Ning Cheng hadn't mentioned Mu Ling 'er at all, but he'd left it out. After all, that wasn't the main point of Ning Cheng's cooperation with them.
This time, Ning Cheng's reply was clear and concise.
Right now, none of Jun Yi Xie's men, including Uncle Cheng and Deacon Jin, knew about Ning Jing's pregnancy. He'd already had Bai Yuqiao negotiate with him so that Bai Yuqiao would send servant girls to serve Mu Ling 'er within the next few days.
In name, they'd be serving Mu Ling 'er, but in reality, they'd be serving Ning Jing. Bai Yuqiao had ways to prevent the guards from entering the tent to see Ning Jing and Mu Ling 'er. Still, they had to be on guard against Jun Yixie meeting the two of them.
Thus, Jun Yi Xie had to send his troops north to ensure their safety. Otherwise, changes could happen at any time.
This time, Jun Yi Xie had used Yangxin Hall to blackmail them because Jun Yi Xie trusted Ning Cheng even more after East Qin and the Ning Clan troops started fighting. He was preparing to send his troops north in advance.
With winter approaching, Northern Li's supply of medicinal ingredients was limited. Jun Yi Xie already had a way to buy grain, but not medicinal ingredients.
There were too many grain merchants in the world. Long Fei Ye's commander-in-chief's estate in the south central regions had strictly controlled the flow of grain for the past year, but he still couldn't completely stop the underground trade. Moreover, the Tian An and Western Zhou both had grain merchants who specialized in war.
It wasn't strange that Jun Yi Xie had a way to buy grain.
As for medicinal ingredients, most of Cloud Realm Continent's cultivation was controlled by Medicine City and Medicine Ghost Valley. Jun Yi Xie didn't have much in stock, so he really had to use Mu Ling 'er's "child" to threaten Pill Fiend Pharmacy.
After figuring out the ins and outs of the matter, Gu chuckled. "This old man's illustrious reputation was almost ruined by that damned girl! She's so warm-hearted! "
Indeed, Mu Ling 'er was warm-hearted enough to joke about her own reputation.
Everyone found it hard to understand, especially Baili Mingxiang. As a woman, reputation was the most important thing. It was even more important than her life!
But Han Yunxi understood Ling 'er's painstaking efforts.
She said, "Gu, don't blame Ling 'er. She didn't do it on purpose."
Gu Qishao was about to retort when Han Yunxi explained, "Before Ning Jing was kidnapped, she accidentally bumped into Linger and fell …"
"What?" Tang Li was stunned.
"Ning Jing almost had a miscarriage and was bedridden for a long time. It was Ling 'er who took care of her. She probably hadn't fully recovered yet when she was kidnapped, so Ling 'er had to protect her, "Han Yunxi explained.
Everyone finally realized the truth. Tang Li was an understanding man and didn't blame Mu Ling 'er. "I'll have to thank her properly after we rescue everyone! If she marries one day, my Tang Clan will prepare a large dowry for her! "
Tang Li's words weren't simple at all!
The dowry had two meanings. One was the amount of the dowry and whether it was generous or not. The other was that the dowry represented a backing force.
If the Tang Clan gave Mu Ling 'er a dowry, it was telling her husband's family and the world that Mu Ling' er had the backing of the Tang Clan!
Han Yunxi was overjoyed. She was happy for Mu Ling 'er. Mu Ling 'er didn't have a family to speak of after the Mu Clan fell. But when she saw Gu Qishao's indifferent expression, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
Would her silly sister still be willing to marry in this lifetime?
Gu's mood finally cleared up. He was debt-free. He took out the blackmail letter and placed it on the tea table. "What's the matter?"
"Agree to their demands!" Tang Li said anxiously. "Brother, Sister-in-law, how much does this cost? I'll pay for it!"
If they didn't agree, Jun Yi Xie and the others would definitely suspect Ning Jing if they found out that Mu Ling 'er's belly was fake.
