Chapter 95: The Assignment of the General Flag Position, and Lord Pei's Warning (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Until his purse was shy of coins.

Only then did Pei Shaoqing finally let Xie Qingwu go.

"Qiuye." He paused, then called out toward the outside.

Creak—the sound of the door opening rang out, but it was not Qiuye who entered carrying water and a cloth, but Zhao Zhilan.

"Lan'er?" Pei Shaoqing was momentarily stunned.

Looking at the mess on the bed and the two of them without a stitch of clothing, Zhao Zhilan was also somewhat shy, but she still tried her best to remain composed as she greeted them, "Young Master, Madam."

"Then I shall trouble you, Sister Lan'er." Xie Qingwu, the flush on her face not yet faded, was generous and open, showing not a hint of shyness as she rose and said softly, "You go ahead and tidy up for your husband first; General Flag Chen is still waiting for him."

She maintained a strange posture, striving to be watertight, as she had read in books that this made conception easier.

"Yes, Madam," Zhao Zhilan replied obediently.

Taking advantage of Zhao Zhilan wiping Pei Shaoqing down, Xie Qingwu said with a smile, "Lan'er has become increasingly adept at serving people. I see that my husband will never be able to leave you in this lifetime. Husband, you really ought to give her an answer; once I am pregnant, take her into the household."

It turned out she was actually persuading Pei Shaoqing that since he wanted to sleep with Zhao Zhilan, he should take her into the household early to give her a proper status.

But now, as she had proven her ability to refine medicine, the situation had changed; it was best for her to give birth to the legitimate eldest son first, so this matter had to be postponed.

She was sometimes very stingy; before she became pregnant, Pei Shaoqing was only permitted to sow his seeds into her, who was as unyielding as a stone.

However, Zhao Zhilan could occasionally share the burden with her and split the firepower, as long as the seeds belonged to her.

The sowing process was too long, and she couldn't quite handle it.

"I will listen to everything Madam says," Pei Shaoqing replied.

Xie Qingwu was not a jealous person; these matters of the inner residence certainly required respecting her opinion. If she could handle these things well, he would not need to be distracted by domestic affairs.

Zhao Zhilan said joyfully, "Many thanks, Madam."

Previously, it was only Pei Shaoqing who said he would take her as a concubine.

But as long as it wasn't done, it was never secure for a single day.

Yet her body had already been given away, and she had completely lost the initiative; other than feeling uneasy, she had no other recourse.

Now, with the personal promise of Xie Qingwu, the legitimate wife, this matter was as good as nailed down.

After washing clean and changing into a set of clothes, Pei Shaoqing went to the main hall to see Chen Zhongyi, who had been waiting for a long time.

Chen Zhongyi had finished several cups of tea before finally seeing the shadow of Pei Shaoqing, but he dared not show even a hint of dissatisfaction, rising to salute, "This subordinate pays respects to you, My Lord!"

"General Flag Chen has waited a long time, no need for formalities," Pei Shaoqing said casually, his gaze suddenly falling upon a package placed on the table, "What is this?"

"It was just delivered, they said it is the Armor you ordered, My Lord," Chen Zhongyi hurriedly stood up to answer.

Pei Shaoqing suddenly realized, immediately walking over to unwrap the package, saying with a smile, "General Flag Chen, you're surprised the armor is so small, right? I had it made for my cat."

Now everyone knew he kept a cat.

When Li Jiangjun walked on the streets of Tongzhou, even if it didn't open its mouth to speak, those who recognized it had to give it face.

When the cat of Lord Pei's household meowed.

That was more effective than the Chief Constable speaking.

"The cat in your household is truly blessed, My Lord," Chen Zhongyi remarked with genuine emotion; he had just been guessing whether it was an Inner Armor made of some rare material.

He then cupped his fists and said, "Of course, although this subordinate has no fortune to be the cat of your household, My Lord, I have the fortune to be your dog, which is also a blessing."

"Hahahaha, General Flag Chen is becoming more and more eloquent," Pei Shaoqing laughed twice, looking at the armor before him; it was gold overall, engraved with delicate patterns, and even paired with a red cloak.

He couldn't imagine how flashy Li Jiangjun would look after wearing it.

Chen Zhongyi then began to report on the matter regarding Ouyang Rong, "My Lord, according to the brothers who went to scout at Medicine King Valley, Ouyang Rong was formerly a disciple of Medicine King Valley."

"Formerly?" Pei Shaoqing caught the keyword.

