93: Chapter 93 Bait and Propagation

Inside the Pei Family's ancestral house.

Pei Qingyun was lying on a reclining chair, holding a book, looking indescribably leisurely.

Since leaving the Evil Suppression Bureau, although Pei Qingyun had not personally intervened in the grain transport issue, he was fully aware of every move Pei Tianrong made.

After the Pei Family took over the Li Family, the original operational methods were no longer suited to the current Pei Family.

Back then, regarding transportation, the Li Family relied on escort agencys for grain transport, except for a small number of precious items.

Before the Calamity of Demons broke out, the Li Family could rely on a method of frequent, small-scale shipments to sell grain in the prefectural city.

The benefit of this transportation method was simple.

Even if the Li Family suffered losses during transport, they could claim compensation through the escort agency. Furthermore, this method was less likely to attract the greed of other aristocratic families.

However, this transportation method also had inherent weaknesses.

Its transportation costs were much higher than one-time large-scale transport.

Besides, in a situation like the present, the Li Family's method was no longer appropriate.

Pei Qingyun had also considered whether to emulate his past life and implement Pei Family logistics.

He felt that this time might be a perfect opportunity.

In his past life, there was the rule of law, so logistics security was not a concern; the competition was all about service, quality, attitude, and speed.

This world was different. If the Pei Family wanted to run their own logistics, they had to have sufficient strength.

Within Wuyang County, the Pei Family's strength was sufficient.

But in the eyes of many aristocratic families outside of Wuyang County, the Pei Family was merely an ordinary third-rate family.

Therefore, the Pei Family had to flex their muscles and show off their strength.

As for exactly how to show it off, that required some finesse.

In Pei Qingyun's view, talk was the most useless thing.

The Pei Family couldn't just go around telling the outside world how many Five-Viscera Martial Artists

and Divine Strength Martial Artists they had, or even deliberately reveal their cultivation Realms just to show strength.

Just like in his past life, between nations, whether one was strong or not depended on fighting.

Propagandizing how amazing your weapons were every day, only to collapse once the fighting started,

would provide zero deterrence.

Therefore, Pei Qingyun was determined to use this grain transport opportunity to establish the Pei Family's prestige.

Eighty thousand dan of grain was worth two hundred and eighty thousand taels of silver.

Once this news spread, could those third-rate families and powerful bandit forces turn a blind eye?

In Pei Qingyun's view, most of those families would be tempted, but only a few would actually take action.

And Pei Qingyun's targets were precisely those very few families.

What could be more shocking than a hearty, thorough suppression?

Before long, a list appeared in Pei Qingyun's hand.

This list contained the personnel for the grain escort.

To ensure the safety of this escort, Pei Tianrong had not only arranged a Pei Family guard team but also assigned Pei Tianlin, a Five-Viscera Martial Artist, to accompany them.

With such a configuration, even if a robbery really occurred, the Pei Family would be able to handle it.

After all, as long as they didn't publicly disclose the cargo, even if other forces discovered them, it was unlikely they would send out all their Five-Viscera Martial Artists.

At that time, even if they could repel the opponent, the deterrent effect would clearly be insufficient.

This, however, did not align with Pei Qingyun's plan.

Only the blood of the Five Viscera Realm would perfectly achieve his goal.

On the eve of departure, Pei Qingyun found Pei Tianrong and explained his plan.

This greatly shocked Pei Tianrong.

He hadn't expected his Old Ancestor to play such a big game.

Pei Tianrong said in surprise, "Old Ancestor, are we really doing this?"

A cold light burst from Pei Qingyun's eyes as he said in a deep voice, "Though this method is a bit bloody, it is the fastest way to demonstrate our Pei Family's influence around Jinhuai Prefecture, and it's a rare chance to settle things once and for all. Simultaneously, our Pei Family can use this opportunity to open up the market in Wuyang County and even the surrounding counties."

Hearing Pei Qingyun's words, Pei Tianrong also fell into deep thought.

Pei Qingyun had already anticipated this. Pei Tianrong excelled at acting steadily and surely; there was nothing wrong with such a style.

If not for his experiences from his past life, Pei Qingyun would likely have acted in the same way as Pei Tianrong.

An aristocratic Family never fights for momentary power; they fight for the continuation of their Bloodline and the longevity of the Family across generations.

Thus, while families rise and fall, they can endure in the world.

Pei Qingyun's aggressive method was a mixed bag.

As the saying goes, risks and opportunities coexist.

Back then, if Wang Yang hadn't developed such intense greed for the Pei Family, he wouldn't have ended up dead.

The Wang Family even became a subsidiary family of the Pei Family just to survive.

Who could say if the Pei Family might end up with such a fate?

But soon, Pei Tianrong understood. The Old Ancestor was doing this because he was confident in his own strength.

With the Old Ancestor's Late Stage of Five Viscera cultivation and Tianlin as a Five-Viscera Martial Artist, even if they encountered a veteran third-rate family from another county, the Pei Family could at least retreat unscathed.

If it was an ordinary third-rate family or power, it would be the perfect chance for the Pei Family to establish their prestige.

Pei Tianrong said with sincere admiration, "Old Ancestor, you are right. My thinking was too backward. With you personally overseeing this, our Pei Family will surely return in triumph."

Pei Qingyun said with a serious expression, "I've looked at the personnel arrangements; there are basically no major issues. I will personally adjust a few oversights. Immediately arrange for people to spread news of our Pei Family's grain escort near Jinhe County and Jinling County. The amount of grain should be vague—remember, don't make it look too intentional."

"I don't believe they can turn a blind eye after hearing this news."

At this point, a hint of playfulness appeared in Pei Qingyun's eyes. With this move of using himself as bait, he didn't believe the fish wouldn't bite.

Beside him, Pei Tianrong couldn't help but shiver. For the first time, he felt his Old Ancestor's deviousness.

...

Under Pei Tianrong's arrangement, the Pei Family scouts set out in different directions, heading toward the various counties.

On Pei Qingyun's side, he delayed the departure time of the grain escort by two hours.

He needed to give the major families time to react, but he couldn't give them enough time to prepare fully.

Tonight was destined for sacrifice, but Pei Qingyun didn't want his own guard team to suffer too many casualties.

Two hours later, the Pei Family scouts arrived at Jinhe County and Jinling County respectively.

It was now just the beginning of the Hour of the Rooster.

Because it was winter, the sky was already growing dark at this time.

Fortunately, it was precisely dinner time. The Pei Family scouts

followed the plan and quickly entered the halls of various major restaurants to eat.

After several rounds of drinks, the scouts' faces were flushed, their eyes were hazy, and they began talking about the grain in bits and pieces.

Although they didn't explicitly state the amount of grain or the time, it gave people plenty of room for imagination.

Under the intentional yet seemingly accidental prompting of the scouts, news of the Pei Family's grain escort inadvertently reached the ears of the major families in Jinhe County and Jinling County.

Even some unranked families began to eye this batch of grain.