Chapter 166 General Situation of Dongling Prefecture
"It's not a big deal. The young people I've been protecting have recently changed their leaders. And that bastard prince from Dali has sent some Li people to come and steal my people."
"How do you say that?"
"It's like this. These small tribes are actually divided into factions. They pay more to the side they are closer to. It's a tacit understanding."
Li Chengxiu turned over and moved a little, carefully holding his wife in his arms, and told her roughly the situation in Dongling Mansion.
"The ones closest to us are the Tong people, those close to Dali are the Li people, and the minions on the Linyue side are the Liao people. This is roughly how we divide them.
After all, we are big countries, and we can't just start a war without a clear reason. There's this lawless area in the middle, so let's just fight it out in private. Whoever wins gets to eat more. After all, we're all begging outside, so no one will laugh at anyone else.
Jiang Wan laughed.
"How can this be considered a no-man's land? It's clearly a land that all three families have to manage."
"Hehehe, isn't that what this means? If the other two companies have already taken action, can I just sit there and watch helplessly?
The imperial court's annual food and salary payments are like stepmothers sending away their sons. It's so dry and uncomfortable. The people under my command also have elderly parents and young children to support, and there are so many mouths to feed.
Look at our crappy fiefdom. There are many mountains and little farmland, so we can't grow anything worthwhile. And since it's on the border, it's far from prosperous. What else can I do if I don't go out and fight with others for food? You can't bring people to rob the people in my fiefdom, can you?
Alas, you have no idea how much money it costs to maintain an army. It's a good thing that the emperor has taken back the military power this time. It will give him another hole that he has to fill even if he has to scratch his head.
And that bastard Li Laoer has also gone to guard the gate of his fiefdom. Hahaha, let him also experience what it means to be defeated by money. Let's see if he dares to gossip about me behind my back and say that I will cry poor and ask for military pay.
After explaining the situation briefly, Jiang Wan finally understood.
"Did a coup happen here?"
"Tsk, they're just a bunch of rabble, what kind of coup is that? At best, the White Clan was suppressed by the Black Clan. It's okay, I'm back again. Duan Shaoyan dared to break the rules behind the scenes. I, Li Chengxiu, didn't grow up to be a pushover. I'll just do it."
"Duan? From Dali?"
"What's the meaning?"
"No, who is this Duan from?"
"As I just told you, that bastard prince of Dali is as cunning as a hornet's nest."
Probably because he had suffered losses at the hands of the other party, Li Chengxiu gritted his teeth when he mentioned this name.
"You have no idea how despicable this man is. He's just as shameless as Li Lao Er! Bah, he deserves to be sent to the border to guard the gate. If I were his stepbrother, I would find a way to pin him to death here!"
Jiang Wan looked up at him and asked with certainty.
"Have you ever suffered a loss at the hands of others?"
"How is that possible? How could I, such a good person, fall into the trap set by that despicable person?"
This guy is just being stubborn.
"It's just that some of the remnants of the previous dynasty were not dealt with properly, and they were all taken over by that bastard. He refused to admit it, so there was nothing I could do. That's why I always dislike him."
Oh, so there is such a grudge.
"So what do we do now? Are you going to bring people over to fight with them?"
"That's about right. He has to give me back whatever advantage he took. Don't worry about the outside world, my dear wife. I'll take care of all the territorial disputes. Just do whatever you want, just like you did in the capital. Just continue to be the precious princess."
Li Chengxiu had never loved studying, and his knowledge was even less than his father's, nor could he compose any eloquent poems or songs. But he truly loved Wan Jie'er, and he wished to hold her in his hands, protect her close to his heart, and give her all the good things he had.
Jiang Wanxiao's eyes curved up.
"After all, we're people of status now. We need to be careful with our words and not act like scoundrels. What do you mean by robbing territory? That's called protecting our friends and engaging in friendly negotiations with our neighbors. What we're doing is friendly assistance, a completely righteous act based on moral principles!"
"Hehehe, that's right! My wife is right. This is exactly the situation. I call this a righteous act!"
Li Chengxiu was so happy that he couldn't suppress the smile. Not only did his wife not despise him for not being a gentleman, but she was on the same side with him. How could he not be overjoyed?
He clasped his hands together, turned over, pressed his wife down, and lowered his head to nibble on her.
"Hey, be gentle and go to sleep."
"Asleep!"
"Is that what I meant?"
"I know, I'll go to sleep right away..."
He agreed readily, but a big hand stealthily pulled down the plain cloth hooked on the headboard of the bed, quickly covering the tender white flesh exposed under his palm.
Bah, you are so narrow-minded!
The moonlight squatted on the window, cursing unhappily, watching the bed curtains sway rhythmically. The faint whispers and sweet whispers aroused its rage, and it became angry for a moment.
This isn't even external light, what's the harm in letting me take a look? "Pah, you petty-minded bastard!" Moonlight spat fiercely, then angrily hid back in the clouds.
If you don’t let me watch it, then I won’t let you watch it either. Everyone, don’t watch it!
As expected, the moon was quite angry and didn't come out all night. I was trapped in the clouds and the more I thought about it, the angrier I became. I cried for half the night.
The next day, Jiang Wan heard the sound of raindrops hitting the window before he even opened his eyes. The sound was so pleasant that it made him feel peaceful.
I reached out and felt around, but there was no one there.
Thinking of what they had talked about last night, Jiang Wan got up and dressed while thinking about a plan. After getting ready, he opened the door and found Hongzhu Hongxiu waiting at the door.
Knowing their mistress's habits from childhood to adulthood, neither of the two girls wanted to help her wash up. One girl made the bed while the other waited in front of the dressing mirror with a comb. After the mistress finished washing up, they expertly combed her hair and made up her makeup.
"When did the prince leave?"
"It's been a while. Li Song came over just as daybreak was about to break, and then the prince got up and left. He also specifically told the servants not to make too much noise and let you wake up on your own. Sure enough, what our wife said was right. Our son-in-law is really caring!"
Despite her young age, Hongxiu was known for her flattery. She always remembered the instructions of the mistress and the old lady, and would find opportunities to speak well of her son-in-law. She hoped that if her master ever got into an argument or a fight, she would remember to show mercy.
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