After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Why are you in such a hurry to have the court act against you at this time?"
Niu Youdao had already walked to the desk and sat down, preparing to draft a letter for Shang Chaozong. This time, it was not as simple as attacking Dingzhou. Even if they took it, they had to be able to protect it. There were some things that involved detailed operations that he had to tell Shang Chaozong clearly. Hearing this, he couldn't resist smiling. "You seem to be interested in the matters here."
Guan Fangyi, who had followed them in, was very self-aware. She took the initiative to drip water and grind ink. She appeared calm and collected, but she was actually listening to their conversation.
The flower-clothed man said, "I'm not interested either. What, can't you tell me?"
Niu Youdao smiled and said, "It's a bit strange. You don't seem like someone who likes to ask about these things."
"This is only the second time we've met. How much do you know about me?"
"That's true. I had thought you weren't a talkative person."
"Can you say it now?"
Niu Youdao took out a piece of paper and spread it out in front of him. As he said, he said, "The matter has already passed. There is nothing I can't say. There are many reasons. First, I know that Shang Jianxiong will act against me sooner or later. I can hide for a moment, but I can't hide for long. Sooner or later, I will run into him. I am also waiting for an opportunity to face this problem. "
"Second, in order to deal with Zhao and Yan's threat to Jinzhou and Nanzhou, Nanzhou's men and resources have already been gathered. If they were to be gathered again after disbanding, it would be a waste of manpower and resources. We can take advantage of this opportunity."
"Third, the situation has changed. The armies of Han and Song are pressing on, and the court's hands and feet are tied. This is a good opportunity to take advantage of."
"Fourth, you've seen those masked men. I found someone to borrow them. They can't always be by my side to listen to my orders. They are lent to me for emergencies. They can't stay by my side for long. I have to hurry and put them to use."
"Fifth, in summary, after the court failed to assassinate me in Jinzhou, since they won't let it go, I have to take advantage of the time I can gather powerful forces, when the situation is most favorable to me, and when the situation is not favorable to the court!"
"Just these reasons? Am I being honest with you?" Niu Youdao spread his hands.
Guan Fangyi rolled her eyes when she heard this. He was really honest. He had never been so honest with his mother before.
Although she had experienced many things, most of the time she was in the dark. This was the first time that she clearly understood Niu Youdao's intentions. At this moment, she was suddenly enlightened.
Slowly, the man in the flowery robe pondered and said, "Not only does it give the imperial court time to prepare, but it also prevents the imperial court from being able to fully prepare. This way, you can prevent yourself from being overwhelmed, and you can also display your strength to intimidate the imperial court. This way, the imperial court will not dare to act rashly against you!"
Suddenly she raised her eyes to stare at him and asked, "Did you kill Envoy Song?"
Niu Youdao smiled but did not reply. He picked up a pen and removed the impurities on the tip of the pen. This was equivalent to a silent admission. He would never admit this to anyone and did not want to lie to the other party. Let the other party figure it out for himself.
The flower-robed man looked at him with a complicated gaze.
Everything was clear. The situation of Han and Song pressuring Yan's army was instigated by this fellow.
Later, he contacted him in advance to protect him. This meant that this fellow knew in advance that the imperial court wanted to move against him. He had already tied up the imperial court's hands and feet, waiting for the imperial court to move against him.
This fellow's so-called second point was that the Nanzhou troops and resources were already gathered and ready to be used. This meant that this fellow had already prepared for a counterattack.
He really did not know how to describe this junior. Slowly, he said, "It seems that you won't stop until you bite off a piece of meat from the imperial court."
Niu Youdao lifted his brush and dipped it in ink. He shook his head. "I have no other choice. Now that things have come to this, I can no longer avoid it. The only way is if I give up on Southern Province, but I still have a group of brothers outside who trust me. If I give up so easily, I will not be able to give them an explanation. The Nanzhou merchants will also face a bloodbath. "
"And the imperial court's hand is restless. It always wants to stir things up here. If I don't teach him a lesson and make him feel pain, he won't withdraw his hand. One punch is enough to avoid a hundred punches. After this incident, as long as there are no major changes, no one will dare to touch our Thatched Cottage Villa for a long time! "
The flower-robed man was silent. Suddenly, he said, "How did Dongguo Haoran accept such a sinister and cunning last disciple?"
Niu Youdao spread out the paper and dipped his pen in ink. "Seeing that you are an expert, I will pretend that I didn't hear it."
The flower-robed man suddenly sighed again. "To them, you are more useful than me! I deserved to be expelled from the sect, but they shouldn't have driven you out. How foolish! "
What do you mean by me and them? It was unknown if Niu Youdao understood the meaning of his words. Just like what he said, he pretended that he didn't hear it. He didn't say anything and continued to write.
The flower-robed man carried a deep, indescribable, and inexplicable emotion as he paced back and forth in the room. From time to time, he would sigh.
…
In the Nanzhou Provincial Governor's Mansion, two guards lit the lanterns in the Valiant Martial Hall and retreated.
After a while, Shang Chaozong and the others received the message from Thatched Cottage Villa and rushed in. Lan Ruoting pushed Meng Shanming, who was in a wheelchair, in front of the map.
