Chapter 37
"It's the Wen daughter who's been in hiding..."
Pei Song slightly furrowed his brow and said, "Bring me the battle report."
The personal guard standing attentively at his side quickly stepped forward, took the battle report, and presented it to him with a bow.
After reading the letter, Pei Song's anger grew even more intense than before. He braced both hands against the desk, turbulent waves surging in his eyes, and coldly spat out four words: "The Yang Clan of Hengzhou!"
The Yang Clan of Hengzhou was the maternal family of Changlian Wang's consort.
Realizing something was wrong, the Chief Administrator took the battle report and was also greatly shocked. Stroking his goatee repeatedly, he reflected: "It was our oversight. We only considered that Hengzhou was behind Dingzhou and wouldn't pose a major threat. We never expected they would persuade neighboring prefectures to surrender to Wei Qishan together, forming an encirclement around Dingzhou..."
The Chief Administrator suddenly paused his beard-stroking, his expression turning grave: "But... this shouldn't be. Although the Yang Clan of Hengzhou is the maternal family of Changlian Wang's consort, the Yang family prides itself on nobility and purity. The current head of the family particularly enjoys pure conversation, pays no attention to court affairs or people's livelihoods, and guards the reputation of Hengshan Academy as a pure scholarly stream—he hasn't even entered official service. How could he possess such foresight? Unless... someone is advising him from behind the scenes?"
Considering this, the Chief Administrator felt his heart leap and hurriedly bowed to Pei Song: "My lord, if Wei Qishan sent someone to persuade the Yang family, I'm afraid this barbarian is even more difficult to deal with than we anticipated. The battle for Dingzhou concerns the morale of your confrontation with Wei Qishan. Now Dingzhou is in danger! If General Xing's matter was also Wei Qishan's doing, this is truly highly unfavorable for you, my lord! I implore you to quickly deploy troops to Dingzhou!"
Sitting in his huanghuali wood armchair, Pei Song propped his head up with one hand. After closing his eyes in contemplation for a moment, he seemed to calm down and said: "Sir, have you noticed that since we came to Yongzhou, while everything appears smooth on the surface, it actually feels like we've stepped into a quagmire?"
The Chief Administrator hesitated: "Does my lord mean the inability to requisition grain and medicinal supplies within Yongzhou city?"
Pei Song shook his head: "Not only that. Although Yongzhou has surrendered, the world sighs at the integrity of former Liang ministers. I found it suspicious that Zhou Jing'an's suicide timing coincided exactly with Han Yang's denunciation of me. Over the past two days, while reviewing all documents related to Huo Kun's case, I discovered that the silver confiscated from the He family—who handled canal transport for Huo Kun—and deposited into the treasury after their property was seized, differs significantly from the scale of gifts they previously gave."
He tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertip, his gaze profound: "Sir, what do you think would have happened to any unrecorded money from the He family after their property was confiscated?"
The Chief Administrator's expression changed: "Does my lord suspect that someone might have used that money to hoard grain and medicinal supplies in advance?"
Pei Song's eyes turned sharply cold: "With Dingzhou surrounded, Yongzhou's supplies conveniently become scarce—this is truly impossible not to ponder deeply."
Following Pei Song's line of thought, the Chief Administrator broke out in a cold sweat: "If all this was planned by one person, they would be cunning to the point of sorcery! To set traps simultaneously in both Hengzhou and Yongzhou..."
Pei Song slowly continued his thought: "Wei Qishan is a mere military man—his reach shouldn't extend to Yongzhou. Moreover, the caliber of literate men he can employ is evident from that denunciatory proclamation he issued against me. Such mediocrities likely don't have the eloquence to persuade the Yang family either."
Analyzing it this way, there seemed to be only one answer remaining.The Chief Secretary asked in shock and suspicion, "Do you suspect all of this was done by the Wen woman who fled?"
Pei Song's gaze turned dangerous. "Whether it is or not, interrogating Zhou Sui should yield answers."
The Chief Secretary's expression remained grave. "But Yongzhou has assassins capable of killing General Xing Lie. To be safe, we should assign more guards to protect you, my lord."
Pei Song raised a hand to stop him. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "As for who killed Xing Lie... I have a suspicion."
Before the Chief Secretary could inquire further, a guard announced Zhou Sui's arrival.
Moments later, Zhou Sui entered in a plain blue cotton robe and bowed to Pei Song. "This humble official greets the Minister Over the Masses and the Chief Secretary."
His voice was hoarse, his face pale, and his entire demeanor listless, like a walking corpse. The oversized winter clothes made his frame appear even more gaunt.
