Huang Yueying: Father, why were you so arrogant at first, yet so humble afterward?

As soon as Su Ming met the father and daughter, Huang Chengyan and Lady Huang, he got straight to the point and asked them to help him build warships.

What did this indicate?

It showed that Su Ming was aware that the pair were masters of the craftsman's art.

Outsiders could not possibly know that Huang Chengyan and his daughter were skilled in this field.

Therefore, Huang Chengyan deduced that Su Ming must have an acquaintance advising him.

Upon seeing Xu Shu, Huang Chengyan immediately understood.

Xu Shu approached him with a jovial smile and exclaimed, “Ah!”

“You and I shall serve our lord together, aiding him in his grand cause—would that not be a fine thing?”

Huang Chengyan glanced at Xu Shu, ignoring his comment, and instead asked, “Just now, you said I should send a letter breaking off the engagement to the Zhuge household—what did you mean by that?”

Xu Shu, still smiling, replied, “My lord says that Kongming is blessed with good fortune; he must have survived.”

“You, Huang Chengyan, are versed in feng shui and physiognomy. Think carefully: did Kongming ever show signs of a short life?”

“You must send the letter quickly, for you now serve our lord, and will surely meet Kongming on the battlefield one day.”

This reminder made Huang Chengyan recall that on the day before Zhuge Liang leapt into the river, there was no sign of doom on his face.

Thus, Zhuge Liang truly had not died?

Since Huang Chengyan had already promised to serve Su Ming, he naturally had to sever ties with Zhuge Liang.

“Very well!” Huang Chengyan nodded. “Tomorrow, I’ll write the letter to break off the engagement and send it to the Zhuge home.”

In these moments, Lady Huang’s expression changed constantly.

First, her father agreed without hesitation to serve Su Ming; then Xu Shu claimed Zhuge Liang was still alive; and finally, her father agreed to break off the engagement.

Lady Huang thought, Father! You’ve slipped into your role far too quickly. You’ve just pledged yourself to another, and now you’ve cast your daughter aside!

Breaking off the engagement so readily—how am I supposed to face the world?

In truth, it could not be said that Huang Chengyan lacked backbone.

Rather, he had found a wise lord and seized the opportunity.

Upon seeing Su Ming’s features, Huang Chengyan knew he was a figure comparable to Qin Shi Huang or Emperor Wu of Han.

Such a master, if missed, would never come again.

“Father!”

“I won’t break off the engagement!” Lady Huang declared, pointing stubbornly at Su Ming. “If you wish to serve him, you do it yourself!”

“I would rather die than serve him.”

To think Lady Huang would dare point at him—Su Ming seized her hand and drew her into his arms.

He kneaded her hand, which had just pointed at him, and said, “There are plenty of good men in the realm; why cling to that Zhuge Kongming alone?”

“Look at my Jiangxia—how about you stay with me instead?”

At these words, Lady Huang’s cheeks flushed crimson.

And realizing she was still in Su Ming’s embrace, she struggled desperately to escape his grasp.

But Su Ming was now the foremost warrior in the Three Kingdoms; how could Lady Huang, with her slight strength, break free?

“Let me go!”

“You lecher! I am already married—you cannot treat me this way!” Lady Huang’s voice trembled.

Married?

Upon hearing this, the blood of the infamous Cao thief awakened within Su Ming.

If you say so, then I am all the more excited!

A married woman—now that’s a bonus indeed!

“I’ll give you two choices: first, help me build warships; second, tonight, I’ll make you my ship!”

“Choose for yourself!” Su Ming said, looking down at Lady Huang in his arms.

Hearing this, Huang Chengyan hurriedly urged his daughter, “Girl, don’t be foolish!”

“When under the eaves, one must bow their head!”

Lady Huang glared fiercely at her father with her large, expressive eyes, thinking, I see you under the eaves, and you seem quite content to be there.

But after considering, she thought, better to live in disgrace than to die.

Simply helping him build warships was better than being ravished.

As Mr. Lu Xun once said, people tend to compromise. When you say the house is too dark and want to open a window, everyone objects. But when you suggest tearing off the roof, suddenly everyone agrees to open a window.

So, when Su Ming offered two choices—build ships or become his ship—Lady Huang decisively chose to help him build warships.

“Let me go!”

“I—I agree to help you build your ships!” Lady Huang conceded, full of grievance.

Upon hearing her assent, Su Ming released her.

“Yuan Zhi, take them to settle in,” Su Ming ordered.

Jiangxia’s talent recruitment plan was no less impressive than those of modern major cities.

In the Three Kingdoms era, what mattered most was talent.

Did you not see how Liu Bei, before meeting Zhuge Liang, wandered like a homeless dog, unable to find a foothold?

Yet after acquiring Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei flourished and advanced rapidly.

To conquer the realm and achieve greatness, one must first recruit talent.

Now, anyone arriving in Jiangxia was given the best positions, salaries, and residences.

If this era had social insurance and retirement funds, he would ensure they were fully provided.

Huang Chengyan’s mansion was already prepared, complete with servants and maids.

A grand villa, exquisitely furnished, ready for immediate occupancy.

It must be said, the treatment was remarkable.

“Yuan Zhi!”

“You’ve got me into trouble!” Huang Chengyan feigned complaint to Xu Shu.

Xu Shu stroked his beard and replied, smiling, “Oh! Brother Chengyan does not wish to serve our lord.”

“In that case, I, Xu Shu, will risk my life to escort Brother Chengyan out of the city, and then beg forgiveness before our lord.”

Hearing this, Lady Huang exclaimed with delight, “Really?”

Was Xu Shu’s promise reliable?

Not a whit—even the punctuation couldn’t be trusted.

Xu Shu had managed to bring father and daughter here through his schemes; how could he possibly let them leave?

He saw that Huang Chengyan wished to stay, so he played along for amusement.

As expected, Huang Chengyan responded coldly, “A minister does not serve two masters. My word is my bond. Now that I’ve pledged myself to our lord, how could I flee?”

This left Lady Huang utterly bewildered.

She thought, Father, when they threatened your life just now, you were quick to pledge yourself, showing little backbone.

But now, how have you suddenly become so steadfast?

“A minister does not serve two masters”—this doesn’t sound like you!

Father! Why are you humble one moment, proud the next? You’ve changed so much lately, I hardly recognize you.

Seeing Huang Chengyan’s righteous demeanor, even Xu Shu was amused.

(End of chapter)