The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

"Master." Ah Da's eyes reddened as he recalled the horrific scene he had witnessed. "These three villages were completely burned down by a fire, leaving only a few charred walltops. I've inquired, and it rained a lot in Yunnan at the time of the incident, so an ordinary fire wouldn't have caused such a disaster. The only possibility is that someone added lamp oil to the fire to prevent being discovered. Purchasing such a large amount of lamp oil would cost at least ten taels of silver. I don't believe the people of Pagan would travel such a long distance carrying dozens of kilograms of lamp oil just to burn down a few thatched huts."

"All this is just your speculation. Is there any evidence?"

Ah Da shook his head regretfully.

"Did you see the bodies of the villagers?"

Ah Da was stunned. "The weather in Yunnan is hot, and corpses decay quickly. I only saw dozens of newly dug graves."

His fingers tapped the table, making a slow, dull thud. Zhou Boli raised his eyes, his gaze sharp. "I want to see the person alive or dead. Also, are there any hiding places in the mountains around the village? Investigate them thoroughly."

Ah Da was silent for a moment when he heard this. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. "Master, I heard from the Pagans that there is another reason why they dare not approach the Yunnan-Yunnan border. One of the Pagans got lost while hunting and strayed into a forest barrier. He saw moving will-o'-the-wisp fire on the mountain."

"Master, I will go back now!" Ada stood up and left.

Zhou Boli immediately stopped him and said after a moment's hesitation, "Wait three days first."

Liu Chang, the chieftain envoy of Yunnan and Dian, appeared early the next morning.

Zhou Boli looked at the middle-aged man sitting in the seat and thought to himself that it seemed that he could not go to the mountains with Ayun today.

After Lu Yun learned that Zhou Boli could not go, she took Bai Xiaolou with her when she passed by the front yard, and the three of them got on a carriage and rushed to Zhang's house.

Mr. Zhang was not surprised to see a stranger.

Lu Yun introduced him, "This is the manor's manager, his surname is Bai."

This was also the first time Bai Xiaolou knew what he would be doing. With his years of professionalism as an actor, he quickly switched roles and respectfully saluted the young master in front of him. "Bai Xiaolou greets Master Zhang. I will follow your orders."

Zhang Yun smiled and nodded. "From now on, I will inform Manager Bai promptly of all matters concerning the construction of the villa and the Taoist temple."

Compared to the relaxed and happy atmosphere of Lu Yun and his group, the atmosphere in Muyangju was a bit tense.

"Master Zhang, why did you come so early?" Zhou Boli said in a steady voice, "Is it still about what happened last time?"

Liu Chang said, "Your Highness, the Lord said that after several days of observation, the Pagans will not return in the short term after looting the property. So -"

Liu Chang was a little embarrassed to speak. "So, the Lord said that Your Highness should not consider sending troops."

Zhou Boli was so angry that he almost laughed. This was no longer just bullying him because he was young, but treating him like a fool and fooling him.

"Words are not enough. Lord Liu, do you have any evidence to prove that the Pagans will not invade the Yunnan-Yunnan border again?"

Liu Chang lowered his head and spoke with a tone that was clearly lacking in confidence. "Your Highness, the Lord said he sent local officials to patrol the border and found no trace of the Pagans within a hundred miles of the border. Furthermore, there were no other villages along the border, so the Pagans wouldn't be able to find them even if they robbed them."

Zhou Boli said coldly, "If I think these reasons are far-fetched and I insist on sending troops to clear the border, what will your master think?"

Liu Chang broke out in a cold sweat. "Although the Lord didn't say so, according to the traditional rules, it should be possible."

"Bang!" Zhou Boli slammed his palm on the table. He really wanted to kill someone now.

Liu Chang's body softened, and he touched the ground with his head. "Your Highness, please forgive me."

"Okay." Zhou Boli gritted his teeth. "Go back and tell your family that the incident of Pagan's border invasion never happened."

When Liu Chang got up tremblingly, he could only see the back of a man leaving angrily. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and decided to resign when he returned.

Based on his years of intuition, this prince is definitely not the incompetent person his superiors said. If he continues like this, he is afraid that his life will be in danger.

My lord, you are like holding a lantern in a toilet - looking for shit!

In Sansiyuan, Zhou Boli plopped down on a chair, his handsome face twisted. "Father, do you know what kind of person Gao Tai is?"

The King of Nanyue was calm and composed. "Gao Tai, you bully the weak and fear the strong. You are not only mediocre but also incompetent. You are a typical Nanyue henpecked man."

"If that's the case, why keep him as the chieftain of Yunnan and Dian?" Zhou Boli gritted his teeth. "Such a mediocre person would be despised even if he were used to lead horses."

The King of Nanyue had a look on his face that said, "You're too young, son." "Son, the chieftain system has existed in the three regions of Nanyue for over a hundred years. It must have its rationale, and it's not something you and I can abolish overnight. When Old Master Gao was alive, he was indeed quite talented. I originally wanted Gao Da, but something unexpected happened and Gao Er got the upper hand."

Zhou Boli gradually regained his composure. "Father, do you mean to let Gao Tai live a mediocre life?"

The King of Nanyue narrowed his eyes. "The Tusi have been passed down from generation to generation, and their influence in various places cannot be underestimated. More than ten years ago, I finally managed to remove the military power from their hands. For the royal palace, the more mediocre the chieftains of the three regions are, the better. Mediocre people are stupid and foolish."

He dared not make big mistakes but kept making small mistakes. In this way, the Palace of the King of Nanyue could send people to criticize him from time to time, weakening his prestige in the local area like a whale.

The King of Nanyue looked at his son and said, "Bo Li, with the military power in your hands, the local chieftains will not dare to act rashly. You only need to do one thing now: consider how to undermine the prestige of the local chieftains among the people so that the royal palace can take their place."

Zhou Boli bowed solemnly and said, "Father, I am grateful for your guidance."

"Father!" A gray figure appeared in the yard and rushed into the house in a hurry.

Manager Liao went to stop them. "Second Young Master, you're back? The Prince and the Crown Prince are discussing matters in the room. Please wait a moment."

The young man, who had obviously darkened a few shades, looked into the room and reluctantly followed Manager Liao to the side hall.

"Father, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." Zhou Boli bowed and said goodbye.

The King of Nanyue stroked his beard proudly and said, "Go ahead."

Zhou Boli sent someone to call Liu Chang back when he was halfway there. Liu Chang was scared half to death.

"Go back and tell your master that I am worried that Pagan will invade again, so I decided to station a thousand soldiers on the Yunnan-Yunnan border." Zhou Boli signaled his sixth son to hand the official document with the seal to the servants.

"Your Highness, I will follow your orders." Liu Chang, who was obviously relieved, took the document with both hands and left in a flash.

Zhou Boli snorted coldly, called Ah Da over and whispered a few instructions to him.

Of course he had to investigate. Now that he had solid evidence, he could go easy on Gao Tai himself, but he could strike hard in other areas.

Outside the city, the group worked for half a day before finally deciding on a location for the Taoist temple and villa. The temple was located halfway up Yuxi Mountain, offering a commanding view. It was situated in the center of a mountain range surrounded by water on three sides. Master Zhang said it was a rare feng shui location.

Because of the discovery of a certain treasure, Lu Yun believed it without a doubt.