Pei Song's scrutinizing gaze fell upon him, but his tone was casual. "Xing Lie is dead. Have you heard, Young Master Zhou?"
Zhou Sui's eyes were devoid of life. He didn't even blink, only curling his lips into a bitter, mocking smile. "The Minister truly enjoys making sport of this humble official."
Pei Song's expression cooled. The Chief Secretary interjected, "General Xing was indeed ambushed while on duty and beheaded. My lord summoned you today to discuss who might have killed him."
Suddenly, a spark of life ignited in Zhou Sui's dull eyes. He laughed wildly, his voice rasping. "Dead? He's really dead?"
Ignoring the wound on his neck, he laughed like a madman, shouting, "Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes!"
Witnessing his hysterics, Pei Song's expression grew colder. The Chief Secretary's drooping eyelids concealed a subtle gaze.
Zhou Sui's mad laughter eventually turned into choked sobs. He knelt facing the study door, pressing his forehead to the ground as he wept bitterly. "Mother, do you hear? That bastard is dead! Retribution! This is retribution!"
Impatient, Pei Song gestured. Guards hauled Zhou Sui up and forced him to kneel before Pei Song.
Pei Song stared coldly at him. "Are you saying, Young Master Zhou, that Xing Lie's death has nothing to do with the Zhou family?"
Zhou Sui laughed again as if hearing the greatest joke. "If the Minister wants my life, just take it. There's no need for lofty excuses. If I had the ability to kill Xing Lie, I would have sliced him to pieces! No... I would never have let him get anywhere near my mother!"
As he spoke, tears of hatred and humiliation welled in his reddened eyes. Staring at Pei Song, he said, "I only regret wasting my life on books, failing to avenge my mother myself, and lacking the face to join her in the afterlife! If the Minister sends my family to reunite underground, it would be my wish come true!"
Seeing Pei Song's darkening expression, the Chief Secretary barked, "Watch your words, Young Master Zhou! My lord held your father in high esteem and repeatedly offered him surrender. It was your father who chose to take his own life! As for your mother... General Xing offended her while drunk, and my lord punished him for it. Given your loss, my lord has overlooked your insolence. Do not mistake his kindness for weakness!"
Zhou Sui only smiled bleakly. "How could I dare defy the Minister? Whatever you and the Chief Secretary believe must be true."Pei Song said, "Xing Lie has a reckless temperament. Perhaps he offended the guards around the young master and met such a tragic end."
Zhou Sui seemed to have heard some kind of joke, letting out a bitter laugh: "The Minister's words are far too absurd. Yesterday, you saw for yourself—all the servants in my manor combined couldn't stop Xing Lie alone. With a courtyard full of dead, if I had someone capable of killing Xing Lie by my side, would I have allowed him to run rampant to this extent and insult my mother?"
Pei Song fell silent for a moment before murmuring, "Doesn't the young master still have men patrolling the streets?"
Zhou Sui appeared to have given up arguing, letting out a sorrowful laugh as he said, "If the Minister believes anyone under my command could kill Xing Lie, just arrest whomever you deem guilty."
A personal guard entered from outside and whispered something into Pei Song's ear.
Pei Song slightly raised his eyes and said, "Bring him in."
Shortly after, a Manor Guard who had recently returned from patrol was brought into the study—the current head of the Zhou Manor's guards.
Pei Song stared at him and asked, "Was it you who severed the arm of one of my soldiers on the street yesterday?"
The guard captain knelt on one knee, bowing his head as he replied, "It was this humble one's misstep. I beg the Minister's forgiveness!"
Pei Song had his men separate and take away the patrolling Manor Guards for individual interrogation, questioning each about who had disabled the rogue soldier's arm yesterday. Fortunately, the remaining guards had already agreed on a unified account—they all pointed to their captain.
Pei Song asked, "Do you have a name?"
The guard captain replied, "This humble one is named Liu Yuan."
Liu Yuan?
Not the one surnamed Xiao that the jailer had mentioned.
Pei Song seemed thoughtful as he glanced at his personal guard and gave a slight nod.
Understanding the signal, the guard stepped forward, interlocking his fingers and cracking his neck with faint joint pops.
Pei Song said, "Show your true skills. Spar with my guard."
The guard captain didn't dare underestimate the challenge. Among martial artists, one can gauge an opponent's depth through exchange—even if trying to conceal one's abilities, clues would emerge.
He employed his best techniques against Pei Song's personal guard, yet was still defeated within ten moves.
