Ever since Guo Pu came to the capital, Zhao Shen had ventured further and further down the path of mysticism. He didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang was arranging his future, so after sneezing twice in succession, he muttered, “Could it be someone is cursing me?”
He casually grabbed a handful of dry tree branches from nearby, broke them into varying lengths, then muttered incantations while arranging them. After a moment, he couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise and asked those around him, “I remember the person providing relief in this area is Xun Fan, right?”
“Yes, this whole area is under Grand Tutor Xun’s responsibility.”
Zhao Shen frowned. “This divination shows a middle-lower result, not very good. How does it show that one of the Great General’s capable people is in danger? But Xun Fan is the young emperor’s uncle—he can hardly be counted as the Great General’s subordinate.”
A personal guard said, “Could it be referring to you, my lord?”
“Nonsense,” Zhao Shen’s attendant Da’an said before Zhao Shen could speak. “Fortune-telling can’t apply to oneself. Our lord is peaceful and joyful—what danger could there be?”
Zhao Shen had originally suspected himself, but hearing Da’an’s explanation found it reasonable. “Right, it shouldn’t be me. Otherwise my feeling would be stronger.”
“My lord, General Yuan is also here.”
Zhao Shen perked up. “How did he end up here? The disaster situation has mostly been stabilized now. Disaster relief grain has arrived everywhere, and many grain merchants have stabilized prices. Surely there won’t still be people seeking death by hoarding grain at this time?”
Da’an suggested, “Perhaps settling accounts after autumn.”
Zhao Shen frowned slightly. “Though those people are detestable, settling accounts after autumn is not a wise move. If Yuan Li doesn’t know flexibility, he could indeed invite disaster.”
He stood up. “Come, let’s go see.”
Yuan Li wasn’t inflexible—it just depended on whether he was willing to be. If it were before, he definitely wouldn’t be willing. The benefits from being flexible wouldn’t fall to him anyway. Better to capture and kill them, not only gaining some spoils of war but also adding to his record of merit.
But now, he knew to be anxious about what Zhao Hanzhang was anxious about and worry about what Zhao Hanzhang worried about. So he would first probe Zhao Hanzhang’s thoughts before acting.
Regarding what Xun Fan had reported, he originally planned to give light punishment as a warning, investigate clearly, seize the leverage, and perhaps the lady could use it later.
So his goals were only two: investigate the truth and seize leverage; and develop informants, planting Intelligence Department stakes.
As a result, the first piece of intelligence from the newly recruited informant Zheng Quan was that Zheng Zhi and Yu Hong wanted to poison him and Xun Fan.
Yuan Li smiled and leaned forward to ask him, “You say Yu Hong wants to poison me to death?”
Zheng Quan shivered and quickly said, “The master didn’t say he agreed. It was, it was Zheng Zhi who suggested it.”
“When do they plan to strike, and how?”
Zheng Quan said quietly, “They want to lure the General to the riverside, then have an ‘accidental meeting’ and put poison in the wine during the meal…”
Zheng Quan continued, “Originally they wanted to strike in the mansion, inviting many musicians and dancers. With Grand Tutor Xun as company, you wouldn’t suspect. After everything was settled, they’d deal with all the people you brought and throw the bodies in the great river. They’d report to the court that you fell into the water while inspecting the riverbank. With the emperor far away, the Great General would find it hard to discern the truth.”
Yuan Li laughed angrily. “They’re quite clever. They’ve done so many evil deeds they dare to murder an imperial envoy?”
Zheng Quan said quietly, “General, you pressed too hard, and you have such a fearsome reputation. Our master was very frightened. With Zheng Zhi instigating from the side, he had this idea.”
“After you entered the city, you were careful and alert in all your movements. They had difficulty finding an opportunity to strike. The master had almost given up this idea, but you started examining account books and grain shops as soon as you arrived. In just two days you arrested eighteen people. If you keep arresting people, it will be their turn.”
Yuan Li said, “So Yu Hong agreed in the end.”
Zheng Quan lowered his head. “Though he didn’t agree in words, he didn’t stop Zheng Zhi either.”
This was very cunning. If it succeeded, naturally all would be well. If it failed, he could still push all the blame onto Zheng Zhi.
Yuan Li smiled. “It seems Commandery Governor Yu isn’t entirely protective of his wife’s younger brother.”
Zheng Quan trembled in fear but dared not speak.
Though he had chosen Yuan Li, he was Yu Hong’s trusted confidant and old retainer. If the other party could live, he still hoped he could survive.
Zheng Quan felt miserable. These past two days he had hinted at and explicitly advised Yu Hong, which had already made him angry.
Zheng Quan knew that if he continued advising, Yu Hong would definitely grow tired of him.
So when he saw the extra slip of paper and cup of hot tea in his room, he agreed to defect to Yuan Li.
Not only for his two sons’ futures, but for his whole family’s lives.
