Before noon arrived, the clamor north of Lihu could no longer be contained.
This was not merely because the chief leaders' resolutions had been posted, revealing many sensitive and serious matters. More importantly, the meeting had progressed beyond high-level decisions among the chief leaders and reached the stage where all the leaders participated.
Soon, as discussions deepened, on the unanimous recommendation of key figures including Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan, and Li Shu, the meeting expanded again. Many mid- and lower-ranking officers, along with core military and local personnel including Helmsmen and deputy Helmsmen, joined the discussions. The meeting also shifted into separate discussions on specific matters, each headed by a chief leader.
Indeed, even Li Shu quickly secured the assignment of using movable wealth to buy grain in the west before the autumn harvest, including establishing an inspection body to clear up litigation and criminal cases throughout all their territories... Compared with the Second Eastern Expedition, this was certainly a quiet posting, but no one could deny that it remained an important assignment, one that could build his reputation and yield conspicuous merit.
Chai Xiaohe, too, besides the preliminary transport of supplies, received the important responsibility of gathering craftsmen to continue refurbishing and maintaining their weapons and equipment.
By comparison, although Zhang Xing had no direct personal assignment, he now had some immediate problems to face.
"Trouble broke out inside the Huaiyou Alliance?" Sitting in a corner beneath the canopy, Zhang Xing asked in surprise. "What exactly happened?"
Standing before him were none other than Ma Ping'er and Wang Xiongdan. Ever since arriving, the two had seemed somewhat dejected. Around them, a large group of close associates and trusted leaders, Helmsmen, Protectors, and stewards stood or sat.
"It wasn't really anything." Under everyone's gaze, Wang Xiongdan hurriedly rallied his spirits