Chapter 116 In the future, you will willingly enter the Prince's Palace.
Zhou Congxian's hand had not yet recovered, and he was quickly outmatched after only a few moves.
He was only able to escape after Jiang Xingyao came out.
He Ran never expected that the Lord Zhou whom her father praised to the skies was nothing special. She now seriously doubted her father's taste in men, finding them all to be undesirable.
The man she chose herself was better; he was handsome and smart enough.
Yao Shisan was unaware that he had gained an "older sister" who was younger than him but treated him like a younger sister.
Not only did he stand up for her and beat up Zhou Congxian, but he also did so.
This became the biggest stumbling block on Zhou Congxian's long road ahead!
"Mother, where are we going now?"
Fu'er sat in the carriage, tilting her little face up and asking.
Yao Shisan touched her little face. "Let's go to the granary."
The crisis involving the bandits has not yet been resolved, but there are still so many mouths to feed.
The grain seized from the Cao family last year was distributed in two ways: some went directly to the county government's granary, while the rest was used as military rations in batches.
Now the county has several thousand more people, all of them big, strong men who can eat a lot. After the government's granaries were opened, they would run out in just a few days.
Her brother discussed with her that Ding County was not wealthy to begin with, so he would buy some grain at a price lower than the market price to cover her personal wages and help her get through the temporary difficulties.
For a businessman, not making a profit is equivalent to losing money.
Without Yao's trading company's granary, Jiang Xingyao would have had to beg the owners of various trading companies in the city.
Yao Shisan laughed and said that it was fate that had led her to open a granary in Ding County to help her brother overcome his difficulties.
Little Fatty Xi now opens his round eyes, and he's getting more and more energetic.
He couldn't stand staying in the county government office anymore. Ever since we went out once, he's been very happy whenever we go out.
Fu'er kissed the chubby little hand of the little fat boy.
"Mommy, when will Little Fatty be able to walk? I want to take him riding his monkey-shaped cart!"
Yao Shisan laughed, "When you grow up a year older and become a big sister, Xiao Pangxi will be able to walk."
Fu'er immediately lay down next to Little Fatty, "Fatty, grow up quickly, and I'll give you candied hawthorns every day!"
Little Fatty grinned, his toothless little mouth chuckling, and his tiny, lotus-root-like hands waved happily.
It was as if she understood what her older sister was saying.
Fu'er has been in Ding County for so long, but she has never been to the granary.
Yao Shisan asked the wet nurse to wait for her in the small house with the two children while she went to the granary to get the grain.
When she arrived at the granary, it was in the process of loading grain out of the warehouse.
What happened?
"Who gave up the grain?!"
She ran forward. Without her and Shuang'er's signature, how could the grain depot have released grain?!
"I gave in."
Several figures emerged from the grain depot.
Xiao Shu's expression was indifferent. "The Prince of Han wants to do a business deal with me. It's a great opportunity to bring money to my door. How can I refuse?"
Manager Wu immediately beamed and presented the ledger, "Madam Yao, His Highness the Prince of Han's price is very fair. When the vassal troops return, we'll take them back with us."
"We also saved on transportation costs and losses, this deal is definitely worthwhile!"
Yao Shisan glanced at the group and quickly flipped to the last inventory list.
"Only this little bit left?!"
"Your Highness, there are still so many people in the county waiting for food. If we sell everything now, what will they eat?!"
Xiao Shu glanced at her. "Them? What do they have to do with me?"
Yao Shisan frowned. "Your Highness, as the Prince of Yuzhou, has grain but sells it at a critical moment. The Southwest Army couldn't sleep well last night, and now they can't even eat well?!"
He gave a soft snort, then suddenly lunged forward, his eyes icy cold.
Have you ever seen a general without soldiers? Have you ever seen a cook without cooking utensils?
"Your Majesty has granted me the title of a vassal king, placing the responsibility for an entire prefecture on my shoulders. How can I possibly shoulder this responsibility?"
Yao Shisan was forced to retreat step by step.
She clutched her sleeve, no longer looking into his eyes. "You are supported by thousands of households and sustenance by the people. You shouldn't be causing trouble at this time."
Xiao Shu pinched her chin, preventing her from struggling, and forced her to look directly into his eyes.
"Yao'er, you always try to maximize your chances of winning, so why can't I?"
"You said you left the capital to survive, but so did I."
His thumb touched her pale red lips as he slowly leaned closer.
He stopped only when he was about an inch away from her.
"Yao'er, don't be fooled by Zhou Congxian's sweet words. The hurt you suffered in the past cannot just disappear like this."
"He is him, and you are you. Never be 'Jiang Niangzi' again."
"Merchants should just focus on their business and not worry about anything else."
Yao Shisan gritted his teeth and questioned him, "So, those bandits are all your men, and you want to recruit them into the army?"
"Have you ever considered that Dingxian might be massacred?"
Xiao Shu released his hand and smiled, "I never do anything without a certainty."
"Lord Jiang is your elder brother and future brother-in-law. I'm too busy protecting him to let the city be massacred."
"Go and look through the county annals. In which instance did a bandit attack on the city result in only such a small number of deaths?"
Yao Shisan clenched his trembling fingers, "Does Your Highness mean that my brother and I should thank Your Highness?"
Xiao Shu took out a cloisonné ruyi-patterned red gold bracelet inlaid with jade from his sleeve pocket.
