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

Chapter 360 I've taken a liking to you! Just give in!

In the villa on Lonely Peak Mountain, Su Mo sat upright in a grand chair.

He squinted at the female salt smuggler who looked remarkably like the actress Zhou Ye from his previous life. She was extremely beautiful and had a dashing appearance, but now she looked somewhat travel-worn and uneasy.

No wonder Shen Qiniang was uneasy.

Before deciding to visit Su Mo at Lonely Peak Mountain, the cautious female salt smuggler naturally inquired about Su Mo's identity.

Even just finding out a few details was enough to scare Shen Qiniang half to death!
You should know that the person sitting in the hall is the teacher of the current sage, a marquis of the court, and a probationary commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Even the former Grand Secretary Xiao Yuan, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs Ning Jing, and others would all respectfully address Su Mo as Marquis Su or Lord Su!

Who is Shen Qiniang?
She was just a village woman from a small fishing village in a remote prefecture!
As for Shen Qiniang's proud identity as a female salt smuggler...
What does he amount to in front of the Imperial Tutor?
She wasn't even as powerful as Chen Bao, the former head of salt merchants in Changping County who had now become a captain in the Fengming Division of Changping County.

Su Mo silently sized up Shen Qiniang for a while.

Knowing how to be in awe is the right thing to do.

It seems he's not as unruly as I thought.

Of course, it's estimated that he was severely suppressed by Ma Wei, which wore down his arrogance.

After all, in order to force her to come to Lonely Peak Mountain, the sorcerer in the Divine Realm that Ma Wei sent must have done a lot of work, scaring her into a state of extreme fear.

After scrutinizing the female salt smuggler, Su Mo finally spoke with a smile: "Miss Shen, I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

Shen Qiniang was stunned upon hearing this, looking at Su Mo with awe, and stammered, "What do you mean by that, sir? I don't understand."

Su Mo smiled and said, "I ordered Prefect Ma to send men to besiege your village and wipe out all the salt smugglers under your command."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiniang was first startled, then boundless hatred suddenly appeared on her face, and she reflexively reached out to grab the hilt of the knife.

But before she could make a move, Su Mo simply waved his hand, and the manganese steel battle knife that he had given to Shen Qiniang outside the mountain god temple instantly broke free from Shen Qiniang's grasp and flew into Su Mo's hand.

Shen Qiniang's expression changed drastically!
She was considered a half-step Grandmaster, and she had "escaped" many times from the pursuit of the Divine Realm sorcerers.

Unexpectedly, they didn't even have the power to fight back against Su Mo!

Suppressing her fear, she took a deep breath and stared intently at Su Mo, saying resentfully, "Why is this, sir?"

"When did I offend you, sir? Why would you go to such lengths to deal with me?"

Su Mo didn't rush to reply to Shen Qiniang. He drew his battle sword, examined it, and then placed it on the table. He then said calmly, "I don't need to go to great lengths to deal with you."

"Believe it or not, a single word from me can make you die without a burial place."

Shen Qiniang knew that Su Mo's words were true.

He didn't even need to speak, just a glance.

There would definitely be countless ferocious claws and fangs like wolves and tigers, tearing him to pieces.

Shen Qiniang gritted her teeth, still indignant, and asked, "Then why?"

Su Mo laughed: "It's simple, I've taken a liking to you and want to bring you into my household!"

Shen Qiniang was immediately terrified, and her face turned ashen.

Who would have thought that this seemingly handsome marquis was actually a corrupt official who forcibly abducted women and committed all sorts of evil deeds!
Sure enough, all crows are black; there are no good officials in the Great Wu Dynasty, they are all corrupt officials who prey on the people!
But the corrupt official was too powerful; how could she possibly resist?

Her voice trembled with anger, her grief and pleading mixed with grief: "My lord is a marquis of the empire and a teacher of sages, his status is incomparably noble. What woman could possibly be without him? I am but a willow branch, how could I possibly be worthy of your great favor!"

"My heart already belongs to another. I beg you, sir, to have mercy and spare me!"

