Zhao Cheng had a good impression of Ma Cong.

Although he was a bandit who frequented Shiligou in western Sichuan, he was loyal and acted like a big brother. When his life was in danger, he begged Zhao Cheng to release his brothers. Later, he buried the bodies of his dead brothers. All of this made Zhao Cheng think that Ma Cong was a person who adhered to his principles.

Zhao Cheng trusts people with principles the most.

Half a year had passed, and Ma Cong's demeanor had actually changed somewhat. It was precisely because he had left a deep impression that Zhao Cheng recognized him immediately.

"You recognize this?"

Zhao Cheng touched his fake beard, surprised that Ma Cong could recognize him at a glance as well.

"Young Prime Minister is my benefactor and benefactor, even if he turns to ashes..." Ma Cong realized something was wrong and immediately changed his words: "Even if his face is covered with hair, I will still recognize him."

Zhao Cheng pouted and said, "Why should my face be covered in hair?"

Ma Cong laughed and said, "I was just using a metaphor. What I really meant was that even if the young prime minister had a fake beard plastered all over his face, I would still recognize him."

"You used a good analogy, but don't use it again in the future."

Seeing Zhao Cheng and Ma Cong recognize each other, Wang Mazi was so surprised his mouth could have fit an egg. He still found it somewhat unbelievable and tentatively asked, "You...you are the young prime minister?"

“Is this even true?” Ma Cong quickly replied, “Wang Mazi, do you remember me telling you that before I came to Jingdong County, I met the greatest benefactor, and this benefactor changed my life? I just didn’t tell you that this benefactor was the young prime minister.”

Zhao Cheng said, "It's not that exaggerated, is it? I just helped you make some money."

"No, no, no... This money may not mean much to the young prime minister, but for me and my brothers, it's a huge sum that could turn our lives around!"

"Reformed? You're no longer a bandit?"

"I've retired from the life of crime!"

Seemingly recalling the past, Ma Cong said excitedly, "After robbing Wang Yuluan of this money, I brought my brothers to Jingdong County to do business. However, most of the merchants in Jingdong County were local powerful families, and with the Xiao family being such a behemoth, I couldn't do any legitimate business in the beginning, so I developed in the black market first. Later, I came to Lingshan, wanting to build a stronghold on the mountain, and that's how I met the Wang Mazi brothers."

"Build a village on the mountain?" Zhao Cheng was taken aback and said, "Didn't you say you were retiring from the life of a criminal?"

"I built this stronghold not to become a bandit, but to leave a place for my brothers, so that if things really get too tough, we can come back and use our savings... to retire here!"

"Then what about you and Wang Mazi..." Zhao Cheng looked at Wang Mazi with a puzzled expression.

"When we were building the village, we had a conflict with Wang Mazi's men. After a fight, we became sworn brothers."

Ma Cong smiled, put his arm around Wang Mazi's arm, and said, "Wang Mazi thinks highly of me and even recognizes me as his elder brother."

Wang Mama quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Mr. Ma, you flatter me. It is my honor to become brothers with you!"

Zhao Cheng observed Wang Mazi's expression; it wasn't feigned, but rather a genuine friendship with Ma Cong. He couldn't help but think that this was probably Ma Cong's personal charm.

Judging from Wang Mazi's unwillingness to betray his principles and stab Zhang De in the back for personal gain, Wang Mazi is also a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness, and he probably clicked with Ma Cong.

"Young Prime Minister, what's going on here?" Ma Cong asked suspiciously.

When he first came in, Ma Cong was busy recognizing Zhao Cheng. Later, during the conversation, he noticed the expressions of Zhao Wu and He Laosan and realized that something was wrong.

Ma Cong had a deep impression of Zhao Wu, having witnessed him single-handedly defeat Liu Bo's men and put on a perfect show. He was even more familiar with He Laosan, Wang Mazi's top fighter, who recently showed signs of breaking through to become a first-rate expert.

The two of them stared at each other, their expressions tense and ready to fight.

Seeing that neither Zhao Cheng nor Wang Mazi spoke first, Zhu Lao Er came over and explained the whole story.

Ma Cong immediately released his grip on Wang Mazi and said sternly, "Wang Mazi, you're in the wrong here!"

Wang Mazi looked troubled.

Ma Cong pointed at Zhu Lao Er and asked, "Lao Er, are you listening to what I'm saying?"

"listen."

"I'm not your older brother, why should you listen to me?"

"Because you are my eldest brother's eldest brother." Zhu Lao Er looked at Wang Mazi and said, "This is also what my eldest brother instructed me to do."

"That's right!"

Ma Cong pulled Wang Mazi to Zhao Cheng and said, "The young prime minister is my elder brother, which means he's also your elder brother's elder brother. You tell your brother to listen to his elder brother's elder brother, but don't you listen to him yourself?"

These words, though seemingly convoluted, left Zhu Lao Er speechless, staring blankly at Zhao Cheng.

"If that's how it works, then wouldn't the young prime minister be my elder brother's elder brother's elder brother?!"

...

Han Nancheng.

The Marquis of Moling's residence.

In the pavilion in the courtyard, Liu Da watched as a dark cloud drifted across the once clear sky, picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "To be honest, this immortal wine is truly a wonderful thing, but it's a pity... after today, it will be difficult to drink it again."

Zhang Dehao took a big gulp and said, "Wen Hu stopped Zhao Cheng from doing business with the Immortal Wine, probably because he wanted to steal the recipe and make it himself. We'll still be able to drink it in the future, but with Han Nancheng's winery gone, we'll lose a lot of convenience."

At this moment, Guan Yi walked in from outside the pavilion.

Liu Da looked at him nervously.

Guan Yi nodded slightly and said, "Wang Mazi has already entered the city."

Liu Da quickly poured Guan Yi a cup of wine and said, "Second brother, calm your nerves first."

Zhang De asked, "Were there any casualties when we entered the city?"

"No," Guan Yi said in a deep voice. "I at least had the men left behind to guard the city make a show of it, but Wang Mazi's band of mountain bandits didn't even bother to make a show of it and just stormed into the city in a mighty force."

"I'm a little uneasy." Liu Da called out to the outside of the pavilion, "Fan Dao, go and keep an eye on things. Report back immediately if anything happens!"

"yes!"

Zhang De glanced at Fan Dao's departing figure and comforted him, "Brother, don't worry. Wang Mazi didn't even bother to pretend. He just promised me he wouldn't kill innocent people indiscriminately."

"I hope so," Liu Da said, continuing to drink.

A while later, Fan returned.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, after Wang Mazi and his group of several hundred people entered the city through the North Gate, they quickly headed towards the winery in the northwest of the city. They did not stop along the way, nor did they disturb the people."

Upon hearing this, Liu Da breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang De laughed and said, "I knew Wang Mazi was a reliable person. Brother, drink up and wait for Fan's good news."

Liu Da nodded and said, "Fan Dao, you continue to keep an eye on things."

"yes!"

A while later, Fan returned.

"Lord..."

"Is it over so quickly?"

"No... Lord, why don't you go and take a look yourself?"