Chapter 95
"You are short of food, so your idea of attacking the mountain stronghold is right. Those bandits in the mountain stronghold are not good people. By doing this, you can not only eliminate violence and protect the good, but also alleviate your own food crisis." Yao Chunnuan first affirmed their approach.
Pan Buyi nodded. That’s what they thought.
"But these days, it's not easy to survive in the counterfeiting industry." Yao Chunnuan sighed.
The few remaining mountain strongholds in Yichun: How dare you say that our lives are not easy, isn’t it all because of you?
He Lun got a headache when he thought of the spoils from the strongholds they attacked. "Isn't it? They are all very thin." They were really useless, tasteless to eat and a pity to throw away.
"So, there is no future in counterfeiting!" Yao Chunnuan concluded.
Brother Pan: What does this mean? Aren’t you talking about counterfeiting?
Pan Buyi has always been calm and just waited for her to clarify her doubts.
He Lun's heart moved, and he remembered a rumor about the Yichun military settlement. Could it be true?
Meng Yi laughed heartily, "Right, right, right. Listen to Chief Secretary Yao. There's no future in attacking a mountain stronghold."
"So what did you do last year?" Pan Xiaodi was puzzled.
Meng Yi put his arm around Pan's shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother Pan, you don't really think that our military settlement has captured so much just by attacking two strongholds, do you?"
"Isn't it?"
Meng Yi shook his head, "Of course not. Attacking those two strongholds was just one of the ways we laundered the money and food we obtained."
Brother Pan widened his eyes. He didn't expect you to be like this!
Could the rumors in the military settlement actually be true? Did Yao Chunnuan really single-handedly deduce the exact location of Marshal Zhu's secret vault? Everyone present was no fool. Although Yao Chunnuan and the others had briefly explained the matter, they quickly deduced the truth based on the rumors.
The way they looked at Yao Chunnuan changed instantly. He was too evil. First he worked under someone else's name, and then he turned around and took the person down, completely pinning the crime of theft on the other gang leader.
Yao Chunnuan looked helpless. Okay, did the guests know about her great achievements so quickly? But the vest thing was entirely the idea of the generals.
"So what is our job this time?"
Yao Chunnuan laid it straight, "I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, but this time our job is to take care of Lord Lei's private vault on the outskirts of the city."
Pan Buyi and others did not speak.
"Taishu Lei also possesses countless treasures within his mansion. That private vault serves as his backup plan and escape route, located on the outskirts of the city so he can use it in case of flight. Seven years ago, he arrived in Yichun alone, penniless. Seven years later, he possesses fine clothing, a beautiful residence, and countless gold, silver, jewelry, and grain. Where did all this wealth come from? I'm sure everyone knows this clearly. I'd like to know your decision. Is this job feasible?"
Meng Yi was laughing secretly on the side. Yao Zhubo's reason for getting rid of Prefect Lei was so refreshing and unconventional. Wasn't it just revenge against him for restricting the population and land of their military settlement?
Pan Xiaodi said, "Brother, let's do it. We have no friendship with Governor Lei. We can just fight him. It's ill-gotten gains anyway."
Pan Buyi and He Lun looked at each other, then nodded to Yao Chunnuan, "Done."
"Very good, but there's one thing I must clarify first," Yao Chunnuan said. "This time, your Gaoshan soldiers will be the main force, and we will be the auxiliary. We won't be sending a large force."
"Why?"
Pan Xiaodi and the others were puzzled. Weren't they the ones who were working for the Yichun military settlement? He was thinking, "The military settlement eats the meat, and they drink the soup." How did they suddenly become the main force?
"This is really a small job. According to our shogunate's estimate, the value of the spoils is only between 200,000 and 300,000 taels of silver."
"You guys even figured this out?" Little Brother Pan was stunned.
Meng Yi smiled but said nothing. You don’t know the capabilities of our military shogunate.
He cleared his throat and said, "Originally, if you hadn't come, we would have planned to go. But now that you've come, brothers, especially seeing you come all the way here without getting anything, isn't it sad?"
Yao Chunnuan drank water and glanced at him. As expected, such sour words were not suitable for her.
Pan Xiaodi nodded, "Yes, that's right, it's so sad."
"If we have made great efforts, shouldn't we get half of the spoils? I'm not trying to show off, but our lives in the military settlements are better than yours. If we don't divide the spoils, the soldiers who go out to work will feel uncomfortable. If we divide them, you will get less than half. Moreover, our not sending troops does not mean we will sit idly by. This time we will send two generals to help you, me, General Meng Yi, and General Ji Ze. We will each lead a small team, mainly to assist you." Meng Yi said this from the heart.
After hearing this, Pan Buyi and He Lun felt relieved. They now fully believed that the Yichun military settlement was truly willing to help them, and not to deceive them.
"Although we won't be sending troops on a large scale, believe me, it's better for our military to not send troops. If we do, it will probably cause trouble for both your army and ours. Besides, this is just a small job, so it won't cause much trouble. Are all of your 3,000-plus soldiers good at it?"
"Yes, they are all good ones." Brother Pan puffed out his chest proudly. Those who are not good ones are all staying in the tribe and cannot go out.
Yao Chunnuan nodded, "This little bit of work is enough."
Then, she waved her hand and said, "Come, let me tell you about our plan this time. We can't just attack Lord Lei's secret vault directly, as that would ruin our reputation. We have to put on a disguise."
