They were in another room.

An Cui secretly hid a portion of the rations and fortune in an isolated location. After he ensured that there were no flaws in his plan, he returned to make his report as if nothing had happened.

He had initially been tasked to send out a letter. It had been a few days since he’d had his fill and his garments were worn thin. Thus, he’d fainted in the snow and had almost lost his life.

When he’d returned to the village meeting point near Chengde County, he was immediately surrounded by a few loyal brothers who could be counted on in times of trouble.

Although they didn’t know how to read or write, they all had hearts burning with sincerity.

“Big brother, why have you been gone for so long? Your brothers were worried sick for you,” a dark-faced, muscular man asked anxiously. He appeared very sincere and without any hint of pretense. Thus, one could tell how worried he was.

If not for others who’d held him back, he would have rushed out to find An Cui in the snow without one care for himself or anything else.

“Big brother, what is this set of garments you are wearing? Did something happen to you?”

An Cui discreetly gestured to his brothers not to spread this news. He looked left and right as if checking to see if there were spies around.

Another strong man saw this and spoke as he was filled with understanding.

“Big brother, rest assured, you can trust your brothers.”

An Cui had no sense of security. He had to verify it himself before he could calm down and secretly heave a sigh of relief.

Quickly, he took some of his brothers and trusted aides into his apartment.

This straw house was rather run-down. It was not sound-proof so An Cui spoke softly.

Fatigue was evident on his brows, but he fought on to stay awake. Solemnly, he told his brothers, “…Based on my assessment, I’m afraid the Red Lotus Group cannot sustain itself for very long. The world is tumultuous. As your elder brother, it is my responsibility to consider your future, even if I don’t consider mine. If we are still stuck with the Red Lotus group, we won’t know what our end will be.”

His brothers were rather honest and loyal. The brainwashing from the Red Lotus group had no effect on them. Thus, he was at peace when he spoke these words. To these men, the Red Lotus Group was a place that provided shelter and warmth, but it isn’t their final destination.

The big man said very directly, “We will go where our big brother goes and follow you throughout our lives. If the Red Lotus group isn’t a good place, we can find another place to settle down.”

The big man had said what was in everyone’s hearts.

Another man had a rather gentlemanly face. His manner of speech was also very gentle. He said, “What plans does elder brother have? You just have to tell us, and your brothers will spare no effort to achieve them without any complaints.”

An Cui was secretly pleased in his heart. Only then did he reveal all the details of the plans to them.

His brothers were in shock. They looked at each other, unable to make a decision.

Was their big brother’s idea to prepare to separate the competent and incompetent members within the Red Lotus group and use them as a stepping stone for his career?

The big man was rather impulsive. He was the first to stand up to support An Cui.

“Whatever big brother does, your younger brother will follow. The Tsing Yi army openly robs while the Red Lotus group secretly spreads lies. They are a bunch of wicked men and there’s no good in them. Big brother has a benevolent and magnanimous heart. You are gifted with talents and abilities, and I feel it is wrong that you’re in such an insignificant position. Why not seize this opportunity to deal them a damaging blow? If our gamble is successful, we can master our fates. If we lose, the most we’ll lose are our worthless lives. Look, my brothers, what subjugated lives we are living now? If not for our big brother who took care of us, the weeds surrounding our graves would already be as tall as a man.”

That big man’s usually stoic face was full of emotions. Even though he’d said it very crudely, he’d fully expressed the pain they all felt.

If not for An Cui taking care of them in such a holistic manner, surely it would have been impossible for them to survive within the Red Lotus group.

Recalling the cold sores on An Cui’s hands and feet, and how he’d even shared his food and garments with them, his mind was momentarily clouded with emotions.

The gentleman suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said, “Fourth brother is right. If we don’t find a way out now, big brother will be doomed to die. Now that we have a path before us with good prospects, if we don’t gamble on it, we will certainly regret it in the future.”

Wasn’t it just to assume the role of a spy to backstab the Red Lotus group?

It wasn’t because they couldn’t do the task.

“…Except…”

Someone hesitated.

The big man asked boldly, “What is there to fear?”

The other party stammered. After a while, he finished his sentence. “…If it’s such a good deal, why did it land on our big brother’s shoulders? Is it a trap?”

This is what everyone was worried about. They were afraid Jiang Pengji would go back on her words and break their relationship after using them.

An Cui replied, “We cannot doubt this matter. Even without our help, do you think the Red Lotus group can safeguard Chengde County? Although it is said to have 100,000 followers, just look at them! How many of them can fight and kill? At Fengyi County there are 20,000 elite troops. Perhaps one against 10 enemies is an exaggeration, but one against 5 enemies is certainly not an issue. If that is so, will there be any room for us to win some credit?”

As for Jiang Pengji, conquering Chengde County would play out in one of two scenarios.

One option was to take it down easily.

The second option was to put in some effort and lose some soldiers and horses to possess it.

From An Cui’s observation, Jiang Pengji was the foolish son of the landowner. However, Liu She, who stood behind her, was certainly not foolish.

In the early days of establishing an empire, who doesn’t value their reputation?

Even if she didn’t treasure it, surely Liu She understood the ways of the world.

Therefore, going back on one’s words would never happen.

An Cui spoke seriously about this matter, “Our future will depend on how this turns out.”

That big man appeared worried and troubled. To attempt a great endeavor would require a lot of manpower.

“Big brother, we will do as you said, but… are we lacking in manpower?”

An Cui retrieved a heavy pouch from his sleeves and emptied it of the silver and gold coins within.

There was a fire burning so it wasn’t completely dark.

When those glimmering, shiny silver coins were poured out, they twinkled like stars, almost blinding the eyes of those looking.

An Cui was pleased in his heart. Outwardly, he appeared solemn and serious as he said, “There is no rush. There are still a few days until the start of spring that we can use to slowly plan this out. My brothers, this matter will determine the fate of your families. You must be extremely careful and never reveal anything.”

The few men pledged their loyalties and said in unison, “Please rest assured, big brother.”

As always, money makes it easier for tasks to be done. An Cui used the money and rations from Jiang Pengji to recruit a group of followers from the Red Lotus Group.

On the other side, Shangyang County had officially entered under Jiang Pengji’s governance.

Scholars abounded in Shangyang County. However, other than the Feng family, the influence the other scholars had was insignificant. Jiang Pengji didn’t have to care about their ideas.

The Feng family has entrusted all of Shangyang County into her hands. Truthfully, it is a transfer of military power, financial, and political governance.

At present, she has no command over the soldiers in Shangyang County, so she had to summon some of her own troops over.

The land area had increased by one-fold, meaning that the workload of her subordinates would also increase by one-fold.

Naturally, the recruiting of soldiers and the purchasing of horses continued.

Feng Zhen supported his forehead. “Alright, are you trying to tire us to death?”

“What’s all the talk about holidays and relaxing?” she said when they arrived at Shangyang County. “That they will be free as the wild horses? All of that is a lie!”

“What’s with ‘once this task ends, we can rest.’ It’s a lie!”

The truth was that they would be busy for a year.

Wei Ci laughed. “Zishi, don’t be disheartened. There will be 7 public holidays in a year!”