My lord, spare his life!

The confidant said, "Won't this alert the enemy?"

In this world rife with supernatural beings, accelerating the freezing of a lake is indeed not a difficult task. What his confidants are truly worried about is that the freezing of this section of the river will cause the water flow to decrease suddenly, and the enemy may discover clues by observing the changes in the water level of the upstream section.

Winter is also the dry season, making it easier to expose weaknesses.

The prefect of Hu County was optimistic, explaining in detail: "It's not like the ice layer grew to six inches overnight; it just reached that thickness before the new moon. As long as we carefully control the freezing speed, it shouldn't arouse Zhang's suspicion. Moreover, there was such a natural disaster recently, which disrupted the cycle of dry and wet seasons, making it even harder for Zhang to detect."

Upon hearing this, the confidant's worries vanished.

Their gazes toward the Prefect of Hu County were filled with admiration.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you to keep a close eye on this matter." Sun Ban doesn't have many people she can use or trust anymore. Although the prefect of Hu County in front of her is not Tie Gan's confidant, his interests are highly aligned with hers, and the two of them also have a common external enemy.

If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; if the nest is destroyed, the eggs will be broken.

In some ways, the Prefect of Hu County might even be more trustworthy than those around Sun Ban. What Sun Ban had told his confidants earlier wasn't untrue; some were indeed trying to curry favor with Zhang Yang through intermediaries. However, with the war still raging, Zhang Yang dared not easily trust these opportunists and hadn't given them a definite reply.

Even so, Sun Ban felt completely exhausted.

"Report—"

Another urgent report arrived from the front lines.

Sun Ban glanced at it casually, then his face darkened.

The prefect of Hu County could only judge the severity of the news by the grimness of Sun Ban's expression, and tentatively asked, "Another rabid dog?"

Zhang's bandit army gradually approached and surrounded them, with Zhe Meng currently leading the charge. This madwoman, just like her name suggests, was a purebred mad dog, biting and savage indiscriminately, frequently clashing with Sun Ban's troops. Several times, scouts discovered her intention to cross the Dou County border. When their scouts encountered Zhe Meng's men, they were either wounded and forced to flee, or, worse, beheaded and displayed publicly.

Because of Changsun Wang's presence, Sun Ban repeatedly suppressed his anger. Zhe Meng, on the other hand, became even more aggressive, provoking Sun Ban three times a day and sending men to shout insults from miles away from Sun Ban's camp on several occasions. Sun Ban, unable to bear it any longer, sent men to drive them away.

They're causing trouble again today.

Sun Ban tossed the urgent report aside and said, "Hmm."

"We can't let Zhe Kuangquan run rampant like this. What if she discovers something's amiss? Wouldn't that ruin the whole plan?"

The prefect of Hu County looked worried.

Sun Ban calmly replied, "I plan to send someone to negotiate peace. During the peace talks between the two armies, Zhe Kuangquan won't cause too much trouble."

The Prefect of Hu County: "What if Zhang the thief demands an exorbitant price?"

Sun Ban said calmly, "Then let her drive."

Peace talks are merely a tactic for her to buy time.

Sun Ban sneered: "The peace talks are just to lower Zhang's guard, keep him in check, and drag things out until the new moon. So what if she's asking for an exorbitant amount? Not only could I not agree to these conditions, but even if I did, couldn't I go back on my word? Even if we put it in writing and she signed it, so what? She can still tear it up. Until she gets what she promised, it's all for nothing."

Agreeing or refusing is just a matter of opening your mouth.

The prefect of Hu County nodded: "That's true."

She then sighed, looking at Sun Ban with a mixture of helplessness and pity: "Zhao Ruo has always been a woman of her word, valuing her reputation and integrity more than her life. Now, however, she has been forced step by step by a shameless villain, abandoning half a lifetime of good name and gaining a stain on her body for no reason... This Zhang thief is truly hateful and despicable!" She had even forced herself to become a stray dog ​​fleeing disaster, which deepened the governor of Hu County's hatred.

Sun Ban twitched the corner of his mouth but did not respond.

Upon hearing this, Sun Ban's confidant shed tears, grieving for his lord.

"This matter is of utmost importance; to whom does Zhaoruo intend to entrust it?"

Sun Ban revealed a meaningful smile.

"Naturally, the one who is most indecisive should be entrusted with the task."

Sun Ban carefully considered the selection of such a person. These opportunistic fence-sitters already harbored thoughts of siding with Zhang Yang, but Zhang Yang looked down on them and dared not easily accept them. Now that Sun Ban had assigned them this task, these fence-sitters would naturally seize the opportunity to curry favor with Zhang Yang, strive for Zhang Yang's interests in the peace talks, and thereby gain political leverage for themselves.

Such genuine feelings would make it easier to deceive Zhang the thief.

The prefect of Hu County clapped his hands and said, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Zhang Yang exclaimed, "This is bad, this is really bad—"

This "unfortunate" situation began half an hour earlier.

