Chapter 142: Mutual Vigilance

However, speaking of this abnormal move by the State of Lu, Tian Chang also found it quite strange and furrowed his brows slightly.

"Father, logically speaking, given Yang Hu's temperament, it is impossible for him to make such a strong reaction at this time. Could it be that this Meng Di has already formed a secret alliance with Yang Hu?"

Tian Qi did not answer immediately. He paced back and forth within the room for a moment before speaking.

"From what I can see, Meng Di is not a man content to live beneath others, and Yang Hu is even more obsessed with power. This is clearly a situation of two tigers vying for supremacy. Even if the two of them have formed a private alliance, it certainly will not last long."

"However, the blade used for killing must always be held firmly in one's own hand to be safe. This Meng Di is indeed a sharp blade. If he manages to successfully fend off the Qi army this time, we must accelerate our actions and prevent him from slipping out of our control."

At this, a thoughtful expression appeared on Tian Chang's face, and he offered a reminder.

"We have already made preparations throughout the entire territory of Meng Yi. The only shortcoming is Zhongqiu, where we have never found an opportunity to plant our own people. Should we take advantage of this opportunity to make Meng Di agree to allow the Tian clan's merchant caravans to enter Zhongqiu?"

After he finished speaking, Tian Qi resolutely shook his head in rejection.

"The time is not yet right. Zhongqiu is merely a small city; even if Meng Di has made some arrangements there, it is nothing to worry about. When Meng Di attacks the State of Ju in the future, we can raise this demand then, and it will not appear abrupt."

"Furthermore, once Meng Di takes the State of Ju in the future, it will be equivalent to directly bordering our State of Qi. That will be the true test of capability. No matter how brave Meng Di is on the battlefield, national strength has its limits, and if we slowly wear him down, he will not be able to sustain it."

This was Tian Qi's plan: first to foster Meng Di's growth, and then to gradually bring him under his own control step by step. By that time, the Tian clan could completely leverage its own strength to ensure that Meng Di had no foothold left in the State of Lu.

By then, Meng Di would no longer be able to shake off the Tian clan. With proper maneuvering, the Tian clan would not only subjugate Meng Di but also completely swallow up his territories in Ju—though of course, this would happen only after the Tian clan seized supreme power.

Having received Tian Qi's guidance, Tian Chang felt reassured. After making some preparations, as dusk began to fall, he went to visit Meng Di, bringing along a generous amount of gifts.

Meng Di, however, put on a thoroughly displeased expression and began complaining the moment they met.

"Young Master Tian has arrived rather late, hasn't he? Meng has been trapped in the Chancellor's residence for quite some time now, yet I have not seen Young Master Tian's face once throughout. Could this be the sincerity of the Tian clan?"

Hearing this, Tian Chang stroked his beard without the slightest trace of shame.

"Meng Zi has misunderstood. Could Meng Zi have forgotten our previous agreement to supply Meng Yi with a batch of provisions? I have been busy with this matter all this time, originally intending that once I returned, the Grand Chancellor's anger would have subsided so I could put in a few good words for you."

"Then Meng Zi would have been able to escape smoothly. I simply did not anticipate that the State of Lu would react so fiercely this time, forcing the Grand Chancellor to release Meng Zi ahead of schedule. Therefore, I am also rather curious as to what actually happened within the State of Lu?"

To think that he had come here to fish for information! Meng Di was left somewhat speechless and retorted dismissively,

"I am also baffled by this matter. Moreover, having been confined in the Chancellor's residence for this period, I have received no news whatsoever. Could it be that Young Master Tian is also unaware of the cause?"

Seeing that Meng Di's expression did not appear feigned, Tian Chang laughed heartily, dropped the subject, and steered the conversation elsewhere.

"If I knew, I wouldn't have bothered to ask. By the way, the provisions have already been prepared—even more than what was previously promised to Meng Zi—and have been successively shipped to Langya. It's just that the Tian clan's ships cannot be easily mobilized."

"Next, Meng Zi will have to figure out the transport yourself, and the sooner the better, to avoid any complications arising from delay."

Meng Di had not expected the Tian clan to complete their preparations in such a short time. It seemed he had previously underestimated the Tian clan's influence. Furthermore, by speaking this way, Tian Chang clearly intended to test his strength.

Thinking of this, a troubled look appeared on his face, and he explained,

"If that is the case, it will likely take some time. Meng has no ships of his own at hand, but because I have had some dealings with merchants from the State of Yue, their vessels frequently travel back and forth."

"Since the Tian clan cannot lend a hand at present, Meng will have to seek help from these Yue merchants."

In truth, Tian Chang harbored some suspicions. Ever since Meng Di's departure, the water bandits who had long entrenched themselves around the Langya region had vanished without a trace. He suspected that these men had most likely thrown in their lot with Meng Di, and thus he said,

"Since that is the case, Meng Zi should make arrangements as soon as possible. I will send men to wait at Langya; as soon as the ships arrive, the provisions will be dispatched immediately. However, you must still exercise caution on the road, as there are quite a few water bandits around Langya."

Hearing this, Meng Di knew that the other man still harbored suspicions, but rather than concealing it, he openly admitted the truth.

"Young Master Tian need not worry about this. Ever since that Wang Bo was killed, those water bandits fell into internal strife. A considerable portion of them now take orders under my command, and I have settled their families in Zhongqiu."

He spoke so candidly because once these people arrived in Langya, any intentional investigation by Tian Chang would make concealment impossible. It was far better to admit it openly. Moreover, mentioning Zhongqiu served as a precautionary measure.

If the Tian clan raised the demand to station troops in Zhongqiu at this point, he would have a valid reason to refuse.

Seeing Meng Di speak with such frankness, Tian Chang's suspicions lessened slightly, though a sense of wariness increased. That Meng Di could bring the water bandits who had plagued Langya for years under his complete control in such a short period—

This far exceeded Tian Chang's expectations, which further convinced him that the *Simafa* must be in Meng Di's possession. Only that could explain everything.

Through these several encounters, Tian Chang felt that Meng Di's personal abilities were not particularly outstanding—especially since he sometimes wore his emotions on his sleeve. Logically speaking, it was impossible for him to develop Meng Yi so rapidly on his own.

It had to be because of the *Simafa*. A wave of excitement surged within Tian Chang's heart, though he kept his face impassigned, assuming an expression of keen interest.

"I am rather curious: what methods did Meng Zi use to make these water bandits willingly surrender?"