I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 421 The overall situation is the most important thing

Chapter 421 Prioritizing the Overall Situation

Gao Guilan returned shortly after leaving.

Wang Wenzhou asked helplessly, "What's wrong? Your father's men won't let you out?"

"Mmm!" Baby Gao Guilan pouted and said aggrievedly, "Uncle, my dad really doesn't love me anymore!"

"Good girl!" Wang Wenzhou gently stroked Gao Guilan's hair and said softly, "Your father has fallen in love with someone else, but you still have Uncle. Uncle will love you for three lifetimes."

"Mmm, Uncle is the best!" Baby Gao Guilan pitifully snuggled into Wang Wenzhou's arms.

Liu Rushi frowned and asked worriedly, "What should we do?"

"Good boy!" Wang Wenzhou comforted him, "There's always a way out. Gao Yingxiang plans to have me lure Sun Chuanting here so I can kill him. When I go to find Sun Chuanting, I'll figure something out."

"Husband, be careful!" Wang Ying said hurriedly.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I’m not in danger. As long as I don’t openly rebel, even Sun Chuanting wouldn’t dare to kill me openly. Babies, hurry up and take off your clothes, let’s go to sleep!” Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.

As Wang Ying took off her clothes, she rolled her eyes at Wang Wenzhou. This rascal of hers, no matter what, never forgot to sleep with girls.

……

The next day, under the "protection" of Huang Long and others, Wang Wenzhou slowly walked toward Sun Chuanting's military camp.

The bandits beside Wang Wenzhou held up a white flag with the words "I am Wang Wenzhou" written on it.

"Listen up, you over there! I am Wang Wenzhou, the Imperial Envoy and Military Supervisor of the Northwest. Anyone who dares to shoot a cold arrow at me, I'll skin their whole family alive!" Wang Wenzhou walked around, ordering the bandits beside him to shout loudly.

Upon receiving the report that Wang Wenzhou had arrived at the army camp under the escort of bandits, Sun Chuanting immediately got up and led his men to investigate.

"Lord Wang, weren't you a guest at the rebel camp? What brings you here?" Sun Chuanting asked Wang Wenzhou with a sarcastic tone. For the past month or so, he had been infuriated by Wang Wenzhou. Local officials in Shaanxi were living in fear after Wang Wenzhou's killings, and as the governor of Shaanxi, he couldn't escape responsibility for the officials' crimes. Although the emperor hadn't intervened, the matter had escalated to such a degree that it would have to be resolved sooner or later.

Sun Chuanting only wanted to find an opportunity to eliminate Gao Yingxiang. If he could eliminate Gao Yingxiang, even if Gao Yingxiang was guilty, the emperor wouldn't blame him. But Wang Wenzhou deliberately opposed him, trying to persuade Gao Yingxiang to surrender. Once Gao Yingxiang surrendered, Sun Chuanting's chance to redeem himself would be gone.

“Old Sun, you’re joking. Didn’t I just send someone to deliver a message to you? I’ve come here on the Emperor’s orders to offer amnesty to Gao Yingxiang. I’ve almost finished talking with Gao Yingxiang, but that old bastard doesn’t trust me. He thinks I’m too young and of low rank to discuss amnesty with him.” At this point, Wang Wenzhou cursed, “Damn you, you bumpkin! I’m the Northwest Military Supervisor, an Imperial Envoy. But that bumpkin Gao Yingxiang just won’t acknowledge me. He says he only recognizes you, Sun Chuanting, the Governor of Shaanxi. I had no choice but to come and discuss this with Lord Sun.”

"Sigh..." Sun Chuanting sighed. "Your Majesty, why did you send Wang Wenzhou here? He not only stirred up trouble in the Shaanxi officialdom, but also wanted to offer amnesty to Gao Yingxiang. Your Majesty, you are too naive. Haven't you offered amnesty to enough rebel leaders? After they feign surrender, they will rebel again after a while. You have suffered so many losses, how come you haven't learned your lesson at all?"

"Lord Wang, please!" Sun Chuanting led Wang Wenzhou into the military camp.

