What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 208 Su Mo Reveals His True Strength!

Su Mo was in a very good mood.

Although the profit margin for glycerin was extremely high, Zhang Xuzu knew that glycerin could be sold for money and would definitely not be given to him for free again.

He spent everyone's money and used his own connections to boost Leng Xixi's favorability by a full six points.

This feels so awesome!

Another gain was finding my second uncle.

Su Mo didn't rush to acknowledge her relatives; she would wait until she could find out more about her second uncle's situation before doing so.

He was worried that he wouldn't have anyone trustworthy to help him open up sea routes in the future, so he thought he might be able to send his second uncle overseas to manage his own escape route.

Who can be trusted more than one's own uncle?

Back at the house, it was past 3 PM. Having traveled between Gufeng Mountain and the Imperial Palace all day, Su Mo was starving, but was surprised to find that the house was still empty except for Jiang Laoshi guarding the greenhouse.

"Has the First Madam and the others not returned yet?"

Jiang Laoshi quickly said, "Master, you're back!"

"The First Madam and the others won't return to the mansion so soon."

Su Mo became suspicious instead: "Why?"

Jiang Laoshi explained, "The Madam went to select households belonging to your county, sir!"

"This is no longer just a simple farmer; from now on, we will truly be your people, sir!"

"If the master wants to build up soldiers in his fiefdom in the future, most of them will have to be selected from these people. The First Madam and the others must carefully select the best young and strong men, and not be careless!"

He paused, then looked at Su Mo with admiration: "Master, you are truly amazing!"

"This is the first time I've heard of Wannian County allowing nobles to personally select households."

"It all depends on Wannian County's own arrangements."

"Only those with good connections and strong backing, and who have enough money, will get those cunning clerks to arrange good accounts for them."

"If they don't have the right background, all those they send over will be crooked and broken-down families with no able-bodied men on the register!"

Su Mo glanced at Jiang Laoshi, who was beaming and drooling, with surprise.

I never imagined that this guy, who is tall and strong and looks honest and simple, would know so many intricacies.

As a former thug and gangster, the deputy leader of the Youyu Hall had fooled even himself with his performance with Jiang Lai and the others.

You can only say that you can't judge a book by its cover.

Once the three hundred fiefdom households arrive at Lonely Peak Mountain, perhaps we can send this guy there as a steward or something.

It's a waste of his talent to let him watch over the greenhouse.

Su Mo was too lazy to cook for herself.

He simply stayed in the greenhouse himself and sent Jiang Laoshi to the restaurant to pack up food.

Then he lifted the hem of his robe, half-squatted on the ground, and began to wolf down his food while watching Baihu Yaowan chase and play with two wild rabbits.

As he was eating, he looked up and saw Jiang Laoshi staring at him in disbelief.

Su Mo smiled and pointed to the seat next to her: "Eat up!"

Jiang Laoshi nodded emphatically, "Yes!"

While eating, Su Mo asked, "Jiang Laoshi, is it just you and Jiang Lan at home?"

Having taken Jiang Lan in as a foster parent for a long time, Su Mo had never actually asked about her family situation.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Laoshi's face immediately flushed with excitement!

Is the master going to take his sister as a concubine?
When taking a concubine, one should not first inquire about her background and family history.
He quickly replied, "Reporting to your Excellency, I am from Yizhou."

"When I was ten years old, Jizhou was flooded, causing famine and some disaster victims rebelled."

“The adults in my family were beaten to death by rioters who were robbing grain. My younger sister and I were lucky enough to escape with our lives. We then begged our way to the capital.”

Su Mo was slightly taken aback.

The distance from Jizhou to Shenjing is more than a thousand li, even greater than the distance from Changping County to Shenjing.

It is truly astonishing that ten-year-old Jiang Laoshi, along with six- or seven-year-old Jiang Lan, fled all the way to the capital!
Despite the apparent prosperity of Dawu, famines and peasant uprisings frequently broke out in various places.

Most people were unable to get enough to eat.

If any natural disaster or man-made calamity occurs, life becomes unbearable.

