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Sailing on the river is much safer than on the sea. Taking advantage of the night, the salt ship moved forward quickly, but in a different direction from most of the escaping merchant ships.
Tingzhou City is already in chaos, and it is the best time to send troops. The leader of the Straw Clothes Gang is still on the boat, so naturally he must be sent to his destination first.
Looking at the young man who had changed back into men's clothes, Sun Yuanrang breathed a sigh of relief. It's not that Cheng Xi was not suitable to dress up as a woman, but it was because she looked too similar and too suitable that people felt awkward. It was far inferior to her current refreshing appearance.
Of course, given his personality, he definitely wouldn't say these words out loud. He only sighed, "I did the right thing by inviting you here this time. It's a pity that we contributed so little, and I feel guilty about it."
If the Red Flag Gang had not taken action, his small number of people would not have been able to play such a big role. Although he still relied on Fang Tianxi's planning behind the scenes, he had to express his gratitude in advance.
Cheng Xi smiled and said, "If I hadn't come to Tingzhou, I wouldn't have known that the Changjing Gang was ready to make a move. This time, I have thwarted their scheme."
This was a polite remark, but it also held a deeper meaning. Sun Yuanrang immediately said, "The Long Whale Gang's accomplices are notorious, and the Ghost Scholar is a ruthless traitor. Simply defeating them is far from enough. If there's anything you need my help with, please let me know."
It was indeed a pity that he failed to kill the ghost scholar. To be honest, Cheng Xi hadn't expected Ning to be so dodging. You know, she didn't underestimate the enemy, and every move was aimed at the vital points. It can only be said that the other party was lucky.
However, knowing the goal of this operation, Cheng Xi was not worried. He smiled and said, "I do have a request for you, Brother Sun. Cannons are indispensable for naval battles. We are in urgent need of large and small cannons. If Brother Sun can get a few, it will be of great help."
Fang Tianxi had also mentioned this Sun Yuanrang before, but he didn't expect that the other party did not mention the matter of joining forces, but only talked about business.
However, this request was much more practical than asking for help. After all, the Straw Clothes Gang was a land-based gang and was not good at naval warfare. They were simply unable to fight against a sea giant like the Long Whale Gang. As for the artillery, it was simpler. Not many people in the gang knew how to use it anyway, and it would take too much time to melt it into copper coins. It was not as satisfying as selling it directly.
So Sun Yuanrang simply said, "Don't worry, my dear brother. I will keep everything the Suoyi Gang has for you."
Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "That's great, can we exchange salt for these cannons?"
Sun Yuanrang was surprised. It hadn't been long since the Red Flag Gang had taken over the salt fields, and they already had enough to buy artillery? But after glancing at Fang Tianxi, he nodded and said, "The gang uses a lot of salt, so if my dear brother could get some, that would be even better."
Cheng Xi immediately said, "I'll have someone prepare the sea salt when I get back. It depends on when Brother Sun is ready to deliver the salt."
This kind of large-scale transaction required a lot of consideration, and it required careful planning across all the different mountain regions. However, Sun Yuanrang had no objection and said readily, "Brother, just send someone to Chaozhou, and I'll send someone to pick up the goods."
If it were before, he probably wouldn't be able to make such a decision, but this time the credit for attacking Tingzhou was already set in stone, and Cheng Xi's ability also made Sun Yuanrang completely determined to make friends with him.
In that case, why not be more generous and provide some convenience? After all, it is trading useless cannon for useful salt, which is a good deal anyway.
With a consensus reached, the price issue became secondary. The two men shook hands and swore an oath, thus finalizing the deal.
After a long day of traveling, Sun Yuanrang had to disembark and return to camp tomorrow, so he went to rest first. Cheng Xi had also been working hard all day, but now he was not sleepy at all. Instead, he picked up a pot of wine and went to look for Fang Tianxi.
Unexpectedly, this girl came in the middle of the night with wine in her hand. Fang Tianxi snorted: "Why, are you trying to persuade me to surrender in the middle of the night?"
