…
When Li Zhe returned, it was already a quarter of an hour later.
Xia Fan also packed up his things and left the Privy Council Mansion on horseback with Fox Demon and Shan Hui. Recently, because he had to deal with a lot of things, he spent the night at Fengyang Villa more frequently.
"Master Xia, I don't quite understand," Shanhui asked on the way out of the city. "Since the Secretariat is short of people and many of the women in the Zui brothel know how to read and write, why don't you just close the brothel and Have they all been brought to the mansion?"
"Because not everyone is willing to leave a familiar place, even if it is a prison." Xia Fan whispered.
"...Is it possible?" Shan Hui showed a hint of confusion, "Even when I go out, there are people guarding me. I can't even take a few steps. I feel suffocated even if I stay in a place like this all day."
"Silly dog, what's so strange about this?" Li pressed his hat, "You will naturally understand after you have been hungry for ten and a half days."
"That's the fact," Xia Fan nodded and said, "No matter how many disadvantages there are in drunken brothels, the brothels at least don't have to worry about food and clothing. Most of the women were sold here as children. Many people should remember that. It is not easy for them to climb over the courtyard wall and see the strange world outside because of the feeling of starvation."
In a sense, strangeness is the same as fear.
"Oh, that's really a pity..."
"So Miss Liu came at the right time." Xia Fan smiled slightly, "They dare not step over the courtyard wall. Another reason is because those who have done so have been severely punished. Even if the new policy is promulgated, the inertia of the past still exists. . To reverse this situation, setting an example is undoubtedly the most effective way."
"They will see with their own eyes that no one dares to punish them now when they step over the courtyard wall, but they will also receive generous rewards. Although it is still a strange place outside, at least they have a goal to follow. Or... a lighthouse. The path Miss Liu has traveled will become a practical choice."
"That's it." Shan Hui suddenly shook his tail.
"There will definitely be people who stay in Zui Qing Lou, but as long as one person decides to leave, there will be one more role model. These examples will not only affect Zui Qing Lou, but the entire Shenzhou." Xia Fan said with emotion, "This The process will definitely attract countless resistances, so the Secretariat must put 'will' in the most important position when recruiting people. Only with the support of will can the spread be unstoppable."
"It's like a flame burning on the grassland?" Li raised his eyebrows.
The latter's heart moved slightly, "...yes, this is the prairie fire."
The two looked at each other for a long time, until a plump white cat with black eyes climbed onto the fox demon's shoulder, opened its mouth and yawned at Xia Fan.
That expression seemed to be blocking the exchange of looks.
But the next second, Li angrily picked up the cat's neck and threw it out.
"Meow-!"
Xia Fan couldn't help but be surprised. Wild cats are generally extremely shy. How did this guy get close to the moving mount and climb onto the fox demon
What’s even more incredible is that after being thrown out, the fat cat did not turn around and run away. Instead, he landed on the ground with a flexible backflip and continued to chase the horses.
"When did you get a cat?"
"I don't have the time." Li sighed, "This is a cat spirit."
"Cat spirit?" Xia Fan was startled, and suddenly remembered that there was a special species that was not included in the classification of monsters and monsters. Li had mentioned their name a long time ago - spirits, or spirits. "You mean... this cat is the Qi senser among cats?"
"This understanding is not wrong." Li nodded, "Although they are not common, spirits do exist. Master said that they also have natural magic, but the effect is much worse than that of Fang magic."
"Then can they talk?"
"Sense of Qi cannot improve the intelligence of spirits. They are still animals in essence."
Xia Fan turned around and looked at the cat spirit curiously, and the latter bared its fangs at him, not seeming to be inhumane.
"Was it in Jinxia City before? Why did it suddenly stick to you?"
"This is proof that Mr. Li's ability is growing." Shanhui continued, "Just like humans tame horses, cattle and sheep, demons also have a natural affinity for spirits. The stronger the ability, the more spirits they can attract... But , this is the first time I have seen Mr. Li’s cross-border influence.”
"Cross-border?" Xia Fan smacked his lips, "Are there categories for spirits?"
"Of course, sir." Shanhui affirmed, "For example, Nagi Qing and Nagi Hong, the spirits they can tame are mostly aquatic, because it is said that ghosts come from water. Master Li is a fox demon, and he should only be able to control vixens. That's it... I didn't expect that even the cat spirit would be attracted. He is indeed the boss who wants to become the leader of all demons!"
"What's the leader?" Xia Fan looked at Li unexpectedly.
And Li's cheeks began to turn red at a speed visible to the naked eye, "No, it's nothing..."
"Lord Li said that as the smartest monster—"
"Stupid dog, shut up!" She gritted her teeth and rode towards him.
"Boss, what are you going to do?" Shanhui, who felt the murderous aura, couldn't help but change into the form of a tengu, speeding up and running away, "Isn't this what you said to me exactly? Not even the elves and monsters overseas can escape you. Take control—"
"I told you to shut up!" Li simply jumped off the horse and chased after him.
"Meow—!" The fat cat also spread its legs and started running at full speed.
In an instant, Xia Fan was the only one left on the street who looked confused.
…
Two days later.
Liu Ruyan opened the door, walked into her "new residence", and placed the rice porridge and grilled fish she had just bought on the dining table in the hall.
This was the third day after she left Zui Qinglou. She originally thought that she would have a long period of discomfort and was even prepared to endure hardships, but unexpectedly, the actual situation was a bit better than her most optimistic expectations.
The Secretariat not only provides low-cost housing for reserve officials, but also takes meals and meals into consideration. Just to the south of the accommodation area, there is a restaurant dedicated to providing meals for the people living here.
In fact, she didn't know whether it should be called a restaurant—because it didn't provide a lobby or private rooms for people to sit and eat. Instead, they prepared pots or pots themselves, and asked the cook to put whatever they wanted to eat, and then brought them back to eat. At the same time, what is used to pay the bill is not money, but food stamps. This kind of ticket must be exchanged for an equal amount of money at the Secretariat. Although it requires one more trip every month, it is much more convenient to use.
The restaurant offers three rounds of sales every day, namely Chen hour, Wu hour and You hour. Liu Ruyan wasn't sure whether it was expensive or not, but the taste was much better than the ones in Zui brothel, especially the grilled fish... She had never known that sea fish could be so delicious when grilled.
Moreover, she no longer has to look at her grandma’s face when eating.
She decides what and how much she wants to eat every day.
Even the process of going to a restaurant to get a meal has become a very fun thing.
There are many more joys like this.
With no one controlling her every move, Liu Ruyan felt indescribably comfortable and at ease - if when she left Zui Qinglou, she only thought that she would not regret it, now everything turned into happiness.
Fortunately, she mustered up the courage that day and walked through the door of the Secretariat.
Because of this, Liu Ruyan knew that now was not the time to relax. The school would start its first class in five days, and she had to go all out to live up to the appointment of Master Fu Cheng.
After breakfast, she opened the supplementary textbook.
A series of strange letters called "Pinyin" appeared before her eyes.