Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 236 Discussion

Nianyao and Qin Jiu set off as planned, heading north along the river to Jiangxinzhou. They were delighted to see Zhou Yan and recounted the events at Chongming Island in detail.

Nianyao also mentioned her idea of ​​disbanding the Dahe Gang to Zhou Yan: "Uncle Zhou, move your families to the island, and all the brothers can live a life with their wives, children, and warm beds."

The news of farming, building houses, and repairing ditches on Chongming Island had already spread. With the war between the various countries tense and the future of the Great River Gang uncertain, coupled with the presence of predecessors like Xu Lai and Zhou Yan, no one dared to make any rash moves.

Zhou Yan said kindly, "Of course, the leader of the Dahe Gang has the final say."

Nianyao knew Zhou Yan wouldn't object, but she didn't expect it to go so smoothly: "Uncle Zhou, my father left some gold. I'll go to the silver shop and exchange it all for silver, and then distribute it to my brothers."

Those who wish to stay on the island and live peacefully will be allocated land and houses. Those who want to leave will be given money, but since there are many brothers, it's estimated that each person won't receive much.

Zhou Yan said, "It's enough that the gang leader has the intention; whether he gives it or not is irrelevant. As long as the brothers don't gamble or visit prostitutes, they've all saved up quite a bit of money over the years."

Nianyao said, "Uncle Zhou, after the Dahe Gang is officially disbanded, you should go live on Chongming Island. Ninth Brother and the others are there, so you'll have some company."

Qin Jiu finally spoke up: "Chief, Brother Zhou has a family in Qinzhou. These past few years, he's only been able to go home a few times a year because of the Dahe Gang. Once the Dahe Gang is disbanded, you must let Brother Zhou go home and reunite with his family."

Nianyao said, "Uncle Liu and Uncle Xu are the same person, so I often thought everyone was like that. Uncle Zhou, I'll reserve a detached house for you, so you can take your family to Chongming Island for a vacation whenever you have time."

Zhou Yan patted Nianyao's head: "You've grown up so much in the blink of an eye. Your father would be very pleased to see you like this now."

Nianyao shook her head: "What's there to be gratified about? I've defeated the Dahe Gang. Uncle Zhou, I'm here today to discuss something with you."

Seeing Nianyao's serious expression, Zhou Yan speculated, "Is it about the young general's disappearance?"

Nianyao exclaimed in surprise, "He's really missing? Everyone knows about this?"

Zhou Yan said, "No one knows about this except for a few of us. The prince told us to keep it a secret and tell everyone that the young general was with him."

Nianyao looked at Qin Jiu: "You said you heard some rumors? Who spread them?"

Qin Jiu pointed at Zhou Yan: "What Brother Zhou said is just inconvenient to say on Chongming Island. If it gets out by accident, I'm afraid the young mistress... It's not that I'm deliberately keeping it from the gang leader."

Duan Mingzhu's emotional and physical condition at that time was indeed unable to withstand such news.

Nianyao frowned slightly: "Why did Xu Sheng keep it a secret?"

Zhou Yan said, "Qi Yang now has complete control over the upper reaches of the Jingjiang River, Su Wuming is busy arranging money and supplies, General Xue is stationed in Qinzhou, and the Prince is besieging Furong City. Everything is in good order."

If the news of the young general's disappearance officially spreads, the Xue family, as meritorious officials in the restoration of Nanyue and hereditary generals who have protected the nation for generations, cannot be ignored by the emperor, neither morally nor logically. General Xue will come in person, and Qi Yang and Su Wuming will also have the time and energy to handle the matter.

Xu Sheng was naturally unwilling because Xue Yunting had disrupted the entire plan.

Nianyao understood immediately, her voice slightly cold: "In Xu Sheng's eyes, what is Yun Ting? A pawn? And what are we? Not even pawns."

Seeing that Zhou Yan remained silent, Qin Jiu smoothed things over, saying, "Chief, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; this is the way to achieve great things. Once things in Furong City are settled, the Prince will definitely go to see the Young General."

Nianyao said, "What use would it be if we found a pile of bones?"

Qin Jiu and Zhou Yan exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke. The small hall immediately fell silent.

Nianyao thought for a moment and then suddenly said, "Uncle Zhou, I just said I had something to discuss with you."

"Isn't this Xue Yunting's business?" Zhou Yan suddenly regretted his quick tongue and immediately said, "Please speak, Chief."

Nianyao said, "I want to kill Ji Kongming."

"Is it because you want to?" Nian Yao's tone was firm, even Qin Jiu was a little surprised: "Chief, is it because of the young general's disappearance?"

Nianyao shook her head: "No, it has nothing to do with Yunting. Before returning to Chongming Island, I said I was going to kill him, but I was in a hurry to find Luo An, so I delayed it."

Zhou Yan asked, "Chief, have you discussed this matter with the young master?"

Nian Yao asked curiously, "What does this have to do with him? This is our gang's business. Why should we discuss it with him? Ji Kongming killed so many brothers and seniors. As the gang leader, I have to avenge them. Only by doing this can I disband the Great River Gang with peace of mind."

Qin Jiu said, "Chief, I heard that once Ji Kongming and the Golden Tiger Gang joined forces to hunt you down. Young Master wanted to kill him, but you stopped him?"

They had previously stopped him from killing, causing a huge rift with Luo An, and now they were coming to demand an attack. Qin Jiu really couldn't understand it.

Nianyao said, "Times have changed."

Qin Jiu chimed in, "I understand. A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea."

Nianyao smirked, "Back then, so many people attacked us. Ji Kongming showed mercy and didn't kill me. I stopped Luo An from killing him, so we're even. One thing at a time, Ninth Brother, don't you want to avenge our brothers?"

Qin Jiu replied quickly: "I'm the accountant, I only care about money, I do what I'm told, I don't have that much love or hate."

Seeing Nianyao's surprise, Qin Jiu added, "When the brothers from Yuezhou first died, I felt the gang leader should immediately kill Ji Kongming to avenge them. But as time dragged on, my emotions gradually calmed down, and I seemed to accept what had happened."

Nianyao nodded and said, "I understand. It's not just you who has accepted it; the other brothers seem to have accepted it as well. But I've always kept it in mind. My brothers are my responsibility. After I kill him, you should hold a grand ceremony on Moon Continent to pray for the brothers' souls."

Seeing the sadness on Nianyao's face, Zhou Yan patted her shoulder and said, "Chief, don't think too much about it, and don't take it to heart. Death on the battlefield is much more tragic than this."

Nianyao said, "Uncle Zhou, if you feel that the brothers on Jiangxin Island are not enough, can you borrow troops and weapons from General Qi?"

Zhou Yan replied without hesitation, "Okay."

Nianyao said, "Where is he? Take me to see him, and I'll talk to him myself."

Zhou Yan shook his head: "We'll send a message by carrier pigeon and have him come to Jiangxinzhou. After all, he'll have to stop here before he gets to Yuezhou."

There was no response on the first day, no response on the second day, and still no response on the morning of the third day. Nianyao woke up from her afternoon nap, but still no response...

Nianyao couldn't sit still any longer: "Uncle Zhou, what if the carrier pigeons get intercepted?"

Zhou Yan affirmed, "Impossible. Jiangxinzhou and above are all under Qi Yang's control, and there have never been any problems before."

Qin Jiu said, "Chief, please wait a little longer. If he comes alone, he will definitely need to settle matters within the army before setting off; if he comes with troops, it will naturally be slower."

Zhou Yan also found it strange and was about to suggest sending someone to inquire when someone came to report: "Ship Manager Zhou, the Prince is here and wants the gang leader to go to the dock to meet him."