Everyone's Shocked-Marry Three?

"Big sister, enough talk. What should we do with these guys?"

Chapter Six: Everyone Was Stunned—Marry Three?

"What should we do with them?"

Zhang Tianshou furrowed her brow. Technically, they could have killed those men without consequences.

But this was a matter for the human authorities, and for them to intervene would violate the Heavenly Rules.

If Zhang Tianshou and the others killed those men, they would likely face accusations from many immortals in the Heavenly Court.

Seeing Zhang Tianshou's troubled expression, Chen Fan immediately offered a suggestion.

"Let bygones be bygones. Since they're willing to compensate us, let's just drop it."

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Brother Chen, for speaking up for us.

If you ever come to Qingshi Town, Brother Chen, I'll treat you to a feast!"

The light returned to the One-Eyed Wolf's sole remaining eye. He quickly seized the chance to back down gracefully.

Zhang Tianshou furrowed her brow at that, pursing her lips in displeasure.

She reached out to hold back the restless Xiao Qi, then nodded.

"Since the gentleman has pleaded on your behalf, we'll let it go.

You don't need to bring the goods here. Just deliver them to the gentleman's home."

A future Great Human Sage—what was a little incense bronze money to her? It was worth it!

Zhang Tianshou was level-headed enough to suppress her displeasure.

But Xiao Qi and Green-Clad Xiao Wu, who had been silent the whole time, looked very unhappy.

Out of respect for Zhang Tianshou's authority, they said nothing.

But they were now looking at Chen Fan with open distaste.

"Young Master Dong, are you all right? I still have to thank you for coming to my aid.

Unlike certain people, who have no real ability but still act like big shots!"

Xiao Qi looked at the bruised and battered Scholar Dong, then shot Chen Fan a pointed glare.

Scholar Dong slowly sat down on a stool. His face was already badly battered.

But hearing Xiao Qi's comforting words, he puffed out his chest and looked at Chen Fan with disdain.

"Miss, there's no need to thank me. When we scholars see injustice, how could we stand by and do nothing?"

Chen Fan rubbed his nose and shook his head slightly.

This kid still needed a good dose of reality!

Young Master Fu and the One-Eyed Wolf naturally didn't dare to linger. They hurriedly helped each other away.

Only after the One-Eyed Wolf was gone did Chen Fan speak.

"First Madam, your Zhang Clan of Qinghe should have a way to contact the court, shouldn't you?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

Zhang Tianshou was taken aback. She had a way to contact them? What way? She had no way at all!

The Zhang Clan of Qinghe honored the Jade Emperor as one of their ancestral deities.

But if she went to the clan and claimed to be their ancestor, just imagine how they'd react.

"The Incense Bronze Tax goes straight to the imperial court. No one below the prefectural city has the authority to mint incense bronze.

Besides, incense bronze is a cultivation resource. You only need it for large transactions.

Our dynasty is eager to obtain incense bronze, but the New Emperor is benevolent and doesn't want to burden the people or waste the treasury.

Yet the One-Eyed Wolf has incense bronze in his possession. That means they're secretly collecting incense offerings.

And judging from what he said and did, there's probably an organization above him."

"What? Secretly collecting incense offerings?"

After hearing Chen Fan's analysis, Scholar Dong sprang to his feet, hatred flashing in his eyes.

After all, if ordinary people offered up too much incense, it could shorten their lives.

"That's it! No wonder the number of beggars and refugees in town always stays the same.

The New Emperor has been on the throne for two years, and there have been locust plagues within the passes, droughts in Shandong, and floods in Guanzhong...

With so many disasters, why hasn't the number of refugees and beggars increased at all?

No, the evidence is so obvious. How could the authorities not have noticed? This is utter nonsense!"

Scholar Dong suddenly came to his senses and shouted at Chen Fan.

"His Majesty is wise in letters and arms, and loves the people like his own children. How could he tolerate such evil deeds?

Chen Fan, you're spreading such outrageous lies. Tell me, are you a remnant of the previous dynasty, or an imperial spy?"

Looking at the agitated Scholar Dong, Chen Fan shook his head.

Such an innocent kid. He was about to get a harsh lesson from reality!

"Old Dong, some things aren't as simple as you think.

What are disaster victims? To us, they're unfortunate people with nowhere to go.

But in the eyes of certain people, they're a stain on their record and a source of unrest.

If someone offered to quietly make these people disappear without spending a single coin from the treasury, what do you think they'd choose?"

"Th-this... this is..."

Scholar Dong's face turned deathly pale, and his legs gave way beneath him.

If Dazhuang hadn't reacted quickly, Scholar Dong would have collapsed to the ground.

Scholar Dong was one of the most promising young scholars in the area around Qingshi Town.

The Confucian scholars of the Great Tang weren't the ignorant pedants of later generations.

With his intelligence, Chen Fan's explanation was enough to help him grasp some of the key points, even if he couldn't understand everything.

And it was precisely because he understood that his reaction was so extreme.

The worldview he'd held for more than a decade had just crumbled!

"Then why did you still tell me to let them go?"

Zhang Tianshou looked puzzled. She wasn't especially sensitive to political affairs.

But she could still understand what Chen Fan meant.

The One-Eyed Wolf and the people behind him had committed such heinous acts.

As far as Zhang Tianshou was concerned, shouldn't she have run them through with her sword?

Seeing that nobody understood, Chen Fan clasped his left hand behind his back and slowly turned around.

"You don't understand. If we kill the One-Eyed Wolf, the people behind him will only become wary.

They'll cut off this branch and lie low for a while.

That might hurt them, but the forces behind them would still go unpunished.

But if we make peace with the One-Eyed Wolf, he'll never report his own dirty business to his superiors.

That will give us a chance to wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"

Chen Fan wore a look of complete confidence, but his eyes swept over Zhang Tianshou and the other two women.

The corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

What brought people closer than the bond of fighting side by side?

"Sir, you're brilliant!"

Zhang Tianshou looked stunned, while Scholar Dong was thoroughly ashamed.

Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi also thought much better of Chen Fan.

Only Dazhuang looked utterly confused. He glanced back and forth between Chen Fan and Zhang Tianshou's group.

Smack!

Dazhuang clenched his right fist and struck his left palm, suddenly understanding.

"I get it now, Brother Fan! You're amazing!"

Brother Fan was Brother Fan. He actually planned to take all three of them!

"You get it, then. Just remember not to tell anyone!"