Chapter 149: The Dispersing Power of the Raptor
Yan Zhuxia breathed a sigh of relief, swept her sleeve across the table, moving the wine cup aside, and said to her four sisters, “Inform the village that these are our friends. Treat them with respect.”
Hong Ou, Cui Ling, Zi Shao, and Lan Tan, having been defeated by Xiang Gu in the Gu insect duel and now baffled by Chongyun’s trick, obeyed.
They had clearly seen him drink eighteen cups of wine, yet the cup remained full.
This inexplicable feat filled them with awe and a newfound respect for this mysterious young man.
They left the hall to inform the villagers.
Yan Zhuxia gestured towards the seats, “Please, sit down.” She called for tea.
As they settled in, young women in colorful attire served them tea.
Du Yuejiao and Xu Xiaoyan, unsure if the tea was poisoned, didn’t dare to drink it.
They didn’t know that in Miao villages like this, although other things might be unsafe, the tea was always safe.
It was an unspoken rule, a sign of hospitality and trust.
Shi Hao, without wasting any time, addressed Yan Zhuxia, “Village Leader…”
Yan Zhuxia smiled, “We don’t have a ‘Village Leader’ here. The girls just call me Big Sister. If you don’t mind, you can call me Big Sister Yan.”
Shi Hao said, “Big Sister Yan, the world is on the verge of chaos. Although the Ba Mountains are remote and defensible, individual villages and settlements are vulnerable. The Hanyang Gang is ruthless and brutal, slaughtering entire families, and they control the upper Hanyang River.
“For the villages in the Ba Mountains to trade with the Central Plains, the Hanyang River is our only route. With the river blocked, our businesses are crippled. Now, they’re forming the Hanyang River Alliance, forcing the Nine Villages to join them. It’s not an alliance, but a conquest.
“Many gangs have already been forced to submit. Those who resisted were eradicated. And even those who surrendered aren’t safe. Their businesses, their properties, their lands… are being devoured by the Hanyang Gang, turning them into vassals.”
“I, though unworthy, intend to unite the Nine Villages and resist them. What are your thoughts, Big Sister Yan?”
Yan Zhuxia shook her head, “Although our Wu Village is in the Ba Mountains, we’re different from the other villages. We’re isolated and rarely interact with the outside world. We don’t want to get involved in your conflicts.”
“As for the river blockade, although we also trade with the outside world, we don’t use the Hanyang River. Our business doesn’t require large-scale transportation. Our girls raise silkworms, and our men carry them in baskets, crossing the mountains to the Xiang River, then traveling south. We don’t need the Hanyang River.”
“This conflict doesn’t concern us.”
Shi Hao had anticipated this response.
Wu Village’s business didn’t rely on the Hanyang River, so the Hanyang Gang’s actions hadn’t affected them directly.
And Wu Village was isolated from the other villages, fostering a sense of detachment.
After all, isolation often created the illusion of safety, the belief that avoiding conflict guaranteed peace.
Shi Hao said, “Speaking of the Xiang River, Big Sister Yan, have you heard of Sheng Menghui, who has raised the banner of rebellion in the western Chu Province?”
Yan Zhuxia said, “This Sheng Menghui is a renowned hero in the Chu region. Even if he conquers the area, he wouldn’t harm the Miao villages.”
Shi Hao said, “But what if he’s a disciple of Hong Chui, the Thunderclap?”
Yan Zhuxia’s expression changed, “That…”
Shi Hao said, “You have close ties to southern Hunan. In fact, I suspect Wu Village originated from there. You must know about Hong Chui, the Thunderclap, in Lingnan. Sheng Menghui is just a pawn, a puppet of that villain.”
“Historically, southern Hunan has been spared from the conflicts in the Central Plains, mainly due to its harsh environment, the miasma, and the venomous creatures. Invading it before securing the Central Plains was too risky. And once the Central Plains were unified, southern Hunan would surrender without a fight.”
“But this time is different. Hong Chui’s territory is even more dangerous than southern Hunan. His army, tens of thousands strong, are called ‘demon soldiers,’ impervious to poison and miasma. Once Sheng Menghui gains control of western Chu, those demon soldiers will march north, conquering the entire region. You must have heard of Hong Chui’s brutality. Do you think you’ll be able to continue your trade through the Xiang River then?”
Yan Zhuxia remained silent, thinking.