In his judgment, Yu Hong definitely couldn’t defeat Yuan Li. Even if he got lucky and really killed Yuan Li, he might not be able to hide it from the Great General.
He still didn’t know who had left the note in his room, but to enter and exit silently, placing the note just before his return, must be someone very close by.
Legend had it that General Yuan controlled the Zhao family army’s intelligence network, with agents everywhere.
Once Yu Hong acted to kill Yuan Li and Xun Fan, the agents hiding in the commandery governor’s mansion would surely notice something abnormal. Then every member of the Yu family would be unable to escape.
He was a servant, and his two sons were servants too. If the master’s family committed such a grave offense, they would very likely be implicated and beheaded together.
So to survive, he could only betray Yu Hong.
Yuan Li pulled him up from the ground and pressed his shoulder. “Don’t take it to heart. You’re not betraying him. You must first be a person, then a slave.”
He said, “You are a Jin person. You must first not betray the nation, not betray the Great General, then comes yourself and your master.”
Zheng Quan was stunned. “Not betray the nation? I, I’m a traitorous slave. Would the Great General still trust me?”
“Why not?” Yuan Li asked. “Let me ask you—if the Xiongnu nation still existed and Yu Hong wanted to defect to the enemy, would you submit to Yu Hong, or would you resist vigorously for nation and people?”
Zheng Quan replied, “I’m a servant. Naturally if the master does something, we can only submit.”
“Wrong!” Yuan Li shouted loudly. “Servants are people too. Being human means having a bottom line. The nation is what absolutely cannot be betrayed. Even if he’s your master, you should oppose it!”
Zheng Quan’s eyes widened.
Yuan Li gripped his shoulder. “These are the Great General’s words. I give them to you today. You must remember—it’s not you betraying Yu Hong, but Yu Hong first betraying the court, betraying the Great General, betraying the common people under his governance. And you are fighting for justice, for the nation. From today forward, you’re not Yu Hong’s servant, but a person of the Intelligence Department, a free citizen, and also a meritorious subject of Dajin!”
Zheng Quan’s lips trembled. He asked incredulously, “I, I’m a free citizen? A meritorious subject?”
Yuan Li nodded heavily.
Zheng Quan’s broken heart reassembled, his collapsed faith rebuilt. He nodded, murmuring, “Right, I’m a free citizen, I’m a free citizen now, and I’m a meritorious subject…”
When Zheng Quan left, his eyes were full of light, his face unable to contain his joy.
After seeing the man off, Yuan Li’s personal guard Shi Si returned and sidled up to Yuan Li. “General, he’s a traitorous slave. If he can betray once, he can betray a second time. Should we really rely on him as an inside agent? Shouldn’t you bring a few more people along?”
“No need. To deal with Yu Hong, the few of us are enough,” Yuan Li said. “I’m having him be an inside agent to cultivate him. This Zheng Quan is much more suitable to be an agent than Du Xin.”
“Ah? Why? That Du Xin was one we raised and sent out. This Zheng Quan is a halfway turncoat.”
Though Yu Hong wasn’t a good person, Shi Si also looked down on slaves who betrayed their masters.
Yuan Li glanced at him. “Zheng Quan is not a fickle person. If you’re afraid he’ll betray us, then establish a belief he absolutely cannot betray.”
Regarding Zheng Quan, Yuan Li understood him perfectly, because he vaguely saw his former self in him.
He would fight for power and profit, but he would definitely not betray the lady!
Shi Si scratched his head. “General, I don’t understand.”
“If you understood, wouldn’t you be the general? Turn around. “Go make arrangements. We’ll visit the commandery governor’s mansion the day after tomorrow. To catch a thief, catch him in the act. Assassinating court envoys—we need to catch them red-handed.”
Yuan Li sneered repeatedly. “Originally I only wanted to control them, taking the long view. I didn’t expect them to rush toward death. Since that’s the case, we can’t fail to fulfill their wishes.”
Shi Si became excited all over, happily responding “Yes” before running out to find skilled companions. “I said all along we couldn’t let them go. People who hoard grain during disasters are the most detestable. Back then, all six people in my family starved to death this way…”
Shi Si went out and picked ten skilled fighters all at once, but Yuan Li only selected four. “Have the rest hide quietly outside the commandery governor’s mansion. Be careful not to reveal yourselves. Wait for my signal, then immediately go in and arrest people.”
Shi Si said, “Just the six of us seems too few. The General’s safety is paramount.”
Yuan Li replied, “These two days I’ve thoroughly investigated Yu Hong’s background. The people under his command are all show and no substance—just numerous. When it comes to real fighting, the three of us forming an array can create two military formations. Yu Hong will be right beside me—I can just reach out and grab him.”
Shi Si said, “This subordinate worries about Grand Tutor Xun. Naturally we can protect our own lives, but if we also have to protect Grand Tutor Xun, I fear it will be difficult.”