For example, the twenty fiefs sent by Wannian County last time were for refugees who fled to Shenjing.

Su Mo couldn't help but turn her head to look at the sweet potato seedlings in the greenhouse.

Its gold content is getting higher and higher!
Don't say that sweet potatoes can't be a staple food.

In fact, tens of millions of people in later generations survived on sweet potatoes!

In an era when people would eat tree bark and weeds, let alone say something as foolish as saying that eating sweet potatoes would cause acid reflux!
Jiang Laoshi continued to recount how he and Jiang Lan arrived in Shenjing, how they carved out their territory with their bare hands, and how they gathered orphans and established the Youyu Hall.

A rustling sound came from the top of the wall, and Su Mo and Jiang Laoshi looked up at the same time.

But then, a delicate head popped out from the courtyard wall, and then a petite body climbed over the wall.

The woman sitting on the wall subconsciously looked around the courtyard.

Zhengzheng and Su Mo were staring at each other!
Meng Danying never dreamed of this.

He was granted a tiger-patterned robe, and could chat and laugh with the commanders and vice commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He even dared to beat the servants of the emperor's brother-in-law and the husband of his close female friend.

He was actually squatting on the ground, eating his meal, alongside the servants in the mansion?

This is absolutely mind-blowing!
Su Mo looked at Meng Danying, who had climbed over the wall, with a gloomy expression.

Sure enough, there was a reason why she and Xue Yishu became best friends.

Nine times out of ten, she's the one who corrupted her own woman!
Just as he was about to speak, another commotion came from outside the wall, such as "Quick! Where is Miss!", "Don't let Miss get away!", "If you don't catch Miss, Madam will not let you off the hook!"
Su Mo was instantly speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

A familiar storyline!
Everything makes sense now.

It was Meng Danying who corrupted Xue Yishu!

Meng Danying was startled and quickly jumped down from the high wall. Judging from her light and skillful movements, she must have practiced martial arts for a few days and had a lot of experience climbing over walls before.

After climbing down the wall, Meng Danying ran quickly towards Su Mo, giving him a pleading look.

He looked around again, then dashed off into the back courtyard.

Su Mo and Jiang Laoshi looked at each other in bewilderment.

After being stunned for a moment, Jiang Laoshi hesitated and said, "Master, should I bring her back?"

Su Mo waved her hand: "Never mind!"

Jiang Laoshi immediately gave him a knowing look.

A moment later, several strong young men dressed as servants and servants barged in through the side gate of the central courtyard.

Su Mo frowned.

After the young and strong servants barged in, they saw Su Mo and Jiang Laoshi squatting on the ground eating and immediately asked them without any politeness, "Where is the woman who just climbed over the wall hiding?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Laoshi's expression changed drastically.

This is the Su residence!

Although Su Mo is usually low-key, and so are the servants in the Su family, they never bully others.

But as low-key as it may be, a dignified residence on a solitary peak is not something you can just come and go as you please.
Even more audacious, he dared to yell at his own master!

Jiang Laoshi clenched his fist, stood up abruptly, and was about to speak.

Su Mo suddenly snorted: "White Tiger! Pills!"

The two ferocious dogs, which were originally poised to pounce, heard their master's command. Their eyes flashed with a fierce light, and with a powerful push from their hind legs, they pounced on the Meng family's servants with lightning speed!
The people from the Meng family only saw a white shadow flash before their eyes, and then their bodies were thrown back as if they had been hit by a heavy iron hammer.

In the blink of an eye, they all collapsed to the ground.

He saw two enormous dogs, their sharp fangs bared and their eyes gleaming with ferocity, staring intently at him.

The servants of the Meng family were instantly terrified, their faces turning deathly pale and cold sweat pouring down their backs. They dared not move!

Su Mo snorted coldly again: "Get lost!"

The Meng family members exchanged horrified glances, then looked at the White Tiger Pill, and finally mustered their courage to struggle to sit up.

Seeing that the White Tiger Pill did not launch an attack.

He didn't dare utter any harsh words and fled in a panic.

Su Mo slowly finished the rest of her meal.

He wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, his gaze falling on the corridor leading to the back, and coldly snorted, "Get out here!"

really.

Meng Danying, with a smug look on her face, emerged from behind a pillar in the corridor.

Then she walked towards Su Mo, cupped her hands in greeting, and adopted the demeanor of a chivalrous woman from the martial arts world: "This humble woman thanks you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Su Mo's face darkened, and he pointed to the wall: "Get out!"

"Go back to where you came from!"

Meng Danying stared at Su Mo in astonishment.

Su Mo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "I will only give you three breaths!"

"White Tiger! Pills!"

Seeing the White Tiger Pill about to pounce, Meng Danying, who knew how powerful the two dogs were, turned pale instantly and quickly used both hands and feet to climb over the wall!

After the guy left, Su Mo couldn't help but laugh and curse, "Crazy!"

This little incident didn't bother Su Mo at all.

Since we've already fought, that's fine.

A mere assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites was not enough to make Su Mo wary.

His advisor, Ding Yu, used to be an assistant director in the Ministry of Revenue. In terms of official rank and status alone, he was slightly better than Meng Yuankai.

Su Mo instructed Jiang Laoshi to keep an eye on the greenhouse. He had just returned to his study and hadn't even had a few sips of tea when he heard Lin Moyin and the others talking.

Finally back.

Clearly, they hadn't had dinner yet.

Upon returning, Jiang Lan volunteered to go to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Su Mo then met Lin Moyin and the others in the back hall.

After Liu Siyun and Xue Yishu took the initiative to greet him, Su Mo looked at the Commander and asked with a smile, "Mo'er, did you gain anything from your trip to Wannian County?"

Lin Moyin seemed to be in a very good mood. Usually, she had an icy expression, but this time she smiled sweetly and said with a hint of pride, "This concubine will certainly not let my lord suffer any loss!"

"The head of the Wannian County Household Registration Office was almost in tears!"

“In the three hundred fiefdoms, each household had more than five people, and each household had no fewer than two able-bodied men, totaling more than 2,100 people.”

"Tomorrow, Sister Siyun will send them to their fiefdom."

"However, it is necessary to purchase enough rice, cloth and other daily necessities."

After a pause, Lin Moyin couldn't help but ask curiously, "What exactly is going on?"

"Why did His Majesty suddenly bestow upon the young master a fief of three hundred li?"

Su Mo was too lazy to say it was thanks to the wool.

After all, talking about wool is likely to bring up the strategy of sheep eating people.

This is a major plan of the imperial court, and Leng Xixi has repeatedly warned them not to reveal it to outsiders.

This will also save the commander from worrying about the money brought by the wool.

He then laughed and said, "It must be thanks to the bicycle and the four-wheeled carriage."

"The artisan camp has built another four-wheeled carriage. Lord Leng seemed very pleased and petitioned His Majesty to grant me a fief of three hundred li and allow me to form three hundred soldiers from that fief."

Upon hearing this, Lin Moyin's pretty face instantly turned serious.

He turned to Liu Siyun and Xue Yishu and said in a deep voice, "You two go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone get close!"

After Liu Siyun and Xue Yishu left, Lin Moyin waved her hand to set up a soundproof array, her expression becoming increasingly solemn: "My lord, what exactly is going on?"

"How can His Majesty allow a marquis to possess his own private army in the heart of the empire!"

"How could mere two ingenious and frivolous items possibly be worthy of such a tremendous reward!"

Su Mo frowned slightly: "Isn't it just three hundred private soldiers?"

Lin Moyin was furious with Su Mo, and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean, 'just three hundred private soldiers'!"

"Lone Peak Mountain is only ten miles from the capital, and it is also the location of the young master's fiefdom!"

"Once the door to private armies is opened, it is not impossible for someone with the will to hide a thousand or even three thousand soldiers!"

She took a deep breath: "Even three hundred private soldiers, if they are strong and well-equipped, can cause great chaos at a critical moment!"

"His Majesty would never allow the young master to build a private army on Lonely Peak Mountain!"

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Moyin's eyes, then she lowered her voice: "I'm worried...I'm worried..."

