Compared to Lou Shuwan, the people from the other forces in Green Wood Stronghold had received information about Ning Yi a little earlier. The earliest was He Shuyuan, Squire He, who had the backing of the Qi family. On the afternoon after meeting the Blood Bodhisattva, someone had secretly invited him to a courtyard on the mountainside for a meeting.
He had visited this unremarkable little courtyard twice before to visit Liang Bingfu. He understood that compared to the main hall of Green Wood Stronghold, this courtyard was the true core of power in Green Wood Stronghold. Since the other party had called him here, it was very likely that they had made a decision to secretly finalize a deal with him.
He Shuyuan was not surprised by this result. Among the various forces that had come this time, the Qi family had the most resources. As long as they could cooperate with the Qi family, Lu Liangshan would be able to play a role and earn the most profits. He Shuyuan had given the Green Wood Stronghold enough by making this trip.
Once the Green Wood Stronghold cooperated with the Qi family and accepted amnesty, they would enter the military system. Although it was said that they would not interfere with the affairs of Green Wood Stronghold, in reality, once they entered the military, they would have to do things and be supervised. Thus, they could insert people here. And under the impact of money and power, the Stronghold masters and leaders of Lu Liangshan would also become part of the Qi family's interests. After taking advantage of this opportunity, it would be very difficult to say who would have the final say in Green Wood Stronghold in a few years.
Thinking of this, when he entered the room in the courtyard, what he saw was a young man writing something at a desk. The young man's expression was focused and indifferent. The brush in his hand never stopped moving. He only raised the fingers of his left hand and didn't even raise his head.
"Wait a little longer. It'll be done soon. Squire He, please sit. "
He Shuyuan, who had been full of joy, frowned. He stood at the door with his hands behind his back and stared at the young man. He wondered what the people of Green Wood Stronghold were keeping him in suspense. His expression was already somewhat serious and angry.
The young man ignored him and continued to write on the paper. When he finished, he picked it up and glanced at it, then folded it and put it in his sleeve. He put down the brush. Then, he looked into the eyes of the middle-aged man at the door and stood up. He even picked up the teacup on the table.
"He Shuyuan, Squire He, let me introduce myself. I am Ning Yi, Ning Liheng. Have you heard of the Office of Secret Investigations? " The young man took a sip of tea and walked out from behind the desk. There was a slight smile on his face, but there was also a hint of coldness in it. "If the Qi family has told you that we have fought with each other from last year to this year, I don't think the Qi family has a good relationship with you. During this period of time, Squire He must have earned quite a lot, right? "
The moment he heard the words "Office of Secret Investigations," He Shuyuan's heart sank. He had the feeling that a criminal in the future who was doing bad things suddenly met the FBI. Of course, his feelings were not so specific, but then he realized the significance of the name Ning Liheng. He had no idea why this person would appear in Lu Liang.
"Ning Liheng … You are the one in charge of allocating food and disaster relief in the Prime Minister's residence …"
From last year to this year, the Right Minister's residence had almost fought with half of the Wu dynasty in order to avert the disaster. Among them, the person responsible for allocating food and suppressing the price of food in the north and south was this young man. It was also consistent with some of the information that the Qi family had given him. This Ning Liheng in the Prime Minister's residence could do such a thing. Even if he could not be called a state scholar, he was at least a poisoner that the Prime Minister could not afford to offend. Even if Squire He could rely on his relationship with the Qi family to command a region, in front of this person who represented the authority of the Prime Minister, it was not enough. He spoke with difficulty, but the other person had already walked over.
"Yes, it is me. In a place like Lu Liang, there are people in Jianghu who call me the Bloody Butcher, and there are also people who call me the Devil of the Heart. These are all false rumors. I am the same as Squire He, a businessman. Even if there was some friction before, it was just money. Between us, there is no need to hurt our relationship. Squire He, am I right? "
The other person had a smile on his face. After all, He Shuyuan was not someone who had not seen the world. He knew that things must have changed, but he still regained his composure. "Yes. But I do not know why Mister Ning is here. "
"In fact, it is very simple. My thoughts are similar to Squire He's." Ning Yi smiled and patted his arm. He took the lead and walked out the door. "Let's go out for a walk. We'll talk as we walk."
