As a young marshal, it's reasonable for me to have 300,000 private troops, right?

After hearing Zhang Zuolin's instructions, Qi Fan did not hesitate, immediately got up to agree, and turned to walk out the door.

As soon as he stepped out of the council chamber, Zhang Xuecheng came up from the corridor to greet him. He had obviously been waiting for him nearby. Seeing that he was about to leave, he asked with a curious look.

"Brother? Where are you going so late at night?"

Qi Fan's eyes darted around, he stopped in his tracks, a sly smile playing on his lips as he looked Zhang Xuecheng up and down, his eyes revealing a hint of ill intent.

"I'm going out to have some fun," he said deliberately, drawing out his words in a tempting tone.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Zhang Xuecheng felt a chill run down his spine from that gaze, and instinctively shrank back, taking a half-step back.

"Brother, you're not trying to trick me, are you? I have a feeling something's off about the look in your eyes; you're definitely up to no good!"

Seeing this, Qi Fan couldn't help but laugh out loud. He stepped forward, put his arm around Zhang Xuecheng's shoulder, and patted his back hard.

"Relax, relax! I'm your own brother, why would I betray you? Come with me, I guarantee you'll experience an unprecedented thrill!"

"Exciting?" Zhang Xuecheng's eyes lit up instantly, his previous wariness vanished in an instant, and his eyes even sparkled with admiration. He grabbed Qi Fan's arm and pressed for an answer.

"Is something really exciting happening? I'm going! I'll go with you!"

Seeing that Zhang Xuecheng had fallen for the trap so easily, Qi Fan chuckled inwardly, but said with a straight face, "Let's go, get in the car!"

The two walked quickly to the entrance of the Marshal's Mansion. Zhang Zuolin had already arranged for a car to be prepared, with several boxes of exquisitely packaged gifts piled on the back seat. These were obviously for Qi Fan to take to the Tang residence to "smooth things over".

Zhang Xuecheng was pushed into the car by Qi Fan. Before he could ask any questions, the car slowly drove away from the Marshal's Mansion.

However, the car did not head towards Tang Yulin's residence, but instead turned onto another quiet street.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhang Xuecheng felt something was amiss and couldn't help but lean forward to ask.

"Brother, this isn't the way to Grandpa Tang's house. Where are we going?"

Qi Fan didn't turn around, but said calmly, "Let's go somewhere to take care of some business first, and then I'll take you to find some excitement."

As they spoke, the car stopped outside a Western-style building. The building was hidden in the shade of trees, and although the entrance looked inconspicuous, two plainclothes guards were secretly on duty. It was the outpost of Qi Fan's No. 7 Intelligence Bureau.

Qi Fan turned off the engine and turned to Zhang Xuecheng.

"Wait for me in the car for a bit, I'm going in to get something, I'll be right back."

Zhang Xuecheng had never been to a place like this before, and he peered into the Western-style building through the car window.

"Brother, why did you bring our school here? This place looks weird."

"Don't ask so many questions, just listen to me," Qi Fan waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

"Once I get out, I'll take you to experience something exciting, I promise I won't lie to you!"

After saying that, he pushed open the car door and got out, walking briskly towards the Western-style building.

Upon seeing that it was Qi Fan, the guards at the entrance immediately stepped aside respectfully to make way for him.

Qi Fan strode into the Western-style building, passed through the front hall, and went straight to the council chamber on the second floor.

Upon opening the door, one would find Jia Xu and Dai Xiansheng already seated in the hall, waiting with freshly brewed hot tea on the table, clearly having received the news in advance and prepared accordingly.

Qi Fan understood. The fact that Tang Yulin and his father Zhang Zuolin had completely fallen out had already caused a great stir in Fengtian City. The Seventh Intelligence Bureau was well-informed, and Jia Xu and his men couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

He walked to the head of the table, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"You guys are really well-informed; you knew I was coming?"

Jia Xu was the first to stand up and bow slightly to Qi Fan.

"My lord, you've come here presumably on the old general's orders to feign weakness at Tang Yulin's residence, hoping to lull the enemy into a false sense of security?"

Qi Fan looked up at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before he laughed.

"Oh? Wenhe, tell me, how did you determine that my father had this intention?"

"The old general is decisive, but he has always been reluctant to lose his troops," Jia Xu slowly sat down and analyzed clearly.

