"My lord."
"After more than two years, following your instructions, our Yan Court Secret Agents now number over 6,500. Four thousand of them have been dispatched on missions, while the rest are new Dark Guards in training at various strongholds."
"In addition, Yanting has also undergone numerous hierarchical divisions, becoming more detailed," Ying Bu reported respectfully.
"Good." Zhao Feng nodded, then turned his gaze to Han Xi.
"My lord."
"There are now over thirty branches of the Immortals' Liquor House spread throughout Yingchuan County. Nearly ten more have been opened in both Wei and the territory of the former Zhao state."
"The expansion of the Immortals' Liquor House is progressing steadily, and I am prepared to begin establishing branches in the territory of Qin," Han Xi said respectfully.
"With you personally overseeing it, I am at ease. Regarding the expansion of the Immortals' Liquor House, as long as you deem it feasible, go ahead and do it. Just remember, you must never let anyone discover the existence of Yanting, nor can you let them know of the connection between the Immortals' Liquor House and me. Yan Court Secret Agents are to guard the Immortals' Liquor House. If anyone dares to pry into its secrets, kill them," Zhao Feng said coldly.
"I understand," Han Xi nodded immediately.
As the two continued their reports, Zhao Feng gained a clear understanding of the development of Yanting and the Immortals' Liquor House under his command.
Over 6,000 Yan Court Secret Agents, not to mention the Immortals' Liquor House branches everywhere, raking in a fortune daily. The lord's hidden power is truly terrifying.
Li Mu and Sima Shang exchanged a shocked glance. Had they not heard the reports from Han Xi and Ying Bu with their own ears, they would never have known that such a secretive and formidable force existed in the world.
"Yanting no longer faces financial difficulties, right?" Zhao Feng asked Ying Bu with a smile.
"With the Immortals' Liquor House providing financial backing, there are no concerns about money. If my lord wishes to expand our recruitment, that is also possible," Ying Bu replied immediately.
Zhao Feng smiled. "Now that the Zhao state has fallen, Yanting can no longer be limited to Yingchuan. Your next task is to find suitable strongholds in the Zhao Territory and begin training Yan Court Secret Agents there. The rules remain the same; you understand them by now."
"I grant you full authority to manage all of Yanting's affairs," Zhao Feng said to Ying Bu.
"Your subordinate will not disappoint you, my lord," Ying Bu responded immediately.
"My lord," Li Mu requested, "now that the two of us have pledged our service, please give us something to do. Otherwise, having received such great kindness from you, we would find it difficult to repay it."
He was a man who acted from the heart. After Zhao Feng saved his entire family, pledging loyalty was a natural course of action. More importantly, Li Mu knew that if he hadn't pledged his loyalty, his whole clan would still have been put to death today.
Seeing Li Mu speak, Zhao Feng smiled in satisfaction. "To the outside world, both Li Mu and Sima Shang are dead. You must not show yourselves lightly."
"From this day on, the two of you will assist Ying Bu in training the Yan Court Secret Agents. Although they are not soldiers, I want them to become an elite force, proficient in the arts of the Military Strategists."
Li Mu and Sima Shang immediately bowed. "We obey, my lord."
"By the way," Zhao Feng asked Ying Bu, "what of the Dark Guards I had you station in Sha Village? Have they infiltrated the manor?"
"Rest assured, my lord," Ying Bu replied promptly. "I have already arranged for more than fifty Dark Guards to infiltrate the area, including some who have blended into the village itself. They are more than capable of protecting the Elder Madam and the Young Miss."
"That's good." Zhao Feng nodded in relief.
The initial purpose of establishing Yanting was for the future, but even more so for his mother and sister.
「...」