As soon as Wang Wenzhou entered Sun Chuanting's tent, he said, "Old Sun, bring some wine and food, let's drink and talk."

Sun Chuanting's Qin soldiers were known for their strict discipline, and he himself set an example. How could they drink alcohol during wartime? But since that shameless Wang Wenzhou had already spoken up, Sun Chuanting couldn't refuse. He simply ordered people to bring wine and dishes.

In no time, the food and drinks were ready.

Wang Wenzhou picked up his wine glass, then put it down again. His expression was awkward as he said helplessly, "Old Sun, you know me. I need pretty girls to get my drinks and food. But last night, I slept with some girls from the women's guard unit, and unfortunately, my baby found out. They were furious; they not only beat and scolded me, but they also refused to come with me to discuss serious matters. Old Sun, could you find a pretty girl to keep me company?"

"Hmph!" Sun Chuanting snorted coldly and said angrily, "This is my military camp, not a brothel. There are no girls here! If Lord Wang wants to drink and have some fun, please turn left and go to a brothel!"

"Bang!" Wang Wenzhou slammed his hand on the table and said viciously, "Hey, you surnamed Sun, don't push your luck! I've already heard that your wife passed away a few years ago, and your new concubine is quite beautiful. What? You won't even let her come and have a drink with me?"

“You…” Sun Chuanting was so angry he almost vomited blood. Wang Wenzhou, that mad dog, was too shameless! Even if you have something on me, am I the kind of person who wags his tail and begs for mercy?

Huang Long quickly said, "Lord Wang, we've come here today to discuss serious matters, so please bear with us!"

The reason Wang Wenzhou didn't bring his baby was because Gao Yingxiang wouldn't release him. Wang Wenzhou's baby was currently Gao Yingxiang's hostage, and Gao Yingxiang feared Wang Wenzhou would change his mind and not follow his plan. Therefore, he wouldn't release any of Wang Wenzhou's wives and concubines.

"Injustice! Do you think I'm the kind of person who can be wronged?" Wang Wenzhou pointed at Sun Chuanting and cursed, "Listen up, you surnamed Sun. I've investigated all the filth you've done in Shaanxi thoroughly. Don't think you can rest easy just because you haven't pocketed the money. Where did the money for your military training come from? Because of your extortion and tyranny, how many people have been displaced?"

"Swish!" Wang Wenzhou drew his imperial sword and pointed it at Sun Chuanting, saying, "Now I'm giving you two choices: either send your concubine to drink with me, or I'll kill you with this sword!"

Gao Yingxiang had already planned to kill Sun Chuanting, so if Wang Wenzhou could kill Sun Chuanting with a single sword strike now, it would save him the trouble. Therefore, Huang Long did not offer any further advice and silently sat on the stool watching the spectacle.

“Lord Wang, how could you do this?” Qiao Qiangao, Sun Chuanting’s deputy, quickly stood up and advised, “Although the people of Shaanxi have suffered some injustices, it is only temporary. Lord Sun is also prioritizing the overall situation and has resorted to this drastic measure in order to quell the rebel army.”

"Don't give me that nonsense!" Wang Wenzhou cursed. "Sun Chuanting, you old bastard, I don't believe you don't know that your local officials collect the three taxes for several years, and the most extreme case is that they collect them for eighteen years."

"Because of the three taxes, how many people have been forced to their deaths! How many people have sold their sons, daughters, and wives?" Wang Wenzhou sneered. "Lord Sun, you claim to be prioritizing the greater good, but today you either kill me or have your concubine come and drink with me! Lord Sun, is your wife your wife? Aren't the wives of ordinary people wives too?"

After Wang Wenzhou finished speaking, Sun Chuanting blushed with shame. To be honest, he knew about the actions of the local officials in Shaanxi. But even if he knew, he could only turn a blind eye and pretend not to know. After all, the imperial court didn't have the funds to train his troops, and he needed money to do so!

“I have failed the people of Shaanxi! Lord Wang is right! Lord Wang, please wait a moment, I will have my wife drink with you!” Sun Chuanting said, then turned and left.

"Ah..." Everyone was immediately dumbfounded.