760 Assassinating Fan Li (1/2)

Chapter 760 - Assassinating Fan Li

11th month, 17th day, Sanjiang Town.

10 miles north of the town was a little hill. On its three faces were three different territory stone plaques, forming a triangle. This was where the three provinces met.

Three days ago, this place had been locked up.

The Leopard Legion Corps, Chuanbei City-State Alliance Army, and Xiangnan City-State Alliance Army each guarded one side, lying in wait. How was this agreement signing? One would actually think that this was a sect battle.

On the top of the hill there was a table and three wooden chairs, one in the south and two in the north. Be it the table or the chairs, they had the simplest structures so that no one could hide anything there.

At 9 AM, three groups of people came up the hill from three different directions.

From the south, there was Ouyang Shuo, who was riding Little Green. Xu Chu rode on a Qingfu Horse and followed behind, looking rather menacing and scaring everyone away.

Further behind were the Personal Guards and the Divine Martial Guards.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Ouyang Shuo dismounted and brought Fan Li up the hill.

At the same time, West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan came from each side. Behind them each followed a Lord and an official. The Lord was arranged by the City-State in charge of internal monitoring; the official was like Fan Li, the financial official who was in charge of looking through the terms of the agreement.

Ouyang Shuo smiled and took the initiative to greet them, ”Lord West Gate, Lord Caiyun, please sit!” Following which, Ouyang Shuo sat on the chair in the south with Fan Li standing behind him.

West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan both exchanged glances.

This was not the first time they saw the fellow before them, but it was the first time they had interacted with him. As expected, he was rather mighty, making it seem like they were guests here.

At this time, the two of them could not say much and greeted him rather stiffly before sitting down. The Lord and official that followed similarly stood behind them.

Ouyang Shuo's frowned as he felt that the Lord standing behind Caiyun Zinan was extremely nervous.

'Is it because of the occasion?' Ouyang Shuo asked himself.

He could not predict why this person was nervous and only quietly put on his guard. Regarding this agreement signing ceremony, there were many people who held bad intentions. Ouyang Shuo naturally would not let anyone break it.

”Let's begin!”

Ouyang Shuo turned to signal for Fan Li to begin; his face did not reveal that he found anything wrong.

Fan Li understood, picking up the agreements that were already prepared, he placed them on the table.

The exchange of views on the trade agreement had already begun several days ago, and the details were already set. Fan Li emphasized on the few terms that Ouyang Shuo did not have any objections to; hence, it was set.

The two City-States did not have much bargaining power. Even with the terms set, they would still be able to gain huge profits from this deal.

Who knew how many territories in the wilderness desired to work together with Shanhai City?

Apart from the safety concerns of the north border, the other reason Ouyang Shuo decided to work with them was because of his other ambitions. Since he entered the wilderness, his poisonous bug breeding strategy had not stopped.

However, the stages were different, and there were many different types.

Be it Taiping Country or Lingnan City-State, they were allowed to grow fat by Ouyang Shuo before they were harvested.

Although the process was risky, the rewards were huge. The foundations of each prefecture were decent. After a period of time, they could all provide huge profits.

At such a stage, the poisonous insect strategy was still underway. The only change was that the target had switched to the two City-States. If their territory trade was prosperous, Shanhai City would benefit when they took them down in the future.

Growing together with the neighboring territories and eventually harvesting them when they were mature was the essence of the plan.

If not, the gap between them and Shanhai City would be too huge. Even if they took the enemy down, it would take a lot of effort to run.

This was a scheme that no plan could break.

”Do any of you have any problems with the details?” Ouyang Shuo smiled and asked.

”No.”

West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan did not know what kind of trade agreements Shanhai City had with the other territories, so they could not tell what was different with theirs.

Even if they felt that it was unfair, they had no way to fight.

”That's great; let's sign the agreement then!

Ouyang Shuo took up the pen and was the first to sign his name.

This document was legally binding and was not a joke. If any side went against it, they would have to bear huge risks.

Such an agreement was also one that let the two City-States rest easy.

'With this, it seems like Shanhai City will not attack us.' That was what the Lords thought.

In truth, how could it be so simple?

Ouyang Shuo was not sure how the two City-States ran, but Shanhai City had several hidden pieces in both of the City-States. To create the false impression that the other party broke the contract was just too easy.

So, even if there was a legally binding trade agreement, in the eyes of smart people, it would not be a permanent protective talisman.

This was the wilderness, so where could there be true long-term peace?