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The four words "redress of grievances" do have some meaning. Only when the emperor redresses General Qiu can it be considered "redressed".

This involves a question of stance. Others may just say it casually, but as a counselor, would there be no deeper meaning?

Therefore, Cheng Xi did not respond, but said: "I will avenge the Qiu family's blood feud. However, I established the Red Flag Gang because of my ambition."

It was already amazing to see a woman talking about "ambitions," let alone that she had actually accomplished something. Fang Tianxi narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Then may I ask, Miss Qiu, what are your ambitions?"

Cheng Xi said: "Of course it means peace and prosperity."

Her voice was calm, but what she said shocked Fang Tianxi's heart, and he couldn't help but look at the person in front of him again.

That was indeed Qiu Yuehua. As Qiu Sheng's trusted aide, Fang Tianxi knew Miss Qiu and was also aware of how General Qiu doted on this precious jewel in his palm.

In his impression, Miss Qiu is a gentle and graceful lady who never looks directly at outsiders and speaks softly. How could she have the courage and spirit to talk so freely?

But if someone said that she was not Qiu Yuehua, Fang Tianxi would find it hard to believe.

It had been less than a year since he left the Qiu Mansion, so how could he have forgotten Miss Qiu's appearance? Not to mention that Miss Qiu was a little different from ordinary women. Fearing that his beloved daughter would suffer, Qiu Sheng didn't even let his daughter get her ears pierced, let alone foot binding.

He could see clearly that the earrings of the woman opposite him were round and intact. Even if she wanted to fake it, she couldn't do it to such an extent.

So what exactly caused this change in her demeanor? Fang Tianxi, suspicious as he was, said "Hmm" without changing his expression. "Ms. Qiu is quite ambitious. In such a chaotic world, I'm afraid your ambition will not be easy to achieve."

Cheng Xi looked at the old man and suddenly asked, "Then why did you first surrender to my father and then surrender to the rebels?"

Don't even need a honorific? Fang Tianxi chuckled, "Powerful ministers are in power, bandits are rampant. If there's a warrior who rises up and calls for help, who says he can't overthrow the world? It's a pity that I misjudged Qiu Sheng. He would rather die than rebel. Since loyal ministers are not enough, I naturally have to find a rebel."

Indeed, he was a strategist who was "scheming to conquer the world." Cheng Xi said coldly, "Saying that you are using the world as a chessboard is nothing more than repeating what others have said and repeating the same mistakes. The technique of slaying a dragon can only slay a dragon, but it cannot save the people of this world."

Fang Tianxi was stunned. He thought his words would anger the girl and make her curse him as despicable and shameless.

Then use your rhetoric to make it clear that "peace and prosperity" is not something a little woman can achieve, and it can also dampen the other party's fighting spirit.

Unexpectedly, she didn't play by the rules at all. Could it be that she didn't want to fight for power?

Fang Tianxi put down his hand that was stroking his beard and said, "I'm afraid this is inappropriate. If we don't turn the world upside down and unify the mountains and rivers, how can we pacify and appease the people?"

Cheng Xi asked in return, "How will the world be different from today in two or three hundred years?"

Fang Tianxi was startled. "What do you mean? Is there any other way?"

Cheng Xi shook her head. "I don't know, but I know I can't follow your path, nor do I want to. The moral principles of this world can destroy the Qiu family, cause my father's unjust death, and make me struggle to take a single step, being regarded as a monster by the world. Those worldly studies, strategies and scheming treat the people as ants and grass, as dry bones that can be trampled underfoot. I don't like this, and I want to change."

Is she crazy?

Before, Fang Tianxi thought that this girl was just brave, but now, even he, a complete "traitor", was shocked.

This is the true meaning of "no king and no father". She is unwilling to even obey the principles of the world. So what does she want and how far can she go?

However, the turmoil lasted only a moment. Fang Tianxi immediately recovered and snorted, "You are truly arrogant, girl. Do you know what the Red Flag Gang is facing now?"