Shi Hao continued, “And when the nest is overturned, no egg is left unbroken. The Hanyang Gang is ruthless, their methods similar to Hong Chui’s. They show no mercy to those who oppose them. Once they control the other eight villages, do you think they’ll leave Wu Village alone?”
“Big Sister Yan, since I’ve called you ‘sister,’ I’ll be frank. We’ve just united Mount Xieluo and Mount Nangong. Why did we come here next? Because Wu Village, despite its isolation, is seen as a wildcard, an unknown factor. You might think you’re not involved in the affairs of the jianghu, but your secrecy makes you unpredictable. Others, not knowing your intentions, have to assume the worst.”
“We came here because we didn’t know you. But with the Hanyang Gang’s ruthlessness, once they control the Ba Mountains, they’ll eliminate you to remove any potential threats.”
Yan Zhuxia’s expression changed slightly, his words hitting home, “So you came here because you were worried we might be colluding with the Hanyang Gang? You wanted to confirm our stance? You’re right. Although we haven’t done anything, outsiders, not knowing us, have to be suspicious.”
Shi Hao said, “There’s another reason. Huang Facai, the new leader of the Hanyang Gang, his background is a mystery. He’s a fifth-rank expert, but no one has ever heard of him before. And he cultivates a terrifying poisonous technique. He fought another fifth-rank expert, who died from the poison after a single palm strike. Even those who carried the body back died within three days.
“We suspect he might be a demonic cultivator, but it could also be some kind of Gu poison. His origins are mysterious, just like Wu Village. He uses poison, just like Wu Village. It’s natural for us to be suspicious.”
Yan Zhuxia’s face paled, “You say his poison is so potent that it can even spread after death?”
Shi Hao looked at her intently, “Do you know about such a technique, Big Sister Yan?”
Yan Zhuxia sighed softly, “I’ve heard of Cui Qiang, the ‘Four Extremes Nether Inversion,’ one of Hong Chui’s top generals. His Nether Inversion Poison has similar effects.”
Shi Hao quickly turned and exchanged glances with Hou Bomin and the others.
He said thoughtfully, “In that case, Hong Chui’s ambition is even greater than we thought. The Ba Mountains and the Chu region… he wants Sheng Menghui to control the Chu region, and Huang Facai to control the Ba Shu region. Once the barbarian court collapses, they’ll unite their forces and threaten the Central Plains.”
Controlling both the Ba Mountains and the Chu region meant controlling two of the eight provinces, a strategically advantageous position, easily defensible, a strong foundation for future conquests.
The saying “the desolate lands of Ba Shan and Chu Shui” originated from the late Sheng Dynasty.
During the barbarian invasions, the Sheng emperors often fled to this region, its mountainous terrain and harsh environment offering refuge. And controlling this region also meant controlling the vital supply lines to West Shu.
Historically, both the Qin and Chu dynasties had risen from this region, eventually conquering the Central Plains.
Shi Hao looked at Yan Zhuxia, “If this Huang Facai, like Sheng Menghui, is working for Hong Chui, then Wu Village can’t remain neutral. Once the Hanyang Gang controls the Ba Mountains, their next move will be to control the Xiang River, connecting with Sheng Menghui’s forces.
“And Wu Village, controlling the vital link between the Ba Mountains and the Xiang River, will become their target.”
—The Dispersing Power of the Raptor says: “To disperse power is the mandate of the divine. To utilize it, one must act according to the situation.”
—Therefore, observe their intentions, calculate their moves, and then, with persuasive words and strategic actions, address their concerns and align their interests with yours.
For Yan Zhuxia, the safety of Wu Village was paramount. Therefore, “acting according to the situation” meant appealing to her concern for her people.
First, present the danger, then offer a solution, making her believe you’re acting in her best interest.
Shi Hao continued, “If Wu Village remains neutral, both sides will see you as a threat, an unknown factor. You’ll become a target for both. And your trade with southern Hunan will inevitably be disrupted by the conflict in western Chu.
“Since you’re skilled in sericulture, why not use this opportunity to forge alliances with the other villages, shifting your focus to silk production? During times of chaos, everything loses value, except for Shu brocade, a stable and valuable commodity.”
“I have connections to the Yuan Rong Merchant Guild. You can negotiate with the other eight villages, offering an alliance in exchange for their assistance in developing your silk weaving industry. And I can help you establish trade routes. Then, even in these chaotic times, the Nine Villages, united and prosperous, will be safe and secure, far better than living under constant threat of destruction.”
He appealed to her fear and offered her a profitable alternative.
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