Gentry Surrender Fields to Solidify People's Resolve, Dust-Chasing Arrives at City, Blood-Clad Banners Fly

But the stone weighing on Li Song's heart still had not fallen. His tone remained hesitant. "But... but is there really no gentler way to deal with Lord Wuwei?

"There's no need to start out by pushing things to the point of no return, is there?"

Wang Zhong abruptly stopped speaking and gave him a strange look tinged with self-mockery.

"It's useless. I sent three groups, one after another, to see Zhao Cheng and try to negotiate terms properly with Lord Wuwei.

"For the first group, I offered him thirty percent of the profits from the shops.

"For the second, I added that most fertile stretch of farmland on the outskirts.

"By the third, I had practically laid out half my family fortune, hoping he would relent."

At the words "half my family fortune," Li Song's eyes instantly lit up, and his voice grew urgent. "Then... then he must have softened somewhat, right?

"Even if he still wasn't satisfied, we could have added more bargaining chips. There was no need to fight to this extent!"

"You think it could really be that simple?"

Wang Zhong shook his head with a bitter smile, his voice full of helplessness. "If it could have been negotiated, why would I be here telling you all this?

"The three groups I sent never even got to see Zhao Cheng before they vanished without a trace.

"Neither the living nor the dead were seen. What outcome do you think they met?"

At those words, a chill ran down Li Song's neck, and his scalp went numb.

Even thinking with his toes, he knew those three groups had surely met with more ill fortune than good.

He unconsciously clenched his fists. The muscles in his cheeks twitched uncontrollably several times, and even his voice trembled. "We... we