The old man was still as vicious as ever. Cheng Xi smiled and poured him a glass of wine: "The success of this Tingzhou event was also due to your careful planning. This glass is for you."
It now seemed impossible to keep him. After all, Sun Yuanrang was going to attack Tingzhou, so he had to keep a counselor like him with him. His "lord" was still in front of her, so she couldn't swing the hoe too hard.
Fang Tianxi looked at her for a long while, then suddenly said, "In terms of strategy and scheming, you are much better than Xiao Sun. Unfortunately..."
Precisely because he was in the situation, Fang Tianxi felt even more deeply. The man before him was truly a rare talent, and his experience far exceeded his years.
If Sun Yuanrang were here, he probably wouldn't be able to complete the task so easily. But this girl was able to escape calmly and safely.
If I can resist the urge to kill, what else can't I do?
What a pity, how could she be a woman?
Before he could finish his words, Fang Tianxi reached out for the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Knowing what the other party meant, Cheng Xi remained calm and said, "It's a pity that you want to use the whole world as a chessboard, while I am content with my own corner. After all, we are not destined to be together."
Fang Tianxi almost choked on the wine in his mouth, coughed twice, and glared back: "You girl!"
Cheng Xi smiled: "Sir, you have great ambitions, but the world is difficult, and you may not be able to realize your ambitions. If you encounter difficulties one day, you can come back to me. The Red Flag Gang will be waiting for you."
This broad-mindedness was truly impressive, but Fang Tianxi didn't want to show it. He just chuckled and said, "Actually, it's not impossible for me to help you. What do you think of Xiao Sun, Boss Cheng?"
Cheng Xi really didn't expect that this old man was so shameless that he actually engaged in the business of pimping. He shook his head and chuckled: "Sir, I'm afraid you are overthinking it."
Unexpectedly, Fang Tianxi's face straightened, and he said solemnly, "I'm not joking. The world's situation is unpredictable. It's not easy to compete for supremacy. Although Xiao Sun is only a minor general now, he has a solid foundation and the ability to judge people. Now with the momentum of Tingzhou's victory, he will surely make rapid progress. You have a fleet at sea and great ambitions. If the two of you join forces, who can stand against you? If you can one day seize the throne, you can also sit firmly in the imperial palace and rule the country. Wouldn't that be more satisfying than being a pirate?"
The allure of a throne second only to the emperor, above all others, was powerful enough to incite him, no matter how one looked at it. However, the woman opposite him raised an eyebrow and said, "Sir, you're really overthinking it."
Did he not believe what he said, or did he not believe that Sun Yuanrang could conquer the world? Fang Tianxi couldn't help but said anxiously, "You are not young anymore, have you never thought about how you will deal with yourself in the future? You can't dress like a man for too long. If you don't retreat while you can, you might end up in trouble in the future."
Looking at the increasingly serious old man, Cheng Xi sighed softly, "Have you forgotten, sir? I said before that I built the Red Flag Gang with my own hands, and I never thought of being a scapegoat."
Fang Tianxi choked. She had actually said something like this before, and how could such a trick of words stump him? Fang Tianxi immediately said, "You probably also want to avenge General Qiu, but as long as Da Gan is still alive, who can defy the emperor? Only by joining the struggle for the world can your family's blood feud be avenged!"
Cheng Xi did not refute this time, but nodded slightly: "Sir, you are right. When I have enough strength in my hands, I will naturally find a way to change the world and give my father justice."
Looking at the other person's equally serious expression, Fang Tianxi was speechless. Was this girl really crazy? Could a woman accomplish such a thing?
Seeing that he couldn't persuade her, Fang Tianxi changed the subject: "Then you must leave behind some bloodline to carry on the Qiu family's bloodline, right? My little grandson is handsome and intelligent, so he's definitely a good match."
This is really making the best use of it. Cheng Xi smiled: "If I care about this, I should obey my father's will and go find Xu Zixin."
These words were used to counterattack the opponent. After all, "my late father's last will" was more important than other things in reputation, and it could also make Fang Tianxi give up this idea.
