Chapter 574: Fishing in Troubled Waters (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang's polite refusal was within everyone's expectations.
If she really disregards everything and insists on participating in this dragon-slaying event, she will only be looked down upon—because she lacks self-awareness.
only--
Upon receiving the aid supplies brought by the messenger and hearing the messenger recount the events of that day, Zhang Yongqing carefully read Shen Tang's reply. Seeing the sincere reminder to be wary of Huang Lie, even he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
"This child truly possesses the heart of a child."
It's flawless in every aspect.
Zhang Yongqing then inquired about the messenger's observations in Longwu County. Upon hearing that Longwu County was bustling with activity and in dire need of reconstruction, he frowned and pondered for a long time. He then waved for the messenger to leave. He summoned his advisors to discuss the next steps and how to respond.
Although Huang Lie led various forces to jointly attack Zheng Qiao and raised a righteous banner of "eliminating the tyrant and destroying the treacherous officials," everyone knew the truth of the matter.
Zhang He: "Gentlemen, how confident are we this time?"
The staff members said, "...40%."
Zheng Qiao is tyrannical, but not incompetent or foolish. If he were truly incompetent, he wouldn't have survived so many years of reckless behavior. For example, he was extremely cautious in inviting people to this gathering, fearing that a leak would be intercepted by Zheng Qiao and cause his side to lose the initiative.
"Only 40%?"
Zhang He was not surprised by this answer.
She muttered, "It's not that low."
Not every faction hates Zheng Qiao to the core. Some are content to be local tyrants, lording it over their own people, and joining the Bureau is just a way to build up their seniority and reputation. Others are taking advantage of the situation, hoping to make a profit by betting on the situation. Everyone has their own agenda.
They are all people who won't get up early without a profit.
What was Shang Nan Gu Ren's response?
"I've already agreed."
Zhang He asked in surprise, "So quick?"
Upon closer examination, it is not difficult to understand.
Gu Ren and Zheng Qiao didn't actually have much of a grudge, but several of Gu Ren's sworn brothers had a blood feud with Zheng Qiao. As the sworn brother, Gu Ren couldn't possibly refuse under any circumstances. He accepted the invitation immediately and was preparing for battle.
"Where is Tianhai Wu Xian?"
"I agreed. But—"
Zhang He asked, "But what?"
"Things don't seem to be going well on Wu Zhaode's end..."
Zhang He asked curiously, "Is it not peaceful?"
That's really strange.
As everyone knows, Wu Zhaode has a wealth of resources and a wealth of talented people under his command. He lacks nothing, which Zhang He has long envied.
"Tsk, I never thought Wu Zhaode would have such a rough time. Tell me, how exactly has he had his share of troubles?"
——————
To be precise, things were not peaceful under Wu Xian's command.
Before an army moves, its supplies must be ready.
War isn't something you can decide to wage war today and have an army ready to rush to the front lines tomorrow. Preparing supplies and provisions is a massive undertaking. This crucial task was usually handled by Wu Xian's trusted confidants, with Xu Jie, the mobile ATM, providing the funds and overseeing the process.
The current unrest stems from the conflict between Xu Jie and Wu Xian's trusted confidant, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Hmph!" Xu Jie slammed his wine cup to the ground, gritting his teeth. "Do you really think I, Xu Wenzhu, can be molded at will?"
"Old Xu, calm down, calm down, it's not worth it."
Zhao Feng offered words of comfort.
He was invited to have drinks today.
As for why he was able to drink with Xu Jie, who was stationed in Heyin County, it was naturally because Xu Jie had too few troops and weak forces, so he was not destined for the Dragon-Slaying Scheme. Therefore, he was transferred to the border between Heyin and Tianhai to garrison troops and protect the area.
The martial arts master is incredibly fast.
It doesn't take him much effort to attend a banquet and have a drink.
Xu Jie glared: "How can you calm down?"
I sat back down, my chest still heaving violently.
"I don't know what the lord was thinking, why would he put a useless person who only knows how to nitpick in charge of supervising the supply of provisions..."
Zhao Feng was speechless: "But wasn't it always him in the past?"
