Chapter Thirteen: The Laughingstock

  Nuo Da's Pei, Liu Kan knew very few people, and among those he knew, women could be counted on one hand.

  Apart from Mrs. Kan, the mother, and Wang Ji, the wine seller who had only met her once, they were just the two young ladies of the Lü family.

  But to be honest, Liu Jian was least willing to see these two young ladies.

  The reason is very simple: Lü Zhi is too clever, too clever, and her thoughts are dense. She is also very familiar with Liu Quan.

  Although he had only been with Lü Zhi for a few days, Liu Jian was able to feel it. Perhaps the current Lü Zhi has not yet shown the style of the historical Empress Lü, but in terms of being clever and capable, she has already shown the demeanor of a strong woman. From the current situation of the Lü family, Lü Gong is obviously getting old, and in many things, he is indecisive and cannot see the spirit that Jian's mother said.

  Lü Zhi, to some extent, had already begun to take charge of the Lü family's affairs and was handling them in an orderly manner.

  Even with a famous woman, and an intelligent one at that, Liu Quan still felt the pressure, even when Lü Zhi was just a little girl.

  However, since Lü's sisters had come, he couldn't show too much indifference either.

  Lü Jiao was still a young girl who didn't understand the hardships and dangers of the world, when she saw Liu Jian, she was as happy as a little skylark.

  Before Lv Wei could speak, Lv Jia rushed forward and kicked Liu Yan's head heavily.

  "Stinky, why don't you come find me to play?"

  Liu Kuang smiled warmly and reached out to rub Lü Ji's head. Lü Ji's height only reached Liu Kuang's neck, and rubbing his head felt pretty good.

  After all, Liu Quan had lived for thirty or forty years in his past life, and in his eyes, Lü Cuilian was like a little girl.

  "Why are you messing with my hair... I just combed it today, look, look, you've messed it up in an instant, annoying!"

  Lv Jiao said, escaping from Liu Jian's 'devil palm', muttering to herself with an unhappy face.

  Liu Kan said: "Our family's Ah-jie is always beautiful no matter what time!"

  "Really?"

  Lv Jia raised her head in surprise and a hint of shyness flashed across her face, but she immediately added: "But not as beautiful as my sister."

  Lü Wei walked up and hugged Lü Zhi, "In two years, Ah Zhi will definitely be more beautiful than her sister."

  Lü Lühuan smiled and revealed a smile, and Lü Lü nodded to Liu Jian with a smile. "Ah Jian, I heard that you and your aunt are living here, so I came to see you. Why haven't you settled down yet? Is it because you don't have enough money? If so, you should tell us."

  Liu Jian hastily shook his head, "No, no......"

  At this time, Mrs. Kan came out with a bright smile on her face. It can be seen that she has a heartfelt affection for the Lv sisters.

  Lü Cuī's sister greeted Lady Yuān again and asked about her well-being. When Lü Jiao heard that Lady Yuān was cooking, she immediately became excited.

  "Auntie's cooking is the best! Those people at home can't compare!"

  "Really? Then stay here for lunch, Auntie will cook delicious food for you."

  "Alright, alright!"

  Lv Jiao clapped her hands and laughed, following behind Madame Kong, saying she was going to the kitchen to learn. As for the real purpose, everyone understood it in their hearts.

  Lü Zhi stayed behind.

  Mrs. Jian and Lü Ji had left, she used her bright eyes, like autumn water, to glance at Liu Jian beside her, and suddenly smiled.

  Liu Kan felt very uneasy, sat on the porch and started playing with his thumb.

  Sitting next to a future female boss is really a kind of inexplicable tension.

  "Ah Qian, I heard you exchanged all the money on you for Qin currency, is that true?"

  "Ah!"

  Liu Quan was taken aback and thought to himself: This thing just happened yesterday, how did it reach Lü Zhi's ears today? Who has such a big mouth?

