Zou Yang was anxious when he heard that Wen Mohan had spent money to buy grain at a low price. They had originally planned to raise the price further and extort all the money from Wen Mohan. He never expected Wen Mohan to find a way to buy grain at an even lower price!
"How about this, I'll urge them to deliver the grain as soon as possible."
"How long will that take?"
"Half a month."
"At most ten days, and the Shangguan family's grain should arrive."
"Seven days! Seven days, and I will deliver the grain for sure!"
"I will inform the official truthfully." Wei Feng left like the wind, leaving behind these words. Zou Yang frowned slightly. He had thought that this foolish son of the Prime Minister's Mansion was under their control, but he didn't expect him to have other hidden agendas.
"My lord, what does the Imperial Envoy intend to do?"
"This brat, the three thousand dan of grain we sold him gave him confidence. As for whether we can produce seven thousand dan of grain, he doesn't care at all because he has a backup plan. It's just that at that time, the Shangguan family's grain couldn't reach him yet, so he was forced to buy our overpriced grain."
"Then what should we do? Are we not selling the seven thousand dan of grain to Lord Wen anymore?"
"Sell it, of course, we'll sell it!" Zou Yang said furiously. "Such a large amount of grain, it's not safe anywhere, selling it is the safest!"
"Then when should we deliver the grain to Lord Wen?"
"In five days," Zou Yang said slowly. "By the way, how is Zhang County now?"
The county lieutenant flinched, not daring to meet Zou Yang's eyes. "The situation is not good."
"Not good, what does that mean?"
"Many people have died, and coupled with Zhang County's remote location, insufficient medical supplies, and lack of manpower, the situation is now dire. Furthermore, the weather is getting hotter, and if it's not handled properly, I fear..."
"Did you report Zhang County to the Imperial Envoy?"
"No. We only reported twelve counties and did not report Zhang County. However, if this situation is allowed to develop, I'm afraid it will get out of control."
"Seal off Zhang County, and absolutely no one is allowed to enter or leave."
"My lord, there are quite a few people inside..." As the county lieutenant met Zou Yang's gaze, he quickly stopped speaking. "I understand."
"Borrow a troop from the military camp to surround Zhang County. At this time, absolutely no more incidents can occur. As long as we can fob off the Imperial Envoy, make him think all the disaster victims have been relieved, and then quickly return to the capital to be his pampered young master."
Zou Yang did not hear a response and looked back. Seeing the county lieutenant silent, he frowned displeasantly. "I'm talking to you."
"I understand."
"Do this cleanly and efficiently. If I weren't afraid of revealing anything, I would have ordered it to be burned down long ago," Zou Yang said fiercely. "It's just that this happened at such a time. Why aren't you going?"
"Yes, I'll go right away."
"Young Master." Qin Xue handed an urgent report to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man frowned slightly. Yun Zhong City had suffered continuous defeats, how could this be? With her brother and Ming Yu's capabilities, even if Xia Hou Ying were there, it was impossible for them to suffer so many defeats!
Xiao Man suddenly remembered that Yun Qi had a new commander. "Have you found out who Yun Qi's new commander is?"
"No, this person is extremely mysterious and never appears in public. Our spies have not been able to gather any information." Qin Xue understood Xiao Man's worry. Her only elder brother and her only younger brother were both in Yun Zhong City. If Yun Zhong City were to fall, she didn't know if Xiao Man could bear it.
A thought flickered through Xiao Man's mind, but she admonished herself, it shouldn't be. That person would never do something so risky!
"Keep a close eye on the situation in Yun Zhong City."
"Yes, Young Master."
Xiao Man felt a growing sense of unease, but she couldn't leave Jiang Zhou for the time being. She could only hope that Yun Zhong City would be alright.
At the same time, Gan Ye Temple welcomed two unfamiliar visitors who wanted to enter the bamboo forest behind the mountain, but they were stopped.
"Amitabha, blessed be, there is a patient living in the back mountain. Both benefactors have come to the wrong place."
"Old monk!" Murong Shengrui pushed away Wei Wuji, who was blocking him, and stared at Chan Master Wuyou in front of him. "I didn't expect to see you again."
Chan Master Wuyou still had a Maitreya smile. "Benefactor, the guest rooms are in the front."
"I want to see the person inside." Murong Shengrui had originally been unsure if the General's Mansion's eldest daughter was related to Du Gu Man. But upon seeing Wuyou, he suddenly felt that there must be a great connection between these two.
"The person inside needs to rest and cannot be disturbed. They also do not receive guests. Please forgive the benefactor." Wuyou stood steady, his gaze fixed on Murong Shengrui. The child who had once followed Du Gu Man with innocent adoration had now grown into a handsome young man. Judging by appearances alone, it was impossible to tell that he was such a cruel and ruthless person. Truly, appearances can be deceiving.
"Today, I must see the person inside. Wei Wuji, stop him." Murong Shengrui gave the order, and Wei Wuji rushed forward. Murong Shengrui, however, charged in alone. The formations and mechanisms within the bamboo forest posed no difficulty to him, after all, he was the most accomplished disciple personally taught by Du Gu Man!
Ying Xue gritted her teeth, watching Murong Shengrui move with ease through the bamboo forest, wishing she could rush up and pierce him with a hundred holes to vent her anger. But she knew she couldn't, not only because she was no match for Murong Shengrui, but also because she couldn't expose her lady's existence!
"Ying Xue, are you alright?" Yin Zhu looked at the trembling Ying Xue, feeling very confused. Could it be that the person who broke into the bamboo forest was someone Ying Xue knew? Would this person bring danger to her lady?
"Ying Xue."
Ying Xue snapped back to reality, looked at Yin Zhu, and forced herself to calm down. "I... I can't see him."
"You hide first, I'll be here for my lady." Yin Zhu immediately took Ying Xue's hand and hid her in the basement, while she herself stayed by Xiao Man's side. The General had sent hidden guards to protect her lady. If this person dared to harm her lady, he would surely not be able to leave Gan Ye Temple!
Yin Zhu carefully examined the room and picked up a fruit knife for self-defense. Just as she got the knife, Murong Shengrui broke through the door.
Yin Zhu immediately held the knife and blocked the bedside. However, as soon as she got into position, Murong Shengrui was already beside her, acupoint-sealed her, and easily bypassed her, walking towards the person lying on the bed.
The person on the bed slept soundly. Their appearance was beautiful, but it stirred no ripple in his heart. The person before him was a stranger, utterly unfamiliar, not at all the person he was looking for!
Murong Shengrui reached out towards the person on the bed and placed his hand near the person's carotid artery. The pulse was faint, almost imperceptible. He then withdrew his hand, filled with disappointment. He thought it was the person he was looking for, but it wasn't. How could she be so easily defeated? It was impossible. The only reason he could succeed was by relying on her favoritism and her lack of defense against him!