Until the footsteps became faint, Chen Laoda dared to push aside the grass and take a look outside. After confirming that Yang and his group had left, Chen Laoda crouched down and returned. He called over several subordinates he had brought with him, quietly leading them away from the main troop.
It was only after Yang had finished discussing important matters with the Qi Wang and sent people to spy on Chen Laoda that he discovered those men were missing. Fury surged through him instantly! What was there to not understand! They had been deceived by Chen Laoda! Perhaps Meixian hadn’t been flooded after all! Chen Laoda had led them away with some unknown scheme! Did he want to seize the gold mine, or was there another motive?
“Master, I’ve already sent people to hunt down those mountain bandits! I won’t let them escape! I’ve also sent twenty men traveling swiftly back to Meixian to gather information! My subordinate has failed in his duties; please punish me, Master!” Yang deeply regretted not personally going to the city gate to assess the situation when they withdrew that night. Instead, he had retreated after hearing only a few words from Chen Laoda!
“Now is not the time to assign blame; the urgent task is to gather everyone together,” Qi Wang said, his expression grave. With only over a hundred men around him, he knew he needed to consolidate his forces for protection!
Chen Laoda was fleeing in a wretched state, unwilling to take the official road, instead opting for a rugged mountain path. In his haste to return to the city to alert Zhang Fang, he grit his teeth and risked climbing a particularly dangerous and steep cliff. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright this night, allowing him to see clearly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to climb the cliff; a careless misstep could lead to a fatal fall!
After resting for two days, Zhang Fang had already regained his health. With Uncle Xing around, there were many things Zhang Fang didn’t need to worry about.
Over the past few days, Lin Zheng had been busy with a task: to investigate the financial situation of Meixian and conduct field surveys among the populace. Even though Zhang Fang’s health had improved, Lin Zheng was still coughing.
“Cough cough cough… Young Master Zhang, the problem in Meixian is quite significant! In just twenty years, the population has halved every year. Now, there are less than fifty thousand households in the city! The number of households outside the city is a bit more, but the population is declining every year, now only totaling eighty thousand!” Lin Zheng found these figures rather alarming.
Zhang Fang maintained a stern expression as he reviewed the data gathered by Lin Zheng. Most of the deceased were due to natural causes, with a few families relocating from Meixian. In these twenty years, there had only been one flood in Meixian, and apart from that, there had been no natural disasters, nor had there been any reports of severe epidemics, yet every year there were still large numbers of deaths!
Were these people truly dead, or had they been deregistered and relocated?
Zhang Fang instructed Lin Zheng, “You need to investigate the circumstances of various benevolent organizations and funeral industries. Look into everything from the past twenty years!”
Lin Zheng quickly grasped Zhang Fang’s intent but still cautiously asked, “Young Master Zhang, are you suggesting that those who disappeared may not have actually died?”
“Go investigate,” Zhang Fang replied coldly, giving Lin Zheng a distant look.
Seeing Zhang Fang’s indifference, as if he was unwilling to delve deeper into the matter, Lin Zheng coughed a few times and turned to leave.
Mu Qing hurriedly returned with Chen Laoda. Seeing Chen Laoda in such a disheveled state, Zhang Fang suddenly stood up and rushed outside, asking, “Have you been suspected by them?”
After fleeing for a day and a night, Chen Laoda was thirsty and hungry, completely exhausted. Upon seeing Zhang Fang, he collapsed to the ground, breathless. “Yang has taken in a significant figure and has begun to suspect my betrayal. They are now returning to Meixian; you must prepare immediately!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fang’s expression grew severe. He reached down to help Chen Laoda up and pressed him for details, “What characteristics does this person have?”
“A limp, he definitely looks like a noble,” Chen Laoda replied, still unsure about the true identity of the person behind Yang.
A limp… Could it be Qi Wang?
Rather than rebelling in the capital, Qi Wang had come to Meixian. Zhang Fang found it puzzling what the other party was planning. However, the current situation was quite complex and perilous; he had no choice. It was either Qi Wang bringing his men back to capture him, or he seizing Qi Wang instead! Capturing Qi Wang would not be an easy task!
Since Qi Wang had already begun to suspect Chen Laoda, he would surely rush back to Meixian immediately. The previously separated teams would also be gathered by Qi Wang. Once Qi Wang’s forces consolidated, it would be difficult for Zhang Fang to contend with them! After all, they were a thousand strong mercenary warriors, all trained assassins! Zhang Fang only had a handful of men at his disposal; it would be exceedingly hard to oppose them!
There were three strategies to consider. The best approach would be to take the initiative; Zhang Fang could lead his available men out of the city to set up an ambush while Qi Wang’s personal forces were still fragmented! The moderate approach would be to abandon the city and escape. The worst option would be to fortify the city and wait to die.
Zhang Fang immediately summoned Yuan Quan and Chang Bao for a meeting while sending Mu Qing to seal the city gates for defense.
Despite feeling utterly exhausted, Chen Laoda dared not close his eyes to rest. After a hearty meal, he hurried to find Zhang Fang. Knowing Zhang Fang intended to set an ambush and take the offensive against Yang’s forces, Chen Laoda felt his own judgment was spot on! Zhang Fang was remarkably ruthless! And strategic! Following this person could at least ensure a way out!
Chen Laoda pointed to a location on the map and said, “The terrain on either side of Fuhu Forest is high and suitable for ambushes. Whether we ambush from the mountain or hide among the trees, it’s the perfect place to strike!”
Zhang Fang attentively listened to Chen Laoda’s suggestions, then asked him, “By your estimate, how soon can they reach Fuhu Forest?”
“Even if they travel day and night, they won’t arrive until tomorrow! But if we send someone out of the city now, it would be too late to set up an ambush at Fuhu Forest,” Chen Laoda realized after speaking that they simply didn’t have enough time to prepare.
Zhang Fang pondered carefully. He pointed to the location of Qinglan Mountain on the map and said, “Yang has already separated the troops at Qinglan Mountain; they will undoubtedly gather at this spot. We’ll set our ambush here.”
Qi Wang would likely arrive at Qinglan Mountain first, waiting there for everyone to rendezvous.
Chen Laoda nodded, finally understanding how he ended up in Zhang Fang’s hands. Clearly, they both had brains, but Zhang Fang’s intellect was simply superior!
After confirming the ambush location, Zhang Fang quickly spread the word to gather everyone in preparation.
Uncle Xing, having received the news, hurried to Zhang Fang’s side, asking, “Young Master, why have you summoned everyone?”