Chapter 10 Chapter Ten Unexpected Changes

The condition that Ding Ximing revealed shocked Wuyang City from top to bottom, and Yu Tiebo was speechless. Sending a prince and a prince as hostages to Wuyang City cannot be regarded as insincere. If He Congjing disagrees, it can only be said that he has no intention of joining forces with the empire.Mu Xuanling smiled and said: "Sure enough, sure enough, the empire is not sparing any money. City Lord, please don't worry too much. Now the empire and Wuyang City are closely related. The only way to overcome the immediate crisis is to join forces against the enemy. " The implication in his words is that the future crisis will be discussed in the future.Whether it is Mu Xuanling or Yu Tiebo, they always call themselves "Wuyang City" and never mention the word "Republic".In their view, the flag of the Republic of Wuyang City is now just a bargaining chip. If necessary in the future, this flag can also be removed.Marquis Wen must have seen through this, so he decided to send us to negotiate.In their view, any belief or ideal is just a bet on the gambling table.It's no wonder that the old Republican Army would try their best to oppose it. They must have seen that once Wuyangcheng joined forces with the empire, their future would be very bad, and He Congjing might betray them one day.

Ding Ximing has relaxed a lot, Shi Shiran saluted, and said: "What Mu Lao said is very true. The empire and Wuyang City are really close to each other. If the empire is really destroyed by the snake people, then the end of Wuyang City will come. City Lord With a broad vision, he naturally knows this.” Yu Tiebo had no way to refute, he turned around and bowed to He Congjing again, saying: "City Master, this matter is really important, and it should not be taken lightly." He Cong nodded and said to Ding Ximing: "Master Ding, we have discussed today's matters so far. Can we discuss the rest tomorrow?"

Ding Ximing showed some disappointment on his face.He must want to strike while the iron is hot and settle the matter today, but He Congjing still hesitates.He bowed and said: "I also ask the city lord to make a long-term plan." He Congjing said: "We will discuss here tomorrow, and we will definitely give Mr. Ding an answer. Come here, and respectfully send Yu Lao and Mu Lao back to Sanxian Pavilion." We all gave a deep salute, and He Congjing went out surrounded by the crowd.Looking at his back, I couldn't help but fell into deep thought. After all the people in Wuyang City had left, Ding Ximing slumped on the chair, let out a long breath, and said, "He Congjing is really a delicate person."

He wasn't talking to me either, but I was by his side right now, so it wouldn't be good if I didn't reply.I said: "Yes, I hope the negotiation can be concluded tomorrow." Ding Ximing smiled slightly, and said: "Has General Chu not seen it yet? He Congjing showed us this scene. In fact, he hopes that the negotiation will be successful more than we do. General Chu, the credit this time is so easy." I was surprised: "Didn't he say that we need to discuss again? The old man surnamed Yu is trying his best to oppose it, I'm afraid..." Ding Ximing sighed: "General Chu, you are a warrior, and you haven't seen through He Congjing's tricks. How can he still be undecided today! Today's six masters and two old men, Mu Yu, are all pawns arranged by him. .His purpose is not to make a deal, but to win the greatest benefit for Wuyang City."

I suddenly realized, and said: "No wonder those two old men came here suddenly. If He Congjing really obeyed them, he might have come out at the beginning." Ding Ximing seemed to be in a good mood, he smiled and said, "Exactly, this is a game of playing hard to get in the officialdom. They want to force me to agree to the conditions, so they acted in this scene. Hehe, they also underestimated it." I'm dead, I won't retreat to the bottom line." Not only He Congjing, but even I underestimated Ding Ximing.Marquis Wen was able to entrust this important task to Ding Ximing. He is not a weak person. Today's sharp words have greatly changed my impression of him.I pondered for a while, and said: "Then, if all goes well, we will be able to return in a few days."

