Chapter 139 A List of Names

"Lord Song, rest assured, I took the initiative to seek you out, so I'm naturally prepared."

Xie Jin Yan originally intended to join hands with Song Yan, so the means to achieve this goal was not important.

Therefore, seeing Song Yan agree, he stopped wasting words.

Immediately, he took out a booklet from his bosom, smiling, and slowly handed it to Song Yan.

Seeing this, Song Yan was slightly stunned, did not reach out to take it, but looked at the booklet warily and confused, and asked, "What is this?"

"A list," Xie Jin Yan replied succinctly.

"The list of the Tong *Tusi* (chieftain) of the Tong family in Lizhou, next to Yunzhou, who is sending envoys to various *Tusi*."

Xie Jin Yan's tone was light, but after he finished speaking, Song Yan was shocked. It should be known that the Song family of Qingzhou and the Tong family of Lizhou were age-old enemies.

The two families had a deep feud, and the new and old grievances combined were simply irreconcilable.

Fortunately, the two families had been on par, so although there had been some disputes over the years, neither had suffered losses.

Now, the Tong family was secretly contacting small *Tusi* everywhere. Could it be that they harbored ill intentions?

Without thinking about it, Song Yan hurriedly took the list and quickly flipped through it. By the end, his face was already ashen.

He looked at the list with a gloomy expression for a moment, and with a somber look, suspiciously looked at Xie Jin Yan and questioned, "Your Highness, this list of yours does seem to be very useful, but how am I to know whether the content is true or false?"

"Whether it's true or false, Lord Song, wouldn't it be clear if you send someone to investigate?"

Xie Jin Yan replied lightly, looking as if he wasn't afraid of scrutiny.

He smiled and said, "In addition to this, this Tong *Tusi* has also repeatedly petitioned the imperial court, intending to use public opinion and tax matters to eliminate you, Lord Song, with the help of the imperial court."

"To put it more precisely, he wants the entire Song family of Qingzhou to disappear from now on."

"But well, the imperial court is not a fool, and naturally will not be fooled by him, let alone rashly attack Qingzhou because of his few words."

"This Tong *Tusi* failed to instigate multiple times, so he turned his target to the surrounding small *Tusi*."

"Over the years, although some small *Tusi* have received your benefits, they have secretly had a lot of dealings with the Tong family. To put it nicely, it is perfunctory; to put it harshly, they are traitors."

"But now, it is very obvious that a large part of them are leaning towards the Tong family. Once this is out of balance, Lord Song, you should be clear about the consequences."

Consequences?

The consequence was naturally that Qingzhou would be besieged, and the small *Tusi* would be annexed, and then the Tong family would be the only dominant force.

The Tong family and the Song family had a century-old feud. If the Tong family were dominant, let alone the decline of the Song family, it would probably be almost wiped out.

Thinking of this, Song Yan frowned even more.

His serious mood made him forget the pain all over his body. He raised his eyes and looked at Xie Jin Yan with a questioning gaze.

With a wary, incomprehensible attitude, he snorted and said, "Your Highness, I find it strange. Since the Tong family is trying so hard to court the imperial court, logically speaking, you should go to him, so why did you come to my Song family?"

"It's hard for me not to suspect that this is a conspiracy between you and the Tong family."

"Lord Song is right, it is indeed very likely to be a conspiracy between me and the Tong family."

"But Lord Song, I only ask you one question. What is the Tong *Tusi*'s character like? And what about his wisdom?"

His character is not good!

His wisdom is naturally even worse!

If he had a little character, he would not have repeatedly violated the agreement after signing it.

As for wisdom, if he had any brains, he would not be so stupid as to instigate the imperial court.

Yes, who would be willing to join hands with a person who has neither character nor wisdom, no spirit of contract, and relies entirely on his ancestors' family fortune to threaten and instigate everywhere to expand himself?

Perhaps one day, for his own benefit, he would sell people out.

If it were Song Yan, choosing between the two, he would never choose the Tong family.

For a moment, Song Yan was speechless.

However, he still suspected Xie Jin Yan.

Especially now that he was bitten by the flying insects raised by Yu Qingwu, he had some resentment in his heart, even though it was indeed because he insulted people first, as they said.

However, having suffered pain, Song Yan still felt uncomfortable, and his suspicion deepened.

So, he frowned tightly, not speaking.

Seeing Song Yan's expression, Xie Jin Yan naturally saw through his thoughts.

However, Xie Jin Yan could also understand that alliances required careful consideration, especially an alliance with a crown prince like himself who was about to be deposed.

So, after speaking, Xie Jin Yan didn't say anything more.

He only looked at Song Yan deeply and said, "Lord Song, you don't have to rush to answer now. I am now within your Song family's territory. If you regret it, taking my life is easy."

"When Lord Song has thought it through, you can let Song Guan come to find me."

After saying that, Xie Jin Yan winked at Yu Qingwu.

Yu Qingwu pursed her lips and quickly followed him out.

Reaching the door, she turned her head back, glanced at Song Yan lightly, and reminded in a tone, "Lord Song, the injury on your face will disappear in an hour."

Hearing this, Song Yan did not answer.

However, Yu Qingwu clearly read the embarrassment and resentment from his eyes.

But Yu Qingwu didn't care. They were going to cooperate with Song Yan, but cooperation was cooperation, and it didn't mean they could be easily insulted by Song Yan.

Song Yan was unbridled, so he had to be taught a lesson.

After all, as Xie Jin Yan said, whether they put on airs or not, Song Yan would have the same attitude.

In other words, whether they fought back or not would not affect the cooperation.

Moreover, letting him feel some pain was not a big deal.

Coming out of the study all the way, Yu Qingwu was much more composed than before. Even walking in the Song family's garden, she no longer felt the previous apprehension and unease, but instead had a bit of leisure and elegance.

Turning her head to look at Xie Jin Yan again, his brows were now clear.

He looked around slowly, and with a leisurely gaze, asked Qingwu, "Would you like to walk around?"

"I have long heard that the Song family of Qingzhou is surrounded by mountains and rivers, naturally forming a beautiful landscape, especially the small waterfalls in the mountains, which are a great place to cool off in summer."

Yes, thinking that he had been looking gloomy all the way, now thinking about it, it was really not worth it. Since he had already reached this point, he might as well enjoy it.

Thinking in his heart, Xie Jin Yan's eyes became brighter.

Seeing his expression, Yu Qingwu also breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked at him deeply and nodded, "Let's go, and take a stroll."

After saying that, she took Xie Jin Yan's arm, and the two of them strolled slowly, walking outwards.

At that time, inside the Song family clan's prison.

Shen Ke and Qin Yiliu had been dragged into the dark prison.

Looking at everything in front of them, both of them were trembling.

Especially Qin Yiliu. In her previous life, she had also stayed in such a prison, and almost died at that time.

She originally thought that she could replace that bitch Yu Qingwu in this life, but she was harmed by her twice to this point.

Thinking of this, Qin Yiliu couldn't help but grit her teeth.

Shen Ke, who was on the side, covered his unsightly face, baring his teeth and writhing in pain, almost dying.

Just then, familiar and brisk footsteps came from outside.