Shen Feng and Lu Xian left the hotel, and Lu Xian kept apologizing to Shen Feng. "City Lord, I truly didn't expect something like this to happen. Before, I genuinely believed these people were artists. I had never met a real director or screenwriter, and I didn't know that some people were just freeloading. Fortunately, Mr. Feng was by your side; otherwise, I wouldn't have seen through them."
After this incident, Lu Xian's opinion of Feng Shicheng completely changed. He had always looked down on Feng Shicheng for writing erotic novels, thinking such work was disreputable and that he possessed no real talent. As an esper, Lu Xian naturally felt he was far superior to Feng Shicheng.
However, reality was not like that. It was only when Feng Shicheng exposed the flaws of these so-called artists that Lu Xian finally saw their true colors. It was quite laughable, really; he, the high and mighty esper, was ultimately taught a lesson by Feng Shicheng.
Feng Shicheng said humbly, "It's nothing. I only know a little bit, insignificant skills. Mr. Lu Xian doesn't need to worry about it. I believe Mr. Lu Xian will be able to discern fakes in the future. True artists can always make a living wherever they go."
The author of "The Fairy Tale King" once said, "The so-called iron rice bowl is not about sticking to one job, but about being able to make a living in any position. That is the true iron rice bowl."
Artists are the same. The value of an artist lies in their skills. Living off past glories doesn't make one an artist. But being able to create anywhere, with creations that are rich in meaning, that is a true artist.
Shen Feng also said to Feng Shicheng at this time, "Don't think you're just a writer; you're quite ruthless and logical when you scold people. Not simple at all."
Feng Shicheng received Shen Feng's praise at this moment but didn't seem particularly happy. Instead, he said helplessly, "Writers need logic the most. If the logic isn't good, readers will scold them severely. Besides, I wasn't scolding anyone; I was just exposing their flaws. I happened to know their previous statements, so I directly brought them out. In this way, whatever they say is useless."
"Erotic novels need logic?" Lu Xian seemed to have heard something incredible and expressed his disbelief in what Feng Shicheng had just said.
But Feng Shicheng said seriously, "Any literature requires logic. Do you think everyone is like Qian Qian who studies poop and pee? Erotic novels are no exception, especially due to the audience. The most important point is to focus on describing the appearance of women. Just describe everything from their hairstyle to the shoes they wear, and the reader's eyes will be captured. The plot becomes unimportant next; what's important are the women appearing, and their number must be large..."
"Teacher Feng, Teacher Feng, restrain yourself. You're not teaching others how to write novels, and don't impart your experience in writing erotic novels. You should quickly wash yourself clean, lest everyone mocks you for your past profession in the future." Shen Feng quickly interrupted Feng Shicheng's narration. Writers generally have a habit of being teachers, regardless of their own writing skill; when teaching others, they can speak eloquently. Shen Feng was too lazy to listen to this.
Feng Shicheng closed his mouth regretfully. He felt that discussing the logic in erotic novels with them was indeed like playing the lute to a cow.
At this moment, Shen Feng patiently said to Lu Xian, "Lu Xian, please understand me. At this time, Yuzhou does not have the surplus energy to enrich the so-called cultural industry. Many people can barely feed themselves, and their safety issues have not been completely resolved. In this situation, investing funds into a dispensable industry is not a wise move. In the future, please stop recommending artists to me. Even if they are true artists, I am not interested."
Lu Xian nodded, understanding Shen Feng's meaning. He then said, "City Lord, I am truly sorry to have wasted half of your day. From now on, I will not continue with music. In the apocalypse, one should do proper things, not constantly fantasize about becoming a famous singer."
"Whatever you decide, I won't stop you. But I think liking music is still a very good thing. It's a pity if you give it up like this," Shen Feng said with a smile.
As Shen Feng and Lu Xian were strolling on the street, Shen Feng's phone suddenly rang. A message came from the City Lord's Mansion: "City Lord, people from Jiucheng have arrived and wish to meet the City Lord. It seems they want to discuss their allegiance."
Shen Feng saw this message and immediately frowned. He thought to himself, "They sent people to pledge allegiance after only five days. This shows they have a clear understanding of the situation. However, it is still winter, and accepting Jiucheng's allegiance will require a large amount of grain. By spring, there will be refugees everywhere, and it will be difficult for me to cope."
Looking at the message, Shen Feng fell into thought. Although he continued walking, his mind was clearly elsewhere. He was considering how to deal with Jiucheng.
Seeing Shen Feng in thought, Lu Xian couldn't help but ask, "City Lord, what are you thinking about now?"
Shen Feng glanced at Lu Xian and said faintly, "I'm thinking about a chicken rib – tasteless to eat, but a pity to discard."
Lu Xian didn't quite understand Shen Feng's meaning after hearing this. The story of the chicken rib was quite famous because of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." It usually refers to something that offers little or no benefit. Eating it provides no nourishment, but discarding it would be a waste if someone else could have it.
