I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 69 Gathering
When the one-eyed man heard the familiar voice, he turned around suddenly and almost hit his neck.

The other men also turned around and shouted excitedly, "General." Before they could finish saying the word "General," their mouths were covered.

Didn’t you see that the general was wearing a veil?
Gu Ci walked through the crowd of men, raised his chin slightly and said to the servant, "You haven't told me yet what your Shen family's status is in Baiyin County."

Even through the black veil, the servant could still feel the man's gaze, which was colder than the wind, and his arrogance instantly disappeared by seven points.

He dared to show off his power in front of those men, but he was just bullying them because they didn't know how to sell goods and could only chop wood and sell it. They could only endure the price reduction.

It was because his Shen family was the only powerful family in Baiyin County that they could continuously pay for firewood.

If you offend the Shen family, this way of making money will be cut off.

After thinking it over, the servant started shaking again. "My Shen family is the richest family in Baiyin County. If my master stamps his foot, the whole Baiyin County will tremble. Dare to offend the Shen family, be careful of the consequences."

"Really?" Gu Ci raised his hand, and the men behind him rushed forward like wolves and tigers.

The servant didn't expect that they would actually dare to attack him. He turned around and was about to run back, but was grabbed by the collar. He felt a strong force and was thrown to the ground. Blood instantly flowed from his nose.

"Do you know who I am? I am." Before he could finish his sentence, he was punched in the face. He spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with several broken teeth.

The servant was surrounded by the men, punching and kicking them. He wailed and shouted, "You bunch of troublemakers, I won't let you go!"

Gu Ci stood quietly aside, "Be careful, don't let anyone get killed."

"General, Master, don't worry," the one-eyed man kicked, "I am knowing my limits."

"Stop, everyone, stop, who dares to hit someone in front of the Shen family!"

The side door of the Shen family opened, and a man who looked like a manager led out a dozen strong men.

"If you don't stop, the Shen family will go to the county government office and ask the county magistrate to detain you, a bunch of troublemakers!"

Gu Ci waved his hand and the men immediately retreated in an orderly manner.

"Troublemakers? Who are you calling troublemakers?"

The steward, who followed the master closely, had a much wider range of experience than the servant could match. Naturally, he could see at a glance that the man possessed a remarkable bearing. He paused and said, "I am the steward of the Shen Residence. May I ask why you are causing trouble in front of our residence?"

"You ask him," Gu Ci pointed at the servant.

The bruised servant recounted the entire story, a story that was 70% true and 30% false. At the end, he hugged the steward's legs and burst into tears, "Uncle San, you must help your nephew!"

The steward was shocked and angry, pointing at Gu Ci and saying, "You have assaulted a servant of the Shen family for no reason, and you are now in court."

Tang Zhao stepped forward and interrupted him, "Go to court? If you have the guts to go, then let's go together. I'll also tell the Baiyin County Magistrate about how your Shen family is oppressing the soldiers who have made great contributions to defending our country. Let's see whether the Yin County Magistrate will beat us with a stick or send the entire Shen family to the mines!"

"Soldiers? Just because you say they're soldiers, they're soldiers?" the servant said incoherently. "They might be bandits or bullies who had their legs broken while bullying innocent people!"

Tang Zhao raised an eyebrow and said, "Whether it is true or not, we can go to the court and ask the Baiyin County Magistrate to make the final decision."

The manager looked at those men. Some of them were missing arms or had lame legs. The one with the least injuries was the one-eyed man.

Indeed, only those who have served in the military could be injured so seriously.

Thinking of King Xuan's reputation for loving his soldiers like his own sons, the steward instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

He kicked away his nephew who was still hugging his thigh and crying, with a smile on his face, "It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding. We in the Shen family admire the soldiers who defend our country the most. How dare we bully them?"

He turned his head and looked at the servant sitting on the ground and said sternly, "You blind man, why don't you come and kowtow and apologize to the Northwest Army soldiers!"

The servant was stunned for a long time before he reacted. He crawled forward and kowtowed repeatedly, "I deserved to die. I was blind and greedy. My lord, please be magnanimous and just treat me like a fart!"

The one-eyed man snorted coldly, "We beat you up to vent our anger, and this matter is even."

With that, the one-eyed man called the others forward and asked them to carry the firewood back onto their backs. The steward hurriedly said, "Comrades, please leave the firewood behind. We at the Shen Mansion will pay the market price!"

The one-eyed man looked at Gu Ci, and Gu Ci said, "It's up to you."

The one-eyed man then waved his hand and said, "No need, we will never come to your house to sell firewood again." After that, he followed Gu Ci and left.

Tang Zhao glanced at Gu Ci's gloomy face beneath her veil, patted her chest and teased him deliberately, "I've never seen my husband lose his temper so much. It scared my little heart so much that it's pounding."

Gu Ci ignored her.

The men behind him became nervous and spoke in unison for their general.

"General, the young master does have a bad temper, but he only gets angry at us, madam, don't be afraid."

"What nonsense are you talking about in front of Madam? The young master has always been gentle and kind. When has he ever lost his temper?"

"Have you forgotten that you failed your training and were beaten with twenty military sticks and then sent to the kitchen to pick vegetables?"

"Bullshit! It's better than being punished to sweep the toilet for half a year!"

"Nonsense, I've only been sweeping for three months. The one who's been sweeping for half a year is clearly the boss!"

Tang Zhao smiled and leaned close to Gu Ci's ear and whispered, "Husband, you are so bad."

Gu Ci suddenly stopped where he was. The men behind him were still arguing and exposing each other's shortcomings. He didn't pay attention and suddenly bumped into Gu Ci's back.

Gu Ci staggered after being knocked.

The one-eyed man was horrified and hurried forward, "Master, are you okay?"

He wondered if the poison in the general's body was very harmful, otherwise why would he suddenly become so weak?

In the past, even if there were more than a dozen of them together, they could not move the general even a step.

Tang Zhao tried to smooth things over, "Your young master has been running around for several days and hasn't had time to have a good meal." She looked around and pointed across the street, "That restaurant looks good. Come on, Madam will treat you to dinner!"

The men cheered, "Thank you, ma'am!"

A group of people rushed to the opposite side like wolves and tigers, piled the firewood they were carrying on their backs aside, and slammed the table to call the boss to come and order food.

The boss asked with a smile, "What would you like to eat, gentlemen? My wife makes delicious ramen, would you like to try it?"

Although the men seemed to be shouting happily, they became more reserved than each other when it came to ordering food.

Tang Zhao beckoned the boss over. "Bring up all your best signature dishes," she flipped through the menu. "And this braised lamb and pork, cut 20 pounds each." She glanced at the dozen or so burly men crowding the small shop and changed her tone. "Bring up 30 pounds each, and add twice as much lamb to the ramen!"

The boss laughed so hard that his eyes were invisible. "Would you like some wine, ma'am?"

Gu Ci shook his head, "Drinking will cause trouble."

The men swallowed.

Tang Zhao: "It's rare for us to get together. It wouldn't be fun if we didn't drink. How about a few drinks?"

Gu Ci paused, "Don't be greedy."

"Don't worry," Tang Zhao agreed, and turned to the boss and said, "First, bring three jars of Shaodaozi. If it's not enough, we can add more."

Gu Ci:.
Gu Ci: Since you don’t listen to me, why are you asking me?
Zhao Zhao: Because this makes me look democratic!

Gu Ci: Speechless
Author: As usual, please support me! Please recommend and vote for me! I also want to ask for a reward~ I haven't received any (><)

(End of this chapter)