At a ti when he had voluntarily repaid his debts, with the Yan people potentially on their way and everyone trembling in fear, unsure of the future path, how could he not arouse suspicion?
"Despite repaying her debt, why is she causing trouble?" Zheng Fan asked.
"She claims that we are preparing to retreat to the mountains and cease conducting business with her rchant team. She demands an explanation since her subordinates depend on this connection for their livelihood."
"Hmph, a pretty weak argunt."
"My lord, I will handle this imdiately."
"No need. Since she has seen through our plans and co to our door, let's entertain her. Bring her in."
"Yes, my lord." After saying this, Xiong Lie licked his lips and added, "I am at fault."
"Next ti, think before you act."
"Master, I understand."
"Hmm, go now. Bring her in."
After Zheng Fan finished speaking, he calmly turned and returned to the courtyard.
Xiong Lie looked at Zheng Fan's retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh. The people who could gain his master's respect and support were truly extraordinary. Ordinary people could not compare to their spirit and courage.
What he didn't see was that upon returning to the courtyard, Zheng Fan was shouting inwardly, "Blind Man, Blind Man!"
The Blind Man was in one of the rooms in the courtyard, not far away.
Soon, the Blind Man responded in his mind, "My lord, what happened?"
"The Tufa Family might have caught wind of our plans."
"My lord, do not worry. If they've figured it out, so be it. How many of them have co?"
The Blind Man was, as always, composed.
"About ten or so, led by a woman who ca looking for trouble."
"So, you decided to et her, my lord?"
"I asked Xiong Lie to bring her in shortly."
"A wise decision, my lord."
"Let's et her first, then talk."
"Indeed, that should be the course of action."
Zheng Fan actually felt little of the panic expected from soone working behind enemy lines. This was Xiong Lie's old den in Shengle City, protected inside and out by hundreds of wild people. Even if other forces in Shengle City wanted to break in, it would take considerable effort.
anwhile, all he needed to do on his end was fire "a single cloud-piercing arrow," and A Ming and the others, ambushing on the city's outskirts, would imdiately launch an assault on the city.
The reason he had taken the risk of entering first was rely to arrange things a bit more properly, so that when matters ca to a head, they would proceed more smoothly.
Full-frontal assault was not Chief Zheng's style during this period, not unless he possessed a foundation comparable to the Earl of North Border's household. Only then could he truly emulate Li Fusheng and roar: In war, the most important thing is a powerful army!
After a short while, the woman was led in by Xiong Lie.
Zheng Fan was leaning back in his chair, covered with an animal-hide blanket. The Blind Man stood behind him.
The woman glanced at Xiong Lie, then her gaze shifted to Zheng Fan.
Then, suddenly, she knelt before Zheng Fan and said, "This humble woman pays her respects to my lord!"
"Do you know who I am?" Zheng Fan asked.
"My lord must be a noble from Yan State."
"You're from the Tufa Family, aren't you?"
"Replying to my lord, this humble woman is nad Tufa Su."
"AHEM..." Zheng Fan couldn't help but cough.
"My lord, the Tufa Tribe is willing to submit to Yan State, to beco loyal subjects under Yan State's banner, serving as your vanguard servants, to sweep away all those who refuse to be disciplined!"
"I'm curious. If I hadn't told Xiong Lie to bring you in today, what would you have done?"
"Replying to my lord, this humble woman had planned to find a pretext to co here and take a look during the day, and perhaps sneak in personally tonight to look again."
"You are quite honest."
"In your presence, my lord, this humble woman dares not hide anything. My lord, you need only say the word, and the head of my Tufa Family, Tufa Chengji, will personally co to hold your saddle."
"How did you find out I was here?"
"My lord, which family in Shengle City hasn't sent people to contact Yan State?"
In and around Shengle City, who wasn't trying to connect with Yan State?
"It's just that Xiong Lie's behavior here has been overly abnormal, leading our family head to be certain that Xiong Lie must have already connected with a noble from Yan State."
Everyone wanted to connect with Yan State, because the Yan people were too terrifying, and at the sa ti, the Situ Family had ungraciously stood everyone up.
During this period, the Situ Family's approach was very similar to Zhong Zheng, who had once dispatched special commissioners across the continent to hand out commissions to mountain bandits and highwayn wholesale; yet, they themselves had never launched a counterattack.
However, wanting to connect with Yan State, wanting to be a turncoat, also required connections and letters of introduction.
Zheng Fan's eyes closed slightly as he began to calculate.
Actually, the initial plan was to completely clean up Shengle City. Since this was his first base, his old nest, he definitely had to clean the house before inviting guests.
But, the allegiance of local powers like the Tufa Family?
Tufa Su imdiately continued, "My lord, the Tufa Tribe has nearly a thousand mbers who can bear arms. They will beco your most loyal guards!"
A thousand people?
The hand beneath the fur blanket began to fidget.
The Blind Man said nothing. At this mont, it was up to his lord to make the decision.
Tufa Su remained kneeling on the ground, her expression very solemn. She was nervous, and this nervousness was quite strange. Clearly, Shengle City was still in her family's hands—at least half of it belonged to them.
Yet, despite this, she still trembled at the feet of this man from Yan State.
This was the so-called national power. If you were strong, you could dominate.
After a major war, Yan State alone had taken on two great eastern powers. On one front, they pushed to the gates of the Qian State's imperial capital; on another, they annexed half of the Jin State. In the west, they still had enough strength remaining to guard against the barbarian tribes, preventing them from daring to advance eastward even a single step.
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