The confrontation between Li Jiu and Duan Tianyang actually had only one purpose: he wanted to hear Duan Tianyang's clear statement.

As soon as Duan Tianyang finished speaking, Li Jiu's eyes immediately became firm. He turned to Peng Jia and said no more.

Although Peng Jia opposed Shen Bo and Duan Tianyang being enemies and advocated getting closer to Duan Tianyang, this was not his personal idea, but was influenced by Li Jiu's advice.

Li Jiu had a keen insight into the current situation and believed that the merger of the affiliated cities in the northwest was a foregone conclusion and going against the trend would only lead to destruction.

The tit-for-tat just now was just to give Peng Jia a more advantageous position in the negotiations.

Now, Duan Tianyang has promised to let Peng Jia continue to serve as the lord of Suzaku City. Li Jiu believes that he has secured the greatest benefit for Peng Jia, and the next choice is in Peng Jia's hands.

Although Peng Jia is not as smart as Li Jiu, he is not a fool.

After careful consideration, he asked Duan Tianyang, "What does Lord Duan want me to do?"

"Take over the military power of Suzaku City!"

Peng Jia took a deep breath and said nervously: "But the problem is that the chief of the city guard of Zhuque City is Shen Bo, who firmly controls the military power..."

"That's why I came to see Lord Peng." Duan Tianyang added.

Peng Jia was stunned, staring at Duan Tianyang with wide eyes, and didn't come back to his senses for a long time, "Master Duan means... you want me to help you seize the military power from Shen Bo?"

"That's right!"

After a long while, Peng Jia swallowed hard and turned to Li Jiu and asked, "Mr. Li, can we take away Shen Bo's military power?"

Li Jiu glanced at Peng Jia, turned to Duan Tianyang and said, "I must remind you, Mr. Duan, that Mr. Peng is a civil official, not a military commander."

"I know." Duan Tianyang nodded. "Although Shen Bo is a martial arts expert, he is not invincible. Lord Peng only needs to invite Shen Bo to dinner at the City Lord's Mansion tonight, and leave the rest to me!"

Peng Jia asked fearfully, "Does Lord Duan intend to harm Shen Bo at the dinner?"

Duan Tianyang did not answer directly, but asked in return: "Are all the soldiers standing guard outside the City Lord's Mansion Shen Bo's men?"

“Yes… yes.” Peng Jia replied.

Duan Tianyang nodded and continued, "Shen Bo will soon know about my visit to Lord Peng. He will definitely be curious about why Lord Peng's friend suddenly came to visit. Lord Peng can use this opportunity to invite Shen Bo, saying that an old friend is visiting today and you plan to host a banquet in your mansion and invite him to join you."

Peng Jia shuddered and said worriedly, "Master Duan, you don't want to harm Shen Bo in the City Lord's Mansion, do you? This... this is really not feasible. If Shen Bo encounters an accident in the City Lord's Mansion, his subordinates will definitely not let it go. By then, you and I will be trapped in Suzaku City, and it is hard to predict whether we will live or die."

Duan Tianyang smiled and said, "I just want to take away Shen Bo's military power, and I didn't say I want to kill him."

"Ah? How can we get the military power without killing him?" Peng Jia asked puzzledly.

Would Shen Bo voluntarily surrender his military power? This was simply unrealistic.

He looked at Duan Tianyang in confusion, wondering what his plan was.

Duan Tianyang said with a smile: "Master Peng, there is no need to ask more questions. I have a plan. In short, you and I are in the same boat now, and I will definitely not harm you."

Peng Jia hesitated and turned to look at Li Jiu.

Li Jiu's eyes moved quickly, and after a moment, he nodded to Peng Jia, indicating that he could do as Duan Tianyang said.

That afternoon, Peng Jia sent a servant to the City Guard House to invite Shen Bo to have dinner at the City Lord's House in the evening.

Just as Duan Tianyang expected, Shen Bo had already learned that Peng Jia had a friend visiting.