When Wu Xian led his troops into battle, Xu Jie and that other person worked together to supervise the supply of provisions and ensure the smooth transport of grain. They cooperated quite a few times.
Xu Jie replied, "Times have changed."
That man came from the Tianhai family, a typical scholar from a prominent family who disliked merchants. Although he didn't say it, he always had an inexplicable arrogance in his heart whenever he faced Xu Jie—Xu Jie only needed to provide money and food, and he didn't need to interfere in other matters.
In the past, Xu Jie was too lazy to bother with this person and was happy to have someone else take the lead so that he could relax a bit.
only--
This person was the most active in meddling in the affairs of the River Governor, and because of this, he had many disagreements with Xu Jie. As Xu Jie refused to compromise, his dissatisfaction with Xu Jie deepened, and the conflict between them became acute. Under this premise, he also cooperated…
Xu Jie was then targeted and made to suffer.
They would complain that the supplies were old and worn out, or that there was a shortage of food, or that the supplies were moldy and smelly, causing frequent diarrhea among the soldiers who ate them, or that the food had been embezzled... After finally reconciling the accounts, they would say that there were not enough cooks to transport the grain, and that more people needed to be recruited, or that the supply lines were not reasonable.
In short, there are only two things that won't work.
This won't work, that won't work.
After listening to the complaints, Zhao Feng smacked his lips.
"Indeed, this person is too petty..."
Instead of prioritizing the overall situation, they used their position to settle personal scores.
Just thinking about it makes my fists hard.
Xu Jie poured himself another cup, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then said angrily, "I don't believe my lord is unaware of this..."
For once, he expressed his opinion about Wu Xiansheng.
"Perhaps our lord wants to take this opportunity to turn hostility into friendship..." Zhao Feng knew his lord Wu Xian quite well, but Wu Xian clearly did not know his subordinates well enough, and he did not know that a narrow-minded person who was already prejudiced against Xu Jie would only take revenge for personal grudges when the conflict between the two deepened, instead of reconciling with a smile as Wu Xian hoped.
"Heh, let's not talk about that, let's keep drinking."
Xu Jie can't stand hearing these things now.
Actively avoid this topic.
Zhao Feng looked at Xu Jie, who was clearly unhappy, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth, but he didn't dare to offer any advice. He just muttered to himself, "If only Gong Su were here. Even if he couldn't resolve the conflict between the two, at least he could advise Wu Xian to change the person in charge of the grain supply."
"Yes, yes, let's not talk about those unlucky people."
Xu Jie drank one cup after another.
His face was flushed from drinking, and he was slightly drunk. He slurred, "We're really brothers in misfortune."
Xu Jie was frustrated, and Zhao Feng wasn't much better off. They and their troops had been sent here, missing their chance to distinguish themselves in battle. For a naturally warlike and courageous martial artist, what could be more boring than being stuck in the rear training troops? Watching others gain merit was far more painful than missing out on it themselves!
However, Zhao Feng's mindset was still acceptable.
Before Qin Li went to Huang Lie as an envoy, he privately instructed Zhao Feng not to act rashly. Zhao Feng had been out of service with Shen Tang for two years, and his troops were far smaller than those of other high-ranking generals, so the probability of him going into battle this time was not high.
If forced into battle—
I'm afraid the losses will outweigh the gains.
It would be safer for him to focus on recruiting and training troops in the rear, and then go to the front lines to fight when the situation becomes critical.
Zhao Feng always listened to Qin Li.
A few days later, both of them received news from Longwu County that they could not participate in the event, but their feelings were completely different.
Zhao Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
His runaway daughter is causing trouble in Shen Jun's territory. If Shen Jun goes to war, given her temperament, she might infiltrate the army. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; her rudimentary skills are no match for them. One wrong move and she could lose her life.
It's good that we're not going to fight.
Xu Jie's eyes lit up.
This means that Shen Tang's private salt business will not be affected and can continue as usual—Lord Wu Xian is busy with the war and will not be able to take care of him for a while.
(ノへ￣、)
The Time Technique still needs two more chapters, as it needs to explain the sale of smuggled salt and the situation on the Ten Crows side.
P.S.: Who said Tang Mei is still flat-chested at 16?
(End of this chapter)
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