"No need for thanks. If you'd like to enter the Prince's residence..."
Yao Shisan's eyelashes trembled slightly.
Xiao Shu was a thousand times more terrifying than Zhou Congxian.
He may seem to comply with everything, but in reality, he will gradually confine him.
The Prince Cheng's Mansion in Yuzhou, and the Duke of Ying's Mansion in the capital.
What's the difference?
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Xiao Shu slightly curled the corners of his lips and then put the bracelet away.
"It's alright, I have plenty of patience, I can wait."
His eyes swept lightly across her profile.
“In the future, you will willingly enter the Prince’s Palace.”
Yao Shisan suddenly looked at Xiao Shu, "Is Your Highness threatening me?"
"I have never needed to threaten anyone."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "As Yao'er knows, I've been doing business in the capital for so long, and all I ever do is exchange favors."
After giving her one last look, Xiao Shu turned and got into the carriage.
As Yao Shisan watched the carriage slowly disappear into the distance, a chill ran down his spine.
Grain, medicinal herbs, mountain bandits, city raids, borrowing troops, and surrendering to the emperor.
Every step was part of his plan.
What do you plan to do next?
Annexation? By the Han King's vassal army? Or by the Southwest Army?
What does he want to do?
He declared himself king.
Or, it's a rebellion...
*
After sunset, the temperature dropped sharply, and the night became chilly.
Torches and braziers were lit in the camp, and sparks crackled and popped everywhere.
The bandits, hiding in the depths of darkness, lay in wait.
The moonlight is bright tonight, filtering evenly through the branches, and bandits are scattered throughout the deep forest.
They will continue to cause disturbances tonight.
Only after the Southwest Army was exhausted did they launch a counterattack in one fell swoop!
"Brother Dao, it's already midnight."
"Wait a little longer. They will surely be on guard tonight. We'll act at 1-3 AM."
"yes."
The camp was more heavily guarded than the night before.
The number of patrol personnel has also increased.
The night was deep and quiet, and the soldiers in the camp were changing shifts.
A short, sharp bird call.
Suddenly, more than a hundred bandits rushed out of the woods from all directions.
The camp's patrolmen reacted quickly, but the bandits continued with their old tricks.
After infiltrating the mountains and forests, the patrolmen lost their target and returned empty-handed.
Excitement gleamed in the eyes of the bandits.
Only Brother Dao's eyes were deep and serious. "Something's not right."
"There seem to be very few soldiers in the camp today!"
The bandits around him exchanged glances. "Brother Dao, are you sure you're not mistaken? This is what you call few people?! I almost got caught just now!"
Dao Ge glanced at the camp and said, "We'll launch another surprise attack in a quarter of an hour."
Fifteen minutes later.
The bandits launched another attack from different directions.
Another chaotic chase ensued.
Only Brother Dao kept his eyes fixed on the main tent.
He wasn't mistaken; the main tent remained completely still from beginning to end!
Ignoring the advice of those around him, he rushed straight to the main tent of the camp.
The patrolman hadn't expected the bandits to return, so he charged at them with his knife, only to be slashed down by the bandit leader.
Dao Ge flung open the tent, only to find it completely empty! The two tents next to it were the same.
The entire campsite was empty!
The patrolmen discovered that the bandits had been exposed so quickly. Following the pre-arranged plan, they swiftly mounted their horses and returned to the city, without lingering for battle!
Dao Ge gritted his teeth and looked at Dingxian City, which seemed to be sleeping in silence.
"That son of a bitch lied to me again!"
"go back!"
The bandits were used to traversing the mountains and fields as if walking on flat ground.
"Brother Dao, when can we finally recruit them into the army?"
Almost all of the people who followed Brother Dao before are dead. These are the new recruits.
They did not witness the horrific tragedy that befell the group that came before them.
But Brother Dao saw it.
He pursed his lips tightly and remained silent.
He had known Yao Zhengliang for so many years, and he trusted him and had never doubted him.
But now, he has begun to waver in his heart.
The agreement to offer amnesty was made, but only a few villagers from a few villages were arrested as a show. The city's reckless guards were ordered not to be exterminated as much as possible.
What awaited them was a purge!
He didn't know what the official had promised Yao Ge that made Yao Ge still trust him so much!
If these officials only want to use her brother's life to fill their merit books...
Niu Sandao was lost in his own thoughts.
In addition, it was already dark and difficult to see.
They were completely unaware that they had walked into someone else's trap.
"ah!--"
He was jolted awake by a scream.
Turning my head, I saw large nets rising all around me.
Half of our brothers were captured alive!
As he drew his sword, a flash of silver light appeared, and a red-tasseled spear, accompanied by a strong gust of wind, thrust diagonally towards him!
Brother Dao held the knife in both hands, the ear-piercing sound of the blades clashing together sparks that made his hands go numb!
What amazing marksmanship!
He Ran has patiently waited for so long, and finally he can stretch his muscles!
"You're lucky you ran into my gun. I'll try my best to leave you with a whole corpse and let you die with some dignity!"
Although He Ran was a bit impulsive, he was skilled in martial arts and had never suffered a loss since childhood.
She didn't even consider these bandits a threat.
Unexpectedly, these very people she had disregarded ended up keeping her on her side all night!
Thinking of all this, her moves became even more ferocious!
It's as if he wants to stab the person in front of him with 108 holes to feel better!
"Spare his life!"
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