Chapter 433 - 269: General ’A Little Cold Plum’ is Coming
Chapter 433: Chapter 269: General ’A Little Cold Plum’ is Coming
Elder Master Xiao’s gaze fell upon him, his expression softening slightly. He leaned back in his chair and asked,
"Have you found out?"
Xiao Jing bowed and replied, "Yes, I have."
"The news did indeed come from the Wan Family. The person’s name is Wan Hui, and he is Wan Hongzhang’s maternal grandson."
"He was leading a group to the Western Buddha Country, traveling along the first half of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. A guard in his caravan spotted the Peacock King Banner ahead of time, which is how they managed to escape with their lives."
Elder Master Xiao frowned slightly. "And how did they find out that King Landu intends to march east?"
"My Lord, I’ve investigated that as well."
"Apparently, while they were fleeing, they rescued a merchant who had narrowly escaped from King Landu’s men. That’s how they learned of the situation over there."
"So, you’re saying there’s a chance this is... false?"
Xiao Jing nodded. "That’s correct."
After a pause, he continued his report. "However, one thing can be confirmed."
"Within a thousand li west of the border, there have indeed been sightings of the Peacock King Banner. This has been corroborated by Fenghuo Castle."
Elder Master Xiao nodded slightly, his fingers subconsciously tapping on the armrest of his chair. A thoughtful expression appeared on his old, wrinkled face.
"Fenghuo Castle serves as our outpost. Their intelligence comes from military scouts, so what they say should be reliable."
"Right now, we just need to confirm the movements of the Peacock King Banner to deduce their direction of travel."
At this, Elder Master Xiao paused for a moment.
"If we could also get intelligence on King Landu, that would be even better, of course."
Xiao Jing’s expression turned troubled. He hesitated before saying, "Marquis, please forgive this subordinate, but that is beyond my capabilities."
Elder Master Xiao shot him an annoyed glare. "This old man knows I can’t count on you for that. If you could lead the Hidden Guards deep into Poshisu Country, wouldn’t that make you as capable as that lot from the White Tiger Guard?"
Xiao Jing gave an awkward laugh. He would never dare compare his Hidden Guards, who could only operate within Shu State, to the White Tiger Guard of the Great Wei Dynasty.
It wasn’t just a matter of strength.
To achieve the same level of infiltration as the White Tiger Guard, the preparation and planning involved were not something that could be accomplished overnight.
Financial resources, connections, channels—not a single one could be lacking.
Take the Xiao Family’s current Hidden Guards, for example.
It had taken the full power of the family two hundred years just to establish coverage over the entirety of Shu State.
Even so, the monthly expenditure of silver was beyond what an ordinary person could imagine.
Fortunately, the Xiao Family wasn’t short on silver at the moment, which allowed him to plant some people deep within several of the great Noble Families.
Such as the Wan Family, the Liu Family, and even the various Government Offices.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jing thought for a bit and asked, "Marquis, should we inform the Second Miss about this matter?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Master Xiao straightened up slightly and mused, "This is a grave matter. Jinghong should indeed be informed ahead of time."
"However..."
"Never mind. Wait two more days. The morning after tomorrow, you will gather all intelligence on the situation in Shu State and pass it to Jinghong."
Xiao Jing nodded in agreement.
’That’s good too. In two days, the situation in Shu State will be clearer.’
’Perhaps there will be new intelligence on King Landu and his Peacock King Banner.’
Elder Master Xiao was thinking the same thing.
But while he knew this, he also felt a little resentful.
If King Landu truly did invade the border with his Peacock King Banner, he could mobilize the Dingyuan Army.
Then, the decision of whether or not to defend the frontier against the Peacock King Banner would be his alone to make.
At that point, even if it wouldn’t solve all of the Xiao Family’s problems once and for all, it would make most people think twice before acting against them.
At the very least, within Shu State Prefecture City, those great Noble Families wouldn’t dare to have any more ideas.
After thinking for a long while, Elder Master Xiao pushed himself up with his cane and walked toward the side room.
As he walked, he gave his instructions, "The Wu Mountain Mutual Market is on the verge of completion. It is of the utmost importance."
"As for everything else... just wait and see how things develop."
Xiao Jing bowed. "Rest assured, Marquis. This subordinate will devote all his efforts to investigating this matter in the coming days."
"Don’t forget about Liu Hong..."
Hearing Elder Master Xiao’s final words, Xiao Jing stood up and watched his retreating back, a wry smile appearing on his face.
’Liu Hong.’
’He’s the Left Governor of Shu State, after all, and also the Chief Steward of the third branch of the Jing State Liu Family. His men aren’t so easy to bribe.’
’Even after using every trick in the book, I’ve only managed to insert two Hidden Guards so far, and they’re just Household Servants who can’t move freely in the rear residence.’
