My lord, spare his life!

Wang Ba stared intently, fearing that He Ning might actually be killed.

"We should be able to make it."

"We'll make it in time. Tell Wang Gongsun not to delay the meal." Dongxian and Shanzhong are not on the same side, and the road conditions between the two places are terrible. The few flat sections were either built before the split or were created by merchants from both places after the Dongxian disaster. In order to protect itself, Chesi County had been secretly sending people to blow up the roads between the two places.

Zhang Yang silently memorized the route along the way.

I jotted down a work plan in my memo.

The Dong-Ham and Che-Si roads should simultaneously undertake road construction and repair projects to restore normal traffic and civilian exchanges between the two areas. This would greatly improve efficiency, whether it's mutual military support or the exchange of goods between the two regions. As for the project's funding and resources?

Problems that can be solved with gold, silver, copper, or iron are not really problems.

What she lacks most is people.

"...What does Hongtu think of this project?" Wang Qi chased after He Ning with his sword, hacking and slashing. Zhang Yang sat on Zhang Da'ao's back and leisurely passed through the city gate, then discussed it with Wang Ba beside him.

Wang Ba hesitated: "This is a good thing, but—"

"If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to speak your mind."

"The various counties in the mountains, especially Chesi and Dongxian, have great conflicts and deep-seated grudges. Even though Lord Boyuan and I are willing to promote reconciliation, deep-seated hatred cannot be put aside so easily." This is the surface reason; there are many deeper conflicts.

For example--

Despite Wang Ba's words that he would leave Dongxian to his son as a legacy, allowing him to decide its fate, Wang Qi remained indifferent. Wang Qi knew he could decide the fate of the land, but not the fate of the people there. The elders around Wang Ba each had their own stance; they would respect Wang Ba and Wang Qi, but not Zhang Yang. He Ning's killing of many of Wang Ba's sons had indeed intimidated many elders, but the voices of the common people were difficult to suppress.

Zhang Yang will have to rely on his own abilities to take Dongxian.

It has to be something real and substantial, not force.

Wang Ba acted as a hands-off manager, coldly watching this farce unfold.

Zhang Yang, however, thought Wang Ba was genuinely trying to help him, displaying the same friendliness as some other observed individuals: "I know there are conflicts, but conflicts won't resolve themselves if left unattended. Someone has to take the lead, act as a go-between. Only through more equal communication and mutual understanding can we realize that the other isn't the ruthless villain we imagine, and stop demonizing each other. Dongxian should start its reconstruction from Dongxian's side, and Chesi should start from Songhan Pass. Moving towards each other is the first step towards reconciliation. How will we know the knot can't be untied if we don't take that first step?"

The first step is the hardest.

It's like a child who doesn't do their homework and puts it off until the deadline. But once they pick up a pen and make up their mind, they can create a miracle overnight!

Wang Ba felt that Zhang Yang's words were somewhat naive.

He then subtly probed further: "Although Dongxian has been recuperating for many years, the people who were initially relocated to Chesi were all young and strong, but Guan Zong, that scoundrel, slaughtered them all, severely damaging their vitality. In recent years, the population has recovered considerably, but to complete the project on schedule, the number of laborers conscripted will inevitably be so large that it will affect normal local farming. How many families rely on the meager harvest from those fields to support their entire lives..."

If too many people are conscripted, it will delay farming and people will starve to death.

There are too few people to recruit, and it's unknown how long it will take to repair a single road.

The current world situation is unpredictable, and Dongxian and the mountains may not remain in Zhang Yang's hands forever. If she cannot complete the project within the deadline, the loss of any part will render all her investment futile.

"Tianyue will pay laborers on a daily basis, and the daily wage is much higher than farming. If equal pay is calculated, even child laborers can earn enough for several days' worth of food." This system has already been established in Tianyue, and the money Zhang Yang collected in the mountains can fully support this road construction project. "Hongtu, why don't you choose someone who is relatively unfriendly to the mountains to help me estimate how many laborers I need and what the budget is? As long as they can give me a quote, I can afford it."

Wang Ba asked curiously, "Why be unfriendly?"

"Endorsements from haters are more convincing than endorsements from fans."

Over the course of sixteen years, Zhang Yang has robbed countless players, earning her a large number of "haters." However, even they cannot honestly say that Zhang Yang's character creation is not good-looking; some even privately messaged her to ask for data.

Hey sis, could you share your character creation data?

[For personal use only, not acceptable.]

【(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻Die, you human-headed dog!】

This indirectly proves that her face-sculpting skills are on par with Nuwa!

Wang Ba: "..."

He could only barely understand the meaning from the context. He knew what fans were, they were alright, and he guessed that haters were probably just distorted fans, but he didn't understand why haters would be more persuasive than fans. Was this some kind of slang?

Does that mean if even haters taste good, then fans must taste even better?

