I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse-Chapter 1919 - 1921: The General and the Bookworm

Chapter 1919: Chapter 1921: The General and the Bookworm
"Then that’s about right. You’re much better off than this foreigner here." You thought for a moment, then fixed your eyes on Wang Can and said, "By the way, you won’t tell anyone my true identity, will you?"
Wang Can hurriedly waved his hand: "Don’t worry, General, I absolutely won’t leak a single word."
"Good, I like talking to smart people." You smiled and then asked, "Where do you live?"
"I live nearby. If the General doesn’t mind..."
"Let’s go. What do I have to mind now? Coming to Jingzhou, I have no acquaintances, and I can’t act ostentatiously either."
Wang Can’s residence was relatively simple compared to those of the scholar gentry: a small courtyard with five basic rooms. Although the household was modest, the surrounding environment was quite pleasant, with water encircling trees. To find such a unique place in Jingzhou City was indeed Wang Can’s skill.
"The house is simple, a shame for the General to see it."
"It’s nice enough to have a place to stay." Without any reservations, you followed Wang Can into the living room, found a seat, and asked Wang Can, "By the way, I’m here in Jingzhou to find a descendant of Lu Ban. Do you know this person?"
You didn’t plan to hide from Wang Can, knowing that your network in Jingzhou was equivalent to a blind man’s. Although Wang Can’s family was ordinary, scholars always have their own circles. Maybe—wait, you suddenly realized that scholars naturally wouldn’t have contacts with craftsmen, almost smacking yourself for asking. Just as you were about to retract your words, Wang Can indeed shook his head as you expected: "I rarely go out, and those I befriend are all of Qing Liu, so..."
"Hmm, I know, I was presumptuous."
Seeing this, Wang Can quickly said, "But the General need not worry. There might be someone who can help you find them."
"Who?"
"Cai Dehui," Wang Can ed a name.
However, you were not familiar with the figures of the Three Kingdoms, and Wang Can even used a courtesy name, making you resist the urge to kick Wang Can, covering your forehead in exasperation: "Names, I never bother remembering these people’s courtesy names."
"Oh, I was talking about Cai Mao, the brother-in-law of Jingzhou shepherd Liu Biao."
"Cai Mao?" Hearing this, you couldn’t help but take a few more glances at Wang Can. From Wang Can’s words, it wasn’t hard to see he seemed to have a good relationship with Cai Mao.
Wang Can, being perceptive, naturally anticipated your concerns on this level and immediately said, "Don’t worry, General, Cai Mao and I are on very good terms. When I introduce you, I can say you are a friend of my father."
You nodded: "Alright, let’s do that. In that case, take me to find Cai Mao now."
You had no sense of belonging in Jingzhou at all and were eager to find that descendant of Lu Ban and leave Jingzhou as soon as possible. In your view, as long as you find that descendant, everything else will be fine because you plan to use every method to "escort" this descendant to Xuzhou.
However, at this moment, Wang Can seemed to remember something, lowered his head slightly, looking despondent.
"What’s wrong, do you have difficulties?"
Wang Can looked at you, shook his head, but then lowered his head again, looking like a defeated rooster.
"Tsk! Hey, head up!" You couldn’t stand Wang Can’s half-dead expression, "Speak up if there’s something! Since I need you, logically, I should help solve your issues too. So, tell me, what’s troubling you now?"
Wang Can was silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and made a deep bow to you, saying, "I implore the General to help me!"
Seeing Wang Can make such a deep bow, you couldn’t help but feel some helplessness, suggesting Wang Can was indeed in a big predicament.
"First, tell me the reason for this situation." You and Wang Can sat down again.
Wang Can sighed, looking a bit dejected: "I share a deep affection with Jingzhou shepherd Liu Biao’s daughter, Liu Zhu. We know and love each other, but Liu Biao dislikes my unattractive appearance and wants to marry Liu Zhu to my cousin Liu Kai, and tonight is the night Liu Kai is presenting the betrothal gifts. Alas!"
After hearing this, you couldn’t help but shake your head with a bitter smile: "So it seems Liu Biao is just after appearances. If you want my help, you must tell me the details, like Liu Kai’s background and personal strengths."
Upon hearing this, Wang Can’s initially despondent expression vanished, and he immediately said: "That Wang Kai is like those aristocratic playboys in Jingzhou, indulging in pleasures daily with no talent."
"And his family background?" That’s your biggest concern.
Wang Can tilted his head, seemingly confused by your question: "He is my cousin."
"Nonsense!" You are someone who usually hates subordinates talking in circles, being vague. "I’m asking about his family background!"
Wang Can was taken aback by you, frowning nervously, not knowing how to answer you for a moment. In Wang Can’s subconscious, Wang Kai was just Wang Kai, and their family background seemed similar to his.
You held back the urge to slap him, pin him to the wall, exhaled, and patiently explained: "I’m asking you to tell me about his family’s standing, like what his father and grandfather do, who his mother’s family is, and if there are any notable people among his siblings."
Realizing, Wang Can hastily said: "Wang Kai’s father is my uncle, and he once served with my father in Luoyang, but I forget his exact post. His mother comes from a regular official family."
Alright, now you figured out Wang Can’s problem; this guy simply doesn’t understand social intricacies! From Wang Can’s last sentence, you gather a big piece of information: Wang Can is the protagonist in this story!
Looking at Wang Can, you shook your head and said, "You’re really a bookworm, aren’t you?"
"General, why do you say that?" Wang Can was confused by your remark.
"Uh, let me put it directly." You covered your forehead, saying to Wang Can, "From your words, I deduce your father’s official position is higher than Wang Kai’s father. Even if you’re from the same big family, your family’s status is above Wang Kai’s, isn’t it?"
Wang Can nodded: "I dislike having too many connections with those in the family, so I moved outside. However, I have much interaction with Jingzhou’s prominent figures."
Understanding the problem, you smiled and said, "Who are these figures? I’d like to hear."
Without much thought, Wang Can listed some notable figures in Jingzhou he was acquainted with. Listening, you couldn’t help but nod quietly; it seems your deduction was right. Moreover, you did not expect that this seemingly short and unimposing Wang Can actually knew figures like Pang Degong, Sima Hui, and Huang Chengyan, indicating his extraordinary capabilities.
Moreover, from this, you heard two very sensitive names—Zhu Geliang, Pang Tong!
Strictly speaking, your Xuzhou now stands as a solid fortress, confident in repelling any invaders from the outside. But in terms of strategic advisors, Xuzhou was almost zero.
Of course, this partly stems from your way of conducting affairs. Those strategists with aspirations for the world would curse for three days just hearing your name, so how could they serve you in Xuzhou, following your orders? However, in your view, such people weren’t needed at that time, although thinking about it now, that seems incorrect.
You remember watching the Romance of the Three Kingdoms TV series where those strategists manipulated clouds and rain with their hands, often sealing the doom of enemy armies with a single stratagem or sentence. These are things you admire and respect greatly, leading to your excitement upon hearing the name Zhu Geliang.
Nonetheless, your current priority is Emperor Yu. You must obtain the blueprint for this battleship. You even plan to bring both its designers and builders to Xuzhou.
Looking at Wang Can, you smiled and said, "Actually, you’ve been used by Wang Kai."