Chapter 320 Things are changing!
Glancing at the dead sparrows on the ground, Ye Dong's eyes showed a hint of surprise. It was really beyond his expectation that Shen Jianzhong had killed his spy.

However, having been with Ye Mingsheng for so long, Ye Dong had also seen the ups and downs of life, and was not fooled by Shen Jianzhong. Looking at Shen Jianzhong, he continued:

"Sir Shen, we have received news that this thief has an accomplice hiding in this Antai Inn. Please let us go in and take a look, so as not to hurt the relationship!"

As Ye Dong spoke, he waved his hand, and suddenly there was a "swish" sound. The thousands of Fengzhou soldiers surrounding the Antai Inn all drew their swords and loaded their guns. For a moment, the air seemed to freeze...

Seeing that Ye Dong was about to start fighting, Shen Jianzhong frowned slightly, and then he said in a deep voice:
"I want to see Ye Mingsheng!"

"The young master has gone to bed. Lord Shen can go tomorrow if he wants to meet you, but you'd better stand aside now, so as to avoid accidentally hurting you when we catch the thief's accomplices!" Ye Dong said with cold eyes and very toughly:
Hearing that Ye Dong dared to threaten Shen Jian, Shen Jianzhong himself hadn't said anything yet, but Cao Xin beside him couldn't hold it in any longer and started to curse:

"How dare you! You are just a dog raised by Ye Mingsheng. How dare you speak so brazenly?"

Ye Dong sneered when he heard this: "You are right, I am just a dog raised by the young master, but this dog of mine can take your life right now!"

"Come here! Capture this thief's accomplice!"

Hearing Ye Dong's order, more than ten soldiers immediately rushed towards Cao Xin. However, at this moment, a cold light flashed in Shen Jianzhong's eyes. He waved his hand and a strong wind blew. All the soldiers who surrounded him were shocked and retreated three or four steps.

After forcing back the Zhenwu Army soldiers, Shen Jianzhong ordered Cao Xin beside him:

"Let General Wang's men come out. Don't put up any unnecessary resistance!"

Hearing what Shen Jianzhong said, Cao Xin was shocked and wanted to say something immediately. However, before he opened his mouth, he met Shen Jianzhong's sharp eyes. After hesitating for a moment, Cao Xin decided to obey the order and turned to walk towards Antai Inn.

Although Ye Dong was somewhat angry at Cao Xin's insults, seeing that Shen Jianzhong was willing to compromise, he naturally put the overall situation first and let Cao Xin return to the inn...
About half an incense stick of time had passed since Cao Xin returned. He only heard faint quarreling sounds coming from the inn, but no one came out of the inn. Just when Ye Dong and others were getting a little impatient and were ready to lead people to rush into the inn, they saw Wang Muzhi's personal soldiers, all with unfriendly faces and very aggrieved, walking out of the inn.

Seeing these people appear, Ye Dong naturally showed a smug smile on his face, but he soon discovered something and the smile on his face disappeared. He first glanced at Shen Jianzhong, who had a calm expression, and after hesitating for a moment, he ordered his men to enter the inn to search.

After a while, the soldiers turned the entire inn upside down, but they still didn't find what Ye Dong wanted. After getting this result, Ye Dong's face suddenly became gloomy. He walked up to Shen Jianzhong and asked:
"Master Shen, where is Commander Wang Muzhi?"

"Let Ye Mingsheng ask me himself! You are not qualified!" Shen Jianzhong said calmly:
Feeling Shen Jianzhong's contempt for him, Ye Dong suddenly felt a little angry, but he really didn't have any good way to deal with Shen Jianzhong. After all, he was his young master's teacher. Without Ye Mingsheng's order, let alone killing Shen Jianzhong, even beating and scolding him was not allowed...
People in the world still attach great importance to respecting teachers. If he touches Shen Jianzhong, once the news spreads, although Ye Dong is not afraid of retaliation from the Supervisory Office, considering the impact of this matter on Ye Mingsheng's reputation, he is also afraid of Shen Jianzhong and dare not do anything to Shen Jianzhong.

Therefore, Ye Dong could only stare at Shen Jianzhong fiercely and said:
"The whole city is under martial law, he can't escape!"

In response to Ye Dong's shouting, Shen Jianzhong just smiled slightly, his smile was full of contempt and disdain...
Ye Dong suppressed his anger and said, "Thanks to Lord Shen's cooperation, we were able to catch these thieves' accomplices. Lord, you can have a good rest now!"

