Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Qu Yan: It’s Time to Take a Gamble!_1
As time passed,
two caravans, one overt and one covert, were swiftly and successfully assembled.
Upon receiving the Luo Family’s command,
Luo Yong then led those ten thousand Armored Youth, silently following the caravan that was hidden in the shadows.
As for why not all twenty thousand Armored Youth were brought along,
aside from the need to leave some behind to protect Qingshi Town,
there was another reason—Luo Yong feared that if they brought too many men, they might accidentally alert the people at Blackwind Stockade,
and miss this perfect opportunity to annihilate Blackwind Stockade.
That indeed would be a case of losing more than what was gained.
…
The news of the Luo Family assembling another caravan
wasn’t long before it reached the people of Blackwind Stockade.
Inside the grand hall of Blackwind Stockade,
Xiong Qi, the leader of Blackwind Stockade, sat uneasily in his seat of honor.
Previously, since Qu Yan had said
that it was very possible the Luo Family’s caravan was an ambush set by the Luo Family,
intended to lure them out and capture everyone in Blackwind Stockade at once,
it was for this reason that Xiong Qi hadn’t made a move against the Luo Family’s caravan.
But after the Luo Family’s caravan safely returned to Qingshi Town, the Luo Family bizarrely organized another caravan.
Under such circumstances, Xiong Qi was becoming impatient.
If Blackwind Stockade didn’t make a move every time the Luo Family organized a caravan,
then how could Blackwind Stockade continue to restrain the Luo Family’s development?
“Master, the Luo Family has once again assembled a new caravan,”
“Do we still refrain from acting this time?”
Inside the hall, Xiong Qi broke the endless silence, asking the scholar next to him, Qu Yan, in a low voice.
“Not one, but two…”
“What do you mean, Master?”
Xiong Qi’s brow furrowed slightly; he didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Qu Yan’s words.
“The Luo Family has assembled two caravans, one overt and one covert.”
“The one in the open only took away a small amount of gold and silver.”
“But the covert one carried gold and silver amounting to no less than five hundred thousand taels.”
Upon hearing this, Xiong Qi pondered for a moment before asking, “Does the Master know what the Luo Family intends to do this time?”
“Does the Luo Family intend to use the overt caravan to divert our attention in Blackwind Stockade,”
“while using the covert caravan to trade for supplies in other cities?”
Qu Yan silently shook his head; if they were facing an average opponent, Xiong Qi’s thoughts might be correct.
But now, their adversary was the Luo Family from Qingshi Town.
Considering the Luo Family’s recent actions, they were definitely not simple.
Thus, the Luo Family’s actions this time
could still likely be a trap devised to draw out Blackwind Stockade.
But… even if the Luo Family’s move this time might be a trap set for Blackwind Stockade,
it seemed Blackwind Stockade had no choice but to take the bait.
If the more than five hundred thousand taels of gold and silver were to be successfully traded for a vast amount of supplies by the Luo Family and then transported back to Qingshi Town,
the role of Blackwind Stockade would become nearly insignificant.
Until eventually, their stronghold would be located by the Luo Family,
and be completely eradicated by the Luo Family’s forces.
…
“I will go and ask the Prince to send reinforcements…”
Inside the hall,
the scholar Qu Yan spoke softly.
However, whether this could be achieved or not, Qu Yan dared not promise.
“Alright then, go quickly and return quickly,”
“I will wait for your return in Blackwind Stockade,” Xiong Qi said, nodding silently and speaking in a low voice.
…
In Huai Shui County, there are a total of eighteen counties and thirty-six towns,
of which, eight counties and twelve towns are under the control of the King of Huai Shui, Feng Wentai.
“`
In addition to the twenty-four towns across ten counties, aside from Qingshi Town controlled by the Luo Family.
There are six counties and eight towns under the control of the grain merchant Tang Family.
There are four counties and six towns controlled by the Chen Family, an established clan in Huai Shui County.
As for the remaining nine towns.
They are each controlled by various local small family forces.
Regardless, no matter what.
As the King of Huai Shui, Feng Wentai’s primary concern was only the large grain merchant Tang Family and the established familial power of the Chen Family in Huai Shui County.
Beyond these two major familial powers, the other small family forces.
Did not require too much of King of Huai Shui Feng Wentai’s attention.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was already noon.
At this moment, a blazing sun hung high in the sky.
In Huai Shui County, Feng Wentai, who was the King of Huai Shui, was now half-reclining on a Taishi Chair.
With his eyes tightly closed, he was basking in the sun outside the room.
“Prince, Qu Yan from Blackwind Stockade requests an audience…”
Just as Feng Wentai was about to drift off to sleep,
An elderly servant suddenly approached.
Dispelling the drowsiness from Feng Wentai’s mind.
“Blackwind Stockade, Qu Yan?”
“Who is this person?”
Feng Wentai frowned slightly; he thought for a moment but couldn’t recall any information related to Blackwind Stockade.
“Prince, Blackwind Stockade is one of the more than ten strongholds you have funded,”
“Its location is near Qingshi Town…”
The elderly servant beside Feng Wentai said respectfully, slightly bending his waist.
“Near Qingshi Town?”
After pondering for a moment, Feng Wentai slowly began to recall some information about Blackwind Stockade.
“I remember, but what business does Qu Yan have all of a sudden, seeking me?”
“It seems he wants to request military assistance from the prince for Blackwind Stockade’s operation,” said the servant in a low voice.
“Military assistance for his Blackwind Stockade operation?” Feng Wentai couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this.
The reason he funded those stockades was precisely to slightly hinder the development pace of the other family forces, wasn’t it?
And now, Blackwind Stockade wanted to act against Qingshi Town and even requested his military assistance?
If that was the case, what was the point in him funding Blackwind Stockade?
Qingshi Town was no more than a single town.
The population was barely over a hundred thousand.
Even if Qingshi Town developed well, what of it?
Could it possibly pose a greater threat to him than the grain merchant Tang Family and the old Chen Family in Huai Shui County?
“Go tell Qu Yan that while my intentions are there, my capacity is not. I truly can’t provide military assistance,”
Having said that, King of Huai Shui Feng Wentai once again closed his eyes.
Silently enjoying the rare sunlight of the early winter.
…
After being sent away with a simple excuse by the people of the King of Huai Shui,
Qu Yan could only silently return to Blackwind Stockade.
“How did it go?”
“What did the prince say?”
Inside the hall, Xiong Qi looked anxiously at Qu Yan before him.
“The prince says he has the heart but not the strength, and truly cannot provide military assistance,”
“Has the heart but not the strength?”
Xiong Qi’s brow couldn’t help but furrow slightly.
Was the prince really unable to help, or did he just not want to bother with them?
“Teacher, what do we do next… Do we still make our move?”
“We only have one gamble left!” Qu Yan said lowly with a stoic face: “It’s still manageable when the Luo Family’s trade caravan is above board, but if that secret caravan gets back to Qingshi Town with their goods.”
“Our Blackwind Stockade’s influence over Qingshi Town would be significantly weakened.”
After gritting his teeth, Xiong Qi asked, “Then Teacher, when do you think is the best time to act?”
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Qu Yan contemplated for a moment before whispering, “Lets wait for the Luo Family’s hidden caravan to secure their supplies and return before we make our move!”