Mountain and River Festival 178. Outsiders

In early April, the Li King and Nanzhao, who were fighting against the Great Chu in the south, withdrew their troops one after another, and the originally fierce war showed signs of easing. Once the Li King and Nanzhao ceased fighting, the Great Chu in the south would only have hundreds of thousands of troops led by Lei Tengfeng of Xiling. No matter how strong the Xiling army was, it was far away from the mainland. In the vast land of the Great Chu, there were hundreds of thousands of Mohist troops staring at them. Lei Tengfeng also gradually slowed down his pace. Although there were several frictions between the Northern Rong and the Northern Rong in the north, they were all wins and losses, and no one gained any advantage, so the stalemate continued.

In this regard, both Feng Zhiyao and other people in Ruyang City were worried. Once the Great Chu and other countries reached a truce, it was even possible to reach an agreement to unite all forces to deal with them. In this regard, Mo Xiuyao just smiled and said nothing.

"Your Majesty, Mo Jingqi must have reached an agreement with Mo Jingli. Once Xiling and Beirong stop, Mo Jingqi will most likely turn around and deal with us." Feng Zhiyao said worriedly in the study.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, "Feng San, the Mohist Army has always been a major concern for the dignitaries of various countries, even now... it is the same. So, even if they all join hands to deal with me, I will not be surprised at all." Feng Zhiyao frowned and said, "Does your Majesty have any countermeasures?" Mo Xiuyao stroked the book in his hand and lowered his eyes and said, "Countermeasures... Feng San, what the Mohist Army needs now is not countermeasures, but victories." Feng Zhiyao looked at the domineering king in front of him and asked in confusion, "Victory?"

With a hint of cold smile on his lips, Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "That's right... the Mo family army's invincible reputation has been tarnished for so many years. What I want is for Mo Jingqi to make the first move, so I can use him to practice. Tell the world that the Mo family army... is still the Mo family army..." Feng Zhiyao was a little doubtful, rubbed his brows and said, "If the four countries attack us at the same time, your Majesty... the Mo family army, no matter how brave it is, it cannot withstand the endless enemy forces." Mo Xiuyao squinted and looked at Feng Zhiyao, and after a long time he laughed softly. Seeing Feng Zhiyao's puzzled expression, Mo Xiuyao said with a smile: "Feng San, you claim to be smart, but you are a mess when it comes to government affairs. Do you think... there will be a time when the four countries will attack at the same time?" Feng Zhiyao frowned in thought. Mo Xiuyao carelessly stroked his fingertips and said lightly, "In this world... there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends. The only thing that is truly eternal is each other's interests. If the Mo family army is gone, who will benefit the most? The Mo family army still has more than 500,000 people. If they want to really destroy me, will 500,000 soldiers be enough? Who contributes more and who less? And they themselves... Nanzhao has tribal disputes, Xiling has small countries in turmoil, and Beirong has suffered from drought and poor harvests for years. And Da Chu... Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli, do you think they will really unite together sincerely?"

After Mo Xiuyao said this, Feng Zhiyao felt that his mind suddenly became clear. He smiled with some embarrassment and said, "I thought too much. The prince must have known the situation in his mind. Then... the Mo family army should be on high alert and wait for the enemy to come. However... I think it is best not to confront Mo Jingqi's people right from the beginning." Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and looked at him. Feng Zhiyao said, "Mo Jingqi has slandered the prince. If we confront Mo Jingqi right from the beginning, I am afraid that the prince will really be charged with plotting rebellion."

Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, obviously not taking it seriously, and simply asked, "What is the reaction of the officers and soldiers of the Mo family army?"

