nycdaug #534 - What is this unfolding?
#534 - What is this unfolding?
"Young Master Le, we've shaken off the pursuers behind us and are temporarily safe," said Feng Erniang.
Lu Jing nodded. "However, we're not far from the main army, so we still need to be careful. That's why I advised against making a fire just now."
Feng Erniang nodded, "Young Master Le and I thought of the same thing, but that's because we've always been in the business of licking blood from knives. We used to rob passing merchants and fight with government soldiers and镖局 escorts. Later, we fought with these spies, so we've accumulated a lot of experience in this area. Young Master Le, you're just a scholar, so where did you learn about these things?"
Lu Jing was momentarily speechless.
If he were alone, he could naturally make up some experiences to get past this, but now that Liang Susu was by his side, Lu Jing didn't dare to add any more drama to himself.
Fortunately, Feng Erniang didn't intend to delve into the question. She just used this topic to continue, "I wonder what Young Master Le plans to do next?"
"Well, first find a place to settle down and avoid the ravages of war," said Lu Jing.
At this time, Liang Susu beside him also spoke, "My uncle is an official in Shu Prefecture. Because of the dangerous terrain and the many indigenous people, even these grassland barbarians don't want to provoke them easily. We can go there and seek refuge with my uncle."
Feng Erniang nodded, "That's certainly a way to go, but…"
Her tone changed, "I wonder if Young Master Le has considered other possibilities?"
"What possibilities?" Lu Jing asked.
Feng Erniang looked at Lu Jing, her eyes burning, "With your talent, it's a waste to go to Shu Prefecture. Although Shu Prefecture is easy to defend and difficult to attack, the local government is actually firmly controlled by the local chieftains, and the 布政司 exists in name only and has little power left. And those chieftains only trust their own people.
"Of course, with Young Master Le's ability, it shouldn't be difficult to make a living anywhere, but if you want to go further, it will be even more difficult. It's better to join us."
Seeing that Lu Jing was noncommittal, Feng Erniang continued, "Now the world is in chaos, and the nine provinces are about to collapse. This is naturally a great disaster for the people everywhere, but there are also opportunities in this great disaster.
"As long as you seize this opportunity, even a small mud loach in the shallows can transform into a five-clawed golden dragon. And with your talent, at the very least, you can become a general or a duke.
"You want me to be your strategist and help you conquer the world?" Lu Jing didn't expect that Feng Erniang, a woman, would have such great ambitions.
However, Feng Erniang then shook her head, "It's not you who will assist me, but us who will assist you. If you are willing to join us, then I am willing to give you the position of leader."
"Ah, this…" Da Hu and Lie Ying were both shocked to hear this, and subconsciously wanted to object, but then, after thinking about something, they hesitated.
In the end, Lu Jing helped them say what they were thinking, shaking his head and saying, "I'm an outsider, I can't take your position."
"Others may not be able to, but you certainly can," said Feng Erniang, then pointed to Lie Ying and Da Hu, "Their reactions just now have already explained everything. Everyone has seen your performance along the way. Not only are you brave and resourceful, but most importantly, you are loyal and haven't abandoned anyone. So everyone is convinced by you."
"General Feng, you are also very loyal."
"That's right, but I'm not as good as you. If I were in your position, those four spies might have been enough to kill me," said Feng Erniang. "I'm not being modest. When my father was still alive, he said that I have great courage but no great wisdom, and that I can be a general but not a commander."
"After I took the position of chieftain, although I thought I was very diligent, the development of the stronghold was not as good as I had hoped."
"Chieftain, I don't like hearing you say that," Da Hu shook his head. "The stronghold has clearly developed very well in the past few years, even better than when the old chieftain was around."
Feng Erniang smiled bitterly, "That's because the world is now in chaos, and there are too many people who have become bandits. Everyone is almost unable to take them all in. The several strongholds around us have also developed very well, but I myself know that my ability is not enough to bear this heavy responsibility."
"So I have always told the brothers that I am only temporarily sitting in that position, and as soon as a suitable candidate appears, I will immediately give it up. And now that a suitable candidate has appeared, I have no reason to occupy that chair any longer."
Lie Ying and Da Hu saw that Feng Erniang was so determined, and didn't know what else they could say.
Moreover, in their hearts, they also felt that if they really had to choose someone to replace Feng Erniang, Lu Jing was indeed a good candidate.
This kid's skills are a bit lacking, but in terms of courage and boldness, no one in the entire stronghold can surpass him, not to mention that he is also affectionate and righteous. He had just escaped danger, but he turned around and went back to save the woman he loved, and he didn't abandon any of them when he encountered danger.
In addition, he is also a scholar, has a good head, and knows more than ordinary people. If he were to lead the stronghold, he might really do better than Feng Erniang.
But even so, the two still did not let go.
Now Feng Erniang was also anxious. Lie Ying and Da Niu were both her staunch confidants, and they also had a lot of prestige in the stronghold. If she couldn't even convince the two of them, then it would be even more difficult for her to convince the others in the stronghold to accept Lu Jing.
Feng Erniang said, "If you two have anything to say, say it quickly."
Lie Ying and Da Niu looked at each other, then said, "It's not impossible to let Young Master Le be the chieftain, but we have a request."
"What request?" Feng Erniang frowned.
These two usually listened to her the most. Even if she asked them to climb a mountain of knives or jump into a sea of fire, they wouldn't hesitate. She didn't expect them to come and negotiate terms with her at this time.
Lie Ying coughed and said, "It's very simple, Young Master Le only needs to marry Chieftain Feng."
Feng Erniang was really stunned this time.
And Lie Ying had already spoken, but he no longer had any scruples, so he simply continued, "Young Master Le is good, but to us, he is still an outsider after all. Chieftain Feng can convince us today, but it will be difficult to convince the other brothers in the stronghold in the future, not to mention that the old chieftain personally said that he would hand over the stronghold to you, Chieftain Feng, when he died. This is not something that can be changed just like that.
"But if Young Master Le marries you, Chieftain Feng, then all the problems will be solved. Young Master Le is no longer an outsider, and everyone will think it's natural for you to give the stronghold to your own man. When the time comes, if we put in some effort, there will be no obstacles to this matter."
Although Feng Erniang felt that this proposal was very absurd, she had to admit that she herself was a little tempted, not only because this proposal was feasible enough, but also because the matter itself made her very tempted.
But after being tempted, she realized a problem, that is—Liang Susu.
Le Ya went back to the city to save Liang Susu, which shows how deep their relationship is. How could he abandon Liang Susu and marry her instead?
And as Feng Erniang moved her gaze to Liang Susu, the latter also stood up from the ground.