Chapter 172

The next day, with the advantage of holding both intelligence and account books, Ma Yunfeng began a new round of purges.

Because Deng Cheng had not returned the night before, Jia Simou had already guessed that something bad had happened, so he was prepared.

He chose to go head-to-head with Ma Yunfeng.

Previously, Jia Simou had indeed been on the verge of leaning toward the Shuo Emperor's faction, but Deng Cheng had brought him news.

The Shuo Emperor was not stunning the world with a single feat, but rather planning a desperate final counterattack.

The Empress Dowager was preparing to depose the Emperor and install a new one, which was why the Shuo Emperor intended to gamble.

However, there was a problem here: even if the matter in Deep City succeeded, it would have little impact on the capital.

If he were to switch sides now, Jia Simou would certainly die.

As for whether Deng Cheng had deceived him? It was possible, but there was no need for it.

The Shuo Emperor was at a dead end, having even sent Ma Yunfeng over; otherwise, why would a Prime Minister need to come here personally for such a minor matter?

Jia Simou only needed to hold out until Qi Qianshan arrived, and the rest would be much easier to handle.

It was just that he was struggling to hold on.

Ma Yunfeng came from the capital and held a high position, so he saw things more clearly.

He understood that the affairs in Deep City had to be handled quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly to ensure the greatest degree of security for the capital.

Chu Danqing followed Ma Yunfeng today as his accompanying security personnel, as usual.

After all, he had promised Chen Jiunan, and he felt that Ma Yunfeng might trigger some side quests for him.

To be honest, if he weren't so unfamiliar with Ma Yunfeng, after watching him handle various affairs and make plans, he would have had the idea of signing a Shanhe Alliance with him.

He and Xiong Zhigang were not the same type of person; he was more like a military advisor or strategist, and his actions were not only unpedantic but combined the unorthodox with the orthodox.

He did things flawlessly and could be said to be extremely thorough in his considerations.

Unfortunately, the two were not on the same path and had little friendship, so Chu Danqing extinguished these thoughts.

It wasn't that following someone meant there was friendship; both were strictly professional. How many employees are willing to have a friendship with their boss?

"Latest intelligence: Qi Qianshan will likely arrive tomorrow," Ma Yunfeng, who was reviewing and correcting official documents, suddenly said.

"Wasn't it said that it would take at least five days? This is only the third day, right?" Chu Danqing finally understood why the previous side quest had to be completed within three days.

Because Qi Qianshan would arrive on the fourth day.

"False information," Ma Yunfeng said. "Qi Qianshan calculated that the news would leak."

"Or perhaps it was intentional on his part, just to catch us off guard."

"Fortunately, the Zhao Ming Society kept an extra eye out, which is how we found out."

Hearing this, Chu Danqing agreed.

If the Zhao Ming Society could scout out information, Qi Qianshan could naturally take countermeasures.

"So?" Chu Danqing asked.

"We were caught off guard," Ma Yunfeng said bluntly. "Besides that, the Empress Dowager also had the Black Flag Army enter the city to assist in the investigation."

"The Black Flag Army's Regional Commander, Zhao Tiechuan, was originally a bandit who surrendered, and later became a guest of the Empress Dowager, which is how he was promoted."

"Now, his conduct is full of banditry, and he has committed many acts of killing the innocent to claim merit, all of which were suppressed."

"Although Qi Qianshan and Zhao Tiechuan are at odds, their interests are the same."

"Once they enter the city, it's basically over, especially after the two join forces," Ma Yunfeng said with a calm expression, yet his words indicated they were at a disadvantage.

"Speak plainly, what do you want me to do?" Chu Danqing said.

"Find a way to stall the Black Flag Army for a day; the Zhao Ming Society will handle Qi Qianshan's side," Ma Yunfeng said.

【Side Quest: Stall the Black Flag Army for 48 hours】

【Trial Difficulty: A-Rank (Heroic)】

【Trial Reward: Paradise Points × 10000, Attribute Points +4】

【Trial Failure: Paradise Points -20000, Random Attribute -1】

"May I ask, how many men does this Black Flag Army have?" Chu Danqing asked.

One day refers to tomorrow; counting today, it is actually two days, so the forty-eight-hour limit is normal.

It is equivalent to having Chu Danqing forcibly correct the timeline.

"Three thousand, including five hundred cavalry, five hundred archers, and two thousand infantry," Ma Yunfeng said, pausing before adding, "All heavily armored."

"Two solutions," Chu Danqing said immediately. "Either the Black Flag Army's Regional Commander dies, or the Black Flag Army suffers heavy casualties."

"No!" Ma Yunfeng refused decisively; he knew the weight of the situation.

Although the Black Flag Army was at odds with him, it was indeed a powerful elite force that protected the Great Shuo.

Zhao Tiechuan's method of promotion was indeed despicable, but he was truly second to none in warfare.

He had the ability first, and only then the path to climb upward.

"The Black Flag Army is one of the few elite forces of the Great Shuo."

"Zhao Tiechuan is dirty, but he cannot be killed."

"This Black Flag Army was built by him single-handedly; if you kill him, it will cause a mutiny," Ma Yunfeng explained.

"This won't work, that won't work; what am I supposed to use to stop them?" Chu Danqing said speechlessly.

Either summon Xiong Zhigang to use heavy cavalry to crush them, or let Guo Ming stab Zhao Tiechuan to death.

Otherwise, how is he supposed to stop three thousand men for a day?

