Chapter 424: Blinded By Greed
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
If they escaped from the southern frontier, how could they live such a comfortable life?
There was no need to worry about labor or taxes. Even the children’s tuition fees were free.
Xia Dongmei hurriedly said, “Husband told me that as long as we get Second Brother to steal a grenade from the army, we can bring it back to the Ling Kingdom and hand it to an official that husband knows. Then, we can become the most popular person in front of Emperor Ling Hui and contribute greatly. At that time, our entire family can become officials. Even if our children don’t become scholars, they can still be young masters of officials. It’s a thousand times better than living in the southern frontier. We can be rewarded with ten thousand acres of fertile land, servants, mansions, and gold, silver, and jewelry.”
Madam Qu was shocked and said fearfully, “Will it work? Just a grenade will do? Doesn’t Ling Kingdom have explosives too?”
Xia Dongmei said, “It’s not like you haven’t seen the power of explosives. It’s already good enough that they can kill two or three people. But the grenades are so powerful that everyone thinks that it’s the earthquake. The soldiers have already said that they killed 50 people at once!”
“If our family handed such a powerful weapon to Emperor Ling Hui, he would be overjoyed!”
Madam Qu was stunned by her great promises. On second thought, she thought, “The Carefree Kingdom has powerful weapons here. What if they defeat the Ling Kingdom!”
Xia Dongmei comforted her. “Mother, how big is the Ling Kingdom? It’s many times bigger than the southern frontier. How can an army of hundreds of thousands be defeated by the Carefree Kingdom just like that!”
“When the two countries go to war and Emperor Ling Hui sees the power of the grenade, he will definitely think of a way to study it. At that time, our family will make a great contribution by offering the grenade! Who will dare to look down on us anymore?”
Madam Qu hesitated. “Isn’t this something that only traitors do? Won’t we be criticized! After all…” Bai Wutong had treated them quite well. Previously, they had been living peacefully in Youjia Village. Their lives were not difficult. Why take such a huge risk to do such a dangerous thing? If they were caught, they would definitely be sentenced to death.
At first, Xia Dongmei thought so too. “Mother, the Carefree Kingdom will be destroyed sooner or later. If we sit back and wait for death now, we’ll be prisoners in the future! Think about it, if we succeed, our entire family will be the Exalted Ones. Besides, we’re just stealing a grenade in advance. When husband comes out of jail, the two countries will definitely be at war. If the Carefree Kingdom can really defeat the Ling Kingdom, we can just not take out the grenade.”
“Besides, Mother, the Zhao family has already sent my husband to jail. Don’t you want them and Auntie Yang to look up to you and live under your nose?”
Madam Qu had been comparing herself to Auntie Yang for her entire life. Xia Dongmei’s words pierced her heart. She gritted her teeth and said, “Alright, I’ll get your second brother to steal a grenade now!”
After Madam Qu agreed, Xia Dongmei heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Mother, what if Second Brother doesn’t agree?”
Madam Qu was stunned. Only Yan Er was working in the army’s logistics. If Yan Er couldn’t do it, Yan San couldn’t either.
Xia Dongmei had already expected this and suggested an idea to Madam Qu. “Mother, you can do this…”
Madam Qu looked at Xia Dongmei in surprise. She did not expect her eldest daughter-in-law to be so scheming.
Yan Er had stolen two fruits from the army. As soon as he got home from work, he quickly slipped into his courtyard. Just as he stepped in, Madam Qu suddenly appeared, scaring him.
“Oh my G.o.d, Mother, you scared me to death!”
Madam Qu glanced at his bulging clothes bag and said solemnly, “Follow me!”
Yan Er met Madam Qu’s stern gaze and took out an orange in fear and placed it in her hand. “Mother, what’s going on? Why are you so scary?”
Madam Qu did not answer him. She entered the house and closed the door tightly. She even looked around warily before saying, “Son, our family’s chance to soar has arrived.”
Yan Er was stunned. “Who’s going to soar? How?”
Madam Qu slowly explained Yan Da’s plan. Yan Er was so frightened that his legs were trembling. “This won’t work! How can this work? I am just helping out in the kitchen in the army. How can 1 steal a grenade! If we’re caught, not to mention our future success, our entire family will die!”
He actually did not know that his mother and brother were so bold!
Even if the Carefree Kingdom was going to be destroyed, it would take a few years. What if the Carefree Kingdom was taken in as a va.s.sal state by the Ling Kingdom? Wouldn’t they still be able to live well?
For the sake of his future riches, Yan Er did not dare to risk his life.
Madam Qu was already blinded by greed. She advised, “Why can’t you? Isn’t this your forte? There are so many people in the army. There should be someone who can come into contact with grenades, right? Let him take one along the way. We can just pay to buy one.”
“There’s also a risk in letting others steal it! Can’t we live a good life like now?”
Madam Qu said, “Alright, if you don’t look someone to do it, I’ll look for the person myself!”
“It’s not like we have to send the grenade to the Ling Kingdom after obtaining it. Isn’t Mother doing this to put a lock on our family’s wealth!”
“What if Emperor Ling Hui is determined to destroy the southern frontier? What should we do? Go back and starve? Are you willing? Are the children willing? Is your wife willing?”
After a series of questions from Madam Qu, Yan Er was worried that someone would report Madam Qu if she went looking for someone. He finally gave in a little and hesitated. “What if no one is willing to steal the grenades?”
Madam Qu suddenly smiled. “How can there not be any? Just specially look for those gamblers, drunkards, and those who are in urgent need of money. He definitely will do it!”
A name suddenly popped up in Yan Er’s mind. Liu Tiezhu!
He agreed for the time being. “I’ll try first. If it doesn’t work, Mother, can you stop shouting about this? We will really lose our heads!”
Madam Qu immediately beamed with joy. “As expected of Mother’s biological son. The wealth of our entire family is entrusted to you. The feng shui has changed. Let’s see how arrogant the Zhao family still dares to be with Bai Wutong’s support!”
When Yan Er found out that Liu Tiezhu was still in charge of transporting the grenades, he asked Madam Qu and his wife to prepare a sumptuous table of good wine and tea that night and invited Liu Tiezhu to his house.
Liu Tiezhu had just lost all his monthly money from the previous month and was so poor that he could not even use toilet paper. When Yan Er suddenly invited him to dinner, Liu Tiezhu was very happy and agreed without hesitation.
A table of good wine and tea was placed in front of him. Liu Tiezhu did not even wash his hands. He picked up the drumstick and began to eat. His eating manner was so ferocious that Yan Er was stunned.
After Liu Tiezhu finished a drumstick and felt that his stomach was no longer so empty, he raised his wine gla.s.s and said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Brother Yan Er. Sister-in-law’s culinary skills are really excellent! Brother Yan Er is really lucky to be able to marry a virtuous wife like Sister-in-law!”
Yan Da replied, “Not at all. Brother Liu is dignified and is a soldier in the army. He will definitely have a beautiful wife in the future!”
If Liu Tiezhu had not gambled, he might really have married a wife after saving up. Now, it was completely hopeless. He waved his hand. “I’m just waiting for Brother Yan Er to introduce me to someone good.”
As soon as he said this, Yan Er immediately said, “As long as Brother Liu has a house and money, he won’t have to be afraid of not finding a wife!”