— Uncle Meng, have you ever seen warriors trained like this before? — Shang Chao Zong asked.
Meng Shan Ming shook his head: Never.
Shang Chao Zong: Perhaps we could select a few of our own men and send them here to train as well?
Shang Chao Zong and the others no longer dared to underestimate Yuan Gang's training methods.
Meng Shan Ming: I don't know what they're training for. This kind of training isn't for actual combat. These lads' movements are still very basic. It seems they're only practicing fundamental movements. I don't know how they'll train further. — he seemed to grasp an unseen thread.
From the other side, Shang Shu Qing suddenly spoke:
— Brother, Lord Dao has arrived.
The crowd turned their heads and saw Lord Dao with a few people.
— Prince, I apologize for not being able to greet you. Mister Meng, Mister Lan. — Niu You Dao, observing etiquette, greeted everyone.
As for Shang Shu Qing, she was here every day, so he no longer paid special attention to her.
After the greetings, Shang Chao Zong asked Yuan Gang:
— Brother Yuan, what are you training these young men to do?
Yuan Gang: Oh, nothing special.
Shang Chao Zong smiled: This is the first time I've seen such training. Perhaps I could send a few men for you to instruct?
Yuan Gang: Prince, I'm just messing around. These exercises aren't suitable for real combat. In actual battles, these training methods are far inferior to the Prince's own drills. Speaking of which, since Mister Meng is here, I'd still like to take this opportunity to ask him to give these youngsters a few pointers. — Yuan Gang looked hopefully at Meng Shan Ming. He had heard much about this legendary general.
Yuan Gang dared not underestimate this living legend and believed he could learn something from him. He didn't believe that the combat experience of this world would be weaker than the historical battles from his past life.
Meng Shan Ming nodded: If you don't disdain the capabilities of a cripple.
Yuan Gang clasped his hands and thanked them.
The crowd gathered around Meng Shan Ming's wheelchair, and he slowly began to tell them something.
— Prince, you've come personally. Do you have any instructions? — Niu You Dao asked.
Lan Ruo Ting replied:
— Lord Dao, you have already used the secret underground passage. Gongsun Tie Niu has already sent a group of apprentices to prepare weapons for the Prince. Lord Dao has ample space here and many mentors. Thus, we decided it would be much safer here. So, we would like to set up forges here. We wonder what Lord Dao thinks of this?
— I have no objection. — Niu You Dao replied and immediately asked:
— I wonder how the development of the Wuli and Yinyang Guards is progressing?
Ever since he established a direct line of communication with Hai Ru Yue, she had constantly inquired about this matter. And even when she didn't ask, her concern was still evident.
Shang Chao Zong: The matter is still in its initial stages. For now, we've only selected suitable candidates, but the issue of warhorses has now arisen. The Heavenly Jade Sect has already sent people to the Qi Kingdom to resolve this issue, as they primarily breed warhorses there. Only...— he shook his head.
Niu You Dao: Is there a shortage of funds?
Lan Ruo Ting: Funds are secondary. Warhorses are vital for any nation; they are a military resource everywhere. No country will calmly watch warhorses being transported to another. After all, this could pose a threat in the future. The most crucial issue is that the Qi Kingdom strictly controls the export of horses. This is what's causing problems. The Heavenly Jade Sect has already sent a request, but it seems they've encountered significant difficulties. They say it will be hard to reach an agreement on this matter. They haven't specified the exact situation.
— Ah! — Niu You Dao nodded. He understood them and said nothing. The Heavenly Jade Sect earns quite a lot of money here because of them, and they don't want to worry about them?
Shang Chao Zong and the others were occupied with a multitude of affairs. They needed to revitalize Qingshan, which required proper governance everywhere. Unlike Niu You Dao, who calmly cultivated here, each of them was constantly engaged in state affairs, so they couldn't linger here for long and quickly departed.
Niu You Dao immediately sent a message for the Heavenly Jade Sect to come here.
Peng Yu Cai immediately came in person. He arrived directly at Niu You Dao's location, without even stopping in the county town.
The reason for the Heavenly Jade Sect's swift appearance was that Niu You Dao had threatened a potential halt in production.
On the cliff, as soon as the two sides met, Peng Yu Cai immediately began to curse:
— You little brat, what do you mean by this? Do you really intend to go against us?
He was truly distressed. They were now making a huge amount of money, enjoying supernormal profits. But who would have thought Niu You Dao would decide to halt production? And the Heavenly Jade Sect had already taken deposits for their goods. It would be one thing if they had wronged one or two ordinary people. But the Heavenly Jade Sect's clients were not ordinary folks; they were all wealthy and influential people who could cause them no small amount of trouble.
Therefore, Peng Yu Cai personally brought the Heavenly Jade Sect's contingent with him. With Niu You Dao were also people from the three sects.
Fei Chang Liu and the others understood that Niu You Dao would now be speaking about their interests as well.
— Sect Leader Peng, no need to rush. Have some tea. You rarely visit us like this. — Niu You Dao invited him to sit.
— Enough idle talk! — Peng Yu Cai waved his hand: I just want to ask you, do you not want to do business anymore?
Niu You Dao glanced sideways at Bai Yao, who was standing nearby: Did Senior Bai Yao not convey my terms?
Peng Yu Cai: Don't talk nonsense. Are you saying that if you raise the price, everyone will change their prices just for you?