He was curious about who this young visitor could be.

Especially since the other party is only about 20 years old, why could he have a friendship with Peng Jia?

Shen Bo was puzzled and was considering whether to go to the City Lord's Mansion in person to find out what was going on when the servants of the City Lord's Mansion brought Peng Jia's invitation.

In the past, Shen Bo did not pay much attention to Peng Jia’s social activities. Even if a child came to visit claiming to be Peng Jia’s friend, he would not ask too many questions.

But the situation is serious now. The monk army may launch an attack at any time, and he has to be careful to deal with any disturbance in Suzaku City.

After receiving Peng Jia's invitation, Shen Bo's nervous mood eased a little. He quickly agreed and promised to go to the City Lord's Mansion tonight.

At night, Shen Bo arrived at the City Lord's Mansion as scheduled. As colleagues for many years, he and Peng Jia were very familiar with each other, and their mansions were not far away. He did not bring any soldiers with him, only two close attendants.

Upon learning that Shen Bo had arrived, Peng Jia went out to greet him in person. After exchanging greetings, the two walked into the hall together.

There, Shen Bo saw Duan Tianyang at first sight.

Duan Tianyang has grown his beard back, maintaining his rugged image, and although his clothes are simple, it is difficult to conceal his unique charm.

Even when sitting quietly, he looked different and eye-catching.

Shen Bo glanced at Duan Tianyang, and then continued to chat and laugh with Peng Jia.

After the two of them sat down, Peng Jia waved to Duan Tianyang and introduced him with a smile: "Sir Shen, this is the descendant of an old friend of mine, his name is Yang Tian."

After hearing this, Shen Bo pretended to look at Duan Tianyang formally.

Duan Tianyang stood up with a smile and bowed to Shen Bo: "Junior Yang Tian, ​​I pay my respects to Lord Shen. My admiration for Lord Shen is like the surging river, which is endless, and like the flooding of the Yellow River, which is out of control. I am fortunate to see you today, which is really a great honor for me!"

Shen Bo laughed loudly after hearing this and waved his hand, saying, "My dear nephew, you are too kind."

In fact, Shen Bo was an honest official. He was neither greedy nor lustful. He just had a high opinion of himself and liked to hear flattery.

Duan Tianyang borrowed Duolong's lines to Wei Xiaobao in "The Deer and the Cauldron", which just catered to Shen Bo's taste and made him very happy.

Duan Tianyang chuckled secretly in his heart, while Peng Jia breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that as long as Duan Tianyang did not resort to violence, the situation tonight would proceed smoothly.

He immediately ordered the servants to bring wine and food, then stood up and invited Shen Bo and Duan Tianyang to take a seat.

Not long after, the servants of the City Lord's Mansion brought the sumptuous food and wine that had been prepared long ago to the table one by one.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, Shen Bo couldn't help but smile and said, "Master Peng is really generous tonight."

Peng Jia smiled bitterly and shook his head, responding, "Master Shen, please forgive me for making fun of you. The world has been in turmoil recently, and we haven't had a meal together like this for a long time."

Shen Bo nodded with deep feeling, then turned to Duan Tianyang and said, "I really have to thank my nephew for this meal tonight."

He then asked curiously, "Where did you come from, my dear nephew?"

"Heavenly Guardian City!"

Shen Bo was slightly moved when he heard this, and he said: "Tianhu City has been occupied by the rebels at this moment."

Duan Tianyang smiled and responded: "Indeed, Tianhu City once fell into the hands of the rebels, but now the good news is that the monk army has suppressed the rebels, and Tianhu City has returned to its former peace."

Upon hearing this, Shen Bo raised his lips slightly and said with a hint of sarcasm: "Although the Bhikkhu Army still flies the banner of the imperial court, they actually want to establish themselves as kings. How is it different from the rebels?"

Duan Tianyang then changed the subject, with a gleam in his eyes: "Duan Tianyang's power in Beiguan is growing day by day, I wonder what plans Lord Shen has for the future?"

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