Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

What kind of strange competition is this? Going to other people’s homes to freeload food and lodging -wouldn’t we just get chased out and end up homeless on the streets?

Wang Xingzhu immediately lost her nerve, her heart pounding like a drum. The certificate in her hand suddenly felt scorching hot. She hesitated whether she could return it – she wasn’t good with words, and couldn’t bring herself to shamelessly ask strangers for accommodation. It would just be a wasted trip squandering silver.

Marshal, I’m afraid I can’t do this… Wang Xingzhu struggled for a long while, her face full of difficulty, eyebrows tangled into a messy knot. She awkwardly picked at her hands, her lips moving several times before she finally gathered the courage to decline and chose to voluntarily withdraw.

Xu Mao waved his hand and patted Wang Xingzhu’s shoulder, persuading her: It’s fine, just give it a try. It doesn’t matter if you fail. Enjoy the scenery along the way and relax your mind. Consider it as going out for fun.

Just as Wang Xingzhu was about to say more, Xu Mao had already taken several steps outward, finally reminding them: Remember, you must inadvertently reveal your penniless, financially strained predicament to evoke their sympathy. That’s how you’ll succeed.

Xu Mao’s expression relaxed, his eyes curving like crescent moons. I believe you can do it. I look forward to your good news.

Killing two birds with one stone – both solving his troublesome overachiever Wang Xingzhu and smoothly demonstrating her poor financial situation – Xu Mao was in high spirits, humming a cheerful tune with considerable interest.

Wang Xingzhu, Lin Shuniang, and He Suifen stood facing each other with the name list in hand, completely at a loss.

What should we do now?

Wang Xingzhu was distressed. She neither had any particular talent to impress others and feared she couldn’t complete this competition, nor did she want to disappoint Xu Mao’s high expectations and complete trust. Neither option seemed workable, leaving her burning with anxiety.

Lin Shuniang contemplated and said: Sister Wang, don’t panic yet. The Marshal set conditions for this competition, requiring us to seek accommodation without spending money, but the Marshal also said the specific methods – whether through deception or intimidation – are entirely our choice. I believe this is precisely the key point of the challenge, the core issue we need to consider for solving this problem.

Shuniang, what do you mean? Don’t speak in riddles, explain it to me quickly! I’m about to die from anxiety! He Suifen, being acquainted with Lin Shuniang and having some friendship with her, remained confused after hearing her words, grabbing her arm and shaking it.

Lin Shuniang, tired of beating around the bush, said concisely: The Marshal has clearly indicated the method to us – have us complain about poverty to the other party.

He Suifen stared blankly and let out an ah, shaking her head in confusion while continuing to shake her arm. That’s too brief! How did we suddenly jump to complaining about poverty? I don’t understand, explain in more detail!

Lin Shuniang sighed helplessly, reorganizing her thoughts before speaking slowly: For specific implementation, we should first show force then courtesy. Remember Squad Leader Tang’s escort team? We can borrow the army’s prestige like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might, use military power to intimidate and scare the other party, establish sworn relationships and build connections, then make the accommodation request. From there, it’s up to each of us to show our special abilities.

The Marshal said the final assessment of the best candidate will be based on our remaining money and reporting situation. If we carefully ponder this, it’s not hard to see the deeper meaning… The Marshal means we can freely use the money in our hands, either spending it on building relationships in the early stages, or after consideration, using it elsewhere. In any case, this will be one assessment criterion at the end.

Moreover, those of us going to learn skills must acquire genuine abilities. Combining these funds with the skills we learn to generate further wealth—this is the Marshal’s true intention!

Lin Shuniang pondered and said, I believe the latter point—integrating the funds provided by the Marshal with what we learn externally—is most crucial. We cannot squander this money; spending it on lodging would be a true waste. Instead, we should carefully discuss how to help share the host family’s burdens, resolve their troubles, and offer strategies. This way, we won’t be freeloading.

He Suifen had a sudden realization, clapping her hands in delight, her eyes sparkling with excitement. You’re absolutely right! That’s the solution. After your analysis, all my previous worries have vanished in an instant!

Wang Xingzhu admired Lin Shuniang’s clever insight and couldn’t help but sigh, What Lady Lin says makes perfect sense. By visiting these families and helping them solve problems in exchange for lodging, both sides benefit. It sounds somewhat like the advisors and guests retained by nobles.

He Suifen suddenly grasped the connection and pointed out, You’ve reminded me—the Marshal mentioned that this competition is meant to select talented individuals to assist him. It all aligns! The ultimate winner will serve as an advisor to the Marshal, helping with planning and strategies. Shuniang, it all fits!

Lin Shuniang nodded calmly and replied, It matches my analysis. It seems my approach to solving this problem is correct.

The wealthy prioritize profit—we can strike deals with them to share profits and earn money. The noble value reputation—we can help them resolve issues to enhance their standing and receive monetary rewards.

Wang Xingzhu felt reassured, her fears slightly eased. Lin Shuniang had already provided the method—it was like having a meal served to her lips; there was no reason not to partake. She felt confident about handling what lay ahead.

The three devised a preliminary plan, repeatedly examining the list Xu Mao had provided. After careful consideration, they selected one household as their mission target.

Wang Xingzhu scanned the list, which clearly stated names, family backgrounds, social connections, and other details. One name sounded somewhat familiar.

A few days prior, since they lived in the same city, Lady Zhang had asked if she knew anything about this person. It turned out Lady Zhang and the others had been gathering information and preparing for this competition back then.

Wang Xingzhu shifted her gaze to review other households.