"The situation in Fengtian is still unstable. If we directly engage in battle with Tang Yulin, the Fengtian army will suffer heavy losses regardless of the outcome, which would be a net loss. Given the old marshal's style, he will surely send someone of sufficient status and influence to curry favor and lull Tang Yulin into a false sense of security before launching a swift and decisive attack. As the old marshal's eldest son, you, my lord, are the most suitable candidate."

His words were well-organized and precisely hit the core of Zhang Zuolin's plan.

Qi Fan sighed inwardly: As expected of Jia Xu, his ability to see through people's hearts and predict the situation is indeed well-deserved.

He always felt that Jia Xu of the Three Kingdoms period was no less shrewd than any of Cao Cao's strategists. It was just a pity that he was too cautious and reserved, and his actions were somewhat ruthless, which is why he was never given important positions.

"Since Wenhe has seen through my father's scheme, what advice do you have for this matter?"

Jia Xu rose again, bowed deeply, and said solemnly, "My lord, while the old general's plan is ingenious, it is not the best strategy."

Qi Fan's eyes narrowed, signaling him to continue. He was curious to see what better method Jia Xu could come up with.

"The root of this matter lies neither in the Marshal's Mansion nor in the Tang Mansion, but in Feng Delin himself."

"Tang Yulin is reckless and arrogant but lacks his own opinions. If it weren't for Feng Delin's support and promises of benefits, he wouldn't dare to openly break with the old marshal even if he had ten times the courage. If we only focus on Tang Yulin, even if we can suppress him successfully, it will only be a temporary solution. Feng Delin is still a hidden danger and will surely cause trouble again in the future."

His words were well-organized and precisely hit the core of Zhang Zuolin's plan.

Qi Fan sighed inwardly: As expected of Jia Xu, his ability to see through people's hearts and predict the situation is indeed well-deserved.

Although he possessed a modern mindset, when it came to the intrigues and schemes of such chaotic times, he was far inferior to top strategists like Jia Xu.

However, as a model student of the 21st century, he always asked questions when he didn't understand, and immediately put down his teacup.

"What good suggestions does Wenhe have?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu's lips curled into an inscrutable smile.

"My lord, fishing requires bait. What kind of bait do you think is needed to catch this big fish, Feng Delin?"

"Huh?" Qi Fan was stunned for a moment, then realized that this old guy was keeping him in suspense again!

He felt an urge to pin Jia Xu to the table and strangle him. He finally understood why this guy had never been given important positions during the Three Kingdoms period: if you're going to offer a plan, then offer one. Why do you have to beat around the bush and keep people in suspense? Who can stand that?

Qi Fan put down his teacup, looked at Jia Xu with a cool gaze, and slowly spoke.

"Wenhe, do you know what two types of people I hate the most?"

Jia Xu raised an eyebrow slightly and asked cooperatively, "I would like to hear the details."

"The first type is the person who only says half of what they mean." Qi Fan's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable disdain.

"What about the second one?" Jia Xu pressed, seemingly unaware of Qi Fan's dissatisfaction.

Qi Fan ignored him, picked up his teacup and took a sip, then turned his gaze to Dai Xiansheng, who had remained silent, and his tone suddenly became gentle.

"Xiansheng, how has everything been at home lately? Are your wife and children well?"

Dai Xiansheng was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and quickly stood up to reply, "Everything is fine at home."

The two chatted as if no one else was around, from family matters to recent security issues, completely ignoring Jia Xu.

Jia Xu sat there, his forehead instantly covered in black lines, and his composure completely crumbled.

He never expected that his lord would "counterattack" his suspense in this way.

Left with no other choice, he broke the silence by clearing his throat and saying, "My lord, I have a plan to lure Feng Delin out."

Qi Fan then slowly turned around and looked at Jia Xu.

"Why didn't you just do this sooner? Why bother?"

Jia Xu was extremely frustrated and thought to himself: "I am a top strategist. Isn't it reasonable for me to keep things mysterious at crucial moments and create an atmosphere of strategic planning?"

He could complain, but he didn't dare say it out loud. He could only suppress his emotions and say in a deep voice.

"My lord could suggest that the old general feign a failed attack on the Tang residence. Upon seeing this, Tang Yulin will surely assume the old general is weak and will inevitably invite Feng Delin to discuss subsequent countermeasures, perhaps even inviting Feng Delin to the general's residence to 'force the emperor' to abdicate.' At that time, we only need to lure the two into the general's residence and arrest them directly on charges of 'treason,' thus eliminating all potential threats once and for all!"