Yuan Li’s gaze was profound, though his mouth said, “No matter. Our martial skills are high. Those are all minor rabble. When the time comes, we’ll protect Grand Tutor Xun in the middle. Moreover, he and Yu Hong are good friends—Yu Hong may not strike at him.”
“But didn’t Zheng Quan just say they wanted to kill you and Grand Tutor Xun together…”
Yuan Li looked at him coldly. Shi Si immediately stopped talking and lowered his head. “Yes, this subordinate understands.”
Yuan Li said coldly, “Don’t do anything unnecessary.”
If Xun Fan survived, that was his good fortune. If he died, that was Yu Hong’s crime—it couldn’t be blamed on anyone else.
The old ministers surrounding the young emperor were basically organized by the Xun brothers Xun Fan and Xun Zu, with Xun Fan having especially high prestige.
If he died, Xun Zu couldn’t control this faction. The young emperor’s power would definitely be reduced. When the lady wanted to advance further, it would be much smoother.
After making his plan, the next day when Yuan Li went out to investigate cases, he deliberately encountered Yu Hong.
Yu Hong brought up, “When this subordinate was reviewing last year’s accounts for embankment repairs, I discovered a discrepancy in funds. The commandery governor’s office records show fifty thousand bricks used, but the embankment accounts show only thirty thousand used. The other twenty thousand bricks are unaccounted for. Last year’s great Yellow River repair was personally overseen by Minister Fu. If Minister-Secretary Ji learns of this, wouldn’t it be…”
He sighed heavily and bowed repeatedly. “Please, General Yuan, help investigate the truth. Speaking of which, all this relates to the flood disaster…”
Yuan Li took the account book and examined it carefully. After a moment he closed it. “I understand this matter.”
Yu Hong asked, “Does General Yuan need to go to the embankment to look? The foreman who followed the Yellow River repairs last year lives by the river—he’s an informed person.”
“Let’s go in a couple days. First finish investigating the grain matter. After all, this expenditure belongs to another case.”
Yu Hong was somewhat anxious. At Yuan Li’s current investigation speed, he might really get to the bottom of things in two days. By then, both he and Zheng Zhi would probably be arrested.
“If there’s truly a problem with the embankment, I fear endless future troubles. Moreover, after floods there are always epidemics among the people. Those foremen might not remain at home. This subordinate feels this matter should be handled sooner rather than later.”
Yuan Li frowned slightly. “But the Great General is already urging about the grain price matter. General Zu has set a date to return to the capital, Central Secretary Ming is also going back. Now only Grand Tutor Xun remains here. Some court ministers love to overthink things, so the Great General is urging me to conclude this matter quickly and escort Grand Tutor Xun back to the capital.”
Yu Hong fell silent.
Yuan Li glanced at him. “Since I was just going to tell you—tomorrow I’ll visit your mansion to see Grand Tutor Xun, so I can report back to the Great General.”
Yu Hong heard this and his heart, which had plummeted to the depths, immediately soared. He said happily, “Good, good. What time will the General arrive? I’ll prepare wine and food in advance to entertain the General.”
“No need for entertainment. I’ll just stay for one hour at noon to have a simple meal with Grand Tutor Xun,” Yuan Li feared too many people would make it hard to act, so he emphasized, “Commandery Governor Yu, it’s best if those musicians and dancers don’t appear. Otherwise, be careful I impeach you for bribing an imperial envoy.”
Yu Hong was displeased in his heart, but his face showed only smiles. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”
Who was he insulting? Who hosts a banquet for guests without musicians and dancers?
But as long as Yuan Li was willing to come, that was enough. Even without musicians and dancers, there would be plenty of ways to get him to drink.
Yu Hong’s thoughts surged as he decided to go back and make arrangements.
No, he couldn’t personally arrange this. He could tell Zheng Zhi and let him arrange it.
Yu Hong lowered his eyelids to conceal his thoughts, withdrew, and went first to find Zheng Zhi.
The next day, Yuan Li brought only Shi Si and four personal guards to call. He even carried fruit he’d casually bought from the street.
“This is for Grand Tutor Xun.”
Yu Hong didn’t mind the shabby gift. With Zheng Zhi beside him, he welcomed them inside with smiles. “Grand Tutor Xun is already waiting.”
Xun Fan was completely confused, not understanding why Yuan Li, who had consistently refused excessive contact with Yu Hong, suddenly decided to attend this banquet.
Zheng Zhi had prepared a table of wine and dishes, warmly inviting Yuan Li to sit. He personally raised the pot to pour wine for them. “That General Yuan is willing to come is truly beyond our expectations. We must especially thank Grand Tutor Xun…”
At this time, Zhao Shen, who had been riding hard, had already entered the city. At the city gate he identified himself and inquired about Yuan Li’s lodgings, then headed straight for that dilapidated house.
“What? Gone to the commandery governor’s mansion for a banquet?” Zhao Shen swept his gaze over the two or three stragglers in the courtyard and narrowed his eyes. “He brought two hundred personal guards. Where are all these people? How is it only you few wounded remain?”
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