n

n

nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nBoth of them had intentions of cooperating, but they were still trying to come up with ways to trick the other party.

nThe audience of the livestream was confused by what they were seeing. They’d thought that An Cui would end up becoming one of Jiang Pengji’s advisors and had been prepared to laugh at him.

nSome of them, popcorn in their hands, were waiting to see how the streamer would trick him into joining. Then the streamer would throw a heavy workload of administrative duties at him.

nClaypot Mutton with Wide Rice Noodles: “Haha, I enjoy watching the streamer trick people the most. Remember how the mouthy Feng Zhen used to be? The streamer forced him to kick his addiction to the Five Minerals Powder so that she could exploit him. I searched up what the withdrawal symptoms are like and I really pity him.”

nCharcoal-Grilled Enoki Mushroom: “Tsk, is there any shortage of employees who have been tricked by the streamer? Just look at Feng Zhen. He enjoys fooling around, but all of that is already in the past. Nowadays, he has to be wary every day, even when he is just drinking alcohol, always worried that a pair of eyes are staring at him from some corner, how pitiful.”

nSprite with Coke: “Let’s bet on a cucumber. Take a guess, how many rounds will the streamer take to convince An Cui?”

nA Plate of Tofu Baked till Dry: “I won’t bet, but either way I’m with the streamer.”

nToday’s Dinner: “I’m with the streamer too, she can definitely convince him in 30 rounds!”

nThe losers with no ambition who could only stay in their little circle and cheer for the streamer, abuzz with discussion.

nBut as the conversation between the two proceeded, the onlookers felt that something was wrong.

nWhy… did it not feel like Jiang Pengji was convincing someone to be her subordinate?

nWas it an illusion that they were sensing?

nJiang Pengji lamented in worry, “I only have 20,000 thousand troops and horses with me. Although the Red Lotus Group consists of a dumb crowd, it claims that it has 100,000 followers, and that would be tough to tackle. I also want to get rid of this poisonous tumor, but I have limited men and power. I probably can’t do it alone.”

nAn Cui took the opportunity and proactively offered himself up. “If you don’t mind, my younger brother, why not allow me to be your vanguard and open up a path for you?”

nThey hadn’t known each other for very long, yet they were referring to each other as “brother” every few sentences as if they had a really good relationship.

nJiang Pengji was struck with a thought. A somewhat puzzled expression appeared on her face. “Brother An, what do you mean?”

nAn Cui said, “You work from the outside while I work from within. Even though I am not very capable, I have managed to win over some people and make them my trusty subordinates. They can be very useful. Brother, although you only have 20,000 troops with you, all the men are good at fighting, and each of them is worth 10 members of the Red Lotus Group. With us helping you from within, we do not have to worry about annihilating the Red Lotus Group!”

nJiang Pengji looked somewhat tempted, yet remained hesitant with her words, deliberately leaving An Cui hanging.

nAfter a while, she was done pondering. She said hesitantly, “If you do so, I would feel really bad about it. Supporting my plan with coordinated action from within would be extremely dangerous. Brother An, wouldn’t I get you into deep trouble if you accidentally got found out by the evil members of the Red Lotus Group? No, no, I cannot risk it.”

nAn Cui almost choked on the air. That’s not how it’s supposed to go according to the script, he thought.

nHe said, “Everything comes with a risk. Surely, as humans, we shouldn’t refuse to eat for fear of choking?”

nJiang Pengji looked indecisive and kept glancing in the direction of Wei Xi and Feng Zhen as if she couldn’t make up her mind. She appeared gullible.

nFeng Zhen raised an eyebrow and deliberately said nothing, but Wei Ci couldn’t refuse to cooperate.

n“My Lord, in my opinion, it is a feasible plan.” To coordinate with Jiang Pengji’s acting, Wei CI had to put on a very confident front, as if he was somewhat overstepping his authority. “Even though the Red Lotus Group has plenty of members, perhaps even the 100,000 they claim, they are but a foolish crowd, for they are generally slack and undisciplined. Furthermore, the Red Lotus Group secretly exploits the people, using their doctrines to con the citizens out of their assets. The victims are countless, and voices of grievance can be heard everywhere. If we can cooperate with Mr. An, my lord, with you attacking the county by force from the outside and Mr. An coordinating the citizens who are dissatisfied with the Red Lotus Group from the inside, what is there to worry about in conquering a little county like Chengde?”

nThe main operations of the Red Lotus Group were at Chengde County, and they used Chengde County as a base for their expansion towards other places, conning countless citizens on the way.

