring these to my door, you must be certain that you can not only achieve your goal, but escape unscathed. She clearly knew that Jiang Pengji could dismember someone with ivory writing tablets, but shed still had the guts to come to her door and sound her out. This was something that could no longer be explained with her sheer audacity. However, audacity did not mean recklessness. In Jiang Pengjis opinion, this Lady Qi was quite the schemer. The livestream viewers thought that Lady Qi was provoking her because of Huang Song, but Jiang Pengji didnt think that was the case. Lady Qis purpose in coming was to sound her out more than to provoke her. Her jealousy was just a convenient addition that she had brought along. To say something absolute, no woman would dislike the gifts from Lady Qi. If Jiang Pengji expressed that she liked the gifts very much, that would only show that she was an ordinary woman who liked colors. A vain woman with a love for beauty was naturally easy to deal with because of this weakness. Lady Qi would not have been surprised if shed flown into a rage. This would show that Jiang Pengjis achievements in the future would be limited. Even if she was already a provincial governor, she did not have sufficient vision and magnanimity because she was limited by her status as a woman. How far could she go in the future? This would be even more reassuring. In the end, Jiang Pengjis response was none of the above. She wasnt angry. Shed gladly accepted the gifts to pass them on to other beautiful women. She was recycling the gifts that were given to her so she could receive others favor. Not only had she shown her tolerance and magnanimity, but shed also helped Lady Qi to maintain face. The more she behaved in this way, the less Lady Qi dared to treat her contemptuously That was why shed ordered her maids to step down and had unfastened the knife at her waist. She wanted to show that she was willing to be on good terms now. She was sure that even if Jiang Pengji was a woman, she would not lose her advantages. Her future achievements would not stop at becoming the Governor of Wanzhou. She was a formidable opponent for sure! Lady Qi said, Compared to my little games, Governor, your ambitions and appetites would cause ones courage to diminish. Jiang Pengji spoke in declarative sentences. These gifts were probably not prepared under Huang Songs instructions. Bogao didnt know about this, said Lady Qi. This is a decision made solely by me. I hope that this will not affect the friendship between you and Bogao. I guessed that that was the case. Even if Huang Bogao had the intention to sound me out, he wouldnt have the guts to do it. Regardless of whether there would be a conflict with Huang Song in the future, at least he was still a friend who she could get along with. Jiang Pengji smiled and teased, Lady, youre not worried anymore? Lady Qi twisted her scarf and rolled her eyes. I was a little worried before I came here, but now Im not. She smiled, ashamed. I know that Bogao is not a very good catch, but I had a crush on him and now were married. Hence, in my eyes, hes the best husband in the entire world. However, your vision and appetites are so different from those of women who fall in love in this world. If youre a man, perhaps I would have a change of affections. Youre so outstanding that Bogao wouldnt have caught my fancy. Also, I wouldnt have let my imagination run away, thinking that Bogao can attract your interest. Jiang Pengji laughed involuntarily. If he hears this, he will fight me to the death. She asked the maids outside to put away Lady Qis gifts. Lady Qi asked her with great interest, Governor, you said that you would pass on the gifts to another beautiful woman. I wonder who the lucky woman is. In my opinion, all the women in this world are incomparable beauties. How could this be considered lucky? This is how things should be. Lady Qi listened and a smile spread across her face. She complained half-jokingly, I feel its a pity that youre a woman, but Im also a little glad. Why do you say that? If you were a man, how lucky would the woman who had you cherishing and protecting her like a precious gemstone be? How sad would it be for those women who adore you but could never have you, Lady Qi? Fortunately, youre a woman. Jiang Pengji squinted her eyes and made a dig at Huang Song with evil intentions. You cant say that. Im probably a nightmare for the men in the world. As men, their conduct and deeds cant be compared to women who are more thoughtful and considerate. As husbands, they are a waste 1 Chapter 761 - Has the Lady Returned? (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Although thered been some friction at the beginning, the conversation was quite pleasant. Seeing that the sky outside had darkened slightly, Lady Qi smiled and said, It was a great joy talking to you today, Governor. We hit it off right at the start. Ive been enjoying myself so much that I forgot the time. If I tarry any longer, Im afraid Ill keep you from your duties as governor. If theres nothing else, Ill be taking my leave now. Please go ahead, madam. Public security in the city is unstable nowadays. If anything happens to you on the way home, I wont be able to account for it to Bogao. Jiang Pengji arranged for someone to escort Lady Qi back to her home. . Huang Bogaos a lucky man. Hes married a good wife. Huijun was happy when she received the generous gift. But upon hearing that itd been given by Huang Songs wife, she immediately became displeased. A good wife? I dont see it. If not for my masters generosity and refusal to argue with such a vulgar woman, Im afraid she would have caused trouble for County Chief Huang. Huijun frowned. She claims that she came over to express her thanks to you for saving her husband, but her actions show otherwise. Who would come over to express their thanks while armed to the teeth? Every one of those maids seems to have been trained. It wouldnt be a problem for them to deal with one or two large men. Jiang Pengji laughed involuntarily. She lifted her hand and poked at Huijuns frown. Hearing Huijun shout as she raised her hand to cover the space between her brows, Jiang Pengji said, Do you think that Huang Songs wife is completely lacking in courage and insight? Shes not reckless, but shes also not worthy of praise from my master. As Huijun thought about those valuable items, her frown became even more severe. Her master was different from ordinary women and was more outstanding than ordinary men. Why would she need to have anything to do with rouge and face powder? I see that your capacity to get jealous is not small in any way either Jiang Pengji smiled helplessly as she shook her head. As for the matter of her giving me rouge and face powder, it all depends on how others understand it. Dont forget, its also fashionable for men to put on makeup. Its not only women who are using it. Men are using it more and more. Strictly speaking, theres nothing wrong with the gifts she sent that I could nitpick about. The mistake lies in your master being a woman, not a man. As such, itll stir up controversy. Huijun harrumphed softly, still feeling dissatisfied. Why was she so certain that you wouldnt flare up? What would have been the alternative? Jiang Pengji asked. If I criticized her as a matter of principle, insisting that she sent the makeup to insult me, wouldnt that mean that I take offense at my identity as a woman? Otherwise, why would I be so angry? With the current fad, even men giving one another cosmetics is considered something cultured and refined. What more is this matter? If I got angry, Id just be providing others with entertainment as they watch me make a fool of myself Shed handled things in the best way she could. I still dont like her, Huijun said. I cant get over this anger! She is Huang Songs wife, naturally she would want to protect Huang Song. Jiang Pengji smiled. Youre my family, and naturally youll protect me. Lets go Lets see what good things Lady Qi sent me. If they arent good, Ill go to Huang Song and extort some from him. Feng Zhen and Yang Si soon got wind of the matter. Lady Qi visited the residence while carrying knives. Whats her influence that she would be so bold? Feng Zhen frowned at first, but when he heard that his lord had handled the matter satisfactorily, he breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and began to pay attention to the gossip. Yang Si thought carefully and said, The surname Qi could it be the Qi family who produced two Generals of the Army among their ancestors? The General of the Army specialized in handling military affairs. Their salary consisted of 200,000 pounds of grains. They also had a golden seal and wore a purple ribbon to denote their high rank. The Qi family was a military family. During the Great Xia Dynasty, they produced two Generals of the Army in a row. In the final years of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Qi family was drawn into the struggle for the throne. Their stratagems were lacking, causing them to lose. The new emperor settled the score with their entire family. The Qi family had made some sacrifices to defend their lives. Although the vitality of their family had taken a serious hit, at least their lineage had not broken. It was said that the number of adult males in the two current generations of the Qi family was rather scarce. It would be difficult for them to continue their lineage. Feng Zhen tucked his hands into opposite sleeves and sighed. Who knows? It wouldnt be unusual for a woman from the Qi family to do this. Yang Si lit the oil lamp in the hall and added two lamps to his desk to prevent having to use too much effort to read the documents. Huang Song is lucky Yang Si fetched a roll of bamboo writing slips. Unfortunately, our lord cant take this shortcut. Others could use marriage connections to increase their strength. But their lord was a woman. If she wanted to do this, her spouse could only become a member of her family and take on her surname. To take on the surname of ones wife and become a member of her family What serious, proper person would be willing to do that? Even an ordinary person, as long as they were not about to die from hunger, would not easily take on their wifes surname and become a son-in-law living at their wifes parents house. Although his lord had done a good job, her identity as a woman was still a weakness, so she needed to do her best to level out the injustice. Fairness was not a handout given by others. One had to fight for it themselves. Feng Zhen twisted the beard that he had just begun to grow. She doesnt need it either. Even without relying on Liu She, shed been able to go from a state of poverty and ignorance to where she was now. She had resumed her real identity and had a firm seat of power in Wanzhou. How could things be more difficult than before? Meanwhile, Huang Song had accidentally learned what his wife had prepared as the thank you gift for Jiang Pengji. He got such a fright that he nearly died on the spot. She sent rouge face powder fabrics, and jewelry? Huang Song exercised restraint again and again before he was able to suppress the impulse to lift the servants by their collars. Was this madams own idea, or did you wicked slaves egg her on? Why would the servants dare to claim that theyd egged her on? The entire house was Lady Qis realm. Not to mention Master Huang Song, even the other servants were so tightly managed that no one dared to say a word of gossip. Its it was the ladys own decision. Huang Song was like a deflated doll. He felt as if his body was about to collapse. You may withdraw. He was about to let them leave when he remembered something and called them back. How long has madam been out? Its been about two hours. Two hours? Huang Song looked at the sky and saw that it was almost completely dark. His face suddenly darkened as well. The lady hasnt returned yet? The servant answered, Not yet. Huang Song felt anxious and said, Prepare a horse right away. He was quite confident about Jiang Pengji. She had great tolerance and a big heart. He also had confidence in his wife. Although she had a temper, she wasnt one to go overboard But if the two of them were to encounter each other, Huang Song had no confidence about that at all. The groom had just led the horse over. Huang Song had not even mounted the horse when Lady Qis carriage slowly pulled up in front of the door. Madam, are you okay? Huang Song rushed forward. Why wouldnt I be okay? The governor of Liuzhou is neither fierce nor cruel, she wouldnt eat me. Lady Qi glanced at him as if displeased. Her young and beautiful face was infused with vigor and drive. I. I was afraid that you would hurt each other. Huang Song swallowed the words and instead said, I was worried about you. Lantings temperament has always been difficult to understand. I just heard that you sent a pile of rouge and face powder over to her. I was so frightened I nearly broke out in a cold sweat. Lady Qi rolled her eyes at Huang Song. Its not as if I gave her a period belt, it was just some top quality makeup. Both men and women can use it and its not anything taboo. She accepted it generously, and not only did that give dignity to both parties, but it will also become an anecdote that will be passed on with great relish. If outsiders hear about this, they will, at most, say that Im petty and narrow-minded because Im a woman and praise her for being an unusual woman who has a big heart. If someone wants to argue about this, it should tell you something about the size of their heart and the breadth of their mind. For a narrow-minded woman, no matter what was her starting point was, her future growth and development would be extremely difficult. As long as Jiang Pengji did not make any stupid mistakes, she would definitely not take this wrong step. Huang Song was so choked up that he was speechless. Somehow, he felt that his wife was being a little too angry today. Chapter 762 - Cat with Nine Lives (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Hows the relationship between Bogao and the governor of Liuzhou? Lady Qi took off her winter cloak and handed it to the maid. Our relationship is good. In the past, the two of us would always go to Huang Song trailed off naturally as his gaze clashed with his wifes stern eyes. He immediately swallowed his next words. It would be really inconvenient to mention his dissolute past. In short, our relationship is good. Fortunately, Lady Qi did not bother to argue about the part that hed left out. I think that the Liuzhou governor is quite ambitious. After the conversation with her today, I think she resumed her identity as a woman out of her own initiative, not as a passive actor. Lady Qi sat down and lifted the cup of tea that the maid had poured. She took a sip to moisten her mouth and uttered these astonishing words. Huang Song frowned and said, Thats impossible, Lantings identity was hidden well. If not for what happened today, Im afraid I wouldnt have been able to discover it. Besides, whats the benefit of resuming her identity? If Lanting was a man, considering that she had been conferred the title of Wanzhous governor, she could act in concert with her father to seat herself firmly in the north. The imperial court is dying and is obviously beyond help. The imperial court is merely having its last rally before death Other than creating more trouble for herself, what benefits will she get by resuming her identity as a woman? If her identity was kept hidden, her future would be limitless, so why would she do it? As for marriage and an heir? Compared with her future, that was not a problem. As for the matter of an heir, she could privately find a man she liked and bear a child for herself. Wasnt that simple? As for the childs father, she could either keep him around or kill him. There was no shortage of solutions for dealing with this that would keep her secret forever. If not for someone else exposing it or her making a stupid mistake, how could her real identity be found out? How could she be discovered? Who would suspect that the companion he spent his days with, who had cuddled courtesans and accompanied him to drinking parties with female entertainers, was a woman herself? Whether it was her speech or mannerisms or her style of working, he had never seen the slightest flaw. As for Jiang Pengjis appearance, according to the common practices of the day, many men acted more femininely than she did. Lady Qi rolled her eyes at her husband. This is a womans instinct, what do you know about it? I had a pleasant talk with the governor of Liuzhou today. It didnt feel like she was experiencing the slightest bit of unhappiness about her identity being revealed. She did not seem the least bit perplexed or to have the slightest hesitation about external affairs. On the contrary, she looked prepared. If this really is the case, the Liuzhou governor is definitely more ambitious than I expected! Faced with his wifes speculation, Huang Song gave only one response. Oh. Lady Qi said, Whats with that oh? Give me a better reaction. Huang Song laughed and said, What reaction can I give? Lanting is ambitious, but its not as if I only found out about it now. Dont we still have a good relationship now? Lets talk about future affairs at a future time. I cant possibly break all friendly ties with Lanting because shes too ambitious. Lady Qi said, You need to be prepared. Look at Haozhou. Its situated in the border areas to the north and south Based on how the two of them were currently expanding, there would inevitably be a day when their interests clashed. Huang Song laughed, raising his hands to take his lady into his arms. The couples postures were intimate. He whispered, I know whats on your mind, but now is not the time yet. Lanting seems to be very powerful and influential because she had seized the northern territories, but thats just a superficial view. For the next few years, therell only be cooperation between me and her, not conflict. Your worry is a little premature. Why? Lady Qi was astonished. Huang Song said softly, The forces in the north do not only refer to the Liu family, but also the tribes from the northern borderline. As long as the tribes of the northern borderline are not eliminated, Lantings power will be constrained there. I would be digging my own grave to start a dispute with her. Shell expand northwards with peace of mind. Meanwhile, Ill expand southwards from the north. Were allies who do not interfere with each other. Whenever she resolves the problem of the northern borderline will be the time when we stand on completely opposite sides, understand? Personal affairs were separated from their official business. It was not only Jiang Pengji who could see this clearly, Huang Song understood it too. People were friends when their points of view were united. People became enemies when their points of view split. Whether one was a friend or an enemy depended on their position. Originally, I thought that Lantings odds of success against the forces of the northern borderline were poor. Now that I look at it, I think its more likely that both forces have an equal chance of winning. Huang Song looked down slightly and said, In terms of aspiration and appetite, there are only a few in this world who can surpass her. Its unfortunate that shes not actually a man. Lady Qi raised her hand and pinched the soft flesh at his waist. Baring her teeth, she said, Whats wrong with being a woman? A woman cant achieve great things? Madam, I didnt mean that It hurts, it hurts, let go, my skin will turn purple Huang Song repeatedly begged for mercy, but Lady Qi only let go after a while. So you hope that she can gain victory in the northern borderline? The tribes of the northern borderline are a foreign race. How many innocent people have they slaughtered? Naturally, I hope that Lanting will win. If that is beyond her power, I must do my utmost to help. Huang Song secretly sucked in a breath of cold air and rubbed at his stomach pitifully. His wife had such strong hands. Oh, it was not good to provoke a woman. As he rubbed, he complained, Ah, wife, youve caused extra complications. I have to spend some money from my secret stash again. Her ears perked up. Youre saying that I caused extra complications for you? Huang Song bit her earlobe and laughed. If you had given something else, others would have thought that I was just on good terms with Lanting. It would also be normal for you to visit her and show your gratitude as my wife. But you gave her rouge and face powder. Even if Lanting didnt mind, its difficult to guarantee that outsiders will not gossip maliciously and drive a wedge between us. To be on the safe side, I have to pay her a visit in person tomorrow and give her a doubly generous gift with a solemn attitude. Lady Qi pouted but said nothing. Huang Song continued, Otherwise, if someone else deliberately insults Lanting in the future and the lady of the house always has to step in for everything, guess what will happen? Not only will she dispatch those people, but shell also deal with me. Just in case, well take a financial loss now to prevent a disaster. One had to admit that Huang Song had at least some understanding of Jiang Pengji. Lady Qi said, Deal. Ill go to the storeroom and pick out some good ones. The couple had finally met again after a long period of separation. Left by themselves, the newlyweds clung to each other all night. As soon as the sexual activity ended, the panicked voice of a maid could be heard from outside. At the same time, Jiang Pengji, who was getting ready for bed, received a similar piece of news. The body is gone? Jiang Pengji sported a cloak to guard against the cold. She held a bamboo scroll in her hand. The servant reporting to her had no color in his face. The servant said with a shiver, Yes, I heard an evil wind blowing. The bones and other remains of the body are gone. His lord was the primary force behind killing the monster. It was difficult to guarantee that the monster would not come to make trouble for his lord after it resurrected. The servants face turned gray when he thought about a monster watching the residence from somewhere in the dark. If its gone, its gone. Is such a fuss necessary? Jiang Pengji waved and dismissed the servant. Looking at the light from the lamp, Jiang Pengji reached out and played with the flame. She was killed and resurrected thrice. I expect that a portion of the popularity points stored by that subsystem were used she murmured in a low voice. There was a horrifying and cold light in her eyes. A few more times and I can close the net. Chapter 763 - Cat with Nine Lives (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How couldnt Jiang Pengji know that it was dangerous to let the woman who had crossed dimensions go unchecked? For each day that this potential pitfall stayed alive was one more day that Jiang Pengji would have to face the constant threat of assassination. Not only that, but the people around her might also be implicated. A female inter-dimensional traveler with no scruples. A greedy system that wanted the world to be thrown into chaos and also harbored a myriad of schemes. These two fellows even harbored malice for Jiang Pengji that no one else knew about Solely based on this point, Jiang Pengji could not allow them to stay alive and healthy. That would give her even more stress! If the roots werent pulled out with the weed, it would come back to life with the spring breeze. 