Chapter 32: Eightfold Eloquence Shakes the Manor Lord; Walls Have Ears, Concealing Malicious Intent

Inside the Li Family Manor ancestral hall, the lights were bright, but the atmosphere was so heavy it could drip water.

Manor Lord Li Chong sat upright in the chief seat, his expression calm.

But his slightly narrowed eyes and the fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the grand chair revealed his inner unrest.

Several trusted manor guards stood on either side, hands always on their sword hilts, warily watching the six uninvited guests below.

Chen Wen stood below, although his clothes were tattered and his face still bore mud stains.

Yet his posture was straight, his gaze calm as he met Li Chong's scrutiny.

Zhang Cheng and the five others stood slightly nervous behind him, striving to keep their backs straight.

"You say you come from Jiao Tu Zhen? Chen Wen?"

Li Chong spoke slowly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible scrutiny.

"I've heard some refugees mention that there's a newly risen stronghold in the western mountain hollow."

"Its leader is a capable person, gathering refugees and defeating Hu Biao... Could it be you?"

"That is I."

Chen Wen answered without humility or arrogance.

"You have quite the gall."

Li Chong's tone gave no hint of joy or anger.

"With two hostile forces prowling outside and the manor's situation unclear, you dare to venture deep into my dragon pool and tiger den?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll capture you and hand you over to either side outside in exchange for safety?"

As his words fell, the hall's atmosphere instantly tightened, and the guards' gazes grew sharper.

Zhang Cheng and the others' backs were instantly soaked in cold sweat.

Chen Wen, however, laughed.

His smile carried a composure brought by eightfold insight:

"If Manor Lord Li truly intended to do that, he wouldn't have let us enter the manor, nor would he be wasting words with us here."

"He would have simply rained arrows down from the walls—wouldn't that be simpler?"

Li Chong's tapping finger on the armrest paused for a moment.

A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he regained composure:

"Oh? Then tell me, why should I see you?"

"Because the manor lord needs a friend, not a fawning dog or a wolf that exploits chaos."

Chen Wen stared directly at Li Chong, his speech steady yet extremely powerful.

"The 'Liu Du Tou' and 'Piercing Mountain Leopard' outside—no matter who wins, they won't be satisfied with just three hundred dan of grain."

"What they want is to annex Li Family Manor, swallowing all its grain, wealth, and population here."

"To them, Li Family Manor is a piece of fat meat, not an ally."

He paused, observing Li Chong's subtle expression changes, then continued:

"But Jiao Tu Zhen is different."

"We are few and weak, unable to swallow Li Family Manor; we only want to survive, and we need salt and iron."

"And Li Family Manor needs external aid, needs a trade route that won't be cut off."

"Needs a 'friend' who can stab the enemy in the back at a critical moment."

"A friend?"

Li Chong snorted, carrying a rare sneer of the chaotic times.

"In this world, are there still friends? Why should I believe you? Just because of your empty words?"

"By strength, and also by sincerity."

Chen Wen had prepared in advance.

"Our ability to silently pass through the two outer encirclements and reach the manor lord is part of our strength. As for sincerity..."

He looked toward Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng immediately untied the bundle he had been carrying on his back.

Revealing inside several pieces of excellently tanned wolf and fox pelts, plus several packets of the hemostatic and flesh-regenerating herbs meticulously prepared by Wang Ru.

"This is the best we can currently produce from Jiao Tu Zhen; though not valuable, it is our sincerity."

"If the manor lord is willing, we can exchange these, plus future hunted pelts, herbs, and even grain, for his salt and iron."

Li Chong's gaze swept over the pelts and herbs; he is a connoisseur.

The pelts are superbly processed, the herbs properly prepared, showing that their stronghold indeed has capable people.

But this is not enough.

"These things can't be exchanged for much salt and iron."

Li Chong shook his head.

"Moreover, how can I believe you have a 'future'? You might be trampled by some bandits tomorrow."

"Our walls are higher than you imagine; our people's hearts are more united than you think."

Chen Wen said confidently.

"Hu Biao tried; he died."

"If the manor lord doesn't believe, he can wait until those two outside forces fight to mutual ruin, then send someone to have a look."

"Jiao Tu Zhen is right there; it won't run away."

He stepped forward a pace, his voice lowered a bit, yet more penetrating:

"Manor lord, to stubbornly defend an isolated manor is ultimately no long-term plan."

In this world, looking out for oneself only leads to being defeated by everyone.

Having one more neighbor who can fight, dares to strive, and both seeks and gives is better.

It's better than having two neighbors who only want to devour you completely.

Using your salt and iron that you currently don't need, exchange for a potential ally and a stable supply channel.

Do you think this deal is a loss?

Conducting strategic-level negotiation, persuasiveness, insight, and perspective greatly increased (x Bonus)!

Diligence Points (WP) +200!

Current WP: 3956

Chen Wen's words were like a heavy hammer.

Each sentence struck Li Chong's heart.

Every point he made precisely hit Li Chong's greatest worry and dilemma.

Li Chong fell silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, obviously undergoing intense inner struggle.

Only the crackling of the burning oil lamp remained in the ancestral hall.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his gaze complex as he looked at Chen Wen:

The younger generation is formidable. You are more than I imagined...

Impressive. Not only is your skill superb, but this insight and eloquence are extraordinary.

He paused, then finally made a decision:

Good! This old man will trust you this once!

Salt and iron, I can first exchange a batch for you.

But the quantity is not much; it depends on what you can offer in exchange.

Moreover, you must agree to two conditions.

Please speak, Manor Lord.

First, this batch of goods, you must figure out how to transport it yourselves; I cannot send people to help, nor can I expose our transaction.

Second, if my Li Family Manor ever faces a catastrophe, and I send people to seek help at your Jiao Tu Zhen, you must do your utmost to come to our aid!

Chen Wen quickly weighed the options in his mind.

The first condition is risky, but can be overcome with the x Bonus ability.

The second condition seems harsh, but actually binds both parties to the same chariot, exactly to his liking.

Can!

Chen Wen agreed resolutely.

A gentleman's word is hard to retract, even four horses cannot catch it!

Good!

Li Chong's face finally showed a genuine smile, and he stood up.

If that's the case, then...

Before he could finish his words, suddenly!

A window on the side of the ancestral hall emitted an extremely faint sound, as if someone had accidentally bumped it.

Who?!

Li Chong's face changed drastically, and he shouted sternly.

The manor guard standing in that direction rushed over and pushed open the window; outside was only pitch-black night, with no one there.

But Chen Wen's eightfold hearing caught the extremely faint, rapidly receding footsteps in the distance!

Someone is eavesdropping!

Li Chong's face became extremely grim, his sharp gaze sweeping over every manor guard in the hall.

Finally turned into a heavy sigh:

It seems even my manor isn't clean...

The deal had just been reached, but it almost got exposed.

An intangible sense of crisis instantly spread.

Chen Wen's heart also sank.

Inside the Li Family Manor, indeed undercurrents surged.

Their procurement route likely won't be peaceful.