Chapter 35: How Did He Arrive So Quickly?

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This time, Zhao Shaojie did not bring any notable figures with him; he only brought along a company commander and a guard under Mi Fang’s command to negotiate with Shi Yi.

Along the way, they dared not waste any time—if there was a boat, they took it; if not, they rode on horseback.

On this day, the company commander reported, “Captain Zhao, a large army has appeared ahead. Judging by their formation, there must be over ten thousand troops!”

Zhao Shaojie was taken aback. Surely not? Shi Yi couldn’t be giving up so soon, right? An army of ten thousand? How did he arrive so quickly?

“Quick, go notify him immediately. I want to see Shi Yi!” Zhao Shaojie urged.

The company commander hurried off to announce their identity.

After receiving the report, Shi Yi ordered his troops to rest temporarily and rode out to meet Zhao Shaojie personally.

When the two met, Zhao Shaojie greeted him with a smile, “Governor Shi, how have you been? The last time we met was at Longbian—it’s been quite a while!”

Shi Yi smiled reservedly, “Captain Zhao, as always, you remain audacious and reckless.”

Zhao Shaojie blinked slightly and laughed, “How am I being reckless?”

“Coming alone into Jiaozhi is one thing, but sending troops into Hepu without my consent—that’s bold, isn’t it?” Shi Yi’s expression darkened.

Zhao Shaojie waved his hand dismissively. “We entered Hepu out of necessity—the bandits fled here.”

“Oh?” Shi Yi’s gaze sharpened. “Are you saying you didn’t take advantage of the campaign against Qian Bo to make a move on Hepu?”

“Absolutely not!” Zhao Shaojie said earnestly. Then he dismounted, producing a square box containing a gift for Shi Yi—brown sugar.

He had brought plenty of brown sugar on this trip, not for his own indulgence but to give to soldiers who might get injured. It was said that sugar could relieve pain, though he wasn’t sure if it was true.

“Governor Shi, please don’t be angry. I came specifically to discuss this matter with you—and see, I even brought you a gift,” Zhao Shaojie added.

Shi Yi dismounted and glanced at the box. Zhao Shaojie opened it, took out a piece of brown sugar, and offered it.

Shi Yi looked at the unfamiliar brown sugar cautiously and shook his head.

Zhao Shaojie popped the sugar into his own mouth and smiled, “It’s truly delicious.”

Seeing Zhao Shaojie enjoying it so much, Shi Yi couldn’t help but smile and shook his head. He took a piece and put it in his mouth, then exclaimed with delight, “Yitang? It’s so much sweeter than Yitang and lacks that astringent taste!”

“A new process, a new product. It will be mass-produced soon. Governor Shi, remember to buy plenty!” Zhao Shaojie said casually before shifting the topic. “Now, let’s talk about Qian Bo and the others.”

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“Your troops will withdraw immediately, and I won’t hold you accountable!” Shi Yi, aware of the gravity of military affairs, did not fuss over the sugar and quickly set his condition.

Zhao Shaojie frowned. “We can withdraw, but can you guarantee that Qian Bo and Yi Liao won’t disturb Nanhai or Cangwu?”

Shi Yi frowned deeply. Those two were former government troops, skilled in battle formations and brave in combat. He only tolerated their rampages in several areas because he couldn’t defeat them himself.

“That’s beyond my control!” Shi Yi shook his head.

“Then so be it. If they don’t listen to you, why bother? Even if we defeat them, we won’t stay in Hepu. Consider it a joint effort between Nanhai and Hepu to maintain peace and eliminate them—isn’t that better?” Zhao Shaojie smiled.

Shi Yi looked incredulous. “You really won’t stay in Hepu?”

“Without a doubt. After wiping out Qian Bo and Yi Liao, we will return to Nanhai immediately,” Zhao Shaojie said with conviction.

Shi Yi pondered for a moment and said, “If you stay in Hepu, don’t blame me for holding no favors.”

“Agreed!” Zhao Shaojie laughed loudly and handed Shi Yi another piece of brown sugar.

This time Shi Yi ate it heartily.

The two chatted casually while enjoying the sweets.

Zhao Shaojie then learned that Shi Yi’s troops had only just left Panyu when a messenger had already rushed to inform Shi Yi.

That explained Shi Yi’s swift military response.

Zhao Shaojie sighed. The Shi family in Jiaozhou was truly deeply rooted and formidable.

...

Hepu, Gaoliang.

Qian Bo and Yi Liao paced anxiously.

“I told you, Liu Xuande’s forces are no match for Shi Xie’s. We should have surrendered earlier, but you refused. Now look, they’ve attacked—right into Hepu’s territory! They don’t fear the Shi family at all!” Qian Bo was angry.

He was more sensible; if a powerful figure arrived, it was wise to submit.

Yi Liao refused to agree. Even now, he stubbornly said, “Liu Bei is a defeated man. How can he govern Jiaozhou? Even if we want to surrender, it must be after Cao Gong arrives.”

Though Qian Bo also doubted Liu Bei, he didn’t believe he was a match for him. He frowned, “That may be, but they’re about to arrive now. What shall we do?”

Yi Liao thought deeply and suggested, “Why not ask Shi Yi for help?”

“Shi Yi would aid us?” Qian Bo asked, surprised.

“Not necessarily not! I don’t think the Shi family would so easily surrender Jiaozhou. Since the battle is in Gaoliang, Shi Yi likely won’t want Mi Fang’s men raising arms in his territory,” Yi Liao said.

Qian Bo nodded slowly.

...

Shi Yi’s army and Zhao Shaojie’s group headed toward Gaoliang.

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That night,

Just as Shi Yi was about to rest,

A messenger arrived—Qian Bo’s envoy.

Shi Yi immediately summoned him inside.

“My general has resolved to surrender to Governor Shi, provided the governor allows my general to garrison Gaoliang!” Qian Bo’s attendant said.

Shi Yi laughed outright. They still wanted Gaoliang?

He wasn’t necessarily willing to tolerate Qian Bo and Yi Liao, but firstly, he wanted to avoid war; secondly, he feared defeat. Now that Mi Fang and others intended to fight but would not occupy Hepu, he naturally agreed.

He looked the envoy in the eye and said, “I can promise your surrender, but Qian Bo and Yi Liao must turn over their troops to serve under me in Hepu. As for Gaoliang, I will appoint others!”

The envoy was stunned, unsure how to respond.

Qian Bo and Yi Liao would never surrender their troops lightly; doing so would be like sheep to the slaughter.

Shi Yi observed the envoy’s reaction and sneered coldly, “Qian Bo and Yi Liao have long been a scourge. I spared them hoping they would repent, but now Liu Xuande’s men give you no chance. Either you join me, or we fight!”

The envoy’s face darkened but said only, “I will report back to my general.”

Shi Yi waved him off.

The envoy left.

...

The envoy’s speed was slightly faster than Shi Yi’s army.

After delivering the news, Qian Bo and Yi Liao argued again.

Surrender their troops? Impossible.

Fight a battle? Yet they feared Liu Bei’s men were truly formidable and they could not win.

Amid hesitation, the next day, Shi Yi’s forces arrived outside Gaoliang city.

Zhao Shaojie introduced Shi Yi to Mi Fang and the others.

Shi Yi surveyed the assembled group and said, “Gaoliang is a small city with only four gates. How about you and I each take two?”

Mi Fang glanced at Xu Shu. Xu Shu nodded and then said, “Agreed!”