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Chapter 514: Sometimes You Must Walk a Crooked Path

The departure of the envoy meant only one thing: the army was on its way.

Everyone began to prepare for battle!

Lao Nanfeng, however, sidled up to Gao Chuwu and Xing Honglang, the couple, a grin spreading across his face. "General Gao," he chuckled, "it's time we sent an envoy of our own."

Gao Chuwu raised an eyebrow. "Another messenger to hurl insults at Wang Guozhong's camp? If that's the plan, I nominate Padi Tu."

Lao Nanfeng shook his head. "No, an envoy to meet Yang He."

Gao Chuwu blinked.

Xing Honglang looked equally bewildered.

The couple remained confused, but Lao Nanfeng merely chuckled. "Yang He is already en route to pacify us," he explained. "Wang Guozhong doesn't know this, and you intentionally didn't tell him just now. If we'd simply stated that we've accepted pacification, Wang Guozhong wouldn't attack. But we chose not to say anything, so if trouble breaks out later, we'll be in the wrong."

Tie Niaofei's head popped out from nearby. "So what if we're in the wrong? Why do we have to make the authorities think we're right?"

Lao Nanfeng smiled. "This isn't just about the government, you know. It concerns Boss Xing's reputation throughout the land. If you act without honor, who will respect you? Who will join you in the future? We'd become like Wang Guozhong, infamous across the realm as a traitor who betrayed his own sworn brother. Even if we're at odds with Wang Jiayin, we'd still look down on Wang Guozhong for that."

His words struck a chord.

Xing Honglang was, after all, an old-school outlaw leader, and she valued her 'reputation' greatly. For brigands, heads could roll and blood could spill, but honor was paramount. All actions had to be morally justifiable.

If one acted without reason, being ostracized by other outlaws was a common occurrence.

Xing Honglang asked, "Sending an envoy... that can solve this problem?"

Lao Nanfeng nodded. "We send an envoy to Yang He, and we tell him that Wang Guozhong came to attack us. We tried desperately to inform him that we'd accepted pacification and that Master Yang He was on his way, but Wang Guozhong wouldn't listen. He insisted on fighting us because he wants to sideline us, he doesn't want us joining the government forces and taking his position."

Xing Honglang's eyes lit up. "So, like this, afterward, all the blame will fall on Wang Guozhong! Yang He will most likely believe us because we sent an envoy to contact him early on, showing our willingness to accept pacification. So, Yang He certainly won't believe we *want* to fight Wang Guozhong. It'll clearly look like Wang Guozhong intentionally provoked the conflict."

Lao Nanfeng chuckled. "Exactly! Given the habits of imperial officials, they'll easily believe what we say, and they definitely won't trust Wang Guozhong. Afterward, Yang He will undoubtedly report this matter, and everyone under heaven will think Wang Guozhong is unreasonable. He's a man who would even betray his sworn brother, Wang Jiayin, so it's only natural for him to be unreasonable, right? No one in the world will believe him."

Xing Honglang grinned. "Hehehe, what a brilliant scheme."

Gao Chuwu, hearing all this, couldn't help but let out a surprised gasp. "Isn't this... deceiving people?"

Lao Nanfeng shrugged. "Not only is it deceiving people, it's also 'the wicked filing the first complaint.' It's truly devious."

Gao Chuwu's eyes widened. "Wow, such a wicked thing... are we really going to do it?"

Lao Nanfeng spread his hands. "We're dealing with bad people. Is there really a problem with using slightly bad methods?"

Gao Chuwu stammered, "But... but..."

He couldn't quite wrap his head around it, turning to Zhan Seng, who stood nearby. "Master," he asked, "do you think deceiving people like this is right or wrong?"

"Amitabha." Zhan Seng also let out a long sigh. "The Buddha's standard for judging good and evil acts doesn't just consider the immediate suffering or joy they bring. It also looks at whether they benefit the continuation of the future... If deceiving people here proves beneficial for the world, then it is the correct action. If we don't deceive, and it leads to terrible consequences, then it cannot be called compassion."

Gao Chuwu stared blankly.

If Gao Chuwu could understand that, he wouldn't be Gao Chuwu.

He could only turn again to the Puppet Heavenly Lord, perched on his shoulder. "Heavenly Lord," he implored, "do you think we should deceive people?"

The Puppet Heavenly Lord let out a long sigh. "Sometimes, one must walk a crooked path to reach the righteous destination."

Gao Chuwu's face brightened. "Wow! I understood that one! Daoist teachings are easier to grasp than Buddhist ones."

Zhan Seng replied, "Amitabha, this isn't an issue of Daoism versus Buddhism. It's merely that this humble monk's cultivation is shallow, and my knowledge insufficient. I don't comprehend principles as deeply as the Heavenly Lord."

Lao Nanfeng interjected, "First, get your 'Amitabha' right before talking about your cultivation."

Zhan Seng exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!"

Lao Nanfeng abruptly leaped backward. "Don't say that to me!" he protested. "It sends shivers down my spine!"

Zhan Seng stared blankly.

After their jesting, the envoy set off, heading in the opposite direction of Yang He's presumed route, intending to intercept him halfway and make their preemptive accusation.

Meanwhile...

Wang Guozhong's envoy returned to the military camp and reported Xing Honglang's attitude to his commander.

Wang Guozhong had never actually wanted Xing Honglang to surrender; sending an envoy was merely a formality. Now that the pretense was over, he could legitimately act. He bared his teeth in a savage grin. "Since that woman Xing Honglang refused the toast and chose the forfeit," he snarled, "then don't blame us for being impolite! Muster the troops, prepare to march!"

The envoy added, "Xing Honglang's firearms are formidable. From several dozen feet away, she accurately shot my hat off with a single musket ball. I heard that Old Zhang Fei was also defeated by her firearms back then. We must be wary."

Wang Guozhong nodded. "That's no matter. So-called firearms are just muskets. When fighting government troops, I learned a trick for defending against them: the shielded cart. Hehehe, now we *are* government troops, so we no longer need to constantly flee. We can also build some heavy machinery! Have the Puzhou Magistrate assign us conscripted laborers to construct shielded carts overnight. They aren't difficult to make. With our men helping, have fifteen ready within three days."

Deep into the night, the Yongji Water Fortress had fallen silent, its inhabitants deep in slumber.

A poor man, clad in coarse linen, ran to the outer walls of the fortress.

The sentry in the watchtower immediately spotted the unwelcome visitor, drew his bow, and shouted, "Who goes there?"

The poor man in linen cried out, "Good sirs, don't shoot! I'm a carpenter from Puzhou City. I escaped the city at dusk and ran thirty *li* to get here."

The sentry narrowed his eyes. "Hmm?"

The man loudly explained, "This humble one has received kindness from Boss Xing and Boss Tie Niaofei, so there's something I must inform you of. That newly appointed Puzhou Deputy Commander, Wang Guozhong, conscripted artisans from the prefectural city today to build shielded carts and trebuchets overnight. I fear they are intended for attacking the water fortress."

The sentry's expression hardened.

The poor man continued, "My message is delivered. I'll be returning to Puzhou City now. Please, you absolutely mustn't lose this battle; this humble one relies entirely on you for a living."

With that, the poor man turned to leave.

The sentry called out, "Wait right there!"

He fumbled for a silver ingot and tossed it down. "Here's some money for you to use," he said. "When this battle is over, come back and find us; there will be even greater rewards."