Pei Song's expression darkened. As a martial general himself, he could tell the Zhou Manor guard had given his all.
With such mediocre skills, not only could he not have killed Xing Lie, but he'd likely struggle even against the dozen soldiers under Xing Lie's command.
However, during the interrogation of other Manor Guards, his subordinates had already tested their martial prowess—none were capable of killing Xing Lie.
This sudden loss of clues left Pei Song inexplicably irritable. His knuckles tapped impatiently on the armrest of his official's chair when he suddenly asked, "I've heard there's a guard named Xiao Li in the young master's manor."
Zhou Sui's face underwent an almost imperceptible change, but his complexion was already deathly pale, making the subtle shift undetectable to others in the room. He merely said, "There is such a person."
Pei Song looked up: "Where is he?"
Zhou Sui laughed bleakly: "He died yesterday at Xing Lie's hands along with all the loyal servants in the courtyard. By now, he's probably in the mass grave, devoured by wolves."
Pei Song's brows furrowed involuntarily.
Dead?
Then who exactly killed Xing Lie?
The solid rosewood armrest cracked under Pei Song's grip as he leaned forward slightly, his eyes cold and venomous like a snake flicking its tongue: "Then perhaps the young master could explain why medicinal herbs and grain have suddenly increased in price within Yongzhou City?"
His subordinates couldn't procure these military supplies, and upon inquiring about city prices, discovered they had multiplied several times compared to north of the Wei River.When he was in Luodu and Fengyang, he could allow his subordinates to plunder freely, because no matter how many nobles and royals were killed, the common people, who had suffered enough from forced labor and heavy taxes, would not lament for those aristocrats and royals.
Only the scholar-official class and the literati across the land would be enraged.
The literary men's ink-laden curses were nothing more than an itch to him.
Using the cities from Luodu to Fengyang, he had fed his army, ignited their fighting spirit, and nurtured their greed.
Now that Changlian Wang was dead and the Wen Shi royal family no longer existed, the only contenders left for the empire were him and Wei Qishan. The previous method of sustaining war through war was no longer feasible.
If he continued to let his subordinates plunder cities, the common people, who had previously applauded the downfall of the nobles, would eventually realize that he would sooner or later turn on them. The people's hearts would then lean toward Wei Qishan, who was adept at feigning benevolence and righteousness.
Although Pei Song looked down upon the support of those ignorant masses, he had to admit that gaining their allegiance was far more advantageous than losing it.
However, everything must proceed step by step; water that is too clear harbors no fish.
His army had grown accustomed to plundering. After all, among those who joined the military, only a few were driven by lofty ideals—most simply sought to escape hardship. But military pay was not always issued on time; delays of a year or more were common. Plundering after capturing a city had become the only way for those military ruffians to amass wealth.
If he suddenly imposed strict laws and harsh punishments, demanding that his subordinates leave the common people completely untouched, it would only backfire and might even encourage desertion.
So, more often than not, he turned a blind eye, as long as his subordinates did not go too far.
But when it came to requisitioning supplies, forced seizures or outright robbery were absolutely unacceptable—because it was not just a few households being targeted, but entire prefectures.
The eyes and pens of the literati across the land were fixed firmly on him.
Now that his army was fighting Wei Qishan in the north, supplies had to be requisitioned from the south as much as possible.
The worst-case scenario was having to pay for them, but with the north-south conflict just beginning, prices in Yongzhou City had already skyrocketed to such an extent that Pei Song was seething with anger inside.
The feeling of being outmaneuvered at every turn made him want to drag the mastermind behind this scheme out and tear him to pieces!
Hearing Pei Song's question, Zhou Sui first looked bewildered, then laughed incredulously: "Does the Minister believe that the merchants' pricing is also under my command?"
The Chief Clerk interjected: "The price of rice and grains in Yongzhou, as well as common military medicinal herbs like bletilla, sanguisorba, cattail pollen, and cirsium, are several times higher than north of the Wei River. It is truly suspicious, which is why our lord asked this question."
Zhou Sui had spoken too much today, his throat so sore he could barely make a sound. He let out a hoarse laugh: "How could someone of my humble status possibly manipulate the prices of rice, grains, and medicines across the entire region south of the Wei River..."
Just then, another personal guard reported from outside the room—Pei Song's other senior generals, sent to nearby counties to requisition food and medicinal supplies, had returned.
There were many counties near Yongzhou, and he had naturally not sent only Xing Lie on this mission.
