Chapter 54

Upon hearing this, Qin Jie’s expression stalled, and he didn't know how to answer.

Refusing directly would certainly be bad and would easily offend Su Xuan.

But if he agreed, how would the merit be calculated?

Su Xuan used mind-reading to read his thoughts at this moment and immediately continued: "Of course, I can concede the merit of the new recruit camp assisting you, Administrator, in suppressing the rebellion to you, as long as you, Administrator, provide them with grain and military equipment supplies during this period."

Using Qin Jie’s grain and money to raise his own troops—isn't that very cost-effective?

Although he wasn't short of this money and grain, saving a little is still saving.

There would be many places to use money and grain in the future.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, the tangled look on Qin Jie’s face vanished, and he asked excitedly: "Really?"

"Absolutely true!"

Su Xuan nodded affirmatively, but fearing Qin Jie would act recklessly, he reminded and warned him: "But you, Administrator, must not treat the lives of my 6,000 soldiers as nothing and assign them inappropriate tasks; otherwise, I will be very unhappy."

He was afraid Qin Jie would deliberately send the new recruit camp to fight to the death and set him up.

It was better to point this out in advance for such matters.

"Haha! Naturally! Naturally!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Jie gave a sheepish laugh and promised repeatedly: "I am not that kind of person! Then it is settled!"

"Additionally, when you depart, Brother Su, I will send you another batch of grain and military equipment to assist you in rushing to Yanzhou for support."

As long as Su Xuan’s main force left, it would be fine.

As for the new recruit camp, Su Xuan had already said he didn't want the merit and only needed grain and logistical support; what else was there to say?

It was a good thing!

He had also looked into Wen Pin; his strength had reached the peak of the Transformation Realm, and he understood the methods of military arrays; his ability to arrange troops was not bad, clearly also a talent of a great general.

With this person leading troops to assist him, he would certainly be able to suppress the Nanyang rebellion thoroughly with much more ease.

"Then many thanks for your support, Administrator!"

Su Xuan smiled and toasted Qin Jie.

The next morning,

"My lord! A person outside the mansion claiming to be the head of the Zou clan of Wancheng has presented a visiting card and requested an audience; he also brought many valuables as gifts. Shall we see him?"

Su Xuan had just finished his morning exercise when a personal guard ran over to report.

"Oh?"

Su Xuan was slightly stunned upon hearing this: "The Zou clan of Wancheng? I don't have any impression of this Zou family."

Jia Er, the leader of the intelligence guard to the side, immediately reminded him: "This Zou clan is just a small gentry family; since the previous head of the family passed away, this Zou family hasn't had any officials above the rank of County Magistrate. Currently, there are only a few minor officials in the clan; it can be considered completely fallen!"

"I imagine they are requesting an audience this time because they think highly of you, my lord, and want to curry favor with you!"

The Shadow Guard was responsible for external intelligence gathering.

Over the past year or so, it had developed rapidly.

They had a relatively clear understanding of the intelligence here in Wancheng.

Jia Yi was responsible for Luoyang intelligence, while Jia Er stayed by Su Xuan’s side.

Of course, these names were just their code names in the Shadow Guard, not their real names.

In intelligence work, it was better to keep one’s real name hidden.

"Is that so?"

Su Xuan nodded in understanding upon hearing this and was about to say something.

At this moment, the personal guard added cautiously: "My lord! That head of the Zou family also brought an extremely beautiful woman with him; according to his introduction, it is his daughter, named Zou Zou Qian."

Stopping at the right point, the personal guard said no more.

"You rascal!"

Su Xuan laughed and pointed at the personal guard, saying indignantly: "Do you think your young master is a lecherous person in your heart?"

This personal guard was a servant of the Su mansion and had grown up with him since childhood, so Su Xuan was naturally very familiar with him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have let him temporarily take charge of the affairs of this Wancheng mansion.

"Hehe! This little one didn't think that!"

The personal guard immediately gave a chuckle.

"Fine!"

Su Xuan shook his head and waved his hand: "Since you’ve spoken to this point, let’s see them!"

