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

Chapter 9 Immortal Way
Su Mo hadn't expected the young widow to have imagined so many scenarios, and said in a deep voice, "Don't do it tomorrow morning!"

"Quickly pack your valuables and come with me to my third uncle's place!"

Qin Bier was startled, instantly banishing her chaotic thoughts, and asked urgently, "Something happened?"

Su Mo quickly and succinctly said, "Ma Da Liuzi wants me to pay him 150 taels of silver and then send you to the Zhou family!"

"My third uncle and I naturally wouldn't allow it, so we decided to fight that clerk!"

"You can't stay here any longer. The constables will definitely come here to arrest you tomorrow morning!"

Qin Bier's pretty face changed.

She naturally had no doubt that Su Mo was lying to her.

If we really want to send her to the Zhou family, there's no need for any other schemes; we can just take her directly.

She hurriedly opened the gate: "Come in first!"

Su Mo entered the house, and Qin Bier put down the rolling pin, asked Su Mo to wait a moment, and hurriedly went back to the inner room.

They didn't make me wait long.

The young widow, carrying a cloth bag and holding her sleeping baby, walked briskly over.

"You're all packed so quickly?" Su Mo looked at Qin Bier's cloth bag, which didn't weigh much, and was somewhat surprised.

Qin Bier nodded and explained softly, "There aren't many valuables in the house."

"Most of them were taken by...my husband's clansmen."

Su Mo cursed inwardly!
However, at this time, since the family had no children, there was nothing that could be done about being wiped out. They would try to help her get it back later.

The young widow was efficient, which naturally saved her a lot of trouble.

Without wasting any time, Su Mo took the sleeping Diandian and, with Qin Bier in tow, headed straight for the Chen residence!

The Chen family also lived in Ping'anfang; it was just a short walk away.

The door opened as soon as I knocked.

The person who opened the door was Aunt Qian, the third maternal aunt.

Ms. Qian was not old, only in her early thirties. She married Chen Qian when she was a teenager and gave birth to Chen Yiyao at the beginning of the following year.

Despite his ruthlessness, Chen Qian is considered extremely vicious by others.

However, Madam Qian was indeed a virtuous wife and loving mother, and she was kind to her neighbors. Because she had not been able to give birth to a son for the Chen family, she felt guilty and treated Su Mo very well.

She glanced at the young widow and her daughter following behind Su Mo, and said in a low voice, "Come in."

Su Mo nodded and said, "Third Aunt, she is Qin Bi'er."

Qin Bier quickly bowed and said, "This servant greets... Third Aunt."

Madam Qian nodded: "Your third uncle has already told you about your matter and just left. He will be back in a little while."

As he spoke, he led the three people into the house.

Su Mo casually asked, "Is Cousin Yi Yao asleep?"

Mrs. Qian hummed in agreement, "She just fell asleep not long ago."

Although the Chen family was not a wealthy family, Chen Yiyao, an unmarried woman, would not come out to meet Su Mo in the middle of the night, even if she was not asleep.

Unable to hide her worry, Madam Qian chatted with Su Mo for a few minutes and asked Qin Bi'er some questions.

Not long after, there was a rhythmic knocking on the door.

Two long and one short.

Madam Qian immediately said, "Your third uncle is back."

"Mo'er, go open the door."

Su Mo opened the door and saw that Chen Qian had indeed returned.

Behind him were four men dressed in various styles, who were clearly not good people.

Zhang Si and Meng Bazi, his henchmen, were not among them.

When everyone arrived at the inner hall, Madam Qian and her daughter Qin Bi'er were no longer there.

Chen Qian didn't waste any words and said directly, "This is my nephew, Su Mo!"

"Su Mo! You've come to greet your uncles!"

He pointed to the tallest and most burly man among the four, dressed in short clothes and with a prominent scar on his face: "Chen Bao, a fellow clansman, the chief of Eagle Valley!"

Su Mo quickly cupped his hands and said, "Su Mo greets Master Chen!"

His square face gives him a heroic and bold look, making him seem like a chivalrous outlaw or a member of the martial arts world.

Chen Bao looked Su Mo up and down, then laughed heartily: "What do you mean by being in charge? He's just a salt smuggler!"

"Just call him Uncle Chen or Uncle Bao!"

Su Mo was secretly taken aback upon hearing this.

Is my third uncle connected with salt smugglers?

That's a deal that could cost you your life!

It seems that my third uncle is much more unconventional and daring than I thought!
Chen Qian said in a deep voice, "We're all on the same side, no need to be so polite!"

He then pointed to a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and no beard, dressed in a black robe: "Zhao Han is skilled in litigation."

Su Mo thought to himself, "So he's a lawyer. I thought he was a eunuch." He said, "Greetings, Mr. Zhao!"

Zhao Han smiled and nodded.

Chen Qian then said, "The Tu brothers, Tu Ren and Tu Yi!"

However, it didn't explain what the two people did for a living.

Su Mo glanced at it.

These Tu brothers were both in their early thirties.

Tu Yi had a wretched appearance, with a deer-like head and rat-like eyes.

Since entering the house, its rat-like eyes have been constantly darting around, looking around many times.

Tu Ren was short, stocky, and muscular, with arms that reached past his knees and unusually large finger bones, indicating his exceptional hand skills.

But a fierce glint sometimes flashed in his eyes, and his ferocity was hard to hide, making people feel uncomfortable just looking at him.

I greeted the two of them.

Tu Yi rubbed his hands together, gave Su Mo a forced smile, and greeted him, but his gaze was fixed on the money pouch at Su Mo's waist.

Tu Ren gave a perfunctory reply, his fierce gaze sweeping over Su Mo's throat and chest.

