Chapter 1831 - 987:

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the second young master.

"Father is too biased. If he had handed the helicopter to me, there wouldn’t be any need to send someone to drive there."

The butler remained silent.

"Alright then, first send someone to probe the strength of that Big Camphor Tree Base. If they aren’t very strong, we’ll send a team to eliminate them and seize their resources.

If they’re formidable, we can have a talk..." said the second young master.

There were some things he left unsaid.

He was well aware of the current situation with the Northern Border Alliance.

Yuan Zhi’s family was dominant. When his father was alive, they weren’t a match. Now that his father was gravely ill, the Sima Family was even less of a match.

But he held no grudge against his elder brother.

He’d rather collaborate with outsiders than cooperate with this seemingly friendly elder brother.

After all, this dear brother once personally killed the woman he loved.

He could not forgive, nor would he ever forgive.

The butler looked curiously at the second young master.

When did this master change his temperament? Normally domineering and never caring about offending anyone.

But just now, he said that if they’re strong, they could talk.

Talk about what?

Strange.

This master shouldn’t have thought about this aspect.

But now that the second young master had spoken, he had to respond.

"Understood, shall I have the expedition team set off now?"

"Yes, go ahead, and find out about this Big Camphor Tree Base," the second young master said.

"Alright, I’ll make arrangements right away."

The second young master said nothing, just waved his hand.

The butler exited the room.

He called a few guards to follow behind him.

Then, cloaked, he hurriedly left through the inner walls.

He reached the little tavern outside the inner wall at the West Gate.

Master Diao saw the butler enter.

Immediately, he approached.

With a smiling face, he said:

"Brother Dai, you finally arrived. The people I connected for you have asked me several times when they can set off, I’m almost overwhelmed by their questions..."

The butler glanced at him and said unceremoniously:

"Oh, is Master Diao complaining to me?"

The skinny Master Diao quickly slapped his own face and bowed even lower, fawning:

"Just a humble Diao, just a humble Diao, you’re really flattering me. Brother Dai, what can I do for you?"

The butler coldly snorted at the fawning figure of Master Diao, who looked like a lapdog.

"Heh heh."

Seeing this attitude, the bear-like Mang Xiong standing next to Master Diao was full of anger, but Master Diao quickly pulled his hand.

Though he could kill the butler with one hand, the butler’s guards were not to be trifled with.

They were, after all, people who once followed the old Sima Liang.

Not to be underestimated.

The butler, seeing the obedient Master Diao waiting there, spoke up:

"What we’re going to do on this outing, I hope you understand.

First, absolutely do not reveal our identities, but you can hint at the Northern Border Alliance.

Second, we need a detailed report on the strength of the Big Camphor Tree Base: how many people, how many guns... everything must be reported clearly.

.....

The butler’s tone and demeanor were like that of an aristocrat.

Completely different from ten minutes earlier, when he was in front of the second young master.

Master Diao listened carefully, and when the butler finished speaking, he smiled broadly and said:

"Brother Dai, how about the payment you mentioned? They’ve all been asking."

The butler raised an eyebrow and scolded:

"Are we people who would withhold their payment? When they come back after completing the task, they’ll naturally get paid."

Upon hearing this, Master Diao straightened a little.

Though he wasn’t going, he was connecting as an intermediary.

To expect people to work without pay was not right.

Yes, he often tried to please the butler and the second young master.

But there were limits.

If the line was crossed, he would only be a lamb to the slaughter.

So he cautiously said:

"Brother Dai, they’re all desperados. Without some upfront payment, I doubt they’d be willing to go so far. Nowadays, without upfront payment, I don’t think anyone would be willing."

The butler frowned and said, "Half up front, and nothing more will be discussed."

Master Diao nodded and said, "Understood, it should not be a problem."

The butler stood up and said to Master Diao:

"Alright, the items they’ve requested will be delivered to you this afternoon.

We need to set off tomorrow. This matter needs to move quickly, understood?

I have business to attend to, so I’ll leave first. Get this done right, or it’s your head!"

"Understood, understood, I’ll make sure to instruct them well," said Master Diao, bowing.

The butler turned around, donned his cloak, and headed back toward the inner wall.

...

After they left.

Master Diao spat a glob of yellowish phlegm onto the ground.

"Pah! What a piece of shit. Riding on others’ power."

The tall, bear-like Mang Xiong walked over to Master Diao and asked, "Master Diao, how much are we taking off the top this time?"

Master Diao gave him a glance and said, "We’ll see at the time. Nowadays, give them some warm shit, they’d eat it to survive."

"Not tasty, right?" Mang Xiong scratched his head and chuckled.

"Scram!"

.....

The next day.

In the shack.

The young Xiao Yuan placed a sack of rice chaff, a bottle of salt, and a bottle of oil in front of his sister.