Relatively quiet courtyard, a simple room within, Tang Minjie sat on a chair, looking at the crumpled letter in his hand. The man across the table, dressed in rags like a beggar, was a member of the Chinese army who contacted Tang Minjie after Lu Mingfang left.

The letter was written in code, which took some time to decipher. Tang Minjie read it once, frowned slightly, and then slowly tore it up.

"The battle in Jiangnan has already begun. Jin Wushu is attacking Yangzhou fiercely... The most unexpected thing now is the siege equipment he is using. Hollow stone bullets, in groups of ten, are thrown onto the city walls by catapults, pressing down on the top of the wall, and their power is not small. Jin's side had previously been processing stone bullets on a large scale. We thought they would be used as landmines or for other purposes, and we also felt that their control of delayed detonation was not enough. We didn't expect them to have roughly solved the problem. This is our negligence."

The person opposite nodded: "Fortunately, catapults are not easy to assemble and are only suitable for siege."

Tang Minjie shook his head: "If Zongbi had used this on the attack of Xuzhou, many of us would have been injured by surprise. Of course, he rested north of Xuzhou for a whole winter and made hundreds or thousands of catapults, enough for use, so General Liu's side was not chosen as the primary target of attack..."

His eyes moved as he thought: "Well, one is the delayed fuse, and the other is the time control of the catapult throwing must be very accurate. The catapults would not have been hastily assembled. In addition, if one catapult throws ten at a time, it is hard to say whether one or two will actually explode on the city wall. The Battle of Tianchang alone probably used five thousand rounds. Whether it is Zongbi on the east route or Zonghan on the west route, they cannot fight like this forever. We must now investigate and estimate how many of these stone bullets Xi Yin has secretly made in recent years. Let the people in the south have a rough idea."

"Well, I will find a way to get the numbers from the Da Zao Yuan (Great Manufacturing Yard). As for the total amount of these stone bullets made by the Jin Kingdom over the years, it may not be easy to find out... I estimate that even Wanyan Xi Yin himself may not have the exact number."

"A rough number is enough. Also, this matter is very strange. That person beside Xi Yin has not revealed any information before. Xi Yin has hidden this very deeply this time. The combination of the shells must have been done elsewhere... Either that person has defected, or..."

"Is it unlikely that that lady has defected?"

"I also think it's unlikely." Tang Minjie nodded, his eyes rolling. "Then that means she was also completely kept in the dark by Xi Yin, which is very interesting. With careful planning against carelessness, this lady should not miss such important news... Did Xi Yin know it long ago? To what extent does he understand? Are we still safe here?"

Tang Minjie said here, looked at the companion opposite, and the companion also froze for a moment: "The contact with that lady is not too close. If... I mean if she is exposed, we should not be dragged out..."

As he said this, he was not sure. Tang Minjie showed a thoughtful smile on his face: "Forget it, keep an eye on it in the future. In any case, the possibility of that lady defecting is unlikely. After receiving the battle report from Yangzhou, she must be more anxious than us... In recent years, Wu Chao has been promoting that Huang Tiandang defeated Wushu. This time Wushu is holding a fire and attacking Yangzhou madly. I don't think Han Shizhong can resist it. Lu Lao Da is not here. In these few days, we have to find a way to meet that lady and probe her intentions..."

The opposite nodded. Tang Minjie said: "In addition, this matter must be reviewed. Such a simple thing, if it had fallen on Xuzhou instead of Yangzhou, we would all be responsible."

"Yes."

"That... is there anything else?"

"The brothers sent by Wanyan Chang from the south, I heard that they will arrive in these two days..."

"I know about this. You go and implement the shell thing."

Tang Minjie nodded, without saying anything more, and the opposite also nodded, and said no more.

This contact ended here. Tang Minjie went out of the room. The sun was scorching in the courtyard. In the afternoon of the fourth day of July, the information from the south came in the form of an urgent matter. Although the requirements for the north only focused on the "Heavenly Maid Scattering Flowers" incident, the situation of the entire south being caught in the flames of war could still be clearly portrayed in Tang Minjie's mind.

The mistake in the work made his thoughts a little angry. He slightly reflected in his mind that he had been constantly planning how to sabotage in Yunzhong in the previous year, and that he had not paid enough attention to things under his nose. This incident should be taken as a warning in the future.

He stood in the courtyard for a while, and after his companion left, he also went out and headed towards the chaotic crowd in the market at the other end of the road.

The area in front of him was the mixed-race slum in Yunzhong Prefecture. Crossing the market and then crossing a street was the Qingying Fang, where people from all walks of life gathered. At the end of the afternoon, Lu Mingfang drove a large cart past the street and glanced towards Qingying Fang.

He didn't go in.

In the teahouse at the entrance of Qingying Fang, Man Dudaru, one of the chief constables of Yunzhong Prefecture, slightly lowered the brim of his hat and drank tea casually. His deputy came over from the opposite side and sat down at the table.

"There are some problems, the wind is not right." the deputy said, "This morning, someone saw 'Eat Shit Dog' Long Jiuyuan, and on the south side of the city, Ye Gai, someone borrowed the road."

