Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1354: Choosing Wealth Over Life

"Yes, old servant obeys the order." Master Gu knelt with his disciple, kowtowing to Qin San Lang: "Greetings, Master."

After receiving their salute, Qin San Lang said: "Rise, work diligently, and the Qin family will not mistreat you."

He added: "Besides listening to my orders, you must also fully obey the wife’s commands, otherwise the consequences will be more severe than defying my orders!"

Master Gu and his disciple were taken aback, quickly responding: "Yes, sir."

General Guo was also surprised and laughed: "You kid really fear your wife, to need to specially emphasize this point."

Qin San Lang laughed and corrected him: "It’s not fear of the wife, it’s care for the wife."

General Guo laughed heartily: "Indeed, it’s a new marriage; the feelings are good."

It reminded him of when he first married his wife, feeling warm inside, thinking of her first in everything he did.

Guo Qiang almost saw Qin San Lang as an immortal; he patted his armor loudly and said: "I will treat my wife like Brother San Lang does!"

With a smack, General Guo slapped him on the head: "You keep involving yourself everywhere, haven’t even grown a beard and think about a wife. After sending off Brother San Lang, quickly go pick up your mother. If anything happens to your mother, I’ll dismantle you!"

He was busy with recruitment matters before the New Year and couldn’t go pick up his wife.

Guo Qiang, in pain, dodged and pulled out a long knife, shaking it: "Don’t worry, Father. Brother San Lang gave me this fine blade; I will surely bring Mother home safely."

On Qin San Lang and Gu Jinli’s wedding day, he gave this long knife to Guo Qiang, a successfully developed Tang Blade. Now, he also brought along Liu’an, Wuping, and Sixi, who had been involved in making Tang Blades for nearly three years.

Once in the Northwest, they would continue making swords and armor.

General Guo looked at the Tang Blade and commented: "This blade seems different from ordinary ones."

He took the blade from Guo Qiang, knocked it a few times, examined it, and then swung it at a heavy shield on the wall. With a swoosh, the shield was sliced through neatly, as if cutting meat.

He quickly checked the blade; seeing no nicks, he almost laughed wildly but held it back: "San Lang, you should keep such good things hidden and look for an opportunity to earn a great benefit later."

The Ning Family in the Capital got their titles by making logistics supplies; the first Emperor Jingwu of Great Chu even decreed that those who create good weapons, regardless of good or slave register, could gain rewards. The better the weapon, the bigger the reward.

He instructed Guo Qiang: "The creation of this blade concerns Brother San Lang’s future. Store it away and don’t use it."

Guo Qiang was very reluctant but promptly agreed: "Alright, I won’t use it in the future, I’ll store it and only occasionally look at it. I won’t ruin Brother San Lang’s affairs."

Every word from General Guo was for Qin San Lang’s sake, which moved Qin San Lang greatly, so he bowed to General Guo: "Thank you, Uncle Guo."

General Guo laughed: "No need for these thanks. Returning with honors is the best repayment to me."

If San Lang succeeds in this endeavor, it would mean cultivating a great talent for Great Chu, making his life worthwhile.

"Rest assured, Uncle Guo, I won’t disappoint you." Qin San Lang assured him. His westward journey had great ambitions, and he must achieve significant military achievements to succeed, so Uncle Guo needn’t worry; besides Xiao Yu, he would give it his all!

He then inquired about Zhong Yu: "Uncle Guo, why hasn’t Zhong Yu come? He sent a message saying he’d come to see me off, seemingly with the intention to head to the Northwest. You should make early arrangements to avoid difficulties with the Zhong family."

The Zhong family only stationed Zhong Yu in the south to avoid him going to the battlefield. If Zhong Yu sneaked off to the Northwest and got killed, the Zhong family would be furious and take it out on General Guo.

General Guo laughed: "I’ve known that kid’s intentions for a long time. He wanted to come, but I stopped him. He even tried to sneak away, but I caught him and sent him back to the Zhong family tied up. Once he’s with the Zhong family, if he still manages to sneak off to the Northwest, it’s no longer my concern."

Hearing this, Qin San Lang was relieved, said a few more words to General Guo, and then took his leave.

When Ding Ge saw him come out, he said mockingly: "Brother Qin is truly General Guo’s favored officer. While everyone else is heading to the Northwest to risk their lives, General Guo met with only you. This favor is even deeper than that for a son."

Ding Ge harbored ill intentions, wanting all the Company Commanders in the Military Office to harbor enmity against Qin San Lang.

However, Qin San Lang told the other Company Commanders: "My father-in-law sent over some knife injury medicine. I’ll bring over a few boxes for everyone to use together."

Niu Dabao laughed heartily: "Hahaha, I’ll just accept then. Commander Qin’s father-in-law’s knife injury medicine is very effective—the Prefecture garrison used it during training, and we all benefited then."

The other Company Commanders also craved the injury medicine, and upon hearing this, they immediately thanked Qin San Lang, ignoring Ding Ge’s instigations.

Ding Ge hit a dead end and sneered: "Commander Qin sure married a good wife; this ought to be..."

Before he could finish, he saw Qin San Lang’s disgusted expression, but he quickly forced a smile: "My in-laws and wife treat me very well."

Ding Ge was taken aback, thinking: What was with the look on Qin’s face? Isn’t he the one who waited eagerly for years to marry the Gu Family’s daughter? Is he disgusted so soon after the wedding? Could the Gu Family woman be ugly, and Qin San Lang married her for the Gu Family’s silver?

This is exactly what Qin San Lang wanted Ding Ge to think.

On the way, he had instructed Feng Jin, upon arriving at Luan’an County Military Office, to spread rumors that Xiao Yu was ugly and that he married her for the Gu family’s silver.

Ding Ge loved young and beautiful women and despised ugly ones. If he thought Xiao Yu was ugly, he would be disgusted just hearing her name, ensuring Xiao Yu’s safety.

But this wasn’t a long-term plan; Qin San Lang still needed to find a way to get rid of Ding Ge. Keeping such a distasteful person around in the Northwest would be a great calamity and should be removed if possible.

Soon, Ye Dakou arrived with Mai Dong, San Qi, and several servants carrying boxes of knife injury medicine into the Military Office, distributing them among the Company Commanders present.

Each Military Office received two boxes. The Company Commanders were very pleased, growing fonder of Qin San Lang.

Ding Ge also received two boxes but didn’t thank Qin San Lang; instead, he sent his men to find out if the Gu Family woman was indeed ugly.

His servant immediately went to investigate. By the time everyone had received their military provisions, the servant returned, pale, and whispered: "Master, she’s ugly. Her face is full of suppurating sores, thick and clustered, looking as if maggots might grow out. It’s terrifying... That Qin guy is ruthless; he even married such an ugly woman. Truly, he values money over life."