"Alright," Ye Feng casually tossed out some silver, "Old sir, is this enough?"
"Is it enough, old sir!"
Seeing the strategist remained unmoved, Ye Feng unhesitatingly threw down more silver and casually asked.
The sight of the silver made Liu Dai anxious. Why could he only call to him, but not find him!
Yet, even with more silver thrown, the old sir's expression did not change. He spoke slowly, "If Prince Chu believes this little silver can make me agree, you must think too little of me!"
"Then, according to you, how much more silver should this king add!" Ye Feng smiled slightly. "Or, what does old sir need? As long as this king can afford it, I can give it all to you!"
"Hmph, some things Prince Chu cannot afford, and even if I asked, you still wouldn't get them!" The old sir's gaze was sharp. "Please leave, Prince Chu, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Alright, alright!" What cannot be obtained is always stirring. Ye Feng was truly filled with interest in this strategist. He sneered, "Old sir, don't be in a hurry to refuse. In this king's opinion, be it silver, beauty, or family, there's always something that can move you. Otherwise, wouldn't this king's efforts be in vain!"
"Your Highness is indeed about to fail. Wealth, status, I care not for them!" The old sir spoke with a stern face. "If Your Highness lets me leave now, there might still be a shred of goodwill. Otherwise, hmph hmph..."
"What can you do after leaving him!" Ye Feng sneered. "Without the governor, how many people will listen to your words? Why not join this king? There might be benefits for you!"
"The mighty cannot be coerced!" The old sir said solemnly. "Your Highness, please return!"
His words made Liu Dai want to weep. He had never encountered such a loyal subordinate and felt he shouldn't have schemed against the old sir. At the same moment, he clenched his fist and made a firm decision. "I beg Your Highness to let him go. I am willing to tell Your Highness all the reasons behind this."
"I recall the governor was unwilling to say anything initially, but now he's suddenly willing. Interesting. I suspect there's a larger scheme behind this. The more this is the case, the less likely I am to let him go!" His words were powerful.
Liu Dai looked at everything the old sir had prepared in his hand. He couldn't care anymore and scrambled to kneel on the ground, speaking urgently, "I implore Your Highness to allow him to leave. This governor will wholeheartedly assist Your Highness!"
"But I recall you once received favors from His Majesty. Now that you speak up, will His Majesty tolerate you?" Ye Feng tested, even though Liu Dai was willing to join him, he absolutely could not tolerate such a fickle person! If he remained by his side, who knew when this time bomb would explode, and he wouldn't gain anything good.
"Your Highness, I believe he is also a governor, how could he do such things? He's likely sincere!" Diao Chan pointed at Liu Dai and spoke slowly. "Why not let him go? After all, our Third Legion has never met its match in Liang Province!"
At the same moment, Yang Yanqi also received Ye Feng's signal and spoke slowly, "He's just a rogue. What great things can such a person achieve even if released? A waste of food!"
Her words warmed Liu Dai's heart. In his eyes, once the feudal lords gathered, Ye Feng would surely be intimidated. He would have whatever he wanted, and recovering his losses would be simple.
"Oh, you also wish for this king to let you go?" Ye Feng's expression changed, and he spoke slowly to Liu Dai, then casually added, "This king can let you go, but I have no reason to. My Chu King's mansion is vast and prosperous; there's no shortage of food for you!"
"If Your Highness agrees, I have important news to tell you!" Liu Dai's gaze was firm. "Whether you choose to listen is entirely up to Your Highness, or let this time bomb remain in Liang Province!"
"This king shall see what news can buy the life of a governor!" Ye Feng said with great suspicion. "It's not that I cannot tolerate you, but that you wish to leave!"
"This governor understands!" Liu Dai lowered his head and said. "Currently, Liang Province is peaceful. But if someone harbors ill intentions, what would Your Highness do? I fear Your Highness would also have a headache."
"Liang Province is within my grasp!" Ye Feng clenched his palm. "If two or three small fry pop out, this king can swat them down with a single palm. What is there to fear!"
"Does Your Highness have such confidence?" Liu Dai retorted. As governor, he felt he could barely manage his own affairs, let alone a vast region like Liang Province.
"This king isn't just confident!" Ye Feng laughed heartily. "It's because I trust my ministers and my soldiers. With them, no major incident can occur!"
"Since Your Highness has such confidence, I should not speak!" Liu Dai's gaze deepened. "I implore Your Highness to entertain the scholar. If Your Highness encounters further matters, you will surely seek me out."
"It's nothing much!" Ye Feng waved his hand, lightly tossing out the sentence, and turned to lead the two women back to the Chu King's mansion. "Sir, I can grant you and your servant time to speak. But if you do not come, I cannot guarantee his life." Ye Feng spoke with hidden meaning. "After all, in your eyes, this king is not a good person, and I will not show mercy to my enemies."