Ding Ximing said: "Yes. General Chu, this journey is also thanks to your guards. If you go back, the credit is not small, haha." He said haha, I understand what he means, but he is saying that my credit is not enough him.It's just that he's always been indifferent to me along the way, but now he's talking and laughing happily, and he seems to be in a good mood. Because the negotiation went very smoothly, my mood also improved a lot.Back at the residence, chatting and laughing with the soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion.He Congjing was really nice to us, there were always fresh fruits on the table, the climate in Wuyang City was hot, and there were a lot of fruits, some of which had never been seen before.While eating fruit around the table, we chatted and talked about the customs of various places.Most of these soldiers were born in the north of the river, and it was fun to talk about the trivial things in the countryside.I was peeling a lychee, and listening to Qian Wenyi talking about a giant fish that had appeared in their sea, someone beside me said softly: "Commander."

I turned my head and saw that it was Jian Zhonglan.He looked dignified, preoccupied, and hesitant to speak.I said, "What's the matter?" Jian Zhonglan said: "General Chu, what is the origin of those two old men today?" I said: "They are Wanghai Sanhao, veterans of Wuyang City, and also the most important figures of Lord He." Jian Zhonglan frowned and said, "General Chu, don't you think these two old men are too easy to deal with?" I didn't take it seriously, and said: "They originally had a support team, and the two have equal power, so it's easy to deal with it."

Jian Zhonglan said: "Commander, maybe the villain is a little bit overwhelmed, but the villain thinks that if City Lord He wants to negotiate, the people on his side should agree, and no matter what, they should not argue in public. Maybe he has other plans?" Jian Zhonglan didn't hear what Ding Ximing said, and he was not a high-ranking official like Ding Ximing, so he probably didn't know the mysteries of officialdom.I smiled and said, "That's easy to explain. City Lord He deliberately made them argue in front of us in order to maximize his own interests." Jian Zhonglan thought for a while, and said: "It makes sense." But his brows were still frowning, I patted his shoulder, and said: "Xiao Jian, don't think too much, the Lord He will give us an answer tomorrow, Then everything will be clear.”

Jian Zhonglan thinks too much, the dispute with his colleagues has already come to an end.After hearing what Ding Ximing said, I am very relieved that this negotiation will definitely end smoothly.But Jian Zhonglan said: "There is one more thing. When we came, wasn't the captain of the pirate Wufeng attacking a ship of Daoyi?" I said: "That's right, the captain of Wufeng was originally bought by Dao Yi, so the negotiation must have collapsed, and the two sides started biting dogs." "But, is that Daoyi's boat going to Wuyang City?" I feel like I've been punched hard in the chest.I have never thought about this matter, if it is true what Jian Zhonglan said, it only means that He Congjing may also be negotiating with Dao Yi while negotiating with the empire!

I was immediately moved, looked around, and said, "Wait a minute, it's not easy to talk here, let's talk about it in a secluded place." He Congjing arranged for us to stay in this Muyu House, and there are servants from Wuyang City everywhere. I don't know if there will be any hidden stakes arranged by the scene.If He Congjing is really negotiating with Daoyi, and they know that we have noticed, then this matter will be very bad.Jian Zhonglan also understood what I meant, nodded, and whispered: "Commander, where are you going?" I looked around, and felt that there was really no place in the Muyu Pavilion where we could talk in secret.I said, "Have you told anyone else?"

