On the 27th of February, Leng Qian sneaked into the water bandits again with a letter to recruit Pei Donglai.
Walking on the street of the water bandits, Leng Qian casually pulled a water bandit to a nearby alley and said mysteriously, "Hey, brother, have you heard?"
The water bandit was confused. "Heard what?"
"What? You don't know yet? My cousin's fourth aunt's nephew works for the second leader. He secretly told me that the second leader is going to do something big this time, "Leng Qian said, pretending to be surprised.
"Hey, brother, tell me, what is the second leader going to do?" Sure enough, gossip was human nature. Men, women, young and old, were all like this.
"I'll tell you secretly. Don't tell anyone else. Otherwise, my cousin's fourth aunt's nephew will be in trouble." Leng Qian continued to tempt him. Only hard-earned news would be easier for people to accept.
"Okay, okay, okay. I promise I won't tell anyone. Brother, tell me quickly!"
Leng Qian deliberately looked around. Seeing that there was no one around, he lowered his voice and said, "Let me tell you, our second leader is not satisfied with the first leader protecting the third leader. This time, he wants to remonstrate. He wants to be the first leader himself."
"Ah? Really? How can the second leader be so bold? "
"Hey, don't believe me. Our second leader is fearless and can do anything. Do you remember the attack on the army last year? Then it must be done by our second leader. "Leng Qian had made ample preparations.
"Brother, you're right. Sigh, in this case, we, the underlings, will have to suffer again. "
"That's right. I think you're fated, so I told you secretly. As for us, we have to prepare early. Otherwise, we'll be used as scapegoats, "Leng Qian said emotionally.
"Yes, yes, yes. Thank you for telling me. I promise I won't tell anyone."
"That's good. Remember, don't tell anyone. "Leng Qian emphasized again.
After Leng Qian left, the man who said he wouldn't tell anyone turned around and told the news to his second uncle's third son. After that, he vowed, "Remember, don't tell anyone."
The third son of the second uncle turned around and told the second son of the Wang family next door. Just like that, one to ten, ten to a hundred. In less than half a day, the news had spread throughout the entire village. People gathered in groups of twos and threes, whispering to each other mysteriously, not forgetting to say, "Remember, don't tell anyone."
When Hei Long received the news, it was already 11 o 'clock in the morning. It had been two hours since Leng Qian had spread the rumor. In the Loyalty Gathering Hall of the water stockade, the Black Dragon sat on his throne with a gloomy expression. He coldly said, "Second brother, second brother, you really have reached this step."
In the Loyalty Gathering Hall sat the inept advisor of the water stockade. He frowned and said, "First Master, there's something fishy about this. If, and I'm saying if, if Second Head really wanted to do this, why would he leak the news in advance? This doesn't make sense. "
The Black Dragon's expression froze and he said with uncertainty, "Military Advisor, do you mean that someone is purposely spreading fake news to sow discord between us?"
"This subordinate is just guessing. But we still have to take the necessary precautions. "
"Who could it be? Who would have such a motive?" the Black Dragon asked.
The Military Advisor's expression froze and he didn't dare to speak.
The Black Dragon waved his hand and said impatiently, "Military Advisor, if you have anything to say, just say it. It's already come to this, there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Then this subordinate will be frank. This subordinate believes that Third Head is the biggest suspect. "
"What? You mean Donglai? How is that possible? "The Black Dragon was very surprised by the Military Advisor's answer.
Since it was already clear, the Military Advisor didn't hide anything. "That's right. First Head, think about it carefully. If you and the Second Head were to fight, who would benefit the most? "
The Black Dragon thought for a moment and said with uncertainty, "Could it be the Shanhai Town in the east? If we have an internal conflict, the Shanhai Town will also benefit the most. They definitely have the motive to do so. "
The Military Advisor nodded and said confidently, "This subordinate has also thought about it. It could be the Shanhai Town. But according to the scouts, the Shanhai Town is doing as usual and isn't on guard at all. They're probably still immersed in the festive atmosphere of the new year and don't even know of our existence. "
The Black Dragon clearly didn't believe it. He trusted Pei Donglai very much. He got up and paced back and forth in the hall, frowning and trying his best to see through the fog in front of him.
"Do you think this is all a farce, a smokescreen Second Brother released to make me suspect Donglai? If that's the case, he'll be able to win in the chaos. "The Black Dragon's mind flashed and he blurted out.
The Military Advisor was shocked. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that it was really possible. The Second Head called himself the Water Snake because he worshipped the cold-blooded and cunning nature of snakes. This matter was really a bit like his style of doing things.
Seeing that the Military Advisor was silent, the Black Dragon already knew that he had grasped the key to the problem. He said coldly, "Second Brother, Second Brother, you really are an ungrateful wolf that can't be fed. Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless. Immediately give the order to capture the Water Snake, dead or alive. "
"Yes, sir!" The Military Advisor didn't dare to delay. He immediately left the hall and deployed the troops.