1 However, she was a rational hunter and knew what to do to catch her prey smoothly. No matter how anxious she felt, she had to bear with it. She couldnt let her prey discover her true purpose ahead of time. When hunting, one had to, of course, kill with a single blow. Once the shot was taken, you must not give your prey a single chance to turn things around and escape. Tormenting the inter-dimensional traveler and the subsystem now was nothing more than the warm-up before the hunt. She pressed hard, exerting the greatest amount of pressure on her prey to keep them fully occupied so that they could hardly catch their breath. They would exhaust their physical strength to a certain degree. She would make her move when the time was right. The subsystem in the body of the inter-dimensional traveler was different from the subsystem in Jiang Pengjis body. The two had the same origin and the same starting point, but their development pathways differed by the host. Jiang Pengji knew the subsystem harbored evil intentions from the beginning. She was always on her guard against it and limited its growth. To use a visual analogy, this subsystem of Jiang Pengjis was a pathetic thing that had its food cut back, eating only one meal a day. With inadequate nutrition, its development was severely delayed. It was as strong as a 6-foot-tall man who weighed only 40 pounds. Its form was emaciated and it could offer little to no resistance. What about the subsystem of the female inter-dimensional traveler? Under the encouragement of the subsystem, shed given her all to do the livestream. Because of the rewards given to her by the subsystem, she lost her scruples, little by little, until there was nothing left With such a hard-working host, there was no way the system had only earned a minimal amount of popularity points. Compared to the pathetic system in Jiang Pengji, the system in the inter-dimensional traveler was having the time of its life. It was dining on fresh seafood every day, and every meal was a 108 full-course banquet. It wanted to eat eight to ten meals a day. Its digestive system could not keep up and it had long ago become obese. Jiang Pengji only wanted her system to lose weight by tormenting it. She kept thinking of ways to use up its popularity points. When it had slimmed down to a certain degree and there were not many popularity points left, that would be the most opportune moment for Jiang Pengji to close the net. If both subsystems were imprisoned, she would get to see how big of a turmoil the real system was still capable of causing! Jiang Pengji sneered as she played with the flame. When the truth came out, she would let the smart-aleck system know who was the real schemer was! There were two developments, and this one would be narrated first. The female inter-dimensional travelers appearance had become that of an old woman. Her body had been dismembered while still alive by Jiang Pengji using five ivory writing tablets. Host, this is the third time! The systems voice was especially cold and its tone carried a strong sense of reproach. If not for Jiang Pengji playing tricks and binding the system to the physical body, it would have long ago abandoned this utter failure of a host. In just one or two months, she had actually died three times by the same persons hands, and each time had been more violent than the last. That fact made it so angry. The old womans soul was pulled into the system space and restored to the appearance of a gorgeous woman dressed in red clothing. Her face was extremely pale, and her eyes were still full of terror and dread that had not yet dissipated. Although it had lasted only a moment, the intense pain of being dismembered into five parts still brought an inexplicable pain and lingering shadow into her soul. The systems criticisms and condemnation allowed her to recover some of her mental faculties as she quietly bit her full red lips. Because of the systems guidance, she had never thought that she was subject to the systems control. Who was the system? Who was the host? Just based on the words, one could tell who was in the dominant role. The system was nothing more than a string of data points in her mind. In the past, theyd had common interests, so the woman in red could endure the open criticism. But now that she had suffered continuous setbacks in rapid succession, she was frustrated too! So what if its the third time? Who was the one who came up with this rotten idea? System, in the first place, you were the one who said that exposing Liu Xis identity as a female would teach her a lesson! Now that it failed, youre blaming all that sh*t on me? Who do you think you are? Youre just data, not even a human, so stop putting on airs in front of me. If you continue to mess with me, Ill go on strike right now. Go and find other hosts if you think you can do better! The woman in red felt so unbearably bitter and mad that she spoke those angry words. As a matter of fact, her angry words hit right where it hurt. Motherf*cker, if it could change its host, why would it still be reasoning non-stop with this stupid b*tch here? At first, itd chosen the woman in red as its host merely because she seemed easily controllable. The level of her IQ was that of an ordinary person. She was a little greedy, liked to get something for nothing, and her head was filled with a bunch of unrealistic daydreams. Also, she was vain, and her innate character was of someone who bullied the weak but feared the strong The system loved this type of host the most. Not too stupid but not smart either. She had weaknesses which allowed her to be easily controlled, turning her into the most obedient puppet Looking at her now, she was just too stupid and her ability to effectively take care of things was poor. Even though she had a system to assist her, she was still being dispatched by Jiang Pengji to hell and back regularly! The system did not feel even a little bit of fear towards the host. After working and living with her for more than twenty years, it was very aware of her true nature. It sneered, Host, according to the original contract that you signed, you cant unilaterally go on strike whenever you wish. Arent you afraid of punishment by electric shock or obliteration? The woman in red shivered subconsciously when she heard those words. I havent made any mistakes yet. Why would you want to obliterate me? For the woman in red, there was nothing more powerful than this threat. No one knew that she hadnt been like this at the beginning. As an internet D-list celebrity host who had accidentally crossed into a strange dimension and gained a formidable livestream system in her mind, no matter how she looked at it and thought about it, those were the makings of a female lead character of a romance novel. The systems style of doing things was also identical to what was usually depicted in the novels. She became increasingly convinced that she was extraordinary. At first, the system used autonomously issued tasks to test her scruples and limits, getting her to do things she didnt want to do. She got upset too. It was merely a system, yet it wanted to control her? Just who was the host and who was the obedient servant? She completed two tasks and tasted the sweetness of it. However, she resisted the third task and the system passed judgment that she had failed. The cost of failure was a second-level electric shock. Shed experienced that painful feeling once before and had no desire to experience it again. On one hand, rich rewards were given after completing a task. On the other hand, painful punishment was dealt after failing a task. She wisely chose the former. Even if the tasks issued by the system caused her to frown and feel uneasy, she still worked hard to complete the tasks when she considered her interests. 1 As long as she was okay, what problem was it of hers whether others lived or died? When she rose to the very top Streamer Level, she would be able to take all that she had gained over these past few years and return to her dimension. Then, she would have no connection at all with this world. Who cares if the world drowns after Im dead? rang through her head. As long as her interests were not hurt, other peoples lives were irrelevant. The system said in a shady and cryptic tone, Host, do I need to remind you how many popularity points you owe me now? The woman in red immediately felt terrified. No matter how unwilling and displeased she felt, she had to swallow her anger. Chapter 764 - Cat with Nine Lives (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Although it was said that debtors these days were as conceited as could be, this did not apply to the situation the system was in. Not only was the system holding the debts of the woman in red, but it was also holding onto her life and the lives of her family members. Host, I would like to remind you of something again. You were the one who first proposed exposing Liu Xis identity. You thought that the crime of lying to ones ruler could topple the father and daughter. You merely told me this idea and treated me like a yes-man, so cut it out with the finger-pointing. The system was not without a temper. She had failed again and again. This had used up all the patience that the system had for the woman in red. But Jiang Pengji had to bind the system to the womans physical body. As long as Jiang Pengji refused to release it, the system would not be able to regain its freedom at all, let alone find a new host. The system could only pinch its metaphorical nose until Jiang Pengji kicked the bucket. It was bound to this stupid and lacking host, stuck cleaning up her messes and dealing with the aftermath of her actions. A deep flush came over the face of the woman in red. Clearly, it came not from shame, but anger. She did not have a good grasp of politics. How could she know that the crime of lying to ones ruler was not a major crime? She could only blame the TV series that shed watched in the past for making her think that the crime of lying to ones ruler was so serious that the accused and his entire extended family could be killed with only the slightest justification. Speaking of which, this was quite funny too. In the past, the woman had done well enough for herself. After all, she was full of vitality and could make waves wherever she went. However, she relied on the cheat sheet that was the system instead of her own brain. She had a one-track mind that only thought about playing at court intrigue, about how to fight for favor, and how to please the livestream viewers. When had she ever studied state affairs and politics? With the system, her face was flawless, and her skin was so fair and tender it looked like it could be broken by the slightest gust of wind. Also, she had a lithe and curvaceous figure like a demoness. As for talents and learning, she could process a technical book in only a short amount of time. In just a matter of minutes, she could rise from an ordinary semi-famous internet celebrity to a global goddess. With the help of the system, not only could she fully capture the attention of men with her appearance, but her body also held great mysteries on the inside. What was so great about giving a good sexual response? Making men feel good during sex and having a shaved crotch? Those things were just childs play. There were more mysterious treasures that would entice men to come back for seconds, like poison entering their bones. It would be difficult for them to quit after they had become addicted. If one made an analogy between food and the feeling of her body, a man having sex with the woman in red was like eating the finest food in the world. One bite was enough to conquer his taste buds. After her, a man having sex with an ordinary woman was akin to eating rancid gruel and sour-smelling rotten vegetables. How could the two ever taste the same? The former did not allow a single drop of water to leak while the latter was like a cowhide pocket that had lost its elasticity, flapping around like a deflating balloon. If it was about the ability to seduce, the woman in red was well-versed. If it was about state affairs and politics, she was totally ignorant. How could a useless person who had been brought up by a system to behave this way then be expected to put in the effort and study boring politics? She took it as a matter of course that lying to ones ruler was a very serious crime. She didnt know that the boy emperor had no prestige at all. The imperial powers had slackened, and the royal family had lost all its prestige. They could only struggle on whilst at deaths door. Did she think that she could assume unwarranted authority based on some pretext to punish one of the feudal vassals? The woman in red thought that she could succeed, but had walked right into the trap in the end. She was caught by Jiang Pengji and killed in a counterattack. I dont want to set myself against her anymore the woman in red murmured. She recalled her three deaths and trembled in fear. Each death had been more miserable than the last. The system said indifferently, Between the two of you, only one can survive. Either you die, or she dies. Are you sure you want to give up? The woman was so choked up that she couldnt speak. In the end, her will to live triumphed over her fear. The system said bewitchingly, Youre the stupidest host Ive ever seen. You know you cant win in a fight against Liu Xi. Why do you keep meeting her head-on? You can similarly achieve your goals by hurting the people around her. You cant approach Liu Xi directly to put her under the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman, but you can make the people around her betray her using deceit, control, etc. You have to be more flexible. The woman in red had a sudden flash of insight. Suddenly, everything was clear. If I want to deliver a blow to Liu Xi, it would be a good idea to use Liu She as my target The system was not optimistic about her choice. It immediately threw a wet blanket on her plan. Liu She stays in Chongzhou all year. The father and daughter dont even meet with each other more than once a year. Their relationship is insignificant. Besides, with the hatred and enmity between you and Liu She, do you think he wont have his guard up against you? Or do you think that you can seduce Liu She with this body? Heh heh, to say some defeating words It would be good enough if Liu She didnt vomit when he came face to face with the woman in red, nevermind become sexually attracted to her. Then who should I choose? the woman muttered softly, analyzing the situation in a dramatically serious manner. At present, there are only a few subordinates around Liu Xi who could get close her and gain her trust Meng Hun, Li Yun, Dian Yan, Yang Si, and Feng Zhen Meng Hun and Dian Yan are too ugly According to what that little b*tch, Gu Min, remembered, Yang Si is quite shrewd and self-disciplined. Only Li Yun and Feng Zhen are left Based on their appearances, she definitely wanted to choose Li Yun. His waist looked incomparably strong. He was as handsome and talented as Prince Charming. He was a real piece of high-quality, fresh meat. It was even rumored that he was a virgin. If that was true, he would be easy to control. However, she also thought about the caution that Li Yun would take as a military man. Besides, the barracks did not allow women to enter, so it would be difficult to infiltrate. After another round of elimination, it seemed that only Feng Zhen was left. Feng Zhen likes to revel in the beauty and charms of women. To put it simply, hes just a lecher. Hes a good choice. 1 Although she was a bit dissatisfied with the weak body of the scholar, there was nothing to be done about it since he was the most suitable choice. At this moment, the system reminded her without any pity, Host, if you still want to be resurrected, make your decision as soon as possible. Otherwise, if you still want to reconstruct your corporeal body after those people outside burn your corpse, youll need at least ten billion popularity points. The face of the woman in red lost all its color. She immediately said, Of course I want to be resurrected! Two billion popularity points! Its a fixed price. The expression on her face was not fit to be seen. Two billion? Even the price of resurrection had gone up? The system explained, The popularity points used for the resurrection are determined based on the degree of damage that the corpse sustained. The lesser the damage, the fewer points that are used. Your corpse Well, Liu Xi went about it rather viciously. The destruction of your body is even more thorough than if shed torn it apart with five horses. Since the damage is greater, the cost is also higher. The woman in red waved her hands weakly. Fine, two billion it is. It was said that people in debt become less worried as their debts accumulate. She already carried a debt of two billion points, so it was no bother to add another two billion on to that. It was paid in installments anyway. With her popularity in the livestream, she could clear her debts after a few years of hard work. With the help of the system, the body that should have been incinerated was taken away with a gust of an evil wind, shocking countless officials and inflicting a sleepless night on them. As for Jiang Pengji, she ate well and slept soundly, only waking up at dawn after a dreamless night of sleep. As Governor of Wanzhou, she could not be away from the base camp for too long. The mission of the allied forces to gather troops for the rescue of the emperor at the capital was almost completed. She should pack up and prepare to return home. 1 As for Prince Changshou, who had already been declared emperor, would he make a comeback after the allied forces left? It was none of her business! How is my lord free to come out now? Feng Zhen raised his sleeve to cover his yawn, and two tears squeezed out from the corners of his eyes. Hed stayed up too late last night to cultivate his Qi and was now sleep-deprived. Jiang Pengji said gloomily, I responded to the decree to rescue the emperor only because of these three things. First, I wanted to be a legitimate governor of Wanzhou. Second, I wanted to make some money by selling the method for making flashed bricks. Third, I wanted to see how loyal the staff of the other lords are and poach some of them for myself As of now, the first two goals have been completed. I came here with an empty purse, and Ill be leaving with one thats fit to burst. But where are my people? We only got Qi Kuang. Zi Shi, youve been remiss in your duty! Feng Zhen was speechless. Hed almost forgotten about this matter entirely! However, she couldnt say that hed been remiss in his duty. Even Qi Kuang, one of the few great people that remained, had been brought over by him. Its not that easy to poach the talents of other princes and lords Chapter 765 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio There are no talents in this world that cant be poached. There are only people who dont make the effort to poach them. Jiang Pengji readily accepted his view and retorted good-naturedly to Feng Zhens words. Turn your thoughts around and think about Wanzhou in its entirety. The land is big but the people are scarce. We do everything by ourselves. Sooner or later, well die from exhaustion over a pile of official documents The only thing that Jiang Pengji stopped short of telling Feng Zhen was, And you still want a vacation, women, good wine, and fine food? Hurry, get to work and procure the people we need! Even if she didnt say it in those words, with Feng Zhens IQ, he was immediately able to understand the deeper meaning behind her words. It was precisely because he understood her that he felt even more regret over the choices hed made in the past. He should never have gone running over so eagerly back when he received Wei Cis letter. How wonderful it was that he had plunged head-first into the bottomless pit of working overtime and enduring Jiang Pengjis exploitation. He hadnt had a proper vacation in an entire year. For a wastrel, no personal time meant that ha had no chances to live licentiously or come into contact with various women. He had nothing to live for. Its just that fate plays a role in this matter too! You cant force it. Feng Zhen weakly justified himself. It was useless to poach ordinary, run of the mill talents. Top talents were not mere radishes with legs that could be purchased at wholesale prices. Acquiring them depended on fate. Furthermore, for the sake of harmony within the internal group administering to the whole of Wanzhou, Feng Zhen couldnt possibly let just any sort of person into his family, could he? Even if Feng Zhen dared to do this, would Jiang Pengji dare to accept such a mixed bag of talents? Ahh, sometimes I envy those who have a good foundation and background. They have many assets, a lot of people in their families, and hugely profitable businesses at their disposal At the very least, they dont have to expend a great deal of effort to get talents. Jiang Pengji looked pit at the somewhat desolate and deserted street and complained in a low voice. I wouldnt mind if it was just the brothers of the Xu family, but I cant even be compared to Bogao Jiang Pengji would never admit defeat when it came to anything else, but when it came to her standing in terms of personal charisma, she was like a lonely wildflower by the side of the road. No matter how much she blossomed, she could never be compared to the flowers and plants like the tree peony or the herbaceous peony. The others were simply more attractive to butterflies and bees This was motherf*cking frustrating. Feng Zhen was two steps behind Jiang Pengji. When he heard her complaints, he gave a shallow, squawking laugh. Clearly, its because youre willfully hiding your real abilities and how shrewd you are. How are you worse off than others? Feng Zhen did not speak to comfort Jiang Pengji. Everything that he said was nothing other than the truth. Jiang Pengjis current situation was of her own making. If they were to talk about foundations and backgrounds, even if the Liu family was not really considered one of the top aristocratic families in Hejian, they still belonged to the middling gentry. To have such an impressive father as Liu She, who had laid a solid foundation for the next generation, the resources and advantages that Jiang Pengji possessed were far greater than she realized. As long as Jiang Pengji was willing to use Liu Shes name, draw support from the Liu familys capabilities, and use the resources at her disposal, there would be no need to worry about the scarcity of talents. Leaving aside the possibility of overtaking the Xu brothers, she was more than capable of surpassing Huang Song. In this day and age, wasnt it all about relying on ones father or ones ancestors wealth and prestige to get ahead? His lord held quite a few powerful trump cards in her hand, but she just refused to show them. If that was the case, what else could she do? Naturally, if she didnt bring out these trump cards to show the real picture, she wouldnt be able to attract enough attention. As such, the scholars in the world didnt know much about her. They didnt see the slightest hope that she had any ambitions or even anything to show off. Which fool would actively go over to her side? To speak plainly, she obviously had the good luck of being able to rely on her fathers wealth and prestige to get ahead, but she just had to insist on starting from scratch. Wasnt she torturing herself? Not only was his lord torturing herself, but she was also dragging the employees under her through this torture with her. It was very heart-breaking. Although Feng Zhen seemed unreliable, he had a keen sense of judgment and could see through everything very clearly. By refusing to draw on the strength of her father and his clan, his lord undoubtedly wanted to achieve something big. She was born into the gentry but she wanted to attack them. Wasnt she a bully? Jiang Pengji waved her hand weakly and frowned. I know what youre going to say. Since this is the path that I chose, even if I have to kneel, Ill have to crawl through it to the end. It will take a lot of energy if I do this alone, but I can rely on you guys, right? Anyway, were short of people now. Go poach some people for me! She had talked for a long time, but the topic had still taken a detour back to the original point. Feng Zhen said that he was feeling weak and had no energy to poach anyone. Jiang Pengji was angry but amused at the same time. She stood firmly and asked him, What do you want to do then? Feng Zhen hesitated before saying, Since you asked, there are many places in the imperial city that provide fun and relaxation for the body and mind. Its rare for us to come here. Isnt it a waste if we dont enjoy the scenery? I really have no other meaning, I just want to see