When Wang Daxia spoke of Zhongjin Khatun, his face was expressionless, as if the time he sold his own mother's dowry fields in Sanlitun to help her buy her freedom had never happened and had nothing to do with him at all.
Wang Daxia said, "Zhongjin Khatun is Anda Khan's third Hatun. We in the Great Ming call her San Niangzi. According to Ding Wu's intelligence, San Niangzi is an ambitious woman, not content with just being a Hatun in the great tent. She likes to involve herself in political affairs."
Lu Ying asked, "San Niangzi was betrothed to Ados, the son of the Ordos tribe's leader and my cousin. Did Ados just let his fiancée be seized by Anda Khan? Did the Ordos tribe not react to this?"
Wang Daxia replied, "The Ordos tribe is loyal to Anda Khan. A daughter-in-law who hadn't even married into the family is not worth more than their loyalty to the Khan. Ados alone cannot sway the entire tribe. However, Ding Wu has now become sworn brothers with Ados. They have a good relationship, and Ding Wu has been constantly encouraging Ados to seize the position of tribal leader in the future and take San Niangzi back."
To put it simply, the Ordos tribe had swallowed their pride for the sake of the bigger picture. But Ados, having had the most beautiful woman on the steppe, his fiancée, stolen by Anda Khan, was resentful. However, his words carried little weight, and he had to wear this green hat whether he liked it or not. Ding Wu seized the opportunity to stir the pot, waiting for the day Ados controlled the tribe to lead his troops and settle the score with Anda Khan.
The Ordos tribe was a major tribe, famous for guarding the white tent that held the relics of Genghis Khan. If Ados could truly get his wish, an internally divided enemy would undoubtedly be beneficial to the Great Ming.
Besides using San Niangzi's ambition to infiltrate the White Lotus Sect, Ding Wu was also exploiting the conflicts within the Khanate Court, fanning flames everywhere. He was truly taking the art of being an undercover agent to its absolute limit.
Lu Ying already admired Ding Wu, and hearing this, her admiration doubled. A person's ability could not be judged solely by martial strength. Ding Wu's strength was only enough to kill a chicken for a small-chicken-stew-with-mushrooms or slaughter a goose for an iron-pot-stewed-goose, yet he was a master of political maneuvering, using his own hands to stir up a storm in the Khanate Court.
Lu Ying looked at Linqing County on the map. Ding Wu was there, waiting for the spring thaw to melt the canal's ice.
The capital was still cold, but Lu Ying's blood was running hot. She said, "We can't just passively wait for news from Ding Wu to confirm where the White Lotus Sect, disguised as Japanese pirates, is. Let's send some of the firearms stolen from the Wang Gong Factory to Master Yu, who has the most experience fighting Japanese pirates. See if he has encountered similar firearm models on the battlefield. That way, we can lock down the sea region in advance."
"Furthermore, I will personally make a trip to Linqing, disguised as a merchant selling medicinal herbs, to secretly contact Ding Wu. Some things cannot be detailed in letters. I still have many questions that I must ask him face-to-face."
Lu Ying really did not want to face her family at home, especially her mother, so she simply found an opportunity to go on a long-distance assignment.
Master Yu was Yu Dayou, the man who had taught Lu Ying the Sword Manual . As mentioned before, Yu Dayou had been defeated in a battle against the Japanese pirates and thrown into the Ministry of War's death row, awaiting execution. It was his old friend, the Earl of Zhongcheng, Lu Bing, who had personally paid a bribe of one thousand taels of gold to Yan Shifan. Yan Shifan then spoke up for Yu Dayou, getting his sentence changed from death to exile to the northwestern frontier, demoting him from a general to a common foot soldier.
However, gold will shine wherever it is. Yu Dayou went to serve on the frontier in Datong, Shanxi. The governor of Datong, Li Wenjin, was overjoyed, as if he had found a priceless treasure. The northwestern frontier frequently clashed with Anda Khan's army, and they were in desperate need of a talented warrior like Yu Dayou.
As soon as Yu Dayou arrived in Datong, he designed wheelbarrows that could counter the enemy's cavalry in several skirmishes. He used one hundred of these wheelbarrows, with sharp blades tied to the front, to achieve a great victory against the enemy at An'yin Fort, protecting the border.
Yu Dayou redeemed himself through meritorious service. Li Wenjin reported Yu Dayou's battle achievements to the imperial court and established the Great Ming Chariot Battalion. The Jiajing Emperor then issued a decree, restoring Yu Dayou's title and official post.
