knife

Chapter 211 The First Intelligence Report from Inside the Pass
With the series of decrees and arrangements made by Chief Administrator Mao Daxian, it became clear that the focus of the Anxi Protectorate's work in the next six months would shift from the initial military campaigns to stabilizing domestic affairs and vigorously developing production.

However, for the region outside the Great Wall, all these actions ultimately boil down to war.

Moreover, this time it will no longer be a small-scale skirmish, but a real battle concerning a survival crisis.

It's like a person who wants to throw a punch with all their might must first pull their fist back to gather strength before striking out with full force, in order to inflict the heaviest damage on the enemy and achieve the greatest victory.

When only a few people, including Xiao Changche, Li Dachui, and Mao Daxian, remained in the room, a man walked in through the side door. It was Qian Jia, the head of Zhi Qiu Courtyard.

After bowing slightly to the three people in the room, Qian Jia unfolded a scroll he had been carrying under his arm and said, "You two Protectors and Chief Secretary, I believe the latest intelligence from Chang'an is of great importance and must be assessed immediately."

Xiao Changche asked, "Was it sent from Zhang Qingyun's side? You've only been back for a few months, and you've already obtained such important intelligence?"

Qian Jia smiled and said, "Miss Qingyun has a rather special identity. After returning to Chang'an, she really associates with no ordinary people. She makes friends with all the powerful and influential people of the court. Many pieces of information that we consider confidential are simply effortless for her."

Xiao Changche glanced at Li Dachui and found that the guy was very smug, as if he was proud of the trap he set for Zhang Qingyun to enter Zhi Qiu Yuan back then.

In just one year, it has already yielded huge returns.

The fact that Qian Jia took this so seriously shows the importance of this intelligence from Chang'an.

"First, He Zudao destroyed the Liu family of Jinyang and the Wang family of Taiyuan, taking full control of the two places. He also used the massive wealth seized from these two families to organize a large army in these two places."

"The second thing is that He Qiku died, an unnatural death. According to the intelligence we have, it seems that He Qiku committed suicide because of He Zudao's actions. However, the court did a good job this time and gave He Qiku a funeral befitting his status."

"The third thing, and the most surprising thing, is that Zhang Qingyun confirmed that He Zudao's entry into Hedong and his chaos in Hedong were all part of Kou Zhong and Wei Zhengdao's plan. He Zudao was just a decoy, a tool that would be discarded after being used. When He Zudao was fighting fiercely with the Hedong coalition in Hedong, the court should have a mysterious force unknown to outsiders intervened to reap the benefits."

Qian Jia looked up at everyone in the room and said, "To put it bluntly, it's like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Once both sides are exhausted, we'll suddenly appear and take them all down. Then, He Zudao will naturally bear all the blame, and the court will reap a clean and peaceful Hedong."

The people inside were all extremely surprised.

"Bring the map!" Xiao Changche and Li Dachui said in unison.

Qian Jia, however, was prepared. He took out a map from in front of him and spread it out in front of the two protectors.

This is a map of Hedong. Of course, it was drawn by the imperial court and is not as detailed as the map of Guanwai drawn by Zhiqiu Academy, but it is still very close to the original.

The two of them stared at the map for a long time before pointing to the Taihang Mountains.

After exchanging a glance, Li Dachui blurted out, "This plan couldn't have been a spur-of-the-moment idea; it must have been planned for a long time. Only Kou Zhong and Wei Zhengdao have the resources to undertake such a large-scale operation!"

Mao Daxian narrowed his eyes and pondered, "So, when Zhang Ru investigated the accounts, he probably only vaguely touched upon the truth of the matter, which is why he was dealt with so swiftly and decisively. Now that I think about it, given the nature of the imperial court, how could they be so efficient? Zhang Ru also has powerful backers in the court. The so-called offense against Linghu Ye was just an excuse."

"That's how it should be!" Li Dachui and Qian Jia both nodded repeatedly.

Only Xiao Changche couldn't understand: "Why should it be this way?"

Li Dachui nodded and said, “To reap the benefits of others’ success, one needs sufficient strength. Otherwise, one will not only fail to be a fisherman but will also be swallowed by the fish. Therefore, there must be an army hidden in the Taihang Mountains.”

“I understand!” Xiao Changche said.

"Such an army, hidden in the Taihang Mountains, doesn't need money, food, or pay?" Li Dachui asked with a smile. "Where does the money come from? Can it be accounted for transparently? It's all money from dubious sources, and in huge amounts. When Zhang Ruo, as the Vice Minister of Revenue, saw a huge deficit in the accounts, he went to investigate. He assumed it was embezzled, and indeed it was. However, most of the embezzled money must have gone to this army."

Xiao Changche suddenly realized, "Such a meticulous plan... does this mean He Zudao is doomed this time? If the court truly controls Hedong, as you say, then the political landscape will change once again." Li Dachui turned to look at the map, "Then we'll see if He Zudao can escape this calamity! If he's clever enough to break free of this trap..."