The burly martial general strode into the study, his voice booming like a great bell: "Minister, it's truly baffling! This general traveled south to two prefectures but couldn't requisition any military provisions or medicines. The prices in those places were even higher than in Yongzhou!"
Hearing this, both Pei Song and the Chief Clerk's faces darkened.They had previously speculated that someone was hoarding large quantities of grain and medicinal herbs in Yongzhou City, but for prices to rise in all neighboring prefectures was truly bizarre.
Pei Song asked, "Have you found out the reason behind this?"
The martial general shook his head and said, "No, but I've heard that in some prefectures further south, the prices of grain and medicine have also risen sharply."
Zhou Sui asked Pei Song with a self-mocking, hoarse voice, "Does the Minister still intend to hold this humble official accountable?"
Pei Song's expression was dark as he locked eyes with Zhou Sui. He knew something must have gone wrong somewhere, but the schemer's methods were too covert. He couldn't even find the slightest clue as to how they had manipulated the grain and medicine prices south of the Wei River.
The Chief Clerk smoothed things over for Pei Song, saying, "The Lord is merely concerned about the livelihood of Yongcheng's people, which is why he summoned Young Master Zhou for questioning. Since it was a misunderstanding, and Young Master Zhou's injuries have not yet healed, you may return to rest now."
Zhou Sui still wore an expression that clearly displayed his sorrow, joy, resentment, and anger—utterly guileless. He bowed to Pei Song and said, "In that case, this humble official takes his leave."
Supported by the Manor Guard captain Liu Yuan, he turned and walked out. On the surface, he appeared full of self-mockery and indignation after being suspected, but his palms were drenched in cold sweat.
He naturally knew about the Princess's original plan with his father.
The Princess used the hidden private silver of the He and Han families to purchase silk and tea from Xu Jia, then had Xu Jia replace them with grain and medicinal herbs during transport, successfully driving up the prices of grain and medicine.
His father had once praised the Princess, saying that if she were in business, she would be a prodigy.
She used half the silver to obtain twice the goods from Xu Jia, and because she promised to convert part of it into grain and medicinal herbs, she paid an additional twenty percent. For that twenty percent profit, Xu Jia would only exchange all the silk and tea for grain and medicinal herbs along the way.
Thus, grain and medicinal herb merchants along the route, seeing the business opportunity in advance, followed suit and purchased the grain and medicinal herbs from the common people and herb farmers that would have otherwise been requisitioned as military supplies. This caused the price increases, which would have only occurred after the common people learned that the north was already at war, to arrive early, leaving Pei Song's army to bear the brunt as the unwitting victims.
The common people not only ensured their basic needs but also earned some initial capital from the grain and medicinal herb merchants early on. Only Pei Song's army had to swallow this bitter pill in silence, achieving the best of both worlds.
It was just that Pei Song had reacted a bit too quickly...
Fortunately, fortunately, the Princess had considered everything thoroughly. Xu Jia's cargo ships had long headed south, and prices in the south had risen accordingly, so no flaws were exposed.
As he was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly saw one of Pei Song's personal guards rushing in from outside. Out of courtesy, Zhou Sui stepped aside to let the other enter first.
The guard seemed rather hurried, or perhaps he did not regard Zhou Sui—the nominal son of a Prefectural Governor—highly, for he did not spare Zhou Sui a second glance. After entering, he went straight to Pei Song.
Zhou Sui thought it improper to linger and eavesdrop, so he lifted his foot to step over the threshold again. Faintly, he heard the guard say something like, "That woman has woken up."
Author's Note: Updated late, sending red envelopes to my dear readers in the comments section. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the male and female leads will meet in the next chapter~
Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solution between 2023-12-24 23:28:22 and 2023-12-26 04:30:02~
Thanks to the little angel who threw a hand grenade: Xiaoxiao, 1;Thank you to the little angels who threw landmines: Ye, Qian Shan Du Xing, Qing Shan Bu Gai – 1 each;
Thank you to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: 67029664 – 20 bottles; Fei Xu – 13 bottles; 41103409 – 12 bottles; Sen Lin – 2 bottles; 39874609, Stella, jenniferCA, Jin Huan, Yun Dong Ya, Ji Ji, 27428371, She De, 50581913, 34945142, Chuan Ye Ye, Mu Zi Shuo Shu, Zhi Zhi Bu Zhi Zhi, Wo De Yang, Ke Yi Bei Lu Si, Bo He Xiang Qi, Bian, Sui Sui Tao Yan Sui Sui, 41723680, Su Nian Chu Meng, kfpy_L – 1 bottle each;
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
OpenNovel