Chapter 1272

"Second Brother doesn't blame you; this is all Father and Second Uncle's doing. They just couldn't bring themselves to lay a hand on you, so they beat me to vent their anger."

"But this beating was actually quite enjoyable, and I even got two hundred taels of silver afterward."

As he spoke, Gao Changwen held the heavy money bag beside him, his face beaming with a bright smile.

Gao Ling nodded hurriedly, "Then Second Brother can use this silver to properly nourish your body."

"Nourish what? Spending one tael of silver to eat some big steamed buns and drink some cold water is enough. The remaining one hundred and ninety-nine taels will be saved for the Chunhe Tower to find the most fiery beauty!"

But immediately, Gao Changwen realized that saying this in front of Ling'er wasn't very good.

So he changed the subject and said, "Ling'er, Second Brother is fine; a mere beating is nothing. But you came here, why are you carrying a basin of water?"

Seeing this, Gao Ling hurriedly said, "Second Brother suffered such a beating for Ling'er's sake, and your back was even lashed until it bled. Ling'er feels bad, so I brought a basin of warm water to help Second Brother wipe your back."

"Ling'er, with these words from you, Second Brother's beating wasn't in vain; it was worth it!"

"Since that's the case, Second Brother won't be polite."

Gao Changwen looked gratified and said softly to Gao Ling.

"Second Brother, you are so good to Ling'er; this is what I should do."

Gao Ling brought the copper basin over, put the dry towel into the basin to soak, and after soaking it several times, she wrung it out hard.

With a creak.

Gao Yang pushed the door and entered. From his perspective, he saw the heartwarming scene of little Gao Ling wiping Gao Changwen's back.

But Gao Yang asked curiously, "Ling'er, I heard you went to the kitchen and took two large jars of salt. What do you need so much salt for?"

"Salt?"

"Two large jars?"

Gao Changwen was stunned. He turned his head abruptly and looked at the towel Gao Ling was using to wipe his back, then turned to look at the basin of water on the side.

As if realizing something, his eyes suddenly turned horrified!

At the same time.

Where his back had been lashed, where the red marks were wiped by the towel, a burning pain struck.

"Ah!"

Gao Changwen let out a scream, the sound extremely tragic.

This action frightened Gao Ling. She hurriedly looked at Gao Yang and asked in a panic, "Big Brother, what's wrong with Second Brother?"

Gao Yang stared at Gao Changwen, who was wailing on the bed, his body curled up again like a boiled red shrimp, and said earnestly, "It's probably because you poured two jars of salt into the water, Ling'er."

"Ah?"

"But I heard from the servants that salt water can disinfect? I even risked being scolded to steal two jars."

Gao Ling stared at the wailing Gao Changwen and panicked completely.

"Salt water can indeed disinfect, but this concentration... let's just say even the tortures of the Ministry of Justice aren't this ruthless." Gao Yang said earnestly.

This reminded Gao Yang of a saying: applying iodine to a big sword only disinfects it more as you cut.

Kind!

Too kind!

"Ah?"

"Second Brother, Ling'er suddenly remembered that I still have some lessons to write, so I'll go back first. You rest well."

Seeing this, Gao Ling hurriedly slipped away.

Gao Changwen was baring his teeth and grimacing in pain. Seeing Gao Yang, his heart was filled with grievances.

"Big Brother!"

This "Big Brother" was filled with grievances.

But he still had Gao Yang, he still had the claw machine, and he could still become the next Mohist leader and bring glory to all of Da Qian!

"Second Brother, Big Brother has heard about this matter. You have suffered, but you can rest assured..."

Gao Yang stood with his hands behind his back, staring at Gao Changwen, his deep voice ringing out.

These words made Gao Changwen's eyes ache, and his heart was filled with endless bitterness.

"Big Brother, are you going to stand up for your foolish brother? Are you going to seek justice from Father, Second Uncle, and Grandfather?"

Gao Changwen looked full of earnest hope.

But as soon as these words were spoken, Gao Yang hurriedly reached out and made a stop gesture.

"Changwen, it's a misunderstanding!"

"Big Brother wanted to say, you can rest assured; if you can endure today's suffering, there will be endless suffering in the days to come."

"For example—this claw machine!"

These words made Gao Changwen's expression change.

"Big Brother, don't mess around!"

"Last time I heard you and Lord Shangguan walking together, talking about big gears, small gears, and some iron blocks, and the principle of levers, talking very convincingly."

For a moment, Gao Changwen's back didn't even hurt anymore.

He looked nervous, his eyes fixed on Gao Yang.

As soon as Gao Yang thought of what he was about to say, he couldn't help but reveal a smile.

"Changwen, there is a huge difference between theory and practice."

"Besides, if Big Brother didn't say that, could you have kicked that Western Region beauty away, and could you have resisted the jealousy in your heart and not caused destruction?"

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Changwen gasped, his whole body going numb.

"Big Brother!"

"You..."

"Are you not recognizing people after pulling up your pants?"

Compared to these words, Gao Changwen felt that the vicious beating from Gao Feng was just a drizzle.

This was revenge!

It was definitely revenge for his threat!

"Changwen, the great army is going to set out in early spring. Big Brother has to go to the battlefield, so I have to practice archery and horsemanship diligently and make some preparations. So, this claw machine will have to rely on you."

"But Big Brother believes in you; you can do it!"

As he spoke, Gao Yang was about to turn around.

Crack!

In Gao Changwen's ears, it seemed like he heard something shattering.

Listening carefully, it turned out to be the sound of his heart breaking.

But at this time, Gao Yang paused.

He looked back again and walked toward Gao Changwen.

"Big Brother, your foolish brother knew you were joking."

Gao Changwen's heart ignited with hope. Seeing Gao Yang walking closer and closer, he felt settled.

Then,

He watched helplessly as Gao Yang picked up his money bag, weighed it, put it into his bosom, and said to him with satisfaction.

"Big Brother is a poisonous strategist, so I am relatively cautious. Since I am going to the battlefield, I should naturally make more preparations!"

"Although the money isn't much, Big Brother accepts this heavy heart."

After speaking, Gao Yang strode away, leaving only a dumbfounded Gao Changwen behind.

And before Gao Changwen could come to his senses, he heard Gao Yang's voice in the small courtyard.

"Can you really feel at ease eating the chickens raised outside? The old hen my brother Changwen raised is absolutely safe to eat."

"This one looks quite fat; I'll take it back to stew. It just so happens that this young master needs to strengthen my physique to prepare for the battlefield."

For a time, there was chaos outside.

Gao Changwen lay on the bed, his heart that had been hanging finally died.

His eyes went black, and he fainted directly.