Chapter 938: Securing a Puppet

Lord Liang also knew that this matter could not be rushed.

Usually plotting such a big scheme takes several years, slowly chipping away at the opponent's power.

"For now you can first seize Lord Ning's territory. After you wiped out Lord Ning, the dynasty only sent a marquis, and he had no stationed troops."

That place is at the edge of the mainland, perfect for later to correspond with your Yonglie Island, even Moyu," Lord Liang finally hinted to Ye Liuyun.

After thanking him, Ye Liuyun immediately returned to Yonglie Island.

Lord Liang watched Ye Liuyun leave, muttering, "That kid is developing too fast! I should also start preparing, moving things around. Otherwise staying here, he'll eventually find me an eyesore."

He realized that the position of Eagle Beak Island was extremely awkward.

Once Ye Liuyun captured Moyu, Eagle Beak Island would become the only island within his sphere occupied by an external force.

At first Ye Liuyun wouldn't say anything, but over time, no unforeseen changes seemed likely.

So he decided to plan early and find himself a better place.

After returning, Ye Liuyun immediately ordered Qin Peng to dispatch troops, rushing straight to Lord Ning's territory, and also brought Du Yan along.

Ye Liuyun's fleet sailed all the way to the new marquis's manor.

The newly appointed Marquis Yu Qianwei of Ning, relying entirely on his family's backing, bought this marquisate to uphold the family's face.

At this moment he was fretting inside the manor about recruiting private troops; he had neither money nor capable people to help.

Suddenly the steward reported that a large army was approaching, startling him, and he rushed out to investigate.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in my manor?" Yu Qianwei asked, his voice trembling.

"I am Marquis Ye Liuyun of Yonglie, here to pay respects to Marquis Yu of Ning!" Ye Liuyun said calmly via Transmission Voice.

"Marquis of Yonglie, Ye Liuyun?" Yu Qianwei thought for a moment, then immediately recalled.

He even shouted, "Huh? Are you the Ye Liuyun who wiped out Lord Ning?"

He originally didn't know Ye Liuyun. But his predecessor, Lord Ning, was the one Ye Liuyun eliminated.

Although he had just arrived, he had already heard rumors.

Now seeing Ye Liuyun arrive again with a massive army, he was nearly scared stiff.

He even thought Ye Liuyun intended to seize this territory, not letting him stay.

So he said timidly, "Marquis Ye, if you don't want me to stay here, I can leave at once!"

Ye Liuyun dared to kill Lord Ning; killing him would be even easier. He dared not confront Ye Liuyun directly.

Ye Liuyun gave him a wry look but said nothing.

He wondered how to make Yu Qianwei serve him. Driving him away would work, but if he occupied this place, it would be a questionable claim.

Seeing Ye Liuyun remain silent, Yu Qianwei thought he intended to kill him and promptly knelt with a "thud".

"Marquis Ye, I just arrived, I know nothing, I have no ties to Lord Ning! I, this marquis, am merely a hollow title; please spare me, great one!"

Ye Liuyun saw this and silently laughed; Yu Qianwei was far too cowardly.

But that was perfect; he could find a Kuailei, allowing him to occupy this place with proper legitimacy.

"Marquis Yu, what are you doing!" Ye Liuyun first walked over and helped him up.

Then, smiling, he asked, "Marquis Yu, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

"Huh?" Yu Qianwei was bewildered, yet dared not refuse, repeatedly saying, "Please, please, Marquis Ye, please!"

Speaking so, he acted like a Servant, leading the way for Ye Liuyun.

Behind Ye Liuyun, Qin Peng also led a squad of elite troops, following him into the manor as if it were his own home, and no one dared to block them.

Outside the manor, the two thousand elite soldiers formed a tidy line. Though they stood still, their aura deterred anyone from approaching.

The remaining thirty thousand soldiers had not even deployed a Warship.

The steward of Yu's manor glanced at the elite troops and instantly realized this army was certainly not ordinary.

Thus he dared not show his face, let alone ask them to move.

After entering, Ye Liuyun was escorted by Yu Qianwei to the main seat as an honored guest. Then Yu arranged tea and a banquet to entertain Ye Liuyun.

"Marquis Yu, don't rush; let's discuss serious matters!" Ye Liuyun began.

"Very well, Marquis Ye, please speak!"

Yu Qianwei didn't know what Ye Liuyun would say, feeling a bit uneasy.

He thought that as long as Ye Liuyun spared his life, even if he had to hand over all his wealth, he would agree.

"Send the Servants away!"

Seeing his confusion, Ye Liuyun proactively gave the order.

Yu Qianwei hadn't been unaware, but his fear made him want the Servants to bolster his courage.

Now that Ye Liuyun said so, he naturally dared not stay and immediately sent the others away.

Qin Peng promptly understood and, with his soldiers, blocked the entrance to prevent anyone from mistakenly entering.

Seeing the situation, Yu Qianwei knelt again, took out his Storage Ring, held it in both hands, and handed it to Ye Liuyun, begging for his life.

Ye Liuyun looked at him and truly thought his soft nature beneath the surface was contemptible.

Nevertheless, he only needed a Kuailei and didn't require much ability.

So he said directly to Yu Qianwei, "As long as you sign a Master-Servant Contract with me, I'll let you remain the ruler here. You can stay your marquis; I promise not to disclose our Master-Servant relationship to outsiders.

I only need to station troops here and develop trade. Once commerce flourishes, you'll share in it, your life will improve, and the garrison will guard this place. How does that sound?"

Yu Qianwei thought it over and finally grasped Ye Liuyun's meaning. Boldly, he asked, "Marquis Ye, you mean you want me to be a Kuailei?"

"Exactly!" Ye Liuyun didn't hold back, confirming directly.

"I have no real ability, and this marquisate was bought with my family's money..."

Yu Qianwei wasn't afraid of signing a Master-Servant Contract. If he could be a puppet who needed to manage nothing and still earn money, he wouldn't mind.

He worried that if he performed poorly later, Ye Liuyun would kill him.

Ye Liuyun didn't like listening to him nagging, interrupted his words, and directly said: "I also don't expect you to do anything, just borrowing your name a bit, to make it proper and legitimate. As long as you don't affect my garrison and business, that's fine!"

"Then... I'll give it a try. If I do something wrong, Lord Ye, please give me more guidance!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun's displeased expression, he didn't dare to delay any further.