nConquering Chengde County was equivalent to pulling out the roots of the Red Lotus Group. Their other strongholds, which were scattered everywhere, could also be slowly removed.

nJiang Pengji agreed while nodding. “Zixiao, you have a point. But our initial plan was to attack come spring, and it’s still in the middle of winter at the moment…”

nSeeing that she had agreed, An Cui felt that his opportunity had come at last.

nHe joined his hands in a salute, bowed, and said, “Brother, there’s no need to rush. It is an important matter, and we should indeed plan slowly. You have had the intention of uprooting the cult and helping the people for a long time, and it is a very good thing. We still have a few months till spring, and I can make use of the time to lay my plans, trying my best to make sure that everything is perfect.”

nJiang Pengji continued acting. As a “dumb, innocent, and enthusiastic” warlord “with little experience,” how could she take unfair advantage of An Cui?

n“In that case, Brother An, allow me to represent the people in thanking you in advance. You are a kind and righteous man. If we can completely uproot the Red Lotus Group and save the deluded citizens suffering in the north, our actions will definitely be remembered in history.” Jiang Pengji seemed really excited as if she couldn’t wait to have a big go at it immediately. She said, “If we succeed, Brother An, your contribution will be great. How can I be so thick-skinned as to claim the success as my own?”

nAn Cui had been waiting for Jiang Pengji to say that.

nHe said in self-mockery, “I’m just like a stray dog. I’m already satisfied with being able to do what I can to benefit the people, and I cannot afford to ask for anything more.”

nJiang Pengji said enthusiastically, “Why do you belittle yourself, Brother An? So what if you don’t have troops? With your abilities, you will have some sooner or later. How about this… If we conquer Fengyi District, why don’t you take 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower we obtain?”

nAn Cui felt his heart leap, despite it being somewhat unambitious to be excited at such a small thing.

n10 percent?

nHe indeed wanted to get some profits out of it, but never did he expect this dumb yet bold young man to be so generous and offer him 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower right from the start!

nThe wealth obtained by the Red Lotus Group illegally definitely exceeded tens of millions, and a mere 10 percent of it was already a huge sum.

nWith money and the 10 percent of manpower that he would get, An Cui could slowly develop his influence and perhaps even take it one step further!

nAn Cui had been lurking in the Red Lotus Group for several months and had finally managed to carefully gather some men he could call his own, but there were only hundreds of them at the moment.

nIf he could help Jiang Pengji conquer Chengde County, the men and wealth he had would increase dramatically!

nHe was already attracted by the deal, but he still had to appear humble verbally. “I am merely supporting you with coordinated action, and I’m not contributing much. How can it be compared to your efforts of leading your troops to raid the cult? No, no, your gift is too much, I am unworthy of it.”

nJiang Pengji was so “enthusiastic,” totally a “dumb son of a rich family,” so how could she possibly take back what she had promised?

nThe two exchanged a few lines of argument. “Forced” by Jiang Pengji, An Cui reluctantly accepted the weighty “gift of appreciation.”

nHaving agreed upon a coordinated mission, the atmosphere was naturally harmonious. They kept referring to each other as “brother” in their conversation as if they were close brothers by blood.

nFeng Zhen was the first one who couldn’t take it anymore. Shaking off his goosebumps, he found some excuse to slip away.

nHe pulled Wei Ci away as well.

nThe two exchanged words in private.

n“Our lord is too generous. He promised An Cui 10 percent of the monetary assets and manpower, just like what the dumb son of a rich family would do.” Feng Zhen was still as mouthy as usual.

nWei Ci laughed and said, “Our lord is concentrating his efforts on northern Dongqing for now and has no time or energy to deal with the other forces. If An Cui can serve as a target in our place, it will be a good thing. Furthermore, An Cui’s enemies are the four factions of Nanman. The latter has already annihilated Nansheng, why would they be scared of An Cui?”

n

nEven in the previous incarnation, it had taken Wei Ci several years of hard work, plus the locust plague in the factions of Nanman, for An Cui to get lucky and win.

nAt the moment, the four factions of Nanman were still at their peak. An Cui seeking revenge was no different from throwing a straw against the wind.

nWei Ci continued and said, “You don’t know how great of a hidden danger the diehard supporters of the Red Lotus Group are. None of them can be allowed to live on.”

nEven without An Cui, Wei Ci wanted to privately suggest to Jiang Pengji that they slaughter all the higher-ups of the Red Lotus Group.

nThere would be endless trouble in the future if they were not uprooted completely.

n