From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 470: Chapter 471: Partners in Crime

At this point, Mr. Lang was in no mood to think about how to rescue Lord Shan and the others. Today, the facade they had put on was torn to shreds. With no bargaining chips in hand, how could they possibly negotiate?

What he worried about now was whether the ship his opponent claimed to have actually existed.

"Mr. Gu, our nations are neighbors. If war were to truly break out, both sides would only end up getting hurt." Mr. Lang’s tone softened as he tried to persuade Gu Wenheng.

Gu Wenheng replied, "This is not a matter I can decide. After all, military campaigns and battles are not for a civil servant like me to command.

I imagine you’ve caused General Zhou a great deal of trouble over the years. You should first think about how you’re going to persuade him."

Gu Wenheng picked up his teacup. Seeing his guest remain stock-still, he was almost amused to the point of annoyance.

’If you’re going to imitate our customs, you should at least learn them properly. To not even understand that being served tea is a signal to leave...’

"Mr. Lang," Jiang Shiniu said, showing them out, "our Lord Prefect has official business to attend to shortly. We won’t keep you. This way, please."

At this point, Mr. Lang was in no mood to dwell on being unceremoniously dismissed—a first for him. Preoccupied with his worries, he followed the directive and departed with his men.

Once only their own people remained, Xiao Yuling and the others curiously gathered around Gu Wenheng. "Mr. Gu, what was written on those papers you had earlier?"

They had been too far away to see clearly.

Gu Wenheng motioned for Jiang Shiniu to place the stack of papers he was holding onto the table. These officials shed all pretense of dignity, surging forward as six grown men crowded around the single table.

Aside from a map and a drawing of a ship, which they understood, they couldn’t make sense of anything else.

"What are these?" He Gaofei casually picked up a smudged sheet of paper. It looked like it had been accidentally spattered with ink, with a couple of extra strokes added on a whim.

Gu Wenheng glanced over. "Those are just filler. I simply felt that two sheets of paper looked a bit thin, so I grabbed a handful of scrap paper to make it look more impressive."

Everyone was speechless. ’...Then why were you flipping through them so carefully before?’

When Zhou Shixiong heard a subordinate general announce the visitors, he immediately waved him away, refusing to see them. He and Brother Gu had already agreed: if they wanted to secure a longer period of peace, they had to play hardball.

This made Mr. Lang even more unsettled. In the past, whenever their envoys came, the other side would receive them politely, no matter how displeased they were.

It now seemed his opponents held a trump card. This was a truly bad situation; he had to get this news back home immediately.

Mr. Lang dared not delay. He and Ling San hurried back to their inn.

That’s right—this time, the Lord Prefect hadn’t even arranged for them to stay at the official post station.

Yesterday, they had wandered around the city for half the day. They thought finding lodging would be easy, but to their surprise, not a single inn was willing to take them in.

Finally, as night fell, someone from the government office came and had a few words, which was the only reason they were able to check in.

The Shopkeeper of the inn felt helpless. Business was already slow, and as soon as these men checked in, the few other guests he had settled their bills and left.

Today, he had waited specifically at the entrance. Seeing them approach, he finally mustered the courage to walk up to Mr. Lang. "Sir, would you be able to settle the bill for yesterday’s and today’s lodging?"

"What? Is this how you treat guests in Lu City?" Ling San said, reaching for his sword, but Mr. Lang stopped him.

"Wait. I’ll have someone come settle the bill. For now, just bring us some tea."

Having gotten his assurance, the Shopkeeper couldn’t wait to disappear from the sight of these vicious-looking bandits. He gave a noncommittal reply and scurried away.

"Sir, are we just going to swallow this insult?" Ling San asked, his face taut.

"And what if we don’t? He just showed us a map of our island, and that ship design. These are things we couldn’t even have imagined."

"If the Rong Dynasty truly expands into the sea, our homeland will surely be the first to bear the brunt. They’ll use it as a training ground for their soldiers."

"We must get this news back quickly so His Majesty the Emperor can prepare in advance."

Ling San asked, "So we’re not rescuing Lord Shan and the others?"

"Rescue them? What do we have to rescue them with now?"

"Those idiots. We already agreed they would just raid a few nearby villages for supplies. But no, they had to go and pull off a big job and get their Magistrate killed."

"The previous Prefect Liang, at least he wouldn’t speak so harshly to us. Now look at the piece of work they’ve sent to replace him!"

At this moment, Mr. Lang seemed to have forgotten that when Mountain Leader and his men returned with a great deal of wealth, he had taken a hefty share and even praised their actions relentlessly.

Ling San started, "The Prince..."

"It’s useless even if you bring up His Majesty the Emperor now. If we let them find their way to our island, we will be condemned for all eternity."

"You have to listen to me on this. Tomorrow, take some men and hurry back to the island. It’s best if we strike them hard before they can make a move, to make them not dare to think about us again."

Ling San asked, "Mr. Lang, is that really feasible?"

Mr. Lang turned and stared at him. "This is just my personal opinion. The final decision still rests with His Majesty the Emperor."

Ling San was speechless.

「The Magistrate’s Back Office」

Ling San’s departure did not escape the notice of Zhou Shixiong, who had already had them under surveillance.

"It seems Brother Gu was right again. Let’s just hope they don’t disappoint us this time either."

Gu Wenheng raised his wine cup. "Just wait and see, Brother Zhou. It might not be long before our tens of millions of mu of fertile land are no longer just a dream."

"Damn it," Zhou Shixiong cursed. "I never thought we could play it like this. I feel like I’ve wasted all these years."

"If Brother Gu had come to Lu City sooner, we might have become the most prosperous border city long ago."

Gu Wenheng said, "You praise me too much, Brother Zhou. We were simply deceived by them before. Who would have thought they were just a piddling little country?"

"I’m actually getting a little excited now. I wonder how many people they’ll send this time. I’ve already sent men to watch the spots where they usually land. I guarantee it’ll be a one-way trip for them."

Gu Wenheng added, "We can’t let our guard down in other areas either, Brother. If you feel your forces are stretched too thin, you can ask the nearby fishermen to help keep an eye out. Offer them a suitable reward, and I believe everyone will be eager to help."

Zhou Shixiong nodded repeatedly. "If it weren’t a waste of your talents to have you by my side, I’d want to drag you into my barracks to be my military strategist."

"As for those so-called envoys, if Brother Gu doesn’t want to see them, just ignore them. Once the man he sends out sets sail, I’ll send the rest of them over to start reclaiming wasteland."

Gu Wenheng naturally had no objection. Since friendship was clearly impossible, it was time to collect some interest on the grievances they had endured over the years.

"Just remember to have your men go easy on them. Give them more time to repent and atone for the evil they’ve done."

Zhou Shixiong replied, "Don’t worry! Now that everyone sees the benefits, they certainly won’t be as ruthless as they were before..."

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