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Uzhda gave a noncommittal hum with a hint of a smile.

The shopkeeper wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and said with a smile, "Young Master Uzhda, please follow me. The person you're waiting for is in the Heavenly Room."

Uzhda followed the shopkeeper into an elegant chamber. Upon opening the door, he saw a middle-aged man with a heroic appearance sitting by the window, none other than the Governor of Jiangzhe, Liao Rao.

As soon as Uzhda entered, the shopkeeper closed the door behind him.

Liao Rao didn't rise but lifted his chin and said to Uzhda in a leisurely manner, "Sit down. You're quite daring, entering the territory of Great Yin without fear that I might take your life here."

In Four Square Island, Uzhda had always been the one who had the final say. Even back in Di Luo, the high-ranking generals treated him as an honored guest. When had he ever been treated with such disrespect?

Four Square Island was originally his domain. If not for this man's support of the Water Dragon King against him, how could he have ended up being constantly hampered? Now that the Water Dragon King was dead and the Jiaofeng refused to cooperate, an opportunity had arisen for Uzhda.

Today, he would make this mighty Governor of Great Yin look like a drowning dog!

Suppressing his anger, Uzhda replied, "I've heard that you've encountered some troubles, so naturally, I'm here to help you solve them."

"Troubles?" Liao Rao poured tea without changing his expression and asked, "What troubles have I encountered?"

"My lord, did you send Jiao Feng's relatives in Dayin to prison? People in Sifang Island are now spreading rumors that Jiao Feng is recruiting troops and wants to break the trap with the mermaid. Jiao Feng has been with the Water Dragon King for so long, Mr. Liao,Do you think she has anything shady in her hands? I came here today just to discuss a cooperation with you. After all, you and I have a common enemy."

Liao Rao held the teacup in his hand, contemplating for a long while before asking, "In what way do you wish to collaborate?"

The full moon hung high, and as the night deepened, two more lamps illuminated the duty officer's quarters of the Imperial Guard.

Gu Changjin spent the day here until the moon ascended above the willow branches. When Heng Ping arrived with Lan Yan, he was in the midst of discussing coastal defenses with Liang Xiao.

Upon hearing Heng Ping's words, the man's pen snapped in his hand with a sharp "snap."

"You say she returned to the pleasure boat?" The question was directed at Lang Ping, who stood behind him.

Luo Yan nodded. "Miss Rong said that Uzhda's boat moored by the riverbank might be hiding weapons. She needs to go back and have Chief Lu come up with a plan to evacuate the civilians along the Xiaojin River."

Gu Changjin's expression darkened.

Behind him, Liang Xiao's face also twisted in anger. "That bastard Uzhda, huh? Now that he dares to enter the territory of Great Yin, he shouldn't expect to leave alive! I'll lead a group right now to surround that damned Exquisite Silk Pavilion!"

Gu Changjin pursed his lips.

"General Liang, please hold," said the man with an icy gaze fixed on the maritime defense diagram on the wall. "There should be more than just Uzhda at that inn. If Liao Rao is also there, you cannot afford to go."

Liang Xiao asked, "Why not? Wouldn't it be better if Liao Rao was there? We could catch them all in one trap."

"Has General Liang considered the possibility that Uzhda's meeting with Liao Rao might be a decoy, and his true intention is to launch a surprise attack on Yang State Prefecture? If you were to go to the Exquisite Silk Pavilion, even if you captured Uzhda, it would likely be too late."

As Liang Xiao pondered Gu Changjin's words, he grew increasingly alarmed.

Liao Rao was in charge of military affairs in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, holding the military seals. If Uzhda could keep Liao Rao occupied, preventing him from summoning reinforcements, then the only soldiers defending Yangzhou City would be those under the command of the local garrison.

Therefore, Liang Xiao couldn't risk going. Otherwise, with no one to lead the troops against the pirates, the city would be in grave danger.

The purpose of Uzhda's visit today was still unknown. If his true intention was to coordinate an ambush on Yangzhou City, Liang Xiao needed to prepare the defenses immediately!

"You're right, Lord Gu," Liu Yuan entered the room with a stern expression. "Uzhda is a vengeful man. Liao Rao supported the Water Dragon King against him for control of Four Square Island. It's safe to say Uzhda holds a deep grudge against Liao Rao. If Yangzhou City falls, Liao Rao will undoubtedly be held accountable. For Uzhda, it would be killing three birds with one stone."

Uzhda aimed to catch them off guard.

Liang Xiao gritted his teeth in frustration. "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The entire city is out celebrating, releasing lanterns and enjoying various performances. If the pirates take advantage of this opportunity to invade, who knows how many innocent lives will be lost!"

"If Uzhda truly plans to launch a night raid on Yangzhou," Gu Changjin gazed at the deployment map, circling several waterway entrances with his broken pen, "these locations must be promptly prepared for battle. Time is of the essence. General Liang, you should immediately assemble your troops at the garrison. As for the Exquisite Silk Pavilion, I will personally lead a team to rescue Liao Rao."

Putting down his pen, he looked at Liang Xiao and Liu Yuan with a serious expression. "Yangzhou City cannot fall. We need the soldiers under Liao Rao's command."

Equipped with firearms and explosives, Uzhda could cause chaos by detonating them within the inner city. With pirates landing ashore amidst the confusion, the night would bring disaster to Yangzhou Prefecture.

Located at the entrance of the canal, Yangzhou was a hub of waterways, and if pirates seized control, the entire southern region of Great Yin might be lost.

At this moment, defending Yangzhou City and protecting its citizens took precedence over political rivalries.

Even if it meant sacrificing the chance to overthrow Liao Rao.

Liu Yuan twirled a jade ring in his hand, remaining silent for a long while before finally smiling and sighing. "Lord Gu speaks the truth. Yangzhou City must not fall. However, you shouldn't be the one going to the Exquisite Silk Pavilion; it should be me. If the pirates really intend to attack tonight, the Dragon Phoenix is likely already on their way. Since Lord Gu has the intention of reconciliation, tonight presents a rare opportunity."

Gu Changjin indeed had such intentions.

"Uzhda dared to come alone to meet Liao Rao in Yangzhou; he must have made thorough preparations. The pirates from Four Square Island will probably unleash all their forces tonight. If that's the case," Gu Changjin narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice turning cold, "it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Eunuch Liu—"

He turned to Liu Yuan, speaking slowly and deliberately, "I trouble you to bring Pan Xueliang to meet the Dragon Phoenix."

Liu Yuan met his gaze steadily and, with unhurried composure, withdrew a pitch-black token from his sleeve. He declared solemnly, "This is the token given to me by His Majesty when I left the capital. With this token, all officials here must obey my commands. General Liang, you are to immediately lead your troops to patrol the coastal defenses, to prevent any pirate raids. Minister Gu, take Pan Xueliang and set out to pacify the Dragon Phoenix. As for myself, I will personally go to the Exquisite Silk Pavilion to rescue Liao Rao and capture Uzhda alive."