Su Moru felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by a venomous snake.

Chen Qian coughed and said, "You two have met."

“From now on, Su Mo’s words will be my own words. Do you all remember that?” Chen Bao and the others all nodded in agreement.

Chen Qian added, "When it was time to do it, I already explained it to you when I came here!"

"Conflict between the people and the officials is a major taboo. The slightest mistake can lead to the destruction of families and the death of people. We must never be careless!"

His gaze fell on Chen Bao: "Brother Chen Bao, you should rest at my place for the night. Tomorrow morning, when the city gates open, you can go to Eagle Valley with Su Mo and the others."

He added in a deep voice, "Unless I send word to you, do not return to Changping County!"

Chen Bao laughed and said, "Don't worry, elder brother, I know perfectly well!"

Zhao Han and the three Tu brothers left in a hurry.

Chen Bao, familiar with the place, went to his room to rest.

After the four people left.

Chen Qian suddenly asked Su Mo, "Of the four, who do you think is the most reliable?"

Su Mo was a little surprised.

Is this a test of myself?

Of the four, the lawyer Zhao Han clearly has a lot of bad intentions.

Lawyers are generally not good people.

The Tu brothers need no introduction.

One had shifty eyes, the other was a clear-cut murderer.

The only ones who seem decent are the righteous and honorable salt smugglers.

It's not surprising that righteous people are often lowly butchers, and salt smugglers are known for their loyalty.

But it's obvious to any normal person that Chen Bao is more reliable, which is why the third uncle would specifically ask that question.
Is it possible that the most unreliable one is actually the most reliable?
"Zhao Han?" Su Mo tried to voice her guess.

Chen Qian neither confirmed nor denied: "How do you know?"

Su Mo: "Isn't that right?"

Chen Qian waved his hand: "None of these four are reliable!"

Su Mo was speechless: "Could it be that they aren't Third Uncle's real team?"

"A team?" Chen Qian chuckled. "What team? It's just mutual exploitation."

He began to speak to himself: "Chen Bao, the head of the smuggled salt smugglers, is ruthless and vicious. The number of people who have died at his hands is no less than twenty!"

Su Mo was slightly surprised.

You really can't judge a book by its cover.

However, selling smuggled salt is a dangerous business that puts your life on the line. If you're not ruthless enough, you can't become a smuggler, let alone a smuggling boss.

Chen Qian continued, "He needs me to open up the salt sales channels in Changping County!"

“If something happens to his uncle, he won’t be able to get away with it.”

"Therefore, although it's unreliable, it shouldn't cause any problems!"

He picked up the earthenware bowl and took a sip of water: "Zhao Han, known as Zhao Sanliang, you can't ask him to write a petition without three taels of silver. He is extremely good at litigation and has a very big appetite for money. As a result, he got into trouble with bandits and was put in a sack and thrown into the river."

"It was because of his uncle that he was saved and that the matter was settled for him."

"They appear polite on the surface, but deep down they consider themselves scholars and look down on lowly clerks like us!"

"However, my uncle has leverage over us, which we can use!"

Su Mo frowned: "The Tu brothers?"

Chen Qian was silent for a moment before saying, "Tu Yi has the skill of lightness of body and is good at stealing and spying."

"Tu Ren is cruel by nature and his Iron Palm technique is quite formidable."

"The two brothers are said to have connections with Taoist sorcerers, and their origins are very mysterious."

"Although the two were roughnecks, they were loyal and reliable."

"They are obedient because their uncle has been kind to them. But if their uncle is gone, they may not listen to you."

Su Mo's heart stirred slightly.

Judging from my third uncle's words, it seems he has some understanding of the Dao of Immortality?

As a time traveler, discovering that you've transmigrated to a world of immortals and heroes, it would be a lie to say you weren't curious.

Who wouldn't want to wield a sword and seek immortality?
"Does your third uncle know about the Dao of Immortality?"

Su Mo couldn't help but ask, and then habitually added, "Like Lin Moyin."

Third Uncle raised an eyebrow, looking at Su Mo suspiciously: "Lin Moyin?"

Su Mo was also taken aback.

Third Uncle didn't know the female centurion's name?

As expected, the more you say, the more mistakes you make!

They've given themselves away again.

He could only say, "She is the female centurion who holds a book and summons flying swords to slay corpses from oil lamps."

"I think I heard the yamen runners say her name is Lin Moyin. Doesn't Third Uncle know her?"

Third Uncle said irritably, "Who knows what her name is? She must be tired of living to go and inquire about the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is no good. If you're associated with them, stay as far away as possible. Getting involved with them will never bring you any good!"

"Also, don't inquire about matters of immortality in the future; it won't do you any good!"

Su Mo was taken aback: "Could it be that, like a cult, it's being suppressed by the imperial court?"

Chen Qian waved his hand: "No, that's not it."

"Emperor Wu Taizu was able to establish the Great Wu Dynasty with the full assistance of Taoist sorcerers. There were many high-ranking officials in the court who practiced Taoist sorcerers."

There's a saying among the people: "In today's world, seven parts are sages, and three parts are immortals..."

As he was speaking, he suddenly stopped.

Su Mo immediately understood.

This is a case of someone whose achievements overshadow their master, and who is then discarded once the birds are all gone.

The immortal sorcerers were so powerful that the imperial court could not suppress them in time, thus barely achieving a balance.

No wonder my third uncle was so averse to this topic.

It concerns the overall situation of the imperial court and the stability of the country.

Not to mention the clerks in the government office, even high-ranking officials of the third or fourth rank wouldn't dare to touch them.

Even the slightest touch will be mercilessly crushed and pulverized!
(End of this chapter)