Jian Zhonglan said: "No." He was very withdrawn, so he probably wouldn't tell others these words.I said: "Okay, let's find a place to talk in detail at night." Thinking about it, if Zheng Zhao found out, the consequences would be disastrous.Zheng Zhao was caught by my mind-stimulating technique and couldn't read my mind, but he must be able to read Jian Zhonglan's mind, and now he just hasn't discovered it yet. Where should we go to talk?I just can't figure it out.At this time Qian Wenyi suddenly said: "Commander, General Pu wants to see you." Pu Shifang was walking in from the outside.I let go of my worries, went forward and said, "General Park, what's the matter?" Pu Shifang bowed and said, "General Chu, I'm going back to Tianchi to overhaul the ship, and I want to ask General Chu if he has anything to explain." My heart skipped a beat and I said, "Are you all going?" Pu Shifang said: "That's right, the Tianchi was seriously injured, and the manpower stationed on board was not enough, and it was about to go there, and that Master Feng Xinge from the Yuanren Division was waiting outside the door. If the negotiation goes well, then we will But come." Pu Shifang's thoughts are also really meticulous, he must have considered that if the negotiation does not go well, we still have the Tianchi, and we can still get out in time.I said: "Okay, I'll take you back. Xiao Jian, come with me." As I spoke, I winked at Jian Zhonglan, who was very smart, and said, "Obey." Now all the places are not as safe as on the Tianchi, and I will send Pu Shifang back, so no one will be suspicious.What I want more is to let Jian Zhonglan go back to the boat, so as not to let Zheng Zhao read the mind of every soldier in the Qianfeng Battalion on a whim, and leak the news.Pu Shifang was not suspicious at all, and said: "I thank General Chu so much, the general will be overwhelmed by the flattery, I am grateful, there is nothing to repay." I also ignored his superfluous politeness, and said to Qian Wenyi: "Brother Qian, I'll send General Park back to the ship, and I'll be right back." Qian Wenyi wasn't suspicious either, he just said: "Yes, Commander." The less Jian Zhonglan's suspicions are known, the better. There is Zheng Zhao next to the Mayor of Wuyang City, which is really scary. Outside the door is Feng Xinge's carriage.Pu Shifang brought half of the people out and packed five carriages.In the car, Feng Xinge was talking and laughing happily. When we got to the pier, I jumped out of the car and said, "Master Feng, I will send General Pu on board and come back." Feng Xinge had no doubts at all, and said: "Okay, General Chu, please go ahead, don't miss the city lord's dinner." I smiled and said, "I will disembark soon." I took Jian Zhonglan on board.We all wore the same clothes, Feng Xinge would never have guessed that Jian Zhonglan was not from the Water Corps.On board, I took Jian Zhonglan into my cockpit under the pretext of going to the cabin to get something.As soon as I entered the cabin, I closed the door and said in a low voice: "Little Jane, this matter is extremely confidential, you must never tell anyone about it." Jian Zhonglan was a little surprised, and said, "Why?" I said: "There is a strange person beside the Lord of Wuyang City, who can read people's minds." Jian Zhonglan lost her voice and said, "What? Doesn't he know what Mr. Ding is thinking?" Indeed, what Ding Ximing said about the conditions that Marquis Wen allowed him to agree to is that he hasn't come up with all the conditions, but Zheng Zhao must know all of them. No wonder He Congjing didn't make a final decision today. It seems that the final conditions will be forced out tomorrow.It's just that Ding Ximing can't be bothered now. The most important thing is that if He Congjing is really negotiating with Daoyi, this matter probably hasn't even been considered by Marquis Wen. I must investigate and find out. Jian Zhonglan was also a little panicked, and said, "Commander, what should we do now?" I said: "You should live on the boat first, remember, don't tell others about this." Jian Zhonglan nodded, and said again: "Yes." If Shimai also played a role in it, the situation would become more and more complicated.I walked to the door, opened it, and said, "Little Jane, have a good rest." After leaving the cabin, Pu Shifang came over with a cloth bag in his arms. When he saw me coming out, he called out, "General Chu, are you leaving?" I said: "Yes, there is a brother in our army who is going to stay on the ship, please take care of him." Pu Shifang said: "General Chu, please rest assured. By the way, this is a sea rhinoceros armor, please accept it with a smile." After I returned the Shazhiluo to Pu Shifang, Pu Shifang said he would give me a sea rhinoceros armour, unexpectedly he remembered it.I didn't care too much, so I