Chapter 80

Chapter 79: The Prince Consort of Princess Changping

Song Qingshu couldn't be blamed for being arrogant and insisting on presenting his strategies in three parts, just like in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

In his previous life, Song Qingshu had attended an MBA class titled "The Art of Giving Advice," which mentioned that even if you think your idea is brilliant, you shouldn't directly impose it on the other party. Instead, you should be more tactful and mix in a few terrible options for them to choose from.

Don't underestimate this step. Due to human nature, this would create an illusion for the other party, making them believe that the final decision was their own, and they would be very willing to implement it, completely unaware that their choice was actually influenced by you.

Sure enough, after hearing Song Qingshu's lower strategy, Sito Bolai's attention returned to the middle strategy.

"Old hero, the two concerns you have can actually be resolved," Song Qingshu said, seeing him muttering and weighing the pros and cons.

"Please enlighten me," Sito Bolai's eyes lit up.

"Tomorrow night, the Qing army camp at the foot of the mountain will definitely have lax security. You can select a dozen or so skilled and trusted men to bypass the outer defenses of the Qing army and head straight for the commander's tent, catching them off guard," Song Qingshu's eyes flashed with a mysterious light.

"How do you know the Qing army will have lax security tomorrow?" Sito Bolai wasn't stupid and couldn't help but suspect that the other party was a spy sent by the Qing army, trying to lure them into a trap to be wiped out.

"You don't have to believe me, but if you miss this opportunity tomorrow, you will probably have no choice but to hold out at Wangwu Mountain," Song Qingshu smiled faintly, looking at the other party's suspicious gaze and couldn't help but sneer, "You don't need to guess. If I really had ill intentions, why would I go through so much trouble? If I wanted to kill you, it would be as easy as turning over my hand. When the Wangwu Sect is leaderless and in disarray, it would be easy for the cavalry camp below the mountain to wipe you out."

Sito Bolai's face darkened, but he knew the other party was telling the truth. In this case, there was no reason for him to deceive him...

"However, I have heard that in addition to the three thousand cavalry, the Qing army also has imperial guards and two top-notch experts. If we go deep into their camp alone, it will be like sending lambs to the slaughter," Sito Bolai couldn't help but frown, thinking of another matter.

"That's true, you will definitely be captured," Song Qingshu said with a mysterious smile.

"What!" Zeng Rou, who had been silent all along, suddenly got angry, "Are you just here to play with us?" Sito Bolai also stared at him in confusion.

"This is just to preserve the face of the Wangwu Sect," Song Qingshu said with a bitter smile, "Otherwise, if you flee in a panic, it won't sound good in the martial world."

"Face is preserved, but our heads won't be," Sito Bolai snorted.

"Please don't be hasty, listen to me," Song Qingshu hurriedly explained, "When you take action, just bring one or two cowards. After a series of events that are both thrilling and safe, the Qing army commander will naturally release you. Before the action, remember to instruct the Wangwu Sect disciples to disperse and leave Wangwu Mountain under the cover of night, and the Qing army will turn a blind eye."

"He will release us after capturing us?" Sito Bolai didn't believe it at all.

"I have my ways to make him release you," Song Qingshu's tone was filled with a mysterious confidence.

"Blowing hot air," Zeng Rou wrinkled her nose and turned to pull Sito Bolai, "Master, don't listen to this bad guy. He doesn't even show his true face, acting so mysteriously, he must have ill intentions."

Sito Bolai nodded and looked at Song Qingshu, asking, "Who are you, and why are you helping the Wangwu Sect? If you don't explain clearly, I won't follow your advice."

"I wear a mask just to prevent your disciples from seeing my face and exposing me tomorrow," Song Qingshu reached out to remove the mask and threw it aside, "I don't need to hide anything from the two of you."

Zeng Rou had always thought he was a vicious-looking bad person, but she was surprised to find him so handsome under the mask. She blushed, thinking of something, and lowered her head to stare at her feet.

"Tomorrow?" Sito Bolai was stunned, "Are you a Qing army officer?"

"I am Song Qingshu, one of the two top-notch experts in the Qing court that you just mentioned," Song Qingshu shrugged and smiled bitterly.

Zeng Rou looked up in surprise, thinking: He is actually one of the two martial experts that have made several provinces' martial sects tremble in fear, but he is so young, not much older than me...

"Why is Young Hero Song helping our Wangwu Sect?" Sito Bolai was even more puzzled.

"I have heard that Old Hero Sito is loyal to the Ming Dynasty. You once gave up wealth and honor, left the Pingxi King, and retired to the mountains. Coincidentally, I and the former Ming Princess Changping are..." Song Qingshu deliberately paused, his face showing a shy expression, "close friends. Seeing you in danger, I naturally can't stand by and do nothing."