After a long pause, he nodded seriously.

"What Lord Boyuan said is very true."

Zhang Yang's method does indeed have some merit.

Wang Ba's fondness for He Ning wasn't without reason. Although He Ning was currently being beaten by Wang Qi, all the necessary arrangements had been made. As soon as Zhang Yang arrived, the kitchen brought out fresh, hot food, and the banquet began on time. She habitually went straight to the head seat, causing Wang Ba to pause for a moment, then smile and walk to the first guest seat. This scene directly provoked many people to draw their swords.

Ge Zhou stepped forward to block Zhang Yang, looking wary.

The most sensitive nerves of both families were touched.

Ge Zhou shouted, "Are you all planning a rebellion?"

Wang Ba calmly asked, "What are you doing?"

No one paid attention to Ge Zhou's words, but Wang Ba's words stunned them. They looked at Wang Ba in disbelief, then at Zhang Yang, who was already seated and casting a puzzled glance at them. Wang Ba's lips moved slightly: "...My lord, it's clear that Zhang Boyuan is being inconsiderate. She is indeed a guest, but how can she act like she's the host and be so disrespectful? Is this seat...is this seat for her? If it's just a misunderstanding, please correct it as soon as possible, and everyone should return to their places. If it's intentional provocation...we will absolutely not allow our lord to be disgraced!"

At worst, we'll resort to violence.

It's uncertain who will suffer if a fight breaks out on their own doorstep.

"This is my seat. Why shouldn't I sit here?" Zhang Yang said expressionlessly, looking at the drawn sword in the other man's hand. "You should also put your sword away. If this causes unnecessary misunderstandings and bloodshed, you will be a sinner, the greatest sinner of Dongxian!"

"How could this be your spot?"

He frantically questioned his lord, Wang Ba, with his eyes.

Wang Ba avoided eye contact and coughed lightly.

"Hey, don't look at me, and don't ask me anything."

The subordinate was dumbfounded: "If we don't ask our lord, then who should we ask?"

"Ask me!"

Wang Qi's voice came from outside the door.

In an instant, a man in armor tumbled in, his face bruised and swollen, blood gushing from his body. He didn't even have the strength to get up. Someone with sharp eyes recognized him and rushed forward to help him. He Ning struggled to his feet.

Wang Qi's figure blocked out a large amount of light source as soon as he appeared.

The subordinate who drew his sword and questioned Zhang Yang instinctively retreated under his imposing presence. Seeing Wang Qi's gloomy face, he hurriedly bowed and greeted him.

"This humble general greets the young lord."

Wang Qi didn't even glance at him and walked straight past.

He turned his head, his arrogant gaze sweeping over the Dongxian generals present: "Are you all preparing a trap for me?"

"Young Master, how could this be a trap?"

Wang Qi's accusation sent chills down their spines; they felt both wronged and terrified. Knowing Wang Qi's temper, he was likely to unleash his fury, laughing wildly as he chopped them all into minced meat.

"If this isn't a trap, why are you drawing your swords?"

The problem has come full circle.

The first subordinate to step forward pointed at Zhang Yang and complained, "Young Master, this person started the trouble first. Is this the seat she should be sitting in?"

It was unusual for Wang Qi not to lash out or take action.

"If she shouldn't sit there, then who should?"

"He is the lord, or at least the young lord."

Wang Qi said calmly, "She is my lord. Also, put your finger away. I'll only remind you this once because you've been by the old man's side for many years. If you don't understand etiquette, I'll have to chop your finger off as an apology."

The subordinate was so frightened that he quickly withdrew his finger, as if the pain of having his finger cut off lingered on it...

"But, my lord..."

Wang Qi kicked Wang Ba: "Get out of the way!"

Wang Ba: "..."

His wife really gave him a living father.

No, he's never been this filial to his own father.

Wang Qi sat down, drew a dagger from his waist, and stabbed it into the table. He leaned forward, his back muscles fully stretched, like a beast poised to pounce: "The old man's useless. Don't listen to him, just listen to me. Still have objections?"

The generals who followed Wang Ba into the mountains to fight all bowed their heads.

Those who remained in Dongxian looked at each other in bewilderment.

The atmosphere was heavy and tense. Wang Ba's generals could vaguely feel a chilling, thread-like killing intent swirling around their necks. Their intuition, honed by years of battlefield experience, told them that if they answered incorrectly, the young lord would truly kill them in public.

"No, I wouldn't dare to have any objections."

The general, sweating profusely, lowered his head, inwardly cursing that this was indeed a trap, but not for Zhang Boyuan; it was clearly set up for them. Despite his immense resentment, he had no choice but to submit, or he wouldn't even be able to leave the house.

Wang Qi snorted coldly and said to He Ning, "Pour the wine."

