The Prodigal Son

Making alcohol is not difficult.

Qin Yu did not return to Panyang; instead, he taught two of Yan Li's men how to make alcohol while still in the fortress at the front.

Upon learning that alcohol was so easy to make, Yan Li's two subordinates couldn't help but secretly lament their huge loss.

That evening, Qin Yu sent someone to successfully complete the transaction with Yan Li.

Of the 3,500 warhorses, nearly 800 were old or weak.

However, Qin Yu didn't pay any attention to it.

"Your Highness, we've suffered a huge loss!"

Upon seeing Yan Li, his men greeted him with long faces.

Yan Li frowned. "What, you guys didn't learn it?"

"No, no!"

The two men shook their heads repeatedly, and one of them immediately said, "It's just that the method of making alcohol is too simple! I think it's a real loss to exchange so many warhorses for it."

That's it!

Yan Li relaxed his brows and smiled nonchalantly, "It's alright! The simpler the better! That way, we can produce more alcohol, and ideally, we can complete a transaction with Bei Qi before Da Ning and Bei Qi go to war!"

Simple is best!

The simpler it is, the easier it is to make!

As long as Bei Qi doesn't know how to make it!

The two were taken aback for a moment, then exclaimed in unison, "Your Highness is wise!"

"Your Highness, should we send reinforcements to Panshan Pass?"

At this moment, Zongzhao asked in a low voice.

"Of course!"

Yan Li said solemnly, "We must maintain our relationship with Da Ning. Even if it's just for show, we must send more troops! We've suffered too many losses from breaking our promises. This matter is entirely beneficial to our dynasty, so there's no need to break our word!"

Zong Zhao remained silent, then nodded slightly...

……

Panyang Dongdaying.

As dusk approached, the soldiers were still conducting drills.

Most of them were undergoing a training exercise—standing at attention.

Another thousand people are undergoing even more intensive training.

Of course, the food for these thousand people wouldn't be any better than that for the others.

These were the thousand brave warriors that Liang Hongqiao specially selected from ten thousand people, drawing on her experience of competing with Qi Dachui.

These thousand people were personally trained by Liang Hongqiao.

The soldiers only stopped their drills when the clanging of iron tiles rang out.

After training, Liang Hongqiao found Qi Dachui and said, "How about you fight against the thousand men I trained tomorrow?"

"Can."

Qi Dachui agreed without hesitation, "But I have a request."

"What are your requirements?"

Liang Hongqiao looked at Qi Dachui with great curiosity.

This guy actually made a request?

If it were that slutty Du Fan making the request, she could guess with her toes what kind of request he would make—he just wanted to take advantage of her.

However, she has known Qi Dachui for quite some time now.

She felt that Qi Dachui wouldn't make any demands that would take advantage of her.

"You fight with me!"

Qi Dachui looked at Liang Hongqiao earnestly, "I'll protect you!"

"I like it..."

Liang Hongqiao blurted out, but then suddenly stopped halfway through her sentence, realizing what she meant, "You want to protect me like Marquis Qin did?"

She got it.

She was asking Qi Dachui to help her train those thousand people, while Qi Dachui was also training himself.

He was Qin Yu's bodyguard.

He wanted to simulate the scene of Qin Yu being surrounded by a thousand people on the battlefield!

"Um!"

Qi Dachui nodded slightly.

"Alright, I agree!"

Liang Hongqiao readily agreed, "By the way, do you think the Marquis of Qin can really get the State of Yan to give us warhorses?"

"Definitely!"

Qi Dachui said confidently, "If Thirteen Young Master says it's possible, then it definitely is!"

"You really have a lot of faith in him!"

Liang Hongqiao sighed, feeling a mix of emotions and anticipation.

She knew that Qin Yu had led a group to negotiate with Yan Li again today.

The outcome of that bet between her and Qin Yu should be revealed today.

Two thousand five hundred warhorses!

This is the bottom line set by Qin Yu.

If Qin Yu can obtain 2,500 warhorses from the Yan state, Qin Yu will win.

Conversely, she wins!