Hearing his ambiguous tone, Sito Bolai was startled: "Could he be the princess's lover? But it's rumored in the martial world that the princess likes the King of the Golden Snake." However, thinking about the changeable hearts of young men and women, he showed an understanding expression: "So Young Master Song has this connection with the princess. I offended you earlier, I hope you won't hold it against me."

Hearing Song Qingshu's words, Zeng Rou was stunned, but then suddenly felt a bit angry: Since he is the prince consort, why did he act that way with me earlier?

"General Sito, you are too polite," Song Qingshu changed to using the Ming Dynasty's official title to address him, which Sito Bolai found very flattering, "I am now enduring humiliation and serving the Qing court to preserve the remaining forces of the Ming Dynasty. You can rest assured, I will ensure your safety tomorrow."

Song Qingshu was so confident because he knew that Wei Xiaobao was the Incense Master of the Heaven and Earth Society and would definitely find a way to release the Wangwu Sect. With his assistance, following the original plot should be fine.

Moreover, Wei Xiaobao couldn't reveal his identity as a member of the Heaven and Earth Society to this group, so in Sito Bolai's eyes, the credit for avoiding this disaster would go to Song Qingshu.

Song Qingshu was never satisfied with just being a minor official in the Qing court. He had the ambition to rule the world, and such acts of kindness and winning people's hearts were something he enjoyed doing.

However, to achieve his goals, he needed his own loyal forces, and the Wangwu Mountain sect entered his plans.

"Alright, since Young Hero Song is a friend of the princess, I believe you won't harm us. I'll take this risk," Sito Bolai thought for a long time and finally made his decision.

Song Qingshu was overjoyed and quickly discussed the details of the next day's operation with him.

The next day, Wei Xiaobao gathered the officers to discuss how to deal with the Wangwu Sect. The cavalry camp was full of capable and brave soldiers, and they came up with many ways to attack the mountain, but Wei Xiaobao rejected all of them, citing the heavy casualties the cavalry would suffer.

Song Qingshu understood Wei Xiaobao's thoughts. He wouldn't let this group really attack the mountain, so he smiled knowingly, "I have a plan that doesn't require any casualties to take down the Wangwu Sect."

"Quick, Brother Song, tell us," Wei Xiaobao thought: I hope it's not some brilliant strategy that outshines Zhuge Liang, or I'll be in trouble. Chapter 80: With Eunuch Gui, life is easy

"Since attacking them is difficult, why not lure them down?" Song Qingshu said, "Wei Sir's reputation for gambling is well-known. We can pretend to be gambling in the tent, relax our guard, and make the Wangwu Sect think they have a chance. They will surely have the idea of capturing the leader first and come down from the mountain."

"Good!" The officers all praised, but Wei Xiaobao cursed inwardly, yet had no choice but to agree.

That night, everyone set up a gambling table in the main tent. Wei Xiaobao took out a stack of silver bills, placed them on the table, and said, "Whoever has the skills can win it." In his heart, he kept praying that the group on Wangwu Mountain wouldn't come down.

The officers placed their bets, some winning and some losing. After a while, everyone got excited, and the bets grew larger. The soldiers at the back also passed silver to place bets.

Originally, they were pretending to gamble while secretly on guard, but later, everyone got so engrossed that even those who had lost everything ran back to the camp to borrow money from their comrades to try to win back their losses.

In the main tent, the sounds of dice and betting filled the air, making it seem like a real casino.

Wei Xiaobao was secretly pleased, "Hehe, the more you get into the game, the less likely you'll be able to catch the Wangwu Sect if they come down."

Suddenly, a man loudly said, "Bet on the Heavenly Gate!" He placed a melon-sized object on the Heavenly Gate. Everyone was stunned to see a bloodied head on the gambling table. The head, wearing an official hat, belonged to an imperial guard patrolling outside the tent.

Everyone looked up in shock and saw a dozen or so people in blue robes, each holding a long sword or saber, standing at the tent entrance.

The soldiers were about to draw their weapons to fight back, but they had thrown their weapons aside in the heat of the game. Now, with the enemy staring them down, picking up the weapons would make them immediate targets, so no one dared to move.

"Hmph, the Manchu Tartars are truly doomed. They send a mere child to lead the army and even gamble in the camp," Sito Bolai scanned the scene, his mind as clear as a mirror.

"That's not necessarily true," a long laugh echoed, and Jiumozhi stepped out from the crowd.

Seeing Jiumozhi and Song Qingshu, Zeng Rou blushed, thinking it was just as he had predicted.

Sito Bolai's eyes narrowed, and he, along with a middle-aged man and others, attacked Jiumozhi.