"Then the east and west banks of the river will be thrown into chaos." Mao Daxian said, "He Zudao's military capabilities are quite formidable. He has fought against the Chu army in the south for so many years. His military experience is probably unmatched by those generals in the court who have enjoyed decades of comfort in their comfort zones. Once He Zudao discovers this plan, I'm afraid that the army that the court has painstakingly hidden will not only fail to achieve its goal but will also suffer losses!"

Qian Jia nodded.

"Big Hammer, do you want He Zudao to live or die?" Xiao Changche suddenly asked.

Li Dachui shrugged and shook his head, saying, "Whether he lives or dies, we have no way to intervene for the time being. The only thing we can do is to watch from the sidelines."

“But his life or death will definitely have a significant impact on the situation in the world!” Mao Daxian said. “If the court takes over Hedong, it can then control Hexi. If these two places are at peace, then Chang’an will be safe. Under such circumstances, Linghu Ye outside the pass will not act rashly. But if he does not die and instead causes chaos in Hedong and Hexi, Linghu Ye’s entry into the pass will be on the agenda. And in order to escape smoothly, he will definitely make a deal with the Yuan people.”

Li Dachui paced around the room a few times. "If Linghu Ye can trade with the Yuan people, then he can trade with us too. Old Qian, make initial contact with Linghu Zhishu and the others."

"What's there to talk about with Linghu Ye?" Xiao Changche said angrily.

"Yes! We need to make them understand that just dealing with the Yuan people doesn't guarantee their escape. If they anger me, I'll keep them locked up outside the pass. If they want to leave, they'll have to give me something in return!"

"You actually let him go after I gave you the benefits?" Xiao Changdao said.

“There are different ways to leave!” Li Dachui laughed loudly. “What were we doing looking for Chang Jian all this time? What was Zhang Ruo trying to achieve by working so hard with Chen Liang? Linghu Ye can leave, but how many people he can take with him is another matter. 100,000 border troops, 100,000 border troops, haha!”

Qian Jia said, "Your Excellencies, Miss Qingyun has made another discovery. The relationship between Scholar Zhou, the Imperial Edict Drafter, and Linghu Ye is probably extraordinary. And following this line of investigation, we also found that the chief eunuch by His Majesty's side has quite a bit of contact with Scholar Zhou."

"That's interesting!" Li Dachui narrowed his eyes: "So, in that case, Linghu Ye might be able to produce an imperial edict stamped with the official seal and enter the capital openly?"

With one person in charge of drafting imperial edicts, another in charge of managing the imperial seal, and of course, an emperor who was superstitious about taking elixirs and dreamed of reaching the innate realm in one fell swoop by taking drugs, it was quite normal for strange things to happen.

“Yes, very likely!” Qian Jia said, “That’s why I sent a message to Zhang Qingyun, telling him to keep a close eye on this lead. I think it’s a profitable business.”

"Could it be that Linghu Ye has already obtained this item and is just waiting for the right opportunity?" Mao Daxian asked.

"Impossible!" Li Dachui and Qian Jia exclaimed in unison.
"You tell us," Li Dachui said with a smile, gesturing to Qian Jia.

Qian Jia nodded: "Whether it's Scholar Zhou or the chief eunuch by the emperor's side, their most valuable possession right now is probably something like this. They'll definitely think carefully about when to bring it out to get the best price. Would they offer such a bargaining chip before the very last moment? You know, once this chip is thrown out, they'll have nothing left of value!"

"So?" Mao Daxian asked.

"Keep a close eye on them. If we can seize this item, even if we can't stop Linghu Ye from entering the pass, we can still get what we want from him with this item!" Qian Jia said. "Young Master, Zhi Qiu Academy should allocate enough powerful personnel to the pass for Miss Qingyun to command. After all, using those noble young masters to gather intelligence is fine, but for other tasks, they're mostly unrealistic. And right now, Luo Liang and Luo Ying, uncle and nephew, are a bit too weak in martial arts; it's not safe if we really have to take action!"

"You can handle this matter!"

“Then I plan to transfer the White Tiger Brigade into the pass for Qingyun to command!” Qian Jia said. “The situation inside the pass is turbulent, and the changes are more dramatic than those outside the pass. We should increase our manpower.”

"Our main strength should still be focused on the area outside the Great Wall and on resisting the Yuan!" Xiao Changche said sternly from the side.

Qian Jia nodded and said, "Yes, Protector-General, but the problems inside the pass will profoundly affect the situation outside the pass. We cannot influence those inside the pass, but we must have a thorough understanding of them and try our best to minimize the negative impact and maximize the positive impact!"

Li Dachui reached out and pressed down on Xiao Changche's shoulder, saying, "It's impossible to completely separate the inside and outside of the pass. Dean Qian is right."

(End of this chapter)