smiled and said, "General Park is too polite. By the way, I will ask you about carving skills on the way back." Pu Shifang also smiled and said: "I have seen General Chu's recent woodcarving, except that he is a little unfamiliar with sword skills, there is nothing else to blame, in fact, he is already above me, and he dare not ask the general for advice. " After chatting with him, I put the small bag under my arm and said in a low voice, "General Park, you need to be more careful these days and be ready at any time." Pu Shifang also whispered: "The general will know, please rest assured, General Chu." After bidding farewell to Pu Shifang, I stepped off the boat.It was still early, when Feng Xinge saw me coming down, he rushed up to meet me and said, "General Chu so fast?" I got in the car and said, "Yes, let's go back." Back at Mu Yu Hall, it was still early, and everyone in Qianfeng camp was gambling in the hall.Seeing me coming back, Qian Wenyi said in embarrassment: "Commander, you are back, brothers are bored, let's play a few games." Although the army can't help gambling, but because I don't like gambling, they don't like gambling in front of me. How to play.Qian Wenyi probably didn't expect me to come back so soon, so he started drinking and playing with them. I said, "Let's play. By the way, let the brothers be more careful these two days, and don't be careless." Qian Wenyi was startled, and said, "What happened?" I said: "It's nothing, but the negotiation will have a result in two days, so it's always right to be careful." Qian Wenyi thought for a while and said, "Yes, by the way, General Chu, the female general named Bai Wei came to look for you just now, and she left again when she saw that you were not here." Bai Wei is here again?I don't know what else Bai Wei wants to do with me, most likely it's nothing important, otherwise she would be waiting here.Now my mind is full of Dao Yi's affairs, and I can't tell Ding Ximing, so I feel very uncomfortable in my heart.Just as he was thinking, Qian Wenyi said, "General Chu..." I said, "Is there anything else?" Just as Qian Wenyi was about to say something, Ding Ximing just came out at this moment. While adjusting his clothes, he said to me: "General Chu is back? City Lord He has arrived, let's go and greet him." The dinner party started early this day.Although He Congjing was still chatting and laughing happily at the banquet, I could see that he seemed to be preoccupied, not as natural as yesterday.As soon as it got dark, He Congjing got up to take his leave and went out, leaving two masters to accompany us to the banquet.Looking at his back, I became more and more curious.Zheng Zhao hasn't shown up these two days, what is he doing?Is He Congjing really in contact with Dao Yi?The islanders believed that they were far away in the sea, and it was difficult for the empire to conquer them. They sometimes made unscrupulous actions. After the invasion of Guluo was repelled by Deng Canglan and Li Yaotian, even the tribute envoys stopped, which was a formal break with the empire.If He Congjing contacts them, his aspirations can be seen. The captain of Wufeng suddenly turned against Daoyi. Could it be related to Wuyang City?The captain of Wufeng is a pirate who makes a living by plundering, but half of Wuyang City's income comes from merchants at sea, and they have always had enmity.In the past, Captain Wufeng was attached to Daoyi. If Daoyi and Citylord Wuyang joined forces, then the life of Captain Wufeng would be difficult.Perhaps this is the reason why Wufeng's ship mainly attacked Shimai's ship, but wanted to conceal the news.This can also explain why Captain Wufeng attacked us desperately after we discovered what the pirates did. It’s just that there is no evidence now, and I don’t have Zheng Zhao’s mind-reading skills, so I can’t read He Congjing’s mind. The only way is to approach He Congjing secretly, maybe I can hear his secret.But how do I approach He Congjing?Moreover, there is a spring swallow.For the past two days, Chunyan has been with me every night, most likely He Congjing sent my eyes and ears, how can I hide it from her? I clenched my fists secretly, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt that something was wrong, but Ding Ximing was still talking and laughing, quoting scriptures and saying some gossip.As soon as He Congjing left, I also stood up, bowed to Ding Ximing, and said, "Master Ding, the general is feeling a little unwell, and I want to retire first, please allow me, Lord Ding." Ding Ximing was talking about his excitement, he didn't care about my leaving the table, and said: "Okay, General Chu, let's go to rest early." After I bid farewell to the two accompanying chief bookkeepers, I walked out of the Danli Hall.As soon as he went out, the outside became even darker, and the sound