Man Dudaru held the teacup and muttered to himself: "What major events have happened in the city recently?"

"The Black Flag Army is going to be escorted into the city?"

"The Black Flag Army is not allowed to enter the city. I have already greeted the Qi family. It must be dealt with outside. If something really happens, it should also be outside the city. The wind in the city is either someone wants to fish in troubled waters, or deliberately put the bait..."

"Maybe both?"

"What about the Qi family?"

"They are still holding banquets these two days, it seems they want to tie a group of young masters together."

"But the city guard army has no action." Man Dudaru smiled and said: "Strange."

The afternoon sun was still dazzling. While Man Dudaru felt the strange atmosphere on the street, in Qingying Fang, some people met. Among these people, there were Xiao Shuqing and Zou Wenhu, who had previously discussed, Long Jiuyuan, the most unruly but notorious "Eat Shit Dog" in the underworld of Yunzhong, and several fugitives on the government's wanted list.

On one side of the crowd, there was also a pale-faced young master. This was a Jurchen nobleman. Under Zou Wenhu's introduction, this young master stood in the crowd and greeted a group of bandits who seemed unkind.

This was a descendant of a Jurchen Duke, named Wanyan Wenqin. His grandfather was a brave general who followed Aguda in the early years, but unfortunately he died young. Wanyan Wenqin was the only son in his line. After his father passed away, he relied on his grandfather's legacy. Although his life was better than ordinary people, he was not valued in front of a group of relatives and nobles in Yunzhong City.

If possible, Wanyan Wenqin was also very willing to follow the army south to conquer Wu Chao, but unfortunately he was weak since childhood. Although he felt that his spirit was as brave as his ancestors, his body could not support such a fearless soul. After the Southern Expeditionary Army marched, other young masters played in Yunzhong City all day long, but Wanyan Wenqin's life was extremely depressed.

Seeing this group of fugitives, who had deep hatred with the Jin court, he was not afraid, and even showed a flush of excitement on his cheeks. He cupped his hands and greeted everyone in a humble manner, calling out each other's names. Amidst the slight movement of everyone, he spoke out his idea of supporting everyone's actions this time.

"...The Qi family is arrogant and superficial. The old man of the Qi family, his son was killed by the Black Flag Army, so he asked Wanyan Chang for more than ten Black Flag Army prisoners. The prisoners will arrive tomorrow, but the place of detention is not in the city, but in the Qi family's villa in Xinzhuang, south of the city. That old man not only wants to kill these prisoners, but also wants to use these prisoners to lure out the Black Flag Army's spies in Yunzhong Prefecture. He really has a deep hatred with the Black Flag Army."

Wanyan Wenqin said, taking a deep breath: "Because of this incident, everyone is staring at the villa outside the city. As for the city, it's not that everyone doesn't care, but... cough cough, everyone doesn't care if something happens to the Qi family. If we want to move the Qi family, we won't do it outside the city, we will do it in the city, grab Qi Yan and his three sons, five grandsons, and four great-grandsons, and transport them out of the city... As long as we act with measure, the commotion will not be big."

He paused: "The Qi family has a lot of things, many treasures, some are in the city, and many are hidden by the old man of the Qi family in various places in the world... The Han people value bloodlines most. If you grab Qi Yan and his descendants, everyone should prepare them well, and the old man will naturally reveal everything he has. Everyone can ask what they can, and take it back according to their abilities. I can help you sell it... Of course, everyone is an old hand, and naturally has their own means. As for Yunzhong Prefecture, if you can take it away on the spot, take it away on the spot. If not, I will naturally have a way to deal with it. What do you think?"

"If something happens in the city, we may be difficult to run away." Long Jiuyuan said gloomily in front.

Wanyan Wenqin also laughed: "Heroes, don't lie to me. First, it's not the first time for you to enter and exit Yunzhong. You must have life-saving methods, otherwise you would have dared to come here to gather, and you should have died long ago..."

His words were unkind, and everyone showed fierce light, but Wanyan Wenqin was not afraid: "Secondly, I naturally understand that there will be risks in this matter. Other guarantees may be difficult to convince you. I, Wanyan Wenqin, have a rotten life. I will go with you. Tomorrow, I will go to the Qi mansion for a banquet first. After you are sure I have entered, take action and grab me as a hostage. If I deceive you, you can kill me at any time. And even if there are accidents, with me and a group of noble children as hostages, what are you afraid of? Can't you leave? Or, should I take you to kill your way out?"

Wanyan Wenqin said here, revealing a contemptuous and crazy smile. The Wanyan clan was once invincible in the world, and naturally had a domineering air. Although Wanyan Wenqin was weak since childhood, he had seen the sharpness of his ancestors in his eyes all the time. At this time, the fearless aura on his body startled everyone present, and they all respected him.

Indeed, for the matter in front of them, no matter how they guaranteed it, everyone would always find it difficult to trust each other. However, the other party's identity was such that he directly risked his life, and there was nothing else to say. With the insurance done to this point, what was left was naturally to seek wealth in danger. At the moment, even the most rebellious fugitives could not help but say a few flattering words to Wanyan Wenqin, looking at him with new eyes.