"I want to see just how beautiful this Zou Zou Qian is."

"Yes!"

The personal guard immediately retreated, and before long, he brought the two of them in.

"Zou Zou Chuan, head of the Zou clan of Wancheng, along with my little daughter Zou Zou Qian, pays respects to Commandant Su! Please forgive us for requesting an audience so rashly!"

"Little girl Zou Zou Qian pays respects to Commandant Su!"

When the father and daughter of the Zou clan saw Su Xuan, they were stunned for a moment, then bowed together.

Zou Zou Chuan thought with shock in his heart: "Although I had long heard that this Su Xuan was very young, only 17 years old, I didn't dare to believe it; now it seems it is indeed true!"

"And this Su Xuan has such a good appearance and temperament!"

Zou Zou Qian also stole a glance at Su Xuan with a slightly blushing cheek, thinking: "General Su is so handsome! He is better looking than anyone I have ever seen, his temperament is also excellent, and his figure is tall and heroic; if I could truly become his woman, that would be wonderful."

Previously, when she heard her father wanted to take her to see this so-called Commandant Su, she had been very reluctant!

Now, she only wanted to say: "So true!"

She wished she could immediately throw herself into General Su’s arms.

Now, she was instead worried that Su Xuan wouldn't take a liking to her.

"You two don't need to be so formal! Please, rise quickly!"

Su Xuan saw the expressions of both of them and even used mind-reading to read their thoughts;

Immediately, he understood, stood up with a smile to help them up, and then invited them to sit down.

At the same time, Su Xuan also took a look at Zou Zou Qian, thinking: "She is indeed a beauty!"

If appearance and temperament were scored out of 100, this Zou Zou Qian could at least score a 94.

The key was that this woman was very alluring.

"Zou Zou Qian, surname Zou, and she is from Wancheng; could she be the future wife of Zhang Ji, the Zou clan who caused Boss Cao to lose Old Dian Wei and Cao Ang?"

"But isn't this Zou clan from Guzang, Wuwei, Liangzhou? How did they become from Wancheng, Nanyang?"

Su Xuan thought with some confusion.

He was 70 or 80 percent sure that this Zou Zou Qian should be the future Zou clan.

"It seems that in different worlds, there will still be differences in some details; I must take this as a warning for the future."

Su Xuan thought again.

However, this Zou clan was indeed stunningly beautiful, and he indicated that he had taken a liking to her.

When Su Xuan looked at Zou Zou Qian, Zou Zou Qian happened to be stealing a glance at Su Xuan, and their gazes met immediately.

Zou Zou Qian’s pretty face turned red immediately, and she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look at Su Xuan, but she couldn't help but want to steal a glance at him.

Zou Zou Chuan, who had been watching from the side, saw the expressions of both of them and was overjoyed, thinking: "Perhaps, it’s settled!"

This Su Xuan was indeed unable to resist his daughter’s charm.

"I wonder what business the head of the Zou clan has in coming to see me?"

After they sat down, Su Xuan asked.

Upon hearing this, Zou Zou Chuan immediately stood up and bowed slightly again, saying directly: "Firstly, to congratulate the General on your promotion, and secondly, because I feel that the General is a young hero and a good match, yet you are not yet married, so I wish to let my daughter marry you as a concubine. I wonder if the General is willing?"

Zou Zou Chuan knew his own weight regarding the position of a legal wife and had never counted on it.

In the past, with the family status of the Su family, the position of a legal wife might have been possible.

But the Su Xuan of today was no longer the Su Xuan of a year ago.

With the family status of the Zou clan, they were already unworthy of Su Xuan; even seeking the position of a concubine could be considered climbing high.

If he hadn't been very confident in his daughter’s beauty, Zou Zou Chuan wouldn't have come to lose face like this.

Since his father passed away, the Zou family had completely fallen.

If he didn't find a way to cling to a big shot, in a few more years, they might completely fall into becoming a humble family and be drowned in the tides of history.

This was absolutely not what Zou Zou Chuan wanted to see.

"Oh?"