Seeing that Lin Moyin didn't continue, Su Mo subconsciously asked, "What are you worried about?"

Lin Moyin gritted her teeth: "I'm worried that this is His Majesty's last resort, a way to 'discard the bow after the birds are gone'!" "In the future, he can use this as an excuse to take down my husband, without having to worry about provoking a backlash from the court officials and feudal lords!"

Su Mo pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "In my opinion, my wife is worrying unnecessarily!"

"Have you forgotten the Edict of Grace?"

Lin Moyin's expression froze for a moment.

Su Mo then added, "If Your Majesty wanted to deal with me, there would be no need to use such a scheme."

“As long as the decree of grace is applied to my husband, countless lords will be willing to fight for him.”

Lin Moyin opened her mouth, speechless for a moment. After thinking for a long time, she finally asked suspiciously, "Could it be that I am overthinking things?"

Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "Madam's concerns are not without reason."

"But has Madam considered that precisely because of this, we must leave ourselves a way out?"

"Regardless of what the next step may be, we will definitely need manpower to support us. Even if His Majesty does not allow it, we must still find a way to build a private army."

"Isn't it better now?"

Lin Moyin thought about it and agreed.

However, the worry between his brows was still hard to shake off.

Su Mo is not afraid that the Empress will discard him after she has served her purpose.

Favorability ratings don't lie.

His cold attitude was almost identical to that of the Empress!

Once someone harbors murderous intent towards you, no matter how well you conceal it, your favorability rating will plummet to negative levels.

You can naturally foresee things in advance and prepare accordingly!

Su Mo stopped investigating this issue.

He sighed, looked at Lin Moyin, and said slowly, "Today, I went to the palace and met my second uncle!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Moyin was immediately taken aback: "My lord has found my second uncle?"

Su Mo gave a general account of what had happened, but concealed the details about Ning Jing and An Wu to avoid worrying Lin Moyin.

He then frowned and said, "Li Jin is most likely my second uncle, Chen Jin."

"However, coincidences are hard to say."

"If possible, Madam, please investigate Li Zhong's background. But remember, Madam's own safety is paramount. If something is impossible, then do not do it!"

Lin Moyin, who had initially seemed worried, suddenly smiled and said, "My lord, you are a clear-headed bystander, while those involved are often confused."

Su Mo asked, puzzled, "What does Madam mean by this?"

Lin Moyin covered her mouth and laughed for a long time. Finally, she suppressed her laughter and explained, "My lord only needs to look at the attitude of the palace towards Li Zhong to know whether he is our second uncle!"

“The Phoenix Cry Division must have thoroughly investigated your background. Your third uncle is your only relative; how could he be overlooked!”

"Li Zhong is the same."

"If it is the young master's second maternal uncle, given His Majesty's high regard for the young master, he will surely find a way to promote the second maternal uncle in order to win over the young master and make him serve the court."

As she spoke, Lin Moyin looked at Su Mo with a half-smile: "My lord is usually so shrewd, how come you become so muddle-headed when it comes to your own affairs?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo flew into a rage: "How dare you!"

"I'd like to see just how much your cultivation has improved, you fiend, that you dare to look down on me like this!"

"Take my Black Tiger Heart-Piercing Move first!"

Caught off guard, Lin Moyin was seized by Su Mo in two vital spots. She quickly smiled shyly and said, "If I were to capture the dragon with my bare hands, how would you, my lord, respond?"

Su Mo winced in pain and was immediately shocked: "Madam is so ruthless!"

"It seems that I can only use the Monkey Stealing Peaches move to break my wife's Dragon-Capturing Hand!"

"Where's Tao? Where did Tao go?"

"Could it be that my wife hid it in the cave behind the mountain? I'll search carefully!"

Lin Moyin was at a disadvantage and had no choice but to beg for mercy: "Uh...ah...husband...you are not fair in martial arts...stop! I admit defeat, okay?"

"Where...where is our back room!"

Su Mo then sparred with Lord Qianhu.

The fighting started in the back room, moved to the bathhouse, and then from the bathhouse to the bedroom.