Although Qi Dachui had great confidence in Qin Yu, she felt that she had a better chance of winning.

Because she simply couldn't figure out how Qin Yu could win!

Just as the two were talking, Yue Hanshan rushed over.

"Young Master, something terrible has happened!"

Yue Hanshan hadn't arrived yet, but his voice had already reached the scene.

Liang Hongqiao's heart skipped a beat. She stood up abruptly and demanded sharply, "What serious incident has occurred?"

Seeing Liang Hongqiao's eyes, Yue Hanshan immediately realized what was going on.

She's got the wrong idea!

"It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing! A fantastic thing!"

Yue Hanshan first reassured Liang Hongqiao before panting and saying, "I heard that the Marquis of Qin reached an agreement with the State of Yan. The State of Yan didn't ask for any money or grain from us, only some kind of alcohol, and then they gave us 3,500 warhorses..."

"What?"

Liang Hongqiao suddenly raised her voice and looked at Yue Hanshan in astonishment.

Three thousand five hundred warhorses?

Did Qin Yu really manage to get warhorses from the Yan Kingdom?

"Hey, don't just stand there, come with me to find General Yuan!"

Yue Hanshan said urgently, "That's three thousand five hundred warhorses! We absolutely must get at least a thousand of them..."

Yue Hanshan's eyes lit up.

Three thousand five hundred warhorses!

That doesn't sound like much.

But ever since Xiong Quhu and his men were transferred away, there are less than three thousand cavalrymen left in the entire Panyang!

Moreover, they were all under Yuan Ji's command.

On their eastern camp side, there were only about five hundred old and weak warhorses, which gave the soldiers a meager opportunity to practice riding skills.

Now that Qin Yu has acquired 3,500 warhorses, they will definitely go to Yuan Ji to try and get more than 1,000 warhorses for them!

A thought struck Liang Hongqiao, and she immediately stopped Yue Hanshan: "What's the use of finding General Yuan! Go find Marquis Qin!"

Qin Yu got those warhorses!

Qin Yu's official rank was also higher than Yuan Ji's!

How to allocate the funds is definitely up to Qin Yu!

Yue Hanshan realized what was happening, "Right, right! Let's go find Marquis Qin!"

"Big Hammer, come with us!"

Liang Hongqiao then called Qi Dachui.

"oh."

Qi Dachui stood up as well.

Without further ado, Liang Hongqiao immediately took Qi Dachui and Yue Hanshan to find Qin Yu.

"Big Hammer, you know the situation at the Eastern Camp. When you see Lord Qin later, you'd better put in a good word for us and get him to give us more warhorses!"

On the way, Liang Hongqiao spoke to Qi Dachui again.

Qi Dachui looked at her blankly and replied, "I'll listen to Thirteenth Young Master."

"I……"

Liang Hong's pretty face stiffened slightly, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.

Yue Hanshan chuckled, "Big Hammer, you should think of it this way: if you help us get more warhorses, at least we can run faster if Young Master gets into danger on the battlefield, right? Do you really want Young Master to get into danger?"

"In no mood."

Qi Dachui shook his head and said seriously, "But Young Master Thirteen said that public matters are public matters and private matters are private matters."

"..."

Yue Hanshan was speechless for a moment.

After a moment, Yue Hanshan turned to Liang Hongqiao and said, "Qiao-ye, why don't you make a sacrifice and act cute towards Da Chui?"

"Go to hell!"

Liang Hongqiao glared at her, her eyes wide. "I was even thinking of making you sell your ass!"

Yue Hanshan chuckled, "I'd like to sell it too, but Lord Qin wouldn't be interested!"

"Get lost!"

Liang Hong smiled and scolded, but secretly she began to make plans.

How can we get Qin Yu to allocate more warhorses to the Eastern Camp?

Just as they were heading to Qin Yu's residence, a messenger found them first. "Young Master Qiao, Marquis Qin will be leaving Panyang tomorrow. General Yuan is hosting a farewell banquet for Marquis Qin and his entourage at his residence tonight. General Yuan invites you to attend the banquet with the generals of the Eastern Camp!"