Chu Feng Prefecture City.
After paying the entrance fee, Wu Ming’s ox cart entered the city without any hindrance.
The journey had been peaceful, with no sign of bandits, a testament to Wu Zhi’s effective governance.
Yet Wu Ming knew all too well that no matter how good her reputation, when it came to this year’s harvest and the family’s livelihood, the scholars and commoners of Chu Feng would abandon Wu Zhi without hesitation.
“Master, where shall we go next?”
Old Luo was quite fond of this young customer. He was quiet, made no unreasonable demands, and most importantly—he paid promptly!
He had already settled the fare upon entering the city. After all, it was just a short distance. Perhaps he might even earn a generous tip after delivering him.
The fare had to be shared with the cart rental company, but any tip would be his own. Thus, Old Luo’s face bore a warm and sincere expression.
“Oh?”
Wu Ming wore a faint, amused smile.
“I’ve come this far already; an old man must ensure the young master arrives safely!”
Old Luo smiled, his wrinkled face appearing almost fawning.
“Fine then… Take me straight to the Jiedushi Mansion. There’ll be no shortage of tip for you…”
Wu Ming said leisurely.
However, these words caused Old Luo’s arms, usually as steady as iron, to tremble slightly, nearly veering the ox cart off the road.
“Goodness… Could this young master actually be a young master from the Jiedushi Mansion?”
Old Luo’s heart quickened. Suddenly, he dared not speak much, and drove the ox cart toward the city center.
As the political heart of Chu Feng Prefecture, the Jiedushi Mansion naturally stood out as a landmark. Two massive stone lions stood at its entrance, exuding authority.
On the street in front, a row of luxurious carriages lined up, all waiting to meet Wu Zhi.
Numerous carriages, varying from opulent to plain, nearly blocked the entire road. Seeing this, Old Luo dared not approach further. He stopped aside and, with an apologetic smile, said, “Young master… We can’t get through past that point!”
In this world of clear social hierarchy, he wouldn’t dare to even walk alongside a single carriage, let alone brazenly approach.
“Fine!”
Wu Ming casually tossed out a few coins and walked toward the entrance of the Jiedushi Mansion.
Old Luo didn’t leave. Instead, his eyes, filled with anticipation, followed Wu Ming’s back, eager to know the young master’s status within the Jiedushi Mansion.
If he were truly a nobleman… Old Luo felt he would definitely have something to boast about to future customers.
Before the Jiedushi Mansion, more visitors were waiting, each holding their visiting cards, queuing up in order.
But Wu Ming ignored them completely and walked straight into the Jiedushi Mansion.
This blatant act of cutting in line immediately drew a sea of stares from behind, many filled with schadenfreude. Yet no one stepped forward directly, as if hoping to see him crash into the guards and bleed from the head.
But…
“Master-in-law?!”
The Fire Phoenix Guard on duty, originally blocking the entrance, let out a delighted exclamation, immediately saluted, and welcomed Wu Ming inside.
“Mas… Master-in-law?!”
The officials waiting in line were suddenly thrown into disarray. Soon, some elder and more experienced ones whispered explanations into the ears of others. After hushed murmurs, their gazes at Wu Ming’s back were filled with envy…
“Goodness me…”
Old Luo’s mouth hung open like a statue. But he was clear about one thing—he would definitely have no shortage of tales to boast about in the future.
…
Meanwhile, Wu Ming paid no attention to the buzzing flies behind him.
Slightly regretful, though, was that no foolish second-generation brat had stepped forward to provide a scene of public humiliation.
Looks like even in this world, fools are still rare.
“Still… If we really get technical, I’m probably the biggest second-generation in Chu Feng and Nan Feng Prefectures. No! Actually, I should be considered first-generation…”
Putting aside his dark humor, Wu Ming arrived at the back courtyard of the Jiedushi Mansion.
Clearly, Wu Zhi had been residing here recently, bringing even her personal belongings.
“Where is your lady?”
“The young mistress is still outside the city, inspecting the drought situation and arranging the water-powered bone carts… She probably won’t return until very late…”
At the forefront was one of Wu Zhi’s former personal maids, whose name might have been Sword Attendant or something similar. At this moment, she displayed none of the overbearing demeanor of the guards in the front courtyard, who might draw their swords at the slightest provocation. Speaking softly, she guided Wu Ming to Wu Zhi’s bedroom, assisted him in removing his outer robe, and changed his shoes before asking, “We have already dispatched a rider to inform the young mistress of your arrival, Master-in-law. You must be weary from your journey. Would you like to have dinner now?”
Her tone unconsciously carried a hint of allure, as she recalled her lady’s promise.
In truth, she and the others were actually concubines given as part of the dowry. In that sense, Wu Ming was also her husband, so her service was naturally more attentive.
“Fine…”
Wu Ming agreed. He clearly noticed her delight, and smiled again inwardly. Enjoying the company of a beautiful woman while dining was a pleasure of the literati—why refuse?
