Chapter 180 If you occupy the magpie's nest, I will drive the tiger to devour the wolf!
After careful consideration for two days and an in-depth investigation, Ye Mingsheng finally made a decision. He found Chen Yannian as the middleman, brought gifts, and personally visited He Jingyun.

After a long talk with He Jingyun, Ye Mingsheng formally invited He Jingyun to join. He Jingyun was naturally delighted with Ye Mingsheng's invitation and directly stated that he would settle his family before the ninth day of this month and return to Liaoyang with Ye Mingsheng.

For several days after dealing with He Jingyun's affairs, Ye Mingsheng ran some chores in the Ministry of War, determining when the money and food for recruiting soldiers, the soldiers' weapons, cotton-padded clothes and other things would arrive.

Just two days before the official departure for the ninth day of the first lunar month, a horse-drawn carriage arrived at the gate of Ye Mingsheng's courtyard. Liu Chunfu got off the carriage, came to Ye Mingsheng and whispered:
"The Third Master wants to see you!"

Although he was a little confused as to why the big money man behind the scenes who gave him two thousand taels of silver wanted to see him so suddenly and without any warning, after a little hesitation, Ye Mingsheng got on the carriage alone.

Although he didn't know why An Zhirong wanted to see him, it just so happened that Ye Mingsheng also wanted to see him for something!

Because the windows of the carriage were locked, and Liu Chunfu, who was sitting opposite him, had his eyes lowered and was like a mute, not saying a word.

Therefore, Ye Mingsheng didn't know where the carriage was heading. He only knew that the carriage left Luoan City and stopped after about half an hour.

After getting off the carriage, Ye Mingsheng found himself in front of the gate of a huge manor. Before he had time to take a close look at the furnishings of the entire manor, he was led by Liu Chunfu to a room in the manor.

"Master Ye, the Third Master is waiting for you in the study!" After giving instructions to Ye Mingsheng, Liu Chunfu left on his own.

Although the atmosphere felt a bit weird, he might as well make the best of it. An Zhirong still expected him to deal with Zhen Sanshan's caravan that was protecting him. He still had value to him, and for the time being he probably wouldn't harm him...

With this idea in mind, Ye Mingsheng pushed open the door and saw an antique study room inside. An Zhirong was sitting on a chair behind the desk with his eyes closed. When he heard the door open, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ye Mingsheng who pushed the door open with a stern look.

"Third Master!"

Facing An Zhirong's gaze, Ye Mingsheng smiled and bowed to greet him.

An Zhirong nodded slightly, greeting Ye Mingsheng. Just as Ye Mingsheng was considering his words and preparing to test An Zhirong's purpose in calling him,
An Zhirong did not prepare for the meeting like the last time. He looked at Ye Mingsheng deeply and went straight to the point and said in a deep voice:
"Have you accepted He Jingyun?"

Seeing that An Zhirong had called him here, it seemed that it was just for this matter. Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised, but he did not hesitate much, and nodded and said:

"That's what happened. Do you have any advice for me, Master San?"

"Humph!"

After receiving Ye Mingsheng's affirmative answer, An Zhirong could not help but snort coldly. Just when Ye Mingsheng was a little confused, he said angrily:
"Do you know what He Jingyun wants to do by joining you?"

Hearing An Zhirong say this, Ye Mingsheng gradually came to his senses. However, just as he was about to explain, An Zhirong answered his own question and said in a cold voice:

"These days, He Jingyun has been recruiting his old subordinates. He has made it very clear to his subordinates that he is planning to usurp the throne and sideline you, Ye Mingsheng, so that he can command the troops assigned to you!"

Ye Mingsheng, who had anticipated He Jingyun's intention, remained calm upon hearing what he said. His expression did not change at all. He just asked calmly:
"Third Master, how did you know about this?" Seeing that Ye Mingsheng was still unhurried and not surprised at all, An Zhirong, who was originally very disappointed with Ye Mingsheng, couldn't help but feel a little confused, but he quickly gave an explanation to Ye Mingsheng's question.

"An old subordinate of He Jingyun is now working for us to settle down. He Jingyun found him, and he told me about this matter..."

"I see!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly. An Zhirong's information undoubtedly confirmed his guess that He Jingyun had ulterior motives in joining him.

Looking at Ye Mingsheng in front of him, who was still so calm, An Zhirong finally couldn't help but ask:
"Do you know what he wants to do?"

"I don't know the specific situation, but I can roughly guess it!" Ye Mingsheng said truthfully;
Ye Mingsheng's words undoubtedly confused An Zhirong. He frowned slightly and asked:
"Since you have guessed his purpose, why do you still accept him?"

In response to An Zhirong's question, Ye Mingsheng smiled slightly and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked back:

"Master San, it was Zhen Sanshan who threatened your caravan in Fengzhou, right?"

When An Zhirong heard Ye Mingsheng say this, he looked a little surprised, as if he had not expected that Ye Mingsheng actually knew this.

Although An Zhirong did not admit it, seeing his expression, Ye Mingsheng knew that his guess was correct, and continued:

"As far as I know, Zhen Sanshan has more than 10,000 soldiers under his command, and he is also the leader of the Liaoyang Green Forest. He has a strong appeal among the Green Forest. It is not difficult for him to gather 30,000 to 50,000 people with just a wave of his hand!"

"Even if I have those three battalions, the number of soldiers is only about 5,000, and they are all newly recruited soldiers. Even if I don't tell you, you should know the gap between the enemy and me, right?"

After hearing Ye Mingsheng's words, An Zhirong suddenly realized something. After thinking for a while, he looked at Ye Mingsheng and said:
"Are you planning to use He Jingyun to deal with Zhen Sanshan?"

Ye Mingsheng smiled and nodded, saying: "The disadvantage in military strength cannot be changed in a short time. In order not to disappoint you, Third Master, I can only think of other ways. So I can only play this trick of driving the tiger to devour the wolf?"

After listening to Ye Mingsheng's thoughts, An Zhirong remained silent for a long time. After a while, he raised his head and said to Ye Mingsheng very seriously:
"Aren't you worried that you might get out of control?"

After An Zhirong said this, Ye Mingsheng didn't say anything, but a playful smile suddenly appeared on his face.

Seeing Ye Mingsheng laughing so happily, An Zhirong was even more confused. After thinking carefully about what he said, he found nothing wrong with it, and then he frowned and continued to ask:

"what are you laughing at?"

“Third Master, you really have no confidence in me…” Facing An Zhirong’s gaze, Ye Mingsheng slowly sighed:
(End of this chapter)