Chapter 135: Each with their own calculations
"That makes sense, I agree with Lao Ba's statement!" Zhu Zongshen declared loudly.
Zhu Zixing continued, "As for the Yongle Gang, we have already eliminated the strategist Shi Jiquan, and none of the remaining members are capable of planning a conquest. However, they are holding firm and resisting us by relying on the Sishui River as a natural barrier, so we can only proceed slowly."
Zhu Ziqiao shrugged and said, "In that case, we can take a break for a while. I feel a little uneasy without any battles to fight."
Zhu Zixing immediately said, "Fifth Brother, don't relax. Appeasing the people is a major task, and we must be meticulous and thorough. There are still bandits and robbers in many places. Our priority now is to eliminate them all and restore a peaceful Baiyun City to the people."
Zhu Ziqiao stood up and said, "It's good that there's a battle! Leave the remaining bandits and robbers to me. I'll wipe them all out within ten days!" He spoke with an air of arrogance.
Zhu Zongshen immediately said, "Alright. Third brother and sixth brother, you two are in charge of comforting the refugees. Distributing porridge, assisting with construction, and allocating farmland are all your responsibility!"
"Yes!" Zhu Ziyou and Zhu Zishou stood up at the same time, cupped their hands and replied in unison.
Zhu Zixing continued, "Longyang City has now been seized by Ouyang Fanhuang. This man has been lying low for many years, and his reappearance has allowed him to achieve two goals at once, dominating both Xiyu Manor and Longyang City in just a few months. His abilities are unfathomable, and he has probably been secretly plotting to seize the world for a long time. Longyang City may seem peaceful now, but undercurrents are surging. If we are not careful, we will fall into his trap! We must be on guard."
Zhu Zijian said, "This person is indeed surprising. Ling Beixiao and Yi Yunke are such people, yet they both fell to him. His strength is probably unimaginable."
Zhu Ziqiao declared confidently, "What's there to be afraid of! My little sister's cultivation has already reached the Saintly Realm, and the mere Ouyang Fanhuang is no match for her! When the time comes, we will all be in trouble, and I don't believe she will sit idly by and do nothing."
Zhu Zixing: "My younger sister is naturally aloof and devoted to cultivating immortality and practicing magic. She rarely inquires about worldly affairs, so we cannot have too many expectations of her. Therefore, the heavy troop deployment of my second and fourth brothers should be set up along the Longyang City line. So I suggest that we withdraw the garrison against the Yongle Gang and leave only sentries."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zongshen immediately said, "I agree with Lao Ba's analysis. Lao Er, what's your thought?"
Zhu Zijian immediately replied, "I also agree with Eighth Brother's point of view."
Zhu Zongshen: "Alright! Let's proceed according to this plan! Everyone, please do your job."
...
After the death of Shi Jiquan, the leader of the Yongle Gang, Lü Zhong succeeded him. He lived up to expectations, managing the gang with great efficiency and harmony. The entire gang worked alongside the people, cultivating the land, building irrigation systems to improve livelihoods, and reclaiming wasteland to expand their income. He also actively supported agriculture and sericulture, revitalizing commerce, leading to a flourishing local economy and a prosperous scene.
On a section of the Sishui River, the Yongle Gang's armored troops were conducting intensive drills. The cold gleam of their armor reflected in the water, and the soldiers moved in perfect unison. Commander General Zhang Qi personally led the charge, demonstrating and pointing with a silver spear in hand. Every command he gave was steady and powerful, exuding an unquestionable authority.
"General!" A subordinate rode up. He stopped his horse, dismounted, and galloped over, panting, "General! The chief has important matters to discuss. Please proceed to the council hall immediately."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qi tossed his spear to his deputy. "Wang Ping, lead the soldiers in drills. Tell them that if they endure hardship and toil now, they will be able to save their lives later."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ping planted his spear in the ground and replied loudly, "Yes!"
Zhang Qi said to his subordinates, "Let's go!" He then rode his horse toward the Yongle Gang's council hall.