Meng Yi couldn't help but laugh, and the rest of the military settlement followed suit. "Master Yao, ever since you targeted Marshal Zhu's two secret vaults last time, do you think wearing a vest is still useful? Whenever something goes wrong in Yichun City, someone else might suspect you, but Marshal Zhu will always think it was you."
Yao Chunnuan rolled her eyes at them. No matter how ugly the vest looked, she had to wear it tightly.
Pan Xiaodi understood immediately, "I understand. Just like you did last time, put on the bandit's vest."
"No, let the bandits wear the vests themselves. After they succeed in their robbery, we just need to rob them on their way back. But remember, don't be greedy. You should wait for them to tire themselves out and just take half of the loot. When the time comes, you should only take the small, valuable items and leave the bulky ones with them. They'll get half of the loot, forcing them to fight the officials who will come later. Remember not to take everything, otherwise the pursuers will chase you." Yao Chunnuan instructed, emphasizing the key points repeatedly. Furthermore, the bandits who did this were among the best in Yichun and would not be easy to deal with.
Brother Pan: It’s like thieves eating thieves, he likes it.
He Lun and Pan Buyi had a better idea. If they followed her advice, they could wait and see. They could take only half the loot, and the bandits would probably agree. Even if they didn't, couldn't they just kill a few of the troublemakers to force their hand? That way, while they'd only get half, they wouldn't lose any soldiers, effectively getting a free bargain. If they took more, they'd have to fight the bandits to the death, and their own men would also bleed and die. They'd also risk being chased by the troops sent by Prefect Lei. Comparing the two, it was clear which was the better deal.
Brilliant! This strategy fully grasps the essence of the scoundrel-eating-the-scoundrel strategy. Pan Buyi and He Lun exchanged glances, each noticing the other's surprised look.
Seeing that they were silent, Meng Yi comforted them, "Don't worry, we have made all the arrangements here. Just follow the plan and we guarantee that no one will find out about you. They have already done the preliminary work." Moreover, Chief Secretary Yao said that if their troops did not move, it would actually reduce the other side's vigilance.
Pan Xiaodi smacked Meng Yi, "Brother, you're so brave!" They were already sure that the plan had worked. Once everything went smoothly, with this vote, they would have the face to face their tribesmen.
Pan Buyi and He Lun also stood up and thanked them solemnly. Look at their plan, the preliminary work has been completed, just waiting to pick the peaches. As soon as they arrived, they gave them the peaches. No matter how much we thank them, it is impossible.
After the two parties reached a cooperation intention, they discussed some key issues. Then, as it was late at night and they had almost finished discussing everything, they dispersed.
On the way back, Pan kept talking about how kind the people in the Yichun military settlement were. They were so kind to them, not only providing them with food, drink, and a place to rest, but also taking them to work. Finally, they even prepared local specialties for them to take back. It was a gesture of kindness from a family member.
"By the way, big brother, it seems their military settlement is in great need of good horses. Should we have someone send a batch of calves over later? We won't suffer any loss if we maintain friendly relations with them."
Pan Buyi and He Lun both agreed that everything would be discussed after they returned to their tribe.
After the Gaoshan people left, Meng Yi kept pestering Yao Chunnuan and asked, "We can definitely join forces with the Gaoshan people this time. Why not do something big and directly attack Marshal Zhu's two secret vaults?"
Yao Chunnuan walked out wrapped in a cloak, saying as he walked, "Marshal Zhu and Governor Lei are moving together. Do you think we are too stubborn? You are forcing them to join forces!"
"If we only target Governor Lei this time, will they not join forces?" Meng Yi felt that they would eventually join forces when they had to.
Yao Chunnuan smiled, but didn't explain. Instead, she said, "We can't always just exploit Marshal Zhu." Besides, they've already made their cards clear: the secret vault has become a treasure trove, and they've even deployed heavy troops to guard both vaults. They have no room for micromanagement except through sheer force. Speaking of sheer force, don't forget that Marshal Zhu is a powerful figure with 70,000 troops at his command.
When he walked out of the gate, he saw Qi Yingshan coming to greet him. Meng Yi shut up, said goodbye to Yao Chunnuan, and went back to his residence.
General Qin and General Huo from the northern border had no idea that their in-laws and the little friend they picked up along the way were secretly planning to work together to do private work.
The next day, the Yichun military settlement prepared a good breakfast for the Gaoshan soldiers and then saw them off.
Before leaving, the senior executives of both sides exchanged ambiguous glances.
Riding out of the military settlement on horseback, the Gaoshan soldiers were still sighing at the kindness of the people in the Yichun military settlement. They were not to mention anything else, but they also fed their horses well. Their soldiers saw that they fed them only good grass, and their horses were full of energy after a few good meals.
Soon the auspicious day for Wang Lang's wedding arrived.
It's almost midnight, with a dark moon and strong winds, it's a perfect day for doing big things.
After a busy day and seeing off the guests, Wang Lang did not return to his bridal chamber. Instead, he entered a secret room and asked the question that concerned him most, "Is there any unusual movement in the Yichun military settlement?"
"No."
"Are you sure you didn't send troops under the pretext of a mission?"
"No."
Wang Lang finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. It seemed he had overthought, thinking Yao Chunnuan would take advantage of his wedding night to launch a surprise attack.
At this time, Yao Chunnuan also lay down on the bed. Before falling asleep, she thought to herself, "Wang Lang, I'm giving you an unforgettable wedding gift. Do you like it?"
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