Chapter 67: Oh no! I've run into a skin‑wearing demon demanding a title!

The world will fall into chaos.

This matter, not only Chinu knows, Chen Weifang knows......

Du Shanü, in fact, already knew it long ago.

Since the day the village head came to announce the new tax law, she had some thoughts in her heart.

Afterwards, all her scheming was merely so that, at the moment the world truly falls into chaos, she could have some breathing room.

If possible, she could also shelter under her own wings some common folk who ought not to die......

Du Shanü's lifelong wish is nothing more than this.

"I know how you think of me......"

Du Shanü opened her lips, smiling, her words light:

"It's nothing more than that I am a skilled artisan; unfortunately, as a woman, my talent is lacking, and my conduct often seems a bit unconventional."

These are all facts, no mistake.

However, Du Shanü today wishes to completely break the thought patterns bound by classics and rites, to explore another possibility.

The long night stretches on; the firelight of this night has finally neared its end.

However, there is a more magnificent, more fierce spark of stars, bursting from the night sky into the wilderness, blazing fiercely!

Du Shanü's face still wore a smile, but her hands, inch by inch, clenched into fists, she spoke word by word:

"But I am indeed earnestly studying how to gain control of the world."

"I may sometimes lack caution in my daily affairs, but I am not a fool; step by step, I will walk clearly and openly."

Yes.

Not a fool, therefore not a fool.

Along with the firelight rising, there is also her ambition.

She has carefully considered how the world ought to be won, and how the matter of identity ought to be handled.

She is not someone lacking ability.

Chinu wants her to obtain the county office; she has clearly never forgotten it for a moment!

Chen Weifang wants grain and fodder; she agreed without a word!

Therefore, why look down on her and doubt her so?

Du Shanü's expression is serious; although the traces of smoke and fire on her face have not faded, wherever her clear eyes gaze, it truly makes one feel ashamed.

Chen Weifang slightly withdrew the smile on her face, bowed deeply with hands clasped:

"I previously had somewhat insufficient foresight; actually, this plan is excellent...... Lady Lead, please do not blame me."

Lady Lead, Lady Lead.

This time, it was actually spoken directly.

Not 'bright lord', not 'lord'.

But rather, 【Lady Lead】.

To fully acknowledge, this woman's identity still possesses the ability to make people bow and serve, recognizing her as master.

Du Shanü's nature cannot stay serious for long; seeing this scene, unable to hold back, she broke character:

"Eh eh eh, trivial! Just clarify it!"

"I just now didn't mean to slap you, so don't blame me......"

"Slap, slap what?"

Chen Weifang reacted, instinctively lowering his clasped hands, covering his own buttocks——

Late virtue!

It was his late virtue that was slapped!!!

Du Shanü hehe laughed twice, then turned to Chinu as if nothing happened and asked:

"Good slave slave, why aren't you speaking again?"

"Master for matters, slave slave for none."

Chinu had long grown accustomed to such back-and-forth contrasts, plus the recent palpitation in his heart, for a moment he actually didn't speak.

Now Du Shanü gazes at him with a smile; Chinu pondered a few breaths, then finally only said:

"...... I await your seizure of the county office."

Just seven simple words, Du Shanü almost wanted to hug Chinu's pant leg and burst into tears——

What is it like for her family's consistently domineering little slave to suddenly gain humanity?

I suppose it's nothing more than that!

Heaven knows how long Du Shanü has waited for these words!

Storybooks are all fake! All fake!!!

There is no divine cheat from heaven; everything must rely on one's own effort!

Even, gaining a single person's loyalty is extremely difficult!

Now Chinu has finally gained some humanity, loosening his lips a little......

How could she not be delighted!

From now on, she and Chinu will surely be ruler and virtuous minister, dragon and tiger stirring wind and cloud, enlightened ruler meeting worthy minister, working together in harmony, fish and water in bliss, loving and beautiful, growing old together......

Huh? Wait a moment.

It seems something might have gotten mixed in?

Never mind!

It should just be like this!

Du Shanü was so moved it was killing her, and she tried to grab Chinu's collar to wipe the black ash off her face.

Then she was ruthlessly rejected.

Chinu: "You lascivious woman, don't touch me o(￣ヘ￣o＃)"

It really never ends!

I've said it—I'm not a lascivious woman, I'm not a lascivious woman!

What lascivious woman is like her, still living on plain broth and water to this day......

Du Shanü had no recourse; she could only endure the heartache, squatting on the cool steps and wiping the ash with her sleeve.

As she wiped, she didn't forget to speak, under Afang's slightly odd gaze:

"Go get a piece of charcoal, tear a piece of cloth, and draw me a map of the prefectures and counties around Cang Cheng."

"I now have three mills; making acorn starch doesn't need my attention. The urgent matter is to investigate who the insider is in the county office, to determine where those who entered the city to plunder come from, and where the city's grain might be transported......"

As the old saying goes, once we finish this busy spell, we can start the next.

Since these two people agree with her approach, before they gather enough grain, she still has some time to manage city affairs, preparing herself to later take over the city.

The insider must be caught; at least we need to know where those outside who collude with the insider are from, so we can guard against them in the future.

As for the grain, if we can recover it, that would be even better!

Chaotic times are approaching; if we can store more grain, the common people will have an extra ration.

Moreover, that amount of grain is not small; it can't just vanish like smoke—you can't just say lose it and lose it!

Although she can make money, she's not some filthy rich big spender!

Du Shanü's bearing was too upright and confident; Chen Weifang looked back and forth at her and her friend several times, finally gave in, picked up a piece of extinguished charcoal from the ground, tore a piece of her robe, and began to draw and erase.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Chen Weifang finally handed over the warm new map with both hands——

(Lingnan Liangjiang Dao topographic map 【partial area】)

Because Du Shanü was waiting, Chen Weifang drew a smaller range; nevertheless, the map shows three cities and two large villages near the cities.

As for the small village where Du Shanü is located......

One can see the author gave face; otherwise, given that village's size, it absolutely wouldn't merit even a few marks on this map.

Du Shanü quickly glanced over the map, then rolled it up, put it into her bosom for future use, and then said:

"Good, thank you, Afang!"

"I'll keep this; tomorrow at dawn I'll go to the surrounding cities and villages to see how they're collecting taxes......"

"As for the disaster situation in the city today, my status is insufficient, so I have to rely on you to take care of it."

She handles things, always clean and efficient.

When she's bantering, she banters; but when she really gets down to business, she also doesn't shrink back.

Chen Weifang gave a slight nod, indicating assent to this matter.

Du Shanü didn't hesitate; she was about to take Chinu back immediately.

However, just then she was stopped by Chen Weifang's call.

Chen Weifang seemed to have pondered for a long time; seeing Du Shanü turn back, this scholar of considerable age actually showed some rare bashfulness:

"The city's affairs are originally my responsibility."

"But I still don't know—what sort of relationship do I now have with the lady master......?"

Chinu: "......"

Du Shanü: "???"

What, what relationship?

She, she also doesn't know!

I've only ever heard of the Yellow Spirit seeking investiture; now, could it be that she's encountered a Human Skin seeking investiture?!

?? Yellow Spirit seeking investiture: "Do you see me as a person or as a god?"

? Human Skin paper seeking investiture: "What is our relationship now?"

? Afang wants to confirm the ruler-subject reality, so she opens with a request for investiture!

? Come on, come on, everyone can laugh freely here hehehe (*^▽^*)