As soon as they returned to Maniu Town, Guesshu went to find Li Ding to report on the negotiation.
After giving a general overview, Guesshu added, "However, Commander, I feel something is strange about this."
"Although Chen Hao verbally agreed, he refused to sign the contract directly."
"He said he wanted to talk about some details in person with the Commander."
Li Ding chuckled after listening to Guesshu, "Of course he wouldn't sign. He's probably already at the Federal Government building, sipping tea in some minister's office."
"How dare he?"
Guesshu furrowed his brow, then said, "Then what should we do? What about Mao Pan? What should we do with him?"
Li Ding waved his hand nonchalantly, "Just keep him detained for now. Let's see what Chen Hao's real intention is."
"If he really doesn't want his nephew, we can help with that too."
Guesshu nodded and said, "Understood, Commander. I'll go handle other matters then."
"Alright."
Li Ding stood up and said, "Tell your men to keep an eye on the Federal Government army's movements."
"They've been too quiet lately."
Guesshu replied, "Understood, Commander."
He then pushed open the door and left.
At that moment, the adjutant passed Guesshu and entered Li Ding's room.
"Commander."
The adjutant saluted and placed a stack of documents in front of Li Ding.
"These are the materials you asked me to gather, about the industries under Chen Hao's control."
"I believe that if we want to make him suffer, Wu Haishan's mine and the surrounding jade gambling market would be a good target."
The adjutant added, "Also, Commander, the Nanbo Mo army that entered the valley has been confirmed to be under Mu Yaoxi's command."
"They just sent someone to contact us."
"Their meaning is that they know we need a road to transport weapons, and there's a suitable road within their territory."
"They can give us this road to use."
"Anything else?" Li Ding asked without looking up.
The adjutant pondered for a moment and said, "Mu Yaoxi said they'd also lend a hand when we confront the Federal Government army."
"After we eliminate the Federal Government army, all the local forces, the various logging camps, and mines in this area can be ours."
"But all the casinos will belong to the Nanbo Mo army."
"Tell me your thoughts." Li Ding asked after his adjutant finished.
The adjutant hurriedly replied, "Commander, my thought is that we should agree."
"You see, we'll inevitably clash with the Federal Government army later."
"A centipede, even when dead, still has legs. Although the Federal Government army is now much weaker due to years of corruption and economic problems."
"The number and quality of troops within them are still incredibly frightening."
"Yes, compared to our Bobei Army, these Federal Government troops are no match."
"But we should still be prepared for them to make a last desperate stand, a final struggle."
Li Ding smiled and nodded after hearing the adjutant's explanation, "You have some insights, but they are not entirely correct."
"Mu Yaoxi doesn't just represent his own army."
"Although the Nanbo Mo army is composed of hundreds of large and small warlords."
"They have been fighting amongst themselves for years, and most of these forces have grievances with each other."
"However, there are also various connections between them."
"Mu Yaoxi will surely seek out other allies to join the war to gain more benefits from his cooperation with us."
"Commander, you have a long-term vision! I admire you!" The adjutant said with admiration after hearing Li Ding's analysis.
He hadn't considered this deeper implication.
The adjutant then asked, "By the way, Commander, should I go back to Mu Yaoxi now and tell him that we agree to his terms?"
"Not yet."
Li Ding pointed to the strategic map on the table and said, "You see, we need the Chamber of Commerce, undoubtedly because using that road is the most convenient."
"And the Chamber of Commerce also knows this, so they're using it to pressure us, as a bargaining chip."
"But now, with the addition of Mu Yaoxi and his people, the scales have tipped entirely in our favor."
"It's time to let President Chen and the others know this."
The adjutant, confused, asked Li Ding, "So, Commander, what should we do next?"
Li Ding pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "They're waiting for our reply, aren't they? Alright, tell them that I agree to their terms."
"But there's one condition: they need to go take over Wu Haishan's mine and jade gambling market right now."
"If they can't take it, then we won't talk."
The adjutant understood. He stood up and walked towards the door, "Understood, Commander! I'll go send Mu Yaoxi a reply!"
After receiving Li Ding's reply, Mu Yaoxi immediately expressed his agreement.
He said that it was just a mine and that Li Ding should just sit back and watch the show.
However, Mu Yaoxi's subordinates were unhappy with his decision.
When Mu Yaoxi and his group rebelled against Jiang Long.
It was because they were dissatisfied with Jiang Long's refusal to help them recapture the rosewood forest from the Chamber of Commerce.
This group of people originally lived near the rosewood forest.
Now, they learned that the terms of Mu Yaoxi's negotiation with the Bobei Army did not include that rosewood forest.
Naturally, his subordinates were not happy.
"Mu Yaoxi! What's wrong with you? How can you give up the rosewood forest? Have you forgotten why we left the Bobei Army?"
Mu Yaoxi looked at his subordinates and said, "Why are you all in such a hurry? Can we get it just by saying we want it?"
"We've just arrived in Maniu Town from Nanbo Bang."
"We haven't even gotten our footing yet! This is just so we can secure a place in the Bobei Army."
"Besides, we've been so passive because we don't have money."
"Here in Sanbianpo, the most suitable business for us is the casino business."
"Once we have money, why worry about buying the rosewood forest land?"
Mu Yaoxi's words silenced most of his subordinates.
A few more understanding ones were already speaking up for Mu Yaoxi, "We've been saying that, how could the boss forget his original oath!"
"You bunch of simpletons just don't have a long-term vision, but boss, what should we do next?"
Mu Yaoxi pondered for a moment and said, "Let's deploy some troops now, regardless of how things turn out with the Bobei Army."
"This token of good faith must be shown."