Chapter Nine, On Women
Looking at their cheerful figures, Zhu Dapeng let out a long sigh. Clearly, he had saved the lives of several women, yet he could not feel the slightest bit of joy. He felt as if he had become a human trafficker, forcibly sending good young women into the hands of rogues
Zhu Dapeng was startled again by his three virtues and nine chastities, and after much effort, he finally understood where the misunderstanding lay. Unable to contain his anger, he shook his head repeatedly, spat on the ground, and laughed while scolding, "You old fool, can't you think of something serious? Why go so far? I won't eat you! Hurry up and come sit over here; I have something to ask you!"
The adults are wise! Everyone is overjoyed, showering Zhu Dapeng with countless thanks. Although Ma Kongmu looks like a pig, his wives and concubines, as well as the daughters they bore, are all as vibrant as fresh flowers. Many of them even have faintly blue eyes, adding a unique charm.
However, Zhu Dapeng is now completely in the dark about the world. Even if he is not at ease with this person, he must patiently listen to his ideas. "Go ahead, no need to beat around the bush. If I were to visit Chief Steward Li, what kind of gift should I bring?"
He is a seasoned veteran in the officialdom, possessing an exceptionally accurate grasp of human sentiments, with every word hitting the mark. Upon hearing this, Zhu Dapeng couldn't help but nod slightly. "I understand this. Even regarding the territory we are currently on, I never intended to ask him for it..."
No need! Zhu Dapeng immediately waved his hand in refusal, saying, "I am not into that."
Indeed, adults have discerning eyes! Mr. Su raised his thumb and whispered in praise, "Zhao Mengfu's 'Two Sheep' painting. Mahama, in order to obtain this painting, ruthlessly caused the death of the entire family of the former Judge Sun. If it were taken to Quanzhou, just this painting alone could fetch at least 20,000 guan in copper coins!"
"That won't do!" Mr. Su quickly interrupted, clearly anxious. "You need to find funds from here to support the troops. Moreover, Steward Li has just granted you the territory, and you are hastily returning it to him. If people connect this to his previous promises, they might think you are dissatisfied with his stinginess! Not only will you fail to win his favor, but you will also create an unnecessary misunderstanding!"
Mr. Su once again bowed in greeting to everyone, each face filled with admiration. In the current chaotic times, these delicate young ladies would surely be left with nothing but bones if they stepped out of Xuzhou City. This way, not only would it avenge Inspector Li, but it would also preserve your reputation! It is certainly a hundred times better than keeping them locked up at home as servants!
Find an opportunity to release them all! Keeping them locked in the back garden is not a solution! Zhu Dapeng did not notice the insincerity in everyone's words at all; he tapped the table a few times and casually gave the order.
Zhu Dapeng, feeling helpless, had no choice but to acquiesce. After a moment of thought, he changed to a serious expression and said: "What you meant just now was that when I go to meet Manager Li Zhima, I should no longer bring up the matter of the reward?"
"Yes, sir!" Mr. Su replied repeatedly, refusing to leave within three feet of the wall.
Mr. Su indeed does not quite understand what morning erections are. However, the latter part of Zhu Dapeng's statement leaves him even more perplexed. How did it suddenly turn into ancient people giving him advice face to face? Could it be that the term "ancient people" has some special meaning?
Seeing the reactions of the crowd, Zhu Dapeng immediately guessed their true thoughts, and in his anger, he raised his fist to strike. However, upon further reflection, he realized that having so many women around him was indeed a complicated matter. Not only would it ruin his reputation, but what if among them was someone determined to take revenge on Mahama? If that person stealthily slipped into the kitchen and slipped him some poison while no one was paying attention, he would find himself in another predicament.
That must be it! Zhu Dapeng had no feeling for the artwork, walked to the wall, and reached out to take down the ink painting.
If you wish to express your respect for him, you can certainly adopt other means Mr. Su's words echoed in my ears, and no matter how I listened, they seemed to conceal an ulterior motive
Women of this caliber and books are something that everyone usually has little opportunity to even glance at. Yet now, each person can enjoy a warm nest, how can one not be filled with gratitude? After all, it is the esteemed Buddha's child, truly righteous, who has not let everyone flatter him in vain!