Unexpectedly, the old man's expression suddenly changed. He stood up and shouted, "Who are you?!"
This question startled Cheng Xi. Did she answer wrongly? Could there be something fishy about the engagement? However, at this moment, facing Fang Tianxi's pressing gaze, Cheng Xi remained calm and said calmly, "Of course it's Cheng Xi."
She said she was "Cheng Xi" instead of "Qiu Yuehua". Fang Tianxi felt his mind turned upside down and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
She looked and was the same age as Miss Qiu, and she was accompanied by old subordinates like Yan Yuan and Tian Yu. How could she be fake? However, as Qiu Sheng's trusted aide, Fang Tianxi knew something that no one else knew.
Miss Qiu has admired General Xu Xianrong since she was a child, but General Qiu was not very happy about his daughter marrying that stubborn boy. He was afraid that she would be implicated and suffer, so he kept gritting his teeth and refusing to give in.
The father and daughter had had several quarrels, and even he, the military advisor, had heard many complaints. If it really came to a matter of life and death, Qiu Sheng might entrust his daughter to General Xu to ensure that her wish would be fulfilled and she would live a happy life. However, Miss Qiu would never say this so frivolously!
Could it be possible that such a long-standing love was fake? Perhaps only those who knew nothing about it could easily express it.
And now she calls herself "Cheng Xi", does this also prove something? Everything she appears to be is just a mirage, a complete fake!
My heart was in turmoil, but the person opposite me remained calm.
After a long while, Fang Tianxi fell back onto his seat, picked up the wine jug and gulped down a large gulp. He then breathed a sigh of relief: "I don't care who you are. I just hope that Gang Leader Cheng can be careful with his words and actions and not tarnish the reputation of General Qiu."
Was this a tacit acknowledgement of her identity? Cheng Xi also breathed a sigh of relief. This matter wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't a small one either. Fang Tianxi's recognition saved her a lot of trouble.
Zhen nodded, and Cheng Xi said, "I will follow General Qiu's will and restore peace to the people along the coast."
This was indeed what Qiu Sheng could not forget. Looking at the woman with a determined look in her eyes, Fang Tianxi felt a little dazed.
She does look more like Qiu Sheng's daughter than Qiu Yuehua does. I don't know if it is God's arrangement or a coincidence.
But these were not his business. Waving his hand, the old man said with a slightly tired look: "I am tired. Boss Cheng, please go back."
This was certainly not the time to talk about business, so Cheng Xi didn't stay long and simply said goodbye.
After the people left, Fang Tianxi sat there blankly for a while before picking up the wine jug and drinking again.
Standing on the deck, feeling the night breeze from the river, Cheng Xi suddenly felt a little relieved.
"Playing" Qiu Yuehua was actually a helpless act, and it also kept "herself" shrouded in shadow. But now someone has seen through this disguise and recognized the real "Cheng Xi".
This is certainly troublesome, but it can also be a window for breathing room. However, with this suspicion standing in the way, Fang Tianxi is probably even less likely to come to him.
Alas, never mind. If I get it, I’m lucky. If I lose it, I’m doomed.
Shaking his head, Cheng Xi stopped thinking about it and returned to the cabin to rest.
After a night of rapid journey, the salt ship docked at the shore the next day and let the Straw Clothes Gang off.
Everything had been settled, and it was time for both parties to return home. After watching the two boats leave, Sun Yuanrang breathed a sigh of relief. The other party said happily, "Sir, it's time for us to leave too."
Fang Tianxi was stunned for a moment, then withdrew his gaze from the distant river surface and suddenly asked, "What do you think of Gang Leader Cheng?"
Sun Yuanrang said solemnly, "Although Gang Leader Cheng is young, he is extremely courageous and flexible. Given time, he will surely dominate the region! Such a hero must be befriended with all our might and must not be treated with disrespect!"
Fang Tianxi gave him a look that was hard to describe and cursed, "Idiot!"
Sun Yuanrang: “???”
Seeing his military advisor waving his sleeves and leaving, Sun Yuanrang hurriedly chased after him.
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