I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 458 - 255: I’ll Just Bamboozle You with the Works of the Marquis

Chapter 458: Chapter 255: I’ll Just Bamboozle You with the Works of the Marquis

"Sir, you have been fishing here every day with a plain hook and no bait," Jiang Lu observed as he looked at the extraordinary individual in front of him, who had been continuously fishing for over a month.

Gu Shanhai replied slowly, "Why do you think I am fishing?"

"This..." Jiang Lu was puzzled. With your situation, if not fishing, then what?

"Jiang, have I heard correctly that you are a relative of the Royal Family?" Gu Shanhai asked further.

Before Jiang Lu could respond, a neighboring vendor chimed in jestingly, "In Cansang Village, who isn’t a relative of the Royal Family?"

The villagers living in Cansang Village all shared the surname Jiang, descendants of Prince Dong Xian of the Long Dynasty. As the population increased, they became collateral relatives, unable to inherit titles or claim distinguished ancestry, and gradually, they became indistinguishable from ordinary folks.

They merely bore the title of a relative of the Royal Family, which was somewhat intimidating.

However, the title was genuine, with family records to prove it.

Jiang Lu, looking resigned, then said, "It’s only the grace of my ancestors, not worth mentioning."

He didn’t know why Gu Shanhai was asking about this. In his younger years, he had studied under a renowned teacher and learned military strategies. Adding his family’s military doctrines, he was quite capable. Although he was now a leader of soldiers, he did not have any Daoist Soldiers under his command.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want them, but as a commoner, he simply wasn’t entitled to keep Daoist Soldiers, and he couldn’t afford them either.

Now, having fallen on hard times, he earned his living by selling the vegetables he grew, far detached from any royal arrogance, just like all his neighbors.

Indeed, Gu Shanhai was fishing right behind his stand. Their street, built along the river, facilitated occasional exchanges between the two.

In their interactions, Jiang Lu could clearly perceive Gu Shanhai’s significant abilities.

"Uh, perhaps my question was poor," Gu Shanhai smiled.

Over the month’s observation, Gu Shanhai had concluded that Jiang Lu was indeed a good person, genuinely valuing relationships, and well-regarded in the area.

Years ago, he had even been recommended for a filial piety examination, but for some reason, he had failed to secure an official position.

In the Long Dynasty, securing an official position wasn’t through imperial examinations but by recommendation. Your appointment depended on a recommendation, followed by an investigation of your local reputation and conduct. Only if these were satisfactory could you enter the court to serve as an official; otherwise, talents could go to waste.

"Now that you are of age, why are you still alone?" Gu Shanhai inquired.

He meant to ask why Jiang was yet unmarried at thirty.

"A great man needs no worry to find a wife!" Jiang Lu responded, somewhat embarrassed. Typically, men married at sixteen, and staying single like him was rare.

"Admirable ambition, but looking at you, Jiang, it seems you have talent. Why have you fallen into such straits?" Gu Shanhai’s words came off a bit insensitive. His earlier statement could be seen as teasing about marriage, but now he bluntly pointed out Jiang’s modest earnings.

Hearing this, Jiang Lu’s expression dimmed, "Bad fortune, alas."

"A fine man sighing, truly unseemly," Gu Shanhai remarked and casually pulled out a book, saying, "You’ve gifted me vegetables for half a month, so in return, from my ’Sixteen Strategies,’ I’ll gift you one."

"Please don’t joke, Sir," Jiang Lu, startled, replied instantly.

"I never jest. Do you want it or not? If not, I will not give it," Gu Shanhai teased again.

"This... Sir, how would you instruct me?" Jiang Lu’s demeanor shifted upon hearing this, aware that a strategy from the talented Gu Shanhai wouldn’t be simple.

"Not at all, but among these sixteen strategies, which one do you desire?" Gu Shanhai asked.

"But Sir, I don’t even know what these sixteen strategies are. How can I know which one I want?" Jiang Lu was puzzled.

"What’s so hard? Just pick a number from the sixteen," Gu Shanhai suggested he draw one.

At that moment, Jiang Lu hesitated in his mind, having no clue about the strategies.

Finally, he bit the bullet and declared, "Sir, I would like the first strategy."

"Are you sure?" Gu Shanhai asked with a hint of jest.

"Yes, I’m sure," Jiang Lu stated, knowing he had to make a decisive choice.

"Alright, you chose it yourself." Gu Shanhai stood up, packed up his fishing gear, and handed Jiang Lu a piece of cloth with tiny characters, adding, "These fish are truly foolish to not take the bait. I won’t come tomorrow."

Jiang Lu respectfully received the cloth from Gu Shanhai and watched him leave, puzzled.

Why would the fish be foolish for not taking the bait?

Then he looked down at the strategy on the cloth, his pupils narrowing.

The strategy was titled "Governing a State."

"Governing a state is like managing a household. To manage a household, one must establish fundamentals; once established, all things align..." Jiang Lu read silently, pondering each word repeatedly. In that moment, he envisioned a book written by a legendary sage, his own early teacher paling in comparison.

In that instant, he understood why Gu Shanhai had remarked the fish were foolish for not taking the bait.

Gu Shanhai wasn’t fishing for fish; he had been evaluating him all month.

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