News takes time to spread. Even if Liu Yuanxiang and Shen Hao started acting without a moment's rest, it wouldn't have an immediate effect.
Tan Bin and his group would first go to Hu Zhu Yuan to scout the situation, then return to Wu Lake—which alone would take half a month. What's more, Liu Yuanxiang's side also needed to make some preparations ahead of time. So there would be a gap in between.
In the hands of those with ulterior motives, this gap could really produce all kinds of trouble.
For example, after returning, Zhu Shou immediately began purchasing Barbarian Race slaves from every Slave Trade Association except for the Hongli Trading Company. He didn't care about the specific tribe—he wanted any Barbarian, as long as they were fit for work. What's more, he raised the price by a whole fifteen percent.
