Shushan: Extinction

Chapter 248 Seeing Through the Enemy's Plan
Obviously, this guy wants to obtain destiny!!

Once you have destiny, no matter how strong your enemy is, he will have to think carefully before making any move.

Those who practice Taoism fear the most all kinds of disasters, and when they are going through a disaster, they are at their weakest.

Once you have just survived your own calamity, the God of East will immediately use up his destiny to give you another calamity. The sour and refreshing feeling is, of course, terrifying! !
***
Time passes quickly.
About ten days later, someone suddenly asked to see Gong Tianwu.

The visitor was called Li Jian. He was an unknown person of low status, but he had a visiting card from the wealthy Xue family.

The Xue family is also a wealthy family with businesses spanning several countries, similar to the Yang family of Tianshui. Since Cui Ji Warehouse has many dealings with them, Gong Tianwu has to give them face.

After some greetings, Li Jian directly presented a generous gift, and then got straight to the point:
"In fact, I am here on someone's behalf. I heard that Master Lijiang has been visiting the young marquis, and the host and guest have been getting along very well, so they have been enjoying themselves so much that they have forgotten to leave. However, his family is a little worried, so I wonder if it is convenient for me to meet him."

Gong Tianwu smiled and said:
"Convenient, of course convenient."

Li Jian bowed and said respectfully:

"Then I'll trouble you, young marquis."

Li Jiang was poisoned and could not escape, so Gong Tianwu did not torture him and treated him as a guest of honor. Therefore, Li Jian quickly returned and said:
"Young Master Lijiang has an elder who is seriously ill and wants to see him. I wonder if the young marquis can show some leniency and let him go back?"

Gong Tianwu said calmly:
"Manager Li, let's not talk in secret in front of the real person. Li Jiang came to Sansheng City to kill my capable general, Hasar!"

"I can only keep this assassin well fed and well fed because of the Imperial Master's kindness. Otherwise, he would have been thrown into the cesspool and hanged on the city gate for three days."

"You want me to release him right away. Do you really think I'm a soft persimmon with no temper at all?"

Li Jian smiled bitterly and said:
"How dare I? I was asked to come and test the Marquis's attitude. From what the Marquis said, this matter can still be discussed, right?"

Gong Tianwu said:

"Of course we can talk about it. Otherwise, why would I keep him well fed and well fed? Wouldn't it be better to just kill him with a knife?"

At this point, Gong Tianwu clapped his hands, and a man came out from behind. It was Cai Yuanchang who came to report on his work and complain.

"As for how to negotiate the price, you can just go and talk to him. It just so happens that he has a big shortage of supplies recently."

After about a cup of tea, Cai Yuanchang came back excitedly and said:
"My Lord, it's done."

Gongtian Wuqi said:
"So fast? Did you offer too low a price?"

Cai Yuanchang said excitedly:
"Of course not. I thought the other party might bargain, so I doubled the number of vacancies in Yanzhi Valley. In the end, the other party just bargained a little and agreed."

"I think it's because Li Jian is just a middleman. He's not spending his own money, so he definitely doesn't bother."

When Gong Tianwu heard this, he felt that Cai Yuanchang's explanation made some sense, so he encouraged him and let him go.

I have to say that Lao Cai is quite capable. He managed the project in Yanzhi River Valley with no experience at all, but he only made some minor mistakes. After getting through the initial chaotic period, he was able to quickly sort out all affairs in order.

With such abilities, he is worthy of being a prime minister.

But after Cai Yuanchang left, Gong Tianwu always felt that something was wrong.

Because the wool comes from the sheep, Li Jiang was born into a farming family and the help from his family can be ignored, so the person who paid the money is most likely the national master of Cheming country: Master.

Yes, this person’s name is Master.

Such a person doesn't seem like someone who can swallow his anger or submit to the lion's loud demands.

After hesitating for a while, Gong Tianwu asked someone to fetch the recently collected intelligence and files for a careful examination. After frowning and hesitating for a while, he simply pushed these things aside and said loudly:
"Somebody come!"

Temur, who was waiting outside, came in and said quickly:
"Lord."

Gong Tianwu said:

"Go and call Hasar, Yang Yun, Mr. Chen, and my second uncle. I'll meet them in the study and say we have something to discuss."

Temur said:

"Yes!"