In his previous life as a reclusive man, Zhu Dapeng had never experienced such treatment. He was so tense that he was sweating all over, unable to find a place for his hands and feet. The young women, however, were anxious that their service was not thorough enough; while helping him wash his face and comb his hair, they continuously used their fists and fingers to relieve his muscles and bones. It was only after they had exhausted him to the point where he could hardly catch his breath that they tidied up the room and held up a bronze mirror, asking, "My lord, does this meet your approval?"
How much? Although Zhu Dapeng was not very clear about the exchange rate between copper coins and modern Renminbi, he was still taken aback by this figure. Over ten thousand, just for these two sheep? Damn this Zhao Mengfu, he really knows how to hoard money!
The face in the mirror is clearly an artistic rendition of a photograph from his high school days, with the outline of the head and facial features slightly enlarged in proportion, the skin tone bronzed and more radiant, yet other than that, there is not the slightest difference
"Go ahead and pick, discuss it, but don't fight!" Zhu Dapeng waved his hand, feeling rather bored. The uprising was merely to seize houses, grab money, and divide women. Why does this scene seem so familiar? Isn't this exactly the scene from the 'The True Story of Ah Q' in the high school textbook? That guy named Lu is truly remarkable. With a single pen, he captured the vicissitudes of society over hundreds of years.
The adults are impressive! The young men and the little ones have not read much of "The True Story of Ah Q". Upon hearing Zhu Dapeng's words, they immediately cheered in unison, sprinting towards the back garden. They feared that if they ran slowly, they would only end up with what others had left behind
"Sir, do you really need to have a maid to assist you with changing your clothes?" Mr. Su glanced at him and reminded him in a low voice
The adults are wise! The subordinates and the little lackeys are loudly flattering, yet their faces inadvertently reveal a tacit understanding. Is it not beastly? ... To want to monopolize the wives and daughters of others, yet still find such a grandiose excuse, to save a life, to save a life ...! ... Hey! After all, he is a child of Buddha, far superior to beasts!
Thinking that the other person is only eighteen (9) years old, he has already declared several times from morning until now that he does not like women. Suddenly, he felt a chill at his backside and quickly took a few steps back, pressing his back firmly against the wall again
Enough, stop talking! The thought of a group of frail and powerless women being dragged into a dark alley by idle men on the street, their clothes torn to shreds, makes Zhu Dapeng feel a tightening sensation on his scalp. "Leave them all behind, just leave them. Usually, you send someone to provide them with food, don't let them starve. In the future..."
What are you saying? They will die as soon as they leave Xuzhou? Zhu Dapeng's eyes widened immediately, his face flushed. He truly had no experience surviving in chaotic times and had thought everything too simply. He originally believed that Shi En had spared the wife and daughter of Ma Kongmu, but the result was equivalent to using a knife to kill.
After speaking, he paused for a moment and quickly added, "Even the greatest hatred cannot justify seizing another's property or violating their wives and daughters! Such acts are the deeds of beasts!"
Mr. Su was so distressed that he could only gasp in surprise, quickly taking the painting and carefully brushing away the nonexistent dust with his sleeve. "Let the subordinates handle this, let the subordinates handle this! Such rough work should be left to them! You, my lord, may proceed with other preparations."
What else needs to be prepared?" Zhu Dapeng asked awkwardly, his face turning bright red.
Is it possible that an adult is not interested in this? Mr. Su was taken aback, his gaze shifting from the window back to Zhu Dapeng, secretly glancing at his lower body. With this physique and at this age, how could he possibly not be interested? Could it be that he has been possessed by Maitreya Buddha and truly cannot approach women anymore? Yet, between his legs, there was clearly a large bulge visible beneath his clothing, and judging by the outline, it could even be described as impressive. How could such a large fellow be completely useless?
"Leave the most beautiful and youngest one for the adults, no one is allowed to touch her!" Mr. Su, however, did not join the group in dividing the women; instead, he rushed to the window and shouted a reminder.
This estate was granted to you quite early! Speaking of the art of gift-giving, Mr. Su is quite knowledgeable. The valuables in the courtyard, the Red Turban Army only took what they could see; there are still many items that they overlooked at the time, which are actually more valuable. You may casually take any one item, and it would be considered a generous gift!