and experience the city. Jiang Pengji chuckled. Youre like an old mast of a sailboat that has been through thousands of voyages, yet youre saying that you want to expand your knowledge and experience this is definitely the coldest joke Ive ever heard. Well, since she wasnt letting him go, Feng Zhen put on an attitude that screamed, I already have a candidate, but since you are not allowing me to go and play, Ill slack off on my work. Jiang Pengjis molars ached as she noticed this. If she let him go, who knew if the Feng Zhen would remain there to enjoy himself and forget to go home once hed had a taste of women? The two of them confronted each other in the streets, attracting much attention from the commoners. It was impossible for them to not pay them any attention when they were so attention-grabbing. Jiang Pengji wore womens clothes, but she was taller than all the men on the entire street. Her entire body gave off a domineering and powerful aura that caused the street urchins to tremble in fear when they passed by. Feng Zhen was wearing a cyan colored scholars costume. He did look a little like a proper scholar, but he also looked unhealthy and weak, seemingly from physical overexertion. He just looked like an indecent sort. Wouldnt the unsuspecting commoners become curious about the two facing off in the street? My lord, please allow it. The time and place have been agreed on. If I dont go, the talent might just fly away. Feng Zhen just looked like an annoying troublemaker now. What else could Jiang Pengji do? Act first and report later? Youve grown up! Deal! Lets go together, lest you have to meet them at another time after youve already coaxed them over to our side. Feng Zhen responded without thinking. He looked at his lords slender, tall, and graceful back, and immediately stood rooted to the spot. My lord, youre going dressed like this? He hadnt known that Jiang Pengji was a woman before. When he was still quitting the bad habit of taking five mineral powder, the two would often go out to drink together, cultivating a revolutionary friendship. It was different now that his lord was a woman. Wasnt it unsuitable for her to go to the red-light district now? Jiang Pengji replied, Who would foot your bills if I dont go? Dont give them my name if youre detained there. Feng Zhen secretly touched his shriveled purse and clicked his tongue Even after Jiang Pengji became rich, she never treated her people unfairly in terms of wages. However, it just couldnt compete with his spending ability. Naturally, his wages were always frittered away before the end of the month. He had actually wanted to con another person into footing the bills. Feng Zhen muttered, I still feel like its weird He wasnt the only one who felt weird. Even the courtesans receiving them thought that the two were a very weird pair. It didnt seem like a male master who had brought his concubine out to experience some dissolute and rakish fun. What kind of concubine would have such a scary aura about her? It didnt seem like a male master who had brought his wife out to experience some dissolute and rakish fun. Whose wife would be more familiar with the pleasure quarters than with her own husband? They were more like a tough as nails mother who had brought her greenhorn brat of a son out to experience some dissolute and rakish fun. But The veteran courtesan shot a glance at Feng Zhen secretly. Based on her ten years of experience traversing this dissolute industry, Feng Zhen was definitely no virgin. He was an old sausage that had experienced countless women. It just felt so weird for such a pair to appear here. Chapter 766 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio However, no matter how strange the courtesans found them, they were still customers, and customers coming in meant business. Who would push away an opportunity to do business? With the courtesan leading the way, the two of them went into a private room on the second floor in the back. The decorations along the way were extremely elegant. Every inch of the place seemed to have been polished with the utmost care. The livestream viewers expressed that this place was quite high-class. If it had not been explicitly stated that the business operating here was a sexual one, with the beautiful women coming and going in thin, light clothing across their screens, the audience might have misunderstood and thought that this was the residence of some high-ranking official. Fell in love with the night: Actually, I dont quite understand why it is necessary to come to this kind of unruly place to rope in a talent. Due to the relatively conservative social atmosphere of the livestream viewers dimension, sex education for all genders was very obscure and ambiguous. Therefore, this resulted in many people having a great interest in the pleasure quarters. No matter what it was, if it involved unspeakable or censored content, there would always be people who revealed an expression of mutual understanding. However, Jiang Pengjis style was too wild. The number of visits she had made to the pleasure quarters in these past few years could hardly be described as small. After having seen so much, they no longer had the initial thirst and curiosity about prostitution in ancient times. Mushrooms dont drive: For men in ancient times, the pleasure quarters probably werent considered an indecent place, right? By coming here to talk business, they could order food when they got hungry, and when they got bored, they could call for the musical actresses to perform music. The female singers could show off their vocal talents and the dancers could display their elegant postures. The pleasure quarters attended to functions of entertainment and meals at the same time. If the discussion went on until it was too late in the evening, they could even treat this place as an inn and conveniently order a night with a nice-looking young lady. One shouldnt just look at the pleasure quarter as a place for pimping. Its functions were very holistic. It was a tavern, tea house, restaurant, inn, and musical theatre all rolled into one. It was definitely a multi-functional entertainment venue. However, Jiang Pengji had a question that she just had to ask. The person that you want to poach has the same sort of morality and conduct as you? He comes here when he wants to talk business? Feng Zhen did not take the sharpness of Jiang Pengjis tone to heart. He smiled and said, Were just barely regarded as like-minded friends. Jiang Pengji understood clearly. Even if this person was not as dissolute as Feng Zhen, he was probably still as licentious and loose as him. Otherwise, how could these two get along? Feng Zhen had booked a private room. Someone was already in the room when they arrived. The double door opened, and several maids wearing light-colored garments exited. The trays in their hands were completely empty. The person saluted them, and they turned sideways to allow Jiang Pengji and others to pass first. Feng Zi Shi, arent you a good one! Have you changed your temperament? You got here so late! The clear and bright voice of a man came from inside the room. The timbre of his voice was full of vitality and favor, far more energetic than the voice of a physically weak and depleted person like Feng Zhen. Ive brought someone along which caused a delay on the way. I hope youll forgive me, Chong Ming. They had not entered the room yet, but Feng Zhen was already smiling as he bowed in apology. Jiang Pengji deliberately lagged by a few steps. She waited until Feng Zhen had entered and struck up a conversation with the man before entering the private room herself. The appearance of a person could be hidden, and his mannerisms and aura could be curbed, but the quality of his personality and character would not be easy to hide. The man in dark brown clothes saw Jiang Pengji and was stunned for a while before he bowed with hands held in front of him and said, I offer my humble greetings, Commander of the Palace Guards. Beside Feng Zhen was a woman with youthful looks and a powerful aura. No one except Liu Xi, who was always in the limelight these days, fit this description. Jiang Pengji also sized him up. This man, who was called Chong Ming by Fengzhen, was about thirty years old. He kept a beautifully trimmed goatee and he looked young, but his eyes held a steadiness that wasnt present in the eyes of young people. No matter how she looked at him, this person was much more reserved and cautious than Feng Zhen. Jiang Pengji said casually, No need to be too polite, I just hope that youll not blame me for being an uninvited, hateful guest. No, no, its a very pleasant surprise that you could come, Governor of Liuzhou. Jiang Pengji was unfamiliar with men, so she did not deliberately intervene in the dialogue between the two. She only curbed her imposing manners and tried to fade into the background. From across the room, the man squinted at Feng Zhen secretly, his eyes asking, Whats happening now? Hadnt they agreed that it would only be him and Feng Zhen? The two of them were supposed to have a harmonious talk in private. Why had Feng Zhens current lord come along too? Feng Zhen smiled bitterly and pointed to the shriveled purse hanging at his waist. The man understood instantly. He understood, but still felt somewhat uncomfortable. To give an inappropriate example, if a man and a woman were chatting on a blind date, but there were more than a dozen relatives and friends in the group with them, how could they feel at ease? Jiang Pengji also realized that it was inappropriate, so she simply found an excuse to go out for a walk. It could be considered as giving them personal space. Your lords imposing manner is not something that an ordinary person would possess. Its no wonder that Zixiao thinks so highly of her, the man said. Feng Zhen was astonished. Zixiao wrote to you? Yes, Zixiao praised her a lot in the letter. It was as if he was boasting about his son. Ive known him for so many years but Ive never seen him work so hard to praise someone. But at that time, I was about to go over to the brothers of the Xu family to try things out, so I politely turned down his invitation. The mans surname was Shao, his first name was one character, Guang, and his courtesy name was Chong Ming. Feng Zhen grunted out an oh. He was not surprised at Shao Guangs choice. Shao Guangs hometown was in Zhe County, which was the Xu familys base camp. He would certainly be biased towards the local power. The aristocratic Xu family. These four words were like a signboard with gold lettering. Even without blooming intentionally, it was still like a flower attracting countless bees and butterflies. I see that life didnt go according to your wishes for the Xu family. He smiled helplessly. I wouldnt have come here if that was the case. The Xu brothers are good people, but they place too much emphasis on the concept of family status, which doesnt really suit me. As the saying goes, people who walk different paths cannot make plans together. It just so happened that I received news from you, so I came here to give it a try Shao Guang had wanted to take up an official post with the Xu brothers. But what could he do when their outlooks were rather high-born and they were both picky about ones birth and family status? Shao Guang was fortunate to have been selected, but because of his low birth, he had never been to put in an important position. It was like shopping for an elaborate toy that looked nice but was useless. He always felt like a forgotten decoration. It was purely a coincidence that he and Feng Zhen were ganging up on the sly. A real man would aspire to travel far and make his mark on the world. Shao Guang had an optimistic and generous temperament. If one house didnt work out, he would jump ship and go to another one. He would never commit career suicide by hanging around an old locust tree. To say something narcissistic, the brothers of the Xu family were blind to have missed his value. That was their loss. With Wei Cis flattery of Jiang Pengji, Shao Guang already had a certain impression of her. When he heard the news, he decided he would also pay some attention to Liu Xi. He had a very good first impression of her. Shed also scored very well on her initial impression. And now, here was Feng Zhen promoting her again. Shao Guang was wondering if he should really take the bait. As for Jiang Pengjis identity as a female, it didnt matter much to him. As a peasant of low birth, no matter how capable he was, he still didnt have the capital to select his master. Moreover, with the recommendation of two friends, if he joined the administrative group of Wanzhou, he would never have to fight alone. As long as he could stand out among his peers and fully express his ambitions, he didnt care whether his lord was male or female, human or canine. This idea was very bold, but it also showed that Shao Guang was very hardworking and pragmatic. He belonged with a group of people that could get things done. In other words, it could be roughly rephrased in this way Put down that work and dont move, let me do it! Look at my lord, isnt she satisfactory? Feng Zhen made a face and winked. Shao Guangs expression was strange. A woman who can go in and out of a brothel with you is really hard to explain in just a few words. Although the way that Wei Ci and Feng Zhen had recommended her was very tempting, he wondered if she might have a dissolute personality just like Feng Zhen since she could play together with him. Thinking about the grief he had suffered at Feng Zhen and Wei Cis hands, he kept feeling an urge to break into a run. Feng Zhen said, How could my lord be an ordinary woman? Whats the big deal about visiting the pleasure quarters? If she hadnt come here, wouldnt you be picking up the tab later? He thought about the days when Jiang Pengji had poached him. She had promised him that entertainment was part of their public expenses. Shao Guang was silent. Chapter 767 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio What are your thoughts? Please give me a definite answer so that I can pass it along to my lord. I dont want her to wait outside for too long and cause trouble. If Feng Zhen and Shao Guang were like a couple on a blind date, Jiang Pengji was like the friend who was there to provide support. She went outside to avoid disturbing their conversation. Feng Zhen understood her intentions and didnt spend too much time teasing Shao Guang. Instead, he was very straightforward and requested an answer. If he spent too much time inside, who knew if his master would end up causing some trouble in this house of dining and courtesans? This place was a vector for creating awkward situations. If rumors of Liuzhou Magistrate picks a fistfight over a beautiful woman in the courtesan tower or some similar kind of drama started to spread, it wouldnt end well. If there was a scandal about a man, that would be considered somewhat trendy, but pinning it on a woman would be huge news. After Yang Si reminded him of this, Feng Zhen took the advice to heart and started carefully considering Jiang Pengjis female identity in fear that she may end up being a victim of malicious rumors. Shao Guangs expression was completely empty, but his heart was conflicted. This is no trivial matter! I should carefully consider my options. Based on the current situation, Wanzhou was indeed a very appealing place to go. Liu Xis background wasnt too bad. Despite still being leagues below the level of the Xu brothers, he was still from an aristocratic and noble family. Liu Xis authority and power werent weak, meaning it would be best for Liu She to delegate his authority. Even if he didnt, Liu Xi would still hold a county in her hands and not be completely powerless. If Shao Guang wanted to stray away from the Xu family and kick them aside, Jiang Pengji was indeed the best option. However, the biggest concern was, even if he acknowledged her, would she acknowledge him back? It wasnt that Shao Guang had an inferiority complex. If one looked at his family background, his lineage wasnt considered too well-off. As such, they were completely ignored by the Xu family. With a cautious heart, Shao Guang carefully beat around the bush to ask about Wanzhous current situation and Jiang Pengjis organizational structure. He wasnt just asking useless questions. The answers to his questions would determine Jiang Pengjis character and enable him to make the right decision. He couldnt let people use him over and over again. If Shao Guang kicked away his ties with the Xu Family to join Liu Xi, only to become another lackey who got buried in the snow because of his poor family background, what would be the point of switching sides? Would he just have to kick Liu Xi away and find yet another side to join? The answers to these questions were of the utmost importance to him. Feng Zhen understood Shao Guangs worries but didnt attempt to point out the others intention. Instead, he answered the questions generously and without jumping between topics. Shao Guang grew more awed as his questions received answered. In fact, he almost spilled the tea in his hands from shock. Is everything you just said true? According to Feng Zhens answers, aside from Feng Jin, who came from an extremely well-off family, the entire staff of the Wanzhou governing body was below the average requirement. This proved that Liu Xi really didnt care about a persons family lineage. He felt relieved knowing that he didnt need to worry about this aspect of history repeating itself. As long as there was no prejudice against family backgrounds, Shao Guang believed he could still become successful one day. Feng Zhen laughed a little and said, Why would I be lying? My lord may have taken the entirety of Wanzhou without a word, and look as if she has some power, but before we took down the crown, who even knew who Liu Xi was? How many people could she convince with a single statement like I am Liu Shes son or I am the brave son of a famous father with her lowly title? Even if someone did answer to the summoning, she wouldnt always take them in. Shes here to recruit talent, not to build ancestral relationships for herself. After hearing this, Feng Zhen paused for a moment before lowering his voice to speak to Shao Guang. To be frank, after capturing the crown, my lords name was supposed to gain quite a bit of reputation. Even though it wasnt enough to compare to the Xu brothers, fewer than five people would have had a reputation comparable to hers within the land of Dongqing. It shouldve been a great opportunity, but it also just so happened that my lords identity was revealed at the same time. Shall I ask which reputable family of nobility would willingly bow down to a woman in this world full of misogynistic ideals? Although Dongqing was not a brutally misogynistic country like Zhongzhao, the effects remained. Even back when the Daxia Dynasty first emerged, there were people who spread rumors about General Xu, the ancestor of the Xu family. The same was true in the present, especially with many people becoming more conservative. These seemingly harmless rumors were filled with hateful words and prejudice against General Xu. The people who attacked General Xu all used the same reasoning that General Xu was incapable simply because she was a woman. Even to this day, the sentiment stayed the same. In the eyes of many, gender itself was the original sin. It had no relation to skills and abilities. Shao Guang hesitated and asked in a low voice, Zi Shi, youre telling me all of this is because of you Feng Zhen laughed and said, A superficial relationship built on pretense will never be as precious as a timeless helping hand. To say it in my lords vulgar language If you refuse to work with me today, you will not reach my status tomorrow. The people will scold her now for defying gender roles, but dont know if she will take the throne in the future. You dont have a place to go now anyway, so why not take a gamble? At the very least, my lords character certainly wont disappoint you. Shao Guang felt as if his worldview had just been completely overturned. Unless you are like the commoners outside who dont think she will make it? Feng Zhen asked. Shao Guang rolled his eyes and said in defeat, Weve been friends for years, dont you know me at all yet? Male or female, human or canine, does it make a difference to me? How else would he know the feeling of having opportunities taken away and getting brushed off by others just because of his ancestral background? Feng Zhen and Wei Cis sales pitches were too tempting. How could Shao Guang not be moved by them? The harsh truth was also that the choice wasnt his. His fate was in the hands of the others. Shao Guangs temper was also the reason why Wei Ci and Feng Zhen decided to speak with him directly. Now that Shao Guang was a fish caught in the net, Jiang Pengji no longer needed to stroll around outside the room. Did my lord have a fateful meeting? Why are you smiling so happily? Feng Zhen asked teasingly when he saw Jiang Pengjis satisfied expression. There was no fateful meeting, but I did end up seeing a world-class beauty who said she has a combing tonight. Jiang Pengjis expression was filled with excitement. Besides her, the livestream channel was filled with lines and lines of compliments for the beauty. Feng Zhen felt his mouth twitch a little. Shao Guang was staring at her in complete shock. Was this new master before him a man or a woman? Why combing? The original meaning was to use a wooden comb to gather hair up and tie it above ones head to symbolize the end of a young girls childhood. It was clear at this point what the meaning was. It hinted that a courtesan in the building would be taking in a customer for the first time. It wouldnt be such a big deal if it was a man who was getting excited over this news, but this new master was actually a woman! Jiang Pengji held back the expression on her face and turned her gaze towards Shao Guang. Feng Zhen immediately understood and said a few courtesy lines to maintain the situation. Even though the three had already come to a consensus, and Jiang Pengji had successfully dug up a piece of Xu Peis property to make Shao Guang join their camp, they still had formalities to take care of. In other words, Chongming is willing to give up his current career path to help us out, correct? Shao Guang sat up straight and bowed. May I ask for the lords mercy? I shall work hard and dedicate my life to supporting my lord. 1 A satisfying ending for all! Chapter 768 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Something worth noting was that Shao Guangs area of expertise was not strategizing and calculating. While his propensity for scheming was well above average, he was still too inexperienced to compare to a true black-hearted manipulator like Feng Zhen. Feng Zhen had scouted the edge of the wall and recommended him to Jiang Pengji because Shao Guang was an unexpected resource. He was a specialist in managing water resources and fixing structures. 