Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 275 Schemes and Tactics

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Liu Ye looked at Liang Xiaoming with disdain: "If you traveled back to ancient times alone, you would be played to death in no time. Although the ancients did not have the industrial knowledge in your head, their strategies and schemes were no less than those of modern people. This seemingly simple invitation is actually not simple at all, and it contains a lot of hidden meanings."

Liang Xiaoming shook his head: "I think you're overcomplicating things. There's not that much scheming between people."

Liu Ye smiled. "While I am interested in women like Dong Xiaowan, she clearly prefers scholars and gentlemen, keeping her distance from military officers like myself. I have no shortage of women, so why should I bother trying? The reason for her 180-degree change in attitude is nothing more than a few points: First, the fact that I was able to invite several of the wealthiest silk merchants in Suzhou to the appointment shows that I am either rich or powerful; second, the fact that I was able to beat up the son of the garrison eunuch they feared and get away unscathed shows that besides money, I also have sufficient connections. As for those who want the madam and Dong Xiaowan, I have all the necessary conditions. I can be a VIP at Leyun Tower and protect Dong Xiaowan. Whether I have official rank or not is no longer important. Therefore, their so-called gratitude is just a tactic; it's up to me whether I'm willing to accept it."

Liang Xiaoming was dumbfounded, and after a long while, he replied, "Why is it that I don't like your logic, but I feel unable to refute it?"

Liu Ye picked up the letter with two fingers and shook it: "If Dong Xiaowan's motives were as simple as you say, this letter should have been sent the day after I saved her, not five days later. Because she needed enough time to judge whether I could stand up to a playboy like Chang Wei. Five days later, I'm still alive and kicking, which means Chang Wei can't do anything to me and is someone I can rely on. Perhaps the madam thinks it's better to sell me for a good price than to be taken advantage of by Chang Wei; as for Dong Xiaowan, she may not be willing to follow a 'brave man' like me, but she should be pretending to be friendly with me and using me to avoid Chang Wei."

Liang Xiaoming raised his hands in surrender: "This world is too complicated. I can tolerate a madam, but if such a delicate woman has such scheming, I really have nothing to say."

“Perhaps this shouldn’t be called scheming; it’s just the instinct for self-preservation of a courtesan in her environment.” Liu Ye tossed the letter back onto the table lightly. “I’ll be leaving Suzhou in a few days. It wouldn’t be bad to go for a drink before I go.”

Leyun Tower.

Inside a private room, several exquisite pastries and side dishes were laid out on the table. Dong Xiaowan looked at Liu Ye, who had a half-smile on his face, and felt a sudden panic in her heart. She raised her wine cup and said, "I invited you here today to express my gratitude for your righteous help, which saved me from disaster. I would like to offer you a toast first."

Liu Ye picked up his wine glass and replied with a smile, "It was nothing, not worth mentioning. By the way, please call me General, it sounds more familiar to me. I am not a scholar, nor have I ever passed the imperial examinations. I am just a military man, I do not deserve to be addressed as 'Young Master'."

Dong Xiaowan's hand trembled, and she nearly dropped her wine cup. She was incredibly intelligent; how could she not hear the sarcasm in those words? From the Qinhuai River to Bantang Street, many young men admired her, including many promising talents who had passed the imperial examinations. However, faced with Chang Wei's violent display that day, probably not a single one dared to step in. The more eager a scholar was to pass the imperial examinations, the less he dared to offend the powerful and jeopardize his political future.

She composed herself, her wine glass still unset: "Perhaps you have some misunderstanding about me, but you did indeed come to my rescue that day. I will remember this kindness."

Liu Ye shook his index finger: "No, no. Although I said it was for you when I made the move that day, it was all for Chang Wei's benefit. In reality, it was to close a big deal and make the silk shop owners who were afraid of Chang Wei's backing trust my abilities."

With a thud, the wine glass finally fell, spilling wine all over the table. Dong Xiaowan lowered her head and said resentfully, "Young master, although I am of humble appearance and cannot meet your standards, why humiliate me like this?"

Liu Ye leaned back in his chair, shifting to a more comfortable position: "It's the other way around. That fleeting glimpse of you on the riverbank captivated me, and I was delighted to meet you again at Leyun Tower. However, the man you desire is a learned scholar, not a crude warrior like me. Although I'm somewhat disappointed, everyone has their own aspirations, and I can't force it. I also know that today's appointment wasn't because you suddenly changed your mind, but because after encountering an unreasonable and powerful playboy like Chang Wei, you realized that fame and pride are utterly insignificant in the face of power, leaving you feeling insecure and needing someone to protect you..."

Dong Xiaowan fell silent, seemingly speechless.

Liu Ye continued, "From the time I started from scratch to building my own empire and becoming this military commander, I've met many women. Of those who were unfriendly to me, only Miss Xiaowan and one other was a young lady from an official family. However, compared to Miss Xiaowan's submissive attitude, I much preferred the young lady's demeanor. Although she was sharp-tongued and made me feel worthless, she appreciated my talent. She didn't say it aloud, but secretly used her family connections to create opportunities for my trip to Suzhou. Such a woman, though possessing the spoiled and reserved nature of a wealthy young lady, was clear about her likes and dislikes and deserved respect."

Dong Xiaowan raised her head, her eyes filled with resentment: "How can Xiaowan, a woman of lowly birth, be compared with the noble lady you speak of?"

Liu Ye shook his head: "I don't mean to discriminate against you. Falling into prostitution is not your choice. I came to this meeting today only because I couldn't bear to see you so wronged. If you don't like it, don't force yourself. Although I admire you and understand your predicament of seeking protection for yourself, and I can afford to redeem you, let alone afford to take care of you, I still don't like the feeling of being used. I have many concubines at home, but they are all loyal to me. Even if you were willing to offer yourself to me today, my household wouldn't need another unwilling concubine like you."

Dong Xiaowan lowered her head again to avoid Liu Ye seeing the tears streaming down her face. Since her debut, she had always been pampered and cherished; never before had all her reserve and pretense been so brutally torn away. Although she hadn't yet stooped to offering herself up, she still harbored the thought of relying on him to escape Chang Wei's clutches. Having her secret thoughts ruthlessly exposed made the usually proud Dong Xiaowan feel deeply humiliated.

Liu Ye stood up. "I came here to make things clear. I've said everything I needed to say. I won't drink with you anymore. We'll meet again someday." He turned and left. As he reached the door, he remembered something and turned back. "As for Chang Wei, you can rest assured. He messed up his trip to Suzhou and won't stay long. He'll be back in Nanjing soon. You can still continue being the top courtesan of Leyun Tower, renowned throughout Jiangzuo for both talent and beauty. Perhaps a suitable man will appear for you in the future. Maybe his surname is Mao."

After Liu Ye disappeared through the door, Dong Xiaowan completely broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.