"The Red Flag Gang just robbed the Lu family of their wealth, and they'll likely do their utmost to exact revenge. If they try to establish rules at sea, they'll be seen as enemies by the big merchants. The Long Whale Gang is also making inroads into Qiongzhou and might even return to the South China Sea. There might be a war in the future. And if the government knew my identity, they'd probably send troops to punish me." Cheng Xi finished his words in one breath, smiling faintly. "It's as precarious as a pile of eggs, but that's all."

Fang Tianxi was speechless again. What he wanted to say was completely said by the other party.

The next moment, he frowned: "Now that you know, aren't you afraid?"

"I have faced a group of thieves alone, and I have also gone deep into the government office to kidnap a death row prisoner. Since I was not afraid then, I will not be afraid in the future. It's just a matter of countering each move." Cheng Xi looked calm, neither arrogant nor impatient.

Fang Tianxi showed a look of sarcasm: "Some things require more than courage. You have an unstable foundation, yet you still dare to make enemies everywhere. Aren't you afraid of eating too much and bursting your stomach?"

Cheng Xi did not answer, but asked: "May I ask why you came here, sir?"

This change of topic made Fang Tianxi's mouth twitch, but he continued with what he had said before: "Since we are working for the Suoyi Gang, we should seek some help. Besides, the Red Flag Gang is in danger, I can't just turn a blind eye."

Cheng Xi still didn't respond: "Oh? Which hero did you take a fancy to this time, isn't it Brother Sun Yuanrang?"

Her guess was quite accurate. Fang Tianxi laughed happily and said, "No need to bother Miss Qiu about this."

Cheng Xi seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "So, Mr. Fang, who do you think is better, me or Brother Sun?"

Fang Tianxi looked at the person in front of him and said bluntly, "You are a woman."

Cheng Xi pretended to listen attentively, but when he saw that the other party did not continue for a while, he asked in surprise, "Anything else?"

Fang Tianxi was so angry that he laughed at this behavior, but a sense of loss also rose in his heart. If this was a man, he might not really look down on Sun Yuanrang.

However, these emotions remained hidden. Fang Tianxi simply said, "For you, no matter how big your family business is, it's just a gift for someone else."

Cheng Xi shook his head: "If you can't grasp and control it, no matter whether you are a man or a woman, you will not be able to protect the family business. I built this Red Flag Gang with my own hands, and no one can take it away from me!"

These words were so certain that Fang Tianxi wanted to say, if you get married, this family business will naturally be taken over by someone else.

But looking at those sharp black eyes that were completely different from what he remembered, he realized that unless this little girl died, no one else could reap the benefits. There was a way to keep these things...

Wait, he didn't come here to join the army!

Fang Tianxi's face turned serious: "What's the point of Miss Qiu saying this? I am now a member of the Suoyi Gang."

Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "Of course."

Nature is bullshit!

Fang Tianxi knew that this little girl was trying to dig him up. This back-and-forth conversation was basically trying to persuade him to get along! But the other party didn't say it explicitly, and he couldn't even refuse openly. It was really frustrating.

But how could he possibly join a man like that? He didn't know what the Red Flag Gang would become in the future, and at his age, he wasn't willing to take any more risks. Perhaps the Suoyi Gang was a safer option...

However, even though he thought so, Fang Tianxi couldn't help but look at the woman in front of him.

Cheng Xi was aware of the other party's inquiring gaze, but his expression remained unchanged as he said nonchalantly, "If you want to persuade me to join forces with the Suoyi Gang, there's no need to waste time. I'm planning to sell the sea salt to Jinghu and also plan to buy a few cannons from them. I think we can reach an agreement."

This time, Fang Tianxi finally took control of the conversation. He immediately said, "If it's just about money and goods, countless merchants have close ties with the Minoco Gang. What does the small Red Flag Gang matter to them? The world is about to become chaotic, and more and more people will be betting on it. If you want to gain a foothold in the South China Sea, Miss Qiu should find another way."

