Chapter 833: Press-Ganging

"It won't be so easy for the Andong people to break in." He He Chunhua's confidence overflowed in his expression. "Everything that needed to be arranged has been arranged. I only just remembered that I haven't returned to Heishuicheng for too long and have become unfamiliar with the figures here. Shouldn't I visit them one by one?"

Zhang Zhang Lianhai gave an "oh."

He He Chunhua's gaze swept over the other party one by one: "I observe that Mr. Zhang and your companions possess an extraordinary air, unlike a typical merchant association. May I ask—"

Zhang Zhang Lianhai did not speak; the young attendant behind him stepped forward and said in a clear voice: "My master is a Lamp-Keeper for the Tiangong!"

The guards in the back might not have understood the implication of these words, but He He Chunhua and his party were startled, tentatively asking: "Xushan?"

The youth held his head high: "Exactly."

This man surnamed Zhang was actually a Lamp-Keeper from the Xushan Tiangong? He He Chunhua displayed an expression of indescribable surprise.

It was exactly as Nailuotian had predicted! Although Between Beijia bordered the Yuan Kingdom, the Tiangong had never had any dealings with the Yuan Kingdom, let alone a remote western backwater like Heishuicheng. The sudden appearance of a Tiangong envoy here could only be for the Great Square Pot.

He He Lingchuan chose the right moment to express reasonable suspicion: "Really? What would a Lamp-Keeper from the Tiangong be doing in our Heishuicheng?"

He had staked out the place a few days ago and confirmed that Zhang Zhang Lianhai and these subordinates had never seen him in Lingxu City, which was why he dared to come along with He He Chunhua.

There were many ranks among the Tiangong's Lamp-Keepers, and the highest rank was Bai Bai Ziqi. He He Lingchuan had entered and exited Xushan several times and had seen many divine attendants and Lamp-Keepers, but this Zhang Zhang Lianhai was not among them.

Perhaps Zhang Zhang Lianhai had already been dispatched to the west of Yuan by that time.

Zhang Zhang Lianhai said indifferently: "Official business."

His mission did not need to be explained to these bumpkins.

He He Lingchuan crossed his arms and looked at him: "You say you are Lamp-Keepers, what is the proof?"

Zhang Zhang Lianhai frowned, and the young attendant retorted: "Why should we prove it to you?"

"Because—" He He Lingchuan gestured with his thumb toward the wall outside, "if you can't produce proof, you'll have to go out and guard the city to fight; you can't just hole up here. Understand?"

The war in Heishuicheng was tense, and what was needed most were able-bodied men who could fight. These dozens of men were all sturdy, making them perfect for deployment to the battlefield.

Commonly known as: press-ganging.

The He father and son played their respective roles; what the Chief Administrator He found inconvenient to say, the eldest son would say for him.

The attendant said angrily: "You..."

At this moment, the man guarding the door whispered a few words to Zhang Zhang Lianhai. The latter waved his hand to interrupt the attendant, then snapped his fingers.

With a soft "pop," the platinum candle on the table lit itself.

This candle was pure white sprinkled with pale gold; at first glance, it looked unremarkable and didn't seem out of place in the hall. But as soon as He He Lingchuan saw it, he knew it was standard Tiangong issue; Bai Bai Ziqi also had one.

Zhang Zhang Lianhai beckoned, and the candle flame transformed into a streak of red light, flying to his fingertip:

"This is my Lamp Spirit."

He pointed at He He Lingchuan again: "Who is this child? Speaking such nonsense."

The Lamp Spirit transformed into a fierce tiger and lunged at his face with a "whoosh." He He Lingchuan seemed startled and jumped back abruptly.

He He Chunhua hurriedly said: "My son is unruly, I hope Mr. Zhang will not take offense!"

The Lamp Spirit then returned, floating beside Zhang Zhang Lianhai like a bodyguard.

Everyone put away their dismissive attitude; so they really were Tiangong envoys, no wonder they looked down on everyone!

Zhang Zhang Lianhai decided to be blunt: "We do not like to be disturbed. Chief Administrator He might as well state your purpose."

