"So, if the king knew that your court had traveled through mountains and rivers, enduring hardships, he would be pleased and would surely send people to assist you, share your burdens, and work together for the court... But look at the people around you, they are all personal guards, not a single outsider."
As Mo Lan spoke, she shrugged innocently, her eyes filled with amusement as she looked at Qin Su.
"We both know what iron ore means. Even if the king agrees to let you act as his agent, those ministers won't let you have your way. Who knows if you'll take the opportunity to line your own pockets?"
Listening to Mo Lan's unhurried analysis of his situation, Qin Su was indeed surprised, not expecting her to be able to hit the nail on the head.
Given the Ji State ruler's apprehension towards the Qin family, once he learns of the iron mine, he will undoubtedly try every means to obstruct him, or at the very least, involve others to monitor each other.
Thinking of this, Qin Su felt a chill run down her spine, a fierce glint flashed in her eyes, and the temperature around her body dropped.
"Hey~, don't look at me like that, I'm a coward. Don't worry, I don't have time to investigate you, it's just a matter of common sense."
Ignoring Qin Su's probing gaze, Mo Lan tilted her head, curled her lips, and looked relaxed. The idea of being timid was completely foreign to her.
"So, it's unlikely that your trip is for official business, so it's only for personal reasons. If it's a personal matter, then it's simple; it's just a matter that can be resolved through negotiation between the two of us."
Qin Su stared intently at Mo Lan, her eyes churning with turbulent emotions, before finally calming down after a long while.
Although Mo Lan couldn't see the aura surging around him, she could still feel the chill within three feet of him.
This proves that her words hit the nail on the head.
Mo Lan was not afraid of Qin Su's thoughts, and simply waited quietly for him to make a decision.
"Heh~, Miss Mo Lan is indeed exceptionally intelligent, and her analysis is spot on... But I insist on serving the country single-handedly, what do you think? Besides, I prefer to be decisive and do things my own way, and I don't like having others involved when I'm doing things."
As Qin Su spoke, she looked at Mo Lan with a cold gaze, her tone and eyes carrying a clear threat.
"Sigh, if you insist on pretending to be ignorant even when you know the truth, I have nothing to say."
As she spoke, Mo Lan stood up, stroking her pointer, walked up to Qin Su, leaned slightly towards him, and spoke with the same arrogant tone.
“Since this is a matter for the imperial court, it’s easy to handle. This doesn’t seem to be Ji Kingdom’s territory. If you’re going to use force, we might as well have a contest. If you defeat me, this place is yours.”
"You've got some nerve, daring to go against the imperial court. Aren't you afraid the court will send troops to suppress the bandits?"
"Oh dear, I'm so scared."
Mo Lan patted her chest as if she were scared, squinted, and took a step back.
"Look at the situation now. Warlords are vying for power, wars are constant, the country has no peace, the year has no peace, there are no stable alliances, and the land has no fixed ruler. We have been reduced to a mountain stronghold because we are forced to live. Even if the imperial court sends troops to wipe us out, do you think we are afraid?"
As Mo Lan spoke, her gaze towards Qin Su became sharp yet indifferent. "All our struggles are for survival, which is fundamentally different from yours. In fact, you could say it's the difference between fate and profit. So, until the very last moment, it's really hard to say who will win or lose."
Qin Su was shocked by Mo Lan's sudden change. Even Wu Feng and the others behind him looked at her incredulously, their eyes filled with complex emotions. They had followed their master all over the country and were quite knowledgeable.
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