Chapter 120: Dogs Are Not Allowed to Bite Each Other

Chapter 120: Dogs Are Not Allowed to Bite Each Other

Seeing the little beggar run away, the Guard beside him wanted to give chase.

Seeing this, Han Da yelled at the Guard beside him, “Don’t chase him!”

The Guard turned to Han Da with concern and said, “General Han Da, are you alright?”

After putting away the letter in his hand, Han Da shook his head, his expression softening considerably. “I’m fine!”

With that, he returned to his residence. He shut himself inside and ordered the Guard not to let anyone approach.

…

Chanda County, one of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. Cai Yong’s estate.

At this moment, the Family Heads of the New Four Great Clans had gathered together.

Cai Yong cupped his hands and said, “Everyone, thank you for coming despite your busy schedules.”

The other Noble Clan Family Heads nearby all spoke up:

“Family Head Cai Yong, no need for polite words! You know very well why we are here.”

“Yes, where is the gentleman? If it weren’t for the gentleman, we wouldn’t have come!”

“Mr. Hidden Dragon asked us to come. Where is he? Don’t tell me you used his name to call us here.”

These people were somewhat anxious. They didn’t beat around the bush and spoke frankly.

Cai Yong cupped his hands and said, “Family Heads, please calm down. Having you come here this time was all Mr. Hidden Dragon’s wish. Even if I were incredibly bold, I wouldn’t dare to use his name to summon you on my own!”

“It’s just that Mr. Hidden Dragon went last night to meet an old friend within Chanda County and hasn’t returned all night. I don’t know when he’ll be back! However, since Mr. Hidden Dragon arranged this meeting with everyone, he will definitely come! Please be patient.”

A man named Kan Shanyue, standing to one side, said to Cai Yong, “Family Head Cai, it’s easy for you to say. You haven’t done anything. Of course you can be patient!”

“But some of us have withheld their grain, others have seized their military supplies and medicine. And, to trick them, we sealed off several cities, pretending there was a plague. If the King of Northern Desert believes this rumor, it’s fine! But if he discovers it’s fake, we’ll be in huge trouble!”

Liu Qi chimed in from the side, “That’s right, if that devil, the King of Northern Desert, finds out our plague is fake, just so we could embezzle funds, grain, and military supplies, he will definitely kill us all!”

“Exactly. We placed lookouts near those sealed cities, and many Scouts from Yanbei City have come! Although we sent them away, who knows if Han Da will report to Lingxiao City! The King of Northern Desert is so ruthless and cunning. If he knows, he will surely be suspicious!”

“Right, haven’t you noticed something strange? Recently, the King of Northern Desert in Lingxiao City has made not a single sound. It’s as if he’s vanished without a trace!”

“I also feel uneasy! I always feel the King of Northern Desert is quietly planning something big! And I heard that at the Mobei-Tujue Border, the Turks and Han Da’s army have already started fighting. The first battle was a crushing defeat for the Turks, and they have retreated! If Han Da really holds out, our chances look grim!”

These Noble Clan Family Heads, due to their geographical locations, had intercepted the subsequent grain and military supplies destined for Yanbei City!

Except for Cai Yong, the other three families were all involved. They each expressed their own concerns.

Seeing this, Cai Yong could only laugh awkwardly and try to smooth things over. After all, because of his geographical location, he wasn’t much involved in this matter. At most, he helped Mr. Hidden Dragon pass along messages.

“What’s this? Now that you’re all Family Heads of Prominent Families and Noble Clans, or even Prefectural Assistants of a county, you’ve all started to value your lives more! Are you full of complaints because you think I would harm you?”

From outside the door came a voice that was not loud but sounded extremely authoritative.

Upon hearing this voice, the Family Heads who had been complaining moments ago all stood up, looking respectfully toward the entrance.

Through the door walked, at a leisurely pace, a person wearing a white Monk Robe, with a black veil over their head, and holding a silver Monk’s Staff as tall as a person.

Upon seeing the newcomer.

Everyone present respectfully placed their palms together and bowed in greeting: “Mr. Hidden Dragon!”

Hidden Dragon, holding the Monk’s Staff, gave a slight nod to the group.

Without a word, he walked straight to the main seat and sat down.

The group that had been complaining immediately changed their tune:

“Mr. Hidden Dragon, we didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yes, without Mr. Hidden Dragon’s guidance and help, how could we have achieved what we have today!”