"Yes, formerly," Chen Zhongyi nodded and continued, "Ouyang Rong was the personal disciple of the previous Great Elder of Medicine King Valley. He was adopted by him from a young age and had excellent talent in the way of planting medicinal herbs. Medicine King Valley still uses many of the planting methods he improved to this day."

"Continue," Pei Shaoqing walked to the chair at the head and sat down, waving his hand to signal the servants to serve tea.

Chen Zhongyi turned to face him, "Contrary to his planting talent, he had no interest in refining medicine or practicing medicine; he just liked planting medicinal herbs and raising some beasts that could be used as medicine. For this reason, he had conflicts with the Great Elder, who viewed him as his successor, many times, and it grew increasingly intense.

According to the disciples of Medicine King Valley, four years ago, because Ouyang Rong was dissatisfied with the Great Elder, he crazily concocted a Poison and poisoned the unsuspecting Great Elder to death. Because of this, the Sect Leader crippled his martial arts and expelled him from Medicine King Valley."

"I don't think Ouyang Rong looks like such a crazed person?" Pei Shaoqing felt there were many suspicious points.

Chen Zhongyi glanced at him and said nothing.

My Lord, I don't think you look like a corrupt official either!

Pei Shaoqing threw out another question, "Since he committed such a grave error, why was he only stripped of his martial arts and expelled from Medicine King Valley? Instead of making him pay with his life?"

Betraying one's master and destroying one's ancestors—not to mention in a righteous sect like Medicine King Valley, even in an evil sect, it would be a dead end.

"The brothers who went to scout also asked; the disciples of Medicine King Valley said it was because the Senior Brother pleaded for him, and considering he had improved many of the planting methods for medicinal herbs in Medicine King Valley, they spared him," Chen Zhongyi replied.

Pei Shaoqing listened and pondered in silence; after a moment, he asked, "General Flag Chen, do you believe these claims?"

"My Lord, the greatest taboo in our investigations is judging by appearances. Since Medicine King Valley says so, it should have some credibility," Chen Zhongyi finished speaking and then offered a word of advice, "My Lord, it is best to stay away from this person. Although his strength is weak, he is skilled in using Poison, and it is impossible to guard against."

Pei Shaoqing smiled, noncommittal.

It was Ouyang Rong's talent for cultivating medicine that he had taken a fancy to.

Never mind whether his betrayal of his master and ancestors was true or false?

Even if it were true, so what?

Could Ouyang Rong be worse than him?

Pei Shaoqing skipped this topic directly, "The Hundred-Household Office still has a vacancy for a General Flag; what is your take?"

He had been promoted, and his original position was now vacant.

"My Lord, I think both Small Flag Song and Sun Youqi are capable of taking on the responsibility," Chen Zhongyi blurted out.

Although Pei Shaoqing had asked for his opinion, he did not believe the other party would truly consider his suggestion.

Therefore, he did not dare to recommend his own confidants.

Pei Shaoqing nodded slowly, then asked in a measured tone, "Then who do you think is more suitable between the two of them?"

"This..." Chen Zhongyi, who had answered the previous question with extreme crispness, began to stammer at this moment.

Both Sun Youliang and Song Youcai were Pei Shaoqing's confidants, and in the future, they would certainly rise along with Pei Shaoqing.

Therefore, he had been constantly trying to maintain a good relationship with both of them.

No matter whom he proposed, once word got out, he would offend the other, so this question was very difficult to answer.

Pei Shaoqing narrowed his eyes slightly, tapped his fingers on the tabletop with a *dong-dong* sound, and asked in a tone that was neither salty nor bland: "How is it, is this question very difficult to answer?"

"This subordinate feels that Small Flag Song is more suitable," Chen Zhongyi said hurriedly; if he didn't answer now, he would offend his superior.

He subconsciously recommended Song Youcai, with whom he had a closer relationship; after all, Sun Youliang was either running to the prefectural city or the Capital, almost becoming a messenger, so he did not spend as much time with him day and night as he did with Song Youcai.

If, under his recommendation, Song Youcai could become a General Flag, then his friendship with him would be even deeper in the future.

Pei Shaoqing did not ask for his reasons, nodded, and said, "Mm, good, General Flag Chen, you may withdraw."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."

After dismissing Chen Zhongyi, Pei Shaoqing took the Armor and found Li Jiangjun, tossing it to it casually, "Yours."

"What is this?" Li Jiangjun impatiently tore open the package, and its eyes immediately shone, "Armor!"

