Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Unlike her sister, Xia Zhiqing is submissive and rational, not the kind who makes unreasonable scenes. Besides, Chen Mo's request isn't difficult, and Xia Zhiqing wants to share some of Chen Mo's burdens.

Looking at Chen Mo's handsome face, Xia Zhiqing blushed slightly and said, "When Father was still around, he would show me some processed official documents, and I dealt with some cases of clerks' corruption, so I have some experience. However, I don't know much about the structure of inspectors, but... I will certainly do my best to complete it."

"There's no rush, don't put too much pressure on yourself." Chen Mo focused for a moment, holding Xia Zhiqing's fragrant shoulder, tasting her lips, to distract himself a bit.

Xia Zhining couldn't hold back any longer, loosened her tightly pressed red lips, and turned into a soprano. She did it somewhat intentionally, thinking to herself, since you're talking with my sister, I'll interrupt you.

Xia Zhiqing was no fool. Her face turned crimson. Although she didn't want to admit it, she somewhat enjoyed the feeling, having her back to Zhi Ning, not able to see herself with Mo Lang. It was a thrilling tension...

She kissed Chen Mo a few more times, then asked, "Why are you thinking about establishing an inspector program?"

Xia Zhiqing knew that when someone asks about something that doesn't match what they're doing, there must be an issue.

Chen Mo told her about the Zhang River matter and the problems currently exposed in the army.

Listening to Chen Mo holding back and letting things slide without intervening directly, but having people remind from the sidelines, Xia Zhiqing frowned slightly, pursed her pink lips, and softly said, "As the ancients said, 'The path arises from the subtle; disasters from the slight.'

Although they say, 'Better to mend the fold after the sheep is lost,' they also say, 'It's too late to mend the fold after sheep are lost.' A small mistake uncorrected will eventually lead to a big mistake.

Captain Zhang, being the first old comrade to follow you, is your brother, Mo Lang. If he makes a mistake, and the people below remind you, yet you don't punish him, those people will think you're covering for him.

Then, if Captain Zhang makes another mistake, no one will complain to you about it. This way, seeing this, others will imitate it, and your newly established foundation, Mo Lang, will gradually be eroded full of flaws. Letting small wrongs develop will ultimately lead to serious mistakes."

Hearing Xia Zhiqing say this, Chen Mo fell silent, lost in thought.

Seeing Chen Mo had taken her words to heart, Xia Zhiqing continued, "I know you, Mo Lang, are sentimental, reluctant to punish your subordinates, and don't want the reputation of killing contributors after your success. If you really can't punish, then you must clearly state your bottom line and ideals to Captain Zhang and them. If he makes another mistake next time, you punish him, and he can't blame anyone."

Having become Chen Mo's woman, Xia Zhiqing naturally wanted what was best for him.

"Zhiqing is right; I was being naive." Chen Mo said seriously, "Since it's handled this way, I'll directly punish and notify the whole army, determined to curb this bad atmosphere."

"As long as Mo Lang can listen, it's good." Xia Zhiqing raised her hand, lightly caressing Chen Mo's cheek; after all, a man's face is more robust than a woman's.

"Can't you two stop talking..." Xia Zhining finally erupted in dissatisfaction. This bastard... was torturing her too much, and her tears were about to dry up.

Xia Zhiqing's jade face blushed rosy, about to retreat, but Chen Mo grabbed her jade hand, softly saying, "Don't go, help me scrub my back; your sister is about to step down."

Xia Zhiqing's face burned as she lightly pinched him, seemingly able to squeeze water: "Mo Lang, you should cherish your own body."

Though she said this, her body acted honestly, taking the bath towel to scrub Chen Mo's back.

...

Early the next morning, Chen Mo sent someone to summon Zhang River.

However, the personal soldiers dispatched by Chen Mo did not find Zhang River at his home; only Zhang River's servant was there.

The personal soldier asked the servant where Zhang River was.

The servant said he didn't know and asked why the personal soldier was looking for his master.

The personal soldier said the Marquis was looking for Captain Zhang.

After the personal soldier left, the servant who claimed not to know where Zhang River was, sneaked away from the Zhang home and quietly went to a small house in the west of the city.

Outside the house was Zhang River's confidant guarding. Seeing the servant, they quickly asked what had happened.

They all knew each other and knew that if nothing had happened, the servant wouldn't come looking.

"To the two generals, the Marquis wants to see Master," said the servant.

The confidant quickly went inside to report.

At that moment, inside the house, Zhang River was holding a mature and charming woman. The woman was of the Qin Clan, originally a concubine of the former defensive leader of Longmen County. This house was also hers.

The defensive leader was killed resisting when Chen Mo previously captured Longmen County.

Chen Mo didn't make things difficult for these people's families and freed them.

But Zhang River fell for her during that time.

The Qin Clan woman wasn't one to remain loyal to her deceased husband. As a concubine, she lived wretchedly without a man's support; the main wife had directly driven her out of the house.