To Tang Li, keeping Ning Jing in the Skyriver barracks was already his bottom line. He couldn't take any more risks.
"Your big brother and Myriad Merchant Hall have to pay for it together," Han Yunxi said, before smiling at Long Fei Ye. "Pill Fiend Pharmacy will give you a 20% discount."
Tang Li didn't understand, so Gu Beiyue explained, "Princess's words are reasonable. As far as this one knows, Northern Li's medicine storehouses have always been in the hands of the Northern Dynasties Emperors. Jun Yi Xie once worked with Medicine City's Mu Clan in private and had discussions with Cloud Realm Trade Consortium to grow medicine on Northern Li's snowy mountains. But now they're all under the control of the Northern Dynasties Emperors. The Northern Dynasties Emperors have medicine, but Jun Yi Xie doesn't. The two of them are evenly matched, but the Northern Dynasties Emperors still have the upper hand. "
Han Yunxi nodded, then continued, "When two sides fight, once one side gains the upper hand, the battle won't last long."
Long Fei Ye naturally agreed with Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue's words. He added, "The longer the civil war drags on, the greater the internal friction and losses, and the greater the demand. As long as Jun Yi Xie and the Northern Dynasties Emperors are evenly matched, the civil war will drag on for half a year before both sides are crippled. "
As Long Fei Ye spoke, he ordered, "Xu Donglin, send a letter back to Yangxin Pharmacy to prepare the medicine. Also, tell Manager Luo to send a few carts of grain to the Northern Dynasties Emperors. "
Kangan Private Bank was a huge financial house. Naturally, there were some profitable businesses under the financial house, such as salt, sugar, and grain. Noble Consort Xiao had long reported to the Northern Dynasties Emperors about their lack of grain. Now was the time to find a few grain merchants to swindle the Northern Dynasties Emperors.
Gu didn't like these political battles and was too lazy to pay attention to them, but he understood as soon as he heard them.
He clicked his tongue a few times and said, "Long Fei Ye, you're the most despicable one!"
Political tactics, despicable, scheming, shrewd, clever, and wise were all words that had different meanings in different situations and different people.
Long Fei Ye was very clear on what he wanted, so he never cared about other people's opinions. He only knew that if he wanted to rule the world, he had to be unafraid of its curses! One day, he would be the one to write the history of Cloud Realm Continent. Then the common people would have their own opinions!
Long Fei Ye said, "Everyone, go make preparations. There's no need to wait for the war horses to arrive. Ning Cheng will definitely give Jun Yi Xie the soldiers' pay and provisions first. Northern Li's civil war is coming soon … "
Since he'd already given Jun Yi Xie the medicine, Ning Cheng knew it was time to pay and provisions.
Long Fei Ye's guesses were right. On the second day after Pill Fiend Pharmacy agreed to give him the medicine, Ning Cheng went to find Jun Yi Xie of his own accord.
He said, "I'm afraid we'll fail at Qingyang Prefecture. I've ordered the army to prepare to retreat to Heyang Pass."
Jun Yi Xie was a little surprised. He assumed that the Ning Clan troops could defend Qingyang Prefecture for at least a month. "How much longer can they hold out?" he asked.
"They'll lose Qingyang Prefecture within ten days," Ning Cheng's expression was heavy.
"You!" Jun Yi Xie was furious. "When did the Ning Clan troops become so weak?"
Ning Cheng gave a cold snort. "Heheh, if you let me go back, I promise I can hold out for two months."
Ning Cheng wasn't with the army, so his deputy generals had misled the troops. This was a very convincing reason. Jun Yi Xie pursed his lips and pretended not to hear.
His hand tapped on the map on the table in a hurry, revealing his inner uneasiness.
Ning Cheng's lips curved into a cold smile as he stood in the shadows, unmoving. The Phoenix Feather Mask covered one of his eyes. His other eye was hidden in the shadows, and his gaze was deep and cold. It was even more unfathomable than the mysterious Phoenix Feather Mask.
