Transmigration: Reverse Exploitation, the System Works for Me

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Yao Shan:

“My senior brother once told me that Brother Yao was the most patriotic person he had ever met. The phrase ‘If it benefits the country, I will risk my life for it’ in the book is a true reflection of Brother Yao.”

"Yun Fu believes that Senior Brother admires Brother Yao's sentiments and character and wants to help Brother Yao achieve his wish. That's why he hinted to Junior Brother Feng Sheng to treat Brother Yao to a sweet potato feast."

Yao Shan was stunned for a moment.

He had wondered if the matter of the sweet potatoes was deliberately revealed to him by Liuhe Temple in an attempt to gain the court's recognition and official appointment.

But it turns out, that's all there is to it.

Yao Shan felt somewhat ashamed. He had been too arrogant and looked down on Liuhe Temple, as well as Brother Yu and Miss Yunfu.

He rose, his face flushed, and clasped his hands in a fist salute:

"I am ashamed to admit that I thought everyone in the world craved power and wealth. Thank you, Miss Yun, for reminding me."

Yun Fu swiftly dodged, and said with a teasing laugh, "Brother Yao, being in officialdom, is naturally susceptible to influence. Besides, Brother Yao isn't wrong; who in the world doesn't yearn for wealth and status?"

"Otherwise, why would my senior brother specifically have me learn general affairs and business? Isn't it because he hopes for lasting wealth and prosperity?"

Yao Shan smiled upon hearing this.

Then Yun Fu changed the subject, looking at him with curiosity and asking:

"Judging from what Brother Yao just said, it seems he greatly admires Prince Huan? Is there really someone more upright and righteous, with the world in his heart than Brother Yao?"

Yao Shan didn't suspect her of having ulterior motives and simply took it as a sudden curiosity from a young girl.

A minister who has the world in his heart is nothing special, and what he can do is also very limited.

A monarch who has the world in his heart is the true blessing of all people and a true bodhisattva in the world.

However, it was not appropriate to say these things to a young girl, so he could only praise King Huan to the skies, showering him with compliments on his virtues, talent, ability to recognize and utilize talent, and humility.

He tried to make a deep impression on the young girl so that she would say a few good words about King Huan to her senior brother.

“I would support Prince Huan not only because of his noble character, but also because he has been committed to recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.”

Yao Shan paused for a moment:

"I, Yao, would like to apologize to you, young lady. When you first arrived in Bianjing, I investigated you. I learned that you came from the Li family of Suzhou and that you were the aunt and niece of the imperial concubine Li Qiushui in Western Xia."

Yun Fu wasn't surprised; it would be strange if Yao Shan didn't know. However, she was happy to be her senior sister's substitute.

“It’s alright. I didn’t reveal my background back then, so it’s only natural for Brother Yao to investigate a little to put my mind at ease. But now that Brother Yao has found out my background, he should know that I have no affection for Li Qiushui and her daughter. As for now, I am just Yun Fu from the Liuhe Temple.”

Although the name Yun Fu was given to her by her senior sister that day, no one in the Li family knew it.

Yao Shan naturally knew this; otherwise, even if this girl was Brother Yu's junior sister, he would hardly feel any closeness to her, let alone take care of her.

"Of course, Miss Yun, don't worry. Li Qiushui is Li Qiushui, and you are me. I can tell the difference."

"The reason I brought this up so abruptly is because our Song Dynasty spies have sent back news that this Master Li is very likely to help Western Xia train its soldiers."

"While a grandmaster cannot determine the outcome of a battle, countless second-rate masters can easily sway the tide of battle."

"His Highness Prince Huan had a similar idea earlier, intending to train an army that excels in martial prowess and can take on a hundred men."

"For this reason, His Highness once visited Shaolin Temple in person. However, although Shaolin Temple was willing to contribute to the peace of the Song Dynasty, it was unwilling to send its disciples down the mountain to teach the soldiers martial arts."

"It's not just Shaolin; other sects are in the same boat. Your Highness had no choice but to give up."