On the day Zhang Yang led her troops to join forces with Zhe Meng, Zhang Yang originally planned to hold a small celebration for Zhang Da'ao. Of the several star beasts she currently raised, Zhang Da'ao was the one she had watched rise from wild beasts to star beasts, and also the only one with a proper position in the army, the Canglang Commandant.

We should celebrate, both emotionally and logically.

Zhang Yang specially asked the cook to stew a big pot of fragrant pork leg for Zhang Da'ao. If he didn't know Zhang Da'ao's exact age, he would have liked to put a few candles on it to add a sense of ceremony.

Zhang Da'ao was extremely grateful.

It lay down at Zhang Yang's feet, its head pressed against her instep, and performed three standard downward-facing dog poses as a gesture of thanks. However, it didn't finish the four pig legs in one go. As a wolf king who understood human relationships, it first raised its paw and patted Guan Si, asking for help.

Zhang Yang asked curiously, "What is it going to do?"

Wang Qi curled his lip: "Flattery."

Guan Si did not answer. Instead, he took out a sharp dagger about the length of a palm from his waist, cut off the most tender and juicy part of the first pig leg, put it on a plate, and handed it to Zhang Yang: "In a wolf pack, after the wolves catch their prey, the one of higher status eats first."

Zhang Da'ao is the wolf king, but it acknowledges Zhang Yang as its king.

Naturally, Zhang Yang had to eat the pork leg first.

Although it was only a small piece of pork leg, and it was a gift from Zhang Yang, Zhang Da'ao's gesture certainly pleased her. She happily hugged Zhang Da'ao's thick, hairy head, rubbing her cheek against his ear: "Da'ao is so considerate."

Zhang Da'ao first sat still, then adjusted his posture to make it easier for Zhang Yang to hug him, showing his thoughtfulness and obedience in every detail.

Zhang Yang was so happy that he took out another large bag of special animal food.

Zhang Da'ao, carrying the pig leg and animal food, expressed his gratitude a second time.

It only ate the pig's leg that had been butchered, taking the remaining three legs back to the other wolves in the pack. The bag of animal feed was kept by its lieutenant, who mixed it into the pack's daily communal meals to improve their diet. The wolf king, Zhang Da'ao, had only one lieutenant.

A person transferred from the Hundred Ghosts Guard.

Zhang Da'ao returned to Canglang Camp, patrolling the territory and training the wolves. Aside from not knowing how to handle military affairs, his work was no different from that of an ordinary military officer. Suddenly, Zhang Da'ao's ears perked up, its eyes sharp, and it swiftly retreated, dodging a sudden attack!

The enemy, having failed in their first attack, followed up with another.

Zhang Da Ao created distance, assumed a fighting stance, and let out a wolf howl to scare away the wolf pack that wanted to come forward to help it, while it fought alone.

When Zhang Yang arrived at the scene, birds were already flying and wolves were jumping around.

Bird feathers and wolf fur were scattered everywhere.

"Da Gu——"

Zhang Yang called out in surprise.

Zhang Dagu, who was scratching Zhang Da'ao with its two bird claws, turned its head and transformed into an angry bird, swooping into Zhang Yang's arms. The huge impact was so great that Zhang Yang couldn't catch it and had to take two steps back to steady itself. Zhang Yang held Zhang Dagu by the base of its wings with both hands and lifted it high up.

"Isn't Da Gu supposed to be staying behind with Uncle Yan, guarding the house?"

Zhang Yang mentally calculated the time: "Is someone in the rear launching a mutiny to raid our base? Or is it that the wrath of Shu Yan, the celestial being, is about to strike?"

Only these two things could have made Zhang Dagu fly over.

Zhang Da Gu remained silent, only pointing at Zhang Da Ao with its wings outstretched, chirping incoherently. Although Zhang Yang couldn't understand bird language, his intuition told him that the other party was hurling insults fiercely. Zhang Yang explained seriously, "Zhang Da Ao isn't mine. It's a properly appointed captain, a captain in the Canglang Battalion, responsible for coordinating and commanding wolf pack operations. It's different from you."

It would have been better if she hadn't explained; her explanation only made things worse.

The chirping became more rapid.

Zhang Yang shook his head innocently: "I don't understand what you're saying."

Even a star beast couldn't force Zhang Yang, who was pretending to be asleep, to answer any questions she asked.

Wang Qi chuckled mischievously: "It's asking you, since they're different, why does this stupid wolf share the same generation as it?"

Why is he called Zhang Da'ao?

The bad guy who tricked the birds, the bad guy who tried to cover up his crime!

Before Zhang Yang could quell her anger on this side, another thing happened that annoyed Zhang Da Gu even more. Coincidentally, Qianliyan had just returned from his patrol and, as usual, clung to her side.

When Zhang Dagu looked at it, all the bird feathers were puffed up.

The chattering became even more rapid than before.

Zhang Yang, holding Qianliyan, said, "This is different. Zhang Da'ao's name was a reward for its merits, but Qianliyan hasn't changed its name, so it's not considered my pet. It's different from yours."

This explanation only made Zhang Dagu angrier.