After saying this, Ye Dong turned and left, pointing at the arrested Wang Muzhi's personal soldiers and shouting:
"Don't let any of these thieves' accomplices go. Take them all back and interrogate them severely. Let's see if these bastards have any other accomplices!"

Shen Jianzhong heard this and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes and he said calmly:

"Don't forget that Yejia Village is not in Fengzhou!"

After understanding the meaning of Shen Jianzhong's words, Ye Dong's face became even uglier, but he did not waste any more words with Shen Jianzhong. He immediately escorted the prisoners towards the military camp.

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The next morning, at the hour of Si.

Shen Jianzhong appeared at the gate of Fengzhou General's Mansion. Ye Mingsheng, who had been waiting for him for a long time, also asked someone to invite his master Shen in.

Seeing Shen Jianzhong, who had given him an ultimatum yesterday, coming back today, Ye Mingsheng felt proud but also had many emotions.

Originally, he was somewhat skeptical about Gu Sansi's plan to borrow power from the Cui family, and he let Gu Sansi carry it out just to give it a try.

After all, as long as Cui Shao is unwilling to be used, then with his ability and the Cui family's power, it would be easy to make all of Gu Sansi's efforts go to waste...

However, it was not until a few days ago when Ye Mingsheng received a letter from his wife An Miaoyi, who had not yet married him, that Ye Mingsheng really considered Gu Sansi's plan!

In An Miaoyi's letter, she told Ye Mingsheng all of Cui Shao's views on the situation, and also wrote that Cui Shao intended to use her to secretly guide Ye Mingsheng.

Why would Cui Shao give me advice?
Compared to believing this old fox, Ye Mingsheng would rather believe that it was Cui Shao’s ambition that was at work because of his relationship with him.
Gu Sansi was right. Cui Shao not only wanted to be invincible, he wanted to win more!

But Song Wenhui couldn't give him the victory he wanted, and Chen Dechang couldn't give it to him either. The only one who could make up his mind to promise it to him was himself, the weakest one.

As for the bald man who was facing such a critical situation, Cui Shao did not want to give up his ambitions. Even if he knew that he was being used by him, he could only remain silent, neither admitting nor denying. What Ye Mingsheng needed was this kind of ambiguous relationship with him, so that Shen Jianzhong and Chen Dechang would be afraid and not close their eyes to him. "What is the purpose of Master Shen's visit this time?" Ye Mingsheng stood up from his chair and greeted him with a bow:

Seeing Ye Mingsheng's hypocritical look of pretending to be ignorant, Shen Jianzhong just watched quietly without saying anything. Ye Mingsheng didn't care that Shen Jianzhong didn't say anything and continued to talk to himself:

"Where is Lord Wang Muzhi? He is an expert in military strategy. While he is in Fengzhou, I have some questions I want to ask him!"

Seeing Ye Mingsheng talking nonsense here, Shen Jianzhong finally got straight to the point and said:

"What benefits did the Cui family give you?"

Ye Mingsheng said calmly:
"Master Shen, I don't understand what you are saying..."

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng was still pretending, Shen Jianzhong shook his head and said:

"Mingsheng, why do you have to do this when it has come to this?"

"What did the Cui family promise you? 500,000 dan of grain? 500,000 taels of silver? Or tens of thousands of able-bodied men?"

Seeing that Shen Jianzhong really fell into the trap as Gu Sansi had thought, Ye Mingsheng was delighted in his heart, but he also pretended to keep his head down and remained silent. He knew very well that if he spoke too much at this time, he would make mistakes!
Speak as little as possible and give Shen Jianzhong enough room for imagination!
People like Shen Jianzhong won't believe what you say, but he believes in his own speculation and judgment!

Looking at the silent Ye Mingsheng, Shen Jianzhong thought that he had hit the nail on the head for Ye Mingsheng, and his guess was undoubtedly confirmed in his heart...
"Although Cui Shao is your uncle, Mingsheng, you know very well that it is not easy to get their money and food, and the troops they have summoned will not really obey your orders!"

"Even if you really rely on Cui Shao and laugh at the end, what does it matter? Cui Shao can make you lose all your previous efforts with just one sentence, and everything will become a wedding dress for him." Shen Jianzhong pretended to be sincere and said to Ye Mingsheng:
Seeing that the atmosphere was almost set, Ye Mingsheng sneered and said:

"I don't know whether Cui Shao is a good person or not, but I know that Master Shen, you have tried every possible means to transfer my troops away..."

