Chapter 51: Is This Better Too? |
Kuangai County's prefectural city. Outside the city, a moat had been dug and a drawbridge installed. During the day, the bridge was lowered, allowing passage into the city. But at night, once darkness fell, the bridge would be raised. If people failed to pass through in time, they were left with no choice but to spend the night either inside the city or in tents pitched by the gates.
It was said that during the era of the Wu Kingdom, when all under heaven was united, the bridge remained lowered around the clock.
But now, in these turbulent times, especially given Kuangai County's precarious situation, the bridge was raised at dusk. There was also a small strip of woods where the guards outside the gates were stationed. They were responsible for lighting the area beneath the city walls. Occasionally, soldiers would descend from the city walls in cradles to conduct patrols.
Niu You Dao, accompanied by Bai Yao, had arrived at the wall to meet Shang Chao Zong.
Seeing Niu You Dao constantly glancing around and observing the city's defenses, Bai Yao grew wary. Had he not known Niu You Dao was no spy, he might have suspected him of being an infiltrator. Yet few knew that in his past life as an archaeologist, Niu You Dao harbored a genuine interest in all things ancient, many of which had not survived to his time.
It wasn't just Niu You Dao; even Yuan Gang, who perpetually followed Lord Dao, had picked up his professional interest.
As midnight struck, the distant road echoed with thundering hoofbeats, and a multitude of lanterns became visible, drawing the attention of the guards. Everyone on the city walls immediately looked in that direction.
It wasn't long before a thousand horsemen drew closer, and Shang Chao Zong and the others could be discerned. They saw the city walls illuminated by torches, clearly a welcoming sight. Under the torchlight, they also spotted Niu You Dao and the perpetually silent and cool-headed Yuan Gang, who followed him like a shadow.
Upon seeing them, many inwardly sighed in relief.
Within the city, Shang Chao Zong and the others finally met Niu You Dao and greeted him.
"Lord Dao!"
Hearing Shang Chao Zong and the others address Niu You Dao, Bai Yao and Shou Nian looked surprised.
Niu You Dao smiled and said, "Prince, the county ruler has already prepared a courtyard for your temporary stay. It's late now; you can visit the ruler tomorrow." Niu You Dao winked at them. Seeing Niu You Dao's hints, everyone understood that it was not the time for detailed discussions.
The horsemen re-mounted and, escorted by Shou Nian, headed for the palace. The palace was quite spacious, with enough room to quarter 500 cavalrymen.
As soon as Shou Nian and his guards led the guests in, they respectfully took their leave, having completed their duty.
Shang Chao Zong's bodyguards immediately began to search the courtyard. It wasn't that they didn't trust Feng Lin Bo, but rather that security protocols demanded it.
Satisfied that there were no issues, they immediately assigned sentries and began to rest in shifts.
Shang Chao Zong and the others entered the main hall and ordered that no one should be allowed near the palace.
Niu You Dao immediately understood that he was about to be questioned.
Indeed, as soon as they entered the sitting room, Shang Chao Zong immediately began to inquire, "Lord Dao, I heard you arranged my marriage to Feng Ru Nan. Is that true?"
Niu You Dao nodded frankly. "If nothing unforeseen happens, it should be so. I believe Feng Lin Bo won't delay, and in a few days, the Prince will be able to take his bride," Niu You Dao said with a smile, cupping his hands.
"Congratulations, Prince!" Lan Ruo Ting and Shang Shu Qing, having confirmed the news, immediately offered their congratulations.
Shang Chao Zong asked with a trembling voice, "Lord Dao, why did you not consult with us about such a momentous matter?"
Niu You Dao replied again, "Ah, circumstances did not permit. This Feng Ru Nan, it can't be said she's a great beauty. I hope the Prince isn't afraid of that? But she'll do in a pinch!"
The silent Yuan Gang understood Lord Dao. He knew that Niu You Dao still didn't fully trust Shang Chao Zong's faction, so why would he reveal his plan to them? He absolutely could not give them a chance to throw a wrench in the works. For if any of them resisted, it could jeopardize his plan and put them in a hopeless situation.
Shang Chao Zong smiled bitterly. He, too, understood that their relationship hadn't yet reached a point of complete trust. Therefore, he had no right to blame Niu You Dao now. Moreover, Shang Shu Qing and Lan Ruo Ting seemed to agree with Niu You Dao's actions.
Lan Ruo Ting paused for a moment, then asked, "Lord Dao, is this marriage related to the lending of troops?"
Niu You Dao replied cheerfully, "The Prince will become Feng Lin Bo's son-in-law. Feng Lin Bo will naturally protect his son-in-law. It's only natural."