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated: "What are you thinking!"

"I only wish to take you as my disciple and impart my profound knowledge to you because I see that you have some talent!"

Shen Qiniang was dumbfounded and felt extremely embarrassed.

Su Mo snorted again, "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Shen Qiniang never expected that this high-ranking official in the imperial court would go to such lengths, even using his connections with the prefect of Wanghai County, just to take her as his disciple.

But is there really such a good thing in the world?

As a salt smuggler, Shen Qiniang was naturally suspicious and only trusted herself. She never believed that a free lunch would fall from the sky.

She hesitated for a moment: "What if I don't want to?"

Su Mo snorted coldly: "If you don't want to, then forget it. I never like to force others."

Shen Qiniang hurriedly asked, "What about my clansmen?"

Su Mo narrowed his eyes slightly: "Are you talking about those salt smugglers who were arrested and brought to justice by Magistrate Ma?"

Shen Qiniang hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

Su Mo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "According to the Great Martial Law, those who sell smuggled salt shall be executed and their property confiscated."

"The list of those to be executed was submitted by Magistrate Ma, and after being approved by the Emperor in vermilion ink, they were to be executed the following autumn!"

Shen Qiniang remained silent for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "This servant is willing to become your disciple, sir."

Su Mo gave Shen Qiniang a meaningful look: "Have you thought this through? I never force anyone!"

"Those who enter my sect must obey my teachings and must not disobey them, otherwise I will definitely expel them from the sect."

Shen Qiniang hurriedly said, "This disciple will certainly obey Master's orders and dare not disobey, otherwise may this disciple be struck by lightning."

Su Mo nodded and pointed to the teacup beside him: "Our sect doesn't have that many rules. You can go and pour me a cup of tea for the apprenticeship ceremony."

Shen Qiniang was speechless.

Is this apprenticeship ceremony really so childish?
Does he really want to take me as his apprentice, or is he just lusting after my body?
But since things had come to this, Shen Qiniang could only obey and pour a cup of tea, handing it to Su Mo with both hands.

"Shen Youniang greets her teacher! Please have some tea, teacher!"

Shen Qiniang was called Qiniang simply because she was the seventh child in her family, but her real name was Youniang.

After offering the teacup, she respectfully performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony towards Su Mo.

After Shen Youniang finished her formalities, Su Mo smiled and said, "Get up."

"Now that you've become my disciple, there are some things you should know."

"I have one and a half disciples, who can be considered your senior sister."

Shen Youniang was taken aback: "One and a half?"

Su Mo explained, "Senior Sister Yin Rou has learned my mathematical skills, but she is only half-baked. Of course, you should still respect her as Senior Sister."

Shen Youniang quickly replied, "This disciple understands."

Su Mo then added, "Your second senior sister is the current emperor."

Shen Youniang...

She had become the junior sister of the current sage?
From a wanted criminal of the imperial court to a junior sister of a saint, isn't this identity change a bit too fast?

Su Mo didn't bother to study Shen Youniang's changing moods. After thinking for a moment, he said, "When we have time, I will take you to see His Majesty."

"Your Majesty has studied too many different things; you can't possibly learn the skills of governing the country and ensuring its stability."

Confused, Shen Youniang asked instinctively, "What knowledge will the teacher impart to his disciple?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "I will teach you the art of troop deployment and warfare."

"From now on, you will be in charge of the army in my fiefdom."

Shen Youniang was dumbfounded again.

So I've become a general again?
Su Mo pulled a book from his sleeve, his expression suddenly becoming serious: "This book is called the Militia Military Training Manual, a secret manual passed down only within our sect!"

"Although you are not from a prominent family, the Shen family is considered a large household in the village. You studied the scriptures with your father when you were young. Take them and study them on your own. If you have any questions, you can come and ask your teacher at any time."

Shen Youniang's heart skipped a beat.

Clearly, the teacher had already thoroughly investigated his background.

She hesitated for a moment: "Teacher, I have never studied military books and know nothing about military affairs. I am afraid that I will not be able to understand your knowledge and will disappoint you."