The atmosphere of the conversation had been led away by Ning Yi from the very beginning. But He Shuyuan had no choice. Not only was the other person a core advisor of the Prime Minister's residence, he was also related to the vicious and evil people of the Green Forest. The name of the Devil of the Heart had caused a group of bandits to wail like ghosts and howl like wolves. If they did not agree, not to mention using the Prime Minister's residence to oppress them, the other person would probably beat him to death here. He followed him all the way out. When they reached a place where they could overlook the valley of Green Wood Stronghold, he stopped.
"Squire He." The young man tilted his head. "Look at Green Wood Stronghold. It is developing well, right? It was not like this two years ago. Do you think that because the Stronghold Master suddenly became a genius, this place suddenly became so big? And even started to do border trade? "
He Shuyuan looked at the scene below and hesitated for a moment. "You're saying that your Prime Minister's residence has long interfered?"
"No such thing. The Prime Minister's residence does not acknowledge this, and we will never cooperate with bandits." Ning Yi smiled. "Today's matter came out of my mouth and into your ears, but it has never happened to anyone else. Squire He, you also know that the Prime Minister's residence has a large business. Just like you, everything we do requires money. We have some business, for example, helping people plan business. We know where to find what people need, and we help them pull strings. Sometimes, we can calculate how much money they earn and how much they spend. Boorish people don't know how to manage accounts, so we help them do the accounting and do our best to give them good advice on income and expenditure. These are all small businesses that benefit both parties. Everyone making money is really making money, and it is really good for everyone. Don't you agree? "
As Ning Yi spoke, he was already walking forward. He Shuyuan followed from the side with a conflicted expression.
"It's business. The most important thing isn't what to sell or what to buy, but to make friends. Take last year's and this year's food disasters for example. We also made a lot of friends, and as long as we have friends, we can connect with each other. What we need, what we produce, what we sell, how we sell — once we have people in every link, we can quickly move things along. Then, everyone can make money, and the business can grow bigger and bigger. Even if there are some small conflicts with people during this period, like I said, it's just money. People can still get to know each other, and that's a good thing. If we didn't get to know each other, Squire He and I wouldn't be able to chat so harmoniously. Squire He, you're a senior in business. Tell me, am I right? "
He Shuyuan laughed. "Haha … Yes …"
Ning Yi continued, "Like I said, the Office of Secret Investigations is just going through the accounts and giving suggestions. As for Lu Liang, it's been a sore spot at the border for a long time. We've always wanted to solve its problems, and that's why we have the situation we have today. However, it can't be a monopoly. In the past, we just opened our doors to do business, and we only took a few bits and pieces. It's still much more affordable than other places. Moreover, Green Wood Stronghold has long been loyal to us, and we'll all be on the same side in the future. Squire He, you can rest assured that doing business with outsiders won't change at any time. But for big business like Squire He, we give you a discount. This is my recent investigation. These things are the most profitable, and we'll take less than usual. Squire He, take a look. "
As he spoke, he placed the piece of paper he had written on earlier in He Shuyuan's hands. He Shuyuan took the paper, but didn't open it. He only looked at Ning Yi. "So, this is also Prime Minister Qin's opinion?"