This year, the fortieth year of the Jiajing reign, spring had just begun, but the Great Ming knew no peace. A man named Zhang Lian had started a rebellion in Guangdong, establishing the Flying Dragon Kingdom and proclaiming himself the Flying Dragon King. In a short time, he had actually gathered over a hundred thousand troops, conquering cities and territories along the way. Guangdong was in chaos, and the armies sent to suppress the bandits suffered repeated defeats. The Jiajing Emperor thus transferred Yu Dayou to Guangdong to quell the Flying Dragon Kingdom.
Wu Xiaoqi said, "My father used to guard the Embroidered Uniform Guard's firearms armory. I know a thing or two about firearms. Leave the matter of sending the firearms to Master Yu for identification to me. I'll take them on a trip to Guangdong."
Wu Xiaoqi's father was Masked Wu, who had died a tragic death at the hands of Yan Shifan's death warriors. Masked Wu had guarded the firearms armory for many years. Because the martial arts Lu Ying taught her subordinates were mainly based on Yu Dayou's Sword Manual , everyone respectfully called Yu Dayou "Master."
They decided to split up and tackle the problem from two angles. By now, it was dark, and most of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the office had left. Commander Zhu Xixiao was just about to leave for a social engagement when a guard came to report that Lu Ying had arrived.
Lu Ying was a workaholic with no concept of clocking off. Zhu Xixiao had heard of Lu Bing's "Desperate Fourth Miss" who preferred armor to adornments, but he hadn't expected the real person to be even more intense than the rumors.
Bound by the Jiajing Emperor's instructions, Zhu Xixiao put aside his engagement and met with Lu Ying.
Lu Ying wasted no words. She immediately reported the recent progress of their White Lotus Sect task force and their next steps to Zhu Xixiao. "...Once we confirm the location of the fake Japanese pirates who are actually the White Lotus Sect, our few dozen men won't be enough to close the net. General Yu Dayou is busy quelling the Flying Dragon Kingdom in Guangdong and can't spare any troops to assist. Therefore, this subordinate will need Commander Li's talisman and written order to borrow troops from a nearby garrison."
Now that her immediate superior was no longer her own father, everything had to go through proper channels. There were no more convenient backdoors. Lu Ying could not act on her own authority in all matters and needed to borrow strength from Zhu Xixiao.
Zhu Xixiao was no incompetent placeholder. He deeply understood the importance of the two pieces of intelligence provided by Ding Wu. Upon hearing her plan, he gave her the talisman and issued the written order on the spot.
However, Zhu Xixiao hesitated slightly. "This operation is different from usual. They have nearly nine hundred firearms stolen from the Wang Gong Factory. You have never faced such a formidable opponent. And with firearms in hand, even the most skilled martial arts master is helpless. I am worried for your safety."
Lu Ying had already "crossed swords" with her mother and knew what the elders were worried about. Reasoning with them was completely useless. They simply didn't believe that a woman like her could bravely charge into battle; they always thought she was going to her death. The more she argued her case, the more they thought she was naive and ridiculous, that she would suffer for not listening to her elders, and the more they refused to agree.
One is influenced by the company one keeps. Lu Ying had "learned bad habits" from Wang Daxia and had also started to lie. "Swords and blades have no eyes, but this subordinate will definitely protect myself. My father has just passed away; I cannot let Li Yiren suffer the double blow of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one. Rest assured, Commander Li. My subordinates are all resourceful, brave, and skilled in battle. We will also have the assistance of the local garrison troops. We will certainly return in triumph soon."
In truth, Lu Ying always led from the front in every battle, never using her subordinates as cannon fodder. But now, under someone else's roof, she had to bow her head. She had learned to be flexible.
As expected, Lu Ying's promise had an effect. Zhu Xixiao gave her the talisman and the written order, repeatedly reminding her, "Don't be reckless, don't be greedy for merit, and don't advance rashly. Remember not to fight alone. Once you discover the White Lotus Sect lair, first hold your position. Secretly borrow troops from the garrison to surround them, then encircle and annihilate them."
Lu Ying put away the spirit tablet and the written order. "This subordinate will remember Commander Zhu's orders and dare not forget."
Having gotten what she wanted, Lu Ying immediately prepared to leave for Linqing. She chose to pose as a medicinal herb merchant and went to Sweetwater Lane to ask Wei Caiwei for help, asking her what herbs she should procure to make her trip south to sell them more convincing.
Wei Caiwei said, "Ginseng and deer antler, of course. They are both transported from the north to the south. However much you transport is how much you'll sell. The profits are substantial, and the goods aren't excessively bulky, making them easy to carry. It's the most suitable disguise."
Wei Caiwei was curious. "Why the sudden trip to Linqing?"
Lu Ying hesitated. This concerned an Embroidered Uniform Guard secret and was related to the White Lotus Sect; she couldn't drag her into it again.