"Your sword skills are not bad, but they are mixed and impure," Jiumozhi sneered, forming a hand seal with his hands, creating a visible energy sphere that blocked the three swords.

Sito Bolai and the others were sweating, finding their swords no longer under their control, unable to advance or retreat.

"Good! Master, your skills are excellent!" The officers were amazed by Jiumozhi's prowess and cheered for him.

Jiumozhi smiled smugly, gathered his energy, and with a light squeeze, shattered the three swords. Chapter 80: With Eunuch Gui, life is easy

"Since attacking them is difficult, why not lure them down?" Song Qingshu said, "Wei Sir's reputation for gambling is well-known. We can pretend to be gambling in the tent, relax our guard, and make the Wangwu Sect think they have a chance. They will surely have the idea of capturing the leader first and come down from the mountain."

"Good!" The officers all praised, but Wei Xiaobao cursed inwardly, yet had no choice but to agree.

That night, everyone set up a gambling table in the main tent. Wei Xiaobao took out a stack of silver bills, placed them on the table, and said, "Whoever has the skills can win it." In his heart, he kept praying that the group on Wangwu Mountain wouldn't come down.

The officers placed their bets, some winning and some losing. After a while, everyone got excited, and the bets grew larger. The soldiers at the back also passed silver to place bets.

Originally, they were pretending to gamble while secretly on guard, but later, everyone got so engrossed that even those who had lost everything ran back to the camp to borrow money from their comrades to try to win back their losses.

In the main tent, the sounds of dice and betting filled the air, making it seem like a real casino.

Wei Xiaobao was secretly pleased, "Hehe, the more you get into the game, the less likely you'll be able to catch the Wangwu Sect if they come down."

Suddenly, a man loudly said, "Bet on the Heavenly Gate!" He placed a melon-sized object on the Heavenly Gate. Everyone was stunned to see a bloodied head on the gambling table. The head, wearing an official hat, belonged to an imperial guard patrolling outside the tent.

Everyone looked up in shock and saw a dozen or so people in blue robes, each holding a long sword or saber, standing at the tent entrance.

The soldiers were about to draw their weapons to fight back, but they had thrown their weapons aside in the heat of the game. Now, with the enemy staring them down, picking up the weapons would make them immediate targets, so no one dared to move.

"Hmph, the Manchu Tartars are truly doomed. They send a mere child to lead the army and even gamble in the camp," Sito Bolai scanned the scene, his mind as clear as a mirror.

"That's not necessarily true," a long laugh echoed, and Jiumozhi stepped out from the crowd.

Seeing Jiumozhi and Song Qingshu, Zeng Rou blushed, thinking it was just as he had predicted.

Sito Bolai's eyes narrowed, and he, along with a middle-aged man and others, attacked Jiumozhi.

"Your sword skills are not bad, but they are mixed and impure," Jiumozhi sneered, forming a hand seal with his hands, creating a visible energy sphere that blocked the three swords.

Sito Bolai and the others were sweating, finding their swords no longer under their control, unable to advance or retreat.

"Good! Master, your skills are excellent!" The officers were amazed by Jiumozhi's prowess and cheered for him.

Jiumozhi smiled smugly, gathered his energy, and with a light squeeze, shattered the three swords. Chapter 80: With Eunuch Gui, life is easy

"Since attacking them is difficult, why not lure them down?" Song Qingshu said, "Wei Sir's reputation for gambling is well-known. We can pretend to be gambling in the tent, relax our guard, and make the Wangwu Sect think they have a chance. They will surely have the idea of capturing the leader first and come down from the mountain."

"Good!" The officers all praised, but Wei Xiaobao cursed inwardly, yet had no choice but to agree.

That night, everyone set up a gambling table in the main tent. Wei Xiaobao took out a stack of silver bills, placed them on the table, and said, "Whoever has the skills can win it." In his heart, he kept praying that the group on Wangwu Mountain wouldn't come down.

The officers placed their bets, some winning and some losing. After a while, everyone got excited, and the bets grew larger. The soldiers at the back also passed silver to place bets.

Originally, they were pretending to gamble while secretly on guard, but later, everyone got so engrossed that even those who had lost everything ran back to the camp to borrow money from their comrades to try to win back their losses.

In the main tent, the sounds of dice and betting filled the air, making it seem like a real casino.

Wei Xiaobao was secretly pleased, "Hehe, the more you get into the game, the less likely you'll be able to catch the Wangwu Sect if they come down."

Suddenly, a man loudly said, "Bet on the Heavenly Gate!" He placed a melon-sized object on the Heavenly Gate. Everyone was stunned to see a bloodied head on the gambling table.