  Lü Zhi seemed to have seen through Liu Quan's thoughts, and laughed as he explained: "Haha, it seems you still don't know. Now more than half of the people in Pei know about this matter. And everyone says you've done a foolish thing, some even say that they won't sell things to you."

  "Why?"

  Liu Quan furrowed his brow and asked in a deep voice: "What does exchanging Qin currency have to do with whether or not you sell me things?"

  "Don't you know?" Lü Zhi said: "There are many Chu people in Pei, who hate the old Qin people to the bone. You just arrived and changed so much Qin currency, those people think you're stupid, and also feel that your heart is towards the Qin state. So, they will naturally have some hostility towards you."

  "Moreover, with your physique... Hehe, you look exactly like an old Qin person's build, which makes those people even more uncomfortable."

  Liu Kan didn't think much of it, he just felt that those people were truly idle and had nothing better to do.

  It's just a matter of changing money, why are you still thinking about Qin Guo? Being tall and sturdy doesn't necessarily mean being an old Qin person.

  Lv Lian saw Liu Jian not speaking, and comforted him: "Don't worry about it. Those people are probably just temporarily angry, and after some time has passed, they will naturally calm down. If not, you can find someone to help you... The people here are bullying, but there are also kind-hearted people."

  Liu Kan curled up the corner of his mouth and said, "I'm not in a hurry, who's foolish and who's clever, it's still unknown for now."

  As soon as he spoke, Liu Jian felt something was wrong. He was extremely afraid that Lü Zhi would become suspicious because of this one sentence.

  As expected, Lü Zhi stared blankly at Liu Jian, with a hint of doubt flickering in her bright, big eyes.

  "Ah Guan, do you know?" Lv Li said in a low voice: "Since you woke up, it's like you've become a different person. Sometimes I really doubt whether you're still the silly Ah Guan... But this is good too, being smarter is always a good thing."

  Liu Jian could hear the deep concern hidden in Lü Zhi's words.

  His heart warmed up, he naturally grasped Lv Wei's hand, "Ah Wei, thank you for your concern."

  The softness was warm, like silk jade, delicate to the skin, making people feel extremely comfortable. Lv Wei's face involuntarily turned red.

  However, she didn't pull her hand back, but instead let Liu Jian hold it.

  "Ah Jian, if you encounter any difficulties, be sure to tell me. No matter what form you take, you will always be the Ah Jian in my heart."

  Lü Zhi stretched out her hand and gently brushed aside Liu Quan's loose hair that was hanging over his forehead.

  Actually, Lü Zhi was a very gentle and beautiful girl when she was young. Liu Quan was infatuated with Lü Zhi's rosy cheeks!

  Xiang County (now Anhui Province's Xuanhua Zhangji), desolate and barren, is a poor land.

  However, on this desolate and barren land, a great figure emerged, that is Laozi at the end of the Spring and Autumn period.

  It originally belonged to Chu State, but after the destruction of Chu State, it became the seat of Xiapi Commandery.

  The Qin army led by Wang Ben is galloping freely on the vast land of Qi and Lu. Although the State of Qi has been destroyed, sporadic rebellions have never stopped.

  Compared with the chaotic state of Qi, Xiang County seems extremely peaceful.

  Newly appointed Shuizhou County Governor Tu Kui, was originally a general in the great army of Wang Pi. A man from Yiqi, with the bold and heroic spirit unique to the old Qin people.

  He is not very tall and big in stature, but he looks extremely sturdy.

  Especially his neck, short and thick and solid, so that in the Qin army, there was a nickname of "beheading", meaning that this person liked to cut people's necks. His dark face had steel needle-like sideburns. At this time, this general who liked to behead people was standing upright.

  On the steps below, a young commander knelt on one knee.

  "I, Ren Duo, have come to report for duty under the orders of His Majesty the King and request an audience with General Tu."

  Although he was appointed as a county governor, Tu Wei preferred to be called General. He was a soldier and would always be a soldier.