"It's not a specific opinion, but the border has always been a big problem. How to control it has its own rules. We can't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, and we can't just look at it for a year or two. These are the considerations of the higher-ups. I'm not too sure about the considerations of Prime Minister Li and Prime Minister Qin. "
As Ning Yi spoke, he smiled brightly. But the meaning behind his eyes was: This is the result of our considerations, not something someone at your level can know. He Shuyuan frowned. He didn't know how much effort the Office of Secret Investigations had put into this area, but he understood that it was useless to make a scene in front of this person. After some thought, he said, "Then what about the army? Deputy General Xiao and the others have come. Can you explain the matter of the Prime Minister's residence stealing food from the tiger's mouth? "
Border trade played an important role in the Wu dynasty's tax revenue, but there were all sorts of people involved. The Prime Minister's residence definitely wasn't clean here. But this kind of division of profits was like a political struggle. There would be friction, but there wouldn't be open hostilities. Once the distribution of profits was decided, everyone would maintain a tacit understanding. If the Prime Minister's residence opened up a smuggling port here, it could be a big or small matter. But of course, there were only so many profits at the border, and everyone would seize every opportunity to fight for them. To be able to open up a port in Lu Liang, a place where they couldn't get any profits in the past, could be considered a skill. As long as it didn't affect too much and they didn't monopolize the profits, there were still ways to manage it.
Ning Yi shook his head and said, "We naturally have our own arrangements for these matters. I said before that the Prime Minister's residence actually didn't interfere with the Green Wood Stronghold. At most, we lobbied here and made a suggestion. If you want to talk about what the Prime Minister's residence is actually interested in, it's the charcoal mine on Lu Liang Mountain. I don't know if Squire He has ever heard that there are several open charcoal mines here that are very easy to mine. We do some business in the capital, called … lotus root coal, and we need this thing. So we also hope that Lu Liang can have a long and peaceful life. "
He Shuyuan said, "I've heard about that stove. But charcoal is cheap. Wouldn't it be troublesome to transport it from here? "
"The business has to be big. With charcoal here, we can expand the coal stove business to the north. Stoves are still very useful."
He Shuyuan nodded. A moment later, he laughed. "If you want to do this business, I am very willing to participate in it. I can also enjoy the things that the people of the capital like."
"Haha, Squire He, you speak too seriously. A strong dragon cannot suppress a snake in its own territory. If we want to do business in the north, when the time comes, I will definitely find Squire He first. I will provide the technology, and you will provide the manpower. How about it? As for the matter of Lu Liang Mountain … "
The charcoal business and lotus root coal business were just small businesses to the He family. He Shuyuan laughed and interrupted Ning Yi. "I understand what Little Brother Ning means about Lu Liang Mountain, but there is still the Qi family behind you. I can't say for sure what they think. But no matter what, as Little Brother Ning said, it's just a business deal. Don't hurt the harmony. How about it? "
Ning Yi reached out and patted his hand that was holding the paper. "Mm, it's inevitable that there will be friction when we do business. Just follow the rules and don't hurt the harmony."
As the two chatted and laughed, Ning Yi accompanied He Shuyuan to the entrance of the mountain path and waved goodbye. But as soon as they turned around, their smiles disappeared. Ning Yi frowned and walked back in boredom. He Shuyuan gritted his teeth. He was indescribably angry that the Office of Secret Investigations had long since intervened. However, this kind of thing was indeed first come, first served. Everyone operated their own interests in secret. If the Office of Secret Investigations had really started to control Lu Liang two years ago, if others interfered, it would really be like stealing food from a tiger's mouth. So what if he was angry?
Also that afternoon, Ning Yi met with Wu Shengjun's deputy general, Xiao Cheng. As a soldier, this deputy general was the easiest to deal with. After bringing up the background of Qin Siyuan, Qin Shaoqian, and the Office of Secret Investigations, and promising a large sum of money, he immediately became Ning Yi's sworn brother. Even if he settled the matter of Lu Liang for Wu Shengjun, how much could he earn? Only the money in his own pocket was considered real money …
Just as Ning Yi said, people who did business would not easily fall out with each other. Even if they could fall out with the Green Wood Stronghold, no one would be willing to fall out with the Office of Secret Investigations and Qin Siyuan. However, under such rules, playing some tricks or waiting for the situation to change and worsen was still a choice. After Ning Yi greeted these people, the grasslands on the hilltops near the Green Wood Stronghold also began to gather here. First were spies and scouts. Then, some people also sent out leaders of various sizes to prepare to pay a visit to the Blood Bodhisattva.