"The Mo family army has been suppressed by Mo Jingqi in recent years, and they are very clear about this matter. Naturally, they will only obey the orders of the prince." Feng Zhiyao was a little helpless. He really didn't understand why the prince didn't consider refuting the dirty water that Mo Jingqi splashed on him. Even he knew the importance of people's hearts, but the prince didn't seem to care about this issue at all. As if he had seen through Feng Zhiyao's thoughts, Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "No matter how you argue, it is a fact that the Mo family army is gradually leaving Da Chu. No matter how much you talk, in the eyes of many people, it is just an attempt to cover up the truth. Mo Jingqi likes to play, so I will play with him. He was raised too spoiled by the late emperor and the queen mother. The world belongs to those who win the hearts of the people... Does he think it is so easy to win the hearts of the people? Mo Jingqi doesn't need to worry about it. Send a message to Han Mingxi and ask him to come back to see me. Also, ask Leng Haoyu to come back as soon as possible. I have something to tell them."

Feng Zhiyao nodded in agreement. When Leng Haoyu was mentioned, Feng Zhiyao hesitated and asked, "My Lord, is General Murong there..." Murong Shen was also a famous general of the Great Chu, and he had also followed Mo Liufang. Now Murong Shen's only daughter is the wife of Leng Haoyu, one of Mo Xiuyao's most trusted confidants. So it seemed natural to pull Murong Shen. Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment, waved his hand and said, "Don't do it for now. General Murong is definitely the first person Mo Jingqi suspects, and he must be full of spies around him. Just send someone to keep an eye on him. As long as Mo Jingqi doesn't attack General Murong, there is no need to alarm him for the time being. The south... also needs a reliable general to guard. Although I don't like Mo Jingqi, I don't want those southern barbarians to set foot in the interior of the country!" Hearing Mo Xiuyao say this, Feng Zhiyao knew what was going on. Mo Xiuyao was obviously sure about Murong Shen, but now he still needed Murong Shen to stay in the south. Thinking about it, Feng Zhiyao also understood Mo Xiuyao's idea. If we talk about the surrounding countries, which one Feng Zhiyao hates the most, he will definitely choose Nanzhao. Unlike the brave Xiling and Beirong, the Nanzhao tribes are fierce and have different customs, but they are definitely the most xenophobic among all the countries. And those messy and dazzling poisonous insects and ants, Feng Zhiyao really doesn't want to imagine what will happen if they turn the beautiful and rich Central Plains into a place full of poisonous insects and snakes.

"I understand. I'll do it right away."

Mo Xiuyao nodded and asked Feng Zhiyao to leave. Feng Zhiyao bowed and left. Looking at Mo Xiuyao who was sitting behind the desk and lost in thought, he moved his lips and wanted to say something. But he swallowed his words and quietly left the study.

Ye Li walked back in the sunset, carrying a basket of wild vegetables. Her beautiful face was illuminated by the sun and turned a healthy red, with beads of sweat on her forehead. Although her body had recovered, it was still a bit difficult for her to go up the mountain while being seven months pregnant. Taking advantage of the good weather today, she went to the small river that Doctor Lin had brought her.

But the rushing river was obviously not the same river as the one she fell off the cliff from, not even a branch. At the end of the river was a waterfall that fell from a great height, but Ye Li knew that she definitely did not fall from the waterfall. The waterfall was a full twenty meters high, and the shallow river water below, the gravity of the fall was definitely enough to kill her even if it did not cover her.

She would have fallen to death. Therefore, there is a very likely underground river under her waterfall, and she might have been washed out from there. Unfortunately... looking at the turbulence of the water, even if her guess is true, it is not a suitable way to return, not to mention that she is now pregnant, which makes it even more impossible. Reluctantly giving up the idea of ​​going in to find out, Ye Li collected some usable wild vegetables and fruits, and then walked back to the small village where she had lived for several months.

Doctor Lin and Ye Li's hut was at the outermost edge of the village. It was the time when smoke from cooking was rising from every house. In the small mountain village, there was no one except for the faint laughter coming from the huts. From a distance, Ye Li saw that there was no smoke from cooking in Doctor Lin's house. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. Master hasn't come back yet? Remember he said he wouldn't go out today? Slowly walking into two small wooden houses not far apart, Ye Li's beautiful eyebrows gradually wrinkled. There were people in Doctor Lin's house, and more than one person. Generally speaking, no one would visit the village at this time, and... the sound was more like a martial artist.