Lu Ying said, "There's a White Lotus Sect lair in Linqing."
Lu Ying went to the major crude drug stores in the capital to stock up and get a feel for the market.
However, Wei Caiwei was not so easily fooled. She noticed that when Lu Ying spoke, her eyes kept darting towards Ding Wu's room.
Lu Ying's lips were sealed, so Wei Caiwei knew when to back off. But there was someone whose mouth was like a bamboo basket—full of holes. She decided to break through from the basket.
In the morning, when Wang Daxia was heading to the Imperial Guard Office, he passed by her house and gave a customary whistle.
Hearing the sound, Wei Caiwei opened her window. "Come in. I have something to tell you."
Wang Daxia quickly dismounted. Wei Caiwei had just woken up and washed, not yet having had time to do her makeup. Her black hair cascaded down as she dotted her lips with rouge, pressed them together lightly, and then dripped a drop of Western perfume, a gift from Consort Shang, onto her neck.
She tugged down the collar of her cross-collared robe, then deliberately tucked a lock of hair beneath it. The dark hair snaked down like a little black serpent, from her neck to her collarbone, and then into the valley between the "twin peaks," sparking the imagination.
The Eunuch Wang of her past life had been a real sucker for this move.
Wei Caiwei was essentially repeating an old trick, affecting the drowsy look of a crabapple blossom waking from slumber as she yawned and opened the door.
Wang Daxia's gaze was indeed "entangled" by the wisp of curly black hair on her fair chest. He couldn't tear his eyes away to look at Wei Caiwei's face at all.
The rouge was applied in vain.
In the first month of the year, the ice and snow in the capital had not yet melted. A north wind blew in, and Wang Daxia quickly pushed Wei Caiwei back into the house. "It's cold outside. Be careful not to catch a chill."
Wang Daxia was a man who acted on emotion but was restrained by propriety. He wouldn't make a move on Wei Caiwei. His push was a gesture, not meant to actually touch her chest. According to their usual tacit understanding, when he reached out, Wei Caiwei would simultaneously take a step back.
But this time, his fiancée suddenly lacked that understanding. Wei Caiwei seemed not fully awake, her reaction sluggish, and she stood rooted to the spot.
Wang Daxia only felt a softness in his palm. He knew what it was, but he was reluctant to let go. He was no villain, but he was definitely no gentleman either. He was undoubtedly a man with principles, but his principles were set much lower than the average man's. His principles were in the basement.
Wang Daxia's mind instantly raced:
You might not believe me, but I really didn't make the first move!
The real can't be fake, and the fake can't be real. This texture... it's at least ten thousand times better than a Shandong steamed bun!
In three more years, I can touch them whenever I want.
Still have to wait three years. Sigh.
"Hey! What are you doing!" Wei Caiwei's feigned collision was a success. She slapped Wang Daxia's hand away sharply, annoyed, and turned as if to leave.
Wang Daxia quickly grabbed her sleeve—not daring to grab her hand. "I... I didn't do it on purpose. I thought you would step back."
Wei Caiwei said, "Then why did you grab it and not let go?"
Wang Daxia was speechless. "I... I was wrong. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me? I'm about to leave on a long trip. Don't be angry."
Wei Caiwei: "Where are you going?"
Wang Daxia: "To Linqing first. After that, I don't know."
Wei Caiwei: "With whom?"
Wang Daxia: "With Commander Lu and the others, of course."
Wei Caiwei: "That's it?"
Wang Daxia said, "Yes, it's all our own people. No outsiders."
Wei Caiwei pointed at Ding Wu's room. "Is Ding Wu one of your own people or an outsider?"
Wang Daxia said, "Of course Big Brother Ding is one of our own." And a very capable one at that!
Excitement welled up in Wei Caiwei's heart. "So, you're saying Ding Wu is in Linqing."
Wang Daxia said hastily, "No... no, he's not." This trip was too dangerous; he didn't want to drag Wei Caiwei into it either.
Wei Caiwei feigned anger. "Hmph, you're lying to me again. After you leave this time, don't bother coming to see me anymore."
Wang Daxia quickly said, "He is, he is! Ding Wu is in Linqing."
Wei Caiwei pulled her collar open even wider and turned around. She had just woken up and hadn't had time to put on a chest-binding bodice. Her two large apples swayed with her steps, almost bursting out of her clothes, making Wang Daxia dizzy and lose all reason.
Wei Caiwei: "Take me to see Ding Wu, and I'll forgive you."
The newly prominent Adam's apple on Wang Daxia's throat bobbed up and down. Without even thinking, he said, "Okay."
Author's note: Daxia: Steamed buns are good, but I have Banxia.
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