However, his strength was ultimately inferior to that of Lord Qianhu, who was at the Guiqiao Realm. Despite having the upper hand for half a day, he failed at the last moment and was defeated by Lord Qianhu.

He foamed at the mouth and was defeated.

Fortunately, the commander showed mercy and spared his life.

Seeing that Su Mo's magical power was greatly depleted, and having also expended his essence to help Su Mo cultivate the Yang Tian Technique, Su Mo not only fully recovered his magical power, but also made great progress.

The next day, early in the morning.

Su Mo and the other person were awakened by Liu Siyun and Jiang Lan.

The two women each helped Su Mo and Lin Moyin wash up and get dressed.

After dressing Su Mo in the brocade robe, Liu Siyun took out a belt and tied it on Su Mo.

Su Mo suddenly remembered something.

He took the dragon whip out of the brocade box and coiled it around his waist.

The whip, about ten feet long, was slightly elastic and wrapped around the wrist five times, with just the right tightness.

Moreover, the whip handle is cleverly designed with a ring that fits perfectly into a sharp crescent hook at the end of the whip.

It's like having a gold belt around your waist.

Lin Moyin looked at Su Mo's dragon-shaped whip coiled around his waist with surprise and asked in astonishment, "Where did you get this whip, my lord?"

"It's actually a fifth-grade magic weapon?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo was slightly surprised: "This whip is a fifth-grade magic weapon?"

Lin Moyin nodded emphatically: "There's no mistake! The whip's grade is even higher than my sword-controlling manual!"

Su Mo smiled wryly, "It was given to me by Leng Xixi!"

"I didn't expect it to be a fifth-grade magic weapon. What a grand gesture! But it's quite useful and very powerful."

But think about it.

Last time, Leng Xixi said that she used only precious artifacts and magical treasures!
Lin Moyin snorted with a straight face.

Seeing that the commander was jealous, Su Mo immediately changed the subject: "By the way, how is the sword embryo forging for the lady coming along?"

Lin Moyin shook her head: "The materials haven't been collected yet."

He paused, then continued, "However, today is the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Trial, and many immortal cultivators from the Hundred Immortals Alliance and the Canglang Alliance have gathered in the capital."

"They will bring crafting materials and elixirs from all over the world and exchange them with other sorcerers. With a little effort, we should be able to gather all the materials."

Su Mo's expression turned serious: "Madam, the sword embryo is of utmost importance. We must seize the opportunity to gather all the materials."

"If there is a shortage of money, Madam can go to the treasury to withdraw it herself!"

Lin Moyin nodded, said nothing more, closed her eyes, and let Jiang Lan fix her hair.

"Reporting to the young master and the first wife."

Liu Siyun combed Su Mo's hair and put a silver crown on it: "The Third Young Master Zhang from the Ningguo Duke's Mansion and others have arrived at the residence."

"I have already placed them in the main hall."

"But I saw that they looked very angry, as if they wanted to confront my husband and demand an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Lin Moyin couldn't help but open her eyes and look at Su Mo with suspicion: "What is the reason for this?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "It's nothing serious."

He then explained, "There is a product from the soap workshop that is extremely useful, but Zhang Xuzu and others are unaware of it and have wasted a lot of it."

"Yesterday I told Leng Xixi about this, and it must have reached His Majesty's ears, so he will give them a good scolding."

"She's taking her anger out on her husband, the one who started this."

Lin Moyin was speechless: "Those wine jars placed in the middle courtyard?"

Su Mo was looking at his appearance in the bronze mirror when he casually hummed in agreement, "Yes!"

"The glycerin in the jar can moisturize and lock in moisture, prevent frostbite, and delay skin aging."

Lin Moyin's beautiful eyes widened instantly!
Liu Siyun and Jiang Lanyi stared intently at Su Mo with shining eyes.

Su Mo continued, "In addition, glycerin can lubricate the intestines, if..."

Before he could finish speaking, the three women's expressions changed simultaneously, their cheeks flushed red, and they all spat out a curse.

Su Mo was speechless: "What are you thinking!"

