After all, in the Chu King's mansion, Liu Dai had been well-behaved for the past few days and hadn't done anything outrageous. But slowly, things began to change.
"Why should this prefect be confined here? Who does Ye Feng think he is!" Liu Dai gritted his teeth and cursed, "Just you wait, I'll teach him a lesson one day and let him know how formidable this prefect is!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Bu pushed the door open and stared coldly at Liu Dai, "It's been a bit restless in the Chu King's mansion these days. It's best if the prefect stays indoors. Otherwise, if you get hurt, it won't be worth the trouble."
"Thank you for your reminder, General. This prefect will certainly be careful and won't go out unless absolutely necessary!" Liu Dai cupped his hands politely. As he watched Lu Bu leave, he gnashed his teeth in hatred, "Does he really think this prefect will be soft-pedaled? Absolutely not!"
"However, the immediate priority is to find the strategist. He might have a way to solve this urgent problem for this prefect!" Liu Dai thought to himself. Although Lu Bu had given instructions, he still decided to go out regardless, as no one dared to stop him.
Liu Dai didn't expect to be slapped in the face right at the entrance of the Chu King's mansion. Instantly, the gatekeeper blocked his path and said coldly, "Where do you think you're going? The General ordered that no one is to leave without good reason."
Liu Dai took out some silver and hurriedly tried to press it into the gatekeepers' hands, his face full of smiles. "Although the General gave an order, he also said that we can go out if there's a reason. How about you two be understanding?"
"This?" The two looked at each other and smiled. Lu Bu's orders were indeed strict, but what Liu Dai said was also true. More importantly, who could resist silver? Their minds began to wander. "Prefect, it's not that my brother and I don't want to let you out, but if something happens to you, we won't be able to explain ourselves."
"What are you two brothers saying? I'll be back early and won't cause you any trouble." Liu Dai quickly plastered on a smile and took out another piece of silver. "Please have some tea with this. Perhaps you brothers..."
"Big brother, I don't think anything major will happen. Why don't we just let him out? After all, he's a prefect. It wouldn't be good if he lost face. The General also gave instructions." one gatekeeper whispered.
After a stream of pleasantries, the other gatekeeper, unable to refuse, gritted his teeth and said, "My brother is right. It's fine to let him out, but someone needs to accompany him. However, neither of us can leave!"
"What's so difficult about that? We can ask a brother to help. We'll give him some silver, and what complaints could he have?" the gatekeeper said hurriedly.
"My brother is right, but where will we get the silver? I'm afraid we have the will but not the means!" one gatekeeper sighed heavily.
Liu Dai immediately understood and took out more silver, pressing it into the gatekeeper's hand. "How could I let you brothers spend money? This is my matter, and I should be the one spending. Don't worry, brothers, if this isn't enough, there's more here."
"In that case, let him go?" one gatekeeper asked softly.
"Alright, my brothers are not unappreciative. Since that's the case, you can go. But remember to come back, or we won't be able to help you next time!"
"Of course, of course!" Liu Dai bowed and nodded, not caring about the silver the gatekeepers were weighing in their hands, and hurried away.
As for Liu Dai, knowing that he had people following him and that the Third Legion was stationed there, he knew he couldn't possibly leave Liangzhou. He could only wander around like a vagrant, looking here and there.
From time to time, he would take out silver to buy things or give it to beggars! After several days, everyone in Liangzhou knew about him – a fool with plenty of money.
One day, after wandering through several streets, Liu Dai gathered all the beggars together and smiled at the beggar chief lying on the ground, "I've heard for a long time that you are the leader here in Liangzhou, and everything is in order. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved!"
The beggar chief slapped the mute on the back. "Stop flattering me. You've given my brothers so much silver, so tell us, what do you want us to do for you!"
"As expected, nothing escapes your notice, elder brother. It's not a big matter. I need your help to find someone. There will be a generous reward upon completion!" Liu Dai quickly described the strategist's appearance in detail.
The beggar chief lay on the ground, tapping his thigh with his finger, and said lazily, "I can't help you with this. My brothers need to eat and drink. If we waste a day, what will we eat and drink?"
"Don't worry, elder brother!" Liu Dai silently took off the jade pendant from his waist. "This is a family heirloom, worth some silver. I'll use it as collateral for now."
The beggar chief glanced at it from the corner of his eye, and someone immediately shouted, "Just a piece of broken stone, dirty and smelly, not worth much!"
Liu Dai clenched his fists tightly. A tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs. What are these beggars? How dare they act so arrogantly? If he didn't want trouble, he would have dealt with them long ago.