Then, they discussed the steps for the next day. Wanyan Wenqin revealed some information - although this matter seemed to be Xiao Shuqing contacting Zou Wenhu, Wanyan Wenqin had already mastered some intelligence, such as the Qi family's escorts and other situations, the joints that could be bought, Xiao Shuqing and others had already grasped the family situation of some of the stewards and escorts in the Qi mansion, and had even prepared to take action to seize some of the other party's family members. After a brief exchange, they had a good understanding of some of the rare treasures in the Qi mansion and where they were stored. And according to Wanyan Wenqin's statement, at the time of the incident, the Black Flag members had been押至Yunzhong, and there would be unrest outside the city, and the city guard army would put all their attention on that side, and would turn a blind eye to the small chaos in the Qi family in the city.

Saying this, everyone naturally understood that for the deal in front of them, Wanyan Wenqin had also colluded with some other people. It was no wonder that he opened his mouth at this time and wanted to swallow the Qi family's treasures in Yunzhong Prefecture in one gulp.

Everyone did not ask much about these inside stories. If it were just this group of desperadoes, they would not be able to瓜分the Qi family. There were still these Jurchen bigwigs above who wanted the Qi family to fall, and it would be great if they could沾some edges.

After a group of people finished discussing, they greeted each other and left with a smile. It was just that when they left, they more or less glanced at a wall on one side of the room, but they did not make too many expressions. After they had all left, Wanyan Wenqin waved his hand and let Zou Wenhu also go out. He walked over there and pushed open a secret door.

In the room, there were three Jurchen men sitting. Judging from their appearance, the oldest of them was probably not over forty. When Wanyan Wenqin entered, the three of them looked at him with admiring eyes: "I didn't expect that Wenqin looks weak, but his heart is so decisive."

"My ancestor was invincible in the world in those years. He made a fortune by risking his life. Wenqin has yearned for it since he was a child. It's a pity... cough cough, God doesn't give me the opportunity to kill enemies on the battlefield. This Southern Expedition will determine the world. Although Wenqin is not as big as you, he has dozens of mouths to feed, and there will only be more in the future. Wenqin's name is not worth mentioning, but he does not want this family to be scattered in his hands. The world is fierce, and the weak are prey to the strong. The Qi family is a good deal. Wenqin is risking his life. Do you brothers have any objections?"

He smiled sarcastically, his face fearless. The three looked at each other, and the oldest man took two cups of tea, one for the other party and one for himself. Then the four raised their cups: "Drink it."

Everyone drank the tea, and the matter was settled. Wanyan Wenqin smiled again: "Actually, I was thinking, you brothers are not the kind of people who will be satisfied with the Qi family's share, right?"

The three were slightly stunned: "Wenqin wouldn't want to attack those desperate guys, would he?"

"Killing each other is meaningless in the world. The pattern is small." Wanyan Wenqin shook his head. "You brothers are big figures in the court and the army, but there are also heroes in the草莽. As Wenqin said, after this Southern Expedition, the world will be settled, and the situation in Yunzhong Prefecture will slowly be settled. At that time, you are the白道, and they are the黑道. The黑白两道, many times, may not necessarily have to fight. It may not be a good thing for both parties to work together... You brothers, you might as well consider it..."

The three looked at each other, and Wanyan Wenqin clasped his hands together, with a seductive voice in his words: "In the past, these mixed-race characters would not come together, and even if they did, it would be difficult for them to work together, but this is a good opportunity. If this deal is done well, we will unify these people in the future. Even the underworld figures in Yunzhong Prefecture will be under our control. With the relationship of the three brothers, plus there is no obstacle in the underworld, what can't we do to make a fortune? I heard people say that the Wu Chao Greenwood has a so-called Martial Arts Alliance Leader. If there is an alliance leader, there must be an alliance... Hey, the thing in the world is afraid of alliances. Once an alliance is formed, it is a very different thing compared to a mob..."

"The thing in the world is afraid of alliances?" The oldest man looked at Wanyan Wenqin. "I didn't expect that Wenqin is so young, but he has such knowledge. This thing is interesting."

He looked at the other two: "About this alliance, how about we discuss it?"

The Jurchens' southward journey this time was under the banner of destroying Wu Chao, with great determination, everyone knew it. Once the world was settled, the things that rose because of military exploits would become less and less. Everyone understood in their hearts, and the Jurchens who remained in the north had a greater sense of worry. Wanyan Wenqin's instigation made everyone see a glimmer of hope, and they made some plans at the moment.

After saying goodbye to each other and leaving, Wanyan Wenqin's body swayed slightly, showing weakness, but the flush on his face was even more intense. Obviously, today's events made him in a state of great excitement.

Born in the Duke's family, Wanyan Wenqin had been ambitious since he was a child, but unfortunately, his weak body and the early death of his grandfather did affect his ambitions. He had been dissatisfied since he was a child and was full of resentment. This matter only suddenly had a turning point more than a year ago...