You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 29 Fang Chengxu has spies in Xiliang

Liang Jiang said solemnly, "The Fang family is currently in dire straits. They may be ruthless, but we cannot be unrighteous."

Fang Chengxu's face was burning hot: "I'm so sorry, I just found out that it was A Zhao and the others who conspired to lie to me, saying that you were not content with your home, which is why I did such a heartless thing."

During the year I was away from the capital, you sacrificed so much for the Fang family. Yet I repeatedly wronged and humiliated you. I feel guilty, and I must return this money to you.

Liang Jiang said calmly, "I can understand your choice. After all, as Madam Tong said, your military achievements are all thanks to the Tong family's help."

Fang Chengxu's already strong sense of self-esteem was repeatedly trampled on by the Tong family. Recalling the contemptuous words Tong Zhao'er had uttered during her argument with Fang Yuan, he angrily said:

"It is true that General Tong gave me this opportunity, but I earned these military achievements with my own life and blood!"

“I have heard that the people of Xiliang are fierce and brave, skilled in horsemanship and archery. You have stood out in just over half a year, achieved a surprising victory, and repelled the Xiliang army that invaded our border, pushing the enemy back hundreds of miles. You must have extraordinary abilities.”

Fang Chengxu felt a surge of pride and told Liang Jiang about his heroic deeds in the battle of Xiliang.

Liang Jiang listened attentively, and Yu Ma, with her keen eye, brought Fang Chengxu a clean wine glass and quietly lit some incense.

Fang Chengxu downed several cups in a row, feeling slightly tipsy. Facing Liang Jiang, who looked at him with admiration, he suddenly felt as if he had found a kindred spirit, and his pride and vanity, which had been suppressed in front of Tong Zhao'er, welled up spontaneously.

Liang Jiang rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with girlish innocence. Yet, in her mind, she meticulously analyzed every word Fang Chengxu had spoken, searching for useful clues.

His description of his military achievements was somewhat exaggerated and differed slightly from what Deputy General He said.

However, it cannot be denied that he was indeed brave and fearless on the battlefield, and a brilliant strategist. He was a promising talent, and it is no wonder that General Tong appreciated him.

"Are you a master strategist?" Liang Jiang's eyes widened in surprise. "How could you have predicted that the Xiliang vanguard was just feinting and that their real intention was to cover the Xiliang general's infiltration into the city for a coordinated attack from the inside?"

Fang Chengxu downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, feeling dizzy and as if he were floating on clouds. For a moment, he forgot himself and asked, "Guess?"

Liang Jiang and Yu Ma exchanged a glance, and Yu Ma quietly extinguished the incense in the bronze crane incense burner.

"I bet that Deputy General He, a veteran of many battles, must have keen insight. It was he who reminded you, wasn't it?"

"Deputy General He? He only knows how to lead troops into battle and is all about brute strength. Otherwise, why was General Tong able to surpass him when they were both under the Duke of Liang, while he could only guard the border for two years and still hadn't accomplished anything?"

Liang Jiang pretended to ponder for a moment: "War on the battlefield, isn't it all about fighting with sheer strength?"

Fang Chengxu curled his lips smugly and lowered his voice: "Wrong! On the battlefield, strategy is key. I have spies within the Xiliang army, and their every move is under my control, so naturally we will win every battle."

Liang Jiang felt a surge of excitement, but she calmly scoffed, "Who would believe that? You just arrived at the border, how could you possibly have spies? To be frank, it's General Tong who's helping you, isn't it?"

Fang Chengxu seemed to have been hit where it hurt again, and he silently drank a glass of wine.

Liang Jiang then flattered General Tong: "General Tong truly lives up to his reputation. Even though he is far away in the capital, he is still able to strategize and extend his reach into the heart of Xiliang."

Moreover, this spy held a crucial position in Xiliang; otherwise, how could they have successfully transmitted such vital intelligence?

Fang Chengxu gave a low "hmm": "I guess this person should be at least a general."

"Even you don't know the other person's identity? Then how did you contact him?"

