“Darling, are you sure we shouldn't have ended things there?” Lingqi asked as they rode away from the large tent that Liu Biao had erected for the meeting.
“We could have, but that would have caused more problems in the long run. Although Zhuge Liang has many informants and supports within this province, the Liu Clan has been its rulers for many generations. So they are very deeply rooted in the province and its people. If we were to kill or capture their leader at a meeting to negotiate peace, the people would fight to the bitter end with us. Their army would increase to include all of the civilians inside the city. Meaning at the end of things we would have had to kill off everyone within Dark Sea City.” Zhang explained.
“Boss, what about the issue regarding his sons. I know that Liu Biao guy is a pretty good people person but weren't his sons a big issue? Imagine the amount of trouble those two fellows would cause once their old man is made into a duke and governs over the south.” Gan Ning asked.
Zhang also mentions a series of ways to keep Liu Biao’s power in check and under his influence. For instance, not allowing the southern regions to maintain a substantial military force. There were also plans for men from the south to be sent to Aurora to be trained and stationed in Aurora.
Upon returning to their camp and entering his tent, Zhang withdrew a map made from golden silk and placed it atop a large table. This map, of course, was the map that he had obtained a long time ago that depicted the ever moving dragon’s veins.
“We finally are close enough to one that it won't disappear by the time we get to it. Now I'll finally be able to break, though.” Zhang said.
So considering how hard it was to obtain cultivation materials within the warring states region, Zhang’s best bet was to locate a dragon’s vein. He would periodically check for them but they were either nonexistent or too far away.
But luckily for him, while moving through the Dark Sea Province, a vein appeared and judging from its location on the map it would only take him a day’s travel from Dark Sea City. Hence, the reason why he gave Liu Biao three days’ time to decide whether to surrender or not.
Although the vein itself possessed a nearly inexhaustible amount of essence, the locations that show up on the map was merely spots where its essence had seeped through the earth and rose to the surface. The vein itself was located deep underground, far from the reaches of man.
“Once we consolidate our rule, I'll send some people to dig all the way down there.” Zhang thought. Such a project, of course, would need an unbelievable amount of manpower and massive funds to accomplish but all of this would be available to him once the Warring States Region was united under one rule.
In the end, there was no one to rely on but yourself anyway.
Atop their fiery mounts and clad in dazzling white armor, Zhang and the beauties rode over vast fields and rugged mountain paths.
These places interacted so little with the outside world that it seemed like they did not know a war was happening at all.
Due to the time that they had departed from camp Zhang and the beauties had to camp outside for the night. Well, one wouldn't call it camping because with a wave of his hand Zhang had withdrawn their magical carriage from his inner spatial ring.
So as the stars appeared overhead and illuminated the skies and while the moon smiled down and radiated the night, our prince and princesses were all seated around a warm campfire.
Ai gaze shifted toward Yuying, while Yuying’s gaze shifted to Ling, whose gaze finally landed on Lingqi.
While Lingqi was threatening everyone with poison, Ai began to whistle and pretend she didn't know what was happening.
Soon a meal consisting of five dishes were laid out within the magical carriage. Ai had called dibs on the easiest but more essential dish of all, the rice. While the other beauties each made a simple dish of their own. Zhang had outdone everyone by going into the woods and coming back with a large boar which he grilled over an open fire.
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With only three days to make a decision that may lead to his demise, Liu Biao’s head felt like it was going to explode.
The third scenarios were one in which Liu Biao chose to surrender and Zhang’s army sweep through the southern provinces, crushing all who stand in their way. But the end result would be that Liu Biao outlived his usefulness and is killed by Zhang.
Lastly, there was the fifth scenario where everything ends well and Liu Biao becomes duke of the southern lands.
“Damn it…” Liu Biao cursed as he sweeper his arms and caused everything on his desk to drop into the ground.
“Shan, come here.” Liu Biao said.
“What do you think we should do? Should we surrender or should we fight?” He asked in a dejected tone.
“You think we can establish contact with the other provinces without Zhuge Liang noticing? It wouldn't be too farfetched to believe that he has placed spies and subordinates throughout the southern region.” Liu Biao retorted.
“How about we call for a meeting with all of the government officials within the city and see their opinion.” Liu Shan suggested after a long pause.
“Then how about spread news that we did fight against Aurora but lost, while in actuality we surrendered.” Liu Shan suggested.
“Then we should take a gamble and surrender.” Liu Yuan’s voice echoed as entered the room.
Although both of Liu Biao’s sons were playboys, Liu Yuan was the brighter one of the two.
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She had totally forgotten or well chose to forget, about her mission to track down the person who knew how to open the Reaper’s Coffin. Instead, she had sent her subordinates on a wild goose chase while she herself spent her time enjoying various tourist attractions and delicacies.
“I hope we never find out who it was.” She thought as went from stall to stall down a busy street buying up various foods.
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By now he had stopped cursing Zhang and his rage had subsided. Of course, there was still the occasional mumble when more paperwork showed up on his desk.
Before when he was anger was at its peak he had been ready to order for an additional floor to be made within the eighteen levels of hell, especially for his silly son in law. However, the thought of never being visited by his daughter and grandkids had kept his anger in check.
“Hopefully, my grandchildren won't come out a rascal like their father.” Was something the Yama would also often say after giving up on the idea of making a floor in hell for Zhang.
Very much like Liu Biao, the Yama was extremely torn on what to do.