Chapter 2838: The Conditions Back Then

Zu An’s eyelids twitched.

What the heck is she saying?

He was about to say something when a soldier outside anxiously reported, “Bad news, Lord Hong! Wang Zuohua, Miao Mei, and a few others have encircled Hancheng. Hancheng is on the verge of collapse!”

Zu An’s expression darkened.

I’ve only arrived in this world, but trouble keeps knocking.

“Tell Yang He to dispatch reinforcements to Hancheng. Why are you reporting this to me?”

His current position was focused on administrative affairs, whereas Yang He was Shanxi’s Governor-General of the Three Frontiers[1]. Military affairs fell under the latter’s jurisdiction.

“Lord Yang doesn’t have soldiers to dispatch anymore, which is why I came to Lord Hong to seek help.”

Zu An was rendered speechless. Memories flooded into his mind.

That Yang trash clashed with the traitors several times and lost the few garrison troops we have left.

The imperial court’s finances were in a disastrous state, and officials had been siphoning away public funds. That had severely limited Great Ming’s military force.

“Where am I supposed to find troops for you?”

Zu An wondered whether to personally make a trip over to resolve this issue, but he was worried that he would draw hatred if he stood out too much.

“I have them!” Tang Tian’er immediately lifted her hand. “My underlings are all valiant warriors. We have another hundred men in our den. Throw a few of your soldiers into the mix, and our forces should be sufficient to deal with the likes of Wang Zuogua and Miao Mei.”

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Zu An didn’t turn down her offer.

This is a world that caught the eye of a universal deity. I better make use of every resource within reach.

Tang Tian’er was overjoyed. She quickly gathered her underlings.

When they heard that they were going to cooperate with the officials to deal with other rebels, the bandits were confused. Something felt off here.

But they quickly remembered how formidable that Hong guy was. They were supposed to have been executed for raiding the prison, but here, they were given a chance to make up for their crimes.

Our big sister must have fought for this opportunity for us.

The thought of that left them moved.

Zu An and Tang Tian’er rushed to Hancheng with their underlings. They successfully suppressed Wang Zuogua and Miao Mei’s armies, but they were still astonished by what they saw.

They’d expected those two armies to be weak, but their fighting prowess was on par with that of demihumans. They even had mages in their ranks.

“Our arrival must have completely shaken up this world’s power balance.” Unlike in the Deity of Death’s trial, Zu An’s abilities weren’t nerfed here. He thought about what Aragorn had told him and quickly came to a conclusion.

Shortly after, Shanxi’s Governor-General of Three Frontiers, Yang He, soon arrived and heaped compliments on Zu An. “Little brother Hong, you came with impeccable timing... You’re not only well-learned, but knowledgeable about military stratagems as well. I’m sure you’ll become a pillar of our empire in the future. I have already reported this matter to the imperial court. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded very soon.”

Zu An responded casually before returning to his room with Tang Tian’er. There, he asked, “The scholar you rescued is Li Yan?”

“How did you know?” Tang Tian’er widened her eyes.

“That person is indeed talented. He’d be an invaluable asset in times of chaos.” Zu An had specially paid a visit to the scholar to confirm his talents.

“You wish to recruit him? No problem. He owes me his life. I’m sure he’ll listen to me.”

“No, you should take him and join a rebel group under Li Zicheng.”

“???” Tang Tian’er was confused.

Zu An explained, “Basically, I want you to serve as a spy.”

With the advantage of precognition in this world, he knew that Li Zicheng would become the famous Thunder King and overthrow the Ming Dynasty... though later he would lose his empire to the Manchus at the Battle of Shanhai Pass.

Nevertheless, there was no doubt that he was the one who would uproot the Ming Dynasty. If the Order faction sought to protect the Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng would be their greatest enemy.

In history, Hong Chengchou had successfully suppressed the uprising of the peasants, beating Li Zicheng down until he had to escape with eighteen cavalrymen.

Now that Zu An had become Hong Chengchou, he didn’t know how things would go down in this world, but he knew that he needed to start scheming now to control the situation.

Tang Tian’er pressed her lips together. “You want to use me as a honey trap? Can you bear to push me into the arms of another man?”

Zu An huffed. “Who told you to resort to a honey trap? I know that you’re skilled at playing mind games. Li Yan will be besotted with you, and you should be able to easily win Li Zicheng’s trust as well.”

“Thanks for your compliment.” Tang Tian’er smiled. She leaned in and asked, “Aren’t you afraid that I might betray you?”

Zu An fell silent for a moment. “I am afraid, but I’m willing to trust you.”

“Tsk. You’re giving me nothing but such empty words.” Tang Tian’er looked at him and asked, “Do you still remember promising me a favor back then?”

Zu An nodded. “I do.”

He’d promised to do her a favor if she helped to bring Yu Yanluo’s clansmen out of the city back then.

“You won’t go back on your word?”

“I won’t.”

Tang Tian’er opened her mouth, only to give up in the end. “Forget it. I know that you’re a gentleman, but even I think it’s too much to ask that of you right now. How about this? I’ll help you spy on Li Zicheng, and we’ll combine both favors. Once we settle things here, you’ll marry me.”

“Sure,” Zu An replied.

“What did you say?” Tang Tian’er stiffened up.

“I said I’ll marry you. But you should also know that I have a lot of lovers, so if you don’t mind...”

Before he could finish speaking, Tang Tian’er leaped up and exclaimed, “Why would I mind? Keke! There’s nothing I love more than fighting with others! Once I have so many sisters to fight with, I won’t feel lonely anymore.”

Her excitement didn’t seem to be feigned. Zu An felt dazed.

I can’t tell if she’s being honest or just pretending.

He felt as if Tang Tian’er was wrapped in a veil, making it hard to determine her true nature or whether she was lying or not.

But that didn’t change the things they had been through. Tang Tian’er had made a huge sacrifice for him, so he felt obliged to take responsibility for her. He was no longer the immature youth he was back then, and he understood the importance of reciprocation.

Marriage could be considered a form of transaction, so he didn’t see any problem with that. Besides, the two of them were indeed attracted to each other.

“Shall we consummate our marriage today?” Tang Tian’er smiled sweetly but coyly.

Zu An burst into laughter. “I can’t wrong you like that. I’ll properly wed you once we clear this dungeon.”

Tang Tian’er was disappointed, though she also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Fine. No backsies.”

“I always keep my promises.”

“Tsk. According to the Hub of Freedom’s information network, back when you were in Brightmoon City, you were a scammer through and through.”

Zu An’s face reddened.

Tang Tian’er suddenly tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. “Wait for me. I’ll marry you once I’m done with this.“

She shyly ran out before roaring at her subordinates to retreat. She was evidently in a good mood.

But Zu An felt uneasy.

It feels like we’ve planted flags everywhere. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.

An imperial edict was suddenly relayed from the sky, praising his merits for resolving Hancheng’s crisis. Then, he was commanded to return to the capital to meet the emperor, where he would be rewarded and entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

1. He guarded three borders, aka Yansui, Ningxia, and Gansu ☜