"Lord Dao, the Prince is in a hurry. You shouldn't delay him here." Lan Ruo Ting shook his head with a bitter smile, then asked with doubt, "Why did Feng Lin Bo agree to marry his daughter to the Prince? And why would he send his troops to Cang Wu County? Isn't that like going against the imperial court? Why would Feng Lin Bo invite trouble for himself?"
Looking at the travel-weary men who had yet to freshen up, Niu You Dao didn't linger and immediately spoke plainly, "Of course, it's not for nothing. There are definitely conditions. And those conditions are... the one hundred thousand Crows army that you will give to Feng Lin Bo!"
"Ah!" several people exclaimed. They knew that a hundred thousand Crows army simply didn't exist. But how could one agree to a condition that didn't exist?
Lan Ruo Ting agitatedly asked, "If there's no such thing, not even a shadow of it, how did Feng Lin Bo agree?"
Niu You Dao retorted, "Who said there's nothing? Isn't the current Emperor looking for this army?"
Several people froze, still unable to fully comprehend.
"It's very simple. In fact, what's to stop Feng Lin Bo from believing in the existence of this army..." Niu You Dao recounted the entire logical chain, after which several people came to believe in the plausibility of a hundred thousand strong army's existence.
Once the three of them had heard him out, they found themselves utterly speechless. And they understood why Feng Lin Bo had not even hesitated to give his daughter away to them.
Shang Shu Qing cautiously asked, "You can deceive temporarily, but not forever. Won't we just invite trouble later?"
Niu You Dao said with a hint of vexation, "Great Princess, are you calling me a deceiver? Do you think I'm a swindler or a charlatan?"
Shang Shu Qing thought to herself, *Aren't you deceiving?*
However, she waved her hand and said, "Lord Dao, I didn't mean that."
Niu You Dao: "I know, Great Princess. You don't need to explain yourself to me. Great Princess, this isn't deception; it's a method. You've seen how beggars and thieves operate. When their lives compel them, there's no end to the abilities they display. Each has their own wisdom. However, if you're not sure, don't do anything. You fundamentally have nothing to worry about. By the time it's necessary to reveal the hundred thousand Crows army, Feng Ru Nan will already be the Prince's wife. And would Feng Lin Bo kill his son-in-law and make his daughter a widow? Furthermore, once we have our own troops, we'll be able to establish ourselves firmly. We'll have greater room for maneuver. Especially when the troops appear, we can look after them, and who knows, perhaps they'll already be loyal to us, not Feng Lin Bo. And we won't seem like suicide victims, as we do now. Besides, Feng Lin Bo is only a puppet. What truly matters is being valuable to the Heavenly Jade Sect. If the Prince merely proves useful to them, then even if there is no hundred thousand Crows army, what will they do? Will they harm him if he is useful to them? The most important thing is how useful and valuable the Prince himself is. The hundred thousand Crows army is merely a facade. Why couldn't the hundred thousand Crows army suddenly disappear later? Right now, it would be better for you to focus on earning money to be prepared for anything. And when we have troops, when the winds blow, and the rain or snow falls, we will have nothing to fear."
This time, they understood his perspective. Though it was circuitous and convoluted, they all saw the logic in it. And with such thoughts, the three of them found a firm belief in a bright future.
"Lord Dao's farsightedness has truly enlightened Shu Qing!" Shang Shu Qing respectfully cupped her hands and bowed to him. Then she looked at the silent Yuan Gang and remembered what he had once told her: *In your position, Lord Dao is far more valuable than I!*
Shang Chao Zong looked at Niu You Dao with complex emotions and felt a deep respect for him!
Lan Ruo Ting merely smiled bitterly. No wonder he managed to trick Feng Lin Bo's daughter. This fellow could point at a corpse and convince you it's alive!
"It's nothing. Just clarifying real matters. All right, Prince, now we need to discuss the current problems." Niu You Dao waved his hand at Shang Shu Qing, then cleared his throat dryly and pulled a paper from his sleeve. He handed it to Shang Chao Zong.
"This is the list of expenses. This was the only method I found to get things done."
Shang Chao Zong looked at the paper, then raised his head and asked with doubt, "You borrowed money from Feng Ru Nan?"
Niu You Dao nodded. "I borrowed 10,000. They wanted us to return it with interest, but I found an excuse. So we only need to return the 10,000, and that will be enough."
"What's that?" Lan Ruo Ting and Shang Shu Qing curiously took the paper and looked at it. Only then did they learn about the wager.