Su Mo smiled and said, "Go back and finish reading it first!"

He paused, then added encouragingly, "I have high hopes for you!"

Shen Youniang could only respectfully accept the book with both hands: "Thank you, teacher, for imparting your knowledge!"

"Uh... my disciples' clansmen?"

Su Mo smiled and asked, "Are you talking about the fishermen in the village?"

Shen Youniang… Su Mo thought for a moment and then said, “You should write a letter to them, telling them that if they are willing to come to my Lonely Peak Mountain, you should call them over, so that you will have someone you know well to serve.”

"If they are unwilling, let them return to the village and continue their fishing business honestly."

Shen Youniang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

They also gained a direct understanding of just how astonishing the power of the teacher they had inexplicably acquired.

They can turn the world upside down with a flick of their wrist!
Selling contraband salt is a capital offense!
The teacher could easily transform them from salt smugglers into fishermen!
Despite being a half-step Martial Grandmaster, Shen Youniang possesses formidable strength, and her two hundred-plus salt merchants are highly trained, earning her a great reputation in Wanghai County.

But in reality, even a random constable from the yamen was enough to terrify them.

Their martial prowess is far inferior to hers; Shen Youniang could easily crush them.

But behind them stands the Great Wu Dynasty!
Su Mo kept his word and immediately took out paper and pen, asking Shen Youniang to write a letter to Wanghai County.

Shen Youniang hesitated for a moment: "My handwriting is not good. May I ask you, teacher, to do it for me?"

Su Mo said calmly, "In my opinion, whether one writes well or not has little to do with one's learning. Don't think that I will look down on you just because your handwriting is bad."

Shen Youniang secretly sighed that her teacher was indeed no ordinary person!
Other teachers all said that learning begins with practicing calligraphy, but his own teacher clearly did not agree with this.

Despite her thoughts, Shen Youniang still picked up the brush with a slight unease and wrote slowly and carefully, for fear of being looked down upon by her teacher.

She rarely practices calligraphy now, but she practices her killing techniques frequently, so her handwriting has become somewhat rusty.

After carefully writing the letter, Shen Youniang looked at it and felt that it was fairly neat, with beautiful handwriting, which was a performance beyond her usual level.

But in front of a true Confucian scholar, this calligraphy is certainly not up to par, let alone when the teacher is an imperial tutor, whose calligraphy must be extremely excellent.

She nervously glanced at the teacher's expression.

But the teacher had a profound and inscrutable expression, neither confirming nor denying his own handwriting, which showed that he really didn't judge people by their handwriting.

After sealing the letter with wax, Su Mo said calmly, "Write another letter for your teacher."

"This is addressed to Prefect Ma Wei, on his own behalf!"

"For the content... just write a thank you."

Shen Youniang was taken aback: "Teacher, is this appropriate?"

This is a letter to the Prefect of Wanghai County; it shouldn't be written by the teacher himself.

Su Mo frowned and said, "If I say it's suitable, then it's suitable!"

After the two letters are written.

Su Mo retrieved the Blood Eagle and sent a letter to Wanghai County.

Then they called Yin Rou in.

"Commander Yin, this is my newly accepted disciple, named Shen Youniang."

"Find her a room to settle down."

After pausing, he said to Shen Youniang, "If you have any questions, you can ask Commander Yin. If you need to purchase anything, please also inform Commander Yin."

As a female salt smuggler, Shen Youniang calmed down from her initial awe and fear of power and became very shrewd and resourceful.

Speaking human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts is an essential skill for anyone navigating the world!
She quickly bowed to Yin Rou: "You Niang greets Senior Sister."

Unexpectedly, Yin Rou's pretty face blushed slightly, making Shen Youniang quite suspicious.

Yin Rou didn't explain much, and smiled, "Junior sister... You Niang, come with me."

After Yin Rou and Shen Youniang left.

Su Mo sent someone to summon Ding Bashi.

Then he picked up a pencil, took two sheets of cold Suzhou paper, and wrote on the top of each sheet: "The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people! When one place is in trouble, help comes from all directions!"

