"From the six gambling sessions I witnessed today, the first one was betting on whether Treading Clouds or Swift Wind would win. I later inquired and found that besides the small private pool they operated, there was also a major pool run by the horse racing track. Outside the track, there were bookmakers taking bets. It's unimaginable how large an interest chain a single horse race could involve."
And this interest chain undoubtedly entangled countless people. To attempt disrupting it would be extremely difficult. If the Chao Li Tribe was manipulating this interest group behind the scenes, then the current threat posed by the Chao Li Tribe would need to be at least doubled from existing perceptions - possibly even more.
Even without the Chao Li Tribe's involvement, this was no trivial matter. The web they had woven was far too extensive.
"The betting pools outside the track target those who can't enter the racing grounds," Yu Mu reported his findings. "Anyone can place bets, with absolutely no discrimination."
Hua Zhi nearly laughed aloud - they had actually managed to lend gambling an air of sophistication.
Yet she couldn't bring herself to laugh, feeling as if someone had seized her by the throat and pressed down on her face.
In this vast prefectural city, anything could become subject to gambling, which was treated as commonplace, thoroughly integrated into daily life. In later eras, such a place might develop this as a local specialty, but in a nation with less than forty million people, this was unacceptable.
Little Six also looked grim. "Tomorrow I'll continue staying close to Zeng Xiangyan."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Observe more, listen more, remember more. Don't do anything unnecessary. Given the current situation, even revealing your identity wouldn't solve anything and might bring greater danger. Don't entertain any illusions."
Little Six repeatedly agreed. Even if he wasn't afraid of death himself, he couldn't drag Hua sister down with him.
"Jia Yang, tomorrow you'll accompany Little Six."
"Yes."
After taking a sip of tea, Hua Zhi looked up. "What have you found out? Tell me."
"Yes." Yu Mu organized his thoughts. "The Seven Constellation Bureau has traced the turning point in Jin Yang to six years ago. Before that, Jin Yang was no different from other places - gambling houses were seen as scourges that ordinary people avoided. That year, the gambling house changed ownership. Not only did they voluntarily clear all previous bad debts, they also established limits on borrowing. Soon after, the young masters from Jin Yang's Li and Wu families clashed over a courtesan from Hongxi Tower. The rivalry between the two families threw Jin Yang into such tension that the conflict escalated to life-threatening levels. Later, the gambling house contacted both parties and resolved their feud through a wager. The gambling house openly acted as bookmaker for their dispute, profiting handsomely - and this wasn't the only instance."
Pausing briefly, Yu Mu continued, "The two families only resolved their lethal enmity without becoming friends. They continued competing in various matters afterward - who would win a courtesan's favor, who would obtain the seasonal play scripts first - all such trivial matters became gambling opportunities. The gambling house consistently served as bookmaker during these events. According to the Seven Constellation Bureau's investigation, both families received substantial dividends from the gambling house during this period."
"Are you suggesting the rivalry between the Li and Wu families was actually a scheme orchestrated by the gambling house?"
"Yes. Later, the Li and Wu families extended this competition to horse racing, making the construction of the racing track a natural development."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. She was beginning to understand what had happened - they had used the slow-boiling frog approach to gradually cook the entire Jin Yang city.
"Did no one see through this trick? Or did those who discovered it all benefit?"
"Correct - they all benefited."As expected, Hua Zhi asked again, "Was the gambling house backed by the Zhu Family from the beginning? Had nothing to do with Yuan Shifang?"
"Yuan Shifang was one of those who benefited. I investigated him thoroughly, and he indeed only took dividends without doing anything else. Initially, the Zhu Family, like others, only received dividends. At that time, the gambling house was backed by the former Assistant Prefect. It was only after he was arrested for his crimes that the Zhu Family got their opportunity."
"Did you investigate the former Assistant Prefect? Were there any issues?"
Yu Mu seemed to smile faintly. "No official can withstand close scrutiny. The charges against the former Assistant Prefect were valid."
Hua Zhi instantly understood his implication. Indeed, no official's hands were entirely clean—it was all too easy to pin a crime on someone without leaving any loopholes for investigation. "What about the gambling house owner? What's his background?"
"His name is Zheng Xing. He used to be a gang leader in Jin Yang. Later, during a violent clash between two gangs, his gang lost and they were driven out of Jin Yang. The Seven Constellation Bureau confirmed that they went to the capital to seek refuge with a former friend. He does have some capability—he thrived there. Eleven years later, which was six years ago, he returned to Jin Yang, a sort of triumphant homecoming."
"All of this has been verified?"
"Yes."
"So he has a solid background." Hua Zhi lowered her head and took a sip of tea before asking, "What was he like when he was in the capital? Was he as... principled and rule-abiding as he is now?"
Yu Mu paused. "That... I haven't investigated. I'll go and—"
"No need to rush." Hua Zhi interrupted him. "Send a letter to Yan Xi and tell him to return immediately."
"Yes."
This matter was something only Yan Xi and his men had the capability to handle. Even Yan Xi would need a well-laid plan before taking action.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanxi, who was being thought of, arrived at Yinshan Pass just as the last glimmer of light faded from the sky. The moment he entered the city, he sensed something amiss. Passing through the southern half of the city, now a residential area for civilians, he rode straight to the northern half.
Compared to the slightly tense southern half, the atmosphere in the northern half was noticeably more strained. However, judging by the relatively orderly state of affairs, any military conflict that had occurred was likely minor.
Presenting his imperial token, he was quickly brought before the unshaven Wu Yong.
"I thought winter was a ceasefire period."
"That's what I thought too. If we hadn't been drilling new recruits these past days without any slack, we might have been caught off guard." Seeing that he wasn't putting on airs as the Heir or a member of the Seven Constellation Bureau, Wu Yong casually cupped his hands in a casual greeting and asked offhandedly, "Did the young lady and Shaoyao not come?"
"I thought you knew."
Wu Yong looked at him.
Gu Yanxi sat down casually. "Old Master Hua told her not to come."
Wu Yong slapped his forehead. Right—Old Master Hua had sent a letter back through him. So it was to stop Hua Zhi from coming. That made sense—with the uncertain situation at Yinshan Pass, what was the point of coming? It was best if no one came.
"We've had a drought for nearly half the year. Our Daqing has waived taxes, so the people can tighten their belts and survive, but the grasslands can't. This winter probably won't be peaceful."
"Was the city breached?"
"We held it. It won't be easy for them to break through later." Wu Yong stood up. "Come, let me show you something good."
Arriving at the city wall, Gu Yanxi saw many soldiers carrying buckets, some empty and some full, passing by.Wu Yong offered no explanation, directly leading the men up the city tower. The carried water was placed against the wall, and the soldiers departed with empty buckets. At that moment, someone was using a ladle to slowly pour water down the city wall. Gu Yanxi's mind flashed with realization, and he quickly strode over to look—sure enough, it was exactly as he thought!
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