Admittedly, this is not wrong. Martial arts manuals are of utmost importance to each school and sect and should never be easily given to outsiders.

However, it is still somewhat disheartening.

"With the news sent back by our spies, Your Highness has once again entertained this idea."

"Therefore, Your Highness's last visit to Liuhe Temple was for two reasons: first, to express gratitude for the fasting pills and sweet potatoes offered by Liuhe Temple; and second, to ask Brother Yu for his help."

Yun Fu had no idea that her visit would involve Xixia and Li Qiushui.

“Brother Yao, although I am young and inexperienced, I know that the imperial court has many experts in charge. Why does Your Highness Huan have to go to such lengths and ask the martial arts sects to do this?”

Yao Shan sighed, "Miss Yun, although His Highness Prince Huan is of noble status, he is still just Prince Huan. Building an army is not something a prince should do."

Although the current emperor trusts and favors Prince Huan, there are still other princes.

There are no fathers and sons in the imperial family. Although Prince Huan did not have any treacherous intentions, human nature is inherently suspicious. If someone instigates him again, His Highness Prince Huan will surely be questioned and suffer the emperor's thunderous wrath.

Therefore, the people of the imperial court could not be used, and the only option was to rely on martial arts practitioners.

Yun Fu looked slightly puzzled, but did not dwell on the matter. She simply said:

"I'm afraid Brother Yao will be disappointed. My senior brother once told me that she only wants to focus on cultivation and strive to break through the void and ascend to immortality as soon as possible."

Yao Shan sighed: "I also feel that Brother Yu will not be distracted, but the sweet potato matter still makes me feel hopeful. I would like to ask Miss Yun to pass on my message to Brother Yu when she sees him. I will not give up until I hear Brother Yu refuse me in person."

"Okay, Brother Yao, don't worry, I definitely will."

Before long, Feng Sheng returned covered in dust and sweat. After greeting Yao Shan, he went back to his room to wash up and change into clean clothes before the meal began.

At the dinner table, Feng Sheng explained the reason for the long delay:

"I ran around to buy everything I needed, but the manager of the carriage shop suddenly demanded five taels of silver from me!"

It's not like he's never rented a mule cart before; it only costs half a tael of silver to get from Bianjing to Wangyun Mountain. He does have a lot of stuff, so it's only right to give him more silver, but five taels! That's a full ten times the original price!

Yun Fu's lips twitched as she glanced towards the front yard, where the braying of a donkey had been coming ever since Feng Sheng returned:

"So you bought a donkey in a fit of anger?"

Feng Sheng raised his chin: "That's right. I was thinking that since Senior Brother has returned to the temple, Junior Sister will be traveling back and forth between Liuhe Temple and Bianjing quite often in the future. Why don't we get our own donkey cart? It'll save money and be more convenient."

Yun Fu took a deep breath: "A donkey costs about ten taels, and the cart also costs about four taels. After buying the donkey, we still need to feed it hay, which is another expense!"

"Although I have only been practicing martial arts for a short time, I still have the strength and leg strength, so I don't need to prepare a vehicle."

Good heavens! Ten or twenty taels of silver are gone just like that!

Feng Sheng waved his hand dismissively: "Don't worry about money, Junior Sister. Our temple is quite well-off now. Besides, the donkey can help with the work. It's a great deal!"

The rice and flour used in the temple are all ground and milled by themselves. They also have to put in the effort to make sweet potato noodles. It's very tiring!

Yun Fu glared at him, so it wasn't bought for her convenience at all, but simply to save Feng Sheng himself the trouble!

Feng Sheng: ...Oh no, I let it slip.

"Hehe, Junior Sister, calm down, calm down. Senior Brother has finally returned to the temple. With a donkey doing the work, I can finally take care of his daily needs."

Yun Fu's anger vanished instantly.

My senior sister is actually very picky. If the food doesn't look, smell, and taste good, she'd rather go hungry than even glance at it.

"Then... let's go buy some good oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea to take back tomorrow morning."

Yao Shan: ...