"Brother, you can't say that!" Liu Dai thought for a long time before speaking hastily. He didn't expect the beggar chief to be even more indignant. "How else should I say it? Do you really think what you have is something good? In the past, we've seen all sorts of good things!"
"However, since you're being so generous, we'll help you this time!" the beggar chief said slowly.
It was only later that Liu Dai slowly understood that the beggars speaking like that was their way of doing things, their code of conduct. No one could do anything about it.
Ye Feng, watching from not far away, was engrossed. He had been informed of everything happening here since the first day.
"My King, shall I send someone to stop him? If..." Diao Chan asked with worry, "Or perhaps have Sister Yan Qi use that move again."
"What are you afraid of? Even if he has heaven-reaching abilities, can he escape my palm? I'm only keeping him for now because I fear things might change!" Ye Feng said calmly. "Once the truth is revealed, I won't keep him."
"When will the King kill him? His current appearance is truly disgusting!" Yang Yan Qi frowned coldly.
"I know you've been wronged. Don't worry, I will seek justice for you one day. Although this person is a fool, his strategist is somewhat capable. Wouldn't it be a pity to kill him? Let's keep him for a few more days!" Ye Feng said with a smile. He had already gathered most of the information about Liu Dai's plans these past few days.
"Please, elder brother, help me find someone. The likeness has been drawn." The dragon doesn't suppress the local snake. Liu Dai smiled at the beggar chief and said, "There will be a generous reward in the future. I wonder, elder brother..."
"Aow, your gift today is enough. My brothers are willing to help you. Come to the same place tomorrow, and you will definitely see the person!" the beggar chief said confidently.
"In that case, thank you, brother. I will never forget your brothers' assistance in the future!" Liu Dai was about to say more, but the beggar chief waved him away.
"I don't want to hear your flattering words. Just come tomorrow!" The beggar chief forcefully drove Liu Dai away and pocketed the jade pendant. In his opinion, this was not a big deal!
As Liu Dai left, the beggar chief scratched at the lice on his body and lazily fell asleep. After a while, he heard a soft cough.
"We're closing for the day. Come back tomorrow, we're not entertaining!" the beggar chief waved his hand gently, not moving an inch. "Hurry up, hurry up, don't disturb my sunbathing!"
"You're quite capable. Perhaps Liangzhou will be yours in a few days!" Diao Chan covered her mouth and smiled, teasing him. Hearing a bone-chilling voice, the beggar chief hurriedly got up. "A woman? Come, come, this matter can be discussed!"
After struggling to turn around, he saw all his subordinates kneeling on the ground, silent. The beggar chief looked up slightly and saw that the person who had arrived was Ye Feng. His face instantly changed drastically!
"Chu... Chu King!" The beggar chief trembled like a sieve and stammered, "If I had known you were coming, I wouldn't have dared to stir up trouble. I deserve to die, I deserve to die!"
"Then how about I kill you!" Ye Feng waved his hand, and soldiers instantly surrounded the small alley. Seeing that Ye Feng was serious, the beggar chief hurriedly took out all the silver in his怀 and carefully placed it on the ground. "My King, spare my life, spare my life!"
"Presumptuous!" Diao Chan raised her delicate eyebrows and scolded, "Do you think the King is making things difficult for you for this little bit of money? You fool, quickly put it away!"
Ye Feng casually picked up the jade pendant and smiled, "I'll take this that he gave you." Then he stepped onto a stone next to the beggar chief and said imposingly, "You are indeed capable. In just a few days, you've made these people your own. Tell me, who gave you the idea!"
Of course, this was also one of Ye Feng's reasons for stopping the beggar chief. The speed at which he was gathering followers was terrifying. If he didn't have the system by his side, this kid might have driven him crazy!
"If you tell us, the King might spare your life. Otherwise, you will surely die without a burial place!" Diao Chan reprimanded angrily.
"The King doesn't necessarily want your life, but you are threatening the safety of the people. Otherwise, the King wouldn't make things difficult for you, would he!" Yang Yan Qi said slowly, using a gentle approach.
With both tactics, Yang Yan Qi and Diao Chan's words made the beggar chief naturally terrified. He hurriedly knelt on the ground, his face pale, and said, "I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything. Someone gave me this idea a few days ago. It has nothing to do with me, my King, and madams!"
"Who is it? Tell us the truth, or you will surely die without a burial place!" Diao Chan said sternly. "Whether you live or die is entirely up to you!"
The beggar chief tremblingly took out the portrait Liu Dai had given him and placed it in front of Ye Feng with both hands. "My King, he taught us. That's why I dared to agree so readily. Otherwise, with my humble status, I wouldn't have dared to offend him."