He Ning gasped in pain, limped forward with the wine in hand, bent down to pour wine for Zhang Yang first, and then for Wang Qi.

Wang Qi stared intently at him as he drank the wine.

"Ha, at least you know what's good for you."

He Ning lowered his head meekly, unaware of what he had done to offend Wang Qi—killing all of Wang Qi's brothers who wanted to be killed wouldn't have been enough; Wang Qi would have been angry for a while, but wouldn't have killed him outright. This time, the attack was too severe; there must be other hidden reasons.

Wang Qi: "Go sit down and stop embarrassing yourself."

He Ning bowed and took his seat in the position of Wang Qi's subordinate.

Facing the concerned gaze from his adoptive father, Wang Ba, he simply lowered his head, displaying a completely submissive attitude. To outsiders, it certainly seemed like Wang Qi was being unreasonable and cruel. Even Zhang Yang couldn't help but cast a probing glance at him. Wang Qi said, "He won't die."

How could a few stabs have killed He Ning?

If it were that easy to die, He Ning would have died at his hands long ago.

"Tell me, are you in mortal danger right now?"

"My sworn brother has treated me very well. What happened just now was merely a friendly exchange between brothers. How could my life be in danger?" He Ning's smile was gentle and mild, but with the bruises on his face, he looked particularly weak, pitiful, and helpless. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Boyuan."

Wang Qi: "She doesn't care about you."

Zhang Yang's men had been on the march for days and hadn't had much to eat along the way. Seeing the carefully prepared meal, they all had a hearty appetite. In contrast, those in Dongxian couldn't eat; some hadn't even touched their chopsticks, glancing frequently at Wang Ba and his son.

Finally, the banquet ended.

As the moon rose high in the sky, one by one, they came to find Wang Ba in tacit agreement.

Why not look for Wang Qi?

Wang Qi, that savage, is completely unreasonable!

To their utter surprise, the very person they least wanted to encounter was right there. Seeing them appear, his smile gradually turned sinister, his murderous intent growing stronger: "So, you all think I'm just talking nonsense? You listen to the old man, but not me?"

"Young Master."

He tried to remind Wang Qi that there was a difference between a young lord and a lord.

Wang Qi completely ignored the reminder, continuing to toy with the dagger in his hand: "All the counties in the mountains are in my lord's hands. How will you, Dongxian, deal with this? Wait for them to come and settle your old scores?"

Everyone: "..."

Did Shaojun use "you and me" incorrectly?

"The counties in the mountains really are..." The young people didn't know much about the counties in the mountains, but the older ones did. Upon hearing Wang Qi's words, their first reaction was to ask Wang Ba for confirmation. They knew that Zhang Yang was stirring up trouble in the mountains, but no one dared to believe it until they had reliable information, for fear of false rumors.

Wang Ba nodded: "That's true."

"Even so, we shouldn't be so afraid. If it were for Dongxian, this humble general would be willing to be the first to die on the battlefield." For so many years, Dongxian has been an independent force, never being suppressed by anyone. Now, to submit to an unknown, grassroots youth, they naturally resent it. They are not afraid of death; Zhang Yang can settle scores if he wants. They dared to do it back then, and they dare to admit it now!

"This humble general is the second one!"

"...The third one!"

After that, no one responded.

The fine strands wrapped around her neck tightened.

For a moment, everyone had the illusion that their heads had been severed alive, and they broke out in a cold sweat. Wang Ba shook his head and clicked his tongue—these men knew Wang Qi's personality best, so why didn't he value his life? However, he also understood his subordinate's thoughts.

Wang Ba sighed and said, "You all should know about my 'Descending Stars' curse. The world is in chaos right now, and I don't know how long these organs will last that Chengcheng. I have no other children now, and this body will not give birth to any new bloodline. Dongxian's wealth will eventually go to him, and I'm just taking charge now. If you can persuade him to change his mind, I will naturally agree to everything."

"My lord..."

If even the ruler won't stand up for you, then there's really nothing to talk about.

Older gingers are more spicy.

Wang Qi would threaten, while Wang Ba would appease and soothe: "Everyone knows that Gongsun has a bad temper; he's not one to settle down and maintain the status quo. You've followed me for many years and are not young anymore. You and Dongxian need someone to rely on. If something were to happen to me, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to take care of your peaceful old age. Now that an opportunity is presented to us, we might as well go with the flow."

"But... but it can't be Zhang Boyuan. After all, he's a stranger. If Dongxian falls into her hands, who knows if she'll drain our resources, use us completely, and then kick us aside? What if she takes everything from us?"

Wang Ba coughed lightly: "Actually, I have an idea."

The group exchanged bewildered glances: "Please speak, my lord."

"How do you think my son's complexion is?"

? ?|??w?`)

The typhoon news is making me so worried. I feel like I need to stockpile chapters in advance so I don't have to stop updating.