Soon, Chen Shengzhi came to the study room first and bowed respectfully to Gong Tianwu:
"Meet the young marquis."

Gong Tianwu smiled and said:

"No gift."

Then Gong Tianwu was slightly stunned. It turned out that only four days had passed, and Chen Shengzhi's loyalty had increased directly from 64 points to 85 points!
However, Gong Tianwu understood the reason after careful consideration. Chen Shengzhi surrendered to him in the beginning because he was forced by the situation and thought that many of his words were exaggerated.

But after he recovered, he should have taken a quick tour under the leadership of Temur, got to know his own foundation thoroughly, realized his own powerful strength, and felt that he was extremely valued, so he completely returned home.

After the two chatted for a few words, Hasar and others also came to the study.

Gong Tianwu then told Li Jiang the whole story of the ransom, and then said:

"I always feel that this matter is a little strange, what do you think?"

No one was in a hurry to draw conclusions. Some were thinking deeply, while others asked to look through some intelligence and information. No one wanted to speak carelessly and lead to misjudgment, and then leave a bad impression in front of Gong Tianwu, the very shrewd and powerful master.

Although there were five people sitting in the study, the rustling sound of the rain falling outside could be clearly heard.

After about a cup of tea, Cui Zicheng, as Gong Tianwu's second uncle, had to speak more casually, so he took the lead in speaking:
"The value of this ransom is really not small. Ten thousand silver treasures, an iron ore, sixty thousand stones of grain, one hundred horses, and three thousand pieces of wood."

"With this money, I think the gap in Yanzhi River Valley can be filled."

"Besides, the contract handed over has the Xue family's seal on it, so the problem shouldn't be too big. After all, the Xue family has been passed down for more than 200 years, and they value reputation and credit more than anything else."

Hasar suddenly said:

"I looked carefully and found that less than 20% of the items in the contract will be delivered within three days. The rest will take at least a month to complete."

"That is to say, if something goes wrong within a month, then this contract will not be honored."

Yang Yun was a new member, and he was full of youth and vigor. He licked his lips and said with a bloodthirsty smile:

"It would be best if you don't have to honor it. Then the master must send me to collect the debt."

Chen Shengzhi suddenly said:

"What if the other party is sure that Sansheng City will change hands in a month, and the entire Marquisate will be wiped out? Then the remaining terms of this contract will not need to be executed, right?"

After hearing what Chen Shengzhi said, everyone, including Hasar, found it unbelievable:

"how come?"

"Sansheng City is now as solid as a rock." "Since we received the Wild Wolf Crossbow from the Lord, the strength that was previously lost in the Marquis' Mansion has also been rapidly restored."

"."

Chen Shengzhi said confidently:
"That's the crux of the matter!! It's obvious that the enemy has also noticed that the Marquis's strength is recovering rapidly, so they panicked."

"Because if we give the Marquis' Mansion more time to develop and its strength expands to a certain extent, then the Marquis' Mansion will definitely turn the tables and take direct action against them!"

"On the contrary, if the Marquis' Mansion remains in a weak state, then it can still get a chance to catch its breath."

After hearing this, Hasar was stunned for a while, then suddenly said in surprise:

"Could it be that the three companies have joined forces?"

The location of Sansheng City is very unique. It controls the entrance to the prairie. Its main enemies are the Naiman tribe on the prairie and the Kingdom of Khotan to the west.

However, the Cheming Kingdom has risen extremely rapidly in the past thirty years. Since it captured the important town of Mohan two hundred miles away ten years ago, it has frequently harassed this place.

Therefore, Chen Shengzhi meant that the Naiman tribe, Khotan and Cheming had joined forces and wanted to attack Sansheng City directly while the Marquis' Mansion was still weak! !
The room suddenly became quiet. This might sound unbelievable, but in fact, even Gong Tianwu only had a vague sense of threat in his heart, but Chen Shengzhi's words broke it! !
"He really is worthy of being called a man modeled after the God of War."

Gong Tianwu looked at Chen Shengzhi deeply, and then sighed in his heart.

Cui Zicheng suddenly slapped his thigh at this time:
"Yes, that's what I said. Li Jiang has been imprisoned by us for such a long time, but he didn't come to redeem him earlier or later, but came at this time. It turns out that he is afraid that we will hold hostages in our hands if a war breaks out."

As soon as these words were spoken, both Hasar and Chen Shengzhi shook their heads slightly.

