Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 80 Rencheng
People under the eaves are like birds perched on shallow branches, and they are easily blamed. Although Qian Tong hated Yan Yi in his heart, he had to lower his head and be servile to avoid suffering physical pain.

The physical pain is nothing, but he really doesn't want to experience the taste of hell again.

Yan Yi took two steps forward and sat down on the couch in front of Qian Tong. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, and he looked down at Qian Tong as if he was admiring a prey he had captured.

Qian Tong's muscles were tense, his hair stood on end, and his heart in his chest seemed to be suddenly grasped tightly by someone, beating violently.

He lowered his head and swallowed hard. Suddenly, a deep, rich voice above him dispelled the silence, "I want to attack Zou Ta. Does Mr. Qian have any good strategies to help me defeat the enemy?"

When Qian Tong heard the name Zou Ta, his body trembled, and his fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of his clothes. "I am a defeated general, so how can I offer any good strategy? Young Master is wise and brave, invincible in battle and invincible in attack. I'm sure you can easily eliminate Zou Ta."

Yan Yi sighed and stood up, his tone tinged with regret. "I came to see you with good intentions, but you evaded me with lies. You clearly despise me. Come, send him back to the underworld. Don't report any more information about him to me."

Upon hearing this, a jailer with a ferocious face walked up to Qian Tong, raised a copper ruler with tiny spikes in his hand, and slapped Qian Tong's cheek viciously. The spikes pierced the flesh, blood splattered everywhere, and Qian Tong let out a shrill wail.

The jailer acted as if he didn't hear anything and quickly stripped Qian Tong of his clothes like he was an animal. He kicked his fat butt, then grabbed his hair and dragged him out of the house roughly.

Qian Tong's heart and courage were shattered. He ignored the physical pain and the humiliation in his heart. As he passed by Yan Yi, he desperately hugged one of his feet and cried out, "Young Master, spare me! I have a better plan, I have a better plan!"

Yan Yi walked back to the couch and sat down, saying calmly, "Since that's the case, tell me your good plan. I'm not a bloodthirsty person, and I've already asked someone to take care of your children. As long as your words are true, I will let you reunite with your children and ensure you spend your old age in peace."

Qian Tong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and asked hurriedly, "I wonder how many soldiers the young master has now?"

Yan Yi glanced at him and said, "Five thousand."

Qian Tong's eyelids twitched when he heard this, and his fear grew even stronger. He forced a flattering smile and said, "Five thousand soldiers are more than enough. There are no major rivers surrounding Rencheng, so there are few water sources. Young Master, you only need to lead your troops to encircle Rencheng. It will take three months at the fastest, half a year at the slowest. The defenders will fall into disarray, and then you can lead your troops to attack the city and easily capture it."

Rencheng refers to Renwang City, which was built by Zou Ta. Zou Ta called himself Renwang of Dongwu, and the city he built was also named Renwang.

Yan Yi nodded slightly. He had discussed this with Xu Sheng and others yesterday. Most people were inclined to besiege the city first, then cut off the water supply to disrupt the army, and finally decide the outcome through a final battle.

However, this weakness of Rencheng is well known to everyone. Zou has also been digging wells in the city and has achieved certain results.

For several years, Zou Ta and Qian Tong have been helping each other. Before Qian Tong's collapse, no force could have trapped Zou Ta until the day when all the water was exhausted.

"Three to six months is too long." Yan Yi shook his head.

This time is indeed too long for him. By then, Wu Jing might have already attacked the counties around Wucheng.

Seeing his impatience, Qian Tong quickly said, "I have some accomplices and friends in Rencheng. I can secretly have them poison the city's wells or throw rotting livestock carcasses into the wells to pollute the water source. As soon as the epidemic breaks out, Rencheng will be yours."

Yan Yi thought to himself, what use is there for me in a dead city? However, the insider information mentioned by Qian Tong did interest him.

Qian Tong and Zou Ta had a close relationship, and many of Zou Ta's generals were closely connected to Qian Tong, including some who held significant power. Yan's spies, hidden deep within Rencheng, could not match their power or status. "Give me a list of those accomplices and associates you mentioned. Also, list the relationships between Zou Ta and his generals, and submit it to me." Yan Yi pinched his nose and rose from his bed. The prison cell was filled with a pungent, musty odor, making his breathing difficult.

Qian Tong thought he was going to leave, and said hurriedly, "I'll write it right away, I'll write it right away."

Looking around, he realized that there was nothing around him and he was naked. He covered his lower body with his hands and shouted a few names.

Yan Yi listened and asked Yin Li at the same time. They were indeed all well-known figures in Rencheng, and one of them was even a core general of Zou Ta's army.

He knew how to quickly capture Rencheng with the least possible cost. His mood immediately brightened, and he instructed the jailer beside him, "Change him to a cleaner cell and improve his food."

Qian Tong was overwhelmed with joy and delight. He repeatedly touched his forehead to the ground and choked out a sob, "Thank you, young master."

Yan Yi withdrew his gaze from him, turned around and left the cell.

When I returned to Jinyun Pavilion in the backyard, it was already midnight and the starry sky became clearer.

Jinyun Pavilion was once home to Qian Tong and his family. It stands four stories tall, with a hip roof and eaves rising high, resembling the wings of a bird. The building is primarily constructed of wood, with carved beams and painted rafters, lacquered with red lacquer and gold ornamentation, creating an ornate yet dignified atmosphere. The delicate window lattices let in the breeze, while the winding railings offer a panoramic view. Tonight, the moon is bright, its clear light like a thin silver veil, quietly streaming through the window lattices and into the attic.

Yan Yi stood alone on the balcony on the fourth floor, admiring the moon.

Four maids were preparing his bath in the room. One held a kettle, filling a bucket with warm water; another held a towel, folding a plain silk cloth on the table; another held incense, sprinkling orchids into the water; and another held his robe, straightening his brocade robe on the screen. The room was lit by flickering candlelight, and the air was thick with fragrance.

One of the maids was Zhou, wearing a light purple skirt, with only a pink silk bra underneath. There was a silk ribbon tied around her waist, which lightly bound her slender waist, making her breasts look taller and her buttocks rounder. A slender hand as white as solidified fat reached into the water, testing the temperature.

Yan Yi took off his clothes with the help of four maids and walked into the barrel on the wooden ladder.

When he stood on the highest step of the wooden ladder, the thing between his legs was just at the same level as the four maids' line of sight, swaying back and forth, making the four maids blush with embarrassment.

Yan Yi slowly sat down in the tub. The warm water gradually enveloped his body, washing away the day's fatigue and making him unable to help but let out a comfortable sigh.

Four maids surrounded him, some wiped his body, some gently pressed his head, and some added warm water into the wooden barrel from time to time to keep the water temperature.

Except for Zhou, the other three maids were personal servants who came from Wucheng. Although they were young and lovely and very good at serving, they were far inferior to Zhou in terms of appearance, figure and temperament. The comparison was even more obvious when they stood close.

Yan Yi leaned back against the edge of the bucket and said lazily, "You three, go out first."

The three maids responded in a low voice, glanced at Zhou whose pretty face was flushed, and walked out of the attic lightly.

(End of this chapter)