"City Lord, I'll go back now and won't disturb you. Oh, by the way, do we need to celebrate the Spring Festival together?" As Lu Xian was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and immediately stopped, asking Shen Feng about his arrangements for the New Year.
Shen Feng suddenly felt a bit troubled. If everyone celebrated together, a banquet would have to be held at the Fengshen Palace, and he would have to attend. If it lasted too long, he wouldn't be able to accompany Du Xinshi. Thinking of this, Shen Feng hesitated.
"City Lord?" Lu Xian continued to call out to Shen Feng.
Shen Feng came back to his senses and said, "There's still over a month left. What's the rush?"
Now, Shen Feng decided to discuss this matter later. As for the Spring Festival, which was over a month away, it could be discussed at a later time.
Afterward, Shen Feng quickly returned to the City Lord's Mansion. The issue of the envoy from Jiucheng could not be ignored. It would be best to meet them quickly and understand their purpose for pledging allegiance. Although Xu Xing had led people to attack and capture Jiucheng, Xu Xing had never established an organization. After occupying the city, the rebel army in Jiucheng had no reason to immediately submit to Yuzhou, as they could still submit to headquarters and await reorganization.
"City Lord, the people from Jiucheng have already arrived at the conference room and have been waiting for you for a long time. It seems they are becoming impatient. Why don't we just have someone else talk to them, and you don't have to personally attend!" someone suggested to Shen Feng.
Shen Feng frowned and considered it, then shook his head firmly. "I should go in person. Although Jiucheng has a small population, its territory is quite vast. It's a city-level region after all. If I send someone to entertain them, it would seem too arrogant."
At this moment, Shen Feng thought of something and immediately said to his secretary, "Inform the two ladies about this. If they wish to participate in this meeting, let them attend as well."
Shen Feng also knew that his cold treatment of Chang Jianyi needed to end. After all, Chang Jianyi had apologized, and if he still showed no reaction, it would inevitably make others laugh.
The secretary immediately relayed the message, but neither Chang Jianyi nor Chu Chaoyan made any move.
Shen Feng then took Zhou Xiaoxiao and Yang Ye to meet the envoy from Jiucheng, wanting to know the envoy's attitude.
However, as Shen Feng entered the conference room, he immediately saw a man in a suit sitting casually on one side. This man looked weathered and experienced, but more like an ordinary worker than an envoy. Judging by the ill-fitting suit, it was likely taken from someone else.
As Shen Feng walked in, he immediately asked, "Are you the envoy from Jiucheng? By the way, what is your name?"
It was normal for Shen Feng to ask for the other person's name at this time. However, as soon as Shen Feng opened his mouth to ask, the envoy from Jiucheng immediately became angry and shouted at Shen Feng, "Why are you all so arrogant? I represent Jiucheng. Not only do you not treat me with proper respect, but you also subjected me to various interrogations all the way to the Yuzhou City Lord's Mansion. You show no attitude of treating an important envoy with respect."
The soldiers in the conference room were about to react. This was their respected City Lord asking a question, and this newcomer not only failed to greet him properly but also started to accuse them.
Shen Feng, however, waved his hand and said nothing about the man's rudeness. Instead, he asked Zhou Xiaoxiao beside him, "What is this envoy's name? I didn't know beforehand; it's my oversight."
With Shen Feng saying this, the soldiers found it difficult to pursue the matter further. Zhou Xiaoxiao immediately replied, "This person's name is Liu Changfu. He is the only one sent by Jiucheng. Furthermore, after arriving in Yuzhou territory, he has been constantly demanding supplies, wanting good food and accommodation, and even requesting young women to accompany him at night."
Upon hearing the envoy's attitude, Shen Feng felt disgusted. It wasn't that arrogance or demands for treatment were unacceptable, but this man's open display of such behavior was too much, as if he treated Yuzhou as his butler or servant.
"Liu Changfu, is it? I am Shen Feng, the City Lord of Yuzhou. Since you are here to discuss Jiucheng's allegiance, let's discuss this matter carefully. What do you say?" Shen Feng still did not lose his temper. He knew what was most important at the moment. Jiucheng, after all, had a large territory, and if it could be occupied, people could be arranged to farm there.
However, Liu Changfu smiled upon hearing this and said, "That's right, Lord Fengshen. Please sit down quickly, and let's discuss the allegiance. We will definitely choose to pledge allegiance, as long as Yuzhou can accept us. However, we have three conditions, and I hope Lord Fengshen can agree."
Shen Feng, with the two behind him, slowly sat down and then asked, "What are the conditions? Tell me now and let me see what conditions you have proposed."
With Shen Feng saying this, Liu Changfu became even more smug. "If you want Jiucheng to pledge loyalty to Yuzhou, first, you must immediately provide sufficient grain to Jiucheng. The second condition is to make Xian Xian the City Lord of Jiucheng. As for the third condition, it's even simpler. The people in Jiucheng now all need land, so the land belonging to Jiucheng cannot be taken away. These are the three suggestions. How about it? Very simple, right?"