Jun Yi Xie pondered for a long time before he finally cracked a joke. "Ning Cheng, you don't have to go back. The warhorses should arrive in Tianning in seven days or so. Why don't you give them their pay and provisions first? "
Ning Cheng was waiting for Jun Yi Xie to say those words, but he pretended to hesitate. "How much do you want?"
Previously, when Jun Yi Xie had demanded a lion's share of one billion, Ning Cheng had haggled and promised to give him 500 million as soon as they got the horses. The remaining 500 million would be given later.
Ning Cheng wasn't just a soldier, but a merchant as well. Although he had been quiet in the army these days, he had long settled Jun Yi Xie's debts.
Jun Yi Xie's current expenses were nothing more than a few. The first was the pay and provisions for his own cavalry, the second was the pay and provisions for the various powers in Northern Li, the third was the cost of roping in the middle powers, and the fourth was the cost of buying and transporting horses from Wintercrow Country.
Currently, the second batch of horses numbered around 30,000 and were about to arrive at Skyriver City. If not for the tight costs, they would have arrived a few days ago. Meanwhile, the third batch of horses was still in Wintercrow Country and had yet to be paid.
Jun Yi Xie's plan was to use the second batch of horses to attack the Northern Dynasties Emperors' forces from the central and southern regions of Northern Li.
Jun Yi Xie was in the southwest, while the Wintercrow Country was in the northwest. Once the pay and provisions were in place, he could send someone to Wintercrow Country to bring back the third batch of horses. At the same time, he could lead his cavalry to attack the Northern Dynasties Emperors from the northwest.
In any case, Jun Yi Xie had made ample preparations to attack the Northern Dynasties Emperors from three sides. Everything was ready, except for money.
He wasn't in a rush, but now that the Ning Clan troops were being routed, he had to be on guard against the Long Fei Ye for three months! Thus, the sooner Northern Li's civil war broke out, the safer his rear would be.
"200 million." Compared to the agreed upon "500 million," Jun Yixie could be considered to have made a profit this time.
Seeing Ning Cheng hesitate, he said seriously, "Ning Cheng, the sooner I deal with the Northern Dynasties Emperors, the sooner I can go down south to help you. Think carefully!"
"100 million!" Ning Cheng acted as if there was no room for discussion. "It's enough for your expenses for three months and the debt from the Wintercrow Country. I'm making an exception. As long as the horses are in the hands of the Ning Clan troops, the remaining money will not be reduced. "
100 million was far more than enough for Jun Yi Xie to fight against the Northern Dynasties Emperors. Ning Cheng didn't plan to give Jun Yi Xie any more money. He also understood that Jun Yi Xie couldn't be too weak. Once he was too weak, he would be suppressed by the Northern Dynasties Emperors, and this war wouldn't last long.
A war that didn't last long would only end with one side losing. It would never end with both sides suffering heavy losses.
Spending some money to let Jun Yi Xie deal with the Northern Dynasties Emperors was better than the Ning Clan troops charging in personally.
With the agreement in place, Jun Yi Xie didn't force Ning Cheng. He also knew that 100 million was enough for him to spend a lot.
Just like that, Ning Cheng straightforwardly gave Jun Yi Xie two gold cards and told him the designated bank. He also wrote a letter for him to withdraw the money.
A few days later, Han Yunxi and the others received news of the civil war in Northern Li at the Three-Way Black Market.
Jun Yi Xie was waiting for the second batch of horses and cavalry to get used to each other. The forces in the south and central regions were the ones mobilizing the troops.
However, after waiting for another two days, Han Yunxi and the others received news from Ning Cheng. Jun Yi Xie's beast tamers were very good at controlling the horses. In a few days, Jun Yi Xie would send troops up north.
And it was also in these few days that Jun Yi Xie would make arrangements for Ning Jing, Mu Ling 'er, and Su Xiaoyu …
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