1 It wasnt that surprising that Shao Guang had never been treated as a valuable asset under the Xu brothers. The Xu family was based in Zhe County, which was filled with boundless natural resources and was never short on water supplies. Easy problems only required normal people to solve them, but even something a little more difficult wouldnt require Shao Guangs help, so he was really of little value in the county. On the other hand, Jiang Pengjis place absolutely needed Shao Guang! Wanzhou had experienced a terrible drought the previous year, and if Jiang Pengji hadnt found out early and prepared for the natural disaster, who knew how many people would have died from thirst or how many crops would have dried out from the lack of rain? It wouldve been a rough year to live through. Feng Zhens new recruit was exactly who they needed. With one swift action, hed managed to recruit the most necessary capital resource for her. The atmosphere was pleasant. Jiang Pengji didnt really have to act in a way that made people think she was vulnerable, but she also didnt make herself seem too full of herself or like she stood above others. After a short conversation, Shao Guang was secretly awed. From his perspective, Xu Pei was already a rare talent among the younger generation, but there was a small problem with him that was unavoidable for noble disciples. The flaw was that they look down on people from lower family backgrounds because of their own aristocratic bloodlines. They will rarely put down their pride long enough to speak with the people below them. 1 If this was a problem exclusive to the Xu brothers, they wouldve been perceived poorly by others and been regarded as inflexible and problematic. Unfortunately, this kind of attitude was quite popular. Their prejudice was considered normal, and the lower-class people who dreamed of becoming successful were just daydreaming on their own. To put it in modern terms, this wasnt just princess syndrome, they really were princesses! In Shao Guangs eyes, Jiang Pengji was also an aristocratic son from a noble bloodline uh, an aristocratic daughter. It didnt matter if she was a noble son or daughter. It didnt matter that she only valued talent. Deep down, she still had the arrogance and elegance to live up to her family name. After getting to know her, however, he found out that Jiang Pengji wasnt hard to talk to. In fact, he even felt the urge to become closer friends with her. She socialized naturally without giving off the vibe of looking down on or offending anyone. Despite having an aura of nobility about her, it didnt make others feel isolated or rejected. In other words, this was a very non-mainstream aristocratic family. Shao Guang still had clear eyes. He could judge with the scale inside his mind whether this was just her putting on a show or if she was indeed sincere. Now, he felt no pressure or hesitancy to call Jiang Pengji his lord. Jiang Pengji ordered quite a few gourmet dishes and split the food among the three of them. She glanced at the empty seats beside the two young men and asked, Shall I call some girls to come and serve you two? You shouldnt forget where they are right now. Not calling out a few dancers to liven up the scene would make the atmosphere a little too serious. The two men both went silent at the same time, remembering that their lord was indeed a woman. She too was visiting a courtesan tower. Why was she so much more open and accepting than these two men before her? You dont want some? The feast is on me for once. There wont be a second chance after this. Feng Zhen no longer hesitated and called several beauties inside. He then asked Jiang Pengji casually, Too bad this isnt the South Court. If it were, would my lord also order two? The South Court was the male version of the courtesan tower. It sold men instead of women, meaning that the young men inside were the server boys. Jiang Pengji lifted her eyes. No need, you two can play on your own. Feng Zhen was a shameless man who didnt know what being reserved meant. Shao Guang had just joined the party and was already much more collected than him. More importantly, there was also a female lord beside him watching. He would be uncomfortable hugging and touching the courtesans of the tower. Feng Zhen ordered a list of songs and dances which he watched joyfully. On the other side of the room, Jiang Pengji played with her wine cup with her flexible fingers. She glanced at the sky outside while her lips curled up slightly. There are a few ladies that need combing today. Would you two be interested in watching? Feng Zhens gaze remained glued on the dances and answered without turning his head, Yes. Shao Guang was silent. It all felt like a dream. Even male lords wouldnt have the nerve to say something like this. Why was his new lord so open and bold? And Feng Zhen, why are you so shameless? Then lets go watch. Perhaps youll be lucky enough to earn a night with someone. Shao Guang once again felt that his new lord had a character that was difficult to capture in words. The tower wasnt small. There were nine new courtesans present, all between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. The audience felt their hearts grow heavy as they watched the young girls on stage. They all still had an aura of innocence about them. When Jiang Pengji used to wander in the courtesan towers and run into the combing of the courtesans, the audience members could only watch. They had no ability to lend a helping hand. Feng Zhen lowered his voice and said, This courtesan house sure is interesting. They still managed to put on a big show after experiencing a national disaster. When Prince Changshous army invaded the capital city of Chenzhou, the entire city had drowned in a bloodbath of warfare. While the rebellion army managed to settle the situation, it was still a sad fact that they couldnt change the lives of those now living in poverty. This courtesan house was quite impressive if it had managed to escape the times of unrest. Theyd even managed to find several new courtesans with above-average looks. Jiang Pengji lifted her lips in a smile and said, I see that theres a young girl up there thats been staring at you. 1 Feng Zhen also noticed. The young courtesan who kept sending shy looks toward him was dressed in pastel clothing and looked about fifteen to sixteen years old. Her face still had a hint of youthfulness, but it was already a clearly beautiful face. In addition, despite her young age, her body was rather developed. She didnt yet have a mature body, still maintaining the purity of a teenager, floating somewhere between a grown woman and a girl. She stood by herself on the stage and immediately forced the spotlight of the other eight girls off the stage. She was the spotlight of the court. And now, the spotlight was shyly peeking at Feng Zhen. Feng Zhen said proudly, I guess my attractiveness hasnt been lost to time. The young lady has good taste. Jiang Pengji laughed out loud. Zi Shi, I see that your house is quite empty. Since you dont have anyone to care for you, why not bring one back? Jiang Pengjis eyes carried a hint of teasing and bad intention as she advised Feng Zhen. These are all young little girls. If they stay in a place like this, who knows what theyll become in the future. If you buy, even if you dont give her your name, keeping her by your side to care for you would still make your life a little easier. Based on this statement alone, surely this was the best lord in any of the five counties. My lord, you cant just make fun of someone else Feng Zhen shivered a bit and complained back. The naughty boy at home has already been enlightened, so please dont trouble the young girls. I accept your kind thoughts, but I cannot take one. Did Feng Zhen really not know what kind of character Jiang Pengji was? In the same way, how could Jiang Pengji not know Feng Zhens character? Fen Zhen liked older ladies. The object of his desire must be someone mature and refined. He would never put his hand on a pure child like that. The two had gone in to drink at courtesan houses multiple times, how could the lord not know his interests? He liked older women, not little girls. Feng Zhen frowned subconsciously as he listened to his master make this statement. His eyes naturally fell back onto the stage and he caught the eye of the beautiful young courtesan again. Tsk, he dared to swear on his own masters gender that there must be something fishy going on here! Chapter 769 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If one didnt know much about Feng Zhen, they would assume he was a well-mannered and refined character but how was he in reality? Even the audience in the livestream could see what he was up to. Uncle loves Loli: This is the funniest joke Ive heard all day. Feng Zhen is refusing to take the delicious meal being offered to him? Young boy likes older women: That young lady is gorgeous. In another year or two, shell be a good competitor for little Miss Hui Jun. Is Feng Zhen saying he doesnt like her? Hey host, is the sun rising from the west over there? Did Feng Zhen change personalities? Zuizhan Baishe Geng: Id believe the sun rose from the west before I believe that Feng Zhen changed his interests. Guicai Guofengxiao: A loafer is a loafer. I dont believe hed turn back against his own principles. He must be baiting something here to catch a bigger fish. Facing all the questioning and mockery in the livestream channel, Jiang Pengji gave a taunting smile to Feng Zhen. Werent you complaining that you didnt have someone close to you before? Jiang Pengji ripped off his fa?ade mercilessly and said, Im offering to find you someone right now, so why are you acting so conservative and turning into a saint that wont even touch a woman? Ill let you know right now that once we leave this town, we wont be going to another shop like this. Im in a good mood today, so if you want the young woman up there, Ill buy her for you. If you change your mind, dont complain about it later. Feng Zhen frowned. He knew Jiang Pengji and understood that her heart was completely black. When had she ever been this generous before? She was so stingy that she wouldnt even give him the monthly holiday off. How could she possibly reward him with a beautiful courtesan now? 2 Feng Zhens brows pressed together as he realized this wasnt a simple matter. Do you want her? Jiang Pengji leaned against the table with a smile on her face. Her chin rested on her arm, her other hand holding her wine cup. There was a hint of amusement coming out of the corners of her eyes. Feng Zhen suppressed his suspicion and secretly bit ground his teeth. Finally, he accepted the offer with a smile on his face. I cant possibly refuse when my lord is being this generous. However, Im afraid the price of combing will not be cheap for such noble beauty. He was willing to see what plan his lord had under her belt! Jiang Pengji lazily replied, Zi Shi did an amazing job for me, so its natural for me to want to reward you. It is only one young courtesan! How much could she be? Even if you wanted all nine girls on the stage, as long as you felt like you could handle them, I would buy them all for you. One girl is practically nothing. Feng Zhen was stunned. He was already giving the cold-shoulder to one young girl, now she was talking about nine of them! Even though his private life seemed to be very open and free-roaming, he still had his own morals. He shook his head sternly and said, Please do not joke around, my lord. I still need to be mindful of my body. There is no way I could handle the labor. To avoid Jiang Pengjis underhanded tricks, he started putting himself down and saying he couldnt do it. Jiang Pengji took her offer back when she saw that he was taking her up on the initial proposal. She pointed towards the beautiful young courtesan in the middle and said, Looking at them all, this girl has the best face. What kind of man wouldnt like a pretty face? Zi Shi is my right-hand man and naturally deserves a woman with the best of looks. Shall we choose her? Feng Zhen accepted the offer with a smile, contemplating hard inside his mind and feeling a little uneasy the entire time. How could he not know what kind of person his own master was? The more generous and kinder she acted, the more worried he became. The unknown always sharpened a persons senses. Feng Zhen couldnt guess Jiang Pengjis intentions. He could only resort to being extra cautious and staying on high alert. He wasnt a dumb child! Why would he believe anything Jiang Pengji said? If she really cared about her subordinates and wanted to reward them, she could simply offer holidays for everyone. Why bother gifting a courtesan? The only thing he was scared of was that this was an evil demon disguised as a beautiful courtesan! 1 Of all nine courtesans, only the one in the middle has a beauty that outshines all the others. Shao Guang was unaware of the situation and added his thoughts to the discussion, secretly awed by the good relationship between Jiang Pengji and Feng Zhen. He grew much more satisfied and said, Master sure has good eyes to be able to pick out the best one at a glance. Jiang Pengji laughed and asked Shao Guang, Does Chongming want to choose one too? Chongming refused with a bitter smile as he realized that the torch was being passed to him. I have a wife and concubine at home who has been with me for many years. I cannot bring in another one. Shao Guang knew that if he couldnt bring in more people now, perhaps he wouldnt be able to bring in more in the future either. His new lord was a woman. How could she enjoy seeing her subordinates keep a harem of wives and concubines? Feng Zhens situation was special. He had no wives or concubines at home, so it was normal that the lord would grant him a special someone. As they spoke, the courtesans on stage began making their appearances. Aside from the most beautiful one, the other eight girls werent too bad looking either. Each was unique and followed a different type, earning a lot of attention from the audience. Cute and jolly, sweet and shy, quiet and reserved, modest and generous, elegant and dignified While their looks were still limited by their age and the fact that they had not yet fully developed, it wasnt hard to see how dazzling they would be in a few years. To make a firm statement, even the courtesans of the imperial palace were on the same level to these girls. One young courtesan with a braid in her hair was wearing an ink-black wedding dress. Whoever made the highest offer would be her groom for the night. Aristocrats, government officials, and the assorted rich men battled each other while the madam of the brothel watched from the stage with a jovial grin on her face. The courtesans were lined up based on price and appearance from lowest to highest. The most average looking girl was first, and the most beautiful was last in line. It was clear that the spotlight young courtesan would be the most expensive jewel of the night. Her auction would surely cause a bloody brawl between the bidders. Feng Zhen frowned as he watched the first few courtesans deals close. Something wasnt right! Looking at the prices of the others, the last young girl will cost at least 200,000, my lord While Jiang Pengji was generous towards her subordinates and offered them some good rewards, she didnt like to waste money. She was only generous to her subordinates because they deserved that kind of reward from their sacrifices. It was almost like an equivalent exchange. But what about this girl before them? Besides her face, what else about her was worth Jiang Pengji buying her for such a large sum of money? If his lord was a man, he could understand. To throw away a huge amount of money for a gorgeous beauty was considered a refined act. But his lord was a woman and throwing a fortune away only to reward her subordinate strategist with a courtesan sounded too ridiculous to be true. Wait Just be patient. Jiang Pengji chugged down a cup of liquor with a grin as she told Feng Zhen to not worry. I promise Ill let you be a groom for tonight. The young girl will not fall into anothers hands. Your master is quite reliable at times like these, so dont fret Feng Zhen was speechless. Hed prefer that his lord not be reliable right now. After a few rounds of heated auctioning, the atmosphere of the combing ceremony reached its climax. The madam on stage was in full makeup. She looked as joyful as if she was marrying off her own daughters. To the madam of a brothel, arranging combing ceremonies for her young workers was almost considered a different kind of marriage for her daughters. The strange thing was that, after the other eight courtesans had been auctioned off, the ninth girl didnt move. A small wave of unrest began to erupt within the audience. The madam explained, saying, Little Huaner here is a young woman I personally raised as my daughter. She was first raised in the boudoir and doesnt normally make public appearances. She is now 28 years old and is ready for marriage. However, because of my background, I cannot offer her a proper partner, so I thought I would take this opportunity to bring her out while the others receive their combing. Today, I will grant her hand in marriage to whoever she chooses among the crowd and offer a bundle of dowry. I do not ask much, only for a kind man to provide for her and protect her for the rest of her life. Chapter 770 - Feng Zhen’s Luck in Love (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Women working in a brothel had no way to become the mistress of a government official or a wealthy mans wife. The fact that the madam was making a compromise and only asking for the position of mistress and even offering a grand dowry was very exciting! As the announcement was made, the crowd exploded in excitement. The gazes young Huaner was receiving grew even more heated with desire. Someone in the audience asked, May I ask who Miss Huaner took interest in? Just then, Huan ers eyes shot a shy glance in Feng Zhens direction. Feng Zhen trembled subconsciously, feeling uneasy about this whole situation. He wasnt fond of young girls like her. Back when he used to play around at night, he would always find mature and smart older women because they were experienced enough to not get too emotionally attached to their customers. On the other hand, a young courtesan like this girl was hard to judge. Feng Zhen doesnt want to risk hurting her feelings. Being young and na?ve meant that a person was inexperienced in life, making them susceptible to growing emotional attachments to others. Jiang Pengji was still teasing him off to the side. Look, that little girl is staring at you. She clearly has an interest in you. Feng Zhen ground his teeth and lowered his voice as he said, Please stop teasing me, my lord. They dont want your money and are instead sending her out with a handsome dowry! How can you not be tempted by this? Shao Guang was surprised, primarily at the fact that his master had already predicted this situation. Feng Zhen said firmly and righteously, Im not tempted! While he rejected the good fortune thatd come his way, the other customers exploded into a mess. They didnt understand why a beautiful young courtesan like her would take interest in a plainly-dressed, middle-aged man who already had another woman with him. To be brutally honest, the mans eyes look tired and showed visible weariness, which meant that he certainly had weak kidneys. How could someone like him possibly satisfy a clean, young courtesan like her? The girl was young and na?ve, how could they let her go with such a shady and unreliable man? Someone finally stood up in opposition. They couldnt tolerate that they were about to see a beautiful flower plant itself in cow poop. Miss Huaner, you have the face of a national treasure. How could you take an interest in such a lowly and average man? Thats right, this man even has a female partner beside him. Its clear that he isnt someone you can give the rest of your life to On the stage, Huaner held up her circular fan and covered her face slightly as she walked elegantly toward Feng Zhen, crushing Feng Zhens dream of her taking interest in Shao Guang instead. She leaned in a little as she looked deeply into Feng Zhens eyes. I come from a lowly background and know I am not fit to be the partner of a wealthy man like you. However, I still wish that you will accept my plea and make my dream come true. Even if I do not have a name or reputation, I will be satisfied just to be taken in. Feng Zhen let out a forced smile as he said in a quiet voice, I cannot accept the mistresss heartful request. I am almost 30 with a child at home. Im unsuitable to take you in. Right now, you are still a blooming flower and will find someone who will truly love you in the future Huaner bit down on her glittery red lips and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. I truly love you, sir No matter how many wives or children you have at home, even if I must be a lowly concubine without a name, as long as I can stay by your side, I will not have any regrets for the rest of my life. Feng Zhen was confused. There was something wrong with this script! Jiang Pengji covered her mouth and laughed. Since she fell in love with you at first sight and already has such affection, you should just accept it. Feng Zhen cursed in his mind. His master was clearly only here to be entertained at his expense! Shao Guang was also fanning the fire as he watched Feng Zhen with a smile. Feng Zhen quietly let out a sigh. Even though everyone else around him was jealous that he could take such a beautiful girl home, who could understand how displeased and aggrieved he was? Just his own masters part in this situation disturbed him very much, let alone everything else that was happening. More importantly, this Huaner girl was clearly prepared and was only targeting him. Normally, even if it was love at first sight, seeing a woman with above-average looks with an average man would make people hesitate at least a little bit. Plus, Huaner had never even taken a look at Jiang Pengji. It was as if she already knew who the others were. Feng Zhen boldly assumed that this Huaner girl already knew his masters identity as well as his own. A beauty willingly tossing herself at someone didnt always mean good fortune. Feng Zhen was secretly displeased, but when he saw Jiang Pengjis gaze, he held it in and finally succumbed to reality. If that is the case, then I shall apologize for inconveniencing Miss Huaner. This was clearly a form of silent acceptance. Huaner blushed shyly as she went upstairs to wait for Feng Zhen in a room under the madams escort. As much as the other customers were unhappy with the result, they couldnt act on their anger. As such, the brothel maintained a rather peaceful atmosphere. Jiang Pengji took the other two back to the room they were in earlier. The madam sent someone in to deliver the dowry. She opened the box with a cold smile on her face and took out some outstanding gold bullion. Off you go, tonights groom, your bride is waiting for you. You shouldnt let her wait too long. Feng Zhens face darkened and he said with a low voice, What is my lords plan? Shed known Huaners intention from the start and had pushed him into the fire. He clearly wasnt going to be a groom. He was going to be a lab rat. Jiang Pengji said, Dont worry, just think of it as a blessed fortune for you to enjoy. Feng Zhen may be a loafer, but that didnt mean he had no standards. Even if Huaner had her own agenda, he couldnt just walk in blind and enter the bridal chamber without a reason. And now his own master was purposely being vague and wouldnt tell him the truth! If youre so curious, you should go ahead and discover the truth yourself Feng Zhen took in a deep breath as he looked at the gold bullion with a complicated expression. Arent I asking because Im afraid that I will give in before I can find an answer? Jiang Pengji teased playfully, Dont worry, its your wedding night! Ill watch the door for you. If she wants to hurt you, you just need to scream, and Ill run in to protect your virginity Feng Zhens mouth twitched as he held back the urge to kill his own master. Is this perhaps a beauty trap? Shao Guang was eating peanuts. Using this opportunity to drive a wedge between the lord and Zi Shi in order to gain profit elsewhere? Feng Zhen said, No. If it really was a beauty trap, the cost would be too high. How could anyone waste a high-quality 28-year old beauty on someone like him? Youll know when you go see. Jiang Pengji continued to nudge him on. Ill disguise myself as a manservant and go in with you. Feng Zhen said resignedly, Sure, I guess this is the only option we have now. With such an unreliable master, even the subordinate men must sometimes sell their bodies. Feng Zhen changed clothes according to the rules of the brothel and looked almost as if he really was a groom. Inside the bridal chamber, the bride had already combed her hair. The air was filled with a sweet scent. Huaner set her fan down and noticed Jiang Pengji beside Feng Zhen. Her facial expression hardened a little. She said timidly, Langjun, this person Feng Zhen answered straightforwardly, Just a servant. You need not to worry or we may delay the night. Jiang Pengji had made her face look very plain. The audience members of the livestream were all awed that she could change her whole face without doing makeup. Huaner didnt bother with the small talk about the servant. She wanted tp complete the ceremony with Feng Zhen. Just as they were about to drink the wine of the bridegroom, Feng Zhen felt something hit the weak spot of his waist. Feng Zhen was shocked and almost jumped up from his seat. He frowned a little as he touched the edge of the cup with his lips. He didnt touch the wine and proceeded to put down the cup. Huaner held up her own cup and was waiting for him to drink, only to see that the wine in his cup was untouched. A hint of worry appeared on her face. Why is Langjun not drinking? Chapter 771 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Why arent you drinking? Feng Zhen forced a smile. It wasnt that he didnt want to drink, it was clearly because his master had warned him not to drink. But of course, he cant say this reason out loud, so he quickly turned his head and found another excuse. It is not that I wont drink, its that I rarely have alcohol. Feng Zhen put down the cup and started making up stories with a sincere expression on his face. I was born with a weak body thats easily affected by illness. I was under special care for many years until recently when my body grew healthier. I shouldnt be drinking alcohol too much to avoid relapsing on my illness and scaring Miss Huaner. Huaners expression relaxed a little more after this detailed explanation, but nobody else besides her could know what she was really thinking. Did he really drink the wine? Huaners expression remained unchanged and filled with affection for Feng Zhen, but the voice inside her head was unusually cold. After a while, an emotionless and dry mechanical voice rang out inside Huaners head. No, the puppet parasite had no reaction. The puppet parasite, just like its namesake, was a parasite that could hide inside a persons brain and secretly control their thoughts and actions. Huaner had originally wanted to use a loyalty seal to control Feng Zhen, but because Feng Zhens mental strength was stronger than that of the average person, a normal seal would not work on him. Aside from Feng Zhen, all strategists that were difficult to deal with were also hard to control with normal loyalty seals. 