"It's possible; have the heavy cavalry you can mobilize engage in a stalemate," Ma Yunfeng said.

Ma Yunfeng didn't know where Chu Danqing's heavy cavalry came from, but if he was willing to engage in a stalemate, it could still be accomplished.

This was the first reason.

The second was to find out the origin of the cavalry.

He knew that Chu Danqing's external identity was fake, and his only former position as a Battalion Commander of the Green-Clad Guards had nothing to do with military power.

More importantly, how could Chu Danqing afford to raise them?

Such mystery made Ma Yunfeng uneasy.

"And then?" Chu Danqing did not answer.

You open your mouth and ask him to use heavy cavalry for a stalemate; how could there be such a good thing?

The consumption of Paradise Points is secondary; delaying Xiong Zhigang for twenty-four hours is the biggest trouble.

He is busy with official business; how could he spend a whole day blocking people for you?

He didn't doubt the strength of Xiong Zhigang and the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry, but one had to consider their work.

"Do you know? The Zhao Ming Society's treasury in the capital is actually the Emperor's private treasury," Ma Yunfeng said.

Hearing this, Chu Danqing frowned: "What? Are you planning to threaten me with what I'm owed?"

"No, I mean we'll settle the final payment together," Ma Yunfeng wouldn't go so far as to use this as a threat.

With such a small perspective, how could one accomplish anything?

"No, if you're going to paint a pie for me, at least let me see some sweetness first."

"The goods are still on the way, and you keep making me work."

"It was one thing when you asked me to investigate the case before, but now you want me to stop an army of three thousand; do you see me as a sucker?" Chu Danqing thought more and more that he was like the boss he met when he first started his internship.

The kind who works twelve hours a day with double weekends every month, and doesn't pay a salary, only gives an internship certificate.

"How about this: I'll go stop Qi Qianshan, and you let the Zhao Ming Society stop the Black Flag Army," Chu Danqing indicated he wanted the easier difficulty.

"The Zhao Ming Society can't stop them; only you and your heavy cavalry can," Ma Yunfeng was determined to let Chu Danqing shoulder the burden.

However, changing the subject, he also acknowledged Chu Danqing's point: "What you said makes sense; I've promised much but haven't let you see anything."

As he spoke, he took off the seal hanging from his waist and handed it to Chu Danqing.

"Take this as interest, how about that?"

Chu Danqing took a look and found it actually had attributes.

【Yunfeng White Jade Seal】

【Type: Equipment · Seal】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Official Prestige (Passive): Charisma +1】

【Equipment Requirement: None】

"Fine, this will do," Chu Danqing grabbed the small seal, equipped it immediately, and took the side quest in passing.

The effect is very simple, but equipment that can directly add attributes in the Excellent tier is rare.

Not to mention that it increases the Charisma attribute.

"This is the Black Flag Army's marching route; you leave tonight and must arrive here tomorrow," Ma Yunfeng took out a map he had prepared long ago and explained it to Chu Danqing.

After listening carefully, Chu Danqing said he would repeat it to Guo Ming when he arrived.

Yes, Chu Danqing didn't plan to find Xiong Zhigang, but rather Guo Ming.

Of course there is a solution without casualties; wouldn't it work to just capture them?

If capturing one Zhao Tiechuan isn't enough, then capture a few more Black Flag Army generals, and then leave a few generals to maintain order and demand they stay put for a day.

Without the leader, the rest would be much easier to solve.

Guo Ming had time, and delaying twenty-four hours wasn't a big problem.

Chu Danqing could also mooch off the series of equipment he used for cultivation.

"Let me ask one more thing: who did the Zhao Ming Society send to deal with Qi Qianshan?" Chu Danqing suspected it was the apostle known as Lianyun.

In such a major event, as an apostle, she would certainly be involved.

"You've met her, Lianyun," Ma Yunfeng's answer confirmed Chu Danqing's suspicion.

"Can she do it?" Chu Danqing could be certain that Lianyun, like him, was not the type good at fighting.

She couldn't possibly go and charm Qi Qianshan.

Chu Danqing estimated that Lianyun would struggle even to charm Liu Bai.

"I don't know; it was arranged by Association Head Chen," Ma Yunfeng had met Lianyun once and wasn't familiar with her.

"Since Association Head Chen arranged it this way, he must have his own confidence."

"I have no need to interfere," Ma Yunfeng was not a member of the Zhao Ming Society and it wasn't his place to point fingers.

But he knew Chen Jiunan was not the type to be distracted by beauty, so choosing Lianyun must have had his reasons.

"Fine, then be prepared for Qi Qianshan's interception to fail," Chu Danqing had confidence, which came from his two allies, Guo Ming and Xiong Zhigang.

Whether Lianyun had such unconventional trump cards as he did, Chu Danqing didn't know.

If not, the possibility of failure was very high.

"You seem to have a very low opinion of Lianyun," Ma Yunfeng knew Chu Danqing's abilities, so he valued him: "I've heard before that you and she don't get along; I'd like to hear your reasons."

"No reason, just like that," Chu Danqing replied: "Then I'll go prepare with Dabao and the others; you take care of your own personal safety."

He certainly couldn't say it directly, as it involved Paradise.

Fooling the other party probably wouldn't work either; the other party had plenty of experience and could hear the flaws.

Rather than saying more and making more mistakes, Chu Danqing simply brushed it off without explanation.

In a cooperative relationship, there was no need to reveal so many of his bottom lines.

(End of chapter)