"Twenty thousand guan!" Mr. Su smiled and confidently repeated. "This is still a rough estimate; if we find someone knowledgeable, it could easily double or even more. It is said that Zhao Mengfu only painted two animal paintings in his lifetime, and the other one was presented to the current emperor by his family"
They are very likely unable to even leave the city of Xuzhou! Mr. Su nodded, a lewd smile on his face, "That Mahama has always relied on Daruhachi's backing to extort and blackmail everywhere, frequently confiscating others' properties and exterminating entire families. For over a decade, how many lives has he recklessly taken? Now he has finally reaped the consequences of his evil deeds, and his wife and daughter walk out onto the street... Now he has finally reaped the consequences of his evil deeds, and his wife and daughter walk out onto the street...
Nonsense! Zhu Dapeng glared fiercely at Mr. Su and reprimanded in a low voice, "What are you bringing them here for? I have no enmity with Ma Kongmu!"
Uh! Zhu Dapeng raised both hands and rubbed his forehead repeatedly. His mind was overwhelmed, truly overwhelmed. Between a reward and a push, there were unexpectedly so many twists and turns. Fortunately, he still had Mr. Su, this old fellow, by his side to help brainstorm. However, this old fellow was indeed clever, but his loyalty was highly questionable. At the very least, in the eyes of this old fellow, he could not see the kind of fear that other lackeys had towards him.
Oh, ah! Good! It was at this moment that Zhu Dapeng realized that he was wearing the pajamas of this era and could not go out to meet anyone directly. He smiled awkwardly, picked up the brass bell hanging by the head of the bed, and asked, "Is this how it's used?!" "Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"
Zhu Dapeng immediately noticed that the other party's gaze was unusual. He awkwardly crossed his legs and said loudly: "This is a morning erection, do you understand what a morning erection is? Forget it, you ancient people, how would you understand this? wwwhetushucomcom"
"What is this?" Zhu Dapeng turned his head in surprise and looked around. The room where he slept had decent screens, and the bed and furniture were quite exquisite, but what could this thing be worth? ... Could it be, he scanned the walls, finally stopping at an ink wash painting...
"Alright, alright!" Zhu Dapeng wished he could escape immediately, repeatedly waving his hands at the bronze mirror. Suddenly, his body stiffened, and he snatched the bronze mirror, pressing it close to his eyes, cold sweat pouring down from his forehead. "How could this be..."
"Yes, indeed, it is admirable, and I truly respect you from the bottom of my heart! Respect!" Mr. Su and a group of young jailers flattered Zhu Dapeng profusely.
Upon thinking of this, he shook his head and sighed, deciding to go along with local customs. "No need to wait for the future; each of you can take one home. Choose whichever you like from the backyard. And you..." He turned his gaze to Mr. Su, who was eager to try, and continued shaking his head to add, "You too can take one home. However, no one is allowed to force anyone. If they are unwilling to go with you, then so be it. In any case, given our current situation, we are not short of a few mouths to feed"
The adult spoke very rightly! Seeing that Zhu Dapeng still remembered his earlier admonition, Mr. Su immediately beamed with joy as if he had just consumed half a pound of honey. "Last night's fierce battle lasted the entire night, and there were also fleeing soldiers taking the opportunity to commit murder and arson. Aside from a few official granaries in the city, I fear that Manager Li has not gained much benefit. Although our group has contributed both internally and externally, we are ultimately not the old team he brought from Xiaoxian. If we are too unaware of the situation, it is inevitable that some discord will arise." Although our group has contributed both internally and externally, we are ultimately not the old team he brought from Xiaoxian. If we are too unaware of the situation, it is inevitable that some discord will arise.
Apologies for keeping you waiting! As soon as the bell rang, a young woman's voice immediately responded from outside the previously quiet door. Following this, the door was gently pushed open, and six girls, around twelve or thirteen years old, entered in single file, carrying basins, towels, mirrors, combs, a white porcelain jar for salt, and a red lacquered wooden cup for mouthwash. They first sidestepped and half-squatted, offering him a bow. Then, they began to busily attend to their tasks with great professionalism.