1 As for unusual loyalty seals she didnt want to waste one on Feng Zhen. She could only resort to an alternative method. Shed spent a long time going through the systems marketplace before finally finding the Puppet Parasite item. Not only did she want to control Feng Zhen with the puppet parasite, but she also wanted to use Feng Zhen to get close to Jiang Pengji and find an opportunity to use the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman on her! After hearing the report from the system, although Huaners expression didnt change, she started grinding her teeth. Feng Zhen didnt drink it! Langjun, tonight will, unfortunately, be short, so please dont let this time go to waste. Huaner placed her cup down and moved to Feng Zhens side. Her smooth, clean hands took his right hand and placed it gently on her skirt. She lowered her gaze as her delicate body leaned on Feng Zhen, leading his hand to undo her waistband. Her clothing slid off slowly, exposing her clean white shoulders. Langjun, am I beautiful? Her full red lips trembled slightly while her gaze filled with soft affection. It was as if a sea of stars shined inside those pupils. If someone else was here, they would already be captivated by her passionate gaze. Feng Zhen remained reactionless and instead glanced at the national treasure in his arms with a smile. Very beautiful, the most magnificently charming beauty Ive seen in my life, he complimented her while attempting to pull his hand away. Just then, he felt a movement at his waist and noticed that it was the feeling of his waistband being undone. Miss Huaner, its still too early I If I am the most beautiful woman Langjun has ever seen, how can you not be tempted? How could Feng Zhen answer? 2 His private life was indeed wild, but he was well-aware of what kind of woman he could touch and what kind he should stay away from. Clearly, this young woman before him was the latter. Even if Feng Zhen didnt know who she was, the strangeness of her actions so far was enough to make him tense up in alarm. I am disconcerted. How could I not be tempted? Flirtatious and smooth words rolled out of Feng Zhens mouth while he desperately cried in his mind. What kind of situation was this!? If his master still wasnt acting, did that mean he would really have to go in by himself and lose his innocence? If you are tempted, why do you not want me? The candlelight inside the room flickered as the sweet scent of romance filled the air. Under Huaners bold and passionate invitation, Feng Zhens hand was forced inside her clothes Hm, despite her age, the goods inside were surprisingly well-developed. However, as he remembered that his lord was watching from outside, Feng Zhen couldnt even raise any exciting thoughts in his mind. He remained inwardly distressed, unable to escape this girls advances. He could only let himself be teased passively. Unbeknownst to him, there were people out there that were jealous of his good fortune right now. Naturally, it was the audience members in the livestream that werent afraid of causing a scene. Motuo Jiushi: Tsk, it looks like the entire channels turning into R-rated content. Is the host planning on streaming their fairy fight? Shuimo NianNian: I hope not, otherwise the entire channels reputation will fall. Li WuShuang: I dont think thatll happen. The host still has some standards. What was Jiang Pengji doing right now? She wasnt looking at the comments in her own channel, she was looking at the comments in Huaners stream channel. Why was she always able to find out Huaners true identity? With such a large livestream channel, shed be blind if she couldnt even tell just by looking at the screen. Whose fault was it that Huaners body still had its spiritual seal? It would be easier for her to climb to the heavens than for her to get close to Jiang Pengji without the other noticing. 1 Feng Zhens good luck at being able to enjoy this great fortune was mostly due to Huaners channel audience members. If these audience members werent so ostentatious with money and continuously throwing missions and sending out rewards to encourage Huaner to stream the act with Feng Zhen inside the room, Huaner probably wouldnt be acting so aggressive. Within a matter of minutes, Huaners dress was already half off and rumpled, exposing her long white legs and her shoulders to the air. Langjun, please take me. The slightly husky voice retained a heavy hint of lust. Even for Feng Zhen, this line induced a sense of irresistible temptation within him. This, this is still too early Feng Zhen stuttered in a desperate attempt to stall, not realizing that the comments in Huaners stream were already filled with complaints. How could any man resist such a gorgeous lady with her skin exposed and clothes half off? Anyone wouldve jumped right in to take off the rest of the clothing and go straight into the bridal chamber. Instead, Feng Zhen was still stuttering at this point and stalling. It was clear that he was a disabled eunuch! Being suspected of being a eunuch, Feng Zhen felt an unspeakable struggle in his mind. The master was still watching coldly on the side of the room. Shed concluded that he truly was a man for being able to maintain his standards, even in this situation. In the end, he could only forcefully push the woman in his arms away. Huaner didnt block the sudden action and fell to the ground. My lord, please stop watching and help! Feng Zhen pushed her down and turned to run towards the door immediately, shocking the entire crowd of the audience in the livestream. What just happened? Huaner was also stumped for a moment before she finally realized what happened as her expression cooled down. Who was Feng Zhens lord? Liu Xi! How had Liu Xi also followed her over here? Huaners gaze was filled with toxic hatred as she stared at the little servant ahead of her. Feng Zhen was currently hiding behind this servant. Youre here to ruin my plan again! Jiang Pengji crossed her arms and said, I cant possibly let my most important subordinate fall into your trap, so I can only follow and watch the show. Feng Zhen felt like something was off when he heard this line. Is my lord acquainted with this person? Jiang Pengji said, The person I ripped into pieces on the day of the assembly is the same one right here. Feng Zhens face turned green. Chapter 772 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio How could his face not turn green? Someone whod had their corpse ripped apart by his master had now appeared right here disguised as a courtesan ready for combing at this brothel. It was no less than a real-life horror story. Is this woman a ghost? Feng Zhen remembered the contact earlier and felt goosebumps rise all over his body in disgust. Shes a living person with the powers of a ghost. She can revive herself with full HP after she dies. Why are you so scared? What did she mean by can revive herself with full HP after she dies? It was already strange enough that someone could come back from the dead, but even after being dismembered? Feng Zhen had no idea how to respondhis master may be brave and unafraid of ghosts or demons, but he was different. He was a wimp! This lord sure was a great master for this child! My lord must be joking! This person is just a human with flesh and blood, how can I not be scared? After living almost 30 years and just now seeing the supernatural for the first time, he felt like he should be praised for remaining calm and not losing his composure out of fear. Youre scared too? I couldnt tell. If I wasnt here to keep a watch over you, you might have ended up getting in bed with her and forgetting about everything. Jiang Pengji mocked Feng Zhen as she observed Huaners actions. She noticed that Feng Zhens face looked as if itd been brushed with green paint. His stomach turned in distaste as he remembered how that demon had been in his arms earlier, trying to lure him to bed. At the thought, he almost puked out a mouthful of acid. On the other hand, Huaner looked at Jiang Pengji with immense hatred in her eyes. She ground her teeth. Liu Xi, I swear I will kill you one day! Jiang Pengji laughed lightly. You said one day. I guess its not going to be today. Huaners face turned blue because of the direct ridicule. The three attempts before told her that Jiang Pengjis abilities were fearsome. She had no chance of escaping from Jiang Pengji. Did that mean she would have to die again? The pain of death once again resurfaced in her mind. Her body trembled in fear. If the system didnt insist on it, she wouldnt even want to stand before Jiang Pengji. She remained defensive on the outside while she asked the system for help inside her mind. Hey system, give me some ideas right now. Do you want me to die again? The system wanted to play dead and ignore the question, but it finally spoke up reluctantly and said, Liu Xi is very strong, but Feng Zhen is different. If you cant escape death, you can consider using Feng Zhen to tie Liu Xi up. If not, you can even consider using the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman on him. The Talisman only costs 2,500,000 popularity points, but it will cost you at least 10 billion points to revive. One revival required at least 10 billion popularity points, which was enough for her to buy 40 Level 9 Loyalty Talismans. Her expression grew darker as she thought about the financial cost of this. Her previous deaths were because shed complained about the cost of the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman and paid the price with her life. If shed known earlier, she might have used the talisman back then. If she had, her situation would probably be much better now. What is that? Jiang Pengji frowned as she spotted a layer of strange spiritual power in Huaners hands. Ill turn you into the most loyal dog! As a precaution, shed also purchased a few Life Substitution Puppet cards from the system. This item was very useful. If not for the Life Substitution Puppet shed used before, she wouldve been assassinated by Xie Qian! At that moment, Huaner didnt care if she was half-dressed, she swiftly ran towards Jiang Pengji and the door. As Feng Zhen watched, horrified, Huaners silver-white fingernails extended unnaturally until they were three inches long. She sliced in mid-air and left ten silver flashes in the darkened room, successfully instilling fear and anxiety in poor Feng Zhen and the livestream viewers. Jiang Pengji was already familiar with her methods of combat. Just as she was about to strike Feng Zhen down, the intended fatal attack missed right before it landed on its target. A chill ran down Huaners spine as Jiang Pengji crushed a Life Substitution Puppet in her bare hands. The systems voice said in her head, Distract Liu Xi before you attack Feng Zhen. She wont be able to react in time. Huaner cursed under her breath. She knew what to do, what was the point of the system giving a bit of advice right now? Feng Zhen retreated from the battlefield, discreetly wiping away his cold sweat. He managed to figure out that his presence there would only hold his master back, so he decided that the best way to help would be to get out of the way. As she watched the last piece of her Life Substitution Puppet be destroyed, Huaner suddenly turned around. She was supposed to charge towards Jiang Pengji, but instead, she turned towards Feng Zhen. Her movements were swift like lightning. Jiang Pengji had already expected this and moved ahead to block the way, taking down the attack. To her surprise, the attack didnt hurt, only numbing her right arm. Jiang Pengji looked a bit surprised, but Huaners seemingly shocked expression immediately turned into one of joy. However, her joyful emotion didnt last too long. Something pierced her through her back and out of her chest. The light in her eyes quickly dimmed. Feng Zhen got up from the ground frantically. M-my lord Bring the lamp over here. Feng Zhen followed the order and handed a new candle to Jiang Pengji, then watched as his master dripped some oil onto the corpse and covered it with a few flammable pieces of cloth. She then poured some of the oil from the lamp onto the cloth. She finally lit the cloth on fire Was she burning the corpse? Is this demon completely dead? The last time I dismembered her body, the others tossed her head away to feed the wolves and panthers. Her body was almost completely destroyed, yet she still managed to revive herself, right? Feng Zhen shivered in horror at this. Lets go back now, Ill explain everything to you in detail later. Watching the corpse burn, Jiang Pengji grabbed Feng Zhen and jumped out of the window from the second floor, then found an isolated study to rest in. Earlier, that demon used something to hit your arm Feng Zhen remembered Huaners line about turning her into the most loyal dog and felt a bit uneasy. She did hit me. That thing seemed to be some sort of spiritual seal that can forcefully control a persons soul and mind You wont understand even if I explain, so just know that if you got hit with it, youd turn into a loyal puppet tsk, how awful Jiang Pengji lifted her right sleeve only to see a strange black marking on her white arm. My lord Jiang Pengji let out a small laugh. I purposely got myself hit. Why are you so worried? Just then, the black marking on Jiang Pengjis arm looked as if it was coming to life. It moved towards her palm and then to the back of her hand. Strangely, Feng Zhen felt as if those markings were slightly pitiful. You did that on purpose? Including this time, Ive already killed her four times total. The demons target is me, but unfortunately, shes too dumb to succeed. Shes failed all four times. This time, she got a bit smarter and learned to target people around me. I can guarantee that she cant hurt me, but I cant guarantee that she wont be able to hurt people around me if she gets an opportunity I dont even play with this thing anymore, I cant believe she still thinks its a treasure. Feng Zhen went silent. Even so, you shouldnt be venturing out and putting yourself in danger Jiang Pengji lifted her eyes lazily. Shell only continue to target me if I got hit and attempt it a fifth time. If she doesnt make an accomplishment this time, shell only hide back in the dark and plot something else. This time it was you, who will be next? I can stop her once, but I cant stop her a second for the third time. If its going to be like this, Id rather have her target me alone. Ill kill her every time she tries to show her face! There was one other thing she didnt say. She wasnt just afraid that the dimension-hopping woman would target her subordinates, she was more afraid that the woman would withdraw from her offensive. The only way for the puppet system to spend its popularity points quickly was to let the woman continuously fail at attempted assassinations and repeat the process of death and revival. If she was given time to continue streaming and earning those popularity points, Jiang Pengjis plan wouldnt work out. Chapter 773 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Zhen knew that he couldnt change Jiang Pengjis decision. He could only say helplessly, Ive heard that demons and ghosts are also a type of living spirit. Shes targeted you so many times already! Perhaps theres some sort of hidden vendetta in all this. My lord, should we send someone out to investigate so that we can figure out who were up against? Jiang Pengji casually ripped off a piece of cloth to wrap around her right hand, covering the black markings. As she wrapped the cloth around her hand, she said, No need. Shes just one ghost, not something worth bringing our men into. Its not like I have enough free time to waste my efforts on investigating this kind of person. If she isnt afraid of dying, she can come to find me anytime and Ill make sure to grant her wish. Her time was precious. It was already considered good enough that she could take some time out to deal with the woman, but how could she possibly find time to initiate an investigation into her meddling? If the woman actually had the heart to continue pestering her, she would have the patience to play along until the end. Feng Zhen forced a laugh out. His own master had the skill to fight against ghosts and supernatural creatures. The rest of the level-five fighters could only praise her from afar. What will happen to the demons corpse now that weve left it alone? Feng Zhen scrunched his eyebrows as he heard the commotion coming from the second floor. Most buildings were built out of wood, so letting that demons corpse burn would likely affect the entire building. Jiang Pengjis response relieved him of his worry. Dont worry, the people outside went in when they heard the fight earlier. Besides, that womans corpse was left out in an empty area. The fire wont be able to spread that fast, so nothing too destructive can happen. Just as Jiang Pengji had predicted they would, people came in with buckets of water to put out the fire in the bridal chamber. When the fire was put out, they finally discovered a corpse within the messy room. The crowd looked at the burnt corpse on the ground and carefully studied the blackened accessories besides it to confirm that that dead person was indeed Huaner. Upon this discovery, everyone shivered in fear. Tonight was supposed to be a joyous night between a married couple. How had a fire like this occurred and killed such a beautiful woman just like that? At the same time, the entire brothel was filled with an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. Report to the government! Report to the government immediately! Theres been a murder! Who could have possibly killed Huaner? What an utterly heartless act! Beauty is fragile. I sure wonder what evil beast could have the heart to do such a thing to a worldly beauty. The chatter continued as people gathered outside the bridal chamber and peeked inside the room. They could barely make out the scene of the fires horrible aftermath from the hall. Many of the customers remembered Huaners beautiful figure and mourned in silence. If she hadnt chosen that person and instead chosen someone else, she surely wouldnt have lost her life so tragically. However, no matter how much they mourned for her, this otherworldly beautys soul was already gone from the world and impossible to find. They all silently came to the consensus that the man that Huaner had chosen, Feng Zhen, must have killed her. Yet no matter how hard they tried to find him, Feng Zhen and his crew were nowhere to be found. It was as if they had completely vanished from the world. Just then, an eerie breeze of cold wind blew through the brothel, rustling through the peoples clothing, making it almost impossible for them to open their eyes. My goodness a demon A demon! Theres a demon! High-pitched screeches and screams came from the second floor. The madam brought her bodyguard with her upstairs. She was so shocked that she fell to her knees as soon as she saw the scene clearly. The charcoal-black skeleton of the corpse suddenly got up and wobbled in place. The dirty color on the bones cleared itself as clean new flesh and nerves began to cover up the skeleton. Right before the shocked eyes of the crowd, the dried-out corpse regrew its flesh. Its skin was transparent, making it possible to see the flowing blood vessels and thumping heart beneath with the naked eye. After another moment, the transparent skin turned pure white. Before the crowd could react to the horror before them, the skeleton corpse had turned back into a naked, living, beautiful young woman. A cloud of ink-black hair flowed down her back. Besides her hair, eyebrows, and eyelash, she had no other visible body hair. Her skin was white and clear like a beautiful jade sculpture, smooth and irresistible. Unfortunately, even at the sight of this graceful temptation, the spectators that watched this whole scene had next to no reaction. A demon! Someone backed off in horror and fell to the ground. The stench of urine could be smelled from his direction. Suddenly, the demon opened its eyes. Nobody dared to look at her in the eye as they began running away frantically. Those who didnt run were likely paralyzed by fear. The demon watched the scene and sneered coldly. Weaklings! She then quickly waved her hand and grabbed a piece of unburned cloth to cover her private areas. She then jumped out of the window and disappeared. De demon! The madam of the brothels eyes rolled back in absolute horror as she fainted onto the floor. Outside, the woman labeled as a demon by the crowd found a safe place to hide and put back on a red dress. She excitedly asked the system in her mind, Did Liu Xi really get hit with the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman? The system responded as it repressed its delight, Responding to the host, Liu Xi has indeed been hit with the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman. The talisman is already in effect. The woman received another confirmation and almost couldnt hold in the excitement inside her heart. It was understandable that she was excited. Shed failed so many times before, but this time shed managed to steal a hit from Jiang Pengji. This time, she could finally get the upper hand. She was in high spirits, so high that she didnt even mourn the two-billion-point debt shed just earned. Jiang Pengji had destroyed her corpse, leaving her with no choice but to give up more popularity points to let the system fix this body. The system happened to be a big-mouthed profiteer that requested two billion points at once, so the woman had no choice but to accept the offer. If shed failed again, she wouldve been furious at the price. But now? She had never felt this happy in her life. Even the cheating system seemed to be less annoying than before. Jiang Pengji had fallen victim to the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman, meaning