As the headquarters of the water bandits, there was a squadron of water bandits stationed in the hall, including thirty elite water bandits and seventy ordinary water bandits. This squadron was responsible for the security of the hall and took orders from the Chief Head, the Black Dragon.
However, while the Black Dragon was still discussing countermeasures in the hall, the Water Snake had already made his move. He knew his big brother too well. Whether the news was true or false, there would be no place for him, the Water Snake, in the water bandits from now on. Since that was the case, why not take the chance and fight?
As the Second Head of the water bandits, the Water Snake directly controlled two squadrons, including sixty elite water bandits and one hundred and forty ordinary water bandits. These troops were usually stationed in the water bandits' barracks. After receiving the news, the Water Snake immediately arranged for his trusted subordinates to deploy these troops out of the barracks in batches and gather at his house.
At half past eleven in the morning, the Water Snake led his trusted subordinates out of the house and went straight to the hall. The mighty troops made the non-combat members of the water bandits feel uneasy. The rumor in the morning had become a reality.
When the Water Snake's troops arrived at the entrance of the hall, the Military Advisor was leading the garrison troops to the Water Snake's house to arrest the traitor. As a result, the two groups of troops clashed in front of the hall.
When the Black Dragon received the news, he arranged for people to go out from the back door to the barracks to ask for help while he rushed to the front door. Seeing the confrontation in front of him, he sneered and said, "Second Brother, you really have disloyalty. Why, do you want to replace Big Brother so soon? "
The Water Snake also sneered, "Big Brother, don't talk about Second Brother. Since Big Brother doesn't trust me, then as a younger brother, I can only apologize. "
Seeing that the situation wasn't right, the Black Dragon took a step back and said, "Second Brother, as long as you send the troops back to the barracks, I promise to let bygones be bygones. How about it?"
At this time, a trusted subordinate walked to the Water Snake's side and whispered, "Second Head, I think the Chief Head is stalling for time. We should attack immediately, otherwise there will be changes if we delay. "
The Water Snake nodded and sneered, "Big Brother, don't pretend. Everyone, attack! "
In terms of strength, the troops on the Water Snake's side were double that of the Hall's. They had the complete advantage. However, the Black Dragon's side relied on the arrow towers, city fences, antlers, and other defensive fortifications that the Hall had set up. For a moment, they managed to stabilize their footing and the battle fell into a stalemate.
They thought that once Pei Donglai arrived with the other two platoons of the barracks, the scales of victory would once again tilt in their favor. The Water Snake gritted his teeth and personally went into battle, determined to break through the Hall as quickly as possible. As long as they could kill the Black Dragon, even if Pei Donglai rushed over, it would be useless.
Two flowers bloomed, one on each side. After successfully spreading the rumor, Leng Qian from the Military Intelligence immediately went to Pei Donglai's house.
According to usual practice, Pei Donglai would only stay in the barracks in the afternoon. If there was nothing to do in the morning, he would usually stay at home. After all, there was a big difference between water bandits and regular soldiers. They didn't have the habit of waking up early every day for training, and most of them were undisciplined. This was also the reason why the Water Snake could smoothly move the troops out of the barracks. Otherwise, Pei Donglai would have noticed it long ago.
As an outsider, Pei Donglai had no relatives in the water bandits. There were only three or four servants in the house. Leng Qian successfully snuck into Pei Donglai's study before he was discovered.
"Who is it?" Pei Donglai asked warily from the study.
"Greetings, General Pei. I am a messenger from Shanhai Town. I bring greetings from my lord."
The study was silent for five or six minutes before a voice came out. "Come in!"
Leng Qian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked into the study. He had been prepared to escape at any time. In the study, a middle-aged military general sat in the middle, holding a book on the art of war in his hands. He looked coldly at Leng Qian, who had just pushed open the door and entered. "You're really bold. How dare you barge into the water bandits and walk into my house so brazenly."
Leng Qian was neither servile nor overbearing. He calmly said, "I dare not accept General Pei's praise. Please forgive me for disturbing you. My lord cherishes talented people. When he heard that General was here, he specially sent this subordinate to pay a visit. "As he spoke, he took out the letter written by Fan Zhongyan and handed it to Pei Donglai.
Pei Donglai opened the letter. After reading it, his expression was uncertain. After a long silence, he finally said, "I already know your lord's intentions. It's just that I am indebted to you for saving my life, so I must repay you. I will never betray the mountain bandits. Please go back. I won't stop you. "
Leng Qian nodded. He somewhat understood Pei Donglai's conflicted feelings. On one hand, he was indebted to him for saving his life. On the other hand, he was indebted to him for being a friend. It was truly difficult to choose. In the end, Pei Donglai chose to repay the debt and gave up the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong ambition. He was indeed a man who valued relationships.
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