“We are only afraid that we might ruin your efforts, Mr. Hidden Dragon. You worked hard to make that waste, Xiao Ce, trust us and accept us. If problems arise in this matter and our identities are exposed, wouldn’t all your careful planning be in vain!”

Mr. Hidden Dragon smiled faintly and began to explain. “You are overthinking this. Your role is to get rid of that waste, Xiao Ce! Right now, all his main forces are in Yanbei City. As long as we trap the people in Yanbei City there, Xiao Ce’s power will be gone!”

“And, regardless of whether their messages can get through, as long as you block the passage between Lingxiao City and Yanbei City! Even if they come to investigate the truth of the plague, by the time a messenger goes there and back, the people in their Yanbei City will have already starved to death!”

“Don’t worry about Xiao Ce taking any action. Once people in Yanbei City start dying of hunger, the Turks will break through like a hot knife through butter! Xiao Ce cut off a finger of Mosi Ashina from the Ashina Tribe. The Ashina Tribe hates them to the bone! Also, the battle at the Mobei-Tujue Border is raging. No matter what, Xiao Ce’s only ending is death!”

After hearing Mr. Hidden Dragon’s words, everyone’s expressions softened considerably.

“But those Northern Desert Army soldiers aren’t stupid, are they? Would they just sit there and starve to death? What if they abandon Yanbei City and come towards us? We couldn’t hold them off either. We can’t possibly go to war with them! Even the Turks aren’t their match, let alone our little Manor Guards!”

Mr. Hidden Dragon spoke calmly, a hint of disdain in his words: “I thought you would be smarter than those people! It seems now you are also incredibly foolish! Not much smarter than your previous Family Heads!”

Being scolded like this by Mr. Hidden Dragon, the group only looked embarrassed. They didn’t dare say a single word of disagreement, only looking at him awkwardly.

Seeing they truly didn’t understand, Mr. Hidden Dragon explained: “Our goal is to make that army leave Yanbei City! Yanbei City has high walls and is easy to defend but hard to attack! Their current fighting prowess is entirely because of Yanbei City. Once they leave that natural barrier, how could they possibly be a match for the Turks!”

After hearing this, everyone suddenly understood! They immediately felt Mr. Hidden Dragon’s scolding was justified.

Mr. Hidden Dragon continued, “The reason I called you here this time is precisely because I knew you must have many doubts in your hearts. You might ruin my grand plan! As long as you listen to me, I promise you this. No matter what happens to the ruler of the Four Northern Desert Prefectures in the future, the status and treatment of your four families will remain the same as before!”

“Back then, I told you to pledge allegiance to Xiao Ce, to gain his trust, in order to plant you within the Four Northern Desert Prefectures. However, times have changed! The Turks have firmly decided to march south. After much thought, I’ve decided to help them a bit, to lend them a hand!”

Everyone listened and nodded repeatedly.

Cai Yong, who had been quiet until now, asked, “Mr. Hidden Dragon, do we really intend to help the Turks conquer the Xiao Kingdom? The Turks are ambitious and treacherous. After they take the Xiao Kingdom, might they turn on us?”

Hidden Dragon narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Cai Yong, “That is not for you to consider. What you need to consider is listening to me! Making decisions is my business! Whether to help the Turks, and to what extent, are matters for me to worry about, not you!”

Cai Yong nodded awkwardly.

Hidden Dragon then said bluntly, “You are a dog I raised, and the Turks are too. I do not allow the dogs under me to bite each other! If any dog disobeys, I can replace it at any time. You know this, right?”

The faces of the group turned pale. They listened and nodded repeatedly: “Mr. Hidden Dragon, we understand! We understand!”

Hidden Dragon looked at their reactions and nodded with satisfaction. “Alright. From now on, I will tell you what to do. As long as you obediently follow my instructions, no matter what happens, I can protect you.”

The group bowed respectfully to Hidden Dragon and said, “Please guide us, Mr. Hidden Dragon…”

With that, Hidden Dragon waved his hand, signaling them to come closer.

He spoke in detail for over half an hour. Then, Hidden Dragon leaned on his silver Monk’s Staff and stood up.

“I will be leaving this place now. I’ve told you what needs to be done! How you do it is up to you.”

The group said, “We will strictly follow your instructions, Mr. Hidden Dragon.”

Hidden Dragon nodded. Without another word, he stood up to leave…

The group moved to escort him out, but Hidden Dragon stopped them. They all watched as Hidden Dragon departed…