that she would become the most obedient puppet and dog. She would no longer be a threat to them. Ill go find Liu Xi right now! The woman ground her teeth as her gaze filled with malice. Not right now, you must wait for a while. The system stopped her before she could walk into her own grave again. It explained, The Level 9 Loyalty Talisman is something that invades a persons brain. The stronger the controlled persons mental strength is, the stronger their resistance is. Liu Xi is mentally very strong, so she wont be easy to control. We will have to wait for a while for the Level 9 Loyalty Talisman to take its course before we act. If we act right now, we cant guarantee that Liu Xi wont pull another underhanded move For example, she can hurt you while she is still conscious. After hearing the systems explanation, the woman finally calmed her heart. She said, Okay, Ill be patient and wait for the sake of catching the bigger fish. At the same time, a specific conspiracy was slowly targeting the three clans of Beijiang. Chapter 774 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Right before going to the alliance assembly, Jiang Pengji assigned a top-secret task to Wei Ci. Now that the alliance was entering its last phase, the caravan that Wei Ci sent out was finally approaching at Beijiang. The three clans of Beijiang had taken a beating from the sudden equestrian virus. Not only was their military might affected, but their economy was also in shambles as a result. The larger horse ranches had suffered a lot of damage and were now being subsidized by the Imperial Court with financial backup and support, but the smaller ranches and civilian farms had taken the most damage. When the caravans entered the border of Beijiang and saw the deserted scene before them, so unlike the busy and lively streets theyd seen before, they were all shocked. Surely it hasnt been that long since we left. How did Beijiang become like this? A good question! Not only did they want to know, but the countless bankrupt and broken farm families of Beijiang also wanted to know as well. How had things turned out like this!? Before the equestrian virus, Beijiang had been a dangerous problem for Dongqing. In the eyes of Beijiang, Dongqing was simply a fresh prey item that they would eventually rip apart and swallow. After the pandemic, everything changed. First were the deaths of their elite combat horses. Thered been a less than twenty percent survival rate. Then, the pandemic spread into regular horses. A normal horse doesnt have the same kind of physical attributes as a combat horse, so once the pandemic spread, the mortality rate rose to a horrifying one hundred percent! You all should know that since this king took the throne, he unified the three clans of Beijiang and exponentially increased their military strength. The king wasnt satisfied with just that and had more ambitions He has been raising horses for years to invade Dongqing. To raise many horses within a short amount of time, he even encouraged civilian farmers to raise horses in bulks. Normal herders could purchase colts from ranches, and when they grew up they could resell them back to larger farms. Many of them profited from this trading system and inspired more and more people to raise horses Herders saw their chance to earn big money within this system and sold their cattle for horses. Some even took out loans in order to raise them The old man in the caravan spat as he spoke, the husky voice in his throat adding a discreet hint of amusement at Beijiangs misfortune. And now one equestrian pandemic killed off all those civilian horses theyve raised for the last few years. Everyone took in a breath of cold air. They finally understand that to many Beijiang herders, horses were their sole source of income. An equestrian pandemic had ruined all their efforts and stolen their financial stability. Theyd worked for years with no return, only to end up owing more than theyd invested originally. Aside from those with a little more money than the average person, many average farmers were already broke and had no money to even feed themselves. Countless more had lost their families. Just then, someone let out a sigh. What a pity Someone didnt agree and mocked them coldly. How are they pitiful? Its clear that the Beijiang crown was too greedy. If they didnt have such ambition, why would herders have switched to raising combat horses instead of cattle? Now that theyve been hit with the equestrian pandemic, the heavens have given them their punishment. In earlier times, average ranchers herded sheep and cows, not many chose to raise horses. But because the Beijiang royalty had issued the order multiple times, the herders finally decreased the number of cattle on their farms and switched to raising horses. If not for this, these farmers wouldnt have fallen into this impoverished state. This was clearly the fault of the Beijiang throne, yet it was the people whod ended up having to take the damage. Keep quiet. People quickly hushed up their fellow travelers, suddenly alert. This is Beijiang territory. If those barbarian tribes hear us, theyll kill us. Do you want to die? The caravan kept going for a while, only managing to get a very small handful of sheepskin, rabbit skin, goat meat, and rabbit meat. These ranchers dont raise sheep anymore, how many dried goods can we end up getting? Many people frowned in distress as they saw the dried foods theyd managed to retrieve. Theyd been out for days and only managed to trade for this much. How would they split up the profits later? Didnt we just say to take whatever we can take? Its not like were out of buyers! Well just collect however much we can take. Well make a profit either way. Even then, after one full trip throughout the three tribes in Beijiang, this caravan hadnt even managed to collect 20,000 sheets of leather. At an earlier time, a trip around the tribes would have allowed them to collect thirty to forty thousand sheets of leather, plus way more dried rabbit and goat meat. The caravans came in all different sizes. Like any other average group of traveling merchants, they didnt manage to attract the attention of the government. Aside from leather, they also managed to purchase a lot of Beijiang specialties and promised to pick them up from the civilians in another two to three months. However, despite this, the caravans outlook on their next round of purchases wasnt very optimistic. I dont know how many ranches we went to just for these supplies I bet the next time we come, we wont even be able to find a single fly here Theyd purchased all the items they could while they were here and had almost completely wiped out the inventories of these civilians in the process. A merchant interrupted. After a while, the plants in Beijiang will grow out as well, so the ranchers can start raising more rabbits and sheep Their horses are all dead anyway and their ranches are still there, so they might as well raise a few animals that they can feed their families with. If they didnt find another way to feed their families, these poor farmers and ranchers would have to resort to eating grass. The same merchant continued, I think rabbits are good. Theyre extremely good at reproducing, and they mature very quickly. The growth cycle of sheep and rabbits were different. You couldnt raise a lot of sheep within two to three months, but you sure could raise a lot of rabbits. If they wanted to find a short-term solution to their problems, raising rabbits would be a decent option. Beijiangs ranches were big and filled with grass, so they wouldnt even need to worry about feeding the rabbits they raised. How convenient! Just then, someone pointed out a different opinion. If they do what you say and only raise rabbits, then we can only purchase rabbits. Well be losing profit just by going a single round like this. The head of the caravan used a displeased tone and said nonchalantly, Those people in Wanzhou have money and like these little things Well make a pass over there to trade and make twice the profit. We wont lose anything. Even if a fly is small, its still meat. Collecting rabbit skin and meat might only mean collecting small money, but added up, its still a formidable amount of profit. But Someone was still hesitant. Even if Wanzhou has money, we cant always be selling at a loss, right? The sounds of debating within the caravan began to fade off into the distance. It wasnt just that these merchants didnt know about Wanzhous goal, even the people of Wanzhou were completely baffled as to what the hidden agenda was. What did our lord make you do? Its almost spring plowing now. If we continue to make leather, itll only go bad as we hold onto it. Feng Jin glared at him for awhile, still unable to figure out Wei Cis real intention. Of course, Wei Ci couldnt possibly reveal the plan. It would be better if fewer people knew about it. But if Feng Jin guessed correctly on his own, that would be a different story. Wei Ci shook his head and said, This is a top-secret mission and I cannot speak about it without the lords permission. If Huai Yu is curious, you can ask the lord directly when she returns. As for the sheepskin and rabbit skin even though its spring plowing season, its not as if the leather we purchase will be completely useless. The entire territory of Wanzhou is already under our lords control, and the population of the county has increased exponentially to the point that we already have way more people than Xiangyang County. If we dont prepare for winter next year, wont we end up frantically working ourselves to death when the season comes? You can simply interpret this as preparing before the rain comes. Were simply thinking a year ahead. Chapter 775 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Feng Jin wasnt someone who could easily be put off, so he responded, Preparing for rain a year ahead? Your excuse sounds way too shallow Wei Ci laughed voicelessly and airily threw out the line, I wanted to find a less shallow excuse, but as you can see, I failed to find one. Feng Jin almost fell to the ground in anger. He couldnt believe that this person was shamelessly admitting to keeping a secret! Yet Wei Cis mouth was like a gourd without an opening. It was completely closed, making it impossible to pry out any useful information. Feng Jin cruelly thought that if Wei Ci didnt want to tell him anything, fine. He would guess by himself. However, Feng Jin came from a well-off family that rode chariots and kept page boys beside them. He had a wide range of knowledge but lacked the practical experiences of living in the outside world. Although he thought about it for a long time, he still couldnt make out Wei Cis real intention. He could only turn to Qiguan Rang and quietly ask him instead. 1 Qiguan Rang was born in the outer periphery of Dongqing. His father was a Beijiang tribal native and was therefore much more familiar with Beijiang than Feng Jin. Feng Jin found an appropriate time to stop Qiguan Rang and casually ask him about the matter during a conversation. Qiguan Rang pondered for a bit after hearing the question. Suddenly, his pupils shrank in shock as he frantically grabbed Feng Jins arm. You said that our lord ordered Zi Xiao to arrange for a caravan to Beijiang to purchase sheep and rabbit skin? Qiguan Rangs expression stiffened up a bit as he asked the question. Feng Jin was shocked by Qiguan Rangs sudden action but quickly calmed himself down. He then asked, Does Wen Zheng know what our lords intention is? Qiguan Rang forced a laugh as his spirits lowered. A look of helplessness appeared on his face. He said bitterly, I can make some guesses, but Im just not sure if theyre accurate. Feng Jin saw Qiguan Rangs reaction and realized that this was not a simple matter. He glanced around to see that they were alone, but he still invited Qiguan Rang into his house to discuss the matter in detail. If this matter related to the military strategy of Wanzhou against Beijiang, they couldnt just casually discuss this in public. Wen Zheng, lets not rush to a conclusion here. How about we sit down at my place and discuss this matter in detail? Qiguan Rang wasnt surprised by Feng Jins suggestion. Feng Jin was always a reserved character. Even if they were the only two in the area, he still wouldnt dare to let his guard down. When they arrived at Feng Jins house, the two entered the study and sent the servants away. Once they confirmed that it was safe to talk, Feng Jin turned and solemnly asked, So what would Wen Zheng guess is going on? Qiguan Rangs fan almost never left his hand. Whenever he ran into an important matter or became anxious, he would always instinctively fan himself with it. At that time of year, it was still quite chilly. The air seemed to get colder the moment he fanned himself. He didnt answer Feng Jins question directly. Instead, he recalled an old story. Qiguan Rang said, I was born on the periphery of the nation. Its a place where civilians usually make a living by raising cattle and sheep. One family owned almost a hundred sheep and was considered quite wealthy within the village. This family liked to herd the sheep down towards the foot of the hill. Huai Yu, can you guess what happened next? Feng Jin pictured the scene in his head. If over a hundred sheep were left in a small location Did that mean there wouldnt be enough food for them? There was no more grass to feed them? Qiguan Rang fanned himself even more violently and blew away all the warm air around them. Feng Jin carefully moved towards the charcoal brazier. They didnt just mow the grass down, those sheep were so hungry that they completely uprooted the grass! 1 Qiguan Rangs face turned slightly red after he said this, clearly from anger. He continued, Theres an old sayingthe cunning rabbits always have many options. From this, we can see that rabbits not only love to eat grass, but they are also used to living in holes. They hide inside holes in the day and then seek out food at night. They dig holes to plan their attacks and protect themselves from enemies 3 Feng Jin slowly derived something from these words. However, he didnt manage to catch the source of unease he was feeling at that moment. He also didnt realize why Qiguan Rangs reaction was so extreme. He thought about the possibility of putting Beijiang in an unfavorable position. Then, when he combined it with Qiguan Rangs words, an epiphany flashed through Feng Jins mind. He connected the dots immediately. Are you saying that our lord and Zi Xiao want to make a move on Beijiangs grasslands? Feng Jin was dumbfounded for a while. His mouth hung wide open from shock. The barbarian tribes in Beijiang had been a lurking danger for a long time, ever since the wars of the 16 kingdoms, and even going much further back in history than that. The barbarians had been eyeing the Central Plains for a long time. Their land was not fit for farming. As such, they had to rely on killing and looting travelers around their borders, making them loathsome villains. How did Beijiangs Qiangwu Tribe rise to power? To put it nicely, the Qiangwu Tribe was made up of great warriors who were brutal and big. To put it less nicely, they were beasts disguised as men! They not only killed and looted, but they also kidnapped countless women from the Central Plain to bring back to their territory. These women were not only treated as food, but they were also treated like moving reproductive systems. The barbarians used these innocent young women to bear their children in order to expand their population. During the middle stages of the era of the 16 warring kingdoms, the Qiangwu population had been only a mere 200,000. By the time they reached the end of the era, they had already expanded their population to over three million people! From 200,000 to three million. He could only imagine the countless pained expressions of the young women forced into labor to produce so many people so quickly. However, despite how loathsome the Beijiang barbarians were, they were trained to ride horses since they were young and had very strong combat abilities on horseback. They were also trained to retreat swiftly if they could not win a battle. After Daxia was founded, the nation had made countless attempts to overtake Beijiang and block off their seasonal ravaging routes, with very little to no success. Even today, there was no effective method to deal with Beijiang. They couldnt win in a war against, the blockades had been proven ineffective, and it was impossible for them to outsource a large army to be stationed here for a long time. Many predecessors had worried about Beijiangs situation, but nobody had ever thought about directly attacking Beijiangs natural resources. Feng Jins heart was beating fast. His face showed a hint of excitement. Qiguan Rang saw his expression and fanned him a few times to wake him up. Its too early to be happy! Qiguan Rang said sternly, putting a stop to Feng Jins joyous mood. Feng Jin was confused. Why do you say that? Qiguan Rang let out a sigh. If this was such a great idea, why was he still frowning right now? He should already be celebrating mindlessly like Feng Jin. You dont understand If our lord really uses this method to fight against Beijiang, she may be able to destroy the entirety of Beijiang. However, it would only become a mutual defeat. Qiguan Rang paused after this line, not knowing where to begin his explanation. After all, Feng Jin was a pure-blooded man of the Central Plain. Feng Jin frowned. You said a mutual defeat? Qiguan Rang let out a long sigh. That is correct. Even if we can rely on this method to destroy Beijiang, our lord will not be able to appeal to the public. Beijiang may be loathsome, but the people that conduct villainous acts are still in the minority. If we destroy the entire grassland, what will happen to the innocent civilians? Due to the limitations of their era, Qiguan Rang didnt understand the concept of grassland degradation and desertification. As such, he could only make some educated guesses about what would happen. Yet even if it was just an educated guess, he could still foresee the disaster that would fall upon Beijiang the moment this plan rolled into action. Feng Jing was a pure Central Plain man. People of different backgrounds were destined to have different mindsets, but Qiguan Rang was a mix of both Beijiang and the Central Plain. Hed lived around the periphery of Beijiang for a long time. While he loathed the barbaric acts of the three tribes of Beijiang, he still pitied the misfortune of the average farmers. Chapter 776 - The Fourth Kill and Planning (VI) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio After a short while, Qiguang Rang calmly said, If its absolutely necessary for the lords plan, then I have nothing else to say. To be kind to your enemy was to be cruel to your own men. Showing mercy to the Beijiang barbarians could potentially cost the lives of families living in the Central Plain. Putting aside other incidents, just the history of the elder generation of the three Beijiang clans kidnapping and using women from the Central Plain to expand their population from 200,000 to three million within 20 or 30 years was a big enough crime to make Beijiang their top enemy. Feng Jin went silent for a few moments, making sure he thoroughly understood Jiang Pengji and Wei Cis plan. Would Beijiang notice this plan? Feng Jins heart was cruel. He would never let his guard down until his enemy fell for good. I cannot be certain of that. I will say that the land in Beijiang is vast and these little rabbits wont cause a dramatic change right now. Qiguan Rang thought about it and said with uncertainty, It may take about fifty to sixty years if they really want to destroy the entire grassland of Beijiang. The three clans arent stupid, so as long as they havent taken the Central Plain down, they will be stuck within this limited space and wont simply wait for their enemies to invade Feng Jin let out a sigh of relief. With a smile on his face, he said, Fifty to sixty years? Does Wen Zheng really think our lord will let Beijiang off for that long? From my perspective, she will let them go for three to five years at most before she sharpens her knife to makes a move on them. A big war is inevitable, and cattle will not be the final victim! Why dont we think about it in a different way? Our lord must not be planning on using this strategy as the sole way of bringing down Beijiang. If thats the case, then why did she spend so much time setting up such a big trap? Qiguan Rang had been so anxious earlier that hed walked into a logical trap, throwing his reasoning into the territory of fallacy. Thats right the lord isnt planning on using cattle to destroy Beijiang, so she must have other plans Is she planning on using it as a tool to tie them down? Feng Jin nodded in agreement. Thats exactly what I mean. It might be to tie down Beijiangs spirits and make it difficult for them to focus on expanding their army. Beijiang just fell victim to an equestrian pandemic and lost virtually all their combat horses. Their military might has greatly decreased and they wont be able to recover within a short period. However, what would happen if they wait patiently and continue raising horses once Spring rolls around? Within a decade, Beijiang will return to its former glory. At that point, it would be hard to say if the five nations in the Central Plain will still exist. We cant guarantee that Beijiang wont take that opportunity to invade our land! The history of the warring 16 kingdoms resurfaced in Qiguan Rangs head as he listened to Feng Jins words. If the five nations of the Central Plain entered into a great war like that, wouldnt the situation be the same as it had been for the 16 kingdoms? Would there be hundreds of years of unrest? And if the barbarian tribes of the borders entered the battlefield at that time, what would happen to the situation? The Central Plain was on the weaker end and the barbarians had an advantage in war. It wouldnt be impossible for the Central Plain to fall. A cold sweat covered Qiguan Rang. His face remained unchanged, but countless thoughts ran through his head. He then concluded, Then according to this plan, the lord must be plotting to use this strategy to delay the rise of Beijiang after this disaster? Feng Jin nodded. This just may be the case. In the afternoon of the next day, Feng Jin secretly hinted this theory to Wei Ci, only to see the latter discreetly give him a forced smile. So, you still managed to guess what was going on. Its pretty much what you said. Feng Jin pretended to be mad and said, This plan may be vicious, but Beijiang wont sit around and give no reaction if they find out Wei Ci said, They wont find out. Weve already purchased numerous pieces of leather and other kinds of merchandise from Beijiang. They wont suspect anything for a good while. Ive only let the caravans collect their goods from average farmers and not from wealthy families, so the royal court has less reason to suspect anything. By the time they notice, the herd of sheep and rabbits in the grassland will also form an initial grouping. If we send in a spy to the Beijiang throne to leave a message, tell me, do you think they will continue letting these cattle run freely? Or will they send people out to destroy them? Feng Jin stood rooted to the spot, further educating himself on the brutal hearts of his lord and Wei Ci. Wei Ci then added with a cold sneer, The evil deeds of the three clans in Beijiang are not an exaggeration. They like to act on emotion. However, they still have wise men who are more level-headed, and the current wise man is a rare talented man by the name of Wu Liba. Wu Libas personality is quite conservative. He has no intention of expanding Beijiangs territory into the Central Plain, so he wont let go of their current lands that easily in order to keep an escape route open for themselves. Thats why, in my opinion, this person will most definitely support the royal court in wiping out the rabbits and sheep on a large scale. If thats the case, Beijiangs military power will be completely contained. Jiang Pengji had a lot of reverence for nature, more so than anyone else. Of course, she knew how awful of a plan it was to destroy an entire ecosystem. Even if nothing happened right away, in a few hundred years, their successors would be cursing their ancestors for such an act. 1 Shed only dared to bring up such a plan because she had also planned several routes for escape. While rabbits and sheep would damage the ecosystem of Beijiang, as long as they didnt overstep the boundaries of ecological self-regulation, it wouldnt be too much of an issue. Once she took down Beijiang, she would continue sending people to clean up the cattle there and encourage civilians to grow more plants and trees. It would only three to five years, meaning she still had the situation under control. She needed time, not a completely beaten up and hopeless piece of barren soil. Feng Jin let out a sigh of relief after receiving a response from Wei Ci, then hinted back at Qiguan Rang to calm his worries. On the other hand, Beijiang was completely clueless. Ever since the equestrian pandemic, the market in Beijiang had taken a destructive hit, forcing them to open foreign trade markets. It only meant that a few more caravans and merchants were purchasing more leather, but not enough to the point where the situation would be reported to the crown in Beijiang. Wei Ci was very thorough and careful with his work. His arrangement for the caravan was even more attentive. Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang both watched him for a while and found themselves trembling in fear. Even though they knew that this plan would not destroy Beijiang, it was still venomous enough to rip a piece of flesh off their bodies. The two thought at the same time, We cant get on this kids bad side from now on. Getting killed by someone was one thing, but the scariest part would be not knowing how you died. Under everyones organization, Wanzhou slowly became more orderly. The slow economy also began to pick up in pace despite not seeing any immediate changes. Still, it was obvious that it was getting better. However, it did make things difficult for some government officials. Feng Jin had always been envious of Wei Cis ability to write with both hands and multitask. He could only remain envious. Thinking about how Wei Ci was always doing double the work of a normal person, he was only left with pity for Wei Ci. Sigh How did Chang Sheng become heavier than Qianer Feng Jin made a quick guess at his daughters weight with a mix of complicated feelings. He went back home to see that his daughter had gained another layer of fat. She seemed a little unfamiliar to him when he saw her. Wei Jingxian looked at his eyebags with worry. She soon realized that they would be impossible to cover up. Have you not gone home for the past few days? Wei Jingxian glanced at him. If it wasnt for the fact that she had a good memory, shed have forgotten about this father who rarely showed. She said, I went to visit Madam Wei yesterday. She also said that she hasnt seen Mister Qiguan for a while She doesnt have anyone to talk to, so shes getting bored The Madam Wei she spoke of was Qiguan Rangs current wife, Wei Yuans eldest daughter. Of all Jiang Pengjis subordinates whod had a wife, a child and a happy marriage, these two couples were the only ones left. Is it because Im busy? Feng Jin responded a little guiltily. Lan Ting threw this big mess called Wanzhou at us and wont even deal with it Remembering how his lord was still out traveling and having fun at this moment, Feng Jin felt his teeth begin to ache even more. Truthfully, Jiang Pengji was being wrongly accused. She wasnt out playing at all. Ever since shed obtained the title of Wanzhou Governor, the allied troops had been gradually retreating. Jiang Pengji and her men were also ready to retreat. Within two days, however, she received a message Prince Changshous army had set up a trap to attack the first group that retreated from the alliance. Of the group that had retreated first, only a few dozen battered up troops were left! Chapter 777 - Break Through and the Beautiful Lobbyist (I) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The alliance army was made up of a total of 23 separate forces. The number of combat horses they had varied, meaning each force had different levels of strength. However, they each had a rightful place in the alliance and could maintain their position. As such, the troops theyd brought with them were clearly not weak. The alliance army that was currently the target of Prince Changshous ambush belonged to the Chief of Wolong from Haozhou. Jiang Pengji sneered coldly. So this old thing is waiting over here. Huh Is he planning on taking us all down in one hit? It was one thing for him to claim the title of the emperor during the seventh day of the empty crown, but it was another thing for him to refuse to retreat with his troops and wait around the border of Chenzhou to ambush the separated alliance forces. The Chief of Wolong was an impatient man who wanted to return to Haozhou as fast as he could after looting the glory of bringing down the late emperor. Little did he know that he was risking his life. Jiang Pengjis vanguard forces were the first to discover the survivors of Haozhous Wolong County and find out about the ambush through the stories of the few survivors. The situation was serious, and Jiang Pengji didnt rush to return. Instead, she chose to reorganize on the spot and summon forces to combat this problem. Everyones face turned blue as they listened to the words of the survivors of the Wolong ambush. It had been over half a month since Prince Changshou claimed the title of emperor. Since then, hed remained inactive and quiet as a lifeless animal. The alliance troops remained stationed for a while outside of Chenzhou. Theyd originally claimed to protect the imperial palace. To put it bluntly, from the top governors of each county down to the district magistrates, there were a total of 23 groups with over 400,000 alliance troops between them. These 400,000 soldiers had been stationed long-term outside of Haozhous imperial palace. They looked like a bunch of ants with their individual camps barely connected and their flags thrown together without very much authority. However, the imperial palace did not feel safe when they saw this. These 400,000 troops wouldnt listen to their orders. Ever since Prince Changshou had claimed the crown, he hadnt targeted the palace in Chenzhou. He also hadnt shown any intention of rallying his troops for an invasion. Therefore, some people began to have a bold thought. Perhaps Prince Changshou was satisfied with just claiming the title. Perhaps he was planning on retreating with his army to Zhangzhou to claim his territory! If that was the case, then the alliance troops who claimed to be protecting the palace against Prince Changshou seemed a little excessive and pointless. The empress dowager wasnt a strong woman with much foresight. She was simply a lady from the boudoir who was worth praising for being well-versed in makeup, clothing, and accessories. How could she have any sort of political knowledge? Her biggest skill was that her private life was messy and that she had managed to cheat on her late husband multiple times already. Her family and cousins had urged her multiple times under the table to bother the alliance troops and force them out. If they wanted to withdraw, then so be it. This empress dowager was still planning on retrieving the scattered military autonomy that the allied troops had taken away. In the eyes of the empress dowager, she was living inside the palace with her young emperor son while over 400,000 troops of questionable loyalty stood impatiently outside. How could she rest peacefully at night? What did the Dongqing imperial palace even stand for? What kind of authority did they have to retrieve their military autonomy? Who gave them this power? More recently, many generals of the alliance had quickly gathered up their belongings and war prizes to prepare for the journey home. Haozhou wasnt too far from Chenzhou, and because the Chief of Wolong was such an impatient man, he left angry about the empress dowagers pushy attitude. But nobody expected that the Chief of Wolong, whod left days earlier, would lose his life just like that. Jiang Pengji scanned the crowd and squeezed the bamboo slip in her hands. The troops were made up of elite forces. Even if Prince Changshou set up an ambush beforehand and launched a surprise attack, it shouldnt have been able to be defeated so easily! One night of battle only left a few dozen soldiers alive? Even though a few dozen survivors had managed to escape, they were all battered and traumatized. Numerous men had been badly hurt. If not for the fact that they were holding onto their last breaths, these people may have already joined their comrades in heaven. Even then, over half the survivors would be left with incurable amputations for the rest of their lives. As for the Chief of Wolong, hed died on the battlefield and been left without a corpse. He left his only descendant, the 11-year-old Cai Xiang, to his right-hand man. The right-hand man carried the child out of danger. Jiang Pengji assigned the logistics group to take care of the injured soldiers. She waited for the less injured ones to wake up so she could get more information from first-hand sources. Everyones hearts grew heavy as they listened to the stories. Li Yun pondered for a bit and said, It looks like Prince Changshou was planning on breaking into the palace while the alliances troops disbanded. My lord, should we dispatch a patrol to follow other friendly alliances forces? Or at least not let them become isolated and allow the enemy to strike? The Wolong force that left first had been eliminated. Only the 11-year-old Cai Xiang had survived. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that this incident had been the tragic extermination of an entire family. Considering the complicated relationship between his own master and Prince Changshous forces, it was only a matter of time before they were targeted for an ambush. Even though the combined forces of Jiang Pengji and Liu She only consisted of about 30,000 men, they had considerably better security. That said, it was still hard to predict how they would do in real life. Who knew how many men Prince Changshou would dispatch to ambush them? Aside from Yang Si and Feng Zhen, even the newly admitted technical personnel, Qi Kuang and Shao Guang, didnt find this opinion particularly great. The alliance is made up of forces from all over the continent. Each group has different ways of eating things. Dongqings most powerful forces in the north are our lord and our lords father. If we want to add in another person, we should also consider Haozhous Maode County Chief Huang Song. However, who knows where Huang Song is right now? The alliance troops hadnt departed at the same time, so each group was a day or two apart from the others. The communication technology in ancient times wasnt too good, so communicating within the alliance was not easy. Li Yuns expression darkened as he said, That is true Self-help was better than asking others. Who knew what other people might think if they tried to get in contact with the other troops? When Li Yun brought up the other troops of the alliances, Jiang Pengji thought of Yang Jian. Yang Jian was the military chief of Dongmen County in Zhangzhou, and Zhangzhou was the former territory of Prince Changshou. Yang Jian was able to obtain his position today because of Prince Changshous referralNormally, Yang Jian would have sided with Prince Changshou, but hed instead chosen to join the alliance forces. With Prince Changshous careful and manipulative nature, how would he let Yang Jian go out on his own? However, he also remembered that Yang Jiang had Yan Lin with him, a young man who was always very alert. Perhaps he could save them from total disaster. As they were talking about all of this, a messenger arrived and reported that someone from the Wolong army was awake. The person in question was a high-ranking official. I thank you for saving my life! The person was covered in blood-soaked white cloth. Despite having many injuries on him, none of them were fatal, allowing him to regain consciousness sooner. Two female medics helped him onto a stretcher and carried him in. This person leaned against it and bowed sincerely towards Jiang Pengji. No need for formalities. Jiang Pengji waved off the pointless greeting phase and got straight to the point. What did the Chief of Wolong run into? Why did you all fall victim like this? When and where did that traitor ambush you all? How many troops did they have? The middle-aged man covered in blood thought about it for a bit as he attempted to find his words. Finally, he said, My lord was ambushed inside the Jiamen Gate about twenty kilometers past a hill. It was already late in the night. It was too dark to accurately estimate how many people there were, but Im guessing there were about 10,000 troops. Chapter 778 - Break Through and the Beautiful Lobbyist (II) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio If its just 10,000 troops, we dont need to worry Feng Zhen frowned. However, a late-night ambush would require strong soldiers with good eyes. Otherwise, theyd basically be sending a bunch of blind soldiers into battleWe cant guarantee that they dont have backup troops as well Even though Jiang Pengji always made surprise attacks at night with her troops, night ambushes were rarely used on the battlefield because of their very low rate of success. Of course, a successful night raid would also bring about substantial results. If they managed to kill a lot of people without losing any of their men, that would be a wild success. After all, the biggest risks sometimes led to the biggest rewards in war. Ancient commoners often lived in poverty and couldnt afford to eat nutritional foods. Sometimes, they were even too poor to afford utensils. They were very susceptible to diseases and illnesses, let alone being nutritionally imbalanced. Under these conditions, many people developed night blindness and could only navigate the night streets like blind men. In these circumstances, very few people would choose to arrange a night raid. However, going back in the history books, it was clear that incidents of night raids still occurred. Every battle had been fought beautifully, and the ones that made it into written records were the ones that remained well-known in history. But after close examination, one would find that the scale of these night raids tended to be very small, from a few dozen men to a few hundred. As for Prince Changshous troops Yang Si lowered his gaze as he spoke, a hint of mockery in his voice. Sending tens of thousands of troops out for a night raid is such a big move. Perhaps we can make a bold guess here First, there was someone under the Chief of Wolong who was secretly helping the enemy and sending out information about them. Otherwise, how did they get past the night patrol? Second, the total number of enemy troops is no less than 10,000. Normally, picking out soldiers suitable for night raids in an army would leave out more than 90% of the soldiers. Would Prince Changshou station 10,000 troops at the Jiamen Gate and wait for us to pass? That would be impossible. Perhaps two out of five people within their elite forces would fit the criteria for a night raid. In a worst-case scenario, the entire army could be elite Feng Zhen was stunned. He said, What Jing Rong means is that the total number of enemies that are hiding near Jiamen Gate range from between 20,000 and 25,000? This is just a wild guess, not an accurate analysis. Yang Si smiled and turned towards Jiang PengJi. Whether this is believable or not will depend on what my lord thinks of it. If the Wolong survivors could provide more detailed numbers, Yang Si would at least be a bit more confident with his theory. The problem was that the entire Wolong army had been completely beaten up. It would be impossible to find more accurate numbers in this chaotic scene, meaning that Yang Sis theory would stray even further from reality. In conclusion, the target of the ambush upfront was very likely their own army. They had had no choice but to prepare for an attack. If they made the mistake of thinking that the enemy only had 10,000 troops and carelessly went in with their 30,000 troops, they would end up walking straight into a trap. Jiang Pengji didnt answer. She only locked her fingers together as she sank into deep thought. After a while, she asked the Wolong survivor, Can you recall the details of what happened that night? Where did the enemy come from? Did a commander show up? The middle-aged man tried very hard to dig through his memories but was only able to recall the bloodiness of the night. His expression fell as he recalled the painful experience. Even though soldiers were used to life and death situations, nobody was prepared to accept the sudden deaths of all their long-long comrades. The soldiers had sacrificed their bodies and their lives to let their comrades escape safely. The man thought for a while before finally recalling some details of that night. That night, there was indeed an extremely strong and powerful general present who was almost completely unstoppable. It was that person who beheaded the chief The middle-aged mans lips trembled. He held in his emotions and said, If I remember correctly, those people struck from the right side of the camp After he said this, he remembered more details. As this young man here pointed out, now that I think about it, perhaps there really was a spy His face turned pale. It was one thing that the enemies appeared suddenly, but everything that happened to our army that day was also quite strange. Even though it was late in the night, everyone seemed far more exhausted than usual. Even though we didnt have the strength to fight against many at soldiers once, we were still good at one on one combat. Plus, the entire army was completely on the defense that night. No matter how much of a surprise the ambush was, the enemy couldnt possibly destroy a whole army that quickly. It had only taken one hour for the entire army to be destroyed. This was partly because the reactions of the ambushed soldiers had been strangely slow. Now that he remembered everything, it sounded like something must have been wrong at the time. Perhaps a spy had spiked their soldiers food! Once he realized this, he pulled out something soft wrapped in dried lotus leaves from his armor. This was the dinner from that night. I originally wanted to save this to eat the following morning. Is there a medic here who can look at it and see if theres anything wrong with this? Wartime usually required food preparation that could last for at least two to three days. Soldiers often ate cold leftover food. It was considered fortunate if they had dried rations available. Ever since that night raid two days ago, hed been starving. He hadnt touched any of the food hed received, leaving it to feed his young master, Cai Xiang. Now that he thought about it, Cai Xiang had been sleeping a lot in the past two days. Even when he was awake, his spirits were low and depressed. Hed assumed that Cai Xiang was mourning his late father with a heavy heart, but now a sense of fear overran his thoughts. Jiang Pengjis expression stiffened. She waved for a medic to come over to take a look. The medics abilities werent particularly exceptional. He could only take care of normal external injuries. However, his knowledge of medicine was considerably good. Even if the weather outside was still chilly, the food had been left out for around two to three days and was a little spoiled. Despite this, the medic couldnt smell it at all. Without another choice, he picked out a bit of the food and placed it in his mouth to carefully make out its contents. He spent quite a while analyzing it, his expression turning grim. My lord, there are some sleeping herbs for relaxing and curing insomnia mixed in here. Aside from that, there are also hints of datura metal. Datura metal? Jiang Pengjis eyebrows lowered. She saw in the corner of her eyes that the livestream channel was also questioning what this item was. I love Ji-er Ah: I checked on Baidu and saw that Datura metal is the common name of jimsonweed. Its still used in medicine in modern days. The leaves can be made into anesthetics for surgery purposes. By the way, some people have speculated that the sleeping drugs used in Wuxia novels are also made of Jimsonweed. If this was thrown into food, it really could make people drowsy. It looks like there is really a spy on the loose. 