Is the Suoyi Gang really that powerful? So, are Lu Jian and Sun Yuanrang collaborating to disrupt the Lu family, or are they already betting on him? Cheng Xi nodded thoughtfully, but didn't ask what that "secret path" was. Instead, he said, "It's not impossible to join forces with the Suoyi Gang, but things are complicated within the gang right now, and I can't get away for the time being. If Mr. Fang is willing to wait, you might as well stay at the main camp for a while."

Is she still not giving up and wants him to see how powerful the Red Flag Gang is? Fang Tianxi couldn't help but sneer: "Miss Qiu, aren't you afraid that if I see too much, it will be disadvantageous to you?"

This was a real threat, which made Tian Yu, who had been listening, frown.

Cheng Xi smiled and shook his head: "When Mr. Fang was planning in Panyu, did he want to rescue Tian Danhui? Now that Danhui is my subordinate, I should still accept this favor."

As soon as the words came out, Tian Yu was surprised and looked at Fang Tianxi involuntarily.

The old man didn't refute, but just said: "It's because Miss Qiu got there first."

Could this be true? Looking at Fang Tianxi again, Tian Yu's eyes showed a conflicted look.

It seems she guessed right?

The reason why Cheng Xi thought so was because the prison break was a bit strange.

As General Qiu's advisor, how could Fang Tianxi not know that Tian Yu was in prison? With such a major case, taking him away wouldn't be a big deal, but the people from the Suoi Gang didn't touch Tian Yu at all.

But if he didn't care, how could Fang Tianxi know that Tian Yu was rescued in the first place, and even guess that it was the leader of the Red Flag Gang?

I'm afraid that in Fang Tianxi's original plan, he intended to take advantage of the chaos to rescue Tian Yu, and he didn't want the Suoyi Gang to know about this.

But she happened to be the first to come over, so I came over to take a look out of curiosity.

Sun Yuanrang has already left, but this old man doesn't hurry to follow him. It's hard to say how loyal he is. Wouldn't it be a pity to let go of such a good opportunity?

Moreover, after this conversation, Cheng Xi had some guesses about why Fang Tianxi left without saying goodbye.

This was clearly a ruthless scholar who only wanted to bring chaos to the world. Why would he join General Qiu and even offer him advice? With his keen eyesight, could he not see General Qiu's true nature? Cheng Xi didn't believe that the two of them had no friendship at all.

Then it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep this person for a few days. At least, as she expected, he didn't show any suspicion in his heart, and he probably wouldn't tell others about her suspicious behavior.

There was no need to say more at this point. Fang Tianxi was politely invited out. After Tian Yu and the others left, he whispered, "Do you really want to use him?"

Even though Fang Tianxi had intended to save him, Tian Yu did not trust this man.

If he really encountered danger, he would probably abandon the Red Flag Gang just like he abandoned General Qiu.

Can such a person serve as an assistant?

Cheng Xi sighed softly: "We are still short of people, but I won't force it. At least putting them beside Sun Yuanrang will be a help."

What she said to Fang Tianxi today, regardless of whether it could have any effect, was ultimately a statement.

More importantly, Sun Yuanrang's current position made him desperately in need of allies, and he himself truly needed external assistance. This was a mutually beneficial situation, so with Fang Tianxi's shrewdness, why would he interfere? Furthermore, their territories, one on the sea and the other on land, were not likely to collide for the time being, making them both safer.

Tian Yu quickly figured out the key to this, and after thinking for a while, he asked, "What about our plan?"

"Of course it will be carried out as usual." Cheng Xi said with a smile.

In her opinion, the process of establishing a relationship between ancient counselors and lords was basically the same as a blind date. They had to first demonstrate their strength and try their best to show their advantages. They also had to secretly observe whether the two people had the same values ​​and interests.

So now, isn’t this another good opportunity to show your strength?