Chapter 2160: Soaring Reputation
To be cast aside once their utility wanes—how ungrateful indeed!
How could Fan Ruyin not seethe with anger?
It never crossed her mind that perhaps Qiao Xuan was unaware of their contributions. She was convinced that both Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were privy to their efforts.
If they knew but chose to deny it, what else could they be but ungrateful?
“Since she lacks compassion, she shouldn’t blame me!”
With those words, Fan Ruyin redirected her attention to mingling with the elite families of Huaixi province.
Deliberately, she planted seeds of speculation and discord with calm precision.
Needless to say, this tactic proved remarkably effective.
Numerous prominent clans began positioning themselves to demonstrate their loyalty to Shao Yunduan. Naturally, offering their daughters for marriage alliances seemed the safest course of action…
Especially following Shao Yunduan’s conquests of Quzhou and Jinhua.
The situation was truly baffling.
The motives behind the actions of the Prefect of Hangzhou remained elusive. Perhaps he harbored intentions of exploiting the situation to his advantage.
As Sun Pu advanced with his troops towards Huaixi province, the Prefect of Hangzhou appeared smug, reveling in the chaos. Seizing the opportunity, he sought to test the capabilities of his soldiers by engaging them in maneuvers, sending them to capture two cities in Huaixi province linked to his territory.
His schemes were well laid out, but reality delivered a harsh lesson.
Even amidst the siege of Huaixi province by Sun Pu, the Prefect of Hangzhou found himself unable to gain an advantage.
Following the resolution of the conflict with Sun Pu, Shao Yunduan promptly dispatched reinforcements, routing the forces dispatched by the Prefect of Hangzhou.
Realizing the futility of his attempts, the Prefect of Hangzhou begrudgingly accepted defeat. It was as if he had tried to pilfer a chicken only to lose the entire flock. Despite his deep-seated animosity towards Shao Yunduan, he dared not provoke him any further.
What added to the absurdity was the Prefect of Hangzhou’s audacity in composing a letter, emblazoned with the magistrate’s seal, to be delivered to Shao Yunduan. In it, he berated Shao Yunduan self-righteously, demanding the return of Quzhou and Jinhua. Implicitly, he warned of dire consequences if his demands were not met, declaring his intent to reclaim everything with interest, sooner or later!
Shao Yunduan simply disregarded the letter, finding amusement in the magistrate’s naïveté as he shared it with Qiao Xuan.
Not a word of reply was penned in response.
Why didn’t the Prefect of Hangzhou consider his own morality when dispatching troops to exploit the situation? It was sheer audacity to accuse others while attempting to do the same!
With a smile, Qiao Xuan remarked, “A double standard at its finest.” Shao Yunduan found the epithet fitting.
Not only did he have no intention of returning Quzhou and Jinhua, but once Sun Bai and the others’ training stabilized and the checkpoints were established, he would continue to seize territory from the Prefect of Hangzhou!
Thanks to this string of victories, Shao Yunduan’s popularity soared, instilling a newfound confidence in the residents of Huaixi province.
Nothing else mattered to them. The safety and prosperity of Huaixi province, along with Lord Shao’s well-being, eclipsed all other concerns!
Lord Shao appeared as though he had divine assistance, endowed with remarkable abilities. Even the Sun Family’s formidable general, commanding an army of 80,000, was vanquished. In light of such feats, who in the world could rival Lord Shao?
Fan Ruyin and Bai Ruirui found themselves even more exhilarated!
See? Their discernment was impeccable! They were the ones who could discern true heroes. As for Ms. Qiao, she was merely fortunate.
Regrettably, despite their astute judgment, they failed to reap the corresponding rewards they coveted so dearly!
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