Lin Shuniang quickly shortlisted several satisfactory candidates and declared, My preferred choices are the Zhang family of Huaining, the Yang family of Yanlin, and the Du family of Song’an. What about you?

He Suifen’s eyes wandered uncertainly over the list. Biting her lip in hesitation, she finally pointed to a name, closed her eyes, and resolved, Him, then. Bao Ping’s Shang Fanzhi.

His name suits his trade—’Shang Fanzi’ (merchant). He deals in silk and fabrics. For the sake of his shops, he’ll surely fear the Marshal and won’t dare confront us head-on. He Suifen explained her reasoning and looked to Lin Shuniang for her opinion. What do you think?

Lin Shuniang cautioned, Merchants are cunning. You must be extra careful not to fall into his traps.

No worries! With the Marshal backing us, how would he dare move against us? He Suifen dismissed the concern lightly.

Lin Shuniang turned her gaze to Wang Xingzhu, who stated, I choose Yanlin… Jin Yan.

Jin Yan? He Suifen exclaimed in surprise.

This choice was truly unexpected. One would either select a prominent local family with strong influence or a prosperous merchant household overflowing with wealth—options that were either affluent or noble. Placing Yanlin’s Jin Yan among them, to be honest, made him somewhat of an outlier.

Calling him noble was a stretch. To trace his lineage back dozens of generations would only barely connect him to nobility.

As for wealth, his fortunes were unstable, fluctuating wildly. One day he might be rolling in riches, the next he could lose everything down to his burial money—hardly qualifying as truly wealthy.

Lin Shuniang said, While in Yanlin, haven’t you heard the rumors about Jin Yan? His fate seems rather sinister—when he reaches the peak of wealth and status, he inevitably suffers sudden ruin. Yet when he’s impoverished and all hope seems lost, he miraculously revives from desperate circumstances.

They say he worships demonic spirits at home, offering his own children as sacrifices. All five wives he married died in difficult childbirth. Only his fifth wife, who came from a medical family and knew some healing arts, insisted on a cesarean section while breathing her last, managing to deliver a daughter who survived.

Jin Yan only has this daughter and no other offspring. Refusing to accept this, he took in numerous concubines, but then strange things occurred—all the women suffered unexplained miscarriages, never able to carry a child to term. Everyone says his business success comes from dark arts, and this is his retribution!

Just listening to Lin Shuniang’s account made He Suifen’s hair stand on end. Shivering, she advised, This man consorts with demons and monsters. It’s better not to get involved.

Wang Xingzhu couldn’t help but laugh, It’s fine. I have history with Miss Jin. She’ll take me in when I visit.

After speaking, Wang Xingzhu’s eyes dimmed slightly, a bitter taste spreading in her mouth.

He Suifen patted her chest and sighed with relief, saying enviously, So that’s how it is. Having an acquaintance solves the accommodation worries.

Since you’ve both decided, that leaves me. I’ll choose the Du family in Song’an. Not wanting to fall behind, Lin Shuniang quickly made her choice.

Going to Jiangzhou? He Suifen found the Du family of Song’an on the list and furrowed her brows. A family of scholars for generations… What’s there to learn from the Du family? Those refined families look down on everyone, despising merchants for reeking of money. They’ll scorn us for our humble origins and limited knowledge. They’re difficult to get along with—better to choose a merchant family that’s easier to handle. Learning business means faster money.

Lin Shuniang sighed, Business isn’t easy—you’re oversimplifying it. Besides, I’m naturally unsuited for it. The moment I see an abacus, I get dizzy and short of breath. I simply can’t handle such matters.

Scholars care about face. I want to try first anyway. If it doesn’t work out, I can always switch.

This was Lin Shuniang’s plan—she wouldn’t stubbornly stick to one path, having prepared alternatives in advance. Ultimately, she refused to touch the abacus, calculate interest, or reconcile account books—it would make her head explode.

Alright then. If you encounter difficulties, write to me promptly. He Suifen knew she couldn’t persuade her—Lin Shuniang always had her own ideas—so she had to let her go.

Lin Shuniang nodded.

Having chosen their targets, the three wasted no time and immediately went to find Tang Zhegui to depart at once, each heading toward their preferred household.

Yanlin was closest to them. Wang Xingzhu arrived before the other two, accompanied by soldiers escorting her. Tightening the straps of her bundle, she took a deep breath, bent down, and jumped off the carriage.

Wang Xingzhu looked up at the plaque above the mansion gate. The bold, dark characters were rendered with swift, vigorous strokes. In her memory, the plaque of the Jin family’s residence used to be inlaid with gold, jade, and precious stones—rare, exquisite, and dazzlingly brilliant under the sunlight, drawing constant public admiration and making petty thieves frequent visitors to the Jin estate.

Yet Jin Yan seemed unperturbed by the repeated thefts of the jewels from the plaque. Whenever they were found missing in the morning, he would summon artisans to restore them by noon, his lavish spending a testament to the family’s immense wealth—enough to stir envy even in the county magistrate.

Over the years, the Jin family seemed to have changed.

Summoning her courage, Wang Xingzhu stepped forward and offered a slight smile to the gatekeeper. With a cupped-hand salute, she said softly, Might I ask if the master of the house and the young lady Jin are at home? I am Wang Xingzhu, a commander under Grand Marshal Xu of the Loyal Army. Before my marriage, I was on friendly terms with the young lady Jin. Passing through today, I recalled our past friendship and have come specially to pay a visit.

The gatekeeper’s face was unfamiliar—likely replaced, Wang Xingzhu surmised inwardly. Countless thoughts churned within her, from which she selected and pieced together elegant words, ready to share them when she met Jin Feiyu.