1 As for the sleeping herb, nobody in the livestream had been able to find any information yet. And in reality, they couldnt possibly find out anything about it. The sleeping herb was a unique equestrian plant that existed only in this world. It could relax ones mind and cause drowsiness. Owners of horses would often bring some with them to calm down their horses during the springtime and to relax the more anxious ones. However, while the sleeping herb was almost immediately effective and had a lasting effect, the drug itself was not strong. It was very subtle and hard to notice. In other words, a spy spiked the soldiers food and let their enemies strike while the drugs were in effect. They managed to make a successful raid because all the soldiers were exhausted. The middle-aged man cried in agony the moment he heard this, mourning for all the lost lives of his comrades. Jiang Pengji didnt feel much pity. War was never a game where the players played by the rules. War generals were not idiots with no brains. On the battlefield, people were always trying to be more and more cunning than their enemies. In Jiang Pengjis eyes, spiking the rations of the soldiers wasnt something too terrible to do. If not for the fact that a strong poison would take effect too quickly and cause the risk of being found out too soon, perhaps the spy would have been ordered to spike the food with deadly poison instead. However, she was quite curious about this sleeping herb. 1 Chapter 779 - Break Through and the Beautiful Lobbyist (III) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Jiang Pengji frowned and thought about it for a while. The middle-aged soldier ignored his injuries and gave a big bow to Jiang Pengji while sobbing. His red eyes spilled tears down his rough face. Palace Guard Commander, my lord died in vain. His only surviving descendant is the young master. I hope that you will be generous and lend your help to us because of your past relationship with my lord. Please send someone to escort the young master safely back to Wolong County in Haozhou. I am willing to repay you with the rest of my life by becoming your humble servant The large man knelt with tears in his eyes. Anyone who witnessed this scene would be moved by his sincerity. The audience in the live stream was moved by his act and slowly grew compassionate for this poor man. Garlic Lobster Rice: I can feel his helplessness and pain even through the screen. The ancients say that a real man would die for his best friend. I bet that the Chief of Wolong was his best friend. I cant imagine how painful it would be to witness your own master die right before your eyes. Shrimp Ball: I agree. From the outside, this hunk seemed to be the tough and strong type, but now hes crying so pitifully Secret Sauce Mixed Rice: Youre all pitying him? I actually dont like him. He did lose his lord and comrades, but what does that have to do with the host? Theres still an enemy on the loose and the host doesnt have a lot of free time. Why should she need to agree to his request? Become a servant for the rest of his life? The host doesnt have a shortage of people willing to serve her. Even if he did have a tragic experience, I cant bring myself to like him. Yiner Red Date Lotus Soup: The last comment was a little bit harsh, but I do agree with you that Im not a huge fan of him. If the host had already successfully overcome the danger before he brought this favor up, the host might have already agreed to the request. Isnt he just asking for more trouble by bringing this up right now? The comments in the livestream channel flew by as people expressed their opinions, but comments that pitied the soldier remained in the majority. Jiang Pengji ignored the comments on her livestream channel and asked someone to pull the soldier up. She said, The Chief of Wolong died at the hands of a traitor and left only one descendant. On principle, I cannot sit idly by. You should rest up for a bit. If you fall too, who else will your young master rely on? You need to remain strong to protect your young master. Jiang Pengjis answer was a little vague, but this response was enough to make the soldier calm down and accept it. Thank you. He had a lot of injuries and had lost a lot of blood. Between how much talking hed done and how emotional the conversation had made him, he was incredibly exhausted and on the verge of passing out. The medics helped him back onto the stretcher and carried him out. By the time he left, Jiang Pengjis gaze grew cold. Yang Si said, My lord, we cant just jump to a conclusion on this matter. I know, didnt you see that I didnt agree to his request? Jiang Pengji smiled a little, her dark black pupils revealing the calculative brain behind them. Feng Zhen understood Jiang Pengjis plan when he heard this. He let out a strange smile. His lord certainly was his lord. She wasnt easily moved. She never allowed emotions to overtake her judgment. This was the only way for her to keep moving forward. He said, Wolong County is in Haozhou. That place isnt particularly bad, how does my lord plan on using it? How could they not accept a free meal thatd been delivered straight to their door? However, Feng Zhen wanted to know if his lord planned on eating the meal herself or buying some sympathy by feeding it to Huang Song. Jiang Pengji thought about it and said, The elites of Wolong have been almost completely eliminated, and only a handful of people survived the raid. With only these injured soldiers and an 11-year old Cai Xiang left, how can they possibly protect Wolong County? Bogao is in Haozhou and is the chief of Maode County, which is the neighboring county of Wolong. How could he possibly let this opportunity pass by? The forces within Wolong arent something that Cai Xiang can control on his own, let alone Bogao This will indeed be a good meal for us if we eat it properly After that, Jiang Pengji added, As for how to best do that, I havent decided yet. Id like to hear everyones opinions. After listening in, the entire string of comments in the livestream turned into a flood of exclamation points. Holy sh*t! Their host wasnt even thinking about helping the survivors of Wolong! Instead, she just wanted to use them to benefit herself? Several audience members didnt feel comfortable with this decision. Wasnt this just manipulating a child and stealing others property? Yet they also knew that the world their host was living in was different from their own. Although they thought this was a harsh and brutal thing to do, the truth was that she was making the smartest decision. If she agreed to help, she wouldnt even be able to protect her family and assets, let alone claim the crown for herself. The audience members swallowed their unease. Only a few of them with bigger attitudes expressed their disgust. The subordinate of the Chief of Wolong had cried so heartily, how could the host not even show a sign of pity? How could she live with herself knowing that she was planning on stealing others assets? To understand the matter in a modern context, it was like if someones father had died in an accident, leaving a huge sum of money to the little Cai Xiang. The host and Cai Xiang had no relationship before the host had saved Cai Xiang while passing by. Now, she was still thinking of ways to claim her share of the will. How was this not disgusting? Of course, Jiang Pengji didnt care about these comments. Li Yun, who had been silent for the whole time, thought about it and asked, How about we lend some troops to Cai Xiang? Lending troops to Cai Xiang was just an excuse. They would claim to be helping Cai Xiang, but theyd actually be trying to lure in Cai Xiang and take charge of him. Huang Song still didnt dare to face Jiang Pengji head-on. If Jiang Pengji decided to use this clever method to stealthily take over Wolong County, he could only swallow his frustration. However Jiang Pengji lowered her eyebrows as she remembered the great map of Dongqing in her mind. When Li Yun saw that Jiang Pengji wasnt responding, he secretly checked on Yang Si and Feng Zhens expressions as he slowly lowered his head. Had he just made another dumb suggestion? Feng Zhen sighed and said, Wolong County is indeed a decent place, and if we can claim that area, Huang Songs movements will all be under our lords eyes. We can then keep an eye on him and be sure he doesnt expand his authority. However its quite a pity we would have to give up Chongzhou, Wanzhou, and Hu County were all in the northern area of Dongqing. In Feng Zhens perspective, Wolong County was located in an awkward position. If they took control of it, their line of authority would be too long. On top of that, Wolong County was located near a mountain range with strategic importance. It was a place that military families would always fight to protect. If Jiang Pengji really wanted to take over the county, she would need to relocate her military force to the south in order to prepare for any sort of situation that could arise. If that was the case, there would be a problem If Jiang Pengji were to relocate her troops down south, how would she defend against Beijiang from the north? To Jiang Pengji, Wolong was a weak point right now. It could be wiser for her to discard it than keep it. She may as well use this as a chip to work with Huang Song and gain more profit for herself. However, Yang Si and the crew were clearly unwilling to give Huang Song a free pass. Lets set this aside for now. Jiang Pengji lowered her gaze and hid the calculation in her eyes. The most important issue right now is how we will survive Jiamen Gate and avoid getting ambushed by our enemies. If we follow the footsteps of Wolongs chief, there will be no point in discussing the aftermath. Everyone understood her thought process. Just then, Meng Hun, who had been quiet this whole time, suddenly spoke up. My lord, I have something that Im not sure if I should say No worries, speak up. I suspect that the spy is still among the survivors of the Wolong troops. Jiang Pengjis smile grew deeper. You think so too? Chapter 780 - Break Through and the Beautiful Lobbyist (IV) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio The spy was hiding among the survivors of the Wolong army? Everyones hearts jumped in shock when they heard this. Only Feng Zhen and Yang Si remained calm. It seemed as if theyd already suspected this. Li Yun was a curious boy who immediately asked questions about topics he didnt understand. He asked in shock, If the spy is among the survivors of Wolong, they must be insanely brave. The person drugged people, caused the death of Wolongs chief, and the deaths of almost 10,000 soldiers yet youre saying hes still confident enough that he wont be exposed? Meng Hun didnt answer Li Yuns question and instead said, Cai Xiang is the only surviving descendant of the Wolong Chief, its safe to say that hes the second most important person besides the chief himself. Did the enemy not ambush at night to kill both the father and son? If Cai Xiang is left alive, theres no guarantee that Cai Xiang wont raise his own army and nourish them for a few years, then gather up his fathers old subordinates and seek revenge. If they dont destroy the root of this problem, there will be more problems later. Li Yun listened carefully to Meng Huns words. Even though Meng Hun didnt normally speak up and had a very weak presence around people, his knowledge was vast and he was very experienced. This made him a great model for younger soldiers to follow. Meng Hun continued, Its one thing if the battle turns into a stalemate. Itd still be possible to break through with a win-or-die attitude if you can find a weak spot. However, according to what that person said earlier, the enemy is very aggressive and is clearly much stronger than their troops. In order to find a way to break through this situation, they would need to bring several elite soldiers to escort the young master, which means that the possibility of successfully breaking through the battle is much lower. Even if they do manage to get out of the situation, the pursuing troops from behind would not let them go easily If the differences in power between the two troops werent too great, centralizing the troops for a more aggressive counterattack could bring the chance of success of breaking through to over fifty percent. If the difference was too great, one side would beat down the other. If the weaker side tried to break through the ambush, it would only accelerate their eventual fall. Aside from talking about success rates of breaking through an ambush, even if they did break through, the troops that followed behind them would not let them go very easily. Killing the Chief of Wolong wasnt enough. In order to fully annihilate this military force, they could not let Cai Xiang escape. If they let Cai Xiang go, Cai Xiang could reorganize his fathers old army. Even as a young master, he could still bring a lot of trouble to his enemies. Li Yu finally realized this and attempted to get a confirmation from Meng Hun. So what Officer Meng is saying is that when we found the survivors of Wolong, it was abnormal that we didnt also find any signs of pursuers. Thats why Officer Meng suspects that theres a hidden agenda, correct? Meng Hun nodded and said, If it was me, Id most definitely send out troops to chase after Cai Xiang. If they let a small team of only a few dozen men escort the young master to safety, it will seem a little too obvious. However, I still suspect that the spy is hiding among them. That would explain why the enemy troops arent worried about Cai Xiangs whereabouts, and why they let him escape. If Cai Xiang and his group ran into other allied forces and asked for help, would the forces that took them in suspect that there was anything wrong with the group of survivors? Chills ran down the spines of the generals that were present. It that was the case, they naturally wouldnt suspect that anything was wrong with Cai Xiangs group. To put it bluntly, Cai Xiang was merely a pitiful child who could only survive with the help of others. Who would ever suspect him or his servants? Many audience members in the livestream also felt like they didnt have enough brain cells to comprehend this. The tricks were getting more and more complicated. Sanlintang Pickles: Wait, really? Theres a spy among the people the host saved? Liulian Guihua Cake: Normal people naturally pity the weak and dont usually guard against them. Who would think that there would be an enemy spy hiding within the survivors they saved? If they arent careful, they might end up falling into the same trap and face the same fate as the Chief of Wolong. Coconut Juice Dadan: If thats the case, the host needs to be careful. If she doesnt find that spy, shell never be able to sleep soundly again! There was a lingering fear in the hearts of the audience members as they imagined their beloved Jiang Pengji falling into a trap and getting stabbed in the back. Li Yuns face turned pale as cold air ran up his body. He said, If thats true, then they really wont have their guards up. Hmph. Dian Yan let out a rough snort. Those traitors want to do the same thing to us and use the same shady strategy against. The strength of a plot isnt in whether its a brilliant plan or not. As long as it works in the end, thats all that matters. Feng Zhens gaze landed on Jiang Pengji as he said, My lord, we should send someone out to investigate Cai Xiangs group. Maybe we can find out if anyone brought sleeping herbs and powder made from datura metal with them. That person must be the spy! Jiang Pengji nodded and said, Let the medics check. Remember to not create a commotion. No one should know what were doing. Just as the strong wouldnt purposely keep their guards up against the weak, the injured soldiers wouldnt purposely keep an eye on the medics who had saved them. The medics working for Jiang Pengji were mostly female soldiers. They were just as tough and strong as men. As women, they could use the fact that people dropped their guards around them more easily to their advantage. Not long after, their reports were sent back. My lord, these are cloth packets that we found inside the clothing of two people. The two were quite alert, so it took us a bit of effort to retrieve these. A female doctor pulled out two small gray packets from her sleeves and opened them up to reveal their contents. The palace commander already looked at it. These are powders created from sleeping herbs. Theyre much stronger than normal sleeping herbs. The other packet was filled with a different colored powder. Of course, it was powdered datura metal. Now, they had the evidence they needed to support their suspicions. There were indeed spies among the survivors. Dian Yan frowned as he asked, My lord, if we throw all this powder into some food, how many people could we drug with it? The smell is quite strong, wont the soldiers notice it? If the food has a strange taste, they will most definitely grow suspicious Jiang Pengji smiled and said, When soldiers cook, they always use big bowls and pans. Plus, they eat rough food, nothing too fancy. Why would they bring up a bit of weird taste? Whats more, the enemy doesnt need to drug everyone in the army, they just need these people to feel physically exhausted. They must have been very careful to avoid being found out. Thats exactly why the Chief of Wolong fell prey. Is my lord planning on capturing the spies? Li Yun asked. We dont want to alert the enemy. Jiang Pengji shook her head and gestured for Li Yun to remain calm. The spies are our enemys tools to infiltrate us, but if we use them properly, they can also be tools for us. It simply depends on how we play this game from now on. Jiang Pengji secretly sent someone to keep an eye on the spies while they continued onward in their journey. They didnt notice anything strange along the way. Not long after, she ran into a difficult problem. Jiamen Gate has fallen Jiang Pengjis expression darkened and grew grim as she saw the flag hanging above Jiamen Gates entrance. Everyone was shocked. Jiamen Gate was a considerably safe gate in Dongqing. It was easy to defend and difficult to invade. Within only a few months, it had turned into a heated battlefield for Prince Changshou, the allied troops, and the enemy troops before them. Their warfare had completely stripped it of its reputation as an impenetrable fortress. My lord, what should we do? Jiamen Gate wasnt just a required passage into Chenzhou, it was also a passage for us to return to Wanzhou. Jiamen Gate had already fallen! If we want to pass through, we may have to force our way in. Meng Hun suddenly felt a headache starting. Chapter 781 - Break Through and the Beautiful Lobbyist (V) Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Even though Jiamen Gate had been invaded numerous times, its reputation as an unbreakable passage still caused quite a headache. When Prince Changshou forcefully broke into Jiamen Gate, the allied forces utilized their combined numbers to win. Still, the cost of victory had been hefty. Jiang Pengjis expression looked grim as she said, Send someone to investigate who the gatekeeper general is. More importantly, she needed to find out if the people who were stationed at Jiamen Gate were the same people who had ambushed the Chief of Wolong. If they were not the same, Jiang Pengji would not only need to be careful about encountering a hidden enemy, but she would also need to face another group of enemies in Jiamen Gate. It was indeed a situation where their enemy could be surrounding them. In this situation, everyone suddenly looked extra serious. Several generals were already mentally preparing themselves to break through the gate. Jiang Pengji ordered her troops to set up a camp while they carefully observed the situation inside Jiamen Gate. The soldier who was sent over to investigate shouted at the gate. He said, Fellow men of the city, my master is the Governor Liu Xi of Wanzhou, why are you not opening up the gates for her? Shortly after, someone shot an arrow from the gated wall above. It landed a few dozen meters away from the soldier. Treacherous servant, how dare you claim to be a governor! Only a governor officially appointed by Emperor Long Qing can pass through here! Leave! The soldiers heart sank a little when he heard this. Emperor Long Qing was Prince Changshou. Evidently, he changed the dynasty name to Long Qing when he claimed the title of emperor. Who is Emperor Long Qing? Theres only one emperor in Dongqing and he is still in Chenzhou Palace. The emperor you speak of is the treacherous one. Why dont you give up and turn yourself in, traitor above the gate? The person above the gate fired two more arrows at the soldier as he finished speaking. Unfortunately, the distance between the two arrows was quite significant, meaning the arrows still didnt hit their target. The two continued to bicker with each other from above and below the gate. After some time passed, a large man in armor walked up to the wall of the gate. He questioned his colleague and understood the situation. With a sneer, he then asked his subordinate to bring him his bow and quiver. He pulled the string of his bow until it arched like a crescent moon. The arrow left the bow and flew directly at the soldiers head. The soldier only felt a gust of cold air blow past his head as a heavy force pulled his whole body down to the ground. Hah! The large man snorted coldly and asked him to deliver a message. Go back and tell Liu Xi to come over here. Although the soldiers life was spared, he was completely thrown off. The spirits of the Jiamen Gate guards soared as they praised their great conquering general like a dramatic ocean wave. Their voices were so loud that even Jiang Pengji could hear them from her camp. Shortly after, Jiang Pengji received a message from the soldier shed sent out. Fu Wang? Who is this person? Have any of you heard of him before? Jiang Pengji wasnt too familiar with the forces under Prince Changshou. She looked to her subordinates for insight when she heard this unfamiliar name. Yang Sis old master was Prince Changshou. As his former head strategist, Yang Si was very familiar with the generals who worked under Prince Changshou. He carefully thought about it and shook his head. I dont remember a general by the name of Fu Wang working under Prince Changshou. Perhaps he is someone who joined their forces later However, just based on his archery skills, he is probably a person with some degree of notoriety. What kind of average general could possibly shoot down a soldiers headpiece and send him flying backward from such a distance? Prince Changshou wasnt a great person, but his luck and acting skills were top-notch. Hed managed to find many people to work for him in the early days. Perhaps it was the same with this Fu Wang person. Jiang Pengji noticed that Meng Hun looked quite shocked. She asked him, Does Officer Meng know this person? Meng Hun let out a forced laugh. He knew exactly who Fu Wang was. Fu Wang wasnt a subordinate in Prince Changshous camp, so it makes sense that Mister Yang doesnt know him. Meng Hun spoke up when he noticed that all the attention was on him. He said, Fu Wang is actually a servant of the Meng family. He had a very good reputation in the Cang Prefecture. It has been said that he was the strongest general under the Meng family. Prince Changshou doesnt have enough military power, so its completely understandable that the Meng family would send out backup troops to support him. Meng Hun paused as he finished the sentence. He smiled at Jiang Pengji and said, That reminds me My lord has crossed blades with him once before. I crossed blades with him? Jiang Pengji was stumped for a bit. Are you saying that the general outside of Chenzhou Palace that day was Fu Wang? Meng Hun said, It was him. Li Yun also remembered this and asked Meng Hun, That Fu Wang was he the person who Officer Meng stopped me from chasing after that day? Li Yun could almost feel the cold sweat rolling down his back as he recalled the situation that day. If not for the fact that Meng Hun had stopped him from trying to win merit, he would have been hit by Fu Wangs counterattack and suffered a great injury. Meng Hun nodded. The month before, Prince Changshou sent out troops for a surprise invasion of Chenzhou Palace, forcing the emperor to escape with Huijun. In the end, they were still caught up by Fu Wangs troops. If Jiang Pengji and Yang Jians team hadnt arrived in time, Fu Wang may have returned with a hefty war prize. By the way, Jiang Pengji had also stolen Huijun from Fu Wangs arms. Jiang Pengji was quite upset when she remembered what had happened that day. She didnt care if the emperor and his officers died, the point was that Huijun had almost become this persons war prize. Even then, Jiang Pengji still acknowledged Fu Wangs abilities. That Fu Wang sure has some skills. She could beat him up because they were on completely different levels. Everyone in the world would be considered a useless level-5 warrior if she was set as the standard. If she used this worlds average standard to measure this man, Fu Wang was indeed quite strong. How strong was he? To use Li Yun as an example, despite lacking much frontline experience, Li Yun was considered the second strongest person in terms of combat ability within the Wanzhou organization. If Li Yun went up against Fu Wang in his prime, it was very likely that Li Yun would be at a disadvantage and potentially lose his life if he wasnt careful. The day Fu Wang had first fought against Jiang Pengji, then faced Li Yun after receiving an injury, Li Yun still hadnt managed to defeat him. Meng Huns expression darkened as he said, Jiamen Gate on its own wouldnt have been a problem, but with a Fu Wang here, it will be more of a problem than we expected. How much does Officer Meng know about Fu Wang? Does he have any weaknesses? Meng Hun said, Weakness? He does have some problems. Ive heard that Fu Wang was raised by wolves. When he was younger, he was very violent and cruel. He was taken in by a family of the Cang Prefecture and was treated like a fighting dog. Death fighting is a form of entertainment among some noble and wealthy families. Its similar to cockfighting The only difference is that its a fistfight between two death-sentence criminals. The one who wins gets to live while the loser dies. Fu Wang was one of the ones who lived Jiang Pengji didnt bat an eyelash at Meng Huns explanation. She was quite familiar with these kinds of death battles. When she was still a genetic soldier, in order to complete a mission from the higher-ups, she had once ventured into battlefields of the beasts. Humans versus galactic creatures. Only the winner had the right to survive. These fights were much crueler than anything Fu Wang had ever experienced. Clearly, no matter what time they lived in, bored rich families were all the same. And then? How did he become the servant of the Meng family? Meng Hun continued, Fu Wang didnt have a name at first. He was just a feral child who didnt know the human language. He had physical strength but didnt have proper training, meaning he was easily manipulated. He lost during one death fight and was saved by Fu Zhang at the last moment. Fu Zhang pitied him and acknowledged his potential, so he took him in as his servant. As for Fu Zhang, Im sure nobody is familiar with him. To put it simply, this Fu Zhang was a spy who the late emperor stationed in the Cang Prefecture. He was the mortal enemy of the Meng family. Jiang Pengji frowned. If you were mortal enemies, then how did this Fu Wang become a servant of the Meng family?