Before the article was even half finished, Ding Bashi arrived, all excited and eager.

With a fawning smile, he bowed to Su Mo and said, "This humble servant greets Your Excellency!"

"My lord, you are becoming more and more imposing. I dare not even breathe loudly in your presence!"

Su Mo frowned.

I've told this guy off many times, but he just can't shake this bad habit. However, he's very reliable when it comes to getting things done.

Su Hou was always quite tolerant of skilled people, so he readily accepted Ding Bashi's flattery.

He then took out the flintlock musket blueprints and handed them to Ding Bashi: "Take a look at these blueprints and see if you can build one!"

Ding Bashi hurriedly took the blueprints with both hands, examined them carefully for a long time, and finally frowned, saying cautiously, "My lord, there are some parts that I don't understand. Could you please give me some pointers?"

……

Ding Bashi raised many questions, and finally said with a furrowed brow, "Your Excellency, I need to go back and think about it before I know if it can be made."

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "Then let's go back and think about it carefully."

"As long as the flint can produce a spark, it's fine."

Just as Ding Bashi was about to reply, Su Mo's expression suddenly darkened, and he said, "This matter must be kept strictly confidential, and only you can do it."

"If you do a good job, I will reward you handsomely. But if you leak this out, you will bring me your head!"

Ding Bashi was immediately shocked, then overjoyed!

The more this is the case, the more it proves that the Marquis values ​​him!
As expected, I am the Marquis's confidant!

Zhou Dashu? Hmph!
He nodded emphatically and patted his chest, saying, "Don't worry, sir. Whether it succeeds or not, I guarantee the blueprints will not be leaked. I won't even divulge a single word about that little brat of mine!"

Su Mo was speechless, and coldly uttered a single word: "Get lost!"

Ding Bashi scrambled away and fled.

Then Su Mo summoned Xue Yishu.

Although Xue Yishu is not familiar with martial arts or magic.

But in Su Mo's eyes, she truly deserves to be called a virtuous wife.

She managed the story weekly and the printing workshop in a very organized manner.

After Xue Yishu arrived, Su Mo had not yet finished writing the two articles.

She stood curiously beside Su Mo, watching him write.

After waiting for a while, Su Mo put down his pencil, turned to look at Xue Yishu, and couldn't help but sigh.

No one is perfect.

If it were Qin Bier, she would definitely be very sensible and massage her shoulders and neck from behind.

Xue Yishu asked curiously, "The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people?"

"Is the young master writing a new kind of storybook?"

Su Mo nodded: "This one is a storybook, the other one is just a casual essay."

He certainly wouldn't create something like The Return of the Condor Heroes or The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

After all, this is a world of cultivation, and martial arts are somewhat beneath public scrutiny.

I simply extracted some plot details, made minor modifications, and wrote a short story of two or three thousand words.

"Story Weekly will immediately print an extra issue and put these two articles on the front page!"

Xue Yishu was stunned: "Front page? That's the serialized Romance of the Three Kingdoms!"

The sales of Story Weekly have now reached over 30,000 copies, which is simply an unbelievable number.

From court officials and nobles to scholars and literati, and down to peddlers and commoners, everyone flocked to the story weekly.

The key is the Romance of the Three Kingdoms!
Xue Yishu hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "If Romance of the Three Kingdoms is placed in other editions, I'm afraid it will affect sales."

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "This is Political Task 66!"

"Special edition price reduced by half, 100,000 copies printed!"

"Also, go and inform Wang Wensheng to take 50,000 copies and sell them in other prefectures and counties!"

Xue Yishu was stunned upon hearing this.

Wang Wensheng secretly purchased cold-pressed paper and resold it to other places; this was an unspoken secret between the two parties.

But would Wang Wensheng also sell Story Weekly to local states and counties?
Besides, isn't my husband a mortal enemy of the Wang family?
　I couldn't stop writing, and I wrote too much, exceeding the allotted time. Well, on the last day, I'm shamelessly asking for monthly votes.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)