The treaty in question was a treaty of submission.

The defection letters they had sent out promised that Yuan Long would lead his seventy thousand men in submission to whoever was willing to help.

Ning Chen couldn't help sneering. "If you're really sincere, bring the money and grain and then we'll talk... instead of sitting here pushing a deal with nothing but an empty mouth and white teeth. There's not a scrap of sincerity in it.

General Yuan, don't blame this officer for speaking bluntly. If you sign a treaty of submission and they don't send the money and grain, what can we do about it?"

Yuan Long gave a slight nod. "Well said!"

Li Zang and Rong Xian both turned their eyes on Ning Chen.

Rong Xian spoke up. "And how should we address you?"

Ning Chen smiled faintly. "You and I are in the same line of work."

Rong Xian said, "Could the gentleman be General Yuan's military adviser?"

"No..." Ning Chen shook his head. "I'm a swindler, same as you. I specialize in catching white wolves with my bare hands and dipping a dry finger in the salt." (TL Note: 幹指頭蘸鹽, "dipping a dry finger in the salt," is a folk saying for getting a taste of something without putting anything in.)

Rong Xian's expression froze.

Yuan Long and the others pressed their lips together and nearly laughed out loud.

Li Zang and Rong Xian both looked sour.

Ning Chen laughed. "Just a joke. Don't take it to heart... Actually, I really am General Yuan's military adviser. My name is Long Aotian."

Rong Xian gave a cold snort.

Li Zang said bluntly, "Adviser Long, I'll say it once more. We have come in complete sincerity."

Ning Chen looked this way and that and rubbed his eyes. "So where's this sincerity of yours? I can't see a thing."

Li Zang said, "As soon as General Yuan signs the treaty, the money and grain will arrive within fifteen days."

Ning Chen waved a hand. "What the ear hears is empty and what the eye sees is real. Until we…