Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

”Second brother, the common prosperity I’m talking about might be a bit different from yours. Mine is about more work, more gain, and relative fairness, not about splitting equally per head.”

Peng Yingyu replied, ”Amitabha Buddha, I’m not talking about splitting equally per head either!”

”Take me for example, I can drink wine while the other monks cannot. If it were split equally per head, would I have to give a glass to those monks?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Futong laughed and said, ”Quite right. The world was never fair. More work for more gain is relative fairness. Otherwise, would the Emperor’s son have to farm the land alongside a farmer’s son?”

Peng Yingyu said, ”Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ve enjoyed the wine today, but Jiusi, there are only two jars, and you’re about to be a groom. Better not drink any more. We’re almost out of wine to divide between me and Old Liu. You should hurry along.”

”Yes, yes, you should leave. We don’t need you here to keep us company!”

Chen Jie understood from their words that they were afraid he was wasting time and couldn’t handle the busyness, or maybe it was simply that the wine was too little for them to share.

Anyway, they shooed Chen Jie away.

Chen Jie, having no choice, left. He had just come out of the duo’s room, descended a flight of stairs, and then saw Zhu Chongba accompanying Ma Xiuying as she chose clothes.

At this moment, Zhu Chongba looked every bit like a reluctant man shopping with his wife, his eyes wandering everywhere, while Tang He and Li Shanchang were marveling at the unique design and bustling nature of the Trade Mansion.

Just then, upon seeing Chen Jie coming down the stairs, Zhu Chongba met his gaze.

Chen Jie then said, ”Brother Chongba, hahaha, you’re here!”

Chen Jie was very hospitable, with a smile on his face. Zhu Chongba also saw Chen Jie at this point and approached him. They hugged each other.

Afterwards, they cupped their fists and said, ”Brother Jiusi, your Huangzhou Prefecture is quite the eye-opener. Compared to it, my Haozhou Prefecture is just a provincial town, not worth mentioning.”

”Hahaha, Brother Chongba is jesting again. Everyone knows your Haozhou Prefecture is thriving, the first vanguard against Qian!”

”Ah, mine cannot compare to your Huangzhou Prefecture, not at all.”

Zhu Chongba said this when Chen Xiaohu, who had come with Chen Jie, walked over, followed by several guards.

Chen Jie looked at Ma Xiuying and the others and said, ”Brother Chongba, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Zhu Chongba laughed and said, ”Come, come, my brother Tang He, military officer Li Shanchang, I’m sure you recognize them.”

”And this is my wife, Ma Xiuying.”

”Oh, so you’re my sister-in-law. Jiusi greets Sister-in-law!”

Chen Jie saluted Ma Xiuying, who was not very pretty but exuded a kind and neighborly simplicity.

Seeing Chen Jie so courteous, Ma Xiuying quickly said, ”Brother Jiusi, what are you doing? I heard Chongba was coming to attend your wedding and rashly decided to join. I hope you don’t mind my sudden presence.”

Chen Jie said, ”How could that be? Sister-in-law is a popular figure on the rouge list. Your presence is an honor. If you have time, please visit my home. My wife admires you greatly.”

Ma Xiuying said, ”Of course, I’ve long heard of your good fortune. Mrs. Su is graceful and poised, Mrs. Huang is intellectual and gracious, and now you’re marrying a noble. It’s enviable. I’ll surely visit when I’m free.”

Chen Jie said, ”Great, that’s wonderful. My wife will be overjoyed to hear of your visit.”

Chen Jie was very respectful to this legendary figure of later generations; at the very least, she was a person worthy of respect.

Zhu Chongba, seeing Chen Jie talk with his sister for so long, quickly said, ”Brother Jiusi, I’ve introduced everyone. Aren’t you going to introduce your brother behind you?”

Chen Jie, upon hearing this, looked at Zhu Chongba and said, ”Oh, this is my younger brother, Chen Xiaohu.”

Chen Xiaohu stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, ”I’ve seen Hero Zhu!”

Zhu Chongba said, ”Very good, Brother Jiusi not only governs regional powers well, but your brother is also as fierce as a dragon and tiger.”

Chen Jie said, ”Brother Chongba praises too much. By the way, Brother Chongba, Master Yushan and Laughing Buddha are drinking upstairs. Why not go up and join them?”

Zhu Chongba, hearing this, said, ”Those two old friends, I better not disturb their fun. Besides, on my way here, I had some of your Huangzhou Prefecture’s buns and duck blood and vermicelli soup—quite delicious.”

Chen Jie said, ”Haha, really? Are you full? If not, come back to the state mansion with me for a drink?”