"What I mean is, for those who have difficulty defecating, taking glycerin is extremely effective!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but chuckle: "Of course, what you're thinking isn't impossible either, next time..."

Before he could finish speaking, the commander's face was already dripping with blood, and he immediately shouted, "You're asking for it!"

She immediately raised her hand and pressed it down on Su Mo in mid-air.

Su Mo was sent flying through the air outside the dormitory!

Fortunately, Lord Qianhu was reluctant to exert too much force, and Su Mo landed steadily.

Realizing the vast gap in strength between himself and Lord Chitoge!

Don't stay here for long.

Su Mo fled in a flash!

snort!
This is outrageous! They even dared to hit my husband!
Once I've mastered the whip technique, I'll use the Dragon Whip to lash him mercilessly, to avenge that slap!

So that she'll know what ethical principles and morals are!

Su Mo fantasized about the wonderful scene of teaching Lord Qianhu a lesson in the future. With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked to the central courtyard.

They first inspected the sweet potatoes.

In just one day, it grew even better and should be able to be cut into pieces and transplanted.

They caught another rabbit and fed it the White Tiger Pills.

Su Mo then strolled into the central hall.

Then, seeing Zhang Xuzu's dark face, my heart skipped a beat.

Zhang Xuzu, who was originally quite handsome, is now covered in bruises and swelling, especially around his eyes, where each eye has a huge dark circle, making him look like a national treasure!
Han Yu and others were in no better condition.

The only normal one was Cao Feng, a nobleman's son from outside the family.

It must be because no one in his family hit him.

Su Mo swallowed hard and asked, "Brother Zhang, what's wrong with your eyes..."

Don't wait for him to finish.

Zhang Xuzu angrily charged towards him, then swung his fist, carrying a fierce aura, and smashed it towards Su Mo's eye socket.

Goodness, I didn't expect Zhang Xuzu to be so strong.

The power of that punch was definitely that of a top-tier expert.

The Duke of Ningguo was granted his title through martial arts, and there is also a Five Elements Spirit Peach in the Duke's mansion. As the eldest son of Zhang Xuzu, he naturally has a great deal of cultivation resources, so it is normal for him to have such martial arts cultivation.

Seeing Zhang Xuzu attack, Su Mo's expression darkened slightly. With just a flick of his hand, the fierce Zhang Xuzu was sent flying backward involuntarily!

It crashed heavily against the wall of the hall before finally coming to a stop.

Zhang Xuzu was instantly dumbfounded, staring at Su Mo in disbelief, then at his own fist.

The noble scions, who were originally eager to join forces and teach Su Mo a lesson, were now plotting to do something together.

Upon seeing this, they were both dumbfounded.

The group looked at each other, not daring to make a move.
They had witnessed Su Mo teaching the servants of the Duke's mansion a lesson last time.

The problem is, those servants are of average fighting strength, and they can teach them a lesson just as well.

They never imagined that Su Mo, a Jinyiwei commander who was not even twenty years old, would possess such terrifying strength!
Su Mo was also slightly surprised.

When did I become so strong?
Why am I so powerless to fight back against Leng Xixi, Nangong Sheyue, and Lord Qianhu?

Ok……

Zhang Xuzu must be too weak!

I must not be complacent. I still need to exchange martial arts skills with Lord Qianhu and practice diligently together!
Once my strength has improved, I will challenge Nangong Sheyue.

Next up was Leng Xixi, a super expert who seemed to be at the Golden Core stage!
However, it seems like I'm thinking a bit too far ahead.

Let's get past Commander Qianhu first!

Su Mo snapped out of his reverie and looked at Zhang Xuzu, who had been knocked away, his expression slightly annoyed: "Brother Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"

"Why did you attack me the moment we met?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Han Yu, Cao Feng, and the others, and snorted, "It seems that you all share the same thoughts as Brother Zhang?"

　I'll start with 11,000 words, and at least another 14,000 tomorrow during the day! Also, it's been so long since I asked for monthly tickets, dear readers, if you don't vote now, they'll expire! I'm begging for your support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)