A Great Harvest (Don't Just Bookmark!)

"Commander Jiang, I know you have some misunderstandings about me, but I hope you can understand that we are now one. Internal strife will only give outsiders an opportunity."

After the small group of the Wind Camp finished their conversation, Gou Buren and the other two left the inner hall. As he reached the doorway, he stopped Jiang Che and spoke these words.

"Commander Gou has let go of the grudge over your brother?"

Jiang Che asked back with a playful smile.

"My brother's misfortune was his own doing. I advised him long ago not to be too ruthless. As expected, he later fell into your hands. If I said I didn't hate you, you wouldn't believe me.

But if I say the hatred isn't that strong, it's not to the point where I'd prioritize it over establishing a firm foothold first. After that, you and I can have a fair match to settle the score, how about it?"

Gou Buren gazed forward and spoke in a deep voice, his expression uncharacteristic.

Jiang Che narrowed his eyes slightly, then nodded:

"That would be best."

"Before I go, let me give you one more piece of advice. Sometimes being too prominent isn't a good thing. The waters in Yanggu County are deep, and you can't handle them." Gou Buren smiled at Jiang Che and turned to leave.

At the entrance of the Zhu Manor, Jiang Che and Liu Zhi watched the other man leave.

"What do you think of Gou Buren's words, sir?"

Jiang Che glanced at Liu Zhi.

Liu Zhi pondered for a moment, then turned to look at the Zhu Manor without saying more. He pulled Jiang Che along for a distance before speaking:

"What he said is actually what I wanted to warn you about. As the saying goes, the wind will destroy the tree that stands out in the forest. Your martial arts talent is extraordinary, and you are valued by Captain Zhu.

But have you ever thought about what you will do if Captain Zhu no longer values you? Your current arrogance is a blade deliberately forged by Captain Zhu, who has just taken office.

A blade can harm others and oneself. Once Captain Zhu no longer needs you, or if he uses you to exchange for greater benefits, do you know what he will do?"

"He will break me himself."

Jiang Che said in a deep voice.

"It's good that you understand. You should also prepare early. I initially thought Captain Zhu intended to take you as a son-in-law, but now his attitude seems a bit different." Liu Zhi was also a shrewd individual, able to perceive details from subtle cues.

Jiang Che knew the reason: he had rejected Zhu Qingqing.

"As for Gou Buren, you need to be extra careful from now on." Liu Zhi changed the subject.

"Hmm?"

"I used to think Gou Buren was nothing special, just that he could get by in the Wind Camp by relying on his seniority. But it's different now. A person who can let go of the hatred for his brother's murder has greater ambitions."

"Your subordinate understands."

From beginning to end, Jiang Che had not let down his guard.

The more the other party appeared indifferent, the more vigilant he became.

"How do you plan to deal with the goods seized by the Cao Gang?" As they chatted, the conversation quickly turned to Jiang Che's disruption of the Cao Gang's docks.

"Sell them in batches and convert them into silver. You will get a share then." Even if Liu Zhi didn't say it, he would have included him. After all, relationships bound by mutual benefit were always stronger.

"It's not convenient for me to accept this."

Liu Zhi weighed the matter and shook his head. The reason he was willing to follow Zhu Sheng to a subordinate county was that he was already thinking of retirement and didn't want any more complications.

For this reason, he had handed over power to Jiang Che.

Currently, although Jiang Che was nominally the deputy commander, the authority he wielded was no different from that of the actual West City Commander.

Jiang Che smiled, disagreeing with Liu Zhi's statement:

"If you don't accept it, sir, how can your subordinate accept it? If your subordinate doesn't accept it, how can he present it to Captain Zhu? If he doesn't present it to Captain Zhu... how can you and I continue to get promoted?"

"You have quite a set of twisted logic, kid."

Liu Zhi was amused by Jiang Che's words, and then he agreed to accept a share of the silver.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed. The news of Jiang Che's conflict with the Cao Gang continued to spread, but to everyone's surprise, the Cao Gang chose to tolerate it.

Rumors began to spread.

"Sir, this is the income from the last batch of goods."

At the West City Martial Camp, Xu San'er placed a box of silver neatly on the table.

This was the third batch. By now, the entire ship's worth of goods from the Cao Gang had been sold off at a low price, yielding hundreds of taels of silver. If they hadn't been in a hurry to sell, they could have fetched another twenty percent.

Jiang Che nodded, very satisfied with Xu San'er's ability to handle matters.

He was also very satisfied with the ship's cargo from the Cao Gang.

Besides some grain, the cargo also contained a large quantity of medicinal herbs, fabrics, and spices. It was a windfall that allowed Jiang Che to feast like a king.

Of course, such a thing could only happen once. If he continued this way, he wouldn't be far from being targeted, as the Cao Gang was itself a massive combination of interests.

This silver was to be distributed among many people.

How could these people, whose interests were harmed, remain silent forever?

"Distribute this money in a few days. Don't let the brothers feel disheartened." Jiang Che took out half of the silver and pushed the other half of the box to Xu San'er.

He had already preliminarily divided it: Zhu Sheng would get thirty percent, he himself would get forty percent, Liu Zhi would get ten percent, and the remaining twenty percent would be distributed to Geng Dabiao, Xu San'er, and the soldiers under his command.

"Many thanks, my lord."

Xu San'er bowed slightly.

"Also, acquiring the necessary supplies should be put on the agenda. You handle it."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

"My lord, someone outside has a letter for you."

As soon as the two finished speaking, Geng Dabiao followed closely and entered the inner hall.

Jiang Che spread out the paper, which contained only a line of small text.

"The item you requested is ready. Come to the inn to pick it up."

There was no need to guess; Jiang Che knew whose work this was.

"Here is the item you requested."

In the inn's private room, Kou Yuansheng opened the wooden box, revealing its contents.

It was about an inch long, with a deep red color and faint green spots. It had a peculiar fragrance when sniffed.

It was indeed the Corpse Blood Mushroom described in the book!

Jiang Che glanced at it, took the box, and closed it, nodding.

"The Cao Gang's methods are indeed extraordinary."

He had definitely made the right choice.

"Don't forget what you promised me earlier," Kou Yuansheng stared at Jiang Che, his attitude unchanged, giving no hint of surprise.

"Don't worry, Guild Leader Kou. I, Jiang, have always kept my word. However, didn't I also mention something else earlier?" Jiang Che said with a slight smile. With ten more strands of Yin energy, he would be able to cultivate the Three Absolute Shocking Fiends.

"To find the Yin Sha Land that Captain Zhu wants, this guild leader has paid quite a price."

"Whatever Guild Leader Kou pays today, he will surely receive much more in return."

"The Yin Sha Land is in Black Mountain Valley, about ten li outside the city. Tomorrow at noon, I will have someone wait for you here to take you there for confirmation. But this is the only time. If I still don't see Captain Zhu, don't blame me for turning hostile."

Kou Yuansheng snorted, then turned and left with a flick of his sleeve, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"Naturally."

Looking at the doorway where Kou Yuansheng had disappeared, Jiang Che leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed.

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