Hasar took the lead and said:

"That's not the case. In such a major event as attacking a city and seizing a piece of land, tens of thousands of people would be killed or injured, and the investment of manpower and financial resources is countless. How could we possibly give up because of an ordinary disciple of the national master?"

"To put it bluntly, if Li Jiang is really that valuable, we shouldn't have caught him at all."

"So, I think this is a deliberate attempt to create a maze."

"Maze?" Yang Yun asked curiously.

Hasar said:

"Yes, from your perspective, if the national teacher of Cheming Country wants to take revenge, when will it be?"

Yang Yun pondered for a moment and said thoughtfully:
"It must be after Li Jiang is released."

Hasar nodded slightly and said meaningfully:

"Yes, this is what they want to achieve, to make you feel safe during the time when Li Jiang is released."

Cui Zicheng shuddered suddenly:

"Doesn't that mean we are in great danger now?"

Chen Shengzhi suddenly said:

“They should be waiting for a node.”

Speaking of this, Chen Sheng said:
"If I remember correctly, five days from now will be the White Festival on the grassland, which is also the day when the incarnation of Changshengtian withers in the legend."

"During the three days of the White Festival, herders will stop grazing and stay in their own camps to sing the Hado song, dance the Yangcuo dance, and pray for the Eternal Heaven and themselves."

"In this way, the chances of the army being discovered while marching quickly on the grasslands will be greatly reduced."

"If we seize these three days, we will be able to charge hundreds of miles and attack Sansheng City!"

"At the same time, there must have been some insiders in Sansheng City, and some experts have mixed in, so they can cooperate with each other inside and outside and wait for an opportunity to seize the city!!"

After hearing Chen Shengzhi's description, everyone found it a little unbelievable, but when they thought about it carefully, they felt that it made perfect sense and was reasonable.

After hearing this, Gong Tianwu nodded slightly and said:

"I think Mr. Chen's analysis is reasonable. Hasar, please convene the staff and have them formulate an emergency plan based on this conjecture."

The advisory group is a system first created by Gong Tianwu. The saying goes: One person’s wisdom is limited, but many people’s wisdom is greater, and everyone can draw on their wisdom.

Its purpose is to check and fill in the gaps in the decision-making of the military chief, handle some trivial matters, and incidentally train the thinking ability of junior officers.

Because the final decision-making power still lies in the hands of the military commander, his subordinates are not opposed to it.

After listening to this, Hasar nodded and said:
"Okay, I'll send someone to do it right away."

Gong Tianwu then said to Cui Zicheng:
"Uncle, you should prepare to start stockpiling military supplies to prevent large quantities of food and military supplies from leaving the city. More importantly, you should guard the granaries in the city well."

Cui Zicheng has a strong execution ability and nodded solemnly after hearing this.

Then Gong Tianwu saw Yang Yun's expectant and eager eyes. This man was really a natural warrior. He was happy to hear about war. He walked up to him, patted his shoulder and comforted him:
"Don't worry, the three-party alliance will fight here, and you will definitely have endless battles to fight."

"You still need to work more with your subordinates and get familiar with our long-range attack tactics that have an overwhelming advantage. I definitely trust your strength, but my expectations of you are more than that. I hope you can increase the combat effectiveness of the entire cavalry by at least 30%."

"The last general takes orders!!"

Yang Yun said loudly, and then went there with great enthusiasm.

At this time, Gong Tianwu looked at Chen Shengzhi and said with a smile:
"I left Mr. Chen to the end, but I have a few words to talk to him about."

Chen Shengzhi smiled and said:
"It just so happens that I also have a few words to say to the Lord."

Gong Tianwu smiled and said:

"Okay, I'll go ahead and tell you then."

Chen Sheng’s Way:

"I am all ears."

Gong Tianwu said:

"There is no doubt that what will follow will be a battle to defend the city."

"After seeing through the enemy's plan, we actually have a great advantage in having the Wild Wolf Crossbow, because with it, women, children and young people can pose a great threat to the elite troops who have fought hundreds of battles."

"Therefore, most of the time when defending a city, the combat power that Wulou Guards can display is actually not much different from that of ordinary able-bodied men."

"It would be a waste if such elite cavalry were used to defend the city. I wonder if Mr. Chen has any good ideas."

(End of this chapter)