His creator’s discernment, nimbleness of thought, and the tenacity characteristic of a suicide survivor—Zheng Fan demonstrated all these qualities to the fullest extent now. He was impeccable!
The Recruitment Envoy chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Not quite, not quite. With Seventh Uncle around, the young lady’s safety can be guaranteed. But maintaining control over the entire estate depends solely on her. It’s not easy, young lady."
Zheng Fan didn’t respond.
The Recruitment Envoy wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye, concealing his momentary lapse in composure. He looked curiously at Zheng Fan, saying, "I remember, you are from Hutou City."
His recently cooled brain began to race again at that moment! Because Zheng Fan was still unaware that his own son had threatened the woman aspiring to be his stepmother the previous night, in Zheng Fan’s mind, he felt as if he were venturing into the dragon’s den alone!
Every answer, every detail, must be flawless.
The memory of that night, running barefoot in a leopard skin, resurfaced. Only this time, the person he was desperately trying to convince in his mind wasn’t Uncle Daoming, but Yu Zecheng.
"My life was saved by the young lady."
"Oh, I see. You came to Hutou City half a year ago. Then, did the young lady arrange that?"
Zheng Fan hesitated for a moment before nodding and adding, "My father and my grandfather both served the Li family. My grandfather was Zheng Zhilong, and my father was Zheng Chenggong. Do you recognize them, sir?"
Sometimes, one needs to take the initiative to enhance credibility. The Li family has so many retainers; I truly doubt this man before me can recognize them all.
A trace of embarrassment flickered across the Recruitment Envoy’s face; obviously, he didn’t recognize them, but he still said, "I’ve heard of them, I’ve heard of them. I even seem to recall having a drink with your respected father. However, I haven’t stayed at the estate for long, so I’m not very familiar with everyone there."
Zheng Fan stood there in silence.
"So, consolidating the underground gangs of Hutou City was also the young lady’s instruction? Is she planning to take control of Hutou City?"
Zheng Fan was inwardly startled. I didn’t expect the Recruitment Envoy to already know about Blind Bei and A Ming consolidating the gangs!
Of course, it’s not too surprising. As the highest official in Hutou City, outranking even the county magistrate, it would be absurd if he were truly clueless after so many people died on that rainy night in the city. He probably just tacitly allowed such gang wars and mergers before. This world can never be purely black and white; there will always be a grey area where both sides turn a blind eye.
But after the great shock came a great sense of relief.
Thank goodness for this lord’s vivid imagination; I don’t even need to explain now because he has already filled in all the blanks for me!
Zheng Fan’s breathing began to quicken. There’s so little useful information, so very little, but I have to take this gamble. If this gamble pays off, then I, Zheng Fan, this amateur field officer, will be directly under Comrade Deep Sea’s care in the future! As for losing the gamble... No, I won’t lose.
Comrade Deep Sea probably wouldn’t proactively contact the Earl of North Border’s Estate. Judging by his previous attitude and the reports Blind Bei gathered, he’s practically a vanguard against the North and a supporter of weakening the feudal lords. A person like that must be extremely cautious in his actions.
At this moment, I truly have to thank all those countless spy dramas I complained about watching on TV, and their legions of scriptwriters. If they hadn’t racked their brains to write out every possible trope and template, I really wouldn’t be this experienced now.
"The young lady’s intention was, first, for us to gain control of the internal situation in Hutou City. Second, to control Mei Village. If the worst-case scenario occurs, our army can first take Tuman City and then simultaneously capture the smaller towns nearby, forming a defensive system to face the Yan Emperor..."
"Silence!!!" the Recruitment Envoy "roared," lowering his voice. His voice was high-pitched, almost like he was about to sing.
Zheng Fan immediately closed his mouth.
The Recruitment Envoy started taking deep breaths, raised his hand, and said, "You are clueless!"
Zheng Fan kept silent.
"How can you casually tell an outsider like me about these things? Do you understand? If I were deceiving you, if I were merely putting on an act, if I wanted to curry favor with the Emperor! Based on what you just said, if word of this gets out and reaches the Yan State court, do you realize the irreversible predicament the nobles in the capital and the North Border Army will face?!"
The Recruitment Envoy was very agitated, but he couldn’t speak loudly. He spoke breathlessly, his chubby face, like a braised pig’s head, practically steaming.
"You are not to be so rash next time! You must never be so quick to trust others!" the Recruitment Envoy warned, pointing his finger at Zheng Fan.
In truth, as Comrade Deep Sea, although he appeared to be scolding Zheng Fan, the feeling of being trusted by his own comrade and being privy to secrets was very gratifying to the Recruitment Envoy. He even felt an immense warmth. So much so that, looking at Zheng Fan, although he seemed a bit foolish, he found him more and more agreeable.
This couldn’t be helped; he had no idea Zheng Fan was putting on an act for him.
The highly agitated Recruitment Envoy began to calm down. The "braised pig’s head" gradually cooled to a "steamed pig’s head." After his chest heaved a few times, he said,