He He Chunhua laughed: "Heishuicheng is about to launch a counterattack and is still lacking a few sharp blades. We are here to ask you gentlemen from the Tiangong to lend us a hand."

The guests from the Tiangong looked at each other, and the attendant spoke again: "We are guests from afar; how can there be any reason for guests to participate in a war?"

They had no connection with the Yuan Kingdom and were just here on orders to handle business; they had no interest in either side of the battle.

Seeing that these Tiangong guests were too lazy to even beat around the bush with them, He He Chunhua did not get angry and continued to smile: "You gentlemen are here for the Panlong Desert, right?"

He suddenly said this, and several people opposite him had slight changes in their expressions. Zhang Zhang Lianhai, however, remained expressionless: "What is the meaning of this?"

He He Chunhua knew that further pleasantries were useless, so he simply laid it out: "I know you are all here because of the anomaly in the Panlong Desert. Three days ago, red light shot into the sky from the center of the desert; I imagine the ruins of Panlong City have undergone changes. If the Andong people hadn't come to besiege the city, you would likely already be in the desert."

Zhang Zhang Lianhai did not speak, taking it as an admission.

"I just received intelligence that while the Andong people are besieging the city, they have also sent people to the Panlong ruins. I imagine their goal is the same as yours." He He Chunhua smiled, "If you are trapped in Heishuicheng and the Andong people get there first, what will you do?"

Although Zhang Zhang Lianhai and his group were Tiangong envoys, they were few in number. With over a thousand soldiers in Heishuicheng and more than three thousand Andong people outside, they had no advantage against either side.

During the siege of Heishuicheng, it was indeed difficult for them to get out.

Just as He He Chunhua said, after the red light flashed that night, they should have set out to investigate the anomaly at the Panlong ruins—Zhang Zhang Lianhai had originally intended to set out early the next morning; this was the mission the Tiangong had entrusted to them.

It had now been delayed for two days. If the battle between the Andong people and Heishuicheng continued, when would they be able to leave the city? If other forces got there first, the Tiangong would surely hold them accountable! Zhang Zhang Lianhai lifted his eyelids and looked at He He Chunhua: "Chief Administrator He is not leading troops to suppress the rebellion in Yazhou, but instead ran to Heishuicheng—could it be that you are also here for the Panlong Desert?"

He He Chunhua waved his hand: "The rebellion in the south has been quelled. I was ordered by the Royal Court to handle official business on the Hongya Road, but unexpectedly encountered an attack by the Andong people. I don't know if my luck is too good or too bad?"

Zhang Zhang Lianhai chuckled, naturally not believing that he had no designs on the Panlong Desert.

But leaving the city was the top priority right now. From this perspective, it wouldn't hurt to cooperate with Heishuicheng.

Everyone was using each other; well, they needed each other.

Just at this moment, the Lamp Spirit beside him suddenly "puffed" and popped a spark.

Zhang Zhang Lianhai glanced at it, paused for a few breaths, and then said: "Fine, we'll join. The thirteen of us here all have some combat power; dealing with forty or fifty Andong people is no problem."

Thirteen people? He He Lingchuan's gaze flickered when he heard this number. Hadn't Situ Han said that over thirty people had been seen entering and leaving this house? He He Chunhua was overjoyed: "Mr. Zhang is truly far-sighted!"

After all, he had only arrived recently and was no longer the Prefect who knew Heishuicheng like the back of his hand, otherwise, it would not have been difficult to notice the discrepancy in the number of residents in the old house.

He stood up: "Then, in an hour and a half, please come to the Hongyan Restaurant next to the government office, Mr. Zhang, so we can pool our wisdom and discuss. I shall take my leave now."

Zhang Zhang Lianhai nodded and still had the gatekeeper see the He father and son out the door.

After walking more than a hundred paces, He He Lingchuan looked back at the gate of the old house and snorted: "Eyes growing on the top of their heads—are all those from the Tiangong this arrogant?"

(End of chapter)