"Your Highness, that person just now was truly ferocious. This concubine was so scared!" Diao Chan leaned into Ye Feng, speaking charmingly. "But don't worry, Your Highness, this concubine can overcome her fear!"
"You truly are a cunning one!" Ye Feng laughed heartily. "If you are scared, then this king won't see him. What's the big deal!"
The old sir, listening clearly from behind, couldn't help but sigh heavily. "It seems human hearts are no longer as they once were. I..."
After a long silence, seeing no one around, the old sir hurriedly stuffed a purse into Liu Dai's hand and said calmly, "My lord can proceed with the plan. I fear I am in grave danger this time. Even so, do not let my lord's reputation be tarnished!"
Liu Dai grabbed the old sir's hand, stammering, "What, what do you want to do? Don't do anything foolish!"
The old sir's gaze was firm. He shook off Liu Dai's hand and said composedly, "A scholar dies for his confidant. My lord, rest assured, though I die today, I will surely seek justice for you!"
At this point, Liu Dai finally understood clearly. But how could the frail old sir be Ye Feng's match? He instantly made a decision, pushing the sachet and purse back. "As long as we are alive, there is still hope. Old sir, please do not do anything foolish, lest this governor regrets it for life!"
The old sir placed the sachet and purse down and kowtowed heavily to Liu Dai. "This was given by my lord to the King of Chu to save me. Now, I return it to my lord. Everything I do is unrelated to my lord."
The old sir rose and resolutely approached Ye Feng, speaking coldly, "Does Your Highness have any orders? I shall obey them, lest I become a useless eater!" He then continued, "As for internal affairs, I have helped the governor manage them before, and matters concerning the common people were also handled by me. I ask Your Highness to assign me more responsibilities!" He clasped his hands together, speaking sincerely. "As for my lady fearing me, from now on, I will not appear before her when we communicate through letters."
"Why is the old sir in such a hurry? It's just a woman's opinion. However..." Ye Feng drew out his words, deliberating. "This king sees your deep affection for Liu Dai, and I fear I cannot afford to use you."
"One emperor, one courtier. Does Prince Chu fear something?" The old sir sneered, his hand slowly reaching into his robes.
"Well said. I should indeed entrust you with an important task. Tell me..." Ye Feng sized up the old sir and spoke slowly. "What exactly are your strengths, old sir? I can then make arrangements."
The old sir's tense face relaxed instantly. He smiled and spoke slowly, "Naturally, I will do whatever Your Highness commands. However, there are a few words I wish to report to Your Highness, and I beg Your Highness..."
Diao Chan tugged at Ye Feng's arm and pouted, "Your Highness, it won't bother us here, my sister and I. May I listen, please?"
"These are matters of state. We should leave!" Yang Yanqi sternly instructed Diao Chan, who then bowed and dejectedly left.
"Please, Your Highness, come closer. After all, eyes and ears are everywhere. We must avoid any incidents!" The old sir said calmly. Ye Feng, suspecting nothing, slowly moved closer.
"Actually..." the old sir whispered into Ye Feng's ear. In an instant, he drew a dagger from his robes and lunged towards Ye Feng's chest without hesitation. Ye Feng, with his exceptional agility and preparedness, grabbed the old sir's arm with two fingers, facing his ferocious expression.
The old sir struggled, but his movements were futile. He suddenly roared, "Dog thief, I will surely kill you! Everyone should eliminate you!"
Ye Feng's face turned cold as he released his grip and pushed the old sir away. The old sir laughed heartily, "A usurper of Han, hated by all! You will surely die at the hands of the people one day. May you have a terrible end!"
At that moment, the old sir's dagger turned towards his own chest, ready to plunge in. Ye Feng flicked his wrist, and a piece of silver flew out, striking the dagger heavily. The dagger fell abruptly. The old sir lowered his head for a long time before uttering, "You killed me, dog thief, you killed me!"
"Does the old sir truly believe that everyone wishes to eliminate this king?" Ye Feng asked calmly. "Old sir, have you seen the common people of Liang Province? How do they compare to other places? You are clearly blinded and cannot see the vastness of the world!"
"A hypocrite who steals fame! How dare you face your ancestors? The Han Empire is to be lost in your hands. Will you have nightmares day and night and find no peace when facing the twenty-four former emperors!" The old sir's veins bulged as he cursed.
"If the old sir believes this king to be so, then so be it. However, not listening to the words of the world, this king finds it regrettable!" Ye Feng said with a calm and composed expression, his face devoid of shame.
In an instant, the common people gathered around, speaking one after another. But without exception, their faces were filled with disdain for the old sir!