waves in the hall came out one after another, it was very noisy.I walked towards the small building where I lived, still thinking about it. How to approach He Congjing?Although I avoided the table, I still didn't have a clue.When I went upstairs, I happened to see the sea rhino armor that Pu Shifang gave me was still on the table.I took off my coat and put the sea rhino armor on to try, while looking out the window.From here you can see the gate, and some followers are surrounding He Congjing on the carriage.Every time He Congjing came out, the ostentation was bigger than that of the prince, and it would take a while before he left. The sea rhinoceros armor is a soft armor, which is worn on the body and covered with a short jacket, so that it cannot be seen from the outside at all.I was looking at myself, and it seemed that no one would know that I was still wearing soft armor. Just as I was thinking, someone behind me said: "General Chu, why did you come back so early?" This is Chunyan's voice.I quickly smiled and said, "You're here, sit down." But when I saw Chunyan, she looked like she was crying, and there seemed to be tears on her cheeks.I said, "What's the matter, aren't you happy?" Chunyan said: "No...it's nothing. General Chu, I want to ask you for leave today." I was thinking about how to get rid of her, but I didn't expect her to say it first, so I couldn't help but startled, and said, "Why?" Chunyan's face was a little red, and she whispered: "The city lord... the city lord has an order, and I will go to bed." When she said it, she blushed, as if she was ashamed to mention it.I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but sighed: "Oh, what a pity, I still want to talk to you more." Chunyan raised her head and said, "General Chu, please rest assured." I nodded and said, "Okay, let's go." In fact, I felt an indescribable relief in my heart. Chunyan actually made me feel unspeakably uncomfortable in my room, especially knowing that she might It was the eyes and ears sent by He Congjing, which made me feel like a thorn in my back. She wanted to leave, but I really couldn't wish for it.Chunyan bowed to me and said, "General Chu, I'm leaving." I said: "I'll give it to you." I grabbed the Baipi knife that I had untied when changing clothes just now, fastened my belt, and put on my boots.This outfit is no different from that of the soldiers in Wuyang City.After I finished matching the saber, I raised my head and suddenly found Chunyan staring at me blankly, not knowing what to think.I said, "Chunyan, let's go." Chunyan suddenly trembled, and said with a smile: "General Chu, I am just a kabuki, so I don't need to send you off." She said, bit her lips lightly, and said, "General, please take care of yourself. Probably won't come again." I thought it would be best if I didn't think so, but I put on a disappointed expression and said, "Yes, I'm going back to the imperial capital too. Chunyan, you should take care of yourself too." Chunyan walked in front, and I followed behind, the stairs were narrow, and she didn't carry a lamp, only some faint candlelight came in through the cracks in the window.Halfway through the walk, Chunyan suddenly turned her head and said, "General Chu." I said "hmm" and said, "What?" "We will never see each other again after this farewell. General Chu, you are too kind-hearted. You should be more careful in the future." I smiled slightly and said, "Chunyan, I am a soldier. To tell you the truth, dozens of people have died under my command. Do you still say that I am kind-hearted?" Chunyan sighed, and said, "Sometimes, people who have never killed anyone are more vicious." In the darkness, she stopped suddenly, her shoulders twitching slightly.Seeing her not moving, I felt anxious and asked, "What's wrong?" Chunyan wiped her eyes with her hands, and said calmly, "Sand has been blown into my eyes." She turned her head, smiled slightly, and said, "General Chu, let's go." In the darkness, her smile was like a snow-white flower, which made me feel a little crazy.Chunyan was originally very beautiful, but her beauty at this time seemed to be beyond human existence, and she was almost without smoke. I couldn't believe that she was a concubine who stayed with me all the time.I didn't dare to look too much, so I just whispered: "Then be careful, it's very dark, be careful not to step on the air." When I went downstairs, there were two people waiting outside the door. When they saw Chunyan and I came out together, they were startled and said to Chunyan: "Miss Chunyan, the city lord is leaving soon." Chunyan nodded and said, "Okay." She glanced at me again, and left with them without saying a word.Looking into her eyes, I couldn't help but tremble all over. What a sad look!I almost mistake her for Su Wenyue.I stared blankly at her back, but I didn't know what it was like in my heart.I've always suspected that Chunyan had ulterior motives, but her approaching gaze made me feel that I was wrong.Even if she was really ordered by He Congjing to spy on me, she is a person after all, not a tool. No matter who it is, there will be emotions and desires, but I am a little too cautious now. Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard someone say: "Commander, Commander!" It was Qian Wenyi's voice.I turned my head and saw Qian Wenyi coming from behind, I said, "What's wrong?" Qian Wenyi looked at Chunyan who was walking ahead, leaned into my ear, and whispered, "That female general surnamed Duan asked me to give you something." I was startled, and said, "Her? What is it?" Qian Wenyi said: "It's just a silk book, she gave it to me in the afternoon, and gave it to you when I was alone." He took out a silk scroll from his arms and handed it to me, with a rather ambiguous smile on his face, probably guessing the relationship between me and Bai Wei.I was actually more puzzled than him, so I took the silk scroll and looked at it in front of the lamp.The words "See you at the back door of Muyu Pavilion" are simply written on the silk script.I put the silk book on the candle and burned it. When I turned my head, I saw Qian Wenyi was looking at me with unconcealed curiosity on his face.I didn't talk to him too much, and said: "Brother Qian, I have to go out for a while, you can take care of me here, Master Ruoding asked me, and said that I fell asleep." Qian Wenyi smiled slightly, and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, General Chu will just go. But City Lord He is still at the door, you can leave later." I said, "I went through the back door." Qian Wenyi frowned, and said in a low voice: "General Chu, we are in a bit of an embarrassing situation now, and the back door is closed. The general thinks that it is best to avoid suspicion." I pondered for a while, and said: "That's right." If the servants of Mu Yu Pavilion are not allowed to open the door, I have to climb over the wall and go out. Qian Wenyi looked around, and then said in a low voice, "General Chu, if you really want to go, I know there is a place. If you walk from there, you won't be noticed." That place is a woodshed.This firewood room was next to a hut, and there were several piles of firewood inside. We entered the hut first, bypassed a pile of smelly bricks and rubble, and squeezed into the middle of two large firewood piles.Qian Wenyi pushed aside a pile of firewood and said in a low voice, "There is a hole in this wall, and it leads to a dilapidated house, and from there is the back door." I smiled and said, "You actually managed to find such a place, you're really talented." Qian Wenyi smiled slightly, and said, "I didn't find this. General Chu, don't blame me if I tell you, it's because the brothers were bored at night that they found such a way to escape." I smiled wryly. Only some of us with higher status can attend He Congjing's banquet. Most of the other soldiers opened another table outside and finished eating early.They were all fresh-blooded young men, and Wuyang City was so prosperous that they couldn't go out casually, and it was really hard for them to stay inside.I said, "How many people know?" Qian Wenyi said: "Not many, just three or four people. General Chu, don't blame them." I said, "Of course not. Brother Qian, they didn't find us, did we?" Qian Wenyi said: "Probably not. If City Lord He's people can even discover here, it would be too powerful." He smiled secretly again, and said: "Commander, don't worry, I will Didn't see anything." Drilling through the hole is a crumbling house.The house is not big, there are some broken tables and chairs piled up inside, covered with a layer of dust, no one has lived in it for a long time.I carefully walked around the tables and chairs and walked to the door.The door is closed, the lock is broken, it's just a disguise.I pushed open the door, and outside was the alley behind the back door of Mu Yu Restaurant.Wuyang City is very prosperous, with several main streets lined with shops and brightly lit at night, but here is just a remote alley, extremely dark. Walking on the bluestone road, I suddenly felt a little dazed.The inside of Muyu Hall is much brighter, but the alley outside is like another world.When I first walked into this alley, my eyes couldn't get used to it, and I couldn't see anything clearly.Why did Bai Wei call me?She told me that it was at the back door of Muyu Pavilion, but she didn't know where it was. I was looking around, when the sound of wheels rolling suddenly sounded beside me.This is a small carriage that can only seat two people, which is used by those who are a little richer.Before I recalled it, in the darkness, I heard a low voice: "General Chu, is that you?"