At first, this matter was just Lou Shuwan complaining to the people around her. Once the people on the surrounding hilltops believed her, they involuntarily began to privately discuss and contact each other. Regarding the possibility of Green Wood Stronghold being recruited, everyone felt a great sense of crisis. In this way, the already overcrowded outer gathering of the Green Wood Stronghold became even more crowded and chaotic these days. And inside the Green Wood Stronghold, the people who had become a little flustered because of the appearance of so many outsiders actually calmed down these days. Silently, they began to withdraw their defensive line and consolidate the stronghold.
In the past two years, the Green Wood Stronghold had also absorbed most of the outsiders to develop their business. Now, this expansion process was even a little chaotic. Once a war broke out, business and the stronghold would definitely be affected. On the other hand, it seemed that this time, most of the forces in Mount Lu Liang, excluding the Green Wood Stronghold, had joined forces. Anyone could see that the Green Wood Stronghold did not want to fight this war. And if the Green Wood Stronghold did not want to see a war, this consolidation of the defensive line could only be said to be the most passive defense.
The entire situation began to tense up under such an atmosphere. Three days later, the Stronghold Master, the Blood Bodhisattva, hosted a banquet to entertain the guests who had come up the mountain. Everyone went to attend. At the banquet in the main hall, Lou Shuwan suppressed her trembling emotions and waited for the figure of a certain guest to appear. However, even when the banquet began like flowing water, Ning Yi and the others did not appear among the guests. Halfway through the banquet, she almost stood up to test the Blood Bodhisattva and ask her where the inner demon who had come up the mountain this time was. It was also at this time that Qiu Guyan entered the hall and whispered some news in her ear.
"… I heard some rumors from the people in the mountains. For now, I don't know if it's true. The Blood Bodhisattva did not hold a martial arts competition to find a spouse, but … she already has someone she likes. I heard that the insiders already know that that person is Ning Liheng. He entered the mountain to marry the Blood Bodhisattva … so in this business, he is not a guest, but the host …"
At the Stronghold Master's seat not far away, the woman nicknamed the Blood Bodhisattva smiled and spoke to the guests at a distance. Lou Shuwan gripped her wine cup and a "buzz" sounded in her head. The light disappeared for a moment before returning to her eyes, trembling. She found that her hands were trembling slightly, and the scene in her eyes was also trembling.
"… even if he is the host." She found that her voice was hoarse, so she repeated, "even if he is the host … the people outside the mountain are about to surround us. Why isn't he moving? Is he waiting for death? If they fight, many people will die. Does he know …"
"This … is clear …"
"If they fight, many people will die … does he know … what is he thinking …"
That night, she did not know how she walked out of the hall. She walked on the mountain path. The night wind was cold, and the distant mountains were lonely. The lights in the distant courtyard seemed to be mocking her. She returned to her courtyard and room and sat for a long time. Then, she put on her cloak and went out. She walked to the entrance of the courtyard where Zhu Biao and the others lived. She was about to walk in when someone stopped her. Qiu Guyan, who was in charge of protecting her, also came over to stop the person.
"I want to see Ning Yi!"
She said. However, after the incident with the little rattling horse, everyone knew that she represented Tian Hu's forces and was an enemy. The person who stopped her did not intend to be nice to her.
"Miss, we don't have anyone here who wants to see you."
"I want to see Ning Yi!" she shouted loudly. "I know him! I know he saw me! Ask him to come out and see me — "
In Sha Wanshi's courtyard, some of Dong Pang'er's subordinates were alarmed and came over to watch the commotion. The person who stopped her was also shocked. This woman seemed to be very familiar with the boss … For a moment, he did not know what to do. In the back room, Zhu Biao had already run out. "Ah, you …"
"Ask Ning Yi to come out and see me! Tell him that the enemy of the Lou family has come to find him — "
"Uh, wait." Zhu Biao thought for a moment and then disappeared behind the courtyard.
Lou Shuwan put on her cloak and stood at the entrance of the courtyard. She closed her eyes. After a long time, Zhu Biao came down from the mountain and said to her, "He can see you tomorrow morning."
Lou Shuwan closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, she turned and left.
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