Fang Chengxu leaned forward, getting closer to Liang Jiang, and said mysteriously, "This is a secret!"

Liang Jiang scoffed, "Fine, don't tell me then. What's so great about it? It's not like I haven't heard of it before. It's nothing more than sending messages by carrier pigeon or using kites and bamboo tubes. You can guess it."

Fang Chengxu shook his head seriously: "What you're saying is too stupid. If that were the case, the undercover agent's identity would have been discovered long ago. How could he have remained hidden for so long?" Liang Jiang looked puzzled: "I really can't think of any way to get the message into the city. After all, with the two armies facing each other and the city gates closed, what other way is there besides flying in the sky?"

Why are you so interested in this?

Fang Chengxu suddenly asked abruptly, his eyes burning, a stark contrast to his previous drowsy, drunken state.

Liang Jiang was startled, not expecting him to be so vigilant; even her incense hadn't been able to completely intoxicate him.

She rested her chin on her hand and looked directly at Fang Chengxu with a frank gaze: "I was thinking, if I properly tame the pair of thrushes I keep under the eaves, could they also be used to deliver messages?"

Fang Chengxu immediately denied it: "The thrush is too brightly colored and too eye-catching to be suitable for conveying intelligence. It is not as good as a myna, and at the very least, it is a parrot, which can cleverly mimic speech."

He stopped mid-sentence and changed the subject.

Liang Jiang didn't want to pry too much and arouse his suspicion, so she tried to get more information from him indirectly. When she realized she couldn't get anything out of him, she used the excuse of being tired and directly asked him to leave.

Fang Chengxu rubbed his temples. Although he was somewhat reluctant to leave, he was wary of Tong Zhao'er. He took the house deed, got up, and left.

Liang Jiang didn't even lift her buttocks. Instead, she raised her hand, frowned, and instructed Yu Ma, "Bring me a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone."

Yu Ma did as she was told.

Liang Jiang hesitated for a moment, then picked up her pen and wrote the letter in one stroke. She put it in an envelope and handed it to Yu Ma: "Tomorrow, find a reliable person to personally deliver this letter to Deputy General He."

Aunt Yu took it from her: "Judging from what Fang Chengxu just said, it should be true. Isn't Vice General He's suspicion overthinking?"

"I don't know." Liang Jiang said truthfully, "Although General Tong intends to cultivate Fang Chengxu, he certainly cannot completely trust him. There are some things that Fang Chengxu may not know, which is why he dared to talk to me about them."

"Do you want to continue investigating at the Fang family's residence? I think Fang Chengxu is quite wary."

Liang Jiang tapped the table lightly with her fingers, her eyes narrowing slightly: "He will definitely continue to investigate here. However, I have another bold prediction."

"What speculation?"

"There are also General Tong's spies and confidants lurking in the Xiliang Pass garrison. This person is responsible for exchanging information with the Xiliang side."

“How come you see?”

"Firstly, as I just said, General Tong does not trust Fang Chengxu for the time being; secondly, they rely on birds that can mimic speech to pass on intelligence to each other, which cannot be trained in a day or two."

Therefore, this person would not easily leave Xiliang Pass, was proficient in bird training, and also had the opportunity to come into contact with Fang Chengxu.

"So you want Vice General He to also start the investigation from Xiliang?"

Liang Jiang nodded: "This person is more important than Fang Chengxu. Deputy General He knows the border like the back of his hand, and should have a suspect in mind. Once this person's identity is confirmed, there is no need for me to stay in the Fang family."

Aunt Yu nodded: "Once Fang Chengxu's job is settled, he should move to the capital with Tong Zhao'er, so we don't have much time. Oh, right, Aunt Zhao was just here."

Liang Jiang scoffed: "If you go back and exaggerate it to tell Tong Zhao'er, she'll probably be furious. Fang Chengxu will be in for a world of hurt when he gets back."

"Hmph, it would be better if she were furious. Let her taste what it's like to have her husband stolen away."

That sounds good.

(End of this chapter)