Chapter 45: The Number One Loser of Great Qin

  Shi Wei followed Qin Lei's request and returned to the Shen family as soon as he entered the city. This was their first meeting after returning to the country.

  Shi Wei slightly excitedly bowed his head and saluted Qin Lei, who smiled and asked him to get up and sit down to talk.

  Two people didn't exchange pleasantries, Qin Lei directly asked: "What is the attitude of your maternal grandfather's family? Why hasn't there been any response until now?" That night, Madame Shen warmly invited Qin Lei to visit as a guest, and Qin Lei also wanted to express his gratitude to the Shen family for their great help. So the next day, he sent over an invitation card.

  What I never expected was that the Shen family's attitude is very strange. It has been eight days now, and there hasn't been any response at all.

  Shi Wei saw that Qin Lei was very concerned about this matter, looked around and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, the old master asked me to bring you a message: be patient for now."

  Qin Lei uttered an "oh" and pondered for a moment before asking again: "I wonder if you've heard of any arrangements His Majesty has made regarding me."

  Shi Wei smiled and said: "The old master says, Your Highness can rest assured, you have the capital to contribute to the country, plus being able to understand the military, naturally there will be civil and military officials speaking for you."

  Qin Lei nodded and smiled: "It seems I was worried for nothing." He asked again: "Have our injured brothers been settled?"

  Shi Wei nodded and said, "We brothers are not only the princes' brothers but also the sons of the Shen family. In this matter, Old Master is very pleased and praised you for being his good grandson." After finishing, he stole a glance at Qin Lei, seeing that his expression was normal, before continuing, "However..."

  Qin Lei glared at him and cursed with a smile: "You thing, the most ghostly eyes. First report good news and then bad news, quickly let out all your fart, and suffocate to death the young master of your family."

  Shi Wei said with a smile: "Well, I'll say it then. It's just that the old master said that your compensation program is a bit high, so we can only follow the usual practice in the mansion for now and make up for the shortage with his own private money first, to avoid people gossiping."

  Qin Lei nodded and said, "This is the right way. Originally, we were going to pay for it ourselves, but we borrowed money from my uncle's family first. Of course, we can't mess up the rules." As he spoke, he rubbed his chin and smiled helplessly: "Adding up the expenses in the capital, I probably owe my uncle's family over five million taels of silver now?"

  Shi Wei just smiled and didn't respond.

  Qin Lei sighed: "The taste of being the number one loser in Great Qin doesn't feel like anything."

  Shi Wei was stunned for half a day before he came back to his senses and laughed: "It's also not bad that there is no one who wants to collect debts from a spendthrift."

  After laughing for a while, Qin Lei instructed Shi Wei: "There are three things you need to take care of. First, send a generous gift to Li Guangyuan's family. He is not at home and I am not convenient to visit him."

  Shi Wei nodded in agreement.

  Qin Lei said, "Go to the south city to buy a house, don't go through anyone. Directly ask your uncle to borrow money." After finishing, he couldn't help but laugh and say, "Damn it, I'm probably the only son-in-law in the world who is so arrogant."

  Shi Wei laughed and said: "The old master is afraid you won't lend it, but didn't think of letting you return it."

  Qin Lei instructed: "You handle this matter personally, and don't tell anyone except your grandfather."

  "What requirements does the house have?"

  Qin Lei thought for a moment, stretched out two fingers and said: "One, hidden; Two, convenient transportation."

  "Your Highness," Shi Wei said with a wry smile, "places that are well-hidden certainly don't have convenient transportation, and places with convenient transportation certainly aren't well-hidden. You've presented quite the dilemma."

  Qin Lei smiled and said: "It's precisely because it's hard to find that we let Shi, the strongest among us, go look for it."

  Shi Wei reluctantly accepted this task.

  Qin Lei stood up and said: "Discuss with Lao Yezi, send a liaison officer over, you don't have to run around in two directions anymore, I still have things arranged for you to do."

  Shi Wei also stood up and accepted the order. Qin Lei patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Now there are only you and Shen Qing by my side. You've been through a lot."

  Shi Wei smiled and said: "For Your Highness's affairs, it doesn't matter if I'm a bit more tired. But it would be best to have someone lend a hand."

  Qin Lei thought for a moment, then said: "We can't trust outsiders, so let's do this instead. Once Shi Meng's injury is a bit better, have him go to your place to help out. He's your brother, and you two can take care of each other. That way, I'll feel more at ease too."

  Shi Meng is the brother who was stung by bees like a beehive during the mountain test and got injured in the battle of crossing the river. Fortunately, it's not serious and he has recovered.

  Shi Wei thought for a moment and shook his head: "Your Highness, this isn't good."

  Qin Lei knew what he was worried about, and punched his chest with a fist, laughing and scolding: "This is just a few people, you already know how to avoid suspicion. You little guy really has the potential to be an official."

  Shi Wei laughed and said: "Thank you for your kind words, I really have a hobby of being an official."

  Qin Lei stood before Shi Wei, looking straight into his eyes. In a low voice, he said: "Shi Ge, there is no wall that doesn't let wind through. If you really want to be an official, a high-ranking one at that, then you can't leave any weaknesses for others to attack. You must conduct yourself with integrity and morality. If you don't even have the confidence to do this small thing, keeping public and private matters separate, then your ideals will forever be empty words."

  Shi Wei lowered his head to receive the lesson. Qin Lei's line of sight passed over his shoulder, and he said softly: "Brother Shi, you are meticulous in your thinking, flexible and comprehensive in handling matters, I have high expectations for you."

  Shi Wei knelt down excitedly and said: "I, Shi Wei, swear to die for Your Highness, and I am willing to sacrifice my life at any time."

  Qin Lei did not let him get up, nor did he go see him. He suddenly changed the subject: "But I'm a bit worried."

  Shi Wei suddenly lifted his head and looked at Qin Lei with a searching gaze.

  Qin Lei's gaze passed through the mottled tree shade and looked towards the distant sky, where pigeons were flying.

  "One day in the future, if you find that I've reached a dead end and another path is shining with golden light, don't forget what I'm saying now: things are never as bad as they seem, and hope may be just around the corner." The voice was distant, yet seemed to pierce directly into one's heart.

  Shi Wei wiped the sweat from his forehead and knocked his head: "How dare I have a second heart, Your Highness is worrying too much."

  Qin Lei gave him a meaningful look, helped him up and smiled: "I just expressed my feelings, Shi Ge doesn't need to think too much." Then he whispered in his ear: "The matter of the Liumin refugee camp is forgiven this time, but if it happens again, you will be punished for both crimes."

  Shi Wei, as if struck by a heavy blow, trembled all over and wept bitterly, saying: "In the past I was foolish, but today after hearing Your Highness's words, I will certainly reform my former wrongdoings and remain loyal and unwavering."

  Qin Lei handed him a handkerchief and said softly, "No one knows about that matter, and no one will mention it again in the future. Go."

  Shi Wei nodded and retreated a few steps, then bowed his head three times to Qin Lei before turning around and leaving.

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  Today is the third update, completing the task, if it's recommended to 600, I'll add another chapter. Isn't the condition very low?