Zhu Chongba said, ”Maybe another day. With the hundred taels shopping voucher Brother Jiusi gave me, I can’t sleep until I spend it all. You know me, Brother, I came from begging; I can’t waste a good deal!”

”Brother, you’re too kind. If you need anything, just charge it to my account. I still have a balance here.”

”Buy a few more clothes for Sister-in-law. I must say, Brother, being able to marry such a considerate wife is indeed your blessing.”

Chen Jie leaned into Zhu Chongba’s ear and said. Hearing this, Zhu Chongba looked at Chen Jie and said, ”Which blessing indeed? You’ve taken three beauties as wives; truly envy-inducing for your brother.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Zhu Chongba and burst into laughter, ”Brother is right, then I’ll take my leave now.”

”Take care, brother, I won’t see you off!”

The two nodded in agreement and parted ways.

Watching the back of Chen Jiusi, Tang He said, ”What’s there to flaunt? Isn’t it just some filthy money?”

Li Shanchang, upon hearing this, said, ”He truly has strength beyond ours, and the efficiency of administration here is remarkable. I’m curious about Hu Weiyong, who is said to be the civil leader of Huangzhou Prefecture with the talent of a Prime Minister.”

”Aren’t these policies all implemented by Chen Jiusi? What does that Hu Weiyong have to do with it?”

Li Shanchang said, ”Chen Jiusi is the mind; the specifics depend on the body’s control, and the one controlling the body is this Hu Weiyong.”

Tang He, upon hearing this, said, ”Is he very formidable?”

Li Shanchang said, ”His policy implementation is very commendable, not like something a young person could achieve.”

”Compared to you, Mr.?”

Tang He looked at Li Shanchang and asked, Li Shanchang said, ”Not inferior to me!”

Upon hearing this, Tang He said, ”Then he is indeed a great talent.”

At this moment, Zhu Chongba looked at Ma Xiuying and said, ”Sister, your judgment of people is quite accurate. What do you think of Chen Jiusi?”

Ma Xiuying said, ”An extraordinary ruler!”

Zhu Chongba said, ”You rate him so highly?”

Ma Xiuying said, ”Judging by his governance, demeanor, and the formidable martial arts talent you mentioned, it’s hard not to associate him with a great leader.”

Zhu Chongba said, ”And what about me?”

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Chongba and said, ”You also have the talent of a great leader, but you have some flaws. If you can’t change them, you might not be able to rival him!”

Zhu Chongba, upon hearing this, said, ”Hmph, unable to rival him, all he knows is accumulating silver coins. The soldiers he raises are probably just play soldiers. To battle for the world, one must look at the strength of the army!”

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuying said to Zhu Chongba, ”You should learn earnestly. Do not deny the excellence of others, understand?”

Hearing this, Zhu Chongba said, ”Haha, I’m just saying, don’t we understand? Sister, indeed these clothes are better than those in Haozhou Prefecture. Buy more; who knows when we’ll visit Huangzhou Prefecture again!”

”You all, go pick a few as well. Later, put them on Chen Jiusi’s account.”

Tang He and Li Shanchang were both stunned upon hearing this. Tang He quickly said, ”This isn’t right, Big Brother. Spending his money makes us seem lesser.”

Zhu Chongba, upon hearing this, said, ”What’s the harm? If we’re not as skilled, we’ll keep a low profile and pick two for myself too!”

Zhu Chongba sent Tang He and Li Shanchang off. Tang He looked at Li Shanchang and said, ”Mr. Li, does acting like this while in a high position seem a bit disgraceful?”

Li Shanchang said, ”That notion is wrong. Since we’re less skilled, why not show weakness and take advantage? The more we exploit Chen Jiusi’s small favors, the more he’ll underestimate us, giving us time to develop. Don’t you understand this?”

Tang He, upon hearing this, said, ”Oh, so that’s it, showing weakness. Then I’ll go pick some clothes.”

Watching Li Shanchang and Tang He leave, Ma Xiuying gripped Zhu Chongba’s hand and said, ”Chongba, do you know what’s most like a great leader about you?”

Zhu Chongba looked at her, and Ma Xiuying said, ”You endure what others cannot!”

Zhu Chongba gave a bitter smile and said, ”Coming from begging, is there anything we cannot endure?”

...

At this time downstairs, Chen Jiusi gazed up, his eyes full of meaning.

Chen Xiaohu beside him said, ”Brother, this Zhu Chongba isn’t that impressive. He doesn’t seem as formidable as you said—a harmless appearance.”

Chen Jie, upon hearing Chen Xiaohu’s words, laughed and said, ”Haha, the dog that bites doesn’t bark!”