Shang Chaozong pointed at the map and told them the current location of the troops. He continued, "Right now, the imperial court is heavily guarding against the Han and Song. Their internal forces are empty. Our rations and supplies have been gathered. It is a good opportunity to use the troops. However, I am worried that if the Great Zen Mountain doesn't cooperate, we can't fight this war. There are also the three large sects. Once they get involved, our efforts will be in vain. "
Meng Shanming stroked his beard and said, "Daoye will consider this. Since Daoye has said this, he must have a plan. The Prince can send troops without worry."
"Good!" Shang Chaozong clapped his fists together excitedly. He was very interested in expanding his territory. After his excitement, he asked, "The meaning in Daoye's letter is very clear. After all, the imperial court is the imperial court. If Nanzhou sends troops, it must be justifiable. What excuse should we use to provoke them?"
Lan Ruoting had a plan. "You can order a group of merchants to bring money to the border and hire a few beauties. When they pass by, they can lure the Dingzhou guards to rob them. When they see the beauties, the Dingzhou guards will definitely rob them. Once they fall into the trap, the Prince will immediately send troops to suppress them. They can say that the beauties are the concubines the Prince is preparing to take. Robbing the Prince's women is not a small matter. If the imperial court orders the Prince to stop the attack, the Prince will implicate Xue Xiao. He will insist that without Xue Xiao's command, no one would dare to do this. He will want the imperial court to demote Xue Xiao to answer to the Prince. Xue Xiao is a feudal vassal and has power in the court to protect him. He also knows that it is our plot. The imperial court will not easily give in. The Prince can take advantage of this opportunity to attack! "
Shang Chaozong nodded and asked Meng Shanming, "What does Uncle Meng think?"
Meng Shanming nodded. "It is feasible!"
Shang Chaozong had a satisfied look on his face. He let Lan Ruoting handle the provocation and baiting, while he discussed with Meng Shanming about the military strategy.
About an hour later, Lan Ruoting came back with a letter. "The Prince, the princess sent a message saying that Daoye has canceled the plan to move to the prefecture."
Canceled? The two people in front of the map turned around and were stunned. They had made preparations to welcome them. Why didn't they come?
Shang Chaozong frowned and said, "But we didn't do a good job here. Is Daoye not satisfied?"
Lan Ruoting shook his head and gave him the letter.
"Disguise? Camouflage?" Shang Chaozong looked suspicious after reading the letter. "What does it mean?"
The letter didn't explain. Lan Ruoting was also muttering, "The camouflage has been abandoned. That means it has nothing to do with what will happen next. If anything has happened, it would be the attack on Thatched Cottage Villa. It should be related to the attack on Thatched Cottage Villa."
The information they knew was limited. They didn't even know that Niu Youdao had been attacked in Jinzhou. There was no basis to make a judgment.
Meng Shanming took the letter and pondered the contents. He couldn't figure out the intention. He waved his hand and said, "The princess has made it very clear in the letter. Daoye has forced Great Zen Mountain to agree to help attack Dingzhou. The Prince can deploy troops without worry. As for the camouflage, it is not important to us. We just need to do our job. Daoye knows what he is doing."
Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting met each other's eyes. Great Zen Mountain had been forced by Daoye to agree. This was unexpected to them.
Lan Ruoting finally shook his head with a bitter smile. "Daoye's methods are strange and ever-changing. He is becoming more and more unfathomable. The court has angered Daoye. It is clear that Daoye wants to counterattack and show the court what he is capable of. Daoye has already helped us clear the trouble ahead. How to fight as fiercely as Daoye says will depend on us. "
Meng Shanming nodded and turned his gaze to the map. "Prince, this is a good thing for us. Since Daoye wants to play to our liking, then let's go all out and fight!"
…
In the darkness before dawn, the surrounding mountains were silent.
There was no Yue Die in the courtyard. Niu Youdao held his sword and looked up at the stars in the sky. Yuan Gang walked out of the darkness and said in a low voice, "I have arranged for them to leave secretly. Everything went well."
They referred to the people of Waning Moon Pavilion. After being exposed, they couldn't stay here for long. If they stayed, they would be targeted. This was not what Waning Moon Pavilion wanted to see.
With so many people, it was not suitable to leave during the day. They could only leave when it was dark.
Niu Youdao nodded and turned to go into the house. He found a man in a flowery robe drinking in the house and said with a smile, "Actually, you don't have to leave. I have good wine and good food here. It is not worse than what you have in the Demon Ridge, right?"
The man in the flowery robe looked up and said, "You really think I am your fighter?"
Niu Youdao laughed and waved his hand. "Of course not. I just think that your identity may have been exposed."
The man in the flowery robe was silent for a moment. "Did I cause trouble for you?"
Niu Youdao shook his head. "In the past, if I didn't have the magnanimity, I would have been stuffed to death looking for you. But now it is different. In the Southern State, I am not someone who can be provoked by anyone. Don't worry, I can handle it. Otherwise, I would not have asked you to help me. "
The man in the flowery robe tore off the disguise on his face and revealed his true appearance. He rubbed his face with both hands and took off his flowery robe. He threw it aside with a look of disgust and picked up a big wine jar that was given to him.
"I am leaving." After saying that, he walked away.
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