’How could I possibly investigate Liu Hong’s activities?’
With this thought, Xiao Jing composed himself and slipped away from the Xiao residence.
Regardless, he had to do his best.
...
「The next day, before dawn.」
The side gate of the Xiao Family’s residence was already open.
Third Steward Lu Tong sat just inside the gate, glancing outside.
Seeing two or three carriages already waiting, he straightened his long robe and strolled out the gate.
"All unauthorized personnel, stand back."
"If you have a calling card, present it now."
"No gifts will be accepted."
Clearly, the people waiting here all knew the rules.
After hearing his voice, they disembarked from their carriages one by one and handed their calling cards to Lu Tong.
Among them was Wang Ji.
After handing over a card, he smiled and cupped his fist. "I’ll have to trouble Steward Lu to deliver this to the Marquis for me."
Lu Tong glanced at him and asked, a hint of surprise in his voice, "Shopkeeper Wang, why so formal today?"
He recognized Wang Ji, of course, and knew that Wang Ji’s many visits to the Xiao Family were to see the Eldest Miss.
He either came to discuss matters of the Medicine Hall with the Eldest Miss or to deliver their share of the silver.
He rarely presented a calling card.
Wang Ji smiled. "This time, I’m not here to see the Eldest Miss. I’m delivering a calling card to the Marquis on behalf of my master."
He paused, then added, "My master knows the Marquis is extremely busy, so he did not specify a time for the visit."
"He also specifically instructed me to say that everything depends on the Marquis’s wishes. Whether he will see him or not, and when, we only hope His Lordship will give us an answer."
Lu Tong’s eyes lit with understanding. He nodded and asked, "Your master is the one from Hundred Herbs Hall?"
"That’s him. His surname is Chen, and his given name is Yu."
"I remember now. He came to the residence once before to visit the Eldest Miss. I was the one who led him to Jiaxing Garden."
Wang Ji, his face wreathed in smiles, chimed in, "Steward Lu has an excellent memory."
Lu Tong grunted in acknowledgment and then asked, "I heard he left Shu State for a while. When did he return?"
"My master has been back for some time but has been tied up with trivial matters."
"See? He sent me with this calling card as soon as he was free."
"Oh..."
After a few more pleasantries, Wang Ji had his carriage depart, but his eyes remained fixed on the Xiao Family’s residence.
He couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.
’I wonder what the Xiao Family will think of the Master in the future, after all he’s done.’
’But on second thought, these things aren’t for me to worry about.’
Right now, the Xiao Family still didn’t know that Mr. Qingzhou was Chen Yu, the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall.
’Who knows when the Master will let the Xiao Family find out?’
With these thoughts, Wang Ji calmed himself, tapped the side of the carriage, and ordered, "To East Market Jia’s Medicine Shop."
"After all, we’re going there to collect silver. If we’re late, it will inevitably displease them."
Of course, Jia Yuzhi probably wouldn’t be displeased if they were early, either.
Steward Lu watched the carriage depart, then looked down and shuffled through the calling cards in his hand.
He finished looking through them, getting a sense of the day’s visitors. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a frantic set of footsteps from outside the gate.
"Old Lu, Old Lu...!"
Seeing that it was the residence’s Chief Steward, Bao Tong, Lu Tong couldn’t help but frown. "What is it? Why are you in such a panic?"
Bao Tong didn’t wait to answer, simply grabbing him and pulling him toward the central courtyard.
"No time to explain! Come on, we need to see the Elder Master!"
Realizing something major must have happened, Lu Tong obediently followed him.
After the two of them had gone, a hunched-backed old man slowly emerged from the gatehouse and glanced in their direction.
"What could have happened to make Bao Tong so flustered?"
After a moment’s thought, he picked up a broom, grabbed a wicker basket, and ambled after them.
「Inside Jiaxing Garden.」
Chen Yi had woken up early and washed up, then brought Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie here to enjoy breakfast.
He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but Xiao Wan’er seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today.
Not only had she changed into a brightly colored red cloak, but her hair and hair ornaments were also meticulously styled.
Chen Yi couldn’t help but take a second look.
Xiao Wan’er seemed to notice and shot him a playful look of reproach. "Do you have something to say, Brother-in-law?"
Chen Yi met her gaze and smiled. "Are you going out today, Eldest Sister?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er looked down at her clothes, and upon realizing what he meant, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She lowered her head and said,
"Nothing important today. It’s just that Little Sister Qingwu said yesterday that she would come to the residence for a visit. She said she had something to discuss with me."
Chen Yi was slightly taken aback. "Miss Cui?"
’That’s strange.’
’I just saw Cui Qingwu last night and specifically told her to go see those grain merchants.’
’How could she possibly have time to come to the Xiao Family’s residence?’