Niu You Dao: While that may be said, you're eating the meat, and you only want to give others the broth? They also work hard for the Prince's cause...
Peng Yu Cai looked at Fei Chang Liu and the others:
— What have they done for the Prince? Did they seize these territories? Did their disciples die for the Prince? They came here and took over territories; that's fine. The Heavenly Jade Sect shields them from all external fears. So what exactly have they done for the Prince? They did nothing, yet they took half of Qingshan. We even agreed to that. And now you still want to reach out for more? Where's the fairness in that?
Niu You Dao: They help guard the Prince's domain and assist the Heavenly Jade Sect in future endeavors? Is that nothing?
— Hehe! — Peng Yu Cai chuckled. He still sat down before Niu You Dao and patted his thigh.
— Alright! Everyone fights for their own interests and doesn't listen to others. Let's get to business. Currently, the Prince needs immense quantities of warhorses and draft animals. In the Qi Kingdom, which has rich grasslands, there are many warhorses and draft animals. Sect Leader Fei, if you can procure horses and livestock there, it means you've assisted us. Then we will concede some of the profits to you. Sect Leader Fei, Xia, Zheng, what do you say?
Niu You Dao was at a loss for words. He understood that Peng Yu Cai was trying to pin the blame on them.
Previously, Shang Chao Zong had told him that the Heavenly Jade Sect encountered problems acquiring warhorses. Now, Niu You Dao understood from Peng Yu Cai's tone that the problems there were indeed significant. Since the Heavenly Jade Sect was willing to concede profit if the other sects could solve these problems.
How could the three sects refuse to undertake the task? If they refused, it was unlikely they would achieve any profit.
Niu You Dao cursed inwardly. He hadn't expected to fall into such a trap this time.
He hadn't thought the Heavenly Jade Sect would set him up like this. Lately, he had been engrossed in cultivation, so he hadn't paid attention to other matters and was unaware of the specific situation.
— Sect Leader Peng, it seems the Heavenly Jade Sect has suffered losses in the Qi Kingdom, haven't they? — Niu You Dao asked with a strained smile, also warning the three sects.
Peng Yu Cai glared at him sideways. The Heavenly Jade Sect had indeed suffered losses there. They had spent a lot of money and purchased a batch of horses. But before they even left the Qi Kingdom, their path was blocked. As a result of the skirmish, the Heavenly Jade Sect lost over 100 disciples. For a sect, this could be considered immense damage.
Their people suffered losses and were unable to report back to the Heavenly Jade Sect, as the Qi Kingdom was very far away. And if the Heavenly Jade Sect were to go there, the local sects in the Qi Kingdom wouldn't idly stand by.
Precisely at this time, the Heavenly Jade Sect had raised the prices of their liquor. And after deliberation, the Heavenly Jade Sect decided to offload the task onto the three sects.
Even the Heavenly Jade Sect couldn't complete this task, so others certainly wouldn't. Therefore, they readily agreed to such a compromise.
— This is none of your business. Sects are speaking here. You stand aside. We will resolve everything ourselves. If they agree, we will share the profits with them. If not, why should we share anything with them? — Peng Yu Cai said.
— Hehe! — Niu You Dao coldly chuckled.
Peng Yu Cai, without looking at him, took a sip of tea.
Fei, Xia, Zheng, the three sect leaders, frowned. Although they hadn't personally transported livestock from the Qi Kingdom, they had heard it was a very difficult process. Now, the Heavenly Jade Sect was ordering them, and they couldn't refuse.
The three men stepped aside and began to consult with each other.
Later, they returned, and Fei Chang Liu said:
— The Prince needs horses, and of course, we will do our utmost to procure them for him. But who will pay for the horses?
Peng Yu Cai pointed at Niu You Dao:
— He paid for the restoration of the county on behalf of the Prince. We, the Heavenly Jade Sect, will also not stand idly by and will pay for the warhorses. All that is required of you is to bring them here.
These were not empty words. The Heavenly Jade Sect was currently reaping supernormal profits from their liquor, so they had no issues with money. Moreover, if they acquired the Southern Domain, their harvest would increase. And if the harvest increased, their supernormal profits would also increase.
No matter how you looked at it, the Heavenly Jade Sect would come out ahead. In this regard, their interests aligned, and for this, they were willing to compromise with the three sects.
Fei Chang Liu and the others exchanged glances and eventually nodded.
— Very well, it's decided.
Once everyone had agreed, the discussion concluded.
Peng Yu Cai had come in person but didn't wish to stay long. So, he immediately returned to his sect, bringing a batch of liquor with him.
Watching the people from the Heavenly Jade Sect depart, Niu You Dao sighed:
— Even the Heavenly Jade Sect couldn't complete this task. What makes you think you can? You've landed yourselves in trouble.
Xia Hua smiled bitterly:
— We know we've found trouble. But how could we refuse?
Zheng Jiu Xiao sighed and said:
— We will try our best. But that doesn't mean we will succeed in everything.
Niu You Dao turned to them and asked:
— Have you ever purchased warhorses before?
The three men shook their heads.
Fei Chang Liu: We've heard vaguely about it, but haven't done it ourselves.
Niu You Dao thought for a moment, then said:
— First, the issue with the horses needs to be addressed. The Prince will need them sooner or later. You three should first go to the Qi Kingdom and ascertain the exact situation. If you can't complete the task, then we'll figure something out later.