As Zhang Qi entered the council hall, the crowd was already buzzing with discussion. "This is clearly a trick by the Zhu Family Manor to lure us into a trap!" said Zhou Cang, the hall master, in a loud voice.
When the gang leader Lü Zhong saw Zhang Qi arrive, he immediately said, "Little Qi, the Zhu Family Village has withdrawn all its garrison troops along the river. What are your thoughts on this?"
As for the withdrawal of the Zhu Family Manor troops, Zhang Qi had already heard a general mention of it from his subordinates on his way here. He sat up straight in his chair and said in a loud voice, "The Zhu Family Manor has been fighting on all sides. Apart from the part of Baiyun City we still occupy, the rest is under their control. Their withdrawal of the garrison must mean that something has changed in Longyang City."
At this moment, Feng Ran chimed in, "Longyang City is currently under the jurisdiction of Ouyang Fanhuang. He took over Xiyu Manor and Longyang City less than two months ago, and there are still various forces within the city that have not been pacified. He shouldn't be so rash as to attack our Baiyun City."
After thinking for a moment, Lü Zhong said, "What Hall Master Feng said makes sense. If I were Ouyang Fanhuang, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to attack Baiyun City. If I fail, it will backfire."
The reborn one, who was standing, suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, I have something to say."
Lü Zhong immediately bowed and said, "Brother Chongsheng, please speak!"
The reborn, hoarse voice said, "Ling Beixiao of Xiyu Manor is a powerful figure who has roamed the martial world for decades. How could he be so easily killed by Ouyang Fanhuang? Moreover, his subordinates, such as Shi Jianfeng and Nie Han, did not put up any resistance. Isn't it too easy for Ouyang Fanhuang to become the city lord?"
Feng Ran pondered for a moment and said, "If there's something fishy about Ling Beixiao's death, then the waters of Longyang City are truly deep and murky!"
Zhang Qilang added loudly, "That's right. Shi Jianfeng, Nie Han, and the others are no ordinary people either. Yi Yunke's former subordinates are also not to be underestimated. But what Ouyang Fanhuang is planning is still hard to figure out."
Upon hearing this, Lü Zhong sighed, gripped the edge of the chair with both hands, and said, "Then what do you all think we should do? Should we take this opportunity to advance and attack the Zhu Family Village, or should we continue to train our troops and cultivate the land, waiting for the right moment?"
Hearing this, Xiang Kui raised his sledgehammer and shouted, "Go ahead and hit me! I haven't stretched my muscles in ages!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Cang slammed his chair up and immediately retorted, "We cannot attack! This is clearly a trap set by the Zhu Family Village to lure us in. If we rashly send troops, we will surely suffer a crushing defeat."
"You..." Xiang Kui was about to speak when Zhang Qi interrupted, "I also think we can't fight! It's not that I'm afraid of falling into their trap. It's that with our current strength, if we can't take over the entire Baiyun City in one fell swoop, even if we conquer part of the territory, we won't be able to hold it. In the end, it will just be a waste of money and energy, and all for nothing."
"I agree with General Zhang! Now is not the time to send troops to Baiyun City," the reborn, hoarse voice said.
Feng Ran: "Since Longyang City is going to be in chaos, we might as well wait and see, and it's not impossible for us to reap the benefits!"
Lu Zhong breathed a sigh of relief, nodded slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Alright! Since everyone agrees, let's continue to strengthen our forces and share the joy with the people!"
"Sigh..." Xiang Kui sighed upon hearing this, and carried the two large iron hammers out of the hall. Seeing this, Chong Sheng followed the sound and the airflow behind Xiang Kui.
With a loud bang, Xiang Kui slammed his hammer into the ground, creating a crater. "Why are you following me?!" Xiang Kui asked.
Reborn's hoarse voice rang out: "If I don't come, won't you just keep smashing things? You've turned this prime land into pits, what are the farmers supposed to grow then?"
"You...you're deliberately trying to provoke me!?" Xiang Kui slung two large hammers over his shoulders and roared at Chong Sheng.
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