ebookland Chapter 18 Murong Yi's Secret Thoughts
Chapter 18 Murong Yi's Secret Thoughts
The bandit leader frowned, his face full of suspicion. He pointed at Murong Yi and asked Lin Xiaoqian irritably, "What's going on? Why did this man suddenly barge in?"
Lin Xiaoqian's heart tightened, but she still forced a smile, pretending to be relaxed and calm, and said unhurriedly, "Uh... well, he's here to help us too." As she spoke, she secretly gave Murong Yi a look, her eyes filled with anxiety and hints, hoping that he would cooperate with her.
Then, Lin Xiaoqian turned to the bandit leader and said incessantly, "Brother, if you don't believe me, you have to believe him! He is the most trusted minister of the court, with high position and great power, and he has extensive knowledge. What he says is always the most reasonable! With his help, the things we discussed before will definitely go more smoothly. This is a great opportunity for us."
The bandit leader, after hearing Lin Xiaoqian's words, looked at Murong Yi with a mixture of belief and doubt. Murong Yi was completely bewildered by this sudden turn of events. His brow furrowed, he stood frozen, silently speculating about Lin Xiaoqian's intentions. Although he didn't know what Lin Xiaoqian was up to, seeing her anxious hints, he decided to remain still and observe how the situation developed before making any further plans. Murong Yi was filled with confusion and doubt, and he secretly pondered:
What on earth is Lin Qianqian up to? How did she end up with these bandits? Well, let's remain silent for now and see what she's up to.
The bandit leader scoffed, "He really can help us? Judging from the way he barged in, I find it hard to believe." With that, he scrutinized Murong Yi from head to toe, his eyes full of suspicion and scrutiny, as if trying to see right through him.
Lin Xiaoqian quickly stepped forward and said urgently, "It's absolutely true! Why would I lie to you! His prestige and ability in the court will definitely be an asset to us and help our plan to be implemented smoothly."
Although the bandit leader still harbored doubts, he didn't completely rule out the possibility. His eyes darted around, and an idea formed in his mind; he decided to test the waters first. He shouted, ordering Murong Yi to drop his weapon: "You, throw away your sword! Don't try anything funny!"
Murong Yi's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Lin Xiaoqian, who blinked and nodded slightly. Helpless, he could only slowly approach, gently placing his sword on the ground before walking towards her. His steps were steady, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, constantly watching the movements of the surrounding bandits. He grew increasingly curious about Lin Xiaoqian's intentions, eager to know what she was plotting.
As soon as Murong Yi reached Lin Xiaoqian's side, the bandits quickly surrounded them, trapping the two of them tightly in the middle. Pairs of eyes were fixed on them, like hungry wolves eyeing their prey, ready to pounce at the slightest movement.
Murong Yi and Lin Xiaoqian knew that they were in a difficult situation and could only hold back for the time being, waiting for the right opportunity.
At this moment, Lin Xiaoqian cleared his throat and began to explain his plan to the bandits in detail: "The Jiangnan region is currently suffering from severe flooding, and the imperial court is doing its utmost to provide disaster relief. If we can use the wealth we previously robbed to help the victims, it will be a great achievement. He has considerable influence in the court and can speak well of us to the emperor, persuading the court to pardon our crimes. He might even offer us amnesty, allowing us to live a peaceful life and no longer be pursued by the government. When the people learn that it was us who helped them, they will be grateful to us, and we will be able to completely shed the stigma of being bandits."
After hearing Lin Xiaoqian's words, the bandits looked at each other and began to whisper among themselves. Some of them showed interest, thinking that this might be a good opportunity to change their fate; others remained suspicious, worried that it was a trap set by the imperial court.
The bandit leader pondered for a moment before speaking, "Your plan sounds good, but how can we trust that you won't abandon us after we've served our purpose?"
Lin Xiaoqian smiled slightly and said calmly, "We are all under your control right now. If we had any disloyalty, wouldn't we be courting death? Besides, we value our reputation the most. Since we are willing to help, we will definitely do it. You can also send someone with us to supervise the whole process and ensure that nothing goes wrong."
The bandit leader stroked his chin, pondered for a long time, and seemed to be gradually moved by Lin Xiaoqian's words.
Upon hearing Lin Xiaoqian's words, Murong Yi's expression turned to disbelief. His eyes widened as he stared at Lin Xiaoqian, as if looking at a complete stranger. His mind raced: [Is this really the Lin Qianqian I know? How could she devise such a shocking, audacious, and meticulous plan in such a perilous situation? I previously only thought her intelligent, but I never imagined she possessed such breadth of vision and strategic acumen. Not only is she unafraid of the bandits, but she even attempts to persuade them to reform, to share the burdens of the court, and to alleviate the suffering of the people. Her courage and wisdom truly impress me. However, while this plan is ingenious, its implementation is fraught with difficulties; the slightest mishap could lead to utter ruin. How can I lend her a hand and ensure the plan's success? And how can I guarantee her safety, preventing her from being harmed by the bandits?]
The initial astonishment in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by solemnity and contemplation. His brows furrowed slightly, and his mind raced as he tried to find a viable breakthrough in this complex situation.