It clearly brought its newly met bird friend to show Zhang Yang, letting Zhang Yang know that this was its good friend, and that good friends should not be touched! So what's going on now!

Zhang Dagu angrily spread his wings, shielding his good friend behind them. He stood tall and faced Zhang Yang directly, his dark eyes seeming to ask Zhang Yang if he had forgotten his promise from last time.

Zhang Yang blinked: "But it's different. As long as the name isn't changed, Qianliyan is still the Qianliyan that Xiaoyu raised, not the one I raised. Its name is Qianliyan, and it's not in the same generation as you."

Zhang Dagu's mind went blank, and he looked at Zhang Da'ao.

Zhang Yang retorted, "There are countless people in the world with the same name. Does that mean every Zhang San is the same person? The same goes for beasts."

Zhang Dagu: "..."

As it turns out, even the most intelligent bird is no match for a human.

Taking advantage of Zhang Dagu's momentary daze, Zhang Yang embraced him tightly without hesitation: "But to me, you are the one and only Zhang Dagu in this world. This name belongs only to you. We've finally reunited, are you going to cause trouble for me?"

Zhang Dagu: "...Gu?"

Zhang Yang sighed and said, "I knew you couldn't bear it. The important thing is not whether we are human or beast, nor how many humans or beasts there are, but the time we spent together and the memories we created."

Wang Qi couldn't bear to look at it; he was both angry and annoyed.

"They'd even lie to a bird!"

But the mountain spirit had never said such a thing to him.

Zhang Dagu was easily charmed by Zhang Yang's few words, completely oblivious to the fact that Zhang Yang had raised two more star beasts. A few pets, a hug, and some birdseed, and Zhang Dagu's anger and jealousy melted away like cream, leaving only the warm joy of the large bird clinging to him. Seeing the crisis had passed, Zhang Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Uncle Yan, is there anything you want to tell me?"

Without orders, Zhang Dagu won't run around or fly randomly.

Its presence here must be related to Fan You.

Zhang Dagu took out a letter tube hidden in a feather. Inside the letter tube was a precious piece of paper with small, cramped words on it.

After reading the letter, Zhang Yang was speechless.

Wang Qi saw her looking as if she had lost her parents, and he wanted to laugh.

"What's written on it?"

Zhang Yang closed his eyes in a state of helplessness and despair: "It's homework. Shu Yan said he wanted to come over after the battle in Doujun, but I don't want him to come now. First of all, he'll definitely check my homework, and I haven't done it yet."

Many observed samples have said they would leave their assignments until the last minute. Zhang Yang is just imitating people. What could she possibly do wrong?

Zhang Yang muttered, "My friend once said that deadlines are the primary source of motivation! Without deadlines, how can pressure be transformed into drive!"

Wang Qi couldn't understand.

These were words he couldn't understand even with the context.

Wang Qi smirked: "Then I'll kill him for you. Once he's dead, he can't check your homework anymore, and that'll solve the problem once and for all."

Zhang Yang: "...It's not that bad."

I always felt like Wang Qi's abacus beads were hitting people's faces.

Zhang Yang looked worried and stared at the assignment list, not even bothering to read the report Fan You had written in the latter half.

"My lord, Sun Zhaoruo has sent someone to request peace talks."

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow: "What peace talks?"

She's about to invade their stronghold, and now she's talking about peace talks?

Zhang Yang rolled over on the warm, cozy belly of the big cat, then casually grabbed its thick, furry tail and covered its face with it.

"If you don't want to see them, tell them to get lost."

I said that, but we still met in the end.

She always wanted to know what other medicine Sun Ban could sell with his gourd.

The envoy sent by Sun Ban was handsome, with clear and gentle features, and a flowing beard, exuding an air of refined elegance. Zhang Yang glanced at the envoy's stats; they were unremarkable, even below average, and uninteresting.

"If Sun Zhaoruo takes the initiative to seek peace, she should at least show some sincerity. What is she prepared to cede to me in exchange for her life?"

The envoy was surprised by Zhang Yang's impolite manner.

There was no small talk, they went straight to the point.

The envoy bowed respectfully and said obsequiously, "I have come here on the orders of my lord, who sincerely seeks peace. To show our sincerity, my lord has repeatedly instructed that we should provide whatever our main force can do. Food, hostages, and money are all negotiable."

Zhang Yang: "Why don't you mention the city?"

The envoy's smile froze.

Zhang Yang said, "Why are you giving me things nobody wants? What I want is Doujun, not those material possessions you're talking about. Otherwise, why would I bring this whole group of people here from so far away? For a leisurely outing? Or is it that your lord is willing to serve me as her master? If so, I might consider arranging for her to continue governing Doujun, since she is familiar with this place."

The messenger could no longer maintain his smile.

Zhang Yang waved his hand: "You can't make decisions on any questions I ask you, so what's the point of talking? You might as well go back and ask Sun Zhaoruo again to see how much sincerity she really has. Coming to negotiate without even figuring this out is just a waste of our time."

Sigh, some games just can't be quit easily. Several of my alt accounts are missing holiday event accessories. How long will it take to finish fishing while AFK?