knife

Chapter 428 Different opponents, different results

(Something came up at work recently, so I might not be able to update on time. I will try my best to keep you informed in advance.)
Zhou Yi sat by the brazier, throwing the thick stack of files into it one by one, watching them turn into ashes and fly into the air.

With a bang, the door was kicked open, and a middle-aged military officer strode in. He glanced at the brazier, then at Zhou Yi, and grinned maliciously: "Fatty, why don't you run away?"

Zhou Yi raised his head and said with dissatisfaction, "Shochi, when you were doing business with me and asking me for money, you always called me Brother Zhou. Now you've become a fatso, all obsequious at first and servile at second. People will look down on your character. Your attitude will shame your father even in the afterlife!"

Jochi was furious and kicked out, sending the brazier flying towards Zhou Yi. With a flick of his sleeve, Zhou Yi steadily pressed the brazier back down.

"Are you getting angry now?" Zhou Yi laughed. "I remember when we first met, I told you that you weren't suited for this line of work. If you don't change careers soon, you'll die a mysterious death."

"Is that so? But now you're in my hands!" Jochi barely suppressed his anger; being looked down upon by this man truly enraged him. "Why didn't you run away? If you had, or resisted, I could have killed you openly and honestly!"

Zhou Yi laughed heartily: "I never put up futile resistance. Although your martial arts cultivation is only mediocre, even if I kill you, those powerful bows and crossbows outside are not something I can handle. So if you come to capture me, I'll go with you! Jochi, believe it or not, even if you capture me and take me back, the Tiele will treat me well, and I might even live more comfortably than here!"

"You're dreaming!" Jochi sneered. "I think you should have guessed by now, right? Our Great Yuan is about to launch an attack on you. So the first step is to catch all of you maggots who can't stand the light of day, to prevent you from causing trouble!"

"Don't slander me, I'm a perfectly legitimate spy!" Zhou Yi dusted off his hands. "Let's go, let's see what kind of accommodation His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Yuan has arranged for me?"

As Zhou Yi walked out with his head held high, Jochi was somewhat stunned.

Zhou Yi walked to the door, then turned back to look at Jochi and said, "Jochi, if one of my men in Dading dies, you will have to pay an extra price when you negotiate with our Northern Court in the future!"

Half an hour later, Zhou Yi was brought before the Tiele.

"As expected of Headmaster Zhou, he broke Jochi's defenses with just a few words." Tiele smiled at Zhou Yi: "Now you know what I'm going to do, right?"

"Of course!"

"With Dean Zhou's abilities, he has of course sent out the intelligence. The reason he stayed here is simply to attract Jochi and the others' attention, so that more of your men can escape. Am I right?" Tiele laughed.

“Compared to Lenge, Jochi is far inferior; deceiving him is effortless.” Zhou Yi laughed somewhat unrestrainedly. “But Your Majesty, do you think making such a decision is wise? Once defeated, even if the Northern Court doesn’t destroy you, Akdun will take you down without hesitation.”

Tiele laughed loudly: "Headmaster Zhou, do you know why I did this? Because I'm sure you won't destroy me! When I'm defeated and weakened, and Akdun tries to take advantage of the situation, you'll actually help me and prevent Akdun from annihilating me."

"His Majesty actually attacked us because of this?"

"Is that not possible? If I win, I will win everything. If I lose, I will just retreat and slowly recover over the next few years!" Tiele said smugly.

"So that's what His Majesty was thinking!" Zhou Yi exclaimed in realization.

"However, you are right about one thing: I will not harm a hair on your head. As for your men, if they do not resist, I will politely invite them back. But if they resist, it is hard to say!" Tiele said, "They are all useful resources. In the future, regardless of victory or defeat, I can exchange them for some things I need from the Beiting Protectorate."

"Then I wish Your Majesty's wish will be fulfilled?" Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"My success means Beiting's failure. Are you truly wishing me well?"

"I've always had a jinx; what I say is good, but bad, and it always comes true," Zhou Yi said. "It's rare for His Majesty to give me such a long leave, so I'll take a break. Your Majesty, I like to eat chicken, but I don't like to eat mutton. You must tell your subordinates to remember that so as not to make a mistake."

Zhou Yi is the vice dean of Zhi Qiu Academy, ranking second in the academy, and is one of Li Dachui's trusted confidants.

Therefore, even after becoming a prisoner, he was still treated very well.

We don't know how the food was, but Zhou Yi was quite satisfied with the bed that was arranged for him.

He had never slept in such a comfortable bed before.

Lying in bed with his legs crossed, Zhou Yi pondered the sudden change.

From receiving the news and beginning the evacuation of personnel, to staying behind to obtain the last and most crucial piece of intelligence, the intelligence was obtained and sent out.

The Tiele were indeed prepared to take a risk and launch a major attack on the Beiting Protectorate. The focus of the attack was Qingtongxia, which was indeed the most important point on the border between the two sides. Taking it would pose the greatest threat to Beiting.

But the timing is just too coincidental.

Jochi arrived just as he had arranged for the intelligence to be sent out.

It seemed as if they were just waiting for me to send out this information.

Zhou Yi sat up abruptly.

I've figured out what's suspicious about this.

If something goes wrong, there must be a demon!

That Tiele kid played a clever trick. If it weren't for Qingtongxia, then where would the key point be?

Zhou Yi couldn't figure it out.

With a loud slap, he slapped himself.

He spent his whole life hunting eagles, but this time he got pecked in the eye by one.

So, the guy I went to great lengths to bribe with money and beautiful women must have been befriending me at Tiele's behest.

That's a triple win – manpower, wealth, and merit!
Once I get out of here, I'll make you wish you were dead before I even get rid of this fat.

Zhou Yi patted his thick belly and lay down on his back.

Now that things have come to this, there's no use in regretting it. All we can do is hope that Beiting can accurately judge Tiele's intentions and won't be misled by the intelligence we sent out.

Over the years, Zhi Qiu Yuan has been invincible, but he underestimated all the heroes in the world!
They forgot that Tiele was no ordinary man either. He was outmaneuvered by the young master, acting hesitant and appearing quite foolish.

But that was against the young master.
Not myself!

When I faced him alone, I truly experienced his prowess this time.

This trap I set for myself started at least a year ago.

And he was completely unaware of it.

In the future, Qian Jia will surely laugh his head off.

Zhou Yi sighed and covered his face with his hands.

"Headmaster Zhou, dinner's ready! The beggar's chicken you ordered!" came the sweet voice of a palace maid from outside.

"I won't eat you!" Zhou Yi roared. "I'll eat you!"

"Eat me, okay, your servant is coming!"

Zhou Yi was stunned as he watched the palace maid walk in. Could anyone be so shameless?

(End of this chapter)