Sensing the resentment in Ye Mingsheng's words, Shen Jianzhong sighed and said:

"Mingsheng, it's not my will. You are my student, and it was me who told you about the opportunity to revitalize the Wu Army, and I arranged for you to go to Fengzhou. How could I harm you?"

"You are also aware of the situation in Liaoyang. In a month or three months, Song Wenhui will definitely take action. He previously recruited soldiers to expand his military strength. Now with the help of the Shiwei people, his military strength has exceeded 100,000!"

“And Lord Chen’s men, even if we count the farmers who just put down their hoes, only have 50,000 men at most! They can’t defend the city for long…”

"If Ye Mingsheng doesn't come to reinforce, then the Zhenwu Army will only be defeated. Without the Zhenwu Army in front to block you, who will Song Wenhui fight next? I don't need to tell you, right?"

"Mingsheng, ask yourself, you have developed so well and so fast in Fengzhou, isn't it because you have the Zhenwu Army in front of you to block you? Otherwise, how could Song Wenhui watch you accumulate strength?"

Seeing that Shen Jianzhong started to play the emotional card with him, Ye Mingsheng sneered in his heart, but also remained silent again, allowing Shen Jianzhong to continue his performance.

Seeing Ye Mingsheng silent again, Shen Jianzhong thought his emotional offensive had worked, and immediately continued:
"Mingsheng, I understand you. Who doesn't want to be rich and powerful? Who doesn't want to sleep on the lap of a beautiful woman when drunk and hold power when awake?"

"But you must remember one thing: don't forget your original intention, and you will succeed!"

"You are a general from Zhaowu Camp. You have come this far step by step. The Prime Minister has treated you well!"

Listening to Shen Jianzhong's words, Ye Mingsheng was about to retort...
When he was forced into a desperate situation by Xu Zhaojie, where was Shangguan Hongyuan?
When you, Shen Jianzhong, and An Zhirong joined forces to force me to come to Fengzhou to protect you from the Khitans, where was Shangguan Hongyuan?
Where was Shangguan Hongyuan when Chen Dechang withheld his army’s food and wages?
Now tell yourself that he treats you well!
Can I go to your place?
To put it bluntly, the reason why Mr. Ye is where he is today is because of his ruthlessness and scheming, as well as the money he spent on it step by step!

Even if there was a little favor, Shangguan Hongyuan had already repaid that favor long ago when he captured Liujing against the mighty army of the palace. Relying on the merits of expanding territory, destroying cities and destroying countries, he had earned enough prestige in the court.
Although he had so many things to say, Ye Mingsheng held back his desires when he thought about the benefits he would get from Shen Jianzhong next...

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng didn't say a word no matter what he said, as if he was determined to remain silent, Shen Jianzhong became a little anxious. He looked at Ye Mingsheng and asked:
"Mingsheng, are you really going to follow the Cui family all the way to the end?"

"The situation is like this, what can I do?" Facing Shen Jianzhong's gaze, Ye Mingsheng pretended to be somewhat helpless and said:
Shen Jianzhong was delighted when he heard this. He knew that Ye Mingsheng was not determined to follow Cui Shao to the end, and there was still hope!

"Mingsheng, don't be anxious, everything can be discussed!" Shen Jianzhong looked at Ye Mingsheng and said. When he mentioned discussion, he emphasized his tone, as if he was hinting something to Ye Mingsheng.

Ye Mingsheng was delighted when he heard the hidden meaning of Shen Jianzhong's words. Although his initial goal was just to stop Shen Jianzhong from transferring troops from him, people's ambitions are constantly changing. Now that things have developed to this point and consumed so much energy and resources, Ye Mingsheng now wants more...

You, Shen Jianzhong, had so many means to threaten me. Now that you are at a disadvantage and eager to make peace, it is not too much for me to ask you for something, right?
Under Shen Jianzhong's gaze, Ye Mingsheng pondered for a while, raised his head and looked at Shen Jianzhong. For Shen Jianzhong, Ye Mingsheng's current action was undoubtedly giving him a good signal. He took a deep breath and said to Ye Mingsheng:
"I will persuade the Dalongchang Company to maintain the price of grain in Fengzhou at the previous price of 1 tael and 7 qian. The iron and coal purchased from Fengzhou will also be maintained at the original price and no price reduction will be allowed. The 30,000 dan of grain and grass will also be sent to you. What do you think, Mingsheng?"

(End of this chapter)