Chapter 82: Mutual Benefit

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was tinged with awkwardness.

At this juncture, Meng Di suddenly shifted the subject and smiled. “Young Master Tian, now that you wish to restore the Tian clan’s former glory, why do you linger here for so long? You must realize that this could easily rouse the suspicions of the Guo family.”

Tian Chang’s expression changed upon hearing this. He cupped his hands and said, “I would appreciate your guidance.”

He had not expected the other party to raise this matter so directly, nor with such gravity. He felt a trace of uncertainty, especially since the pace of the conversation had been in Meng Di’s hands from the start.

Meng Di smiled faintly. “In fact, Young Master Tian, you should be making a great show of spreading the news of Young Master Guo’s disappearance. That would prove your impartiality. Privately, you could report to the Gao family that Young Master Guo has obtained the ‘Sima’s Art of War.’ Would that not serve two purposes at once?”

Tian Chang’s face lit up with excitement at these words. “What a brilliant scheme! Brother Han, your wisdom is indeed profound. Yet there is one thing I do not understand—where, after all, is this ‘Sima’s Art of War’?”

At this, Meng Di looked troubled. “Had you agreed to my proposal yesterday, I would have led men in pursuit at once. Perhaps we might have retrieved the ‘Sima’s Art of War.’ Now, I fear those river bandits have already spirited it away to some distant place.”

He was certainly not foolish enough to reveal that the ‘Sima’s Art of War’ was in his own hands, lest he give Tian Chang a reason to act against him.

Tian Chang sat in silence for some time, deeply regretful. Though some doubts lingered, today’s conversation had made him regard this Han Zhan before him with new respect. Most importantly, he was keen to hear what further schemes he might propose.

In Tian Chang’s eyes, Meng Yi was but a trifling territory. No matter what tricks Meng Di might play, its future prospects were extremely limited. Not to mention the hurdle of Yang Hu, which would be hard to overcome.

Now that the Three Huan were in decline, and Yang Hu, a mere household retainer, held overwhelming power, how could he possibly tolerate the rise of a new rival within the state of Lu?

Currently, the Gao family was planning to wage war against Lu. If Meng Di could serve as an agent within Lu, perhaps the Gao clan could be dealt a severe blow, causing their reputation within Qi to plummet.

No matter how he calculated, it was a deal that could only profit him, never a loss. Tian Chang was thus tempted, though he did not broach the matter directly.

After some consideration, he said, “Now that the Gao family seeks to move against Lu, I can render aid, ensuring your lord weathers this calamity unscathed. Brother Han, would you say this is a sufficient display of sincerity?”

Upon hearing these words, Meng Di was inwardly startled. He had heard such rumors in Linzi, but paid them little heed. Now, confirmation from Tian Chang made him instantly aware of the situation’s gravity.

Meng Yi had only just come under his control, and the people’s support was far from secure. To clash head-on with the Qi army at this juncture would be most ill-advised, and anxiety welled up in Meng Di’s heart.

After some thought, he rose and saluted Tian Chang. “In that case, I must thank you, Young Master Tian. If this matter is settled, let the issue of those two thousand acres of salt fields be dropped—what do you think?”

He had not expected the other to be so amenable. The two thousand acres of salt fields were merely a pretext; the Tian clan would never relinquish them to outsiders. Tian Chang was well aware that this was Meng Di’s way of safeguarding himself, and also a gesture of goodwill towards the Tian family.

Nonetheless, Tian Chang outwardly declined. “The Tian family has always kept its word. If word of this were to spread, would it not tarnish our reputation? Brother Han, let us not speak of it again.”

Meng Di saw through it clearly. His true aim had always been the trading route—otherwise, he would never have agreed. Even if he were to take the salt fields, they were situated within Qi. Should the people of Qi learn that these salt fields had fallen into the hands of men from Lu, Meng Di would not be able to keep them. Better to offer a favor in passing.

Now that Tian Chang had put it this way, Meng Di considered and said, “If so, let those two thousand acres of salt fields be a gift from my lord to the Tian clan, in hopes that we may watch over and support each other from now on.”

Having handled matters thus, Tian Chang could hardly reclaim the salt fields without cause.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “In that case, I shall accept with gratitude. Since you have shown such generosity, the Tian family must surely reciprocate.”

At this, Meng Di spoke, “But regarding the trading route you mentioned earlier—does that still hold?”

That particular route lay within the Tian family’s control. Now that terms had been agreed, cooperation would benefit both parties. Tian Chang also hoped to use Meng Yi to give the Gao family an unpleasant surprise.

So he laughed. “Naturally, the arrangement stands. Moreover, the Tian family will present a sum of money as a token of thanks. Brother Han, please deliver it to your lord in Lu. May I ask, how many men does your lord command? How capable are they in battle?”

From this line of questioning, Meng Di understood that Tian Chang sought to profit from the Qi army’s imminent defeat.

“My lord commands several thousand men, all elite troops. In the previous battle, we captured Fei City—you must have heard of it. Should the Tian clan have need, my lord is willing to fight at your side.”

As Tian Chang’s smile grew ever broader, Meng Di voiced his own request.

“What Meng Yi lacks most at present is not money, but grain. If the Tian clan could provide that, it would be ideal. Moreover, my lord’s forces are few and Qi’s are many. If we could learn of Qi’s movements in advance, we might achieve something substantial.”

Seeing Meng Di speak with such confidence, Tian Chang was greatly pleased, though he did not give his answer at once.

Instead, he feigned contemplation before replying, “I must report this to my father. Brother Han, why not return to Linzi with me? Once a decision is reached, it will be easier to inform you.”

At last, a preliminary agreement had been reached. Meng Di breathed a quiet sigh of relief. For now, it was merely an intention; whether it would be finalized depended on Tian Qi’s decision.

Moreover, he still needed to investigate the matter of the Yan trading route in detail, so he agreed at once.

Immediately, Tian Chang shifted tactics—on one hand, spreading word far and wide that Guo Yuan had gone missing at Hawk’s Beak Cliff, and on the other, joining the garrison of Wolf’s Fang City in a search.

By this time, Guo Yuan had already received word and had been spirited away by Wang Bo under cover of night to a place not far from Jimo.

Guo Yuan did not linger in Jimo. Once he obtained a horse, he rode straight for Linzi. He had no faith in Tian Chang, and knew the longer he remained outside, the greater the danger.

Now that the ‘Sima’s Art of War’ had fallen into Meng Di’s hands, recovery was impossible. He needed to inform his father at once, so that preparations could be made.