…
As night fell, the city of Chu Feng was dimly lit, with rows of lanterns glowing.
Inside a secret room of Fang Si Inn, a well-known establishment with decades of reputation, a conversation was underway.
“This is the intelligence you reported today…”
Inside the secret room, a single oil lamp flickered, casting a mysterious glow.
Under the dim light sat a large table. The innkeeper, usually a kind-faced man, now wore a cold expression as he glanced at a ragged beggar before him.
“Reporting to you, sir… All today’s news within the city is here!”
The beggar was very old, appearing weathered by life’s hardships. Before this “sir,” he dared not slacken his guard.
“Then why is this person mentioned only briefly?”
The innkeeper-like figure pointed a finger, landing precisely on Wu Ming’s file!
“This person?”
The old beggar hesitated. “He’s merely a local gentry family’s son, at most having an elder sister with some Daoist cultivation. If not for being the Jiedushi’s husband, even his relative Wu Tiehu would be more valuable for surveillance…”
“Foolish!”
The innkeeper frowned. “I won’t elaborate much… Within three days, I want to know everything about this Wu Ming—from childhood to now, every mischief, every girl he flirted with. No detail is too small!”
In the intelligence business, one must be meticulous.
In his opinion, even if Wu Ming were merely the Jiedushi’s husband, he would still be worth significant investment. Let alone the fact that the man seemed somewhat mysterious…
Glancing again at the old beggar, he softened his tone. “I know it’s not easy for you… Think back then, we thirty were ordered here to lie low, staying for twenty years. Some died outright, others couldn’t endure and left, some even passed their mission down through generations, their descendants forgetting their original purpose… Only recently were we reactivated. Do you have any complaints?”
“Subordinate dares not!”
The old beggar gave a bitter smile. This was still under a relatively understanding superior; otherwise, if a subordinate admitted to having complaints, he would never rise again!
“I know you’ve worked hard!”
The innkeeper, also a man who had lain low for decades, acted more gently. “Recently, the Jiedushi Mansion has been renovating the cityscape, making your life harder. Take a few taels of silver back with you… Not that I don’t have more, but too much might draw unwanted attention!”
“I understand!”
The old beggar gave a bitter smile. “Boss! If it weren’t for you still being around, the brothers would’ve scattered long ago!”
Deep down, he still held great respect for this leader, involuntarily slipping into an old term of endearment.
“Yes, our superiors have promised that after this mission, all past matters will be forgiven, and all the brothers can shed their burdens and live openly as honest men!”
After the old beggar left, the leader sat silently by the candlelight for a long while before clapping his hands.
“Sir!”
A shadow in the corner stirred, transforming into a young man dressed like a servant boy, his face cold, kneeling on one knee.
“Though we’re all loyal servants, after so many years, one can’t be sure of his thoughts…”
The innkeeper-like leader spoke with a chilling tone. “Follow him. If everything remains normal, let it be. But if he tries to betray us… You know what to do!”
“Please rest assured, sir! I will ensure he disappears without a trace!”
The youth quickly withdrew.
Watching this scene, the innkeeper sighed deeply.
It wasn’t that he distrusted his subordinates. Ever since Duke Ding’s intelligence network was completely dismantled, Chu Feng had undergone multiple purges, causing heavy losses among spies from various factions.
Otherwise, this very “spare piece” wouldn’t have been recalled until who knows how many more years passed.
“It’s not that I betray my brothers… It’s just that loyalty and filial piety cannot coexist!”
The innkeeper said coldly, his eyes reddening slightly.
For three hundred years, the Great Zhou nurtured its people. There were still those who upheld righteousness, willing to die for their principles.
Thinking thus, he opened the wooden desk and retrieved a secret order:
“Whatever the cost, ensure the imperial rule and stop Wu Zhi from unifying Ding Province…”
The leader murmured, holding the order over the oil lamp, watching the flames consume the paper.
He closed his eyes for a long while before opening them again. His gaze was now icy and sharp, all traces of earlier compassion gone.
“Heaven favors me!”
“The great drought in Chu Feng and Nan Feng Prefectures—this is Heaven’s decree!”
“As long as the spring plowing is delayed, calamity is certain next year. Without proper timing, Wu Zhi won’t be able to gather soldiers, perhaps even inviting Duke Ding to attack…”
“At that time, the families of scholars and aristocrats I’ve secretly contacted will rise up together, creating internal and external pressure, forcing her into chaos. Ideally, the imperial army will destroy this woman and sweep through the remaining two vassal regions—then the merit will be immeasurable!”
Though he knew this task was extremely difficult, he remained unwavering in his resolve.
This was his burden, his loyalty!
Otherwise, what was the point of decades of hiding, of countless brothers’ deaths, retirements, and quiet disappearances?
If the Great Zhou fell, who would recognize the sacrifices of people like him?
This was the tragedy of the small, the sorrow of spies!
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