  In the eyes of many people, Tu Yue is strict and rarely smiles.

  However, looking at the young man below the stairs, this guy, who was notorious for being ruthless and cruel, revealed a faint smile that was not easily detectable.

  "Ren Yao, hurry up and get going, it's been a tough journey!"

  Ren You raised his head, with a fierce glint in his eyes. "To be able to serve the king and exert one's strength, even if it means death, would bring happiness to one's heart. Why bother speaking of hardships?"

  "Ah!"

  Tu Xuan showed a look of admiration, "No wonder you're a good man from the Iron Eagle Guards. Indeed, to be able to serve King Wang is an honor, even in death!"

  As he spoke, Tu Yu walked down the steps and helped Ren You up. "Ren You, I suppose you're clear about the purpose for which King Xiang sent you."

  Ren You said in a deep voice: "The king wants to establish an unprecedented great achievement, and before I set out from Xianyang, the prime minister had already instructed me that everything should be carried out according to General Tu's arrangements."

  When it comes to Shang Gong, Ren Yao shows a look of admiration.

  The Upper Minister in his mouth is the second son of the Mong family who served under King Qin Zheng for three generations, Meng Yi.

  Tú Yǐ pulled Rěn Yáo's hand, walking and saying: "Although Chu has perished as a nation, it is still unstable to this day. The situation in Sì Shuǐ Commandery is very complicated, with many bandits and remnants of various nations lingering here. These people have an unrelenting hatred for our Great Qin, often causing us trouble. Sì Shuǐ Commandery has many marshes and complex terrain. Once those guys hide, it's really hard to find them.

  The king wanted to conquer Baiyue and open up a vast territory that had never been reached since Yao and Shun.

  The Xiashui County is the foundation of our army's conquest of Baiyue. If Xiashui is not peaceful, then the supply and demand of our army will also be unstable.

  I am good at marching and fighting, but when it comes to governing a place, I have the will but not the ability. That's why I asked the king to transfer officials.

  I didn't expect Wang Shang to send you over.

  However, this also means that Wang Shang's expedition against the Baiyue is now at a critical juncture, and we must work together in perfect harmony if we are to succeed."

  Ren You said: "General Zhuang, rest assured, I will do my best to help you pacify the waters of Si."

  "Excellent!"

  He sat down on the long case, handed a bamboo slip to Ren Yao, "I plan to send you to Pei County. The situation there is complicated, and bandits are rampant. I'm preparing for the first battle of the Sihe Water Bandit Suppression Campaign to start in Pei County. Wang Shang has also decided to cooperate with our actions and will not go on an eastern hunt this year to paralyze those bandits. Here's some information... Ren Yao, I want you to pacify the bandit situation in Pei County within the year.

  May I?

  Ran Yao burst out laughing, "General, rest assured, I will not disappoint your expectations."

  After he finished speaking, he unfolded his bamboo scroll and stood up seriously. Tu Yu had no intention of blaming Ren You for this attitude.

  In his view, seizing every moment and quickly solving problems is the conduct that old Qin people should possess.

  At the time of holding the lamp, Ren You had already finished reading the contents on the materials. He put away the bamboo slips and stood up, "General, I will go to Pei County now."

  "Well, don't let things drag on, I won't keep you any longer!"

  Tu Xi sank into thought for a moment, then asked: "Ren Yao, where are you going to start?"

  Ren You thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "The banditry in Pei County is severe. If we want to pacify it within the year, we need to use drastic measures that can produce an effect."

  Simple apology may not be enough to resolve quickly.

  Therefore, I plan to first intimidate the bandits with a show of force, and then use pacification methods to quell the troubles in Pei County.

  "En, that's also a way. However, to use one as a warning to a hundred, but I don't know which 'one' you plan to use to intimidate?"

  Ren You thought for a moment and softly spoke out a name. Tu Wei heard it, his eyes sparkling, nodding repeatedly: "Choosing this person is exactly what I had in mind."