"Kill them!"

Xu An immediately said, "These three have provoked us time and time again. Do they really think we are kind-hearted philanthropists?"

Huang Hua nodded and said, "Killing them is easy. We can just set up an ambush at the inn. I've investigated these past few days. The Marquis of Moling only has one first-rate expert, and the most powerful people Zhang De employs are only second-rate. With Zhao Wu and Heng as guards, we have an absolute advantage over them. If we don't have enough manpower for the ambush, we can call on Wang Mazi and the others to help."

"Huang Hua is right!" Xu An raised his arm and said, "The guards I hired haven't even drawn a knife yet, shouldn't they at least see some blood?"

Zhao Cheng curled his lip and said, "So that's why you wanted to kill them."

"Brother Xiao, what do you think?"

Xiao Luomu frowned, looking like he was deep in thought, and said, "Killing them is easy, but dealing with the aftermath is more troublesome."

Xu An said, "Our status and that of the young prime minister are well-known. They tried to assassinate us but we killed them instead. Even if this matter is taken to the imperial court, they have no grounds for complaint!"

“That makes sense, but…” Xiao Luomu shook his head and said, “The pace of the winery’s progress has been disrupted.”

"One was the most powerful nobleman in the city, one was the de facto head of the county government, and one was the most powerful merchant in the county. The deaths of these three have had a significant aftershock effect. Although we can manage to suppress it afterward, it is really detrimental to the development of the winery and will also affect our subsequent plans."

"Therefore, I suggest we save them," Xiao Luomu offered his opinion.

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Wen Hu's move may seem like a foolish one made in desperation, but it is actually insidious."

Zhao Cheng stood up, glanced at Xiao Luomu and Xu An alternately, and said, "Have you ever thought that Wen Hu might also know that Liu, Guan, and Zhang cannot succeed? He might even prefer that we kill the three of them, so that we can disrupt the rhythm ourselves, and he won't have to bear the pressure of me and Xu An being killed."

Xiao Luomu's eyes lit up, and he said, "Young Prime Minister, you've thought this far ahead. It's certainly possible!"

Zhao Cheng said, "Brother Xiao is right. Killing them will also affect our subsequent plans. When we go south to Jiangyang County, in the eyes of the Jiangyang merchants, we will be seen as thugs who resort to violence if we don't cooperate. If our reputation is ruined, it will be difficult for the Chamber of Commerce to grow."

Huang Hua was shocked and said, "It seems reckless, but the plan is actually far-sighted. Wen Hu is really smart!"

Zhao Cheng recalled for a moment and sneered, "I don't know if Wen Hu is smart or not, but the Left Prime Minister's mansion does have a strategist who is clearly extraordinary."

Hearing Zhao Cheng's analysis, Xu An calmed down and said in a deep voice, "It seems that this person cannot be killed."

Zhao Cheng said, "Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all coerced from beginning to end; they weren't inherently bad. I could see the light in Guan Yi's eyes; he actually wanted to be a good official. As for Zhang De, Wang Mazi told me about him. Do you know why Wang Mazi never came to Han Nan City to plunder?"

"It's because of Zhang De that he sends money to Wang Mazi and the others every two months. It's like Zhang De is supporting them. Zhang De is helping his two brothers maintain peace in Hannan City in his own way."

"Six months ago, the Yuan family in Hannancheng was massacred, with all 173 members killed. At the time, no one in the Hannancheng county government dared to speak out, and even the prefect of Jingdong County did not make a fuss about it. Only Liu Da wrote to the court, hoping that the court would investigate. Although the court did not pay attention to it, at least Liu Da stood up and was the only light in this bloody massacre."

Zhao Cheng glanced at everyone and smiled, "So I think it's not a bad thing for us to put the winery where these three people are."

Xu An nodded and said, "Then let's save them!"

“No.” Zhao Cheng then rejected Xu An’s suggestion, saying, “To save people, we must also kill them.”

Xu An scratched his head, puzzled, and asked, "You've confused me. Is it to save or kill?"

"Zhao Wu! Heng Wenhao!" Zhao Cheng suddenly shouted.

"exist!!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Cheng's eyes, and he said with murderous intent, "The families of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei must be rescued. As for Wen Hu's men... kill them all!"

...

5:00 AM (卯时).

When Zhang De arrived at the inn, a servant quietly came out and nodded to him before he waved back.

Liu Da and Guan Yi led Fan Dao and the others in, walking quickly and quietly. It was still dark, and there was a large, dark mass of people, about a hundred in number.

Once inside, there was no sign of Zhang De directing them, yet the hundred or so people were orderly moving upstairs from both sides, clearly indicating that Zhang De had rehearsed the route to the inn beforehand.

Two groups of people arrived at the door. A group of archers remained downstairs, and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Fan Zhongyan stood in front of the archers.

"Squeak—"

The door opened from the inside, and Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luomu sat upright in chairs at the round table, while Wu Sisi lit candles behind them.

The three of them looked calm and composed, seemingly unsurprised by the situation outside.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw.

With the door open, Zhao Cheng could see Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei downstairs from his vantage point.

Zhao Cheng said, "Liu Da, Guan Yi, Zhang De, when I first met you, I said that I admired your loyalty and brotherhood, and I envied your deep brotherly affection. From now on, how about you three sincerely cooperate with me?"

"When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break even metal."

Liu Da clenched his fists, trembling, and cried out, "Zhao Cheng! Xiao Luomu! I...I'm sorry! But I had no choice!"

Zhao Cheng said, "Have you ever thought about it? It's not a pleasant feeling to be coerced. If you give in this time, others will treat you the same way next time."

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