Putting down the basket, Ye Li carefully supported her abdomen and walked around to the back of Doctor Lin's room. There was a low window near the study. Although Doctor Lin didn't like to read those books, he cherished them very much and often opened the window for ventilation. As she approached the opened window, she heard the sound inside becoming clearer and clearer. It was obvious that these people were in the study. Ye Li carefully held her breath, walked to the window and stood still. She looked inside through the gap. Doctor Lin sat on an old chair with a cold face. There were two men standing in the study. One was standing and talking to Doctor Lin, and the other was looking for something on the rows of bookshelves. The books on the bookshelves were turned over in a mess and scattered all over the floor.

"Mr. Lin, we don't want to hurt you, please take out the things. It's useless for you to keep them, why don't you teach us to take them out so that we can save trouble and you can also have peace of mind?" The middle-aged man standing in front of Doctor Lin smiled calmly, obviously not wanting to use force on Doctor Lin. Doctor Lin raised his eyelids and said lightly: "I don't know what you are talking about." The middle-aged man was not angry, and smiled: "Doctor Lin, why do you have to pretend to be stupid? You should know that since we have found this place, we will definitely not be fooled by you. You have lived here for 30 years, and you must want to continue to enjoy your old age. That thing is just a pile of waste paper to you, but it is extremely important to me. Considering the affection between you and me, why don't you fulfill it?"

Hearing this, Doctor Lin's face changed slightly, and the corners of his lips trembled twice, and it was obvious that he was in a state of agitation. After a long while, he snorted coldly and said, "I don't understand what you mean by 'upper and lower'. I don't know what you are talking about either."

The middle-aged man frowned, looked at Doctor Lin with some displeasure and said, "Mr. Lin, the thing was originally a family heirloom, and it is only natural for us to take it back now. It would be too much if you just took it for yourself." Doctor Lin snorted coldly, closed his eyes and stopped talking. The other man had obviously searched the study thoroughly but found nothing, and said irritably, "The thing is not here!" The middle-aged man did not have much patience, and began to look at Doctor Lin with some unkindness, "Doctor Lin, I have instructed us to be polite to you because of your kindness in raising me, but... you'd better not refuse a toast and then drink a penalty." Doctor Lin opened his eyes and looked at him, and said lightly, "I haven't drunk for more than 30 years. You go, let him tell me what he wants."

The man smiled disdainfully and said, "I am so busy that I don't have time to waste on such a small matter. Doctor Lin, if you are still so stubborn, don't blame me for offending you." He raised his chin slightly and gestured to the man next to him. The man understood and stepped forward to grab Doctor Lin, sneering, "Doctor Lin, I'm sorry. Our superiors have told us that we must get the things." Doctor Lin closed his eyes again and refused to speak again. A trace of impatience flashed across the man's face, and he said sorry, grabbed one of Doctor Lin's arms and was about to twist it back. Doctor Lin was already over 60 years old and was not a martial artist. If he went down, the least he would do was to break his entire arm.

Click… There was a faint sound of a foreign country outside the window. The man paused and exchanged a puzzled look with the middle-aged man. He asked sharply, “Who is it?”

The window shook slightly, but no one was seen. The man frowned in confusion, put down Doctor Lin and walked to the window, looked around before sticking his head out. A pair of slightly cold hands suddenly reached out and grabbed his neck. He only felt a chill on his neck, then a sharp pain, and then he knew nothing.

Seeing his companion suddenly fall against the window and not move, the middle-aged man's face flashed with fear. Originally, because this was not a difficult task, they did not bring too many people, but they did not expect that there was a mysterious master hidden in this small village.

"Who?! Come out..." the middle-aged man shouted, staring at the empty space outside the window with vigilant eyes. Looking at Doctor Lin next to him, the middle-aged man pulled him in front of him, staring at the window carefully and retreating to the door.

Brush… a gray figure quickly passed by the window, and the middle-aged man suddenly widened his eyes, but only saw a silver light quickly shooting in. His throat suddenly felt cold, and the man looked down at the shiny iron that had been stuck in his throat at some point, and fell back stiffly.