Now when I think back to what happened, everything seems to be in order.
First, Ji's desperate pursuit. From Qufu to Zhengyi, Ji's almost used all the resources at its disposal to carry out a series of pursuits against Li Ran.
And when Li Ran arrived in Zhengyi, the people he fought with suddenly became Shu Niu, Feng Duan and others.
Although the methods they used were different from Ji's, the ultimate goal they wanted to achieve was surprisingly the same.
And this can exactly explain why Shu Niu took the lead in persuading Ji Xian to transport grain to Weiguo for sale before Li Ran came to Zhengyi.
Because the fact that Li Ran helped Yang Yangui to convince the Marquis of Qi had long been reported from the undercover people in Qi, and coupled with the news from Ji Sun Yiru's place, these people were already prepared. .
Li Ran thought this incident was an error before, but now it seems that it was all a premeditated trap.
Later, when Qi's food and grass were robbed, they deliberately put the blame on Yang Yangui and Li Ran. The reason for this is completely logical.
As for the subsequent overt and covert fights between him and Shu Niu, in addition to the personal grudge between Li Ran and Shu Niu, naturally they also included the will of the secret followers - the new policy of encirclement and suppression of Zichan.
However, Shu Niu was defeated by Li Ran after losing a game first and poisoning Zheng Yi. These people also had to temporarily give up the siege on Zichan's New Deal.
These are the two more open encounters between Li Ran and the Dark Walkers so far. From Qufu to Zhengyi, the forces used by the undercover gangs were not insignificant, and the plots they designed were also ingenious.
However, judging from the process of these two battles, the dark crowd did not seem to attach much importance to Li Ran, a small "client" who only hung out among the powerful officials of various countries.
Therefore, every time they just wanted to use the extremely simple, crude and effective method of assassination to end Li Ran's life hastily. Even in Zhengyi, they still used the same method.
However, they also completely underestimated the defensive strength around Li Ran, as well as what they didn't know yet, his father with great powers.
Thinking of this, Li Ran couldn't help but think of what Yi He said back then. It seems that, as Yihe said back then, if his father hadn't been secretly protecting him, he would have lost his life.
After understanding this, Li Ran suddenly felt a sense of respect for his husband, whom he seemed to have never met before.
Not only because of the family ties connected by blood, but also because of his ability to truly plan things thousands of miles away.
"gentlemen?"
Seeing that Li Ran hadn't spoken for a long time, Sun Wu couldn't help but shout tentatively.
Li Ran came back to his senses, glanced across Sun Wu's face, smiled for a while, then looked at Qing Feng and said:
"Now that the Dark Walkers have lost their important stronghold in Zhongli, based on your understanding of them, do you know what their plans will be next?"
Zhongli's city was broken, and Chu's power was growing. This was obviously a serious blow to the underworld.
Without Zhongli to contain Chu, Chu would be more able to fight with Wu. It's not just because the channel for materials to be imported into Wu State has been interrupted. Moreover, the rivalry between Zhongli and Wu was also broken, which meant that Chu would have no worries in the future when it came to destroying Wu.
The loss of Zhongli State by the Wu State was equivalent to the loss of one of a pair of horns, and it would inevitably have to fall into a situation of fighting alone in the future.
Therefore, as a chess piece, a chess piece of the Dark Walkers, the Dark Walkers' next arrangements for Wu should be the most important.
But who knew that after Qingfeng heard the sound, he immediately shook his head and said:
"Since the fall of Zhu Fang City, I have cut off contact with them."
"I am just a dying person now. Since I have been abandoned by God, how can I know their next plan?"
Qingfeng has obviously become an abandoned son, which is not difficult to see from the several attacks he suffered on the way to Qianxi.
In fact, Qingfeng himself understood this, but he did not feel resentful towards the Dark Walkers because of this. On the contrary, he very much agreed with the Dark Walkers' approach.
This shows how successful the Dark Walkers have been in brainwashing them.
Li Ran smiled and said nothing, because he also guessed that the dark followers would not inform him of the follow-up matters, so his question was just a chance.
All the truth was revealed today.
The information Li Ran obtained was a huge amount, and there were countless clues in it that still needed to be considered carefully.
After the "interrogation" was completed, Li Ran was about to get up and leave, but Qingfeng stood in the cage again and called him out loudly:
"Sir, do you still remember the agreement you made with me?"
Qingfeng's face was not good and he looked a little gloomy, but there was anxiety and uneasiness in his eyes.
"You mean to ask King Chu to spare your life?"
"certainly."
Qingfeng looked into Li Ran's eyes and responded simply.
The only one they can count on now is Li Ran.
"I have nothing else to ask for now. I don't care about the power of the king, the power of the Qing Dynasty, or the secret activities of the Seven Lords!"
"Since you have promised me, sir, please never break your promise. A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. You must not be someone who breaks your promise."
The anxiety in Qingfeng's heart at this time has already appeared on his face, even though he pretended to be very calm.
It can be seen that death is a terrible thing for everyone, but some people are afraid of death itself, while others are afraid of the meaning of death.
"Oh? Returning to the Dark Walkers wasn't your goal all along?"
"Why don't you care now?"
Li Ran couldn't help but mock him.
Unexpectedly, Qingfeng sneered and said calmly:
"There is no need to ridicule me. In life, everyone has different choices. You have your own way, and I have my own way. It's just a matter of success and failure."
"Now that I have something to ask of you, I have nothing to say, but this move to add insult to injury is definitely not a wise move for you."
He said the most cowardly words in the most arrogant tone.
If Qingfeng reaches later generations, his "achievement" as a keyboard warrior should be even higher.
Li Ran smiled when he heard the sound and said immediately:
"Since I promised you, I will do my best to protect your life."
"But the doctor must also remember that you should know clearly what to say and who to talk to about certain things."
The Zuojun camp outside was still as peaceful as ever, and the spies inside the Chu State still had not shown up.
This is not a good thing for Li Ran.
Of course, he didn't want to see this spy sneak in and make some kind of deal with Qing Feng when he wasn't paying attention.
Qingfeng knew this and nodded immediately:
"You can rest assured, I don't believe anyone except you now!"
Again, in order to survive, Qingfeng now has no choice but to trust Li Ran.
Because Li Ran is already an extremely rare gentleman in this era.
Seeing this, Li Ran nodded and left the Zuojun camp together with Sun Wu.
When the two of them had just returned to their tent, Sun Wu immediately asked in a low voice:
"Sir, what should we do next?"
Qingfeng had already spoken. The situation faced by the Central Plains countries was already extremely dangerous, and Li Ran could not tolerate any further hesitation.
It's time to make up your mind.