Fortunately, the Qin Clan woman secretly saved some money and bought this house. Otherwise, she wouldn't even have a place to stay.

Later, under Zhang River's wooing, the two became close.

Because Zhang River hadn't taken the Qin Clan woman as a concubine formally, without government office concubinage paperwork, and since Zhang River was discreet about it, not even Sun Meng knew he had another woman outside Sanyuan.

The Qin Clan woman knew she had to rely on Zhang River for the rest of her life, so she behaved, wholeheartedly serving Zhang River.

Taking advantage of Zhang He not being awake, she got up first, started a fire, and warmed Zhang He's clothes so that he wouldn't feel cold when he put them on.

After finishing, seeing that Zhang He was still not awake, she nudged him and said, "My lord, wake up quickly, didn't you say you're on duty today?"

Zhang He turned over and said without opening his eyes, "Let me sleep a little longer. Who gets up so early on a winter morning?"

"My lord, if you sleep any longer, you'll be late, and if the Marquis finds out, he will blame you," Qin Clan said with a worried expression.

"The Marquis won't get up so early. As long as he doesn't come to inspect, my men will cover for me. Besides, with my relationship with the Marquis, who would dare to complain?" Zhang He said.

Everyone enjoys life. Zhang He had long forgotten the days of hardship.

Back in Fu Ze Village, Zhang He got up early before dawn to handle his tasks, regardless of the cold weather. But now, he's slacking off even during duty, delaying it as much as possible.

This cold day makes him even more reluctant to get up.

Seeing Zhang He say this, Qin Clan said no more.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and the voice of a confidant sounded: "General, the Marquis needs to see you."

Hearing this, Zhang He, wrapped in his quilt, startled awake, hurriedly grabbed the clothes prepared by Qin Clan, dressed himself, and rushed to the government office without even washing up.

On the other side, the personal soldiers informed Chen Mo that they could not find Zhang He.

Chen Mo frowned, waited about two quarters of an hour, and then Sun Meng reported that Zhang He had arrived.

"Let him wait in the hall, remember, don't give him a brazier," Chen Mo said.

"Understood."

Sun Meng withdrew.

...

In the hall, since he hurried over, Zhang He hadn't worn much. Standing in the empty hall, the cold wind from outside blew in, making him shrink his neck.

Looking at Sun Meng standing to one side, he said, "Captain Sun, why hasn't the Marquis come yet?"

"The Marquis went outside to inspect and will be back soon. General Zhang, please wait," Sun Meng said.

Zhang He rubbed his hands and grinned awkwardly, "Then Captain Sun, could you have someone bring a few braziers up here? It's freezing."

"The charcoal has run out and hasn't been restocked," Sun Meng said.

Half an hour later, Chen Mo hurriedly arrived.

Zhang He was already cold and nearly curled up into a ball. Seeing Chen Mo arrive, he quickly stood up and said, "Marquis."

It's worth mentioning that Zhang He was already a Grade-Entering Martial Artist.

Although his aptitude was also poor, unlike Han Anniang, he diligently cultivated, and with better living conditions and meat in his meals, Chen Mo, after obtaining Blood Ginseng, deliberately divided one root into several sections to reward the soldiers, and Zhang He received a section, successfully breaking through.

Aside from Zhang He, Hu Qiang was the same.

Zhang He originally thought Chen Mo needed something done, but Chen Mo's first words were, "Kneel down!"

Zhang He looked confused, initially thinking it wasn't directed at him.

However, seeing Chen Mo staring directly at him, realizing it was for him, although he didn't understand what was happening, he knelt down.

Chen Mo sat at the head and said, "Zhang He, I ask you, do you know what error you've committed?"

Zhang He shuddered, but his first thought wasn't about the bribery or corruption, but that Chen Mo might have found out about him keeping a mistress. But thinking that it wasn't wrong, as he hadn't coerced the woman nor abandoned her.

Thus, he said, "What does the Marquis mean by this?"

"Isn't the salary given by the military and the rewards from I enough for you?" Seeing Zhang He not volunteering information, Chen Mo frowned.

Hearing this, Zhang He panicked internally, sensing something was wrong, and said, "Yes... it's enough."

"Then you must feel that I have mistreated you."

"No... no, Marquis, your kindness to me is remembered in my heart. I'm grateful for your great kindness and virtue," Zhang He hurriedly said.

"In that case, why did you accept bribes? Why did you embezzle the workers' wages? Zhang He, you used to be among the common people, and you embezzle even their money; you fool," Chen Mo said, angry enough to slap the table.

Seeing that Chen Mo knew everything, Zhang He's face turned pale, no longer feeling the cold, his entire body prostrated, but for a moment, not knowing what to say, feeling that any words would be a feeble excuse.

He bowed his head heavily and said, "Marquis, I... I know my wrongs, I beg the Marquis for mercy!"

"It's not that you know wrong, you are afraid, even daring to embezzle the laborers' wages. If I spare you, where would the law and military discipline be?" Chen Mo shouted.