You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 49 Return the favor
Han Shizhong gripped the hilt of his sword, followed by a small group of men, and patrolled the three fortified villages.

Han Shizhong was a natural-born expert at training soldiers, and having spent more than ten years working his way up from the bottom, he knew exactly what the soldiers were thinking.

After his rudimentary training, the defeated soldiers gradually accepted their new identity.

The snow on the ground crunched underfoot as Han Wu stretched contentedly.

Chen Shao is right. Although this place is not yet a significant place, it is indeed a place to realize one's ambitions.

At least I don't have to put up with those lousy officers.

After fighting for so many years, I haven't even managed to become a minor official.

I never expected to become a Yu Hou (a military officer) in this way. Although the rank isn't high, at least I'm no longer a soldier.
The sound of horses' hooves could be heard on the road.

Han Shizhong looked up and saw Chen Shao and his fat bodyguard, who was always by his side, riding up on horseback.

"Where did the commander go?"

Chen Shaole said, "These past few days we've been busy cleaning up Ma Hong's remnants, and the village's remaining grain is running low. I'm going to go to the city to ask for a supply convoy."

Han Shizhong's eyes lit up. "Can we have it?"

"I have my own way."

Han Wu lowered his voice and asked, "Could there be a route to the west?"

Chen Shao chuckled, did not reply, but waved his hand and rode away.

Entrusting this to Han Shizhong is more secure than having him himself.

Chen Shao had some money, but he did not intend to use it to buy grain or supplies.

First of all, both of these items are in high demand in Northwest China, with demand exceeding supply.

You can't necessarily buy much with money.

It would be better to use this money to bribe the officials under Tong Guan who are in charge of the armory and grain supplies. All they need to do is give a word, issue a note, or cover it up in the ledgers, and that will be enough.

Bribing one person is much cheaper than buying grain and supplies directly.

Over the years, Tong Guan has held military and political power in the Northwest, and like a whale swallowing a siphon, he has embezzled an unknown amount of money, grain and supplies.

However, he has limited energy and cannot possibly manage it all.

You, Tong Guan, are allowed to embezzle and accept bribes, misappropriating the Song Dynasty's funds and grain, but your subordinates are not allowed to follow suit and embezzle your assets?
That's ridiculous!

Tong Guan gained the opportunity to embezzle the Zhao family's treasury by flattering Zhao Ji. Can't I, Chen Shao, undermine your power?

Wouldn't I have been flattering him for nothing?
There's no benefit to it, but I still wish you good health.

From the very beginning, Chen Shao had made up his mind that if he honestly used the money to buy grain and supplies, Li Shishi's money would be spent very quickly.

A cannon fires a thousand taels of gold.

The cost of war is staggering, beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

However, this money, when spent on corrupt officials, could turn Tong Guan's subordinates, those in charge of finances and treasury, into his own pockets.

After all, someone who could follow Tong Guan couldn't possibly be an upright, honest, and incorruptible person.
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As dusk settled, a wisp of smoke drifted through Chenjiazhuang.

Li Shishi wore no makeup; her jet-black hair was simply gathered up with a wooden hairpin and loosely tied into a bun at the back of her head.

She was sitting in the room, chatting with a middle-aged woman opposite her.

After learning that this person was Dong Dahu's mother, Li Shishi would occasionally call Dong to her room.

Dong was also busy sewing a dress for Li Shishi.

Although Li Shishi had many clothes, they didn't fit in with the atmosphere here. She also liked coming to this room because Chen Shao always took Da Hu with him wherever he went. Madam Dong often inquired about her son's whereabouts; even though she had heard those stories many times, she couldn't help but ask again.

Fortunately, this lady had a very good temper and did not show any impatience. Dong, a woman with such a fiery temper, was actually good at reading people's expressions, and after a while, she figured out this lady's temperament.

This is a kind and gentle person.

Moreover, her voice is exceptionally beautiful; simply listening to her voice is a pleasure in itself.

Madam Dong recounted several amusing anecdotes about Chen Shao's childhood, making Li Shishi laugh uncontrollably. Glancing sideways at Li Shishi's profile, even Madam Dong, a woman, was taken aback; where had her master found such a person? She was truly breathtakingly beautiful.

According to their local saying, such women are meant to drain men dry.

She even suspected for a moment that this wasn't a person, but rather a manifestation of a legendary spirit, because she had never seen anyone so beautiful and so fair-skinned.
When the boss comes back, let's see if he's been drained dry.
It's no wonder that Madam Dong had wild thoughts; she was indeed fair-skinned and beautiful. Wearing a dark blue silk skirt and dark clothes, her skin appeared even whiter, smooth and delicate like silk.

Li Shishi is different from her younger sister Chun Tao; she is not as tall, but her figure is more rounded and smooth.

She had a classic oval face, a smooth and round forehead, and large, round eyes under long eyelashes with single eyelids. In addition, her well-tailored silk dress, made of very soft silk, clung to her body, making her shoulders appear round and delicate, and her chest appear full and rounded.

This is the kind of woman who best fits the current aesthetic standards.

Thinking of Chen Shao, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, her beautiful eyes became misty, and she let out a soft breath.

Chenjiazhuang was no match for the prosperity of Bianliang, but Li Shishi unexpectedly liked it very much.

Although she lived a life of luxury, she herself did not have much of a passion for food.

Simple meals are fine, and most importantly, here I don't have to fawn over people or lose sleep over things anymore.

This place gives her peace of mind.

The only thing on my mind is Chen Shao. He said he would be back soon, but then a letter came saying he had gone to the front lines.

Poor Wuding Riverside Bone is still a spring boudoir dream.

The words "front line" are terrifying.

The door creaked open, and Chun Tao stepped in, plopping down in a chair.

She also changed into a simple white autumn robe, but wore two or three pieces of gold and pearl jewelry, and had a faint touch of makeup on her face.

Little Chuntao is very energetic, with a firm, perky bottom and long, slender, straight legs. She has a pointed chin and big, bright eyes; if she lived in later generations, she would be a heartthrob.

"Has Brother Chen not returned yet?"

Li Shishi shook her head and remained silent.

The two sisters had a strained relationship, which did not improve despite traveling together; in fact, there was even some subtle hostility between them.

Li Shishi didn't know why, and she was too lazy to think about it.

Their parents sacrificed themselves to bring wealth to their family. Their younger sister had a very comfortable life since childhood and never suffered any hardship, while they themselves had to live under the roof of others and live in constant fear.

She doesn't respect me, so why should I go out of my way to please her?
Wu Chuntao asked a question and was about to leave when she suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Accompanied by the neighing of horses.

The three people in the room simultaneously increased their breathing and stepped out.

"My boss is back!"

"My boss is back!"

Dong ran faster than Chun Tao and came outside. When she saw the smug fat man on horseback, she burst into tears.

(End of this chapter)