The smile on Shang Jingchuan’s face gradually faded.
Because Zhao Ya was completely unpredictable, and such words were not typical in official settings.
The key was that these few sentences hit the mark, and even he found it difficult to respond.
He couldn’t help but reassess the young man across from him, whose eyes were bright and focused.
"Is Nephew Zhao perhaps threatening me?" Shang Jingchuan said lightly.
"Of course not." Zhao Ya shook his head, "I just came to inform Lord Governor of a few matters."
"Please speak!"
"Firstly, the intensity of this Beast Tide will be unprecedented. I even suspect there are traces of human manipulation, as the behavior of the beasts is too abnormal."
Zhao Ya succinctly recounted the strange activities of the beasts last night and today’s ambush in the forest.
Shang Jingchuan listened silently.
"And then?"
"And then, under such a powerful Beast Tide, if your government hopes to sit back and watch the tigers fight and profit in the end, it is destined to be a fantasy. The current situation allows no room for error, and the slightest mistake could end in disaster. Of course..."
Before Shang Jingchuan could speak, Zhao Ya continued.
"Does Lord Governor think that having the cavalry stationed at Boling Valley means you can rest easy? In fact, that is a grave mistake. Not to mention that the garrison leader, Wei Hongbin, is of questionable character, but considering the current situation, what would you do if this cavalry enters the Commandery and refuses to leave?"
"He wouldn’t dare!" Shang Jingchuan sneered, "Wei Hongbin may come from a military family, but how can he not know the laws of Great Yan? If he really did that, would he still want his head?"
"The laws of Great Yan..." Zhao Ya couldn’t help but chuckle.
He finally understood the biggest problem with people like Shang Jingchuan.
Such people clearly still lived in their own fantasies.
The chaos in the world was already apparent, with warlords gradually controlling different regions. Many places, such as Wuxiang City, had long ignored the royal edicts. Who still cares about the so-called laws of Great Yan?
Perhaps irritated by Zhao Ya’s attitude.
Shang Jingchuan’s face turned livid, "Do you think I’m talking nonsense?"
Zhao Ya, unrelenting, nodded and said, "Yes!"
"Hmph, you’re young, I don’t blame you, but have you considered why, even if Wei Hongbin has ulterior motives, he still doesn’t dare to enter the city after all these years at Boling Valley?"
"Because you control his supply of provisions!" Zhao Ya said helplessly.
"Indeed, I hold the power over the provision supply, so I doubt Wei Hongbin can cause any trouble."
Since Zhao Ya already laid it out, Shang Jingchuan decided not to hide it any longer, and spoke candidly.
In his plan, he intended to use the Beast Tide to weaken the power of the Martial Artists, who never regarded the government, and then use Wei Hongbin’s garrison to repel the Beast Tide, ultimately benefiting and gaining actual control over the Commandery.
This strategy of using tigers to swallow wolves was indeed perfect.
But upon hearing this, Zhao Ya merely sneered, tired of sparing Shang Jingchuan’s feelings, and directly said.
"Lord Governor, while you hold the position of the governor in the city’s government, if chaos enters the city, do you think you’ll still be?"
This question struck deep into his soul.
Shang Jingchuan was momentarily stunned.
Zhao Ya stood up and said, "Honestly, I didn’t expect that Lord Commandery, at your age, is not as mature as your daughter, Miss Luoluo. Do you think holding the power over provisions allows you to act unscrupulously?"
"Wei Hongbin’s cavalry listens to you at Boling Valley, but once they enter the city, where provisions are everywhere, will they still need to obey your orders?"
Shang Jingchuan’s face gradually turned pale.
"Then why hasn’t he..."
"Because within the Commandery, there are many Martial Arts Hall forces. If these Martial Artists unite, even Wei Hongbin must consider the situation carefully. That’s why the three sides have maintained this delicate balance."
Zhao Ya directly pointed out the crux of the matter.
Shang Jingchuan slumped into his chair, his face ashen, saying nothing.
Zhao Ya ignored him.
He knew that people like Shang Jingchuan read too many books, truly believing that reality was like what’s written in books, that with a token and a command arrow, they could command thousands of troops effortlessly.
In reality, it’s never so simple.
Because true power is always ruthless.
Put simply, it’s about respect and fear.
Shang Jingchuan held sway over Wei Hongbin through the supply of provisions, and Wei Hongbin dared not show the slightest complaint, fearing not Shang Jingchuan but the provisions he controlled.
And once the opportunity arises to enter the city and possess the fertile land of the Commandery, Shang Jingchuan’s power will naturally become ineffective.
At this moment, Zhao Ya spoke toward the screen, "Miss Luoluo, you’ve been listening behind the screen for so long, will you not make an appearance?"
A silvery laugh came from behind the screen, and then a captivating woman emerged—it was Shang Luoluo.
"It’s not that I didn’t want to appear, I was just captivated by Young Master Zhao’s brilliant analysis just now."
Shang Luoluo’s eyes were indeed full of amazement and admiration.
She simply couldn’t understand.
How could a young person just over twenty years old have such a sharp and clear understanding of the situation?
Especially the phrase about the three maintaining a weak balance, which made Shang Luoluo silently applaud.
"Miss Luoluo, you joke, I’m sure you already had these thoughts."
Shang Luoluo shook her head, "I did, but they were never as clear and straightforward as yours, Young Master Zhao."
With that, she turned to look at her father.
"Father, you heard what Young Master Zhao just said, so it’s best not to hold onto unrealistic ideas. Quickly unite with Young Master Zhao and them to ensure the commandery safely passes through this crisis. Surely you don’t want to see the city full of people suffering and in distress."