"Ah! Many thanks, my Lord!" Every hair on its face was radiating joy as it pounced toward Pei Shaoqing.

Pei Shaoqing slapped it away with a look of disgust.

This time, Li Jiangjun didn't curse or grumble, but instead said with a cheeky grin, "My Lord's hand truly has strength."

"Put it on and let me see," Pei Shaoqing said.

Li Jiangjun hurriedly went to put it on, but after fiddling with it for a long time, it couldn't manage, and could only look at Pei Shaoqing with eager eyes.

"Please, my Lord, help your subject don the armor."

"What kind of world is this, that I, as the Lord, have to put armor on a subject," Pei Shaoqing sighed helplessly.

After it was put on, the suit of Golden Armor shone brilliantly in the sunlight, the red cape fluttered in the wind, and Li Jiangjun really did look like it had a bit of a general's temperament.

"My Lord! Does this last general look mighty?"

Li Jiangjun climbed onto the rockery with a nimble posture.

Although the armor was not large, it was very heavy; it was fortunate that Li Jiangjun was a Demon, with more strength than an ordinary cat, otherwise, it would have been panting after taking only a few steps.

Pei Shaoqing, however, suddenly thought that Li Jiangjun's beloved concubines would be blessed in the future; they could play at uniform seduction.

A real man must have uniform seduction!

…………………………

The next day.

A single crow of the rooster brings light to the world.

At dawn, at the Hundred-Household Office.

Pei Shaoqing, who had returned after being absent for several days, gathered his subordinates to deliver a speech, the content of which was as follows: he pointed out... he emphasized... he stated... he...

After finishing the speech, he finally announced a piece of news.

"By the grace of the Emperor, I have been appointed as the Hundred-Household of the Tongzhou Hundred-Household Office. The original position of General Flag has become vacant. After discussing it with General Flag Chen yesterday, I have decided to recommend to the Thousand-Household Office that Small Flag Sun Youliang, who is currently out on business and has not yet returned, succeed to the position of General Flag."

As Pei Shaoqing's voice fell.

Chen Zhongyi's expression instantly turned to one of astonishment.

The expression on Song Youcai's face suddenly stiffened.

Last night, Chen Zhongyi had found him and told him about recommending him to Pei Shaoqing, and he had been quite grateful to the other party.

He was also very excited about being able to be promoted two ranks within a year.

He had thought he would wait for the good news of his own promotion today, but he hadn't expected it to be a case of being happy for nothing.

While disappointed, he also quickly realized the reason he had lost to Sun Youliang: it was precisely because Chen Zhongyi had recommended him that he had failed to be selected.

His superior did not want him and Chen Zhongyi to be too close.

After figuring this out, he suddenly realized why Sun Youliang had always kept a certain distance from Chen Zhongyi; he had once laughed at him for being a bookworm who didn't understand worldly wisdom, but now it seemed he was the one who was too ignorant.

Damn it, a person really needs to read more books.

And Chen Zhongyi also realized the root of the problem; he shouldn't have hesitated when facing Pei Shaoqing's choice of two yesterday, and he shouldn't have made a choice at all!

He only needed to be loyal to Pei Shaoqing alone.

He didn't need to maintain good relationships with others.

And he certainly couldn't weigh the pros and cons.

Yet he had actually fucking made a choice yesterday!

After this incident, Song Youcai, having received Pei Shaoqing's silent warning, would distance himself from him, and Sun Youliang, upon returning and learning he hadn't been recommended, would distance himself even more.

Chen Zhongyi's face turned deathly pale, and he was drenched in sweat.

"Alright, everyone, you may disperse."

Pei Shaoqing glanced at the two of them and turned to leave.

Song Youcai and Sun Youliang were the confidants he had truly promoted himself, while Chen Zhongyi was just a tool for doing his dirty work, someone who could be discarded at any time.

The three of them could not be too close or have too good a relationship.

He believed that after this incident, they would also understand.

Chen Zhongyi and Song Youcai did not go to Pei Shaoqing to admit their mistakes or express their loyalty, because they knew that Pei Shaoqing must know they already knew they were wrong.

Pei Shaoqing hadn't brought the matter into the open, so if the two subordinates went to bring it up, it wouldn't look good on the surface.

So they would just act as if nothing had happened.

They would just prove themselves with their actions in the future.

On the other side, the travel-worn Sun Youliang did not yet know he had been promoted; he had just arrived at the Capital and, without even stopping to eat, headed straight for the Northern Suppressing Faction.

(End of chapter)