Zhao immediately accepted the order: "Yes, sir."

So Zhao Lian led three hundred men straight to the Green Bamboo Manor.

The Green Bamboo Manor is named so because it is nestled among a grove of green bamboo.

The bamboo in the north is not very thick, as it was transplanted from the south. However, this did not stop the owner from loving bamboo. He not only transplanted bamboo but also named the manor "Emerald Bamboo Manor".

Spanning hundreds of acres, the area boasts pavilions, towers, bridges, and flowing water, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

Cao Qiang then discussed countermeasures with Cao Wang, who had brought him back.

Although Cao Qiang was arrogant, he had now fallen to the point where he had to hide his whereabouts for the time being, and the experience of being caught by Chen Xi before had calmed him down a lot.

They also know to listen to their subordinates' opinions.

Cao Wang was Cao Ying's confidant and, of course, a supporter of Cao Qiang.

Originally, Cao Qiang was sent by Cao Ying to Linchuan County to monitor Cao Sen. After Cao Qiang disappeared, everyone said that he had died in the fire, but Cao Ying never gave up looking for this legitimate son.

Cao Wang then took on the task of searching nearby.

He completed his mission by bringing Cao Qiang back safely this time.

But who knew that Cao Ying would be assassinated and on the verge of death, and Cao Changyu would take control of a portion of the forces.

Cao Wang, together with his steward Cao Feng, has been contacting his former subordinates one by one, and they have now made contact with most of them.

When these people heard that Cao Qiang was still alive, the vast majority of them supported him.

They were just waiting for the right opportunity to have Cao Qiang appear so that he could smoothly take over Cao Ying's power.

Cao Wang told Cao Qiang about these plans, and Cao Qiang still gritted his teeth in resentment: "I didn't expect Cao Changyu to be so cunning. He actually has 30% of his people under his control."

It is important to know that powerful and influential families would prevent their illegitimate sons from having any improper thoughts or connections.

Cao Ying favored his youngest son, Cao Changyu, and often kept him by his side. Unexpectedly, this gave Cao Changyu an opportunity to contact and win over many people.

Cao Wang then advised, "Young Master, Cao Changyu is currently acting as the head of the family on a temporary basis because everyone outside thinks you are gone."

Now, if you wish to appear before others, you must not directly confront Cao Changyu. Instead, you should be grateful for his temporary role as acting head of the family.

Cao Qiang's eyes widened: "Why? Why should I be grateful to him?"

Cao Changyu's act of secretly recruiting people is a serious crime.

Cao Wang then advised, "Our group cannot afford to fall into chaos any longer. We must unite with Cao Changyu to stabilize the situation first."

Now that Cao He and Cao Changgeng are eyeing us covetously, and Tao Feng is surrounding the city, we cannot afford to clash with Cao Changyu again.

Cao Qiang was furious when he heard this.

One by one, his illegitimate sons dared to ride on his neck.

Cao Changyu and Cao Changgeng treated him with the same respect and caution that mice would show to a cat.

Now he has to hide his whereabouts first.

This is so frustrating!

Just then, a steward rushed in and hurriedly reported, "Young Master, something terrible has happened! Cao Changyu has sent men to break in!"

Cao Qiang was filled with rage, and his already aggrieved feelings exploded.

"Fine, he dares to come again, I'll kill him."

As he spoke, he was about to rush out.

Cao Wang suddenly grabbed him: "Young Master, wait a moment."

Cao Qiang was burning with anger, glaring at Cao Wang: "They dare to bully us like this, why aren't you fighting back?"

Cao Wangze said, "Young Master, we only have a little over a hundred people here. The other side is definitely prepared and will outnumber us. If we fight, we will be at a disadvantage."

The manager hurriedly added, "That's right, they have more than three hundred people, three times our number. If a fight breaks out, we might not be able to hold them off."

The sounds from ahead could already be faintly heard.

Cao Wang immediately ordered, "Have some men hold off the enemy in front, and the rest of you follow me to protect the young master during the retreat."

"yes."

This manor is Cao Ying's private estate; how could there not be an escape route?

Cao Wang led his men away, escorting Cao Qiang, who was reluctant to flee.

"Cao Wang, you've gone too far! You're not listening to me anymore, are you? If we don't retreat, what is Cao Changyu anyway?"

Cao Wang ignored him and continued to order his men to protect Cao Qiang as they retreated.

Only after we were completely evacuated to a safe area did we feel relieved.

Cao Qiang was still seething with anger, cursing and swearing.

"Young Master, please calm down for a moment. We need to discuss what to do next."

Cao Qiang glared at him and said, "What to do? Of course, we'll fuck his mother."

"Alright, it's good that we've shown ourselves ahead of time. Although we haven't contacted some people yet because we can't be sure if they're with us or just sitting on the sidelines, we've already made up half of them."

Cao Changyu has already made his move. If Cao Qiang doesn't show himself, more and more members of the Cao family's main branch will likely stop believing that Cao Qiang is still alive.

Cao Wang took Cao Qiang directly to the butler.

Cao Feng has made ample preparations.

Arrangements had been made in advance, and then all the leaders, big and small, were contacted and a brief meeting was held.

The main idea is to lead all his men to directly attack Cao Changyu.

After all, Cao Qiang had more men than Cao Changyu, and his power was greater.

At the same time, after killing the guards of Cuizhu Manor, Zhao Lian ordered a thorough search, but found no trace of Cao Qiang.

Zhao Lian ignored him and took the man back to report to Cao Changyu.

"Master, Cao Qiang has escaped."

"They ran away?"

"Yes, I believe that there are secret passages in the Green Bamboo Manor. Otherwise, we would have already guarded all the exits of the Green Bamboo Manor."

Cao Changyu gritted his teeth.

Cao Qiang even knew about the secret passage, but he knew nothing at all.

The place he was in now was his father's territory, and he had no idea whether there were any secret passages there.

Thinking about it, Cao Changyu couldn't help but shudder.

If Cao Qiang led his men directly to him through the secret passage, what could he do?

Thinking of this, Cao Changyu immediately ordered, "Zhao Lian, take our men and withdraw from this place."

"yes.

Where does the master intend to take it?

"South Gate".

"yes."

At the south gate, the main guards were all led by people he trusted.

It would be safer to remove it.

Moreover, the streets adjacent to the south gate were all under his control.

When Cao Qiang and his group arrived, Cao Changyu had already removed the south gate, leaving Cao Qiang with an empty territory.

Even his father, Cao Ying, was taken away by Cao Changyu.

Cao Qiang angrily slammed the table and chairs: "That Cao Changyu, how could he be so cunning?"

Cao Wang had to admire Cao Changyu. These secret passages were known only to Cao Ying, Cao Qiang, and a few of his closest confidants, including himself.

Cao Changyu had already deduced from the fact that he had come up empty-handed at the Green Bamboo Manor that there must be a secret passage there, so he left in advance.

She is indeed a wise person.